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GateQuest: Dream a Little Dream


Marcus (DM Donna) 
Tuesday February 26th, 2002 12:07:27 PM

After Arien gets finished speaking, the spymaster's face looks quite grim.

"I had the same dream," he says simply. "And I don't think it's a coincidence." Renik speaks his mind as Marcus pulls out his coin of communication and speaks into it, bidding somebody to bring the cleric.

"Never underestimate the power of dreams," Marcus says with a bit of a grimace, "But it would be just as wise to not put TOO much stock in them, either. I'm having a... fellow dreamer being brought to you. He will introduce himself when he gets here, but suffice it to say that his dream... isn't quite the same. He'll be joining with you in your research to find out which of the two different dreams is true." There is a knock... but it isn't exactly at the door. Marcus snaps his fingers.

"That reminds me... I've gotten together the personnel and... props for your cover business. You will all be running an import/export shop," he tells you. "It will take a week to get all the 'stock' in place, so you'll be able to give Chenna your notices... although it would probably be best if not all of you left her employ--you never know where your best bits of information can be found."

Renik (Spot the subtle reference) 
Tuesday February 26th, 2002 1:14:13 PM

Renik looks around, looking for the source of the knock.

At Marcus' words Renik grins. "Sounds like fun. How does 'Universal Exports' sound as a company name? Suitably vague, and it seems to fit, somehow... This may call for a new disguise."

He loses himself in contemplation of yet another flamboyant alter ego.

Draax 
Tuesday February 26th, 2002 6:45:21 PM

"Long have I waited for a chance to save our old friend Damocles. The sacrifice that he and Qancis made was too grave, much too grave."

Lost in thought the big half-elf takes stock of his equipment and decides his sword could use some attention. Taking out a worn and well used whetstone the veteran warrior begins to work on the edge of his blade. Obviously thinking of Damocles his eyes have an edge that needs no sharpening.

Ferrak 
Tuesday February 26th, 2002 6:48:03 PM

"A strrange dream, yes," says the feral gnome, his manner grave. "Dreaming of the machine is not a good omen."

"Grrr," he grumbles for no particular reason.

The Dreamer 
Tuesday February 26th, 2002 7:08:05 PM

Without warning, the door opens quickly and a small figure crosses the floor. She is stout, wears a dark blue cloak and has long red hair all done up in a bun. Her features are obviously gnomish, although she looks quite exhausted. The muffled knocking is now joined by the sounds of a whinnying horse. The gnome waddles across the floor and, seeing Marcus, approaches him. She nods her head and whispers something unintelligible. Rubbing her tired eyes, she looks about the room smiling, then frowns and sighs impatiently.

Bill Troublefinder 
Tuesday February 26th, 2002 11:59:54 PM

Bill listens to Arien's dream. "Wait - what did Damocles do into the darkness? Call? Recede? I missed what you said he did there, Arien. Well, never mind that, I suppose. At least he's alive -- they're alive! I mean. Well, we've gotta figure out ... Marcus, do you know anybody who knows much about portals, gateways, that sort of thing?"

As did Renik, Bill also looked around for the source of the knocking. He stifles a laugh at Renik's suggestion of a name, juxtaposed with the dream Arien reported, then feels embarrassed that he found humor in the whole export and univer... he shakes himself to return his attention to what the others are saying.

That there was an entrance through the door was not entirely unheralded, albeit with a sound from somewhere else. He marks in his mind the location of the knocking sound, and compares that to the location of the sound of the whinnying horse.

But he must not forget hospitality. "Welcome to our dwelling," Bill says to the new guest in gnomish. Then, in common, asks, "Would you like some tea or hot chocolate? Perhaps some cakes, some cheese? Oh, and you, as well, sir?" he inquires of Marcus. If either answers in the affirmative, Bill scoots to the kitchen to put a kettle of water on to boil, and scurries back in quickly so as not to miss too much.

Hospitality? Sweet! (DM Donna) 
Wednesday February 27th, 2002 6:24:39 AM

The female gnome smiles tiredly at Bill.

"Tea, please," she replies.

"Where's Hobbes?" Marcus asks rather impatiently.

"He has to tie off his horse, sir," the female gnome tells the chief of Plateau City security. "He'll be here in just a moment." The "knocking"--now that the door to the house had been opened and then closed--is not occurring on the door to this house, but rather on the house next door... in fact, it isn't knocking--it's hammering, as though somebody were pounding nails into wood.

"The tentative name of the establishment is 'The Motley Lot'," Marcus addresses Renik, "But if you come up with something you'd prefer, we can easily repaint the sign." Then he looks at Bill. "Nothing for me, thanks."

Renik 
Wednesday February 27th, 2002 6:40:45 AM

"A pleasure to meet you dear lady, it is not often that we have such beautiful guests. Please, take a seat," smarms Renik, bowing and smiling.

"Um, this Hobbes, he doesn't normally tether his horse by nailing it to doors, does he?"

(OOC: Universal Exports was the name of the cover company that James Bond worked for whilst carrying out his secret missions. When asked what the company did he would always reply "Oh, Imports, Exports...". Seemed appropriate in the circumstances!

Draax 
Wednesday February 27th, 2002 8:06:03 AM

Taking the time to be polite, Draax puts his blade down for a moment to say hello.

"You are a dreamer," the half-elf states. "What does that mean, have you had the same dream as Arien?"

Ferrak 
Wednesday February 27th, 2002 8:11:32 AM

The feral gnome does not function well around other members of his true race. It is an obvious reminder that he is not really a wolf. This and the fact that the gnomish woman reminds him of his late mother sends the feral gnome off running. Unaware of what is going on around him, Ferrak can see only his mother's face as she hid him in the dark hole where the wolves later found him.

She gave her life for him. It's just too much.

Hobbes 
Wednesday February 27th, 2002 1:36:07 PM

The door creaks open slowly. "Damocles is dead," utters a voice from the doorway. Outside the final pounding from next door accompanied by the subdued neighing and hoof-shuffles of a startled horse can be heard a bit louder now. The source of the voice is a tall, rather fetching-looking man suited entirely in black plate mail armor. From his neck hangs a small silver circlet, in the form of what appears to be an eye gazing out. The breeze from outside tosses a jet black cloak with fantastic silver lining about him.

He slowly steps into the room letting the wind blow the door shut and walks toward Marcus, a very large scythe in his right hand which he uses like a staff as he walks. The blade is quite long, although the length of it has been clamped and covered protectively so it is not exposed.

With a solemn look upon his face he steps up to Marcus and bows his head. "My apologies for my tardiness, sir. We arrived as quickly as we could. My gratitude to your worthy assistant for bringing me."

The man reaches into a pouch and pulls out a silver coin. His eyes look about the room briefly then spy who he is looking for. He walks over to the gnome, bends down, places the coin in her hand and gently closes it. He then straightens up and turns back to Marcus.

With a grave look upon his face he says, "I now realize why I was called here."

K'isst 
Wednesday February 27th, 2002 6:30:37 PM

K'isst totally absorbed in her pushups, realizes slowly that something has changed. She stops, sweating slightly and stands one hand on her trident.

Realizing some of what was said earlier she moves over by Arien and whispers, "New location? Why? What's wrong with this one?"

Arien 
Thursday February 28th, 2002 12:23:46 AM

"Ah yes, Bill, I stumbled on my tongue for that part, hope that doesn't happen much more as that could be a problem with spell casting. As for what he did into the darkness, you've pretty much guessed it, except it was more of a fading than a receding."

Arien's eyes are drawn to the eye hanging about the man's neck and then to his dress in whole. "Even those who follow the Lord of the Underworld should know that dead does not mean gone, especially those who follow him should know that it is quite the opposite. Just because the pleasures of the flesh no longer belong to Damocles does not mean he is not out there, still fighting against Marteaus." Arien lets his breath out slowly and then begins to speak again, "But forgive me stranger, you didn't say that he was gone, merely dead. Perhaps I reacted too harshly, let me formally introduce myself."

Arien draws his own black cloak with its silver threadwork that formed into a web about him and bows to Hobbes. "I am known as Arien Silverbow, I am a practioner of the wizardly arts and a procurer of treasure."

Then whispering to K'isst, "I'm not exactly sure what you mean but we are moving our business front to here for simplicity sake. We might also going to Ravenloft to retrieve a certain machine that when used will allow us to reap vengeance on the Dark Lord." Arien was also there when they brought back the water ring of ascension and the memories of how the ring had came to be in Marteaus' grasp had burned themselves into his mind. "Indeed K'isst we will bring him down, vengeance for you who suffered at his hands and for all those who suffered more recently, and most of all, for Domi."

Bill Troublefinder 
Thursday February 28th, 2002 1:55:26 AM

The halfling was in the adjacent kitchen when the tall man entered. Tapping his foot, waiting for the water to boil, he idly wonders if there isn't some way to speed things up in the heating process. At the sound of the door shutting, he sticks his head into the room. "Hobbes, I presume? Marcus, aren't some introductions in order? Who died? I was in the kitchen, and couldn't quite hear." He is not quite sure whether he ought to offer his name, but trusts Marcus to offer a nudge of guidance on this. "Tea's almost ready." He brings out a plate of seed cakes and biscuits, and bowls of jam, raspberry and blackberry.

[OOC: As an aside, Bill would have repowered his psicrystal, 'William', upon returning to home base in the evening, replacing the five power points spent.]

Rond 
Thursday February 28th, 2002 2:37:43 AM

Allowing the others of the team to make and take greetings for the group. Rond follows the information as it's passed about in the room. When Hobbes addresses Marcus, Rond waits to hear if Hobbes has more on the subject of Damocles. Realizing that there's information about Damocles and Marcus's wife, Rond watches Marcus, to see his reaction.

[ooc Hobbes is not a striped tiger, is he. ;) Where's Calvin, his human sidekick? ;) ]

Marcus Explains It All (DM Donna)  (...well...MOST of it, anyway...)
Thursday February 28th, 2002 6:59:30 AM

Marcus looks around at the party members, his eyebrows coming together as he thinks hard before speaking.

"The cover business will be run by others whom I employ," the spymaster says positively, "You'll be listed as employees of the establishment next door, but this will free you up to concentrate on your research to find this gateway that may exist." Marcus nods gravely in the direction of Hobbes.

"This cleric of Gargul has had a dream that is at once just like the ones both Arien and myself have had--yet it is also quite different," he tells the party. "I will let Hobbes himself explain what his dream was." Marcus once more inclines his head towards the newcomer, inviting the priest to speak.

Renik  d20+2=15
Thursday February 28th, 2002 11:36:50 AM

Damocles dead? That is bitter news. But as Arien says, for those with the means, death is rarely final. If they can find his body...

But first things first. They still must find the portal. How can they do that? If such a thing exists perhaps there is mention of it in some history of the city? Perhaps libraries hold the answer. Or perhaps they can try to find out if anyone else has visited this 'Ravenloft', and how they got there. Don't they say the Gold Dragons have visited other worlds? Perhaps Ravenloft is among them. Except that the Gold Dragons have vanished and been declared outlaws. Hmmm. Who else might have that sort of knowledge? The Sages Guild? Another Dragon group? (Rolled 15 for untrained Knowledge check). Well, perhaps some of his sources over at the Beer and Bath can point him in the right direction.

Lost in thought the lean rogue awaits Hobbes' continued explanation.

Rond 
Thursday February 28th, 2002 4:38:16 PM

Hearing the Arien's tale Rond's jaw drops as he realizes that Damocles may still be alive. When everyone last saw Damocles, it was with the understanding that his mission was suicide. Just the slight hint that he may still live and be rescuable, gives Rond a new found hope. One that he hadn't known he needed.

Draax 
Thursday February 28th, 2002 5:39:33 PM

Returning to the edge of his sword, Draax continues to work on it with renewed vigor. Not saying anything but listening intently to what the newcomer has to say. Draax soon has his sword gleeming with a deadly sharpness but somehow it doesn't satisfy the big warrior.

Taking out the other various weapons of his trade, it is apparent that Draax is determined to be ready for the coming adventure and the chance to save his friend.

Hobbes 
Thursday February 28th, 2002 5:44:54 PM

Hobbes bows his head slightly to Marcus. "I must begin by saying this... dream I had... may or may not tell of things to come or things that have come," begins Hobbes in a low tone, "and this Damocles, as your commander here calls him--I fear for his soul--for what I saw of him is very grave indeed. I know not what your dreams told of his fate."

Hobbes leans his scythe against a wall very gently, removes a gauntlet from his right hand, and turns to Arien. "And you are correct, sir," he continues, "death is not a finality, but merely a doorway into a soul's next realm of life. But in this case..."

Hobbes steps over to the mage and looks him in the eye. "Your friend has been stolen from his destined realm by an evil force, I fear."

Hobbes removes his other gauntlet and sets them both down on a table. He turns slowly, trying to recall the details in his mind, "There was a woman... elvish nature... with a --with a man, a cleric of Alemi, that which your master here calls Damocles. Around them... and beside them, all about them was darkness, a distinctly evil place... and a device. Yes a very unusual mechanical looking device they were after. This machine... they began casting spells at it and..." Hobbes squints to recall more and seems to be drawn back to the place in his telling, "It shrieked... and fell to pieces. Then, the noise seemed to attract two horrible figures, dark creatures of nightmares and evil that immediately fell upon them. Their wings and claws and horrid teeth mauled and rended the pair until it was over. They fell dead as victims of their unfortunate quest as their final chapters were written. But as sure as the final period was written the two were stolen from their resting place and began to rise. Their eyes opened and they stood, the blood still flowing from their open wounds, shock and surprise on their faces!"

Hobbes opens his eyes slowly, panting slightly, then turns back to Arien. "This is what I saw... and your poor friends seem... to be now merely toys for some dark force which has claimed them. I weep for their souls... and this dream has plagued me since it occurred, but only now do I have a clearer grasp at its meaning." He looks thoughtfully at the mage and then at Marcus, "And as my calling has brought me here, so will I fulfil it to the best of my ability to assist you in helping your friends be laid to their rest and rid of the evil which has performed this abomination."

Ferrak 
Thursday February 28th, 2002 5:47:17 PM

In a dark corner somewhere, the feral gnome hides his head from the world for a while. Flashes of his earliest memories on the earth keep coming to him. The unpleasant images of his mother's death. As the tears streak down his face, Ferrak longs for the oblivion of sleep.

A deep mournful howling can be heard somewhere in the city.

Arien 
Thursday February 28th, 2002 10:50:58 PM

"Still despite what you say I believe there might be at least some hope in the matter, if not to retrieve the machine and bring the Dark Lord down then to rescue the souls of Damocles and Qancis, there is no more worthy a cause than to save friends from the clutches of evil and I say that we find a way to Ravenloft and do just that. Whether the machine can be salvaged or not we can see there and if it can than we shall bring it back and see what we can do from there."

Rond 
Friday March 1st, 2002 2:56:02 AM

"We have had several run ins with Marteaus. None of them have meant well for the world. Having a two fold chance at both saving friends and poking at Marteaus, are worth the effort in my head. Though I'd let others comment at this point."

ooc Kim, Character sheet is on the way

Got it - thanks! -Kim

Bill Troublefinder 
Friday March 1st, 2002 5:04:14 AM

"Tea's ready!" Bill announces, and pours cups for whoever wants it - but first for the gnome. Since Marcus hasn't gotten around to introducing anybody, but didn't seem to object to Arien's self introduction, the hobbit figures it's about time he made himself a bit more sociable. "By the way, my friends call me Bill," he tells the tired gnome. "If you don't mind me asking - oh, here is the sugar bowl, and a spoon, and some cream, and some jam, if you like that in your tea. Some people do, you know. My aunt used to ask for six spoonfuls of sugar. 'But don't stir it - I don't like it too sweet,' she'd say, like a little joke. Anyway, with all your dreaming, does that make you pretty tired?" he asks her. "Did you have the same sort o' dream as Arien and Master Marcus and, uh, this gentleman, Mr. Hobbes, here? But here, drink some tea, take your time."

Bill goes to the corner where his pack lies and pulls out his writing kit and journal. He thumbs through the pages, then opens up to some sketches. "These here are drawings of the scroll printer we got from the Sons of Dread. The first one is a perspective drawing, then flat on from the side, and the top, and the back, and the front. The other side's the same, except for this handle - I just sketched where it was different." He turns the page. "Ran outta room - this page shows it from the bottom. So, if it's broken, we know what it's supposed to look like in working order. The machine was sentient, too, and Damocles told us it had an evil presence. At least, I think he said something like that. Or was it Qansis?"

A moment later, he asks, "Where'd that Ferrak get off to? Darkfang, Gruff ruff, woof woof, ruff!" ('Go look for Ferrak, bring him back - tell him we need him with us!') To Draax, Bill says, "I worry about him sometimes. Ferrak, I mean."

After everyone is served tea, Bill pours himself a cup, and stirs in some honey, which he had forgotten to bring out earlier. As he stirs the cup, he ruminates and listens to his friends and their guests. Then he says, "All right - we have this business that Master Marcus asked us to look into. I think that deserves some attention. Then there's Damocles' appeal - and the rescue of the souls of him and of," and his voice drops, and he quietly adds, "of Qansis." He sighs, takes a deep breath, which he holds for a moment, then goes on. "And the recovery of the scroll maker. Doing the latter means we need to find a portal somewhere. Yes, Renik, the Gold Dragons have been there before - we already know that. They may know of a portal or two. I'm wondering if a portable hole might not be useful to help carry the scroll maker. It's pretty big. Anybody have one of those?

"Say, Mr. Hobbes, from what you said - it sounds like something or other turned our ... friends." He stops, breathes in and out through his nose, his lips pursed. "They were turned into undead. Undead of some sort. What a horrible thing!" The halfling shudders. "Marteaus here, Marteaus there -- we need someone who knows more about all this religious stuff, and ascension, and usurpation, and the, excuse me, sometimes idiotic games of the gods. Games which make for far too much suffering for poor souls here." He looks up to Hobbes. "What does Gargul say of all this?"

Renik 
Friday March 1st, 2002 5:34:10 AM

Renik sips his tea and smiles as Bill slips into overdrive. Indeed it does sound as if their ill-fated companions have joined the dread ranks of the undead, a fate Renik would not wish on anyone.

"I assume we're all agreed, we need to rescue them if we can, and give them the release of oblivion if rescue proves impossible. Hobbes, you say you saw the machine destroyed by their magics. Unless our foes have rebuilt the device, we will need to collect all the parts and reassemble it. Bill, your diagrams may come in very handy indeed. As for a portable hole, it sounds like a good idea, but aren't they awfully expensive? Could we shrink the thing small enough to fit into one of your special pockets?"

"And the question still remains, how do we find this portal? Marcus, do you have any ideas, or should we get out and start doing some digging ourselves?"

Bill Troublefinder 
Friday March 1st, 2002 6:22:11 AM

"Into one of my pockets?" Bill replies to Renik's suggestion. "Oh, no, indeed, no. At least, I don't think so. Could we? Or maybe into a really big bag of holding. Reminds me, I want to buy another tarp or two."

[OOC: Am subtracting 10 gp for two large tarps from CS. Don't want to role play buying two canvas tarps, if that's okay.]

K'isst 
Friday March 1st, 2002 11:15:16 AM

K'isst shudders as this talk continues and the horrible memories of their first encounter invade her mind. Her death. The pain! The laughter as The Wold faded from her view and her breathing ceased.

She screams! "Damocles!!!" She runs to Bill. She grabs him up by the collar, not noticing that she is pulling him up off of the floor when she does so. "Must go!!!" Tears flow unbidden from her face.

She realizes that she has put on quite a scene--the exact kind of scene her dad had her whipped for when she was younger.

She places Bill back on the ground, straightens his clothes and goes over to sit by herself, shivering.

Hobbes 
Saturday March 2nd, 2002 6:50:51 PM

Hobbes slowly looks down at the somewhat ruffled halfling in front of him. "What does Gargul have to say? Why any Eye will tell you, such an act is most blasphemous."

He bends down and sets a hand on either shoulder of Bill. "When we drink of the sweet still water of death, it melts through us as the warm sun melts away the clouds in the sky. But to create this...this unlife is to create violent waves in the still pool. A drink which is most acidic."

Hobbes gazes at the halfling and down to his notepad. "But as for this machine, I know not what to make of it. I have never spied such a thing, nor know what it does." He says stroking his chin, "There's something about it though...and of my dream which should spark something else in my mind...." He shakes his head, "but I cannot for the life of me think what it is."

He turns to the woman K'isst, now noticing her tears. He smiles solemnly, "And fear not woman. By the scythe of great Gargul I will see to it that Damocles and Qansis are returned to death's gentle embrace." He looks at her from head to toe noticing her attire and rough demeanor, an odd sight indeed for his eyes, then readdresses Bill, "But this machine... I'm assuming it be evil in nature otherwise your good friends would not seek to destroy it. And indeed if they have rightly done so, why would you wish to repair such a thing?"

Bill Troublefinder  d20+18=24
Saturday March 2nd, 2002 10:17:56 PM

"Whoa!" Bill exclaims as K'isst lifts him off the ground. He sees, however, how upset she is, so just kind of hangs there in mid-air, waiting to see what she's going to do. Very quietly he asks, "Must go where? To rescue Damocles?" He sincerely hopes she is not about to run off as Ferrak did a few minutes back. He blushes as she straightens out his clothes. She's just too beautiful!

When, not a moment later, the cleric of Gargul rests his hands on Bill's shoulders, the halfling suddenly feels even more uncomfortable. "Sweet still water of death..." he echoes in a quavery voice. "... acidic. Um hmm."

When Hobbes asks why they might wish to repair the machine, Bill answers, a little less rattled now that he's not in such close proximity, "Well, you heard what Arien said -- oh, but you got here after he told us of his dream. In his dream, Damocles told him, right, Arien? that," and Bill quotes verbatim Arien's words, "'the scroll machine that we stole from the Sons of Dread can be used to unmake what it has made, to take back that which is the basis for the Dark Lord's power. He tells me that we must come and find him as he and Qancis are powerless there in that realm of evil. That to stop Marteaus from winning we must find the portal and come and get the machine. Then he begins to,' uh, oh yeah, fade 'into the darkness and calls out one last time to come and get the machine or, as he puts it, as sure as bones break Marteaus will prevail.' That's what he told us about his dream. So, the dream Damocles told us that the machine can unmake what it made - but I'm just thinking that if it's going to unmake what it made, it'd better be in working order."

Then, looking out the window, the hobbit muses, "Maybe some good clerics can help us remake it, so that it's imbued with goodness, rather than evil." As an afterthought, he says to Hobbes, "Oh, yes, it was evil. Definitely evil."

Lastly, he turns to Marcus. "Sir, were you going to let this lovely lady," and he nods to the gnome with red hair, "tell us her dream? She looks like she could use some sleep."

Rond 
Saturday March 2nd, 2002 10:51:18 PM

"The machine made scrolls that affected people's minds," Rond tells Hobbes. "It killed people who were strapped down on it, and got power to make the evil scrolls that way."

Marcus Musing (DM Donna) 
Sunday March 3rd, 2002 5:17:35 PM

Darkfang goes to find his grieving brother and nuzzles him gently, sensing that Ferrak is recalling what was.

This kind of sadness you show makes me glad that I don't have the burden of yesterday to weigh my mind down, big brother. says the wolf with the directness of his kind. I was sent to fetch you, but if you wish to mourn, then I will howl with you and mourn, too...

Meanwhile, Marcus is thinking (to judge from his furrowed brow)...and he finally says out loud:

"I'm fairly sure that one or the other of these dreams is a message," the spymaster says firmly, "But as to which one is the truth...I can't be sure. If Hobbes here dreamed a misleading message, then we'd have to ask why him? He didn't know either Damocles or Qancis, so that would seem to indicate that his is the one with the truth in it. However, both Arien and myself had the same dream--if our dream was the truthful one, then we're being helped by those dear to us...can we afford to ignore their counsel?" Marcus rubs his chin.

"You all have acquired that building that has a very good basic research library in it--my suggestion is start there. Any clues that you may glean from the reference books that the old wizard possessed can be followed up at the research facilities at the Black Genie Center*."

Marcus stands up, placing his hat upon his head and looking like a less-than-successful street vendor. The gnome who guided Hobbes to the house also seems to look different--like a raggedy street urchin who'd be in the company of a less-than-successful street vendor.

"One thing seems to be sure, though--we need to find that gate and see for ourselves which one is right."

With this, Marcus and his female operative go to take their leave.

* Everyone in the party must make an Intelligence check versus DC15 to see if their research turns up any clues. The party won't have to actually GO to the BGC board for a second check roll--but you must post your PC going there to use the facilities if you want to roll for that check a second time. The BGC roll will add +4 to the second check (versus the same DC15), but cost each PC attempting it an additional 10gp for the assistance of an archive aide from the BGC.

Renik  d20+2=5 d20+4=16
Monday March 4th, 2002 5:02:00 AM

"The wizard's library? That's worth a try. As to which dream is true, well I guess we have no way of finding out until we get... there. So best not worry about it." The unbidden thought of this Ravenloft place sends an uncharacteristic shudder down the lithe spy's spine, which he does his best to disguise.

Sadly Renik's examination of the wizard's books proves entirely fruitless. "A recipe for glazed bat? How to prepare chocolate coated ants brains? The ingredients for Humble Pie? What is this?" He examines the cover of the book he has chosen, which reads "Adventures in Moderne Magikal Cookinge", and would seem to be at least 200 years old. He tosses it on the discard pile, finally losing patience.

"This is pointless! These books are all rubbish! "A History of Basket Weaving in the Century of the Fruitfly"? "Decorative Barkskin for Beginners"? "Scrying; a Voyeurs Guide"? This isn't a library, it's a junkshop!"

Nonplussed he gathers up his things, changes into his Gullion guise, and heads off to report for work over at the Beer and bath. Once there he tries to use his contacts to find out anything he can about portals to other worlds, or to determine who might know about such things (Gather Info 16).

Draax  d20+1=7
Monday March 4th, 2002 5:43:38 AM

"Even the slightest chance that Damocles is alive is enough for me," Draax says with finality, ready to start down the path to finding out what really has happened to his former comrade in arms.

Not above looking through a few books, Draax does his best to help find any clue leading to gates to other worlds. Unfortunately he has very little luck in his studies.

Upset with his failure, the big half-elf slams quite a few doors on his way out of the Wizard's house.

Ferrak  d20+1=7 d20+5=22
Monday March 4th, 2002 6:46:32 AM

Darkfang finds Ferrak hiding from cruel memories, sleeping a troubled sleep in an alley, the feral gnome dreams.

The screams of villagers fill his ears, as the smoke of fire burns his nose and throat. He can hear the pounding of his mother's heart as she races into the cover of the forest. Thump... thump... thump.

There is a scream... he's drowning in the red wetness of his mother's blood... shadows follow them as he screams... falling... swallowed by the blackness his mother's hand is the last thing he sees before all is dark.

A star appears in what is now the night sky. Others follow as darkness tries to consume him. Forming in the shape of a ferocious wolf the stars come together in a snarling lupine constellation of fury. Ripping at the darkness, rending it like inky black fabric, the light and darkness are spread out into night sky. Looking up, Ferrak sees his mother's face in a moon so full it rivals the sun. Morphing strangely the face slowly changes into that of a wolf. His mother, 'the mother', grows bigger in his mind's eye as he reaches up to touch her face.

Waking up with a start it takes a moment for Ferrak to realize that it's Darkfang in front of him. Bursting into tears, the small boy inside 'the feral gnome' embraces his adopted wolf brother as he sobs uncontrollably.

When he finally calms down he responds to Darkfang. "Thank you brother, but I should not mourn for her, she is all around me. It's just that sometimes it is hard to see her here in this place," he explains as he kicks at the alley garbage he had been lying in. "Let's go."

Ferrak, having as much luck as Draax with the research, decides to go do some more work on his garden. Inspired by his ordeal, Ferrak does a grand job. (Wild Lore=22)

K'isst 
Monday March 4th, 2002 1:07:07 PM

K'isst, unable to write, takes a different tack. She heads to the Red Wyrm Inn looking for mage types, and experienced looking adventurers to talk to. Her style is not that subtle. She simply walks up to such people and stubbornly says, "I must go to the Vague lands. A place of evil and horror. How do I get there?" [I'll let you make the rolls since it is probably not an intelligence roll for my methods.]

Bill Troublefinder  d20+4=15 d20+8=25
Monday March 4th, 2002 1:43:32 PM

Before Marcus and the mystery gnome depart, Bill says to the spymaster, "Let us know what you'd like us to do regarding the grocery list. I had thought you might have looked it over before leaving."

'Do you plan to keep your name a secret, then?' he asks the gnome/now street urchin before she gets out the door via a telepathic message. 'I'm Bill, and you now know my friends' names.'

Bill, along with his friends, spends some time looking through some of the materials the wizard left behind. "Renik - it's not all rubbish. And there may be something useful in the book on scrying, there - despite the apparent concupiscence of the author, judging by its title. Hmm - this one is interesting, in a weird sort of way. 'Voyages in Chaos' by Relf the Sorcerer." Bill spends some time exploring that and a few other tomes. He follows up with a visit to the Black Genie Center, which appears to pay off even better. [Int check at Wizard's house DC 15; at BGC DC 25 -- subtracted 10 gp from CS.]

Hobbes  d20+5=19 d20+4=16
Monday March 4th, 2002 3:36:51 PM

Hobbes cocks a dark eyebrow toward Renik. "Not worry about it? It could very well be the key to who is behind this and what they have planned. Indeed Master Marcus' insights are ones that have crossed my mind as well."

Hobbes inclines a finger into the air, "One moment good sir Marcus. Could you answer one question for me? Just how is it that you knew I had this dream. I see no affiliation with Gargul on your person and he is usually very choosy about whom he reveals himself."

He ponders his original statement some more, "As more whether one is truthful, let us consider each possibility in turn. If the dreams of Marcus and Arien spoke of truth and mine was false, then the machine is still intact, the status of your friends is completely questionable and the reason I was given this vision is either coincidence or folly. On the other hand, if my vision is truthful then your friends have already been lost to themselves and the machine is still in evil's hands but inoperable." He looks down at the silver eye on his chest and gently takes it in his hand.

"And the visions seen by you two sirs," he indicates, "were possibly concocted by that evil which has taken your friends as a ruse to ensnare the rest of you and it was by Gargul's wisdom that I received the truth. This choice seems to follow logic's course more clearly."

"Still," he considers as he retrieves his gauntlets from their resting place and begins to put them on, "Damocles' cry for help is a call I cannot turn from. If any truth be in the two other dreams, it might be that he did indeed have but one chance to say something before his soul was swallowed by whatever monster lies in that Raven realm of which you speak. I must meditate on the matter."

After the meeting Hobbes retrieves directions from the others of this Wizard's library but does not follow. Instead he finds a shrine that which will put him most in tune with his deity. He kneels down and prays for guidance and thanks the great watcher for this opportunity to serve the land in his name. He questions his god for guidance to finding a gateway to this land and searches his memory regarding types of undead with powers similar to those he saw in his dream and indeed that can create undead like that. (Knowledge undead roll 19) Also he considers which evil gods might be sponsoring such an atrosity and finally regarding evil sentient machines like the one these folk spoke of. (Knowledge religion 16)

Arien  d20+4=24
Monday March 4th, 2002 8:34:41 PM

Being a mage himself Arien had made it his business to familiarize himself with the previous resident's library. This knowledge comes in handy as he quickly searches through any relevant books, leaving the more mundane (or not) tomes for Renik to browse.

Bill Troublefinder  d20+5=8 d20+5=22
Tuesday March 5th, 2002 2:47:31 AM

[Additional rolls for knowledge, religion - 8; and knowledge, the planes - 22.]

Pieces to the Puzzle (DM Donna)  d20+7=27
Tuesday March 5th, 2002 6:44:29 AM

Marcus pauses, then nods dismissively to the unnamed female gnome, who exits the building--though not without winking at Bill and imparting to the halfling that formal introductions will be made later, when the cover business has been established.

"I knew about your dream, Hobbes," the chief of Plateau City security tells the cleric, "Because you told your fellows at the monastery about it, and your superiors immediately relayed it to my network. I recognized its relation to my own dream and knew that I had to bring you into this group of my operatives because of it." The man produces yet another Hat of Disguise and gives it to Hobbes.

"As you are dedicated to Gargul," Marcus says firmly, "You are now affiliated with me. I have been in touch with your superiors from the temple of Gargul, and they agreed that your services and loyalty are mine from now on. Do your best to find the truth that I don't doubt Gargul wishes us to know." (OOC: Hobbes would obviously wish to confirm that he is now "officially" in Marcus's employ, and checking in with the staff of the monastery and/or his masters at the temple of Gargul WILL confirm this: the priests all agree that Hobbes must now ally with and help Marcus and the Hamleteers, for helping them will advance Gargul's cause.)

Various clues crop up during the efforts to find out more about the Archway Gate that Damocles alluded to in the dreams:

Renik (in his Gullion identity) happens to overhear a tipsy cleric of Wardd mention something about some stupid butcher in the Nightmare District of the City who keeps hounding him about "exorcising" his shop... it seems that some of his customers keep claiming to get "the creepy-crawlies" when entering the place. This information was the usual drivel that Gullion hears when on duty--but there's something about the way the "creepy-crawlies" are described--as well as the fact that the entrance to the butcher's shop is a realistic-looking "skeleton gate"--that catches Renik's attention.

K'isst--utilizing her unique brand of Intimidation (OOC: VERY effectively, too... I rolled a natural 20 for the half-trog!)--manages to gather even MORE information from the various sages she encounters: the Gateway Arches used to be commonplace, but practically all of the knowledge about them was lost over the last millenium. Any Gateway could lead to any other Gateway as long as the person possessed the proper key to a location--and the "keys" were usually based on unusual sonic energy. Anything from a particular sound effect to a special phrase to the singing of a specific song could trigger an Archway's magic. All such Archways radiate an aura that is distinctive even under a basic Detect Magic spell.

Bill manages to find a clue in the book by Relf--a reference to a metalworker who had reportedly been to 'Koshe-Marr' and back during his days as a mercenary. This scrap of info sends the psychic halfling off to the Black Genie Center, where one of the archive aides--after hours of plowing through tomes so old that they are just about falling apart with their age--helps Bill to uncover the journals of the dwarf Wulannok.

Wulannok, influenced by the Plane of Dread, was convinced that he had to have access to that place, and thus constructed an Archway (which he convinced a mage friend of his to enchant so that it was keyed to Koshe-Marr), that he may be able to come and go from there as he pleased. Forged by his own hand from iron, Wulannok placed the Archway within the bowels of his underground home. He called it "the Bower of Bones."

Gullion (Renik)  d20+4=17 d20+4=8 d20+4=12 d20+4=21
Tuesday March 5th, 2002 7:58:49 AM

Still in his Gullion disguise, Renik reports back to the group, and lets them know his findings. Could it be that the bone entrance to the butcher's is the gateway they seek?

Hearing what both K'isst and Bill have turned up he ponders "Hmm, well it should be easy enough to tell if the bone gate is one of these portals. Anyone with 'Detect Magic' care to accompany me for a little visit?

Hearing about Wulannok's iron gate gives him pause; this can't be the same gate he has discovered, surely. They need to find where this metalworking dwarf lived. "Perhaps tax records? Is there any sort of Plateau City census we could examine? Or would the Metalworkers' Guild have information about him? Or if he was famous, perhaps a history of significant metalworkers may hold the answer." Gullion follows up whichever leads seem promising, trying to find out more about where the dwarf once lived (Bluff 17 to get at government records, Gather Info 8 once there, Gather Info 12 Metalworkers' Guild, Gather Info 21 book research).

"Of course," frets the resourceful rogue, once his enquiries are complete, "by the sound of things just finding the gateway won't be enough. We will need to find the correct sonic 'key' also. What's the betting it's the sound of two human thigh bones being knocked together?" From his wry grin it seems Renik is only half joking.

K'isst  d2=2
Tuesday March 5th, 2002 2:44:39 PM

"Let's go." K'isst walks to the door and opens it. "Men first."

She leers at them grinning.

Bill Troublefinder 
Tuesday March 5th, 2002 4:12:07 PM

"Yeah, I can detect magic, and stuff," Bill answers Renik. "Say, do we go in disguise, or as ourselves?" he asks before departing. Whichever is decided, he obliges. At K'isst's instruction, Bill waits for the men to go first. "Let's see, that would be Rond and Renik. Okay, K'isst, who's next? Gnomes, or elves, or half elves, or hobbits, or wolves, or troglodytes?" He smiles at her, and jumps through the door, hoping to avoid a swat on the rump.

On the way to the place Renik told them about, Bill talks to Rond. "If there's any chance we are going to have to go to where our friends are, do you think we should see about getting some sort of protections from undead, and evil, and draining, and such? I still don't see us as a group doing a great job of coordinating things. Any ideas?"

Once they get to the butcher's shop, Bill uses detect psionics (/magic) on the bone 'gate'. He spends several rounds looking it over. (Information accumulates from round to round.)

Rond (Kim)  d20+1=3 d20+1=5
Tuesday March 5th, 2002 4:32:26 PM

Rond, after some desultory glances through a book or two, decided that was not how he wanted to spend his time. Instead, he chose to go for a walk and see what is happening around the town. The walk was interesting, but he didn't pick up any outstanding information about the topic at hand.

So, he returned to the house, and learned what others picked up. A suitable time having passed, allowing Marcus opportunity to read the message behind Bill's 'grocery list,' Rond communicates with Marcus via the coin, asking whether he wants the party to take any action regarding that information, or just to focus pursuit on the latest topic. "Unless I hear otherwise, we shall look into the distant matter," he tells Marcus.

Smiling at K'isst, Rond says, "Ladies should go first, but if you insist," and steps out the doorway. "Lead on, Renik."

Draax 
Tuesday March 5th, 2002 9:43:00 PM

Draax listens to everyone and starts heading towards the door at K'isst's suggestion to leave. Using the hat of disguise Draax changes his appearance to that of a human male and smiles at K'isst as he exits.

Arien 
Wednesday March 6th, 2002 12:24:08 AM

Frustrated with his lack of success with the library Arien grabs a book at random and sprawls out on a chair while the others are out and about garnering information. Holding the book in one hand he bounces a shiny bauble connected to string from the other to keep Kiki entertained. Later when Renik asks about detecting magic he shuts the book and places it on the nearest stand. "Well I suppose that would be my field of expertise eh?"

With a snap of his wrist he catches the bauble and slips it into a pocket while motioning for Kiki to get in another. Once the party arrives at the destination he casts the relatively easy spell for detecting the presence of magic and starts to examine the outside of the building, namely the skeleton gate. Should nothing prove magical there he attempts to penetrate the building with the spell, hoping that the walls aren't too thick to block it.

Bill Troublefinder 
Wednesday March 6th, 2002 1:36:59 AM

Also on the way to the butcher's shop, Bill asks Arien, "Say, how many 2nd level spells do you have in your book these days? If you'd like, I can pick up maybe two or three more for you to transcribe. Any druthers?"

Hobbes 
Wednesday March 6th, 2002 4:24:41 AM

Hobbes listens intently to Marcus' words and upon the end kneels before his new master, scythe in hand and intones, "Look upon the Eye before you, your servant. The Eye which will give you sight and provide council whene'er it is needed. The allegiance I swear today binds me to you and each one who I shall ride with this day." He looks up into Marcus actual eyes, a morbid fascination about him. "This I promise unto death."

He stands very bluntly yet carefully lest his scythe prove too efficient in its task, "And now master, please forgive my ignorance but I need to be informed of the operation within and without these four walls," he begins a bit less grandiose, "And this... hat. I am unfamiliar with its use although I sense its power radiating. Am I to cover my true form?"

After the final decree from Marcus, his new master, is given, Hobbes departs the shop and rides like the wind to the temple of Gargul, a new fire burning within him. How could this be a coincidence? His life's work being pulled straight to his destination... no... it is Him. A gift from Gargul himself. There is no other explanation. IT must culminate to this. The patriarch must remain dead. That much is certain. As Hobbes arrives at the city and the grim dark fire within burning, even now Hobbes seems more frightened of his course and slowly leads his horse through the gate.

"Stay," he commands, rubbing the beasts' nuzzle and a forlorn stare.

The high priests he meets there are quite succinct about his task. That he must follow this Marcus as leader and master, "for it has been Gargul's decision to send you on this your chosen path", that much they tell him.

"But to what end?" inquires the young priest, "Surely the significance of the patriarch has not escaped your notice! I know this. This is some revelation, that which I was most unprepared for... yet what I should hope for... a chance to further the great Gargul's name, his direct spirit into one act... an act which he has yet to reveal to me. I ask, dear brothers, nay, PRAY for your guidance."

Hobbes listens as the elders give Hobbes his final advice on the manner, advice which Hobbes takes to the bone before taking his leave of them. On the road back to the meeting place of the house of wizardly books, Hobbes scribes a note on a scroll, that which reads "Until death... Hobbes" a favorite "farewell" saying of his to the monastery elder where he spent so many spiritually nourishing years under the old monk's watchful tutelage. He finds a courier in town and drops him a silver to ride to his old monastery with the message, before finally meeting the others at their final destination of the butcher shop, a stone look upon his face. And there he senses something now brewing which he sternly gazes into the room and utters some strange phrases which crept into his head long ago. It has begun.

Ferrak  d2+50=52
Wednesday March 6th, 2002 5:22:31 AM

"Mmmm... Skeleton ggates, Bowergs of Bones. Sounds ggood," the pavlovian gnome says with a bit of drool sliding down the side of his mouth.

Ferrak`s previous mood all but forgotten as his stomach starts to take control, the feral gnome turns to his brother. 'They said we are going to a place where they cut meat, and that the gate is made of bones!!!'

These words out of his mouth, Ferrak makes a dash for the door, determined to be one of the first to reach this fantastic paradise on earth. His collar on, the german shepard is a blur of motion.

"WOOF!"

A Visit to the Butcher Shop (DM Donna) 
Wednesday March 6th, 2002 7:00:06 AM

Hobbes gets his confirmation (and a crash-course in the art of living a double life) and settles into his new role as "clerk by day, spy by night." (OOC: expect an email from me about that, Matt.)

Sharing the information gathered does seem to conclude that seeing the butcher shop couldn't hurt, and thus the party is off to the Nightmare Quarter to go pay a visit to "Chuck's Choice Cuts"...

Ferrak 
Wednesday March 6th, 2002 8:04:17 AM

Racing to the gate when he finally sees where the place is located, Ferrak has visions of ham bones dancing in his head.

Assuming Darkfang is with him he barks. {Can you smell it yet brother, my nose isn't as keen as yours.}

Hustling up to the gate he smells it to get an impression of it. If it isn't obviously pulsating with evil power he might even gnaw on it a little bit.

If the gate doesn't seem at all appetizing then the feral gnome heads for the butcher shop with a nose for MEAT.

K'isst 
Wednesday March 6th, 2002 12:17:50 PM

K'isst steps through first, her trident on her back.

She turns red from the attention.

Bill Troublefinder 
Wednesday March 6th, 2002 11:22:10 PM

Since his friends are in disguise, in an alley along the way he ducked in, changed himself to look like a rather scrawny specimen of a dwarf, continued to the other side of the alley, then rejoined his friends a few blocks later.

The diminutive nomad looks up at the bone arch. [Detect psionics / magic.]

Draax 
Thursday March 7th, 2002 12:15:04 AM

Disguised as a human, Draax walks to the shop with the others. He lets his mind wonder about the weapons he will need for the their trip and hopes that he will have enough time to get the needed equipment before they depart.

[So, go to the Catacombs, Draax. Soon! I'll wait on you there. - Kim]

Hobbes 
Thursday March 7th, 2002 4:38:09 AM

Hobbes dismounts his horse as he arrives at the meeting place of the Butcher's Shop. But something is odd. There is a strange vibe in the air and strange people about. Hobbes is surprised by the unfamiliar faces of the dwarf and other human.

He approaches Draax and Bill, "Forgive me sirs. I was looking for some associates of mine. Have you seen them?"

He keeps his hand on his scythe.

Gullion (Renik) 
Thursday March 7th, 2002 6:07:29 AM

The disguised Renik approaches the butcher's shop, peers through the window, and surreptitiously studies the doorway, waiting for his companions to study the thing for any magical properties.

He whispers to Rond and anyone else in earshot, "Hey, if this thing does prove magical perhaps we could offer our services as freelance exorcists? The butcher was complaining about creepy crawlies, perhaps we can use that. That would give us the butcher's lowdown on the problems he's been having, and he might let us stay overnight to study the thing for any signs of activity? Just give me the nod if you want me to try and blag it."

Roger / Rond (Kim) 
Thursday March 7th, 2002 10:41:53 AM

"Hmmm," Roger initially responds to Renik's suggestion. "Let's say 'investigators' who will see what we can do to resolve the mystery. I don't want us guaranteeing we can 'exorcise' something, Gullion."

K'isst 
Thursday March 7th, 2002 10:47:17 AM

::waits stamping her feet for the others to enter the location::

Borgo the Dwarf (Bill T) 
Thursday March 7th, 2002 10:50:19 AM

"I am Borgo, son of Thimli," the scrawny 'dwarf' says to the cleric of Gargul. Mentally, Hobbes receives a message. 'It's me, Bill, Hobbes, and Draax, in disguise.' Then, again speaking aloud, 'Borgo' tells him, "Ah, but I see that thou art a follower after the Lord of the Dead. Mayhaps thou wouldst be of a willing heart to assist us in our current endeavor. It seemeth there is a 'haunting,' according to the shopkeeper. We look unto this archway to divine what clues we may."

:: waits stamping his feet to find out what the detection power is revealing before entering the archway ::

Renik (Some useful info!) 
Thursday March 7th, 2002 11:18:47 AM

"Guys! Sorry, what with all the planning and all it clear slipped my mind but... I learned some useful stuff researching that metalworking dwarf.

"Apparently Wulannok Irontemper (according to old Metalworker Guild records) used to have a very popular blacksmith shop located in the Trade District... but he died two hundred years ago and his estate was sold off by his surviving clan members. But listen to this: Wulannok's shop had an arched entrance he forged himself from high-grade iron and fashioned to resemble bones--"orc bones" according to the late smith himself. His artsy gate was also sold off for a decent amount of gold. Of course there was no record of who bought the gate in the Metalworker Guild archives. But who wants to bet a certain well heeled butcher wasn't the ultimate recipient of that gateway?"

Hobbes 
Thursday March 7th, 2002 1:41:35 PM

Hobbes lowers himself a little and peers closely into the dwarf's eye.

"Marvelous," he whispers then looks down at the hat tied to his belt.

He then straightens up, "Aye, sir. I was called in because of people complaining about various disturbances within this shop here and asked to determine the nature of them."

He stands back and gets a good look at the house structure as a whole, noting anything odd, then takes a few steps toward the gate and lifts his silver eye slowly to his forehead, his eyes closed tightly.

"Keeper of the underworld," Hobbes intones, "Reveal to me the spirits from beyond the grave who have lost their way. Give me the sight to find these troubled souls!" (Casting Detect Undead)

Detecting in Broad Daylight (DM Donna)  d20=14 d20=17 d20=3
Friday March 8th, 2002 6:55:06 AM

(OOC: still having trouble with getting that web page updated with a map; suffice it to say, though, that Chuck's Choice Cuts is a decently-sized butcher shop located on Nightmare Road in the Nightmare District of Plateau City. On The City map of this area, it would be the larger square property just north of the big, L-shaped building towards the bottom of the map--it is also east of the roughly-pentagon-shaped property located on Nightmare Road, too. The Archway in question faces Nightmare Road from the center of the shop's west-facing wall.)

None of the local traffic seems to pay the group any mind as they scurry about on their own business.

Bill's ability to sense magic (as well as psychic energies) comes in quite handy as he eyes the rust-covered, wrought-iron arch forged of large bones that wind upwards, framing the stout, rectangular wooden doorway into Chuck's Choice Cuts. The metalwork glows with an arcane aura of dull scarlet hue.

Hobbes casts his own spell, but nothing undead is indicated in the immediate area.

And The Wold continues to turn...

Ferrak 
Friday March 8th, 2002 7:25:11 AM

Torn between his stomach and his duties, Ferrak runs from the alley to the gate and back again a few times before he decides upon a course of action.

Running up to to the disguised Bill, he barks, "Woof?!?" 'Can I eat it?!?' After thinking for a moment, he adds, "Woof, woof... woof?" {If not, should I check the garbage for um... clues?'

His tongue is nearly dragging on the floor at the sights and smells this place is providing.

K'isst 
Friday March 8th, 2002 10:41:55 AM

K'isst tries to enter through the gate to the store on the inside.

"Want meat."

She slaps some silver into her hand and offers it.

Borgo the Dwarf (Bill T) 
Saturday March 9th, 2002 12:00:03 AM

Indicating the archway, the scrawny dwarf tells Hobbes, "Yes, in my very bones I sense the arcane emanating from these bones. Dull scarlet aura, I aver."

Looking at the shepherd dog, the dwarf growls, "Woofy, gnaw not these bones. Thou wilt find those inside have more palatable marrow." Borgo steps through the archway, into the butcher shop.

Hobbes (Detect Undead)  d20+4=8 d20+5=16 d20+4=22
Saturday March 9th, 2002 2:16:03 AM

Hobbes' concentration is broken by the barking and scampering of the large dog in front of him. He lowers his Eye symbol, satisfied that nothing unnatural is about. He cocks an eye to Dorgo, "Pardon me, is this your dog? I'm not sure this is an appropriate place for him."

He steps toward the gate, but keeps an eye on the dog for both curiosity and safety's sake.

Reaching the gate, he leans closer to look at the bones to determine their type. (Heal Check DC 8) He also looks closely for any particular runes or writing (Spot Check DC 16)and rolls over and over in his mind, thinking which god might be connected with such a creation. (Knowledge Religion Check DC 22).

Gullion (Renik)  d20+2=18
Saturday March 9th, 2002 3:09:30 AM

"My good sir! 'Tis your lucky day an' no mistakin'!" Beams Gullion, striding over to the butcher and shaking him warmly by the hand.

"It has come to our attention (don't ask me how, thass one of them wossnames, professional secrets, like) that you an yer shop here 'ave been experiencin' what one might call 'Difficulties of a Spooky Nature'. Rest easy! Panic no longer! All is well!" He leans in close and continues conspiratorialy, peering around to ensure no-one is listening in on their conversation.

"Me an' my companions 'ere, we're what you might call Investigators into the Unexplained. We tackle the jobs no-one else dare touch. You got ghouls in yer attic? Mysterious night-chills? Creepy crawlies invadin' yer place o' work? We're the ones ta call. Now, I know whut yer thinkin', a service like that, carried out by highly qualified wossnames, professionals, "pheweee!" Thass gonna cost me plenty!

Well thass where yer wrong, fella! First off, we offer a no-fix, no charge policy. Not one copper bit!

An when we do fix the problem (an' believe me, sir, we will) our charges are based purely on the ability of the client ta pay. A government job, we might charge a bucket full o' gold. Fer a wee shop like yer own (an don' get me wrong sir, 'tis a wonnerful shop an' all) well, we couldn't charge more'n 50 gold, all in. Well now sir, does that sound fair ta you?"

Renik grins, places his hands on his hips, and prepares to haggle.

(OOC: Bluff check 18, 20 if you allow a +2 Perform synergy bonus).

Dorgo, son of Thimli (aka Bill T) 
Saturday March 9th, 2002 7:59:00 PM

Dorgo squints up at the cleric. "Woofy is a fine dog," he answers in a gravelly voice. "He rarely biteth anyone. Heel, Woofy, Heel!"

''Woofy' is one of us, Hobbes - a gnome in disguise,' Bill tells the man telepathically.

To Ferrak, he sends a missive, 'Friend, pretend to be obedient dog. I apologize in advance.'

On entering the shop, he sees K'isst holding her hand out, and observes the latter portion of Gullion's masterful negotiation. He sets a suitably dwarfish scowl upon his face, pointing with great authority to Woofy, and telling him, "Sit, or thou gettest no meat, ya beast!" He turns his attention to whatever is on display.

Roger (Rond) (Kim) 
Saturday March 9th, 2002 8:10:42 PM

Roger, leading from behind today, sighs, holds out a hand indicating that Hobbes and Draax should go first, then enters the shop after them.

Draax 
Sunday March 10th, 2002 11:32:11 PM

Draax, disguised as a human enters the shop and tries to look serious as Gullion talks to the store owner. He looks around the shop as he waits to see if the butcher buys Gullion's cover story.

Arien  d20+6=24
Monday March 11th, 2002 12:27:59 AM

Arien also examines the bone and metal creation. He searches primarily for runes or some other type or writing. (Spot Check DC 24) Should he find some and should they prove to be unreadable he will cast Read Magic in an attempt to decipher them. If even that proves futile he'll hold a piece of paper over the area where the writing is and run a piece of charcoal back and forth over it to capture the runes on the paper.

Hobbes (Detect Undead) 
Monday March 11th, 2002 2:23:15 AM

Hobbes looks back from the dwarf to the dog and sighs, wishing he had a list of all the field operatives that may me out there disguised as old women, trash cans, or peddlars. He turns his attention back to his investigation of the bone gateway, completely oblivious to Rond standing behind him.

Woofy/Ferrak 
Monday March 11th, 2002 6:20:39 AM

Relieved that someone is finally communicating to him in a way that he can relate to, the wolfish warrior sits quietly beside the disguised hafling, tail wagging.

We Interrupt This Daytrip for a Trip of Another Kind... (DM Donna)  d20-2=12 d20+2=22
Monday March 11th, 2002 6:50:24 AM

Suddenly--the Hamleteers seem to find their minds gripped with an echoey voice...one that sounds familiar--the kind of voice one might hear in a dream:

"He who has ears, let him hear the words of Valdor, formerly known as the Dragonslayer, now known as the Dragonstone.

"My brothers and sisters of the Wold, it has been given to me to contact all of you, and I have thought long and hard before sending you all this message. My companions, the Gold Dragons of Plateau City, and I have witnessed a great many things recently that led us to send this message. These words I speak, I speak with knowledge and understanding. I am sure that you all have seen and heard many unbelievable things over the last few weeks and months. I know of no other way to say this, so listen carefully. My known and unknown friends, war is coming! A terrible war against the most powerful of opponents. The one known as Marteaus gathers his armies now and is preparing to strike at all of our lands and homes. No where on this Wold is safe or beyond his reach. There is no hole deep enough nor a cave dark enough to hide from him. He has assembled an army of hideous creatures to attempt to wipe us all out at once. It is time to fight. We must fight for our lives, our families, our lands and our Gods. This evil will not go away if we turn a blind eye to it. We have witnessed the horrible things Marteaus has done and the abominations he creates. He must be stopped and his army must be destroyed. We will be outnumbered and many will lose their lives in the coming war. But if we do not start now and fight, we will all die, and everything we know will be ground under his heel into dust. So it is time to stand for what we know is right and good, and strike. We must strike at his temples and Caeroldra's and Ga'al's as well, since they are the ones behind all of this. Whether you use stealth or strength of arm, these temples must be destroyed. Do not fear angering a god, as they have begun something they should not have. When the war starts, each of you will have to kill at least 50 of the evil army to have a chance. For myself, well, I've been around a bit longer than most, so I'll aim for 100. Each of you must look to strengthen the defenses in your own town and country. You must have your people ready to fight to the death, if necessary. We must strike the temples now! If we can scatter their followers or at least disorganize them, it will delay their plans and make them alter their plan of action against us. I am no assassin, but I am charged with bringing together an army to defeat what I have seen. Do not be afraid, for we have 15 ancient dragons on our side and all of the Dragon groups of good as well. We must find alliances with all who would protect against the evil Marteaus has brought upon us. Seek the Dwarves, the elves, the halflings, the minotaurs and liontaurs. We must have an army to fight back and you are all the best in the land. We are the only hope in this dark time, but as long as one single candle is lit, the darkness will flee from it. When we face the Dark Lord, I will ask him how he thought he could possibly win with orcs and goblins fighting his battles for him. Stand up now for all of the Wold, for the love of our fellow good beings and all that is right and just. There will be great rewards for all who fight and survive this war! I will know of your deeds and will honor you in front of all who live. Some of you may earn the title of Dragon, others may earn valuable weapons and armor, but all will earn honor. When the time comes we must gather for the final battle, so be prepared. We know not when nor where, but be ready. We will win this fight, by all the good Gods, I know we will. I am Valdor the Dragonstone, and I will not accept any other end. Stand tall and proud and fight to win. It begins..."


Valdor's last words are barely a whisper, but all can feel his anger, but with no hate. And his pride is evident, but not necessarily in himself as much as with everyone he's relaying the message to. His words ring complete truth to any who can feel such things, and there was no hesitancy at all. It is spoken with complete authority, but also as a plea. Again you hear his last words, "It begins...."

Bones Be Me Business (DM Donna)  d20-2=12 d20+2=22
Monday March 11th, 2002 7:23:03 AM

As suddenly as the dream-voice invades the minds of the Hamleteers...it's gone, leaving behind only the conviction that what you heard was, indeed, real--and it underscores the imperative of this particular mission.

Anybody taking a closer look at the archway framing the entrance into the butcher shop can see that the archway is a bit rusty, but it is most excellently crafted of iron that looks to be very old but of top quality. The "bones" that make up the archway are anatomically correct in their details--of proper proportion and shape. The overall archway is a grisly but realistically-recreated arch of humanoid bones.

Arien finds no runes or writing on the archway itself.

Inside the shop, the smell of freshly-butchered meat overwhelms those who enter, but the scent is such that--while intense--is not tainted with the foulness of decay or disease. This is a clean butcher shop for all that it is located in the Nightmare Quarter.

Behind the counter of the shop are two people...one is male, the other female. The male--who was in the middle of slicing apart some lamb chops when the party first entered--is tall and quite solidly built--his sandy hair is thinning on top and his ears appear to be oddly-shaped for a true human. (OOC: Spot check versus DC10 to realize he's got some Orc blood in him.) The woman is a few inches shorter than the man, has salt-and-pepper hair and is obviously human in descent.

Gullion's schpiel catches the man's attention for a moment, but the woman speaks up hastily:

"Oh, now, Sam--don't believe a word this man says...he's up to something, I can tell!" The man frowns, but then K'isst's show of currency causes him to gesture to the potential customer.

"Customer, Alliss!" he points out. The woman frowns, obviously not trusting Gullion at all...but goes over to K'isst and asks what kind of meat the other female would like to purchase?

"I be Sam Chuck," the butcher turns back to Gullion and crosses his arms over his barrel chest--the cleaver he'd been creating the lamb chops with still in his right hand, "Meat 'n' bones be me business--but business be bad lately, an' it's a-cause o' some ghosties, I just know it! If'n you be who you say, then show me proof." He falls silent and eyes the disguised Renik, the cleaver in his hand dulled somewhat by the blood still streaking it, obviously waiting for Renik to show that he's for real.

Gullion (Renik)  d20+2=21 d20+4=22
Monday March 11th, 2002 10:39:56 AM

Inwardly cursing his luck that the fellow's sharp witted wife has seen through his ruse, Renik attempts to rescue the situation as K'isst distracts the woman.

"Proof? Why, you are faced with livin' proof afore yer very eyes, fellah!" Grins Gullion, outwardly showing no sign of consternation at the wife's words.

"Assembled 'ere are some of the sharpest, keenest minds in investigatory wossnames yer ever likely to encounter" he gesticulates impressively at the assembled group, then continues "Trained in the arts of detection an' defense against the dark arts, like. Now a group like ours, Mister Chuck, ain't the sort of organisation ta go carryin' cards an' suchlike. The only real proof we can offer ye is results, an' like I said before, if we don't get none, we don't charge."

"Now ye say business is bad of late on account o' some ghosties. Why don't ye tell old Gullion all about it, an' we'll see what we can do for ye eh? Now I know I may 'ave given the wife a wee shock" (he nudges Sam Chuck, winking) "whut with all that talk o' ghouls an' the like. But ye'd be amazed at some o' the things we've come across. Hauntings, possessions, ancient curses, all sorts. An' sometimes what looks like a bona fidey case o' wossname, unholy manifestation o' ancient evil, well, it just turns out ta be a bunch o' kiddies 'avin' a lark."

Gullion looks the butcher up and down (Spot 22) and continues "But I can tell by lookin' atcha that you ain't the sort ta get easily spooked. 'Ard as nails, I betcha. Don't take no guff no-how, am I right? So let the wife do 'er frettin' (after all, thass what they're for eh? Eh?)" (more nudging and winking) "an let's you an me see if we can get ta the bottom of this wee mystery o' yours." (Bluff 21)

Draax  d20+3=21
Monday March 11th, 2002 7:16:35 PM

Draax stands perfectly still for a second as he digests Valdor's message and its meaning. After the voice leaves, Draax unconsciously stands a little straighter and puffs out his chest. He feels pride as he recalls Valdor marking him as one of the best in the land. "Wow," Draax says out loud and then coughs to cover his outburst.

Bringing his thoughts back to what's happening in the butcher shop, Draax listens to the disguised Renik haggling with the owner. Looking a little closer at the owner he can see that the man has some orc blood in his system. He remembers Valdor's words about the dark one recuiting orcs and wonders if just a coincidence or if it really means anything.

Realizing that he would only get in the way if he tried to help convince the butcher, Draax goes over to the owner's wife and orders some meat when K'isst is finished with her order. "Can I get two legs of lamb wrapped separately, please?" He smiles as he thinks about Darkfang demolishing one of the choice cuts.

Hobbes (Detect Undead)  d20+8=27
Tuesday March 12th, 2002 12:31:08 AM

As Hobbes stoops over examining the doorway, he begins to hear words echo in his head, noble words from a great and powerful warrior off in the distance. He shakes his head for a moment and places his hand to his temple to ward off any spirits, then relaxes and looks gravely toward Arien and Rond, looking to see if they show signs of hearing the voice too.

As the voice continues, he solemnly drops what he is doing, clutches his holy symbol with both hands over his heart, closes his eyes tightly, and prays to Gargul, thanking him for the obvious sign he has given to him and takes in every word this Valdor the Dragonstone utters. As the last words echo in his head, he bows his head solemnly then strides forward through the door. Not a moment goes by, however, when the final words are uttered again, "It begins..." and, standing just inside the doorway of the shop, Hobbes bows his head again in deep respect, his dark cape and armor covering the lightness of the day outside.

He then opens his eyes and eyes those present and taking a deep breath announces, "I do sense a presence here... a manifestation. Something not right." He steps up behind Guillion. "Good, I see my associate has been briefing you. I am most relieved you and your lady have not been harmed," says Hobbes in a very serious tone, "It makes the exorcism that much more difficult when the owners of the haunted places are turned into spirits as well."
(Intimidation roll 27)

(OOC: Still waiting on the results of a Knowledge Religion check on the door (rolled a 22))

Dorgo, son of Thimli (aka Bill T)  d20+18=22
Tuesday March 12th, 2002 2:55:30 AM

Bill memorizes the message send by Valdor [Autohypnosis, 22].

Then, commanding Woofy, "Stay!" He harrumphs as he takes a step forward. "We did deal with ghosts in Gladiator Park, sir. I have faced a vampire, and she did flee. He talketh much, but thou canst believe nine tenths of what he claimeth," says Dorgo, nodding toward Gullion. "We shall take this task, if thou wilt agree.

"If we can not succeed, then am I not Dorgo Thunderlegs!" he boasts, hands on hips for a moment.

Then, turning, he says, "Someone buy some meat for our mutt," he says. "Outside shall I be." He says to Roger/Rond, "Come. Important thought."

Should Roger come out of the store with him, Bill quickly summarizes the message he heard from Valdor, but stops his summary if Roger indicates he heard it, as well. "Look thou, Master M may have heard as well. Ask him if this changes our plans. Ask now, if thou canst."

Woofy/Ferrak 
Tuesday March 12th, 2002 6:18:01 AM

Momentarily stunned by the dream in his head Ferrak tries to digest all that the human says in his mind.

When the feral gnome sees & smells all of the meat through the open door, the fleas on his back suffer through quite an earthquake as he forces himself not to move.

A large glob of saliva is collecting in his mouth.

Sam's Story (DM Donna)  d20-2=1
Tuesday March 12th, 2002 6:50:44 AM

(OOC: sorry, Hobbes--I didn't notice that you'd done such a check on the Archway...but, no, the configuration of the door seems to hold no particular Religious connotations to cleric of Gargul's memory.)

Since K'isst is obviously still thinking about the meat that she'd like to get, Alliss immediately switches her attention over to Draax, ripping off a piece of butcher's paper and plucking up two rather nice legs of lamb and displaying them on the countertop for the man's approval before wrapping them up.

"If you'd like these, sir," Alliss says politely, "They are 2 silver a pound, but we serve only the choicest cuts here, as our sign decrees." The weight of the pieces comes to a little over ten pounds total, so the purchase for the lamb will cost Draax 20 silver pieces.

Sam, meanwhile, rubs his chin and works his expressive eyebrows, his brain laboring to sense Gullion's motive...and the butcher nods, obviously deciding to give the fast-talking "ghost-buster" a shot.

"Aye, well--since you're offering for free unless there are results..." Sam says, "...I guess it won't hurt to give ya a try." The butcher suddenly slams his cleaver into a nearby block, the sharp utensil jiggling ever so slightly with the aftershock of being abruptly sunk into the rock maple.

"Me troubles started a month ago," Sam tells Gullion, "Some ragamuffin beggar came to th'door and--dissatisfied with the scraps Alliss give 'im--starts ranting about how them metal bones outside me door be cursed, an' how they'll bring naught but fear an' madness to any who pass through 'em to get here. I run 'im off...but ever since then, me customers complain of getting chills an' willies...and, just last week, poor old Coggins come in for his weekly ox-tails and kidneys...when he suddenly throws a fit, falls to th' floor, a-foamin' at th' mouth he was! Poor old blighter--he be deader 'n' a doornail afore Alliss could open the door to run for the bone-priests 'round the corner..!"

(OOC: everyone listening to Sam's story can make either an Intelligence check or a Knowledge, Religion check [whichever is the greater bonus for you] versus DC15. Those who make it figure out that Sam is referring to the clerics of Gargul whose temple is down the street and around the corner from the shop.)

"Me business since then has been down to nuthin'." the butcher concludes.

K'isst  d20+3=14
Tuesday March 12th, 2002 1:45:12 PM

Hearing Sam's comment that business has been off, she concludes her perusal of the meats through the glass and says to the woman, "Nice meat. Give me 10 pounds." She points to the most expensive meat in the place.

To emphasize her finances, she adds a sack of gold to the counter. She smiles at the woman in a friendly manner, one of her engaging smiles. (charisma check of 14.)

Roger/Rond 
Tuesday March 12th, 2002 3:46:59 PM

Following Thorgo outside, Roger listens in to his message. As he gets started on the details Roger holds out his hand, " I have received the same message. I will check and see whether anything has changed. Keep an eye out while I check."

Assuming things are in check, Rond then uses the coin to check in with Marcus, "Have received silent message within the moment. What if any thoughts come from command?"

Woofy/Ferrak 
Tuesday March 12th, 2002 6:40:29 PM

Drip...drip...drip as Ferrak's wolfy spittle makes a small pool outside where he is sitting.

A slight whimpering can be heard as the fleas continue to hold on for their lives.

Thorgo, son of Dimli (Thwap! It's Dorgo, son of Thimli!) (aka Bill T) 
Tuesday March 12th, 2002 9:09:35 PM

Dorgo keeps an eye out. The underweight dwarf looks at passersby with dark suspicion, crossing his arms and tapping one foot. He looks this way, then that way. This way and that. Have you ever seen a Dorgo, a Dorgo, a Dorgo; have you ever seen a Dorgo, look this way and that? Look this way and that way? Look this way and that way? Have you ever seen a Dorgo, look this way and that?

Draax  d20+1=4
Tuesday March 12th, 2002 11:20:35 PM

Draax pays the woman the 20 silver that she charged for the meat. "Thanks, the meat looks great." He waits for the woman to wrap the meat before going outside the store. Draax smiles to himself, knowing that K'isst just made the shopkeeper's day with her display of wealth.

Not knowing how the woman would react to him giving the meat to a dog. Draax waits until he and Woofy are out of the woman's sight before giving the disguised gnome one of the legs. He almost gives the gnome one of his packages still wrapped before he remembers that Ferrak in his dog disguise is not supposed to be able to use his hands to unwrap the meat. He stops himself and unwraps the meat before giving a leg to Woofy. "Here ya go boy, enjoy. This other one is for your brother when we get back to our home."

He checks the other wrapped leg to ensure that it is wrapped tightly before putting it in his backpack.

Hobbes (Detect Undead)  d20+4=24
Wednesday March 13th, 2002 3:19:55 AM

Hobbes' eyebrows raise at the fat man's words. "Why didn't you say you took him to Gargul's great house?! Who did you speak to there, woman, answer! What had the Eyes to say of this?"

(Still using previously rolled Intimidation roll of 27. The 24 was my knowledge:religion check)

(OOC: Btw, it was Borgo in your original post, Bill. I accidentally mistook it for Dorgo and you kept that ever since. :) hehe )

Sam & Alliss Inside the Shop (DM Donna) 
Wednesday March 13th, 2002 7:05:21 AM

Alliss gasps in surprise--the wild-looking female certainly does not look the type to be able to appreciate--much less afford--Chuck's Choice Cuts most expensive meat.

"Ten pounds of dracon will cost you 200 gold total, ma'am..!" Alliss tells K'isst in an awed voice. "It's just about all the dracon we have in stock, too--but...are you SURE you want to buy it..?" The butcher's wife eyes the sack of gold, nodding slightly as she judges that, yes, K'isst can afford the meat if she still wishes to obtain it.

Meanwhile, Sam details that the man who died had been a regular customer, but the word about how the man had simply dropped dead spread like wildfire and--since the incident--the shop had seen only a handful of people come in.

"You all be the most people in here since then." Sam says with a thoughtful scowl. "The priest that come--she were called Morphia--prayed for the blighter an' had 'im took to the temple. He be buried just the other day."

"Sir..." Alliss adds, "...Morphia DID say that--should any of her brothers or sisters of The Eye inquire, you could see her at the temple."

Rond, The Name-Changin' Dwarf & Woofer Outside the Shop (DM Donna) 
Wednesday March 13th, 2002 7:34:53 AM

Marcus assures the leader of the party that "the grocery list" has been read and is now in the middle of being resolved. Then he goes on in a voice that causes those listening to feel a frisson of foreboding:

"I've gotten reports that there have been thousands of orcs and orcish-like dragon...things massing around Bone Tower and being corralled into two huge armies. In fact, the eastern army has hit the towns around the plateaus with the forces splitting about Madvow...one group sweeping clockwise and one counter-clockwise around the plateau. My couriers have confirmed that they have quite easily wiped out all the towns located in that area. Edenmoor, Madvow, Dourscale..." Marcus's voice is stone, yet there is something to the tone of it that sends a precognitive chill down the spines of Rond and Bill. After the foreboding pause, the Chief of Security continues roughly:

"...even Windhorn Hamlet. It--it isn't officially confirmed, but...I'm pretty sure that, if the Hamlet isn't destroyed by now, then it will be by sunset." The unspoken apology in the spymaster's voice makes his words gruff. "The invaders are heading down the eastern coast. The other half of the army is reported as plowing through Idol City, Vandiset, Gorpherand, Xardmouth South Harbor, and Red Colt. It looks as though this part of the Dark Lord's army plans to march on Promorey, and probably recombine with the first half. The Promorey defensive forces there, however, will collapse the lift on the invaders before allowing it any more ground. Already, however, there are refugees fleeing before the hoardes of the Dark Lord. I don't doubt that it will be a matter of days before all lifts and roads are collapsed in an effort to halt their advance--New Elenna will thus be isolated and no one will be able to travel up and down off of the 1st plateau to the ground level without teleport or some such device." A raspy sound that reminds you too much of Marcus's nearly-insane bark of laughter at the time that Domi was murdered sounds over the Coin of Communication.

"I daresay that Marteaeus's intentions will definitely be clear to one and all now...not that there is anything much we will be able to do about it." Marcus says wryly, then his voice switches to steely determination:

"Find out if that gate is real--and get your hands on that machine! It may be the only way to save the groceries...ALL of the groceries, if you catch my drift!"

K'isst 
Wednesday March 13th, 2002 10:18:27 AM

Making a "pretend" shocked expression for a minute, she quickly smiles afterward at the lady. "Wow! Don't want to take all. Others will want. I'll take half." She counts out 100gp.

K'isst thinks to herself: "Something odd is going on here. I'm feeling chipper and even thinking in old... very strange." She shivers and looks around at her new friends.

Suddenly something occurs to her. She addresses the lady again.

"Say, shall we women try to solve customer problem? Everyone gets a chill when they pass by the gate, right? We must use that to our advantage. Go hire a young mage to..."

::Gods above I'm verbose today. What the Holy Donyra is going on with me?::

"...come by daily and cast freshen on your meat. Then set up a small stone oven outside and let everyone smell how great the meat tastes and give samples to the children.

"Then get the kids to spread the word about how fresh the meat is here... magically fresh even. You can even add a rumor that if you don't get too close to the gate, the chill will ease tired muscles. Put up a fence around the gate to keep people from being too close and see if it works. What do you think?"

She frowns for a second wondering at herself. Gods this is strange! What is happening to me? She quickly runs outside to Bill and says, "B-bbill! I-I'm talking. I just talked a lot! Gods, I'm doing it again!" A look of fear crosses over her face as she looks at him for help.

Gullion (Renik) (Kim) 
Wednesday March 13th, 2002 9:10:33 PM

Gullion claps his hands together. "See there, mate, things is lookin' up fer ye already, 'n not five minutes gone by! And the lady cust'mer even has some, wossname, plans fer augmentin' the cust'mer base. Jus' think on it! Usin' sweet children. Pure genius. That's wot it is, nuffin' more'n pure genius, wot I say. Sweet meats fer the sweet tots, 'n their dear mamas 'n papas. We'll get right on it, then, right on it, Sam, yessir." Gullion, about to go out the shop, turns and adds, "As I said, sir, today is yer lucky day!"

As he steps out on the street, he asks, "Now, me friends, wot have we learned here so far to help out, that is, help out the gentleman and his good lady wif their cust'mer problems, and the like?"

Borgo Dorgo, son of Thimli, also known as Bill 
Wednesday March 13th, 2002 9:26:40 PM

Borgo answers K'isst on Bill's behalf, "Um, yes, the name is Borgo. Dorgo. Borgo Dorgo, son of Thimli," he says in a gravelly voice. He thinks to himself, I've gotta get my disguises down better!

Telepathically, he talks to K'isst, 'Don't worry, K'isst. You're just getting back to your old self. It's good to hear you talk again!' She should recognize Bill's 'mental' voice in her head. [OOC: Technically, two uses of the message power, over a 12-second timeframe.]

He would like to spend more time trying to calm K'isst down, but Marcus' urgent message spurs him on. "We must break through the arch. We need the proper sound, or sounds." Borgo Dorgo, hands on hands on hips, with a wide stance, whistles the start of an old tune his great aunt used to sing about the haunting of the barrows, just to see if the arch responds to that. If there is no response, he will start making different sounds - bird songs, dogs barking, rhythmic clapping, etc. He even pulls out of his backpack the silver bell he fished off of the decorated tree at the Red Wyrm Inn, and gives that a good ring.

Draax 
Wednesday March 13th, 2002 11:41:44 PM

After delivering the meat to Woofy, Draax goes back into the store and talks to the owner.

"Excuse me sir, I have a question about poor old Coggins. At the time he starting going into his fit, do you remember hearing any sounds, like music, singing, bells, whistling, humming, any sound at all? Ya see, one of our first steps in our investigation is to find out if anything usually was happening at the start of your troubles. Please take your time and try to remember any sounds that you heard at that time."

Draax waits to see if the owner remembers anything before asking the wife the same question.

Hobbes (Detect Undead) 
Thursday March 14th, 2002 2:16:17 AM

Hobbes' grey horse perks up attentively at the sound of the silver bell. Obediently he whinneys and trots over to Borgo Dorgo and bobs his head up and down while pursing his lips. The animal turns his eye to look at Dorgo and waits expectantly.

Hobbes, still inside the butchery, nods to the butcher's wife, Alliss, "You have done well, woman. Remain here and be watchful. We will speak with the Eye Morphia."

Hobbes turns abruptly and walks out of the shop and quickly addresses those assembled outside, "We must ride to meet Morphia at the Temple of Gar--" He trails off as he sees his horse attending the dwarf.

Borgo Dorgo (Bill)  d20+18=25
Thursday March 14th, 2002 4:53:04 AM

With the arrival of the horse, Borgo reaches into his backpack, and in a short time has a bag full of sugar. He opens the top, grabs a handful, then holds it flat on his hand, white grains of crystal falling between his fingers. He knows you have to be careful so horses don't bite one's fingers when offering food. Then, as Hobbes comes out the shop, he asks, "Might I give him - her?" and he double checks "- him a little sugar? He liketh the silver bell I now rang," Bill asks and explains in his gruff dwarf voice. "No apples have I today."

Then suddenly it hits him. Windhorn Hamlet hit, or soon overrun. His family. His friends. His home. Bill forces himself not to react. He reserves a portion of his thoughts to deal with this. Can they somehow get there in time to save at least some? Will getting the scroll maker be their best hope of salvation?

[On the mundane side of things, if there's enough time, Borgo would like to order about ten pounds of jerked beef before the party departs...]

Details, Details (DM Donna) 
Thursday March 14th, 2002 6:28:02 AM

Alliss--having packed up the thinly-sliced dracon into a neat package, then slips the meat into a large envelope-like packet and presses it closed.

"Whenever we sell dracon," she explains to K'isst as she takes the gold and hands the half-elf lass the meat, "We place it in a specially-enchanted packet--it will preserve the meat inside it until you open the package, then the magic is spent. Once you break that seal, you must either find another means of keeping the meat preserved... you know, use more magic or keep it in a larder... or you must use the meat. In the case of putting it in a larder, then you have two weeks to use the food. If you don't have ANY type of cold storage, dracon will last but six or maybe seven days at this time of the year."

None of the sounds that Bill (disguised as the dwarf) tries out seems to activate the magic of the Archway.

After thinking about it for a moment or two, neither Alliss nor Sam recall there being any strange or unusual noises during the traumatic time that poor Mr. Coggins died.

Hobbe's horse is most definitely eager to eat the sugar... he's stamping a hoof rather impatiently. The shop sells premium beef jerky for 1 sp per pound.

(OOC: Anyone buying meat from the Chucks must remember to subtract the proper amount of coinage from their character sheets.)

Woofer/Ferrak (Sorry busy beaver time for Shawn) 
Thursday March 14th, 2002 9:50:20 AM

"WOOF!!!" easy to translate as the feral gnome tears into the meat offered by his friend.

THANK YOU VERY VERY VERY VERY MUCH!!!

K'isst 
Thursday March 14th, 2002 1:16:09 PM

K'isst spins toward Bill, and her face grows more intensely worried than before.

"Windhorn!"

She sits on her rump hard on the cobblestones.

"Oh Holy Donyra!"

Arien 
Thursday March 14th, 2002 7:39:43 PM

Arien, leaning against the building, watches as Borgo tries to activate the archway. Leaning there he ponders about the message and the likely fall of Windhorn. He had only stayed a short while there. But he had helped save the town and who knows how much else when he accompanied the Hamleteers to retrieve the Sentinel Head from the grasp of the Sahuagin. He would morn the villagers and see that the fallen were revenged but he would not let that stand in the way of his goal.

Casting those thoughts from his mind, Arien pushes off the wall and walks over to stand beside Borgo. "Perhaps its not a sound that one must make to activate the archway but a sound that it instead generates when one knows what to do." As he says this Arien draws his belt knife and uses the hilt to firmly but not hard to strike the archway to see if the metal would ring.

Draax 
Thursday March 14th, 2002 11:45:15 PM

Draax thanks the couple for trying to remember any unusual sounds. "Oh well, thanks for trying, if any thing comes to you can tell us when we return."

Draax leaves the store again and sees the stricken looks on everyone face. Receiving the news about Windhorn, Draax stares for a second and then throws up his hands, "I don?t believe this. After all that we have been through and to lose the hamlet anyway. This is just so unfair." Getting a hold of himself, Draax slowly looks around to see if anyone noticed his outburst. He realizes that stopping Marteaeus is the only help he can give to his home. If not to save them maybe he can revenge their deaths. He paces back and forth for a few seconds, "As Hobbes said, maybe some of us should go and visit this Morphia and see what we can find out." He waits to see who is coming to the temple with him and who will remain at the gate. Anyone looking a Draax can see that the often patient warrior is very fidgety.


Roger 
Thursday March 14th, 2002 11:45:24 PM

Sighing at the news about the Hamlett, Roger ponders what next to do. Rond decides to look around, and listen, to see if there are any noises that might be produced in the street, by accident.

"Borgo, do you have any ideas of what sound or sounds might be appealing or easily rememberable by a dwarf? Maybe belching?"

Roger smiles slightly Borgo as he delivers his last comment.

Hobbes (Detect Undead) 
Friday March 15th, 2002 5:41:03 AM

"No time for frivolity," commands Hobbes striding forward to his horse, "We have much more pressing matters to attend. He pulls slightly on the reins, gives him a pat on the cheek, and then mounts. "When we return, Bradbury, you may have one cube, but for now we must make haste to the Temple of Gargul."

The horse continues to exhibit a little resistance. "As no formal introduction has been made," says Hobbes adjusting himself in the saddle, "This is my horse, Bradbury, and he has been a devoted steed for a long time." Hobbes looks down to the dwarf. "And you are most astute, Borgo, Bradbury was well trained to come at the sound of a small bell. Remember that well and he may do so for you in a time of need. But for now, please put away that sugar if you would. We need not the distraction it brings."

Clip-clopping to Draax next, "And you are well-visioned, Sir Draax. If you would like to climb onto Bradbury's back, we shall ride quickly there to discover what Morphia will tell us while the rest work on the sounds of the gate."

Morphia Already (DM Donna) 
Friday March 15th, 2002 6:24:55 AM

"No need to trouble yourself, my brother," a sombre voice says from nearby, "I am here to answer your questions." The Hamleteers look to see a petite, pale-skinned human female dressed in somber black clothing. Her hair is twisted up into a strange style that appears rather spikey--draped with a black gossamer veil, she is reminiscent of bride...only she's dressed in black. That, and she wears a matte-silver holy symbol identical to Hobbes' own. (OOC: if you've ever seen Wynona Ryder as Lydia the goth teen in the movie "Beetlejuice", you'll have a good idea what this newcomer looks like.)

(Oh, and Hobbes--make an Intelligence check versus DC10 to remember seeing Morphia at the local temple of Gargul before. If you make the check, Hobbes recalls that even the other clerics of Gargul seem to avoid young Morphia.)

"I...felt that you'd be needing my help." the female says to you all. "I am Morphia, devoted of Gargul. I see that you're here about this rather curious Archway." Her dark eyes travel the bony arc and then return to look over the various party members. "I was called here in an effort to ascertain the destiny of a man called Coggins a few days ago--and the curious magic of this gate compelled me to research its origins. I can share my discoveries with you, if you wish..?"

(OOC: make Sense Motive checks versus DC15. Anyone making the roll can tell that Morphia is here to help you.)

K'isst 
Friday March 15th, 2002 1:42:23 PM

"This army is dead meat!" K'isst rises, drawing her trident as if she'd attack the army from on top of the 3rd plateau. "I'll kill every one of you!" she yells at the north horizon.

"I'll... haha... muhahahaaaa... killll... hahaaaaa... sigh. Naahahaaah!"

::sobbing:: ::nashing of teeth:: :;renting of clothes(which reveals a bit more than it should)::

She turns her head.

"We can't help. ::sob:: How do you guys just throw it out and accept it all that fast?

"Seems wrong somehow."

Ferrak 
Friday March 15th, 2002 8:09:40 PM

His stomach full, Ferrak can still feel a hunger, only this one stems from somewhere deep in his spirit. In tune with mother nature, the feral gnome can tell that the balance of the Wold is tipping more and more towards evil, and destruction.

When the time is right, Ferrak will do his best to help set that balance right.

Perceiving K'isst's distress, Ferrak goes over to offer the simple support of a trusty dog.


Borgo the Dwarf (Bill T)  d20+3=16
Saturday March 16th, 2002 1:58:27 AM

[OOC: Sorry, folks, for not posting yesterday. Was tied up most of the day, got home, totally worn out. Did get to the Wold site, but both times I went to post here, was interrupted. Planned to take a little nap, wake up and post - instead my nap lasted until this morning. Otherwise, Bradbury would have gotten Bill's sugar!]

"Yes, that would please us greatly, Morphia," he says in his kind of rumbly voice, wiping the sugar from his hands and replacing the bag in his backpack. "Thou mayest call me Borgo. Be there a safe, private place we might talk for a spell? We truly appreciate thine offer of assistance. Oh, and pardon ye me," he says to all in general, "for a moment."

'Borgo' gets down on one knee, his head looking straight to the ground. He covers his eyes with his hand. Bill activates his power of far sight. He looks to his home, where dwell his father - Tason, mother - Kirsa, of the Pastna family, his four sisters (Sirka, Laila, Jenna and Skirra) and two brothers (Tamos and Rombi), to see if they are well, and glances inside the house, and in the area around, to see if all are nearby, and safe, or otherwise. He looks to the temple of Wardd, where the Mendicant, Hiram Veril, serves - and where, he hopes, he still wears his bright red and yellow clothes. He checks out Ruthat's shop, where he and some of his friends obtained their first magical weapons, then Ogre Grog's Inn, and Merik's home, and the Pastna family - his cousin Borbo's place, and finally the mayor's manor in Windhorn Hamlet. Next he looks within Plateau City itself, to the Black Genie Center, and specifically into Professor Dorne Abulek's office. If he finds the professor, he will center his point of view so it is a short distance from the professor's face, where he will move it so as to catch his attention. Though the psychic eye is invisible, he hopes Prof. Abulek will somehow observe that he is under observation, and perhaps seek out a mental link.

There is a low, diffuse sound in the area around Borgo - it may even be difficult to tell that it is centered on him, although his friends will recognize it as something they hear when Bill manifests some of his mental powers.

Seeing what he sees, Borgo stands up, shaking. "Bofko - Alko - Misfera - dead." His pupils now appear as glowing silver points. "There may still be time - some are alive in Windhorn. Fires. Orcs. Catapults. Ravagers. What are - dragon halfbreeds? With orcs? Battering rams. No! Don't run that way! Fires. Fires and chaos. Chaos and fires." Tears begin to well in his eyes. "If we can get some help, we may have a way to rescue some of our family and friends. We don't have much time, though." Morphia may note that though Borgo's voice is still somewhat gravelly, his more archaic style of speech has changed to contemporary. He is distracted from fully embracing this new personna by the gravity of the situation.

Hobbes  d20+1=2
Saturday March 16th, 2002 4:46:51 AM

As Hobbes turns his horse, it lifts up its front in surprise and neighs loudly, seeing the black-veiled priestess.

"Easy, boy! Fear not the Sister of the Eye," he whispers patting the horse to calm it. He peers down at her and the symbol which she bears and feels comforted. The symbol, the eye, staring out at him, ever-watchful, ever-knowing, ever comforting in his vigilance is Gargul.

"Forgive the discord in which you find us," says Hobbes as he glances down at K'isst and Borgo, "For those I travel with grip not well with Gargul's law. But our path does has indeed lead us here and next to the temple of Gargul near...but then again you know that don't you. You've just come from there as the good woman inside indicated. I was unaware that there were sisters there." Hobbes adds once again demonstrating his ignorance as well as his former reclusion.

"What we need to know is the state and nature of the curse bestowed on Coggins. Are you aware of the beggar which 'started' this curse?" he continues from atop Bradbury, "It is of utmost importance we learn of this gate's nature and usage so we may make use of it. What know you fellow Eye?"

Draax 
Sunday March 17th, 2002 6:28:56 PM

Draax thanks Hobbes for the offer of the ride and is about to accept Hobbes' hand to get on his mount when he hears the priestess Morphia's voice. Turning quickly, Draax puts his hand on his sword as he regards the priestess. He looks to the others for their reaction and relaxes a little when Hobbes begins to address the woman.

Looking over at K'isst, Draax can appreciate her pain and her feeling of helplessness because he feels the same way. To her question he has no answer, the only thing that lets him deal with the pain is the thought of revenge and he would rather keep those thoughts to himself.

Roger  d20+3=15
Monday March 18th, 2002 2:12:44 AM

Roger turns his head to look at the newcomer. Sensing that she's really here to help. Roger flashes a smile and says, "Welcome. We could use whatever information you have found so far about this thing." Indicating the arch.

Morphia's Information (DM Donna)  d20+3=23
Monday March 18th, 2002 6:28:34 AM

The dark eyes of the human woman slide over each member of the party, resting briefly on Borgo (Bill). The compassion in her expression and her voice are almost startling, given the public's perception of the Woldian God of Death.

"My condolences, sir," she says. "Between the scrying sessions and the town criers, all news of the outlying lands has been terrible--I am here to help you all keep the allies of Marteaus from flooding the Halls of Judgment with people who weren't meant to populate it yet." The pale woman pauses for a moment, gathering her thoughts, then addresses the party again--though Morphia obviously directs most of her conversation towards Hobbes.

"I've spent most of my time since Mr. Coggins' demise researching the history of this arched gate." Morphia tells you, gesturing to the metal structure. "The Chucks say that Hamilton Chuck--a great-great-great... um... an ancestor--bought the gate from Clan Irontemper about two hundred years ago and had it installed at this location. Further research shows that the maker of the gate was an ex-mercenary--Wullanok Irontemper--who developed some unusual obsessions after one particular phase of his career. He visited the fabled lands of Koshe-Marr, it seems, and became convinced that he had to make sure he could return if needed. His key to activating the gate--according to the texts at the temple--was supposed to be his favorite sound." Morphia looks a bit uncomfortable.

"Just today I was studying some of the archival tomes sent over from the Earthsons' Heritage League," the cleric continues. "And--while most dwarves appreciate the sound of a hammer on an anvil or the approval of a good stout ale after chugging a tankard... it seems that, after returning from Koshe-Marr, Wullanok's favorite sound was... the sound of bones breaking."

If anything, Morphia's face turns even paler as she makes this admission.

Ferrak/Woofer 
Monday March 18th, 2002 7:42:41 AM

"Woof." Ferrak barks at the disguised halfling. 'There was a good bone in the meat that Draax gave me.'

"Woof, woof." 'It's over there, I was going to bury it later.

Gullion (Renik) (Carl again)  d20+3=9
Monday March 18th, 2002 8:41:23 AM

OOC: Thanks Kim! PC woes are hopefully over!

Gullion grins. His earlier joke about beating two thighbones together was not so wide of the mark!

He looks about for any suitable bones and picking one up approaches the gate. He wrestles vainly with the bone, but has little luck trying to snap it. (Str check 9). Slightly shamefaced he offers it to the rest of the group, muttering, "It's a bit slippy, hard to get a good grip on. Anyone else fancy a try?"

Draax 
Monday March 18th, 2002 10:40:03 PM

Draax listens to the priestess' tale about the gate and is very surprised when she reveals the sound that she suspect will activate the gate. He watches Gullion attempt to break the bone.

Just as Draax gets ready to give breaking the bone a try, he stops as he thinks of something. Turning to Morphia, he asks her a question. "Before I attempt to break a bone and hopefully create the desired sound, do you have any idea what the effect will be? I mean will it activate a gate that we can step through or will we be pulled into the gate? Does this gate work both ways? I really do not want something jumping out at us. I know it a long shot, but I was wondering if you learned anything during your research."

Draax looks to the priestess not really expecting her to know the answer to his questions, but he would feel foolish if he did not ask. He waits to see if she has a answer before giving the bone a try, but he will not stop any one else from trying before she answers.

K'isst 
Tuesday March 19th, 2002 12:56:47 AM

K'isst forces her wracking sobs to stop and straightens her clothing realizing suddenly that it doesn't help with the clothes she's wearing.

She rises and red eyed approaches the others. She absently pets Ferrak without knowing she's doing it.

Hobbes 
Tuesday March 19th, 2002 1:07:42 AM

Hobbes nods to the priestess, then pauses to watch Guillion tinker with the bones. Petting the steed to stifle a neigh, he dismounts again, leaving the horse behind and approaching Morphia.

"Your knowledge comes at an opportunte time, sister. But did you find one other thing about the gate? Did you find out where it leads... and in turn... how to get back through?"

He glances sideways towards Draax, "And the swordsman speaks well with his inquiries. How will it work?"

Distracted for a second, he glances down at Woofer and forgets what else he was going to say, shaking his head, slightly amused at the "dog".

Borgo the Dwarf (Bill Troublefinder the halfling)  d20+24=39 d20+18=32
Tuesday March 19th, 2002 2:03:51 AM

After communicating what he saw in Windhorn, Borgo, listening to those around him, takes clairvoyant glances into a few of the places along the road the group took some time ago to travel from the hamlet up to Plateau City. He tries to get a quick view of the progress of Marteaus' armies. Have they scaled the high walls from the first to the second plateau, or the second to third? Do any oppose them? (Concentration check 39 - to keep watching with far seeing, yet keep listening with his ears. Autohypnosis 32 to memorize Morphia's report.)

Drying his tears - Bill telleth himself that he cannot yield to the emotions he wanteth now to express, but prayeth there will be a time for that, as well. One little corner of his active mind chuckles that his grammar doth revert to older patterns. Maintaining his raspy voice, the 'dwarf' asks, "All good questions. If thy research be full, Priestess Morphia, then my question for my comrades is this: Are we ready to travel this gate? Is there aught to bring with us before we begin? Many more things we might do, but this is my thought. Time is of the essence. Let us pray that Gargul's intent to slacken the flood of unscheduled guests at his door be forwarded by our actions today. May Alemi and those on his side go with us, and may the children of Domi carry forth his courage. Was something left at home? Shall we take one hour at the Catacombs? Hobbes, Morphia, we await your further counsel. Roger, we await your command in this matter. I shall run on errand, or I shall enter, at your will. Borgo standeth ready. Who shall crush the bones? Now, or when?"

Roger 
Tuesday March 19th, 2002 6:03:19 AM

Roger considers the information that Morphia provides. "I think we don't have much time to consider our actions. There will be plenty of bone crushing going on sooner than we think. As a thought for the town, it would be nice to know if there were any odd disappearances. But for now let us talk a little more about this gate, if there is much more to learn."

Roger listens to what Borgo has to say about Windhorn Hamlet. "We have been forwarned that this was probably going to happen." Looking at K'isst. "We'll have to tell you more of what we've done to get where we are. I know I am more hardened towards what is happening than I ever anticipated."

Gate Details (DM Donna)  d20+2=15
Tuesday March 19th, 2002 8:21:01 AM

(OOC for Borgo: while it makes sense that Bill would want to see the troop progress himself, we need to concentrate on the task for the party. Just let's say--it's all bad news that threatens to get worse.)

"The passages concerning this gateway seemed to refer to two separate gates--one here in The Wold, and the other in Koshe-Marr--that are connected to each other...thus they are activated by the same sound." Morphia pauses, once more searching her recall. "Supposedly once you, uh--" The female gulps, shooting a glance at the bone the party has available to break before going on: "--make the right sound, the gate glows and fills with light...step into the light and you're instantaneously stepping out from the other gate. Once a person goes through, though, he or she can't come BACK through unless the key sound is made at the other gate location." Once more the cleric of Gargul utilizes her memory of her research to try to clarify things for the party.

"Everything I've uncovered has indicated that there is but one sound for this pair of gates...but I don't know enough about Koshe-Marr to tell you much besides the fact that it is impossible to use any kind of divination to tell good from evil there. Apparently, the Powers That Be mean for those in Koshe-Marr to be ultimately responsible for all their actions, be they good or evil."

Renik  d20+3=5
Tuesday March 19th, 2002 1:20:01 PM

"Can't get back without breaking some bones, eh?" Renik grins, and there is a faintly disturbing glint in his eye. "Well, I'm sure that we can manage that, be they ours or theirs! So, does anyone need to pick up any supplies, or are we ready to go now?"

If the party show willing to leave at once Renik struggles again with the bone that nobody took from him, but fares no better than last time (Str 5). "Grrrr! Will someone please smash this blasted bone!" he growls, waving it at his companions, feeling rather foolish.

Roger 
Tuesday March 19th, 2002 2:14:02 PM

"I'm thinking that we should double check with our Master strategist, and see if he can set up a time table to activate the gate, if it works. Then we know that at certain times the gate will be open. He can then stand by with a contingent of men, maybe, in order to push anything else back."

Draax 
Tuesday March 19th, 2002 5:16:59 PM

Draax listens to everyone but especially to the priestess. Her answers to their questions were mush more than he expected. "I agree with Biillorgo" Draax pauses for a moment hoping that no one caught his slip. "I could use a few more supplies, but I was thinking non-magical items like, stakes, silver, mirrors, and holy water. I also think that we should bring our own supply of bones to avoid any delay in returning."

Looking over towards Roger, Draax says,
"Since we are going to talk to our advisor and get a few things my only question is do we test the gate now or just take it on faith that it will work? And if we do test it, how are we going to test it? Do we just activate it to make sure it works or do we send someone through and have them come right back? Which is a risk if something is guarding the other side, but I will volunteer to go through if we want to test it." He looks over to Roger for his decision.

Arien  d20+1=19
Tuesday March 19th, 2002 10:56:05 PM

Taking the offered bone from Renik, Arien gives snapping the bone a try. Should his efforts succede he says to Renik, "A smaller amount of strength applied to the right area will often work better than just raw force alone."

On the other hand should he also fail he'll toss the bone back to Renik and with a shrug say, "Well I tried, maybe the sound of a wolf's jaws crunching the bone would work? Either that or we need a smaller bone."

Ferrak/Woofy the 'wonder' dog  d100=55
Wednesday March 20th, 2002 3:16:56 AM

Perceiving that he has somehow raised the spirits of a goth-priest of Gargul, Ferrak is pleased. He can't however fathom why Hobbes is shaking his head, and looking at him in such a strange way, especially when the present situation is such a grave one.

Seeing that K'isst, though obviously not a 100%, is feeling a little better, Ferrak sincerely hopes that he has cheered her up a bit as well.

Now satisfied that the emotional balance of the group is stabalizing, the feral gnome moves up to the gate to see if he can't help these awkward bi-peds open a gate.

Aware that he may be compromising his cover, but sure that Renik or Bill will back him up with fast talk, Ferrak calls upon the magic inherent in his gnomish nature.

The illusionary image of the german shepard that is Ferrak, sits on it's haunches as the dog's paws start to move in odd ways. Strange and eldritch words come from it's mouth, as Woofer's face scrunches up in very un-doglike concentration.

The disturbing sound of about four human beings being crushed by something very large eminates from just in front of the gate, a grim cacophony of breaking bones to be sure.
(Arcane Failure-55 for a Ghost sound.)

After the noise dies down, Ferrak barks out a
"Woof."
{See if that opens it.}


Hobbes 
Wednesday March 20th, 2002 3:49:37 AM

Hobbes look from the docile Woofer back to Morphia, a smug and very satisfied look upon his face. "You have served us well. We only hope we can perform as much in return. Please if you would..."

Hobbes turns and steps up to his horse again. He fiddles inside the dull grey saddle bags and pulls out several items and transfers them to his backpack. The items include several small bags and vials and a waterskin. Finally he closes the bag and latches it shut once again and firmly grasps his scythe from its holder and removes the clamps from its blade and places them in the saddlebag too.

A look of determination on his face, he leads Bradbury back toward Morphia, around him plans and failed bone attempts are made. All the while, Hobbes continues speaking to Morphia, "Please accept my horse into the temple and care for him. He would not fare well where we are going. Inside the bag is a small bell to which will answer as well as my vestments. If I should perish, I wish to be sent to Gargul wearing them." With a grim stare he hands the reins to Morphia under the almost alien-sounding chants from the dog near him.

"Upon my return I would like to retrieve Bradbury as I need him, but first..." he turns and quickly strides toward the butcher shop, "I should get some bones from the butcher for our return."

And as Ferrak's spell goes off, Hobbes crosses the threshhold of the gate.

Ferrak 
Wednesday March 20th, 2002 6:57:04 AM

A howling can be heard coming from Ferrak as he calls for his foster brother.

Glittergate (DM Donna) 
Wednesday March 20th, 2002 7:33:03 AM

Morphia's eyes widen at the suggestion of "testing" the gate by having only one person go through.

"I would NOT recommend that, friend," she says emphatically, "If only because there is a very high likelihood of this gate actually leading into Koshe-Marr...and the shadowlands are NO place for a solitary stranger!" Darkfang (who is still gnawing on one end of the bone given to him earlier) speaks to Ferrak and Bill:

I still have MY bone here, big brother--we could use the magic and still be able to return... Darkfang notes, adding: ...WITH the bone, of course--the marrow is the bestest part, you know!

"Making sure that you have the right equipment for a possible trip to Koshe-Marr is only prudent." Morphia continues as she accepts responsibility for Hobbes' horse. "I'll keep your beast safe, my brother, but--"

Almost simultaneously, Arien's correctly-applied strength and Ferrak's spell both result in the sound of bones breaking. For a moment, it seems the entire Wold holds its breath.

Then, faintly at first, but with growing intensity as the moments pass, the interior of the metallic archway begins to sparkle with flashes of green-white light. By the time Hobbes steps through the archway, the space within the arc looks like a shimmering curtain of glitter.

Ferrak's call to his brother results in the faithful Darkfang--bone clamped firmly in his jaws--springing to the disguised gnome's side.

"Hurry! Don't let my brother face Koshe-Marr ALONE!" urges Morphia of the rest of the party.

Gullion (Renik)  d20+23=35 d20+7=25 d20+7=9
Wednesday March 20th, 2002 9:40:16 AM

"Well, goodbye cruel Wold, and hello crueller one!" grins the hunched deadbeat Gullion queasily, desperately trying to inject some levity in an attempt hide the knot of fear growing in his gut. Koshe-Marr! THE Koshe-Marr! he thinks to himself. Are they MAD?!?

He draws his rapier from beneath his robe, pulls his hood up about his ears, and steps through the shimmering gateway. As soon as he is through he attempts to slip out of sight,(Hide 35) and check the area out for possible threats (Spot 25, Listen 9).

If things are calm and he has time he will then remove his Gullion disguise.

Draax 
Wednesday March 20th, 2002 12:23:39 PM

Draax smiles as he watches Hobbes and Renik jump through the gate. He thinks to himself, 'I guess the supplies I have now will have to do.' He readies his sword and shield while he turns his head and looks at the others, "Are the rest of you guys coming?" Without waiting for an answer Draax steps through the gate.

Borgo the Dwarf (Bill Troublefinder the halfling) 
Wednesday March 20th, 2002 4:51:37 PM

"Roger - let M know what's happening before thou steppest through the dread gateway," the dwarf growls.

Then he signals to Morphia to lean over so he can whisper something to her. When (and if) she does so, he requests, "Have thy sisters and brothers pray on our behalf, good Morphia, that we may succeed, that more in the Wold may not have their appointed hours rescheduled." Then the dwarf gives her a kiss on the cheek. Who knows, perhaps she smells the gum arabic which holds the false beard to his chin.

"For Plateau City, and the righteous gods, and the Wold!" he says, then follows the half-elf, Draax, through the glittering gate. He feels a foreboding.

Roger 
Wednesday March 20th, 2002 7:26:13 PM

Having a quick crisis of faith, Roger briefly considers whether Wardd should be his god. Or whether Wardd has something against him. He shakes his head and remembers a former bard. Roger almost steps through, when Borgo reminds him of something he should do. Briefly he announces over the coin, "Have found a way into Dream Land. Morphia, one of Gargul's, knows details. Someone slipped in by accident, following now. Probably small escort should be sent, to ensure no one comes from other side. Not sure how we'll return."

Arien 
Thursday March 21st, 2002 1:23:41 AM

"Well I had hoped to better prepared for this but it looks like we don't have a choice now." Arien approaches the portal, when right in front of it he pauses for a moment, turns and gives a quick salute to Morphia and any watching the proceedings and then steps through the portal.

Hobbes  d20+6=18 d20+5=16
Thursday March 21st, 2002 2:01:12 AM

The images of Sam and Alliss fade from Hobbes view as he steps through the door. The light came suddenly and sharply, causing Hobbes to squint his eyes.

"Butcher, give me---", Hobbes begins and promptly stops as he realizes...he isn't in Plateau City anymore. Immediately he grabs his holy symbol and holds it before him, stepping forward to observe his surroundings, his heart racing at the land he sees. His concentration tuned now to the task in front of him, he does not see Renik coming through.

(Listen Check 18, Spot Check 16)

Ferrak 
Thursday March 21st, 2002 5:50:59 AM

Pausing only to pick up the left over bone bits Arien used to open the gate, the feral gnome leaps onto his brother's shoulders with a yell.

Those watching hopefully presume that the demon dogs are a part of the exorcism in progress, for soon they are one fluid motion shooting for the gate.

As they near the entrance Ferrak is surprised to find himself worrying about the seedlings he has recently planted. Marveling at the things that pop into his head in times of uncertainty and danger, the fertile gnome can only hope that it rains enough while he is gone.

Borgo (Bill) 
Thursday March 21st, 2002 11:41:40 PM

Bill wonders in passing whether they will be stepping through the portal into a butcher shop in Koshe-Marr.

OOC: The DM wonders, too, because EVERYONE is not THROUGH the portal yet--notably Rond/Roger, who only posted that he was notifying Marcus via the magic coin (good move, by the way!) There is a certain half elf-half troglodyte whose whereabouts are still unknown. Until her player posts, I'll be waiting...

Roger 
Friday March 22nd, 2002 8:11:25 AM

(ooc Yack. Sorry about confusion. :) )

Pausing just long enough to give someone an opportunity to say 'ok'. Rond follows the others through the portal.

K'isst 
Friday March 22nd, 2002 12:39:25 PM

K'isst growls at the receding figure of Hobbes for his rash action as her attention is brought forcefully to the present.

Hesitating, she looks around her wondering whether she'll ever see this place again and runs through trident drawn for battle!

William the psicrystal (Kim) 
Sunday March 24th, 2002 7:10:33 PM

"Ah, we have yet another chance to show our bravery, and to do heroic deeds!" the psicrystal encourages Bill, his anticipatory pleasure palpable to the halfling.

"I Get the Feeling We Aren't in Kansas Anymore..." (DM Donna) 
Monday March 25th, 2002 6:45:54 AM

Fog--as impenetrable as stone yet ephemeral to the instinctively-outstretched hand--completely engulfs everyone. The unseen ground beneath your feet is rough and a bit uneven, but solid enough. The scent in the air reminds you of moist...rot, as though you were in the midst of a mist-bound graveyard. The fog muffles your voices as you speak to each other as well as the fainter sounds that may or may not indicate a settlement of some type in the vicinity.

But how close? And how large? And in which precise direction? These things that the damnable miasma swirling malevolently around you cloak are not immediately discernable. You will have to take a chance on the unknown.

You will have to move into the fog...

Everyone must roll a d20.

Borgo the dwarf (Bill the halfling) & William the psicrystal  d20=16 d20+5=20
Monday March 25th, 2002 12:57:30 PM

[Requested roll: 16] Finding himself in the thick fog, smelling what he smells, and hearing what he hears (listen 20), Bill exercises his abilities to know direction (know which way is north) and know location (have a general idea where one is), and makes some assumptions. He communicates with his psicrystal, asking it to pass on some of his thoughts telepathically to his friends, as well as to the cleric who just joined the group, Hobbes.

------
Bill's fellow adventurers hear William say, in their minds, in a voice similar to Bill's, but with overtones of intrepid determination, 'We stand now in a moldering graveyard. Not far yonder lies a village.' If Bill, via the use of his powers, knows additional details of their locale, William now passes those on to the party, as well. 'Let us go forth unto the village, and learn better our whereabouts. Be ready to defend, if necessary, but give not offense unnecessarily.'

------
Bill then draws upon the power stored within the psicrystal, so that he might fly (5 power points). He extracts a length of rope, letting out about 20 feet to drag on the ground below him, the tactile feedback ensuring he does not rise too high as he flies in the fog. If he feels the rope swing freely, he lowers himself a bit until he feels it touching the ground again. His direction of movement is toward the sounds of the nearby habitation. Due to the psionic manifestation, Borgo's eyes burn like points of silver fire.

Hobbes  d20=2
Monday March 25th, 2002 1:09:19 PM

Hobbes stands alert, ears and eyes keen on his surroundings. The fog swirls about his face, making it hard to see very far. Keeping ever watchful of whatever might be lurking just beyond his vision, he quickly unhooks his backpack and retrieves his EverBurning Torch.

Reslinging his backpack and holding aloft the flame, he strides forward grimly. All his reflection, all his prayers, all those lonely tireless nights within the monastery walls have led him to this point. A tiding of thanks be to Gargul for delivering his servant to this wretched place.

(D20 roll of 2. Renik, can you pick me up after I fall?)

Renik  d20=11 d20+7=20
Monday March 25th, 2002 2:19:38 PM

(Hopefully) Seeing the torch burning in the fog (Spot 20: Good enough?) the rogue calls (as loud as he dares in this Gods-forsaken place) to his companions as he unfurls a length of rope from his pack. "Friends, approach the flame. In this fog we will fast become separated. Take hold of this length of rope, so that we can be sure not to lose anyone. At the first sign of trouble, just tug."

K'isst  d20=17
Monday March 25th, 2002 2:50:44 PM

K'isst takes the end of the rope putting herself at the back of the group.

"Everyone whisper their name to be sure we're all here."

"K'isst."

Ferrak  d100=66 d20=10 d20+4=24 d20=19
Monday March 25th, 2002 6:44:31 PM

First things first, Ferrak removes the collar from his neck, then does the same for his wolf brother Darkfang. 'That feels good eh, brother?'

Confident that Darkfang can find the others through sense of smell, the feral gnome examines his surroundings, making sure that there is no danger. (Spot and Listen 10 & 24)

When they find the others Ferrak barks a hello so that they know who is there.

Once again calling upon his gnomish powers, Ferrak calls up four points of light to better illuminate the group for the others.
(Dancing lights, L/Armor Spell failure o.k.)
(19 on d20)

Draax  d20=13 d20+3=9 d20+3=21
Monday March 25th, 2002 6:59:41 PM

[Requested roll: 13] Upon entering the others side of the portal, Draax immediately takes a step to his right and gets in a crouching position with his shield held high and his sword pointed toward the ground in a relaxed, but ready position. He takes a moment to steady himself and try to shake off this creepy feeling that seems to have inhabited his mind. At first Draax think the feeling might be related to fear, but then he reminds himself of who he is and dismissed the thought. Believing that the feeling is just an effect of traveling through the gateway; the half-elven fighter concentrates on his surroundings thinking that the feeling will eventually pass. He smirk as he thinks, 'Me afraid? How ridiculous.'

Draax stands perfectly still in the fog as he listens (listen 9) for the other members of his group and almost jumps out of his skin when William communications with him mentally. Listening to Renik's suggestion Draax finds he way to the rope (spot 21). Following K'isst's example, he says his name in a low voice. "Draax."

Rond  d20=9
Monday March 25th, 2002 8:23:44 PM

Removing his hat of disguise from his head. Rond thinks about the pickle the group could be in at this time. Trying to adjust to his surroundings, Rond feels kind of creeped out. (once again) (asked for roll 9).

Hearing William, Rond whispers, 'agreed' then hearing Renik, 'Rond'.

"Renik and Bill take lead. Hobbes your with me. Ferrak and Darkfang with Arien, K'isst and Draax last. Bill, lead the way, and do any talking on first contact."

Arien  d20=14
Monday March 25th, 2002 9:42:00 PM

[Requested Roll = 14]

As the group sets off Arien sheaths his rapier but keeps his hand on the hilt. A kernel of fear assaults from within while the aura of the land assaults him from without. "Can you feel it Ferrak?" he asks his companion. "Can you feel the land, it is corrupted, tainted, almost evil in and of itself. I would despair to live in this hellish place, if indeed such an existence could be called living. I'm sure something lurks in this mist, something whose malevolence is masked from us by the land about. Something altogether unfriendly, and I fear it is watching us." With a quick motion Arien wipes a dampness from his face, though if it was sweat or the mist he had no way of telling.

Borgo (Bill)  d20+3=6
Monday March 25th, 2002 10:01:46 PM

From about fifteen feet up in the air, a faux-growly voice says, "Borgo." Bill also activates elf sight, in order to help his eyes to penetrate the fog (out to twenty feet). He tries to locate his rope somewhere in the vicinity over the voices below... [Spot 6 - unless improved by his elf sight, the everburning torch, and Ferrak's four dancing lights]

Hobbes  d20+6=14 d20+5=21
Tuesday March 26th, 2002 3:55:00 AM

Through the fog ahead of most of the group, seemingly emitted from the muffled torchlight, comes a low gutteral word.

"Hobbes"

...followed by slow concentrated footsteps of Hobbes making his way closer to the group, always checking all around him.

(Listen Check 14, Spot Check 21)

"But, Dorothy--The Farmhouse is Right Over There!" (DM Donna)  d20+5=18
Tuesday March 26th, 2002 9:04:11 AM

(DM OOC: go to http://hometown.aol.com/donnlap/myhomepage/index.html to see a diagram of where everyone in the party is in relation to each other.)

Bill hovers in place, thinking to himself that something wasn't quite right here...but what..?

Hobbes, Renik, Draax, Rond and Arien are all spooked BIG time--and not being able to see more than five feet in front of you does not help any! (Draax is sure that something is moving in the fog just beyond his ability to see clearly!)

K'isst and Ferrak growl to themselves simultaneously--both of them had been expecting something really creepy...and, while annoyingly obscuring, this fog isn't really all they'd heard it to be.

Big brother, I thought we were traveling outworld? whines Darkfang. We're still in The City...

The sound of dozens of tiny bells suddenly jangles in the heads of everyone surrounding the floating Bill Troublefinder--and the halfling suddenly realizes three things:

1. North is to his left--he is facing east. (OOC: that would be the top edge of the diagram on the web page; the entire party is actually facing east, or the right edge of the map.)
2. The party is NOT in Koshe-Marr--they are still within Plateau City! (In fact, the party has relocated to an area only a few hundred yards west of the butcher shop--in the middle of the area dubbed "The Scar".)
3. There are people whispering both north AND south of the party's present position. Bill must make a Spellcraft/Psicraft check versus DC18 to identify the casting of both arcane and divine spells--with the party as the obvious target of the spellcasting! If he makes the check by more than 5, he'll have time to shout a brief warning of sorts before the combat post that follows.

Ambush Round 1 (DM Donna)  d8=6 d8=2 d4+1=3 d4+1=2 6d6(6+1+2+3+1+1)=14
Tuesday March 26th, 2002 11:57:09 AM

Suddenly the fog-bound Hamleteers find themselves in the midst of all kinds of magical mayhem:

Two Sound Burst spells go off in the middle of the group; everyone suffers 8hp damage AND must make two separate Willpower saves versus DC16 and DC15 or be stunned for one round.

Two Magic Missiles slam into Bill for 5hp damage; Bill must make a Concentration check versus DC13 in order to use any powers (assuming he isn't stunned by the Sound Bursts, that is.)

A Fireball explodes in the middle of the party--make a Reflex save versus DC15. Making the save means you suffer 7hp of fire damage; failing means you suffer 14hp of damage.

Borgo (Bill) Up in the Air in Plateau City! (post before incoming treats)  d20+16=36
Tuesday March 26th, 2002 12:55:24 PM

Immediately before the ambush
Bill certainly is able to recognize that spells are being cast (nat 20, psi-/spellcraft DC 36). As he flies northward and upward, he channels his message through William to his companions. "Spellcasters ambushing us, left & right. We're in Plateau City, the Scar!"

=============
DM Donna's Map Site: http://hometown.aol.com/donnlap/myhomepage/index.html

Hobbes (22 hp damage)  d20+8=15 d20+8=20 d20+3=12
Tuesday March 26th, 2002 1:33:46 PM

As Hobbes steps back to the party, he freezes. Something is not right. He whirls around to the east and peers into the cloud. He now sticks the everburning torch into his belt and grips his scythe with both hands.

"Something here," he mutters, "something in the fog... beware!"

Suddenly behind him the first of the soundbursts goes off and temporarily deafens him in one ear. He staggers slightly from the shock of this. (First roll failed by one :(, second one made by 5)

He stands up straight again, trying to recover his hearing, when a fireball blasts its way through the party. Not being of sound mind at present to react, he takes the full force of it. (Roll also failed)

It blasts him, causing him to stagger back to the east about 5 feet. He looks around, disconcerted and blinking for someone to hit.

Borgo (Bill) (Elf sight, Fly) (12 or 20 hp damage sustained)  d20+12=32 d20+12=28 d20+24=31 d20+8=26 d20+5=16 5d4(3+4+4+2+1)=14 d4+1=3
Tuesday March 26th, 2002 1:37:24 PM

In the midst of the ambush
[Since Sound Burst has a 10' radius, and was likely centered somewhere at the level of the folks on the ground, isn't is possible that Bill is outside the area of effect? How about this: If Bill saves by more than 5, he's outside the area? It's your call. Drumroll, please. First Willpower save: DC 32! Second save: DC 28. So, let me know if Bill takes the damage. Magic Missile Concentration check: DC 31. Fireball Reflex save: DC 26. I won't attempt the same appeal for fireball, since it has a 20' radius. Thanks, Donna -Kim]

As he flies over the group to the north (left on the map), buffeted by the forces of Marteaus - for he is certain they are their present opponents - Bill maintains his concentration, and offers a cone of sound in reply, doing 14 points of sonic damage (7 if Reflex save vs DC 16 made) to all in the area of effect (though it is a 60' cone at maximum range, Bill rises only to an altitude of 45', thus the area of effect is 45' in diameter at ground level. He aims it to avoid K'isst and the rest of his friends, instead catching as many of the bad guys as possible.

Momentarily grasping the hilt of his sword, he says quietly, "See me three!" Three images of Borgo appear in the air above those below (mirror image from sword).

[OOC: Is Bill out of the fog?]

DM OOC: Bill was, indeed, caught in the spells thrown, but his saves make it so that he suffers only 20hp damage and is not stunned. However, having started out the round flatfooted, he can fly over to the group north of the party and attack them, but NOT activate his Mirror Image yet. That will have to wait until Round 2.

Renik (8 HP damage)  d20+1=3 d20+1=15 d20+8=21 d20+1=18 d20+7=16 d20+8=19 d6+5=7 2d6(5+6)=11
Tuesday March 26th, 2002 4:03:09 PM

Renik is buffeted by the sonic blasts, but through a supreme effort of will manages to clear his head (Failed the first save, rerolled using 1 Hero Point to succeed with an 18).

It is fortunate that he does. The telltale sizzling of an incoming fireball alerts him of the impending inferno. With a leap of such speed it beggars belief, the rogue hurls himself out of the path of the blast, rolling up tight and flipping back to his feet, sword in hand. Though his clothing steams, he has avoided any damage from the fiery blast (Reflex 21, Evasion for no damage).

Renik peers for any sign of his opponents (Spot 16), hoping that the blast of the fireball has blown the fog away sufficiently to discern their foe. If he spots one he will race towards him and attack with his rapier (Hits AC 19 using Expertise for 7HP, 18HP if the attack can be classed a Sneak Attack).

His current AC is 21 (+2 Expertise), 22 to the victim of his attack (Dodge).

Draax (8hp damage)  d20+2=4 d20+2=19 d20+9=28
Tuesday March 26th, 2002 5:40:20 PM

Sure that he can discern something moving just beyond his vision, Draax is about to warn his comrades when Bill's warning is delivered by William. Not sure where the attack will come from, Draax dives to his right and starts to perform a roll as the attacks hits. He lays on his back dumbfounded without being able to complete his roll and unable to move. (DC 4 & 19). He felt some heat as he initiated his roll, but with the protection of his cloak (+4 to fire damage, no damage if saved) he comes out of the fire without any burns(saved: DC 28).

Draax lays on the ground stunned as he slowly regains his senses.

Ferrak (15 points and stunned 1 round)  d20+6=12 d20+6=9 d20+6=21 d20+10=28
Tuesday March 26th, 2002 8:44:51 PM

Ferrak's keen gnomish ears strain to pick up any sounds of trouble around them. Listening intently he is sure that something is not quite right.

Then agony and pain shoot through his senses as the sound bursts explode around him. Reeling from the pain, and yet somehow able to stay on the back of his brother, Ferrak's mind swims.

Staying low on the back of his brother, the feral gnome is able to avoid some of the fire damage, but is still singed. The smell of burnt hair and flesh fills his nostrils, as the ringing in his ears makes recovering his senses a struggle.

Grunk (Feng- Bull Strength, Cat's Grace)  d20+12=30 d20+7=26 d20+7=24 d8+8=11 d6=2 d8+8=11 d6=3 d8+8=13 d6=4
Tuesday March 26th, 2002 9:38:36 PM

[OOC: Hello All. I've been following the game for a couple of weeks now. Some of you may be worried that Feng is a half orc. Don't worry I won't cause any problems.]

Feng watches the initial assault in stunned silence. He's not one to give into his anger, but enough is enough. Just tolerating these evil people has pushed the young half-orc to his limits. Feng is surprised that he's lasted this long. Pulling back his tattered hood, Feng unstraps his Orc-Double Ax. He looks at the half-orc next to him with his bulbous eye. Slowly a large twisted toothy smile forms. "Grunk... get... busy." Then in a voice that's clear, composed, and intelligent he simply says, "Righteousness." His Ax bursts into flame. Something that it's never done before. Feng slashes upward at the half-orc with the close end, steps and spins the ax slashing two more times with the other end.

OOC:Making three attacks using two-weapon fighting and ambidexterity. The first d8 is the normal dmg, the following d6 is the fire dmg.
First attack roll: hit AC 30 for 13 dmg
Second Attack roll: hit AC 26 for 14 dmg
Third Attack roll: hit AC 24 for 17 dmg

Ferrak 
Wednesday March 27th, 2002 12:53:38 AM

Dazed, the feral gnome realizes that distracted by the ambush, he didn't respond to Arien speeking to him. Barely able to think straight in the chaos, Ferrak for some reason thinks that it is important to reply now.

Unfortunately his mouth doesn't work right and all that comes out is an... "Oof."

Arien (8 hp damage)  d20+3=20 d20+3=20 d20+10=28 d20+6=17 d20+10=25
Wednesday March 27th, 2002 3:30:25 AM

Gritting his teeth against the pain the dual sonic attacks Arien throws himself back into a roll to distance himself from the blast of fire. Rolling over onto his belly Arien props himself just barely off the ground and searches for the enemy spellcasters. He allows his cloak to settle over his form as he remains motionless, hoping its black and silver would blend in with the natural darkness and mist.

(Will saves of 20 and 20, reflex save of 28, with evasion no damage taken from the fireball. Spot check of 17 and hide check of 25)

K'isst (15 hp damage)  d20+2=8 d20+2=11 d20+6=19
Wednesday March 27th, 2002 11:05:09 AM

K'isst instinctively ducks as the attacks roll over her. Her mind goes blank as she is stunned once and then again! (rolls of 8 and 11) Somehow she is able to partially ignore the fireball saving with a 19 and taking only 7hpd.

Ambush Round 2 (DM Donna)  d20+13=21 d8=4 2d4(3+1)+2=6 d20+15=33 d20+10=13 d12+11=13 2d6(4+1)=5
Wednesday March 27th, 2002 12:49:45 PM

Bill suffers 20hp damage because the spellcasters made sure that he was included in the spells thrown at the fog-bound party.

Darkfang is now at 0hp and unconscious.

Rond didn't post, so the DM rolled for him--he made all his saves and so suffers only 15hp damage and is not stunned.

Anyone failing one or even both Stun saves was unable to act for Round One of the Ambush.

Now comes Round 2--please visit http://hometown.aol.com/donnlap/myhomepage/index.html to see a diagram of how things look when the bad guys get finished with their half of the round.

+++++

Bill's Cone of Sound affects all the ambushers within the blue curved line on the diagram--opponent S looks to be hurt the worst. Opponent K sprints forward, lifting a wickedly sharp longsword and targeting the stunned K'isst, but not quite reaching her in time to strike her for this round. (The same holds true for bad guy V, who approaches Rond quickly but cautiously, yet still has another five feet to go before coming within melee range of the warrior.)

C2 casts again, with Bill quite pointedly the target of this casting--it's another Sound Burst and it causes both 4hp damage and another Willpower save versus DC15 or Bill will be stunned for Round 2.

Bad guy S tosses a golden sphere so that it lands and explodes in another fireball, affecting Hobbes, Draax, Arien, Rond and K'isst, who must all make Reflex saves versus DC16. Failing means you suffer 11hp damage; making the saves halves that to 6hp fire damage.

Renik finds himself toe-to-toe with a dwarven warrior in chainmail (F2), a large (for a dwarf) shield (with the bloody eye symbol of Martaeus on it) and a BIG dwarven war-axe. The dwarf whispers something that Renik might catch if he understands the Dwarven language and makes a Listen check versus DC15... then he swings that painful-looking axe at Renik, which whistles as it misses the human rogue by a hair!

Rond finds himself buffeted by C1's Sound Burst spell, suffering 4hp damage and having to save versus DC16 or be stunned for Round 2.

Bill is targeted by W, who is pointing a wand up at the halfling and launches two more Magic Missiles at the psionic hero, causing Bill another 6hp damage.

Darkfang loses another hit point; he is now at -1hp and still out cold.

Oddly enough, the F1 half-orc caused his very exotic weapon to flame up and struck out with it--not at any of the Hamleteers (who aren't in his range, anyhow), but at the B half-orc, who loses 26hp to the attack and whacks back at F1 for a total of 18hp damage.

As a rather surreal counterpoint to the battle at hand, anyone making a Listen check versus DC15 can hear town criers in the streets beyond The Scar, announcing the dire fates of the cities of Lankhmar and Ailthmar--apparently there are naught but extensive ruins and rubble marking where those cities used to be on the face of The Wold...

Borgo (Bill) (Elf sight, Fly, Mirror Image=3 illusionary Borgos, and one real Borgo) (30 hp damage sustained)  d20+12=17 d20+5=13 5d4(4+3+2+3+4)=16 d4+1=3 d20+5=6
Wednesday March 27th, 2002 1:52:28 PM

[Willpower save vs sound burst DC 17, succeeds, not stunned.]

Bill, as Borgo, whispers, and the power of his psyche amplifies that whisper into another cone of sound, catching S, C2 & V in the area of effect. Damage 16, Reflex save vs. DC 13 for half damage.

Momentarily grasping the hilt of his sword, he says quietly, "See me three." Three images of Borgo appear in the air adjacent to the real(?) Borgo (mirror image from sword).

With all the noise of the bursts and cones of sound, Bill doesn't hear a thing about the flying cities [listen DC 6].

---------------
[OOC: The round and oval shapes on the map - are those trees, or rocks, or what?

What kind of building is in the upper right corner of the map - if it is a building - and how tall?

Is it safe to assume the rectangle that W, the dark robed male elf, and C1, the clerically-robed female human stand behind is a wall of sorts, or a hedge? Is that the gateway out of which our party members stepped? -Kim of many questions :-) ]


DM OOC: in my last official post, C2 was casting at Bill, and it was C1 who made sure that Rond was hurt by her own Sound Burst, so Rond still has to roll versus DC16 or be stunned (and still suffers 4hp from that spell, too.)

The gray shapes are pieces of rubble that provide half-cover to the bad guys from the good guys on the ground--Bill has an obvious advantage flying around up there in the sky, though, so their coverage by the various architectural elements littering the area do not afford the bad guys the same protection from the halfling.

Hobbes 
Wednesday March 27th, 2002 2:12:07 PM

[OOC: I am confused. Is the fog gone? If not how much can we see?]

DM OOC: sorry--my original post was lost. In it, I confirmed that the Fireball burned off the fog that had surrounded the Hamleteers. (Fireballs tend to do that to small areas of fog, and you guys aren't in Koshe-Marr...Bill's shouted that you're all in the area known as The Scar within Plateau City limits. Oh, and there is NO evidence of any type of gateway in the area at all.)

Renik  d20+2=11 d20+6=17 d6+5=10 2d6(4+6)=10 d20+7=19
Wednesday March 27th, 2002 5:02:52 PM

Not understanding a word of Dwarven, Renik merely replies with a rogueish grin "Yeah? Well same to you, pond scum! Your Dark Lord can kiss my pimply tush!"

And so saying he feints to the left, ducks back to the right and thrusts smartly at the Dwarven warrior, attempting to catch him off-balance.

(Feint is Bluff check of 11 (see PHB pg 64): Dwarf needs to make a Sense Motive check DC 11 or lose his Dex bonus to AC. Renik hits AC 17 for 10 HP, or 20 HP (Sneak Attack) if the feint succeeds. Renik's AC is 24 to the Dwarf (4 points of Expertise + Dodge), 23 to other attacks (cannot be caught Flat Footed: Uncanny Dodge)

At the periphery of his hearing he hears someone yelling about the entire city of Lankhmar vanishing. He dismisses the idea at once. Ridiculous! Whoever heard of such a thing? He brushes the minor distraction aside, and focuses once more on his opponent.

(OOC: BTW, Donna, did I hit the Dwarf last round?)

Ferrak  d8+3=9 d8+1=2 d8+1=9
Wednesday March 27th, 2002 7:45:43 PM

"DARKFANG!!!" screams Ferrak when shaking off the effects of the sound burst, he finally realizes that his brother is down. Not wasting any time, the feral gnome drops his shield next to the badly burned Darkfang. Reaching into a belt pouch for some mistletoe, a distant look crosses his face as he spits in his hands and starts chanting ancient words of power.

The healing power of nature soon cools the hot blistering skin, as Darkfang struggles back to conciousness. (CLW=9 Darkfang has 8 hp)

Reaching into his bag the feral gnome pulls out a bottle and pours its contents into his upturned shield. "Drink brother, drink," he says, anguish and worry apparent in his face. If Darkfang is able to drink from the shield it heals him even more. (Potion of CLW=9 I used a Hero point to re-roll. Darkfang then has 17 hp.)

------
[OOC: If you roll a 1 on cure light wounds, you can automatically reroll, without having to spend a hero point, until you get something higher than a 1. -Kim]

Arien  3d6(6+2+6)=14 d20+13=29
Wednesday March 27th, 2002 7:52:34 PM

Arien looks about quickly before deciding to give Renik a bit of help. Extending one fist towards the dwarf, Arien utters the command word and watches as his ring springs into action. The ring glows for a moment before an barely visible shape of a ram's head springs from the ring and streaks at the hapless dwarf. The force inflicts 14 points of damage.

(The attack works as a Bull rush with the Ram's opposing strength check at 29 [Rolled a 16 with following bonuses; +4 for large; +7 for 25 strength; and +2 for 3 charges expended]. The dwarf must beat that or be pushed back 5 feet plus one foot for each point he failed by. The movement caused by this does provoke an attack of opportunity.)

Draax 
Wednesday March 27th, 2002 9:54:52 PM

Able to move again, Draax gets to his feet in time to see another fireball headed in his direction. Using the magic of his cloak, Draax sends the fireball back upon the caster. Again the magic of his cloak saves the half-elven warrior from receiving any fire damage.

Draax smiles as he sees the caster's spell backfire on him and his friend. He sprints towards S, hoping to get close enough to finish the caster off before they recover from the reflected fireball.

Grunk (Feng- Bull Strength, Cat's Grace)  d20+15=34 d8+14=22 d6=6 d20+7=15 d20+7=15
Wednesday March 27th, 2002 11:17:48 PM

Feng slowly circled his opponent. He was like every other orc he'd ever seen. That doesn't mean he's a wimp. Orcs are very single-minded, but most of the time that's a very effective strategy.

"The gods will not stand for this!" Feng's Double Ax starts glowing in a white light. He spins the blade striking high on the chest. With a quick pivot Feng steps back and spins the ax and comes in with two more quick slashes that fall short.

(OOC: Smite Evil with the first attack. I'm sure his other two missed. Feng hit ac 34 for 28 total dmg.)

Rond  d20=10 d20=6 d20+4=16 d20+10=16 d20+5=16
Thursday March 28th, 2002 2:35:14 AM

(ack. Caught with no access to character sheet. Also trying to use a new browser and OS set up. Had rolled a 17 for attack with 2d6=for 12 points damage. If you're not interested in what I 'had', just roll anew for me.)

Rond quickly takes a look about as he moves to his new postion and engages K by coming shoulder to shoulder with K'isst. (rolls unmodified 17 for 12 points damage, if allowed)

As he moves over to K'isst, "Arien, Renik, keep an eye out on Ferrak. Hobbes, stay central, and help where you can." Taking the brunt of the damage from the fireball (unmodified 10 for reflex, don't think I have +6), Rond is damaged further by 11 points.

The only thing that Rond can hear at this point, is the din of battle.

DM OOC: I rolled for Rond's resistance to the outcome of C1's Sound Burst attack--Rond suffers 4hp from the female cleric's spell but isn't stunned by it this time around, either. Rond's Reflex save bonus IS +6, however, and so he only suffers 6hp damage from the other Fireball--total amount of damage on Rond for this round is 10hp.

Additional DM OOC: looking at Rond's CS, I see several interesting things--first off, Rond is high enough to have two attacks per round. Secondly, a natural 17 on his roll entitles the leader of the Hamleteers to see if it's a Critical Hit. So I'll roll...

...no critical on that first blow--K has AC20. Second blow misses, too.

Hobbes (14 damage total 22 + 11 - 19)  d20+3=6 3d8(7+3+3)+6=19 d20+6=23
Thursday March 28th, 2002 3:31:09 AM

Hobbes bends forward, his hand shielding his eyes and coughing through the sulfur smell that remains. Through the fog he hears the sounds of fighting and explosions and, gritting his teeth, walks forward.

A slight tick is heard in the air. A moment of time of sudden stillness through the clangs... as if a space in time were hollowed out with silence. Then a huge explosion erupts in the area once again. The armor around Hobbes shudders and compresses, squeezing him as the fire burns his eyebrows and exposed hair.
(Failed save. Wow. Even online my dice rolls suck)

Hobbes, angered by his weakness against his enemy shouts in defiance as his staggers forward about 15-20 feet (to the middle of the group.) Feeling the pressure of his wounds from inside, he fumbles for his eye.

His eyes close and a gutteral tone builds within him and finally escapes his lips.

"Trck'se marm gak m'rndo!"

(Cure Serious Wounds on himself converted from Magic Vestment)

Not far away he can make out the wounded visages of Farrak and Darkfang. Squinting through the carnage, he frowns as a distant herald, like a scratchily spinning record, recites a surreal tale which parallels Hobbes' current fate.

Renik (AoO?)  d20+10=12 d6+5=11
Thursday March 28th, 2002 3:31:49 AM

If Renik is entitled to an Attack of Opportunity as a result of Arien's Ring of the Ram attack he probably misses, hitting AC 12 for 11 HP. Bother.

Ambush Round 3 (DM Donna)  d20+7=19 d20+4=7 d20+4=13 d20+2=14 d20+5=14 d100=17 d10+9=19 d20+3=21 d20+7=26 d20+4=17 d20+4=17 d20+2=9 4d6(4+6+3+6)=19 d20+4=19 d20+6=13 d20+3=20 d6+1=5 d20+6=8 d20+15=29 d8+9=15 d20+10=29 d8+9=16 2d4(2+4)+2=8
Thursday March 28th, 2002 8:05:15 AM

Bill notes that the L-shaped corner of what's left of a building is about 15 feet at it's tallest, and about 6 feet at its shortest. Then he lets loose with another Cone of Sound, which V definitely avoids, tucking and tumbling so that he comes up right behind Hobbes as the cleric is busy Curing his own wounds.

However, between the Cone and the reflected Fireball, opponent S falls to the ground, at the very least unconscious, if not dead. However, the bad news about that is that the golden sphere in the spellcaster's hand also hits the ground and explodes for 19hp damage--catching S, C2 and the approaching Draax in its fiery presence. The evil cleric makes his Reflex save versus DC16 so that he only suffers 10hp damage, though. (As will Draax have to.) The unexpectedness of this turn of events, however, rattles the unholy spellcaster so that--whatever his next spell may have been--he can't concentrate on casting it.

Meanwhile, Renik sees that Arien's well-placed use of his magic ring causes his dwarven foe (whose armor definitely has been most effective against all of the rogue's attacks so far) to be smacked backwards a full TWENTY feet--and be slammed into a solid stone column (just off the map on the web site) with a sickening crunch. The earthkin slides down the stone and falls forward, onto his face.

Darkfang drinks up the potion, thanking his big brother profusely for the assist--and then launches himself with a bloodcurdling growl at V, who was preparing to backstab Hobbes with his tarnished short sword! (Darkfang hits AC20, doing 5hp damage.) V is now trying (in vain) to shake the wolf off his sword arm!

"Damned furball--you made me MISS!!!" screams the purple-faced assassin as Darkfang continues to growl and snarl and hang on to the evil man's arm.

Rond's blow definitely distracts K from striking at K'isst, instead directing his melee attempts at the human. K proves to be VERY effective as a fighter--striking Rond twice (AC29 both times for a total of 31hp damage!) for a horrendous amount of damage. Worse still, Rond feels funny... (Make a Fort save versus DC15, Rond--failure means you've contracted the disease "Mummy Rot.")

W and C1 exchange glances and begin their actions feverishly. Both look up at Bill--W pointing his wand at the halfling and firing off two more Magic Missiles at him for 8hp damage. The female cleric's spell is one that Bill will have to work to recognize...

(OOC: Spellcraft check VS DC17 to be able to tell she's summoning something Undead...)

The dwarf fighter stirs and starts to get to his feet.

Oh, and (practically unnoticed) the battle between the two half-orcs is suddenly, brutally resolved...in F1's favor. B falls over with horrible gashes and wide-open, dead eyes to the sky.

It's the Hamleteers' turn. Visit DM Donna's Map Site: http://hometown.aol.com/donnlap/myhomepage/index.html to see what the battlefield looks like now.

K'isst  d20+6=19 d20+14=22 d8+9=14
Thursday March 28th, 2002 10:09:04 AM

[Fireball save of 19 from last round.]

Coming out of her stunned state, K'isst shakes her head vigorously to clear it. Seeing that Rond has engaged the warrior, she makes a beeline for W1 who is attacking Bill.

She attacks, swinging her trident, hitting AC22 [d20+14=22] for [d8+9=14] 14 points of damage, stabbing him in the stomach.

She roars her fury and then smiles at the wizard in a totally friendly way to unnerve him.

Rond  d20+9=26 d20+10=28 d20=4 d20+5=10 2d6(4+4)+3=11
Thursday March 28th, 2002 10:13:13 AM

Staggering somewhat from the onslaught of the overall damage. Rond shivers as he overcomes the slicing of the sword. (fort=26). Wanting to get this over, Rond does his best to return the favor. (AC 28, no crit, AC 10, 11 points dam)

Arien  3d6(6+6+5)=17 d20+13=27
Thursday March 28th, 2002 1:02:00 PM

Seeing the beating Rond is taking Arien turns his attention to that area of the battlefield. He points his ring at K and unleashes the power of his ring again. The ghostly ram's head streaks across the battlefield, slamming into the fighter for 17 points of damage. (Opposed Strength check for the Bull Rush = 27)

Draax  d20+2=18 d20+12=16 d20+6=20 d8+7=15 d8+7=15
Thursday March 28th, 2002 1:11:00 PM

Seeing S goto the ground, Draax changes direction and goes for C2. The quick change in direction saved (saved 18, 10dmg) the half-elf from receiving the full blast from the golden sphere. Taking his frustration out on the cleric, Draax attacks C2 with his longsword. (hitting AC 16 for 15dmg & AC 20 for 15dmg)

Borgo (Bill) (Elf sight, Fly, Mirror Image=3 illusionary Borgos, and one real Borgo, Blinking) (30, 33, 35, or 38 hp damage sustained)  d20+16=25 d20+5=15 5d20(3+1+15+14+18)=51 5d4(2+4+3+4+3)=16 d20+24=40
Thursday March 28th, 2002 1:21:37 PM

[OOC: See private post for explanation of confusion on hit points taken. d20+24=40, voluntary Concentration check, DC 40.]

(Psi-/Spellcraft roll [d20+16=25], DC 25.) Bill notes the undead summoning, and perceives that as his greatest present threat. Flying slightly downward towards the elf wizard and woman cleric, he angles yet another cone of sound, with a rainbow wash of color emanating from his eyes as the power explodes, so as to catch the wizard and cleric within the area of effect, but trying to avoid, barely, Renik & K'isst. His two opponents take [(2+4+3+4+3)=16] 16 hp damage, or 8 hp if they succeed at a Reflex save [d20+5=15] DC 15. [Ignore 5d20 roll - was supposed to be 5d4.] He hopes he can disrupt the wicked cleric's summoning.

Bill activates his ring of blinking, and himself and his images begin popping in and out of view.

Borgo/Bill's movement ended above the elf W, his feet about 15 feet off the ground, with two to four 'Borgos' visible. "Hobbes!"

Hobbes (14 damage)  d20+4=22
Thursday March 28th, 2002 1:56:59 PM

Hobbes wheels around at the sound of the commotion behind him. Seeing the gleaming sword in V's hand which would have undoubtedly been aimed at him, he pauses for a second to look thankfully to the attacking Darkfang. "No doubt an animal blessed with the watchfulness of Gargul," he thinks to himself.

Something makes him turn his head. A mumbling... an intonation, one that fills Hobbes with a rageful purpose. Clutching his eye and holding it strongly before him, he runs 20 feet towards the sound of C1's spell. If V wants an AoO, let him.

"By Gargul's holy name you dare blaspheme the Wold with your atrocities!," he bellows, "I, Hobbes of the Eye, forbid it!"

"Vo'up Rep!"

(Silence cast in the air right beside C1. In between C1 and W. No save as it's not on them. Radius is 15 feet. As summoning spells are one full round to cast, I assume it is now disrupted without the continuing use of his verbal component unless he has silent spell feat.)

Ferrak  d20+14=18 d8+5=7 d20+10=24
Thursday March 28th, 2002 9:28:43 PM

For now, leaving his shield where it lies, the feral gnome hefts up his vicious spear. Slowly at first, Ferrak advances on the battle between Darkfang and the purple faced assassin.

"Furball...?" he mumbles under clenched teeth gathering speed.

Singed and still smoking, the wild gnome's blackened visage is a terrible thing to behold. His burnt hair twisted madly about a face on fire with a silent, smoldering rage, Ferrak charges. Legs pumping hard as he clashes into the assassin, the feral gnome jabs fiercely with his spear. (+10+2flank+2charge=7dmg)

Assuming that he at least makes contact with the man's armor, Ferrak tries to use his spear as a sort of pole-vaulting pivot. In effect using the momentum of his charge to rebound off of the man, onto the back of his valiant brother Darkfang. (Ride check=24 Is this possible?)

Feng (Bull Strength, Cat's Grace, 18hp dmg)  d20+14=32 d8+8=12 d6=6
Thursday March 28th, 2002 10:03:54 PM

Feng looks back and forth between the spellcasters behind the wall and Kalabak. He was about to run toward the wizard but thankfully somebody engaged him. Kalabak deserves his full attention. Gripping his ax tightly, Feng shouts "Kalabak!" With anger in his eyes, Feng moves over to Kalabak and flanks the dark warrior. Spinning the ax over his head Feng brings and end down hard, leaving a trail of fire as the ax strikes at Kalabak's ribs. [d20+14=32 to hit, d8+8=12+(d6=6)for 18 points of dmg]

Renik (by Kim)  d20+6=17
Friday March 29th, 2002 2:23:00 AM

Renik takes his folded net, steps five feet ahead and to his left, so he is about eight feet from the woman cleric, and tosses the barbed webbing over her head (ranged touch attack, she gets no armor or shield bonuses, AC 17), hoping to ensnare her. He notes just how quiet it's gotten in this area. He glances over at the dwarf who just slammed against the wall, hoping he remains still.

Ambush Round 4 (DM Donna)  d20+11=17 d20+3=21 d8+6=13 d20+6=26 d20+11=26 d20+4=24 d20+5=6 d20+5=22 d20+13=29 d20+8=18 d10+7=11 d10+7=9
Friday March 29th, 2002 8:16:33 AM

K'isst's attack upon W causes the elf to lose his grip on the wand, which goes clattering to the ground. Gravely wounded, W grits his teeth and slaps K'isst in the face (hits AC21), but lets his hand linger... delivering 13hp of electricity damage with his Shocking Grasp spell.

Arien's ring hurts K--who, incredibly, is not knocked back by the force--as well as Rond's determined attack, too... but it is the blow from F1 upon the man that finishes the blackguard off. Still, the defiant evil fighter manages to spit in F1's direction even as the light of life fades from his eyes.

"The Dark Lord eats traitors for breakfassssst..." Kalabak hisses his last words.

Only one of Draax's blows manages to land on the cleric he faces, but it definitely does damage, for the half-elf stops and stands stock-still. His eyes narrow in concentration and his lips twist into a mocking smile... and Draax hears the telltale sound of rattling and the scattering of stones. The Hamleteer suddenly realizes that no less than twelve skeletons have popped up out of the rough, broken terrain--one of them actually having used to be opponent S!

Bill's attack hurts the female cleric and fells the wizard... but some kind of sixth sense--the rising of the hairs of the back of his neck--makes the halfling turn around in time to feel the deathly-cold grip of an ethereal vision of horror on his very throat! And, yes, this thing has Bill in a very solid grip, too, as the halfling feels his very lifeforce drain away! (OOC: you've lost one level. Strength check versus DC19 or this undead, ethereal being will retain its grip and drain another level next round.)

Hobbes casts his Silence spell, but C2's face is a study in triumph because she knows her spell was successful... and now the cleric of Gargul suddenly finds the dwarf fighter in his face--and with a Dwarven War Axe, yet! Hobbes gets hit for 11hp damage, but this doesn't stop the prickly chill that shudders across his very soul as the priest of the Woldian God of Death senses the appearance of the dozen undead behind him.

Ferrak's attack on the sneaky assassin does no damage--the wily evil one is too limber, it seems. However, even as the determined feral druid remounts his energetic brother, the human they are attacking fumbles for the buckle of his belt... and suddenly disappears!

I... I cannot track him, big brother! yelps Darkfang, confused. His scent... his self... is completely gone from here!

Renik's net falls wide of the female cleric he targeted even as her expression mocks him.

This ends the bad guys' half of round 4...check out DM Donna's Map Site: http://hometown.aol.com/donnlap/myhomepage/index.html to see what's left on the battlefield. (My apologies--the map will show "V" as still being right by Ferrak & Darkfang, but the assassin has, in truth, teleported away from the battle.)

Feng (Bull Strength, Cat's Grace, 18hp dmg)  d20+3=17 2d6(6+1)+7=14
Friday March 29th, 2002 9:37:40 AM

Feng gives a slight smile and nod to Rond. "Excuse me. I have something to take care of." Feng hustles past Rond getting closer to the skeletons. Pulling a Medallion out from under his breastplate (swirling Vortex with stars in it), Feng draws upon positive energy and atempts to turn the undead away. He glances up at the horror and hopes it leaves too. [turning check d20+3=17 (affects up to 6 HD creatures), d6(6)+d6(1)+7=14 total HD turned]

Renik  d20+10=14
Friday March 29th, 2002 11:46:23 AM

(OOC: Many thanks for posting for Renik, Kim. Yesterday was absolutely frantic! Apologies all.)

Renik dives into combat with the heavily armoured dwarf, stabbing ineffectually as he does so (Hit AC 14: Grrr). With deft spin he continues his move, adopting a flanking position behind the hairy fellow (Spring Attack, no AoO). From his new vantage point he spies the army of skeletons gathering around Draax, and prays he and Hobbes can nail this dwarven follower of the Dark Lord fast. This scrap is getting dangerous!

K'isst  d20+14=26 d8+9=15 d20+9=29 d20+9=24 d8+9=13 d8+9=13
Friday March 29th, 2002 12:54:23 PM

K'isst lets loose on C1 trying to finish her off.

She swings her trident once hitting AC26 for 15 points of damage.

She swings again! She hits 29 with a Critical hit! (29 is a natural 20 with 24 also hitting confirming the crit.) She yells her triumph as the trident is yanked out of the opponent the strike doing 26 (13+13) points of damage!

"Yiyiyiyiiii"

Borgo (Bill) (Elf sight, Fly, Mirror Image=1 or 2 or 3(?) illusionary Borgos, and one real Borgo, blinking) (15, 18, 20, or 23 hp damage sustained; one negative level)  d20+2=20 d20+23=33 2d8(3+7)+5=15
Friday March 29th, 2002 1:10:12 PM

[Spending two hero points on Strength escape roll: 20. Terror can do that for ya!]

Bill's blood chills as the cold fingers close about his neck. Calling upon reserves from his hatred of the undead, he wrenches free of the tightening grasp, feeling a weird combination of ennervation and sapping. Borgo, and his multiple, dancing images, fly away full speed, backward and upward at a 30 degree angle, his magical sword before each image, fully defending with the weapon in his right hand against any further attempts of the abomination to grasp him. With his left, he pulls forth a potion of cure moderate wounds, removes the stopper with his teeth, and downs the contents. (Concentration: DC 33. Cure moderate wounds: 15 hp)

Draax  d20+12=24 d20+6=18 d8+7=11 d8+7=13
Friday March 29th, 2002 3:47:29 PM

Hearing, feeling, and smelling the arrival of the skeletons, Draax glances right, left, and then back at the cleric. Figuring that he is in a hopeless situation, the warrior is resigned to his fate. He smiles as he looks into the cleric's eyes. "You could have saved us both a lot of pain and suffering if you would have just surrendered. But nooo, you had to bring your family into to this - and by the way, your mother looks lovely. Oh well, seeya in hell."

Believing that he sounds braver than he feels, Draax raises his shield high hoping to catch a few of the many blows that he is sure going to be raining down on him at any moment. He cuts into the cleric with his longsword (AC24 for 11 dmg, AC 18 for 13 dmg) trying to back his words with action and end the evil half-elf's life.

Ferrak  d20+14=23 d8+5=7 d8+5=8
Friday March 29th, 2002 10:00:24 PM

Ferrak's snarls of anger and rage soon turn to that of confusion and surprise as the evil man winks out of sight. Disappointed, the feral gnome mutters, "Coward," under his breath, then freezes as the icy chill of unnatural life sends a shiver down his spine.

The hair on the back of his neck rising, Ferrak takes a moment to survey the battlefield. Seeing the travesty of evil un-life that surrounds them, the feral gnome makes his move.

Urging Darkfang to speed, Ferrak's face a mask of determination, the wolf brothers head straight for Renik, Hobbes, and the Dwarf attacking them. Charging up, opposite of Renik, the feral gnome readies his spear for impact. (+10+2+2 Dbl damage Spirited Charge=15)

Crashing heavily into the armored dwarf, Ferrak pulls up in front of him, trying to shield Hobbes from any further attack.

"For the pack!" he yells at the newcomer, turning to wink at him in wild eyed encouragement.

Arien  2d6(4+6)=10 d20+12=26
Saturday March 30th, 2002 12:49:28 AM

Once again Arien unleashes the energy of his ring upon the evil dwarf. However he does not let loose with the full power of the ring since he might need it later on as well. The ghostly ram's head slams into the dwarf for 10 (4+6) points of damage. (Opposed str check: 26)

Hobbes  d20+4=18 2d6(2+6)+11=19
Monday April 1st, 2002 4:06:48 AM

Hobbes finishes his spell and then winces as he looks down at the gash formed by the dwarf's axe. Biting through the sting, he glares down at the wild-eyed dwarf before catching sight of his new comrade Bill in undeath's grip. Abandoning all notions that there is any danger before him, he turns, holding aloft his holy symbol of Gargul.

His ears clatter with the echoes of impact of the magic ring upon the wild-eyed dwarf as he steps forward toward the apparition which is now floating up into the air, giving the dwarf a clear shot at his backside even as the thundering ram of Darkfang barrels into him.

"You cannot remain here," wards Hobbes holding his silvered eye higher toward the dark hovering form, "This place is forbidden to you! I cast you back into the abyss from which you came. By all that's holy of the great power of the true keeper of the afterlife, you are banished! Gargul commands it!" He plants himself firmly in a spot directly under it.

"You...Are...Banished!", he bellows as he channels forth the radiating blue power forth from his holy symbol. The glimmering sphere shoots out from the eye in Hobbes' hand and radiates outward up through the undead creature and simmers out five feet past it. Hobbes proudly gazes up, almost tearful that Gargul has chosen him to give such a burst of extra divine power.

(OOC: Turn Check 18, Most Powerful Undead Level banished: 9th. Turning Damage: 19. In both cases, my level is considered one greater when turning as the special divine power of a cleric of Gargul dictates if anyone was wondering)


Rond  d20+10=21 d6+3=6 d6=2 d20+5=10 2d6(1+1)+3=5
Monday April 1st, 2002 4:17:31 AM

Watching stunned as the blackguard falls to the ground, Rond wonders whether he could have really taken on this fellow without the help he received. Speaking of help, what's this fellow with the axe going to do?

"Thanks for the aid. I have seen this happen before and understand if you're wishing to switch sides. We'll talk more later on this."

Surveying the scene quickly, Rond shudders when he sees how many skeletons are on the field. Not wanting a member of the team to drop Rond announce, "Draax, help is on the way." Charging, or moving as best he can. Rond attempts to take out skeleton #7, in order to cover Draax's back.

1st attack
AC 21 for 8 points of dam (supposed to be 2d6+3, but forgot 2 in roller)

2nd attack
AC 10 for 5 points, if connected

Ambush Round 5 (DM Donna)  d20+5=10 d20+5=19 d20=17 d20=16 d20=8 d20=14 d20=18 d20=9 d20=4 d20=18 d20=18 d20=7 d20=15 d20=17 d20=2 d20=6
Monday April 1st, 2002 10:08:11 AM

The half-orc who assisted Rond leaps forward and presents what looks like a holy symbol towards the cadre of bony undead, commanding them to disperse. Surprisingly, several of the skeletons disintegrate into dust (skels 8 to 12)! This is a surprise to both the Hamleteers, because the half-orc is affecting the undead like a cleric or paladin... and to the half-orc, too, because he thought for sure that he'd be affecting more of the skeletons than he is.

Renik, Ferrak (with Darkfang) and Arien concentrate their efforts on the dwarven warrior who'd attacked Hobbes. The evil dwarf suffers a lot of damage, but it is the attack from the ring that has the most telling effect: F2 is knocked back and out of sight over some rubble.

K'isst's attention turns to the female cleric that summoned the apparition that now stalks Bill in the air. Her vicious attack skewers the haughty priestess, leaving behind a lifeless corpse with a knowing smirk on her lips... and all of this soundless, thanks to Hobbes' earlier Silence spell.

Bill backs off and quaffs his potion as Hobbes attempts to banish the horrible abomination that siphoned off some of the halfling's energy, but the cleric of Gargul's effort--while clearly debilitating to the evil creature--forces the thing to fly straight for Bill once more, matching the metamind in direction and altitude. However, the spectral fingers that greedily reach for Bill fall short of their intended goal!

Draax's bravado succeeds in felling the cleric who summoned all the skeletons... and his shield manages to fend off the scrabbling claws of the skeletons that flail at him (skeletons 2 through 5). Skeleton #1 tries to hit the half-orc responsible for destroying the other skeletons, but misses as well.

Skeletons 6 & 7 strike out at Rond. Neither of them connect, and skeleton #7 looks like it's being held together by wishful thinking.

The only things left in the immediate area that are putting up a fight are the skeletons that Draax, Rond and the half-orc are fighting, and that flying undead ghostie-thing that is 45 feet up in the air with four Bills... though the flying horror keeps targeting the same Bill repeatedly with terrifying accuracy.

Those who have Spellcraft can make a check versus DC15 to figure out that there's a Desecrate spell that's interfering with divine attempts to turn the undead here (except for F1... who already knows that.)

Visit DM Donna's Map Site: http://hometown.aol.com/donnlap/myhomepage/index.html to see how the battlefield looks now. (OOC: I accidentally forgot to color C1--the evil female cleric--gray... she is out cold at the very least!)

Feng (Bull Strength, Cat's Grace, 18 hp dmg)  d20+3=23 2d6(2+2)+7=11
Monday April 1st, 2002 10:45:28 AM

Feng ignores the skeleton in front of him. He needs to concentrate on the task at hand. There isn't time to bless the area, even if somebody could. "The land is desecrated." He shouts to all. Feng closes his eyes and says quietly, "Gods of the wold hear my cry. Your loyal servant needs thy aid. Please lend your strength so I can destroy the servants of Marteaus." Feng's holy symbol glows brightly, bathling the skeletons in light.
[turn check= 23, max hd affected is 8, 11 dice of turning dmg]

Borgo (Bill) (Elf sight, Fly, Mirror Image=3 illusionary Borgos, and one real Borgo) (23 hp damage sustained; one negative level) (AC vs. Spectre: 28 (note: bracers, ioun stone, dex, size, intertial armor, dodge bonus all apply vs. incorporeal))  d20+15=20 d20+5=7
Monday April 1st, 2002 11:12:13 AM

Bill is able to discern that this graveyard is desecrated [Spellcraft DC 18 (should have rolled d20+13, not +15)].

Bill drops his blinking, so as to be able to move faster (move 60 when blinking, 90 when normal). He continues flying backwards, staying 45 feet in the air, but travels in a broad circle [so that he doesn't go off the edge of Donna's map :-) ], ending the round (he moves 90) about 20 feet east of F2's position, and maybe 15 feet to the south and 5 feet west of Renik's - and still in motion. As he moves backwards, he extracts from his pocket a vial of holy water, and tries to splash that on the pursuing spectre. However, as he fights defensively (-4 on attacks, +2 dodge bonus to AC), the liquid goes well off course (AC 7 - and I don't know if 'splash damage' of 1 hp would apply in this situation). He hopes, now that he is moving faster, to distance himself from the reaching grasp of the vile undead. Also, based on his knowledge of Plateau City, he calculates the distance to the nearest temple of Alemi from the Scar. Getting the spectre away from the desecrated ground may be his best bet - especially if he can get to consecrated ground... But let's see what his friends might do.

Renik  d20+13=17 d20+23=32
Monday April 1st, 2002 2:25:51 PM

Renik glances up and sees that Bill is still battling furiously. If only he had some way to help...

Cursing himself for not being better prepared Renik elects instead to move off after the dwarf, staying quiet and low. He raises the hood of his cloak of elvenkind, and sneaks towards the pile of rubble where the dwarf fell, rapier at the ready (Move Silent 17, Hide 32).

He only hopes his companions can fare better against the unliving horror than he.

K'isst  d20+14=17 d20+9=27 d8+9=10 d8+9=13
Monday April 1st, 2002 4:43:03 PM

K'isst waves at Bill to come to her and widens her stance to receive the vile thing... K'isst style!

In the meantime she also motions to Rond and holds up a potion marked CLW in case he wants it.

Draax  d20+12=23 d20+6=16 d8+7=11 d8+7=8
Monday April 1st, 2002 5:52:44 PM

Draax smiles as he sees the life in the cleric's eyes fade. Feeling the rain of blows upon his shield, the half-elf is surprised that he was not hit. Hearing Rond's promise of assistant Draax begins to feel a little more confident about his chance for survival. The fighter turns to skelly #5 formerly known as S and attacks the unnatural creature with his longsword (AC 23 for 11dgm, AC 16 for 8dmg). Too late the warrior remembers his father's lessons about fighting skeletons with a slashing weapon.

Hobbes (25 damage taken)  d20+9=29 2d4(1+2)+3=6
Monday April 1st, 2002 6:07:28 PM

Hobbes, seething with rage, lowers his holy symbol.

"Bab'on Gog!" he shouts like a madman and immediately rises from the ground [Fly]. Like an arrow he shoots towards the spectre, scythe in a wind-up. He catches up to the flowing monster and rams it cleanly with his Scythe +1. [Partial Charge Movement (Less than 90 feet), Natural 20, No Crit, Effective AC 17]

The scythe cuts through the apparition, wounding it slightly. [6 points of damage]

Arien  d4+1=4 d4+1=3
Monday April 1st, 2002 6:42:30 PM

Arien also joins in the battle with the undead creature chasing Bill, he quickly sends up two Magic Missiles after the beast which hit for 7 (4+3) points of damage.

Rond  d20+10=11
Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 3:46:20 AM

Rond engages skeleton 7 in order to help his friend Draax. Being engaged with the skeleton, Rond doesn't notice K'isst and her offering. Doing his best to skewer the skeleton, Rond slips on some of the carnage that surrounds him and drops his sword.

Ferrak  d20+6=23 d20+10=16 d8=5 d20+10=18 d20+4=12 d6+1=4
Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 6:18:25 AM

{Help Draax brother.} yells Ferrak as he jumps off of his brothers back.

Getting a running start, the feral gnome get's ready to throw his spear. Fighting with the will of the thing, Ferrak is able to use it the way he wishes. (Will Check 23 to use sentient spear.)

(Attack 16 dmg = 5+5=10 probably a miss though.)

Ferrak runs after his spear to cast it again.

(If Darkfang is able to attack now against a skeleton Attack 12=4 dmg.)


Ambush Round 6  d20=6 d20=5 d20=9 d20=14 d3-1=2 d20+5=15 d100=57 d100=87
Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 7:51:43 AM

The half-orc's action causes skeletons 1 through 4 to crumble to dust. Draax's attacks on the-skeleton-formerly-known-as-"S" (#5) manage to be more than the bony undead can take, and it falls to pieces. Rond's sword is hastily retrieved, and Darkfang charges at the skeletons closest to the leader of the Hamleteers. #7 misses Rond, but one of #6's bony fists strikes the wolf for 2hp damage.

Once again Bill Troublefinder retreats from his implaccable foe...and once again the relentless undead thing will not be denied, snatching hungrily at the vital, wily halfling (and missing!) However, Arien's attack does damage, causing the thing to howl in agony. Hobbes' blow swishes through the ethereal wraithform of the creature, not appearing to do any damage. Ferrak's spear--not even coming close to his intended target--clatters to the ground about 25 feet away.

Renik starts in the direction the dwarf fighter sailed off towards, but after clearing the obstruction of a five-or-six-foot-tall pile of rubble, the rogue is astonished to see that the dwarf is NOWHERE in sight!

K'isst silently tries to get Bill's attention.

At this point, only skeletons 6 & 7 remain on the ground--the undead S is doggedly orienting on Bill with far too much accuracy to be natural (if you can call anything the living dead can do natural, that is). The dwarf has disappeared from the battlefield completely.

Renik: Bossy Time 
Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 8:31:06 AM

Cursing, Renik races back to where Bill is being attacked. To his companions he yells "The dwarf has vanished! Have a care, he has probably fled, but he may be invisible!"

Turning his attention back to the fight he calls out "Bill's in trouble up there! Does anyone have any Holy Water? That might help!" Clerics! Concentrate on that creature, the skeletons are just a nuisance compared to that thing!

"Bill! Bill! Head down here! My rapier is a magical weapon, it may prove equal to this monstrosity!" he yells, brandishing his +2 rapier. He wishes he was as confident of that as he sounds.

Borgo (Bill) (Elf sight, Fly, Mirror Image=3 illusionary Borgos, and one real Borgo) (23 hp damage sustained; one negative level) (AC vs. Spectre: 28 (note: bracers, ioun stone, dex, size, intertial armor, dodge bonus all apply vs. incorporeal))  d20+5=16 2d4(2+2)=4 d100=82
Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 12:23:01 PM

When Hobbes joins him in the air, the halfling is grateful, as well as for the other support his comrades give. Bill, hearing Renik's voice from the ground, glances over his shoulder, and swoops downward, landing on the ground about five feet west of where the cleric (C1) lies. Should the spectre follow, it will likely be near to K'isst and Renik. If it has not broken off pursuit, then as he lands, he splashes the spectre with holy water (AC 16, for 4 hp damage, or 1 hp splash damage if not a direct hit, roll to see if water has a chance of touching at all (usually 1-50 miss, 51-100 hit), with an 82), still fighting defensively, trying to dodge those relentless fingers.

In the back of his mind, he wishes that people stopped calling him 'Bill.' He's in disguise, after all! On the other hand, there IS a lot of stress...

Hobbes (25 damage taken)  d20+7=11 d20+6=25 6d8(1+1+7+5+6+3)=23
Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 1:11:44 PM

"I am NOT through with you!" commands Hobbes to the spectre as it flies away from him. He takes his attack of opportunity on it and misses. [Roll of 11]

He glances at the halfling that is desperately trying to avoid it and growls, "You leave him ALONE!"

He immediately points his scythe in the direction of the vial creature and his hands begin to tremble. The vibrations become intense and his whole body seems to shake with a vast power as his mind utters a repeated prayer to Gargul and then bellows the command words, "Fu'muun...VORATIS!"

Immediately a surge of light bursts forth from Hobbes' hands into his scythe and out the top of it. The blinding light streaks across the air with firey intensity and cuts into the dark being.

[Searing Light. Ranged Touch Attack hits AC25. 6d8 against Undead hurt by sunlight. 23 Damage.
Hooah!]

Rond 
Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 2:07:08 PM

Rond quickly scans the area and decides that it is time to get in touch with their employer.

Using the coin:
(ooc does he speak aloud, or just think?)

"We did not teleport to Koshe-Mar. We actually teleported to some sort of ambush in The Scar. Currently have some kind of undead creature as the only thing sticking around and being troublesome. Any help would be appreciated if available."

Should there be any inquiries to their position Rond will relay what he knows of the area.

From the ground Rond tries to keep an eye on things going on at ground level. He'll do his best to keep Borgo in his sight, but he's more worried about the ground, where he can help out.

Draax  d20+12=23 d20+6=18 d8+7=14 d8+7=8
Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 2:12:34 PM

As he finishes off the creature formerly known as S, Draax turns to confront the other skeletons that had him surrounded and a big grin appears on his face as he finds only dust. As he surveys the area he hears a slight cry from Darkfang as the skeleton hit the wolf. Moving in that direction the half-elf confronts skelly #6, attacking it with his longsword (AC23 for 14, AC18 for 8).

K'isst 
Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 4:24:29 PM

K'isst waits for the undead thing to close so that she can wallop it.

Feng (Bull Strength, Cat's Grace, 18hp dmg) 
Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 4:51:41 PM

Seeing how the situation is under control, Feng stands back and watches. He seriously doubts he could turn the creature even if the land wasn't desecrated.

Arien  d20+6=25 2d4(4+1)=5
Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 5:42:41 PM

Seeing his spell effect the undead creature Arien sends yet another spell after it. He fires of an Acid Arrow hitting ac 25 (19+6, ranged touch attack) for 5 damage. (4+1)

Ferrak (-15hps) Darkfang (at 15 hps) 
Tuesday April 2nd, 2002 8:05:53 PM

Seeing that Hobbes' scythe had no effect, Ferrak ponders for a moment what to do, sure that his spear is at least as effective as a scythe.

Worried for Darkfang, but seeing that Draax and his brother are together, Ferrak moves to where K'isst and Renik are waiting to attack the ghostly spectre.

Picking some dirt up from the ground the feral gnome begins a chant as he rubs his hands together vigorously. At the climax of his chant he extends his right hand and flame shoots forth from it. There burning brightly, aggravating his recent blistered burns, is a flaming blade of magical fire.

"Grrr."

Ambush Round 7 (DM Donna)  d20+10=15 d20+5=25 d6+1=6
Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 7:34:21 AM

Renik's shouts coax all four of "Borgo" to land on the ground in the very middle of the area of Silence. The shrieking wraith-like creature heads straight for Bill, claws extended, its eyes suddenly glowing a malevolent red. Even as it tries to grasp at Bill (again with eerily unerring accuracy) spells from both Hobbes and Arien hit it, causing it to miss. Its howl of agony is unheard, though, as it, too, is now within the area of Silence. However, the creature is definitely now within range of everyone who is next to that part of the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Draax's attacks shatter skeleton #6. Darkfang's jaws latch onto the forearm of skeleton #7 and the wolf shakes the damaged undead to pieces.

The only opponent left is the ethereal undead--but, suddenly, the spectre seems to swell in size, becoming comparable to a hill giant in stature--and speaking in a voice that sounds all too familiar:

I have more gods to slay, or I'd stay and play with you all...however, I leave you with a reward for your cleverness, lowly one..! The red glow of the giant spectre's eyes intensifies and strikes Bill (yes, the real Bill!)

Bill must make a Fortitude Save versus DC30 or lose another level.

Laughing maniacally, the super-spectre fades away.

K'isst  d20+14=25 d8+9=13
Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 10:01:03 AM

K'isst, roaring with anger and the frustration of standing there waiting for 2 rounds for a chance to strike at this thing that then runs from her, strikes at the retreating figure, hoping that she gets an attack of Opportunity as it disappears.

She strikes with her +2 Trident rolling a 25 for 13 hit points damage.

Feng 
Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 10:37:37 AM

Feng stares wide eyed as the spectre grows and strikes Bill before leaving. Was that really Marteaus? If it was, Feng's in a whole lot of trouble. Slipping the hat from his head, Feng's true appearance is finally shown. He is a half orc, but nothing like he appeared to be. He's bald with a gotee thats trimmed and neatly braided. His teeth are as white as white can be. The cloak is new and his armor polished. The flames on his ax die away before the ax is strapped to his back once again. With his cover blown, Feng smiles and reaches into his pack. Pulling out a vial he dabs a small amount of it's contents on his neck. When the wind blows it would be clear that it was a nice and subtle cologne. Nothing too strong. Looking at the people before him Feng says, "It looks like I have some explaining to do. I am a Paladin in service to the gods of the Wold. Before I continue, is everybody all right? I can still heal for the day. If anybody got infected during the fight please let me know. I'll take care of that too. Anyway I work for a man that I would like to remain nameless due to our location. He sent me in to spy on Marteaus' operation. Specifically he was afraid that you would be assassinated. Unfortunately I didn't have time to warn anybody. The best I could do was blow my cover and pray that nobody died. I have something that will prove my story." Feng fumbles around a bit before pulling a ring out of a pouch. "Please take a look. It should validate my story." The ring is a signant ring with Marcus' symbol on it.

Rond  d20+6=23
Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 11:53:08 AM

Taking time to clean off his sword. Rond listens to the newcomer's story, and then looks at the all too familiar ring of Marcus. Rond wonders how many of those rings he has. "Before we stop, let's make double sure the area is clear." Once the party has had a chance to check things out and make sure the scene is clear. Rond begins to tape himself has you see two nasty gashes in him (heal check 26). "Let's see who is the worse for wear. We may still have time before we go to accomplish our mission."

Borgo (Bill) (Elf sight, Fly, Mirror Image=3 illusionary Borgos, and one real Borgo) (23 hp damage sustained; two negative levels (AC vs. Spectre: 28 (note: bracers, ioun stone, dex, size, intertial armor, dodge bonus all apply vs. incorporeal))  d20+10=24 d20+3=16
Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 3:14:16 PM

[OOC: My computer died this morning, and I'm at the library, and I don't recall Bill's Fortitude save adds - but think it is around +10. Adjust accordingly, Donna, not that it makes a difference in this case. Thanks.]

Bill feels the red ray strike him, and feels a measure of his vitality being sapped away {Fortitude save 24). The eight shoulders of Borgo the dwarf slump, and he sits upon the ground.

Shaking his head, he looks around. He sees the wand of magic missiles used by the wizard against him earlier (spot 16), and picks it up. "Anybody want this?"

Renik  d20+4=24
Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 3:48:03 PM

"Great Gods! Was that really Marteaus? He was fighting us? I'd feel honoured if I didn't feel so sickened. And, now I come to think of it, terrified." splutters Renik.

When Feng speaks he walks over to him and extends his hand. "A pleasure to meet you, sir. The name's Renik Dacour, though I go by others. Your assistance was much appreciated." He points out his companions, naming them, as they go about the task of securing the area.

He heads off to search the corpses of their fallen foes for coin, magic items and incriminating documents (Search 24, Nat 20!), all the while pondering aloud "So how in Mittiri's name did we end up back in Plateau City? How far were we teleported? What about the door to Koshe-Marr? Why didn't it work? Did it ever? And if it did, who stopped it working? Hmm, I suppose that would have to be our friend the dark Lord. But why? And why fight us? What did he have to gain? And, now that all's said and done, how are we going to find the real path to Koshe-Marr, to the Printing Engine, and our potentially undead friends?"

It occurs to him, as he rummages through the pockets of the dead and chatters away, that he may have been spending a little too much time with Bill of late.

Borgo (Bill) (Elf sight, Fly, Mirror Image=3 illusionary Borgos, and one real Borgo) (17 hp damage sustained; two negative levels)  d8+1=6 d20+12=30
Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 4:28:29 PM

[OOC #2: Library PC gave me two minute warning before I was done posting.]

Borgo's eyes are bloodshot as he sits on the ground, and his breathing labored as he works to catch his breath. The 'dwarf' looks up as Feng introduces himself. "Welcome, big friend," he says to him, and, though he is sincere, there is little inflection in his voice. "For now, call me Borgo," he says flatly.

Borgo tells his friends as he continues to sit, "We are in Plateau City, in the Scar, part of Nightmare Quarter - a few hundred yards west of the archway we entered. This is not Koshe-Marr. This area - the Scar - is cursed with a weighty curse." His shoulders shake as he laughs mirthlessly for a moment. "Cursed..." he says, more to himself than to anyone in particular.

[Note: See map at http://www.woldiangames.com/maps/yrth/peninsula/newelenna/plateaucity/main_plateau_city_map.htm - then click on 'Nightmare Quarter' (the lower right section of Plateau City). The Scar (#24) is the hatched area bounded by Ripper's Lane, Nightmare Road, Orc's End, and near the Black Cathedral - Gargul's Temple]

He hands a wand of cure light wounds to Ferrak. "This hath fifty charges of cure light wounds. Thou dost use it like this," he tells his gnomish friend. He uses the command phrase, and heals 6 hp damage (d8+1=6) on himself. "Go ahead and use it on who needeth it."

At Renik's question, Bill/Borgo answers, "Whether that were the Dark Lord himself, or he merely possessed the spectre at the end, I do not know. Friends, he sucked something from me. I am drained. I feel a need for succor."

Still in his sitting position, Borgo rises into the air, and goes around to look at the structure from which they emerged. He invokes the power to detect psionics/magic, and looks at it for a few rounds, seeing whether he detects any auras matching those of the bone gate by the butcher's, then scouring the premises after Renik's searching, to see if any other magic items may have been overlooked.

"We should leave here, soon, I think. Good leader, before we try to go where we intended, might we spend a brief time trying to recover?" he asks Rond.

[Spellcraft DC 30, to recall what may counter the negative energy attacks he just suffered.] Of Hobbes and Feng, he asks, "Is there a cleric who might cast greater restoration that ye know of? If not, might we not see if a scroll may be obtained?"

Hobbes (25 damage taken, Fly)  d20+5=15 2d8(8+8)+6=22
Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 7:54:08 PM

Hobbes recovers from the recoil of the searing light and darkly grins that he has brought damage on his enemy. He immediately charges forward, flying down in another charge, but stops as before him, the gray being now grows. Very unusual for an undead of this sort. None of Hobbes' previous encounters with beasts of the like ever amounted to THIS, he is sure of it. [Knowledge Undead Roll 15]

He listens to the massive figure thoughtfully, not quite knowing what to make of it, until he utters the words "Kill other gods". The blasphemer is here. He who would defame the name of Gargul with his twisted evil ways.

Hobbes' eyes widen as he swings, but too late as the poor halfling is targetted with the crimsons rays of death from the figure. The scythe connects with nothing... just a faint smoky wind left in front of him, letting Hobbes see the hapless halfling sitting on the ground, debilitated by that vile thing.

Hobbes immediately flies down to Bill's side.

"Easy. You have been struck by a great blow, sir. Here, let me touch your brow," Hobbes says as he lays a gauntletted hand upon the small forehead of Bill. He drops his scythe upon the ground and murmurs, "Trck'se marm gak zortan," letting the warm glow of a healing spell rush into Bill's body. [Cure Moderate Wounds for 22 hp]

"There. That should heal the outer damage, but there still lies the taint from within, that which I can only but cast spells to aid your strength against. That we will do in due time, but now I must get you back to the Black Cathedral for that... and other reasons..." he says as Renik lists his questions. Hobbes stands and turns to him and without batting an eye, says, "Because the door was fixed to bring us here. We are in the Scar. It's still there, but perhaps taken or covered. It was obviously rigged to send us here. Maybe. Obviously one of the people who knows we were going. That's a good guess. To stop us from achieving our goal. Because he fears we may be on the right track to destroy his plans. Same reason, and we ask questions... lots and lots of questions."

He sighs loudly, a surprisingly troubled look on his face despite his cool, together oration, "And the first question is what has she done with my horse..."

Ferrak -15hps Darkfang at full hps.  d8+1=6 d8+1=7
Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 10:11:09 PM

Exhausted, Ferrak heaves a sigh of relief when it's all over. With a thwip, the flaming blade disappears from his hand. Retrieving his shield and spear, Ferrak goes over to see if the disguised Bill is all right.

Surprised, when the formidible halfing offers up the wand to him, Ferrak can't help but be impressed by Bill's indomitable spirit, valiant courage, and his simple generous good will.

Sensing that the balance of his aura is more than just a little bit off center, Ferrak is concerned for Bill. Aware however, that his healing magic would be of no help to his friend, Ferrak accepts the wand humbly, after using it on Bill again, the feral gnome does what he can for the others. (+6 more points for Bill.)

Touching Darkfang with the wand, Ferrak is so glad to see his brother alive a tear wells up in his eye. (Darkfang is now at 22hps, his max 15+7)

(Could everyone post the damage that they've taken again, so that the healers can heal?)

Turning to the newcomers, Ferrak says simply, "The pack grows stronggerrr, welcome."

Draax  d20+1=17
Wednesday April 3rd, 2002 10:32:07 PM

After destroying skelly #6, Draax smiles while watching Darkfang rip #7 apart. The smile is quickly wiped from his face as he observes the spectre's transformation. He gets butterflies in his stomach from hearing Marteaus' voice and cringes as the eye beam strikes Bill. After the creature leaves, Draax wonders what's Marteaus' beef with Bill and what did he mean by the words 'reward for your cleverness, lowly one.' Draax dismisses the words as more of the darklord's showing off.

He looks skeptically at Feng, not sure exactly who he is or where he came from. As he hears the half-orc speak, Draax remembers the voice that called for the destruction of the skeletons and relaxes a little. He feels a little more relaxed as the hat of disguise is removed and the majority of his doubts vanishes at the presentation of the ring.

While listening to everyone talk, Draax helps Renik with the search of the bodies and the collection of anything that could be a clue or valuable (search 17).

Renik (8 HP Damage from 32) 
Thursday April 4th, 2002 7:08:52 AM

Renik gingerly prods at his sore, slightly bleeding ears.

Aftermath (DM Donna) 
Thursday April 4th, 2002 8:14:11 AM

Rond now has the time to ponder why there was no response on his coin the last time he used it. K'isst gets the grim satisfaction of having landed a last blow before the spectre had faded away.

Bill isn't feeling at all well--his suggestion about seeking higher-level cleric help is a very logical one.

Feng's introduction and the procurement of the telltale signet ring confirm that the half-orc is, indeed, one of the good guys.

Ferrak's use of the healing magic gets applied to Darkfang and Renik's bleeding ears.

And the search of the immediate area turns up several interesting things:

On the body of the blackguard (Feng identifies him as "Kalabak"), there is a letter with the seal of the temple of the Dark Lord. The letter is a commission by Prelate Marshall for Kalabak and any mercenaries he employs to "use whatever methods necessary to lure the enemies of the Dark Lord to their doom." The letter promises a great deal of gold when the mission is accomplished.

The items recovered from the six bodies that are left behind: three suits of plate mail (human-sized), two maces, a longsword, 2 small metal shields, a greataxe, six daggers, a pearl, a ring and that wand that Bill found.

Renik's sharp eyes find a single, gold metallic sphere (the size of a large marble) over by where the opponent formerly known as "S" blew himself up with his own Fireball.

Renik (2 HP damage)  d20+2=10
Thursday April 4th, 2002 8:47:55 AM

Thanking Ferrak Renik studies their haul.

"Hmm, I'm sure Marcus will be interested in this letter!"

"Well, at least we should be able to make some coin from this lot. Can someone check to see if any of this stuff is magical, and what it does?"

Once they have an idea of what they have Renik continues; "Anyone want to help me cart the stuff we don't need over to the Catacombs?"

He thinks on a couple of moments and then says "HEY! We can disguise ourselves, right? The Prelate won't know who the mercenaries are; why doesn't one of us play the part of Kalabak, and the rest of us the Mercs? Of course that blasted dwarf did escape, so it might be risky... but if he was a mercenary he might not know the Prelate? If we pulled it off we could infiltrate the enemy organisation, and make plenty of gold into the bargain! Oh, wait, didn't another one escape before the dwarf? Hmm, maybe it is too risky."

He examines the gold sphere carefully (Appraise 10) but can't tell precisely what it is or how it works. "Anyone know what these little things do?"

Borgo (Bill) 
Thursday April 4th, 2002 11:01:45 AM

"I thank you all, for your valiant effort, and resourceful thinking. And for helping each other - and me - under dire straits," Borgo tells his friends.

"I think that gold sphere releases a fireball when thrown, Renik," Bill answers. "At least, that's what the other ones seemed to do."

"Arien - there's something I was meaning to give you. Here," he says, handing him a scroll organizer. Inside are five arcane scrolls: Bull's strength, cat's grace, protection from arrows, resist elements, and rope trick.

He communicates telepathically with William, asking him to suggest the following telepathically with the others, so that any unseen listening ears will not hear. 'Let us go, as Hobbes suggested, first to the Black Cathedral - it's just a couple hundred yards away - then perhaps to the Catacombs. Any word from Marcus?'

Arien 
Thursday April 4th, 2002 11:32:23 AM

"Thank you Bill, this will come in most handy. Renik, I hate to tell you this but the Dwarf wasn't the only one to escape, one of the ambushers disappeared completely from the field, likely some kind of teleport spell. Anyway from the tone of that letter and considering the dreams I suspect it went something like this. We were sent those dreams to lure us to an ambush, now Hobbes was likely sent a dream by Gargul, who likely has a healthy interest in seeing Marteaus fall, to warn us that the dream was false. So it seems likely to me that there is no way for us to drain his power that way. I would like to say that good always wins because evil is stupid but Marteaus was a step ahead of us here, I say we hurt him, anyway we can. Anyway let me see what I can find out about this little collection we have here."

Arien walks over to the pile of loot and casts Detect Magic. He studies the pile a bit to make sure he catches even the smallest aura.

William the Psi Gem 
Thursday April 4th, 2002 11:35:42 AM

"As you wish it, mighty Bill!" salutes (inasmuch as a gem can salute) William. Telepathically he communicates with the party; "Noble heroes! Companions of the Great and Powerful Bill Troublefinder! Hear His decree!" And he recounts Bill's message.

Feng 
Thursday April 4th, 2002 12:17:32 PM

Impersonating them is too risky. These guys are smart. The cleric responsible for this ambush designed one hell of a trap. "It's a testament to all of you that everybody survived. I wasn't discovered because who looks at a half orc that can't get his own name right half the time." Feng stops and thinks for a moment. "Unless I was discovered and everything that happened here was a distraction for something else. I think we need to collect what's going and get to a temple. Perhaps we can trade this gear for that greater restoration spell that Bill needs."

K'isst 
Thursday April 4th, 2002 12:31:42 PM

"Do not dismiss Renik's idea so quickly. If we could pull it off, we could attack from the inside and shut down this temple.

"However, I have a question. Was the whole thing with the machine and our friends still being alive with the machine true, or part of the setup? If it is true, then we need to find them and do that first.

"Also, that was not Marteaus. You all saw him in the Arena. No way we could even scratch a God. Powerful? Yes, but he was not a god.

"I could use some healing, I am moderately wounded. It can wait if necessary.

"Bill, I will go with you to a temple to see if they can help ya."

Ferrak  d8+1=6 d8+1=6 d20+7=27
Thursday April 4th, 2002 9:40:51 PM

"My brrother had a taste of one of them. His scent should be clearrr. If he comes close, we will know it."

Taking his bloodied spear over to Darkfang the feral gnome says, growling in Lupine, 'This is the Dwarf's blood. He may still be alive brother, so mark him for the hunt.'

Studying the pack for wounds (Heal+7=27), Ferrak sees that it is the newest members, most in need of healing magic. Going up to the priest, and the paladin, Ferrak touches them both with the wand. (+6 Each)

Pointing to their remaining wounds, Ferrak says, "Lick them, and keep them clean."

Darkfang  d20+4=19
Thursday April 4th, 2002 11:06:55 PM

Darkfang wags his tail as Ferrak administers the healing. "Woof, woof." 'Feel better big brother.' The wolf goes over to the remains of skeleton #7 and with his hind legs shoves dirt onto the bones. Coming back over to his brother the wolf barks, 'Bone man taste bad, no meat on the bones, don't want to eat.' Darkfang stretches and then shakes his fur before looking over at his brother again.

Darkfang takes in the scent from the spear and begins to sniff around the area trying to locate the scent (tracking 19).

Draax 
Thursday April 4th, 2002 11:23:56 PM

Draax looks at Renik with the gold sphere. "Please do not drop that, the last one almost blew me apart."

Draax follows Darkfang with his eyes wondering if the dog could track someone invisible by their smell.

To the rest of the group he says, "I agree with, uh Feng is it? Just call me Draax. Like I was saying I don't think the impersonation scheme will work as long as the two that got away is out there. And if Marteaus did somehow take control of that creature, he will be preparing for us or at least have those fools that follow him waiting for us. And like Hobbes said, I do not think that we are finished with the gate yet. We should report this incident to our sponsor and see what he has to say on the subject. Also, his connections may be able to help Bill regain what he has lost or at least guide us to someone who can if the temple cannot."

Draax stops talking for a second and then says, "Do any of you think that someone could eavesdrop on the conversations over the coins? It would explain how they knew we were coming. The dark one is suppose to have the power of a god."

Rond (56 points down) 
Thursday April 4th, 2002 11:57:32 PM

Not wanting to think at all about what happened. Rond comments, "Our employer has been unresponsive to this point. I wonder if we're being blocked somehow.

"I agree that Renik's plan has some merit to it. But for now I say we go to the Black Cathedral and make sure everyone is up to snuff. Then we can try to figure out which of the dreams is real, and what that really means. Then if it looks like we might want to execute Renik's plan, then we'll do it."

Feng 
Friday April 5th, 2002 12:14:17 AM

Feng walks over to Rond and lays his hands on him. [+18hp from Lay on Hands]

Hobbes (Fly, 25 hp damage taken)  2d8(5+8)+6=19 d20+6=9
Friday April 5th, 2002 4:27:05 AM

Hobbes is very quiet now, his face morose, as he looks around at the group. He immediately flies over to Rond and lays a hand on his brow, clutching his silver eye and utters, "Trck'se marm gak zortan" and nods to his new leader. [Cure Moderate Wounds 19 hp]

He then quietly looks around the area where the blasphemers originated looking for tracks to determine a point of origin. [Track Feat Wilderness Lore Check 9]

Not finding anything useful in this combat-ridden area, he flies high up into the air about 100 feet and looks around for the Temple of Gargul.

"The Cathedral should be right over these houses," he thinks, trying to push other unpleasant thoughts out of his head, "One would have thought we would have already seen its dark bell tower looming over us."

Hobbes  d20+5=21
Friday April 5th, 2002 4:31:32 AM

[Spot check to see the temple (and anything else of interested) -- 21]

The Cavalry Arrives...a little late (DM Donna) 
Friday April 5th, 2002 7:40:32 AM

The voice the super-spectre spoke with was recognizable as sounding identical to the one Marteus spoke with in the Golden Arena, when he killed Domi. However, in the same vein, while the voice sounded the same, there was some indefinable spiritual quality lacking in it that makes everyone fairly sure that the super-spectre was NOT the evil god... only an intimidating stand-in, if you would.

More and more clues pile up in favor of the fact that the dreams that Arien and Marcus had were blatant falsehoods--bait to lure the Hamleteers to their doom. (Something else to "thank" the Dark Lord's followers for the next time the party gets a chance!)

Arien's Detect Magic spell causes the following items in the pile of stuff to glow: one of the maces, the longsword, the greataxe, the pearl, the ring, the wand--and the golden metallic sphere that Renik is eyeing with great interest.

Hobbe's rise above the rest of the party affords him a bird's eye view of something not usually seen in the streets of the Nightmare Quarter of Plateau City: a couple dozen brothers and sister of the Eye quickly hustling towards the party's location within the Scar--being led by Morphia, who is riding Hobbes's horse!

"Brother, brother, we are here!" Morphia calls as she gallops up to the site of former battle and stops, looking around. "Brother Hobbes?" The young priestess slumps slightly in disappointment. "We're... too late..?"

Renik 
Friday April 5th, 2002 11:14:36 AM

Eying the mound of magical loot with some satisfaction Renik says, "Hmm, seems we have quite a haul. We should get this stuff analysed, see what we can use, then sell the rest.

"Now, if Darkfang has the scent of this escaped dwarf, would it not be useful for him to track him back to his lair with Ferrak in tow in his canine disguise? No-one is going to worry about a couple of hounds, and we may locate a useful source of information in the process. Just a thought."

Borgo the dwarf (Bill the halfling) 
Friday April 5th, 2002 11:22:42 AM

"Welcome, Morphia, and company," Borgo says as they ride up. He points up in the sky toward brother Hobbes.

"He is not lost. And not too late are ye. Rather, just in time to help us take away the corpses of these wretched minions of the so-called Dark Lord from this desecrated place." As he speaks, his voice has little inflection, and little energy, which was not the case when Morphia first met the group only a few minutes ago near the butcher's shop. "I would that they be rendered so as to make it ... difficult to be material for the undead. As thou didst divine, good Morphia, a trap was laid. Bless the righteous gods, we were equal to their foul challenge - though I am now, perhaps, less equal than before. How camest thou to know where we were?"

K'isst  d20+8=20
Friday April 5th, 2002 12:49:16 PM

K'isst begins looking for wood with which to burn the bodies of the slain. She begins to looks a bit frustrated as she always does when people sit and talk instead of acting.

Impulsive to the end, she says, "I'll burn. Need wood." (20 on search check for wood.)

Kiki 
Friday April 5th, 2002 9:09:56 PM

Twitching her nose, Kiki slinks up to the golden globe. {Pretty, pretty, pretty.} Pawing it she looks around to make sure no one else is after it.

Ferrak (Sorry Todd, that was some damage, and Carl, Kiki must be climbing on Renik.) 
Friday April 5th, 2002 9:23:48 PM

Nodding towards Renik, Ferrak pulls out his hated collar. With a sigh, he slips it on, and then puts the other one on Darkfang, trying to shield the change somewhere behind Draax so that the priests don't take too much notice. Ferrak says to the savvy rogue, "If he left this place through magic, Darkfang will not be able to follow. But he won't be able to ambush us again."

Sitting with his brother licking his wounds, Ferrak waits for the others to decide what to do.

Feng 
Friday April 5th, 2002 11:08:14 PM

As help arrived, Feng stood back in silence. He didn't know how he fit into things anymore. His cover was blown. What would Marcus want him to do now? Feng's thoughts drifted to Degg. A mighty warhorse and his one true friend. Maybe now he won't have to hide.

Hobbes (Fly, 25 hp damage taken) 
Saturday April 6th, 2002 5:06:40 PM

The sight of many black-robed men and women bustling through the streets of the Scar catches Hobbes' eye. "Are those priests?" he thinks frantically, "Yes! they are! And that looks like..." Without finishing the thought he streaks down out of the sky as Morphia looks around for him.

He lands next to Bradbury, his horse, so filled with relief to know that he had been mistaken; his horse had not indeed fallen in with the wrong crowd. He pats the beast on the side. "You've missed all the fun, old boy," he says, "We could have used you here." He strokes the muzzle of Bradbury, all the while making note of what Morphia and the priests are doing.

"Strange that we keep meeting like this, Morphia," Hobbes says still keeping his eyes on his horse, "Two times we seek your temple and two times you arrive before we even start off. Odd that, wouldn't you say?"

He glances over to Rond trying to give him a quick, "I'm not so sure about this" look.

Arien 
Sunday April 7th, 2002 7:47:20 AM

While the spell was still in effect Arien separates the magical from the mundane. He distracts Kiki from the sphere with a copper coin that he skips on his knuckles, causing it to reflect the light. With his other hand he snakes away the sphere and hands it to whoever is closest. That done he shows the rest of the pile to the group and says, "Well friends this, and that golden sphere there, all register as magical. Sadly that's about as much as I can tell you. My studies didn't include the spell for identifying magical items. So I suggest someone makes a trip to get these identified. I'm guessing that the Catacombs would be the best place as we could also sell the rest of this stuff at the same time. Then after we find out what we have here we all meet up at the hideout and divvy it up, then we try to figure out what to do next."

Draax 
Sunday April 7th, 2002 5:34:37 PM

Draax looks up at the arrival of the priestess and wonders to himself about the timing of her arrival. It could be a coincidence, but there have not been many coincidences since their first meeting with the darklord.

Noticing Ferrak's and Darkfang's transformations, Draax positions himself to cover them from the eyes of the new arrivals.

Agreeing with Arien's suggestion, Draax helps pack up the items to make it easier for Renik to transport. Looking over at Feng the half-elf wonders what the paladin is going to do now. There is more than enough room at their residence, but noticing the size of the half-orc he wonders if there is enough food.

Morphia Tells All (DM Donna) 
Monday April 8th, 2002 6:44:47 AM

Darkfang--after carefully sniffing about--lets Ferrak know that the dwarf must have used magic to escape, because his scent (like that of the foul assassin) simply disappears from the area instead of trailing off in any particular direction.

Kiki almost succeeds in wresting the gold sparkly from Renik, but Arien's clever distraction rescues the sphere from becoming the ferret's latest acquisition, and Renik gets the metallic ball back. Bringing the captured items to the Catacombs sounds like a very logical option.

K'isst quickly finds and gathers plenty of wood. Since there is now a surplus of clerics to aid her, soon there is a prodigious amount piled together, and the impromptu funeral pyre is quickly underway.

"My brother," Morphia turns to Hobbes, "I'm glad to see that you and your comrades haven't been dispatched to the Hall of Judgement before your time..." She glances Borgo's way before continuing: "...I was struck by an urge to join the lot of you right after the last of your number stepped through the gateway...so I rushed into the butcher shop, got some bones and broke one--but the gate didn't activate. That's when I knew that...somehow...I had been tricked--and that I was responsible for tricking all of you into some kind of trap. I hastened to the temple, where I confessed all to the senior cleric on duty..."

"That would be me." a somber, middle-aged man greets the Hamleteers. "I am Jonno Virdune. Morphia told me what happened and I bid her to gather together those of our brethren you see here, while I cast a divination spell to locate where Brother Hobbes was now located. Once we realized that your group was still within Plateau City, we all came here as quickly as possible to help you...but it seems that you had your situation well in hand."

"I should have realized that the passage about the smith's favorite sound was false--" Morphia says bitterly, "--I thought something was odd about it! I nearly got you all killed." It's obvious that the young female feels very guilty about this.

Casanova Renik  d20+2=21
Monday April 8th, 2002 7:41:58 AM

"Fear not, sweet Moria," smiles the charming rogue (Seduction (Bluff) check of 21). "You were not to know, as we were not. And nobody was killed (apart from these Marteaus-worshipping scum) so there is nothing for you to worry about. All we need do is cure our wounded, restore Bill to his prior vigour (and here I am sure your temple may be of some assistance, seeing as it is in a way partly responsible, and shares with us our aims in this good fight), and identify this booty, and we will be no worse off than when we started. Indeed, far better off, for we have been afforded the opportunity to meet, and for that I feel singularly blessed."

He takes her hand, offers a polite bow, and brushes her fingers with his lips, his eyes never breaking contact with hers. The old shmooze merchant is at it again.

Rond (19 points down) 
Monday April 8th, 2002 9:15:06 AM

With merriment in his eyes for what Renik has attempted, Rond also addresses Morphia, "Do not fear for your mistake." As Rond shows more compassion and understanding, and loses the merriment in his eyes he continues to talk Morphia. "Most of us here have made relatively grave mistakes before. We've survived them as we have this latest one. Now you must learn how to grow from this. You did good with your research and at least gave us a direction to go. We know that Marteaus considers us some kind of threat to him, because he set this trap up. Now we must use our time to find out why we are considered so dangerous. So you have a new knowledge, and possibly a new task." Rond looks to the senior cleric with a question on his face. "Because there must be something that we can do, which will thwart or turn Marteaus' plans. As our good man here pointed out." acknowledging Renik, "We must now regroup and assess what our next move is. Let us hope that Marteaus' pack is licking its wounds more than we are."

William the Psicrystal 
Monday April 8th, 2002 9:55:42 AM

"Mighty Bill," urges the tiny crystal in words only the halfling can hear, "tell me the bleatings of your erstwhile worthy companions will not sway you now? What need have the like of we for healing and resting and similar timid pastimes? Are these the requisites of heroes? Of such valiant warriors as we? I say thee nay! nay! Thrice nay!

Come, Wondrous Bill, let us strike now, while the iron is hot, let us brave the enemy's lair and slay him where he stands! Heed not the words of these milksops, with their talk of feather beds and soothing hands and financial renumeration! A pox on their base and craven desires! We do not need them, Prodigious Bill! We shall triumph together, if these popinjays have not the stomach for the fight! Onwards Great Bill, to Victory!"


The little gem is so excited he begins to bounce up and down in Bill's waistcoat pocket, causing the halfling to look as if something is trying to burst out of his chest.

Feng (12 hp dmg) 
Monday April 8th, 2002 11:54:58 AM

Feng slowly walks around to the side of the priests. The timing of their arrival makes him wonder. "Excuse me. Perhaps you know of a priest that can help Bill. He suffered the grievous touch of the undead, twice. Returning his strength should be a top priority."

Borgo/Bill (no one believes he is a dwarf, I guess) 
Monday April 8th, 2002 12:48:32 PM

Borgo nods in acknowledgement of Morphia's allusion to what he whispered to her before entering the gate. He holds no ill-will toward her whatsoever, believing fully what she tells the party. He concurs with Rond's words to Morphia.

"Jonno Virdune, well met, and thy brethren. Thou mayest call me Borgo - or Bill, since my friends cannot seem to make up their minds how they will refer to me," he says with the hint of a twinkle in his now bloodshot eyes.

He looks at the ground as Renik and Feng speak up on his behalf, grateful for their words of support, yet somewhat embarrassed nonetheless.

As William urges him to action, Bill responds thus: "William, nothing would please me more. Would that I had the power to do exactly as you say." Bill extracts his psicrystal from his waistcoat, and holds him in the palm of his hand for a few moment. "But a warrior armed with bravura, and no knowledge, dies quickly, and fails to harm the enemy. Friend, the spectre has robbed me of stamina," Bill communicates telepathically with his psicrystal. "He has robbed me of powers. No longer can I detect psionics and magic. No longer use the power of my mind to heal the wounds I receive. No longer disappear from the sight of others for tactical surprise. No longer can I fly. No longer can I attack numbers of our enemies with a cone of sound. And you, good William, will not be able to communicate with others, to relay our thoughts and plans.

"Friend, a wise hero cannot simply run into the enemy's lair, screaming and waving his sword. First, he must find out where the enemy's lair is. And he must know whether the sword is the most effective weapon against that enemy.

"Finding out what the magic items are will help us strike harder against our enemies. Seeing if the effects of the spectre's hand can be reversed will make both you and me more powerful. I am not seeking a holiday, brave William. I am seeking renewed power so as better to thwart the nefarious plans of the enemy, the followers of Marteaus, and even the Dark Lord himself. You see, a hero fights with his sword, and his wits, and with what resources he can garner. It is, to my mind, a hero's job to prepare intelligently for a confrontation, so that he is armed with more than bravery, essential though that is, for the encounter. You want us to win, do you not, my stalwart friend? You know I will not shirk to fight. We have just won a great battle, thanks in part to your help. Let us rejoice in our victory, and prepare for the next."


K'isst 
Monday April 8th, 2002 1:16:42 PM

"So does that gateway normally go to another location, or was that it?" K'isst asks. "Do our two friends who took the machine to be destroyed, still live or were we lied to? We must know this and know whether this whole thing was a sidetrack or a dead end.

"I think it was a sidetrack. If they wanted to kill us, they'd have tried harder. This seemed more of a 'feel them out' and 'distract' kind of thing.

"What say you Rond? Morphia? Others?" she prompts.

Hobbes (25 damage taken, Fly) 
Monday April 8th, 2002 3:58:31 PM

Hobbes stares into his horse's eyes almost as if he were apologizing to it telepathically. Then he heavily sighs, not from grief, but nearly from exhaustion as the depth of his wounds is indeed taking their toll.

He turns to the elder gentleman and kneels before him. "All are safe, master," he speaks bowing his head, "We thank you for your assistance and guidance. But our quest evades us. While I knew the dream of my companions was false, I cannot abandon the notion that the evils within that land done to those that were in my dream... must be stopped and their souls freed from the torture of Marteus. We must get the gate to work properly!"

Hobbes looks up at the elder gentleman observing the folded wrinkles on his forehead and stern brow, "But first, sir, I would deem it a great request if you were to take the taint from my companion, the good dwarf here. An evil force has indeed sucked some of his life away, and in exchange for healing him of this malady I would gladly donate all of my share of anything we should find on our quest as payment."

Hobbes listens to the advice and response then given by Jonno and then straightens up, then wonders aloud, "So how does the gate work, then? We know that it does indeed do SOMETHING since there were people who crossed it that have received curses or have died. Unless these too were plants of Marteus. But in that case, Morphia," he says as he gives a sidelong glance to her, "if she were of any skill, should have known they were ruses."

Darkfang 
Monday April 8th, 2002 6:13:29 PM

Unable to locate the scent of the dwarf, the disguised Darkfang walks over to the new-comings and if allowed he will begins to sniff each one taking in their scents. After familiarizing himself with Morphia's crew, Darkfang will move over to Draax, sit next to him and place his head under the half-elf's hand. "Woof' {scratch please}" After his itch is satisfied Darkfang returns to his brother's side.

Draax (18 dmg taken) 
Monday April 8th, 2002 6:21:30 PM

As Renik begins to sweet talks the priestess, Draax rolls his eyes and turns his head away to hide his smile. Looking around at his friends he see that most are still hurt. He turns to Morphia, "Like my comrades said, you are not to blame, we knew the risks and jumped through the gate willingly and although I would not state it as a victory," he says looking at Bill, "we did survive. It was a hard fight and some of us are still a little hurt. Could you and your friends lend us some healing?"

Draax looks over at K'isst and thinks that he would hate to experience what she would consider trying harder to kill them. "I agree K'isst, there has to be more to the gate than bringing us here."

To Feng he says, "Feng did they give you any hint as to how they knew we would appear in this spot and at the time that we did?"

Feeling something furry on his hand, Draax looks down to see Darkfang looking up at him expectedly. Not knowing what is expected of him Draax begins to rub the wolf's head and then realizes that he guessed right as Darkfang moves his head to ensure the half-elf gets the right spots.

Arien 
Tuesday April 9th, 2002 2:26:39 AM

Except for a slight ringing in his ears and a headache, both of which were acquired from the sonic attacks at the beginning of the fight, Arien had managed to stay pretty much out of the way. Just the way he liked it. After tucking Kiki away in his pack he turns to the conversation and interjects, "I'm sure that all the tales and explanations will be forth coming but might I suggest that we do this somewhere else? We have wounds in need of healing, vitality in need of restoration, loot to be identified and distibuted. Then there is the fact that this is tainted ground, not exactly a good place to talk about everything in the first place. I say we take care ourselves and then discuss all this."

Ferrak (15 dmg taken)  d20+50=67
Tuesday April 9th, 2002 6:29:43 AM

Ferrak chews on the broken bone, glad to have the snack now that they won't be needing it to get back.

"Woof." he says as he scratches a flea.

{We should go back and get more bones, eh brother.}

The flea jumps off of Ferrak and hops over to Darkfang. Leaping viciously at the wolf it attempts to feed. (Attack +50 = 67 for 0.01 dmg)

Kiki 
Tuesday April 9th, 2002 6:31:57 AM

Despite squeeking a minor protest at being put into the pocket again, Kiki soon settles down for a nap.

Walk This Way (DM Donna)  d20+3=15
Tuesday April 9th, 2002 6:45:02 AM

Jonno Virdune nods in Draax's direction.

"You have the way of it, sir," the cleric says firmly, "Come to the Black Temple, we will heal those who need healing and restore those who need restoration...and endeavor to answer the questions asked here."

Morphia--her cheeks pink at the attention Renik has so gallantly paid her--opts to walk to the temple, relinquishing Hobbes's horse to him.

Once the party is at the Black Temple, they are brought to the office of Virdune, where those who are still injured find themselves on the receiving end of various Cure spells until they are completely healed. Then the extraneous clerics hustle Bill/Borgo away to cast their restorative magicks on him.

Virdune looks over the records and tomes that Morphia got her information from, a scowl darkening his face.

"It's not Morphia's fault that she was misinformed." he tells the party. "She has been assigned here for only four months. The head archivist of the temple had been so for almost thirteen years, but left our fold at the time of Domi's death. He had chosen the faith of the Dark Lord over that of Gargul. I can see that these records have been tampered with, and I do not doubt that he did so before leaving the premises."

"But--but that's tatamount to...heresy!" Morphia gasps, her pale face even more ashen.

"Yes, child, and that's why we here at the Black Temple do NOT worship Marteaus," Virdune replies, "For the Dark Lord would corrupt even historical records to further his purpose. I think, however, that the information of how to truly operate that gate is within the vaults, still--once I realized that the head archivist was one of the Bloody Eye, I had him escorted off the property. I doubt he had time to destroy any records...only to hide them away."

"I'm going to go over all the writings in the archives!" Morphia declares, leaping to her feet. "I'm going to find the real records!" The acolyte practically runs out of the room, having to swing wide to avoid the return of two of her fellow clerics and Borgo/Bill. The clerics whisper to Virdune, who looks VERY disturbed and glances over at Bill, then dismisses the pair of younger priests.

"Sir...you have apparently invoked the displeasure of the Dark Lord himself," Virdune tells the disguised halfling, "For your current state has resisted restoration by our highest-ranking cleric currently on the grounds. We have been able to restore to you only some of what that abomination at the ruins drained from you. Those assistants have just informed me that the divinations cast show that only time and further experience will now restore what that horrible creature took from you. I...am sorry, truly sorry...but there is nothing more the Temple can do for you."

A knock sounds on the door and another female cleric comes hurrying in, handing Virdune several sheets of paper. The older cleric reads them quickly, his displeased scowl sinking deeper into his features. He picks up a nearby quill, scribbles a few notes and/or signs a paper or two and then hands the papers back to the young woman, who hurries away with the barest of acknowledging nods to the rest of the people in the room.

"The Temple is being inundated with refugees from the latest incursions of the Dark Lord upon our neighboring countryside," Virdune announces as he gets to his feet, "So if there are any more questions you have of me, personally, ask them now, before I join my brethren in caring for the injured."

Renik 
Tuesday April 9th, 2002 10:50:31 AM

At K'isst's words Renik thinks deeply. "Aye, it is certainly possible... but for what purpose?" He is soon far too preoccupied flirting with Morphia en route to the Temple to give it much more mind.

When the young priestess of Gargul goes to carry out her research Renik watches Morphia go with a smile and a wave, then pays attention to Virdune. When the Priest explains that Bill has been permanently drained by the Dark Lord Renik places one hand on the halfling/ dwarf's shoulder in sympathy. "My friend, we will avenge this wrong, and many others the Dark Lord has perpetrated. Now more than ever we must find the way to Koshe-Marr, and follow the true dream that Brother Hobbes experienced."

He turns to the party leader and whispers "Did you have any success in contacting, um, our benefactor? It is most disturbing that our means of communication was blocked earlier... is it still so? If it is perhaps our first priority should be to determine that no harm has befallen our mentor."

He suddenly has a thought. "K'isst, you thought perhaps the attack was a diversion; could it be the true blow was struck elsewhere? That whilst we, the body, were distracted the 'head' was being attacked?"

K'isst 
Tuesday April 9th, 2002 11:40:40 AM

"Hmm...perhaps our friends were about to fail or succeed in their venture with the machine and our arrival at that time would have blown things," K'isst muses. "If so, we must try to find them quickly.

"I can't read, but those who can might do some research on gates and what opens them and what subverts their true destinations. If that gate goes elsewhere, we need to get to elsewhere and fast. For the forces of Marteaus didn't want us there. That reason alone is enough to want to be there and soon."

Bill Troublefinder  d20+18=36 d20+18=28
Tuesday April 9th, 2002 12:39:51 PM

Once in the temple, and before the clerics begin any of their work, Bill removes his disguise, and reveals himself as himself, the halfling. "Sorry, good folk. My disguise was not intended to deceive you, but rather to throw off our opponents." He laughs mirthlessly. "Not that it had that effect at all." Then, perking up a bit, he tells them, "I am Bill, Bill Troublefinder, at your service."

As they work on overcoming the work of the spectre, he submits himself willingly to their ministrations, but observes closely all that they do and say [Autohypnosis 36]. He gets the names of as many of the priests and priestesses as he can, and learns their faces [Autohypnosis 28].

As he reads the puzzlement and concern on the faces of the priests, he asks if there is anything he can do to help. Of course, what could he do?

He takes the words of Virdune gravely. "Yes. I perceived that the second attack was of a different sort - it had a different feeling - than when the, the thing first grasped my throat."

He offers them all his heartfelt gratitude at what they were able to accomplish. "What would be an appropriate offering for your help?" he quietly asks Virdune. He asks the group of them, "Are you aware of anything that can serve as a defense against the sort of attack that I suffered?"

His ears perk up at the mention of the temple's keeping of historical records. "I know that we do not have the leisure for reading at this time, but, should the opportunity present itself - I love to learn about history." He pauses, then adds, gravely, "It looks like we are in the middle of more history in the making. I pray that we - all the forces arrayed against Marteaus - survive to write that history."

Feng 
Tuesday April 9th, 2002 4:48:06 PM

Feng is at ease within the temple. He serves all gods, Gargul included. "The man who employed the Sons of Dread was Prelate Marshall. I don't know if the ambush was geared toward you specifically. They were there to ambush anybody who responded to a magically telegraphed dream message. Kalabak and the others were very concerned with one individual. A Halfling, gnome, or dwarf that could stomp the ground and knock people over. I was never privy to the why's of the ambush."

Bill Troublefinder 
Tuesday April 9th, 2002 8:47:00 PM

Bill laughs at Feng's revelation. "Okay, next time I'll have to try a different disguise. I am that halfling, gnome or dwarf. Feng, I am glad you joined us in the battle. Since our mutual friend asked for your help on our behalf - I hope you'll consider working with us on a longer term basis." He turns his head and asks, "Think I could do a convincing ogre, Arien?"

Darkfang 
Tuesday April 9th, 2002 9:52:06 PM

Darkfang mouths drools as his brother mentions getting more bones. "Woof {Yes we should get more bones}" The wolf says as he eyes the bone that Ferrak is chewing.

Draax 
Tuesday April 9th, 2002 9:59:49 PM

Draax thanks the priests and priestesses for their healing and then listens to Virdune describe how the bad guys duped them. As both Virdune and Feng state the darklord's hatred for Bill, Draax remembers Marteaus' last words to Bill about his reward for his cleverness before shooting the eye beams at the halfling. He wonders whether he should be envious of Bill or feel sympathy for him. Draax is very curious about what the halfling did to get under the imitation god's skin, but not knowing how much the priest actually knows about their situation, he decides to wait until they are in their own home before asking.

Draax nods a thanks to Feng for his explanation.

Ferrak 
Tuesday April 9th, 2002 10:22:45 PM

Ferrak, passing one half of the broken bone to Darkfang, says drooling. 'Maybe, the next gate will open with the sound of eating a rabbit.'

Then, receiving the healing of the temple outside with the horses, Ferrak says to Darkfang, 'Let's sit outside and watch for hunters on our path. Keep your nose to the wind, brother.'

Arien 
Tuesday April 9th, 2002 10:48:46 PM

"I think you're a bit too smart Bill." Arien responds, "Could you stomp around and shout 'BILL GO SMASH' and keep a straight face? I know I couldn't if you did. You could try Kobold if you can stomach looking like them. I've read that they can use sorcery and most people that don't practice the craft likely wouldn't be able to tell the difference between Psionics and Sorcery. Then again they did seem to be looking specifically for you so I think you might as well just go as yourself. Since whatever Marteaus sends after us will likely be able to tell exactly what and who you are I don't think the disguise would really help."

Hobbes 
Wednesday April 10th, 2002 2:19:22 AM

Hobbes eyes Morphia as she dismounts and possessively grasps the reins of Bradbury's bridle and walks his horse slowly back to the temple. During the walk, his eyes drift from one comrade to another, which causes his head to raise ever so slightly each time as he realizes the quality of the company he has joined.

He quietly takes in the questions asked by them to the elder cleric and inwardly is relieved when at last he is healed by his fellow eyes and as well that his horse is now once again in the safe care of the cleric stables, a task for which he makes sure that the stablemaster on duty is legitimate.

The information passes freely as the company continues asking things of Jonna, but now Hobbes is more reflective and listening more. He raises an eyebrow indignantly as Renik continues to flirt with the priest and stands to say something but with all of the information flowing he is unable to get a word in. He is even more flustered when Morphia suddenly bursts out of the room speaking of finding the real sources of information. He looks around confused, then sharply back to Jonna after the door closes again.

"Sir!" he implores, "I didn't want to say anything earlier but I have reason to doubt the legitimacy of that acolyte. Twice now she has come upon us with information before we needed it and it was indeed her information that led us through. If what you say is true that the evil followers of Marteaus planted false information, it stands to reason that they would also plant a plausible source to deliver said information!"

"That girl!" he says pointing fiercely at the door, "has only been here four months. Do you have proof that her whereabouts before entering your service are good?"

He paces briskly back to the door. "I suspect more foul work. I could be wrong, but I have a bad feeling. She means to destroy the real information quickly and she knows where it is. I am going to follow her. I beg of you to dispatch a trusted guard to attend her and ensure she will not do what I suspect. I am going to follow as well. Please tell me where the vaults are."

Hobbes waits to receive the directions and then turns to the rest and says, "If any of you wish to join me please do, if you do not leave word with Jonno where you went and I will catch up. I must be sure of this before continuing."

With that, he pulls open the door and chases after Morphia.

Rond 
Wednesday April 10th, 2002 7:33:49 AM

As all gather back at the temple, Rond is relieved to see the party being treated so well. Once inside the temple he passes on, "We may need to send someone to talk to our employer. Our usual line of communication appears to be not working. So I am unsure as to how much he really knows."

Rond places his hand on Bill's shoulder when he gets a chance, when he hears of the wounds that Bill has taken.

Questions Answered (DM Donna) 
Wednesday April 10th, 2002 7:52:10 AM

Rond, distressingly enough, cannot get ANY answer on his magic coin, for all that it seems to be in working order.

Renik and K'isst's exchange cause Virdune to tug thoughtfully at his beard.

"Hmmm...you two could be correct--such diversionary tactics are well within the purview of those who serve the Bloody Eye." he admits, then nods when Feng's words seem to confirm the theory. "Misdirection through emotional appeal--you'd do well to check up on whomever...or whatever...you are referring." Bill's query returns the scowl to Virdune's face.

"Ahhh...the obvious answer would be: do NOT tick off a god." the cleric says in a show of irony. "However, it would be far better for you--and The Wold itself--if nobody had to ever contend with the Dark Lord at all..." Deep thinking furrows the brow of the patriarch as something apparently occurs to him. In fact, Jonno's reverie is so deep, that he misses Hobbes's demand and the younger cleric's hasty exit to try to discern Morphia's true motives for himself. Startled, Virdune urges the party to follow Hobbes.

"Go after him--find Morphia." he says. "When you find her--tell her that I said that your party is ready for the Journey to The Beginning. Now, go!"

Virdune practically pushes just about everyone out of the room. Darkfang can easily lead the party to wherever it is that Morphia and Hobbes have gone.

Renik 
Wednesday April 10th, 2002 9:26:12 AM

"So, can we contact Marcus now or not?" asks the rogue as they are jostled along the corridor in pursuit of Hobbes and Morphia.

K'isst 
Wednesday April 10th, 2002 12:26:21 PM

Whispering, "Bill we should make a donation for the healing you're receiving. I could use some healing whenever our good cleric can get around to it and can afford to use the spells. No hurry."

Frustrated that no one is taking her worries seriously, she decided, in her usual fashion to do something about it.

"I'll be back."

She literally runs to the Royal Library. "I need to hire someone that can read and find stuff."

Rond 
Wednesday April 10th, 2002 7:12:10 PM

Rond moves forward in order to join up with Morphia. He's intrigued by the lastest comment. Journey to the Beginning. Answering Renik as best he can, "We need to go see Oratai as soon as we get a chance. Things have been silent from there."

Darkfang  d20+4=21
Wednesday April 10th, 2002 10:15:05 PM

Darkfang takes the offered bone from his brother and begins to chew it happily. "Woof, Woof {hmm good. Rabbit will be good; we should hunt down a few rabbits and make good kills. Biped's world is making you soft and I was always a better hunter than you.}" The wolf smiles at his brother which looks exactly the same as if he scowled.

When asked to track Morphia, Darkfang looks for somewhere to place his bone and then decides to take it with him. The disguised wolf uses his nose to locate the priestess (Tracking 21).

Kiki 
Wednesday April 10th, 2002 10:19:19 PM

Jumping from Arien's pocket then hustling out the door Kiki pipes at Ferrak and Darkfang.
"Kee-Kee!"

Then hustling back as fast as she can, she jumps back onto Arien, then scrambles back into her pouch.

Bill Troublefinder 
Wednesday April 10th, 2002 10:34:57 PM

At the time Renik, and later Rond, expressed their concern and care for him, he thanked them, simply and sincerely. "Just think - I get to learn a bunch of stuff all over again. It's gotta be easier the second time." At Draax's curious stare, he just shrugged his shoulders, lifting his eyebrows in a 'darned if I know' expression.

He laughs at Arien's first comments, and appears to consider his suggestion regarding kobolds. "Hmmm - haven't learned kobold yet," he muses. And nods regarding the possible futility of further disguises.

At first part of Virdune's answer to his question, the halfling exhibits a wry smile. About to agree with the cleric, his reply is precluded by what Hobbes has to say.

As Hobbes heads out, Bill sends him a telepathic missive. 'Though deceived, I still doubt Morphia a willful deceiver, Hobbes.'

"I know, K'isst," Bill says quietly. "I asked them about what would be appropriate to offer, but they didn't say anything," he tells her, knowing he should offer something. "What do you mean you're not healed? I watched 'em cure you up when we first got here. Did it for everybody, just before they whisked me away. You look perfectly fine to me. Is it something we can't see?" Then he looks really worried. "Y-y-you didn't run into any undead, or anything, did y- I mean, did the same thing happen to you that happened to me, but you just never told anyone yet? Hey - where're ya goin', K'isst?" he asks as she moves to exit from the temple. "We're suppose to go see Morphia down here in the temple library!" If she does not heed him, he shrugs, and figures she will, as she told them, be back.

He too, ponders the meaning of the 'journey to the beginning.' Which beginning? What kind of journey?

Ferrak  d20+2=15 d20+4=10
Wednesday April 10th, 2002 10:37:18 PM

Sitting with his brother outside, Ferrak's day dream of hunting rabbits, is rudely interuppted by Kiki's squeeking.

"Is that a rabbit, brother???" with a dangerous gleam in his eye.

Dissapointed when he realizes it is a part of Arien's family, Ferrak follows Darkfang and Kiki, as they enter the building.

Seeing that Bill looks like Bill, Ferrak takes his, and his brother's collar off again.

Jumping on to Darkfang's back as he is busy tracking the priest, Ferrak keeps an eye, and an ear out for any signs of trouble. (Spot-15, Listen-10)

Draax 
Wednesday April 10th, 2002 10:43:10 PM

Draax listens to everyone's speeches and suggestions. He gets up from his seat to follow Hobbes as suggested by Virdune. He stops for a second when the priest asks them to deliver the coded message.

As he follows Darkfang to Hobbes and the priestess, Draax wonders what new direction he and his friends are being guided in without their knowledge.

Feng 
Wednesday April 10th, 2002 11:20:34 PM

Feng watches K'isst run out. He feels he should do the same. Whatever the journey to the beginning is, he needs Degg. He's already spent too much time away. "Rond, Borgo, everybody I shall return shortly. I would like to join your quest to bring down the dark lord. However I require my steed. He will be a great asset. I will return shortly." Feng runs out of the temple. As he crosses the threshold, Feng suddenly appears to be a thinner human male wearing a headband in peasant's clothes.

OOC: Feng will return as soon as he gets his mount. Notably faster on the return trip.

Hobbes  d20+6=16 d20+4=21
Thursday April 11th, 2002 1:19:30 AM

Hobbes dashes through the halls, knowing that he is slowed by his cumbersome attire. He shakes his head at his doubts about the girl and hopes that he is mistaken as Bill's words echo that sentiment in his head.

"I must pursue that as a side interest," he thinks, "Just how does that remarkable halfling accomplish this mind communication? Bill, can you hear my thoughts?"

He heads toward the temple library but asks passing clerics in the hall along the way where the temple archives/vaults are to make sure he is headed the right way. He also asks if the girl Morphia headed that way. He makes a mental note as to whether many of them do not know who the young cleric is and describes her briefly if need be. If for some reason, the girl did not go to the archives, Hobbes pursues her wherever that may be. Speed is the main concern.

[Track Check 16, Gather Information Check 21]

We're Following the Leader, the Leader, the Leader...(DM Donna) 
Thursday April 11th, 2002 6:28:46 AM

K'isst goes to the Royal Library, only to find it closed. A scrubwoman attending to the building points to the sign that K'isst cannot read, then amends her mistaken assumption by telling the half-elf that the personnel at the Library were pressed into emergency service in order to aid the local temples with the influx of refugees from the advance of Marteaus's invasion forces.

Feng returns to a safe house location that Marcus had given him, where he is further directed to the location of an import/export shop being run by a female gnome that he remembers as being an assistant to Marcus.

She introduces herself as Mekkina Sprocket and procures Feng's horse for him. The mount is safe and sound. However, she has new orders and information for the paladin, too:

1. Feng is to join up with the Hamleteers for the time being.

2. Plateau City has announced it is raising an army to send to the aid of Floating City (in spite of the Big Float's paranoid treatment of the fair Plateau City!) To this end, Baron Balentyne has been appointed as the Council's Official In Charge of Collecting Taxes...and--wouldn't you know--there is now a Militia Establishment Tax that all adult citizens of Plateau City are required to pay.

3. The urgent message from Valdor to all the heroes and adventurers of The Wold must take precedence--the Hamleteers should focus on trying to follow those instructions while Mekkina does her best to handle the tax collectors that are now combing the City for the taxes to finance the militia being raised to help Floating City.

Meanwhile, back at the Black Temple: Hobbes hurries along the corridors of the temple, easily recognizing that, yes, Morphia IS going to the archives. He finds her there just as she is pulling out a heavy, brass-bound tome from a shelf. Before he has time to say anything, however, Morphia speaks to him first.

"If you're here to help, I think you can try to search through the Cataclysm Collection over there..." she says, nodding in the direction of a rack that holds dozens--perhaps hundreds!--of scrolls and scroll tubes, "...however, if you can read Elven, maybe you could focus on thumbing through the Sylvan Tomes two racks over--"

At this point, the rest of the party arrives (with the exception of K'isst and Feng), and Morphia clearly looks confused.

"Are you all here to help me research..?" she asks, giving Ferrak and Darkfang a disbelieving look.

Renik (oh, not again)  d20+4=6
Thursday April 11th, 2002 7:13:16 AM

"Well, if help is needed, dear lady, I would be honoured to assist." Following her suggestions he pulls dusty tomes from shelves and leafs through them, searching for anything pertinent. However the lascivious rogue cannot prevent his wandering eyes from finding their way back, repeatedly, to Morphia, and consequently he is of little help in finding anything useful (Gather Info 6). Even in the face of dire emergency, it seems, Renik has a hard time controlling his amorous impulses.

K'isst 
Thursday April 11th, 2002 1:02:33 PM

K'isst returns frustrated.

Ferrak  d20+1=4
Thursday April 11th, 2002 8:01:23 PM

Ferrak tries to be helpful. Mainly by carrying books and holding things for Bill. But he is little help, despite being smarter than the average wolf.

(Attempt to use cooperation rules to give Bill a +2 on his check. =4 {needed a 10})

Darkfang 
Thursday April 11th, 2002 9:35:00 PM

Darkfang notices the look that the priestess gives him and his brother. He puts the bone down and barks at Farrek. "Woof, {She acts like she has never seen a bone before. You tell her to get her own, she cannot have mine.}" The wolf picks up his bone, moves away from the priestess, lays down and resumes chewing on his bone. He looks up a few time to ensure himself that she is not trying to get near his bone.

Draax 
Thursday April 11th, 2002 9:49:29 PM

Draax moves near the priestess, he hesitates for a second and then begins to talks. "Before I help with the research...uh..Virdune told us to tell you that we are ready for the Journey to The Beginning, whatever that means." The warrior waits, hoping the priestess will clarify the meaning of statement.

Feng 
Thursday April 11th, 2002 10:58:23 PM

Feng returns to the temple as fast as he can without drawing attention. He enters the temple and notices the others have moved on. He searches the temple hoping to find somebody.

Hobbes 
Friday April 12th, 2002 4:10:35 AM

Hobbes enter the library briskly and looks around for the young cleric. He finds her with a large tome and is about to object her actions, but is quieted by her recommendation. He wrinkles his face at the request and looks over to the racks of books and scrolls, but then recovers and peers back as her as she does, indeed, start searching through the tome.

He silently moves over to the rack keeping an eye on her. Soon the others start piling into the room and he lets the tumult of the entire group spilling in take over the situation and continues to watch her. When he is convinced that there are enough people to guard any questionable actions, he slips out of the room and seeks another cleric of the temple to determine if there is anyone on staff that can cast Know Alignment, Zone of Truth, and especially Detect Lie. If he does he lets them know that he might need to use their abilities briefly in a little while within the temple.
He then slips back to the archives area.

Arien  d20+6=16
Friday April 12th, 2002 7:22:19 AM

Arien decides that the best thing that he could do for the moment is to help Morphia looking through the library. Taking the shelves that the cleric had indicated to be in Slyvan, Arien browses through them looking for a book that might hold the key to this riddle. (Spot Check: 16)

Rond 
Friday April 12th, 2002 10:28:22 AM

Rond moves with the others to where Morphia is. When she asks about helping Rond re-iterates what the group was told about the Journey. After hearing the story, Rond comments that he has some other things to check in on before he can help out with the research.

Bill Troublefinder  d20+18=30 d20+18=31 d20+18=29 d20+18=24 d20+18=37 d20+18=22 d20+18=31 d20+18=30 d20+18=19 d20+18=23 d20+18=19
Friday April 12th, 2002 10:48:47 AM

Hobbes does not get any response from the halfling when he mentally attempts to asks if Bill can hear his thoughts.

Glad that Draax and Rond carried the message from Virdune to Morphia, he asks, "Yes, I was wondering what 'journey to the beginning' means. Which beginning? What kind of journey?" As he waits for her response, he looks at the Sylvan Tomes, first looking through the volumes to discover whether they contain indices or tables of contents. If so, he will use said tools to help narrow his search. If not, he begins quickly to skim through the volumes, beginning with the first. He does take the time to memorize the first page of the first volume [Autohypnosis 30], then additional passages as may seem pertinent. [Ten more Autohypnosis checks, of 31, 29, 24, 37, 22, 31, 30, 19, 23 & 19.] As his head fills with information, he finds it more difficult to concentrate on memorization after a while.

William the PsiCrystal 
Friday April 12th, 2002 11:01:08 AM

The Hamleteers all suddenly hear a tiny voice, sounding not entirely dissimilar to a miniature Bill, ringing inside their heads. "Hello, testing, testing, one two, one two..."

Inside Bill's waistcoat pocket his crystal dances a little jig. "Magnificent Bill, I am restored! Once again I can communicate your commands and missives to your followers! Once more your loyal underlings will be able to hear your every whim and instruction! Rejoice, Mighty Bill! Rejoice, loyal underlings! We are restored to our former glory! Let Evil tremble wherever it lurks!"

Bill Troublefinder 
Friday April 12th, 2002 11:23:15 AM

"Oh, William, I'm glad you can speak again!" Bill says out loud to his psicrystal, which he extracts from his waistcoat. "That is great! Let's clear up one thing, though - none of my friends here are 'underlings,' although you are right, we share a strong loyalty to one another. They are comrades in arms, jointly dedicated to our nation, and in the service of good, and against the rising tide of evil. Each is uniquely gifted and talented - able to do things I cannot. You see, William, in the life of an adventurer, the wise hero lets not pride take over, nor blind him. Humility is an heroic virtue - but I'll bet you knew that."

He introduces the newcomer, Feng, and Morphia, to his psicrystal. "This is William - he is a psicrystal, and helps me, and all of us, a lot! William, meet Feng - a skillful fighter, a holy warrior. And this is sister Morphia, who is working to help us plan our next foray in the ongoing struggle."

And telepathically, he adds, 'I am so glad you can speak with our friends again, William.' He gives him the mental equivalent of a comradely punch in the shoulder.

K'isst 
Friday April 12th, 2002 3:21:53 PM

K'isst spins angrily towards William. "I am not anyone's underling!"

Then a strange look comes over her face. She falls to her knees in supplication and bows over and over.

"All Hail Bill the Mighty!"

Her face 'looks' totally serious.

William the Psicrystal 
Saturday April 13th, 2002 7:15:02 AM

"Not underlings? The Great and Powerful Bill Troublefinder is an equal to these adventurers? Then, Great Bill, I am thrice blessed! To be part of such august company! To share in the adventures of what must surely be the adventuring band of the age! Cower, Evil! Slink back under your pitiful rock and beg forgiveness, for Champions of Justice are coming for you!"

William seems to have missed the bit about humility. Listening to K'isst's worshipful proclamations, William nudges Bill and asks "But are you sure they are not underlings? That one seems to be suitably reverential of your unmatched Valour and Power. It is just that such a mighty Hero as yourself be afforded such worship, is it not?"

Bill Troublefinder 
Saturday April 13th, 2002 1:41:05 PM

"All hail," Bill says, falling the short distance to his knees, "K'isst the intrepid, the daring, the impetuous!" His little arms outstretched toward her, he suggests, "Now, stand up, K'isst, and let's stop this nonsense." Rising from his knees, he holds out his hand for her (knowing he risks her tossing him over her shoulder or something).

The hobbit says to William, "Look, pomposity is NOT heroic. It is vainglorious, self-seeking, and rude. Now, William, you may not realize this, but you have been rude to my friends. They are friends, not servants. Or, if anything, we are servants of each other. We help each other out, and support one another. Each is my superior in some way." As Bill attempts to teach William in the library stacks, he enumerates some of the strengths of his friends.

"Ferrak - he is a fury in battle with his pack-mate Darkfang, and knows the ways of nature far better than I.

"Draax - he is most astute, and when he speaks, offers insight to be followed. And have you seen his skill with the longsword? I cannot touch his weapons skill, my many-faceted psicrystal.

"Renik - Resourceful, and cunning, his tongue sharper than a sword, or softer than butter, as the situation demands. His foresight helped ensure success in our recent visit to the manor.

"Tall Rond - Our leader, who wisely seeks the counsel of his companions, then decisively leads us to victory, again and again.

"Arien - Skilled in stealth and the ways of magic, he too, like you, William, is multifaceted. He has grown in stature in many ways since first we met.

"K'isst - A blending of the fierceness of the troglodytes and the beauty and many ways of the elves, her trident has felled many a foe. She is not an opponent that our enemies care to meet in battle, and she is my friend.

"Now Hobbes just joined us - but you've seen his skill against the undead, and the keenness of his mind, and how bravely he turns his back to one foe in order to help his companions in need. A cleric of Gargul, to whom all must go, when their time comes.

"And Feng, a paladin, whose unexpected help spared us more injury today. A paladin, William - repository of righteousness and courage. Talk about a hero - one of his ilk is the stuff of which heroes are made."

Bill looks at the gem in his hand. "Look around at them - heroes all. If you would honor me, William, then never disparage my friends. You are right - they all are heroic. And I again thank you, good fellow, for encouraging me, and granting me fortitude."

Feng 
Saturday April 13th, 2002 3:01:57 PM

Feng sits down on an empty stool and lets out a great sigh. This is the first time he can relax since he went undercover. He watches the conversation Bill is having with William with amusement. "While I was out I learned that an army is being raised for Floating City. Tax collectors are out in the streets looking to raise funds for the army. While I don't mind contributing to the cause, I'm afraid they will want more than I can spare. I doubt they realize what we are trying to do."

William the Psicrystal 
Saturday April 13th, 2002 5:54:38 PM

"oh." says William very quietly, and quite astonishingly there is finally humility in his voice. "oh."

The crystal, though lapsed into silence still manages to convey an aura of intense shamefacedness.

Rond 
Sunday April 14th, 2002 10:00:17 PM

Rond snorts as Bill talks about him. Though he does smile at his friend, as he describes the various aspects of the group.

CDM Jerry 
Monday April 15th, 2002 2:39:07 PM

Todd, I need to activate the Asst. DM for this game for about a week while DM Donna gets her computer fixed etc.

I'll send you all the material I have tonight.

Let me know by email or phone if you cannot take the DMing chores for a week.

Bill Troublefinder  d20+18=34 d20+18=31 d20+18=31 d20+18=34 d20+18=22 d20+18=20 d20+18=23 d20+18=31 d20+18=37 d20+18=36
Monday April 15th, 2002 8:42:42 PM

Bill places William back into his waistcoat, giving him a little pat.

The halfling resumes his perusal of the stacks. He puts to memory more interesting sections of the Sylvan Tomes. [Autohypnosis 34, 31, 31, 34, 22, 20, 23, 31, 37, 36.]

Ferrak 
Tuesday April 16th, 2002 12:53:20 AM

Relighting candles and picking up parchments that fall on the floor, Ferrak tries to stay out of the way mostly.

"Hunt well pack-mates," he says encouraging his friends on their current task.

Renik 
Tuesday April 16th, 2002 4:47:42 AM

Renik continues to gaze at Morphia, lost in happy contemplation.

Hobbes 
Tuesday April 16th, 2002 1:27:25 PM

While looking for spellcasting Clerics, Hobbes goes out for a sandwich and a Mr. Pibb.

Adm Todd 
Wednesday April 17th, 2002 1:25:53 AM

Okay. The update has arrived. Tues are busy days for me. I'll get something posted by weds even.

Bill Troublefinder 
Wednesday April 17th, 2002 3:03:45 PM

As he continues reading through the Sylvan Tomes, Bill mentions to Rond, "So, no word from Mr. M, eh? I hope he is all right. I wonder if he has any means of preventing scrying on himself. I'd like to work on that, when I have time."

K'isst 
Wednesday April 17th, 2002 4:03:57 PM

K'isst looks around the huge temple marvelling at this and then that. She hopes she doesn't end up somewhere she shouldn't.

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