The Firesday sun breaks upon your faces, waking you at an early hour. You feel well-rested. The guards tell you the way to Provoka has not been well-traveled for nearly two years, but the road should still be in decent condition.

You have a choice of heading north, past a village called Rockwood located in between a large valley between mountain ranges or heading northeast through a swamp. Most of the time the caravans would pass through Rockwood, even though the trip was a full day longer on foot, due to the swamp being slightly more dangerous and slowing mounted travel.

Rockwood also used to be the unofficial port for the towns and villages that lie to the north of Cornelia. Unfortunately, they've not had time to send anyone to investigate it, and nothing has been heard from the inhabitants since the bridge was destroyed.

He can't offer any advice on which route might be the wiser choice. You'll have a nearly five hour walk across the northern peninsula's plains to decide.

Ok. You guys wanna stop at that rock place? I do. Jack shifts his pack a little and measures his pace to match the others.

DAI nods.

"I'm not sure how long we'll be gone but...an extra day's travel to ensure safety would probably be best..."

Zeig agrees heartily.

"Last time we slept in a swamp we were greeted by wolves for breakfast.  Sausage and rolls at a local inn sound much more tempting to me!"

I guess that'll do then. Less of a chance of spiders too. North, then?

The party sets north towards Rockwood. The plains give way to foothills as they approach. A small sea is to your west while mountains lie to the east. The sun begins to set as they near the small port town. From the distance on the road, no lights can be seen from the buildings. You're confident that you're far enough away to have not been noticed from anyone or anything that's in the village. It is another ten minutes of walking to make it there.

The village has what looks to be eight or nine buildings in a close grouping. Small houses spatter the landscape around it. The function of the buildings can't be discerned reliably from this distance and at current lighting.

"All right!  This was definitely a good choice.  Sleeping in a bed instead of on the ground?  Warm meals instead of trail rations?  Sign me up anyday!"

Jack hums a little. Well, that's only if they have an inn. What will we do if there isn't one? He sighs, I've never been to another town before.

DAI ponders a moment, now realizing how differen the outside world could be.

"Well...the only town we know has an inn...perhaps that is a common occurence? Travelers could be more common out here then we're used to..."

Zeig stops dead in his tracks.  He hadn't really thought about going to another town and how things might be different from what he expected.  His mother had always described the warm welcome of the various inns and taverns that she stumbled upon in her treasure hunting days as the best cure for weary feet and spirits.

"The guards said it was a small port town for the north so I'd suppose they get their fair share of travelers...OH!!  There better be one now!  I've been looking forward to it all day..."

You all continue making progress towards the small town as the sun continues to make progress below the horizon. As true nightfall sweeps the countryside, it is very plain that there are no lights in any of the buildings in the town nor are there any lights coming from the smattering of houses in the surrounding foothills.

You can hear the lapping of the small inland sea waves against a beach near Rockwood.

There is a large marketplace building that looks to be on the verge of collapse. It consists basically only of tall pillars supporting a high, wooden ceiling. Underneath it lie a couple small, wooden structures that look to be in fairly decent shape. Knowledge (Local)

Directly after that lies another fairly large building with a huge sign of a bed and mug of ale above the door.

Across the street there is a stable that seems sturdy enough. Next to that and also across the street from the inn is a large, rectangular, and unlabeled building.

To the south of all of this are a bunch of residencies, most of which are heavily damaged or even completely destroyed.


Not quite scale. One 'character' does not represent a 5' square.
~ = water
X = ruined pier
. = beach/sand
I = Inn (in tact)
W = Warehouse
H = houses
h = ruined houses
S = stable
M = Market (mostly ruined)
| = Road
- = Road
P = Party, where you're viewing this

~~~~~...                           |
~~~~~~.. III   MMMMMMMMMM          |
~~~~~... III   MMMMMMMMMM          |
~~~~.....                         P|
XXXXXXX..--------------------------|
~~~~~...  WWWW   SS                |
~~~~....  WWWW   SS                |
~~~~~~..                           |     N
~~~~~...  HH h  H                  |    W☼E
~~~~~~... HH                       |     S
~~~~~....    h  h                  |
~~~~~~...                          |
~~~~~...  h   h  H                 |
~~~~....                           |
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:52, Mon 07 Mar 2011.

Looks like they've had some troubles. Jack walks on, towards the inn.

Zeig follows Jack, eyeing the dilapidated buildings as they walk by.  "I'll say.  This place looks like it's seen better days."

Now that you're closer you can notice many of the windows reflect broken images of the moon or no light at all, signifying that a lot of them are broken or missing. Apart from that, the darkness of night is obscuring any ability to notice detail much past 5' from you.

The building to your right (north) seems to be in relatively good condition. One of the small shops inside is still standing, but the other seems to be leaning heavily, near collapse.

ZEIG and VIL's heads turn towards a building that looks like a stable. [Private to ZEIG: A noise that could best be called a "sliding thump" came from the inside of the stable.][Private to VIL: A noise that could best be called a "sliding thump" came from the inside of the stable. The noise was somewhat muffled at the end, leading you to believe a large, non-hard... something hit the ground. Maybe a heavy feed bag or similar.]

Party's new location on map noted.

Not quite scale. One 'character' does not represent a 5' square.
~ = water
X = ruined pier
. = beach/sand
I = Inn (in tact)
W = Warehouse
H = houses
h = ruined houses
S = stable
M = Market (dilapidated)
s = small building under the marketplace roof
| = Road
- = Road
P = Party, where you're viewing this

~~~~~...                           |
~~~~~~.. III   MsMMsMMMMM          |
~~~~~... III   MMMMMMMMMM          |
~~~~.....           P              |
XXXXXXX..--------------------------|
~~~~~...  WWWW   SS                |
~~~~....  WWWW   SS                |
~~~~~~..                           |     N
~~~~~...  HH h  H                  |    W☼E
~~~~~~... HH                       |     S
~~~~~....    h  h                  |
~~~~~~...                          |
~~~~~...  h   h  H                 |
~~~~....                           |
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:26, Mon 07 Mar 2011.

"Shh.  Did you hear that?"  Zeig says quietly.  "Something's moving around in the stable...maybe we shouldn't be wandering around in the dark."

Zeig casts Illuminate on Jack's quarterstaff.  Assuming it's on his back or somewhere not tucked away.  If not then his clothes I guess.

Edit - format error
This message was last edited by the player at 23:12, Mon 07 Mar 2011.

Jack is a bit wary now, but not looking for a fight. He keeps his eye on the stable and his hand on his quarterstaff, but keeps walking.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:50, Tue 08 Mar 2011.

DAI looks at the stable cautiously, he hadn't heard anything but ZEIG and VIL seemed wary of it. To be safe he was getting ready to draw his bow if the need arose.

The party continues towards the inn after a brief pause. The inn has its windows boarded up, but the door is broken inward. The warehouse across the street has its large, double doors shut. It looks, by far, the most well-kept building in town.

Next post will be first round of comabt. Please hold.

Not quite scale. One 'character' does not represent a 5' square.
~ = water
X = ruined pier
. = beach/sand
I = Inn (in tact)
W = Warehouse
H = houses
h = ruined houses
S = stable
M = Market (dilapidated)
s = small building under the marketplace roof
| = Road
- = Road
P = Party, where you're viewing this

~~~~~...                           |
~~~~~~.. III   MsMMsMMMMM          |
~~~~~... III   MMMMMMMMMM          |
~~~~.....       P                  |
XXXXXXX..--------------------------|
~~~~~...  WWWW   SS                |
~~~~....  WWWW   SS                |
~~~~~~..                           |     N
~~~~~...  HH h  H                  |    W☼E
~~~~~~... HH                       |     S
~~~~~....    h  h                  |
~~~~~~...                          |
~~~~~...  h   h  H                 |
~~~~....                           |

There is an overhang running down from the roof of the stable out from the structure about five feet. The walls are only about four feet tall, then posts about three feet apart rise up to support the ceiling. The inside is completely dark.

Lizards rolled like gods on their Move Silently checks to get into position, party failed to notice. If I didn't roll for you it was because you couldn't roll high enough anyway, even with a 20.
01:02, Today: Secret Roll: teslas rolled 25 using 1d20+5.
01:02, Today: Secret Roll: teslas, on behalf of ZEIG, rolled 9 using 1d20+4.
01:02, Today: Secret Roll: teslas, on behalf of VIL, rolled 10 using 1d20+6.
01:02, Today: Secret Roll: teslas rolled 22 using 1d20+6.

ZEIG shouts out that he sees very big lizards moving stealthily through the soft ground on the side of the road between the stable and warehouse, alerting everyone to their presence.

Again, christ, lizards rolled like gods.
01:07, Today: teslas, on behalf of ZEIG, rolled 21 using 1d20+4.
01:07, Today: teslas, on behalf of DAI, rolled 14 using 1d20+1. spot for surprise round.
01:06, Today: teslas rolled 21 using 1d20+1. hide while moving, all sorts of penalty.

Two large lizards behind a few smaller ones are creeping towards you on the edge of JACK's quarterstaff's range of shadowy illumination. Their eyes are clearly fixated on the party, and from their mouths runs a thick saliva. In response to ZEIG's shout, they stop crouching and ready themselves to run at the group, well within range to do so.

The Large lizards crawl their way closer to the party, raise their bellies off of the ground, and spit massive balls of saliva at ZEIG and JACK.
01:30, Today: teslas rolled 25 using 1d20+5. at ZEIG.
01:30, Today: teslas rolled 9 using 1d20+5. ranged touch at JACK.
ZEIG is coated in a thick, green mucus that smells extremely rancid. The saliva begins to disolve his hair and and makes his skin feel tingly. The smell turns his stomach.
ZEIG, you are Sickened (as per the D&D status). It doesn't seem as if the saliva is hurting your skin, but you may not have any eyebrows after this.

Round 1:
11: Large Lizards
10: JACK
 8: Medium Lizards
 5: DAI
 3: VIL
 3: ZEIG [Private to GM: Sickened for 8 rounds.]

Players are their usual
! = Large Lizard #1
@ = Large Lizard #2
1 = Medium Lizard
2 = "
3 = "
| = wall
- = wall
, = road
. = ground, slightly wet dirt or sand
# = door

..................................
..................................
..................................
,,,,,,,,,,V,D,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
,,,,,,,,,J,Z,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
.................,,,,.............
..................,,..............
---.....!!@@.-----##-----.........
Wa|.....!!@@1|          |.........
re|.......3.2|  Stable  |.........
ho|..........|          |.........
us|..........|          |.........
e~|..........-----##-----.........
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:37, Wed 09 Mar 2011.

Again? Jack mutters, activating his Hundred Fists charging Lizard !.


11:09, Today: JACK rolled 6,4 using 1d6+3,1d12 with rolls of 3,4. Damage 2.
11:08, Today: JACK rolled 6,4 using 1d6+3,1d12 with rolls of 3,4. Damage 1.
11:08, Today: JACK rolled 9 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 2. Attack 2.
11:08, Today: JACK rolled 21 using 1d20+7 with rolls of 14. Attack 1. 
This message was last edited by the player at 16:09, Wed 09 Mar 2011.

JACK springs at the closest lizard like an angry cat, striking with both legs. The lizard seems to be caught off-guard, to say the least.

The three smaller lizards swarm around JACK and savagely and effectively rip the flesh from his body.
10:35, Today: teslas rolled 23 using 1d20+7. lizard 1, flank.
10:35, Today: teslas rolled 26 using 1d20+7. lizard 2, flank.
10:34, Today: teslas rolled 17 using 1d20+5. lizard 3, no flank.
10:35, Today: teslas rolled 26 using 3d8+12. JACK has no DR, rolling damage at once.

DAI sent me instructions for the battle.
DAI steps sideways and launches Stone at lizard @, then draws his bow.
10:41, Today: teslas, on behalf of DAI, rolled 17 using 2d12+5.
10:40, Today: teslas, on behalf of DAI, rolled 20 using 1d20+5. ranged touch.
The rocks bombard the lizard. [Private to DAI: Firing at large lizards as you requested. Placing dif. terrain to block charge path to mages. Firing at same target as JACK would take a -4 penalty from soft cover. I didn't "try" to PBS them, but they were in range. Running away from the party in the darkness seemed like a bad idea, and staying next to two people that can cast Cure and block attacks from two directions seemed like the safe option. ]

Pausing for VIL for a short while. Edit- paused for long enough. He has yet to update his character sheet during the past weeks since the Garland fight, so I'm going to play from memory real quick.
VIL pulls out his longsword and uses fast cast to Enfire. He steps down and slashes at lizard #1, missing by a large margin.
14:13, Today: teslas, on behalf of VIL, rolled 7 using 1d20+5.

Round 1:
11: Large Lizards [Private to GM: Tick ZEIG's sickened.]
10: JACK
 8: Medium Lizards
 5: DAI
 3: VIL
 3: ZEIG [Private to GM: Sickened for 8 rounds.]

Players are their usual
! = Large Lizard #1
@ = Large Lizard #2
1 = Medium Lizard
2 = "
3 = "
| = wall
- = wall
, = road
. = ground, slightly wet dirt or sand
# = door
X = difficult terrain from Stone

..................................
..................................
..................................
,,,,,,,,,,VD,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
,,,,,,,,,,,Z,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
..........1......,,,,.............
........3J2X......,,..............
---.....!!@@.-----##-----.........
Wa|.....!!@@.|          |.........
re|..........|  Stable  |.........
ho|..........|          |.........
us|..........|          |.........
e~|..........-----##-----.........

[Private to GM:
! has taken 9 damage
@ has taken 17 damage]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:13, Wed 09 Mar 2011.

Zeig steps behind Vil (5') and ignores the foul saliva covering him.  His eyes become bright blue orbs as he calls excess divine energy, channeling it into Jack.

15:22, Today: ZEIG rolled 8 using 1d8+5. Cure -> Jack. Divine Seal = 12.

Lizard ! moves to the left 5', stands on its hind legs, and bites and claws at JACK.
14:32, Today: teslas rolled 24 using 1d20+9. bite.
14:32, Today: teslas rolled 15 using 1d20+4. claw.
14:32, Today: teslas rolled 15 using 1d20+4. claw.
14:33, Today: teslas rolled 11 using 1d12+7. bite damage.

Lizard @ moves "down and to the left" and hucks another saliva ball at JACK, but misses.

Round 1:
11: Large Lizards [Private to GM: Tick ZEIG's sickened.]
10: JACK
 8: Medium Lizards
 5: DAI [Private to GM: Tick difficult terrain.]
 3: VIL
 3: ZEIG [Private to GM: Sickened for 7 rounds.]

Players are their usual
! = Large Lizard #1
@ = Large Lizard #2
1 = Medium Lizard
2 = "
3 = "
| = wall
- = wall
, = road
. = ground, slightly wet dirt or sand
# = door
X = difficult terrain from Stone

..................................
..................................
..................................
,,,,,,,,,,ZD,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
,,,,,,,,,,V,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
..........1......,,,,.............
........3J2X......,,..............
---....!!....-----##-----.........
Wa|....!!@@..|          |.........
re|......@@..|  Stable  |.........
ho|..........|          |.........
us|..........|          |.........
e~|..........-----##-----.........

[Private to GM:
! has taken 9 damage
@ has taken 17 damage]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:36, Wed 09 Mar 2011.

Jack takes a 5 foot step up and swings at lizard 1.

15:43, Today: JACK rolled 9 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 6. Damage 4.
15:43, Today: JACK rolled 4 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 1. Damage 3.
15:43, Today: JACK rolled 6 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 3. Damage 2.
15:43, Today: JACK rolled 9 using 1d6+3 with rolls of 6. Damage 1.
15:43, Today: JACK rolled 5 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 2. Attack 4.
15:42, Today: JACK rolled 19 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 16. Attack 3.
15:42, Today: JACK rolled 15 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 12. Attack 2.
15:42, Today: JACK rolled 21 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 18. Attack 1.

Jack beats the lizard within an inch of its life. It hisses defiantly.

The three small lizards continue in their attempt to pull all of his skin from his bones, but cannot seem to hit him, becoming slightly disinterested.

DAI is still gone based on his time frame given, and as such, I am taking his turn as per his instructions.
DAI runs over to get a clear shot at a large lizard (!) once again, JACK's quarterstaff illuminating his target for him and again bashes a big lizard's face with magical debris. [Private to DAI: This time, difficult terrain to block 5' and full-attack on JACK.]
14:50, Today: teslas, on behalf of DAI, rolled 20 using 1d20+5. Stone ranged touch.
14:51, Today: teslas, on behalf of DAI, rolled 20 using 2d12+5.

Will pause for VIL for another couple of hours. Hours have passed, resuming.
VIL sees his chance to flank a lizard, but decides to stay in the way between the enemies and ZEIG, and stabs at lizard #1 again, Barely hitting it, dealing relatively minor damage to the already severely damaged lizard, killing it.
22:27, Today: teslas, on behalf of VIL, rolled 2 using 1d6. fire.
22:27, Today: teslas, on behalf of VIL, rolled 3 using 1d8+2. physical.
22:26, Today: teslas, on behalf of VIL, rolled 15 using 1d20+5.

Round 1:
11: Large Lizards [Private to GM: Tick ZEIG's sickened.]
10: JACK
 8: Medium Lizards
 5: DAI [Private to GM: Tick difficult terrain.]
 3: VIL
 3: ZEIG [Private to GM: Sickened for 7 rounds.]

Players are their usual
! = Large Lizard #1
@ = Large Lizard #2
1 = Medium Lizard
2 = "
3 = "
| = wall
- = wall
, = road
. = ground, slightly wet dirt or sand
# = door
X = difficult terrain from Stone

..................................
..................................
.......D..........................
,,,,,,,,,,Z,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
,,,,,,,,,,V,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
........3J.......,,,,.............
........X.2X......,,..............
---....!!....-----##-----.........
Wa|....!!@@..|          |.........
re|......@@..|  Stable  |.........
ho|..........|          |.........
us|..........|          |.........
e~|..........-----##-----.........

[Private to GM:
! has taken 29 damage
@ has taken 17 damage
1 has taken 19 damage (of 22)]
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:28, Thu 10 Mar 2011.

Zeig casts Cure on Jack and draws his warhammer in case any of the lizards should come too close.

23:47, Today: ZEIG rolled 7 using 1d8+5. Cure -> Jack.