WoldianGames Homepage WoldianGames Homepage
WoldianGames Homepage
  LOG ON

Humble's Ford Archives


Return To Index


Adventures in Babysitting


Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Monday March 4th, 2019 11:11:59 AM
"Wait Press, since when are you a necromancer!" says Kezzem with alarm.

"Oh man, does this mean I have to start smiting you now?"

DM Carl 
Monday March 4th, 2019 11:17:22 AM
Tiana breathes a sigh of relief. "Great! I knew I could count on you folks. I have to bring a lot of gear, so I'll need a few hours to put it all on the wagon. I'll be back a little after lunch so we can get moving!" She scoops up all her scrolls and bounds out the door, full of purpose.

The party has a few hours to pack up and get ready.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 27, HP 94/94, CMD 24 
Monday March 4th, 2019 12:55:18 PM
Talia returns to the breakfast table and additional helpings of oatmeal. "Mister Murphy", says Talia when there is a break in the conversation, at the breakfast meeting with the wise sage; Lady Tianna; that has appeared before us to discuss the ramifications of the Iron Giant.

Humble Sword's Collective Gear Vault

When Talia is able to discuss openly her desire to donate a vast collection of her gear to the greater good use of Humble Sword, she explains to Mister Murphy that she is prepared to donate of all the following items:

Spiked Gauntlets;Pair -- Cold Iron & MasterWorked,
Alchemical - Antitoxin vials 3
Alchemical - Everburning torch 3
Alchemical - Holy Water 3
Alchemical - Oil 3
--------------------------------------
Candles 3
Canvas 3
Case (map/scroll) 1
Chalk 3
Compass (magnetic, directional) 1
Crowbar 1
Disguise Kit 1
Flint and Steel 1
------------------------------------------
Healer's kit 1
Ink 3
Inkpens 3
Parchment 33
Map Case (parchment) 2
Mirror 2
Rations (trail), halfling 14

Rope - hemp 50' 1
Rope - silk 50' 2
Sack (empty) 7
Sealing Wax 1
Sewing Needles 3
Shovel 1
Soap 1
Torches 3
Waterskins Sized small. 3
Whetstone 1
Whistle, signal 1
---------------------------------

"If of course, you believe you can use any of these items?" says Talia to Mister Murphy.

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)  
Monday March 4th, 2019 3:59:53 PM
Jack would rise up and speak to Succotash, "If you got my bag of holding still, I am ready to leave now.

Abilities: bardic performance:13/13 Impromptu sneak attack:1/1 Tricky Spell:3/3
Spells: 1st 6/6 2nd 5/5 3rd 4/4

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 108/108 AC 27 Touch 19 Flat 21 CMD 29 Hero Points 6  
Monday March 4th, 2019 4:07:40 PM
Hobie arrives at the breakfast meeting, wearing a bright new purple and green cloak. His buckler exudes a magical aura that it previously did not.

"Sorry for my absence of late, I really needed some time riding alone with Pip. I'm here now, and ready to go. I don't exactly follow all of what she's saying about the magic of the giant, I'm still a mere apprentice when it comes to the Arcane, but I'm definitely interested in seeing how we might use this thing to serve the town."

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9 
Monday March 4th, 2019 4:53:36 PM
Updating Header

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25  d20+4=12 ;
Monday March 4th, 2019 7:02:51 PM

Bliss puts his Int headband to work and tries to understand the arcana being bandied about ... Int check 12.

"Well, I'm not sure what this is all about, but we always want to help the Second Breakfast Club," Bliss says. "So long as they are not betraying us and getting us sent back in time or to Koshe Marr!"

[OOC: PC Sheets for Bliss and for CatBliss are both updated.]

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP92 
Tuesday March 5th, 2019 12:27:35 AM

Murphy looks at Pressi as she appears to temporize. "Are you feeling all right, Press?" he mentally messages her. "I thought we had agreed that getting the giant tower fixed was A Good Idea." He listens carefully to gauge her thoughts, mood.

He finishes jotting the note and directions to Talia, and listens to the interactions with his friends.

"Kezzem, no smiting of Pressi," Murphy mock-admonishes him.

As Tiana Taithen is scooping up her scrolls, and just before she dashes off, he tells her, "It took us an hour to acquaint ourselves with the Iron Giant, as superficially as we are, and another hour for cleanup and such. So, we could surely walk you through the place in maybe half an hour - since there won't be dwarfs or weird chaos monsters or semi-reliable gnomes or active constructs to battle. Not to mention oozes and shape-shifting machines. But setting up your machines - well, you're the expert on that.

"I'd be happy to join up with whoever else would like to show you about - unless I'm needed elsewhere. There's a huge gem at the heart of the Iron Giant which is - or perhaps who is - lovely indeed."

As she heads out the door, he calls out, "Sounds great. See you after lunch, Tiana." To his friends who remain at the table, he comments, "It's good to start a new task on a full stomach - except for swimming."

Murphy says to Talia. "This is a nice start to our group's supply center. I have a few things to add to it." [Will set up a sub-page on Woldipedia for Humble's Ford for these items, and others we add.] Before the group heads out Murphy finds a starter cubby hole for The Company Store in the rock castle and does something or other to obscure it from discovery. He tosses in a few more items in addition to what Talia turned in. This week he has been sorting through some of his own things, paring down and consolidating here and there.

"So, Hobie, looks like your buckler received some tender loving care. What did you have done to it? Nice cloak, too. Definitely moving up in the fashion world. You look somehow -- more robust. I take it time with Pippa was beneficial. Did I ever tell you about the time I tracked her for a few miles? An enemy spellcaster tried to burn down the tree she was standing under, and she managed to skedaddle. Was so relieved to find her. Lost another pony that day - might still be wandering the Red Hills."
-----
"Sounds like you might be busy. Anything I can help you with, Pressi, between now and lunch?" he asks.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Tuesday March 5th, 2019 5:18:35 AM
Succotash Says to Zaragosa, "I still have your bag for you, I've never looked inside of it, not my stuff and all, but you know halfling curiosity...". He then dons his armor, and saddles and dresses Miss Piggy in her barding, thinking, "Just in case, better to be safe then sorry". He will then meet the other for lunch, and after that the departure for the Iron Giant.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Tuesday March 5th, 2019 11:35:37 AM
Updated Header+Sheet for Review

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)  
Tuesday March 5th, 2019 1:23:05 PM
Jack would give an honest smile, "Bedroll, pillows, water skins, lanterns, tents. That sort of thing. Nothing mysterious, I'm just too weak to hold both bag-of-holdings"

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Tuesday March 5th, 2019 2:17:14 PM
Pressi smiled at Kezzem as she shrugs to Murphy. "I think he's being sarcastic. Or he really needs to read up on what a reincarnation ceremony entails."

Regarding the giant: Let's just say that before I renew my commitment to a construction project, I'd like to see the bill. Call it an abundance of caution.

She pauses a bit, considering what to message.

I think people have noticed I talk a bigger game than I let on. I rattle the chains and cackle. I speak freely of the evil powers I could unleash upon the world. I stand ready to fight. But this stuff takes a toll on me. Dragging blood from the ether just so I can cast a cantrip takes its toll. And to see these supernatural elements arise once again...

I don't know if its a tighter connection to nature than when I was just a monk, or if its my paranoia getting to me, but I really regret not pushing harder to bury that thing back into the desert. I was done with it. And I can't shake the feeling that there's a cost to learning from it.

Pressi stood up, checking her gear. "Aside from the daily rituals of Bliss and myself, there shouldn't be an issue. I will gladly meet everyone at the site."

----------------------

Not much has changed for Pressi. A few additional ingredients, a couple of more spells, a gem for trapping souls (looks like the last one I encountered, she thought), and an ability to charm people as an SLA or to use the healing ritual - she anticipated some fights with Bliss over the last one.

Pressi grabbed the drop of blood handily (no fail with the roll), saddled up Harper and rode out.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9 
Tuesday March 5th, 2019 4:06:58 PM
To Murphy: "Oh nothing too special, just got it enhanced a bit, Prowler too. This though, this is fun."
As he says that he waves his new cape in the air.
"This is a Cape of the Mountebank. Once per day, I can use it to cast Dimension Door. So now if I see a nice cliff or vantage point at the beginning of a battle, BAMF!!! I'm there. Or if a nasty bad guy gets in too close so I can't use my bow, BAMF!! I'm gone. I'd show it too you, but I'm not so sure this day is gonna end without us seeing some danger. Remind me before bed."

"What about you? Buy anything fun with your funds?"

DM Carl 
Tuesday March 5th, 2019 4:49:34 PM
Pressi wonders for a moment about past judgments, but when push comes to shove, she'll back her team.

True to her word, Tiana can be found on the outskirts of town. She stands waiting with a mule-pulled cart laden with obscure arcane equipment.

"All here then? Great!" She casts a mount spell, conjuring a pony into existence, then mounts up and begins the short journey.

The Giant is, of course, right where you left it. It still kneels with one arm on the ground, providing a ramp up to the Giant's face. The wall of force that acts as a windshield was restored before Anur took off, meaning the only obvious entrance is still in the right heel.

A few of the bolder citizens of Humble's Ford are already here, checking out the Giant. None seem to have worked up the courage to go inside, though. When Humble's Sword arrives, there's a flurry of excitement.

"Hey! Humble's Sword is here!"
"Hail the Giant Slayers!"

and of course...

"CAN WE HAVE A TOUR?"

A good half dozen folks all wait breathlessly for an answer. Tiana pulls out a leather folio and a pen. Fun fact about Tiana: she talks out loud when she writes.

"Entry one. Time of day: 1 hour past mid-day. Day of the Cat, Month of Beginnings, Year of the Spider." She pulls out a small box with a wire frame, probably the exocubic capacitor. She takes a blank scroll, places it inside the box, and waves it around the Giant's exterior. After a moment, she pulls it out and observes it.

"Aetherovariation signatures identical to readings taken inside Second Dinner Club tower. Proximity to Giant has not affected readings." She takes out a small ball of bat guano, casts her spell, and hurls the glowing red ball at the Giant. Nothing happens when it makes contact, other than a ball of bat dung falling to the ground.

"Confirm magic dampening effect of Giant's exterior. Readings from exterior of Giant likely compromised." She closes the folio and puts it away.

"Right. So how do we get inside?"

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25 
Tuesday March 5th, 2019 5:53:21 PM

Bliss stands up to talk to the people. "HI EVERYBODY! MAYBE WE CAN DO TOURS LATER! FIRST WE HAVE TO CHECK OUT THE IRON GIANT WITH MISS TIANA HERE. SHE'S AN EXPERT!"

He moves around the inner edge of the crowd, shooing people back from the giant and herding kids. He takes out his pot and uses it to call his four followers. And Pressi's if she does not mind. He asks them to come to the giant to handle crowd control when the party enters the iron colossus to show Miss Talia around.

"As soon as our friends arrive to handle the crowd, we'll take you in, Miss Talia," he tells her.

[OOC: Hope that's an ok use of followers. If not, sorry, can I take it back?]

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Tuesday March 5th, 2019 7:07:35 PM
"Hey, that's a neat trick!" says Kezzem as Tiana casts mount. "I can do it too, sorta."

"Rumpus-chu, I choose you!"

Kezzem summons his mount.

Talia (Jon-Paul) AC 27, HP 94/94, CMD 24 
Tuesday March 5th, 2019 10:04:37 PM
Additional Gear for the Humble Sword Collective Cache

Talia also adds to the list of Humble Sword items, explaining to Mister Murphy, "Now that I am capable of more advanced feats, I have decided to leave these additional items with the group. They are:

Wand of Cure Light Wounds 50 charges. (10 charges used on 12-17-2018 by Mister Murphy)
Mithril Buckler +1
Scroll of Haste 3x

I hope the group can use them!"

Afterwards

After Talia finishes with her donations to the Humble Sword Collective Cache and having sleep enough in the past 24 hours (needed two hours) to regain her spells slots, Talia casts Overland Flight on herself, and leaves a few items behind with Rayya -- the explorer coveralls from the explorer outfit she previously purchased, then magically changes the design of Bill's Splendid Pants O' Plenty to a nice shape of long flowing kilt in the color style of plaid with a distinct pattern woven with blues, reds, a green strip and were the lines cross, purples.

She then sets out to rejoin her companions at the Iron Giant.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Wednesday March 6th, 2019 5:04:12 AM
"I just spent a big sack of coins on upgrading my Ring of Protection, and my Amulet of Natural Armor. I did pick up a Wand of Cure Light Wounds, thinking everyone else is so generous with theirs, it's my turn to share", Succotash answers Hobie. "That cloak thing is pretty sweet", He adds.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP92 
Wednesday March 6th, 2019 5:05:40 AM

Murphy waits until Bliss's crowd management skills kick in and get the people moved back away from the giant. Then he tells Tiana, "Like this." He opens the back of the right heel, and steps through.

[Next few days my posts may be sparse. Highly busy elsewhere.]

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Wednesday March 6th, 2019 11:43:48 AM
Pressi calls up her followers and joins Bliss in crowd control.

As Murphy shows Talia the way in, Pressi looks at the leg once again. It feels so long ago, the last time they entered into the giant.

"You haven't really explained to us where in the giant you want to go or what we are looking for. Are we looking to figure out what this thing is made of? Or is there a specific component you have in mind?"

DM Carl 
Wednesday March 6th, 2019 4:59:41 PM
Bliss addresses the crowd and summons his and Pressi's followers to escort them all back to town. There are a collection of groans; the crowd is obviously disappointed. Still, they go, kicking rocks and hands in pockets.

Kezzem also has a horse.

Talia finishes up her pet project, then joins the party at the Giant.

Succotash and Hobie compare purchases

Murphy shows Tiana the entrance. She continues writing as she walks. "Note: entrance to the Giant is located in the heel of the right foot."

Pressi asks what she's looking for.

Tiana pulls out the scroll she just made. "I'm looking for whatever is giving off this aetherovariation signature. It would be a very potent source of arcane energy. Maybe you've seen something like that in there?" She walks inside, writing as she walks.

"Entry foyer...unremarkable. Seriously...the grand, magnificent Iron Giant has this broom closet for an entrance? Who designed this?" She walks through and opens the interior door leading to the rest of the foot.

"Woah. This is more like it. What are these conduits on the wall for? Did you ever figure out what the circle over there does? Hold on, let me get a reading." She starts fiddling with the exocubic capacitor again. "Think some of you can start bringing all that equipment in? Careful though, some of it's fragile!"

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25  d20+4=22 [originally rolled a 32 by accident, typo fixed with my super ACDM dice editing powers]
Wednesday March 6th, 2019 7:41:00 PM

Bliss is pleased to be of use, and helps carry equipment in careful like.

"Of course, we found out a-loads of stuff, Miss Tiana," he says. "Ask Mister Murphy for details, but there's sure a metric crap-ton of unusual magic making this beastie walk."

He explains what he can (Int check 22, woo hoo), and maybe he actually has noticed a thing or two.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Thursday March 7th, 2019 12:07:52 AM
"What's an aethero-whatis and how will I know if I see it?" asks Kezzem. "Hey, we're back in giant. Maybe if I load up on Int gears I can understand what's she's talking about."

OOC: I'm picturing Kezzem with three Int gears like that scene from the Hangover where Zach Galifianakis is counting cards at the blackjack table.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Thursday March 7th, 2019 5:16:01 AM
Succotash offers to help carry equipment, and carefully does so, placing the items where directed. He then says, "Unless I'm wrong, the most powerful magical area would probably be Madam Gem. Maybe we should go there first".

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP92 
Thursday March 7th, 2019 7:25:14 AM

Murphy assists in loading the equipment. He listens to as much of what Tiana is saying as possible.

"I came in a different way. Did someone figure out what the circle does that Tiana is asking about?" the druid asks the rest of the team.

"The conduits - The Encompassing Mind said something about a ... network of conduits. Did she say 'network'? Something like that. Messages, energies, magic, what-have-you are carried throughout the Iron Giant via the conduits. They have alloyed metals for various purposes, and gems for others."

He shows her a few gears, and since they are back within the giant, he places the three he ended up with on the bracers on his left arm. He also shows her a few gems, to further distract the sorcerer/mage/sage.

BTW - Murphy thought about the following last week, but when it was in Kim's mind, he was away from the keyboard. That is: We return all the gears and gems to the Iron Giant as we enter. - Talia was point on storing them, and Murphy knows where - so, we brought them along. One guardian construct, which Murphy elemental hulked over to the team's rock castle, lies in a room within that castle, with the PipeLeafs (Hugo and Primula) having been invited to take a good long look at it.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Thursday March 7th, 2019 1:12:19 PM
“In all fairness, I’m pretty sure this is the back entrance. We just never figured out the front.”

Pressi takes some time to explain levitation, the orbs, the constructs and a few other places. To Succotash, “I’d rather take her to the control panel at the waist first, get our bearings at least. Though you’re right that we need to go there too.”

Pressi is not an equipment lugger, but she will use her skills to help set things up or operate them. She also starts operating from her notes to point things out. “Hopefully, you can forgive my technical ignorance. Knowing of the arcane was never my strong suit, especially all this construct and crystal stuff.”

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Thursday March 7th, 2019 2:55:41 PM
Talia helps where she can...

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP104  d20+7=13 ;
Thursday March 7th, 2019 3:38:48 PM

"A few people said the heel is the only entrance. However, we learned that the area along the eyes - the faceplate - is some kind of transparent force field, which can be opened from the pilot's seat. Bliss went out through it, and later came back in through it.

"Oh, and here is the cloak Ix used for teleportation - it only works within the giant, as far as we understand." Murphy puts it on to see if he can sense how it might work. "Also, a little control box for controlling the constructs that he used."

He thinks about the place on the leftward side of the groin, just above the left thigh, and tries to see if he can activate the teleportation cloak. [UMD 13]. If it works, then he messages Pressi as to what just happened, then begins hustling back on foot. If it does not work, he scrunches his face a little, and says, "This cloak doesn't work for me yet. Might need attunement. Or something." He then hands it off to someone else if they want to try the teleportation ability.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9 
Thursday March 7th, 2019 3:46:09 PM
Hobie laughs and pats Kezzem on the back.

"Kez Kez Kez, before you go grabbing gears, let a superior mind explain some simple math to you. If you use three INT gears, each one gives you +1 to INT, or +3 in total. If you use one INT gear, one Dex gear, and one STR gear, each one will give you a +3. Either way, you end up with +3 INT. Unfortunately, even with the three gears, that math might be too difficult for you. Why don't you guard the entrance while the intellectuals discuss the aetherovariation."

Hobie will chime in throughout the conversation as Pressi and Murphy explain most of what they discovered, he will fill in details where he can.

DM Carl 
Thursday March 7th, 2019 5:06:00 PM
Bliss is happy to lend a hand. He advises Tiana to ask Muprhy for details, using scientific terms such as "crap ton" and "beastie".

Kezzem tries making himself smarter, but even with all three gears he's just at above average intellect. That's ok, he makes up for it in other ways.

Succotash correctly points out that the most powerful magic aura is the gigantic pink gem in the heart of the Giant.

"Yes, Succotash. I think I would very much like to see this gem."

Murphy does a thorough job explaining what they've learned about the inner workings of the Giant. She asks for a few gems and gears to experiment on, but otherwise seems intent on finding the source of what she's detecting. He tests out the cloak, and finds it works intuitively. He can easily poof himself around the Giant. It's crazy useful. The little control box Ix used is another matter. Murphy can't make heads or tails of it. The controls are too simple to account for all that Ix could do with it. There must be an angle he's not aware of.

Hobie reminds Kezzem of how the gears work, then gently suggests he let the grown ups speak.

Pressi theorizes they haven't found the front door. She offers to take Tiana to the control panel on the waist-level. Though, unless your DM is thinking of something else, it's more of a remote surveillance system than control system.

The party ascends. They cross the catwalk room their first big fight was in. Hobie took care of the bodies, but it's still a little bloody. It could use a good scrub. Reaching the mirror, it appears deactivated. Pressing icons 3, 1, 4, 7, and 8 still activates it, letting everyone use it.

Tiana starts fiddling. She presses the hammer, which brings up the view of the pink Heart of the Giant. "Is that what I think it is? It's bigger than I thought it would be." She reaches out to touch it, but touches only mirror. "Just for viewing, then. Still pretty neat." She takes a reading with the exocubic capacitor. "Doesn't look that any signatures it gives off travel through the mirror either."

Then, she presses the furnace, which shows a small room surrounded by pink gemstone. "What's this? Is this inside the other gem we just saw?" She flips back and forth between the two views. "It sure looks like it. Did you guys ever figure out what this view is of?"


Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP104 
Thursday March 7th, 2019 6:02:46 PM

Prior to their arrival at the viewing area, Murphy lets all know what he just discovered about the ease of use of the cloak, after blinking away and returning after maybe 45 seconds. He offers to let someone else in the party experiment with it if they'd like. "You want to give it a try, Talia?"

"Looks like it," Murphy concurs as Tiana speculates as to what the small room surrounded by pink gemstone might be. "No, I don't think we did figure that one out. There are certainly more things to be discovered. Helps to have another set of eyes, plus your arcane expertise."

He tells her about the controls in the lower left foot/ankle area.

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25 
Thursday March 7th, 2019 10:40:25 PM

Bliss looks around and wrinkles his nose. "It's funny, heroes don't generally have to go back into the dungeons after the adventure is over."

"Well, this will not do."

He casts an Unseen Servant, plus prestidigitations, mage hands, and create water.

"It is time to clean up this place." He gets to work, especially where there is blood.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Friday March 8th, 2019 4:49:49 AM
"Whoa, are you saying that the inside of Madam Gem? Succotash exclaims. "I wish we could get her running again, I miss her". As Bliss is doing a little spring cleaning, Succotash jokingly says, "Hey Bliss, you missed a spot!"

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9 
Friday March 8th, 2019 12:06:54 PM
"No we didn't figure that out, but we should now, what do you think about it? I wonder if we can find a way in there."

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Kim for Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)  
Friday March 8th, 2019 2:36:37 PM

Jack pitches in to help Bliss with the cleanup, casting the prestidigitation cantrip multiple times. "Hey Succotash, since you spotted the spot, it's on you to clean it up!"

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Friday March 8th, 2019 4:48:20 PM
Talia, reaches into her haversack pulling out a small bag and handing it to Mister Murphy saying, "Here, you might need these here." Inside are:

Gear of Constitution | Special bonus +3 to constitution
Gear of Dexterity | Special bonus +3 to dexterity
Gear of Wisdom | Special bonus +3 to Wisdom

"I meant to leave them, but forgot, good thing I didn't!" says Talia. "As for the cloak, sure I'll give it a whirl!"


Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Friday March 8th, 2019 4:53:39 PM
Pressi shrugged at the mention of missing certain rooms. “With all due respect, we were rather on the clock. And Ix was rather concerned with security in other areas.”

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Friday March 8th, 2019 7:05:32 PM
"Well, give me two of those Intelligence gears at least," says Kezzem. "And Maybe a Charsima one too just in case something needs smiting." He looks at Murphey. "And I'm not talking about Pressi."

OOC

As per DM Carl: Wearing the gear on your upper arm grants a +1 to CON. There are other gears out there for the other 5 attributes. Each gear ups the bonus for all of them. For example, wearing gears of CON, INT, and STR grants +3 to each. Gears of the same attribute stack, but do not add an additional bonus. Wearing gears of CON, CON, and INT would grant +4 to CON, and +2 to INT. These are unique bonuses and stack with other enhancement bonuses from items like Belts of Physical Might and the like.

So 3 INT gears would be a +5 to INT (3 gears, +2 stacking), correct? So with Kezzem's base Int 10, there's no benefit of a third over two Int gear and a third other gear (let's say Cha). Of course, boost his Int means more skill points! Ranks of Knowledge (arcana) and Knowledge (engineering) would matter more than the simple Int boost.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Friday March 8th, 2019 8:57:44 PM

"Ah, thanks, Talia. I thought my third one was for Strength, rather than Dexterity. You have the Strength one I was using before? That way, I end up with strength, con and wisdom," Murphy says. Then he adds, "So, Talia. You just going to stand here admiring the cloak? Or are you going to try actually teleporting elsewhere in the giant, to see how it works?"

Murphy points his index finger and middle finger twice toward his own eyes, then the same two fingers towards Kezzem, then repeats the gesture again. Then, he gives him a wink.

DM Carl 
Friday March 8th, 2019 11:58:52 PM
Murphy is pleased to discover how useful the teleportation cloak is. Pity it doesn't work outside the Giant.

Bliss starts cleaning up the mess he made.

Succotash misses the Encompassing Mind. He and Zaragosa trade barbs.

Hobie notes they never found the area visible in the mirror. Pressi correctly notes they were on a mission to stop Anur from destroying Humble's Ford, not site-seeing.

Talia produces the gears in case anyone needs them.

Kezzem still wants to be smart.

OOC: Gears each give +1 per different gear worn. Wearing 3 INT gears gives +3 INT. Wearing 2 INT gears and one CHA gear gives +4 INT and +2 CHA. The +4 is the highest possible bonus. Do note any skill increases as temporary.

Tiana seems to be done investigating the mirror. She looks down the hole that leads to the left leg of the Giant. "Why's it so dark down there? Everywhere else is pretty well lit. Anyway, which way to that big gem?"

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116  d20=11 ;
Saturday March 9th, 2019 1:10:42 AM

"Some sort of negative power shape-shifting chaos critters were guarding this leg. They didn't like light, it seems. They and the dwarfs had a rough détente. 'You stay down here, we'll stay up here.'

"What were they called?" Murphy asks. "Hope they haven't grown back. Should we check it out, just to be sure?" he asks the troop.

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Kim for Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71) 
Saturday March 9th, 2019 1:21:43 AM

"Bedlams!!" Jack calls out. "They're called bedlams - creatures of pure chaos. Nasty."

He pops his head around the corner. "They really whacked on Succotash. His bravery in the face of such monsters was amazing to observe. Instead of turning tail, he kept on whaling right back against them. Of course, pretty much everyone else helped out, one way or another."

"Also, Murphy, sorry to correct you - but theirs is not negative power. It's chaotic power."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Saturday March 9th, 2019 5:06:11 PM
"Yeah, the sucked," says Kezzem. "They zapped us lawful types good, and yes, even I think it's weird that I'm somehow a lawful type now."



Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Saturday March 9th, 2019 9:02:52 PM
As Tiana moves around this secure area, paranoid thoughts run through Pressi’s head. Once upon a time, they trusted another member of the second dinner club named Garron, the one that gave her this body. Before that, scandals erupted regarding the use of giant essence. And before that, there were assurances that the tower wouldn’t explode and rip the fabric of time and space.

Her new SLA began to burn a hole in her fingers. Surely if detected, Tiana would understand Pressi was just doing her job.

Instead, she fingered “absent minded” her holy symbol, the one that glows upon detecting lies. “What exactly do you plan to do upon finding a match? Are we extracting parts or just taking readings? And what is your end goal in all of this?”

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Sunday March 10th, 2019 12:24:01 PM

Question: What does 'SLA' stand for? I can think of about ten things, but really have no sure idea.

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)  
Sunday March 10th, 2019 3:07:22 PM
Jack would clean up what he can, either with his hands or spells. He mainly stays out of Tianna's way

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Monday March 11th, 2019 5:14:34 AM
"Yes indeed, those bedlams were a formidable foe", Succotash says as he shudders at the memory, "Good thing I can heal myself, and that we have so many potential healers in our party, thank-you all by the way, or I would have been a goner!"

As he and everyone is reminiscing, he watches Tianna, to see if she needs any help in the form of heavy lifting, and is prepared to lead her and the others to the Encompassing Mind.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Monday March 11th, 2019 5:32:25 AM

"Yes, Kezzem also proved stalwart when faced with so formidable foes to law," Murphy concurs.

The druid awaits the response of Tiana to Pressi's query. If all seems well after that, then he comments, "So, I have not heard any votes for descending again into the darkness of the left thigh - so, it's upward, then, out of the groin into the next stage of the lower torso, and thence up through the abdominal sectors until we reach the heart?"

If that seems to be the consensus, then Murphy heads up that direction. When they get to the room where they fought the dwarfs, Murphy says, "Hmm... more cleanup needed, I suppose."

DM Carl 
Monday March 11th, 2019 1:25:25 PM
The party reminisces about the bedlams. Succotash and Kezzem both probably have some lingering pain from their strikes.

Pressi asks pointed, appropriate questions. (OOC: Yea, what's an SLA?)

"Well, if my hunch is right, the magic powering this Giant is the same...type...of magic that powered the tower before it exploded. Even if that proves true, I have no easy way of channeling that energy into the tower. It's not as simple as putting some in a bag and walking it over to the tower. I'm hoping there's a mechanism in this thing that will help me...us, power up the tower again.

"You folks mentioned something called 'Madam Gem' just a few moments ago. What exactly are you talking about?"

She moves as she talks, heading up the ladder to the floor above where Shan was cut down. There's more blood here, plus a sticky, smelly residue from the oozes. Tiana covers her mouth and does her best to step around the mess. "I knew you had to fight your way through this Giant to save the town, but seeing it first had is...unsettling. I don't have the stomach for your line of work, but I have to say I'm glad you're around to do it."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Monday March 11th, 2019 1:52:40 PM
SLA = spell like ability. In this case, I'm talking about the WLA feat making charm person a spell she can cast as a spell like ability as opposed to using her slots, but she has a couple of others through class features.

The takeaway is that she's weighing various abilities in case she has to take Tiana down, grill her, control her, etc.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Monday March 11th, 2019 2:09:13 PM


"Thirty-two years does seem an awfully long time for this massive machine to start up again," Murphy says. "'Madam Gem' is one of our nicknames for the huge dual-voiced pink gem. She - they? - she calls herself the 'Encompassing Mind.' One voice is generally courteous. The other voice is acerbic. The two together do a decent job of explanations and giving two-sided reactions to things. After earlier threatening us (as the Encompassing Mind figured we were threatening her and hers), she later expressed gratitude for our help - and taught us how to shut her down, so that we could make it up the rest of the way through the upper body in order to confront the pilot." He scratches his nose. "She forgot to mention the start up time. We figured - well, I figured, maybe a few minutes to a few hours, considering the complexity of it all. No doubt there's some way to speed things up, but that will surely take some fiddling around."

"Oh, my. This will take quite a bit more cleanup." Murphy gives a brief explanation of what happened on this floor - the negotiations over tea ("Pressi can tell you more about that"), the impasse, and combat - and Ix's two-sided role in the whole thing.

"I wonder if we need to get some help from some of the townspeople to help get this place cleaned up?" he says to the team.

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90  d20+10=28 ;
Monday March 11th, 2019 2:36:42 PM
Talia wonders what the group will find in the remains of the Iron Giant now that the Encompassing Mind is rebooting and the "power" is off!

"Did I miss anything, Mister Murphy?" asks Talia. "Miss Tiana, what are you looking for exactly?" in her most diplomatic of ways.

[Diplomacy Skill check: 28]

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25 
Monday March 11th, 2019 5:02:29 PM

Bliss travels with the group, urging his unseen servant to come along too. There's just so much to clean up in here.

He picks up his staff-sling, loops the sling around his wrist, strikes a "magical" pose, and waves the staff part with one hand.

"Scourgify!" he declaims in his most magical voice.

"I just got this thing enchanted," Bliss says. "Did that work?"

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9 
Monday March 11th, 2019 5:05:25 PM
Hobie wasn't there for the party's previous beef with the second dinner club, and didn't have an immediate distrust of Tiana, but he's been watching Pressi who seems really to be untrusting, which is putting him on edge. Hobie is at this point following along and listening, but half watching Tiana and half watching Pressi, ready to spring into action if necessary.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Monday March 11th, 2019 5:49:51 PM
"Maybe we shouldn't be messing around with energy that makes things explode," suggests Kezzem. "Just a thought.

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)  
Monday March 11th, 2019 7:22:56 PM
Jack's ears perked up at Kezzem's words "right-o, I think Kezzem is on to something with the not exploding. To be fair, I think this giant is too powerful for anyone to have, even us."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Monday March 11th, 2019 8:33:43 PM
Pressi thought a bit about what happened, that tea party that seemed so long ago.

--------------

A couple of days after the device had been shut down, sometime after the reincarnation ceremony, Murphy had come knocking on her door with flowers and mostly chocolates. Pressi may be an independent woman who can spend 20 minutes about why you shouldn't do flowers and chocolates, but she is still a Halfling woman. And Murphy made clear that he just wanted to talk, as adults.

They spoke for some time, flirted, discussed some fears, and at one point teased each other over who would win in a fair fight. (Like Pressi would ever fight fair, she chuckled to herself.) And eventually, Pressi found herself saying yes.

During this sit down, Pressi had filled in the details about what she and Shan had discussed during tea. The family relationships, the little she had gleaned about politics and religion, the refusal to budge as a soldier or a mother, even in the face of betrayal. (Tangents about familial relationships multiplied, but that's not really an issue here.)

It still weighed on her. She never truly expected to stare directly into such an emotional entanglement, to face challenge after challenge that could be solved by vulnerability.

--------------

"Uh..." she responded to Murphy's prodding to explain the tea party standoff. "I suppose I could go into more detail but aside from a few notes about the constructs and these medals and scrolls... I apologize, Tiana, but you've been coming off as uninterested in any of the stuff beyond the mechanics."

Not much is left as secret. Once Pressi revealed the scroll given to her and explained the personal connection, anything further struck Pressi as commentary. So she fills in anything she can, around what Tiana seems to want to hear.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Tuesday March 12th, 2019 5:29:57 AM
Succotash is more than happy to lead the way to the Encompassing Mind, he secretly hopes that Madam Gem will wake up sooner then expected, and hopes that their current actions will lead to that happening.

DM Carl 
Tuesday March 12th, 2019 11:30:30 AM
Murphy explains the Encompassing Mind to Talia and wonders if they can hire a clean-up crew for the Giant. They should probably explore the entire thing first to make sure there aren't any other beasties hiding.

Talia asks Tiana what she's looking for. "Just looking for now, really. Won't know what to do until I find...something. Maybe this giant gem is something."

Bliss tries, but fails, to pull a Sorcerer's Apprentice. Maybe if he'd enchanted a mop instead of a staff-sling.

Hobie has some history to catch up on, but Pressi's unease is contagious.

Kezzem ponders not messing around with exploding energy.

"I wouldn't be much of a wizard if I didn't toy with magic that could possibly explode. All magic is potentially volitile." She casts a quick cantrip. "Looks like you're armed and armored in magic yourself, Kezzem." She smiles a little too smugly.

Zaragosa agrees with Kezzem, feeling the Giant is too powerful.

"Sure. Maybe it is, but I'm not here to fix the Giant. I'm here to fix the Giant Tower that keeps us safe from multiple annual giant attacks. A giant invasion may just be another fight for you folks, but the citizens of that town we all live in would surely appreciate not having the possibility looming over them."

Pressi doesn't have much more to add about her meeting with Shan, indicating Tiana doesn't care too much about it anyway.

"No need to apologize. You're right, actually. I mean, I don't want to sound ungrateful. What you people did was amazing, but I'm here about the Giant."

Succotash is eager to get to Madam Gem.

The trip up the Giant continues, leading right to the Heart of the Giant. Tiana's eyes widen as she takes it in. "It's one thing to see it in a magic mirror, but up close..." She quickly pulls out the exocubic capacitor again. "Hope I brought enough blank scrolls. I'll be taking a ton of readings over the next few days..." She places a scroll in the cube and walks around the gem, waving it about. After she makes a full rotation, she pulls the scroll out and looks. Her eyes widen. She pulls out another scroll and compares the two. She shrieks and does a little dance before composing herself.

"I was right! The aetherovariation signatures are identical! If we can channel it into the tower, we can reactivate it!" Her excitement diminishes a bit. "Of course, that's a lot easier said than done. How are we even going to get the Giant to the tower when every spell we cast at it gets absorbed. I'm going to need time. Probably several days."

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)  
Tuesday March 12th, 2019 12:02:04 PM
Jack nods at this. "well I'll let you to it. I'll be about, cleaning here and there." More to Tiana he adds, "If there is anything mechanism or door you are struggling to manoeuvre, just let me know, I'll be around here somewhere."

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25 
Tuesday March 12th, 2019 2:18:06 PM

Bliss smiles as he cleans up the last of the mess and listens to the esoteric mage explain the fundamental mission and next steps needed.

"Okay, Miss Tiana, you mean you can use the Iron Giant to fix our protective Tower! But you need to get the Giant closer to the Tower. Got it."

Bliss thinks for a while. He suggests a plan.

"First, we build a scaffold out of huge logs. We add giant pulleys. With some elephants and dinosaurs we summon, we can lower the Giant."

"But before we do that, we make a huge sledge. It would have four runners, each one ten feet by ten feet. The sledge would have to carry the Giant, so maybe it has to me made of walls of iron say."

"We buy some Oils of Slipperiness and coat each of the runners. Then we lower the Giant onto the sledge. Then we use teams of horses and whatever beasts we can summon or call to pull the sledge to the Tower."

"How's that sound?"

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Tuesday March 12th, 2019 2:23:31 PM
"So this I'm sure is a stupid question, the answer of which even I can barely comprehend," Pressi began. "But can someone explain to me why you can't just take a sword and crowbar and just take this thing out? It all seems modular enough."


Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9 
Tuesday March 12th, 2019 2:31:36 PM
"I wouldn't worry too much about having enough scrolls. I think we can handle that problem."

"I'm with Press, let's just take this thing out." He grabs his crowbar from his bag and moves toward the thing"

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Tuesday March 12th, 2019 2:42:18 PM
Talia, laughs at Pressi's suggestion about moving the giant to the tower..."Pressi, I think it would be easier with a wish spell!" giggles Talia.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Tuesday March 12th, 2019 3:25:22 PM

"No crowbars yet, Pressi, Hobie," Murphy admonishes. "Let's let Tiana do her figuring, first. Also, I think we made some sort of promise to the Encompassing Mind, no?"

"Say, let's make sure that no critters have moved back in here. Who is up to join me back in the leg of chaos? Let's verify it is safe."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Tuesday March 12th, 2019 8:17:53 PM
"Well, I have never heard of anyone blowing themselves up with a magic dagger," says Kezzem to Tiana.

----

"Well if we can't bring the giant to the tower, maybe we can bring the tower to the giant," suggests Kezzem.

"That sounded smarter in my head."

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116  d100=99 ;
Wednesday March 13th, 2019 6:18:49 AM

"Tell you what. Talia, could I borrow the cloak? I'm going to check on the dark leg. If anyone wants to come with, please do."

Murphy takes a quick look at the countdown clock on the side of the gem, then heads down, aiming for the dark leg.

[Lotto 99! - wrong place]

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25 
Wednesday March 13th, 2019 8:13:24 AM

Oh no! Mister Murphy is heading off on his own again.

"No you don't my friend! We ALL go with you!"

Bliss corrals the entire party into following Murphy into the dark again.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Wednesday March 13th, 2019 10:03:48 AM
Succotash says, “Let’s let Twinklesting’s light lead”, then he steps to the front of the party, and leads the way to the dark leg.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Wednesday March 13th, 2019 10:33:24 AM
"Why," Pressi exclaimed. "What does it matter if the monsters came back? Are we running pony rides down there? Keeping the bedlams from getting squatters rights? Is the latest Trump Golf Course down there, next to the Starbucks? Just because a creature exists in the world doesn't mean we have to kill it, even if its the unofficial team motto. We have a job up here, and the people leading the charge are the people who would normally tell me to keep the eye on the prize."

Pressi eyed everyone around. To Kezzem, "Personally I'd rather move the tower myself. I sometimes feel like the only one here who doesn't salivate at the thought of turning this monstrosity once again upon our enemies. This thing is enslaved by the controller, and it inevitably returns the favor. And yet the temptation to just push for a giant, without even asking what the cost might be, just keeps pulling at us all."

Turning to Tiana, "I think, though, that you're seeing the group decide they want to do something besides play museum tour guide. So unless there's something in particular that you want from us, something that you can't get from our notes and debriefing, it may be time for us to turn our attention elsewhere. Please excuse my bluntness and our impatience."

Harper began to crouch, tail waving slowly, behind Pressi.

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25 
Wednesday March 13th, 2019 11:41:02 AM
Bliss giggles. ”If a creature exists in the Wold, we have to kill it.”

“Sir Kezzem,” Bliss says, “You always make me laugh!”

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Wednesday March 13th, 2019 8:04:44 PM
Talia says, "wait for me, Mister Murphy!" and flows her friend down the leg using her previously cast Overland flight spell!

"Does anyone have a light source for this leg? If not, I could help with it!" says Talia aloud.

Spells in Effect

Overland Flight | 715/720 Minutes

DM Carl 
Wednesday March 13th, 2019 8:24:53 PM
Zaragosa gets to work cleaning.

Bliss comes up with a complex idea, but could it work? There would need to be a lot of very strong logs, and even then...how would it not smash them? It's a ~250 feet tall iron giant. Steel would be more workable, but that much iron? Eesh.

Pressi ponders just taking the gem out. Hobie agrees. Tiana's face shows naked horror, but Murphy steps in and asks Hobie to leave the gem alone for now.

"Yes! Please do! Nothing about this place looks modular, and if we break it, I'm not sure we can fix it. I already have one thing I'm trying to fix.

There's talk about exploring the left leg again, but there's also some push back.

Whatever the party decides to do, Tiana gets to work. She sets up a small laboratory, then gets to work...

***

What happens next is up to you. If you want to explore the Giant some more, you can. If you want me to hand-wave to the next part of this module, I can. If there's no consensus, I'll go with majority rules.

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)   d20+6=8 ;
Wednesday March 13th, 2019 9:08:07 PM
Jack does not get Pressi's references. He feels like he should know what a 'Starbucks' is but he does not. He tries, and probably fails, to bluff know the reference (bluff 8). "trump gulf, ha! good one, as for the crowbar thing, I would rather know more about it before messing around. Seems like this whole thing is dangerous and we almost lost our town already."

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Wednesday March 13th, 2019 9:13:34 PM
"I don't know, Press, but I findnit best to avoid those Trump golf courses," says Kezzem. "They attract all types of weird creatures."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Wednesday March 13th, 2019 10:41:02 PM
“Yeah, all I know about Starbucks is there’s one in my living room and I can’t get it out.”

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Thursday March 14th, 2019 2:09:01 AM

Murphy throws his hands in the air. "I know what golf is, vaguely. At least I've heard of it. A trump is a suit in a card game that will generally win against a non-trump card of otherwise equivalent value. In the music business, sometimes people will call a 'trumpet' a 'trump' - due to... it's faster to drop the final syllable, I suppose. Are there horses in the sky, which buck the stars? No idea. Does Starbucks have anything to do with Shakespeare, that fellow you told me about who writes plays, about whom I've never heard anyone else in Wold mention - although I really would like to see his plays, if there are as good as you say - and I don't doubt they are.

"But we still have a town to protect. And people FROM that town to protect. Who is to say, even if we say, 'Stay away - the Starbucks will get you!' - that some enterprising halfling lass or lad - or a whole passel of 'em - won't try to sneak in and find out what mysteries lie within the Amazing Iron Giant?

"Tiana needs to set up shop and get her tests running. Explain to me - if it's other than laziness - ANY good reason why we should not have a run through of the giant, to ENSURE that it is cleared out. And once we are certain that no spare critters that might hurt someone (other than us adventurers) are lurking about, then to more thoroughly map it out - figure out the conduits and channels for the... power and nervous system built in.

"Not all of us need necessarily to all bunch together after a full sweep. However, some of you have laid into me for trying things solo. Which is why now, for the third time, I Am Inviting Any Who Wish To Come - to join me in a security sweep.

"Another thing - I think we owe it to our community to grant them a well-guided tour of the place, once it looks secure. And the first ones on board should be: People willing to help us clean it up."

"So:
1. Joint Security Sweep.
2a and 2b. Then - select supervised cleanup crew, while some of us are mapping. (We want to be sure that visitors do not steal stuff from here - like in the calf and thigh of the right leg)
3. Then a celebration party with high muck-a-mucks and all.
4. And finally, after that - all except necessary personnel stay out so that work might be done.

"We can talk about what follows the security sweep. But for now, I'd like to request all hands who want to join in, to help us ensure the giant is secure. Those who don't want to participate, well, we'll let you know what we find, if anything."

He thanks Bliss, Talia, Succotash for agreeing to come. "Yep, Talia, I think we've got light. So long as there are no more bedlams down there, we should be fine -- unless there is something worse..."

Murphy sticks around for a moment to hear reactions. Then, unless a far more brilliant idea is put forth, he heads out to do the work with those who go with him, beginning in the left leg.

[Keep in mind that the left leg now goes from the hip directly or ever-so-slightly-off-vertical angled down toward the knee, then sharply doubles back to go towards the foot, either on the level, or slightly angled upward toward the heel, since the Iron Giant is kneeling, and the right leg at the foot ascends, then from the knee descends at an angle toward the hip.]

[Also, note that the party has yet to explore along the inside of the arms - at least one of which is angled down to touch the ground in front of the giant.]

[Finally: If it's okay with the rest of the gang and DM Carl: Can we assume we sweep the giant and, unless and until we find something new, weird, unexpected (or combat), you give us highlights and a summary?

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Thursday March 14th, 2019 5:45:42 AM
Succotash is down with making a sweep of the giant, as he is uncomfortable with the idea of some civilian getting attacked while on a tour of the thing, but he really would like to try to get to the location they saw in the viewing screen of the inside of the encompassing mind,

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Thursday March 14th, 2019 1:47:26 PM
Pressi moves on from strange bits she's been gleaning from divinations, and makes a mental note to move on from nightly Woldsblood, or at least in assuming people besides her have the ability to move on.

"We didn't just lay into you for flying solo. We laid into you because you have this tendency to forget the task at hand and focus on scouting for scouting sake. I asked you for the purpose. You gave me a hypothetical with a lot of assumptions, a crack about my laziness, and an assertion that I have to protect this town, with zero evidence, from the scourge of (shrug shoulders).

"It's not my job to be your mother. You want to go check out the leg, even by yourself, knock yourself out. I don't expect you to find much left, which is why I think its a waste of time. I also expect you not to engage or release it, given that its probably contained. If you need me, you know where to find me. Just be honest about why you suddenly decided to check certain things out, even if its just to yourself."

With that, she parks herself near the laboratory, keeping an eye on Tiana.

"Oh, and even if this giant has no dangers whatsoever, it still contains a lot of information and objects that can wander off and secrets that might be found. Not to mention information about how our group operates against foes. So, no, I don't think we owe the community a tour of what I'm treating as a classified site. But that's another argument."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Thursday March 14th, 2019 2:04:27 PM
(OOC: Metawise, I'm operating under the assumption that at least one person should stay near Tiana, at least for expositional purposes. (And, on the odd chance that something does happen, to protect her.) I'm using Pressi's stubbornness in part to explain why she stays behind.)

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)  
Thursday March 14th, 2019 3:28:25 PM
Jack also agrees to go along with the security sweep, that is if the humble ford won't mind him taking a break from cleaning up.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9 
Thursday March 14th, 2019 3:35:08 PM
"I'll come along on a security sweep. If we run into one of those starbucks, you are gonna want my bow to protect you."

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Thursday March 14th, 2019 6:49:47 PM
"Ready when you are Mister Murphy!" exclaims Talia.

Spells in Effect

Overland Flight | 715/720 Minutes


DM Carl 
Thursday March 14th, 2019 10:16:17 PM
There are some fiesty words shared. Given the time, it probably makes sense to do a sweep of the Giant, even if not everyone is on board.

The final decision about what to do with the Giant looms, but there's time enough to figure it out.

***

I've been in the ER all day. Everything's fine now, but this post is all I have energy for. Tomorrow's post will include what's discovered in a sweep of the Giant. My apologies, friends.

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25 
Thursday March 14th, 2019 10:19:08 PM

Bliss turns on / casts his kitty shape, shield of faith, barkskin, and last of all, his new SLA Divine Favor. Then hops down into the dark with his friends, sniffing (scent).

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Friday March 15th, 2019 2:54:53 AM

"That was not a personal crack about your laziness," Murphy responds, "nor an accusation thereof, Pressi. It was addressed to the whole group - I suppose it was a crack of sorts, just in case someone were to have advanced it as a reason to avoid doing the work. We're really not a lazy assemblage of people, anyhow. You may prickle if you choose to at things I say - but if you take something personally that was not intended as such, I will tend to let you know.

"'Scouting for scouting's sake'? Nope. Scouting has a point. The point is situational awareness. Finding out if there are threats, or opportunities, so as to better prepare for or avoid danger, and so as to gain the benefits of good things we may otherwise have missed. But, 'I think I'll scout just because I'm tired of standing around'? That's not the case - although, I reserve the right to use it in the future, just in case," he smiles.

"Having someone partner with Tiana, should the need arise? Quite astute.

"And whether to have anyone take a look, once we're satisfied we know where things are? I think that at least a few folks that it might be sensible to include would be Constable Rosco, Mayor Bingo, Hazel and Alouryn," [original members of Humble's Sword, and now caretakers of our place,] "Hugo and Primula PipeLeaf, and my father. For starters. Oh, and of course Tiana's colleague in the Second Dinner Club, Veseley Vortence."

"Yes, Hobie, yes, I take your point indeed!"

"Great, Talia, Jack. Hi, kitty cat. You alive, Kezzem - wanna stay, or go on tour with us? I concur, Succotash - I'd like to be able to look inside the gem, too. Should be time for that, once Tiana's investigations - with Pressi and whoever helping out - prove fruitful."

He joins those setting out and explores with them the Iron Giant, toe to tip. From time to time he messages updates to Pressi.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Friday March 15th, 2019 5:51:30 AM
After making a complete sweep of the Iron Giant, Succotash is awed by the shear magnitude of the Iron Giant, as he sees and notices things he didn't take time for on his last visit, of course Humble's Sword was a bit preoccupied last time. He keeps Twinklesting in hand just in case something jumps out of the wood work, requiring her special kind of attention.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9 
Friday March 15th, 2019 5:53:16 AM
Pic: what’s the range on that mindlink that Murphy and Pressi have? And what’s the cost? I was thinking maybe it could be advantageous to have Hobie do it with Roscoe, so the party can always be contact with the town.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Friday March 15th, 2019 8:00:14 AM

"Hobie - Telepathic bond is a fifth level divination spell," Murphy explains. "To make it permanent between two people, it costs 6,250 gold pieces. Once the bond is formed, it works over any distance - but not from one plane to another."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Friday March 15th, 2019 1:30:59 PM
(OOC: 6250 per person - we each had to put it on our sheet. In the case of an NPC like Roscoe, you'd probably be on the hook for 12,500, so decide if its worth it. We have it for combat or scouting scenarios, i.e. in a case like this where we split the party. If you are interested, you purchase it in the catacombs just like any other item.)

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Friday March 15th, 2019 2:46:55 PM
As the rest of the group moves out to explore the giant, Pressi continues to hang back with Tiana. Whatever she may think about exploration or Murphy's statements, she considers any further discussion... counterproductive at this time.

Hanging back in the corner, Pressi watches Tiana continue her experiment silently, while continuing to watch the room, fiddle with her backpack, scrolling through her cauldron... trying hard not to stare or let her guard down.

"I've been rather busy on my own projects, don't you know," she finally said to nobody in particular. "If you really want a challenge, try planning a druid-witch wedding where all the guests aren't naked. Can't be done."

She waits for a reaction before continuing.

"So, what exactly are you trying to test for? I thought we established what this thing was and that we need to move the giant before any other task."

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)  
Friday March 15th, 2019 3:09:15 PM
Jack will join the others as they do their sweep.

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Friday March 15th, 2019 5:46:30 PM
Talia tries to stay a person or cat behind Mister Murphy....simply because she's a squishy.

Spells in Effect

Overland Flight | 714/720 Minutes

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25 
Friday March 15th, 2019 8:18:20 PM
Bliss meows as he sniffs in the dark.

He looks -- or smells -- or really, just listens -- for Mister Murphy. That fellow is always getting himself in trouble.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Saturday March 16th, 2019 1:07:47 PM
Kezzem sings softly as the party sweeps the giant.

"Sweep, sweep, sweep,
All day long
Sweep, sweep, sweep,
While I sing this song.

Gonna sweep this giant,
Gonna make a climb,
If we find some bedlams,
Then it's smiting time."

DM Carl 
Saturday March 16th, 2019 2:09:35 PM
And so, Tiana gets to work while Pressi keeps her company. Some of our party cleans, some explored the Giant. Pressi's comments actually get Tiana to stop for a moment in quiet contemplation. "That IS a conundrum. Maybe outfits made from vines and broad leaves? Not very witchy, but it should satisfy druidic sensibilities...wait, you're engaged? Are we going to have to have another party? We've had a lot of those lately. I'm kind of partied out."

When asked what she's testing for, she replies, "Mostly testing my hypothesis. If we do end up having to physically move this thing, I want to be sure I'm right before we do so. Imagine my embarrassment if it turns out we didn't need to move it after all that effort was expended!

"Also, trying to suss out just how we'd use the Giant's energy if and when we get it close to the tower. I have a hunch there aren't any mechanisms that allow that built in." She sighs. "I understand you did what you had to do, but this would be much easier if I could talk to this Encompassing Mind Succotash seems so fond of."

There are two areas of the Giant that were unexplored when Anur was defeated. No further critters are found, though. The Giant is, at least for now, cleaned out and secure.

One is the area just to the left of the Heart of the Giant. Inside our heroes find an armory of sorts. Spellcasters who check for magic find an array of battle axes and breastplates that are all mundane. They could probably be sold for some coin, but maybe they're better off as supplies for possible future crew? Guess that depends on the party's plans.

There is one magical item in the room. It is a long shaft made of wood. Picking it up, it's heavier than it should be, almost as if it's under the effect of an ironwood spell. At what we'll call the top of the shaft are three receptacles that are the same size and shape as the power crystals found throughout the Giant. The very top is shaped like a hexagon.

It's been quite some time since the players behind our party found it, but perhaps one of them recall finding a longspear blade without a shaft.

The other area that didn't get explored is the very top of the Giant. A small hatch can be found in the control room with one of those ladders that fold in three for storage. As soon as the hatch is open, a cacophony of bangs, clacks, and other metal-on-metal sounds pours out.

Up that ladder is the brain of the Iron Giant. The only source of light pours from the eye slits of the Giant and does little to illuminate the area.

Bringing a source light reveals a mechanical network of steam pipes, chains, and gears. Even with the Giant at rest, they constantly move. The functions of individual contraptions will take lots of study to deduce, and whomever does it will need ear plugs of a few silence scrolls because this whole place is painfully loud. Anyone who stays here more than a few minutes without protection risks temporary deafness or worse. Tinnitus is no joke, folks...

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Saturday March 16th, 2019 2:44:35 PM
"WE SHOULD NOT STAY IN HERE!" shouts Kezzem. "I KNEW AN ARCHER ONCE WHO HAD TINNITUS, AND LET ME TELL YOU, IT IS NO JOKE!"

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Sunday March 17th, 2019 2:43:26 PM
Talia. not waiting for the consensus, leaves the tiny room to the others to deliberate over. "This place is not for me!" Talia mumbles to herself, as she softly decends out of the room using her casted spell Overland Flight.

Spells in Effect

Overland Flight | 714/720 Minutes

(OOC: Any idea of how much time has past?)


Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Monday March 18th, 2019 5:23:32 AM
Succotash is satisfied that the Iron Giant is free from any threats at the moment, so he heads back to the encompassing gem, presumably with the others. Upon arrival, he asks, "Figure anything out yet, and do you know how we can get inside of the gem yet?"

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116  d20+17=31 ; d20+17=22 ; d20+17=34 ; d20+17=36 ; d20+10=30 ; d20+10=21 ; d20+10=30 ; d20+10=21 ;
Monday March 18th, 2019 6:00:52 AM

Murphy concurs with Kezzem and Talia. "Yeah - way too loud in there."

Once they are a suitable distance from the audio assault forces, the druid says, "My headband grants me skill in engineering. I propose a couple of us team up to get to know the mechanics of the chamber. Also, though I frequently mention pulling in suitable folks from the town to help us out in situations for which their skills seem appropriate, it seems there is occasional resistance to pulling them in" (or, perhaps the powers that be don't have time to address the matter).

"I think, though, that Hugh and Primula PipeLeaf might want to take a look at this. I already talked with them the day we stopped the iron giant about looking over one of the guardian robots. Also, I'd like to include my father, Samell, who has crafted many machines, and is just starting to design something he is calling a 'Ride-Around on Amazing Creatures Machine.'" He smiles, and adds, "My mother, Bekka Lilly, suggested instead he call it a 'Merry Go Round.'

"Anyway, how about having me and at least one other of us take an initial gander. I can sketch out various pieces and parts. We can watch to see how things interrelate. As needed, I can shape change into a tiny form to get to different parts. We'll want to take care that some bit of machinery does not catch on our limbs, hair or clothing to draw us into getting mangled.

"Who wants to help me out with this? And, if you think anyone else in town might have knowledge, gifts or skills that could be useful inside - just let us know. Oh, and I've got some soft cloth for stuffing our ears so we don't go deaf. Or, develop tinnitus. I could find some clay - that'd likely do a great job. When we're done, Bliss Kitty can help lick out the excess." He watches for Bliss's reaction.

Murphy will get some clay - he's a druid, and has dug around as an earth elemental, and knows the town - should not be any big trouble to get that. He plans to use some thin tightly-woven fabric in which to place the clay so that it doesn't actually get stuck in the ears. He will test to be certain it does an adequate job of lowering the intensity of the noise.

"How about we have some lunch out on the grass, then get started in here?"

Murphy via mindlink with Pressi asks, "Shall we tell our friends about our engagement over lunch? Or when? How are you with letting them know? I don't know if discussing it in the middle of a huge metal bucket was the venue for it..."

Then, aloud, he asks, "Pressi, how does the, um, checking out the operational innards by a few of us sound to you?" He looks at the others, "And with you all?"

And finally, "And for you, Tiana, would you want Veseley, or anyone else, to give you a hand in here?"

[For when we get started: I rolled 4 Knowledge: Engineering checks of 31, 22, 34, 36 for starters. As well as 4 Profession: Artist rolls of 30, 21, 30, 21 for developing documentation of what we learn.]

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Monday March 18th, 2019 2:38:37 PM
"I don't think we're having a big party. We haven't even announced to most of the group or discussed whether we are telling anyone yet," Pressi admitted. "Guess we just had other things on our mind."

"Speaking of... if the encompassing mind is really that important, I'd be glad to run you up there and to the bridge quickly. You could at least poke around and get a better idea of what drives it. I think you underestimate how easily you could just tell it to go to the tower without destroying half the town. It was... not the easiest interface in the wold."

DM Carl 
Monday March 18th, 2019 5:35:38 PM
Kezzem, Talia, and Murphy all escape back to the quiet of the control room. Murphy ponders bringing in outside assistance to try and gain an idea of how the Giant works.

...and why not? They have time. Tiana shakes her head when Murphy brings up Veseley. "He's pursuing his own studies. He thinks we can 'un-blow-up' the tower via chrono-distortion. I think he's a quack, but let him try. What's the worst that can happen...a lot, actually. A lot can happen." She stands. "Anyway, Pressi was going to show me the control center."

The two excuse themselves and head upstairs. "This is it? A dias, a headband, and a big window?" She scratches her head. "Doesn't seem that complicated."

Murphy and his kin have time to do some investigations. His trick with the cloth and clay works well enough; it's loud, but at least no one will go deaf up there.

It takes a few days, and Murphy spends a lot of time as a shrew, or some other small animal. A lot is going on behind the interior walls of the Giant. However, without the Giant being in motion, it's very difficult to test their theories. There are also some findings that defy explanation. For example, no one is able to find a direct powertrain from the brain of the Giant to its legs. Perhaps there is some mechanism that transmits instructions, without also transmitting power. A sort of...drive by wire situation. Without the Giant in motion, discerning such a system is nearly impossible.

That's not even touching on the divine and arcane energies that go into piloting the Giant.

Murphy no doubt has the patience and will to figure all this out, but one wonders how much time would be left to adventuring if he tried.

Succotash wonders if anyone's figured out how to get inside the gem yet. Your narrator suggests everyone go reread his last post for something important everyone seems to have missed.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Monday March 18th, 2019 6:55:40 PM

Mentally replying to Pressi, Murphy says, 'That's fine. We'll find a suitable time to let our friends know.'

"Oh, no. I don't want renewed chrono-distortion," Murphy replies to Tania's explanation. "We traveled for weeks following our own version of that. And that's when you and we got separated, and you and Veseley kidnapped, and... no. No, please."

At some point, likely during a break for a meal, Murphy brings up something to the group. "Talia found a silvery longspear blade among the junk pile in the middle level of the right leg, in the early stage of our Iron Giant visit. You wrapped it in cloth and placed it in your bag of holding." [Oct 14 2018 post] "Tali, you still have that? If so, can we see it?"

He then turns to Hobie. "You didn't happen by chance to have sold that to the Catacombs, I trust?" [Kim knows he did not, but Murphy is just checking to make certain.]

Should Talia produce the spear blade, he asks to see the wooden ironwood-ish shaft that was found in their latest explorations. He looks at the opening at the base of the longspear blade to see if it is hexagonal in shape, to match the head of the shaft "So, what do you all think? How about we place the spear blade over the end of the shaft, and populate the three receptacles with power crystals?

"Who wants to put it together?" Murphy asks his friends. "I wonder if it might be a key of sorts? Or just a super-arcane weapon? Or both?"

He mentally asks Pressi, 'You suppose it might help open the Encompassing Mind gem?'

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25  d20+13=30 ;
Monday March 18th, 2019 7:17:37 PM

Bliss ignores Murphy's rude comment about ... licking! Bleck!

He does have fun pouncing on little rodents he sees scurrying about, catching them with his (nonlethal) bite. Wait, that's you, Murphy? Oops!

After the whole place is secure, he changes into a halfling and watches Murphy with the ironwood shaft. "Here, let me try that," he asks. He puts in some power crystals and tries to use his UMD to "activate blndly."

"ROOTAH ... VOOTAH ... ZOOT!" he declares, waving it around.

He taps it on his heels and says softly, "There's no place like Humbles Ford."

He points it at a wall and says, "Abracadabra!"

If that does not work, he says, "I mean, 'Avada Kedavra'!"

He looks around for a hexal place to put it into, and tries that all again.

Use Magic Device check 30 WOO HOO!

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90  d20+18=24 ; d20+18=28 ;
Monday March 18th, 2019 7:31:48 PM
Talia using her overland flight spell goes back to the room with the heavy magical staff. It is a long shaft made of wood. At what we'll call the top of the shaft are three receptacles that are the same size and shape as the power crystals found throughout the Giant. The very top is shaped like a hexagon.

Returning with the shaft, Talia also retrieves the longspear balde wrapped in a cloth from her Handy haversack. Showing the both to Mister Murphy, Talia vonlunteers to assemble the arcane device, if there are no other volunteers.

Talia, if allowed will place the long spear balde atop the spear with her Use Magical Device & her knowledge of the Arcane skillsets. Afterwards, she will place the three (3) gems around the blade into their proper recepticles.

[Skill checks | Knowledge Arcane: 24, UMD: 28]

Spells in Effect

Overland Flight | 710/720 Minutes

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Monday March 18th, 2019 8:50:28 PM
"Hey, if it wasn't for that chrono-dis-whats-now, you wouldn't have met me!" says Kezzem. "Surely it wasn't all bad."

He pauses for a minute.

"You also wouldn't have met Press."

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25 
Monday March 18th, 2019 9:51:01 PM
Bliss scoffs at Talia, teasing. "Just a puny 28? You call that a UMD check! Ha!"

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Monday March 18th, 2019 11:21:43 PM
"Bliss, really?! Where's your Arcane knowledge? Just cause you have a lucky spike of using magic devices, you gonna tease me? Really?!" says Talia laughing....as Talia mumbles, furball...

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Monday March 18th, 2019 11:22:01 PM
"What's the kid talking 'bout now?" asks Kezzem.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Tuesday March 19th, 2019 1:28:00 AM

"Valid points, Kezzem," the druid responds. "Excellent."

Murphy is amused with Bliss's playful efforts at activation and laughs at the banter between him and Talia.

"Say, folks. Let's take this spear contraption over near the Encompassing Mind. And look carefully to see if there is a spot where it seems to fit," he suggests. "But under Tiana's close oversight. Supervision. As in, she's the boss over us regarding Madam Gem for the time being."

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96  d20+7=19 ;
Tuesday March 19th, 2019 4:44:26 AM
"I got someone else to call her Madam Gem!" Succotash giggles out loud, "But then it does sound less formal the Encompassing Mind" he says Encompassing Mind in a mock high and might tone accompanied by side to side neck movements coinciding with the syllables. He then goes over to check for anything that might look like a place to insert the spear. Perception 19

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Kim for Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)  
Tuesday March 19th, 2019 4:56:24 AM

"If you want someone with a steady hand to use the spear near the gem, then Hobie or I, maybe Bliss might be good candidates and are nimble. I think Bliss and Hobie are stronger than me, but I have rather good balance," affirms Jack, though with a blush to his cheeks to be making so bold.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9  d20+21=22 ; d20+23=33 ;
Tuesday March 19th, 2019 1:10:48 PM
"Let me take a look at that thing as well Talia"

Hobie examines the magical spear, and it's auras, (Knowledge Arcana 22, Spellcraft 33)

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Tuesday March 19th, 2019 2:57:30 PM
There isn't much more that Pressi can do with the spear, except whack it against the side of the giant. She considers detect magic but remembers that the entire room gives off auras. (Of course, she could always take it outside....)

She does break out the true seeing for the spear and a quick look at some of the rooms (including the room with all of the noise, the madam gem room and the control room). For the noise room itself, she uses arcane eye to spy upon it from a distance, taking some time to look around.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Tuesday March 19th, 2019 4:35:42 PM
Kezzem notices Pressi examining the spear. "Maybe you could try stabbing someone and see what happens," suggest Kezzem. "Um, you know, someone who is not me."

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Tuesday March 19th, 2019 5:27:34 PM
Talia goes along with everyone else in trying to see if there is something here we can unlock.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Tuesday March 19th, 2019 8:27:57 PM

At the beginning of the third day of examinations, Murphy looks to bring in his father, Samell Fingers Pastna Pipewood, having shown him his sketches the evening prior.

At the beginning of the fourth day, he sees if Hugo and/or Primula PipeWeed are open to taking a look. [to DM Carl - have those two yet taken advantage of Murphy's week-old invitation to examine the guardian construct that rests in a room in the stone castle of Sanctuary? I've not yet seen a response on the boards to that twice-repeated invite. If so, that could give them a head start as they look over the mechanisms of the Iron Giant]. He thinks that getting some of the more mechanically clever people from Humble's Ford to help take a look may help accelerate the accumulation of knowledge. As an inducement to join in, he also shows them some of the sketches, so that they'll have some idea as to what they are getting into.
============

"May I presume that we are not camping out here in the Iron Giant? I like to sleep in my bed when possible. Working here maybe 8, 9 hours a day does it for me."

DM Carl  d20+10=17 ; d20+7=22 ; d20+7=10 ; d20+11=20 ; d20+11=17 ; d20+15=33 ;
Tuesday March 19th, 2019 9:38:09 PM
OOC to Kim: I thought their presence was implied:

Murphy and his kin have time to do some investigations.


***

Murphy is not on board with poking the timeline any further. What are the chances of someone better than Kezzem coming along? Very, very unlikely to be sure. He ponders attaching the blade they found during their quest to this new shaft.

Bliss is all over it. He places some power crystals inside the sockets. As he does, he finds the sockets ever so slightly shift to accept them. They lock securely in place; Bliss can swing the shaft around as violently as he likes and they stay put. He finds it is trivial to remove then when that's his intention, however.

He goes through his checklist of arcane sounding words, but there's no reaction.

Talia gently relieves Bliss of the shaft and places the longspear blade on top. It fits perfectly with a slight *click*, and instantly any gems in the shaft begin to glow faintly.

OOC: For the sake of expediency, I'm going to say two red gems and one green are slotted.

Green energy begins to spark along the blade of the newly reconstructed longspear. Talia tries to safely coax a reaction from the blade. With a flash on insight, she realizes it has a ranged attack. Sure enough, a blast of green arcane power erupts from it, striking the wall of the Giant where is dissipates harmlessly. It's a good bet it wouldn't dissipate harmlessly if it struck an opponent.

One has to wonder if different gems have different effects. In their travels up the Giant, the party found a number of red and green gems, plus the three gems that made up the Encompassing Mind.

The spear is brought up the the Heart of the Giant. Succotash and Zaragosa check it over, but there is no obvious way the two interact. The surface of the gem is flawless.

Hobie asks for a turn and inspects the spear. It radiates very strong evocation and transmutation magics. The evocation magic's effect is obvious enough. Its transmutation effect is not.

Pressi recognizes her companions have addressed the spear properly.

OOC: Detect magic can still be used against a specific object as normal. The restriction was on using it to scan a space for auras.

She inspects the spear with true seeing. She discovers the entire length is shot through with arcane conduits that feed off the gems inserted. She also has a strong suspicion that the sockets themselves are somewhat mutable. While the spell is active, she heads upstairs and inspects the control room and the brain. The dais in the control room is surrounded by a field of strong transmutation magic. She probably remembers Anur fiddling with controls that weren't visible. The aura she seems correlates to the movements she remembers. Still, she is unable to see anything other than an aura, even with true seeing.

The brain itself is surprisingly light on magic auras. It appears to be mostly mechanical.

Murphy ponders sleeping arrangements, but the party is able to stay awake without food or water indefinitely while inside the Giant. Stepping out of the Giant after a prolonged stay finds one hungry, thirsty, and fatigued, but not unreasonably so.

Tiana takes full advantage. "This may be my favorite part. Sleep and I have been enemies for many, many years." She works day and night, literally.

After three days, in the middle of the night, a crash is heard from the bottom of the Giant.

OOC: Perception check was DC10, so let's just say everyone auto-passes.

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)  
Tuesday March 19th, 2019 9:53:24 PM
Jack would rise from his bedroll where he was staying every night in this giant. He was having a dream about slaying a giant, which was kind of funny due to his name.

Being a support fighter, He would wait to see who else would wake as he put his armor on before leaving to see what was below

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25 
Tuesday March 19th, 2019 10:23:42 PM

"What's that everybody! Wake up! Come on, Jack! Check it out!"

Bliss changes into a cat and pounces down to see what the noise is and what is making it. He activates his Shield of Faith as he descends.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116  d20+30=33 ;
Tuesday March 19th, 2019 10:42:15 PM
Despite that one can work aboard the Iron Giant without hunger, thirst, or fatigue while within, Murphy decides that he still wants to get in a good night's sleep away from the giant, and have a late dinner and early breakfast, besides. So he commutes. He's a druid. Too much machinery makes him want to go back, check out the soil, the oaks, the bees asleep at night, say hi to his friends and catch them up a bit on what's going on, or find out what's happening in town, and pet his cat. As a result... he is likely at the Sanctuary, and sound asleep when there is a bump in the night at the Iron Giant.

He leaves the teleportation cloak with Talia and the three gems within the giant (he places them in a sack underneath the pile of assorted junk in the middle of the right leg) before he leaves each evening, then reclaims them each morning on his return.

As he sleeps, all of his gear is adjacent to his bed, so he can get up and go at a moment's notice.

[Sorry, gang, I'm not there with you at this specific moment. It's a druid thing.]

'the bottom of the Giant' = backside of groin area? Or the bottom of the right foot? Or along the left knee/shin/foot?
============
Perception: 33/10 - success :-) - but only in his dreams.

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Tuesday March 19th, 2019 11:12:00 PM
Talia, although like everyone else recalls, within the Giant, sleep is not really necessary, she will meditate for two (2) hours to regain her allotted slots.

After the first night of meditation, Taila will continue with the two (2) hour meditate process everyday they remain in the Giant. Everytime Talia comes out of her meditation state, she will cast Overland Flight on herself.

On the third night after mediation and spell casting, Talia will await to see what the main fighters do and if the majority of them decend into the depths of the Giant's anatomy, then she will also decent keeping about a 20 foot space between herself and the main fighters. Before leaving, Talia asks Tiana what she might like now that the group is off to investigate the loud crashing sound eminating from the bottom of the Giants Leg?

Spells in Effect

Overland Flight | 720/720 Minutes

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Tuesday March 19th, 2019 11:47:50 PM
Kezzem is napping despite not needing to sleep. Roused by the loud noise, Kezzem hastily adorns his armor and descends to investigate. He activates detect evil.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Wednesday March 20th, 2019 5:15:49 AM

Murphy dreams about putting all pink gems into the spear, aiming that at the Mother Gem, and trying to use magical device. Might that open her up?

He moves his left foot to pull it out gently from under the calico cat, who laid her body on the covers on top of it. She complains and moves to the floor.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Wednesday March 20th, 2019 5:33:43 AM
Succotash is loving the fact that he doesn't have to sleep, as a result, he has remained vigilant and armored the whole time, and since he hasn't used any spells, he is good to go. Upon hearing the crash, he springs into action. He draws Twinklesting as he makes a b-line for the sound.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Wednesday March 20th, 2019 2:21:34 PM
(If Murphy is spending every night outside the giant, Pressi probablly is as well, unless some particular duty keeps her there.)

Nights are spent... somewhat lonely. (Murphy has been quite clear that he is saving himself for marriage.). Of course, other duties arise as the days go on. Figuring out whether to make a big deal about the engagement. Running her (and Bliss apparently) coven. Playing with the diagrams she sketched shortly after true seeing.

She sleeps fitfully in her room at the dancing pig.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9 
Wednesday March 20th, 2019 5:01:31 PM
Hobie remained in the giant, using the endless scroll cabinet to scribe some magical scrolls, as well as just journaling about his experiences of late. He also spent much of the time shading Tiana to see what she is learning.

When he hears the noise, he takes off along with Succotash and Kezzem. He will stand a few meters behind his armored friends, with Prowler in hand, and the other hand ready to grab for an arrow.

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Wednesday March 20th, 2019 7:07:32 PM
Talia asks , "Is anyone staying with Tiana, while the rest go to investiagte the crashing sound? If not, I will stay with Tiana...."

Spells in Effect

Overland Flight | 720/720 Minutes

DM Carl 
Wednesday March 20th, 2019 7:49:13 PM
Everyone...save maybe Pressi (ooc: you're sleeping in town? That's absolutely fine, just confirming) and Murphy...hears the sound and rushes towards it.

Turns out, it came from the floor just above the entrance in the right heel. It's the one with all the junk and broken constructs. Succotash and Kezzem, paladins that they are, bravely charge forth with Bliss to discover...Candy Badapple and two of her gang pulling a third out of the pile where they obviously took a tumble. They're accompanied by two small air elementals.

"He...hey guys!" starts Candy. "Just thought, ya know, there's a giant metal man over there, and Humble's Sword is probably getting bored and wants some company...in the middle of the night." She pauses, scratching her head for a bit. "So here we are! Oh, hey Hobie, Jack!" she adds as they appears behind the two.

The air elementals whirl around some, catching Candy's attention.

Auran, Highlight to display spoiler: {"You said we were going to sneak around, not keep them company."}

Candy listens, appears to process the difficult language, and answer in passable auran herself. Highlight to display spoiler: {"Shh!"...ok, that's actually not too hard to say in auran.}

"So...uh, wanna show us around?"

Meanwhile, Tiana and Talia are more than happy to let the men handle the danger. Talia knows enough about the arcane to make herself useful. "Hand me the quantum re-fluxer, will you? It's the gooey stuff over there in the brass tub. Careful, you don't want to get it on yourself. You'll go to clean it off and find it's simultaneously there and not there until someone else watches you do it."

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Wednesday March 20th, 2019 7:50:30 PM

Talia may recall that Murphy left the cloak of teleportation with her while he is outside the Iron Giant. She can go anywhere she likes in an instant within the giant.

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25 
Wednesday March 20th, 2019 8:35:56 PM

Bliss agrees with Talia. "Good idea, Miss," he says just before he changes into a cat and rushes down.

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25 
Wednesday March 20th, 2019 9:42:49 PM
[OOC: OOPS missed the DM post?!]

Bliss in cat form dashes up to these intruders. He hisses, like an angry cat.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Thursday March 21st, 2019 12:04:56 AM
"Well, it's probably not the best time to come for a visit. Bliss is awfully cranky that you woke him from his...cat nap!"

Kezzem responses to these intruders with his deadliest of weapons...puns.


Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Thursday March 21st, 2019 1:08:39 AM

Murphy turns on to his left side in bed, scrunching the down-feather pillow just so to support his head.

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Kim for Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71) 
Thursday March 21st, 2019 3:30:42 AM

"I'm fairly new to the group, but - hi, Candy - but the rule right now is no one visits without Pressi and maybe Murphy and Bliss and, and the rest of us giving the say so. And Bliss just snaa-ed at you. The middle of the night! Sneakin' in, like thieves or somethin'. So, if you want to come in, you go out now, and come back in the morning, after second breakfast, and knock, and wait for permission. Not even the Mayor has come in yet. You can get hurt in here, don't you know? We've been cleaning up blood for days."

Then he adds, "And maybe we should check your pockets. To get this thing goin', there had better be no parts missing." He adds, "I'm checking to be sure - don't worry, this is just detect magic." He casts the spell and starts looking over the group - whatever they are wearing, whatever they are carrying.

Jairus has heard enough stories about these people, and the trouble they caused here and there and climbing up on the white spire and disrupting parties.

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Kim for Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71) 
Thursday March 21st, 2019 8:17:52 AM

That is (last sentence - someone please fix):

Jack has heard enough stories about these people, and the trouble they caused here and there and climbing up on the white spire and disrupting parties.

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Thursday March 21st, 2019 10:09:10 AM
Succotash turns to Kezzem with his back to Candy and company, and winks as if to say, “Follow my lead”, then he turns back and says, “Nice, Kezzem, it looks like we have some new recruits for Paladin training!”. Even though he is messing with them, he would gladly train any of them that choose to become a Paladin.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Thursday March 21st, 2019 11:19:05 AM
"Well, I don't knoe how your god does things, Succo, but my training to become a champion of Gargul was pretty simple. Acttually, there was only one step: you just have to die and come back."

"Actually, I guess that would be two steps."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Thursday March 21st, 2019 3:17:10 PM
Pressi continues to sleep. Deep down, she wonders whether circumstances will require a diviner who can comprehend languages, detect thoughts and enchant. But how likely is that.

There are other things she is unaware of, such as the other female halfling in her room. Cloaked in shadow, she remains only long enough to leave a scroll on the nightstand, the Silverglove family crest quite visible.

(OOC: This is the last of the things I'll post about NPCs. Just wanted to establish that her family knows where she is and about the engagement.)

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)  
Thursday March 21st, 2019 7:59:18 PM
(OOC ok, I'm cool with that, seems I am missing out on who these guys are but Kim is right if Jack would have heard about them)

DM Carl 
Thursday March 21st, 2019 9:38:31 PM
Murphy and Pressi sleep right through all the excitement.

Bliss bounds up and makes a show of hissing at the intruders.

Kezzem makes a pun so bad that Candy and her entire crew groan in unison. Even the elementals make a show of it.

Zaragosa has some instincts on how to proceed, but he knows that Candy and her bunch are good-hearted troublemakers, not actual hooligans. They'd probably be really upset if he accused them of stealing.

Succotash announces he's ready to begin their training. Kezzem details the process of becoming one of Gargul's paladins.

"Woah now...we just wanted'a see the Giant." She pauses a moment. "You guys really think I'm paladin material?" The question seems earnest.

Meanwhile, Pressi has a visitor. Hopefully she brings good tidings? Probably not. Good tidings don't sneak in and out under cover of night.

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Thursday March 21st, 2019 11:05:43 PM
"So Ms. Tiana, how did you come to learn about the quantum re-fluxer? Better, yet how did you come to be a member of the Supper club?" asks Talia of Ms. Tiana.

Spells in Effect

Overland Flight | 710/720 Minutes

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25  d20-1=11
Thursday March 21st, 2019 11:56:51 PM

Bliss sees others engaging the intruders and changes into a halfling. "You guys aren't really very good at being sneaky, are you?" he asks.

"I know Miss ... Candy? right? Well, I'm Bliss." He reaches a hand to meet the leader of the gang and her members. "What are your names? And what are you all doing in here, really?"

Untrained Sense Motive: 11.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9 
Friday March 22nd, 2019 1:48:11 AM
"These guys are right, it's dangerous here. You'd better leave. But if you are gonna stay, maybe grab some armor and a weapon."

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Friday March 22nd, 2019 5:49:42 AM
"Well Candy", Succotash begins, "I believe anyone who is willing to throw off the shackles of evil and lawlessness, and embrace good and law, can train to become a Paladin" "It takes hard work, and no you don't have to die, Kezzem's "Training" is unusual to say the least, But if you are willing to work hard, I, and I'm sure Kezzem, would be happy to train you".

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)  
Friday March 22nd, 2019 10:17:48 AM
Jack would rather not have people mess around with the giant at this stage. He tries to get them to leave with him. "This place is dangerous enough as is. It is certainly not tour ready. However, I the Unbelievable J.T.T Zaragosa, Master escape artist, you might have heard of me , was there for the entire event. I could weave a tall of the most exciting conflict between the Great and Noble Humble Sword against dark arts, ancient traditions, and family conflict. If you join me in the town. perhaps we can open up a tavern and I'll tell you all about it. Trust me, the entertainer Zaragosa never disappoints."

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Friday March 22nd, 2019 4:14:59 PM
check


Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Friday March 22nd, 2019 5:58:09 PM
"Well, Miss Badapple, they let me be a paladin so why not?"

DM Carl 
Friday March 22nd, 2019 9:35:53 PM
Talia strikes up a conversation. "Quantum re-fluxer is a pretty standard arcane ingredient. The Club formed pretty organically. Our founders would meet during second dinner to talk shop."

Bliss introduces himself.

"Yea, I'm Candy. This here's Erbin and Anton." They both wave as their names are mentioned. "The one in the pit down there don't have a name, not till he makes up for makin' a ruckus and giving us away." She glares and the third winces.

"I call the elementals Skye and Mistral. They seem to like those names." The elementals dance happily about in response.

Hobie advises them to leave, but leaves a door open for them to stay. Candy seizes on it immediately. "Yea...yea I should totally find myself a weapon. There any around?" She starts looking, but there aren't any in the pile. She settles on a small shaft of iron. "Will this do? I bet I could clobber some chumps with it."

Succotash and Kezzem make a case for paladinhood. "Well, I'm honored ya think I could, but I'm not real keen on the whole lawful thing. Can paladins still get inta high jinks?"

Zaragosa makes an introduction. "Yea, I heard'a ya. Everyone's heard'a all of ya. You still workin' on that story, or do we getta hear it soon?"

Murphy and Pressi sleep the sleep of the childless.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116  d20+8=18 ;
Friday March 22nd, 2019 9:48:26 PM

Despite generally drinking enough water and such, Murphy wakes up thirsty. He yawns, stretches, walks out of the room to the little balcony at the upper end of the guesthouse, and looks up into the sky. He sees the moon Kerracles up and to the right of the stone castle.

'I need to make a place for us in there, in the castle,' he thinks to himself. He walks back down the hallway, past his doorway to the stairs. About to descend for apple juice, he checks himself. He returns to his room, picks up his pack and gear, then heads downstairs. He grabs the pitcher of apple juice left over - enough for a whole pint, which he pours into a glass. He downs it and smacks his lips when done.

He goes to where Hazel and Alouryn stay, then thinks twice. 'No need to wake them.' He jots down a note to leave on the dining room table. 'Back to the Unrusty Bucket -Murph' is what it says. That's what he and Hazel have started calling the Iron Giant after Hazel called it 'a walking rust bucket.' Murphy explained in earnest he really didn't find any rust on it. Hazel had stared at him with a grave mien. "You really take things too seriously, Murph. I know it's not rusty. But I figured I'd say what I did, then you would carefully explain to me the truth of the matter." Then the ranger had burst out laughing during that conversation a couple of nights ago. "Silly owl, I know you like the back of my hand!"

The druid walks out of the guest house, up the road back to the center of town. He climbs the outside of the Dancing Pig [climb 18], then raps on the window. "Psst. Pressi. It's Romeo, Juliet. Want to walk in the moonlight?" he asks in a stage whisper. "That's their names, right?" he asks, recalling a discussion of this fictional Shakespeare and his plays. "Who was that woman who was crawling out of your window when I was a few blocks away?"

If there's no response, he mentally pops in. Hey, love of my life... Would you not open your window to me? The moon is out, and everyone is asleep.

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25  d20+33=35 ; d20+2=19 ;
Friday March 22nd, 2019 11:18:41 PM
Bliss tells his new friends Erbin, Anton, and nameless that he is pleased to meet them. He asks if they like gymnastics. He puts on a little show, standing on his hands, flipping up in the air, landing softly and tumbling in place.

Acrobatics 35

Then he breaks into a little song and dance:

Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Baby shark, doo doo doo doo doo doo
Baby shark!

Untrained Perform 19

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Saturday March 23rd, 2019 1:04:40 PM
"I still get up to high jinks, right guys?" asks Kezzem. "You just have to think of the law as a challenge and not an obstacle. That law thing, in my opinion, is more about be willing to protect your friends and community, rather than following a set of rules."

"Man, I would make a great (or terrible) lawyer...just like that Ruby Jewelriani guy. 'THE TRUTH IS NOT THE TRUTH!'"



Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9 
Sunday March 24th, 2019 11:06:06 AM
definitely if you want to be a Paladin and a hijinker, you can find no better model than Kezzem. Follow his lead and you'll be okay.


Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Sunday March 24th, 2019 3:07:15 PM
Talia wonders how Tiana got started in Magic..."Is magic inate to you or is it something you developed over time?" Ms. Tiana?

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Monday March 25th, 2019 10:11:47 AM
“As long as the hijink doesn’t break any real laws, I see no problem”, Succotash says as he shakes his head in semi disbelief.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Monday March 25th, 2019 10:36:35 AM
Kezzem beams with pride.

DM Carl 
Monday March 25th, 2019 2:53:40 PM
Murphy decides a midnight rendezvous is in order.

Bliss breaks into a song and dance that leaves the kids scratching their heads a bit. They clap politely when it's over, though they're obviously not sure what that was all about.

Succotash, Hobie, and Kezzem admit that being a paladin doesn't mean you can't still get into trouble. Candy doesn't seem sold. "I'll think'a 'bout it. Does Wardd got any paladins?" She gives a thoughtful look. "How would that work, anyway?" She puffs out her chest and makes herself sound serious for a bit. "I will put on the armor of faith and go to war with people that don't take enough chances." She shrugs. "Anyway, we'll get outta yer hair. Thanks for the club!" She hefts the bar onto her shoulder and floats down the levitation field, doing little flips in it as she does. Her cohorts all follow suit (the elementals just fly down, of course).

Talia and Tiana continue their discussion. "I always just knew I was a wizard. Mom tried to talk me out of it and set me up with a string of kind but simple men, but that wasn't me. My studies left no time for that sort of thing."

***

A few more days pass. Tiana's work is slow, but fruitful. She gathers everyone in front of the Heart to show her experiments with the longspear finally yield fruit: the blade can effortlessly pass through the Giant's Heart, allowing a single person to enter the thing.

"I found this strange eye patch in there," she says, presenting a green crystal with a circular strap of leather attached to it. "Watch this." She places it over her right eye. "Somehow I can still see just fine with this thing on. Also, I can do this..." She blinks three times and bands of iron tear themselves from the nearby wall and wrap themselves around her until there is no sign left of hair or skin. "It's similar to the Iron Body spell. Doesn't last too long, though." About thirty seconds later, the bands fly right back off her and back onto the wall.

"Anyway, that's not the only thing I've figured out. I've got good news, bad news, and...news news." She pauses, trying to think of better words. None come, so she moves on. "The good news is that I can absolutely use the power stored in this Heart to re-power the Giant Tower. I would barely need any to fully charge it for decades! There's a lot of power in this thing.

"The bad news is that there is no way for me to transmit that power, even if we could move the Giant in its current state."

She turns, picks up a shiny, golden looking contraption from her workbench, and presents it. It looks like a golden Y shaped from fine wire. The two prongs on "top" of the Y have small circles. "So I made this. That's the news news. Watch."

She takes the pink and purple gems the Encompassing Mind handed over to deactivate itself and places one in each of the aforementioned small circles. Immediately, a fluid wisp of arcane energy starts flowing from the opposite end. It doesn't flow randomly. In fact, it seems to be pointing north.

"This points towards the source of power that gave life to the Giant back in the First Age. My theory, which I'm almost certain is correct, is that if these gems are placed in that source of power and left to charge, we'll be able to dramatically shorten the time to bring the Encompassing Mind back to...life, as it were." She looks very pleased with herself.

"So...we just need some brave adventurers to traipse over to The Scab and do that." She smiles broadly at the assembled group.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9 
Monday March 25th, 2019 4:50:41 PM
(ooc: does anyone have a rough idea of how much time has spanned between our adventures? I feel like we pretty much only have a handful of days in game time between each module, so even though Nick has been here for a year, I think Hobie has probably been with the group less than a month? I don't have time to dive in and analyze the archives right now, but if anyone has a rough idea, I'd be really interested to know)

Hobie listens to everything Tiana has to say, and responds "Alright, let's go," he adds sarcastically "I imagine it's just gonna be a nice easy journey there and back again. I'll go get Pip ready,"

Bliss (Cayzle) HP80, AC25 
Monday March 25th, 2019 7:50:30 PM

[OOC: Great question Nick. Here's Bliss's and my accounting.]

Bliss sees that Candy and her friends are pretty darn tight. He feels even closer to his friends. How close they all feel, even though really they've only been together for a short time. The little guy sits down and dives into memory, thinking out loud and putting his thinking cap headband to good use ...

"Well, What's-His-Name from the Second Breakfast Club blew up the Giant Tower and sent us into Koshe Marr. That was probably only a couple of days, but who knows how time goes by in Nightmares. Me and Mister Murphy are the only ones here who saw it." [early 2015]

"Then we emerged in the past by the goblins on the far side of Izen and had to race back to return before the tower blew up again. For the first time, I mean. Time travel makes it hard to figure, but if you are looking at elapsed time as we perceived it, call that a few weeks, right, by way of the Culverwood? That's when we met Miss Pressi and Sir Kezzem, but he was no 'sir' then!" [late 2015]

"Oh! I remember that guy's name! Veseley! 'Veseley Crusher' we called him, after he crushed the tower. Everybody hated that guy. And Miss Tiana and poor Bazeck of course. Cause when we got back we found out that Taxidermy fellow had kidnapped them, and we only managed to get Vesely and Tiana back, but Bazeck got killed. That Taxidermy guy was the worst, right Mister Murphy? Well, that musta been a few weeks to travel to the Taxidermist's town and back again." [2016]

"Aroundabouts then is when Vesely brought on the new Second Breakfast Club wizard, Garron, who ended up being a traitor. That was just about the time we heard about the giant and ogre army that was going to invade because the tower defense was down, and we went out and defeated the army before they could get here by assassinating all the leaders. That musta taken a few weeks." [2017]

"When we got back, the orphanage burnt down and undead showed up, and it was all part of that traitor Garron's plot, but we beat him down and foiled his plans, though I'm not sure we ever really figured out what those were. It was Hobie who we just met who gave us our first clue about that villain. That was also when I first learned how to change into a cat! And Vesely was so ashamed of messing up for the second time that I do not think we've seen him since. Call that a few weeks." [OOC: We never got a formal exit for Vesely, but the last time a DM has mentioned him was May 2017. Hobie joined in Sept 2017.]

"So Miss Tiana is the only member of the Second Breakfast Club left, but that's when the bloodgrass invaded and the demons and the elementals, and then we travelled to the Sargrass, met Sir Succotash, helped kill that giant god thing in the Southern Continent. Then we met Miss Talia and Jack. Call that about four weeks, right?" [2018]

"And that side trip to the Culverwood for Wulpertingles."

"And finally that Iron Giant also showed up to take advantage of the Tower Defense being down, so, a week more?"

"Add in say a month of down time, I guess, plus training and a couple weeks of feasts, a few weddings, and that's ... (Bliss counts on his fingers and toes -- that's why he's sitting down) ... I reckon it at 24 weeks, say, or like about half a year since the Giant Tower blew up."

"We sure have been on the go since then! Time is funny, huh!"

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Monday March 25th, 2019 8:08:18 PM
Pressi stirred as Murphy rapped upon her window, knowing he was there. “Well, I don'tknow if I would call us star crossed lovers. But I suppose a midnight walk would show whether we were. Give me a moment to freshen up.

When Murphy asks of her midnight suitor, Pressi considers it a joke in poor taste. Until she finds the scroll. “Oh, to no longer be a Capulet,” she muttered.

———-

More to follow.

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)  
Monday March 25th, 2019 8:19:15 PM
Jack would ponder the meaning of these things. "Sounds like an adventure. We could indeed travel to charge them. Travelling distances quickly doesn't see to be a problem with our group. Though, I am still unsure we shouldn't dismantle this giant instead"

Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Monday March 25th, 2019 9:37:09 PM
Talia says, with glee..."Sure thing Tiana, what's the Scabb and what where would you liek us to place the Y thing to charge the gems, and for how long?" full well knowing, she was probably the only one to ask it...well there is always Mister Murphy.....

Ms. Tiana, asks Talia, "how far is it to the Scabb from here?"


Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Monday March 25th, 2019 11:34:55 PM
"Nice summary, Bliss," says Kezzem. "Though you left out the part were I died. Also, I'm still not sure I'm a Sir now."

To Hobbie, Succo, Jack, and Talia he elaborates, "I got better."

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Tuesday March 26th, 2019 8:59:47 AM

After sensing Pressi's - disgust? incredulity? - at his mention of the person who came out her window, Murphy gives a sketchy description of the surely female halfling-sized form. "Didn't see her face, though," he adds. "I could track her, if you want me to."

Murphy suggests a walk to the Iron Giant, in a round about way. "Couldn't sleep. I have an idea for the gem arrangement on the spear. But that's not what I want to talk about on the way. Bring your stuff!"

As to the rest of the interlude with Pressi, that will await her 'More to follow.'

It's possible that they will come upon Candy BadApple and some of her crew as they near the I.G. If so, Murphy says, "Hey Candy. It's a few hours past midnight. You all out sightseeing? Did you visit the giant?" He greets the air elementals in Auran. He tells her, "I'm kind of glad you've been getting to know our friends of the wind. I take it they are fine with you spending time at the spire, eh?"

Next couple of days
Once he learns that Candy took with her a bit of the spare parts from the giant, he lets her know that they'll need it back at some point. "All the bits that belong to the Iron Giant have a purpose, and are pretty hard to replace." He'll talk it over with his friends, but if they approve, he'll offer to let her and a few of her friends tour, if she'll give that back. "When you're inside the giant, feel free to carry it around. We pretty much all leave the inside things inside."

And when a few days later Tiana reveals the next likely assignment for the group, he decides to see if a challenging mixture of the BadApple gang and some folks assigned by Constable Rosco might provide security for the Iron Giant.

Druidic Stuff
As his friends spend time on the Iron Giant, Murphy chooses to help there a few hours a day, yet feels drawn toward taking care of some matters at the Sanctuary, plus implementing a method for quick planting of things where vegetation is sparse or nonexistent. Namely, he gathers seeds of mainly thorny and tall grassy sorts, and packs them into tight balls of dirt. Each one weighs about five pounds, and carries scores of seeds. He experiments, first finding some of the few places in the area which lack vegetative cover. He throwns down sample balls to the ground, wherein they shatter and scatter, then casts entangle, to see if he is able to use such ingredients to effect that spell. If it has the desired effect, then he will form more such balls, and bring along a good bag of them.

He also speaks with Hazel and Alouryn. "Look, mum's the word until we say so - you two can keep a secret, right? But Pressi and I look to be heading towards marriage. Can you two take the room up on the fourth floor inside the rock castle in the north east corner, and get it fixed up for us? A nice bed. Two wardrobes. A full length mirror next to a table for Pressi. A writing table for me. A wash basin. Some carpets. It's right next to the outside walls, so I'll fashion a window or two using stone shape right soon. You can get someone to help you if you need. I want it to be nice for her.

Sanctuary Signage
Murphy asks Foreman George to have his people make up some nice wooden signs for the place. Examples include: "Hobie's Archery Range" "Pressi's Tower" "Guests of Humble's Sword" "Fountain of Bliss" "The Mighty Quercus" "plus signs for the shrines and other areas of the compound.

Tiana's Research Results
Murphy is overjoyed to learn of the wizard's results.

"So, we leave the Iron Giant here. We head up north into the Scab - Talia, that begins basically a bit north of the Giant Towers. We use the heart gems and your little device, Tiana, to learn which way to go. Once we find it, we get the gems attached to the power source, and let them recharge. Any idea how long it might take to recharge? A few hours? Days? Weeks? Longer?

"It would be interesting to see if any other similar gems might be found in that area.

"I learned the language that we heard up in the driver's area of the giant. Also the Old High Woldian tongue and script. Don't know if either will come in handy in the hills of the Scab, but we can find out."

Plans
"So, friends. What now? Who is willing to take the trip that Tiana proposes for us? And, how soon shall we leave? And by what means?

"It surely would be sweet to have a really large carpet of flying to get us from here to there in greater speed. But we can always use more conventional travel."

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Tuesday March 26th, 2019 1:17:24 PM
Succotash perks up at the thought of going on an adventure. He says, “If it means waking up Madam Gem sooner, count me in, who am I kidding you guys know I’m always up for an adventure, but I should probably head home and get some sleep, I’ve been up for a few days, and once I leave the Iron Giant, my tail will be dragging something awful”. With that he leaves for home saying, “See ya all in the morning!”

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Tuesday March 26th, 2019 1:17:34 PM
Pressi doesn't need a description of the person who left the letter, and she definitely doesn't agree to let Murphy track her. "It's one of my sisters. And you don't find them. They find you."

--------------

To the south of Humble's Ford lies Dirt City, a town run by six different sides forever at war. While rumors swirl of heroes working in the shadows, the city remains in the grip of thieves and violent thugs. A city where you play the game, or you leave. The ones that play, that stay behind....

"I haven't seen any of my family for a few years now, but they've seen me. They know about the engagement, which means they definitely know something about what I can do. For years I heard only that I should stop trying to be some heroic paragon of the martial arts and return to my family destiny of glitzy thieves, con artists and sorcery..."

Pressi looked at the glowing chain along her side. "... Close enough I guess. But I can't imagine this is what they had in mind. Gothic avenger isn't really their style.

"I'm sorry, I'm either boring you or making you concerned. It's not their style to just strike out at me either. This was them reaching out, and if I don't reach back, the matter is settled."

--------------------------

Not much is otherwise said. Pressi responds to Tiana's news that they are being sent out with a grunt and a shrug. Anything to get out of the house, after all.

Though she wouldn't admit it, part of her was drawn towards the area. The idea of so much discovery, so much raw power....

DM Carl 
Tuesday March 26th, 2019 4:13:22 PM
Hobie is ready to go. He ponders how much has happened in so short a time.

Bliss has the same idea and sits down to figure it out. Half a year, it turns out.

Zaragosa is happy to have an adventure, even if it's one to aid a cause he isn't 100% sure of.

Talia is also ready to go, but has a couple questions.

"I'm not sure how long it will take. The trail from the dual-prismatic aetherial amplifier, that's what I'm calling this, should grow brighter as the gems charge. When it stops getting brighter, it's full. It should take several hours, but not more than a day or so. Just an estimate, though. I can't be too sure.

"As far as The Scab, the range is reachable within a day. It's navigating the range that will be tough, and at some point you'll need to find a way underground."

Kezzem likes hearing about his escape from death.

Succotash is eager to do anything to help speed Madam Gem's recovery, but probably needs rest since he's been up for days. Sure enough, the moment he exits the Giant he finds himself fatigued. It's not nearly as bad as if he'd really been awake for a whole week, but bed sounds real nice.

Pressi discovers evidence of her sister's visit. Obviously that's a part of her life she'd rather leave in the past, but here it is nonetheless. She reminisces about it for a moment, thinking that ignoring the situation will make it go away.

Besides, she has a trip to The Scab, which excites her more than she'd readily admit.

Murphy must sense his time home is drawing to a close, because he's checking all the boxes on his to-do list. He finds Candy in a good mood as she walks back home. "Yea, we went and checked it out until no-name here mucked it up..." A nearby boy winces a bit. "...and yea, Skye, Mistral, and the others can play for hours. They're even teachin' me their language, but I'm havin' a real tough time talking it." She attempts to say something in auran, but ends up spitting more than talking. "I'll keep practicing. I'm gettin' pretty good at understanding'em."

She agrees to leave her new iron club at the door, but only if it stays there until she gets back. She's reaaaaal insistent about it. In return, she'll work with Roscoe and make sure the place doesn't turn into an amusement park while Humble's Sword is away.

He takes care of some home and garden issues, trusting just two of his many acquaintances about his nuptials.

***

The party does need to wait for Succotash to rest, and they find word spreads through town very quickly that Humble's Sword is on a mission to save the Giant Towers. The Pig and the Buster are both in full swing, hoping our heroes will stop by one last time before they head out to save the day again.

Sometime that evening, Kade searches the party down.

"Hey guys. I...I know you've done a lot for me, but if you're going to The Scab anyway, think you could keep an eye out for some tower caps? They're giant, woody mushrooms that grow there. That method of growing truffles I told ya 'bout earlier won't work without'em. They grow straight through rock, so if you're going along and see what looks like a tree trunk busting through the floor or ceiling, that's them. I need spores from the very top cap."

Other than that very important side quest, Humble's Sword is free to head out whenever.

Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Tuesday March 26th, 2019 8:05:59 PM

Walk in the Kerracles Moonlight
"Ah," Murphy responds while listening to Pressi describe aspects of her family situation. "Do you suppose it would be possible, and appropriate, for me to have a chance to meet your family? I'd like to do so before we tie the knot. Get to know them - or some of them - and let them do likewise with me.

"'Marry a girl, marry her family,' my Aunt Marigold told me. And Aunt Nilli. Also Grandma Eglantine. And they'd tell my sisters the same thing, except with 'boy' instead of 'girl.' Oh, and I heard Uncle Orby say it once, too.

"What did the scroll say, if you'd care to say?"

Kadian Mushrooming
"Of course, Kade, of course." Murphy spends a few minutes after hearing Kade's description to try sketching what he has described. He will go through enough sketches until the dwarf agrees it's a fair drawing. He also asks for descriptions of any other fungi, flowers, and the like that Kade might deem of interest for above ground or below ground.

He also explains the expeditious excavation spell, and offers to open up one or two 5'x5'x5' holes in the ground for Kade should he wish it, anywhere in the fields north of the wall.

When to Leave
Murphy runs most of these idea telepathically through Pressi before talking to the group, to be sure they are in concord.

"Gang, many of you have stayed pretty much the whole time on the Iron Giant. How about this? It's mid-afternoon now. All who need to, sleep as much as you need. There are places for all at the Sanctuary. Not tomorrow morning, but the morning after, let's head to the Scab. That should give any who need it the chance to pick up any last minute items, see anyone you wish to see, and be well rested before we start. Sound all right? Alternative ideas?"

How to Travel
After that discussion (if any) makes the rounds, he asks, "What modes of travel shall we use? I could take on a huge form, and, if we could have an appropriate saddle rigged by the PipeLeafs in time, might be able to carry four of us, besides myself, either by wing, or on land. But there are eight of us, and our animal friends. For some of you, those friends can be summoned from afar. For others, it's not so easy.

"Who'd like to work on figuring out a good part of that question? Hobie? Talia?" He looks to see if either is interested, or if anyone else wants to join in.

"A few of us - Pressi, Bliss, Kessem and I - have been in part of the Scab before, when we qwelled the giants by taking out their leadership. I'm hoping the gems guide us in at least a slightly different direction than their valley."

Bliss (Cayzle) HP124, AC30 
Tuesday March 26th, 2019 10:07:56 PM

"Miss Tiana, please, can we get all the details?" Bliss makes real sure the party knows what to look for, where to find it, and like that. He uses his Int 18 to memorize everything.

Bliss is fond of both taverns, and makes sure to visit both. He practices his drinking in case he gets into another drinking contest with dwarves in the Scab. He tries to remember his Dwarven and practices his vocabulary, but it comes out large size. [OOC: Prior versions of Bliss knew Dwarven, IIRC, but he does not know it now. He DOES know Giant for some reason. Gotta pick up Dwarven again.]

Realizing it has been a month, and the party seems about to embark on a new adventure, Bliss searches for an XP award. "Maybe there's a little one around here somewhere. I did sing that nice song, you know," he says as he checks under his bed.

Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Tuesday March 26th, 2019 11:13:44 PM
"No problem, Kade, but if anyone asks, we'll tell them we're just a group of adventurers," says Kezzem. "We usually do it the other way so that will be an interesting change of pace. I just hope we remember to bring enough bags with us. After we pack those tower caps, I don't know if there is going to be...musch room...for anything else."



Talia (Jon-Paul) 90/90 
Tuesday March 26th, 2019 11:42:22 PM
Talia will fly back to the Humble Sword's compound in order to meditate. She will use her already casted spell Overland flight. Once Talia arrives, she will commence her meditation for two (2) hours.

Afterwards, she she gather her needed supplies, etc. and then have a session with Rayya. She massages Rayya and gets some good snuggle time with her beloved friend. She then explains to Rayya that she is going ona journey up into the mountains to recharge for stones.She also explains taht she would love for Rayya to stand guard, watching their remaining belongings and to keep a watchful eye on the compound. She then explains to Rayya of the crafty bunch of halflings led by "Candy". She also explains that they are accompanied by two air elementals, none of which Talia trusts at all or as far as she could through them. Talia explains that Candy has sticky fingers.

When about three (3) hours have past, Talia will get dressed with her undergarments, Bill stylish pant's of Plenty is a lovely shade of light chestnut brown and the texture of cotton canvas "Denim", her coveralls, shirt, and her adventuring gear: Headband, belt, Amulet, bracers, and clock, and slung over her shoulder, her favorite haversack. She then casts Overland flight on herself making a quick trip to the appointed place for the departure.

Spells in Effect
Overland Flight

Succotash (Jeremy) AC 29/15/28 CMD 31 HP 129/129 Miss Piggy AC 30/12/28 CMD 25 HP 96/96 
Wednesday March 27th, 2019 5:45:03 AM
Succotash awakes and and spends an hour with Pantheon, praying and preparing spells. He then dons his armor, saddles and bards Miss Piggy, gathers his gear and heads to the appointed meeting place, at the appointed time.

Pressi (Melvin) - AC 22 (26), HP 101, CMD 21; Harper AC 23, HP 61, CMD 23  
Wednesday March 27th, 2019 12:18:13 PM
"I don't know what the scroll says. I left it where it was, unopened."

Pressi remained quiet for a moment. "You want to know the kind of family you are marrying into? They are the kind of family that will miss your dance recital. For work. For the work of setting people on fire as they begged for death. Which paid for dance classes, of which I was reminded quite often. Who thoroughly passed on the righteousness of thievery and cynicism that I still follow as tenants today. So, I'm thinking... picnic maybe? How familiar are you with frisbee?"

"I just... I don't want to talk about it anymore. Can we just drop it for now, please."

(OOC to Murphy: I do want to drop it here for now, concentrate on the new mission that's starting. As for whether we ever meet family members, I leave that up to the DMs for now.)

-------------------

To the issue of travel: "As you know, I do have shadow walk available. But since we aren't under any particular timetable, why not just travel normally by horse caravan? It will be a nice change of pace to see the sights, not have to rush to the destination. And maybe we can take the opportunity to scan the area before we arrive."

She works with Talia to see if she wants to switch off in flight or if they want to fly together. (During flight, Harper stays with Bliss. On land, she rides Harper.)

After moving things to the sanctuary, and checking in once more with the coven, Pressi prepares for the trip (including whatever rest is needed for spells and fatigue). Some quick rituals and she is off.

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9 
Wednesday March 27th, 2019 3:08:18 PM
"As far as transportation, we could strap a saddle on you, and fly, we could just take horses and move slower but steadier, (how big of a hurry are we in?) or we could even try teleporting, but I haven't been there, so it would be risky, I don't know about Talia, if she has or not. Then Shadow walk is of course also an option again."

Hobie Browncloak (Nick T) HP 98/98 AC 26 Touch 16 Flat 22 CMD 29 Hero Points 9 
Wednesday March 27th, 2019 3:09:22 PM
"My preference along with Pressi, would be horses. I've been apart from Pippa for a while now, and I think our Paladins might also like some time with their mounts."


Kezzem (BrianW) - AC 29, touch AC 18; HP 125/125, CMD 28; Rumpus - AC 25, touch 14; HP 62/62, CMD 24 
Wednesday March 27th, 2019 4:14:11 PM
"Wow Pres," says Kezzem. "Though from the sounds of things, I think we might be related."

Jack The Unbelievable J.T.T. Zaragosa (Jairus Houdek) (AC 24 CMD 23 HP 71/71)  
Wednesday March 27th, 2019 6:54:51 PM
Jack also tells Kade that he will do his best to keep an eye out for them


Murphy (Kim) Halfling Druid(12) AC27 CMB16 CMD35 HP116 
Wednesday March 27th, 2019 7:14:48 PM

Backstep with Pressi
As the conversation with Pressi occurred a few days ago: "Pressi, you want to drop discussion. Sure, after I respond to what you just said. Family is family, like them or not. My hope is to at some point get to know them - at least superficially, if that is all that is initially allowed. I am sad to hear of the neglect you experienced, and some of the deeds they did. One request: At least read what your sister dropped off. At least.

"And now, until further notice, I will drop this discussion. Not permanently. For now. Except: 'Frisbee'? What is that?"

More on travel plans
That afternoon, after a bit of party discussion, Murphy concurs. "All right. Conventional travel seems to be the consensus. More time for sight-seeing. As well as more opportunities for interactions - whether peaceful or combative. And, I can plant some oaks along the way."

Preparations
CHECK WITH THE Woldian League of Adventurers
"We are going into the Scab. The WLA will have information on it. History. Geography. Who will visit the WLA to get their research, history, info on the Scab's development through the ages, and maybe a decent map? I'll help on this, but more than one of us should join in. If someone wants to join me - say two? it would be good to have someone with good reading, researching skills - we can head over there in a few minutes." [To DM Carl - after contact with the WLA, might we have the information found on the Scab page linked to in this paragraph? -Kim]

TRIANGULATE
Putting on his engineering hat as it were, Murphy posits, "But before we head out, I want to take Tiana's device along with. We can do some triangulation, and get a rough idea how far ahead the power source is. We've done it from here. Use Angel Springs and Hovel as two other points.

"Using a map, we see which way the apparatus points then pencil in a line that direction. Three lines, and see where they intersect. Angel Springs upward, Iron Giant upward, Hovel upward.

"It may not be 100% accurate - but should at least give us a general estimate of how far to go north. Fifteen miles? Fifty miles? Likely we'll be able to tell within a league the distance from Humble's Ford."

"It would be smart to know at least approximately where we are headed, before we set out. Going in cold would be less than wise. 'Well researched is twice prepared,' a teacher one told me. Or thrice."

Visits to Angel Spring, Hovel
If a few people are game, he lets them know he will change into a huge air elemental, and fly them swiftly to Angel Springs, taking about six minutes. "We'll stop in the fields just a bit outside, I'll drop the wildshape, then we can walk into the city, to visit the WLA. We'll get you started. We, or I, can go up on the roof of the Winwood Music and Toys store to get a triangulation point, likely without being spotted - or maybe the WLA will let us use their roof." After a few hours there, joining in on the research, Murphy will go with them back outside the city, wildshape back into a huge air elemental, then fly the group back with the results of their research.

After dropping them off, if any want to join him for a short early evening flight and return to Hovel, he flies with the device to Hovel with the map, takes a measurement and sketches the line on the map, drops in for a few minutes to visit his new nieces and nephew and their parents, Kendry and Airin, and Clara and her folks, then returns to Humble's Ford. Three point triangulation complete. He shows his results to the team, and turns the map over to Pressi. He's got the map pretty much memorized.

Evening in Humble's Ford
Murphy goes to the Buster that first evening that Tiana told them about the goal, with whoever wishes to join in with him.

Day Before Departure
The following day he prepares his slingstaff with spellstaff, placing transport via plants in it. Makes some goodberries.

And he starts on his shrine to Eberyon at the Sanctuary, pops into the Catacombs, and does a whole bunch of other local and preparatory things, no more of which I will burden our readers with.

That evening he lets his friends know he'll be at the Dancing Pig the following evening for an hour or so, and ready to leave after an early breakfast the following morning. "Don't worry. I'm not going to ask about bringing along carts."

Return To Index      Next Scene (The Caverns of Glimstone)
Copyright © 1980-2024 WoldianGames. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Site Map - Contact Us - SRD
 
WoldianGames Homepage