Dark Sentries (DM) 8d20(2+6+12+5+17+16+19+2)=79 8d6(4+5+5+2+2+4+5+5)=32 Monday October 4th, 1999 6:09:40 PM
As the party enters the foyer, humanoid shapes appear from the darkness overhead, descending spider-like from lines trailing from the ceiling. Unfortunately, the group is caught off guard, and the creatures attack! In the dim light, you see 8 armed warriors weaving deadly arcs of steel -- their faces set in hideous grins. Although not the most graceful of swordsmen, they seem to have practiced this before, as their attacks are extremely coordinated. Four attacks find their mark, causing 7 points of damage each - K'nara is hit twice, Milo once, and Fluet once.
Olana d20=12 d8+1=4 Monday October 4th, 1999 6:29:20 PM
Olana gasps in surprise as the attackers appear in the room upstairs, turning on one of them swiftly and pulling her sword. She meets his attack with a slice of her own.(Damage 4 on AC7 or higher)
Shadrach d20+3=10 Monday October 4th, 1999 6:40:06 PM
Shad was ambling up through the door when the sinister attack came. "Goddess!" He came charging up the stairs and stabbed at one of the dark figures with his trident (Hit AC10, probly missing). "K'Nara! Some light!"
K'nara d20+4=23 d8+3=5 Tuesday October 5th, 1999 2:16:43 AM
K'nara reeled from the impact of not one but two blows, bellowing her surprise and immediately seizing the handle of her sword even as Shadrach called for light. "Lucia!" she shouted, the sword's flames leaping to heated life. The arachnoid fighter that was directly in front of her was revealed--big and ugly. The human bladesinger began to step in time to unheard music, her sword whirling in a mesmerizing fashion as she conducted her deadly dance. The light level within the foyer was as bright as day by the time K'nara's blade bit deep into the body of the first creature that had struck her.
Milo d20=8 Tuesday October 5th, 1999 10:43:21 AM
Staggering from the blow, Milo drops to one knee, and feebly attempts a riposte with his short sword, missing the mark.
Figment d4=3 d4=3 Tuesday October 5th, 1999 11:14:25 AM
enraged by the treatment of these ruffians yells a magic word with a slight of hand and instantaneously fires 2 missles of energy from his right hand into his attacker. (6+2=8dmg). "You will pay with your life for your treachery!" he exclaims as he prepares to cast again.
Shadrach d20+3=22 d6+5=7 Tuesday October 5th, 1999 4:12:33 PM
"Nothing to say for yourselves, cowards?" Shad snarled as he reversed his trident and this time, found his mark. (Hit AC-2,D7)
Ingrge d20+3=7 d20+3=13 d6+1=3 Tuesday October 5th, 1999 4:48:53 PM
already having had his bow at the ready, Ingrge takes aim at the beastie attacking Milo. The blinding light of K'narra's sword startles Ingrge and his first shot goes far astray (7). Letting his eyes adjust to the new light level allows him to get a slightly better shot off (13 hits Ac5 for 3 pts of damage)
Light Revelation (DM) 3d20(9+5+18)=32 2d6(6+6)=12 Tuesday October 5th, 1999 6:41:01 PM
Miraculously, Shad manages to stab one of the attackers (his second attack will have to wait 'till the next round), flinging back the opponent in a resounding crash against a sofa. Figment's magical attack comes next, ripping thru another fighter, leaving him hanging limp. K'nara's sword then blazes, and she immediately downs another, but finds her sword entangled in the metal lines (reaching to the ceiling) of her second target. Olana hits true with her sword, disemboweling another in the bright light. Finally, Ingrge's arrow disarms (literally) one of the assailants, leaving the hand still attached to one of the ceiling lines. At this point, your eyes have adjusted enough to get a good look at the enemy -- everyone must make a horror check (save vs. paralyzation at --2 (and don't forget to add or subtract Wisdom modifiers)). Those who fail are stunned during Round 2, and I will e-mail you the effects for round 3. To the group's dismay, they realize that they have been fighting a dead enemy. Shattered flesh lies scattered here and there, flaked off like broken porcelain, exposing yellow bones, all of which have wires running thru them, controlling the movements as if they were marionettes. Three of these victims remain standing, two of which manage to land blows: One on Shad, and the other on Ingrge, for 8 points of damage each.
Ingrge d20=20 2d4(3+4)+2=9 Tuesday October 5th, 1999 10:12:25 PM
Shocked but definately not paralized, Ingrge drops his bow and casts a point blank magic missile on the critter attacking him (for 9 pts of damage)
Milo d20-2=9 Tuesday October 5th, 1999 10:32:59 PM
Milo's mouth drops open, and he freezes where he stands, terrified of the horrid creatures.
Flueterflam d20-2=0 Tuesday October 5th, 1999 11:20:33 PM
Fluet stands wide-mouthed. He becomes so paralyzed that not only is he not able to so much as twitch, he literally can't breathe for a minute or two. The only thing that he can think about is the statue he has in one of his pouches. (refer to red wyrm inn if you don't understand) He can only think that either he was meant to die, or that the statue will really help him out.
Shadrach d20=8 Tuesday October 5th, 1999 11:32:13 PM
(Oops, thought K'nara's post was a DM's. Shad's bonuses and minuses cancel out.) Shadrach goggled, eyes bulging at the sight of the creature before him. A moan of fear escaped him as he completely forgot he could turn undead.
K'nara d20-2=1 d20-2=5 Wednesday October 6th, 1999 7:30:09 AM
The light of day dies down, as does K'nara's will to continue the battle--horror overwhelms the normally-doughty fighter as she sees the undead things the Talons are struggling against. She can only stand, agape, with her sword flaming with the light of a torch instead of the sun.
Olana d20-2=11 Wednesday October 6th, 1999 11:02:54 AM
Staring in utter horror at the creatures, Olana suddenly finds she is immobilised, purely from the shock at seeing what stands before her.
Figment d20=7 d4=3 d4=3 Wednesday October 6th, 1999 11:10:00 AM
continues to fight unaffected by the horrer before him. "Not a pretty sight but you can be killed just the same!". He fires off another two missles into the one in front of shad (6+2=8dmg).
Light Revelation (DM) d20=16 d20=8 d6=2 Wednesday October 6th, 1999 11:11:40 AM
Ingrge’s attack decimates another body, leaving two bodies still standing. In the dying light of K’nara’s sword, the two puppets attack the party as it shakes itself from its stupor. One attack lands, slashing Figment's right arm for 4 points of damage.
Figment Wednesday October 6th, 1999 11:40:20 AM
catches a solid glimpse of the interlopers and recoils in horrer - totally unprepared for the sight before him.
Milo Wednesday October 6th, 1999 12:51:40 PM
Gathering up what will he can muster, Milo turns and quickly weaves his way through the party, breaking for the front door. Fear is clearly etched across his brow.
K'nara d20+4=21 d20+4=18 2d4(2+4)+8=14 2d4(1+3)+8=12 d20+8=20 d20+8=22 2d4(2+2)+8=12 2d4(2+2)+8=12 Wednesday October 6th, 1999 2:50:59 PM
After a fleeting moment of paralysis, the woman warrior seems to go berserk, screaming in denial as she becomes a blur of motion--hacking, slashing and battering at the THINGS attacking the party. Her words--if they ARE words at all--are incoherent and her own attack is no longer the elegant reel of combat, but, rather, the unstoppable juggernaut of sheer rage. The flaming blade chops and shatters at the spidery foes, the technique far clumsier than the bladesong but no less final for the undead enemies, who are hacked to pieces in no time at all. And yet, though they are defeated--K'nara's rage is such that she continues to slash at the bits and pieces left over...
Shadrach d100=45 Wednesday October 6th, 1999 5:01:59 PM
Screaming like a headless chicken, Shad dropped his trident and ran out the back door of the foyer, plowing through any obstructions.
Figment Wednesday October 6th, 1999 6:22:59 PM
Continues is stunned at the hideous creatures. He barely moves enough to avoid K'Nara's onslaught but he just can't bring himself to do much else. "How could anything so terrible exist in the Wold? Who would construct such horrid creatures?!"
ingrge Wednesday October 6th, 1999 6:47:59 PM
Seeing his immediate threat disintegrate, Ingrge locates his next opponent and just as he does so, K'nara goes postal. Ingrge seeing that she seems to have the bad guy situation in hand Ingrge looks to keep his other loony group members from being decapitated from a violent comrade.
Olana Wednesday October 6th, 1999 7:52:59 PM
Trying as she might to assert some form of control, the fear becomes too much for the elf who shudders and then runs headlong out of the front door.
Milo Thursday October 7th, 1999 1:45:59 AM
Milo deftly sidesteps Olana as the fleet elf practically flies past the short-limbed halfling. Then, without missing a beat, follows her out the front door.
Keystone Halloween -- Round One of the Horror (DM) d20=7 d20=3 d20=13 d20=7 d100=20 d100=76 d100=4 Thursday October 7th, 1999 1:57:59 AM
Milo, standing out on the porch regaining control, watches Olana's mad plunge as she dashes across the courtyard. Meanwhile, Shadrach heads to the back of the mansion, entering a huge ballroom filled with dancers resplendent in fine formalwear, currently performing some type of waltz. Colliding with one couple, he discovers, to his HORROR, lines leading up from all of the dancers to the double-story ceiling. There appear to be three exits leading from this room (besides the one Shad entered): Two with doors, saying "Ladies Only" and "Gentlemen", and an open dark corridor to one side. Ingrge manages to pull a wooden (not literally) Figment back from the maelstrom of K’nara’s attack -- both remaining bodies have been hacked from their wiring and are being mercilessly pounded into powder by the mad warrior. Chipped and flying parts only further disturb the onlookers. Fluet seems to be saying something, but is drowned out by the warrior’s window-rattling screams.
Flueterflam Thursday October 7th, 1999 4:05:59 AM
Fluet begins to cry uncontrollable. Only a few words can be understood between the sobbing. "Dead....oh man.....why.....dead....bodies..........not alive....." the sobbing drowns whatever else he's saying. Anyone who takes a close enough look at him will notice that his face has taken on a very pale color. The color doesn't return after several minutes. In about ten minutes, his sobbing dies down.....only to lead into mumbling to himself. Soon after he screams out so loud "NNNNNOOOOOO......" that anyone even twenty feet away would jump. Immediately he starts mumbling again to himself. Something about the life-less bodies hanging......
Ingrge Thursday October 7th, 1999 7:04:59 AM
after getting Fluet out of harms way, Ingrge goes after Olana and Milo and brings them back with Fluet. Hopefully by that time K'nara will be more in control. If not He will attempt to find Shad amongst the dancers.
Milo Thursday October 7th, 1999 10:47:59 AM
Walking numbly over to where Fluet is sitting, Milo plunks down on the ground. He slowly shrugs off his backpack, opening it. He digs into the pack and pulls out the expensive bottle of wine that he retrieved from the cellar, and proceeds to pop the cork, using a dart as a makeshift corkscrew. He then, in a very deliberate fashion, takes two or three solid swallows, before offering the bottle to Fluet, Olana, or anybody else who may need a good stiff one about now.
Olana Thursday October 7th, 1999 7:40:59 PM
Pulling away from Ingrge for a moment, eyes still wild, Olana mutters "In the name of the Seldarine, Ingrge - you can't make me go back in there......" But eventually, after a few deep breaths she accompanies him and Milo back in. "It's not nice in here," she whispers to no one in particular. "Not nice at all." Gratefully, she takes an uncharacteristic slug from Milo's bottle and looks around to see how the others are coping, her eyes flitting to dark corners, expecting more horror in every shadow.
Figment Thursday October 7th, 1999 7:45:59 PM
Completely mortified by the macabre scene the usually confident mage sits next to the others and does little else but try and not lose it completely. As soon as he sees no further danger and as K'Nara cuts up pieces of flesh Figment turns away trying to control his nausea. He grabs the bottle and takes a long drink - hoping it helps.
Shadrach Thursday October 7th, 1999 11:13:59 PM
Shad stumbles to a halt in the middle of the ballroom. His eyes look around, wild and staring. "Ga--ga--da--ca!" he sputtered. With a whimper, he sprinted through the horror show for the dark corridor, trying to get away from it all.
Itty Bitty Pieces (DM) d20=15 d20=8 d20=16 Thursday October 7th, 1999 11:56:59 PM
The minutes tick by and, finally, K'nara winds down in her rantings. Everyone else, while on edge, seems to have pulled it together for the moment, except Fluet, who continues mumbling to himself. Figment snaps out of his stupor. Olana continues shielding her eyes from just about everything in the room, and appears to be having a hard time holding the wine, especially when she starts thinking about it. Shad is nowhere in sight.
Out of the Frying Pan - Shad's Aside (DM) d20=11 Friday October 8th, 1999 12:07:59 AM
The darkened hall quickly ends in a spiral stair leading upward. Crazed with fear, Shad stumbles upwards and into a kitchen. Music can be heard beyond an open doorway across the room. The stench in here is horrible -- some sort of combination of a charnel house and strong chemicals. Glancing about, Shad sees the corpse of a forty year old man, dismembered at every joint, with eyes open and black tongue protruding between clenched teeth. Back near the stairwell, Shad now notices a huge tub of roiling liquid containing large chunky objects.
Figment d20=14 d20=8 d20=19 Friday October 8th, 1999 12:16:59 AM
As the very intelligent mage begins to once again think, he begins to suspect that this is an illusion - especially as he looks into the ballroom (14 Int check). "There is no way that there was enough time to fill an entire ballroom with dead bodies hanging from the ceiling like this. We were not down in the cellar for more than an hour or so. None of that was there when we went down. I know because I looked! It's either not real or we are not in the same place we left. Come to think of it, we also killed those bodies too quickly. They barely even put up a fight!". The mage begins to look for inconsistencies in the scene before him (8 Int check - made it by 10). If he determines it's real he begins to look for things that are different about this place than with the mansion they may have left behind (19 failed int check).
Shadrach Friday October 8th, 1999 7:59:59 PM
Terror, horror and insanity fight for supremacy in Shad's skull. Terror wins temporarily. Shad screams high and shrill, putting his hands over his eyes. His lungs wore out, and he collapsed to his knees, beginning to laugh wildly.
Olana Saturday October 9th, 1999 3:22:59 AM
The elf hands the bottle back quickly... the wine... so much like...blood...Taking slow deep breaths, she looks around and exclaims. "W.....where's Shad?"
Ingrge d20=17 d6=1 Saturday October 9th, 1999 5:22:59 AM
Finally getting everyone kinda under control, Ingrge picks up his bow and starts to look for other possible exits, other than the cellar, ballroom and outside>
Flueterflam Sunday October 10th, 1999 5:05:59 AM
"Oh manohmanohmanohmanohmanohmanohman......dead,dead,dead,dead. They're all dead...dead...dead." Fluet tries to continually get this message across to everyone. Although, even if he succeeds (which he probably has), he keeps telling them. "AAaahhhhHHH. they were alll, just hanging there. DEAD......."
K'nara Sunday October 10th, 1999 8:46:59 AM
Barely able to get a grip on herself--and then only because the bodies that were in the foyer are now unpleasant memories--K'nara drew in a ragged sigh, glancing around for Shadrach at the sound of Olana's question. "He wasn't with YOU?" the female fighter demanded gruffly. "Well, he isn't here, and he wasn't out there...and he didn't go back downstairs..." K'nara frowned. "He's either up those stairs or..." She turned around and saw the doorway that led to the ballroom. Then they all heard screams, followed by mad laughter. "Come ON!!!" she bellowed, her sword still out and flaming as she followed the sound.
Stairway to... (DM) d20=8 Sunday October 10th, 1999 4:02:59 PM
Although Ingrge is certain that Shad ran out the back of the foyer, into the ballroom area, everyone clearly hears the screams emanating from upstairs, of which there is a set in this room. The group heads up the marble steps and arrives at the top in a hallway. The way to the left, where the screams are coming from, ends in a set of closed double doors. A dark hallway stretches off to the right, along which you can make out one or two doors to the left and right.
Banquet - Shad's Aside (DM) d20=19 Sunday October 10th, 1999 4:09:59 PM
Through tears of delirium, Shad is able to make out some details of the room beyond the kitchen door. A splendid banquet hall, with candle-lit chandelier, is filled with many seated people partaking in a grand feast. The sound of metal utensils scraping against porcelain plates drowns out any dinner conversation.
Not a Figment(DM) Sunday October 10th, 1999 8:25:59 PM
After considering everything, Figment decides that everything is very much real. Looking up into the dark recesses of the ceiling, he determines that any number of things could have been hidden away up there...and still may be.
Olana Sunday October 10th, 1999 9:08:59 PM
Olana tries to get her wits together at K'Nara's command and heads up the stairs with the others. Her stomach flutters uneasily as she does so. "I hope they didn't...."get" him," she says.
Figment d20=16 Sunday October 10th, 1999 10:31:59 PM
"Not if we can help it!". Figment takes a deep breath and clears his head a bit (made save) even though chills still run up and down his spine occasionally. When he hears Shad's screams of horror and insanity races up the stairs with anyone who might be so inclined.
Shadrach Sunday October 10th, 1999 10:38:59 PM
He couldn't seem to get a grip on himself, and horror lay on all sides with nowhere to run. He began to quiet, giggling, "They're EATING him, they're EATING him, they're EATING him.."
Ingrge Monday October 11th, 1999 1:16:59 AM
Watching K'nara and the others go charging up the stairs, Ingrge shakes his head and then grins. Ahh hell, I didn't want to live forever anyway. With that he puts away his bow and with his new staff in hand carefully follows the others up.
Milo Monday October 11th, 1999 2:12:59 AM
Feeling quite sick to his stomach, Milo pitches whatever remains of the bottle of wine to the side. He then stands up, dusts off his breeches, pulls three darts from his stash, and silently follows Ingrge up the stairs. He looks a little green about the gills.
Flueterflam Monday October 11th, 1999 2:21:59 AM
"Just dead, hanging, lifeless.....no life. Dead, not moving, nothing......"
Hallway Noises (DM) d20=1 d20=4 d20=11 d20=7 d20=14 d20=11 Monday October 11th, 1999 3:01:59 PM
At the top of the landing, the group pauses for a second, and hears Shad's voice from behind the double doors to the left. The darkened hall to your right is now filled with the sounds of creaking and swooshing. You can barely make out the appearance of bars or shafts descending from the ceiling in that area.
Milo Monday October 11th, 1999 6:21:59 PM
Hearing Shadrach behind the door, Milo approaches, if somewhat hesitantly, and out of habit, checks the door for possible traps. Once he has given the door a looking over, he reaches up yanks on the handle.
Figment Monday October 11th, 1999 6:37:59 PM
now that his head has somewhat cleared prepares to cast as Milo opens the door. "Let's get him, get out, and regroup."
Ingrge Monday October 11th, 1999 11:20:59 PM
Seeing Milo checking the door, Ingrge Grips his staff and prepares to say the key word if necessary
Shadrach Tuesday October 12th, 1999 6:55:59 AM
Numb with horror, he had to know. Shad managed to stumble to his feet as the door to the kitchen was opened. He gave the Talons a blank look and pointed at the banquet hall, "They're eating." He stumbled out there to look at the diners.
Banquet(DM) Tuesday October 12th, 1999 4:30:59 PM
In order to reach the double doors, Shad enters the banquet hall, momentarily numb to his surroundings, and easily pushes one of the doors open, nearly hitting Milo in the process. As Shad turns to face the banquet, the other Talons get a good look at the proceedings. Many ladies and gentleman are seated at a magnificent oak table, using the very finest in silverware on porcelain plates, and drinking from fine crystal goblets. It takes a moment to realize that the plates and cups are empty, and then you see portions of the diners' faces have chipped away, revealing yellowed bones beneath. Lines stretch from their bodies, up into the darkness of the ceiling overhead. The lines jerk, and bodies rise from the chairs, with forks and knives in hand, turning toward you.
Shadrach Tuesday October 12th, 1999 4:56:59 PM
A little bit of sense dawns in Shad. He looks toward his friends. "Run!"
Figment Tuesday October 12th, 1999 6:05:59 PM
"Whoever is setting this up is beyond evil - but I'm not convinced we're in the same house we started in. We must get our bearings. Let's go outside and see if it is still Plateau City. If so then we should hunt down 'the madame' if not then we need to figure out how we got here exactly. Either way let's get away from this macabre scene!"
Milo Tuesday October 12th, 1999 7:21:59 PM
Not needing any encouragement, Milo turns on his heel, and runs for the front door of the manor. He spits back over his shoulder..."I'm outta here."
Ingrge d20=8 d20=10 Wednesday October 13th, 1999 2:55:59 AM
(made both Wisdom and Intelligence)All the way up the stairs and even while watching Milo, Ingrge Has a funny feeling about what they are currently experiencing. He is sure that Shad went through the other doorway and yet here he is upstairs, None of this stuff they are seeing was here when they came through the first time and yet only an hour or so later everything is changed. Shaking his head, Ingrge is heard to be almost chanting under his breath, this can't be real, this can't be real. As Milo is almost bumped off by Shad re-entry and the scene behind is viewed, Ingrge reaches Shad and gives him a good shake and asks "Quickly cleric, Tell me now. Are they truly Undead?" "Are they real?"
Olana Wednesday October 13th, 1999 3:50:59 AM
Still under the effects of revulsion, Olana enters the room, takes one look at the rotting bodies, and tears headlong back down the stairs and toward the door again
Shadrach Wednesday October 13th, 1999 4:43:59 PM
"You're the mage!" Shad, still terrified, jerked free of Ingrge's grasp and followed Milo.
Scatter!(DM) d20=18 d20=2 d20=2 d20=7 d20=4 d6=4 Wednesday October 13th, 1999 7:17:59 PM
As the majority of the Talons bound down the stairs (most filled with terror and revulsion), K'nara lets out a blood-curdling scream and charges into the banquest hall with sword flashing. One of the dead patrons manages to slash K'nara for 4 points of damage as she hacks away at the unfortunates.
Figment d20=19 Wednesday October 13th, 1999 8:17:59 PM
(makes save again) gains control of his revulsion and realizes K'Nara's condition. He arrests his retreat and moves back up to the ballroom. Turning to Ingrige he offers "We may have to cast sleep on her and pull her out. Do you have any ideas?"
Ingrge d20=19 Thursday October 14th, 1999 12:06:59 AM
(made save) after Shad breaks free and runs helter skelter back down the stairs, Ingrge mutters an elven curse, watches K'nara start to go postal again, looks at Figment, curses again and raising his staff and pointing it at the mass of baddies around K'nara, says, Shadeinhue and suddenly a spray of color washes outward engulfing those in its path.
K'nara Thursday October 14th, 1999 1:43:59 AM
K'nara slashed and stabbed and attacked everything within the reach of her bastard sword, screaming as she did so. She was not picky and she certainly was not using civilized phrases.
Olana Thursday October 14th, 1999 2:33:59 AM
Once outside again, Olana tries to get a grip. Taking deep breaths, she attempts to get the feeling of horror and revulsion under control, pushing it away into some dark corner. After a few moments, she grips her sword, preparing to re-enter - although it would appear she wasn't the only one to run screaming out of the door. Cautiously she looks for Shad and Milo, hoping that whoever was left inside was okay - and could wait until she at least, had got her act together. She was certainly no use to anyone like this.
Shadrach Thursday October 14th, 1999 4:57:59 AM
Shad sat on the grass outside shivering. "What--what--what in the goddess' name is going on?"
Milo Thursday October 14th, 1999 6:12:59 AM
Puffing in the outside air, "I'm not sure Shad... but I don't want to see any more dead people... " Milo turns around to get a look at where they are, as well as at the house itself.
Flueterflam Thursday October 14th, 1999 7:12:59 AM
"NNNOOOO...nonononononononono.....they're dead. Why are they dead? What happened to them? Their skin is just peeling off. AAAAAAHHHHHHH. Did you guys see them?" Fluet isn't referring to anything specific. He is just rambling on about the dead people. Anyone who is lucky enough to maintain any common sense would suspect that Fluet can't seem to stop talking about the horrible things they are all seeing. "So many dead people, everywhere. Oh Man, Oh Man, Oh Man. They're going to kill us and make us like them. NO, we're going to die and hang like them, just sit at tables with each other DEAD together. Feeling nothing, DEAD, Skin peeling, DEAD, NO FEELINGS, NOTHING, JUST DEAD......."
The Scenario (DM) d20=6 d20=16 Thursday October 14th, 1999 9:13:59 PM
K’nara drops in mid-swing as the Color Spray from Ingrge's staff washes over her. The remaining marionettes step over her crumpled body, reaching toward Figment and Ingrge at the double-door entrance. Ingrge notices that the ‘whooshing’ sound from down the hallway has continued unabated, perhaps even speeding up, with some type of shafts (hard to make them out in the dark) piercing down thru the ceiling, then quickly withdrawing. Meanwhile, outside the mansion, Milo looks upon lichen-encrusted, weather-grayed stucco walls, topped with terra-cotta green tile roofing. Iron bars protect all the small-paned windows (each window is covered within by thick curtains), and a lofty clock tower rises from the right portion of the mansion, with sickly green ivy straggling up it, and black birds cawing in its belfry. The grounds surrounding the area seem to be poorly maintained -- half of it is covered in thorny weeds, with no trees to provide shading and no flowers to soften the severity of the building. A small carriage house leans against the stone fence surrounding the property. Beyond the fence, other mansions dot the view in the distance.
Figment d20=18 Thursday October 14th, 1999 10:34:59 PM
Finally starting to figure out what is going on Figment backs up into the hall. "Those things should not be able to get at us out here. As long as they don't harm K'Nara I'd be inclined to let them get back to their feast before we rush in and pull her out.". He looks up to make sure there are no more 'puppets' waiting to pounce from their current location. If the things return to the feast he prepares to rush in. If they try anything on the fallen warrior he rushes forward and tries to get to K'Nara. (made save)
Ingrge Friday October 15th, 1999 12:25:59 AM
Seeing the beings ignoring K'nara makes Ingrge happier than he has bee in the short while they have been in this house, and means that either they are attracted to moving bodies or that they are illusions. Hoping for the latter and believing it with all his will Ingrge dashes into the room to grab K'nara and pull her back out, absolutely ignoring the creatures around and in front of him.
K'nara Friday October 15th, 1999 12:26:59 AM
The human bladesinger is on the floor--where she's "fallen...and she can't get up..!"
Milo Friday October 15th, 1999 1:04:59 AM
As he is looking about..."This place is cuh...reeeepy... What do we do now... I mean... the whole basement issue is kind of a moot point... if ya know what I mean. Maybe some kind of magic is at play here... not necessarily illusions."
Shadrach Friday October 15th, 1999 3:29:59 AM
Shad grimaced, clenching his fists. "Don't you see? It was a set-up! All that stuff wasn't just illusions! It must've taken forever to have it built! Colsum was lying to us from the start! Whoever she had build the contraptions built the clock bomb too! She sent us down there to get killed! So--so--so she could have more bodies! We're adventurers, no family close by, nobody to wonder why we disappear so fast! Heuse was probably in on it.." Shadrach rocked. This was so much worse than he could ever have imagined. Donyra. He stared at the clock tower. Hadn't it been further away from the front of the house? Hadn't things looked nicer? (Do things actually look different?) "I..I gotta get my trident." He shook as he got up and timidly snuck back up to the front door. Looking for his trident he'd dropped when the undead puppets first attacked.
Olana Friday October 15th, 1999 5:26:59 AM
Olana follows Shad back inside, clutching her sword grimly. "Shad? Have you any defenses against those things in there? Apart from steel I mean?" she asks hopefully, wondering if she herself will just turn and run again at the slightest thing. She re-enters with the sole purpose of helping the others get outside. No way she's going exploring.
Drawing the line (DM) d20=11 d20=8 d20=10 d20=10 d20=16 d4=3 Friday October 15th, 1999 6:12:59 PM
As Figment has guessed, it appears that the wiring that manipulates the bodies will not be able to cross the threshold of the double doors into the hall. No bodies are to be seen in the hall itself. Ingrge leaps into the crowd, acting as if nothing were there, and is set upon by the grisly remains of Colsum’s past victims. Amazingly, only one manages to poke him with a knife, causing 3 points of damage, before Ingrge is driven back out of the room and into the hall. The enemy still appears to be ignoring K’nara’s supine form. Meanwhile, down in the foyer, the rest of the party sees Figment still standing up on the balcony at the top of the stairs -- Shad gingerly recovers his trident, now covered in ‘people dust.’ (As Shad considers what was seen when the party first arrived at the mansion, he is not certain how much has changed, and how much was overlooked: Certainly things did not look quite so run down...) No more bodies have appeared in the foyer, although each of you on the ground level can make out the passage of bodies in the ballroom beyond the back opening -- as the dance goes on.
Shadrach Friday October 15th, 1999 7:02:59 PM
Shad began to obsessively clean the trident with his formerly white shirt. He couldn't look in Olana's eyes. "I-I'm sorry, Olana. I-I'm not sure I could stand and face those things." The shame burnt within, almost as bad as the fear. He looked for a change of subject. "Figment? A-are you okay?"
Ingrge Saturday October 16th, 1999 6:21:59 AM
Ingrge is driven back out of the room and into the hall, cursing the whole way, "Well I guess they aren't illusions. Figment, do you have a rope and grappling hook? Other wise I don't see how we are to get K'nara out of there. Then I say find the others, fuel this place up and burn it to the ground.
Figment Sunday October 17th, 1999 7:11:59 PM
grabs Ingrge as he is carried out by the bodies. "I have a rope but no grappling hook. "The thought of burning it has crossed my mind. But before we do we have to make sure we are actually in 'our' Plateau City. It is possible that when we left the basement we went somewhere else. If we are here I say burn it - but first we must get K'Nara and find the others as you say."
Milo Monday October 18th, 1999 3:47:59 AM
Looking dubiously at Olana and Shadrach..."I think we should burn this rotten place to the ground... We could probably start the fire with the wine in the basement... at least some of it.... The stuff is worth quite a bit... maybe we should take as much of it as we can carry, and sell it in town... making some money off of this little nightmare isn't such a bad prospect." Milo pulls some raisins out of his backpack, and then reshoulders the thing. He begins to eat them, absentmindedly musing about the prospects.
Shadrach Monday October 18th, 1999 7:36:59 AM
Shad kept an eye on Figment in worry. "I don't know, Milo. Suppose we get charged with burning down a innocent person's estate? Not that I believe Colsum is innocent--but it might be an idea to get the authorities. We're not in some isolated dungeon here, where we get to make all the rules."
Olana Monday October 18th, 1999 7:40:59 AM
Nodding at Shad, knowing exactly how he's feeling, she heads back to re group with the others, to help get K'Nara out, wishing she was still outside with Milo. What he said about burning the place down seemed a very good idea right now.
Flueterflam Monday October 18th, 1999 8:03:59 AM
Fluet sits down. He is mumbling to himself about dead people. He seems to want to stay where he is, talking about dead people. Unless carried or dragged, he stays sitting down. "....dead....hanging....kill..."
Silence (DM) Monday October 18th, 1999 4:30:59 PM
At once, the bodies in the banquet hall rise from the floor as the lines are retracted into the ceiling 20 feet above. A low background hum that you had overlooked in all the madness has disappeared, and the whooshing sound in the hallway has ceased. You hear a garbled man's scream coming from down the darkened corridor (on the 2nd floor) and then the slam of a door.
Figment d20=8 Monday October 18th, 1999 6:50:59 PM
the instant the bodies retract Figment leaps into the hall and begins to pull K'Nara out. "We get K'Nara and then find out about the scream down the hall. Sounds like they're murdering yet another!" (made strength check if one is required)
Shadrach Monday October 18th, 1999 9:15:59 PM
"Hey, Fluet, Fluet!" Shad put his hand on his shoulder and shook him gently. "Hear that? Somebody's alive in here! Alive! Sounds like they need help! And you're a hero, remember? Why don't we see if there's some ordinary were-rats to chop up? If it's dead people ::Shad shuddered:: I promise we'll run." He tried to gently urge the bard to his feet, to go upstairs and join the others.
Olana Monday October 18th, 1999 11:14:59 PM
Strange, how you never notice something until it is gone. That background hum - inevident now. Olana moves up the stairs, glad that Shad is taking care of Fluet. Her stomach lurches as she hears the scream, making her footsteps all the faster. When she joins Ingrge and Figment, she will alert them to Fluet's predicament and tell them Shad is trying to bring him out of it. "Milo is the wisest one," she says, hearing Figment's exclamation.
Milo Tuesday October 19th, 1999 12:25:59 AM
Milo puts away the darts, pulls his short sword, and reversing his grip, holds it behind his back.... silently he skulks up the stairs to where the party is... he looks somewhat spooked, "Did yo..you hear that... they got somebody else. Do you wanna check it out?" Milo cringes slightly awaiting the response.
Ingrge Tuesday October 19th, 1999 12:43:59 AM
Helping Figment retrieve K'nara, proves to be much easier this round and after getting her back in the hallway, Ingrge will work at reviving her. Hearing the scream He will look up and more aggressively work on reviving K'nara.
Flueterflam Tuesday October 19th, 1999 4:00:59 AM
Through his mumbling, Shad's urging got through. Although somewhat distorted by the state Fluet is in. The shock of his uncontrollable desire (mixed with fear) and common sense clash in his mind. The shock is so great that Fluet begins to shiver. The shiver soon turns into and uncontrollable shaking. He starts to black out, only to suddenly be forced back into consciousness. All control over himself is lost, he doesn't know whatever he says or does. He begins to cry, from happiness, from sadness, from fear. He doesn't know why he's scared. He doesn't remember where they are, why they're there, what they're doing. (Fluet will be able to walk, but not without a little help. He seems to be in only partial control of his legs at the moment)
Shadrach d8=3 Tuesday October 19th, 1999 5:37:59 AM
Shad pulled Fluet slowly up the stairs. He placed Fluet's hands on the banister, so he could hold on to something. Then he bent over K'Nara, waiting til Ingrge was finished. He touched her lightly, and whispered a fervent prayer to Donyra. (CLW3)
Reunited, and it feels so good...(DM) d20=19 d20=1 d20=2 d20=7 d20=9 d20=8 d20=4 Tuesday October 19th, 1999 4:09:59 PM
K’nara is quickly retrieved and revived by the others. At the moment, she is free of the madness. The house is deathly silent after a final ‘Thump’ is heard from behind one of the doors of the darkened hallway. Everyone stands together at the upper end of the grand staircase.
Figment Tuesday October 19th, 1999 7:23:59 PM
moves toward the scream and thumping sound. "I hope we're not too late! I would suggest we refrain from burning the place yet because there may be innocents still in the house awaiting a gruesome end! Ingrge, I would suggest you stay with K'Nara, the rest should come with me. We have to try and save that person from death - but I fear we just heard their demise. We must end this!"
Shadrach Tuesday October 19th, 1999 10:18:59 PM
"Ummm....as long as there's no dead people." Shad followed Figment reluctantly, tugging Fluet along. "Maybe Ingrge should come with us...He seems to be better at these things."
Milo Tuesday October 19th, 1999 11:58:59 PM
Slipping up to Figment's side, short sword at the ready, and looking very pale, "Yeah... I agree, Ingrge should be here. He seems to have all of his horses charging in the same direction... unlike the rest of us... if ya know what I mean."
Figment Wednesday October 20th, 1999 12:53:59 AM
"I was just thinking about K'Nara. I don't feel we should leave her alone. Is anyone strong enough to carry her? Any other suggestions?"
Ingrge Wednesday October 20th, 1999 2:13:59 AM
Ingrge looks around at the others and says "I believe that K'nara is able to come along with us she seems to be functioning as well as the majority of us at the moment. Let's check out this door, and find out what is going on in this place. THEN we burn it to the ground, Madame and all.
Gloomy prospects (DM) d20=15 Wednesday October 20th, 1999 4:02:59 PM
Looking down the hall, the group sees one door 20 feet along on the right side, with two more doors (one on the left, one on the right) another 30 further -- the hall dead-ends in a wall. Going to the first door, you see that the handle has been broken off, and the facing badly gouged as if someone unsuccessfully tried to pry it open. The broad steel head of a crossbow bolt it sticking out of it (obviously fired from behind the door).
Figment Wednesday October 20th, 1999 5:53:59 PM
"Does someone care to kick it in? I'm not very adept at such feats."
Olana Wednesday October 20th, 1999 6:30:59 PM
Feeling a little less jittery now they're all together once more, the elf whispers to Ingrge. "Figment is very 'excitable' isn't he - a very highly-strung person," watching Fig tear off down the corridor. She follows, along with the others, and makes careful note of the doors, listening intently for any sounds and looking for any subtle signs of traverse (footprints in dust etc). At the first door she says, "Maybe Milo should have a look at it before we start kicking anything in. You never know......" Trailing off, she goes on with her investigation.
Shadrach d20=10 Wednesday October 20th, 1999 9:41:59 PM
Shad pats Fluet and waits to see if Milo is going to look at the door. If the okay is given, he walked up and gave it a strong kick (OpenDoors on 11 or under).
K'nara d20=3 Wednesday October 20th, 1999 11:03:59 PM
The redheaded warrior woman growled at Milo's comment. "HEY! At least *I* reigned *my* horses in...eventually..." she added reluctantly. "Check out the door, Milo--then we'll see about getting in there..." K'nara scratched absently at the wounds that would have killed a less-hardy individual and drew her sword once more, not bothering to utter the phrase that would have lit it up. Once Milo finished checking the door, she added her own mighty kick to the attempt to open it--the door banging open loudly...
Milo d100=74 Thursday October 21st, 1999 1:21:59 AM
Startled at the ferocity of K'Nara's response, Milo jerks back a bit, then calming gets a very nonplussed look on his face, "Yeah... okay... why don't I check out the door." Milo steps up to the barrier and searches it thoroughly for possible traps and so forth. Not noticing any, he steps very quickly away from the closed portal. "Smash away, I don't see anything wrong with it."
Ingrge Thursday October 21st, 1999 5:12:59 AM
Ingrge stands aside and lets the mighty mighty ones have a go at door bashing.
Behind Door Number 1, we have...(DM) d20=17 Thursday October 21st, 1999 3:07:59 PM
Despite being nailed-up from the inside, K'nara, who is first to kick at the door, smashes it inward, and stumbles forward with the momentum, saving her from impalement by a flying crossbow bolt. A solid thump is heard as the bolt lodges in the wall across the hall. You see a crossbow strapped to a wooden chair, with a thin thread connecting it to the door. A beautiful bed fills the rest of the room. Next to the bed are an empty wine skin and a few crumbs of bed. On the bed is an emaciated corpse of a once beautiful warrior -- now her cheekbones protrude thru her blue flesh. She is still wearing her ring mail, and there's a fine warhammer lying next to her on the bed. Judging from the odor, she hasn't been dead very long.
Shadrach Thursday October 21st, 1999 4:44:59 PM
"Aaah!" Shad clutched at somebody and stayed trembling in the hall.
Milo Thursday October 21st, 1999 6:37:59 PM
Eyes nearly poppin' from the sight, Milo steps back up against the wall next to the now open doorway, leaning over as if to catch his breath. His face is etched with horror... "Hey...Ingrge, is there any way I could persuade you to remove the dead thing so we can search the room..." Milo gasps for air, and his knuckles turn white as he grips the handle of his small blade... "My first instinct is to search any room with the possibility of reward, but I'm not goin' in there with the corpse... " The halfling manages a weak smile.
Figment d20=18 Thursday October 21st, 1999 7:09:59 PM
(makes save) somehow keeps his wits about him despite the recent chain of events. He looks to the others "I think I can manage a look around - but not for long! We still must find any living left.". He takes a deep breath away from the door and holds it as he moves into the room preparing to cast as he exhales - if necessary. He quickly looks up before stepping in (all those things dropping from the ceiling) and then around for more doors or openings. He looks at the corpse trying to see any markings or items that would identify who he/she is. He also looks for anything of value - that he could return for proof that they found her. He looks under the bed before approaching and ESPECIALLY looks for any strings that might be attached to the warrior.
Olana d20=17 Thursday October 21st, 1999 9:57:59 PM
A little further down the hall, still looking for signs that someone has passed by or gone through any of the other doors, she turns swiftly as the door opens - noting Shad's reaction. Feeling her own stomach shiver in revulsion at the mere thought of what's in there, she hangs back.(grrr - failed tracking check)"Deep breaths, Shad," she whispers. "Take slow deep breaths."
Ingrge Thursday October 21st, 1999 11:59:59 PM
Looking in at the corpse and the room, Ingrge especially keeps an eye on the corpse after having experienced what was going on below and says. I would say that judging by the crossbow and the state of the door, that this warrior barricaded herself in here and then could never get back out. Tying a rope around his middle, Ingrge asks, Figment, If you are up to it shall we do a quick search? Milo will you watch from the door and hold on to this end of my rope, just in case... Figment I might suggest you do the same and have some ready to pull you out as well. umm could someone perhaps spike the door open so we are not closed off and someone else needs to keep an eye out out here in the hall as well.
K'nara Saturday October 23rd, 1999 12:43:59 AM
Sighing, because she isn't enraged any longer and can handle the sight of this rather, um, freshly-killed person, K'nara simply steps into the room after Ingrge and Figment. "I'm fine, thanks--now, you guys carefully check out that warrior on the bed...I'll see what she may have impaled on the back of this door..." So saying, K'nara turned, faced the open doorway, and then used her foot to slowly close the door until she could see what--if anything--was on the back of it...
Flueterflam Saturday October 23rd, 1999 9:21:59 PM
Fluet's sanity melts away as he sees the corpse. He immediately turns around and begins to mumble about dead people again. Although on first glance he seems to be mumbling to himself, on closer inspection, it seems as though he may actually think himself to be talking to someone. Fluet just stands there like this until dragged along somewhere else.
Dead Search (DM) d20=13 d20=17 d20=10 d20=9 Sunday October 24th, 1999 6:22:59 PM
Figment, K’nara, and Ingrge all set about inspecting the room (taking suitable precautions) and discover that: 1. There are no wires or other bodies in this room. 2. Nothing is behind the door. 3. Other than the ring mail and warhammer, the only thing of note on the dead warrior’s body is a pouch containing 20 gp, 35 sp, and a brooch with a large milky-green stone mounted in a silver filigree. 4. Nothing else of interest is located in the room. Olana notices numerous 2-inch round holes perforating the ceiling above her head -- they extend the length of the hall. The next door (up to the left) is currently shut, and the hall is too dark to see much further.
Figment Sunday October 24th, 1999 8:00:59 PM
Discouraged that the warrior has no markings to reveal her identity the mage offers "Perhaps we should return with her war hammer so her family - if they care - can know of her demise?". The mage picks up the pouch and pockets it and the war hammer - if it's not too heavy - and carries it out of the room. "If nothing else you guys can use this to bash doors rather than your shoulder."
Shadrach Sunday October 24th, 1999 9:59:59 PM
"Well, I guess we couldn't do any good here. Let's go back outside!" Shad shook next to Fluet. "Uh, I have an augury. I could check to see if burning the house is a good idea. You know, one question, asking if something is good-bad."
K'nara Sunday October 24th, 1999 11:04:59 PM
K'nara pauses for a moment, then goes over to the fallen fighter and, bowing her head, softly asks Domi to bespeak this warrior's spirit to Gargul, that her judgement be just. Then she grimly goes out of the room and closes the door behind her. "Next door, then--Milo, see if you can hear anything, please?" K'nara frowned, not liking this place at all, but damned if she'd just leave without finding out what the heck was going on first.
Milo d100=36 Sunday October 24th, 1999 11:05:59 PM
Regaining his senses, and seeing the opening, Milo pipes up... "Hey... Shad... that's not a BAD idea!" A grin stretches across his face. "I'll go check out this next door." Milo proceeds cautiously down the corridor to the next door, and examines it for possible traps.
Ingrge Monday October 25th, 1999 1:40:59 AM
after searching, Ingrge will follow the others back into the hall. As he notices Olana looking at the ceiling, he gets a very bad feeling and taps K'nara's shoulder and has her look up as well. ::in a whisper:: Ingrge says, "Um, you don't suppose this hall way is one big trap now do you?"
Olana Monday October 25th, 1999 7:52:59 AM
Olana nods as Ingrge makes the remark about the trap. "Maybe gas - or projectiles. Question is - what will set it off?" She looks down the hall and frowns. "Careful everyone - if there's a way of walking along here without being directly under these things, against the walls perhaps - then do so."
Shadrach Monday October 25th, 1999 8:49:59 AM
He frowned at Milo. "Are you making fun of my Augury?" Following the line of conversation, he began to mumble, clutching his whistle. (Cast Find Traps!)
Bedroom #2 (DM) d20=11 d100=71 Monday October 25th, 1999 11:56:59 AM
Shad receives an ominous premonition about the holes overhead after casting his spell: The danger is mechanical in nature, although he doesn’t know what triggers it. In a moment, he remembers earlier seeing shafts rising and descending rapidly in the hall. Ever square inch of the ceiling seems to be covered, allowing no chance of avoidance if the trap were to be sprung. Shad does not spot any traps on the next door, and Milo confirms this fact. The warhammer proves unnecessary, as the door pushes open easily on oiled hinges. Beyond is an unoccupied bedroom. A brushed black jacket with frayed cuffs hangs neatly on the back of the lone chair in the room. A simple wood-frame bed is neatly made, and the room appears free of dust and cobwebs. On the back wall is a narrow spiral staircase leading upward. Immediately, the hum heard earlier begins anew, and looking over your shoulders, you see spears emerging from the hallway holes, piercing down to the floor before rising. The hum noise seems loudest hear the spiral stairs, which end in a hatch.
Figment Monday October 25th, 1999 4:59:59 PM
"Now we're getting somewhere!" the mage whispers as he moves to the stairs. Standing at their base he looks to the others "K'Nara, it appears you would be the best one to lead in this situation although I think a Red Salamander down the hatch would be preferable to this hatch!"
Milo d100=26 d100=35 Monday October 25th, 1999 7:33:59 PM
"No Shad, I'm not making fun of you, it was merely a sad attempt at humor..." Milo moves up to the base of the stairs, "Hold up there folks, lets have a look before we move on. I don't want ANY of you to get injured because we were too hasty." Milo proceeds up the steps cautiously, ahead of the group. He checks for traps as he moves up them, and then checks the hatch for traps as well." Should all be well, he returns to the base, allowing others to proceed before him.
K'nara Monday October 25th, 1999 11:44:59 PM
K'nara frowns at the descending spears. "I'd say as soon as those spears appear to go back into the ceiling and at least PAUSE, Ingrge should go and try to open that hatch...only because I know he's stronger than I am." The human bladesinger turns to the elven warrior/wizard. "I don't want you to think that I'm sending you 'cuz I'm afraid to get hurt or just plain afraid--you don't HAVE to go, but you ARE stronger than I am."
Olana Tuesday October 26th, 1999 1:09:59 AM
While the others work out who's going first, Olana has a look around the room, especially at the base of the stairs, in case there's some kind of mechanism behind a door that controls the spears.
Ingrge Tuesday October 26th, 1999 5:38:59 AM
After everyone enters the room and the spears are doing their thing out in the hallway, Ingrge will take a moment to close the door behind them and using an iron spike will wedge the door closed. As he hears K'nara say his name he will turn, listen and acknowledge the request with a simple nod and will await the all clear signal from Milo and with staff in hand will open the door when able.
Shadrach Tuesday October 26th, 1999 5:42:59 AM
"Time to go, go, go!" Shad started running, dragging Fluet along, and pushing the others into the room, before the spear ceiling could descend all the way. He pulled the door closed.
Review of Room #2 (DM) Tuesday October 26th, 1999 3:32:59 PM
Everyone is safely in Room #2. A thorough search reveals no further traps. The spears in the hall, rather than slowing down, are moving more quickly in and out of the ceiling at various intervals -- it would be impossible to navigate past them with being hurt. Ingrge, proceeding to the trap door, notices that it appears barred from above -- it will have to be bashed open.
Olana Tuesday October 26th, 1999 6:31:59 PM
Olana looks up and sighs. "Well, I guess we can take turns at bashing, if it proves tough to open." The elf will help with the door if necessary.
Figment Tuesday October 26th, 1999 6:41:59 PM
offers "Would you perchance prefer to pound?" as he holds out the newly acquired war hammer.
Shadrach d20=9 Tuesday October 26th, 1999 7:48:59 PM
"Well, if nothing else, by the time we get the trap door open, the trap outside will have finished. Let me try!" Shad stood at the top, smacking at it, before growing frustrated. ((11 opens stuck door, but not a locked one.)) "We may have to destroy the door!"
K'nara Tuesday October 26th, 1999 10:53:59 PM
The warrior woman nods her head. "So be it, then--break open that hatch!" She looks at Ingrge, again because of the elf's superior strength.
Ingrge d20=13 d100=19 Wednesday October 27th, 1999 2:51:59 AM
Doing his darndest to comply with K'nara's wishes, Ingrge put all his elven BULK into forcing the trap door open. He gives it a valiant effort and the door does give a little but the combination of the top bar and the positioning of the door does not allow Ingrge to get enough leverage for a truly valiant effort. (needed 13 or less on D100)
Milo Wednesday October 27th, 1999 3:18:59 AM
Milo winces as Ingrge slams into the hatch... "Okay, hold up.. let me look at that thing again. I just thought of something." Shortsword in hand, Milo mounts the steps once more, and examines the hatch, looking to see if the cracks around the edges are wide enough to slip the relatively thin blade of his short sword in and possibly manipulate the bar on the other side. If they are, he attempts to do so.
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