After the third day of R&R, Nikolai and his fist are summoned once more to the office of Knight Commander Palance. As they enter the field command chambers, they find several sleepy guards sitting on their rumps, holding their pole-arms loosely in their grip.
They look up at the Agents with red, bleary eyes, then sigh and lean back against their posts.
Further inside, several aids are sitting anywhere a place can be found. Puffy eyed, they yawn lazily, and do their best to stay busy.
"It's about time! Get in here!"
Knight Commander Palance, outside her office, is a wreck. She is unarmored, stalking the halls in loose pajamas. Wild streaks of blond are everywhere, as her usually tight pony-tail has been undone and is far from regulation.
As the fist begins to file inside her large office, she sighs and tosses a thin, 2ft long tube on her desk, adding it to a large pile of similar tubes.
"Get in here now. Glad you signed up Zelvagoon, or whatever your name is. Nikolai, get your people in here NOW."
Constance yawns, and takes a long drink of coffee from a clay jug at her desk. She sighs and takes another drink, then slaps her face twice before settling her angry blue eyes on William, looking back and forth between he and Prudence.
"I got what I need to get you started on the rats. Dossier is coming in hot and should be here by tomorrow. In the mean time, we have problems in my office, which means you ALL have problems now."
She motions at the tubes, then points to a box on the floor.
"Package came in about 38 hours ago. We opened it and found a puzzle of these tubes with no instructions. We were bored, so we tried to sort it out. We couldn't make heads or tails of it so we boxed it back up again."
Constance yawns, wiping her eyes in frustration.
"The trouble started when none of us could get to sleep that night. One by one we all found our way back to the box. It seems that anyone who has even laid eyes on these things simply cannot sleep, period. Even magical sleep fails, trust me.. I tried. Our mages seem to think that breaking the curse is dependant on solving whatever the heck it is that needs to be solved."
Constance kicks a big box towards Tinker, then gathers up all the other tubes and drops them in the box.
"Ask what you want to ask and get out. You can take the box down the hall, there's a number of abandoned rooms, among them an old mess hall from before our first expansion. Its got all the floor and wall space you need.."
Weary, Constance falls backwards into her chair and puts her feet up on her desk.
Heal: DC 15 - Highlight to display spoiler: {It seems the personnel in the command group, Constance included, are showing most of the classic signs of extreme fatigue associated with sleep deprivation. Irritability, confusion, depression, and exhaustion}
Sense Motive: DC15 - Highlight to display spoiler: {Palance is extremely frustrated and confused, perhaps on the verge of losing control completely. Too many questions now might be counter-productive.}
Perception: DC 16 - Highlight to display spoiler: {The tubes seem to be made of whole plant matter, simply cut into specified length.}
Know Nature:: DC 20 - Highlight to display spoiler: {The tubes seem to be made of an exotic bamboo which is only found in the southern continents. }
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 d20+3=8 ; d20+6=26 ; d20+12=17 ; d20+1=3 ; Monday January 26th, 2015 4:38:41 PM Hey these things are made out of wood or something. Could be a preimtive attack from the gnoll prophet, its not out of the question that they would know we are here, especially if he was somehow able to contact our prisioner.
OOC: JonathanT/Nikolai - fixed your bold type for you.
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) d20=3 ; d20=6 ; d20=20 ; Monday January 26th, 2015 4:45:25 PM
Pru eyes the tubes uneasily. "So..." she says. She clears her throat. "So, we don't know what will happen when this thing is finally solved? Other than you all getting some sleep, which is important, I agree! But we don't know what else it does? Unleash a plague, raise the dead, open a portal to the Shadow Realm, explode and kill us all?" She looks around at her companions. "I--I'm sorry to ask the question, Captain, but are we sure it's better to solve it than to leave it alone?"
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Monday January 26th, 2015 5:25:41 PM
Nikolai is alarmed when he finds the guards asleep. Their attitude when they straighten up doesn't help much, however, seeing the Captain alive is of some relief.
Captain Constance's snap at him was uncalled for. They arrived promptly when summoned, but it doesn't take a genius to know to keep his mouth shut. Instead he salutes and ushers in the rest of the Fist.
The problem explained, Nikolai can't help but wince. 'A curse that prevents sleep? And we may need to go after the were-rats any day now? Eeek!"
"Yes ma'm! You can count on us. Nikolai's Fist will put everything we have into solving this puzzle so you 'and us' he thinks can get the sleep you need."
He turns to his Fist and issues the orders in a formal manner, not because he likes to sound important or official-like, but he needs to show the Captain they are a top-notch Fist.
"You heard the Captain! Step to it! We'll use the empty mess hall!" and he picks up the box with the tubes and marches out.
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) d20+2=14 ; d20+2=16 ; d20+12=18 ; Monday January 26th, 2015 5:30:46 PM "Creepy Sleepy Palance"
Zieluviet is shocked by the staff's appearance, but something about the puzzle is very interesting.
"Whatever curse these... ehmm... whatever. We can get some results if the downside is controlled. This leads me to thinking that whoever sent this wasn't ill-intentioned (or at least entirely). It's a fine puzzle." He takes some of the tubes and inspects it closely, trying to identify what kind of tools were used to work on it.
"Maybe we could have some more observation on the subjects - I know this means us as well - or even get the gnoll here to test their vulnerability to the effect. I know it won't eliminate the possibliity of it being made by the prophet, but such test could be interesting, don't you think?"
"To think of it, what would happen if someone erased the puzzle from an afflicted's memory?"
"Anyway, I'm not planning on sleeping before finding a solution."
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) d20+7=13 d20+7=25 d20+12=16 d20+5=15 Monday January 26th, 2015 6:27:27 PM
OOC: DM assume Nikolai's post comes after all questions are made and answered. Thanks.
Also forgot my checks: Heal+7 DC15 = 13
Sense Motive +7 DC15 = 25
Perception +12 DC16 = 16
Know Nature +5 DC20 = 15
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 43/43 "Tinker" (SteveK) d20+2=12 d20+2=6 d20+17=33 d20+9=12 Monday January 26th, 2015 6:51:47 PM
Tinker is like his companions, rather alarmed at the appearance of Captain Palance, her staff, and the guards. When the reason is a puzzle where failure equals they will also not be able to sleep, Tinker nearly doesn't look at the puzzle.... But only for a moment. It is a trap and puzzle and therefore irrisitable to the young dwarf!
He checks for mechanical and magical traps and takes his time to understand the engineering of the device. "Could use some help. If we all help and take our time, we may be able to succeed."
Heal 12
Perception 9
Disable Device. 33
Know engineer.
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 d20+10=11 ; Monday January 26th, 2015 11:55:40 PM Trap, Tinker, thats a good idea, mybe it's a construct or a puzzle.
Disable device check. 11. Since I have time, ill take several hours to test out the "device" angle. If tinker works on it I help him.
I dont know much about lycanthropes, but I heard we were going after them, but somebody said that they were hush hush, could this be coming from the wererats?
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 d20+9=10 ; d20+7=22 ; Tuesday January 27th, 2015 12:36:01 PM (OOC - Sorry for missing yesterday. Had sewer line backup in basement... Big mess... have to run home again today to get fixed with plumber...)
William is concerned about this odd puzzle and tries to remember if he learned anything that could help sort this puzzle out.. Someone or something doesn't want the Fist investigating them...
(Perc = 22 Know Nat = 10)...
He concurs with the others that these are made out of some plant matter, though he's not sure what kind of plant it could be... He asks Constance "Is there a botanist or someone nearby in a village or town that you know of whom we could show a sample to in order to get a clue what it might be?"
DM Ken Tuesday January 27th, 2015 4:00:49 PM
Most of the fist are quiet in the Knight Captains presence, contemplating just how exactly they want to tackle the new situation. Only Palance is brave enough to question her superior.
Constance leaps to her feet, a curse on her lips when Nikolai intervenes.
"Yes ma'm! You can count on us. Nikolai's Fist will put everything we have into solving this puzzle so you 'and us' he thinks can get the sleep you need."
"You heard the Captain! Step to it! We'll use the empty mess hall!" , and he picks up the box with the tubes and marches out.
Prudence saved for now, Constance glowers as the fist marches out. Nikolai senses that not only is that lack of sleep getting to his captain, but that she is distraught that the puzzle has not been completed. Perhaps some kind of compulsion is at work?
William suggests taking the tubes for a professionals opinion, but that might result in spreading the effect of the tubes.
Alone in the old mess hall, you have plenty of room to spread out all the tubes. Each tube seems to have a picture etched on it, taking up most of the distance of the tube.
After taking a moment to organize them, you find..
1 tube etched with a picture of the sun.
1 tube etched with a picture of the moon.
6 tubes etches with pictures of stars.
10 tubes etched with a picture of falling chunks of rock and fire.
10 tubes etched with the top half of very tall blades of grass.
10 tubes etched with what appears to be the bottoms of very tall blades of grass.
8 tubes etched with small tribal looking buildings, tents, and huts, the tops of which are on fire.
1 tube etched with strange looking tall men, with what appear to be bloody hands.
1 tube etched with a man wearing a veil who is armed with a spear, the tip of which is bloodied.
2 tubes etched with very very short people, one man and one woman, shorter by scale than either a halfling or a gnome.
Perception: DC 18 - Passed by William!
William noticed that at one end of each tube is a small pod containing a strange brown needle, which is attached to a sticky thread. It would seem that these tubes are meant to be sewn together.
Knowledge Religion: DC 20 - Highlight to display spoiler: {The man wearing the veil also appears to be carry a holy symbol that resembles that of the votary clerics of the Sargrass Plains. }
Knowledge History DC 24 - Highlight to display spoiler: {The tiny humanoids match the description of the Manfri, a race of small humanoids who inhabited the Sargrass Plains. The men with the spears would likely be what were called Striders, who were Rangers of the Sargrass and mortal enemies of the Tall Men, which were mutated humanoid assassins.}
DM Ken Tuesday January 27th, 2015 4:02:32 PM
DM OOC: Feel free to ask questions! I'll try to be quick in my answers, given the difficulties in solving puzzles in pbp.
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Tuesday January 27th, 2015 5:00:58 PM
Michael gets Charcoal pencil and paper. If he can he gets paper long enough to fit around the tubes width and length. "If he has to he pastes paper together to make the fit and trims it so that he has a bit of overlap for each piece. He uses the charcoal pencil to take rubbings of the etchings, he discards any that he messes up. On the margin he numbers each one with a 2 part numbering system. With a letter indicating scene type (grass, tribe, stars, sun, moon, etc) and a number giving it a place in the series. Once he gets this all in place he starts lining the papers up trying to make them line up in some sort of coherent order. once we get the papera to make sense, then we can sew the sicks together"
This is my plan for this. If anyone has a better plan or modifications for this one, post it. If everyone agrees with this plan lets all work together to make it happen. We will put this plan starting with the person with the highest relevant skill. Everyone will roll their skill to assist. Does this sound good to everyone?
Ken is there a seam running the length of these tubes? .
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 d20+12=15 ; Tuesday January 27th, 2015 5:06:10 PM
Perception 15
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) d20+5=16 ; Tuesday January 27th, 2015 5:49:08 PM
Pru is pensive as she follows the others to the empty mess hall. I was only following orders, she attempts. Even in her own head, the defense sounds weak.
But her companions are already working on the puzzle, so it appears that the thing is going to be solved no matter what it actually does.
Pru examines the etched figures and discusses them in terms of what she knows about religion.
[If Ken is allowing it, that's a successful Aid Another to somebody's Religion check.]
DM Ken Tuesday January 27th, 2015 6:05:11 PM
@ Michael: There is no seam running the length.
[[ E T C H I N G S]]O-->
The terrible above drawing shows a tube, and each tube has a little pod made of wax with thread and a needle at its tip. There isn't a lot of thread, just enough to fasten it to another tube.
Upon closer examination, the tubes with the Moon, Sun, Stars, Tall Men, and Veiled Spear tubes do NOT have needle and thread at the top. Also note that the needle is brown, and does not appear to be made of metal, but of some kind of wood.
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Tuesday January 27th, 2015 6:14:32 PM
Okay that means that those are the edges, note on rubbings a third letter "E" for edge piece.
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Tuesday January 27th, 2015 7:30:45 PM
Possibly top. Start trying to line those 5 lined up in some kind of coherent order. Do the etchings have a place where it looks like they line up with each of the top five?. Are the ends keyed in any way? Are there places where obvious line art enda abruptly?
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) d20+12=26 ; Tuesday January 27th, 2015 8:11:13 PM "I'd guess the bloodied tall man and the veiled one with the spear are divinities. Also, they indeed seem to be at the top, along the stars, sun and moon." Ziel gets one grass pair (top and bottom) and compares it to the others of the same kind. (Perception: 26) "Wonder if each 'tube column' needs a specific grass-hut-flaming rock-star tube or just the type matters here. And the two children... Does anyone knows a tale that looks familiar?"
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 d20+8=10 ; d20+8=21 ; Tuesday January 27th, 2015 8:12:45 PM
William continues examining them, curious about what the order might mean... He wonders if the top and bottom images are meant to be together, since they would naturally form a larger image of grass... Also, it appears that the stars, sun and moon images are meant to go together, representing what's in the sphere above. Also, the fire reigning down would be below those images from the upper sphere, and maybe the grass and others would be below the celestial and reigning fire ones?
Perc = Know (h) = 10 Know (r) = 21
He does remember something from his religion class, and says, "Hey, the image of the guy with the veil... That holy symbol looks like the one that the votary clerics use out on the Sargrass Plains..."
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 43/43 "Tinker" (SteveK) d20+9=16 ; Tuesday January 27th, 2015 8:51:36 PM
"Looks like all the tubes come together to form a story, maybe a moment in history.", says the dwarf. He pulls out a mummified claw of some reptilian creature from his backpack. On it is labeled "first Kill: Bloodpack". Tinker got the memento over Yule during a dream in an inn.
"Didn't that Trellus fellow in the Giggling Ghost talk about his grass country getting destroyed?"
Tinker tries to notice little details, getting his eyes really close to help match where the tubes may go in the box contraption.
Perception. 16
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) Tuesday January 27th, 2015 8:56:07 PM "The tall man with the bloodied hands should go above the male child, I presume. Could it be..." The Drow tries to attach a column of tubes starting with an unspecified grass bottom, followed by an unspecified grass top, then the male child, then an unspecified flaming rock, then the Tall Man with blood on hands.
"The stars, sun and moon should be related to simply burning huts, instead of a child, and then we have a fairly simple concept, with possibilities ranging by simply swapping the position of 4 rows, as one has to be the top. Then we'll have to examine how the tube columns interact to see if they need to be arranged in a particular order, but I doubt it could get any more complex than simply finding the 10 groups of 5 matching tubes."
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Wednesday January 28th, 2015 12:40:26 AM
Nikolai is pleased that his team took to solving the puzzle together. One thing does occur to him is that knowing the origins of the tubes might be of great help, but no one has been able to place them yet.
"It does seem to tell a story and sewing them together is the key. But what story? One from where the tubes came from, I imagine. I'm going to the library to see if I can find something there. Keep up the good work here and I'll be back as soon as I find something."
Nikolai goes to the library and searches the botanical tomes for plants similar to the tubes.
Skill check? Take 20? Knowledge Nature = 25
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Wednesday January 28th, 2015 1:01:19 AM
And if we have the rubbings to go by we can simulate anybof the combinations till we get something that looks workable. Ken, do we see any of the pieces that obviously go together? Even if its just a tall grass top that obviously fit into a bottom?
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Wednesday January 28th, 2015 7:10:00 AM
And if we have the rubbings to go by we can simulate anybof the combinations till we get something that looks workable. Ken, do we see any of the pieces that obviously go together? Even if its just a tall grass top that obviously fit into a bottom?
DM Ken Wednesday January 28th, 2015 1:14:46 PM
The Agents make fairly quick head-way, and rightly assume that the bottom pieces are the bottom and tops of the large grass stalks. they seem identical, so it's like that there's no specific order required with these.
William recalls the Sargrass, which is a neutral, but fairly benevolent being.
Nikolai heads to the library, and pulls a book on flora in various places. Using it, he tries to identify the plants.
@ Nikolai, since knowledge checks don't allow retry, you cannot take 20. (because it represents taking the time to fail over and over again until success). You may however add a +4 bonus to the roll for using a library.
Progress so far.
[][][][][][][][][][]< top grass > [][][][][][][][][][] <bottom grass>
- Still to place -
6 Stars 1 Sun 1 Moon 1 Tall Man 1 Speared Cleric 8 buildings 2 small people 10 falling, flaming rocks
Michael works hard on getting some quality etchings, but they don't help a lot. Outside of the grass-etched tubes, the rest of them don't seem to have any interconnections apparent.
Tinker does in fact remember a conversation with a cleric named Trellus, who claims to have been present when the Sargrass Plains were destroyed.
As of right now, the tubes are layed out, and not sewn together.
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 42/42 "Tinker" (SteveK) d20+9=22 ; d20+9=22 ; Wednesday January 28th, 2015 2:58:59 PM
"Well, if this is about Trellus story of his land in the tall grass, the third row will be the huts and small people. The forth row would be the flaming rocks. And the top row would be the sun, moon, stars, and the gods "
As to sewing them together and in what order on each row... Tinker has no suggestions.
The dwarf checks over the box the tubes should fit in for any clues.
Perception. 22
Know Engineering. 22
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Wednesday January 28th, 2015 3:53:26 PM
"Well, I know how to sew, at least," Pru says. She sits down and begins to stitch the top-grass tubes to the bottom-grass tubes. "I agree that the sun, moon, and stars go on top," she says as she works. "And then the flaming rocks and then the village and then this grass. It's less clear where the people go."
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) Wednesday January 28th, 2015 4:15:51 PM "Hmm... The small children, which may form the third row along the buildings, making a row of 10. As the top row has to be the stars/sun/moon and the two people, it has certain position indeed."
Ziel thinks for a moment and calculates the probabilities. "Being the two grass rows together and treated as one, it's assumed to be 3 rows, with 6 possible setups. Then there's the question of what adult figure goes in the same column of each child. Two then, 12 in total, and finally there`s 5040 possible setups of the columns in overall. That's 'only' 60480 possibilities if we still don't know how to arrange the rows and if the columns require a particular setup. Assuming the rows' positions are known, there's just the doubt if the male child goes with the tall man (I think that's it) or the Veiled Cleric and if the columns need to be arranged."
The Drow snaps. "But all that only if we're still uncertain of each row's position. I'd place my bet on you, Tinker. Shall we attach the rows as agreed and ignore the columns for now?"
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 Wednesday January 28th, 2015 5:29:10 PM
William wonders if it similar to what could be found in local artwork or some images that people would recognize. It obviously makes an image and maybe someone has seen it in a library, gallery or while learning about various cultures?
The group has several good ideas but they are all guesses... They may need more clues to determine the proper order....
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Wednesday January 28th, 2015 10:21:16 PM
don't the heavens rotate above us, how long did the destruction of the sargrass take? did it start in the morning or the night? then we could arrange the moon and all that, acccording to direction. the sky rotates. of course we'll have to make an assumption on which way the drawer wanted east or west to be located. but a typical convention is that East is the right hand and left is the west. with north to the top of the page and south to the bottom.
the pieces that have the "raining destruction, Do the rocks seem to be falling at an angle? I think the 8 buildings and 2 small people go on the third row. I'll mess around with putting them together to see if I can find a pattern that makes sense. looking for buildings that fit together and spaces for the 2 people. after that we can work on the rocks, then the sun, moon, stars, tall man and speared cleric.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) d20+9=27 ; d20+9=24 ; Thursday January 29th, 2015 12:39:10 AM
OOC: I guess we are allowed to use knowledge from the Giggling Ghost of other areas of the Wold and such back in game play. (shrugs).
IC: Nikolai starts looking for plants of the tube type in the botanical tomes.
Knowledge Nature +5, +4 (library use): 27
He hopes that finding where the tubes came from will lead him to the story. Once he's found what he is looking for, he goes to the appropriate geographical section section and starts looking up stories from that geographical area that fit the general picture, grass, houses, fire, destruction, etc.
Knowledge Geography +5, +4 (library use): 24
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 Thursday January 29th, 2015 2:26:36 PM
2nd post - checking in and also, let me know what roll William would need to go with his research...
DM Ken Thursday January 29th, 2015 6:00:56 PM
Nikolai and William each engage in study.
Nikolai, after an intense reading, finds a catalog on the plants that confirms what was discovered earlier, they are bamboo of a particular southern bent.
He cross references this with an atlas that gives bits of information on various regions of the world, and finds that interestingly enough, these also come from various regions in the Sargrass Plains. The Sargrass Plains were described as "An endless expanse of large blades of multi-colored grasses, anywhere between 15 to 30ft high depending on the season."
Reading further, he finds references to the Manfri, an ethnic people who populated the Sargrass Plains.
"They were very small in stature, smaller than Halflings or Gnomes, and often lived in communities on top of the grass. Their structures were made of something called Druidwood, which floated atop of the grass like a boat on water. "
William, seeing Nikolai covering several areas of study, figures the only thing left to do would be to read into the History of the Sargrass Plains, though perhaps they now have enough information to go on.
Back in the old mess hall, progress is being made. Prudence has sewn together the bottom tubes with the brown needle, which seems to have the curious property of passing through the bamboo without any resistance at all.
Taking a moment, she finds that if left alone, the needs actually floats to the top of the bamboo before rolling off one side or the other.
Michael messes around, but realizes that all the remaining tubes are etched with independent pictures, meaning there is no hints detailing where they go in a particular order.
(General consensus?)
* * * * * * S M T C < stars, sun, moon, tall man, cleric?) o o o o o o o o o o < falling rocks> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ x y < huts and then tiny man and woman?> [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] < top grass > [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] < bottom grass>
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) Thursday January 29th, 2015 8:19:30 PM
Ziel inspects closely the Moon-etched tube, hoping to find a hint in the lunar phase of the figure.
DM Ken Thursday January 29th, 2015 8:51:29 PM
Sadly, there isn't one.
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 Thursday January 29th, 2015 9:05:29 PM
William murmurs that the consensus seems to be the best plan so far and he supports trying it out....
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 42/42 "Tinker" (SteveK) Thursday January 29th, 2015 9:10:02 PM
Tinker is fascinated about the needle and Prudence's work with the bamboo. It makes him consider, and realize that there won't be any more clues by the pictures. They are going to need something else.
"Noble Races seem to appreciate symmetry. " says the dwarf. "That tells me that the little people should either be on either end of the huts or both in the center with an equal number of huts on each side."
"Let's try this", and Tinker forms the third row like this:
~~~~xy~~~~
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Thursday January 29th, 2015 9:22:21 PM
I think that Sun, Moon, Stars, Tall Man Cleric?
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Thursday January 29th, 2015 10:33:18 PM
Nikolai returns from the library and quickly tells the Fist what he found about the tubes and the story only to find that the Fist has already figured out most of it.
"Well, I think the Sun and Moon go on opposite ends with a divine figure next to them, then the stars in the middle. That's symmetry. You want to keep the two little people together too, but in a corner, probably looking up at one of the gods. A good guess is that the one with the red hands goes next to the sun and the other goes next to the moon."
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Thursday January 29th, 2015 10:39:47 PM
I guess what's important here is after we get them sewed together can we get them apart without damaging the whole thing?
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Thursday January 29th, 2015 10:46:45 PM
"Well," Pru says, setting aside the completed grass. "We're agreed that the village and the little people come next, right? And then the flaming rocks? So, logically, if I sew a flaming rock tube to the top of each hut tube, that will be fine. Whatever order we end up placing them in."
If her companions agree, Pru starts sewing huts (bottom) to flaming rocks (top).
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 Friday January 30th, 2015 2:59:36 PM
William is good with Prus plan and helps where needed... "When we are at the final step, I can summon a creature to help put that last piece in , so if there is an issue, we may not be affected..."
DM Ken Friday January 30th, 2015 10:10:53 PM
Late post, sorry. Post inc.
DM Ken Friday January 30th, 2015 11:22:40 PM
Pru continues to slide the small, curious needles through the bamboo tubes, connecting pieces of this strange device. Nikolai offers a suggestion about the top layer, and Tinker proposes appealing to the Noble Race and their love of symmetry.
ST* * * * * * CM < stars, sun, moon, tall man, cleric?) o o o o o o o o o o < falling rocks> ~ ~ ~ ~ x y ~ ~ ~ ~ < huts and then tiny man and woman?> [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] < top grass > [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] [] < bottom grass>
This is the final suggestion as recommended by the Fist from my understanding?
Good job!
As the final tube is sewn into place, a gentle breeze begins to flow from within the tubes, carrying a faint whistle and the scent of strong, healthy grass. The silky strands holding the tubes together begin to glow, then melt away. Layers of fine silk spool themselves from the fading bamboo cases, dyed in a marvelous array of colors. It seems you have had a hand in the creation of some sort of tapestry.
An entire scene plays out before your eyes, confined to the world of the tapestry surface. Long stalks of grass, 20 to 30 ft high, whip back in forth in a tempest wind. The sun and the moon both hang in the sky, while chunks of flaming rock plummet from the stars into the small villages of a tiny people, whose name is known to your mind as the Manfi.
In the stars, veiled men do battle with large grotesque humanoids, with dimensions that are simply wrong. Some of the Tall Men hide in grass and take the veiled men with a silent grace. Others are lured into open combat and skewered by sharp spears.
The battle and the deadly rain are loud, the screams and explosions hurt your ears. You aren't really sure when you started hearing any of this, but you do now and it hurts. The scene grows larger too, until you realize that it is actually you growing smaller.. and you are being sucked into the tapestry!
With a final swirl of blacks and greens, the visions stop and the sounds cease. Sunlight warms your skin, and you open your eyes, finding yourself on a strange craft made of wood, floating on the extremely long plant-life of the Sargrass Plains. Further, you aren't alone.
A small man sits, veiled, with his legs crossed on the raft. He says nothing, but watches you closely through squinted eyes. While he watches, he deftly runs a needle and silver thread through a seemingly endless blade of purple grass, nearly 1ft wide.
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 d20+12=20 ; Saturday January 31st, 2015 12:22:10 AM
Michael take a moment to check his surroundings more thoroughly, He then bows to the small man and introduces himself.
Well met Sir, I am Lance Corporal Michael Wittman of the Mailed Fist. It seems we have been summoned here before you.
perception 20
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) d20+12=17 ; Saturday January 31st, 2015 12:28:21 AM
Surely, what just happened could not have made Zieluviet more nervous. He's had a peaceful time in the Citadel before and this event just made him reconsider what he thought about his condition.
He rushes to the edge and gazes the scenery outside.
"Was that a trap? Or maybe just a long dream about to change... I'm here, right? No. Here is irrelevant. And, agh! Vynghol! So this is not a dream. That couldn't have been either. Yes. Lost, just like that time, except I have real people on my side and no sign of darkstalkers yet. Damned darkstalkers! What was that?"
Ziel, lost in his confusion, lets loose a sarcastic emote. "Mind if I panic?" Then he recomposes.
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- Perception = 17
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Saturday January 31st, 2015 1:42:49 AM
Nikolai wakes up and looks around, blinking. He remembers finishing the picture and it turning into a tapestry, then things get fuzzy. He's heard of magical tapestries where the figures or scene is animated, but not one that could suck you in. 'Looks like the wererats will have to wait,' he muses.
"And I am Nikolai Komonov. That was a strange summoning device you used. You must have wanted to make sure you brought a smart, wise, and patient person or group of people. You must have quite a task you wish someone to help you with. Who are you and what is this task?"
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Saturday January 31st, 2015 2:31:13 AM
Michael grins at Zeil and pats him on the back...lower back...but still...the back.
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 Saturday January 31st, 2015 9:30:39 AM
William's a little taken aback as they appear on this boat with this stranger... He too introduces himself, nodding in a friendly gesture... He also makes sure he has an ally between himself and the man in order to give him enough time to summon help if trouble arises...
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 42/42 "Tinker" (SteveK) Saturday January 31st, 2015 10:24:44 AM
Tinker sits back on his heels as Prudence sews the last tubes together and then the music starts softly. Success! And the Captain and her staff will be able to rest. The dwarf rubs his hands together in an unconscious manner of a job well done.
And then the tubes become a Tapestry, and the Tapestry comes alive, and gets bigger and bigger...
Tinker's eyes widen until there is white all about his pupils, his hand grips his Urgosh as his feet rush up and meet a wooden floor that is the surface of a ship. "Wha?", he says intelligently, "when did my weapons come about me?"
The ship, the grass, the burning hot sun... Tinker is much too surprised to remember his manners and introduce himself, feeling swept up in matters and magic so far above his control!
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Saturday January 31st, 2015 1:59:17 PM
Events are moving too fast for Pru to take in. One minute she is sitting on the floor of the old mess, calmly sewing tubes together, and the next she is--where? On strange conveyance, with a strange man, in a strange setting.
"Mind if I panic?" Zieluviet asks.
Me first! Pru thinks--but she does not say it aloud.
Instead she clears her throat. "I beg your pardon for intruding on you, sir," she says, "but we truly had no choice. May I ask where we are?"
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) Monday February 2nd, 2015 4:05:35 AM
The odd landscape gets all Ziel's attention. "It's a sight to behold, but we should be reporting back."
He barely notices the veiled person and would choose not to get into the conversation.
DM Ken Monday February 2nd, 2015 6:26:38 PM
"Well met, Lance Corporal Nikolai Komonov of the Mailed Fist! And you too, Prudence! And you Tinker, and Michael, Zeiluviet, and William! So many new threads in the pattern today! So many new plants in the sun!"
The man isn't speaking, at least, visibily. His voice just sort of "is". You hear it in your head and you feel it in your hearts. All the same, you feel no malice. Only amusement. His black eyes glitter in the sunlight.
"I sense some unease among you. You should be able to relax here. Unless you are the ones planning it, there will be no blood on the needle today."
He shifts a little, then pops his joints, starting at the neck and down to his toes, flexing each digit until they crack.
"So curious! It's been awhile since I've been in the presence of those who aren't truly aware of everything. I'm happy to answer your questions, so please put yourselves at ease."
He takes a brief moment to lick his finger, then rubs it on the large grass blade he has been sewing. As it gets needled through, embroidered, and passed along his lap, it's color changes from purple to scarlet.
"Who I am isn't quite as important as why I am here. I've been here since Sargrass first spun from the loom. Here I labor, embroidering all the threads of those who lived as Manfri, and those whose threads yet spin as Manfri."
He grins.
"As truthful as a needle is straight, I am shocked to have a visitor here so soon. Sargrass lives yet, and seeks to add more threads to his. A god is powered by his worship, and his worship is empowered by the tales of heroes, layed upon the shoulders of the downtrodden like a fine cloak. He has known of the magnificent tapestries that produce heroes like a weaver spins scarves. And now, thanks to you, he has one of his own."
He continues needling, but pauses his speech, and you get the sense he is waiting, patiently, for any questions you might have.
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Monday February 2nd, 2015 8:25:43 PM I have questions. Who are the Manfri? I had heard a long time ago that there was an immortal power in the Sargrass plains, is this the god of which you speak? What will he have us do for him? Can you get in touch with our commander and let her know we are alright? What is your name? you said you have great awareness, did you get it from weaving so much? can you teach me to weave so I can get awareness like yours? Why does the grass turn colors when you work on it? Why does the wood needle act so strangely towards the grass? is this one of the grass boats I've heard about? where do you get the wood for it? If you live in a huge grass land what do you eat? is it hard to hunt here? is the grass edible? where do you get water? does anything live below the grass?
This is all so incredibly neat to Michael, in his excitement he runs off at the mouth a bit. He feels at ease here, his mind free. He peeks over the side, eyballs the grass, looks intently at the old man and just generally has a ball.
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 Monday February 2nd, 2015 8:40:06 PM
(Dm, I may bow out of this conversation since the person we met is intended to represent a deity, so I'll do check posts until it's done.)
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Monday February 2nd, 2015 10:34:41 PM
Pru listens to Michael's questions with growing astonishment. She is curious, but she could never have thought of so many questions so quickly! Michael must be really smart.
"Why do you say we aren't truly aware of everything? Is there a way we can become aware?" she asks.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Tuesday February 3rd, 2015 1:04:48 AM
A good leader sometimes stands back to watch and assess things. Sometimes that happens more by accident than by design. Nikolai was still trying to piece together what the man had said, Manfri, grasses, floating houses on tall grasses, and such from the stuff he read in the library when Michael launches into his questioning.
Oddly enough, the general feeling of the place, all peaceful and such, reminded him when they were with Gargul in the middle of the swamp surrounded by all manner of things trying to kill them. He waits for the man's answers. 'I don't know if there are any questions left to ask?' he thinks, then remembers that the man was communicating with them telepathically and probably could hear his thoughts.
Aren't truly aware of everything echoes in his mind and the knowledge that the man knew their names and who they were from the start.
Is this the way adventuring usually goes? Meeting deities left and right? His father never mentioned this part of his adventures!
DM Ken Tuesday February 3rd, 2015 7:28:53 PM
DM Post inc.
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 42/42 "Tinker" (SteveK) Tuesday February 3rd, 2015 8:57:45 PM
Tinker stays quiet in wonderment, but pays close attention to this little guy who seems to have great dexterity in his fingers. That is something Tinker admires.
DM Ken Tuesday February 3rd, 2015 9:41:04 PM
The Weaver smiles as he works, stitching his color changing thread through the grass blades. He takes a little time for each of you, giving a mirthful laugh at Michaels exuberance.
"The Manfri are the keepers of the Sargrass, it's first people. I am one of them, or I was once...before the Sargrass awoke me from the dream. We were very much in tune with the nascent power growing here, and as we nurtured it, it provided for us."
He stops for a moment to lick his thumb again, then continues.
"Rest assured, the Sargrass isn't going to ask you for any favors. You have already done him an immense service. And you can report back to your own captain soon enough. I don't plan to keep you here any longer than what is required to thank you."
Turning to Prudence, The Weaver, a name you have begun to place with the man, continues.
To become truly aware is easy if an immortal power chooses you to spin his tales. It is easy if you spend eternity weaving the lives of every Manfri into an endless pattern, seeing everything they have ever seen and feeling everything they ever felt. Outside of that young lady, I have no idea!"
A happy feeling, sort of like the elation you feel after a good long laugh, settles over you.
It ends abruptly, and for the first time, you hear The Weavers voice.
"Ouch!"
Laughing sheepishly, the old man sucks blood from his thumb, then goes back to his work. You again feel him in your mind.
"Now, I know I said you would be properly thanked, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to be greedy. Even the thinnest threads hunger for something, and I am not an exception. Not that I miss the threadbare existence of the mortal coil, once I was made by the Sargrass all the stories and lives of my people spun through me. What possible comparison could everyday life hold?"
He smiles and quickly slaps his knees merrily, rocking back and forth on his bottom.
I do jab my thumb sometimes though, when I think of chocolates. I never liked chocolate much, until I had some from a far away place called Wedding City. The weavers told the tale of a man who made a chocolate so fine, a whole city was funded by its sale to kings and queens who sought it for their weddings! I had it one time you know, when I was a young manfri and the grass was just grass and hadn't shot up like a needle through the fabric."
He licks his old lips and smiles, then does something curious.
He puts down the long grass blade he had been weaving and leans over the side of the raft, pulling lightly on another gargantuan stalk of grass. It comes up easy, and he quickly puts together a roughly shaped brick of grass. He smears it in a white paste in a cup at his side, then waves it quickly in the air to dry it.
"I suspect, some of you shall like this very much!"
He gestures for Tinker and Zel to come closer, placing the block on the ground.
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 d20+12=26 ; Tuesday February 3rd, 2015 10:27:24 PM
While not invited in on the exhibition, Michael is right there to watch what is going on. He manages to hold his tounge, but wonder suffuses his being with questions unasked and unformed.
perception 26
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Tuesday February 3rd, 2015 10:40:36 PM
Pru watches curiously, but the man had said "give it a hit," not "set it on fire," so she sits back and lets her companions take this one.
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) Tuesday February 3rd, 2015 11:55:05 PM
Ziel approaches. He's not so sure of it, however, and simply approaches, waiting for further instructions from The Weaver.
"He spoke of spinning tales. The same as memories. Could they be lost otherwise? That brick surely is related to that. So few questions I know... I'm not getting anywhere! Then try, Zieluviet 'Exile'. This chance may not happen again."
"Forgive my rudeness, but could you please explain me why is this work so important? Is the Mailed Fist interwoven with Sargrass' ru-" Zieluviet suddenly stops. He's thinking too much on situations that make him nervous, and some of them could soon come to be real. Besides, he was led by guesses, not evidences and such thoughts shall be ignored for now.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Wednesday February 4th, 2015 12:32:20 AM
Nikolai listens intently. He intends to write a short update to the books in the Library. When Tinker and Zeluvit are invited to take a whack at the grassy brick, he wonders why not him? He's good at breaking bricks and boards. Oh, well, the Weaver must know what he's doing.
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 42/42 "Tinker" (SteveK) d8=5 ; Wednesday February 4th, 2015 7:04:21 PM
Tinker has been enjoying the effortless travel across a sea of grass and listening to this ... Manfri he supposes. When the Weaver makes the brick, the dwarf obligingly gives it a rap of his knuckles, then tries to crush it in his fist. Finally, he unlimbers his Urgrosh and slams the flat of he axe blade as hard as he can on the white grass brick!
7 damage.
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) Wednesday February 4th, 2015 10:39:11 PM
Ziel gets surprised at Tinker's initiative. The Drow was afraid of even touching the brick and this made him back a few steps.
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- OoC: I like Tinker =D He's got attitude!
DM Ken Wednesday February 4th, 2015 10:44:06 PM
( DM post inc)
DM Ken Thursday February 5th, 2015 12:00:13 AM
Tinker steps up and obliges the Weaver, slamming his urgosh into the newly dried grass brick. Upon impact, the brick clatters up and down, but rather than split like a traditional brick or block of wood, it doesn't so much as chip.
Smiling, he holds his hands out wide.
"This is steelgrass. It's made from a special weave between grass and a powder we Manfri have kept secret for many years. It's as strong as any metal, but much lighter and naturally resists certain elements. It is also your reward. I am willing to weave each of you a steel-grass reward. This is my gift to you as Manfri, and as a child of the Sargrass in exchange for the help you gave in creating his tapestry."
He puts down the needle for the first time and smiles.
"Of course, the Manfri also believe that gifts must be exchanged on even footing, even a gift of thanks."
Standing, he stretches slowly then hobbles over to the Steelgrass brick. He thumps it once with his gnarled old hands, cracking it down the center. Pulling the halves apart, he produces a long flute and hands it to Nikolai.
"When you want to return, blow this flute. Any tune will do, and you will return here. In exchange for the Steelgrass, I want chocolates. Not just any chocolates, but some from Wedding city! When you have your Steel-grass wish in mind, the will of the Sargrass will guide you. It's always spoiled me, and I suspect it shall do so in this endeavor as well, hoo ho!"
Smacking his lips, he returns to his weaving, settling slowly to the ground.
"Some of you asked about home, it's easy. Simply tumble from the raft and grab a thread of Sargrass. It will carry you back to the tapestry to which you have made it bound."
Seemingly content, the Weaver starts again on his work, mumbling to himself in his scratchy voice.
.."So many lives, so little time! This has cost me a century of work, but I think it's worth it, yes I do!"..
He glances up at Zel.
"When time ends and mortals vanish, and all are with the gods who choose to take them, all that will be left is the memories of the Wold, the Jericho, and the spirits that now commune in the afterlife. The Sargrass wishes that something at least remain of his favorite race, a tapestry of all of lived, so that those in the heavens might take note of his favorite, since he will no longer be there to tell the tale. He rather expects that as an immortal power tied to the Wold, he will not exist when the Wold is no more. This is his legacy, and my only charge in exchange for immortality and the wisdom to see the lives of my people, complete as a single weavers work."
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Thursday February 5th, 2015 12:38:38 AM
OOC: I've got to hit the sack. I'll make a formal post tomorrow.
Nikolai observes Tinker attack the grass brick with curiosity. 'I wonder what this 'weaver' is looking for?'
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Thursday February 5th, 2015 12:44:54 AM
Michael is suddenly somber, few gods that he has heard of would want such an unselfish fate most just want to Dominate you or judge you, . He feels the familiar spinning sensation that he gets when his world view is turned upside down.
That...That's probably the most selfless thing I have ever heard of. What great love The Sargrass must have for his people the Manfir....I am...you are....you do us great honor by allowing us to witness this, to serve in this, even by getting you some Chocolate. I feel privileged to be a part of it.
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 42/42 "Tinker" (SteveK) Thursday February 5th, 2015 5:44:28 AM
Tinker is surprised at the strength and resilience of the SteelGrass the Weaver made. Yet the whistle and promise certainly are a kingly gift! Perhaps it was the completely non threatening but still powerful ways of the weaver that instantly made the dwarf rest easy, Tinker doesn't quite know himself!
But the loyalty and obligation of the more powerful to the less, the even exchange of gifts, and the simple wish to be with family and remember... It is as if the Weaver was talking to Tinker's inner spirit!
Much more formally, Tinker belatedly remembers his manners. Giving a formal dwarven bow as Cameron's adopted Grandfather taught him, the dwarf speaks up. "I am Daemar Torvalsson, known as Tinker to my friends, and I and my family are honored to have met you. "
"This is a fascinating land, and your Manfri sound like good people. Where is this place in the Wold?"
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Thursday February 5th, 2015 2:03:50 PM
Pru is impressed. Who would have thought that grass could be made so sturdy!
She is ready to depart, but waits to be sure her companions don't have any more questions.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Thursday February 5th, 2015 8:52:39 PM
Nikolai is rather shocked! What did they really do? Captain Palance gave them a task to try to solve a puzzle, a curse of sleep deprivation for those who try, and so they did what good soldiers are supposed to do. And for that they are given an gift of untold value?
Nikolai accepts the flute, rather shakily, and smiles. "You are most kind. It is with utmost honor that we accept the gift, in the name of The Mailed Fist, Wolf Regiment, Hurricane Company, Nikolai's Fist. We will certainly seek out Wedding City and acquire the chocolates you desire. It may take some time, though, as we are never truly free to roam about the country at will," he tries to smile. "But I guess you probably know that already anyway," he shrugs nervously.
He looks over his friends and knows that each one will do what they can to get the chocolates, it's just a matter of getting their heads together and come up with a plan, a plan that won't go against their Mailed Fist Code, that is.
"Upon the Honor of the Mailed Fist, you will have your chocolates! By the way, any particular chocolate style in mind? With filling? Without filling? Shapes? Nuts? You name it, we'll get it."
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Thursday February 5th, 2015 10:35:06 PM ohh..ohh..I once had choclate that had orange in it! And some that had hot peppers in it as well! You aught to try some of that! ....if they have it of course...but you know...we'll get you whatever you want...just sayin.
DM Ken Friday February 6th, 2015 1:36:40 AM
The Weaver smiles, working his old hands quickly through the blade of grass that had only been neglected for but a moment. His soft voice purrs in your mind.
"Thank you for the proper introduction, Daemar. I appreciate the gesture. Many of my people are intrigued by dwarves more than any other noble race. They felt a strange kinship. Though your people are much taller, you are still shorter than the other races. Where we weave, you craft and build. We both have a strong oral and written history.I feel there is not much difference."
Pointing to Pru, the Weaver nods.
"The young woman is right to want to leave. I will cherish this visit, always. Michael's exuberance, Nikolais manners, Tinkers wonder, Prudence's prudence, Zelzuviets great consideration for others.. I am sad to say I won't see this pattern too many times in the loom. But as it is, I have fallen behind on my task, and it will take me a very long time to catch up."
You can feel his presence beginning to withdraw. You sense he left the answer to the question about chocolates unanswered on purpose. Perhaps a being of limited divinity appreciates the few surprises it gets to have in his existence.
The floor of the Druid-wood raft begins to lose substance, and slowly you begin to float downwards into the thick grass below. Stalking between the tall blades are all manner of creatures that pay you no mind. Remembering his words, you grab a blade of grass and find yourself guided downwards, through the ground, and into a thick, wooly blackness.
All around you the walls of the keep and the old mess hall take shape. As you come to, you immediately notice 5 slumped, armored persons laying on the ground.
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Friday February 6th, 2015 5:02:43 PM
Pru glances around to make sure her companions are all there. Last time they had taken magical transport, they had lost somebody along the way.
Then she moves to gaze worriedly at the people on the ground. "Are they just asleep?" she asks anxiously. After all, the guards and the Captain had been suffering from insomnia. Were they able to sleep now that the puzzle had been solved?
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) Friday February 6th, 2015 5:50:08 PM
As he arrives, the scene surprises Ziel, as he felt they were "out" for less than 20 minutes.
"This means Captain Palance is in great risk of shaming herself." Ziel prompts. He doesn't even unstring Vynghol and rushes to her office.
Any further details are unnoticed by the Drow as he takes the way to the office. In fact, he's afraid the guards were sent to warn the group of something, but can't decide if it would be wiser to wait for them in case something really dangerous is out there.
"This can't be good. Anything could have happened! I just hope Vynghol can handle the situation."
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 d20+12=27 ; d20+3=10 ; Friday February 6th, 2015 7:35:30 PM
Michael whoops with joy at the experience of falling through the Grassland, grabs a blade of grass and holds on. He awakens on the floor of the Citadel where they put the puzzle together with a big smile on his face. One look at the guards slumped in the corner and the smile fades, his perception sharpens and his rapier is suddenly in his hand. He moves to the guards and checks them, they could just be asleep, but then again, it's better to be too paranoid and look foolish than to not be paranoid and dead. He hears Zies exclamation and understands, even agrees. He calls after him.
Wait up Zie, lets check on these guys and move out as a group. We may just need to close the doors and let them sleep it off for a few hours while we stand watch.
perception 27 heal 10
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 d20+2=16 ; d20+7=18 ; Friday February 6th, 2015 8:41:41 PM
William is surprised at the quick change of scenery and notices the guards on the ground... He helps check on them to see if they're sleeping or injured somehow...
Perc - 18 heal - 16
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 42/42 "Tinker" (SteveK) Saturday February 7th, 2015 12:00:58 PM
Tinker tries to remember the experience with the Weaver, the Sargrass, and the falling THROUGH the ground to arrive back in the Citadel. Tinker stomps his hard boots on the floor to make sure it won't suddenly disappear too.
A rare smile seams Tinker's face at Michael's enthusiasm. The joy of being alive and seeing new things in the little halfling is a hope and pleasure to the dwarf.
"Hold on Z, and we will all go to make sure the Captain's dignity is preserved. Tuck her into bed and concoct a story I suppose. "
Tinker makes good on his word and goes with the drow and halfling to clean up the sleeping mess.
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) Saturday February 7th, 2015 12:06:00 PM
Ziel almost trips as Michael and Tinker's calls make him reconsider the foolish decision just as he's about to storm the door. He tries to concentrate and follow their lead.
DM Ken Sunday February 8th, 2015 1:00:43 AM
After your brief and surreal experience in the Sargrass pocket, things seem almost stranger back home!
As you check over the bodies of the fallen men, Pru notices with some great relief that they are merely sleeping, and not dead.
After calming Zel, Tinker and Michael gather with William and Nikolai to head to Constance's office, with Prudence not far behind. Upon arrival, they are somewhat relieved to find that two men are standing guard, blindfold-ed, with blind-folded watchdogs.
The dogs sniff suspiciously and growl, prompting their handlers to lift their veils. One of the men seems to recognize you, and slips inside the Knight Captains office. A few moments later, a very sleepy Captain Palance stumbles into sight,
"Good job. Work up a report and come back, I assume you are tired, you've been gone nearly 18 hours. Good night Agents. See you in the morning. But don't come too early, I've got an appointment with a fancy-pants from the ruling class. It seems it's time for the Citadel to pay it's yearly taxes. I'm gonna have so much work to do..."
As you step outside into the darkness, you realize it's night. A night that's yours to do with as you see fit.
End Scene
Rewards: Sargrass Flute Exp: 550 xp each for role-play and problem solving.
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 Sunday February 8th, 2015 8:50:04 PM
William salutes their leader and is glad to take the rest after another successful mission. He's glad they have won this flute object and looks forward to checking in on his protege and planning for sending him off to mage school...
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Sunday February 8th, 2015 10:04:53 PM
Michael walks outside with the rest of the Fist. A mirthful smile begins on his face and eventually turns into a quite chuckle, He looks at Tinker, Zie, Pru William and Nickolai and begins to laugh a bit harder, he gets slightly embarrassed at his mirth and that tickles him further, He happens to catch William giving him the eye, the way his one eyebrow rises higher than the other, and Zie standing behind him looking like an attack is about to happen and looses it. He begins to laugh so hard tears pour down his face, so much so that he looses his feet and winds up on his hands and knees slapping the ground and gasping for breath between gales of mirth.
When the laughter stops, he is winded, and still feels like he might start again, but he gets up and follows his fist, his brothers and sister, his people, his family, wherever they might care to go.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Monday February 9th, 2015 12:08:34 AM "Well, that was to be expected, I guess," NIkolai utters when it is confirmed that the guards were only asleep. However, he is quite surprised to find out how long they had been gone. Did she mean they had been gone from her office for 18 hours or gone into that tapestry for 18 hours?
'Oh well, I guess it doesn't really matter,' he shrugs.
"Well, Fist, I'm going over the the Last Assignment and see if we missed anything while we were gone. Catch up with the news, as it were. See you there if you want to join."
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) Monday February 9th, 2015 2:30:35 AM
Zieluviet felt a bit embarrassed for his overreaction to the sleepy personnel. He pretends as if it had been more like an immediate reaction to the return from the Sargrass event. Michael's laughter only made it harder, however, and Ziel sweeps his forehead, then sneaks out of scene. He hears Nikolai talking about going to The Last Assignment, but concludes this time shall be better spent in a calm place. Maybe some watch tower.
As things calm down, Ziel heads outside, this time with a sketchbook and some charcoal and begins to draw the Sargrass as far as he can remember. But perhaps he's also drawing something more. Who knows?
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Monday February 9th, 2015 8:02:31 PM
Pru joins Nikolai at the Last Assignment. She orders an ale and tries to determine whether they really have been gone for 18 hours. It's going to play havoc with her sleep schedule if they have!
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 42/42 "Tinker" (SteveK) Monday February 9th, 2015 8:04:08 PM
18 hours! The Agents have been away longer than anticipated. Tinker thinks that it is time for him to get some sleep. And does so.
The next morning he plans to practice with his new shortbow; crossbows providing no luck at all!
DM Ken Monday February 9th, 2015 10:39:31 PM
It has indeed been 18 hours since the Agents stepped foot into the Tapestry. It's no small wonder Constance and her crew were asleep on their feet.
It is a bit strange that the Agents don't feel anymore tired than they did when they left, by their own reckoning it was no more than a very surreal 15 minute affair inside of the tapestry.
There isn't much happening at the last assignment, by the looks of things, but as the Agents get closer, they are interrupted by a quick blur of fur steaking in front of them!
A young rabbit is running for his life, hauling as fast as he can from a small pack of three cats in hot pursuit.
Knowledge Nature: DC 13 Highlight to display spoiler: { The hare seems tired, and unlikely to escape his pursuers.}
In the mean time, William has been left a message. His apprentice, Radsworth, has been shipped out to the nearest Star Tower. His early dues will be 150 gp, which will cover his first year of study.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) d20+5=9 ; Monday February 9th, 2015 11:43:01 PM
Knowledge Nature +5 DC13 = 9
Nikolai is too distracted by Pru's new hair color, and other Pru 'things' to catch what is going on with the cats.
After downing an Ale with Pru and and inquiring from the bar keeper what news in the last 24 hours, he also retires for the night.
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 d20+12=13 ; Tuesday February 10th, 2015 2:35:58 PM
Michael sticks with the group as it slowly whittles down to two. Then seeing that two is company and three can be a crowd, he wanders around the Last Assignment listening to rumors and getting the vibe of the place, but his mind is still processing the subconscious revelations that he has become aware of, so after running into his third pair of knees. he apologizes and goes to check on his mule Daisy. Perception 13 (natural 1) "where did all these people come from??"
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Tuesday February 10th, 2015 4:30:48 PM
Pru sidesteps to avoid the chase. As a farm girl, her sympathies are actually with the cats rather than the crop-eating rabbit.
Pru enjoys her ale, and the companionship at the Last Assignment. She wonders to herself whether it wouldn't be better just to stay up all night. Her internal clock still thinks it's about 10 in the morning--could she even get to sleep if she tried?
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 d20+9=22 ; Tuesday February 10th, 2015 9:33:25 PM (DM Ken, I sent you an email about the tuition and let me know your thoughts please)
WIlliam sees the animals run by (Know N = 22) and notices the hare seems to be really exhausted, possibly because it too hadn't been sleeping... Deciding to have mercy, he moves quickly and picks up the fluffy creature, telling the cats that there are plenty of rats and mice to keep them occupied in the future... Who knows, the bunny might make a good pet...
He joins the rest at the last assignment, and has a quick meal and drink...
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 42/42 "Tinker" (SteveK) d20+6=20 ; Tuesday February 10th, 2015 9:37:16 PM
Tinker ducks his head into the Last Assignment just as the rabbit runs by followed by the three cats. How unusual! In fact, considers the dwarf, he has never seen a rabbit running around loose in the Citadel, which means something is unusual here.
And with something unusual, it is better to act and have time to find out!
Dodging aside, Tinker stoops and attempts to grab the bunny in one hand to grapple the beast and lift it from away from the cats! .............
to hit 20 to initiate grapple
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) Tuesday February 10th, 2015 10:56:55 PM
Wondering how would the Agents be doing at this time, Ziel decides to head back to The Last Assignment.
OoC: This is more like a check post indeed.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Wednesday February 11th, 2015 12:11:37 AM
Nikolai notices William and Tinker try to catch a rabbit. "Already gathering up trail rations?" he laughs.
A bunny. What will they do with a bunny? Where will they keep a bunny? Who will they feed the bunny?
"Hey! William! Does it have sharp pointy teeth?" and he laughs again and finishes up his ale.
Heading out, he slaps both Tinker and William on their backs. "You guys are all heart. But keep him caged. I don't want to fail an inspection because a lucky rabbit chews holes in all our gear and clothes."
Back in his bunk, Nikolai falls asleep thinking about the Sargrass.
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Wednesday February 11th, 2015 7:52:05 AM
After checking on his mule, Michael heads back to the barracks. He Notices Tinker and William futzing around with the rabbit from earlier, grins, but keeps control of himself. He notices Zie and walks over to him.
"I wanted to apologize for laughing earlier, It wasn't you, it was the entire situation. It all became so surreal. but then the mundane things kept reasserting themselves. The captain in pajamas, the sleeping guards, the night air, all so mundane, yet strangely not. I flet as If anything could happen and did. Then when I saw the look on every ones face. heh, heh. That tipped me over the edge. You all were the only things that were concrete, solid, real. I felf closer to all of you than to I have ot anyone. so yeah..that's what happend.,.Sorry if I embarrassed you."
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Thursday February 12th, 2015 12:11:11 AM
Nikolai dreams that he is walking in a meadow, but soon the grasses are up to his knees. Before he knows it, he is having to part the grasses just to go forward. Then the grasses are so tall they tower over him and he starts feeling smaller than an ant. He wakes up to hear the sounds of sleep from his friends.
DM Warren Thursday February 12th, 2015 5:11:53 PM
The rabbit is no more inclined to let the agents catch it that it is for the cats to catch up. It leads William and Tinker on a merry chase before they head to the Last Assignment. A drink will certainly be refreshing after all of that exercise!
There is still the problem of keeping a pet in the Citadel, and caring for it while they are on assignment. It may go unnoticed among the other wizards's familiars at the Star Tower. If only they knew someone who was heading that way...
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 42/42 "Tinker" (SteveK) Thursday February 12th, 2015 5:25:52 PM
"Well, that was more exercise than I was intending!" Smiles Tinker to William. "Perhaps you have a permanent place for this rodent, at least until second out if someone here is missing a bunny. "
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 Thursday February 12th, 2015 8:37:40 PM
William laughs with Tinker, as he knows of someone who might enjoy having the bunny as a familiar, so when he finally grabs the wascally wabbit, he keeps a close grip on it. "I'm going to take this to my protege, as he probably needs a good familiar for mages school."
Before he goes to the last assignment, William make a quick jaunt to give the bunny to Radsworth before he leaves, knowing he'll appreciate it...
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Thursday February 12th, 2015 10:43:18 PM
Michael dreams of grasslands as well. Only he is hiding in them, stalking Gnolls from the concealment of the green. He moves fluidly, and his rapier darts out with the pinpoint accuracy he has been practicing. The Gnoll patrol is moving ahead of him up a trail, He is behind them. The do not hear him and the wind is in his face so they do not smell him. They are spaced far enough apart that as his sneak attack on one drops it, the others don't notice. He hopes he can continue this till he works through the whole patrol, but he thinks that it is unlikely. As is often the way of dreams, his doubt becomes manifest. A Will o' Wisp rises like a sun at the head of the column points a finger (wisps have fingers? ) back down the trail at Michael and starts braying like a mule. Time to go! he mutters as he quaffs the potion of Expeditious Retreat. He lead to the Gnolls and the wisp back down the trail. He can hear the Hyena pacing him, so he backs off the speed a tad, to let them close in, and bunch up. Just a few more yards. Williams web spell catches most of them in it's sticky grip, but the leader, three gnolls and the Hyenas manage to avoid the trap. A Hyena and one of the Gnolls eat the arrows from Zei bow and go down. Another one is downed by the Magical fire from Prudence hand. and Nikolai hits on of the Gnolls so hard the side of it's face caves in. Braugh Stormbringer steps out of the grass in front of Michael, taps his axe on his shield and motions for Michael to get behind him. The big dwarf goes through the remaining assailants like a scythe though straw. Suddenly he's in the library reading books about will o wisps, while a small man works on a tapestry of Sargrass and speaks of chocolate, love and duty. Nets, weighted with heavy stones and laced to close like a sack with a draw string. Who are you? Who are you? He wakes with a start, to see his friends asleep and a rabbit in a cage. Funny he mumbles, and falls back to sleep.
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) d20+7=17 ; d20+7=23 ; Thursday February 12th, 2015 11:59:26 PM
Just before dawn, Zieluviet returns from his trance. something has been bothering him. He puts on the sundark goggles and leaves the quarters, strangely leaving every weapon, including Vynghol behind.
He walks on to the armory and works his way to borrow a regular longbow.
As the Citadel is still quiet enough, he heads to the shooting range and assembles some targets beyond a corner of lumber. Ziel measures the distance and, just as the target is concealed, attempts to land a couple arrows on it.
Both arrows ricochet on the wall at the side and give off the sound of hitting soft wood. "Vynghol does it so easily. But I can do it without Vynghol."
Ziel goes over the target to retrieve the arrows, though they were probably damaged enough to not be safely fired anymore, but stops as he hears the sound of some wooden thing crashing on the floor. "Grah! it's not worth to attempt it with other bow. Though both Vynghol and I need to be improved."
The Drow heads again to the armory to return the borrowed bow, then walks the way to the quarters as the Dawn arrives.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Friday February 13th, 2015 12:53:32 AM
Nikolai falls back to sleep but finds himself in Captain Palance's office where the captain, in her pajamas, is berating him and his Fist about something big and furry. Every time he tries to explain all that comes out is "Mua-wa-wah-wa..." and he realizes he's in his pajamas, and so is everyone else.
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Friday February 13th, 2015 1:11:14 PM
Pru decides to take advantage of her disrupted sleep schedule, and sits an all-night vigil in the chapel. She prays, and meditates, and simply sits and thinks. In the morning, she feels refreshed.
And a little sleepy, but that can't be helped. At least she'll be able to fall asleep tonight.
DM Warren Saturday February 14th, 2015 12:01:42 AM
After a night of revelry, the Fist catches up on some much needed sleep. Who knows when they'll have a chance for uninterrupted rest again?
Sorry for the filler - hope to have some meat for you all on Monday.
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Saturday February 14th, 2015 1:36:36 AM
After a few More hours of sleep Michael is up, He goes to the courtyard for morning calisthenics, gets breakfast, then heads down to the library for 2 hours.
He then goes and works with his mule for an hour or so, has lunch and spends an hour practicing his fencing. when he finds the group all together he has an idea for them.
I was reading about creatures in the library, and some creatures can take the form of men, even specific forms like of me or you, Doppelgangers, for one. I suggest we set a code word, that way if we ever get infiltrated by something like that, he won't know the code word and he will get found out. what do you say?
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) d20+2=20 ; Saturday February 14th, 2015 10:26:16 AM
To keep his mind off Sargrass, Nikolai busies himself studying up on Wererats and lycantrhopy as a whole. Taking a break from studies, he gives Zieluvit a tour of the compound, specially the training halls and training grounds. They get to see many new recruits go through their training.
He touches base with the other members of their Fist later that day.
Through out the day he keeps his ears open for what's going on with the other Fists, what missions they are undertaking.
Knowledge Local : 20
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) Saturday February 14th, 2015 2:06:45 PM
At Nikolai's courtesy, Ziel gladly accepts. Most of the Citadel's routine is still unkown by the Drow, so a chance to get familiar with the local is not to miss. Besides, Ziel skipped an important part of the recruitment and should try to compensate as soon as possible.
There's one place, however, that gets most of his interest at the moment: the Armory. Zieluviet looks for the chief weaponsmith to show him his skills with the craft, willing to get a position and know contacts which may be useful in the future.
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Sunday February 15th, 2015 12:54:29 AM
Pru spends the next day repairing her gear and practicing her new spells.
[Pru's new SOP will be to cast Extended Mage Armor on herself and Nikolai each morning. It will last for 10 hours, and take up two 2nd-level spell slots.]
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 42/42 "Tinker" (SteveK) Monday February 16th, 2015 2:01:13 PM
There's one place in the Citadel that Tinker likes better than any other place, the armory. And in the armory is where Tinker practices with the locks, opening and closing them all without the need for the keys...
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Monday February 16th, 2015 2:27:41 PM
[Nice Pru! ]
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Monday February 16th, 2015 2:30:17 PM
while walking by the Armory Michael see Tinker fiddling with some tools. He goes over to see what is going on and notices Tinker is practicing his lock picking skills. This sounds like a good idea to Michael, so he sets down, grabs a lock that is not being worked on and practices some as well.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Monday February 16th, 2015 10:23:35 PM
Nikolai's favorite place in the Citadel is the strategy simulation room, where tables upon tables display miniature versions of famous battles. Some battles are classic city siege types and others are large field battles. Even notable small skirmishes are represented. Here, students can recreate the battle scenarios and try their skills against each other.
Nikolai wonders if any of their exploits will end up here. Nah!
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Monday February 16th, 2015 10:38:12 PM
Pru's favorite place in the Citadel is the chapel, but she spent the night there and is ready to do something else. She spends some time at the archery range, working on accuracy with her spells. [If it matters, she uses the Ray of Frost cantrip, which she can cast as many times as she wants.] She spends a bit of time in the library. And she spends some time at the Last Assignment, flirting and not paying for her own drinks.
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 42/42 "Tinker" (SteveK) Tuesday February 17th, 2015 11:05:52 AM
Tinker makes room for Michael and has an enjoyable, relaxing day with two of the three things he loves most in the wold. The first being mechanical puzzles and their solutions, and the second with proven friends.
Who could ask for anything more? A stray thought of his third favorite thing; family and ancestory, floats through and is quickly dismissed. Nothing is going to interfere with Tinker's fun today. Why, he may even smile!
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Tuesday February 17th, 2015 10:09:47 PM
Between the all-night vigil, and the drink or two (or three, or more) at the Last Assignment, Pru sleeps very well the next night.
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Tuesday February 17th, 2015 11:00:36 PM
Michael's favorite place in the Citadel would be either the library, the stables, the mess hall or the exercise yard. Alternately is favorite spot is anywhere he can watch Q go about her business. Of course the Last Assignment is nice too. hmmm...too hard to decide...ah wait. it's not in the citadel, I like to be on the hunt. that's my favorite spot.
DM Warren Tuesday February 17th, 2015 11:21:36 PM
The Agents sleep well, uninterrupted by any terrors or dreams. Just pure, restful slumber. They awaken bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready for whatever may occur today.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Tuesday February 17th, 2015 11:53:49 PM
Today, Nikolai spends in the training grounds, honing his martial skills. Enough of library and books, enough of taking it easy. It is a day of work!
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 Wednesday February 18th, 2015 1:57:19 PM
William greets the day by practicing his magic, crafting items, visiting with his fist mates and waiting for any new orders...
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 42/42 "Tinker" (SteveK) Wednesday February 18th, 2015 4:24:05 PM
A day of rest, a night of carousing, and a night of rest. Tinker is getting a little antsy and so looks for something to get in trouble with. He wanders around the bear enclosure to we if any may escape. The. He's around the quartermaster, Q, seeing if there is any further rat problem. Bugging the cooks is good for a little excitement, especially if he waits for an opportunity to pilfer a pie...
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Wednesday February 18th, 2015 11:11:28 PM
Pru is also getting a little bored.
"Hey, Tinker!" she says. "Want to be invisible?"
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Thursday February 19th, 2015 12:42:03 AM
After a good morning workout, Nikolai has lunch and then goes to find each of his friends. He wants their opinion one something but they need to all be at the Last Assignment that night. So he makes arrangements to have a table reserved for their Fist.
"You be there and be ready for a surprise."
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 Thursday February 19th, 2015 10:46:26 AM
Later that night William joins the others at the last assignment, having sent off his young protege to the academy in another town along with his (protege) new familiar, the recently rescued rabbit.
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) Thursday February 19th, 2015 1:34:00 PM
Ziel decides to give the Last Assignment a try this night, though he'd rather be at the watch towers designing some new bow.
DM Warren Thursday February 19th, 2015 6:33:03 PM
Between his natural stealthiness and the additional cover given by Pru, Tinker has no problems sneaking a pie or two to share with his mates.
William, Ziel, and the others respond to Nikolai's instruction with various levels of enthusiasm, but they all agree to be at the Last Assignment this evening to find out what he has in store for them.
In addition to Nikolai's surprise, he has also finally received his notice from Constance that she is expecting them the following morning.
AC 18 T14 F14 CMD 19 (23 Bull Rush or Trip); HP 42/42 "Tinker" (SteveK) Thursday February 19th, 2015 7:42:38 PM
The pie is fine and sharing with friends is better. Tinker has two for the group at the Last Assignment, carving the first piece out for Prudence "and your invisibility spell", he says.
The dwarf waits to see what Nikolai has to say before getting ready to see the Captain again.
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 Thursday February 19th, 2015 8:52:42 PM
morning exercise, breakfast, 2 hrs in the library, work with his mule at the stable for an hour, 1 hour swordsmanship practice, Lunch. nap, Meet the rest of the crew at the Last Assignment for drinks and fellowship.
Nikolai (JonathanT) AC 20 Tch 20 Ffted 17 HP 38/38 CMD 20/22(Grapple) Thursday February 19th, 2015 10:10:41 PM
Nikolai stays hidden behind the bar counter, having made a deal with the barkeep. When the barkeep lets him know all his friends have arrived, he dons his new hat, gets up and goes over to their table.
Nikolai's Fist sees a tall lanky gnoll heading their way and in a gruff voice, asks what do they want to drink. The gnoll wears clothes and gear much like what they saw in the swamp, all except a headband.
"Soooo, what do you gnoll killers want to drink tonight?"
Shane P Michael Wittman AC21, T17, FF15 (ucdodge) HP43/43 Me+9(4), R+9, CMB+7, CMD+18 d20+12=26 ; Thursday February 19th, 2015 11:58:27 PM
Mometarily taken aback, Michael recovers and politely asks for a pint o stout.
perception 26 if that works he smirks at Nikolai if not he puts his hand on his rapier.
William the Courageous (Ken) AC 18, hp 30/30 Friday February 20th, 2015 10:27:29 AM
William is surprised too at this odd gnoll who pops out of nowhere, and senses something's amiss.... He challenges him IN GNOLLISH, "What in the world are you doing here? I thought we killed most of you off! You smell like my friend Nikolai but you're much better looking now..."
Zieluviet Iezerth - AC 17 (TAC 14, FF 13) HP 44/44 (Antonio) Friday February 20th, 2015 3:03:48 PM "A Gnoll? Here? Improbable."
Zieluviet is not buying it. He doesn't know enough about The Last Assignment, but this one is hard to believe.
"Any gin will do. A half."
The Drow tries to sound as if he knows who this Gnoll really is. He doesn't realize, however, that he knows it more than he's pretending to. Anyway, Ziel is playing by the doubt, trying to look smarter than he's being.
"So, why are you doing this? Did Captain Palance send you?"
Prudence Gundle (Kathy) Friday February 20th, 2015 5:25:43 PM
Pru is startled by the gnoll's sudden appearance. "Oh!" she exclaims. Then, "Er...thank you. Nothing for me. Right now. Thank you."
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