OOC: Setanos (Rolling for Bracers) d100=72 Monday December 8th, 2003 7:22:12 PM
Grats!
The morning after - DM Ian Monday December 8th, 2003 7:27:47 PM
Thel spends two more hours discussing the state of affairs with the barkeep and the barmaids. They are still quiet and subdued, but are willing to be helpful. Thel figures they are still trying to work out the magnitude of whats been done to their memories.
The only real piece of information Thel is able to derive is that there are four rooms upstairs, but only three keys available to give out to prospective clients.
Renik interrogates the remaining soldier after Draax feeds the man. With several party members looking on, and Renik acting believably fierce, the man stammers out answers to all of Reniks questions over the course of about two hours.
He, and the other two warriors met up with the apprentice mage Luxan about two years ago. Since then they have been serving as the mage's bodyguards as Luxan traveled all of New Elenia in search of necromantic secrets. About six months ago in the process of robbing a merchant who was transporing a shipment of spell components to Plateau City, they found a scroll , according to Luxan, written in a language of the morkoth, an evil sea dwelling race of considerable magical power. The odd detail was that the merchant had logged all of his possessions, and the scroll wasn't part of that log.
Intrigued, Luxan decoded the scroll, and found it to be a recruitment letter for a mage school run by the Sons of Dread. It encouraged him to work through a series of puzzles, at each step of which another scroll would be revealed. Apparently the mage was fascinated, and the next six months have lead up to the door of this inn. They had only arrived a few hours before the party, and had not yet found the next clue as to how to enter the mage school, which must be somewhere nearby.
When questioned pointedly about the halfling camp, he shakily states that Luxan killed the halflings simply to have expendable undead should there be traps guarding the entrance to the school. Luxan apparently ordered the zombies to conceal themselves just below the cliff edge, and wait for his call.
He doesn't know anything about the bard. Apparently, he had never seen the man before, and the mage Luxan never had any time to speak to the bard, at least that the warrior saw.
As the party retires to the common room to consider this information, Renik goes up to the second floor, and goes to search the bards room. The door leading in looks clean, and the key fits, but as soon as the doorknob is turned, Renik hears a click, and feels a needle jab into his palm.
(Fort save please.)
Feng Monday December 8th, 2003 10:41:31 PM
Feng orders a hearty breakfast and eats it before doing anything else. Considering the situation this could be the last real meal he has for a while and Feng doesn't want to pass up the opportunity.
Renik d20+7=18 Tuesday December 9th, 2003 6:46:48 AM
Renik feels the sharp stab of pain in his hand and curses himself for not being more careful (Fort 18). He calls to the others and indicates the wound, hoping that he was able to pull his hand away in time to avoid any poison. If not he hopes his companions are able to help him.
Setanos (Mage Armor) Tuesday December 9th, 2003 7:34:26 AM
Setanos shakes Kyleans hand heartily, offering an apology of his own.
In the morning he joins Feng for a hearty breakfast, agreeing that this may be the last good meal in quite some time, asking Feng about the results of the interrogation quietly so as to not disturb the staff with the tale.
Tratain d20+15=32 Tuesday December 9th, 2003 12:31:36 PM
Tratain sits with the others downstairs in the inn until Renik calls out. He pulls out his healers kit and tends Renik if he needs it. (Heal Check 32, If Renik fails the poison save and is going to take more poison damage, he can either use his saving throw or my heal check, whichever is higher)
Thelonious Tuesday December 9th, 2003 12:35:09 PM
Finishing his conversation with the help, Thelonious pays them generously for the meal. He saunters upstairs to compare notes, should anyone fill him in on the interogation (I assume they do) he adds, "Perhaps the bard's room will provide us with more clues."
Kylean Tuesday December 9th, 2003 2:21:35 PM
After doing his part to help clean up the place, Kylean joins Setanos and Feng.
Rond Tuesday December 9th, 2003 2:38:14 PM
In the morning Rond joins the rest of the group to discuss thier options. When the story about the Sons of Dread is shared, Rond groans. "I was hoping that we could live without meeting up with that group again"
Draax Tuesday December 9th, 2003 4:44:12 PM
Draax joins the others and nods in his in agreement to Rond's statement, "Same here, it looks like they will always be a thorn in our sides."
Draax grabs another bite to in, then rejoins the group, "So, what do we do with our captive?"
A meal, and a quick search - Dm Ian Tuesday December 9th, 2003 7:00:55 PM
The barkeep lays out a breakfast of honeyed biscuits, a side of bacon, eggs, and a thick gravy with sausage. Most of the group meets over this welcoming repast and discusses recent events and the sons of dread.
(If one of the older players would like to recap relevant information on the Sons, this might be a good time to make sure everyone is up to speed.)
While this is happening, Tratain and Renik are upstairs at the door of the bard's room. Acting quickly, Tratain forces a bit of thick bluish liquid out of the punture wound in Reniks palm, and uses a bit of herbs from his supplies to pack the wound. There are no additional effects, so Renik believes himself safe.
The room within is furnished in a spartan style, with a pallet bed, a desk covered in sheet music, and an armoire standing open and empty. A quick search of the room reveals nothing that would explain who the bard was, or anything else about his mission, but one thing does strike Renik. It doesn't look as if the bed has been slept in within the last few days.
Arien Tuesday December 9th, 2003 7:57:24 PM
"I believe that Rond or Draxx might be the best ones to recount all of the details of the Sons as they had an encounter or two with the fellows before I met and joined the party. However I'll say this, they did create a machine that consumed peoples souls and changed those souls into raw energy so that its user would have nigh on infinite power. For that act alone the entire order should be eradicated."
Setanos (Mage Armor) Wednesday December 10th, 2003 7:37:28 AM
Setanos finishes his breakfast, and after seeing that Renik is ok, listens to the stories of the Sons of Dread.
When Arien tell of the machine, he snorts angerly, and nods in agreement that they should all be wiped out.
Kylean Wednesday December 10th, 2003 12:53:37 PM
Kylean leans back in his chair and takes in the information about the Sons, looking thoughtful.
Draax Wednesday December 10th, 2003 4:57:03 PM
Draax thinks about the SoDs and gives a little shiver.
"Confirmation of Sons-of-Dread's involvement is very bad news. When I joined Rond and our previous companions, the SoDs were trying to recover a body that would help them destroy the wold. We stopped them from getting the body and did a little damage to their organization, but all we did was set them back a little. The true SoDs are psychotic fanatics who will stop at nothing to achieve their evil goals, but they seem to hire mercenaries to use as guards and do most of their fighting, so we have found a few willing to give information or turn sides to save their life.
Some time after we stop them from recover the body from the Crypt of Mengor, they tried to use the machine that Arien referred to. Sapping thousands people's energy and transferring it to one person to make that person godlike. We had a hand in stopping that plan too, although we did have to sacrifice a lot to come out ahead in that contest. I still do not know if the sacrifices were worth the marginal victory. With these guys involved who know what evil plan they are trying this time and if they happen to have another machine or if they recovered the last machine from the plane it was sent to. We might have another evil semi-god to deal with."
Draax stops talking and reflects on the sacrifices that were made to send the machine to another plane.
Rembrances, and moving on - Dm Ian Wednesday December 10th, 2003 5:45:26 PM
While waiting for Tratain and Renik to return from their search upstairs, the party shares some history regarding the Sons. During his recitation, Kylean remembers something the priestess of Domi said when he met the group in the Plateau City temple. She had stated that the mage who was suspected of running the nearby mage school had been a Fixer of Alemi assigned to investigate rumors of pieces of the Soul Machine still around.
During this, a man in Catacombs livery comes to the door of the inn, and hands Renik a box when Renik comes back downstairs. With that, the man smiles and teleports away.
Renik d20+9=24 Wednesday December 10th, 2003 6:03:41 PM
"My thanks, Thelonius, that was swift work expertly done.I don't like the look of that stuff that came out of me!"
The rogue ponders the fact that the bard's bed had not been slept in. Might he have slept in a different room? Or might he have gone elsewhere? He searches the room again more carefully, hunting for secret doors or evidence of another way out (search 24). He then questions the barstaff, trying to find out if the bard always retired to his room at night, or if he might have used another room.
Upon hearing the discussion on the Sons of Dread he pulls out a thick book from his pack. "This is the diary of the redoubtable Bill Troublefinder. When he stayed behind in Windhorn Hamlet he asked me to continue it, but I admit I have been lax. I must find the time to update it. Here is what he says on the Sons of Dread.
Here is the first recorded meeting with the group.
Bill Troublefinder, halfling, cousin to Borbo Pastna (their mothers are sisters), grew up in Windhorn Hamlet. The town's cleric of Wardd recruited the fighting psion to infiltrate the mage-dominated apocalyptic cult known as the Sons of Dread, wherein he played a role in thwarting their plans to detonate the magic-saturated body of Mengor, a not-quite-fully dead mage of old. The detonation would have destroyed a large part of the town, as well as the Sentinel, which keeps the dragons at bay, protecting New Elenna. The question later occurred to Bill to ask whether this threat - real though it were - may have been a diversion, allowing the Sons of Dread time to do something else to further their schemes of power. The suspicion remains, based upon clues he picked up while among them, but he lacks confirmation.
And then later he has this to say:
The Sons of Dread and the Scrollmaker
Bill rejoined the party as they explored the pyramid which the Sons of Dread had taken over. Somewhat acquainted with the layout, he served as a guide to the party. They successfully stole away the evil magic scroll maker, learning only later its point of origin! Bill for the first time during his escape used his psionic stomp to cause a half dozen Sons of Dread to fall to the ground, and his new boots of striding and springing to then leap over their heads. Earlier he had cast levitation upon himself, and took advantage of it to remain in the air longer than the leap itself normally would allow. His friends have seen him repeat this tactic successfully since then. Just outside the secret exit from the pyramid through which Bill led the party, a strange feral gnome with a wolf friend greeted Bill and the rest of the party. Actually, the wolf knocked the halfling down and covered his face with fresh slobber from his tongue, happily greeting the surprised hobbit. The gnome, we learned a bit later, is named Ferrak, and his wolf DarkFang.
When the evil magic scroll maker was returned to Marcus, he summoned Qansis, a bright and beautiful elf. She examined it, requesting that Damocles the cleric stand next to it. Turns out the scroll making device was telepathic, and was leading some of the Sons of Dread toward our location! Qansis declared the one sure way to destroy it was to return it to Ravenloft, from whence it came. Damocles would have to come and assist her. He assented. She somehow teleported Damocles, the infernal scroll maker, and herself - to Ravenloft.
Sunblaze lit in to Marcus, rebuking him and upbraiding him for what she perceived as his self-interested obsession with acquiring items of power for his own perhaps nefarious reasons. Renik and perhaps one or two other members of the party had been suspecting such, as well. But when Marcus revealed that Qansis is his wife, and that it would be perhaps impossible for her to return from Ravenloft, that served to allay the nascent suspicions of those party members. Bill, knowing Marcus a little better, had spoken in his defense shortly before. Now having an inkling of what he had just lost, and what his wife - and Damocles - sacrificed, all seemed convinced that Marcus, though of necessity at times ruthless in his defense of the kingdom, was doing so not for his own selfish power or purpose, but rather as a servant of the kingdom and of the Lord High Mayor Sturdavent.
Marteaus' Ascension; Domi's Downfall
After sleeping through most of the day in a safe house, Marcus showed up again. Time to join in with the throngs attending the Sons' of Dread gathering at the Golden Arena, in order to spy out what they were up to. Nearly - what? - 40,000 people filled the stadium. It took a while to figure it out - but they had come to witness the deification of Marteaus. Marteaus, who had managed to get the Water Ring of Ascension a few months back from the Windhorn Hamleteers. Marteaus, the Punisher of the Gods, created by and now in rebellion against Gargul, god of the dead. With skeletal mein, and arrogant pride, he answered the summons of the Sons of Dread. Bill & company thought to impel some of the crowd to leave, but things were happening too fast. The Soul Forge - a larger and more powerful version of the scroll maker - had power to suck the souls of men, women, elves, dwarves - anyone present - and to transfer that power into Marteaus, the focus of the Dread Invocation. He appeared as a colossus - over 50 feet tall. But the brave and indomitable god of War, Domi appeared to challenge this 'stripling' as he styled Marteaus. But wiley Marteaus, despite Bill's counsel to Domi, managed to deceive his old friend Domi. Domi agreed to wrestle Marteaus - but also agreed somehow to transfer half of his power over to the upstart would-be god. Marteaus failed to keep his word to Domi, however, and continued to draw from the Soul Forge, draining the people in the stadium of their life force. His accumulated power became sufficient to defeat the god who never had been defeated. As they wrestled on, the Windhorn Hamleteers managed at last to break the Soul Forge - but their success came too late. Domi, in his last act at the mortal end of his immortal life, saved a young elfin girl who was falling to her death, and channeled through her a spell of healing never before witnessed in the Wold. Those whom Marteaus had drained of life revived, and all in the stadium were healed fully. Later, it was learned that all around the Wold, people received the Healing of Domi. And all heard Domi's last words. "As long as his children live, a father does not truly die... HAVE COURAGE!"
Marteaus snapped Domi's neck. Silence fell over the arena. The Dark Lord exulted. The two moons turned red.
And Bill encouraged his friends to come with him to save Domi's girl. Marteaus summoned the Cult Gods. Fingers of lightning began to reach out, taking the lives of many for whom Domi had just died. The girl was taken safely to her mother. Bill thinks, and hopes, they managed to escape the ensuing scene of madness and devilish destruction. He has in mind to look them up.
Dalith - raven head, human body, wings of darkness - proclaimed he would eat a gangly man, who clumsily was trying to escape. The party intervened. Against odds, the party managed to defeat the avatar of Dalith - a lesser deity among the Cult Gods. And, by the moment of defeat, the stadium was nearly deserted. Domi's body was gone. Marteaus and the cult gods were gone. Scattered bodies lay about."
"A pretty unsavoury lot, I'm sure you will agree. It seems we may have finally stumbled upon a major base of operations for this foul group, and I for one am determined to see it destroyed. If there is any risk the Soul Forge is active once more it must be destroyed for good."
When he is handed the box Renik beams. "Oh, I've been waiting for this a long time!" he grins. Opening it he removes a circlet and a ring, and puts them on. He whispers "Blink" and suddenly the rogue seems to be flickering rapidly in and out of existence. "Unblink. I've wanted one of these ever since I borrowed Bill's" he grins. "Setanos, as I used the proceeds of those Bracers to buy this it seems only fair that you get these" and he hands Setanos another set of Bracers from his pack (Bracers AC +2).
Feng Thursday December 11th, 2003 12:54:48 AM
The half-orc finishes his breakfast and listens to the tale. He couldn't help but think at how bad things could be in that horrid machine is assembled again.
Setanos (Mage Armor) Thursday December 11th, 2003 8:09:34 AM
Setanos takes the bracers from Renik with a grin, which widens when the catacombs delivery arrives. He straps them on his forearms.
Setanos listens intently to the tale and the reading, occasionally whispering 'that was you?' or 'Dear god' under his breath. By the end of the tale you can sense a firm resolve form within the fighter mage.
"The tales I've heard mention some of what ye said, but there was details lost. If the Soul Forge still exists, and there is a way to do it, we MUST obliterate its foulness utterly."
(OOC: Just to be clear, Mage armor and the bracers don't stack. Both supply an armor bonus. - Dm Ian)
Draax Thursday December 11th, 2003 5:43:09 PM
Listening to Renik read about everything that happened brought back memories that makes Draax very uncomfortable remembering. To hide his discomfort, the warrior grabs another bite to eat.
From the little people... - Dm Ian Thursday December 11th, 2003 6:22:33 PM
As the group discusses this over the table, the barkeep comes over, and gruffly states, "Well, we just wanted to thank you all for helping us. We talked it over, and found the boy, and thought we'd offer you the money you gave us back. Something messed up our memories for at least a couple years back, and until thats handled, us common folk probably shouldn't be here."
"I got some family down in Dourscale, so me and the ladies and the body are going there. We've fixed up some homemade food for another meal or two for your group. You need anything else before we go?"
With that, he hands over three room keys.
"This here is the keys to the three rooms upstairs. You probably got one key for Amintar's room, but I figured it couldn't hurt."
The barmaids come out of the kitchen herding the young stableboy along. The barmaid with the knife hands a wrapped package of food to Draax with a wink, and then they all begin to head for the door. The halflings aren't far behind them, still wearing expressions of shellshock from the night before. As they leave, you can see them taking the road north.
Renik d20+9=19 Thursday December 11th, 2003 7:16:48 PM
Renik looks at the sack of coins handed back with astonishment. "You know, those folks are as good as you'll find." he says to no-one in particular.
As he tucks into some food he starts to think out loud.
"Something is very wrong here my friends. The mage had been following scrolls that ultimately led him here. Where are those scrolls? The bard was clearly the mage's superior, and was his contact for this place. We can be sure that there is more to this place than meets the eye: the fact that the barstaff have been having their memories magically altered proves as much. And then the fact that the bard has not been sleeping in his own bed for at least the last few nights. We are missing several pieces of the puzzle here, and need to locate them in order to find this school."
"I suggest we search this place from top to bottom. Use these keys, and hunt in particular for secret passages, hidden scrolls and perhaps even illusions masking things from us. That mage should have been carrying scrolls. Let's see if we can find those, or determine their location from his surviving guard. We are close, I can sense it."
His breakfast finished the rogue takes up the hunt. This time, however, he is far more wary about door handles. He blinks through doors and even walls in his hunt for anything out of the ordinary. (Search 19)
Rond Friday December 12th, 2003 12:20:27 AM
"I believe I agree with you. Everytime we've come in contact with the Sons of Dread, it's usually been becaue of a scroll, or something secret like. I do know that they operate in little cells, so each operate independent. Dont' know if this is something left over, or if they are still operating."
(ooc done with classes, so no more misses! :) )
Feng Friday December 12th, 2003 12:28:46 AM
The barkeeps sudden change in attitude caught Feng by suprise. He can't help but wonder how far this corruption has spread.
"We must stop this before places like this become common place. If something isn't done they could rule the wold in a short amount of time."
Tratain Friday December 12th, 2003 10:19:22 AM
Tratain says "Do you think we could impose upon the innkeeper to take our prisoner to the nearest garrison? Or should we stay here a day or two and have Arien teleport him to our contact and let them question him as well."
Thelonious d20=9 d20+2=3 Friday December 12th, 2003 12:41:40 PM
Thelonious nods, "I would also suggest checking the stables if we have not done so, perhaps more clues can be found there." While the group starts searching Thelonious heads out to the stables and searches himself. He does not remember if the Wizard had horses or pack animals with him but he checks for such things. He looks for trap doors under hay, or anything like a chest or crate that may hold further clues.
Once there, he looses interest in digging through the hay, missing anything that wouldn't be obvious (Spot 9, Search 3)
Setanos (Mage Armor) Friday December 12th, 2003 2:57:32 PM
"I'm thinking it might be best for us to take him in. These wizards might have scrying on this guy, and I'd hate for the barkeep to have to deal with a bunch o bad guys teleportin in on them."
Draax Friday December 12th, 2003 7:58:00 PM
"I agree with Setanos, expecting the barkeep to take care of this guy might be asking too much. I suggest we search this place in teams, just in case there are any surprises."
Arien Friday December 12th, 2003 8:35:34 PM
Arien pulls the slain wizards spellbook aside and first casts detect magic to see if there might be any traps on it. If there isn't Arien opens the book and pages through it to see what spells the necromancer had in his book.
A quick search over the obvious - Dm Ian Friday December 12th, 2003 9:07:14 PM
A thorough search of the common room and kitchen doesn't reveal anything, but as soon as the group heads upstairs, at least part of the puzzle in solved. The three keys the party has open the rightmost three doors, leaving one door to the far left which is locked. At a glance, Renik finds the lock to be of much higher quality than the others. None of the keys you have collected so far fit it.
Blinking through the door, Renik finds a staircase leading downward. He then blinks back to rejoin the group.
Arien finds no traps on the spellbook. Within, he discovers the spells: disrupt undead, open/close, read magic, detect magic, ray of enfeeblement, chill touch, enlarge person, see invisible, bulls strength, false life, ray of exhaustion, major image, animate dead. On the remaining spell he finds a single spell, repulsion.
Rond Friday December 12th, 2003 9:48:49 PM
"With what we've found out so far, we probably should report in and see if there is someone we can turn the prisoner over to."
Renik d20+9=25 d20+10=11 Saturday December 13th, 2003 3:55:05 AM
"Much as I'd like to see the fellow get his just deserts, we have certain practicalities to consider. The nearest settlement is four days away. And we can be reasonably certain that the longer the bard Amintar doesn't go down those stairs, the more suspicious any companions he might have may become. For now, with luck, we have surprise on our side. I fear that the longer we delay the less chance we have of catching our adversaries unawares."
He scratches he chin. "As Luxan's employee our captive would have no way of contacting this school, so freeing him should be reasonably safe. But I want to see him pay for his part in the crime back at the halfling encampment. Arien could teleport to the nearest settlement with him, but it would take time and use up a spell that may prove vital in the battle to come. I say we truss him up here, lock him in a room, and pick him up on the way back out."
"You know, I realise subterfuge failed the last time, but perhaps this time it might buy us a few seconds. Why not magically disguise one of our number as the bard Amintar, another, say Arien, take the part of Luxan, and the rest of us play Luxan's bodyguard? One or two of us invisible maybe, to trim the numbers. It might confuse anyone we meet long enough to buy us a tactical advantage. Fancy playing a necromancer, Arien?" he asks with a wink. "Whatever we do, once this door is open we need to get spells cast before descending into possible conflict."
"Anyhow, to the matter at hand: we need to get down through this door and down the steps. Let's see if I can help with that."
He examines the lock for traps (Search 25), then tries to pick the lock. His attempt is a hamfisted failure (Open Lock 11). "Ah, well, hmm, it's a bit trickier than it looks" he mutters, red-faced. "Anyone else fancy a shot?"
Arien Saturday December 13th, 2003 3:05:15 PM
Arien grimaces when Renik mentions imitating a necromancer but says, "Well if thats what it takes. Then yeah, I'll do it. But it seems to me that since the wizard only had three guards more might cause some suspicion. How would you like to play the bard then Renik? Anyway I'll be downstairs while you play with that door, we've got a little time so why don't you take your time with it?" Arien heads bck down the stairs and starts going through the slain necromancers items, if he was going to have to play a necromance Arien was going to make sure he had plenty of time to get used to it.
Draax Sunday December 14th, 2003 12:56:49 PM
"I like the plan, about taking on the identity of the necro and his men. I am a little apprehensive about leaving the captive here on the chance that we will return. I would feel a little better if we let our contact know that he is here and they can come and get him if they want. At least that way if it takes us longer to return or if we leave wherever we are going by a different route, someone will come and claim him.
I volunteer to masquerade as one of the bodyguards."
Renik (sorry for extra post) Monday December 15th, 2003 8:26:39 AM
The rogue wholeheartedly agrees with Draax's suggestion about contacting Marcus' network to pick up their prisoner, and puts it into practice.
Setanos (Mage Armor) Monday December 15th, 2003 9:15:11 AM
Setanos agrees with the general plan of disguising the party with a simple nod. He volunteers to play the part of a body guard, or be made invisible if someone is willing to do that.
When Arien looks over the spell book, Setanos asks if there's anything of interest in there. If Arien shares the list he mentions that he might be interested in See Invisibility if Arien already knows it.
Not being really able to help much with the lock, he sits down and prepares for the stairs.
Feng Monday December 15th, 2003 12:58:02 PM
Feng shakes his head. "I will not engage in such an act especially when the men being impersonated are evil. Furthermore I cannot allow myself to be seen traveling with men such as these. If you all decide to hide your appearence I will follow behind and on my own until you see fit to return to your normal identities."
Debate - Dm Ian d20+11=18 Monday December 15th, 2003 2:30:50 PM
Clustered around the unopened upstairs door, the group continues to debate the issue of disguise, and the treatment of their captive.
It occurs to Feng, Tratain and Setanos that were the characters in New Elenia, the warrior they have captive would be guilty of murder, and be facing a sentence of execution, unless there were mitigating circumstances, which would alter the sentencing. However, it is common knowledge that clerics of Pantheon focus on whether the individual was acting within his own will when considering special circumstances.
(Sorry I'm posting early... away from home unexpectedly and didn't want to miss the day. - Ian)
Tratain Monday December 15th, 2003 2:53:50 PM
Tratain says "Lets see whats down those stairs and then see if we need to disguise ourselves or not. I don't like the Idea of splitting up or walking right into the school. If they know its a deception we will be at a great disadvantage when the battle starts."
Kylean Monday December 15th, 2003 3:17:07 PM
Kylean has had little to say after sharing his memory of what he was told about the mage being a Fixer of Alemi . He has quietly helped search the Inn, then rejoined the party. Regretfully, he cannot help with the lock and says so.
"I'm no good with the lock, I'm afraid. I like the plan thus far, though. I'm a little uneasy about this disguise-plan, though. If i were an evil mage running a school, I'd have ways handy of checking who was coming and going." He scratches his head. "Damned if I can come up with anything better, though. Count me in. Though with my short stature, I might stick out like a sore thumb."
(Sorry for the lag, guys. Sick kids all weekend)
Thelonious Monday December 15th, 2003 3:24:27 PM
Thel listens intently to the conversation and adds, "It would be quite easy for someone as me to skulk around down there and see what's what. I'd rather not have to ruin my mustache again with a disguise, but we all make sacrifices for the greater good."
Renik d20+9=13 Tuesday December 16th, 2003 2:28:19 AM
Rolling his eyes at the purity of Paladins, Renik says "Well we're not going anywhere until we can get past this locked door. Does anyone have a spell to open it? Failing that we're going to have to find a key, or come up with another way past."
He tries picking the lock again, with little more success (Pick Lock 13).
Setanos (Mage Armor) Tuesday December 16th, 2003 7:56:33 AM
Setanos nods with understanding to Feng when he expresses his dislike of disguises. He gives a simple 'Not ta worry, we'll find a way ta get ya down there safely.'
Turning his attention to the troublesome lock, he thinks for a moment. 'Well I've not the spell that opens, but I do know a spell that will make a bit o' acid. It might do ta trick, or it might foul things up mighty badly.'
Draax Tuesday December 16th, 2003 5:19:32 PM
Looking at the lock Draax says, "Renik can you blink through the door and see if it opens from the other side?"
Discussion at the door - Dm Ian Tuesday December 16th, 2003 7:48:37 PM
Conversation continues at the door. Setanos is fairly sure that either one or two melf's acid arrow spells would finish off the lock. Renik is pretty sure that if he took about forty five minutes he could pick it. Tratain is fairly sure that 'Domi's own lockpick' could open it in a couple meaty, loud swings.
Regardless of how the door is overcome, the question of how to proceed downward remains.
Arien Tuesday December 16th, 2003 9:49:42 PM
"Well if you really want to get inside that bad I can get us inside. I can cast Dimension Door and take a few people to the other side. I'll take Renik I guess unless he has some objections." Barring any objections Arien casts Dimension Door and takes Renik and himself about five feet past the door.
Feng Tuesday December 16th, 2003 10:38:06 PM
Feng waits patiently on the other side for either the door to be opened or there is some news of what lies beyond.
Rond Tuesday December 16th, 2003 11:56:42 PM
(ooc so no coms with headquarters?)
"I do not enjoy the disguises either. But even someone such as Marcus, has seen that it is sometimes necessary.
But the worry is whether the Sons of Dread know we are coming. For all we know just approaching the door sets off alarms. Since the Sons might magically bypass it every time."
Setanos (Mage Armor) Wednesday December 17th, 2003 7:13:31 AM
Setanos nods at Rond. "Thats a good point there, they might be magicing through the door, and picking it or melting ta lock might be warnning them. Picking it might be safer than acid though, cause there might be more comming behind us and if they be findin a melted lock they'll figure sumtins up."
Kylean Wednesday December 17th, 2003 8:06:25 AM
Kylean leans back against the wall, well out of the way for when the acid arrows or Domi's lockpick gets to work.
Tratain Wednesday December 17th, 2003 11:37:32 AM
Tratain laughs and says "Ha! stopped in our tracks by a locked door. If with skills at opening locks and such can't get it open in another minute or so i'm just going to take my hammer to it. They may already know what we have done, or it may just be a little hideaway for the bard. It would be great luck if we found the school so soon, but if it is here don't you think someone would have come up here during the night? We have been here for almost a day. Anyways I'd rather just assume that they know we are comming, no surprises that way."
Renik: Let's get ready to rumble! Wednesday December 17th, 2003 12:32:09 PM
"Hold off Arien, no need to waste a spell. I can blink through." He pops through and checks if the door will open from the other side, then blinks back if it won't.
The rogue sighs as the conversation continues. "Very well. No surprises it is. We go in together, without disguises. Tratain, I'd say introduce this door to Domi's Lockpick, but I don't want to make too much noise. Let's use acid to burn through it. Gentlemen, now would be a good time to load up with whatever spells you wish to protect you. As ever, is someone could cast Cat's Grace upon me I'd be grateful.
I want a mobile, quiet scout up front checking for traps or enemy activity. I'll be flying up above you and blinking. Remember we are up against spellcasters, so a decent resistance to spells wouldn't hurt. Thelonius, are you up for it? If we can both be made invisible so much the better, though Thelonius is the priority, but either way we need to keep quiet and well hidden as we proceed.
Heavy hitters next. Spellcasters behind. Remember, if we get into an area where we can spread out, do so. We will be less vulnerable to area spells. Any questions or suggestions, now's the time to make them!"
Draax Wednesday December 17th, 2003 3:26:33 PM
Draax listens to everyone comments and suggestions before getting in formation in front of the spellcasters.
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