Sili moves to the far wall to the right.
03:35, Today: SILI rolled 10 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 6. Fort (DC 13).

"Guys, we gotta get outta here. They don't stop coming."
03:56, Today: ZEIG rolled 8 using 1d8+7. Heal.
MP: 16/53

After settling the light on the party it again lingers on Sili. Bless +4 to fort for Sili Zeig moves as far towards the entrance as he can, out if the door is open.

GM Edit-
Stop forgetting these, damn it

02:07, Today: teslas, on behalf of ZEIG, rolled 22 using 1d20+6. Fortitude vs. Nausea.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:08, Fri 16 Mar 2012.

You tend to get on my case when I post without you reposting initiative order when not specified that it is okay.

02:34, Today: DAI rolled 22 using 1d20+4. fort vs nausea.
DAI shakes some of the bitier bugs off of him as he makes his way outside. "Damn this village, damn that chain, damn that ghost, and damn these fucking bugs!" DAI will cast Fast(if able, not sure when Ice Armor got worked in) and zip outside in a straight line from the door, ready to start firing or doing something.

OOC: So Fire isn't really enough to actually set stuff on fire, anything flammable near the building I might be able to work with?

SILI jogs across the room, opting to stay in the zone of death.

DAI puts it in third gear and jogs down the street outside. Fast. MP: 17/54
I had you run to the east since it was the direction you could go the furthest without losing sight of everyone from running into an alleyway. There are buildings all up and down this street to the north and south of you.

MILO stays near the doorway, whimpering, not wanting to let SILI leave his sight, but trying to keep an eye on DAI as instructed.

The swarm coats SILI once again.
14:24, Today: teslas rolled 5 using 1d6. other half, oops.
14:24, Today: teslas rolled 5 using 1d6. swarm damage vs. SILI.
14:24, Today: teslas, on behalf of SILI, rolled 29 using 1d20+10. Fortitude vs. poison.

Don't forget your DC 13 Fortitude for a full turn, or that you get a +4 Sacred bonus from ZEIG for two rounds.

Round 7:
14: SILI        - Poisoned x4, Blessed (+4 Fort), Swarmed
14: ZEIG        - Poisoned x2
14: DAI         - Poisoned x2
14: MILO
14: Bad Guy(s?)

, = swarm
. = pavestones

sss#s

  |   ,,S|
--|--#,--|--
     M.
.........................D...................
......Z......................................
.............................................
.............................................
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:22, Fri 16 Mar 2012.

Sili leaves the house and double moves, calling out to Milo to follow. (2 squares left, 2 down, 4 right)

GM Edit-
You forgot to post it.

14:47, Today: SILI rolled 17 using 1d20+8 with rolls of 9. Fort (DC 13).
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:20, Fri 16 Mar 2012.

The next person to miss reading something, and then reading it again when I explicitly tell them, loses 50 EXP. There's been way too much of this recently.

It slows down the game for everyone, and causes me to nerd rage.

If you guys want a break or we're moving too fast, let me know. It's ok to slow down and take your time and read everything.

edit-
And checking the dice roller he at least rolled it, but didn't include it. Forgivable, but this still stands.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:21, Fri 16 Mar 2012.

Round 7:
14: SILI        - Poisoned x4, Blessed (+4 Fort), Swarmed
14: ZEIG        - Poisoned x2
14: DAI         - Poisoned x2
14: MILO         
14: Bad Guy(s?)

, = swarm
. = pavestones

sss#s

  |   ,,,|
--|--#,--|--
     M.   S
.........................D...................
......Z......................................
.............................................
.............................................

Zeig retrieves the alchemist's fire from his handy haversack (move action) and casts Basuna on Sili.
MP: 15/53
This message was last edited by the player at 21:35, Fri 16 Mar 2012.

DAI moves 5ft down-left and then 55ft left.

SILI feels remarkably better, having had several ounces of poison making its way through his circulatory system.

MILO joins SILI's side, still whimpering, obviously not liking to be so close to the swarm.

The mass of insects comes out of the house and head for the closest thing they can: ZEIG. An arm comes out and attempts to make it to SILI, but can't quite manage it.
15:51, Today: teslas rolled 5 using 2d6. swarm damage vs. ZIEG.
15:51, Today: teslas, on behalf of ZEIG, rolled 25 using 1d20+6. Fortitude vs poison.

Round 8:
14: SILI        - Blessed (+4 Fort)
14: ZEIG        - Poisoned x3, Swarmed
14: DAI         - Poisoned x2
14: MILO         
14: Bad Guy(s?)

, = swarm
. = pavestones

sss#s

  |      |
--|--# --|--
     .. ,,SM
.......,.....................................
......Z......D...............................
.............................................
.............................................

Sil takes a 5 ft. step to the right and plays March for Zeig.

18:50, Today: SILI rolled 24 using 1d20+13 with rolls of 11. Perform (Harp) (March on Zeig).

20:38, Today: DAI rolled 9 using 1d20+6. Aero(RTA)(PBS) vs swarm

DAI, lacking anything else to do, tries blasting some of the bugs away from ZEIG as he readies his flask of alchemist's fire.

23:41, Today: ZEIG rolled 12 using 1d20+5. Fort.
Zeig nearly throws up but moves as far as he can to the east.

DAI blows a quarter of the swarm flying off to the west. While it doesn't appear to have injured many of them, it will take the chunk time to coalesce back with the rest.

MILO takes a step behind his master while continuing his expressions of displeasure.

Despite the swarm's reduced size and speed, it is still able to envelop SILI and MILO.
21:54, Today: teslas rolled 5 using 2d6. swarm vs. MILO.
21:54, Today: teslas rolled 12 using 2d6. swarm vs. SILI.
21:55, Today: teslas, on behalf of SILI, rolled 17 using 1d20+4. Fortitude vs poison.
21:55, Today: teslas, on behalf of SILI, rolled 13 using 1d20+8. MILO fortitude vs. poison.

Round 9:
15: ZEIG        - Poisoned x3, March (+1)
14: SILI        - Poisoned x1, Swarmed
14: DAI         - Poisoned x2
14: MILO        - Poisoned x1, Swarmed
14: Swarm       - 1/4 dispersed

, = swarm
. = pavestones

sss#s

  |      |
--|--# --|--
     ..
..........,SM................................
............ZD...............................
.............................................
.............................................

Zeig attacks the swarm with the alchemist's fire, throwing it into the square next to SILI, and moves away 15' SW from the swarm of maggots.
00:06, Today: ZEIG rolled 14 using 1d20+3. Alchemist's Fire vs. Swarm, RTA. 00:08, Today: ZEIG rolled 6 using 1d6. FIRE.

GM Edit-
Targetted square.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:59, Sat 17 Mar 2012.

ZEIG chucks the alchemist's fire into the horde of tiny insects. It bursts open, spewing burning liquid all over them. Several thousands of pops and crackles can be seen, heard... and smelt.

SILI takes 1 point of fire damage.

Round 9:
15: ZEIG        - Poisoned x3, March (+1)
14: SILI        - Poisoned x1, Swarmed
14: DAI         - Poisoned x2
14: MILO        - Poisoned x1, Swarmed
14: Swarm       - 1/4 dispersed, on fire

, = swarm
. = pavestones

sss#s

  |      |
--|--# --|--
     ..
..........,SM................................
.............D...............................
.............................................
.............................................

18:13, Today: SILI rolled 5 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 1. Fort (DC 13).

Sili stumbles 20 ft. to the east.

You'd need Improved Precise Shot for something like that, I'd say (though there are no literal rules for this). Please hit a different square. Remember that the swarm is also in the square where SILI just came from.

Oh yes, how could I have forgotten >.>

DAI moves 20ft East and then fires on the swarm where SILI had just been standing.

15:20, Today: DAI rolled 12 using 2d8+8. Damage(meh).
15:19, Today: DAI rolled 14 using 1d20+6. Aero(RTA)(PBS)
Reflex DC 15 to avoid knockback.

With that, enough of the swarm is dispersed, burned, or drowned so that the remaining insects scatter in all directions.

Everyone gains 400 Experience Points for surviving the ordeal.

I believe this may level two of you up, so we're going to pause here for a moment.

00:02, Today: ZEIG rolled 3 using 1d4. Restore (CON) - Zeig.
00:02, Today: ZEIG rolled 4 using 1d4. Restore (STR) - Sili.
00:02, Today: ZEIG rolled 3 using 1d4. Restore (DEX) - Sili.
00:01, Today: ZEIG rolled 4 using 1d4. Restore (DEX) - Sili.
MP: 3/53 before level up

Zeig nearly vomits again watching the vermin scatter, but feels a renewed strength after the encounter.

"Urgh, what a terrible place. That bastard addressed me as slave, on top of the disease ridden maggots! I am inclined to burn the entire village to the ground, no joke. Perhaps in this manner we will destroy the body of that drow so his spirit cannot reform to renew his assault upon us. What a vile plague upon this earth these creatures and their machinations with Lolth have wrought."

After a long pause, "I don't know how to even begin confronting this task. 4 people, sent off into the wilderness to magically coerce a hostile creature of unimaginable power to undo the damage it has already done. Now we are 2 and a friend. I just don't know what can be done, but I would like to send the filth of this village to the next world already. By fire, be purged and return to the earth. That's what I say."

Zeig waves around an unlit lantern excitedly.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:03, Mon 19 Mar 2012.

"Burn down the village? Hmm...there could be some items of worth that might be destroyed- Namely potions, scrolls or wands, but it might make handling the bugs and finding bodies simpler." DAI nods, the idea did tempt him somewhat, though unfortunately his spells weren't that good at actually starting fires, just causing intense temporary heat.

Sili will express his desire to leave. "If we're going to burn this place down, we should get to it, carefully. However we could simply get the hell out."

"I guess it probably is a waste of time. We don't even know if the body would be taken care of by the fire. I suppose we should head on towards the keep?"

DAI shrugs. "We're just gonna have to run away from, or deal with the ghost when we come back through. But sure, let's just move on."

"Satisfied" with their experiences so far in the apparently-abandoned village, the party hops up on some of DAI's trusty chocobos. Going to assume you took off your necklace before summoning them.

Passing through the other side of the town, SILI reads more signs. A large INN with a somewhat hostile name, a white mage scroll scribe, a few more impressive houses, and what used to be a (male) brothel are the main points of interest.

I need to know if you change your mind about visiting any of these places before we continue. I'll give you 30 minutes or until two of you say "no".

If Zeig wants to go to the white mage scroll shop, Sili will agree that it's worth a look. Otherwise he doesn't think it's worth going down there again.

DAI waits for ZEIG's call on the white mage scroll shop, otherwise he continues the ride toward the keep.

Zeig mentions that it is worth a look over, but not worth fighting monstrous swarms of vermin if it comes up.

To the scroll shop! Search, search, search, search the crazy drow village!

The first thing you notice is that this shop is much smaller than the black mage scroll scribe, only two thirds the dimensions. The door is in tact, but only open a few inches. The party looks to MILO to see if he is giving off any indication of being uncomfortable, but he seems mostly alright.

Going to assume you take 20's on obvious things. Going to roll a general Search check for the rest of everything else.
15:38, Today: teslas, on behalf of SILI, rolled 27 using 1d20+7. Search.
15:38, Today: teslas, on behalf of ZEIG, rolled 4 using 1d20+2. Search.
15:38, Today: teslas, on behalf of DAI, rolled 15 using 1d20+4. Search.

It's the same story everywhere in here as it was everywhere else. All of the desks are empty or overturned. There is a safe, but it looks to have been drilled open carefully. There is evidence that a nest of some type of mammal had called this place home for more than a single season. Whatever happened here, it happened years ago, and it's remained empty since.

On the way out, ZEIG steps on a floorboard that's a bit loose. SILI stumbles slightly, MILO barks, and when the dust settles and everyone calms down SILI is almost prone on the ground. DAI, hopeful something was hidden under the floor, pries up the floorboard and looks around and finds nothing. SILI, standing up, notices a patch of the wall appears to be bulging slightly--as if the paint was covering something other than wood. He shrugs, and fires a crossbow bolt into the wall, which goes through it as if it were made of fabric: because it is.

Three quarters of the bolt slips through and embeds itself in something behind the fabric, probably the exterior wall.

Sili will tear open the fabric.

Beside a plethora of cobwebs, the party finds what appears to be a makeshift shelf, or rather a structural board that was used as a shelf and then covered up, in the wall.

On it rests an ornate wooden box. Next to the box the crossbow bolt looks to have pinned a scroll to the inside of the exterior wall. There is an off-white ribbon tied around it. SILI gingerly pulls his crossbow bolt out of the scroll, but must break the shaft in order to save the scroll from any real damage.

Opening it, ZEIG reads that it's a scroll of Float. Despite the slit the crossbow bolt head made in several symmetrical places, it's legible, though bouncing the brittle thing around in its new state is probably a poor idea.

"I'll be damned. This might come in handy."

Zeig reads the scroll of Float.

I read the Life scroll when I leveled up too. If no one wants to go anywhere else then shall we head to the keep?

There's also the ornate wooden box sitting there. It's slightly larger than a scroll case.

Figured I'd remind you of the obvious because your characters wouldn't forget it.

Sili will open the box.

SILI begins to open the box. A small *click* sounds out just as three small darts fly out of it, one straight ahead, one to the left, and one to the right.

A small poisoned dart hits in the ideal spot on SILI's armor, deflecting it harmlessly.
20:48, Today: teslas rolled 12 using 1d20+6. ranged attack vs. flat-footed SILI.

DAI and ZEIG, while nearby, manage to luck out and not be in the line of fire.

Everyone gains 117 experience points for the valuable life lesson about how nice the drow are to leave free stuff lying around.

Apart from an obvious trap mechanism, inside the box lay 200 platinum pieces and two potion vials. Neither has labels and they are exactly the same color.

DAI tries to identify both of them. The first one is obviously some kind of horrific poison, and his nostrils are still tingling too much to identify the second. ZEIG takes it from him and is confident it's some sort of nearly equally-repugnant antidote for the first one.
20:56, Today: teslas, on behalf of DAI, rolled 20 using 1d20+18. ditto.
20:56, Today: teslas, on behalf of DAI, rolled 33 using 1d20+18. Spellcraft to identify potion.
20:58, Today: teslas, on behalf of ZEIG, rolled 33 using 1d20+16. Spellcraft to identify potion.
These include Cheer and ZEIG/DAI's automatic assist.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:22, Sat 24 Mar 2012.

My Handy Haversack can carry exactly 4 more lb.

Sili will pocket the platinum and leave the poison/antidote to the mages, for now.

To the keep!

The party heads outside, mounts their chocobos, and makes their way out of the drow village. The forest on the western side of the river has not been cleared quite as far away, and within ten minutes the party is back underneath the cover of trees. The forest is not quite as thick, and from time to time the canopy opens up, giving you a chance to view the northern keep as it slowly becomes closer and closer.

From time to time the party catches glimpses of wispy remains of spider's webs or nests in the trees. While not as thick or as common as the northern side of Cornelia, they are every bit as large and still make DAI and ZEIG a little uneasy. The forest path is old, no doubt about that, but it is still relatively easy to follow. Many saplings are growing up around it and on it, but at some point in the past the forest trees were cut down in a 40' wide swath. The ground is level, unlike the forest floor on either side.

About an hour before it's time to make camp for the evening, the party tops a shallow hill. A couple hundred feet into the distance a small campfire can be seen to the side of the path.

Zeig approaches cautiously and tries to get a good look at the campfire and the surrounding area.

19:00, Today: ZEIG rolled 16,16 using d20+4,d20+4. Spot/Listen.

It isn't long before ZEIG hears a familiar "Oy!". A halfling steps out of some shrubs a bit over a hundred feet down the path and waves. You are far enough away to talk amongst yourselves without him hearing what you're saying, assuming he doesn't have max ranks in Listen, Skill Focus: Listen, Alertness, and rolls a 20.

Note/Elaboration: This visisble halfling is not LEIF, though you're pretty sure the voice that called out belonged to him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:00, Sun 25 Mar 2012.

"...Alright Leif, let's here what you have to say."

"You guys have history with them, so you can decide what to do here." Now that they were out of the town Sili has no need for the apparently treacherous halflings. If Zeig wants to book it Sili will be right behind him.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:43, Sun 25 Mar 2012.

"I ain't shoutin' back and fort' again, you damn fool."

Another halfling comes out onto the trail, then sits down next to the fire.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:43, Sun 25 Mar 2012.

Zeig ventures forward and sits next to the fire.

"There. That's better."

Sili will sit down as well. He has no problem with the halflings.

Going to keep goin', and guess as best as I can for DAI.

DAI, rightfully weary of the band of miscreants, stays mounted on the path within earshot, and perhaps more importantly, easy Fire II range.

LEIF comes walking out of the bushes up the path that SILI and ZEIG had just come down, apparently from some kind of hiding spot. "Yea'. 'eah i'is."

He sits down and takes his boots off much like he did the first time. "Hoo. So... 'anks for takin' care o' 'at ghost."

Another halfling walks over the the fire with a pot full of water and sets it down on top of it, then disappears back into the undergrowth. Another is sharpening his shortsword, leaning up against a tree, and the third is picking up sticks and logs dumping them in a pile nearby, keeping a close eye on the situation.

"Not at all! He needed to be put to rest, for the safety of other travelers. And he's been on this earth far more than he should have. How did you know about the ghost?" Sili gives his bright smile.

"Whot? Really? Ya can'h miss th' crazy arsepack'et. 'e'll be back by 'morrow or th' next more 'n prob'ly."

"Yes. Unless he's put to rest his spirit will continue to wander for all time. I wonder what is keeping him here."

Zeig stares off for a moment before remembering where he is.

"So, you've been around these parts a bit then Leif? What's up in that keep over there? If we succeed you may never have to deal with the drow or their spirits ever again."

"No, ne'er past th' river 'aer, nope. Damn ghost a'ways 'ere to t' cut th' lootin' a bit short."

"Really? We could certainly use some information. If you happen to have heard something from someone about the keep, it may be worth your while."

02:58, Today: SILI rolled 25 using 1d20+13 with rolls of 12. Diplomacy (Rushed).

"Nothin' t' say, really, but whot kind a' guy whud I be i' I di'n't a' least offe' t' lie to you for a bit o' money. Whot are you lot wantin' t' do?"

Thought I responded to this. Apparently I did not.

"I believe he is the prince of the drow. A terrible creature, wreaking havoc on the land. We need to have a long conversation."

I'm pretty sure this is what we're doing. Sorry if I'm mixing lore from being gone for 5 months or whatever.

"Dark elves, eh? You lot really came all 'is way for 'em? Out o' luck is whot you lot are. They've been gone fo' years--all o' 'em."

"'ey di' leave a lot o' stuff lyin' aroun' 'ough. Good lootin'. 'ats how me and m' lads make a livin'... We like gold a' awf'l lot..." LEIF raises his eyebrows up once, then looks purposefully at SILI.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:17, Tue 27 Mar 2012.

"Well, where did they go? The elves sure didn't chase them off. This thing we're looking for apparently was a dark elf, but he wouldn't look anything like one. You have to have seen something around."

LEIF thinks for a moment, "Hrmm. I real'y don't know whe'e 'ey all went. We've seen, put toge'er, mayb' a 'alf-do'en i' ten years betwee' us. Good ri'-'ance to th' lot o' 'em." A couple of the others nod in approval at that.

"As far as 'is," LEIF waves his hands up mockingly, "Ter'ble creatu'? Yea', maybe we 'ad 'eard o' somethin'. But stories o' 'll sorts o' thin's fly 'round 'ese 'ills and forests."

"Why're you lot wantin' t' find such a thin'?"

Duuh. It was the fashionable thing to do.

"Work. It's our job to find this thing and fix up some unfinished business. I'm not even sure I understand it all myself, but we'll know when we find him."

LEIF nods, seeming a little less cocky and quite sincere. "Good luck 'it' 'at."

Sili lays 5 gold on the ground, before turning to the two mages. "Well, I think we should keep moving for a while."

The halflings eye the group of you, waiting for you to leave.

"Here's to it, then. Take care."

Zeig turns to wave Dai on and continues up the path to the keep a ways, preferring to make camp and explore during the day.

"You ready to go?"

DAI has the chocobos move after ZEIG and SILI, silently glaring at the halflings from beneath his hat and wondering if he should just roast the bunch now to be done with it. He sighs to himself and decides not to waste the resources, albeit easily replenish-able now that SILI was here.

An hour later, the party makes it where they're going to need to camp for the night.

It's a small clearing to the side of a path that looks to be used by animals and giants. The giants' paths, as you've started seeing, last a long while even unused. SILI muses, as an amateur survivalist, that their feet must pack the dirt so that grasses have a hard time growing, and they apparently push over trees to make them nice and wide without any hanging branches on which to bump their heads.

Because you leveld up, SILI, going to let you tell me what all you want to take 10 on or roll for from now on. Just like when you had JACK, I automatically roll your Survival check to predict the weather every day, so no worries there.

Sili looks to the other two. "You should know, that halfling lied to us a bit. When he said he'd never been to the keep, and when he said all the drow were gone."

Sili will take 10 on both Paeon and Ballad before going to bed.

For a fucking total of what? And for what effects?

"Yea, I figured as much. Could only trust them so far, anyways. I wonder what's in that big thing up there?" Zeig sighs and forgoes making a potion tonight. He gladly assists Dai if he chooses to do so.

DAI will try to make a potion of Fast at CL 2(for 3 rounds of quick escape)

23:41, Today: DAI rolled 29 using 1d20+15. craft(alch) with ZEIG assist.

OOC: I forget the exact rules but I think that's a definite yes, if it was high enough to halve time I will attempt another like it, if 25 would be enough to halve it, take a 10 on the second, if not I'll give it a shot and hope for another good roll(someone else can do it for me)

If you don't know how it works, we'll just assume you don't do it.

I'll deduct the alchemy supplies from the party inventory thread. Go ahead and give yourself a potion of Fast (CL 2nd).

GM Edit-
Fixed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:37, Thu 29 Mar 2012.

It begins to rain during the night and persists for a few hours. Suddenly, for a couple of minutes, hail comes crashing through the tree leaves, bopping some of you on your heads. The rain dries up around 4am. Despite the annoying discomfort and a possible headache, everyone is fine and relatively well-rested in the morning.

The Lightningsday sun rises to be abnormally warm and piercing for this time of year. The heat lightning in the distance was a pretty spectacle before the sun had risen, though now it's more of just an eerie and distant thundering with no apparent source.

SILI believes there won't be much trouble with rain or fog or anything of the sort. While a bit warm, it's a fairly safe day to travel, if such a thing were possible in this part of the world.

Going to assume you gained 6 MP from Ballad, which means DAI's MP will be the same after he summons three more chocobos. Keep in mind if you want to spend extra MP you can summon chocobos with a climb speed. See the Mount spell for details.

We'll wait and see what SILI posts as far as temporary hit points and what bonuses he grants everyone for the day. Feel free to progress the story, I mean, and we'll just pause if you guys manage to find combat until we know what the bonuses are.

The keep is still visible due to being perched on what is essentially the edge of a cliff-face high above you. Yesterday, it seemed large in the distance from the village. Today, being much closer, the group of you begin to realize that it's still quite far and that its size must be considerable. It's also becoming more and more obvious that it has fallen into disrepair of sorts.

02:28, Today: teslas, on behalf of SILI, rolled 20 using 1d20+3. Know (archi/engi).
SILI points out that the stonemasonry to look that worn would have to have been well over a couple of hundred years old in parts. It seems that the keep has been expanded upon in some places, as assorted parts look much newer and less weathered. He also spots some architectural differences hinting that the base structure might have been begun by dwarves and guesses the additions are drow handiwork.

The path is now weaving over, around, and in between foothills. Depending on the route up to the top of the cliff face, which as yet has not been visible, the ride to the keep will take anywhere from one to three days longer.

GM Edit-
Fixed some of the horrible grammar and syntax.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:51, Thu 29 Mar 2012.

Perform (Vocal): 13, +10 = 23 total

Ballad (Base DC 20): A 4th level character sleeping in a dungeon for the night gains 4 mana points instead of the normal zero. The same character resting in a tent receives 12 mana poinst instead of the normal 8.

Paeon (Base DC 10): A 4th level character sleeping in a dungeon for the night gains 8 hit points instead of the normal 4 hit points. The same character resting in a tent receives 12 hit points instead of the normal 8 hit points.
DC 20: As above, and 5 temporary hit points are granted that persist for 24 hours.

7 HP/MP more than what we normally get and 5 THP.

Going to make this "shorter".

The three of you mount up and begin the next day's worth of travel. MILO seems to appreciate not being the slowest member of the group again. The green chocobos, though not quite as swift as their yellow kin, appear much more sturdy and sure of themselves.

The forest begins to thin as the ground turns from mud and dirt to gravel, then scree. Somewhat unexpectedly, the party finds themselves walking along a paved road with basically no transition. While obviously ancient, the road is in a very usable condition. It reminds all of you of the road between Elfheim and its northern port on the Aldi.

It's not long before the road meets what is essentially a sheer cliff face. It leads right up into what used to be a cavern or tunnel of some kind, but is now collapsed. The tunnel must have been quite large, at least large enough for four heavy horses to walk abreast inside of it both coming and going simultaneously. The stones filling it range from only a few hundred pounds to at least several, several tons. Branching off to the left from the road near the tunnel's mouth appears to be a path used by giants. It leads around a bend in the rock face out of sight. Having few other apparent options, the group follows it.

The scree and rubble barely slow your chocobos at all, though MILO looks as if he's struggling to keep up from time to time having to jump and climb from one jagged and uneven rock to the next. The chocobos with their strong, long legs traverse the path as easily as the giants must with their huge frames. Just as SILI is about to suggest everyone stops for a short break, the path suddenly ends at the base of what is probably the scariest looking stone stairway going up the side of the cliff any of you could imagine. The steps are uneven and at places less than a foot wide where parts of them have collapsed. The stairs are ancient, weathered, and were probably not all that well-carved to begin with.

It looks to stretch up the entire 550' to the top. The keep lies nearby, most likely, but is currently out of view up against the base of the cliff. The giant's path continues along the base of the cliff. The odds of any giant using the stairwell are would be quite low.

Your chocobos don't seem too nervous about the prospect. Indeed, without riders, they could probably simply climb the cliff itself without issue.

The path looks traversable by foot so long as everyone is careful and takes their time, but a strong gust of wind, or worse, the idea of being attacked by something while on it, makes for troubling thought.

MILO seems completely unwilling to go up the stairs, and if he had any ability to do so, he'd be giving SILI the "nigga please..." face.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:06, Sun 01 Apr 2012.

"There is still time before sundown. Want to continue onwards? It doesn't look like there will be beds awaiting us, but the sooner we're out of the area, the better in my opinion."

Zeig looks toward the keep with a firm determination.

"I say we listen to Milo. Let's break here."

"That works for me too. I guess I'll start work on a potion."
01:36, Today: ZEIG rolled 16 using 1d20+12. craft (alch) - Cure.

If Dai is working on a potion then do that first so I can do mine while people are sleeping.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:36, Mon 02 Apr 2012.

I'll opt to not craft for today

DAI works to set up camp, looking at the chocobos and wondering if he should just dismiss them...or keep them around as targets in case of a night attack. "Well...I guess we're gonna make use of that new song tomorrow SILI." DAI looks down at the drop if they fall off the staircase, and thanks his lucky stars that they had a Bard along.

The party decides to break an hour early in the day, and keeps a leary eye on the staircase throughout the night looking for any signs of trouble.

DAI's chocobos peck and scratch the ground and overturn rocks looking for food for a few hours. Luckily they expire on their own before anyone attempts to rest for the night.

When you craft, if DAI or SILI wants to spend the 8 (or less) hours helping you, add +2 to more to your check for each. Unlike normal situations, where if you get the modifier wrong you reroll, assisting is a conscious effort that someone else can take that you have no control over, so don't ever include it unless you know before hand.

If you get a 19 on your Craft check, you'll complete the potion in 4 hours, giving you a chance for another. But, of course, while they are assisting you, they, like you, take the -5 penalty to Spot checks for being distracted. Luckily, you have friggen' MILO as a watch-bot with Scent so that's not as big of a deal as it might otherwise be. So, I'll give you a quick opportunity to decide on the potion, then we'll move along.

11:27, Today: ZEIG rolled 26 using 1d20+12. craft (alch) - Cure 2nd.
With assist that is 30.
11:31, Today: ZEIG rolled 24 using 1d20+12. craft (alch) - Cure 3rd!
And that one is 28. I'll just hang out for the remaining hour of craft time.

ZEIG, growing into an accomplished field alchemist by anyone's standards, churns out three potions of Cure before the party pulls out their tent, SILI plays his songs, and the night watches begin.

The night passes mostly without incident. A few small rocks fall from the top of the cliff or the rock-face making you all aware of how long it would actually take to bounce down to your deaths if you fell off of it yourselves. Looking back at the stairwell, the odds of doing so aren't as low as you might like.

The Lightsday sunrise begins the new week. The morning is comfortable with puffy clouds passing overhead. SILI has no idea if it will stay that way.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:57, Mon 02 Apr 2012.

"Well, we'll want to make it across before it starts raining...so SILI, how about that new song of yours to help us along the way?" DAI was actually somewhat caught off guard with not summoning some chocobos in the morning as he had grown accustomed to, and noted the energy stored in his circlet for later.

"Yea, let's hear a song! I'm ready if you guys are, after that."

Zeig will cast Protectra (+3 AC) and Shellra (+3 Saves) on the party when they reach the top of the staircase if the keep is near enough for these to have at least 40 minutes left when they reach it. 80 minutes of these buffs total.
MP: 56/67

"As a matter of fact, it's a story, not a song." Sili will follow the story up with a religious song.

18:16, Today: SILI rolled 26 using 1d20+13 with rolls of 13. Perform (Vocal) (Hymnus on Party).
18:11, Today: SILI rolled 15 using 1d20+13 with rolls of 2. Perform (Oratory) (Athleticism on Party).

+1. Of course.
Athleticism
Relating old tales of great physical competition and people performing great athletic deeds to solve the task at hand, any of those who hear gain a Morale bonus to Balance, Climb, Jump, Ride, Swim, and Tumble checks.

GM Edit-
COLOR NAZI'D
This message was last edited by the player at 22:21, Mon 02 Apr 2012.

All of you (after SILI's song) can take 10 on Balance and Climb checks where necessary, which is enough.

SILI, MILO, ZEIG, and then DAI begin the long walk, or more aptly, the climb, up.

Almost ten minutes into the ordeal, the party is about halfway up with the hardest-looking part just ahead. SILI puts his foot down onto one of the stone steps as it crumbles away from under him.
17:28, Today: teslas, on behalf of SILI, rolled 10 using 1d20+7. Reflex save.
He is unable to react in time, putting his balance forward onto nothingness. SILI teeters for a moment, just out of reach of both DAI and ZEIG with MILO looking confused, then falls off of the stairwell, wide-eyed.
The Climb check (DC 30) to catch yourself is entirely out of your capability.

DAI and ZEIG can't help but notice that the falling rocks make no noise and quickly come to the conclusion that it was an illusionary step of some kind, and are horrified to watch SILI plummet down to the ground as a few steps and the falling rocks turn translucent.

DAI and ZEIG have one Standard action to do anything if they wish. No hints. SILI is about 5' below you and starting his journey that will leave a small crater. The drop is about 220-230' to the bottom, and the rocks down there are somewhat jagged.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:14, Tue 03 Apr 2012.

Zeig freaks out and casts Float immediate action on all of the party members and jumps down after Sili.
MP: 62/67

5 rounds at 60' per round, no damage on contact during the spell. This should get us to the bottom safely.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:52, Mon 02 Apr 2012.

DAI, not liking the idea of staying up here alone, but not sure if MILO was going to follow, jumps off as well.

ZEIG essentially just leans over off of the ledge, casting Float as he does so. SILI barely had a chance to accelerate to the top speed as the three of you fall toward the bottom. While safe, the landing is harder than you would like for a spell called "Float", and the jagged and uneven rocks make it a bit uncomfortable on your ankles. Landing on them would have assuredly been very fatal.

MILO definitely does not follow, and looks over the edge of the staircase whimpering. After realizing you're not all dead, he begins making his way back down to the bottom of the stairs.

SILI, it's a DC 5 Wisdom check to avoid a life-long uncomfortability with heights for the trauma. I'll let you roll it, sir.

Everyone gains 212 Experience Points for encountering the trap.

I'm going to assume DAI and ZEIG tell SILI about the illusion. Feel free to RP this out.

The bottom of the stair is a few minute's walk away hopping and long-stepping across the tops of rocks and small boulders. MILO will be back at the bottom in about five minutes.

Edit-
I still haven't deducted MP for Shellra/Protectra since you guys haven't made it to the top yet, ZEIG, but I'll remember.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:10, Tue 03 Apr 2012.

Zeig wipes the sweat from his brow and claps Sili on the back.

"No thank you, stairs. Lucky for us, that was an illusion, not just crumbling and failing stairs. We should be able to climb them if we take it slowly and test every step carefully. Damn crazy Drow. You ready for Stairs 2?" Electric Boogaloo

Zeig begins heading towards the stairs, and waits to see if the party follows.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:56, Tue 03 Apr 2012.

"You realize that someone tried to kill us. Maybe not personally, but are you sure you want to try that again? You can go first."

1:09, Today: SILI rolled 14 using 1d20 with rolls of 14. Wisdom check.

"Yea, I'll go first. It's a trap, just like those poison darts in the village. Drow are devious little bastards...this better be worth it."

"I can also go...I have a spell that can slow my descent(air elemental armor), only works on me but I think it's a little less taxing then that spell of yours, ZEIG."

The party starts the trip up the stairs once again. ZEIG heads up first followed by DAI, SILI, and then MILO.

As before, there are no issues until about halfway up.

Okay, so. These illusions are pretty simple. You know there were some there before. You have a pretty decent Spellcraft check, and you're interacting and touching them first before putting your weight on them. All I'm going to do is roll saving throws to see if you roll a 1, and if so, we'll go from there.

11:41, Today: teslas, on behalf of ZEIG, rolled 24 using 1d20+11. Roll a 1! Will save.
11:41, Today: teslas, on behalf of ZEIG, rolled 29 using 1d20+11. Roll a 1 this time! Will.

ZEIG finds two more sets of steps that turn out to be translucent and fake. Though the hop over them is a little scary, your confidence is bolstered a good bit by both DAI and ZEIG's abilities which help to avoid plummeting to your doom.

After about an hour of careful and meticulous stepping, balancing, and climbing, the three of you (and MILO!) reach the top of the stairs. You're still about 60' below the level of the foundation of the keep, but are only a mere 40' away from it. More carved stairs, these ones broad with solid ground on either side of them, lead up and around a corner out of view. They look no less weathered and aged.

ZEIG casts Protectra and Shellra on the party. MP: 51/67 These will last for 90 minutes.

Following the hewn stone path and cut stairs along the foundation of the structure brings you to the western side of the keep along its walls. Further west lies a deep chasm cut into the rock about 200-250' deep, 60' wide. An old wooden drawbridge with massive chains connecting it to the keep's walls spans the chasm. While weathered and splintering in some places, and while the chains have some rust showing in most places, it looks as if it will remain sturdy for decades to come.

There's a ledge running around the base of the keep that runs between a few inches and thirty feet wide, which is what you're on now. It leads to the door and drawbridge to the north, straight ahead, or up and around the exterior of the keep to your right. The old and cracked stairs that you came up seem to be the only way to the structure that doesn't involve the drawbridge.

The western entrance looks to be the main entrance, you'd guess. Huge wooden double doors with iron or steel rivets meet your eyes. The left door is open a small amount compared to the size of the doors, but it's actually a gap about three feet wide. It's either nearly completely dark inside or what little light might be coming out cannot be seen through the shine of the Lightsday sun. It would only take 40-50 seconds to walk over and peer inside.

The keep is large. Probably about 1/5th of the size of the Cornelian castle. SILI stays by his guess that it's a mixture of dwarven and drow architecture, and wouldn't know where to begin to guess its age or the various ages of different parts.

And a reminder: Hymnus has worn off.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:11, Wed 04 Apr 2012.

Zeig will attempt to slip up to the door and peer inside.
16:54, Today: ZEIG rolled 14 using 1d20-1. Move Silently (HA).

ZEIG creeps over as best he can and carefully ducks his head inside.

The room inside is vast, or perhaps it should be called a hall. A wide entryway leads into an even larger chamber beyond. Tiny windows high along the walls, over 35' above the ground, let in the tinniest little bit of light. The ceiling in the broadest part is 50' off of the floor.

After ZEIG blinks a few times, trying to let his eyes adjust, he notices shadowy outlines. There are old tapestries still hanging on the walls near the door which look to extend out as far as he can see, and there are several large pillars towering further into the darkness. He spends a few moments more, attempting to make out more detail, but is unable to do so.
17:55, Today: teslas, on behalf of ZEIG, rolled 8 using 1d20+4. Spot #2.
17:55, Today: teslas, on behalf of ZEIG, rolled 12 using 1d20+4. Spot #1.

# = door (closed)
/ = cracked door
| = wall (the exterior walls are 10' thick)
- = wall
O = 5' thick pillar (soft corners)

               |-------------------------------

                 O      O      O      O      O

---#---

#
/
#
#
||
|---#---|        O      O      O      O      O

               |-------------------------------
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:58, Wed 04 Apr 2012.

"Whelp, I guess we should explore the hall." Zeig calls back to his companions.

He casts Illuminate on his staff and prepares to explore the keep.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:20, Thu 05 Apr 2012.

Does everyone else move up and enter with him? What's the plan? I don't want to make too many assumptions.

ZEIG's staff helps to light up the entryway to the room beyond the door just a tad bit more than the sunlight already is.

Illuminate will expire at 10:31am.

DAI goes to follow ZEIG, wondering what they should to in case of traps and such. "I could...summon a chocobo to run down the halls for us looking for pressure plates or something." He seemed a little reluctant to mention it, wondering what the others would think but...far as he could tell these weren't real chocobos, and he thought about using one as a distraction for the bear all those weeks ago.

Sili walks down the hall, holding his harp. "Seems like a good idea to me..."

DAI nods, before summoning a basic yellow chocobo(not using circlet), and directing it down a hall before goading it to trot.

OOC: Not sure how to do this, typically you can slap a horse's ass to get it walking and I don't see that as a handle animal check(where you whisper sweet nothings into its ear to convince it to move)...but if there is a required roll I'll let the GM handle it to save time.

DC 25 Handle Animal check to get it to perform a trick it does not know. "Go... over there..."

DAI tries and fails a couple times at getting the thing to move, just looking annoyed when it offers a confused 'Wark?' He looks to SILI. "Hey...think MILO can scare the thing down this hallway? Dogs are good herders, right?"

"If they're trained for it, they are. I have a better idea. Let me talk to it."

19:20, Today: SILI rolled 16 using 1d20+10 with rolls of 6. Handle Animal.

Sili would be willing to take 20 on the check if you guys don't mind waiting that long.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:22, Thu 05 Apr 2012.

Sili will take 20 to make the chocobo move in front of them. 30 total.

Kentucky Fried Chocobo, coming right up.

GM Edit-
Subject/Time fix.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:12, Fri 06 Apr 2012.

The three of you proceed into the hall. MILO appears calm enough, indicating he doesn't smell anything that he believes wants to kill you nearby.

20:13, Today: teslas, on behalf of SILI, rolled 19 using 1d20+4. Spot.
20:12, Today: teslas, on behalf of DAI, rolled 13 using 1d20+1. Spot.

SILI says he thinks he can make out the faint hints of shapes that resemble humanoid figures around the pillars, but isn't quite sure. Whatever they are, they're either waiting for you or are a figment of his imagination.

DAI summons a chocobo. MP: 67/68 He then attempts to slap it on its hind quarters to get it to move down the hall. It returns with a bewildered "Kweh?"

SILI steps forward and begins making wide gestures and squawking at the bird. At the end of the two minute exchange, the confused animal back-steps away from DAI and SILI, then starts to meander into the main hall to about the edge of illumination provided by the sunlight shining in through the door 90 or so feet away from you. It stops, scratches the ground once or twice, then crouches in the chocobo form of sitting down and begins to preen itself.

No fiery explosions. No poisoned darts. No trap doors and no mechanical death machines strike the beast down or whisk it to its doom.

# = door (closed)
/ = cracked door
| = wall (the exterior walls are 10' thick)
- = wall
O = 5' thick pillar (soft corners)
? = some of the shadow figures SILI noticed

               |-------------------------------

                 O      O      O      O??     O

---#---	?

#
/MS                 CC
#ZD                 CC
#
||                                    ?
|---#---|
                 O      O      O      O    ??O

               |-------------------------------
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:27, Fri 06 Apr 2012.

Sili follows slowly (20 ft. to the right). He tries to get a better look.

22:00, Today: SILI rolled 23 using 1d20+4 with rolls of 19. Spot.

Zeig follows.

23:08, Today: ZEIG rolled 7,20 using d20+4,d20+4. Listen/Spot.

20:31, Today: DAI rolled 5,18 using d20+1,d20+1. listen/spot.


DAI follows, now holding his wand in case the shadowed out figures prove to be hostile...or living at all for that matter.

The group of you steps further inside carefully. The chocobo looks up as you approach, then goes back to running its feathers through its beak once you stop.

Now that he's a bit closer, SILI can make out more of the shapes. Moreover, he's sure that at least some of them are human. ZEIG confirms this idea. Apart from the subtle sounds the chocobo and your companions are making, none of you hear anything else inside of the keep.

# = door (closed)
/ = cracked door
| = wall (the exterior walls are 10' thick)
- = wall
O = 5' thick pillar (soft corners)
? = some of the shadow figures SILI noticed

               |-------------------------------

                 O      O      O      O??     O

---#---	?

#                                        ?
/    MS             CC                    ?
#    ZD             CC
#
||                                    ?
|---#---|
                 O      O      O      O    ??O

               |-------------------------------
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:06, Fri 06 Apr 2012.

The party slowly advances further into the keep, keping their eyes peeled as they walk. SILI is able to see a decent bit further in the darkness, and relays what he can pick out outside of DAI and ZEIG to them. The chocobo stands back up once you're nearby.

# = door (closed)
/ = cracked door
| = wall (the exterior walls are 10' thick)
- = wall
O = 5' thick pillar (soft corners)
? = some of the shadow figures SILI noticed

	#
	#
			--------------------------------
		O      O      O      O??    O
---#---	?

#                                        ?
/                  MSCC                    ?
#                  ZDCC
#
||                                    ?

---#---
		O      O      O      O    ??O
			--------------------------------
	#
	#