The Morning After (DM Donna) Monday November 12th, 2001 6:03:32 AM
Sunlight tickles your eyelids as you stubbornly cling to the gray area between sleeping and wakefulness. Dammit--you were working your tail off all through the dark day yesterday...you've earned this rest! Now the sun has to come along and--
The SUN??? You sit bolt upright, your eyes going to the blessed shafts of light streaming in through the windows of the safe house. The sun--it's risen! The Neverending Night...has ended!
Springing over to the window, however, kills the initial joy of the moment. The bleak state of Plateau City is all-too-easily revealed in the harsh, unrelenting light: rubble where any buildings dedicated to Domi once stood...damage and smoking fires dot the landscape...and, worst of all, far too many bodies of people killed during the chaos of the last 48 hours.
You almost wish the darkness to come back and hide the accursed view from your eyes.
Almost.
As you all sit down to break your fast, the back door opens--it's Marcus. The mayoral aide looks like he hasn't slept at all in the last 48 hours. He sits down with neither ceremony nor invitation, grabs a biscuit and a cup of whatever you're drinking and begins to talk in a hoarse voice:
"Anybody who dedicated themselves to Domi--cleric, paladin, ranger, even the odd druid--has been stripped of all divine abilities. Many of those who initially went...mad...have recovered their senses now that it is light again. Too many, however, have not." Marcus sighs, then swallows more food and drink before continuing.
"My sources tell me that the Dark Lord and his cronies have been having a field day since--" Marcus draws in a sharp breath, then continues, obviously changing his phrasing, "--for the past couple days...there are reports of mass conversions and even...of temples springing into being all over the City in the various districts. The Golden Arena and Gladiator Park are now...no longer normal, either."
Rond Monday November 12th, 2001 9:19:22 AM
Having witnessed the morning, Rond is a little surprised with Marcus comes a calling. Sitting down at the bed, Rond decides to chew on a biscuit or two as Marcus tells his story.
"Do you think this madness is normal? I only ask, because for a second while we were fighting the paladins, the group of them seemed to fight the madness somehow. Because all of them paused for a second, while I was trying to get some sort of reaction from them."
When Marcus ends Rond asks, "Is there anything more that we can do right now?"
Bill Troublefinder Monday November 12th, 2001 5:33:01 PM
Bill awakens with the morning light. He puts water on to boil. He greets his friends, gently shaking any who still sleep. He prepares tea for all, with sugar for those who like it sweet. He takes in the view of the city. "Darkness may triumph for a time," he comments, then turns away, shaking his head.
He greets Marcus, and listens to him as he slowly eats his breakfast. Beside his plate, on a piece of parchment he sketches the faces of the girl whom Domi held, and of her mother. He holds the parchment up, and shows the spy master. "I want to find this girl and her mother. Do you know them? Domi saved her."
[OOC: Did anyone at yesterday's cleanup indicate they had been at the stadium? Did any know anything of the girl? See Bill's 11-11-01 post.]
DM OOC: My apologies--I'd forgotten that Bill had inquired about that.
While some of the people the party rescued were, indeed, at the Arena, none of them personally know the girl or her mother--although one of them seems to recall seeing a female who resembles the lady elf in the company of a lieutenant of the City Guard. Can't remember the name of the lieutenant (also an elf) however.
[Bill would then have given the person who mentioned the connection with the lieutenant the healing potion (1-8) and 12 gp. -Kim]
Ferrak Monday November 12th, 2001 6:35:53 PM
(Last night.) Ferrak enjoys the idea of teaching Bill the wolven tongue. In fact he is surprised that his new pack doesn't already speak it. Passing strange indeed. Without much time to go into it in depth the first thing Ferrak teaches Bill is the bare basics of lupine grrrammar. "Woof."
(The morning after.) Sleeping outside under the sky, the feral pair great the morning sun ecstaticlly. Loud barking and crashing through the streets and back alleys near the safe house, can be heard as they celebrate through the early morning.
However, as the horrors of the city present themselves to the brothers, their celebrations soon turn sour and they return to the safe house shortly.
Finding a ray of sunshine to sit in, Ferrak and Darkfang lie quietly together until Marcus shows up. Sitting up attentively, the wolven brothers listen to what Marcus and the others have to say.
Renik Monday November 12th, 2001 6:40:55 PM
"Five more minutes," grumbles the tired rogue when he's nudged by Bill. He turns over to put a pillow over his face to keep the sun out of his eyes. It takes him a few seconds for what he is doing to register.
"I'll be..." he says as he jumps out of his cot. Getting dressed quickly, Renik is ready for business when Marcus shows up.
Draax Monday November 12th, 2001 9:06:06 PM
Over a light meal Draax listens as Marcus updates the group on current events. He is not happy about the advancement of the Dark lord, but he is not surprised either. He waits for Marcus to answer Rond's questions before asking one of his own. "For a moment I thought that we were going to be stuck in darkness forever. Did you have anything to do with the return of the sun, or was the long darkness just a temporary side effect of the arena event?"
Bill T Tuesday November 13th, 2001 2:03:16 AM
When Draax asks Marcus if he were responsible for the return of the sun, Bill inadvertently spews tea out his nose. Very embarrassed, he grabs a cloth and quickly cleans up. He tries to cover his faux pas by asking, "Temples to which cult gods? What do you know about these religious pretenders?"
Tea & Sympathy (DM Donna) Tuesday November 13th, 2001 7:19:49 AM
The spymaster's smile in response to Rond's first question is bitter and brittle.
"Is this madness normal?" Marcus echoes, almost mocking in his tone. "Is the death of a major deity normal? Is the sudden rise of gods that were banished and all but forgotten normal???" The mayoral aide gives a short, sharp laugh--one that may well be tinged with madness itself. However, he looks more tired than ever, rubbing his eyes as his voice lapses into a factual, fatigued tone:
"It's insanity born of having what they most believed in literally killed. Many have recovered...though I dearly wish more of them had. Those who have not may yet regain their right minds...however, none of them will ever be the same again." Marcus turns bleary eyes to each of you in turn. "Heh...I daresay none of us shall, either." His attention is snagged by Bill's request about the elf mother and child.
"Hmmm...I'll work on that, then..." Marcus tells the halfling, pocketing the parchment, "...it will be almost a kind of...vacation from my regular duties." The man's smile is brief, but this time is not the brittle grimace from before.
"Oh, and I'll have to come by again with something for Ferrak and his...brother here..." Marcus reminds himself out loud, "Now--more than ever--I'll be needing you all to maintain your cover identities...hmmm...giving YOU two aliases will be a challenge..." He eyes the feral gnome and Darkfang, who yawns and then begins to groom himself. "...yes...a challenge indeed..."
Draax's question has just about the same effect on Marcus as it does on Bill. The man coughs a time or two and then--wonder of wonders!--actually grins!
"Well, while I'd just LOVE for you all to think that the sun rises and sets on me, I have to plead innocent to this one, Draax..." Marcus says with a chuckle, "...no...the theologians mostly seem to agree that the extra-long night--I've heard it referred to as 'the Day of Darkness' and 'the Neverending Night', amongst other things--was the reaction of the Wold itself to...the death of Domi. None can be sure how this is, only that it IS." Marcus swallows the last of his tea, then gets to his feet.
"The details on what these Cult God appearances mean, and what they are all up to are still sketchy," he says, "I'll doubtless have more missions for you in regards to that later...however, for right now, the city needs all the people who can do so to help in the rescue and recovery efforts. Far too many casualties and too much damage was done. Get yourselves over to Captain Thalis of the City Guard--she needs extra muscle." Marcus gives you the directions to where the Captain is located.
"She is one of my operatives, too--show her the coin you have, and she'll recognize it and know that I've sent you." Marcus goes to the door.
"Don't use your cover identities. Just go as yourselves." he adds, then yawns. "Good luck. I sincerely hope you don't find too many more bodies."
Ferrak Tuesday November 13th, 2001 6:35:39 PM
Ferrak is eager to go. Feeling that the balance of nature has gone too far off the scale to rest for long, he realizes the pit in his stomach can only be filled by helping more.
Riding Darkfang, the feral pair circle the house a few times to let out some of the ants from their pants.
Renik Tuesday November 13th, 2001 6:38:24 PM
Unable to match the wolven brother's enthusiasm, Renik downs a couple of coffees before he is ready to once again face the troubles of the day.
But to be sure, he most certainly is, ready.
Bill Troublefinder Tuesday November 13th, 2001 8:25:55 PM
Bill eats bread, and sausage, and slices of cheese. He shares with his friends. He longs for pie, but that will have to wait. "Oh, Marcus, sir, yesterday someone told me they thought they saw the girl's mother with one of the lieutenants of the guard, also an elf. Didn't get more of a description than that."
He downs his last cup of tea. "Anything you want us to pass on to Captain Thallis?"
[OOC: Please let us know where on the map we can find the captain. Thanks! Regarding the battle with the Paladins, I found the War Cathedral (Temple of Domi) in the Outcast Quarter of Plateau City - building 20, but couldn't find a 'Chapel' of Domi - unless that was a subset of the War Cathedral.]
Draax Tuesday November 13th, 2001 9:35:51 PM
Draax openly laughs at Bill's and Marcus' reaction to his question. "No, No, I did not mean to imply that you have the power to make the sun rise. I was only wondering if the dread was using something to keep it dark and did you or one of your operatives stop them. If I thought you had the power to raise the sun, the first thing I would ask you for would be a raise in pay." Still smiling Draax takes a drink of juice and double check his equipment before heading out with the others.
He watches the wolf brothers as they circle the house a few times and remembers that he has not be over to check on his horse in awhile. He promises himself to do so at the first opportunity.
Arien Wednesday November 14th, 2001 2:03:06 AM
Arien rubs a hand over his mouth for a moment, as if to rid himself of a bad taste. Then he responds to Marcus' final comment before leaving with the rest of the group. "Indeed there have been too many deaths so far. Sadly I doubt that the true horror of the events in the Arena have yet to come to pass."
Helping Hands (DM Donna) Wednesday November 14th, 2001 6:40:37 AM
"Thalis is already up to date on whatever information I have," the party's employer tells you, "Just go and help out--like I said, at THIS point, she needs the muscle."
Marcus leaves, and the Hamleteers--as per orders--troop on over to the Noble District, where Captain Thalis is in charge of the garrison of City Guard stationed in that part of the city. She's a sturdy-looking half-orc, and--true to Marcus's word--she recognizes the coin.
Helping Thalis and the guards is tiring, physically and emotionally, because much of what they need to do is restrain still-insane Domi worshippers, erractically-behaving citizens claiming to be converts to "the truth of The Raven!" or "the Love of The One" or whatever...
There is a LOT of work to do--the party assists Thalis & the guards nigh unto midnight. Just about then, the guardpost is visited by an elf lady, whom Thalis greets as Kianimar. The Hamleteers recognize her as the mother of the girl whom Domi saved.
Thalis introduces the group, and Kianimar seems to recognize you, too. When Thalis has her attention diverted by some of her guards making a report, the pretty elf explains she's a fledgeling wizard, you see--so she had already done some scrying to see if the heroes who helped her out were doing all right.
Kianimar thanks you all for her daughter's life, and explains that her husband is Frellin, Thalis' lieutenant. He was home, with their daughter Shianna, because he had a run-in with last night with some looters--but then rose about a half-hour ago or so and left the house...apparently taking Shianna with him.
"Have you seen him?" she asks you eagerly. "The only thing I could think of was that perhaps he came to see his Captain and comrades-in-arms...?"
"No, Ki," Thalis says as she steps back over to the hopeful elf mother, "Frellin hasn't been by here, has he--" The half-orc turns to the guards that she had just been speaking to--only to see that they've all drawn their weapons and are advancing menacingly upon you all!
Everyone must roll a Spot check versus DC15 to avoid being surprised. (As it is, you are all considered flatfooted.) There is one guard for every party member, plus Thalis and Kianimar; you are all easily within melee range as you are all inside the guardpost's receiving room at the moment.
Roll for your attacks (if applicable). Those who made their Spot checks get their attacks in first; otherwise the guards get their surprise attack in first. Good luck!
Bill Troublefinder d20+3=21 d20+6=8 d4=1 d20+14=31 Wednesday November 14th, 2001 12:50:20 PM
Bill is so happy to meet Kianimar, and to learn her little girl's name is Shianna. But, hearing the news of the absence of Lieutenant Frellin, her husband, and their daughter, he grows concerned.
Nevertheless, the halfling is alert enough, and shouts, "Ambush!" to warn his friends as it becomes obvious the guards are posed to attack. When he tries to stomp, however, his timing is off (attacking guards only fall if they fail vs DC 8 on Reflex save, and take only one point of subdual damage if they fall). Bill uses his boots to leap back to land neatly on the desk (Jump 31). He pulls a stick out of its case at his hip.
[OOC: That is, if there is a desk. Otherwise he'll aim for a chair or an unoccupied spot away from the guards.]
[OOC #2: How many guards oppose us? How large is receiving room? How many doors? Any windows? How high is ceiling? How is room lit? Where are people in relation to each other? What furniture is in room? What is outside the room? What is building made out of - wood, stone, brick, something else? Do we know any of these mutinous guards, having been working with them today?]
Ferrak d20+2=21 d20+4=13 Wednesday November 14th, 2001 5:08:31 PM
Ferrak's hackles rise as he senses danger.
Worried that his sentient spear will damage one of the guards, Ferrak grabs the wooden chair that he was using. Unsure as to whether these people are also under some kind of compulsion he rushes up to bash one of them with his improvised weapon. (13 w/-4 as a chair is not intended as a weapon.)
Renik d20+2=15 d20+3=16 d6+5=8 Wednesday November 14th, 2001 5:12:50 PM
Renik also keeping his eyes open, notices the attack.
"Halt in the name of Domi!" he yells trying to provoke some response from the assailants, so he can figure out whether or not to draw blood.
Until he's sure Renik once again cocks his arm back for another punch. (Att 16 Dmg=8)
Draax d20+1=6 Wednesday November 14th, 2001 10:13:19 PM
Draax is surprised to see Kianimar and is happy to hear that she made it safely away from the arena with her child. He is distressed to hear that her husband and child are missing. He listens as she talks to Thalis determined to help her in someway. He is so focused on their conversation that he does not realize anything is wrong until he hears Bill's shout.
Rond d20+2=17 Thursday November 15th, 2001 1:18:29 AM
Rond follows the orders he was given, and reports the Captain. He's glad to be temporarily out of the yoke of command. Spending the day just using his muscles helps to relax him during these troubled time.
When the group meets the elfen Lady, Rond is surprised that she was able to recognize the disguised Hamleteers as her daughters rescuers. Rond stores the scrying information for later, when he has a chance to ask someone about it. For when he goes to ask the young elfen Lady about his concern about detection, it seems that once again the Hamleteers are in the middle of ......something. Spotting the impending attack Rond barks, "Guard yourselves. Protect these two. " indicating Thalis and Kianimar " Thalis, any chance your people are going to stand down?" Rond holds his attacks, and simply defends any attackes directed at Thalis or Kianimar.
Arien d20+6=19 Thursday November 15th, 2001 2:22:02 AM
As Thalis and Kianimar talk a small bell of alarm goes off in Arien's head and a moment before the others he draws his rapier and turns to face the approaching guard. Weaving his rapier in a defensive pattern he shouts for the guards to surrender or they will be shown no mercy.
(With Uncanny Dodge and doing Total Defense this round with more than 5 ranks in Tumbling Arien's AC = 21)
Have At You! (DM Donna) d20=3 d20=16 d20=3 d20=15 d20=5 d20=11 d20+1=5 d20+2=11 d20+2=6 d20+8=18 d10+5=15 d20+2=17 d10+5=10 d20+5=8 d4+1=3 d4+1=3 Thursday November 15th, 2001 7:09:32 AM
"What's the meaning of this???" demands Thalis, drawing her own sword (a very large bastard sword). "Stand down, you fools, and expla--"
The treacherous guards leap to the attack, though more than half of them fall to the disruptive force of Bill's stomp. Thalis brings her sword around in a deadly arc, literally slicing open one of her foes and skewering another.
Darkfang lunges at one of the attacking people, but misses the leg he's aiming for.
Kianimar fires off a couple Magic Missiles at another guard, doing a total of 6hp damage to him, but is herself injured in spite of Rond's efforts to protect her.
Though mostly surprised, the Hamleteers' quick reflexes and expertise (and the assistance of Thalis and Kianimar) overcome the nine guards that were suddenly attacking you all.
Bill points out that all this is just SO puzzling--the party had been working side-by-side with most of these people all day long...why in the Wold would the guards attack them now? Thalis growls and hauls up one of the guards by his hair, aiming her blade so that she would be able to run him through in a split-second if she chose.
"Tell us what this is all about, Dykun!" the City Guard captain orders through gritted teeth. "Tell us, or so help me...!" The man is immediately cooperative, explaining in a rushed voice the exact circumstances:
These nine are converts to the Dark Lord! They feared the Hamleteers' interference in their commander's plan to give Marteaus his very first sacrifice, which must take place before sunrise--that of the life Domi had cheated from Marteaus in the Golden Arena.
Kianimar screams and faints--Thalis explains that these specific guards were commanded by none other than Frellin--and this means that Frellin doubtless plans to take the child to the Dark Lord's new temple on the north bank--and throw her to the sharks that swim around it now!
"You have to go after them--save Shianna..!" Kianimar begs the party. "Frellin was acting so strangely...how could I have known...? Please save her...please.."
"I will look after Kianimar," Thalis says, tying up the converted guards, "And also get those of my troops who aren't under the Dark Lord's sway to escort these jerks to the holding cells. YOU lot had best go after Shianna."
"The wolf..." gasps the wounded wizard, "...he knows Shianna's scent...he can track her...please save Shianna..." Kianimar faints away again.
"Go!" orders Thalis. "Hurry...sunrise will be in a matter of hours..!"
Ferrak Thursday November 15th, 2001 6:24:28 PM
"The little girl, that the God saved Darkfang!" Ferrak relays to his brother in wolven. "We must find her before she is sacrificed at dawn. Can you find her scent brother? Quickly -- the sun will chase the moon away soon!"
Taking his brother over to the little girl's mother, hoping that the scent is still strong on her, Ferrak looks up to the brave woman and says, "Don't worggry maaam, we WILL, save her. This pack is stronggg, and swift on the hunt."
When Darkfang finally picks up the scent, Ferrak mounts his brother for speed, and the two of them track the girl as fast as possible.
Renik d20=8 Thursday November 15th, 2001 6:36:27 PM
Moving to catch Kianimar as she faints, Renik gently places her and supports her in a chair. (8+9 Ref save)
Trying to rouse her, as the wolf brothers move over to pick up the girl's scent, the savvy rogue asks gently, "Do you have something that belongs to the girl? A piece of clothing or a toy or anything like that, Kianimar? It will make tracking her that much easier."
Slapping her lightly on the face he says, "Don't worry we'll stop them, we just need to strengthen Shianna's scent."
Bill Troublefinder d8=7 d20+4=19 d20+4=16 Thursday November 15th, 2001 8:41:19 PM
Bill gives Kianimar a potion of Cure Light Wounds (1d8), which heals 7 hp damage. Then he takes a moment to cut a 50' silk rope into 12.5' lengths, and tie them to the four corners of a battle net. As he works quickly (use rope 19), he tells Kianimar, "We will find Shianna. Is there anything we should be aware of concerning her or your husband?" He folds the net, coiling the ropes, and carefully tucks the bundle into his belt. If the girl's mother or Capt. Thalis have anything to add, he listens. He makes sure they have directions to the new temple, then he joins his friends as they head to the north bank.
On the way there, he takes a second 50' length of silk rope, and begins to knot it every 2.5', with a (human) wrist-sized loop every third knot, resulting in an overall length of ~40 feet when done (use rope 16).
"Anybody have potions of water breathing, or something that allows you to move well in the water? How about flying? Rond, you ever fly before? Here's what I'm thinking," and he whispers to Rond for a moment.
A bit farther along, Bill forms loops at the end of each of the twelve foot sections of rope he tied to the net. The halfling seems to have no trouble keeping up with the rest of the party. He occasionally gets out ahead a little ways, stops for a moment to fix a knot, then resumes moving again.
Draax Thursday November 15th, 2001 9:34:18 PM
Remembering the love that his own father showed him when he was young; Draax becomes angry at the thought of a father sacrificing his child. As they go to save the girl, the half-elven warrior is looking forward to meeting Frellin.
On the Hunt (DM Donna) d20+5=23 Friday November 16th, 2001 6:49:11 AM
"Frellin is about 4 feet, eight inches in height," Thalis describes for your benefit, "Tanned complexion, dark brown hair and green eyes. I don't doubt that the Dark Lord's methods of 'conversion' have brainwashed him into doing this. He's extremely good with short swords--he fights with two of 'em."
Darkfang snuffles all over Kianimar, (who really can't seem to snap out of her shock long enough to say anything coherent) recognizing the scent of the cub this pack must track and save.
Come, big brother--I have the scent! the wolf bays eagerly, running to the exit of the room and practically whining to be let out so that the hunt may begin.
The normal time it takes to traverse the city streets is practically doubled for the chaotic milling about of the displaced, the looters, the dazed, the mad and the "converted", as well as whatever property damage was done during the last two nights. The Hamleteers near the North Bank--the site where they recall Marcus telling them of a new temple dedicated to Marteaus--and enter a courtyard-like set-up that appears to lead to a private dock that seems to be the one closest to the island temple.
(Everyone rolls a Spot check versus DC15...add a +2 bonus because you are all extra-alert and attempting to locate Shianna and Frellin. Those who make the check will spot father and daughter at one end of the dock--as well as the other armed converts of the Dark Lord that are between your party and them! A map will be forthcoming.)
Bill Troublefinder d20+5=24 d20+6=10 d4=4 d20+14=22 d4=1 d4=3 d4=4 d4=2 d20=19 d20=6 d20=12 d20=18 Friday November 16th, 2001 10:03:35 AM
On the way to the North Bank, Bill tells Ferrak he has a wand of cure light wounds, and shows it to him in his wand case (next to the wand of levitation). He tells him the command word to activate it. "I'll hang on to it for the moment, but want you to know about it."
As they near the North Bank, Bill casts levitate on himself with his wand. He offers to do likewise to any of his companions who desire it [just mention in your post that you ask Bill to levitate you]. He hands Rond the potion of flying.
The plan he had whispered to Rond involved having Rond fly, and Bill causing Shianna to levitate. If necessary, she could be caught up and carried in the net, up and away from her captors. Maybe not the most comfortable of conveyances for her, but it should secure her safely for aerial transport.
Bill hands out a thunderstone to any member of the party who wants one (he has several), and makes available two tanglefoot bags (one for Renik, one for whoever asks first) and two flasks of alchemist's fire. "Give people things to be busy with while we get the girl."
In addition to the items he offers to others, in a small bag, he places two thunderstones, two flasks of alchemist's fire, two tanglefoot bags, and two flasks of acid. One battle net he drapes, folded, over his shoulder.
[So, if you want one of the items - thunderstone, tanglefoot bag, or alchemist's fire, or to be levitated - mention it in your post, or forever hold your peace.]
The halfling happens to look in the right place at the right time (love that dice roller!), and alerts his fellows to the location of the girl and her father. "I'll go first. Confusion to our enemies." Bill runs up to a point just in front of the lead guards. He plants his feet for an instant. A rainbow wash of light jets from his eyes, and a sharp boomlet of sound issues forth. Any guard who fails a reflex save of DC10 falls to the ground, and takes 4 hp subdual damage.
Small sack in hand, he aims his leap to take him directly toward the father and daughter at the end of the dock. As he rises in the air, momentum and the strength of his leap (jump 22) carrying him forward, be begins to sprinkle the contents of his bag down upon the heads and bodies of the milling guards and participants in this unholy ceremony.
First a thunderstone (AC 19), then a tanglefoot bag (AC 6), then a flask of acid (AC 12), followed by a flask of alchemical fire (AC 18) land below as he shakes half the contents of the bag in an arc below him. [Not using ranged attack bonuses, as he is just randomly scattering them, not individually aiming them. Looks like the tanglefoot bag landed on the ground. Touch attack should be used for the items, and splash damage for fire and acid is possible, along with area of effect for thunderstone.]
He is not much one for discussion with cultists today.
Bill Troublefinder - Ack! Friday November 16th, 2001 3:04:37 PM
[I posted before I saw the map. A little oops, there. I had in my mind a larger, tighter group of folks. Figure that the bomblets rained down on the first group of three, and it'll probably take until next round for Bill to reach the next group by the docks. May, or may not, have him touch down.]
Arien d20+6=26 2d4(2+2)=4 Saturday November 17th, 2001 3:28:06 AM
Not about to be as civil as he was with the paladins the day before, Arien lets loose with a well aimed bolt of acid at the closest of the converts (7) for 4 points of damage.
Rond d20+2=18 d20+12=15 d20+12=28 Saturday November 17th, 2001 10:53:59 PM
Rond listens to what Bill has planned. After Bill tells of his plan, Rond gives him a thumbs up. As they quickly reach the docks, Rond spots the father and girl. Too suspicious of those people that are around, Rond does his best to disappear into the background, before anyone can spot him. (Move Silently=15, Hide in Shadows (if available)=28). From there, Rond uses his Slippers of spider climing, to go right up the wall of the building next to the group. As he heads up the wall, he does his best to keep an eye on Bill, in order to time swallowing the potion, and to begin flying, in order to snatch the girl up. If needed, he'll throw a punch, or a tackle, to separate the two, in order to get to the girl. -------- [The potion of flying should last at least 50 minutes, so Rond can take it immediately, and have plenty of time - that's 500 rounds. Also, once the duration ends, it will let the imbiber down gently, with a descent of 60'/round for 1d6 rounds. You can fly at a speed of 90 feet (ascend at 45, descend at 180), and you can carry up to your maximum load (see PH p. 142). Oh, if Rond wears medium or heavy armor, his speed will be 60 feet, 30 feet while ascending, and up to 120 feet while descending. -Kim]
Ferrak d20+4=21 d20+11=28 d8+5=10 d8+5=10 Sunday November 18th, 2001 10:08:32 AM
On the hunt, Ferrak spots his prey as they enter the dock area. Urging his brother to speed, the two make a bee line straight at the human in chainmail. (#7) Hoping to take out one of the combatants quickly, and approving of Arien's choice of first targets, the feral gnome readies his spear for blood. (Spirited charge +2 to hit & Dbl dmg = 20pts. Yes!)
Tearing into the man viciously, the brothers barely break stride as they continue their charge. Moving on, to a distance roughly ten feet from the female gnome standing stage right of Shianna. (Ride by attack to a point somewhere between #8 & #4)
As the brothers put the brakes on, Ferrak snarls at the gnomish female in their native tongue. "Leave this place Kobold kin, or...or..orrraaOOOWWW!" spitting this insult at her, Ferrak gives up on using words to describe the rage he feels. His voice breaks, as he growls into a soul shaking, screech of a howl.
Seeing another gnome standing in front of him as a part of all this, ready to sacrifice a child brings flashes of his true mother unbidden to his mind's eye. His vision blurring with tears and blood, he remembers being carried through a forest, being chased, being put into a dark hole, as his mother sacrificed herself to save her only son.
Shaking with rage and emotion, Ferrak simply can not even bear the idea of a female gnome acting this way. Demanding almost calmly in crystal clear gnomish, "Help that child, or I will ERASE you!" Ferrak burns like a flame.
Renik d20+7=18 d20+9=21 d6+5=9 Sunday November 18th, 2001 6:39:30 PM
Playing close attention to what Bill has to say as they follow the wolf on the scent, Renik grins in acknowledgement.
"You guys take the high road," he says with a wink as he takes the tanglefoot bag from Bill. Briefly glancing at Ferrak, he realizes that the feral gnome is too wrapped up in the hunt for planning.
"I'll back up the wild one," says the rogue as he draws steel.
Alert as ever, Renik spots the group of cultists as they turn the bend. Watching, as Bill flies over the three warriors in front, and as Ferrak charges the right flank, Renik decides to take the left.
Approaching the elf carefully (#5), Renik feints left, then lunges straight at the bugger. (Att +9 = 21 Dmg =9)
Moving with his lunge, the agile scout bends low to the ground. Then in a surge, Renik leaps over the unsuspecting elf in an amazing summersault. (Spring Attack)
Now behind the elf, Renik moves quickly over to where Ferrak and Darkfang are crouched, before the elf fighter can react. Determined to cover the brothers' back as he keeps his eyes peeled, Renik watches the enemies now at their rear. (#8, #6, & #5 hoping #7 is dead.)
Draax d20+3=17 d20+11=19 d8+7=15 Monday November 19th, 2001 12:53:27 AM
Draax nods his head as a gesture of thanks as he takes a thunderstone from Bill. Equipped with longsword and shield he takes a direct line for #6 and swings his longsword at his opponent's head (hit AC19, 15dmg if hit).
Combat Round #1 (DM Donna) d20=17 d20=2 d20=9 d20=13 d20=4 d20=7 d20=20 d20=1 d20=17 d20=19 d20+15=29 d20+3=14 d20+5=11 d20+3=11 d20+3=20 d6+3=6 d20+3=7 d4+1=5 d4+1=2 Monday November 19th, 2001 7:30:13 AM
Bill can't help but grin as five of the seven foes fall down (Numbers 1,2,4,5 and 7) before him, and then 5, 6 & 7 suffer the effects of the thunderstone, acid and fire-stuff! Mwuhahahaha! (OOC: well, I know that I'd laugh! ;D)
Arien's acid does even MORE damage to #7!
Rond begins to scale the wall west of the party.
Ferrak & Darkfang are holy terrors as they launch themselves at the evil people who would harm a little girl--severely mangling the human they'd targeted! The female gnome just stares, wide-eyed, at the wild-looking pair.
Renik also soundly strikes his target (#5).
Draax gets his blow in on the unknown fighter with the bastard sword in its hands (#6).
Bill suddenly gets a most peculiar feeling...(OOC: I rolled for Bill's Knowledge: Psionics/Arcana--he made it...for all the good it will do him now. Heh heh...)
...why aren't any of their foes making any sound? No grunts--no armor jangling on impact--no "ka-thud" of them landing on their kiesters..? No smell of sizzling flesh?
Uh oh.
The people attacked by the Hamleteers disappear, leaving Bill, Ferrak, Darkfang, Renik and Draax grouped together in one nice, convenient area for the counter-attack:
As the illusion dissolves, it becomes apparent that only #1 and #2 accompany Frellin and Shianna on the private dock; numbers 3,4 and 5 were lurking in the southwestern corner of the courtyard, while numbers 6, 7 and 8 had been in the southeastern corner, just waiting for some do-gooders to come along and try to stop them!
#1 tosses a flask of oil at the south end of the dock, while #2 takes aim with his hands and sets fire to the oil with his Burning Hands spell. There is now a big, roaring fire blocking the south end of the dock.
#3 swings a mace at Renik, clipping the rogue a resounding blow! (OOC: take 6hp damage, Renik.)
#4 takes aim at Bill, hitting the halfing with two Magic Missiles for a total of 7hp of damage.
#5 stabs at Draax, but his sword meets only air.
Darkfang manages to dodge the incoming mighty swing of that huge bastard sword of #6's (hmmm--looks more like a full-fledged two-hander to the feral gnome from THIS angle..!)--thus keeping himself and Ferrak from getting hit.
#7 comes barreling up to Arien and swipes at the elf with his longsword, but the human's aim is also off (thank goodness!)
Bill finds himself on the receiving end of #8's attempt to brain him with a nasty-looking morningstar. (She misses!)
Nobody seems to have noticed Rond.
Frellin continues to escort his daughter towards the north end of the dock. Shianna, however, is now tugging against her father's grip, asking excitedly if there's a wizard duel they're missing "back there..!" (Obviously referring to the courtyard.)
An updated map will be sent out to you all.
Draax d20+11=29 d8+7=13 Monday November 19th, 2001 1:28:54 PM
Mentally Draax commends his adversaries for the success of their ambush; he also commends himself and his comrades for their abilities to get through the initial attack.
While avoiding the longsword that was swung in his direction, he turns to face his opponent. Knowing that he has never set eyes on the elf before Draax smiles as his says, "So, we meet again, this time you will not be so lucky." Draax waits for the split second that it takes for the elf to try to recall if he has met the half-elf before. Thinking that he has seen a slight hesitation in the elf's eye, the half-elven fighter swings his magical long sword with all his might at #5 (hit AC 29, 13 dmg). Draax smiles to himself thinking, "That is the oldest trick in the book and it always seems to work."
Ferrak (Oh, now he's really pissed!) d20+9=20 d8+5=8 Monday November 19th, 2001 6:18:51 PM
Blind with rage the feral gnome doesn't realize what has happened for a few moments. Luckily, his brother isn't as prone to emotional outburst.
"Grrrr..."
Spinning in response to this new threat, Darkfang keeps the brothers from harm. Ferrak still red with rage, twirls his spear around his head to get it angled at this new target.
"rrrrr..."
Jabbing at the attacker's legs, the brothers move in quickly, hoping to finish this guy in time to help the child. (20 Dmg=8)
"rr!"
Renik d20+8=17 d6+5=9 Monday November 19th, 2001 6:33:06 PM
Thinking quickly, and reacting like a cat to the blow he receives, Renik ripostes. Moving five feet closer to Shianna and her father as he does so. (Att 17 Dmg=9)
After his counter attack, the canny spy tries to spring away once again. Hoping to move up close enough to the docks to threaten what the man intends to do.
In his mind, he his glad for the wisdom of their leader, and the preparations that his clever companions had hurried together.
Trying to keep his eyes on the attacker that he has left and the innocent child on his right, Renik yells a distraction.
"What on earth do you think you are doing man!? That is your child, you fool--your own flesh and blood! Throw yourself in for pity's sake, if you think there is something these cult gods can do for you. Go and join them," he says, desperate for something to slow the man down for a few seconds.
Bill Troublefinder d20+12=22 d8+5=6 d8+5=9 d20+7=24 Monday November 19th, 2001 6:34:48 PM
Bill, knowing that being fifteen to twenty feet in the air makes it difficult for the lady in chainmail to bash him in the head (unless she throws the morningstar), is not too worried about her at the moment. Those magic missiles sting, though, but do not cause him to lose his concentration (22). He allows the momentum from his earlier leap to carry him forward toward the docks. [I think he'd be traveling at a speed of about 40 in the direction of the docks.]
He sends a psionic missive (DC 24) to the little girl. "Shianna - Remember Bill? Wanna levitate again? You can watch better!" He pulls a potion of cure light wounds from a pouch and drinks it down (rerolled following 1, regains 7 hp - back to max), obliterating the hurt of the magic missiles as he approaches the area where the fires now burn, levitating up to about twenty five feet in the air, and holding his breath against the rising heat. Not wanting to litter, he slips the empty potion bottle back in the pouch. He gives Shianna a little wave.
[OOC: Bill's Knowledge: Psionics/Arcana add should be 16, not 15. Do you have his latest CS? As you pointed out though, not that it matters at the moment. :-) ]
Arien 6d6(5+6+4+5+4+6)=30 Tuesday November 20th, 2001 2:36:21 AM
Arien snarls to himself for being fooled by the illusions and vents his anger at the human attacking him. His dagger materializes in an outstreched hand and a moment later discharges its lethal energy into the unfortunate human.
(I'm not entirely sure how saving throws vs. spells cast off an item work but I'm assuming that they are just the basic base 10+ spell level. If so its spell DC 13; if for some reason they work as if cast by the user then it would be spell dc 18)
Combat Round 2 (DM Donna) d20+5=12 d20+3=6 d4+1=2 d4+1=2 d20+5=12 d20+5=13 d20+2=11 d20+3=11 d2=1 d20+3=8 d20+3=13 Tuesday November 20th, 2001 7:47:03 AM (OOC Kim: DOH! I misread your secondary post and thought that Bill did, indeed, touch down! LOL--hey, she missed him anyhow..!)
Darkfang snaps at the ankles of the armored unknown that is attacking him and his big brother, but misses.
Rond hesitates on the wall, apparently unsure as to the best way to procede.
Renik's riposte only succeeds in generating some sparks as his weapon scores a barely-glancing blow to his opponent's (#3) breast plate. The man speaks a phrase that sounds ominous to the elf's ears--the mace with which the man is armed pulses with an evil, dull red aura. Luckily, the blow aimed at Renik misses by a mile!
The female gnome at the southwestern set of doors (#4) switches her attention from Bill to Arien--discharging two Magic Missiles at his back for a total of 4hp damage.
The elf (#5) battling Draax suffers a goodly amount of damage, enough to make his counterattack swing wide.
Ferrak's Viscious Half-spear pierces the well-armored foe he faces (#6), resulting in some blood and an invective in a foreign language. (Anyone who knows Orcish will recognize it.) Darkfang once more tries to trip the person up, but misses the combatant's feet again.
The man facing Arien (#7) fails his Reflex save, and screams involuntarily as his entire system is lanced with electricity. The horrible smell of burnt flesh overwhelms the elf...but the human still stands--or, rather, staggers. He jabs instinctively at Arien, but the attack falls woefully short.
The woman with the morning star (#8), finally admitting to herself that trying to hit a flying halfling isn't a good idea, instead turns her attention to Ferrak, but her aim hasn't improved any--she misses the wolf-riding gnome by a very wide margin...almost hitting her armored colleague instead!
Meanwhile, both Draax's words and Bill's missive cause Shianna to pull against her father's grip, saying something in the musical language of the elves:
"Papa...where's the Bright Man? You said you were taking me to see him? Where is he..?"
Frellin ignores the child, instead glancing at the half-elf and the human (#1 & #2 respectively) with him. The half-elf gestures and chants, concentrating on the water beside the dock (OOC: Bill can attempt a Spellcraft check to identify what the half-elf is doing--versus DC 18; succeeding means that Bill realizes that the half-elf is summoning...something). The human looks up at Bill, a knowing smile on his face, and casts a spell. Immediately an Obscuring Mist pops up and surrounds himself, the half-elf, Frellin and Shianna...hiding all of them from view.
Rond Tuesday November 20th, 2001 8:09:31 AM
Having waited for Bill's diversion to finish up, Rond decides that it might be time to move. Still wanting to be cautious, Rond brings himself off the wall he was walking up. He then proceeds 30' up, and then heads out about 30'. He's planning to come down on the other side of the dock, hoping that he can catch Frellin offguard, though he might be expecting Rond.
Ferrak d20+9=26 d8+5=6 Tuesday November 20th, 2001 8:19:50 AM
A blur of fury, the feral gnome stabs, and jabs at his opponant relentlessly.
Att-26 Dmg=6
Renik d20+8=26 d6+5=9 Tuesday November 20th, 2001 8:32:50 AM
"Now Rond, NOW!" Yells Renik, hoping that their leader is near, listening.
Thinking that a dull red auras doesn't bode well for his brainpan, Renik lunges at the elf, finding a gap in his armor, he draws a bit of blood. (A-26 Dmg-9)
Hoping to help the girl in any way he can, Renik then springs away from his assailant and dives into the gathering mist. (Spring attack)
Renik d20+8=16 Tuesday November 20th, 2001 9:55:54 AM
Well what do you know, a critical threat.
Have at you!
(16) Oh well.
Bill Troublefinder d20+10=25 d20+7=21 Tuesday November 20th, 2001 11:05:19 AM
Bill recognizes the half-elf's summoning spell [spellcraft 25]. As he tucks the bag into his belt, Bill draws his sword, points it toward the area where the half-elf (#1) and human stand (at least, where he last saw them standing), and says, "Slip slide." The sword casts grease on that area of the dock.
He activates the power of clairvoyance [DC 21] to look to where he last saw Shianna. He reaches for his wand of levitation. Bill's altitude lowers to eighteen feet, as his momentum continues to carry him along the length of the dock.
"The 'Bright Man' is Marteaus - the evil Lord of Darkness who killed Domi," Bill says in the tongue of the elves as he passes over the girl. "The 'Bright Man' hurt your father's mind."
Draax d20+11=30 d20+11=29 d8+7=10 d8+7=10 Tuesday November 20th, 2001 12:52:59 PM
Still smiling in the elf's face Draax says, "You are as poor at this as the last time we met. Do you remember me yet? Maybe this will remind you."
Believing that he has #5 totally confused now, Draax decides to press his advantage. The half-elven warrior bashes his shield against his opponent's shield as if to create an open on the elf's right side. He waits until he feels #5 try to compensate by bringing his shield to protect his right side. Draax uses the pressure to from the elf's shield as a springboard, spinning to his left, doing a 360 and attacking his opponent's left side with his longsword. Draax is rewarded as he feels his sword bite deep into his opponent's side (AC 30 critical hit, 20 dmg).
No matter if the blow kills the elf or just hurts him very badly, Draax looks into the elf's eyes before pulling his sword out and says with a smile, "Remember me now?"
Arien d20+7=27 d20+7=21 d6=5 d6+1=4 Tuesday November 20th, 2001 4:35:06 PM
"Still standing huh." Arien mutters to himself, "Well let's see if we can't correct that matter." After finishing his mutterings he suddenly buries his rapier in the human's chest and withdraws it just as quickly. (9 pts of damage)
Combat Round 3 (DM Donna) d20+5=19 d10+5=15 d20+5=24 d20=9 d6=4 d20+3=21 d8=4 d20=7 d20+3=4 d100=64 d100=56 2d6(6+3)=9 d20+6=19 Wednesday November 21st, 2001 8:33:14 AM
Ferrak's attack does more damage to his opponent(#6), who finally lands a blow of his own on the scrappy gnome! (15hp damage on Ferrak.) Realizing that his big brother has just been hurt, Darkfang snarls and chomps down the armored foe's lower leg and yanks the fighter's feet out from under... whoever the person was inside the armor. (OOC: total damage to #6 this round: 10hp; total damage so far: 18hp.) Ferrak is then clobbered by the woman with the morningstar (OOC: another 4hp damage).
Renik stabs at his own opponent (#3), drawing blood, then leaps away from the encounter towards the billowing mist that obscures the southern end of the dock--and right into the fire that still burns there! (Take 16hp damage from the flames, Renik.) The flames, however, are dying down fast--the oil is all but gone. In spite of all this, Renik cannot see more than five feet in front of him while within the mist. Renik's opponent runs after him, but only gets as far as the edge of the mist this round.
Draax has the satisfaction of seeing the elf he's engaging (#5) gasp and then curse before slowly slumping to the ground.
Arien's foe (#7) is made of extremely stern stuff--first taking that horrendous amount of damage from the lightning and now suffering from the rogue/wizard's well-aimed blow... yet he still has the wherewithal to swing at Arien once more! (He misses, but heck--it's still rather impressive that he's still on his feet.)
However, since Arien has his back to the gnome female(#4), he suddenly finds himself on the receiving end of a Flaming Sphere that rolls at him from behind. (OOC: Make a Reflex save versus DC15 to suffer only 5hp damage... but since Arien was concentrating on #7 so very hard, no Dexterity modifier is allowed on this roll.)
Bill descends into the mist, though his head and shoulders still remain above the swirling cloud of obscurity. He can hear cursing from the area that probably has the half-elf and human companions to Frellin--his Grease spell sounds like it was effective!
While his Clairvoyance showed Shianna initially surrounded by mist, Bill sees the girl and her father emerge from the obscuring miniature bank of fog. The halfling can tell that Frellin is having to forcibly drag his daughter towards the end of the dock now.
"What do mean--the Bright Man hurt Papa's mind..?" demands Shianna as she looks around, trying to find the source of the strange voice.
"Do not listen to strangers, Shianna," Frellin replies, "I am your Papa--and you know that I would never lie to you."
"Okay, Papa..." Shianna says trustingly. The love and trust in her voice seems to affect Frellin--and for a moment, Bill can see that there is genuine inner conflict in the elf's handsome face.
But the moment passes, and Frellin's face becomes set.
"I know it's late, my sweeting," the elf tells his daughter, "...but we're going to have to swim if we're to get to the place where... where the Bright Man is..." Frellin bends down and picks the youngster up in his arms...
Rond flies to the center of the courtyard and sees the father prepare to throw his little girl into the river--then he sees the result of half-elf #1's summoning from last round:
#9...a Huge shark, swimming through the air straight at him, as though it were knifing through the water for its highly-anticipated meal--a meal named ROND..!
(There will be an updated map forthcoming.)
Bill Troublefinder d4=2 d3=2 d2=1 d20=2 d20=14 d20=12 d20=15 d6=6 d20+7=21 d20+8=22 Wednesday November 21st, 2001 10:51:44 AM
Bill pulls the bag on the left side of his belt out, and in one motion upends the contents on the cursing voices below:
The alchemical fire (AC 2) goes wide, splashing against the very edge of the dock, with most of the flask's contents landing in the waters below. The flask of acid (AC 14) finds a mark (damage 6); the thunderstone bangs out its report (AC 12) (those within 10' who fail a fortitude save are deafened, -4 penalty to initiative, and spells with a verbal component have a 20% chance of failure); and the four pound tanglefoot bag (AC 15) may ensnare one of the obscured fellows. The now empty sack, released, flutters into the mist.
Bill's heart grieves as he sees how close Frellin came to casting off the yoke of deceit that binds his heart. Aiming his wand of levitation at the trusting sacrificial offering, he discharges it, giving the girl the ability to levitate.
"Frellin, you know what is in your mind is twisted, and against your race, your honor, your own flesh and blood," Bill speaks in elvish. "Repent and awaken, else Marteaus devour your soul. Kianimar sends her love and concern. She whom your own men attacked, Lieutenant. Shianna's own mother, and the wife of your youth."
He returns his wand to its spot, and reaches for the net. He prepares to send a missive to Shianna should she be tossed into the river. "Float upwards, Shianna, into the air. There are sharks below." [Held, conditional action. DC 21]
[Note: last roll of DC 22, including +2 from a hero point, for diplomacy skill check on Bill's words to Frellin.]
Bill [OOC] Wednesday November 21st, 2001 11:07:27 AM
[Sorry about the grease, Renik.]
Renik d8+1=6 Wednesday November 21st, 2001 5:00:55 PM
Lay low, Renik thinks to himself as he pulls a potion of healing from his belt.
Downing the thing in one the crafty thief crawls over to the edge of the dock and turns his head as he yells. "Oi, I'm over here bonehead!" Then like a trapeze artist he lets himself over the edge while holding on to the side.
Dangling over the water hanging on to the docks Renik thinks quietly to himself, with a grin. 'Let's see if this guy can swim in armor.'
Ferrak d20+13=19 d8+5=7 Wednesday November 21st, 2001 5:05:35 PM
Not sure where Renik, Rond, and Bill are as he loses them in the mists and the confusion of battle. Ferrak is concentrating mostly on staying alive.
Having no problems with hitting a man or a whatever while he's down Ferrak does the hokey POKE-y. (Sorry, it's early in the morning for me.) Att +9 +4 =19 Dmg=7
Arien d20+3=20 d20+10=28 d20+7=20 d6+1=7 Wednesday November 21st, 2001 11:42:30 PM
Once again Arien's instincts and dexterity save him. Somehow sensing the Sphere behind him Arien throws himself into a roll... right between his opponent's legs, putting the man between him and the sphere. Coming right up to his feet behind the human Arien spins back to face him and using the momentum, stabs his rapier right into the nice large back presented to him (damage 7).
(Rolls are reflex save, which when combined with Evasion = no damage from sphere. Tumble vs. dc 25 to go between 7's legs as part of a normal move and attack and damage rolls.)
Draax d20+11=17 d8+7=14 Thursday November 22nd, 2001 4:28:17 AM
Seeing his opponent go down, Draax fights the urge to cut off the elf's head and ensure that he is dead. He looks up from the elf and takes a quick assessment of the situation. Seeing #8 harassing Ferrak, Draax moves up behind the woman and swing his sword at her back (hit AC17, 14 dmg if hit).
"Hey, it's not nice to interfere with a private fight and besides why don't you pick on someone your own size?"
Combat Round 4 (DM Donna) d100=22 d100=4 d20=9 d20=10 d100=52 d8=1 d20=5 d20=5 2d6(4+3)=7 d6=3 d20+1=21 d6=3 d20+3=22 d8=6 Thursday November 22nd, 2001 7:59:11 AM OOC: oops, sorry about the bad math, Ferrak! #6 has 20hp of damage on... it.
Bill hears two different shouts, plus the acrid sizzle of acid comes wafting up from within the mist--neither voice belongs to Renik, so the halfling can be sure that the damage was not accidently done to his fellow Hamleteer. The thunderstone's effectiveness will take a bit of time for the metamind to figure out since all who may have been affected by it are still within the mist. (OOC: Renik doesn't have to roll a Fort save--he was just far away enough to not be affected by the explosion.)
Once more Bill sees that his attempt to persuade Frellin's fatherly instincts to the fore almost work, but Marteaus' magic control is stronger--the elf lifts his arms to toss his daughter into the river. The halfling manages to enchant Shianna and urge her to levitate instead of fall... which she does, with a delighted peal of laughter.
"Papa...Papa, look! I'm flying! Look! Weeeeeeee...!" the child cries happily, bobbing higher and higher into the air. (OOC: easily twenty-five feet or so by the end of the post.)
Meanwhile, Renik's pursuer (#3) follows the canny rogue into the fire & mist. He is fast enough through the dying flames so that he suffers a mere 1hp of damage... but in his haste he runs right off the dock, plunging into the river below!
The gnome female (#4) who is siccing her Flaming Sphere on Arien screeches in frustration when the nimble elf manages to completely evade her rear attack--while her teammate (#7) does not. Between the Flaming Sphere and Arien's follow-up attack, the man is felled. The gnome screams in anger and sends the Sphere at Arien again. (OOC: normal Reflex Save, Arien; failure will cost you 7hp--success means you completely avoid the rolling fire.)
Ferrak and Darkfang continue to harry their foe (#6), with Darkfang adding another 3hp to the total damage done to the... person. (OOC: if I didn't screw up my math THIS time, the total damage done to #6 is now 30hp. He/she/it's hurtin'.) However, the armored fighter manages to kick Darkfang with a metal-shod foot, causing the wolf to yelp (and suffer 3hp of damage.)
The woman with the morningstar executes a roundhouse swing with both hands on her weapon, thwapping Draax for a total of 9hp damage!
Rond freezes at the sight of the Huge flying shark (#9), noting that it possesses red glowing eyes--but the shark suddenly turns abruptly away. The fighter wonders why for a moment before the horror dawns upon him--
--the shark is "swimming" directly at the happily-laughing Shianna..!
(OOC: there's another updated map in your email, players.)
Rond Thursday November 22nd, 2001 10:05:13 AM
Feeling the seconds slow to a crawl, Rond is upset with himself for freezing in the midst of battle. Berating himself for forgetting that Shianna is the goal of this battle, Rond does his best to use his full movement (90 feet) to get to Shianna and protect her, or carry her off, if he's faster than the Shark. Rond wonders about how Marteaus can control time.
Arien d20+7=27 d20+6=22 2d4(4+3)=7 Thursday November 22nd, 2001 7:11:05 PM
Arien easily avoids the sphere and quickly returns with one of his favorite spells, acid arrow. (7 damage)
Renik d20+9=15 d8+1=3 d6=2 d6=4 Thursday November 22nd, 2001 9:05:53 PM
"Bon Voyage!" as Renik sends his new friend of to an ocean voyage. Chuckling to himself the Fighter/rogue decides to make some good use out of his slippers of spider climbing.
Attaching himself to the bottum of the Dock. Renik decides that this is the best way to maybe catch Shianna as she falls off the docks or if nothing else, ovoid the mist and see what's going on, up topside.
Waking to the underside edge of the pier, Renik has a look around and notices...a big flying Shark! Reacting in a flash to the dangerous situation that has presented itself. Renik draws his bow and lets an arrow fly at the beast. (Att-15 Dmg=3 Sneak Attk+6) (Not sure what minuses there'd be shooting upside down but it's worth the shot.)
As he sends the shaft out, he calls a warning to his friends. "Shark, big bloody shark. Ummm... fellas... hugemongous bloody, flying tail flickin SHARK!!!"
Ferrak d20+8=21 d20+9=25 d8+5=11 Thursday November 22nd, 2001 9:33:48 PM
First things first, Ferrak, as he notices the attacker on the ground go for Darkfang, urges his brother out of the way. (OOC Using the Mounted Combat feat to try and negate the hit. Ride Check=21)
"Don't mess with my brotherrr!" yells the feral gnome as he jabs again, and again, at the prone soldier. (Att-26 Dmg=11)
As the battle thickens, Ferrak doesn't fail to notice big bad Draax, coming in to cover his back. Grinning in a wicked snarl of thanks, the wild gnome's eyes shine ferociously.
Taking a moment to check that Arien has got the rear guard well in hand, Ferrak's spirits rise as he sees his new packmates in action. Brandishing his spear up in the air, Ferrak belts out a hunting howl.
"Ow...ow...Ouuuuuuuuu!"
Draax d20+11=29 d8+7=13 Friday November 23rd, 2001 1:07:32 AM
Draax cringes as the morningstar connects, but his smile immediately returns to his face. Anyone looking closely would think that the half-elf is having the time of his life. He takes a moment to analyze his adversary, looking for any obvious openings and for ways that he can create a few. He starts again with his meaningless banter, "Here I am thinking that we were finally communicating and you go and hit me with your morningstar. If I did not know any better I would think that you did not like me."
Draax slowly moves his eyes to the side as if he was looking over the human female's shoulder. Using the magic of his sword, Draax opens his eyes wide as if surprised. "Look over there." As the last word exits from the fighter's mouth, he swings his sword at his opponent (AC29, dmg 13).
Bill Troublefinder d20+5=15 d20+6=25 d20+5=15 d4+1=5 Friday November 23rd, 2001 2:56:10 AM
Bill's motion has continued carrying him forward, and he reaches the end of the dock just as Frellin casts his daughter out into the waters of the river - then sees her instead begin to soar into the air. Bill tosses the net that had been resting on his shoulder down upon the father - a bit of sloppiness to the throw (AC 15) in his haste to focus most of his attention on intercepting the now-levitating little elf girl. But, almost as if choreographed, Bill manages to take hold of the waist of Shianna's clothing at her lower back (AC 25 to grasp firmly). His forward momentum is slowed somewhat [to maybe 30? 25? 20?], as she was not moving horizontally as fast as he, yet his well-timed and nimble grasp helped keep her from experiencing a sharp jolt.
"Whoa - Gotcha - Gotta watch that going up too fast," he starts in the common tongue, then switches back to elvish. "Don't be afraid. Your mother sent me, Shianna. I am Bill -- we met at the Golden Arena." As he speaks, he turns her around so she can see him. "Your father is right to warn you against strangers -- but I'm no stranger. I'm here to help you, and to try and help your father." Because he has not dropped his clairvoyance power, Bill's eyes shine brightly, seeming to burn like points of silver fire.
Over the other sounds of ongoing battle, Renik's shout just manages to catch Bill's attention (Listen DC 15). "Flying shark?" He turns his head to look over his shoulder.
Ready for Din-Din..! (DM Donna) Saturday November 24th, 2001 8:08:57 AM
(OOC: sorry about the delay in posting; and my apologies about the map turning out blank for some of you players--apparently AOL is mucking around with file attachments and my stuff is being "erased". The Campaign DM has had the same problem, too, it seems. Well, I'll just have to resolve this whole thing, so here we go:)
Rond's speed is faster than that of the shark as it attempts to close in on its intended sacrifice and the halfling holding her; the flying fighter reaches the pair first and manages to snatch then in a desperate embrace. Rond turns back towards the south--maybe he can find a building or some secure cover to fly all three of them into..?
The Hamleteers on the ground deal more damage to the converts they are battling: Arien pelts the gnome female (#4) with acid; Ferrak's spear finally stills his prone opponent (#6); the magic of Draax's weapon Dazes the woman with the morningstar (#8). Renik's upside-down shot arcs toward the Huge Shark, but bounces harmlessly off the creature's hide. The rogue-fighter's curses are joined by those of the two Obscured foes (#1 & #2) after the telltale sounds of people sliding in Grease and falling onto the wooden dock.
The shark is in hot pursuit of Rond and his charges--one would think that there's some otherworldly force at work, increasing its speed and causing the Hamleteers to have to work all the harder for their victory. It's almost as though some malevolent intelligence infused the shark itself, so that the impossibly Huge beast is gaining more and more on the fleeing trio, leaving little hope for any of them to avoid the yawning maw with it hundreds and hundreds of razor-sharp teeth.
All three people in the air can now smell the overpowering fish-breath of the shark as it zooms in for the kill, in spite of Rond's dexterous attempts to outmaneuver it.
Rond debates releasing the halfling and the elf and attempting to fight hand-to-hand with the shark, but he knows that the huge thing is too close and too fast for him to be able to offer more than a slight distraction to the creature before it would simply continue onward to swallow up Bill and Shianna.
"Where's the Bright Man?" wails Shianna, clasping Bill in fright. "The Bright Man can save us! He can, he can!!!"
SUDDENLY
The shark stops in mid-flight--it's as though the great fish slammed into an invisible brick wall. It screams--a high-pitched, horrible warble--and writhes wildly...and disappears! Bill, wide-eyed, looks around to see if perhaps the other Hamleteers managed to cast a spell or fire some missiles or something.
Out of the corner of his eye, the halfling sees a telltale flash of light. Bill smiles knowingly as he turns his head to confirm the notion he has:
The sun has just dawned. The Hamleteers managed to keep the intended sacrifice from occurring until after the deadline set by the Dark Master!
On the ground, the others of the party easily subdue the remaining converts. Frellin stands on one end of the dock, confused. He doesn't even remember anything that's happened since he and his patrol ran into a tall dark man wearing a skull mask that had one ruby in one of its eyes.
The Hamleteers summon the City Guard to take care of the converts. As the party exits the courtyard to return the somewhat-shocky Frellin and the now-sleeping Shianna to Kianimar, there's an ominous rumble of thunder that comes from the Temple of Marteaus across the river...but nothing more happens.
Perhaps it was just a fluke...or perhaps the Dark Master has bigger fish to fry...for now.
Rond Sunday November 25th, 2001 10:19:28 AM
Rond reflects on the days happings as soon as the group gets a chance to relax. Rond considers the fact that the Hamleteers are not doing a good job of welcoming Marteaus to the heavens. He supposes that Marteaus is not going to very please to know he's involved with Hamleteers again.
Draax Sunday November 25th, 2001 3:23:41 PM
Draax takes time to relax after the days events. He feels better hearing that Frellin was under a spell and did not know what he was doing. The idea that a father would sacrifice his child does not sit well with the half-elf, but putting another thorn in the side of Marteaus makes the fighter very happy.
Ferrak Sunday November 25th, 2001 6:42:14 PM
The battle over, and the adrenaline spent, Ferrak looks at all of the terrible waste of life. The hunt is finished but to what end.
Understanding that mind control is the chief tool of this new evil presence in the world, Ferrak feels bad for the those who were under his spell. The sharks in the water and the poor man Frellin, who'd almost sacrificed his own daughter.
Taking the time to collect all of the broken and charred remains of the cultists, Ferrak tosses the bodies into the sea, wishing the best for the spirits of those who'd passed and hoping that their bodies help fill the need of the sharks in the water who must have been summoned far from their natural hunting grounds.
Ferrak, sends a quite prayer to the Earth Mother.
Bill Troublefinder Sunday November 25th, 2001 6:55:14 PM
About to activate mirror image on young Shianna, then throw whatever he could find - soap, darts, cooking kettle - into the approaching shark's maw, Bill is greatly relieved that the sun rose in the nick of time. Greatly relieved. He talks to Shianna, and praises her for her buoyant personality. "Wow, that was exciting, wasn't it? Kinda scary, too. Are you okay, Shianna?" He tells her that her father got a little mixed up with someone who was trying to confuse him about what he should do. "See, I suppose he thought he was doing something right - I don't know if he knew about the sharks in the river today. And I didn't know about a shark in the air - that half elf fellow seemed to summon him." He asks her about the Bright Man, and what her father or others told her about him.
As the rays of the sun spread over the city, Bill gives thanks for the timely breaking of the dawn. Once Rond sets them back on land, Bill keeps Shianna away from Frellin until after they reunite with Kianimar, not sure her father is worthy of trust at the moment. He wishes he could read minds somehow.
He checks his friends to see if they are in good health, as well as their opponents. He uses his healing skills to bind wounds where he can. If any are near death, he asks Ferrak to use the wand of cure light wounds (1d8+1) to keep them alive.
"I heard a splash, but I see we're all here. Did their guy who fell in manage to keep away from the sharks?"
Bill looks at each of their opponents, and memorizes their faces. He gets their names. He wants to know who would participate in such a hellish action. And he asks the guard to report any findings to them.
But he focuses most of his attention on the one he thinks of as Domi's little girl. And, because she is, for the moment, quite light in his arms, the halfling insists on carrying the now snoozing little elf girl back to her mother -- unless Draax wants to, in which case he'll keep a real sharp eye out as they head back.
He asks Rond and his friends for leave to follow up with the family of elves. "This event has gotta create some problems for them. I'd like to see what we might do to make sure, somehow, that Frellin gets as far away from Marteaus' influence as he can. I didn't want to drive a bigger wedge between father and daughter than he was ready himself to do. I think that Shianna and her family bear watching. Domi would want us, I think, to keep that girl under protection. I mean, think of the healing power that he ran through her to all in the stadium! I even heard that there were people here in the city healed of various things at the same time. No wonder the Dark Lord wants her dead!"
He explains that he does not want to bag out on his responsibilities to his teammates, but just wants to take steps to ensure nothing like this happens again. "Maybe you guys have some ideas of things we can do. I want Frellin to face up to what he almost did. I saw the conflict on his face - he was fightin' a battle inside, and he lost, and almost lost his daughter, too. We gotta somehow make him see that he should be his daughter's best guardian. Anyone who cops to following Marteaus is gonna end up as dead meat one o' these days." Bill ends this grave pronouncement with a very big yawn for a small halfling. ------ [Addendum, after I read Ferrak's simultaneous post.]
He counsels Ferrak, if he must toss the bodies to the sharks, to first remove their items from them. He would join him in this moment of solemnity, but does not wish to expose Shianna too closely to the results of the recent action. Her little self has enough to deal with as it is.
Bill also asks Rond if he'd like to have the rest of the group make sure that their opponents are disarmed, any magic items, spell books, what have you, catalogued and held pending determination by the authorities as to the disposition of these people.
Arien Sunday November 25th, 2001 8:45:05 PM
As Arien helps loot the captives and the bodies he reflects to himself that there is at least one thing good about winning a fight, getting some loot. While not greedy the sense of discovery and the experimenting with new items he had always enjoyed.
Renik Monday November 26th, 2001 5:31:43 AM
Watching the flying shark take its leave, Renik manages to hoist himself up onto the dock without too much trouble.
Sitting there till it's time to leave, he chucks rocks and bits of dirt into the water.
"Zounds, am I knackered," he mumbles as he tries to skip a flat one.
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