BILADOC
I nod to Legildur's request and move to the south side of the intersection, signaling Alof to move to the north. After I peek around the corner, I'll return to tell the others what I've seen. If I see Legildur move to the door' I'll stop him and check for traps first, then open the door and quickly move aside to let him be the first to enter. I'll have two daggers ready while I check the hall.
LEGILDUR
Legildur waits for Biladoc and Alof to return from their scouting.
Assuming that they saw nothing of danger, Legildur moves to the door and goes to open it, but stops at the last moment when Biladoc hisses a quiet stop. He then watches as the hobbit checks the door for traps before proceeding with the entry.
VORIAX
OOC:
Heh heh. Too bad we can't use modern building entry techniques.
BIC:
As it is, I'll stand from the doorway and give the spell support. :-)
LEGILDUR
OOC:
Yeah, a couple of silenced Heckler & Koch MP5s and some stun grenades would go down a treat right about now. Now, where was that fireball we need.....
TIMOR
Timor watches the action as several of the group members begin a thorough investigation of the door. He wonders if all this is *really* necessary, but then reconsiders; it is better to check and find nothing then to not check and find something...
The brown eyed priest marvels at how trained these men and women are. He spent his educational years in a temple, while these folks were most likely learning from the life experience itself, on the streets or in the wilderness (or in some cases, on the open seas).. he takes this time to stop and think how different his life would have been had he not decided to join the temple - he quickly shakes his head, for it is difficult for him to imagine his life without his service to Elanna; a man can not forget something he has devoted so much time to.
Watching intently, his brown eyes wide, Timor waits for the routine to be over.
ALOF
As I walk to check the hallways with Biladoc I say quietly:
"Watch out for Trolls, last time I peeked around a corner I got a nice welcome, not to mention a beautiful gift (a gash across my chest!)"
When we finish I'll go back and help him search the door.
KYRIE
Kyrie sighed with relief when silence (or at least less noise!), came down on her again for the first time since Drew and she walked through the doors of that dreadful city, an eternity ago. Hearing the party walk away rather slowly, with the clanking of cumbersome armors, the curt exchanges of logistic instructions and the muttering of the priest -although that last sound usually brought a smile to her lips (that she was careful to hide!) since he often voiced aloud what she was thinking to herself- made her feel exhilarated. It wasn't quite freedom, for feeling trapped in this underground labyrinth was weighting immensely on her wild soul; but it would have to do for now. She could almost breathe normally again and relished that, too. Not allowing herself to stray from duty too long, though, she concentrated hard on the sounds coming from behind and, the farther away the party was, the clearer her environment became... until she was satisfied that they were not being followed. Then she would pick up at a jog, as silent as she could, coming close enough to the party to pick up the conversations that were going on, and to catch Leguildur's eyes at least once, making sure their chosen leader didn't have anything more he required of her or any special instructions as to what was expected of her. As soon as his eyes had passed on her without showing any interest, confirming that she was where he wanted her, and as soon as she was satisfied that everything was under control, she would dropped down in the shadows again, seeming to disappear from sight as she settled down to wait until her keen elven's sense would have a chance to be put to good use again.
That routine was so familiar to her she almost felt like crying from nostalgia. As long as she could remember, her family had been involved in the border guards, and "scouting" the rear had been her designated role from the very beginning. It seemed so long ago, yet she knew that should she go back home, things would still be exactly the same. People would be the same too. Except for her. She had changed a lot (for an elf!) since the day her love of travel and cartography had taken over her love of the land, and she'd embarked on a pirate ship. Humans and Life had changed her, molding her into something she wasn't sure she could live with. She didn't feel comfortable with that group of strangers upon which her life
depended. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't image of a place where she would
feel she belonged anyway; not anymore.
Humans were so keen on progeny and family lines, and nobles so adamant about bastards being less than humans in many places she had visited; yet somehow at that moment she knew that being full blooded wasn't worth much if you ended up a bastard of the soul.
No sound of pursuit; she started to jog again to avoid letting the group out of hearing range. Her legs were getting steadier as time passed; the suppleness the sea had taught them
was going to wash away as earth would infuse her with its sturdiness again, she knew. She hadn't been in a forest in so long she was half afraid she wouldn't remember how things were done, and now the sea's mark was slowly disappearing. Was she to become an underground
crawler then? Was that what Fate had in store for her? The mere thought of it sent her reeling, and she couldn't avoid the wave of nausea that made vomit her breakfast in a
corner. The party was far, no one would see: at last she allowed herself to feel miserable
and weak, if only for a few moments.
A few moments were all she had for self-pity, though. As she remembered the people who were
counting on her to guard them, she picked herself up and started to jog again, catching up.
Timor was still telling himself stories or prayers, she couldn't tell. Legildur was performing admirably as leader, strong yet not tyrannical. Drew was looking everywhere,
chatting easily with any and everyone around him (how she envied his social ease!), and all
in all looking a bit like an overgrown hobbit. The halflings were going back and forth, the
perfect scouts. Silvan looked worried but in control, as was to be expected with his sister
missing and all. Everybody else was also as she expected, and she felt somewhat reassured to
be surrounded by a highly competent team. Strengthening her resolve, she concentrated on her
task. Soon, they would find a way out. Soon...
Kyrie, when she reaches the door the group prepares to enter, will crouch in the shadows and watch for the group's back as they enter the room, waiting there until they come out (unless they need help, of course! ;-)). Should that room be followed by another, she will stay one room/corridor behind the group, making sure no ambush can come from the back.
DM
Alof and Biladoc move toward the hallway leading south to take a look. Kinson moves past Legildur to position himself in the hallway where he can see those at the door and the two hobbits sneaking towards the intersection. Mareena moves forward and presses one of her delicate ears against the door. As she does Alof and Biladoc hear a sudden rumbling sound from directly above you - a stony grating noise, as if something massive is falling". (You two let me know exactly what you do). This sound frightens Mareena and she jumps away from the door drawing her sword.
BILADOC
OOC:
Man, I hate when Charles asks "exactly what you do". ;-).
BIC:
I stop and look up, retreating slowly to join the rest of the party, approaching the right wall as I do so. If the sound stops, I'll examine the floor, trying to determine if there's some sort of trigger we stepped on.
SAGGAR
Looks up towards the sound, ready to move if danger presents itself:
TIMOR
Timor, who is near the back of the group, is [I'm assuming] unable to head the grinding of the falling stone. But from the combined glow of Vinguard, staff, and torches, the brown eyed priest notices Saggar (and Alof?) look upward in a worried manner, not to mention the sudden and graceful moves of Reena as she hops away from the door while drawing her sword. Since Reena's instinct was to move away from the door, Timor backs up a little to allow room for others to move back (should they so desire). As he does so, in a single motion he also grabs his metallic walking staff in a two-handed manner - preparing for a defensive posture should anything else be coming from any other direction. What ever lay beyond that door must be important otherwise this deadfall (and possibly other traps) wouldn't be here...
OOC:
Something visual that Timor would have seen or not seen earlier. Is Max still wearing/carrying the lilac scented scarf? Or did Ayla take that back from him before she split? Or did something else happen to it? All I recall up to is when we were trying to calm down the princess and Max had taken the scarf to make sure the scarf wasn't causing her delusions...
DM
As I recall Max still has it.
LEGILDUR
Legildur hears the rumbling sound above the two scouts and turns his attention from Mareena's examination of the door to look past Kinson to the hobbits. Concern fills his eyes as he wills the hobbits to leap to safety.
ALOF
I'll make my way quickly back to the rest of the group. I'll stop shortly to help Biladoc look for a trigger. If nothing is found I'll go to work on opening the door and/or any traps or alarms on it.
DM
A large stone block filling the hallway right where the two hobbits are comes crashing down. Alof who quickly moves away towards the party is missed completely. Biladoc, who moves slowly as he looks up, is not as fortunate. The large block slams into him (-10hp) the block actually knocking him to the side instead of crushing him since he began to move slowly away. The hallway is blocked by the large stone block and Biladoc is knocked to the ground bleeding.
BILADOC
'Ouch!'
I stumble back, holding my head, approach the rest of the party and sit down, slowly and carefully. I put my cloak against the wound, trying to stop the bleeding.
'Wow! Anybody wants a headache? I should have followed Alof's example, instead of just looking up.'
I look at Alof and Mareena examining the door and say:
'Give me just a moment to stop this bleeding and I'll help you with that. Seems that's the only way to go, now.'
I stand up, leaning against the wall and move towards the door. I smile as I walk and say:
'If any of you guys want to show how good you are at healing people and cure the wounded, feel free to do so at my expense.'
MAXIMILLION
Maximillion looking puzzled:
"Did any of you sense what was done to set that off."
SAGGAR
Saggar steps forward laying a hand upon Biladoc and healing him for ....
DM
Roll and let him know. :-)
SILVAN
Silvan lowers his bow, waiting to see if his own meager ability is needed.
LEGILDUR
Legildur holds his breath while the stone block falls, realizing that there is no way he can help the hobbits. He sees Alof clear the danger zone and Biladoc sent sprawling by the falling block as it strikes him. He exhales in relief as he sees the stricken hobbit move slowly towards the party, thinking how bad the situation could have been. Legildur watches as Saggar provides healing to Biladoc.
"Great, now we are being channeled and giving plenty of warning about where we are."
Legildur waits for Alof and Mareena to finish checking the door, while Saggar administers to Biladoc, before opening it.
DM
Mareena and Alof find no traps on the door. They do find that it is locked. Mareena thought she heard some noise on the other side but was unsure what it was. Sort of like a scuffing sound.
KINSON
Kinson frowns.
"Hmmm. They must know we are here, perhaps a different tactic than opening the door is called for."
Kinson walks up to the door and knocks on it loudly.
"Is anyone in? We need help, we have injuries from the falling stone," he booms in a loud voice. Then he steps away from the door.
LEGILDUR
Being distracted by the injuries to Alof, Legildur is too slow to stop Kinson's generous, if misguided action. Although he is too late to stop the knight, Legildur can change the course of the action - he waits approximately 10 seconds, listening for sounds of the door being unlocked, in case Kinson's actions produce the goods, before kicking the door in - Vinguard in hand (but not charging in - yet).
ALOF
If nothing happens when Kinson shouts for help I will begin opening the door. If there is a response then I'll stand just out of sight in case a backstab is needed.
BILADOC
As Kinson knocks on the door, I cover my ears:
'Not so loud, please. I'll take a look at that block, while you play with the door.'
I move towards the large stone, examining carefully the floor and walls, trying to spot any trigger we could have hit to make it fall. From time to time, I'll keep watching what happens near the door, ready to help if needed.
OOC:
Once again, I misunderstood Charles' description of the maze layout. Guess that knock on the head has affected my direction sense. I've correct it now. (My next proficiency must be reading/writing) ;-).
DM
If there was a trigger its under the block you think.
Kinson knocks on the door and Adrian gets prepared. However there is no response to the door... though Legildur thinks he heard a noise from the other side. Alof kiijs at Legildur and walks up to the door. Meanwhile Biladoc is examining the area around the stone block.
SAGGAR
Saggar stands ready, axe in hand as he watches the hall ahead
BILADOC
Still dizzy (but not Gillespie), I leave the stone block, since the trigger must be under it and there's no apparent way to remove the large boulder. I move back to the door, staying near the entrance but out of sight, following Alof's example.
I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I have strange visions, of Alof kijjing at Legildur and of an ethereal presence shaped like a mole, smiling and saying:
'Hi, my name's Adrian...' just before he fades away again, little by little, leaving only a faint smile, like a Cheshire cat.
I hold on to the wall and ask Legildur:
'Where did your twin brother came from? And where did he go?...'
OOC:
I was hit *hard* on the head1 What did you expect?! ;-)
KINSON
Kinson shrugs:
"Sometimes I get some weird ideas, but please don't worry, I won't do anything to endanger the party. Whatever is on the other side is either smart enough to know not to open the door, or incapable of opening the door."
Then he steps aside and sweeps one of his hands in a gesture of invitation toward the door. He looks at both Legildur and Alof (One wants to kick, the other to pick...).
LEGILDUR
Legildur shrugs his shoulders at Kinson and indicates patiently that Alof should try his tricks on the lock before Legildur does some irreparable damage to the door.
DM
Alof walks forward and fiddles with the lock. The lock clicks and Alof smiles. At the same time there is a grinding sound and the stone block rises back into the ceiling above.
BILADOC
Seeing the stone block rising, I move back to it and examine the floor, trying to determine where's the trigger that made it fall before, being careful not to stand directly below the block. After this inspection, I'll return to join the others at the door.
DM
You see that the entire section of floor is a pressure plate.
TIMOR
Timor watches with curiosity as the huge rock, that at one time fell heavily onto Biladoc is now rising up into the ceiling from which it came.
"Be weary my friends," begins the brown eyed priest, "I would hate to see that happen again.."
Timor quietly waits while those by the door actually open it. If they should enter through the door, Timor will follow, being careful to watch his step and should he hear any similar rumbling from above, he will move out of the way as quickly as possible(having seen what it did to Biladoc, the priest doubts he could survive a similar plight).
{Timor waits and follows.}
KINSON
"The block could be controlled by a trigger and timer. It falls when something activates the trigger, and rises a short time later. Perhaps the time to go under it is when it is rising. Or someone nearby could be controlling it -- perhaps the answer lies through the door."
Anyway I've already given Kinson's action, he's going through the door with Legildur.
SAGGAR
Saggar raises his axe at the ready, to move into the room to fight should those before him charge.
ALOF
Seeing that I opened the door I now push it open (assuming it opens into the room) and if I see anything hostile I'll let a pair of daggers fly. If the door opens towards us I'll pull it open and let Legildur and Kinson be the first to charge in.
KINSON
Ahh the life of the Mobile Infantry... Kinson draws his sword and stands next to Legildur. He will advance into the room at the same time Legildur does.
"You go right, I'll go left."
LEGILDUR
The elven warrior nods once to Kinson in acknowledgement and enters the room with Kinson once Alof opens the door.
DM
The room is lit by a brownish-red radiance, which seems to emanate from everywhere. It is crowded with two cots, a scarred wooden table flanked by two rough chairs, a chamber pot, and a heap of crates and rough weave sacks. It also contains five armored, unfriendly-looking orcs with black-bladed scimitars in their hands. Two near the back of the room rise from the chairs, and one from a cot; two are near you with swords raised menacingly.
REACTIONS PLEASE!
KINSON
Kinson has heard of the perpetual war amongst the Elves and Orcs. He sees Legildur rush past the front Orc moving toward the rear of the room. Taking his leaders queue he does the same, he'll move quickly to the back of the room and attack one of the Orcs there (on the left,
since Legildur is going to the right).
SILVAN
Silvan draws back on Grasilsmath (his bow) mightily, and will let fly upon the leftmost orc whom has so recently arisen from his chair (assuming he [Silvan] can hit him [the orc] without endangering the two in front [Kinson and Legildur]). If he has time enough to skewer said orc twice, he shall!
Shannon (of the obsessively flowery speech)
KINSON
You should be okay, both Kinson and Legildur are moving to the side to let the rest of the party through the door.
DM
There will be some danger, because melee is commencing.
BILADOC
Looking into the room and seeing the orcs, I take out a couple of daggers and throw them at one of the three orcs in the back of the room, kneeling down to let others (Mareena or Silvan) shoot over my head. (I think Kinson and Legildur can take care of the two near the door.) At the same time I say:
'Can anyone sleep this #$%"&"$#& pig-snouts? Mareena, this is a good chance to try that crossbow.'
I add in a lower voice, as if praying:
'Please, don't let Saggar charge with his usual battle cry. My head is killing me.'
OOC:
Since Alof is also throwing daggers, I'll pick a different target. Great, another entry for my Encyclopedia. I think this is the first time our original group met orcs and they are usually the first baddies you meet in a game. Something tells me these are not standard-issue-one-good-hit-drops-them orcs. ;-)
About the map: it's nice, but this maze goes on forever. I'll end up winning a "Top 5% biggest graphic file in the Net" award. ;-)
SAGGAR
Saggar raises his axes chanting a dwarven battle song as he moves up beside his comrades and approaches the orcs.
VORIAX
I'm sure I'm too far back in the marching order to do much of anything, but I'll be ready to advance into the room as soon as it's prudent. I'd like to let loose with a spell, but with all of our numerous bodies around, it's just not likely to happen. We have more than our share of hackers and slashers.
:-)
TIMOR
He begins speaking, speaking to Elanna not to any of the group.
"Oh great Elanna. It is I, your humble servant Timor once again. By the power of your being, I invoke your charms. Hold these evil creatures in their places as you would hold back the plague, death, and darkness of any evil.."
With that said and a few arcane gestures performed, the iron in his hand (should) vanish and the 'hold person' spell (should) take effect.
MAXIMILLION
Max, who is towards the back of the pack, will wait to see if any of the orcs are clerics, if so he will throw darts at them to disrupt their spells, if not, then he will throw darts at an orc who is not engaged in melee, especially if they are trying to get away, sound an alarm or pull a lever or something.
DM
Legildur and Kinson charge into the room towards the back. Saggar charges the two orcs at the front almost bowling Biladoc over who is standing in the doorway ready to throw his daggers. Silvan and Timor move into the doorway behind Biladoc. Timor begins to chant as Silvan brings his bow up and knocks and arrow.
One of the orc's from the back of the room throw a small pebble looking object out into the hall. As it lands it explodes in a glowing sphere that radiates a red energy wave to the left and right. The globe captures, Silvan, Biladoc, Alof, and Timor in it. Voriax and Max dive to the floor on top of the already crouched Mareena. Mareena groans as the two mages leap on her. The red wave of energy careens pass the two and slams into Drew and Kyrie. With a scream the two elven companions disappear into a red glow and then that is gone. Silvan lets fly his arrow that bounce off the wall of the globe. Biladoc's daggers have a similar effect. Saggar is engaged by the two orcs at the entrance. One of the Orc's actually hits Saggar (-4hp) the other's sword is deflected off Saggar's axe as it imbeds itself in the orcs skull. With a loud sucking noise Saggar rips his axe from this orc's skull and turns toward the one who just hit him. Meanwhile Legildur reaches the three orc's at the back of the room. There is a lot of noise and clanging as Vinguard smashes through orc defenses. When Kinson reaches the three orc's ,at the back of the room, they are all dead and Legildur turns towards the knight who is bewildered looking around at the dead orc's. Legildur just shrugs, "Sorry,
guess I got carried away."
One orc is left standing facing Saggar. Kinson and Legildur are at the back of the room. Drew and Kyrie have disappeared (take the off the mailing list please... at least for now). Mareena, Voriax, and Max are all piled up on each other with Mareena swearing. Biladoc, Alof, Timor, and Silvan are all captured in some sort of transparent globe.
MAXIMILLION
Max gets off Mareena, "Sorry, about that, but you are softer than the floor."
The whole time though he is studying the globe. "Anyone have a magical weapon and want to try and pop this thing. We need to figure this out fast or they might suffocate in there."
DM
OOC:
Forgot to make Timor take his action.
BIC:
Timor chants and points toward the last orc standing from within the globe. The orc goes stiff and stops moving. Saggar takes advantage of the situation and lops his head from his shoulders.
ACTIONS: Ok no orcs standing.
ALOF
Upon hearing Saggar mention "Magic weapon" I immediately tell the others to stand back and try and slice the bubble with my shortsword.
"This room must be very magical my shortsword is supposed to detect orcs this room must have shielded them from my detection???" (or it could have just been a mistake, Charles?)
DM
Err It is magical...but it was my error.
The sword bounces off the globe.
TIMOR
Timor thought he was feeling claustrophobic before...well, this isn't helping ;)
He begins pressing his hands against the bubble surface. He even takes his metallic staff and pokes the surface a few times. There isn't much he can do at the moment...he just tries to stay calm until he can think of something...
{Timor pokes the surface a few times with hands and staff, other than that, he is waiting and thinking}
DM
The surface is hard and does not even bend when he pokes it with his staff.
BILADOC
After seeing Alof's frustrated attempt to pop the bubble, I say to Max and Voriax:
'Do you guys know what kind of magic this is? I believe it may just be temporary and meant to restrain us, not to kill us. You try your weapons outside. Maybe you can disrupt this bubble.'
To the others inside I say:
'I'll try to break this only once with my mace. I don't believe it'll do any good, but it doesn't hurt to try. After that, we better sit down and wait for it to disappear by itself.'
I then take out my mace and hit the bubble as hard as I can. If (when ;-) ) nothing happens, I'll sit down, take a piece of dry ration from my backpack and start eating, offering it to the others.
'Never been in a more ridiculous situation. I feel like a #$%#$ gold fish.'
OOC:
Charles, this bubble we're in, is it a perfect sphere (i.e. can it be rolled around) or part of it is stuck to the ground? Depending on your answer, there's something I'd like to try...;-)
What are the dimensions of the sphere? Small enough for someone to pass from one side of it to the other?
DM
The mace bounces off the globe. Biladoc looks like he is growing fins. :-)
Just kidding on that last one.
ALOF
Realizing that force is obviously not going to work I say to those outside the bubble:
"Weapons aren't working so if you've got magic to break this please use it. Also check those crates and the rest of the furniture in the back of the room and let us know what you find, there might be something useful."
Upon saying this I offer to help Biladoc with whatever he's planning to do.
VORIAX
Voriax gets off of his belly and walks over to the orc that threw the pebble that caused this whole mess. He'll search the body for anything that might help or lead to a solution.
"I don't have a dispel magic to get rid of the sphere, and that is all that I know of that will work. I hope it dispels itself with time. It is beyond my skills unless this dead orc holds secrets."
DM
Searching the bodies of the orcs reveals, A scimitar, Shortsword and Hide armor. However one of them has a strange looking card in his pouch.
MAXIMILLION
"Looks like they are trapped in a crystal ball."
Looking to the folks inside the ball, "Can you hear what I am saying?"
He then pays attention to their feet to see if they are getting any traction.
"Maybe heat is the answer, someone please put a torch to the sphere and hold it there for a bit and we will see what will happen."
DM
They can hear you but they are getting very little traction in there.
KINSON
Kinson takes one of the party's torches and holds it near the bottom of the globe. Any effect?
Kinson, still holding the torch to the globe, looks towards Max and Timor.
"You gentlemen know a lot more about magic and its workings than me, perhaps you could help Voriax search the Orc room? Your eyes might catch something that lesser trained eyes would miss."
DM
This has no effect on the orb except making Alof's toes hot.
VORIAX
"Hmm. Well, I'm afraid this doesn't tell me much at least. Maybe another wizard will have more knowledge about cards. I see the 666 in it, but that's about it for me."
"We could push the ball with us until we find another orc that may be able to dispel the globe. They may run out of air before the globe dissipates naturally."
BILADOC
I say to the folks outside:
'Why don't you push this bubble to where the stone block fell? I don't mean totally under the block, just a small part of the bubble. Then, put something behind it, to prevent it from rolling down the hall when the stone hits it. Press the trigger on the floor with a staff and cross your fingers. Since this is a globe, we can put part of it under the block without touching the floor trigger.'
I turn to the others inside:
'Do you want to risk it? Or do we sit here and wait for this bubble to blow out by itself?'
OOC:
Did I mention I was hit on the head real hard? ;-)
Anyway, it's a fun plan, isn't it? I can see it now: the stone falling and we going down the hall like a speeding bullet, smashing the party members outside (don't read this part, Charles) ;-)
DM
I was thinking the same thing. Imagine what would happen to you guys inside as the darn bubble bounced around like a pinball machine.
MAXIMILLION
Max, glancing at the card:
"Touch the card to the bubble, you never know. The only spell I have left to cast is sleep, and the only good that would do is to cause them to breath slower. Having the trap hit the edge of the bubble, I would think cause the bubble to shoot like a sling bullet. Kinson, please remove the torch, Alof is starting to squirm."
KINSON
Kinson removes the torch from the globe, "Sorry my friend."
Kinson winks jokingly at Max before removing the torch.
"Touching the card to the globe probably wouldn't hurt anything."
TIMOR
Timor listens to the ideas which are being presented. He doesn't like the idea of being rolled around on the assumption that someone with a solution maybe found, and he isn't too sure he likes the idea of purposely allowing a large block of heavy stone to fall a few inches from him - but at the same time, the priest has no better ideas himself. He takes a moment or two of silence to himself and says in prayer:
"Oh great Elanna, by your divine might, I wish this magical field to be dispelled.." he opens his eyes and realize nothing has happened; he doubted it would, after all, it is a prayer/incantation that only the more worldly/experienced priests truly understand enough to invoke - but, it was worth a shot (as mentioned before, when in doubt, turn to Elanna. :).
Timor sighs, not of relief but out of disturbance, when he hears Voriax mention the cryptic "666" on the mysterious card. He has heard mention of 666 being used in reference to darkness and evil by both priests and mages who practice the darker arts. [though this may not be true of "Artisc" as it is in the 'real world', Timor is still saying it. :] - but perhaps the 666 is in reference to something. After all, the orcs may not be able to read all that well, so numbers (which are really simple pictures that have taken on meaning) would be easier for them(the orcs) to know. Perhaps there is some corridor that is labeled "666", or 666 refers to taking 6 turns down the 6th corridor of the 6th portal entrance....who knows...maybe it's really "999" upside down, or that it in fact means something else entirely in the orcish language.
"Is there any other writing on the card besides "666"? If so, "does anyone hear know how to read the words of these orcs? what about on the other orcs? They might have something that that one did not."
Other than searching the other three orcs, and trying to decipher the meaning of the card, Timor is devoid of ideas. he isn't too fond of the idea of the falling block...but, if everyone else agrees, AND everyone else becomes insistent about it, Timor will then (and only then) reluctantly agree.
DM
Searching the other four orcs only reveals their weapons.
Touching the card to the globe has no effect.
KINSON
Kinson scratches his head:
"I don't think pushing the bubble under the crushing rock is a good idea. We don't have anything to brace the bubble with, except ourselves, and that would be the same as if we tried to hold up the stone itself. The bubble would shoot down the hall, and we would be crushed by it as it went by."
Kinson goes and helps Voriax search the Orc room, he searches
-- the cots, and under them
-- the table
-- the crates
-- the rough weave sacks
-- and the rest of dead, if Voriax hasn't searched them yet.
SILVAN
Silvan listens to the responses, then adds his own.
"I would not prefer this idea, either. We, apparently, would be protected, but those outside would not, I fear. Please, do try touching the card to the globe. I do not believe it will work, but we should try all possibilities. If anyone has a blessed or dweomered object or weapon, they could try dispelling or smashing the sphere with it.
While we are still here, is anyone feeling short of breath? Our endeavors, and their speed, may be affected by our ability to remain inside."
DM
Your find 5 purses with a total of 6gp and 13sp.
A jar of strange black paste under a bunk
A chamber pot that smells bad
3 pewter drinking cups
a set of scattermen on the table. (Scatter men are jumping jacks fashioned like little spread eagle humans and elves)
a eating knife driven into the table
a Ball made of leather strips sewn together. 1" diameter.
Crates are branded with two overlapping circles with an H in the center of them.
Under the table are strapped 6 iron flasks. all stoppered.
35 crates are in the room. Inside is Samite, fine camlet, moire, and musterdelvys.
36 sacks contained, Onions, cabbages, and various rot vegetables.
a huge wheel of red sharp cheese
3 partially chewn hocks of smoked ham
a jug of mint water
BILADOC
I listen to the opinion of the party members about my lunatic plan. I smile and shrug my shoulders:
'Well, it was only an idea. And it might have been fun. If the stone didn't break the bubble, maybe the shock against the wall after we were hit could do it.'
I look at the folks outside the bubble, rummaging through the orcs and the room. In a low tone of voice, as if speaking only to myself I say:
'A whole new room to search, five orcs with belt pouches to be picked and I'm sitting in this #$%#$$ bubble. Not fair!'
I then look at the card that Voriax found:
'The skeptic...Hum... Well, why not? We've tried everything else.'
I turn to my bubble mates and say:
'Lets try something else. Lets try to imagine there is no bubble, that this is just an illusion. Try to picture ourselves standing in the hall, visualizing the hall and everything around *without* this bubble around. In one word, disbelieve!'
I close my eyes and start to think this bubble out of existence with all my will power (although I'm a little skeptic about this plan, too...).
;-)
DM
It does not work. :-)
SAGGAR
Saggar looks around:
"Might I examine the card? Perhaps the orb has a duration and will eventually vanish"
VORIAX
"Certainly. I hope someone can make something of it."
Voriax passes the card around.
SILVAN
Silvan stares at the wee one, then mutters:
"I seem to remember doing that in front of a dragon... must've been a dream..."
OOC:
Ask Charles!
DM
It worked the first time on that dragon. :-) Spoiled all my fun. :-)
SAGGAR
Saggar studies the card to see if he can devine a purpose for it
KINSON
"Anyone know what this is?"
Kinson passes the jar around to the other party members. Does it have any odor? He doesn't touch the paste, yet...
DM
The Paste is kinda of darkish brown. Almost liked real old KY jelly.
At this point there is a pop and the bubble just disappears.
TIMOR
Timor looks around, relieved that the bubble no longer impressions them.
"That was a predicament I do not care to face again anytime soon" he says to himself out loud.
He, just now, notices that Kyrie and Drew are no where to be seen.
"What happened to them?" he asks to anyone who seems to be listening. After it is explained that they disappeared when attacked by the orcs, Timor merely mumbles to Elanna, praying that they are well; since he sees no remains on the ground, he assumes they are alive, somewhere. ;)
The brown eye priest awaits the others who are busy searching the room to finish what they are doing - he doesn't have much knowledge in regards to the items found or what their significance could be.
Except for one item, though it is only a guess. That ball made of patches of leather.
"Sir Kinson, I can not be sure, but that could possibly be one of three things that I can think of. Either a toy for the purposes of amusement, for I recall the kids in my neighborhood used to visit the taxidermist to collect scraps of leather which they would sew together to make a ball for playing. Or, it could be a protective casing for something rolled inside, such as a gem or some such thing. Or, thirdly, it could be a container to hold ground up herbs, like a medicine ball, or perhaps to hold the necessary components for another
spell such as the globe spell which trapped us."
That's about it from the vault of knowledge often referred to as Timor's mind...
KINSON
(Kinson does this action before the detect evil.)
"Your knowledge is great, good Timor. Hmm... let us see." Kinson inspects the leather ball closely for any openings, or marks to suggest usage. Does he find anything?
MAXIMILLION
Max noticing the card again:
"Sir Kinson, you are a Paladin are you not? Could you detect evil on the card. With that '666' it could be you know."
SILVAN
Silvan sighs in relief at their escape from magical imprisonment, then looks around to see to everyone's status. Satisfied that all remaining are reasonably well, he overhears the end of Maximillion's conversation. Silvan interjects, "Forgive me friends, as I am not as well versed in Human religion as I should be. Do the three consecutive sixes have a special significance for humans?"
Waiting to hear the answer, he then move to where Drew and Kyrie disappeared, and pauses to morn. (Softly, In Losvani), "The time was too brief, dear friends; too many of us are gone. This foolishness with the Younger Children must end; it has cost too much!"
KINSON
"An excellent idea my friend. But let's not exclude the other items, we can place everything we've found on the table and I can read them all. If anyone wants me to check anything, please feel free to place it on the table."
Kinson gathers all the items from the orc room that can be placed on the table, he waits to see if anyone takes him up on his offer of detecting for evil on any objects they might desire. After everything is arranged he concentrates specifically on the objects on the table, attempting to ignore any background emanations of evil from this place.
LEGILDUR
As Legildur stands outside the room while the others search, he begins to think about what just transpired. His military background seizes his thought processes and he begins to analyze the scenario. He turns back to the open doorway and addresses the remaining members:
"While you continue your tasks, please think about the following: what were these orcs doing here? What tribe were they from? Who were they working for? What was the aim of their task? How were they to accomplish it? Where did that magical stone come from? Was the orc who through it a tribal shaman or witch-doctor, or did the stone come from someone else who
is assisting them? How long had they been here? How long were they to remain? Are there more of them around?"
To no-one one individual in particular "See what you can find to answer these questions. It might also assist in identifying the card and its purpose."
"Oh, why was the door locked?" Legildur adds as an afterthought.
TIMOR
In response to Legildur's myriad of questions, Timor ponders for a bit and then replies:
"Valid questions, yes, but don't rule out the possibility that they perhaps arrived here in a manner similar to us... and perhaps they acquired all these random things from previous encounters they have had...and the locked door could have been a simple precaution to keep them safe while they slept (he says the last part while motioning towards the cots)...for not everything is as planned and purposeful as thought to be..., then again, it would be foolish to totally discount the possibility that this all was part of something larger and contrived. - as to what that could be, I do not know..."
As an after thought, when Timor has had a chance to give the room a third look over, "Well, their residence here is perhaps more than just happenstance. Look, they have numerous crates and such, these crates are not things that they would have easily carried around and brought
here...So, if these orcs are the ones that brought these crates into this room, then they must have made several trips to do so, the cots too...and some of these other supplies...it would require forethought and/or time to put all this stuff in here.."
{Timor is just talking, he came to no definite conclusions about anything}
ALOF
Before searching I'll place the ring I found on the table.
LEGILDUR
As Alof prepares the items on the table for Kinson to examine, Legildur finishes cleaning the orc guts and humor from the blade of Vinguard with some of the moire cloth nearby.
The bubble did as he suspected it would, although much earlier than he anticipated. He had heard of such magic from orc shaman and witch-doctors while employed in the Whiter Falcons for Asga.
Legildur listens to Silvan lament the loss of Drew and Kyrie:
"I wish I had got to that orc before he threw his stone. Laskanthar knows where Drew and Kyrie are. I suspect that they are not far and could even reappear before long - much like the bubble popping. I doubt the magic was so powerful as to destroy them - they could likely be elsewhere within this complex."
He then draws the elven prince's attention and asks "Search briefly where they were standing Silvan. What if they where only invisible and unconscious?"
With that, Legildur then allows the others to examine the rest of the room for secret compartments and doors while he steps outside the room to protect against any 'surprises'.
KINSON
Kinson arches an eyebrow.
"Excellent point. I pray we find them; for I know the joy of being reunited with lost friends."
BILADOC
When I hear the pop, I open my eyes. A large smile appears in my face:
'See, I told you! This is what I call will power! And with a headache! Now we know how to deal with this bubbles if we happen to be in the same situation again.'
I put away the ration I was eating, recover my daggers and move into the room.
I take the eating knife and the scattermen (how many and what shapes?). I then move on to cut the cheese into smaller pieces and put a couple into my backpack, leaving some pieces to be carried by the other members of the party (how huge is the cheese wheel?).
'This looks good enough to take. I guess I'll leave those ham hocks behind. They must taste like orc drool...'
When Kinson says he's going to examine objects to determine if they are evil, I say to him:
'Take a look at the weapons and scepter we found in the coffin.'
I listen to Timor talking about the leather ball, look at it and say:
'I'd go for the first option. That ball and the scattermen I took look like a sort of table bowling. You know, put the scattermen in one side of the table and roll the ball to hit them. (were the scattermen in one side of the table and together, to support this theory, Charles?). When you finish examining it, Kinson, can I take a look at the ball?'
DM
About fifteen pounds of good cheese. Looks like it has almonds or something in it.
Looks more like jumping jacks. Bounce the ball and pick up scattermen, et...
LEGILDUR
Legildur nods thoughtfully at Timor's suggestion that the orcs could have been wayward travelers themselves and not denizens in some being's employ. It is certainly a plausible possibility. Is there sufficient evidence to determine the answer either way?
"Kinson, give me a hand here when you are finished examining those items."
Legildur asks of the paladin as he re-enters the room. Legildur sheaths Vinguard and props his shield against one wall before he grabs one of the dead orcs and drags the body outside (one without too much blood splattered around). When Kinson joins him, Legildur explains his intentions quickly before attaching a rope in a harness fashion around the torso of the dead
orc. They then grab an end each and heave the body down the corridor in the direction they haven't been yet - hoping to land the carcass beyond the area in which the stone block falls to test the further floor space for traps. After the body lands Legildur explains:
"No point in jumping across the trapped area if it is still trapped on the other side!".
He then uses the rope to drag the carcass towards the stone block to test as much floor space as possible without dragging it under the block.
DM
Throwing the bag of onions across the trap area. The bad thuds onto the ground. No trap seems to be sprung. (Don't forget that hobbits set the trap off. Any they don't weight more than the bag of onions. )
KINSON
Kinson takes what cheese he can carry and adds it in with what's left of the dead weasel.
Kinson waits for the additional items to be placed on the table before he begins his concentrations. (I caught the message about Alof's ring too but forgot to respond to it).
Kinson tosses the ball to Biladoc. "Have fun."
BILADOC
I start looking for any secrets inside the room, like Alof. When Legildur starts grabbing a dead orc to test the way I say to him:
'Wouldn't you rather use one of these bags of onions or cabbages? They're easier to move and maybe they make less of a mess then an orc.'
OOC:
I know that the bubble just fade away on itself, but Biladoc is convinced it was his will power. Be prepared to hear him going on about his mental powers and how he saved you guys from the terrible fishbowl prison. ;-)
ALOF
"I guess that bubble was just meant to hold us and not kill us."
I walk over to Saggar and attempt to read any unfamiliar languages on it. When I see the card I'll say:
" Could this not be a picture of statue that would lead somewhere?" I then will start searching the perimeter of the room for secret doors and a place to insert the card.
MAXIMILLION
Max first looks to see if there is a pebble that looks like the one which the orc threw that became the bubble. If so he will pick it up.
"Well glad to see that you all are ok. Mappers, where to next?"
KINSON
After Kinson detects evil on the objects on the table, he goes to help Legildur.
"Although I have no religious or moral problems with defiling the dead -- I know it sounds strange coming from a holy knight, but a body is made of earth and will return to it, so I see no problem using one of the orc bodies for the purpose you propose. But... I would much
rather see a squished bag of onions, as Biladoc has suggested using, than a squished dead orc. If ,however, you don't think the bag of vegetables heavy enough, then let us use the orc carcass."
Whichever, Kinson helps Legildur in his experiment.
LEGILDUR
Legildur shrugs at the onion bag suggestion and goes to test the weight of one of the bags. If they weigh at least 150lbs then he and Kinson will heave a bag instead of the unlucky orc. Otherwise, battered orc it is.
As Legildur is testing the weight of the bag of onions, to see whether or not it is a suitable substitute (weight-wise) for a dead orc, he mentions to the party:
"I've given some thought to the card. Is it, as mentioned by Edrave in her letter to the King of Asga which Kinson currently carries, a symbol of the 'Cult of Diabolicus'?"
DM
The bag is around 100 lbs. in weight.
TIMOR
Since Timor won't be much help in uncovering the mysteries of the orc's room, he wanders to the doorway where Kyrie and Drew once stood. He looks around on the ground to see if there are any remnants on the ground (either remnants of the spell, remnants of their bodies, or
perhaps something one of the two of them may have dropped)
After that, he merely patiently waits for the search to be over so that they can travel onto the next place within this maze.. he does however toss an extra word into to those that are searching:
"Don't waste too much time dilly-dallying, after all...there is...(he gives a quick glance to Silvan) *someone* still in this maze who may be needing our help..."
DM
Alof seems to be searching walls while Max is checking pebbles on the floor.
Items including the card are piled together for Kinson to check. He holds up his holy symbol and concentrates on the items.
KINSON
Kinson draws his holy symbol from beneath his armor -- the symbol is a polished metal plate with the image of a gauntlet etched into its surface; it hangs on a long chain around his neck. Holding it out in front of himself he concentrates on the items placed on the table -- the image of the gauntlet glows softly white.
After several minutes he takes a deep breath and replaces the holy symbol beneath his armor.
"None of these items are evil in-and-of their own. That doesn't mean that they don't depict evil, or that bad things can't happen to those that use them -- only that none of the items are innately evil themselves. I wish I could tell us more."
TIMOR
In regards to the contents of the crates, the contents of the stoppered vials, and the black paste. Timor asks of anyone who maybe listening:
"Does anyone here have knowledge in the herbs and plants of the world? If so, perhaps a glance or whiff may allow you to deduce what the components of these things are.."
If no one takes the scattermen or ball, Timor decides it may prove an amusing pastime later on, so, he'll take them (that is, if no one else has) - I think (but am not sure) that Biladoc already took them...or asked about them at the very least. (note, he will take the scattermen even if someone took the ball, and visa versa - just let me know so I can mark it
down on my sheet)
In regards to the food - if anyone suggests taking some food, Timor cautions that the food should be inspected carefully, for it maybe spoiled or diseased by the rats that have been seen scurrying about down here..
Other than that, Timor isn't interested in any of the other items (not even the money). When everyone looks as though they are finishing up:
"Come along, we shan't waste time here all day...whatever time of day it really is.." he says as he looks up, realizing that he doesn't have the sun by which to tell time. "Legildur has tested the corridor ahead. It should be fine...for a few feet anyway..."
The priest moves outside and waits with Legildur.
OOC:
You said when we entered "The room is lit by a brownish-red radiance, which seems to emanate from everywhere." - no notice as of yet as to the source of this glow?
is "mint water" a normal common thing in Artisc?
and, are :"Samite, fine camlet, moire, and musterdelvys." herbs, wine, cloth or something else? (since it is physically in front of us, we would be able to have some basic idea of what that is)
[note, if they are herbs, Timor may take some. and if the black paste or contents of the vials are able to be identified completely (as in, someone can say that it is an adhesive paste, blackberry jelly, or some such thing...Timor may or may not take them depending on such. - though I doubt anyone can identify them exactly...though, someone with herbalistic
knowledge may be able to discern some ingredients based on odor, texture, etc.)
DM
Seems to come from the walls themselves. Mint water is mint flavored water. It is common. The other items are type of cloth.
SILVAN
Silvan regards the division of 'loot', and shakes his head at the disorganization of it all. Finally driven to speak, he says:
"Yes, either the mages or the priests, or both, should carry the flasks; perhaps soon they will be able to determine what the contents may be. We should all take some of the unspoiled food, as we do not know when we see fresh food again, such as it is. Everyone should get an equal portion, though the smaller folk among might not need as much. That will be a decision they must make.
TIMOR
At Silvan's mention that each should take some food since it maybe a while since we see fresh food again, Timor gets a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach. With a cringe on his face at the thought of being down here longer than a few more hours, he breaks off a small piece of cheese and other foods and sticks them in his pack in such a way that it won't get smashed against his other belongings.
In regards to where to go next and how to go about getting there, Timor does not have much to say. For he has already shared his opinion that he wants to leave as soon as they have found Ayla, and at the moment, he finds no reason to repeat himself. So, the others can lead on as they will...besides, if it were up to Timor, he'd probably lead the group in circles.... ;)
BILADOC
I say to Timor when I see he's interested in the scattermen and ball:
'You can borrow these from me when we find some place to rest and eat. And speaking about eating...'
I turn to Silvan and say:
'What do you mean the smaller folk might not need as much?! Equal risk, equal reward! And besides I'm still recovering from my wounds and need to eat well to regain my strength.'
I turn to the pile of objects Kinson is examining and look at him, curious as to the result. While I'm doing that, I cut a slice of the almond cheese and taste it.
TIMOR
Timor nods and smiles. He didn't mean to make it a big point, he was merely interested in them because they seemed an interesting pastime. :)
Perhaps the paranoia from Legildur is starting to ware off on the brown eyed priest. For when Timor sees Biladoc tasting the cheese, the reaches into his belt pouch and holds onto a small bud of garlic that he got from the kitchen of the Welcome Wench in Hasbis....just in case it is needed...
DM
Biladoc finds the wine flavored sharp cheddar cheese with almonds quite tasty.
TIMOR
Upon viewing the smile of satisfaction with the cheese, Timor releases his grip on the bud of garlic. Perhaps it is just because those of Biladoc's kind are of a sturdier breed, but the cheese displayed no ill effects on his health.
BILADOC
Tasting the cheese, I see Timor taking out the garlic. I say to him:
'Thanks, but I find this cheese tasty enough. I don't want any garlic on it. We could use it for when we find another weasel.'
I proceed to fill my water bottle with the mint flavored water. I follow everyone outside the room and past the stone block. Approaching Kinson, I say:
'That thing you did with that medallion is interesting. Do you suppose I could get one of those?'
KINSON
Kinson laughs heartily at Biladoc's words:
"Not unless you are prepared to switch to a much different profession from your current one. My holy symbol was given to me after 10 years of study and devotion. Forgive me for laughing my friend. I was trying to picture you in monks robes wandering the halls of the monastery, reading your daily prayers. I think you would have like our abbot, he was fond of saying, 'It's ok as long as you give half to the church.'"
Kinson winks playfully at Biladoc, and continues down the hall.
ALOF
A little upset that I didn't find any doors I'll grab my ring and grab something that is edible and hopefully will keep a few days (first choice being cheese if there's enough). I'll also grab a couple pieces of cloth (one of each kind). I'll then walk out into the hall and start making my way towards the stone block and beyond.
KINSON
How wide is the block? Kinson motions to the Voriax:
"Drag the sack until it triggers the block, to see how far we would have to jump. Then, wait until the block starts rising and throw the sack under it -- maybe we can just walk under the block as it's rising without triggering it to fall."
DM
As you drag the bag back towards you, you discover that the trap spring and block are ten feet by ten feet You also end up with some very flat onions and roots.
KINSON
Kinson takes one of the iron mugs that were strapped under the table and examines it (Random mug). If there are no markings to identify what might be inside he removes the stopper to see what is in it.
OOC:
The jar of black paste could be "weapons black" -- you smear it on your weapons to keep them from glinting, it's useful if you like to sneak up on your enemy under cover of darkness.
I'm waiting for Charles response about the stoppered flasks, but other than the portion of Cheese that Kinson has already taken he's not interested in anything else.
DM
They where iron vials, aka bottles. Two have a rosy smelling light blue fluid in them. The other two are empty.
MAXIMILLION
Probably potions. I'll take one of the filled ones.
KINSON
"I bet max is right these are probably potions. Our magic users should have these." He hands one to Max, per his request, then looks to Timor and Voriax, "I would think you two would want at least one of these. And maybe Saggar would like one too -- not to leave everyone else
out, if someone wants to carry one please speak up."
VORIAX
"All can use potions, and I have no better way of telling what's in them than anyone else at this point. I can carry them for the party until a time when we can determine what they are if you want. Then we can divide them up."
KINSON
"That's what I figured too, we should keep them until we find out what they are. I'll give Max the one he asked for and, since you don't mind, let you carry the rest."
Kinson hands over the rest of the potions to Voriax
TIMOR
Timor, seeing that someone else already took the scattermen and ball(he didn't want them badly, just thought they'd be an interesting amusement), isn't interested in any of the items. He is outside the room, waiting for the others. (he is already carrying enough gold/money, and therefore isn't going after the coins that are in the 5 pouches)
The priest does briefly consider using the cloth to have finer robes for himself (and if there is a LOT of cloth, then perhaps for an entire temple), but he quickly decides it isn't necessary since the priests are simple people...besides, no telling where the cloth comes from..
SAGGAR
I would take the black paste
KINSON
"Here ya go." Kinson hands Saggar the jar of black paste. "I would be careful with it, the orcs might use poison."
VORIAX
Voriax doesn't seem interested in any of the loot. It's open grabs as far as he's concerned.
KINSON
Kinson looks around at everyone in the party preparing for departure:
"I can't believe some on the locksmiths in the party don't want the money -- well the church can always use more."
He combines all the coins into one purse and puts the purse into his backpack. He doesn't want to carry them, but if no-one takes the potions he will bring them along too. He has already taken his share of cheese.
ALOF
I take some cheese and one of each type of cloth and then I'll go play with the lock on the door again to hopefully get the trap reset.
"Well, it looks like we'll have to jump it. It obviously doesn't respond to things in the air, only if you step on it I guess." If everyone agrees I'll say " one of the biggest of us should go first (perhaps Kinson or Legildur) so that if one should not make it they could pull others across in case the smaller ones don't quite make it and spring the trap. I believe that I should go last just in case I have to reset it.
MAXIMILLION
Max, "Hmm, activate the block again, and as it is rewinding back up, activate the sensor again and see if it must wind all the way back up before it can release."
DM
Doing this, throwing something heavy on it as it is winding back up does not activate the stone block again.
KINSON
Kinson raises an eyebrow and lightly stomps one foot.
"That is what I suggested in the first place. I need to work on speaking common -- I must lapse into the dialect of where I grew up." He smiles at Max.
Kinson lets loose a cheer. "Tada! See we can just walk under it as it's rising. Well it was my idea, I might as well test it." As the block is rising Kinson walks under it to the far side.
DM
Kinson has no problem getting to the other side.
KINSON
Kinson scratches his beard:
"A thought has just occurred to me, this glowing orc room is probably something special -- have we closed the door while we were inside the room? Perhaps a portal or something opens when the door to the room is closed. It's worth a short investigation."
LEGILDUR
"Worth a try." agrees Legildur. "Alof should stay out in case we can't open it from the inside. Actually, I'll stay out as well in case some force is required. Close the two for two minutes, and if nothing happens, we will come in after three minutes."
SILVAN
"We should most definitely follow Legildur's advice, and close the door to determine if any change occurs. Does anyone have any idea why the light in the room emanates from the walls?
Afterwards, and *before* any of us attempt to cross, we must indeed decide in what order we shall make the attempt so intelligently arrived at. Perhaps a rope tied to each person as they crossed, just in case (after the first, of course). I suggest Kinson first, as he seems eager
to go, then either I or Legildur next, while the other guards the rear. The rest of the party should cross then, one at a time, and the rear guard last."
Having said his piece, he lapses, awaiting either reponse or agreement.
TIMOR
When the others are going to test the orc room's possible magics (by closing the door and seeing if anything happens), Timor makes sure he is outside of the room at the time. He just feels too uncomfortable waiting in there...
DM
Closing the door reveals nothing unusual about the room. No portals or lights turn on or off.
TIMOR
Since testing the room with the door closed informative (that nothing would happen) and since everyone has gathered themselves, their belongings, and belongings of interest from the room, Timor moves on. Kinson has already crossed without harm. Since Timor was already ready to go, he will continue on next as well (unless of course someone else comes rushing to want to be the next in line.) Once on the other side, the priest will carefully watch to make sure everyone arrives safely. After such time, Timor will (since he has no personal sense of direction) move back into the traveling formation and allow himself to be directed by the others to the next destination.
DM
At the Intersection past the falling stone block. South it goes thirty feet and a hallway goes off to the east. It goes ten more feet past this and turns west. Looking East you can see the hallway goes fifty feet and ends in a T intersection.
MAXIMILLION
"The Right hand rule always works well for exploring, as long as you check out the closed doors on the left. Since we are heading South, that would mean take the west passageway."
KINSON
Kinson looks to Legildur:
"Max's idea sounds logical. This is why we elected you leader, to make these earth shattering decisions, to go left or right."
He laughs and slaps Legildur on the back.
LEGILDUR
Legildur drops the extra bag of onions and root vegetables on the floor after he crosses the trap and smiles at Kinson's good-natured ribbing while pondering Max's suggestion.
"I didn't have a particular plan to go South as such - I am only trying to find our lost friends and an exit. Given the nature of this place, either of these goals could lie anywhere within this labyrinth.
"My next earth-shattering decision (smile at Kinson) is for Biladoc (and any other able persons) to make simple copies of the existing map so that if we lose anyone else, they'll have their own map to refer to.
"Once that is done, I say we head east and north to clear that area - then we can head South."
As the others prepare the copies of Biladoc's map, Legildur keeps talking while keeping watch down the South corridor "Now that we have lost Kyrie and Drew, and that Biladoc is stoned (*grin*) we have to reconsider the party order and tactics to use in dealing with 'surprises'.
"It looks like these 10' wide corridors are the norm, so we will maintain the two abreast pattern. Biladoc, if you are up to it (how injured percentage wise is he Charles?), can you and Alof keep scouting? We'll keep Kinson and I some distance behind them, followed closely by Saggar and Voriax for any close spell support we might need. Max and Timor, you're our most vulnerable members and hence should be protected where possible. Mareena, could you maintain your excellent efforts to guard the rear of the party?"
MAREENA
Mareena smiles and nods.
LEGILDUR
Legildur's gaze pauses on each party member as he outlines their position, you all notice that he has left Silvan for last.
"Silvan, as my Prince, I have little authority over you, except for what you choose to accept while here. With our recent reduction in numbers, we need someone to assist Mareena in case of surprise. The reason I chose you was twofold: firstly, your skill-at-arms would hold most attacks until more strength could be bought to bear, secondly, and the reason you are least likely to accept, is that your sister, the Elven heir apparent, is missing to us and I feel a duty to ensure that we shield you to some degree from the vagaries of adventuring life until we discover her fate."
Alof Biladoc
Kinson Legildur
Saggar Voriax
Max Timor
Silvan Mareena
He waits for acceptance or discussion on the order before discussing tactics.
SILVAN
Silvan responds with a smile.
"My friend, as you well know, those who are most capable, lead. Our survival here depends on knowledge and decisiveness, both of which you have in ample supply. No ill feeling will pass from myself to you," then with a grin, "as long as you accord me the same courtesy in matters of state!"
Silvan's face falls, then, as he contemplates his sister.
"As to the heir, you speak truer than you may know. The one who was heir is, I believe, lost to us all indeed. It is . . . ," and he pauses, as if to catch his breath, or his composure, "It has been given to know that the one who is gone is beyond my help."
Silvan stands for a moment, then turns away, walking a short way ahead in the corridor, and waits in the shadows, alone.
TIMOR
I though someone has already healed Biladoc after the stoning? If not, Timor can provide some assistance in the matter (would have done it sooner had I realized...none the less...) depending on how badly he is wounded, Timor could do a couple different things (actual procedure used to heal will depend on the severity of Biladoc's wounds.)
At the very least, no matter what the instance, if Biladoc's wounds have not yet been tended to, Timor will use his knowledge of the healing arts (healing proficiency) to do what he can with cloth strips and water from his water skin.. (he may cast a spell if Biladoc's wounds are still bad - are they?)
(Timor shows no problems with the position he was asked to travel in for the marching order)
LEGILDUR
Legildur watches the obviously stoic prince walk away with his burden of grief. Legildur ponders how he can be so sure of his sister's fate and how he would gladly champion any cause the prince might have.
"Onward it is then." Legildur says quietly to the party as he indicates to Alof and Biladoc to head eastwards along the corridor.
BILADOC
I smile at Legildur and Timor, seeing them concerned about my wounds:
'No worries, mates. I'm ready to go.'
I move to the front of the party, near Alof.
LEGILDUR
"I think the benefit in the use of missile weapons in this environment is limited. That is not to say that there isn't a place for them, just that the ranges involved here don't allow any real advantage over melee weapons. Besides (he adds with a grin) I don't want to have to
worry about getting shot in the back by a wayward aim.
"Now Timor, while I appreciate any magical support you, or any of the spell casters, provide to us poor grunts, your spell was a little wasted against five orcs when you had the likes of Kinson and I to deal with them. I think we will have many more opportunities to defend ourselves before we escape this place and that judicious use of spells might prove to be the
difference in an awkward spot."
OOC:
Damn! My posts are getting longer and longer - I'll be challenging Kermie for supremacy soon ;-)
TIMOR
Timor uses his free hand to rub his chin. He notices a bit of stubble growing and realizes it has been too long since his last shave... He returns his attention to Legildur's comments.
"I realize that now, though at the time, I panicked a bit. I have never seen creatures such as them before, and well.. I was worried, and quite unsure as to what their abilities and strengths were. And though you were able to dispatch them easily enough, I remind you that they did posses their own surprise or two....it appears that even those creatures you have faced before should not be so easily dismissed. For underestimating something simply because
you have faced one of their species before may prove fatal later on...But yes, I will retain a higher level of prudence with regards to the gifts that Elanna has bestowed upon me....you are right...I fear we may end up having many more of such battles to face before we leave....May the gods see to Ayla's and our own safe return to the lighted world.."
OOC:
Kermie gets a haughty glint in his eye and scoffs the remarks of the aussie..."foolish man...Kermie shall always rein supreme..." (insert appropriate stereotypical laughter) :)
BILADOC
When Legildur talks to Timor about judicious use of spells, I turn to him and ask:
"And what do you think of judicious use of force, oh mighty leader whom slays the orcs before we can interrogate them? Didn't it occur to you that those fellows might know a quick way out, without any traps?"
I turn to Saggar and go on:
"And this goes for you, too. Why did you killed that last sleeping beauty? Couldn't you wait until after we had questioned him?"
I stop, as I remember throwing a couple of daggers at the orcs as soon as I saw them:
"Well, anyway, we can do that next time. That door could open into another orcish warehouse."
I approach the wall on the right, signaling Alof to approach the left wall. I will move closer to the door, watching every step and ready to jump back if I spot another headache coming down on me (literally).
SAGGAR
Saggar follows along, examining the walls with his dwarven vision as they move along, yet mindful of his position in the formation.
DM
Copies of the maps are quickly made and handed out. Mareena smiles when she gets a copy. The party forms up and Silvan rejoins the main group thinking of the fact that he has only two other siblings besides Ayla. His Brother who was a excellent tracker disappeared a year or so ago and has not been heard from. And his older brother who is a warrior and archer. He is at Cloudburst as far as Silvan knows.
Biladoc and Alof take the lead to the East. They reach The T intersection and look around. North the hallway goes forty feet and ends. South it goes thirty feet and a hallway to the west branches off. It goes forty more feet and there is a door in the west wall. It goes ten more feet and turns east.
The dead end in the north is of interest to the two hobbits. Upon examining it they discover that there is a closing pit just in front of the wall. The wall itself contains no secret doors. However, the bit seems to drop people into a corridor that the party has been too before. Kinson recalls it well being the corridor with the dwarven statue. The one that leads from the ghoul room to the tomb of Beleg Whitehelm.
TIMOR
Timor smiles as he is handed his own copy. He stands close to the nearest light source (Max's staff) and takes a look at the cartographic depiction of the surroundings. As he stands there rotating the paper, he wonders which end is up - he also can't help but think that trying to follow a map will only be trouble for himself....he never was good with directions...
With a shrug of his shoulders, he rolls up the gift and places it in his pack, 'perhaps it will be useful at a later time he thinks to himself.' For now, he will simply do his best to stay with the group and hope he doesn't get lost...
As he walks, he can't help but realize that at some later time he will have to return the map to someone so that he/she can update it for him...
[Timor continues to follow along]
KINSON
"Below the pit is the entrance to the dwarven temple. I remember there were many scratches on the floor near the statue. Does it look like the doors to the pit reach the floor? There was also a big axe on the dwarf statue -- I wonder if, when the trap is sprung, the axe swings down on the unfortunate souls that fall through the pit?"
(Can any of this be corroborated from observation Charles?)
Kinson's face saddens for a moment.
"That is also where we were attacked by the specter, and Humphrey died. I don't want to go back there."
Kinson turns and walks south to where the corridor turns west. There he waits for the rest of the party.
DM
The doors of the pit do not reach the floor. here where scratches and brown stains as you remember. You think these could have been caused by creatures and armored humanoids falling through the pit.
TIMOR
At the mention that a person was killed here, Timor takes a moment to grasp the medallion hanging from his neck and says a quiet prayer for the fallen one.
"May Humphrey be guided by Elanna on his journey after this mortal life.."
He looks up and continues with the others, but having heard the word 'specter', he can't help but want to continue holding onto the holy medallion as a means of sanctuary....until now, specters had only been something in stories that priests were sent to rid a place of by
sprinkling holy water and giving blessings...he never personally stood in a place where such an unrested spirit had wandered; come to think of it, he doesn't think he knows of anyone who has faced such a being before...for some reason he has a new found respect for those who are around him (this respect is in addition to the respect he already had, I am by no means implying he didn't have respect for them until now. :)
[Timor says a small prayer for the dead and goes along with the others-quietly hoping he doesn't get lost alone for fear of the specter and for fear of having to figure out how to properly read that confounded map...]
LEGILDUR
Legildur accepts the knight's statement and sympathizes on the loss of friends. He conjectures that adventuring life seems harder on individuals than campaigning with the White Falcons after the loss of so many companions in so short a time.
Legildur turns to the dwarven cleric as Kinson walks away.
"Tell me Saggar, did you destroy the specter that Kinson refers to?"
After Saggar answers, Legildur indicates to the two halflings, with a clenched fist of his right hand with the thumb pointing upright, that they did a good job with the scouting of the corridor. He then points to the two 'scouts' and points for them to move down to the next intersection that has yet to be explored (the 50' long corridor running east-west that lies
80' south of the pit). Legildur holds back the rest of the party while the halflings move off, to allow their natural stealth to 'protect' them, and indicates once again that silence is required.
Once they reach the T-intersection of the unexplored corridor, he signals them to halt and asks, by forming a circle with his thumb and forefinger held against one eye, what can they see in the corridor?
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Ah, what do they see indeed? That, my dear Legildur, as Mr. Kipling would've said, is another story... Or another chapter, if you prefer.