The Abandoned Pyramid (DM Jerry) Monday July 23rd, 2001 4:20:25 PM
Truly one of the most remarkable structures in all of Plateau City, the Abandoned Pyramid rises some 800' into the air and also looks to be about that distance on each of its three sides. The city has put walls around it in case it ever caused major trouble. This almost has the effect of putting it in its own Quarter of the City along with the Foreign Market, although, officially, it is a part of Foreign Quarter as far as maps and taxes are concerned.
The party passes through the marketplace with its empty stalls and closed tents. Gypsy campfires abound.
The entrance is a grand one on the east side. Two huge doors are on this side, each 100' tall.
There is definitely a dwarfing feeling when looking up at this structure.
The top third of the pyramid is shaped a bit differently as each of the three corners are flattened. On the very top of the pyramid is a triangular spire with the walls curved in a concave fashion. The spire is bright silver in color and sparkles in the moonlight.
Sontra (Sunblaze) d20+5=20 Monday July 23rd, 2001 8:37:33 PM
As he walks, Sontra places his Ioun stones over his head. They merely float, but he enjoys them.
Sontra walks along, amazed by the buildings. "It's as if we've stepped into a new part of the Wold. Amazing..." His eyes wander around, and then return to the pyramid.
"Let us begin our jobs..." He pulls his sword out and prepares to battle. His ears seem peaked up, like a cat's (Listen Check 20).
Arien Monday July 23rd, 2001 9:37:16 PM
"Hmm, let's get in and out quickly if we can. Although I doubt it is possible. The flyer maker at this point is a side issue, an important one to be sure, but now we must stop them from enacting this rite, which if I know how these things go will either be powered by a magical device we must steal or a powerful being we must slay, so let's get this over with." Arien checks his various weapons and equipment while the group approaches the temple.
Draax Monday July 23rd, 2001 10:12:58 PM
Draax looks at the impressive building, his mind wonders about the amount of SoDs that could be hiding in the place. Thinking about accomplishing their task brings to mind the image of a needle in a haystack. Thinking about the opportunity to kill Dreads brings a smile to his face.
"OK, do we knock or just go in? They did invite us to visit."
Renik Tuesday July 24th, 2001 5:43:15 AM
Turning to Rond Renik says "Well, here we are. And mighty imposing here is, too. How do you want to play this? Do you want me invisible and scouting ahead along the ceiling? If so I'd best drink this invisibility potion and get in position above the entrance."
He awaits Rond's battleplan, scanning the area ahead for any sign of guards or defenses.
Rond Tuesday July 24th, 2001 9:37:21 AM
Hissing at Sontra, "Put sword that away. You want to advertise to the whole world that we're the ones going to invade the temple? Or to put the guards on the lookout, if there are any?"
Looking to Damocles, "I forgot that we need to get you those lenses of the eagles. Can you go in a couple of ever smaller circles around the temple, and see if you can see anything from above? Go close enough to see whether there might be any other way, other than the front door. Do not go closer unless you have to, since they are magic users, and we do not know what they are capable of." (OOC: Aerial reconnasaince, I like it. Now hop to it MARINE! ;) )
Looking at the rest of the group, "I want to see if there are any outside guards, first. The first step is just to get inside without setting off the alarm, if we can. I'll plan accordingly after that. If there is only one or two guards at the entrance here is what I want to consider." Looking at Draax, "Since you are disguised, let's see about using that to our advantage. You lead Renik in as if he's your prisoner. If questioned, see how believable an escape story you can make up. Say Renik was your caretaker, and you held him at knife point to get out. If you can get past the guards with no communication to the inside of the temple, then get out of sight, and take the guards out from behind. We'll be watching from out front, so if you get into trouble, signal by taking off your hat and bowing, or something just as suitable. Either way, we'll come as soon as we see.
"This is all after we get some word from Damocles as to what may be in or around the temple.
"Keep in mind: Avoid using names as much as possible. If you have an idea that is not a part of the plan, voice the idea, and let me decide. Do not charge off on some idea, assuming that we will follow." Giving the hairy eyeball to Sontra. (OOC ;) ).
(OOC: Final price checks, and cash reserve checks, and I'll give some more overall details.)
Damocles Tuesday July 24th, 2001 10:20:28 AM
The priest of Alemi nods, and his wardrobe transforms into an ornate black suit of armor, no decorative markings on it, but shaped to look foreboding. His helm closes in around his head and he pushes his huge white wings into the sky. "I shall let you know what I can find," he states, hovering above the group, and then with great pumps of his wings begins to make wide circles of the tower, staying about a hundred and fifty feet from the tower, but trying to note whatever movement on the surface, or lights inside, that he can.
Chanting [DM Jerry] Wednesday July 25th, 2001 1:06:13 PM
Sontra hears chanting from inside the pyramid. It makes her shiver. The sounds are evil in their intonation. It's as if hundreds of mages were all casting the same spell at the same time.
Damocles circles the pyramid several times and spots no guards at all. Strange.
Sontra (Sunblaze) Wednesday July 25th, 2001 3:03:32 PM
Sontra whispers to the group. "Something evil, or... I don't know. But they are doing something. It's almost like a spell..." He looks at Rond for a moment. "My sword shall go away, but my scrolls shall not." He grabs out a piece of parchment, old and battered (flaming sphere) and another, this one clean (Protection from Arrows).
"One of these shall guide darts and bolts away from thee, and the other makes a flaming ball. I prefer that one." A smile comes to his face, and he looks around, walking along.
(OOC: Soon I'm going to be on vacation for two weeks. I don't know the exact date, but I'll get it to you soon. Can anyobdy post for Sunblaze/Sontra while I'm gone?)
Arien Thursday July 26th, 2001 3:31:47 AM
"Ah yes," Arien drawls when Sunblaze describes the scroll of flaming sphere. "I know that one, its a favorite of mine actually. If you like sometime I can teach it to you, in fact perhaps if we survive this we can trade spells a bit."
Renik Thursday July 26th, 2001 6:50:40 AM
"Well, no visible guards (although that does not mean there are not invisible ones, or alarms). I suppose we should make our entrance then, eh?" He grins round at the others as they lurk in the shadows across from the pyramid.
"If there are no guards to deceive at the door, how about I approach the building alone, invisible, then climb to a position above the door (where any waiting guards will be unlikely to check), and use the chime of opening to get us in? That way I can scout ahead along the ceiling, and if there are any guards lurking, we should get the drop on them."
Renik looks to Rond for approval or an alternate plan, wondering what unholy evil the mages within are perpetrating.
Rond Thursday July 26th, 2001 6:50:53 AM
"Let's get the non-detection in place now, before we get any closer. Whoever can use these, will you help casts these on everyone?"
Once the casting is done.
"Renik, why don't you go in for closer perimeter inspection. Use the invisibility potion. I'm thinking that if the outside is still all clear, that at the entrance, is when we should get the shield spell going. If the outside is clear, then we proceed in with Renik in the lead. We want to do this quick, so if a door or lock slows you down Renik, use the chime. Once the invisibility wears out (ooc do we know how long?), then we'll be closer behind you."
"I want the marching order as follows: Renik, me, Sontra, Arien, Damocles, Draax. If we go two wide, then Sontra/Arien, and Damocles/Draax."
"Any questions?"
If no questions, we'll proceed as outlined.
Renik (Again, sorry! Missed a bit) Thursday July 26th, 2001 6:56:12 AM
Renik hands back the Shield and Nondetection scrolls. "I'm sorry, I've never learned how to read scrolls. Perhaps someone could cast these on me at the appropriate time."
Draax Thursday July 26th, 2001 4:22:04 PM
Draax listens to the ideas and the final plan. He take a small rock and after washing it off he puts it in his mouth, pushes it against the inside of his mouth with his tongue and begins to mumble as he practices talking with it in his mouth. He removes the rock and says to his comrades. "If I have to use the guard disguise and talk to anyone I want to make sure that they will notice that my voice does not fit the face." He wraps the rock in cloth and puts it in his pocket for when he needs it.
Answering Rond's question about questions, Draax replies, "No questions here, I am as ready as I will be."
The Doors of Blood (DM Jerry) Thursday July 26th, 2001 4:39:48 PM
The chanting stops for a minute. The doors suddenly glow a bit red and pulse 3 times. Then they stop. A feeling of evil energy washes over you and then passes.
The chanting starts again.
Rond Friday July 27th, 2001 9:01:06 AM
(Assuming we're all at the doors and shield and non-detections spells have been cast) Rond whispers, "Let's get this on the Rond. Renik, lead us in."
Damocles Friday July 27th, 2001 9:20:27 AM
Damocles nods to those below and lands, his wings folding up behind him. "Justicar is ready" he says, brandishing his heavy mace. "We shall eliminate the threat... we should do it soon." He seems a bit unnerved by the pulsing doors and pauses for a moment. "We should do it very soon."
Renik d20+12=22 Friday July 27th, 2001 10:01:25 AM
Renik too is somewhat concerned by the pulsing doors. What nefarious new magic is this?
Still, they must proceed. First he lifts the hood of his cloak of Elvenkind over his head, causing him to fade somewhat into the background. Then he gulps down the invisibility potion, and feels a slight tingle as the Shield and Nondetection spells take effect (I too am assuming these have been cast on me).
As he fades from sight Renik scoots up the side of the pyramid until he is positioned above the door. Then, once his companions are ready, he removes the Chime of Opening from his pack, and aims it at the door, activating it.
Assuming the doors swing open, he scuttles into the passageway, as quietly as he is able (Move Silently DC 22), hanging invisibly upside down from the ceiling courtesy of his Spider Climb slippers.
He scans the corridor for hostiles before returning to the others and letting them know what to expect.
Sontra (Sunblaze) Friday July 27th, 2001 2:57:48 PM
Sontra casts the necesary spells on Renik before he leaves, and awaits his return. To be safe, he walks over to the door, and walks to above it. So that if an enemy comes out, Sontra can jump on top of them quickly.
He looks to Rond, as if awaiting approval.
Arien Friday July 27th, 2001 4:01:33 PM
While Renik is scouting the corridor Arien does a last minute check of his equipment. He checks his quiver, the string on his bow and his other weapons. Once his is satisfied with them he mentally reviews what spells he has memorized.
After he is done he climbs up next to Sunblaze and asks, "What spells do you have memorized for this little event tonight? Most of my spells are for combat, I do have a few basic spells for detecting magic and the like as well as Mage Armor for protection."
Sontra (Sunblaze) Friday July 27th, 2001 4:25:18 PM
Sontra quickly goes through his memory and checks what spells he has. "Light...Fake Sound, Sunblaze's Mark, Detect Magic three times, Read Magic, Cause Fear, Charm Person, Ray of Enfeeblement, Sleep, Sunblaze's Hidden Servant, Go Invisible... I have that twice, Forever Burning Flame, Light again, and another Read magic. I also have 2 Stinky Cloud Spells, 3 Flaming Spheres, and 2 Protection from Arrows. Take one of each... I won't be able to cast them all."
Draax Friday July 27th, 2001 4:41:49 PM
When the chime causes the door to open, Draax moves a little to the side so that he is not standing directly in front of the door. He puts his hand on his sword ready to pull it if anything is on the other side waiting for them. Thinking out loud, Draax says in a soft voice, "I hope the chanting means that they are all concentrated in one place and that place is not where we need to go." Draax shrugs his shoulders as if it does not really matter. He knows that the group will do whatever it takes to accomplish their mission.
Open Sesame (DM Jerry) Saturday July 28th, 2001 12:12:02 AM
The doors shake once, twice, and a third time. The chime also vibrates. The two fight each other for a time. Then with a loud tinkling sound, the chime shatters as if made of glass sending shards in all directions.
The shards sting, but don't do damage unless rubbed.
The doors stand still and closed.
Then silently they swing open about 6 inches.
[Thanks for being such a great group. Donna takes over on Monday. Good Luck.]
Sontra (Sunblaze) Sunday July 29th, 2001 8:37:07 PM
(OOC: I'll be gone from Friday the third until at least Friday the 17th. Bill will be talking over for me... All glad that you get a good writer?)
Sontra, when seeing the Chime break, merely wonders if he could fix it. Not much caring about the money spent for it, nor about the door opening.
He pulls a piece or two from his arms and puts them in his haversack. He jumps down, and gathers the rest, placing them too in his bag.
His mind continues to review his spells. They'll need to be cast quickly, in the heat of battle. He pulls out an Ioun Stone, holding it tightly, within his hand, letting the magic become part of his own. Placing it on the ground, he lets a spell go, onto it (Continual Flame). It comes to life with fire, giving off light, but not heat.
Renik d20+12=31 d20+2=5 Monday July 30th, 2001 6:36:39 AM
Well, so much for the Chime of Opening. At least the door is open...
Invisible, he makes his way into the corridor, his slippers of Spider Climbing fixing him firmly to the ceiling. He scouts ahead some distance, moving as quietly as possible (Move Silent DC 31) keeping an eye out for hostiles or potential traps (Spot DC 5; oh dear!). Once he has an idea of the interior layout, he reports back to his comrades.
(OOC: Welcome Donna, nice to have you with us! Try not to kill us all too soon, OK? ;-)
Rond Monday July 30th, 2001 9:47:39 AM
Rond wonders about whether the group would have gotten in without the chime, or whether this bodes not so well for the group, if someone is letting us in. As per plan, Rond waits for Renik to scout ahead, and report back.
Draax Monday July 30th, 2001 2:28:10 PM
As a reflex Draax puts his arm up to protect his face as the chime shatters. When the door opens he waits for the onslaught of enemies that never comes. Relaxing a little, he watches Renik enter the temple and waits with the others for the signal to enter.
Pyramid Scheme (DM Donna) Monday July 30th, 2001 3:44:29 PM
As his teammates wait anxiously without, Renik enters the area beyond the barely-opened portal, having to push at least one of the doors further open in order to do so.
(Renik needs to roll a Move Silently check--but it's to see if the door he pushes open does so silently, or if it crrrrrrrreeeeeaks open, so the DC is 10, but Renik can't apply any Dexterity bonus to the roll, since Renik's personal Dexterity doesn't effect the door. Any Ranks in that skill [magical or earned] MAY be applied, however.)
Outside, the stillness of the night, coupled with the intensity of having to fulfill this mission, begins to weigh heavily on the other Windhorn Hamleteers.
(The rest of you lot need to roll a Listen check versus DC 15 in order to hear a potentially ominous rustling sound... those who roll 19 or more can orient on the sound and opt to go check out the source--which will then require a successful Spot check of 15 or more.)
Damocles d20+5=18 Monday July 30th, 2001 9:34:40 PM
Damocles pricks his ears up at a sound in the distance, trying to orient on it. He puts a finger to his lips as if to shush the rest of the group.
Rond (Ponzi, or not Ponzi?) d20+2=17 Monday July 30th, 2001 10:13:13 PM
Hearing something at the same time as Damocles, Rond looks at Damocles and tries to figure out what direction the sound comes from.
If it is something from outside of the temple, Rond is ready to blend into the background, in order to see what it is. Rond is also prepared to get people to move out from the doorway, if necessary.
Sontra(Sunblaze) d20+5=15 d100=47 Monday July 30th, 2001 10:53:15 PM
Sontra faintly hears a noise emanating from what appears to be all around him. Not knowing where it's from, he holds his stone tightly, preparing for a battle even before they have entered the temple.
His voice makes a small noise, to the group, but all that was heard was, "...trouble..."
Draax d20+1=11 Monday July 30th, 2001 11:58:05 PM
As his companion starts becoming alert and looking around. Draax tries to looks around and listen for anything out of place. Not getting any clues to what set the rest of the group off, Draax looks at them puzzled, but trusting their instincts he immediately prepares himself for trouble. Seeing Damocles put his finger to his lips, Draax looks at him and silently mouths the word, “What?”. Hearing Sunblaze’s comment about trouble, Draax quickly looks up at the bard, hoping that by doing so he will get some idea of where the danger might come from.
Arien d20=15 Tuesday July 31st, 2001 1:22:10 AM
As Arien waits tensely for Renik to return with news of the interior Arien dimly hears a rustling noise, but ignores it as he waits.
Renik (Invisible, Upside Down) d20+8=17 d20+4=14 d20+12=13 Tuesday July 31st, 2001 4:09:06 AM
Renik gently eases the great door open without a sound (Move Silent 17), and slips inside. He doesn't notice the sounds that have got his companions so nervous (Listen 14), instead proceeding along the ceiling of the pyramid interior, getting information about the layout before reporting back to his companions. His first step, however, dislodges a small stone in the ceiling, that falls to the corridor below (Move Silent 13, natural roll of 1: Aaarrgghh!)
Things That Go "Bump" in the Night (DM Donna) Tuesday July 31st, 2001 6:45:08 AM
Outside the pyramid, the desperately-seeking-silence party freezes as nearby rustling is heard by them, but its source isn't immediately apparent...until the tiny form of a roguester (the Woldian equivalent of a racoon) comes creeping into view, half-dragging along with it some discarded food product with wrapping paper still partially stuck to it. The critter stops once it becomes aware of the party, its dark eyes blinking within its mask. Then the roguester ambles quickly off in another direction, not wishing the people it has encountered to take away its stealthily-gotten booty.
Inside the large entry chamber, Renik is standing on the ceiling and taking deep (but silent) breaths in an effort to calm his anxiety. Eventually he realizes that there is nobody inside this room but himself.
The room is trapezoidal in shape--it roughly parallels the exterior walls of the pyramid; the wall with the exterior doors in the middle of it is about three hundred feet long, the wall opposite it, however, is only one hundred feet long, and the room roughly one hundred feet deep. Opposite the exterior doors is another doorway...arched, open and of a lesser scale--about twenty feet wide by twenty-five feet high.
The walls of the entry chamber are adorned by bas-relief painted with faded colors. The partially-three-dimensional pictures probably depict life at the time of the pyramid's construction or some such, but Renik can't tell from 115 feet in the air (and upside-down, to boot!)
Sconces with guttering torches dot the walls every 20 feet or so. There is a small pile of partially-crumbled stone blocks sprinkled in one corner of the room. There is the musty smell that permeates the air...and the chanting definitely sounds louder from the arched doorway.
Renik (Invisible, Upside Down) d20+12=23 d20+2=19 d20+12=26 Tuesday July 31st, 2001 9:50:24 AM
Renik makes his way quietly (Move Silently 23) across the ceiling, until he is in a position to poke his head under the top of the doorframe on the far wall.
From this covered location he peers about, trying to make out how many mages are visible, where they are located, and what they are up to. In particular he tries to make out anything that might be generating the flyers (Spot 19).
Once this information is gathered he makes his way back to the remainder of the group to report his findings, ensuring that he continues to move across the ceiling with care (Move Silent 26).
Draax Tuesday July 31st, 2001 11:28:42 AM
Draax follows the others' eyes to the animal; he lets out a breath that he did not realize that he was holding. He smiles and then frowns as he looks at the sword in his hand that he does not remember drawing. Putting the sword back in his sheath, Draax waits patiently for Renik to return with the scouting report.
Rond Tuesday July 31st, 2001 2:04:08 PM
Quickly pin-pointing the source of the noise, Rond lets himself relax a slight bit. He thinks to himself, "If only life were that simple." Turning back to the matter at hand, Rond tries to wait patiently for Renik to return.
In an attempt to stay calm, Rond quickly casts a glance over every person in the group, to make sure they are all accounted for.
Sontra (Sunblaze) d20+5=14 Tuesday July 31st, 2001 5:28:35 PM
As Sontra sees the roguester, he looks somewhat angry. His wished it was 'trouble'. He looks at the group, making sure that they are still ready.
Sontra makes sure the group is quiet and attempts to hear the sounds around him (Listen Check: 9 +1rank, +2wis, +2race= 14.)
He places the Ioun Stone upon his head, and it rotates around it. He smiles faintly, knowing that his magic will eventully do better than this.
Damocles Tuesday July 31st, 2001 11:11:29 PM
Damocles unfurls his wings and soars to a nearby wall, sticking on that, once he does and smiling to Renik on the ceiling. He looks down at the figure below his feet, trying to make out exactly what it is.
Behind Doorway #2 (DM Donna) Wednesday August 1st, 2001 6:48:47 AM
Renik crosses the ceiling and down about ninety feet of wall before getting into a position where he can peek through the arched doorway into the room beyond the entry chamber. Although it is rather weird for him to view the tableau upside-down, he can see that it is 100 feet square, with a ceiling similar in height to the one that graces the entry chamber, and torches in sconces that illuminate its area also. There is an intricate, stone-and-metalwork circular stairway that runs upward towards the ceiling and downwards through an opening in the floor. The stairs are about twenty feet in diameter. Opposite the archway Renik is peeking through is a similar archway.
Renik can definitely tell that the chanting--though still unintelligible--is louder from this room.
Draax Wednesday August 1st, 2001 8:40:39 AM
Draax stands to the side of the opened door waiting for Renik to return or something else to get their attention. He smiles at his reaction to the small animal. He realizes that it was not the appearance of the roguester that has him jumpy. The real reason that he is on edge is the lack of guards, he just can't bring himself to believe that the entrance would be unguarded. "Whispering in a small voice his says to himself, "This just does not feel right. Where is the security? Magic cannot be their only protection."
Rond Wednesday August 1st, 2001 9:11:39 AM
Rond continues to wait for Renik to return with a scouting report. As Damocles takes to the air, anyone watching can see the flash of anger cross over Rond's face. After a few seconds, Rond shrugs his shoulders as if to say 'sae la vie'. (sp?) ('c'est la vie' (Kim))
Renik (Invisible, Spider Climbing) d20+12=14 d20+12=29 d20+2=16 Wednesday August 1st, 2001 10:52:57 AM
Renik considers continuing further inside the pyramid, but decides instead to favour caution. If he is somehow spotted, this far from his companions he will surely be slain. He returns quietly to the front door (move silent 14), and his disembodied voice says to his waiting companions;
"The first chamber would seem to be empty. If you all follow me across the ceiling we should be safe from any traps. There is a doorway on the far wall. If you wait for me there, on the wall and out of sight, I will investigate further. From what I have seen there is another chamber beyond the first, with a spiral staircase leading to a chamber above and another below. Also there is another doorway on the far side of the room. I heard the chanting louder in that second chamber, but as yet I have seen no guards or mages. Be on your guard though; they may well have invisible guards themselves."
If the rest of the party are in agreement he sets off back to the doorway to the second chamber, and enters (move silent 29). Still keeping to the ceiling he makes his way across the chamber, avoiding the stairway, and checks to see what is visible through the next doorway (Spot 16).
Sontra (Sunblaze) Wednesday August 1st, 2001 5:03:34 PM
Sontra pulls out his Flaming Sphere scroll, and places it in one of his scroll cases, within his robe. It's there for easy retrieval, when the battle breaks out.
Sontra listens to Renik and then follows him into the large vast building, wondering what dangers await him and his companions as they go into the heart of what seemed to be heart of the evil, at least one of its many hearts.
Damocles Thursday August 2nd, 2001 12:04:55 AM
Damocles continues his travel, moving sluggishly along the wall. He flies to the middle of the room and pulls off his slippers, replacing them with his more familiar boots. (Changed back into boots of striding and springing)
Arien Thursday August 2nd, 2001 12:23:01 AM
Arien waits for his turn and then follows the others into the temple.
Did YOU Hear Something..??? (DM Donna) d20=13 d20=20 d20=4 d20=3 d20=12 d20=6 Thursday August 2nd, 2001 6:34:38 AM
The rest of the party follows Renik back into the eerie confines of the entry chamber. The musty smell of ages gone by is in the air and the chanting voices are louder from the doorway opposite the entrance into the pyramid.
Renik sees nothing in the second room--the one with the circular stairs. Rond, however, as he stealthily approaches the archway, orients on the origin of the chanting...
...the voices are floating UP, from the unknown depths below the party's present location. The sonorious yet malevolent mantra continues.
Rond Thursday August 2nd, 2001 8:05:49 AM
As the group proceeds across the top of the room, Rond lightly hisses at everyone. When he gets their attention, he gets them to gather closely around him. Whispering, "It sound like to me, that the mages are directly below us. I think we should investigate the floor, and see if it's real. That might be one reason why there are no guards. Anyone with rope? I'd like Renik to investigate, with him tied off to one of us up here, in case something happens.
Renik (Invisible, Spider Climbing) d20+12=22 d20+2=20 d20+4=8 Thursday August 2nd, 2001 8:37:34 AM
Invisibly Renik nods. Crouching against the ceiling so that his pack is the right way up, he unfurls a 50' length of and ties one end firmly around his waist. The other end he hands to Rond. He whispers in Rond's ear; "As you can't see me, one tug for danger, 2 tugs for follow me. OK?" He waits for a response, then moves off. As he moves away the rope becomes visible some 10' behind him. He proceeds down the right hand wall, and prods at the floor with his rapier before proceeding.
Assuming the floor turns out to be solid, Renik creeps towards the staircase (Move Silent 22), keeping an eye out for any sign of movement. If nothing bars his progress he will try to peer down the stairs (Spot 20) and make out what the chanting is about (Listen 8).
Sontra (Sunblaze) Thursday August 2nd, 2001 5:09:09 PM
Sontra watches Rond and Renik whispering, and understands what's going on. "Someone else should go with him, I do not doubt Renik's talents, but alone, he could get killed. If someone went with, at least they might have a chance." His voice is calm and quiet, yet he seems disturbed.
"I can make another two of us invisible right now, so that we can help him. Also... oh nevermind. If we live I can worry about it." He rubs his ring, knowing the magic in it is unable to get to him, but still he tries. His eyes closed, Sontra sits, upside down, letting the magic of the temple, of his items and of the Wold flow through him, giving him strength to bend the magic to create spells.
Arien Saturday August 4th, 2001 12:10:53 AM
As Renik descends down the stairway Arien positions himself above it so that he might cover Renik should he need to make a hasty retreat.
Sontra / Sunblaze (Kim) d20+2=5 Saturday August 4th, 2001 11:39:30 PM
As the inverted meditation goes on, Marcus' words come back to Sunblaze. All her companions are out of disguise, and she is the only one retaining hers. This could link the two groups. Thinking to herself, 'Shall I change now, or not?' Sontra looks about, trying to sense whether they are being watched.
[Wisdom check 5 vs DC 15.] Figuring no one outside of her friends is watching at the moment, Sunblaze takes a few moments to return to her own self. Sunblaze, the bard and mage. She'll save Sontra for when she's ... on her other job. She shakes out her long hair, then ties it in a ponytail with a bit of cloth.
As she does this, some of the words of the scroll that Patriarch Orotai gave her to read daily begin to pass through her mind.
"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.
"He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself. Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
"To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom. The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation."
Sunblaze resolves to meditate more on the contents of the scrolls. Maybe Damocles will help her understand them better. 'When the whirlwind passes by...' She smiles, then frowns slightly, then wonders if anyone wants to take her up on her offer to turn them invisible.
To See or Not To See..? (DM Donna) Sunday August 5th, 2001 7:29:23 AM
Renik's probings reveal that the floor is solid to his reckoning. Moving over to the stairway, the chanting--though louder--is still unintelligible to the man's ears, but his sharp eyes make out a large, square chamber that this stairway descends into--the lower room looks to be about 100 feet square with two archways in roughly the same location to each other and to the two archways up here on the level the party is presently occupying.
Renik (Invisible, Spider Climbing) d20+2=4 d20+12=26 d20+4=23 Monday August 6th, 2001 9:13:01 AM
Satisfied that the chamber is reasonably safe, Renik tugs twice at the rope. When the party has joined him he removes the rope, recoiling it in his pack, and whispers;
"I'll scout ahead downstairs. Best I go alone; one set of eyes and ears are all that are needed, and more than one investigator increases the risk of detection."
He makes his way down into the chamber below, avoiding the stairs, and instead walking on the underside of the stairway until he can slip out onto the ceiling of the chamber below. He checks to make the chamber is deserted (Spot 4), then creeps across the ceiling towards the source of the chanting (Listen 23, Move silent 26).
Rond Monday August 6th, 2001 11:09:58 AM
As motions to the party to proceed to the floor, when Renik give the signal via the rope. After Renik speaks Rond mentions, "Don't take long, time is of the essence."
Sunblaze (Kim) Monday August 6th, 2001 12:54:46 PM
Sunblaze nods toward the disembodied voice of Renik. Agreeing inwardly with Rond, she is anxious to move forward into this ancient edifice. "I hope you're praying," she whispers to Damocles.
Draax Monday August 6th, 2001 4:38:28 PM
When given the signal, Draax climbs down to floor and takes up a guarded position. He waits for orders from Rond or to hear Renik’s voice about what he learned from his scouting.
Arien Monday August 6th, 2001 10:20:29 PM
Once the floor was deemed safe and while Renik descended the stairs to scout ahead Arien prowls about the room looking for anything that could indicate a hidden passage or a peep hole in the wall or the like.
Recon Work (DM Donna) d20+7=17 Tuesday August 7th, 2001 6:34:22 AM
The ground-level stairway chamber is old and musty and--so far as Arien can tell, doesn't appear to contain any kind of secret passage or peepholes of any kind. (OOC: made the Spot check that you should try to remember to roll yourself next time.) The high elf can see that the next chamber is another roughly 100-foot-square room with benches arranged to face a rather crumbly stone altar that has suffered deterioration over time, as there is no top to it and the four miniature columns/supports for whatever used to be there are at different heights.
Renik cautiously descends the underside of the spiral stairs, his eyes sharply darting this way and that, and his ears easily distinguishing the direction from which the chanting is issuing. Once he is on the ceiling of this level, he sees that the stairs continue ever downward (at least three more levels.)
The chanting comes loudest from the open doorway to the right of the staircase, and so the warrior-rogue carefully makes his way over to that portal, once more peeking into the opening from his upside-down position.
The area beyond the doorway opens into a corridor that roughly follows the size and shape of the archway and extends in a straight line for as far as Renik can see. There are torches set in holders every 25 feet or so along the walls, and the man counts off four torches before hearing the sound of approaching footsteps from the archway on the left (the one the chanting was NOT coming from)...
Renik (Invisible, Spider Climbing) d20+12=25 d20+12=31 d20+4=24 d20+2=12 Tuesday August 7th, 2001 9:46:13 AM
Renik is about to head down the passageway when he hears footsteps coming from behind. Although time is indeed of the essence, he has to be sure these men don't discover his companions...
He moves back to the stairway (Move Silent 25), and prepares to rejoin his comrades swiftly to give warning should the approaching men start to climb the stairs. If they head down the corridor he will follow them.
(OOC: Move Silently 31 for either action (returning upstairs or following)
He attempts to eavesdrop on whatever conversation is taking place (Listen 24, Nat. 20), and to get a good view of whoever it is that is approaching (Spot 12).
Rond d20=7 d20=20 Tuesday August 7th, 2001 1:18:49 PM
Feeling time crawling along at a snail's pace, Rond looks around the space they are in, looking for any other details that the group might have missed before. (Spot check of 7 and search check of 20. Currently I don't have online access at home. I need DM to add any +'s from the sheet they have, please! :))
Draax Tuesday August 7th, 2001 6:02:32 PM
Draax plays the waiting game with the others as Renik continues the recon.
Sunblaze (Kim) d20+9=27 d20+3=17 Tuesday August 7th, 2001 8:17:09 PM
Sunblaze cautiously moves over to the next room, and, with the help of Trent, her viper familiar, scopes out the crumbled altar, and carefully probes beneath it with the end of her longsword, gently moving aside rubble to see the floor underneath. (Spot 27, Search 17.)
Surprise..! (DM Donna) d20+2=20 Wednesday August 8th, 2001 7:44:48 AM
Rond continues to check out the ground floor staircase room--and finds nothing out of the ordinary for an old pyramid.
Sunblaze--upon approaching the altar--sees that there are two doors in the furthest corners of the room. (Since Sunblaze is walking northwards towards the altar, the doors are in the extreme northeast and northwest corners--one in the east wall and the other in the west.) These doors appear to be made of the same stony material as the rest of the pyramid and are crafted to blend very well into the rest of the stone, but Sunblaze's sharp eyes make out that they are there. (OOC: made a Spot check.)
At the altar itself, however, there are no surprises... it's just an old altar whose time of glory has come and gone.
Meanwhile, in the stairway room one level down, Renik's eyes widen in horror as he sees shuffling into the room the decrepit form of a human--or what must have once been a human, for it is wrapped in rotting bandages and looks like it has been dehydrated to within an inch of its now-unnatural life. The slow-but-steady foul thing step-drags itself towards the staircase...and slowly, painfully begins to climb the steps...
(OOC: anyone left in the ground-floor stairway room can make Spot and/or Listen checks versus DC12 to see this undead thing start up the staircase--making one or the other will allow your character to see, hear and smell it coming & warn the others with you. Those making either check will also be able to calculate that "Twinkletoes" will arrive in the ground-floor chamber in roughly two rounds.)
Rond d20=8 d20=3 Wednesday August 8th, 2001 9:54:53 PM
Rond continues to wait for Renik to get back to the group. Rond wishes he could pace, because this waiting stuff just isn't working for him. (Spot=8 listen=3. ooc cable and phone service to return on the 13th. Till then I must apologize, and depend upon DM to add in my +'s)
Draax d20+1=19 Thursday August 9th, 2001 2:24:39 AM
Getting a little impatient with the waiting game, Draax looks down the stairs to see if he sees Renik. He sees Renik and thinks that he recognized a look of horror come across he comrades face. The shuffling undead that comes in to view confirms that he did see Renik eyes go wide. Turning to the other he says in a low voice. "Guys, I think we have company." Pointing to the creature as it tries to make its way up the stairs.
Sunblaze (Kim) d20+9=16 d20+9=28 d20+19=20 Thursday August 9th, 2001 5:03:22 AM
[Note: having her familiar add eyes, ears, and its snakey senses, grants a +9 to spot (16) and +9 to listen (28).] Sunblaze checks out the door to the northwest more closely, looking to see what mechanism might open it. With her senses augmented via Trent, her viper, the elf hears Draax's low warning from the next room. She leaves off her inspection of the doorway, and quietly returns to the room with the stairway. Sword drawn, but concealed to her side, Sunblaze blends in, hiding right next the wall. (Needed a +19 to get a 20 to hide? Sheesh.)
Renik (Invisible, Spider Climbing) d20+2=19 d20+4=9 Thursday August 9th, 2001 5:20:38 AM
Renik returns to warn his companions, but its seems Draax has already spotted the shambling horror (OOC: But not Renik: he's invisible!) and. Renik elects to hold back, clinging invisibly to the underside of the stairway out of the creature's reach. He knows that if he joins the attck his invisiblity will end. He hopes his companions will be able to dispatch it swiftly (and without too much noise), but draws his rapier to provide assistance should it be required.
As the monster approaches Renik scans the area for any signs of further foes (Spot 19, Listen 9)
My Eyes Just CAN'T Believe What They're Seeing..! (DM Donna) d20+9=22 d20+10=25 d20+6=21 Thursday August 9th, 2001 6:48:28 AM
As the mummified undead thing hobbles up the stairway, something strikes Sunblaze (as well as Arien and Damocles) as odd--the image of the monster shimmers for a split-second...as though it were merely a mirage in the desert. Anybody else in the party who lacks the Spellcraft skill doesn't notice this, however.
Renik's eagle eye, however, sees several shadows (cast by light sources from within the area beyond the archway to the left of the staircase) advance across the floor of the lower stairway chamber...somebody, it seems, is walking into that room...
Renik (Invisible, Spider Climbing) d20+12=26 d20+2=12 d20+4=18 Thursday August 9th, 2001 7:04:09 AM
"Hssst!" whispers Renik urgently to his companions. "More foes are moving downstairs! I shall investigate!"
Clinging once again to the underside of the stairs, he makes his way back down, keeping out or reach of the advancing mummy, hoping to get a better view of the approaching figures.
(Move Silent 26, Spot 12, Listen 18)
Damocles Thursday August 9th, 2001 11:53:36 AM
Damocles floats lower, down towards the mummy, questioning what he should do about it. He seems to ponder merely dropping in front of it for a moment, but hesitates.
Draax Thursday August 9th, 2001 5:51:50 PM
Draax reprimands himself for an overactive imagination, remembering that he cannot see Renik because he is invisible. :)
He takes another look to make sure that the creature was not just his imagination. Seeing the creature still advancing convinces him that it is real. He pulls his sword and waits for it to get to their level.
As he watches Damocles' descent toward the creature, he starts to think that maybe they will not have to wait long.
Sunblaze (Kim) Thursday August 9th, 2001 11:21:17 PM
Sunblaze looks to her companions to see what they will do. If it were a person coming up the stairs, then she would think about talking. But this shrouded figure... what is that shimmering? Has someone cast an illusion to deceive them? Make them give themselves away with an ephemeral image? Oh, she can smell it, too. A somewhat convincing illusion, if that it is. Her fingers move along the hilt of her marvelous sword. Attack, or talk, or wait?
Clarifying Positions & Suppositions (DM Donna) Friday August 10th, 2001 6:45:34 AM
This is a rather OOC post, but it contains information that all the characters would know now, as well as information that those characters whom made that Spellcraft check I rolled for them last post would know, too.
The shimmering mummy: everyone who saw the mummy "shimmer" for a moment now realizes that it is, indeed, an illusion--a very VERY sophisticated one. Those possessing Spellcraft as a skill should also make another Spellcraft check versus DC 20 (successful checks mean that your PC suddenly realizes that such an illusion is a sort of alarm trigger, and that attacking it will set off the alarm.)
The ground floor stairway room: this is a square room--it is 100 feet wide by 100 feet long; the ceiling is about 120 feet high; there are two open archways in the room--one in the north wall (leading to that altar room) and one in the south wall (leading to the entry chamber); both archways are about twenty feet high and fifteen or so feet wide.
There is a large, intricately-constructed metal-and-stone circular stairway that spirals up to another level as well as down to the level that Renik currently occupies all by himself. The stairway is in the very center of the room; the treads (set in an open pattern) are stone while the rest of that stairway is made of wrought metal that must have taken the finest craftsmen a very long time to construct.
The mummy--when it arrives topside--will be stepping off the stairs facing west, and will probably turn south towards the entrance that the party came into the pyramid through.
The chamber has metal sconces that hold torches along all four of its walls, starting on either side of both archways and then spaced out about twenty feet apart or so.
The ground floor stairway room also has bas-relief and faded frescoes and such, but nobody has tried examining them, nor have any of the designs or pictures caught anyone's attention. (They're old, they're there...and not really important in & of themselves.)
The lower-level stairway chamber (the one Renik and the mummy now occupy) is identical to the ground floor stairway chamber. The north doorway of Renik's location has the chanting sounding ever-louder from it.
Renik has alerted the party (as you've seen from his post) that something/somebody else is also coming into the room he is in (and that the mummy is about to exit, as one round has gone by, and the second round is about to commence) and has gone to sneek a peek at the south archway of his room...his rolls have been good enough so that he can tell there are several individuals beginning to follow the mummy's path.
Take this time to clarify exactly where your character is, and exactly what they intend to do. Once everyone who is present has posted, I'll continue with how the events unfold. 8)
Arien d20+10=25 Friday August 10th, 2001 7:19:49 PM
Arien stares at the image for a moment then blinks several times in amazement of the sophisticated illusion in front of him. He signs to the others to not do anything to it. Then after hearing Renik's warning Arien motions for the others to hide and positions himself as best he can near the stairs for an ambush should it come to that.
(OOC: What style of stairs are these? and where are they in room?)
There is a large, intricately-constructed metal-and-stone circular stairway that spirals up to another level as well as down to the level that Renik currently occupies all by himself. The stairway is in the very center of the room; the treads (set in an open pattern) are stone while the rest of that stairway is made of wrought metal that must have taken the finest craftsmen a very long time to construct. The "style" is vaguely geometric.
Renik (Invisible, Spider Climbing) d20+12=24 d20+2=5 d20+4=21 Sunday August 12th, 2001 9:14:56 AM
Near where the stairway intersects with the lower level, Renik stops (Move Silent 24). He is crouched, upside down, above the stairs. He examines the room carefully for further details on their approaching enemies (Spot 5) and again tries to make out anything that is said between them (Listen 21).
He reasons that if the newcomers do head up the stairs his companions may be able to keep out of sight beneath the stairwell, and if it does come to a fight, then at least he will be well placed to attack the enemy from the rear.
Sunblaze (Kim) d20+4=19 d20+19=33 d20+9=25 d20+9=21 d20+10=28 Sunday August 12th, 2001 5:19:59 PM
The elf works on quietly (Move silently: 19) climbing to a spot on the outside of the winding stairway. Hanging on to the ornate metal work which frames it, she blends in skillfully (Hide: 33), and, with Trent's senses aiding her, observes the goings-on (Spot: 25; Listen: 21). In particular she looks to Rond - if she can see him - to help determine the nature of her next actions.
Something about the masterful illusionary mummy recalls to her mind teachings she absorbed during her tutelage as a wizard (Spellcraft: 28). If any are near enough to see her, with a shake of her head or a negatory wave of her hand, she tries to signal that the mummy should not be attacked.
Rond Monday August 13th, 2001 12:04:59 AM
Doing his best to mime what he wants, Rond tries to indicate that the group should leave the mummy alone.
[Examining the stairway, is there enough room for the spider clinging group to come down over top of the mummy, in such a fashion that with no noise, we might pass undetected?]
Taking a long look at the stairway, Rond tries to figure out if there's a way down, that the party could take, in order to assist Renik, should the sound of battle erupt. Otherwise, Rond stands as nearby to where Renik would emerge, in order to allow Renik to talk to Rond.
Draax Monday August 13th, 2001 5:52:43 AM
Draax nods to Rond letting him know that he understands about not assaulting the mummy. He looks closely at the stairs, if there is a spot under the stairs where he can hang without being seen Draax will sit there upside down and wait. He changes he appearance to look like the captive guard to be on the safe side.
Welcoming Committee (DM Donna) Monday August 13th, 2001 7:22:53 AM
Renik stays in his spot on the ceiling, keeping absolutely still. Keeping absolutely still, however, severely hampers his ability to look around too much, but he's able to hear the conversation of the figures below him (Renik figures there are a total of seven or eight people coming through the door, but he'd have to move his head to see for sure.)
"Five gold says its another false alarm." one gruff voice offers.
"We've had two false alarms this week, Slappy," grouses someone else, "So I'm not gonna take that wager!"
"Heh heh heh...how's about five'll get me ten if it turns out to be some drunken flying carpet salesman mistakin' us for a manorhouse..?" a third voice--rather gravelly--says jokingly. Chuckles abound.
"Silence, fools!" hisses a tall, thin human man that Renik manages to see without moving. "You're here to keep the Sons of Dread secure--NOT to further your base desires..!" The tall man is dressed in the dark attire of a mage of some sort. At least two other similarly-dressed people agree with the mage in low voices.
"Well, exCUSE me!" snorts Slappy. "At least I can get them 'base desires' fulfilled on Saturday nights, which is more'n I can say for YOU, Bolgus!" Derisive chuckles follow this quip.
"Aye, that you can--with enough coin to persuade the wenches in question to overlook your ugly face!" Bolgus shoots back, much to the further amusement of those in this lower stairway room. "Coin which the Sons of Dread provide you, I might add--so shut UP and let us keep tabs on that mummy-alarm..!"
"The mummy has encountered no one, Bolgus." pipes up a nasally voice.
Indeed, the "mummy" has stopped at the top of the stairs and has begun lurching about in a manner that would frighten any ordinary person, pausing to glare about every now and then before resuming its journey with a lunge that could easily be mistaken for an attack...had the party been unaware of the "mummy's" true nature. Soon the illusion passes out of the upper stairway chamber and into the entry room.
It is impossible for anybody in the upper stairway chamber to get more than the occasional glimpse of the people in the chamber directly below--not unless they're willing to be seen fully by the newcomers.
Renik will have to shift around in place in order to be ABSOLUTELY sure of how many people are in the room and to see any other details about them. (Make a Move Silently check, Renik, if you choose to shift around. I'll make opposing Listen checks to see if anyone within the lower stairway can hear the movement.)
At this point, the only thing you all can be reasonably sure of is that the chanting continues and that these new arrivals aren't moving any further into the lower stairway chamber, either.
At least...not yet...
Draax Monday August 13th, 2001 9:32:09 PM
Draax in his dread guard disguise, continues to stay pasted to the under side of the stair, waiting for the all-clear or the signal to attack. As he listens to the chanting he is reminded of all the time that is slipping away.
Sunblaze (Kim) Tuesday August 14th, 2001 1:38:54 AM
The wizard hangs tight, not yet willing to give up her perch, and hoping that Renik doesn't blow his cover. "Maybe they'll just send a few," she thinks to herself.
Renik (Invisible, Spider Climbing) d20+12=27 d20+2=12 d20+2=8 d20+4=5 Tuesday August 14th, 2001 8:31:23 AM
Renik curses silently to himself. The only safe way out of this situation is to wait until this patrol leave the room. But that chanting... they could be rapidly running out of time.
Face facts, he rationalises; if the patrol discover the party the delay is likely to be greater and more deadly than if they simply wait the obstacle out. It could even alert the rest of the mages, and then they really would be in trouble. The only safe thing to do is sit tight and wait the enemy out, frustrating as that may be.
With the utmost care he shifts his position slightly so that he is able to get a good look at the mages and guards (Move Silent 27, Spot 12). He makes a mental note of numbers and weaponry, attempts to determine a heirarchy amongst the mages, and tries to spot any suggestion of intent from the group (Sense Motive 8). He continues to eavesdrop on their conversation (Listen 5: sudden massive buildup of earwax!)
Rond Tuesday August 14th, 2001 9:15:33 AM
Rond continues to play it safe, and wait. The time is passing by as slow as ever. Rond's adrenaline begins to flow as he watches the Mummy moving around below the group. The nearness of battle and quick decisions, with the crawl of the wait, makes for an interesting ying/yang battle inside Rond's body.
Arien Tuesday August 14th, 2001 7:40:03 PM
Arien chafes a bit at the delay, impatient to get on with the job but he does understand the need for discretion in this time and place; and so he waits, hanging from the ceiling in the darkest of the corners in the room and watches the stairway for any sign of Renik or anything else.
Wait For It... (DM Donna) Wednesday August 15th, 2001 6:50:24 AM
Just about everyone in the party holds their breath and has a death-grip on their readied weapons...but since the Hamleteers are not bothering the "mummy", the convincing illusion's distinctive "step-drag" gait grows faint, then--after an eternity of waiting--seems to just stop altogether.
Renik repositions himself and sees very clearly now that there are nine people near the archway that is to the left of the foot of the stairs (the south archway). Five of them are armed and armored; four of them are wearing mages' robes. The soldiers number three humans, one with elven blood (the helmet makes it hard to see if he's a fullblooded or a half-elf), and a dwarf with an eyepatch. The makeup of the mages are two humans and two elves.
"No encounters, Bolgus." the calm voice of one of the mages--one of the elves--in the lower staircase chamber says firmly.
"Hmmmph...probably a false alarm, then." Bolgus (a human mage) offers testily.
"Well, DUHHHH!" Slappy--a human fighter-type--snaps. "C'mon--I got a perfectly good mug of ale waitin' for me in the guard room--" All the warriors of the group and the other human mage turn to leave. Bolgus growls.
"HOLD it, musclehead!" the wizard countermands. "You know the procedure! One of you has to check out the upstairs just to make SURE that there isn't anyone around! Now...who's going?" As one, all the taller mercenaries point to the one-eyed dwarf.
"Spike's the low man on the totem pole!" Slappy says smugly. "Go slay some dust bunnies, runt!" Everyone else sniggers, chuckles and/or guffaws at the expense of the earthkin. Spike grumbles audibly as the rest of the guard detail exits the room.
Silence reigns for a moment or two.
Renik sees the dwarf peer intently after the others...it looks like Spike is trying to gauge how far away the others are...
Renik can make a Sense Motive check versus DC15 to be able to tell that Spike is planning to skip doing the solitary follow-up on the mummy; the people upstairs must make a Hide check versus DC15 before making that Sense Motive check if they are trying to sneek peeks at what the mercenary dwarf is doing.
Renik (Invisible, Spider Climbing) d20+2=3 Wednesday August 15th, 2001 9:43:30 AM
Renik continues his covert surveillance of the ocularly challenged dwarf, but doesn't have the faintest idea what he is planning to do next (sense motive 3: natural 1). It looks strangely to Renik as if the dwarf is about to break into a lively song and dance routine, and he finds himself not a little confused.
Rond d20+12=16 d20+2=6 Wednesday August 15th, 2001 7:23:33 PM
Watching the mummy disappear into the nothingness, Rond feels his anxiety level drop a little bit. As he begins to relax a little bit, he decides to try to take a quick look from where he's at. Deciding it's time to breathe again, Rond feels faint for a sec. (hide check =16 (4)). Once he recovers, he peeks down and sees the dwarf. He senses that the dwarf seems to be about to charge down the hallway as if he's scared to be alone, or something.
Draax Wednesday August 15th, 2001 8:04:40 PM
Draax counts the seconds as they slip away. He hopes that they are able to move soon. He wonders how some of the others can make a living at sneaking around.
Sunblaze (Kim) Thursday August 16th, 2001 3:22:58 AM
Sunblaze decides to stay put just a little bit longer. She again looks to Rond for some sort of signal, but isn't about to move from where she is at the moment. She starts thinking about how to put into a poem what has happened so far.
Damocles (Flying) (Kim) d20=16 d20=19 d20=16 Thursday August 16th, 2001 3:29:24 AM
Damocles floats (Move Silently 16 + whatever adjustment] to where he can peek down to the next level, having heard the voices. He sees the dwarf, and gets the feeling that the fellow is perhaps not a guard of the highest integrity [Sense Motive, 19+?]. Silently [MS 16+?] he floats back out of sight, in case the dwarf should happen to look up.
[OOC: Email from David Clifford asked if one of us might post for him on days he is unable to do so by 8:00pm. He is camp-counseling.]
A Copper Just Doesn't Go As Far As It Used To... (DM Donna) Thursday August 16th, 2001 6:19:41 AM
Spike, after a moment, relaxes, rummages around in his backpack, and then pulls out a pipe and a pouch. He fills the pipe and lights it, puffing heavily on it. The pungent odor of tobacco floats up the staircase so that all may smell it.
Renik (Invisible, Spider Climbing) d20+2=20 Thursday August 16th, 2001 8:55:25 AM
Silently Renik grinds his teeth in frustration. How long is this accursed guard going to sit there? (Sense Motive 20) He has a nagging feeling that if they don't get moving soon more trouble will follow...
Draax Thursday August 16th, 2001 5:35:05 PM
Draax sitting upside-down under the stairs and unable to see the dwarf, wonders what is taking so long for the all clear signal. Although he could not make out what was being said down the stairs, he is pretty sure that he heard them moving away.
He wonders if he should look to make sure that the others are still here. He discards the thought of him moving almost as soon as it enters his mind, but he also thinks that if he does not hear something soon he will be forced to take a look himself.
Sunblaze (Kim) d20+4=12 Thursday August 16th, 2001 8:37:05 PM
Sunblaze grows impatient. She attempts to quietly move from her place, but is not quiet as a churchmouse (12 on DC15). Some of the wrought metal she climbs down makes a light creaking noise.
Rond d20+12=17 d20=14 Thursday August 16th, 2001 11:35:13 PM
Wanting to get Renik's attention, Rond lowers himself to a point where he can get his hand down through the floor level. (MS =17). Just as he's about to stick his hand through, he hears Sunblaze's noise. He quickly pulls his hand back in, like it was discovered in the cookie jar. If the dwarf doesn't notice, he'll stick his hand down below the stairs. He'll then proceed to wave his arm in a manner similar to 'teacher, teacher, pick me.' Every now and then he'll stop and make the motion to 'come here'. Carefully keeping an eye on the dwarf, in case he looks up at what he's doing. If the dwarf hears Sunblaze and starts to move, Rond will not do anything, either until the dwarf stops looking, or until the party has to defend itself.
Damocles (Flying) (Kim) d20=13 Friday August 17th, 2001 1:20:42 AM
[This assumes he hears the noise made by Sunblaze (Listen 13+?):] The cleric of Alemi, if he hears the dwarf moving quickly away, will do a flying dive to intercept him. Just outside viewing range at the edge of the stairway in the room above the lower chamber, Damocles prepares for action.
Damocles (Dave posts for himself) Friday August 17th, 2001 2:07:12 PM
Damocles hears Sunblaze hits the creaky board and dives, low enough for the dwarf to be in range of a Hold Person spell. He weaves it quickly, until finally the glowing sigil of Alemi flies forth to strike the dwarf in the forehead, freezing him in place.
Arien d20=17 Friday August 17th, 2001 2:59:21 PM
Arien freezes when he hears Sunblaze make the noise and quickly materializes his bow in one hand and draws an arrow with the other, ready to strike should someone come to investigate.
I Said "Freeeeeze!", Dirtbag..! (DM Donna) Saturday August 18th, 2001 7:14:16 AM
Although the one-eyed dwarf apparently didn't hear the noise that Sunblaze made, Damocles' dive & cast freezes the mercenary in place.
Sunblaze (Kim) d20+8=14 Sunday August 19th, 2001 10:04:22 PM
Berating herself for causing the creak, Sunblaze pauses, plans carefully, moves slowly, trying to avoid any more noise, and continues her descent [I'm taking 4. Not 10, just 4 to represent her added care]. She manages not to make TOO much more noise. [Move silently 14.] And returns to the floor of the level above the fresh action.
Renik (Invisible, Spider Climbing) d20+12=17 Monday August 20th, 2001 7:39:26 AM
Renik, seeing the mercenary frozen by Damocles' spell, makes for the torch lit corridor from where the chanting is coming. He makes his way along the ceiling, and heads towards the sound, continuing to move carefully (Move Silent 17).
As he moves he tries not to worry about the fact that now they really are racing against the clock. With the guard failing to return, the reception committee will very shortly be alerted to their presence... he hopes his companions are able to deal with them quickly and quietly.
Rond d20+12=23 Monday August 20th, 2001 6:04:43 PM
Rond briefly considers whether he should consider having a serious heart to heart with Wardd. Some how he feels that he's been pushing his luck too much lately.
Moving down the stairwell, Rond proceeds to motion the party to join him in the chamber below. Continuing to move as quietly as he can (MS 23) he comes up from behind the dwarf (if he can), and indicates to the party that they should not be seen by the Dwarf, and remain on the ceiling. Motioning everyone in the group to stay behind the dwarf, Rond does his best to turn the dwarf around so that he does not see Rond, or anyone in the group.
Once the group is past the dwarf, Rond will whisper very quietly, "Raise no alarm, leave the temple. No problems, and you will receive severance pay. Stay at the Red Wyrm Inn for two days."
Draax Monday August 20th, 2001 9:16:18 PM
At the signal to move Draax starts to head down the stairs. Noticing the dwarf and Rond directing him to avoid the dwarf, Draax walks along the ceiling past the dwarf. Not knowing what transpired before he moved, he suppresses the yearning to drop down and slit the dwarf's throat. He hopes that the dwarf realizes his good fortune and if not, Draax vows to remind the dwarf of the life he could have had just before killing him.
Sunblaze (Kim) d20+4=9 Tuesday August 21st, 2001 12:05:56 AM
The small elf moves as Rond directs, aiming for a balance between haste and quiet. Haste wins. "Disarm him," she whispers to Rond. She looks around, and glances at the exits from this lower room. And she takes some cloth in hand, ready to stuff the dwarf's smoky mouth if he looks to make any noise. Or poke his eye out. Did she just think that?
Clarification Needed, I Think... (DM Donna) Tuesday August 21st, 2001 6:49:34 AM
I'm not sure you all realize the dwarf's position when he was "frozen" by the panicky Damocles, so I'll clarify and give you a chance to change your actions if you wish:
Spike was more concerned about whether the retreating guard detail was still within range of sight. Once he was satisfied that none of his companions could see him, he pulled out his pipe, stuffed it and lit up. Obviously he had NO intention of going up the stairs at all.
When Damocles swooped down and cast the Hold Person spell on Spike, the dwarf was in the middle of taking a hefty drag of his tobacco (at least...I think it's tobacco--you never know with these evil mercenaries..! ;D)--his eyes are half-closed and he's facing mostly into the western doorway...and completely paralyzed now.
Renik--approaching the eastern archway--still sees nothing more than a long, torch-lit corridor from which emanates the persistent yet monotonous chanting, which has neither gotten any louder nor faster nor more intense.
Renik (Invisible, Spider Climbing) d20+12=19 d20+4=11 Tuesday August 21st, 2001 7:11:19 AM
Renik continues towards the source of the chanting, moving Silently (19). He smiles grimly as it occurs to him that this could possibly be a trap, designed to lure the over-curious to their doom, and not their enemy chanting at all. But he is set on his course now, and cannot afford to be swayed by what is probably just an overactive imagination. If he finds himself getting close to the source of the sound he will Search (11) for traps before moving closer.
Sunblaze (Kim) Tuesday August 21st, 2001 12:58:16 PM
[OOC: Regarding crossing the ceiling - Sunblaze can't cross the ceiling, unless someone wants to carry her. She can cross the FLOOR. She can ascend or descend the stairway. But she does not spiderclimb, nor fly, at least not at the moment.]
The elf alters her looks (change self via the chameleon ring) to make her face real plain, and her hair a dirty blonde.
"Hey," she says quietly (but roughening her voice) to Rond & Damocles, careful not to use their names. "Let him go out on the streets, but only with what nature gave him, plus his pipe and tobacco pouch." She takes first his weapon(s), then begins disrobing him, first dropping his trousers to his ankles (hard to run that way), obviously wanting the cleric and the ranger to assist. "Then he can leave. I'll escort him. Hey, Spike, I've got a serpent here. You wiggle the wrong way, you talk too loud, he bites you, you're dead. You cooperate, and you'll be free to head out the door to the Inn, alive."
Damocles (Kim) Tuesday August 21st, 2001 9:09:03 PM
The cleric blindfolds the dwarf, after removing the pipe from the fellow's mouth, his expression showing distain for the lingering smoke. He assists Sunblaze in disrobing the slothful guardian. But he forbids her to remove the dwarf's loincloth, if such he has. Everything else, except pipe and tobacco, the cleric of Alemi takes from the held dwarf. [If he has rope (?)] Damocles ties the stout creature's hands behind his back, makes sure the blindfold will hold, adds a gag to the mouth for good measure, then, requesting Rond's assistance, releases the hold person spell, quietly repeats the instructions Rond and Sunblaze gave, and marches him up the stairs, guiding him out the doorway. Should the mummy apparition show itself, he will skirt it, and otherwise not attack, not react.
Head Count (DM Donna) Wednesday August 22nd, 2001 7:05:03 AM
Sunblaze and Damocles quickly have one bound-up dwarf and one pile of equipment and clothing (except for the loincloth). Spike is obviously less than thrilled to be in his position, but when the Hold Person spell is canceled, the short mercenary follows instructions, even if it is with a lot of reluctance.
Renik continues down the corridor, via the ceiling, noting that there are wooden doors that lead north and south about one hundred feet down the corridor. Taking a moment to squint at them, he notes that they appear to be heavy and bound with iron bands. They open via fixed iron handles.
Renik can also see that the corridor extends another 150 feet or so before ending in another open archway opposite the one that leads to the stairway chamber. The chanting gets louder as Renik gets closer to the new archway.
Renik (Invisible, Spider cimbing) d20+12=13 d20+12=23 d20+4=15 d20+2=3 Wednesday August 22nd, 2001 8:02:44 AM
Renik continues to creep along the ceiling towards the end archway but in his eagerness to see what is up ahead he fails to take sufficient care, and dislodges a small stone(Move Silent 13: natural 1). He freezes in place, and prays the loud chanting from up ahead has drowned out the noise. Taking advantage of the momentary pause, he again checks for any traps nearby(Search 15. Sorry, second +12 roll was made in error) or waiting guards (spot 3: another natural 1! Aaarggh!)
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