"What are we waiting for?" he asks his companions. Heaving his pack up onto his shoulders, and shifting a weapon or two, he trots off.
"Dum dum da dum dum da dum..."
He enjoys the outdoors a great deal, and even smiles once Malic and Savar start their tune. But after a time he silently shakes his head and rolls his eyes. Then he speaks..
"Merry little band we have here. If I had a flute I'd start t'play the damn thing...if I knew how that is.."
Chuckling at Thorik, the half-orc answers, "I can't play either. My mother could, but I never could get the hang of it."
He looks at Savar with an inquisitive kind of look.
"In part. She did her best to keep me away from the full-blooded orcs when she could, and undid most of the brutality they try to put into all their children. Unfortunately women have few rights in the tribe, especially women slaves. My father didn't seem to care much, though. He watched her teach me languages with the same expression as he did when my brother kicked me unconscious. He only did anything when my mother actually tried to interfere with the other orcs."
Savar's face takes on a look of remorse and guilt, but he shakes his head and looks out at the horizon.
"And what about you? I understand that family is very important to dwarves. You said something earlier about not following the rock-cutting tradition. I'd imagine that your parents wouldn't take that too well."
His face lightens and he even grins when asked about his family.
"Oh yes! Family is very important. Tradition too. And dont forget all work and no play." he says with a roll of his eyes.
"Now dont get me wrong. I dont mind a hard days work now an then. But dont push yer desires and ethics on me. I've got other things I want to do. And lets just say they didnt try an talk me inta stayin'."
Harou says eyeing a raven circling on the breeze overhead.
"This obviously did not appeal to you Thorik. I do hope some of the ethics of your kin rubbed off on you. I will expect nothing less out of you. It is the main cause for me choosing you."
Up ahead, another wall of dust seems to be making it's way across the plains.
"In part Malic yes, but he displayed other useful tools as well.."
He wipes a grain of dirt from his eye, and squints into the distance.
Coughing at the dust, he spits and peers at the second distant dust cloud. The warrior pulls his hat down again, much like Harou, and keeps walking.
"We probably should have gotten an earlier start."
"Do not worry Savar, I didn't pick you for similar reasons.."
"What do you and Malic have in common?"
Harou winks and move on.
"You know how it is. It doesn't matter how smart you are, or how interesting you may be. It's all about the looks. No one ever says, 'Invite Savar, he's the intelligent one.' It's always, 'Oh, bring Savar, he's the pretty one.'" He shakes his head at Malic. "It really is a problem. I'm tired of being judged by the way I look. Just because I look great in silk, is that any reason to forget about the person inside? I'm sure you've got the same problem."
Another sigh. "Honestly, I think it's the ears. The little points, they drive people crazy."
Assuming his most noble pose, the half-orc walks onward without even the traces of a smile.
"I think we should make camp before arriving, perhaps within sight, and start at day break the following morning."
Show
before 10 am
spoiler
What time is it, anyway?
"Why the change of subject Harou?!? HAHAHA! Frankly Im a bit insulted that you wouldnt think the same of me! HAHAHA!"
He pulls forth his flask and takes a pull once he's confident he wont choke on it. He offers it to Harou, with a smile, showing all is in good fun.
After a moment of discomfort he smiles and replies, "I think Harou was talking about our blades..."
Going back to the topic at hand, Savar considers Harou's words. "Supposedly it'll take us a day and a half to get there, meaning we won't even reach the pass until tomorrow afternoon, maybe later. As for making camp, I don't think anyone brought a tent, so all we have to do is unfold some bedrolls and maybe build a fire. I do agree that we should probably wait until the morning to start into the pass. Maybe when we arrive tomorrow we could examine the lay of the land and see if there are any signs of recent passage into or out of the pass?"
He sighs and pulls a biscut from his oversized backpack. Munching on it almost without thinking, he continues. "I guess we'll see when we get there, though. No point in overplanning now when we don't know what we'll find."
"Well, Thorik and I have bared our souls and discussed our past. What about you two? How does a well-spoken half-elf end up with a group like this? And how does a foreign mage leave home to fight old women and look for magic rocks?"
“I came for the same reasons everyone else did, to serve the kingdom. How I serve is not my choice. This is an unexpected task indeed, but I will do as I am told, and find out more later.”
When Malic falls in next to him and talks of why he is here, Thorik looks up at him with curiousity.
"Well what of yer father? Was he fine with you comin' and doin' this?"
Malic responds goign quiet for a moment before shaking his head, "By the time I had the news of his thoughts on the matter I was already here. I decided I'd stay and at least do something to prove myself at least worthy of his name."
Malic stops and again with a shake of his head, he continues on obviously struggling with what he's trying to say, "In my father's realm "having 'staire' after your name denotes a broken lineage."
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, my lineage isn't so much broken as smashed, torn, mangled, and scattered to the wind. Good luck finding an ancestor of mine on either side past one hundred years ago. Other than 'Grog Left-Axe.' Much like my lineage, he's also known for smashing, tearing, mangling, and scattering things to the wind. Funny how the little things get you remembered."
He takes notice of the looks he is receiving and continues.
"But the local priest bandaged me up, said a prayer for me, and sent me on my way. Felt much better after that. Havent broke it again since."
With a smile he looks up at the sky and notices the daylight starting to slowly fade.
spoiler
I thought it was before lunch!
With a smile he looks up at the sky and notices the daylight starting to slowly fade.
I thought it was before lunch!
"Looks like it might rain," Malic remarks as he looks up with the others, "Those are some dark looking clouds..."
ooc
It still is before lunch but you know there's always freak weather happenings. :P
ooc
Crap if I know. I was just trying to get something going. I shall rectify now. Oh look, Malic covered for me. Thanks Malic!
"I thought things weren't supposed to start getting weird until we actually reached the pass."
He takes a piece of dried meat and begins to eat it.
"I am curious as to what it will be like. And what all this expedition will entail."
Wrapping his poncho tighter around him, the half-orc pulls his hat down over his ears and points the stub of his index finger at Malic.
"I blame you."
Trudging along darkly, he glares at the half-elf as though he brought the rain upon them by noticing it first.
The half-elf continues on smiling and trying to catch the rain in his mouth as they continue on, fully and outfright ignoring Savar's glares.
"Great. Thats what we needed."
He presses on and keeps his head down.
"We should try and find cover." he says after another rumble from the sky.
ooc
I wonder what the temp is? I know its chilly, but how chilly?
The rain continues it's onslaught, soaking the travelars to their bones. Oddly enough, the rain seems to get less cold the further on the group trudges.
"We do not stop until we reach the path, nothing good stopping here."
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Knowledge Nature (+8) check on the storm and its state, i.e. whether is a normal storm or not.
Rather pleased with his idea he lets a broad grin and hardy laugh escape just in time for a crack of thunder so loud he thinks he himself has been struck.
"GOD#@$@#!, %#^$, sonofa&@*!#^$ARD" he exclaims as he tries to force his heart back down his throat.
He almost replaces the shield, but figures it's no safer on his back then over his head. And hopefully Savar would be struck before he would since he carries an entire arsenal on his person.
Looking around at the complete and total lack of cover, he sighs. "A day and a half to the pass, they said. If this keeps up we'll do better to make a boat and row our way there. I wonder how the others are doing."
As the group reaches the foothills the storm has been reduced to little more then a drizzle. The pass through the moutain looms ahead of them, they should be able to reach it just before nightfall.
"We should rest soon, perhaps under a clifface near the pass..."
He continues onward with an eye out for anything they might use as a bit of shelter. If nothing stands out, at least a semi ring of rocks or debris that might be defended should do.
"Keep an eye out for danger, it should be considered a constant threat."
Harou leads tehm toward the cave, looking for signs of life as he goes, tracks, debris, movement, etc.
"I wish Pawl were here with me. I could use his eyes.."
"Who's Pawl?"
When closer he judges how high the cave is on the cliff face. He straps his shield to his back and takes out his rope keeping it in hand.
ooc
Is the cliff face sheer, or should we be able to climb it without gear?
"Perhaps I should give it a look first, before we all go storming in."
He doesnt really wait on a reply as he scuries off towards the opening. Once he reaches the mouth of the cave he takes more precaution and sneaks in making as little noise as possible. He is on constant watch for dangers that may hamper the group from staying in the cave. He goes as far as he thinks necessary before returning to the others.
ooc
I posted assuming there would be no climbing involved to reach the cave. And I have the shield strapped to my back, so the following is with no ACP. Move Silently +7 , Hide +7, Listen+2, Spot+2
OoC
Readied action to shoot anything that looks dangerous or attacks Thorik. +1 attack, 1d10 damage. 120' range, but his darkvision is only 60'.
It stretches back only ten feet before ending. A perfect spot for weathering out storms, or resting through the night.
Savar can testify that this group isn't the only one to think so. His darkvision enables him to spot some small backpacks tucked into a corner.
"Maybe these are from the wizard," he mumbles. With that thought he hesitates, and then proceeds much more carefully. It wouldn't do to lose a hand, or a whole arm, to some magic trap before the adventure even really began.
He makes his way back to where Savar is and sets his own things down.
"Well who's ever they were, what I wonder, is why they were left?"
"Does anyone have some fire making supplies?"
Thorik cautiously makes his way over to where Savar is going through the packs and looks over his shoulder.
Harou turns back from the group and goes back to watching the pass. He sits behind a rock, and lights his pipe.
.oO(I just wonder if the owners of those packs will show up)
Inside he finds a bedroll, and a few shirts that might fit Harou or Malic. The collar of one of the shirts is sporting a Silver Sword pin.
Examining the other two packs yields two more bedrolls, another man sized set of clothes, and a moldy loaf of bread. Behind the packs is a pile of kindling and a small log.
Harou's vigilance doesn't yield much. The pass seems deserted, and rather unextroidinare.
"You are up. I saw nothing."
He waits until he is sure Thorik is awake enough to function and leans up against the wall, getting some sleep.
"So, am I the only one who's hungry after a day of marching?" Setting out enough food for everyone's evening meal, he sits next to the fire and begins munching happily.
“Are you daft? Fire gives off smoke and light, two things that attract attention. We are trying to be discreet.” Harou goes back to finish out his watch, and will put the fire out again.
"Stupid watch...ruining my sleep...stupid pass....stupid magic rocks and wizards..."
He grumbles on for another minute and takes a seat on a random large rock keeping his eyes and ears on the pass.
Slowly Malic moves to wake up Harou, giving the mage a none to gentle shake.
"Harou. Get up I think you should see this," the half-elf hisses.
"What is it Malic? I need to study my spells before we move on."
Harou follows Malic to have a look.
"It is some sort of light I think..."He says thinking outloud.
"Wake the others.."
He studies the light for a moment trying to place any knowledge he has on the matter. Then, he begins going over his spells.
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Knowledge: The Planes (I guess that's the one I want. Arcana is the same Mod if that helps) +8
"Whadda ya got to do to get a little sleep around here!?!?!" he says rather loudly and with a look of disgust.
When he has the situation explained to him, he grabs his things, and makes his way to the cave entrance.
"Hmm, perhaps it is just an anomaly of the Pass!? I suppose we should check it out anyway."
He looks to the others to see what they think we should do.
ooc
Sorry to not wait for you to wake me Malic, but I wanted to post.
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No prob Thorik I couldn't get to the boards last night. >.>
"Yinobra did say that the pass would change. I guess whatever's in there is bright. So do we wait for Harou to read over his books and then head on through?"
Unless anyone makes a move to leave right away, Savar opens up the food pack and starts eating a breakfast of dried meat and bread.
"If we plan to leave out, he'll need to finish studying. A wizard with no spells ready isn't any good to us." With this he catches a glare from Harou "I mean, as good as he could be to us...with his spells ready...hmmm." he tries to explain, and quickly looks away.
Thorik yawns and streches out all his muscles. He also grabs a bite from his pack as he talks.
"And we may as well leave out. Dawn isnt many hours away, and going back to sleep will do nothing but make things worse." he yawns again and tries to shake the tired from his head.
spoiler
Should we go ahead and move on?
"I suppose we should try it out.."
He says as they move closer to the event.
Once the group can see through it to the other side, things change. The ground is still muddy, but instead of the patchs of solid dirt quilting the ground, here there are large holes in the floor. Floating above the holes are clumps of dirt and in a few cases solid stone that appears to have been ripped from the ground. It is the largest of these that most catches attention.
Hovering ten feet bove the surface of the plain is a large, maybe 30 feet in radius and almost as tall, grey-yellow stone. Unlike the other floating geography of the area, this rock does not look like it was just torn out of the ground. This one looks worked. The sides of it have been carved to form a smooth cylinder.
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Knowledge Arcana +8, any others?
"Did we ever decide on what to leave? Harou's magic markers, or just some rocks?
As he says this he is already droping a small pile down. Once whatever markers have been laid he checks out the giant stone.
"Now that is something you dont see everyday!"
ooc
This is assuming that we went through a portal. I didnt see anywhere that it actually specified that there was a portal, course didnt look real close either. Post should work either way I suppose.
The other hole is higher up, maybe twenty feet up from the ground and a quarter turn from the first hole. It might be the easier to see into, a mound of smaller rocks about 10 feet away from the floating rock seem to form a makeshift ramp that climbs to an elavation of fifeteen feet.
Leaving he rock to the mage's attention Savar scans the area. Off in the distance he spots a few stormclouds, but the appear to be drifting away from the area his group occupies.
Thorik glances back the way his group entered the pass before approaching the stone and notes that it is dark on the otherside of the pass, but appears to be near high noon where the party is now.
"If this is an entry, I am not sure how to open it."
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More scanning and knowledge checking, is this just a floating rock with holes? Spot and Search are not my specialties.
"Any ideas?" he asks not really expecting an answer.
He scans the object as best he can, and then hearing Malics suggestion, he bends down, grabs a fist sized rock, and lets it fly. He aims for the holes.
ooc
Search+6, Spot+2. Dont know how to work the rock throwing, but I guess its just +3 dex, and +1 point blank shot. How big are these holes?
"Somehow I doubt rock throwing will reveal the secrets to this stone..."
He sighs as he slumps his shoulders.
"Then again, I know nothing better... I wonder if these holes are key holes?"
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throw info: +4 to hit -4 for improv weapon, +0 total.
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Sorry, I was very tired when I wrote the post last night. should have described the holes better. They are roughly 3 x 3. Big enough for a person to climb through. And it does appear to be just a large floating rock.
"Stay back, if something bad happens, it should only happen to one of us, less the mission fail."
He pauses and then continues alone up the ramp.
OoC
Moving to within 40' of the stone so he can reach it with a move action, and holding greatsword instead of crossbow. Readied action to rush in if Harou seems in danger.
"I can see nothing. Perhaps one of you dark-seeing chaps can? Try it if you wish, otherwise, I am done with this stone."
He is clearly frustrated and his tone shows it.
"It looks big enough for me to squeeze through. I think we should at least check it out. What if that I'an stone is in there?"
ooc
Did we hear anything when Thorik threw that rock into it?
"Go help him if you wish.. My mind is of no use here it seems." He peers heavily at the pass and the strange landscape before them as he awaits news.
"I like how you think magician!"
He turns to Savar "Whadda ya think Savar, can ya see anything?" he says as he tries and peers into the hole.
It appears to be a room of some sorts. He can make out what appears to be broken furniture, an overturned table, bits and pieces of chairs.
He sticks his head inside to see if he can spot anyone else, and then attempts to squeeze inside.
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The top of the rsmp is not close enough for Savar to put his head into. He'll have to find away to get there first. It is withijn his jumping distance.
The opening in the rock is ten feet away from the top of the ramp, and is dark inside. Harou can see nothing.
The top of the rsmp is not close enough for Savar to put his head into. He'll have to find away to get there first. It is withijn his jumping distance.
OoC
Jump +12
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The jump was succesfull, but pulling himsef up wasn't as good of a roll. Savar can try to pull himself up again or let go and drop to the ground. (Or just hang out for awhile.) His feet are less then ten feet from the ground so a controlled fall wouldnt hurt much. Hopefully.
OoC
Climb +8.
"Who would live in something like that?"
The room appears to be roughly 25 feet long and almost as wide. The wall oppisite the window, the northern one, has a door in the center of it, as does the east wall. The west wall appears devoide of any entrances or exits, but the south wall, the one Savar is at, has another window in it in addition to the one Savar is in. The angle to see through it is not very good, but rom what he can see it opens out to somewhere similiar to where his teammates wait.
.o O (Shoulda let me go first. Ive got a bad feelin about this.)
Before he has a chance to react, a bag he failed to notice crashes to the ground with the sound of glass shattering.
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The trap is sprung before Savar gets a chance to call for rope. Editing of posts might be in order.
What kind of trap is it? Glass shattering? A bottle with some kind of sleep-gas in it? A wizard-trapped demon inside that's going to come out and eat us all?
Figuring it may be some kind of gas trap, Savar takes a deep breath and shuts his mouth, his cheeks puffed out with air, and quickly clamors back out the window. If he can stand on some kind of ledge outside of the window then he does so, looking in and trying to see what happened. If not, then he climbs back down to his previous position right after his jump but before pulling himself up.
OoC
How close was the bag, and how big was it, out of curiosity?
Show
The bag hit the ground about five feet away. It's a bag similiar to that many adventurers carry.
"I told ya to watch out fer it! What happened?"
ooc
Could Thorik hear the breaking glass?
Still hanging onto the ledge nervously, Savar pauses a moment before adding, "So what's the plan? I'm a bit out of my element."
Thorik walks down the ramp he'd been on and towards his other two companions.
"Long as nothing comes of that," he says motioning towards were Savar is perched "think we should check this thing out further?"
He keeps a bit of a grin on his face, simply to let them know what he thinks.
"Find out what you can."
Hesitating only a moment, he swings back over the ledge and into the window. Assuming nothing else happens, he repeats his offer with the rope and will help Thorik inside if he wants.
OoC
We should probably wait for kneyejailb to give us the go-ahead before we proceed. I'd hate to rp out another couple of posts and find out there was a second trap :P .
"So who's first? Is it just going to be me and Thorik, or are you two coming up as well?"
"Who would stay in a place like this?"
ooc
Listen +2, Search +6, Spot +2
Something is moving on the other side of it as well. And it sounds closer.
OoC
Mostly just killing time until Thorik gets on ;) .
"Is it clear?"
Thorik catches Savar's and Malics eye and puts a single finger up to his lips. He then points to his ear and then to the door showing Savar that he has heard something. He sheathes his hammer, takes the shield from his back, and pulls his trusty handaxe. He creeps back over to Savar and now hopefully Malic and wispers..
"I heard something moving on the other side of both doors. Dont know what, but it's movin. What worries me is they haven't respond to the trap Savar set off yet. I'd best check it fer traps before we go any further."
He waits a moment to make sure they hava no objections, tells them to 'be ready', and then moves towards the North door. When there he searches it over to make sure there is no danger.
ooc
Search +6, If yall disagree with course of action, Thorik did wait to hear objections, so we can do something else if yall think so. And tell me if my next statement is 'cheating' or whatever yall call it, or if this isnt really the place for such things. My ideas on if this is an enemy we'll have to fight then I could check the door for traps, then possibly just knock on it to get them to come thru, Id hide behind the door, and flank them as they past and came at yall. Again, if this isnt the right spot for this, or if this is 'cheating' let me know.
OoC
I think that is a bit on the cheating side. However, I don't think we really need to worry about knocking, as the group has probably made more than enough noise by now to alert whatever it is. My bet is that the thing on the other side either can't come through or doesn't want to.
Thorik fails to find anything suspicious. Whatever is on the otherside of the door has now reached it. The door starts to open.
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The door opens towards the party so Thorik could try to hide behind it. Malic has had time to get in the room and move while the door was searched. Harou has had time to start climbing up if that is what he wished to do. It will take him two rounds to get into the room barring a major mess up climbing in.
OoC
Hu. Guess I was wrong. *hums fight music*.
ooc
If I can I'll have a readies action to attack just after Savar does. ^_^ If not well I guess I won't... :P
.oO (Damn it all. Should of known they'd be on us in no time.)
Thorik carefully stays behind the door as it opens and waits for whatever it is to come into the room. He has his sheild out and readies his axe incase attack is the only option.
ooc
Hide +6 after acp from shield. If he is able to, he will stay there until the fight has started, and then will sneak attack/flank. +2 with the handaxe.
Savar moves with blinding speed, his blade ripping into the thing. It staggers slightly causing Malic to miss. It hisses at the two foes in front of it, not seeming to notice Thorik behind the door.
Harou reaces the windowsill and starts to pll himself in.
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Iniatives:
Thorik 23
Harou 21
Malic 20
Creature 16
Savar 13
Harou can see inside the room, but it will take him this round to get inside.
Thorik 23
Harou 21
Malic 20
Creature 16
Savar 13
Harou can see inside the room, but it will take him this round to get inside.
OoC
Yay, combat! :D
ooc
+4 (1d8+3, bludgeoning)
Harou scrambles up the rope, and pulls himself into the room.
"Yeild creature, or they will destroy you" he says comandingly in common, as the other begin their assault in the evil looking creature.
ooc
Changing my action to full defense. Sorry kneyejalib!
Thorik tries to take advantage of the creature being unaware of his presence and attacks from behind with his trusty axe.
ooc
Sneak Attack/Flank/whatever. +2 attack / d6+2 +1d6
The creature locks eye's with the mage when Harou shouts and it hisses. It strikes out with a claw scraping Savar's arm. The big half-orc feels his muscles tightening up, but he is able to shake the sensaton off .
Another claw lashes out at Malic, but it is batted away by the half-elf's shield.
Savar still slowed slightly swings and misses the creature.
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Savar takes 2 points of damage.
Thorik 11/11
Harou 10/10
Malic 13/13
Creature injured
Savar 11/13
Thorik 11/11
Harou 10/10
Malic 13/13
Creature injured
Savar 11/13
Still trying to flank the creature as best he can, he again swings with his axe!
"I heard something on the other side of the other door as well. Watch out fer any suprises Harou!"
"Your end is near, less you yeild."he adds rather solemly.
[Orc]Beware! Its touch is poison![/Orc]
OoC
Savar's going into rage. Using power attack again like last round, which brings him up to +7 for attack and 2d6+12 for damage. If he's flanking with Thorik (which he will, if at all possible) then that makes it a +9 to hit.
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Don't feel like you have to wait for who ever is in front of you in the iniative order to post. Things will go much smoother and faster if you post your intentions and I'll sort them out when they are all posted.
Remember, each round is only a matter of a few seconds. You don't nessasarily have trime to wsait until others make their move to think about yours.
P.S. you have a flank with Thorik and Savar.
Remember, each round is only a matter of a few seconds. You don't nessasarily have trime to wsait until others make their move to think about yours.
P.S. you have a flank with Thorik and Savar.
It responds Harou's challenge with a hiss and yaps out a few words that only Harou and Savar can understand.
Malic continues slapping it claws away from him with his shield. Savar takes a more direct approach. After sidestepping it's claw attack, the half-orc unleashes a powerful blow taking it's arm off at the shoulder and continuing into it's torso.
It gurgles and then drops to the ground.
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The thing speaks (spoke) Draconic. What it said was "What? What? What is that noise?"
"There are likly more, let's try to capture one this time. We need information. We are not collecting corpses for a bounty." he says very flatly but without being to stern.
He kneels down to have a look at the creature and goes over his memories trying his best to figure something if anything he knows about their kind.
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Knowledge the Planes +8
ooc
Spot +3
In response to Harou, he says, "The thing surprised us. It may be small, but that's the first demon I've ever seen, and when it clawed me I could feel something happening to my muscles. If we're to capture the next one we'll need a plan besides beating it with our fists."
After wiping down his greatsword he sits down heavily against the wall to catch his breath while Malic looks at the other room. Sitting with his sword across his lap, the half-orc looks over at the corpse every few seconds, as though trying to decide something. After a moment he sighs and starts ruffling through his pack. Finding what he's looking for, he bends over his sword with an inkpen and a dart from his hat. He uses the sharp tip of the dart to scratch a line in the blade of his sword near the hilt, and goes over it with ink. The end result is a black line about an inch long.
"Have you any spells that would capture one, Harou?"
He walks over to where the creature lays and looks at it with a snarl.
"Nasty little demon. Are those bite marks on his neck?"
Harou uses his sword to point to the door and the room beyond.
"Let's see if there is more danger a foot before we spend to much time wondering about this one. I have no better method other than threats and show of force to get what we need. No spells or nets or anything."
Not thinking much more about it, Thorik makes his way into the other room where Malic is and begins searching here and there for clues.
"Find anything, Malic?"
ooc
Search+6, Spot+2
In addition to the door that the scouts entered, there is another door on that wall.
Across from it on the other end of the room (north) is another door, and one on the east wall.
In the center of the room is a large stone basin. Scattered around it are the corpses of three small creatures. When there are enough pieces together to get a good look at, it is obvious they are of a similiar species to the thing that attacked the group. Only not as decayed.
As Thorik moves through the room, he notices something odd about the west wall. It appears there might be something in the center of it. A hidden door perhaps.
Savar can find no source for the glow other then the walls of the room themselves.
Thorik examines his find and then runs his hand over the wall when he knows it is ok to do so.
"I think Ive found somethin' over here. Door of somekind I think."
He continues to investigate the door, trying to find a switch and make sure it is safe to open.
ooc
Still Search +6
Shrugging, he trusts Thorik's eyes and stands out of the way while the dwarf works.
"Something else is here with us, and them, and it has certianly made a mess of things."he mutters to himself as he awaits the results of the door.
"Indeed we will, my pointy-eared comrad. That is, of course, assuming that our mystery monster hasn't made a run for it after hearing of our battle prowess."
He subconsciously rubs the claw wound on his arm. Remembering its effects, he adds, "And if we meet anymore of those little beasts like the first one, they pack a little extra something on their claws. When the last one hit me it felt like my muscles were turning to stone, so be careful."
"Everybody ready?"
He then pulls a hammer from where it is strapped to his chest, turns back to the slab, and opens it the rest of the way.
The walls he can see are lined with full bookcases.
Show
Characters passing through the door are considered to be squeezing
through a narrow space (double movement cost to enter the next square,
-4 penalty on AC and melee attack rolls).
through a narrow space (double movement cost to enter the next square,
-4 penalty on AC and melee attack rolls).
"Ill cover our backs." he says as they begin to go by.
There are two corpses similiar to the ones in the other room on the ground by the bookshelves lining the left wall. The bodies are burnt and also appear to be missing chunks of flesh. Some of the books next to them are also singed.
The rest of the party is able to enter the room without mishap as well.
Harou scans the books, at first the spines only and then picking out one or two of interest here and there out and reading a few passages. He will keep anything that might appear to be helpful as far as their current mission, or the pass itself.
"I will be a minute, clear this room, and then check the others."he says over his shoulder as he looks over a book.
ooc
Search +3
"Looks to me like a wizards abode. Guess he charred these two with his spells. I wonder if these were his creatures and they turned on him?"
ooc
Search +6
Savar can't make heads or tails of the first few books he looks at. It appears to just be chicken scrathches to him. Harou can at least tell that first one he examines contain diagrams, and are all in the same laungage. Abyssal. The little he reads is mostly notes on various denziens of some unnamed plane. It is very interesting reading for a scholar. But not of much use for the current situation.
But there are hundreds more for him to go through.
"I could spend months in this room. If we are able to make a pass at it later, then perhaps I shall. We go." he says stepping back into the room where the dead demons are.
"Which door? I will follow." He comments as he draws his sword again.
Thorik scuries over to the door on the east wall. He listens as he examines the door for anything suspicious.
"There should be more doors with key holes to peer thru." he mumbles to himself as he looks it over.
ooc
Search +6, Listen +2
Thorik finds nothing suspicious about the door. And hears nothing on the otherside of it.
OoC
Thorik and Malic, you guys forgot that piece of paper in the dead thing's hand.
"Thank you Malic. What's this now?" he says to himself.
Show
Decipher Script +9
Harou goes back to the room and looks for said book, whether its pages or torn, or it is scorched. If he finds it, he will satchel it as well as the others he stashed.
"Thorik, find anything?" he asks as he imerges again.
He pulls the shield from his back again, and keeps his hammer readied. He takes a low stance and slowly opens the door, creeping through once able. He immediatly scans the room for dangers as he makes way for the others.
When Thorik looks in the next room, he sees a room of similar size to the one they entered the rock in This room has a window looking out of one wall, and a set of stairs leading up to the right of the door.
A most of a small skeleton lays at the foot of the stairs.
Show
Know: Planes +9
After searching the room to see if there is anything else of interest in this room, he goes over to the stairs and begins quietly climbing them. He takes extra care with his footing, not wanting to trip any traps that may be on the stairs.
"Let me go first. Ill call down, if all's clear."
ooc
shield is out, so...Search+6, Spot+2, Move silently+6
Thorik makes it up the stairs without difficulty and finds himself in the center a 25 foot square room. It has the same glow as the other room. In the middle of each wall a five foot wide corrider leads away from the room.
He peeks over the half-orc's shoulder up at Thorik.
He waits for the others to climb the stairs.
"So should we keep going this way, or finish checking the first floor?"
"I say we finish the first floor. Otherwise we might miss some of those little pint-sized demons and get mobbed on the way back down. Or worse, have it come at us from behind when we're facing whatever monstrocity is on this floor."
Turning to Harou, the half-orc grimaces. "You mean we're...somewhere else? You think we've passed into an entirely different plane of existance? As if things weren't bad enough already. Do you think we can get back on our own?"
"Well, we got here on our own just fine. I am not certian we have reached another plane, but there are two factors that cause me to believe it so. The purple light is a trait I am unaware of existing were we are from, and as Malic noticed, the size of this place is quite different than it appeared on the outside. Perhaps we just saw a section or bit of this place that existed in our realm, and the deeper we go, the farther away from home we get."
He looks back the way they came, and then back to the company.
"I like finishing things, so let's make sure this floor is indeed safe. We will come back to the stair later."
He alows Thorik and Savar to take 'point' again, but does not lag behind Malic.
"Agreed." he says to searching the rest of the first floor
He makes his way back to the room with the two unchecked doors. He looks back and forth between the two doors, and decides to check the door on the North wall.
"Ones as good as the other when clearing, I suppose."
ooc
Search+6
"It looks like we have seen the most significant room on this level. On to the next, then we go up."
He follows as the inspect this floor entirely.
Show
There are more rooms on this level right? I remember reading about more than two door, but I am too tired to look at the moment. This should do for this morning.
Show
There were four visable doors and the secret one. You;ve checked two of the visable ones, and came in a third. The fourth one is on the same wall you came in.
There was also another door in the first room you climbed into that you did not investigate.
There was also another door in the first room you climbed into that you did not investigate.
"In any case, I still think we should finish this floor," he mumbles. "And after that, if we're still poking around, I vote for going down before we head up."
OoC
About how tall did you say this 'structure' was?
Show
On the outside it was around 30 feet tall and wide. It's obviously bigger then that on the inside.
"There's a couple more doors on this level we haven't checked out on this level," Malic adds as he draws his greatsword from teh sheath on his back.
ooc
Yeah, i remembered the other door in the first room, but was for some reason thinking it was the same door as the other we havent investigated. The floorplan in my head is probably way off tho.
When he opens it, he finds that even though in the room he is in, the door is on the same wall as the one they entered in, when he looks through the door, it opens on another wall in the room they fought the creature in.
Show
I don't blame you for getting the layout wrong in your head. It's confusing for me too, and I've got a map.
OoC
So does that take care of all the doors on the main level?
Show
Yup.
AS far as you know at least.
AS far as you know at least.
"Savar I believe you said you would rather go down first.."
He follows them along staying between Malic and Savar.
"Anyone else hoping we'll find that missing wizard in here?"
ooc
kneye you can go ahead and assume that Thorik will at the very least search every door he comes to in this funhouse. If I want to check a stair or anything like that, Ill post it, but the doors are for sure. If thats cool with you.
After another twenty feet of travel, Thorik hears the sounds of screaming coming from the bottom of the stairs. Both he and Savar with their better eyesight in the purplish glow of the walls can now see where the stairs end. Another hundred and thirty feet or so.
Harou continues down with the group keeping to the wall side of the steps.
"Be alert for enemies once at the bottom and stay together. No rash actions."
He keeps his eyes peeled looking for who is screaming, or better yet, what is causing someone to scream.
On either side of the throne is the source of the screaming, and the illumination in the room. Suspended from the ceiling are two creatures that look like crosses between human and somekind of bird. Manlike faces and torsos, with feathered wings, and cowls on their heads.They have wings instead of hands and taloned feet. These two specimans also happen to be on fire.
Skill check
Know Planes +9
"What is this place?"
OoC
No doors or sources of water, right? I'm assuming not, since you didn't mention any, but I just thought I'd make sure.
The throne appears larger then it did at first glance. The group could spread a blanket on the seat and have themselves a nice picnic lunch on it, if it weren't for the sense of gloom that fills the room.
The two creatures, which Harou recognizes as avoral guardinals, have no visable means of suspension, nor do they respond to Savars calls.
"Malic! Thorik! Grab some more ropes and give me a hand with this!"
OoC
I'm not sure what kind of role I'd need to lasso the guardian, but Savar's ranged attack sucks at a mere +1 (+2 if the new levels have kicked in). He'll keep trying until he gets it, though, or until one of the more ranged-friendly characters takes over for him.
ooc
How high up are they? Malic's Jump is +3
"Now thats something ya dont see every day."
He watches Savar and Malic start trying to free the creatures.
"Not meaning t'be cruel, but is that such a good idea, ya think? Mayhaps an arrow thru the head would be more helpful to them."
While he says that, he is looking at the throne and judging if you could climb it, and how close you'd be to the creatures if you did.
Skill Check
Spot
Before they get closer then thirty feet to the throne, all four of those adventures break and flee away from the "Great Evil" that is the throne.
Show
Thorik is frightened for 1 round.
Savar is frightened for 3 rounds.
Malic is frightened for 1 round.
Harou is frightened for 3 rounds.
Seing as the only visable way out of the room is the way they came in, that would be the most likely path for fleeing from the throne area.
Savar is frightened for 3 rounds.
Malic is frightened for 1 round.
Harou is frightened for 3 rounds.
Seing as the only visable way out of the room is the way they came in, that would be the most likely path for fleeing from the throne area.
"The hell was that all about." he says to no one in particular.
He notices the others fleeing as well so he isnt too embarrased, but he still acts like nothing just happened as he climbs the stairs.
The big barbarian, able to crush a skull with his bare hands, sprints as fast as possible out of the throne room and up the stairs. He curses rapidly in orcish, frantic words that relay his fear in the most vulgur ways possible. With little thought to his friends, he aims for the main level of the stone house, taking the stairs three at a time in his efforts to get away as fast as possible.
"What was that?"
His heavy breaths soon calm but he continues to look with fear at the sight below.
"I say we finish with the upper levels and only come back if we are with no other options.."
He starts going through the adjaciant rooms picking up the pieces of broken furnature, stacking the biggest pieces up against the door in an attempt to barracade it. If possible, he'll attempt to jam the door shut in some way as well.
"We're just lucky that nothing followed us," Savar mumbles as he works. "And I hate so say it, but the wizard before us could have very well fallen victim to that...thing. If so, all we can do is tell Yinobra that we tried and failed."
He watches Savar barricade the door for a minute...to make sure its sufficient, then makes his way to the room with the stairs going up. Once all have reached the room, and no one objects, he climbs them with the others.
He shruggs his shoulders and continues walking.
"Lets start with this one," he says pointing toward the east wall "and make our way around. Unless ya want to split up, which I dont much want to after the room with those burning things."
He takes out his flask, takes a pull, and offers it to anyone that would want it.
"Eitherway is fine by me."
Harou finds it very fascinating. It might be the opening to a second plane of existance within the one they are in. Malic and Savar remain ready for an ambush. Thorik seems a bit distracted. There is something odd about the wall to the right and ten feet back from the window.
"The wizard may be out there, but regardless, I think we should finish searching this house first. It's probably up to Harou, though; he knows more about these matters than I do."
The figure leaning out a window twenty feet below them is though.
A large curved horn rises from the top of the creatures almost skull like head. A tight layer of black leathery skin clings to it's frail man sized frame. And it's spider like fingers end at long viscious looking claws.
Luckily, it seems to be intently staring at something off in the distance rather then looking upwards.
"Well now, where were we?" he asks himself before looking about the room, then he turns and nods to Savar
"She is as likely out there, as she is in here.. Eitherway, this place is not safe.. We need to find out what we can and then move along. And.. Unless I am missing something, we have done that, so without further delay..."
He motions back down the hallway they just came up.
"I have not been keeping up with those details.. I am no explorer. Frankly, that's why I chose the dwarf."he adds jerking a thumb over at Thorik.
After the others have seem the thing, Savar pats his crossbow and raises his eyebrows questioningly.
.oO (Whats this? Another hidden door?)
He runs his hands along where he thinks it may be, and searches it for traps and opening mechanisims. If no traps are found, and it is as easy to open as the last he carefully opens the door.
ooc
Search +6
"Hopefully we can avoid him Savar.. " He glances at Thorik
"Found something?"
Skill Check
Knowledge Planes +9 on the creature
"Well aside from the throne we found beneath us, we haven't met much in the way of danger. Let us hope that at least remains true until we find either the mage or the stones."
Moving away from the window, he goes to flank Thorik. "Nice work," he says with a congradulatory slap on the dwarf's shoulder. "I didn't notice a thing." He moves into positon as needed, ready to attack should anything come out of the wall.
ooc
Listen +2, if its too late to use this since I didnt post it earlier, I completely understand.
It is indeed a door Thorik finds and it does not appear to be trapped. From what he can tell it should open inward with a simple push. He can hear nothing on the otherside of it.
ooc
Spot +2. And I know this isnt really the place for it, but did you get my level information? I cant find any ajustments in the Threads, course may be looking in the wrong place. And on the same note, when do you think we're gonna put that into effect?
Show
I have your level-ups Thorik. I've already put them into effect. Lucky for you.
"Spellcaster!" He manages before dropping into draconic and casting a spell of his own.
Once the spell is cast he peers into the room looking for inhabitants. He does not move away from the scorpion.
OOC
Casting Protection from Evil: +2 to AC and saves vs evil creatures. If this provokes an AoO, then Harou will move back before casting. Cancel the spell if the others manage to kill the creature before my go. Too many instructions?? :whatsthis
ooc
Charging, and power attacking for one.
+7 to hit, 2d6+6 damage.
No shield so 13 AC for the round.
+7 to hit, 2d6+6 damage.
No shield so 13 AC for the round.
Actions
If Savar is able to do so, he'll charge the scorpion. I don't know how far away it is, so I'm not sure that's an option. If possible he'll flank it with Thorik or Malic. If he's already within range and he kills it with his first hit, he'll take his move action to go into the room and see what all the commotion is about.
Power attacking for 1 as well, making his attack a +6, 2d6+9. If charging, he'll power attack for 2, making it +7, 2d6+11.
Power attacking for 1 as well, making his attack a +6, 2d6+9. If charging, he'll power attack for 2, making it +7, 2d6+11.
ooc
Well I dont know to be happy cause Im still conscious, or upset cause my increased skills were still inadequate. Hmm...Ill go with conscious! Thanks Kneye!
Savars blow cracks open through the creatures shell and drives it to the floor. Malic thrusts through the opening finishing it.
Thorik is able to down his potion in safety and begins to feel his wounds closing up.
From his position Harou is not able to see much. But it is enough. Chained to the walls of this smallish (15x20) room are what is the source of the noises comng from the room. Decaying figures similar to the one they faced earlier are chained along both sides of the room. Only these ones appear to have been human at one point.
Show
Thorik is healed for 8.
Thorik 15/18
Savar 18/20
Malic 21/21
Scorpian Dead
Harou 16/16
Thorik 15/18
Savar 18/20
Malic 21/21
Scorpian Dead
Harou 16/16
"Damn! Will the traps go off again if we enter the room?" He asks glancing at Thorik before turning back to the room.
"I cannot tell whether there is a caster in the room, or if the creature was summoned by a trigger of some sort.. " He mutters before stepping close to the opening and speaking to the humans.
"Are you alone?"He says to them through the door as he peers into the room attempting to 'clear the coast' so to speak.
OoC
Did the scorpion disappear? How big was it, out of curiosity? How many of the chained figures are there? Do they look hostile? Is there anything else in the room?
The eight creatures, chained every five feet for the length of the room hiss at Harou and gnash their teeth before startin g to howl again. There does not appear to be anything else in there.
As he looks closer, the mage notices that each creature has some kind of mark on their chests. He can't make it out from this distance though.
Show
The scorpian was was about four feet high and six long.
ooc
Im not 100% if we are in the room or not. If we are I guess ignore this.
"Where are you from?" he asks almost as if small talking.
"If we dont get answers soon, we should leave. I dont like staying here while these things howl."
ooc
Search +7, Spot i think is +4, I dont have my sheet with me.
Thorik finds nothing else in the room.
Thorik walks closer to the creatures but still a safe distance away. He stares at them for short time.
"Their screams seem mighty angry...but why do I have the feelin' they could be begging fer death?"
He slaps his sword back into its sheath, and heads out into the hall, waiting for the others.
Thorik shakes his head at the vile things as he makes his way back into the hall.
When the wizard speaks and moves to leave, Savar frowns bleakly. With a heavy sigh, he offers his own input.
"I agree with what Thorik said before; these things...whatever they are...don't look happy with their current state. From what we've found so far, it's my bet that they're held together by some kind of demonic magic. And I know it sounds a bit cruel, but I think we should...release them. If not for their sake, then for ours. We saw what the last one did, and all of these beasts together could likely rip us apart if they were set free by whatever dark being did this. So I suggest we put an end to them now, before it's too late."
We can report back to those that know more about this place what we have seen here, and if our masters commit us to rescuing these people, then we will. They are not simply bound by chains.. I believe there is a different purpose here, as you put it, demoic magic.
We are wasiting precious time.. " He stops and thinks a moment about the role the chained people might be playing, if he can come up with nothing useful, he will move on.
Skill check
Knowledge planes+9
If all agree, he will go back into the main room, and take the next passage that was decided upon.
They do look like they could be crests of somekind. From Dane most likely.
Once out into the square room with the other entrances, he nods towards the next one. He pauses and gives the corridor they just left a moment, and then follows them towards the new hallway.
"We may need to revisit the throne" He whispers to Malic as they move along
He shrugs lightly and follows along.
"One way or another." he says a bit quieter.
As they continue he keeps his eyes and ears alert.
Show
Which of the three remaining corridors are you planning on going down?
Direction
If the East corridor, the one we just came out of is 12 O'clock, then going clockwise, we will visit each in turn until we have gotten back to the way we came, which I assume would be at 9 O'clock. That leaves 3 O'clock and 6 as the next two stops.
"Somehow I imagined the grand adventure being a little different. Still, it'll make a great story. The only people I know of that've ever been to another plane are right here."
The half-orc's expression lightens a bit. "It will make a great story," he repeats. "Especially over those drinks you offered to buy."
directions
We actually came into the room from the center of the room. Stairs emerged from the middle of it if memory serves.
His own stomach rumbling, Savar slings off his pack and starts fishing out food for everyone.
"Might as well lighten the load. It'll only go to waste if we don't eat it."
OoC
What time is it, anyway? How long have we been in the 'house'? Assuming that time passes the same in whatever plane we're on.
"We are not at stopping to eat, not here... Do not take our position lightly. Now cut out this mindless banter and move along!" He says in harsh whispers.
Using his staff in rather mob prevention fashion, he nudges Thorik and Savar at the same time and moves towards the next passage.
OoC
I would think it is mid afternoon at the latest.
"If you can't eat in a logic-defying demon palace, when can you eat?" he grumbles.
Show
Harou is right about the time.
ooc
Loose acess to teh internet for an evening and everythign happens. >.>
"Damned, pushy mage." he says as he chews.
When he notices the alarm, he opens his arms wide, stopping all in their tracks. He bends down and points out the wire.
"Carefull boys. Wouldnt want to set that off!" he says looking up. "Stay here a minute. I wanna have a look out that window."
He easily avoids the trip wire and contines the remaining twenty five feet to the window, making sure there are no more wires, but also examining the walls for anything suspicious. When he reaches the window he slowing peers out to see what he can see.
"Back were we started. Just a bit higher." he says witha grin. "Well lets get on with it."
He heads towards the last corridor they havent gone down.
OOC
Destroy this post
OOC
I thought we had three options, two ending in windows and one with stairs? If I am correct, we go up! If no, smite as needed.
Show
You had four options. There is still one hallway to traverse.
.oO (Lack of food must be affecting our magical friend.)
He starts to walk down the remaining corridor with or without the others. He keeps his eyes sharp for trouble.
smite
SNAP!
"Right.. Hmm" is all he manages.
"Let's be quiet now, no more talking unless we are sure the area is safe. These stairs likely lead to the same place as the others. Eye and ears... he whispers pointing to his own with the jerky.
He follows them along once they have gotten on their way.
He quietly moves up the stairs being careful where he steps. If there is no trouble on the stairs, once he reaches the top, he scans the area for trouble.
ooc
Im at the house and dont have my updated sheet here. Search is +7, but im unsure on Spot. I think its +4. And I am moving silently, but I dont have that check either. Of course Malics mail is probably making it pointless anyway!
ooc
Hey! It's only Chainmail. :P
When they receach the top the group finds themselves in the middle of a sixty foot square room. The ceiling looms twenty five feet above them, and another set of stairs heads downwards five feet from the end of theirs. Two doors lead out of the room, one on the northwall, the other on the south.
The room looks like it might be an armory of sorts. A rack on the east wall contains eight large sized longswords, anothern the west holds nine.
Scattered about the room are the partially eaten remains of some type, or perhaps types, of creatures.
Skill checks
Knowledge checks on various Animal/creature anatomy
"Pray that we do not encounter what has done this..." he says absently
"Well, whoever did it, they're the size of a damned ogre. This thing is too heavy for me to use with one hand at all, which is what it's meant for."
The barbarian sets the sword back on the rack and scratches his chin while he thinks.
OoC
A few questions. How many empty rack spaces are there? Essentially, I'm trying to figure out how many weapons could be out on 'loan.' Also, have the ceilings in the house so far been abnormally tall? Say, made for a very tall, large-sized creature? Is the current ceiling like that? Just trying to piece some theories together.
Show
Only one empty slot in the racks. So far this is the only room besides the throne room with this tall of a ceiling.
ooc
Good question Savar. I now fear the answer.
"I know little of such things, but that one looks to be worth reselling, if we can carry it without too much hindrence."
He points to the nicer sword with his staff, and then looks to the North door.
"Either way, we shouldn't waste time. Check that door, and then the other." He says moving closer to it.
He examines the better sword and muses out loud while he does so. "I'm guessing the missing one is just as good, if not better, than this one. I can't see anyone taking a shoddy quality blade when a better one was available."
After he's finished, he turns to the others. "I've got some ideas. This place, besides that acursed throne room below, is the only one we've seen so far that could have been built to house the kind of thing that could wield these oversized butcher knives." He hefts the better quality sword for emphasis.
"Now, since there's only one weapon missing, there's either likely only one well-armed ten-foot tall mortal-eating monster on the loose, or a bunch of unarmed ones. It's got a sword, and probably knows how to use it, so it's probably not just an oversized version of the crispy dead things from below.
"In my opinion, you don't set up an armory without being in the area for a while, and one person doesn't need this many weapons. So either a whole platoon of these giants are asleep somewhere, and there's only one guard, which is very likely, or they're mostly all dead. But my theory is that they're resting somewhere and haven't planned for our little invasion.
"Since they've probably been here for a while, we can most likely expect some more traps. My advice is that we break or hide these blades and go on the hunt to find someone who knows what the hell's going on here. That way if they turn out to be unfriendly then they can do their worst with bare fists. If they're nice, then...well, then they're out about a hundred gold, judging from how poorly made these things are."
Savar takes a breath after the longest speech he's made yet. He scratches his head and ruffles his hat, apparently unsettled about something.
"The only thing I can't figure out is why there's no armor here. Either they're wearing it, which doesn't seem too likely since there's not even any racks for armor to be put on, or it's in another room, which seems a bit silly and unnecessary, or they've got skin like steel and don't need it. Harou may be able to come up with something better, but I don't know of any monsters that're as tall as two men, only use long swords, but don't have any armor or shields."
The half-orc stops speaking, having voiced his many opinions, and waits to see if anyone else has a better idea.
He keeps looking at the rack, silently wondering about the missing blade. He walks over to the door on the north wall and begins to search it for traps.
"And Im not sure 'bout hiding them. Where would we put them all?"
ooc
Search +7
Harou considers a moment as Thorik moves to the door.
"We need to get in and out of here as soon as possible. Whatever creatures are here, they are all dangerous, and I do not wish to encounter them without knowing where our exit home is. Being trapped on this plane does not sound like adventure but more like a gauntlet to run."
He nods at Savar
"It is good that you are not just muscle and metal. However, we shall rely on them a bit more. Remember each of you, that we are not in our home dimension. I have kept my emotions reserved on the matter, but this changes our situation little. What is the norm at home, is not so here. Do not expect it."
Pointing at Thorik he whispers a final thought before moving over to back the dwarf up.
"We need to get through here, no more conferences until we reach something more solid. Like the master..."
OoC
How big are the doors, by the way?
Show
Ten foot wide, Fifeteen high.
"If I can get this thing, let me have a look first. That is if this door doesnt announce our presence immediatly.."
ooc
Open Lock +8, Listen +3, Spot +5 (if the door is at all quiet)
Show
I'm assuming you would continue working on the lock until either you got it open or the poison needle got yo... Ummm, it took you five trys.
"Now I dont know if this door'll cooperate, but let me see if I can have a look. But be ready!" he barks, expecting the worst.
Thorik starts to slowly open the large door, hoping that it is silent enough to let him catch a peek inside without alerting anything that might be waiting for them.
If he starts to hear any creaks or pops he will take a new plan of attack and state, "Ah, hell with this!" and throw the door on open with a hammer cocked back and ready to let fly at any vile creature he sees.
assumptions
You're absolutly correct. Try, try, try, or die! I hope the two possibility post is cool. Didnt really know another way to do it.
A quick peek inside reveals another room with twenty five foot ceilings. It appears to be about the same size as the one the party is now in, sixty by sixty.
Rows of tables line the walls, and there are shelves stacked on top of those. The shelves are empty.
In the center of the room are twenty smallish (Two foot by two foot) chests.
There does not appear to be any exits from the room, or anything waiting in ambush.
Surveying the area, he shrugs and offers, "Mess hall? The chests are a bit small, especially for things the size we're likely to encouter. Maybe they're spoils of war?"
He takes a step towards the chests, but stops. Making an 'after you' motion to Thorik, he waits to see if the dwarf wants to check for traps before he barges in and starts opening things.
"I suppose it's too much to hope that they're filled with those little rocks we're looking for, isn't it?"
He lets fly a, "Oomph!" as he tries to keep his feet under him.
"Seems a bit far from a kitchen for that............Stop!" he says when Savar takes a step towards the chests. When Savar makes his motion, Thorik proceeds with a few cautious steps. He looks everywhere for signs of danger, hoping to let nothing escape his notice.
"It's never too much to hope for. Pretty damn doubtful I'd say tho!"
ooc
Search +7 Spot +5
"Shhhhhhh"
Nothing comes up the stairs, and the last door stays shut.
The chests do not explode, nor do they pop open and spray out poisoness gas.
The fourth is also unlocked, but contains something more interesting then dust. It is filled with silver coins.
"Unless you think the coins are individually trapped, of course," he says teasingly to Thorik.
Twisting around towards the door he calls out, "We've found something! And if half the other chests are like this one, then it's something that'll even make Harou happy!"
"Yer more'n welcome to open the rest if ya want." he says as he takes the coins from the chest and starts to put them in the bag Savar holds open.
"So was I..." he says as he moves over to the next set of chests still grinning. He then looks at Savar again and the glare has returned.
"Seriously tho. Don't touch a damn thing!"
He continues to be cautious before just opening the other chests. He wants to be sure that he hasn't missed anything that would endanger his, or anyone else's...but mainly his... life.
ooc
I dont know if you did checks for all the chests or not. Either way.
He puts all coin in the same sack, but keeps out the vials. He hands them to Savar to study.
"Whaddya make of this?"
After Savar takes the vials, Thorik starts to make his way around the room. He reaches for his flask, and has a pull as he walks. He scans the shelves again seeing if they've missed anything. When he is satisfied, he makes his way back into the other room with the others.
Makes his way into the other room with Harou and Malic.
He packs the large bag of coins tightly into his backpack, shoulders the heavier load with little trouble, and marches out to see the rest of the group.
He looks over to the large door and then back at Malic.
"I thought you'd have that thing opened and whatever in there killed by the time we got back! Wasn't that the deal?" he says pointing at the door and shaking his head unapprovingly.
Malic smirks than bows with a heavy flourish of his arm, "I was just waiting for you, oh great opener of doors, before I barged in there and saved the day."
"If I must do everything.." he continues in the most noble sounding voice he can muster.
Upon reaching the door, all joking ceases and he stares at the door like it just ask him the meaning of the universe. He begins his inspection of the locking mechanism, and looks for any traps that may be on it. As he looks he grabs his picks and begins flipping thru them finding the most sutible one.
.oO (Probably too big...but its worth a shot!)
He leans his head against the door to see if he can hear anything on the other side.
ooc
Listen +3, Search +7
Whatever the substance of the door is, it seems to block any sound from coming through it.
Or perhaps there is nothing to be heard on the otherside.
"Drinking an unknown potion in this realm is a risk I would rather avoid."He whispers looking over the first one.
Skill Check
Spellcraft +11
.oO (Damn. May have to shave it again.)
Focusing back on the lock Thorik starts working on it. If and when successful he will attampt the same as he did with the last door. If no loud pops with the lock or creaks of the door, he will try to sneak a peek without fully entering.
ooc
I dont know if the door being made of this stuff will help that or not, but either way. And I will continue trying if at first I dont succeed. Dont have the checks here with me. Sorry.
Harou is able to discern the thing in the vial is not magical. It's an alcjhemical substance nonetheless, one he recognizes as silversheen.
"Hmm..Savar, come give me a hand with this. Seems to be stuck.."
Thorik waits on help before trying again.
The wiazrd puts them away in a pouch and draws his sword, stepping toward Malic.
"Finally! Something I can handle. Got a minute to help, Malic? You look a little bored just standing over there."
Whether the half-elf decides to help or not, Savar props his greatsword up next to the door for easy access, fishes a crowbar out of his backpack, and does his best to open the door.
OoC
+5 strength check, an additional +2 for the crowbar, I think. He'll keep trying until he either succeeds, or until it becomes obvious that he can't pry the door open.
"You may be right." he replies in Dwarven to Harou. He then readies his shield and grips his hammer tight.
He takes a step back and gives Savar a bit of room.
"Careful Savar, it could be trouble." Thorik shakes his head, and repeats what he had just said, but in common. "You may want that sword in hand."
He can hear the metal rod holding the door shut give a little, but his strength just isn't enough by itself.
"I think there's a rod holding it shut. I can't get it on my own, but it's coming loose already, I think. If everyone pitches in, I think we can get it. Any takers?"
Assuming that the others help, he'll go back to work.
Malic tenses as he counts as he hits three he presses his entire weight into the door along with Savar.
ooc
Strength +3
"..ready.."
When he hears three he gives it his all.
ooc
Strength +2
Pushing the door all the way open reveals the next room to be a bed room. On the ground next to the door is the metal bar used to keep the door shut, and the bracket that previously held that in place on the door frame.
A large four posted bed dominates the center of the room, and there is a washbasin on the floor next to a desk against the far wall.
The room smells of burnt and rotting flesh. The source of the smell is immediately noticable. The charred corpse of a small creature can be seen partly under the desk.
.oO (The door was locked from the inside...)
Thorik quickly looks around the room.
"Did it lock the door, then set itself on fire?" he asks aloud.
ooc
Spot +5. Any noticable exits? Windows? Secret hidden door under the bed? ;) Size of the room?
He picks up the pillows, looks under the edge of the bed, as well as seeing if any weapon is strapped to the bottom. Also while at the bed, he looks for some sign of the previous sleeper, such as loose scales, long hair, or other remains that might possibly give some insight as to who owns the room.
While he works he thinks to himself out loud. "Only one bed, which means that either the bunkhouse vanished in a puff of smoke, or there isn't a whole band of warriors here. Looks like I was wrong. So does one...thing...use all those blades, or does it keep them for its friends? Maybe it's a wizard who can call up monsters and leaves an armory open so its summoned protectors will have weapons on hand."
Unable to form an explanation that makes complete sense to him, he kicks one of the bed legs in flustration.
[Orcish]"Damned house, damned magic, damned little stones..."[/Orcish]
"Watch the door Malic, we don't want to be trapped in here when it comes home."
He inspects the desk first, as well as the corpse that was beneath it to what kind it was.
"Seems these little ones had a rough go. I am curious as to how the master barred the room from the inside, and then left." He mentions as he looks about
"This places isn't very tactically sound..." the half-elf mutters to himself, "well for intruders."
Squinting towards the stairs Malic comments, "Did we find another exit in one of these rooms or is our only way out the stairs?"
"That is the only way, but there are two sets, hopefully if trouble comes up one, we can go down the other."
He continues to look about the place.
Harou finds little of note on the desk, it appears to have been cleaned off. In the limited amount of time he has to inspect the corpse, it appears to be similar to the other bodies they have found scattered around the stone. This one appears to have been burnt before bites were taken out of it.
The bed Savar examines is big. Twelve feet by twelve feet, and a good three feet high. The bedding on it looks expensive and very heavy. The two posts at the head of the bed each have a length of silk rope wound about them, ending in slipknots. He does not find anything hidden under the pillows or the silk sheets, and no sign of who previously occupied the bed.
When he squats down to look under the bed, Savar monentarily spots what could be a pair of glowing eyes. He doesn't have time to figure out for sure before a bright and sizzling light slams into him from where the eyes were.
The rest of the group can hear something calling out from under the bed. Only Savar and Hasrou can make out the pitiful cry of "Leave me alone!" in Draconic.
Show
Savar takes 5 in damage.
Enemy ?/?
Thorik 15/18
Malic 21/21
Savar 13/20
Harou 16/16
Enemy ?/?
Thorik 15/18
Malic 21/21
Savar 13/20
Harou 16/16
"Peace!" He says rather firmly in draconic.
ooc
And of course waits till he can see it. Jump +5. And if the desk is larger than usual, he'll just scurry on top of it the best he can.
There's no way out and the door was barred from the inside; why didn't I consider that someone was still in here? Stupid!
Still, through the pain and anger he manages to retain reason.
"Catch it!" he shouts to the others, jumping back from the bed. "It can talk, and we need the information."
Drawing his sap from his belt, he squats down and peers carefully under the bed again from a safer distance.
[Draconic]"Come out of there! Talk to us peacefully and we'll leave you or help you, as you wish. Try to zap me again and we'll drag you out of that hiding hole and beat the information out of you. Decide quickly; I'm having a craving for dragon flesh, and I'm rapidly losing patience with you already."[/Draconic]
Intimidate
Intimidate +5 (+9 if it's small sized like the first kobold).
The half-elf moves closer to the entrance to the room still watching the stairs still he glances nervously towards Harou.
[draconic]"Tenakri no want fight. Just leave alone."[/draconic]
The thing raises a vial to his mouth and then blinks out of sight.
"Malic get in here and close that door! If he's gone invisible, we can't let him escape."
Thorik keeps his shield high and consentrates on defense for now.
"If he gets out of here we'll never find him again!" he shouts.
Once the door is shut, he stands with his back against it for good measure. Still holding his sap, he takes off his hat and wipes away the sweat from the earlier attack.
"Ok, not a problem. As long as he's still here, we just have to wait for the spell to wear off." He looks nervously at Harou. "It will wear off...won't it?"
Sweeping his gaze around the room, he calls out to the invisible kobold.
[Draconic]"'Tenakri' may not want to fight, but there's no way you'll get out of here without help. Are you planning on starving? I guess you already know what happened to your friends. We met a few of them on the way up. All rotting, burned and dead but still walking. You can't stay here and you sure can't make it by yourself. Tell us what's going on in this place, and we'll take you with us when you leave. You'll be free from whatever tortured your friends. You can go back to your home and live. It's that simple: help us and live, stay and meet the same fate as the rest of your kind. We probably won't kill you, but the...other...won't be as merciful."[/Draconic]
Turning towards Thorik, he mouthes, "Ears open. Can you hear him?"
Harou says in draconic in addition to Savar's speech. He sheathes his sword and continues to look about the desk rather casually as he waits with the others on an answer. Meanwhile he moves Thorik off the desk with a look and a jerk of his thumb.
[draconic]"Tenakri just wants out. He knows nothing. Just following orders."
"Find out what the thing is. See who lives there. Make it home if can. Tenakri thinks not now."
"Just want to go back home."[/draconic]
[Draconic]"What orders? Find out who lives where? If you'll just calm down and tell us, we'll take you out of here and you can go home."[/Draconic]
"We need to know if you have seen an elf woman, like us, but with eats that point. Here or at home. If you can help us find her, then perhaps we can help you make this a new home?" The mage comments in draconic.
He sheaths his sword and waits.
Still not knowing what is going on, but seeing Harou sheath his sword makes him think it's going well. He still stays on alert, but he lowers his hammer to his side.
"Ask it if it knows anything about that elf woman from the Silver Sword."
Harou says with a slight curve of the side of his mouth.
"No Tenakri does not want to make here home. He just want to leave."
"Open door. Let Tenakri go. He knows how on his own. He will not hurt you, you not hurt him. Make deal?"[/draconic]
[draconic]"You still haven't answered my question. I'll ask it again, and simpler this time. What happened here, and who's been killing your kin and turning them into undead guardians?"[/draconic]
For emphasis, he points with his sap at the burned creature over by the desk. [draconic]"Answer the questions and we'll let you go. Who...Did...That!?"[/draconic]
"Tenraki dangerous. Has much magic."
"Let Tenraki go and he will share."[/draconic]
The sounds of something liquid swishing can be heard.
He turns to Malic and Thorik, figuring that they're probably left out of the loop. "The little runt is a damned wizard. It hurt like hell when he zapped me, and he claims to be the one who fried that poor thing to a crisp. He says he'll 'share' his magic if we let him go, and I'm tempted to send him on his way. If we're lucky he might even open the way for us by killing off some of the guards. Regardless, he says he doesn't want to fight now, but if he's got a lot more spells in reserve, then he's got a good chance of being able to take us on."
The half-orc ruffles his hat in thought, waiting to hear the opinions of his companions and the response from the invisible mage.
OoC
I'm not quite sure if there was a misunderstanding or not. Did Tenraki really mean that he's the one who killed all the other kobolds and animated a few of them, or did you miss the first part of my question? It's just that he really wasn't the kind of villain that I was expecting. Then again...it could kind of make sense, if there was a mutainy...I'll think about it some more :D
His voice starts to sound more agitated then scared.
[draconic]"You let Tenraki go, Tenraki no want save you."[/draconic]
Show
You'll just have to guess if you were misinterpreted won't you?
[draconic]"I think you'll find that we're a hard meal to swallow. I'll offer you this one and only warning: make a move to attack us and I'll be eating invisible dragon-meat tonight."[/draconic]
skill check
Intimidate +5 (+9 for size) as before.
"He's gone from sharing his magic with us to threatening us?" he asks with a bewildered look. "Sounds like your conversation with it isn't going too well."
"Sounds to me like this isn't any of our concern. If we can get no information about lost elves or magic rocks, I say we let the thing leave. What do you think, Harou? Can we still negotiate with it?"
"How do we know you will not turn us over to the other inhabitants of this place? I'm afraid we need a token of your good faith, something useful, information even. For example, have you seen any small black stones, magical one?" He asks in a calm tone in draconic.
Skill Check
Knoledge Plances +9 on what this guy is, and the likely hood of him actually not lying... if applicable.
A bag and a vial appear on the floor near where they suspect Tenraki to be.
Show
Harou never saw Tenraki but based on what Savar has been saying it's a reasonable guess to assume it is the same species as the first ghoul you encountered. Harou identified that as a kobold did he not?
Wether you can trust a kobold or not is comletely up to you.
Wether you can trust a kobold or not is comletely up to you.
"I will agree to that deal. Can you tell us anything about the stones before we go?" he adds in Draconic.
"He has offered us the stones in return for letting him go. I told him I would agree to that."
[draconic]"open door now. Tenraki go home."[/draconic]
"These are not what we seek, I do not wish to rob you. We seek small black magical ones." He says tring to figure out their value.
"These are the wrong stones." He tells the party.
skill check
Appraise +9
Another potion appears on the floor.
[draconic]"Let Tenraki go now."[/draconic]
Show
The stones are moonstones worth around 50 each.
"If he's buying his freedom with these stones and two potions.." he pauses briefly, "...or poisons...I say let the thing go. It has nothing to do with us."
He hands the stones back to Harou. He sheathes his hammer and walks to close to where the thing is.
"Course it is hard to trust something that wont show its face.."
"He's offering them to us. Sounds like a good trade to me."
He walks over towards Malic.
"And I could always use some pretty stones." he says with a grin.
"We are not robbers. We seek your help not your possessions." he says in draconic as he places the pouch between the two potions on the ground.
Pointing to the burn marks from the kobold's attack, he continues, "If you must, consider the stones and potions payment for the jolt he gave me. And before you try to take his side and say he was startled, remember that the corpse in the corner didn't surprise him by finding his hiding place. Look at it this way; would you have any qualms about taking the stones and potions from his body if we killed him in battle?"
Turning to Harou, groaning as he sets down the loot, he says, "So you want to imprison him, but leave him with two more potions to use against us? You don't have a problem with risking all our lives by trying to capture an invisible wizard, but it's above your moral standards to accept his offering? Do you intend to leave the potions and stones with him once you turn him over to the city guard, assuming we manage to force him into their custody? And as I said before; will you say it's robbery to take the loot from his body if he'd rather not be taken alive, or are we going to bury the dragon-rat with his trinkets?"
Obviously annoyed, the half-orc crosses his arms defensively, angry about the entire affair.
"What is your payment request for the wounds Savar? We need information more than treasure, this is no horde quest for riches. I will not debate 'what if's with you either. "
"That is why the stones would be a better payment for....Savar's wound."
He looks at Savar shrugging his shoulders stating he couldnt think of another reason.
"But the only way the creature should be able to keep both is for some useful information, which he doesn't seem to have. Either way, I'd say the thing is losing patience with us and may retract all offers."
"...I know I am.." he mumbles
"And as for coming in handy, if I've got to choose between drinking a strange potion and dying of bloody wounds, I'm going to choose the potion."
Nodding to Thorik in agreement, the half-orc says, "And he's right. That thing probably is losing patience, and he's already threatened to attack us once. Or, rather, to 'save' us, as he did his friend. If we let him go, what's to stop him from trying to 'save' both us and our valuables at a later date? He says he just wants to go home, but so far he's provided more than enough information to hint at his true nature."
Grumbling, he adds, "In fact, the only information he's offered is incriminating. If you're so concerned about his freedom, you might want to consider the freedom of those he's likely to kill and devour on his way out. Personally, I think that a murdering wizard with two less potions, whatever they may do, and lacking a bag of magic rocks is a safer thing than a murdering wizard with them."
Malic's hand tightens around his blade incase Savar chooses to lunge at one of teh group.
"You also don't know, how long this thing was in here. You're jumping to conclusions and you're hardly helping Harou in asking this creature questions by screaming at it and threatening it."
"I've made no move to attack you, or anyone in this group," he says almost defensively, "nor will I. You have nothing to fear from me, Malic. I'm sorry if I made you think otherwise; I'm angry and I may not agree with you, but I'd never resort to attacking you because of a disagreement."
Subdued somewhat, obviously unsettled by Malic's reaction, the half-orc continues in a much calmer voice. "As for the circumstances surrounding that creature's death, we can easily figure that out."
Turning towards where he expects the invisible kobold to be, he speaks in its language. [draconic]"How long have you been in this room? And did your companion try to attack you? Was it like the others outside, warped by evil magic and kept from a clean death?"[/draconic]
While awaiting an answer, he addresses Malic's last comment. "You might condemn my threatening the creature, but you're forgetting that he did threaten us, and I'd much rather subdue him with words and intimidation than by the sword. Better a frightened enemy than a violent one, in my opinion."
Hesitantly, he mumbles, "Again, I'm sorry if I gave you the idea I would try to harm any of you. That was never my intent." He seems more upset by the half-elf's reaction than anything else so far. "And if you really think we should leave the potions and stones, then fine. I just think it's a missed oportunity, and a mistake to let a murderer keep anything that he could use against us later on."
Malic continues looking forward and he raisies himself to full height, and his mouth tightens neither forming a frown nor a smile. HIs body language giving every indivation that the conversation should be and is better off being over.
Harou says before looking back to the potions and stones.
"We do not have time for speeches, and this is wasteful and pointless."
He sighs and nods.
"We compramise, if it will tell us nothing, then, it can go, but we will take the potions and stones. I do not like it, but it will have to do, I believe we should revisit the throne room anyway since this place seems to be explored quite thoroughly."
Harou will give the room one more search for sweet and awsome items before leaving.
The sounds of cloth rustling can be heard.
Harou sees nothing more then noticed before. The linens and blankets might be worth something, and the ropes wrapped around the bedposts look servicable, but there doesn't seem to be anything awesome.
Leaving Harou to deal with the kobold, Savar leans with his back against the door and turns to Thorik. "Things got a little heated for a minute, eh?" he says with a forced grin. "Now we'll either get some real answers about this place, or we'll get your 'pretty stones.'" He chuckles. "Sounds like a fair deal in either case."
In a lower voice he adds, "Especially if you remember how cooperative the invisible rat's been so far."
The wizards says to the invisible kobold in draconic.
"Never a dull moment in this mad house.."
"Tenraki go now."[/draconic]
Another bag of moonstones appears on the floor.
[draconic]"Talric go in hidden room with others. Only Talric come back Talric."[/draconic]
Show
For convience, there are five more moonstones in the bag.
"We will let him go, he has offered more gems and I believe he was part of the group that found our little room full of burned books."
He pushes himself off the wall and makes his way for the door.
"Well then lets get on with it and be on our way as well."
When he reaches the door he grabs the knob and hesitates long enough for someone to object. If there is none, he will open it.
"Now where were those other set of stairs..."
[draconic]"On your way then, Tenraki. I hope you find your home."[/draconic]
And, in common, he adds, "And I also hope that we never meet again. You're too slippery to trust, and I personally will be overjoyed to see the last of you."
"Now let Tenraki go."[/draconic]
"I am turned around again so it seems. I thought this was the end of this place. If we find nothing new from here, I wish to go back to the throne room."
"You should probably carry the 'pretty stones' since I've got the silver."
Handing the potion out to Harou, he asks, "Can you do anything to discover what they're for? If not, you could add them to the others we found in the other room."
At yet another mention of the throne room, the half-orc grimaces uncomfortably. "We've still got another set of stairs to check, and that secret room he mentioned. Let's not be too hastey in running to our deaths."
"The room he mentions is the one we've been to, I believe. With the creatures chained to the wall. At least, I think." he says with a raise of his eyebrow.
"What stairs do you refer to? I vote we check those before we go back to the throne room. Let's keep that as a last resort!"
OoC
There were four hallways on the floor below us. The second one we checked ended in a set of stairs. The fourth one also ended in stairs, which we took, to the present level.
ooc
Ok cool. Lets check that. Reply IC please... just cause. 
OoC
Oooook...
ooc
thaaaanksssss
"Lead on then.."
He scans the area for any signs of the kobold as more of an after thought and continues behind them
Ooc
Let's go ahead and search the place before we rest. It's still only been a few hours, so it's supper time maybe IC?
"Let's hope and pray that we find something on the next level," he says under his breath.
OoC
Anybody seen Malic?
ooc
He's here and sulking. :P Just kidding!
He stays behind Savar down the stairs and through the halls to the other set, staying quiet throughout. When they reach the next set, he takes point and cautiously makes his way up.
ooc
Whats at the top? Meaning is it open, or is there a cellar like door at the top?
The room still looks like it might have been an armory of sorts. And the weapons that were left here when the group was just here haven't moved.
Savar ruffles his hat and looks extremely embarrassed.
"When we're reporting this adventure back at the Silver Sword, I vote that we leave this part out."
Turning to face Harou, he takes a deep breath and says, "Are you absolutely sure we must go to the throne room? And, if so, would it be too much trouble to fill us in on what you think is going to happen? I don't want to have to return in the first place, but if we're going to, then I want to be prepared."
"Well, I feel we missed something. I do not want to go back. I would much rather go home, divide our spoils, and have a nice long smoke. However, if we were to go back now, it would be in failure. Our situation is not so dire that we need to make a mad dash for the door, so I feel we should look a little closer, and go just a bit slower. Remember the room Thorick found, the secret one? I am looking for more of those and I think there is one or maybe even two in the throneroom."
He half turns to head that way, and stops, smiling.
"However, I am not your elected commander, so I feel we should all agree, or at least the majority."
Taking point again, the half-orc heads back towards the stairs leading to the throne room. Once he gets there, he looks to see if the baracade he made has been disturbed.
"Quietly please. Once inside look for secret doors, like the one Thorik spotted earlier. If you are afraid, try not to go to far, and do not yell."
skill check
Assuming all goes well, Search +4, will take 20 if possible.
"What do we do about the 'living lamps'?" he asks. "I hope you're not going to suggest just leaving them there, assuming they're still alive."
.oO (I dont like this. Should've checked the upper rooms again. Maybe even that library.)
ooc
Can I get another description of this please? Seems like this was about 100 ft long staircase, but only one side had a wall, and the other was open to...somewhere...I guess the floor below. Is that accurate?
Thorik finds nothing that could be taken for a hidden door during the descent.
Show
The stairs are 300 feet long and enclosed on both sides.
skill check
Searh +4 again, take 20 if able.
.oO (Dont look at the chair, dont look at the chair!)
The two burning figures continue screaming and don't seem to notice the intruders in the room.
ooc
Where do you have us in the room? Are we split up, or together again?
Harou begins casting a spell and holds a hand near Thorik's forehead. He points a finger at the dwarf and touches it to his chest.
"You only have a couple of moments before it wears off. I suggest you go quickly."
Spell Cast
Casts Protection From Evil on Thorik, duration 2 minutes, +2 Will saves vs evilly created stuffs.
He feels the magic energies flow around him, and know's its effects have been placed.
"Ah hell. Fine. Guess we're outta options."
He moves quickly down the wall of the throne. He stays near the wall, but can't help glancing at the screaming bird creatures, that happen to be on fire, and hover above an very eerie looking throne.
.oO(I just don't know if it's worth it..)
Once he reaches the throne he looks it over. He is careful not to touch it at first and merely looks around it, and all over it, looking for any hidden switches, or marks on the floor to see if its moved.
When he reaches it, the tortured souls above continue to ignore him. He has time to give the throne a good looking over, and the tinge of fear he felt beginsto fade.
The throne is huge, and carved from solid stone. It doesn't appear as if it has been moved, in fact, Thorik isn't sure it is capable of being moved. If seems to grow out of the floor.
In the armrests of the chair, five on each side, are small blackstones.
He examines the stones closer. He thinks back to the first stone Yinorba showed them in the training hall.
.oO(Are those what we're looking for?)
He sheathes his hammer and takes an empty sack from his pack. He begins trying to free each of the stones in turn and place them in the sack.
Harou, Savar, and Malic notice that as he works at getting something from off the arm of the throne, Thorik starts to glowing with a bright violet light.
The light from the stone at first keeps the dwarf from noticing, but soon enough he sees that he has taken on a new hue.
Show
Thorik is glowing as if Fairie Fie has been cast on him.
"Hurry...!"
He then notices that the color has transferred to himself as well.
.oO(Oh no.)
He turns to the group and shruggs his shoulders at his own appearance. He quickly turns back and starts working on the next.
Show
So do any others you feel like pulling out.
"I think we've got what we came for."
"I agree, we go now with what we have. Arm yourselves, I fear we will not get away without trouble."
He looks Thorik up and down and shakes his head.
"Savar, if you please."
He follows along, holding his staff in the middle so it easily travels with one hand, and holds tightly the wand in the other.
.oO(Wonder what these things'r worth?)
He keeps his eyes sharp for trouble as he follows in with the others. He stays behind Savar and Harou, but infront of Malic. He decides the man with the rocks should probably stay in the middle.
"Let's get out of here." Giving one last glance at the burning creatures above the throne, then shaking his head sadly, he heads for the stairs.
"Once we get to the top, I say we barracade the door again and make a non-stop run for home. I can deal with a loss of a night's sleep if it means living, and I doubt that whoever sits in that throne is going to be happy about this theft."
He continues up the stairs. And doesnt forget about that slick substance, but does forget to remind his party.
mwahaha
:evillaugh
"The longer we stay the greater the chances of us being discovered..."
Finally off the stairs, the landing room continues it's violent shaking. The sounds of thunder can be heard from outside the rock.
"By the gods, let's go!"
Thorik runs as best he can in the wobbly structure. After reaching the main room, he runs to the wall that has two doors, opens the one on the left, and enters the room they started in.
"Did we leave the rope tied?" he asks as he sneaks his way to the window and carefully peers outside.
Thorik believes he can hear something moving behind them, but can not see anything.
"Harou should probably go first, since he's the lightest," the half-orc suggests. "I can lower you all down, if we hurry before the whole place crumbles to bits."
"Give me the stones then." He says tossing his staff out the window and turning to Thorik with an open hand.
"Go!"
He stands by the window and waits on Harou to be lowered down. He keeps watch on the two doors, and keeps a hammer ready to fly if he sees anything.
"I suppose I'll go next." he says waiting on Harou to finish his decent.
OoC
I'm not sure if kneyejailb was waiting on us to finish exiting the house or not. I saw him on earlier, but if he was busy, then disregard this. I'm just trying to speed things up if he's waiting on us.
He looks from the windows to their surrondings trying to get a bearing as to which way they came.
ooc
Yeah, I was kind of the same, not knowing if I should fast foward too much. Be like Ok, once Thorik hits the ground he runs all the way back to Garics as fast as he little legs will carry him.
ooc
Might not want to run all the way back to GsC. Instead just to the guild house.
The weather has taken a turn for the worse. Every few seconds lightening crashes into the ground, and the following thunder shakes the earth under their feet. The floating rocks wobble in the air.
Show
My posting is going to be slow for awhile. Work is busy, and I'm not suppose to be anywhere near my computer at night for a few days.
Hoping to get out of the pass itself as soon as possible, the half-orc heads back to the cave they originally stayed in, using his darkvision and the lightning to keep his way.
"Stay close! If someone gets lost in this, we'll never find you!"
.oO(We will no doubt be persued.)
He helps the dwarf out of the way of Malic and Savar and draws his sword. As Savar leads them onward, Harou struggles to keep up in the storm, but proves tougher than he looks.
"We should only stay long enough to catch our breath. There is little doubt that we will be persued as soon as they discovered our theft." he says over the wind.
If we try to make for the guild in this rain and wind, we'll likely end up right back in the middle of the pass. Still, better to deal with that problem when we get to it. Just focus on getting to the cave.
Looking behind him occasionally to make sure everyone is still following, the big barbarian continues on through the night.
He's probably right about pursuit, though. I can't forget that thing I saw out the window...Or those monsters chained to the wall. Will the master of that house set them loose like hounds to hunt us? Or will we be sought out by whatever uses those huge swords?
Savar pushes down the fear that momentarily grips him. We robbed a demon and braved dangers that have killed better men than I. We will survive this final leg of the journey. We have to.
Remembering an old orc saying that seems strangely appropriate, he whispers it quietly to the wind.
[orcish]"We will break their shields and sharpen our swords on their very bones. We will grind them beneath our heels into the dirt of their own lands. Onwards, to victory or to death."[/orcish]
.oO(The cave will at least be a defenseable position incase we are pursued. A demon's stronghold! Imagine what father would say. No doubt he would be pleased with the bravery of my compatriots and myself.)
At one point Malic stumbles but he quickly pushes himself back up and continues on behind the group, yelling ahead "Are you sure this is the way?!"
No one can even be sure they are headed in the right direction.
"I think this is the way, but there's no way to be sure in this storm!" he shouts over the rain. "I don't see any alternative, though! It's not like we can stay out in the open for the night! So do we keep going, or try another approach?!"
Thorik continues with the group being careful not to lose them in the down pour.
"Keep an eye on our rear and I will see if I cannot figure out which way we should be going. In these conditions, it could take some time.." he says to the group as he shields his eyes with his hand.
See edits
Survival +2 to figure out bearings, direction etc, taking 20 if possible.
Watching Harou, he waits for the wizard to finish. "As for going back to the stone, if we could make it, that'd be a good idea. But that shaking rock-house isn't going to be any easier to find in this weather than anything else."
The ground shakes under their feet as the sky around them lights up from a nearby lightening strike. In those brief moments Thorik thinks he can see the direction the moutain walls are.
"I think I saw the mountain wall that way." he says to the rest, pointing in the direction.
"Still dont know which way to go, though! We can at least head that way to find some shelter."
If there are no arguments, he will start leading them towards the mountains.
"Wait, which way are the mountains?!?"
Frustrated at the continuous downpour, he takes his shield from his back and puts it over his head to block the rain as best he can.
"Why? Think we should be goin a 'nother way?"
"The pass goes through the mountains to the other side. The fort is on this side!" He yells jerking a thumb in the other way. Then despite the rain his eyes widen with a fearful look.
"However.. if we are not on our home plane... None of that matters!" He curses but the thunder robs him of the sound.
He continues on, with his shield still over his head, towards the mountains that he saw. Once he reaches them, he will try to find some place where they can get out of the weather.
ooc
Could I tell how far they were from us?
.oO(I must mark our way..) He thinks, turning to follow the dwarf.
"This will lengthen our road home in the long run!" He yells again, walking heavily with his staff..
OOC
MEGA lookout for cover from the storm, so as to not go any father than we have to.
What was once over several thousand feet away is within two hundred after a considerable march through the downpour.
Seeing the mountains much nearer, Savar picks up his pace. "Almost there! If nothing else, we can get our bearings in the morning. Let's just try to find something to crawl under for the moment!"
Moving as quickly as he can without losing the group, Savar starts looking for anything that could keep them out of the weather.
The moutains stretch out beyond sight to the sides of the group.
"Now, we have wasted plenty of time getting to these hills, make it worth it. This is the opposite direction of the Guild, so, now what???"
"Well I didn't see anyone else taking the lead."
He stops, and goes to the rest of the group.
"For all we know, this may'be the way to the cave we stayed in last night. Can't make out a damn thing in this mess. Hell, I'm open to suggestions!"
"We should be heading back to the guild!" he hollers over the rain, "the longer we stay here the greater the chance we have of getting lost."
"Of course! We should jus head back t'the guild..." he repeats sarcastically.
"Please. Lead the way, Sir Malic!" he streaches his arms wide, giving the half-elf a broad choice of which way to go.
His face is blank, other than the squint in his eye from the rain. The weather is obviously taking a toll on the dwarf. He craves warm food, and a dry place to sit.
Nonetheless, he continues his glare until the half-elf turns, then allowing a smile to cross his face as he wipes the water from his goatee. He then turns his attention to Harou.
"What about you magic-man? Any ideas? Myself, I liked Savar's. If indeed this be the wrong direction, which I'm not'sa sure it is, we can follow the foothills back. Course if it's like they say, and the landscape changes without warn, then we could jus get in'a worse mess."
ooc
About what time is it getting to be? Oh yeah, I forgot I had Knowledge: Crazy Mountain Pass +20. What do I win Kneye?
"I said we should go the other way, then you stamped off. We go back, less shelter is near, but I do not wish to spend another night in this place."
He begins clambering back down the rocks towards what he thinks is the pass.
Savar walks a few feet behind Harou, using his darkvision to hopefully spot anything that might want to swoop in and make the smaller man into an evening meal. He also does his best to keep the foothills to his side in sight so they don't wind up getting turned around in the storm.
Skill checks
Survival to learn thier way +2, Knowledge planes +9 to see if they are on their home plane.
He can't tell with an amount of certainty if he is heading back the right way.
The rain continues to pour.
"We are not home yet." he mutters when prodded by a companion.
"Anyway is as good as the next, as far as I can tell. We can use the mountains as a point to guide us, or one to strive to as Thorik did earlier." He shrugs and eats quickly hydrating jerky.
"I say we stick to the foothills. And if it be as easy as 'mountains, pass, guild' we should beh back in no time."
He gives a grin in Harou's direction.
"Least we have the stones. So as long as we do get back, we at least got whut we came fer."
He nods to the dwarf and lays a hand on his shoulder, and with the use of his staff, clambers back up the rocks.
"It shouldn't take too terribly long to find a kragg or cliff to shelter under until I can figure out the best thing to do."
He stands strong as Harou uses his shoulder to get his stability on the rocks. Then effortlessly begins following as well. He looks this way and that, looking for anything that could be used as shelter.
ooc
Spot +5
Occasionally he halts in his walking to shelter his eyes from the rain and search about the area looking for some sort of shelter from the rain.
ooc
Spot +4
"Do not be heedless of the shelter, care should be taken at all times."
He mentions between thunder claps and wind gusts.
"We can at least get our bearings on direction. If there is such a thing in this place."
ooc
Spot +5 for trouble
The floating rocks are no where to be seen, and the group finds themselves against one of the walls of the pass.
After the weather clears, he stands up and brushes himself off. "Same plan as before?" he asks. "Stick to the wall of the pass, head in one direction? Eventually, we're bound to hit something. Let's just hope it's something back on our own world."
"We may be home, our travel here is indeed strange. I will mark our way."
He motions with his hand over the rock face and speaks the words of a spell in draconic, whispering them with his eyes closed. Oh the rock, in nearly the same color as the stone itself, appears his mark.
"That should do, now, our berings..."
skill checks
Spellcraft +11 on the potions during the 'down time' and +9 knowledge planes for dimension, +2 survival on direction if able.
As the others are getting ready to disembark, Thorik climbs to the top of a standing rock, and peers over the landscape in all directions.
.oO (Wonder how the other groups are making out.)
When he has taken in his surroundings, he makes his way back down, and walks over to the others.
"Let's get moving. Hopefully it will be in the right direction and we'll get out of this damned pass soon enough."
As the group reradies to leave Malic runs his hands through his hair to try and brush away the dampness.
As the group walks Malic watches the walls of the pass, occasionally glancing behind them. Ocassionaly Malic clicks the fingers of his gauntleted hand together causeing a faint ringing sound.
The otherside of the pass is visable and soon the group finds themselves outside of it.
"I believe home is that way, Thorik."
"Well" he says aloud "We should try."
He clambers down the rock, homeward bound.
Thorik steps become lighter along with his demeanor. He keeps up with the others as they make their way back to the guild.
"Yinorba should be pleased with our findings. Wonder if we'll be rewarded in some way?"
"Likely we will be given a soldier's wages and another assignment. I admit I would rather be given a purse full of coins and a pass to the city. "
From time to time Harou looks skyward, but frowns as he does so. He keeps a vigilant eye out for any signs that things are not as they should be.
"I keep getting this feeling like we were let go by something. Like we were allowed to leave."
He lets the thought stir through his mind.
"Naah! If'n we were to be ambushed. It of happened during the storm."
He stops and looks back the way they have come, hoping he doesnt see a large beast making following them.
"Least I think they would of."
He shades his eyes as he gazes back towards the fort in hopes that the building were closer than it is.
"On a lighter note, I do not believe there was anything magic about the potions that invisible creature gave us. Deceitful little nuisance, it seems he passed off potions of Silversheen to us as magical ones. Quite useful against some creatures and worthless against all else."
ooc
So, me and Savar found three vials of silversheen in those chests, and Tanakri gave us another vial of it? Is that right? And the amount of silver question was actually directed to Kneye of course. Just trying to get some Rping going.
OoC
He did indeed count the silvers.
The half elf frowns at Thorik's questioning about the money but with a slight shrug he chalks it up to dwarves being dwarves.
He casually places his unlit pipe in him mouth as he is wont to do when thinking.
"They seemed the source of the power of that throne. Now, what the guild wants with such things, stones made by evil magic to channel evil power, is a mystery to me. One that is extremely troubling in fact. I do not feel at all soothed at the thought of using their own power to destroy the new keepers of the pass."
He smiles and shrugs. "Assumptions, however, will get us nowhere. Well, they may fill us with unwarranted fears and concerns I suppose."
As he walks along with the others, he brings forth his flask once again. When he realizes its empty, he simply shruggs and replaces it.
"This is a far cry from my homeland, both in beauty and savagery. Yet, I fight for these lands against a foe that I know not. It is a strange twist of fate, is it not?"
He stops and eyes the pass again, darkly.
"We must live along side such evil for how long I wonder? I hope, perhaps foolishly that these stones will some how aid us in re-closing the rift."
Show
I'll get you your treasure total later, I haven't been able to access my notes for a few days. Keep in this thread for now, but feel free to do all the RPing you want in here.
"I wonder if the others are back yet," he muses. "Until tomorrow, do we just hang onto the stones and hope they don't explode or eat through our pockets? Honestly, the sooner we're rid of them, the better, in my opinion."
Thorik stays with them as they make their way to the mess hall.
"First food, then drink, and then a well deserved.." he smells the air as the group walks. "...and needed, bath."
"I didn't think anyone would want to see anymore water after that trip," Malic comments dryly.
"I shall hope to find a hot meal, a warm fire, and a bit of smoke for my pipe. After that, I care not."
He enters and does just that, starting with a flagon and a meal of something hot, even if it left over from the supper meal.
Happy for a warm meal, he devours the bread and soup, consuming more than any non-giant reasonably could. Between mouthfulls, he tries to break the silence.
"So, who wants to see me drink Thorik under the table?"
He takes a swig of ale and grins at the dwarf, tipping his hat in a challenge.
OoC
To keep the ball rolling, how about a drinking contest? Since kneyejailb is pressed for time, Malic or Harou could make necessary rolls (unless you just really want to RP it dicelessly), or we could bring in a completely neutral 3rd party. Interested?
"That sounds to be a rather foolish endeavor but, I see little harm in it. Put all of our findings on the table and I will inventory them. Malic can keep score."
He begins with the vails he found.
"Still I wish we could have searched more thoroughly."
OOC
I know a 3rd party, that would likely rather be called a 2nd party, or perhaps Party 2, that would watch over the proceedings of the contest.
"It'll be a cold day in the Nine Hells, when sumone of Orrrc blood out drinks me."
He takes another bite, before sliding his plate out of the way.
"I'll let you choose yer own poison, friend."
ooc
I dont think I would describe him as Party 2, unless you consider a colonoscopy a party. But he sounds like a good choice of judge to me.
"A cold day indeed," he chuckles. "Prepair to have your beard frozen off, my half-pint friend."
The half-orc slides his plate away too, and reaches for his mug. "That's not a height joke, either. It's just the amount you'll be drinking before we're carrying you to your bed after you pass out."
OoC
So how are we going to go about this? I've never thought about the rules for a drinking game. Fort. saves should be involved, I think, but beyond that I'm at a loss.
He looks in the direction of the kitchen.
"WE'RE GOIN TA NEED A KEG OVER HERE!"
ooc
You got me. What about reflex? Auto loss if you can't stand.
He stands and lumbers off, coming back a few minutes later pulling a sizeable wooden keg.
"Let the games begin, then."
OoC
Well, of course you'd want something with reflex :P .
OOC
Role play, and the winner will be the one that plays the best... or that one that I roll good for. So leave it to the dice, or to your skills at Roleplaying. It matters not to me. One vote each, and when the time is come, I will make a post listing the winner and the loser outcome.
Show
You call it Savar. Roleplay sounds fine to me. Though the dice roll would have to favor Thorik. HAVE TO, I SAY!
OoC
Meh. Let's keep it fair and go with dice. Wouldn't want to pummel you with my superior writing, after all :P
"Captial.."
Stands, and puts his things on the next table. And then stands over the other table with the two drinkers.
"Hold it lads, give me anything you found on the trip before you become useless. We split it all right down the middle."
Thorik takes his next mug in the same fashion as the first.
"I don't think I had anything. Oh, wait." he replies to the mage.
Thorik goes to his things and fishes for the two bags of moonstones. After finding them he sets them on the table.
"Forgot about those."
ooc
I dont know if Thorik had those or not. Either way..
Savar lifts the sacks of silver with one hand and passes them over to Malic before tossing back another cup almost as quickly as the dwarf.
Savar watches him keenly as he sits, and his eyes widen in delight as he stumbles to stand.
When he makes it back to where he was sitting, he pauses as he leans this way and that. He exhales deeply, and looks into his mug like it is filled with poison.
Savar lets a small grin appear as he sees victory quickly approaching.
And then the swaying stops, as does the cocked eyes. He looks at Savar with a sly grin, and leaps on top of the table.
"Not yet, me boy! I've just now gotten thirsty." he says bending down towards Savar. He stands up straight, chugs the contents of the mug, and does a perfect backflip to the floor. He holds his arms out wide in satisfaction, slams the mug down on the table, and bows at the nonexistant applause that does not erupt from the room.
ooc
Hope you dont mind me adding a couple little actions there for ya. If you'd rather throw your mug at me, feel free.
"Show off..."
The half-orc stands with a hint of uncoordination, moves to the keg, and refills his cup. This time, however, he has to put one hand on the keg as he leans in to avoid going for a swim.
"Good thing that I'm not affected either. Get comfortable, everyone. We may be here a while."
The wand and a couple scrolls he had are also placed on the table. Eying one of the scrolls suspiciously and opens it up, reading it.
"Bye the gods!" he says slapping the paper down on the table in very visible frustration.
He sighs breathing loudly through his nose, and shakes his head. Opening one of the books and going slowly over the pages, he speaks to Malic
"Well what did they produce?"
Turning his head back down Malic stares at the silver for a moment before hanging his head and lettign out a distressed sigh. Dumping the bag back out onto the table the half-helf starts countign again, "One, two, three..."
He gives a sidelong glance at the other two enjoying their drinks, and becoming comrades.
"I'm not sure what all we can keep nor how much it is all worth. I can guess..but, I need Pawl!"
He mutters under his breath about sleeping in the cupboard and motions for the gems.
"Here, I will count those."
Luckily for Malic and the bag of silver he manages to keep track of his counting this time.
"I wonder if we will have to resell items purchased back to the guild. I did not use anything, due to my horrendous memory of recent events."
Finishing off counting Malic dumps teh bag out again with a sigh and begins separatign the coins into stacks of ten, "Although I suppose returning them back to the stores is better for the guild in the long run."
He smiles and shrugs
"Still, Malic, I think if I were a bit more mindful of the items I had we would have a better stand of treasure here before us."
He takes the scroll from earlier and places it in front of the halfelf.
"It reveals hidden passages. I bought it, specifically for such a place, a tower, or keep, and then forgot to use it. Idiot!"
"Not to mention keeping mindful of demons..." The half-elf adss with a soft whisper.
"No, I suppose you are right. We are alive, the mission was a semi-success, and we did get some financial compensation.."
"I should really put effort into knowing this language."
"What language is it?"
he eyes Malic for a moment then turns a page going over it casually.
"I've always had an eye for such things. A gift for my position."
"My father was going to teach me Celestial before I left home..." Malic says as he trails off.
"Hahahar!"
He refills his mug as well, but drinks this one a bit slower. Possibly because he wishes to enjoy it more, but more likely he is growing tired of chugging.
"Ish anyone even keeping count?" he asks Savar a tad too loud.
"Ten?" he suggests tentively, raising the mug to his lips, bumping his nose instead, and then spilling a bit of ale down his chin as he drains it.
He gives Savar a calm and confident look, right before drinking the rest of his mugs contents.
"Maybe twenty-five."
ooc
neither of you have succumb to the effects of the alcohol.
Drinking, he tries to balance his empty cup on the tip of one finger. He fails miserably.
He gives a slightly crooked grin to Savar and fills his mug again. He drinks half, and then sets it down.
"But we're goin t'need some more biscuits. That's fer sure."
He heads off to the kitchen and emerges again with a plate full of cold, somewhat hard biscuits. He tosses one to Savar and takes a bite out of his own.
"All this works makin' me hungry." he mumbles with his mouthful.
"Hmmm...hungry work, yes." He eats the biscut gratefully.
An older halfling with an eye patch covering his left eye and a long scar running across that side of his face strolls in, flanked by two more halflings in dark red tabards. He moves to an empty table and tosses his crimson helmet onto it before taking a seat to watch the proceedings. Two of the other halflings take positions behind him, the last (and first to have entered the room) hurries off towards the kitchen.
The halfling pulls out a pipe and starts to pack it. He nods towards Harou and Malic. "Minds if I smokes?"
He raises his own pipe.
"I am Harou, and this is Malic. We are new recruits back from the pass."
"When was the debriefing again?"
"I knows who you is." He takes a puff from his pipe. "An I thinks we cin start the debriefin now."
He glances at the two drinkers. "I don'ts thinks they'll bese much in the moods fer it in the mornin."
The halfling shrugs. "Besides, yer headin backs out at first light."
The other halfling returns from the kitchen with a plate of biscuits and sets it in front of the seated one. He takes one of the plate and takes a bite.
"Sose why don'ts ya tells me what ya founds out."
"Forgive me for asking, but you are?" he says, setting down his pipe and arranging the items they found on the table. The stones, the rocks, the loot, the potions and the books.
"You said we are going back in the morning, same mission as before?"
He frowns at the two drinkers, and jerks his thumb at them and looks at Malic.
He takes a biscuit and throws it high in the air. It is higher and more off target than he had wished.
"Oh hell..."
He backpedals a bit...then a bit farther. He stumbles on a bench behind him and crashes into the table it was sitting at. The biscuit hits next to where he now lays.
"AHAHAHAHA!"
He picks himself back up, just in time for Malic to come over and tell him what is happening.
"Hmmmmm. Well that figures.."
"Think they'd wanna join our lil' contest?" he asks as he wipes his face with his hand.
His face looks like something has just occured to him.
"Did he say, leave out in the morning?!?!" he asks with disgust
The lead halfling gets up and moves towards Harou's table and the pile of loot on it. He stares at it while Malic get's the others attention. When Malic returns the halfling smiles.
"Ise Sir Hermy Woodhome. Senior member of the Silver Sword."
He reaches out and picks up one of the stones.
"As fer goin out on the same mission, you never know. The pass don't lead to the same place to often. Yer gunna be lookin fer more of these stones though."
He rolls the stone around in his palm, and then places it back on the table.
"Nows hows abouts someones tell me whhere ya got these an what ya hads to do ta gets them."
"We I will tell you what I observed, and the others can do the same or fill in where I leave out. First once in the pass, we rested in a cave that previous members of the guild had used before. After an uneventful night, we awoke and entered a portal to another dimension, a demonic one. There we invaded and ransacked a home that had housed a battle between some different kinds of fiends, kobolds I think. We acquired these items there. The stones from a throne, the books from what looked like a hidden library and the other things we bartered one of the kobolds for, and well, stole the rest."
He shrugs, and nods.
"That is the quick and dirty. We saw, but did not encounter a powerful demon, a Babau I believe.. There were also some beings chained to the walls. They would not communicate with us.. What were they again?"
He crosses his arms in frustration as he cannot come up with the name.
"Oh, and I lost my hat."
"Well," he mumbles to Thorik, "if we're heading off again in the morning, I'm damn sure gonna enjoy tonight. We've earned a bit of celebration."
He sets his mug down on the table everyone moved to, walks back, grabs the rim of the much lighter keg, and half-slides, half-carries it to the edge of the table. He sits down next to the keg and rests one elbow on it.
The half-orc blinks when the new halfling asks for a report, of sorts.
"Well," he says, slurring only a little, "didn't have to do much. Infiltrated a floating house made of rock, waded through undead, bargained with a worthless little dragon-wizard, saw evidence of all sorts of demonic rituals, took those stones from the very throne of some kind of demon prince, and ran for our lives in case he decided he wanted 'em back."
He washes down the speech with a long drink.
"And now, they're counting the spoils and I'm whipping the dwarf in a drinking contest. It's been a good day."
"Does ya gots somethin' else ta adds? So far wese gots demons, demon princes, undeads, kobolds an missin hats."
"We also saw evidence of something large living in this keep. Ogre sized, but unless the Babau is that big, I don't know what it was."
"Ya shouldn'ts forgets the chained guys. Ifen we cin gets someones back there we'll be sure ta freesthem or puts them out of our misery. Whichevers better fer the city."
The halfling scratches his chin. "Ya saw the Babboo didn't ya? Was he giant sized?"
"Well I was above him when Savar spotted him, but he looked, our size." he stumbles
"Meaning human, or halforc perhaps of course. It could have been him, but I think it not so. Will we be returning to the keep then, half of me would like to, but the other half, the one that saw the Babau, is not as thrilled with the prospect."
"Still, it will be perilous and we should be just a vigilant, especially if they are on the look out for us."
"I knows a guy who knows how ta get from one dimension ta another, but he's hard ta finds, an even harders ta get ta do what ya wants him ta do."
Sir Hermy picks up another stone.
"Buts that wasn't the only place ta gets these. The pass is full of them. Or at least the places the pass leads to is."
"An there mights be demons in the other places as well. Ors there mights nots be. I wents in there once ta a place where all there was was birds. An nots the kind that eats ya. The kind that sings."
The halfling tosses the stone towards Malic. "Da ya knows what these are for?"
"An why we needs ta gets them even when we ain't properly equiped fer it?"
"Alls I know, is that I glowed a funny color when I removed em."
"However, I am not confident in my assessment of the situation. I know many things, but have myself experienced few of them first hand. How things react to one another outside the book, and story, is indeed a mystery to me."
He says the last bit with a grin and a wink.
He picks up a moonstone in one hand and rolls it between his fingers, finding a gem more to his liking. "But regardless, I'm assuming that we wouldn't have been sent after them if they weren't useful in some way."
The halfling blows a smoke ring. "Yinbora aint got much of an imagination, so what she says cin usually be counted on as bein mostly accurate."
He takes a bite of his biscuit. "Anyways, thems yer orders anyhows. Get back out there an finds more."
"How are ya doin fer healin' potions an stuff likes that? You guys aint got a bard or cleric with yer group, sose I'm bettin yer gunna needa few."
He takes a pull from his mug and thinks a while.
"Any werd from the others?"
"I didn't use mine, but I only have one. Still it should suffice. The others will need a replacement for sure."
He stands and directs his gaze at the loot.
"And what of the non-stone items? I would like to keep the books I found for research purposes? Aside from the ruling on that, I need my rest. I am exhausted."
"I'm not sure what Savar or Thorik has in terms of potions."
"Ah yes. I do have a potion left!" he says as he holds in aloft in triumph.
"If we are to keep our spoils, and split them I would like the opportunity to visit the quarter master again, for a scroll or two."
Those halflings begin to sing quietly and move towards the new recruits, going to those who look beat up the most first. Magic seems to flow from their words, and wounds begin to close up.
Hermy looks at the items on the table and shrugs. "Ise fuzzy on how the guild splits loot these days. Back when we first started ya just gave everything ya gots to the guild and then boughts it back when ya hads saved enough money. That got a bit confusin cause ya gave all yer money ta the guild too, so ya never really was able ta saves enough."
Sir Hermy smiles. "But wese much better organized these days."
"Ifen there's anything ya cin use there on yer assignment, takes it with ya. No need ta turn anything in yet. An use whats ever money there is ta get more supplies from the quartermaster. It goes back ta the guild that ways ifen ya wasn't suppose to keeps it."
His gaze focus on the books. "Ise pretty sure the Guild will want the books though. Fer research just liked you'd do, but within more peoples. They'll compinsate ya fer it though. An probably let ya read them anyways, just not outside the guildhouse."
He winks. "But ya don'ts has ta turn them in until ya gets back and rest up more. Yer a fast reader ain't ya. Wizards usually is."
He says stroking his beard in thought.
"Well I should get some rest as should we all. Sir Hermy..." he bows.
"I hope to report another equally successful debriefing when we return again. Until then if there will be nothing else, good night."
He turns to his comrades.
"I will want to purchase a single scroll tomorrow, but I will take it out of my cut. I will put the books in my quarters for when we get back, all save one, which I will read on our revisit to the pass should I have the time. I suggest you all get some rest..."
If there is nothing else, Harou heads off to bed.
.oO(That damn bird had better be easy to find in the morning or it's the stew pot for him)
"So, Sir Hermy. Care fer a drink er two?"
He finishes off his mug, and fills it again.
"Or maybe a friendly competition?" he suggests cheerfully. "We've just begun, and another player would liven things up a bit."
Harou says to Savar and Thorik, hefting his pack on his shoulder.
"Good night"
OOC
kneyejailb: Can we get an official gold piece amount for the loot thus far? At least the silver, so I could figure out how much I might have, if all is quartered, to have to spend on a scroll or two? Many thanks
kneyejailb: Can we get an official gold piece amount for the loot thus far? At least the silver, so I could figure out how much I might have, if all is quartered, to have to spend on a scroll or two? Many thanks
"Ise sent a squad out yesterday ta scouts, but I needs ta rides down there myself in case it's more then just ogres. With the pass active ya nevers knows."
The halfling and his guard give a wave and then head out the door. Only stobbing to grab the remaining biscuits.
Show
7,000 silver coins. And some 12 moonstones from the kobold.
As Harou gives his stuffy speech about draws, and orders and such, Thorik looks at the mage as if he has been infected with mummy rot. He rolls his eyes and turns back to Savar.
"I think he's a woman in disguise. I really do."
He laughs and fills another mug.
"As much as I hate to admit it, he is probably right. We can call it a draw if you wish. Will be the best result you could hope for."
He looks at the half-orc with complete seriousness.
"Or we could fight it out!"
He finishes off his last cup. "Yea, a draw is probably best. This stuff is apparently too watered down to do anything anyway. We'd be here all week."
"Or, at least, I'd be here all week."
He stands up, puts the top back on the keg, and single-handedly carries it back to the kitchen.
"Alright, are we splitting up the silvers and stones now, or hanging onto them to do that later? I've got to admit, I hope that the guild has changed the policy that Hermy mentioned. It doesn't seem fair to do missions for the guild and then have to give up the loot we found too."
He walks to the pile of goods, and takes starts placing his share in his pack.
"But since Hermy said we cin keep it, we keep it. I say we divvy up now. May get me another potion to replace the other one. Can't be too careful, ya know."
After taking his share and picking up the rest of his things, he makes his way towards the rooms, walking mostly in a straight line.
"We'll finish this next time, mate. You've got lucky this time! Sleep well."
He goes on to his room, and is asleep before his head hits the pillow.
He follows the dwarf's example and starts scooping up his share.
OoC
So that's 1750 silver pieces, 3 moonstones, and how many potions each? I can't remember how many bottles of silversheen we picked up.
Birds sing, and spring welcomes their chorus. These sounds are welcome to his ears, but are not a distraction. No, that comes in the form of Pawl, who silently lands a few feet in front of him, and hops over to just outside his lap. There the bird proceeds to squawk in his gaudy and obnoxious manner, starting Harou out of his trance. The wizard frowns and squints his eyes open before breaking his posture.
"where been Harou?"
.oO(Harou is it? I wonder what happened to master...)
"I, my furtive feathered friend, have been to another world since we last saw each other. I was on an important mission."
"Why not take Pawl? Am important am I not? the bird croaks back in the broken dwarven he speaks to his master in. Harou replies in a likewise fashion but with much more proper grammar.
"You were not around, and when I did manage to spot you, the storm separated us. By the time it was over, you were gone. Where did you go my lad, I could have used your help."
"Pawl not fly good in storm, came back to this house for foods. Mean cook ran out of kitchen.
Harou frowns and picks up the bird, who bites him, and is placed on his shoulder.
"Well fear not old crow, you will come with us today. Now, I must have breakfast, and prepare my spells."
The duo stands and walks slowly inside, and to his room, where he begins studying his spells for the day.
Spells for the day
0th:lvl Detect Magic, Light, Ray of Frost, Flare, Dancing Lights
1st: Burning Hands, Mage Armor, Magic Weapon, Protection From Evil
0th:lvl Detect Magic, Light, Ray of Frost, Flare, Dancing Lights
1st: Burning Hands, Mage Armor, Magic Weapon, Protection From Evil
Starting slowly Malic begins stretching first his arms, than his legs, folled by his back houlders, neck, and ankles. With a huff the half-elf stands and moves to the rope hanging from teh ceiling. With a grunt he starts pulling himself towards teh ceiling. Getting only a few feet off the ground, Malic looses his grip and drops back to the floor. With a grunt of annoyance he jumps back up and grabs onto the rope. The second time fares much better as Malic easily makes it to teh top of the rope before lowering himself back down. For an hour Malic spends his time moving about the training room using the ceceiling rings, than the posts on the wall. Following that up with push-ups and sit-ups.
When done his exercising Malic heads off to wash himself, than back to hios room to get his gear together.
The dwarf lay on his side, with his head on his arm. A pool of drool has formed on his pillow.
"The damned dwarf's killed me," he mumbles.
Twenty minutes later, half of another jug of ale, six biscuts, two bowls of stew, and an icy cold bath back in his room, the half-orc stumbles off in search of his other companions.
OoC
Do we get the benefit of 100 gp worth of items from the guild store like before?
After rolling over, an arm and leg hang over the edge of the bed, dangerously close to pulling the dwarf to the floor.
ooc
I think you have to return unused items to get your credit back. Actually I'm quite sure of it. And that was the closest sound I could type to describe Thoriks snore, ok!
Honestly, we could have been better prepaired last time. Harou said he was going to use some of his share of the silver to buy something. Maybe I should do the same. Those big swords mean that there's something out there big enough to use them, and even if the pass doesn't spit us out in the same place, some new gear could come in handy.
Now with a purpose, Savar heads to the quartermaster. Wandering around the cluttered shop for a bit, he finally selects a few pieces of equiptment and hauls them up to the front desk.
"This should do it," he announces to the quartermaster. "So, how much will all this cost me? Can I trade or sell you my old armor while I'm at it?"
Purchases
I'm not sure if things still work the same way as they did in the last SS thread. Regardless, Savar is buying a glaive and a chain shirt. The book would peg this at 108 gp, but the old SS thread mentioned a 90% discount and a 75% trade-in for old items. If possible, Savar will trade in his old studded leather. If not, he'll just sell it.
"I'll wake him, half and hour and we go. You'd better eat a hot meal, and a large one. It will be our last chance for one for a while."
Putting the new scrolls away he heads up to Thorik's room and frowns. He helps the dwarf off onto the floor. Ignoring the curses and mutters of the now awake and agitated dwarf, Harou leaves the room. He grins, and goes down for a meal himself.
"I wonder what the day shall bring..." He mentions quietly. After his meal he relights his pipe and heads outside to wait on the others with Pawl.
He also gets a new hat.
Scrolls
Hold Portal, Obscuring Mist, Comprehend Languages.
-75 from gold unless Guild discount and hat.
Hold Portal, Obscuring Mist, Comprehend Languages.
-75 from gold unless Guild discount and hat.
"Stay back demon!"
He struggles and flails as his bed sheets get the best of him. When he finally emerges from the demonic linens he sees the rotten scoundrel responsible.
"DAMN YOU MAGE!"
He quickly goes for his weapon he keeps under his pillow. Without looking he hurls it in the direction of the door, but is stopped short by the fact that the door is now closed.
All the movement has left him dizzy and even a bit nauseous. He sits back on his bed, and quickly gets his wits about him.
.oO (Musta been poisoned whiles I slept.)
A couple minutes later the sensation has passed, and he starts for the wash room. Realizing he's slept too long, he mainly just washes his face. He then makes an appearance at the quartermasters and all but tosses him his coin, for the potion he requested. The growing pangs in his belly must be answered, and soon!
Upon entering the mess hall, he sees the others. It takes some work for him to talk himself out of killing the magician, but he manages to convince himself. He enters the kitchen area, and comes out with two plates full of whatever they were serving and sits next to the others.
"Mornin' all."
ooc
Got a CLW potion from the quartermaster. Now have two of them.
"We seem to have a slight problem," he announces. "We forgot to tell Hermy about the packs we found in the cave. Since one of them had a Silver Sword pin, I'm betting we should have mentioned it. We should probably find him, or someone else in charge, and remedy that."
He crams more food in his mouth and chews it a bit before swallowing.
"Could try'n find Yinorba, if ye think we should."
"Telling someone can probably wait, we should have been on the road already."
"Had to get yer beauty sleep did ya?"
He pushes his mostly empty plates of food away and stretches his arms wide, helping his food find it's correct resting place.
"I've a feeling, that me'n Savar woulda still been here this morn if we'd of continued."
"The inns in the city are finer places for merriment. There you can get paid for telling jokes and lies, but you have to wear bells on your hat! Stop this foolishness and idiocy and come on. You've wasted precious light already, which may mean little to you, but I need it, and, for success, you need me. Now move it out!"
He crosses his arms and waits until they finally get off their rumps and get moving, ignoring adolescent comments.
Show
You got the benifit of 100 gp from the guilds armory, but only after what you took before was returned or accounted for somehow.
OOC
Harou will pay for those scrolls out of pocket and keep the items credited him earlier instead of turning them in and getting the rebate.
Inventory not on Character sheet:
Magic Missile wand, CL 5th: 4 charges
Scrolls: Detect Secret Doors, Hold Portal, Obscuring Mist, Comprehend Languages
Potion: Cure Light Wounds x1
Harou will pay for those scrolls out of pocket and keep the items credited him earlier instead of turning them in and getting the rebate.
Inventory not on Character sheet:
Magic Missile wand, CL 5th: 4 charges
Scrolls: Detect Secret Doors, Hold Portal, Obscuring Mist, Comprehend Languages
Potion: Cure Light Wounds x1
ooc
Malic's unlisted inventory is:
2x Cure Light Wounds Potions
No need to trade those in.
2x Cure Light Wounds Potions
No need to trade those in.
Thorik folds his arms, and looks at Harou with discontent as the magician rants. The dwarf takes another bite of his plate, but this time extra slowly.
.oO (Don't kill him. Don't kill him. He may actually make himself useful someday. Doubt it, but maybe.)
He rises from his seat and walk past Harou, not looking at the man.
When he is a few steps past Harou, he mumbles near incoherantly, "Need you like I need an arse on me elbow!"
After making it out the gate, Thorik stays quiet. He walks along with the others and lets his mind wander.
"We takin' the same route as before? I know the Pass'll probly pop us wherever it wishes, but are we entering the same way?"
"I suppose... it does not matter. Since we've been that way, we might as well though."
The crow begins chattering in broken dwarven.
"Why? make new way, secret better."
"I do not think the inhabitants, of whatever realm we might have been in will be watching out for us now." he replies in dwarven. The bird lefts off and flies up for a look around.
"My appologies, Pawl is rather nosey. If we are fortunate enough to be placed back at the rock, then we should take advantage of it and go back to the tower."
"And 'ave ye thought of a way to deal with that demon that inhabits it? Cause if not, I say we steer clear."
He jogs foward to catch up again.
"We've gotten the rocks from there, already. I doubt there be more."
"But, after Savar and I saw it, we never did run into it again, nor any trace of it otherwise. Honestly I think there is more to that place than we found."
He steps up over a rock with a grunt.
"If anything, we know it.. and in these other worlds, familiarity is a welcome treat."
He continues walking along with the others, keeping up the best he can.
"Least it be a good day fer travellin'."
The wizard locates his bird, circling above.
"And I have added a companion for us, if I can control him. He has a mind of his own."
He points to the crow and sighs.
"Still he will hopefully at least be a lookout when we need it."
If we can keep from bickering, maybe we'll make it out alive again. I'm definitely going to suggest that the groups be switched up, if the others ever come back.
Mostly to head off any more confrontation between the already irritated dwarf and wizard, Savar tries to strike up a new conversation.
"So, Harou," he begins, "you mentioned that your knowledge of magic was a huge contribution to the group. I've always been somewhat curious about the subject. How does magic, in general, work?"
OoC
I'm planning on spending some more knowledge ranks on arcane, and this seems as good a time as any to rp some of it out. If you're willing, that is.
Show
Keep up the RPing. I too am interested in how magic works. If it proves to be as simple as "a wizard did it" feel free to place yourselves in the cave.
He takes a breath and looks up and down the path nodding at the familiarity of it.
"I view magic like cooking. There is a recipe, and a certain methodology one must follow. The difference is, if you mess up the recipe in cooking you are likely to have poor meal. If you mess up the steps of a spell, generally you get nothing, every now and then I suppose you could get a disaster."
"Each spell generally requires three things, some do not, and some require more, but on the whole there are 3 key ingredients. Words, components, and movements. The more powerful the spell, the more complex the ingredients For examples, assuming the situation allows, watch me next time I cast a spell. You add these three ingredients together and much like a meal, you have your magic. There are other properties that power the spells, but I do not dwell on them. If it works, I tend to accept it."
He continues to babble on until Savar interrupts him with a question, or they get to the cave.
"I must a rest a while. I wish I had spent more money on scrolls!"
He drops his staff and adjusts his sword and the purse in frustration.
"Give me a moment..." he says breathing heavily. He stands and nods, picking up his staff once he is ready to move out, and does so.
He detaches the pouch and hands it to Malic.
"I apologize, I didn't realize how much of a burden I had taken on. That should handle things for me I would think."
"The cave shouldn't be far from here we'd best continue on and we can rest there."
"That makes sense, I guess," he mumbles after the lecture. "So how exactly does the magic in the pass work? Is it just someone's really bad recepie?"
The half-orc hoises his pack a little higher. The coins were heavier than he thought.
"You know, we might want to think about storing some of our gear in that cave before we head in. It might help to be light on our feet."
Walking along side the warrior Harou keeps up much better now.
"Good idea Savar, there our things will likely be as safe as in the pass proper. As for the magic of the pass, well now, I cannot account for that. I assume you meant magic from a Wizard's experience. That is how I use magic."
He waves a hand over the now near by pass as he goes on.
"But Wizards are not the only forces in this world, or even those beyond, that employ the Arts Arcana. Dragons, sorcerers, faries, the very world itself, each has their own form of magic. I know some things about these other users, but not enough to begins a class on that. However, lumping us all together, like we are the same is wrong. Not to worry though, if I said you and Malic were the same, because you use a sword, then perhaps with that in mind it would make better sense as to what I mean."
The wizard continues along with the others now accompanied by his crow.
"Shoulda left all this coin in me room."
He shifts his gear around to a more comfortable position.
"Leavin' it in the cave seems a good idea to me."
He wipes a beed of sweat from his brow.
"Don't know what I's thinkin." he mutters to himself.
"Good thing this is here I suppose. I hope the pass inhabitants haven't marked it to be watched. Shall we carry on, or rest here? I vote moving on with the daylight, but lightening our load first."
"Well Malic if you don't mind, hold those coins a bit longer. Let's move on. We can't be sure who came through. I deem it not safe now."
Savar leans up against a rock wall to rest for a moment. "It's not late enough to settle down yet and rest, so I don't see any reason not to head on into the pass."
With a sudden idea, he turns to Thorik. "You've got good eyes," he says. "Can you look for any tracks from the cave that we might not have left? If a set goes to and from the pass, it'd be nice to know. Unless anyone else has actual experience with tracking. I know I don't."
"Good Idea Savar. If Thorik turns nothing up we will carry on."
Thorik searches about the cave floor, and around the entrance to see if he can find any tracks, or drag marks of anykind.
ooc
Dont have my notes here. So I dont know what my mods are. Sorry.
He sees bits and pieces of tracks leading from the pass to the cave, but he can't tell if they are his groups or not. Likewise the sets of tracks leading from the cave back towards Garics.
"Given that fact that the portal to the floating tower was here, and at night, I would guess that if we venture further into the pass and another one presents itself, we will be taken to a different world all together. Just as well I suppose, but if that happens, prepare your minds. All manner of conditions make exists aside from the rocky pass and copies there of."
He digs in his pocket for a bit of bread, and hands it to Pawl, who bites his finger along with the bread.
"Can't tell a thing. There be some tracks, but I'm not sure who they'd belong to. The rain washed most everything away."
He takes his waterskin from his pack and takes a small drink.
"What do you think? I'd hate t'haul this all through yonder pass, but I'd hate it t'be stolen even more. Could try'n hide it."
He waits for objections and carries on if there are none.
"Ready as ever."
"Then again, if the cave is being watched, then leaving anything is a bad idea. But if we're being watched, then leaving anything anywhere would leave it open to theft. As for having time, the guild didn't set a limit, and we have plenty of food. I'd rather take it slow and come out alive and well, rather than rush the mission and not come back at all."
.oO(Not many would make an offer like that. And not many I'd trust to carry me coin, neither.)
Thorik takes off in the same general direction they took the last time they were in this pass.
"Well are yew comin' or not?"
"A bit ceremonial for my tastes."
They find themselves on the top of a large plateu, staring out across a vast empty plane some hundred feet below them. Occasional gusts of wind blow through, reveiling the floor of the plane to be covered with a thick coating of ash.
The only landmark on this plane that stands out is a small mound someways off in the distance. And the only way down to the plane is a very narrow trail.
OoC
How narrow is the trail? Would it have to be taken single-file? Can Savar see anything nearby that could be used to hide behind, in the case of someone planning an ambush? Is the trail unusually steep or rocky, or otherwise easy to lose footing on and fall off of? Does the trail look like it would collapse under the weight of four adventurers loaded down with silver, armor, and weapons?
Feel free to take your time :P
Feel free to take your time :P
It looks solid enough that there isn't much danger of it collapsing under the weight of the party, and it is clear enough of debris that one would have to be clumsy or unlucky to trip on something. It does leave travellars on it open to attacks from below unfortenately.
He stands in place, looking in one direction, and then another. He shakes his head every so often. He walks over to where Savar has been examining the trail.
"Whut do ya think? Look safe enough?"
"Personally, I suggest that we try to take this as quickly as possible. The chances of an ambush waiting for us is highly unlikely, but some good archers on the bottom, or, Mother forbid, any enemies that can fly, could easily be the death of us."
He props the crossbow on his shoulder and looks down at the distant ground. "Since we've got to take this single-file, we could stick the old routine. Me, then Thorik and Harou, and Malic bringing up the rear. If anything starts shooting at us, we can toss a few arrows and hammers back while we run like hell to the bottom."
The big half-orc turns and looks at the group. "Any disagreements or better ideas?"
"In the case of archers it would probably be better if whomever is at front has a shield, same with whomever is at the back. That way incase of a pincer attack we both have the ability to protect ourselves. Thorik could you give Savar your shield? Savar it would work better if Thorik used your crossbow as well. That way you and I can concentrate on blocking anything coming up or down and Harou and Thorik can fire past us or down the side of the cliff."
Scanning behind the group Malic looks for any places where potential ambushers could hide.
"It's pretty barren so unless there are caves in the cliff I doubt we will have to worry about being attacked."
"Aye that's a fine plan. No need to rush, with the amount of gear we are carrying and our lack of water, we will be dead tired in no time, so take it easy."
He frowns and shakes his head as he follows.
"Lead the way, bullseye!"
He stays close to Savar as they start their decent, staying ever vigilant for signs of trouble.
There seems to be several inches of ash covering the ground here as far as the eye can see.
The large black bird lifts off his shoulder, losing a feather, and squawks as it rises.
"Harou keep alive. I be back in time." the bird replies in likewise fashion.
"I have sent Pawl to scout. I say we head for that small rise yonder unless he comes up with something more appealing. Be mindful of yourselves, if you need to stop, then say so. "
Skillchecks
Knowledges The Planes for Harou +9, Pawl +3, Survival +2 to aid in not melting.
"This'd make a fine spot fer a summer home, dontcha think?"
He squints at the horizon and keeps moving.
He watches the bird fly off into the sky with interest. "Is that one of the things you can do?" he asks Harou. "Tame animals? Or just birds?"
"Just the one animal, it turns out it is a bird."
His eyes stay towards the ash covered ground more than they should, but he, for some reason, keeps wondering if he will fall in a pit of the stuff.
He trails off in thought as they move along.
Harou quickily figures out that being burnt won't be a problem, whatever buried this place happened a long time ago, but it might be wise to try and avoid breathing in any more ash then needed.
The further in they get, the harder it is to see as well. From up on the bluff, it was easy to see what was ahead, but down here, on the planes, the constant blowing of ash makes trying to pinpoint anything far away.
Nonetheless, Thorik's carefull watching pays off. He notices something moving under the ash towards the group well before it reachs them.
Show
Thorik spots something barely under the surface about thirty feet away. What ever it is is moving straight towards the group.
"No surprise that nothing lives here," he grumbles. "The original inhabitants must have died gladly."
"Malic, over here."
He points to the bulge and steps behind the others.
He stays just behind Savar and Malic, with his shield and axe, ready for anything.
"Spread out," he says. "We've got room to maneuver this time, but we'll be slow in this ash, so let's try to surround it, and prevent it from fleeing if it decides to do so."
Following his own advice, Savar moves about five feet diagonally to put himself in front of and to the side of Malic, holding his glaive tightly in anticipation.
Some excitement at last. I wonder if it's worthy of using a battle-fury against it. Better be safe and wait to see how hard this ash-worm bites.
OoC
Savar will try to position himself to take advantage of the glaive's reach and cover the area in front of Malic, so that he gains an attack of opportunity if the burrowing creature goes for the elf (or himself, for that matter). He'll also ready an action to attack as soon as the thing is within range.
He steps back, bringing the cross bow to bear at his shoulder.
He moves the opposite way of Savar, and will attempt to move to a flanking position.
"Harou, stay behind Malic. And be ready with a spell!"
ooc
I know this might take a minute, but he's going to try it.
The mage thinks as he lets his spells rotate through his mind.
ooc
Ready an action in case the thing attacks to attack back.
Otherwise Malic will step out of the way.
Otherwise Malic will step out of the way.
When they get within ten feet, the ash explodes upwards as something breaks through the surface at the end of each burrow.
Two human sized beetles click and crackle as they move closer towards Thorik and Savar, mandibles snapping open and shut.
Show
They beetles are within 5 feet at this point.
Those with readied actions may go. Afterwards initative is as follows:
Thorik
Harou
Beetle 1 (on Savar)
Malic
Savar
Beetle 2 (on Thorik)
Those with readied actions may go. Afterwards initative is as follows:
Thorik
Harou
Beetle 1 (on Savar)
Malic
Savar
Beetle 2 (on Thorik)
ooc
Charging Thorik's Beetle, power attack for 2 = +6 to hit, 2d6+8/19-20. Well if I can reach the beetle that is.
If not Malic will move to create a flankign position against Thorik's beetle and just attack regularly. +6 to hit, 2d6+4/19-20.
If not Malic will move to create a flankign position against Thorik's beetle and just attack regularly. +6 to hit, 2d6+4/19-20.
Actions
2 shots, one readied and one for init. +2 to hit
He swings his axe in a downwards chop, hoping to bury it deep within the things head.
ooc
+3 to hit. d6+2 x3
Hoping to end the fight quickly and conserve resources now that the enemies have revealed themselves, he lets the orc side of his mind come forward to handle the battle. His eyes narrow and glaze, and he makes the sound of a low snarl.
[orc]"I'll crack your shells and rend your bones asunder, ash-beasts!"[/orc]
Using his reach, Savar stabs out visciously with his glaive while the beetle closest to him still advances.
OoC
Savar's going into a rage, and using one point of power attack to put his attack at +8, 1d10+12. The above is his readied action. A few questions about the battle in general:
I'm assuming our movement has been reduced, correct? Are we still able to take 5' steps? And regarding reach weapons, if I remember correctly, then an enemy provokes an attack of opportunity if it steps out of a threatened square, meaning that if one of the beetles closes into direct melee with Savar then he'll get such an attack, right? I *think* that's how it works, but I wanted to check and make sure, since that's one of the tactics that I'm considering using, and if I'm wrong then it'd be nice to know now.
Also, could we have some kind of map? I thought that we were in a V formation, with Savar and Thorik across from one another and in front of Malic, but now I think we're in a line. I think that a simple map would help everyone keep track of where they are, especially since we've got rough terrain and multiple enemies.
Thank you in advance, and sorry for so many questions.
I'm assuming our movement has been reduced, correct? Are we still able to take 5' steps? And regarding reach weapons, if I remember correctly, then an enemy provokes an attack of opportunity if it steps out of a threatened square, meaning that if one of the beetles closes into direct melee with Savar then he'll get such an attack, right? I *think* that's how it works, but I wanted to check and make sure, since that's one of the tactics that I'm considering using, and if I'm wrong then it'd be nice to know now.
Also, could we have some kind of map? I thought that we were in a V formation, with Savar and Thorik across from one another and in front of Malic, but now I think we're in a line. I think that a simple map would help everyone keep track of where they are, especially since we've got rough terrain and multiple enemies.
Thank you in advance, and sorry for so many questions.
Harou's first shot misses that beetle, and his second hastily reloaded one does not even come close.
The beetle snags the half orcs arm in a mandible, but Savar is able to pull it out before it snaps shut. He responds with another shot from his glaive, again the beetle ignores the hit.
On the otherside of the battle field, Thorik finds his axe clattering harmlessly against the beetles exto-skeleton.
Malic charges to the dwarfs aid and lays a hard hit on the beetle, that it seems to ignore as it snaps the air where Thoriks head was just a split second before.
Show
I'll try to get a map up tonight sometime. Movement costs double in this enviroment.
I think Savar would have gotten the AoO, if not someone is sure to correct me. until that happens the actions above stand.
I think Savar would have gotten the AoO, if not someone is sure to correct me. until that happens the actions above stand.
"Savar, I have placed a spell on this glaive. It will bypass their shells more readily."
He stands ready to defend himself should the beetle break past the halforc.
Ooc
Harou cast Magic Weapon on the Glaive. +1+1 bonus, duration 2 minutes.
ooc
Power attack for one. +5 to hit, 2d6+6/19-20
[orc]"Your shell will not protect you from me, insect! The carrion crows will feast on your flesh before the day's end, I swear it!"[/orc]
He steps back, moving to use his reach once again and put the beetle between himself and an ally if possible, and stabs out with all his weight behind the blow.
OoC
Power attack for 2 this time. With Harou's spell, this brings his attack to +8, 1d10+15. He tries to maneuver to flank with Thorik, if possible, but he'll flank with anyone if the opportunity presents itself. +10 to hit if flanking (assuming they aren't immuned to it, of course).
Cool fight so far. I'm liking the different elements, such as the terrain and the unusual enemies.
Cool fight so far. I'm liking the different elements, such as the terrain and the unusual enemies.
Harou manages to get his spell off before Savar steps back to get more distance. The mage wisely follows suite and stays behind the protection of the half-orc. The beetle hisses and attempts to snare Savar before he can move, but once again, Savar slips through it's jaws.
Malic moves as best he can into a better position and brings his blade down on his foes shell. It chips a little off but nothing more. The beetle spins around to face him, and he narrowly avoids it's bite.
Savar and his newly enpowered sword burst into action. He brings it down into the middle of the beetles back with all his force. And the shell splits and spiderwebs. The cracks continues growing across the now brittle shell as the insect collapses under the ash.
Show
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08 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|T|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
09 |_|_|_|_|S|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
10 |_|_|_|_|H|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
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... a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s-
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07 |_|_|_|_|1|_|M|2|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
08 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|T|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
09 |_|_|_|_|S|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
10 |_|_|_|_|H|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
11 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
12 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
13 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
14 |L|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
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... a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s-
Seeking to put an end to the other beetle before it can flee or cause more damage, he takes a few long strides through the ash to put himself in range and lashes out just as he did before.
[orc]"Come to your death, little beetle-man!"[/orc]
OoC
Moving to F9, unless the beetle has changed its position by his turn, in which case he'll move as appropriate. Same attack as before.
"Malic, Thorik! Protect yourselves and let Savar fully attack!" He says loudly over the battle.
Skill Check
Knowledge Planes +9 on the creatures
ooc
Full Defense
ooc
Moving to H6, and using full defense.
Harou has a few seconds to get a look at the creature before it sinks into the ash. Nothing about it stands out as being from another plane other then the size, and the fact that it isn't alive.
Show
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06 |_|_|_|_|_|M|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
07 |_|_|_|_|1|_|_|2|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
08 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|T|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
09 |_|_|_|_|_|Sl_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
10 |_|_|_|_|H|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
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16 |a|b|c|d|e|f|g|h|i|j|k|l|m[n|o|p|q|r|s|
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06 |_|_|_|_|_|M|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
07 |_|_|_|_|1|_|_|2|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
08 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|T|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
09 |_|_|_|_|_|Sl_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
10 |_|_|_|_|H|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
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15 |_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|_|
16 |a|b|c|d|e|f|g|h|i|j|k|l|m[n|o|p|q|r|s|
Assuming nothing else presents itself, he slowly comes out of his rage. Breathing heavily, he checks himself for wounds. Once he's satisfied that he's not mortally injured, he starts digging carefully in the ash to try to find any remains of the beetles. He makes sure to keep his glaive in hand, and stays ready to jump back if anything leaps out at him.
"I wonder if these were guardians, since they were not alive, something gave them... well, life."
He sheathes his sword and re-readies his crossbow.
"It would be best if we continued on with all haste than, incase there are more coming. We don't want to be exhausted if we meet whatever it is that made these."
"That is the only one of that particular spell... Next time you will need to swing harder."
The wizard turns away without emotion, but a grin runs across his face in a moment or two.
"Onward lads." he says awaiting his companions.
He sheathes his hammer, and pulls his axe again.
"Is it too much to hope that those'd be the worse we'll have to face?"
He begins fighting his way through the ash again.
Taking up the rear again malic tries ti keep his eyes peeled for anymore moving bumps in the sand.
I'm starting to like this new weapon. Once I get back to the guild, I'll have to find someone who's used to it and have them show me all the tricks.
Mostly to give himself something to do while he trudges through the ash, Savar uses his glaive like a blind man's walking stick, stabbing it down a few feet in front of him with every step, to ensure that there's nothing waiting to pop up and ambush him.
All the group except for Harou stops as they see something burrowing through the ash approaching them. As it gets closer it splits into five burrows, and then five beetles explode to the surface.
Show
Harou did not spot them but there has been enough time for him to be warned before they surface. Encounter distance startsa at thirty feet.
Iniative:
Malic
Thorik
Savar
Beetle 1
Harou
Beetle 2
Beetle 3
Beetle 4
Beetle 5
Iniative:
Malic
Thorik
Savar
Beetle 1
Harou
Beetle 2
Beetle 3
Beetle 4
Beetle 5
"We will have to do this one on our own as I have no more spells to enchant your arms."
OOC
Cast Mage Armor, +4 AC 2 hours.
ooc
Drawing sword, than going on full defense.
"Last time they tried to grab me a few times," he notes. "If grappling is their favorite tactic, then they're probably going to try to drag us off. If they do get a good hold on someone, for the love of Ordemetrex, help whoever it is. If they pull us down into the ash one by one and burrow away with us, then we'll be picked off like animals."
I couldn't even put a dent in these things before, without Harou's magic. What hope do we really have?
Moving forward towards the closest leading beetle, Savar jabs out with his glaive visciously. His anger seems to come out of despiration this time, rather than hope for victory.
OoC
power attack for 2, +5 1d10+11. He only moves as far as he has to attack the nearest beetle, and stays ready in case another provokes an attack of opportunity.
With his shield high, he awaits the ashy bugs.
ooc
Full defense. And just a reminder I have my axe out.
Hearing Thorik's words the half-elf nods, "Best to do that once these creature's have been dealt with."
Looking up he yells to Savar, "Get back here Savar you're going to get surrounded!"
He glances back to make sure he is near enough to his other three companions so he can help defend them if necessary.
"Hopefully he'll kill a few of em' while he's out there."
They surround the rest of the group but seem unable to get through their defenses. Savar steps back and pounds into the injured one again, and this tme it does not resurface.
ooc
Power attack for 2. +4, 2d6+8/19-20, slashing
"Stay together!" he shouts over the den of battle.
Spell CHANGE
If he can get more than one in a 15' cone, Harou with cast Burning Hands, if he cannot, then he will settle for a Magic Missile at the most threatening one in his area. If he is threatened then he will cast defensively. (Concentration +7)
BH 2d4 ref DC 16
MM 1d4+1
If he can get more than one in a 15' cone, Harou with cast Burning Hands, if he cannot, then he will settle for a Magic Missile at the most threatening one in his area. If he is threatened then he will cast defensively. (Concentration +7)
BH 2d4 ref DC 16
MM 1d4+1
When the beetle closes in, Thorik drops his defenses, and brings his axe down hard.
ooc
+3 d6+2. And Malic, Thorik was meaning if you delay your action, I can try to Aid Another with you. Might help.
OoC
Same attack as before, unless he can flank with Malic (or anyone, for that matter), in which case it's +7, 1d10+11.
Also, did the beetle he hit crack and splinter like the other two? Did it look hollow?
Also, did the beetle he hit crack and splinter like the other two? Did it look hollow?
Malic throws his weight behind his attack, but the round edge of the beetle's shell deflects his blow and it slides off doing little if any harm.
Facing another beetle, Thorik manages to hit solidily, but the creature seems to ignore the pain.
Savar turns around and strikes at that same beetle as Malic, hoping that by pining it between the two warriors it will be as easy to crack as the last one. He runs into the same problem Malic found. His angle of attack was wrong.
Harou calls out the words to his spell, a cone of flame fanning out from his fingertips catching two of the creatures in it's path. Neither seems to feel the effects of it. Both of those beetle move in on him, one snaps his pinchers around the mages waist forcefully tearing a large gash in his side before Harou can pry himself loose. The next snags hold of his arm, taking a chunck out before Harou frees that as well.
The other two beetles are unable to make it through Malic or Thoriks defenses.
Show
Malic 21/21
Thorik 18/18
Savar 20/20
Beetle 1 DEAD
Harou 8/16
Beetle 2 Savar/Malic
Beetle 3 Thorik
Beetle 4 Harou
Beetle 5 Harou
The first beetle does 5 on Harou, the next 3.
And yes, the one Savar killed cracked and was hollow inside from what he could see.
Thorik 18/18
Savar 20/20
Beetle 1 DEAD
Harou 8/16
Beetle 2 Savar/Malic
Beetle 3 Thorik
Beetle 4 Harou
Beetle 5 Harou
The first beetle does 5 on Harou, the next 3.
And yes, the one Savar killed cracked and was hollow inside from what he could see.
OoC
Same as before. +7, 1d10+11 (flanking bonus included).
He steps back towards Malic and Thorik and draws his wand. Commanding it to activate in draconic he unleashes its magic upon on of the beetles in front of him, the one that Savar is not prodding. White balls of sparkling light generate on the end of the wand and race towards their target, each hovering a moment before following the other.
ooc
Magic Missle CL 5th 3d4+3, 5' step back if the situation allows.
Also if one or two of the missiles kills the first target, move the others to the next bug.
Also if one or two of the missiles kills the first target, move the others to the next bug.
ooc
power attack for 1, +5 to hit 2d6+6/19-20, slashing
Thorik's axe strikes the neck of the thing, but fails to sever the head from the body.
Savar on the other hand, hears the shattering of the shell as his foe falls below the ashes, crumbling as it does.
Harou's magic issues forth, striking the same creature Malic struck. The balls of light slam into it, legs go flying off, and the insect sinks out of sight.
The two remaining bugs press their attacks. Harou takes another flesh stripping pinch, and Thorik let's his guard down long enough to get a bicep nearly torn off in the beetles mandibles before slipping free.
Show
Malic 21/21
Thorik 16/18
Savar 20/20
Beetle 1 DEAD
Harou 5/16
Beetle 2 DEAD
Beetle 3 Thorik
Beetle 4 Harou
Beetle 5 DEAD
Thorik takes 2. Harou another 3.
Thanks for reminding me about DR.
Thorik 16/18
Savar 20/20
Beetle 1 DEAD
Harou 5/16
Beetle 2 DEAD
Beetle 3 Thorik
Beetle 4 Harou
Beetle 5 DEAD
Thorik takes 2. Harou another 3.
Thanks for reminding me about DR.
His eyes go wide as he calls out in pain. Nearly falling to his knees he staggers again. With watery eyes glossing over he can barely contain himself enough to back away. He leaves the area, moving to put his mates between him and the beetles.
ooc
Backing away, full defense.
K: don't forget DR for the other's armor.
K: don't forget DR for the other's armor.
ooc
power attack for 1, +5 to hit 2d6+6/19-20, slashing
At this time Thorik takes a nasty pinch from the undead critter.
"Agghh!"
He looks at his arm and sees the blood flowing. His face wrinkles in anger.
"Now ye've done it!"
He swings his axe again trying to finish what he's started.
Assuming any of the beetles are still alive by his turn, he'll step up and try to finish one off. Thorik's first, if it's still standing, but if not, then he'll help Malic take out Harou's beetle.
OoC
Same attack as before.
Thorik swings again, hitting the same spot. Again a solid hit, but not enough to kill it. Savars attack on the other hand shatters the beast. The various parts of it sink below the surface.
Show
Malic 20/21
Thorik 16/18
Savar 20/20
Beetle 1 DEAD
Harou 5/16
Beetle 2 DEAD
Beetle 3 DEAD
Beetle 4 Malic
Beetle 5 DEAD
Malic surffers one point. You are all doomed!!
Thorik 16/18
Savar 20/20
Beetle 1 DEAD
Harou 5/16
Beetle 2 DEAD
Beetle 3 DEAD
Beetle 4 Malic
Beetle 5 DEAD
Malic surffers one point. You are all doomed!!
ooc
power attack for 1, +5 to hit 2d6+6/19-20, slashing...
Doomed?!
Game over Man! Game Over! What do we do now? What do we do now?!
Doomed?!
Game over Man! Game Over! What do we do now? What do we do now?!
He stands there, visibly weakened, letting the potion take effect, as the others battle the last bug.
"Hey you dumb bug. Come take a bite outta me."
He kicks up ash towards the beetle in hopes to distract it so the two warriors can take full advantage.
ooc
Aid Another so Savar or Malic get +2 to their attack. I guess it would be Savar since he attacks after me.
OoC
No power attack this time. +9 1d10+7 (flanking included).
Thorik uses himself as a diversion giving Savar the chance to finish it off. It crumbles as it collapses under the ash.
Harou feels the magic of the potion creeping through his blood, and the pain recedes into a dull ache.
Show
Malic 20/21
Thorik 16/18
Savar 20/20
Beetle 1 DEAD
Harou 13/16
Beetle 2 DEAD
Beetle 3 DEAD
Beetle 4 DEAD
Beetle 5 DEAD
Harou is healed for 8.
Thorik 16/18
Savar 20/20
Beetle 1 DEAD
Harou 13/16
Beetle 2 DEAD
Beetle 3 DEAD
Beetle 4 DEAD
Beetle 5 DEAD
Harou is healed for 8.
"Well we lived. We should get somewhere other than this plane. Unless you all wish to hunt these bugs.. or rather be hunted by them. I used many resources as well, I need rest soon."
He moves on.
Nice little fight.
While the others talk, he digs up one of the beetles and tries to break or cut off a set of the big mandibles. If successful, he ties them to his belt and starts trudging through the ash again.
OoC
Are we getting close to this mysterious mound?
Thorik keeps trudging through the ash on towards the mound.
Thorik is the first to be dissillusioned of that thought.
Again, something is moving through the ash towards them.
Show
Savar can find his trophy. Thorik sees something about 60 feet away moving towards them.-
"As am I. Where is that damn bird with my report?" He says eying the sky for pawl, who is drifting along some heat drafts in the distance. He shakes his head and shrugs.
"I suppose if he hasn't come back, he hasn't seen anything. Still, I would like.."
he is cut short as Thorik points out the new threats.
OOC
Xbow shot first, then on to spells! Staying away from the front line. Is Mage Armor up?
+3 to hit 1d8 19-20 x2
Xbow shot first, then on to spells! Staying away from the front line. Is Mage Armor up?
+3 to hit 1d8 19-20 x2
"I think we've got more company." he says pointing in the direction of the oncoming mounds.
"Savar, Malic, you'd best take point."
He stands just behind Savar and Malic, but infront of Harou.
The half-orc shifts his stance and holds his glaive readily, waiting for the approaching shape to get within range.
OoC
Readied action to attack when it gets close enough, assuming that it looks like an enemy.
ooc
Readied action to attack upon the enemy gettign near.
.oO (If me axe cant hurt these critters, I doubt me hammers'd do much better.)
His hand goes down again, and his grip tightens. He readies his shield for whatever pops out of the ash.
ooc
Forgot to tell you what I was doing. Full defense seems the wisest choice.
Savar is able to strike at one before they close, his glaive chipping the top of the skull.
The creatures rear up, their skeletal arms and exposed ribcages clearing the ash. Savar and Malic waiting for targets attack. Their foes avoid the swings by ducking back into the ash, and then spring up again next to them.
Savar has two clawed hangs raking across his torso, and Malic is only able to block one of the ones swung at him.
Harou fires a shot at one of the other approaching creatures, his missle bouncing off the bones. The third moves to Savar sensing him as an easy target, but he manages to block it's attempts to shred him.
The last one follows suite and does manage to break through the halforcs defenses and claws his upper arm.
Thorik finds himself free of foes at the moment.
Show
Skeleton
Skeleton
Harou 13/16
Skeleton
Savar 13/20
Skeleton
Thorik 16/18
Malic 18/21
Malic takes 2.
Savar takes a total of 7. (2, 3, and 2)
Harou's mage armor is still up.
Skeleton
Skeleton
Harou 13/16
Skeleton
Savar 13/20
Skeleton
Thorik 16/18
Malic 18/21
Malic takes 2.
Savar takes a total of 7. (2, 3, and 2)
Harou's mage armor is still up.
He aims it at one of the brutes attacking Savar. Again the small balls of light race towards their target, whizzing as they go.
"Thorik, to Savar, I will aid Malic!"
ooc
Wand attack magic missile 5th lvl caster 3d4+3
Knowledge Planes +9 on anything about creatures.
Knowledge Planes +9 on anything about creatures.
OoC
Moving at least 5 feet away to use the glaive. If possible, he'll maneuver to flank with Malic, but regardless, he attacks the already wounded skeleton. Power attacking for 2 as usual. +5 1d10+11.
ooc
+6 (2d6+4/19-20, slashing)
When able he will concentrate his attacks on the skeletal figure Savar is not attacking.
Likewise, Malic receives another cut across his arm when the skeleton on him slips under his blade.
As the magic darts from his wand, Harou get's a better look at the things. He can't be sure since there is no skin to judge color or muscle with, but most likely these are the undead remains of one of the lesser demon types. His balls of energy slam into the one next to Malic knocking it off balance.
Savar moves into a better position to catch one betwen himself and Malic and brings his weapon down on the one he chipped just seconds before, again cracking bones. Whatever was keeping it togehter no longer appears to work and it falls apart and below the ashes.
Another moves in on Savar getting close enough to make the glaive ineffective and rakes him twice across the thighs.
The skeleton trapped between Malic and Savar fails to penetrate his defenses. Thorik lays into that one making a triangle of foes around it, but his attack doesn't appear to do much.
Malic swings his sword on the one Harou hit and it crumbles into the ash.
Show
Skeleton Dead
Skeleton Dead
Harou 13/16
Skeleton On Savar
Savar 5/20
Skeleton Flanked between Savar. Malic, and with Thorik also on it.
Thorik 16/18
Malic 15/21
Savar takes 8 (1, 3, and 4)
Malic takes 3
Sorry about the lack of map, I'll try to get one up tonight.
Skeleton Dead
Harou 13/16
Skeleton On Savar
Savar 5/20
Skeleton Flanked between Savar. Malic, and with Thorik also on it.
Thorik 16/18
Malic 15/21
Savar takes 8 (1, 3, and 4)
Malic takes 3
Sorry about the lack of map, I'll try to get one up tonight.
"Argh!" he says as he swings again at the abomination.
ooc
+3 d6+2
He throws more magic at the creatures, sending a single blast of his own towards one of them.
ooc
I don't need a map mate.
Magic Missile from Harou not the wand, 1d4+1
I don't need a map mate.
Magic Missile from Harou not the wand, 1d4+1
I could use a potion, but that'd just give them another chance to get at me. Better end this quick; these bastards are tough.
"Die!...Again!"
OoC
I'm fine without the map as well. The main reason I like one is to tell me when and how I can flank, but since you took care of that, it's not a problem. Same attack as before. +7, 1d10+11, flanking included.
ooc
Power Attack for 1. +5 (2d6+6/19-20, slashing)
Harou's ball of magic crashes into the skeleton fighting Savar. It does not seem to effect it's fighting abilities much. It slashes the halforc visciously twice. Savar drops to his knees and then collapses under the ash.
The other skeleton swings wildly at Malic who blocks it's claws with well placed jabs of his sword. Thorik and Malic seeing their heavy hitter go down put more behind their strikes and their foe goes down.
Show
Skeleton Dead
Skeleton Dead
Harou 13/16
Skeleton On Savar
Savar -1/20
Skeleton Dead
Thorik 16/18
Malic 15/21
Savar takes 6. (3 and 3)
Skeleton Dead
Skeleton Dead
Harou 13/16
Skeleton On Savar
Savar -1/20
Skeleton Dead
Thorik 16/18
Malic 15/21
Savar takes 6. (3 and 3)
With that the dwarf rushes towards his target. At the last second he crouches low, holds his shield up to defend, and slashes at the things legs.
ooc
+3 d6+2 x3, come on baby, roll them dice!
ooc
Charge if applicable (+2) +2 to hit 1d8
ooc
Power Attack for 1. +5 (2d6+6/19-20, slashing)
Thorik's attack at the things legs is hindered by the deep ash, he sends up a cloud of it with his swing, and doesn't feel the axe hit anything solid. Malic does hit though, so perhaps the dwarfs attack did some good. Malics blade smashes into the skeletons neck and sends the head flying through the air.
However, the body keeps moving.
Show
Skeleton Dead
Skeleton Dead
Harou 4/16
Headless Skeleton On Harou
Savar -2/20 plus 14 non lethal
Skeleton Dead
Thorik 16/18 plus 1 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Savar takes another 1.
Harou takes 9.
I've edited the HP totals here. My minds been elsewhere for awhile and I forgot how the damage conversion works. I'd been just subtracting the number instead of turning it into subdual. So you bunch are a lot more hurt then you thought you were. Sorry about that. If you all agree I'm willing to skip it for this fight.
Skeleton Dead
Harou 4/16
Headless Skeleton On Harou
Savar -2/20 plus 14 non lethal
Skeleton Dead
Thorik 16/18 plus 1 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Savar takes another 1.
Harou takes 9.
I've edited the HP totals here. My minds been elsewhere for awhile and I forgot how the damage conversion works. I'd been just subtracting the number instead of turning it into subdual. So you bunch are a lot more hurt then you thought you were. Sorry about that. If you all agree I'm willing to skip it for this fight.
ooc
Power Attack for 1. +5 (2d6+6/19-20, slashing)
A young but bulky half-orc sits next to a fire, cooking a small boar. He probably isn't much more than fourteen, but he's already close to six feet and nearing two hundred pounds. A short hunting spear sits in his lap as he cuts a dash into the metal head.
After he makes the mark, the half-orc lifts a heated knife from the edge of the fire and rolls up the torn sleeve on his right arm. With a grimace he carefully cuts into his skin, using his free hand to hold a steel mirror to help him see. He deliberately carves scars in a strange semi-circle of long and short dashes that ends up looking like a rune surrounded by a crescent moon. He dabs away the small amount of blood after he finishes and looks back to the cooking boar.
Most of the pure orcs his age had earned their hunting scars a few years earlier. A few had their own warrior marks as well. The half-orc was beginning to think that he'd never have war scars; no raiding party wanted him, even though he was bigger than most of his peers. Judging from the many bruises and mismatched scars, his size didn't stop him from regular beatings.
He looks into the distance, staring at the campfires and tents about a mile off. Sighing, he rotates the boar and cuts off a sliver of meat to check its progress. Out somewhere across the plains, a wolf howls.
Savar chokes down a mouthfull of ashes unconsciously. From somewhere around his companions' feet, a faint "Uhhhhgggg...." emerges. More blood oozes slowly from his many wounds.
He pulls a potion from his pouch as he wades through the ash towards the fallen half orc. When he reaches him, he finds his head, pulls it up out of the ash, uncorks his potion, and dumps its contents into Savar's mouth.
When the vial is empty, he lets his head drop back to the ashy floor, stands, and looks back to the battle.
"Malic!" is all he can manage and that is haggard.
Thorik forces the potion into Savar's mouth, and almost immediately the big half-orc coughs out a lung full of ash, as his breathing becomes more steady.
Show
Skeleton Dead
Skeleton Dead
Harou 4/16
Skeleton Dead
Savar 5/20
Skeleton Dead
Thorik 16/18 plus 1 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Savar is healed for 7 and back on his feet (if he chooses to be. He could lie in the ash for awhile if he wanted too, but that might be a bit silly.)
Skeleton Dead
Harou 4/16
Skeleton Dead
Savar 5/20
Skeleton Dead
Thorik 16/18 plus 1 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Savar is healed for 7 and back on his feet (if he chooses to be. He could lie in the ash for awhile if he wanted too, but that might be a bit silly.)
"Harou is hurt?" says the bird in dwarven, to no reply from his master but a nod.
Diggign througfh his bag he takes out a potion and hands it to Harou, "You look like you could use this."
OoC
+2 Survival if needed to gauge the distances between the land marks and the group.
+2 Survival if needed to gauge the distances between the land marks and the group.
"Any more encounters like that and we will remain here forever. I will have pawl scan the mound for enemies. If nothing is there, we will rest there until we are either driven from it, or are fit to go on." He says pausing and sipping water all the time. He grimaces and swallows awaiting the potion to take effect.
OoC
Hey DM-man. Potion effects?
Pawl makes good time and it isn't long before the bird is circling over the mound. The bird turns around and starts flying back soon after.
Pawl perches on the wizards shoulder and crows out it's report. "Many bodies. All dead."
Show
Harou 10/16
Savar 5/20
Thorik 16/18 plus 1 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou is healed for 6
Savar 5/20
Thorik 16/18 plus 1 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou is healed for 6
"No enemies ahead, however, the area may not be entirely safe. I say we move ahead, and let our sly friend have a look around while we keep an eye out from a short distance. There may be supplies at the mound."
"Malic, you should probably share that other potion with Savar, unless he has one of his own."
"What do the rest of you think?"
"Thanks," he says to Thorik in between drinks. "I thought I was gone for a minute there. Those things were tougher than any of the beetles."
While they wait on the bird, he makes another mark on his glaive. After hearing the news, he nods. "There may be supplies, yes. We should at least check. If nothing else, I would like to be up high so we can drop arrows onto our enemies for a while instead of swimming around with them. I do think we should find somewhere to rest, no matter what. The walk back is likely to be just as difficult as it's been so far."
OoC
Drinking his two cure potions from the guild.
Show
Harou 10/16
Savar 20/20
Thorik 16/18 plus 1 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Savar is healed for 8 and 8.
Savar 20/20
Thorik 16/18 plus 1 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Savar is healed for 8 and 8.
He pulls his waterskin and takes a long drink. He wipes a bead of sweat from his dwarven head as he replaces the skin.
"I can be in and out of there in no time. Make sure it's clear."
With a concerned frown on his face the half-elf begins marching towards the mound.
"Still, we should go slowly. The ash we send up when we trudge along is likely a beacon for creatures that wish travelers ill. My spells are nearly spent, and I need rest to replenish them. Pray we are able to."
OoC
Magic Missile wand, CL 5th: 4 charges/2 remaining
Scrolls: Detect Secret Doors, Hold Portal, Obscuring Mist, Comprehend Languages
Potion: Cure Light Wounds x1 Used
0th:lvl Detect Magic, Light, Ray of Frost, Flare, Dancing Lights
1st: Burning Hands, Mage Armor, Magic Weapon, Protection From Evil all cast. I see I made an oversight on my spells for the day and one I cast. I apologize. Not to worry, at least the spell level was the same right?
Magic Missile wand, CL 5th: 4 charges/2 remaining
Scrolls: Detect Secret Doors, Hold Portal, Obscuring Mist, Comprehend Languages
Potion: Cure Light Wounds x1 Used
0th:lvl Detect Magic, Light, Ray of Frost, Flare, Dancing Lights
1st: Burning Hands, Mage Armor, Magic Weapon, Protection From Evil all cast. I see I made an oversight on my spells for the day and one I cast. I apologize. Not to worry, at least the spell level was the same right?
Resting here would be hard as the ash layer is still around the base of the twenty foot hill, and seems to continue up the slope as well. The wall at the top is not high, unless there is a moat dug around it, the top of it is only three feet upwards from the top of the ash. Thorik should be able to clear it with little problem if he wanted to scout ahead. The rest of the group wouldn't have any problem seeing over it most likely.
"Curse this foul realm." he mutters taking off his hat, dusting it, and his hair and replacing it.
"We could use a rest, but aside from the mound itself, I cannot see a spot we could use. Pawl saw bodies along it. I'm not sure how far you might want to scout about Thorik?"
"Pawl, watch out for the dwarf, and alert him, or us, if you see danger." He says in dwarven.
"We will cover you from the base of the mound, call for aid. Oh, and have a look out for tracks. Pawl said there were bodies on the mound, so something killed them."
After issuing his 'orders', the wizard nods.
Savar sets his crossbow and waits for Thorik to ascend the mound. If the dwarf says its safe, or if danger arrises, he shoots and moves in for close combat.
"Aye, I just wonder what they are bodies off. More travelers? Demons? Other inhabitants?"
He cocks an eyebrow.
"Still I suppose we should be more worried about what killed them."
[dwarven] "Let's go bird. And no talkin' unless ya got to." [dwarven]
Thorik straps his shield to his back and starts up the mound. He worries more about his footing than being silent at the start. When he is nearer the top, he takes the necessary precautions to remain unseen.
ooc
Climb +5, Move Silent +7, Hide +7....those are the values with my shield on my back, and no encumbrance.
Harou's eye go from the bird to the dwarf as the ascend.
Harou's bird doesn't warn him of any danger on the otherside of it, so it should be safe to peer over the top of it. The top of the wall is three inches above the tip of the dwarfs head, but he shouldn't have a problem climbing up high enough to get a look.
.oO (If this be fer defense, I can see why it failed..)
If it is clear, he will climb the rest of the way onto the wall. He will stay perched on top long enough to scan the area. When confident nothing is near, he will lower himself to the other side, and start looking around.
.oO (Now let's see if we can figure whut happened 'ere.)
ooc
How much ash is up here? Same as below?
The ash on the outside of the wall is as deep as it has been everywhere else, but once Thorik climbs to the top of the wall and can see to the otherside, he makes note that it is ash free.
Not corpse free however.
The ground inside is littered with corpses. None of which Thorik recognizes, but all of which look fearsome and unnatural.
There appear to be at least four different types, the majority of which being the smallest kind. And those are roughly human sized.
In the center of the cleared area is a very large pit.
"We cannot sit here without being about to aid him. I say we move onto the wall at least, and watch from there. Careful now, we will stand out against the horizon. Creep low."
He stays low and heads to the wall slowly
[i]He gives a quick whistle to call the bird near. It lands near to where Thorik is still crouched on the ground.
[dwarven] Go back and tell yer master I see no predators...just prey. Tell him there's a pit I've yet to check, but it is clear enough. [dwarven]
When the bird flies off, he checks the other creatures on the ground to see if the cause of death is the same. He then slowly makes his way towards the pit, and peers over the side to look within.
As the bird takes to the air, it and Thorik are surprised by a loud noise coming from the pit, as a swarm of tiny black shapes spew from it.
Those outside the wall can see a cloud of blackness rising upwards and then speeding back out of sight behind the wall.
Thorik can see the swarm of winged rodent-like creatures slamming into him. They sting when they hit, but nothing the dwarf can't handle. The things plop to the ground after hitting him, and then take to the air again, he only has a chance to strike at one ineffectively before they gather in the air and start massing out of Thorik's reach.
Show
Creatures (24?)
Thorik 16/18 plus 9 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou 10/16
Savar 20/20
Thorik is hit several times. All for non lethal but it's still alot of attacks. 8 non lethal total in the surprise round.
it will take the rest of the party three rounds to reach the wall. Two if they press themselves but that makes the slope trickier. They can see the swarm massing again in the air.
Creatures (24?)
Thorik 16/18 plus 9 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou 10/16
Savar 20/20
Thorik is hit several times. All for non lethal but it's still alot of attacks. 8 non lethal total in the surprise round.
it will take the rest of the party three rounds to reach the wall. Two if they press themselves but that makes the slope trickier. They can see the swarm massing again in the air.
OoC
Magic Missile 3d4+3 100' range.
Knowledges on the swarm: planes, nature, arcane, etc +9 for most. Also if this subject is immune to the wand attack, a new action will be needed. Since I already cast the perfect spell to combat this monster for the day, what that alternative action will be, is still rather mysterious.
Magic Missile 3d4+3 100' range.
Knowledges on the swarm: planes, nature, arcane, etc +9 for most. Also if this subject is immune to the wand attack, a new action will be needed. Since I already cast the perfect spell to combat this monster for the day, what that alternative action will be, is still rather mysterious.
He removes the shield from his back, and grabs one of his hammers. When they have amassed, he takes aim and lets one fly.
.oO (That bird better hurry!)
ooc
+4 to hit d4+2.
OoC
Savar will try to make it up the slope in 2 rounds. I'm not sure what kind of action it is to take off a backpack. If it can be done along with a move action like drawing a weapon, then he'll do so. Without encumbrance, his speed goes to 40', which will hopefully help. +8 to climb without the backpack, too.
Crossbow: +2, 1d10, 120' range.
Crossbow: +2, 1d10, 120' range.
Malic struggles up the slope, loosing his footing in the ash a few times as he makes for the wall.
Harou recognizes the creatures as some kind of bat species before he launches three balls of energy into the swarm. Two of the bats are badly scorched but not knocked down. A third goes up in a ball of flame and the remains plummet to the ground. Moving more carefully then Malic, he avoids the misteps and keeps pace with the half-elf.
Savar drops his pack into the ash and then his crossbow after getting a quick shot off. The bolt pierces through one of the creatures body but doesn't appear to affect it much other the forcing it to the edges of the swarm. Theowing caution to the wind in his rush up the hill, Savar makes good progress as he plows through the ash.
The bats dive down at the dwarf again, enveloping him momentarily in a blanket of little bodies. Most slam into his shield this time though four do manage to smack Thoriks body before they all fall to the ground. They flap their wings and ready themselves to take to the air again.
Show
Creatures (23?)
Thorik 16/18 plus 13 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou 10/16
Savar 20/20
Thorik takes another four non lethal.
The bats are now out of everyone but Thoriks line of sight.
Malic and Harou have two more rounds until they reach the wall. Savar one round. (Unless he slips like Malic did.)
Thorik 16/18 plus 13 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou 10/16
Savar 20/20
Thorik takes another four non lethal.
The bats are now out of everyone but Thoriks line of sight.
Malic and Harou have two more rounds until they reach the wall. Savar one round. (Unless he slips like Malic did.)
"Hang on, Thorik! We're almost there!"
"They are bats of some sort, but I cannot tell more!" he yells as he runs.
OoC
Full Move, run for triple if able, to reach the wall. Can Harou tell it is a swarm of bats, and what ways to better deal, i.e. weakness if any?
Full Move, run for triple if able, to reach the wall. Can Harou tell it is a swarm of bats, and what ways to better deal, i.e. weakness if any?
.oO (..need a potion...do I have a potion...where's that damn wall...gotta get out of here..)
ooc
Full defense. Did I get a chance to look in that pit? Could I tell how far down it went? Is there any cover around that I could use? I hope I havent made a mistake not going ahead and drinking a potion...just couldnt bring myself to do it.
Malic and Harou reach the wall as Savar starts his climb over it. Harou pauses to catch his breath and gets another look at the swarm of bats massing over the clearing. There appear to be two dozen or so bats in the swarm, two of which are flying though extremely burned and another with a crossbow bolt through it's chest where it's heart should be. a spell that could catch them all at once would be a good way to handle them. Burning hands would have be very handy, it looks like they'll have to be taken down one by one instead.
Show
Creatures (23?)
Thorik 16/18 plus 13 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou 10/16
Savar 20/20
THorik never made it as far as the pit.
Savar is over the wall, Malic and Harou could make it over next round. It's an easy (5') climb. The bats are massed about forty feet overhead.
Thorik 16/18 plus 13 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou 10/16
Savar 20/20
THorik never made it as far as the pit.
Savar is over the wall, Malic and Harou could make it over next round. It's an easy (5') climb. The bats are massed about forty feet overhead.
He reaches for the halforc as he goes over the wall.
"Malic, help Thorik. Savar, he's safe for the moment, back to this side of the wall. I don't think they will breach it."
He bends down so that only his eyes and forehead peep over the wall. Squinting he shakes his head.
"I need rest, otherwise, we might as well go back. The swarm is to powerful to overcome without magical aid."
"Hold on Thorik We'll get you healed up as soon as we get over the wall!"
With Malic's assistance he quickens his pace towards the wall. When he reaches it, he quickly climbs over it to the other side. If he makes it to the other side, he puts his back against the wall for a split second before pulling another hammer.
OoC
If the wall's 5', then I'm guessing that a dwarf might have some trouble getting over it quickly without a bit of help, especially if he's carrying any gear ;) . Readied action to pull Thorik to the other side, by his beard if necessary, when he gets close enough. Malic too, if he needs the help.
Malic helps Thorik to get to the wall, passing through the field of downed bats, and then, though bruised, Savar helps both up and over.
Harou gets a chance to view the space on the otherside of the wall. He does a much better job of identifying the corpses. Most are dretches, at least thirty of them scattered about, usually around the bodies of bigger creatures.
There appear to be a few bearded devils, a hezrou or two, and at least one harpy. One creature he can't identify other then the obvious devilish nature of it, lies alone near the pit. It's twice as big as Savar with huge bat-like wings.
It's highly doubtful the bats killed all those creatures.
Show
Creatures (23?)
Thorik 16/18 plus 13 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou 10/16
Savar 20/20 plus 12 non lethal
Savar takes 12 non lethal.
Thorik 16/18 plus 13 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou 10/16
Savar 20/20 plus 12 non lethal
Savar takes 12 non lethal.
"You weren't joking," he tells Thorik as he tries to watch the swarm and scan the ground at the same time. "Those things can pack a punch. So how are we going to handle this little situation? This place isn't looking so safe now, but I'm not sure that heading back across the field is any better of an idea."
"I need rest. With the means we have now, we can do nothing but go back or around this place."
Malic comments as he watches for the bats to return.
"Good plan, stay behind the wall, and let's see what we can. Malic, if you will."
He follows along with the crossbow loaded and one eye on the wall, and another on the look out for Pawl. He stays hunched so that whatever is inside the wall, can't see him.
[dwarven]"Harou safe?"[dwarven]
The swarm of bats (all of which were inside the clear area) takes to the air again, and mass above the wall.
Show
Creatures (23?)
Thorik 16/18 plus 13 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou 10/16
Savar 20/20 plus 12 non lethal
Thorik 16/18 plus 13 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou 10/16
Savar 20/20 plus 12 non lethal
He turns to look at the cloud of bats.
"Go away! We will not enter your dwelling again, we seek rest, that is all"
He waves his hat at them and continues on.
Thorik follows the others, keeping his eyes and shield towards the bats.
"And I doubt we can out run them!"
"I cannot tell what they will do, but it seems they do not attack outside the wall, unless there are bodies under the ash. We need to rest, my mind is exhausted. I will listen to anyone else's idea, so by all means, share them"
The swarm of bats crosses over the wall and dive down towards the group.
Savar slices one in two when they get close, but the rest of them pound into the magician with the waving hat and the bird flying next to him.
The impacts bruise Harou badly and Pawl is knocked into the ash by the impacts, but surfaces immediately, which is more then can be said for the bats.
Those that hit their targets fall to the ground afterwards sinking into the ash. Those that missed knife straight through the ash layers presumably striking the solid ground underneath.
The layers of ash moves over as they prepare to fly up again.
Show
Creatures (22?)
Thorik 16/18 plus 13 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou 3/16
Savar 20/20 plus 12 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Harou takes 7.
Pawl takes 4.
Thorik 16/18 plus 13 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou 3/16
Savar 20/20 plus 12 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Harou takes 7.
Pawl takes 4.
Thorik throws a hammer at the flying mass, and then pulls his axe.
"But we won't have to worry long, cause if this continues, we'll all be dead!"
"The spell may buy us time, but nothing more, I am out of ideas aside from jumping to the other side of the wall and playing dead with the demon carcases!'
ooc
Cast Obscuring Mist over where the bats are submerged.
Cast Obscuring Mist over where the bats are submerged.
So much for them not going past the wall...
"If we leave here, then we've got to deal with the beetles again. Or, worse, those skeletons. At least right here we've got a wall to use for a bit of cover so they can't come at us from all sides at once. I say we keep going around the wall and hope for some more cover and try to fend them off the best we can."
The half-elf continues forwards staying as close to the wall as possible.
Harou's spell adds to the poor visability in the area. Unforetanetly, the bats fly above it and start to gather together again.
Show
Creatures (21?)
Thorik 16/18 plus 13 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou 3/16
Savar 20/20 plus 12 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
The group is now in the area of Harou's spell. The bats are above it somewhere.
Thorik 16/18 plus 13 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 6 non lethal
Harou 3/16
Savar 20/20 plus 12 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
The group is now in the area of Harou's spell. The bats are above it somewhere.
"Well I don't know if they can still detect us or not. We can attack them again I suppose, but if I am targeted by the swarm, I doubt very much I will be anymore help. We need a distraction..."
He loads the crossbow again and fires as soon as a target is available.
"I keep thinkin' we need to flee, but I fear we won't make it far. And we can't seem t'kill enough of em'!"
He readies his hammer for the next wave. If it comes, he tries to kill one.
Spinning it experimentally he raises his shield up over his head and waits for the bats.
Regretting that he dropped his crossbow, but not even considering going after it, Savar holds his glaive high and stays ready to attack once the bats swoop down again.
"My Thanks."
Thorik is quick enough to pound one of the bats into the ash with his axe as it falls, but as the ash covers it up he thinks he can still see it wiggiling, but it maybe one of the others that fell near it..
Malics magnificent shield work keeps most of the bats off the party, but two manage to penetrate his defenses.
Harous bolt spears a bat in the head, but it's wings keep on flapping as it falls.
Savar steps back and splits another in half before it slips out of sight. His glaive seems to be made for killing these things.
Show
Creatures (19?)
Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 8 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 12 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Malic takes 2 non lethal.
Harou is healed for 8.
Thorik for 6.
Between the mist and Malics full defense, only two succesful hits. At least one of you might make it out of here alive if your luck holds.
Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 8 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 12 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Malic takes 2 non lethal.
Harou is healed for 8.
Thorik for 6.
Between the mist and Malics full defense, only two succesful hits. At least one of you might make it out of here alive if your luck holds.
He reloads his crossbow, and fires again once they reappear.
Tha half-elf slowly swings his flail as he waits for the bat's to dive again.
ooc
Doing a full attack. Malic will cleave if he's able.
"I'm outta potions as well. We'll need'ta be careful on the trip back."
ooc
Kneye: I actually had my handaxe out. Dont know if that would have made a difference in the killing, but there ya go. If I dont get a chance to kill the one I just hit, I'll wait on the next target.
Thorik is right next to them as they move, looking for the wounded one. He slashes out with his axe and there is one less bat in the swarm.
Malic's flail strikes out, but mistakes a part of the mist as part of the mass, and misses.
Harou's bolt passes into the center of the swarm, and doesn't come back out. Odds are good he hit something, but no bodies fall.
Savar slices another one in half before they make it out of reach.
As the bats gather above to make their next attack, Thorik steps on something in the ash. The body of the bat he hit earlier.
Show
Creatures (16?)
Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 8 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 12 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Thorik, see the edit to my last post.
Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 8 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 12 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Thorik, see the edit to my last post.
"Press on lads!"
Thorik keeps his eyes peeled for his next target. He slashes at the first one available.
Thorik steps in as soon as they start to sink into the ash and rips one apart.
Malics flail doesn't seem as effective. He hits one of the bats, but it just seems to quicken it's journey uner the ash. It's wings are still flapping as the ash starts to cover it back up.
Harou fires another bolt. He misses entirely.
Savar takes a quick step back and takes out another one before it can disappear under the surface.
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Creatures (13?)
Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 8 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 15 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Savar takes 3 non lethal.
Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 8 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 15 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Savar takes 3 non lethal.
"Malic, use my sword with your shield."
After handing over his sword, Harou points his finger at the swarm. The end glows blue for an instant, and a sparkling light-blue ray shoots out towards the bats.
OoC
No move, so drawing weapon is a move action. Casting Ray of Frost is the standard action for the round 1d3 cold, ranged touch attack is +2 vs touch ac of swarm/bat, etc.
"If I go down, someone take my glaive and keep using it. It seems to be one of the more effective weapons we've got for this job."
Thorik continues battling the winged critters with all he's got.
Malic has better luck. With the borrowed sword, he cuts through one bat, and lets the momentum of the attack carry the blade into another bat, dropping that one as well.
Harou's spell crackles as it strikes one of the bats near the back of the mass. The bat frosts over, and seems to slow the flapping of it's wings, but it stays airborn.
Savar once again proves himself to be a master bat fighter, as he keeps another one from reaching the sky.
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Creatures (10)
Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 8 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 15 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 8 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 15 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
.oO (Couldn't be any more'n ten left. Let's make it nine...)
Thorik makes short work of that one beofre it dissapears into the ash. Malic cleaves through one, and cuts the wing of another before they sink. Harou misses entirely. Savar redeems himself and kills a third bat.
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Creatures (7)
Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 9 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 15 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Malic takes 1 non lethal.
Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 9 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 15 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Malic takes 1 non lethal.
"I'm afraid I am poorly suited for this." He says apologetically as he pulls the crossbow back.
Malic's eyes narrow as he squints up at the sky waiting for the bats once again.
He lifts the crossbow and fires.
Ooc
Just to help out since I've not included this in the past:
+2 to hit, 1d8 19-20 x2
+2 to hit, 1d8 19-20 x2
"Think these're what killed the inhabitants?"
A crossbow bolt is centered through the middle of the last remaining bats chest, but it still flies upwards and readies itself for another attack.
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Creatures (1)
Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 9 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 15 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 9 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 15 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
"I think not Thorik. I'm curious as to see what else is in the pit, but I think a venture there would prove quite dangerous."
The half-elf watches the lone bat ready for it to dive.
With only the one to watch, it's easier to notice something about the creature.
Even though it was pierced through the chest with a bolt, and then cut in half, the bat does not bleed.
The corpse sinks under the ash.
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Creatures ALL DEAD
Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 9 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 15 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 9 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 15 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
"We rest on this side or that.. I think, despite the unfortunate litter inside the wall, resting there would be better than out here. Still we can circle it and look to see if a better place is near."
The half-orc retreaves his pack and crossbow before vaulting over the short wall. Humming contently to himself despite his many bumps and bruises, he occupies himself by searching the demonic bodies for anything of obvious value. While he's at it, he also takes a look at their woundes and tries to see if he can figure out what kind of weapons killed them.
"Careful Savar, who knows what creatures live in yonder pit."
Pawl, moving extra stiffly hops onto the wizard's shoulder and settles.
"Pawl not like bats." he croaks in dwarven.
"Nor does Harou." The master says back.
.oO(Those were me two favorite hammers. Never find them in this thick ash.)
He continues his vain search for his hammer before making his way over the wall. Once on top of the wall he sits perched scanning the area for a moment.
.oO (The first one I threw was on this side, wasn't it?)
He leaps down off the wall and starts looking on the ground where he thinks it may be.
"Keep yer eyes out fer one'a me hammers, lads."
ooc
What about it Kneye? Can I find one? Spot +5, Search +7, Art of finding flying hammers +12
The searchers find nothing of value on the bodies. Harou can tell they are devils of various sorts, but as to what killed them?
The cuts are randomly sized and located. The bruises much bigger, it appears that many of the corpses have multipule broken limbs.
Savar being more familiar with the effects of weapons is able to deduce that they weren't caused by any weapons he knows of.
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Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 9 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 15 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Anything dropped out in the ash can be found by taking the time and a "20" on a search check. Seeing as you'll need a lot of rest I think that you'll have the time if you so desire. Of course, if you want to sacrifice a few items for role-playing reasons, I won't object to that.
Malic 15/21 plus 9 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 15 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Anything dropped out in the ash can be found by taking the time and a "20" on a search check. Seeing as you'll need a lot of rest I think that you'll have the time if you so desire. Of course, if you want to sacrifice a few items for role-playing reasons, I won't object to that.
Rummaging through his pack produces a book, the one he brought from the last venture into the pass. He ildly turns the pages, looking at each diagram or passage. After a while of that, while the others go about their various business, he sleeps.
OoC
I'm good with the rest asap, Pawl will rest as well.
I'm good with the rest asap, Pawl will rest as well.
Maybe something big just beat the hell out of them. Giants? Ogres? But they wouldn't be out here. Maybe these things fought each other. But unless they're vastly stronger than their size indicates, they'd need weapons to cause these bruises and broken bones. Unless they used the ground and the walls as weapons. The bigger ones could have just picked up the smaller ones and smashed them against the stones. That could explain some of it...but then what killed the rest? There's got to be an enemy out there that we haven't seen yet.
Standing up, obviously irritated, Savar walks to the edge of the pit and looks down with his crossbow in hand. He tries to make use of his darkvision to see what's inside. If he doesn't see anything of interest, he goes back to the others near the wall.
OoC
What 'time' is it? Can we even tell on this plane? I know you said that several hours passed during our trip across the ash, and we got a late start anyway (if time from our home plane really matters here).
Anyway, I'm definitely up for a bit of rest. Then, the PIT!
Anyway, I'm definitely up for a bit of rest. Then, the PIT!
ooc
Malic'll take 20 on the search to find his flail if he needs to. After that he'll just rest.
He picks up the hammer and dusts the ash off of it before sheathing it again.
"To hell with the other one. It'd take all day to find it!"
He walks over and takes a seat near where Harou is leaning against the wall. He does the same.
"Tell me if Savar gets eaten."
He stays leaning against the wall with his eyes closed.
Four ladders are attached to each side of the pit, and lead down fifeteen to where wide (20 feet) openings appear to have been carved out of the walls side. Another ladder leads from each of those down another ten feet to another set of smaller (10 foot wide) openings and then to the floor. Three tunnel openings lead frrom the walls at the bottom.
The time of day is hard to tell, the sky is usually blackened out by a cloud of ash above. And it hasn't gotten any lighter, or darker since the party arrived. After a few hours of rest, that still has not changed.
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Thorik 18/18 plus 7 non lethal
Malic 15/21 plus 9 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 15 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Consider yourselves getting a full nights rest. I will adjust the HP totals in my next post. I can't remember if we've house ruled regaining HP or not from rest, and will need time to look that up.
Malic 15/21 plus 9 non lethal
Harou 11/16
Savar 20/20 plus 15 non lethal
Pawl 4/8
Consider yourselves getting a full nights rest. I will adjust the HP totals in my next post. I can't remember if we've house ruled regaining HP or not from rest, and will need time to look that up.
He finds a wall and lays down with his glaive leaned up next to him. After a fime minutes the half-orc starts to snore.
OoC
Rest it is. With our new level, and Harou regaining his spells, we should be fine for the next leg of the adventure. Assuming, of course, none of us gets hurt bad enough to need a potion 
Ooc
Spells in character sheet. I will edit my sig as well.
Take 20 searching the area for anything of note.
Spells in character sheet. I will edit my sig as well.
Take 20 searching the area for anything of note.
"g-get...get of.....GET OFFA ME!...stupid birds...AH!"
He startles himself awake and looks around quickly. He squints his eyes and then raises one bushy eyebrow. The face fades when he sees the magician walking about.
"Good! We lived through the...uh...night...i guess it'd be."
He rises slowly. Feeling every dull ache from the bruises the bat creatures left him. He streches and numerous cracks can be heard from a distance.
"Didja sleep as well as me?"
"Fresh as the morning dew..."
He walks over to the others
"Well, into the pit? I simply wonder if these bodies were the result of whatever dwells inside."
He takes a piece of jerky from his pack and shoves it in his mouth.
"Okeh, now'm ready." he says with his mouth still full.
He grabs up his gear and hefts the heavy bag of silver.
"Malic, yer sure ye dont mind carryin' this for me? We could probly stash our coin top side if we need to. No since carryin' it underground with us."
Harou awaits the rest to have breakfast and does so himself, awaiting the groups decision on what to do next.
"Hmm. Didn't consider that. Might be right. Could even be another plane we end up in."
He washes his jerky down, and eats another. He somehow finds satisfaction with his still empty stomach and stands again.
"Well lets get in there!"
Stepping forwards he draws his greatsword and swings it slowly, the familliar weight of the blade handed down to him by his is a welcome thing to Malic, he spends a few more seconds wielding the blade slashing through the air before he returns it to it's sheath.
"I am worried." Malic says as he joins the others at the top of the pit, "if there are demons down there we may not be able to harm them as easily as they can harm us..."
"Well, luckily we are not on a mission to hunt them... Hopefully we will get lucky and find what we seek and then slip out unnoticed.. assuming it is there. Still, if we are confronted, I have a few tricks up my sleeve yet. I'm not first though"
Harou waits until one of the others, maybe even two, goes down before he follows.
"If nothing else, we're probably not facing giants," he mumbles through a full mouth. "The ladders are built for something of our size. Since they use ladders, that means they're humanoids. And they don't have wings. And, if they killed all these things, then they've got some weird weapons that I haven't seen before. Or they're massively strong..." He continues to ramble on to himself.
Seeing that Malic is about to head down, Savar shoves one last handful of food down his throat and follows. "Thorik and I don't need torches, so we could scout just ahead of the light. It'd let us use our nightvision to the fullest if we did, and we might not be spotted immediately by anything that sees a fire and comes running." He picks one of the ladders that Malic doesn't use and goes down into the pit.
"You stay close Pawl and keep your eyes open." He says in dwarven as he follows Malic.
He holds the ladder as Savar climbs down. Once he is half way, Thorik begins his decent. Once at the bottom he has a look at his surroundings.
ooc
Spot +6. Yay for level 3!
"Think there might be traps down here?" he asks the rest of the group. "Someone took the time to put up ladders, so that means they're at least half-way competant."
After looking for immediate dangers, Thorik scans the area for any hidden ones.
ooc
Search +9
Show
Going to need a few edits it seems.
"Oh dear.." he says swallowing helplessly as he lands.
"Thorik check the other ladder, Savar, brace the rope and lower me down. One of use must get to him soon, in case there is an attack." the plans just fly out of the wizard's mouth as he tries to best assess the situation.
"I do not want to panic though, perhaps we can use that large demon as an anchor and we can all go down that way. "he says being a bit random, uncharacteristic for the wizard as he watches out for any danger that approaches Malic.
"We could just lower the rope for him and pull him up?"
.oO (Shouldof checked them first. Can't afford to be careless here. And now it may have cost us!)
After the wizard speaks Thorik goes to checking the remaining ladders for signs of weakness.
ooc
Search +9 or Spot +6. Don't really know which would apply here.
The fall took surprisingly more time at least in Malic's eyes than the half-elf would have expected. Havign enouigh time to look both up and down and than back up tp teh entrance of teh pit before Malic lands flat on his back the air rushign out of his lungs. Malic cries out in pain and struggles to his feet, unlsinging hsi shield Malic winces as a jolt of pain tears through his arm.
.oO(I hope nothing is broken.)
Looking about Malic frowns as he tries to peer into the darkness surrounding him, as he pulls his flail from his waist and spins it slowly.
ooc
Search +4, Spot +4, Listen +2.
If Malic spots an attacker before he get's attacked, he'll go full defense and use combat expertise for a full 3. If he sees the attacker...
If Malic spots an attacker before he get's attacked, he'll go full defense and use combat expertise for a full 3. If he sees the attacker...
"Damn! Hold on!"
The half-orc quickly fishes the rope out of his pack and tosses it down into the pit. "Tie it around yourself, Malic!" he calls down into the hole. "We'll pull you up. There's no way I'm trusting any of the other ladders now."
If Malic complies and takes the rope, Savar will try to haul him up by brute strength (hopefully with the help of his two companions, considering the weight of Malic's gear). If the half-elf decides not to use the rope, Savar will try to find something to tie the rope onto so he can go down.
ooc
Use Rope +0
"What do you see Malic?" he asks the halfelf as he draws his wand.
ooc
Search +4, Spot +4
Motioning to Thorik, Savar tries to tie the free end of the rope to the largest devil nearby, with the dwarf's help. Once he's done that he lifts a few of the other big ones and piles them on top of the devil that the rope is tied to.
Thorik quickly goes for his equipment and brings forth his climbing hook.
"I've got this. It'd hold better than dead bodies, I'd think."
Malic has a hard time seeing anything in the darkness below. He stumbles about for a bit and manages to find the rope Savar lowered. Nothing takes advantage of his current situation. Yet.
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Thorik 26/26
Malic 11/ 30 plus 5 non lethal
Harou 21/23
Savar 27/27 plus 5 non lethal
Pawl 10/11
Both the bodies and THoriks climbing picks might hold enough to get someone up or down. you'll just have to find out by trying.
I'm not sure how good my description of the pit was. So I'll describe it here again.
Four ladders (three now) head down from the surface. They each go down 15 feet to the next "level". That level is actually four large openings in the cliff face. One ladder to each. These "rooms" pretty much are open all around the wall with only a five foot thick area of stone seperatng them from each other.
Each of those openings has a second ladder leading from it to the bottom where Malic is. along the path of the ladder, another 20 feet down (or 15 feet above Malic) the ladders pass by another set of openings. These four openings are much smaller. Basiclly ten wide and ten high.
The ladders continue down from there to the bottom where Malic is. He could climb up them if the rope doesn't work. On the bottom three tunnels lead off somewhere. The are the same size as the openings on the second level.
Malic 11/ 30 plus 5 non lethal
Harou 21/23
Savar 27/27 plus 5 non lethal
Pawl 10/11
Both the bodies and THoriks climbing picks might hold enough to get someone up or down. you'll just have to find out by trying.
I'm not sure how good my description of the pit was. So I'll describe it here again.
Four ladders (three now) head down from the surface. They each go down 15 feet to the next "level". That level is actually four large openings in the cliff face. One ladder to each. These "rooms" pretty much are open all around the wall with only a five foot thick area of stone seperatng them from each other.
Each of those openings has a second ladder leading from it to the bottom where Malic is. along the path of the ladder, another 20 feet down (or 15 feet above Malic) the ladders pass by another set of openings. These four openings are much smaller. Basiclly ten wide and ten high.
The ladders continue down from there to the bottom where Malic is. He could climb up them if the rope doesn't work. On the bottom three tunnels lead off somewhere. The are the same size as the openings on the second level.
Harou points.
"I say we go down to him, at least to inspect these layers."
OoC
So we can see the floors of the rooms on each layer? They are all open?
So we can see the floors of the rooms on each layer? They are all open?
Show
You can see the floors of both levels (or at least some of you can.)
The first level is easier to see of course, and those with the proper vision can see into them a bit. They lead into the side of ...the side. There is nothing interseting about them from this viewpoint. Of course when you get to a point you can see how deep the rooms are, that might change.
You can see the floors of both levels (or at least some of you can.)
The first level is easier to see of course, and those with the proper vision can see into them a bit. They lead into the side of ...the side. There is nothing interseting about them from this viewpoint. Of course when you get to a point you can see how deep the rooms are, that might change.
"Hmm. Damn things're trapped. Looks simple enough. I think I can make this work."
He quickly works to remove the spring mechanisim from the ladder.
.oO (Let's hope this works!)
ooc
Disable Device +7
OoC
Cast Dancing Lights, 10' radius, 1 minute duration.
Cast Dancing Lights, 10' radius, 1 minute duration.
"I'm all for going down," he says, mostly to fill the silence. "We came for those stones, and for treasure, not for bumps and bruises. Besides; we might find more potions down there, and we'll need all the help we can get to make it back across the ash plain. Assuming that this place doesn't vanish and leave us somewhere even worse."
Not wanting to make too much noise he remains silent as he waits for the others.
Savar keeps his attention on Malic, who seems to be waiting for an attack. Nothing approaches. The stillness of inaction is eerie.
Harou's lights reveal more. The rooms on the first level below are mostly empty. A few piles of some kind of rubbage, some long troughs, a few scattered tools. Oh, and each room has four humanish figures crouched at the back of the 20 foot deep rooms.
Show
Thorik 26/26
Malic 11/ 30 plus 5 non lethal
Harou 21/23
Savar 27/27 plus 5 non lethal
Pawl 10/11
Malic 11/ 30 plus 5 non lethal
Harou 21/23
Savar 27/27 plus 5 non lethal
Pawl 10/11
"Can you hear me?"
The people below seem to stir at the sound of his voice, and crawl closer to the edges of the room. With his light, the wizard can tell there is something not right about them.
They might have once been human. But not anymore. Harou is pretty sure the things below are ghouls.
The wizard thinks to himself about what exactly would be best to rid the area of the ghouls.
"I can use a spell, but unless they have resistance to mundane weapons, I would rather not."
OoC
Skill check Knowledge Religion +4 on Ghoul resistance.
He begins firing his crossbow at any he can see on the side of the pit the ladder Thorik fixed.
OoC
Fire away if able +2 to hit 1d8
ooc
Can Malic tell what's going on?
Thorik takes one of his three remaining hammers from it's resting place, takes careful aim pulling it back behind his head, and throws it at one of the creatures in the same room Harou is shooting at.
"If we can just clear one room we should be able to get to the lower level without having to deal with the others."
ooc
+6 d4+2 20ft.
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