Return to the Innkeeper (DM Cayzle) Thursday December 19th, 2013 8:23:10 PM
The party reaches a rough consensus, binds the drow with manacles, gags her, puts a sack over her head, and wraps her in a blanket for good measure. Thus trussed, they bring her back to the tavern, the Broken Pick.
A silent server leads you to the back of the tavern, where you meet the tavernkeeper again. You find Indicio essentially unchanged and still seated. His hooded face turns to you, and he lifts a withered arm in greeting. He holds a wand, which he uses, and the area around you becomes quiet so that you cannot hear the noises from coming from the rest of the tavern. The lich says, "How fare you on the tasks I set you? Are they complete?"
"We bring you something more valuable than a dead matron," Emrys then pulls the sack from her head. "We bring you a matron permanently cursed with Insatiable Truthfulness. She is incapable of telling a lie and ALL her secrets are ripe for the plucking." Emrys looks at her and explains, "We had to gag her because she just wouldn't keep her mouth shut ... quite the persistent little song bird!"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51; Comp. Language, Prot.fm.Evil Friday December 20th, 2013 12:30:26 AM
OOC: Wait--we're bringing her back to the Tavern? I had thought we would be taking the Matron somewhere private and question her ourselves? No???
Cayzle Comments: Well, what private place would that be? You started at the main gate, went to the lich's tavern, then to the old tannery. Where could you possibly go otherwise? Sorry! It is back to the Tavern with you.
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 44/44 Friday December 20th, 2013 4:47:15 AM
Alleah remains quiet in front of Indicio. Obviously he shouldn't be trusted, but she hasn't quite figured out his angle.
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP72/72, Protection from Evil Friday December 20th, 2013 2:15:46 PM
Grell is quiet as the matron is returned to the Inn. He wonders what will happen with the matron, but whatever it is, it's probably what she deserves.
OOC:Sorry, I felt terrible yesterday and wasn't able to post. :(
Return to the Innkeeper (DM Cayzle) Friday December 20th, 2013 5:05:06 PM
Alleah explains the situation, and the lich pauses.
Can it be? Is it even possible to tell? Is he smiling?
Sense Motive DC20: Please Highlight to display spoiler: {Yes. Yes he is.}
The dry as dust voice sighs. "Excellent."
"As an apt reward, I will allow you to take for yourself any magical possessions the drow now carries."
"And then you must simply retrieve my ten spotted-hand fungi, and I will give you that for which you came here."
==========
OOC: Please see my email coming this weekend regarding xp, hero points, etc. DM Ezra takes over on Monday for the Mushroom Madness!
Tuck HP 46/49 AC 21/21/17 d20+12=20 ; Friday December 20th, 2013 5:35:50 PM
Tuck does not go into the tavern, visibly upset with the party for their decision to turn Ulvirjss over to Indicio.
"They're traveling a slippery path," he says to himself. "I don't know how much further I can travel it with them."
He leans against the wall, close to the tavern entrance, keeping his eyes peeled for danger. (Perception 20)
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 44/44 d20+9=15 ; d20+5=13 ; Saturday December 21st, 2013 7:09:56 AM (Sense Motive vs DC20: 15 = Fail)
"Um, were we to end her life her possessions would be forfeit to us anyway. Since we bring her to you alive and ripe to divulge any and all secrets, don't you think she may be worth a little to you? I imagine the things she knows would serve an information broker such as yourself well" Alleah knows the party are on a good thing here, and does her best to sweeten it as much as possible. Unfortunately Indicio is such an imposing figure that her attempt isn't as good as it could have been (Diplomacy: 13)
Fairly confident the party had already stripped the drow of all possessions, Alleah casts Detect Magic just in case, and looks the matron up and down. If the matron is wearing a belt, Alleah would like to take it as a souvenir. If time had allowed - and the rest of the party not been judgemental - Alleah would have seen to it that the matron left with nothing but her undergarments.
Emrys Highlight to display spoiler: { Can you undo the curse before we go? Or make the curse last for only two more questions? I don't want to leave her totally defenseless and besides some of her secrets may well subject innocents to unasked for danger.}
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 44/44 Saturday December 21st, 2013 11:32:30 AM
If time allows on the walk back from the tannery, Alleah will show the things she found to the party in the hopes someone can identify them:
- A crossbow - 9 crossbow bolts - Three vials
"Be careful with the bolts. I suspect the tips are coated with Drow Poison"
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51; Comp. Language, Prot.fm.Evil Saturday December 21st, 2013 5:15:43 PM
Wilma, too, is not enthusiastic about just handing the Matron over to Indicio. She stays with Tuck, a frown of concern on her face. She had genuinely believed that Emrys or Van would have found a back-alley or the like to have a conversation with the Drow before taking the dark elf to the hated lich.
"I should have been more insistent," she sighs to herself. For the young cleric of Gargul, this is a lesson very harshly learned: in the future, she would have to make sure that she knows precisely the ultimate outcome of specific actions...especially when those actions are a result of electing to act in specifically moral and/or ethical ways.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 69/69 Saturday December 21st, 2013 7:01:28 PM
As Ariach figures out that the group is going to hand over the drow matron to Indicio, he starts to get desperate again. Could he be so deceived in Vaniime?
Even more confused that Tuck and Wilma donīt go in he turns to them. "If you believe that you will remain a clear conscience just because you donīt go in, then you are deluding yourself. I am bound on the promise our leader Vaniime has given to Indicio. But if he agrees to the delivery of the living matron, i am not bound anymore. If he hands over the information and items we need to escape from here i will attack him. And if i die against an overwhelming enemy - i at least didnīt betray my convictions."
Then he goes on to enter the tavern but turnes one more time. "I still could need some help."
Then he disappears in the doorway.
Emrys ac13, hp28/28. prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, light d20+12=22 ; Saturday December 21st, 2013 10:01:26 PM
Emrys whispers back to Vaniime, "The curse is permanent ... I can't remove it, not yet anyway. There are very few spells powerful enough to do so. I will eventually be able to, but that day has no arrived. That's the problem with curses, it takes more power to dispel than it does to bestow. I don't feel right about it either, but what choice do we have? We're in the Underwold!"
(Diplomacy: 22)
"Thank you, Indicio, your offer is very generous, but I believe the Vanguard has no interest in her possessions. We are more interested in justice, and not the sort you find here in the Underwold, not the kind, at least, that satisfies our moral sensibilities. I'm certain you understand that. Is there a way we can come to a mutual agreement that satisfies us both? A way for you to acquire your information, and the matron returning alive with us to Plateau City to face the light, so to speak?"
Emrys understands his friends uneasiness with this situation. He finds it just as repugnant. As he's stated several times already, remember where we are, ... a city dominated by evil, sunken deep in the Underwold. A city where they knowingly allow evil like Indicio, an Assassins Guild and the matron to exist and thrive. We can't expect to entertain thoughts of finding the kind of adjudication that we desire and take for granted on the surface.
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 44/44 d20+16=22 ; Saturday December 21st, 2013 10:48:04 PM
A quizzical look appears on Alleah's tiny face "Did he just say no interest in her possessions???" She continues her pat-down with every intention to strip the matron of anything valuable before she is handed over. (Perception: 22)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51; Comp. Language, Prot.fm.Evil Sunday December 22nd, 2013 10:06:29 PM
Wilma feels even worse now...both the Matron and Indicio were evil. Each of them were acting in the way that they chose. If there was one thing that the doctrines of Gargul taught, it was that each person was responsible for the choices they made. Once you picked a specific way to act, it was up to you to act that way for as long as your conscience dictated.
You could not undo a choice once it was made.
However...there was no law that said one could not choose differently when the next opportunity arose...
Wilma turned around and marched back to where her friends were, intending to join them...if she could find them...
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 44/44 Monday December 23rd, 2013 8:52:19 AM OOC: Are we going to get a Christmas present of going up a level? :)
DM Ezra - Unsavory Dealings Monday December 23rd, 2013 11:09:48 AM
The party has been offered a night of rest and recuperation in some rooms above.
With the naive curiosity of tourists, the Vanguard learns that while many of the laws of Bthanchend are considerably harsher than Plateau City, they are the legal controls. A stroll through town finds that while people tend to their own business, they do not appear oppressed. Even the numerous slaves running about on one errand or another find time to smile at each other and show deference to their superiors.
It may not be Plateau's laws, but they are Bthanchend's. And if the Matron has been captured and is being held, the laws give her captors right of ownership.
One more task, and the Vanguard may hopefully return to the warmth of the Wold above.
Please send an email with your level up selections and note when you have finished the task.
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 44/44 d20+17=34 ; d20+10=30 ; d20+17=36 ; d20+12=20 ; Monday December 23rd, 2013 2:21:50 PM OOC: All hail our magnificient DMs for granting us these new levels! :)
Before retreating to the relative safety and comfort of the rooms above, Alleah does a quick check of the tavern. She's looking for a mark. Someone drunk but who would appear to have enough money to spare to the poor of this place. (Perception: 34. Sense Motive: 30)
She will make it her goal to walk past this person quite closely and lift something from him as she does so (Sleight of Hand check vs DC20: 36 = Pass. Stole something. Target gets to make a Perception check vs DC36 to notice it. Should he notice it Alleah will act normally, pretending her hand 'moved' by accident and drop the item: Bluff 20 - "Measure the Mark" ability)
Whether she scores a priceless diamond or a half smoked cigar, she doesn't care. All she cares about is the thrill.
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 44/44 Monday December 23rd, 2013 4:04:50 PM OOC: Fyi folks - Alleah will likely take the next level as Obsessed, meaning she will need to try and steal something every day (or suffer a penalty). That said, she thinks of herself more as a 'wealth redistributor' and only takes from those who can afford it to give to the poor (or church). Anything she takes more than a silver or two she will give away. Hopefully the good aligned PCs can accept her!
Also DMs - was any loot picked up from the drow matron?
Tuck HP 46/49 AC 21/21/17 Monday December 23rd, 2013 5:37:33 PM
"So, are we done with Ulvirjss? Just give her over to Indicio and say good riddance?" Tuck appears to be pouting.
He sets his things down in their room and finds a quiet corner to meditate in.
DM Ezra - Unsavory Dealings d4=1 ; Tuesday December 24th, 2013 12:04:04 PM
Alleah scores herself a small leather pouch. Full of nail clippings. Why anyone would save nail clippings...
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51; Comp. Language, Prot.fm.Evil Tuesday December 24th, 2013 7:48:08 PM
So....did Wilma find the others? In spite of Indicio's spell?
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51; Comp. Language, Prot.fm.Evil Wednesday December 25th, 2013 12:08:50 AM
OOC: Merry Christmas, one & all!
8)
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 44/44 Wednesday December 25th, 2013 8:41:51 AM
Alleah feels the adrenaline race through her system. It is more intoxicating than any beverage. She makes a quick getaway back to the groups room and settles in for a peaceful sleep.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51; Comp. Language, Prot.fm.Evil Thursday December 26th, 2013 12:27:38 AM
Still waiting to see where people actually are in relation to each other, because now I'm just lost.
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 44/44 Thursday December 26th, 2013 7:28:59 AM OOC: My understanding was that once the group (or subset thereof) had finished speaking with Indicio they would have been clear of his dark shroud and visible in the tavern. We would all be free to regroup upstairs
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51; Comp. Language, Prot.fm.Evil Friday December 27th, 2013 10:32:53 PM
checking in....
DM Ezra - Unsavory Dealings Sunday December 29th, 2013 11:58:18 PM I looked back through the posts, not sure where the 'dark shroud' came from. Indicio used a spell-like that provides a sound ward in an area around him. Wilma would not have had an issue getting to her friends.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51; Comp. Language, Prot.fm.Evil Monday December 30th, 2013 1:55:10 PM
OOC: Thank you, DM Ezra. As the game description of events has gone past where she may have interjected different stuff, it probably makes no difference now. But now I know she can hook back up with her buds.
Now all I have to do is find the time to update her character sheet...
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP72/72, Protection from Evil Monday December 30th, 2013 7:26:40 PM
OOC: Checking in...need to update my CS when I get back to home. Hope everyone is having a great holiday break!!
Grell waits until the group has concluded its business with the lich and then seat himself at a table, ready to enjoy some more of that spicy soup. For some reason, even it hasn't been that long since he last left the Inn, Grell finds himself famished.
DM Ezra - Catching up Tuesday December 31st, 2013 3:19:52 PM What happened with your daughter joining?
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51; Comp. Language, Prot.fm.Evil Thursday January 2nd, 2014 8:46:40 PM
I'm still trying to find time to update Wilma...she likely leveled with just about everyone else, but I don't have time to concentrate on bumping her up a level.
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 44/44 Friday January 3rd, 2014 3:44:30 AM
That evening, Alleah casts Detect Magic over the items that have been recovered: - A crossbow - 9 crossbow bolts - Three vials
She hopes someone else in the group may have an Identify spell available to determine what they may be. Identifying items is outside her area of expertise.
In the mean time she takes a seat in the corner of the room and idly flips her lucky coin.
DM Ezra - Catching up Friday January 3rd, 2014 10:18:35 AM Detect Magic and a spellcraft roll are all that is needed to attempt to identify an item. DC starts at 15+CL of item
If anyone has intentions of doing anything that evening, please post them. Monday morning we will begin with breakfast, the morning after your conversation with Ignacio.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51; Comp. Language, Prot.fm.Evil Friday January 3rd, 2014 11:21:33 AM
Still trying to free up the time to update Wilma...(operative word: "trying"...)
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 44/44 Friday January 3rd, 2014 9:57:30 PM OOC: Unfortunately Alleah does not have any ranks in Spellcraft so can't ID magical items. All I can do is cast Detect Magic and look for auras.
Alleah will suggest to Emrys to cast Identify on any object with an aura and Detect Poison on the arrows and vials
Emrys ac13, hp28/28. prestidigitation, deathwatch, unseen servant, light d100=29 ; d20+12=18 ; d20+2=13 ; d20+22=32 ; d20+22=23 ; d20+22=23 ; d20+22=36 ; d20+22=28 ; Sunday January 5th, 2014 3:17:59 PM
Emrys takes a little time to find a shop, near the Broken Pick, that sells common household goods. He will buy an ordinary broom. Upon returning to their room at the Broken Pick, he will help Alleah identify all she had pilfered from the matron's torture chamber and anything found on the matron herself (if any).
He begins by trying to divine the presence of poison. (Leyline check: 29. Casts Detect Poison, and tries to determine what poison it is with a Craft [alchemy]: 18, or a Wisdom check: 13.)
Emrys then attempts to identify the other items. He groups them all together to view them more easily. (Casting Identify. Works like Detect Magic while granting a +10 on Spellcraft checks to identify. Spellcraft checks: 32, 23, 23, 36 & 28. I rolled several times because I'm sure how many items there are.)
Emrys ac13, hp28/28. Sunday January 5th, 2014 3:19:05 PM
{ooc: I forgot to remove the spells in the title line that are no longer active.)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51 Monday January 6th, 2014 5:26:24 AM
I still have to update Wilma's CS...didn't someone email the XPs the group just gained...?
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 44/44 Monday January 6th, 2014 6:49:39 AM check...
DM Ezra - 'Shroom Hunting 6d6=23 ; Monday January 6th, 2014 11:53:08 AM I did not locate a post of anyone searching, or removing gear from the matron, since I'm in a giving mood, I'll assume that Alleah wasn't the only one to think about picking up gear laying about. don't expect such generosity in the future.
From the matron and her assistants, the party has: A set of masterwork drow plate armor (treat as mithral) A heavy steel shield with the Pelezek coat of arms. A masterwork rapier. A potion of invisibility. A scroll of dispel magic. A wand of cure serious wounds CL 5, 10 charges. Two drow chain shirts emblazoned with the Pelezek coat of arms. Two rapiers. Two handcrossbows. Two quivers, total of 40 bolts. Two with poisoned tips (drow). Total of six additional doses of drow poison. 423 gold coins.
After the heroes finish preparing for the day, it is a short walk through the perpetual dusk of Bthanchend. Finding the docks proves easier than expected.
A straight and narrow stone pier juts hundreds of feet out into the moist darkness, lit occasionally along its length by a few lanterns fastened to it. Tiny waves lap at the sides of the pier, and at the dozens of watercraft tethered along the wharf's pocked length. A boat farther out along the dock seems to ride higher than the rest of the craft. It's just beyond a stone shack.
A pair of drow stand near the remnants of a skiff pulled up on the dock, watching as three svirfneblin work at dismantling the skiff. One of the drow mutters something and idly kicks one of the svirfneblin.
The following spoilers are in drow Highlight to display spoiler: {I'm telling you, that aboleth is getting pesky. Something needs to be done!} stated one of the drow, Highlight to display spoiler: {I don't have enough to repair that boat, or pay off Pelezek.}
Highlight to display spoiler: {Didn't you hear? Someone's abducted the Matron, killed a bunch of her guard too.}
The third drow, and the better dressed of the three, Highlight to display spoiler: {I don't care who or what, you brought the boat to dock, you pay the dock fee.}
Tuck HP 59/59 AC 21/21/17 Monday January 6th, 2014 5:18:21 PM
Tuck watches the drow from the docks, unable to understand what they're saying.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 69/69 Monday January 6th, 2014 5:56:13 PM
Ariach refuses each item which has belonged to the evil drow. He even doesnīt want his share of the money.
When he sees one of the drow kicking a svirfneblin he suppresses his desire to fight the drow.
Emrys ac13, hp28/28. Tuesday January 7th, 2014 6:49:24 AM
After hearing the drow speak to one another, Emrys halts before they approach these seafaring elves and turns to the group and says in a low voice. "It's very odd, these drow speak in a strange language I've never heard or studied before. While much of what they speak seems heavily rooted in undercommon, it sounds like unintelligible gibberish. There are plenty of boats on this dock, I suggest we seek the help of a duergar."
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 53/53 d20+17=21 ; Tuesday January 7th, 2014 7:54:39 AM OOC to DM: Alleah had looked to strip the matron of "anything valuable before she is handed over" per post on Saturday December 21st
Alleah keeps her position and watches the drow from a safe distance (Perception: 21)
"Duergar, drow, is there much difference? I don't think we can trust either down here. Just to be safe though, perhaps we shouldn't display any of the items with the Pelezek coat of arms." Alleah makes sure it is all safely tucked away. "If we knew where we were going we could 'borrow' a boat? Anyone able to cast Locate Object for these mushrooms?"
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 69/69 Tuesday January 7th, 2014 5:05:58 PM
"It wouldnīt surprise me if we have to fight our way through plenty of drows until we reach the mushrooms. It would fit to Indicioīs behavior."
DM Ezra - 'Shroom Hunting Tuesday January 7th, 2014 9:39:42 PM If only Emrys knew Woldian Below instead of undercommon...
As the heroes begin walking down the pier, one of the drow holds out a hand.
In woldian below: what business have you here?
Grell, AC20/13/18, HP72/72, Protection from Evil Tuesday January 7th, 2014 11:44:04 PM
Tired of all the mindless chity chat Grell growls at the drow in Common (which he probably doesn't understand) "We're here on our own private business so mind yours and well mind ours. " He's not exactly sure why he's so cranky, but he's not in the mood to play nice right now.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 51/51 Wednesday January 8th, 2014 4:35:43 AM
...still trying to find time to update Wilma...
For now, she'll be sulky and uncharacteristically unconcerned for the Svirfs (are they blue with with weird-lookin' pants and hats..?)
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 53/53 d20+12=28 ; Wednesday January 8th, 2014 7:45:15 AM
Though Alleah cannot understand the language used by the drow, she recognises the held out hand as the universal signal for "stop!".
She places her hands on her hips and tilts her head upwards. "We are here at the behest of you know who. We require a boat immediately!" she says in common with authority (Bluff: 28)
DM Ezra - 'Shroom Hunting Wednesday January 8th, 2014 10:40:21 AM
The drow manages to come off as looking down his nose at the surly lot of heroes. Boat? 5 gold. day. Pay now. His common is heavily accented and barely legible.
That's a lot of bulky and heavy loot, who has it? Where?
You were given directions to the island by Indicio. It's about an hour away by rowboat.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 69/69 Wednesday January 8th, 2014 2:05:33 PM
Immediately take Ariachīs arms grip on his weapon. He fervently wishes the guards would pick up their weapons and attack the group of humans. Then he would have a reason for killing them.
Tuck HP 59/59 AC 21/21/17 Wednesday January 8th, 2014 5:28:31 PM
Tuck looks out across the water. "I hope that that big fish doesn't attack us again. We'd be right in it's territory."
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 53/53 d20+17=22 ; d20+10=21 ; d20+10=22 ; d20+5=21 ; Thursday January 9th, 2014 7:12:21 AM OOC: Who is carrying the loot? Alleah doesn't have the strength - and being small sized she can't use any of it
Alleah is only partially surprised by Grell's actions. Very direct and very simple. He didn't confuse things and he didn't escalate the situation. "Hmm... not bad"
The halfling folds her arms and taps her foot, trying to maintain an air of superiority.
"We will need someone to row. We will take them with us" she points to the svirfneblin. Getting them away from the drow may mean a chance to see them off to a better life. (Diplomacy: 21)
Perception on the guards: 22 Sense Motive on the guards: 21 Sense Motive on the svirfneblin: 22
DM Ezra - 'Shroom Hunting Thursday January 9th, 2014 12:25:58 PM
A puzzled look crosses the face of drow as Alleah speaks and motions at the svirfneblin. It appears that he did not quite catch everything he said.
Woldian Below: Highlight to display spoiler: {Not for sale. But you may rent them for another 5 gold each, per day. 50 gold deposit against damage.}
One of the other drow grins at the interaction and nudges the third drow, who still looks with despair at the remnants of his boat.
Accepting the coin from Grell, the dockmaster points at a skiff part way down the dock, it looks large enough to hold everyone.
The skiff has three rows of benches, each easily able to hold two, or three friendly people.
Each bench has an oar on each side (six oars in total).
Who is sitting where, who is steering? Rowers please give me a strength check and a con check. Pilot can give me a prof sailor, or diplomacy/intimidate check.
Tuck HP 59/59 AC 21/21/17 d20+2=4 ; d20+2=9 ; Thursday January 9th, 2014 5:32:30 PM
(Strength 4, Con 9)
Tuck takes a seat on the front bench and grabs an oar. "Can everyone swim? It might be smart to tie a rope to those who can't."
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 69/69 d20+4=23 ; d20+3=16 ; Thursday January 9th, 2014 6:01:16 PM
Ariach sits down in the back and grabs an oar. "If i really fall into water i will sink like a stone with all the armor i am wearing. So please talk about other things" the young warrior says with a big smile on his face. (strength check= 23 , constitution check=16)
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 56/56 d20=14 ; d20+2=15 ; Thursday January 9th, 2014 9:23:33 PM
Wilma decided it was time to stop stewing over missed opportunities and stepped into the boat, choosing to sit next to Ariach. She smiled at him as she perched upon the seat they were sharing and manned an oar.
"I'll do my best to row us along," she promised, then added in a stage whisper to Ariach: "I hear there's this technique to save drowning people...it's called 'the kiss of life'..."
OOC: Wilma will be rowing; her Strength check is 14 and her Constitution check is 15.
Vaniime AC 18/14/15, HP:50/52,protection from evil, resist fire strength d20+3=14 ; mistake d20+3=4 ; Constitution d20+1=15 ; Thursday January 9th, 2014 10:20:25 PM
Sitting up front next to Grell, Van grins. So big guy do you think you can out row little ole me?
Emrys has been quiet after having arrived to the docks. The strange words spoken by the drow had completely distracted him. He follows his friends, as if on auto pilot, and takes a seat on the boat. There was something so strange, each word they said had the same suffix. A characteristic only known to koboldian limericks and .... PIG COMMON! He immediately recalls what he had heard and begins to shift around the consonants. It worked! He had successfully translated the word 'boat' and 'dock fee'.
He then begins to ponder why they were speaking in an Underwoldian version of Pig Common, a child's game he often enjoyed growing up. Could it be that drow males, being so dependent on their matron, had reverted to a more juvenile state upon learning their mother had gone missing? It was a fascinating thought. Or was it a way to mock non-drows by speaking to them in a child-like manner? Emrys is more inclined to believe the latter.
A smile forms across Emrys' face with the satisfaction of his discovery. The sudden rocking from the waves breaks his train of thought. Having just realized he was sitting on a boat, he asks, "Ohh my, we're on a ... boat! I hope it didn't cost much. Knowing what I know now, it's a good chance we could have distracted them with a mere bouncy ball and taken a boat for free."
(Diplomacy: 27)
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 69/69 Saturday January 11th, 2014 8:53:15 AM
check
DM Ezra - 'Shroom Hunting Saturday January 11th, 2014 11:07:35 AM Who has the heavy gear where? Who paid the fee for the boat?
The heroes rowing starts out comically as oars clash and mismatched rhythms get sorted out. Emrys's takes the lead in coaching the others to match their strokes and soon the boat maintains a relatively straight line.
Mid way to their destination the boat rocks as a fountain of bubbles rise from the depths and rock the boat for a minute. Continuing on, the party soon spots an island, or more pointedly a huge stalagmite with its top broken off. Hanging from the ceiling overhead the matching stalactite hangs down like Damocles sword. One part of the 'island' has crumbled enough to provide a rough beach.
Approaching the island, the heroes get their first close look at the ground itself. Sprouting up through a layer of turgid black ooze near the beach are small, yellow protrusions as wide and thick as human fingers. Luminescent green mushrooms with blue caps crowd the island, probably knee-high to a human near the water's edge but slowly increasing in stature further inland. They reach heights of 40 feet or more at the isle's crowded center. A blue haze lights the air around them.
This isle's narrow beach is composed of finely intertwined mesh of fibers from which the finger-like protrusions grow. The ground is spongy but firm. A smell like yeast and citrus commingled, bracing in intensity, issues from the ground. Thin at the island's boundary but thicker beneath the luminescent mushrooms, a blue glow suffuses the air and stings the throat.
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 53/53 d20+17=31 ; Sunday January 12th, 2014 5:22:02 AM
Alleah's eyes widen, but she remains silent. The mushrooms seem much larger to such a small halfling.
Perception: 31
------------------------ OOC: Alleah has a strength score of 9 - carrying heavy things is not an option for her
DM Ezra - 'Shroom Hunting Monday January 13th, 2014 12:56:49 PM
As the rowboat draws closer, the mushrooms loom larger.
Tuck HP 59/59 AC 21/21/17 d20+13=22 ; Monday January 13th, 2014 5:29:44 PM
Tuck keeps a wary eye on the shore as they approach. (Perception 22)
"What is it that we're looking for, now?"
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 69/69 Monday January 13th, 2014 6:14:56 PM
Ariach watches the strange surrounding with wide open eyes. He has never seen such things before.
Wilma; AC17 (+1 Mithril chain shirt); HP 56/56 Monday January 13th, 2014 10:07:57 PM OOC: What in the..? Where's my post? I made a post late Friday...sheesh...
"Hey..." huffed Wilma as she pulled on her oar according to the rhythm set by Emrys, "...just which of those things is it that ol' Boneface wanted...?"
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 53/53 Monday January 13th, 2014 10:08:36 PM "Well, Indicio wants us to retrieve some of those mushrooms. But remember, he warned us about their spores" Alleah perches herself low in the boat "Let's steer closer to shore so we can cut some down"
DM Ezra - 'Shroom Hunting Tuesday January 14th, 2014 12:42:36 PM
DC 10 Int check Highlight to display spoiler: {Indicio said "The mushrooms I seek are obvious, black with red spots in the shape of tiny hands. You can't miss them, though you might have to venture to the isle's center to find them. Bring me at least ten."}
It looks like much hacking and slashing will be necessary to make way into the interior of the island. (Difficult terrain) Marching order?
The trunks of the green mushrooms grow in thick clumps, but the spaces between clumps are just wide enough to squeeze through. Each squishy step releases a pleasant scent of yeast and citrus. The trunks of the luminescent mushrooms have a cushioned felt feeling yet resist firm contact from a firm inner layer.
The caps soon loom overhead like umbrellas. A misting of bluish dust drops from the hymenium overhead and is also kicked up in swirls of disturbed air with each footstep. The heroes soon find themselves covered in a fine layer of bluish dust that gives off a faint bluish luminescence.
The island is eerily silent, even the footsteps of the party are strangely muted on the spongy detritus that covers the ground.
Tuck HP 59/59 AC 21/21/17 d20+2=12 ; d20+13=32 ; Tuesday January 14th, 2014 4:51:23 PM
(Intelligence 12, Perception 32)
Tuck helps to drag the boat ashore before he looks out over the island. "Oh man, this is weird."
He then takes up a position behind Alleah.
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 69/69 d20+1=19 ; Tuesday January 14th, 2014 4:53:17 PM
Ariach feels disappointed about leaving the boat. He enjoyed sitting next to Wilma. During the march he will be near the priestess all the time. (int. check=19)
"Good call, Vaniime," says Emrys as he tightly fits a scarf around his nose and mouth. "I have two more scarfs ... Wilma, you should still have the one I gave you the other day (on the bridge, before entering the city). He takes a position that is in the middle of the pack. He gathers samples of this and that along the way (soil, mineral and fungal).
He takes special care to examine the large mushrooms around them. He notices the bluish "dust" and tries to remember what he's studied about fungus and all its many varieties. He would have remembered reading about these giant-sized mushrooms. They make his fey senses tingle.
(Knowledge [Nature]: 34, nat. 20. Emrys wishes to identify these mushrooms and recall as much as he can about their properties, good or bad.)
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 53/53 d20+2=6 ; d20+17=32 ; d20+25=37 ; d20+11=15 ; Tuesday January 14th, 2014 11:28:18 PM OOC: Int check vs DC10: 6 = Fail. Typical Halfling!
Alleah takes her position up front, and begins to scout ahead. She trusts that one of the intellectuals in the group will stop her when she comes across whatever mushroom it is they are looking for. She does her best to avoid stepping on or disturbing any of the flora Perception: 32 Stealth: 37 Acrobatics check if needed (to avoid stepping on things): 15
------------------ Question to DM: Alleah has the Woodland Stride ability: "you can move through any sort of undergrowth (such as natural thorns, briars, overgrown areas, and similar terrain) at your normal speed and without taking damage or suffering any other impairment. Thorns, briars, and overgrown areas that have been magically manipulated to impede motion, however, still affect you." Is she able to move at normal speed in this environment?
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 69/69 Wednesday January 15th, 2014 4:42:03 PM
check
DM Ezra - 'Shroom Hunting Wednesday January 15th, 2014 6:09:42 PM
Wilma decides that she is going to sit this one out and stay with the boat.
Alleah finds movement through the mushrooms much easier than the others.
An edit to the post will be forth coming to provide the level of detail requested by Emrys.
Tuck HP 59/59 AC 21/21/17 d20+13=26 ; Wednesday January 15th, 2014 7:18:22 PM
(Perception 26)
Tuck maintains his lookout as they move deeper into the island.
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 53/53 Wednesday January 15th, 2014 8:48:25 PM check...
Emrys ac13, hp28/28. Wednesday January 15th, 2014 10:38:47 PM
Checking...
DM Ezra - 'Shroom Hunting Thursday January 16th, 2014 11:01:32 AM
Emyrs finds himself lost in thought as he recalls "what he's studied about fungus and all its many varieties" from that class he took at the academy Fungi and you, keeping your toes and sprucing your salad. At first he had thought it was a joke and taken the class on a whim, but you never knew when some obscure esoteric piece of information might come in handy.
Of course the center piece of the class was the test book The Book of Fungi: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species from around the World. His roommates had laughed uproariously anytime he had to lug the 10 foot long, six foot wide 200 pound book to class. It was fortunate that he had done so, because the center page of the book was a pop-up of an ancient fossilized species of fungus known as prototaxites it stood over 20 feet tall and was a real pain to get folded back into that book.
The Book of Fungi had been organized by eatable, dangerous, carnivorous, and ergonomic types of fungi. He recalled that spores were the primary reproduction method for many fungi and that some fungi could implant themselves into living hosts whereby they would grow through the host's body before bursting through the skin to release more spores. Of course there were many benign or helpful species of fungus known as yeast that helped bakers provide that delicious bread he so often enjoyed. And then there were the molds, some of which he had read in the Woldian Journal of Medicine that were being studied for their disease fighting properties. Oh yes, there was that article that came out just last month about mold on bread, he should probably remind himself to look for any follow up articles on that one.
He did recall that fungi played a critical role in the circle of life, breaking down biological matter to release those nutrients back into the Wold. Well there was that one article in the prestigious Scientific Fungi Journal. A crackpot academic, Validk, had suggested that there were quite possibly millions of species of fungi. How absurd.
This did get Emrys thinking about truffles, another fungi, mmm, truffles... a good truffle pig was hard to come by but those black truffles were just divine, especially when cooked with some chocolate.
Giant fungi, had to keep focused, prototaxites were giant fungi. But nobody Emrys knew of had seen one since before the 2nd age. Good thing he was collecting samples, if he could get an entire specimen back he might get noticed in the SFJ!
As one of his favorite topics, Emrys recalled that some types of fungi were also used to ferment alcohol. Some of the more exotic drinks required specific fungi to provide the mild hallucinogenic characteristics of the beverage. He should get samples for the brewers too.
He recalled that many fungi were asexual, no fun in that. while other species did need fertilization, hence the proliferation of spores. Spores weren't generally considered more than a possible respiratory issue, though there was always a first time.
If it weren't for spores, Emrys wouldn't be able to enjoy cheese, since it was by the growth of certain molds that allowed the cheese to develop.
Considering that his text book only covered a minuscule fraction of the many species of fungi known in the world, if only he had the text book now, he'd be able to consider what might be known specifically about the species he was seeing instead of reminiscing on all he could recall of any fungi he had ever read about. He certainly didn't recall anything specific about the mushrooms they were sent to locate, or any mushrooms giving off blue luminescent spores.
DM Ezra - 'Shroom Hunting Thursday January 16th, 2014 11:09:02 AM
Struggling through the dense undergrowth and oddly shaped species of fungi choking the island was tiring to the party. Only Alleah seemed to have no difficulty getting around.
It was unnerving that there was so little sound, no crickets, no animal trails, no birds chirping, just deadening silence that seemed to swallow up the party's footsteps.
It didn't take long for the shore to fall behind and be lost to sight.
Tuck and Alleah get the impression they are being watched, an itching sensation crawling up their spine...
Ariach AC 26/14/19 ; HP 69/69 Thursday January 16th, 2014 7:40:21 PM
Seeing that his idolised Wilma is staying with the boat, Ariach decides to stay back too. "Take care! We will wait for your save return."
Tuck HP 59/59 AC 21/21/17 d20+13=28 ; Thursday January 16th, 2014 8:21:28 PM
(Perception 28)
Tuck looks about trying to discern where he feels the unseen eyes might be. "I don't think we're alone."
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 49/49 d20+17=35 ; d20+25=31 ; Friday January 17th, 2014 5:42:18 AM
Alleah nods but remains silent. The itching sensation she currently feels on the back of her neck is either the feeling of being watched, or perhaps, she caught some bugs from sleeping under Grell's bed.
No Wilma. No Ariach. At the first sign of trouble you can be sure that Alleah will be making a run for it.
Regardless she pushes ahead. Quietly. Stealthily.
Perception: 35 Stealth: 31
DM Ezra - 'Shroom Hunting Friday January 17th, 2014 10:56:50 AM
The scouting continues as the party struggles ever deeper towards the island's interior.
The party finds themselves covered in a pervasive layer of luminescent blue pollen that seems to cling to their clothes and hair.
The sense of being watched is like a dull ache that won't go away. Always there, but not easily pinpointed. After 45 minutes of struggling through, under, and around the giant clumps of overgrown fungal masses, the heroes see that they are approaching the island's center. Occasional glimpses through the overhead foilage reveals the dangling stalactite, easily a half mile across at its base, tapering to a single point several hundred feet overhead.
bbrrrrummmmmm
bbrrrrummmmmm
bbrrrrummmmmm
Every 30 seconds a low rumble reverberates through the undergrowth. Pushing inward to the center of the island, it grows in intensity with each step.
Ahead, a low mist covers the ground, seeping through the trees. With each reverberation, a wave of energy ripples through the mist.
The center of the island is just ahead.
CDM Jerry Friday January 17th, 2014 1:45:26 PM
I have sent this game an email about non-posting. Please read and reply.
" So guys and gals we are looking for mushrooms that are black with red spots in the shape of tiny hands. We need at least 10. I want to find them and then get out of here as quickly as possible.
Don't like the look or the sound of that, Be ready and on the look out all.
perception 21
RobC - Alleah Lighttouch AC 15/15/11 -- CMD 15 -- HP 49/49 d20+17=29 ; d20+25=40 ; Saturday January 18th, 2014 5:34:19 AM
It's been almost an hours walk and Alleah is not comfortable having the group so far apart. Wilma has been very nice and welcoming to the halfling. What's more, she has healing spells!
Alleah crouches as she walks in the mist, becoming almost imperceptible to the naked eye. In her mind she pictures the booming sound coming from the footsteps of a giant monster. "I wonder if I could outrun Vaniime?" the rogue thinks as she gets ready to make a bold retreat.
Perception: 29 Stealth: 40
Tuck HP 59/59 AC 21/21/17 d20+13=30 ; Saturday January 18th, 2014 10:17:34 AM
(Perception 30)
Tuck flexes his fingers, preparing for bad stuff to happen. He nods in agreement with Vaniime's assessment of the need, the need for speed.
Emrys ac13, hp28/28. d20+14=30 ; Saturday January 18th, 2014 1:16:22 PM
"Alleah ... hand me the wand that you pilfered from the matron. With Wilma watching the boat, I'm the only healer we have at the moment."
(Perception: 30 ... to spot whatever is stalking about.)
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