Balthazar steps up to A'kos and after chanting for 10 minutes, lays his hands on his arms.  Assuming A'kos is one of the fighting classes, he gets:

20:44, Today: Balthazar the Hedonite rolled 2 using 1d8. strength on A'kos.

Yeah, kind of a crap roll.  If you're already in the 18 percentile strength zone, that's 20%.  Does this help?  I can blow the second spell on you as well if you think it would put you over the top.

Dyanna watches with interest as Balthazar casts the lengthy spell on A'Kos. "I think you should cast it upon him a second time. I would like to watch it not only cast but see how it is affected multiple times upon the same subject."

Dyanna continues to watch intently as if she were taking notes on all of the Hedonites actions.

DM: I'm assuming that Balthazar is aware if multiple castings can be effective or not?  The spell description doesn't say you can't, but you're the DM, and if you don't want to allow that, I understand.  A'kos so far has improved by +2 to damage.

Balthazar turns to Barmak, "Before I put this on A'kos a second time, I'd like to hear from you."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:57, Sat 27 Aug 2011.

Miroslav watches nearly with the intent of Dyanna..."I would agree with Dyanna, make A'Kos as strong as a bull but yes hear from Barmak first."

The lightly built man replies As you know, I'm probably the weakest among you...relying on my dexterity and guile. It might do more good to embue me with more strength....but, what then? I know what is to have such strength...I may forget myself or long to have such strength always...and covet it. I think the spell had best be cast on somebody else.

Loukas awaits the negotiations and explanations. He is not particularly interested in the blessings the spell would impart, but it seems that any warrior who would use a blade might benefit from it. For himself he knows that such a bonus would not help his hands and he looks forward to using them sooner rather than later when they confront the Efreet.

A'kos smiles at the rush of strength that imbues his body; flexing his hands he nods appreciatively at the puissant magic.

"I think, mage, that this is just fine," he says, nodding toward Barmak.  "Let our nimble friend over add strength to his repertoire.  Of course, should he object I'll not argue another dose!"

Grinning, he flexes his muscles and draws his blade, giving a few practice swings and twirls for affect.

Jaleh hung around nearby watching A'kos flex appreciatively.

Barmak looks at A'Kos for what seems a long time and sighs. You have spoken. It may be that I'll need to be stronger...I hope I'm strong enough to deal with myself when the spell wears off. Balthazar, if you please....

Unsure of what the man was speaking of, A'kos turns his attention back to Jaleh and smiles lewdly.

"If you got the place I got the time!" he laughs.

Good, then I get to disregard the second (lame) roll on A'kos.

Balthazar switches focus to Barmak, and assuming you're of the fighter class (so I roll a d8):

21:28, Today: Balthazar the Hedonite rolled 4 using 1d8. strength on Barmak.

Okay, that's 4 points.  So, for instance, if your normal strength is 15, that puts you at 15 -> 16 -> 17 -> 18/01 -> 18/11.




Heh, I can't stand that rule.  Str and Dex should aid a monk.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:30, Tue 30 Aug 2011.

PM

In that case ...

06:40, Today: Balthazar the Hedonite rolled 1 using 1d6. correct die for strength on Barmak.

bleh.  The die roller hates me.

Alright, let's move on.  The cube has 6 faces.  In a big grassy area, Balthazar assembles the party.  He has previously marked each of the surfaces of the cube using his wizard mark spell, numbering them 1 through 6.  Number 1 is his best guess as to which surface Pyotr originally pressed.  Balthazar presses it.

Balthazar is rewarded for his best guess by a rush of hot wind and a reddish glow as a door sized portal opens before him. Through the door a red tinted desert landscape can be seen. The air that gushes through the opening is easily 100 degrees F.

Small desert scrub brush and cacti dot the rocky landscape but there does seem to be a paved road not too far off that leads into some rocky hills.

"Mmm, perhaps a pack horse laden with water would serve us well?" asks A'kos, feeling the heat even from several feet away.  "Also, lighter clothing and other hot weather gear?"

"Kiln weather gear more like it," Jaleh commented after looking through the gate. "Or maybe just a nice roasting spit for each of us, that goes a little beyond hot weather. Got anything to protect us from the heat?" she asked Balthazar.

To A'kos she whispers, "You find the place and I'll show you what I've got."

Loukas nods in agreement, "Yes, the Plane of Fire seems to be rather warm. Let us each bring enough water for several days -- you may bring your mount if you wish, but I am uncertain how welcome beasts might find this place as it is going to be much different than our plane regardless of the temperature."

"Wind is no pack animal," A'kos states a touch coldly.

Barmak feels but little different. You did cast the spell? Strange...I just felt a little something.

He looks out on the landscape. As much water as we can carry, and salt too. Otherwise we'll die from sweating. Some of my homeland is like this. We need cloth we can somewhat see through to protect our eyes and take turns wearing it.

Dyanna begins stripping down to her under garments. Once barely clad she throws her Cloak of the Arachnid over her shoulders and her bandoleer filled with spell components. Her leather armor and arrows are packed in her backpack and her long bow is in her left hand.

"So who will be the first to step through? Oh and i suggest we leave our mounts behind and just take a pack animal as A'Kos has suggested. We don't know how easy it will be to find water for ourselves, imagine having to find water for half a dozen horses!""

Miroslav steps forward ready to go through the portal. He has stripped off his banded armor and stands in a simple cloth tunic holding his axe and a shield from the stores of the Heart of Oak, His seax hangs from his belt. His soft low boots protect his feet from the sand..."I will go first..." he says as he steps through the portal.

Oleg is already laying full water skins across the back of one of the extra horses. it should be ready to go in a moment.

A'kos appreciates Dyanna's efforts, with a look of feigned innocence in Jaleh's direction.  Then he too doffs what he can - though he does not strip down as much as the others.

"Cloth absorbs sweat," he says to the others, following behind.  "I'll not go unarmored to this hellish realm."

Loukas strips down to undergarments and tunic that he wraps around his shoulders that he might use to shade his head and eyes later. Of his gear he keeps only a ring, his Claws of the Spider, his short bow and arrows, a dagger, and a large satchel with food a few other odds and ends. Finally he takes two water skins and follows Miroslav, "Out of the pan into the fire, my friends!"

Cuivi always looks sweaty and uncomfortable but he keeps his hide armor and all of his belongings with him as he steps through the portal.

Watching the others and listening, Jaleh shook her head slowly. She knew she had missed something along the way. "Somebody please explain to me why you all feel like walking into an oven. Is it some sudden desire to be roasted like a prize hen? The land is burning in places. If the knight went in there he's likely burnt to a cinder for pity's sake!"