This is the "Fires of Dis" Adventure item, but first an enigmatic background from the back cover of the adventure module: "IN THE OUTER PLANES, A HOLY SWORD CAN BE A FIEND'S BEST FRIEND, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE OWNER WANTS IT BACK . . . *Sneaking into the second layer of foul Baator ain't easy, but with a little help from the right high-up men, it can be done. 'Course, exactly who the right high-up men* are *can give a bsher a pause, so it's often best not to ask. But here's a sword to be found, and bloods needed to find it. Truth is, those who don't end up lost are sure to find that no good deed goes unpunished!" -Back Cover, TSR-2608 _Fires of Dis_ Mistake analysis: Second paragraph, italics should be reversed. Typo in documentation. And now, let the adventure begin with this description: "The Great Bazaar! The kind of place that'd drive even a Sensate barmy, with so many things to sample from so many different worlds it'd take ten lifetimes to try them all. This whole part of Sigil's swamped in a sea of caravan tents and breakaway stalls, topped with flags, draped with banners, festooned with hangings of every color and design. Here, the merchants of a hundred planar and prime worlds set up their carts, offering food, drink, rugs, pots, stoneware - anything that a visitor to the City of Doors might want or need. And since just about every berk and blood in the multiverse tromps through the Cageat some point or other, it's a bet that the merchants here have something to meet every taste."797 responses total.
I wander through the bazarre, taking in the sights and sounds
Salassastros: You make your way down the cobblestone streets of Sigil, and are assualted by countless aromas, odors, sights and sounds. On your right you see a hideous looking merchant selling a bag of writhing larvae to a bat-wing earred, dog-headed creature with four arms, the lower two ending in pincers. Another merchant is selling what he claims to be light bowls forged from the Elemental Plane of Fire - and is demonstating how they work. Still another merchant is auctioning a stoppered bottle that she claims is filled with air from the peak of Mount Celestia that'll purify the evil right out of any berk who gives it a whiff. Teams of Stone Giants offer rides in sedan chairs for rides through the streets in style. Another mercahnt is offering mushrooms said to be dug from the roots of Yggdrassil the World Ash. Another merchant is offering some candy which she claims to contain the spirits of beings from far-flung prime material worlds. And even this does not describe all that is going on around you...
<enter kain> <enter jamie> <enter starwolf>
Kergen wonders how in the name of <generic nature god/dess> he got here...and how much for the bottle of air?
Wait...i'm confused...not all of us have the monstrous compendium, bjorn, care to clarify your mail? and what's a berk? and how much for some food?
Berk: Generic Joe-average planar bozo.
Of course, Kergen D'Qualoth wouldn't know that. However, Salassastros, being a planar being would know planar slang. I'll mail the list to you, orinoco. Also, from now on, out of game comments should be enclosed in the holy symbols <*> <*> Back to the game --> The merchant selling the air asks for 350 gold, Kergen D'Qualoth. Salassastros, what are you doing now? Mr. D'Qualoth, Salassastros - you have just bumped into one another - exchange physical descriptions.
I am a 5'10" tall creature resembling a werewolf in it's crossbreed form, Very Muscular-looking, callying several weapons and wearing StuiDAMMIT! wearing studded leather armor. "Oh, excuse me, I did not mean to bump into you."
<A postcard arrives with "WISH I WAS THERE" writen in big letters on the front> <pout>
<enter eldrich>
*You never answered my ?, bjorn...how'd I get here?
The last thing you can remember is being asleep in your bed or some other facsimile of sleeping thing, Kergen. When you awoke, you were standing up in this doughnut shaped city.
<Cyan wonders if he should be here, being as he planar, not prime> <Meanwhile Cyan sits and shares some of his munchies with his cats>
<Cyan is here all right...>
Tall humanoid, catlike eyes glowing faint yellow, dressed all in black
r "Excuse me, but could some...(spotting a Githzerai,which he does not know whast it is)..on...please tlell me where in the name of (generic Nature Deity) I am? "
Kergen D'Qualoth: The Githzerai (who happens to be wearing plate mail which appears to be made out of Red Steel) looks at you and responds in a raspy & hollow voice, "Yer in Sigil, berk and ye best not cause any trouble, werewolf!" (Incidentally, Salassastros hears this as well)
"Werewolf?" Hackles raise, facial expression remains unchanged. "I am no werewolf."
Cyan looks like a Normal 1/2 Elf, with tan skin and hair that is constanly changing color. He is sitting in the middle of the street feeding a small swarm of cats. Another is taking a nap in his uncempt hair.
"I care not what race ye truly be, leatherhead. Yer just the type I expect to make trouble around here, sod!" With that, the Githzerai in Red Steel plate mail disappears into a building covered in a silver ivy-like vine, which appears to be drywall on the spaces the vines don't cover. (on the right hand side of the street)
(looking at Cyan) "Got enough pets?"
A unit of Samurai marches by, and a mounted knight crosses your path. A humanoid in a red robe moves over to Cyan, taps him on the shoulder and shouts "NO LOITERING!!" in Cyan's left ear. A women with blades protuding from her neck floats by, her robe billowing - which is strange - there is no wind . . .
"Hmm...a Cloak that Billows in the Unwind..." I leave i n a random direction rather quickly.
Kain wanders about. Tall human blond hair blue eyes Wearing plate mail, odd looking leather boots and carrying a silver shield with a dog at his side <my horse is in the stables>
<Khergen wanders areound, muttring to himsefl:"I wake up in this strange place, wherething's I've only seen in nithgmares buy and sell just about anything inconceivable, and now this wierd babe with her goons and a Cloak that Billows in the Unwind....I need a drink..."
Sir Dandin Truestrike and Kergen D'Qualoth: "You feel a body bump up against you from behind. With the crush of beings in the marketplace, you don't pay it much mind. Then again, this ain't exactly the safest part of Sigil" <rolls some dice>
I whirl around and draw my sword, btw if twas of evil alignment my dog would have barked <detect evil always avtive>
Hand goes to sword hilt, I look around behind
<Out of Game Time> Kain, there are things which can fool *detect evil*. Are you (as Sir Dandin Truestrike) mounted on Nightwind or on foot? <EOGT> Sir Dandin Truestrike: Your load seems to be lighter. Describe Nightwind, Howler, and yourself (in physical terms) to Kergen D'Qualoth. Your ready your *holy avenger +5* for battle. Kergen: Which sword? You feel some divine protection. You don't see anything special. Both of you: you see a Diabolus cross your path. A Frost Giant brushes past you. An Archangel and and Archdaemon pass right next to each other in opposite directions without even exchanging dirty looks. Sir Dandin Truestrike: You feel a body bump up against you from behind. Salassastros and Cyan: A Frost Giant has arrived. An Archdaemon has arrived. Everybody: You notice the 'sky' is becoming grey.
Salassastros comforts Cyan's doubtless very disturbed cats, mewing to them comfortingly.
Salassastros and Cyan: A Frost Giant buys a *bag of holding*. You hear the sound of glass breaking, and notice a chair fly out of a bar window and shatter upon impact with the cobblestone streets.
As I have no magickal weapons, I'll have to make do with....is it shoulder-to shoulder traffic, or do I have some room?
Kergen D'Qualoth: You certainly have room. Your hand latches onto the hilt of your normal shortsword. Was that A tree that just walked by? Everybody: You notice that the 'sky' is now entirely dark gray, perforated only with small flickering lights from above. You see a mosquito ship dock at the inner edge of the city.
Do I know anything about Spelljamming? If I had room, i went for the longsword. If neccessary, however, I can use both simultaneously, without penalty. Ranger-type special thingy
*// Sorry I'm late....haven't been able to get on in a while. //* <Moto wanders around looking for something that looks remotely familiar and wondering how in the Nine Hells he got to this place>
Cyan mutters: "Never did like Sigil" and inquires about the destination of the mosquito ship.
Salassastros, wondering if he spelled his name right, readies his trusty blade.
To Cyan, pointing at mosquito-ship "What in the name of Primal Chaos is that?"
kain is on nightwind, his heavy war horse in full armor. Howler is a very perculiar looking dog his mouth is rather monkey looking as the archdaemon passes, howler growls at it. I attempt to keep night wind calm. Nightwind is a white horse with a black stripe on the forehead. I wear a peculiar looking sword. If it is getting dark beyond seeing I use the light ability of the sword. A silver shield across my back and a suit of full plate. A white cloak trails behind me. also I wear strangly embroidered boots
Oh my, a Paladin....if Moto can see this towering figure on armor-clad horseback weilding a glowing sword, he attempts to make his way towards this beacon of sanctity...and sanity.
"Impressive...most impressive..." Kergen will also approach Mr. Paladin
Sir Dandin Truestrike: Actually, your *silver shield +2* seems to be missing. Cyan: The crew of the mosquito ship has not left yet. The door is closed. Moto: You see a gold elf walk into a building which is covered in a silver ivy-like vine with black leaves. You march across the cobblestone streets and stand next to the man on the horse. Kergen D'Qualoth: No need. You are already standing on his left side. Salassastros: you prepare a *dagger +2* for battle. Everybody (except Sir Dandin Truestrike and Kergen D'Qualoth, who have already been so affected): You feel some divine protection. Everybody Period: You notice light begin to eminate from the mounted man's *holy avenger +5*, and a 60' radius area is brightly lit. You notice a Great Wyrm blue dragon and two hatchling blue dragons fly by. "You see a lean humanoid with pointed ears moving quickly through the crowd, away from you. He gives a look back, and the wicked gleam in his eye seems to pale a bit when he notices you've spotted him." Howler starts barking uncontrolabley. Nightwind, despite what has passed is perfectly calm. A kender wearing red armor and the symbol of the harmonium suggests you give chase and save introductions until later. Cyan: <OGTQ - Out of Game-time Question> To what faction do you belong? <EOGT - End Out of Game-time>
With the myriad distractions here, is it possible for me to catch the scent of this lean pointy-eared humanoid? Please note that it is a heightened sense of smell that gives me the Tracking proficiency at Wis +6....and the -2 save vs. scent-based attacks
Kergen D'Qualoth: You detect an insect like scent on the back of the mounted man. This scent is obviously not his. The humanoid is in plain sight, but he is having trouble moving through the crowd - perhaps hampered by a slight limp. He is ducking in and out of the crowd depending on the hieghts of other denizens/visitors. The insectile scent belongs to he. You may choose to relate this information or not to.
I too move towards the impressive glowing-bladed figure, keeping on the lookout for the kender or any other sources of aggrevation/danger.
The kender walks towards a mosquito ship. Salassastros: Roll 2d20, keep the results seperate. Then tell me which is for Wisdom and Which is for Intelligence.
I don't suppose it would be possible to only affect the fleeing humanoid with the insect-like scent with a Sleep spell...? If not, then I would suggest that we give chase.....we might also want to check out the kender and the gold elf that entered the building...but preferably only one at a time.
I begin to scan the area for signs of my shield and ask evreyone if the saw anyone stole it I also take howler and nightwind and ride tword the humanoid whom howler barked at. ps did howler bark or howl, because I told you how deadly his howl is. I also tell him to look for my shield. I ask the other characters if we should capture the humanoid and that I have reason to believe that it is evil
Wisdom 6 Intelligence 19; Salassastros follows bjorn cautiously.
To mr. Paladin: I"I think yonder insect may have whatever it is that you're looking for, and mayhaps I can track it better than your dog."
Moto: You begin to chase after the tiefling. He ducks behind some people who are taller than he is. The next thing you see is a double of Sir Dandin Truestrike. You cast *sleep* on the double of the Paladin. <bjorn rolls some dice> The double is unaffected. Moto has spent 1 magick point. You are lead down a street leading away from the marketplace and you hear the sounds of battle at a nearby alley. It seems to be towards your left. Sir Dandin Truestrike: As you begin your scan for signs of your shield, you see something very interesting leading the moon elf down a street which leads away from the marketplace: An exact duplicate of yourself who seems to be having trouble moving through the dispersing crowd. <OGT> Howler barked, which I forgot to mention, is something he's been doing ever since you got to Sigil. <EOGT> Howler begins to sniff your back first to pick up the insect-like scent, he then puts his nose to the ground in attempt to find a match. <bjorn rolls some dice> Howler appears to have picked up the scent. He lifts his right front paw and points towards your double. He then turns his head towards you for a second, returns it to the trail and begins to chase your double. A Frost Giant (whom Howler barked at previously) would appear to be confused. An Archangel says in a lathergic but haughty voice, "I'm sorry, Sir Truestrike, but I was too busy with my own purchases to notice anything." The archangel extends her wings and brings them in again. An archdaemon shrugs as he lets his fiery wings billow. A Treant says in a slow, hollow voice, "A baatezu [gelugon] has your magickal shield." A group of children who were playing dice, their ages ranging from very young to early teens say almost as one, "If there's a blame, find a tiefling." A vampire would appear to be ignoring you. A great wyrm blue dragon and her two hatchlings laugh at you. A Hephaeston Giant would appear to be confused. A group of Ice Trolls would appear not to care. A Remorhaz walks past you. Salassastros: You hear the sounds of battle coming from an alley, which - if cardinal directions meant anything here - would be to the north east. Kergen D'Qualoth: You begin to sniff out the trail after querying the Paladin. You pick up the insect's scent on the ground. It leads to an alley of in what you believe to be north east. Everbody: You notice a mosquito ship on the door and d lower its gangplank. A kender dressed in red armor boards a mosquito ship. The gangplank is raised. The mosquito ship closes the door as it takes of in a a direction that would appear to be down. An elven armada appears out of nowhere and begins docking at t the city.
I stare in awe at the armada for a moment, then say: "It went this way."
I attempt to get a clear shot at the paladin-double with an Acid Arrow spell....but I'm not going to do it until I can be reasonably sure that if I miss, I won't hit an "innocent" bystander...if there is such a thing. d20 roll: 16 I'm hoping that this thing doesn't turn out to be too big for me to handle ALONE (cough cough come on!) And I'm really hoping that he deserved the Acid Arrow in the back...
Moto misses the paladin-double with *Melf's Acid Arrow*. Moto has spent 2 more magick points. The arrow reaches the maximum range of the spell and then disipates. The group of children stare in amazement. the crowd begins to disperse. Moto: You notice that the arrow missed by a mere 3" Kergen D'Qualoth: You notice that the crowd is dispersing in a manner that makes the trail much easier to follow. The scent is far more potent now.
alright, that's it, I tell howler to howl. I begin to chase my double <OGT>howling is holwer's special attack, If you'd forgotten the attacks I will tell you<EOGT> A battetzu, probably my double again I cahse after it and if possible stab it in the back with myholy avvenger. I also tell howler tolook for the baaetzu, if the baaetzu isn't the paladin
Howler unleashes a blood-curdling howl. A Frost Gaint's ears would appear to be bleeding. An archdaemon would appear to be slightly annoyed - he has his fingers in his ears. Three blue dragons (A Great Wyrm and two hatchlings) would appear to be annoyed. A vampire would appear to be in pain. Magickal energy crackles from the ground around evil beings then fizzles out. Howler would appear to be confused. Sir Dandin Truestrike: Nightwind sends you charging towards your double. You lower your sword to stabbing position and lean forward for a better charge. Your double darts around a corner at the end of the street. In an alley to the left, however, you see the following: "A large man in chain mail is being savaged by a handful of hideous creatures - a 12-foot-tall insectlike beast and three shorter monsters that look like gargoyles rip at him with their razor-sharp claws and tails, dancing around him as if toying with a rat. Though dazed and bloodied, the man swings repeatedly at the fiends with a long sword that glows brightly in his tight grip." Howler appears to have lost the thief's scent. Kergen D'Qualoth: You just lost the scent of your quarry as it darted around a corner. Moto: You have just come in range of what I described for Sir Dandin Truestrike. Everybody Else: The aura of light that eminated from the paladin's sword has moved down the street, where it is replaced by an aura of light twice as large. Though that part of the street is brightly lit, there is alsmot no light where you stand. A female child who is dressed in a white button shirt and grey leiderhosen, with a fey look to her holds a staff that glows brightly. In the light cast by her staff, you notice that her skin would appear to be blue, the child has brown hair with white tips, but otherwise looks like a normal human child. You no longer feel any divine protection.
<OGT> kain, would you mind changing your "title" to your call name for this adventure? Perhaps using the Great Ring conference fro this particular item if you do not want to have to change back and forth every time you log in. Either Dandin Truestrike or Sir Dandin Truestrike are acceptable. Since your character is a Pladin, however, I will always refer to him as "Sir". Okay? <EOGT>
Check out the alley with "sounds of battle" coming from it
Salassastros: You see the scene I described to Sir Dandin Truestrike. If you need a re-cap, here it is: "A large man in chain mail is being savaged by a handful of hideous creatures - a 12-foot-tall insectlike beast and three shorter monsters that look like gargoyles rip at him with their razor-sharp claws and tails, dancing around him as if toying with a rat. Though dazed and bloodied, the man swings repeatedly at the fiends with a long sword that glows brightly in his tight grip." Again, you feel divine protection. This entire area is lit in a hemesphere with a radius of about 180'. Howler continues to howl. All party members, roll a save vs. death-magick. <bjorn rolls a lot of dice> a 12-foot-tall insectlike beast appears to be deeply angered, it turns its head towards Howler and expresses a sinister look. Two gargoyle like beings appear to be hurt badly. One gargoyle like being appears to be slighlty annoyed and barely hurt. The tall fiend also appears to be hurt, but not quite as badly as the two gargoyle like fiends. A vampire appears to be annoyed. A vampire assumes *gaseous form*. A vampire leaves up. A Frost Giant's right ear FALLS OFF. A Frost Giant leaves right. A Great Wyrm blue dragon would appear to be moderately annoyed. Two hatchling blue dragons would appear to be very angry. two hatchling dragons fake breath weapon thrusts in Howler's general direction. The clowd of dust left by Nightwind's charge disperse. Your feline tail twitches hither and yon. Everybody: The night air becomes cold, and it begins to drizzle. The wind blows in breezes in random directions. The lights in shops go out, while lights in houses and palaces go on, probably in response to that accursed howling.
I tell howler to make himself invisible with improved invisibility and stay close to me. As I ride twords the insect like creature I slash it on my way by and continue to follow my double. <OGT> holwer's howl, although annoyying to good creatures is nothing more than a howl to them,however you know what a moon dog's howl does to evil creatures. <EOGT>
<salassastros rolls a two>
I suppose you need an attack roll for me? str=18(72)roll=14 +4 (str)=18 damage=8 +4 (str) +5(magical bonus)=17 +whatever I get for hiting him on a charging horse. I try to hit him while he's in front of me so after I do nightwind wil trampel him.
Sir Dandin Treustrike: <OGT> Yes, but . . . it's also echoing off of several walls, thus amplyfying its volume. <EOGT> Howler fades into invisibility, and stops howling. You swing your sword off to the left towards the insectlike beast. Your holy avenger opens a deep gash in the fiend's chest, blood splatters onto a patch of razorvine. The fiend looks in awful condition. The fiend turns towards you and attacks. <bjorn rolls some dice> A Gelugon Baatezu hits Sir Dandin Truestrike. Sir Dadin Truestrike is bleeding mildly from the chest. A Gelugon Baatezu hits Sir Dandin Truestrike again. Sir Dandin Truestrike has another gash bleeding mildly from his chest. A Gelugon Baatezu scores a critical hit on Sir Dandin Truestrike. Sir Dandin Truestrike has a horrible gash dwon his chest. A Gelugon Baatezu hits Sir Dandin Truestrike a fourth time. Another awful gash is opened across Sir Dandin Truestrike's chest. You are standing in a pool of your own blood. You also notice blood all over the walls of the alley. Howler's *improved invisibility* is useless because of the blood that outlines parts of his body and appears to be floating in mid-air. <OGT> How many hp does Nightwind have? <EOGT> Salassastros: <bjorn rolls some dice> You seem to have become deaf. The reason should be obvious. Everyone in this area: Roll 1d10 -1 - your Reation Adjustment from Dexterity. <bjorn rolls some dice> <bjron notes that that would be; Sir Dandin Truestrike, Salassastros, Moto, and Kergen D'Qualoth> Sir Dandin Truestrike appears to be in awful condition.
A nine! Is there any way I can help that poor paladin?
I use my sword's healing ability to heal my self via the heal spell. Then I use The polymorph self to turn into a crustal dragon, pick up nightwind and howler and flyto twords my double
Salassastros: Yes. Just give me your statement of intent. Sir Dandin Truestrike: All right, but it's going to take four rounds to do all that. I still need your initiative roll, though.
<OGT> kain, excuse me, but where in Niflheim did a *Sword, +5 Holy Avenger* get the ability to *heal*? <bjorn puts down Salassastros' initiative roll on the battle roster> <EOGT>
Sorry, ment ask howler to heal me, by lick.
initiaive roll=3
d20=2 d10=4 Bjorn: Cyan is a wanderer and belongs to no faction. <Cyan sez: One of those days...> I cast "The Rending Claw of N'roc" (A Spiritual hammer in the form of a cat's claw) and throw it to hit = 17 damage=4
mage, urgently nedded, bjorn, cancel my last few responses about healing and polymorphing, All I want to do right now is ride nightwind out of the current area at full speed,tell howler to follow & cast improved invisibility on me and nightwind Then go somwhere to hide& tend my wounds, so I can attack from afar without being terribly injured. But first at all costs get out of there.
Cyan: You would appear to have become deaf from the moon dog's howling. Whom are you attacking? The Gelugon or one of the three Green Abishai? Your cats seem to be howling because they are cold and wet, it's hard for you to tell - being deaf. <OGT> What is your normal Thac0? <EOGT> Sir Dandin Truestrike: Howler seems to have a plan of his own at the moment - though it has not yet been enacted. He does, however, respond "It is my understanding that these fiends are purposely restraining themselves from killing us. When the battle is done, you shall be healed." <OGT> I still need Nightwind's Hp and Thac0. I took the liberty of rolling Howler's initiative this round, but from now on your in control of that. And when you dismount, you also have to roll for Nightwind seperatley. I'll let you get away with changing your mind this time, besides you would have hated my response to your polymorph. As to your magus, ask around. <EOGT> ---<bjorn notes the initiative rolls of both Sir Dandin Truestrike and of Cyan and marks them on the battle log> Current Order of Battle: The Gelugon & Howler Sir Dandin Truestrike Cyan All 3 Green Abishai Salassastros & the Paladin in chain mail Statement of Incidence: My friend, Richard L. Schreiber, has actually role-played with Margaret Weis when she was running Tasslehoff Burrfoot.
I nail the Gleugon with my sword, roll=20 damage=10 +4 <str> +5<magical bonus> =19 doubled <critical hit =38>
No can do, kain - you statement of intent was already given - I'm going with your response prior to response #73. Besides, I still need initiative from starwolf and jamie.
oh, I thought you nedded one for the next round. I thought we already did that one
<OGT> I WILL BE GONE UNTIL MONDY, bjorn, do what I poasted in my latest response gor my next round, if you get that far,<EOGT> Initiative for next round=2 <me> howler's=4
<Salassastros has magickal skill, if you need a mage>
<OGT> That would be round three, round two I need to repair the file for. However, I will take note of those initiative rolls for round 3. <EOGT> Salassastros: Considering that the majority of your opponents are flyers, the *fly* spell doesn't seem like a bad idea. <OGT> I have more to tell you, but I have to mail it too you because of your race and birth place. <EOGT>
I will prepare the fly spell, and if any are actually in the air, cast it, otherwise wait until they take off.
*** Modified files in JOE when it aborted on Fri Mar 1 20:48:00 1996 *** JOE was aborted by signal 1 *** File '(Unnamed)' cbf.019660 cbf.019660 cbf.019660 *** File 'cbf.019660' Howler bites a Green Abishai Baatezu and causes tremendous damage - you could swear you heard bones cracking. One Green Abishai Baatezu is bleeheavily and - not surprisingly - shreiking in pain.<OGT> I've actually been forgetting to do my own thing with Out of Game Time questions and comments. Howler's response was technically a part of the first round, where only You, Howler, Nightwind and the Gelugon were involved. Since neither Howler nor the Gelugon have *acted* yet AND because I am still waiting for the initative rolls of Moto and Kergen D'Qualoth, the second round has not yet begun. <EOGT> Possiblities of initiatives of 0 and below you know . . . Anyway, back to the adventure: Everyone: You (except Salassastros and Cyan) hear crickets chirping in the background. The rainfall picks up as sheet lightning illuminates the sky from time to time sometimes, but not always, accompanied by the low rumble of thunder. <OGT> I think I'll automattically place them last so that we can get on with this. <EOGT> ,Howler leaps at a Green Abishai and attacks with a powerful bite - you could swear you heard the fiend's bones cracking. The green abisahi falls to the ground, bleeding heavily and - not surprisingly - shrieking in pain. Meanwhile -- A Gelugon Baatezu's wound would appear to be attempting - and failing to - regenerate, though some of it does clot and seal as if it were never there. The gelugon attempts to disarm Sir Dandin Truestrike. <bjorn rolls some dice> The gelugon now has its hands and tail wrapped around Sir Dandin Truestrike's sword arm. Sir Dandin Truestrike: As you start to ride off, you feel the chitin around your arm tighten as your flight is merely aiding the gelugon in disarming you. Your grip on your *holy avenger +5* is compromised due to the pressure on your arm. As you are pulled off of Nightwind, you lose grip of the sword whcih clatters to the street below. You hear your own bones popping as you fall out of the saddle and the fiend releases its grip - you hit the ground with a thud and a ringing of steel on stone. Your fall bruised your entire left side and your back, you also notice that your sword arm is now dislocated at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist respectively. You lie sprawled in the street as you watch the hemisphere of light fade from 180 to 60' as the glow of your sword disappears. The chestnut skinned elf with the constantly changing hair color and his cats arrive seemingly out of nowhere, accompanied by the blue skinned girl with the glowing staff. As they approach the battle, the girl's skin begins to glow red and blue. Cyan: Your holy symbol glows brightly as a voice that only you can hear says "granted, my child." Magickal energy crackles all around you in scintillating colors until finally -*the rending claw of N'roc* appears in your dominant hand. You have spent 3 magick points. <bjorn rolls a good handful and a half of dice> A green abishai attacks Salassastros and misses. The fiend swipes again with its other claw - inflicting a minor cut. The foul fiend attacks a third tiem, swinging its tail at the tiefling - opening a deep gash that starts gushing blood. Another green abishai attacks Moto, causing a long laceration on his chest. Another claw hits Moto inflicting a minor gash. The fiend whacks Moto with its tail, causing a small purple bruise. The remaining green abishai attacks Kergen D'Qualoth and misses. It claws at Kergen again, opening a small laceration on Kergen D'Qualoth's chest - dark crimson stains the Wolf-man's fur. The fiend takes a mighty whack at the Lupin ranger - resulting in a large, throbbing, purple bruise and minor fur discoloration. Salassastros: Though you have been battered, you manage to keep enough concentration to *prepar* the *fly* spell. The dazed and bloodied Paladin makes a wild swing towards teh fiends, his glowing sword cutting cleanly into the gelugon, but leaves only a small laceration. He makes another wild swing - and misses the fiend. Kergen D'Qualoth, Moto: your statements of intent?
Actually cast fly now, and *OGT--my character records for Salas have been lost. does he have a missile weapon of some sort?--EOGT*
<OGT> Search Chracter: Salassastros Condition: Weapons, missle. Search: EQUIPMENT Blowgun and darts (20 barbed) <EOGT>
<OGT> Sorry I've been gone.....BTW, what do OGT and EOGT stand for? <EOGT> I will attempt to attack the critter that is chomping on me with my Longsword +4 (+6 to hit/+6 damage due to specialization and elf bonus) d20 = 12 (+6 -> 18) assuming that hits, d12 = 8 (+6 -> 14) These are large, are they not? /esp
OGT - Out of Game-Time EOGT - End out of game time --------------------------- No, only one of the fiends is and its not the one your after. Moto: You ready a *long sword +4* for battle. The glint of light that rolls of it because of the lightning seems to temporarily blind a green abishai.
Initiative roll:6 === sorry I have both swords (Long + shrt normal) out, can I get a chance to parry that hi er, hit?
All right, in that case a d8 for damage is 5 (+6 = 11 total damage). Jeez, why couldn't I have just stayed on Toril and bashed trolls around? No, I had to come here....
Finish casting fly, and rady my blowgun
Kergen D'Qualoth: No, but you might parry the next one, albiet with the long sword. Moto: Okay. Are you actually *saying that* or just *thinking* it? Salassastros: So noted. Everyone: round three will be posted soon. Probably tonight or tomorrow morning. scg's house is just about my only safe bet for cyberspace while I am in A2.
--- Round 3 ---
<OGT> Round 2 Correction: *the rending claw of N'roc*, variant of *spiritual
hammer* only cost 2 magick points from Cyan. <EOGT>
Everyone: <OGT> Salassastros and Cyan have regained their hearing <EOGT> The
rain seems to be becoming a torrential downpour, until upon it striking you -
you notice that it is not rain, but rather sleet. The night air becomes even
colder now, as you notice the sleet actually sticking to the cobblestones. The
lighting changes from sheet to a combination of sheet and bolt, and the thunder
becomes less frequent. You hear clapping and cheering from the motley crowd of
creatures that have assembled around you and from the houses, inns, and
apartments. You also hear dogs howling in the background.
Planars (Cyan and Salassastros): You two hear the howl as well, but as it is
well nigh 12 A.P. (antipeak), you know it is the hunting howl of Aoskian
Hounds.
Salassastros: Regaining your concentration was easy, but you feel sick and a
bit weak. The magickal energy crackling around your hands grows brighter and
then moves to encompass your entire body. When the magickfire dies, the *fly*
spell goes off. Moving seems to be easier now. <OGT> No target named, caster
assumed target - that okay? <EOGT> You have class B flying maneuvers, and your
movement rate increases from 12 to 18. You have spent 3 magick points. Up has
now become a valid direction for movement. You ready a blowgun for battle.
Meanwhile; Moto: You swing your *long sword +4* at the fiend before you, and
make a fool of yourself as your sword bounces off of the fiend - leaving a
wound that is but a paper cut to the winged fiend.
Nightwind stands still, apparently waiting. He throws back his head and
whinnies a few times. Vapor escapes from his mouth and nostrils. He paws at
the ground with his right fore hoof causing small splashes and dust clouds.
The war horse coughs a few times.
Sir Dandin Truestrike: You are lying on the cold, wet, cobblestone pathway of
the alley which is now awash with - and stagnant with the scent of - blood;
striking the fiend is out of the question. Getting up alone takes tremendous
effort. You painfully attempt to pull yourself to your feet - but your sword
arm's condition makes it hell. Make a Dex check at -5 and a Con check at -7.
Meanwhile;
You notice the fiends second wound attempting to regenerate, this time failing
completely." The towering, inscetlike fiend lunges towards the man and grabs
his right arm, which grips the glowing sword. With a powerful yank, the fiend
tears the arm off at the shoulder; the sword's light dies, though the gloved
hand refuses to relinquish its grasp of the weapon. The man slumps back
against the razorvine-covered wall of the alley, on the verge of fainting.
The tall fiend issues a raspy command to the others: 'Forget the meat!
We've got Dispater's prize!'" With that, the hemisphere of light dies
completely, and the gelugon disappears into thin air with a crash of
thunder.
Two of the remaining fiends, the very hurt fiend and one of the two who have
been minorly wounded disappear with a thunderclap.
You all can see an expression of concern appear on the remaining green
abishai's face.
Howler leaps into the air and attacks the green abishai, causing severe damage
to the fiend - you hear the devil's leathery wings tear at their vegistles.
The green abishai is bleeding heavily, and has a laceration in the shape of an
upside down smile on its chest. A green abishai grimaces in pain.
Kergen D'Qualoth: You ready a short sword for battle, whilst you raise a long
sword to a defensive position and step into a position more suited to parrying.
Cyan: The *rending claw of N'roc* hurtles from your hand as you throw it
towards the fiends, unfortunately its target vanishes right before it would
have hit. The *rending claw of N'roc* returns to your dominant hand. -2
another 2 magick points for maintenance.
Sir Dandin Truestrike has earned 27,090 xp.
Salassastros has earned 150 xp for his Wizard class.
Moto has earned 100 xp for his wizard class.
Cyan has earned 200 xp for his cleric class.
<OGT> Yes, I was saying that out loud....or sort of mumbling, I guess... Sorry all that I was not able to make it last night, but will someone please tell me (and whoever else was not there) what happened? Thanks <EOGT>
<OGT> None of you guys (exsept for coyote) showed up for the off line gaming! <EOGT>
<OGT> Sorry I couldn't make it... <EOGT>
<OGT> So nothing happened, I'm assuming? <EOGT> Anyways, if we're continuing on-line where we left off on-line, I'm going to tstand here in shock for a sfew seconds, seeing as how I've never seen a longsword +4 bounce off of anything...Then I'm going to go help Dandin reattach hins arm....
<OGT>How does one re-attach a arm? Also, stuff did happen off-line, I guess we'll see how Bjorn incorperates it. (EOGT>
okay, btw, <OGT> do I roll a d20 or d 100 for con and dex checks <EOGT> ANd, do I have my sword back? And, I've completly lost my right arm?
con check roll=6 +7=13 con=18 check made dex check roll=17 +4=21 check failed and correct me if I'm wrong, I've completly lost my sword arm and sword? If that's true what the heck am I suppose to do?
Salassastros is afraid he has no spare arms on hand, but would appreciate knowing what the heck is going on
I see never mind, eld corrected me, the other paladin lost his holy avenger and his arm, I still have both my arms and my sword, but my sword arm got dislocated. I cry for howler and nightwind to come to my side then grab nightwind's saddle with my non injured arm for support, then ask howler to please heal, me before I bleed to death
I have nightwind's stats btw, did I find my silver shield? anyway nightwind's stats, Int 8 Al N Ac 2 <Extremly tough skin and plate mail> MV 18 Hp:65 Thac0=15 #at 3 ATTACK damage 1d3/1d8/1d8 Size Large Morale=14 <Nightwind is my bonded mount> Known tricks Stay <on command> until commanded to move Drag me to safety on field of battle if I am wounded to the point which I can no longer stand or I am unconcious, ditto for if howler is wounded that badly and finally to sniff out howler should he be missing
<OGT> Okay, so the one who lost his arm and sword was the one who was being attacked by the baatezu when we encountered them? So Dandin is reasonably all right? <EOGT> I then, will walk over to see if the other paladin is dead yet...If not, I don't know what....I'm not a cleric...."Hey, Dandin, can you heal him?"
jamie, I am lying in a pool of my own blodd After howler heals me then I can heal by laying hands but howler's healing is porbly more affective
<OGT> It's going to take me a long time to type the results of the live session. Please bear with me. All which happened prior to this response, happened 2 days ago (game time). Thank you. <EOGT>
so, am I healed yet?
<OGT> I'll get to that. I am typing what happened out now. <EOGT>
cool
when's it gonna be ready bjorn?
<OGT> Now, I hope. I just ftp-ed it from MillComm. I apologize for the length and lack of paragraph breaks, but I figured it would work better when I uploaded it. You might want to do a "!extract greatring 38 #|pcprint" if you feel you don't have time to read it online. Anyway, here goes my attempt: <EOGT> <OGT> Corrections for the third round of combat: Kergen D'Qualoth had both his regular long and short swords out, therefore he attempted the parry with both swords. Sir Dandin Truestrike: Actually, your *holy avenger* DID slip out of your grasp and clatter to the ground. Additionally, your *left* arm - being the your sword arm while attacking to the left - has multiple dislocations. You did not find your *silver shield +2*. Ability Checks are on a d20 and you did them incorrectly, anyway. <EOGT> Cyan throws *the rending claw of N'roc* at the remaining green abishai, pocking it solidly upside the head. <bjorn rolls some dice> The fiend's expression changes from one of sincere concern, to that of abject terror. The green abishai disappears from sight. <OGT> I already gave Cyan the Xp for magick. <EOGT> For defeating the final green abishai, Cyan earns 8,000 Xp to be split evenly among his classes. For the attempted parry, Kergen D'Qualoth earns 100 Xp. Cyan paid the blue skinned girl 4 silver dabus (SP). Cyan healed the paladin who was leaning against the razorvine, and then helped Sir Dandin Truestrike to his feet and onto Nightwind's back. Cyan picked up the other paladin and carried him to the City Barracks (Harmonium Headquarters) - where the party was escorted to a waiting room and debriefed on the basics of "The Harmonious Ascension." The paladin known as Daneel, the Smiter of Fiends was escorted elsewhere to recuperate and for treatment. A tiefling, festooned in the markings of a wizard entered through a portal from the Abyss in the ceiling of the waiting room. <enter coyote> Howler growls at the new tiefling. The party purchased four rooms for the night at the pooled total of 20 silver dabus. Everybody has been healed completely, albeit Sir Dandin Truestrike's left arm hangs limply at his side - though those damaged still bear the scars - and have regained full magick points. The streets of Sigil are now covered with a thin blanket of snow. Cyan and the new tiefling (who presently looks like a tall human except for the pointed ears and glowing eyes) found a magick shoppe and purchased - with pooled resources - 15 *potions of extra healing* totaling 2,500 golden double Ladies (GP). The skeletal shopkeeper also threw a glowing ball of yarn on the floor, towards Cyan's cats. The cats grew to the sizes and specifications of jungle cats that would be similar in decoration to their previous forms. Cyan and the plain tiefling wandered around Sigil, saw a statue of some prime wizard named "Bigby" and went to a park. Cyan and the Necromancer were escorted back to the City Barracks for some more debriefing by Tonat Shar. Cyan was handed stuff after the second debriefing. The entire party went back to the Great Bazaar to find an inn. Cyan brushed back the razorvine covering the sign to make sure that the inn was actually "The Sill". <bjorn rolls some dice that he should have rolled at the live session> Cyan's hands got minorly cut. Cyan asked for the fourth room on the second floor, and was thereafter handed a key made of bone by Celdic Marr - a female tiefling in the colors of the fated. Celdic charged 50 golden double ladies per night, which Cyan paid with his own money. The necromancer cast *detect magick* in the room, at which point the following things glowed; Sir Dandin Truestrike's sword, Salassastros, Salassastros' dagger, leather bag, & Grimoire (spell book), Moto's long sword, wand, white robe, & Grimoire, Cyan, Cyan's room key, the necromancer, the necromancer's bracers, & Grimoire, the room's window. The necromancer (coyote's character) has spent 1 magick point and has earned 50 Xp. Cyan and the necromancer slept, Cyan's hands have healed and the necromancer has full magick points. Cyan and the necromancer went downstairs to the common room of the Sill, where Cyan inquired an elven ranger with ornately decorated weapons about *arrows of slaying vs. Baatezu*. The elven ranger called Cyan a "bastard" and told the half-elf to piss off. <OGT> I am assuming that the entire party followed Cyan, later on, Cyan and the necromancer. <EOGT> Everybody except Cyan and the Necromancer (to whom this information has already been given): Your room in the Sill, is sparse, and was previously more of a tight squeeze before Cyan, his following of jungle cats, and the necromancer left. There are but two cots, a table, a few wall lanterns, and a window with a view of the Great Bazaar. Cyan and the Necromancer: "The owner comes over to you with a quizzical look on her long, thin face. 'Is everything satisfactory with your room? I couldn't help but notice that you haven't used your key.'" Cyan: seems Shar included something extra in that bag of gems, a small steel chain with links joined to form a circle - almost like a bracelet. There is a note, written on yellowed parchment attached.
wait a minute I dropped my sword but is it back now? am I completly healed, can I find somone to do somthing about my shoulder?
<OGT> So we have another mage (necromancer)? And what is Cyan? Still no clerics? <EOGT> I will study the parchment....does "Eruadte" mean anything to you all? What about "Etdaure"?
alright so my sword is back now though I see, I think I will go try to fin a village cleric or masusse, taking howler and nightwind with me of course I also need another shield or I'm screwed. <OGT> Is ther anything about nightwind's stats that you think are to powerful/weak or do they sound fine, I have an explanation about the unusually high hp and ac. About the ac From the bonding the horse gains extremly tough skin, some intelegence, and extra HD
I want to go back to the room to examine the window. But I don't want to touch it or put any part of me through it. Does anybody want to come with me? Do I need the door key from Cyan?
<OGT> Yes, we have another Wizard (Necromancer). Cyan is a Cleric/Thief. Eruadte? Etdaure? Can't say that they do. <EOGT> Moto attempts to steal the parchment from Cyan. <make a Dex check> Cyan, make an Int check. Sir Dandin Truestrike: Right now it would behoove you more to remove that field plate armor from your right arm - the denting cetainly won't help your arm any. <OGT> You are completely healed - sans dislocation - and yes, you have regained your *holy avenger*. Nightwind's stats are fine, If you could arrange Howler's in the format I have Nightwind'ss blow, it would be much appreciated. _Nightwind_ Trained Bonded Heavy War Horse THAC0 15; #AT 3; Dmg 1d3/1d8/1d8; AC 2 (plate barding & bonding); HD 9; hp 65; MV 18; SZ L (-insert precise size here-); INT average (8); AL N; ML elite (14) <EOGT> You notice a few shields around the common room of the inn as you walk out the front door. <bjorn rolls some dice> Necromancer: You ask for people to follow you aloud. Do you wish to go now, or wait until PCs answer you?
i'll wait
d20 roll for Dex....14. Against a Dex of 14. Seems I passed...? I will follow the necromancer....I've got nothing better to do, certainly. Of course, I could always marvel at the city until I pass out from the overwhelming variety of stuff.....nah. I follow Coyote. Whose name is...?
I take off the part of my armor that covers my arm and go into the common room to ask about those shields, furthermore see if any of them are mine I'd like to ask somone if they are f or sale I'd also like to ask about a masuse who might be able to do somthing about my arm and you want howler's stats sans or with special abilities
Moto you barely slip the parchment away from the chesnut-skinned half-elf. Necromancer: As you wait it seems that someone wishes to join you. <OGT> I know you've echanged physical description with Cyan (eldrich), but please also do it here so that the rest of the party might learn what you look like. <EOGT> Sir Dandin Truestrike: You begin to pull the armor off of your left arm, the pain is excruciating. The fact that you can't use your left arm in this attempt makes it even worse. Make a Dex check at -2 (Ergo, your Dex -2 or lower), and A Constitution Check at -4 (Ergo, your Con - 4 or lower). As you walk down the satirs with noble bearing, despite the dislocated arm, you notice that the shields are all decorated with elaborate family/order crests. None of them appear to be made of silver. As you question about a massuse, the Elven Ranger, in a more light-hearted mood offers his assistance, for a fee of about 300 golden double Ladies. <OGT> coyote, you want to explain your lack of name to the rest of the party or should I? kain, I want howler's stats sans special abilities - I can always reformat the copy of your character that I have. <EOGT> The elven ranger also tells you that a selec few of the shields are for sale.
<OGT> You might as well do it, bjorn. You'd probably do a better job than me. ;-) <EOGT> My physical descripsion is as follows: I'm a pretty average Tiefling. I'm a bit short, as Tieflings go, which is still rather tall. I have short-medium length jet-black hair. My eyes glow from within. My skin is on the lighter side. I'm wearing a mage robe in dark blues and blacks. My pocket/purse appears to be bulging with coins that I, um, received in the Abyss before I arrived here. <OGT> If anybody wants to know any more, just ask. <EOGT> I'll wait to see if anybody else wants to come with Moto and I, unless Moto wants to go, in which case we can just go see the window now.
I think that we should wait a lil' while longer...After that last battle, I don't think it would be too safe for two not-quite-high-level wizards to go roaming the streets alone.....Where, by the way, are we headed? Someone mentioned a window, but I have no idea what that means....Oh well...lead on.
Um How much do I have bjorn? and I ask how much for the shields but my arm is first priority, if I have the cash I pay him
there's a window in the room that's got a golden glow to it. That's the window i want to look at.
Moto: Aren't you going to *read* the parchment?
Sir Dandin Truestrike: <OGT> I don't see any type of money listed anywhere
on your character sheet. You rolled thos d20's for removing your armor yet?
<EOGT>
The elven ranger eplies, in a somewhat haughty voice, "That depends entirely
on what shield you want, berk. The darks of some are more powerful than your
puny clueless mind can comprehend, you sodding fool paladin. Paladins . .
. yeech!"
Necromancer: The inner frame has golden outline, but generally the same idea.
However, that sodding prime's addole-coved eyes won't be able to see it.
Hmm - I think I'm going to - for the sake of easier reading - stop directley
quoting things directly out of the book.
<EOGT>
You almost don't even notice the slight man in the stained, tight-fitting
tunic until he's right next to you, close enough to trod on your boots. He's
wearing the colors of the Free League and a half-toothless grin. "Ho there,
bloods," he calls out. "So you're the tough cutters who're going to track
down the enchanted poker. Well, ol' Karris just might be able to help you
out."
<OGT> As tieflings tend to be orphans, on the very rare occasion - there human
parent raises them - most tieflings tend to end up naming themselves or erning
blood-names. After all, a critter's got to be tough to survive the horrors
of the Abyss. As such, coyote's character currently known only as
Necromancer, is out to earn his blood name - rather than giving himself a
name. <EOGT>
Necromancer, you feel uncomfortable when within 10' feet of Sir Dandin
Trustrike. Likewise, Sir Dandin Truestrike notices your quesiness in his
presence.
The elven ranger assists Sir Dandin Truestrike in removing his armor. "Tell
you what, I hear your boys are travelling to find Daneel, Smiter of Fiend's
holy avenger sword *Guardian*. You can pay me later, so long as you bring
me one magickal item from Mount Clanggedin as well - even a *cursed* one.
"Even after I massage your arm, it's still going to be useless for at
*least* a week," he says giving the paladin a serious look. "Saaay, aren't
you supposed to tithe tomorrow?" With that, the eleven ranger places the
paladin's arm on the table and begins to massage the bruised joints. "Your
plate mail could use a little work too, too bad for you I'm not an armourer."
Moto: <OGT> O wait aminute, reading the parchment was to be your next action
after stealing it - sorry. <EOGT>
bjorn, is there still a penalty for using your opposite hand if your specialized in a praticular weapon? and what is the currency here? and how much is ist worth in gold, platinium etc. givve me the standard and I'll convert it then tithe ten percent of it <EOGT> I tell the elven rang that's okay I'll pay him now. <I currently have about 500 gp> I thank the elven ranger kindly I attempt to detect evil in Karris and if I sense none I ask if he would come of his own free will. BTW I HAVE MY PROFICIANCIES but I don't have time to print them after I am done talking ot these people I go off to polish my armor and sword
<OGT> I thought I cleared that golden double Ladies are gold pieces, and that silver dabus are silver pieces. Around here, copper coins are merely called farthings. On your query of specialization and using your opposite hand: not when I want combat to go quickly. <EOGT> Sir Dandin Truestrike: No evil alignment detected from Karris, the Necromancer, however, is another story entirely. You hand the ranger 300 of your gold coins.. "Oy, this jink is a bit light. Ye best give me about 5 more." You feel the influence of magick wash over you. <bjorn rolls some dice>
I'll go check the window out. It's also an excuse to get away from Dandin.
I do eh? Can I Still move am I charmed or anything? I ask who the heck that was and what it was I hand him five more gold pieces what about karris I asked him how he intends to offer his services PRoficiancies Weapon, Long Sword <Specilized> Composite Long Bow, Mace, Dagger, Javelin, Battle Axe Non-Weapon. Armorer Hunting Swiming Bowyer/fletcher Riding land based
Necromancer: You go upstairs and check out the window. Same as last time, normal window - except for that glowing golden outline of a portal. Moto: You join the Necromancer upstairs, but you see the window as a normal window -as if there's such a thing in the Planes. "Thank ye kindly, Sir," the Elf says as he pockets the coins. "I didn't notice anything, sirrah. Perhaps it was just your sodding imagination?" The elf begins to massage Sir Dandin Truestrike's joints. Sir Dandin Truestrike: You are neither held nor charmed by magickal means, you are held, however, aginst the table so that the ranger can massage your arm. Karris says "O, I'm an old cutter who was apprentice to a wizard who traveled to Baator on a regular basis. Since the Pits of Despair are where your band's headed, I might be able to teach you a reeeaaal good path to take and how to handle the fiends." Dayliight slowly wanes into evening, and snow falls lightly from the sky.
Is there any way to see what's on the other side of a portal without throwing yourself through it and hopeing that it's a good place?
Hmmm...Why don't we first try throwing something through it, just to make sure that it is open before we go throwing ourselves at it and go bouncing off (or smashing the window). I think that we probably won't want to go through by ourselves, Mancer.
<OGT> COyote, try CLAIRVOYANCE or Clairaudience I ask Karris if he would like to acompany us on our journey and what A good way to deal with these fiends be other than my trusty blade and howler, as staed in the Paladin's handbook, bjorn armorer proficiancy also enables paladins to make armor for mounts but I can post that stuff later, and with the armorer proficiancy I can repair armor, correct? again I thank the elven ranger and inquire as to wether or not he knows anything about the monsters we faced yesterday, wether they come here often or for a specific purpose .. Also where is the paladin who got his sword stolen yesterday I'd like to have a talk with him
Moto and the Necromancer: One of you picks up a small peble from the bottom of one of your boots and throws it out the window. The pebble clatters harmlessly onto the streets of the Great Bazaar. Necromancer: <OGT> I've got some mail that's going out to all planar PCs. I'm sure that you'll find some useful information in it. <EOGT> Sir Dandin Truestrike: <OGT> A fine suggestion, but I might I remind you that you are downstairs in the common room of the Sill? I'll have to buy some of those Player Class Handbooks (right now I only own the Gladiators Handbook), but I did get Skills & Powers yesterday. I'll get back to you on Karris' response. On one of your earlier questions, standard tithe is 10% of your income. <EOGT> The ranger says "No problem, sirrah." Your joints feel much better. The ranger lets you stand and hands you the left-arm pieces of your plate mail. "The baatezu, eh, sirrah? Knowing Daneel, they were probably getting even fofools assualts on the Lower Planes. The way I see it, cutter, is that the fiends were just giving the berk the laugh. Done a right good job of it too." the elf holds out your left-arm plate mail so that you can - somewhat - easily slip your arm into it.
"Well, it's not just you, leatherhead. You whole party could use a little
help - for example you see those four swords your lupine brother carries?
What do you notice about the materials," Karris responds as he points towards
Kergen D'Qualoth's swords, which are one long and one shor sword both of
steel, and one long sword and one short sword both of silver.
"The baatezu are immune to normal weapons, unless said weapon is made of a
specific metal, say, o . . . iron or silver. There are a few thing you should
know about the plane of Baator itself. Some magick will have adverse effects
if cast on the plane, and healing spells are simply too dangerous to cast.
Some schools of magick will be altered, others enhanced, more diminished, and
some even anulled. Your necromancer friend will be pleasently surprised with
the changes to destructive necromantic spells.
I'd love to join you, but I have pressing business on the morrow.
Cherrio, sirrah." A wicked smile takes form on Karris' face as he disappears
from the inn in a blur.
Sir Dandin Truestrike and Cyan: Cedlic Marr comes back over to you and
repeats, forcefully, "Is everything satisfactory with your room? I couldn't
help but notice that you haven't used your key."
She looks at Cyan, "That'll be another 50 golden double Ladies, sirrah."
Evening slowly changes to night and the patrons of the inn return to the
rooms, though a few go outside and walk away. "You might want to put away
your toys before going out there," she says to each person leaving with a
wielded weapon, then turns towards you and adds, "especially if they're
bloodied."
I go immediatly to clean off and polish my weapons and armor I also attempt to fix the dents in my armor <I can do that with the armorer proficiancy. I also polish nightwind's plate mail> and I made an error on nightwind's AC he has a base ac of 5 because of his extremly tough skin, + his plate mail would make it what? I'm not sure what plate mail for horses does to an ac> I also bathe comb my hair etc.
Sir Dandin Truestrike: Roll 1d20 (i.e. make a proficiency check) and tell me the result. Plate mail is AC 2, which would make Nightwind's armored rating be 2. <EOGT> You head toward the baths, at which point you are assigned locker 2-666 for your possesions. You are given the corresponding key, made of iron. You are given a white towel and a white washcloth and escorted to a large heated pool. The bath is comforting and warm. The resptionist brings you a comb festoned with the markings of your home kingdom, which you run through your hair easily.
roll=10 intelegence=14 bjorn, Do I get a bonus if I'm mending my own armor because this is somthing my character's been doing since he got this suit, after evrey battle. <paladin ethos requires armor and weapons to be in top shape. After my bath I go and retrieve my stuff, polish weapons and armor, then I pay somone one golden double lady to groom and wash night wind and after evreything is in tip top shape, I go to bed for the night
Okay, here's the note I swiped from Necro, as I think that it is something that
I am going to share with everyone...
As you unroll the parhment, you notice the symbol of the Harmonium in the upper
left hand corener -and a representation of the bladed lady in the upper right.
"Dear Friends,
I have written this parchment for two reasons - to explain the chain that
I gave to Cyan, and to map out your course in your search for *Guardian*.
Well, I suppose that I embelished a little - there is a third purpose
to this writing; the dwarves f Mount Clanggedin have some tools which
might aid you in your quest - I will send an envoy in three days time.
I believe that I shall discuss your course first, for that item
might aid you in your quest - I will send an envoy in three days time.
I believe that I shall discuss your course first, for that item
is presently more important than the chain I gave that charming half-elf.
Head for the gate-town of Ribcage; take a gate to Avernus, the first layer
of Baator; find a gate to Dis, the second layer; retreive the sword from
Dispater's Iron Tower; bring it to the Harmonium headquarters in the
gate-town of Fortitude.
The chain is a gate-key that will open any gate to Fortitude. It can only
be used once - as it is consumed upon being brought through a gate. Use
it wisely.
I don't thin that you shall fail, but should you do so - and survive, the
Harmonium will make the rest of your lives hell and you will face long
prison sentances. Good Luck.
-Tonat Shar"
Sir Dandin Truestrike: You succeed in mending your armor, though you probably could have done a slightly better job. well, no-one's going to notice those scratches unless they're real close. You finish your bath and retreive your possesions, then you polish your *holy avenger* to the point where you can not only see you reflection on the gleaming steel, but an aura of goodness surrounding. You then buff your armor to the point that someone would have to be using *true seeing* to notice the small scratches left from your decent repairs. You flip a golden double Lady, which is caught by a creature which is almost like a centaur - but it is leonine and human, obviously a female of the species. A rather majestic voice issues forth "This should just about cover both baths, and the grooming of your horse. You'd be playing it safe if you gave me a few more farthings." You are very surprised to see Nightwind being lead, sans plate barding, to a heated pool adjacent to the one you bathed in. The leonine centaur-like creature enters the pool with Nightwind, leading him by th reigns - which are removed with the bit and bridle after immersion. After a proper bath, with the fragrence of some dried flowers, the creature combs Nightwind with a comb the displays obvious wealth. "Trigve," the creature beckons. "Yes Madam," comes a rather gruff voice as a creature not entirely human enters the baths. "Trigve, clean this horse's saddle and polish the barding." "Ma'am, right away Ma'am!" The creature salutes the lion-centuar and leaves the room. Moto: <OGT> I assume you're using the Heraldry proficiency while reading the parchment? <EOGT> Everbody: You hear Moto's voci in varying degries of clarity (depending on wher *you* are in relation to the common room). You hear everything <OGT> in resp 135 <OGT> exactly as spoken, except you hear distinctive purpose in the Moon Elf's voice.
farthings bjorn? and other characters, I may have to borrow some gold which shall be repaid to you whence I am able. I thank whoever gave nightwind his bath then go off to retire to bed. In the morning I go off to tithe 10% aka 50 gold leaving me with 149. In the morning I ask around about the injured paladin. I believe it crucial to find him before leaveing
farthing = cp.
<OGT> Didn't Moto steal the parchment from Cyan, not me? <EOGT> Well, there's no point in hanging around by the window, now that we know what it's for. I'll go join the rest of the party, keeping my space from Dandin.
I toss a few farthings to the bathmistress then reminding the characters it's nighttime and maybe they aught to get some sleep before retiring to my bed chambers then I Go to BED
once to my room, I call the other characters to join me, except coyote. I have an important matter that we must discuss
<OGT> sorry about the long delays, I'm back and will remain so. Sniff at the portal some, see if I can tell more about this scent, and join dandin.
I suppose I'll just wander around the inn and see if I notice anything at all remotely interesting until Dandin's done talking.
<OGT> Yes, coyote, that is correct. <EOGT> Necromancer: You tromp down the stairs to the common room, only to find the paladin returning to the party's room. You feel quite uneasy at his passing. Nightwind, the paladin's horse, unarmored - follows him to the room, as does the Moon Dog, howler. Salassastros: <OGT> No problem, I really ought to lay off Grex for a while so that starwolf and eldrich can catch-up. <EOGT> Smells like bone . . . *rib* bone. No need to join the paladin, he's here as are his horse and moon dog. Just arrived. Sir Dandin Truestrike: You had no farthings, so the wemic bath-mistress had to make change for one golden double Lady. You now have 6 farthings. The wemic thanked you heartily as she went on her way and you on yours. Again, you notice the necromancer uneasy around your aura of protection. You lie down on one of the cots and feel much better. Necromancer: You notice a black scythe behind one of the shields, you couldn't see it earlier as there were too many people in the common room and too-much merry-making occuring. You notice also, two skeletal hands . . . or are they? <OGT> Have you selected your spells yet? If not, I have a list of suggestions I can mail to you. <EOGT>
I tell the party this. I can not tolerate an evil character amongst us I appreciate the company of the rest of you. If I am to join you on this noble quest for guardian I must demand that we go without him. So now my friends I force a choice on you, who will ride with the forces of good and who will ride with the forces of evil. I could much use your help friends and you mine so I encourage you to take the right way and ride with me and together we shall ride to victory in the eternal light of goodness.
I then toss look outside for a minute toss somone a few farthings and ask them to retrieve nightwind's armor. Then I waid for the response of the party to my question Howler:trained pet moon dog THAC0 11 #attacks 1 damage 3-12 Intelegence 16 HD 9+3 Hp:86 Special attacks bay/howl <See below> Special defences, shadowy hipnotic patern <+2 or better weapons to hit> Magic resistance 25% Size M <3' at shoulders> Morale, fenatic (17-18) SP abilit. Prefered atack, howl, any evil creature within 80' radius, affeccted as if by fear spell cast at 3rd level. <save must be made every round> 5-8 points of damage per round to evil creatures within 40 feet. 5% chance of making extra-planar evil creatures return to their home plane whine to disspell evil bark to disspell illusion change self 3x per day heal by lick once per person per day cure disease by lick once per person per day dancing lights once per round darkness 15' radius once per round detect evil, invisibility, magic, snares and pits always active improved invisibility once per round light once per round mirror image 3x per day non-detection once per round shades once a day slow poision by lick once per person per day wall of fog once per round Can become etherian and astral at will double normal vision including 60' infravision association with howler for more than an hour removes all charmes Sp defences Shadowy hipnotic patern +2 or better weapons to hit, automatic when entering combat this also gives good creatures in the area a preotection of evil and remove fear benifit never surprised immune to fear saving throw at +2 bonus & take half or quarter damage
I'll cast 'detect magic' in the direction of the hands and scythe, and then I'll causiosly approach that area. I'll examine both the hands and the scythe, if the hands are really there, but I want to keep very cautious, and to keep my distance from them.
"I ride not with good nor with evil, but with he who is the strongest. I know much that I belive you do not, and have no need for you, but perhaps I will join you on this quest...perhaps..."
It may well be true that you know much that I do not, but a good bladesman is always good to have around. I would appreciate your company. I will depart within a days time with you or alone. You may give me your answer anytime before I leave. I would appreciate your company friend salassastros. ANd the rest of you. Will you ride with me?"
<OGT> kain, thanks for the info. on Howler, I'll add it to your character
sheet ASAP. <EOGT>
Necromancer: Magickal energy crackles about you as you cast 'detect magic'
first on the scythe, then on the skeletal hands. You have spent the
appropriate # of magick points (I dont have my PH w/ me). Was that your
imagination, or did the scythe just say, "Take me, I am your after all,
Necromancer"? The scythe glows with a blinding red/blue & grey light.
The skeletal hand glow with an aura of Necromancy and begin to balance
themselves on their finger tips - you notice the wrists opening . . .
Wait a minute! These aren't hands, they're . . . gloves! "What's the
matter," comes the eerie voice again, "Take us, we belong to you."
Everybody Else: Howler looks up at you, especially at Sir Dandin Truestrike.
"Sir," he says, "I very much understand your reasons for not wanting the
Necromancer to go with us due to your vocation. Though the willingness to
go of to unknown dangers is commendable bravery, I think it far more likely
that we'll remain alive if we work as a team. The other tiefling may be a
useful ally, despite his alignment. After all, he hasn't tried to kill any
of us, has he?" With that, howler cocks his head, turns, and finds and lies
between five of Cyan's feline friends.
Nightwind starts coughing. Everybody make a Dex check. "Whose voice
was that I heard downstairs?" syas Howler. Nightwind starts breathing more
heavily.
Necromancer: You feel that you already own this equipment . . . in fact, you
think that you've seen it before. The scythe starts chanting something you
can barely make out. You feel the influence of magick wash over you, you feel
liberated in some inexplicable way. Roll 1d20 and tell me the result.
As of now you under the effects of an *undectable alignment* spell for the
next 72 hours. The scythe glows and casts the same spell upon itself.
1d20 = 15 And if I need a Dex check, here it is: 5, I succeeded I'll approach the weapon and gloves, but I still don't want to touch or take them, just see what I can make of them. (Unless of course the magick makes me take them on its own).
<OGT> bjorn really needs to consult his copies of everybody's character's sheets. <EOGT> That was a Con check, Dex unnecessary. The scythe still beckons you to take it and the gloves. "with us," it explains, "You and the paladin will be able to tolerate the prescence of one another. At least take me, I'm responsible for the *undectable alignment*." You move closer to the gloves and weapon, the gloves crawl around towards your hands, but in no way force you to wear them. The sound of creaking bones echos trough your ears. Everybody Else: You hear the sounds of bones creaking done stairs, and faintly hear something akin to bones (walking?) on wood. Everybody: The sky has reached its darkest point, the crickets begin to chirp, and the howls of Aoskian hounds ring through out the Cage.
Sir Dandin Turestrike: You notice nothing special outside. The bath mistress accepts 4 farthings from you and says "Trigve will fetch the barding on the morrow and a few other things . . . you dont want to attract too much attention . . ." The snow has increased in velocity, and a layer aprox. 3" deep lines the streets and the tarps of the tents and carts. The wind howls. Nightwind sneezes.
Sure, I'll take the stuff. Might as well try, right? :-) <OGT> Do I need a Con check? <EOGT>
con check is 7 con=18 I made it. I tell howler he may have a point but now let us see what is about downstairs, c'mmon howler. I then exit the room and upon going downstairs I attempt to detect evil alignment again, <OGT Bjorn this ability also allows me to detect the intensity of the evil EOGT>
<OGT> Point of Clarification: Necromancer had to make a Con check, Sir Dandin Truestrike had to make a Dex check. <EOGT> Necromancer: You get some skeletal gloves and a black scythe. Sir Dandin Truestrike and Howler arrive - You no longer feel uncomfortable around them. The paladin seems to be looking at you and concentrating. <OGT> You already rolled your Con check and made it, though only barely. <EOGT> You feel a slight throbbing in your right arm . . . seems natural . . . Sir Dandin Truestrike: You managed to avoid Nightwind's airborne phlegm as you went down the stairs. The Necromancer is holding what appears to be a pair of skeletal hands, and a black scythe. As you attempt to detect evil intent, your mind is assualted with a barrage of garbage - you can't make heads or tails of what this guy is anymore, though he strangely seems not uncomfortable within your aura of protection. Howler Shrugs. You feel that something isn't quite right . . .
I will continue examining the window--open it, if that is possible and it is not already open....throw small objects through it...etc...
Now that I'm holding the gloves and scythe, can I find out anything more of them?
I look at howler questioningly This is puzzling I say to him. can you make anything of it I then report to the other characters the result of my attempt. <OGT> Howlers detect evil is always active so he would get the same result <EOGT>. I say this to howler quietly so the necro can't hear me. I then step back for a moment and say to the other characters, meet me in the morning we shall talk further it is late and we must go to bed. But before retiring I talk with howler a bit in my room, see what he makes of the skelital hands
Salassastros: The glowing outline of a portal is there still, and it still
smells like rib bone. The window being already open, you toss a few pebbles
out of it, which softly mar the surface of snow on the streets of the Great
Bazaar. You see an Albatross fly by, and a pack of Cranium Rats scurry around
a corner.
Necromancer: Certainly - you could either cast a particular spell, or you
could use/wield them. Your infravision kicks in and you start seeing things
as heat patterns, as the lights are doused.
Sir Dandin Truestrike: Again, Howler shrugs. <OGT> Secret Response to be
mailed <EOGT>. You and Howler withdraw to the parties room and relay your
findings . . .
You stop using a *long sword +5; holy avenger*, remove your plate mail,
and change into some clothes more suitable for sleeping (unless you sleep
naked), as you crawl under the covers of one of the cots.
"The skeletal hands Sir?" Howler replies, "O yes, of course. *chuckle* They
appear to be a pair of gloves that operate with extradimensional space,
something along the lines of a 'bag of holding' yet these accept only hands.
As for other powers, we'll just have to see how the benefit the Necromancer
when he wears them.
Would you mid doing something about this dried blood - which isn't mine
- on my back?" He adds as he circles and area, lies down, and curls up.
<OGT> Note: I'm going to take a break - I hope - and wait for further responses and others to catch up. On the more dangerous side - If eldrich doesn't log in soon, you're all screwed. <EOGT>
Yes I attempt to wash the blood off of howler then before going to bed ask howler if he has any sort of spell in his repitoire that might offer us some preotection for the night. You can never be too careful
I can't think of any spells that I have that could give me any more info, so I'll just equip the stuff and see what happens.
Sir Dandin Truestrike: No trouble in scrapping the brown, dry, scab-like
blood stain off of Howler. Howler says "The only spells that could help, help
only me - therefore, I refuse to cast them, with the possible exception of
wall of fog which would benefit everyone. I think I will. Howler utters some
words in a strange tongue, pauses, and asks "Where do you want it, Sir?"
Necromancer: As the gloves sense your will to wear them, the wirsts open with
the sounds of bones breaking. You slip your hands into the gloves, which
automatically adjust their size to better fit your hands. The gloves
shimmer for a few minutes, and then you notice that all of your arms that
stick out from the sleeves of your robe do not generate as much heat, and the
pattern would appear to be entirely skeletal.
You attempt to wield a black scythe, when it says "take my lower handle
with your right hand, and the upper handle with your left." Assuming that
you follow the scythe's instructions, as you prepare it for battle, it adds
"Know, necromancer, that not only am I sentient - but that I am also a vorpal
weapon. Further know that I may be used to slash as well as pierce. Use me
well and you will not regret it, Baa-
"it is not time yet for you to know what I was going to say."
You have a *scythe +3, vorpal; intelligent weapon*. I will detail its powers
later. As you warp your hands around the scythe, you hear only the sounds
of bones creaking.
I tell howler, wherever you think it would benifit us the most, btw I forgot to give you my spells I can have 3, in my spell pool, and cast 1 per day yes? Well here they are, speak with animals, cure light wounds, purify food and drink. perhaps around us and our things so we could be less easily attacked yes that works, good night howler
Howler forms a wall of fog around the perimeter of the room. <OGT> yes, that's doable. <EOGT> You and howler fall asleep. Everybody Else: You're getting very tired. You faintly hear a cat fight outside.
okay <kain waits til he is awakened>
After finding himself a relatively secure-seeming corner, salassastros sleeps, weapons by his side
Salassastros you notice the paladin's horse nod off right before you vision fails and you fall into the blessed oblivion of sleep. Everbody Else: You notice that Cyan's following on jungle cats have fallen asleep, making a virtual carpet across the room. The sound of peaceful purring, though very audiible, rings in your ears. Salassastros sleeps in the corner, his dagger, blowgun, and darts at his side. His tail twitches peacefully.
Alright. I'm back. Those of you with $ problems, have no fear, the Harmoniom has provided us a substantial purse to outfit outselves. I propose that we wait for the convoy of Dwarves to come with the "useful items" and procede from there. I'd like to get moving as soon as possible, but I don't fancy getting my ass choped into demon-munchies. In the future I'll try not to be out of the loop for so long.
<EOGT> Are we all in the same room? Eld I'm going to need some money for a new shield until I can find my old one, which I severly miss. That was my t and only shield so I fought those baatetzu shieldless and it was a pain in the rear end <EOGT> ..
<OGT> Very well, eldrich. Yes, kain, everybody shares the same room. It's rather cramped with all thos animals in there. <OGT> Cyan issues his proposal to the wakeful party members (Kergen D'Qualoth, Moto, & Necromancer). I'll assume that you'll inform thos asleep in the morning? The party's room is filled with a slight wall of fog around the perimeter, and with the sounds of Cyan's following of jungle cats purring contentedly, yet audibly. Cyan falls asleep. <bjorn rolls some dice> The night passes without incident. The wall of fog around the perimeter of the rooom disipates. Howler stretches and eventually ends in a standing position, Nightwind rolls over and does the same - though he continues to cough and wheeze as if chking on the very air . . . Cyan's jungle cats follow Howler's example exactly. The sun shines dimly through the window. Oddly enough for an open window, no snow fell into your room. Beings with infravision, you begin to see things normally agin instead of as infrared signatures. Everybody: you notice that the Necromancer appears to be the personification of Death. Flesh is not visible from any parts of his bdy which are visible from without his robe. He wields a scythe with a glowing blade and an ebon handle. Suddenly you hear a rapping at the door. "Tonat Shar told us to find you." You hear with an obvious dwarvish accent. This must be the envoy!
Awakened by the noise at the door, Salassastros rises, only to see the skeletal visage of the Necromancer and reach for his dagger, fur bristling.
Salassastros: You ready a *dagger +2* for battle as you rise from the floor. The fur from your hindquartersdown bristles sharply. Your tail weaves a more stealthy path, swinging slowly - purposefully from place to place. You notice that the Necromancer has vestigile folds in his robe behind where the back of his shoulder blades are meant to be. "Is this a good time," comes the dwarf's voice again. You all hear heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. "It's Trigve, sirrah," comes a voice with a slight scandinavian troll accent, "Nightwind's barding, war robes, and plummage are finished. Should I leave them here, Sir Truestrike?" <OGT> Though I should have mentioned it earlier, Necromancer's (coyote) *bracers of defense AC 4* seem to by supported by wear his flesh should be - making the whole theme even more macabre. I'll be snail-mailing a list of planar slang to all planar characters when I have a bit more time . . . <EOGT>
I say to the dwarf, yes leave it here. I then try to sense the presence of evil directed at coyote but around the rest of the room as well. Yet before I do any of this I grab my holy avenger being rather suspicoius of coyote. <OGT is this the envoy or just the guy with nightwind's barding? <EOGT>
Salassastros edges slowly towards the necromancer, hissing slightly.
<OGT> The nvoy and the guy with Nightwind's barding are here - two seperate races; dwarf and trollborn. <EOGT> "I'm not the one with the barding," the dawrf responds in a crancky voic, "Troll-boy's got it." "Yes, sirrah!" somes Trigve's voice. You hear the sound of steel hitting the wooden floor lightly, and heavy footsteps that fade out down the stairs. Sir Dandin Truestrike: You ready a *long sword +5; holy avenger* for battle with your good arm - The blade glowing brightly. You feel more greatly protected - nothing is dispelled. Again you get only garabage - a tumult of shifting and sharp pains through your nervous system when you attempt to detect evil intent on coyote. Salassastros: You move closer to the Necromancer, your dagger poised for stabbing. Your tail twiches in antipation as you let out a cat-like hiss. Everyone: The door opens rather forcefully, and in the doorway you see a dwarf dressed in the colors of the Harmonium - with an impatient look residing on his face. He has a black beard, and very little head hair. He is carrying a large bag. Coyote: The other tiefling has a dagger with a glowing blade pointed at you, as if he were planning on well, you get the idea . . .
I open the door and tell someone to make sure no-one gets hurt here.
Cyan: The door is already open, the dwarven envoy opened it. You issue your command. Not long aftward, Cedlic Marr comes to the foot of the stair and points upward with her left index finger. Shortly thereafter a motely compliment of humanoids tromps up the stairs, each wielding a glowing mancatcher. "Stop this insanity!" says the Necromancer's scythe with the ebon shaft, "Do you think this will look good on the Harmonium's report on your performance? Put your weapons down, berks!" the scythe would seem to be addressing the party as a whole. "You know well who wields me, now please, step away from him." The scythe quivers a moment the appears to be worn on the necromancer's back - the blade has stopped glowing. The dwarven envoy slowly works his way into the room, brilliantly side and back-stepping as neccessary until he is behind the table. The old dwarf begins to reach into his bag and he produces: a scabbard which glows with a brilliant light, an arrow which does the same, a rod which glows albiet with not as much luster, and two rings which don't glow at all. He lays these items on the table from his right to his left. As he does so, the arrow turns of its own voliation to point out the window.
I relax and put down my weapon and ask the dwarf what these are
Sir Dandin Truestrike: You stop using a *long sword +5, holy avenger*. The dwarf loks at you and cracks a toothy smile. "ye be wanting to know what these are do ye," asks the dwarf, "very well then." The dwarf points to the scabbard with a stubby finger, "This first item be a *scabbard of holding*, somewhat akin to the more common *bag of holding* though this accepts only swords. Upon receiveing a sword, it shrinks to dagger size - it is currently set only to accept *Guardian*. That limitation will be taken off if you are sucessful." The dwarf's stubby finger migrates to the arrow, "This be an *arrow of direction* currently set only to find *Guardian*. Likewise this limitation will be removed upon succesful completion of your mission." The dwarf nods solemnly. The dwarf picks up a rod and adds, "this be a *rod of beguiling* with 4 carges, it will be replaced by a fully charged wand upon successful completion of your mission." Placing the rod back on the table, the dwarf moves to stand over the two rings. "These final beauties be *rings of fire resistance* which will only work on Baator. Now that you have seen a sampling of our wares, which will you take?" You barely notice at the edge of the doorway, Nightwind's barding festooned with dusky, smokey, red plummage and a similar war blanket.
I will bear the scabard I tell the dwarf I then go over to put nightwind's barding on him
choose your items and then we shall leave I tell the others I ask the dwarf, being a paladin if I may weild guardian, once we find it until I return it to the harmonium leauge. For the trip home only I assure him. Or if he would rather I not use it and solely leave it in the scabard of holding.
Sir Dandin Truestrike: The dwarf hands you the *scabbard of holding* and smiles. Nightwind stands perfectly still as you place his barding upon his back and head, the plummage gives him a noble appearance - which seems somewhat out of place without other horses with similar decoration. You issue your suggestion?? command??? to the other characters. "ye be wanting to weild Guardian on the return trip do ye?" says the old dwarf, "Well who am I to say what you can and cannot do while yer out of Sigil? Of course, it's possible that - since it was made specifically for Daneel's use - Guaradian wouldn't let you wield Guardian, eh?" Everybody: You're all getting hungry, and from the position of the sun outside - it's probably noon. You notice a pack of wolves tromp by, followed by some strange critters with purplish-grey skin, horns, and wild white hair that hover about an inch off of the ground. The sun glistens of the snow brightly, but you don't notice any melting . . .
It was a suggestion and only a suggestion I inquire as to wether gaurdian is an intelegent weapon <OGT> what's the gold value of this scabard, cause If it's to be mine afterwards I'm probly going to have to tithe, and do I have to tithe on it now or when it offically becomes mine? <EOGT>
"Not neccessarily," says the old dwarf, "but all holy swords have their own special abilities and powers . . ." The dwarf chuckles. Speaking of tithing, you haven't even left the building yet today. <OGT> You need not tithe until the scabbard offically becomes your property. (Bjorn runs to his bookshelf and grabs his DMG) <rummag, rummage, rummage> Well, a *bag* of holding has an Xp value of 5,000 - I can't find the conversion table right now. <EOGT>
The arrow suits my current whim, I'll take it. <Cyan proceeds to take Orinoco over to the window and try to get it working (with the aid of the key)>
Cyan: You take an *arrow of direction*. As you pull Salassastros closer to the window, and pull out the key - the portal is obvious to everyone. Instead of a glowing golden outline, you see a ghostly immage of rocky spires that reach upward and inward on opposing sides, and a mountainous path. Planars: This path is part of the Outlands known as the Vale of the Spine. Everyone: You feel a sense of urgency to get through that gate. Im assuming that Cyan goes through first? <OGT> Each response which is not mine now counts as a few seconds of a round, should you enter a second response without doing *something* the next response becomes part of the next round. The sand in my minute glass (the first one anyway) has begun to trickle into the bottom. <EOGT>
Dagger at the ready, push my way to the window and go through
<OGT> Did he take anything? <EOGT> The window is the gate out of here? will nightwind fit through? Will I fit through?
Cyan and Salassastros push trough the window, in a flash of white light they both disappear. Cyan: Your load feels a little lighter. <OGT> No, the dwarf didn't take anything. <EOGT>. "Aye," says the dwarf, "that window be the gate to Ribcage." Sir Dandin Truestrike mounts Nightwind and rides through the window, followed closely by Howler - there is a brief flash of bright white light and they dissappear. Cyan's following of jungle cats press their way through thw window, and disappear with a familiar flash of white light. Moto & Necromancer: You notice the size of the portal rapidly diminishing. Everyone except Moto & Necromancer: You find yourself (and your pets) standing, somewhat uncertainly, on slanted, rocky ground. The rock slopes upward before you to form a hill - no, a mountain. In fact, all around you are giant, pointed peaks of stone that shoot upwards into the sky, towering above you like monstrous fangs. There don't seems to be any flat paths to follow. A quick turn to look back shows that the portal you stepped through is diminshing in size. <OGT> For right now, the action is frozen for you three until Moto & the Necromancer do something. However, you will notice something in about 1/2 hour of game time . . .<EOGT>
And Kergen D'Qualoth too (If he decided to visit this conference.) <bjorn knocks the finished first minute glass to the side and starts a second minute glass>
<kain waits for the others>
<OGT> FYI: I had a live gaming sesion with bjorn in which I found a cloak of protection within nightwind's barding and readied it <EOGT>
<OGT> On a similar note - not too long ago within a talk session with kain, he suggested a bit of live gaming - preferably on sundays to make things run more smoothly. I have no problem with it, albiet I would have to flip back and forth through my gaming books. What say you? On a more immediatly gaming note: Languages of the planes. Planespeak is to Common as UK English is to US English. Why? 'Cause that's EXACTLY what they are! Sir Dandin Truestrike: Your cloak of protection is +3 <EOGT>
<ogt> Bjorn- RU still going to send us that list of planar slang? <EOGT>
Bob get through the portal if you haven't already, that goes for evreybody so hobout this, 10:00 A.M sundays in party for a live session?
<OGT> eldrich: Yes - I just need to Xerox the two pages it is listed on. kain: works for me - long distance rates are cheaper then. <EOGT> Sir Dandin Truestrike: Cyan is ahead of you (he had to be or the rest of the party would have had a nasty fall . . .)
<OGT> Sorry i've not been on in a long time. Will there be a live session this Sunday? <EOGT> I'll go through the portal.
<OGT> This Sunday the Computer Lab will be closed, and I'm running short on phone funds. Perhaps next Sunday? <EOGT> The Necromancer trudges through the glowing portal and with the usual flash of white light, he appears with the rest of the party. The portal closes behind the Necromancer with an electric fizzle sound. Moto: for you the ghostly image of Ribcage finally fades from view and after a few moments, the window is looking over the Great Bazaar again. You've been left behind! (The same applies to Kergen should he choose to visit again) Everybody: You wander through the base of the mountains for about half an hour. Then you notice something. About a hundred yards to your left, you spy a collection of mountains that look odd: facing ridges of long, slender peaks that curve up and inward, like bony fingers or ribs. The faint buzz of civilzation seems to come from beneath the peaks. You meander a bit long and come across a towered gate. Berks who got themselves lost dangle from the crossposts over the iron gate, hand-lettered signs around their necks announcing their crimes. The town doesn't seem to look too kindly on knights of the cross-trade. A guard in the wall tower over the gate yells down to you: "Welcome to Ribcage! It's 10 gold to enter!" Just then, two more armored guards appear at the gate. "These men'll take your jink," says the guard in the tower. <OGT> On my EVERYBODY - I meant everybody who had made it through the portal. <EOGT>
<EOGT> Jink? pay? owell. <EOGT> Ragnar, you got the cash, can you pay?
<Kergen wakes up, wondering what the *uck is going on>
Kergen D'Qualoth: You are in a small room in an inn called the Sill. The room is not only small, but is also sparse - two cots, a table, a few wall lanterns, and a window with a view of the Great Bazaar. Standing in front of you and looking out of the window questioningly is the Moon Elf Moto. You have a strange inkling that your should use certain swords more often . . . A few moments later, a female tiefling (a certain Cedlic Marr) opens the door. "Got left behind, eh? Well you either gotta leave this room or pay another 50 golden double ladies for the gate-key to that portal," see says, indicating the window with her left index finger. Behind her, you notice a small contingent of dwarves and humans in red armor all wearing the symbol of the Harmonium. A little behind Moto, you notice a dwrf with sparse head hair but a heavy beard looking directly at you - he also wears the colors of the Harmonium. On the table, you notice the following items: an iron rod which glows with a slight magickal aura, and two rings which don't glow. In rather gravelly voice the old dwarf says, "You want 'em, Wolf-man? Best ye know what they truly be first." The dwarf points to the rod, "This be a *rod of beguiling* with four charges, 'course if you're successful in your mission of recovering Guardian from Dis - it will be replaced by a fully chargd wand." The dwarf's finger moves slowyl to poke at the two rings, "These be *rings of fire-resistance*, but they will only work on the plane of Baator. Take what you wish, and good luck on your travels!" The tiefling's partially demonic voice breaks in, "Look. Do you want the gate-key or don't you?!" Everybody except Moto and Kergen D'Qualoth: The guards merely blink with their arms extendend and palms open and upward - but you get the feeling that they'll reach for those short swords at any moment, the same goes for the guard in the tower and his short bow.
Somewhat nervous now...fur raising slightly...do I have any cash?
<OGT> Bjorn can you pause game time until we get eldrich's response, he got the pooled cash< EOGT> >
<OGT> Certainly kain. <EOGT> Salassastros: I don't know. You probably have a little that you stole (being a Mage/Thief)
I think that I've got some, because I don't remember ever giving mine to eldrich. I'll pay if that's true.
<OGT> That's fine, coyote, but game time is still frozen. <EOGT>
Alright - this makes me have to bring us to a money count. But for the sake of convienience, istead of using "Golden double Ladies, Silver Dabus," or "Farthings," use the normal gp, sp, cp, etc. Thank you.
149 gp <already tithed> >
Cheching character records...10 sp
<kain responds to keep the item alive so we can wait for eld> <kain waits for eld>
5,000 gp. <OGT> bjorn, how much did all of eldrich's healing potions cost? That amount has to be subtracted from my 5,000. <EOGT>
<OGT> I'll have to find the response number, because I forgot how much the healing potions cost - shouldn't be too long. BTW I need coyote to give me his full last name and his address preferabbly via E-mail: the planar slang goes out as soon as I have it. O and, I'll be running Moto as an NPC for a while - jamie has relationship problems. <EOGT> Okay, so we have: Sir Dandin Truestrike: 149 gp Salassastros: 10 sp, the equivlant of 1 gp. Necromancer: 5,000 gp -? Is this correct thus far?
yup
Kergen D'Qualoth: You see Moto pick up one ring, and the rod and pocket them. Everybody Else: Sir Dandin Truestrike takes 10 golden double Ladies from his purse and hands them to the gate guard. "You and your pets may pass," says the guard as he accepts the money and gives Dandin a piece of rock, connects another to Howler's collar, and attacches a third to Nightwinds barding, "They're called chunks, They're good for one weeks stay in Ribcage." One of the other guards opens the gate and allows Dandin and his pets through before closing it.
Could I be mistaken for a "pet"--i.e., am I sufficiently cat-like? If so, slip in with bjorn
The guards on ground level give Salassastros a serious look. One of them
grunts to the other, "You think we left one of that Paladin berks' pets
behind? Even though this thing is dressed in black and carrying weapons .
. ." "Eh, Moritz," shouts the other gate guard to the one in the tower, "you
think this is someone's pet," pointing to Salassastros, ". . . sure smells
a lot like a fesh grave or maybe even a tanar'ri!!"
Moritz paces the tower, sracthes his chin, and taps on his forehead.
He places his bow across his lap and twiddles his thumbs for a while.
"There's an awful lot of jungle cats down there. Tell you what, though - you
give a chunck to everone thatand everthing that looks even remotely like a
jungle cat and let them through the gate." "Aye, sir!" Yell the two guards
as they afix "chunks" to everyone of Cyan's jungle cat's collars and places
yours in your left hand. The guards open the gate, and allow Salassastros
and Cyan's following of jungle cats to enter the city. The gate is closed
behind them.
Salasstros and Sir Dandin Truestrike (when I don't have to play for him):
The blood-red stone roads of Ribcage are clean and straight, usually meeting
at right angles to form orderly blocks of dwellings, alehouses, and markets.
Most of the buildings look cold and hostile, made of gray or black stone, but
some exteriors are more fancifully decorated with drapes, garlands, family
crests and other ornaments to trumpet the status (or jink) of the owners.
However, there's little greenery or vegitation of any kind. Instead, the
burg's crammed with towers and keeps, and packs of soldiers in black and gold
meander the streets - maybe to end trouble, maybe to start it. But everywhere
you go, those huge, curved peaks looming over the whole town make you feel
like a beetle crawling in a colossal skeleton.
Salassastros: for your clever idea, you earn 100 xp, because it worked - you
gain another 250 xp.
Everyone Else: Moritz and the other two guards watch you with peery eyes.
Moritz has re-positioned his bow, while the other two guards hold their arms
out, palm upward - though their opposite hands are held firm but loose on
their short swords.
<OGT> 'Course, excepting Moto and Kergen D'Qualoth <EOGT>
Kergen D'Qualoth and Moto appear behind you, a bit confused, and Kergen's load
seems to be lighter. the portal closes behind them.
I'll pay the guards, and step through the gates. <OGT> bjorn, did you find out how much to potions costed? <EOGT>
The guard on your left accepts your money, but both guards seems afraid to escort you by your arms, Necromancer. The guards open the gate and allow you to walk through - but before you've finished passing, you notice Moritz train an arrow in the general direction of the rest of the party, and glance over his shoulder through purely perrifreal vision. The gate closes behind you. You feel magickal influence depart from your body slowly, as the sun begins to set behind the spires. Make a Con check, Necromancer. Salassastros & Necromancer: The Paladin seems to be largely confused, as is his Moon Dog Howler who is barking uncontrollably. From the general direction of Sir Dandin Truestrike, you hear a loud bone-popping sound. The Paladin shreiks in pain as - you suspect anyway - one of his joints slides back into place. Sir Dandin Truestrike looks at his wrist in wonder, and then suggests "Perhaps we should find a guide, but for now, let us find a place of resting for the night!" Necromancer Only: You are beginning to feel uncomfortable again when within 10' of Sir Dandin Truestrike. Your chunk seems to be lighter than the one's worn or held by other beings. Everyone Else: As Moto & Kergen D'Qualoth edge closer to the gate, the guards yell "Where do you think you're going, leatherheads?! You gotta pay the garnish to enter this burg. It's 10 golden double Ladies, or are you too green to pay, cross-traders!!" <OGT> No, I haven't accessed the proper response yet. <EOGT>
<OGT> Total Price of Healing Potions: 2,500 Golden Double Ladies <EOGT>
<OGT> okay, I'm down to... 2490 gp. <EOGT> Con check = 3. passed.
Necromancer: You manage to retain your composure as your vestigal wings grow larger, and old bones crack to be replaced by newer ones. The warmth of fresh blood speads down your back - but you do not feel wek or that you are weakening. You skin seems to be becoming loose where your wings' "shoulders" are, and you feel a sagging feeling on your shoulder blades. Everybody in Ribcage (Sir Dandin Truestrike, Salassastros, and Necromancer): You notice that the most common race around this town is tiefling, and you have an eerie suspicion that you are beeing watched. Seems every citizen is bein peery, but perhaps too much. You notice a small band of - clergy? Priests in any case, arosing the anger of a small crowd. The priests are proclaiming the superiority of the baatezu and that baatezu are due homeage as your betters. They state that the fiends are to be worshipped and a whole bunch of other religious riling. Everybody on the other Side of the Gate (Cyan, Moto, & Kergen D'Qualoth): Moritz's arrow seems to follow you everywhere you move, though he still seems to be looking to the sides. The guards on the ground seem to be getting tired as you see their grips on their swords become less slack and their eyelids becoming heavy. One of them yawns. Just now you notice what one of the signs on a hanged man says: "Told Sergeant Brusstuckle that his buttons looked tarnished."
<OgT> should I be keeping track of xp, or are you? <eogt>
<OGT> Both. <EOGT> People in Ribcage: One of the priests becomes angry, and yells something in a strange dialect or language. A few mintues later, a soldier patrol tromps your way. The captain, a tiefling wielding a scimitar thrusts the blade in the general direction of Sir Dandin Tuestrike and barks "Make your puppy shut his whining bone-box, or we'll shut it for him . . . permanent-like!!" The four othe soilders prepare their short swords for battle. "Yer scarin' folks, doggie!!" Sir Dandin Truestrike dismounts and draws his *long sword +5; holy avenger*, his cape flutters in the breeze. "You'll do what, blackguard?! . . . Howler, shh." The Paladin looks in the direction of the Necromancer, who is now standing in a pool of fresh blood. He then turns back to soldiers who wear black and gold, "I'd love to stay and play, but I have other business to attend to." With that, his gaze returns to the Necromancer. He lifts one hand, as if readying a charge order for Nightwind, and raises his glowing sword with the other. Fwoosh!! An arrow from the gate tower loosens Dandin's grip on his sword. Appearantly, Moritz was paying more attention than you thought!! Fwoosh!! Another arrow barely hits Dandin's sword.
Fur raising, hissing slightly, Salassastros backs off slightly, looking for something to hide behind or run to should things begin looking ugly, and surrepetitiously reaches for his dagger.
Very well, Salassastros cowers behind a vegtable cart, still holding his dagger at the ready the glowing blade aimed menacingly at the guard captain. He lets out a cat like hiss, chasing rodents and unleashed pets off of the streets. Taking Dandin at a disadvantage, the captain swings his fist towards the paladin - hitting him in the right arm. The mighty blow knocks the sword from Dandin's hand. The paladin's hand has a small bruise on the top, and his sword loses its glow as it hits the ground. Another one of the guards takes out a pen and parchment, writes on it and hands it to the paladin. "Keep your morals to yerself, berk. This ain't your sodding prime world, Clueless!! And keep your pet quiet or we'll scragg you and your prescious mutt will get lost. As for your blackguard quip . . . it ain't effective here as you can plainly see. Lord Paracs will hear of this, and the blackgurd will be peery as to yer business more than anyone else in this burg. Got it?!" People on the other side of the Gate: You faintly hear some arguing, and notice that this back completely turned to you. The sun drops further out of sight and the sky changes from red to midnight blue.
Not cowering, actually, just looking for a place to hide should things worsen.
<kain picks up his sword and wanders to the nearest inn, he then asks howler what he's barking about>
The soldiers leave, and Moritz turns his back.
Sir Dandin Truestrike: You don't need to ask - your ability to *detect evil*
was making you go crazy too. It seems that some of the people in your party
seem to be of the few nonevil beings in Ribcage. Before you walk into the
Inn, you notice that the strongest source of evil in your vincinity comes from
the skeletal visage of the Necromancer <OGT> Who is looking somewhat like the
winged deaths in the movie "Baron Munchausen". <EOGT> The black robed
abomination is standing in a pool of blood - his own - and gives off a siginal
of evil of medium intensity.
As to the Inn:
You feel about as welcome in this place as an aasimon in the Abyss.
Customers eye you warily and busy themselves with their drinks. The whole
kip seems as tight as a spring, as if a bust-up might erupt any minute. The
barkeep calls you over and spekas in a hushed tone: "Look, I dunno what you
want, but I don't want no trouble here. 'Fyou came to drink, okay. 'Fyou
came to talk, take it someplace else, like the Gym."
Further more - you are holding a small parchment around the hilt of your
sword.
Salassastros: You see what you believe to be Sir Dandin Truestrike and Howler
freaking out. They looked at the Necromancer with the most scrutinizing
expression. Later, you see the paladin pick up his sword - with the parchent
still in his sword hand, the blackguard leave, and the pladin and his pets
go into a nearby Inn.
I ask about lodging for the night, and read the small parchment. I then lay hands on myself to heal the wound on my hand, <OGT> <kain is wondering how the heck he is getting hit so much. The plate mail makes his ac 0 with the cloak of protection thats -3 with my dexterity it's -5. That must have been one Damn good archer to have disarmed me from a tower with a single arrow <EOGT>
Hmm . . . I think I'll start with the out of game time stuff first . . .
Natural Human Ac =10, Dextirity of 17 gives -3 Defensive Bonus, Plate Mail
= AC 3, Cloak of Protection +3 gives another -3 bonus, boots of speed only
give the Ac bonus during certain situations, and the person must be on foot
... Which gives me a total of -3 unless there's something about Paladins in
particular that I forgot.
You're lucky I re-rolled the effect of Moritz's critical hit!!
<EOGT>
"Lodging for the night's 6 silver dabus a night. If ye be wanting a room,
I'll need yer name, and I'll need to take a look at your chunk." With that,
the barkeep takes out a wide book with lined mauve pages, and countless
numbers of names, sign ins and sign outs scrawled across the lines.
You look at the parchment, putting your sword away first.
'By order of Lord Paracs' Royal Blackguard,
let it be known that the Paladin of a band of adventurers (Complete and
accurate descriptions of all party members and their beasts) is charged with
the crime of Noise Pollution - from hi Moon Dog's barking, and furthermore
charged with resisting arrest and disturbing the peace.
However, in order to be fair, if the Paladin pays a small fine to the
blackguard within three days time (today's date and the date three days
thereafter), he will not have to appear before the court. That is all.
(Unreadable Signature)'
You lay your hands on you, Sir dandin Truestrike - your bruise disappears and
you feel much better.
<OGT> I will be willing to host a live session NEXT Sunday at 10:00/9:00 a.m. ET/CT. I would host one this Sunday, but I will be busy cleaning my room, and writing term papers, and other college stuff. Incidentally, I am creating a list of monsters from Planescape (and later more) setting from all sources, now if only I can remember where I read about Diakk . . . <EOGT> People Outside of Ribcage: As you watch the sky of the Outlands reach its darkest point, you also notice 22 man-sized birds heading right for you. These things look like an ostrich except that the head is obviously larger and the beak looks harder. The arms and legs are bar, covered in scaly, gray hide - the arms don't look like they could support more than the weight of a small child. "Oy you sods!" Moritz yells to the other two guards who have since fallen asleep with palms still extended to accept your money. "Look lively and get on yer guard!! There's a back of Abrians closing on us!!" Moritz looses an arrow on the "lead" bird, which pocks it solidly in the torso. The second arrow screams down from the guard tower, striking it in its abdomen, you could swear you heard a vertebra or more break!! v An Abrian has two minor bleeding problems. The other two guards wake up and draw their weapons, then fall into an en guarde position. Roll 1d10 -1 -any pluses of your weapons and tell me the result, and give me your statements of intent by this Sunday. Moto draw his long sword which begins to glow when he has it raised and drops to en guarde. All Persons with Infravision: Your Infrared ability kicks in now, and you start seeing everything as fluictuating heat patterns. Buildings are some of the hottest siginals around . . . Those of you who are outside Ribcage see the corpses as completely blue heat patterns - obviously a siginal that they are definately dead. The heat pattern of one Abrian seems to be breaking up.
d10-1 roll = 4 would "detect magic" tell me the location of a nearby gate out of this damn place, if there is one?
Maybe . . . does that mean you're casting it to find out? I would say that there's a problem with your statement as you are inside Ribcage, but I'll take it to mean you're propably planning on going out the gate and entering the fray. <OGT> Incidentally, If a certain person decides to join the fray, he'd get the full +15 to all attacks. <EOGT> Necromancer and Sir Dandin Truestrike: You hear arrows flying and steel being drawn. Furthermore, you hear three shreiks, the first to of pain and the last of fear - they were shrill and seemed to come from a bird of somesort. Sir Dandin Truestrike: You can strongly feel evil of medium and maximum intensity near the gate you came in - easy with all these lawful people around. The maximum intensity evil seems to be greater in density . . . <OGT>I'll Xerox and send via Snail Mail maps of Ribcage to each of you, since you are permitted to use it . . . ASAP <EOGT>
Yes, casting it to see.
Very Well. When I get all other ints, I will procede. <OGT> From Now on, for Initative 1d10 -your dexterity reaction adjustment, answer -any plusses of the weapon, but usually only the first set if special pluses, answer + or - any modifiers that I think should benefit/hinder you due to terrain or other conditions. <EOGT>
<OGT> for the live session this Sunday, what party room? <EOGT> 1d10-1 -3 (weapon) = 0
I can't be on for long- just divy up my cash.
<OGT> NEXT Sunday - I only want Inits and statements of intent for stuff going on inside or outside of Ribcage, but for the combat by THIS Sunday. Sorry for any inconvieneince. <OGT> Cyan gives 10 golden double ladies to Moto, nd likewise pays that amount to one of the gate guards, who just lets the coins slide out of his hand and pile up on the ground. People Outside Ribcage; Cyan, Moto, and Kergen D'Qualoth: You notice that the abrian Moritz shot is in awful condition, and those arrows stiking out of it signify its pain.
I'm shooting a shot off iwth my long bow and making for the gate.
I go outside to join the fray. I grab my holy avenger and hack at the nearest arabian inititive=4 <-5 <holy avenger> <-2 <dex>> = -3 If no Arabian is in range of my holy avenger I will use my composite long bow Inititve=4 <-2 dex> =2 <OGT> Bjorn, I lost my character sheet, what was my strength? when you tell me this I'll give you the to hits and damage rolls <EOGT>
Ye olde hit and run technique, eh, Cyan? So noted. BTW I didn't know you had a long bow, and wha's your init? So noted, Sir Truestrike. Do you wish me to prepare a new version and mail it (snail mail) to you? Your strenght is 18/72. And did you perhaps to neglect to tell me something about your armor (perhaps a +2 enchantment)?
OH YEAH! Sorry bjorn forgot about that so that does make it - 5 cool Are there any arabians within range of my holy avenger If so to hit=14 <+5 holy avenger> <+2 str> = 21 damage= 12 +5 <holy avenger +3 <str> +1 <specilization>= 21 if not I use my long bow to hit=14 +2 <dex> = 16 damage=5 +2 <dex> +3 <str> = 10
-15 actually (these things are CE), and where's your second attack roll for long sword specialization? What about Howler? Nightwind automattically has your init, Sir Truestrike. BTW - you might as well give me your inits and statements of intent for round 2 as well (Moto and Kergen exempt).
I yell to the guards, Cover your ears howler go for it, howler begins his baying I keep forgetting I have 3/2 attacks Second attack to hit=10 +3 <str> +5 <holy avenger> + 1 <specilization>=19 you said second attack roll for specilization, do I get 2 attacks because I'm specilized in addition to the one for my level?
Very Well. The second attack is due to specialization, as a 9th level Paladin you have 2/1 which means two attacks every round. Is your stated second attack this round or the next?
init=3,5 calling my cats to me and casting rending claw of N'roc (Spiritual Hammer)
So Noted.
both stated attacks are this round
SPOON!!
<OGT> Incidentally, I seem to missing 1d4 from my Domesday set (Jet black with Crimson Numbers, except for the 10's percentile which is the exact opposite). Therefore, if coyote or eldrich found it at the live session, please tell me. I will infrom RPSIG, Winona Chapter as well - perhaps I lost it elsewhere. Additionally, I can't find either pair of my glasses - but that's a Winona local problem. <EOGT>
Sir Dandin Truestrike appears from behind the gate, astride his mount with the Moon Dog following closely. He barks an order at his pet, after warning the guards to cover their ears. Howler begins baying a bloodcurdling howl, which causes the ear holes of the Abrians, and the ears of the gate guards to bleed. Necromancer: roll 1d20 and tell me the result. At the same time, the paladin shows his expretise by slicing cleanly through one Abrian - causing it to become lost. Again, he hails his true grace as his second swing slices cleanly through another one of the boids! So clean were his sweeps, that only a thin trace of crimson mars the beuaty of his sword. The Necromancer seems to stand by and wait, but the sonics of the dogs howl really did HURT! Kergen D'Qualoth raises his blade into parrying position and growls at the Abrians. Cyan yells for his following of cats. At the same time, Mortiz and his lackeys - affected by the fear* effect of howler's baying drop their weapons and attempt to flee. Moritz bolts east, trips, bounces off the gate (at which point your hear bones snap) and falls to the ground, bringing a few of the deaders with him, their signs shattering upon impact. Landing directly behind Howler, Moritz closes his eyelids and blood begins to streak down his face after impact with the sharp rocks - his spine twisted in an impossible direction, blood begins to spread out from beneath the body. The sound of bones breaking rings through your ears!!! The gate guard also flee, the first heading 120 feet southwest, the second the same distance due west. Moto raises his weapon to parry right as three Abrians disappear from combat completely, ten flee, and the remaining seven attack Sir Dandin Truestrike *en masse* missing their beak attacks by a mile, but regaining their feet to administer powerful kicks - that Really did HURT!! Sir Dandin Truestrike: roll 1d20 and tell me your save vs. Death magick, also roll 1d20 for your armor to save vs. crushing blow. You hardly noticed that a few seconds before the city just lit up from magick. Necromancer? Everybody Else (who hasn't already done it): New Init, New Intent, rolls, etc.
Saving throws Poision/paralelazation/death: 6 Rod staff or wand:8 Petrification or polymorph:7 Breaeth weapon:7 spell:9 roll=15 and 16
1d20 = 15 I want to see if I can figure out anything about that magic flash, but using caution. I also want to cover my ears and try to not stand so close to Howler.
<OGT> are we having the live session tomorrow? If so, what party room? <EOGT>
Necromancer - covering your ears, you immediately smell the reason for that magick flash - the flash pervades with an aura of Divination b- it thus follows that somebody cast *detect magick*. You manage to shrug off the *fear* effect of Howler's howl. Sir Dandin Truestrike: You manage to stay your ground dispite the force of those kicks, but that's going to smart for a while. Your armor avoids being dessimated by the rending claws of the Abrians, but your breastplate is now useless - but repairable. <OGT> Live session doesn't happen until 28 April, 1996. I'm not sure about a party room - maybe I can get my own private channel created? <EOGT> Salassastros: The magickal signatures created by *detect* magick comes up with a pulsing in the center of town, and most of the buildings glowing at various different levels of brightness. Roll 1d20 and tell me the result - roll high!! -- It is now round 2 -- I need; Initatives modified for higher ground, and statements of intent by Next Sunday.
In case I haven't mentioned it: The flight pattern (perhaps inappropriate wording - but they are fleeing) of the Abrians was 4 of them ran North, 4 headed due east, and the remaining 2 fleed southeast. The Abrians who fleed North collided with the gate - the sound of bone against iron rings through your heads. Those that fled west passed the guard by 60'. And those who fled southeast merely stumbled on the harsh terrain. Battlefield Overview: Two dead Abrians, cleaved in twain - corpses from the town gate, with broken wood surrounding around the body of Moritz - pieces of Sir Dandin Truestrike's breastplate - lots of blood. 10 Abrians scattered 180 feet away in random directions, 7 Abrians standing directly in front of Sir Truestrike.
howler is going to stop howling and join me in crunching the 7 in front of me. <Ogt Higher ground bonus?> Can I make a strait slash directly in front of me in order to attempt to hit more than one arabian?
<OGT> What did you think the 1d0 -1 was for; On Higher Ground bonus = -1 <EOGT> You can try. Roll percentile. Your Initiative? Of course, If you kill the first one, I naturally asume that you hack at the next one . . .
init = 0 I'll tag along behind orinoco, unless he growls at me or shows some other sign of dislike, to see if he's found a gate.
No soted!
Choping up the birds that are attacking kain roll = 4 (init) dameage = 5
I thought you already did rround 2 init... O well. No soted. Or perhaps this is for round 3?
<OGT> re #262: what? <EOGT>
Initative=-2 <what's the percentile for?>
<OGT> Re #264: No soted - trnaslation "So Noted". Re # 265: You'll find out, just roll . . . <EOGT>
d20 roll=15--that high enough?
Probably - now if I could only remember what I made you do that for . . .
I detected magic ematnating from the town, and I think the roll was to see If I could see more
<dice roll=65> are any bonuses aplicable?
Re #270: Ah yes - I'll E-mail you on your findings. Re #271: No, you have to roll against what I rolled on my Domesday percentile dice. BTW - I found the d4 and both pairs of my glasses. <OGT> Copying Information onto paper to enter into battle roster <EOGT>
<OGT> I'm having trouble with the maps: I tried Xeroxing the map of Ribcage, and no matter how light I set the machine - it was still too dark for convienient reading - guess I'll just have the yocals point you hither and yon. <EOGT>
LIVE SESSION THIS SUNDAY - 10:00 A.M. ET - ? Party Room: Monica Be There.
<orinoco will be there, although the duration of his stay may not be too long...>
Cool.
<scratch that. orinoco might be there, but probably will not> Play me as an NPC if I don't show up
Okay - but I still need to know what Salassastros intends to do. If uninformed, he'll head toward the centre of town.
<EOGT> Moto raises his blade from parrying position and makes three wild swings at the Abrian in front of him, with one wide miss and two critical hits. The second swing grazed the abdomen of the bird causing minor bleeding, and the final swing hit the bird in the leg and stayed fast. An Abrian has been put in the dead-book!! Kergen D'Qualoth excersises incredible skill, hitting an Abrian with two out of three attacks and scoring a critical hit on the final. Two gapping wounds open on one Abrian's torso, which write one bird into the dead book. The final attack hits another Abrian in the head - breaking the bones and organs of its throat and writing this one into the dead-book as well. At the same time, the Necromancer begins to follow Salassastros. Further, the five living, unaffected abrians begin their assault. Two of them maneuver around Dandin and attack howler scoring hits with their beaks, the first scoring a superb kick, and the second landing a normal kick. Two small lacerations and two large gashes open on Howler's torso. Two more abrians spread out around Dandin, attempting a Front/Flank attack - both birds making solid hits with their beaks, the first missing its kick by a mile, and the second conecting its kick -three small gashes appear on the Paladin's already heavily bleeding chest. The remaining bird attacks the Necromancer, scoring a critical hit with its beak on the tiefling's face (coyote, save vs. death magick i.e. roll 1d20 and roll high), and misses with the kick - blood splatters from the skeletal visage of the Necromancer onto the rocky ground. The remaining abrians, realizing that they cannot safely flee any farther due to the difficulty of the terrain let outa horrendous shriek. (All PCs must save vs. spell) The gate guards continue their flight, changing their directions to south and southwest respectively. Moritz's body suffers a short spasm as more blood spreads out from beneath his chest - flowing a little faster this time. Sir Dandin Truestrike issues an order for Howler to stop howling and join him in the assualt. The Moon Dog obeys as the paladin swings his glowing blade hitting one abrian solidly, slaying the foul bird as a trace of crimson slides down the glowing blade. Regaining the sword's balance, the Paladin swings at another of the man-sized beasts - hitting the boid solidly - slaying it as well. The knight's blade is awash in blood. Salassastros begins to head toward the center of Ribcage. Magickal energy crackles about Cyan while he speaks in magick, a few moments later - *the rending claw of N'roc* appears in the half-elf's dominant hand as the energy fades and the weapon glows with a ghostly aura. -- Battlefield Overview -- 7 dead Abrians - 2 of which are cleaved in twain, lots of broken wood, lots of blood, Moritz's body in an ever expanding pool of blood, two paniced guards, and 10 shrieking abrian, Necromancer and Salassastros are off of the field of combat mortale ---------------------------- Initiative (save Necromancer and Salassastros), Statements of Intent, Die rolls. <OGT> I will attempt to do a live session next Sunday at 9:00 ET party channel Monica. <EOGT>
do the arabians have magical weapons? did howler hit? the first question was in regard to howler's hipnotic pattern, +3 or better weapons to hit. save roll=15, mader I again attack 2 arabians rolls=20 and 13 + 3 <str> +5 <sword> +1 <specialization> =22 damage=7 + 4 <str> + 5 <magick bonus> +1 <specil;ization> = 17 and 8 +4 <str> +5 <magick bonus> +1 <specilization> = 18 howler is going to take a bite out of one of them roll= 14 <THAC0=11> damage=12 Initative=0 for me and 2 for howler howler's save= 14 also made
No, the Abrians do not have magickal weapons - but I'm not going to replay that - but I will keep it in mind for next time. Second, Howler can only obey your command in the previous round - h may attack this one though. Lastly, you're forgetting one bonus (not that is matters considering the rolled hp): +10 <holy sword versus chaotic evil creatures>. Everbody Else except Necromancer and Slassastros (who ONLY have to give me statements of intent)?
Oh, I didn't know they were chaotc evil so that makes damage 22 and 23 thanx
You're welcome, naturally. Although I thought the suggestion "the full +15" might have suggested their alignment. O well. <EOGT>
the + 15? damage bonus? >
+5 as a holysword being wielded by a Paladin, + an additional +10 vs. CE creatures.
oh! so that makes the total 26 and 27 damage, even better! I thought it was either or
<OGT>/ No weapons with special case pluses are IN ADDITION to the normal magickal bonus. That "no" should have a comma immediately after. <EOGT>
okay! I get it now, did I kill 'em, did I? did I?
init = 6 Cyan is clashing and slashing the boids. Jungle cats will attack , but stay close to me + the gate.
did you already do yer rolls he probly needs those
Yes, I do need those - but it seems that Cyan is one jump ahead of me -therefore his action counts for round 4, not 3. Otherwise so noted. Cyan:<OGT> Please mail me the # of cats in your following, and their colourations (via E-mail is perfect) by this Sunday if possible. Sir Dandin Truestrike: You'll have to wait until I write the combat script, as I still require the Necromancer to make 2 saves (Death Magick & Spell), and Salassastros to make 1 save vs. spell. BTW - due to circumstances, your true adjusted damage rolls are: 96 and 81. <EOGT>
How did I manage to do 96 damage? owell, I'm not complainig
The "Player's Option: Combat & Tactics" Rulebook redid critical hits.
how is it done now?
It would take too much space for me to explain in the adventure item. Which reminds me, as soon as I get people's saves I have to write up the combat script. --REMINDER -- Live Gaming Session THIS Sunday in party room Monica from 9:00 EST - ? Be there if you can!
This time I can make it, assuming I'm up that early. Save vs. spell roll=16
<OGT> Very Well, I hope you can. Now the only remaining saves are 2 for
coyote and 1 for Cyan {eldrich}. Otherwise, the combat script is ready and
FTPed. <EOGT>
-So noted. (your saving throw that is)
ditto, combat script nedded, c'mmon others, rolls please
<OGT> If you don't roll on or before this Sunday, I'LL ROLL FOR YOU (which probably means you'll fail.) <EOGT>
<kain waits>
<OGT> I'll try to be there at 9:00, but I don't know if I'll be up that early. If not, I'll join as soon as I can <EOGT> save vs. death magic = 16 save vs. spell = 8 (Good thing my requirements are low!) Statement of intent: Casting Spectral Hand, and still staying near orinoco
orinoco is in ribcage your outside
Re #301: Okay. _Checking your saves ->>> Good.
<OGT> oops. I thought I was in Ribcage for awhile. I guess I should've figured it out, after being attacked. :-( Oh well <EOGT>
<OGT> Oops, sorry. I meant to say 10:00 EST which is MY 9:00 a.m. <EOGT> Combat Script viewable in my home directory if you participate.
Salassastros and Necromancer: As you are having difficulty sorting out the heat patterns of buildings and beings from magickal dweomers, you occasionally lose your sense of direction. As you walk down one alley, you feel like you are being watched from above - by devils? None of the population causes you any trouble or fails to yield to your right of way, but you still feel that something is definitely amiss. You can hear the sighs of relief of people relaxing, but only barely. As you pass down a crowded street, you notice that folks seem to clear out of your way like they see the Lady of Pain herself. Then a voice from behind you spits "Hold it, berks!" You turn around to see seven bright humanoid heat patterns, and knowing that some of that heat isn't from their bodies you know them to be Lord Paracs' dreaded blackguard. The one with the hottest pattern steps forward. "Let's see your chunks!" Everyone Else: The moon elf raises his blood stained but still glowing long sword to parry, and resumes an *en guarde* stance. As the two remaining unaffected Abrians begin to withdraw, Sir Dandin Truestrike's brightly glowing blade slices through the night air. His first swing hits one withdrawing Abrian in the abdomen - destroying it - and writing the boid into the dead-book. The second swing hits the other still withdrawing Abrian, severing its left leg at mid thigh, causing major bleeding, and slaying the boid. At the same time, seven of the affected Abrians shake of the fear and withdraw from combat, squawking at their fallen comrades. The remaining three seem to consider fleeing but end up holding their ground. The gate to Ribcage bursts open as five more guards burst through the gate wielding short swords, followed by a more ornamented guard wielding a scimitar. The one with the scimitar looks over the battlefield, then barks some orders in a harsh and hateful humanoid tongue. He and two of the guards head towards Moritz. The captain bandages Moritz's contorted body as two guards rush towards Sir Dandin Truestrike, and the remaining guard picks up the jink dropped by the original guard, and pockets it, keeping his hand inside in waiting. The two guards facing the paladin recoil from the aura of protection and circle of power, but regain their wits to regroup and attack. The two Blackguardsmen leap onto the Paladin and attempt to drag him to the ground. (Sir Dandin Truestrike please make a Strength check). At the same time, the fleeing guards, change direction once again and flee as far as possible to the southwest and southeast until they realize they have nowhere left to run. The first gate guard shakes his head and stares at his empty hand for a moment. The other guard panics. Howler jumps at one of the Abrians that decided to hold its ground, sinking his teeth deep into its flesh. Blood flows from the boid's wounds down Howler's fangs, and the Abrian releases a horrible death cry as it seizes up in the Moon Dog's teeth. The wolf-man raises his blade to parry and resumes an *en guarde* position just as Cyan releases the *rending claw of N'roc* at the nearest Abrian, conking it in its torso - causing a large throbbing bruise to appear and the bird to say "Oof" or something similar . . . -- I now need Init, and Statements of Intent from Sir Dandin Truestrike and just Statements of Intent from Salassastros and Necromancer. --
<sir dandin truestrike needs an overview, what wolf-man?> Str. Check=10 <made> Who are the gaurds and why the heck are they attacking me? I back away from the gaurds, howler and nightwind follow me. Howler stays in front of me growling I then ask them why they attempt to overbeaer me. I was only trying help my fellow endangered comrads.
>Overview< 10 dead Abrains, 2 of which cleaved in twain, 7 withdrawing Abrians, Moritz's now bandaged body which you now notice the guards are building a strecher for from the materials they took from their pockets, 3 completly paniced abrians, 1 paniced guard, 1 newly spirited guard, 5 new guards, 1 guard captain. Sir Dandin Truestrike: You feel the weight of the two humans pull you off of Nightwind and onto the rocky ground below, and they look as if they are going to attempt to pin you. Nightwind tromps toward you, but the shriek of the Abrians seems to have affected him in some odd manner - he barely misses your shirt, but he always misses. Howler growls at the guards who merely hurl some foul expletives at him. In regards to your question, you are greated with the same harsh and hateful language that the orders were given in. <OGT> As for the wolf-man: Lupin - Kergen D'Qualoth. BTW - I don't need statement of intent fron Necromancer. <EOGT> Necromancer: As you utter the words you have learned from your Grimoire, you feel the Negative Energy Plane running through your body as your life force takes on the appearance of an incorpeal crimson, sky blue, and sheet metal gray humanoid hand shape which glows brightly and obscures the heat patterns of the guard contingent - taking whatever configuration your right hand is currently in. The hand hovers bobbing occassionally in front of the guards. The leader barks "Very amusing, but we can do without parlor tricks, berk! We just need to see your chunks. Now either show us your chunks or you can pike that *spectral hand* into the Silver Sea! C'mon you addle-cove!! We ain't got all night - and we know that you'd like to be done with this as quickly as we do!!" (You have spent 2 magick points)
that is it I attempt to throw the gaurds off me howler is going to start howling until they get off. I say, back off or he does it again what kinda rolls do I need to make in order to throw them off?
1st I need your initiative, and then I need a simple strenght check (against theirs of course). I also need Howler's initiative.
I'll hold my chunk up to the guards.
and command the hand to move behind me, in a gesture that I don't mean harm.
Initative= -1 str check=3
Necromancer: You hold you chunk up to the guards, who examine it for a moment.
Then one of the guards affirms "It's valid. Now check the other tiefling."
You notice the one with the hottest pattern moving towards Salassastros, and
he says "You gonna show us yer chunk or do youse want me to frisk you?"
The wavering *spectral hand* floats gently to align itself behind you.
You feel less prone to attack from behind. "Once we done with you, take us
to yer friends."
Everybody except Necromancer and Salassastros: The guard captain stands up
and gets his scimitar back on balance as Sir Dandin Truestrike hurls the
blackguardsman on his right arm into the skydirectly above while ordering
Howler to Howl who promptly responds "You leatherhead! Are you trying to
get us killed?! Did it ever occur to you that maybe I shouldn't howl when
evil persons are at least temporarily our allies? Your behaviour is
unbefiting of a man of your station. Until you decide to behave like a
paladin, I'M leaving!" The moon dog then tromps off in the general direction
of Rigus.
Realizing that the Abrians are withdrawing, Moto sheaths his glowing blade.
Thereafter, Kergen D'Qualoth studies the situation, put his blade(s) into
their scabbard(s).
The original gate guard who shoke off the fear effect last round starts
heading towards Sir Dandin Truestrike. The second of the original gate guard
shakes his head and with it the effects of Howler's howl - he then promptly
heads towards Moritz's contorted body.
Cyan orders his following of cats to come to him and stay close to him, as
you hear loud "meow"s and growls and hisses, etc. Cyan claws an Abrian,
opening five gashes across its abdomen - stunning it. His second slash with
his claws rakes across its torso shocking it out of the stun then stunning
it once again causing minor bleeding and the bird's death.
Two of the Reinforcements have finished constructing the stretcher which they
slide beneath Moritz's contorted body and slowly lift of the gravel. Two
other guards chrage after the remaining Abrian but stop short of it. The
guard still overbearing Sir Dandin Truestrike succeeds in pinning him. One
other guard starts dragging the humaoid corpses that fell off of the gate into
one pile. The guard that the paladin threw off earlier falls back upon the
paladin, both of whom receive small purplish bruises.
the final Abrian, in shere panic beats a hasty retreat. Nightwind begins
sniffing at the ground Howler used to be standing on.
Battlefield overview:
11 dead abrians, 1 blackguard sprawled on top of the blackguard pinning Sir
Dandin Truestrike, 1 gate guard looking mencingly at Sir Dandin Truestrike,
1 gate guard hovering over the contorted body of Moritz, 2 blackguards
carrying Moritz' contorted body on a stretcher made from clothing and weapons,
1 guard captian standing with scimitar newly balanced, 1 blackguard pulling
corpse of "criminals" into a single pile, 1 newly arrived blackguard (or is
it 2?), lots of broken wood, lots of blood.
<it was only to get them off me and find out what was happening, I had no intention of doing it for a duration>
<OGT> Very Well <EOGT> I need init and statements of intent from Sir Dandin Truestrike and Cyan (not to mention any stat checkls that might be necessary. From Salassastros and Necromancer I need statemednts of intent only.
now free, I demand why they attack me so when I only try to help
<OGT> How much damage did I suffer from the Abrian attack? <EOGT> I'd like to wait on the statement of intent until orinoco says what he's going to do about the guards.
Re#317: You're not free. You've got one guard pinning you, and another one sprawled on top of him. Re#318: Enough to lower your personality score. I thought I had earlier clarified that damage would not be told - you've got to geuss by wound status, blood, and the sounds of bones breaking. O well. Your personality score is now 26. BTW - I am having trouble thinking of a blood name for you. Do you have any inclinations towards a name for your character? <OGT> 2 items kain: 1st, which part of your multiple dislocation did I say slid back into place first? 2nd, as a point of Reference what diety from the entire AD&D pantheon of pantheons do you worship - If you don't state it, I'll assume that i's Mystra. <EOGT> The winds begin to pick up. You can hear and/or see the beginnings of a dust storm.
grr... Again I attempt to g et the gaurds off, str check=11 <made>
Initiative? or did I already get that from you? at least this time you only have to worry about one guard's strength.
yes you got that from me if not I'll reroll init=1
Okay got it. The only init I had from you was for last round. Sorry.
oh, ok, owell
I'm going to see if I can find a drink somewhere, sort things out over some ale.
Somewhat begrudgingly hold up my chunk for inspection.
Cyan: You pass by the occupied guards easily and enter the Gate-town of
Ribcage. After a little walk, about a block or so over the brick streets,
you find an alehouse. When you walk in, you are regarding by peery looks from
the few patrons at this hour, and the bartender gives you the once over while
drying an ale mug. When the bartender realizes that all you want is a drink,
he regards you with a slightly more respectful look. In the spread out crowd,
you see mostly tieflings - but scattered hear and there are the occasional
human, elf, githzerai, githyanki, and one beautiful winged woman.
The bartender takes asks you "Ale, eh? Well cutter, we got lotsa kinds around
here - what'll it be: Baatorian firebelly ale, Fire Fungus Special . . ."
The list continues, one thing thes ales all have in common: They come from
evil towns or Planes.
Salassastros: You lift your chunk to the man with the hottest pattern, who
examines it thoroughly and hads it back to you. "You're both okay for the
next six days. Let's go find your your friends, shall we? Lord Quentill
Paracs would like to have a talk with you bloods."
The heat patterns back off the superiority stance and move around you and the
Necromancer as an escort.
Sir Dandin Truestrike: On the horizon, even with the guard pinning you and
the other one sprawled on top of him, you notice what appears to be three red
dragons - one of Wyrm age, one of adolescent age, and one hatchling. The
scales shimmer brightly in the moonlight. One things for certain, these are
definately dragons - you can tell when one of the larger ones yawns.
Scurring about closer to you are three small furry, singular eyed
animal with four tiny legs and a long tail. Their fur is tawny red and their
eyes are yellow-white with large black pupils. The guard captain seems to
disregard the dragons who are headed this way. The rest of this contingent
of blackguard seems to be freaking out, save the one pinning you to the
ground.
You hear the guard capatian switch to a language very close to common. What
you make out is "Let him up, Mikheil." and the response "But he knowingly
harmed our bobby, Moritz and his compatriots, Sir!" "His Moon Dog has already
ditched him - that should be enough of a lesson," pointing to another guard,
"Gorbash!" "Yes Sir," Yells the guard sprawled on top of you. The guard
captain replies "make sure our *friend* here gets healed and has his
breastplate repaired. Paracs wants to see him, so he may as well be
presentable." "Sir, Yes Sir!" The guard sprawled on top of you rolls off,
as the guard pinning you stands up and helps you to your feet. Examining your
left arm, he slams your two remaining dislocated joints back into place whith
a loud grinding of bone. (i.e. make a system shock roll %ile dice)
"Hansel, Konrad," barks the captain, "get Moritz to the infirmary, STAT!"
Almost as one "Sir, Yes Sir!" as the two blackguard carrying the stretcher
carry it inside running as fast as they can. As the captain strides towards
you, you notice that the gold portions of his uniform are made from that
strange trianular vine with black leaves that you saw a lot of in Sigil.
Outside of Ribcage
******************
The guard captain points at the Moon Elf and the Lupin, shouting "Lord Paracs
wishes to see you as well!" Howler disappears into the horizon in the general
direction of Rigus. The guard responsible for putting the humanoid bodys into
one pile has finished his job. "Let the scavengers tend to the boid corpses!"
Moto and Kergen D'Qualoth fall in line behind the guard captain. The
one-eyed furry creatures sniff around at your feet, occassionally rubbing
against your legs, Sir Dandin Truestrike. The dragons draw closer and you
can more clearly see their ebon horns and the moonlight dance off their ruby
scales.
In Ribcage, in the Alehouse
***************************
The feather-winged, olive skinned woman eyes you more thoroughly than the rest
of the patrons as you contemplate your order. Moving so her torso faces you,
she puts forward her left leg and exposes the skin to you while she whispers
something and sips from very red wine.
Elsewhere in Ribcage
********************
The guard with the hottest pattern introduces himself as Pog Brusstuckle.
"Right, then. Let's find your friends - Paracs can't be kept waiting you
know!"
BTW Cyan: The winged woman has her extended and bared leg crossed over the opposite leg. You also notice a strange softly glowing rope riding along her bottom leg. <OGT> My Erinyes, Cornugon , and Pit Fiend miniatures arrived today. The Erinyes is the only one that does not require construction/assembly. <EOGT>
am I getting a reading of evil from the dragons? I thank the gaurd captin for his assistance, and I try to explain that I herd the battle and was attempting to defend the town from the onslaught System shock= 60 <made>
Reading of Evil: Not close enough yet, wait about 10.
The guard captain regards you somewhat begrudgingly while you plead your case.
"Save it for Paracs, you can sort it out with him."
Your joints lock back into place leaving only small purple bruises but you
feel that they are becoming useful again.
The dragons continue to come closer as the fuzzy creature attempt to climb
your legs. The scales of the dragons shimmer and flash in the moonlight -
wait a minute- this isn't a Chromatic pack, they're Ruby dragons!
Moto and Kergen D'Qualoth head into town with some of the guard.
**************************************************************************
In the Tavern: You're beginning to get the feeling that you've seen something
like this woman before. Perhaps it was one fo the many statues on that
building you passed on your way here - the shirne that you distinctly remember
had at least one Gelugon statue on its rows of statues . . .
Resigning yourself from contemplation, you notice that the winged woman
seems to have dropped a lace handkerchief on the floor. a loud THUNK sound
breaks your concentration as a fair skinned man with topaz eyes, blond hair,
and large feathery wings enters the room with a quiver full of glowing arrows
on his back and a beautifully ornate long bow in his left hand.
Behind him walks what seems to be a kender child and an Athasian
Aarakocra.
******************************************************************************
Elsewhere in Ribcage: Not much else happens, the occasional pack of sewer rats
scurrys past, and a cat or two straggle around but that's pretty much it.
I go with the two guards to wherever they're trying to take me, pointing out the dragons to them if they have not seen them
I order a fire fungus special and aproach the lady *cautiusly*
and, what furry things?
Sir Dandin Truestrike: You get the feeling that the guards have already seen the dragons, considering their earlier pangs of panic. The guards lead you to a large citedal with a wide coutyard which has the lone feature of a stone statue in the center. Kergen D'Qualoth and Moto look around as you are lead past two gate guards and into the front door. "Seems those Ethyks liked you, laughes one of the guards." <OGT> The one-eyed furry things that were running about. <EOGT> Cyan: "That'll be 6 Golden Double Ladies!" The bartender spends about five minutes brewing the ale and slides it in your direction, accepting your money thereafter. As you approach the winged woman, she stands and beckons you with her finger as she starts backing toward the door - bumping into the winged man in the loose fitting toga <OGT> not mentioned previously like it should have been <EOGT> of softest white. Giving the man a quick and somewhat suggestive glance after forcing an apology, she places the index finger of her left hand over her mouth as she continues to beckon you with her right index finger. Of course, one thing you did note was that the bump forced some of the glowing arrows from than man's quiver. This close to the woman, you note that the tops of her wings have small feathers that are close together while the parts of her wings at and below her elbows a made of five, long, thin feathers which reach down to her ankles - thesea feathers are also close together, but not as tight fitting as the small feathers.
I brush them off and continue
<*> Can anyone join this game or is it closed? <*>
absolutely. Ask bjorn where he wants characters he's in charge
<OGT> Re #337: At this point I am willing to accept up to six more players.
Currently one of the PCs is planning on returning but is currently being run
as an NPC - under his request. Another PC is being run as an NPC because he
hasn't logged on in a while. In any case, it'll be a while until I can help
you; finals wednesday-friday, my gaming books are packed for returning to MI,
and I have to attend my maternal grandfather's cremation and celebration of
life services - so it'll be at least 2 weeks before I can help you on creating
a character although you may end up having more options than the orignal
players. I'll accept new players up until the party is in a predetermined
location (I'm not saying where).
The party breakdown, more or less in order of creation, is:
One 9th Level Human Paladin from Mystara
-with pets
One 5th/2nd Level Tiefling Wizard/Thief from the Abyss
One 6th Level Moon Elf War Wizard from Toril
One 3rd Level Lupin Ranger from Mystara
One 7th/1st Level Planar Half-Elf from ???????
One 8th Level Tiefling Necromancer from the Abyss
(All of the above are male characters)
BTW - The Half-Elf is a Cleric of N'roc
Everyone: Beacuse of some of the things I said above this will be my last
login to Grex for at least two weeks - I will be packing up the computer and
back online ASAP.
<EOGT>
Sir Dandin Truestrike: You brush the Ethyks off and they scurry out the door.
"Wait here," says a guard, "a blackguard patrol will be here shortly - they'll
take you to Paracs.
I wait tending to my wounds
Sir Dandin Truestrike: As you bind your wounds, you sneak a peek out of the
window and see an olive skinned, white-feather winged woman walking backwards
being followed curiously by Cyan. Though you've never seen one before, unless
that statue on the shine you passed earlier was made to represent one - you
are certain she is a devil temptress. You heard stories woven around the camp
firte in your childhood describing these, some Tanar'ri, some Baatezu - you
remember these names from the stories: Alu-fiend, Erinyes, Incubus, Succubus.
Although you cannot see her clearly, she most closely fits the descriptions
of the Baatezu Erinyes or the Tanar'ri Succubus - you notice a bright glow
in front of her though its area is small.
Kergen D'Qualoth and Moto lean against different walls and wipe the
blood from their blades.
Cyan: Turning your attention back to the winged woman, you notice she holds
some of the winged man's glowing arrows in her hands. She takes a peek
around, and when she seems satisfied she whispers "You're in search of
*Guardian*, aren't you?" She doesn't really seem to expect an answer.
Placing one of the arrows in your hand she continues, "Don't worry. Kri'ik
told me all about it. Be careful - although combat is not always the answer,
poor wording can get you burned." pointing to the arrow, "you might need this
. . ."
As you look at the arrow you notice a symbol of a figure eight with an arrow
pointing down through the middle before the feathers. "You're going to need
a guide. I can take you to one - but first it would be prudent to take you
to your friends." She extends her right arm and opens her hand to you.
Necromancer and Salassastros: you are led to the center of town to a large
citadel. After passing two gate guards, the blackguard patrol leds you into
a small room. Inside you see Kergen D'Qualoth and Moto leaning against two
of the walls, and Sir Dandin Truestrike sitting on one of the benches binding
his wounds. Nightwind whinneys from an adjoining room.
do I have my sword and armor still on me?
<*> OK. Please e-mail me with rules and whatnot when you get back. Looking forward to it!<*>
<OGT> Re #342: Yes. Unless I type in a loss or removal you still have/wear it. Re #343: I don't think that'll be . . .
. . . neccessary. There are items throughout this conference with the proper information but it is possible that you are accessing this from RPGs. will follow request. Sorry this took two respones - Grex had to <bjorn puts his right hand palm down on a circular device on his neck and yells "REBOOT!"> <EOGT>
<kain says "real sick, where were we again?
Everybody except Cyan: You are in a small waiting room in Lord Quentill Paracs' citadel. The room has two small windows facing outside. There are several tiger fur covered benches which some of you are sitting on. There is an exit to the east and one to the north. The doorway from the north opens and outsteps a humanoid in a robe the color of Nightwind's barding's plumage and war blanket. The humanoid appears to be female as you notice what you believe to be a modest bosom within the folds of her dark robe. She chants something that seems like it would make sense if said backwards and walks towards the Paladin. From the window, Cyan and a comely olive skinned, white-feathered, winged woman are visible out of the south window. The woman holds something that glows brightly in a small area and is holding her right arm out to Cyan. The woman also has a rope knotted with a hang-man's noose, which glows softly, over her shoulder. Cyan is holding something in one of his hands which has the same glow as what the woman is holding, only the glow is dimmer.
I draw my sword and tell cyan to come to my side quickly
Very Well. Other Peoples? As you pull your sword into position, its metal glint changes from the simple din of steel to a bright blue-white glow bringing about the circle of power. The entirety of the Circle of Power is bathed in the same light. The robed woman begins to back away from your circle of power. Cyan: You notice that the woman seems temprarily blinded by that blue-white light. You hear Sir Dandin Truestrike perfectly, and you notice that your vision again changes from normal to infravision. You notice that the woman's heat pattern is especially bright over her should and in her left hand. She still holds her right out to you, "C'mon Cyan. Looks like yer *friends* are sending a beacon." Sir Dandin Truestrike: The woman and Cyan are now close enough that you can tell she fits the descriptions of the Baatezu Erinyes from your childhood campfire stories. And that rope, well, that's a *rope of entanglement*!
I back away from the woman towards Dandin. I see if the arrow means anything to our resident witch-hnter.
throw it behind you it could be dangerous, That's a devil temptress If I ever saw one, Nightwind, to me. If there are any gaurds in the room I inform them immediatly. "Back away! I yell at her, sword ready and waiting to bash something very hard.
So noted. I'll see what other people add. BTW - everyone in the Citadel could hear the Erinyes clearly from the previous response. I'll wait until other party members have a chance to respond before auducating this scene.
I drop the arrow , and draw my claws
So noted.
<enter ariel>
Cyan: As you drop the arrow, you hear from the distance a sigh of relief.
The claws flash into the din of the moonlight and sparkle between you and the
Erinyes.
The Erinyes asks "What's the matter? You never seen an *arrow of
slaying vs. tanar'ri* before? I suppose you don't know that the symbol
represents the Abyss. Is that it? It HAS to be," she cajoles.
Sir Dandin Truestrike: You notice that the Erinyes seems to be talking with
a very defensize Cyan. The material of his claw weapons sparkle in the
moonlight's din.
The figure in the robe looks at you and shakes her head, while making
sure to stay at least 11' away from you. She moves around toward Nightwind,
and lifts his war blanket, appearantly looking at the other side. She then
lets the war blanket fall, and does *something* with the plumage for
Nightwind's helmet. Once she is done, she puts everything back normally.
However, when she did whatever to his plumage, you noticed that it was another
color, a rather smokey-green.
cool
where am I around now?
<OGT> Re #356: Care to join us, unknown? Right now we're 7 person (although 2 are being used as NPCs for the moment). <OGT> Salassasstros: You are in the waiting room with the robed figure, Necromancer, Moto, Kergen D'Qualoth, and Sir Dandin Truetrike. The only noticable people outside are Cyan and the Erinyes.
What did you do I ask, I then call nightwind to my side and check it out no, not ask, combination yell/grunt obviously a little pissed <dandin has lost his temper>
Kitty will say to the being in front of her: "Hi hi hi yes, that's me, and I am, like, so totally glad to make your acquaintance, because I am, like, utterly new to this plane, you know, and I could use any help I can get to help me, like, figure out what's going on, and, oh, excuse me, how totally rude, like, what's your name and how did you know mine is this one of those fate things again?" As she spouts this (without pausing to take a breath), Kitty readies herself to do a full dodge in case the being attacks or casts a spell.
Wait defensively.
Sir Dandin Truestrike: The robed figure does not seem the least bit perturbed
by your disposition. "It's quite simple really," she almost sings, "I
reversed the war blanket and plumage and then put them back the way you had
them . . ." While she speaks, Nightwind walks towards you - his hoofsteps
and the clanking of his barding echoing through the room. When you check the
war blanket and helmet plumage, you see exactly the same effect when you
reverse the fabric.
Salassastros: You crouch into a defensize position, your tail reflecting your
peeriness. Your hand grips your *dagger +2* firmly but loosely as your eyes
roam the area slowly.
Kitty: "It's quite simple how I knew your name, really, Kitty. It's right
here on this scroll with a vague description of you - I assume that creature
is Bartok?" She pauses for a moment, then nods. Her right arm then reaches
into her robe and draws out a coin, which she flips and catches. "My name
is Devon Alek, I am Necromancer to the King/Magistrate of Ratilla. As for
whether this is another fate thing, I doubt it - but I have not consulted the
Norns.
This plane is called the Beastlands - or to Primes like you and myself,
the Happy Hunting Grounds." She looks at the part of your forehead where the
antlers have broken through the skin (painlessly) and smiles wickedly.
"You've been here too long, you're stating to change - come, I shall take you
to the Outlands, or as you'd call it, the Plane of Concordant Opposition and
explain your mission there . . ." She extends her right arm to you, on which
you can see tattoed a gold arm band in viking style of fashion. Further, now
that you are really close to her - you can see that her septum is pierced,
and in it she wears the rib of a small creature, her ears a pierced several
places and all hold an earring of bone, onyx, or ruby. You notice a black
collar around hear neck carved with uncountable magickal glyphs - and you
notice a silver necklace, bearing something that looks like a dwarven hammer
on its end.
BTW - Devon sounded more like Day-Von
<OGT> I am now back in Michigan - in Saline to be exact. If those of you who are in the Michigan area so wish, I can arrange live-sessions at GNO and perhaps later on - in my very house. Just a little something for you to think about. <EOGT>
before I give my response, how much evil is radiating from our resident temptress <EOGT>
Minimal. Only the evil of her existance is present
I say, what are you doing here and what do you want with us? Why the rope of entanglement? And why the arrow of slaying if you do want to help us why are you helping us. I doubt you were sent by those whom sent us. A true paladin would never employ a devil temptress
The Erinyes, turns her head - then her entire body, while keeping her arm
extended towards Cyan. "What am I doing here," she repeats sarcastically,
"What do I want with you?" Maniacal laughter follows for a few finutes before
she retains her composure. "Look. If I wanted to hurt you, I wouldn't be
in my natural form, now would I?" She pauses, but you can tell she doesn't
expect an answer. "By the Dark Eight, you are Clueless!! All Erinyes carry
*ropes of entanglement*, ALWAYS. If I wanted your priest, I would have
already charmed him . . .
As for the arrow of slaying, perhaps your parents and their comrades
obviously did a pathetic job with their campfire stories about the Lower
Planar races. The Baatezu and the Tanar'ri, and to some extent, the Yugoloth
are involved in an eternal conflict known as the Blood War. The ultimate goal
is a single, united, lower plane - well, at least for our side. Certain ranks
of the fiends are excluded from the Blood War, the temptresses and tempters
being the most prominant. The arrow is versus Tanar'ri, our rival race - and
if you look at the other side, a particular type - Cambions, you may need it,
Sir Truestrike from the planet Mystara of the Prime Material Plane.
As to your last comment, all I have to say," she practically chokes
with glee, "how little you know, ye soddin' leatherhead!!"
<Slightly calmed now> I appologize for my rashness. Anything of which I can detect evil near any of my comrads animals or myself draws my hand to my blade instantly. But I would ask you again, did you come of your own free will were you comanded or were you paid?
Kitty will take Devon's hand, saying, "Awesome! Because I'm, you know, extremely fond of animals other than me, but I've like, gotten used to being me, you know? But anyway, pleased to meet you Ms. Alek, and thanks! So I've got a mission? And what's it like being a Necromancer?" Oh yeah, she'll detect evil as she does that. She'll take Devon's hand no matter what the result is, though.
Sir Dandin Truestrike: The Erinyes rolls her eyes and asks, "what about your
Necromancer companion? His *undetectable alignment* wore off over an hour
ago." Pausing, and then regarding you with a more serious look, "I accept
your apology, sir knight - but ye best be more careful with your tongue in
the future -," The Erinyes looks noticably unconfortable, and turns - behind
her you can see a vaguely dog-shaped form trodding toward you, amazingly, upon
noting the form the Erinyes smiles sincerely.
"O, and you best be a little more careful," she says as she brings her
free hand across the forms back, "about asking your friend to howl. Actually,
I was simply asked, it seems that Kri'ik wants to help you - though I am not
sure why . . . you are, after all, searching for *Guardian*?"
Madam Katrina "Kitty" D'Kshandr: You detect a fading signial of a great evil,
as if committed in the past and quickly fading from her being. "My, you're
certainly feisty, Kitty! Devon, please - I so hate being called by my last
name."
As your hand wraps around hers, she adds "Yes, you've a mission," she
pauses and concludes, "being a Necromancer is rather discomforting to others,
the manipulation of life-energy seems both to frighten and mystify others -
though most in the kingdom of Ratilla are used to me by now - a little
presumptious scanning me for evil intent, aren't we Ms. D'Kshandr? If I
weren't in such a good mood I'd . . .," regaining her compusure, Devon pulls
you toward her and wraps her other arm around you, she then utters something
an an undoubtedly magickal tongue. With a sound of electrical pulsation, and
the glowing of her Tatoo - you are instantly transported somplace very
different, very foreign . . .
You are in front of city enclosed by a 20' iron wall, with mountains
fingers, nay - ribs, reaching over the town. There is a gate with to guard
towers in front of you, a field awash with blood covered in numerious
osterich-like bird corpses, and pile of human bodies, and a lone warrior
dressed in black and gold setting the humans aflame, in the path to the front
gate.
"Welcome to Ribcage," say Devon, and the definately male Warrior almost
as one. "I can fill you in on your mission now," Devon adds.
I thank her kindly for her help, then overjoyed welcome howler back and apologize for my rash behavior earlier, bjorn, am I still severly wounded? I ask her why however did nightwind's barding change color and if it produces a different affect when like that?
Wound Status: Severe The Erinyes nods, and the robed figure in the background starts weaving a spell upon herself. "Nightwind's barding has been reversable ever since the day you got it," the Erinyes and priestess say in eerie unison, "no special effect, the war blanket and plumage are simply reversable."
<kain thanks the erinyes then excuses himself to go talk to howler> I the n apologize to howler for my earlier behavior, and ask him if he could please help me, I'm severly wounded>
"Oh, please, if we're on a first name basis, or even if we're not since it's what everybody calls me, call me Kitty. I didn't mean to be rude or anything by scanning you for evil, I'm sorry if you were offended, really, I apologize, I do, I was just curious, because I've never met a Necromancer before, but I'm not weirded out or disturbed by it or anything, I just wanted to see, because you know, as I'm sure you do know, you hear all kinds of rumors about Necromancers, as you yourself just said, and I thought to myself, Kitty, don't be a prejudiced dork and assume stuff, find out the real truth and judge all people on an individual basis and stuff, but I should have asked you first, that was really rude, I admit, but I only wanted to -" As they arrive at Ribcage, Kitty looks at the plain of corpses with some dismay. "Ick." To the Warrior in Black and Gold, she says, "Hi!" And then, looking back and forth between both of them, she says, "So what's my mission?" Is Bartok there, by the way?
Sir Dandin Truestrike: The Erinyes again nods solemnly, then giggles for a
bit. The windows in this room aren't that big, and the only exit is locked
from the outside. Still, Howler pads his way towards the obsidian walls of the
citadel. The other exit is once again blocked by the robed figure.
"C'mon, Cyan," the Erinye cajoles, "pick up the arrow and follow me,
or aren't you interested in getting to Baator in the near future. Hmm,
Sigilian weaponry - nice, Cyan . . ."
Everbody except Cyan and Madam Katrina "Kitty" D'Kshandr: The robed figure
side-steps out of the way of the opening door as Soldiers of the Blackguard
burst through, taking each of you by the left arm and wrapping their
corrosponding right arms around you left arms tightly. One of the guards
points towards Cyan, Howler and the Erinyes with his free left arm, then
he puts a whistle to his lips and orders the rest of the still marching
patrol (behind the door) to search for scragglers and to drag that half-elf
in here and kill the Erinyes.
Madam Katrina "Kitty" D'Kshandr: "Very Well, Kitty- I see you don't like
this sight much," Devon giggles. The warrior wipes his brow, takes a glance
at you and regards you with a somewhat begrudging look, "Oy, hello there,"
he grumbles then adds in a more commanding tone, "Again, Welcome to Ribcage,
its 10 gold to enter!" Devon explains something to the guard and you are
escorted to a large building outside the main town, near the Rigus gate.
Devon sits down on a bench in the lobby, and again refers to the scroll,
decreeing "Sir Daneel, Smiter of Fiends, of the power Marduk was attacked in
the streets of Sigil a few days ago. A ragtag party of humanoids saved him
from a pack of Baatezu - unfortunately, not before they got the chance to
take his arm, and with it his *holy avenger, Guardian*. In service to the
Harmonium, this party - appearantly lead by Sir Dandin Truestrike from the
planet Mystara has sought the sword. As far as we know, the are in Ribcage,
on their way to Baator to find the sword. You are hereby ordered to join
them in the recovery of the sword from Dispater's Iron Tower in Dis, the
second layer of Baator," resuming a less commandin tone she adds, "any
questions?"
Current Conditions=Early Morning, Moderate Darkness, Dying Moonlight, a
flash in & out of your infravision, you are sitting on Bartok.
I ask the gaurds who are taking me if I might wash up before meeting with whomever it is that i'm to meet with
Extremely defensive now...fur bristling <OGT--did I get transported or not? EOGT>
Both Responses noted, incorporation later . . .
"Well, gosh, I'm all for the recovery of stolen stuff, especially when it results in someone being disarmed, so to speak, so I guess I don't really have any questions, except maybe who exactly is sending me on this mission and why is it the Harmonium and who are they and how did they know where to find me and why me and if it's not the Harmonium who is it is it the order D'Kshandr and if so tell them hello and why is this sword so important other than that it's a Holy Guardian is it just a question of theft or is it intended for some special purpose and who are these people I'm supposed to meet and where do I go and why are all those bodies outside what happened? If you don't mind my asking.
Sheathing claws , but still defensive. I grab the arrows and head towards the blackgards, but keeping a eye on what happens to the Erinyes.
Sir Dandin Truestrike: "Yeah, right," laughs the guard on you as he rather
forcefully begins to escort you down the hallway.
Salassastros: Nay, thou hast not been transported - thou art still in the
watiing room. The guard on you loosens her grip a bit, and begins to escort
you down the hallway - hmm, there seems to be a point at your back, sharp too
. . .
Madam Katrina "Kitty" D'Kshandr: You've noticed that Devon has begun flipping
a small browninsh coin almost continuously without any real noticable purpose.
She giggles, obviously at your "disarming" joke.
"Two people really, Daneel himself, of course and a Harmonium faction
High-up by the name of Tonat Shar. Ratherr, Daneel and the sword Guardian
have become quite legendary in their assaults on the forces of evil," she
precedes to mumble something, " . . . The Harmonium is one of the 15 factions
of the city/plane of Sigil, the police force to be exact, although they
sometimes take their own view on what's 'right' - universal harmony or else,
and that sort of rot."
Devon begins to laugh maniacally as she considers your final question.
"The Dabus overheard some conversations - nay, the D'Kshandr order is not
directly involved, though you doubtless know what great glory you will bring
to your order in this quest - You've been to Ravenloft, eh? What do you think
of Strahd? Pretty nice vampire if you ask, me . . . o, sorry, am I getting
off the topic?
I'm not quite sure what went on here, a battle of some sort I guess
. . .
You are to met Sir Dandin Truestike, a Paladin of an unknown god and
order from Mystara - he's human. Your other fellows are Salassastros, a
Tiefling Mage/Thief; Moto, a moon elf War Wizard; Kergen D'Qualoth, a Lupin
ranger; Cyan, a planar half-elven cleric of N'roc; and a nameless Tiefling
who is a Necromancer who belongs to the Dustmen faction.
Will that be all, I mean, may I go now? Or do you have any further
questions?"
Cyan: As you pick up the arrow, the blackguard flank you and wrap their arms
around yours, as they begin to march you toward the citadel.
Everbody except Madam Katrina "Kitty" D'Kshandr: You are marched through the
obsidian hallways of the Citadel, For a long while, the plain corridors twist
and cross in a mazelike fashion that seems designed to get berks lost. Then,
the walls begin to sport clusters of embedded gems that form glittering
mosaics of the Baron, and sequential wall hangings depict the various stages
of his ascendancy to the throne.
Finally, you're brought into an open office area where a round,
hunched tiefling in chitinous armor addresses a dozen more guards - something
about setting fires. As you enter, the guards jump to their feet, hands
reaching for their swords. One of your escorts speaks: "Sods to see your
lordship, sir."
<have we been released from their grip yet?>
<More or less>
<OGT> I will be attending GNO perpetually at least until I go back to college or figure out what I'll be doing instead - If you (at least you in the Michigan are, not to leave out others . . .) want me to a host a live session at GNO just ask. <EOGT>
People who are currently being used as NPCs (i.e. starwolf with Kergen D'Qualoth, jamie w/ Moto, and coyote w/ Necromancer): When you desire to control your character again, simply take control. Thank you. That is all.
how close are we?
How discreetly is spellcasting possible?
<OGT> Re #368: approx 7', to each other 1'. Re #387: Impossible, grip is loose, but not quite *that* loose. <EOGT>
are the gaurds indicating that we kneel or any such action? Dandin does not ask however
<OGT> Re #389: Not really, but the one on you seems inclined to shove you on your face in front of lord Paracs - not that that would be evil . . . <EOGT>
"Um, yeah, Strahd was a nice enough fellow, once you got past his, you know, violent exterior and were able to see the small child crying deep inside him. Except for periodically ordering my death, he responded very well to therapy. But, um, yeah, I guess that's all of my questions, 'cause the rest I'll ask of those other people when I meet them. So, um, where should I go?"
Devon giggles with insane glee and responds "Go 'south' from this Gymnasium
towards the Rigus gate - you'll see the Great Pass on your way - enter . .
.," she digs around in the pockets of her wizard robes, revealing a
tight-fitting leather jacket, both the torso and right arm, "O, wait - you'll
need this," she adds as she hands you some money.
"This blackguard will escort you to the citadel, and to lord Quentill
Paracs quarters. Good Bye."
"Ooloth plynn dos -" Devon's tatoo glows briefly and it seems as if
her very energy is being absorbed as her body becomes shimmering jet black
light and vanishes. An unearthly cold wafts up from where Devon was standing,
as if tearing away at your very life energy.
The guard turns toward you, "Are you ready to go, m'lady? I'm sure the rest
of that party would like to met you - and Paracs would like to stick the
baatezu some," he finishes with insane laughter.
"O sorry, please stand next to me, scratch that - 11' to the side or
back of me, when thou art ready to depart - I would offer my hand, but I have
no magick to protect me from your aura," he adds with a giggle.
Although I am not being asked to bow, bow my head somewhat to conceal my angry glare...
<although kain has no clue what to do right now, he thinks dandin would. Can you play him as an npc until I decide to take over, shouldn't be more than a few rounds.>
Salassastros: The tiefling smiles as he sees you bow your head, he then turns
and begins to glare at Sir Dandin Truestrike.
<OGT> Re #394: Very Well. <EOGT>
The guard on Sir Dandin Truestrike shoves him towards the floor, face first,
sending him streaking across the floor to a few feet before the Baron's
throne. The tiefling places his hand under the knight's chin and lifts him
to his knees.
"You've been charged with a crime," he grumbles, "now, what are you
and your band of misfits doing in Ribcage?!" he demands with obvious chagrin.
Kergen D'Qualoth and Moto drop to their knees with their heads slightly
bowed, Howler lies down but keeps his head up, and Nightwind kneels also
heading attention to the Baron.
Sir Dandin Truestrike looks keeps his head down, and asks "If I may
have a few words, please, sir."
The Baron nods. "Sir, we have been sent on a quest to find the *holy
avenger* called 'Guardian', by order of Tonat Shar of the Harmonium. This
sword was taken from Daneel by force by the baatezu, who needed to disarm him
- in more ways than one. We seek only the gate to Baator, and a guide for
that plane."
"You'll need a pass of safe conduct as well," the Baron adds, "what
do you say to, O, 1,000 golden double ladies?" The Baron doesn't seem very
impressed with your party's behavior, "You are still to pay your fine,
Swordscum," he snaps at Sir Dandin Truestrike.
The Baron makes some motions with his fingers and the guards who were
here when you came in exit. The remaining guards pull everybody to their
feet. The Baron adds, "you need not bow your head, Clueless," to Sir Dandin
Truestrike.
Resume standing, looking as calm as I can, and say "If I may be so bold as to ask a question of y'lordship?"
<OGT> the fine was how much again? <EOGT>
"O . . . K." Somewhat puzzled by the amount of giggling and insane laughter going on, Kitty moves to the indicated position.
Salassastros: Lord Paracs turns towards you and simply says "Yes?" <OGT> I don't believe I said, but in all actuality the fine is 500 golden double ladies, it's merely been tacked on to price of the pass of safe conduct. <EOGT> Madam Katrina "Kitty" D'Kshandr: As you move to the desired position, the blackguard leads you back through to the Rigus gate, and indicates the Great Pass which makes travel from Ribcage to Rigus shorter than the normal walk before you enter. You pass a regal looking building and a market place as before you looms an obsidian citadel - the blood red brick roads and spires hanging over you in rib-like fashion make the sight even more gloomy. You are marched around to the other side of the citadel, where you pass a statue of the Baron and then you are marched through the mazelike corridors to the Baron's quarters. Here there stand Eight additional blackguard, each standing over another humanoid or an animal - and on a throne in front of you sits a hunched tiefling in chitinous armor. The other humanoids include A Human in Full Plate with a rather damaged breatplate, a Tiefling with the tail and lower quarters of a jungle cat, a Moon Elf, a wolf-like creature with swords of steel and of silver, A Half-Elf with constantly changing hair coloration, and a skeletal wingedd thing holding an ebon handled scythe. The animals include a Moon Dog, a Horse in plate barding, and a large amount of jungle cats. Your escort speaks "On Madam Katrina 'Kitty' D'Kshandr of the power Kuan Yin to see your lordship sir!" He snaps to his feet and salutes. You now notice that the cat-like tiefling wears a lapel pin, as does the winged-creature - though the pins differ. Exchange physical description.
"What is this crime that we have been accused of?"
"Not you," the Baron says as he turns his gaze towards Sir Dandin Truestrike slowly as he puts forth a stubby forefinger, "him. He has been fined summoned by the blackguard due to the crimes on that parchment he has - otherwise, as soon as you pay, we'll lead you to the gate."
I truly apologize sir. I have not that sum of gold on my person however we were provided with a purse to use while on our quest, kain asks ragnar is this would be appropriate use of the money provided
Physical description: A pretty, 18-year-old half-elf with red hair, green eyes, and freckles. She is wearing field plate and has a perky expression. She is riding a giant armored dog (the dog is naturally armored, not wearing armor.) She says, "Hi! What's going on? I've got some money, if someone needs it." She checks to see how much money she was given.
The Baron nods at the man in damaged full plate armor. Kitty: You can't tell. This money is like none you've ever seen before - and it's heavier than the usual 1/10 lb/coin - you seem to have six of these.
<while waiting for eld> and the raid on the town last night that we helped defend against, do these things happen often?
Manical Laughter.
<kain waits for the laughter to stop>
"Well, does anyone need it? And, like, who are all you people? Are you the people, I'm you know, supposed to meet to help recover the holy sword and stuff?"
<bjorn also waits for eld, and for that matter; coyote - hope I haven't accidentally driven him off>
Off in the distance you all hear someone rambling on about something which almost seems likea script to this very journey. A voice out of nowhere yells "GET ON WITH IT!"
<a vioce from behind kain's computher yells eldrich's computer is screwed up!!!!!! maybe he should be declared tomporary npc
<OGT> Maybe eldrich should use sombody elses computer temporarily? <EOGT>
Kitty will get on with it just as soon as anyone tells her what is going on.
Very well.
<OGT> I really don't want to attempt to use Cyan as an NPC - I can role-play Sir Dandin Truestrike much better as an NPC, besides - I can't make that decision for him. However, you could ask for eld to give you his intention and then type it up for him here . . . (Other than that, only one character per person). <EOGT>
<mutters> yes, "kitty", it seems some money would be useful...
The Baron mutters something along the lines of "Weren't some other basher's nosing about that Holy Sword too?" From outside, you hear bloodcurdiling screams and bones being broken.
<suddenly very polite> "Have you heard news of this blade before, m'lord?"
"O yes . . . That Free League wizard and a group of his colleagues," he turns to the council of one of the blackguardsmen (or women) standing to the side of each of you, and adds ". . . and about five other humanoids. They went through the gate about an hour ago . . ."
<OGT> Michigan Area people: Would you like a live-session at (or more likely, after) GNO at NAC this Thursday? I need to know by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday so that I can make sure to pack the stuff and bring it to the cafe. Respond here or via E-mail. Pass the word on to people who are having trouble with their computers, i.e. eldrich, please. <EOGT>
<OGT> So *that's* where he's gone... I think I can make it...I'll tell you for sure later <EOGT>
<OGT> Cool. Anyone else? <EOGT>
<OGT> Sorry, I work 500 hours a day - confer gaming is all I'm able to do, these days. <EOGT> Kitty gives the person who muttered to her the money. "Well, this is, like, what I've got, and I hope it's like, enough for whatever it's, you know, needed for, whatever that is. Um, is anyone going to, like, you know, introduce me to anyone? And does anyone else hear bloodcurdling screams and bones being broken?"
Only everbody in the room.
<OGT> Now where'd *my* players go? ACK! <EOGT>
<OGT> Well, I guess the live session's out gang - sorry. <EOGT>
Hmmm...and the one GNO I could make tomorrow, but I suppose it wouldn't be worthwhile with only one player.
Yeah - that's the whole reason I called it off . . . <heavy sigh> <deep UFF DA>
For the record, I'll be dissappearing soon as well. My adventure will be put on hold unless a surrogate DM can be found.
Kitty, annoyed by the fact that no one has introduced themselves and curious, goes off to find what the screaming is all about.
<OGT> Kain would but he's busy waiting for eld's response. I was in montreal for the last week but I"m back now... <kain continues to wait for eld> <EOGT> >
As you all stand there, the Baron taps his right foot loudly and yells "GET
ON WITH IT, either pay me or go home!" Looking at Sir Dandin Truestrike,
"except you."
As Kitty heads for the back door, two guards rush her and attempt a
restraining grapple. Both guards fumble though, but provide a pretty
effective barrier as they fall to their faces on the floor.
Everyone begins to feel a flux in the reality of this room, soon
thereafter shimmering light, and finally a beautiful, olive skinned,
white-feathered winged woman emerges, her hands dripping with blood.
"Do I have to do everything myself," she demands looking directly at
Cyan, then she turns to Salassastros and swipes the money that Kitty gave him.
"Hmm, Ratillian money - this will get you further than those standard coins,"
she tosses one of the coins at the Baron who accepts despite his obvious
chagrin at having a baatezu in his audience. The Baron writes up on a piece
of paper, only a few lines - the rest is already filled out, hands it to Sir
Dandin Truestrike and orders his guards to attention. Turning to the Erinyes,
he opens his mouth, but the Erinyes's tongue moves first, "I know, sir Paracs"
The Erinyes then teleports out of the room, and presumably back to Baator.
Though you all faintly hear, "the wolf-man is called Kergen D'Qualoth, the
moon elf is Moto, the Tieflings are Salassastros (the feline one) and without
name respectively, the human is Sir Dandin Truestrike, and the half-elf is
Cyan. The horse is Nightwind, the Moon Dog is Howler."
Lord Paracs speaks "It drops you on the first layer," an obvious reference
to the gate, "You'll love the place. Light up before you go through."
That said, the guards continue to escort you and your pets through the maze
of hallway, and after a few moments, you step into a spacious room that's
empty except for a large, walled-up area in the corner, guarded by four more
black-and-gold soldiers.
"Up and over," says one of your escorts, shoving you toward the walled
up corner. The stone walls seem to be about 12 feet high, with a small space
between the top of the wall and the room's ceiling. A strange red glow issues
out from the top of the enclosed space. The glow actually mimics the colours
of Sir Dandin Truestrike's cape, his horse's war blanket and plumage.
You have the feeling you are being watched.
"You know, if I, like, keep being shoved about by forces I don't understand with, like, people I don't know but who all seem to know me in a search for stuff which is supposed to be vaguely important for reasons no one has done a very good job of explaining, I'm going to feel right at home. It's like deja vu all over again. Nice to meet you Kergen Moto Sir Dandin Salasasstros Cyan Nightwind Howler and you over there without a name so I can't really call you anything can I? How is Bartok going to get through that tiny space?"
The guards chuckle, "That's really up to you and the rest of your party, m'lady." The guards then stand aside, actually moving towards the enterance of the room and lean against the wall to watch you.
<OGT> A'ight, listen up you barmy sods! ;-) Against my better judgement, I have decided that this conference needs a restart for clarity's sake. Although I have already given what I believe to be fair warning, the dark of the matter is that the restart will come at the end of June. A lot of items will appear to be linked, but will be linked from a conference that will be dead once it's usefulness is surpassed. They will of course, still be linked to any other conference's they are already linked to. Thank you for your prompt attention. Anyone know why coyote hasn't droped by this conference? I hope I didn't upset him or scare him off. <EOGT>
Kitty will investigate the opening (by standing on top of Bartok - she's done it before and he doesn't seem to mind) in an attempt to determine what the heck it is and where it goes to.
coyote has just been busy. Please don't kill this item. That's all I ask. Rpg is being kind of dead except for ad&d rite now
Who's killing items? I'm killing a conference, after all the items are linked to the new version - it's like an Agora restart (except the items will already be familiar, because they're exactly the same ones). I hope you understand that. <EOGT> Madam Katrina "Kitty" D'Kshandr: You notice that the room beyond is relatively small, and a tall pillar of crimson light spins in the middle, with bits of silver cascading throughout the red. The whirling glow is almost hypnotic. As for the opening itself, it'll be a tight squeeze. The Moon Dog speaks in fluent common: "Sir, what other abilities does your *holy avenger* possess? No two in the mutliverse are exactly alike. While I could certainly get myself over, and perhaps another person or animal but certainly not one as large as Bartok. Those cats of Cyan's may also pose a problem." Everybody in the room feels a flux in the reality of the Moon Dog, and soon a light-banded, star-light, inky black image which soon fades, along with the reality flux. A few moments later, you feel another flux in reality. "I'm over," comes the familiar voice as well as the surrealness of reality.
IWLTA that for the people who participate in this conference as well as in >my Planescape AD&D adventure, that I would be willing to set up a live session >at (or more likely, after) GNO or in the case of a lot of cleaning and the >addition of a table in my room, at my house. This response will be copied >to Great Ring and thereby through linkage to RPG. <EOGT>
<OGT> when? being summer I might be able to make it are you going to be at the board meeting bjorn? we might be able to sort it out there <EOGT> To whom was howler speaking? and did the erinyes pay for everything or am I still waiting on eld?
<OGT> When? I don't know . . . YET.
No, I never go to the board meetings - I get too bored.
<EOGT>
Sir Dandin Truestrike: You're the only one around here with a *holy avenger*
around here. And the Erinyes paid for everything.
The Moon elf starts making weird gestures, speaking incantations, and moving
2 items about. As magickal energy arises and weaves a web around the elf,
he eats the items, one of which is a live spider. He then climbs up and over
the wall and you feel magickal energy fade as the elf says something,
obviously ending the *spider climb* spell.
um... okay. I stride over to the gateway then think for a second. COuld I polymorph the huge creature unable to get through into a flea temporarily?
Okay - that will become part of your *holy avenger*'s additional abilities at 1/day (for now). <EOGT> Sir Dandin Truestrike: You place your holy avenger lightly on the dog's head, grasping it tightly as the blade begins to glow with scintilating colors as magickal energy crackles around you. Waiting for the other paladin to either climb over the gap, or dismount the dog - you stay the energy. The dog seems a bit spooked and possibly annoyed, but only growls at you. Salassastros offers to cast *jump, spider climb,* or *fly* on any willing recepient and the animals. The Necromancer suggests "I could reduce that thing's size . . . for a price."
wait a minute. I tell ariel to dismount, she's the one on the dog right and tell her that I can arrange it's transportation and ask in what form she owuld like it transported. still holding the energy for now
Um. Okay. Yes. In that order.
Kitty listens to Sir Dandin, and says, "Well, I don't think he'll be happy about it, but, like, seeing as how it may be the only way we'll ever get to wherever it is we're going, would you, like, be so kind as to turn Bartok into, like, a smaller version of Bartok? Because he's used to being Bartok and I think he'd be kind of upset if he suddenly weren't Bartok, you know, and also I'd be, like, worried about him if he were a flea or something, you know?" So saying, Kitty scrambles off Bartok and into the opening if she can. "Bartok, let the nice man make you a bit smaller, and don't, like, bite his head off or anything."
Salassastros weaves a spell over the wolf-like humanoid. Magickal energy crackles about, and the Lupin jumps over the wall. Salassastros then weaves another spell over Cyan, who climbs over the wall with ease. Finally, Salassastros weaves a spell on himself and rises into the air.
<OGT> In the event that live-sessions take place at my house, I need to know: 1. Is anyone allergic to cats or dogs (mostly - if you have another allergy I should know about, tell me - I have a forest surrounding.) 2. If so, how severe is it?
You all feel reality have yet another flux as the astral Howler walks through the wall, *licks* Sir Dandin Truestrike, and returns to the other side of the wall - hence causing reality to fade back to its surreal self. Salassastros flies over the wall.
wait a minute! what happened to the gate? it's over the wall? So we're going to have to fly over? does bartok still have to be shrunk to get through the portal I'm really confused now. BEcause if all we have to do is get over a silly wall that's more easily solved than I thought
"The gate was always on the other side of the wall," coughs one of the blackguard. "Well, not exactly," chimes another one, "The gate was there first, and then Paracs built the wall afterwards to make it even harder for the Baatezu to get into town through that route," she laughs. You have to GET TO the gate, before you can OPEN it. Bartok is far to large to squeze through the gap between the wall and the ceiling.
but there is a problem. If I polymorph bartok there's a chance that he'll think he is and always was the polymorphed createure. YO! howler, could you transport bartok, and then I think I can deal with evreyone else. <OGT> Skip previous, about polymorphing. I just noticed that I can only polymorph myself, not any other creature. Sword abilities full and complete: flight 3/day, resist fire 2/day, polymorph self 1/day, heal 1/day, variation on fire truth 1/day <uses light generated by sword instead of candel light>, and light at will <EOGT>
From the other side of the wall, "Anyone got a screw driver or a claw-hammer?"
Cyan's cats release their claws and begin climbing over the wall, some of the
marks go deep and from them you can see slivers of crimson with cascading
silver light, as well as what appears to be a very cramped room (From all the
beings therein).
<OGT> Thanks for the Holy Avenger info. <EOGT>
what'd howler's response? Everything else I can handle but I don't have a means of shrinking bartok
That *was* Howler. <OGT> If you wish to discuss this live, I will be at GNO tonight - I'm wearing my Grex shirt. You should have no problem spotting me, as my login is on the back. <EOGT>
well as you can see I wasn't there. I tell howler that all I have with me is the stuff that'll let me repair my armor I don't know if that Includes a a "Screw driver" or "claw hammer" but for the moment I can do nothing about bartok so unless you can or sombody else can we may have to either completely anhilate a part of the wall so I'll fit through in dragon form and be able to hold bartok and the others. YO! Can somebody over there shrink him?
Again, the Necromancer speaks "Yes, of course, I can," extra accent on the 'of course', "for a price that is . . ."
argh, noone else can? are we talking about coyote the necromancer or the royal necromancer?
<OGT> Considering that we've already discussed this via talk, I refuse to respond. I'm going to go post the character sheets now. <EOGT>
alrighty then, btw I posted this before that talk. and thanks. SOmehow I don't think bartok is going to be a problem now
Neither do I. (w/ accent on the i, not the e - for this case only). <EOGT>
<kain waits for ariel to feed bartok the potion of gaseous form>
<bjorn waits period>
<kain decides to have some coke while waiting>
<bjorn decides to have a double espresso while waiting> <OGT> While we're waiting here, is anyone else going to Gen-Con even for a day or so? <EOGT>
<OGT> Since we have a bit of a lag due to people being out-of-country or extra busy, I have decided to freeze this item until it's no-longer a duo-adventure. When people return from wherever they went or whatever they're doing, either orinoco or I will thaw this item. Thank you for your prompt attention. <EOGT>
<OGT> E-mail me when you're back <EOGT>
<OGT> Would anyone object to me temporarily using their characters as NPCs to speed things up? Should I leave this item thawed as of now? <EOGT>
i like playing my character. butt you can't have me be the only player, you just can't. it's a funny thing, i think i remember ariel saying he was back but he hasn't responded as of yet
<OGT> The Item's been frozen - that's why. <EOGT>
<OGT> unfreeze it! <EOGT>
<OGT> Um, kain - do you know what happens with frozen items? This item is thawed, else you wouldn't be able to respond to it. Still out of game-time, but more related to the game: I suppose I could use ariel as an NPC long enough to get you to the gate, but I don't really like using PCs' magickal items w/o their permission. Maybe I should just freeze the itme for the entire summer since I don't know the duration of either eldrich or orinoco's abscence - also, if you want jamie to continue - he needs to catch up. <heavy sigh> <EOGT>
<OGT> why hasn't he responded? and yes I know how frozen items work I just wasn't sure how linked frozen items worked. If I frozoe it would it be forzen in great ring too? <EOGT>
No. If you freeze it, it is only frozen in rpg. It's entirely possible for a frozen linked item to be open in another .cf. I'm wondering about ariel & coyote. At least I know why eldrich and orinoco haven't responded . . . <EOGT>
People opposite the gate side of the wall: You can vaguely see a flyer or
poster of some sort on the side wall. You notice taters of another poster
on the wooden wall which is in good disrepair from Cyan's cats.
You can make out the following from the poster you're looking at the
front of: a crimson smokey background, a bat-winged fiend's head and upper
parts of its wings, (centered, in green writing - <OGT> Those of you whose
characters can read, that is <EOGT>, the following:
"Do you seek great adventure?
Great Treasure?
Immortal Fame?
Respect of your peers?"
The poster then goes on where you see the fiend's slit-eyes, and tiny fangs,
except for two of them located centrally about three teeth apart. Following
that, in white writing, which is also centered, you can make out:
"If you answered 'yes' to any of these questions,
you might have what it takes to enlist
in . . ."
From there, you guess that that stylised red stuff is writing, but you can't
make it out from here.
<Kain pauses to think about how to handle this dilema>
<OGT> Haven't responded because my life went to hell. Sorry. </OGT> Assuming Bartok has been taken care of and the item is still active, Kitty will head for what is apparently the gate, since she didn't answer yes to any of the questions.
The wall covering the gate crumbles as Kitty places her hand on it, a cloud
of sawdust billows in the room. After some accidental inhalation and a few
coughs, Kitty walks over the rubble and stands in front of the spining column
which is th gate - a forceful wind assualts those close to the gate. Bartok
follows closely behind. The nameless Necromancer keeps his distance, but
follows.
Now what can be made out of the poster, aside from what has already
been seen, is the following:
(below the white writing, still centered, red outlined black writing):
"THE GLORIOUS"
(same, bell curve down): "BAATEZU ARMY"
('white space', normal, orange text, centered): "Benefits include:"
('white space', same text, left halk of poster):
"Competitve pay!
Prompt payment - you'll always get
what you deserve!"
(same level on poster, right hand side):
"Guaranteed promotions
Excellent severance pay!
Travel and meals (all you can eat)!"
('white space', lower central):
"Why wait? Enlist now! See the Lower Planes!"
<OGT> Okay, ariel - so noted, I don't really like being a jerk but I do want
to know what's going on. Thanks. <EOGT>
The blackguardsmen (and women) behind you siginal for one of their fellows
to go get some wood, and a another to get a hammer and nails. Thereafter,
they watch Sir Dandin Truestrike suspiciously.
wait a minute!!! how did the wall just crumble? I sure as heck didn't blast it!
<The Lady of Pain's Right Hand refuses to respond to that. BTW - He just cleared it up before entering this response>
<okay kain now understands. He gets up takes a moment to wipe his blade and brush his armor off then mounts nightwind, signals for howler and the rest of the party to follow then steps through the gate.
Sir Dandin Truestrike: You get your armor brushed off, and your blade clean.
After you mount Nightwind, you head towards the gate where winds attempt to
batter you senseless. Howler moves towards the gate but keeps his distance.
Nightwind seems a wee bit spooked - as you and Nightwind walk into the spining
column of crimson with scintilating silver, you and he are hurled against the
stone walls of the citadel with whirlwind force - both of you suffer a small
amount of damage in the form of a bruise. The blackguardsmen and women behind
you leave the room, some of them chuckling.
"I had a feeling riding straight into the gate wouldn't be such a good
idea, sirrah. But you acted so quickly that I had no time to warn you. You
do remember what Paracs hinted the gate-key was don't you?" Says Howler.
Everyone: You get a feeling it's about mid-morning now.
<OGT>I'm back everybody. I really don't know what's going on right now, and I don't feel like catching up. If it's something really important, tell me, or mail me a summarization.<EOGT>
<OGT>Never-mind about not reading all the stuff... I did it anyway. And, bjorn, you didn't scare me off, I just haven't been participating in Grex stuff as a whole recently. I've got a lot to catch up too.<EOGT> Assuming I'm still not over the wall... I'm casting Wraithform, and slipping trough one of the cracks in the wall made by Cyan's cats. If none of them go all the way through, then I'm just slipping through a natural fault in the wall.
Necromancer: Ah, but you are already over what's left of the wall. A spining column of crimson with scintilating silver whirls in the center of the room, producing winds forceful enough to knock people over, but due to lack of crowd control - everyone holds their ground - everyone that is except Nightwind and Sir Dandin Truestrike who are picking themselves up off the ground on alternate sides of the room. The gate-column also radiates faint heat. <OGT> That's good, and I'm glad to have that cleared up by both you and kain, coyote. <EOGT> Everyone: You feel the Sandman's touch in your eyes, you really ought to get some sleep - perhaps after you go through the gate. "Light up before you go through . . ." Moto seems to be contemplating something, as the Moon Elf leans against the wall with his left hand under his chin. After a few moments of concentration, he snaps the fingers of his right. "Of course! 'Light up before you go through' means that the gate-key is fire!!"
"So, are we supposed to like, light ourselves on fire? Because that can be extremely, you know, painful, based on past experience. Or are we just supposed to light a fire somewhere, or something? And does anyone know where we're going?"
Faintly, you hear "Move over, Montelado - I hear there's a fresh batch of
mortals on their way to Avernus."
"Shut up, Jal'haya, and get the ____ back to your post in Dis. That's
your layer for this!!"
Madam Katrina "Kitty" D'Kshander: Kuan Yin speaks, "Your first idea would
work, but would not be wise . . .
"You second shall not work - one cannot unlock a gate without coming in
contact with the gate. Your fellow adventurers know your destination. Good
Luck!"
Since Kitty comes from a world where the gods make their presence known with something somewhat less than the frequency of Amtrak trains arriving on time, she has just had an experience similar to that a twentieth-century Catholic would have if God came to them in order to answer a semi- rhetorical question about ceiling tiles. Accordingly, her response is along the lines of, "G . . . G'di . . . eeg . . . bd'uh . . . erg . . . fuh . . . f'f'f'uh . . . ThankyouohGreatGoddessmagnificentisyourpower andgreatareyourwaysIamunworthytopickyournoseohcelestialbeingofinfinite wisdommercykindnesspowerandgoodstufflikethat! "Um, we should probably do what she says. I've got a potion of fire breath - think that would work?"
"Yes, it would"
Kitty will drink the potion of fire breath, and use her resultant flaming exhalations to first, hopefully, allow the others through the gate, and then pass through herself.
Kitty: After quafing the entire potion, you walk towards the column while
expelling a cone of flame. As the flame makes contanct with the spining
column it begins to slow down and the silver bits dissapear as it comes to
a complete stop. You walk through the crimson column and as you pass the
portal you feel the very fabric of reality changing. What's this? Your broad
sword suddenly seems less powerful!! Then again, the three other draughts
of fire breath seem to have become more so!!
As you emerge from the gate, you find yourself standing in the ruins
of a town that looks like it was decimated in a fireball battle between two
wizards. The blackened buildings that still stand a punched with jagged
holes, and broken rubble fills the streets. Still, it looks somewhat
familiar, as if it were a dark shadow of Ribcage.
Peering behind you, you feel that the gate is still open. In front,
you seem to be being watched. Your suspicions are confirmed as a tall,
winged fiend, covered with scales and brandishing a nasty-looking barbed whip
emerges from one of the corners. As he catches your gaze, he merely strides
over to you and raises his right hand to signal "stop".
Decimating all any paladin is his or her proper mind's feelings about
fiends, this one seems to be in a somewhat generous mood. "Good Morrow,
m'lady. I'm Montelado - so what brings a sweet half-elf like yourself to
Baator?"
>You have one hour to get rid of all those draughts<
Everyone else: Kitty has disappeared through the now still, crimson column
which is the gate. You get the feeling that you have to move fast . . .
Bartok, Howler, and Cyan's cats walk through the gate - followed closely by
Kergen D'Qualoth.
>you have two minutes to get through the gate, or two rounds, if you prefer<
kain again mounts nightwind and trots through
Sir Dandin Truestrike: As you and Nightwind trot through the portal you feel
the very fabic of reality being manipulated - your *holy avenger* seems still
formidable, yet slightly less powerful as do all magickal items you hold.
You see Kitty talking to a fiend of some sort, in this city that looks like
an older, ruined version of Ribcage. You know feel slightly less protected.
To your sides you can see Bartok, Howler, and Cyan's contigent of cats. A
fireball rises and explodes in the distance.
"Aren't there more of you mortals on the other side of that gate," the
cruel-looking but seemingly light-hearted fiend ventures to you and your
comrades.
Paladins: From the stories you've heard of the Nine Hells - this place isn't
the least bit hot - well, except for when those fireballs go off near you.
I'll walk through the gate.
Necromancer: As you stride through the gate and the fabric of reality shifts, you feel strangely empowered as if the Negative Energy Plane just flowed into your being. Though that be not the only magickal empowerment of spells that flows through you. Your bracers fade in power, though barely much. You feel somewhat disoriented - as if the flux of Negative Energy was in some manner 'altered'. You see before you what I have described to the Paladins, with the appropriate additions, of course.
"yes a few" SAys sir dandin to the fiend, then looks for a suitable place to camp for the night he also asks the fiend looking thing if it knows of a good place. er rather camp for the moment then explains the lack of sleep in two days.
"Camp here if you wish," Montelado suggests, "I see that your armor is in a state of disrepair. So long as you go no further into Darkspine, you may camp where you please - I'll try to make sure no other baatezu bother you. If you run low on rations," ventures the fiend as he points to a small patch of fungi, "Those fungi are called 'fire fungus', and as far as anyone knows they're the only food source on Baator edible to non-baatezu" The fungi that Montelado points to are dull red in color, and they wriggle around. "They do that even AFTER you pick them," the fiend adds, "I hear they don't have much taste to mortals - but they're marginally nutricious . . ." <Yawn> The fiend sits down and stares at the open gate, his scaly eyelids seem to be getting heavy.
dandin thanks the fiend then tastes just a little bit of the fungus if edible he packs some up. <OGT> Darkspine? what that? <EOGT> Dandin then finds a suitable flat place then makes camp, feeds nightwind and begins working on his armor <repairs> he also feeds howler some of the stuff if he thinks it's suitable. <ptoficiancy check 5 out of 17 <made>> He then plops down and tries to get some rest. <ogt> bjorn: I'm going to be gone for a month as of today. I may be able to get on on sunday but I doubt it. So until I return, NPC me <EOGT>
Montelado nods. Nothing wrong with the fungus, not too tasty though. You
put some in your bag. Nightwind seems a bit reluctant at first, mostly
because of the way the mushrooms squirm, but eventually nibbles them down.
Howler gobbles the fungus down with little (if any) remorse. You sit down
in the street and begin to repair your breastplate. You get it bent back into
proper form right as you start getting really weary. But you continue and
polish your armor to a bright shine.
"Sir," says Montelado as he looks at you, "You seem a little banged
up and I'm not talking about your armor? Have you been sleeping in your
armor?" Montelado moves towards you, as if offering to assist you in armor
removal, but stops, his eyelids drooping. Howler sniffs around an area near
your leg, circles three times, and plops down. Nightwind just plops down on
his left side where he is, then rearranges himself because he landed on some
of the Rubble.
The cornugon Montelado yawns "O, and don't go back through the gate
either. If you've come to Baator - you're bound to have a reason. Let's
just say it better be a damn good one," again he yawns and covers his
mouth with his free hand, "we'll talk about it in the morning."
Montelado lets out a heavy sigh as his scaly eyelids fall over his
crimson eyes. He slumps onto his side, with his tail twitching
involuntarily, his wings folded into a hap-hazard heap and otherwise curled
into 'fetal' position.
You then plop down, and find the surface slightly uncomfortable but you sleep
anyway.
Kitty, who has never been accused of being a paladin in her right mind, handles the friendly fiend with a chatty aplomb that borders on the deranged. However, since a fair amount of time has passed since she would have said anything, I'll spare you the spiel. Kitty will also pick some mushrooms, and wrap them up in the hopes that they don't wriggle away. If it seems that the party is bedding down for the night, she will remove he field plate and fall asleep in the curl made by the soon-to-be-snoozing Bartok. "I hope it's safe to go jogging in the morning here."
I'll get a fungus and nibble on it, then sit up against the wall. I don't want to sleep quite yet.
Kitty: you manage to get the Shrooms up without trouble, and successdully bag them. Bartok finds a realitivley 'full' wall, and curls up against it, plopping down and closing his eyes, as he begins a sound sleep. You remove your plate mail and place it to the side, your joints feel much better. You curl up against Barok's fur and soon find yourself snoozing, though somewhat uneasily due to Montelado's snoring. Necromancer: You pluck a fungus from the ground, and plop it into your mouth as you sit against the wall of a building to the 'Nortwest' section of this intersection. You get the feeling that something weird may happen within the next 8 hours. You notice Cyan and Salassastros making their way through the gate. The gate seems to be closing.
As Moto trudges his way through the ever-diminishing gate, Cyan's cats begin
to bed down. The gate closes with a thunderclap and a flash of brilliant
light behind the Moon Elf. Seeing so much of the party asleep, Moto falls
where he stands and goes to sleep. Salassastros and Cyan are not far behind
in that routine.
Madam Katrina "Kitty" D'Kshandr: During your fourth hour of sleep, you are
awakened by a loud rumble acommpanied by the sounds of falling rubble, a
sudden heat wave, and pieces of jagged obsidian falling onto the flat area
of the street. Sprouting out of where the fireball just exploded, is a
new patch of fire fungus, sitting on a new, jagged window of one of the
buildings. Pieces of the jagged ruble bounce off of Montelado, but he
seems to ignore them or not even notice, as he merely rolls and continues
to snore. As you awaken, you emit a firey belch.
As you try to get back to sleep, another fireball goes off in front
of you on the hour and knocks rubble onto the street, as another patch of
fire fungus appears after the heat wave. Roll 1d20 and tell me the results.
Necromancer: You see the fireball that wakes the others. Roll 1d20 and tell
me the results. Some of the obsidian rubble even bounces off of your head.
3
You are blinded by the light of the second fireball, the world is completely black for two minutes, and infravision is also temporarily useless. Sir Dandin Truestrike mantains his sight while yours is lost. Salassastros is still rubbing his eyes when your sight is regained. Moto seems not to have been affected by the blast. Kergen D'Qualoth draws his hands from his eyes, as you open yours. Cyan is thrashing about holding his eyes, he seems to be in extreme pain.
Kitty, Cyan, and Salassastros: In the darkness you sense nothing, not even a touch of danger. Suddenly, you hear the beating sound of flapping wings getting closer and closer - you can even feel the heat of the being, and vaguely hear a vaporous breath. Suddenly the beating stops, replaced by a low whoosing sound. You can feel velocity increasing . . . Kitty: You feel two stony five-fingered claws rake across your torso, and feel pangs of illness. Roll 1d20, and tell me the results. You hear weapons being unsheathed and feel somewhat safer as you hear the familiar movements of Sir Dandin Truestrike. Everybody: Give me your statements of intent and initiative (1d10 -/+ dex bonus/penalty -initial pluses of weapons + 1) - not to mention attack rolls and possbile damage rolls. Kitty, roll your save first . . . Necromancer: The creature that hovers by the blinded characters seems vaguely familiar - almost like a gargoyle. It has red scales, and a nasty look in its eyes. You also notice Montelado rising from his slumber . . .
1d20 roll = 14 1d10 - 3 (weapon bonus) + 1 = 8 Statement of Intent: I'm casting reduce at the gargoyle.
Very well. You manage to retain your sight through the fireball blasts. <OGT> Statement and rolls copied <EOGT>
1d20 saving throw roll = 3. I need new dice. id10 + 1 (no weapon being used) = 4 Kitty, assuming she is still conscious and capable, will seek cover behind the nearest large object she remembers being around, all the while saying, "Listen, there's, like, no reason to attack us because evil is merely ignorance of truth and if you just listen to me I can explain that cooperation even in an apparently hostile environment can yield greater results than competition even if you have basic needs that need to be met e.g. feeding we could help you with that in a relationship of mutuality so the need for the dangers of combat is unnecessary in an ideal world! We can help you if you put aside your anger!"
<OGT> A look of concern appears on bjorns face as he consults ariel's saving throws - PPD 9. Then looks at the effects of red abishai poison: death/Nil. Well - I have to play the poison as it works . . . <EOGT> Kitty begins to swoon in illness, her breath becoming shorter with each swing, finally her poisoned body falls - and her last breath is drawn. From her bosom, you notice a golden shimmering light emerge. From the what little you can see of the crimson sky, a portal matching in color appears. Through it you can vaguely see a shimmering lake made entirely of holy water, and a mountain with and orange sun behind the peak. You feel the presence of at least one goddess in the area. Kitty: You spirit feels the peace of Kuan Yin filling it. You can faintly hear Montelado mumbling something appearantly magickal while looking at the red abishai in obvious chagrin. Then - "I'm sick of gate-duty!! There is no way I'm continuing this for the rest of two centuries!!" Your spirit seems to be being pulled towards the portal. Everyone (living or dead): You see a stream of green, putrid, caustic acid shoots from Montelado's left hand with a powerful jolt. The acid hits the red abishai and causes a five foot splash of acid, some of which hits Sir Dandin Truestrike. "Sorry" yells Montelado. The red abishai shreiks in pain as the acid tears away at it's being - the abishai looks very concerned. Sir Truestrike's armor sizzles a bit, and a small acid burn appears on his left shoulder. Necromancer: as you cast your spell, the very nervous abishai looks totally terrified. It struggles with your spell, and throws off the effects - negating the magick. You have spent 1 magick point.
<OGT> How many magick points do I have left? <EOGT> Hmmm. This calls for something a little more drastic: Casting Contagion at the abishai.
<OGT> Nevermind. I think I've got 18, after casting the Contagion. <EOGT>
From a voice seemingly two planes removed you faintly hear "Kuan Yin, I . . . I, am Jergal - Lord of the End of Everything. Kitty is faithful to you, and serves you well - however, as it is not hear appointed hour of death I cannot allow you to take her from the mortal aspect of the multiverse yet. Perhaps you should turn her into a planar, or a proxy - a petitioner I forbid." Necromancer: The magickal energy leaves your fingers, with the acompannying magickal words and the black bolts of energy strike the creature, who immediately begins to look sick. The red abishai erupts in boils and sickly blotches. You have spent 3 more magick points <OGT> Necro boost - cast harmful Necromany as if 1 level higher. <EOGT>
Kitty continues to be buffeted by the winds of fate.
"Very Well," comes the very distant voice of Kuan Yin, "though her new form may not be much to her liking." Kitty's spirit contorts and reshapes powered by holy divine energy to fit the new body being formed from Kitty's old half-elven body. Fins and scales begin to sprout from Kitty's head and torso, her pointed ears become more pronounced. Her legs completely disappear, only to be replaced by a semi-green, translucent, slimy mass of webbing and tentacles. Webbing and spine-like protusions erupt from wrists and elbows, as her entire body takes on a greenish sheen while suckers appear on the tentacles. Kitty's spirit is driven into the creature, as the creature's nose elongates and speckles of lighter green appear where her freckles would be, and protusions erupt from the chin. Too the side, one can make out Kitty's half-elven body in decay. The portal to Mount Celestia closes.
<OGT> What is the damage die for my scythe? <EOGT>
<OGT> I'll Check. <EOGT>
A very nervous red abishai lands and runs away upon seeing Kitty's spirit inhabit the Zoveri. Montelado turns towards Sir Dandin Truestrike, "I suppose it would be best if you resumed your travels soon - but first let me dispense the preliminaries," whispering something, and taking on a confident look weilding his nasty whip adds, "What is your business in Baator?"
We are on a mission and we seek the stolen sword "Guardian" We travel to Dis to retrieve it and then we leave promptly. says sir dandin truestrike to motleando then begins tending his wounds. <Ogt> Bye evreybody! be back august 15th. Bjorn: If you could send me an update on what's hapening in about 2 weeks that would be good. Adress: Jonathan Baker Lac Du Bois Camp Holiday HC 74, Box 1230 hackensack MN, 56452 thanks <eogt>
Montelado laughs maniacally. When he calms down, he adds in a somewhat sarcastic tone, "You really ought to turn back while you've still got your skulls. If you wish to continue, however, the price is either 500 gp in gems, or 1 magickal item."
Kitty examines her newbody, contemplates briefly, and then says, "Way cool!" She tests out her new form and its capabilities, pausing to give Montelado a potion of ESP.
Kuan Yin speaks briefly to Kitty, "Remember that you only possess the Zoveri's
body, with few of its special abilities: Improved Armor, Swimming, and the
ability to take on elven form 2/day."
Montelado gently grasps the potion of ESP with his free hand as he
steps aside, and a semi-wicked gleam flickers in his eye. "Tread carefully,"
says Montelado, "for many dangers lie ahead. You should also move as quickly
as possible - there is another group doing the same search here, but no HERE
here.
"In the event that you are successful, I would be willing to serve one
of you - but I would no doubt have to re-evalute my ways first to serve two
of your number. Go then - and may your destiny be favorable!!"
<OGT> Kitty: Natural Armor Class = 5, Sw 15, must change to elven form to walk
. . . <EOGT>
<OGT> I'm assuming the party continues on its merry way through Avernus <EOGT>
Ahead of you there lie many shards of shattered obsidian and fragments of
quartz along the fireball blasted ruins of Darkspine. As you continue, you
see more of the near-tasteless fire fungus than you'd ever care to see in a
thousand lifetimes. Carefully picking your way through Darkspine, hoping to
find some semblance of non-town landscape, you find your way to what once must
have been the Gate-Town/Plane enterance. You are standing between two
buildings which must once have stood tall, but are no blasted beyond their
past glory by the fireballs that carren about the layer. One of the buildings
has a remnant of a doorway, and half a small window - the top portion
destroyed by the fireballs. Baatezu army recruitment posters litter what
buildings do stand in completion, and on the ground lies a shield shaped sign
attached to an iron pole. The shield reads "ROUTE 666".
For the next ten minutes, not much happens - a fireball destroys a
portion of a far-off building - someone, or *something* screams - but really,
that's about it. The Moon Elf's ring glows dimly and then loses all magickal
glow. An arrow of Cyan's begins to glow with pulsating light and seems to
be trying to point a particular direction. As you head out of Darkspine, you
notice that beyond the shattered town lies rocky wasteland, stretching out
endlessly in all directions to the horizon, where it meets the spotless,
blood-red sky. Far off in the distance you can make out another cluster of
buildings, though it's impossible to judge whether the journey would take a
few hours, a few days, or a few months. The air's light by fireballs twice
the size of a human head that careen across the landscape, ducking and rising
before exploding like flaming flowers. Those bursts are all you can hear,
apart from the occasional screams that seem to ring across the entire plane.
And, then you notice something odd - two steel bars set about four feet
apart, with lengths of wood set width-wise underneath them. Erstwhile,
sudden, chilling howls seem to tear your spine from your body, a baying unlike
any you've heard before. Silhouetted against the crimson sky are four feral,
wolflike shapes, twice the size of ordinary prime wolves, wingless but still
somehow slicing through the air. Spotting your group, the hounds land and
gallop toward you, gnashing and growling. Close behing them follows a short,
stubby, winged fiend, gleefully driving the pack with maniac shouts and
gestures.
Initiative is 1d10 -/+ Dex bonus/penalty - initial pluses of weapon (only if
you intend to use one) + 1 (if weapon is magickal - plane-hopping effects on
magickal items)
Init = 2 I'm casting *Strength* and it gives me... +3. I'm then wielding my scythe, but not using it yet.
Very well.
The Necromancer's scythe begins to glow with a royal blue aura in anticipation of it's use. The wolf-things growl and snarl - their heads wearing almost human expressions. Salassastros's tail twitches in anticipation . . .
<OGT> Happy B-Day, Bjorn! <EOGT>
<OGT> Like thanks (and stuff). This item has really reached a crashing hold with everyone on vacation, 'asn't it? <EOGT>
<OGT> Yup. Do you know when any of them are supposed to be back? <EOGT>
<OGT> Only kain - Aug 15th, I believe - still need to snail mail him that update, now where'd I put my envelopes . . . <EOGT>
<OGT> The illusory form of a multi tattoed man wearing a bladed collar and spiked wrist and ankle bans takes on a subdued appearance. Materializing behind him is a woman wearing an orange dress with red tassles, her face beautiful, and her neck adorned with blades. She hovers behind the male, and the red tassles hover in different ways - slowly the man disappears into where the woman's right hand is and both quickly fade from view. <EOGT>
<OGT> Perhaps I should mail to cfadm to do the restart now, no? <EOGT>
<OGT> Despite seeing no arguement, for the sake of others' convienience, I'll wait until the end of August. <EOGT>
<OGT> Who's here to argue? heh <EOGT>
<OGT> Good Point <EOGT> The bored fiend points towards a quickly painted sign, well actually it's more like graffitti written with chartruce paint, and it reads "I get my kicks on ROUTE 666."
<All voices cry out in harmony "The end of the ring the return of the king, as kain re-enters the room. <he will actually read the items tomorrow being as it's past midnight and he is very tired>
<OGT> That's never stopped me - unless of course, you includee when it's impossible to force one's eyes open . . .<EOGT>
<is the howling doing damage to us?> Sir dandin gallops to the front atop nightwind. if anythings comes near him in an attacking motion he thwaps it with the sword. if not we continue on our way swiftly. <if necessary to hit:roll=12 +5 <magical ability> +3 <str>=20 damage=7+5<sword bonus> +4<str>=16.
<That depends - considering they're within sight distance, you are within range . . . how's about all of you making saves vs. spells?> Very well, your intent shall be recorded.
save=14 <made>
<Okay. I *was* going to wait until I had everybody's statement to mention that little bit.>
<OGT> I'm back, but clueless, and don't feel like reading the 70 or so new responses here since I left--could somebody explain the current situation? <EOGT>
kain is slightly confused himself but not too much. could bjorn do the honors.
<OGT> Well I did send kain the update but was slow about it. <EOGT> Anyway, here's the run down: Kitty paid Montelado for passage further into Avernus. The way was littered with broken quartz and obsidian, and plastered with recruitment posters for "The Glorious Baatezu Army". Fireballs exploded away from areas that would be a problem for every ten minutes for the half hour it took you to come to this area. This is the edge of the town of Darkspine, features other than the Baatezu of a form you don't know and the Wolf-things include a fallen highway sign (Route 666), two bars made of a greenish steel spaced about 5 feet apart, with lengths of wood spaced evenly at regular intervals underneath. The sky is an unchanging crimson, to your left you vaguely notice a forest. In front of you (behind your opponents) is another set of ruins similar to the one you're standing at the edge of now. <OGT> That good enough? <EOGT>
For your convinience, a map of the area. Please mark the first letter of
your first name where you want to be. Those of you with and/or on pets,
forget them if you're on them otherwise do the same for them. If this causes
a conflict use a special character.
Key: 1 pixel = 10 feet
B - Baatezu
Y - Wolf-thing
# - Ruins
= - Railroad
#
B
Y
Y Y
Y /~==================================
/ /
=======================================,/=====================================
where do we start? is motelando the baatetzu? ruins? does the baatetzu speak common? the wolf things?
You're behind the first set of railroad tracks. Nope. The fiend is the wrong shape and color to be Montelado. Maybe . . . if so he's not doing it now. *What* about the wolf-things?
I ride up the tracks while still mounted sword ready to thwap anything that moves towards me. If nothing bothers me I Continue. If it does thwap! rolls are above.
New statement of intent noted - this time I'll remember to copy the clipboard someplace before turning off my computer.
alrighty then... <waits>
So do I, but for another reason . . .
what spells would I have enough magic points to cast right now?
considering the fact that you've all slept - everything in your reptoire except those of your highest casting level.
<whatz happenin?>
<Nothing. I need the other players' responses before anything *can* happen.>
I will follow cautiously after Dandin, keeping a wary eye out for anything out of the ordinary.
Very well. How about rolling init?
a 1
Is that 5 or 1? I'm guessing 1.
how could it be a 5?
Okay. Taken.
Off in the distance you spot a six-armed woman with a snake-like lower body locking arms with a large humanoid fiend covered in barbs head to toe, all the way to its tail. The snake-woman appears to be winning.
<OGT> Bjorn, do you need my initiative? <EOGT>
<OGT> I'll check my battle roster and find out . . .
Nope, I have it - I'll wait two more days before using ariel's charcter
as a temp NPC. <EOGT>
A fiend of the same shape as Montelado joins in the fight on the barbed
creatures side. A wing-eared, dog faced, four armed creature emerges from
the background to join the snake woman. From both your right and left, but
far ahead of you you can hear armies amassing and marching from one side (the
left) you can hear a portion of a war song between shouts of "le! le! le
right le!"
"O Jubilant Flames!
"O Redolent Blood!
"My Heart Bursts
"Not From Pain,
"But Pride!"
The song is definately Baatezu in origin.
is the situation still the same other than the war songs in the distance? how far in the distance is it?
Yes. One cannot measure distance on a plane of existence which also matches the mathematical definition of the plane, same for the layers - but far enough away that you can barely make out what's going on.
well then my statment of intent remains if anything moves to attack me, Whap! I gave you the rolls. <kain continues to wait for other responses>
I'll ready a dart in my blowpipe, and ask what the abyss is going on yet again.
we are on a path there are goonies, not blocking the path but next to It I have been trying to ride past them for the last week but we're still waiting on ariel.
that's a week real time, I take it...are they hostile? dangerous? and what's a goony?
<OGT> I'll be back on this later - right now this is a LD call - I still need to establish a server in Winona. <EOGT>
Wolf things, 4 of them and one baatetzu. I don't want to get into any fight right this momnet so I'm trying to avoid it.
<Sigh> I our last episode, coyote cast 'Strength' in anticipation of a battle... :)
<continues to wait> bjorn would you make ariel a temporary npc so we can get somfin done here?.
<OGT> Sure - but not until Sunday, or maybe even next Friday. With the computer lab not yet open (and no Winona local e-mail service) - I'll have to tone down. Thankfully, I've been able to limit myself to one logon per day - but even that is too much at these rates. <EOGT>
<... The clock remains frozen ...>
<The computer labs are open, but I like, still don't have a Winona-local e-mail server.>
The baatezu driving the fiendish wolflike things shouts something so alien
to you, that you nearly clutch your ears as if they were being hurt. The
wolf-things run forward, scatter, cross by eachothers paths, and repeat once
more before descending upon the party. This close, you feel the force of
their terror as you rcognize that the beasts are 5' at the shoulder, and their
heads are indeed human, the unreflective black of their fur makes you feel
like they're made of pur fear, night, or darkness - they emit an odor of
chilled smoke.
The first of the assualt runs towards the Moon Elf, and leaps to snap
at him, and the teeth sink into his torso, causing blood to trickle towards
his left hip. The second one barrels down upon the wolf-man, Kergen
D'Qualoth, biting into his torso, elicting a babbling stream of blood. The
third heads off for Kitty, seemingly bearing an evil smirk as it's teeth sink
in, the pierce wound stops bleeding almost immediately. The fourth, and final
wolf-thing snarls as it proceeds towards Sir Dandin Truestrike and misses
completely.
The failure of the fourth hound proves to Sir Dandin Truestrike's
advantage as his *holy avenger* cuts into its abdomen, elicting a blast of
blood, and slaying the creature instantly. Some of the blood splatters onto
Salassastros. Prior to this, Kergen D'Qualoth unsheathed his silver weapons.
Magickal energy that constantly shifts in color crackles around the
Necromancer, he grows visibly more built as the energy disipates and he wields
his scythe which glows with a royal blue aura which then suurouns the
necromancer and suddenly shifts in color to a translucent clear.
Moto and Cyan unsheath their weapons simultaneously, and Kitty launches
into a tirade about why the fiend should reform to the cause of good and how
evil is away from truth. The fiend obviously could care less.
The armies in the distance begin to march towards each other at a more
rapid pace. Streams of green, putrid acid are exchanged along with other
projectiles and spells. Fiends that look like human skeletons, save for the
scorpion-like tails and taught skin fight with giant frogs - blood litters
their battlefield.
sir dandin will slash the nearest wolf-thing roll=7 (+3 strength =10 +5 <holy avenger=15> Damage if needed= 8 <+4 <str> + 5 <holy avenger> =16 what <OGT> what did howler do? sit there and watch? <EOGT>
<OGT> Where am I in relation to all the other people? <EOGT>
<OGT> I would like to announce that conference roll over has occurred, for the duration, the oldgr can be accessed using that. Kain: Pretty much, I hadn't noticed that I'd completely forgotten him, Nightwind, and Bartok on the Battle Roster. Coyote: Probably on or behind the tracks, next to Cyan. <EOGT> The green scaled fiend regards Sir Dandin Truestrike and claps while staring daggers at him. Now that you can see him clearly, you notice that he has elfin-looking ears located centrally on his face, and he has ebon hair in mainy braids, some of which are strung with beads. He is wearing a robe, and a hat that resembles something of a spiked fez, save for the conical shape. His wings resemble those of an Erinyes, save for the leathery look. He displays a pug nose, large eyes, and a snarling mouth. Sir Dandin Truestrike: And your initiative?
I forgot how to do the bonuses on that, is it dexterity related or what?
<OGT> Initiative recap for Avernus, Baator: 1d10, -pluses of weapon if used, initial if multiple pluses, +1 for non-multiple plus weapons, -Dex reaction adjustment. <EOGT>
I'm finding a wolf-thing nearby and attacking it. initiative = 5 -3 (Scythe) = 2 roll = 10 +1 (*Strength*) +3 (Scythe) = 14 Hrm. <OGT> Bjorn, I don't think I ever found out what the damage die was for the Scythe. <EOGT>
<OGT> That' funny, coyote. I'm sure I told you - but at the moment I am no where near any of my weapon charts.<EOGT>
initiative=4 -5 <blade> -2 <dex> = -3 howler is not oging to howl because of the thousands of fiends in the near by battle ant there are only so many enemies we can handle. Can you do his rolls?
<OGT> Certainly. Coyote: full scythe weapon statistics (for normal scythes) Weight Size Type Speed S-M L 8 M P/S 8 1d6+1 1d8 <EOGT>
<OGT> Yah, I thought you had given them to me also, but then I couldn't find them. So, how big are the wolf-things? <EOGT>
<OGT> 5' at the shoulder = size M <EOGT>
combat results, or are we still waiting on eldrich and ariel? can someone mail them?
I already mailed both of them - since I have no idea regarding the frequency of their logons, I can't tell whether to wait a little longer or NPC them for a spot.
<OGT> Definite permanent NPCing ariel - however, I know eld and orin are around. The illusory figure stamps his foot as he sees the contigent dwindle to a party of four player-controlled characters. <EOGT>
dis suk, ariel pissed about new form?
<OGT> No, ariel has different, less psisy problems. <EOGT>
what's orin said? anything? eld is indeed around, I think he's just worried about being behind
orin hasn't said a damn-ed thing. As for eld, the past is not nearly as important as the present. <EOGT>
orin is still around, but his browser only shows him active items, so when iteams go dead for a while he can't really respond much, and he doesn't know how to switch the setting back to normal. <sigh> Ain't unix fun?
yup and this thing isn't dead, what's your intent? eld, yoo hoo! anyone there?
>sigh<
ditto that
<eld wonders if he could make a nice swashbuckling enterence> Alright... waddya need me to do?
eld, probably make some kind of attack on the wolf thing> bjorn, do the wolf things have flying capabilities? and is the baatetzu fighthing us too or is it just the wolf things
Recap: The reason you didn't hear the wolf things until they got close to you is because they were flying. The baatezu is just standing there, barking orders.
While you and the wolf-things are busy deciding what to do, you notice three animals walk by 2 of which are black in color, and the third is bright red. They appear to be a cheetah that looks like it were carved of granite, a large greyhound (except its black), and a fiery lion and their gaits are played accordingly. Off the distance - Baatezu die, Tanar'ri die - the Blood War rages on. A rumbling sound in the distance, followed by chimes . . .
can we understasnd what the baatezu is saying?
you have my intent, it stands
Re #605: Nope, but you can understand his tone which is - to say the least, hateful. You do notice, however, that the wolf-things seem to be responding directly to his voice. Re #606: Okay.
look, I'm really lost as to what's going on, someone tell me what I should do and I'll do it...
there are <3 ?> wolf things and attacking us, a baatetzu walking by and 2 beast things just entered the sceen, whadaya do?
<sigh> *(that's what I just said* I don't know what to do! I'm lost! I'm clueless! Give me an order and I'll follow it!
<OGT> Well, gentlemen, anyone care to give Salassastros an order to fill? <EOGT>
sir dandin looks at orin points at one of the menaceing wolf things in the process of attacking us and says "Kill it"
Aye-Aye Sir! <Cyan Begins casting prayer>
cool...
zap off a trusty magic missile at the thing barking orders, unless I have reason to belive it's immune to that sort of thing.
Nope, you have no such reason to believe such a logical possibilty notion.
what happened, that's all the intents we're going to get?
Quite possibly.
my intent stands then.
cool.
alright, letz play it out
Will do. But have finals now. Do later.
Ah.. okay, have fu <waits>
As long as we're on hold for a while, I will re-explain initiative for Avernus, Baator. As usual, roll 1d10. Now subtract/add Dex Reaction Adj bonuses/penalties. Having done that, well orinoco and eldrich don't have to worry about that part since they're not using weapons this round. Normally it would be subtract the initial pluses of your weapon, now add 1 - with kain being an exception because of carrying a weapon with multiple bonuses. The final number is your iniatitive. Lower numbers go first - as always.
did I give you mine already.. think I did
I think that I only need iniative from eldrich and orinoco. I'll check and find out for sure tomorrow evening.
d10 roll = 6 I'm not using a weapon, so the mods don't apply, right?
Exactly. Dex is not applicable in casting spells. Recorded.
Eldrich, I need your initative by next Monday, or you will automatically lose the round and will move at the last possible segment.
next monday meaning yesterday? c'mmmmon, someone, get the stuff up?
Eldrich has automatically been moved to last increment. Combat results on Thursday.
woo
Sorry about the combat result ditch gang, I couldn't get a modem to connect to Grex until about a day and three quarters after I got home to begin Yule vacation. Combat results WILL (excepting acts of electricity) be out soon after I return to Winona. I can't guarantee when though . . .
.. <Merrry Christmas EVeryone!! =)>
Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate it and Happy Holidays to all else since I can't think of all the other holidays people celebrate <g> :)
Happy Holidays from your exceedingly-absent other fair-witness!
Happy Hannukah? Serene Solstice? Spiffy Saturnalia?
back on topic, combat results?
By Next Sunday. If you're lucky, we'll have them this forthcoming Monday (after classes, of course).
I apologize for any inconvience in the legibility of this file. These are the long awaitied combat results. Sir Dandin Truestrike strides up to one of the wolf creatures, and deals it a mighty blow, eliciting a howl of pain, and severe bleeding. Then the wolf-things resume their assault on the party, one of whom rips a gash in Moto's abdomen from which blood ( and other liquids e.g. HCl) flow rapidly. The next wolf-thing tears into Kergen D'Qualoth's right leg, knocking him on his ass and exposing bone. The final remaining hound misses Kitty by an inch, and spits out some dirt on the ground. Kitty continues her attempt to talk down the fiend, and Bartok holds his ground. Then the Necromancer swings his Scythe at a wolfy, missing it by a long shot. Moto then begins to attack them and strikes one once, and misses the other two attacks, however the connecting attack leaves a long laceration on the wolf-thing's torso. Beside Sir Dandin Truestrike, three pulses of pure white light stream from Salassastros's fingers, striking the fiend controlling the wolfies and pummelling a bruise remeniscent of a 2nd degree burn. At this point, Howler strides up to the commanding fiend, and plops himself down in front of it. After Howler makes his move, Kergen D'Qualoth attacks from the ground with his silver weapons, missing the like-wolves completely. At this point, all can see magickal energy snaping around Cyan in a bright light, the glow then centers on his hand in a small ball seconds before bursting into a sphere that encompasses the entire party.
what exactly di howler do? is he getting read y to howl.. or what?
Hisses at Cyan "What *was* that thing?"
As far as anyone can tell, Howler is simply waiting. As for the party encompassing globe, you all feel its effects take over: Your joints feel like they work more smoothly, you feel better protected, weapons seem to be balanced better . . .
I see. How am I for spell points?
Looking good. MM is a first level spell, after all . . .
Indeed. Do I have any indication that this sphere of whatever it is is aiding my magical performance in any way, or just my physical performance?
Physical only so far as you can tell.
I'll zap off another MM then.
you need intent statements now I take it?
Precisely kain, thanks orinoco.
Unless anybody else objects, I'd like to cast Wall of Ice upon the wolves. I'd like the Ice Sheet effect, for damage. I'm not sure what to role for this, or how much magic points I've got left afterwards, so...
you can do anything so long as it won't hit any of us, should we back away or something of the like?
Well, I'm not quite sure where everybody is in relationship to the wolf-things, so I'll wait to cast it until Bjorn can explain
And that might take a while. All I can say for sure at the moment is that Salassastros and Sir Dandin Truestrike are within two feet of each other side by side.
and kain is going to slash one, while howler bites one's head off. I'll have my rolls this weekend,
If I'll be needing to roll anything, just tell me what and how many, bjorn.
Only rolls for youe, Salssastros are on the fiend's part.
The wolf-thing who is still in good condition looks intently at Kergen D'Qualoth. The one who is injured looks likes it intends to continue the assault. The third living wolf-thing looks both pale and sickly. The body of the fallen wolf-thing begins to fade out. Above all this, you notice that the fiend has his gaze fixed intently on Salassastros, and notice his feathered wings begin to extend to a more intentional purpose, as he stratches them. You can make out something along the lines of "!!!!! had !!!!! civilived manner !!!! die !!!!" and can make out no more. His index finger is extended purposefully at Salassastros.
Is the fiend within sword range, that is could I hit it if I want to <sir dandin is riding nightwind
There's still a good 30-40 feet between you and the fiend, he did, after all hold back while instucting the wolf-things. So 1.) You'd not make it during this round, and 2.) I can't let you do that anyway since I already have your statement of intent and this was meant only as a transition between rounds. Thank you for your prompt attention.
I am casting 'continual light' on the fiend's eyes.
Okay, that'll be taken as the next round's statement of intent from you, Salassastros.
you already have my statement of intent?
Yes, kain, I do. <EOGT>
Okay, just to make sure . . . The Necromancer is casting *wall of ice* with the sheeet effect on the wolf-things. Sir Dandin Truestrike is attacking, as is Howler with called shot to the head. Salassastros is casting *magick missle* --- This round . . . ~~~ Next round Salassastros is casting *continual light* on the fiend's eyes Is this all correct? Kain, I need your rolls still.
yah. correct.
All right. I'll have combat results for this round on Sunday. At the beginning of the *next* round, I want Necromancer to make a Constitution check, and Sir Dandin Truestrike to make a Wisdom check.
Okay, just tell me when the next round starts. :)
This response has been erased.
Argh. I just remembered - I need Cyan's (eldrich) statement of intent. It's going to be a while . . . .
eldrich, and hence Cyan, is going to be out of touch until monday at the earliest. He's out on the east coast somewhere, I think...
Okay. Nice how you worked in the chant without even knowing it.
huh? the chant?
Never mind. I was making an obscure reference to planar slang, and your proper use of it without your own knowledge of doing so.
No, I don't think Baltimore is one of the outer planes, but I might be wrong...
I was refering to "out-of-touch"
so was I
Okay . . . Well anyway, since not all PCs are planars, I'm not going to explain that one here - but you did use it properly.
Okay, so combat can at least get an idea, here's what I pulled for People and NPCs: Cyan - Two of Cups Sir Dandin Truestrike - Prince of Discs (Reversed) Howler - The World (Reversed) Salassastros - The Devil Necromancer - Three of Discs Later in the week you'll find out what that's going to mean.
discs = pentangles, correct?
Probably, I'd have to see a Wiccan deck again.
pentacles, not pentangles, but yeah, that sounds right. Your deck has, what, wands swords cups and discs?
That is precisely the right assesment, orinoco, in regards to the Norse deck, which happens to be the one I'm using. It's nice to see this conference "thriving" again, even it seems that it'll be only temporary . . .
Re 682:
Yah, that's what I meant. :)
Well, nice to have something active to bring to the merging of .cf's anyway.
Yup. I'll attend to the meanings and battlescript on the morrow. Well, I'll attend to the defined card interpretations today and put them in the battle log.
Well, again I am mistaken, I have taken the meanings to account, but have yet to compose the battlescript. I guess I'll do it on Wednesday (another day off from Woik)
<sigh> Once again I have left behind things I *need* to do which are not work related. O well, I have to look at my Planescape Monstrous Compendium again anyway. At least I got *some* of what I've been intending to do for months done recently. I guess I'll have it ready by the end of the week. But, I'll probably fuck up again . . . I dunno, soon.
I have another day off tomorrow. I'll try to get to it then. Remind me if you see me online.
Okay. I've just printed out the responses of this conference from 640 so that I can catch up on where things are headed. I've also noted a lack of initiative numbers, so I'll draw from the minor arcana for those. I have another day off on Sunday (unless it says differently when I check the shedule this Friday), so I'll probably through by then and prepared to write the battlescript to get things rolling again. Thank you for your prompt attention. In the meantime, Pick a Cardian, any Cardian . . .
?
You'll get the reference, coyote - as you are appearantly, after all, a Sailor Moon fan. <EOGT - This time for real>
<shakes head> Actually I've only seen about three episodes, but I've got some friends who talk about it *all* the time.
<OGT> Okay. Well then . . . a perfect situation for fresh meat . . . But seriously, all *I'm* trying to do is make sure the show stays on. Maybe I'll have to evilly force you to watch my SM movies sometime . . .<EOGT>
<OGT> <shudders to think> <EOGT>
<OGT> It's working. Muhahahahahahahahah ahahahahaha!!! ;) <EOGT>
I have everything *prepared* for writing the battle script today. I aslo have another day off tomorrow. I'll get to it then.
I'll have the battlescript ready and uploaded sometime after 6:00 p.m. EDT (I think we're on daylight anyway) <OGT> The Ann Arbor Snooze is going to be taking my picture around then <EOGT>
<OGT> What for? And while I'm at it, what's this battlescript thing? <EOGT>
I think I'll start by answering your second question first, orinoco: The battlescript is what I call the file I write on my computer for combat results. I upload it, read it into this item, and then delete it both from my computer and its temporary position on Grex. In other words: COMBAT RESULTS TONIGHT!! As soon as I remember how to read it in, that is. <OGT> I had my name legally changed from Christian Bjorn Arnesen to Bjorn Arnesen, someone's doing an article on it, asked for my permission to photograph me, and I gave it. <EOGT>
It's been so long since I've done this . . . I hope this works. Here, if I am lucky (even though I don't believe in luck) are the ever so late combat results - sorry if there is any problem reading it. Prewarning: As usual, it's looooong. Howler attempts to severe a wolf-thing's head and the neck with his teeth, but falls short right before reaching the target. In the same instance, 3 familiar bursts of energy stream forth from Salassastros's fingers right as the fiend controlling the beasts screams across the sky and rips three small streaks into Salassastros's skin - the wounds begin to emmit a strange, swirling, light. The fiend also now bears a new wound, despite only one of the bolts actually hitting him. Also occuring simultaneously, one of the wolf-things falls to the ground completely lifeless leaving a large crimson stain. Another of the beasts takes hold of Kergen by the ankle, while he struggles to lift himself from the ground. The last beast seems to be searching for a good place to make its next attack. Moto wildly swings his weapon and misses. Kitty steps back and nearly stumbles due to the fiend's flight path directly over her head. Bartok, also at the same time as Moto and Kitty's actions, attempts to get a better grip on the ground. Meanwhile, Cyan appears to be concentrating on focusing his spell. Afterwards, Sir Dandin Truestrike has Nightwind canter over to a wolf-thing, he swings his sword several times, but all strikes fail. Finally, the Necromancer speaks in strange tongues as magickal energy crackles about him, the temperature around him dropping very quickly, the energy shoots forward and encompasses the wolf-things. The body of the freshly dead wolf-thing freezes solid and then explodes, the same with the wolf-thing who dragged Kergen to the fiend - Kergen's body, also is covered in the ice, and the ice explodes but Kergen's furry body lies still on the ground. The last wolf-thing is also hit by the ice sheet, seems to be in severe pain, and has icicles hanging from its fur. Blood and guts are strewn throughout the battlefield. The creature looks about, and tears across the sky in the other direction. The fiend shouts, this time in Common "What??!! I thought Yeth Hounds were fearless . . . you'll pay, MORTALS!!" The fiend seems to now be concentrating his power of preparing a spell. The energy from Salassastros's wounds begins to whip around his head until it enters through his ears and nose, and Salassastros moves as if in a drunken stupor. <OGT> orinoco - I'll mail you with what has happened, in IGT terms, that is. coyote - as with you and how your check went.<EOGT> Everbody else, I need your statements of intent. That includes you, coyote.
"Shit....shit....what the hell was that..." Looking up... "What is that thing?"
I can take your statement too, orinoco . . . or is that your action for the next round? In either case, good role-playing :)
ahh...I assumed I was stunned or something. I'll go and check on Kergen, I assume
Nope. Just a bit woozy . . . and there is that little hole :)
I glance at Salasstros and Kergen, desgusted that two of my traveling "companions" are in such condition, but I say nothing and focus on the task at hand. I decide that destracting the fiend from casting its spell would be the best course of action, because I have nothing closer to a counterspell than that or something defensive. I'll cast a swarm in its general area.
You mean the spell *insect swarm* right? Or was there another spell you were thinking of?
<OGT> I'll take what you told me as all I've done with you, coyote <EOGT> The Necromancer seems to be mutating, but is not fighting against it. Instead he calmy accepts the manipulation of his bones, muscles, sinews, internal organs, etc. The Necromancer's vestigal wings burst out to a full 30' wingspan, and his face seems to flaten and elongate, also you notice a tail burst from his pelvis, the whole time gallons of blood dribble onto the surface of Avernus. Necromancer: You feel skin and muscle wrapping themselves around your wings, the same tissues being stretched along your newly shaped face, strangley, although their is no feeling of skin or other tissue on the tail, it is a fully functional appandage. You get the feeling that you wings won't be useful until you rest.
<OGT> Summon Swarm: It's a level 2 conjuration/summoning spell, not necessarily insects... <EOGT>
But at this point, I might want to change my statement of intent... hmmm...
"Holy Shit!" Do I have time to strike back at the fiend while it's shredding me?
Salassastros: It has already done its action, you already bear wounds you have no idea how you got. You just know that you've been travelling with these people, and have no absolute memories of the day prior to this point with the exceptions of the burning sensation that you just DID something, now what was it . . . Necromancer: Summon Swarm. Taken. You're not a Cipher, so am I allowed to let you change your intent.
Sure, I'll let that statement stay...
Cool.
Very well then. I'll scribe your intentions, decide on the intentions of the PCs who defected to NPC status, and wait a week for the intentions of PCs who are out of touch. :)
<OGT> Once again, there are complications in having the adventure proceed. These are mostly because I am too tired to think with 20% of my brain after work, much less 100% of it. I think I'll do better at keeping this item warm when I'm back at college.<EOGT>
<OGT> Happy B-day, Bjorn! <EOGT>
<OGT> Thanks. ;) <EOGT>
Breaking in with an announcement.... I have heard from starwolf! He is alive and well and gaming over in germany! I will get his e-mail address later for those who want to mail him!
<OGT> That's like, cool, and stuff. <EOGT>
indeed.
Starwolf's e-mail address: mark.hansche@spangdahlem.af.mil E-mail him so he'll know we're still here!
<OGT> Spank you very mush, cyberpnk. ;) <EOGT>
<OGT> This item has been linked to Amalgam as item #3 <EOGT>
<OGT> Erm, FIVE! <EOGT>
<OGT> Wow...amalgam exists now...I'm gonna have to go enter me some items <EOGT>
I noticed that no items from the conference "muds" had been linked. Would you pick out a couple (say the one that lists addresses of good muds) and link them?
But of course...
<OGT) so is the game still going? What's going on here? <EOGT>
<OGT> Yes, the game is still attempting to push its blood around . . . if only we could get kain and eldrich to start input again, since the were hanging around last I checked. Also, I need to do a little setup for my own computer and then the game will be able to writhe again. ;P <EOGT>
<OGT> Well, I've mailed both of them telling them to come pay our little corner of the multiverse a visit <EOGT>
<OGT> And I'm sur coyote will respond when things start *moving* again <EOGT>
<OGT> Yeah, I will. I'll have to go look at amalgam now, cause I didn't know that it was up yet. I could bug kain at school, if you want, cause he's in one of my classes. <EOGT>
<OGT> Please do. And I'll try to get teflon and eldrich back <EOGT>
<OGT> I second that emotion. <EOGT>
<a collum of sand rises from the floor and coeleses into the form of eldrich> You summoned me? I would be glad to rejoin the adventure if we can pick up the pase from the level of utter stagnation (which is the state it was in when I last checked)
<OGT> Well, I talked to kain, but it doesn't look like he's logged on... I'll ask again, I s'pose, and now I can tell him Bob's back, so he won't be the only one trying to get back on -- now there's motivation for ya! <EOGT>
<Welcome back, ye of excessive luminosity>
As soon as I have time to scroll back all that way, I will paraphrase the events of where things stand. Right now, you're in Avernus Baator, you've slain 4 Yeth hounds and you are fighting an Aminzu.
<is here =)> somebody remind me what's happening? =)
Patience, young Paladin. The answer will come in time.
<Bob meditates on the posibilities>
(Re #741: Not too much time, or we'll lose 'em again!)
(Yes, I will make an attempt to be quick, but I am in college and as such need to study and include time for having fun in a selfish manner as well as the sharing version.)
(Bad GM, no biscuit!)
(I'll look for the appropriate stream of respones today, 'k?)
(Please do)
(Now that I know that I need to start with response #701, does anybody know how I make the items Backtalk accessable? I wouldn't normally need to, but since I *must* telnet to Grex and school system setup will not accept me typing !extract amalgam 5 701-|pcprint from the conference prompt in another conference, the only way I'm going to get the damn thing printed is through backtalk.) :(
(You mean Amalgam isn't already Backtalk-accesable? Was Greatring Backtalk-accessible? Because if it was, I think all of the activity was back when we were separate conferences anyway.)
(I could try it. What I meant, though, is that when I try to acess items in this conference from backtalk it appears like this: #ofresponses 0 Name of Item The zero and name of item are where the link is. When I follow such a link I get the document contains no data message.)
(Oh. That's bad, isn't it.)
(very. although, I suppose I could try the usual method since I'm using a MaIntrash at my residence hall at the moment . . .) *macintrash, even*
(maybe if I just wait until somebody responds again . . . anything, while I'm using backtalk . . . .)
hmm... remind me why you're not telneting again? One would assume that if you can use backtalk you must be able to telnet...
(I do telnet most of the time. The only reason I would use backtalk is because the way they have the computers set up in the lab, I cannot give Grex the printing command and have it communicate with the telnet program. Therefore, I am trying to us backtalk to print of responses 701- from this item.)
Just read responses 701+, and use copy and paste to put them into a word processor.
Okay . . . I'll do that while I'm on main campus tomorrow.
I just printed out responses 701-747 from Backtalk. I'll look them over tonight, ignoring all responses that do not directly deal with the game. Then we can get this rolling along with my new tarot success/failure system.
Whoa. It did work. I thought backtalk had bugged out on me. Anyway, here, if Grex doesn't confuse me again, is the long awaited COMBAT RECAP. The party has slain 3 Yeth Hounds, while the 4th ran away. The Aminzu in charge of these wolf-like things was subject to several *magick missiles*. It attacked Salassastros and he then appeared to be dazed. When he stood up, you could see some green ore beneath him. Kergen D'Qualoth lies on the ground bloodied, shivering, and covered with water, his silver weapons lying at his sides. Salassastros: You know where you are, you know who you're with, but you don't know why weapons are out, how you got this wound on your chest, or what it was that you have the burning sensation you were going to do. Your statement of intent was that you were going to check on Kergen. Necromancer: You were casting Summon Swarm this round, right?
Green ore? If it isn't too late to change my Statement of Intent, I think I'll go check that out.
Of course it's not too late. Besides, you're no Cipher . . . or are you - Faction check time, I should guess, although I have an inkling towards your being Fated.
I'd suspect you're right, but I also don't know offhand.
You're fine on alteration of actions, now I just need to wait for the rest of the remaining players.
Okay, so Salassastros is checking out the ore, the Necromancer is casting a magick smell. Which leaves the question of what Cyan and Sir Dandin Truestrike are doing? Players - i.e. eldrich and kain?
I'll go pester eldrich to come on. Kain I haven't seen in ages.
Cool. Well, it's going to take awhile again. This time I have little control over the time consumption. Microsoft excel either murdered my computer's hard drive, or at the very least seriously wounded it.
Ouch.
Diagnosis: Murder - my hard drive is dead . . . which means I need to go waste money on a new one.
Ah. Enjoy...
A friend just diagnosed my hard drive as MOSTLY dead . . . which means a Current copy of Norton Utilities might be able to cast *wish* and restore my hard drive - or would it be casting *resurrection*? Well, anyway, if I can do it it'll be worth it. If not, may my hard drive rust in pieces.
Well, when you get that cleared up, I can bug kain again if you need.
Thankfully, my Hard Drive *HAS* been cleared up - and all I lost was a MASSIVE amount of Data in the form of an Excel file. Therefore, you can go ahead and bug kain again - but I'm convinced that getting another hard drive wouldn't be a bad idea after this fiasco.
You know kain...in reality, or just here?
reality... bugging him here wouldn't do much good if he doesn't log on, would it?
Great - my hard drive is on the way to the graveyard. I was getting totally ridiculous failures today.
The coyote does have a point.
This response has been erased.
<'ello? 'ello? knock knock knock...>
Well, because of my hard drive's suicide, I lost tons of information. This includes all you peoples' character sheets. I hope you have copies, because I lost my hard copies . . . well, . . . I don't know when. In better news, I'm intending to continue an off-line Planescape adventure as PBEM because it's very likely I'll be kicked out of college . . . again.
Yea, verily that would suck.
Mmm-hmm. Well, I hope we can get back to the game *EVENTUALLY*.
Well, THAT'S just the icing on the cake. I arrived in Ann Arbor at exactly 23:10 EST last night, which is exactly whn the train was scheduled to arrive. However, I have run into my first problem with checked baggage - they lost a piece of my luggage, which not onlt contained an edible gift for a friend, but also about $1,000 worth of gaming stuff. This means it's one of three places: Chicago Union Station, Dearborn, or Detroit. However, Amtrak said they are going to call when they find it. Anyway, it looks like I'm going to have to make another planar factions item sometime . . .
Would that imply that you're currently in Ann Arbor? (btw, I'm back. Did I tell you I was leaving? Well, I left. Then I came back. Use your imagination.)
Yes, it would. Amtrak found my luggage too . . . and it's a damn good thing. So after I eat lunch, my sister and I are going to go down to the A2 Amtrak Station and pick it up.
Well, I now have my stuff and have it home. Unfortunately, due to current arrangements and my sense of logic, I don't have room on my right-hand bookcase, and I never had any on the left. Well, when there's time I'll get to work item wise. The real question now is: who has their own character sheet? 'cause if you don't have a hard copy, I don't have a backup.
I think that I do...give me a bit and I'll find it
Well, at least that's one person. Never mind the fact that my dice are still in Winona. I can always use my calculator or Qbasic to build a dice rolling program if required. Right now, I'm interested in doing research regarding weapons from Player's Option: Combat & Tactics - I'll eventually have to get my hands on Dungeon Master's Option: High Level Campaigns for BETTER information regarding advancement between 20th and 30th level. Dragon Kings is good, but . . .
<taps his finger on the table> Where in the multiverse are kain and eldrich?!! <slams fist upon the table, sending several splinters in all directions> Dammit!! We may have to abandon this if we can't resolve combat. I mean, I can take over for kain and eldrich, but it may be worth while to switch from play-by-post (this) to play by e-mail. I need to ask eldrich a question though: What plane does N'roc make his home? I could always resolve the combat it some intermediate way . . . Of course, considering how many PCs have defected to NPC status, it may be worth while to just can this adventure and try another one PBEM. Withg stringant rules: You leave the game, your character DIES *FOREVER*, no afterlife, no nothing, just DEAD. I understand that people are busy, but if I get no responses from a person in a month without forewarning, it's just silly. Considering I've lost all your character sheets, canning the adventure may be the most worthwhile consideration. However, should it happen that I decide NOT to go back to college, it may be possible to establish an off-line adventure . . . as things stand, I may be kicked out again anyway . . . <setting drift off> Okay, Salassastros (orinoco) is checking out some green ore. The Necromancer (coyote) is casting *Summon Swarm*, and the Aminzu is attempting its *gate* ability. Aside from that, I have no idea what anybody is doing.
<OGT> Some thoughts. I know the online adventure was the main point of the darksun conference, from which all these other gaming conferences were spawned. I know it was what held greatring together. But maybe it's served it's usefulness. Darksun and, at first, greatring had dedicated user bases who were on often enough to keep the game going. Amalgam appears not to. Alternately, we need to try to attract new users. Consider, for instance, the music conference, which may well be the second most active conference on grex - after agora, of course - because krj is constantly trying to recruit new members. Come to think of it, I think this warrants its own item. I'm off to go make one, and transplant this discussion to it. Carry on... <EOGT>
Re 785:
I've still got a hard-copy of my sheet somewhere around here...
Cool . . . well, that's HALF the PCs.
<OGT> I'm pondering a tarot reading to excel the progress of this combat and then a switch to PBEM when people find their characters - if this adventure can be salvaged at all. <EOGT>
<OGT> Okay...I think this adventure may well be beyond salvaging, but I'd be glad to help <EOGT>
<OGT> I'll see what can be done. <EOGT>
I think I'll go pull a tarot reading tonight, but we'll probably have to can this adventure anyway. Maybe I can work something out while I am back home over the summer. O well, perhaps this isn't such a good medium for role-playing.
THE TOWER. REVERSED. Appearantly, your exploits are to be concluded unhappily. The unhappy conclusion: The Amnizu succeeds in summoning his ally, a fiend which might be mistaken for an Aasimon if your party had not seen it summoned by another, in fact, the fiend is an Erinyes very much like the one Cyan almost fell for. Ice crystals form on Kergen D'Qualoth's body as he has a violent spasm before his eyes roll back into his head. The Necromancer's *summon swarm* attracts the attention of the fiends warring in the background, and Salassastros is mowed down by green skinned berserking fiends (armed with glaives) while he was examining a green ore very much like iron (more like steel, if it came in ore form rather than being made from iron). Cyan's cats are slain by droves of Hell Hounds, each spewing fire at each opportunity, and Cyan himself is caught in between a brawling snake-woman and Cornugon. Kitty is felled in a single blow by a bat winged fiend she was attempting to talk to, and Bartok does a number on the Hell Hounds before he finds himself the target of an *acidic blast*. Moto slays four and twenty fiends with his silver weapons before he is felled by a Gelugon's spear. Howler unleashes his howl right as a Gelugon completes *coldball*, and the Moon Dog freezes to death. Sir Dandin Truestrike is unhorsed by a berserker-fiend's glaive, and Nightwind is taken down by another fiend's flame spikes. Sir Dandin Truestrike faces truly insurmountable odds over your corpses, before he is felled himself. The Necromancer makes a false step and is impaled on Sir Dandin Truestrike's *holy avenger*. This failure might have lead to the Baatezu not using their secret plan, but you weren't the first group to go on this mission, so you all die knowing you probably also won't be the last group. Salassastros hears the voice of a woman: "You have serrrved me well." Salassastros's spirit is pulled from his body and propelled toward a more pleasing place. Over several days, the human and fiend are purged from Salassastros's soul and he is reshaped into a jungle cat on the Beastlands. Salassastros retains his name, his abilities to cast spells, but nothing useful of his former existance. A beautiful horse comes into being about a mile or so from Salassastros. The Necromancer's soul travels away from his body. No voices accompany his sojourn. He finds himself on an active volcano, with several jackal-like fiends looking over him. The fiends subject him to horrible tortures for several years and he emerges as a Lesser Yugoloth on the first layer of Gehenna, likewise, his memories fade, but also do his abilities to cast spells, although he gains new powers. Moto and Howler are next to shake their mortal coils. After a seemingly endless journey, both souls arrive in a perfectly peaceful place. Both Howler and Moto has their memories wiped except for a shape of their former existance. They retain the forms they had in life. Kitty and Bartok are wisked away to the Palace of Judgement retaining their forms, and for the moments, their memories. They stand and patiently await their judgement. Sir Dandin Truestike shuffles his mortal coil alone, and finds his soul little change when it reaches its destination. Sir Truestrike is subjected to the same memory wipe, but his form is slightly altered and he has a new sword. He finds himself standing on the first layer of Arcadia, guarding a portal to the second. Finally, Kergen's spirit is discharged and unchanged by its journey. He finds himself in a vast land of lush grasses and sweet air. His memory is given the same wipe received by everyone else. Whole herds of Bariaur dominate this layer of the plane. Kergen hears a voice from a far off hall "To a Glorious death this day!! And tommorrow, and the day after that, and the next day . . ." You get the idea. Though all of you are dead, you have transcended in form. Even though you lost, you won. THE END.
<OGT> Oops, looks like I forgot to transcend the souls of Cyan and his kitties. <EOGT> Appendix A Cyan's spirit rises from his body and is followed by those of his following of cats. Around Salassastros's entry point to the beastlands, several cats spontaneiously appear. Cyan appears and can do nothing but writhe in agony as his human and elvish blood are purged, along with most of his memory. He mutates into a great cat who retains its former ability to cast spells. THE END. <OGT> I mean it this time. <EOGT>