Bracing for Anything - DM SteveK Monday July 8th, 2024 7:23:49 AM
Nira agrees with Ramierez, let's not chance it! No one can hear anything from the outside, but the ex-slaves start to understand the heroes are concerned, which is enough for them to all find hiding places among the bric-a-brac and stay out of the way!
The elf maid quickly moves to the cauldron and looks inside. The Jungle Scene is blazing with fire and explosions! Nira commands the image to change from the Jungle scene to Dirt City, and the image wavers, then shows the courtyard of Tide House...
But something is wrong.
When the heroes had last stepped from the Hut to Dirt City (ooc: DM Post 11 Jan 24), the door had been concealed as one of the doors of the east wall of the Tide House courtyard. There should be Gaffer's Tree in the center, the wall with the main entrance to the right, the mansion to the left, and the wall with Sunny's Sewing School and Cinzi's home (the night guard) opposite them.
That is not what the image shows.
Instead, the image shows an uprooted tree, splintered and burned, rubble to the right, a collapsed building to the left, and a mostly fallen wall opposite them with only enough standing to see a sign reading:
unny's wing ool
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:82/181 AC:33 F:15 R:29 W:9. CMD:39 Monday July 8th, 2024 7:57:51 AM
Oblivious to what Nira was seeing Yrul pondered important matters- such as taking a bath and changing her clothes. She'd have to give Snickit and Dabz a good clean too. Letting those two run around dirty never ended well.
"Team talk, guys." She summoned her strange assortment of friends- three ioun stones and two weapons, to conference. "You all did very well and I'd like to thank each of you for your efforts. You all contributed. Now it's time to calm down, relax and get cleaned up. You guys deserve it. Go Team!" She concluded with a broad smile.
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:-55/229; AC:29+1 haste (31+1 haste vs Maharaja)/15/27 (75%fortification) - CMD 36], DR 5/evil Monday July 8th, 2024 1:20:16 PM
Desdichado is shocked by what Nira relates. "We've only been gone a couple of days at maximum, haven't we?" He suddenly has a terrible thought. "Oh no, what if this is like the last time we were in a time bubble! It could be that decades have gone by!"
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:-55/229; AC:29+1 haste (31+1 haste vs Maharaja)/15/27 (75%fortification) - CMD 36], DR 5/evil Monday July 8th, 2024 1:22:42 PM
(Posting for Ramirez)
Ramirez asks Nira if it's possible that what the cauldron is showing might not be real, but some kind of trick.
His first thought is for any trouble that might be brewing and the slaves with them. "I say we rest up and prepare for any kind of fight outside that door. Our new friends should stay in here until we can confirm things are clear for them to be safe."
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 208/208 AC: 33(T:21/FF:26) CMD:41) Monday July 8th, 2024 6:37:01 PM
Gaffer's shoulders slump as all of the anticipation of returning home falls away into worry.
"I'd like to go out ahead and fly over the city. It'd be best to have some information incase we can't afford to wait. The hut should be safe still."
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 251/251 AC:34 T:15 FF:3 CMD:45) DR 5/- Monday July 8th, 2024 8:00:19 PM
Hmerrin is halfway to the door before Dez's words register.
The fighter forces himself to a stop. His arms are pinned to his side, as his face gradually subsides from rage to intense calm.
"Dez is right. Whatever's happened, happened. Another eight hours won't make a difference." He looks at Gaffer. "We need you to rest and recover your spells. Everyone else too."
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 32/16/28 -- CMD 25 -- HP 150/150 -- DarkVision Tuesday July 9th, 2024 1:07:16 AM
Nira is confused by the vision in the cauldron. "Time bubble? Perhaps. Maybe time flowed differently in the rak plane? Perhaps this is even a vision of a different dimension?"
She looks carefully for any signs that might indicate a significant amount of time has passed. Is the size of what remains of the tree approximate to when they left? Are there signs of any areas overrun by weeds or grasses?
"For all we know this is just a vision" she says, trying to reassure everyone - including herself - that this may not actually be what their home is like right now.
It has been a very long and challenging day. She'd be grateful for 8hrs to rest and recover spells. Nira will cast a Heal spell into the healing staff.
Looking around the room the only 2 in need of healing are Hmerrin and Des. The rest she healed following the last fight. She'll cast a Heal on Des and then some CMW spells on Hmerrin, who is less injured.
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 32/16/28 -- CMD 25 -- HP 150/150 -- DarkVision d20+33=45 ; Tuesday July 9th, 2024 1:07:45 AM Perception check for looking at the image: 45
8 Hours Later - DM SteveK Tuesday July 9th, 2024 7:10:48 AM
The heroes, one and all, at first relieved to be getting home, had been suddenly confronted with a terrible change in expectations. The majority have already called for a night's rest in the Hut, and are able to do evening activities and rest in any of the Rooms: Foyer, Medicine Room, Bedroom, Parlor, Library, Animal Lab, Music Room, or Mausoleum.
The ex-slaves, seem to prefer to huddle together in the Foyer, still in shock and fearful to even begin to hope that they have actually escaped from the Rakshasa and this isn't another insidious way for those depraved spirits to toy with them. One youngster is heard to say: I'm hungry.
Nira looks hard into the Cauldron to notice fine details about the view. With her unsurpassed Knowledge in everything (+30 skills check for any Knowledge Skill), she notes: - engineering/history. The ruin looks fresh like a raid, and not weathered at all - nature. The tree is still smoldering in places, indicating anywhere from a day to possibly weeks since it started to burn.
..................
ooc: Please provide any preparations ready before opening the Hut's Door and stepping to the Wold plane.
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:122/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Tuesday July 9th, 2024 10:50:55 AM
There really wasn't much preparing to be done for a Shadow Dancer; just some rest and some stretching. Of course, feeling 100% would be nice, but she wasn't going to ask, not when there seemed so many other more important priorities right now. One thing that she did want to know though....
"What time of day will it be when we exit? Oh and Aggerz wants to know what the weather is like, please?Aggerz is very polite - not like Snickit and Dabz, who could learn a thing or two from him." She concluded pointedly looking at each of her picks in turn.
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Tuesday July 9th, 2024 4:03:38 PM
Resting up, Desdichado feels prepared to head out into Dirt City and see what's happened. He's hoping, although doubtful, that Tombo, Sunny, Jasper, or one of the other residents might still be nearby to get some information from.
"I knew we should have set up some way for them to communicate with us," he grumbles.
(OOC: Is the group Telepathy active again once we step outside?)
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Tuesday July 9th, 2024 4:05:21 PM
(Posting for Ramirez)
Hearing that one of the youngers is hungry, Ramirez checks on whether the invisible beings in the kitchen might prepare some food. He also asks that the spirits take any food and drink requests from the others while the Tide is away.
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 31/35 mage armor) -- CMD 37 -- HP 145/145 Tuesday July 9th, 2024 4:47:18 PM
Danko casts a mage armor spell on himself before exiting the hut....
" Let's go see shall we? "
He call to his hand his rod of absorbtion before leaving the hut.
----------- Mage armor - AC +4 16 hours duration
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 261/261 AC:38 T:24 FF:30 CMD:51) DR 5/- d20+29=43 ; d20+20=35 ; Tuesday July 9th, 2024 5:39:38 PM
Hmerrin rests up, and is grateful for the healing spells from Nira.
Once he's certain everyone is ready to go, the fighter rises and heads for the door.
"Me first," he says. "If nothing explodes, Gaffer and Yrul poke out for a quick recon. Then, well, we wing it, as usual."
Hmerrin steps out of the Hut, his face a thundercloud as he surveys the scene. If anyone is out there watching, the fighter is not happy. Not happy at all. [Perception 43] [Intimidate 35]
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 208/208 AC: 33(T:21/FF:26) CMD:41) d20+38=40 ; d20+35=38 ; Tuesday July 9th, 2024 8:31:40 PM
Gaffer swaps out the talisman Vyrnx had given them, putting his amulet of mighty fists in it's place.
He casts a few quick buffs before letting the others know he is ready to head out, his mood somber.
He will step out cautiously, his ears listening, hoping for some sign of the state of the city carried through the air. His eyes linger on the smoldering remains of the tree he once joyfully brought to the center of their home. He can't help but wonder if anyone even had the opportunity to call on it's defence.
Without any obvious and immediate threat, he will shift into a hawk once more and take to the air. He flies higher than usual, in case any dangers lurk in wait in the city, as he flies in a series of circles to scan as much of the area as he can before returning to the others.
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 32/16/28 -- CMD 25 -- HP 150/150 -- DarkVision Tuesday July 9th, 2024 9:39:23 PM
Nira holds off on casting her spells and tries to pause the others before they cast theirs. "Remember, any magic we cast in here is dispelled as soon as we leave. It's best to wait until we leave and then cast them"
She otherwise takes no actions just yet and prepares to follow Hmerrin's plan. Wait until the all clear is given before leaving.
"It may be best if you all stay in here" she looks to the ex-slaves.
If Nothing Explodes... - DM SteveK Wednesday July 10th, 2024 7:08:55 AM
Ramirez goes to the parlor and asks the spirit servants if they can take requests, and the spirits seem overjoyed someone has asked! They eagerly set about to supply any one who comes to the Parlor with any food or drink they desire, and the ex-slaves turned refugees become animated. They soon learn, however, that none of the food can leave the Parlor. It is real enough in the room, but turns to fog and nothingness when passing the doorway.
Resting up, the heroes prepare as they feel is necessary. Desdichado wonders if their telepathy will return once they get to the Wold plane. Danko casts Mage Armor and Gaffer his Barkskin before Nira has time to remind her friends that ..."any magic we cast in here is dispelled as soon as we leave." Gaffer is savvy enough, however, to switch out Vrnix' Talisman with his magical amulet, knowing the Talisman is nothing more than some interesting jewelry when they step into the Wold.
Hmerrin lays out the plan, and the Tide begins to roll. The stormy fighter open the door and steps out and nothing explodes. Those inside the Hut can see him looking around. Hmerrin covers his mouth, his face beyond 'stormy', then he motions for Gaffer and Yrûl, then the others.
The refugees are nervous but seem to nod at the right times when Nira asks them to wait for an 'all clear'.
As each hero steps out (ooc: please do not read until your PC steps out of the Hut's Door) Highlight to display spoiler: { As Nira predicted, all spells cast while in the Hut are stripped away, unable to make it through from one plane to another. On a good note, as soon as a hero steps out, the telepathic bond returns and they can mind-speak with others that are also in the Wold.
Looking about to get their bearings, each hero emerging from the door quickly notices three things. First, the ruins immediately about them are definitely the only things left of Tide House; even Yrûl and her magical companions can notice this easily since they were here before. Second, behind them is the Hut, not just the Door, but it doesn't look like the Sargrass Hut that they battled. A Grubbers Shack sits in a pile of rubble like a nest, its huge chicken legs tucked up under it. Third, the place smells of carrion and death. The odor assaults the nose, choking, making it hard to breathe. The smell warns to not look too closely to the lumps barely recognized as corpses...
Lastly, everyone except Yrûl (who never actually went outside the Hut on her first visit to Dirt City) can see the cityscape is not what was expected. 'Let's see, the Arena and Wardd's Temple should be... huh? Well, one can see the Palace from anywhere in... Masts from the Harbor? The House Towers?'
Nothing rises above the ruins and rubble higher than the remains of a few single story walls.}
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:122/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 d20+26=44 ; d20+38=43 ; Wednesday July 10th, 2024 7:43:41 AM
Yrul darted out confident in her ability to evade any rude, unwelcomeness that might come her way. She wrinkled her nose at the smell. 'Well, this isn't good guys.' She sent the message to her coterie of imaginary friends, forgetting such thoughts were also transmitted to the Tide. 'By the looks of things, this is all pretty recent. We best stay alert. Maybe we can see or hear a survivor. I really don't fancy our chances of smelling one.' With that she silently crept across the debris searching for any survivors or clues as to what happen.
~~~ Perception: 44 Stealth: 43 ~~~
Please can Yrul have the approximate time of day and prevailing weather. She loves her shade :)
DM POST: It is morning, and while warm and bright, there are many long shadows amongst all the ruins.
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Wednesday July 10th, 2024 3:36:15 PM
Desdichado steps outside and looks around in despair. "What in Koshe Marr happened here?" he cries. He fears the corpses are their friends.
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Wednesday July 10th, 2024 3:38:13 PM
(Posting for Ramirez)
Stepping outside with the others, Ramirez is overcome with grief.
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 261/261 AC:38 T:24 FF:30 CMD:51) DR 5/- Wednesday July 10th, 2024 7:59:47 PM
Hmerrin shoulders slump as he realizes the devastation goes well beyond Tide House.
"Gaffer," he remarks quietly. "If you're up to it, I think we need you to get up there and see just how bad it is. Best keep yourself something small, I think."
Not knowing what else to do, the man scrambles up the nearest pile of rubble offering a decent vantage point. He wants to both get a look around and make himself visible to anybody, anybody who might be alive to see him.
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 208/208 AC: 33(T:21/FF:26) CMD:41) d20+38=51 ; Wednesday July 10th, 2024 8:30:31 PM
Hmerrin's thoughts mirror Gaffers, but he'll quietly ask Nira first "Is there anyway to make sure this is our plane?"
He takes to the sky as a hawk, flying up high to see more of the surroundings until he can understand where the devestation ends.
----- Perception: 51
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 32/16/28 -- CMD 25 -- HP 150/150 -- Arcane Sight, DarkVision, See Invisibility Wednesday July 10th, 2024 10:08:28 PM
Nira gives Hmerrin a 10second head-start before she follows through. If things were bad he would have returned by then to give a warning not to follow.
She is as stunned as the others by what she sees, and it takes a moment to fully comprehend the damage. She does her best to determine what plane they are on, hoping to all the Gods that this isn't home.
Nira freezes for a moment as something unsettling occurs to her. "Do you remember the Maharajah's final words? 'The Destroyers shall have your World'. Do you think this is his final revenge?" As bad as things look she hopes the destruction is limited to Dirt City and isn't Wold-wide.
She begins casting some protection spells while looking for any evidence of rak tracks.
-------------- Perception: 33 Knowl Planes: 40 (Take10) to recognise the current plane.
It will take her 7 rounds (42seconds) to cast her protection spells. If one fails she will stop casting them. Spells in order of casting: Overland Flight, Barkskin, Magic Vestment (clothes), Magic Vestment (shield), Moment of Prescience, Roses Temp Control, Mage Armor
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 31/35 mage armor) -- CMD 37 -- HP 145/145 d20+25=32 ; Thursday July 11th, 2024 6:29:49 AM
Once outisde, Danko recasts his mage armor. Still holding his rod of cancelling, he sprouts and unfolds his leathery dragon wings before taking to the skies....
Send { On recon... }
----------- Mage armor 16 hours
Perception 32 for anything hinting as to what happened here.
More Information - DM SteveK Thursday July 11th, 2024 7:06:54 AM
The Tide go forth into what is left of the foyer of Tide House, surrounded by the sweet-sick smell of decay, smoky and sun-baked. Hmerrin calls for some discreet scouting, Gaffer is savvy enough to ask if this may actually be a different plane, and Nira recalls the Maharaja's last words to everyone.
Gaffer and Danko fly up, and confirm the devastation is near complete. It looks like a huge wave smashed the harbor area including Grubbertown, the Scrum, the Free School, and Dockside; fire engulfed North Pack, South Pack, and Blade City; Smuggler City and the Burn looks like they were ripped by tornadoes; Cloaktown and Dartville are systematically, perfectly level; and a swath of destruction, like a child running through leaves, goes from Keyhole to the Prince’s Castle. The Temple, the Arena, Spider Park, Wardd’s Ward, Full Moon Market, Moontown, Midnight Bazaar… all destroyed and collapsed into what used to be the City Below…
The aerial scouts can't do much more than just take it in before a familiar voice is heard on the ruin Hmerrin climbed. "Yep, definitely your plane, and definitely the Maharaja's Destroyers." Shaking himself to remove a layer of dust, Gimp the Imp sits atop the wall next to the fighter, his normally impish face as dejected as an imp can possibly look. "Happened about a week ago, great monsters rose up and destroyed Dirt City. That's what the Gray Traveler told me. And he told me to come here and wait for you. Been sitting here for a week with smoke and dust covering me and waiting for you to show up."
(ooc: The other heroes can get Yrûl up to speed on who Gimp is and who the Imp works for...)
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:122/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Thursday July 11th, 2024 8:50:31 AM
Not being present at the time of this revelation Yrul continued her examination of the area. Were there any survivors?
(OOC: Dust, dirt and smoke imply plenty of shade.)
(Ooc DM Post: ) 1. all telepathic bonds are working, so Yrul has the same information even if not at the same location. 2. No hero finds any survivors. 3. Still plenty of shadows.
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Thursday July 11th, 2024 4:58:46 PM
Seeing even Gimp look miserable doesn't help Desdichado spirits at all. How can they possibly get beyond this overwhelming devastation everywhere.
"Well, thank you for waiting for us. I'm sorry you had to sit here for so long" he says to the imp. "Gray Traveler? Do we know who that is? Also, when we were confronting the Maharaja we were told that Pit Fiends were also visiting him. Is that who these Destroyers are?"
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Thursday July 11th, 2024 5:02:17 PM
(Posting for Ramirez)
Ramirez immediately recognizes the imp!
"Gimp!" he exclaims, "Thank you again for bringing me back. We were just talking with your boss, you know." The excitement of seeing Gimp quickly peters out with the devastation around them. "What kind of monsters?"
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 261/261 AC:38 T:24 FF:30 CMD:51) DR 5/- Thursday July 11th, 2024 6:05:03 PM {Gimp is here] the fighter sends out.
Answering Dez, Hmerrin sighs. "He means Gargul. And I'd think the combined might of the Houses and the Prince could deal with some pit fiends.:
The man turns to Gimp. "I assume you've a message?"
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 208/208 AC: 33(T:21/FF:26) CMD:41) Thursday July 11th, 2024 8:21:14 PM
Gaffer listens in over the telepathy but stays in the air, still reeling from the landscape laid out below him.
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 32/16/28 -- CMD 25 -- HP 150/150 -- Arcane Sight, DarkVision, See Invisibility Thursday July 11th, 2024 11:27:12 PM
Nira is now quite certain that time flowed differently for the party at some point. Whether the rak plane, Gargul's realm, or even just the hut. There's no telling how long they've really been gone but by all account it's at least 1 week.
She's quite sombre in her assessment. "This is our fault, isn't it? We went to the rakshasa home plane and provoked them. This is their response, and we're to blame"
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 31/35 mage armor) -- CMD 37 -- HP 145/145 Friday July 12th, 2024 6:23:00 AM
Winged Danko lands next to Nira and stands behind her....
" Not our fault Nira.... but we can certainly avenge Dirt City... We can become the Dirt City Agengers...."
--------- Mage armor
The Spark of an Idea - DM SteveK Friday July 12th, 2024 6:38:32 AM
Yrûl and Gaffer are about what used to be Moon Town and the Moon Market, shadowy, dragony, or hawky. They only see the aforementioned devastation and mercifully obscured mortal remains that are succumbing to time's decay. As the telepathic bonds Nira set up are functioning once again, they can continue to be a part of the conversation with Gimp, though it will have to be relayed through one of the others.
Gimp shrugs helplessly, he doesn't know anything about the monsters, not even what they looked like. "I only know what Gray Spooky told me, but I'm pretty sure even he didn't know what was gonna happen."
"But, he did tell me to tell you that this ain’t in the plans of the Traveler, nor his Friends. Nope. If only there was a way a small group of heroes could go back into the past and stop the monsters before they … “
Gimp points up at Gaffer circling the dead city. “Say, don’t he have a Stone that used to create a Time Bubble for a Teucri? That’s right, the Lord of Transition said to remind you! A little tweak with the Spark the Boss gave me, and that could be a Transporter instead of a Bubble, and you could beard each monster in their lair before they emerged to create destruction!”
................
Know Religion DC 20 (several autopasses) All the names Gimp is saying are references to Gargul. And Gargul often imbues Gimp the Imp with a portion of his powers.
Know Religion or History DC autopass for Players because it is just cool Wold history back in 2002! Highlight to display spoiler: { In the Year of Ascension (YoA), Marteus built a machine in Plateau City to kill everything in the Wold and enable him to replace Alemi as the chief god of the Wold. However, after Marteus killed most of the gods (including Domi in an epic wrestling match inside Plateau City itself!) and approached Alemi and Gargul, Gargul calmly explained that Marteus had made a critical error. He could not get to the Soul Forge without The Key. And Gargul imbued Gimp the Imp with the Spark of the key. The Adventurers of the Wold had Gimp. Marteaus could not kill the adventurers because Gargul had already made all the heroic volunteers living-dead and in the Lands of Rest. Then the Wold was re-created, all mortals alive and a new pantheon of gods, but only the Wold's adventurers knew what had happened.}
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:122/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Friday July 12th, 2024 6:44:16 AM
"Are you hearing this, Guys?" Yrûl asked her sundry, little companions, totally forgetting that others could hear her thoughts. "So, if one you knows what they're talking about, tell me. Don't be shy." She looked to each of her little friends in turn, but no helpful answers were forthcoming. "Hmm, guess none of you speak Imp either."
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Friday July 12th, 2024 5:41:14 PM
Desdichado glances toward Hmerrin and Nira when the Teucri ring is brought up. "Oh, no, no, no. Not this thing again. I think using anything Teucri voluntarily is just asking for trouble."
He sighs resignedly, knowing what's coming next.
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Friday July 12th, 2024 5:43:03 PM
(Posting for Ramirez)
"Gimp, how widespread is the damage right now? Does it go beyond the city?"
Although he wasn't present for the "Teucri Time Bubble", Ramirez has heard those that were there talk about it. "It sounds like there'd be some level of control. I think it sounds worth trying."
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 32/16/28 -- CMD 25 -- HP 150/150 -- Arcane Sight, DarkVision, See Invisibility Friday July 12th, 2024 9:45:55 PM
Nira vividly recalls the time bubble. "I was trapped inside it for a hundred years" she explains to those who weren't there for it "Until Des, Hmerrin, Gaffer and some others came and freed me"
She considers what Gimp is saying and tries to make sure she understands it. "So you 'tweak' Gaffer's stone, we travel back in time, find these monsters and deal with them before they cause trouble"
It all sounds very risky, but if it could help undo this disaster then she'd happily risk being trapped for another hundred years.
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 208/208 AC: 33(T:21/FF:26) CMD:41) Saturday July 13th, 2024 11:26:09 PM
There is an instinctual part of Gaffer that recoils at the idea of being flung through time on such a quest, but many over parts of him quickly speak up. Be it the destruction that surrounds him, or his old excitement for adventuring showing itself again... He had been quite certain the Rakshasa would be his final venture before settling down, aged and weary before his time, but it sounds like there is one more to go.
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 261/261 AC:38 T:24 FF:30 CMD:51) DR 5/- Sunday July 14th, 2024 10:29:04 AM
Hmerrin ponders Gimp's proposal as he scans the devastation.
Nira sums up what he was thinking with her question. He adds a couple more. "What kind of monsters are we talking about? How many are there? How do we get back? And is there a way to side trip to the Catacombs before we go?"
The Tide picked up quite a bit from Maharaja's palace. It'd be nice to be able to turn that in to monster hunting gear.
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 31/35 mage armor) -- CMD 37 -- HP 145/145 Monday July 15th, 2024 6:28:15 AM
Danko starts rumaging through his back pack....
" Looks like we're going monster hunting... I didn't want to live forever anyway..."
He then pulls out a roundish , yellowy piece of fruit from his bag.
" Oh nice ! A pear! Anyone else want one? "
And with a grin, he waits for the others....
Gimp's Limited Knowledge - DM SteveK Monday July 15th, 2024 7:15:57 AM
Yrûl wonders what is going on while Dez is dismally certain. Ramirez hopes for some level of control over the Time Stone this time, and Nira sums up what Gimp says with the Imp's vigorous nodding as it impulsively does a hand stand. Gaffer is quiet, bringing up the required resolve to save the Wold one more time. Hmerrin asks questions of his own, and Danko finds a pear.
Gimp somersaults over to Danko and starts rummaging with the Dragon Disciple, generally getting more in the way than helping. "Oh, yes please!"
"Um, to the Time thing, yeah, that's about it. The Gray Traveller will set it up with 5 charges: each one will take you to a monster’s prison just before they are released. As soon as the monster is no longer going to attack the Wold, the Stone will automatically bring you back to this point.”
“There were five imprisoning seals set up by that Maharaja, so I guess that means five monsters?", Gimp gives an impish grin, its obvious he doesn't know how many.
He scrunches his face up like he is concentrating. “Oh, there was something else. What was it? Oh yeah, the jingle!”
Sea, Air, Star-liv’ed, Fire and Earth arriv’ed Though immortal their coil Let heroes be the foil Avatar forms once vanquished Maharaja plot… um … Maharaja plot…
"Well, it stops, you see." Poor Gimp! He can't remember the last line!
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:122/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Monday July 15th, 2024 10:25:15 AM
"Yes please, a pear would be perfect now." Gushed Yrul animatedlly. She knew less than nothing about time travel. Was it even a thing? It was no use asking Snickit and Dabz. She shrugged. She'd done a bit of travelling and beat up up bad guys with the Tide. She'd done it once, she could do it again. Couldn't she? Of course the possibility of availing herself of something useful to help with that task was an appealing one.
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 261/261 AC:38 T:24 FF:30 CMD:51) DR 5/- Monday July 15th, 2024 5:17:28 PM OOC - 1) What treasure did we end up with from the last module?
"..squished?" Hmerrin offers hesitantly to Gimp.
"So whenever we activate this, we end up in front of a monster before any of this happened," the fighter sums up. Then extrapolates. "Meaning we have as long as we want between rounds to heal up, spell up, buff up, and otherwise prep."
He looks around. "Are the Catacombs still accessible?"
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC29/20(touch) HP 155/161 CMD32 Monday July 15th, 2024 6:01:48 PM Hmm. If it takes us to each prison right before the monster is released....will we be able to prepare defenses or will they be negated like when we walk through the door of the hut?
OOC- Ryan, thank you for covering posts last week!
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Monday July 15th, 2024 7:37:04 PM
"Anguished? Languished? Eh, I'll leave the rhyming up to Ramirez."
He thinks for a moment. "Yeah, that's a very good point. And can we use the hut as a safe place to heal up between each monster?"
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 32/16/28 -- CMD 25 -- HP 150/150 -- Arcane Sight, DarkVision, See Invisibility Monday July 15th, 2024 8:16:43 PM
Nira listens carefully to Gimp's rhyme. "5 monsters and 5 elements. Is that a clue as to what we might find? And what's meant by the 'immortal' part?" She looks to Gimp "Do you know what the monsters are?"
She isn't quite sure what the 'avatar' part means just yet.
"Did everyone here perish? If we find just one survivor we'll know what to prepare for"
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 208/208 AC: 33(T:21/FF:26) CMD:41) Tuesday July 16th, 2024 4:53:46 AM
The jingle matches what they have seen around the city, and the others have asked his questions already so Gaffer continues to quietly listen in.
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 31/35 mage armor) -- CMD 37 -- HP 145/145 Tuesday July 16th, 2024 6:29:17 AM
While Danko finds all the questions very interesting, he says nothing as he is quite enjoying his pear....
Gimp's Limited Knowledge, Part Deux - DM SteveK Tuesday July 16th, 2024 7:19:30 AM
Gimp looks up from taking most of a pear in one bite, and beams. As he speaks, parts of pear fly out to whoever is talking. "Squished! That must be it!" "Oh, no, it was Anguished, definitely Anquished!" "Or was it Languished? Now that I think about it, it was Languished, yes, yes, that's it."
Sense Motive autopass (the heroes get the feeling Gimp has no idea and is trying to cover up his ignorance. Fairly badly too.)
As if on cue, when Desdichado talks of using the Hut as a safe base between monster hunts, the Hut lets out a "BUK BUK BUHAWWK!" All the former slaves are spit out of the door suddenly looking more like a chicken beak. (Thankfully, the Hut didn't do it with too much force, and they all landed in dirt and dust.) The Hut then stands, shakes itself like a chicken getting it's feathers in order, and trots off to the north, north west, moving at 400' per 6 seconds. Nira can feel the temporary link she established with Baba Yagga's Hut is no longer there. It is again free to wander where it will.
When Hmerrin sums up a plan to rest and shop between each monster, he remembers there was a Catacombs entrance in the basement of where the Crescent Moons Trading Company once stood. Something as magical as the Catacombs: the entrance should still be there even if the neighborhood is in ruins.
Gaffer picks up on the rhyme matching the destruction of Dirt City: Water = tsunami, Air = tornadoes, Star-liv’ed = not equal but fits systematic destruction, Fire = firestorms, and Earth = earthquakes.
Nira asks 'what kind of monsters', the same question Desdichado and Hmerrin have both asked, and gets the same answer: Gimp doesn't know. She also asks if there were any survivors who can describe the monsters and receives the same answer: Gimp doesn't know. She asks what is meant by the 'immortal' part, and... Gimp doesn't know.
Gimp finishes swallowing what's left of the pear he was chewing and dusts himself off. "Well, have to go on some other errands, time to... whoops! I still haven't used the Spark to make your Stone into a Time Transporter! So, do you want me to or not?"
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 208/208 AC: 33(T:21/FF:26) CMD:41) Tuesday July 16th, 2024 8:05:37 AM
Gaffer flies down and shifts back to hand over the stone he had forgotten about for some time. Gimp giving them the option to say no as they all stand within the destruction is, well not funny but it sure is something.
"Spark please. Thank you, as well." A though occurs to him as he does. "Will the Gods of the past know we travelled in time while we travel?
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:122/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Tuesday July 16th, 2024 11:36:28 AM
To Yrul it seemed as if this was some sort of elemental thing. Certain cultures were reported to have 5 elements, the fifth being metal. So maybe they had to face super-elementals. It was her best guess and in fairness she had very little to base that guess upon.
"The Catacombs sounds like a good idea. We should really start at full strength before we start at all."
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Tuesday July 16th, 2024 4:44:28 PM
"Thanks for the..er..help, Gimp" Desdichado adds as he disappears. He agrees with Yrul that this sounds like it's related to elementals. Not that he knows much about those.
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC29/20(touch) HP 155/161 CMD32 Tuesday July 16th, 2024 6:35:16 PM Thanks Gimp! Happy travels!
So what do we want to do to prepare? Along with all the other(sarcastic) information we got from Gimp, I don't think he mentioned how long we have to complete this.
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 31/35 mage armor) -- CMD 37 -- HP 145/145 Wednesday July 17th, 2024 6:28:46 AM
To Ramirez
" Well, we're going back in time... I doubt that how long it takes us to accomplish the missions will matter. Spending a few days preparing won't hurt.
I have my eye on a ring of elemental command. This item will likely prove invaluable against one of the creatures. The question is ... which one.... "
The Time Transporter - DM SteveK Wednesday July 17th, 2024 6:46:45 AM
With the majority of the heroes accepting the offer, Gimp somersaults over to Gaffer and reaches out one impish finger... a Spark snaps from the Imp to Gaffer’s Stone, which begins to glow. He explains the powers while Desdichado, Hmerrin, and Gaffer explains the circumstances. (ooc See Below)
A conversation starts about possible elemental monsters and how much time they are allowed to complete the tasks. Gimp giggles as Danko asserts they literally have all the Time in the Wold. "Smart and shares snacks! No wonder you are a hero! Toodles!"
Gimp vanishes.
There is a gasp behind the heroes, and the former slaves are all staring wide-eyed while sitting in the dust. One young man sums up the collective thoughts perfectly. "Wow!"
........... Fate Item: Time Transporter. (5 Charges: Use Activated) The round smooth stone is the size of a fist, and one was each presented to Desdichado, Hmerrin, Gaffer by the Dwarf Lord of DeepForge Clan. One, given to Gaffer, was unknowingly a Teucri artifact that created a Time Bubble and sucked the team in to a time loop. There they found Nira and escaped from the Bubble, then met Ramirez and Danko who were searching for the group, missing for a year! With Gimp’s Spark, when activating the Stone, it will transport, in accordance with Gimp's Jingle, all CMTC heroes directly to one of the Maharaja’s Seals 5 minutes before it opens.
OOC: Per email yesterday, the heroes recovered enough valuables from the Maharaja's Palace to each be at 880,000gp in wealth!
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 32/16/28 -- CMD 25 -- HP 150/150 -- Arcane Sight, DarkVision, See Invisibility Wednesday July 17th, 2024 7:21:57 AM
Nira is a little sad to see the chicken hut go, but she knew it would happen. If they're travelling back in time there's no telling where the hut could be.
"I agree, preparing ourselves is the best course of action. I wish we had more information, but from what we can see here, they're going to be very deadly. Perhaps tougher than anything we've faced before."
The robe and falchion were collected by the party from the maharajah and seemed important. Nira tries to identify both.
------------- Spellcraft to ID those 2 items: 40 (Take10)
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:122/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Wednesday July 17th, 2024 11:02:22 AM
"Yeah, preparing. That's super important." Agreed Yrul. "We're going to need some upgrades. Dark Red is simply not working for poor little Peabo." The 'we' that Yrul used was clearly aimed at herself and her bizarre menagerie of imaginary friends. She already had a shopping list in mind so was most eager to find the old entrance to the Catacombs and place her order.
~~~
OOC: Yrul's order has been placed.
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 208/208 AC: 33(T:21/FF:26) CMD:41) Wednesday July 17th, 2024 5:36:41 PM
Gaffer turns the orb over in his hand a few times before tentatively placing it back into orbit around his own head.
Following Yrul he'll head through the wreckage to find the entrance to the catacombs and pick up the new items he has in mind.
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC29/20(touch) HP 155/161 CMD32 Wednesday July 17th, 2024 6:50:28 PM Allright then, let's get ready. Ramirez takes a trip to the Catacombs.
OOC- Is Dirt City completely destroyed?
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Wednesday July 17th, 2024 7:07:19 PM
"Yes, best prepare while we can," says Desdichado. He follows the others toward the Catacombs.
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 261/261 AC:38 T:24 FF:30 CMD:51) DR 5/- Wednesday July 17th, 2024 7:09:01 PM
"Gimp's poem points to four elements plus this Star thing," Hmerrin notes. "Guessing energy resistance is probably in order.'
Stopping by the former slave group, the fighter says, "Sit tight. I'll get you some gear from the Catacombs."
With that, he takes off.
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 31/35 mage armor) -- CMD 37 -- HP 145/145 Thursday July 18th, 2024 6:19:34 AM
"Yes, the Catacombs.... I have an idea.... and nasty for them but fun for us one.... but I need to figure out if it would work first..... "
To the Catacombs - DM SteveK Thursday July 18th, 2024 7:17:18 AM
The Tide moves through what is left of Dirt City, now nothing but cratered ruin with barely a stone standing on stone. For as far as the heroes can see, including the aerial scout of Gaffer and Danko, the landscape is the same, only the evidence of how it happened changing. Dirt City is completely destroyed with not a living soul to be seen, even the scavengers shying away from what happened here.
The ex-slaves ignore Hmerrin's advice, there is no way they are staying put and away from the heroes! They follow.
Going from where used to be Tide House (Moon Quarter bordering Full Moon Market) and where used to be the Crescent Moons Trading Company (Backstab Quarter bordering Moon Quarter), they move from destruction that looks like a careless child smashing every toy in the nursery to destruction that looks like a tsunami struck with terrible force. All the common landmarks are gone, but Gaffer is an excellent tracker. Eventually they get to the right place and start digging through the thick, nearly dried mud. The entrance to the Catacombs was in the basement, so its going to take awhile to dig by hand!
Nira uses some of the time to carefully look at the Maharaja's falchion and robes. She finds they are: a Falchion +5 Brilliant Energy (98,000gp)
and a Otherworldly Kimono (67,000gp) Highlight to display spoiler: { Embroidered images of cherry blossoms and cranes in flight adorn this blue silk kimono. At will, the wearer can make these move about. Powers include: +4 resistance bonus all saving throws, +4 bonus on all caster level checks. 1/Day, 60' range, cast Maze spell, the maze appears as an endless cherry orchard, the walls are windblown cherry blossoms and cranes flying overhead. A creature in the Maze also appears as an embroidered design among the kimono's other images. While a victim is trapped inside, the kimono's bonuses on saving throws and caster level checks are increased by 2 (to +6). The kimono's increased bonuses return to normal when the victim is freed or released.}
.............
NOTE: Falchion and Robe have already been included in DM provided WBL of 880,000gp per PC.
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:122/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Thursday July 18th, 2024 9:05:52 AM
"I can call up an earth elemental to help do some digging, if that helps." Offered Yrul. She really didn't want to do any digging and knew that even mentioning 'digging' too loudly would have Snickit and Dabz spluttering in outrage.
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 208/208 AC: 33(T:21/FF:26) CMD:41) Thursday July 18th, 2024 6:08:19 PM
"I don't think this fellow would help much with what we'll be up against anyway." Gaffer calls out to Yrul as he moves.
He'll plant his staff into the ground where it takes root and steadily grows until it becomes a 24 foot tall treantish creature, who he will enlist to help them dig out the catacombs.
----- Cast: Change Staff
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Thursday July 18th, 2024 6:30:10 PM
Desdichado turns to the ex-slaves with some concern. "Listen, I'm quite concerned for your safety. Maybe you should come with us to the Catacombs and then see your way out through the physical exit in Plateau City." (OOC: I have no idea if that's allowed or even possible!) He holds out several coins. "I'll even give you some money to help you on your way."
"There are several people who know us there. You could make your way to the War Cathedral, and tell them I sent you. Or go to the Lord High Mayor's Castle and ask for Councilor Ableard. There was even another adventuring group we met who may still be around in the Nightmare Quarter."
"You all heard Gimp. We're going to be doing some 'time traveling' and I'm not even sure you'd be able to come with us."
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 32/16/28 -- CMD 25 -- HP 150/150 -- Arcane Sight, DarkVision, See Invisibility Thursday July 18th, 2024 8:12:32 PM
Time travel is always confusing - well, from what Nira's heard anyway. If they travel back in time will the maharajah still be alive if they succeed? Will the slaves still be free? All they can do for now is to treat the slaves as best they can and hope things work out.
Nira lets the others know what the two valuables are. "Would anyone mind if I held onto the kimono? I had real trouble getting rid of the maharajah's spells, especially that icy armor one. It would help me dispel things in the future."
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 261/261 AC:38 T:24 FF:30 CMD:51) DR 5/- Thursday July 18th, 2024 8:57:32 PM
"Anybody else thinking these monsters are gonna be awfully big?" Hmerrin wonders aloud as they move through the flattened city.
The former slaves are coming with, and the fighter decides after just a short time that they're probably right. Dez's idea is even better. Slip through the Catacombs to Plateau City makes a lot more sense than staying here.
As for the Catacombs, well, he's got a shovel in his haversack....
Hmerrin starts digging.
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC29/20(touch) HP 155/161 CMD32 Thursday July 18th, 2024 9:04:25 PM
Ramirez nods his head in agreement with Des. Yes, if we can get you to someplace safe through the Catacombs, that would be a good idea. I recall that group in Plateau City, yes I'm sure they would help.
Nira, Keep it if you think it will help. We may need every advantage we can get.
Ramirez gives the freed slaves what food he has left on him, then helps with the digging
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 31/35 mage armor) -- CMD 37 -- HP 145/145 Friday July 19th, 2024 6:53:22 AM
Danko taps Nira on the shoulder.....
" I have an idea.... "
He then leads her to a quiet space...
" If I said 'Iron Flask' to you.... and pointed out it's power to imprison creatures from other dimensions..... would you agree that this coud be a game changer in this mission? ...... "
Uuuhhh... Plan B? - DM SteveK Friday July 19th, 2024 10:16:10 AM
The heroes, with some great help of Gaffer's treant and Yrul's earth elemental and Hmerrin's shovel are eventually able to clear enough dirt for the Catacomb's entrance to be found.
Desdichado and Ramirez focus on the freed people, 15 of them, and explain that they know people in Plateau City who could help them. It becomes a little problem when none of the 15 former slaves can get through the door to the Catacombs! It is strange, but it doesn't look like that is going to be a way for the heroes to get their charges to a safe place.
Danko and Nira conspire on potential solutions to big problems.
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:122/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Friday July 19th, 2024 10:54:21 AM
Seeing the dilemma behind her Yrul wonders....
"So....um....if we're doing the whole time travelling thing, will we have enough power or charges to come back here and help these guys, OR....maybe they end up in a nice place that wasn't totally ...um..smited, smote...smitten? You know, that sort of thing. Just wondering. Well, Dabz was wondering mostly."
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 208/208 AC: 33(T:21/FF:26) CMD:41) Friday July 19th, 2024 3:55:25 PM
"The Gimp said we would return to the he same moment, so it might all just be fine?" Gaffer offers to the group. "Plus then Dirt City will exist again, so we could leave them in the remains of our courtyard with my summons?"
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC29/20(touch) HP 155/161 CMD32 Friday July 19th, 2024 6:47:38 PM With the City destroyed, we will need to leave them with food and water while we try and fight those monsters.
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Saturday July 20th, 2024 6:11:13 PM
Desdichado agrees with Ramirez about the food and starts digging through his pack for any iron rations he can hand out. He doesn't like leaving them here, but maybe things will be different if they defeat these Destroyers.
"Yes, we'll just have to trust to the Woldian gods that they will be okay."
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 32/16/28 -- CMD 25 -- HP 150/150 -- Arcane Sight, DarkVision, See Invisibility Sunday July 21st, 2024 12:05:48 AM
Nira considers Danko's idea and offers an opinion.
"It's very expensive item, and if these are monsters that can destroy an entire city then they may very easily shrug off the effects.
A different solution could be with a portable hole and bag of holding, if you know how the plane shift back. Or have a dimensional anchor in place."
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 261/261 AC:38 T:24 FF:30 CMD:51) DR 5/- Sunday July 21st, 2024 5:41:08 PM
Mundane items should be available from the Catacombs. Or if not, the portals to other cities exist where mundane items can be found.
Towards that end, Hmerrin has extra funding and will use it to buy tents, simple furnishings, food, water, fishing gear, mundane weapons,and a sackful of silver pieces for the ex-slaves.
"Gaffer has a point," he agrees. "If we win, we keep coming back to the same point in time when we left, so from your point of view, we'll always be here. But, if we don't come back, you'll know we've lost. In that case, this gear should help with the starting over."
The fighter looks them over and shrugs helplessly. "I don't know what else to do."
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 31/35 mage armor) -- CMD 37 -- HP 145/145 Monday July 22nd, 2024 6:32:37 AM
Danko listens to Nira....
" I know both spells.. "
Off to the Catacombs...
Catacombs and a Refugee Solution - DM SteveK Monday July 22nd, 2024 7:19:59 AM
The heroes consider how to help the refugees-no-longer-slaves. Maybe it would be best to just leave them right here: certainly there is nothing for monsters to destroy and even scavengers are staying away. Plus, they speculate, they may actually only be blinking out for a moment? Gaffer plans to leave (leaf?) his Treant Guardian, and Desdichado looks for any iron rations in his pack (ooc: does he have any on his PC Sheet?)
Hmerrin, Gaffer, Desdichado, Yrul, Nira, and Danko have all gone through the magical Catacombs door that only allows 'Heroes of the Wold'. Quickly enough, three of the heroes return with packages under their arms. Hmerrin, Gaffer, and Desdichado can immediately unpack their goodies and wait for the others.
In addition to his other purchases, Hmerrin uses his own coin to buy tents, simple furnishings, food, water, fishing gear, mundane weapons,and a sackful of silver pieces for the ex-slaves (ooc: MikeK, all cost 150gp and account on Hmerrin's sheet). The former location of the CMTC is as good a place as any, and is close to fresh water and a couple places to fish from the shore. With some help from the heroes, a tidy camp site is soon in order, and the 15 free people are very thankful. They promise to wait here, and one young woman seems to understand the heroes will be magically moving soon with the possibility that they will *poof* right back here as if they never left! She starts humming a tune that sums up the information plus would be easy to memorize. (Hmerrin gets a Hero Point!)
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:122/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Monday July 22nd, 2024 10:58:17 AM
Yrul emerged a short time later. She was smiling
"Hey guys, I made some new friends. Say Hello to Sir Tolmenedes Goodhew. Uh. What? Oh, he says to just call him "Tolly"" Yrul indicated the ioun stone circling her that looked uncannily like an iridescent bumblebee. "And this is Syd. She says she'll do her best to keep Snickit and Dabz in check. Personally, I think that's wishful thinking, but you have to admire her optimism." She indicated her golden sling.
She then skipped over to the young woman that was humming.
"Here." She thrust out a hand, presenti8ng her with a bar of soap. [b}"It's lavender soap - my favourite, but just in case we aren't, you know, back in a flash, I figured it would be good to get cleaned up."[/b] She hadn't actually spared the former slaves any thought whatsoever and felt somewhat embarrassed by that fact. She liked her soap. She liked feeling clean. So, she hoped that the ex-slaves would too. she could always get some more soap. ~~ Soap was on her sheet - now removed.
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 261/261 AC:38 T:24 FF:30 CMD:51) DR 5/- d6=1 ; Monday July 22nd, 2024 5:00:34 PM
Hmerrin gives Yrul an wondering look. "How do you keep all the names straight?" he asks.
It looks like prep time is over.
The fighter looks around. "Are we ready? Gaffer, try not to trap us in a time bubble this time."
He waits for the 'poof' or 'boom' or whatever.
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Monday July 22nd, 2024 5:03:38 PM
(OOC: Yes, Desdichado had 5 iron rations in his pack. Those are now removed.)
Seeing that the ex-slaves are well outfitted, Desdichado is ready to hunt these Destroyers.
"Alright, looks like everyone's settled. Gaffer - do you know how to use that thing? Hmm, I wonder if we can choose who to go after first."
Yrûl blinked at Hmerrin somewhat nonplussed. "They tell me, of course. I mean, if I got your name wrong, you'd soon correct me, wouldn't you?" Really! How could she forget her friends' names? They were friends! They all looked out for each other, albeit Snickit and Dabz needed watching more closely than the rest. She rather hoped that Syd and Tolly would help in that regard.
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 208/208 AC: 33(T:21/FF:26) CMD:41) Monday July 22nd, 2024 7:10:00 PM
Gaffer plucks the ioun stone back from its orbit and looks at it. "There weren't any instructions but I'm hoping the gods removed any time bubble related risk. Are we all ready? Let's stand a little way away from the civilians."
Gaffer will make sure to wait until the rest of the party are done with the catacombs and stood in a group before sending his intent and magic towards the stone, searching for the spark.
While they wait, Gaffer affixes his cloak, ring and amulet, making sure they all fit comfortably, then throws a few punches enjoying the crackling of elements as he does so.
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 32/16/28 -- CMD 25 -- HP 150/150 -- Arcane Sight, DarkVision, See Invisibility d20+18=34 ; Monday July 22nd, 2024 10:29:51 PM "Since we have time on our side, do we need to go right away? We seem to get pummeled a lot and I could put some more charges into our healing staff before we go. Counting the charge I put into it this morning, it's only got 5 left in it"
While waiting for an answer, Nira looks over her purchases from the Catacombs and pulls out a Scroll of Wish. She unfurls it, reads the magical words, and feels a little more agile.
----------- Use Scroll of Wish to add a +1 inherent bonus to Dex. Highlight to display spoiler: {Not sure why but I somehow misread the UMD skill and though I had to make a UMD check against Cha to use a Wiz scroll. Please ignore the roll}
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC29/20(touch) HP 155/161 CMD32 Monday July 22nd, 2024 11:37:43 PM I'm not sure how much preparation we can really do, so I guess we're as ready as we can be.
Or very nearly so. With the portal to the Catacombs now open, Ramirez ducks in for a quick trip.
Last Preparations Until... - DM SteveK Friday July 26th, 2024 6:44:41 AM
Six heroes have gone to the Catacombs and returned with new, magical goodies. Ramirez is still away.
There is some talk of introducing friends between Yrul and Hmerrin, and some talk of preparing. Nira wants to wait several days to fully recharge her staff while Ramirez doesn't think they need any time. Nira wins.
Several days later, Ramirez (ooc: assuming Brian says SOLD) is back and Nira has her staff fully charged. The Refugees are calmer and camping out in preparation for the heroes to ... well, they aren't quite sure, but they are certain the heroes are going to do something! Jobs are starting to be worked out too: fishers, cookers, gatherers...
.................
The heroes are ready and gathered around Gaffer and his Time Stone. Any preparations and what is each hero holding in their hand when Gaffer sends his intent and magic towards the stone, searching for the spark?
Yrûl (Nick K) HP:122/211 AC:33 F:16 R:30 W:9. CMD:40 Friday July 26th, 2024 7:28:26 AM
A priority for Yrul was, as ever, cleaving to the shadows. Wherever they turned up, she wanted to be the last one seen. Naturally, Snickit and Dabz wanted to take centre stage and Syd (the sling) was relegated to Yrul's belt.
Gaffer - Courtney - HP: 208/208 AC: 33(T:21/FF:26) CMD:41) Friday July 26th, 2024 11:35:33 AM
With a few days to play with while Nira's staff to recharge, Gaffer can afford spells to bring the civilians to another city with Transport Via Plants, if they want to.
He refills his spellstaff.
He'll spend most of his daily spells on summoning a stream giants, elementals and shambling mounds to clear the area of the city around their own base, gathering rubble into piles of material.
Since they have a few minutes to prepare on the other side, Gaffer holds off on any spells before they activate the spark. If he must hold the stone, Gaffer will do so, otherwise his staff and shield are equipped.
Danko Pureheart (Yves) -- AC 31/35 mage armor) -- CMD 37 -- HP 145/145 Friday July 26th, 2024 1:07:13 PM
In the days awaiting... Danko also assists Gaffer and towns people. Using teleport spells to move people and his dragon form to help in the reconstruction....
But on the final day, he stands with the others, ready to go.
---------- Mage armor spell cast ( 17 hours) Staff of power in hand. S/r 20 Prot electricity 10
Desdichado (Ryan) [HP:235/235; AC:34/15/32 (75%fortification) - CMD 38], DR 10/evil Friday July 26th, 2024 4:54:15 PM
Having no idea where they will end up once they use this device, Desidchado stands ready for battle, greataxe in hand as they make the move.
Ramirez (BrianZ) AC36/24(touch) HP 190/190 CMD38 Friday July 26th, 2024 5:48:00 PM
Ramirez waits with bow in hand. Most of his spells are short duration so he holds them until needed. He does offer his wand of resist energy to anyone interested. He uses it himself first.
Active Effects: resist energy fire(30) duration 110 minutes
Used: wand of resist energy 49/50 charges remaining
RobC - Nira Wynvyre -- AC 34/18/28 -- CMD 27 -- HP 170/170 -- Arcane Sight, DarkVision, See Invisibility Saturday July 27th, 2024 11:20:36 PM "There" Nira lays the fully charged staff across her lap. That's as prepared as she can be. She's changed a few of her prepared wizard spells around, recast her contingency spell and cast her daily assortment of protection spells.
She considered casting a Resist Energy spell, but isn't sure what to expect once the stone is activated. Gimp's rhyme had an order to the elements but there's no guarantee that's what the order will be. Nira does use her Wand of Endure Elements to prepare the party though.
She tucks the wand and staff into her pack and stands empty handed, save for the buckler strapped to her arm. "I'm ready"
--------- Use Wand of Endure Elements on Yrul, Gaffer, Danko, Des, Hmerrin and Ram. Dur: 24hrs. 6 charges used.
Spells in effect: Arcane Sight ... Barkskin ... Contingency (FoM) ... Darkvision ... Mage Armor ... Magic Vestment x 2 ... Moment of Prescience ... Overland Flight ... Resist Fire (5) ... Roses Temperature Control ... See Invisibility ... Telepathic Bond
Hmerrin (MikeK)(HP 261/261 AC:38 T:24 FF:30 CMD:51) DR 5/- Sunday July 28th, 2024 5:08:30 PM
Hmerrin nods. "I'm ready too. See you on the other side."
The fighter waits for Gaffer to pull the lever, er, press the button, er, do the thing.
LOG ON