Keela Wednesday May 11th, 2011 1:15:08 PM
The others may be cheerfully undaunted by the time the group reaches their destination, but Keela is hot, sweaty, and cross.
"What a dumb place to live," she mutters, "with a bunch of trees acting like petulant, over-indulged children."
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Wednesday May 11th, 2011 3:51:33 PM
Garret smiles at Keela's comment and replies, "Ah, but if you're fleeing from a group of bloodthirsty lizards who have flying cities, what better place to hide, eh?"
He looks around at the clearing and wonders if they will be met soon. He looks again at the foreboding forest and hopes so.
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Wednesday May 11th, 2011 7:02:48 PM
Sorry friends, DM post will come later this evening. But to distract you, check out this swanky new map:
Caveat: Details subject to change as this new area is developed for the next new first level Woldian game. And remember folks, you heard it first on this station!
One more hint of coming attractions just to whet your appetite: Highlight to display spoiler: {DINOSAURS!}
One more hint of coming attractions just to whet Jet's appetite: Highlight to display spoiler: {TAVERNS!}
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Wednesday May 11th, 2011 7:48:04 PM
OOC: I'm picturing something either like the Flintstones or Jurassic Park. Let's take bets no which one it will be more like, eh?
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 Wednesday May 11th, 2011 9:12:38 PM
OOC: Ya know, I don't think I've ever played Zeph in an urban environment. I look forward to it. His first campaign was the Whinbourne hills with Hawkmen, fashioned by the wonderful Kathy. Now were in a foresty savana.
Then my darker mind thinks: and were fairly high level PCs walking around a buncha peons. Anyone see Dorkness rising, eh? J/k ;)
Co-DM Cayzle - RING RING RING Wednesday May 11th, 2011 11:29:23 PM
Zeph offers taps from his Mage Armor wand. No one takes him up on the generous offer.
Zeph, Ollie, and Raul step forward, Zeph looking at the ground nervously.
Jet uses music to make sure no one is surprised by the appearance of the party.
Keela complains, in her low-key way. Actually, by Keela standards, her muttering is practically a full-on tantrum.
Garret tries to defuse Keela's angry outbursts with humor.
[OOC to Keela: Highlight to display spoiler: {Kathy, hope you don't mind your DM teasing you!}]
Alexi jokes too, and watches.
When Zeph (who spots no traps), Raul, and Ollie step out, they here a bell ringing. Without much trouble, they see a small creature, holding a bell almost as big as it is, made of bone. It is ringing the bell as hard as it can. It looks to you like the creature is made of ... bits of bone? Strung together with catgut? It's kind of like an animated puppet, with no puppet master.
The bramble-cats near the waterfall tense and look ready to pounce. They are silent, though.
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Thursday May 12th, 2011 11:22:07 AM
Jet is still waiting for the host to arrive and greet their guests.
"Hello!!!! We apologize for being late, but your leaf clad, root bound community just had to spend more time with us then we would have liked and who are guests to be rude to the area natives? Not us, we must admit. We do appreiate the adoration and considrable attention your environment has indulged upon us."
Jet tries very hard not to make it sound like the rabbit pellets he believes his words to be, does not come across as sarcasm.
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Thursday May 12th, 2011 12:55:26 PM
Garret watches nervously at the strange lands around him. When the creature rings the bell, Garret walks right up to it to get a closer look at this strange thing.
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Thursday May 12th, 2011 1:19:36 PM
Raul and Ollie both flex their claws, ready for action but not making any threatening movements.
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 d20+9=18 ; d20+9=14 ; d20+16=26 ; Thursday May 12th, 2011 2:00:52 PM
Zeph eyes the strange bone-automaton with great curiosity, he will approach it with Garret and inspects the joints in the structure and tries to figure where he could pick it apart if need-be. (knowledge arcana = 18, religion = 14, disable device maybe? = 26) catgut?
He says to the creature in Draconic, "Greetings, we request audience with your master."
Then Zeph repeats it in the lizard tongue of Al Mathir (yay Linguistics. I actually found a way to use the skill in The Forged. Nobody had it as a class skill, so they failed a bit.)
Keela Thursday May 12th, 2011 4:54:06 PM
Keela watches the small creature ringing the bell. "A construct," she says, "maybe the same one that delivered the note to our camp."
She lets others take the lead in talking to the strange little fellow.
DM Cayzle Highlight to display spoiler: { I don't mind a bit. I decided a while ago that Keela needs a few more negative traits, so I'm playing her as a little ethnocentric. }
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Thursday May 12th, 2011 7:54:23 PM
OOC: correction, on May 9th, Alexi accepted a Mage Armor spell on himself.
IC: Alexi eyes the bone construct as he comments, "Yep, we're dealing with one of those powerful lizard mages, I'd say."
Stepping out of the woods he joins the others near the pond.
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Friday May 13th, 2011 1:27:26 PM
Garret continues to peer at the small construct ringing the bell. "It sure is interesting. Is this put together with magic, or just animated with magic?"
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) d20+9=23 ; d20+11=15 ; Friday May 13th, 2011 2:21:27 PM
Jet looks around the place and casts a Detect Magic, since it does not appear our host is greetings us any time soon.
He looks at the contructs, but does not approch the beach or lake with the others. He will prefer to keep his back to the forest until he knows it is safe.
Knowledge Arcana: 23 Spellcraft: 15
Co-DM Cayzle - The Hermit Friday May 13th, 2011 5:47:24 PM
Jet calls out a friendly greeting.
Zeph and Garret looks more closely at the bell-ringer. They confirm Keela's deduction. It is definitely a construct of some kind, or an animated object. It is cunningly fashioned of bone, leather, and bits of stone, with articulated joints. It looks a bit like a skeletal monkey or squirrel.
Raul and Ollie stand ready, watching, with Alexi, who finally steps out from the concealment of the foliage.
Jet ponders casting a detection spell, but before he can do so, there is movement from the waterfall. An awning made of bone and leather moves out from behind the curtain of water, diverting part of it and revealing a passageway behind. You can hardly see the passageway, though, because the hermit is stepping out.
He is at least 8 feet tall and must weigh roughly 400 pounds. He walks on two legs, but has a tail. His scales are small and snake-like, and his face seems like a blend of snake and humanoid. But he does not seem well -- his skin is covered in buboes or erupting tumors, and one eye is just an empty gaping socket. He wears just a leather apron with many pockets, and a leather vest.
He looks past you and says in the language of Al Mathir, "Ah, my guests have arrived." You see that his tongue is split like a snake's.
He orders the little construct to stop and to lead the guests into his home.
He turns and walks back into the cave. The small construct beckons you and walks a few steps that way too. To enter, you will have to walk between the two silent but menacing bramblecats. They look to you like yew bushes, but more vinous, as if they were pruned and then given life.
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Friday May 13th, 2011 6:45:57 PM
Garret looks up, way up, to see the hermit. He thinks, "Wow, that is NOT what I expected."
When the hermit speaks and walks away, he turns to the others and says, "Well, I don't know what he said, but he sure seems to be welcoming us. Come on, let's head in for tea, shall we?"
Garret walks to follow the man, watching the large bushes with great curiosity.
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Friday May 13th, 2011 9:16:04 PM "I don't like the looks of this. Big ugly here wants to take you into a room I'm too small to squeeze into."
"I don't think he picked out his home with us in mind."
" --- True. What should I do in the meantime?"
"I don't know, stand guard?"
"Oh, boy! Can I, master? Can I please stand guard while you go have tea? Please?"
"There's no need for sarcasm here. I will be back soon. Maybe play with those cats while we're gone."
Cracking his knuckles, Raul slowly approaches. He keeps a wary eye on the cats as he enters. "I cannot say that I would recommend this kind of topiary to my mother's garden club, but I suppose it has its charm. Let us not tarry here long."
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Friday May 13th, 2011 10:24:59 PM
OOC: er... 'a room I'm too small to squeeze into..', how small do you gotta be to fit into a room an 8' tall 400 pound lizardman can 'squeeze' into?
or, can you ever be TOO small to squeeze into a room? :)
IC: Alexi deduces by the lizarman's motions and that of the bone construct, that their are being invited in. "Well, this time I believe I'll be more comfortable inside, underground. That doesn't happen very often."
Alexi follows the construct.
Keela Friday May 13th, 2011 11:00:59 PM
Keela understands Draconic, but not the language of al-Mathir. "We're relying on you for this," she murmurs to Zeph. Without much hesitation, she follows the hermit into his home. At least it should be cooler, there behind the waterfall, she thinks.
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Saturday May 14th, 2011 3:45:49 AM He obviously needs us more then we need him! With some apprehension, Jet admits. A masterful disguise could lead us astray. These simpletons from the the big city may fall for such kind of deception, but I will not allow this group of....of....friends....to be decieved by the the bestiality of Al Mathir! If the blood he craves is in any way deceptive or repulsive, I will strike with my flesh and bones upon his body considerable damage until he is considered decimated and his body is a crumpled piece of flesh, and soiled earth!
Jet is willing to be the diplomat if the group considers him such. He does not presume to be more then he claims to be. A modest man with many life experiences, which include being whipped for stealing food and living on the streets of The float, for what that is worth.
Jet does not understand the words of Al Mathir, so until he understands in common, which is his common language, he does not move from his spot.
What does he want? To follow creaturs that are not living? For somneone so much more superior then the rest of us, he sure isn't acting like he is smarter then the rest of us?
Yet, if someone is willing or able to translate those words, he will follow, with the trust that his comrades know a bit more then he does, on some sunbjects.
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Saturday May 14th, 2011 8:31:08 AM
Note: Where the hermit goes, Ollie can easily follow. They are about the same size.
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Saturday May 14th, 2011 11:21:56 PM
[ooc]Alright then. Ollie was going to stay since, technically speaking, an 8-foot-tall lizardfolk is still Medium-sized, while Ollie is Large-sized, and a quadruped to boot.[/ooc]
Ollie follows along, sniffing suspiciously with each step.
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 d20+4=13 Sunday May 15th, 2011 5:28:05 PM
Zeph smiles at Keela and gives her hand a little reassuring squeeze.
As the group enters the lair, Zeph wishes to learn more about our host, so he speaks in the lizard toungue of Al Mathir, "We have encountered the Thrull, Kothrull. And I have heard of the larger noble races, Mathir, and Matharis who are capable of arcane and divine magics. And I also remember tales of a 'Karkasan' taur-like snake man. To which nobility do you belong in the heirarchy of Al Mathir?"
(Diplomacy = 13, eh. help? Inspire competence?)
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Monday May 16th, 2011 5:00:18 PM
Garret gestures back to Jet and says, "Come on. I know there's not likely to be a tavern behind this waterfall, but Zeph can communicate with our host just fine."
[OOC: To save on tedium, your DM chooses to assume that Zeph willingly serves as translator.]
The Hermit disappears behind the waterfall, and his tiny construct beckons you.
Garret follows, eagerly, eye on the animated bramblecats, who do not attack.
Raul is next, at first leaving Ollie behind to wait, but then decides that his friend is better off with him. There is room, for sure. [OOC: Both Ollie and the hermit use the rules for Large creatures, FYI.]
Then Alexi, Keela, Jet, and Zeph -- though Jet follows only after Garret urges and Zeph translates.
The tunnel behind the waterfall is tall and clearly crafted cleverly for safe footing. After 20 feet, sloping slightly up, you enter a large room, maybe 30 feet in diameter. It looks like it is natural but smoothed and shaped to better serve as a home. The walls are covered with pegs made of bone, and leather sacks hang everywhere. Magical flames make the place bright and comfy. There is a fireplace, in which are set several glowing hot stones, which heat a bubbling cauldron hanging above them. This heat looks magical to you, since there are no flames. There is also a leather hanging, decorated in a simple geometric pattern.
Zeph comments on what he knows of the races of Al Mathir, and asks the hermit about his place in the nobility.
The hermit says to his construct, in the language of Al Mathir, "Show these guests to their places, so that they can sit and be welcome." The construct hops on the low table and gestures to each of you in turn to sit on the furs. "It would seem," the hermit says to his construct, "that the guests do not know that I am an exile, with no place in the Mountain That Soars. They are ignorant, but that is to be expected. I do not mind."
The hermit ladles a liquid from his cauldron into stonewear mugs, and sets a mug in front of each of you. "Do not let them drink yet," he tells his construct, which scuttles to and fro on seven articulated bone limbs that seem to be legs or arms at need. "It would not do to let them burn their tongues." The construct watches you out of black glass eyes that peep out from under its hard leather carapace.
He takes a few minutes to serve the beverage, and then several more to get settled in his chair. He sits for a few minutes before speaking, as if to himself. "This elixre of truth ensures that all who drink it willingly will speak no lies. I wonder if they will dare." He sips the drink himself after blowing on it.
[OOC: If you drink, you are choosing to be affected by the magic, and get no save except spell resistance, not that you have any of that. Do you drink?]
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) d20+7=11 ; Monday May 16th, 2011 7:29:03 PM
Jets not the best at sensing someones motive and since he doesn't know what is being said, he waits for Garret to give the indication that someone should drink the mix. He does suggest though, "I think only one or two of us should do it to determine it's effects, if any, before the rest of us do. We are not lizard people. He might be immune to something in it that could debilitate or kill us."
Sense Motive: 11
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Monday May 16th, 2011 9:57:16 PM
Alexi, used to eating and drinking the weird stuff Anrete cooked up (OOC: Anrete was one of the originals, he was something of a barbarian/rogue cross, i think, that had a knack for cooking, anything.) so Alexi volunteers to be one of the testers.
"May our words be true then," he says for Zeph to translate, and after testing it's temperature, sips as much as his tongue allows.
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Monday May 16th, 2011 11:25:25 PM
Raul and Ollie stand near the back of the room, staying quiet. They are obviously none too comfortable in the presence of the lizardman.
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Tuesday May 17th, 2011 10:20:03 AM
i.e. No, they do not drink.
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] d20+8=23 ; Tuesday May 17th, 2011 1:25:34 PM
Garret smiles and grins as the small construct runs about the room, serving everyone. He says, "I can see where having a little fellow like that sure can be handy. I do like him. Does he have a name?"
When it comes time to drink, Garret eyes the others and understands Jet's worry. He says to the hermit, through Zeph, "We are an honest people, so the idea that you require us to drink this projects dishonesty. We know little of your ways and your people and worry about our feeble people's health. Is this indeed little more than tea with truth serum?" He watches Alexi carefully as Alexi sips the tea.
OOC: Sense motive: 23
Keela Wednesday May 18th, 2011 12:50:47 AM
Keela frowns a little at being asked to sit on the floor, but she does so, a little awkwardly. She accepts the cup, and wonders idly how big a scene she would cause by casting a quick Prestidigitation to cool it. She decides, on the whole, that she'd rather not. Instead, she waits patiently for it to cool.
Once it is cool enough to drink safely, she takes a cautious sip.
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 d20+17=36 ; Wednesday May 18th, 2011 10:17:35 AM
Zeph smiles and says to Garret, "I think he means well, and It would do for our negotations if we were all honest."
Then Zeph pretends to drink the liquid, moving it to his lips and swallowing nothing but air (Bluff = 36)
Then Zeph speaks to the plagued lizard, "So, as an exile, I'm guessing your rights and claims to nobility have been stripped away. If that is the case, what do you hope to accomplish?"
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 d20+9=25 ; Wednesday May 18th, 2011 10:23:14 AM
Oh, Zeph would also like to make a Craft Alchemy check of 25 to determine the properties of the potion before pretending to drink it (I forgot I took a rank in alchemy just incase I find a way to craft poisons).
He sniffs the liquid, touches it to test the viscosity, etc.
Co-DM Cayzle - The Scent Of A Hermit d20=13 ; Wednesday May 18th, 2011 10:49:42 AM
Now that you are sitting at a table in a windowless room with the large reptilian fellow, you get the faint scent of a sick smell emanating from him. That's not too surprising, given the gaping pustules that cover his scaly hide, and the open hole where an eye once was. The very sweet scent rising from the brew in the cauldron and your cups does not so much mask this sick smell, but embraces it and swirls through your nose like a dryad dancing a waltz with a troll.
As the preparations for tea are made, Garret asks the name of the construct. The hermit does not answer that question.
Raul, Jet, Garret, and Zeph all resist drinking the liquid, each in his own way. Raul sits quietly. Jet suggests caution. Garret asks the hermit a direct question. Zeph pretends to drink.
[OOC to Zeph: Highlight to display spoiler: {The Resolute Will ability reads: "The avenger ... gains a bonus equal to his level when making Bluff, Concentration, and Intimidate checks." The reference is to Avenger PrC level, not to character level. Your bonus here is +4, not +7. Also, I suspect the skill you want to use is Sleight of Hand, rather than Bluff, which applies to lies rather than physical tricks. But let the roll stand, and do not bother with a reroll this time. Your SoH is v. good anyway.}]
On the other hand, Alexi and Keela sip the beverage. They feel the bindings of magic, and they may only speak the truth. They are not required to say anything they do not wish to, however.
The hermit seems distracted, and his gaze moves from you to the table to the cauldron to the entrance at random. He sits and drinks his own drink quietly. After a few minutes, he peers into the bottom of his cup and asks, as if to himself, "I wonder why these people have come to see me?"
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Wednesday May 18th, 2011 11:03:04 AM
Zeph, the standard way to identify a magic item is with a Spellcraft check. In addition, the rules say, "Identifying Potions: In addition to the standard methods of identification, PCs can sample from each container they find to attempt to determine the nature of the liquid inside with a Perception check. The DC of this check is equal to 15 + the spell level of the potion (although this DC might be higher for rare or unusual potions)."
So I need a Spellcraft or Perception check from you. Using your base roll of a 16, that gives you a Spellcraft check of 30. That's enough to tell you that this is an herbal potion you have never heard of before, called Truthiness Tea.
Note that under the Advanced Players Guide, the new Alchemist class can use a Craft Alchemy check to identify a potion.
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Wednesday May 18th, 2011 11:14:42 AM
Jet tests the liquid, in the harshest manner possible, "Alexi, are you in love with Keela?"
Cayzle Comments: Hee hee! I wondered if anyone would see the soap opera possibilities in this. Alexi, of course, may choose not to answer. :-)
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Wednesday May 18th, 2011 3:02:31 PM
Garret eyes the hermit closely as the hermit asks himself a question and does not answer other questions. He looks carefully at those who have taken a drink, wondering if the hermit is just completely mad and will be not only of not use to the group, but also may kill them, accidentally.
When Jet asks the question of Alexi, Garret laughs out loud and awaits the answer, while still watching and observing the hermit closely.
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 d20+11=16 ; d20+14=25 ; Wednesday May 18th, 2011 5:13:23 PM
(OOC: Oh, I was confused, I thought "Bonus equal to his level" meant total levels, not just levels in the particular class. So, the Sleight of hand would be 30, with a base of 19 from the bluff check if you want to adjust that one too)
Zeph replies very warmly to the exile, "Sir, I ask that you answer our question first. As an exile, whose rights and nobility have been stripped away... what do you hope to accomplish?"
After that, Zeph will reply honestly to the Exile, "We are representatives of a mining expedition to Bryn Baraz. Al Mathir threatened the people of Bryn Baraz with two choices: war or a steep tribute. Needless to say, the offer was refused. Al Mathir attacked, drove out the settlers, and is currently mining it dry. We wish to reclaim the mine."
"No, you don't know. Your nose doesn't smell a hundredth as well as mine. You are smelling a bed of garden-fresh daisies in comparison to what is wafting through my nostrils."
"I'll have to trust you on that one."
"Trust me, you're not missing anything."
"Do you think they would object if we killed him after they finished chatting?"
"Probably. Depends on how open and useful he is with information."
"Then we watch and wait."
Raul and Ollie watch the lizardman warily, keeping quiet.
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Wednesday May 18th, 2011 7:36:37 PM
OOC: I realized Alexi left himself open to Jet once I read that Keela also drank the tea. :) heh, such is role-playing at its best!
BTW, Zeph knows it is Truthiness Tea, but doesn't really know it is Truthiness Tea right? That is, if he's never heard of it before, he can't really know the name of what it is he tasted, eh? :) "US" the players now know it's name, but "US" the PC's really don't, right?
IC: Alexi blushes. "You can say it better than I can," he answers, then takes as big a gulp as the heat allows.
Alexi diverts the subject to more important matters. "Your skin ailment and wounds, are you behond help or is there something we can do for you to bring you to health?"
Deep down inside Alexi wonders if there is an illusion of sorts going on to give them a false impression of the worthiness of their host and mumbles "Tea good, hot, tasty" and throws in "illusion" in a whisper as he blows in the liquid.
OOC: don't know what roll i need here but I'll do it later if necessary.
Keela Wednesday May 18th, 2011 8:24:56 PM
The lizard-man asks a question of his teacup, but Keela does not answer it because he wasn't asking her.
Then Jet asks Alexi if he's in love with her, and it's all she can do not to choke on her next sip of tea. She follows up Alexi's non-answer with, "Of course he's not. Domi's sake, Jet, be serious for once."
[OOC: Not sure how the truth serum works, but Keela sincerely believes Alexi is not in love with her.]
Co-DM Cayzle - Can You Fix A Statue? Thursday May 19th, 2011 11:25:55 AM
Jet asks the truth-infused Alexi about his feeling towards Keela, and Alexi chooses not to answer, with a verbal evasion that makes his purpose clear.
Garret keeps alert and watches his friends as well as the hermit. The reptilian glances at him and then looks away.
Raul and Ollie keep their distance.
Zeph asks clearly: "What do you hope to accomplish?"
The hermit pauses and then speaks in his native tongue, softly. "They want to know my hopes. Great Scales Above, they want to know my hopes! How can they begin to comprehend the dreams, the aspirations, of one such as myself. I stand so far above, and they are so far below. How can they comprehend the artist's need, the creator's drive, the fashioner's fashion? How can I communicate with such as these, and yet remain true to the magic that binds my words?"
The hermit is silent. A few minutes go by, and he is clearly in deep thought. Then he fixes his one eye on Zeph. That gaze -- it is like a needle, or a spear. Zeph, his gaze hits you almost like an attack. You find yourself rocked, and only your deep training in emotional control allows you to withstand that look.
The hermit says to Zeph, "I make things."
Zeph tells a condensed version of the story of Bryn Baraz. The mining colony, the attack by forces of Al Mathir. The heroes' wish to drive out the invaders.
The hermit looks at his construct. "Hmmm," he says, again not looking at anyone in the group. "I wonder what kind of metal is being brought from that mine. And I wonder if they want my help? I wonder why they think I would ally with them."
Alexi asks the hermit if he is well, and if his illness can be helped. The lizard does not address Alexi, but he directs remarks to the ceiling again. "Masters of the Scaleykind, help me! I am surrounded by children and fools, who cannot begin to hope to understand. Can I even try to explain the mortification of the flesh, and how that leads to the insights and focus of the mind? How a disregard for the outer leads to a deep consideration of the inner? Can you heal a great painting? Cure a statue? After all, the artist has marred the stone, broken and cut it. Surely one should seek to cure the raw stone, since its agony is plain. Feh."
While Alexi is distracting the hermit, Zeph has a chance for slight of hand, seeming to drink the tea. So far as he can tell, his effort is a success.
Alexi wonders if an illusion is at work, but to the best he can tell, no, there is not.
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Thursday May 19th, 2011 12:54:27 PM
Garret grins at Alexi's statement and then listens as the hermit talks. His eyebrows raise as he feels his suspicions are correct and that the hermit has become a raving lunatic. He says to Zeph, "I think this fellow's pitchfork only has one tine. Do you think we can get an answer out of him about the flying cities?"
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Thursday May 19th, 2011 4:17:57 PM "Hmph. Well what do you know? It looks like we'll get to kill him."
"We should probably let them try to decipher his ramblings, first."
"I wish them luck. So far he's either floridly insane, or just in love with the smell of his own dung."
Raul clears his throat and speaks for the first time since entering the lizard's domicile. "We're interested in retaking the mine, scaled-one. Not in helping them to keep it."
Keela Thursday May 19th, 2011 6:45:30 PM
"A dwarf would know," Keela murmurs. "Is that what the prophecy means? Craftsmanship?"
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) d20+15=19 ; Thursday May 19th, 2011 7:11:53 PM Jet remembers the look on Alexi's face when he first saw her. What a shame it is really. The man would face death yet he doesn't have the courage to speak his mind. Oh well, not my problem, just ammunition for me in the future. Hmmm, I better start thinking now on how I will tease them if they either get together or one of them gets killed.
"Yes, of course Keela, I should be more professional."
Jet looks over at the lizard and drinks the tea. He then begins to speak. "We were told by our employers that you could help us against Al Mathir. They also mentioned something about The Blood You Crave.
I know you feel you are a superior race to us and to be honest, I haven't seen anything from your people yet that could compete against the most famous of our people! So, let us agree to disagree on that and get to business shall we? What is the best way for us to negotiate with Al Mathir that would be more advantageous to us and our employers?"
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Thursday May 19th, 2011 7:12:11 PM
Diplomacy: 19
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 d20+14=22 d20+10=28 Thursday May 19th, 2011 8:09:12 PM
When the lizard eyes Zeph, he feels the mental jolt from the forlorn creature, he winces and grits his teeth, refusing to fall under any influence. (Spellcraft to determine magics used = 22? Will save vs. mind-affecting magics just incase = 28.) Zeph's brow furrows and his hand twitches as he thinks to retrieve his sword from the Haversack, but stops himself and smiles slyly at the Lizard.
Zeph eyes the little wood and bone robot and replies, "Yes, I can see that you are a gifted crafter. You are likewise gifted at wordcraft. You phrase your sentences to reveal your thoughts, yet keep us from being compelled to answer your questions."
Then Zeph says to the lizard, "Disregard the outer to focus the mind? Do not think such concepts are beyond our understanding. Several years ago, I submitted myself to torture by venomous creatures to earn the right to become an agent of vengeance, and to gain power. You cannot heal a painting, but you can improve upon it, change it, and bend it to your will. By careful deliberate destruction, something great is created."
When Jet speaks, Zeph nods his head, knowing that the bard gets to the heart of the matter.
(OOC: Mental combat makes a shununununununun sound right?)
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Thursday May 19th, 2011 10:04:49 PM
OOC: heheheheh, Alexi answered truthfully. It IS easier for Jet to say "I love You", although Alexi probably would say it more sincerely. :)
IC: Alexi says nothing to Keela's response. Now's not the time to give her the ring. 'Oh, don't have one yet. Must get ring sometime soon...' Alexi wakes up as the conversation moves on.
Thinking on the words, as translated, Alexi leans over to Jet and mumbles, "Healing he does not want, healing he does not need? Healing is only for the living. The Dead, or in those in the process of going from the Living to the Dead, are not interested in such mundane things."
"Explains a lot, doesn't it? The Blood he Craves I thought was Revenge, but it may be more literal than that!"
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Friday May 20th, 2011 1:30:11 PM
Garret looks confused and says to Alexi, "Well, I'm using my blood right now, and don't really have any to spare."
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Friday May 20th, 2011 2:07:53 PM
ooc: Perhaps Addison is referring to this?
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Friday May 20th, 2011 2:26:11 PM
OOC to Vorelle: Highlight to display spoiler: {My daughter's name is Violet too! V-names rule!}
Co-DM Cayzle - "They Will Surely Be Too Craven" Friday May 20th, 2011 6:09:20 PM
Garret suggests that the hermit is mentally troubled, or defective.
Raul speaks to agree with Garret and to clarify that the group wants to retake the mine.
When this is translated, the hermit looks off into the distance and says, "These guests of mine want to pick a pretty flower. But how would they keep it alive after that?"
Keela mentions the prophesy, but I'll assume Zeph does not translate her murmurs. Zeph, let me know if you mention the prophecy to the hermit.
Jet enjoys the thought of future verbal joustings with his friends, then speaks directly to the hermit. "We were told by our employers that you could help us against Al Mathir. They also mentioned something about The Blood You Crave."
The hermit looks directly at Jet, just as he looked at Zeph. That look is piercing, alive, and scary. Jet, please make a DC20 Will save or be shaken. Zeph's immunity to fear saved him from having to save. The hermit says directly to Jet, "Will you give your blood to me, out of your veins? Will you join in a circle and aid me in my works?"
Then he leans back and stares up at the ceiling. "These mammals! Great Ophidians Above, woe unto me that I would consider the blood of mammals. So I have been shamed and reduced. And they will surely be too craven to accept such an honor."
Jet recovers himself enough to ask for advice on how to negotiate with Al Mathir. The hermit laughs and picks up his tiny construct. "Ha ha! Oh, little one, you would have more success than these in trying to bend the nobles of Al Mathir to your will, in war or peace. They would ever scorn vermin such as these, as they would scorn their stink, and disdain the shedding fur they molt. It disgusts even me, and I am so very open minded. For THEM to treat with the Karkasan? It is hopeless. The more hopeless if they treat from weakness, rather than from a position of strength."
Zeph attempts to justify or compare his own experiences with the hermits. The hermit ignores him.
Alexi fears that the desired blood is not metaphorical, and indeed, so it would seem.
Garret seems reluctant to shed any blood for the hermit.
Keela Friday May 20th, 2011 6:35:11 PM
[OOC: Vorelle is my other character, but thanks. :) ]
Cayzle Comments: LOL! Especially since it was really to "Kathy."
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Friday May 20th, 2011 8:03:47 PM
Rauls leans close to Garret and whispers, "Ollie and I have decided that this creature is no longer useful, all things considered. We would be happy to ensure his cooperation, and or silence, if necessary."
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) d20+11=30 ; Friday May 20th, 2011 8:52:03 PM
Jet immedietly stands and glares at the nasty looking lizard with clenched fists, "WE come here under peaceful terms and you dare tempt negotiations just to test my will?" Oh, if Jet wasn't in such a hurry to get this curesed quest over with so he could hear once again a band in the corner and the sounds of a bar brawl in the background, he would launch himself at this beast and attempt to tie it;s arms leg and tail into knots!
He composes himself and flexes his hands a couple of times before beginning again negotiations. "What will you do with the blood offered with free will hermit and what end or gain can come from it? What is more important however is the question, what are you willing to offer one or some of us for it?
Will Save: 30
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Saturday May 21st, 2011 4:41:32 PM
Alexi tenses at Jet's outburst. There's no telling what kind of vermial diseases one would catch if one were to get into a brawl with it.
"C'mon Jet," Alexi says. "It's clear that he likes riddles. Let us play along and riddle some with him."
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Saturday May 21st, 2011 5:16:19 PM
"I haven't heard him ask a riddle yet, just babble incoheriently about how we "couldn't possibly understand". Jet uses his fingers to quote the creature. "That gets us nowhere! They respect only strength so how are we to prove ourselves? He needs to spit it out."
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Saturday May 21st, 2011 11:06:17 PM
ooc: How big is the room we are in currently?
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Sunday May 22nd, 2011 1:10:03 PM
Description of the room: "The tunnel behind the waterfall is tall and clearly crafted cleverly for safe footing. After 20 feet, sloping slightly up, you enter a large room, maybe 30 feet in diameter. It looks like it is natural but smoothed and shaped to better serve as a home. The walls are covered with pegs made of bone, and leather sacks hang everywhere. Magical flames make the place bright and comfy. There is a fireplace, in which are set several glowing hot stones, which heat a bubbling cauldron hanging above them. This heat looks magical to you, since there are no flames. There is also a leather hanging, decorated in a simple geometric pattern."
Co-DM Cayzle - Answers for Jet Sunday May 22nd, 2011 1:38:14 PM
Jet's impassioned questions resonate around the room. "What will you do with the blood? What are you willing to offer one or some of us for it? They respect only strength so how are we to prove ourselves?"
The hermit covers his face with his hands and sighs. He says softly, "Those who share blood with me become bound to me. They stand in my circle and help me to make things, and to cast spells. At least two souls must agree, and those must stay near to me for enough time to make things, at least a moon."
The large scaly reptilian looks up. "Alas," he says, "that it should come down to bargaining. But a true artist will pay any price for art, even the price of humiliation. I would like to know what my guests want of me, before I begin to ... haggle."
"These guests of mine want to forestall the might of Al Mathir, and they as a Mathir how to do that. Perhaps next they will want to know how to stop an avalanche, or blow away a tornado. They are lesser beings. How can they hope to defeat those greater than they are? It would be a difficult task even for me! How can they hope to do it? I don't know."
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Sunday May 22nd, 2011 8:39:44 PM
Jet will ask him then, "Are you capable of collapsing the mine and sealing it from those that want the MITHRIL, for at least a little while?"
Jet accentuates the word mithril, knowing it is what every crafter wants, especially those that need to have a firm and strong structure. IF he were to bind himself to the group, perhaps then, Al Mathir would avoid the mines and the company could continue their operation with an agreement from the vile, ugly, disgusting creature the group has to tolerate being in the presence of?
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Sunday May 22nd, 2011 10:52:48 PM
Alexi chuckles at the hermit's comment 'They are lesser beings. How can they hope to defeat those greater than they are?'.
Alexi says, "A bee is a lesser creature than I, but a sting in the right place can do a lot of hurt, even enough to chase me away from the honey".
Keela Sunday May 22nd, 2011 11:30:50 PM
"We don't need to defeat them," Keela says, building on Alexi's theme. "We just need to make this area more trouble than it is worth."
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 d20+9=14 ; Sunday May 22nd, 2011 11:45:16 PM
Zeph is surprised at Jet's outburst... but then thinks that maybe he shouldn't be.
But in truth, he is grateful for it.
When the hermit covers his face with his hands and explains the binding of those who share blood, Zeph wracks his brain to think what kind of magic he may be talking about (Knowledge arcana = 14)
Zeph says to the Hermit, following Alexi and Keela's comments, "They are right, reclaiming the mine and holding it is our short term goal. But our long term goal may not be defeating Al Mathir at all...only change its leadership to someone a little more... negotiable?" Zeph says, raising an eyebrow to the Hermit, hoping to appeal to his sense of greed or perhaps thirst for power.
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Monday May 23rd, 2011 1:26:07 PM
Garret chuckles at Alexi's talk about a bee.
As the hermit reveals more of his intentions, Garret wonders out loud, sort of talking to Ollie, "He wants some of us to be bound to him by blood and help him make things. I'm not so sure I trust this fellow as far as I can throw him. And if he gets two of our party bound to him and decides to destroy the rest of us, we wouldn't have a chance. Not that I'd ask you to be bound to him, by any means. I am starting to understand your, shall we say, strong emotions regarding these creatures. I am quite leery of any magical arts he might work, especially involving the others of our party. But do we have any choice? I think that if we are to get his aid in any way, two of us will indeed have to submit to him. I am not sure he has enough to bargain with. He will have to offer a great deal before I will allow my friends to be under his control. He appears to despise us and need us at the same time. And perhaps we are in the same situation."
Garret starts to poke about the room, exploring a bit, wondering what is in the various leather bags.
He says to Zeph, "Hey Zeph, do you think we should tell him of the prophesy?"
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 d20+14=27 ; Monday May 23rd, 2011 2:54:24 PM
Zeph looks at Garret and thinks for a moment, Is it a good idea for him to know that he is our only hope for salvation.... and that it was inspired by a prophesy... well, its one way to get things moving.
Zeph says to the Hermit, "The oracles and diviners in the Star Mage's tower informed us that you are prophesied to do great things in your life... if you assist us. And not but an existence of depravity if you do not."
(Bluff = 27, It's not exactly what the prophecy said, but it gives him a bit of incentive to help us)
Then Zeph thinks about specifically what the Hermit could do to help the situation, "You are a crafter. Could you modify a flying craft of Al Mathir to be more deadly? Perhaps create a bomb that could be dropped and detonated to begin an attack to retake Bryn Baraz?"
...... Trying to think outside the box here. Anyone up for Kamikaze-ing Al Mathir?
Co-DM Cayzle - A Musing Hermit Monday May 23rd, 2011 5:29:38 PM
The party mentions that the settlement in question is a mithril mine. That there is a prophecy. And that helping the party will lead to great things.
The possibilities of sealing the mine and enhancing Avis are both mentioned.
The hermit is awash with this information and seems to have questions. He directs them at his tiny construct.
"So there is a mithril mine they want back. Understandable. And they are considering destroying it rather than letting others have it. Drastic, but there is potential there. They have a captured airship. Fate led them to me. Hmmm. Perhaps I have underestimated these guests of mine."
"I can think of several ways around this problem. Better weapons are always useful. Sowing the ground with earth might work, if you don't mind salt. But the prospect of the mithril is intriguing. Would they consider sharing their precious delvings with a good friend and protector? A mentor and advisor? Hmmm?"
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Monday May 23rd, 2011 7:06:44 PM
Jets done his job he thinks, at least for now.
Let the mining company deal with this guy from now on. They want his help and they are willing to use their own people to bind themselves to him, then that is their decision. He's at least talking like he is lucid, for the moment.
He looks around to the others to see what else they have to say.
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Monday May 23rd, 2011 7:52:25 PM "So was that it?"
"I can't tell."
"I really, really hope this actually leads to killing lizards, because I'm going to be very cranky if this was for nothing."
"As opposed to somewhat-cranky."
"Darn straight."
Raul and Ollie continue to sit quietly, letting those with more knowledge of their mission do the talking.
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 d20+8=27 ; Monday May 23rd, 2011 8:38:14 PM
Zeph sees that the Hermit is interested in the Mithril to be mined, and wonders how much authority Katarina gave the heroes to trade the materials.
Zeph says, "The mine will most likely produce thousands of pounds of Mithril ore. If you agreed to use every means at your disposal to help us in reclaiming the mine and holding it for an indefinite period of time... then I would offer... 5 percent of the total mithril? "
As Zeph says this, he winces a bit, not knowing if Katarina would have offered more or less, then he says, "The sum would be increased or decreased depending on further dealings with the Star Mage's guild, as we only have so much authority."
Then Zeph leans forward, looks mean, and sounds extremely serious, "But do know this: Al Mathir will one day fall, and you must consider who your allies will be in the near future." (intimidate = 27. take that!)
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Monday May 23rd, 2011 9:27:29 PM
Alexi now winces at Zeph's offer. 'Five percent ot the total mithril and he's concerned about our authority? We have no authority anymore'.
"A 'moon', you mean a month? Explain more about this binding and what are you trying to make?" Alexi asks.
Keela d20+16=19 ; Monday May 23rd, 2011 10:54:27 PM
Keela casts her mind over her mage's training, and the study she has managed to squeeze in since, trying to remember whether she's heard of a spell or ritual like what the lizard-man is describing.
[Knowledge: Religion 19]
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 Tuesday May 24th, 2011 1:31:03 AM
(OOC: Alexi, I think I remember Katarina saying that we can handle negotiations as we see fit whenever she delivered the prophecy to us. Am I wrong? If so, I didn't mean to overstep my bounds, just trying to get things moving ;)
Co-DM Cayzle - A Deal Is Struck? Tuesday May 24th, 2011 3:30:51 PM
Hearing the hermit talk about his plans for circles of magic, Zeph and Keela independently come to the same conclusion -- Z&K ONLY! Highlight to display spoiler: {The hermit is almost certainly a witch seeking members of a coven.}
Jet and Raul, having made their points, sit back to observe.
Zeph tries to intimidate the hermit. The DC to intimidate the fellow is 33. Zeph's 27 is not high enough. However, Zeph also make a concrete offer of 5 percent of the mine's output.
Alexi asks about the required binding.
The hermit reaches into a pocket of his leather apron. He takes out a very small wood object, a roundish lump. He touches a knot in the wood, and the object ... unfolds? ... grows? ... expands? ... all of the above. It gets bigger and bigger, growing leaves and branches and shoots that cling to the table. After it stops growing, the leaves start changing colors. They slowly glow and then fade, a shimmering moving rainbow. The hermit blows on the plant thing, and the colors shimmer and change, rippling over the thing like rings on the surface of a pond when you toss in a pebble. "This is the product of my labors," he says softly. "This is what comes of my bindings." The work of art is quite lovely, and maybe unlike anything you have ever seen in your lives.
The hermit sits back and observes this, clearly pleased with it. He speaks to the magical construct or item or plant or whatever it is. "Ah, my pretty," he says, "With the right help and the right materials, I could make others like you, and still others more beautiful yet. Maybe with mithril I could make something even more wonderful."
He stands suddenly. He looks around at everyone assembled. In an instant, he dominates the room. He is HERE, with a presence that amazes and awes. Everyone except Zeph and Jet, please make a DC20 Will save or be shaken.
His voice booms, and he says loudly, "YES! I will do it! I will leave this place and make a new home. I will come to this mining village, secure it, and keep it from the shadow of Al Mathir. You will join your blood to mine as I need you, and you will give me 5 percent of the mithril that is dug up! I will make a new workshop, and create my greatest works of art yet!"
He looks at Alexi and Keela. "Do you agree?" he asks. "Will you bind your friends to the same, even if they have not had my tea?"
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] d20+13=24 ; Tuesday May 24th, 2011 3:45:43 PM
Garret watches as the strange tree-thing grows and the hermit speaks. He shakes his head as the hermit's voice booms out. He leans over to Ollie and Raul and says, "He's still wanting blood for binding. I'm guessing that you two have no desire to give up your blood, either."
Garret nervously glances around the group to see if anyone volunteers the bind themselves to this raving lunatic with blood.
OOC: Will save: 24.
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] d20+3=20 ; Tuesday May 24th, 2011 6:56:32 PM
Rauls lightly coughs into his fist, clearly unimpressed.
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Tuesday May 24th, 2011 7:04:22 PM
"yea, um no. I will not bind myself to another ever again. I bound myself to the mining company and did my service. I will soon be a free man to do as I will."
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) d20+5=7 ; Tuesday May 24th, 2011 8:02:11 PM
Will DC20 d20+5 (or +7 if save is vs Fear) = 7 hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha ooops
Alexi is Shaken.
OOC: Zeph, eh, I'll have to look up in the archives what Katarina said about the mine.
IC: "You did not answer my question," Alexi blurts nervously. "I don't mind binding myself to you in order for you to make something or several somethings that will aid us in expelling Al Mathir from the mithril mine, but I want assurances that the binding is only temprary. How long will I be bound and what are the effects upon me during the binding and afterwards?"
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Tuesday May 24th, 2011 9:21:47 PM
The hermit scoffs. "Pfft. It is nothing. I cut the lesser being, I cut myself, the blood mingles, we are as brothers. It lasts a day."
The reptilian shudders, and ripples of liquid move under the buboes covering his scaly hide. "It nauseates me to contemplate that warm blood flowing in my veins. But a true artist will pay any personal cost for greatness."
[OOC: Caveat Clicker! That link is not for the weak of stomach!]
He explains further. "In the circle, the lesser beings must drink a potion and put more blood into the cauldron." He pauses a moment in thought. "After I set up my workshop, I will need others to help me. Any will do. Those with greater life are better, but any will do. Yes, and the work will be magnificent."
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 Wednesday May 25th, 2011 12:18:12 AM
Zeph stands when the Hermit does and replies, "I agree to bond my blood with yours for the time it takes to create what we need to reclaim the mine.... but I would also like a vial of your blood for my own uses."
Keela d20+9=15 ; Wednesday May 25th, 2011 12:34:48 AM
Keela watches as the lizard-man expands his presence to fill the room. It makes her very nervous (Keela is shaken).
"I--I cannot speak for my friends, sir," she says, "but I will agree to the binding."
To her friends, she adds, "He's a Witch, is all. Like Fatine."
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Wednesday May 25th, 2011 3:12:44 AM
"Not at all like Fatine. Her, I would take to my bed for a weekend!"
Jet says without really thinking about it.
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Wednesday May 25th, 2011 2:34:06 PM
Garret tries to stifle a laugh when Jet blurts out his intentions.
He looks around at the others, "Well, we have a witch, and we have those who are willing to give their blood to the witch. I'm not happy about it, but I think you're all capable of making up your own minds. I do hope you will retain your own minds while under the power of this witch."
"Zeph, tell this crazy witch we're ready to help him do his...err.. her? thing, and let's get it over with. Ollie over here looks like he's wanting to do something nasty to that thing over there."
He leans towards Ollie and says, "I don't think you want to bite into that thing. Heck, even scratching it might get something under your claws that will never go away."
Raul waves his hand in front of his face several times. "My companion and I will not... partake... of your ritual. I am certain that these others can easily accomplish what you desire."
Co-DM Cayzle - The Hermit's Verdict Wednesday May 25th, 2011 7:30:46 PM
The hermit, or rather, the witch, for witch he is, sighs. He looks up at his shimmering animated artwork, then touches it -- it folds up again into a lump of wood. The large reptilian looks up, and says, still in his own language. "Ah, Great Scaly Ones! Can such as these truly be so inept? They come to me asking for help, but their demeanor makes clear that they have no desire for true friendship, much less reciprocity or respect."
He pauses, and when he speaks again, it is in Common.
"Half refuse the hospitality of my table."
"One insults my sanity and my gender."
"One judges my worth by my suitability for mating."
"One celebrates his own sullen beastliness, and brings an animal to my table as an equal. Perhaps he knows no better, but is it this to which I have descended?"
"One tries to be clever and play tricks."
"One asks impudent questions, though he is young, or stupid, which may not be his fault."
"Only one shows true respect and the deference due a master artist such as myself."
He looks directly at Keela. "I like you. Find another of your kind such as yourself and return to me -- and my thanks and my friendship will be great. Please accept this, as a hint of the beauty you could assist me in making." He pushes the magical sculpture across the table to Keela.
"My guests may leave now. I will treat with them no longer."
[OOC to all: I appreciate that this has been a tough encounter, and you may be frustrated. But may I urge you in the strongest possible terms not to attack the witch? He has not harmed you, and to attack a host who invited you to tea would surely be an evil act.]
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Wednesday May 25th, 2011 9:59:07 PM
OOC: ATTACK the witch! Holy Cow, why would you even think... er, heh, I guess you know some of us better than we think. :}
IC: Alexi stands to leave as the witch lizardman shoo's them out. However he blurts, "In truth, you missjudge us, and we missjudge you. So it is when strangers meet. We only know what we've seen from Al Mathir. But, In Truth, I've already bound my blood to a Thrull, one Makar of Brood Tarkiss. He and another were our prisoners and we did not kill them. They swore an oath to be bound to us as servants for ten years. Makar joined his blood with mine with the oath: 'Sealed by Blood, we are Blood Oath Bonded, and as such, cannot, unless the Oath is broken, fight each other again, or do anything that would cause harm to the Blood Oath Bonded.'"
Alexi takes a breath, then says, "Don't know if that means much to you. But it does to me. They were dying of their wounds after attacking us and we brought them back from death. Maybe we are lesser creatures to you, but Blood, even of the least of creatures, is priceless. So accept our appologies for being, let's say, uncouth. We'll be back and my blood you can use. And may your artistry become legendary before you become a legend."
IC: once outside, Alexi acosts Jet. "A whole weekend?! One brave soul you are! A whole weekend, eh? I'm going to write that down."
Alexi takes out his map and sketches what he remembers of the forest and their trek to the pond and Lizardman Witch cave. Then labels the pond, Jet said he'd bed Fatine a whole weekend.
Keela Wednesday May 25th, 2011 11:20:11 PM
"I...um...I will try. Sir." With that, Keela gets to her feet and leaves, trying to avoid any appearance of undue haste.
Once out of the lizard-man's intimidating presence, she regains some of her equilibrium--and realizes what a predicament the group is now in. Out in the clearing, she paces in agitation. "Why do all the crazy people like me?" she demands of nobody in particular. "Why? What is it about me that makes crazy people say, 'oh, that Keela, she's one of us,' and while we're on the subject, another one like me? What does that mean?"
Having worked herself up into a fine tirade, she continues. "And why is it that I'm the only one who can drink tea and be civil for ten minutes? Is it so much to ask? We battle lizards, and savage tribes, and killer cat-creatures, but we can't say 'please' and 'thank you'? What, that's too hard? Or were you all raised by wolves?"
"Oh, and incidentally--Jet? If you got anywhere near Fatine's bed, they'd never find your body." She huffs and folds her arms. "Now what are we going to do?"
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 Thursday May 26th, 2011 12:29:52 AM
Zeph is a bit shocked at the Hermit's reply and says, "Well, your the one who started throwing around fear gazes, so don't be surprised if we're a little hostile."
Then he sighs and simply states, "My apologies." Before being shuffled out the door.
When Keela lets lose her lecture to the boys, Zeph says, "He started it by calling us 'simpler beings' and such... but you are right."
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) d20+7=14 ; Thursday May 26th, 2011 2:57:16 AM
Jet scowls at the creature. attacking something non aggressive is beneath his nature. Jet can sleep knowing, he never killed anything that didn't deserve it by enslavement, kidnaping or just being down right evil and eating his friends.
He stands and looks at the being with full knowledge he can read his mind as well. "It is you that did not trust us. We came with grace and courage and you were put upon us and supported the misconception of a lack of communication by using your...mechanisms to interpret words you fully understood. Your kind is a menace to all of those things good people believe in and if you ever threaten the people of Bryn Baraz or those associated with it, I will kill you as effectively as I can, because your people are not above us, nor will they ever be and when you lose that misconception or when I have trained for my twentieth time, i will prove that to you!"
Jet leaves with a bow with the knowledge the bastard knows how he feels and exits feeling somewhat pissed off.
Then, Keela lets into him and he stands there a bit dumbfounded and before she is finished, he lets her have it, "What do you know of such things you little..little....thing! When decisions were needed before these new people came along, I was the one that listened to you! When it came time to deal with the dwarves, I served you willingly so that all things came to pass in the mines. I served them to serve you and now, you antagonize me for being a little bit cautious against these people? These people that will cause others to serve them against there will? Their own kind, the other lizards were afraid to approach this creature for fear of death and all of a sudden I am to blame for his own infamy?"
Jets face goes red and this is the first time he appears to ever attack a group member, even if it is with words, "What in all the shadows do you know about what happened between me and Fatine in her or my own bed chambers, eh? I suggest you tend to your own loins before you question my own!" He looks over at Alexi wwithout a hint of amusement and scowls at them both before stating without haste, "Death is around the corner, yet people avoid life."
Jet has had enough of this fecal matter. His next stop is the Plateau City or any pub between there and him! He attempts to discern it's location before he steps that direction without looking back! 'Whatever I left in Avis is yours. I hope Adrean is as partial to you all as she was to me!"
With his own survival check, he might get well lost: 14
Jet has to be Jet and this is the final straw for him. Personally, I don't think this mission was one for a bunch of people that expected to help build a community to watch it destroyed and over taken, right before their eyes. In my opinion, this was against the Woldian rules of "taking on more then they can chew" yet it was forced upon this group. Another group from another game joined and that didn't help really. The way this has turned out makes us look like a bunch of insignificant donkeys and not at all like Heroes. If this new race was to be introduced into the Wold, it should have been done with a dragon level group so that they could change the attitude of the beastial creatures. Not a bunch of low level people attempting to make a name for themselves to have it squashed before their eyes and continues too. At this point, if people want Jet to buy them a drink, he will, as soon as he finds what he is looking for!
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Thursday May 26th, 2011 9:29:42 AM
OOC: Did Keela take the magical artwork?
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Thursday May 26th, 2011 10:57:37 AM "So that's it?"
"Apparently. It didn't feel very productive. I'm still not certain what this lizard is going to do in exchange for five-percent of a mithril mine. And it appears that our new companions are not happy, either."
"The lizard's attitude didn't help. Hey, I have an idea! What if I dropped a you-know-what in his front yard?"
"Are you serious?"
"Like a heart attack. He doesn't know I'm not just some big dumb badger, so you can just shrug your shoulders and say, 'Oh, sorry. He's just a big dumb badger, after all."
"..... Do it."
Raul and Ollie stand and follow as the group leaves the hermit's domicile. Once they have passed the bramble cats, Ollie sniffs several times and does his business in the middle of the clearing. It's roughly the size of a loaf of bread. Raul wrinkles his nose and wafts the air several times. You could swear you hear the enormous badger snort in amusement as they leave.
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 Thursday May 26th, 2011 11:23:54 AM
(OOC: Buzz, I disagree. I think this module was designed well. Its just that we all role-played our characters to the best of our abilities and Keela's personality seems to be the most agreeable. Not surprising. But I do agree that the Hermit didn't try very hard to be kind to us.)
Zeph looks a bit dejected and says, "I thought exchanging blood for blood was extending a hand of friendship. I was just trying to make him see me as an equal. And from his personality, I didn't think he would respect kindness, but rather a show of equal cunning. Guess I misjudged... The root-knot art was really cool though."
He then looks at Keela and thinks he should try to emulate her a bit more around strangers.
Then he looks at Ollie's 'gift' and snickers a bit, but then quickly hides his amusement.
Co-DM Cayzle - What Next? Thursday May 26th, 2011 12:45:44 PM
In the face of the hermit's dismissal, Zeph and Keela leave after offering an apology and some conciliatory words. Jet is left with his own thoughts. Alexi offers the opinion that both the hermit and the party misunderstand each other, and he tells an interesting story to the hermit, at which the reptile nods thoughtfully. The party retreats, without gaining an ally.
Outside, past the bramblecats, Ollie makes his feelings known. Keela dresses down the group for their lack of common courtesy. Jet Stormway speaks harshly in response and then storms away. Does anyone follow after?
[OOC: Friends, the next question is whether you would like to make another attempt to gain the friendship of the hermit or not. Either way, I'd encourage a period of downtime between modules for training, xp, and leveling. The next module, of which 85% still exists only in my head, would have been the trip back to Bryn Baraz with the hermit, to take the site back and then to pry it forever out of the claws of the Flying City State. Now I kind of need some guidance on what to write next. After that, the many-module-spanning saga of Bryn Baraz and Al Mathir would end, and you would be free to pursue other interests, anywhere you wanted. So think about what you want to do, and let me and Jim know. Options include looking for some other ally, trying to free Bryn Baraz without the hermit, or throwing up your hands and setting off on your own right now. Any other ideas? Many thanks! - Co-DM Cayzle]
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Thursday May 26th, 2011 2:29:06 PM
When the witch complains, Garret turns his back quickly and moves out without acknowledging the with. When the group gets outside and starts to argue with one another, Garret says, "Look, the witch deliberately deceived us. So sure, we are angry at it. Who would not be? But then again, what should we have expected? It it not like a witch living in a cave in a hostile forest is going to be upfront, good, and honest with us!"
As he speaks, Ollie drops the load. Garret gets a whiff and says, "Ollie, really? Right here? You could not have waited until we were clear? Argh."
He turns to Keela next, stepping away from the fresh steaming pile, "Keela, you can not really say you are surprised, can you? This group has been wandering the wilderness for so long I'm not sure I know what the inside of a tavern looks like any more. We have been hired for this job because we are not civilized!" He points over at Raul as he continues, "Does he look like he is learned in all the arts of decorum and courtroom courtesy? I am sorry that you are insulted by our actions, but you have to realize that is the group with which you are journeying now."
As Jet storms off, Garret calls after him, "Jet, one moment, please. Let us at least not separate here while we are so far from safe lands. Let us stay together at least until we are perhaps a bit more out of danger."
Garret takes a deep breath and addresses everyone, "We are far from friendly forces. We have many enemies that would have us dead, not the least of which is the very land that surrounds us. I hope that we can all stay together for a time longer. I think we can still finish this issue with Bryn Baraz. Perhaps we can agree to make one more attempt."
He looks over at the red-faced Keela and says, "He clearly liked you." Garret turns to Alexi and continues, "And he did not seem too upset with you. I would suggest we make one last attempt to ally ourselves with this creature, as it seems to hold the only way to defeat the flying city. I know even Jet would like to see that flying monstrosity brought down."
"Perhaps the two of you would consider going back into the lair of this witch and making an appeal for his aid. If you do not wish to, I understand. If the hermit will not consider the two of you without the rest of us, then we can head back to civilization, hopefully together. Perhaps we will encounter other adventure on the way, or perhaps we will simply reach civilization and go our own ways. But if the witch will aid us, we can work together and save the city of Bryn Baraz! What say you?"
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 Thursday May 26th, 2011 3:26:32 PM
Zeph nods at Garret's words in agreement, "For the greater good of our communities, it is our responsibility to take any measure possible to reclaim Bryn Baraz... Even swallowing our pride."
Even though Garret didn't didn't address him as one who should go back into the cave, Zeph will offer his help in crafting... more out of curiosity at the procedure than anything.
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Thursday May 26th, 2011 4:34:55 PM
[ooc: As the resident new guy, I'm up for anything.]
Cayzle Comments: It's not like you're a party pooper, or anything! :-) Sorry, could not resist!
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) d20=12 ; Thursday May 26th, 2011 9:22:43 PM
OOC: Tip to Zeph, when you BOLD your PC conversations, it is hard to discern your pc's feelings and such. Try only bolding those portions your pc is enphasizing and itilisizing those words said in a different tone. It helps us as we read it and I keep reminging myself that Zeph isn't shouting all the time. :}
To DM's: the witch gave us no clue as to what he would craft that would help. A War Machine like the John Wayne War Wagon movie comes to mind but... anyway, a good side adventure would be for us to gather up certain rare raw materials the witch needs. That would give us time to mesh as a group and gain some good xps. Oh, and gain some cash too.
IC: Alexi sits down in the shade at the edge of the clearing to collect his wits (from being Shaken) and witnesses a side of Keela he'd never seen before. He felt like clapping and yelling out Bravo! Bravo! but he didn't want Jet to get the wrong impression. It's just that for so long Keela had been so quiet in everything, always thinking she was not worthy of the title of Protector of Bryn Baraz, and now she was finally getting the hang of it.
Jet, on the other hand, was just being Jet.
Jet turns in a huff and makes for the woods and Alexi stands and shouts in the best Fatine imitation he can muster, "Ei! Big Man! De 'izzard witch got to yer mind, eh? He make you look itty bitty? Yer gonna start som'ting and no finish it? Yer gonna let dat festrin' witch play wit you or you gonna outwit it? See? Maybe you have him make a musical instrument that hurts dey ears so much dey drop der weapons? Dis is a battle o' wits, an' he is winnin'!"
Taunt into Returning d20+?= 12+? = :)
Keela Friday May 27th, 2011 12:35:59 AM
[Keela does accept the artwork, with thanks.]
A few more minutes stomping around the clearing, and Keela is calmer. To Garrett, she says, "I'd never spent an entire day in the saddle before I joined this group. I've learned to do that. I've learned to walk all day, to go into places that terrify me, to face horrible things from nightmares. I've learned to be separated from my family." Her voice catches a little on that last one. "Everybody has to learn new things to be an adventurer. Sometimes that means learning to speak politely to horrid, rude, disease-ridden lizard people."
She sighs. "Are we going to try again? If so, we'd better try now. This is only going to get worse if we delay."
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Friday May 27th, 2011 7:23:48 AM
I'm traveling today, and mostly out of touch. Just FYI. DM Post this eve.
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Friday May 27th, 2011 5:15:28 PM
Garret nods to Keela and says, "I think I understand. I apologize."
He says to the group, "I still think it is worth trying one more time, perhaps with just Keela and Alexi talking to... I guess we never did ask that witch his name, did we?"
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Friday May 27th, 2011 10:06:08 PM
"Well, it is clear he wants us, or Keela and one like her to return. My guess that one like her refers to her respect to him. I suggest we return tomorrow with a different attitude. We should search our inventory to see if we have a gift for him in return, one not of metal or wood, that is."
Looking around for a momenet Alexi then adds, "Let us return to Avis. From there we can rest better and use Avis to return here and drop an appology note."
Co-DM Cayzle - Return to Camp Friday May 27th, 2011 11:51:38 PM
Jet turns to go, and as he does so, some of his friends urge him to stay, some more creatively than others. Does he stay or wander off?
The party returns to Avis and camp. There the party rests. Tomorrow is another day ... maybe a day to pay the witch another visit.
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Saturday May 28th, 2011 11:05:15 AM
[ooc: The witch?]
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Saturday May 28th, 2011 11:47:45 AM
The hermit is a witch.
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 Saturday May 28th, 2011 1:51:56 PM
(OOC: The babe. What babe? The babe with the power. What power? Dance baby dance
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Sunday May 29th, 2011 12:26:43 AM
[ooc:Is this game going to wait until the end of the year to update to APG? Or could we please, pleeeease consider starting early?]
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Monday May 30th, 2011 9:36:23 AM
I'm travelling all day today, so I can make a post either right now or late tonight. There are not enough player posts to make a DM post now, though. Jim, feel free to make a post during the day, or wait for me to do so this evening. Thanks!
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Monday May 30th, 2011 7:25:48 PM
OOC: travel safely. Alexi will check back in tomorrow.
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Monday May 30th, 2011 9:53:41 PM
I'll be posting in the morning. Happy Memorial Day, everybody.
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Tuesday May 31st, 2011 12:31:58 PM [OOC: Ugh. I've got nothing but OOC posts since the Friday DM post. Well, moving right along, could some players post too for this game?]
Back at camp, the group is feeling a little more than somewhat overwhelmed. Several think that maybe a break would be good. Perhaps it would be better to take a few days off and figure out what to do. If there is to an attack on the Al Mathir forces at Bryn Baraz, or even if the group is just going to fight through the Crying Woods to get to the Floating City and civilization, maybe it is time to hone your skills.
[OOC: To generalize, everyone should have started in January with 35,000, and then gotten an extra 5,000 after the eagles encounter. Raul should have started with 40,000. Tack another 3,000 xp onto that, please. I suspect it is not enough to level, however.]
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Tuesday May 31st, 2011 12:40:15 PM
Raul approaches Garret, but asks loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Might I ask you a question? It seems that you are being forced to a take a very roundabout approach to liberating this mining camp. What other resources does your employer have in attempting to retake this camp? After all, it isn't your fault if you are tasked with an impossible goal. If it is necessary to enlist additional aid, shouldn't you be compensated for that additional time and work? What is your promised reward for all of this?"
OOC: If we are on the Medium advancement track, we don't hit level 8 until 51,000xp.
[OOC: Cayzle Comments: Yup, 51,000, that's right. You are all about 3,000 short, I guess.]
[OOC: Cayzle Comments: BTW, in an unrelated matter, guess how much XP you get if you manage to convince the hermit to help you. :-) ]
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 Tuesday May 31st, 2011 2:12:55 PM
Zeph replies to Raul, "I'm not really in this for the money. Innocents cry out for revenge, and I answer."
(OOC: Hermits are hermits for a reason. Al Mathir kicked him out for being mean to people and then expecting them to kiss his feet. humbug!)
Cayzle Comments: Sorry, not really true, dear Zeph. All members of the high-caste races of Al Mathir are mean to people and expect lesser beings to kiss their feet. Your characters do not know why the hermit lives in exile, although the prophecy hints at a reason:
But one leapss up, retreating in retreat, And liess no longer, happy not to fly. He wallowss in disgrace, despair, defeat. A prince no more, a rogue, a-rant, awry.
The hermit seeks the truth of his art, not the lies of politicking in Al Mathir. He is proud of his exile, seeing it as a badge of honor that he will not lie. Consider the first thing he did was to drink a truth potion and ask you all to do the same.
He's also a ranting madman whose mind is awry, of course. Were you really surprised to find that out?
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 Tuesday May 31st, 2011 3:09:32 PM
Zeph is rather determined to get this job done... even if it means humbling himself.
He walks to the entrance to the Hermit's cave, and gets on both knees, and puts his head down and arms out, prostrating himself at the entrance and then shouts, "We apologize and I humbly beg for your assistance in this matter!"
Then he waits for a response.
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Tuesday May 31st, 2011 3:59:00 PM
Raul and Ollie wrinkle their eyebrows looking at Zeph.
"I'm suddenly having doubts as to this co-worker's sanity."
"I'm not... but I'm close."
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Tuesday May 31st, 2011 5:34:16 PM
OOC: Moving along? I presume that since Zeph wants to talk with the hermit, we all headed back to Avis and camped the night and Jet at least stayed for a little while to talk. The next day, Zeph wants to talk to the hermit, and I think that's a good idea. Perhaps he could fly Avis on in with Keela, so just the two of them talk with the witch and the rest of us are out of his sight and hanging around the campsite.
Garret replies to Raul, "Indeed, you are correct. We have been given a task that does seem quite impossible for us to complete on our own. If this witch will not help us, we shall have to explain to our employers that we need more aid from their end...
OOC: You guys do funny math. 35+5 does equal 40. Adding another 3, however, only gives 43. 51-43 is 8 -- not 3. So maybe I do my math different, but Garret is about 8,000 short of level 8, not 3,000. :)
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Tuesday May 31st, 2011 5:39:56 PM
Math! Who said I have math!
Sorry. Let's recap. 35,000 to start. 5,000 after the eagles. Another 3,000 today. That's 43,000 total. Some people have a teensy bit more from hero points and RP awards. Sorry for the confusion.
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Tuesday May 31st, 2011 5:53:45 PM
Jet is so livid at the moment he stomps off into the woods. He doesn't care where it leads him or where he goes. The limbs of branches reach out and grab him. Leaves cover his face forcing him to continually move his neck and shoulders to keep some bearing. The roots of mighty trees reach up and trip him regularly, that is when he doesn't have to walk around a small pond to avoid who knows what lies in wait. With his walk he prays to all the gods to guide his path where it should lead him. He dreams of giving a service in a town somewhere. A real town, that has, like, buildings and people that have never seen all they loved ripped from them. He hopes the next weeks travels find him someplace with an entertainment available or someplace that could appreciate his entertainment. To sing and dance for joy instead of in battle, which is still pretty fun....but different.
The sun goes down and his wanderings in the woods brings him to a near exhausted state. He realizes he will need to sleep soon, when in the distance he sees some people and horses and ........Avis.
Jet stumbles out of the woods and starts to laugh out loud at his prayers from earlier being answered even if he doesn't like the sound of it.
Keela Tuesday May 31st, 2011 8:18:27 PM
Keela is happy to return to the hermit's cave with whoever wants to give this another try.
Well, not happy so much as willing. But she does it. When they arrive, she calls out, "Um, excuse me...sir?" She thinks for a bit, and remembers that the hermit prides himself on his artwork. What does one call an artist? "Um...maestro? We would like to speak with you again."
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 Tuesday May 31st, 2011 10:52:52 PM
Yeah, Zeph doesn't mind waiting a day or more. Just trying to move along again.
Can I take back my action of begging and just follow Keela's lead? Or is it too late to save some pride? LOL
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Tuesday May 31st, 2011 11:05:53 PM
OOC: i agree with Garret. I think Zeph confused us a bit. So we have, or some of us has, returned to the hermit.
IC: Alexi, already having said he would participate in the binding, returns to the hermit. As crazy as he may be, the prophesy indicated he was a key to regaining Bryn Baraz for good.
Alexi mumbles as he traverses the cursed forest, "If it weren't for the prophesy, I'd be hunting lizards in the caves, one by one, even if it'd taken me a century to do it. With our luck, we'll finally get this guy to help us just as the Mathirians unleash the prophesy of the Ahote. HA! I'd kinda like to see that!"
In front of the cave, kneeling next to Zeph, Alexi shouts out, "May my humble blood bring your art the majestic venerance it deserves. I serve you humbly."
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Wednesday June 1st, 2011 12:00:15 AM
Raul and Ollie raise an eyebrow at each other. Ollie trundles to the side of the clearing and begins shoveling dirt with his massive paws. He digs a shallow bowl in the earth and curls himself into a ball. Raul joins him, sitting on the ground and leaning against the mighty badger.
They wait for further developments.
Quiet Interlude -- Co-DM JimC Wednesday June 1st, 2011 12:31:35 AM
Out of the corner of his good eye, the hermit noticed his visitors in the act of supplication and thought to himself, It is these times that few understand, but it is necessary--for one cannot learn the wisdom of silence through the gnashing of teeth and roaring of ignorance. The hermit continued on his little project, he caressed the supple curves of his developing construct like a paramour to his lover. To him all that existed was before him, nothing else. The land could burn to ash, the sea's boil away to steam--nothing mattered more than this moment in time, and so too would the next. In the corner of his consciousness, a faint glimmer emerged and he wondered to himself, Let's see how long they'll wait.
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Wednesday June 1st, 2011 10:14:51 AM
Raul and Ollie continue to sit comfortably in their hollow, awaiting the results of the their comrades latest petition.
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Wednesday June 1st, 2011 4:49:59 PM
Garret watches as the others approach the cave. While they call to the hermit, he looks over some of the plants and tree leaves near the edge of the water with interest.
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Wednesday June 1st, 2011 5:24:53 PM
After a few moments of waiting, Alexi says, "I guess we should have looked to make sure he's here. He may have wandered off on a Inspirational Stroll as far as we know."
Alexi pauses for a moment before adding. "On the other hand, I'm not inclined to test his skills at deterring intruders. I'll just sit here and watch the grass grow."
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Wednesday June 1st, 2011 9:50:23 PM
At this time, Jet wanders aimlessly through the woods inventing new and colorful words to share with someone when next he meets them.
Receiving no answer, she sighs and settles to the ground. "It looks as if he's gone out," she says. "We should probably wait for him, though; I doubt he's gone far."
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/19 HP:44/44 Ki:8/9] Thursday June 2nd, 2011 2:33:28 PM
Garret watches the others from a short, hopefully respectful distance away. He looks over at Ollie and Raul and wonders if the two of them are thinking of ways to kill the hermit witch.
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Thursday June 2nd, 2011 6:01:36 PM
Sorry, DM Post to come this eve. -- Cayzle
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Thursday June 2nd, 2011 10:15:58 PM
"Yes, so it seems," Alexi answers. A quick search around the water's edge produces two pebbles of roundish shape. Tossing one on the grass, Alexi takes the other one between his curled index finger and flicks it with his thumb towards the one on the grass. He misses. He then takes the one he missed and flicks it at the first one. He does this until he hits one.
"Anyone else want to try it?" he asks.
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 d20+3=19 ; d20+5=8 ; Friday June 3rd, 2011 4:28:20 AM
Zeph searches for some small flowers (Survival = 19) and attempts to craft (8) a necklace by tying the stalks together.
He wonders how the Hermit learned to make things from living materials such as trees and wood. Nature perhaps holds some untold secrets.
He looks at his feeble gift and thinks, Well. This won't make him see me as an equal...
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Friday June 3rd, 2011 11:04:29 AM
Still walking. Still stumblin. Still cursing.
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/21 HP:44/44 Ki:9/9] d20+11=14 ; d20+11=31 ; Friday June 3rd, 2011 3:36:11 PM
Garret watches Alexi and picks up a rock. He takes careful aim at Alexi's rock, but the toss misses by a few inches. Garret frowns and picks up another rock. Again he aims, and this time Garret's rock hits the other rock dead on and splits it in half. He grins at Alexi.
Co-DM Cayzle - A Courier Appears Friday June 3rd, 2011 7:01:11 PM
The party has announced itself. You wait. And wait. And wait. At last, there is a splashing sound, and the waterfall is diverted, as before, to reveal the tunnel behind. One bramblecat walks out, and takes up a post at the outside of the tunnel. Following the bramblecat is a tiny construct, not one you recognize. It carries a piece of parchment, with writing in a style you recall from the first note. On it, once again, are just two words, written, once again, in Common. Enter, penitents.
[An OOC Note From Your Kindly DM, Who Thinks Fondly Of You All And Wants You To Succeed: Please consider that you are here to ask a favor from one who has no fondness for you, who sees you as inferiors, and who you have already insulted once. Food for thought.]
[Another OOC Note from your Truly Penitent DM: I'm really sorry, everybody, for a week of utterly dismal posting. I think this is my lamest DM week ever. I'll be posting Monday morning early, and every morning next week, as my number one top Wold priority.]
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Friday June 3rd, 2011 8:59:55 PM
Raul and Ollie continue their vigil.
OOC: While I know that we are here to ask him for a favor, I'm picturing this guy as a not-quite-sane recluse. He lives off in the woods by himself, builds weapons of nefarious design, and holds a grudge against most of the world. He is the Woldian version of Ted Kaczynski. I think that is why we are not respecting him very much.
Co-DM Cayzle - Extra Friday June 3rd, 2011 9:28:45 PM He is the Woldian version of Ted Kaczynski
LOL! Okay, fair enough. But Ted wrote manifestos and mailed bombs. Our sweet hermit just wants to be left alone to make his art.
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Friday June 3rd, 2011 9:36:46 PM
OOC: don't sweat it. as long as we know you haven't been zapped up by aliens...
IC: Alexi responds to Garret, "Oh, you think you are funny huh? You better hope the forest doesn't have an afinity towards rocks as it does towards wood, otherwise you'll be in deep trouble." Then he winks back.
Alexi spends the rest of the time updating his map. He guestimates the location of the lizard tribe and notes Primitive Lizardmen, contact for Hermit. For those interested, he shows on the map where they started at from Floating City and the 'road' through the woods and hills all the way to Bryn Baraz.
"The caravan was slow and we got attacked here," he points. He describes the battle with the bandits and their attempt to steal the Orb of Kalista from the Master Druid Tarketh. "The orb has special properties that allows plants to grow even in the harshest environment. Thus the farmers were having a bumper crop despite the arridness of Bryn Baraz."
Before he can continue, word of their second audience shows itself.
"Penitent indeed," Alexi says with a sigh, then enters, this time far more humbly than the first.
Keela Friday June 3rd, 2011 11:09:59 PM
Keela rises and brushes off her skirt. This is going to be deeply unpleasant, she thinks, but follows with determination.
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Saturday June 4th, 2011 7:00:28 PM
OOC: i have a live picture of us going in on our knees, whacking ourselfs and chanting like the monks on "Monty Python and the Holy Grail".
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/21 HP:44/44 Ki:9/9] Sunday June 5th, 2011 8:51:19 PM
Garret watches the others enter the cave, but stays with Ollie and Raul outside. He enjoys playing the rock game quite a bit more than a grown man should... except, of course, he IS a halfling...
Co-DM Cayzle - The Hermit Waits Monday June 6th, 2011 8:00:59 AM
Garret, Raul, and Ollie stay outside the witch's den. Alexi and Keela choose to enter. Zeph, based on his earlier post, most likely joins the two of them. Jet, based on his, most likely stays behind. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Those who stay behind enjoy the splashing melody of the waterfall as it enters the pond.
Those who enter find the hermit sitting in a chair, the big room dimly lit by candlelight. There is no table, and no other chairs. No fire is burning, no cauldron bubbling. The room seems bigger with its furnishings gone. Just the hermit sitting to receive you. He says nothing, leaving you to start the conversation.
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Monday June 6th, 2011 8:42:27 AM
Raul decides to make small talk with Garret while the rest of the party enters the cave. "So how did you get mixed up with this bunch, my friend? It seems that they are quite a motley group."
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Monday June 6th, 2011 10:42:54 AM
Jet continues to stumble through the woods, pissed off at the Wold.
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/21 HP:44/44 Ki:9/9] Monday June 6th, 2011 1:55:52 PM
Garret replies to Raul, "Well, it has been quite a long adventure. I actually come from the Windbourne Hills, where I was raised in a monastery -- oh, but not one like you might think, the monks there were messengers. We worked with various people from all walks of life to carry important messages all around the Wold. I guess that's where my heart for wandering and adventuring started..."
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Monday June 6th, 2011 2:08:45 PM "I can certainly understand wanderlust. How did you end up trying to liberate a dwarven mining outpost?"
Keela Monday June 6th, 2011 10:29:13 PM
Unsure how to approach the very odd lizard-man, Keela drops a curtsey. "Thank you very much for agreeing to see us again," she begins. "And please allow me to apologize for the behavior of some of my associates. I'm afraid their manners aren't very good."
"I don't believe we were formally introduced," she continues. "My name is Keela Larch." She stops, uncertain how to proceed.
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 d20+13=31 ; d20+3=18 ; Tuesday June 7th, 2011 12:46:10 AM
Zeph looks at the note in the hands of the construct and frowns.
He is teetering on the indecision of whether to go into the cave or not. He thinks, I'm curious to learn his craftmanship, but I'd just be in the way of negotiations at this point.
He looks at Raul and Garret, and says , "I'm going after Jet"
And he does just that, he tries to track the bard, which probably isn't hard considering the vocal ques (Perception/ listen = 31. Survival = 18)
If/ when he finds him, Zeph will shout, "Hey Jet, holdup a second please?"
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/21 HP:44/44 Ki:9/9] Tuesday June 7th, 2011 12:53:37 PM
Garret's eyes get a faraway look in them as he thinks back. "Oh, we were out hunting. There was a book. A horrible book that made people turn on one another. And then a call. I was led here to help a people that were hurting from a long distance away with a friend. We didn't know much more than that, as I recall. We just knew they needed help and were called here to help them. Once here, we walked right in on the rest of the group in the middle of scouting out a city that was under seige!"
Slight delay -- DM JimC Tuesday June 7th, 2011 1:24:44 PM
ooc: Cayzle has been way busy so I'll be posting for a bit, but then again, he is moving to another game, so it looks like it's me for a bit. I'll have a post in a few hours. To get to know each of your characters a little better, could each of you send me an email ( darkangelATgciDOTnet ) and tell me what your longterm goal for your character is. Thanks!
The Meeting of Minds -- DM JimC Tuesday June 7th, 2011 2:51:25 PM
The hermit, who's name is still unknown, sits quietly for a moment after Zeph's departure, then speaks slowly and to no one in particular as his gaze does not stray from the dirt floor before him, "It is said I do not play hard to get, rather I play hard to want. I do it very well after all these years and it has become second nature to me." Looking up and meeting each person's gaze one after the other, he touches the ground in front of him with two fingers and speaks, "My words are truth, so I swear upon the land. This task you seek to accomplish, you cannot do it without my help and hope to suceed. By no measure am I all powerful, but my strength combined with yours, we can see this through to the end with minimal loss. Do not get me wrong when I say that my reason for joining you would be the enticement of mithral, and that is all--it's just, I'm not like you. I sense goodness in your hearts and you seem to wish to help those in need, those who have been wronged, those who suffer even today."
Looking at each of you to judge your reactions, he continues, "In order for me to help you I will need a small giving of blood from each of you. It must be from each member of your group. If any joins this cause, they must give me blood, or it will be pointless. Your offering to my cauldron, the words you will speak will bind each of us together, make us all stronger to fight the shadow that covers Bryn Baraz. This binding will be temporary and I will hold no dominion over you, but it is needed--no, it is mandatory, if you wish to do good."
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Tuesday June 7th, 2011 6:31:40 PM
Jet hears Zeph call out. He did say please...
When he meets up with Zeph he wears a wide grin, "You made a wise decision my friend. We will find a pub where the women are pretty, the ale is free and the ladies will want to take us to bed."
Jet gets a far away expression as if he is there now. Then, he looks back at the one that came for him, "Who am I kidding. I'd settle for a tarp, a barrel of Corpsegrog and a half orc barbarian right now. How about you?"
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Tuesday June 7th, 2011 8:41:22 PM
Raul and Ollie continue to wait for the results of the conversation.
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Tuesday June 7th, 2011 10:11:38 PM
OOC: sorry for missing yesterday. logged on, read the posts, went to do something else and plumb forgot to post anything. DOH!
IC: Alexi enters quietly and upon seeing the lizardman witch, sits cross-legged, closes his eyes, and meditates. On what? Family? A second visit with Gargul? Nope. He meditates on Keela and her chance to shine!
Alexi listens to the lizardman witch and when he is done Alexi nodds. "So much of my blood has already been spilt in defense of Bryn Baraz, a little more is small price to pay to end this occupation," he says grimly. "I'll do as you say and trust you will find my blood worthy."
The Meeting of Minds -- DM JimC Tuesday June 7th, 2011 10:21:17 PM
The hermit nods to Alexi, "That is one." Then looks to the rest.
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 Wednesday June 8th, 2011 1:43:09 AM
Zeph laughs at Jet's joke, and replies, "They say if we pray real hard to Maab that some sexy faeries could steal us away to a paradise... the tragedy is the size difference."
Zeph snickers, hoping Jet will get the joke and speaks again, "Jet, we're far from home, and civilization. But Katarina is counting on us to get this mine back."
He puts his hand on Jet's shoulder and says, ". You are a man that lets his actions speak for him, the true mark of a leader. We need that right now. Tell ya what, after all this mess is done with, I'll fly you to the nearest pub and buy every cask of wine and a different wench to serve each vintage!"
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Wednesday June 8th, 2011 4:54:59 AM
Jet allows Zeph's hand to rest on his shoulder this time. He looks at it, the hand, but allows the strange individual to overcome his boundaries for the moment when he answers, "Katerina, another dwarven creature that seeks the gains for herself and others?" The person that should be here right now swearing the fealty to this creature they feel they need to obtain the mithril that they so badly need?"
Jet reaches up and grabs Zephs hand, daring him to grapple, or worse as the large human demonstrates his anger, " Why is she not here, putting knee to ground for the help of this self centered, rot infested, delusional creature that expects me to do what?"
Jet puts the hand of the elf back down on his shoulder in a tapping manner and smiles. "I'm happy to talk to the dwarf Katerina and inform her of our current mission results. If she wants to send people here to swear to this things, when they are done, I will likely be broke and all whored out, ready to make some money again."
Jet pulls out his good skin. One rarely used, his Fargunian Dark and takes a long pull off of it before handing it to the "new guy". "I hate corporations and unions and governments!"
He then shrugs then tilts his head sideways to Zeph, "although, if she is willing to pay for more then we discovered, then it might be worth my while?"
Jet looks around, "Know how to get back?"
Highlight to display spoiler: { I Jet fails on his survival check, he wants to know of Zeph gets lost. He will either be the hero for their return, or perhaps, Keela and Alexi will have a small break for awhile. }
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) d20+7=13 ; Wednesday June 8th, 2011 5:23:07 AM Sorry, had to go to "Chrome" when it locked up.
Survival for being lost: 13
Worse then before.
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Wednesday June 8th, 2011 4:11:23 PM
Raul and Ollie continue waiting.
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/21 HP:44/44 Ki:9/9] Wednesday June 8th, 2011 4:34:43 PM
Then Garret looks over the Ollie and asks Raul, "And how is it that a wonderful beast such as this would join with you so closely? I've heard of wizards and their familiars, but this is clearly not the case here."
Keela Wednesday June 8th, 2011 8:19:40 PM
"Well," says Keela, "you know I'll do it. I said so before, after I drank your Truth Tea."
The Meeting of Minds -- DM JimC Wednesday June 8th, 2011 10:50:37 PM "Two then." The hermit continues to wait for the rest. "Perhaps someone should gather the others?"
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 d20+6=13 ; Thursday June 9th, 2011 2:38:09 AM
Zeph listens patiently as Jet claims Katarina to be seeking gains, but when he grips his hand violently, Zeph clinches his fist, his other hand beginning to cast a spell in preparation for battle.
But then Jet eases up and Zeph does as well, and he accepts the flask for a swig.
Zeph searches for the path back as well, (survival = 7ish. put in wrong number somehow... browser. yeah, were lost.)
But as they walk, Zeph says to Jet, "We cannot go running to Katarina with questions on decisions we must make, or new negotiations every time the ante is upped, Jet! We have to act in the best interest of our client and simply give them an offer they cannot refuse when contact can be made. We are Heroes, and the settlers are relying on us to avenge them and reestablish their lives. They invested everything into moving out here, and your thinking about how much you will get paid?"
Zeph shakes his head bitterly at the Half-Elf Bard as the pair travel and debate.
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Thursday June 9th, 2011 2:55:48 AM
"OH, I think I have paid quite a price for this mining company. You don't think they are out to make a profit off of our blood and sweat? I have no questions for what's her name! As for the settlers, there are plenty of places to plant a crop. They were only brought here to feed the dwarves. It is just a lucky coincidence they could start new lives out there also."
Jet takes another drink, "Nope, we are mercenaries. That is what they trained us to be since we first come out here. We were used and paid well to be used. So, every time the work needs to be done, the workers have to get paid. Maybe someday I will be hero, but until then, I will be paid what I'm worth and dealing with half rotted lizard men that are as deceitful as dwarves is gonna cost them more then pretty little hats that can make us look like something else."
He takes another swig, "What about the new guy, eh? You expect him to go along with all of this without getting paid first or signing a contract? I don't."
He kills the flask and returns it to his backpack. "No, I think Katerina needs to know what is going on here before I go dedicating myself to something I klnow nothing about and will likely regret doing later."
The Meeting of Minds -- DM JimC Thursday June 9th, 2011 3:30:41 PM
ooc: sorry to push you guys, but you need to decide whether to join with the hermit or leave without him as a group. I don't run more than one group so a decision needs to be made as a whole so we can move along. However, if you wish to continue debating this--ropleplaying out the situation, please do so, but let me know because a deadline is due on the next module and this will help in that decision making process.
Garret Goodbarrel [AC:27/27/21 HP:44/44 Ki:9/9] Thursday June 9th, 2011 5:12:28 PM
OOC: Huh. I don't think any of the characters have any idea that they were all going to be required to give their blood. In fact, the hermit had said something about needing only two, so the characters think we're covered. And I'm going to venture a guess that there is no possible way either Jet or Raul are going to voluntarily give their blood to this guy, so it looks like we're going to have to go without his help. Anyone see it any differently?
Keela Thursday June 9th, 2011 5:50:30 PM
"Um..." Keela shifts her feet nervously. "Um, I beg your pardon....er, Maestro, but my friends and I thought, from what you said yesterday, that you would only need two of us. I don't think the others are expecting to be asked."
Zeph Illidian HP 69/69 AC 18/17/12 CMD 21 Thursday June 9th, 2011 5:50:42 PM
OOC: Yeah, all but Alexi and Keela are oblivious to the requirement that we all participate. But we can roleplay through this by the end of Sunday I would guess. =)
The Meeting of Minds -- DM JimC Thursday June 9th, 2011 6:56:29 PM "Yesterday? You were here yesterday?" The hermit scratches his head and thinks about it a second, then replies, "What day is it today? I think I'm a bit confused." By all reckoning the hermit seems much more lucid today than he was yesterday--the telltale signs of his craft and the acrid smoke that once filled the cave are no longer here and he, the hermit, seems a bit more...normal.
"In all honesty, days come and go, each blurring into the next. What I said today, it was today, right? What I said was true. I'll need a donation from each of you, not to hold dominion over you, but to make me stronger so that the enemy will stand no chance against our attack. I would not go with less, it would be pointless for me to die for some cause that is not my own."
Pausing a moment, he continues, "If this is unsatisfactory, my request, then I bid you good luck and goodbye--the choice is yours."
Jet Stormway (AC: 16/15 no dex, HP:68/68 ) Thursday June 9th, 2011 6:59:12 PM
Highlight to display spoiler: { ooc: Jet will go along with whatever everyone else wants to do. If others will, so will Jet, but if anyone doesn't, Jet will support that person. It's all about freedom for him.}
Alexi (AC: 25/22, HP:74/74) Lobo (AC: 20, HP:36/36) Thursday June 9th, 2011 9:41:40 PM
OOC: to add what has been said...
Co-DM Cayzle - Answers for Jet Sunday May 22nd, 2011 1:38:14 PM
The hermit covers his face with his hands and sighs. He says softly, "Those who share blood with me become bound to me. They stand in my circle and help me to make things, and to cast spells. At least two souls must agree, and those must stay near to me for enough time to make things, at least a moon."
Alexi was in the understanding that only two were needed. but oh well...
IC: "It would seem that the more that are bound the more powerful you can be and the better chance to succeed. With your permission, I shall seek out the others. Be patient with us." At that Alexi rises and leaves the cave looking for the others.
Outside he meets Garret, Raul, and Ollie. "I don't think he meant the fuzzy one," he mutters. "Ahem," Alexi clears his throat. "Any idea where Zeph and Jet are? We need a conference. Thing is, he can do his thing with just Keela and I, but it may not be powerful enough to defeat Al Mathir. Greater power is in numbers. I don't want to go into this half-way and it not work. If we all pitch in, success, although not guarranteed, as nothing really is, is much more feasible."
Alexi stares into the pond. "Any thoughts?"
Raul Blanco [AC: 20/15/16 HP: 118/118] Thursday June 9th, 2011 11:23:56 PM
Raul and Ollie look at each other as silent words are shared. As one they nod their heads, then stand and face the group. "This has taken long enough. Your goals obviously require that which we cannot tolerate. I wish you the best in your work, but we cannot be a part of this. I really thought we could work together, but obviously that will not be possible. Bonding with this thing is not something that I can be a part of." Raul turns and pats Ollie on the shoulder, "Goodbye, and may the gods smile on you." The pair begin walking away and disappear into the trees.
DM Jim: just so people know, this was planned and we talked about it and the reasons--which have to do with future APG modifications
Paradigm Shift -- DM JimC Friday June 10th, 2011 12:41:41 AM From this point forward, I will be the sole DM running the game from here on out. Cayzle has moved onto another game but we are working on the next module together. So... please give me a chance to finish up this last bit of this current module so we can move on. Left, right, straight, doesn't matter, as I've said before, the group needs to make a unanimous decision and we can move on.
ETA: Also if you feel like you're being railroaded then I will say something like this in OOC: "choose the hermit or you all die" which is something I'd never say cause all modules never go precisely as planned and I always root for the hero. Now, if I say as an NPC: "choose me or die" well, I'm roleplaying. You guys always have a choice, some better than others, but that's the way it is. Make a choice and choose to be heroes :)
LOG ON