Shavon wakes the group an hour after dawn allowing them ample time to rest, especially those who arrived late.  The group leaves on foot, without mounts, which Shavon explain would get eaten soon anyway and are a liability for this trip.  For three days, Shavon is able to avoid any encounter with hostiles.   Whether this is due to something inherent in Shavon or by skill or just luck is unclear.

On the fourth day he stops at the edge of an overlook.  "Behold, the Cradle of Niaaca."  His hand sweeps around to encompass everything before you.  The Cradle is a valley spread between three mountain ranges forming a rough, rounded triangle of sorts.  In the center of the valley is a giant dome with a ruptured hole at the top.  From here the hole looks tiny, but no doubt up close would be more than a mile across if not more.  Out of the dome a faint mixture of green and blue flows rise up and spread into the atmosphere.

Faint sounds, unknown to any in the group, emanate from the strange trees of the jungle within the valley.

   Aethen surveys the valley with awe.  The massive dome dominates the landscape, dwarfing anything other than the mountains that conceal it from the outside world.  Aethen turns to their guide.

   "Shavon, have you been into this region,"  Aethen asks, waving his hand across the valley before them.  "Or just to its edge?"

[Private to GM: Knowledge Nature on the flora and fauna leading up to this point.  Evidence of significant change/mutation?
00:00, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 24 using 1d20+13. Knowledge: Nature check]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:00, Tue 02 Aug 2011.

Shavon winces as if remembering pain.  "I have been within its fringes and once Torhavich and I went inside the dome.  That was long ago."

[Private to Aethen Ironroot:
The flora and fauna up to the edge of the valley are natural as far as you can tell, but vibrant, healthier and stronger than what you are familiar with in the east.  Life is incredibly powerful here.  At the edge of the valley there is a subtle change.  Nothing stands out, but a flower is a different shade than it should be.  Plants grow intertwined that are natural enemies.  Larger plants almost sway in a rhythm, though there is no wind to speak of.  Xamador is warm and humid like an old growth forest in summer.  The Cradle feels down right damp, saturated with moisture, yet the air has a slight chill to it.  Smells are different too, sweeter with an electric tang to them.  Almost as if the flowers were made of human 'candy'.]

Flynn looks strangely at the man before asking a number of questions, "Just how many did you come with, or was it just the two of you? How long would it take for us to reach that cradle? I'd like not to be caught out there for too many nights from how dangerous it seems to be considered... More importantly, are we seriously going to climb that dome to enter this cradle?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:33, Tue 02 Aug 2011.

Your guide smiles at the flurry of questions then says, "there were three of us."

The Invar stares at the lack of other responses, but does not press further, and instead shakes his head. He pulls out his bow and takes a quiver from his bag and hands it to Danathea. [Private to Dathnaea Searii: "These arrows are of cold iron. If anything that seems to reek of magic attacks, use these first, as they should be more potent. Conserve them if you can... And watch Kahmauls back. I'm going to be busy watching this Shavon character. He seems nice, but there is far too much he's not telling us."]

The thief works his way towards the edge of the forest to get a better idea of what might be in there. He makes sure not to be too far to be out of reach of his allies.

[Private to GM:  13:37, Today: Flynn Darktreader rolled 22 using 1d20+6. listen. 13:37, Today: Flynn Darktreader rolled 11 using 1d20+7. spot. ]

Dathnaea nods, then looks out over the valley.  Shavon seems to be waiting for the group to get a good look before moving on around its edge to Torhavich's.

   Aethen smiles at the exchange.

   "Unless someone requires we wait, let us make the best of our light."

Kahmaul shakes his head, "No-First we decide how to proceed. I think that we should let our Druid allies take the forefront with our esteemed companion. Your skills are at their peak within this ground, and we should rely on it. Shavon has knowledge of this area would be a boon that I'm sure might be beneficial for later exploration and might get you both acquainted with this land. Grondor and I can trail after our forward scouts letting you set out in a triangle formation in front of us." The Anthros sketches out a crude formation in the dirt near them.

   Aethen
                            Danathea
                Kahmaul                Flynn
Shavon                      Veritum
                Grondor                Tyler
                            Genovia
   Adryn                               Arvil


"If we run into trouble, those most vulnerable are guarded, and we have a rear guard that can both protect us and keep an eye at our backs. Remember, Tyler, Flynn, our rear is the most vulnerable position but can be quickly supplimented by both Grondor and myself if need be. The others can use range to support both our fore and our rear."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:21, Thu 04 Aug 2011.

Adryn nods in agreement with Kahmaul. "I don't mind being up front, as my skills at range are fairly lacking."

"I've only had a very small glimpse at what this area will throw at us, but hopefully I will be able to sniff anything out before it gets to us", Adryn says looking out over the expanse of the cradle.

"Great thinking, my friend," Grondor says to Kahmaul.  "Here is what I would suggest though."  He bends down to clear a spot of plants to write in the dirt.



                           Arvil

        Aethen        Genovia
                                      Kahmaul
Shavon     Dathnaea      Vertium
                                      Grondor
        Adryn                Flynn
                   Tyler


"The priests are armored heavily enough to absorb a surprise from the side.  The druids are Anthros and can take some punishment from a frontal assault, barring Shavon kills them all first."  He grins at his assumption when Shavon doesn't deny that possibility.  "Kahmaul and I can take the greatest punishment so surprises from the back, the way we will be facing least, will be absorbed the most.  Flynn and Genovia are in the open line of sight wise but protected between armored members.  That leaves Dathnaea and Vertium in the middle.  If we have to form a line for narrows, we can alternate tougher members with the more...skill-based members with Shavon leading and me holding up the rear."  He looks up from the drawing.  "What do you think?"

   Aethen lazily looks to the dirt hieroglyphs with muted interest.  This was why he wasn't a soldier.  True, it was important, but he didn't have the presence of mind to order how people walked.  Conversely, very little this terrain had to offer would cause him any difficulty.  He mentally made himself remember that the same would not be true for his companions.

   This was their way of creating order from the unknown.  Appreciate their ways.

   "My only thought is that either I or Adryn walk in back as well.  Our "skills", as Kahmaul put it, would do well to encompass the entire party, not just the front."  Aethen pauses, looking to Shavon while speaking aloud.  "If this area is filled with untamed magic, then the dangers posed by unknown predators is much larger.  We can do more good by covering both sides."

Kahmual shakes his head, "If we run into predators, it will at most be a pack, and even with enhanced abilities most would avoid attacking a large group traveling together. I'm more fearful of groups that have a more battle oriented mindset. While we haven't had much in the way of intelligent opposition, we will most assuredly find some. That is the threat I'm most worried for."

   Aethen dips his head.  "It is merely a thought.  I bow to the warrior's wisdom."

"I have no skill in tactics either, but either plan sounds as though it would work to me. As long as we keep an eye on each others back, we should have a fighting chance out there.", Adryn says trying to diffuse the situation.

Flynn points at Grondor's formation, "I like that one. It puts me away from things trying to attack us from the rear... Sorry Kahmaul, you know I don't like to put myself in danger if I can help it."

With the plan laid out and the group pattern determined by the two skilled warriors of the group, Shavon sets off.  His pace is strong, but careful and it is two days before the group is attacked.  The arrangement proves vital as the attack comes from the back.

GM: Roll Listen checks first (or take 10).  For every 5 over DC 15 add +1 to your Initiative Roll.  Then Roll Initiative.

06:38, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 5 using 1d20+2. Initiative.
06:37, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 13 using 1d20+11. Listen.

11:44, Today: Kahmaul Quddus rolled 4 using 1d20+3. Initiative.
11:44, Today: Kahmaul Quddus rolled 17 using 1d20+4. listen.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:07, Sat 06 Aug 2011.

23:39, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 15 using 1d20+5. Initiative (+3).
23:39, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 30 using 1d20+10. Listen.

22:04, Today: Arvil rolled 11 using 1d20+5. listen
22:05, Today: Arvil rolled 20 using 1d20+1. initiative.

Out of the trees a number of swift forms swings down to attack the party.  Only the party's formation and the swift action of the human clerics actually saves the group from total collapse in the first few seconds.

The animals are apelike in general appearance, with simian faces, long powerful arms and legs able to grasp branches for climbing and swinging.  Each is the height of an Invar but with the general bulk of a human [medium].  Their fur appears mottle brown and green allowing them to blend well in the forested canopy.  As they pass through direct sunlight, other colors flash.

Shavon immediately turns and mutters, "arcapes."  He makes some kind of gesture, an elaborate way to point out the coming enemy, but possibly also a spell.  A shimmering fills the general area for a moment then nothing else happens.

Tyler, quick to think, immediately places his hands on Flynn's shoulders.  "Halai, grant this friend of thine a keen eye in the raging battle." [Bless]

[Private to Flynn Darktreader:
You feel a greater clarity of perception as your senses heighten to improve your aim and your melee strikes slightly.  +1 Attack, +1 Saves.]


*Name                 Init   AC/DR     HP/HP    Notes
Shavon                 ??    ??/??     ??/??
Tyler                  24    18/--     30/30
Arvil                  20    16/--     30/30    <----- Initiative
Flynn                  19    17/--     24/24    +1 Atk, Saves

arcape male1           19    ??/--     ??/??
arcape female1         19    ??/--     ??/??
arcape female2         19    ??/--     ??/??
arcape female3         19    ??/--     ??/??
arcape female4         19    ??/--     ??/??
arcape youth1          19    ??/--     ??/??
arcape youth2          19    ??/--     ??/??
arcape youth3          19    ??/--     ??/??

Aethen                 15    13/--     33/33
Dathnaea               15    12/--     18/18
Vertium                13    15/--     15/15
Grondor                13    19/--     84/84
Genovia                 5    18/--     18/18
Adryn                   5    17/--     36/36
Kahmaul                 4(1) 21/--     42/42


[Private to Arvil; Flynn Darktreader:
GM: You have till Monday night to post then I will post for you to keep things moving along.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:16, Mon 08 Aug 2011.

Flynn Arches his bow upwards and fires two quick shots at the creatures above.

[Private to GM:
03:17, Today: Flynn Darktreader rolled 18 using 1d20+4. attack.
03:17, Today: Flynn Darktreader rolled 10 using 1d20+4. attack.
19 and 11 respectively with the bless]

Arvil places his hands together and fire burst from his finger tips hitting 4 of the incoming creatures. Look alive commrads! It's about to get hairy.

09:05, Today: Arvil rolled 6 using 3d4. damage.

Flynn's arrows catch two of the arcapes mid-swing with the hard hitting, short-ranged sheaf arrows.  One slams into a shoulder [youth3 = 5dmg] knocking the creature from the trees.  The second slices into the side of another [female1 = 2dmg], causing it to veer right into Arvil's spell.  As the spray of flame arcs up into the trees, four of the creatures swing straight into its path [female1, female3, youth1, youth2 = 6dmg].  Their fur is singed but does not catch on fire.

Furious, the creatures strike back against the four rear guard members.  Tyler, who has now stepped in front of and to the side of Flynn a pace, leaves the archer an open line-of-sight while taking the brunt of the attack.  Two of those caught in Arvil's spell attack him [female3, youth1], while the other two attack Kahmaul [youth2, female1].  Three attack Grondor [female2, female4, youth3] and one swings down onto Tyler [male1].  Tyler takes a bite on the shoulder just below the neck [6 dmg].  Grondor and Kahmaul each take teeth on their armor but nothing else gets through.  The rest seem so befuddled for some reason, their bites miss entirely.  Perhaps it was Arvil's spell, though fire cannot be that unknown to them considering the settlements near by.


                              y1
                           Arvil f3

        Aethen        Genovia             y2
                                      Kahmaul f1
Shavon     Dathnaea      Vertium             y3
                                      Grondor f4
        Adryn          Flynn             f2
                             Tyler m1
______________________________________________________________________________
*Name                 Init   AC/DR     HP/HP    Notes
Shavon                 ??    ??/??     ??/??
Tyler                  24    18/--     24/30
Arvil                  20    16/--     30/30
Flynn                  19    17/--     24/24    +1 Atk, Saves

arcape male1           19    ??/--     ??/??    attacking Tyler
arcape female1         19    ??/--     -8/??    attacking Kahmaul
arcape female2         19    ??/--     -6/??    attacking Grondor
arcape female3         19    ??/--     ??/??    attacking Arvil
arcape female4         19    ??/--     ??/??    attacking Grondor
arcape youth1          19    ??/--     -6/??    attacking Arvil
arcape youth2          19    ??/--     -6/??    attacking Kahmaul
arcape youth3          19    ??/--     ??/-5    attacking Grondor

Aethen                 15    13/--     33/33    <----- Initiative
Dathnaea               15    12/--     18/18
Vertium                13    15/--     15/15
Grondor                13    19/--     84/84
Genovia                 5    18/--     18/18
Adryn                   5    17/--     36/36
Kahmaul                 4(1) 21/--     42/42

   Aethen is surprised by the ferocity of the attack, but quickly recovers.  Watching their movements, Aethen believes the male to be the impetus behind the arcape actions.  It would make sense, provided they are organized like other creatures.

   Aethen focuses on the male and urges the power out.

   "Focus on the male!  They might break apart if their male is taken down."

OOC:  Cast Faerie Fire on male arcape

Dathnaea, her mind wandering down distant paths, is caught off guard by the attack.  Thankfully those on the outside of the formation had their heads up.  She drew an arrow and knocked as she moved between Aryn and Flynn to get line of sight.  Since the creatures were already on the ground, her movement took her way outside the circle, a fact she did not realize at the moment.  Finally, the male arcape -- a weird word, she thought to herself -- came into her sights and she released.

The arrow bit deep into the side of the creature [male1 = 5dmg], drawing its attention to her.  "Uh, oh."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:39, Tue 09 Aug 2011.

With the cry of battle, Grondor swung his mighty sword into the chest of the female most likely to pass his position and make it to the interior of the group.  The sword removed the female's right arm [female2 = CRIT!!! 18dmg].  Blood sprayed Grondor, and the female went down, grasping its shoulder and howling in pain.

Kahmaul smirks as his hammer forms into his hand from his gauntlet. Turning, he strikes at the nearest of the Arcapes and calls out, "Grondor! Don't let them move past us if we can help it!"


[Private to GM: 14:42, Today: Kahmaul Quddus rolled 14 using 1d20+7. attack. ]

Creatures that travel in packs like this tend to follow their alpha male, so it stood to reason that this assault might fall apart if the alpha male were defeated... or so Adryn thought.

Hoping that their progress into the cradle hasn't corrupted his ability to cast spells, Adryn says a quick prayer if strength and steps forward to engage the male arcape.

OOC: casting Bull's Strength

Genovia watches the battle unfold, angry with herself that she was caught flat footed.  When two of the creatures attack Arvil, she finally brings her bow to bear against one of them, burying an arrow deep in its chest, staggering the arcape.

08:19, Today: Genovia Swiftfoot, rolled 26 using 1d20+6. Attack vs. f3.  CRIT!!!
08:20, Today: Genovia Swiftfoot, rolled 7(x2) using 1d8. dmg vs. f3.

Seeing that his companions have the battle well in hand despite the surprise of the attack, and fearing what he has heard so far concerning magic in this area, Vertium refrains from casting any spells and simply does his best to stay out of the way of the physical combatants.  He examines the progress of the battle, hoping to offer some tactical advice, or even another set of eyes and ears, but so far things are pretty straight forward.

Shavon watches the battle on the other side of the group but does nothing more to aid them.  Whatever he did before has no apparent effect and likely fizzled.  If Shavon is a spell caster, then he, like Vertium, may be hesitant to use his abilities so near the Cradle.

Hearing the command to attack the male[male1], which just happens to be in front of him, Tyler swings his mace.  The weapon connects, surprising the cleric who thought he might have misjudged, and leaves a bloody wound on the creature's arm [4dmg].

08:29, Today: Tyler Darkwatch, rolled 16 using 1d20+2. atk. vs. m1.
08:29, Today: Tyler Darkwatch, rolled 4 using 1d6. dmg vs. m1.

Arvil reaches out and grabs ahold of both arcapes sending a burst of electricity through each one.

13:12, Today: Arvil rolled 8 using 3d6. y1
13:12, Today: Arvil rolled 11 using 3d6. f3
11:53, Today: Arvil rolled 18 using 1d20+3. y1
11:51, Today: Arvil rolled 16 using 1d20+3. f3
This message was last edited by the player at 19:48, Thu 11 Aug 2011.

With a blur of motion, Flynn fired two shots into the male from point blank range.  The arrows bit deep and threw the creature off of Tyler.

Battle stats:
Point Blank Shot (+1 Atk, +1 Dmg)
Rapid Shot (-2 Atk, 2 shots)
Bless (+1 Atk, +1 saves)
09:28, Today: Flynn Darktreader, rolled 15 using 1d20+7. Atk. vs. m1 (Rapid Shot).
09:28, Today: Flynn Darktreader, rolled 20 using 1d20+7. Atk. vs. m1 (Rapid Shot).
09:29, Today: Flynn Darktreader, rolled 4 using 1d8+1. dmg. vs. m1.
09:29, Today: Flynn Darktreader, rolled 6 using 1d8+1. dmg. vs. m1.

The arcapes are stunned by the ferocity of the defense and hesitate a fraction of a moment.  Then from the trees an ear shattering roar blasts the area.  [Roll Fort. saves]  While it assaults the party, the cry emboldens the arcapes who instantly renew their attack.

The male struggles back to his feet and snaps Flynn's arrows off to toss them aside.  Though the youth fails to score a hit, the female connects with a solid blow from a clawed hand [Arvil=8dmg].  In an almost exact copy, the youth attacking Kahmaul missed while the female rakes claws through a chink in the paladin's armor [Kahmaul=5dmg].  One of the females on Grondor also tags the hobgoblin good, though the other two can't get through his armor [Grondor=10dmg].


                              y1
                           Arvil f3

        Aethen        Genovia             y2
                                      Kahmaul f1
Shavon     Dathnaea      Vertium             y3
                                      Grondor f4
        Adryn          Flynn             f2
                             Tyler m1
______________________________________________________________________________
*Name                 Init   AC/DR     HP/HP    Notes
Shavon                 ??    ??/??     ??/??
Tyler                  24    18/--     24/30
Arvil                  20    16/--     22/30
Flynn                  19    17/--     24/24    +1 Atk, Saves

arcape male1           19    ??/--    -21/??    attacking Tyler; faerie fire
arcape female1         19    ??/--     -8/??    attacking Kahmaul
arcape female2         19    ??/--    -24/??    attacking Grondor
arcape female3         19    ??/--    -26/??    attacking Arvil
arcape female4         19    ??/--     ??/??    attacking Grondor
arcape youth1          19    ??/--    -15/??    attacking Arvil
arcape youth2          19    ??/--     -6/??    attacking Kahmaul
arcape youth3          19    ??/--     ??/-5    attacking Grondor

Aethen                 15    13/--     33/33    <----- Initiative
Dathnaea               15    12/--     18/18
Vertium                13    15/--     15/15
Grondor                13    19/--     74/84
Genovia                 5    18/--     18/18
Adryn                   5    17/--     36/36
Kahmaul                 4(1) 21/--     37/42

10:32, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 16 using 1d20+7. Fortitude save.

Pushing through the distraction, Adryn uses his large spear to strike at the male arcape [m1 = 11 dmg] in front of Tyler.

Noticing that Arvil was starting to get battered, Adryn shouts "Aethen, look lively! Arvil may need some help evening the odds over there.".


+2 Atk (Bull's Strength, +4 STR)
22:33, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 20 using 1d20+6. Attack on m1.
22:34, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 11 using 2d6+7. Damage to m1.

This message was last edited by the player at 13:56, Wed 17 Aug 2011.

The roar thunders through Aethen, rocking him to his core.  It reminded him of some unnamed terror from his youth, some kind of amorphous predator that could not be escaped no matter the distance traveled.  It locked him up and froze him in place.  He had covered his ears in response, but the emanation continued to throb deep in his head.

12:10, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 10 using 1d20+6. Fort. Save.

Well this should be interesting. Arvil says as he ponders the noise that has given the arcapes a shot of confidence. Then a ray of fire shoots forth from his hand at the female arcape that clawed him.


22:41, Today: Arvil rolled 21 using 1d20+4. fortitude save
cast scorching ray
07:24, Today: Arvil rolled 9 using 1d20+3
07:33, Today: Arvil rolled 10 using 4d6. damage
This message was last edited by the player at 12:37, Wed 17 Aug 2011.

The roar that seems to overwhelm some of the party is ignored by the holy warrior, but the effects on his companions make the Anthros aware that the tide may be turned, but his god's favor seem to have spared him the same. Thank the gods for that... I'll have to keep the others safe until they can shake this off.

With a mighty roar Kahmaul shouts, "Stand fast! Any of you who can, watch the backs of anyone shaken by that unnatural shout!" The warrior lifts his hammer and strikes again at the Archape in front of him.

Hearing the bellow, Dathnaea's lips purse in deep thought.  She does take the time to shoot at the male arcape [2 dmg].

The bellow is ear shattering, but the wizard is able to shrug off the effects, just barely.  Vertium weaves his hands in a complicated gesture attempting a weaker spell in case the nearness to the Cradle forces it to go awry.  With bated breath he releases two small arcane missiles at the male arcape.

OOC: 15 Fort Save, 2 dmg, 2 dmg magic missiles
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:17, Wed 17 Aug 2011.

Barely noticing the roar from the trees, Grondor swings his mighty sword and cleaves one female in two [f2 = 12dmg].  The momentum from the small victory gives him enough of a boost for a second attack, and the youth next to him takes a nasty slice as well. [y3 = 7dmg]

Genovia covers her ears and drops to her knees as the angry bellow nearly deafens her.

OOC:  Fortitude save = 9

Shavon does not seem affected by the bellow.  He does not attack, but does move to help Genovia.  As Vertium's missiles strike the hide of the male arcape, they reflect back through the group toward Dathnaea.  Shavon speaks something unintelligible and a dome-like shield appears over Dathnaea, absorbing the missiles.

Tyler cringes and covers his ears as best he can while defending against the arcape attacks against him.

OOC: Fortitude Save = 13

With focused concentration on the target, the Invar rogue ignores the bellow.  Two more arrows fly from Flynn's bow, but the constant motion of combat is enough that one misses.  The other sticks into the male arcape's leg [m1 = 3dmg].

[Private to GM:
23:09, Today: Flynn Darktreader, rolled 17 using 1d20+3. Fortitude Save.
23:08, Today: Flynn Darktreader, rolled 23 using 1d20+7. atk. vs. m1.
23:08, Today: Flynn Darktreader, rolled 8 using 1d20+7. atk. vs. m1.
23:09, Today: Flynn Darktreader, rolled 3 using 1d8+1. dmg. vs. m1.
]

As the male ape collapses, dead by Flynn's arrow, the rest of the arcapes surge with renewed strength instead of cowering in fear.  It is likely that the arcapes are bolstered by the bellow.

Arvil: The young arcape and female on Arvil goes full out with its attacks, lashing out with both claws and attempting to bite.  The youth scrapes a claw across the cleric's armor, but the other finds flesh and its teeth sink into the somewhat unprotected area between shoulder and neck [y1= 14dmg].  The female connects with a claw and a bite as well, though not in such a critical area [f3 = 12dmg].  Arvil falls to the ground under the onslaught and does not look like he is fighting back!

Kahmaul: Neither of the simians is able to get close enough to even hit the experienced warrior, much less get through his armor.  Kahmaul sustains no damage.

Grondor:  Two arcapes score a claw attack each against the hobgoblin [f4= 5dmg; f2 = 9dmg]

From out of the trees lumbers a large arcape the size and weight of Kahmaul in full armor.  It sees the dead male and charges Tyler, the closest to the downed male.  Tyler, concerned for Arvil, is already moving perpendicular to the big ape [a1], and so it charges past and skids to a stop right in front of Dathnaea who stares up from below its heaving chest.


                              y1
                           Arvil f3
                           Tyler
        Aethen        Genovia             y2
                                      Kahmaul f1
Shavon                   Vertium             y3
                                      Grondor f4
                       Flynn     Adryn   f2
                                   m1
            Dathnaeaa1
______________________________________________________________________________
*Name                 Init   AC/DR     HP/HP    Notes
Shavon                 ??    ??/??     ??/??
Tyler                  24    18/--     24/30
Arvil                  20    16/--     -4/30    SWOON!!!
Flynn                  19    17/--     24/24    +1 Atk, Saves

arcape male1           19    15/--     -1/36    SWOON; faerie fire
arcape female1         19    15/--     28/36    attacking Kahmaul
arcape female2         19    15/--      0/36    SWOON
arcape female3         19    15/--     10/36    attacking Arvil
arcape female4         19    15/--     36/36    attacking Grondor
arcape youth1          19    15/--     21/36    attacking Arvil
arcape youth2          19    15/--     30/36    attacking Kahmaul
arcape youth3          19    15/--     24/36    attacking Grondor

large arcape(a1)       18    ??/--     ??/??

Aethen                 15    13/--     33/33    <----- Initiative
Dathnaea               15    12/--     18/18
Vertium                13    15/--     15/15
Grondor                13    19/--     60/84
Genovia                 5    18/--     18/18
Adryn                   5    17/--     36/36
Kahmaul                 4(1) 21/--     37/42

   The new arcape is a massive specimen, compared with the previous.  Aethen sees the cleric fall to the ground and instantly realizes what had happened.  Knowing that he has to move quickly, Aethen moves toward the downed companion.  Quickly summoning one of Addiyr's blessings, he lays his hands on the cleric, stabilizing his wounds.


06:57, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 8 using 1d8+3. Cure Light Wounds

[Private to GM: I just looked to see if I was close enough to need this.  I will re-edit if I am, because I failed.  06:53, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 11 using 1d20+9. Combat Casting.]

Vertium took his time to examine his surroundings once more, hoping to target a tree or another part of the landscape with another pair of magic missiles in the attempt to both wound and distract the group's opponents.

Seeing Dathnaea's precarious situation, Adryn charges at the large arcape with his spear leading the way.

Charge: +2 atk, -2 AC
11:28, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 13 using 1d20+8. Charge attack.

Dathnaea overcomes her shock and dives back into the midst of the group for protection.  She rolls to her feet and faces the massive creature, fearing that it followed.

Hearing Dathnaea remove herself from danger, Grondor returns concentration to the foes before him.  His sword blazes up in fury to match the hobgoblin's own at the fall of Arvil.  The female arcape in front of him takes two severe wounds across her torso.  Blood sprays and fur catches fire for a moment.  [f4=15dmg; 8dmg]  The female is stunned by the ferocity of the attack. [Failed Fort, dazed next round]

Knowing the dire need to free up at least one of the two main fighters in the group, Genovia unloads two shots on the youth next to Grondor.  [y3=8dmg; 5dmg]

Seeing Arvil fall, Kahmaul takes a mighty swing at the youth to his left.  His hammer decimates the arcape and sends it flying into the trees [y2 = 14dmg; knockback = 70']

OOC:
21:09, Today: Kahmaul Quddus, rolled 15 using 1d20+6. atk. vs. y2.
21:10, Today: Kahmaul Quddus, rolled 14 using 1d8+6. dmg. vs. y2.

With great speed, Shavon moves across the battlefield to Arvil's side.  He engages the young arcape there, drawing its attention, but does little damage with his unarmed fists.  [y1=1dmg].  He is skilled enough in unarmed combat that the creature does not gain an advantage over him. (GM:  Unarmed combat generally provokes an AoO.  Shavon is skilled enough that he does not provoke that attack.)

Tyler sees Aethen tending to Arvil's wounds and chooses to engage the female standing over them instead of trying more healing.  He bull rushes the animal, bowling it over and knocking it several feet back.  [f3=6dmg, knockback = 30']

Arvil regains his composure and gets back on his feet. Amazed at how quickly he was overcome he begins healing his wounds and surveying the battle to see how his comrades are fairing.
Thanks for covering me. These things are stronger than I thought.

Casting: Cure Moderate Wounds
21:38, Today: Arvil rolled 13 using 2d8+3. cure wounds.

Flynn continues to fire with such speed that his second arrow flies awkwardly into the trees. His first arrow has much more luck-finding its mark in another archape.



[Private to GM: 20:44, Today: Flynn Darktreader rolled 5 using 1d8+2. damage.
20:44, Today: Flynn Darktreader rolled 7 using 1d20+1. attack 2.
20:43, Today: Flynn Darktreader rolled 10 using 1d20+1. crit confirmation.
20:43, Today: Flynn Darktreader rolled 21 using 1d20+1. attack.  ]

Adryn:  As Adryn charges the large arcape, it takes a swipe at him [AoO]...missing completely.

The massive arcape looks around and sees half its family dead or dying.  It bellows again [Fort saves vs. DC 14] and the remaining arcapes scamper for the trees.  Their leader does the same heading south. [GM:  Ranged attacks below the arcapes in the list get one additional shot at their fleeing backs if you so choose.]


______________________________________________________________________________
*Name                 Init   AC/DR     HP/HP    Notes
Shavon                 ??    ??/??     ??/??
Tyler                  24    18/--     24/30
Arvil                  20    16/--     19/30
Flynn                  19    17/--     24/24    +1 Atk, Saves

arcape male1           19    15/--     -2/36    SWOON; faerie fire
arcape female1         19    15/--     28/36    Fleeing!
arcape female2         19    15/--      0/36    SWOON
arcape female3         19    15/--      4/36    knocked back 30'; Fleeing!
arcape female4         19    15/--     11/36    dazed; Fleeing!
arcape youth1          19    15/--     19/36    Fleeing!
arcape youth2          19    15/--     15/36    knocked back 70'; Fleeing!
arcape youth3          19    15/--      0/36    SWOON

large arcape(a1)       18    ??/--     ??/??    Fleeing!

Aethen                 15    13/--     33/33    <----- Initiative
Dathnaea               15    12/--     18/18
Vertium                13    15/--     15/15
Grondor                13    19/--     60/84
Genovia                 5    18/--     18/18
Adryn                   5    17/--     36/36
Kahmaul                 4(1) 21/--     37/42


[Private to Vertium Thrusius:
You see nothing of immediate use that would not also run a significant risk of harming your companions.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:22, Thu 25 Aug 2011.

The bellow from the massive arcape is anticipated this time, Aethen managing to cover his ears as the sound rolls through the battlefield.

As the arcapes turn and run for cover, Aethen realizes that the conflict is over.

Looking over his companions, Aethen is relieved to see that only Arvil had suffered any serious injury.  Turning his gaze, he scans the fallen arcapes, moving toward them to look at their injuries.

21:36, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 18 using 1d20+6. Fort. Save.

21:39, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 26 using 1d20+7. Fort Save.

Now familiar with some of the large arcapes tactics, the beasts howl has no effect on him. Responding to the arcapes sonic attack, Adryn stikes back [with his own AoO] as it turns to run.

21:48, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 19 using 1d20+6. AoO on large arcape.
21:48, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 17 using 2d6+7. damage.

Realizing the creatures are attempting to flee, Adryn begins backing up towards the rest of the party... scanning the tree line just in case the arcapes have a change of heart.

Relieved that the battle is over, Dathnaea goes over to Arvil to see if he is okay.

Grondor keeps his sword ablaze, wary for a resurgence.

Unwilling to kill needlessly, Genovia holds her fire.

   Aethen approaches the downed arcapes one by one.  Looking at each, he takes his time to examine their wounds.

22:16, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 18 using 1d20+12. Heal.

   Seeing that both females are unconscious but not dying, Aethen moves to the male.  Upon beginning his examinations again, he sees that the male was not so lucky.  Quickly staunching the blood loss, Aethen stabilizes the male arcape.

"You waste time, druid.  They will only attack again."

   Aethen looks to Shavon.  "Not in this condition, not any time soon."  He continues to treat the male's injuries as he speaks.  "This one would topple from a single arrow, were it to try anything.  Same for the females."

Arvil continues to heal himself while keeping an eye on the trees to see if the arcapes would try another attack.

Arvil rolled 8 using 2d8+3. cure wounds

"What were those things?" Dathnaea asks, panting a bit from the excitement of the battle.  She moves to Arvil and, with delicate fingers, began to help with the wounds.

"They are called arcapes..." Shavon continues to describe the animals as the party heals and regroups to continue on.

GM: Please see "beastiary" thread for Shavon's description and a general idea of what they can do.  When I add new creatures to it, I will remove it from player view until you figure out the next one.  If someone would like to create a player version of the bestiary, you are welcome to do so, though I would prefer it be some kind of IC thread.

"If everyone is healed enough to travel, we should push on and find shelter.  We can finish patching up there.  It's not the best idea to remain here in the territory of those apes."  The hobgoblin looks the group over and sees none in dire shape so he looks to Shavon to lead the way.

Just before nightfall, Shavon leads the group to a series of shallow caves.  The largest is enough to handle the entire group without stacking everyone like logs to sleep.  The healers manage enough heal spells to get the group back to full capacity before nightly meditations.

In the night, those within the camp, whether keeping watch or already asleep, hear a simply melody waft through the cave and into the night like the campfire's smoke.

"Power of the stars,
Gentle warm and kind,
Sooth the aching hurts,
Calm the raging mind.

Restore the balance lost,
Grant sleep to all who need,
Softly shelter us,
And in the morning lead,

Lead us back home."

It calms and provides rest so that all anxieties are subdued and in the morning all wake refreshed and eager for the adventures ahead.

Adryn wakes in the morning feeling surprisingly energized.  As he prepares his morning meal, he finds himself humming the strange melody from the night before. It seems to put him at ease... it also rekindles his desire to reach out and connect more with the humans.

After eating his breakfast, he lumbers over to Genovia. "Perhaps in the midst of all these unpleasant attacks, we could take the time to practice each other languages. It might just help keep civility while in these savage wilds."

"Eff yew arr sthil interested.", attempting not to muddle the human language.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:10, Sun 28 Aug 2011.

Genovia gives the Anthros a pleased smile.  "I would be happy to."  As she speaks, she uses her hands and face to indicate or exaggerate her words.

Vertium listened to the conversation that was begining to unfold. After a moment's though he decided that he approved of the idea. It would make things easier if the group could communicate more freely and would improve their odds of survival during future ambushes. There was little left for him to study in his magic book right now anyway. "I would be happy to help as I know both languages."

Encouraged that more people were joining in the cultural exchange, Adryn smiles. "Absolutely. The more the merrier, right?"

"Aye am shur the practic will pae off..."

"Eventually."

Another week passes as Shavon leads the group around the edge of the Cradle.  On the day he begins to angle away from it, the group stops for camp in a leafy copse of trees that has such a thick canopy that the constant rain is unable to penetrate.  It's a large enough copse for the group to spread out comfortably.

For all the dangers Shavon has expressed about the Cradle, the trip has proven to be rather uneventful.  The arcapes have not appeared again even to scout the group.

GM: Please roll 3 Listen checks.  You may not take 10 or 20 as this is a passive roll.

Not long after most in the group had drifted off to sleep, they are wakened by a series of blinking lights up in the canopy and a soft chittering sound.  Shavon, who was on guard at the time, did not attempt to wake anyone and is not even looking at the lights.  They descend and coalesce into tiny animals the size of a squirrel.  It is difficult to tell if they are reptile, mammal, or bird as they appear to have aspects of all three.  A hard ridge of leather bumps runs along the back of the creature all the way down a very long reptilian tail.  Some of the creatures use that tail and their tiny claws to hold on to tree branches.  Their bodies are covered in a soft, luminescent fur (or possibly tiny feathers?) that change colors in waves.  These colors run the gamut of the visible spectrum, but they are subdued in their brightness and pleasant to watch.  The fur on their backs and bellies fades into tiny feathers on a fold-able membrane between the fore and hind legs.  The membrane stretches out on a thin skeletal frame to five times the width of the creature's torso forming true wings.  Each creature sustains flight, up and down as well as in every cardinal direction, and flaps the wings much like birds flitting about the forest.  Complimenting the beautiful, peaceful color show is the soft cooing and chittering of the creatures' song.

Captivated by the appearance of the colorful little creatures, Adryn spins around to take it all in.

As engaging as they are, his senses are far from dulled as he picks up some strange sounds around them.

21:38, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 26 using 1d20+12. Listen check.
21:38, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 31 using 1d20+12. Listen check.
21:38, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 20 using 1d20+12. Listen check.

   Aethen awakes to the sound of the creatures, unaware of the source at first.  The source of the lights is quickly determined, from the scintillating lights, and Aethen stands up.

"Shavon....."  Aethen looks to their guide.  "Shavon!"

Not receiving an immediate reply, Aethen turns to speak to the small creatures, hoping the charm works.  "What is your purpose here, small ones?

22:04, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 30 using 1d20+10. listen.
22:03, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 17 using 1d20+10. listen.
22:03, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 13 using 1d20+10. Listen.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:15, Tue 30 Aug 2011.

"Play!" says one.

"Eat!" says another and snaps up a bug it'd been chasing.

"Fly!" several others chime in.

Vertium also found the creatures fascinating. It seemed that they had been highly tainted by Niaaca's magic and yet the wizard couldn't quite decide whether that was a bad thing. No, it wasn't, they were now a part of nature just as much as any other creature and so far, they didn't seem to be posing a threat. Though the mage made sure to keep his gear close-by in case the creatures decided to run off with it.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:31, Tue 30 Aug 2011.

"They are called luminaunts, one of the few products of the Cradle that are not automatically aggressive.  They're smart, but eat three times their body weight in food daily to maintain that glow."  Shavon dismisses the creature with his tone and never turns to look at them.

[Private to Adryn Longmane: You've heard something faint, as if in the distance, but large moving along side the group for the last four days.]

[Private to Aethen Ironroot: You've heard something faint, as if in the distance, but large moving along side the group the last couple of days.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:22, Wed 31 Aug 2011.

   Aethen smiles at Shavon's answer.  "So I take it the sound they are making is not what has been with us these last few days."

   He turns to the luminaunts.  "Good hunting little ones, may Addiyr guide your path."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:50, Thu 01 Sept 2011.

Kahmaul rises with the others and watches the glowing creatures. They are more alien than even the Arcapes the group ran into. He asks Shavon, "These creatures... To eat so much they must either hunt all day, eat the dead, or catch their prey unawares... Should we allow them to stay so close unchecked? They seem friendly enough but I am not one for appearances."

He wonders what he would do if the creatures turned sour-they were barely big enough to warrant any aggression, and likely would just be attracted to that sort of movement, and summon more. This land is certainly not like the dark woods I'm used to... Its far to alien for my tastes.

Adryn closes his eyes, and after a brief moment of concentration chimes into the conversation.

OOC: Casting 'Detect Animals & Plants'

"I sensed the same thing you have Aethen, and the creature shadowing us appears to be just as unnatural as the rest of the creatures we've met out here. Whatever it is, it seems to be fairly large... we had best be more cautious until this thing decides to show itself."

"Unless of course we try to turn the table and seek it out directly."

   "I believe it would be wise to not traipse into this creature's path intentionally.  It is the master of this environment, putting us at a disadvantage."  Aethen says as he places a bit of food on his palm in an attempt to lure a luminaunt into alighting there.

   Aethen pauses, thoughtfully, in his endeavor and shakes his head briefly, as if to knock something loose.  "Too much time among warriors."  He smiles and then returns to his lure.

One of the luminaunts wings over to Aethen and snatches up the morsel of food.  It's movements are a blur and almost seem as if the creature snatched the food before it was above Aethen's hand and in reach of the food!

"Your concern is unwarranted, Kahmaul.  As I said, they are not aggressive.  Just don't attack one of them.  They are omnivorous, but subsist mainly on plants and bugs.  They are the reason you have not been pestered by any insects these past few nights.  As Aethen has proved, they will eat meat, but they do not hunt often for it.  Nothing larger than rodents, anyway.  In fact, if you can manage to tame one, they make great house pets because they keep even larger houses free from all manner of pests."  Shavon never turns from his watch out into the deep of the jungle trees.

There is something following us? Where? What is it? And by the way these birds are kool!

Grondor looks at Arvil like he thinks the cleric has had too much booze.  "They feel rather warm to me."

Attempting to describe the sounds he has heard over the past couple days, Adryn directs a question to their guide.

"Shavon, you seem to have a rather deep knowledge of what lives out here. Do you have any idea what might be following us?"

Waiting patiently for a response, Adryn reaches into his pack and pulls out a few bits of fruit and some berries. He raises his hand aloft as a gesture of kindness to their luminous visitors.

"No idea," Shavon replies.

The luminaunts love the berries and gobble them up.  A couple snuggle into Adryn's fur on his shoulders and around his neck as they eat the provender.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:07, Sat 03 Sept 2011.

Adryn smiles at the luminaunts playful nature. He moves his hand up slowly to pet one...

[Private to GM: Not sure if this matters, but I rolled a handle animal in case its needed to touch the critters (Horrible roll btw).
11:17, Today: Secret Roll: Adryn Longmane rolled 14 using 1d20+11. Possible handle animal roll.]

Using the amulet, Adryn speakis to the luminaunts resting on his shoulder. "You little guys didn't happen to notice anything following us, did you?"

The luminaunt recoils at first, but the food has soothed him enough (you are sure its a he) that he lets you pet him.  Apparently they are easy.  It purrs a happy sound that almost sounds like its trying to talk back.

[Private to Adryn Longmane; Aethen Ironroot: "Glory shadows you."]

   "Glory, ey?"  Aethen muses to himself as he attempts to lure the luminant attention away from Adryn with bits of dinner, chuckling as the contest of stomachs commences.

   "Shavon, does a creature called Glory sound familiar?  In their words, "Glory shadows you"."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:02, Sun 04 Sept 2011.

"I heard him.  I know of no beasts or aberrations called that."

[Private to Aethen Ironroot: Roll sense motive.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:16, Sun 04 Sept 2011.

   "Curious.  But then, perhaps our friends vocabulary is limited."  Aethen replies to Shavon, glancing sideways.

[Private to GM: 01:27, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 20 using 1d20+6. Sense Motive.]

Grondor scratched his overly large nose and looked around at the group.  "The flying lizards are pretty.   I'm going to sleep now."  True to his word he rolled over in his pallet and soon snored softly.

Adryn smiles at their little game of appetite tug of war. Seeing how well the last offering worked, he pulls out a few more bits of fruits and berries.

"Can you tell me more about what is shadowing us? What manner of creature is Glory? "

"Glory big.  Eat much food.  Like us/not like us."  It is difficult to understand the last statement.  Grammar for these creatures is complicated.  He might be refering to their comparable sizes, apetites, or general nature.  Either way it sounds like the luminaunt is both affirming and negating the same premise.

"Hmm, very cryptic."

 "Was Glory like you once, a luminaunt?"

Turning to Aethen, he asks "What do you think, brother? Could it be that maybe 'Glory' was a creature much like the rest of these luminaunts, but due to the corruption of the cradle... it be has become something else? The effects of the cradle seem to be unpredictable at best, perhaps it made this 'Glory' bigger and meaner."

   Aethen looks up from their tug-of-war.  "Perhaps brother."

   He turns to Shavon again.  "Beast or abheration aside, what do you know of our large, mostly silent shadow?"

Anyone have any idea what direction and how far back this creature is?

"I sensed it too, a while back, but I haven't heard it in a couple of nights."

Shavon finally turns to the group and his look sends shivers down the spines of several.  "Not every legend is myth and not every myth is fantasy.  We should face no more troubles before reaching Torhavich's home.  You should all get some sleep.  The road before us is still long."

"As best as I can tell, it's following along side of us at a fair distance away.  I can't get a clear read just from sound, though.  The trees tend to cause echoes and diffuse direction the farther things get.  If I had to say, it tends to move in a half circle behind us, almost like its protecting our back..."  Aryn trailed off as the implications began to coalesce somewhat in his mind.

[Private to GM: Has Adryn been able to determine which direct the creature was? If so, feel free to update my post with any sort of directional info.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:24, Mon 05 Sept 2011.

Genovia, who had been watching the luminaunts in wonder, ignored Shavon's powerful voice.  For most of her life she had hunted the wilds near her home, bringing in game to sell in the city.  Never had she seen such beauty quite like this before.  It ignited in her a desire to travel and see the rest of the world like no other time in her life.

As one of the luminaunts glided near, she held out a morsel, smiling in delight as the creature perched on her arm and gobbled up the bit.  When it looked at her, questing for more, she gladly obliged, laughing for the first time in months.

   Shavon's tone instantly registers with Aethen, causing hairs to bristle.  Aethen thinks for a moment on Shavon's verbal dance.

   "I can imagine that an area suffused with such power," he points toward the direction of the obscured dome and the plume of power spewing from it, "is a haven for all manner of creatures, if not their birthplace.  After all, we seek a being called the "guardian of life"."

   He was going to continue the conversation, but stopped as he heard the trill of laughter coming from the most unlikely of sources.  The human female was enraptured by a luminaunt, much like most of them were, and a smile had broken the harsh facade that she usually wore.  The picturesque nature of the glow from their new-found hungry companions surrounding such a natural display of joy made Aethen stop and simply watch.

   They would find what they sought.  Questions were being danced around, and lead nowhere.  Aethen smiled at the luminaunt he had kept occupied with food, and let the conversation slip by as he enjoyed the moment.  Tomorrow would come soon enough.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:29, Mon 05 Sept 2011.

Flynn seems fascinated with the creatures, going so far as to take out a sheet and begin sketching them surrounding the others. He doesn't offer any food-his hands moving busily enough but the thief seems almost as amused as his companions.

Pulling the last few morsels of food for the luminaunts, Adryn gentle scratches the fur on its belly and speaks with them one last time before turning in for the night.

"Is Glory hunting us or watching over us?"

"Glory watches you."  Sensing Adryn has no more food, the luminaunt darts off to join his friends.

Vertium listened and observed taking everything in silently. Shavon's preconception about the corruption of the cradle may simply be a prejudice based on his own beliefs. The man was as unreadable as ever. Well, he was simply another mystery to explore on the path to truth. For now, observation seemed to be the best path to wisdom. With time, the truth would reveal itself. In the meantime, the mage would simply have to show patience.

 Kahmaul wonders how the conversation with the pixie-like luminauts had gone thus far. If they can manage to make erstez spies to watch their backs it might be truly benificial. He smiles inwardly, glad to see his druidic allies were able to warm up so quickly to them. He asks, "Care to convince them to watch over our passage for treats? If they can give a warning in case of another arcape attack."

Soon the group settles down for a peaceful sleep under the soft lights of the luminaunts.  On the morrow, the journey continues in earnest.  For more than a week the luminaunts follow the group, eating what tidbits are proffered and conversing with the druids about the land.  They assure the group that 'Glory still watches' but there are no other major encounters along the way.

Two days after the luminaunts leave, there is a pitiful mewling sound from off to the side.  The druids investigate to find a strange creature that is likely a product of the Cradle now far behind.  It resembles a capuchin, one of the monkey creatures from Midrath Koar.  However, this one has two heads.  Orange fur is matted with dark red blood dried and almost black.  With a quick application of healing spells, Aethen is able to restore the creature to life.  However, when the capuchin wakes up and sees the massive Anthros, it screams in terror and darts through the group.  There it manages to get tangled in Vertium's cloak and trip the Invar wizard.  Laughing softly, Vertium manages to calm the capuchin and feeds it.  From then on, the creature never leaves his side and a bond is formed.  (Eventually the capuchin even comes to like the druids as well.)  [Private to Vertium Thrusius: Please select a name for your capuchin.]

Three weeks after leaving the Cradle behind, the group begins to hear the sounds and smell the salt of the ocean.  They have reached the other side of the smaller continent.  Three days later, they stand overlooking enormous cliffs that rise more than a mile above the water below.  Carved into the side of the cliffs about half way up is a regal castle with pillars and grand carvings of mythical creatures.  The entrance is wide enough to permit the largest of land creatures entrance looking dwarfed by the stone structure.

"Icthalisstyss dor commeitrian, toliss Golrise’aal-Torhavich’thameon.  Mundiar casstell'rey bo sciuda.  Welcome to Torhavich's Home."  Shavon looks out over the cliff standing at its edge and breaths the sea air deeply.  He smiles for the first time since leaving Qorlander Bay, perhaps since the group had met him.

   Aethen is in awe, the glory of the vista creating a powerful image that he will not soon forget.  However, his eyes gaze over the water and the events of their crossing come flooding back.  He represses a shiver as he turns his eyes back to dry land.

Kahmaul stares out towards the archway they stand before, awed by the ornate stone relief carvings of monsters and beasts, wondering whom could have completed the building. The Anthros inspects them for a while before following Shavon to the cliff side before saying, "Well, comrade, we have made it to Thit's home. Now what is your plan. You have kept us in the dark long enough. What within this Cradle is it that we seek?"

The passing weeks during their travel through the cradle, Adryn has made great progress in his cultural expansion. The basics of the human language seem to feel less awkward to him, but certain expressions and figures of speech leave him at a loss.

"An impressive sight, for sure.", Adryn says as he takes in his surroundings.
[Private to GM: When he reaches a new level, Adryn is going to dedicate 2 skill points to learning Human]

"With any luck, we will find more answers than questions this time.", he says to his companions.

Arvil is impressed with the scenes before him. Well let's either go cliff diving or inside to get some answers.

   Aethen gives a sidelong glance to the ever-eager cleric as he walks by.  His behavior was so different from clerics of his kind.  Humans were, however, a much busier race, almost frantic in comparison to Anthros.

   Aethen stops next to Shavon, looking forward.  "Interesting language, I've not heard its like."  He smiles as he looks on the distant castle.  "I should have known from your house that your...associates would have the same kind of subtlety."

Dathnaea stares in wonder at the vista.  She takes a deep breath as if to breathe in the entire scene and store it within her heart for ever.  At the suggestion to keep moving and go inside, she smiles and looks eager to learn more.

Shavon leads the group down a narrow, hidden switchback that takes the group right up to the grand entrance.  The path is wide enough for one comfortably and there is even a bit of a natural hand rail on the ocean side to prevent one from falling.

Once at the entrance, the group is treated to a view of the main interior.   The palace is open and well lit by the day even at noon time.  Grand pillars have been carved perfectly from the crystalline stone and rise ten stories to the ceiling.  Other rooms branch from the main, all with equally high ceilings and wide spaces.  At the end of the grand hall, a sweeping stairway descends into the depths of the earth, lit by magical lights of gold.  Each step is more than ten feet wide but only a few inches tall.  On either side, a large stairwell ascends in more regular proportions.

A strange grating rasp comes from below but fades away.  In its place, a creature much like Shavon strides up the main stairway.  He has soft, tanned skin and dark yellow hair flowing to his waist.  His eyes are a rich brown and from any standard, this creature is beautiful (though not necessarily attractive).

"Welcome to my home.  I am Torhavich."  Torhavich's voice has the same rich, compelling tone as Shavon's, though he speaks in the Anthros main tongue.

"Daiythturoniss, Golrise’aal-Torhavich’thameon."  Shavon says and bows very low at the waist.

"Daiythturoniss, Nedthweyn'aal-Shavonrill'thameon."  Torhavich replies.  "Well met, indeed, cousin."

Torhavich looks to the rest of the group, waiting for them to introduce themselves.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:02, Tue 13 Sept 2011.

Aware of his lack of grace in formal situations, Adryn breathes a near audible sigh of relief when he sees Shavon greet their host.

"I am Adryn Longmane." Following Shavon's lead, Adryn bows deeply before Torhavich.

"Thank you for inviting us to your lovely home."

Grondor makes a perfunctory bow, less awed now by the grandeur and more wary at the alien nature of their host.  "Grondor Swordstorm, Unbular Hobgoblin, Mercenary Weaponsmaster."

Completely awed by the castle and the exotic beauty of their host, Genovia bows deeply, arm over her chest.  "Genovia Swiftfoot of the humans.  It is an honor to meet you, my lord."

"A pleasure, Lord Torhavich.  I am Tyler Darkwatch, a servant of Halai and healer.  I am also of Genovia's home town."  The cleric bows as one befitting his position serving a higher power but recognizing a mortal of substantial power as well.

"Daiythturoniss, Golrise’aal-Torhavich’thameon.  Well met and a pleasure.  I am Dathnaea Searii of the humans.  Most consider me a jack of all trades."  She bows low with a bit of flair, keeping an eye out for Torhavich's reaction to her words.

"Well met, Dathnaea Ssearii.  Your pronunciation is flawlesss."  He smiles a genuine smile that registers as admiration and joy at Dathnaea's use of his language.  His own human speak is understandable, but caries an exotic accent to it.

   Careful to watch how their host behaved and responded to the others, Aethen steps forward and bows in the custom of his people.

   "Addiyr guide your path.  I am Aethen, of the Ironroot."

   Believing he had exercised enough courtly mannerisms for this encounter, he straightens and waits to see what happens.  He makes a special effort to listen in on the language that Shavon and, apparently, Dathnaea were speaking.

Howdy Torhavich. Good to meet you! Arvil says respectfully. Then nods his head when Torhavich looks his way.

Stepping back from the rest of the group for a moment, Adryn whispers to Arvil.

"Are you feeling alright, Arvil? You've been acting a bit peculiar ever since our run in with the Arcapes."

With a smile Arvil whispers back to Adryn I feel great! Kind of a renewed sense of life.

The Large Anthros Warrior bows deeply and speaks softly, "I am Kahmaul Quddus. May your roots run deep."

Torhavich turns to the two Invar who have yet to make their greeting.  His smile remains pleasant with no sense of impatience whatsoever.

When the two Invar give their greetings, each in their own manner, Torhavich leads the group up the stairs to the left side.  At the top there is a grand banquet hall with tables for hundreds to sit.  Torhavich leads the group over to a smaller table, relatively speaking, where he bids the group sit.  There are basins for washing hands and faces against the wall, towels to dry (enchanted to take more water than normal), and even perfume spritz for those so inclined.

The table itself is set with light fare.  Salads, fruits, nuts, breads, sliced meats and sweet meats for putting on crackers all fill bowls or serving trays up and down the ornate wooden table.  The wood is some kind of off-white, polished and reflecting the gold light of wizard globes scattered throughout the hall.

Water, crisp and clean as if from a mountain snow runoff fills crystal goblets at every seat.  Wines, milks, teas, or other major type of drinks are available upon request.  Like Shavon's home, Torhavich's table is served by unseen servants.  Torhavich waits for his guests to be seated before sitting at the head of the table.  Shavon will take the other end.  Both seats are somewhat more ostentatious than the rest.  There are four empty spaces left if everyone in the group decides to sit.

   Aethen partook in all the offerings, even sniffing at the perfume before putting it down with a disgusted scrunch of his nose.  The atmosphere was grand and lavish, the decoration ornate, yet not another soul in this vast castle could be seen, save Torhavich.

   The introduction to their host had been a fairly formal affair, with all the trappings of royalty or nobility.  Even now, as they sat at such a feast, there was an air of expectation as to their hosts desire.  Aethen was put off by it, but sat and held his attitude in check while all the rites of this solitary king were observed.

Adryn approaches the 'small' table and stops for a moment. His eyes pan over the array of snacks and hors d'oeuvres, and then to the vanity area. Trepidation gets the better of him, and rather than embarrass himself (as he most surely would), he takes a seat at the table across from Aethen.

Where Adryn is from, feasts and elaborate settings such as this only occur for great celebrations or before great battles (where most aren't expected to return). Unaware of any reason for a great celebration, his thoughts and imagination start to get the best of him.

Adryn serves himself a few of the fruits, nuts, and sliced meats in an attempt to sidetrack his thoughts and set his belly at ease.

Arvil washes up, then sits at the table and enjoys the meal. He is anxious to find out more about the next leg of their journey and get started.

Grondor, with more manners than one might expect of a common soldier, eats with relish and says little.  Though he is now one of the group and no longer a hireling, his main focus is to protect, not direct.

"You have a lovely place, Torhavich.  May I ask why it is so large, so...open?"

"The grand hall was carved ages ago by a race that is little more than legend these days.  The name they gave themselves is long and complicated and would take several hours to state fully.  They predated Niaaca and the other gods by several thousand years."  He smiles a bit and looks Dathnaea right in the eye.  "You would call them 'dragons', I believe."

He pauses a moment as if for effect, to let the information register fully, then continues before anyone speaks.  "So the grand hall, and the stairway down allow for their majestic bodies, which grew to great size with age, to maneuver within.  The hall is wide enough for even an ancient dragon to extend his wings fully without fear of striking pillars or walls."  Torhavich smiles and takes a sip of his drink, waiting for the next question.

Flynn listens intently at the mention of dragons. He shakes his head, gazing at the dimensions of the palace, wondering if such creatures could indeed have lived within it. He asks, "Dragons, eh? Did one come out and tell you that was who made this place or can I assume that you have come to make educated guesses about this places function?"

"A dragon did not tell me about this place.  I discovered it for myself."

Hearing mention of dragons caught Adryn's attention.

"How did you come to find this place? It's certainly not the easiest place to get to."

Before even a moment could pass for Torhavich could reply, Adryn blurts out even more questions. "And if dragons did indeed build this place, how would one know? If legends and myths are true, they would have lived so long ago that most people wouldn't even recognize them, let alone be able to identify their construction techniques."

Hoping not to insult their host, he catches himself mid-stream, "Sorry, I don't mean to doubt your knowledge. It's just that... with so little that is known about them, what is it that you know about them that no one else does?"

Torhavich smiles at the eagerness of Adryn's questions, but it is Shavon who replies.  "You assume much, young Anthros."

"Let me ask you a question, Adryn.  You say that dragons lived so long ago.  What happened to them?"

[Private to Adryn Longmane:
Feel free to make up whatever you like about the fall of the dragons.  Make it interesting. :D]

"Yes, you're right Shavon. There is much that has to be assumed..."

"but fair question, nonetheless.", he says turning to Torhavich.

"Let's just assume that the stories, legends, and myths are true. That leaves a handful of theories as to what happened to them. Some say that their evil hunger for power brought destruction upon themselves, and they brought about their own demise. Others tell of a great uprising of ancient races that joined together in a single cause to defeat them, and slowly over time they all died out. But so many of those theories imply that they are gone. What if they aren't gone?"

Taking note of the attention he is starting to draw, Adryn takes a moment to collect his thoughts before continuing.

"Where I come from, many believe that when a being passes on only its physical form is lost. Its essence, or spirit, is returned to the gods that granted its corporeal manifestation. The connection between a druid and their deity allows them to channel some of these spirits. We become a vessel for that spirit, and it presents itself in the wild-shapes we take."

Adryn thinks back for a moment, remembering some of the amazing things he has seen his elders accomplish.

"I've seen the oldest of druids manifest forms of creatures long extinct. Who's to say that vessel can't be transferred elsewhere in a more permanent host?"

"Maybe they are still out there, but just in a form we are expecting to see them in. As assumptions go... would it be so surprising to see them return?"

Both Shavon and Torhavich frown ever so slightly at the mention of the 'evil' dragons, but say nothing to the contrary.  When Adryn finishes, Shavon opens his mouth to speak, but Torhavich cuts him off.  "Dragons and architecture are not what brought you to my home today.  Thit told you that I wanted to hire you.  Since that time I believe you have come to understand something of what I am going to ask you to do.  He offered 400 gold apiece to gear up for this quest.  I have the equivalent of that in masterwork armor suited to your professions should you wish to exchange what you have for that."

He looks the group over and nods with appreciation.  "It seems you have come into some rather interesting items on your own.  That should help you in the Cradle.  It is far too dangerous to send you deep inside, but I am asking for you to retrieve something for me near the entrance.  I need you to rescue Ere's cat."

I for one would love some new armor! But, what pray tell is Ere's cat?

"It is her most favorite pet."

[Private to Arvil: Roll religion check.]

"You're right, my apologies for the unnecessary tangent. We ought to focus on the task at hand.", Adryn replies back to Torhavich.

The task seemed easy enough to Adryn. 'Rescue a pet'. However, if it were that trivial, it wouldn't require a team of adventurers to accomplish.

Eager to understand more about their new quest, he fires off another round of questions.

"What more can you tell us of this 'pet'? Who or what is Ere? Perhaps more important, what exactly are we rescuing this pet from?"

"A cat? You cannot be serious."

   "You forget Flynn, even a saberclaw is still a 'cat'."  Aethen smiles.  "Would chasing after one of those be a more worthy pursuit?"

   Aethen turns to their host.  "Before we move further into explanations, why us?  Why this motley collection of travelers versus a well-trained company of soldiers?"

"A cat indeed, Flynn Darktreader.  But not just any cat, Ere's favorite."  He smiles, appearing to enjoy not revealing everything about the animal just yet.

"Thit chose you.  He and others like him go out into the world and seek people who might be sympathetic to our work.  He appreciated the way you treated him, despite being a kobold, especially you, Aethen.  It is your heart as much as your skills that I seek to employ.  Is that sufficient answer?"  Torhavich continues to eat his meal in between his answers.  As a host it appears he has no fear of being rude by eating his fill.  He has a very healthy appetite, and a very refined manner of going about to satisfy it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:18, Sat 24 Sept 2011.

   "Almost Torhavich, but if it is as you describe then "our work" refers to an organization and its goals.  Are you its head, its leader?"

   Aethen realizes that he had leaned forward as he spoke, his body language accentuating his interest in the answer to his question.  Clearing his throat, he sits back.

   "Forgive the directness of the question, but if Shavon has illustrated anything during our travel it is his love of ambiguities."

"Well asked, Aethen.  No, I am not the leader, though I run our 'organization' here on Xamador.  The main branch is on the main western continent.  Shavon works in Qorlander among the kinds there, seeking among those coming in any who might be sympathetic to our goals.  Thit and others like him travel farther out finding folks such as yourself."  He pauses and takes a sip of his drink.  "I hope that was direct enough for you."

"If we are done discussing organizational hierarchies, I wouldn't mind getting back to rescue mission you want us to handle."

His brow furrows a bit, appearing to be annoyed that all his questions have been dodged.

"I'd like to know more about this pet, and what it needs to be rescued from."

Vertium listened relatively silently.

Generally, he was quite happy simply soaking in information. He would have liked to hear more about the organisation. Though, until they were trusted, they probably wouldn't uncover much about it. Even then, they may simply be using them. That said, if he were careful and found what he was looking for, even assuming their plans were nefarious, things would probably turn out for the best.

The mage still had some doubts as to the involvement of these people and the druids' enslavement.

[Private to GM: I will do a knowledge check to see what the character knows about dragons for a total of 23. If you prefer a roll. Feel free to do it for me. ]

Kahmual, having eaten his full, cleans his hands quickly and clears his throat. He looks to their host, "Since you bring it up, what are your groups goals? I understand that you all study the cradle and the effects on wildlife-perhaps you help keep its secrets from coming to light. But what ends do you serve?"

The Anthros sees no reason to be as direct as possible. He studies the man with a keen eye and remains quiet for a response.

Torhavich acknowledges all of the questions with patience.  "It is important for now that you understand that our organization has the same goals as the Evangiel.  Our purposes have been parallel since they arrived.  Their Message is true, their warning accurate.  Our goal has been to stave off the invasion for countless centuries.  Now that the invasion is inevitable, we have shifted our focus to equipping the kinds for the confrontation; some for survival."  At that moment he looks at Dathnaea and the other humans in the group.  "The beings that will come are beings of darkness, beings that will wage a war unlike anything we here on Loartec could have imagined.  With the help of the Evangiel, we have gained some insight into their nature and are more prepared."

"As to the cat, Ere's cat is a yircat.  It is a feline of great power and great worth.  For those who don't know, a yircat is a creature of healing, of life.  Their saliva can heal wounds within moments.  With just a touch of the nose, they can cure all forms of diseases known to our world.  The very birth of a yircat brings a year of bounty across the entire planet.  It is no accident that Ere' chose the primal female for her pet."  He takes a sip, then continues.  "The primal female is the size of a mu'rhes [horse equivalent in the western continents; see the bestiary].  She is one of the few females of her kind, and the only one to give birth in the last fifty years.  It is imperative that she be retrieved alive and returned to Ere'."

Adryn settles back in his chair as more is revealed about the cat's nature, and then a quizzical looks takes hold of his face.

"This may seem an odd question, but... is the yircat expecting?"

"Very insightful, Adryn.  Yes.  We believe the yircat primal was abducted in order to secure her offspring for unknownbpurposes of the abductors.  We do not know the identity of those who have done this."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:32, Wed 28 Sept 2011.

Adryn's eyes widen a little bit as Torhavich confirms his suspicions. His eyes dart quickly to Aethen and Genovia to gauge their reactions.

Lowering his voice, Adryn whispers to Aethen "This yircat could be the guardian of life we were foretold of. The life it guards could be the one, or ones, she is carrying. However, I fear what that could mean."

Turning his attention back to Torhavich, "I know what you say about the yircats to be true, and I believe that it is part of my path to help this creature. You have my hand in this matter."

"Where can she be found?"

Going to rescue the magical pet of a god......sounds like fun! Do we know anything about the way she was taken? Any clues that would prepare us for her abducters?

Kahmaul nods slowly, listening to the others questions, while mulling over the task on his own. He had no idea what sort of trial it would be to transport and expecting cat. Nor would he know what sort of group or persons would seek such an animal. But beyond the practical-was this truly a part of their mission as Adryn suspected? Perhaps it was...

After remaining silent in his thoughts a time Kahmaul asks, "Do we have a map to guide us through this land and a possible location that the creature may inhabit?"

"From what we have been able to gather, the yircat is being held at the lip of the Cradle itself, the edge of the great crater from which Niaaca was birthed.  That information alone cost more than you can know.  We used magic to pinpoint the yircat's location through the veil of warped magic surrounding the Cradle.  Once we latched on to the yircat, we could divine that she was pregnant and incapable of leaving her location, bound in some way."  He takes a deep breath and looks disappointed.  "Unfortunately we do not know the nature of the binding or of her captors."

"A precise location is still a great advantage. How long of a journey do you think it is to get to her?"

"Once we decide to set out, perhaps a couple of us who are light on their feet could sneak ahead and access the situation. At the very least, we might find out what we are up against."

   Aethen nods to Adryn.  "It would seem that we are where we need to be."

   Turning to Kahmaul.  "That would be an excellent idea, but perhaps our host can tell us more of the common denizens of this land before we go into the unknown."  He stops and looks to Shavon first, then Torhavich.

And what about that new armor you were talking about?

"You have already met many of the nature of creatures that you will find at the edges of the Cradle.  Watch for arcape pods, the mana hound packs, and the like.  You'll also face some nastier creatures, creatures more of spirit than flesh.  They are the remnants of mortals slain in the Cradle who sought treasure of a magical nature.  Instead, the magic of the place consumed their bodies leaving only their souls.  Now they hunger after magic and will attempt to take possession of your bodies.  There are other creatures as well.  Not all are aggressive, like the luminaunts.  But there are far to many to list or prepare you for specifically.  You will just need to be prepared against the magic sapping properties of most."  He turns to Vertium.  "You especially need to have care.  Enchanted items will draw creatures that are close, but spell casting is like a beacon from much further distances.  You will be the main target the entire time."

Torhavich turns back to the group as a whole.  "Whatever you do, do not go into the Cradle itself.  You are not ready for it."

After a sip of his drink he smiles at Arvil.  "As promised, I will provide upgrades to your gear.  If you are finished eating, follow me."  He leads those who want to out of the banquet room and down the sweepings stairs.  At the bottom he turns down the enormous ramp and deeper into the structure.  The air is cool and damp and smells of sea water.  The ramp levels out into a huge tunnel, larger than the entry way.  There are a number of branches, all of similar size.  Torhavich chooses one and finally stops in a museum like room filled with suits of armor.  "Choose one that suits you if that is what you would like.  The enchantments are not all that strong, but you might find them useful."

As the group looks down the rows of displayed armor, Torhavich explains what each one does.

Chainmail of levitation
Platemail of spell resistance 5%
Scalemail of fire resistance 15
Scalemail of frost resistance 15
Shield of immunity to fire (directional immunity only)
Shield of immunity to lightning (directional immunity only)
Leather armor of freedom (Freedom of movement 3x per day)
Studded leather armor of Cat's Grace (+2 DEX)
Any basic armor +1

"If armor is not for you, please let me know what you would like as part of your fee and I'll see how well I can match that request."

GM:  He has lesser magical items from the PHB/d20srd website that are reasonable.  It's a rather large horde he has, all arranged as if in a museum in many different chambers.

   Aethen moves from display to display, thumping metal armor lightly to hear the hollow sound it makes.  He smiles and meanders, like a listless customer in the marketplace.  Nothing of armor interested him, but he did see some smaller items that were laid out with equal care.

   "Torhavich, what are these?"  Aethen asks politely, waving a hand grandly at the collection of smaller items.

[Private to GM: Aethen would like to find any small item that could be reasonably useful.  He is not particular.]

"Ah, those are an odd assortment of things I have not had the time to place correctly.  This here," he says, holding up a leather headband, "will grant you the ability to blend in to your environment like a chameleon.  It takes about six seconds to adjust to new backgrounds so moving is not as effective as standing still.  This here is a pouch containing magical dust for seeing things that are otherwise invisible.  Has enough for twenty uses I suppose.  The bottle contains, well, smoke.  I believe this small jar of ointment will cure just about anything, but can only be applied 5 times before it runs out.  It's very rare.  And these," he holds up a bag of smooth stones, "these are alarm stones.  Set them in a circle around your camp and anything that passes through will sound a mental alarm to the one who activates them or a loud alarm heard only by those within the stones.  Be careful not to lose one or they won't work any more.  There are ten altogether."

I believe that platemail would be come in handy on this trip and would like that if no one else would care to have it. pauses to see if any from the group intended on asking for it. Also, by chance, you wouldn't happen to have a cloak or mace that might be usefull to a lowly priest of Niaaca would you?

Kahmaul waves his hand at Avril's request,"I had thought to take that as well, but I think it might benefit you more than I, so enjoy it if there are no further objections. This chainmail... It can levitate the user? That sounds powerful indeed. Might I try it?"



OOC:
Chainmail of levitation if no one else prefers it-

Adryn takes a moment to look over all the wondrous trinkets Torhavich has out on display.

He pauses for a brief moment in front of the bottle of smoke. The idea of using it as cover for an assault or escape seems to intrigue him, but he continues down the line.

He stops in front of the healing ointment for several minutes, thinking about how useful such an item would be on their current assignment... even more so given the nature of the Ere's pet.

Nothing really seems to jump out at him until the glint of something off to the side catches his eye. A small pedestal behind the rest with a collection of more unsorted items. Moving aside a thin necklace, a wooden pallet of brilliant colors, and a small brooch, Adryn pulls back a tiny silver figurine of a raven.

Turning to Torhavich, Adryn asks "What is this little thing?"

  Not wishing to impose on their host any more than he had to, Aethen picks up the pouch containing the revealing dust.

  "Thank you"  Aethen says simply, sliding the dust in his pouch.  He steps back and waits for the others to complete their selections.

As each of the party members select their chosen item for the quest, Torhavich answers questions as to the nature of each one.  When Adryn chooses the bird statuette, Torhavich nods in appreciation of his choice.  "That is a companion of sorts.  You can activate it and the raven comes alive and will deliver messages for you in the manner of carrier birds.  Or, if you so choose, it can act in the manner of a familiar or animal companion.  It will retain its metallic nature so its tough, but it is not really trained in combat or the like.  I suspect it will serve as a durable form of distraction at best.  It's messenger capacity is the best aspect by far."

GM: The rest of you may have that which you have chosen.  Vertium, Genovia, and Flynn have yet to make a selection.  Dathnaea chooses a strange looking wind instrument.  Grondor a set of bracers.  Tyler picks a shield with the emblem of a stylized dragon on it, which is one that Torhavich said would protect against fire.

As soon as selections are made, we will move on to the quest.

Genovia chooses the alarm stones.  She thanks Torhavich quietly and moves aside to let the others choose.

Flynn quietly takes the studded leather-though he spends a great deal of time eying the rest of the rooms contents-silently wondering how Torchavich came across such varied magical items. He wonders how well they will be aided in face of some of the creatures they have already seen within the outskirts of the Cradle.

Staring at the silver figurine he whispers to himself, "Quite fascinating..."

He looks up and thanks Torhavich.

Placing the figurine in his haversack, he steps back from the displays of magical items.