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The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 22
Tuesday February 3rd, 1998 4:00:40 PM
Onrad jumps up from the bar throwing down his drink breaking the glass on the floor. "Shucks. He's doing the same blasted thing to me that my brothers used to do. And I was reacting in the same way. That devil-haired bully. He does the insulting and I'm the one out here leaving the group that I want to be with. He can leave. Next time he opens his mouth, I'll show him what it means to insult Onrad Pryderi!"

He storms out of the bar," Hey, Tiburon ! Wait for me !" he says as he strides forward to walk with Tiburon and heads back to Thrasher's house.

Onrad says as they walk back, "Never again will I walk away from this group. My vow stands. However, yesterday in the bar, Nonam released me from my vow to him. I do not renew it except as it affects the group. May Alemi judge between him and I. So speaks Onrad Pryderi!"

Tiburon looks at him with a smile , nods and says , " Now that sounds like a Hero out of the Tales."

(meanwhile)

To Nonam ,Gareth says "Will you please lighten up on him? He's a little sensitive but he is still a part of our group. His knowledge of the country and it's history is very valuable, and an extra sword is always welcome. I'm not any good at resolving conflicts but I think if you don't run him off he'll probably figure out how to deal with you. You at least owe him a chance because of the vow we all took. Make peace with him tonight before we fight."

Gareth says "Lets go get Onrad and Tiberion. I don't like us being apart especially on a night when a battle will take place."

Jus comes over to Nonam, casting him an almost brotherly look. Quietly he says, "Nonam, you'll probably never know how important it is to me to have you as part of our group. Back at the wizard's tower you apologized to me for your harsh words; helping me see that my opinions of humans and, in a way, my opinion of wizards were flawed. You gained a friend in me, back then; now you can gain another in Onrad. I do not doubt you pride yourself in your skill with magic. Please, for just a few minutes, control your anger and pride with the same discipline as you control your art."

Nonam's hair begins to turn a dull grey, and he casts 'Mending' on Thrasher's door. As the door begins to rebuild itself, he gives Thrasher the rest of the money while saying in a low, sad voice, "You know I tried to convince them that you were a decent sort of fellow. I guess you made a liar out of me..." Nonam's hair begins to turn red again as he continues, "Now bring me that stone you kept from Som, or I'll kill you myself. And after that I'll bring your lifeless corpse to Som and let him bring you back from the dead so that he can kill you again." Nonam pulls out a wand to make good on his threat.

" How do I know you won't do that anyway once you get the Stone ? You've already come crashing into my home like common thieves ! ", says Thrasher as he slowly backs away from Nonam .

"Great!", says Jus. "Gareth, you and I need to stay here and protect Thrasher, since you just gave your word." While looking directly at Nonam, Jus - forcefully - continues, "Meanwhile, Flaust you and Nonam should go repair any damage to the party we are oath-bound to protect - if that is still possible. Flaust, on the way, please let Nonam know the consequences if his oath is broken."

Turning to Kat, "Kat, you decide which group you can help more. If the undead come, I know Gareth and I will have need of you, and," winking to her, he adds, "I'm sure Gareth would truly appreciate your company."

Gareth turns, comes back and says "Where is the fourth Stone? You will give it to us now! It belongs in the temple. You may come with us tonight since your door is busted but if what you said is true about Som sending the creatures to get the last Stone tonight, your door won't make any difference. They'll break it down, kill you, get the Stone, and then he'll have all four and the power to use them. If you give it to us, and leave with us, the creatures will come here and find neither you or the Stone. That way we can prevent him from capturing the Stone and protect you too. You will also tell us where you dropped off the other three Stones and where Som is. You will also tell us anything you know about his creatures or his hideout in the swamp and why the priests at the temple of Gargul won't tell us everything. If you don't your in violation of our deal and so I'll rip your door off and destroy it completely. And you can stay here and try to explain things to the creatures instead!"

" Get out ! I never made any deal with you ! First, you break down my door, now you threaten to kill me for the Stone ? What makes you any different than Som ? He never threatened to kill me for them, but you have signed my death warrant now. Do you think that door will hold now ? HUH!? You so called HEROES aren't any different than him, all you want is the Stones. ," Thrasher says scornfully. " Well if you want them , go get them from Som. He's in the swamp north of town. You bring the other three Stones to the Temple and I'll return the fourth. NOW GET OUT !!!" He yells.

Tiburon and Onrad walk up to the house and say," Hey, What's all the yelling about ? We heard you around the corner and you've scared all the people off."

Nonam goes to Onrad and says, "Thrasher was the bad guy. You were right and I was wrong, and I'm sorry. Okay?"

Tiburon looks around while standing at the door ." uhh...fellows....I think we might have a little problem here. It looks like company is coming."

Looking out the door, the group sees several creatures coming down the street from both directions.

Below-The-Line (OOC) Comments
Tuesday February 3rd, 1998 4:30:40 PM

David-That's better ... I guess Gareth just has a way with words. On the Onrad thing: Not only did Onrad walk down the street, but in the two prior turns he was with Tiberion and Nonam around the back of the house (or on his way there). I imagine the rest of the party would not have heard Nonam's comments in their entirety, if at all - other than Tiburon of course. Since it appears everyone played the turn as if they heard the exchange I wrote Gareth's response as if he did too. Although I don't imagine he would have if we played the turn as it seemed to me to have happened.

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 23
Wednesday February 4th, 1998 4:00:40 PM
Kat says "I think the choice of who to help just got made for me". She then begins to speak arcane words and make passes with her hands in the air.

" Uhh...guys....they're getting closer," says Tiburon from in the street.

Jus grabs Thrasher and with an intense quietness and a big grin, Jus asks Thrasher "Are there any other entrances we need to guard for you?". In an attempt not to scare Thrasher, Jus restrains himself as long as he can from pulling his swords out.

Jus then tells Thrasher, again in an eerily calm voice, "If the Stone is here, get it. We can then defend you and the Stone together. Don't think it is hidden; the undead will pull this place apart board by board until it is found."

Jus draws his swords and stays with Thrasher. He plans to protect this man at all costs.

Onrad turns to Nonam and says, "I do recognize the apology. In the future, direct your biting remarks in some other direction than me. I, myself also carry something that bites. Right now, though it wants to carve up on some undead! Let's make this place defensible quickly!"

Nonam says to Onrad, "We can work out our problems after we take care of these undead."

Nonam returns his focus to the creatures. He counts them and attempts to make out what they are as he approaches.

Onrad quickly begins glancing around the area and starts to move the table towards the door.

" Uhh..fellows...they're getting REAL close now ! ", says Tiburon as he moves some empty boxes into the middle of the street.

Nonam, wand still in hand, begins to walk slowly toward the creatures. As he goes, he says to Thrasher, "Now I'm going to kill the baddies so they don't eat you, and when I come back I expect you to give me that Stone. And today hasn't been such a great day, I've had a fight with one of my best friends you know, and so I would really appreciate it if you don't hassle me about this. There's no threat and no reward this time... just an appeal to your humanity. Give us the Stone so we can stop Som from sending undead into Osto."

" What do I care about the people in Osto, they've never done anything for me !" says Thrasher. " I only took those to same MY live . Now you're probably going to get me killed ! ".

Gareth with fire in his eyes looks at Thrasher barely holding back his rage. "Fool! Do you not think I can hear!? You said Som would send his creatures to kill you if you didn't do exactly what he said. Do you really believe he will stop until you're dead and he has the Stone? You stole the Stones, lied about it many times, and have caused innocent people to die because of your silence. And you accuse us of being thieves? How dare you! You are as responsible for the deaths as if you had done it yourself! You have even betrayed your word to Som which as you said is a problem! The only chance you have is to help us defeat this evil man because he won't quit until he has the final Stone and it doesn't appear you have long to wait!" - as he looks at the creatures coming down the street. "Decide who you will surrender to: Som or us. At least with us you get protection and a fighting chance to defend yourself."

" GUYS !! NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO HELP !! " yells Tiburon as he starts to fight the attacking Skeletons and Zombies .

" So, HERO," says Thrasher sarcastically, " You gonna leave your friends to fight alone ? That's not very heroic now, is it ? Go and get the others if you want the last one. "

Gareth begins advancing on Thrasher and says, "You'll not get away with this. You will pay for what you've done and we will find the Stone without your help."

Outside , the sounds of battle fill the air, whistling blades split the air and strike with a resounding thud into the rotting bodies. Onrad weaves a glittering web of steel as he dances and weaves among the bodies. " Take this, you foul creature ! " , he yells as his blade strikes home. " Go back to your foul Master, you'll not win this day !"

Tiburon faces the onrushing horde and presents his Holy Symbol , " In the name of Domi, Begone you Abominations !" . Several creatures shudder and turn away in fear but more take their place. The flood of bodies seems unending. Tiburon draws his sword and begins to fight for his life.

Flaust , seeing Tiburon facing down the street , turns in the other direction. With a flurish, she thrust her Holy Symbol toward the undead and yells," All seeing Alemi, banish these creatures back to their graves !" Several Skeletons fall to dust and a few Zombies turn in apparent fear to disappear back the way they came. Flaust then begins to unlimber her net.

Nonam moves between his comrades using his wand to keep the undead off his companions. " Hey Gareth, Jus ! We need your help out here."

Both Onrad and Tiburon begin to show signs of combat, a nick here and a cut there. Blood begins to flow freely from a gash that opens in Tiburon's forehead and sweat covers all those fighting.

Kat stands at the door looking for the biggest concentration of foes. When several mass for a rush, she mutters a few arcane words and points there. From her finger-tip a small red pea-shaped object flys to her target.

WOOOSH - BANG !! A great flash of light and heat fill the street. As the smoke clears, seared and burnt bodies lie in the alley." Heh..heh, " Kat laughs, " There's some that won't hurt anyone anymore." She looks around and sees still more undead in the street, but now the odds aren't so bad.

Below-The-Line (OOC) Comments
Wednesday February 4th, 1998 4:30:40 PM

Necromancers Stones (Missed turn)

Sorry, I didn't get home until late so I couldn't do a turn for Thursday. Here's a map of where everyone is though. at the start of next turn.

Empty Bld. Empty Bld. _____________I Z S S S I________________________I

Z G S S S S S ZZ S S Z Z S ZZ _____________ Z SS S ________________________ I ------------- I dr I I i i I c I I O F I I I I _h_ J I [] K [] G hI___Ih T [] I I h I I N I I I I wI I Ti I I _____________I bbb I___________bed_________ I SSS S Z ___________G_ ZZ SS ZZ ________________________ I I I I S S I I Empty Bld. I Z Z Z I Empty Bld. I

J-Jus, K-Kat, N-Nonam, G-Gareth, O-Onrad, Ti-Tiburon, F-Flaust, T-Thrasher, dr-dresser, c-chest, table in middle of room, h- chair, S- Skeleton, Z-Zombie, G-Ghoul, b-boxes, table in middle of street by Onrad

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 24
Friday February 6th, 1998 4:00:40 AM
Gareth says to Thrasher "Don't move!". To Jus he says "Make sure no creatures get into here. We must keep the stone and this criminal safe!" and with that turns and enters the fray. Gareth moves past Kat with his Broadsword drawn and moves to Tiberon's side and begins to hack creatures to pieces with huge blows hewing a zombie in twain with a single blow !

Onrad continues to weave his gleaming web of steel and manages to strike and destroy a Skeleton. The bones splinter and fly in all directions while Onrad dodges and weaves his way around the table.

Nonam will go over between Flaust and Onrad to cast his spell. Nonam mutters something. Whatever he says only takes a second, and jets of fire shoot forth from his fingertips. Several zombies catch fire and begin to run in all directions , bumping into each other and a few other undead. After a few seconds, they fall lifeless to the ground, a smoldering heap.

Several of the Skeletons attack Gareth and Tiburon but none can land a damaging blow.

Flaust flings her combat net at the nearest group of undead, hoping that the weight will pin several of them down. She manages to catch three in th net that struggle but can't get free from it yet. Although she is angry with Thrasher, she sees his viewpoint on the whole situation, and makes a mental note to pray for him.

"Fine, Thrasher; with your words you have just relieved us from Gareth's word to protect you." With that, Jus runs out to battle the undead with both his swords flailing. He moves to the left and strikes down a zombie.

Tiburon swings at a Skeleton but only manages to slide his sword between the opponents empty ribs.

Kat eyes seem to flicker red with rage and she looks as angry as she is beautiful . She turns and says, "Thrasher if the stones are here get them now or I shall freeze your bones and let these undead pick you apart alive. You will watch as the draw your entrails across your own face. I fought for your possible innocence, I was made a fool, you will get the stones NOW!!!!" only to see the door to the alley swinging close.

Actions ?

Below-The-Line (OOC) Comments
Friday February 6th, 1998 4:30:40 AM

This is how the map looks after this turn:

<pre> Empty Bld. Empty Bld. _____________I I________________________I ZZ S G S S Z _____________ S SS GSSZ ________________________ I ------------- I dr I I O i i N I c I I F I I I I _h_ I [] K [] hI___Ih [] I I h I I I I I I wI I Ga Ti JI I _____________I ZZGbbb SSZS I___________bed_________ I ___________ __ ________________________ I I I I S S I I Empty Bld. I Z Z Z I Empty Bld. I

J-Jus, K-Kat, N-Nonam, Ga-Gareth, O-Onrad, Ti-Tiburon, F-Flaust, T-Thrasher, dr-dresser, c-chest, table in middle of room, h- chair, S- Skeleton, Z-Zombie, G-Ghoul, b-boxes, table in middle of street by Onrad, Creatures caught in net. </pre>

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 25
Monday February 9th, 1998 4:00:40 AM
<< Gareth moves forward and focuses his attack on the two zombies to his right. He swings his sword in a mighty arc and strikes the zombie nearest him, and killing it .

The Ghoul nearby attacks Gareth but only find air where it swings.

Jus takes a quick glance around to see if anyone is getting overwhelmed.

Jus goes after the nearest Ghoul screaming a song as he attacks. Those nearby can easily make out his words: We be The Three, you creatures, Newly come from the east, We spend our lives in jeopardy, Battling you evil beasts. Shall we dance? Shall we play? Shall we meet our maker, On this fine summer day? So if you wish to meet your death, Come, forfeit your life on this ground. If you wish to meet your death, forfeit your life on this ground.

Jus swings and hits the Ghoul doing light damage to it. It attacks back hitting with one claw ( 2 hp) but Jus deflects the other claw and bite.

Onrad yells out, "If you please, see what some of you casters and elves can do with some of these Ghouls. I'd be much grateful. One hit from them for us non-elven types and we're done for. Gareth and I can handle the zombies and skeletons if some of the rest of you can take out the ghouls from a distance. Hiyaa!"

Onrad avoids the Ghouls in the general area in front of him, and instead crosses over to his left, closes, and attacks the skeletons there. If the ghouls come over by him, he attempts to keep the skeletons between him and the ghouls. Onrad rants, "Varmits from hell. Return to death where you belong via MY SWORDS!!!"

Then Onrad drops his shield and pulls a second sword and strikes a skeleton for light damage. It attacks back and hit Onrad with a grazing blow ( 2 hp).

Kat begins to mumble and make arcane passes through the air with her hands.

Flaust begins casting and suddenly the table near Onrad begins to cavort around on its own.

Nonam runs straight ahead and leaps over the undead trapped in the net. When he lands, he zaps a skeleton with the wand frying it on the spot. A zombie turns to Nonam and advances towards him. It swings but Nonam manages to dodge the foul creature.

Tiburon swings again and this time manages to strike a telling blow to the skeleton in front of him destroying it. The other skeleton swings back but misses. The zombie attacks and hits with a solid blow ( 4hp).

Below-The-Line (OOC) Comments
Monday February 9th, 1998 4:30:40 AM

All mages get bonus spells according to their Intel. the same as Clerics do with their Wis. Use the Cleric Wis. Bonus table to see how many you get.

Below-The-Line (OOC) Comments
Tuesday February 10th, 1998 4:00:40 AM

Introduction From The Jericho: Here we experience a new kind of combat....a role-playing style of combat whose purpose is to tell a story rather than see which of two groups is more powerful. No danger to the characters is evident, since no game statistics are mentioned. So instead of tactics and strategy, we get something else....I'm still not quite sure what, though.

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 26
Tuesday February 10th, 1998 4:30:40 AM
Onrad continues to wail on the same skeleton. He hits it a mighty blow and it drops , he turns attacks the other. He hits once, "Take that!" he yells, as the Skeleton staggers back.

Onrad yells, "Heya Jus! Gotta another verse of that rhyming stuff? Gets my blood boiling! Whooooo!"

Onrad tries a ditty, "Them bones, them bones, them dry bones...Now hear the Word of the Lord!!! Whoooo!"

Onrad yells, "Hey out there! Whoever controls this motley lot! Methinks they need better instructions! Whooo!"

Gareth attacks the Ghoul hitting it a solid blow, it returns the attack hitting Gareth once(2hp) with its claw. He fills a chill run up his arm from the scratch but manages to shake the effect off.

Tiburon swings and connects solidly with the skeleton ahead of him shattering the bones that make up the creature. He turns his attention to the other creature but not fast enough to prevent it from slashing him slightly. ( 3hp)

Kat praises the fine men around her in there handsome and powerfully mannly strike. She throws a shimmering boomerang that appears in her hand, striking a nearby ghoul a solid blow.

Nonam drops the wand and draws his pair of gleaming magic daggers. Then he throws the daggers one at a time at the zombie before. The handles glow as they leave Nonam's hand. The first strikes a zombie in the chest but the other sails wide to land in the street. The zombie claws at Nonam , but he manages to twist away before the foul, rotting claw can strike.

As the battle rages, Nonam's hair changes colors rapidly. Red when he attacks physically. It's normal black when he casts spells. White when he's attacked. And all the colors in between during the slow times. All in all, he looks pretty freakish. So much so, that he would probably scare human opponents, but it doesn't seem to scare undead. Nope. You can never scare undead.

Flaust casts Invisibility to Undead on herself, and then begins chasing the animated table, attempting to herd it into the crowd of undead at the north end of the street.

Below-The-Line (OOC) Comments
Tuesday February 10th, 1998 5:00:40 AM

JK says -so do I get the xp for zany combat situation winner, or is someone else going to write something????

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 27
Wednesday February 11th, 1998 4:00:40 AM
While he slowly backs up preparing to disengage, Jus yells back to Onrad, "Sorry to disappoint you, my friend. I'll gladly come help as soon as I finish my talk with this Ghoul. Let me know if you need help sooner!"

"I hope someone is keeping an eye on Thrasher!", Jus adds as an afterthought.

Jus swings his swords at the Ghoul striking him a serious blow and possibly scaring him to death - again. Jus' attack was so ferocious, that the hair on the nearby zombies turned white, startling him. For a moment he had visions of being attacked by several dead Nonams! He quickly regained his composure; realizing if they were indeed Nonams, they would be attacking their friends, not their enemies. ;)

Kat says "A kiss to the lad that puts the most of these Undead to rest" . She points her finger and says something and a pair of violet darts fly forth and strike the nearby Ghoul.

Onrad hears this and says, "Oh come on! Now I havta slow down. OK you skeletons, I promised you a quick death, but now I havta kill you slow like...."Ya do the hokey pokey and ya turn yourself around....That's what it's all about."

Onrad seeing three skeletons in his vicinity, yells to all three, "Hello Boys, or whatever you used to be....Come get some!"

He then lashes out at the same skeleton he began attacking at the end of the last round. One sword hits and lops an arm off but the other sword misses cleanly

Gareth focuses his attack on the ghoul striking him soundly and ending his miserable undead existence.

Tiburon swings and smashes the skeleton facing him.

Nonam leaves the zombie and spins around . He says an arcane word and sprays the big group behind him with a sheet of flame, starting them all to burn.

Flaust moves this way and that attempting to herd the moving table towards the undead, but every time it gets within 10 feet of one it starts skittering away.

Suddenly the Undead all break from combat and start to move away .

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 28
Thursday February 12th, 1998 4:00:40 AM
Jus quickly turns and sees that Onrad's group is also retreating. He then mutters something and points in the area of the fleeing Ghouls and skeletons. It then appears that someone has coated the surface of the street with a thick, slippery layer of grease. The undead in that area slip and slide only to fall to the ground.

When the undead begin to disengage, Gareth moves around the boxes and uses his shield as a battering ram to smash into the back of the line of two skeletons and the zombie . He smashes them to the ground with some of them flying to pieces . As they disengage Gareth says "Now, let's get that stone." And walks back towards the front door to talk to Thrasher. As he does he resheaths his sword and enters the house.

When he finds Thrasher gone he asks Kat "How long?" .

Kat says," He must have left right after you and Jus ran out to fight. I turned around to talk to him , but only saw the backdoor swinging closed." She goes to the backdoor and opens it to check for Thrasher, but he is nowhere to be seen .

Gareth immediately runs out the back and tries to figure out which way he went. But has no luck ,he says "I bet the undead got him or the stone since they disengaged their attack. We better follow them and maybe we'll be able to rescue him and more importantly the stone if he has it."

Using her dagger, Flaust begins stabbing the ghoul trapped in the net. She then begins smashing the skeletons that are also trapped.

Nonam sees the zombie running away with his magic dagger still in its chest. He quickly snatches up his wand, chases down the zombie, and blasts it. It jerks a bit and then falls in a heap in the middle of the street.

Nonam recovers his daggers. Then he says, "Somebody get that stone from Thrasher, and then lets follow these undead back to where they came from." Nonam begins to follow.

Tiburon watches the fleeing undead retreat and then turns to the others and asks ," Is anyone hurt badly? Does anyone need a curing spell? "

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 29
Friday February 13th, 1998 4:00:40 AM
Onrad honorably sheaths his swords and says to the party, "Methinks we have an escort. Shall we follow our gracious undead guides to the ball?"

Onrad begins to trot along behind them as they move North towards the swamp.

Nonam says, " Follow me ", and continues to follow the undead.

Gareth says " We must follow the undead and kill as many as possible. That way there'll be less to come back at us next time.". With that Gareth begins to follow the creatures down the street. He carefully avoids the grease. He draws his bastard sword and attacks one of the Ghouls. He hits it squarely and it wheels on him. The Ghoul attacks back and misses with both his grime infested claws.

Flaust finally destroys the creatures held in her net then retrieves her combat net.

Tiburon begins to follow along with the rest of the group.

Jus runs over to the undead that are struggling to get up. "Onrad, help me dispatch these so they can never torture the city again!" Jus then proceeds to attack the undead as they attempt to escape. The Zombie he catches up to and attacks turns and attacks him in return hitting him a for a small wound ( 2 hp).

Below-The-Line (OOC) Comments
Friday February 13th, 1998 4:30:40 AM

Keith- Flaust, you lost the spell when you attacked.

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 30
Monday February 16th, 1998 4:00:40 AM
Onrad continues to follow the retreating Undead as they head to the swamp. The houses and buildings that he passes have all seen better days and some look like they would fall down with a small push.

Gareth cuts down the Ghoul and turns to follow the retreating creatures through the empty , trash laden streets..

Tiburon catches up with Gareth and asks him, " Do you need any healing ? You sure cleaved that Ghoul in two ! Have you noticed that there aren't any people on the streets but us ?"

Flaust runs to catch up with the group , they are moving faster than she can ,and tries to spot Thrasher among the undead. She doesn't see him moving with them or being carried either.

Nonam says, "Don't kill all of these things guys. We need them to find Som's hideout."

Nonam asks, "Did anyone get Thrasher's stone?" Nonam turns and runs back toward Thrasher's house. Then he stops and calls out, "Keep following the undead. I'll try to catch back up." He takes note of the direction and speed the undead are going so as to maximize his chances of finding them again. Then he heads back to Trasher's. He goes inside and begins to search for the stone. He begins with any chests that he sees. He also looks for evidence that the undead came and took Thrasher and the stone [signs of a struggle or something], and he looks for evidence that Thrasher grabbed the stone and ran during the fight [an open chest or something]. He only finds the over-turned chair Thrasher hit when Gareth burst in the door.

Jus swings and finally kills the undead that are still struggling to get out of the greasy area, while only slightly slipping once himself. He then looks to see which way the others are going before they get too far ahead.

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 31
Tuesday February 17th, 1998 4:00:40 AM
Jus runs through the trash filled streets as he tries to catch up with the others and follow the undead. He sees them strung-out ahead of him as he rapidly closes with Flaust.

Gareth says "Not yet Tiberion. Save your power. A Ghoul scratched me but that's all so far. I don't blame the people for getting off the street. I do wonder where Ogamon is though." Gareth looks around to see where the party members are.

Tiburon trots alongside of Gareth and says," I don't know..( puff, wheeze ).. I bet he's..( puff, puff ) .. getting the rest of the town defenders here... boy I'm out of shape. I hope we get a chance to catch our breath before we have to fight again. "

When Gareth sees everybody else at a distance, he yells loud enough for everyone to hear "Let's regroup and follow the undead." He then takes a position behind the undead and continues to follow them .

Flaust hangs back from the rest of the group, to allow her the chance to survey the whole scene. She sees that there are still 10 or 12 skeletons and 1 or 2 Ghouls running north. Flaust yells to group, "Who's herding who in this excursion ?"

Kat continues to follow the undead as the group starts to reform in the streets.

Onrad yells out to Gareth, "Don't kill them all. We need a few left to follow to their source." Onrad moves ahead to see that the undead don't harm any innocents as they retreat. He also stays close to them trying to keep the rout on screaming and waving at any who get tired of running. Onrad continually scans the streets and buildings to watch for a trap. He sees that the undead seem to be heading back to the swamp north of town.

Nonam gives the house a quick once over finding only the trinkets Thrasher has gathered in the course of his life. Nonam returns to the street and runs back to try to catch up with the retreating others.

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 33
Wednesday February 18th, 1998 4:00:40 AM
The Skeletons begin to pull away from the Ghouls as they cross the open area between the town and swamp . The trees seem to wave with a life of their own almost as if they were beckoning the undead to enter.

Tiburon bends over , puts his hands on his knees and says between deep breaths, " It looks......like they're all.....heading for the.....same trail. Whew, I gotta get out and exercise more."

Jus quickly unlimbers and strings his bow and lets fly a few arrows at the Ghouls. The first couple he fires fly high but then he takes a deep breath, draws his bow , releases the breath and fires. The arrow flies straight and true to his target and buries itself deep in the Ghoul. It staggers, claws at the arrow, then rights itself and limps onward with its brothers.

Gareth says "The swamp is large, we'd better at least find out where they're going. We can always retreat to town and go back later when we're ready. Who will come with me for reconnaissance?".

Flaust says, "We've got to trail them to see exactly where in the swamp they are headed -- I agree that we need our spells, but this is our big chance to find where they're based..."

Onrad points to the swamp ahead and says, "I don't know much about swamps, but I suspect that we will have a hard time finding somewhere to sleep and rest in there."

Kat says, as she looks into the swamp, " But we'll get so dirty out there" . She then turns to the rest of the group and winks.

Nonam comes running up and says," I did a quick once over of Thrashers' place but didn't find the Stone. He must have hidden it real good or somewhere else."

The group begins to follow the undead into the swamp , keeping the creatures in sight ahead.

Onrad says "I'm not tired now, but we will be after trudging around in that place for awhile. Should we capture a few of the undead and release them later to follow them once we're rested?"

After a few hours of slow, grueling progress an outline of a tower begins to appear out of the mist. The tower has a blasted, ruined look to it, the top third seems to have been destroyed by some mighty force. A few buildings slowly resolve themselves from the mist, each with the same ruined look.

Gareth stops the party and says ," Let's look and see what's around. "When everyone is done looking, he whispers "Let's withdraw before daylight and get back to town."

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 34
Thursday February 19th, 1998 4:00:40 AM
Jus says, "Come on, everyone. We're here, they know we're here, we need to go in - otherwise they will have time to prepare a trap." Jus begins looking around the exterior of the towers for entrances and for where the undead went.

Flaust says, "Because of my racial heritage, I'm able to move around fairly stealthily, if y'all would like me go to check it out...I'd feel better about doing this, though, if I could first request an Invis. to Undead and cast it on myself."

Gareth begins to scout the area carefully, he takes note of any entries into the complex. He watches for guards and tries to hear any words spoken, levers pulled, etc. to gain entrance into the place. He makes sure to trace the EXACT path the undead took through the complex to the entry door. He also looks out for any statues, holes or slits in the walls, debris or leaves put on the ground etc. He counts any creatures he sees. After watching a while, he whispers "Let's go back to town, get ready, and come back under the cover of darkness. Maybe we can garner support from the temples or Ogamon."

Nonam says, "I agree that we'd better not go in now. I need to memorize spells, and Som will be strongest at night. We should return tomorrow morning when the undead will be weaker and we are stronger."

Onrad takes in his surroundings in detail to determine what should be done next. He sees the blasted, ruined tower with four small buildings around it . All the buildings also have a scorched, blasted look and none seem to be in one piece. As everyone looks closer, they see that all the structures are on a small island that rises out of the swamp . The trail that the Undead were following forms the only land bridge to the structures. As the group watches , it sees that there seems to be no sign of any guards patrolling.

The retreating group of Undead move straight to the tower and open a spot on the wall that had just looked like vines, unfortunately the group is too far away to see exactly what was done to open it. The opening reveals a darkened interior to the tower as the undead file in and pull it shut.

Tiburon says, "Well, we've heard all the arguments for resting and moving ahead. Everyone chime in with their vote and let's be about one or the other."

Below-The-Line (OOC) Comments
Thursday February 19th, 1998 4:30:40 AM

Keith- chime in with your opinion next turn and what the majority says will occur unless you give me specific instructions to do one or the other if the vote goes against you. If this happens, you could be left behind or decide to go on ahead. Try to remember the importance in an email game of keeping the group together. [grin]

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 35
Friday February 20th, 1998 4:00:40 AM
Kat says " I think we should go rest and regain spells, plus I could use some dinner and a good conversation." She says with a sly smile, behind dark eyes.

Gareth whispers again "We should not enter now. We are tired and are not at full strength. I doubt Som is watching too close because nobody comes here much I would imagine. Let's go back, get ready, maybe garner support, and come back later."

Flaust says, "I'm sure Som will be here later...let's go get prepared. With luck, we might can get some history on this place. I wonder where Thrasher is holed up?"

Nonam says," I think it's best if we go back now. Let's be at out peak before we tackle this place." His hair changes dark black as he says this.

Jus says, "Seems like to majority want to go back, and I think I now agree. Let's go!" Jus makes a blaze on trees as the group heads back toward town to mark the return path.

On the way back Gareth says "I think we should be careful what we say in town about finding this place until we learn what has happened after we left. I imagine Som has contacts in town. Let's say we lost their trail until we know who we can trust. I don't like the fact we never saw Ogamon. He should have been closer to the action if he's really defending the place. Maybe he fought another band or something. When we get back to town, you spell casters go do your thing, the rest of us will go get supplies and try to find out what we can. Maybe we can even find Thrasher ...." Gareth stops talking and is noticeably angry and unknowingly stomps off a little faster than he was going.

When they get back to the city, Jus gets a private room saying," I hasn't slept in several days and could use some extra rest. I'll see you in the morning."

When they get to town, Gareth makes sure the spell casters get to the inn. He asks the barkeep where a good supply store is. The barkeep directs him to one and he sets out for it. When he gets there he asks the merchant there for 20 torches, 50 flasks of oil and a sack to carry it all.

" You want all that !", the merchant says with a smile. " Why sure I'll get that for you , but you'll need more than a single sack to carry it in. Let me see....that ought to weigh about 120 pounds and take four or five sacks to carry it in. It will cost you 500 gp and 2 sp. You did want Greek Fire in those flasks , didn't you ?"

Below-The-Line (OOC) Comments
Friday February 20th, 1998 4:30:40 AM

Keith- everyone will have their spells memorized by the next turn. Most of you have given me a spell list, but if you would, please include one under the line with your next turn. Thanks !!

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 36
Monday February 23rd, 1998 4:00:40 AM
Flaust will rest and request spells, so that her spell list will appear as follows.

Nonam eats and rests and memorizes spells.

Kat goes up and memorizes spells.

Tiburon heals everyone that was injured. Then he rests. And then he too memorizes spells.

Jus too quickly goes up to bed.

Gareth says to the Merchant with a scowl "I come to protect this miserable place from being attacked and in return I get people trying to rip me off! I want OIL! Oil that burns! That's it! It costs no more than 50 gp in any other store I've been in. I'll make you one offer and if you don't take it I'll leave. And maybe I'll attack the creatures AFTER they pillage your store! I'll pay you double since you're so far out of the way here. 100 gp. Take it or leave it."

The merchant smiles and says, "50 gold for regular oil. Yessir! Yessir!" He runs to the back and brings out several sacks filled with glass bottles of oil (about 1 quart each) and torches. The oily merchant says, "Here you are master. Be careful that you don't sling them around. They could easily break in the sacks."

Gareth scowls and hands the money over.

Gareth, carrying 3 sacks full of glass bottles and one with torches, head back to the inn. Every now and again he misses his footing and the bottles CLINK together loudly, yet he manages to return without breaking anything. He sits at the bar and asks the innkeeper where he might find Ogamon. The barkeep merely shrugs his shoulders. Then says, "You might check at his temple." Gareth also asks him over a drink and food what happened around the inn last night. The barkeep says, "Nothing much. A few kids came in trying to get drinks. I gave them some dish water and told them it was gin. HAHAHAHA they all started acting like they were drunk. HAHA They were staggering around. Then one of the kids mothers came in and chased them all home. HAHAHA. Boy you should have seen it." As the bartender goes on, Gareth listens around to see if he can overhear anyone talking about last night. Most of the other patrons laugh about the bartenders story. No one mentions anything about undead or Thrasher. After he hears all there is to hear he goes to try and find Ogamon. As he walks he watches for Thrasher or anyone else spying on him, but he sees no one. Gareth arrives at the temple, but he finds it empty. Wondering where Ogamon could be, Gareth goes back to the inn to sleep. He looks for any other party members before retiring. He sees Onrad, and he sits down with him to talk.

After a little bit, Gareth goes up to bed. Onrad stays up and keeps watch both on the streets around the inn, and the hallway outside the parties rooms. About 3am he's out in the alley behind the place and a band of thieves fall on him. Onrad fights valiantly, and vanquishes 8 or 9 of his foe. He looks up and sees Kat looking down on him from above. She seems blows him a kiss. Then one of the thieves leaps out from the shadows and shoves a knife between his shoulder blades.

Everything begins to go black.

Suddenly Onrad sits upright. He fell asleep while on watch. He hold his head, "Gods, what a horrible dream. I hope it's not some kind of omen." Deciding that he's too sleepy to keep watch, he awakens Gareth to take his place.

Onrad before going to bed will tend to his equipment seeing that all nicks are out of his sword and all damage to his armor is fixed. Then he goes to bed. This time his dreams are sweet.

Gareth begins waking everyone up fairly early. Soon everyone memorizes spells, and they all drift down to breakfast. Gareth sits to eat with the group and touch base. He tells them about his inability to find Ogamon.

As Nonam eats and listens to Gareth, he notices Gareth's sacks of oil. His hair turns blue, a new color it seems, and he says in a laughing voice, "I hope you're not expecting me to carry all that."

Jus finishes breakfast a little early, and he goes outside to find a small group of kids. Explaining who he is and the fight last night (minus any reference to going to the swamp), he asks if any of them saw Thrasher last night. The oldest kid looks up at Jus and says, "Who?" Feeling in a generous mood, he gives each of them a gold piece and tells them to keep their eyes and ears open; and that he will give them more if they discover anything useful. They all run off hoping to discover who Thrasher might be.

As the group finishes breakfast, Tiburon asks, "Well is everyone ready to head back into the swamp. Or do we need to do something else in town?"

Below-The-Line (OOC) Comments
Monday February 23rd, 1998 4:30:40 AM

JK says- due to Keith's e-mail trouble (he's not getting ANY mail - not just forwarded mail), I did this turn.

JK also says- when did DHott start doing such long turns? I thought for sure it was one of John's or DHill's, but it kept saying Gareth. :)

Dhott says- I'd say something about AOL but... OK I will: Just another of an > AMAZING list of reasons to go somewhere else for REAL service. They > can't support their users, and what's worse is when they DO support > their users with new releases of software. It's pathetic. No other > company I've ever seen has these kinds of problems at ALL. No lost > mail, no software incompatibility, no extra charges, no nothing. I > imagine there are issues with other major service providers but they > are so few and far between they are never an issue! I find it amazing > that people still put up with it. - OK I feel better now.

JK says- did anyone ever play that game Lemmings. Where all the little lemmings go in a straight line and follow the leader even if it means plummeting to their deaths. Maybe they should have called it AOLers.

Jerry says- To everyone: Writing stuff below the line is how we keep in touch with each other. Everyone please about once a week or so share an anecdote from your life so we can enjoy the fellowship part of doing this and the keeping up old friendships part as well. Those of you out there who are just reading the game, please chime in as well so we know you are still out there and can get to know you as well.

Keith, be sure to include all items written below the line that are not addressed to the DM only...like this one....Thanks.

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 37
Tuesday February 24th, 1998 4:00:40 AM
Jus comes back to the group in a VERY good mood. "Anyone care for some sightseeing? I've heard there's some nice swamp land for sale around here."

Flaust says, "Ogamon could be anywhere, including trapped by the necromancer -- let's keep following the lead we have, and see where it takes us."

Gareth says to Nonam "It seemed to me fire worked real well against the undead. I don't know if it will work on skeletons but it sure worked on the ghouls and zombies. If we had it we could use it to kill those things at a distance - especially if there are a lot of them. Would anybody like to take some? I got 50 flasks. I'm planning on taking as many as I can.".

Flaust asks Gareth, "If you don't mind, I'd like to help carry some of those oils."

Gareth agrees , Flaust takes 5 of the oils, wrap them with grass for padding, and place them in her backpack on top.

He asks Kat "Did you sleep well?" - trying not to be nervous.

Kat winks at Gareth and says with a twinkle in her eye, " I slept wonderfully, thank you for asking ." She then smiles and blows him a kiss.

Gareth's cheeks turn red and he looks around to see who's watching.

Tiburon says," Let's get going, it's a long way there and we want to be there before dark, right ?"

Onran agrees and says, " Let's go." He then leads the rest out of the tavern and towards the swamp. He sets a quick pace following the blazes that Jus made on the way back but stops whenever anyone needs a rest.

At one of the rest stops, Flaust says to the group, "I'm ready to do a little scouting ahead, if y'all like. I can sneak along pretty well..."

Later that morning, the group arrives at the place where they had stopped before. The tower and buildings remain the same and there is no sight of any guards or watch.

Jus follows along, being unusually quiet - just enjoying listening to everyone else.

Below-The-Line (OOC) Comments
Tuesday February 24th, 1998 4:30:40 AM

David H-Lemmings: That's good... >>

John-Hey people! We are planning our vacation to the US (and maybe even Hawaii and Canada). If any of you have suggestions of places to go and things to see, PLEASE suggest! Just remember, we will have a 5yr old girl, 3yr old boy, and 1yr old girl.

J. Chapa flew down to visit for a few days two weeks ago. We showed him the sights, then took him down to Florida, up to Savannah, and out to the ocean. He dropped off several books on philosophy and theology, but it's difficult for me to make time to read any more that a couple of pages a day. J. spends his time on the Internet focused on religious research -- he's currently involved with an ongoing discussion of 'Insight', written by Bernard Lonergan, a scholastic theologian.

A few days ago he called asking for prayers regarding his mother's health.

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 38
Wednesday February 25th, 1998 4:00:40 AM
Kat says "I wouldn't mind some of that oil now Gareth, and if you gentlemen wouldn't mind turning your heads I need to change into my fighting gear."

Nonam takes 5 flasks from Gareth and deposits them in various pockets inside his robes.

Gareth asks quietly "How should we approach? Wait until dark or go now? Do undead have as much power day or night inside? We could wait until a detachment of undead leave. Then go in behind them. Or we could destroy the land bridge or perhaps booby trap it for the undead."

Nonam says, "Well Flaust seems to want to scout ahead so let's let her look around and find the way in."

Tiburon says," I don't think these kind of undead are affected by sunlight. Let's let Flaust go scout and see what she can find, then we'll know more."

Jus looks around while quietly humming to himself.

Onrad readies himself for combat and takes a position to watch the parties flanks.

Gareth listens intently to the others but scans the area closely. Especially the buildings and towers. Nothing seems to be moving except the moss in the trees slowly swaying.

Flaust begins to murmur and makes a motion in the air. She then proceeds down the land bridge moving from shadow to shadow , looking intently ahead and around her, until she reaches the section of wall were the undead disappeared the previous day. She begins looking for any openings through the vines, stops , turns to the group and points to the wall. She begins to murmur and makes a motion in the air again and proceeds to swing a portion of the wall open.

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 39
Thursday February 26th, 1998 4:00:40 AM
Nonam says, "Looks like she found a way in. I say we don't way for her longer than a couple of minutes. She could get in a lot of trouble really fast."

Flaust slowly enters the darkness , letting her eyes adjust to the dim light inside.

While they wait, Nonam asks, "Tiburon, you know something about priestly magic. Do you know what spells she cast? They didn't look like they did anything to me."

Tiburon answers," I couldn't say for sure, it might have been Protection from Evil, or Silence 15' radius or for all I know Invisibility to Undead. We'll have to ask her when she gets back."

Gareth puts ten flasks of oil in the top of his pack padded with grass - learning from the others - and 3 extra torches. When he sees the wall open he says "Lets get there in a hurry."

Jus pulls out his swords and prepares for battle. "Let's go", he quietly whispers, as he starts for the opening.

Nonam says," Hey wait ! We sent Flaust to scout, she won't be able to do any scouting if we all rush in. "

Tiburon says," Yeah, let her have a few minutes. We can always rush the place, but we can't always sneak in . Why "

Onrad looks back and forth between the two sides looking undecided as what to do.

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 40
Friday February 27th, 1998 4:00:40 AM
Jus turns to the others and looks at them for a moment, gives a little shrug, then lowers his swords. Whispering he says, "I still don't think it's good practice to let one of our own go alone into an evil stronghold of undead where a crazed necromancer is lustily craving to kill all who gets in his way but, have it your way..."

Kat says, "You boys just cool down and let the lady do her work for a moment, and Onrad sit down or I'll kiss you!"

Gareth pauses and says "Scouting is one thing, entering is another. I don't like the idea of leaving one of us open like this. Didn't she just signal us to come on and cast a spell to open the door? We have no idea how long it will stay open. She could be trapped. I say we go now."

Gareth waits impatiently .

Tiburon says," She didn't signal us, that was a gesture used in casting a spell. Give her a minute or two, most spells only have a limited time so she SHOULD be back soon."

Nonam says, "Now I agree that we should have all gone in together, but she's been going on about how she wanted to go ahead of us and scout since last night. If I thought she was waiting by the door for us, I would say let's go. But if we all go rushing in and she's already exploring the place then we could make it very dangerous for her. Also if there is more than one way to go once you get in, we could pick the wrong way and never find her."

Nonam says, "We could compromise and go wait for her by the entrance. That way we could probably hear her if she got in trouble, or at least she would have so far to go to get help from us."

Onrad looks at Noman, snorts and says, " That's the best thing I've heard you say lately. Let's go closer and wait there."

Everyone looks at each other for a moment then moves en-mass down the land bridge towards the tower. The group stops about 40 feet from the still open door , listening and watching for signs of Flaust.

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 41
Monday March 2nd, 1998 4:00:40 AM
Gareth - on the way by - puts the extra 25 flasks of oil in the weeds next to the land bridge. Gareth watches from the cover for Flaust or for noises.

Nonam and Jus wait for any change in the circumstances.

Onrad watches the rear of the group so nothing sneaks up on them.

Suddenly the group see movement coming back out of the door and recognizes Flaust as she returns from inside.

Flaust heads back outside and spots the group. Going over she whispers, 'There are two skeleton guards just inside the door, one on either side. I'll cast a Silence so we can maintain the surprise. There is a 50' hallway beyond, with a door located on either side near the middle, and a trapped stairway at the end, leading up and down. There is some movement behind one of the doors. Please, let's rely on the Silence to cover us as long as possible, first by taking out the Skeletons, then by taking care of whatever's behind Door #1. Let me go first back throw the opening, so I can position the Silence properly."

Kat says, "Ok boys, I'm going to cast a spell that may or may not help, I'm about to look like a ghoul, don't hit me by mistake, I'll be the Ghoul in the metal underwear OK." She winks and begins to cast a spell.

Flaust casts a Silence spell on her pebble, then goes back inside and stands 5' inside the opening.

Below-The-Line (OOC) Comments
Monday March 2nd, 1998 4:30:40 AM

Keith- combat MIGHT commence next turn so act accordingly.

The Necromancer's Stones: Turn 42
Tuesday March 3rd, 1998 4:00:40 AM
Kat says," I'll go in first with Flaust , with my disguise and the invisibility we should be able to take the skeletons by surprise. Just remember I'm the Ghoul in the metal underwear and the nice legs." She winks and her eye appears to fall out of it's socket.

With some wishful thinking, Jus makes a quick glance around the area for anything he might use as a Quarterstaff; thinking it might be more effective than swords against a skeleton. He decides to keep an eye out for one as they progress.

"Gareth, which skeleton do you want?", Jus asks.

Gareth whispers "I'll take the one on the left. Jus, why don't you lead the attack on the right." and moves to the doorway.

Jus looks around to make sure everyone is ready, nods to Gareth, and says "Let's do it!"

Flaust and Kat enter the doorway first and move down the hall. The skeletons ignore Flaust, but as Kat steps through the doorway they begin to move towards her, raising their weapons as they come.

Gareth and Jus swing around the door and attack the skeletons from behind. They both swing their blades in mighty arcs and shatter the skeletons before they can get to Kat.

Nonam let's Gareth and Jus rush in first. Then he follows. He looks around and starts laughing ( even tho nobody can hear him). Kat stands before them with her face looking like a Ghoul and the rest of her looking its normal self.

Tiburon and Onrad enter last with one last look behind them. Onrad suddenly stops and reaches over to tap Tiburon on the shoulder. Tiburon , looks at Onrad , sees him pointing back into the swamp and turns to look . Raising from the water around the land bridge and advancing towards them along the bridge are hundreds of skeletons, zombies, and a few ghouls.

Onrad begins waving his arms to attract the rest of the groups attention. As each member notices him, he points to the slowly advancing Undead. The advancing tide of Undead moves to the island that the tower stands on and stops, totally surrounding the tower.

Below-The-Line (OOC) Comments
Wednesday March 4th, 1998 4:00:40 AM

Keith, one more question: Was the trap magical or mechanical in nature? Once we get through the combat, I'll go back over and observe the stairs carefully, as per the Find Trap description, to get an idea of how the trap is triggered (probably by stepping on any of the stairs). (( it was mechanical ))

Anthony says: Someone please send me the Woldian address, they upgraded my computer and I lost all my addresses.

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