Time for me to tell the biggest fighter in the group 'No, you can't have your shiny sword back, it's mine now.' I have a feeling this'll end well... ;)

Time for me to tell the biggest fighter in the group 'No, you can't have your shiny sword back, it's mine now.' I have a feeling this'll end well... ;)

Half-Orc  Another example of a hybrid, half orcs are products of human and orc parents. Of a height similar to half elves, half orcs usually resemble their human parent enough to pass for a human in public. Their skin ranges from peach to olive to deep tan, and their hair can be blond, red, brown, black, gray, and shades in between. Half orcs can be members of the following classes: fighter, cleric, or thief. They can be multi classed in any two classes, but not three. Half orcs can be of any alignment.

Half Orc Standard
Racial Abilities (10)
Infravision, 60'
Languages*

* Common, orc, dwarf, goblin, hobgoblin, and ogre.

Half orc Penalties
In human societies, half orcs suffer a –2 reaction roll penalty.

If the player wishes to create his own customized half orc character, he can pick and choose from the list of orc abilities listed below. Abilities cost either 5 or 10 character points; refer to the descriptions below.

• Active sense of smell (5): The character’s sense of smell is sensitive enough to give a +1 bonus to surprise rolls.
• Acute taste (5): The character’s sense of taste is so sensitive he gains a +2 bonus to saving throws vs. imbibed poisons.
• Attack bonus (5): +1 attack bonus with one weapon of the player’s choice.
• Damage bonus (5): +1 damage bonus with one weapon of the player’s choice.
• Fitness bonus (10): +1 bonus to the character’s Fitness subability score, due to his hardy heritage. The character’s Fitness score may be up to 5 points higher than his Health subability score.
• Infravision (10): Infravision with a 60' range.
• Mining Detection Abilities (5): A character with this skill is familiar with mining, tunneling and stonework. By concentrating for one round the character can:
Detect any grade or slope in the passage they are passing through, 1 on 1d4.
Detect new construction in stonework., 1–2 on 1d6.
• Stamina bonus (10): +.1 bonus to the character’s Stamina subability score. The character’s Stamina score may be up to 5 points higher than his Muscle subability score.

Half-orcs
Orcs will crossbreed with virtually every humanoid and demihuman species except elves, with whom they cannot. The mongrel offspring of orcs and these other species are known as half-orcs. Orc-goblins, orc-hobgoblins, and orc-humans are the most common. Half-orcs tend to favor the orcish strain heavily, and as such are basically orcs, although 10% of these offspring can pass as ugly humans. They are treated as humans with levels instead of Hit Dice. If multi-classed, they have these maximums: priest, 4th level; fighter, 10th level; thief, 8th level.
If half-orcs remain single-classed, these maximums increase to: priest, 7th level (Wisdom 15 required for 5th, Wisdom 16 for 6th, Wisdom 17 for 7th); fighter, 17th level (Strength 18/00 required for 11th, Strength 19 for 12th, Strength 20 for 14th, and Strength 21 for 17th); thief, 11th level (Dexterity 15 required for 9th, Dexterity 16 for 10th, and Dexterity 17 for 11th).
Half-orcs are distrusted by both human and orc cultures because they remind each of the other's racial stock. Half-orcs advance in orc culture by flaunting their superior ability and in human culture by associating with people who don't care about appearance. Most tend toward neutrality with slight lawful and evil tendencies, but lawful good half-orcs are not unknown. Some half-orcs have split from both cultures to form their own societies in remote areas. These half-orcs worship their own gods and (like most hermits) are extremely suspicious of strangers.

Physical Description: Half-orcs stand between 6 and 7 feet tall
and usually weigh between 180 and 250 pounds. A half-orc’s grayish
pigmentation, sloping forehead, jutting jaw, prominent teeth, and
coarse body hair make his lineage plain for all to see.

Orcs like scars. They regard battle scars as tokens of pride and
ornamental scars as things of beauty. Any half-orc who has lived
among or near orcs has scars, whether they are marks of shame
indicating servitude and identifying the half-orc’s former owner, or
marks of pride recounting conquests and high status. Such a half-orc
living among humans may either display or hide his scars,
depending on his attitude toward them.

The funny thing is, it was Adaran who originally gave the sword to Borimer when he first found it back in Ailamere's cave. I wonder how grateful he is now? ;)

2- Who has possession of the portable hole?

3- Who has possession of the Ikishi Sceptre?

5- What is the party marching order?

I think Borimer would have retrieved the sceptre.  He originally possessed it.  So let's go with that.

"If you turn the knob, I'll push the dials in." Kahan replies to Adaran, getting ready to do so should the rogue agree.

im confused, did we open the doors and now we see the inner sanctum beyond the doors...?

Adaran takes the scepter from Borimer, but instead of taking out the Portable Hole, he shakes his head and produces one of his cloak's magic disappearing sacks, replying, "We might want it handier. Fetching it from the hole takes longer. Besides, if Tarimar captures us, he can snatch the hole from us - but he can't find this sack." Placing the scepter in the sack, he stashes it under his cloak and its mass immediately vanishes.

Studying the bone-symbols on the walls for a few moments, he turns to Azaron and says, "Can you have Zhou translate those symbols?"

I'm guessing the diamond-eyes maybe? :)

is there any way we can make traps with the exploding fruit? then we dont have to spend a round throwing them

Just curious, since I don't think we'll ever find out IC - did the invisible caltrops Adaran spread over the narrow path in the lava lake cavern slow Tarimar's forces down at all?

Greetings, I am glad I can join you all. I have been reading threw the threads to try to catch up as fast as I can. If anyone has time, can you whisper your characters interactions, moods (how they get along) and or any information I should know taking Marcus over. Even though I am a different person, I hope to keep Marcus as true to whom he was as possible.

actually, technically i met grizz before anyone else had joined, but we didnt adventure together for any length of time, and he was gone until just recently. then draaz and marcus joined up, later kahan and then adaran, and it was we five until just recently with the returne of grizz and addition of bernard (now dead) and grung and peglar (did i forget anyone?)

Actually, a few corrections there - Marcus was with you the longest, followed by Draaz, then Adaran, then Kahan, and then the others. :)

He will search the upper half of the map, specifically the bodies, only asking for help from someone who can detect traps first.  He doesn't want a block of granite to drop on him.  As well, once on the other side he will light 4 candles if need be to light up that half.  He will take a look at any chest or pedestals (for group clarity) but will not touch them.</orange>

Character interactions:

Draaz and Adaran really do not get along well.

Grizz gravitates toward the priest (Kahan), and similarly toward Marcus.  He believes goodness helps protect him against superstitions.

Borimer and Draaz get along quite well.

So the chests are at B,18, N,18, D,2, and L,2, correct?

As far as I can tell, D,2 is the 'Northwest' chest, B,18 is the 'Southwest', and I'm not sure which the Center West is.

I updated my equipment, did I miss anything? I'll leave the box out until I state whether we'll take it from here or use it later.

just to be clear:

there is no treasure being given out in a permanent fashion at all. all treasure division will be determined after the adventure. anything that is used by anyone at this time is only for this combat with tarimar and co.

CHESTS ON WEST SIDE OF MAP:

Each chest has four dials (left to right), each dial has six words on it.

CENTER WEST

Joint
Anoint
Point
Taunt
Land
Sand

Test
Arrest
Lest
Best
Nest
Pest

Noise
Arouse
Poise
Goose
Noose
Loose

Sect
Erect
Elect
Ticked
Licked
Nicked

First
Last
Best
Worst
Third
Second

No problem.  Makes sense really.  Enjoying the game so far.  :)

IKI JIME
An oriental awl, the Iki Jime is an improvised weapon. When climbing a surface inwhich the Iki Jimi can pierce, a character can stab it into the surface being scaled to give him an improvised hand/foothold. Using the Iki Jimi as an impromptu for this purpose gives the cimber a +2 situation bonus to the climb check being made.

COST: 10 gp
Dmg: S/M=1d4; L=1d6.
Weight=2 lbs.

4- Adaran Draaz is going to look through the book.  Is that the book that Azaron took that's from the Allevian Annals about the history of the world?  (Azaron will freely give it back if anyone wants it.  He is more interested in the Xren Codex translation on the walls.)

Normally I'm pretty good at figuring out puzzles but the dials have me stumped.  Can someone explain how they work?  I'm curious.

This ability gives only a general indication of a character's mental acuity. A semi-intelligent character (Int 3 or 4) can speak (with difficulty) and is apt to react instinctively and impulsively. He is not hopeless as a player character (PC), but playing such a character correctly is not easy. A character with low Intelligence (Int 5-7) could also be called dull-witted or slow. A very intelligent person (Int 11 or 12) picks up new ideas quickly and learns easily. A highly intelligent character (Int 13 or 14) is one who can solve most problems without even trying very hard. One with exceptional intelligence (Int 15 or 16) is noticeably above the norm. A genius character is brilliant (Int 17 or 18). A character beyond genius is potentially more clever and more brilliant than can possibly be imagined.
         However, the true capabilities of a mind lie not in numbers--I.Q., Intelligence score, or whatever. Many intelligent, even brilliant, people in the real world fail to apply their minds creatively and usefully, thus falling far below their own potential. Don't rely too heavily on your character's Intelligence score; you must provide your character with the creativity and energy he supposedly possesses!

I'm going to try to get caught up, but here's what's happened.  My blackberry refused to tether to my laptop during the holiday/vacation, so I had no internet.  Then I went off to a hazardous waste facility to interview witnesses, where cell phones are not allowed and of course there is no wireless access.  So I've been essentially without the net for the last two weeks.

That said, I have to go again today, and I may only have a few hours on Monday at the office before heading out Tues to Thurs next week, and then on to another place Fri to Sun next week.  I'm going to try to keep things moving, but if there are delays, that's the reason why.

OOC: I will assume from the general silence that you are all for the most part waiting out the hour until the "dogs" arrive.  I will advance us to the next hour tomorrow.

I didn't roll this time.  I did include the extra +1 to hit.  Did the +1 also apply to thaco?  I seem to remember it did but I'm not sure.  I didn't include that in any event.  My thaco is 16, so it'd be 15 if it does.

Actually, I took my free turn casting Protection from Evil. I didn't have my mace out (you can't cast spells with a mace and a shield in your hands) so unless I can get a 15' shield bash in... ;)

Six skeletons begin moving from the pile where Borimer and Grung stand.  They stand behind them, ready to attack.

OOC: Right now, there's not enough space to move them forward due to being blocked.  When the doors open, that would slam the skeletons to the side.  Borimer and Grung can stand aside to let the skeletons through if they want.  The skeletons are unaffected by the spikes on the floor.

So I was thinking... Do you think you could put markers on the enemies as to about how damaged they are? Say, one slash for 'Mild' i.e., 25% damage, another for 'Moderate', or 50%, then Severe, for 75%, with another slash? That would make deciding which to hit much easier I think.

Grung: Dirty, stained plate mail (with coif, helmet, boots?), battle axe, hand axe, backpack. Anything else? Shield? Riding boots? What color?

Borimer: Leather armor (studded leather? Full suit?) with winter wolf's pelt, helmet, gloves, utility belt with 1 bottle and 2 oil flasks, longsword, composite longbow, quiver of arrows, Rhizian shield harness with body shield, traveling pack, bedroll, skillet. Any clothes under his armor? Tunic, breeches, riding boots? What colors?

what is th ac of the displacer beast?

NOTE: When attacking displacer beasts, in addition to attacking AC4, you also must subtract 2 from your actual to hit roll.

what is th ac of the displacer beast?

All melee and ranged attacks have a 50% chance to miss the
displacer beast. The eff ect ends when the displacer beast is hit by
an attack, but it recharges as soon as the displacer beast moves
2 or more squares on its turn. Critical hits ignore displacement.

I'm treating it like AC 6 (i.e., losing 2 defense), but the -2 displacement is still in effect, creating a net effect of AC 4.

Just a heads up gm.

After thoroughly examining the chest's lock with his magnifying glass - ensuring that he doesn't make the same mistake twice - the rogue narrows his eyes in a perplexed and suspicious expression. "Something's not right about this one..." he says, almost to himself. Borimer, Marcus, Draaz, and Kahan have adventured with Adaran long enough to recognize the tense expression in his features and the uneasy look in his eyes - the signs that always seem to immediately precede great danger. "I've got a bad feeling about this. Draaz, do you detect anything magical about this chest?"

He says, "My name is Kahzir.  I am a Master of the High Realm among the Shadow Regime.  I oppose the orcs and all that they stand for.  They entered my village and raided our mines.  They killed my mates and younglings.  I surved by skill and magic alone, and now I hunt them and all who aid them."

Okay is combat over?  Also which was the lizard creature that got paralyzed?  The one I was attacking or the other one?

Can we post a current hp list?

borimer should probably still stay in melee. much more damage potential that way, and he can take a few hits to keep the dragon from attacking someone else. in theory. i think...

Borimer: 1/60 HP, suffering from severe bleeding and a crushed hip.  He is burning from the fire.  Kahzir is binding his wounds, patting out the fire, and Grung is getting ready to pull him from the flames.  (Borimer must think he's invincible, even after dying once today already!)

For some further perspective on that:


:D

Guys, remember dragons are not just animals.  They can think and have a will of there own to.  The dragon himself might not think it is worth it.  Dragons do not get to live thousands of years by being stupid.  The dragon might not think it is worth it and just leave.  It probably can wait for another opportunity when it is stronger.

Interesting thought, you think your character can carry three of them?

I need a vote here.

I was thinking of doing a mass combat encounter when you help the dwarves fight off the orcs.  However, due to all the combat you've been facing, you may want to forgo that and just get on with going toward Ailamere.

The only real plus side beyond some experience would be that we could use the mass combat rules one time for fun.  Otherwise, we can skip it.  Let me know what you think.

just for clarity since we have some new players again (um, i think we do anyway): im personally against dividing treasure until after the adventure ends except on a temporary basis (which is what i think grung means, please correct me if im wrong). if folks want to use some weapons for combat on a temporary basis then thats a good idea, but nothing should be permanent until after the adventure so that we can use the trusty method we used last time to allow the ultimate division to be fair to all

Yeah, Adaran spoke to Borimer about that and Borimer agreed to be tied up prior to someone removing the curse on his sword.

All I know is that my character is going to get reworked.  So any treasure is going to be lost on him.. Actually that give me an idea.  In the next wave GM why not let my character get killed.  It is an honorable death and will let the treasure be split up amongst the characters that is going to remain in the game.