The war grinds onwards, the Dwarves, the bugbears, beholders, and now the Simpathics, fight and seek to curb the rights and liberties of Svartheim, yet you remain strong and Free, defiant to the last.

You will not be conquered by these vile birds that seek to consume the kindness and love in your hearts.

Vhurdaer wasn't surprised by the sudden authority, he wore it well, had worn it before. He was a born leader, one who's ferocity and power was always on display. But he was no crude brute. He was thoughtful and measured, hoping to be firm but fair.

Before departing for the tunnels he'd assembled the team and gave an inspiring speech, letting each know that this mission was one of grave danger that would require coordinated efforts and quick, instinctual actions. These Simpathics could turn the soldiers against each other and it was their duty to each other and to their home to keep a watchful and wary eye out for any odd behavior. He'd ended the speech with an exhortation to guard their friends backs as if their own lives depended on it, because the truth was, they likely did.

PM

Vhurdaer finished his survey of the attendees and then spoke up saying, "Arminna, Jhaelnya, Illiana, come, I would like to speak with you as we move out."


Once the three gathered around him, "You don't know me and I don't know you, but I can promise I will fight tooth and nail on your behalf. What skills do each of you bring? I'd like to discuss strategy before we attempt to take on these threats."

Jhaelnya pauses

"I am gifted with Song, blade, and reasonably capable with magic. I only have one leg" shows the injury... "And couldnt obtain a proper prosthesis leading until recently, my dwelling in Sigil, why I was the one to identify the Simpathics"


Illiana smiles to Armiana "You may remember me from escorting the pilgrims that one time? Im trained in the arts of espionage, of climbing walls, finding and disarming traps.

Im also know to be charismatic" she assures him.

Vhurdaer nodded in approval and waited a moment for Arminna to chime in, but spoke up saying, "Perhaps the Simpathics are susceptible to music. Does anyone know their weaknesses?"

Jhaelnya sighs "doubt anyone knows more then me... I was long in foreign parts..."

Arminna smiles to Illiana.  "It is a pleasure to see you again," she replies.  Turning to Vhurdaer, she says, "I am Arminna Xun'sohna, priestess of Eilistraee.  I an skilled in both the use of spells and of the blade."

"I too know a few spells, but I'm far better with my rod or my bow. Thank you all for volunteering for this mission. To say it is dangerous would be a grave understatement. We may lose a few on this endeavor, but I plan on bringing everyone home alive and well. Arminna, would your spells be able to create a distraction, perhaps a false image that might attract the Simpathics so we could kill them all?"

Jhaelnya suddenly seems quite grim An exchange of oaths if I may beg it?

that if one of us is ... fed upon by the Simpathics, the rest of us will if reasonably possible disarm ,  restrain and seek to restore to sanity such an individual, if not" Sighs sadly "Call them collateral damage... I for one would much rather die with my spirit forever wondering these tunnels, then live as a threat to all I once loved about Svartheim.

Vhurdaer grimaced as well, "I agree. It would be far better to be put down than to live forever under their enchantment. I will swear an oath, will you all?"

she pauses and nods "I swear before Eilistraee, before the live in these tunnels that I will if it may be safely done, Disarm bind and restore any lost to the Simpathics hunger, failing that I will slay them. I also hold as blameless any here who should slay me in such a eventuality, for I would welcome as Mercy a quick death."

she pauses and adds

"They dont charm, they devour... they FEED on virtue, but on their own, have no interest in destroying or eradicating it."

Arminna takes the oath as well.  To Vhurdaer she says, "I do not have a spell like that.  However, if need be, I do have one to create strong winds.  It should keep them from flight, but it will also affect our missile weapons."

"Ah, control of the wind may come in handy, indeed. But it will not be without consequence." Vhurdaer considered the prospects of having his virtue devoured and spoke again, "By Eilistraee, do I swear that I will do the same and demand that you kill me should i be too hard to restrain as well."

He looks to the others to ensure they all are ready to depart and then they head out.

Illiana comes along eager to help end the danger the Simpathics represent...

In the following weeks you wander the tunnels almost aimlessly, Vhurndaer, is still getting the hang on tracking These elusive creatures it seems.


one day they come across a river Teaming with Wattleys.

Its a dangerous proposition, but their a much sought  after Fish, their meat is quite tasty.

(OOC: rolled Tracking results were BAD)
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:54, Thu 02 Feb 2017.

Vhurdaer said aloud to all, "Are any of you skilled fishermen? I know a bit about it but am worried stopping here will slow down our overall objective."

OOC: I am proficient in survival and trapping but I don't know if that covers fishing.

Arminna agrees with Vhurdaer, saying, "We should move on, and come back later if we have time."

Jhaelnya nods "Every moment is precious... the sooner we fumigate the Simpathics... the better"

"Yes, we should move with all haste, " Arminna says.

Vhurdaer nods and begins to lead the others away from the fishing hole.

After a bit you find a group of Dwarf corpses

After a bit of looking you'll find it doesnt look like the work of Drow, but another Dwarf...

"We may be close, " Arminna warns the group.  "This could be the result of a dwarf being affected by a simpathic."

Illiana Pauses "Undoubtedly, the Dwarves may be overly..." Pauses hesitantly "Materialistic, but their not sadists as a rule"

Vhurdaer nodded in agreement, "Then we should move forward, but cautiously so."

OOC: Can we tell how long the bodies have been here?

(they appear to be a few hours to 2 days old, havent started rotting yet, but have cooled)

"Another question?" She pauses

"If we find the Dwarf do we try to capture him alive and help him, or put him down? We've killed comparably innocent dwarves over this war... and though he cant help that the Simpathics making him do this..."

Jhaelnya speaks up "It is not 'making' him do anything, it only devoured his virtue, and with it his moral inhibitions... I move to try capturing  him but not to risk our lives to do so"
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:40, Sat 12 Aug 2017.

"I agree, assuming any dwarf we encounter is hostile," Arminna says.  "It is possible that those affected are already dead here."

sighs "All too often, their victims do have rather abreviated lives yes"

"We should morn for them later," Arminna says.  "For now, we need to eliminate the threat."

nods "True enough"

"Let's dispatch the scouts, then," Arminna recommends.  If they see anything, they should take no action except to immediately return."

(oops) Illiana nods politely " I can handle the scouting if you wish?"

"Very well," Arminna nods to Illiana.  "Return immediately if you see them, and may The Dark Maiden watch over you."

a few minutes latter Illiana has returned and signs

No Simpathics, but a few dwarves who look even feircer then usual"

Arminna signs back: How many, and can we avoid them?

5 and looks like it would be hard to get past them... without a confrontation.

Arminna sighs and thinks things over.  After a minute, she signs: We will try to avoid them, but if necessary we'll engage them in combat, signing the last part with some reluctance.

Vhurdaer signed back, I'll be ready for the fight. Are you sure we shouldn't just surprise them...

Illiana signs in support of Vhander

More control we have, more likely we can do controled take downs, and avoid loss of life.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:05, Wed 13 Dec 2017.

Arminna signs in reply: I see your point, and they must be prevented from harming innocents.  Very well, we'll take them by surprise.

Illiana nods With a good will.

Lead the way, Arminna signs to Illiana.

Illiana smiles and starts on the way

Illiana comes back after a bit and signs

"The dwarves are totally unaware I scouted them out"
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:19, Mon 19 Feb 2018.

Arminna signs back to Illiana: What did you find out?

"The dwarves are Unusualy Fractious and devoid of honor, Sadistic and cruel, likely the Simpathic's doing I reccomend controlled takedown's of the lot of them"

Arminna signs to Illiana: You lead; Vhurdaer and I will follow.

She signs back With a good will.

Arminna waits for Illiana to lead, then follows behind.

Illiana leads them carwefully over next hour or so.

Arminna follows, readying her spells when Illiana signals that they are close.

illiana gives the gesture.

Arminna readies a Hold Person spell and signals the others to move in.

they follow her stealthily enough the dwarves ahead are stripped f all pretense of honor chivalry or aught else worth having all that is left is greed and malice.

Arminna casts Hold Person on the nearest dwarf.

The Dwarf is caught and cannot move. or even twitch in the slighhtest.

Arminna signals for that dwarf to be tied up, and casts Hold Person on the next one.

The dwarf is able to shrug it off

"Want to play rough do ya!" he smirks menacingly and comes over...

(Turn 36 tommorow!!!)

Arminna draws her sword.  "Surrender, and I shall be merciful," she tells the dwarf.

(Happy belated birthday!)

no surrender instead he snarls at her and trys with his Axe.... and misses leaving him vulnerable to Armiana's next move...
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:35, Mon 13 Aug 2018.

Arminna shifts the grip on her sword to strike the dwarf with the flat of the sword in an attempt to subdue the dwarf, and moves into melee.

(Make an attack roll with a -4 penalty to subdue)

OCC:  Perhaps you should just roll everything for this combat; it may take a while using subduing rules.  With her Long Sword +2, Arminna's subduing THAC0 is 16.

(good point)

after a bit your able to subdue all the dwarves having them securely bound one says

"What do we do , Leave them bound for their fellow dwarves to find?"

Arminna studies the situation, then comes to a decision.  "No, we will have to take them with us.  Even if they were fortunate enough to be found, someone will have to explain their condition. "

sighs then nods "Point, mad as they are even the dwarves may be inclined to put them down like mad dogs, and I don't much blame them"

Arminna sends Illiana on ahead to scout as she gets the group reassembled.

Illiana goes ahead quietly.

Arminna meditates and prays as she waits for Illiana's return.

Illiana comes back...


"Few dwarves not organized as a unit"

"These must have wandered of when their group was affected," Arminna says to the others after some thought.  "We will try to subdue them in the same manner as before."  She then gives the orders to move out.

they nod in agreement "it is best to restore them if possible"

Arminna moves her command through the tunnels until they come to the next group of dwarves.

they find the Dwarves are dispersed too enslaved to their own evil impulses to work together.

Arminna signs to the rest of the group We will take these the same way as the other dwarves.  Then moving as close as she can to the first dwarf, she casts Hold Person.

Its held still as a statue.

Arminna quietly moves on to the next one and casts Hold Person on the dwarf.

The Dwarf sadly is unaffected...

Arminna closes in, sword blade turned for subdual.

He Makes a crushing blow with his Mace.

Your armor can soften it a bit but only so much.

(OOC: He hits and does 4 Damage.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:03, Tue 18 June 2019.

Arminna swings at the dwarf, missing due to the awkward way she is holding her sword.

OCC: It may be best if you run the combat like last time.

(Just roll all your attacks and his?)

Yep, just like the previous battle.

after a bit your able to kill him...

Arminna moves to the next dwarf.

OCC:  Perhaps you should run the whole battle, keeping in mind they are trying to subdue the dwarves.

(Fair enough)

Things proceed well enough and Illiana pauses

"I've found the lair of the Simpathics Shall we destroy them?"

"Yes, but first things first,"Arminna replies.  "How far, and how many...and what's the cave like?" she asks.

"Its secluded they value the Safety of no more then one entrance we'd need to be ready to shrink to enter the entrance The Simpathics have allready built a nest it seems.

"How big is the opening?" Arminna inquires.  "Perhaps we can just seal them inside?"

"Its small about a foot across"

"What is your recommendation?" Arminna asks her.

"Perform a few summonings if y ou can? Then send in sxomething not bothered in the least by the Size of the entrance or its location""

Arminna shakes her head.  "I do not have access to those spells," she replies.  "What else?"

Illyrana pauses I Can climb up to the entrance then crawl through it?" She suggests "Might be able to handle Simpathics not sure about people they've drained"

"Perhaps one of the wizards has a spell that will prove useful.  Let us go ask them," Arminna says.

one says "I Know Dimension door milady Its a short range teleport but in this kind of operation I think its appropiate."

Arminna nods.  "Interesting idea," she says.  "And what actions can we use with it?" she asks the group at-large.

OOC: Sorry for the delay.

"I reccomend as cold hearted as it must sound that we go after the Simpathics eggs if their are eggs here they'll defend them "  Illyrana suggests  At some cold glances responds "Would you prefer they fill these tunnels with such pandem onium?"

Vhurdaer silently padded up to Arminna. "The dwarves have been delivered. Looks like you've dealt with a fair bit yourself. Now that I'm back, how can I help?"

Arminna smiles at the drow's return.  "You're timing is excellent, Vhurdaer," she says, then continues "We are about to enter the simpathics' nest.  Is your group ready to go now?"

Vhurdaer smiled and said, "At your service. Will this call for my bow or my mace?" He asks curious as to whether he should be ready for ranged of melee combat. He would assume melee but he made a habit of not assuming anything, especially around the female of his species.

"Ready your mace," Arminna replies.  "Should there be any adults in there, I will be creating strong winds to ground them."  She then turns to the group at large, asking "Are we ready?"

Illyrana bows once "Just say the word"

Vhurdaer hefted his mace and nodded. “I am ready when you are. Let’s do this.”

"I'm afraid that the spell I was hoping to cast is beyond my abilities, but there is nothing that can be done about it.  Very well, then, let us proceed," Arminna says, then nods to the wizard to cast Dimension Door.

Wizard takes them in theirs several simpathics in there and the nests.... "Destroy the eggs if at all possible"

Arminna casts Prayer after they enter the cave.

The soldiers go work immediately ridding the world of the Simpathics  taking out one after another.

Arminna watches to see if any simpathics take flight.

a few do to ensure the survival of their race most are devoted to defending their eggs.

Arminna uses a Sword Dancer ability to cast Magic Missile at the Simpathics that have taken flight.

(Try aiming the missiles all at one Simpathic or each at one or what?)

(How many took flight?  Arminna can create 4 MM at a time, and do it up to 2 times.)

she can make out  6 simpatthics.

"Those with missile weaponry, take down the simpathics trying to fly away," Arminna cries out as she fires two Magic Missiles each at two of the creatures.

22:49, Today: Arminna Xun'sohna rolled 7 using 2d4+2 with rolls of 1,4.  MM vs simpathics.
22:50, Today: Arminna Xun'sohna rolled 5 using 2d4+2 with rolls of 1,2.

shes able to slay them a few Simpathica are taken down by arrows and 2 by crossbow bolts


Someone cast magic missile to anc

Arminna looked on with grim satisfaction as the last of the simpathics and their eggs were destroyed, putting an end to the misery that they had caused.  Kneeling, she gave thanks to the Dark Maiden for the completion of their mission and offered prayers for those who were harmed by the foul creatures.

Once she is done, Arminna stands and addresses the group.  "Well done, each of you.  With our task now complete, we can finally head home."

"Do we gather fish on the way back?" one of the soldiers asks

"Yes, I believe that is possible" Arminna replies.  "An excellent reward for the hard work you all have done.”

they nod and will get to work "It will be a bit dangerous but could bring us goin coinage"

Arminna nods.  "Then as soon as we are Dimension Door'd out of here, we should get underway," she says.

one of them casts dimension door another gets out a net "Ready to do some fishing milady"

Arminna smiles.  "I am looking forward to it," she says as she leads them out of the cave and enroute to the underground river.

They rack in a net full of fish  "Lets store them and take them home.

"Yes, let us take these home.  Then we will be able to make our report, and enjoy a well earned break," Arminna replied.

But of course... up ahead after a bit you see a short gargoyle like creature its approaching and seems to have no ill intent towards you "Truce I have news you would be grateful of learning" He says.

Arminna responds with the Underdark sign of truce.  "Greetings.  I am Arminna, servant of the Dark Maiden." she says in reply.

It approaches a bit more and says


"An Alkilith is loose in these tunnels I do not know if its for some specific mission  But    Alkiliths delight in defilement and corruption I Will not lie and say I care, I dont, but  " Shakes head

"My lord finds You a useful Buffer from our enemys. a buffer he would not see removed"

Jhaelnya pauses "This is a spinagon a creature of pure lawful evil I think though its being honest
 I reccomend we spare its existence but escort it to the nearest portal to either sigil or Baator well the outlands or Gehenna or Acheron would work too I guess point is send him somplace where he has a fair chance of making it back safe and sound but I'll rest easier without such a creature haunting these tunnels"


He smiles crookedly "I wouldnt blame you in the least"
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:22, Fri 15 Oct 2021.

Arminna listens to the two, then turns to Jhaelnya.  "Very well, that sounds like a prudent course of action," she says.   Turning to the spinagon she asks, "Is there anything more that you can tell us about the Alkilith?”

"They are Tannari that Resemble and are frequently mistaken for Oozes or Puddings they not uncommonly serve Ghaundar that which lurks wheither or not this one does" Shakes his head "I know not. But I do know the Alkilith delight in defiling holy things or sullying things of beauty" Pauses "That might give you some idea of what its doing in these tunnels" He lets the dreadful words hang in the air then says "Their resistent to both slashing and bludgeoning weapons As well as to fire cold or electricity. Their able to assume a gaseous form at will  able to choke bystanders if they wish."pauses



"my lords counselors only performed so many follow up divinations before I was sent to notify you. but we have ascertained the Alkilith means to perform  a series of summons hoping to create a tannaric army your forced to face this is only to distract you from whatever its real goal is which I Fear I know not. but just because its meant to distract you doesnt mean it wont kill people lots of people."
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:09, Wed 20 Oct 2021.

OOC: How far are we from Svartheim?

((4 ddays march)

"And where is this army being formed?" Arminna asks.

"As I Said my lords Counselors only performed so many follow up divinations" the spinagon grants.  "I Do not know where its being formed only that its early in its formation My lord thought it best to inform you early even at the expense of knowing all the details"

"Then we should not waste anymore time," Arminna states.  Turning to those around her, she says "Vhurdaer, you will go ahead and inform them of the completion of our mission against the simpathics, and what we have learned about this new threat.  Jhaelnya, start giving the orders for the group to break camp and return to Svartheim.”

nods "And our guest? We cannot trust him in these tunnels alone  We need to escort him to a portal ASAP

Arminna thinks then replies, "Consult those knowledgeable about the locations of the portals; perhaps there is one that is conveniently located."

*bump*

OCC: Ready to go.

she does so "One it leads to outlands but its a safe enough place for him as he journeys to ribcage and then home"

"Then let us proceed," Arminna says.

Once the group reaches the portal, Arminna watches as the spinagon is sent through it.  Once the portal is closed, she instructs the group to immediately continue on to Svartheim.

Cazna nods as they comply.

They reach their home who do they share ominous news with

Upon returning to Svartheim, Arminna has two individuals she intends to report to:  The high priestess of the temple to Eilistraee, and her military commander (Lord General Jan Thorinsenn).

hows she phrdase things

Arminna reports to the High Priestess about the destruction of the simpathics and the spinagon's warning of the Alkilith.  To the Lord General she only reports the spinagon's warning of the Alkilith.

Cazna reports that the issue on the boundary appears stable at this time.

Their thanked for their reports then told "We think the local apocthery would appreciate some help from you??"

Cazna shrugs, "Better go see what they need." She heads off to find out.

He nods "That would be best"

She heads off to find out.

The Apocthery is a middle aged drow female  she explains briskly "Would tou undertake a mission for me

"What's the mission?"

Arminna greets the Apothecary.  "Greetings.  I am Arminna Xun'sohna, a humble servant of Lady Silverhair.  How may we be of service?" she asks.

OOC:  What was the XP from the Simpathics adventure?