A Surprise From the Trees d20+17=23 d20+17=19 d20+17=22 d20+17=30 d20+17=20 d20+17=36 2d8(2+4)+6=12 2d8(2+1)+6=9 3d6(1+2+5)=8 3d6(6+2+2)=10 3d6(6+6+5)=17 3d6(3+4+3)=10 3d6(6+6+3)=15 3d6(4+5+4)=13 3d6(3+3+1)=7 3d6(6+1+6)=13 3d6(6+6+6)=18 3d6(5+4+6)=15 3d6(2+6+1)=9 3d6(4+3+6)=13 3d6(3+5+2)=10 3d6(2+3+6)=11 3d6(3+1+5)=9 3d6(1+2+1)=4 3d6(6+2+5)=13 3d6(6+5+2)=13 2d4(3+1)=4 Wednesday August 8th, 2007 1:46:09 PM
[hopefully I got everyone's positions correct, see map at end. Apologies for the poor quality of it, I'm at work and only have a few minutes to make it]
Draax steps confidently through the portal, followed closely by Lumi, Monthor and Tratain. Horvis walks through next, with Arien and Jova behind and branching out to their right. Juliander takes up the rear, and just makes it through before all hell breaks loose.
As the Juliander puts a foot onto a soft, moss-covered ground, you hear voices from through the gate. Muffled and distant, you can barely make out Izen and Troughton yelling.
"Watch . . . over there . . ."
"Cut . . . neck . . . duck!"
At the same time, Lumi's superior senses pick up a movement among the trees surrounding you, and he is the first to hear the crashing sound as numerous shapes plow through the shadowy woods you have found yourself in.
[Lumi, your checks let you know of the danger in sufficient time, take 1 standard or move action extra, such as in a surprise round. You see the enemies and can react just before they take their actions]
Suddenly, three enormous beasts plow through the woods, right into the party. At first, it looks as if they didn't even know you were there, but now, you are clearly in their way.
Two of the monsters are huge, purplish beasts, each with twelve long necks ending in shrieking heads. The third shares the same appearance as the larger, although it is slightly smaller, and only has seven heads.
All three are shrieking and hissing at you. Sense motive DC15 Highlight to display spoiler: { They look very panicked over something}
The first of the beasts nearly crashes into Lumi as it plows through the woods, and immediately attacks him [subject to Lumi's surprise action. If you remove heads, subtract attacks starting with the first and moving down].
Six of the heads lash out and attempt to bite Lumi, though only two are able to connect.
Bite 1, AC 23 Bite 2, AC 19 Bite 3, AC 22 Bite 4, AC 30, Dmg 12 Bite 5, AC 20 Bite 6, AC 36, Dmg 9
Total damage 21
The remaining six heads rear back, then open their mouths and blast an icy white stream at Lumi.
Breath weapon, DC 21 reflex save. make save for each attack. Save=half damage, fail=full.
The second of the larger beasts continues running until it sees Draax and Monthor. Seeing the pair in front of it, all 12 heads rear up and attempt to breath on the two, in fact catching Tratain as well.
12 breath weapons, same save as above.
Vs. Draax: Att 1, 7 dmg Att 2, 13 dmg Att 3, 18 dmg Att 4, 15 dmg Att 5, 9 dmg Att 6, 13 dmg
Vs. Monthor and Tratain Att 7, 10 dmg Att 8, 11 dmg Att 9, 9 dmg Att 10, 4 dmg Att 11, 13 dmg Att 12, 13 dmg
The third, smaller monster runs up behind the other two, but stops just short of Draax (full move getting in).
Map:
edit: can't get link to work, emailing it to everyone now.
Lumi-Juova (AC 26, 27 Dodge vs his hydra, HP 89/124) and Tarhapollo (AC20, HP22/22) d20+18=28 2d8(2+1)+5=8 d20+15=22 d20+15=25 d20+15=16 d20+15=31 d20+15=26 d20+15=22 d20+18=25 d20+13=32 d20+13=25 d20+8=27 d20+8=24 2d8(1+8)+5=14 2d8(6+6)+5=17 2d8(4+6)+5=15 2d8(4+4)+5=13 2d8(2+8)+5=15 d20+17=19 d20+14=20 d8+4=8 d8+4=7 d6=2 d6=3 d20+13=16 d20+13=14 Wednesday August 8th, 2007 6:06:51 PM
With the crashing in the woods, Lumi growls out a warning to his companions. "The monsters are aware the gate is open!" A small buck sends the white owl, Tarhapollo, soaring upwards and out of the combat, and Lumi's large sword snakes out to sever a head. (AC 28, Dam 8) (oh, how wimpy!)
Then the hydra strikes hard, two heads causing blood to fly, though not quite as much as it should (barbarian damage reduction/1) before six beams of freezing cold lashes out at the liontaur. Incredibly, the liontaur almost emerges unscathed from the deluge (Reflex 22, 25, 16 (16 dam w dam red), 31, 26, 22)(Ring of Evasion = 0 dam if saved), with only one white stream striking his hindquarters.
Growling deep in his throat, Lumi-Juova takes a step to press directly against the purple monster before beginning his eviseration. The sword weaves into the purple body striking three times (AC 25, 32Crit25, 27Crit24, damage 14, 17Crit15, 13Crit15 = 74 damage), the dull gray hand axe blurring towards the body (assuming miss, but just in case AC 19, 20 Dam 8+2elec, 7+3elec = 20 dam) and two strikes with his front claws (AC 13, 14, miss I'm sure)
Lumi also ensures his body is kept between the purple people eater and the Harmaa Ritari.
Spells in Effect Endure Elements (24 hours)
Juliander (AC 25, HP 73/73); haste Wednesday August 8th, 2007 8:10:42 PM
Juliander's eyes widen yet again, and he thinks to himself, It is going to be one of THOSE days!. Hoping to assist the whole group, Juliander casts haste, which affects everyone except Arien and Jova. (OOC: This is based on the party spacing that is shown on the combat map, since I can only get so many).
Monthor ( AC 28, HP 90/130) d20+14=24 d20+14=17 d20+14=19 d20+14=24 d20+14=26 d20+14=24 d20+25=33 d20+25=35 d20+20=25 d20+16=19 d10+15=25 d6=4 d10+15=25 d6=3 d10+15=17 d6=5 d10+15=24 d10+15=18 d6=5 Wednesday August 8th, 2007 8:54:18 PM
ooc> 40 damage taken from the breath weapon. Assuming that the breath weapon isn't considered "harmfull vapor or gases" ? If so, Monthor takes no damage. -------------
Monthor takes a 5 foot step North and attacks the creature two handed with his war axe.
------ Assuming the hast from Julie is in affect.
Monthor gets 4 attacks 1. Hits AC 33 for 25 physical and 4 fire 2. Hits AC 35 for 25 physical and 3 fire 3. Hits AC 25 for 17 physical and 5 fire 4. Hits AC 19 for 24 physical and 5 fire
total if they all hit 108 points.
AC raises to 30 vs this creature due to +2 dodge bonuses.
Horvis the Troll (AC 27, HP 126/126) - Haste Wednesday August 8th, 2007 10:04:37 PM
The centaur also sends his bird into the sky, letting the eagle soar overhead. Instead of attacking, Horvis shifts into the form of a troll after dopping his quarterstaff. Then, risking an attack, he picks up the quarterstaff once again.
Troll Large Giant = 10 ft reach Speed = 30 ft AC = 27 (16 (troll base) + 1 DEX (from ioun) + 7 armor & enhancement + 2 shield & enhancement + 1 haste) Atk = +16 (9 BAB + 7 STR + 1 haste - 1 size), 1d8+10 (quarterstaff, 2-handed) Full = +16 (q-staff) / +11 (q-staff) / +16 (bite, 1d6+4 plus Tear effect)
Spells coming later ... need to do DM posts
Draax (AC 31, 32 with the haste) - Endure Elements, Haste d20+13=20 d20+13=15 d20+13=23 d20+13=29 d20+13=21 d20+13=31 d20+25=45 d20+25=37 d20+20=34 d20+15=25 d20+10=16 d8+12=18 d8+12=14 d8+12=17 d8+12=13 d20=9 d8+12=14 d20+25=36 d8+12=14 Wednesday August 8th, 2007 11:40:34 PM
Draax lets out a sigh as he sees the creatures come up to the party. He has no idea why the creatures are attacking the group (sense motive 9), but he hopes they did not sense the group coming through the portal. His eyes open wide as 6 heads turn in his direction and open their mouths. He took two of the blasts head on, but was able to get partially out of the way of the other 4 (took 49 total dmg from blasts).
Draax attacks the creature a half of a second after Monthor's first hit. He attacks the creature with 4 quick swings and was very satisfied when his first hit was perfect.
4 attack with haste Hit AC 45 critical for 32 dmg Hit AC 34 for 17 dmg Hit AC 25 for 13 dmg Hit AC 36 for 14 dmg
Total 76 dmg
(OOC: please disregard the d20+10=16 roll, I forgot to use my full attack bonus for the haste.)
Tratain HP 111/119 AC 28 d20+13=29 d20+13=28 d20+13=21 d20+13=19 d20+13=15 d20+13=23 d20+7=17 3d8(2+8+1)+17=28 d8=2 d20+21=40 Thursday August 9th, 2007 12:45:31 AM
Tratain see's the Hydra's run towords the group and attack but something seems off. (sense Motive 17)
Tratain tells his friends, "Try and Finish them quickly something has them scared, we need to be away from here as fast as we can."
Tratain then defensively Casts Mass Cure serious wounds catching everyone to has been damaged by the Hydra's already (Everyone heals for 29)
ALL SPELLS CAST AT CASTER LEVEL 17
Condensed List of Spells Memorized: 0 level: Cure Minor Woundsx2; Detect Magicx3; Read Magic 1st Level: Endure Elements;Divine Favor; Shield of Faithx2;Comprehend Language; Remove Fearx2 (Sanctuary) 2nd Level: Delay Poisonx2; Remove Paralysis; Resist Energyx2; Lesser Restorationx2 (Spiritual Weapon) 3rd Level: Invisibility Purge;Magic Circle; Remove Disease ;Magic Vestmentx2** ;Extended Resist Energyx2; (Protection from Energy) 4th Level: Freedom of Movement;Death Wardx2;Dimensional Anchor; Greater Magic Weapon*(Spell Immunity) 5th Level: Break Enchantment; Righteous Might; True Seeing;Extended Divine Power;Quicken Shield of Faith (Spell Resistance) 6th Level: Healx3; Windwalk* (Anti-Magic Field) 7th Level: Holy Word; Greater Dispel Magic*; Word of Recall*;(Power Word Blind) 8th Level:Holy Aura (Power Word Stun)
Jova AC 25 76 HP Z 32 AC 38 HP[Mage Armor, Shield shared] d20+11=25 d20+17=33 Thursday August 9th, 2007 6:49:38 AM
Jova enters the valley on the move. Taking in the scene before him, he urges the steed forward and to the right. While concentrating he can see the beast with fewer heads and lets fly a spell of petrification.
Move 2 squares right, and 2 squares up Cast Flesh to stone on #7 Hit AC 25, Spell Resistance 33, Fort Save 21
Spells 0--6-DC15--Resist +1 Save Throw, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Light, Ghost Sound, Pres 1--6/8-DC16--Shield +4AC-1 min lvl, Mage Armor +4AC-1hr lvl, True Strike +20 ATT, Expedious Retreat +30ftt 1 min level, Ray of Enfeeble 55 ft, 1d6+5str, 13 min, SRyes 2--7-DC17--Glitterdust 1-230ft/10ftradius 1 round level- Will save, Hideous Laughter 50 ft-Will Save-1 round- level-SRyes, Blind/Deaf 1-230ft-Fort Save-SRyes, Darkvision 1hr level-60ft, See Invis 10/level 3--6/7-DC18--Dispel Magic +10, Phantom Stedd 1hr level, Vampiric Touch Melee Touch- 1d6/2level--Gain temp hp from damage-1 hr, SRyes, Fly 1 min/level 60ft 4--7-DC19--Stoneskin 10 min/level, ignore 10 damge each attack up to 130, Grtr Invis 1 round level, Fear 30ft-Cone Shape Burst-1 round level-Will Save-SRyes, Polymorph 1 min level, Black Tentacles 2ftrad, 1rd/lvl, grapple 21, 1d6+4/rd 5--7-DC20--Summon Mon 5- 1 round level, Break Enchantment, Telekinesis 1-900ft/ 1 round level-1-325lbs round-Hurl-Will Save-SRyes 6--3/4-DC21--Flesh to Stone 1-230ft-Fort Save-SRyes, Greater Heroism
Draax (AC 31, 32 with the haste, HP 99/148) - Endure Elements, Haste Thursday August 9th, 2007 11:14:43 AM
(OOC: forgot to add my hit points to my previous post)
Arien (AC 21; HP 60, Mage Armor) d20+11=25 d20+11=22 d20+11=27 4d6(5+1+4+6)=16 4d6(2+5+5+5)=17 4d6(2+3+5+4)=14 Thursday August 9th, 2007 11:31:07 AM
Arien targets the nearest large hydra to him and casts Scorching Ray at the beast. Three beams of fire erupt from Arien's outstretched hand and hurtle at the beast.
(Touch AC: 25 for 16 fire damage, Touch AC: 22 for 17 fire damage, Touch AC 27 for 14 fire damage. 47 fire damage total.)
Three dead hydra in the woods d20+10=12 Thursday August 9th, 2007 1:52:23 PM
As the hydra crash through the brush in a panicked attack, Lumi is the first to react. He cuts into his target, then somehow dances around all but one of the icy blasts shot in his direction. Acting quickly, he moves himself over a few feet to block the hydra’s progress, and goes to work with his sword, cutting deeply and frequently into the beast’s side and chest. The monster nearly topples from the onslaught, though it seems Lumi used all his effort with the sword, as his axe and claws miss their marks.
Juliander, back in front of the gate, acts quickly to cast a spell on his friends, increasing their speed and offensive abilities.
At the same time, Monthor steps forward and brings his axe to bear on the second hydra, ripping into its purple-white flesh with ease, the fiery sparks from his axe causing the creature to roar in pain. [all but the AC19 will hit].
Draax is right behind his partner, reacting with lightning quickness and deadly efficiency, and landing four solid blows to the hydra. As his last blow stabs into the creatures chest, it shrieks in agony and falls to the ground, its lifeless heads flopping into Draax and Monthor.
Horvis sends his eagle to flight, and begins the process of changing forms. After a few seconds, a large troll stands in the middle of the party, ready to wreak havoc among the enemies. [No AoO, I think you’d have soft cover from the three allies in front of you]
Tratain, in turn, senses that the hydra are afraid and warns his companions, though it seems they had taken the advice to heart before even hearing it. He says a short prayer, and a wave of comfort and strength envelopes the group.
Jova gallops to the east a few feet and casts a spell from his mount. As the arcane words leave his lips, the 7-headed hydra stops in its tracks and begins to shimmer. A second later, it becomes a stone statue, necks arcing in every direction and one foot off the ground, as if it were still ready to run forward. [fort save=12]
Meanwhile, Arien follows suit and blasts red-hot rays of light at one of the 12-headed hydra [Arien, since the closer one died, I applied it to the other one]. The fiery bursts of light plow into the Hydra. As it catches on fire, it falls to the earth in a smoldering heap and lets out a few weak, whining noises before convulsing and falling still.
As quickly as it began, the battle is over, the three hydra destroyed in the blink of an eye.
As the dust settles, you are able to get a better grasp of your surroundings. You stand in front of the stone portal, the light still coming out of it, though dimmer than before. You are in what appears to once have been a clearing, though there are many small to medium trees dotting the area. Beyond the clearing in all directions, the trees become thicker, and it is clear you are in the midst of a forest. Over the centuries, the trees must have worked their way into the clearing, which would explain the relative size and youthfulness of the nearby trees versus those ancient, enormous trees further away. The ground is a carpet of moss and grass. You can see the sun poking through the branches of the trees, and it appears to be about mid-day, earlier than when you left. The sound of birds and forestlike slowly returns as the excitement of the battle dies down.
To the north-northwest, you can see a trail of bent and broken trees, probably from the hydra running so quickly through the woods.
-------------------------------- OOC: well, that fight went well for me...nice work everyone.
Lumi-Juova (AC 26, 27 Dodge vs his hydra, HP 118/124) and Tarhapollo (AC20, HP22/22) d20+14=17 d20+14=20 d20+14=34 Thursday August 9th, 2007 4:32:21 PM
Pleased to see the purple hydra catch fire and fall, Lumi also feels the soothing effect of Tratain's spell. (heals 29)
A quick look confirms there are no more immediate enemies, but the tiger-striped liontaur sends a question over to Tratain. "So, the monsters know that the gate has opened? If so, we would need to guard the gate until it closes to ensure Izen and Troughton are not caught in an avalanche of monstrosities?"
Whether they are going to leave or stay, Lumi keeps up a watch of the surrounding forest and weather (Listen 14, Spot 20, Survival nat 20). He moves thirty feet further out and to the left to provide more room for the others, stepping around the still-sizzling hunk of purple meat that used to be a hydra.
The white owl continues to circle and scan the horizon on silent wings.
Spells in Effect Endure Elements (24 hours) Haste (from Juliander) (12 rounds)
Juliander Thursday August 9th, 2007 7:39:22 PM
Grinning at the display of raw power from his allies, he looks toward their fallen enemies, and shouts out to the surrounding wood, "Anybody else care to have a go?!" Looking to his friends, "Which way now?"
Arien Thursday August 9th, 2007 8:01:21 PM
"You say the creatures seemed panicked at something or otherwise upset, Tratain? I wonder if they weren't being chased by something. I also suspect that if someone who knew hydra physiology were to check that this might be a mated pair and their young."
Draax (AC 31, HP 128/148) - Endure Elements Thursday August 9th, 2007 9:10:45 PM
Draax wipes his sword on one of the heads of the hydra and then turns to the gate to ensure that it closed as quickly as Troughton indicated it would.
He smiles at Arien comment about the hydra family. "It seems that we are destined to get in the way of monster families that are running from something else. The same thing happened to us at the monster preserve with the Chimera. It must be the multiple head thing."
Once he is sure that the gate is closed, Draax makes a suggestion to the group.
"With the commotion we caused, the smell of burning hydra, and Juliander's verbal challenge; I am sure we will not be alone for long. Can anyone get high enough to get a 360 view of our surroundings?"
Pointing in the direction the hydra's makeshift road, Draax says. "Well, we know something is in that direction. But I do not think we should blindly run into something that scared the hydras. Maybe a higher view will give us more options."
Monthor (hp 119/130) Thursday August 9th, 2007 9:44:15 PM
" Send the eagle, duh! "
Horvis the Troll - Barkskin, Greater Magic Fang, Haste, Longstrider Thursday August 9th, 2007 10:24:33 PM
The troll takes the time to poke and prod at the corpses of the hydrae, committing them to memory. Once he has replaced his Tears and gotten some more, Horvis figures that a 12-headed hydra would be a very suitable combat form. Even the smaller seven-headed hydra would be effective much of the time.
Hearing his companions, Horvis sends Aquila into the sky to learn more of their surroundings. As he waits, Horvis casts some spells to protect himself and make himself a more effective protector for his companions.
Active Effects Barkskin - +5 natural armor, 130 minutes Greater Magic Fang - +1 to all natural weapons, 13 hours Longstrider - +10 ft walk/run, 13 hours Myrridan's Blackthorn - +3 atk, 3d6+3 damage, 13 hours
Spells 0 (DC 16) - Detect Magic(x2), Guidance, Toros' Taur's Try(x2), Purify Food and Water 1 (DC 17) - Entangle(x4), Longstrider*, Speak with Animals(x2) 2 (DC 18) - Barkskin*(x2), Heat Metal, Soften Earth and Stone(x2), Spider Climb(x2) 3 (DC 19) - Greater Magic Fang*(x2), Plant Growth, Speak with Plants, Spike Growth 4 (DC 20) - Command Plants, Myrridan's Blackthorn*, Scrying, Spike Stones(x2) 5 (DC 21) - Animal Growth(x2), Transmute Mud to Rock, Transmute Rock to Mud 6 (DC 22) - Find the Path, Mass Bear's Endurance, Mass Bull's Strength 7 (DC 23) - Wind Walk
Jova d20+14=29 Friday August 10th, 2007 4:17:17 AM
Jova orders Z into the air and search the area. Then Jova moves his steed over to where the statue now stands. Amazing creature to be sure.
"Out of curiosity, where do we go now? We were told there would be tresure everywhere, many monsters horde the tresure.
"And something that occurred to me. When do we have 'enough' to satisfy the consortium. We never asked, or were told how much to get. We should decide a goal, and work toards it, then leave. Otherwise we get addicted to gaining wealth."
Z spot 29
Tratain Friday August 10th, 2007 9:09:24 PM
Tratain says "Lets get a move on, lets not head the way the Hydra's came from. Theres someone we have to meet here to continue on with our quest, and I want to spend as little time outside where we can be attack as possible."
Lumi-Juova d20+14=30 d20+14=20 d20+14=15 Saturday August 11th, 2007 9:27:12 AM
"Right", answers the white liontaur, and Lumi begins tracking down the path the hydras left. "We're looking for Varesh the Sage to the South of the City. Shouldn't be too hard." (Listen:30, Spot:20, Survival:Track:nat 1!)
In the Woods Saturday August 11th, 2007 2:50:44 PM
The fight ends as abruptly as it began. Lumi immediately moves to the party's flank in case of further attack.
Juliander, meanwhile, still feeling the effects of battle frenzy, shouts out a challenge to any listening ears in the vicinity, but is only answered by a few birdcalls in the nearby trees.
Arien and Draax comment on the hydras and the possibility of further challenge by someone, or something, chasing them.
Horvis, meanwhile, spends the time studying the bodies of the hydras, committing them to memory for future emulation, while Jova opines on the party's goals for obtaining the commanded wealth.
A question arises as to figuring out the party's current location, and is seconded by Tratain, who wisely suggests spending as little time as possible in a vulnerable position. In a fit of temporary brilliance, Monthor suggests using the birds, and the three avians take flight to scout the surroundings.
A short time later, between the three birds, it is learned that the woods continue on for many miles in all directions. They become much denser to the south and east. The forest thins out a few miles to the northwest, and the birds were able to make out a rather thick fog in that direction, a few miles wide and many times taller than the tallest trees.
To the north-northeast, the forest continues out of sight. To the west, it works its way into a range of hills, which soon become short mountains. A wide river is visible to the birds towards the south.
As the party takes stock of its surroundings and learns what it can from the birds, the gate begins to shimmer and flash with a bright light. After a moment, the light . . . folds . . . into itself, becomes a tiny spot of twinkling luminence, and disappears, leaving a pair of stone columns, supporting a stone cross-piece, very similar to the one the party entered from the Valley. The forest is now clearly visible again through the opening in the gate.
Lumi-Juova d20+14=27 d20+14=23 d20+14=20 Sunday August 12th, 2007 8:53:23 AM
The large Lumi glances another quiestion back towards the group. "If the Sage Varesh is to be on the South side of the old city, we shouldn't follow the hydra trail. Instead we should move East until we are due South of the misted area and search for the geezer."
The white wemic will start leading off to the East when he says this, about a hundred feet. Whichever way the Ritari choose, the liontaur will continue to lead the group through the forest, giving frequent glances back and above to ensure visuals on everyone as well as the birds in the sky. (Listen:27, Spot:23, Survival:Track:20)
The white owl softly floats down and lands on the pillion pad directly behind Lumi's human-like torso. Fluffing its feathers, Tarhapollo settles down for an afternoon nap.
Spells in Effect Endure Elements (24 hours) Haste (from Juliander) (12 rounds)
Tratain Sunday August 12th, 2007 10:38:30 PM
Tratain says "That sounds like a good idea Lumi, lets get moving."
Draax Sunday August 12th, 2007 10:51:24 PM
With the direction decided, Draax switches to his bow and moves close to the front of the marching order, just a couple of yards behind Lumi.
Spells in Effect: Endure Elements (24 hours)
Jova Monday August 13th, 2007 12:35:39 AM
Noone had answered his musings. Probably they were all thinking on how to answer, or at least thinking about it. Z returned unusually quiet. Jova waited on the back of his steed, allowing the others to move ahead, taking his position on the vanguard.
Monthor Monday August 13th, 2007 9:34:17 AM
" Works for me. "
:: Monthor follows the others. He takes point in front. ::
DM Question Monday August 13th, 2007 10:13:47 AM
Are you moving east, or are you moving toward the fog? Lumi's post might have been a mistake. Re-read the location info in my last post and let me know if that is what you intended.
LUmi Monday August 13th, 2007 2:22:57 PM
OOOPS :) I meant for Lumi to suggest moving to the West. Since Varesh is South of the city and assuming the city is where the fog is to the northwest, if the party moves West we would come due South of the city and to the area where Varesh is.
So, was thinking to NOT go into the fog until we found Varesh the Sage...
Juliander Monday August 13th, 2007 5:58:00 PM
Disappointed at no challengers, Juliander falls in line, taking up the rear-guard with crossbow in hand. He quietly whistles a halfling tavern song as they proceed along.
Horvis the Troll - Barkskin, Greater Magic Fang, Haste, Longstrider d20+7=9 Monday August 13th, 2007 10:03:25 PM
The troll stalks along with his companions, using his superior height and vision to look for threats. Aquila is somewhere overhead, sure to report if anything dangerous is spotted. Unfortunately, the novelty of this place is distracting. Spot = 9
Active Effects Barkskin - +5 natural armor, 130 minutes Greater Magic Fang - +1 to all natural weapons, 13 hours Longstrider - +10 ft walk/run, 13 hours Myrridan's Blackthorn - +3 atk, 3d6+3 damage, 13 hours
Spells 0 (DC 16) - Detect Magic(x2), Guidance, Toros' Taur's Try(x2), Purify Food and Water 1 (DC 17) - Entangle(x4), Longstrider*, Speak with Animals(x2) 2 (DC 18) - Barkskin*(x2), Heat Metal, Soften Earth and Stone(x2), Spider Climb(x2) 3 (DC 19) - Greater Magic Fang*(x2), Plant Growth, Speak with Plants, Spike Growth 4 (DC 20) - Command Plants, Myrridan's Blackthorn*, Scrying, Spike Stones(x2) 5 (DC 21) - Animal Growth(x2), Transmute Mud to Rock, Transmute Rock to Mud 6 (DC 22) - Find the Path, Mass Bear's Endurance, Mass Bull's Strength 7 (DC 23) - Wind Walk * = cast
Through the Woods Tuesday August 14th, 2007 7:28:45 AM
ooc: sorry for failing to post last night guys. I left work around 10:30 and by that point it had completely slipped my mind.
-------------------------------
As the group heads due west, Lumi's survival skills once again pay off. The wemic is soon able to locate an old game trail, barely visible due to the overgrowth and apparent lack of use. The trail runs mostly in a westerly direction, turning a bit north here and a bit south there.
The woods become thicker than they were around the portal, though still not overly dense. Should the group decide not to follow the trail, travel through the woods does not seem much slower than travel on the trail.
The trees are wide and very tall, though there aren't so many of them as to crowd each other. Vines, bushes and other undergrowth is present, though not altogether very thick.
The sky is partly visible through the canopy, and it appears to be about mid-day. The sun is bright overhead, and a cool breeze wafts through the trees every so often.
Many of the party seem to be taking in the new scenery rather than keeping an eye out for danger.
Lumi Highlight to display spoiler: { walking near the front behind Monthor, you notice a few things over the hours of travel. Every so often, you catch a fleeting movement out of the corner of your eye. The creature or creatures you are almost seeing appear to be short (at least compared to you), four-legged, and colored grey, with some whites and lighter shades of black. Once, you turn your head quickly to catch some movement, and see a bushy tail disappear behind some trees a few dozen yards away.
A few minutes later, you catch the sound of a fox snarling and barking, then yelping in pain and suddenly falling silent.}
Lumi-Juova d20+14=22 d20+14=33 d20+14=32 Tuesday August 14th, 2007 5:17:44 PM
Walking behind Monthor, the wemic's ears dart and swivel and his eyes restlessly scan the forest. He touches the dwarf's shoulder in a non-verbal suggestion to pause. Stopping, he gracefully turns to speak to Draax and Tratain in a quiet voice.
"There is a pack of creatures stalking us in the wood", he tells the half-elf and human. "Gray, four legs, bushy tails. If they are animals, we maintain our strength and watch our rearguard. If they have intelligence... well, I don't know what they'll do."
Lumi keeps his sword sheathed to hide its magical light, but keeps his dull-gray axe in his hand. Taking his cues from the Harmaa Ritari battle-leader, Lumi continues to follow Monthor towards the presumable location of Varesh the Sage. (Listen:22, Spot:33, Survival:32)
Draax d20+7=13 Tuesday August 14th, 2007 10:07:42 PM
Draax listens to Lumi, but does not turn his head to look out into the woods. His casual glances do not show him anything, but his believes what Lumi is saying. He pretends to checks the pull on his bow as he says in a low voice. "I have no guesses to their intentions, but we should be wary of walking towards a trap or ambush."
Draax continues to show no outward interest in the woods while he listens to what the others have to say."
(spot check 13)
Jova d20+12=27 Tuesday August 14th, 2007 11:01:05 PM
Jova follows his companions basking in the days warnth. The trees and fresh feeling make this place wonderful. Many a creature would enjoy life in this enviorment. Is it truly as dangerous as they had been told?
Empathetically he links with Z as the bird flies overhead watching for trouble. The others have stopped. He does as well. He can not hear, or see what they are talking about. Just stopping makes him become alert once again.
Z spot 27
ADM Joe Wednesday August 15th, 2007 10:39:52 AM
Posting Report for week ending Friday August 10th
M T W R F DM X X X X X Tratain O X X X X Jova X X X X X Monthor X O X X X Arien O X X X O Horvis O X X X X Draax X X X X X Juliander O X X X X Lumi X X X X X
Tratain Wednesday August 15th, 2007 10:42:03 AM
Tratain says "let see if they keep following us. Lumi If you can I want you to alter our course a little so we're not travling in a straight line. I don't want to run into any kind of ambush if they are comunicating with someone in front of us. If they are still tailing us in an hour or two we should turn and confront them."
Through the Woods (continue) Wednesday August 15th, 2007 1:38:56 PM
Lumi pauses to warn the group of what he has noticed in the surrounding woods. Draax nonchalantly prepares his bow as the companions march on westward.
Tratain suggests the group alter its course now and again. Monthor and Lumi, at the front, slowly drift to the north and south as they travel in a generally easterly direction, every so often crossing over the trail found a few hours ago.
Meanwhile, Jova sends Z to the skies for a better look around. Within moments, his link with Z starts buzzing with fear, and Z comes flying back to perch on Jova's shoulder. Jova Highlight to display spoiler: {"bird killer . . . shadow dog . . ." come Z's thoughts. The bird may not know the exact name for the creatures, but an image of a large grey wolf appears in your head. Z tells you he saw a few of them spread out in the woods, but couldn't get a good count due to the tree cover.}
After another hour of travel, between Z and Lumi it is clear the animals are still around.
Horvis the Troll - Barkskin, Greater Magic Fang, Haste, Longstrider d20+7=14 d20+7=26 d20+12=32 Wednesday August 15th, 2007 9:25:13 PM
The troll edges closer to Lumi Juova after the liontaur mentions the creatures following them. Horvis leans over and speaks as quietly after remembering what he could about what might be out there. Spot = 14, Knowledge Arcana = 26, Knowledge Nature = 32
"So, what do you want to do? Are they harmless or should we prepare for a fight?"
Active Effects Barkskin - +5 natural armor, 70 minutes Greater Magic Fang - +1 to all natural weapons, 12 hours Longstrider - +10 ft walk/run, 12 hours Myrridan's Blackthorn - +3 atk, 3d6+3 damage, 12 hours
Spells 0 (DC 16) - Detect Magic(x2), Guidance, Toros' Taur's Try(x2), Purify Food and Water 1 (DC 17) - Entangle(x4), Longstrider*, Speak with Animals(x2) 2 (DC 18) - Barkskin*(x2), Heat Metal, Soften Earth and Stone(x2), Spider Climb(x2) 3 (DC 19) - Greater Magic Fang*(x2), Plant Growth, Speak with Plants, Spike Growth 4 (DC 20) - Command Plants, Myrridan's Blackthorn*, Scrying, Spike Stones(x2) 5 (DC 21) - Animal Growth(x2), Transmute Mud to Rock, Transmute Rock to Mud 6 (DC 22) - Find the Path, Mass Bear's Endurance, Mass Bull's Strength 7 (DC 23) - Wind Walk * = cast
Jova d20+12=19 Thursday August 16th, 2007 12:03:54 AM
Jova listens asd the bird excitedly recants what hesaw. Jova send the bird away once again, reminding it if he stays in flight the wolves wont hurt him. Joa comtemplatees whether to warn the others. As the outdoorsmen are up ahead, it may have already become obvious.
Therefore Jova decides to close the distance that he has been travbeling behind the group. That alone should warn the others of his concern.
Z spot 19
Draax Thursday August 16th, 2007 12:49:14 AM
Draax follows behind the leaders with his bow ready to fire.
Juliander Thursday August 16th, 2007 1:27:11 AM
Juliander remains alert, watching out for trouble with loaded crossbow in hand.
Arien Thursday August 16th, 2007 2:09:13 AM
The elven mage also moved along keeping a wary eye out, though no weapon was in his hands.
Lumi-Juova (AC 26, HP 118/124) and Tarhapollo (AC20, HP22/22) d20+14=22 d20+14=15 d20+14=24 d20+1=16 d20+12=28 Thursday August 16th, 2007 8:26:21 AM
As the day wears and the animals still skillfully shadow the Harmaa Ritari, Lumi becomes more and more convinced that they are an intelligent pack. He begins talking to himself. "And any animal with intelligence is magical in some way.." and "It is unusual to not see any tracks with the pack all around..." He strives to understand thier motives as well as spotting any tracks of paws. (Favored Enemy, Magical beast +2, Aberration +4 to the rolls / Listen:22 Spot:nat1! Track:24 Sense Motive:16)
The hour and more has passed since Tratain suggested thier course of action, and Lumi is more than ready to try something else. As he pulls from the sheath his large bastard sword, the blade glows with Light. Never ceasing his observation of the forest, he calls over his shoulder to the others. "I will try and startle some out from under the trees so some may get a better sighting. These are much too cunning to be normal animals."
Waiting a couple seconds for his words to sink in, he adjusts the grips on his sword and axe. Then, Lumi suddenly cuts left and rushes 50 feet into the trees, baring his fangs and a snarl deep in his throat rising to a shout. "GrrrrraaAUU-RAH!!!" (Intimidate:28)
Highlight to display spoiler: {Unless immediately attacked, Lumi plans on giving a snorting huff and nod at the woods, and then padding back to the others next round.}
Roused from his nap with Lumi's sudden surge, Tarhapollo lets out an indignant squauk and takes to the air 40 feet up.
Spells in Effect Endure Elements (24 hours)
Through the Woods (continued) d20-1=11 d20-1=14 d20+7=26 Thursday August 16th, 2007 1:33:02 PM
Arien, Juliander and Draax prepare themselves in case of trouble. Meanwhile, Jova hurriedly closes the gap between himself and the group, coming in close and sending Z back to the air.
Horvis moves toward the front to discuss the situation, and from what Lumi tells him, he knows that the description sounds like that of a pack of wolves hunting the woods.
Lumi, however, remains unconvinced, and moves himself to the side a bit, ready to leap into the trees. Quick as lightning, he suddenly bolts through the trees, a bloodthirsty roar emitting from his mouth.
He runs about 30 feet into the woods, screaming all the way, then sees a quick movement. Two wolves yelp and leap up from the hiding places 15 feet ahead, running as fast as they can into the woods. Beyond where they were hidden, a much larger shape stands a bit more slowly and gives Lumi a brief look before running off after them with its tail tucked down.
The third shape looked like the wolves, though quite larger (about 8-9 feet long). It had dark black fur with a reddish tint in places, and what appeared to be a spiky ridge of hair along its back. It's eyes were a deep red.
As the wolves run off yelping and barking, Lumi says, "Hrrmmpphhh!" with a snort, and nods to the wolves.
Inspecting the ground, he finds various tracks, mostly wolfish in size and shape. Between Lumi and Horvis, comparing the size and shape of the larger creature's tracks and its general appearance, they can tell it was a fiendish wolf, or more possibly a fiendish dire wolf.
The tracks Lumi finds don't come any closer than about 25 feet from the party. The wolves are very careful about how close they come.
Lumi-Juova and Tarhapollo Thursday August 16th, 2007 11:50:14 PM
Returning to the group, Lumi relates what he has seen, especially the reddish wolf that was larger than Lumi himself. "They will probably keep thier distance until darkness and then look for any sign of weakness. Like going alone and looking for firewood or water..."
For the white liontaur, there is nothing to be done except to continue on and hope there comes a good defensive position by sunset.
Tarhapollo keeps flying for a minute and then lands again on Lumi's back. He berates the liontaur for a couple of minutes before settling down again.
Spells in Effect Endure Elements (24 hours)
Horvis the Troll - Barkskin, Greater Magic Fang, Haste, Longstrider d20+17=27 Friday August 17th, 2007 12:06:50 AM
The troll strides along with his companions, laughing quietly when Lumi-Juova scared off the wolves that had been shadowing the party. Horvis thinks that the party seemed too threatening for the wolves to attack. Unless, of course, the wolves were merely scouts for something else. Horvis breathes deeply in an effort to catch the scent of anything else that might be nearby.
Survival = 27, Scent
OOC - I forgot that troll's have the Scent ability ... stupid me.
Active Effects Barkskin - +5 natural armor, 70 minutes Greater Magic Fang - +1 to all natural weapons, 12 hours Longstrider - +10 ft walk/run, 12 hours Myrridan's Blackthorn - +3 atk, 3d6+3 damage, 12 hours
Spells 0 (DC 16) - Detect Magic(x2), Guidance, Toros' Taur's Try(x2), Purify Food and Water 1 (DC 17) - Entangle(x4), Longstrider*, Speak with Animals(x2) 2 (DC 18) - Barkskin*(x2), Heat Metal, Soften Earth and Stone(x2), Spider Climb(x2) 3 (DC 19) - Greater Magic Fang*(x2), Plant Growth, Speak with Plants, Spike Growth 4 (DC 20) - Command Plants, Myrridan's Blackthorn*, Scrying, Spike Stones(x2) 5 (DC 21) - Animal Growth(x2), Transmute Mud to Rock, Transmute Rock to Mud 6 (DC 22) - Find the Path, Mass Bear's Endurance, Mass Bull's Strength 7 (DC 23) - Wind Walk * = cast
Jova Friday August 17th, 2007 12:12:50 AM
Jova was within ear shot of the liontaur, and listens carefully. He realized at that moment, this was going to get tougher, sooner than later. He continues his concentration on the liontaur, and the troll as they move forward.
Draax Friday August 17th, 2007 1:38:35 AM
Draax smiles as he watches the liontaur chase off the wolves. "Now that is something I did not expect to see."
Monthor Friday August 17th, 2007 12:22:03 PM
Monthor looking at Lumi...
" Me guess me ain't the only badass in this group anymore.... "
Monthor waits for the others to continue their march and then takes point.
Tratain Friday August 17th, 2007 12:54:14 PM
Tratain waits for Lumi to return and then directs the group back along its travels. He says "If those Wolves do come back we need to scatter them permanently. Lumi do you have any suggestions about how to do that? I don't know if they are just normal wolves seeking Prey or are being directed by one of the powerful beings who lives here. Either way I don't want them following us anymore."
Woods at Dusk Friday August 17th, 2007 2:03:03 PM
After Lumi chases the wolves off, the party continues on its journey.
Horvis scans the area for any tell-tale scents. He picks up the powerful scent of wolf, in almost every direction he checks, but nothing else, animal or otherwise. And, he knows from his woodland skills, he likely wouldn't smell many other animals with wolves about.
People express some displeasure over the wolves' presence, and it is generally agreed that everyone wants the pack to be gone for good.
As the group walks and talks, the day takes on a few more shadows, and you can see that dusk is setting in. There are numerous locations good for camping, as you now and again pass an area sufficiently devoid of trees to allow for some space to lay about. Any one of them looks like it will do, depending on how long into the night the party wishes to march.
The birds relay to their masters and companions that the party is now almost due south of the mist and fog seen before, and perhaps four to five miles away from it.
Draax Friday August 17th, 2007 6:38:33 PM
Draax looks at the sun as it begins to set. As he notices the various places suitable for camping he asks the group if they wish to make camp." Do we want to make camp, let Arien put up his castle, or keep moving? I do not want to move around this place in the dark, but I am willing to go on if that is the group's decision."
Lumi-Juova and Tarhapollo d20+14=19 d20+14=21 d20+14=21 Friday August 17th, 2007 7:47:22 PM
The wemic strokes his bristly white muttonchops before replying to Tratain. "Cleric of Tomi, I think the larger wolves are directing the smaller. If we killed or seriously hurt the reddish ones that are larger than I am, the others should scatter without further bloodshed. They should be only normal anmials after all."
Lumi doesn't say anything, but he smiles and preens at Monthor's assessment.
Once the forest darkens, Lumi stops momentarily at a clearing. "We are as far West as we should go before looking for Varesh the Sage", he tells Draax. "With unknown monsters around..." he hestitates a minute before continuing, "perhaps the magical sleeping place would be best."
The liontaur straightens and looks at Arien as if full of pride (or is it gathering courage?)
At dusk, Tarhapollo rouses and is walking up and down Lumi's back.
(Listen:19, Spot:21, Track:21)
Spells in Effect Endure Elements (24 hours)
Horvis the Troll - Greater Magic Fang, Longstrider Friday August 17th, 2007 9:56:23 PM
The troll nods in agreement with Lumi-Juova's assessment of the wolves' behaviour. Of course, Horvis thinks, the wolves might force the issue this evening while the camp.
"We should find a place to camp. As defensible as possible, so the building that Arien can create would work. If it is too crowded, I can either sleep outside or take the shape of something small."
Troll Large Giant = 10 ft space, 10 ft reach Speed = 40 (30 +10) ft Darkvision 90 ft., Lowlight vision, Scent AC = 31 (16 (troll base) + 1 DEX (from ioun) + 7 armor & enhancement + 2 shield & enhancement +5 Barkskin) Atk = +18 (9 BAB + 7 STR - 1 size +3 enhancement), 3d6+13 (quarterstaff, 2-handed) Full = +18 (q-staff) / +13 (q-staff) / +16 (bite, 1d6+5 plus Tear effect)
Active Effects Greater Magic Fang - +1 to all natural weapons, 12 hours Longstrider - +10 ft walk/run, 12 hours Myrridan's Blackthorn - +3 atk, 3d6+3 damage, 12 hours
Spells 0 (DC 16) - Detect Magic(x2), Guidance, Toros' Taur's Try(x2), Purify Food and Water 1 (DC 17) - Entangle(x4), Longstrider*, Speak with Animals(x2) 2 (DC 18) - Barkskin*(x2), Heat Metal, Soften Earth and Stone(x2), Spider Climb(x2) 3 (DC 19) - Greater Magic Fang*(x2), Plant Growth, Speak with Plants, Spike Growth 4 (DC 20) - Command Plants, Myrridan's Blackthorn*, Scrying, Spike Stones(x2) 5 (DC 21) - Animal Growth(x2), Transmute Mud to Rock, Transmute Rock to Mud 6 (DC 22) - Find the Path, Mass Bear's Endurance, Mass Bull's Strength 7 (DC 23) - Wind Walk * = cast
Arien Friday August 17th, 2007 11:30:42 PM
"If everyone would like to rest I can provide safe respite again for the group." The mage pauses a moment before continuing, "Provided magic works correctly here of course."
Draax Sunday August 19th, 2007 2:17:33 AM
Draax nods his head at Arien's comments. "Magic worked OK during our fights with the hydras, but I agree, magic in this place might not work the way we expect it too."
Tratain Sunday August 19th, 2007 10:20:41 PM
Tratain says "lets Travel until it is almost Dark, then we'll let Arien cast his magical Resting place for us."
At nightfall - DM Marcin [subbing for Matty this week] Monday August 20th, 2007 4:05:40 AM
Dusk comes changing the monumental trees the party is walking among into a maze of black columns. Strange stars appear briefly on the sky, but are soon gone, for a misty vapor rises from the ground and makes the darkness that much deeper, giving the prospective Dragons an impression that they are walking in a cloud. With the sunlight gone it rapidly starts getting cold. The forest comes alive, but with the kind of night noises one would expect on the Lower Planes of Nine Hells: howling, moaning, creaking of wood and stone, distant shrieks and cries of some strange beasts. It is the howling, though, that repeats most often. Now even those without superior scent sense a distinct reek of wolf hanging heavily in the air.
Soon the fog makes it impossible to see more then twenty paces in front of you [it's nightime: those without darkvision or low light vision need a source of light to see anything at all. The range of sight of everyone else is 15 ft. Everything within that range gets concealment. Outside of that range sight is blocked].
The party finds itself in the middle of a small clearing in the forest discussing whether to stop for the night [Map. Green areas are bushes - double movement cost. Please position yourself somewhere within the blue zone - give me the number of the row and column you would like to be at. Mind the size of your character].
"Aieee! Help! Heeelp!"
Suddenly a hysterical cry for help sounds out not far away in the forest, oddly out of place in this savage land!
[Listen Check please. Depending the DC you have beaten please reveal spoilers. DC10 Highlight to display spoiler: {The voice seems to belong to either an elf or human female or a young gnome. It comes from the West.} DC15 Highlight to display spoiler: {One could guess the crier is about 200 ft away.} DC26 Highlight to display spoiler: {Two groups of creatures can be heard converging on the party from North and South. Occassional snarl betrays wolves.} DC31 Highlight to display spoiler: {Another group of creatures stealthily approaches the party from the East. These move differently, like bipeds would, and in silence.}]
[Time elapsed: 0.1 minutes. As of now we are counting time in rounds, folks. Please include your AC, HP, and all combat-relevant magic effects you have active in your next post.]
Juliander (AC 24, HP 73) d20+15=35 Monday August 20th, 2007 7:24:37 PM
Juliander stands, crossbow in hand, and looks directly to the east snarling, "Sounds like a trap to me. I'd stay together folks. Someone is attempting to sneak up on us from this direction." Juliander indicates toward the east with his drawn and loaded crossbow.
(OOC: Listen check DC 35. Standing in 6,6... 6th column from the left, 6 row from the top... counting only the columns and rows in the blue square.)
Lumi-Juova (AC 26, HP 118/124) and Tarhapollo (AC20, HP22/22) d20+14=32 d20+14=18 d20+14=29 d20+12=25 Monday August 20th, 2007 8:48:20 PM
d20+14=19 d20+14=21 d20+14=21
Standing in the small clearing wondering about a place to sleep (standing at 3,1 3,2 4,1 4,2 by Juliander's reckoning) Lumi's immpressive Listening skills come to the rescue. (Listen:32) "I can't see a thing with this fog, but Juliander is right; we are surrounded on three sides, and those are two-legs to the East! But what if the voices to the West are the Sage that we seek? I say we need a fast dash to retrieve the callers and return them to this glade where the rest set up a defense!"
"Horvis, you and I to the West rescue?" Barely restraining himself, Lumi readies his action to burst to the West (double move 100') and find the callers. He only waits on the word to go from Tratain...
Highlight to display spoiler: { if Lumi gets the word from Tratain to go, he will launch Tarhapollo and command the snowy owl to 'Track!', counting on the superior night skills of his companion.}
(Listen:32, Spot:18, Track:29, Handle Animal:25)
Spells in Effect Endure Elements (24 hours)
Horvis the Troll (AC 26; HP 137) - Greater Magic Fang, Longstrider d20+7=26 Monday August 20th, 2007 9:57:23 PM
The troll jerks his head around, seeking the sources of the sounds coming through the fog. When both Juliander and the liontaur mention the sounds from the east, Horvis takes a moment to inhale deeply. The air whistles through his oversized nostrils and then Horvis exhales a gust of foetid air.
Not wanting to leave his companions undefended, Horvis takes a moment to slow some of the potential attackers. The troll stands high, casting a spell that turns the trees and undergrowth into grasping hindrances. He tries to entangle the wolves approaching from the north.
Position Squares (using Juliander's approach) - column 2, row 5 to column 3, row 6
Actions Move Equivalent - use Scent special ability Standard - cast Entangle, centred 40 feet north of the blue border (DC 18 reflex save or Entangled, etc.)
Troll Large Giant = 10 ft space, 10 ft reach Speed = 40 (30 +10) ft Darkvision 90 ft., Lowlight vision, Scent AC = 31 (16 (troll base) + 1 DEX (from ioun) + 7 armor & enhancement + 2 shield & enhancement +5 Barkskin) Atk = +18 (9 BAB + 7 STR - 1 size +3 enhancement), 3d6+13 (quarterstaff, 2-handed) Full = +18 (q-staff) / +13 (q-staff) / +16 (bite, 1d6+5 plus Tear effect)
Active Effects Greater Magic Fang - +1 to all natural weapons, 12 hours Longstrider - +10 ft walk/run, 12 hours Myrridan's Blackthorn - +3 atk, 3d6+3 damage, 12 hours
Spells 0 (DC 16) - Detect Magic(x2), Guidance, Toros' Taur's Try(x2), Purify Food and Water 1 (DC 17) - Entangle(x4), Longstrider*, Speak with Animals(x2) 2 (DC 18) - Barkskin*(x2), Heat Metal, Soften Earth and Stone(x2), Spider Climb(x2) 3 (DC 19) - Greater Magic Fang*(x2), Plant Growth, Speak with Plants, Spike Growth 4 (DC 20) - Command Plants, Myrridan's Blackthorn*, Scrying, Spike Stones(x2) 5 (DC 21) - Animal Growth(x2), Transmute Mud to Rock, Transmute Rock to Mud 6 (DC 22) - Find the Path, Mass Bear's Endurance, Mass Bull's Strength 7 (DC 23) - Wind Walk * = cast
Tratain HP 111/119 AC 28 d20+11=22 Tuesday August 21st, 2007 12:57:47 AM
At the warning Given to his companions Tratain says "Move West towords the screaming together as a group, We need to delay whoever is comming from the east. If its those wolves with them, Kill the big one first and Try to scatter them. Stick together and fight together, don't let them seperate us at all."
On alert - DM MarcinSaves vs Horvis's Entangle d20+7=12 d20+7=22 d20+7=27 d20+7=14 d20+7=13 d20+5=16 d20+5=21 d20+5=6 d20+5=13 d20+5=7 d20+5=17 d20+5=13 d20+5=11 d20+5=8 d20+5=24 Position of the rest of the party d10=9 d8=1 d10=7 d8=1 d10=4 d8=2 d10=8 d8=2 d10=8 d8=8 Tuesday August 21st, 2007 2:15:19 AM
Juliander warns the party about incoming danger.
Lumi-Juova confirms Juliander's observation and almost dashes off to the rescue of the caller, but Tratain does not wish for the group to split.
Horvis uses his powers to make some of the trees to the North come alive. Even though he has to aim by hearing it appears his spell has hit at least some of its marks. There are crashing sounds as quite a few of the beasts, suddenly trapped by twigs and branches, start to struggle for freedom. [Horvis Highlight to display spoiler: {Horvis's superior smell makes him sure there are no enemies within 30 ft of him right now. Hanging in the air is a general smell of wolf mixed with some other kind of odor that is a bizzare mixture of human and wolf.}]
Tratain does his best to keep the group together. [Tratain Highlight to display spoiler: {Tratain gets 200 xp for good tactical suggestion.}]
[Rolling randomly for the position of party members who didn't post.] [...]
The pack makes its move - DM MarcinEscaping Entangle d20+7=8 d20+7=17 d20+7=20 d20+2=13 d20+2=10 d20+2=11 d20+2=8 d20+2=13 d20+2=22 d20+2=13 d20+2=10 SR vs Entangle d20=15 d20=1 d20=17 d20=17 d20=19 Attacks on Jova d20+24=28 d20+24=38 d20+24=42 d20+24=29 d6+11=13 d6+11=17 d6+11=13 d6+11=12 d20+5=22 d20+5=24 d6+3=9 d6+3=6 Attacks on Juliander d20+5=21 d20+5=17 d6+3=5 d6+3=5 d20+7=24 d6+3=7 miss chances on attacks: d100=68 d100=88 d100=50 d100=51 d100=100 d100=24 d100=64 d100=77 d100=36 attacks on Juliander d100=66 d100=2 d20+13=33 d20+13=27 2d8(5+8)+32=45 Attacks on Horvis d100=62 d100=33 d100=4 d10+11=20 d20+3=14 d20=11 attacks on Monthor d100=5 d100=93 d100=16 d20+3=22 d20=12 Tuesday August 21st, 2007 3:02:28 AM
There are crashing sounds and howling coming from the North as the trapped wolves slowly make their way through Horvis's spell.
Sound of running feet - feet of bipeds - comes from the West, betraying the presence of yet another group of creatures in that direction.
The fog to the East suddenly spits out a pack of horrors not often seen outside of nightmares. They are a misshapen mixture of a human and a wolf, all of them, though some are merely as big as a large orc, while others rival with their size a sizeable ogre. All are humanoid in shape, but devoid of any gear or garb altogether, and covered with fur. Their heads are wolf-like, with red, gaping, open maws. About ten of them emerge from the mists, but heavy thumping of paws behind them suggests there are more to come from this direction. They descend on the party worked up into a berserker fury, a strange sight, for they move in in complete silence. It is Jova on his phantom steed who attracts attention of most of them. Many arms armed with razor-sharp, black claws reach out to him, seeking to tear the flesh from the bone [attacks on Jova: AC28 dam13, AC38 dam17, AC42 dam13, AC29 dam12, AC22 dam 9, AC24 dam6]. Two of the smaller beasts prefer Juliander [attacks on Juliander: AC21 dam5, AC17 dam5]. One tries to sink its claws into Tratain [attack on Tratain: AC24 dam7].
Only seconds later another wave of enemies appears from the South. These are the wolves the party has sighted earlier, accompanied by their larger, fiercer, darker cousins, now speeding at the party with their jaws open, revealing rows of huge yellow teeth. They attack the southern flank of the Knights with baying and howling, and one can easily hear that there are yet more of them in the fog to the south. Two of the larger wolves close on Juliander. Fog saves him from one of the bites, but the other one hits a vulnerable spot [crit on Juliander hits AC27, dam45]. The third large wolf and two of his smaller brethren attack Horvis [all three provoke an AoO from him]. The large wolf does not manage to hit him. The two smaller ones literally try to close in and jump on his head [small ones are trying to initiate grapple]. Neither is successful - they fall off the sides of the troll. Monthor is likewise pestered by three small wolves who attempt to get hold of his axe-arm, head, and leg [3 grapple attacks on Monthor]. Not surprisingly, the dwarf does not let himself be overpowered by such enemy [all fail].
[Note that L and BW on the map take up 4 squares. BW have a reach of 10 ft. Also note that the mist provides concealment for everyone. When moving around please give direction of steps, for example "X moves S-S-SW-W".]
Jova 25 AC 6/76 HP Z 32 AC 38 HP d20+19=34 Tuesday August 21st, 2007 4:25:48 AM
Jova is caught unawares, thinking he had more time to act/react. Because of which he is torn to pieces. With all the concentration he can muster he reachesd inside his cloak and pulls forth a fly potion. Drinking the potion he flies directly upward, feeling the blood soak through every where it seems.
Concentration 34 Fly directly upwards 20-30 feet.
Spells" 0--6-DC15--Resist +1 Save Throw, Detect Magic, Read Magic, Light, Ghost Sound, Pres 1--6/8-DC16--Shield +4AC-1 min lvl, Mage Armor +4AC-1hr lvl, True Strike +20 ATT, Expedious Retreat +30ftt 1 min level, Ray of Enfeeble 55 ft, 1d6+5str, 13 min, SRyes 2--7-DC17--Glitterdust 1-230ft/10ftradius 1 round level- Will save, Hideous Laughter 50 ft-Will Save-1 round- level-SRyes, Blind/Deaf 1-230ft-Fort Save-SRyes, Darkvision 1hr level-60ft, See Invis 10/level 3--6/7-DC18--Dispel Magic +10, Phantom Stedd 1hr level, Vampiric Touch Melee Touch- 1d6/2level--Gain temp hp from damage-1 hr, SRyes, Fly 1 min/level 60ft 4--7-DC19--Stoneskin 10 min/level, ignore 10 damge each attack up to 130, Grtr Invis 1 round level, Fear 30ft-Cone Shape Burst-1 round level-Will Save-SRyes, Polymorph 1 min level, Black Tentacles 2ftrad, 1rd/lvl, grapple 21, 1d6+4/rd 5--7-DC20--Summon Mon 5- 1 round level, Break Enchantment, Telekinesis 1-900ft/ 1 round level-1-325lbs round-Hurl-Will Save-SRyes 6--3/4-DC21--Flesh to Stone 1-230ft-Fort Save-SRyes, Greater Heroism
Lumi-Juova (AC 24 Mobility= AC 28 AOO, HP 118/124) and Tarhapollo (AC20, HP22/22) d20+20=38 d20+20=23 d20+15=19 d20+8=18 d20+19=23 d20+16=27 d20+15=28 d20+15=29 2d8(1+4)+5=10 2d8(5+2)+5=12 d8+4=8 d8+4=8 d6=4 d6=2 d4+3=4 d4+3=4 d100=18 d100=26 d100=71 d100=94 d100=51 Tuesday August 21st, 2007 8:07:05 AM
The trap closes swiftly, and Lumi spares a moment of concern about the, well, perhaps helpless person screaming so close to the West. He shouts out, "Come to us, and we will protect you!" into the forest to the West(free action), and points to the last thought location of the scream, calls to the snowy owl "Tarhapollo, the scream, Fetch!"(free action), and then his concentration is on his companions.
Seeing a bloody Juliander rise into the air, the white liontaur knows where the greatest danger lies. He sees a large BW without any obstacles inbetween, and he grins ferrally. Sprinting across the clearing, weapons ready, Lumi charges the southern-most BW.
"Hakaa Paale!" he screams, and his blades and claws go to work. (Charge: -2 AC, +2 to hit, take AOO from BW) Bastard Sword: Ac38CRIT23, 19miss, 18miss Dam: 10,12= 22 Miss:18 Adamantine HandAxe: Ac23, 27 Dam: 8+4shock, 8+2shock = 22 Miss:26, 71 Claws: Ac28, 29 Dam: 4, 4 = 8 Miss: 94, 51 Total: 52 possible damage
Spells in Effect Endure Elements (24 hours)
Monthor ( AC 28, HP 130/130) d20+20=27 d20+15=18 d20+11=29 d20+11=24 d10+25=32 d6=3 d10+25=29 d6=3 d10+25=27 d10+25=35 d10+25=33 d6=1 Tuesday August 21st, 2007 8:51:24 AM
Monthor follows Tratain's orders and remains with the group. Monthor believes that the larger wolf is the main threat to him at this time and power swings his axe at it two handed.
" HERRRRRRRE doggy, doggy, doggy!!!!! "
-------------------------------------------- Power attack -5 on attack, +10 damage. Aims at the large wolf west of his position. Dodge bonus to L ( AC 29)
Hits AC 27 Damage 32 physical and 3 fire for 36
AC 18 Damage 29 physical and 3 fire for 32
AC 29 ( crit role 24 for x3 damage).
Damage 27 (+ 35 and +33 if the crit is successfull) 1 fire for 28 ( or 96 if the crit is successfull)
Cleaves to the southern small wolf if able.
------------------------------
ooc> Tratain, have you been casting your magic weapons and armor spells on the party as before?
Tratain HP 111/119 AC 32 d20+18=36 d20+13=14 d20+8=26 d100=26 d100=7 d8+4=8 2d6(4+1)=5 Tuesday August 21st, 2007 11:36:40 AM
Tratain takes a 5 foot step to the west and casts Shield of Faith on Himself in an instant (Quickened). Tratain then swings at the smaller wolf thing slightly to the north of Him but Only getting in one good swing due to the fog (Hit AC 36 for 8 Physical Damage 5 Holy) Tratain attempts to take note if his Warhammer is reacting to evil within the creature he hit or if it is not.
Tratain will Intercept an attack For Jova if he is on the ground, or he will Intercept for Arien if Jova is high up.
OOC: Yes Monthor, you have the Magic Armor Bonus and the Magic Weapon Bonus. Jova also the last two attacks Missed you I beleive, so you should have 21 hps not 6 :)
ADM Joe Tuesday August 21st, 2007 11:43:12 AM
Posting Report for week ending Friday August 17th
M T W R F DM O X X X X Tratain X O X X Jova X X X O Monthor O O X O Arien O X O X Horvis O X X X Draax X X X X Juliander O X O O Lumi X X X X
Everyone Keep up posting during combat, its important. Also unless Marcin states otherwise Standard concealment miss chance is 20%, keep that in mind.
Monthor Tuesday August 21st, 2007 12:18:24 PM
ooc> Well then, with the extras from Tratain, please add +3 to Monthor's hit roles, damage and AC.
Juliander (AC 24, HP 28/73) d20+18=30 Tuesday August 21st, 2007 8:54:58 PM
Juliander gasps in pain as the large wolf tears into him. Focusing on shutting out the alarming sensation however, he ducks and weaves all the while, casting a spell. When all is said and done, it appears as though Juliander stands unharmed, ready for the wolves' next round of attacks. In reality however, the invisible bard moves away from his illusory self quickly, doing his level best to remove himself from harm's way.
(OOC: Cast mislead, and moves NW-N-N-N-N. Should put Juliander in the square just north of Draax.)
Draax (AC 31, HP 148/148) Endure Elements d20+20=28 d20+20=33 d20+15=22 d20+10=17 d8+3=8 d6=1 d8+3=5 d6=2 d8+3=4 d6=1 d8+3=5 d6=4 Tuesday August 21st, 2007 9:24:08 PM
Draax does not like how spread out the group is, but with so many enemies coming from so many directions, he does not believe the group has a choice. He takes aim at the Large Wolf-thing that is north of Monther. Draax does not know if the creature are related to the standard were-wolves that he has heard about, but if they are he believes that his silver arrows will get the big guy's attention.
Using his rapid fire ability, Draax sends 4 silver arrows at the Large Wolf-thing that is north of Monthor.
Hit AC 28 for 8 dmg & 1 fire dmg Hit AC 33 for 5 dmg & 2 fire dmg Hit AC 22 for 4 dmg & 1 fire dmg Hit AC 17 for 5 dmg & 4 fire dmg.
Horvis the Troll (AC 26; HP 137) - Greater Magic Fang, Longstrider d20+18=34 3d6(5+5+4)+13=27 d100=58 d20+18=36 d100=67 3d6(6+5+4)+13=28 d20+13=30 d100=43 3d6(4+4+5)+13=26 d20+16=29 d100=68 d6+5=9 d6=3 Tuesday August 21st, 2007 9:34:47 PM
The troll shrugs off the attacks of the smaller wolves, swinging his thorny stick at the large wolf thing to his southwest. AoO - hits AC 34, 27 damage (magic, pierce & bludgeon), 58 >20%, so hits
When that is done, Horvis realizes that he needs to hold the southern attackers off. He swings his staff at the same wolf-thing, hitting twice before snapping at the thing with his teeth. 1st - hit AC 36, 67 >20%, 28 damage (magic, pierce & bludgeon) 2nd - hit AC 30, 43 >20%, 26 damage (magic, pierce & bludgeon) Bite - hit AC 29, 68 >20%, 9 damage (magic, all modes) + 3 fire damage from Tear
After that is done, he may shift 5 feet east if the western dire wolf was eliminated as a threat.
Movement & Position Unchanged If west dire wolf eliminated, 5 foot step east
Actions Full Attack (see above)
Troll Large Giant = 10 ft space, 10 ft reach Speed = 40 (30 +10) ft Darkvision 90 ft., Lowlight vision, Scent AC = 26 (16 (troll base) + 1 DEX (from ioun) + 7 armor & enhancement + 2 shield & enhancement) Atk = +18 (9 BAB + 7 STR - 1 size +3 enhancement), 3d6+13 (quarterstaff, 2-handed) Full = +18 (q-staff) / +13 (q-staff) / +16 (bite, 1d6+5 plus Tear effect)
Active Effects Greater Magic Fang - +1 to all natural weapons, 12 hours Longstrider - +10 ft walk/run, 12 hours Myrridan's Blackthorn - +3 atk, 3d6+3 damage, 12 hours
Spells 0 (DC 16) - Detect Magic(x2), Guidance, Toros' Taur's Try(x2), Purify Food and Water 1 (DC 17) - Entangle(x4), Longstrider*, Speak with Animals(x2) 2 (DC 18) - Barkskin*(x2), Heat Metal, Soften Earth and Stone(x2), Spider Climb(x2) 3 (DC 19) - Greater Magic Fang*(x2), Plant Growth, Speak with Plants, Spike Growth 4 (DC 20) - Command Plants, Myrridan's Blackthorn*, Scrying, Spike Stones(x2) 5 (DC 21) - Animal Growth(x2), Transmute Mud to Rock, Transmute Rock to Mud 6 (DC 22) - Find the Path, Mass Bear's Endurance, Mass Bull's Strength 7 (DC 23) - Wind Walk * = cast
Hunting Wolves - DM MarcinAoOs at Jova d20+24=32 d20+24=29 d20+24=42 d20+24=42 d20+5=24 d20+5=24 d100=89 d100=2 d100=63 d100=23 d100=46 d100=12 d6+11=12 d6+11=16 d6+11=17 d6+3=6 miss risk on LJ attack d100=17 miss risk on Monthor's attacks d100=73 d100=86 d100=69 miss risk on Draax attacks d100=18 d100=88 d100=59 targets for Horvis d3=2 d2=2 Ref saves vs lightning d20+7=25 d20=20 d20=5 d20=20 d20=11 d20=10 d20=13 d20+12=28 d20+12=31 d20+12=20 d20+12=20 Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 2:50:30 AM
Jova retrieves his potion [move action, provoking AoOs from all enemies around]. Then he drinks it [standard action, provoking AoOs from all enemies around]. There is no time left for him to fly up, and Tratain has not yet reacted to interpose himself between Jova and the enemies. The wolf creatures are delighted to take advantage of the momentary vulnerability of their mark [Concentration can't help you avoid taking AoOs for anything aside from casting spells]. Six of the misshapen creatures are in range to strike at Jova [attacks hit AC32 dam12, AC42 dam16, AC42 dam17, AC24 dam6. Looks like this kills Jova].
Lumi-Juova shouts out to the unseen person who cried for help, but there is no response. Whoever screamed just seconds before is now silent. An owl is sent to investigate and soon vanishes in the fog. The wemic launches himself against the southernmost of the huge wolf-men, who, having concentrated his attention on Jova, is not in position to respond [already used up his AoO]. Two of his strikes with bastard sword would have hit were it not for the fog. Handaxe fares better, striking twice, but only the electric damage seems to hurt the creature! The wounds from the edge of the weapon itself instantly close up! Same thing happens when the linotaur tries to rake the foe with his claws - the cuts heal as soon as his paw leaves the wound.
Monthor concentrates his attention on the huge wolf breathing down his neck. His two swings with the axe neatly remove the creature's front paw and head, respectively, despite the interferring fog [Yves, please roll concealment miss risk yourself. Also, Cleave has been removed from online play by a house rule, you need to replace that feat with something else]. Monthor manages to notice that fire from his axe seemed to have no effect on the creature. He directs his last swing at the smaller wolf to the South, cutting the animal in two - alongside.
Tratain steps away from the looming presence of the large creatures, protects himself with a spell, gets ready to interpose himself should any attack be directed at Arien, and tries to lay hurt on the smaller wolf-man next to him. The warhammer strikes true, but it is only it's holy power that hurts the creature, the weapon itself does not! [Yes, it's a standard concealment miss risk - 20%]
Juliander employs a smart trick to mislead the attention of the wolves that are on him, while invisibly moving away.
Draax fires four arrows at the wolf-thing North of Monthor. The first one misses because of the fog [Stan, please roll concealment miss risk yourself]. The fourth misses. The second and third hit, though, and the creature roars in pain as the arrowheads, unlike the melee weapons of the rest of the party, manage to hurt it to their full potential!
Horvis manages to score a hit at the large wolf as it attempts to close at him. The second swing of the staff sends the creature to the forest floor with a resounding thump and a crushed skull. Horvis takes a step to the East and swings once again, following it with a bite [John, you didn't designate alternative targets, so I'm rolling to whom the remaining two attacks go]. The second swing of the staff kills one of the smaller wolves, while the bite takes a good chunk out of the second large wolf. The fire effect that is carried by Horvis's teeth proves ineffective, though.
Arien steps away from the line of foes and cleans up the battle space a bit with a display of lightning. All three remaining small wolves fall down to the ground, fried up. The large wolf now fighting Horvis manages to get away with only a little hurt. The spell also takes down four out of five smaller wolf-men. The fifth screams in pain as his fur literally catches on blue fire. The huge wolf-men are an entirely different thing, though - two manage to avoid full effects of the spell, two do not, but all survive and now their entire attention is focused on Arien!
[...]
Arien (AC 21; HP 60, Mage Armor) 16d6(1+2+3+6+4+5+3+4+3+6+1+6+5+6+1+6)=62 Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 3:23:55 AM [Note - actions taken into the account in my previous post. M.]
Arien is surprised a moment by the charging wolf things and the savagery that they tear into the party with. Shrugging off his pack Arien backpedals five feet towards Draax. Then with a quickly muttered spell and a twist of the wrist the elven mage sends a bolt of electricity at south western large wolf thing. The electricity arcs from the creature to strike any other wolf or wolf thing up to thirty feet away from large beast.
((Chain Lightning damage = 62 Ref DC 25 for half; all targets within 30ft of original target take 31 damage ref DC 25 for half.))
The rest of the pack arrives - DM Marcinsave vs illusion d20+6=17 d20+11=18 [w on Arien] d20+5=22 d100=90 d6+3=5 BW vs Arien d20+24=36 d100=60 d6+11=16 BW vs Entangle d6+12=15 entangled BW on Arien d20+22=31 d100=47 d6+11=14 BW on LJ d20+24=36 d20+24=26 d100=34 d100=94 d6+11=15 d6+11=13 save vs illusion d20+6=25 attack on Horvis d20+11=18 s on Horvis d20+3=22 d20=6 s on Monthor d20+3=8 d20+3=18 d100=85 d20=18 w on Horvis d20+5=20 d20+5=9 d20+5=11 saves vs Entangle d20+7=8 d20+7=24 d20+7=27 d20+7=10 d20+7=26 L on Arien d20+11=17 d20+11=16 BW vs Tratain d20+24=28 d20+24=32 d100=8 BW vs LJ d20+24=27 d100=51 d6+11=13 BW vs Monthor d20+24=39 d100=27 d6+11=14 Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 4:23:26 AM
[Please note: BW: AC19, DR 10/silver W: AC16, DR 10/silver L: AC 14, SR11, cold res.5, fire res.5 s: AC14]
The wounded large wolf next to Horvis tears away at the illusion left behind by Juliander, seemingly oblivious to the fact that it is attacking thin air. The small wolf-man, with his fur ablaze, jumps after Arien trying to tear out his throat, at the same time putting himself under Tratain's warhammer and Lumi-Juova's sword [Tratain and LJ can make AoO at him. Unless they do 6 or more damage and take him down Arien is hit for 5 hps]. The most seriously wounded of the wolf-men steps up to the illusion of Juliander and swings at it. Was Juliander really standing there he would now be looking for his head. The remaining three wolf-men are more interested in Arien. One steps up to Lumi-Juova and reaches out with his long arms towards the mage of the Knights [attack on Arien: AC36 dam16]. Another one passes by Tratain, ignoring him altogether [Tratain gets AoO on him if he has any left], and entering the area of Horvis's spell. There he is promptly caught by the Entangle, but Arien is still in range of his long arms [attack on Arien: AC 31 dam14]. The last of the wounded wolf-men, unable to reach Arien, steps up to Tratain and swings twice at Lumi-Juova [attacks on LJ: AC36 dam15, AC26 dam13].
Unfortunately, it seems that the party so far has been fighting only the spearhead of the pack. The rest now starts to emerge from the fog. Two large and five smaller wolves appear from the South. One of the greater beasts takes an immediate interest in the image of Julinander, trying in vain to snuff out its life. The beast seems to have noticed that something is amiss. The other large wolf jumps at Horvis [AoO from Horvis on him]. The wild snap of his jaws misses. Out of the five smaller wolves two merely circle around the party, looking for an opening to exploit. One tries to bring down Horvis [AoO on the smaller wolf by Horvis] by jumping on his head and is easily shaken away by the troll. Two more try to harass Monthor by hanging on his axe-arms, but neither is successful.
A group of eight smaller wolf-men emerges from the fog to the West. Three of them are close enough to engage Horvis [who is entitled to an AoO against each of them], but none manages to score a hit. The rest will be on party in a few seconds.
Meanwhile, some of the wolves trapped by the Entangle spell manage to slowly pick their way through the opposing brambles and twigs [I'm marking the location of all of them, even those out of sight, as their struggling and trashing and shaking of trees allows to tell accurately enough where they are]. Two large wolves close on Arien (the flaring of their nostrils allows Juliander to suspect that while he is invisible, he can still be detected by scent!). Both try to bring down the mage and, luckily for Arien, both miss. It seems that the smaller wolves that were accompanying them lost their will to hunt after being subjected to the Entangle and are now scattering throughout the forest.
Unfortunately, this is not the end of problems for the party. Four more huge wolf-men emerge from the East. Two take an active interest in Tratain, but their claws merely scratch the armor of the Protector. One joins his brethren in an attack on Lumi-Juova [attack on LJ: AC27 dam13]. The last one strikes out at Monthor [attack on Monthor AC39 dam14]. A horde of seven smaller wolf-men appears behind backs of their larger cousins, merely a few strides from joining the fight.
[Time elapsed: 0.3 minutes. Map. Creatures marked with "Ent" are entangled. Tratain can interpose himself against one attack that hit Arien - your choice, Joe.]
Jova Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 7:04:47 AM
Jova falls from his horse uncerimonously. Z takes to the air and escapes off to wherever familiars go.
--It was a fun ride guys. I dont know how I went from the back to the middle of the group, but no biggy. After the first attack, anthing I did was sure to give AoO's. I knew I was dead. Have fun good luck. Bye
Draax (AC 31, HP 148/148) Endure Elements d20+25=30 d20+20=33 d20+15=26 d8+12=15 d8+12=18 d8+12=15 2d6(6+5)=11 2d6(5+4)=9 2d6(3+1)=4 d20=7 d20=2 d20=11 d100=82 d100=45 d100=97 Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 8:36:24 AM
Draax takes a step into the spot that was previously occupied by Arien. He drops his bow and pulls his holy longsword. He attacks the large wolf that was previously in front of Arien, but is now directly north of Draax.
Hits AC 30 for 15 dmg and 11 holy dmg (if evil) (I am not sure of the bonuses for a +2 holy sword's holy dmg against SR but rolled 7 against SR for first hit. Hits AC 33 for 18 dmg and 9 holy dmg, rolled 2 against SR for second hit Hits AC 26 for 15 dmg and 4 holy dmg, rolled 11 against SR for third hit
48 total regular dmg; I believe that the first and third hits' holy dmg gets through so 15 total holy dmg.
Monthor AC 31, HP 116/130 d20+23=37 d20+18=27 d20+14=22 d10+28=38 d6=4 d10+28=37 d6=4 d10+28=38 d6=5 d100=44 Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 2:13:07 PM
" JOVA!!!!!! "
Monthor is enraged at the thought that his friend Jova has fallen swings at the large wolf thing directly north of him.
================================
power attack -5 to hit and +10 damage
Hits AC 37 for 38 physical and 4 fire total 42
AC 27 for 37 physical and 4 fire total 41
AC 22 for 38 physical and 5 fire Total 33
44% on the concealment risk miss role.
( DM, are we confusing cleave and great cleave? I knew great cleave was out but when was cleave banned? If it's still in then, " Monthor cleaves if able to the large wolf thing North East of him." )
Tratain HP 111/119 AC 32 d20+18=36 2d6(6+1)=7 d8+4=6 d100=76 d20+21=23 Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 5:30:37 PM
As the wolf Creature attempts to get by Tratain he swings at it with his Warhammer, stricking it solidly through the fog. (Hit AC 36, 6 Physical damage 7 Holy, should Kill it.)
Tratain is then able to step infront of the Attack made by the larger wolf creature and defelcts it harmlessly away.(Tratains AC is 32 so the attack doesn't land. Arien should take no damage.)
Taking stock of the situation, Tratain takes a 5 foot step Southwest(The Wolfman in that spot should be dead now If not I'll cast just from where I am) and defensively Casts Holy Word (Cast defensively check passed, 40 Foot Radius Burst Centered on Tratain. Caster Level is 17, No Save No spell Resistance.)
Tratain will Intercept an attack for Juliander if he comes within 5 Feet, Or Arien if he does not.
Juliander (AC 24, HP 28/73), mislead/greater invis, haste Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 8:30:11 PM
Moving to the middle of the group as best he can (S-S, just south of Draax), Juliander takes advantage of the greater invisibility that mislead provides and casts haste on his allies, hoping to speed up their attacks. Meanwhile, his illusory double makes a good show of dodging all attacks that are aimed in its direction.
OOC: Haste should get the whole group.
Horvis the Troll (AC 27; HP 137) - Greater Magic Fang, Haste, Longstrider d20+18=38 d20+18=24 d100=40 6d6(1+5+6+3+3+6)+26=50 d20+19=31 d100=56 3d6(6+2+5)+13=26 d20+19=23 d100=39 3d6(2+6+5)+13=26 d20+14=32 d100=11 d20+17=32 d100=3 Wednesday August 22nd, 2007 11:48:56 PM
The troll swings his quarterstaff at the first large wolf that came too close to him. His quarterstaff strikes solidly, spraying the surrounding wolves and his companions with blood, fur and other unidentified material. AoO - hits AC 38 (threat), confirmed AC 24, 40 >20%, 50 points
After feeling Juliander's magic flood through his body, Horvis keeps swinging at the opponents near him. He will start with the large wolves, if any are still standing, and then swing at the smaller wolf-things that are beside him. Q-staff 1 - hits AC 31, 56 >20%, 26 damage Q-staff 2 - hits AC 23, 39 >20%, 26 damage Q-staff 3 - hits AC 32, 11 <20% Bite - hits AC 32, 3 <20%
After that, Horvis will step five feet to the northeast to prevent the opponents from getting between him and his companions.
Movement & Position 5 foot step northeast
Actions Full Attack (see above)
Troll Large Giant = 10 ft space, 10 ft reach Speed = 60 (30 +30) ft Darkvision 90 ft., Lowlight vision, Scent AC = 27 (16 (troll base) + 1 DEX (from ioun) + 7 armor & enhancement + 2 shield & enhancement + 1 haste) Atk = +19 (9 BAB + 7 STR - 1 size +3 enhancement + 1 haste), 3d6+13 (quarterstaff, 2-handed) Full = +19 (q-staff) / +14 (q-staff) / +17 (bite, 1d6+5 plus Tear effect)
Active Effects Greater Magic Fang - +1 to all natural weapons, 12 hours Haste (Juliander) Longstrider - +10 ft walk/run, 12 hours Myrridan's Blackthorn - +3 atk, 3d6+3 damage, 12 hours
Spells 0 (DC 16) - Detect Magic(x2), Guidance, Toros' Taur's Try(x2), Purify Food and Water 1 (DC 17) - Entangle(x4), Longstrider*, Speak with Animals(x2) 2 (DC 18) - Barkskin*(x2), Heat Metal, Soften Earth and Stone(x2), Spider Climb(x2) 3 (DC 19) - Greater Magic Fang*(x2), Plant Growth, Speak with Plants, Spike Growth 4 (DC 20) - Command Plants, Myrridan's Blackthorn*, Scrying, Spike Stones(x2) 5 (DC 21) - Animal Growth(x2), Transmute Mud to Rock, Transmute Rock to Mud 6 (DC 22) - Find the Path, Mass Bear's Endurance, Mass Bull's Strength 7 (DC 23) - Wind Walk * = cast
Defending your position - DM MarcinMonthor's missing concealment rolls d100=51 d100=70 Thursday August 23rd, 2007 3:40:34 AM
Jova falls to the ground, slain [sorry Dave, I did ask for the position of everyone on Monday. For those who didn't post I had to roll randomly for location].
Draax steps up to the wolf attacking Arien and deprives the big creature of life with three quick and precise sword strikes [it's SR doesn't help it against melee damage].
Monthor concentrates his efforts on the large wolf-man directly North of him. Despite the fog all three axe strikes hit with a sound of tearing flesh and shattering bones [one concealment roll per attack, please!]. The creature's magic nature absorbs part of the damage, but not enough, and it goes down with the third strike. Montor swings with the momentum of the strike and lashes out at the second opponent [Yves, you might be right about Cleave - I might have remembered the house rule wrong, sorry. For now use cleave in this combat and roll that cleave attack next round if that enemy is still alive. I'll check with PTB about it and let you know].
Horvis removes yet another one of the foes with a swift strike of his staff.
Tratain puts the smaller wolf-man that tried to run past him out of it's misery with a well-placed blow from a warhammer [so Arien was not damaged by that attack last round]. Then he intercepts one of the strikes directed at Arien, steps a bit away from the front, and delivers his own powerful magic punch. The holy power of his patron passes through the air with a thunderclap like a lightning. White flames cover almost all of the opponents. None have a chance, every creature touched by the holy energies instantly perishes. With a single word Tratain has slain thirty foes! Only two wolves, one large, one small, and one of the smaller wolf-men were out of range and remain standing [Tratain gets a hero point for casting a spell that removed danger from spellcasters].
Given what just happened Juliander can save Haste for later if he likes. Horvis has no foes within his range to strike at.
[...]
Victory! - DM Marcin Thursday August 23rd, 2007 3:53:05 AM
The last surviving wolf-man drops to all fours and then his body morphs. In just a second he assumes a form of a wolf, turns around, and starts running away. The poor, lone lesser wolf follows his tracks with yelping and a tail between his legs. The party can chase after them through the fog if you like. One last large wolf remains trapped by the entangled bushes, utterly at mercy of the Knights.
And so the whole fight ends in less than 20 seconds. The forest is quiet once again. Only the trampled grasses, the still body of Jova, and more than thirty slain wolves remind of the violence that has just taken place here.
Slowly, one by one, the bodies of dead wolf-men begin to shift and change, transforming into badly mauled corpses of humans, elves, and half elves. The process lasts just a moment and is soon completed as final death embraces the bodies of party's foes.
After a minute or so Lumi's owl returns empty-taloned. It has failed to locate anyone or anything in the fog.
The dark forest is quiet once again. The smell of blood hangs heavily in the air. Thankfully, the mist does not grow thicker. It will be a chilly evening and a cold night.
Lumi-Juova (AC 24 Mobility= AC 28 AOO, HP 118/124) and Tarhapollo (AC20, HP22/22) Thursday August 23rd, 2007 7:51:17 AM
(ooc: a thousand apologies in missing a post in combat! Can only plead exhaustion.)
At the approach of still more of the wolves and wolf-men and the sight of Jova slumping to the ground, Lumi gritted his teeth knowing that the situation is grim indeed. And then Tratain's spell lashes out and... and the fight is over!
Lumi stands speechless and immovable, his eyes wide and his mouth uncharacteristically hanging open in dumbfounded amazement. "By Mighty Burfells...", he breathes.
Almost unnoticed, Tarhapollo returns, and Lumi notes that the 'helpless voices' must have been these creatures baiting thier trap. The wisdom of Tratain saved them twice over.
Belatedly, Lumi wipes the blood from his blades on the grass and keeps them ready in his hands.
Spells in Effect Endure Elements (24 hours)
Monthor Thursday August 23rd, 2007 4:23:26 PM
The dwarven warrior runs to his friend Jova and checks on him....
Monthor Thursday August 23rd, 2007 4:26:01 PM
ooc> In the immortal words of my old D&D pen and pencil party DM... pass over the inventory sheet!!! We have a dead PC to strip!!! And dude, go role up another character already!!!
[I take it the party is not willing to have him raised, then? M.]
Horvis the Troll (AC 27; HP 137) - Greater Magic Fang, Longstrider d20+12=31 Thursday August 23rd, 2007 9:50:32 PM
The troll looks around at the crumpled bodies of what has turned out to be werewolves. Although the identity of the larger wolf-things hasn't been explained. Knowledge Nature = 31, for details of werewolves
"Did anyone get bitten? You, Monthor? I'd hate for you to start baying at the moon."
Horvis moves over to where the bodies are collapsed on the forest floor, particularly those that have clothing or other belongings that might be searched for information. But before he does anything, Horvis turns back to his companions.
"Do we stay or follow the survivor? Or, for that matter, do we camp for the night."
Horvis mvoes to where the others are, looking over at Jova's crumpled form as he walks. The shifter really isn't sure what to do. Or feel, for that matter. He used to wander alone, so he never had to deal with this. So he looks to his companions for any guidance on how to act in this case.
Juliander (AC 24, HP 28/73), mislead/greater invis, haste Thursday August 23rd, 2007 10:39:57 PM
Dismissing his spell in order to become visible, it is clear that Juliander is extremely wounded, "I got hurt... I don't seem to recall whether it was a bite or a claw however. I think my eyes were shut at the time." The bard shrugs, "I feel worse for Jova however. Is there anything we can do for him?"
OOC: I'm fine with having cast haste. I got lots more. = )
Draax Thursday August 23rd, 2007 10:57:11 PM
Draax did not realize the group lost a party member until the fight was over. He walks over to Jova, picks the corpse up, and throws the body over his shoulder. "I am not sure what he desire or belief was when it came to death. We can at least take his body to a place where we can give him a proper burial and not have the body dug up by some beast."
Once he has the body positioned comfortably on his shoulder, Draax looks to the others. "There are enough bodies out here to keep any hungry beasts occupied, but those same bodies will attract a lot of hungry beast. We still need to rest for the night, but we should do what magical healing that we can quickly and then move away from here before the scent of blood has us knee deep in creatures again."
Hovis' words have Draax looking closely at everyone that was injured. Draax has no idea which ones were werewolves or if these creatures operate under the same rules as the were-creatures that he has heard about.
Tratain d20+16=30 d20+16=35 d20+16=17 Friday August 24th, 2007 12:20:22 AM
Tratain says "We need to move on, lets keep going west. I don't want to stay here, the battle may attack other creatures. Search them quickly and lets be off, bring Jova's Body with us."
"Also anyone who was bitten by those let me take a look at the wounds, I know that bites from those creatures can be dangerous." (Heal CHecks 30, 35, and 17)
Tratain will cast Detect Magic to see if the Werewolf's had anything of value while they are searched.
Arien Friday August 24th, 2007 4:08:50 AM
Arien grimaces and wraps a bandage around one arm that got slashed by the large wolf creature. The elven mage walks over to the still form that was once Jova and whispers a goodbye.
Monthor Friday August 24th, 2007 6:52:59 AM
"Draax... take the body but lets distrubute our friend's gear. It be foolish to let go to waste anything that could be of use to us. Jova would have wanted it that way.... "
Lumi-Juova (AC 24, HP 118/124) and Tarhapollo (AC20, HP22/22) d20+14=28 d20+14=25 d20+14=29 Friday August 24th, 2007 6:57:46 AM
Tratain's words spark Lumi into shamed action. Accepting whatever portion of the burden is required, he sniffs and scans the trail to resume thier search for the Sage and to move away from the area of carnage.
He picks a way going south to distance themselves from the city and scene of battle and prepares to move out.
(Listen: 28, Spot: 25, Track: 29)
Spells in Effect Endure Elements (24 hours)
Aftermath - DM Marcin Friday August 24th, 2007 8:29:19 AM
Horvis examines the fallen elves and men and quickly comes to the conclusion that they all were, indeed, lycanthropes. Strange how quickly the larger ones fell under Tratain's spell, one would normally expect them to survive it. Might have something to do with the erratic behaviour of magic in this area. None of them wear any clothing. In fact, they look quite feral, like primitive tribes living away from civilization: men have long beards and the hair of the elves is long and tangled. Crude tattoos cover bodies of some men, and a few elves wear necklaces made of string and polished stones. None of them seem to have any value.
Those who have been bitten by them are indeed in danger of contracting lycanthropy [blast it, and there I was hoping to make a nice night encounter out of it sometime in the future. You might as well roll your saves now, one Fort save DC15 for every wound inflicted by large or small wolf-men, but not small or large wolves. If you fail a save you have contracted the disease, see the Lycanthropes entry in the MM for details].
As the party prepares to leave the area a Detect Magic is used to scan the remains of the foes. Nothing there radiates magic, but Tratain picks up a host of strong magical auras just on a verge of visibility. A moment of concentration points to the top branches of a nearby tree, but there is nothing there to be seen!
[Yves, you were right. Cleave is perfectly legal.]
Monthor Friday August 24th, 2007 10:29:47 AM
ooc> Marcin, can we pick over Jova's gear? Ghoulish, but if it healps the party.. why not? Should we get him raised, we can always give the stuff back.
[Actually, Matty is back in charge and he will handle that - Marcin]
Horvis the Troll (AC 27; HP 137) - Greater Magic Fang, Longstrider Friday August 24th, 2007 8:54:00 PM
The troll finishes sorting through the remains of the werewolves, not having learned very much. If Tratain mentions what he detects, Horvis will gradually move in that direction in an attempt to catch the Scent of whatever is hiding invisibly in the treetops.
As he moves about the clearing, Horvis asks his companions whether they want him to carry Jova's body.
"Not much of a burden for me, really. If you think we should move him out. Me, from what we've seen, I'm thinking that we may have to leave a different way so leaving Jova behind won't work too well."
Juliander d20+6=13 Friday August 24th, 2007 10:52:07 PM
Juliander is silent as the rest of the group picks through the remains of the battle. The human bard doesn't look particularly healthy. He offers himself up for inspection by Tratain however, since one of the wolves did indeed take a sizeable chunk out of him.
Monthor Saturday August 25th, 2007 7:53:28 AM
Monthor takes Tratain's healing as well. Better safe then sorry ( and hairy).
Lumi-Juova and Tarhapollo d20+14=30 d20+14=15 d20+14=28 Saturday August 25th, 2007 10:32:46 AM
"Perhaps the Sage is able to restore our brave companion? It is not right to strip the bodies of the noble dead. Even in the Ice Vien, where every resource is needed, when a Wunjo goes to the Powers he is frozen with the items of his life."
When Tratain tells the others of the unseen magical area, the white liontaur tries to fathom an illusion by other means. (Listen: 30 Spot: nat 1 (not that way!) Track: 28)
Draax Saturday August 25th, 2007 11:29:11 PM
Draax waits with Jova's body across his shoulder while the others receive medical attention.
Tratain Monday August 27th, 2007 7:08:57 AM
Tratain looks over those who were wounded. He says "Theres something up in those trees, its probably invisible. I can sense strong magic but i can't see anything. Lets move west a ways and see if it follows us."
Another visitor? Monday August 27th, 2007 12:56:42 PM
Tratain goes about tending the various cuts and bruises suffered by the party. Meanwhile, Draax picks up the body of Jova, to be taken wherever the party may go, or at least to a more desirable spot than this, while Horvis offers his aid in carrying the burden.
In the distance, a wolf can be heard to howl, a long, slow, mournful noise. It is answered by other canine throats further away.
Lumi studies the trees intently after Tratain gives his warning. He fails to make out anything in the fog among the branches, nor can he hear a single sound. In fact, there is a complete absence of sound in the tree, contrasted to the other trees about. There is no evidence of any creatures in the tree, or around it (aside from the now-dead pack of wolves).
Tratain suggests that the party begin moving away from the area, and the group begins to head west.
You move slowly through the fog and underbrush, full night having set in by now. The sky is overcast, with neither stars nor moon to guide you (anyone without darkvision needs some way of seeing now).
You only take a few steps in a westerly direction when there is suddenly a sound from the previously-silent tree.
A quick phfflitt, as if something had moved quickly through the branches...
A soft whooosh of an unseen being moving over your heads...
A quiet thumppp, almost unheard, as something lands on the ground ahead of you...
"An interesting engagement," says a soft, musical voice through the mists. "I was compelled to stay and watch, though I think you should be turning east now, lest things become more . . . interesting . . . for you."
Those who have darkvision or some other way of seeing at night Highlight to display spoiler: {Before you stands a beautiful woman. About six feet tall, with long, flowing, silvery hair down to her waist, though the hair seems almost transparent in places. Her eyes have a certain elven cast, though you wouldn't necessarily call her an elf, or even a half-elf, for that matter. She wears a long, shimmering, diaphonous gown that flows over her bare feet and seems almost ready to reveal a bit more than might be proper among strangers.
She landed on the ground about 25 feet ahead of you. Aside from her gown, she is carrying nothing else. She stands with hands clasped in front of her, a slight smile on her face that gives her a look as if she knows a secret. She watches each of you in turns, but makes no other moves.}
[OOC: Re: the questions of taking Jova's gear, I assume everyone got Jerry's email. No taking the gear, unless Jova was carrying anything designated as "party items."
Also, as my email said, let's get a final resolution as to the party's plans for Jova as soon as possible.]
Draax Monday August 27th, 2007 9:42:17 PM
When he hears the voice, Draax unceremoniously drops Jova's body and quickly draws his weapons. Hearing the non-threatening nature of the voice, he cautiously picks Jova's body up again and adjusts it on his shoulder; he uses one hand to keep the body steady and his sword ready in the other.
Unable to see who is talking Draax looks in the direction of the voice, but he will use the reaction(s) of the others to judge what his actions should be.
Lumi-Juova and Tarhapollo Monday August 27th, 2007 9:49:53 PM
A startled liontaur backs up a step, the white owl mantling on his pillion pad in indignation. "By Celsiun's frost-rimmed beard!" The vision of the woman before him is strange, yet Lumi has no thought to explain to the others what stands before them.
But Lumi is able to recover from his surprise fairly quickly, and stands watchful. The wisdom of words is not for the liontaur, and he wisely keeps his mouth shut.
Horvis the Troll (AC 27; HP 137) - Greater Magic Fang, Longstrider Tuesday August 28th, 2007 12:17:13 AM
The troll was alerted to the presence of the watcher by Tratain but he's still startled by the appearance of the woman. Not exactly what Horvis finds attractive but he realizes that the two-legs might like looking at this woman. Even as he ponders this, the troll tries to catch the woman's scent - both to possibly learn something about her and, possibly, to recognize her again in the future.
Horvis does not speak, desiring to watch and learn instead. His companions are better suited to dialogue and parrying words.
Juliander (AC 24, HP 28/73) 2d8(2+5)+3=10 2d8(5+1)+3=9 2d8(6+6)+3=15 2d8(1+3)+3=7 2d8(7+2)+3=12 Tuesday August 28th, 2007 1:22:32 AM
Looking toward the voice, Juliander whips out his wand of cure moderate wounds, and self applies healing as quickly as he can manage. Thirty seconds later, after five applications of the wand, the bard is healed fully and ready to travel. Looking around to the rest of the group, "Anybody else want some of this."
OOC: Used 5 charges off Juliander's wand of cure moderate wounds.
Arien (44/60 hp) Tuesday August 28th, 2007 2:35:43 AM
Arien, hearing the voice, stiffens a moment before he processes the warning. Keeping an eye out for trouble Arien quickly ties off his bandage and steps up near to Horvis.
Tratain Tuesday August 28th, 2007 7:06:05 AM
Tratain is able to see the woman thanks to his goggles of Night. He says "Back east? If you wouldn't mind explaining Kind lady. What is to the west that would make our trip interesting?"
Monthor AC 31, HP 116/130 Tuesday August 28th, 2007 11:43:21 AM
Using his dark vision, Monthor can see the tall female in front on him.
" The 'interesting engagement' cost us the life of a friend! Unless ye can bring him back to life, me suggests that ye show some respect for a fallen hero. "
" Julie, bring that wand over here. Me got a few wolf scratches that be needing some healing. "
Conversation in the Night Tuesday August 28th, 2007 5:06:35 PM
Draax, even unable to see, immediately reacts to potential danger, splitting his energy between a possible assault, and protecting the body of his friend.
Lumi mutters in astonishment, and steeles himself against any potential threats, but is otherwise silent.
Horvis stands back as well. He picks up some sort of smell from the newcomer. Not quite human or elf, but not quite not, either. Something . . . different . . . is all Horvis can tell at first smell, but he continues his attempt. Arien sidles close by the troll, preparing for danger.
Juliander, in an apparent act of self-preservation, stops dead and begins healing himself. This draws a light chuckle from the woman as she watches patiently. "Young one, had I wanted you dead . . . . No matter. By all means, envigorate yourself."
Keeping her smile, she turns to Tratain and answers, "Well, child. The only thing to your west of immediate concern would be me. Beyond that, you needn't concern yourself until I am satisfied of a few things.
"Hero?" she says, inclining her head slightly toward Monthor. "How do I yet know if he be hero or villain? This, in fact, is what I plan to discover, among other things. . . . Yes, yes, youngling, heal yourself if it makes you more comfortable." She holds up a hand, extending a single finger in the air. "But do try to keep a civil tongue. I hate when these proceedings become . . . ugly."
The woman pauses, allowing anyone else who wishes to receive healing from Juliander's wand. Once the process is done, she bends her knees and sits on the ground in one, fluid motion, barely creating a bit of noise as she settles into a cross-legged position, hands folded before her.
"Now," she says quietly, "shall we begin? I should warn you, try not to lie to me. It does upset me ever so much, and I'm told that when I get upset . . . well, never mind that for now.
"Who are each of you? Why do you come to this place? What is your purpose here?
"I would hear from each of you, please. And do try to hurry, I don't want to be about this all night."
She speaks slowly but quietly, her half-smile never leaving her face. When she finishes, she examines the group intently, with a look of expectation on her face.
Jova the Spirit Tuesday August 28th, 2007 5:32:56 PM
After his death, jova finds it odd his spirit hasnot left to go somewhere else. Instead it seems as though he is still linked, somehow, to his once moving self. Floaring, since walking seems absurd, he follows the others.
Watching Draax he notes to himself if ever he can pay the man back, he would. The warrior tirelessly carries the corpse along. At least Jova was not trapped back in the valley with all those wolf creatures.
At the sight of the youngish woman, Jova simply stays back and observes. He had seen several odd women in his time, in odd spots. Nymphs, yes odd creatures. This was surely one of those fey type creatures.
"Jova speaks out loud, knowing noone can hear him anyway. He had tried communicating several times, to no avail. "Hello, I am Jova the ghost. Iwanted to be a hero, but, well, circumstances have altered those plans." He began chuckling at hmself, wondering if he would eventually go crazy, only able to talk to himself.
Lumi-Juova Tuesday August 28th, 2007 6:28:11 PM
The wemic grins as the woman kneels at thier feet. He glances at the others and grins, "Hardly the position of an enemy!" he observes. "And no harm to provide a name." Besides, he thinks, if she becomes an enemy, we can always rectify that mistake...
"I am Lumi-Juova, that is Snow-Stripe in the Common. Once scout of the Valkea Kissa tribe of the Ice Vien, I am now travelling with these Harmaa Ritari. A member of the Dragon Consortium told me to seek one named Varesh, known to be a Sage and wise in words who lives in these woods."
Standing tall and proud, the tiger-striped white liontaur keeps his ice blue eyes upon the kneeling woman.
Monthor Tuesday August 28th, 2007 8:20:56 PM
The dwarven warrior puffs out his chest with pride....
" Me be Monthor of the Axe Head Clan. Monthor of Dirt City. Monthor Mage Killer. Monthor of the Windhorn Hamleteers. Monthor of Monthor's Angels. Monthor of the Grey Knights (ooc> Will SOMEONE change the game's name please!!!! :-) )
Me job is to keep me boys healthy..."
:: Monthor looks at his fallen brother.. ::
"... sometimes I don't do such a good job. "
Horvis Tuesday August 28th, 2007 9:27:54 PM
The troll considers as his companions answer the woman's questions. Horvis has the impression that it would be best to answer this woman as truthfully as possible, even if it may be inconvenient. So, instead of speaking to her in the form of a troll, Horvis concentrates for a moment and shifts back to his original form. Instead of a tall troll, there is now a heavily built male centaur standing with his companions.
"I am Horvis. I use no other name. I am a wandering student of nature and these are my companions."
"We come seeking the sage, as my companions have said. Personally, I come to learn more about the creatures that walk the Wold. I have learned much, already."
"May we know your name?"
Draax Tuesday August 28th, 2007 10:07:18 PM
The hair on the back of Draax's neck stands up and his gives a little shiver as if he came too close to a ghost. He dismisses the unnatural feeling as his imagination.
Draax moves close enough to get a good look at the woman. Normally he would not tell his business to a total stranger without knowing why the stranger wanted to know, but he does not think that the information she asked of them could do the group any harm.
"I am Draax, I could give a more formal title if needed, but everyone calls my Draax. I came here because I was told the path to me become part of the Dragon Consortium begins here. At the moment my purpose here is to find Varesh. I am sure that he or she will give my a clue to the next thing that I will have to do here."
Draax point to the body on his shoulder. "This fellow here is or was Jova. I do not know much about him except that he has been a pretty good companion for many weeks. If you were watching the fight with the wolf-men, you would have seen him go down during their ambush."
He waits until the rest have said the piece and then Draax watches the reaction of the woman.
Tratain Tuesday August 28th, 2007 11:17:54 PM
Tratain shrugs as his companions tell the strange woman thier mission without even finding out her name first. He says "My name is Tratain, and as my friends have so freely told you we are searching for Varesh the sage. We were told he lives to the south of the City, perhapse you could give us directions if you know him? We could probably wander around out here for hours or days before we find him."
Juliander 2d8(6+7)+3=16 2d8(7+3)+3=13 Wednesday August 29th, 2007 12:26:47 AM
Juliander smiles warily, but speaks with confidence, "Each thing in its own time. Yes?" That said, he proceeds over to Monthor with the wand, and taps the dwarf once. "That should do the trick." Then over to Arien, and taps him once as well.
OOC: Healed Monthor for 16 hps and Arien for 13 hps.
Arien Wednesday August 29th, 2007 3:37:07 AM
"I believe that our purpose here has been stated already so I shall simply introduce myself." The elven mage offers a bow as he says, "I am Arien Silverbow, might we have your name?"
Conversation in the Night Wednesday August 29th, 2007 9:59:44 AM
Juliander immediately goes to his friends and heals them of any scrapes and bruises they may have.
The woman sits cross-legged and listens to the responses of the group. She seems to visibly relax a bit after hearing what you have to say.
However, as Draax begins to move forward toward her, she suddenly raises a hand above her head and closes her eyes for a split second.
Draax walks face-first into a shimmering, blue-green wall of some sort, which instantly appears in front of him. The wall is clear enough that you can see the woman plainly sitting on the other side, though it shimmers and shines oddly in the darkness. It looks to be about 50 feet long and just as tall.
Once the wall is in place, the woman opens her eyes and smiles again. "That's better. Let's not get too friendly just yet, hmm? One can never be too sure." Oddly, you can hear her voice plainly through the wall.
Remaining seated, she proceeds to greet each of you in turn.
"Ice Vein?" she says to Lumi. "It has been long since I visited those lands. Onnittelut, Sankari jalo." To Lumi's surprise, she addresses him in his own tongue.
"Many names there, child," she says, turning to Monthor. "Worry not over the wolfen. You seemed to acquit yourself as best as possible in the situation. Those fiends are . . . tiresome, at best, though I think you've seen all you will of them tonight."
Looking at Draax, who is rubbing his sore nose, she comments, "I did indeed see him fall to the wolfen. Fortuitous that you disposed of them so quickly, before they could take his body. That is what they wanted, you know: fresh magic. They would be miles away and feasting right now.
"And your friend. You carry his body even still. That alone tells me something of your goodness, and goes a long way in my judgment. It likely pleases your lost friend as well. These woods have a way of . . . holding on . . . spirits sometimes find they cannot leave so quickly as they thought. He may be shouting in your ear right now." She gives a quiet laugh before composing herself.
Looking to Arien, she raises one eyebrow. "An elf, I see. Hmm. Are you not troubled returning to your people's lands such as they are? It is rare to see one of your kind here in this age."
Inclining her head toward Horvis as he shifts, she says, "Thank you. Trolls . . . so dreadful to look at. A noble taur is far more appropriate."
She laughs lightly at Tratain's comment. "Indeed, you would do no more wandering, child. Worry not over a wasted night, I would have seen to it your wandering days were quite finished."
She suddenly comes to her feet, oddly without even using her hands to lift herself. Her almost-clear gown reflects the light of the wall in front of her. Throwing her dark hair back, her smile widens.
"But, from your words, all of you, it seems I have less to worry about than I first thought. It is well you mention the Consortium. No common scum entering this place out of greed would claim companionship with them.
"And you seek Verash. None would know that name who shouldn't, though I wish you'd not use it so freely. In any case, I must assume it was given to you by Valdor, or one of the others.
"Very well. I cannot say I trust you yet, but it seems you come from the right place. My name, you asked? My name is Phaedrus. I am Verash's . . . guardian . . . as it were." Her smile seems to deepen a bit with this comment.
"I can take you to him, if you wish, though I require that you remove your weapons and put them into my care. That includes your symbol, child," she says, looking to Tratain. "I will not risk harm to my Verash."
ADM Joe Wednesday August 29th, 2007 1:01:27 PM
Posting Report for week ending Friday August 24th
M T W R F DM X X X X X Tratain X X X X X Jova O X X Dead Monthor O X X X X Arien O X O X O Horvis X X X X X Draax O X X X X Juliander X X X X X Lumi X X O X X
Tratain Wednesday August 29th, 2007 1:23:34 PM
Tratain thinks for a moment and says "i'll have to admit, I'm very uneasy about just handing over all of our weapons to someone we have just met in the forest. We were told your name as well by the consortium, as well as what you are so I have a quick solution. With your permission, I will cast a spell that will allow me to see all things as they Truely Are, when I am satisfied we will hand over anything you consider a weapon to your safekeeping. We can store them in someones Haversack and you can carry that, or our portable hole if you don't have the means to carry them. I'm sure the weapons we have would be quite cumbersome to attempt to carry any other way."
If she agree's Tratain will cast True seeing to verify that she is who she says she is, and not someone trying to trick the party.
Lumi-Juova Wednesday August 29th, 2007 4:05:17 PM
Surprised and pleased, Lumi bows slightly and responds "Iloinen tavata, jalo joku!". He is also very aware of the power she must display at the magical wall forming so quickly, but is worried about giving up his weapons nonetheless.
Lumi is very, VERY pleased that Tratain has come up with a counterplan. "As our cleric of Tomi has said, we have nothing but your words that what you say is true, noble one, and many know the name of Valdor." He silently urges this Phaedrus to accept the compromise, while caressing the hilt of his sheathed sword trying to derive comfort from the contact.
Draax Wednesday August 29th, 2007 4:09:00 PM
Draax hesitate at the mention of giving up his weapons, he goes through an internal struggle over during what is necessary to complete their mission and leaving himself vulnerable without his weapons. It is at times like these when he wishes he would have taken some training as a monk.
He sighs in relief at Tratain's suggestion. "I can live with that."
If she says that it is OK for Tratain to cast his spell and Tratain says it is OK to disarm themselves, Draax will begin removing his and Jova's weapons.
Jerry Wednesday August 29th, 2007 4:26:11 PM
Thanks for the report Joe.
Arien Wednesday August 29th, 2007 7:03:12 PM
Arien nods his thanks to Juliander for the healing. While the elven mage has no problems giving up his weapons he does understand what that would mean to the rest of the party and so waits for a response to Tratain's suggestion.
Horvis Wednesday August 29th, 2007 9:27:20 PM
The centaur listens as the others request some assurance from the female ... whatever. Horvis is not nearly so concerned about giving up his weapons since he is as, if not more, dangerous without. But when the others mention carrying weapons, Horvis will speak up.
"I am quite capable of carrying all the weapons, either within my Haversack or without. For that matter, if you wish more security, I can shift into a form and the weapons will be beyond easy reach for all."
If deemed safe to do so, Horvis will offer his scimitar and staff.
Monthor Thursday August 30th, 2007 8:25:31 AM
Monthor sniff the air....
" Lady, you wouldn't happen to be a dragon now would you? "
:: The dwarf will defer to Tratain as to wether or not he hands over his axe. ::
Phaedrus Thursday August 30th, 2007 12:30:38 PM
Phaedrus nods thoughtfully at each of your comments.
Looking to Monthor, she raises a hand, now with two fingers extended. "Civility and courtesy, youngling. Especially if I am what you think." She says with a forced smile.
Looking at each person, she finishes with Tratain. "You raise a good point, Cleric, and a wise one. None should yet be too trusting.
"We have already used quite enough magic this night," she says, gesturing dismissively at the shimmering wall, which disappears without a sound. "The wolves will return if they smell enough of it in the air. I would avoid getting my hands dirty again tonight."
She begins walking back toward the clearing. "Come. I will simply have to show you myself who I am."
Walking the few paces back to the clearing, she grimaces in open disgust at the carcasses lining the grass.
Turning, she looks back at the group and smiles. As she stands before you, her facial features begin to elongate, her skin paling to nearly match her gown. She suddenly sprouts in size, doubling, then tripling her height.
At the same time, her body bends forward, and you see long pinions sprouting from her back, then stretching into leathery wings that continue to grow. Her once-round hindquarters stretch into a long, massive, muscular tail.
In the space of a moment, she now stands on four legs, her tail and wings continuing to expand. While they do, her face becomes reptilian, with two curving horns coming from the back of the head forward, and teeth as long as a dagger visible in her mouth.
Her skin now looks exactly the color of the gown she previously wore. Whitish . . . now greenish-blue . . . now almost clear. Her scales look to be formed almost of some smooth, translucent rock-like substance, and a series of protrusions down her spine from neck to tail look like finely-cut crystals, sharp enough to cut a man in half.
When the process is finished, the immense dragon covers a 30-foot square area of the clearing, not including her huge tail, which curls about the ground underneath her.
"Now," she purrs, "I trust introductions are thoroughly complete?" Her voice has the same tone and inflection as the woman with whom you spoke, though now it sounds as if she were speaking through an enormous metal tube, her voice deepened and amplified by her sheer size.
"Come then," she says, extending a wing to the ground. "I don't think you'll be doing me much damage. We'll deal with those weapons when we get to Verash.
"Quietly, though, when we land. You'll not be talking to him until morning. He needs his sleep, you know."
She waits with a wing touching the ground, and motions one massive paw as if encouraging you to climb on.
Lumi-Juova Thursday August 30th, 2007 12:54:30 PM
Staring dumbfounded, the white liontaur has to be nudged by another before he startles and begins to mount the dragon.
All during the flight, Lumi is staring around, quiet, wide-eyed. He has met (and defeated) many a being that was bigger or stronger than himself, but never has he encountered a force so deadly, so beautiful, so noble.
He remains entranced.
Draax Thursday August 30th, 2007 2:28:50 PM
Draax has seen so many dragon transformations that he is no long awed by them. Once the transformation is completed and the wing is extended, Draax moves towards the dragon and climbs up the wing as if this was something he does on a daily basis. Once he finds a comfortable spot to sit on the dragon, he secures Jova's body across his lap. He wonders that if Jova's spirit is still around as the dragon indicated, will it be able to keep up with the flying dragon.
Juliander Thursday August 30th, 2007 7:56:35 PM
Hesitantly, Juliander joins his friends astride the fearsome dragon Phaedrus. It is clear that he isn't entirely comfortable with the situation, but he keeps his peace for now.
Horvis Thursday August 30th, 2007 9:32:41 PM
The centaur hefts Jova's wrapped body, walking along with Phaedrus until the woman reaches the clearing. When she shifts into the form of a dragon, Horvis pauses. It's not the transformation, for he experiences that personally many times a day. It's the natural grace of the dragon's transformation for, however much he may learn, Horvis will always simply be borrowing the shapes that he wears.
Once the others begin to settle themselves, Horvis will pass over the body of Jova. Then he bows slightly to Phaedrus.
"With your permission, madam, I would transform and fly alongside you. Regardless of how easily you could carry me, hooves are not well suited to walking on someone. Unless you have a preference, I shall take the form of a hippogriff so that I do not slow you overmuch."
If Phaedrus accepts Horvis' offer, he will shift into a hippogriff and fly alongside the dragon.
Monthor Thursday August 30th, 2007 10:02:54 PM
"Told yous guys she was a dragon...."
Monthor climbs behind Draax and gives him a light nudge in the ribs.
Jova Friday August 31st, 2007 6:46:46 AM
Oddities never seem to affect him, except now. His body is thrown around like a childs doll, and yet he doesnt feel anything. The woman who now is a dragon still demands the partys weapons. He thinks one who is so paoerfil could see that they were all good in nature, and offered no threat. Interesting dilemna.
When Horvis and Draax load his body on the dragon he wonders 'if' he will be able to keep up as well. The pull on his body spirit conncetion was getting weaker. He could now stand several feet aeway. Not knowing what else to do, he jumps and flaps his arms. He had polymorphed into a bird, and so figured he still knew how. Nope that woulld not do.
Using his mind, he trieds to cast a fly spell, once learned he should be able to do at will. No again, it doesn work.
Well, he would just have to follow on the ground it seemed. He wondered if he could pass through objects. A short dose of panic runs it course. What if this seperated him form his body? But that slowly fades.
The main thought, the only thought was consuming him. Gargul. He knew from stories that Gargul would be the decider of his future. And Jova had absolutely no idea who or what the God was. Only stories, legends, and myths. These began to become more real as time went on.
Monthor Friday August 31st, 2007 11:35:13 AM
ooc> I'm not expert, but couldn't we have just raised Jova BEFORE getting on the dragon? Just asking.
Flying Through the Night Friday August 31st, 2007 12:38:19 PM
Phaedrus nods to Horvis with what might pass for a smile on a dragon's lips.
Once the rest of the group has climbed up and feels secure, she lifts quickly and silently into the air.
You feel the immediate rush of wind in your face, far more real than when cloudwalking. Phadrus takes you up about a hundred feet, then glides over the treetops on near-silent wings, taking a few circles before setting off in a westerly direction.
She flies quickly but carefully, adjusting herself anytime one of you moves too suddenly. After only a few minutes, it seems you have flown a number of miles. You are now close enough to the fogged-over area to see the tops of towers and buildings poking out into the night, some intact, some crumbling.
Phaedrus glides closer to the ground and sets down in a clearing. A few hundred feet to the north lies a small house, its windows unlit.
"Here we are, children," the dragon says. "Now, my Verash will be sleeping, and you'll be sure to stay quiet until dawn, yes?
"Make yourselves as comfortable as you can. You may want to deal with your friend's body while you wait." She points a crystalline claw to the south, and you can see a row of mounds in the distance. "Verash does have a kind heart for unfortunate heroes," she says wistfully.
"Ahh, yes, and the weapons. Place everything there," she points to a spot on the ground nearby. "Your symbol," she nods to Tratain, "and any components or magical materials," she nods to Arien and Juliander, "should go as well. They will be well protected, and in your sight if you so wish."
--------------------- OOC: Monthor, we could have, but no one mentioned it so I just kept moving. We should aim to start Gargul on Tueday.
Sorry for the short post today, rushing in between appointments.
Lumi-Juova Friday August 31st, 2007 2:57:55 PM
The liontaur takes the flight with wonder and trepidation, and is more than thankful for arriving on the ground. "Rrest and food sound like a good idea." states Lumi, "but first lets get Jova back from whatever Power he goes to in death."
Tratain Sunday September 2nd, 2007 10:04:53 PM
Tratain Drops his warhammer, shield, Haversack and Holy Symbol in a pile where Phaedrus indicates. He takes one of the scrolls or True Resurection and says "Lets bring Jova's Body over to the south a ways, and I will cast the spell that will bring us before Gargul so that we may ask him to return him to us."
He continues "We all must be respectful and give him no insult, I have been in his presence only once before, and I will tell you, Gargul demands respect so say nothing and do nothing to give him offense."
When everyone is gathered about Tratain will read from the scroll of True resurection.
Monthor Monday September 3rd, 2007 9:46:34 AM
Monthor drops his axe with the other weapons. The dwarven fighter certainly doesn't like being apart from his favorite toy. He then goes and stands next to Tratain.
"What Tratain said... the rest of you certainly lack in the manners department. Forsizzle!"
Jova Monday September 3rd, 2007 12:19:47 PM
Jova had watched as the others mounted the dragon. Unsure of how to proceed the decision was taken from him. As caught in a spiderweb his body lifts from the ground and flyies below the dragons body. In some sort of invisible cocoon Jova faces the valley floor as it passes below hime. Never had he had such a view.
The tenuos tug of thd invisible cord seemed to be failing every moment. His hold on this existence was fading, quickly. As the dragon decended, Jova hit the ground in a heap. Trying to catch his breath and gain his feet, he realizes he has no breath to catch.
Jova watches as the others place their weapons on the ground as asked gy the dragon. Jova goes over and sands next to Tratain, waiting for this encounter with teh God Gargul. When he catches the eye of the dragon he waves at her, still unsure if the beast can trullky see him.
Draax Tuesday September 4th, 2007 3:27:42 AM
Draax remove his weapons and although he is not looking forward to it, he gets ready for the meeting with Gargul.
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