You stop on your descent, figuring any closer and you would be within range of either long bows or fireballs and survey the ruins of the gate house below.

Originally there were once two towers with what must have been a massive gate sandwiched between them.  But the western towers appears to have fallen down completely.  And the gate lays on the ground.  The eastern tower is still clinging to something resembling life.  There are visible gaps in the walls of it's three floors.  And there are marks of what must have been fire damage running up it's southeast side.  The eastern wall beyond it has partially collapsed, leaving a large gap in the fortifications.

The air is incredibly still.  Not even the water in the lake is making a sound as it laps against shore.  You can see what appears to be a light the upper parapet Area 8 on the map for the Gatehouse.  But whatever it's source, it is below the rim of the wall.  Like someone has put a lantern on the floor up there or some such.

Several ways you guys can approach here.  The main gate.  Climb over the rubble of the west tower or the gap in the eastern wall.  Flying is of course also an option for you guys.  Let me know if there are questions and how you may wish to proceed.  Thanks

This message was deleted by the player at 01:34, Mon 20 May 2019.

"Where do we want to go in? Looks like someone's home," Izzick said, his nose snarling up a bit. Just once couldn't they be welcomed in with a party, and parade, and some nice wine and food. At least the Sun Tribe had given them some of that on their return but still, he cracked his knuckles as they looked on. "Selvin and I could fly in on the balcony there and see who's staying here."

In reply to Izzick (msg # 3):

I'll respond tomorrow to give everyone a little time.  Thanks

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 4):

Selvin and Izzick, you wing your way upwards, keeping a careful eye out for any signs of life or sniper fire.  Everything seems still.

You peer over the battlement wall.  On ground, is a lantern, lit and flickering.  Next to it are what appear to be three pieces of chalk.  Someone has scribbled something on the inside of the battlement, but you can't read it from your position.

From here, you can also hear something coming from inside the nearby tower door Area 10 on the map.  It almost sounds like someone drunkenly singing.  But then it goes silent.  Like they suddenly are muffled and then allowed to sing again.  Whatever it is, it's faint.

Zuni crouched in the shadow of part fo the crumbled wall, watching the boys fly up to do their scouting.

Selvin and his new cat-like centaur form (panthaur? liontaur? wemic - no that was taken. he and Zac will workshop it later) kept a wary eye out as they flew their half-orc friend towards the balcony destination. He frowned at the chalk and made sure that Izzick saw it as well - it seemed like it could be arcane, but then again it could be the scribblings of a madperson for all he knew.

He swept up to the balcony but hovered for a moment, wings flapping, as they listened and inspected the balcony for any traps, or signs it wouldn't hold them.

20:00, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 15 using 1d20+14.  Perception.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 7):

The balcony seems weathered, but solid to both your eyes Selvin and Izzick.  You both are careful about the chalk scribblings, but you are able to catch enough of them to where you do not feel like they are sigils or arcane in nature.  You would need to be closer to inspect them however.

Both of you can make out the noise a little better as well.  It does sound like someone singing softly to themselves.  But they fall silent at odd times and in odd places.

She told me she'd the voice sings.  And then stops.  Four heartbeats later it resumes.  ...an' tha's why I can't go baaaaaaack to Airoc!



Zuni, as you and the others take cover your Zuni senses begin to tingle.  In the rubble of the western tower, you think you saw something move.  No.  Wait.  Yes.  For a second, it was like someone was walking across a clear area in the rubble.  But if they are, they are fast.  They were there one second and gone a split second later.

Now who are you?, Zunis eyes narrowed as she tried to make out the shadowy figure that was moving in the rubble.

"You all stay here."  She said, whispering back at the others over her shoulder.  "I'm going to see who that was."

Slowly, keeping to the shadows as best as she could, Zuni crept towards the last place that she saw the figure.

OOC:
Stealth -> 25

Selvin raised an eyebrow with a slight bemused frown as he shared a glance with Izzick upon hearing the singing. He shook his head and then carefully alighted down on to the balcony. He set Izzick down and spoke very quietly, not in a whisper as those actually travel farther, just a quiet voice, back to the castle, facing out from where they'd flown in.

"Whaddya think? Should we go in, or go back an' get the others?"

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 9):

Whilst Selvin awaits communication from Sir Izzy...


You slide across the space between your friends...well Chandanar and the Creepy Creepersteins...and the ruins of the western tower Zuni.  Overhead, you can see your two allies hovering over the battlement on the eastern tower.

You duck behind what looks like a chunk of fallen stone staircase, and glance around the corner.  The spot you last saw the figure is about ten feet away.

You study the spot and then suddenly, a man in blood covered chainmail is staggering across that spot.  He weilds a rather wicked looking war hammer and, as he staggers backwards, he seems to be swinging it at something.

And then he's gone.  Not there.  No sign of him.  Nada trace.  Zip.

And then he's back again.  Same bloody chainmail.  Same staggering backwards.  Same war hammer swinging.

And then he's gone.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:21, Sun 26 May 2019.

Izzick shrugged. "Gimme a sec here," he said, stepping a little bit closer to the chalk. He had to be curious - warning, ritual, trap? Whatever was written here might have helped them figure out the first mystery - who in the world was singing down below. His fingers traced some of the runes, careful not to disturb them as he tried to recall their meaning in this particular configuration of spellcraft. "See if you can get a look at our friendly and talented minstrel down below."

09:07, Today: Izzick rolled 15 using 1d20+10.  Knowledge Arcane.

Real reason Izzick flunked in the Acadamae - I can't roll on Knwoeldge checks worth a damn)
This message was last edited by the player at 13:11, Mon 27 May 2019.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 12):

The chalk scribbles turn out not to be mystical per se Izzick.  Instead, it's one word written over and over in a variety of languages.  Some you don't recognize.  But many you do, even a couple of very archaic scripts.

The word written over and over again is just that:  AGAIN

Zuni stared at the bloody man, who seemed to be stuck in some strange fight with an unseen opponent.  She looked around for who he might be fighting, but the mans disappearing act was making that difficult.

"Hells.  This is some sort of magic." she muttered, watching the man disappear once more.  She glanced back towards where she had left the others.  Zuni could go and get their assistance, because what did she know about magic?  Other that it was really fascinating.  Feeling like a moth drawn to a flame, Zuni stood up from where she had been hiding.

Hand on the hilt of her sword, she called out to the disappearing man.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 14):

You call out Zuni.  The man turns his head slightly...

And the scene resets.  You watch as the man stumbles back again.  But this time, shortly before he starts swinging his hammer, his head turns...

And the scene resets.  The man stumbles backwards.  His head turns.  And this time it continues turning.  As if something has struck the cheek he was turning towards it.  A bright arc of blood begins to spout from the man's mouth.

And the scene resets.  He stumbles back.  His head turns.  He takes the hit.  Blood arcs from his mouth as his cheek rips open from the outside.  And he falls backwards.

The scene stops there.

Izzick looked curiously at the words before the pattern began to emerge. "It says the same thing: again, again and again," he said, looking towards Selvin. He twirled his finger near his ear to say, "Might be dealing with someone who's lost it a bit." Someone who was mad didn't seem like that much trouble, after all, how much worse than a purple worm's guts could this be? He'd been using prestidigitation for a week and he was pretty sure he could still smell worm-juice on him.

Selvin had waited patiently for Izzick to go through the translation. Once it was, he raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "Someone livin' in the past or just mad, yeah, could be. I guess we'll see."

He then smiled slightly and jerked his head a bit towards where they'd left the others. "Go back an' go in together or sneak around a bit first, like maybe with invisibility like I have, an' you...have?" He couldn't remember if Izzick had invisibility or not at that moment.

Selvin and Izzick, as you discuss your options, the singing voice inside suddenly shouts, WHADDYA MEAN THERE'S FIGHTIN' GOING ON IN THE KEEP!

Then everything goes silent.

And then the voice starts singing again.  ...and that's why I can't go baaaaaack...to Auric...

Then everything is quiet again.

Let's move things along

Just as your scenes play out, they suddenly stop.  The air suddenly becomes cold.  And heavy.  It feels like it does just before a winter storm.

And then everything changes.

---

Zuni, you're suddenly standing in the middle of a room.  The walls are thick stone enclosing a circular room.  A large, heavy wooden door bound with iron is on your right.  Torches flicker in sconces on the wall.

There's a man in front of you.  His back is to you and he seems to be studying a scroll.  You recognize him after a second.  It's the man from the vision.

A staircase runs along one wall, heading upwards.  From above, you can hear voices.  It sounds like four...maybe five men arguing about dice.

Behind you is a long table.  There is plenty of room underneath it if you wanted to hide.

Izzick and Selvin, suddenly it's snowing.  Large flakes are falling towards  the ground.  From where you are, you can see the keep is lit up.  Men are walking around the battlements, holding torches.  Guards manning their posts by the look of it.  The defensive all, which was suddenly ruined, is in perfect repair.  A guard is just down the wall, his back to you, clapping his hands and muttering to himself as he tries to stay warm.

Below, the ruins of the gatehouse have been replaced by an actual, working gate house.  A contingent of fifteen guards are coming in from some patrol.  You don't see a sign of Chandanar or your hangers on.

You can slip inside the tower door if you like. Or fly up to the roof of the tower.  Or go invisible.  Or whatever else you would like to do.

With a snap of his fingers, Izzick indeed turned invisible as well. "We go in like this then." After all, there was clearly more going on here than there seemed. And then of course the snow started too, only making this place even colder as stranger soldiers began to hold guard and everything seemed different. "Uh...I'm not the madman living in the past here, right?" Hoping for some confirmation that he wasn't going crazy himself. "You don't think it was the potatoes do you?"

Zunis eyes went wide with a mix of amazement and confusion as she suddenly found herself in a place that was not in ruins.  She took a long moment looking around the room before cautiously reaching out to touch the table.  Was it real?  It felt real.  Was this all real then?

What was going on?  The man in front of her she recognized from the strange vision, only he wasn't fighting and looked mostly intact.  So that must meant that whatever attacked him hadn't done so yet.  Hiding might be the prudent and safe thing to do, but there was a fight coming and if she was still around then having allies would be helpful.

Crap...there was a fight coming.  Zuni didn't know how far off that was though.

"Excuse me, sir." Zuni addressed the mans back.  She needed to think up something fast.  "I was told to report to you and...here I am."

Selvin raised an eyebrow at Izzick....who he could no longer see. Well, he had a way but that would cost him a spell for the day. Instead, he half-grinned and then quickly followed suit, casting Invisibility on himself as well.

....and then everything changed. "what...the...hell?" Izzick was apparently seeing it all as well. "uhhhh....no. either we're both crazy, which is unlikely...or, more likely,....magic."

In reply to Izzick (msg # 20):

Izzick and Selvin, the guard looks back, but sees only empty air.  He rubs his hands, trying to warm them and calls out, <Aqua>D'shal?  Is that you?<Aqua>

A moment later, the door in to the tower opens.  A blurry eyed man leans out, his hair a mess.  Behind him, you can see what looks like a small barracks.  There are seven cots with hide blankets set around the walls of a circular room.  Two other guards are asleep in some of the cots.  Across the room is a doorway which is open.  It appears a set of stairs leading down is through the door.

What? says the guy you would assume is D'shal.  He wrinkles his forehead and glances around.  Tryin' to get some sleep here dumbass.

---

The man stares at you blankly for a moment Zuni, then says the most logical thing he can come up with in this situation.

What?

You are spared an answer by the outside door opening.  A dwarf in black leather armor and a blood red goatee strolls in.  You sent for me? the dwarf asks the man, completely ignoring you.

The man gives you a confused look and then turns to the dwarf, jerking a thumb in your direction.  Did you send me a hooker?

The dwarf cocks an eyebrow.  Why would I do that?  I hate your guts. Besides, she looks like she could take you. I mean in a fight.

The man shakes his head.  Whatever.  Lissen.  Did you see these orders?  He waves the scroll at the dwarf.

The Dwarf sighs, takes the scroll, scans it, and shrugs.  Well it's unusual.  But we both know who's seal that is.  So what're you gonna do besides do what they tell you to do?

The man shakes his head again.  This doesn't feel right.  Why are we receiving a group of monks?

The dwarf waves a hand.  It's probably for...I dunno.  Another orgy.  We let them through the gate, no questions asked.  The 'why' of it is above my pay grade.

The man rolls his eyes.  Thanks.  You're like a song of wisdom, sung by a mute on a harp with no strings.  The man looks back at you.  Now.  Who told you to come see me?  His brow furrows.  Do I know you?  You look familiar for some reason.

Selvin put a hand out, reached about where Izzick HAD been standing, not wanting to waste a spell on See Invisibility if he didn't have to. His intent was to get a hand on the half-orc since they couldn't see each other, so at least they'd have semblance of sticking together with where ever they went.

Assuming he managed it, he tugged towards the tower and made a quiet, questioning noise "hmm?"

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 24):

I think it's pretty reasonable that Selvin can find Izzy's shoulder. I think it's also reasonable Izzy could figure out what just happened. In case that was in question

Sleepy guard looks around once you mmm Selvin. But he shrugs and starts shutting the door.

Izzy? You slipping inside with Selvin?

The half-orc followed inside, the not-so-visible hand on his shoulder hopefully a friendly half-human-half-tiger gripping him and not some other horrible monster. To make it easier, he untied his scarf, wrapping one end around his wrist and giving the other to Selvin so they could stick together. His eyes were kept as sharp as they could be but he swore reading a tome heavy enough to be barely lifted from table to table by candle light might have done some damage to his eyes. Still it was worth trying to figure out the hell was going on here.

Zuni?

The guard closes the door a moment after the two of you slip inside Selvin and Izzick.  The room smells of unwashed, flatulent men.  The sleepy guard wanders over to the nearest cot and plops face first in to it.  The other guards are all asleep.

Through the open door and down the stairwell, you can hear voices.  Several men speaking.  They aren't loud enough to be distinct from up here.

You see a man coming up the stairwell.  A large half orc who must have some ogre blood in him, because he's larger than even one of Izzick's burliest ken.

He stops just inside the door and looks around, then settles on the nearest guard.  He raises his leg, hooking his foot under the edge of the cot.  He raises his foot, lifting the cot up like it was made of paper and there wasn't a full grown man in studded leather armor curled up in it.

The used-to-be-sleeping guard looks up from the floor, blinking.  Ahhh shit.  Rotjack.  Whaddya want ya green skinned bastard?

The half orc grins down at him evilly and then looks serious. Where's Cranshaft?  I need to speak to him right away.

THe guard rubs the back of his head and shrugs. Didja try the command center?  e is commander ya know.

Oh yeah.  'kay.  Thanks.  The half orc smiles evilly again and turns, heading down the stairs.

I hope you get spit an' roasted you misbegotten freak!

Rotjack doesn't turn around.  You talkin' to me?  Or just quoting what your mom said last time she saw ya?  The half orc continues down the stairs.

What you guys wanna do?
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:28, Fri 14 June 2019.

"Hooker?" Zuni repeated softly under her breath.  She looked down at the way she was dressed.  Sure there was more leather of a barbarian nature beneath her armor, but nothing that revealed enough skin to make anyone think that she was a prostitute.  Maybe to Dwarves.

Shaking her head, Zuni walked over to the man.  "We met that one time at that thing." she said vaguely.  "And the boss said that I should come down here and assist you.  Not with getting you out of your clothes, so let's stop that thought before it goes anywhere."  She walked up to the table, standing beside the man.  "So why don't you bring me up to speed and , you know, since I'm newly assigned here?"

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 28):

The man smiles at you Zuni.  The boss did, huh?  Which boss?

Before you can answer the side door opens.  A guard pokes his head in.  Captain Ozok!  We've got a fight breaking out between A squad and C squad again!

Sonuvaminatour...Watch her  The man a/k/a Captain Ozok jerks a thumb in your direction while nodding at the dwarf.  He almost runs out of the room.

The dwarf watches him go with an amused grin and then looks at you.  The boss, huh?  When he gets back, tell him Kilimnon sent you.  He won't believe you of course.  But Ozok's not really in a position to question that.

The dwarf grins at you.  I meant what I said before.  I hate that guy's guts.  But I know I can't kill him.  Yet.  So if you're here to do the job, maybe we can come to an understanding.  But I suppose I should ask...  He lays his hand  on the axe on his belt.

I'm Bloodsoak.  Who are you...really?  And why are you here?

Zuni stared at the Dwarf, not believing what she was hearing.  Bloodsoak was pretty open about his dislike for Ozok, and to be so brazen about it with an unknown like her was astounding.  Maybe she could use that.

Zuni crossed her arms, seemingly unconcerned about the Dwarf laying a hand on his axe, and leaned against the table.  "Bloodsoak, eh?  Name's Zuni, but I don't expect that will mean much to you.  My reputation stays in the shadows, better for my work you understand."

"That being said, I'm open to 'understanding'.  What have you got against Captain?"

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 30):

Bloodsoak has a sly look in his eyes Zuni.  It's the same look you've seen since you were crawling.  Whether it was Gearden Lamm or any of the hundreds of hustlers and sharks you've had to deal with since then.

You are new in town, aren't ya?  The dwarf shrugs.  Well.  I've often thought about bringing in outside help myself.  Looks like someone else had the same idea.  No matter.  To answer your question: what do I have for him?  Nothing.  He's in the way.  If he goes, I can get promoted.

He gestures, swinging one arm widely to indicate not just the room, but the entire sense of place.  Welcome to Scarwall.  Where you can have anything you want.  As long as you're willing to beat, maim, scar, and kill in the name of the General.  How did you think things would work here?

Selvin watched bemusedly as the very large half-orc tipped over the cot to ask a question. Or maybe the guard was supposed to be...guarding? Either way, the half-orc was kind of an asshole about it. And seemed not too smart, unlike Izzick.

He leaned forward to VERY quietly ask in Izzick's ear, "command center? maybe see what's goin' on..."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 32):

Selvin and Izzick, you follow Rotjack the Half Orc out of the guard quarters and down a flight of stairs.  Below, another group of guards are seated around a table, arguing.  They are spider fighting:  two black widows in a glass box are currently ripping each other apart.  The soldiers are arguing over which spider is killing which spider.  Thus far, you haven't met a soldier who impresses.

Rotjack walks out of the room and out on to a battlement.  It's an arch crossing over a main gate that wasn't there when you got here.  In fact, looking at it from where you are, the whole castle is not what it looked like before.  The keep is lit like a candelabra.  Scores of beings, some of them monsters, scurry hither and yon, between the gate house and the keep along the long drawbridge.  Despite the overcast sky and snow falling, you can see the lake looks alive and almost vibrant:  the water is clearer and patrol boats are riding them.  There are birds as well.  Large black crows and vultures, yes.  But birds.

Rotjack doesn't pause to take in the sights.  He simply walks across the battlements to the far tower.  The soldiers here seem to be a bit more disciplined.  They seem to be actually on guard.  Most of them salute Rotjack, but do so with a sneer.  He's not well liked, this half orc.

He walks down a set of stairs to the ground floor.  He stops at a door, knocks, and then opens it up.  Inside you see...

---

Zuni, as Bloodsoak finishes his...'offer'?...there is a knock on the door the Captain went through earlier.  Before the dwarf can turn, the door opens and in walks a large half orc.  He's mean looking, even for his kind.

The half orc and the dwarf regard each other.  Then they both break out in large, ugly grins.

You're the ugliest bastard I've seen yet today.  And I've seen some pretty butt ugly bastards, Bloodsoak says.

You look like somebody set your face on fire, and they put it out with an axe, the half orc responds without missing a beat.  And you're an asshole Bloodsoak.  Who's the chick? the half orc says, nodding in Zuni's direction.

That is a good question.  How unlike you Rotjack.  Bloodsoak turns back to you Zuni, waving in the half orc's direction.  You can ignore him.  He's nobody important.

Hey! Rotjack looks offended.  I'm more important than you are.  Especially now.  I've got news.  Where's dumbass? I mean the Captain.

Stepped out. What is it?

Rotjack sighs.  The one time I need his ass, and he's not here.  One of the patrols caught a prisoner.  Some holy man wearing kinda odd clothes.  We got him strung up in the guard room.

Bloodsoak looks worried by this news.  Actually, sincerely worried.  Damnit, he mumbles under his breath.  He turns to you Zuni.  Know anything about this?

So you are all together again.  Rotjack is the half orc.  Bloodsoak is the dwarf.  Selvin and Izzy, you can see Zuni.  Zuni, you can not see them as they are invisible.

Selvin, and Izzick, followed along behind the half-orc, watching his surroundings carefully. This was so weird and insane, he didn't know what to make of it. Were they trapped in a giant illusion? Were they actually thrust back in time? Was this some ghostly recreation of events? He just didn't know.

His eyes lit up when he saw Zuni. He stepped back from the half-orc and the dwarf, as far back as he could in the space. He pointed an unseen finger at Zuni and VERY quietly said, "zuni? selvin. we're here with you. you can reply but prob'ly shouldn't.


OOC: Casting the cantrip "Message" at Zuni, since it is hard to overhear but allows communication. DC 25 Perception check. It's a risk...

Knowledge Arcana in case he can try to figure out what's really going on with all of this. If not, then no harm done.

19:04, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 27 using 1d20+10.  Knowledge (arcana).

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 34):

Zuni, you can hear Selvin's voice

The half orc looks around, like he's looking for a fly that's buzzing around, but then shrugs.

<Purple>Selvin,K/Purple> hauntings aren't necessarily your forte.  But you do recall hearing about chronmantic occurrences.  That is hauntings that recreate past events in a very vivid way.  Some say there are just illusions or impressions created by powerful events.  Others says such occurrences are actual links to the past:  that the haunting acts as a portal in to the time that the events happened.
  Given that the gatehouse suddenly stopped being a ruin and is now a proper fortification.  And given that there are suddenly a bunch of guys that weren't there when your party came down to the ruins, it's safe to say this may be such an event.

Whether it's an actual very complex illusion or whether the three of you have been transported back in to past, you're dealing with some very powerful magics.

The Chick?  Again?  So much for the Barbarian War Princess look that Zuni had been hoping to cultivate.  Guess whatever these things were they were not impressed.

At Bloodsoaks question, Zuni gave a non-committal shrug.  "Hey, I'm just the chick here.  What would I know about anything?" she said, letting her words drip sarcasm.  She was about to say something else when she paused and cocked her head ever so slightly to the side.

"Well, what're we waiting for?" Zuni said, feeling better that she was not alone now.  "Let's go hear what this holy man has to say.  Maybe there'll be some information that we can use against the dumbass."

Whether Zuni was speaking to them or to the strange guards out of time, Izzick couldn't help but nod, even as his head was invisible. They had some new strange prisoner strung up? Maybe that was a clue to what the hell was going on here. And maybe the sneers had gotten to him a bit more than he would have admitted as he watched another half-orc get the same sneers despite that he was in a commanding position around here - Izzick had seen those his whole life. Being invisible meant he couldn't speak but at least Selvin seemed able to get messages across without anyone noticing. And that was good because this was the last place he wanted to be caught off guard by ghosts...or whatever they were seeing.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 36):

Rotjack looks at Bloodsoak, who simply shrugs.  The half orc grumbles something under his breath and then turns, beckoning for you, Zuni, and the dwarf to follow.  They both seem unaware there are two extra sets of steps in their train.

Rotjack heads out into a short hall and out a door that leads outside.  You are standing inside the gate.  Except it's the gate standing.  Not the centuries old wreck you saw before.

There are several groups of soldiers, maybe about thirty, milling about.  You would guess they are forming up in to squads who will either man the towers or go scouting.  Above, you hear the sounds of even more soldiers.  A fight here could get very ugly.

Off against the far wall, there is a small group standing against the wall of the opposite tower.  About five men.  Four of them have spears out, pointed at Chandanar's chest.

The plucky cleric has his arms crossed and is staring upwards as he says, ...so then I get swallowed by a purple worm.  A.  Pur. Ple.  Worm.  One of the really big ones.  And do you think it smelled nice.  Nope!  But I was too busy fighting off the ninja and mushroom people that were leaving in it's gullet.  That is until it crapped me out...

One of the soldiers turns and salutes Rotjack before saying, We think he's delusional.

Chandanar snorts.  I wish.

Bloodsoak eyes him, and then turns to you Zuni.  We do seem to be getting a lot of foot traffic through here, huh?

Chandanar opens his mouth to say something snarky.  But a loud explosion cuts him off.  A tall pillar of fire blooms from the direction of the lake.  You've all seen it enough to know what happened:  someone out on the island, inside the Keep, threw a fireball.  And a big one.

Wha' tha hell? says Rotjack, taking an involuntary step towards the direction of the blast.

He doesn't get far.  With a speed that surprises even the zippy Zuni, Bloodsoak whirls, suddenly grasping a vicious looking steel handaxe in one meaty fist, and slams it into the half orc's midsection.

The blade cuts deep.  Rotjack looks more surprised than pained as he steps back, hand instinctively coming up to try to keep his guts from spilling out of the vicious looking wound.

Wha'- Rotjack manages before sagging to his knees.

Around you, the soldiers around suddenly start springing to attention.  Not many have noticed what just occurred here:  they are reacting to the fireball.  Even the few who saw Bloodsoak cut Rotjack down seem more concerned about the blast at the Keep then they do the assassination of one of their officers by another.

Bloodsoak spins around and points at you Zuni.  What the hell?  You people were supposed to wait until the stroke of midnight!  It's not midnight!  My boss told your boss midnight!  Damnit!  This is why I hate amateurs!

The Captain!  I mean 'Dumbass'!  We have to kill him!  If he rallies the troops here, it's all over!  I'll look for him in here! He nods at the western tower.  You guys try crossing the bridge!  He may have headed towards the gatehouse on the Keep side!  And do your job right!  If he's still breathing in the next ten minutes, we're all in trouble!

And before you can say 'what the hell just happened', Bloodsoak turns and sprints for the western tower.

Chandanar blinks and says What the hell just happened?

Meanwhile, the soldiers around you seem to be getting organized.

Selvin was just as surprised as everybody else that wasn't Bloodsoak when things took a strange turn. There was a fireball and then the half-orc was cut down. Then the dwarf started giving Zuni both lip and orders. Selvin blinked several times in confusion.

"Uhhhh....I have no idea, but glad you're still alive Chandy." said the disembodied voice nearby.

It spoke up again, "Hey...Zuni? Do you know what's goin' on? I'm a bit confused."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 40):

Chandanar looks around.  Uhhh...Wasn't the Keep attacked at one point in the past?  You don't suppose we're reliving that moment do ya?

Well this didn't seem to be adding up. If their actions were setting things up faster, could they change this? Or were they taking the spot of someone else in this fantasy. "Who do you think this boss is? The potato-lady? Or should we see if we can help him?. Izzick looked towards the half-orc on the floor already unsure he was comfortable just leaving him there to drop. Illusion or not. "Chandanar can you do anything?"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 11:34, Thu 18 July 2019.

Selvin frowned. "Should...if this IS the past, which...I'm havin' trouble wrappin' my head around how that could be possible...then dare we interfere?" He invisibly scratched his chin. "An' if it's NOT the past then...does anythin' we do matter?" He let out a small sigh.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 43):

Chandanar glances towards the gate.  The soldiers have started to organize in to three squads of fifteen men each.  Above, you can hear activity as the towers are secured.

I think we maybe oughta finish this discussion somewhere else.

You can duck in to the western tower, where Zuni came in.

You can head inside the eastern tower, which is closer.  It is where the guard room Selvin and Izzick entered through.

You can still make it out of the gate.  Though Zuni and Chandanar would need to sneak past those forming guard squads.

You could head towards the Keep.  Which is on fire.

You could head towards the lake shore.

Or some other avenue you can think of.

Izzick thought a moment but he had made his choice. It didn't hurt to try but would weigh on his conscience not to. "Chandanar...can you heal him up?" He said pointing to the fallen half orc. "Lets try to get to the shore...we might be able to see what in the world happens from outside."

In reply to Izzick (msg # 45):

Your party rushes heads towards the drawbridge that crosses to the Keep and then veer left once you head past the gate.

There's too much confusion at the moment.  No one seems to pay attention to the two visible members of your group.

You manage to find a spot that's shielded from view by a wide pillar that helps support the drawbridge's weight on this side.

What is that there seems to be some kind of pitched battle occurring inside the Keep.  Another blast resounds through the air.  And then a dark shape rises up over the far side of the Keep.  A dragon.  A large, deep blue dragon.  It rises up and lets out a roar.  The wind whips up of a sudden.  The snow seems to fall even harder.  You hear multiple people screaming...

And then everything goes still.  The chill in the air is gone, replaced by the usual humid warmth of the Ashlands.  The snow is all gone.  There's no sign of any one other than you four.  The Gatehouse is gone.  It's back to it's ruined state.  The Keep across the lake is as silent and ruined as ever.

Selvin's heart was racing, beating so hard he thought it might burst from his chest. Things were chaotic and crazy, and he honestly wasn't sure if this was all an illusion or time magic - and he wasn't sure which thought was worse! Everything felt - and sounded and smelled and seemed - so REAL!

And then it was all gone, like it had never been. He breathed heavily for a moment, eyes wide and tracking all around for any sign of life or movement. Finally he whispered, "what...the hell just happened??"

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 47):

If I had to guess...either a recreationist haunting or a temporal distortion.  Hideho all!  Laoris blinks into existence, obviously having just cancelled the same kind of spell Izzick and Selvin have been under.

Oh, mutters a less than enthusiastic Chandanar.  That's where you ran off to.

Laoris giggles, sounding just like the satanic pixie she is.  Yep.  When those guys showed up, I went inviseee!

Chandanar sighs and looks at the rest of you.  When...whatever the hell that was all about happened...Me and Laoris and Sial and his chain woman were suddenly surronded by a bunch of those guards.  This one... he jerks a thumb at Laoris.  </Royalred>...suddenly disappeared.  Sial got excited, shouted 'this is it!', and his chain thing grabbed him an flew off with him.

Me?  I just put my hands up and tried to look innocent.</Royalred>

Laoris chuckles again. Oh you totes nailed it!  You looked so pure and clean I just wanted to gobble you up!  She giggles.  But seriously.  I think there's going to be....let's call them 'pockets' of past events around here.  Whether we went back in time or whether we got caught up in a spiritual reenactment I can't say.  But the past is always present at Scarwall.  It's always repeating.  Over and over again.

Chandanar cocks an eyebrow.  Why do I get the feeling you've been practicing those last lines for a while?

Laoris giggles.  Cos I have been.  Sounded totes cool, huh?

"So what do we do now?" He asked, watching it all happen so fast. "Wait for it to happen again? Run through? I don't want to find out if things in there affect us." There was obviously a dragon figure...perhaps even the one they were looking for, but how much did the guards know about what was going to kill them. "They certainly didn't have a clue THAT was coming, but they might know something we don't."

He looked to the others, hoping they'd weigh in. "I mean, do we even know exactly where we're going or do we need to wander around?"

"Uh...a what or a what now?" He sound confused and he thought rightly so by the two 'possibilities' that Laoris had thrown out. But he didn't demand answers, he let her and Chandanar keep talking through the information.

Afterwards he gave a slow nod. Oooookay. Sure." It didn't sound fun either way. And it was certainly not easy to navigate around when the 'past' or whatever flared up.

He hooked a thumb at Izzick. "Yes! Exactly! That! All that!"

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 50):

Chandanar taps a finger on his chin.  Well...I would think we need to find some information about this...dragon guy thing that possessed the Queen.  Kazavon.  And the sword of the hero that killed him.  Supposedly it's somewhere around here as well.  The Sun Clan kinda hinted we'd need that when we faced off against Queenie.

He shrugs and glances towards the Keep on the other side of the drawbridge.  As much as I hate to say it, we probably have to wander around over there.  And...well.  Maybe some of those 'flashbacks' will give us the answers we need.  Then again, maybe not.  Look.  I'm just the plucky cleric.  What do I know?

Let me know what questions you may have.  Thanks

You guys want to head across the drawbridge to the Keep, head back to the gatehouse, fly around th island, or try something else? Thanks

Selvin let out a sigh and frowned in thought. Chandanar re-stated what information they were looking for, but that didn't help determine WHERE they would find that information. He looked around and then finally shrugged.

"I dunno. I vote the Keep I guess. It seems maybe a likely place for information?" He didn't sound super-confident but the magic was throwing him off.

It seemed as good a plan as any and Izzick nodded. "Maybe someone knows something in there." Though he was becoming less hopeful they had anything that could defeat the dragon if it was what roasted them all alive. "The Keeps as good a place as any to start the search for such a thing. But this time..." he said looking around, "Let's try to stick together. Last thing we need is getting separated in a flashback."

In reply to Izzick (msg # 54):

The Keep sits on the other side of the drawbridge, unnervingly quiet.  The most direct route is to cross the drawbridge itself.

You lift yourselves on to the bridge.  The wood must be older than all of your grandfathers.  But it seems in pretty good shape.  You suspect maintenance magic that still has some potency.

Across the bridge is another gatehouse.  The gate on the island side is raised.  The stone tower that perches over the open maw of the gate seems to be in good repair as well.  You do not see any lights or hear any singing coming from it.

The moon comes out from behind a cloud.  The other end of the drawbridge lights up.

A single figure is standing dead center of the bridge.  Or the remains of a figure.  A skeletal warrior who's been bound to a rough wooden stake.  The arms are raised and lashed to the top of the post with what appears to be barbed wire.  The helmeted skull has fallen to one side, resting on the left shoulder.  At it's belt is an empty scabbard.  The sword that must fit there lays on the ground by it's feet.

Magic?  Oh hells yes.  The whole set up reeks of magic.  But you realize everything about the Keep reeks of magic.

Either way, the whole set up gets your Murder-Hobo senses tingling.

As they walked together, the drawbridge at night only making Izzick more unease, the half-orc growled staring towards the set up. A murder? A ritual? A ritual murder? There weren't many good options here, but his eyes were quick to look around the scene, seeing just how bad it bode for them. "Let's see here, the way this is placed at this angle..." he spoke aloud, seeing if he recalled why this seemed to magically amplified.

Not sure the check needed so:


23:05, Today: Izzick rolled 20 using 1d20.  Perception.

23:05, Today: Izzick rolled 33 using 1d20+18.  Spellcraft.

23:05, Today: Izzick rolled 17 using 1d20+10.  Knowledge Arcana.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 56):

Izzy, I'm assuming you are looking at why the area is so magically active and what you can make out of the 'guard' at the other end of the drawbridge.  If I am misinterpreting your intentions, let me know please.  Thanks

It doesn't help the whole frickin' island seems to be deeply suffused with magic.  And evil.  Can't forget the evil.  There was some kind of major magical disaster here at some time.  That is probably why everything has a tinge of magic.  And it might help explain what is powering the hauntings/flashbacks/what have you.

But your new friend at the end of the drawbridge...hmm. Obviously a trap.  That seems evident.  Some kind of warning magic?  Yes.  There seems to be indications of a 'perception' field.  Like a detection magic, emanating from the skeleton.  It must be the bit that triggers the 'trap'.  Whatever that is.

You would guess either the skeleton sounds a klaxon, triggers some kind of predetermined spell, or some combination of the two.  Probably that last.  But you are too far away to tell much more than that.

Oh.  That sword by it's feet?  It's all kinds of magical.

Turning back, Izzick nodded. "We've got a trap. Looks like the skeleton detects anything near by and triggers...well I'm not sure. But the temptations the magic sword at it's feet. Zuni I think you've got to take it from here. Identifying and disabling are whole-y different things and I know you're a much better expert at the latter."

Selvin stopped and looked around slowly. His nerves were on end, his body was tense, his eyes were darting this way and that. He was desperately trying to stay calm. This whole place, this weird flashback magic, was disturbing to him for some reason. On a deep level.

Magic was something that came easy to him, was a part of him. Enemies that could cast spells at him? Okay. Illusions? Not fun, but doable. But this? The illusions or flashbacks felt real, hell they smelled real. It was freaking him out.

He glanced at Zuni and gave her a nod. He would watch her back. He would keep his senses alert - he didn't have a choice.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 59):

I want to give Zuni a day or so to respond just in case.  In the meantime...

Chandanar  watches Zuni a moment, and then turns to Laoris.  Out of curiousity, any idea where Sial and Chainy got off to?

Laoris giggles and shakes her head.  Same as you.  When we got ambushed, and they took off, I was just as surprised.  I think ol' Sial knows something I don't.  Doesn't surprise me.  He's always been a sneaky bastard.  She shrugs.  If I were you guys, I'd count on him being hostile the next time you see him.  I think he just wanted to see how far he could use you to get here.  She smiles broadly.  But you can trust me

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 60):

Moving on then

Zuni studies the tableau and tilts her head to one side, making it crack.  She sighs and heads slowly and cautiously across the drawbridge.

She's silent as she approaches.  The moon makes more noise as it crosses the sky than she does crossing the old wood.

She gets within fifteen feet and stops, crouching suddenly.  You've seen her like this before.  Something's wrong.

Suddenly the sword rockets off the ground and towards her.  She dodges left, the blade missing her by inches.  The sword levels upwards as it flies forward and is soon above all of your heads.  It begins to circle back and seems to be diving towards the main group.  In other words, all the rest of youse guys.

Selvin let out a sigh and threw up his hands. "Great. Just what we need...more enemies!" He grumbled quietly, "I knew that guy was no good. Gave me the creeps." He shook his head and gave Laoris a quick, slight stink-eye before looking back at Zuni. "uh huh." He didn't believe Laoris was trustworthy for a heartbeat.

Then things got interesting. "A flying sword?? COME ON!!"

He pointed at the sword and cast a spell at it, trying to negate whatever magic was animated it or moving it or whatever.

OOC: Dispel Magic, Targeted Dispel.

19:57, Today: Selvin Larst rolled 31 using 1d20+11.  Dispel check.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 62):

That's a pretty good roll

The sword hovers for a second, mere inches away from Chandanar's neck.  Then it falls to the ground.  You all listen to the ringing sound of the metal die away.  The cleric looks at you Selvin and says Thanks

There's a sharp whistling sound from the other end of the drawbridge.  Zuni is still crouched down, making hand signals back at the rest of you.  She's seen movement from the other gate house on the Keep side of the bridge.  Lots of movement.  She scurries back towards you.

At the same time, from the gloom of the far gate, passing around the crucified soldier, comes a phalanx of riders.  Twelve strong.  Skeletons in mail on horses made of black fire, burning like shadows.  Which doesn't make a lot of sense.  But that's how it appears.

Twelve incoming riders and their horses.  You guys have a round to react before they're on this side of the bridge.

Izzick pressed his hands together, creating a triangle of his fingers before a flame ignited in between them at his chanting words. Commanding the fire to expand, it exploded forward, not in an explosion, but a massive serpent of flames that began to fly towards the riders, lighting up their path, and lighting them ablaze with Izzick's newest arcane spell.

Casting Fire Snake
I have a shapeable 55 ft line
09:08, Today: Izzick rolled 39 using 12d6+1.  Fire Snake.

Reflex save for Half Damage DC: 21

Selvin frowned at their luck and restrained another sigh. He looked at Zuni who was kind of off by herself with those things closing in. He flew forward a bit and cast another spell from his limited repertoire, something to help everyone move faster and attack more! Energy flowed outward from him and his symbiote, enveloping everyone with a surging rush!

OOC: Cast Haste on all allies. Moving to be within 30 ft of Izzick, Chandanar, etc to get as close to Zuni as he can up to that distance.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 65):

Ohhhh!  Pretty! Laoris claps her hands and hops up and down on the balls of her feet.  I wanna touch the hot snake!

Chandanar sighs.  Moving on...  He pulls out his symbol of office.

Zuni dodges aside to let the snake rush past her and strike the advancing riders.  The first riders are thrown, their dry bodies seeming to catch fire quickly.  Their mounts disappear like ash before a wind gust.

The second row of riders fare a bit better.  They are still coming towards you.  Though they smoldering.

The riders in back-about four of them-pay no attention to their flaming comrades.  They hurtle towards you.

<Orange>Everyone is hasted.  Four unscathed riders.  Three partially charred ones ahead of them.  You guys will be going first.  Thanks</Orange.

Izzick began to chant again, the fire at his finger tips fading as his magic began to spark with electrical magical energy. "Ukkost tuloss myrsky," he finished as condensed orbs of lightning began to form and fly towards the riding undead once spell after another.

I create 3 balls with Ball Lightning and so I'll have one hit each of the partially charred riders.


09:05, Today: Izzick rolled 7 using 3d6.  Damage 1.
09:05, Today: Izzick rolled 14 using 3d6.  Damage 2.
09:05, Today: Izzick rolled 10 using 3d6.  Damage 3.

Reflex Save 20 to negate the damage but they take a -4 penalty while in metal armor

Selvin shook his head and let out a roar as he flew (literally) at the four unscathed riders. He reached out for two of them, and tried to take as much attention as he could away from the rest of the group. He considered that his primary jobs - death-dealing and taking the hits.

He lashed out with his symbiotic friend's natural attacks, bite, claws and slams from his limbs. Their movements were very fast due to the haste spell, almost a blur at times, as they whipped about.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 68):

Izzick's shocky orbs and Selvin/Zac's claws/teeth/etc cut a huge gap in the riders. Zuni and Chandanar also wade in. Even Laoris helps out, waving her hand at a rider and causing him to collapse in some fashion.

You make short work of them.

But now that you've meted out punishment, and there's no more noise from the sound of animated bodies being brutally punished...you all hear a low wailing sound. It's coming from the crucified corpse. A magic alarm or beacon.

If it's supposed to signal someone, they aren't making a move. The Keep remains silent. Deathly so.

Selvin winced as the 'alarm' started going off. "Damnit!" He tensed again, but nothing seemed to happen. He looked around confusedly. "Somehow I doubt nobody's home but..." He looked around again and shrugged.

"Shall we go up or...try to...silence that alarm..."

Izzick took a few looks around and nodded, "If you've got any ideas? Otherwise we should probably leave." Even if the soldiers weren't around, there were wild animals out here - never mind the person they may (or may not, he wasn't entirely sure) have seen before the flashback even started. "Think you could dispel it?" The sorcerer only had so many more ideas for how to stop something like that from going off easily.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 71):

Zuni waves a hand and gestures towards the lake.  There is a large mass of bubbles breaking the surface.  Very large bubbles.  Bigger than any of you kind of large.

Chandanar gulps.  Let's...uh...make a break for it.

You can head towards the Keep's gate house, the gate house behind you, take to the sky, or do some of that crazy hoodoo that you guys do do.

Selvin stared at the lake for a moment. That didn't look good. "It never ends..." He let out a frustrated sigh. "Alright. I vote the other gatehouse, so we can get closer to the keep." He looked at his allies questioningly to see if they too wanted to chance it, or if they preferred to hide at the gatehouse close by instead. He was ready to move either way.

Izzick follows behind. They needed to get in anyway, and the faster, the better, regardless of what was actually coming out of the lake they had enough troubles to deal with. "Alright, let's run," he said, gripping tightly onto his bag as he began to bolt behind the summoner, occasionally looking back, seeing what might be hidden in the lake - one less unknwon for their way out.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 74):

Your group of five sprints across the bridge.  Laoriz whoops as she runs, and despite her skinny legs, beats you all.  Even the zippy Zuni.

You rush past the crucified sentry and head under the open portcullis.  And...

It happens much more quickly this time.  You step in to a patch of shadow and when you come out again, the scenery is different.  Sorta.

The floor is suddenly littered with the dead.  Fresh dead.  Some of the hacked bodies are still breathing.  Almost all are wheezing that hollow rattle of men about to die.  The ground is slick with blood.  It's like a sheet of slush on the ground.

Beyond the other side of the portcullis is an open courtyard.  It too is strewn with bodies.  There is a single upright man standing amidst the death and destruction.  A scrawny man wearing a flimsy silk robe the color of a storm cloud.  He has his back to you, holding a hand over his mouth, apparently trying to keep from retching.

Beyond him, you see the Keep itself.

The sun is shining brightly.  No birds despite all the fresh meat though.

Questions?

Zuni wanted to tell Laoriz to shut up.  The womans whooping was starting to annoy Zuni but before she could hiss out her displeasure, the world changed.  The first indication that something was wrong was when Zunis foot caught itself on a corpse.  The slender woman stumbled, arms flailing comically for but an instant before she recovered her balance.

"...ye...gods..." Zuni muttered, looking around at the scene of carnage about her.  Growing up she had seen men dying on the streets of Korvosa.  The scale of this amount of death was exponentially beyond a single individual dying in a dark alleyway.  Her hand shot to cover her mouth, partly to try and mask the smell and partly to try and keep herself from retching.

Awheezing came from her side, and Zuni looked down to lock eyes with a dying man.  The exact extent of his injuries was masked by the copious amounts of blood covering his clothing.  His eyes looked up at Zuni, pleading for release or healing it was difficult to tell.  Zuni breath caught in her chest and she was certain that she was not going to have a peaceful nights rest ever again, not after this scene.

In reply to Zuni Runesong (msg # 76):

Chandanar kneels down beside the man you are looking at Zuni.  He examines the man, shakes his head, mutters something...a prayer probably...and reaches for the man's neck.  The priest makes it quick.

Some sound made during the operation makes the scrawny man turn.  He stares at all of you, what little color was in his face draining even faster.  He makes a moaning sound, turns, and starts to flee.

Starts to, since he trips on one of the dead.  He lands on his knees, yelping from the pain.  Either he is one of the greatest actors you've ever seen or he is most assuredly a non-combatant type.

He struggles to get up so he can run from you.

Ahead, the courtyard expands out to the west.  You can see what looks like the main entry to the hall in that area, set in to a northern wall.

Can you guys still see the map?  If so, you are in area 4.  If you can't see the map, let me know, and I'll see what I can do.  Danka.

Can't see the map here

Izzick couldn't believe it...well he could. They'd seen the keep in ruin, they'd even seen it's destruction happen. Why should he be shocked as they suddenly appeared in a mass grave. Many had died here - but whether this was the direct result of what they'd seen or something earlier or later he couldn't say for certain. It was just horrific. He almost spoke, but then his eyes caught the man's and the man turned and caught them. Now was not the time for this. Izzick shifted his face, the tattoos upon his visage reshaping him into a normal human - once less thing for the man to be afraid of as he began to whisper incantations. A sweet melody that drifted on the air, "Come, speak to us."

Hopefully he's an NPC level guy because I'm going to try Hypnotism
21:36, Today: Izzick rolled 6 using 2d4.  Hypnotism.

Up to 6 HD of creatures can be fascinated.
If you use this spell in combat, each target gains a +2 bonus on its saving throw. If the spell affects only a single creature not in combat at the time, the saving throw has a penalty of -2.


While the subject is fascinated (-4 to notice things and can't take actions) by this spell, it reacts as though it were two steps more friendly in attitude.

Will negates, DC: 16

Selvin rolled his eyes at Laoriz's whoop - though running, they WERE attempting to not be so noticeable. Ah well. Things shifted once more and he let out a quiet groan which quickly turned into a field of carnage, an abattoir with only one still-standing body. He was, not for the first time, glad he was flying and not walking. That blood-soaked ground looked positively gross.

He started forward after the scrawny man who tripped while trying to get away from them. But he hesitated to see if Izzick's spell worked. If not he called out even as he flew to catch up, "Can y'at least tell us WHY yer runnin' from us?"

In reply to Izzick (msg # 78):

Scrawny-Silky stands hesitantly, unconciously smoothing the creases in his now blood spattered robe.

He takes a few hesitant steps and gulps when the fearsome Selvin speaks.

Well...aren't you with the invaders?  You certainly don't look like one of the Dark Lord's fellas...

Selvin landed on the ground, staying a little distance away from the man, to the side, making sure not to cut off all escape routes if they wanted to run still. He tilted his head, and the symbiote's head followed suit. "Invaders? Nope. We just came upon this...gruesome scene ourselves." He restrained a shudder, barely.

He deliberately tore his eyes from the bodies and only looked at the man as much as possible to avoid the sight of all the corpses and...pieces. "what's your name? I'm Selvin."

Zuni pulled her gaze away from the bloody carnage at her feet, and moved to catch up with Selvin and the scrawny guy in the robes.  "...we're not with any invaders.  We just arrived here."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 81):

Scrawny's eyes flash between Selvin and Zuni.  He pulls his robe tightly around himself and bites his lower lip.  Then he says, I'm...Hesso.  I'm one of the pleasure minions.  Are you really not gonna kill me?

Nah, nahs Chandanar.  Like the Lady said, we're just kinda passing through.  But...uh...we are curious what happened here.

Hesso chuckles dryly.  Well that makes two of us.  Or six of us.  How many of you are there?  Just the five?  Anyway.  I was entertaining one of the officers a few days ago when an alarm sounded.  At first we just thought it was another attempted coup by one of the officers.  Those happen you know.  And they usually don't last long.  The Dark Lord only plays with them for so long once they step outta line.  But this...the shouting and sounds of battle went on.  For a while.

Finally, I could hear the sounds of people on the floor below me.  So I hid. And stayed hidden for a couple of days.  Because no one came for me and said it was okay.  Finally...well.  I didn't have any water or food left.  So I told myself to be brave.

He glances around at the carnage and then wryly chuckles again.  Good thing I was so brave, huh?

Selvin tried his best to look as non-threatening as a half-elf riding around in an otherworldly and obviously-combat-capable centaur-cat creature. He delicately landed on the ground, trying to avoid as much of the blood and gore as he could on his friend.

"We're really not gonna kill you." Unless he did something stupid. "I'd say it's nice t'meet you Hesso but under the circumstances..." He gave a sort of half-smile and shrug of his shoulders. He nodded to his friends and named each of their first names. "Zuni, Izzick, Chandanar, Crazy Temporary Girl..."

He listened to the story and frowned. "That sounds...terrible. But you're still alive at least." Or an imaginary magic illusion/time figment, who knew.

He looked over at Zuni when Chandanar distracted Hesso and mouthed, "Dark Lord?"

Dark Lords and dragons - they seemed to be everywhere in these tales but Izzick picked up on another word. Pleasure slave? Maybe it was exactly what it sounded like - he was sure many barracks kept them around. But currently, their information on this place came from a cult of hedonistic excess and pleasure and the half-orc (disguised now as a human) raised one eye-brow as he looked to their crazy cultist friend. He asked quickly, "You wouldn't happen to know anyone here, would you?" his tone giving away his suspicion.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 85):

Hesso seems puzzled by Izzick's question, but shrugs and glances around.  He shudders and then points over at one of the corpses:  a burly halfling with his lower half hanging at a forty seven degree angle from his upper half.

That's Squelchy.  He never swung my way, but he would come play cards with me some nights when he was feeling blue.  He said I reminded him of his mom.

Hesso turns away, crossing his arms and rubbing his triceps with the opposite hand like he was trying to warm himself.  His lip is quivering and he bites it to make it stop.

I meant Laoris

Zuni responded to Selvins look with a confused shrug of her shoulders.  Repeating mentally to herself that none of what was going on was real, just some strange memory magic thingie, Zuni put a hand on Hessos shoulder.  It was meant to be comforting, because that felt like something that she should be doing but it was not something that she was particularly great at.

"Easy now, Hesso.  The worst is over now." she said.  Although that sounded odd considering that they were all ankle deep in dead bodies.  "What you did was...sure...brave.  You saved yourself so that you could let us know what happened.  Why don't you back up a bit.  What's this about a dark lord?"

Selvin stayed quiet for the moment and let Zuni speak up and ask the questions. She probably looked slightly less scary than he and his symbiote did together. He kept an alert eye out around them and above them, making sure nothing was coming...at least as much as he could in a an area like this where things kept flipflopping between times and battles.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 89):

Sorry Izzy.  But since it's going well, let's see what happens with Hesso's stroll down memory lane.  I'll answer your question now...

Laoris had opened her mouth to answer your questino Izzick when Hesso began to speak.  He must have thought the question was meant for him.

As he talks about Squelchy, Laoris giggles and leans closer to you.  Not personally no.  But they were all dead before my great great granny was born.  She giggles again.  I told you about the three lieutenants.  There are a couple of other names mentioned in the legends.  Bloodsoak.  A guard who was known to be involved in the betrayal.  And there was an advisor too.  Rottish.  But the information on him is very sketchy.  The legends don't name the mastermind behind the betrayal.  Only that it was someone close to Kazovon.

Meanwhile, Hesso smiles at Zuni's reassuring touch.  Thank you.  You must have come from quite a ways if you don't know about the Dark Lord.  Lord Kazovon.  Ruler of All He Has Broken.  The Drinker of King's Blood.  The Axe and The Talon.  The Fifth Red Star.  The Plague Doctor.  The Burnt and Shining Brand.  The Picker King.  That last one is about his banjo.  He plays a really mean banjo.  Or at least...he did...cos now HE'S DEAD!!!!

And Hesso begins to weep.

This was definitely an awkward situation, but it would only be awkward as long as this flashback lasted he supposed. Though then he paused, and asked, "So the Dark Lord didn't do this?" That had been Izzick's first assumption but it was clear now this was after he'd been killed. Then again, questioning the entertainment might end better than trying to find the Dark Lord in the past, "And how was he killed, did he not have the blessings of Zon-Kuthon upon him? Who could kill the Fifth Red Star? The Burnt and Shining Brand? The Picker King?" Maybe whatever parts of the legend were lost to time, they now had a first hand witness for.

Selvin shot a mock-annoyed glare Laoris' way, a bit of side-eye as it were. He kept his attention mostly focused on Hesso, though, and the surrounding area. Things could shift again at any moment, and it was nigh-impossible to prepare for thus far.

His eyebrows went up when Hesso started his outburst. He looked uncertain on what to do. And Izzick, ever the soul of sensitivity and tact, began fairly interrogating Hesso like an informant or prisoner who wasn't weeping openly. Selving blinked a few times, eyes a bit wide.

...he didn't try to stop Izzick, though. At least the questions were good ones, if suffering a bit from timing and audience.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 91):

Hesso takes a deep breath, obviously trying to steady himself.  He seems quite shaken by events.  I'm sorry.  I'm just really shaken by all these events.  No.  No.  If the Dark Lord did this...well.  There'd be more...spectacle to it. His executions are usually on a bigger scale.

Besides.  They all still seem to have their left hands.

Anyway.  I don't know.  I mean you're absolutely right.  The blessing of our Scaled Monarch should have turned aside the sharpest blade.  I can't...well.  Couldn't.  Imagine anything hurting our Dark Lord.  But honestly I'm a concubine.  Whadda I know?

He smiles sadly.  I guess the good times are gone now.  I'm going to scavenge what I can and head out of here.  I...I just can't spend a day longer here among them.  Are you guys looters? 's fine if you are.  Really.  Everyone has to make a living.

Do you wanna know the way to the treasure room?  Or library?

Selvin turned to look at Hesso again, eyes slightly widening once more. As he listened the eyebrows came back down in a frown. The questions, unbidden, formed in his head, Left...hands? Why would t...nevermind...focus He shook his head physically to banish the as-far-as-he-knew-unimportant thoughts.

His face scrunched up a bit at Hesso's question. "Not...reeeeallly. I mean, we might loot a bit while we're here if there's somethin' int'restin', but..." He trailed off and shrugged. But when asked directions to the treasury and library. "Sure, both o'those could be helpful, thanks."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 94):

If you go through those doors...sniff...pardon...that leads to the main foyer.  Past that is the courtyard.  If you go through the north door in the courtyard, you'll come to the library.  If you go through the south door, keep going south down the corridor and you'll come to the treasure room.

Now if you'll excuse me...I...I need to get ready and leave.  He wipes tears away.  There's nothing left for me here...

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 95):

Hesso wipes his face and hurries away, headed towards the gate house behind you.

The air seems to flicker and...you're back.  Or at least it seems you are back in your own time frame.  The night is quiet and still.  The air warm and dry.  The carpet of bodies are gone, replaced by old stone paving blocks washed clean by long forgotten rains.

Ahead of you, there is the entry in to the Keep proper.  The thick doors are now off their hinges, one laying propped up against the frame and the other laying on the ground.

Were those there before? Chandanar asks, gesturing at two large ugly statutes of four armed, winged, lion headed demons that are seated at the end of the courtyard.

As if on cue, the statues rise from their seated position and draw swords...

Two gargoyle brutes are guarding the courtyard in this time zone.  You guys have init.  They are about forty feet away.  Let me know what questions you may have.  Thanks

"I don't suppose you'll be letting us in if we ask?" Izzick said, but their swords were already raising up. Presumably they were guards and after all - Selvin, Zuni, and himself were trying to get through. His fingers began to glow an eerie green color as he stared the gargoyles down. If they didn't speak, well, they'd be feeling sluggish - muscles ( did they even have muscles?) feeling even more like stone than normal.

Ray of Exhaustion

12:40, Today: Izzick rolled 25 using 1d20+8.  Ranged Touch.

The subject is immediately exhausted for the spell’s duration. A successful Fortitude save means the creature is only fatigued.
Fort Save DC 18.
An exhausted character moves at half speed, cannot run or charge, and takes a –6 penalty to Strength and Dexterity.
A fatigued character can neither run nor charge and takes a –2 penalty to Strength and Dexterity.

Selvin hesitated for a moment to see if the gargoyles were interested in talking, but once they didn't appear to be, he shook his head and charged forward at the one that had not been targeted by Izzick's spell. He and his symbiotic friend lashed out at the gargoyle thing with fangs, claws, tail and electricity.

Zuni had been mentally mapping the path to the treasure room that Hesso had mentioned but that could wait.  It seemed like there were more pressing matters ambling towards them now.

"Oh come on..." Zuni complained.  "Why are these things here?  And what are these things?"

OOC:
What knowledge skill would we need to identify these beasties?

In reply to Izzick (msg # 97):

As the Irresistible Izzick blasts one of the beasties, and the Stupendous Selvin wades in to the other, the always-zephyric Zuni carefully studies her opponent.

Judging from the way the beastie hampered by Izzick's beam seems to be slowing down, and the oddly greyish-red ichor being spread through the air in a fine mist by Zac/<puprle>Selvin's</Purple> claws, these aren't golems.  Zuni, you figure these to be some kind of variant of a gargoyle.  Just one with extra arms.  And about five hundred pounds.  And sharper teeth.  And well trained in martial arts.  And...well.  You get the idea.

As you prepare, Chandanar taps you on the shoulder Zuni.  Up above.  Second wave.

Everyone's favorite snarky cleric is correct.  Three more of the monstrosities are incoming from above.

Selvin, these things give almost as good as they give.  Your opponent manages to smash in to you with a blade and grab a mouthful of ethereal guck with a bite. 25 HP total damage sir

The slowed monstrosity has turned and is waddling to pounce on Selvin from behind.

Izzy, super effective!  This guy is moving slower than a hobbit on roller skates without any wheels.

There are three more coming from above.  They are about 80 feet away.  You will have time for actions before then.  They are diving towards the back row Zuni and Izzy.

Questions?

Selvin strove to finish off the first gargoyle before turning towards the more-lethargic one coming after him from behind. Electricity arced around his symbiote's cat-like centaur-ish form as it marshaled it's magical energy and unleashed another flurry of strikes. "COME ON THEN!" He roared out at the gargoyles, trying to draw them towards him rather than his friends.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 101):

Selvin and Zac rip through the first gargoyle and then begin on the second, sluggish one. It's too lethargic from Izzick's enchantment to be effective in defending itself.

Meanwhile, the three airborne continue their descent. One is turning towards the elf/eilidon, but the others continue their fall towards he backline....

With an eruption of magical flame forming into a serpent in his hands, Izzick unleashed a snake of fire, which swerved and slithered, striking against the gargoyles coming for the backline - after all, the last thing he needed was them diving for him. He'd had enough rips, tears, bites, scratches, arrows, digestive fluids and everything else that he knew it was a lot better to strike first and keep your head on for later.

Casting Fire Snake to strike the 3 airborne ones if they're within range of each other / the spell (a 60 ft shapeable line within 60 ft)

Reflex D21 for half damage
16:17, Today: Izzick rolled 42 using 12d6+1.  Fire damage.

Selvin glared at the gargoyles that were incoming. He wanted to help his friends out, but he had to trust that they could handle the ones moving to attack them. He had his own problems to deal with. He waited until the second one closed with him and then he unleashed another flurry of attacks, starting on the sluggish one until it dropped before moving to the second, fresh one, electricity arcing around his claws, teeth and fists.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 104):

As a gout of coily, serpenty fire rushes from Izzick's outstretched hands to smack at two of the incoming gargoyles, Selvin/Zac charge in to the sluggish one as the third one dropping from the sky descends on them.

Laoris giggles for what feels like the eight hundredth seventy sixth time today.  They're pretty! she exclaims.

Chandanar rolls his eyes and Zuni sends arrows flying in to one of them.

Between the arrows and snake, one of the gargoyles drops to the ground like a sack of wet cement.  The other manages to push through...and then Chandanar whacks him with his mace.  It's a solid hit and sends the gargoyle crashing across the ground.

Chandanar seems more surprised than anyone.  As the gargoyle lays still, he turns towards the lot of you in back, smirks, breathes on his mace and polishes it with his hand, saying It's aaaalllllll in the wrist.

Meanwhile, Selvin/Zac have managed to turn the two gargoyles on them in to a half a gargoyle.  They took a few scratches on the way 16 HP damage Selvin, but the gargoyle who's still on his feet is wobbling at best.  He shakes his head and drops his sword, holding all four hands up in the air.

He makes a gutteral sound.

Laoris sighs, disappointed.  He wants to give up.  She looks at all of you and shrugs.  What?  I speak gargoyle.

Chandanar rubs his eyes.  Of course you do.

One gargoyle left and he wants to surrender.  Let me know if there are questions.

Izzick held his hands at the ready, fingers twitching a bit as the guard gives up and asks Laoris, "Does he speak anything else? Common? Orc? I even know a bit of fiendish Abyssal." Languages weren't his strongest suite but he still hoped the Gargoyle might be able to communicate with more than just the cultist among them. Unless Selvin, Chandanar, or Zuni knew Gargoyle as well. "Let's hope he knows more than the pro- entertainer from before."

In reply to Izzick (msg # 106):

Chandanar leans towards Izzick and Zuni whispering I don't.  But I can magic up a thingie to tell if she's lying about what it says.  Want me to?

Selvin and Zac grunted in simultaneous pain as the gargoyles struck back and wounded them. He frowned and hesitated as the gargoyle threw down its sword. He glared at it with narrowed eyes. "Yeah? I bet he does, once his side ain't winnin'."

He sighed, shook his head and shrugged. "Whatever. Tell him he's got a ten second headstart." Not that Selvin really had any intention of chasing the gargoyle...

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 108):

Laoris listens to the gargoyle grunt something else.  Her eyebrows raise.  She grunts something back, and the two exchange grunts for a few moments.  Okay...so. She says to you all after a minute.  I'm gonna tell you guys this.  What he just told me. And then I guess we're gonna have a moment.  But I think I should tell you.

She looks around at you all.  For the first time since you met her, she doesn't have that dumb smile on her face.  Instead, she looks peturbed.

So...apparently Sial came this way.  And he told them to expect us.  In fact he bribed their leader to attack us.  We just met this group before they could get in to position.  There's a big mess of them waiting for us inside.

Selvin let out a long sigh. "Of...fuckin'...COURSE they did." He shook his head. Then he looked at Chandanar. "Nothin' is EVER smooth. Always gotta be like pushin' a big rock uphill."

He looked over at Laoris. "Can...they...tell us how long ago Sial came this way?"

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 110):

Laoris grumble-growls something and the gargoyle grumble-growls back.  It's saying it wants a guarantee we'll let it go.  I'm giving him one.

Another exchange ensues.  Laoris scrunches up her brow and shakes her head.  She grumbles back and the gargoyle points up at the sky.  She looks at you all.

Uhm...he says two full moons ago.  So roughly a month I guess.

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 111):

Chandanar blinks.  A month?

Laoris shrugs.  Like I said he said.  Two full moons have passed.  According to him.  She jerks a thumb at the gargoyle.   If that's true, it means those little moments that we've seen weren't hallucinations.  They were...I dunno.  Time...uhm...burps.

Chandanar blinks again.  Time Burps.

Laoris nods and shrugs.  Yeah.  Time Burps.  I mean. What else could ya call them?

"So the real question is then how is Sial avoiding them. Or is he just lucky?" He looked to the Gargoyle, not sure it could give them anymore information. Had one of them moved backwards or had they moved forwards. In which case..."We need to get through here or out of here as fast as possible then. There's 0 telling what the queen's been up to if we're two months ahead now."

In reply to Izzick (msg # 113):

True.  But...I think maybe it could work to your advantage. Laoris glances around and shrugs.  We've gone back in time and now forward.  If we can figure out the mechanism, maybe you could arrive in a time period where you could halt the Queen from finding the skull.

That's...actually not a bad idea.  Considering the source. The ever tactful Chandanar says, scratching his chin.  But I still think we need to find this sword.  Even if we could stop the events from happening, we still wouldn't want to leave that skull sitting around.

The gargoyle takes this chance to jump and leap in to the air, flying off as fast as it can.

Can't blame him for that.  Your healer sighs and nods at the broken open entry doors to the keep.  Shall we go get ambushed?

Selvin didn't even want to think about the queen and the state of the city. He watched and listened silently, head slowly moving back and forth between each speaker when they piped up. But mostly his eyes focused more on the gargoyle than anyone else. Or at least, kept coming back to it.

His face scrunched up in a confused and/or aggravated frown. "We lost a month. We keep getting smacked by..." He glared at Laoris. "I'm not callin' 'em that. Time bubbles. Or time jumps." He waved a dismissive hand as if to say 'whatever' about the name. "An' so in there, they're super-prepared for us so we have a huge fight on our hands unless we sneak in somehow? Did I get all that right?"

He jerked his chin at the gargoyle. "Ask 'im if there's another way or a place we could use magic t'get in to an' get around the horde or whatever." But the gargoyle had taken off. He let out a long sigh. "Perfect."

He started to walk around to see if he could find a way in (or a place to dimension door to) that might allow them to bypass the gargoyles waiting for them.

"Sounds about right," Izzick said. He knew that both of them could go invisible, the tactic had worked for them before. But every casting of that was also one less spell for later and it left Zuni vulnerable. "Maybe we should just listen at the door and try to get an idea of what we're up against beyond?" A solution simple and easy to overlook, but their best bet without stronger divination magics than he thought Selvin or himself to have.

In reply to Izzick (msg # 116):

Laoris pulls out her map...

Which thanks to my spanky new computer I can actually upload!  We're driving now people!

See Game Map for Group 1

We're here, Laoris says, pointing at one area Area 4 on the map

From what the gargoyle was talking about, the ambush is probably here Areas 6 and 9, which appear to be open courtyards past the entry hall

Then maybe we blip over here... Chandanar points at one area to the north Area 10, Or maybe here...  He points to an area to the south.  Area 12

But isn't this area... your healer points again to the northern Area 10 section.  the direction that guy implied the treasure chamber was?  It doesn't look like there'd be a treasure chamber that way.

Laoris shrugs.  You have a point.  But are you really here for treasure?

Just thinking about where this sword might be kept...

Let me know if there are questions on the map.  Thanks
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:56, Mon 25 Nov 2019.

"Blip?" Izzick questioned, seeing mostly walls. Certainly if they entered through the southern most room they'd have the best chance to handle an ambush in Area 6 - but Area 9 was pretty much unavoidable - there didn't even seem to be other ways in. At least they knew when it would hit, but was that truly the only advantage they had? "I wish we had an inkling of what was waiting," he said, not sure how else to prepare.

Selvin looked over the map intently for a long moment. He seemed to focus in on a few things. Finally, he shook his head. He pointed to the tenth room. "Personally? I'd say we avoid the courtyard as much as we can, make them come to us if needs be. We can get in to supposedly the treasure room here..." He pointed to the door to Room 10 on the outside. "An' then later we can come in back where we are now an' access most o'the rest. I'd prefer t'make 'em come t'us in through a smaller door if we gotta face 'em anyway, yah?"

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 119):

Room 10 then? And I'm assuming via Dimension Door?

Selvin frowned and then looked a little sheepish. He realized suddenly that there was more to the map and unfolded it a bit more, seeing what had been hidden from him previously. "Ah." He cleared his throat. "Nevermind."

He shook his head. "Well, unless you all have teleporation capabilities, I don't see any way t'really get past the ambush. I mean, I s'pose I could make myself an' like 2 others invisible if we wanna try an' sneak past. I don't know if they have good senses of smell or anything."

He shrugged. "Otherwise, I guess we search all the rooms we can get to without goin' to 6 or 9 first, startin' with Room 5."

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 121):

Before we do, Chandanar says, pointing at the map.  What about these two stairs here and here?

He is pointing at S3 and S4

They look like they would go upstairs.  Probably to... he turns and points behind and above, specifically to the interior gate houses upper floor, which you passed under to get here.

Maybe if we go upstairs, we can find a way to bypass the ambush?  Or at least maybe...I dunno...come up behind 'em or something?

That's not a bad idea.  But full disclosure?  I don't have a map of the upper levels.  All I could find is this floor here.

---

Past the fallen doors is what appears to be an old entry hall Area 5.  Even today, you can tell a fierce battle was once fought here.  There are large gouges and cracks in the stone that don't appear to be just the result of time.  And oddly, you detect the odor of something having burnt here recently. Though there's no indication that is the case.

There is an old door to your immediate right.  It would lead to what must have been a guards quarters as well as the two stairwells your cognizant cleric pointed at earlier.

There is of course the door to the west, which if Laoris is correct, will lead to an ambush...

"No way to go through walls here. So shall we try the stairs?" Izzick asked, looking at Selvin. It was now or never and they didn't have the best options for getting to the ambush from another direction. Not that their idea of upstairs was much better either. They at least had a shot to ambush the ambushers...if time stayed stable enough.

Selvin listened to Chandanar and then looked at Izzick and nodded but also shrugged. "Stairs, sure, sounds like the best way t'go. Let's try it!" He grinned. "Worst that happens is we get ambushed, right?" He let out a chuckle and lead the way.

In reply to Selvin Larst (msg # 124):

The passage to the east does seem to have once been guard quarters.  Time hasn't left much beyond stone walls, crumbling debris of furniture, and the odd skull.

You scout each staircase.  The northern one has a cold breeze blowing down it from above.  Like someone left a door open in the midst of a bad winter's day.

The southern stairs are fairly dusty and cob webby.  Nothing has passed this way in a while.

The question now is which stair do you want to take.

Selvin looked just a little up each stairway. He felt the cold on the one, noted the webs on the other. He frowned slightly and then shook his head. "I suppose...I would vote the dusty cobwebbed way as it seems like no one's been that way, so we're less likely t'run in to anyone or get ambushed that way." He shrugged. "Theoretically."

Theoretically, yes.

Let's move threads, shall we?