OOC: New thread

In reply to Shorty (msg # 1):

A shimmering curtain of light appears in the center of the paily.  Morteft stabds gyard veside it with his back to the light.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 2):

Is everyone retreating inside?

In reply to Shorty (msg # 3):

OOC: I suppose, Tzar came over to Warwick and was not privy to any plan; but will follow Warwick's lead.  He would take a quick glance around before he enters to make sure they are not followed.  He is not sure how Mord's Mansion works.

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 4):

"Safe haven, lad.  Just go inside and we're going to recover.  Ez'ard and Trysk will be right behind ye.  Morteft and I will be following them." says Warwick.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 5):

Tzar will say "Very well." with a last glance, moves 'inside'.

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 6):

Tzar sees nothing moving except a twitching troll body.  Then ge steps through the crutain and finds himself in a luxurious entry hall.

OOC:  Anyone else?



An
This message was last edited by the player at 11:38, Thu 01 June 2023.

If all appears safe Ez’ard will enter. He puts on his spec just before entering to see if maybe one of the assassins tries to slip in.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 8):

Trysk tells the others, *The assassin is still watching you guys. Can you see him, Ez'ard? I have a Wish and Limited Wish that could be used to force him out of the Ethereal Plane. I'm planning on taking on the other assassin, so can you drop the Teleport block, Morteft?*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 9):

*Ez'ard and Tzar have gone into the mansion, Trysk. You should join us. I can drop the plane lock. So you are staying behind to face them on your own?*

In reply to Morteft (msg # 10):

Morteft will cancel the plane lock since it doesn't seem to be stopping the assassins from shifting planes.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 11):

Ez’ard slips on his glasses and he can make out the vague form of the master assassin making hand signals at Trysk before he disappears inside.  The plane lock drops.  Morteft stands by the door and Warwick stands nearby.  Trysk is inside.

This message was deleted by the player at 14:24, Thu 01 June 2023.

Ez’ard replies, “I am not sure if the glasses can give a true sight in here. I saw one of the assisins signaling to Trysk before I back into the mansion and then lost the image.”

In reply to Trysk (msg # 13):

OOC:  Forgive me for being lost...  two posts ago, Trysk was taking on the assassins and using his wish.  Now Trysk is inside the mansion?  Not sure where things wnet in the middle.  You cannot teleport into the mansion.  The only access is via the protal that <prteft controls.  Trysk has several ways to get to the portal....  whaat did he do?

In reply to Shorty (msg # 15):

OOC - My bad. When you wrote "Trysk is inside", I didn't quite understand, but thought you had Trysk somehow arrive at the mansion after Morteft dropped the teleport block.

I'll delete my post and re-post.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:25, Thu 01 June 2023.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 10):

Trysk responds to Morteft, *Only going to fight the one with the goatee, which is why I wanted the teleport block taken down. The guy with the mustache seems to be trying to collect a bounty for the heads of you, Warwick and Shorty.*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 17):

OOC:  Once Nirteft cines ubsudem naje a private and plan out your strategy.  Subject to what happens with Trysk, The assassins have their plan laid out.  Just let me know when you are ready to continue.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 18):

OOC: If you are waiting on me, I did respond in the private message, Larry. FYI.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 19):

Waiting for the whole group.  Thought you wanted a planning session

Ez’ard speaks to those present, “I am at a loss here. None of my skills seem to be of use here. I am open to any ideas. At best I can rest up and restudy spells.”

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 21):

When everyone is present, except for Trysk since he seems to be delayed, Tzar will say.  "One of them got me good in the back.  I also think he has a wounding blade as a healing spell did nothing.  I need to be bandaged and if anyone has any renerating item, I'd be most grateful."

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 22):

Morteft says, "I have this." He pulls off an iron band from one of his fingers and hands it to Tzar. "One of the properties is regeneration."

OOC: Ron, are the amulets that Dualis created able to work with Teke's amulets? Since Morteft has one of each, it may be a way for Tzar to get linked into our telepathic comms.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 23):

OOC: Morteft was the last in the mansion so I think Trysk is here. Larry? Nolan?

In reply to Morteft (msg # 23):

OOC: Yes actually, as you know he and Teke were formerly an item ;), and Dualis fashioned his amulets after hers, so yes they would be compatible.

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 25):

Morteft will pull an amulet out of pouch and offer it to Tzar. "This will allow you to teleport no error twice a day although you need to have seen where you are going. It will also allow you to communicate with all or any of us directly via telepathy over any distance. This is a loan, not a gift so don't lose it."

In reply to Morteft (msg # 26):

Tzar would have put the golden hilt of his sword back on his gold bracer.

Tzar will say "Indeed! It is an honor for both, thank you.  Telepathy, talk by thinking, right?"  Tzar will remove one of his rings and replace it with the one Morteft gave him.

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 27):

"Yes. If you want to talk to all of us, just think about sending to all. If just one of us, then focus on that person and talk....in your mind. The amulet will do the rest. You should be careful with inner dialog. You may not want to send that."

In reply to Morteft (msg # 28):

Tzar screws his face, "Inner dialog?  You mean thinking to myself, like, 'Oh man, what a jerk?'"

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Morteft (msg # 24):

OOC:  No, Trysk did not return.  He is out doing his own thing.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 30):

Then we should continue this in a private thread

In reply to Morteft (msg # 31):

Let me know when you are done with your planning.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 32):

No posts from anyone in a while.  Thought I would say that I am here when folks are ready.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 33):

We're waiting for Trsyk to join us in the mansion.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 34):

Sounds good.  Not sure if he is coming in or not.  He posted last night in private.  I am waiting to see what his next move is.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 35):

Trysk reaches out to the team, *Well, the good news is that I think I found a way down into the cave. The bad news is that I've lost sight of the assassin I was fighting when he went down there. What are you guys planning to do and can you Teleport from the mansion to here?*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 36):

*Trysk, please come back here.  We need to rest and plan and we've been waiting for ye to come to us.*

In reply to Warwick (msg # 37):

Trysk replies, *Well, if I do that I'll have wasted several spells from my Ring of Spell Storing and lose the ability to fight the lesser assassin 1 on 1. The leader assassin seems bent on taking you, Morteft and Shorty out.*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 38):

*Shorty isn't here and the rest of us are in the Mansion recovering from the fight and relearning spells.  Ye're the one who insisted on going off on their own.  Ye said he'd follow me and pull back.*

In reply to Warwick (msg # 39):

There's a pause before Trysk responds, *Can I teleport directly to you using the amulet, Morteft?*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 40):

To All.  I am willing to try and run an separate timeline for the rest of the group.  Nolan appears to be busy in real life and I hate seeing everyone tied up while we wait for his challenge fight.  I leave it up to all of you.

I will be on a cruise boat from July 9 for about 2 weeks with some ground time afterwards.  I can do some of this by email if folks want during that time... but RPOL is rough on the ipad with my vision.

Larry

In reply to Shorty (msg # 41):

OOC - Trysk is awaiting for a response from Morteft!

In reply to Trysk (msg # 42):

OOC:  Worse case scenario, you teleport right in front of the portal and step through.  You are already an invited guest to the mansion.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 43):

OOC:  I don't think you can teleport directly in as it's an extradimensional space.  Besides, Morteft is a self-imposed timeout (i.e. off in a snit).

In reply to Warwick (msg # 44):

OOC: No you cannot teleport into Mord's Mansion.  Need to go thru the portal, as long a the caster allows it.

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 45):

Everyone is now inside the mansion.  Let me know when you are ready to come out.  All I will need when you exit is the number of hours that you choose to stay inside, the order you come out in, and what spells/effects anyone has on them when they exit.  If spells are added to Trysk's ring, please let me know what spells and who cast them.

I have alrady written my part for the your exit so I am ready when you are.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 46):

We'll discuss our plan and let you know all the details.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 47):

All the details of your plan... Wonderful.  LoL

In reply to Shorty (msg # 48):

Oh, we're not going to tell you our plan...  We're just going to provide you with the info you requested.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 49):

Well, of all the singy, self-servomg attitudes to tak....

ROFL.  You be that way then...

In reply to Shorty (msg # 50):

How long was Trysk out of the mansion on his own? Did anyone have enough time to study/relearn spells?

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 51):

Trysk was only out there about 45 minutes before coming back in.  So no spells yet.  But you have just over 23 hours remaining.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 52):

OOC - 45 minutes???

In reply to Trysk (msg # 53):

Check your private messages already (everyone but Larry).

In reply to Warwick (msg # 54):

Sigh.  No love for Larry

In reply to Shorty (msg # 55):

You'll get love soon.  I just need the others to participate.  And that's proving difficult.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 56):

I am sorry to hear that.  Tgere are si nabt fun things to do in the Old Fort Amusement Park.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 57):

OOC: Happy 4th everyone! First action....

Morteft will be the first to step out of the mansion. He will be invisible and also have mirror image up. His first action is to cast a circular wall of force around the opening.

OOC2: What all do you want to know about protections? Morteft has the following on him:

invisibility
mirror image
stoneskin
protection from normal missiles
polymorph self
fire shield
detect magic
detect invisibility
Telekinesis

His immunity is set to poison

In reply to Morteft (msg # 58):

Excellent post.  How many of your 24 hours did you use?  If more than 15 hours, Tzar will be fully healed.  I have responded to Morteft privately as he is the only one outside to abserve things.  His actions will determine what he has time to tell you about.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 59):

OOC: We used it for just under 15 hours since it only lasts for 15 hours, i.e. 1 hour per level.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 60):

TY.  My Bad.  Had it in my head it was there for up to 24 hours.   At 14 hours, Tzar will be down 4 points.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 61):

A minute after Morteft emerges, Tzar will emerge from the mansion and give a quick look at the surroundings.

Spells on Tzar
Stoneskin (Morteft)
Prayer
Slow Poison
Protect from Normal Missiles

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 62):

Tzar steps out of the mansion and is forced to close his eyes at the brilliant flash of a fireball goes off directly before him.  As his vision slowly recovers, the sound of many small missiles bouncing of a solid surface ring in Tzar's ears.  The blurry shapes of dark ones stand in a semi-circle in front of  Tzar.  Morteft is standing beside you, but he is facing away from the dark ones.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 63):

"What the .." Tzar exclaims and noticing where Morteft is looking, he turns his head and does a 1/4 body turn (shield first) to see what Morteft is 'looking' at.

He has his flaming sword at the ready.

--Ron, Tzar
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:25, Wed 05 July 2023.

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 64):

Tzar turns his head to the side and notices that there are 5 Mortefts staring back the other way.  Before Tzar can adjust his body, Something very powerful strikes him in the back.  The force of the blow launches Tzar through the air to crash into something he cannot see that is between him and the dark ones (the wall of force).  Tzar looses a stoneskin point for the initial impact and the impact with the wall.  No damage taken.  The second talon rips through one of the Mortefts and it disappears.  From his position sprawled against the wall, Tzar sees giant wings beating as a roc climbs hard to avoid the two story building that the assassings have been using.

Morteft notices that the two remaining rocs are setting up their own runs.  The bird that just attacked will take a little over a turn to come back around.

Round 3 begins.  Morteft has initiative, Tzar is second.


Actiond?

In reply to Shorty (msg # 65):

OOC: where are the assassins?

In reply to Morteft (msg # 66):

Warwick exits the mansion, his weapons sheathed.

Spells active on Warwick:

Prayer
Stoneskin (Morteft)
Protection from Normal Missiles (Morteft)
Slow Poison

Warwick looks around to size up the situation.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 67):

Trysk exits the mansion with Warwick wearing his Ring of Protection +3 and Ring of Spell Storing (all spells recharged). He has no weapons drawn.

He has the following spells cast:
Stoneskin (cast previously before entering mansion)
Mirror Image
Improved Invisibility
Slow Poison (Warwick)
Protection From Normal Missiles
Detect Invisibility
Polymorph Self
Shocking Grasp

He casts Mordenkainen’s Faithful Hound as soon as he steps outside the mansion and looks for the assassins.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 68):

OOC: Who cast the which spells back into the ring?  I am trying to keep track of what spells you have used since resting.

OOC2:  Shocking grasp is an instantaneaous spell in all versions.  It is an attack spell.  You cannot precast it and walk around with it on.  If you do not successfully hit the round you cast it, the energy dissipates.

OOC3:  Where exactly do you station the hound?  It does not move around.

OOC4:  Warwock?

Tje assassoms are visible again.  Shadow is on the roof aiming a heavy crossbow in the groups direction.  Coos is peering out the hole created by the earth elemental.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:12, Thu 06 July 2023.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 69):

Warwick cast a neutralize poison and true seeing before resting.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 70):

OOC:  I'd like to understand the situation before I post my move.

We have a semi-circular wall of force in front of us at the exit which is facing... what?  The fortress?  How far away is the fortress?  How high is the wall of force?  And I presume there's nothing protecting us in the other direction.

What forces are arrayed against us?

In reply to Warwick (msg # 71):

In summary before I head to bed.  The mansion is in the center of the main fort.  When you exit, you are facing the 2 story building that the assassins have been using.  There is a wall of force between you and the building that Tzar is currently laying up against.  On the far side of the wall are 10 dark ones with lots of small rocks and broken shell gragments.  The fat assassin is beaking through the opening the earth elemental created in the side of the building.  In the upper corner of the building is the mustached assassin.  He had two heavy crosbows mounted aimed down at the entrance to the mansion.  Pm;y pme pf tje, os sto;; ;paded.  Benhind you is the entrance to the fort.  Twp rpcs are lining up to make runs at the fort.  A third roc is climbing for altitude on the far side of the two story building.  It has alrady made a straffing run.

Within the half circle of the wall of force, there are 4 mortefts, 3 Trysks, 1 tsar, a hound that I am not sure where is standing, and one Warwick.  One of the Trysk's is invisible.  As for the wall, Morteft did not specify a hight so I have it at the normal 10 foot variery.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:20, Thu 06 July 2023.

OOC - Warwick cast Neutralize Poison and True Seeing, while Trysk cast Stoneskin into the Ring of Storing.
OOC2 - I wasn’t aware that Shocking Grasp had to be discharged immediately after being cast. Trysk casts Protection From Evil instead.
OOC3 - Trysk stations he hound 5 feet in front of the door, but while I agree that the hound’s range is limited, I don’t see anything indicating it is stationary. The area of effect is special and the spell description indicates the hound guards an area.
OOC4 - Not sure what you meant.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 73):

OOC: Does canceling a spell take an action or can I still cast a spell?

Morteft will cancel the wall of force at this point.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 72):

The faithful Hound spell specifically states that You conjure a phantom watchdog in an unoccupied space that you can see within range, where it remains for the duration, until you dismiss it as an action, or until you move more than 100 feet away from it.

It is allowed to attempt to bite any creature that is within 5 feet of it.

FYI...  I look up each spell you cast each time it is used to make sure I am playing it correctly.  Even the old hat spells like fireball etc.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 74):

*Morteft, do ye want a blade barrier above us to take care of the rocs?  Or do ye want me to summon elementals?* asks Warwick over their telepathic link.

No worries, but please note that I only have access to 1st and 2nd edition rules.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 77):

*Only the assassins matter. Let's focus on them.*

He will magic missile the assassin on the roof.

OOC:
21:25, Today: Morteft rolled 27 using 8d4+8.  Magic missile.

OOC2: In some 1st edition games, the DMs allowed multiple magic missiles when the round was broken into segments. Do you? If so, Morteft would cast additional magic missiles at the assassin if it seemed to injure him.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 78):

Ooc: also Larry said the rocs won't make another fly by for a turn. Fyi.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 79):

Tzar will roll back to his feet and face toward the assassins and is in a ready position.

*If I go after the assassin now, you will be left with the dark beasts.* Tzar thinks thru the amulet.

BTW Tzar now has his Ring of Fire Resistance on.

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Morteft (msg # 78):

OOC2: In some 1st edition games, the DMs allowed multiple magic missiles when the round was broken into segments. Do you? If so, Morteft would cast additional magic missiles at the assassin if it seemed to injure him.

I could run things by segments, but most would not like it.  It puts a lot of the more powerful spells at the end of the round and the often get interrupted.  But evem tjem. O do not allow multiple spells in a round.

Ooc: also Larry said the rocs won't make another fly by for a turn. Fyi.

Incorrect.  Larry said it would take the Roc that already attacked over a turn to circle around for a second run.  Roc number 2 will be approaching in 2 rounds.  Roc number 3 will come in the round after Toc number 2.

OOC: Does canceling a spell take an action or can I still cast a spell?

No, Casting the spell takes completing the spell and the expenditure of magical energy.  Dismissing a spell is an act of will.  So the wall comes down.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:51, Thu 06 July 2023.

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 80):


The wall of force goes down and suddently several handfuls of rocks and debris pelt the group but have no effect on the stpmesloms die tp the protection from normal missiles.  Magic missiles erupt from one of the Mortefts and streak towards the roof to impact the assassin.  He fires the second crossbow and another Morteft image disappears.

Coos yells something at the darkones that none of you understands and the pepering of small rocks is replaced by tlarger rocks.  Also, two daggers fly out of the hole in the wall.  The mirror images disappear one by one.  The real Morteft feels one rock bounce off him without effect.  One of the two daggers hits the real Trysk.  (one hit from stoneskin and an ominous stain on your robe.

The assassin on the roof disappears.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 82):

Ooc: disappeared as in went ethereal or teleported?

Also...morteft will put a fireball into coos' hole

08:38, Today: Morteft rolled 55 using 15d6.  Fireball in the hole
This message was last edited by the player at 13:39, Thu 06 July 2023.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 82):

OOC - What's the distance to the fort from the door of the mansion?

In reply to Morteft (msg # 83):

From the portal to the damaged wall is roughly 60 feet.  Fireball nest round.  Magic Missile was this round.  Shadow went ethereal.

OOC: Sorry for not realizing things had moved from the private msg chain to public. It has been very slow so I have not been paying as much attention.

OOC2: Before emerging (however late) Ez’ard has cast stone skin on himself as well as Mirror image. He has Trysk’s Staff of Power in his hand.

OOC3: I believe everyone got the slow poison from Warwick, not sure about the protection from normal missiles from Morteft.

Ez’ard will cast Chain Lightning at Roc #2 hoping it will reach Roc #3 as well.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 86):

FYI  If we call this round 3, the next rock will arrive in round 5 and the third roc will arrive in round 6.  There is a significant gap between them with their air speed.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 87):

*Maybe Tzar and Trysk should seek out the ethereal one?*

In reply to Morteft (msg # 88):

Trysk replies, *Fine with me, but I need a ride there. Tzar, can you take us both?*

Trysk uses Sizzle to burn off the poison on him.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 89):

*He can.*

In reply to Morteft (msg # 90):

*Tzar, we can handle the creatures. Get the assassin. These are all just a lead up to the creature below anyway."

In reply to Morteft (msg # 91):

Tzar nods, "Trysk, with me."  He waits for Trysk to take hold and then uses the Amulet to Plane Shift to the Ethereal plane.

Once there, he looks for the Shadow assassin.

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 92):

Trysk sheaths Sizzle after burning away the poison.

He places one hand on Tzar and the other on the hilt of Sizzle, *Ready.*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 93):

*I've a real desire to put up a blade barrier about thirty feet above us to deal with those rocs.  Any objections?*

In reply to Warwick (msg # 94):

*Go for it although I wish I had an umbrella. *

In reply to Morteft (msg # 95):

*Ye can borrow me shield.*  Warwick chuckles over the link.

He casts a blade barrier centered on himself in a sixty by sixty foot area on a level plane twenty feet above him to provide the rocs some extra fun.

*Folks, I lowered it to twenty feet above us to make it harder for the rocs to get us.  If ye decide to fly, stay low.*

Ez'ard will be sure to time the casting of the chain lightning for when the closest Roc is in ideal range. He sends to Warwick (and all), *Will chain lightning affect your blade barrier?*

If he has time he will cast magic missile (all aim at same person) whichever assassin is visible.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 97):

*I honestly don't know, lad.  The metal might attract yer lightning.*

In reply to Warwick (msg # 98):

*hit the dark ones with the lightning, Ez,ard*

In reply to Morteft (msg # 99):

Tzar and Trysk fade from view.  Warwick positions his blade barrier above the group.  The sunlight flashes off the many moving blades.  The Roc’s see the flashes and motion and pull up.  They begin s much tighter circling pattern as if watching for an opening.

The dark ones are building up their courage for a charge.  Coos is no longer visible through the hole in the wall.

OOC:  Ez’ard may cast his spell still and we will move to round 4.  I leave early in the morning for my cruise.  I can do limited RPOL on the ipad or we can set up an email group for the two weeks I am gone.  Your choice.  Email responses will be faster as they are easier to read on the ipad.  RPOL is kind of small.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 100):

Email is fine with me

In reply to Shorty (msg # 100):

Ez’ard sees the Rocsbacking off and redirects his chain lightning to the darlings. He holds off until the are in effective range (if they are advancing or if they are already within effective range while stationary.)

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 102):

Trysk comments, *We're here with the head assassin in a throne room. He sounds pretty confident, so perhaps we should gang up on this guy and then take the other one out.*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 103):

*Where? In relation to where we are?*

In reply to Morteft (msg # 104):

*I haven't moved, but Tzar has started advancing on him. I have a feeling the other assassin will be joining him shortly in the ethereal plane.*

OOC - Larry, I'm no expert on the planes, but I'm assuming the ethereal overlaps the Prime Material.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 105):

Ez’ard releases his chain lightening.  It makes a number of impressive bounces and connects with 6 of the dark ones.  Two of them near the middle who also were hit by a fireball, fall.  But they begin to rise almost immediately.

OOC:  There is overlap between the Ethereal and the Prime Material, but it is tricky.  Distances are distorted there.  A step in one plane cane move you a great distance in the other.  To accurately predict, you would have to cross back and forth multiple times to map out the terrain so to speak.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 106):

*send a mental image and we can teleport.*

In reply to Morteft (msg # 107):

Round 4 begins.  Order of battle

Ez'ard
Morteft
Tzar
Etjereal number 2
twp darl pmes
Trysk
Warwick
Ethereal number 1 near the throne
Remaining Dark Ones
Coos
Possibly Shadow

Rocs are out of play for the duration of Warwick's spell

In reply to Morteft (msg # 107):

Ez’ard asks, *Can Dualis’ amulet get me there or does someone have to help?*

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 109):

*Teleport no error can cross planes if Trysk sends us a mental image of where he is...* Morteft replies.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 110):

*Or Tzar for that matter....*

In reply to Morteft (msg # 111):

Waiting for your actions here or email

In reply to Shorty (msg # 112):

OOC - Matt, Keith and Gary, I sent out an email with a telepathic message from Trysk. Please let me know if you DIDN'T get it.

Thanks,
Nolan

In reply to Trysk (msg # 113):

I saw it but haven’t seen anything to respond to.

Larry has a lot of family issues hitting the fan right now so while he may try to respond I don’t see much happening for a bit.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 114):

You may want to check your junk/spam, Gary. There was an email Morteft sent about going into the building.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 114):

I am home and will continue in this forum.  Got a ton of messages to get caught up on included 60 oe ao wmails.

Warwick, Morteft, and Ez'ard face a wall of stone.  You can hear dark ones trying to climb it.  You have 3 ways into the building where Shdow and Coos have disappeared.  You can fly up to the trapdoor and go in that way or you can fly through the upper windows, or you can fly through the hole in the wall.  Option 3 is in reach of the dark ones.

Actions?

In reply to Morteft (msg # 115):

OOC: I saw it but the intent was to stay together and we already have two people off alone battling something unknown.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 117):

OOC: Yep, never split the party. However, we aren't exactly a party.

Morteft is going to fly into the building through the window. He isn't waiting four rounds.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 118):

Morteft flys over the wall of stone.  The dark ones are arguing about who is to stand on the bottom and who is to climb to the top.  They are not making great progress.  You find yourself in a dim room with a decaying bed against one wall.  There is a half open door across from the window that leads into darkness.

OOC:Sorry, they are ahead of you by four rounds.  That means if you call, they will not be able to respond in real time to any calls for help.  That was all I meant.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 119):

Morteft will use his ring of the guardian to summon his guardian.

OOC: It instantly summons a like-aligned creature of the same HD as he is to assist him for 1 round per HD.

OOC2: Also, remember, he has the hawk helm so his vision is 3x normal and he has infravision as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:05, Fri 21 July 2023.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 120):

A large brown bear appears beside Morteft.  It is nearly 6 feet tall on all four feet.  It stares at Morteft curiopusly.  Morteft detects great intelligence in those eyes.

OOC:  kike aligned and your hit dice is hard to come up with in this place.  Interesting ring.  Can’t find it online to read its powers so will just punt.  Which ring did you take off?  The hawk help does little in darkness.  There are no heat sources visible.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:30, Fri 21 July 2023.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 121):

The ring of maybe

Morteft points toward the open door. "The enemy is within. Find him." Morteft follows after the bear.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 122):

*C'mon, Ez'ard, let's join Morteft.  Can ye fly, lad?* he asks.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 121):

OOC: That is because it is a Delith item.

--DM2

In reply to Morteft (msg # 122):

The Bear takes a step closer to Morteft and stares into his eyes.  Morteft hears a deep rumble in his mind that he somehow understands.  *Please is the polite way to make a request.  I will excuse your rudeness this time.*  The bear waits patiently.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 123):

Ez’ard sighed and sends, *Okay, but I think we are just repeating what didn’t work last time.* Ez’ard activates his ring of flight and follows Warwick. He has the staff in hand ready to send magic missiles when needed.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 126):

*I ain't arguing, lad.  I also ain't abandoning Morteft in there.*

Warwick flies in.

Landing, he notices the dark.  *Morteft, lad, do ye want light?  I can ignite me weapons or bring in a fire elemental.*

In reply to Warwick (msg # 127):

Morteft says, "Right. Please."

*Yeah, light would be useful.*

Morteft will assume shadow form to see if he is ethereal. He will use contact to see if he can ping his location as well.

OOC: The shadow form is psionics. I am not sure if that is ethereal or just shadow. I have the guide at home and can look it up if needed. Same with contact. :)

In reply to Morteft (msg # 128):

*Ye want me weapons or the fire elemental, lad?* asks Warwick, for clarification.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 129):

*Oh, sorry, I would say elemental since it will light the place up too and can aid us in the fight.*

In reply to Morteft (msg # 130):

Warwick summons a fire elemental from his ring of elemental summoning.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 128):

OOC: Shadow Form gives you the form of shadow, not undead.  Only life detection, true seeing, or psionic detection can be used to detect someone in shadow form.

Complete Psionics Handbook

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 132):

Thx Ron!

Can the contact and mindlink find nearby people?

Ez’ard keeps at the ready constantly scanning the area to anyone popping in uninvited.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 128):

You appear as an unattached shadow in areas of full light. You can move at your normal speed, on any surface, including walls and ceilings, as well as across ...

Contact was a fundamental psionic power or skill of the telepathy discipline. It formed a conduit for telepathic exchange necessary for many other psionic powers and for psionic combat. Telepaths were masters of mental contact.


The Bear nods and heads out into the hall.  Morteft becomes am unattached shadow in the room.  When Morteft begins to use his contact ability, he notices that other minds are searching for his location.  The longer you continue with your mind open for contact, the more likely you are to draw attention.

Ez'ard and Warwick fly in the window to see the back side of a large bear leaving the room through a door.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 135):

OOC: yeah, the goal is to find the other minds...Morteft isn't looking to hide.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 136)

Okay then.  I will role each round you search.  You detect no open mind withing the current floor you are on.  Do you follow the bear or let it seach on its own?

In reply to Shorty (msg # 135):

Ez’ard sends to Warwick and Morteft, *Uh, can Morteft morph into a bear?  That was a bear right? Morteft?*

In reply to Shorty (msg # 137):

He will follow the bear and the fire elemental can take up the rear. (assuming Warwick agrees. It could be near Warwick and Ez'ard too)

In reply to Morteft (msg # 139):

Morteft slips into the dark hallway.  The bear is snuffling as it moves from room to room.  All of the upper rooms seem empty.  There is a set of stairs down diagonal across the hall from the door you exited.  The near comes to stand before them and growls unhappily.  It does not seem to like the idea of going down the stairs.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 140):

Morteft flies down.

*These assassins seem to be cowards which makes sense. This seems kind of pointless. I am starting to think we should leave. Why are we here?*

OOC: Does anyone remember what we are trying to accomplish here?

In reply to Morteft (msg # 141):

OOC - I believe kill the assassins and the big sea creature so that we can go home.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 142):

OOC: Thanks Nolan. Maybe we should kill the sea creature to start since the assassins aren't interested in combat.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 141):

The bear grunts in disgust and begins to back down the stairs.  When it reaches the bottom, it spons and begins to snuffle.  It turns towards the room where the elemental broke into the building and enters it.  You hear the bear grunt in pain.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 144):

Morteft flies in and looks around

In reply to Morteft (msg # 145):

Morteft flies ubti the room.  The bear is sitting on the floor rubbing at two bloody marks on its belt.  It seems more than a bit confused.  Two daggers fly across the room at Morteft.  Only one hits and does no damage due to stoneskin.  But it leaves a wet mark.  Coos grins and steps back into the privy hole and disappears.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:30, Sun 23 July 2023.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 146):

What is a privy hole and how did he just disappear?

Also, in normal games, generally, we get to do something too besides just stand there getting attacked. Are there some other rules at play here?

In reply to Morteft (msg # 147):

If the privy hole is just the hole into the septic system, then morteft will fly down into it unless your "disappear" means something else.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 146):

Ez’ard sticks with Warwick so at they can cover each others back…

In reply to Morteft (msg # 147):
OOC:  Ub nabt cyktyresm a toilet is little more than a hole in the floor that you do your buiness in.  The hole may flow down into an underground river or into the ocean or in modern days into a sewer.  Normally they are about 12 inches across.  This one appears to be almost 3 feet across.  Coos disappeared by jumping into the poop hole.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 148):

OOC2:  You came into the room above the bear.  The daggers were in the air before you knew the assassin was there.  I did not restrict you from casting a spell.  I only indicated that he jumped into the hole.  I only state that he will be gone before you can close.  Not being unreasonable.  As for the normal...  they do have the ability for surprise attacks.  Assassins do that from time to time expecially when their opponents are in a hurry.

Ez'ard and Warwick make their way carefully dfown the stairs behind the bear with the shadow that does not stay where it belongs.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:41, Sun 23 July 2023.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 151):

Morteft moves into the privy and stares downinto the hole.  The smell of ol d urine wafts up from it, but he can see that it is a wide passage headed down.  He can even make out handholds along the side.  There is no sign of Coos below.  Morteft begins flying down.  The passage goes down quite a way.  How low will Morteft go?

Ez'ard and Warwick enter the room to find the bear rolling around on the floor trying to lick several bloddy spots on its pelt.  The bear seems very confused.


OOC:  Those in the ethereal have finished there battle but are mpw 7 rounds ahead of you.  There are on pause.  This is the first of those 7 rounds.  I will count them out as they go.  Actions Ez'ard and Warwick?

Ez’ard replies to Warwick, “I still don’t know if that (the bear) is Morteft or not but it has obviously taken a coupe of poison attacks. Do you think you can heal it?” Ez’ard will warily explore the room to figure out why they have made their way there.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 153):

The room is filled with burnt and broken furniture.  There is an open door on the far side of the room.  Ocen side.  There is a really large privy hole in the floor.  Broken rocks and shells are piled against one wall.  The burnt remains of a piece of sail cloth lie in another spot.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 154):

*The bear is something that Morteft conjured.  Morteft is the shadow, lad.*

In reply to Warwick (msg # 155):

Ez’ard replies, “All see is a hurt bear… Ughh, there is a ladder down this large sh*t hole.”

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 156):

OOC:  Kind of stuck waiting for Morteft.  ROund 2 for Ez'ard and Warwick.  Actions?

In reply to Shorty (msg # 157):

Warwick holds the fire elemental back from the privy.  Don't want it to ignite any fumes.

Warwick looks around with his true sight to see if he can see anything else.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 158):

Morteft is already a shadow will fumes hurt him? We can back away…

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 159):

OOC:  I was thinking the Bear and us...

And, yes, I think a shadow can burn as well.

Ez’ard says well let us hold our breaths and descend. Ez’ard will us his ring of flight to float down instead of using the ladder so he can he hands free to use the staff and wand if needed.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 161):

Warwick does not see anything else with his truesight.  All signs of the assassins lead to the crapper.  The old smells make it clear what purpose the hole used to serve, but none of the scents are recent.  The bear continues to lick its wounds, oblivious to the two of you.

If no other actions, Round 3.  In round 7 both teams can message each other.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:48, Wed 26 July 2023.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 162):

*We should have sent the fire elemental down the hole.* mutters Warwick over the telepathic link.

He unhappily follows Ezard.  To the Bear he says, "Don't try to follow, lad."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 163):

Ez’ard and Warwick begin their descent.  There are regular handholds all the way down the descemt/   Warwocl recognizes that the stone has been worked within the last year.  Well, maybe not worked by tools.  It is more like the walls have been eroded away, leaving the passage wider and smoother.  It would have taken a lot of water to do this.  The passage goes down a long way.  At just over 200 feet, you encounter a glowing blue stone set into one of the walls.  There is a rune etched into it.

Actions?  Round 4

In reply to Shorty (msg # 164):

Warwick halts Ez'ard before they go beyond the rune.  He looks carefully at the rune, trying to decipher it.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 164):

Ez’ard will put on his specks to look at the rune to see what he can and then compare notes with Warwick.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 166):

rune is in an unfamiliar language.  Comparing opinions you are both fairly sure it is some kind of ward.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 167):

Ez’ard says to Warwick, “ Well Morteft went this way, maybe the ward is only an alarm. We can send the elemental down first, your call.”

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 168):

OOC:  Is the elemental following you down using the handholds?

In reply to Shorty (msg # 169):

OOC:  No, not at the moment.  Warwick is worried about the fumes igniting.


Warwick casts dispel magic on the rune.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 170):

OOC:  My appology for a less than complete descrition.  This rune is not drawn on the passage wall.  It is part pf a rectangular stone embedded into the wall.  In essence, it is a magic item.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 171):

Warwick examines the stonework above the embedded rune.

OOC:  I have to say...  These assassins are masters at just about everything.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 172):

The stonework is old.  Warwick would guess that the rune stone is at least as old as the fort itself.  It is unlikely that this is the work of the assassins.  The runestone is about 8 inches on a side.  It would take a dwarf about 15 minutes with good tools to remove the stone.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 173):

*Ez'ard lad, float above me.*

Warwick takes his mace and uses his mace to bash the stonework above the rune to dust.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 174):

Itis a hard use of the mace.  But the stone crumbles after a few minutes of pounding aeound the top and sides of the rune stone.  Without warning, the stone dropps free and falls down the shaft to lie at the bottom.  The stone continues to glow at the bottom of the privy shaft.

About the time the stone breaks free, you hear Trysk report over the commone link that they have defeated their enemies in the ethereal plane.

OOC"  Timelines are now in sync

In reply to Shorty (msg # 175):

*Where are you guys? We've defeated a shade and lich on the ethereal plane. Should we look for the head assassin?*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 176):

*A shade and a lich?* asks Warwick.  *I thought ye were fighting an assassin.  We're down a privy hole trying to follow Morteft who followed one of them down it.*

In reply to Warwick (msg # 177):

Trysk replies, *He left before the battle started. Should we follow you in the ethereal plane?*

Ez’ard does as Warwick asks…. He sends to Trysk, *That’s sound like a good idea then we would not be surprised with a sudden appearance.*

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 179):

*Aye.  I let meself get distracted with a rune.  We're going to try and catch up with Morteft now.*

Warwick heads down the hole further.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 180):

Trysk determines how he and Tzar can get back to where he fought Coos.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 181):


Warwick and Ez’ard follow the passage down.  It begins to flatten out.  You reach the rune stone which is not face down and pass it without incident.  The passage becomes flat and ends in a tidal pool.  The pool has no human waste in it, but the old smells still remain.  On the left side of the pool, a ten foot wide tunnel goes 10 feet east and then turns north.

Trysk and Tzar find that navigating in the ethereal is not quite the same as navigating in wraith form.  The wraith form is still partially on the prime material.  The markers are not as obvious here.  The two planes walkers do retrace their steps to the point where you entered the ethereal.  Basically in the middle of the courtyard.  You notice a round stone sitting on the ground there.  With some thought, you move in the direction that you think the assassin’s headquarters was in.  This region of the ethereal is featurless.  It is hard to jusdge distances.  You do notice another round stone that seem to be above your head.  As you consider the stone, you find you are alking up a slope to stand beside it.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 182):

Does Trysk notice any runes or writing in the stone?

Does True Sight reveal anything?

In reply to Shorty (msg # 182):

*Do we dare bring the fire elemental down with us given the fumes we encountered?* asks Warwick of Ez'ard.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 184):

Ez’ard sends, *I think it safe, we made it through without keeling over from fumes. Just lingering odors.*

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 185):

Warwick summons the fire elemental to enter the privy entrance and begin its way down.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 186):

The elemental begins the long. Limb down, handhold by handhold.  There are no big explosions of gas.  There are occasional sparks and it burns a greenish. Olof here and there.  But there are no issues other than. Limboing time.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 187):

OOC: I would think an elemental could 'fall' without issue given it can only be harmed by magic.

--Ron

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 188):

Did not want it to land on the onlookers

OOC - Larry, any info?

In reply to Trysk (msg # 190):

No, they are just painted stones just left on the ground of the ethereal at what appears to be random locations.  If Trysk fo uses on the prime, he realizes this stone is near the transition to the trap door on top of the two story building.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:20, Wed 02 Aug 2023.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 191):

Warwick continues forward, circumventing the rune stone on the ground, just in case it could still raise an alarm.  He motions the fire elemental and Ez'ard to do the same.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 192):

Warwick steps around the tidal pool and reaches the corner.  Looking around it he sees a ten foot wide passage heading north.  It is weak kit.  You can see that it ends in a door about 100 feet ahead.  There are doors on the right wall at 20 and 80 feet.  There is a side corridor on the right wall at 50 feet.  On the left wall are two doors.  One at 30 feet and one at 70 feet.

Ez’ard will move forward cautiously hoping to not disturb anything that may be lurking in the water of the tidal pool. He will inspect the doors at the 20 and 30 foot marks down the north corridor to see if they are locked and or trapped and if he can detect if they have been used recently. He will not expose himself to the corridor heading off to the right at 50 feet until he discusses things with Warwick.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 194):

*Morteft, where are ye lad?* asks Warwick as he uses his true sight to try and spot the assassins.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 195):

Neither the left or right door even has a lock.  Ez’ard detects no raps on either Dior.   Ther is no dis on either door handle.  There are muffled noises behind the left door.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 196):

Ez’ard retreats back to Warwick and informs him of his findings. He asks, “Do we wait for the others to arrive/return or continue on?”

Trysk continues to lead Tzar down the trap door and down into the privy hole.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 197):

*I'd like to wait to here from Morteft so that we can follow his path.*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 198):

OOC.  Morteft  has not posted since he went down the toilet

In reply to Shorty (msg # 200):

OOC:  Metaphorical and literally...

In reply to Warwick (msg # 201):

OOC: life has been priority. Put Morteft in npc mode please.

Morteft appears with the group.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 202):

Please a me what spells morteft has left after the battle prep

From Matt's earlier post:

invisibility
mirror image
stoneskin
protection from normal missiles
polymorph self
fire shield
detect magic
detect invisibility
Telekinesis

His immunity is set to poison

In reply to Trysk (msg # 204):

This looks like ashafngou cast already.  I need what you have memorized that hAs not been used in you or others

In reply to Shorty (msg # 205):

OOC: Ok, everyone here make your next post.

Ez’ard after checking the first set of doors in the tunnel has returned to Warwick to let him know there are no traps or locks but there is muffled noises behind the left door.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 206):

*Does the left door open inward or outward, lad?* asks Warwick.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 207):

Trysk and Tzar continue to make their way in the ethereal plane toward the others.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 207):

Ez’ard looks at Warwick in exasperation and sends, *Of course they open in or out or even sliding to the side or into the floor or ceiling… * He then stomps, quietly, back to the doors to check…

OOC: of course the great and mighty DM did not include that in his description….. lol

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 209):

The hallway doors all open outward.  The hinges are on your side of the door.

Trysk and Tzar work their way diwnhill and find another blue stone that seems to correlate to the privy

In reply to Shorty (msg # 210):

OOC:  It was an important question.

*Do ye have an iron spikes to keep the door closed, lad?* asks Warwick.  *I'm thinking we bypass the door, but if ye cleverly stick a few spikes under the door, they won't be able to open it quietly.  They might not be able to open it at all.*

In reply to Shorty (msg # 210):

Trysk leads Tzar down the privy.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 212):

*Glad I'm ethereal now* thinks Tzar

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 213):

Trysk chuckles, *Save that thought until we're done here.*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 214):

There is a long dark passage heading down at an angle in the ethereal.  Trysk notices two things with his true sight.  A blue glow at the bottom of the passage and a complicated trap on the wall about halfway down.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 211):

Ez’ard shrugs and sends, *Sorry, nothing like that but I will make it a point to add some to a pocket the next time I get a chance. So you want to check the corridor to the right or keep going to check the next set of doors?*

OOC: I realized it was an important question but I didn’t have the answer so just played it out… lol

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 217):

Warwick chews on his beard, trying hard not to chew out the thief.  He pulls out a few mundane daggers and offers them to Ez'ard.  *Do ye think ye can make do with these to spike the door shut, lad?*

OOC - Is the complicated trap in the ethereal plane?

BIC - Assuming it is, Trysk will examine the trap to identify it and then disarm it

In reply to Trysk (msg # 219):

The trap is in the ethereal plane.  Try discovers four strands of spider silk crossing the tunnel.  Ea h appears to be tied to a different firing mechanism.n the problem js the silk and the triggers have been coated in something wet.

OOC. I do not have your disarm traps percentage with me in this trip

In reply to Warwick (msg # 218):
Ez’ard sends, *those should work… only on the door with sounds or both on this side of the corridor?*

In reply to Shorty (msg # 220):

Trysk has a base 70% chance to remove traps.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 222):

Trysk successfully removes the first two strands without pulling the triggers.  He begins working the two that run in the other direction.  The last strand snaps and Trysk instinctively grasps the strand so it does not set off the trap.  In the process he gets some of the liquid that coats the strand in his hand.  Save vs poison

In reply to Shorty (msg # 223):

Tzar watches Trysk with interest.  At the snap he reacts and looks around warily.  *Need any help?*

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 224):

Trysk makes his save vs. poison,, but is not too worried (Slow Poison is still active).

He continues to focus on disarming the trap, *No, I think I got it...*

Once Trysk has disarmed the trap, he will use Sizzle to burn off the poison on his hand.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 225):

Trysk giggles as he finishes disarming the trap.  it seems rather comical that the liquid was absorbed into his skin.  There is nothing left fir Sizzle to burn off.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 226):

OOC - Slow Poison doesn't negate the giggles?

BIC - Trysk continues forward.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 227):

Trysk and Tzar rea h the end of the passage.    Just outside the passage is a glowing stone.  It is a perfect cube.  The glow Emirates from the bottom edge that you cannot see.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 228):

Any runes visible?

Is the cube attached to anything or just sitting in the middle of the passage

In reply to Trysk (msg # 229):

OOC:  Back home again so it is easier to work.  Could not answer all questions sitting in the airport yesterday.  Part 2 of Trysk's question.  No, your slow poison is not still active.  There was no poison in your system when the speel was cast so the magic disappated.  Slow Poison is not a prepatory spell.  The first line of the spell description states... When this spell is cast upon a poisoned individual.


The cube is not attached to anything.  There is a scattering of broken rock around it.  No rune visible of the 5 surfaces you can see.  Do you wish to turn it over?

In reply to Shorty (msg # 230):

Trysk looks to Tzar, *I suggest we leave it as is, unless you know what it is.*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 231):

How big is the cube?

Tzar shrugs, *No idea, I have known mages with magic cubes but I couldn't say about that one.*

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 232):

OOC - Waiting for Larry to comment on the size of the cube.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 221):

*Just the door on the left side where ye heard the noise, lad.*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 233):

OOC: The cube is about 8 inches on a side.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 234):

Ez’ard quietly spikes the door on the left with the muffled voices behind it.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 235):

Ez'ard gets the first dagger in when he hears a loud grunt that sounds like a dark one talking.  Heavy footsteps approach the door.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 235):

Trysk continues on but makes a mental note on the cube's location.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 237):

Trysk and Tzar move past the cube and enter a cast open plain in the ethereal.  across the distance, you see something strange.  A white orb, not qite round hangs in the distance.  Within the orb is a smaller off-white circle.  Withing that off-white circle is a smaller circle of blackness.  The orb seems to be tracking your movements.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 237):

Ez’ard sends to Warwick (and all), *Be ready a dark one, probably is approaching the door.* He tries to quickly and quietly use another dagger to spike the door for added measure. He then backs away and prays it holds….

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 240):

*Get back here,* responds Warwick.  *If it breaks through the door, it'll get a taste of me axe and mace.*

In reply to Shorty (msg # 239):

*Tzar, any chance you know what that is?*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 242):

Tzar shrugs again *Kinda looks like a giant eye doesn't it?*

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Trysk (msg # 242):

Some thing shoves hard at the door before Ez'ard.  The dagger that was already set begins to shift.  The door shudders a second time.

The thing floating across the open space in the ethereal disappears briefly and then returns.

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 243):

OOC - Does Trysk have any indication of the "eye" is in the direction they need to go?

Any sign of the others?

BIC - Trysk ensures he has Sizzle and the Wand of Fire drawn.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 245):

There is a haze between the ethereal and the prime in this region.  It is difficult ro map it direcrly.  You are fairly certain that you came down the privy tunnel.  You actually have information to help you decide how close you are.....

In reply to Shorty (msg # 246):

Trysk asks, *Where are you guys now?  Any chance you see something that looks like a big eye?*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 247):

*I hope that's not what's on the other side of the door that Ez'ard just attempted to spike,* replies Warwick with some concern.  *A big eye brings to mind a beholder and I ain't keen on fighting one down here.*

In reply to Warwick (msg # 248):

Trysk replies, *Uh... this is what I see...a white orb, not quite round hangs in the distance. Within the orb is a smaller off-white circle.  Within that off-white circle is a smaller circle of blackness. The orb seems to be tracking our movements.*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 249):

The door bumps a third time and the dagger pops almost completly out.  Does Ez'ard stay at the base of the door?

In reply to Shorty (msg # 250):

Ez’ard will continue to try to set the second dagger and if it holds to reset the first. If it is apparent that the first is not going to hold then he will abandon his attempts and retreat back to Warwick’s position.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:16, Sat 12 Aug 2023.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 251):

The thumps on the door indicate power and great weight.  Ez'ard is fairly certain that he is about to get hit by a flying door.  He retreats back to Warwick and the elemental.  The door is hit a fourth time and two dark ones stumble into the hall.  The first one flies across the corridor and bounces off the wall.  The second one turns to face the small group.  It pauses there.  Its eyes go wide as it sees the flaming figure standing behind the dwarf.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 252):

Warwick floats aside and motions to the fire elemental.  "By all means.  Enjoy yourself with them."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 253):

The dark one that bounced off the wall recovers and turns.  He looks ready to bolt when the second dark one grunts something you do not understand.  It points in the direction of the side tunnel *Your right) and the first dark one actually seems to grow pale.  They charge the elemental.  They land several good blows and the  elemental does seem to take a little damage.  But the dark ones crisp each time they strike.  It takes about 5 minutes, but al that is left when the fight is done is ashes.  The door hangs open beside the elemental.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 254):

Ez’ard goes to pick up the dagger and looks in the room. He sends to Warwick, *Seems like something worse than a fire elemental is down that corridor. Should we check the remaining rooms? I’m not so certain we need to find whats worse when the whole team is not here.*

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 255):

*Aye.  Let's see if we can block the door with a couple of daggers and move on.*

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 255):

The room is a 20 by 10 space that is empty.  There is a door on the far side of the wall.  This door opens outward.  It has a lock on your side of the door.  There is a barred window in the upper half of the door.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 257):

Before closing the door and moving on, Ez’ard quickly crosses the room and looks out the barred window to see what he can see. He will then make sure the barred window door is locked before leaving the room and again spiking the door. He listens and tests the right side door to determine if there is anything inside and if the door is trapped and/or locked. With all the noise, surely something inside would have heard.

Larry, how big is the eye?

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 258):

Fz'ard oves across the room and looks through the bars.  What he sees is strange indeed.  The room is about 15 by 15.  A dark one, larger than any you have seen so far, is pinned to the wall.  Glowing manacles pin his wrists, ankles, and neck to the wall in somewhat of a spread eagle position.  On closer examination, Ez'ard notices that the dark one's fingers and toes are meer nubs, no bigger than those of a new-born.  Ez'ard hears something moving around on the floor.  Using his ring of flight, Ez'ard rises a foot into the air to see the floor of the room.  Ten dark hands are wiggling and jumping around on the floor.  Ten dark feet and wiggling and moving beside them.  They seem to get a little larger as Ez'ard watches.

Actions?

And how far away is it?

In reply to Shorty (msg # 260):

*Ez'ard, do ye think that thing is making more of the dark ones?* asks Warwick.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 261):

Trysk and Tzar will start approaching the wye.

*Tzar, any chance you can detect evil?*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 259):

OOC:  In the ethereal, this space is about 100 years by about 250 yars long.  The white orb is at the far end of the 250.  At 250myards away, the orb is bigger than the your fist.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:26, Mon 14 Aug 2023.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 263):

*Unfortunately no.* Tzar responds *The Captain took care of all that.*

--Ron, Tzar
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:17, Mon 14 Aug 2023.

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 265):

Trysk puts away the Wand of Fire and draws his Rod of Alertness.

He approaches the eye warily until he reaches the edge of his rod's ability to Detect Evil. He stops and checks for evil.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 262):

Ez’ard sends to Warwick, *Yes, I believe we have found the one that was mentioned. But do we try to rescue it now or continue to search for the assassins? If Morteft would quit slinking in the shadows maybe we could do something.*

To Morteft, *Hey Morteft, you find either assassin yet? We found the captured dark one they are using to produce all the other.*

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 267):

Morteft is standing behind the elemental.  He is no longer in the shadows.  He replies to Ez’ard, *there was a haze that impacted the shadows.  It took me some time to find my way here.  I have not had time to search this level.  Is there any risk to freeing the Chieftain of the Dark Ones?*

Morteft walks into the room and looks through the bars himself.  He reaches a hand through the bars and casts burning hands.  He directs the flames and the twitching hands and feet and reduces them to ash.

OOC:  Still no clue what spells Morteft has or does not have so will fake it as we go along.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 268):

OOC: Based on Matt's play of Morteft, the mage would probably kill the secured dark one.  Morteft did not hesitate to kill 'defenseless' ogres in the Frost giant adventure. Just my insight.

--Ron, DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 269):

OOC:  There is a difference between defensless and helpless.  The dark one is magically trapped.  It is incapable of movement.  I will not push someone in NPC mode into an evil action.  Morteft can come nack and do that on his own.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 270):

OOC: Oh I would not consider it an evil act, not honorable surely; but I get where you are coming from with a player NPC.

--Ron

In reply to Shorty (msg # 268):

Ez’ard asks, *Are Dark Ones honor bound? If we come to an agreement for his release, assuming one of us can free him, will he abide by his agreement? Maybe he would be willing to aid us in ending the assassins and the sea monster who have been using him.*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 266):

OOC: Guess I missed this.

As Trysk moves forward, Tzar stays where he is, keeping watch on the surroundings.  *Call if you need help .. how close are you going to get to it?*

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 273):

Trysk stops about a hundred yards away from the orb and informs the others, *Seems like this orb is controlling the sea monster. It failed to control me, so now it wants to kill me. Warwick, you want us to engage it or wait for you guys?*

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 272):

*I've no idea, lad.  Let me check something.*  Warwick floats up to the door and casts Know Alignment.  He then checks on the aura of the creature.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 274):

*One thing at a time, Trysk,* replies Warwick, almost irritably.  *We've found the location of the creature that makes the dark ones and we're trying to figure out how to deal with it.*

In reply to Warwick (msg # 276):

Trysk backs up to Tzar while keeping an eye on the orb, *OK.*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 277):

he orb stares at Trysk.  But it makes no move to attack at long range.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 275):

*The creature is lawful evil,* reports Warwick.  *Therefore, I've no issues with killing it, even if it's helpless.  Any objections from anyone?*

In reply to Warwick (msg # 279):

Ez’ard opens the door for Warwick and watches his back for evil bad doers (I.e., the assassins.)

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 280):

Hanging on the wall beside the door is a small bar of metal that looks to be the same material that the manacles are made of.  It hands on a leather thong from a hook on the wall.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 281):

*Morteft, Tzar, Trysk, any objections to me ending this creature?* asks Warwick.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 281):

Noticing the bar of metal hanging on the wall Ez’ard sends, *Is that the release key or something more diabolical?*

In reply to Warwick (msg # 282):

Tzar replies *Do as you see fit Lord of Warwick.*

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 284):

*No objections.*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 285):

*I don't know what that device is, Ez'ard.  I was going to order the fire elemental into the room to take care of the creature.  If anyone has any objections, voice them now.*

In reply to Warwick (msg # 286):

Ez’ard makes sure he is out of the way of the fire elemental entering the room.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 287):

The elemental moves past Ez'ard into the room.  It studies the dark one hanging in the manacles, then it turns to study Warwick as if unsure it understands what is being asked of it."

In reply to Shorty (msg # 288):

Warwick nods.  "I know, but it's evil.  Burn it."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 289):

Warwick senses sadness and disappointment in the elemental, but it turns to do his bidding.  “A gruff voice comes from the dark one.  “Now who evil?  Hath no honor.”

The elemental begins to burn it.  The Chief of the Dark Ones does not cry out as it dies.  It stares defiantly into Warwick’s face until it is gone.

OOC:  As a lawful evil creature, it would have been bound by any agreement you struck with it.  It was as incapable of defending itself from you as it was the assassins who kept cutting off its fingers and toes.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 290):

OOC:  I happen to disagree.  You don't wake up the sleeping monster, you count your blessings and slay it while it sleeps.  This isn't about honor.  This is about fighting an enemy on its own turf and killing its weapons as quietly as you're able.  This creature was one of the weapons.  None of us had any responsibility to give the creature an honorable death.  We just removed a weapon from the hands of the assassins.  If you want to blame someone, you can blame the assassins.  You'll note that Warwick is not Lawful Good.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 291):

OOC: As the overarching DM of this whole thing I just want to say that Warwicks action will not adversely affect him in anyway, no alignment issues and such.

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 292):

OOC:  I appreciate that Ron.

Warwick nods to the fire elemental.  "Thank ye.  I know that was horrible.  I didn't like it much, either.  But, I didn't want to have a pitched battle with the thing and have its masters here us fighting.  I'll live with the deed and move on.  That's what generals do.  Make the tough decisions and deal with the consequences."

He sighs.  "Ez'ard, can ye please check the other doors?"

In reply to Warwick (msg # 293):

With the body out of the way, you can now see that there is a slot on the front of each manacle that matches the end of the piece of metal Ez’ard holds.  There is also a similar slot on the back side of the manacle where it s attached to the wall.

OOC:  I am not the arbitrator of Warwick’s conscience or his alignment.  I was asked early on if the creature would keep any agreements that were made with it.  Lawful evil would not have broken its word.  As for the sleeping monster… that is a flawed analogy.  Sleeping monsters can wake and fight back.  This creature could not.  Choose the word you wish, but it was effectively an execution.  Moving on.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 294):

OOC: I do not consider the sleeping creature flawed as I allow a 1 hit kill on a sleeping creature.  As far as lawful evil yes, they keep the deal but will look for an out, loophole or if a better deal comes along which could have easily happened in this case.  A deal would have been an interesting path.

Anyway I was just letting the player know that the action would not have an alignment affect or repercussion for the character.

And we move on.

--DM2

Ez’ard will check the door on the right before the side corridor. He will check for listen for sounds, traps and see if the door is locked. If all clear he will wait for everyone to ready before pulling the door open.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 296):

The room across the hall is not locked.  Ez’ard opems ot carefi;;y and then jumps back in fright as dozens of large faces stare at him.  It takes a second for E’zard to realize that they are not moving.  He steps closer to the door and stress around the room.  Dozens of mast heads are stacked within the room.  The space is a mirror image of the rooms across the hall.  The back door is wide open and Ez’ard can make out several ship’s wheels leaning against the wall.

Ez’ard sends to Warwick and all, *Well someone likes boats…* he closes the door and moves to the  corridor and peaks around the corner while wearing his glasses of true sight.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 298):

Ez’ard slips on his specks and looks around the corner.  The corridor goes about 80 yards before it opens up into a larger space.  Although the space and corridor are well lit, there is a mist that fills much of the open space.  Ez’ard sees the ghostly form of Trysk walking out of the mist and into and through a wall.  Ez’ard turns his head to see where Trysk might be going and sees the ghostly form of Tzar standing in the hallway behind him.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:44, Wed 23 Aug 2023.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 299):

Ez’ard sends to Warwick and Morteft, *Hey guys,I can see Trysk and Tzar down the corridor.*

To Trysk and Tzar he sends, *Hey guys, there you are! Warwick and Morteft are here with me.*

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 300):

Trysk stops, *Give me directions, Ez'ard.I can't tell where you guys are. Am I even having the right direction?*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 301):

OOC: oops wrong person earlier…
Ez’ard sends to Trysk, *Your were in a corridor and just walked through a wall into a room full of boat stuff; mastheads, rudder wheels, and stuff. Looks like a museum. No threat and we can open the door from the hallway. Tzar is nearby the ladder that went down the privy hole, hope Shorty doesn’t decide to use it. (Yes he not here but could not resist.) We’re further up the corridor from there. Oh and no more dark ones being generated, we found where the dark one chieftain was being imprisoned.*
This message was last edited by the player at 02:16, Thu 24 Aug 2023.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 302):

Tzar broadcasts *Any sign of the 2 vile miscreant assassins?  What about this eye thingy?*

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 303):

Ez’ard sends back, *Haven’t seen the assassins since entering the fort.*

He adds, *Hey Warwick weren’t we looking for a third eye? Can the sea creature have it in it’s body while it’s (the eye) is on the ethereal plane?*
This message was last edited by the player at 18:07, Fri 25 Aug 2023.

Ez’ard sends to Warwick and the rest, *Should I move on to the next door and check it out?*

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 302):

Trysk looks around, *Sorry, I don't see anything like that here. We'll stay in this area as long as the eye doesn't make any moves or attacks.*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 306):

Ez’ard sends, *Ok I guess… I’ll check out the rest of the area then.*

Ez’ard cross to the other side of the side corridor to check the next door on the right. (Sounds, traps, locks…)

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 307):

Ez’ard slips across the cross hall.  He passes the door on the left.  There are no sounds coming from it.  He reaches the door on the right.  It is not locked.  The latch  to the room liiks damp.  Ez’ard bends closer to inspect it and detects an acrid oder rising from the latch.  There are no sounds emanating from within.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:34, Mon 28 Aug 2023.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 308):

Ez’ard uses one of Warwicks daggers to turn the latch on the door so he doesn’t have to touch it with his hand.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 309):

Ez’ard presses down on the latch with the blade of the dagger.  It slips off the first time but he manages to depress the latch on the second attempt.  The blade of the dagger now has an oily look to it.  The door swings wide open.  This is another double room identical to the previous two.  The outer room is filled with kegs.  The kegs are filed with round metal balls of various sizes.   The door to the inner room hangs from its hines.  Through that doorway, Ez’ard can see large javelin shaped weapons and numerus arrow shaped weapons.  The diameter of each shaft is about the thickness of Ez’ard’s leg.  Everthing in both rooms is covered in a thick layer of dust.  There are no prints on the floor.  It appears this room has not been opened in a long time.

Ez’ard moves on and checks the door on the left.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 311):

This door is not locked.  The latch also appears to be wet.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 312):

OOC: Sorry all, I haven't looked at this game in weeks. Is Morteft still alive and around? If so, let me know and I will start reading the past info. If not, I will just lurk and read anything new.

OOC: Nevermind, is on this page that Morteft is still with the group. Thanks for not killing him off. :)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:55, Mon 28 Aug 2023.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 312):

Since Warwick’s dagger is still in Ez’ard hand he will again use it to push the latch to open the door. He uses the same technique that succeeded on the last door.

OOC: And Morteft comes out of the strange trance…. Welcome back, hopefullyRL has calmed down a bit.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:34, Mon 28 Aug 2023.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 314):

The second latch opens more easily.  The dagger blade is now coated with some unknown fluid.  The rooms inside mirror the other three doors that you have opened.  The outer room is empty.  There is no dust visible on the floor except near the walls.  The inner door is partially open.  Through that opening, Ez’ard sees a sea chest.  The chest is closed

In reply to Shorty (msg # 315):

Ez’zard sends, *This room has a chest in it. Maybe a reward after all the messy business is done.*

He does not enter but goes to examine the final door at the end of the corridor.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 313):

Morteft;s heart begins to beat out of rhythm. His chest fills with pain.  His breathing becomes labored.  SOmething is wrong with his heart.

No wait.... that is the rest of the party's reaction to Morteft's return.  LoL  Welcome.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 316):

Ez’ard leaves this door open as well and moves on to the door at the end of the hallway.  This door is also not locked.  The latch is not wet looking nor does it have the familiar odor.  Ez’ard hears a deep guttural speech coming from the far side of the door.  It is a sound he has become familiar with since arriving in this land.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 318):

Ez’ard sends to alll, *I think there are some more dark ones behind this door…. Do I try to spike the door or do you want to enter and take care of things?*

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 319):

*Spike it for the moment, Ez'ard.  We'll deal with them when we move up.*

Ez’ard turns to Warwick and the fire elemental and sends, *Would you mind cleansing this blade while I use the other as the first spike?*

He sets the blade down on the ground away from the door and then turns to use the other blade to be the first spike in the door.

He waits for the fire elemental to burn off whatever liquid was on the blade and then gingerly (assuming it will be hot) picks up the clean blade and uses it as a second spike for the door.

That done he turns to Warwick and Morteft and sends, *So down the side corridor and see whats there?*

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 321):

Warwick asks the fire elemental to burn off the poison or whatever it is.  Just don't risk itself.  Perhaps send a tendril of flame at the dagger instead of standing over it.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 321):

Ez’ard presses the first dagger blade against the stone floor and tries to press it in.  The point of the blade skitters ocross the stone.  The voices on the other side of the door go silent.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:21, Wed 30 Aug 2023.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 322):

The elemental approaches the dagger and leans over it.  It points down and small jets of flame shoot from its hand to clense the upper surgace of the blade.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 323):

Ez’ard sends, *Ummm, I think they know something is out here….* He continues to try to QUIETLY jam the door so it cannot be opened. He makes sure he can get out of the way of the door and out of the elementals firing path into the room if things fall apart (which he feels is about to happen.)

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 325):

*Then get back here, lad.  That way ye're behind us.*

In reply to Warwick (msg # 326):


Ez’ard reluctantly backs up as Warwick “suggested.”  There is a sudden boom that sounds like a large foot kicking the door.  It flies open.  Standing in the doorway are two dark ones.  They seem rather surprised to find an elemebtal, a dwarf, an elf, and a human standing in the hallway.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 327):

Morteft says, "That was noisy."

OOC: What is the distance?

In reply to Morteft (msg # 328):

The dark ones are about 30 feet away.

Ez’ard will cast a magic missile barrage  at the 2 dark ones (split evenly between he two).

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 330):

The missiles impact solidly.  The attack seems to rouse the dark ones from their surprise.  They begin to advance on the group.  You can see their flesh behinning to knit back together from the damage that they took.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 331):

Morteft will hit them with a magic missile as well.

OOC: 26 pts to the one that seems the worst off.

Morteft steps behind Warwick.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 332):

OOC:  In India and I can't get wireless to work for my laptop in the hotel, so my responses will be more delayed than usual.


BIC:

Warwick grins, draws his weapons battle axe and mace and flies down the hallway attacking both of the dark ones.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 333):

Ez’ard tells the elemental to follow Warwick to protect and attack the dark ones

Not sure if it will listen but worth a shot.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 334):

OOC:  Now that I know Warwick is out of touch I will move things forward a bit.

Morteft’s missiles slam into the more damaged dark one.  It staggers but comes on.  Ez’ard tells the elemental to attack.  It lppks to Warwick who nots.  The elemental seems to like this order and it surges forward.  The battle does not take long.  The dark ones seem to do minor damage to the elemental but they are soon little more than ashes.

From this range, you can see little of the room ahead.  There is a closed door on the far side of the room.  The door has bars in it similar to the ones in the first room you entered.  There is alos a slot at the bottom of the door.  Below that slot is a basket.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 335):

Trysk, still keeping an eye on the eye, asks Ez'ard, *Errr...so what's happening now? Are you guys heading toward our direction? I have to think that there must be an object in the Prime that holds the eye's consciousness.*

In reply to Trysk (msg # 336):

Ez’ard sends, *I would agree but have found nothing yet.just took out two more dark ones and need to check out the room they were in.*

Ez’ard carefully checks out the first room with his glasses before entering. He will then inspect the basket. Finally if nothing of note he will look through the bars into the next room.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 337):

Private message to Ez'ard

In reply to Shorty (msg # 338):

Ez’ard pockets the two scrolls he finds in the basket in one of his many pockets. He then floats up to look through the bars.

He sends, *Two scrolls w/ spell here in the basket. Looks like an imprisoned human male wizard. He seems to be asleep but with the noise we made that seems a bit odd.*

Ez’ard again use the glasses to examine the man and his room more closely.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 339):

The man in the room is as he seemed to Ez'ard's normal vision.  The human is thin and mal0nourished.  There are lines of fatigue on his face.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 340):

Being the curious one, Ez’ard, probably foolishly, checks the door and if possible opens it and enters to check on the man.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 341):

There are no traps and the lock is a sliding bolt.  It slips easily back and the door opens.  As the door swings open, the man begins to tremble.  He curls into a ball and does not look towards the open door.  His vouce trembles with fear as he says, "No more.  Please, I beg you.  My mind cannot take more of that concoction.  I finished two more scrolls for you.  I will do the rest.  I swear it.  I just need to rest so I can restudy the spells.  I just need more time."

The man huddles piteously before Ez'ard.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 342):

OOC: Wow, that is piteous if he does that before Ez'ard.  ;)  .. Could not resist.

--Ron

In reply to Shorty (msg # 342):

Ez’ard is startled by the response but replies, “Ummmm, not who you think… I’m Ez’ard…. Here to rescue you??”

Ez’ard shakes his head and starts again, “It’s okay, relax. No one here is going to hurt you. Do you need water or food? I can split what I have. Why were the dark ones guarding you? Is it the assassins? We’re working on hunting them down.”

To Warwick he says, “Can you afford a healing spell for this guy?”

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 344):

Warwick enters the room and stares at the wasted man.  “Healihng will not repair malnutrition.  Food might help.”  Warwick uses his true sight to study the man.  “Neutralize poison will flush the rest of the assassin’s brew out of his system.”  Warwick casts his spell.

The human cracks one eye open and stares at the two of you.  “He shakes his head.  “It must be more of the madness.  But, I can remember who I am or at least who I was.”

The human slowly sits up, leaning against the wall.  He brushes at his fouled robes and then gives up at the hopelessness of the task.  He turns his gaze to Ez’ard.  “I am Raztnor, once known as the magnificent.  Now I am little more than what you see.  Once I cast mighty spells.  Then Coos poisoned me for winning a bet against him.   His poison is worse than death to a mage."

OOC:  I could not resist either...
This message was last edited by the player at 23:01, Tue 05 Sept 2023.

Ez’ard replies to Raztnor, “We will do what we can for you to include ridding the world of Coos and his side kick. Have you ever heard him discussing a third eye and where it might be hidden? We need to return it to its rightful owner so we can return to our realm.”

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 346):

Raztnor shakes his head violently.  "You do not want to go to her.  The eye is not hidden.  It is in her skull.  She will imprison you or eat you.  Stay away from her."
This message was last edited by the player at 10:50, Wed 06 Sept 2023.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 347):

Ez’ard sends Raztnor‘s message to the rest of the crew…

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 348):

*I wonder if the eye he's speaking of the same one that Tzar and Trysk are seeing.* mutters Warwick.

In reply to Warwick (msg # 349):

Trysk nods telepathically, "That could be it. I guess we'll just have to extract it from her skull."

In reply to Trysk (msg # 350):

Tzar scratches his head *How can the eye be here and in the .. her head?  Who is her?*

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 351):

Trysk replies, "I believe her refers to the big sea monster. The eye seems to reside in both the Prime and Ethereal."

In reply to Trysk (msg # 352):

Tzar then replies *Should we try to destroy this miscreant eye while we are here?*

--Ron, Tzar

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 353):

Raztnor struggles to his feet using the wall.  He limps to the desk and grabs the two pieces of parchment from the table.  Then he struggles to the door and takes the two pieces of parchment sitting on the table outside the room.  Staring at them he moans, “Four pages.  That is all that is left of my spell book.  The fools destroyed a lifetime of work.”  He then slumps in the chair and stares at the four torn out pages of his book.

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 353):
Ez’ard sends, *We are supposed to save the eye but destroy the sea monster.*

In reply to Shorty (msg # 354):

Ez’ard goes up to Raztnor and hands him the two scrolls that were in the basket. He says, “I think these may be yours as well.”

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 356):

*Lad, maybe ye should teleport him to the village so that he can rest there.  I believe we get two teleports per day, so ye can come right back.   And then ye can hitch a ride with me if we have to teleport back.*

In reply to Warwick (msg # 357):

Ez’ard nods at Warwick and turns to Raztnor, “I can transport you away from here and have someone tend to your health if you wish. I fear for your safety with the assassins still on the loose.”

If Raztnor agrees, Ez’ard will teleport himself and Raztnor to just outside the inn of the village and see to him being cared for. He will then teleport back to where he was standing earlier.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 356):

Raztnor glares down at the two scrolls.  “Slave labor.  I want them not.  Those are two fo the spells they saved from my book.” He holds up to four pages he has left.  “They only left me with spells that were useful to them.  Scribe them and then cast them on the assassins.  If I did not, I lost my mind for a time.”

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 358):

Raztnor looks at Ez’ard cosely.  “Transport how?  Its not like we can teleport away from this place.”  The mage points to the corner of his room wjere several cobweb absure a strange cube in the ceiling with a glowing rune enscribed on it.  The cube shapped brick looks very similar to one you have seen before.

In reply to Shorty (msg # 360):

Ez’ard turns back to Warwick and asks, “Can your elemental take care of that?” referring to the cobweb covered cube.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 361):

Trysk asks, *What's going on? What's the fire elemental taking care of now?*

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 361):

Raztnor looks over at Ezárd.  "If you are worried about the webs, the dark ones ate the spiders already.  As for the rune stone, I dowbt you can destroy just one of them.  You would need to get all 4 into one place.  Them again, if you could gather them up, they would not be a problem anymore."

In reply to Shorty (msg # 363):

Ez’ard replies, “Well so much for that idea. You got any suggestions or thoughts about where the assassins may be hold up at? We haven’t checked out that other corridor yet. Would rather not have you trailing us for your own safety.”

OOC to Trysk, not sure you would have heard that as it was spoken, not sent.

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 364):

Raztnor shakes his head.  “The Iky-Turso lives down ere in the old pirate hideout.  They are the ones the placed the Rune Stones in the 4 corners of their hideout.  Noting can teleport into or out of the area defined by the four stones.  Sahdow and that bastard Coos prefer to live in the fort above.  I only see them when they make me scibe new scolls or cast one of the scrolls on them.  They were here just before I fell asleep demainding new spells be cast on them.”

In reply to Shorty (msg # 365):

Ez’ard asks, “Which spells did they get?”

In reply to Ez'ard (msg # 366):

Raztnor lifts the pages he is clutching one at a time.  "Stoneskin for both.  None Stoneskin for both.  Protection from Good for Both.  Shadow also has gly cast upon him."

In reply to Shorty (msg # 367):

Ez’ard relays the new spell info the everyone. If you can cast dispell magic do that immediately upon sighting the assassins. That should undo all of their prepared spells.