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DM Mark - Dolp's Harem d20+13=33 ; d20=15 ; d20=13 ; d100=43 ; d100=8 ;
Wednesday February 22nd, 2017 1:07:48 AM
Round 32-34

Murphy tells Sas and Jances to drop their weapons. They do not, but they do take a step back from the group. Murphy heals himself.

Kezzem moves stealthly into the room. (To clarify for future reference, movement under stealth requires you begin from a place of cover, concealment or not being seen. You move at half movement, or at “greater than half but less than your normal speed” with a -5 penalty to the stealth check. So, Kezzem’s total stealth movement would only be 10’+10’=20’, or 15’+15’=30’ with a -5 penalty to the roll.)

Bliss peers into the room, clearly nervous enemies may descend upon them at any moment.
Sky keeps his bow ready. Pressi assumes the appearance of one of the orc women, and moves to leave the room. Murphy urges that those desiring to leave wait a moment.

Alleah concentrates on her Calm Emotions spell, suggesting that someone scan for magic. (She cast this in Round 30, it will last until Round 35.) Even as she concentrates, Alleah notices that two calmed orc women seem to be looking at a couple of particularly large lumps in the bedding area, and she senses that even in their calmed state they have something to hide. Alleah mentions this.

Shel moves and casts Detect Magic, and this first round, she will detect magic.
-----------------------------------
Moving matters ahead a bit, in Rounds 33 and 34, Alleah still manages to hold the women in a calmed state. They do not drop their weapons, and Alleah will warn you that disarming them will break the Calm Emotions spell.

Shel detects magic on the chest. Once Kezzem reaches it, he checks it for traps. Finding none, he opens it. In the next two rounds, Shel will detect that the magic comes from a Silver Raven (DC 26 Spellcraft to identify.) Also in this chest are 2,000 GP and 1,000 SP. Shel also notices this room does not have the aura of evocation magic that the other room did.

Murphy and Kezzem (and perhaps others) respond to Alleah’s mention of the orc women looking at the lumps. They work together to pull two chests from the beding area. Shel will tell you that they do not detect as magic, and Kezzem checks them for traps. Finding none, they are opened. One contains 2,000 GP in women’s jewelery, most sized for medium sized creatures. The other contains 6 rolls of a thin, soft, leathery material. You have not opened these rolls. The giantess Jances says in a flat tone, “Great, now those stupid orcs have given away the rest of Dolpy’s goods. You two will pay for that.” The orc women regard the giantess for a moment and then look away, showing neither fear nor concern.

You have one more round before Alleah’s spell expires and these women act as they normally would, whatever that means at this point.

Here is your map. (Use the Round 32-34 tab and move your character. If you cannot, let me know what square you move to.)

Alleah - Dam. 0
Bliss - Dam. 0
Kezzem - Dam. 8
Murphy - Dam. 17-4
Pressi - Dam. 21
Shel - Dam. 6
Sky - Dam. 20
Mookie - Dam. 0
Meko - Dam. 0

Ogress - AC 15 - Dam. 8+49 - DEAD

Murphy-Earth Elemental (Kim) AC 20 HP 59/66 CMD 17 d20+29=48 ;
Wednesday February 22nd, 2017 5:22:38 AM

Over the past couple of rounds, as they pull out the chests, and take what is inside, earth elemental Murphy has been presenting a case to the momentarily quiescent giant and her ladies-in-waiting.

As Jances speaks common, and the orcs, he tells them in common,

"Dolp sends hill giants and others against Crescent Valley. They attack, plunder, capture, and eat halflings.

"Hrapin and Krusk watched over a halfling roasting on a spit. Hrapin and Krusk are now dead.

"Gurtha struck a halfling on the head with a hammer, calling him 'food.' Beatrix also attacked. Gurtha and Beatrix are now dead.

"Thom and Jherry tried to kill the halflings. Thom and Jherry are dead.

"The halflings came to deal with Dolp. Dolp promised to eat one of this group. Dolp attacked the halflings. Dolp is dead.

"Do you see a pattern here?

"Are you a giant? Do you attack halflings? You will die.

"Do you plunder us? We plunder you."

To underscore that point, earth elemental Murphy gives one of the chests a shove toward the door, it coming to rest at about W17 or X17, providing Alleah a bit of cover perhaps, should the need arise, and also being close enough that perhaps Pressi or another can grab the contents. He knows that Kezzem has a handy haversack, so can carry a fair amount of the contents acquired, if not all of them. The rolls of leathery material he has some dark suspicions as to whose skin it may be. He has no available pockets, and likely soon will be again traveling through stone, so leaves it to his companions to take these as evidence against the giants - but indicates someone else should grab them.

He continues (I figure the above was last round or so, and here is the current round).

"It is not healthy to attack halflings anymore.

"By the way - did you know that Hairshirt plots against the hill giants? He considers you his tool, to be used, then discarded.

"Tell your people: Leave the halflings alone. Leave Crescent Valley alone. Because, if you do not, war will leave many, many of you dead. And you will never rule the valley. It is not yours."

In halfling he says, "Shel, be ready to roast them if they attack."

He drags the middle chest behind him as he moves to W17. His parting words are,

"We go, you remain."

Readied action, should only one try to attack us, call lightning upon that individual attacker, or upon Jances if she is among the attackers. [If a hero point is necessary to do this, then he will expend it. - DM may roll 3d6, DC17]

==========
Perception: 48

Active effects on Murphy:
Mage Armor - 56.6 minutes
Longstrider - 476.7 minutes
Freedom of Movement - 77.1 minutes
Call Lightning - 5 charges of 3d6 for next 5.4 minutes
Currently wildshaped as medium earth elemental
For Pressi: Bear's Endurance - 4.9 minutes

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 21 (27), HP 58 (53/74), CMD 27; magic vest, barkskin, mage armor, bears endurance, orc form
Wednesday February 22nd, 2017 4:39:25 PM
"Ok, I guess I can go back and help you raid a group that you insist won't fight us," she said. "Personally, I'm just done with this place. And yeah, that wavering spell looks not at all panic inducing."

"And don't you talk to those orcs like that," she yelled at Jances. "I will rip that weave from your head, followed by the rest of your body. I will drop you like a stage crew drops Dwarven mimes."

She moved over towards the other chest to take the contents. (If she has movement left - base speed 40 - she makes her way back.) As she took the contents, she softened.

"We can still help you," Pressi told the girls. "Do you have anywhere to go? Will you be safe here if we leave you, maybe with some money? You don't have to stay here or fight us. We had to kill Dolp for our lives and freedom. We can still give you your lives and freedom back."

----------------

Effects

Magic Vestment - +1 (enhancement) AC for 4 hrs, 56 mins
Barkskin - +3 (natural) AC for 56 mins
Mage Armor +4 (force) AC for 56 minutes, replaces the +1 bracelets
Bears Endurance +4 con for 4.9 mins
orc form for 57 mins: +2 str, medium size, darkvision, etc.

used: 3/5 stunning fists, 3/4 ki

Alleah (sub by Cayzle)
Wednesday February 22nd, 2017 9:26:53 PM

[OOC: Not sure if Rob needs a sub today ... so here's this!]

Alleah concentrates on the calming magic. For the later rounds, she uses her move actions to pick up some loot and then to get ready to depart. During the last round, she has moved out of the secret room and toward the exit.

"We should all be out -- with the door closed -- by the time my spell ends," she says.

Alleah (sub by Cayzle)
Wednesday February 22nd, 2017 9:29:30 PM

Bliss thinks about grabbing some loot, but he c an only carry a little. He grabs the silver raven, though. "Look Mookie! You're new best friend!"

Oh joy," says Mookie.

Looking at all the coins, Bliss adds, "When you get big, Mookie, you can carry a lots of stuff."

"Oh boy," says Mookie.

Bliss is careful to make sure he and Mookie are out of the room and headed for the exit when Alleah's spell ends.

Shel Gerald--AC 18/16/14--CMD 17--HP 51/51
Wednesday February 22nd, 2017 9:31:56 PM
Shel holds her position, holding her staff of fire at the ready, hands slightly trembling. Maybe Murphy and Pressi are having some luck talking, she thought. "Listen to them, lady biguns. I don't want to have to set you all on fire...we don't have to fight now."

OOC: ready an action to fireball the ladies, if they move to attack.

Sky & Meko (Marty) HP:46/61; Ac:22 & Meko HP:42/42 Ac: 18(MA:22)
Thursday February 23rd, 2017 12:45:07 AM
Sky stands ready to shoot all 3 arrows into an attacker, if they do so.

With previous rounds, Sky will carry what ever he can, (not sure what is left to grab)

We don't need to be killing, but we will if need be. Just know that if you attack, Dolp had a better chance, an he didn't survive.

DM Mark - Dolp's Harem d100=61 ; d100=68 ; d20=12 ;
Thursday February 23rd, 2017 1:02:25 AM
Round 35+

The treasure is gathered.

Murphy lays out his case that action against halflings is hazardous to their health. Then he readies an action to zap them if they attack. They seem to hear him, but are unimpressed.

Pressi admonishes the giantess’ beratement of the orc women. The orcs are clearly at the bottom of this totem pole. Perhaps Pressi sees something of the hopelessness in these women that she once knew, and takes pity on them. Nothing in their flat looks suggest anger or fear in any of them. She offers to help them or leave them some money. Almost in unison, the four not dead women quickly but calmly respond that leaving the money would be great. All of it.

Alleah continues to hold the Calm Emotions spell against these women. Concentrating, she leaves the room and recommends the others do the same.

Bliss leaves the room with Mookie. Bliss grabs the small, magic raven figurine.

Shel stays in the room, ready to cast a Fireball at the first sign of provocation. Sky back her up, also ready with his bow if there is trouble.

As Alleah’s spell expires, the women back away from you. They look both mad and fearful. And determined. The ogress looks at Pressi, “So, what about that gold?” The giantess asks, “What are you little pipsqueaks going to do with us?”

[We do not need to remain in combat rounds at this time. I’m still keeping track of relative time. What now?]

Here is your map for reference, though I am not updating it at this time.

Alleah - Dam. 0
Bliss - Dam. 0
Kezzem - Dam. 8
Murphy - Dam. 13
Pressi - Dam. 21
Shel - Dam. 6
Sky - Dam. 20
Mookie - Dam. 0
Meko - Dam. 0

Murphy-Earth Elemental (Kim) AC 20 HP 59/66 CMD 17 d8+1=4 ;
Thursday February 23rd, 2017 2:55:47 AM

In halfling earth-Murphy says, "Go ahead, begin to exit, friends. Whoever has the silver, please put half of it into one or more bags, and hand it over to me. He touches Pressi, "I'll say a few words, you say what you like, then let's you and me be the last to leave." As he touches her, Pressi receives a CLW for 4 hp.

He turns to the four female biguns, speaking common.

"I have seen an ogre have halfling friends. I have worked with giants. Rather than trying to harm or take advantage of the other, there is mutual respect, and mutual help. I can tell by your use of the word 'pipsqueaks' that mutual respect is not yet in your mind, as though size determines merit.

"Of course you feel angry toward us. You think we violated your rights. However, seeing that your people kill and eat halfling kind, of course THEY are angry with you giants who do such, who support such. The right to life for the innocent should not be violated. Hill giants and ogres are guilty of that as regards the small ones.

"Through trade, giants and little ones could help each other. The halflings are excellent farmers. Are you giants good at farming? Yet, like as not, there are good things you could trade for with them for the food they grow. Maybe some of you could learn to farm well, too.

"But, if you think you can walk into halfling lands and kill and feast on them - those verdant lands would become as barren as the valley outside this cave has become, if you had your way. But, as we have demonstrated today, we and many many others will never allow that to come to pass.

"If all you understand is force, then we can speak that language. But, if you can be smarter than that, wiser than that - then, who knows - with mutual respect, perhaps those as large as you, and as small as my friends, could find a way to help each other, rather than kill each other. Eating sentient beings is evil. Stop doing that.

"Gold? Giants plunder our people. We want you to taste what that is like. No gold we leave. Half of the silver, though - you may keep. As a token that, at present, our goal is not to wipe your people out. However, if you feel some pain at loss, if you can find it in your soul to pity your own loss - loss of loved ones, loss of treasure, perhaps you may realize that you are causing similar pain to the 'pipsqueaks' you and your kind plan war against. Is there any possibility in the Wold that any one of you could find it in your heart to pity the poor family of the halfling your cooks have roasted, and perhaps some of you have eaten?

"We will give you time to think. Will your thoughts be limited to the notion of revenge? Remember - Dolp and his people started this against the sort of people I am with. They consider this justice, and a warning. Will any of you think higher thoughts than vengeance? Such as pity, kindness, forgiveness, love of someone other than your own kind? I doubt it. But one can always engage in wishful thinking."

Once Pressi is done saying whatever she may have to say, he adds, "We will leave you here in this room. On the way out we will cast a few spells. It should be safe for you to leave this room after an hour. Think things over." He sets down with a solid clink the bag (or bags) filled with half of the silver off to one side, escorts orc-Pressi out the room, shuts the door.

One more thing: He has been considering what he might do as an earth elemental to move or shape stone, or at least break it, cause it to fall. He wants to try to meld or form the stone of the walls to join with that of the door. If he can think of a way, he will try it. If not, as a druid there may be a possibility. As he walks through the doorway, he prays earnestly to Eberyon that he grant him the power to shape stone, substituting stone shape for plant growth - and, along with the prayer, spending a hero point to allow the substitution. If this works, he casts stone shape, melding adjacent stone with the door(s). He figures that Jances and Sas are strong enough to break through, given a bit of time.

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 49/57
Thursday February 23rd, 2017 5:45:03 AM
Alleah backs out of the room and heads back to the main section of the cave. She grabs anything she can off the table (OOC: I think there was mention of some sketches?) and also looks for any other souvenirs she can take to remember this occasion. Maybe some wolf fangs, a blanket or two. Pretty much anything she can fit in her bag of holding.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 63/74, CMD 20; Active Effects: Elixir of Hiding, Heroism
Thursday February 23rd, 2017 10:45:13 AM
"Wow, and I thought I talked to much," says Kezzem after Murphey's speech. "Let's make like bastinados and beet feet before they break on through to the other side."

Alleah (sub by Cayzle)
Thursday February 23rd, 2017 3:01:37 PM
Bliss dashes ahead of the party back to Mookie. Assuming the familiar has not yet seen anything untoward, Bliss sneaks out to see the sitch and then comes back to make a report.

Hopefully he will be able to say the coast is clear, so get back on your disguises and let's blow this popsicle stand.

[Sorry for terse post; home with sick kid today.]

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 21 (27), HP 58 (53/74), CMD 27; magic vest, barkskin, mage armor, bears endurance, orc form
Thursday February 23rd, 2017 3:38:39 PM
"Leaving all the money can be great?" Pressi repeated. "See, now we can be friends."

"Seriously, we are glad to give you money for silence but we can also give you more. We can get you out of here if you were in trouble. We can get you to a place you want to go. Or we can help make it look better for you. Not that I would have taken it back when I was in your shoes. I get that. But our offer does stand."

Per Murphy's instructions, she leaves half the silver (500 sp aka 50 gp). After a moment of staring, Pressi sighs and drops another 50 gp worth of jewelry into the pile without saying a word.

She turns to follow Murphy. "Let's go."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 21 (27), HP 58 (57/74), CMD 27; magic vest, barkskin, mage armor, bears endurance, orc form
Thursday February 23rd, 2017 4:18:23 PM
Header Update

Shel Gerald--AC 18/16/14--CMD 17--HP 51/51
Thursday February 23rd, 2017 6:54:11 PM
Shel follows close behind the others, not saying a word as the giant harem backs away from the group. She scurries along with the group, ready to exit the cave when presented with the opportunity.

DM Mark - Dolp's Harem d100=59 ; d100=38 ; d20=2 ;
Friday February 24th, 2017 1:05:29 AM
Murphy, in a stoney form and a gravelly voice, lectures the only remaining beings in the cave complex that the party has not killed about peace, love and understanding. Then he gives them some some silver pieces, explaining the party will take the rest of the gold so these concubines understand what it’s like to have their money taken. The women back away from him, and from the corpse of an ogress lying in a pool of blood on the floor.

Murphy prays to Eberyon to change his spells, but senses no change. He is unable to affect the stone door beyond what he could normally do.

Pressi seems to have a soft spot for these women. She even leaves about 50 GP of the jewelery for them.

As Pressi goes, the giantess says, “If you killed Dolp, then Hairshirt will be in charge now. I hope he rewards you well.” The others look sullen and remain silent.

As Alleah leaves, she grabs any papers from the central table. All she gets are a couple crudely made drawiings - one is a wolf, and one seems to be a naked woman. These hill giants do not seem to have been a very literate bunch.

Kezzem, Shel and Bliss move out. Sky and Meko follow along. Bliss peers out into the larger camp area. If anyone alerted others about what happened in Dolp’s cave either help has not yet arrived, or no one cared.

As you all exit the cave complex, you seem to go unnoticed. Maybe. What precautions do you take? Where do you go? Some of you are still injured.

Alleah - Dam. 0
Bliss - Dam. 0
Kezzem - Dam. 8
Murphy - Dam. 13-4
Pressi - Dam. 21
Shel - Dam. 6
Sky - Dam. 20
Mookie - Dam. 0
Meko - Dam. 0

DM Mark - Clarification
Friday February 24th, 2017 11:01:08 AM
Another player posed a couple questions. Here are come clarifications for all:

Time? Let's call it round 38 relative to the earlier tracking.

Hairshirt's cave? Last you recall, a goblin pointed you in a general direction. That was about a half a mile across this valley filled with encamped giants and ogres. You also see orcs and goblins scurrying around working and trying not to become a target. And wolves here and there.

Still disguised? Bliss is, though he is actually actually rather conspicuous when he's not hiding. There are no goblin children here - goblins raise their children in pens. Alleah looks like a goblin, Pressi looks like an orc, and Murphy looks like an ambulatory rock. Then you have Sky, Kezzem and Shel. And a wolf and a bird. You do see wolves about, but you notice it would be unusual to see a goblin leading or riding a wolf.

Bliss (AC30, HP56) & Diminutive Mookie (AC34, HP28) (Cayzle) d20+1=18 ;
Friday February 24th, 2017 12:10:31 PM

Bliss, standing in the outer cave, whispers to his friends.

"It's only been four minutes. Most of our buffs and elixers are still good. Except we've used up a bunch of magic. We would need invisibility for Sky, Kezzem and Shel, and would it last long enough for us to get to Hairshirt's Cave? Murphy can walk under us, right? Are we even up for tackling Hairshirt? How long would it take us to get there ... and find the right cave? Should we hide and rest up? Try for Hairshirt tomorrow?"

Mookie, entranced with the silver raven, looks it over for a word of command hidden on it. Mookie's Spellcraft to ID a magic item, at +1, is an 18! But oh well, he would need a nat 20.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 63/74, CMD 20; Active Effects: Elixir of Hiding, Heroism
Friday February 24th, 2017 12:40:42 PM
"I'm still a sneaky little bugger," says Kezzem. "And I still have my daggers. But I will need more time to come up with some inspirational limericks if you want before we take on Hairshite's Cave."

Murphy-Earth Elemental (Kim) AC 20 HP 66/66 CMD 17 d20+1=21 ; d8+1=8 ; d8+1=7 ; d8+1=9 ; d8+1=9 ; d8+1=3 ; d8+1=4 ; d8+1=3 ; d8+1=9 ;
Friday February 24th, 2017 3:01:20 PM

"We need to rest, rejuvenate, before we even think about taking on Hairshirt, if that is what we are going to do," Murphy says in a gravelly whisper. "Four times a day I can change shape. I've done so three times - eagle, bat, and now earth elemental." He gives an earthy smile. "It's fun to swim through rock and dirt."

He adds, "I know right where Hairshirt's cavern is. I flew there a few hours ago." His countenance grows dark. "A halfling was partly chopped up, getting ready to be cooked." He broods for a moment. "Dolp's lady said that now Hairshirt is in charge, with Dolp gone."

"Ideally, we would go to attack him now. We might prevail. But our firepower will be much less. Also, would it be safe to return and remain overnight in our cave? A few of the goblins know where we are holed up. As the rest of you return there for now, I could burrow up the hillside a ways, and once up a few hundred feet, change into a smallish bird, first watch what happens as people discover what happened in the cave. After that, do some scouting, find another spot for us, then meet you at our current cave, and guide you to a new spot."

"By the way, friends all, you did well."

He uses the CLW wand twice more on Pressi (9 = translate the d20+1 - since max was rolled, max healing - and 8, for 17 total), and once for himself (7), then Shel (9), Kezzem (9), Sky (3+4+3+9=19) [Note for MarkB - due to earlier uses of CLW (I think you missed one in his running total, and the 4 you assigned to Murph was actually for Pressi), Murph is at full - and all at full hp except for Sky, down 1hp. CLW wand has 12 charges left.]

Bliss (AC30, HP56) & Diminutive Mookie (AC34, HP28) (Cayzle)
Friday February 24th, 2017 3:10:01 PM

Bliss starts giggling and has a really hard time getting it under control when Kezzem refers to "Hairshite"!

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 49/57
Friday February 24th, 2017 7:11:31 PM
"I definitely need some rest, unless Hairshirt can be critically wounded by a prestidigitation cantrip"

"If we find a cave to hole up in, I have a silent image wand we could use to conceal the entrance. We could make it seem the cave wasn't there at all while everyone rests"

Shel Gerald--AC 18/16/14--CMD 17--HP 51/51
Friday February 24th, 2017 8:38:03 PM
"First, we need to get out of sight, while we decide, I think. But, if Alleah's magic would block off the front of the cave, that might be worth our time. I could use with a break to recharge my magic.". On cue, Shel casts Invisibility on herself, which should last for the duration of the conversation.

Sky & Meko (Marty) HP:46/61; Ac:22 & Meko HP:42/42 Ac: 18(MA:22)
Saturday February 25th, 2017 4:40:33 AM
I think resting is a good idea as well. Stone giants are a bit tougher than the hill giants like Dolp. I'd bet Dolp has been second in command, now I doubt he was smart enough to realize that. While thanks to you all I'm cured and ready to go, but your alls magic helped out a lot, I'd say we'll need it again. I say we head back and use the illusion thing you mentioned Alleah.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 21 (27), HP 58 (57/74), CMD 27; magic vest, barkskin, mage armor, bears endurance, orc form
Sunday February 26th, 2017 11:16:08 PM
Sorry, didn't get a chance to post.

Pressi considered. Hitting the drinking area again to overhear changes in rumors. But she agrees to head back to camp.

Sky & Meko (Marty) HP:46/61; Ac:22 & Meko HP:42/42 Ac: 18(MA:22)
Monday February 27th, 2017 12:43:06 AM
After a few moments of thought,

but how do we get back to camp? Any suggestions? I still have my invisibility potion, but we might need that to get into Hairshirts cave tmw...

DM Mark - Babies! d100=87 ; d100=60 ; d20=5 ;
Monday February 27th, 2017 12:44:47 AM
Plans and next steps are discussed. The general consensus seems to be for rest before any more fighting. Alleah suggests that she could cover the entrance to a hiding cave with an illusion. Shel casts invisibility on herself.

The party moves cautiously out of the cave, back the direction you’d originally come from. Shortly after you start out, you are spotted by a goblin and he gestures silently for you to approach. As you advance, you recognize the goblin Knucklehead, and he seems very glad to see you. He rushes forward and grabs Alleah’s goblin hand.

“Oh, me so glad to see you survived, I tells you that pickle protect you! You comes back with us, the others want to see if you alive! Come!”

He accompanies you, and you arrive at the goblin camp you left. You see a mixture of happiness and anger at your appearance, and the goblins there seem to be muttering and exchanging coins and juicy bugs from losers to winners.

The one eyed goblin named Socket has his knife out and gestures with it as he speaks, but not in a threatening manner. “So. You survived. How far you get into Dolp’s lair before he sends you packing? Me surprised you ain’t been et.” The fat goblin named Bungleak says, “Yeah, me loose money on you. How’d you gets out?” Bizig whom you first met says, “Me knew you makes it back. What happen? Did you see Dolp? How you escape? Knucklehead sure happy you back, or one of you at least.”

Knuckle has not let go of Alleah’s hand. “Oooo so glad. You strong an brave! We make some brave babies! Wanna start now?”

There are other camps not far from you, some goblin and orc, some giant. Given the general din, it seem unlikely they’d overhear you unless you raise your voices.

Alleah - Dam. 0
Bliss - Dam. 0
Kezzem - Dam. 8-9
Murphy - Dam. 9
Pressi - Dam. 21-4-17
Shel - Dam. 6-9
Sky - Dam. 20-19
Mookie - Dam. 0
Meko - Dam. 0

Murphy-Earth Elemental (Kim) AC 20 HP 66/66 CMD 17 d20+22=24 ; d20+22=26 ; d20+22=25 ;
Monday February 27th, 2017 5:52:23 AM

If no one else thought of it, Murphy took the multiple ringed ears necklace belonging to one of the ogres. He changed back to his halfling self, stuck the necklace into a bag and then inside his haversack, just before the group left the caverns. His head he covers with a cloak, and some shabby piece of cloth torn from a non-bloody portion of one of the ogre's clothing.

"Thank you for the blessed pickle you gave her, there, Knuckle." He will leave it to the discretion of others as to how much they decide to tell their goblin allies.

He considers the multiplicity of empty caves he has looked into so far on both sides of the valley.

To the goblins, he says, "What do you say about going to the other side of the valley? Take us there, and we can get you a bit of silver, a bit of gold."

He expects within the next, oh, say half hour to hour, to hear some great din coming from the area the party left behind. In halfling (and Sylvan, for Bliss's sake), he suggests that before that happens, the group works its way across the valley, and holes up in one of the caves he found in the vicinity of the other leader's area.

Murphy is also keeping his eyes and ears alert to the presence of Castor, the invisible goblin whom they lost track of earlier.

==========
Perception: 24 before leaving cave, 26 on way back, 25 when with goblins - looking for Castor

Active effects on Murphy (figuring about 10 minutes passed?):
Mage Armor - 46.6 minutes
Longstrider - 466.7 minutes
Freedom of Movement - 67.1 minutes

[Note: Looks like you inadvertently dropped one of the CLW, for 9 hp, Murphy cast with Feb 15 post - so he should be at full hp. All others' hp look fine - Sky is down by 1, all others full]

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 63/74, CMD 20; Active Effects: Elixir of Hiding, Heroism
Monday February 27th, 2017 6:26:47 AM
"There once was of the goblin with a pickle,
He has a girlfriend who is quite fickle,
For batting her eyes,
Was not very wise,
Cause now the goblin wanted to tickle."

Kezzem then looks at Alleah, "Sorry, but you guys are so cute together."

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 49/57
Monday February 27th, 2017 6:37:28 AM
"Alleah doesn't want babies now. Not ready for relationship or responsibility. Need to roam free" She says, looking sincerely to Knucklehead "Besides, Knucklehead deserves better. Other goblin women be lucky to have him"

That's about as tactful as Alleah can be.

"Now. We need rest. Safe cave nearby?"

Murphy- Head-covered halfling (Kim) AC 19 HP 66/66 CMD 17
Monday February 27th, 2017 3:58:02 PM

Murphy smiles at Kezzem's limerick, and Alleah's deflection.

"Uh, nearby, across the valley?" prompts Murphy. "Let's go over there first, then rest." He is ready to move out now. "We can fix dinner over there."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 21 (27), HP 58 (57/74), CMD 27; magic vest, barkskin, mage armor, bears endurance, orc form d20+14=30 ;
Monday February 27th, 2017 4:18:55 PM
Pressi laughed out loud at Alleah. "Yeah, sorry gobby. Ain't going to chain down this party girl. You try to catch flame, you are going to get burnt. Though if you do change your mind, the Dancing Pig does have a two month wait list for all catered events. I can try talking to them, because you are family, but I can't promise anything."

Since nobody answered Socket, Pressi answered for them. "We walked out. Killed basically everyone in the cave that angered us, killed Dolp, raided their fridge, made some long distance phone calls, stole the ballots that would have made "La La Land" best picture.... standard operating procedure, really.

"So yeah, I think it might be time to find some place to rest, recover, and decide our second act."

---------------

As the rest of the group waits and plans, Pressi, back in her halfling form, sits by the side, the drawings of the naked woman and the wolf flipping through her hands. Any comments inevitably made by teammates gets ignored as she tries to figure out why these pictures....

"In my death I had a vision of two wolves in the forest," the priestess had said.

Setting the pictures down, she reached in her bag and pulled out one of the leathery rolls. "Lets see what secrets you have," she tells it as she unrolls the leather slowly.

(Perception 30).

Bliss (AC30, HP56) & Diminutive Mookie (AC34, HP28) (Cayzle) d20+9=10 ;
Monday February 27th, 2017 6:23:11 PM

Bliss feels anxious in the goblin camp. He stays hidden and thinks about either going scouting or summoning a cauldron to sleep under.

Mookie interrupts these musings, bringing over the wondrous figure of the silver raven to his master. "Kid! Hey, Kid! Show me how to turn on this fembot."

Bliss grins. "Well, you can start by buying her a drink."

Mookie caws and falls over, laughing. "I see I ain't wasting my time with you, after all, Kid!"

Bliss casts Detect Magic and Guidance, then peers at the magic item. Spellcraft check is a nat 1.

"Sorry, I got no idea, Mooks old pal. Go ask Miss Shel or Miss Alleah."

The raven walks over to the casters in the party.

"Hey! Any of youse dames got an Identify for this old thing?"

"Pretty please?"

Shel Gerald--AC 18/16/14--CMD 17--HP 51/51 d20+21=39 ;
Monday February 27th, 2017 6:46:46 PM
Invisible Shel takes a close look at the figurine and casts Identify. She reveals everything she can figure out about it to Bliss.

She moves to Murphy, and adds, "That's a good plan, Murphy. If Dolp gets discovered, we need to be as far away as possible. The other side of the valley sounds good to me."

DM Mark - The LAnd of the Giants
Tuesday February 28th, 2017 1:21:17 AM
Murphy, having changed back to his halfling form, hides beneath his cloak. Then he removes some clothing from one of the ogres to throw over himself. Whew - what a stench! This ogre clothing has not been washed in a while. Murphy resists the urge to retch. He also makes sure he has that string of dried ears, which makes him want to retch again.

Most are amused at Alleah’s romantic dilemma. It even inspires Kezzem to poetry, which is no small feat, as he has to rhyme with the word “pickle.”

Alleah, however, is not amused by Knucklehead’s advances. She launches into the time honored it’s-not-you-it’s-me response to her would-be suitor. Knucklehead looks crestfallen. Once again, you see a mixture of happiness and anger amongst the goblins, as they exchange coins and juicy bugs from losers to winners. Knucklehead spits on the ground and walks away, sullen and silent.

Pressi responds to Socket’s question, answering that your group killed all in Dolp’s lair. This is met with scoffs and looks of disbelief, and a few shrewd and appraising looks at the halflings. Pressi puzzles over the crude drawings, and then looks at the 6 thick rolls of parchment. Her discovery is more horrific than the string of ears, as she finds that these are whole skins of human women, carefully preserved and rolled up. Rolled up in one of them is a piece of paper that reads, “Uthvas.”

Bliss and Mookie discuss the silver raven figurine, and they ask if anyone can identify it. Shel does, and finds that it is a:

Silver Raven Figurine of Wondrous Power - This silver figurine turns into a raven on command (but it retains its metallic consistency, which gives it hardness 10). Another command sends it off into the air, bearing a message just like a creature affected by an animal messenger spell. If not commanded to carry a message, the raven obeys the commands of its owner, although it has no special powers or telepathic Abilities. It can maintain its nonfigurine status for only 24 hours per week, but the duration need not be continuous.

At the offer of coin to lead you all across the valley, Bizig and Gutplug enthusiastically offer to lead you, but not for less than 5 gold for each of you, including the wolf - 40 gold in all! Mookie is offended he does not count, but is smart enough to keep his mouth shut. The rest of the goblins immediately begin to argue that this is not fair, and before you know it you have 8 goblins competing to lead you for this price. Even Knucklehead seems to have shaken off his sulking at the opportunity to earn some money. Eventually, all agree to go and split the coins.

The goblins show you that with cloaks drawn over your heads and carrying wood or rocks, you look much like the goblins moving through the camps at various tasks and chores. You also find that Meko can simply follow a few paces behind and go largely unnoticed. He makes the goblins nervous. You are occasionally stopped, but one of your new goblin friends quickly moves up to make a threat or an excuse, and you’re on your way again. It takes you about half an hour to cross the valley.

As you go, there is some commotion that erupts in the camp. You see stone giants moving here and there barking orders. The goblins will learn and tell you that rumors are spreading that Dolp was attempting to summon some demons to defeat the stone giants, but that the demons turned on him and he was torn to shreds for his folly. The stone giants offer that Hairshirt will bring together all the giants, and lead them to victory and riches and food. They say that Hairshirt is even negotiating for additional giant allies.

The goblins look at you all with a mixture of fear and respect. It seems they bear no loyalty or love for any giant here. Some murmur that you may all be demons in disguise. Having crossed the encampment, the goblin await their payment. What do you give them? Where now? How to you secure your area to rest?

Murphy- Head-covered halfling (Kim) AC 19 HP 66/66 CMD 17 d20+22=39 ;
Tuesday February 28th, 2017 4:39:23 AM

Despite his early revulsion at the stench of the ogre's clothing, Murphy knows that, where olifactory issues are concerned, one can move from being overwhelmed to growing accustomed to, if not fond of, strong smells.

Murphy asks Kezzem to pull out 100 gp from what he gathered from the giants. He tells the goblins, "Here is what we promised to pay you," trying to distribute the pay in a manner that does not draw too much attention to the group, each one getting his 6 gold pieces - 42 gp total (two more than they had asked for - but there are 7 of them). As he is paying Knucklehead, he slips him a folded letter, and whispers, "This is a love letter. Write your name at the bottom. Write the name of your love at the top. Don't do it now - save it for later."

To the goblins in general, he says, "Take turns to watch over the area overnight. Some of us will sleep, some of us will watch. An hour before the sun rises, I will be awake. Tell me - tell us who are awake then - what you have learned overnight. Just listen. Don't ask too many questions. Just find out what others around the camp are saying. Each of you will get more gold pieces if you have good information, and a few silver pieces, too. Do you agree?"

Murphy earlier in the day had flown into or near several caves off to the left of Hairshirt's cave entrance. Based upon what he had seen, he recommends to the party whichever one seems to have the most to recommend it, and not too close to Hairshirt's place (maybe 5 to 15 caves down).

Once the cave is chosen, Murphy quietly discusses with the party members the following. He reminds them they were told that orcs and goblins usually sleep during the day; giants usually sleep at night - but these giants seem to stay up pretty late. "Best time to attack? Between 6 and 9 in the morning, maybe?"

Murphy prays for spells at about 7 every morning. "How does attack half past eight sound? We have breakfast, we prepare in other ways, then try operation decapitation phase two. How do we get in? This time around the guards may be on a higher stage of alertness."

He adds that the invisible goblin, Castor, may be informing or helping out Hairshirt, now that Dolp is gone.

==========
Perception: 39

Active effects on Murphy upon arrival at stone giants' side of valley:
Mage Armor - 16.6 minutes
Longstrider - 436.7 minutes
Freedom of Movement - 37.1 minutes

Murphy (Kim) LOGISTICS
Tuesday February 28th, 2017 4:45:26 AM
TACTICS & LOGISTICS

Murphy lays out his spell selection, discussing options with others in the party, especially spell casters and Mookie, but including anyone who wants to be in on tactics. He may be open to tweaking his spell selection.

Murphy's Druidic Spells Memorized by morning:
Cantrips: (DC14) Create Water; Detect Magic; Know Direction; Purify Food & Drink
1st level: (DC15) CLW; Expeditious Excavation; Faerie Fire; Longstrider; Speak with Animals; Obscuring Mist; Spontaneous: Summon Nature's Ally I
2nd level: (DC16) Bear's Endurance; Cat's Grace (or Owl's Wisdom); 2x Soften earth & stone (or 1 of SE&S, and 1 of Flaming Sphere); Wind Wall; Spontaneous: SNA II; Pearl of Power 1 to repeat one 1st level spell a day
3rd level: (DC17) Call Lightning; CMW; 2x Stone Shape (or 1 SS and 1 Neutralise Poison); Gaseous Form; Spontaneous: SNA III
4th level: (DC18) Freedom of Movement (or Spike Stones); Flame Strike; Ice Storm; Air Walk; Spontaneous: SNA IV

He can shape-change into up to four creatures a day, including elementals, various birds, mammals, reptiles, and the like. He is also a perception monkey.

TAKE ONE, PLEASE: Murphy offers the following items for anyone to take and use as their own:
- This hammer can hammer nails and spikes into any hard surface - including a Wall of Force - with a DC15 Str check. (Loses potency 12/6/2017)
- Caterpillar’s Mushroom of Growth - This small mushroom may be popped in the user’s mouth as an immediate action, and will act as an Enlarge Person spell, lasting 1 minute. Usable only once. (Loses potency 12/6/2017)
- A stage dagger. The unsharpened but dangerous-looking blade retracts into the handle for sparring practice or the theatre. (Works thus until February 20, 2018) (Shel and Cayzle have stage daggers, too)
- Large two-key lock. This large lock requires two keys to be turned in unison to open. The two keys are included - all kept in a velvet pouch. (Works until 1/3/2018)

-- Please indicate if you take one of these items, and add it to your character sheet.

Bliss (AC30, HP56) & Mookie (AC34, HP28) (Cayzle)
Tuesday February 28th, 2017 9:48:44 AM

Mookie bows to Shel, saying, "Thanks, toots, you're the tops."

He commands the silver raven to turn into a real raven, then to bow to Shel and say thank you, then to turn off. She does so.

[OOC: Used one round of 14,400 allowed this week! Woot!]

Bliss and Mookie travel with the group to the new location, and he helps pitch in for goblin payment if needed. When it is time to rest, Bliss casts his Cauldron Summoning spell for shelter for the night. That's good for total cover, with Bliss and Mookie sleeping under it when it is not their watch.

From within the cauldron, Bliss says, "Mookie, your new girlfriend is too hard to make a good pillow."

The familiar caws, "Well, get your head off her then, duh. And next time call a bigger cauldron!"

There are many sounds of shifting and moving around in there until things settle down.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 22, HP 63/74, CMD 20; Active Effects: Elixir of Hiding, Heroism
Tuesday February 28th, 2017 11:52:42 AM
"You know Alleah, Knucklehead seems awfully keen to make those babies," says Kezzem. "Nothing crude, he's always talking about making babies. He must really want to be a dad. I bet he'd be a fun dad."

Kezzem assists Murphey in passing out the coins to the goblins. "You get some gold pieces! You get some gold pieces! Everybody get's some gold pieces!"

"So what's for dinner?"

Alleah -- RobC -- AC 19/13/17 -- CMD 13 -- HP 49/57
Tuesday February 28th, 2017 7:17:36 PM
Alleah feels a little sad that she had to say no to Knucklehead. She didn't expect him to fall that hard or that quick. "I wonder what mother would have thought if I'd brought a goblin home?"

"I really need to rest and recover my spells. If I can do that during the first watch like I typically do, then I can create a silent image over the entrance to the cave for the remaining watches. Should help us a little I guess"

Shel Gerald--AC 18/16/14--CMD 17--HP 51/51
Tuesday February 28th, 2017 8:33:15 PM
Shel agrees with Aleah. "I need to be on first or last watch, so I can get my rest and be prepared for the raid in the morning. Before we run off all half cocked, maybe Murphy and Bliss and Mookie can scout out Hairshirt's cave and make sure they haven't changed things around with the news about the hill Giant's death. We will need to be even more careful to get in and out unseen."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 21 (27), HP 58 (57/74), CMD 27; magic vest, barkskin, mage armor, bears endurance, orc form
Tuesday February 28th, 2017 9:04:15 PM
Pressi practically recoils from the rolls as she realizes what they are. Shoving them away, she rises to get up with the rest of the group.

She can't help but smile as the goblins begin to hear the rumors. "Do not listen to them arguing that it must be demons. They need you to believe, to fear, but even a goblin could kill Hairshirt when right is on his side. Just think about what you saw this evening."

Moving up in the order, she told Kezzem to knock it off. Turning to Alleah, she asked in all seriousness how the shy witch was doing. "I know that breaking up must be hard for you. Let me know if you ever need backup." She is capable of doing a middle watch and still recover her "spells" of punching and more punching. She also checks in with Murphy to see how he is doing.

As for his list of gear, since nobody else seems interested, she puts in a claim for the hammer or the stage dagger, leaving the enlarge mushroom for a non-shifter. As for the lock, she points out that there is only one purpose for a two key system - to make sure that the contents of the chest can't be reached by any outsider. She suggests that he either control the lock and first key or give it to someone he trusts, but someone else he trusts should get the second key.

Return To Index Next Scene (Scene 5 - Hairshirt)