The crew step off of the Desert Rose ready for a fight. Once everyone is assembled, Cap'n Blackmane leads you all up the river. Surrounded by jungle on your left and the river on your right you head upstream until the Cap'n calls a halt to the journey.
This message was last updated by the GM at 03:53, Thu 12 Apr 2007.

"Hold men." she says, bending down into some scrub to her left. She brushes away some foliage revealing a stone, emblazoned with a clenched fist, blackened by flame and with green rays of lichen bursting forth from it.

"This is the crucial moment. Here we turn into the jungle and then go onto the temple itself... Follow me. We need to hurry"

"Right behind ya Cap." Flik responds as he follows her into the jungle.

Hoat strides forward, eagerly anticitpating the action soon to come.  He has spent far too long sitting on his ass getting drunk, and now iit is time for some real work.

Aralanthalas follows closely behind the others, his eyes scanning the surroundings intently, alert for anything out of place.

Glad to be off the ship and practicing his trade, Aurlin easily keeps pace with the group. As he runs, he thinks of all the pretty gems and other assorted plunder that they would nab this day. He always liked the way certain gems spar........Lost in his own thoughts, he almost looses his head to a low hanging branch. Taking a quick look around to make sure he wasn't noticed, he tries to put thoughts of treasure out of his thoughts and concentrate on what he is doing. He succeeds.............barely!

Soon enough the ground gets more solid. Less foliage, harder ground. The cap leads you through a few more trees and you start to feel the jungle heat. Soon, though you see the stone ziggurat walls of a temple.

"That's the temple lads. And if ye look close, that's the main entrance. Looks unguarded." She points. "My group follows me. Hoat, yer group goes to the right. Should be a simple enough path to follow but it'll be well guarded I bet.
If there's any further questions ask them now before we move onward."

"Seems simple enough to me, rush in grab what we want and then rush out." Flik comments.

Hoat grins with big yellow teeth,

"Aye, I'm all fer that. Cap'n, any idea what it is we're gonna be killin'?"

The cap'n takes a breath. "Yuan-Ti." she answers.

"Those are the evil snake people things right?" Flik asks.

"Evil or good, snakes or toads...........let's just get some gems," Aurlin finishes with a smile.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:19, Mon 06 Mar 2006.

"If they are evil I can go all out and won't have to hold back out of the fear I might hurt an innocent." Flik replies.

"Har Sift! That'll be my way o' thinkin'!  Snakes or snake-men, their heads come off just the same! Now, is it front door or back?"  Hoat twirls his halbard in one hand, ready for action.

"Bain't a back door, Hoat. We go through that entrance there." She replys, looking ready to pounce out of cover like some kind of cat.

Zorlax nods at the captain and begins quietly casting a spell. He ends with sharp word and a pass of his hand. Slowly he is covered in a slight glow which brightens and fades from view.

OOC:Mage Armor.

Flik draws his halberd and readies himself to move once the order to advance is given. "Alright, let's test our luck." Flik comments.

Hoat nods,

  "Hokay Cap'n.  the Front door is the only door, an' I ain't much fer sneakin'.  How bout I walk over n' stir up the nest, while t' others find a place t' flank 'em?"

"Might as well. My skills involve ship to ship combat, not this infantry stuff."

"I'll join ya hoat. Zorlax and Aurlin should be able to handle giving us support fire." Flik states.

"We're agreed then. On yer way, Hoat, an' good luck." she says with a smile.

Hoat replies with a confident,"Aye Cap'n - c'mon Flick", and stands with his halbard resting on his right shoulder.  Without a hint of stealth or guile , he strides purposefully toward the 'front door' without once looking to see if Flick is following.</Red>
This message was last edited by the player at 19:10, Sat 11 Mar 2006.

Flik follows Hoat to the front door.

Sighing as the warriors step off, Zorlax stays back 10 feet or so as the leaders..lead..
He waits til they get close to the door before checking it for magic effects.

"Right you are Flic," Aurlin says as he unslings his bow. He follows the new first mate, ready to provide covering fire or respond to any directions.

Hoat and Flik move forwards towards the door while Zorlax, Aurlin and Aralanthalas hang back for support. Eerily quiet, the group feels unnerved slightly at the lack of guards.

"Should we ask if anyone's home, just walk in or try and provoke a response?"

Hoat scratches his woolly head, thinking.

"Well now, provokin's always worked fer me..."

He takes the butt of is halbard and knocks heavily on anything that looks like a usable door.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Thu 16 Mar 2006.

Hoat knocks on the stone arch that marks the entrance to the ziggurat. After waiting a few seconds, there doesn't seem to be any response. It is not silent though, you can still hear the sounds of the jungle, the more distant sound of the river and you believe that you can hear some activity from inside the temple.

<Blue>"How rude! We knock and no one answers. I guess the guided tour is out."<blue> Flik comments.

hoat takes a step back scanning the building as a whole,

"Well now, Flik, Cap'n says there be only the one door.  Unless you got any better ideas, I say we make a ruckus o' some kind t'a get 'em to stick their blasted heads out so we can cut 'em off."

"Or we could just walk right in."

Hoat laughs loudly,

"Aye! We could at that shipmate!"  He sets his halbard aside, and pushes through the doorway.  He does not check, at first, to see if there is anything amiss.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:16, Mon 20 Mar 2006.

Hoat passes under the arch of the doorway and it suddenly erupts in an explosion of green mist. Hoat feels his exposed flesh burn in acid.

OOC: Make a reflex save DC 16 for half damage (full is 16).

Hoat roars in pain, as the acid attacks his flesh, but he manages to dodge the thickest part of the mist.  He immediately reaches for his halbard and starts looking around for necks to chop.

(OOC:
19:05, Today: Hoat Hundemar rolled 17 using 1d20+3. Reflex Save.)

"I guess that's why they don't feel like answering the door... You alright? That looked like in stung a bit." Flik commented

Zorlax looks at Flix I don't suppose you could do something about the trap are esteemed Hoat has discovered?

"About the trap it's self, not a thing. However, I could heal Hoat if he wants me to." Flik responded as he took out his wand.

"So Hoat should I stitch ya up?"

Hoat uses some loose soil to try and scrub away any remaining acidic residue.  The pain has subsided somewhat, but Hoat pays it about as much attention as he would a flea.  At the moment he is just trying to keep his anger in check so he doesn't run off into any more traps.

"Nah Flick.  Thanks, but keep yer healin fer when we really need it."

"Alright" flik replies as he puts the wand away.

"Now if I was a horrible, mean and uncaring person I would probably order the least liked member of the crew to run in ahead of us to disarm the traps, but since I'm not that's a terrible idea. Hmm, perhpas it would be a good idea for our ship's wizard to try to see if there are any suspicious magical aura's after that i guess aurlin or Aralanthalas should take point from here."
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:26, Thu 23 Mar 2006.

Coming in from the rear, Aurlin offers to search any more doors they encounter for suspiciouse devices but clearly stats that he has no desire to enter the probably well guarded room first.

<OOC> Sorry you got splashed Hoat and don't fear to dish me out orders. You did get the first mate position after all and you are in charge of me, Aralanthalas and Zorlax for this particular mission.

With a look at Hoat, Zorlax quickly passes his hand out and looks for anymore suprises.

-PL-

[Private to Zorlax Marn: Does that mean you're casting Detect Magic or something? Unless you're just waving your arm could you please indicate what you're doing?]

pm[Private to DM N1NJ4C0W: Opps, yes. Detect Magic looking for anything "hot" I was in a hurry last night and everyone was waiting on me...Thanks]

Hoat again, and stubbornly perhaps, tries to reenter the building through the trapped doorway.

This time there is nothing impeding Hoat's progress. Whatever trap he set off seemed to have expended it's energies.

Flik follows in after Hoat.

"Paul. Go with the treasure group. I have a bad feeling that they're going t'need ye. The rest of ye dogs advance on me signal."

Aralanthalas draws his weapon and follows Flik.

Zorlax stays at the rear of the group, confident that he will be safe there and able to cast his spells more effectively.

"Aye Aye cap'n..." I turn, stop, and turn back. "Which way's tha treasure?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:50, Tue 18 Apr 2006.

Hoat follows the orders of the cap'n, taking the right-hand path. Aurlin, Flik, Aralanthalas, Paul and Zorlax follow behind him. The inside of the stone ziggurat is lit only by torches, although the braces holding them to the wall are fine indeed.
A peculiar smell fills the corridor and seems to be wafting towards you.[Private to Zorlax Marn: It smells like a mixture of Mandrake root and snake venom.] There are definate signs of activity up ahead.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:34, Tue 18 Apr 2006.

Zorlax mumbles to the others. What a weird smell. Mandrake root and snake venom. I should keep an eye out for that.

"Captain - it occurs to me that I may have something of use here. When I left home I took this from my fathers sorcery shop. It'll turn me invisible for a few minutes - long enough to scout ahead. What do you think?"

"Mandrake root and snake venom... reminds me of a particularly strong drink I once had. It damn near knocked me out for a full day." Flik comments.

Hoat speaks up for the Captain,

"Can't hurt Paul.  Try it out, but don't take too long.  Im'a chargin' in if you take more than a hun'erd heartbeats."

OOC: note: you've split off from the captain's group now.

OOC: Managed the check after a few retries.

I pull a scroll from my belt and roll it out. It is fairly large, and I spend some time inspecting it. After a minute or so, I utter some arcane-sounding words and fade out of sight.

"OK, I've got it now. Wait here - I'll blow a whistle if I need you in a hurry, run towards me if you hear two short bursts on it and run away from me if you hear one long burst." I whisper to Hoat.

Then I move ahead to explore for treasure.

Zorlax looks with interest as the newcomer hastily uses up a spell scroll. He thinks to himself, I hope he makes good time. Meanwhile he wracks his brain for any reference to snake venom and mandrake root.


OOC: Check 28 (nat 20 woohoo)

-PL-
[Private to Zorlax Marn: Searching your memory, you remember reading something about a method some Yuan-Ti clans use to turn humans into Yuan-Ti hybrids. The monsters are called "histachii" in their snake-tongue. Translated it means "Tainted Ones".]

Do I see anything much?

Zorlax whispers to the others. I believe we are about to come across so Yuan-Ti guardians. That smell is related to the processes that produce tainted-ones. Prepare yourselves.

-PL-

[Private to Paul Roberts: Up ahead, the corridoor continues on but there is also an entrance to the side. Inside here the room is filled with the corpses of around a dozen mutated humans. There is a Yuan-Ti who is standing seemingly triumphantly over some kind of other snake creature. This is where the smell is coming from.]

Hurriedly sneaking back to the others, I relay the news:

"There are a couple of Yuan-Ti in a side-room off that corridor. Looks like one of them just beat the other one up, so they should be weak enough for us to take pretty handily. I'm going to look further down the corridor - unless you guys want to give that one a suprise. I suggest that I get into position behind him, then chuck a net over 'im. The second I do, you lot come runnin in from around the corner an mob him."

Zorlax hisses Sounds like a good plan. But I think you should scout a little more first then We'll rush those two. Be quick about it.

"If you want to take them out silently so they don't alert their fellows. I've got a spell prepared that would do the trick." Flik comments.

Sounds excellent. You kill him silently, I'll scout further down.

[Private to GM: What's down that corridor? Hurry, I'm running out of invisibility...]

-PL-

[Private to Paul Roberts: You scout further down the corridoor and trip another trap. It isn't harmful but it does dispel your invisiblity. There is another room up ahead.]

Unfortunately, Paul's invisibility is dispelled by a trap he trips. He slinks back towards the rest of the group but doesn't pass the room with the Yuan-Ti in it for fear of being discovered. He looks to be waiting for you all to attack.

"Well guys do we just rush him, or do i cast my spell so no one can hear him scream as he kill him?" Flik asks the other's quietly.

By all means cast the spell. hisses Zorlax.

Flik moves forward and bit and casts silence centered on the yuan-ti guard.

Once the spell is cast, Hoat rushes forward to behead the snake-man with his halbard. The swing is wild, however, and misses its target by a wide margin.


OCC: 09:25, Today: Hoat Hundemar rolled 6 using 1d20+5. Attack w/ Power Attack 3.  Also, if Hoat ever hits, for damage calculation would it be +6 (18 Str) for a two-handed weapon, +6 for the two-handed Power Attack 3?

I dash in after Hoat unslinging my net. Hits touch AC 12, which just might do it.
If it works, the yuan-ti is entangled (-2 to attacks, -4 to DEX, moves at half speed and cannot charge or run).

Zorlax levels his crossbow and fires. The bolt flies true and nails the yuan-ti but only pricks it's skin.

OOC: Attack 21 (crit check 3) Dam 1

Flik casts his spell and the others make their attacks. The creature on the table stirs as a response.

OOC: Roll initiative & do you guys want a map?

5 for initiative. Did my net attack hit? It would be really nice to know... Touch Attack 12.

I'm fine with or without a map.

Flik moves to join the others in assualting the snake man.

OOC: Init: 10
             attack: 16
             damage: 6

maps come in handy, but if it's to much of a bother, well don't bother. All that matter is that we are clear on position and such.

"Aaarrg", Hoat roars as he once again tries to seperate the snake-man's head from its body.

(OOC:
19:10, Today: Hoat Hundemar rolled 13 using 1d10+12. Halbard dmg with Power Attack 3.
19:10, Today: Hoat Hundemar rolled 23 using 1d20+5. Attack with Power attack 3.
19:10, Today: Hoat Hundemar rolled 15 using 1d20+4. Initiative. )

OOC: I should have rolled this when I attacked. duh.

06:33, Today: Zorlax Marn rolled 17 using 1d20+6. init.

If Paul had been quicker on his feet the net likely would have been on target but as it is, he has to adjust for Hoat and Flik being in combat with the snake-creature and the result is the net going wide of it's mark.

Hoat swings wildly, trying to hit the thing, whilst Flik's swing is on target, the blow is absorbed by the Yuan-Ti's fine studded leather armour.

Zorlax fires his crossbow but the bolt only draws a tiny speckle of blood.

Aurlin draws his rapier & enters the fray as well, poking another small hole in the Yuan-Ti's skin while Aralanthalas sends a bolt of magical force that strikes the thing in the side

OOC: Flik, with Aurlin there, you now get a +2 flanking bonus to hit

The Yuan-ti has to drop the tools he was working with and draw his scimitar so doesn't get to attack this round. The creature on the table is becoming more animated, as if trying to get itself up on its own feet.

Flik Goes to attack the evil snake man again, but misses horribly as the movement from the creature on the table distracts him.

OOC: Attack roll result 9 [Private to DM N1NJ4C0W: I rolled a 1, what do I have to do to roll to avoid hitting myself or dropping my weapon?]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:53, Tue 30 May 2006.

Hoat whirls the Halbard's blade back toward the cursed creature, again trying to end this nice and quick-like.


OOC:
Attack 1d20+5=14
20:24, Today: Hoat Hundemar rolled 16 using 1d10+12. Halbard power attack 3 damage.

Not sure if I needed to roll tumble to get into flanking position against the rising creature or not - I am going to make sure the thing on the table doesn't get up.
10 for tumble check.
11 for attack roll.
8 for damage with sneak attack.

Paul steps up to the table and stands opposite to Hoat so it can't concentrate on defending itself, then brings his rapier down upon it.

Zojair begins cranking his crossbow back into the firing position. As soon as it is ready he aims but holds his shot as the Hoat and Flik are in close quarters with him.

OOC: I'll wait til I get a clear shot at it, unless things start going bad.

Zorlax bides his time until he sees an opening in the battle before him.

Despite the magical silence in the area Hoat still attepts a mighty roar as he brings his massive halberd down on the Yuan-Ti.

Flik almost trips over himself in an effort to hit the monster.

Paul manages to get over to the still-prone creature on the table, sticking it in it's throat with his rapier. It bleeds heavily but still manages to sit up.

Aurlin again pricks the Yuan-Ti with his rapier and Aranthalas takes out a wand and sends another bolt of force into the Yuan-Ti.

The snake person itself swings it's scimitar expertly at Hoat but only manages to do a little damage even with two sword cuts [-6hp]

taking a cue from Hoat Flik swings extra hard at the snake, trying to kill it before it can hit hoat again. But misses again.

OOC: attack roll result: 10

I stick 'im for another 11 damage (12 to hit, 11 damage with sneak attack).

You hear the sounds of battle clearly from elsewhere in the structure.

Aralanthalas uses another charge from his wand to send a magic missile into the Yuan-Ti.
Aurlin stabs the thing again but it simply refuses to go down without a fight.
Paul drives his weapon into the 'Tainted One' as Zorlax calls it again. It is on it's feet but blood is pouring from 3 large wounds
The Yuan-Ti itself slashes at Hoat again but seems exhausted from performing the ceremony to create its ally and it's attack is weak once more [-3hp], missing completely with it's second attempt.

Everyone else fails to hit anything.

Flik swings hard at it once more, trying to end this fight before the other one reaches them, before hoat takes more damage and before the thing paul is attacking gets up.

OOC attack roll result 20
     damage: 16

Paul scores a direct but only slightly effectual hit on the tainted one.

23 to hit, 5 to damage

Hoat swings again, but in his haste to end this fight, his aim is a little off.
"Blasted beast! To The Hells with ye!"



20:17, Today: Hoat Hundemar rolled 14 using 1d10+12. Power Attack Damage.
20:17, Today: Hoat Hundemar rolled 13 using 1d20+5. Halbard Power Attck 3.

The 'tainted one' raises it's arm to strike just as Paul's rapier impales it once more. The blade goes through the creature's stomach, finally felling it & leaving it twitching slightly on the ground.

Hoat is still having no luck, but Flik is. The Yuan-Ti screeches. Then, another magic missile & another rapier blade draw a couple more pin pricks in it's hide.

Hoat is hit twice more [-12] but he seems to be weathering the hits, taking them in his mighty stride.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:21, Mon 19 June 2006.

Paul runs to where the net landed. "Help me out here - distract the beast when I give the signal".

OOC: I'm going to try to throw the net over the yuan-ti - picking up and readying the net took all round, so next time I'll throw it - if all of you use the aid another action then take 5ft steps back, and I try to throw it on him I'll have a fair shot of getting him entangled, which is a significant advantage.

Although puals suggestion has merit flik is to engaged to even really pay attention as he once again attacks the snake man with everything he's got.

OOC: Attack roll: 17
     damage: 16

Although Hoat continues to swing with all his might, for some reason his aim continues to be clumsy - he just can't seem to lay a blade on the snake-man-thing.



15:12, Today: Hoat Hundemar rolled 10 using 1d20+5. Power Attack 3 With Halbard.

The Yuan-Ti's movements slow as the minor wounds he has taken add up. Flik's attack adds to those injuries. It's threshold is breached and it falls unconsious under the weight of the pain and blood loss

OOC: Arr! Them thar snakes are both done for! Time to go find ye some loot!

Take 1125 XP while ye're at it!

With the snake man fallen Flik quickly strikes it once more with his halberd to make sure it stays down and then he draws his wand and starts tending to Hoat's wounds.

OOC: Flik consumes two charges from his wand healing hoats wounds.
 First charge heals 6 and the second charge heals 12, if hoats hp note is accurate he should be at 35.

Paul grabs his net, folding it quickly.

"We had best move on, before the noise attracts more. Which way to the loot?"

The only way you haven't been was the corridor that Paul went a short way down. Assuming the cap'n was right, the loot must be down that way.

"Very well lads - lets get to it." says Paul, slinging the folded net over his back.

I lead the group down the corridor, looking about warily.

Flik moves along with the others, hopefulyl soon they'd get to the loot and then they could grab it and get the hell out of here. Evil temples to crazy gods filled with dangerous zenophobic snake men give him the willies.

Zorlax, as usual takes up the rear. He keeps his crossbow ready.

You travel down the corridor. Aurlin seems to be searching for traps but only points out the one that Paul has already set off.

Eventually, you find your way to a locked stone door. You assume your target is behind it.

Aurlin - you got this one? If not, I guess we have to get through it some other way.
[Private to GM: Can I see/reach the hinges on the door? I have disable device...]

Aurlin seems quietly confident.
"I've got it." he says, taking out a set of lockpicks. He takes a whole minute, during which the sounds of combat from elsewhere in the temple begin to die down but he smiles and pushes open the doors.
He reveals a beautiful sight. Gold & gems, perhaps too many to fit in your sacks.

Zorlax quickly casts a spell to detect magic as the doors open. He scans the area before anyone enters.

-PL-

[Private to Zorlax Marn: You detect an aura coming from a small wooden chest in the corner of the vault. Spellcraft check if you want to for details.]

PM
[Private to DM N1NJ4C0W: Spellcraft 23]

Aurlin pushes past Zorlax and moves straight over to the pile of gold and gems, quickly filling up his bag. He gestures everyone else in to do the same.

[Private to Zorlax Marn: The aura of the artifact is incredibly strong. The item in that chest must be some kind of artifact.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:58, Tue 27 June 2006.

I load up on treasure - how much weight does it look like? I can't carry all that much...

Zorlax motions to the thief. Take a quick look and see if this is locked.

If it's locked Zorlax will ask Flic to try to unlock it. If it isn't Zorlax will open it himself.

Flik starts dumping gems and the more valubale coins into his sack. He also takes a quick look around to see if there is any other interesting thing about like a book, a painting, a small statue or something shiny that attracts his attention or anyhting that seems lucky.

OOC: Spot check 17

12 for search. If I don't find anything especially worthwhile, I just take a bunch of coins and gems.

It seems as if the hoard is made up solely of gold & gems, except for the chest that Zorlax has pointed out.

Aurlin grudgingly drops his part-filled bag and picks the lock before going back to his looting.

There must be around 4000 lbs worth of loot in the pile. This means that all-together you can push or drag your bags back to the ship.

Zorlax opens the chest to see what's inside.

Inside the chest, you find a black gauntlet. It radiates an eerie green light.

"Zorlax do you happen to have a spell to help us transport the Loot prepared?" Flik asks as he finishes filling up his sack to the point where he can brely drag it along behind him.

Distracted for a minute, the mage answers Nay, I have not prepared such a spell. His eyes never leave the gauntlet. He quickly loads up with as much of the most valueable gems as he can before reaching in and taking the glove.

"Let's be gone from here afore the snakes get a whiff of what's been done." says Paul, dragging as much loot as he can across the floor.

With the loot loaded up you excitedly drag it all out of the temple & back to the ship. No Yuan-Ti seem to be following you but about half-way to the ship a battered & bloody captain Blackmane comes running up behind you.

"Good job lads, ye did me proud. We lost a couple o' boys in a fight with the cheif priest but their patron is sure to get the message. I 'ope you looted everything. No stone unturned an' all?"

She gestures for some pirates to help you with your heavy loads.

"Who needs healing? Are all the wounded able to walk or will we need to carry some of the back to the ship?" Flik asks.

"All those who cannot walk are dead back in the temple. Save the healing for when we're back on the ship."

I drag all I can back to the ship.

With help from the other mates, you get all of the loot back to the Desert Rose.

>>Back to the ship. We need to find a place to spend this stuff. Plus, the cap'n might have another job to do.>>