Like a man in the desert who hadn't had a drink in weeks, Izzick drake from the bottle, downing both doses as he felt his wounds seal up, including the nasty scar on his arms. With a sigh and a breath he put the emptied flash away less they leave a trail, "I'm not sure. I lost sight of them when the gas appeared. Maybe we should try the direction the mushrooms were marching you towards?"

Chandanar drags himself out of the mass of calamari and wipes tentacle goo off his leather jerkin.  Grossest.  Mission.  Yet.  He straightens and grins at you Izzick.  Good ta see ya.  I'm all for that as a direction.

He glances that way.  The passage ahead turns and slopes downwards.  I mean...what's tha worst that could happen?


The two of you move quickly before your spell ends.  The passage turns several times but keeps sloping downwards.  It finally levels off and ends at a large opening on to what looks like a wooden stage that looks out at what can only be described as a village of mushroom men.

A number of large puff ball looking structures you assume serve as housing cluster along the walls of the worm's intestine.  The mushroom men have somehow amassed a large amount of wood and built a stage of sorts, which you've come on to the back of.  Izzick, you see the halfling you spotted before, riding the giant mushroom, headed for the stage.  Behind him, in the middle of the 'village' is a large pile of bound Mantis assassins.

Chandanar slaps your shoulder and nods upwards.  There, high above it all, are Zuni, Zac, and Selvin, apparently on an ariel recon.  There's the ZZS.  Ya think we can join 'em?

THe answer to that question is 'not likely', as the halfling and giant mushroom take the stage...

---

Selvin and Zuni you take to the friendly skies and manage to skirt along the roof of the world...er, gut.  Below, the halfling and giant mushroom are taking the stage.  The smaller mushrooms are starting to gather around the stage.

You notice two things:  first, you have found Izzick and Chandanar.  They are standing in an opening in the wall at the back of the stage.  They seem to have seen you as well as the cleric points you out to the necromancer.  The halfling doesn't seem to have noticed them as he seems more intent on looking out over the mushrooms.

The second thing you notice is that there are several Mantis of the unbound type taking positions around the mushroom village.  It looks like a strike force is about to conduct a raid on the village, perhaps in an attempt to free their comrades.

---

Alright folks.  Izzy, you and Chandy are at the back of the stage.  Selvin and Zuni, I am assuming you are near the top of the ceiling, probably hovering above the prisoner pile.  Thus far, no one has noticed any of you.  I'll let you all post before... well.  You'll see.

Let me know if there are any questions or things are not clear.  Thanks.

Selvin grinned and looked at Zuni to make sure she saw their friends as well. He nodded but tried to stay silent as he didn't want to draw any attention.

He saw something, however, that caused him to frown and hesitat for just a moment...The Red Mantis were about to attack and try get their friends back. But he had no love for either the Red Mantis nor the mushroom people really. So he shrugged and began flying towards Izzick and Chandanar, still staying close to the ceiling.

Maybe they could try to use the chaos of the upcoming battle to escape unnoticed...or so he hoped.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 235):

As the four...five if you count Zac...spy each other, the halfling hops off the cap of the giant mushroom and coughs.  He makes some small gesture and then his voice booms throughout the worm-cavern.

FRIENDS!  I THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE SILVER THREAD FOR ASSEMBLING THIS FEAST!  I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT THESE ARE SOME OF THE ONES WHO WOULD WANT TO THWART OUR MISSION!  AND SO THIS REPAST WILL BE ALL THE MORE SWEET!  THANKS TO THE MOUTH THAT CARRIES US!  THANKS TO THE SILVER THREAD!  DEATH TO THE TYRANT IN KORVOSA!  SOON WE WILL RIDE JUSTICE INTO IT'S WALLS AND AVENGE HER WHO BETRAYS!

What?  You didn't think I was going to find some way to complicate this, even if only slightly?

Anyway to know what the Silver Thread is?


13:14, Today: Izzick rolled 13 using 1d20+4.  Knowledge History.
13:14, Today: Izzick rolled 28 using 1d20+9.  Knowledge Arcana

In reply to Izzick (msg # 237):

The reference to the 'Silver Thread' isn't something any of you recognize.  Whatever it is, it must be local.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:04, Wed 30 Jan 2019.

"...ride justice into its walls?"  Zuni softly repeated the words.  The implications of those words were not lost on her.  "They're going to take this worm into Korvosa.  Gods, just when I thought my hangover couldn't get worse."

"Mantis and Mushrooms."  She turned to Selvin.  "You and Zac up for another fight?"

Selvin let out a small groan. He hung his head as he listened to the halfing's rally speech and then Zuni's response. "Maaaaaaan. Things never go smoothly. Why can't they ever go smoothly?"

He sighed. "Well, let's at least wait until the two sides've worn each other down first yah?"

He kept heading towards Izzick and Chandanar.

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 238):

Sure do wish we still had our bard.

Izzick waited, watching the others try to regroup, hoping it all went smoothly. Once they were there (presumably), he nodded in agreement. "Let's see how well the fight goes. Hopefully we can take them all down at once. One less problem for everybody if they're all injured first."

In reply to Izzick (msg # 241):

I too miss the bard.  And several other players.  Alas.

But at least we still got the cream of the crop. And one sexy GM.  Oh he is a magnificent beast, isn't he?

Is it just me, or does our Queen really seem to know how make allies and influence people?  Chandanar shakes his head and looks at Izzick.  The others saw us. So I think we'll be good to go once the most recent orgy of destruction starts.

As if on cue, it does start.  Just much more quietly than any of you would probably like.  Zuni and Selvin, you can see one of the groups of Mantis starting to pick off  mushrooms on the fringes of the village.  They are fairly efficient:  three of the mushrooms have been sliced and diced before one of the targets manages to toss a bottle into the air.  It explodes like a firework, drawing all eyes in that direction.

The halfling points.  WHAT IS THAT?  INVESTIGATE!

Zuni and Selvin, you guys are up tip top of the room.  So no one has notied you.  Yet.  The explosion is in the northwest corner.

Does anyone want to do anything now?  Or let the fighting get good and bloody first?

I'll hold up until this weekend in case any one wants to do anything prior to it getting  juicy.

Thanks. 
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:50, Fri 01 Feb 2019.

Selvin looked at Zuni as things started up. He shook his head. He decided to use the confusion to try and stay unnoticed as he kept flying closer to their comrades. Not our fight. Not our fight. He just mentally kept repeating that mantra.

I'll wait, though considering we have assassins, once Selvin and Zuni get down, I'll give us each Protection From Evil.

10 minutes, divided up. So I'll give 3 minutes each to Zuni and Selvin. I'll give 2 minutes to myself and Chandanar.

First, the subject gains a +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves. Both these bonuses apply against attacks made or effects created by evil creatures.
Second, the subject immediately receives another saving throw (if one was allowed to begin with) against any spells or effects that possess or exercise mental control over the creature Third, summoned evil creatures can't touch you

"Tonight I'm sleeping like a rock," and he supposed that statement was true whether they went down fighting or actually escaped this place, as he began to focus his energy into wards around each of them. "Running pretty low here. Let's mop this up and get the hell out before we end up coming out the wrong end."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 18:44, Fri 01 Feb 2019.

Alrightie.  Let's get this party started.

Ya'll give me an init roll please.  Just so I can track who's going before whom.  Thanks<orange>

The mushrooms don't seem to be waiting on the halfling. From the moment he began barking his orders, several of them started working.  They produce more of those odd bottles they seem to like to carry and start tossing them about.  Soon a thick mist is rising up off the ground...

Chandanar whistles.  Oh.  Yeah.  That's that stuff they used to knock everyone out.  I think we need ta get outta this cav- Hey.  Isn't that that Cinderlander guy pointing that big honkin' crossbow at Zuni and Selvin?

Indeed.  Across the cavern, and maybe out of your range Izzick, is the Cinderlander.  He's perched on the roof of one of the puff balls and is aiming his big, honking crossbow at Zac

Zuni and Selvin, you notice him too.  He isn't exactly being subtle.

<Orange>You can post actions.  Just keep in mind if you can't beat a 15, his shot's going off first. Izzy, he's about 150 feet away from you.  Selvin and Zuni, we'll call it 120 feet for ya'll.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:25, Mon 04 Feb 2019.

Selvin glanced back at the Mantis and then did a double-take. He frowned and narrowed his eyes as he leaned forward slightly, squinting. Then his eyes widened as he saw it WAS the Cinderlander and he WAS aiming a huge crossbow and it WAS aimed at them!!

"Oh crap! Hang on, Zuni!"


OOC: REALLY, die roller?? ROFL. Well assuming I'm still able to cast after the shot...Casting Glitterdust on Cinderlander and as many Mantis around him that I can, unless the hit to Zac is big, and then Selvin will heal his friend instead.

11:31, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 14 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.

16:22, Today: Izzick rolled 17 using 1d20+6.  Initiative.
Thank you Scorpion Familiar

The cleric was right, and Izzick could see the man. His hands began to turn from green to blue as cold air surrounded his finger tips. It was the same spell he'd caught the other in before, an icy tomb meant for holding. It was the best way to stop any shot he fired. "</darkgreen>Freeze!</darkgreen>" Izzick said as the magic launched from his hand, the icy cascade flying over the head of mushrooms.

Reflex Save DC21 or he's helpless for 11 minutes. If he saves, he's entangled instead. He takes 1 cold damage per round.
If someone can break him out, It's a strength check DC26.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 247):

Crap.  Forgot about the range on that one.  Okie Dokie then...

Izzick does that voodoo that he do and apparently pretty well.  The Cinderlander does a double take as a sheet of ice begins to slide up his legs.

The man is burly though: he shifts to the left and manages to jar himself free of the worst of it. He's down.  But not out.

He manages a shot.  But because of his difficulties, the bolt whistles past Zac's head by a hand's span. Yeah.  You owe Izzy big for that one.  One.  I missed you by one.  Oh my vengeance will be tepid indeed.

In a moment, the air is filled with sparkles.  The Cinderlander and quite a few of the Mantis are suddenly sparkly.

One of the Mantis stops and throws his hands up.  Yea!  At last!  I'm beautiful!

Shut up and fight Bob! yell the others.

The Halfling turns and stares at Izzick and Chandanar.  AGENTS OF THE QUEEN!!! KILL!!! KILL!!!

OOC:
My Vengeance will be tepid.  Heh.  :)

"Can you get me to Izzy and Chandy?" Zuni shouted.  "I'm not much good up here."

OOC:
Initiative -> 23

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 249):

Selvin< and Zuni/Purple>, as you look around, you can see that the halfling has spotted <Purple>Izzick and Chandanar.  The big mushroom seems to be advancing towards them.

Izzick, in response to the halfling's cry, the giant mushroom is advancing.   You have time for an action

Meanwhile, behind and below you, the village erupts in good ol' mindless violence as the two sides begin to clash.

"Trust me, the assassins were sent after us, by the QUEEN!" Izzick tried to say, but he doubted the mushroom men were going to listen to him. But for now, he went with small hits - it was just about all he had left anyhow, as he chanted out arcane words. "Ampua maagisia ohjuksia" On command the balls of light of his magic missiles sprang to his finger tips, firing out at the mushroom running towards him.

11:38, Today: Izzick rolled 17 using 5d4+5.  Magic Missile.

Selvin gave Zuni a nod and chuckled at the one Mantis raving about being fabulous. He grinned at Izzick's shouted reply to the halfing even as he made a beeline towards their two friends. He relaxed his grip on Zuni so that when they reached Izzick and Chandanar she could simply hop off the short distance to the ground.

OOC: Not sure if double-moving will be needed to reach them but I assumed so. If not, then let me know.

As soon as they were safely within range of the ground, Zuni leapt from Zac's back.  She ran over to where Izzick and Chandanar were, drawing out her sword as she did so.  The young woman skidded to a halt, putting herself between the Giant Mushroom and her companions.

The sword tipped upwards, in a quick salute before, Zuni lowered herself into an attack stance, ready to slash out at the Mushroom when it got close enough.  "Do you think that thing's edible?  All this fighting is making me hungry."

OOC:
Ready action to slash at Mushroom

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 253):

You're about full and a half away Selvin.  So the double gets you there no sweat.

They're comin' in HOT! Chandanar yells, pointing at the hurtling forms of Zuni and Selvin.  He blinks and shrugs at you Izzick.  What?  They're a good looking couple.  Have some healing. he adds as he places a hand on your shoulder Izzick  You got 20 points healing Izzy in case needed.

Zuni makes her grand entrance as the ethereal bolts o' missle rocket from Izzick's outstretched hand, smashing in to the giant mushroom's cap/head/whatever.  And then, just after the Neat-o Necromancer shouts his retort... Finally!

...the halfling throws up his hands and shouts, Whoa Whoa Whoa WHOA!  Down Shitake!  Easy boy!

The giant mushroom comes to an uncertain halt and the halfling stares at you all, blinking.  Finally he says, Really?  You aren't lying to me?  You guys hate that harlot too?

And then four Mantis warriors jump up on stage behind him and start stabbing him.

Selvin looked at the halfling even as he prepared to tear in to the giant mushroom...but it stopped and the halfling asked them a question. Well, several. "Ha! More like she hates US, but it amounts t'much the same thing! We're tryin' t'stop her crazy shit an' she's tryin' t'kill us!" His eyes narrowed. "Much like your mushroom friends tried t'do t'us as well." His tone was icy and acidic.

He glanced at his companions and lowered his voice. "What's our play here? Do we stay out of it, see who comes out on top?"

How many options did they have? At least the mushroom men wouldn't be coming after them, but that didn't make them allies either. Izzicks hands fumbled with his bag, reaching for a scroll. "For now, we've got to be ready. I'm doubting those mantis assassins are going top stop for a mushroom stir fry after the fight." But then again the halfling was under attack, and that seemed slightly more important.

"Let's try and get him out," Izzick said, conjuring the same magic he'd used rescuing Chandanar. The worm's stomach gave way to tentacles of black, swarming around the halfling and his attackers on the podium.

Casting Black Tentacles
10:49, Today: Izzick rolled 28 using 1d20+15.  Grapple.

To grapple the halfling and his attackers.
10:50, Today: Izzick rolled 7 using 1d6+4.  damage.

This message was last edited by the player at 15:51, Sun 10 Feb 2019.

Selvin gave a shrug and turned to Zuni. He gestured and spoke an arcane-infused phrase before touching her lightly. She disappeared from sight. He grinned, "Go have fun!"

OOC: Greater Invisibility on Zuni for 10 rounds.