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Retrieve the bell


DM Jon! 
Wednesday November 19th, 2014 8:33:47 PM
"I will speak with the mayor and Constable and support your request to have the prisoner released into yor custody." Iangold says as the group starts back towards town. e looks towards Sardoxm"And we will draft a document for you to sign as well.. For the sake of time perhaps adapt an existing contract for te purpose.. yes.. I think that will do." The priest Moves off to begin laying plans for the paper with his fellow clergy.

the trip back to Himbles Ford is quick and uneventful. once there Iangold heads to the mayors while there's of his church scramble to get the addendum and other paperwork ready.

less than an hour after they arrived Iangold returns with the constable leading quitlon. "all yours.. On your head now" the older watchman says as officially hands over the responsibly. two members of Ffloys temple arrive as well carrying a small chest in a wheel barrow and a ream of paper.

"Ladies and gentlemen.. Your prepayment as discussed and the papers extending your contacts to the new duties.. And in one case pertaining solely to the retrieval of the bell." He nods towards Sardock

the chest is opened to reveal rows of neatlu stack coins and several cut gems totalling 1500 GP

The paperwork is the standard fare. Detailed, exhausting reading but really just says that the group is being paid to retrieve the bell and the temple isn't liable for any injuries or deaths in the process.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 31/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 7/13 AC 18/13/16  d20+11=27 ; d20+9=19 ; d20+9=28 ; d20+1=6 ;
Wednesday November 19th, 2014 11:00:43 PM
Hazel arrives with a fully healed Faoil.
"I hope you are all ready! Because here we go! Mister Iangold, please give my share to Alouryn..."
Hazel leads his friends back to the square, and starts tracking the bell's thiefs.
Hazel Perception Roll: 27 (+2 if goblinoids, +2 if forest)
Hazel Survival (Track) Roll: 19 (+2 if goblinoids, +2 if forest)
Faoil Perception Aid Another Roll: 28
Faoil Survival Aid Another Roll: 6
Faoil can also track by scent

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d20+4=12 ; d20+10=18 ;
Thursday November 20th, 2014 1:27:20 AM
Alleah smiles on seeing Quotiln well. She was a little worried that the others in prison may have taken their troubles out on him.

She rushes through signing the contracts, barely stopping to read them.

Whilst the group gets ready to depart again Alleah will escort Quotiln to the party house. "I'm afraid we haven't had time to get a room ready for you yet, but I believe there is a small room off the side of the kitchen. It's a little cosy, but the room is warm and keeps the weather out." She looks about the room "I'll try and find some flowers for you. Perhaps a nice bunch will help bring some life to the room"

"We have to head off for a little while. While we're gone, please make yourself at home. Feel free to do what you can to tend to the house, or gardens, or animals. Just make yourself useful wherever you can." Alleah smiles to the older man "I'm sticking my neck out to help you, but I want you to know I have faith in you to do the right thing"

"Oh, I almost forgot. Here..." Alleah takes 60 gold pieces from her bag of holding and thrusts them at Quotiln "This is the gold I promised you. One years worth of wages in advance. Yours to do as you please"

She looks up at the man, searching for some semblance of similarity. Is she related to him? Time will tell.

==================================================

Alleah will pay a quick visit to the temple of Ffloy. No doubt the Broker would be about somewhere. She just wants to check on the man, make sure he is ok.

"We will do what we can, Ian" she is getting quite used to addressing the Broker by the informal name he permitted her to "I know you don't believe in it, but I believe Wardd will be with us. Try and keep the traders in a good mood, and we will be back with the bell in no time"

==================================================

Alleah rejoins the group. Hazel looks all set to begin the tracking. "Here, let me see if I can help you a bit"

The clerical witch casts "Toros Taur Try" to give Hazel a +2 Insight bonus to his survival check.
She then casts "Guidance" to give Hazel a +1 Competence bonus to his survival check
Alleah kneels near the drag marks to get a closer look. Survival check: 12 - enough to give a +2 Aid Another bonus to Hazel.

OOC: All up, +5 worth of bonuses to Hazel's survival check to follow the tracks :)

Alleah is content to stay near the middle of the pack during their travels. Bravery comes at different times for her, and where possible, it requires her to be out of harms way.

She then takes the precautoion of casting her Deathwatch cantrip to aid her eyes in seeing things more clearly

Perception: 18 + Deathwatch

Murphy HP 32/32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim)  d20+6=23 ; d20+6=18 ; d20+9=19 ; d20+13=21 ; d20+10=22 ;
Thursday November 20th, 2014 5:05:51 AM

Murphy decides to forgo upgrading to a wagon, and make do with his sturdy cart. He quickly stocks up with some provisions and gear.

He fills his mother and a few siblings in on Quotiln, and asks her to keep an eye on him - maybe provide him a bit of guidance in their absence, and introduce a few other people to him. Try to help him feel welcome in the community, and also help him to understand boundaries. "The burrow that was given us by the TossCobbles still needs some fixing up. Maybe a few of you can lend a hand and help Quotiln figure out how to get some things done. It likely doesn't do to give him too much free time too soon."

Murphy takes his sister Juditha and brother Samki over to the River Burrow to introduce them to Quotiln. "Juditha and Samki will take you to my place to meet our mother - she'll have some things for the burrow here, and a few people to lend you a hand in getting this place in shape. She might introduce you to a few folks, too. I expect to hear good things about you when we get back." Alleah may have met his siblings, but he makes introductions if not.

Getting faster at reading Ffloyan documents, Murphy does so, then signs.

The cart is drawn by Nutmeg on the left and Sugar on the right. His war pony, Pippa, comes along behind.

As they go along, he will do what he can to help out Hazel with the tracking from his vantage point up on the cart [survival: 22 = should give +2 aid another bonus to Hazel - combined with Alleah's help, gives Hazel a total of +5 worth of bonuses for him to follow the tracks].

Handle Animals: 23
Knowledge Geography 18
Knowledge Nature 19
Perception 21
Survival: 22

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Thursday November 20th, 2014 10:25:16 AM
Perhaps Shel was getting lazy, or maybe she had started trusting people again, but reading the long document didn't seem like the best allocation of her time. She signed her name at the foot of the document, without reading it or trying to detect magic on the document.

She takes her 250 gp share from the 1500 offered, adding it to her magical purse. Her gold was getting heavy...perhaps it was time for her to go on a quick shopping excursion. She had heard of magical items that she could use. It might be time for her to run check on them.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Thursday November 20th, 2014 10:27:49 AM
OOC: Um, I assumed 7 people in my calcs for the 1500gp Bell reward-to-be. That is, that Sardok will be coming too. If that's the case, everyone (including Sardok) gets 214.29gp each

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle) 
Thursday November 20th, 2014 10:30:53 AM

Bliss is not signing this time. "I want to be a hero!" he says. "I want to help catch these robbers because it is the right thing to do. Adventurers help people. They do not need some paper."

Mookie cocks his head and looks at Bliss. "Hmmm."

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Thursday November 20th, 2014 10:58:00 AM
As Quotiln is lead out and handed to Alleah's care, Sardok, still far off from their union, gives the man a stare that seems overly-hard toward someone he gives no other sign of knowing.

Sardok nods to Bliss and says, "That's an odd thing to say. You speak as if you can not be a hero _and_ a mercenary. As if those two are mutually exclusive. Think you the crops in the field care if their roots are watered by the blood of a noble man or a selfish one? Does the man dying for his village count as a hero if the huts are still burnt? Is the man who saves the village not a hero if he fought off the marauders only for the coin he was paid?

Would you still risk life and limb so quickly if you were never rewarded? The first time, of course, but the tenth? The fiftieth? If you fell in battle, how would we resurrect you without a fat sack of coin for the offering?"

Sardok dismounts and scans the paper. With a quick nod that all is in order, he signs the bottom, pockets his retainer, and remounts.

With a laugh he adds,"Ha! I mean no injury, brother. Simply that a paucity of gold does not always guarantee honor, nor does it's surfeit always mean greed. We return this bell, and the village prospers and offers us coin; that is best for us. They have lost a bell and offer us coin for it's return, so that they may prosper; that is best for them. As each of us does what is best for ourselves, we do what is best for all."

He finishes his speech, and gets a far-off look in his eye.

"...is nothing left...?"
"...we should have stayed..."
"...could not have stayed. Had to harvest to make rent...."

"Besides,"he mumbles, half to himself, "you never know what evil might be averted, if only the right hands held another hundredweight of gold."

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+1=17 ; d20+12=26 ;
Thursday November 20th, 2014 12:25:20 PM

Mookie listens to Sardok. "Pay attention to the man, Bliss. There's nothing wrong with getting paid a fair wage."

Bliss shakes his head. "I was in the Mailed Fist, so sure, I know that. Nothing wrong with getting paid for a job."

"But just seems to me that I should try NOT signing the paper and seeing how THAT goes. I don't remember my Aunt Priss telling me any stories of heroes who signed up to get paid before they went on their adventures. Usually they would get the loot of the bad guys or maybe a reward AFTER they won their quest. I want to try that, is all."

"Mister Murphy, Mister Hazel, you tell him!" Bliss seems to think that these new friends would agree with him, or at least understand his point of view.

He tries to help in the tracking. 17 to aid another. He keeps his eyes open too. Perception 26.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 31/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 7/13 AC 18/13/16 
Thursday November 20th, 2014 1:10:10 PM
When Alleah talks to Quotiln Hazel stands behind her, his eyes fixed on the former thief, saying nothing.
But Quotiln must know he knows his face, and if he elopes with Alleah's money, he will track him.
---
Hazel looks at Bliss, red in his cheeks.
"Well, on principle I am with you in not getting paid for doing a good thing for the town. But... well, we have needs. And the Ffloy guys have money. So... well, what I mean is... we are looking for a gold bell for them, right? Not saving anyone or anything, just retrieving their stuff. And well, weddings are expensive, so..."
Seems Hazel is short for excuses to grab them money, except he needs the money to get married.
---
Hazel thanks Alleah and Murphy.
"Thank's for your help! The bell's thieves won't be able to escape from us!"
With all the help he gets Hazel's Survival Roll is 26


Murphy HP 32/32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim) 
Thursday November 20th, 2014 8:28:40 PM
Murphy chats with Bliss. "Good for you, Bliss. I think all of us should consider our actions and motives, and see whether they be good and pure or otherwise. That is part of examining our lives, and making our choices with care and, one hopes, wisdom. Just as Hazel worked with us while not being under contract, so can you, or anyone who cares to - and who is qualified to do so.

"However, we will make certain, as we did with Hazel, that those who share in the risks, also share in the rewards. So, don't sign - but do come along to help us find the bell!

"I want us to be bound more by a covenant of friendship and honor than by written contract." He pauses. "Yet, as it seems that the temple of Ffloy prefers the clarity of the contract, and, reading it over, I find it not unreasonable - so I personally did choose to sign this one. We don't all have to be on the same page, as long as we are in the same book," he adds with a smile and a wink." [OOC: Whatever that means :-) ]

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Thursday November 20th, 2014 8:35:00 PM
OOC: thanks for the math correction. I forgot all about Sardok! I'll correct Shel's gold in the morning from my work computer.

DM Jon! 
Thursday November 20th, 2014 8:55:43 PM
Quotiln is left at the Burrow and gives promises to stay and behave while others in the village promise to look after him to ensure that he does..

And the group heads back to the clearing to examine the tracks. hazels expert Examination of the area reveals that the bell was taken some time ago, likely only a short time after Iangold had last seen it in place. The tracks are worn, but at the edge of the clearing Hazel spots an impression that looks like it may have come from the bell being dropped onto rain softened earth. Nearby is a set of large ogre sized foot print heading off in direction of a familiar destination.. The Parlay House

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 31/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 7/13 AC 18/13/16  d20+11=13 ; d20+8=23 ; d20+13=21 ; d20+9=18 ; d20+1=20 ; d20+2=22 ;
Thursday November 20th, 2014 10:27:37 PM
"I knew we should have token over the place! Well, seems we will have a new opportunity! Let me go in front to check for dangers, and if you hear me scream, you hurry up to save our hide!" - Hazel chuckles at his joke while petting Faoil.
I recommend the rest of the group go some 60'-100' behind.
Hazel Perception Roll: 13
Hazel Survival Roll: 23
Hazel Sneak Roll: 21
Faoil Aid Another Perception Roll: 18
Faoil Aid Another Survival Roll: 20
Faoil Aid Another Sneak Roll: 22

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Thursday November 20th, 2014 11:39:45 PM
As the brave Hazel declares his take on the situation, before he breaks off from the group astride his trusty wardog, Sardok rides next to him, and begs for a quick word.
"Master Hazel, if I might, could I ask you your opinion on a question of tactics? Specifically, I see that thee and thy companions seem to prefer to strike at range, for I see many accoutrements of a magical nature, and Brother Bliss favors a weapon of such yew that it all but outsizes him. But of suits of plate or scale I see none at all. Of course I'm all for striking from such distance that the enemy can not hit back, but should such misfortune befall us (and when does it not?) that the enemy closes to the range of fisticuffs, might I suggest a plan?
That is to say, I myself work best in a pair, for when an enemy is set upon at front and rear, he is much easier to hit and damage. Hence, when the time comes, can I count on you to be the hammer to my anvil?"

Sardok then falls back to the cart to allow Master Hazel a chance to meditate upon this, and to give him his requested distance. He then posits a question to the group:

"Friends, you have an air about you that you have both knowledge and a history with this Parlay House? Might I inquire as to its nature, and what your past dealings with it have been?"

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Friday November 21st, 2014 1:45:05 AM
"Hmm... this is the second time I've heard of this house. Hey, didn't you guys say that you spared a two-headed troll around here last time? Any chance it was his club? Troll tracks and Ogre tracks aren't that dissimilar are they?" Alleah squints her eyes and looks about suspiciously, before cracking a grin. It's just so hard to be serious some times. Of course it wouldn't be the troll! Probably...

Alleah gives Sardok a friendly elbow "I like you, Sardok. Always thinking ahead. Of course, thinking backwards would just be remembering, but I digress. When it comes to battle, my tactic is usually to stand back and patch up any wounds. Of course, if I can affect the mind of our enemy from a safe distance, I can do that too. Fighting up close usually means blood, and as a witch, that doesn't work well for me"

The young girl fumbles about in her pocket, nervously gripping her lucky coin away from prying eyes. She wants to put on a brave face for the group.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Friday November 21st, 2014 8:29:43 AM
"We've been to the Parlay House before. We defeated a mighty big'un there...a huge ogre type, I believe. We did encounter a two headed troll, but I don't think he would have done this, I hope. We left a friend to watch over him, and teach him how to find his own food, without having to resort to evil banditry and the like."

"The Parley House was awful. It was so hot and dusty in the general area. I'd hoped to never go back, but I suppose its far enough away from everything that baddies can come in and just take over the place, using it as a base, I guess. There were several ogres there last time, so that club could have belonged to any one of them. Anything else you can think of Hazel or Murphy?"

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle) 
Friday November 21st, 2014 11:06:48 AM

Bliss listens to Sardok and Alleah and Hazel talk tactics.

"Yup," he says, "I usually hide and shoot my bah."

He pauses for a moment in thought. "Hiding and shooting people, then hiding again so that they never see ya, that does not sound very much like a hero, does it?"

Mookie laughs. "It sounds like someone who doesn't go a-visiting Lord Gargul! Me likey!"

Bliss wonders a little about the only way he really knows how to fight.

=====

Bliss nods at Sardok's question. "Yeah, what's up with this Pally House?" he says, not quite getting the name right. "Paladins live there? I knew a paladin once. He was a pal of mine, but I never called him 'pally'. Would he have liked that?"

Then Shel explains a bit. "Does not sound like a place a paladin would like to me," Bliss says. "So why did they call it that?"

"Honestly, sounds like a place to use my sneaky skills, hero or no."

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Friday November 21st, 2014 4:15:06 PM
Sardok chuckles and returns Alleah's friendly elbow. "I heard a legend once of mighty hero who was renowned for his abilities of fore-thought. Hmmmm. Mind you, at the end of the legend he ends up tied to a mountain and an eagle eats his liver. I guess it didn't go so well for him. Huh. Anyway, yes, I too am always one to shy away from shedding as much blood as possible. Unless of course I run into others who are not so like minded, and the only way to spare mine is to shed theirs. Well, any battle you can walk away from...."

(OOC: The brother of the titan Atlas was Prometheus, whose name means "Forethought". And, yes, there was another brother named "Epimetheus." I'm sure you can guess what his name meant. Things went poorly for him and he fell in with a bad crowd. Ended up marrying some chick. You might have heard of her. She was called Pandora. =)

Murphy HP 32/32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim) 
Friday November 21st, 2014 5:36:09 PM

"Ah, the Parley House. Yes, Bliss - 'parley' means a talk, a discussion, a negotiation - and usually the word is used when two opposing sides get together to work out their differences, and possibly come to an agreement.

"Sardok - you may already be aware of this, but you might want to give a listen, too, if you'd like to catch up on what we've learned.

"A few hundred years back the Parley House was set up by our ancestors out in the Red Hills to the south, so as to have a place to meet with big-uns and other folks who dwell in the Red Hills. For some time, due in large part to what was worked out there, trade was good and peace prevailed between Crescent Valley and the Red Hills folks. They've got certain plants, and minerals, and such that we can use. We are very good at growing things, and tobacco, and textiles, and other things. So, trading what we have that they need for what they have that we need can work out well.

"After a while, though, things went sour. The Parley House was abandoned - though it was used occasionally for shelter by Red Hills folk. Then, over this past year, an ogre mage, name of Idafeatyu, took it over, and hired people to raid caravans and such. He supported the murder of our beloved high priestess of Flower, Sarabella Lovesong. Someone tried to pin her murder on us - specifically on Hazel and Alouryn. We appealed to the authorities in Angel Springs, and were allowed to go in search of Idafeatu.

"Along the way, we stopped a two-headed troll from attacking halflings for food a little outside of the city. We got him calmed down, and showed him how to find his own food in the Red Hills. We asked his name, and he said people call him 'Stupid.' One of our clerics, Odo, spent some more time, leading him away from the halflings, and toward self-sufficiency, as Shel already indicated.

"We continued on. As we drew near to the Parley House, we came upon a sleeping guard - a good-sized ogre. We woke him up, and told him to take off for a picnic. He did so.

"We found a small underground passageway from the hill-top guardhouse that took us down into the main compound. Many ruined buildings were there, but a few still stand. We came out, when an oblivious ogre went walking by. I called out to him, tried to talk with him. He decided that, rather than talking, he wanted to bash me with his club. So we killed him. Just after that, Idafeatyu and the dead ogre's brother emerged. We chatted for a while. Idafeatyu finally revealed his complicity in the death of Sarabella Lovesong. And they attacked us. So, we killed those two. Then we returned to Angel Springs, exonerated of the charges. And then back to our hometown, Humble's Ford.

"Idafeatu has a brother, by the name of Noyudint." Murphy pauses. "No, I did not make up those names." He lifts the reins as his two ponies decide that grass to the side of the path looks real tasty. Murphy had not focused as much as he usually does in keeping them in line as he relayed this information.

"So, my thought is that it may have been Noyudint who sent to retrieve the Trade Bell. Maybe he wants to set up shop there at the Parley House - or at least in that direction. Or maybe he did not want us Halflings to have the bell. It might be someone besides Noyudint who was behind it, but, if I were a gambler, like my sister Selithe, I'd bet a good silver piece that it's him."

Then he remembers something he left out. "Oh, Idafeatu said he had other followers that we had not killed. I forgot to tell you that our coach and escort were attacked on our way to Angel Springs, ostensibly for a trial. There was an ogre, some orcs, halflings and humans who came against us. An orc and a human of their group were the only survivors among those who attacked us. The human told us about Idafeatu. The orc was much better at keeping secrets. Anyway, the other hirelings of Idafeatu may have attached themselves to his surviving brother."

At some point Murphy suggests they stop briefly for lunch. He brought food in the cart, and shares it. He feeds and waters the three ponies - as well as offering to do so for any other animals in the group.

DM Jon! 
Saturday November 22nd, 2014 10:26:31 AM
Hazel and Faoil skillfully lead the group along the faint trail left by whoever presumably took the bell. It soon becomes apparent however that the path they're following is made for the long tread of Big Un's and not a pony drawn cart. Numerous rocks, fallen logs and other hazard block the path and while its easy for a single pony or halfling to pick their way through the wheels of the cart do not have so easy of a time.

The group is faced with a decision. Abandon the cart and continue along the path or back track to the road and find a more suitable way to the Parley House.

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Saturday November 22nd, 2014 11:33:23 AM
Sardok listens intently to Murphy, and ponders the situation, but alas, seems to have only more questions.

"I do not relish bringing that bell back all the way without transport of some nature. And if this, the main path to the House, is in such disrepair, I despair at suddenly finding a paved road that has gone unlocated 'till now. So too, if we leave the cart, I wish one of us had a henchman or hired-man to at least watch it in our absence. Have any of you such man-servants?"

As the group discusses the next step, Sardok asks Hazel and Bliss to join him for a quick word.

"Hazel, 'twould seem that we have a destination in mind. This is what I call a "strategic" goal. As such, it might be that we can now enter a more "tactical" mindset, that relies less on tracking, and more on some kind of scouting vanguard. To that end, if Brother Bliss would lead us by those 100 feet, and when he sees the House, he would have the best odds of observing the objective without being seen. Then he could return to us and tell us what he sees, and we could decide our tactical goal then.

Again, if we see a gaggle of big'uns, I would think it quite interesting to see how productive it would be to have Brother Bliss pepper them with shot from a good range, and see how they react. If he is able to neutralize them all without any of us exposed to danger, all the better. I doubt this will go as expected, but it's a good working plan to start with. What say you?"

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle) 
Saturday November 22nd, 2014 11:43:18 AM

Bliss to Sardok and Hazel: Please Highlight to display spoiler: {"OOH!" says Bliss, "I am the best scout ever! I'll do it! Sure thing!" He looks back at the main group. "Let me just check with Miss Aleah first."}

Bliss heads back over to Alleah and whispers to her. Please Highlight to display spoiler: {"Mis Alleah, Sardok says I should go out and do some scouting ahead of the group! I think that's a great idea! What do you think?"}

Mookie caws, "Why are you whispering, Kid?"

Bliss grins and says, "Secret stuff!"

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Saturday November 22nd, 2014 2:55:36 PM
"If we know where they are going, we don't have to follow their particular path. We know there are roads that lead to the House. We should be able to follow any of those. I think we will end up needing the cart."

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Saturday November 22nd, 2014 6:12:53 PM
"Fair 'nuff. Is anyone learned in geography so that we might easily find such a path?"

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Sunday November 23rd, 2014 5:12:05 AM
Alleah chuckles and goes to give Bliss a friendly chuck on the shoulder. Fortunately she stops just in time as she realises that with Bliss being tiny, a friendly punch from her could actually hurt him.

She whispers back. Bliss Highlight to display spoiler: {"You make me laugh. I told you, you're not in the army any more. You're your own boss now my friend. At ease, soldier"} She gives him a friendly wink.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 31/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 7/13 AC 18/13/16 
Sunday November 23rd, 2014 9:42:22 PM
To Sardok Hazel smiles.
"Somehow I end up butting heads with the enemies, big and small, more that I would prefer to, but so far the result has been good. My sling staff is as good at a distance as in the intimacy of hand to hand combat. Fell free to get behind our enemies and help me break their heads. You won't hear complains on my side, But I hope we hear complains in theirs!"
---
At the moment of choice, Hazel tells his friends his ideas.
"I was thinking in sending the bunch of you on the road, while Faoil and I went where the trail is. But sounds like a nice way to get lost, and to get Faoil and me killed, so I think is a bad idea. If Bliss can scout better than me, while I am not sure of it, well, if he wants to try, who am I to stop him!"
He checks carefully the tiny halfling...
"But well, I guess it helps to be that small."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Monday November 24th, 2014 12:29:10 AM
"Honestly, we only suspect the trail is leading to that house. Could be leading anywhere. Going off the trail to follow a road instead doesn't really make sense to me. If we're voting, I'm in favour of following the tracks"

Alleah is keen to get the Broker's Bell back as soon as possible.

Murphy HP 32/32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim)  d20+6=16 ;
Monday November 24th, 2014 5:00:43 AM
[Wrote a comprehensive post Saturday... where did it disappear to? Well, here goes again, abbreviated.]

Murphy notes Sardok, Hazel and Bliss discussing something, pointing ahead, then Bliss whispers with Alleah. After a bit, he inquires of Sardok, "Discussing plans? Tactics? I'd love to be included if that's the case. If it's something else of a personal nature, you can tell me or not. We don't know you, Sardok. It seems you have experience and talents. How did you come about knowing what you know? - if you don't mind me asking."

Seeing the rubble lying about, and hearing Shel's query, Murphy thinks it over. "We could cut back a bit, and I think I know a path that would intersect with the Old Traders Road a few miles down. However, Alleah is correct. There may be details, information, we would miss should we leave aside the trail the bell-thieves so considerately left for Hazel to discern."

Hearing a few mentioning the benefits of a cart, Murphy says, "Well, I have a cart and parts for a cart. I have a spare set of wheels and axels, fitting parts. I suppose one of the ponies could bear that on his back, and, if we find some pieces along the way, we could fashion something to help us bear the bell back. Meanwhile, I'd like us to stow my cart somewhere nearby where we can recover it later. I could disassemble it fairly quickly using mending spells, and we could put it off the pathway - if what we are following can justly be deems such."

If that notion seems sound to others, Murphy unharnesses Sugar and Nutmeg, ties their leads to a nearby tree or log, along with Pippa, with enough slack that they can graze - after he checks first to ensure the grazing is sound, and no plants that might cause them harm are within reach. Sometimes horses lack sense about such things.

He'll be happy to have his friends help him. As efficiently as he might, he disassembles his cart, and finds a place to put the parts about 40-60 yards off this trail. The spares he uses the silk rope he brought to bundle together and lash to Nutmeg's back, using the tent and a bit of extra canvas to help secure it carefully and comfortably, taking care that his pony will not develop any sore spots. He also loads Sugar and Pippa with some of the gear from the cart, and covers and stashes the balance - or passes out some items to others in the party. [Will get an inventory distribution list out in next few days for everyone]

One the rearrangements have been made, Murphy says, "All right. Shall we continue on the way?"

If he sees Bliss heading out ahead, and no one has told him about the change in plans, the druid will definitely make serious inquiry among the group as to what is going on.

[Knowledge geography: 16]

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Monday November 24th, 2014 9:23:53 AM
I]Sardok slid into position next to his leader. "It's the warband sure," he whispered. "And there's not a one of them not loaded down with booty. There's three that seem to have split a cow among them. Two are limping sore, and they're even bearing a litter."

Monpezat grinned mirthlessly. "We've waited a long time for this lads. You know what to do. Kill them all!"[/I]

Sardok claps Hazel on the shoulder. "Good to hear that! I think together we shall break more than their heads!"

Sardok grins mirthlessly at Murphy. "This isn't my first time in the Red Hills," is his answer.

"Apologies," he continues, as he lends a hand and helps Murphy with his cart. "I did not mean to make a council of war in secret. It simply seems to me that the path to so august a location as something known as a 'Parlay House' would be known well and openly, and we'd have little need for a tracker to follow so grand a road, despite it's current poor condition. Hence, since we can not all of us sneak upon them, we might have the scout-i-est among us lead our way, so that our van might approach them unawares, and once the enemy's location is known, he might return to our main body and we could speak of many things at that time.

In the same vein, I'd imagine that it's possible that we'll find an armed camp when we arrive, with this Ogre at it's center, and a hodge-podge of hangers-on, menials, and quasi-diligent guards radiating out from him. A plan might be, were that the case, that, since Brother Bliss is a consummate expert at both bow and shadow, he might make sport among them with his feathered shafts. Either they will remain ignorant of his position and he will kill them all at leisure, or they will not, and will be forced to come at him, thus allowing us to spring some trap or ambush, depending on the situation when we get there. Hence," he continues, "even though we are attacking them and are strategically offensive, we can be tactically defensive."

As the group moves out along the road, Sardok rides next to Shel, and favors her with a bright smile. "Tell me, O One Who Is Wise, tell me more of how you beguiled this two-headed troll with naught save thy tongue and thy wits! You must be skilled indeed to have convinced him to give off his skullduggery and turn plow and till field. Ha! Truly thy cunning must have cut doubly well if you convinced another to cleave unto this beast and make sure that such turning of the leaf took! To make such a pact you must have offered him something quite," Is that a twinkle in his eye? "special."

(OOC: The penultimate example of a commander being strategically offensive and tactically defensive is the Battle of Antietam. Even though Gen. Lee was attacking the North, because he was so masterful at maneuvering, he was able to settle into a defensive position and force Gen. McClellen to come to him. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Antietam It didn't spell victory for him, but he was able to keep his army together and inflict massive casualties on a force greater than him, and fighting on their home territory.

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+21=34 ; d20+10=13 ; d20-1=10 ; d20+12=28 ;
Monday November 24th, 2014 10:16:24 AM

Bliss grins at Alleah, then whispers: Please Highlight to display spoiler: {"I know, Miss. I just like to have advice from people I trust, you know?"}

Bliss turns to his friends old and new. Or, rather, new and newer! "I'm really a scout, like, you know? So let me sneak ahead here and see what we're up against. I won't go very far ahead. And Mookie here will stay with you folks, flying overhead. Maybe he'll see stuff from up in the air. And if I get into trouble or something, He'll tell you if I am nervous or afraid or curious or neutral."

"Plus I move fast like!" Bliss adds, excitedly. He renews his Reduce Person. If Murphy or anyone thinks they are within 3-4 hours of getting to the Parley House, Bliss will also cast his Longstrider spell. That sets his move at 40, and with his Swift as Shadows ability, he can sneak around at that speed just fine.

"I'll check in every minute or five," he says. And then Bliss heads off, sneaking stealthily and keeping alert.

Bliss: Stealth 34. Perception 13
Bliss' Mood Is: Happy.

Mookie flies up, circling, then landing on branches or shrubs, then flyijng this way or that -- trying to look like a nonmagical bird. He keeps alert too as the group moves forward.

Mookie: Trained Disguise check to seem like a normal bird: 10. Perception: 28.

DM Jon! 
Monday November 24th, 2014 7:07:01 PM
the cart is stowed and plans are laid for a more cautious approach to travel log slog the oath..

The trip, however, remains uneventful and their guess at a destination proves true. three hours after leaving the cart they arrive at Parley House, though to the east of the main road leading to the buildings. the House is exactly as they left it on their previous visit with the exception of numerous carrion eaters that busby arrived to feast on the dead that remained. there are no hostiles visible, Big Un or Small Un and the scene is quiet except for the cawing of crows.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Monday November 24th, 2014 7:46:00 PM
"I expected more of a greeting like we had last time, to be honest. Where is everyone hiding? Big'uns aren't so good at hiding, so some of you sharp eyed folk should take a gander about. Is there a trail of the big ole bell they had been dragging? This all seems quite confusing..."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Monday November 24th, 2014 8:21:50 PM
Alleah's first instinct is to go with Bliss, but this is one time that her presence would only make things more difficult for the fellow. She isn't is adept at hiding as he is, and she doesn't want to give his position away. But she doesn't want to lose him should he go off on his own either. "Keep in touch with a message spell, Bliss. You and Mookie could probably be a little over 100ft away and we'd still be able to talk. If you like, that is."

Alleah isn't sure what to expect as they approach the House. Is this how it is supposed to look? Are they at the right place, or has Mookie just directed the party to his family reunion?

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle) 
Monday November 24th, 2014 8:40:11 PM

"Okay, Miss Alleah," says Bliss. "But someone has to cast a Message spell. Can you do that?"

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16  d20+9=13 ;
Monday November 24th, 2014 9:49:47 PM

Sardok seems to take silent umbrage at being so curtly dissed by Shel. He disappears into a silent brooding and begins to circle the area looking for clues.

Perception 13.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 31/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 7/13 AC 18/13/16  d20+13=28 ; d20+11=29 ;
Monday November 24th, 2014 10:06:03 PM
Hazel tries to sneakily patrol around the area, looking for enemies, or clues, leaving Faoil protecting the girls.
Sneak Roll: 28
Perception Roll: 29

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+31=34 ; d20+10=29 ; d20+12=20 ;
Monday November 24th, 2014 11:41:18 PM

"Oh," says Bliss. "Now is a good time to get magicked up!"

He uses his Pearl of Power to recall his Longstrider, and he drinks his Elixer of Sneaking.

Then he sneaks ahead and toward and around the House.

Stealth: 34, Perception 29.

Mookie stays with the group and keeps alert. Perception 20.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Tuesday November 25th, 2014 7:07:19 AM
OOC: heck Sardok, I missed your Shel paragraph in your also post. I'll make a response today.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Tuesday November 25th, 2014 2:21:22 PM
Hazel tries to see the tiny witch, and he is unable too. He grumbles.
"At least I am sure he can't see me either... maybe he is good at sneaking, with his small size, but I am good too... I am as good a scout as he is."

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle) 
Tuesday November 25th, 2014 3:44:27 PM

OOC: Just so I got it all figured out ... We are in sight of the Parley House. Those who have been here before say it is as they left it. Bliss is going to sneak ahead to the house, looking around and staying under cover. Hazel is patrolling, also sneaking. The rest are approaching the house as a group, basically?

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Tuesday November 25th, 2014 4:23:53 PM
OOC: Oh. OK, wait, I thought we were actually there already, and it was as they left it. Okay, ya, then the group is approaching it behind the two scouts. So, walking as we make our perception checks. Wait, Jon said "arrive at the Parlay House." So we're still near the house and approaching it, but not in/at it yet? OK. Ya, then approaching cautiously.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Tuesday November 25th, 2014 5:49:16 PM
OOC: As I visualize it Bliss and Hazel will go around the place, sneaking, each on one side, while the rest of the bait, sorry, party, goes in the middle of it.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Tuesday November 25th, 2014 7:58:24 PM
OOC: Lol. Yep, Alleah is with the rest of the bait/party

DM Jon! 
Tuesday November 25th, 2014 8:01:15 PM
sorry guys, sick kid. Puke glazed. Probably no dM post today. Will try early am

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Tuesday November 25th, 2014 8:52:33 PM
OOC: Time warp back to Sardok addressing Shel.

"Actually, it was Murphy's idea. I wasn't the biggest supporter of the plan...a huge troll hunting and farming? I didn't think it would last. And maybe it hasn't, for all we know. It was really big, so I hope we don't run into him again! And no, I don't offer him anything extra special...I ducked behind the others while they addressed it, for the most part! Dealing with big'uns isn't my department.". She quietened down when she saw the House come into view.

Murphy HP 32/32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim) 
Tuesday November 25th, 2014 10:20:24 PM
[OOC: lots of computer / connectivity problems. Will post later tonight]

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Wednesday November 26th, 2014 11:38:38 AM
OOC: Waiting for DM post
Hazel makes a tumble to get behind a large rock, and from there he sees his friends go into the Parley House. He looks for Bliss, on the other side of the place, but is unable to see him.
"Damn he is good!" - He thinks to himself.
OOC: I hope I got the house name right :P

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Wednesday November 26th, 2014 12:49:35 PM
OOC: I thought it was the Parsley House--the Home of all Condiments. Or was it the Pair-lay House which is...something else. :p

Murphy HP 32/32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim)  d20+13=26 ;
Wednesday November 26th, 2014 6:32:20 PM
Can someone post for Murphy and Fatine?

DM Jon! 
Wednesday November 26th, 2014 7:23:46 PM
Ooc: Sorry guys, having trouble finding a description of the Parley House.. But it's a big building wth a few smaller out buildings. I'll post a proper description once I found it

----------

the group cautious approaches the scene. small animals skitter out d their way and crows fly away from mostly eaten feasts whe get near. the Ground is littered in tracks from scavengers, but also from the houses most recently passed occpants and even the Humbles Swords themselves. it is hard to get a date I. Any new tracks and by all appearances everything looks exactly as it was when left.

tHe buildings remain dark with no signs of movement inside.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Wednesday November 26th, 2014 7:59:39 PM
With Hazel and Bliss sneaking off Warrd knows where, Alleah takes on the role of bait.

"Hello? Anyone home?" she calls out.

RobC posting for Murphy 
Wednesday November 26th, 2014 8:01:30 PM
Murphy looks aghast at Alleah. Did she just give away the party's position? Hopefully Hazel and Bliss have got the building covered. Making a retreat with Nutmeg, Sugar and Pippa could be tricky.

RobC posting for Fatine 
Wednesday November 26th, 2014 8:05:28 PM
Fatine looks at one of the nearby crows and casts ]Speak with Animals "You dere. What happened here? Why dere lots of dead things? Where dee people?"

(OOC: Sorry for my bad impression of Fatine!

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Wednesday November 26th, 2014 8:33:19 PM
Shel tried to find a position to duck and cover. If Bliss was either brave or crazy enough to draw the big'uns attention, good for him, but Shel wasn't going to do it. She looked and listened, awaiting any sort of response. Was this all one big wild goose chase?

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle) 
Thursday November 27th, 2014 2:38:52 AM

Bliss is scouting the area. If someone has cast Message, he stays in the spell's range. Otherwise, he just circles the place, keeping low and under cover, and counting on Mookie to let people know if he freaks out.

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16  d20+15=23 ;
Thursday November 27th, 2014 11:36:12 AM
A smile plays along Sardok's lips. From the stories he's heard he expected a great warband of two-headed trolls and ogre magi leading a screaming horde of orcs and goblins. Maybe a dragon thrown in just for variety. So it's nothing sort of humorous that the abandoned ruins turn out to be...abandoned. With the birds and vermin engaged in docile snacking on long-forgotten remains means that nothing has moved around here, least of all lived here, for some time.
He considers standing up and calling for a group huddle, but decides to go through the motions of a full search. You never know....

He lights his lantern and draws the sword from his right shoulder. The light plays along the sword's blade, sparkling along the runework that spells out its name.
Sardok methodically goes through the structures, stealthily opening doors and taking stock of the insides. He starts on the smaller buildings, and works his way to the big one.

Stealth check 23.



Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16  d20+11=13 ; d20+13=32 ;
Thursday November 27th, 2014 1:42:57 PM
Before coming down to the open Hazel takes a full circuit around the place, looking for external threats.
Perception Roll: 13
Stealth Roll: 32

Murphy HP 32/32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim)  d20+13=23 ;
Thursday November 27th, 2014 10:37:22 PM
Murphy casts longstrider.

"Let's go to the main house," he quietly suggests to the others. He will, with whoever cares to join him, lead his ponies that direction.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Friday November 28th, 2014 4:48:53 AM
checking in...

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Friday November 28th, 2014 8:41:05 AM
Three hours ago, during the hike to the ruins of the Parlay House, Sardok calls the group together for a quick huddle...

"Okay, guys, something that might be really useful is if we have what's called a "Go!" code. It's some innocent-sounding signal that anyone of us can give, that tells all of us that we need to Attack! Like, if we're in the king's chamber, and Bliss notices that he's actually a lich, he won't be able to say 'hey guys. I think the king is a lich. We should attack now.' because then we'd lose surprise, and the lich-king would just zap us then and have done with it. But if he gave us the Go! code, we'd be able to overcome him quickly.
So, here's something simple. If any of us here the call of the Northern Mourning Dove," and Sardok gives a call that's a 'Hoot' like an owl, but lower and sadder, then teaches everyone to imitate it, "then we should just start hitting things, and have a pow-wow afterwards to iron out the questions."

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Friday November 28th, 2014 11:54:00 AM
Three hours earlier...
Hazel smiles.
"What about something simpler, like "Get him!"
He chuckles at his own joke...

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Friday November 28th, 2014 5:59:00 PM
OOC: I'm here, just waiting on a DM post for the last couple days. Are we on a posting break for the holidays?

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle) 
Friday November 28th, 2014 7:08:23 PM

Bliss continues to scout the area and the house ... being super sneaky thanks to his Elixer of Sneaking!

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Friday November 28th, 2014 7:18:31 PM
ooc: American Thanksgiving isn't a Wold holiday if I recall correctly Shel

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Friday November 28th, 2014 7:19:16 PM
OOC: I guess so, even if I was told on the LnB forum that it was "normal posting schedule"

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Friday November 28th, 2014 10:22:11 PM
OOC: I dunno. In that email Ken said both days were excused, but then Stephen walked on top of it and said it wasn't, so go figure! DM Jon, I hope your kid is doing better. =)

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Saturday November 29th, 2014 3:10:52 AM
ooc: Well, happy belated Thanksgiving to my U.S. friends :)

Murphy HP 32/32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim) 
Saturday November 29th, 2014 4:03:45 AM
OOC: I feel pretty bad about recent posting - but I tried! Failing machines, loss of internet, and one refresh where I wiped out a whole good-sized post by accident - that made 3 significant posts lost by one thing or another. Then when I tried to find time, all I could do was post a 'help me' post. So, I've been trying - and have been sore tried by schlemazelness.

One item I wrote and lost, twice, relates to Sardok's post in which he queried Shel on the repurposing of the troll. As we are in partial back-step mode... one of my rolls was a 26 - Perception to pick up on Sardok's conversation with Shel. Figured that was enough to get the gist of what he was saying. So, back to in character...
A Question of Virtue? - A Private Word
A bit earlier, as Sardok talked to Shel regarding the giant, Murphy's ears burned when he picked up on his insinuations. Shel did not seem to take his words the way they sounded to the druid, but he resolved to bring it up at an opportune time.

So, he rode Pippa up next to this experienced Red Hills traveler. He asks him to ride up ahead with him for a few minutes, asks for a private word, and tries to ensure a bit of distance from the rest of the party "Sardok, pardon me for eavesdropping, but I picked up on some of your conversation with Shel. She did not seem to focus on what you were insinuating - but clearly you were implying she must have used her womanly charms in order to persuade the giant to change his oafish ways." He waits for a couple of beats, then says while looking straight ahead, "Do not again imply that she lacks virtue." He will give Sardok a chance to reply, and will continue the conversation if Sardok wishes to do so.

Oh, Should We Look At My Maps?
It suddenly occurs to Murphy that he has among his journal maps he made of the Parley House - including the house itself, the general grounds, and the watch post up on the hill just above the compound. "Say, Shel and Hazel and I have been there, but you have not. Since we're likely to end up at that spot, would you all like to look over the maps I made of where we're headed?"

He finds the leafs that have the maps, and lays them out for all to see.

HF Parley House Grounds Murphy Map 1
HF Parley House Hill Fort Murphy Map 2
HF Parley House main building ground level Murphy Map 3

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim) 
Saturday November 29th, 2014 4:18:27 AM

Murphy also thinks to add. "You see on this map," (#1 where the black circle surrounds the number 3), "here where the 3 giants were buried? Well, really, it was just their ashes - we burned them after death, and mixed their ashes with the soil. I planted three acorns there, about three feet apart from each other in a triangle, and watered them before we left to return to Angel Springs. No idea whether they produced shoots or not. They've only had several weeks to grow, though. I'll want to see how they are doing."

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim) 
Saturday November 29th, 2014 11:03:40 PM

Murphy's druid heart responds warmly to Sardok's suggestion to use the Northern Mourning Dove's call. He tries it, and practices. He needs to work more on his animal sounds, in any event.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Monday December 1st, 2014 12:31:23 AM
"Yeah, if we're having a go-code then what about something we can say in normal conversation that won't arouse any suspicion? Something weird and benign, say, 'beetroot'?" Alleah adds to the panic code-word debate.

In the mean time, she tries once again to see if anyone is home at the house and calls out loudly "I say, hello? Anyone home? Peaceful travellers just looking for a meal and drink"

Fatine AC 19 (17/14/15), HP 10(15)/23 (Matt C) 
Monday December 1st, 2014 11:50:20 AM
Fatine, not having any means to hide or become invisible, shrugs and heads over to Alleah to help give the impression of "innocent travelers."

"Hey in dere! We be hungry and willing to work for it. Anyone home?"

OOC: sorry for the long absence. I got a new job and it kicked my rear end for awhile until I got into the swing of things. Shift work, which I'm not used to, so it's been a rough go for a bit, but hey, I did get a job, so I can't complain.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Monday December 1st, 2014 12:56:18 PM
OOC: Congratulations on the new job Matt!

[DM StevenVdB] - A thorough search? 
Monday December 1st, 2014 3:58:30 PM
(DM Jon asked me to take over for a moment - he'll get back to us as soon as possible)

The Humble's Sword scavenge around the abandonned Parley House... as they read the evidence it's pretty clear no one has been here since they last cleared this place of Idafeatu and his followers... however the drag marks did lead you here! Could it be there's just one more piece of the puzzle missing?

... did you toroughly search the place last you visited it?!?...

The place is dead...

Me thinks some rolls are in place my friends...


Thanks for digging up the maps Kim!
HF Parley House Grounds Murphy Map 1
HF Parley House Hill Fort Murphy Map 2
HF Parley House main building ground level Murphy Map 3


Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16  d20+9=21 ;
Monday December 1st, 2014 4:45:56 PM
Perception check 21

[DM StevenVdB] - A thorough search? 
Monday December 1st, 2014 5:06:09 PM
Now now... a bit more than just a roll of course :-)
Where are you looking?
What are you looking for?
How are you looking?
:-)

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+31=44 ; d20+12=16 ; d20+1=13 ;
Monday December 1st, 2014 5:10:58 PM
Continuing in sneaky mode, Bliss looks carefully around for any clues as to what is going on here.

Stealth 44
Perception 16
Survival (for tracks) 13

Bliss renews his reduce spell, casts Deathwatch and Detect Poison and Detect Magic, and pokes around everywhere.

He especially Enlarges Mookie, and flies around the roofs, eaves, and high places looking for stuff others might not notice.


Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim)  d20+13=16 ; d20+13=18 ;
Monday December 1st, 2014 5:43:00 PM
Murphy climbs up on one of the walls of the buildings which has been turned to partial rubble, and looks around for clues. [Perception: 16] "Huh. I dunno."

"Let's look at the drag marks, and see if we can tell where they went to on the grounds here. You know, friends, since it has been only a few weeks since we were last here, and it's been only a few weeks since Iangold Laughshield saw the bell was in place - I wonder if giants took it shortly after he looked, but before we got to the Parley House. We looked through the main house itself, but not too much of the other buildings. Was the bell already here when we first visited, but we just did not know it? Or was it brought here afterwards? If it was brought before, then Noyudint may not be the culprit." He shrugs his shoulders,

He joins in with anyone who wants to examine the drag marks of the bell to see if they cross the grounds and head toward any particular building. [Perception: 18]

He also takes a few moments to check the spot where he planted the acorns, to see if any shoots have yet sprouted. If not, he carefully digs down a bit with his fingers, gently, to see if anything is happening under the earth. If there is any sign of life, he waters the area where they are planted, then gets back to joining in the search.

"Oh, we should check the passageway we came through coming down from the watch building. That tunnel could use a thorough dusting."

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Monday December 1st, 2014 5:48:45 PM
Sardok methodically goes through the structures, stealthily opening doors and giving each a thorough search, sword in one hand, lantern in the other. He starts on the smaller buildings, and works his way to the big one.


Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Monday December 1st, 2014 6:45:27 PM
Shel follows in with Murphy, attempting to aid him as he looked around the grounds and the buildings. "This is such a strange mystery, Murphy. If the drag marks go here, that dumb bell has to be around here somewhere."

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Monday December 1st, 2014 6:46:39 PM
Shel follows in with Murphy, attempting to aid him as he looked around the grounds and the buildings. "This is such a strange mystery, Murphy. If the drag marks go here, that dumb bell has to be around here somewhere."

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11  d20+3=17 ;
Monday December 1st, 2014 6:47:53 PM
OOC: Aid another Perception from last post is a 17, so Murphy's roll should be a 20.

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim)  d20+10=23 ;
Monday December 1st, 2014 7:59:48 PM

"Yeah, Shel, I think you are right. Let's keep watching, including watching each other's back." He thinks about looking at Shel's back, but restrains his impulse. What did he just get done telling Sardok?

Thinking of whom - "Hey, Sardok - make sure, please, you have at least one person with you as you explore things. And let's go into the large meeting hall as a group, if you don't mind."

He looks around. "Alleah, I think we are well announced. How about if you and Bliss keep an eye on what Sardok is trying to keep and eye on, and Fatine, Shel and I will poke around in other parts. In, say, ten minutes, let's meet back here to say what we've seen, then look at the big house. Unless something interrupts us before then."

Murphy looks to Fatine and Bliss to see if that sounds all right with them - and with Alleah.

Extra credit: Survival roll: 23 (tracking) - following dragging tracks

[OOC: Thanks, Cayzle, for bringing this to my attention via Bliss's post]

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16  d20+13=24 ; d20+11=20 ; d20+9=23 ;
Monday December 1st, 2014 8:02:19 PM
Hazel keeps his attempt to be unseen, and moves towards the part of the Parley House where the creatures carrying the bell should have arrived from.
He looks for evidence of their arrival, and tracks of them or the bell.
"Could we have beaten them here? Will they arrive shortly?" - The ranger thinks for himself.
Stealth Roll: 24
Perception Roll: 20
Survival (Track) Roll: 23
All the while Faoil goes behind Shel, trying to lick her hand.

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim) 
Monday December 1st, 2014 8:04:04 PM

"Oh, and Hazel - I trust you big time. You want to see what you can figure out, let us know if any newcomers are on the way, and, if you want to, pass information back and forth between the two groups?" Murphy asks his friend.

"After we follow what we think are the bell tracks, and figure that out, if we don't find the bell, I want our group to look at the tunnel."

He places a couple of buckets on the ground with water in them (create water), and also puts some grain out for the horses to munch on.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Monday December 1st, 2014 11:26:49 PM
Alleah casts Toro's Taur Try (Minotaur) followed by Guidance on herself. With taking 10 on her check, she will yield a 22 on all her perception checks this round. This is then followed by castings of Deathwatch, Detect Poison and Detect Magic. You can't be too careful.

"Hmmm.... if I were trying to hide a big bell, what would I do?"

First thing Alleah does is rely on her ears rather than her eyes. A bell that big would be too tempting NOT to ring in her opinion.

Next thing - giants, and ogres and trolls, oh my! All big creatures, and all like to squash halflings. Rather than looking down at the tracks, Alleah looks high about the surroundings. Don't want any boulders to come raining down unannounced. Plus, if it was something big that took the bell, they may have damaged the branches of nearby trees as they walked by.

Finally she is ready to look at the tracks. She's looking for drag marks, signs of animals, perhaps an arrow saying 'this way'. Anything that may yield a clue.

"Hmmm... those birds were feasting on things. Might want to check that out too"

Alleah will check on what those scavengers were picking at. Was it rotten food stuffs, or bodies? Whatever it was, she will try and collect a sample, and maybe a raven feather or two.

"I wonder if FEAR could have had anything to do with this?"

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 11:58:15 AM
OOC: As we wait for the DM to digest our collective searchings, I thought to continue the conversation that is still going on that has already happened. ;-)
Also, it's not yet been my intent to keep any of Sardok's bold conversations secret. If I do, I'll probably use italics or Highlight to display spoiler: {spoilers}.
This...um...this may be important in case Shel actually wanted to inject herself into this conversation. =)

Two-and-a-half-hours ago:

Sardok chuckles at Murphy's statement and a merry grin stays on his face. "Apologies, I was not implying that Shel used womanly charms on the troll to change his ways. However, I was implying that Shel used womanly charms on whatever daring fool you convinced to stay with a troll to make sure the lesson took."

The smile stays resolutely on his face. "Apologies, again, friend Murphy, but you have a strange local use of terms that I'm not catching. To my own poor ears you seem to be using the word 'virtue' where you mean to say 'chastity'. While I can understand your defense of chastity, I fail to see where such a plan impacts one's 'virtue'.

If by 'virtue' you mean 'integrity' or 'nobility', then of course it would seem reasonable to use ALL means at one's disposal to rid the world of such a terrible danger as a troll. And if a minor, yet infinitely useful display of corporeal entertainment might further that goal, who would decry yon maiden of any but the most noble intent? Who are we to say what she does with that which is hers alone? Indeed, given the palpable chance that you were sending such a brave but suicidal fool on an errand or sure death, why deny him one final sweet taste of life before he is either eaten, or made to live a long time as a hermit and babysitter to a newly heeled monster?

And why think less of her if she did? Would your love for her be any less if she had? Would you cast her out as having taken too far a step? No, of course not. Such an act would harm you none and furthers your noble goal. So why decry such steps? Why make yourself lord and judge over her body when she alone is the sole ruler of such?

I say again, friend Murphy, if she decided that that was the best step for her, then, as each of us do what is best for us, they do what is best for the group."

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 12:01:12 PM
OOC: Ooooh, this game is rated NC-17, right? Hey! You kids! Get off the internet and go do your homework! =)

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim) 
Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 2:50:11 PM

Earlier conversation continued
"Chastity is one element of virtue. Your notion that doing a wrong thing is just fine itself fails to accord with morality or virtue, Sardok. You think that it is right and proper to engage willy-nilly in an act reserved for marriage for mere convenience or advantage or illicit pleasure? This position is poorly formed, Sardok, and if you lack a solid basis for morality even in such matters, I do not know how long we might travel together.

"Do you advocate engendering bastards left and right, with the poor wee-uns not even knowing who their father might be, lacking paternal support, training, presence, provision, and love, along with the example of the love and regard between father and mother?

"Another thing: You referred to Shel as a young maiden, which is a proper designation. Were she do have done as you suggest, however, then a maiden no longer would she be.

"Also, do not call my friend Odo, whom you know not, a fool. He is not in any wise a fool, and your judging him thus from afar does not strike me as noble or well-considered. He is, nonetheless, bold - you used the word 'daring' - as a cleric of Domi is wont to be.

"Also, you imply that what we do with our bodies is of no account or no import to anyone else. That we are... we are like islands in a sea, isolated from all others, and what happens on our island has no effect, no never mind to anyone else. If that is what you mean, then you are wrong and short-sighted." Murphy is not feeling particularly polite at the moment, but reins himself in a bit and adds, "If you mean something else, then please explain."

He directs Pippa around a mound of rocks, then continues.

"Regardless, by your own lips you acknowledge that you intended to imply that Shel engaged in carnal misbehavior - though you may speciously claim there is no such thing as 'misbehavior' in such a matter - in order to seduce a friend to encourage him to engage in a risky enterprise. If I were not raised to be reasonably polite and forebearing, I should be tempted to pummel you for such slanderous insinuations. However, and frankly, I'm not very good at pummeling. That is a skill at which Hazel excels." He then looks over and says, "Sorry - I really have no intention of causing you harm, Sardok - but I worry about your seemingly lawless musings - and also ask that you not harm my friends by impugning their character without warrant."

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 2:53:13 PM
Shel hadn't really been paying attention to the conversation thus far, but she wasn't sure she liked the tone of the newcomer. "I'm not sure who you think you are, new guy, but I'm not fond of your line of questioning. What's it your business why one of us decided to stay behind with the troll? And to insinuate I'm responsible, in whatever manner, for someone else's decision is quite pig headed. You don't know us well enough to ask those sort of questions, in jest or not!"

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle) 
Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 3:39:15 PM

Bliss realizes he has to take a wicked pee and looks for a place he can do his business privately.

It's especially delicate, because once the pee leaves his tiny body it is no longer affected by the reduce spell and returns to its normal size.

Highlight to display spoiler: {ew}

Mookie caws, "Hey! What did I tell you about splashing!"

DM Jon! 
Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 3:48:21 PM
OOC: Sorry guys for the posting record this last week. Had a nasty stomach virus go through the house coupled with the holiday (which I'm pretty sure is Woldian) and an ER visit. Things look to have calmed down.

On distances: There have been some inconsistencies here on how far away things are from each other. We recently found a map that the Crescent Valley much smaller than we originally thought.. perhaps I'm thinking too small. Us DMs will work it out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The dragging marks they had been following were aged and infrequent while the large foot prints had not. Whatever had been carrying the bell had been strong enough to keep it lifted most of the time.

The area of the Parley house is no different. There could be some marks that would have been from the bell, but given the other activity near the buildings it is hard to tell.

Calls into the buildings produce no answer, while crows respond to Fatine with "Food! Death! Eyeballs, yum!"

Murphy finds that two of the acorns he had planted look to have the beginnings of sprouts.

A careful search of the buildings initially reveal that aside from the addition some of new spider webs they are exactly the same as when the Humble's Sword last visited.. however, with a nudge from Shel Murphy spots an odd break in the floor of one of the crumbling outbuildings. the dust is settled in an unnaturally square pattern and further prodding reveals a trap door!

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 4:30:25 PM

As, presumably, the party gathers around the new find, Sardok cleans off the top. Does the trap door have an obvious pull knob?

If not, he runs a dagger around the edge looking for good places to grab it.

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim)  d20+13=16 ;
Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 9:32:06 PM

Pleased that at least two of the acorns are doing well, Murphy takes out another acorn. Where the unsprouted one rests, he takes that away. He moves some of the soil that surrounds that spot with different soil from nearby. Then, after carefully tamping down the covering ashy dirt, he soaks it with a suitable amount of water. He grabs some rubble from the nearby building, and fashions a small brick and stone circle in a five foot radius, only a few inches high, around the plantings.

"Ah, thanks, Shel - I might have missed that!" After beginning a light clearing of the trap door area, Sardok comes in to take over. Murphy moves out of his way, and takes the time to look around the nearby walls and adjacent flooring, clearing away additional rubble, seeing if anything else may be revealed. He takes a moment to step outside the building, though, calling the rest of the members of Humble's Sword to join them here, then resumes his explorations.

[Perception: 16]

Fatine AC 19 (17/14/15), HP 10(15)/23 (Matt C)  d20+5=12 ;
Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 9:50:13 PM
"Jus' a minute!" Fatine says to Sardok. She grabs his hand just before he touches the door. "Let's check it out first, no?"

She casts detect magic and examines the door for any apparent magical auras. If she finds any, she attempts to determine the magical school of the aura. knowledge (arcana) check 12

If she detects any magical auras around the trap door, she warns the others. If she doesn't, she nods to Sardok. "Go ahead. Sorry for dee wait."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d20+10=22 ;
Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 10:59:24 PM
While the others look about the trap door, Alleah looks about the rest of the room. She hasn't been here before, and by all accounts, the place is deserted. Never wanting to see anything go to waste, Alleah walks about picking up anything unattended and places it in her bag. You know, so she can return it to the proper owners at some time. Cups, mugs, plates, cutlery, whatever she can find.

Alleah comes bearing the word of her God. That word is 'gimme'

Perception: 22

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 11:15:43 PM
Hazel gets behind his friends, ready to spring to action if needed.
"Want me to go first?"

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+1=16 ;
Wednesday December 3rd, 2014 11:25:07 AM

Bliss comes around, congratulating Shel and Murphy on their find. "Good one, you guys!"

He wonders if the bell could fit down there?

Are there any tracks or scuff marks? His untrained tracking says ... maybe? Rolled a 16!

"Is there any magic, Miss Fatine?" he asks.

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim) 
Wednesday December 3rd, 2014 4:40:10 PM

Murphy smiles and says, "Be our guest, Hazel - but heed the counsel of others - some checking before diving in might be smart!" He hands Hazel a sunrod. "Hit the tip of this on the ground, and it lights up. Use it if you need it."

Fatine AC 19 (17/14/15), HP 10(15)/23 (Matt C) 
Wednesday December 3rd, 2014 7:24:34 PM
checking in on break, will try to check again when I get home

DM Jon! 
Wednesday December 3rd, 2014 8:34:48 PM
Sardock is able to find a cleverly concealed handle o open the door while othe investigations reveal no magi aura about it. bliss sPies signs of passage, but it's old.
Alleah finds nothing of value on this area.

the door will be opened? Traveling order to enter please

Ooc: ugh, sorry for short post. Lost my original on attempted copy to save it

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Wednesday December 3rd, 2014 9:39:12 PM
Shel will hang toward the back of the group as marching order is determined. "You guys in front, be careful. We've not explored this part of the House. No telling what is waiting on us down there. I'll just be back here," she smiles, as she lets the boys go first.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16  d20+11=18 ; d20+13=18 ;
Wednesday December 3rd, 2014 10:39:43 PM
Hazel goes first, peeking inside first, while saying in a low voice:
"Anyone home?"
OOC: He will command Faoil to stay outside, defending the place and barking if somebody appears.
Perception Roll: 18
He will go as far as he can see without using the sunrod, and after that activating it.
Stealth Roll (if able): 18

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim)  d20+13=29 ; d20+3=14 ;
Thursday December 4th, 2014 12:06:46 AM

"Thanks, Bliss," Murphy belatedly says to his small friend.

"Nicely located, Sardok. Would you want to follow Hazel, or be somewhere else back in the mix? You seem a competent sort - I trust your choice in the matter. I'll happily take 2nd, 3rd or 4th spot in line, depending upon others' preferences."

He scratches his nose, and notes, "As the tunnel from hilltop to this area below is long, we might find a similar lengthy passage beneath - and maybe hidden or secret doors such as the watch building has. Senses alert, all. Try not to kick up too much dust."

As they descend, Murphy listens and looks about, and uses his light knowledge of engineering to observe whatever he may discern about the construction of this basement area.

A couple years back he helped his Uncle Orby to make a root cellar and a storage room addition to his burrow, and his uncle showed him how to make an entrance to a small secret vault using what looked like a solid brick wall. "Never hurts to have a hidden place or two to tuck away baubles of value, lad," his uncle had told him. It only took Murphy about twenty nine attempts to get the recessed hinges to work well and quietly, as his uncle took care of the rest of the secret door build. "Anything worth doing, Murph, is worth doing poorly. And repeating until you can do it well. The secret to the repeats is to make at least one small modification to the way you do it each time, and to remember what steps you have tried."

[Perception: 29; Knowledge, engineering: 14]

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Thursday December 4th, 2014 10:52:29 AM

"I fear not an ambush, since all signs speak of a long hour having passed since aught trod these halls."

Sardok regrips his lantern in his left hand, and his good sword in the right. Once the others indicate readiness, he descends into the looming dark.


Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Thursday December 4th, 2014 1:34:41 PM
[I](OOC: Stupid lack of an 'edit my stupidity' button....
Hey, we seem to have some problems with lost posts. What I've been doing is I'll create a draft in my gmail account, because gmail will save drafts approx. every 0.003 nanoseconds. Then I'll just copy&paste. =)

Cayzle comments: Fixed your formatting.

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+31=43 ; d20+11=31 ;
Thursday December 4th, 2014 4:08:18 PM
Bliss offers to go first.

"I'm super sneaky with my potion I drank, so no one will see me for sure!"

And he just remembered, HE can cast Message!

"I'm such a silly! I forgot! I'll cast it on Mookie and Alleah, and they can whisper to you whatever I tell them."

Bliss casts his message on his familiar and on Alleah. He renews his Reduce. He also casts a Taur's Try to boost his perception. He pops down the trap door, being as sneaky as sneaky can be.

Stealth, boosted by elixer ... 43
Perception, without Mookie to give him Alertness ... 31

Note that Bliss is moving at 40 with his Longstrider spell, and he suffers no stealth penalty for going that fast. As he travels, he whispers super quietly via Message spell to his friends what he sees and hears.

DM Jon! 
Thursday December 4th, 2014 6:58:34 PM
the trapdoor is heavy and large, but working together the diminutive Swords are able to throw it open to reve a spiral staircase leading down. the staircSe is large by Halfling standards, but would have been something of a tight fit for the Big Uns that supposedly were using it.

bliss heads down the stairs and is te first to see the gold colored scuff marks along the wall that are reflected in the light of the sunrod. at the end of the stairs bliss comes to a short hallway slghtly wider than the staircase.

the hall is several paces long and ends in a stout door of black iron.

Bliss (AC20, HP27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+11=13 ; d20+11=16 ;
Thursday December 4th, 2014 8:21:45 PM

Bliss sneaks up, looking for traps. Not that he has any special ability to do so, but he looks.

Perception 13. Good, no traps. Or maybe none triggered by a total weight of only 6.5 lbs!

If he makes it there alive, he listens at the door: Perception 16.

Then he goes halfway back and reports in.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Thursday December 4th, 2014 9:58:36 PM
Shel follows the others down the hall, noticing the gold scuff marks, from what she hoped was the bell. She took care to not say anything, not wanting to betray Bliss who seemed to be doing a great job at sneaking ahead. Shel waits at the far end of the hallway, giving him a chance to do his thing.

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16  d20+11=16 ; d20+15=21 ;
Thursday December 4th, 2014 10:34:09 PM
As Sardok's lantern shines a welcoming light into the encompassing gloom and espies the stout door, he almost seems to exhale a sigh of relief at finding a tangible thing upon which he can work his long-practiced craft.

He hesitates not a whit as he advances to the door, sets his lantern to cast the best light upon the thing, and takes knee. From his bandolier he extracts a cloth and unrolls it to reveal diminutive tools of fine workmanship. These he unleashes upon the door, going over every inch, allowing skills grown rusted room to breath and work.

Once his mind is secure in his safety, he focuses on the lock.

OOC: Perception 16 to find a trap.

Disable Device 21 to either disarm that trap or unlock the door. (There is a lock, right? There's always a lock. There's gotta be a lock. =)

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Thursday December 4th, 2014 10:50:49 PM
Alleah stays in the middle of the pack as they descend the stairs and along the narrow passage. In her mind, it's probably the safest place.

Every time Bliss pauses, Alleah feels her heart beat a little harder. There's just so much tension!

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16  d20+13=29 ; d20+11=29 ;
Friday December 5th, 2014 12:28:23 AM
Hazel goes second, after Bliss, some 20' behind, his Sling Staff ready.
Stealth Roll (if applicable): 29
Perception Roll: 29

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Friday December 5th, 2014 6:07:27 PM
If there are no traps, and we hear no noise, and the door is unlocked, Sardok opens it.

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim) 
Friday December 5th, 2014 6:40:42 PM

If there is a latch or a handle on the iron door, and its opening is difficult, Murphy offers a length of silk rope we can tie to it so that several of us can pull at once. Alternatively, Bliss can Get Large, Murphy suggests.

He generally will follow behind Bliss, Hazel, and Sardok - or possibly Alleah, if she wants to be smack dab in the middle of the line.

When the opportunity presents itself, he mentions quietly to Sardok, "You and my brother Nalfein would get along great, I think. I'm glad you have your skills with mechanisms."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Friday December 5th, 2014 8:04:28 PM
"Thanks Murphy. With me only having a few energy channels at my disposal, I find they work better if I am near the middle of the pack. It means more people can benefit from them"

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Friday December 5th, 2014 10:00:56 PM
Shel continues holding her breath, growing tired of the waiting.

DM Jon!  d20+10=23 ; d20+10=12 ; d20+10=21 ; d20+10=23 ; d20+10=17 ; 3d3=6 ;
Friday December 5th, 2014 11:09:00 PM
Bliss carefully makes his way down the corridor ahead of the rest of the group, keeping a sharp eye out for traps, but spotting none.

Then he steps on a trap.

Four small darts shoot out from hidden slots along the wall to crisscross the hallway and three manage to strike the little Bliss (6 damage to Bliss!) The wounds sting from the metal points, but also burn as the foul green substance smeared on the tips makes its way into Bliss' bloodstream (Bliss! 3x Fortitude DC 13 to avoid 1 Con damage from Greenblood Oil poison)

After the darts, however, no further traps are found or triggered by anyone in the party. The door is examined and there is indeed a lock built into the door. Sardocks initial attempt proves frutile, but after a couple of minutes there is the satisfying feeling of tumblers falling into place and the lock releases.

The heavy door is pulled open to stone room filled with a small fortune in treasure. Several bags lay open to show the gold coins inside and a handful of gems scatter the floor while a pile of scrolls sits in one corner. A large round steel shield is propped up against an even larger gold chased bell that dominates the middle of the room.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Saturday December 6th, 2014 7:15:40 AM
Shel watched in horror as tiny Bliss was clearly struck by several nasty looking darts. She followed the others as Sardok popped open the lock. She took a peek into the room and saw the veritable mountain of treasure. Shel casts Detect Magic, wanting to see if all of this treasure might be some sort of trickery or illusion.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Saturday December 6th, 2014 7:49:55 AM
Alleah winces at seeing Bliss get hurt. The darts look even bigger in such a tiny leg.

She will edge past whoever is in front of her to lay a hand on Bliss, using her Touch of Luck abilitly (Touch of Luck: You can touch a willing creature as a standard action, giving it a bit of luck. For the next round, any time the target rolls a d20, he may roll twice and take the more favorable result. You can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier.)

If need be, she then prepares to cast Neutralise Poison

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16  d20+11=13 ;
Saturday December 6th, 2014 5:11:42 PM
As Sardok hears others tending to Bliss' wounds, he nods his head, satisfied that the warrior being seen to.
Given that a hallway was trapped, it seems likely that the treasure trove may be trapped as well.

"Stay back a moment, friends. Let us see if more than one peril populates these halls."

Perception 13 to find traps.

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim)  d20+13=32 ;
Sunday December 7th, 2014 11:29:37 AM

Murphy picks up the one dart that failed to strike poor Bliss. He examines it. He shows the tip to Fatine, with some green substance on it. "What do you make of this, Fatine?"

He tries to figure out what it may be.

[Perception: 32]

Bliss (AC20, HP21of27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+6=10 ; d20+6=18 ; d20+8=26 ;
Sunday December 7th, 2014 6:31:55 PM

Bliss says, "Owsy! How did that get there?"

Fort save 18 on the second try!

"Thanks Miss Alleah! You saved me!" he says.

He thanks Sardok for taking care of the lock handily.

He casts Detect Magic on the things in the room. Spellcraft 26 to detect details about the contents.



Bliss (AC20, HP21of27) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+6=25 ; d20+6=9 ; d20+6=11 ;
Sunday December 7th, 2014 9:48:07 PM

Wait, does Bliss need to make two more saves?

If so, a 25 and a 9. Does Alleah's ability allow another reroll? If so, it is an 11. Looks like Bliss is affected at least once?!

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d100=29 ; d20+3=16 ;
Sunday December 7th, 2014 10:39:55 PM
"Hmmm... if Bliss dies then more of that treasure would be mine." Alleah is immediately repulsed that she still has these thoughts. No matter how hard she tries, a life of crime, thievery and greed is a hard thing to put behind. "He's your friend! No treasure is worth him"

With that, she taps into the nearest ley line and casts Neutralize Poison on the little man. (Ley Line check: 29=Pass. Neutralize Poison check vs DC13: 16=Pass!)

"That should stop you from getting any worse, but I can't fix the damage that has already been done. I think you'll just need a good night sleep to get better"

----------------
Neutralize Poison note: A cured creature suffers no additional effects from the poison, and any temporary effects are ended, but the spell does not reverse instantaneous effects, such as hit point damage, temporary ability damage, or effects that don't go away on their own.

Temp Ability Score damage note: Unless otherwise noted, damage to your ability scores is healed at the rate of 1 per day to each ability score that has been damaged.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d20+4=18 ;
Sunday December 7th, 2014 10:43:38 PM
Alleah then sets to looking at the dart Murphy is holding. A green liquid. Could be anything really. She gets closer and takes a slight sniff to try and identify it further.

(Cast Detect Poison Cantrip. DC20 to ID the poison: 18=Fail - unless someone can Aid Another?)

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Monday December 8th, 2014 10:04:59 AM
Shel moves up to watch the crew looking at Bliss. "Murphy, be careful with that dart! Who knows what kind of poison is on that thing. Don't go poking yourself with it. Your hand might fall off or something! We could just look at it while it's on the ground, you know.". Murphy was a little too brave for his own good sometimes. Of course, look at me back at the Parley House yet again. Maybe we are all just plain dumb...

DM Jon! 
Monday December 8th, 2014 12:36:22 PM
Bliss indeed feels the effects of one of the darts in his veins (1 Con damage), before The poison in him is neutralized. the burning sensation fades away, but the weakness lingers.

further inspection of the treasure room reveals no more traps, just glistening treasure in the Glow of the parties lights.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16  d20+11=24 ; d20+11=13 ;
Monday December 8th, 2014 1:20:18 PM
Hazel jaw drops at the sight of treasure, but he quickly regains his sense and looks for other entrances to this chamber from where the thieves could have gone, and starts guarding it.
Perception Roll: 24. sorry, rolled twice by mistake

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Monday December 8th, 2014 2:02:17 PM
Sardok purposefully moves in to the treasure room, striding boldly, believing it fair that, should any traps remain, they should strike him, since it should fall to him to secure the safety of the others. Bliss has done enough this day.

Should no ill befall him, he begins a business-like inventory of all items in the room, stacking coins to one side, items to the other. He does this with the air of a man who has forgotten how to enjoy wealth.

OOC: My understanding of the room thus far:
some gold, some gems, some scrolls, a shield, The Bell, zero traps.

Bliss (AC20, HP17of23, -1 Con) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+13=24 ;
Monday December 8th, 2014 4:18:33 PM

Bliss scowls at the treasure. "It's probably poisoned too!" he says, annoyed.

He keeps alert: Perception 24 ... looking for the trap to spring.

Mookie caws, "So detect poison, Eisensteiniac!"

"Oh yeah!" Bliss smiles and casts his Detect Poison cantrip on the hoard.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d20+9=11 ; d20+10=27 ;
Monday December 8th, 2014 8:16:32 PM
Alleah grimaces and shoots a sideways glance at Bliss. She's a little worried about the man. A person who has been poisoned should take things easy for a while.

She's still a little too far from the treasure to get any real idea on its worth (Appraise check: a miserable 11)

Still, maybe there are some hidden gems to be found here - figuratively and literally. Alleah casts Detect Magic and looks over the items (Perception: 27)

"Is ... is it safe to touch?"

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim)  d20+13=24 ;
Tuesday December 9th, 2014 7:03:12 AM

Murphy holds out the dart for Alleah to see - and sniff. He then smiles at Shel. "I am being careful, Shel. I haven't licked it yet, you see." He does, however, while holding it by the middle, wave one hand a few inches above the point, trying to waft any scent from the greened tip towards his nostrils, to learn if that tells him anything about what Bliss just got stabbled with. He once went to sniff a clear liquid in his father's workshop, and it almost knocked him flat, burning his lungs. His father then taught him not to sniff vigorously at a suspect area - but rather to gently wave the air near it toward him for a less forceful encounter with potential odors.

He tells Alleah his thoughts on the substance [Aid another +2 via perception, maybe, so that she can better figure out what the green substance might be?]

He carefully hands her the dart, if she wishes to take a closer look. He next kneels down to the side of where the darts came out, to see if he can see their exit point.

[Perception: 24]

Bliss (AC20, HP17of23, -1 Con) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+13=23 ;
Tuesday December 9th, 2014 4:33:31 PM

Bliss refreshes his Reduce and enters the room. He peeks behind the shield and under the bell (if he can do so without touching it). He looks for secret doors and trap doors.

Perception 23

DM Jon! 
Tuesday December 9th, 2014 8:10:49 PM
Murphy is able to help Alleah deduce that the poison on the darts is Greenblood oil (DC 18, 1 con damage for 4 rounds, one save to stop)

inside the treasure room no traps are found or triggered and no poison is detected. the only thing that shows as magic to those detecting it is the bell itself which gives off a strong aura of enchantment and three scrolls in the corner.

unfortunately, the bags of gold prove to have been arrange to impresse at a glance instead of truly enrich. The coins on top are all gold while the investigation below are silver and copper, but all told there is 500 GP worth of coins. the gems vary in size and color, but none have the look anything worth a Kings Ransom.

bliss finds no secret doors or anything else of interest, but is able to identify the scrolls as acid arrow, haste and shrink item.


Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Tuesday December 9th, 2014 8:23:17 PM
"How nice of the bad guys to leave us all this loot!" Alleah resists doing the traditional greedy-person-rubbing-hands-together-at-finding-lots-of-treasure.

Alleah will pocket the three broken darts that struck Bliss as well.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16  d20+13=26 ; d4=3 ; d20+11=25 ;
Tuesday December 9th, 2014 9:52:28 PM
Guess Hazel doesn't see anything... no other exit, no one crreping on them.
Hazel turns towards his friends. He hushes to them.
"Don't make so much noise! We dont' know where the thieves are!"
He sneaks back towards the room entrance, keeping his eyes open, too keep watch while the others get the treasure.
Sneak Roll: 26
Perception Roll: 25
Sorry, now it was an extra d4

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim)  d20+13=21 ; d20+3=15 ;
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 3:35:28 AM

"Greenblood oil! I don't think giants would be playing around with that, do you?" he asks Alleah and Shel... except they both have left to drool over... uh, examine the treasure room.

Murphy holds light up near the slots from whence flew the darts. He takes out a small mirror, and uses that, properly angled, to look more deeply into the slots. He raps on the wall, trying to determine if it is hollow. How might darts be loaded? How set to go off? There has to be a link between the spot Bliss stepped and the dart launching area.

He has seen his father make many clever devices. Murphy uses his meagre knowledge of engineering to try better to figure out the mechanisms involved.

He takes out his wool poncho, and folds it multiple times to pad his back. His backpack he places against his chest. He makes sure that no one is in the flight path, besides perhaps himself, saying, "Move away from this area," lies face down on the ground - with aforementioned padding - and, looking carefully to the left at one set of slots, waves briefly to Hazel, then pushes down with his hand on the place that caused the original launch - to see if he can better understand the trap. He hopes it does not self-reload somehow.

[Perception: 21; Knowledge, engineering: 15]

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d20+6=22 ; d20+10=25 ;
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 4:45:25 AM
"Well, if you're going to play with that, let me have a look first, Murphy" Alleah pries herself away from the treasure and before Murphy touches anything near the trap, she casts Detect Poison again. She carefully edges closer to the point that she will look into the holes the darts came out of. If there are any more poison darts loaded or in the trap, she thinks she might be able to detect them. Detecting Poison is usually a bit easier than treating someone dosed with it.

Perception: 25 - Can she determine the trigger? A touch plate? Wire?
Disable Device: 22 - To stop it going off again

When she is satisfied its not going to hurt anyone again, she offers Murphy access to her thieves tools in case he wants to pull the whole thing apart.

-----------------------------------
Detect Poison: The spell can penetrate barriers, but 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt blocks it.

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim)  d20+2=22 ;
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 5:24:11 AM

Murphy heeds Alleah's counsel. Then does as earlier described. Then avails himself of Alleah's tools to see if he can disassemble the trap - not that he has any particular skills at disabling or disassembling traps (or, maybe he does, and really lucked out - disable device, 22, nat 20).

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16  d20+15=29 ;
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 6:58:56 AM
Sardok gathers all the coins and gems into a bag, and hands them to Murphy, to portion out as the group sees fit.

(OOC: You can do that now or later, however it is you do.)

BIC: Sardok wanders over to where Murphy and Alleah and examining that trap. He says, "I may be able to shed some light here." He again takes knee and dismantles the entire thing with the quick work of a professional.
"This is an amateurs weapon," he says of the device. "No guile or skill in its workmanship or execution, simply brutal and straightforward."

He sizes up the stairs, looking from the door to the Bell. "Do you think if we looped enough rope around it, that the ponies could pull it out?"

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 7:48:55 AM
Shel takes care to not touch any of the treasure until the Detect Poison spell had a chance to do its work. Her curiosity was piqued by the scrolls, but she didn't want to run in and get poisoned, just for being greedy. After Alleah gave the all clear, Shel admired the scrolls. She had heard of some of the magic, but wasn't sure if her meager skills were enough to master a couple of them.

"Getting that bell out of here could definitely be a problem," Shel nods at Sardok. "It will take a lot of rope."

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 10:05:22 AM
edit: The 29 is a Disable Device check.

Bliss (AC20, HP17of23, -1 Con) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle) 
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 11:50:37 AM

A light dawns and Bliss breaks into a grin.

"Hey! A bell! That's a bell! And we were sent here to find a bell!"

"Well, that was sure easy!"

"I'll just make myself a giant and carry it out of here!"

Bliss cancels his reduce, casts Enlarge Person on himself and whoever else wants to lend a hand, and tries to lift the bell. How heavy is it?

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 1:49:41 PM
Sardok moves next to Shel and in a quiet, smiling voice says, "Bet ya ten gold he can't do it by himself."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 1:54:11 PM
"Hmm, looks like we may have a few ways to get it out of here...

1. We drag it out just like it looks it was dragged in. Just needs lots of rope, chain, maybe some pulleys, some enlarge spells.
2. That scroll of shrink item looks to me like someone left it here intentionally to help them get the bell out. We could use that. It's a 375gp scroll. Seems a small price to pay to get the bell out of here but the size limits of the spell probably don't work with the size of this bell.
3. Possibly, and it may be pushing things here, but what if Bliss - at normal size - was to hold on to the bell and was then reduced? His reduce spell effects him and anything he is carrying. With the bell weighing an eighth of what it was, I could enlarge the rest of us and we carry Bliss and the bell out. Of course, if Bliss lets go of the bell it would return to normal size and likely crush someone."

DM Jon! 
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 5:05:54 PM
for those in the hallway examining the trap they find a pressure plate attached to the a stone laid into the floor that triggers the firing mechanisms in the wall. after some consideration it becomes apparent that the trap can reloaded by keeping pressure on the plate to trigger fring mechanism and then pushing the darts in while simultaneously releasing the plate.

Luckily for everyone the trap is able to be disarmed by Sardocks able hands as no one gets shot again while playing around with it.

the bell itself is just over 300 lbs and too large for a halfling sized halfling to lift without some Herculean strength. But a large bliss? If he has the muscle.

Hazel in fact sees no signs of anyone else or any other exits. Just the stairs they came from, the dog upstairs and the other forest animals beyond.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 6:14:18 PM
The Shrink Item scroll should last for about five days, so if we use it, we should be fine to get it back to its rightful place. But what then? If people are out to steal it, we can't leave it sitting by itself at the marketplace. And would taking it back to Humbles' Ford be looked at as an insult?"

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 6:41:34 PM
"Honestly, I don't think the scroll is powerful enough. That's a pretty big bell. Best bet is for me to give Bliss a hand as I can enlarge myself too. I'm also the least capable in a fight, so it doesn't matter if my hands are full"

"As for how the Broker wants to safeguard it in future, well, he seemed pretty set on it staying in its location. I imagine he'll have to cough up some more gold to get some better security"

Alleah will cast Enlarge Person on herself.

That gives her:
Maximum load: 100lbs
Maximum lift and stagger: 200lbs
Drag: 800lbs

Her and Bliss combined should be able to carry it, but their hands will be full.



Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 6:51:06 PM
Alleah seems pretty concerned about being attacked while the two giant miniature space halflings move the Bell out, so he nods in understanding. He slings the mundane shield across his back and heads back up the stairs.

OOC: I'm assuming that since Bliss ID'd the scrolls, he also has them, and didn't just put them back on the ground to enhance the room's ambiance.

Bliss (AC20, HP17of23, -1 Con) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle) 
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 9:39:31 PM

Bliss has the scrolls in his pockets.

He is happy to work with Alleah to carry the bell. His enlarged Str is a hefty 11, so his load is like 100 lbs at a slow pace.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Wednesday December 10th, 2014 11:56:32 PM
Hazel quickly returns to the others... he tries to lift the bell without success...
"To heavy, but maybe Faoil can carry it!"
He then returns to guard the entrance, while checking Faoil, and planning how to make it carry the bell.
OOC: Faoil, as a quadruped, has a 300 lbs encumbrance limit...

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Thursday December 11th, 2014 1:28:32 AM
Alleah tries to get a good grip to help carry the bell. She thinks over other ways to get the bell back to the Broker. Most involve cutting it in half for ease of transport. Though it may be practical, she believes the Broker would frown upon such actions.

Before they get too far though, she will look under the bell to make sure it still has its clapper - or some mechanism - in order to ring.

"Hmm. Probably should have asked the Broker how he planned to ring it. Maybe he has a mallet?"

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim) 
Thursday December 11th, 2014 4:49:01 AM

Impressed with Sardok's competence with the dart trap, he thanks him for helping him finally understand how the whole thing worked. "I suppose you could rig something similar?" he asks.

He also nods his head as the new member of the group hands over the monetary treasure. "Thank you." He takes a moment to address the party, as four of the members of relatively new. "Friends, as we explore together, I would ask that we follow a general rule. If you find something as we are out exploring together - at some convenient point let the rest of us know what you found. As we share roughly equally in the risks, let us be fair as we can be in sharing the rewards."

"I'm going to take a few minutes to look at the room this all came from." He goes in, and walks the circumference of the (rectangular?) room, right hand running along the wall during the whole circuit at waist level. He then reverses course, and walks with his left hand at shoulder level brushing the wall all the way around. Two more times he does this, but tapping the wall on a regular basis with the butt of his sling staff. He looks to see the height of the ceiling. He tosses a few coins upward to hit the top of the ceiling every few feet, walking a regular pattern to cover the entire floor. Are the sounds made similar? Any anomalies? Next, if he can reach high enough, taps the butt of the sling staff on the ceiling in several places, and finally along the floor at intervals. He simply, over the course of about 10 minutes, acquaints himself with walls, ceiling, floor, corners, and doorway, just to be satisfied nothing of import was missed in the room of the treasure trove.

If he finds anything out of the ordinary, he reports his finding to his mates.

"I've been thinking. I brought along the wheels and axles for a cart, plus other parts - just not the bed and walls of the cart. The pieces are strapped to Nutmeg. In the large meeting room there were some tables, as I recall. Perhaps we can fashion a cart to bear the bell on the way back - if we take the road.

"Alternatively, with a stout table top and the rope I brought, we could make a litter of sorts for dragging the bell behind us. We have my three ponies, after all - plus other mounts among us.

"Before we go, I want us thoroughly to examine the main building here, as well as seeking to discover whether there might be other hidden passageways here at Parley House.

"Let us see about getting the bell above ground. Then make a conveyance for it. Then go about with additional exploration of the grounds. We know the way back using the roads we took for our first journey here, and know that a cart can go that way."

"So, to finish my proposals, after the bell is lifted to the surface, covered over or otherwise protected until it is time to move it, let's finish our exploration of the grounds. Then let us fashion a strong cart - somewhat more reinforced than a standard cart, considering the added weight. If by then night has come, shall we remain here until the morrow, or set out in the dark to put some space between us and the Parley House? I would elect to stay here overnight, but am open to suggestions."

==========
OOC Considerations.

DM Jon - Have you consulted with the PtB about the length of travel time from Humble's Ford to Parley House? Under DM Kent's watch, it took us a week. Under your watch, less than a full day's travel. It seems a compromise between those timeframes would be in order. Perhaps three days by this route, three-and-a-half to four by the less direct way we took earlier - especially if we are not tasked with training a two-headed troll en route? Please let us know the adjusted time in days it took to arrive here this time.

Also: On the map: WHICH BUILDING was it that has the trap door and treasure room? Please use the map I (and then DM Steven) posted earlier - but make a copy of it, and alter the copy, and mark on the copied map the additional information (and share it so that anyone with the link can see it). That way, as we review archives down the road, the gradual unveiling of information might be repeated without obliterating how things looked before.

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Thursday December 11th, 2014 8:49:25 AM
As Big Alleah and Big Bliss struggle with the Bell, mightily grunting and hefting something that moves, but exerts them to their limit, Sardok listens to Hazel speculating on the physical attributes of Faoil.

"I think you have the right of it, good Hazel. We would not need a cart, if Brother Bliss did but keep a constant Enlarge on Faoil. Then we could just strap the thing to his back and walk back to where we left the wheels of the cart."

Sardok maintains a watch as the other two carry up the bell while Murphy perceptions about the treasure room.

As Murphy speculates that Sardok could re-rig the trap, he says, "Aye. I might rig a fair bit, but I'd not bother unless we had resources at our disposal of rare and deadly potency. To those what carried this, such dangers as Greenblood oil are but poor sport at best. Had we the fruit of the Lotus, or some magical explosion, that might be a fair chalk, but any less than that and we'd better use our time just making egress. Let them find the bell missing more quickly, and then, more quickly come to reclaim it. Less time for us to wait and remind them why we are not called 'Humble's Soft Tickly Feather Duster.'"

Bliss (AC20, HP17of23, -1 Con) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle) 
Thursday December 11th, 2014 9:07:34 AM

"Sorry!" Bliss gasps as he struggles with the heavy bell, "but my spell won't affect doggies, sorry Faoil. Only affects persons. And Mookie."

"HEY!" caws Mookie.

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Thursday December 11th, 2014 10:14:24 AM
"Soooo, Mookie can carry it?

Well, do you guys think you can carry it all the way back to the wagon? Sure you can!"

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Thursday December 11th, 2014 11:53:58 AM
Hazel smiles at Sardok.
"An even bigger Faoil? I need to see that!"

DM Jon! 
Thursday December 11th, 2014 8:02:41 PM
The enlarged Alleah and Bliss are able to muscle the bell out of the treasure room and up the stairs. It takes significant effort on their part and is slow going, but thy manage it while the rest of th loot is collected. The party just returns to the top of the stairs when Faoil starts barking an Hazel can spot Severn figures approaching from the crest of the hill of the main road. Four are Big, larger than humans and the other three are mansized. At the distance it is hard to identify further.

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (Kim) 
Thursday December 11th, 2014 9:34:52 PM

DM Jon --> We NEED to know which building in the complex the bell was retrieved from.

Please indicate this right away.

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Thursday December 11th, 2014 10:14:11 PM
OOC: Yeah. If we're gonna boom-boom, a map indicating where we are and where they are would be helpful.

BIC: Sardok stares with the rest of the party at the advancing warband. No one needs to say the words: The thieves of the Bell have come back.
They can't leave with the Bell, the thieves would catch them. They can't leave without the Bell, such an artifact that can get the attention of every giant in the Red Hills can not be left to evil doers. There's only one solution here. And if they're very very lucky...

they might just live through this.

"Everyone, I have a plan. It's pretty simple, and it gives us our best chance. Brother _Bliss_, while you're still big, please tie a rope to the edge of the tallest of these buildings. Then get small, and take yourself, _Shel_, and _Aleah_ up onto the roof. That should protect you and give you freedom of fire.

Friend _Hazel_, the time has come. I need another strong man with me here on the ground. Today we find out if you can stand with me and be my brother.

_Murphy_, I already know what you intend to do. I don't think it'll work, but I know you need to find out. Go run up ahead a bit and give them a talk. They see things your way and just leave, great. If not, skedaddle back here and shiny up Bliss' rope, then haul out your can o' whoopass.

Brother _Bliss_, open up at maximum range. You might even take a few down. Once they start getting close to the building, me an' _Hazel_ are gonna come up behind 'em, have us a little boom-boom.

Now I think that's a simple plan. Any other ideas?"

Sardok turns back to where the warband approacheth. He cracks his head to the right, and a second hilt is seen on his other shoulder.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Thursday December 11th, 2014 10:30:38 PM
OOC: Shel can cast Protection from Evil on the guys who want to stay and melee. That'll be a bit more AC for you boys. I don't have any ranged first level spells, so casting a few of those on Hazel, Murphy, and Sardok probably makes sense.

"If you all stay down here, you'd better run at the first sight of trouble! Four biguns! I don't know about this. Maybe talking would be our best option."

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Thursday December 11th, 2014 10:38:40 PM
Hazel grimaces...
"Other ideas? Kill the bastards. Talk? Don't encourage them Sardok! Murphy, please don't try to talk to those biguns! We need to take down those guys, for good. Time for you to see what I can do with this baby!" - Hazel starts moving his Sling Staff in a circle, while nearing Shel and giving her peck in the cheek.
"For luck!"
He finally nears Sardok.
"About being brothers... I am not too much for family, but I guess we can teach this guys what Halflings working together can do!"
How much time we have before they arrive? From how far can we fire at them? Hazel's Sling Staff can hit a target (with much luck) 800' away.
Actions:
1) Hazel grabs all of his bullets from Faoil (Standard? Full round?).
2) Casts Magic Fang on Faoil (Standard)
3) Makes Faoil take cover some distance away (50' at least) (Move)
4) Starts firing against the enemies, while screaming! (Full)
So In 2 rounds or less he can start firing.
"Humble Swords! Time for you to die!"

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Friday December 12th, 2014 1:34:17 AM
Alleah places the bell on the ground. She shakes her head at Hazel and glowers "You can't be serious? You're going to attack someone because they are headed towards you? You don't even know if they are evil or not! What if they are just travellers? Attacking them without reason would make you the bad guy I think"

She sighs and thinks for a moment. If Hazel is set on attacking these unknown folk, should Alleah call out a warning to them? Should Alleah cast a Calm spell on Hazel? Ugh, casting a spell on a friend against their will is NEVER a good idea.

"I'm going to go with Murphy to try and talk to these folk. I have some calming spells at my disposal, as well as ones to let me make a swift exit if necessary. I can also cast a spell to understand various languages; an interpreter may be required after all. If a fight ensues I need to be mobile on the ground to administer first aid to whoever needs it. Besides, it's not like they'd hit a girl.... would they?"

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (longstrider, 3 hours left) (Kim)  d20+13=21 ;
Friday December 12th, 2014 4:50:53 AM
"So, we're going to start by trying to kill them? If that is the way we're going to be, shoot first and ask questions later, then you'll need to shoot me in the back. Right now. I agree with Alleah." To Shel, he says, "Protection from evil might be nice."

In the halfling tongue, he says firmly to his friends and companions, "STAND DOWN. Get ready, but Do Not Attack without provocation. Size is not provocation." Switching back to common, he says, "Mookie, you are in charge." To all he says, "If I raise my left hand, or they attack us, then all may attack. Until and unless that happens, then make what preparations you deem prudent - without making it look like you're trying to murder someone."

"I may be back." During the time he was talking, if Shel wanted to cast the spell on him, that would be fine - otherwise...

Murphy nods thanks to Alleah, and walks briskly with her up the hill toward the oncomers. He quietly says to her, "You might want to stay about six to ten feet away from me, and, as you wish, even with or slightly behind me, lest they try to get us in one blow, or a spellcaster be among them. If I change into a bear, you can jump on my back so we might leave quickly. May it not come to that. Any words of counsel on your part, brave one?"

As he asks the question, he realizes he sought protection from Shel's spell, but did not suggest it for Alleah. He briefly feels quite bad, but postpones that guilt from occupying his thoughts further for the moment.

As they draw nearer, first in the Giant tongue, then in Common, Murphy says, his right hand raised in greeting. "Hail. As we all are on the grounds of the Parley House, shall we stop and talk?" He pauses, then adds in Common, followed by Giant, projecting loud enough that the halflings below can hear as well, "These grounds and buildings were placed so there might be peace and trade between our peoples." Again, a slight pause, then in both tongues, "Shall we honor that purpose, at least for the moment? I am Murphy. I planted acorns here."

[Perception 21 while approaching giant party]

=========

HF Parley House 2nd visit 01 map - This map is unofficial, but I trust gives a general idea of where things / people / giants & company may be. I did not show where anyone other than Murphy and Alleah are after they hike up the hill a bit, but most likely would start in the vicinity of the golden bell (shown yellow on the map just below building to far left). DM Jon has authority to keep or change anything on here - but, unless he says otherwise, it should help us get a feel for where people wish to place themselves. I'll leave it to our DM to provide a grid arrangment when he chooses. -ADM Kim

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Friday December 12th, 2014 7:08:12 AM
"Words of counsel. Hmmm... try and avoid referencing their mothers in any way, shape or form" Alleah says with a smile and wink, as she starts to gradually slow her pace and allow Murphy to take the lead. "Don't worry. I have your back"

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Friday December 12th, 2014 7:25:29 AM
OOC: yeah, I'll cast PFE on all three boys. If Alleah plans on talking, she will get one too.

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16  d20+15=18 ;
Friday December 12th, 2014 8:26:03 AM
Sardok accepts a PFE, and approaches Hazel. "A man stands with you in battle, he is your battle-brother, a bond forged in the heat of victory and mortared in place by the blood of the fallen.
And the plan's the same. Bliss an' Shel get to height, and we take 'em out from the rear. Classic Hammer-and-Anvil. Mind you, afterwards, I'm gonna need your help. Them two are gonna learn a valuable lesson about talking to thieves in their den."

Sardok turns to go.

"And I can't move two bodies on my own."

He heads off to find some shadows.

Stealth check 18.
(OOC: Guess he didn't find too many shadows. =)



Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Friday December 12th, 2014 9:42:36 AM
Hazel shakes his head...
"I am afraid is not the first time they try to talk to thieves on their Den... and they haven't learned the lesson. Get ready, brother, as this is going to get messy."
He pokes his finger in Murphy's chest before he goes to talk to the biguns..
"Don't say I didn't warn you. Try not to get smacked too much this time. And run towards me once they start attacking, and I will hold them. I won't start this fight, but I sure will end it."
Hazel will stand back, ready to fire, giving cover to his friends.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Friday December 12th, 2014 6:16:12 PM
OOC: hazel, I will also cast a PFE on Faoli. It's not much, but it might keep him up and running.

DM Jon! 
Friday December 12th, 2014 6:38:47 PM
It is easily a couple of hundred feet between where the bell is dropped and the group of Big Un's stop to survey the scene. they spread out so that each has a better view of the ruins spread before them while they watch the approach of Murphy and Alleah.

once closer it can be seen that three of the Large figures are ogres and all are armed to some degree. the smaller members of the band all sport the smooshed features that come from mix parenthood of orcs as humans while the last figure gives the appearance of a handsome human male, but on a large scale.

the large seeming human eyes Murphy and Alleahs approach with a haughty air and while Murphy speaks he turns to remark to his companions, "Such well spoken slaves.. " When He looks back to Murphy he raise a hand to cut him off and speak, his voice loud, deep and sonorous. "but I did not come here to be entertained by the pets. Go, little morsels, go fetch me your master, that fool Ideafetu."

the other Big Uns peer down at the ruins, keeping tabs on the rest of the group that's visible.

Ooc: I'll try to get a grid Map up this weekend. Until then you can use murphys as a rough idea

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (longstrider, 3 hours left) (Kim) 
Friday December 12th, 2014 7:48:58 PM

"And who can I say has come to visit, o mighty one?" Murphy inquires.

[P.S.: Hazel does not (yet) approach - it is Murphy and (enlarged?) Alleah]

[Additional question: Is one of the ogres the same one who used to be a guard in the Watch Tower? If so, Murphy would recognize him - and perhaps he would recognize Murphy.]

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Friday December 12th, 2014 8:48:21 PM
"Don't get yourself killed, Murphy," Shel whispers out loud as she and Bliss were up high, watching the scene transpire below them. She held her breath, knocking the foes were too strong for her little group of friends.

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16  d20+15=22 ;
Friday December 12th, 2014 8:56:30 PM
Sardok settles into a better shallow next to where Faoil lays like a stalker.

"Puppy dog, y'know that Murphy is pretty smart. But he's making a critical assumption that I ain't so sure is gonna hold true."

He pets the dog's fuzzy head and lazily points out the surrounding grounds: the signs of years of abandonment; the building that was once a majestic part of Parlay House that is now a thief's trap-laden loot house; the remains still being snacked on by carrion creatures.

"Now. good Murphy is assuming that by talking there are gonna be some rules. He thinks he's a-gonna set down and have dome diplomacy like civil folk."

He stops petting the dog.

""But he don't figure that some folk don't play by no rules. See them feller's on th' flank? The kinda man on th' flank is gonna be a little quicker than the others. Murphy's gonna stop walkin', and them on th' flank is gonna keep on walking, gonna real softly get past, get behind him, cut his escape off. Might even talk to that cute little girl to make it seem normal. Pincer maneuver, is what they call it.

"See, people, us, halflings, humans an' th' like, even some orcs, they might listen a spell, make a treaty. But Ogres ain't people. They're rabid dogs that can talk. Them an' giants and trolls. They don't figure th' same way we do. Killin' is their sport. They do it for fun, and don't care if they die. 'Epscially they got a big feller to lead 'em.

"And ya can't offer them enough. They just figure they'll kill ya and take it, an' get your corpse to eat for their trouble.

"And they're too darn far away for us t'do a thing about it. The casters an' archer need height 'cause I can't protect them all, not from seven, so we gotta stay here.

"So that bigun is gonna talk, and him and those two next to him are gonna get real close to Murphy. And then one is gonna grab 'im and one is gonna hit him and one is gonna eat 'im. Just t' see what he tastes like.

"Oh, don't look at me that way, puppy-dog."

"We got a bunch of survivors holed up in the copse. Says they wanna parlay."
"I'll go," he said, as he drew Painletter. "Gonna ask 'em a few questions."
"What'cha gonna ask them, Sardok?"
"Gonna ask them every question they asked Iona."

"Jus' sayin', is all. It's what I would do."

OOC: New Stealth roll = 22.

Bliss (AC20, HP17of23, -1 Con) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+12=30 ;
Saturday December 13th, 2014 2:23:18 AM

Bliss cancels his enlarge and draws his bah. That's one round. Then he casts his reduce and ducks behind the bell for cover. That a second round.

He keeps alert and watchful. Perception 30! Woot!

Mookie hides IN the bell.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Saturday December 13th, 2014 5:48:54 AM
Slaves? Morsels? Alleah has been called worse. She raises an eyebrow at the comments, and folds her arms completely unimpressed. She has the presence of mind to stay her tongue, however.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Saturday December 13th, 2014 2:10:58 PM
OOC: Murphy is right Hazel is at plain sight back at the "house", while Faoil and Sardok are "covering" (trying to hide).
Before:
When Hazel and Faoil get a Protection from Evil spell from Shel he winks at her, and Faoil licks her face, happily.
Currently:
Hazel stands defiantly in the middle of the Parley house. He holds his Sling Staff with anxious fingers, smiling, awaiting the moment to start firing at the enemy.
Savoring the anticipation.
And thinking in Alouryn. He sees her green eyes in his mind.
He smiles.
At the same time Faoil lays next to Sardok, and the smart dog seems to be hearing, and understanding, the halfling words. You could even say he is nodding in approval.
When Sardok finishes talking Faoil starts licking his face, slobbering him all over.

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (longstrider, 3 hours left) (Kim)  d20+13=19 ;
Sunday December 14th, 2014 12:56:19 AM

While momentarily awaiting a reply to his question ("Who can I say has come to visit?"), Murphy also takes in details of the human of great size - what kind of clothing he wears, what his hair is like, the color of his eyes, whether he may bear resemblance to anyone he knows, whether he carries or has visible on his body weapons, pouches, etc. Peripherally he also gathers what details he may concerning the 3 ogres - what sorts of weapons do they bear, how are they clad? He is not as concerned at this moment in gathering details of the orcs of mixed parentage.

Perception: 19

ADM Kim - Gang, take your characters to the Giggling Ghost 
Sunday December 14th, 2014 1:50:29 AM
Totally out of character commercial break:

Hie you thither to the Giggling Ghost - a special inn for adventurers. The annual Yule celebrations have commenced, and people are chasing cookies, receiving gift boxes, and getting to know each other in a less threatening setting (well, less threatening unless you try the potent Green Gnomish beverage). AND - you can become acquainted with many of the characters from the other games here.

This is a Wold-legitimate way to get to know what is happening in other parts of the Wold, and to make friends which in itself is nice, and it may come in handy somewhere down the adventuring road.

Cool gifts and awards are there. Hey, here in the real world it's Advent, heading toward Hannukah, and Christmas, and New Years, and a myriad other festive celebrations.

And, an important ByTheWay - our own RobC is serving as host there. Murphy and Shel already have arrived. We want Bliss and Sardok and Hazel and Fatine and Alleah there, too!


Extra Hint: When you get to the Ghost's page, click on the Woldipedia link for the GG and Tapestries - you'll find a map of the layout of the tavern, that can help in role-playing.

Additional Hint: The GG is a good place for in-character conversations which we don't always seem to have time for on our daily game board. Get to know each other better. Wax eloquent with stories. You can have more-than-one-post-a-day conversations, if the spirit leads (but only one set of rolls a day for the various games).

Fatine AC 19 (17/14/15), HP 10(15)/23 (Kim McCoy for Matt C) Breaking from the party 
Sunday December 14th, 2014 6:23:12 PM
Fatine tells Bliss, as they await the outcome of the meeting with the giants.

"Psst - Heyo, Bliss. A callin' a came to me. I must be returnin' to dee Ford. It not be cowardly, like it mebbe look. It be a strong callin'. You all be all right. You be takin' dis here wand what Murphy lent me - for curin' hurts it is." She gives him the activation word for the wand of cure light wounds (47 charges). "Tell ol' Mookie not to breathe too deep 'n use up all dee air in dee bell. Tell the others I gives 'em a kiss. I be sneakin' the back way while Murph and Alleah gots 'em biguns tied up wif talk. Crow, farewell time." She blows a kiss in Bliss's direction, then goes along the side of the building, behind it and off away from the Parley House ground. She will take occasional cover when needed, and then head back the pathway they traveled to get here.

[OOC: Matt C will be taking a break from the game for a while. Hope to see you back here down the road, Matt - Fatine is a nonesuch! -ADM Kim]

Bliss (AC20, HP17of23, -1 Con) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle) 
Monday December 15th, 2014 12:22:18 PM
Bliss was focused on the enemy! He was poised to shoot! But then Fatine's words knock him off his feet.

"Wait, what? Fatine! Oh, oh. Gosh that is ... wowsy!"

He takes the wand of CLW.

Mookie caws, "Um, combat, much?"

Bliss ignores the bird, and rushes up to give Fatine a hug. "Good-by! I hope we meet again!"

Mookie caws with a raven's alert caw.

Bliss picks up his bah, holsters the wand, and turns to face the enemy.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26 
Monday December 15th, 2014 11:24:25 PM
Alleah keeps an eye on the others in this man's group. She gets the feeling that they are the ones most likely to strike out at her any time soon.

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (longstrider, 3 hours left) (Kim) 
Monday December 15th, 2014 11:28:49 PM

Murphy waits for a response.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Tuesday December 16th, 2014 12:18:23 AM
Hazel sees Fantine go away, without understanding what is happening...
"Why is she leaving?"

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Tuesday December 16th, 2014 8:25:24 AM
OOC: still here waiting.

DM Jon! 
Tuesday December 16th, 2014 10:15:35 AM
Ooc: Ugh, sorry guys. Flu hit me like a ton of bricks. Spent most of yesterday curled up in a ball shivering. working on post

DM Jon! 
Tuesday December 16th, 2014 11:07:23 AM
none of the big Uns are famiarity to the group. all but the large human are clad in rough, sour smelling furs and carry clubs made from gnarled wood. the ogres have a sharpened stick that might work as a javelin tucked in to their belts while the half orcs have bows.

the humans clothes are dirty and only a little better than his companions so it gives him sometbibg if a disjointed look with the shabby outfit paired with his imperial visage. he has a large sword hangin from his waist.

"you can tell him Noyudidnt is here. mothers favorite."

one of the half orcs moves up next to Noyudidnt, "Gosh boss, I'm seeming a lot of these little rodents, but no big guys."

Map! please tell me where to place you

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Tuesday December 16th, 2014 12:53:15 PM
OOC: Plz check link. Got a 404 error.

DM jon: Link fixed!

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Tuesday December 16th, 2014 5:15:48 PM
Nice! =)

Bliss and Shel? Are you guys on top of Ruined Building?

Bliss (AC20, HP17of23, -1 Con) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+21=35 ; d20+12=16 ;
Tuesday December 16th, 2014 5:23:56 PM

Bliss crouches down with his bah behind the bell at 27B. Mookie is IN the bell. Not sure if hiding is an option ... if it is, then Bliss has a stealth check of 35.

He tries to keep alert ... Perception 16

Current effects: Mage Armor, Reduce Person, Elixer of Hiding. OH! That makes the stealth check a 45, not a 35!

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Tuesday December 16th, 2014 7:54:43 PM
Shel will be on the Treasure building at C 23, waiting for a sign as to how negotiations are transpiring.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Tuesday December 16th, 2014 11:47:42 PM
OOC: Hazel at I22, Faoil hidden next to where Sardok is...

ADM Kim 
Wednesday December 17th, 2014 4:29:35 AM
Murphy nods in acknowledgement as Noyudint offers his name.

To the orc, he says, "Do not mistake us for rodents, orc."

And looking with respect as well as a measure of self possession, he adds to Noyudint, "Or morsels, mighty one. One of the ogres left - he went beyond the hill some days ago. Rahshnek and his brother are here, with Idafeatyu. They have been resting.

"We will go and make haste to announce your arrival."

He turns to walk briskly down the hill (hustling), hopefully accompanied by Alleah, then toward Parley House. Quietly as he passes by his friends, he says, "Noyudint, Idafeatyu's brother is here. Prepare a suitable welcome." That was part of his 'announcement.' He enters into the Parley House, and announces in a loud voice just inside the entrance, so that his voice can be heard without. "Master, Noyudint asks his brother to come out and meet him." He actually offers that as a sort of prayer to Eberyon, adding in a whispered addendum to his prayer, And I need wisdom, Lord Eberyon." While hidden from sight, he prepares a few spell components, and checks for the placement of a couple of alchemical items. "Alleah, I will try to play this out a little bit more. But I don't know how amenable Noyudint will be to peaceful discourse once he learns his brother is dead. Any ideas? Oh, and, Alleah? Please command me to water the oak trees."

He briefly awaits her response unless circumstances urge him otherwise. If Alleah does command him to water the oak trees, that will help him decide his next move. Murphy plans to head back in a few moments. He keeps his eyes open to see if any of the visitors move to the lower area where he can see them from his position inside the building's entrance.

[DM Jon - As Noyudint asked us to fetch his brother, Murphy takes the above actions - far more than a round, but I think a seemingly appropriate response (as well as tactical retreat) to the demands of the ogre mage, and since Noyudint's words indicated he plans to wait where he is now. Feel free to pull me back if you see the need... otherwise, we can play it from here. -Kim]

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16 
Wednesday December 17th, 2014 9:56:22 AM
Hazel smiles fiercely at Murphy's words, and stands his ground.
He will ask the enemies to Halt if they try to approach, and will attack them if they don't comply.

Bliss (AC20, HP17of23, -1 Con) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle) 
Wednesday December 17th, 2014 3:23:53 PM

Bliss is thinking that maybe the best thing to do would be to shoot at these fellows. But no one else seems to be fighting right now. He holds off, thinking about sniping from behind this bell.

DM Jon!  d4=2 ; d4=2 ; d20=14 ; d20+9=15 ;
Wednesday December 17th, 2014 5:57:55 PM
Noyudidnt frowns down at Murphy and turns to his half-Orc companion, "Well spoken slaves.. But impertinent" He takes a step towards Murphy before he has a change to head back down the hill and lashes out with a backhand slap that goes over Murphys head. "I do not think my brother will mind is teaching his pet some manners!

The orcs and ogres heft their weapons in excitement of pending violence.

Map! sardo still needs to be placed!

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d100=30 ;
Wednesday December 17th, 2014 7:39:58 PM
That's it! These guys are clearly looking for a fight. That one has already tried to strike Murphy is enough for Alleah to take things to the next level now.

"Wow, who'd have thought a half-orc would be better looking than a human??" she says with a smirk, trying to goad the human and distract him from Murphy.

She backsteps to P10 and casts a spell - Calm Emotions (Target U5, all the enemies except Half-Orc3. Leyline check: 30=Pass. DC17 Will Save or be Calmed)

Finally, she loudly calls out "Bliss! Sardok!"


Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16  d20+15=25 ; d20+8=22 ;
Wednesday December 17th, 2014 7:58:28 PM
OOC: The link for the map wasn't working for me, but the current link is quite fine.
Also, Murphy said he went into the Parlay House. I'm now working with the idea that he runs there after Noyu.'s missed swipe.
Sardok has been peering around the corner at R24, watching. Faoil is next to him at S24, who doesn't have to watch as his keen nose tells him all he needs.
Stealth check 25.
Bluff check to pass simple messages: 22.

BIC: Being proved completely right gave Sardok but small comfort. Of course now, instead of all the casters and the archer on high ground, only one caster was up high. Well, brother Bliss had functional invisibility, so he should be okay. As for the other two...well, they could still get through this, IF they worked as a team.

He surreptitiously catches the eye of Hazel and Bliss. He gives the universally accepted sign for "Let loose!".
To Murphy he just signals that simple message of "Summon".
To Alleah, the even simpler message of "Act At Will".

He hopes Shel is on the ball enough to let fly once the sparks start to fly.

Sardok throws his cloak back and draws both swords. The name of the first one is old and orcish, a name that is always an ill omen, promising struggle. And death. The sword was called Krieg.

True to his prophecy, war has come.


Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (longstrider, 3 hours left) (Kim)  d20+5=19 ; d20+13=27 ;
Wednesday December 17th, 2014 7:59:40 PM

"L, go back," he says to Alleah.

Then he turns toward the one who just swung on him. He holds up his right hand, palm facing his antagonist. [Not the left hand, for my companions' sake - he asked that attacks be held unless he held up his left hand.]

Loudly he projects, "Before any beatings commence, oh mighty one, may I ask you a question? If so, and I do not mean to be impertinent, but here is the question: Would you like to show yourself wiser than your brother? If you and your companions will stand down, I can tell you all you need to know.

"If you choose to attack instead, despite that you see very small people before you, you will have to trust me on this: If you choose to attack, I say with all modesty, that will earn you death, and right soon. Big versus small is not always the victor."

He looks at the orcs. "Do you want to see the next sunrise?"

He looks at the ogres. "Do you want to enjoy breakfast tomorrow?"

He looks at Noyudint. "Do you want to show yourself a wise and brave leader? Then do something that takes real bravery. Think with your mind, not with your fists." He pauses for a beat. "Let us sit together, and I will tell you a story. Or, start a fight, and you will all die - except for one, who will suffer, then maybe die, or perhaps be made prisoner, or perhaps released. So, story, or death?

"I will be the first to sit. Not as a slave, but as one who is confident, and not afraid. If it makes you feel all big and strong and brave to attack a small halfling who is sitting upon the ground... is that bravery? Is that courage? Or is that brutish foolishness? Though you may have called your brother an idiot, I trust you do not meet that description.

"Will you hear the story, or will you die? If you are cowards, and also eager for death, then, please, attack. I suggest the story - if you are brave people, and able to think clearly. Besides, who does not like a good story? If you don't like the story, you can always change your minds."

Murphy begins to sit. If Noyudint or another attacks, he tumbles backward (Acrobatics 19 - toward the remnants of wall and rubble < 10' from him on the original map) so he can get a degree of cover. [I planted him on the original map near that spot with defense in mind.]

[Perception: 27 - for whatever he needs to perceive]

Murphy HP 32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (longstrider, 3 hours left) (Kim) 
Wednesday December 17th, 2014 8:14:57 PM
We posted very closely together - only the DM's post was up as I wrote. As the DM has the prerogative and cut short the tail end of what Murphy intended to do, Murphy did NOT run to the Parley House.

So Sardok's assumption about Murphy's movement is not the case.

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Wednesday December 17th, 2014 9:03:44 PM
Shel resides an action to cast a spell as soon as one of the new group prepares to strike Murphy. She will let the conversation take place, but if a blow is struck, she plans on a Scorching Ray before melee is initiated.

Bliss (AC20, HP17of23, -1 Con) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+8=24 ; d20+5=9 ; d20+26=35 ;
Wednesday December 17th, 2014 10:34:46 PM

Bliss is watching, and he is a witch, just like Alleah. He knows that spell she is casting. [spellcraft 24, woot!] he knows how it works. He knows that any attack on one of those affected will break the spell on all of those affected.

And he looks at the battlefield and realizes that Alleah has thoughtfully left one enemy OUTSIDE the effect of the spell ... that half-orc right there! HE's a valid target! HE can be attacked without breaking the spell.

If any of the enemies saved, they too will be valid targets, but Bliss does not know yet who those are ... Alleah has not said.

So there is only one safe target!

And Alleah has called for Bliss and Sardok to shoot! But what if Sardok -- no witch, he -- attacks the wrong guy?

But if Bliss starts shouting, it sure will be hard to stay hid!

"Mookie! Mookie! Fly around and explain that Calm Emo spell! Tell the others that right now only the one I shoot at is a valid target!"

For once, Mookie acts without a snide remark. He flies to Sardok, Shel, and Hazel, and tells them to watch Bliss shoot. Only that half-orc is a good target right now.

Bliss pops out from behind the bell, shoots, and then ducks under again.

Roll to shoot Half-Orc 3 with a bolt ... at -2 range mod I believe ... misses with a 9.

Stealth to stay hidden sniping ... 35.

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16  d20+8=22 ; d20+8=12 ; d6+2=7 ; d6+2=4 ;
Thursday December 18th, 2014 10:33:58 AM
Hazel looks at Sardok telling him to attack, but doesn't sees Murphy's left hand up. he only hesitates for a fraction of a second. He will wait for Murphy's signal, which he expects, as usual, will be given AFTER the combat has actually started.
"Damn bumblebee!" . he thinks, using his friend's nickname
He then hears Mookie and realizes his friends plan. Well, the spell worked on him, it would surely work on them. He prepares to fire.
Hazel will delay his action: If anyone attacks Murphy or any of his friends, he will attack in kind, at the first one attacking Murphy. If they don't attack he will stay.
Attack Rolls: 22, 12; Damage Rolls: 7, 4.

DM Jon!  d20+3=17 ; d20+7=25 ; d20+3=13 ; d20+3=12 ; d20+3=20 ; d20+1=20 ; d20+1=17 ; d20+9=20 ; d12+10=17 ; d20+7=10 ; d20+5=11 ; d20+5=14 ; d20+5=17 ;
Thursday December 18th, 2014 5:13:21 PM
After the initial missed repremand towards Murphy the fun begins..

Alleah steps back and tries to calm the situation, but true to form Calm Emotions barely works. Two of the ogres suddenly seem more interested in a few flowers growing out of the road than the impending fight.

Sardok draws his weapons while staying hidden, waiting for the opportune time to emerge and join the fight.

Murphy deftly avoids the slap and starts pontificating to the Big Un's gathered against him. Even goes as far as to get on his knees to make their job a little easier on them.

Shel watches, waiting to cast a spell if things go further south

Behind the bell, Bliss has had enough of waiting and sends an arrow at one of the orcs while warning the others about Alleah's spell.

Hazel too waits for the battle to start.. and once it does sends some missles towards the orc Mookie specifies and one lands with a solid thud on flesh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The large human roars, "You dare to defy me? I will grind up your livers and slurp out your eyes! while he pulls out the greatsword at his hip. He glares at Murphy while he talks and then lashes out when the halfling starts to sit. Murphy tumbles back, but it isn't enough to avoid the attack (Acrobatics not enough to avoid AoO) and the blade connects. (Murphy 17 damage)

Orges 1 and 2 stands around, plucking at their clothes.

Ogre 3 hefts his club and rushes at Alleah, swinging the club down hard, but only striking the dirt.

Half-orc 1 draws his bow and tries to get a bead on Murphy in the ruins, but the arrow pings off of old stone.

Half-Orcs 2 join its ogre companion in charging after Alleah, but misses its swipe with a club too

Half-Orc 3 pulls out his bow and returns fire to Hazel, but the shot goes wide, if barely.

Noyudindt
Ogre 1 - Calm
Ogre 2 - Calm
Ogre 3
Half-Orc 1
Half-Orc 2
Half-Orc 3 - 7 damage

Map - Combat Rounds folks

Shel Breezelee Kromnite (Gerald) HP25/26; AC 14/14/11 
Thursday December 18th, 2014 7:24:16 PM
OOC: bring them back towards us. The group is still way out of range for me to have any real chance on hitting with a spell, even versus touch AC.

Shel hesitates, hoping the others could hit the ogres or leas them closer so her fiery magic could hit the targets.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 15/14/12 -- CMD 12 -- HP 26/26  d20+5=23 ; d20+10=28 ;
Thursday December 18th, 2014 8:35:51 PM
Alleah does a double-take as Murphy tumbles away. "Hey! Whatever happened to you changing into a bear and me riding away?"

But there is no time for that now. Right now it is Alleah standing toe-to-toe with a half-orc, an ogre, and their friends.

She can't keep concentrating on the Calm Emotions spell and cast another spell at the same time. But if she doesn't cast a spell she likely won't live to see the end of the day.

Alleah back-peddles, and releases her concentration from the Calm Emotions spell as she goes defensive (5ft step to O11. Defensively Cast Obscuring mist on self. Concentration Check: 23=Pass. Calm emotions will remain in effect for 1 more round)

Now hidden by the mist, Alleah does her best to control her breathing. She does not want the enemy to know where she is (Stealth: 28)

Sardok HP 35 AC 20/15/16 
Thursday December 18th, 2014 9:36:44 PM
By coincidence or Providence, Sardok's thoughts coincide with Shel's: they have the perfect kill zone set up, they but need the enemy to step in to it.

Which is but a matter of time, so long as the ranged duo continue to strike true.

Bliss (AC20, HP17of23, -1 Con) & Mookie (AC18, HP13) (Cayzle)  d20+5=25 ; d20+5=22 ; d6+2=4 ; d6+2=4 ; d20+26=43
Thursday December 18th, 2014 9:57:11 PM

With battle joined and the Calm spell over, Bliss can shoot freely!

He snipes, using the second bolt in his clip, shooting again at half-orc 3, at -2 for range, and hitting AC25! That's a crit threat! Bliss confirms vs AC22! Sweet!

Damage for sure is 4, if it is AC22 or worse, crit inflicts 4 more for total 8 damage!

Edit: Oh, and stealth check for sniping and then remaining unseen ... 43.

(And considering the stock -1 per ten ft distance imposes another -14 on their perception checks, no way Bliss is noticed, he figures, proudly.)

Hazel (Bob Danderfluff LaRue) HP: 43/43 AC: 18/14/15 - Faoil: 13/13 AC 18/13/16  d20+8=9 ; d20+8=10 ;
Thursday December 18th, 2014 11:33:52 PM
Hazel shakes his head at seen Murphy attacked... again...
"Too bad he won't learn." - he thinks.
He takes a step back to K26 while releasing a couple more stones towards Noyudindt.
Attack Rolls: 9 and 10. That is a roll of 1 and 2. [Edited by CDM Jerry]
"Hey, idiots! Come and get me if you dare!"

Murphy HP 15/32 AC 16/14/14 CMD 14 (longstrider, 2 hours 59 minutes left) (black bear) (Kim)  d20+10=11 ; d20+3=18 ;
Friday December 19th, 2014 4:31:29 AM
Back in the rubble at about N8 (original map had small rubble/short wall area there - he did not tumble all the way to the building at the bottom of the hill - more like 5-10 feet at the end of last round), Murphy changes into a black bear (type), though his new form has cinnamon fur (color), and dashes forth into the mist, farthest away from the orc and ogre, growling so that Alleah can hear him. He cannot tell at all where she is within (nat 1 on Perception), but hopes she can perceive where he is. Once he senses she has grabbed firmly ahold of his fur, he tries to make it easy for her to mount near his shoulders (rolled d20 +3 dex=18 to help her settle well). Further movement will have to wait until next round.

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