A Toast to a New Friend (DM Donna) d20+2=18 Thursday March 22nd, 2001 7:48:50 AM
Firehoof eyes Raorr for a moment, but seems to judge that he's trustworthy...for a minotaur. She takes the wineskin, drinks to the toast, and then, handing the skin back to its owner, takes his offered hand and grips it strongly, nodding. Then the female guard turns and addresses the various questions about WHAT it was that she saw.
"When I'm on duty, sir," she says rather haughtily to Flat-top, "I do NOT drink." Then the filly grows thoughtful.
"It was night time, and that thing was not near any light sources," Firehoof continues to explain, "So I can't tell you what kind of teeth it had...but..." Now the young centaur looks a little embarrassed. "...um, to tell the truth--seeing that big old--whatever-it-was kinda startled me...but now that I really, REALLY think about it...well, the roar...it sounded an awful lot like..." Firehoof swallowed hard and squared her shoulders.
"...it sounded like a very loud...burp."
Zeoll Thursday March 22nd, 2001 8:27:35 AM
Zeoll chuckles, and then says sincerely to Firehoof, "Thank you for telling us. This just confirrms my suspicion. Neitherr demons norr undead norr monsterrs of deadly sorrts are known forr loud burrps. All indications point to grreedy, cowardly, mischief makerrs."
The wemic agrees with those who express impatience. "Come, frriends all! The Grotto awaits."
Flat-top Thursday March 22nd, 2001 11:30:30 AM
Flat-top said to Kale, "Look at that, our friend offers her a drink and they are fast friends. That filly has no taste passing up on two wonderful males like us." Turn and agrees with Kale, " OK! let's go to the grotto. Hump! burp in deed.
Leets Thursday March 22nd, 2001 1:20:10 PM
"Well...Anyway I don't think that a demon, even one dirty enough to burp like a roar, could drink the holy wine, after all, it is HOLY..."
Leets nods at Zeoll comments, and adds:
"Even if this being was an illusion, the cowards who created it have to be physical...I think we should have a look at the place where Firehoof saw this..."
Kenisha Thursday March 22nd, 2001 2:44:06 PM
Kenisha chuckles for a bit then thinks about it seriously as she follows the others on the way to the Grotto.
"If this was an illusion, why would the mischief maker behind it make the fierce looking creature burp? Such spells have to be set up before the spell is cast. Still the giggling and lights could be indicative of pixies or some such fae creatures."
Raorr the Minotaur Thursday March 22nd, 2001 6:44:28 PM
Raorr caps the Wineskin, places it back into the back pack and says to the group "Raorr hopes it is twenty feet tall, purple and with one eye." looking at the group he continues "Raorr thinks if it is then the might of the united taur races would be need to defeat it." Shaking his head he dismisses the thought crossing his mind then says "If it is some small prank by a bored 'magical creature' Raorr think that this would be waste of time, our help would not be important our God said to sent us here for a reason and it's not to spank a naughty Pixie, Fey, or whatever you think it might be."
Kalon the Wemic Thursday March 22nd, 2001 7:44:53 PM
Kalon smiles at the description of the beasts roar as a "burp" and then falls in with the group. He continues to keep an eye onhis surroundings half expecting the "ghost, spirit or faeries" to do something just to show off.
Ceira Karwyn Thursday March 22nd, 2001 11:43:11 PM
"Burp?" Ceira repeats as if she misheard Firehoof's description. "Well, I can be too quick to judge until I see it with my own eyes. Our chances of catching a glimpse is also slim. Just look at us." She gestures to the entire group. "We are many in number and a few of us are fairly loaded up with combat equipment. If this creature is smart enough to wreck havoc for this long, then it is obviously an intelligent enough to know better than show itself while our entire troop is snooping about. Once we arrive at the Grotto, we will take a look around and get a general layout of the place. Then we should devise some sort of plan to lure the creature out."
Kale Friday March 23rd, 2001 6:17:56 AM
"We are going to the place Firehoof saw the thing Leets." Kale says. then he says to Flat-Top "Im not interested in mating with a centaur. I dont think the result of that would be very pleasing to the eye." he says as everyone begins to move to the grotto. "Firehoof, Tailtwacker, are you two coming with us?" he calls back
Day Trip (DM Donna) Friday March 23rd, 2001 7:19:15 AM
"That was brave of ya to 'fess up, lass." Tailthwacker says, nodding. "Now off with ya--I'll be showin' these here Taurs the way to the Grotto now. You need your sleep so's ya can work the night shift tonight!"
Firehoof nods and salutes her boss, moving back down the road towards the vineyard's exit. She takes a few steps, halts, then turns and bows to the party before continuing on her way.
Tailthwacker clears his throat.
"Awright--this way to the Grotto." he says, moving in the opposite direction of the younger filly.
Everyone must make a Spot check--if Zeoll fails his Spot check, he must then make a Dexterity check at -4.
Kale d20+1=18 Saturday March 24th, 2001 6:30:19 AM
Kale moves along silently with the others until he stops suddenly "Somethings not right..." he says(i think i made the spot check with an 18)
Leets d20=5 Sunday March 25th, 2001 9:43:39 AM
Leets follows Tailthwacker, impatient to see the grotto and to search for clues over there...
He's so much lost in his thought that he doesn't notice what's happening around.
Kenisha d20+3=13 Sunday March 25th, 2001 10:36:14 AM
Kenisha continues to silently follow along, deep in her own thoughts and ruminations about what they will find there.
(ooc- I don't know what the DC of the spot check was, so I don't know if I made it or not.)
Kalon the Wemic d20+1=15 Sunday March 25th, 2001 10:59:03 AM
At Kale's warning Kalon stops perhaps thinking that the what he thought was just grape vines moving might not be. Looking around he says,"Kale might be right or of course we just might be jumpier then we would like to admit" he waits watching the area
Flat-top d20+1=5 Sunday March 25th, 2001 6:41:45 PM
As Flat-top trots along side Kale, Flat-top tells him,"I see your point about Firehoof, Kale, But I could be very interested in that little filly". (ooc. Flat-top has his mind else where)
Ceira Karwyn d20=10 Sunday March 25th, 2001 8:31:46 PM
Ceira is eager to snoop around the grotto to determine the nature of this mysterious creature. She mindlessly follows Tailthwacker's lead without paying any heed to her surroundings.
Raorr the Minotaur d20-2=2 Sunday March 25th, 2001 11:57:45 PM
Raorr blinks as if something got in his eye, he shakes his head and realizes where he is "Raorr, ready to go. Lead on Tailthwacker"
Gripping his glaive tighter he snorts "To battle and glory, the creature's blood will be shed by my Glaive, only death awaits this theiving spirit."
Zeoll d20+4=20 Monday March 26th, 2001 12:14:39 AM
[out of character: I made a Spot check against DC 20 (see above). Donna, shouldn't you give us a DC so we know if we make it or not?]
Zeoll heads toward tha Grotto with the party. Ever alert, he notices something.
Great (Caesar's?) Ghost! (DM Donna) Monday March 26th, 2001 7:08:43 AM
OOC: unless otherwise stated, DC's are 15. Such is the case in this instance.
Everyone who got made 15 or better on their Spot check notices that--somehow, someway--a length of grapevine has wound itself around the paws of Zeoll! It is something that most certainly would have tripped up the wemic had he been caught unawares--and it also canNOT have happened "by accident", as all of the party was standing in the middle of the road, and nowhere NEAR the fields!
Everyone make a Listen check now--DC 12.
Leets d20=12 Monday March 26th, 2001 7:18:51 AM
Leets who was going forward to the grotto turns his head backward to see why his friends are waiting.
"What are you waiting for my..."
He suddenly turns his head in another direction, hearing something...
Kale d20-1=9 Monday March 26th, 2001 9:43:46 AM
"Im always right." Kale says to Kalon. "Look at Zeoll's foot." he says as he draws his bow. "Be careful, something is out there."
Flat-top d20+1=2 Monday March 26th, 2001 10:29:39 AM
"HUH!" Flat-top to Kale,"What are you doing with bow and arrow? What do you mean there's something out there? I don't here anything."
Kenisha d20+2=19 Monday March 26th, 2001 10:56:19 AM
Kenisha upon hearing something, and with all the talk of either a magical or magic-using entity behind all the tricks and thefts here, casts Detect Magic and starts scanning around.
Kalon the Wemic d20+1=14 Monday March 26th, 2001 7:11:23 PM
Kalon turns in the direction of the noise now very sure that something was about. He crouches in a defensive posture ready for the worst.
"Be careful Kale it may still turn iout to be nothing at all maybe even a centaur" Kalon cals to him
Zeoll d20+3=9 Monday March 26th, 2001 10:07:25 PM
Zeoll doesn't panic, but he is careful to remove the plant root completely. He is so intent on this that he fails to hear the sound.
Raorr the Minotaur d20=9 Tuesday March 27th, 2001 12:52:04 AM
Raorr yells "Raorr say, Hurry up! Must find Wine before festival." Noting that a few people have not begun to walk yet.
Apperently his yelling made it impossible for him to hear the noise.
Whispers or Wind..? (DM Donna) d20=2 Tuesday March 27th, 2001 6:38:46 AM
Those who made their Listen check hear a noise coming from the left--from the thick coils of grapevines that make up the edge of the field. The sound is so ephemeral that it's hard to say whether or not it's real...or just the breeze that stirs the vines.
"See..?" Tailthwacker says, pointing to Zeoll's tangled feet, apparently not having heard the noise. "That's the kind of stuff that seems to keep happening--and it's spookin' the manure outta the help!"
Kenisha Tuesday March 27th, 2001 10:43:32 AM
"I see what you mean, Tailthwacker." Kenisha replies.
Kenisha will continue to keep the Detect Magic up for it's full duration (ooc that's 2 minutes) while looking all around.
(ooc- please let me know what I see (even if it's magical items on the party members)
Flat-top Tuesday March 27th, 2001 12:11:29 PM
"OH! I see." Said Flat-top, as he put his hand on his mace. "Hey! Raorr! use you axe to cut those vines and we'll see what happens."
Kale Tuesday March 27th, 2001 1:45:44 PM
"We're not even in the grotto yet, and already we are encountering stuff like this." Kale says as he waits to see if Raorr is able to cut up the vines
Leets Tuesday March 27th, 2001 3:12:47 PM
As everybody seems to gather around Zeoll to check his problem, Leets comes closer too and tells Raorr and Kale:
"Hey my friends! Before cutting this vine, perhaps could we see where it leads us, no?"
Thiel d20=16 Tuesday March 27th, 2001 3:22:09 PM
Thiel hears the strange noise, and walks to the vineyard, searching for the origin of the sound. As he is carefully and prudently moving apart the vines, he suddenly seems to have found something interesting. A couple of seconds later, he comes back to the group surrounding Zeoll, chewing some grapes.
Ceira Karwyn Tuesday March 27th, 2001 9:07:21 PM
"These are all pranks." Ceira adds. "They have to be..." She remains silent for a while as she stays on her guard. Ceira seems to be trembling but maybe it's just the chill breeze.
Kalon the Wemic Tuesday March 27th, 2001 10:31:01 PM
"I think we're just jumping at shadows let's get to the grotto and leave the vines alone. I don't think they would like us to to going tearing apart their vineyard. Particularly when Raor has made such an impression on them already" Kalon says with a hint of amusement in his voice.
Zeoll Tuesday March 27th, 2001 11:45:05 PM
"I don't think this vine was attacking me," Zeoll says, "it was just an impediment."
Raorr the Minotaur Tuesday March 27th, 2001 11:53:11 PM
Raorr stops and looks at the vine "Raorr saysk you all think to much, a vine is a vine. Not enemy, simply a vine." Noting the still shaking form of Ceira he says rudely "Are you afraidy cat or a Wemic woman? I think your kind should not be afraid of a small-itsy-bitsy vine that tried to trip up Zeoll."
Raorr snorts "If you all would not take so long getting to the grotto, the plants would not and could not wrap around your legs."
Raorr looks over to Flat-Top "This" Raising his Glaive "Is a Glaive! It is not an axe!" Lowering it again he says "Let the slow pokes worry about their own tied legs"
Raorr yells out, hoping the 'ghost' is listening, "If you want wine creature I will give it to you. If you continue with your pranks you will DIE, I care not if your pranks are meant as jokes. My tolerance is over, show yourself now or accept your fate."
To anyone who is paying attention to Raorr his eyes are getting red and he seems extremely annoyed with something or someone.
Defusing the Situation (DM Donna) Wednesday March 28th, 2001 7:59:09 AM
"There now, fella--save them muscles for when we find out what the flock is happenin' around here, okay..?" Tailthwacker says to Raorr. He clip-clops over to Zeoll and aids the wemic in removing the vine (which is not attached to anything, thus there is no way of "following it" to anywhere specific) from around his paws.
Everyone else, however, stares at Thiel--because you all notice that his horns are now festooned with daisy-chains of blossoms.
"What?" he asks, swallowing his mouthful of fruit and turning around in place to see what everyone else is looking at. As he does so, another thing becomes obvious:
There's a piece of parchment attached to the cleric's back, with something written on it...in a language nobody in the party knows.
Flat-top Wednesday March 28th, 2001 11:16:46 AM
Flat-top trots around Thiel, looking at the daisies in his main. Then Flat-top notices the parchment attacked to his robe in the back. "He He He, I'm counting the letters on this message, and I'll bet that it reads 'KICK ME.'" Fla-top to Kale Raorr and Leets.
Leets Wednesday March 28th, 2001 1:02:25 PM
A little bit disappointed, the young paladin abandons the vine since it leads to nothing.
"You have to be right wise Tailthwacker, lets go to the grotto..."
"Thiel? By all the names of Domi, what do you have on your back?"
Leets looks more carefuly to the paper, also looking from where Thiel comes back to see if there is something or somebody.
Thiel Wednesday March 28th, 2001 1:07:34 PM
Thiel, seeing that everybody looks at his horns, touches his head and feels the blossoms. Thinking that it is linked to the grapes, he spits what he can.
A little bit annoyed, he tries to grab the paper attached to his back.
"Next time I'll think of it twice before tasting anything!"
Kalon the Wemic Wednesday March 28th, 2001 4:34:49 PM
Looking at Thiel he says,"You didn't notice either of those things being put on you. We must be dealing with something invisible and very stealthy. I think something is just playing tricks to frighten people away. Maybe it is trying to take over the vineyard for some reason."
Moving close enough to Kenisha to whisper in her ear,"Perhaps we could lure it out with wine. Of course we have to be careful what we say aloud. As it could be here nearby at all times" Then moving to Zeoll he leans in to whisper,"If it is invisible it may still leave tracks maybe you should keep an eye open for tracks that aren't ours"
Ceira Karwyn Wednesday March 28th, 2001 7:44:55 PM
"Harumph!" snorts Ceira as she struts by Raorr. She stops upon seeing the blossoms on top of Thiel's head. "Mental note: do not eat dinner here." She walks up to the parchment to take a look at it. Even though she doesn't understand the language, Ceira tries studying the format it is written in. She asks Tailthwacker, "Do you recognize this piece of parchment? Where might someone buy or obtain parchment such as this?"
(OOC: Is the format of gthe language in a list, a letter, or random scribbling? What about the substance used to write it? Is it ink? Is it fresh?)
Zeoll Wednesday March 28th, 2001 11:05:54 PM
"Good idea," Zeoll whispers back to Kalon, in wemic. Then, trying not to be too obvious about it, Zeoll looks around for tracks, especially where Thiel was.
Kenisha Thursday March 29th, 2001 12:44:42 AM
Kenisha twiddles her thumbs.
Raorr the Minotaur Thursday March 29th, 2001 5:11:02 AM
Raorr begins pacing back and forth about 20 yards away from the group. He appears to be trying to physically remain seperated from the group as though he is fighting an internal battle.
<<In Raorr's mind>>
In his mind a continious battle rages on as violent beastial thoughts bombard his mind. The raw fury of the ancient wars between the Taur races play through his head. Taur verus Taur fighting contsantly, continually, in a unending battle.
Raorr is there fighting trying to understand his involvement, trying to control the anger and hatred he feels toward the other Taurs for the war.
<<End of Raorr's mind>>
To those watching Raorr pace his pace quickens and he seems definetly distracted, mumbling to himself.
Can This Be Magic..? (DM Donna) d20+3=15 Thursday March 29th, 2001 6:54:07 AM
(OOC: my apologies to Kenisha's player--I'd forgotten about the Detect Magic.)
Kenisha's canny eyes note the presence of the various magic items that the God of War saw fit to bestow upon the Taurs, as all of the various magic weapons, shields and rings glow with a soft but unmistakeable aura.
As does the writing on the note that Flat-top and Ceira are inspecting! (Roll a Spot check with an extra +4 bonus versus DC 12, Kenisha.)
The writing--to those paying attention to it--seems to form two distinctive parts, which the quick-witted wemic sorceress deems to most likely be two separate words (OOC: made an Intelligence check for Ceira versus DC 15.) Flat-top counts seven characters in the first word and four in the second.
To Ceira's eyes, however, the medium used to write the words with is familiar to her, and yet she cannot specifically identify it.
Kale Thursday March 29th, 2001 9:39:23 AM
"Lets keep moving. All this stuff is happening to throw us off guard." Kale says as he begins to move
Flat-top Thursday March 29th, 2001 1:29:29 PM
Flat-top trots over to Raorr, "Come on Raorr, I think Kale is right. Lets go to the grotto, and we have to be very careful. I have a feeling that things are about to heat up and we need your help now, Big Boy."
Leets Thursday March 29th, 2001 2:21:39 PM
Leets touches the vine with the tip of his sword, as if it was some kind of dead snake, and looks around, very serious.
"I think you are right Kale...And you too Kalon. I haven't been feeling something that would be...evil around. Moreover, the thing that put THAT on Thiel's back is so stealthy...It could easily backstab any one of us, but it didn't. It looks like this thing is not ill-intentioned, and it looks more like some kind of game..."
Leets wipes the tip of his sword. Coming closer to his friends.
Thiel d20+5=15 Thursday March 29th, 2001 3:02:39 PM
Thiel, looks for a moment at the paper, but realizes that he is quite annoyed to look really carefully at it. He walks back at the place he was when he tasted the grapes, and look at the ground, searching for footprints or any other clue.
(OOC: using the Search skill)
Kalon the Wemic Thursday March 29th, 2001 10:00:37 PM
As he moves to join Raorr and Flat-top he stops by Kenisha and says,"An acomplished thumb twiddler I see. The rush to get to the grotto seems moot to me now the forces at work are coming to us but maybe we should go just to keep Raorr from hurting something." then moves toward the two that are already ahead.
Ceira Karwyn Thursday March 29th, 2001 10:31:14 PM
"I find it troubling to know how anyTHING could possibly sneak up on Thiel and put this parchment on his back." Ceira continues walking toward the grotto now.
"Don't worry Leets, we shouldn't be expecting any backstabbing or other foul play from our culprit. In all these weeks, there has been no murders committed so I doubt our culprit would start now. If it were to take one of us out, it should logically take down the toughest of our group. Namely, the towering Tailthwacker here."
"Unless of course, it believes Thiel is the most powerful of our group." Ceira adds with a playful wink.
Kenisha d20+7=16 Thursday March 29th, 2001 11:24:49 PM
Kenisha ignores Kalon's comment and takes a long look at the note. "Whatever it says, it does glow magically. Whomever put it there probably did so, not by stealth but by magic."
Zeoll Friday March 30th, 2001 12:10:18 AM
Zeoll remains alert, trying to track if there is anything to track, otherwise keeping a sharp look out. He stays near Kenisha, judging that the group near Raorr can take care of themselves.
Raorr the Minotaur Friday March 30th, 2001 12:47:39 AM
Raorr snaps out of his pacing when he notes his path is blocked by two people.
Raorr , now refocused after the long fight in his mind, says "Raorr think this waste of time. If creature choose not to hurt anyone, then it is not a problem."
He looks over to Tailthwacker "Tell your people it is only a prankster and tell them to ignore it's pranks. If it continuesd and they ignore it it should go away since it won't be getting anything out of it."
He looks back to the rest of the group "If it is a malevolent creature it will begin hurting people. So in that case we will have to continue looking for it."
He vigorously shakes the Glaive in his hand and continues "If the creature has drank the wine then all that we can do is find the creature and the empty casks/tunnes since we can not return the wine. If it hasn't drank the wine then the wine must be hidden somewhere. A tunne is quite large and obviously is not in the open. Therefore we should look for the tunne and not the creature, if we find the tunne then we find it's hiding spot and possibly a clue as to it identity."
He looks again back at Tailthwacker "Is there an area on the grounds or just outside that is not regularily patrolled or looked at that could potentially store or hide the missing wine?"
Clues Abound! (DM Donna) d20+6=10 Friday March 30th, 2001 7:10:11 AM
Thiel finds no evidence of any footprints or other signs of tracks on the ground where he'd gotten the rather delicious grapes.
Kenisha determines from the fading aura of the writing (plus her knowledge of Spellcraft) that the writing was, indeed, generated through magical means, but not itself magic.
It also looks vaguely familiar to her, though she still doesn't understand what it says.
"Well...if we're all done with this jokester," Tailthwacker says stiffly, "Then the Grotto is still THIS way..." The foreman turns around and, once more, starts to trot off down the path towards the party's original destination.
Kale Friday March 30th, 2001 9:18:08 AM
Kale follows Tailthwacker down the path. he moves up next to him and aske "How many tails have you thwacked in you lifetime?"
Flat-top d20=9 Friday March 30th, 2001 3:08:01 PM
Flat-top is now taking things more seriously, He follows Kale amd he's alittle bit ahead of Kale. Searches along the way but really not seeing anything.
Kalon the Wemic Sunday April 1st, 2001 11:26:05 AM
Kalon hurries along with the group watching for any strange movements in the bushes or anymore moving plants.
Kenisha d20+6=20 Sunday April 1st, 2001 12:11:04 PM
Kenisha studies the note and it's magical aura as she follows behind the others.
(ooc-she's using spellcraft to try and determine the school and relative strength/level of the magic. If this what the other roll was for then just ignore this one. :)
Leets Sunday April 1st, 2001 2:42:16 PM
Leets follows the group in the direction of the grotto. From time to time, he suddenly looks in his back, hoping that he will take by surprise the "stealthy one".
Thiel Sunday April 1st, 2001 2:47:57 PM
Thiel is quite disappointed not to find a clue about the one that put the paper on his back. He follows the group that goes to the grotto, looking at the grapes in the fields with a slight grimace on his face.
Ceira Karwyn Monday April 2nd, 2001 12:18:38 AM
Ceira notices Kenisha is focusing intently on the piece of parchment and walks up next to her to await any new discoveries. While walking, Ceira remains silent to avoid disrupting Kenisha's concentration.
Zeoll Monday April 2nd, 2001 12:22:27 AM
Zeoll tries to think back. He had a bard friend who sometimes wandered where Zeoll's clan roamed, and this bard was always telling stories. Zeoll seems to remember that some of the fey folk were fond of wine. Maybe too fond, some of them.
As he follows Tailthwacker to the Grotto, the wemic looks for signs of fey -- things out of place, mischief of any sort. And he wonders how one catches an invisible sprite.
Raorr the Minotaur Monday April 2nd, 2001 1:30:52 AM
Raorr seems to finely get his way as the group moves forward.
He steps up to the front adjacent to Tailthwacker, and walks at his pace.
Here Be The Grotto (DM Donna) Monday April 2nd, 2001 6:33:07 AM
Kenisha's grasp of Spellcraft tells her that the magic used to generate the note was not of a particularly high level.
"How many, lad..?" Tailthwacker addresses Kale's question with a smirk. "TOO many to count in my 71 years of living...but I can always add a tail or two more..." His glowering glance at the minotaur thief might have made Kale wary, but then the foreman winks and grins. He's only joking, it seems, but Tailthwacker's found something to admire in the wry Kale.
The pathway ends in a T-shaped intersection. Tailthwacker waves a casual hand towards the right.
"That way be the bottling building and storage," he tells you, "Over here to the left is the way to the Grotto." The centaur heads left, walking along at a good clip and nodding to the various field hands that salute him or otherwise pause to stare at the mixed group of Taurs that the foreman is leading through the vineyard.
"And here..." Tailthwacker says, "...be the Grotto..." His muscular arm sweeps around to indicate a very lovely, pastoral area that consists of a circle of grass with a 45-foot radius. There are wildflowers and other such fragant, low-growing plants here, too. The sun shines down through the ring of spindly but tall specimens of lacelattice trees that surround the Grotto in a solid circle.
Solid except for the archway that the path leads up to, that is. The archway is made of a few dozen woody vines growing together in a twisted mass in a breath-takingly beautiful, natural "doorway" that is about twenty feet wide by twenty-five or so feet tall.
Kenisha blinks as the group approaches the Grotto...the sunlight here is so strong and dazzling that--for the briefest moment--she could have sworn that the archway glowed. But when the sorceress glances around to see if her Detect Magic spell is still in effect, she can no longer see the auras of the magic items that she knows the party possesses. The spell must have expired.
And the archway doesn't "glow" now.
Everyone make a Spot check versus DC 15 to notice that the vines that make up the arched entrance to the Grotto have no leaves or greenery growing on them. If you succeed in your Spot check, you get to make a Wilderness Lore check--also versus DC 15--to notice something else strange about the vines.
Kale d20+1=14 Monday April 2nd, 2001 7:35:46 AM
not reconizing anything unusual about the vines, Kale asks Tailtwacker, "What part of the grotto has had the most disturbances? That would be the ideal place to start."
Zeoll d20+4=15 d20+8=14 Monday April 2nd, 2001 10:13:42 AM
[OOC: Made the spot check exactly; missed the wilderness lore by one, alas]
Zeoll declares to the group, "Look! The vines that make up the arrched entrrance to the Grotto have no leaves or grreenery grrowing on them."
"What mannerr of plant is this, Tailthwackerr? And please do tell us the storry of this Grrotto. Does it prre-date the vinerry? How did it get herre?"
Zeoll has not entered the Grotto yet. It seems sacred and special to him, and the place for stories and questions is outside, not within its holy circle.
Leets d20=7 Monday April 2nd, 2001 5:26:51 PM
Leets looks at the archway, amazed, his eyes sparkling like a child.
"I've never seen such a thing...You can say whatever you want Kenisha...There is a some kind of magic in this place..."
Leets still look at the grotto for a couple of seconds, forgetting what happens around him, almost hypnotized.
Flat-top d20+1=14 Monday April 2nd, 2001 5:58:31 PM
" Huh! what leaves? NIce archway." Flat-top look around to see if there's anything out of the ordenary.
Ceira Karwyn d20+2=19 d20+1=10 Monday April 2nd, 2001 7:23:45 PM
"Ah! You're right Zeoll. That certainly is peculiar." replies Ceira. "Hmm... why do you suppose that is?" She looks down at her paws to check and see if any vines have wandered over to where they stand. "You all mentioned vines were moving earlier. Do you suppose..."
Kalon the Wemic d20+1=6 Monday April 2nd, 2001 8:41:04 PM
Kalon mesmerized by the beauty around him fails to notice the group slow down by the archway and continues on into the grotto. Oblivious!
Kenisha d20+3=20 Tuesday April 3rd, 2001 12:51:20 AM
"Yes, very odd about the vines... I could havve sworn that the archway glowed there for a moment, but my spell has ended already... Very odd." Kenisha says as she looks about.
Leaves? What about Leaves...? (DM Donna) d20+2=19 Tuesday April 3rd, 2001 7:32:58 AM
Tailthwacker squints at the vines that make up the archway and his eyes widen.
"There's never been no leaves on this arch...but now that you've asked about it--these here vines don't come from the grapes...not from the ones that we grow around here anyhow!" the foreman says with a harrumph. "Funny how I've never noticed it before..."
Kalon walks into the grotto, his eyes falling upon first this group of fragrant flowers, then that fluttering butterfly of vibrant red and yellow. It's rather nice in the Grotto.
Kale Tuesday April 3rd, 2001 9:18:04 AM
pulling his hood over his head, Kale enters the grotto and examines one of the strange vines
Zeoll Tuesday April 3rd, 2001 10:24:37 AM
Zeoll prays quetly for a moment, in wemic. "Great Tomi, guide us as we enter one of your sacred places."
Than he enters the Grotto and reverently look around.
Flat-top Tuesday April 3rd, 2001 1:03:26 PM
Flat-top watches Kalon walk into the gotto and he's mesmerized by a Red Butterfly. Flat-top find this very strange,*Better keep an eye on Kalon,He just might get into trouble,* Then Flat-top follows Kalon into the grotto.
Ceira Karwyn Tuesday April 3rd, 2001 4:50:46 PM
"Look at that beautiful butterfly!" comments Ceira. "Red is my favorite color you know."
"Oops, sort of distracted there for a moment." smiles Ceira. "So Tailthwacker, could you point out a few locations where the rumors originate from? We should get started in our investigation soon."
Kalon the Wemic Tuesday April 3rd, 2001 8:06:13 PM
Mesmerized by the beauty of the grotto he follows the lovely red butterfly where it seems to want to go. "Perhaps this is a clue" he thinks to himself,"It's as close to a clue as anything he'd seen. Since arriving he had only found more questions. He hoped the others had some ideas on how to find the culprit or culprits"
Raorr the Minotaur Wednesday April 4th, 2001 12:07:21 AM
Raorr enters in to the grotto noting the vine he looks at the vine.
"What special about vine, it like other one, better move it before someone gets hurt."
With that Raorr grabs the vine and starts to try pulling it down, if it resists he'll cut it with the Spiked gauntlets.
Kenisha Wednesday April 4th, 2001 12:49:05 AM
Kenisha just rolls her eyes at Raorr and follows Zeoll in.
Gambol in the Grotto (DM Donna) d20+2=15 Wednesday April 4th, 2001 7:34:03 AM
Tailthwacker chuckles indulgently at Ceira.
"Find out where rumors originate???" he says with a grin. "You GOTTA be kidding, right? That's like trying to trace which li'l grape got into that skin of wine you're carrying!" The foreman then shrugs. "I'll do my best to track 'em down, but don't expect miracles...people just LOVES to talk."
Raorr inspects the vines that make up the archway--there are about a dozen or so of them, and they are VERY thick and all twined together in almost a solid mass. In fact, due to his knowledge of Wilderness Lore (and the DM's roll for him), the barbarian sees for himself that the vines are very, VERY old and that it would be impossible to pry one away from the others without running the risk of completely ruining the rest of the rather pretty archway.
The sun-dappled expanse of grass and flowers that is the Grotto is serenaded by the chirping of insects and the occasional tweeting of birds in the trees that surround the area.
Zeoll d20+8=10 Wednesday April 4th, 2001 9:34:39 AM
Zeoll listens to the birds and wishes he could talk with one. He whistles and uses his Animal Empathy ability to get a little songbird to perch on his finger [OOC - that's the roll above].
Whether he succeeds or fails, he says, "Tiny birrd, if only you could tell us what you saw herre."
The wemic tries to get a sense of the natural and sacred aura of the place. He tries to sense any recent intruders. He looks for tracks. He uses his Nature Sense (druid ability) and wilderness lore.
Kale Wednesday April 4th, 2001 9:35:10 AM
bored looking at the vines, Kale wanders around a bit, looking for anything interesting at all
Flat-top Wednesday April 4th, 2001 10:49:35 AM
Flat-top walks around and puts one arm around the shoulders of Kale, and sings to him ~Pritty~Birdy~~In~the~Vines~~Makes~A~Very~~Pritty~Sound~~."How's that Pal."
Leets Wednesday April 4th, 2001 4:04:14 PM
The young Paladin doesn't really know where to look exactly, walking under the arch and spinning to look all around.
"This place has to be blessed by a god..."
Leets turns to face his friends.
"We have been talking of fairies, demons...but no gods...Aren't we?"
Thiel Wednesday April 4th, 2001 4:08:32 PM
Thiel walks to the arch, putting his hand on the vine, as if he could feel it better by touching it. He then looks at Zeoll and his bird with a slight smile.
"I wish even wood could talk, my friend Zeoll..."
He contemplates the arch from under it during a couple of seconds.
"...you can be sure that those vines would have much to tell."
Ceira Karwyn Wednesday April 4th, 2001 10:26:26 PM
Ceira smiles just shrugs her shoulders at Tailthwacker's comment. "It's worth a shot. Well then let's start snooping around. First of all, this purple thing flies. Assuming it didn't just appear out of nowhere, let's begin by checking the trees to look for any hiding places or maybe even a nest of some sort?"
Kalon the Wemic Thursday April 5th, 2001 12:09:29 AM
Kalon finds a place to sit down and enjoy the beauty of the grotto,"I don't think we're going to find anything here. I think our adversary is presently in control. I think we can only wait for it or them to make a mistake" he says to the group. He sits at a loss to figure out what the group is expecting to find in the grotto
Kenisha d20+3=13 Thursday April 5th, 2001 1:14:07 AM
"I agree Ceira, let's look around." Kenisha replies. She trots in a bit further and starts searching around.
<ooc- that's what the roll is for.>
Raorr the Minotaur Thursday April 5th, 2001 3:10:41 AM
Raorr looks at the limp Vine in his strong hands, a feeling comes over him suddenly feels tired.
He looks into the grotto and notes Kalon's sitting form and decides he has the right idea.
Raorr walks over to the Wemic and stabs the Glaive's shaft into the ground and take the saddlebags off his back and places them on the ground. He removes the sheath from the belt and places it on the ground beside the bags, and then he sits down.
"Wemic, you look comfortable I hope you don't mind but I want to get a quick nap before I accidently kill a centaur. Please wake me when the horrible, invisible creature attacks, or when something important happens."
With that said the minotaur named Raorr leans back to rest his head on the bags, cautiously he runs his hand over the bags before resting his head on them, hoping to remove the prank the spirit may have placed on it.
I Spy with my Little Eye... (DM Donna) d20=20 d20+3=14 d20+3=12 d20+2=19 d20+2=6 Thursday April 5th, 2001 7:24:29 AM
Zeoll's skills as a druid become very evident as a pretty little green and blue bird glides over to him and fearlessly perches on his finger. The tiny avian seems very interested in the wemic.
All the other birds singing in the area shut up when Flat-top's serenade begins...his Performance is actually quite good (OOC: rolled a 20!) and all the wildlife in the area apparently wants to hear it, even if Kale himself may or may not be too thrilled with it.
"Gods..???" Tailthwacker echoes Leets' words in an awed voice. "Ya don't think that actual GODS are involved in this, do ya???" The likelihood of that is clearly disturbing to the foreman.
Kalon and Raorr repose without incident. Kenisha and Ceira begin poking around the area of the Grotto, the wemic sorceress nudges the centaur and points to something on the ground.
"Hoofprint...but...does it look strange to you..?" Ceira asks, uncertain. Kenisha peers very closely at the hoofprints in question.
"Heyyyy...I think Ceira found a clue!" the centaur sorceress announces. "Hoofprints...but look..!" Kenisha carefully puts one of her own front hooves beside the impressions that the wemic found. "It's way too small to belong to a centaur!"
Indeed, anyone who looks can see that the discovered hoofprints are only half the size of Kenisha's own.
Kale Thursday April 5th, 2001 7:58:15 AM
"You sure are weird sometimes." Kale says to Flat-Top as he goes over to the footprints. after examining them closely he turns to Ceria and asks "Think you can track whatever made that print?"
Flat-top Thursday April 5th, 2001 12:07:02 PM
"Well, not exactly weird." Said Flat-top to Kale,"just nervious, LOOK! Ceria found a hoof print." Flat-top follows Kale.
Leets d20+3=11 Thursday April 5th, 2001 3:59:00 PM
Seeing everybody looking at Ceira's discovery, Leets gets closer, studying the hoofprint. The young Paladin was a herdsman for some time in his hometown before following his mother's example, so he tries to compare the hoofprints to those of all hoof-creatures he knows.
"Well..I'm not sure, but it makes me think of...a goat, or some kind of sheep...What do you think of it?"
Thiel Thursday April 5th, 2001 4:11:17 PM
Thiel tries to remain aware of what's happening around while everybody seems distracted by the hoofprints.
He looks beyond the arch of the grotto, trying to see what can be hidden over there...
Ceira Karwyn d20+3=12 Thursday April 5th, 2001 7:28:39 PM
"Well Kale," replies Ceira. "I was lucky enough to discover these tracks but I am a sorcerer by trade. I don't suppose we have anyone with Ranger skills among us? Zeoll, you're a... Oh how cute!" she squeals. "Look at the little birdie on your finger!" She realizes how foolish she sounds and quickly regains her composure. "What was I saying? Oh yeah... you're a Druid so I don't suppose you could come over and take a look at this hoofprint?" Ceira also kneels a little lower to take a good look at the hoofprint. (OOC: General Knowledge roll... or would a Wilderness Lore roll be more appropriate in this case?)
Kalon the Wemic Thursday April 5th, 2001 8:10:09 PM
Turning to Raorr as he lays there Kalon says,"I think you might have an idea there but if we all go to sleep then nobody will be able to watch for the "monsterous ghost worm sent by the fey to irritate centaur vineyard workers" I'll just move over here so I can watch when they tie flowers onto your hours and put makeup on your face" Kalon gets up and wanders over to where the footprint is.
When he looks at it he asks Tailthwacker says,"Could it be a young centaur maybe two young lovers meeting for a rendevous" turning to the group he adds," or perhaps we are being watched by the culprit as we speak and he put something here because we expected to find something"
Raorr the Minotaur Friday April 6th, 2001 12:17:20 AM
Raorr hears Kalon comment and chuckles.
"Perhaps, but I will rest since I have no patience for stupid tracks. They probably are young centaurs."
Raorr lays back and looks at the clouds and tries to listen to the wind. relaxing as much as he can.
Kenisha d20+2=13 Friday April 6th, 2001 12:47:43 AM
Looking over her shoulder at Raorr, Kenisha says, "No, these aren't centaur tracks. They look more like.... well I'm not too sure...."
(ooc- the roll is her Wilderness Lore- i don't think she figured it out, but I could be wrong ;) )
Zeoll Friday April 6th, 2001 1:06:14 AM
Zeoll takes a look at the tracks and tries to identify them.
Legend & Lore (DM Donna) Friday April 6th, 2001 7:24:50 AM
Everyone bothering to inspect the tracks must must a Wilderness Lore check versus DC 18 to classify the type of track. So far neither Ceira nor Kenisha can quite place it--could be a young or small-sized centaur (the centaur equivalent of a midget, I suppose)...or it could be something else.
Anyone attempting to Track where the hoofprints came from and/or went to must make a Tracking check versus DC 15. (If you don't have the Tracking skill, though, you can't make the check.)
Zeoll d20+9=13 d20+8=17 Friday April 6th, 2001 2:13:43 PM
Zeoll prays for guidance from great Tomi [OOC: casts 0-level Guidance spell], but he is unable to identify the hoofprint [failed first check].
Then he tries to track the unknown creature, and sees the path the hoofed being followed [made second check].
"I don't know what this is," the wemic ranger says, "but I know which way it went! Follow me!"
He walks carefully where the tracks lead him.
Kale Friday April 6th, 2001 7:47:39 PM
"Im not a tracker." Kale says, "But I think we should find someone who is before we start following these prints. Kale says to Zeoll
Ceira Karwyn Friday April 6th, 2001 11:11:41 PM
"Ahh... like I said," says Ceira. "this is definitely within Zeoll's capabilities. Let's go! One clue is better than no clue at all."
Kenisha Saturday April 7th, 2001 12:26:34 AM
Kenisha grins at Ceira, "Too true, friend, too true." Then she carefully follows beind Zeoll.
Flat-top Saturday April 7th, 2001 4:44:23 PM
"I'm not a tracker either, but I'll follow the females."said Flat-top, and troted off with Ceira and Kenisha.
Kalon the Wemic Sunday April 8th, 2001 11:42:19 AM
Going over to where Raorr is laying he nudges him,"We're going to follow the trail Zeoll found are you staying behind?" he keeps an eye on where the group goes while waiting for Raorr to respond
Raorr the Minotaur Monday April 9th, 2001 1:36:22 AM
"Raorr go, someone must keep the children alive."
RAorr gets up and begins to collect up his gear brushing off the grass or anything that might have fallen on to the gear. he does a quick check to make sure no hole are in his pack and grabs his weapon and follows the train of Taurs following the tiny little itsy-bitsy 'Non-Centaur' tracks. hoping it leads to something that he can finally kill or at least beat up until it stops scaring the centaur of the vineyard.
"RAorr ready to go"
Tracking Down the Clue (DM Donna) Monday April 9th, 2001 6:50:09 AM
Zeoll eagerly begins to follow the tracks into the trees, the party just as eagerly following him. SO eagerly, in fact, that everyone must roll a Reflex save or become entangled in the underbrush that seems to just suddenly grow up around your feet and entangle you.
All who don't make their Reflex save versus DC 15 will find thems tripping because their sudden Entanglement into the mud puddle that you could all just swear was NOT there a moment ago...
Kale d20+7=19 Monday April 9th, 2001 10:00:21 AM
"Good job, Zeoll," Kale says as he easily avoids the bushes. "You led us right into a mud pit."
Flat-top d20+3=11 Monday April 9th, 2001 10:19:57 AM
Flat-top, who should have paid more attention, TRIPS over some vines and falls head first into the mud. Comming up for air,"GLUB! PATUIE!@#^%%*&$" said Flat-top. As he gets up and shakes of the mud.
Kenisha d20+2=4 Monday April 9th, 2001 11:58:57 AM
Kenisha also ends up tripping into the mud, worse than Flat-top. "We're on the right trail, but I can't say that I like it."
Leets d20=19 Monday April 9th, 2001 12:33:06 PM
Leets looks one last time to the hoofprints, wondering if he saw it before, and finally decides to follow Zeoll who seems more aware to this kind of things than him...
"But what's the..."
As he follows the group, Leets begins to turn and dance from one hoof to another, avoiding to sink into the mud that strangely try to catch him. He tries to find a more "solid" place, and takes his staff on his side.
"Hey Kenisha, try to grip this!"
Thiel d20=2 Monday April 9th, 2001 12:40:43 PM
Thiel follows the little group, wondering what kind of creature they will find at the other end of the track. Perhaps will it not be so evil, and after, "it" was supposed to steall the vine...Perhaps did it even had something to eat? Thiel is somehow lost in his thoughts, and realizes too late that he is entangled in the mud. He poorly tries to move one leg, but falls head first on the wet ground...
He tries to stand up, spitting some mud:
"This has to be some kind of divine punishment!"
Raorr the Minotaur d20+1=17 d20+5=14 d20-2=3 Monday April 9th, 2001 2:15:31 PM
Raorr seems not to fall for the prank and looks around grabbing Kalon before he accidently falls in.
Angrily Raorr says "Creature you will pay for this and every prank you pull. I will personally rip any wings you might have off your back and cook them. Raorr will tie you up an dip you in honey while still living and throw you into a nest of bees if you continue these pranks."
OOC (first roll is Reflex save as reqquested, second roll is a grapple check vs. Kalon, third roll is a spot check)
Zeoll Laughs and Chants Monday April 9th, 2001 5:56:02 PM
[Before my computer crashed, I had rolled a 1 on my reflex save!]
Zeoll trips, and the little bird on his shoulder chirps madly as it flies away. Zeoll sprawls fantastically, landing face down in the mud! After a moment, he resurfaces spluttering. And since he was talking as he fell, he has to spit out a mouthful of mud. He takes a round to wipe the dirt out of his eyes and to shake his mane.
The large wemic continues to shake, but now the group hears that he is chuckling. "Prride goeth beforre a fall," he laughs, "and I certainly have led my prride, if I may so call you, my brother and sister Taurs, beforre this fall!"
If any of the Taurs in the group seem mad or upset, as Raorr does, Zeoll will quietly offer some advice. "Whateverr is testing us, they have caused no one any harrm, except to the ego. Yourr angerr only amuses them the morre -- to show angerr is to give them victorry. We must trreat with these mischief makerrs in kind, and not trry to avenge ourr wrrongs orr injurre them."
Then Zeoll calls out in a loud voice, "A jolly jest, my playful frriends! You have given me a betterr laugh than I can rrememberr when! Perrhaps I can rreturrn the favorr and offerr you a trrifle to make you smile."
The wemic uses his Ring of Cleanliness [a minor magic item awarded by Jerry] to get tidied up. And he offers his bar of Magic Soap [another Jerry item] to anyone else who could use it. Then he digs around in his pack and takes out his drums. He plays his drums for a little while, and then he chants:
"To win yourr wine frrom kin of mine "With din and shine is sin forr thine "So grrin and in design be fine."
"If in yourr hearrt and gut you long "Forr sacrred wine and happy song "Then come as frriends and join along "For frriends can sharre and trrade is strrong "While theft, you know, is weak and wrrong."
"To win yourr wine from kin of mine "With din and shine is sin for thine "So grrin and in design be fine."
"Come forrward, frriends, and with us sharre "And by my honorr I declarre "That we will meet in peace and prrayerr "Ourr storries fairr we will comparre "So may we forrge a frriendship rrarre."
"To win yourr wine frrom kin of mine "With din and shine is sin for thine "So grrin and in design be fine."
Zeoll pauses, still playing gently, to see if there is any response.
[ooc: my Perform is +5 and my Diplomacy is +7, if it helps.]
Kalon the Wemic d20+4=5 Monday April 9th, 2001 8:57:55 PM
As Kalon continues following the group he notices that there are vines twisted around his feet. Then as Raorr bellows out again he's startled and loses his footing. Raorr apparently trying to grab him only causes he him to jump away from Raorr afraid the slightly crazy minotaur thinks he's the pranksome creature. Completing twisted up now he tumbles into the puddle face first. A bubble emerging from the mud sounding like a sigh he just lays there.
Can It Be The Breeze..? (DM Donna) d20=18 Tuesday April 10th, 2001 7:01:48 AM
Raorr stands alone (well, almost, because Leets stayed on his feet, too)--angrily challenging whatever it is that it causing these not-so-funny things to happens.
A sharp gust of wind blows through the landscape, bringing with it the sound of...
...giggling?
(OOC: I made a sort of group Listen check for you, so everyone DEFinitely hears the sound.)
The sound, however, is so whispery that it could just as well have simply been the sigh of the wind...and yet something in your very bones convinces you that it wasn't...
...oh, all right--you're PRETTY sure it wasn't.
It takes the party a few minutes to disentangle themselves from the grass and vines that entwined their legs and to generally brush or wipe the mud off of themselves.
Everyone roll a Spot check versus DC 15, please--Zeoll may use his Wilderness Lore bonus on the roll.
Kale d20+1=17 Tuesday April 10th, 2001 9:58:18 AM
(sorry, it was me that posted wrong earlier; i fixed it) Kale moves away from the mud and vines and concentrats on locating where the laughter is coming from(made spot check)
Flat-top d20+1=20 Tuesday April 10th, 2001 11:45:21 AM
(OOC:made it,and I wished i could get 20 when I'm fighting.) After getting up out of the mud and trying to run the goo off. Flat-top picks up his hear and listen. "HEY! Mr. Kale are you snickering at me? No you would have a deeper roar to your voice." Then turn to the party and ask,"Can anybody else hear that sound?"
Ceira Karwyn d20+2=22 Tuesday April 10th, 2001 12:32:27 PM
(OOC: Wow, I can almost see my room at our homebase! ^_^)
"RRRROAR!" roars Ceira as she gets up and tries shaking off the mud. "Argh! I'm absolutely filthy now! Once I get my paws on them, I'll... I'll..." she trails off in an attempt to stifle her anger.
"Thanks Zeoll. I think I will take up your offer on that soap as soon as I get a chance to rinse off." As Ceira begins wiping away the chunks of mud and entangled vines in her mane, she notices something out of the corner of her eye. She momentarily pauses as she watches on.
Leets d20=13 Tuesday April 10th, 2001 3:03:25 PM
Leets helps his friends to get up, but is still too busy to avoid the vines that he doesn't see from where the sound came from.
Thiel d20=1 Tuesday April 10th, 2001 3:09:17 PM
OOC: Thiel must have heard something very strange...
"Calm down Ceira...I probably have even more reason to find the creature than you or Raorr for it really had a lot of fun with me..."
Thiel tries to clean his clothes as well as he can, still thinking of Zeoll's chant.
"You're right my friend, it's better to keep cool-minded and laugh of our adventure than to make another mistake by turning angry..."
Raorr the Minotaur d20-2=17 Tuesday April 10th, 2001 4:57:19 PM
Raorr looks upset still "Reason you want reason to hunt this creature. It has stolen scared Wine, it's pranks only fuel the anger that beats in my heart!" Looking around he tries to note the important details around him.
"Let it feel it's winning let it feel victory, for when my blade impales his laughing corpse he can laugh his way to the abyss." Raorr snorts "It should begin praying to its gods now cause its time grows very short."
Raorr looks down at the still form of Kalon , Raorr pokes Kalon with his glaives shaft "See this one's dead now just as I was feeling protective about him.
"Raorr will find you where ever you hide creature, pray to the gods creature that they be kind and grant you a quick death"
Kalon the Wemic Tuesday April 10th, 2001 7:49:08 PM
Kalon lays there quietly in the mud unmoving.
OOC: Kalon will be holding his breath and laying very still.
Kenisha d20+3=9 Wednesday April 11th, 2001 12:44:07 AM
Kenisha starts to giggle as she stumbles out of the mud and vainly wipes at the mud still clinging to her.
A Game of Clue (DM Donna) d20+8=26 Wednesday April 11th, 2001 7:09:35 AM
There seems to be NO response to Zeoll's very-well-done performance.
Those making their Spot check notice that the tracks that Zeoll had been starting to follow are now quite obscured by the rearrangement of the grasses and underbrush that entangled almost everyone. Now it is impossible to be 100% sure of where they lead. However, Zeoll is still pretty certain that they were going in the direction of the bottling facility.
Kale's eyes, as sharp as they are, still cannot see anything in the direction that the giggling came from. You all hear the clomping of heavy hooves behind you and a loud--though hastily covered-up--guffaw.
"See..?" Tailthwacker (who hadn't followed the party into the grotto, but come at the sound of yelling) says firmly. "This is EXACTLY the sort of stuff that's been happening--an' when it does, you might almost see something or even hear something...but not when you try to go LOOK for it! Then it's just--POOF!--empty air!"
Kale Wednesday April 11th, 2001 9:19:15 AM
listening to Tailtwacker gives Kale an idea. "Im heading to the bottling factory." he tells to everyone either trapped in the mud or helping them out in a loud voice. he draws a dagger and without waiting for anyone else to respond, begins sprinting towards the building
Raorr the Minotaur Wednesday April 11th, 2001 11:47:17 AM
Raorr kneels down looks at KAlon's still form.
"Kalon I will avenge you, and this unfortunate death that happened."
Raorr looks up to Tailthwacker and then to the group, you see this creture is evil servant of evil gods with malevolent goals, this noble Wemic has done nothing to it. YOu say this creature might be playing prank on us and that I should not be anrgy with it." Raorr pounds his shaft down into the mud. " This creature has earne dmy wrath now, I had considered letting it live without wings or legs or what ever it use to move. But now it will die a life for a life."
He stares at Zeoll, you think this is a camp out, a little sing song, this is reality. Get with it. We are at war, the mission is to unite the taurs not put them asleep. If you want to sing sing a song that will help, not one that deals with trying to be friends with the enemy."
He looks over at the Sorcerers "I did not want to ask before, but what magics can you do. CAn you bring the dead back to life? Or speak with the dead."
Leets is the target of RAorr's next question "You are right about this being divine punishment, it is punishment for the group's slow progression. We have swayed to far from our mission we have let the creature lead us around. It is time you take control and lead the group on our holy quest, if you do not feel you are capable of doing so say so now before another is killed."
RAorr looks around for Kale "I see Kale has left us again. You have complained when I wanted things to move faster before but this is going to get him killed I'm not fast enough to kep running after him, Flat-top and Theil you two should catch the Roguish KAle before he kills himself on a vinee, or falls into a tar pit."
"Our efforts so far have been follow the leader this must stop." He stares at Tailthwacker "you are right old centaur about one thing, but we never mentioned hearing anything, what are you trying to pull centaur? are you in league with it? Are you trying to stop the festival?"
Raorr looks sucspiously at the Centaur.
Flat-top Wednesday April 11th, 2001 11:58:55 AM
"Yeah! What Roarr said"said Flat-top,"your right." then Flat-top is off after Kale to bring him back.
Zeoll Wednesday April 11th, 2001 2:00:42 PM
Zeoll is amazed. "Kalon trripped in the mud and died?!?"
The wemic takes a close look at his fellow wemic. His first priority is to administer first aid. He will cast a Cure Light Wounds if he thinks it will help. Ditto binding wounds. [His untrained Heal is +3, Sense Motive is +3, and Spot is +4.]
If Zeoll believes Kalon is dead, he will turn to Roarr and say, "You arre corrrect, good minotaurr. We must worrk togetherr to rright this wrrong!"
If Zeoll believes Kalon is alive, he says to the rest of the group, "You big ninnies! He's not dead! Herre, help me get him on his feet!"
Leets Wednesday April 11th, 2001 3:57:55 PM
Leets is quite confused by Kalon's death and Raorr's words.
"Raorr, your words sound like those of a brave warrior and I understanf that you want to avenge the death of our friends, but torturing the thing that did it would mean that we aren't better than it...I also want Kalon's death to be avenged, but IT SHALL BE ACCORDING TO THE TAUR'S LAWS - Am I clear enough?"
"Now, Taurs, the game went too far, and it has ended. We will take the direction of the bottling facility, and find this thing...This time, there must be no trap, no trick...The best thing to do to my mind is to send a group forward, the other group will closely follow. The first ones will look FORWARD, while the others will keep an eye on our backs, this way one group can help the other if there is some kind of problem..."
The young paladin looks at Zeoll.
"How is Kalon my friend, is he wounded, is he, well...?"
Leets waits for Zeoll's answer. -If those are good news, he will move forward, calling to him the "first group". -If Kalon really has a problem, he will use his lay on hands ability.
Thiel Wednesday April 11th, 2001 4:05:17 PM
Thiel falls on his knees in the mud by Kalon's side. He will put his ear on Kalon's mouth to check if he is still breathing or not. If he finds that he isn't, or if he doesn't look fine, he will use his heal skill.
Ceira Karwyn Wednesday April 11th, 2001 5:15:43 PM
"What!?" replies Ceira as she watches everyone gather around the still carcass that was once Kalon. "Surely, it wasn't just the fall that ended his life... Everybody, STOP!" shouts Ceira. "There is the possibility that Kalon may have died of a potent poison injected by one of the vines. How else could he have expired with such an instantaneous and painless death? This is a possibility because we know little to nothing about the vegetation on this property. I just want you all to be careful when you are trying to diagnose the symptoms of his demise. Poor... poor Kalon..." she adds with the slow shake of her head.
"No Roarr, my arcane feats are incapable of resurrecting another soul. Judging by the determined look on Zeoll, our fate lies in his hands." Ceira angrily slams her right fist into her left palm. "Whatever this thing is, just make sure you save some for me Roarr..."
Kalon the Wemic Wednesday April 11th, 2001 7:01:55 PM
Kalon continues to lay in the mud unmoving not responding to anything the group is doing to administer his wounds.
While in his mind he thinks,"We will see if this thing, this prankster has a conscience."
OOC: I will continue to lay still unbreathing as long as I can and not responding to anything as best as I can. If they do something that forces my response I suppose I will have to respond but I am trying to play dead. I will even continue to hold my breath to the point of taking subdual damage.
Kenisha d20+3=15 Thursday April 12th, 2001 1:37:46 AM
Kenisha immediately stops giggling the moment that Kalon's condition is made known.
To Raorr she says, "The magics of healing are not those learned by mages, but by clerics and druids. Nor can I detect poisons. But once we've found whomever had so greiviously injured one of our own, I shall do I part to see that jsutice is done."
Then she kneels on the other side if Kalon and feels for a pulse (ooc- that's what the roll above is for).
Somebody...Call 911!!! (DM Donna) d20=4 d20=6 Thursday April 12th, 2001 8:42:12 AM
Tailthwacker becomes VERY alarmed.
"Holy Rolling Rock!!!" he bellows. "We need to get some help for that guy! The boss ain't gonna like THIS!!!" The foreman turns around and gallops off down the road as fast as his hooves can carry him.
Anybody checking up on Kalon can tell that the monk is faking his state of "death"...it's up to the individual person now as to whether you're going to go along with it.
Flat-top and Kale--who are running in the direction of the bottling building--must make a Deterity check versus DC 15...without the benefit of their Dexterity bonuses, because they are in such a hurry that neither of them see the nearly-invisible vine stretched across the most direct path towards their destination. Failing the Dex check means you trip (again!) and take 2hp damage falling forward at a fast rate of speed into more underbrush.
Flat-top d20=14 Thursday April 12th, 2001 2:01:02 PM
Flat-top was galloping after Kale. Flat-top was almost next to him. When Flat-top trips on a vine that stretch across the path. With arms flailing, he falls flat on his left side and in his hand, he has Kale tail. and Flat-top is holding on for dear life.
Kale d20=6 d20+3=16 Thursday April 12th, 2001 5:46:34 PM
when Flat-Top reaches out for him, Kale is momentarly distracted and trips, but he tucks his head in and is able to roll through the bushes without taking any significant damage(made tumbling skills check) he jumps back on his feet, but instead of continuing his running, he stops and helps Flat-Top up. "Know we know where this prankster is." Kale says
Ceira Karwyn Thursday April 12th, 2001 6:14:00 PM
Ceira's eyebrows shoot up when she realizes what Kalon is up to. She quickly wipes the expression off of her face and does her best to put on an sad look. Without saying anything that might ruin the scene, Ceira crosses her arms and waits in silence as if in mourning.
Kalon the Wemic Thursday April 12th, 2001 9:23:33 PM
Kalon continues to lay very still unbreathing hoping the others catch what trick he trying to pull on the prankster.
Kenisha Friday April 13th, 2001 12:50:48 AM
Kenisha sighs as she pulls her hand away from Kalon. Looking mournful, she looks from Ceira to Zeoll. "He's dead alright. Our prankster is now officially a murderer."
Standing back up, she looks around; looking sad and angry.
Raorr the Minotaur Friday April 13th, 2001 4:17:27 AM
Raorr rubs his chin for a moment "Perhaps there is a way Leets, to bring Kalon back to life." Raorr stands up looking around but "I don't think it will work. It goes back to ancient times of the united Taur empires, it invovles a prayer to Domi." He counts the remaining people left one at a time "We have enoughpeople but, the killer must participate, that will be the problem. It works only if the killer repents his crime and offers blood of his own to the deceased. Domi would accept the life energies from the blood and return the spirit of the deceased to the body." Raorr shakes his head "Of course without the killer it won't work, and I doubt the creature is the type to have remorse, if it was a good creture it would but this puposeful trap shows no mercy, no feelings. I believe Kalon is lost to us, farwell Kalon."
Raorr takes a wineskin from his backpack and takes a sip, offering the wineskin to others "Here let us celebrate his life, and drink to him"
Good Night, Sweet Prince... (DM Donna) Friday April 13th, 2001 6:59:37 AM
As the party stands around and "mourns" their "deceased" comrade...
...the sun shines, the birds sing, and the Wold keeps turning.
Zeoll Friday April 13th, 2001 9:30:41 AM
The wemic priest raises his voice in a prayer. "Grreat Tomi, guide all of us, including ourr frriend Kalon, in the path of wisdom and peace."
Flat-top Friday April 13th, 2001 12:48:35 PM
Flat-top look into his hand and Yells,"YEIPS! Honest Kale I didn't mean to rip off your tail?". Then Flat-top takes a good look into his hand and it's only a vine with a little moss on the end. " Woo! I thought I thorn your tail off." Flat-top takes Kale's hand and gets up on all four and tell Kale,"I think your right, the grotto is not the place to look right now. I think we'll find more clues in the bottling plant. And we should keep an eye on the Centaur with the clip board."
Leets Friday April 13th, 2001 5:58:13 PM
"I'm not sure we will need this kind of ritual Raorr...Kalon seems to be...ehr...just to need to be buried according to our traditions..."
Leets discretly nods at his friends so that at least a couple of them goes to the bottling facility.
"I will stay by the side of our poor fellow and pray for his soul"
Leets bows down by Kalon's side, planting his sword just before him (so that he can take it easily if neaded). The young paladin discretly looks around him and hear carefully, in the case something would come...
Thiel d20=15 Friday April 13th, 2001 6:09:24 PM
(OOC: I rolled for Thiel's check for Kalon's breathing, It should be ok, no?)
Thiel first wonders if Kalon wasn't just knocked out by his fall. He then realizes that he really has no injuries... He stands up, scratching his head, wondering what to do...
"Well...I fear I can't do anything more for him..."
As seriously as he can, Theil joins his hands and closes his eyes...
"May your soul rest in peace my friend...Perhaps would you have prefered to fall on the battleground, our defending your ideals...In a way you did brave Kalon..."
Thiel suddenly turns in the direction of the bottling facility, almost laughing. He will try to remain as serious as he can on his way...
Kalon the Wemic Sunday April 15th, 2001 12:18:02 PM
Kalon continues to lay quietly unmoving and unbreathing.
Kale Sunday April 15th, 2001 2:04:25 PM
Kale nods at Flat-Top. "I agree." he says simply, then he yells to the others. "Lets go! Your not doing any good just standing there mourning our lost friend. Now is not a time for sadness, now is a time for revenge!" Kale says as he starts moving towards the bottlery
Kenisha Sunday April 15th, 2001 10:31:31 PM
"Kale!", Kenisha admonishes the minotaur, "Don't be so callous. Kalon is dead and deserves to be mourn properly."
To Leets she asks, "Do you wish company in your vigil? I shan't be offended if you do not."
Raorr the Minotaur Sunday April 15th, 2001 11:42:25 PM
Raorr also remains by Kalon's side.
He remains silent.
Leets Monday April 16th, 2001 5:56:25 AM
"He was your friend too Kenisha...He would be happy if you were praying for the rest of his soul..."
Leets remains for a couple of minutes by Kalon's side, his lips moving silently as he prays.
Thiel Monday April 16th, 2001 6:00:20 AM
Thiel follows Kale and Flat-Top, looking carefully where he walks and around him (even if it makes him walk more slowly...).
"Let's go my friend, we have to find our invisible ennemy, I have one thing our two to tell him..."
A Moment of Silence (DM Donna) Monday April 16th, 2001 7:16:45 AM
As the party draws out its little drama, there is nobody or nothing else in their immediate area that reacts to it, though. Only the background sounds of the native wildlife--coupled with the distant echoes of the workers in the fields--can be heard.
If Kalon wishes to continue to remain motionless and holding his breath, he must roll a Constitution check versus DC 18.
Kalon the Wemic d20+2=8 Monday April 16th, 2001 7:49:24 PM
Kalon lays quietly struggling to maintain his motionless and unbreathing form. Spots begin to flash behind his closed eyes, his lungs seem about to burst. Finally despite his feverent desire to keep holding his breath he can hold it no longer. With a loudexhalation the stale air in his lungs burst forth and then he struggles to fill his lungs with fresh air. Gasping deeply he begins to breath. Glancing around at his gathered companions through gasps he say,"Im sorry my friends...my deception has failed...to draw the culprit out" he sits up looking mournful, gulping at the air and dissappointed in his failure. "I must learn more control of my body" he thinks to himself
Raorr the Minotaur Tuesday April 17th, 2001 12:40:43 AM
"By Domi's Grace Kalon you live again." Raorr yells in surprise, but it quickly disappears even more anger crosses his face. "Now the creature plays tricks on us and our dead companion. What foul dark magics is this! A creature that brings the dead back to life" Raorr raises his glaive and prepares to strike the Wemic down. "Die spawn of darkness, I will not let you foul my friend's soul. Not while my heart still pumps the blood of the Ancient Taur People."
Kenisha Tuesday April 17th, 2001 12:42:36 AM
Kenisha rubs Kalon's back. "It was a good try and a worthy prank to play on our prankster."
Zeoll Tuesday April 17th, 2001 2:17:06 AM
Zeoll, who was having philosophical doubts about the whole idea of faking one's death, is relieved to see Kalon back on his feet.
He says to Raorr calmly and softly, "Good minotaurr, Kalon's tactic was a rruse. He was neverr dead. Come now, my frriends, let us join the otherrs, who have gone off toward the plant."
The wemic does his best to shepherd everyone together -- while trying to be careful of trippings and other tomfoolery.
Flat-top Tuesday April 17th, 2001 3:48:17 AM
"COME!Taurs, I think Kale is right. All these pranks was to slow us down. Who ever it is, Really don't want us at the Bottling Plant right now." said Flat-top. Turns and gallop off after Kale,"Wait for me, Kale."
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