CHAPTER 09
Mt. Salt, Drynn
Late December

The sky was a lovely shade of blue, but then again, so was the ground. In fact, there was nothing but blue as far as the eye could see, coupled with the rushing sensation akin to wind blowing from all directions at once.

All of a sudden, the buffeting sensation came to an end, and the omnipresent blue transformed into the drab grays, greens, and browns of Drynn.

As the world snaps back into focus, Boreas, Maeve, Keef, Lyriel, A'tril, and Mah'mout find themselves standing outside amid the rocky soil of Mt. Salt. The skeletal frame of a tower looms in the distance, perhaps a mile to the south, and the clamor of construction can be plainly heard upon the wind.

A'tril releases his grip on the hands of his neighbors and wipes the back of his hand across his brow.

"It worked," he breathes with relief... but only for a moment. He scans the group gathered before him and furrows his brow with confusion. "Where are the others?"

[Crossroads]

In reply to DM (msg # 1):

"Lost," Mah'mout says simply, giving Lyriel's hand a squeeze before releasing his grip. "The planes claimed the tall one and the tattooed one while we traveled through them. It was that brief, brilliant flash of off-blue and cyan amid the sky blue swirling around us a few seconds ago. How could you have missed it?"

Unperturbed, the vivimancer extends his arms and twirls in the morning breeze, a huge smile plastered across his features.

"It's so good to be free," he says, orange fire dancing in his eyes. "I'll take care of whatever job you've got in mind as a token of my thanks. Within reason, of course."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:57, Thu 10 Apr 2014.

Boreas re-orients himself to his new surroundings.  We'll need to do what we can to find Al and Ted.  Let's tie things up here, then see what we can do.  I'd be interested to hear more about what your job entails too, Mah'mout.

Lyriel shakes her head in confusion. No. No, he was right there. He can't be far behind. I'm sure he'll be along presently. He has to be... Her eyes dart around frantically, as if any moment Zuriel will pop back into existence if she looks at enough likely spaces for him to appear. Lyriel struggles in vain to suppress the rising tide of panic welling within her.

He can't be...he'll be here. He has to... Her hands begin to tremble and she clasps them together to keep herself from shaking uncontrollably.

"I saw the colors as well; I wasn't sure what they meant until now."

Maeve goes to put an arm around Lyriel's shoulders--the highborn cleric looks stricken and paler than usual.

"But why them?  Where did they go?  And most importantly, how do we get them back?"

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 5):

Al?.... Ted?....

In reply to Keef (msg # 6):

A'tril looks at the P.A.R.T.Y. for a moment, then shrugs.

"If they're lost, they're lost. I can't help them -- at least, not from here. I suggest we return to Ptolemy and work out a plan from there. That's who I got these amulets from, anyway. Maybe something interfered with them."

The dark elf starts heading toward the skeletal tower to the south, and Mah'mout falls into place behind him.

In reply to DM (msg # 7):

Keef gives both A'tril and Mah'mout a wide berth.

We... we DO need to find them...

A sharp, bitter taste fills Lyriel's mouth as Zuriel fails to materialize. No...he'll be here. We can't leave yet. We *can't*

The cleric's breathing becomes rapid and panicked, and her eyes dart around even more rapidly. She thinks back to what transpired, trying to make sense of it. What could have happened? I saw...somewhere else. It was beautiful but...it was gone.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:38, Thu 10 Apr 2014.

Maeve feels Lyriel's shoulders begin to tremble uncontrollably under her arm.  Her breathing becomes shallow and rapid and her green eyes dart in various directions.  She puts Maeve in mind of a panicked horse.

"I'm really sorry about this," she says before pulling back her arm and slapping Lyriel across the face--forcefully enough to snap her out of her daze but not hard enough to do any real damage.  Lyriel's eyes flare with indignation.

"Good, you're angry.  That's what I was going for.  You were on the verge of passing out, but now you're back with us." Maeve's words are crisp and businesslike but her eyes convey her sympathy.

"We *will* get him back.  He's probably talking so much to the residents of wherever he wound up that they'll save us the trouble and send him back themselves!"

"Now, let's see what Ptolemy has to say about this."

Lyriel grits her teeth, but takes a calming breath. She manages a choked laugh at Maeve's jest.

Right. Think. Zuriel was wearing his pendent at the time, which we know is a plane shifter. Is it possible there was some interference? But that doesn't explain Sazed vanishing too...

Lyriel takes a deep, shuddering breath. So. Ptolemy. Let's figure this out.

She follows her companions back to Mt. Salt, in control of her panic, but still subject to the deep gnawing worry in her stomach.

Oh Zuriel...what have you gotten yourself into this time?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:42, Thu 10 Apr 2014.

Boreas says nothing, finding Maeve's words sufficient for the situation.  He walks toward Mt. Salt with the others.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 12):

The group returns to the construction site without difficulty, and is soon standing in Ptolemy's tent.

A lithe maiden of 16 summers stands in Ptolemy's tent, pouring over the blueprints. She smiles and brushes her blonde bangs out of her eyes when the P.A.R.T.Y. enters.

"You're back ahead of schedule," she says, nodding at A'tril with satisfaction. "Very well done... though it seems you sustained loses along the way."

Her smile fades, and her voice becomes more comforting.

"I promise their sacrifice will be worth it."

They aren't dead, Lyriel says stubbornly. A flash of anger washes of her features before she gets herself back under control. Your runic necklaces didn't work as expected. When we teleported, they either diverted, or were left behind.

Lyriel narrows her eyes at the (woman?). Any idea why that might be?

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 14):

"My necklaces work perfectly," Ptolemy says, taken aback by Lyriel's hostility. "75% of you made it back just fine. If your friends were diverted, as you claim, it could only be because they distorted the magic in some way. Were they riftwalkers before you met them? It's possible they neglected to take the necessary precaution of removing their normal method of jumping from place to place, which caused the ritual to activate the necklace AND their other method at the same time."

She purses her lips.

"That probably wouldn't kill them, true, but it would likely shunt them to another plane at random. Many are less than hospitable to our delicate constitutions."

She brightens.

"But! The good news is that anything that could have shunted them elsewhere should have the power to travel away from wherever they are, as well. So they can return on their own power, most likely, and you have nothing to worry about."

That's... Lyriel struggles to organize her disjointed emotions, while simultaneously devising a response that didn't give away too much information. ...as good an explanation as any, I suppose. She sighs, somewhat relieved at Ptolemy's words despite herself.

A feeling of complete exhaustion from the day's excitement threatens to overwhelm her. She nods to Ptolemy. I...apologize. Today has been rather eventful. I hope it is as you say.

Remembering the role she is supposed to be playing, she quickly adds Good bodyguards are hard to come by. I should hate to have to replace Al and Ted.

Gods....please come home soon, Zuriel.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:18, Thu 10 Apr 2014.

Boreas chooses to believe Ptolemy's assessment, that Zuriel and Sazed will be able to return on their own, and pushes the concern from his mind for the moment.

Right.  I suppose that leaves us with the matter of our compensation then.  Mah'mout is safely here, and I believe we were promised 60,000.  Also, as you know, I work for information.  What is the vivimancer's part in all of this?  What will he be doing, and why is he needed?

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 17):

Ptolemy giggles, tossing a large bag nearly effortlessly toward Boreas. It crashes to the ground with a jangling sound that promises hard-earned coinage.

"You have a voracious appetite for knowledge," she says with a smile. "If he is willing, we would have Mah'mout bind each tower to the living rock upon which it is built, rendering them nigh impossible to strike down. Nine times shall the spell be cast, and afterward we would consider his debt to us settled -- and more, besides."

In reply to DM (msg # 18):

The vivimancer cracks his knuckles, then bows with a flourish.

"Such a small task is insufficient thanks for your kindness in masterminding my release," he smiles. "I'll be glad to assist you."

In reply to Mah'mout (msg # 19):

Money?

Keef raises one hand and points a single digit at Ptolemy with cruel purpose.

If he COULD come back why wouldn't he?  If you'd wanted us to understand what we're doing, you'd have TOLD us already.  If you want towers protected, why a Vivimancer?

A tiny spark of red energy crackles at the end of Keef's outstretched finger.  His stare bores into the young lady.

"Keef, what are you doing?" Maeve asks warily, suddenly feeling dreadfully tired as it occurs to her that their trip to Umbr'iel and back has happened within the space of one day.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 21):

Keef turns toward Maeve but keeps his finger solidly pointed at Ptolemy.

I just... I don't understand.  We're losing... losing family and running around and freeing criminals and for what?

Chubbs, totally indifferent to the loss of Zuriel, to Ptolemy and to Keef's questions, sidles up beside Lyriel and nudges her foot in a "comforting" manner.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:55, Fri 11 Apr 2014.

In reply to Keef (msg # 22):

Ptolemy, who in her current guise looks only slightly older than Keef and is shorter besides, blinks her big blue eyes in his direction.

"For the greater good," she says, by way of explanation. "Time passes differently in the planes. It's also possible they ended up somewhere so nice, they don't want to come back. You're mercenaries. It's a dangerous line of work. Losses are to be expected, whether through death or disinterest."

She glances at A'tril, ignoring Keef's outstretched finger entirely.

"I think we're done here. Take today to recover yourself -- you look terrible. Tomorrow, you'll begin the task of reinforcing the towers."

[Private to Keef: "She does not respect us, Master. Shall we demonstrate our greatness, or forgive her insolence?"]

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 24):

Keef allows Maeve to approach but raises his other hand before she is able to lay a hand on his shoulder.  The way he does so is more protecting her than defending himself.

He doesn't move his aim, however.

If he's not here, we can't protect him and he can't protect us... that should be the priority.

Chubbs, sensing something is going on, gives Lyriel's foot a parting pat and hops over to squat on Keef's foot instead.

Mercenaries... don't work for the greater good.  Heroes do.

Keef splays his fingers and there is a flash of red electricity that consumes his entire body.  There is a sound like a key turning in a lock mixed with thunder.

When the flash fades, Keef is gone.

[Private to GM: Dimensional Door: gone maximum range down mountain to get some space to work.]

Maeve approaches Lyriel and Keef with the intention of bodily marching them out of the tent and insisting that they have some tea and some rest.  Her plan is rather rudely interrupted by Keef's sudden departure in a blaze of red lightning.

After the events of the day they've just had, she doesn't even react with surprise--merely stares wearily at the place where the young mage once stood and contemplates the further splintering of their group.

Maybe Keef had the right idea this whole time. Maybe we should have taken our leave of these people a long time ago.

Well this is going well...

Boreas flicks his eyes right and left, looking for Keef.

The boy is right about one thing, Ptolemy.  We need to go find our friends.  We have the hat, and we'll notify you when we do, if you have more work for us.  In the meantime, we will have to take our leave.  Fare well.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 26):

"It would seem your mage has gone rogue," Ptolemy says. "If you're intending to go planes-hopping to find your friends, I wish you the best of luck. It's folly, but I'll wish it nonetheless. OSA will contact you if you're needed."

"A'tril, Mah'mout, linger a moment longer?"

The dark elf and the vivimancer stay behind while the P.A.R.T.Y. -- or what remains of it -- exits the tent.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:14, Fri 11 Apr 2014.

Boreas looks around, seeing no sign of Keef.

Great.  Looks like we'll need to venture forth and gather our party.

He keeps walking, presumably with Maeve and Lyriel.  Once they've left earshot of the encampment in any random direction, he turns to Lyriel.

Finding Keef is our first task.  Can you locate the Everstaff for us?

Lyriel struggles to keep herself composed. After the events of the day, she finds herself fighting conflicting urges to scream, cry, and sleep. She looks over at Boreas dully.

Finding specific items has a very short range. The only way it would work is if Keef was already very close. Within a thousand feet or so. The cleric sighs wearily. I need some tea...

I can prepare several Sendings tomorrow, and we can find out where Zuriel and Keef are. If they're even on the same plane. After that... Lyriel shrugs. I have no idea.

Boreas' face falls a little.  I suppose we should make camp here then, so we don't risk going further in the wrong direction.  Prepare everything you can to find them.  We can head toward the nearest city if we get no useful information.  Should be more powerful magic that we can use there.

Boreas checks his compass absently.

But you may as well try the spell.  We could get lucky.

Maeve nods tiredly.  "It's worth a shot, I suppose."

With her uncanny sixth sense regarding when tea is needed, she goes through the ritual of preparing chamomile for the three of them before bed.

Lyriel shrugs, quickly incanting a few words as she holds the image of the Everstaff in her mind.

[Find Object: Everstaff]

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 33):

Lyriel's eyes flash green, and she feels a tug toward the bottom of the mountain.

Boreas starts, surprised that the spell seems to have worked.

Did... you just find him?

Lyriel lets out a soft cry of surprise. She indicates the direction of the urging. Apparently. Unless there is more than one Everstaff...

"Well, what are we waiting for?"

Buoyed by the prospect of finding at least one of their scattered group, Maeve sets off at a quick jog toward the base of Mt. Salt, with the others presumably following close behind.

Boreas follows Lyriel's magical lead, eager to rejoin with one of their friends.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 38):

Keef is not far and you find him easily enough.

He has take up residence some short way from the path leading up the mountain, and apparently disengorged the contents of both his bag of holding and backpack on the ground.

He sits surrounded by open books and scattered papers.  Longshank is sticking up out of the ground right in front of him and a book has been propped up in front of it with a rock so that it can read along too.

The only movement Keef makes is to turn pages, on each book in turn, and if he notices your approach he doesn't react to it.

As they walk, Lyriel thinks back to the spell that caused Keef to vanish. She thinks through her lessons, trying to determine what spell the young mage cast.

[Spellcraft: 33]

She sighs with relief as she spots him with his books. The priestess sinks down wearily beside the boy, throwing her arm around him and embracing him. Oh good, I'm so glad we found you. You had us worried.

She takes a deep breath and doesn't press him further, refraining from reading over his shoulder, assuming that it would annoy Keef as much as it annoyed her.

So. I must say, I'm rather sick of this OSA. I wish they'd at least have the decency to be obvious enemies, rather than smiling employers with vague motives and vaguer promises. What do we do now?

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 40):

As soon as he realizes the priestess' arms are around him, Keef's eyes go wide and he freezes still as a statue.

I... uh... was looking for something... something that will help.  Find Zuriel, figure out what's going on here, I...

Maeve sinks down on the turf next to Lyriel and Keef.

"That's good thinking Keef, but next time don't scare us by running off like that."

Maeve ponders the situation.

"I think the best thing to do for now would be for all of us to at least try and get some sleep.  It's been a long day.  Then tomorrow, Lyriel can prepare a Sending to Zuriel to see if we can find out where he and Sazed are."

After that. . . . .well, I guess it depends on where they are.  And if they're alright.

Lyriel senses Keef's discomfort, and lets her hand fall to her side. She folds her hands together in her lap.

What ideas do you have? Tomorrow, like Maeve said, I can Send to him. At least then we'd know if they were alright...

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 43):

Well I was thinking... since we're doing all this spy stuff... I could try to sneak into Ptolemy's tent and find some stuff out... I was thinking maybe there's some way to MAKE her... him.... make Ptolemy tell us what's going on...

Maeve muses over Keef's idea.

"That's not a bad idea if we want to get more information about OSA, but I don't think it will help us find Zuriel and Sazed. I think Ptolemy's told us all that he. . .she. . .knows about that."

Maeve thinks, calling upon all of her knowledge of the planes--which is minimal.

"If only Sazed were here!  He's actually traveled the planes before.  I'll bet he'd know what to do.  All I can think of for now is just to wait until morning."

Maeve looks over at Boreas.

"You're being very quiet over there.  Any better ideas?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:13, Fri 11 Apr 2014.

Boreas, scratching his beard in thought, looks up.

Well, glad to have you back, Keef.  We don't need to lose track of any more of our friends today.  I like the idea, sneaking into Ptolemy's tent, but our first priority has to be getting Zuriel and Sazed back.

He turns to the priestess.  Lyriel can get in touch with them, and we'll know better what we have to do.  Let's make camp for tonight and regain our strength.  I have a feeling we'll need it.

Maeve nods in approval of the plan. . .which really isn't so much a plan as just deciding to put things off until tomorrow.

"The waiting is the hardest part, I know," she says to Keef, "but I swear on my father's spear that we will find Zuriel and Sazed and bring them back."

That decided, Maeve lets Boreas select a suitable campsite for the night.  The three of them rise to their feet and watch Keef speculatively to see if the young mage will accompany them. She gives Chubbs a meaningful look and indicates with a nod of her head for the toad to step aside with her briefly.

"Look, I don't know what's going on between you," Maeve says, feeling amazingly stupid for talking to a toad, "but Lyriel could use a friend right now.  Keep an eye on her, if you would."

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 47):

The P.A.R.T.Y. camps in a cozy, out-of-the-way area not too far from the construction site, and the night passes without further incident.

The night passes fitfully for Lyriel without Zuriel's comforting presence next to her. She spends the night curled up in a corner of the camp, resting with Zuriel's pillow clutched to her chest.

At dawn, she is blearily awake and conducting her morning prayers. Her eyes widen as the empowering rush of divine energy yields additional insight. I think...Tassada has revealed a means by which we can reunite with Zuriel and Sazed! I can cast a spell that will get us to...wherever they are. The only catch is we need a focus. Something linked with a specific plane. So first things first, I suppose. We need to figure out where they ended up.

And if they're okay.

[Preparing 3x Sending and 1x Scry]

Lyriel closes her eyes, picturing Zuriel's face as she incants the ritual that will hopefully clear her dread. [Private to DM; Zuriel Silendril: Zuriel! Where are you? Are you unharmed? Is Sazed with you? Come home to me, my love. I miss you already, more than I can say."]

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 49):

Keef collects his things slowly and mutely, then follows the rest of P.A.R.T.Y. and goes about the business of setting camp and bedding down.

From the mud and slime tracks all around Lyriel's bed and pillow the next morning, it's clear that something small, slimy (and most likely warty) kept watch over her through the night.

[Private to GM: Keef plans to sneak out later in the night, turn himself into a hawk, and go spying.  First checking out the construction sight quickly, then trying to see what he can see in Ptolemy's tent.]

Boreas prepares to bed down, alongside the others.

Maeve falls asleep quickly, given the events of the busy day.  She strategically places herself with the campfire on one side, using Boreas and Keef as windbreaks against the night chill on the other.

In the morning, she prepares some tea for the diminished P.A.R.T.Y to accompany their breakfast while listening to what Lyriel has to say.

"That sounds. . .potentially difficult. I don't suppose Tassada also told you what a planar focus looks like or how to find one?" Maeve asks, thinking that it was a bit rude for the goddess to omit this essential information.

Regardless, she waits while Lyriel Sends to Zuriel, eager to find out where their missing friends are and if they are ok.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:20, Sun 13 Apr 2014.

A subtle halo of emerald floats around Lyriel's head. Her eyes close and the stressed tension in her face drains away as she receives a response. She sinks to her knees, seemingly exhausted. He is well, she says finally. Sazed too. They somehow diverted to the Celestial Heavens...if I had to guess, I would say Zuriel's pendent interfered with Ptolemy's runes. She cracks a wry smile. I think I might strangle him when I see him next. He should have taken his pendent off! I guess though, he wouldn't have known any better...I wonder why Sazed was redirected, though?

Lyriel lets out a long sigh, though she seems much more at ease. They are looking for a stable way home, though who knows how long that will take. I think we should work on our end to try to find the focus I need to get us to them...

She turns to Maeve, addressing her question from before. And no, Tassada didn't...that's not how it works. Sometimes, in my morning prayers, new magica is revealed to me. New works that I am capable of performing. This particular spell requires a focus. I don't know exactly what it looks like, but it's a very, very specific thing. I don't know what the chances of us finding a focus keyed to the heavens in Drynn are...or if we'd get executed for even asking. At this, she lets out a slightly strained laugh.

Boreas considers for a moment.  It sure would be convenient if we had the Book of Answers...

His face lights up with inspiration.  Lyriel, why not have Zuriel ask the Book of Answers where we can find a keyed focus?  It's not exactly efficient, but it's worth a try.  In the meantime, we can start looking for holy symbols.

He takes out his compass and looks at each of the three settings.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 54):

Boreas's compass shows Evil to the north, Magic toward the Mt. Salt, and just spins aimlessly for a while before settling on north when set to show Good.

In reply to DM (msg # 55):

Keef, upon waking, gets back to his books.

Chubbs hops off somewhere, likely realizing that something needed disapproving of.

[Private to GM: Chubbs is sneaking around to see what Ptolemy and A'tril are up to.  "Sneaking" might be a strong word for Chubbs, but he's keeping watch anyhow.]

Lyriel nods. I can ask him. That would be a good place to start. Either way, it will be some time before he can get us an answer. Perhaps we should pick a direction to head? What about Keef's plan from earlier? Might it not be a good idea to try to learn a bit more about the OSA before we leave? We might not be back. I had hoped to have gotten more information out of this misadventure than we have thus far...we still don't really know who these people are.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 57):

Maeve shakes her head.  "I think we've learned what we're going to from OSA.  And if we came back now when we've definitively stated that we're taking our leave just yesterday, it would look rather suspicious."

"Sneaking into Ptolemy's tent *could* work. . .but there could be enchantments surrounding headquarters of which we're unaware and which could very easily get us caught."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:47, Mon 14 Apr 2014.

It would... Lyriel says slowly, if we were *seen*...

Boreas smiles.  I think I catch your meaning.  Keef, do you have any magic that can... keep me from being seen?  I'll be able to spot any enchantments before they become a problem.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 60):

Not seen?  No... I mean, not NOTICED probably.  Keef glances at Lyriel.

"Well," Maeve says dryly.  "You mean to say that along with your powers of teleporting across rooftops you haven't also discovered the ability to become invisible at will?  I'm disappointed."

"All jesting aside though, I'd be very keen to know where these abilities are coming from," Maeve says with a sidelong look at Boreas.

Shrugging, she pulls out a map [assuming we have one (?)] of Drynn and studies it.

"Assuming we still want to pay a visit to Choso, the best plan seems to be to travel west--we can look for those holy symbols as we do so--with the ultimate goal of ending up in Lo'driel. And when Zuriel tells us where we can find a planar focus, we can add that in to our travel itinerary."

Lyriel studies the map along with Maeve. The population centers are likely to be the only places we can reliably find clerics of all three faiths. Furthermore, we'll likely have to return to Imbraer anyway if we want to find passage to Lo'driel. Which means going back north.

She looks around at the PARTY. Keef, that polymorphing trick might certainly help Boreas get into Ptolemy's tent, but he'd have no way of getting back without good old-fashioned skullduggery... The priestess looks over at Boreas speculatively. If Keef could get you there, do you think you'd be able to conduct a search and get out unassisted?

I could probably manage.  Keef, what kind of spell did you have in mind.

He considers for a moment.

And Maeve, I'm just as eager to figure out where these powers come from as you are.  I know it's connected to the gem somehow... it's like there's some kind of entity on the other end, I think.  But I'm not sure...

Boreas appears lost in thought for a moment.

But we have more pressing matters right now.  We need to find out what we can from Ptolemy's tent.

"Could be, Boreas.  Have you ever considered just having Zuriel asking the Book of Answers on your behalf?  Better yet, asking it yourself?"

Maeve circles the major population centers of Drynn on their map after some further contemplation.

"Your plan seems doable, Lyriel. It looks like most of the cities are roughly to the north or west so if we make our way toward them, we'll eventually find ourselves back in Imbraer. And from there we can procure passage to anywhere we might wish.  Probably Lo'driel.  But possibly somewhere else."

"Not to mention stopping in the cities will give us the chance to spend this gold."

Maeve's eyes flick thoughtfully from her guisarme, to Flametongue, and back.

I wonder how hard it would be to put an enchantment on it akin to that on Keef's sword. . .maybe not fire. . . . but maybe something else. . .
This message was last edited by the player at 20:49, Mon 14 Apr 2014.

Lyriel takes the opportunity to compose another Send to Zuriel requesting his aid in tracking down a keyed focus.

Maeve looks doubtfully at the other three as they discuss their plan to break into Ptolemy's tent.

"Are you entirely sure that this is something we should be doing?"

Keef, Boreas, and Lyriel look at her expectantly, and Maeve tries to gather her thoughts on the matter, wishing for Zuriel's eloquence.

"The fact is that we already *know* what OSA's up to.  They've told us now several times: building towers on all of the planes.  We've no reason to not believe them. Oh, there's undoubtedly something Ptolemy's hiding, but no matter how long we grill it or how long we search its quarters, I do not think we're going to find it.  Ptolemy's far too smart to leave incriminating parchment or correspondence laying around in the open.  And if Boreas pries further we risk alerting Ptolemy to our presence,in which case we'll not only have lost our one chance at gaining this organization's trust, but will have also made a powerful enemy indeed.  Do any of *you* want to risk fighting our way out of that camp on the off chance we might find something? Facing Ptolemy and A'tril in addition to many, many giants? Because I don't."

Maeve takes a sip of tea to clear her throat.

"Furthermore, if we're caught we're of no help at all to Zuriel and Sazed.  We should just leave.  Now, while we still have a chance."

Lyriel listens to Maeve's argument attentively as she sips her tea. At the end, she simply shrugs wearily. Gods, I think I barely slept last night...

I think it's quite obvious that they are hiding something. Simon's atrocities, Darris' intimidation of Baldwin, to say nothing of A'tril's secret murder classroom... Lyriel looks around at Maeve and Boreas' surprised expressions. Oh, did we forget to bring you up to speed on that bit? Sorry, my mind is all over the place. A'tril's hidden basement is dedicated to finding weak vulnerable points in armor, and the people inside armor. It's rather...horrifying, to be honest.

The priestess takes another sip of tea, somehow unable to summon the energy to feel angry anymore. So I think it's quite clear we aren't dealing with savory people, and I personally am rather dissatisfied with how little we've learned, and how we've hardly put anything into place to hinder them, in the likely event that their motives prove foul. We haven't *done* anything really, other than help them. But Maeve, you do bring up a good point. If they are hiding some ulterior motive, they are unlikely to have much in the way of documentation of it. I'm sure searching Ptolemy's tent would turn up some interesting tidbits, but... she trails off, sighing. It might not be worth the risk. Especially with Zuriel and Sazed gone...

She nods at Maeve. Which is another excellent point. I think we should actually do as we said, and try to get them back. Whatever it takes. Then we can turn our attention to our original mission. Maybe do some more snooping around the OSA later.

After I have Zuriel back...
This message was last edited by the player at 21:15, Mon 14 Apr 2014.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 68):

We know SOME of WHAT they're doing, but we don't know WHY.

Keef doesn't look up from his books.

It could kill us all, or it could save us all... and we're helping but we don't know WHO we're helping or why.

Keef looks up at Boreas.

To sneak you in, I could turn you into a falcon... maybe a crow or a cloaker... not a toad though, Chubbs wouldn't approve.  Then you could sneak most anywhere.  Maybe a mimic?  That might be fun!

Boreas considers both sides of the argument for a moment, stroking his beard in contemplation.

I suppose you have a point.  We certainly need to find out more about this OSA, but now is not the time.  Once we've reunited with our friends, we can look into it.  But the best way might still be to find the holy symbols, like we were doing to start with.

He points in the direction that the compass indicated for Evil.  The compass says there's an evil area in that direction.  We could start looking for holy symbols there while we wait for the book's answer on a planar focus.

Boreas takes a few steps.

And that's another good point, Maeve.  Once we find Zuriel and Sazed, I'll start asking the book about my eye.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 70):

The symbols?  How does that help us find Zuriel and Sazed?

Good point.

"I don't know that it strictly speaking does, Keef. I think Boreas' point is that we can't actually do anything useful for Zuriel and Sazed right at this moment, so we might as well continue with our original mission.  Once Zuriel gives us an idea of where we might find one of these planar foci, then we can begin searching for that instead."

Maeve smiles sympathetically at the young mage.

"Don't worry Keef.  We are not going to leave our friends behind."

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 72):

If we go off looking for holy relics, and Zuriel comes back, how will he find us?

Keef, I don't think Lyriel will let a day go by without sending to Zuriel.  If he and Sazed make their way back, it will be no more than a day before we know about it.  In the meantime, since we can't do anything useful to find them right now, we should continue our mission.

Boreas looks the boy in the eye.

But don't worry.  I have no intention of giving up on our friends.

As if on cue, Lyriel lets out a surprised gasp as her second Send to Zuriel receives a response. She shakes her head, as if somewhat dazed. He's...in the Eternal City. He says they have a hall of portals he can use to come back. But I only just Sent to him...time must move differently, like Sazed was saying...

She gives her head a final shake to clear it. So it sounds like they'll be able to make it back on their own, unless there isn't a suitable portal. I'll keep Sending to him, obviously, in case they do end up needing our help. But for now, it sounds like they're safe, and that's what matters. The rest of the stress drains from Lyriel, and she smiles for the first time since leaving Umbr'iel.

Hopefully the portal on our end won't be too far away, or we may end up needing that focus anyway...

The other part of Zuriel's message, however, gave her cause for some trepidation.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:27, Tue 15 Apr 2014.

"Well, let's all hope then that Zuriel and Sazed will indeed be trying their best to make it home in a timely fashion. I could easily see Sazed wanting to explore, and if Zuriel thinks that he might receive some answers about that damn pendant then he'll probably be happy to talk the ears off all the denizens of the Celestial Plane for as long as they're willing to listen."

Maeve continues to keep pace with the others, following the direction indicated by the compass.

Lyriel flinches visibly at Maeve's words, as if struck. It's clear that she was worried about the same thing. Her face falls and she doesn't say much for the remainder of the day.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 77):

Keef doesn't add to the conversation but he does clean up his equipment and pack to leave.

In reply to Keef (msg # 78):

The P.A.R.T.Y. thus settled on a course of action -- kind of -- the group heads off toward the north, following Boreas's compass as it leads them on a winding trail through the rocky terrain that leads away from the foot of Mt. Salt.

The day passes relatively uneventfully as the P.A.R.T.Y. leaves Mt. Salt, OSA, and the giants far behind, and the compass continues to point north as the sun begins to set in the west.

OOC: Just need a watch order if you intend to camp and don't want to do anything else with the day.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:20, Tue 15 Apr 2014.

Once Boreas finds a decent place to camp, Maeve unpacks and such.

The watch order is as follows: Boreas, then Maeve & Keef, and finally Lyriel.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:25, Tue 15 Apr 2014.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 80):

The night passes without incident, and morning dawns dark and cold. Winter, it would seem, has arrived.

The compass continues to draw the P.A.R.T.Y. northward, until it veers suddenly toward the east around midday. Up until this point, you had been traveling on a road, but following the needle now would force you into the muddy morass of loose rocks and puddles that surrounds you.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:44, Tue 15 Apr 2014.

Boreas watches the compass needle swing suddenly to the east.

That's bizarre.  It's as if an area of evil just... appeared out of nowhere.  Should we investigate?

Faced with the day's questionable weather, Maeve is about as happy as it is possible for a young woman raised in the dry desert heat to be when she finds in a dank, cold mud puddle.  Which is to say, not very.

"Absolutely," she says, though with lukewarm enthusiasm.  Regardless, she trudges after Boreas through the mire.

Lyriel, for once, doesn't seem to care much about the muck and mire, trudging along behind Boreas and Maeve without comment. She eyes the horizon distantly, and it is clear her thoughts are elsewhere.

[Private to DM: Lyriel would have used her last Sending the night before to check in on Zuriel. I'll send it now and you can have it show up whenever.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:31, Wed 16 Apr 2014.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 84):

Though Keef too is distracted and distant, the 'appearance' of a random 'evil aura' visibly perks him up.  You could swear his ears visibly prick up at the notion.

Chubbs merely rolls his eyes and yawns.  If he knows what the aura is, he doesn't say, though it's clear that such an occurrence is at best pedestrian and commonplace in his thinking.

In reply to Keef (msg # 85):

The P.A.R.T.Y. ambles off the road without a second thought, and soon finds itself surrounded by boglands on either side. The ground is more solid than it had been during the journey from Ogdoven, but it's still wet enough to leave big, wet footprints after every step -- especially for those wearing heavier armor.

In fact, the only person who leaves no trail whatsoever is Keef, as his footprints knit themselves into smooth mud and dirt after every stride.

After an hour or so, the P.A.R.T.Y. finds the source of the evil: a ring of mossy stones about 20 feet in diameter. Each stone is inscribed with ancient runes, and in the center of the circle floats a purplish... thing. It looks like nothing so much as a rip or a tear in the air itself, and it hovers about 4 feet off the ground, slowly rotating in place.

[Private to Keef; Lyriel Vesper: This absolutely looks like the corpse of a portal.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:28, Wed 16 Apr 2014.

Lyriel examines the tear curiously. This looks like a portal. Or rather, what used to be one. I'm not sure if it has degraded to become a rift, or if it's simply dead. Give me a moment.

[Casting Detect Magic]

[Knowledge (Arcana): 19]

[Spellcraft: 21]
This message was lightly edited by the player at 14:00, Wed 16 Apr 2014.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 87):

Lyriel racks her brain regarding portals, rifts, and the like, but is ultimately unable to decide whether this is a portal, a rift, or a magical corpse that was once one of the former entities.

It is, however, magical.

Lyriel blows a stand of hair from her eyes in irritation. I can't tell by just looking at it. Stand back.

She picks up a smooth stone from the ground, and lobs it through the tear.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 89):

Keef circles the thing, poking at the stones with Longshank and trying to read what's written (Knowledge (Arcana): 22).

In reply to Keef (msg # 90):

Hmmmm, broken circle... it's broken too... the rock is probably somewhere else, but no knowing WHERE at this point.

Keef patrols around the well looking for rocks apparently.

In reply to Keef (msg # 91):

Keef's comment draws the rest of the P.A.R.T.Y.'s attention to something that was not as obvious as it should have been: one of the stones in the circle appears to be missing.

Good eyes, Keef, Lyriel exclaims. I wonder if that has anything to do with the state of the tear. I wish Zuriel were here to tell us which parts of this site were evil...

She looks around, trying to see if the missing stone is nearby.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 93):

A quick -- or even a thorough -- search of the area fails to turn up the missing stone.

Boreas, like the others, circles the rift, considering.

We know this place is evil, but exactly what brought it about remains a mystery.  Lyriel and Keef, do you know how to close something like this?  I don't think we should go through.  If the site is evil, this rift is unlikely to help us find Zuriel, and some of these planes can be really dangerous.

Also, remember, this just showed up a little while ago.  Something brought it about, and that thing might still be around here.  Or worse, whatever came through might still be around here...

He flits his eyes around the area, keeping an eye out for anything out of order.

If we did go through, Lyriel, do you have a way to get us back here?

Lyriel considers. Not prepared currently. I'd have to ready it with my morning prayers. The focus back here shouldn't be an issue though. We have plenty of mundane metal I can use as foci. More pressing would be preparing the necessary spells to protect us if the rift sent us somewhere exceptionally dangerous. A lake of fire, for example.

Boreas' mention of the rift simply appearing concerned her, however. Are you sure it just appeared? Couldn't it have been we just walked by it and the needle swung relatively quickly to point in this direction as our orientation changed?

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 96):

The conversation is interrupted when a skittering sound fills the air, and an enormous (Huge) arachnid materializes out of the dismal gloom of the mire.

It has a body the size of a horse, with legs spanning more than 14 feet, and looks to weigh more than two tons. It's chitin-like skin is a mixture a deep blues and angry reds, covered with sharp spikes. Two of its eight legs end in large claws, and a thin tail-like extrusion can be seen on the end of its abdomen.

Simply put, it looks like no spider you've ever seen.

The legs clack and squish through the bog as it approaches the P.A.R.T.Y., but the creature itself is utterly silent as it observes those standing before it... and it does not look friendly.

~~ Disposition ~~

Keef, Boreas, Lyriel, and Maeve are standing one move action from the rift and two move actions from the creature.

~~ Initiative ~~
Keef
Maeve
Creature
Boreas
Lyriel
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:40, Wed 16 Apr 2014.

In reply to DM (msg # 97):

Keef squeals in surprise at the appearance of the thing, raising his hands reflexively.

Whether it was the desired effect or not isn't clear, but the enormous bolt of red-tinged lightening that springs from his fingers IS very clear.

The energy crackles and arcs through the creature, singing its side (damage 27).

Keef then draws Flametongue.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:26, Wed 16 Apr 2014.

Maeve dashes toward the creature, weapon drawn.

[Attack (charge, FPA): 23]


[Damage (DR factored in): 16]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:44, Wed 16 Apr 2014.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 99):

The creature reels as electricity courses across its carapace, and dark blood oozes from its wounds where Maeve strikes it, but it never utters a sound.

Instead, it turns its complete and undivided attention onto the recklessly brave Gaelian before it, jerking its sharp mandibles down toward her and lashing out with both clawed legs at once.

[Attack (Bite): 28]
[Attack (Claw 1): 30]
[Attack (Claw 2): 19]

The mandibles and one claw strike true, opening a number of wounds on Maeve's person.

[Bite Damage (Maeve): 18]
[Claw Damage (Maeve): 11]

The bite wound burns with a savagery that Maeve recognizes as a contact poison, which lances through her blood with blistering speed.

[Fortitude (Maeve): 19 (fail)]
[Poison Damage (Maeve): 2 CON]

[Private to GM: Fortitude DC 24, secondary damage in 10 rounds = 2d6 Con if next save fails]

The creature makes an aggressive gesture, but remains eerily silent.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:45, Wed 16 Apr 2014.

Boreas runs toward the creature, stopping short about 30 feet away.  He flips up his eyepatch and fires a burst of blazing green energy.  The bolt strikes the beast where its foreleg joins its torso, causing it to reel as if in pain, though still eerily silent.

[Ranged Touch Attack 19]
[Damage 22]

Lyriel's green eyes blaze emerald as she channels raw divine energy.

Foul abomination! she yells, stretching out her hand towards the fiend. Hikh'niya!

[Casting Holy Smite] Emerald light detonates around the spider, suffusing it with deadly light that washes over Maeve, leaving her completely unharmed. In the wave of the light bits of the spider's flesh glow and burn with the color of Tassada's fury.

[Spider will save: 11 vs 19, fail]

[Damage: 31, blinded for 1 round]

Lyriel advances towards the monstrosity, keeping Maeve between her and it.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 102):

~~ Disposition ~~

Boreas and Lyriel are within one move action of the creature. Maeve is in melee (reach) range, and Keef is within two move actions of the creature.

~~ Round 2 ~~
Keef
Maeve (Poisoned 10, Damage: 29 + 2 CON)
Creature (Blinded 1, Damage: 96)
Boreas
Lyriel
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:15, Wed 16 Apr 2014.

In reply to DM (msg # 103):

Chubbs hops over to Maeve and plops himself down in a particularly dark puddle.

Chubbs glares just over the left shoulder of the horror, showing his fierce indifference to whether the creature is there or not (AOE attack: Withering Disapproval.  Save v DC 30: fail.  Creature suffers crushing humiliation and existential angst)

Keef cups his hands together as red energy blocks out his eyes.

A reddish sheen flickers across the creature's body, visible only for a second of pooling energy, then is gone.  The creature... stays unnaturally still...

Hit it now. Keef says in an unnaturally harsh whisper.  While I hold it.  Strike it down and kill it...

[Private to GM: Hold Monster: will save 12 vs DC 18 = fail.  ]

Maeve fights back a wave of weakness as the monster's poison takes effect.  She nods at Keef and takes advantage of the spider-demon-thing's momentary paralysis to carefully attack it.

[Coup de Grace spider-demon-thing]

[Damage (DR factored in): 12]

[OOC: wheeeeeeeeeeeee]

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 105):

The creature, being unnaturally silent and unable to move, doesn't react at all except by bleeding.

[Fort vs Coupe: 29 (success)]

It puts all of its effort into shaking off Keef's spell, though there is no outward way of knowing that.

[Will: 16 (fail)]

Regardless, the creature does absolutely nothing and remains stock-still and helpless.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:00, Thu 17 Apr 2014.

Boreas strafes around the immobile hulk and fires a burst of green energy at it, striking it square in the thorax.

[Ranged Touch Attack 26]
[Damage 15]

Lyriel reaches out both hands towards the fiend. Hidliq! [Casting Flame Strike]

A tear in air appears above the beast leading to a realm of pure blue. The blue lasts only briefly, however, as a torrent of emerald fire pours forth from the rift and detonates with divine fury.

[Damage: 35]

The emerald energy licks along the beast's carapace consuming it hungrily and leaving charred flesh behind. The air fills with an acrid odor.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 108):

The creature lurches forward as the flames eat away at the beast, toppling into a disgusting heap that oozes dark blood.

~~ END COMBAT ~~

Upon seeing the fiend collapse, Lyriel rushes to Maeve. That wound, let me see it. Lyriel gently probes the wound, noting the pallor of the flesh surrounding it. Poison, and a very potent one. But don't worry. The priestess closes her eyes a moment, pressing her hands to Maeve's injuries. This might sting a bit, but we need to act fast.

[Casting Neutralize Poison]

Maeve gasps as the magic rushes into her, burning the poison from her system. The Easterner's complexion improves somewhat, though still worse for wear. There we are. Now let's see to your actual injuries.

Lyriel closes her eyes once more, focusing on channeling healing energies.

[Sacred Boost]

[Maximized Cure Moderate Wounds > Maeve: 30]

There we are. How are you feeling? The damage the poison already did will take some time to heal. I can cure you on my own, but I'll need to wait until I'm re-empowered tomorrow morning.

Maeve sighs with relief as her injuries knit together and the poison is purged by Lyriel's magic.  She still feels a little shaky and a bit weary, but ultimately much improved.

"We really need to stop meeting like this," she says to Lyriel, with a small smile.  "Thank you.  I do feel much better. And I'll take you up on that offer tomorrow morning."

She looks warily at the dead spider-demon-thing and at the incomplete circle of stones just beyond it.

"We should probably leave.  More of those. . . . .things could come through."

Boreas wipes the sweat from his brow.  I'm inclined to agree.  Wish we could find out more about this thing, but hanging around would be too risky.  We should get back on the road.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 112):

Keef nods.

Chubbs takes a moment to ignore the beast and well both.

In reply to Keef (msg # 113):

The P.A.R.T.Y. returns the way it came, reaching the road in about an hour. The compass continues to point east, back toward the spider thing, but the road stretches onward to the north.

Boreas and the others continue north along the road.

Maeve pulls out the map as they walk on the road, trying to determine the nearest major population center on Drynn.  She feels a bit more exhausted than she normally would, but presses on gamely.

"Lyriel, when did you last Send to Zuriel?" she asks the priestess.  "If it's tomorrow in the celestial plane, he might have heard something from the book by now."

Last night, Lyriel replies wearily. But in our whole day of traveling, not even an hour had passed for him. I was planning on Sending tonight, after we've made camp, to avoid wasting the spell. I've only the one today.

Maeve nods, a little discouraged by this reply, but keeps on walking until the diminished P.A.R.T.Y is forced to stop by either nightfall or something interesting appearing on the road, whichever happens to come first.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 118):

The P.A.R.T.Y. continues to travel northward, following the road more than the compass until they come to a moderately sized village protected on all sides by a reinforced wooden palisade.

There seems to be but one entrance, a gate at which two guards have been stationed. Both appear to be human, though neither is wearing any uniform or emblem you can recognize.

Boreas takes a moment to size up the town, then approaches the guards.

Good day.  Are we ever grateful to see civilization.  It's been a long one.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 120):

The guards look at each other, then at the P.A.R.T.Y. with suspicion.

"Strange to see a small group traveling by foot without much in the way of supplies. Where you from, where you going, and what business brings you here?"

"We've been traveling from near Mt. Salt, traveling north to make for Imbraer," Maeve says, moving to stand next to Boreas.  "No business brings us here other than the fact that your town happened to be in our path. We don't mean any trouble."

Maeve surveys the rather heavily pallisaded walls of the town as the speaks.

Though it looks like they may be facing trouble already.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 122):

"Got coin?" one of the guards asks, glancing at the P.A.R.T.Y. Apparently satisfied by what he sees, he moves aside. "Enter, then, but keep the peace or you'll face the Tyrant's justice."

The guards step aside, allowing the P.A.R.T.Y. to enter.

The village appears to be occupied primarily by humans, though there's a smattering of dark elves and even orcs wandering the rough-shod streets. Most of the homes look poor, and there are more hogs than people -- every home seems to have a pen dedicated to the creatures, which are left to rummage in the underlying muck for sustenance.

Toward the center of the village, the roads get slightly better, and the P.A.R.T.Y. comes upon The Gutter Snipe, a modest inn and tavern. A general store stands to one side, a building marked "town hall" on the other, and a small temple stands alone on the opposite side of the street, as big as all three of the other buildings combined.

Of note, most everyone you see wanders the streets armed -- even those who are not wearing armor and do not appear to be guards. The guards, of course, are better armed than the average hog farmer, but it's still striking.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:15, Sat 19 Apr 2014.

Well, I'm feeling a bit parched. Boreas says, eyeing the tavern.

Care for a drink? He asks the others.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 124):

Maeve nods and follows Boreas into the Gutter Snipe, for once not feeling conspicuous carrying her sizable weapon.

Gods, yes. I could use a drink.

Lyriel suddenly realized that without Zuriel and his chalice, she'd be restricted to whatever this town offered in terms of alcoholic beverages. She wasn't holding out much hope for anything nice, but at this point she would hardly be picky.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 126):

The P.A.R.T.Y. makes its way to the Gutter Snipe, which has an interior that compliments the drab and dingy exterior perfectly. Rough, unsanded picnic tables have been set upon the hard-packed dirt floor, and though the hearth is made of stones, the walls are wood and the roof -- four stories up -- is thatch.

A fire is burning merrily when the P.A.R.T.Y. enters, and a wide variety of lower-class patrons turn to regard the newcomers. Most return to the drinks, but not before sending a sour glance your way.

The barkeep seems to be in a more hospitable frame of mind, and immediately sends a serving wench your way.

"What'll it be?" she says, more curious than flirtatious. "We've got bronze, silver, and gold."

"I'll have a pint of hot cider--that or some mulled wine--whichever you'd recommend.  Something to take the chill off," Maeve says, unsure as to what the young woman means by "bronze, silver, and gold."

While the others decide on what they want, Maeve takes the opportunity to speak with the serving maid.

"The folks around here all seem rather heavily armored, for a modest village.  Are you facing some sort of trouble?"

Boreas smiles.  Like Maeve, he deliberately ignores the enigmatic metallic suggestions and just states what he wants.  Something hot would be good - cider or wine, and roasted meat, whatever you have on hand.

He considers Maeve's question and nods along, I agree, what news?

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 129):

"Cider's bronze, wine's silver, and meat's gold," the wench says matter-of-factly. "And I could just as easily ask you why you travel with weapons. Protection."

She looks over the P.A.R.T.Y. appraisingly.

"So that's... two mulled wines, two hot ciders, and four slabs of pork?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:12, Mon 21 Apr 2014.

"Um. . .yes, that should do it," Maeve says, not really sure which beverage corresponds to which P.A.R.T.Y member and not especially caring.

"Protection, naturally," she says, trying not to become frustrated at the serving girl's lack of useful information, "but a small band of travelers with weapons for protection is a bit different than the population of an entire village going about armed to the teeth.  So what is it then?  Brigands?  Cattle thieves?"

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 131):

"You must be from the city, sweetheart," the wench chuckles. "This is frontier country, and the Dragon's, besides. Best protect your own, or you won't own naught worth protecting."

With that, she goes to fetch the order.

Maeve grumbles to herself about the insolence of serving wenches as the girl heads off to fetch their food and drink, but feels a flutter of excitement in spite of herself.

The Dragon?  Surely she can't mean a *real* dragon. . .

When the girl returns with their order, Maeve's curiosity gets the better of her.

"Ok, I'll bite," Maeve says, reaching at random for a cup.  "You're right, we're not from around here.  So tell us: who or what is this Dragon?"

I assume she's referring to the Church of Kazul, Lyriel says in a subdued tone, speaking up for the first time. We are near Nekreia, after all. Take what you desire of those unfit to possess it themselves, and so on.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:16, Mon 21 Apr 2014.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 134):

"Your friend is wise, or you are dull," the wench says to Maeve, not unkindly. "Yes, this village is under the protection of the Dragon, and thus lives by His edicts. There's a temple across the street, which I strongly suggest you patronize publicly before bedding down for the night."

"Right then," Maeve says flatly, resolving not to put her foot in her mouth any further and instead sipping at her beverage--which happens to be the cider; Maeve still feels a bit ill from her run-in with the spider-demon-thing and doesn't want the stronger wine to go to her head.  She sips slowly, enjoying the apple flavor and daydreaming about smiting the wench.

A church of Kazul. . . .this could be just the opportunity we need to investigate those holy symbols. . . .

She looks over at her companions.

"But that's a good point.  Should we press on or stay here for the night?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:56, Mon 21 Apr 2014.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 136):

After the cider, pork, and wine have come and gone, the wench saunters back over to the P.A.R.T.Y.

"More of anything? And will you be staying the night?"

Boreas favors the wench with a smile.  That was quite satisfying.  But yes, we will stay the night.  He turns to the others.  I suppose we had best pay a visit to the temple, as the young lady recommended.

He leaves the appropriate coins on he table and rises.  As the others follow suit, he leaves the tavern and heads to the temple.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 138):

The P.A.R.T.Y. gathers itself and heads to the temple across the street. It's the largest building on the street, and easily the most grand. Where the houses are made of wood and thatch and -- sparingly -- with stone, the temple's facade is carved from black marble, with equally impressive columns running around the entire perimeter.

Stone steps lead from the road to the entrance, which is marked by two enormous wooden doors. Inside is a vast expanse of open space, kept spotlessly clean, and minimally furnished.

In the center of the space stands an ornate altar, carved from a single piece of onyx. There is a single throne-like chair behind the altar, currently unoccupied, and no other place to sit, lean, or rest beyond the cold, smooth ground.

Each and every wall is lined with shallow alcoves, which are lit by strange torches that cast a green light. In each alcove, a bench has been carved. No one seems to sit on these benches however; instead, various objects have been set upon them, of varying degrees of value. Those who come forward to place objects upon the benches remain standing before the bench afterward, head bowed in prayer.

A dozen men in amber-colored robes with hoods that resemble cobras wander from alcove to alcove, examining the objects on the benches, taking some, leaving others, and whispering to those who are standing before the alcove with their head bowed. Whether the object is left or taken seems to make no difference -- the patron departs once they are spoken to, and the hooded man moves on to the next alcove.

Boreas looks to his companions, then steps forward to one of the alcoves.  He searches around in his bag for a moment.

Looks like the people offer something of value...

He settles on the odd bottle of potion that he found on the cart.  He lifts it out of his bag of holding, still covered in its cloth wrapping, and places the bottle on the podium.  Boreas waits.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 140):

Boreas places the opaque bottle with a copper stopper onto the bench and bows his head, as he observed others do. Before long, he feels a slow rush of air as one of the robed figures brushes gently past him to examine the object on the bench.

The man lifts the bottle, swirls it around, tests the stopper, and then sets the bottle back down upon the bench before turning to face Boreas. He is standing almost uncomfortably close, and whispers some something too faint for the others to hear.

[Private to Boreas Highwind: "A mighty offering, worthy of the Dragon. It shall be left as an example for others. What blessing do you desire in exchange?"]

Boreas leans in and whispers back to the priest.

[Private to GM: A symbol of the Dragon's power, empowered and blessed by a priest, that I could have his might ever near.]

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 142):

The hooded figure nods quietly.

[Private to Boreas Highwind: "A worthy request, befitting the offering."]

He withdraws a twisted metal symbol in the shape of a coiled serpent, and whispers a few words over it.

[Private to Boreas Highwind: "May the Dragonlord guide you toward greatness in all things."]

After handing the symbol to Boreas, the figure pats Boreas on the shoulder, then prepares to move on to another alcove.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:58, Mon 21 Apr 2014.

Before the figure leaves, Boreas reaches for the amulet, thinking for a moment.

He whispers to the priest once more.

[Private to GM: Has the power of the Dragon passed through this?  Did you channel his energy into it?]

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 144):

The figure regards Boreas carefully for a moment, whispers to him, and departs.

[Private to Boreas Highwind: "Do I look like a Herald? I, like the rest of this Clutch, am not yet worthy of His blessing. One day I shall go to Nekria and prove myself worthy, but for now I am content to gather my strength. Ambition must be tempered by ability, or it leads to recklessness and folly."

"It is wise and fitting to seek such a prize, for they are rare indeed these days. May the Dragon grant you the power to one day claim it."]
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:04, Mon 21 Apr 2014.

Boreas whispers to him once more.

[Private to GM: A noble goal as well.  May you claim the power you seek.]

He turns to leave the temple.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 146):

The P.A.R.T.Y. is not hindered in any way from entering or leaving the temple as desired.

After leaving the temple with the PARTY, Boreas leans in and whispers, Got a holy symbol, but it's not empowered.  I think we'll have to go to Nekria for that.

Lyriel, who spent her time at the temple in uncomfortable if respectful silence standing near Boreas' alcove, looks over the symbol. Well, that was certainly less problematic than I expected. I wonder if it would be similarly easy to get it empowered in Nekreia. It's certainly less risky than trying to...liberate...them from their owners unwillingly.

The priestess stifles a yawn. I'm exhausted. Perhaps we should turn in for the night and make for Nekreia in the morning?

In reply to DM (msg # 147):

Keef follows when others leave.

Not for the first time that day, Lyriel found herself wishing for a cup of tea. Maeve, do you think you might be able to find a kettle and some water before we turn in? I could use a cup of tea to unwind.

[Private to Keef: As the PARTY wanders back from the temple, Lyriel falls into step beside Keef, several paces back from the others. "Are you alright, Keef?" she asks. "Facing the spider...thing...earlier, you didn't seem quite...yourself. And you've been quiet since." She looks at the young mage, eyes full of concern.]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:13, Mon 21 Apr 2014.

Maeve smiles gently and dips her head, pleased at the acknowledgment of her superior tea-making skills.

"I'll see what I can do about that," she says. With a little bit of persuasion, Maeve is able to bum a tea kettle off the serving wench from earlier to heat over the Gutter Snipe's fire.

"It's getting dark," she observes.  "Do you think when we retire for the night it would be a good time to see if our missing friends have seen fit to come home yet?"

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 152):

The evening passes uneventfully, though you are able to chat with the locals to dig up the following "information", if rumors and hearsay can be called such a thing:

On Religion
- The term "Heralds" seems to refer to empowered clerics of Kazul, and they appear to be very rare. Apparently they were all summoned to a conference in Nekria shortly after the Glass Tyrant's defection, and have remained there ever since.
- A Clutch is a parish dedicated to Kazul, and can also refer to either the priests that run it or the flock that comprises it.
- There are few public temples to Vora or Bevenglode, as they are rather secretive faiths.

Politics
- The Onyx Throne has decreed that, effective at dawn of the New Year, only villages, towns, and cities with a registered Clutch will enjoy the military protection of the Dominion. Those that do not wish to create a Clutch will be given the 'option' of paying a 'reasonable fee' to waive this penalty.
- The Dominion's standing army might be mobilizing at Imbraer, preparing to sail off on a campaign of some sort. Opinions differ on whether they might be sailing off to assist the minotaur of Kordica, to renew aggression against the Empire, to attempt to shatter the Glass Tyrant once more, or for some other, unrelated reason.
- A grand construction project has begun in Nekria, though the details have yet to leak properly.

Geography
- A road is scheduled to be built to the village of Ogdoven

Local Happenings
- Citizens are being advised to travel in small groups, as those wandering nearby roads alone have been vanishing at an alarming rate
- Two citizens were recently executed for consorting with demons and being too weak to control them. (It's the latter, not the former, that is the problem, legally speaking).
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:18, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

In reply to DM (msg # 153):

In addition, a new message arrives via cloud ink:

"Apologies for going dark. I had to evade some trouble, and appear to have worn out my welcome at the Tuckered Friar. Am staying across the street now, and taking no small pleasure in the amount of patronage I have gained this inn at the expense of the other."

"But enough pleasantries -- let's compare notes. I've made some interesting findings concerning the various neutral symbols and how they behave in the second Godstone. What have you learned?"

Boreas addresses the others.  See what you can find out about what's going on around here.  I've got a message from ... our friend.

He returns to his room, takes out Filbert's notebook, and writes a response.

The group we were working with, called 'One Step Ahead,' is building towers of some sort that affect the planes.  They're working on the last one now, on the Material Prime.  It's supposed to be done in about six months, so if we want to interfere, we'll need to do so quickly.  They claim the planes are drifting apart and the towers are there to maintain alignment.  I'm not sure how much I believe.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 155):

"Yes. I've done some research on OSA after Darris paid me a visit, and I found a treasure trove of data quite by random happenstance. Seems this OSA is comprised of members that were once part of the Order -- indeed, the whole organization was once an experimental wing for atypical casters. The groups had a falling out of some kind over what my literature calls the Spires. It seems likely that it's related to the towers you've learned about."

"The Order's long been using anti-magic cells to siphon magical energy from criminals to Astria, where it can be put to 'better' use researching new spells. This initially caused some interplanar rumblings, but the Order's mighty Citadel on Astria was upgraded to offset the unbalance caused by the siphons. So they claim, anyway."

"It's possible the spires were originally intended to assist with the balancing act -- or maybe with the siphoning -- but everything I've read suggests that OSA and the Order's falling out was not amicable. I doubt OSA would do anything that would make life easier for the Order unless it was absolutely necessary."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:15, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

"Of course, your lordship," Maeve says dryly after Boreas instructs them to go gather information.  Once the woodsman has closeted himself in his room, she sticks a tongue out at the closed door and marches away, head held high in satisfaction.

The mobilization of the Dominion's armies interests her, though the missing persons are of more immediate concern.

"Thank you for the warning," Maeve says to whichever person tells her this nugget of information, "but we'll be careful."  Still, she makes a greater show than usual that evening of honing the guisarme's blade, a warning to anyone who might be paying attention that the P.A.R.T.Y is not to be fucked with.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 157):

Despite Maeve's intimidating posture, she and Lyriel are by far the most attractive women in the tavern, and a steady stream of would-be suitors approach each in turn.

The guisarme deterred the first few, but once it became clear Maeve wasn't going to actually stab anyone with it, the hopefuls merely ignore it -- or, worse, use it as a conversation starter.

"You think that's long?"
"Since you like two-handed weapons..."

These and similarly terrible pickup lines soon become the norm for Maeve and Lyriel, as Keef studies obliviously and Boreas writes in his journal elsewhere.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 16:00, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

Lyriel finds herself quickly growing weary of the constant stream of attention. She goes over to sit with Keef for a while, and then heads off to their quarters.

Once she closes the door behind her, she focuses on Zuriel and prepares her Sending.

[Casting Send > Zuriel]

Maeve continues honing the blade, a bit flattered by the attention, but mostly attempting to willfully ignore the fellows.  She plucks a copper hair from her head and lets it fall on the blade.  The hair falls in two pieces to the ground.

Perfect.

"Lyriel," she says, addressing her friend, who appears rather tired of the hangers-on.  "Didn't you say you had to go and write a letter to your *boyfriend?*" She stresses the last word a bit.  The priestess nods gratefully and takes her leave of the little group.  Maeve decides to stay in the common room a bit longer.

"Tell me more about these travelers who vanished," she asks, fairly confident that the men will stay and talk as long as she is inclined to keep the questions coming.  "Disappeared without a trace? No signs of a struggle?  What do you think took them?"

Lyriel lets out a gasp of joy as she receives a response from Zuriel. She immediately whips out the straw hat for another Send before tearing down to the common room. [Private to Zuriel Silendril: Tassada be praised! We were just there!!! Go north along the road and you'll come to the village where we are staying. Be careful, love!]

She grabs Maeve by the arm, whispering into her ear. Zuriel is back! And just down the road! Stay here with Keef, he needs to be able to rest after today. I'll go get Boreas and we'll meet him on the road.

She then dashes up to Boreas' room and hammers on the door. Boreas! Come quick! Zuriel is back! He somehow came through the rift where we just were. Let's go meet him! I told Maeve to stay here with Keef and watch him so he can get his rest, but you and I should go help bring him home.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 161):

One of the hopeful suitors, standing too close to Maeve to not overhear at least part of the conversation, bursts out laughing.

"If your boyfriend is beyond these gates, he's as good as dead. They don't call this the Skittering Swamp for nothing -- it's ravenous at night."
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:19, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

Lyriel narrows her green eyes dangerously at the would-be suitor. Oh, I have no illusions about the danger. So it should say something to you about the nature of my 'boyfriend' that I'm not in the least concerned.

Maeve adds Lyriel to the list of people she's willfully ignoring and prepares to head off into the swamp to go fetch Zuriel.

Stay and watch Keef, my ass. . . .

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 163):

The suitor shrugs.

"Even the Dragon's Voice would likely think twice before exploring the Skittering Swamps at night."

Another suitor shoots him a dark look, and the first speaker stammers as he realizes what he's said.

"Well, that is, what I mean to say... the Voice would be just fine, sheathed in the protective embrace of the Dragon's wings. But no one else would survive long along at night. It's dangerous to go alone, is all I'm saying."

Seeing Maeve under no circumstances willing to babysit, Lyriel sighs and walks over to Keef. She quickly explains the situation to him. I'm sorry Keef, I had wanted to let you stay here and study. You just looked so tired...You still can, of course, but the rest of us are heading out to meet Zuriel and Sazed.

"Then it's a good thing that we aren't going alone then, isn't it?" Maeve says cheerfully to the suitor hovering right behind her chair, whom she has mentally dubbed "Close-Talker."  "And once we've met our friend, then we'll come right back here without dallying."

"Incidentally," she adds to Close-Talker.  "You never did say what we're facing with these disappearances?  Mangled bodies?  Or lone travelers simply vanishing into thin air, never to be seen again?"

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 167):

"They just don't come back," the man grumbles. "And it would be a waste if a beauty like you suffered the same fate. Stay here, instead. We'll keep you warm and safe."

Boreas springs to his feet.  Let's go then.  Do you think we can spare Maeve and Keef if we run into something like what we saw earlier?

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 167):

Tired?  No... well, we HAVE been walking a great while but... if you all go into the swamps, I need to go too.  Protect your own!

[Private to Lyriel Vesper: From previous conversation: Strange how?  I just... we need to protect one another.  It's all we've got in all this mess.  We've lost Zuriel, Sazed and others, we don't know who to trust... at the very least we need to save one another.]

Lyriel nods, carefully helping Keef pack up and stow his books. There's no time to lose then! she exclaims with more excitement than fear.

[Private to Keef: Earlier - No, you're right, and you did a magnificent job. We would have been in trouble without you facing that demon...thing. But your voice distorted, and you didn't sound at all like yourself...it just had me a bit worried. I wanted to make sure you were alright.]

"Yes, let's go," Maeve says, gently extricating her person from Close-Talker's uncomfortable disregard for personal space and more or less pushing the rest of the P.A.R.T.Y out the door of the inn ahead of her.

Well said, Keef!  Boreas heads off with the PARTY.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 173):

The P.A.R.T.Y. exits the Gutter Snipe and makes its way back toward the gate, which is barred against them.

After some quibbling, the guards allow the P.A.R.T.Y. to depart, though they make it clear that the idea is stupid and that they're sure to perish in the Skittering Swamp overnight.

The P.A.R.T.Y. retraces its steps several hours, until a regular cadence of hooves against the hard-packed dirt of the road can be heard from the south, approaching northward.

"Shahara?" Maeve says tentatively, unable to tell from this distance whether there is more than one steed.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 175):

Straining their eyes against the darkness, the P.A.R.T.Y. can make out a dark-winged figure hovering 5-10 feet above the ground, keeping pace with a mounted, armored silhouette as both approach.

They are quite a distance off, as yet, and very much indistinct.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:59, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

Lyriel draws back in apprehension, preparing to cast. In the gloom the winged being takes the form of the Erinyes. Lyriel shakes her head to clear it, and mutters a few words.

[Casting Find Object > Zuriel's Pendent]

Lyriel's face lights up as the spell tugs her down the road towards the approaching figures, and she breaks into a run. Zuriel! she exclaims.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:06, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

Maeve gives Boreas a weak smile that conveys her sadness at the end of their respite of insufferability, but then takes off down the road after Lyriel.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 177):

[Private to Zuriel Silendril: "One's charging," Liora says. "I've got it. Begin your charge. We'll overrun them and continue while they're confused and scattered."]

The winged figure takes to the sky, soaring a good 50 feet up before swooping down toward Lyriel. As it rapidly approaches, it seems to be a female humanoid of some kind, with chestnut-brown wings and hair.

She is dressed in simple, dull-colored clothing, and appears neither armored nor armed, but a strange mask obscures her eyes as she dives toward the approaching Lyriel.

The figure is saying something, but the P.A.R.T.Y. cannot understand the words.

[Private to Zuriel Silendril: "AWAY!"]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:12, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

The armored figure shouts out in a language you don't understand. "ליאורה לחכות, אלה החברים שלי!" [Private to DM; Sazed: Liora wait, those are my friends!]

The same voice calls out to the PARTY in common, and is quite familiar to you. God knows you've heard it plenty. "Wait, it's us!"

Zuriel spurs Shahara into a gallop, but as he sees Lyriel approach he stows the lance and dismounts surprisingly gracefully, landing and continuing the run.

Boreas joins the others.

Lyriel's blood turns to ice as the winged figure careens towards her, but when she hears the language it and the mounted knight are speaking alarm turns to relief. Celestial! She didn't know enough to make out the words, but she certainly recognized the language, out of place as it was in Drynn.

When Zuriel speaks, her heart leaps and she dashes towards him, sheathing her sword as she runs. They collide in the most insufferable embrace you've ever seen, as Zuriel converts Lyriel's momentum to swing her around before pulling her in for a kiss. [Private to Zuriel Silendril: Lyriel leans into Zuriel's embrace as he spins her around, and time seems to stop as their lips meet. I've missed you so much, my love, she breathes into his ear.] She finally breaks away, breathless, and turns to regard the rest of the PARTY and the strange winged being.

Maeve throws up in her mouth a little bit, but politely deals with it before greeting their lost comrade.

"Zuriel!" she cries, giving the paladin a hug once he has finished eating Lyriel's face.  "It's so good to see you!  Where have you *been?*  And where is Sazed?"

Only then does she regard the winged figure hovering nearby.

"And for that matter, who is this?"

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 181):

The winged figure pulls up sharply, gliding back up to about 50 feet or so before warily circling back down toward the P.A.R.T.Y.

She pauses about 10 feet from the ground, at which point you can get a better look at her. The winged humanoid is really quite lovely -- though she has a slight figure, to be sure, it's not so slender as to rob her of a woman's curves. Her fair skin is accented by hair of chestnut brown, which is worn in a somewhat untidy bun from which a feather (or is it a quill?) sticks out.

There are two features about her that are particularly striking: first, the large, chestnut-brown wings that remind you of a hawk as she beats them regularly to hover above the swampland, and secondly, a strange mask of metal and crystal that is suspended from her ears (with support from the top of her nose) that covers both eyes with what appears to be shaped lenses of glass.

She does indeed appear unarmored and unarmed, wearing a simple, dull-colored robe that stops at her lower thighs about her body and knee-high strapped sandals of the same color upon her feet.

She looks equal parts amused and perplexed, and says nothing.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:43, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

Zuriel turns to the PARTY one arm around Lyriel, smiling happily. "Everybody, this is Liora. A researcher from the heavens investigating instability between planar portals. And who I'm not sure speaks Common actually." He ends his statement on a question, then repeats it in Celestial for Liora's benefit should she not know Common.

His face falls somewhat as he answers the other part of Maeve's question. "As for Sazed, I don't know. The shifting seemed to not work again, and he was diverted elsewhere. Hopefully he's back in the Heavens, though we can Send to him tomorrow to check."

Shahara, for her part, canters up to the PARTY happily, greeting her friends with whinnies and snuffles as she nuzzles them all in turn.

It's good to see everybody again...
This message was last edited by the player at 20:39, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

Boreas walks up more slowly, smiling.  Good to have you back.

He looks up at the flying figure, and adds, Sazed, you've gotten prettier.

After a brief pause, Boreas says, But seriously, what happened to Sazed, and who is your new friend?

[OOC]Zuriel beat me to the punch.  Assume I said this stuff first. [/OOC]

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 186):

Liora shakes her head at Zuriel and shrugs, but smiles and waves at the others nonetheless. She does not land, nor does she appear to have done so recently, based on how clean her sandals and feet look.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:42, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

Lyriel looks impressed at the state of Liora's footwear. Oooh, Zuriel tell her those sandals are fabulous she says with a slight tinge of jealousy. I wish I could fly and keep out of the mud...

Still not sure what to make of the Celestial, Lyriel wanted to get things started out on the right foot. But she also remained at Zuriel's side. Just so Liora didn't get any ideas.

Zuriel rolls his eyes good-naturedly, but dutifully relays the message. He says a couple sentences in Celestial. [Private to DM: "Lyriel wants me to tell you she really likes your sandals. That's high praise, coming from her. As we get closer to the town though, we will need to disguise your identity. Your attire is out of place, but mostly your wings. Perhaps you could ride Shahara when we get closer, and we can cover you with a cloak? That way if you need to fly quickly you can just unclasp the brooch, but you won't immediately stand out."]

In reply to DM (msg # 187):

Liora seems about the respond when a different voice pierces the darkness.

"Loathe as we are to interrupt this fine reunion, I'm afraid it must be done."

The speaker becomes readily visible as he approaches, still a good 40 feet away from the road and apparently alone. From the torso up, he appears to be a somewhat deformed dark elf, but from the waist down, his body is that of a spider.

"The Skittering Swamp has been kind to you this evening because my brothers and I were curious," he continues, nodding in Boreas's direction. "Why would a small group -- containing a falseblood, no less -- leave the safety of the palisade? What could possibly be worth the risk?"

He glances up at Liora, then at Zuriel, and smiles nastily.

"It seems the war has already begun, and we've stumbled upon an advance team. Awkward."

The drider rubs his hands together thoughtfully.

"But there's no need to get all bent out of shape over this. Pay my toll -- $3,000 for each of you -- and we'll forget this unfortunate incident ever happened. What do you say?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:09, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

"I'm noticing a certain predilection for spiders in this part of the world," Maeve mutters sourly.

She narrows her eyes at the drider.

"What war?  You can't be referring to the marshalling of the Dominion armies.  Presumably they don't recruit from your, er, ilk.  I'm afraid you'll first need to enlighten us as to the situation."

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 191):

Hold for dramatic long winded response.

"It's worse than just a build up of Drynnian forces, I'm afraid," Zuriel says quietly to Maeve. "I'll explain later."

He speaks up, addressing the Drider. "Before we commit one way or the other, I'd like to take a brief moment to reflect upon the irony of your kind calling *us* falseblood." He gestures towards the creature's hideous lower torso. "Ah, but I'm sure your ancestors came by *your* form honestly." He holds up his hands and his voice takes on a conciliatory tone. "Not that I'm judging one way or the other. I'm certainly not one to condemn you for the circumstances of your birth. But given that we all seem to be living in glass houses here, let us not cast stones." He grins, but the mirth does not reach his eyes.

"To your main point, however, we come to a bit of an impasse. We're not all that concerned about the gold. But the knowledge of our presence...that's more problematic. We aren't here as part of any advance attack force, and I'm sure you don't care one way or another. I am also sure though, that whomever you scurry off to sell this particular tidbit of information to will likely go to great lengths to make our lives very difficult."

Zuriel's amber eyes harden, flashing in the darkness. He draws his longsword and shoulders his shield. White energy thrums along the surface of the paladin's bulwark, and a light hissing sound fills the air. "So where does that put us, then?"

[Divine Shield: +7 AC]

Zuriel says a few tense words in Celestial. "זה יכול להיות מכוער, ליאורה. תתכונן לרוץ אם אנחנו מקבלים המומים." [Private to DM; Sazed: "This could get ugly, Liora. Get ready to run if we get overwhelmed."]

[Edited to reflect Eagle's]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:52, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

Maeve sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose.  You can't be entirely certain but, in spite of her air of exasperation and the gravity of the situation, she may actually be smiling.

Yep, Zuriel's back.

Zuriel catches Maeve's gaze and grins back.

It's good to be home.

Lyriel draws her own sword as Zuriel speaks, twisting her signet ring around her finger and activating its magic.

[Barkskin: +2 AC]

As Zuriel continues talking, she takes the opportunity to mutter a few words of power, and emerald runes glow briefly at her feet.

[Dispel Evil > Self: +4 AC vs. evil creatures]

Finding the paladin still engaged in speech, she sighs, and mutters a few more words. An emerald glow dances around her palm before channeling into Zuriel.

[Eagle's Splendor > Zuriel: +4 CHA] I hoped to save that one for later...oh well

Zuriel falls briefly silent, but Lyriel realizes that it was only a dramatic pause before he continued his speech. She rolls her eyes, and casts a spell on Maeve.

[Bull's Strength > Maeve: +4 STR]


Finding Zuriel finally falling silent, the priestess takes the opportunity to speak up. You might find us tougher prey than the villagers you normally seem so fond of ambushing Lyriel says heatedly.


I know you don't like fighting, but these things have been terrorizing the local village. If things do come to blows, we would be protecting the weak...even if they are Drynnian. she says to Zuriel.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:57, Tue 22 Apr 2014.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 196):

"If gold is no object, we have no quarrel," the drider says. "If you intend to fight, however..."

He snaps his fingers, and a series of pinkish-purple blasts destroys everyone's collective night vision. The blasts reveal five more driders standing nearby in the mire, and each P.A.R.T.Y. member finds themself outlined in an aura of fluorescent pink, though they are otherwise unharmed.

"The choice is yours. I'm not particularly hungry for meat at the moment, so your gold will do. If you're unwilling to oblige, however, I fear our impasse can only be resolved through violence."

He grins slightly.

"I've never known Highborn to turn down a fight, but hey -- it's worth a shot. That's a lot of supplies. We could stop raiding for weeks with that kind of income."

"A few weeks, and then you resume your attacks on travelers. Apologies, but I'm having a hard time finding any sympathy for your situation."

Zuriel levels his sword at the chatty Drider in front. He was pleased to note that Lyriel had used the time he spent stalling to bring up her spells.

Atta girl...

Boreas flips up his eyepatch, saying nothing.  His eye crackles with green energy.

[Ready Action: Blast a drider if they try to cast]

Not what I was hoping for tonight, but if we can help keep the people behind the palisade safe, all the better...

[Spellcraft 21]

Hmm... faerie fire...

He slips one hand into his bag of holding, extracting a wand.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:34, Wed 23 Apr 2014.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 199):

[Private to Lyriel Vesper: From Before: Oh it's just... what else do we have but one another, but family.  If we can't protect that... I just can't let any of you be harmed.]

Keef, who had been slowly circling the Celestial mouth agape, squares his stance when the driders appear.

While Zuriel drones on, Keef whispers words of power to himself.  Anyone paying attention might see some of those words crystallize on his lips and drip down onto his body, pooling and coating him in shimmering scales.

[Private to GM: Battle Clad]

Chubbs hops over to Maeve and places one foot upon her boot.

Recalling what happened the last time Chubbs saw fit to grace her with his presence in combat, Maeve steels herself in anticipation of a possible nausea-inducing wave of vertigo.  She hunkers down defensively.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 201):

"Perhaps you'd prefer my brothers and I to farm the swampland?" the drider sneers. "Gods know that no other trades are open to us, as ordinary 'civilized' society is no more accepting of us than you seem to be."

More rustling and skittering from the swamp reveals what you assume to the be the enemy's true strength: eight driders, and four large arachnids of the everyday variety, for a total of twelve foes. The driders are armed with bows, and though the speaker's is still slung across his back, the others are carrying them in hand.

"It's easy to follow the rules you put in place to serve people like you. A charming smile from you, and the ladies swoon to gain your favor. Men fall over themselves trying to hire such a pretty thing."

The drider chitters softly, laughing without mirth.

"But we have mouths to feed, same as you. If you won't pay, I'm afraid I'll have to take it out of your hide. It's nothing personal."

He grins mischievously as a thought comes to him.

"Unless... are you traveling far? I guarantee if you strike us down, you'll be pestered again every few hours. Word will spread about a group of heavily armed, worthy foes, catching the attention of increasingly more powerful hunters."

"For the same price -- $3,000 a head -- my brothers and I would be happy to see you safely through the Skittering Swamp, and everyone wins. Nobody has to bleed. Nobody has to die. We get to survive in peace, while the gold lasts, and you don't have to go through a conversation much like this one every few hours."

He opens his arms in a gesture that's unfamiliar to you, and smiles.

"So what'll it be? Are we friends or foes?"

Zuriel fights hard to keep from rolling his eyes. "Perhaps you'd find society more accepting of you if you weren't stalking and eating its members."

"Your tale of woe is touching, but false. There are always other paths open to you. Just off the top of my head, I could think of great value in guarding caravans, as guides through the swamps, or in keeping the dangerous wildlife at bay. You know, *actually* helping people, rather than simple extortion."

He sighs. "That fact of the matter is, if we pay you, we buy a respite for the locals from your depredations. But that is all. Nothing truly changes. Innocent people will die later on, and it would be in some small part our fault, because we didn't stop you."

He looks at the chief Drider sadly. "Know that if I thought the gold truly would put you and your people on a better path, I'd pay it gladly."

While Zuriel *continues* to talk, Maeve lights the coldfire torch and wedges it in a handy shrub nearby to provide a bit more illumination.

Oh for the love of...

Finding Zuriel talking - once again - Lyriel makes several gestures.

[Casting Bless]

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 203):

While Zuriel and the speaker are exchanging words, the perceptive among you notice the other driders quietly casting spells on themselves.

[Private to Boreas Highwind; Keef; Lyriel Vesper: You recognize Mage Armor and Levitate.]

"Fair words, used to disguise your lust for battle and what you perceive to be glory and honor," the drider smirks. "It's nice to know the Onyx Throne wasn't lying about what matters to northerners."

With that, he draws twin daggers, his men nock their arrows, and diplomacy comes to an abrupt end.

~~ Disposition ~~
See the battle map for an idea of the current positioning, but note that it's not meant to be an actual battle grid. We fight with hexes, after all, and those are squares.

https://docs.google.com/spread...;usp=drive_web#gid=8

Note well: All of your enemies in this particular fight are "large" in size, which means they can potentially threaten more space than you might think. I've placed them in the square they occupy that's nearest to the party.

I can't remind you strongly enough that the map is not intended to be a true battle grid. I wouldn't count out the spaces, etc. If something's unclear, please ask as you would during any other forum-based combat we've done so far. It's too hard to deal with "large" spacing issues on the grid, but I did want to provide some visual.

Mechanically speaking, Driders 2,5,6,7 and spiders 1,2,3,4 are all within a move action of the P.A.R.T.Y. Driders 1, 3, 4, and 8 are all within a half-move action of the P.A.R.T.Y.

~~ Initiative ~~
Spiders
Lyriel
Zuriel
Maeve
Driders 1-4
Liora
Driders 5-8
Boreas
Keef
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:31, Wed 23 Apr 2014.

In reply to DM (msg # 206):

The spiders spring into action before battle can truly be joined, making a strange thrumming sound as they spray sticky, silky strands of webbing at the P.A.R.T.Y.

[Spider A (Zuriel): 14]
[Spider B (Maeve): 19]
[Spider C (Lyriel): 23]
[Spider D (Boreas): 13]

Zuriel, Maeve, Boreas, and Lyriel are each hit by the sticky strands and become entangled.


This message was last edited by the GM at 14:38, Wed 23 Apr 2014.

Lyriel gathers her strength and makes a gesture in the air.

[Concentration: 25 = success]

Bellowing in an unnaturally loud voice, she exclaims HALT

[Greater Command > Driders 1-8]

Emerald light dances around Driders 2 and 3, which seem to stiffen as their gaze goes slack, but the rest are unaffected.

[YOUR DICE ARE BULLSHIT]

Zuriel and Shahara both surge forward towards the Drider speaking. Shahara rears, but the Drider manages to get out of the way. He can't evade Zuriel's sword, however.

[Smite Evil: 26]

[Damage: 14]

Zuriel's blade glows white with holy fire as it plunges into the Drider's torso.

Maeve continues to hunker defensively.

[Combat expertise: +5 to AC]

She jabs at the speaking Drider but misses.

[Attack: 16]

[EDIT]Aaron clarified the timing.  This attack will hit the next drider attempting to cast.[/EDIT]

Boreas, ready for the driders' casting, fires a bolt of magic at one of them.

[Readied Action: Ranged Touch 16]

[vs. Spell Resistance 21]

The energy seems to bottleneck a few inches from the creature, as if something were in its way, but it continues to pass through, striking the monstrosity in the chest.

[Damage 9]
[Drider needs to make a DC 19 Concentration check or lose its Levitate]

As the spider's web strand streaks at Boreas, he nimbly dodges out of its way.
[Touch AC 16 thanks to Uncanny Dodge]

[OOC]And now Boreas waits for his turn in the initiative.[/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:24, Wed 23 Apr 2014.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 210):

Boreas's blast sizzles through Drider 4, and the creature gasps as one of his spells is lost.

Driders 2 and 3 stare at the ensuing battle, glassy eyed, but behind their stupefied expressions, their minds are racing to undo the cleric's foul (holy?) spell.

[Will (D2): 20]
[Will (D3): 25]

Intelligence returns to their eyes as the spell fades in a burst of emerald energy, but they appear too dazed to do much else.

Drider 4 looses his arrow at Lyriel -- a token of respect.

[Attack (Lyriel): 22]

The arrow flies true, but is batted away by a surge of emerald magic shielding the cleric.

The speaker grins wickedly and takes a five-foot step backward, and those who have been entangled realize that the strands of webbing are writhing and tightening as though they were alive, dealing a modest amount of damage.

[Damage (Zuriel, Lyriel, Maeve): 6]

"Did you think we were common driders, too stupid to poison our arrows? Allow me to introduce myself: I am Rennak, a silk speaker blessed with a certain affinity for the spider's gifts... as you're about to discover. My oh my, but I do wish you'd just paid us and moved along."

His eyes glow a pale cream color, and the webbing surrounding Zuriel becomes an electric blue that clashes hideously with his pink outline as it wraps itself around Zuriel's neck and attempts to crush his windpipe.

[Reflex (Zuriel): 19 (success)]
[Damage (Zuriel): 10]

"Poison them all," he orders the remaining driders, nodding toward Zuriel. "Except their leader. I'll strangle him myself."

Liora, for her part, flies a good 50 feet into the sky, and watches the battle unfold helplessly.

The remaining driders float upward 20 feet and loose their arrows at various targets of opportunity.

[Attack (Keef): 15]
[Attack (Maeve): 7]
[Attack (Maeve): 6]
[Attack (Boreas): 10]

One arrow sails past Keef's head, Boreas dodges the one fired his way, and two more plink off Maeve's armor, to the assorted curses of the archers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:54, Wed 23 Apr 2014.

Boreas dashes over to Maeve, laying a hand on the first part of her he can find that isn't covered by webbing.

[Casting Fey Step]

Maeve disappears, but Boreas remains next to the webs.  With a brief flash of green light, a second Boreas appears beside Maeve, as she brandishes her guisarme amid the driders.

[OOC]Teleported Maeve within 10 feet of as many driders as possible, looks like the Speaker, 2, and 3 because the others levitated.[/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:59, Wed 23 Apr 2014.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 213):

This is not good...

Keef brings his hands together, tiny red bolts arcing between his palms.  With great effort, as if there were some force opposing his hands, he presses them together.  The tiny bolts are squeezed down and suddenly squirt out from between his fingers, leaping to the members of P.A.R.T.Y.  There they skitter about and multiply, coating and seeping into muscle and flesh.

[OOC: Haste, lasts 9 rounds:

When making a full attack action, a hasted creature may make one extra attack with any weapon he is holding. The attack is made using the creature’s full base attack bonus, plus any modifiers appropriate to the situation. (This effect is not cumulative with similar effects, such as that provided by a weapon of speed, nor does it actually grant an extra action, so you can’t use it to cast a second spell or otherwise take an extra action in the round.)

A hasted creature gains a +1 bonus on attack rolls and a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Reflex saves. Any condition that makes you lose your Dexterity bonus to Armor Class (if any) also makes you lose dodge bonuses.

All of the hasted creature’s modes of movement (including land movement, burrow, climb, fly, and swim) increase by 30 feet, to a maximum of twice the subject’s normal speed using that form of movement. This increase counts as an enhancement bonus, and it affects the creature’s jumping distance as normal for increased speed.]

~~ Disposition ~~
I've adjusted the battle map to provide a visual representation of the current disposition, near as I can tell.

https://docs.google.com/spread...;usp=drive_web#gid=8

Note well: All of your enemies in this particular fight are "large" in size, which means they can potentially threaten more space than you might think. I've placed them in the square they occupy that's nearest to the party.

Mechanically speaking, Spiders 1-4 are within one move action of Keef and Lyriel and two move actions of the others. Driders 1-4 are within one move action (or melee range, for some) of the various P.A.R.T.Y. Driders 5-8 have flown out of range of anything but ranged attacks.

~~ Round 2 ~~
Spiders
Lyriel (Entangled, Damage: 6)
Zuriel (Entangled, Damage: 16)
Maeve (Damage: 6)
Driders 1-4 (D1 Damage: 14; D4 Damage: 9)
Liora
Driders 5-8
Boreas
Keef

The spiders continue their barrage of silky strands, targeting the P.A.R.T.Y. members who have yet to be ensnared. Spider A and Spider C skitter five feet closer before flinging theirs, but the others stay where they are.

[Web A vs Maeve: 20]
[Web B vs Boreas (Clone): 15]
[Web C vs Boreas (Real): 16]
[Web D vs Keef: 14]

A spray of sticky webbing robs Maeve of her newfound freedom, but misses the ever-nimble Boreas (Maeve is now entangled). The strands meant for Boreas's illusory double spray right through it, and the webbing meant for Keef flies directly over his head.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:43, Thu 24 Apr 2014.

Lyriel takes a look up at a sky suddenly full of driders. That could be problematic.

Gesturing in an arc around her body with her arms, emerald energy begins to sizzle around her hands.

[Concentration: 17 = success]

A nimbus of emerald light appears around each of the floating driders, and then, as if puppets with their strings cut, they all fall back to the earth.

[Dispel Magic: Success on dispelling levitate from each of the floating driders]

[Fall Damage (in ascending order of drider number: 10, 10, 2, 7]

Each of the spidery monstrosities slams back into the packed dirt with a thud, and in some cases, the splintering of chitin.

Shahara whinnies in rage as the drider leader strangles Zuriel. She rears, and her hooves come down on his lower body.

[Full Hasted Attack: hit, hit, miss, miss; Damage: 8, 9 (17 total)]

She scores two heavy blows on the drider, caving in large segments of chitinous exoskeleton.

Zuriel's eyes narrow as he fights with the drider. Shrugging off the worst of the monster's attempt to strangle him, he lunges forward, sword glowing once again with holy fire. The blow carves into Rennak's torso, leaving a white-hot gash across his belly. The paladin follows up with another thrust that hews  brutally into one of the drider's forelegs.

[Smite, Attack, Attack: Hit, hit, miss; Damage 16, 6]

[[Total Damage this round: 39]]

"You are a monster," Zuriel spits through gritted teeth. "And that has nothing to do with being a drider, Rennak."

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 217):

"Even monsters need to eat," the silk speaker retorts.

Maeve considers herself to be braver than the average person, but when she finds herself entangled in web and jabbing ineffectively at Rennak one instant and surrounded by at least three of the spider monstrosities the next, her eyes widen in fear for a moment before she regains her composure.

It's at that moment that an image of her father rises unbidden in her head.  As is usually the case when he does, he is sitting in his favorite well-worn chair with a cup of tea.  He takes a sip and grins at her, totally unfazed by her predicament.

Oh Maev'rah my darling girl.  The situations you do find yourself in!"

He gives a great laugh and sips his tea calmly.

You're in a tight spot, that's for sure.  But I have faith you can do something about it.  Remember the werewolves?

Maeve does, recalling how the three beasts went down in rapid succession.

Oh yes dad.  I *can* do something about this.

Maeve drops her defensive posture and springs into full offensive action.

[OOC: full power attack for all of the following]

[Attack Rennak: 19]

Attack Drider #2: 25]

[Attack Drider #3: 14]= crit fail

[Reflex save: 19] = success

[Attack Drider #7: 21]

In a veritable WHIRLWIND of steel, Maeve spins around elegantly, nearly fumbling once, but ultimately causing a world of hurt for two of the driders.

[Damage Drider #2: 25]

[Damage Drider #7: 26]

Following that, she almost calmly proceeds to eviscerate Rennak, cutting through his chitinous exterior and spilling his steaming guts out onto the road.

[Attack Rennak: 24 ]

[Damage Rennak:27 ]

Surveying the carnage with satisfaction, she looks to the two bleeding driders.

"Monsters need to eat?  Eat this."

[Intimidate: 22]

"And if you know what's good for you: run."

[OOC: oh god that was complicated.  And long.  And nerve-wracking.  My blood pressure is up; I'm going to go for a run.  If I did something incorrect, I'll find out upon my return.]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:03, Thu 24 Apr 2014.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 219):

Rennak goes down in a torrent of steel, but the remaining driders seem as emboldened as ever.

"Enough arrows, my brothers" another cackles wildly. "It's not about meat anymore, but survival. Blast them! Blast them all!"

While Liora continues to hold her position above the battle, the remaining 7 driders point their fingers in crisscrossing patterns.  The hairs on your arms stand upright as the world erupts in light and pain.

[Defensive Casting -- Concentration (Drider 2): 22]
[Defensive Casting -- Concentration (Drider 3): 25]
[Defensive Casting -- Concentration (Drider 7): 20]

The ones nearest to Maeve manage to avoid any AOOs the Gaelian may have left, and bolts of lightning lance from their fingertips. D6 takes a five-foot step onto the road to line up his shot, but the others are poised to strike -- heedless of their allies, many of whom are caught in the blasts themselves.

[Casting (Lightning Bolt) x7]


[D2 (vs Reflex, Boreas (30), Lyriel (10), D8 (SR succeeded)]: 11, 23, -
[D3 (vs Reflex, Maeve (12), Zuriel (21), D4 (SR fail, 18)]: 22, 11, 11
[D4 (vs Reflex, Maeve (21), Zuriel (16), D3 (SR fail, 17)]: 11, 22, 11
[D5 (vs Reflex, Lyriel (14), Keef (13), S3 (18)]: 19, 19, 9
[D6 (vs Reflex, Zuriel (27), Lyriel (17), Fake Boreas (N/A): 12, 12, -]
[D7 (vs Reflex, Maeve (16), Boreas (20), Keef (24): 18, 9, 9]
[D8 (vs Reflex, Lyriel (crit fail), Boreas (26), D2 (SR succeeded): 16, 8, -]

*I have included all your buffs into your reflex rolls, I promise. I checked three times.*

Damage Totals
Boreas: 28
Keef: 28
Lyriel: 70
Maeve: 51
Zuriel: 45
Drider 3: 11
Drider 4: 11
Spider 3: 9

The entire P.A.R.T.Y. sustains terrible burns from the crisscrossing lances of energy, but none suffers more than Lyriel. The cleric screams in high-pitched agony, and crumples in a smouldering heap.

Keef, resplendent in his reddish armor, wobbles and looks like a stiff breeze would take him down, as well. Maeve, Boreas, and Zuriel are in agonizing pain, but compared to the others, are more than ready to continue the fight.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:59, Thu 24 Apr 2014.

Boreas' gem flares violently, the only visual indication of the rage building inside him at seeing his comrades blasted with lightning.  The shock coursing over him isn't helping either.

He dashes backward, a lance of green energy streaking toward one of the creatures.  As he moves, his illusory double vanishes.

[Ranged Touch vs. Drider 2 25]

It heads for the creature's face but dissipates at the last moment against some unseen force.

[Caster Level vs. Spell Resistance 10]  He finds himself about 5 feet from Zuriel, near the corpse of the speaker.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 221):

Keef staggers backward, then does his best to regain his upright stance and stagger forward, putting himself more or less in the middle of P.A.R.T.Y.

I can... get some of us out of here, but not all of us...

In particular, Keef stands beside Lyriel and places a hand on her shoulder.

I don't want to leave anyone behind...

With his free hand he flicks a small reddish spark toward Driders 2 and 3.  The spark bounces off an intangible force around one Drider, then blossoms into a massive purple nova of flame.  The other Drider is far too nimble, however, and is able to duck to one side to avoid being caught in the explosion.

In reply to Keef (msg # 222):

The drider who's spell resistance did not deflect the fireball -- Drider 3 -- is engulfed in violent violet flames.

[Damage: 18]

~~ Disposition ~~
I've adjusted the battle map to provide a visual representation of the current disposition, near as I can tell.

https://docs.google.com/spread...;usp=drive_web#gid=8

Note well: All of your enemies in this particular fight are "large" in size, which means they can potentially threaten more space than you might think. I've placed them in the square they occupy that's nearest to the party.

~~ Round 3 ~~
Spiders (S3 Damage: 9)
Lyriel (Entangled, Damage: 76, Bleeding Out (-6))
Zuriel (Entangled, Damage: 61)
Maeve (Entangled, Damage: 57)
Driders 1-4 (D1: Dead; D2 Damage: 25; D3 Damage: 29; D4 Damage: 20)
Liora
Driders 5-8 (D5 Damage: 10; D6 Damage: 10; D7 Damage: 28; D8 Damage: 7)
Boreas (Damage: 28)
Keef (Damage: 28)

The spiders continue their barrage of silky strands, targeting the P.A.R.T.Y. members who have yet to be ensnared.

[Web A vs Boreas: 21]
[Web B vs Keef: 6]
[Web C vs Shahara: 6]
[Web D vs Boreas: 11]

A spray of sticky webbing (finally) manages to hit Boreas, though he dodges the second blast aimed his way as nimbly as Keef and Shahara, who managed to do the same.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:05, Thu 24 Apr 2014.

Lyriel collapses to the ground under the magical assault, sights and sounds blurring together as she loses consciousness. She stirs on the ground where she falls, coughing up blood weakly.

[Stabilization Roll fail, -1 hp]

Zuriel staggers over to Lyriel's collapsed form, sparks still dancing from his armor. Smoke rises from his wounds as he bends down to channel raw divine energy into Lyriel.

[Lay on Hands: 60]

The priestess' eyes flutter open, and Zuriel breathes a sigh of relief. He takes up a defensive posture shielding Keef and Lyriel from as many threats as he can.

"This isn't over, Keef. But if it continues to go poorly, get the women out of here. Boreas can fade into the swamp and use hit and run tactics while I hold them off."

Shahara, for her part, dashes over to Drider 3, taking up a tactical position across from Maeve and laying into the injured monster with a hoof.

[Attack: 24]

[Damage: 6]

Well, if it's not broken, don't fix it.

Maeve five foot steps to place herself adjacent to both Lyriel and Zuriel.  She then launches the same attack that she did earlier.

[Attack Drider #2: 33]= critical hit
[24= confirmed crit]

[Damage Drider #2: 38]

[Attack Drider #3: 32]

[Damage Drider #3: 27]

[Attack Drider #5: 25 ]
[Xtra attack Drider #5: 31]

[Total damage Drider #5: 53]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:08, Thu 24 Apr 2014.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 226):

Driders 2, 3, and 5 crumple into bloody heaps under Maeve's assault, but the others seem to be spoiling for more action.

Liora continues to fly high above the battlefield, unharmed and unopposed.

Driders 4, 6, 7, and 8 seem to be of the same mind as Maeve, and unleash a second wave of lightning bolts onto the slightly repositioned P.A.R.T.Y.

[Defensive Casting -- Concentration (Drider 4): 20]
[Defensive Casting -- Concentration (Drider 6): 21]
[Defensive Casting -- Concentration (Drider 7): 26]

The blasts fly true, though there are far fewer than before. Apparently the P.A.R.T.Y. anticipated this, because each member is quick to leap about with catlike grace to avoid the brunt of the damage. Everyone, that is, except Keef.

D4 (vs Reflex: Maeve (20), Boreas (25)): 10, 10
D6 (vs Reflex: Maeve (18), Lyriel (21), Zuriel (29)): 10, 10, 10
D7 (vs Reflex: Boreas(17), Keef (10)): 9, 18
D8 (vs Reflex: Lyriel (20), Boreas(29)): 7, 7

Boreas catches a trio of glancing blows from the lightning bolts, but even his superhuman reflexes cannot save him from the onslaught. Boreas goes down for the first time since you've known him, but his emerald eye remains eerily open, a faint green light pulsing in time with his weakening heartbeat.

[Private to Keef: "Master, I haven't enough energy...I'll do what I can."]

Keef is struck only once, but the blast staggers him and causes the Everstaff to erupt with a flickering shield -- a red barrier that looks much weaker than it did when you last saw it during your battle with Veilspire. It holds the lightning at bay for a brief, glorious instant before the shield explodes into several thousand sparks. Defenseless and smoking, the boy crashes into the swamp next to Chubbs.

Maeve succumbs to the combination of wounds and lack of strength from earlier, falling as well.

The bolts hit Lyriel, Zuriel, too, but they are still standing... albeit unsteadily.

Total Lightning Damage This Round:
Boreas: 26 (down, -6, bleeding out)
Keef: 3 (down, -1, stable)
Lyriel: 17
Maeve: 20 (down, -5)
Zuriel: 10
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:24, Thu 24 Apr 2014.

Boreas lies smoldering on the ground.

[Stabilize: Fail]

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 228):

Keef's wounds seem to be stable, though the boy is unconscious and unable to take further action.

~~ Disposition ~~
I've adjusted the battle map to provide a visual representation of the current disposition, near as I can tell.

https://docs.google.com/spread...;usp=drive_web#gid=8

~~ Round 4 ~~
Spiders (S3 Damage: 9)
Lyriel (Entangled, Damage: 33
Zuriel (Entangled, Damage: 71)
Maeve (Entangled, Damage: 77, -5, bleeding))
Driders 1-4 (D1: Dead; D2 Damage: Dead; D3 Damage: Dead; D4 Damage: 20)
Liora
Driders 5-8 (D5 Damage: Dead; D6 Damage: 10; D7 Damage: 28; D8 Damage: 7)
Boreas (Entangled, Damage: 55 (-7, bleeding))
Keef (Damage: 32(-1, stable))

The spiders delay their action until the driders go, as all humanoid targets are either entangled or down for the count.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:23, Thu 24 Apr 2014.

Lyriel staggers to her feet, seeing the devastation before her. Zuriel, get Keef. I've got Maeve, she chokes out raggedly.

She attempts to draw on Tassada's energy, but her own weariness and the entangling webbing causes her to lose the spell. Just as the divine energy slips away from her grasp to dissipate, however, a blinding emerald light floods her mind's eye. Emerald light pours from her soul, spilling from her eyes and her mouth, and for the briefest of moments, Lyriel feels as if she touched the divine herself.

The spell returns, and she channels it into Maeve. [Cure Critical Wounds: 31]

Finish these things! She yells desperately to whomever is listening.

Zuriel bends down, channeling the last of his energy into Keef. [Lay on Hands: 3] He stays just long enough to see Keef's eyes snap open weakly before he staggers towards Drider 4, threatening it with his longsword.

"This. Is. Not. Over"

Shahara meanwhile dashes towards Drider 8 [Ending up in the space just above Lyriel]

[Charge Drider 8: 23]

[Damage: 9]

Drider 8 finds himself face to face with a very angry warhorse and a nasty impact wound from a hoof.

Zuriel makes contact through his link with Shahara. We aren't done here, Shahara. Tassada will bring us through.

Whatever happens, we fought well, little one.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:53, Thu 24 Apr 2014.

Maeve awakens to a scene that's becoming all too familiar: Lyriel bending over her, face filled with concern.  She climbs to her feet and spares a quick pained glance for Boreas before swinging at--and just barely dispatching--drider #7.

Oh no you don't.   You are NOT dying and leaving me with just Keef and the Insufferables for company.

[Attack Drider #7: 22 ]

[Damage: 22]

Drider 7 crumples to the ground as did his fellows before him.

[OOC: Incidentally, "Keef and the Insufferables" would be an awesome name for a band.]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:02, Thu 24 Apr 2014.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 232):

Driders 4, 6, and 8 look at each other, then at the four spiders, who are looking at them. They share a moment, then look at the P.A.R.T.Y. that stands before them.

"We're running out of time," Drider 4 says, shying away from the dead brothers around him.

"Quit your bloody whining," Drider 8 replies, raising a hand. "A final volley should do it. Drop the healer."

Drider 4 raises a hand as well, takes a five-foot step, and points at Lyriel. Three bolts of magical energy fly into her at incredible speeds, battering against her haggard form.

[Casting (Magic Missile @ Lyriel): 9]

Before the other two can act, a voice rings out from above.

"לאור!"

[Private to Zuriel Silendril: "For light!"]

Liora swoops down at a blistering speed, her fists outstretched and glowing with the light of the sun. She crashes headlong into Drider 8 with an impact that dissipates whatever energy had caused her hands to glow, gaining his full attention.

[Attack (Drider 8): 22]
[Smite Evil (Drider 8): 8]

Spiders 1-4 fire webbing at Liora immediately.

[Webbing 1-4: 14, 13, 19, 9]

One strand manages to tag the Celestial, binding her wings to her body as she stands before Drider 8. Drider 8 lunges forward, snapping his jaws at her shoulder.

[Attack: 23]
[Damage: 6]
[Fortitude (Liora): 19 (success)]

She shrieks in pain, but does not sag under the effects of the drider's venom.

Drider 6 looks at Liora, then at Lyriel, then at the P.A.R.T.Y.. He skitters backward five feet, then fires a stream of magical bolts at the cleric.

[Casting (Magic Missile @ Lyriel): 10]

"Even if we win, we'll never make it back to the lair," Drider 8 complains. "This lot has more teeth than they're worth."

The others grunt, preoccupied with the tasks at hand.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:23, Thu 24 Apr 2014.

Boreas shivers with residual electricity.

[Stabilize: Fail]

Zuriel watches Liora cascade down like a falling star, impressed and horrified by her bravery/stupidity. He calls out to her in Celestial. [Private to DM: "Be *careful* milady, these driders are not to be trifled with!"]

To Keef, he says "Keef, if you can hear me, attack the Drider in front of Liora! Between you and Shahara you can finish it off!"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:10, Thu 24 Apr 2014.

In reply to Zuriel Silendril (msg # 235):

Keef nods.  One hand pressed uncomfortably to his side in pain, he shiethes Flametongue for the moment and takes a single step toward the Drider nearest Liora.

He raises his hand and there is a crackling of energy that sounds like the falling of a distant glacier.  red crystals form on his knuckles and you feel a slight chill in the air.

There is a flash around the Drider, but the energy is somehow dispelled.

Oh...

(OOC: yup, fumble to overcome spell resistance.  Nat 1...)

Lyriel stumbles over to Boreas' body, expert training assessing how close to death he was.

No time to risk the web keeping me from healing him...

She kneels down next to him and quickly unstoppers one of the potion phials he kept on his person and pours it down his throat.

[Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds: 12]

He splutters and his eye glows a bit more strongly.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:04, Fri 25 Apr 2014.

The holy aura on his shield fades, but Zuriel slashes the fourth drider in a dizzying flurry of blows, connecting twice with two solid hits.

[Full Attack: Hit, Hit, Miss]

[Total Damage: 16]

Nearby, Shahara executes a similarly furious assault on drider 8, likewise connecting crushingly with her two front hooves, caving in large sections of Drider 8's chitin.

[Full Attack: Miss, Hit, Hit, Miss]

[Total Damage: 21]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:12, Fri 25 Apr 2014.

Maeve breathes a small mental sigh of relief to see that, although all of her comrades are in terrible shape, they are at least not actively expiring.  Seeing Zuriel and Shahara keeping driders 4 and 8, respectively, in check, she quickly deals with the sixth one.

[Attack 1, Drider #6 (PA at -3): 22]
[Damage: 23]

[Attack 2, Drider #6: 20]

[Attack 3, Drider #6: 29
[Damage: 25]

Drider #6 joins the rapidly growing pile of dead driders.

SOMEBODY skipped the recap, so I'll do it retroactively, ignoring Lyriel, Zuriel, and Maeve's turns since they already happened to skip to the NPCs, whose turn it currently is.

I also updated the hp to account for damage up to this point, not just up to Round 5's starting point.

~~ Round 5 ~~
Lyriel (Entangled, Damage: 52)
Zuriel (Entangled, Damage: 71)
Maeve (Entangled, Damage: 46)
Drider 4 (Damage: 36)
Liora (Entangled, Damage: 6)
Driders 8 (Damage: 45)
Boreas (Entangled, Damage: 44)
Keef (Damage: 29)

Driders 4 and 8 look at each other, then mouth a spell together.

[Casting Defensively (Invisibility): 27, 24]

Both driders vanish in a flash of pale purple glitter, and a faint skittering sound accompanies their subsequent retreat.

The spiders sense that the battle is lost, as well, and scatter into the swamp as fast as their legs can carry them.

Seeing as the entire P.A.R.T.Y. (minus Keef, Shahara, and Chubbs) is currently entangled, it will be difficult indeed to catch up to your quarry with any alacrity whatsoever.

~~ END COMBAT ~~
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:16, Fri 25 Apr 2014.

Boreas slinks free of his bonds.

[Escape Artist 14]

By the time he's up and able to fight, the remaining foes are too far away to deal with.  Though he can see them, he decides not to give chase.

Well fought, everyone.  That was... far too close for comfort.  He draws his shortsword and cuts the others free from their webs.

Lyriel, can you patch us up well enough to get back?  He clenches his side with a grimace.  Meanwhile, we should bring back proof of this fight.  I would expect there's a bounty.  At the very least, the locals will be grateful.

Boreas smiles weakly to his allies, then sets to searching the fallen driders.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 241):

Rennak and his ilk do indeed have pockets worth picking, though they have nary a piece of liquid currency on them.

The following items of note are recovered from the rank-and-file:

- 5x +1 short bows
- 10x +1 daggers
- 5x cobweb amulets (magic)

Rennak's corpse contains more interesting treasures:

- 1x +1 short bow
- 2x +1 daggers
- 1x cobweb amulet (magic)
- 1x spidersilk sash (magic)
- 1x set of spidersilk bracers (magic)
- 1x Dominion mercenary license for a group called "Rennak's Raiders"
- 1x map of the Skittering Swamp, with lots of hand-written notes and scribbles

In reply to DM (msg # 242):

Cowards... Keef mutters after the fleeing spiders.

Keef staggers around the group, helping people to stand and extract themselves from the silk.

Keef follows behind Boreas, dutifully poking each in turn with Longshank.  Through an eye half singed shut, he watches Boreas search the fallen.

I will prepare the necessary magics to identify.... these things... tomorrow...

Maeve is in the zone.  It is only after Boreas cuts her free from the webs that she realizes that the battle is over.  She blinks, seeming to notice for the first time the ring of dead driders around her.

. . . .was that all me?

She moves among her friends, clapping each one on the shoulder and exchanging brief words with them as if to reassure herself that they are all alive--and ignoring the shockingly unhelpful Liora for the time being.

To Lyriel:

"Heal the men first; I can wait until tomorrow if necessary.  Still need to see you about that poison anyway," Maeve says to Lyriel.  The cleric flinches slightly when Maeve touches her shoulder, and the young warrior realizes that she probably looks frightful, covered as she is with blood, guts, chitin, and webs.

To Zuriel:

"Zuriel, get Keef up on Shahara.  He looks dead on his feet.  And incidentally, on the way back you are going to explain exactly what you know about this war.  It sounds like a long story, but that's ok.  We have a long walk."

To Boreas:

"This concerns me," Maeve says, reading the mercenary license over Boreas' shoulder.  "We've certainly *earned* a bounty but if those things are raiding and pillaging with the blessing of the Dominion, actually claiming it might be problematic."

"Also: I'm glad that you're alright.  If I had only this lot to talk to, I think I'd go mad." She looks pointedly yet fondly at where Keef is standing around looking dazed, Zuriel and Lyriel are embracing briefly yet passionately, and Liora continues to hover, practically radiating unhelpfulness.

To Keef:

"Shahara.  Now." She helps the young mage over to the mare, who, all things considered, looks pretty unscathed.

"Thank you, Shahara.  You did well."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:38, Fri 25 Apr 2014.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 244):

Keef blinks several times, clearly only aware of half of what is going on around him.

Regardless, he obeys Maeve and limps toward the magical horse.

Zuriel nods to Shahara, who trots over to Keef, sniffing his hair and looking at him with concern in her molten gold eyes. The paladin helps hoist the young mage into the saddle, careful to avoid worsening his injuries. He sags against Shahara's hind quarters for a moment before continuing.

He gives Lyriel a brief embrace, but does not linger so as not to distract her from healing the PARTY. Instead he staggers over to Liora. "זה היה מטופש להפליא, ואמיץ מאוד, ליאורה. תודה. מכאן והלאה אנחנו צריכים לקחת מאמצים כדי להסתיר את הזהות שלך. אתה יכול לשאול את גלימת המסעות שלי כדי לטשטש את הכנפיים שלך."
[Private to DM: "That was incredibly foolish, and incredibly brave, Liora. Thank you. From here on out we should take efforts to disguise your identity. You can borrow my traveling cloak to obscure your wings."]

Zuriel darts a glance over to Shahara. "האם אתה יכול לרכב עם הילד בדרך חזרה?" [Private to DM: "Could you ride with the boy on the way back?"]

He waves off Lyriel towards the others. "I'll be...fine. Take care of the others first. Keef..."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:36, Fri 25 Apr 2014.

Lyriel moves from comrade to comrade, channeling emerald healing energy soothingly into the wounds everybody had sustained. For her more powerful spells, she took a moment to focus her divine will to amplify the effects.

[Using the rest of the sacred boosts to maximize four spells, rolled for the rest. Healing are as follows.]

Lyriel first approaches Zuriel, who looks battered beyond all recognition. Hideous electrical burns cover almost every bit of exposed skin, but he waves her towards the others first.

Keef looks equally bad off, with fewer injuries but just as proportionally harmful to his slight frame. Lyriel focuses and channels a particularly potent heal into the young mage. [30] She smiles wanly and ruffles his hair affectionately, having restored him to full, if weary, functionality.

Boreas takes a bit longer, valiantly attempting to sort loot and make sense of the map despite being burned almost as badly as Zuriel. After a couple moments of concentration, he too is restored to full. [45]

Lyriel returns to Zuriel, who once again attempts to redirect her ministrations. I swear to Tassada Zuriel, if you do not let me heal you this instant I am going to paralyze you and do it anyway, but will have wasted a spell. Your choice. The paladin reluctantly agrees. Men! she sniffs. The healing energy clears away the majority of the burns, though she was sure there must be injuries remaining covered by his armor by the way he moved.[55]

The priestess then moves onto Maeve, who, having already received a fair amount of healing was battered but not critically wounded. Hold still, you've still sustained a lot of injury...nice work with the driders by the way. That was pretty impressive. Tomorrow...after we've rested, I can help with the rest of that poison from earlier. [40]

Lyriel  begins to walk over to Liora, but stumbles and nearly falls over. "No. Your turn," Zuriel says firmly from nearby. She nods, and channels two quick spells into herself. [50]

Finally she manages to make it over to Liora, who sustained negligible injuries but whom Lyriel didn't want to ignore. I'm sorry, I don't have much left, she murmurs apologetically, aware that the Celestial couldn't understand her. The priestess gives her a friendly clasp on the shoulder, unsure how else to communicate with the mysterious woman. A true Celestial...I never thought I'd live to see such a thing... [3]

Healing energies utterly spent, Lyriel takes a moment to rest her head against Shahara, who nuzzles her soothingly. I'm glad you aren't hurt, Shahara. I've got nothing left. Well, except this. The priestess takes a dried apple from her pouch and feeds it to the warhorse. You were magnificent, Shahara.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:02, Fri 25 Apr 2014.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 247):

After Lyriels administrations, Keef sits a bit higher, though no more expertly, on Sahara.

Thank you. he mutters with an awkward smirk.

He turns to Maeve and pumps as much enthusiasm as he can into speech wracked with exhaustion, That was... pretty amazing.  Like the Iron Cyclone... Sir Greenheart had his help against the Dark Elves of the Red Glen.

Chubbs, ignoring Driders, loot and everything else, hops over to Lyrial and flops over on his back, exposing his belly as if to say "I've got an injury that needs tending... RIGHT HERE!".

Boreas sighs with relief as his wounds close.  Thank you, Lyriel.  Now I remember why we keep you around, he says with a smirk.

He laughs in agreement to Maeve's comment before returning to search the bodies further.  As he returns to a businesslike demeanor, he hands each member of the PARTY a Cobweb Amulet, placing the extra one in his pouch.  Once we can identify all this stuff, we can divvy it up in town.  For now, let's get back to safety.  But first, we should probably bring some proof.  Perhaps the townsfolk will be grateful.

He looks over at Liora, then turns to Zuriel.  She's going to be... pretty conspicuous.  Do we have a spare cloak for her, to hide the wings?  If she'll let me, I'll pop her with the wand, too.

Once everything is sorted, Boreas starts off toward the village.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:09, Fri 25 Apr 2014.

In reply to Keef (msg # 248):

Liora agrees to ride Shahara back and wear a cloak, but she doesn't look particularly pleased about it.

Boreas studies the map carefully as the P.A.R.T.Y. travels, but it's difficult to tell where precisely the P.A.R.T.Y. is on it.

https://docs.google.com/drawin...lL6ugFW9vLYe3-c/edit

The hours pass slowly, and every sound has you starting at shadows, but eventually you make it back to the palisade. There is a soft tinge to the horizon as you approach the gates, and it becomes clear that morning's first light is not far away.

The guards admit you, if begrudgingly, and soon enough you're back at the inn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:12, Fri 25 Apr 2014.

On the road back, Shahara keenly sense's Liora's displeasure and seems both completely awestruck by her proximity to a true Celestial as well as extremely nervous, worried that the displeasure is directed at her.

A timid voice appears in Liora's mind, speaking telepathically in Celestial. Um, excuse me? Milady...mistress? Sorry to bother you but...Um, I'm not...used to your kind and I thought, well, I wasn't sure if you were used to riding. I mean of course I'm not saying you're bad at it, I just... is it...okay? I can try to walk more smoothly, if you like...Sorry...

Zuriel suppresses a smile, interested to see how Liora will react.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:18, Fri 25 Apr 2014.

Upon returning to the Gutter Snipe, Maeve spies Close-Talker fast asleep in a chair by the fire.  She walks over to him and prods him awake with a foot, smiling smugly, arms crossed.

"Told you so."

Then she goes to her room, washes the blood off of her, and sleeps like the dead.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:29, Fri 25 Apr 2014.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 252):

[Private to Zuriel Silendril: To Shahara: It's not... no, I'm just... I'd rather fly than ride, and I don't understand why I'm being told that I can't. I don't understand much about this colorful, odious realm or the creatures who inhabit it. Also, I'm not a porcelain doll, and I do not care to be treated as such. I'm a scientist and an explorer and -- effective immediately -- an intraplanar researcher, and my data cannot afford to be corrupted by... by making observations of behaviors from a disguise. I suppose I am interested in how these creatures react in their natural habitat but I also want to know how they interact with Celestials.]

Liora looks at the inn with uncertainty, then sends a careful expression Zuriel's way. You don't have to be a Celestial to translate it into: "Really?"

How long does the P.A.R.T.Y. intend to sleep, and are you posting any guards whatsoever?
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:39, Fri 25 Apr 2014.

[Private to DM: Zuriel intercedes, following the conversation. "Liora, please believe me, I understand you are no porcelain doll. But as long as you're here, I am responsible for your well-being. It's my fault you're here in the first place. At least, it's my fault you're in Drynn. And I can tell you how they locals will interact with a Celestial: the same way you or I would respond to a demon. At best, they would try to enslave and control you. At worst..." Zuriel shakes his head quickly, unwilling to consider the implications. "I understand how frustrating it is to have to hide who you are, but while we're here, in our current state, we have no choice. And as far as your data goes, how can you expect to observe the locals' natural behavior if you reveal your true form? Is it not better to observe unnoticed, that you might see how they interact with their normal environment?" He catches her arm, looking into her eyes. "Please, trust me Liora. I will do everything in my power to make sure you return safely to the heavens, with plenty of research."]

Zuriel clomps into the inn wearily, having dismissed Shahara before coming into earshot of the palisade. Zuriel shrugs back at Liora. [Private to DM: "It beats spending the night in the swamp...albeit not by much."]

The paladin looks at the rest of the party. "So...what are the accommodations here?" he asks delicately.

[OOC Sleep a full rest period, waking up to prepare spells at dawn before catching more sleep. I figure keep watch in each room, however many there are?]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:00, Fri 25 Apr 2014.

Lyriel looks around, unable to find the innkeeper. I suppose we're stuck with the two rooms we've already secured... she says, somewhat dejectedly.

Maeve, Liora and I can take one, and you boys can take the other. She sighs, clearly having hoped for other arrangements.

In reply to Lyriel Vesper (msg # 255):

Unless directed otherwise, Keef will march directly to the 'boys room' and collapse on the whatever is soft and closest the door.

Chubbs follows Lyriel into the 'girls room' until picked up and gently ejected.

At that point he squats halfway between the rooms showing total indifference to where he spends the night.

Boreas collapses in an exhausted heap, though he volunteers to keep watch in the hall for a few hours.

In reply to Keef (msg # 256):

Evening passes and morning comes, and the midday sun is blazing high in the sky by the time the P.A.R.T.Y. feels adequately rested.

[Changes to Standard List for today: 1st Level: 6x Comprehend Language, 2nd Level: Bull's Strength for Lesser Restoration, 4th level: 2x Sending, 1x Tongues]

Lyriel wakes up at dawn, says her prayers, and then immediately falls back asleep. Around noon she finally gets going and rises to stretch and do her normal morning washing and hair.

She then turns to Maeve, holding her hands over the warrior. [Casting: Lesser Restoration] Maeve's complexion improves remarkably as the last vestiges of the poison fade away.

The priestess marches across the hallway to the boy's room, and knocks before entering. She greets a still-sleeping Zuriel with a quick good morning kiss, then heals the remainder of his electrical burns. [Maximized Cure Light Wounds]

She then spends ten minutes crafting a Send to Sazed before returning to the girls' room. She casts two spells in quick succession, once on herself and once on Liora.

[Casting Comprehend Languages x2]

Though the two women continue to speak in their respective native languages, they are now capable of understanding each other.

Good morning, Liora, Lyriel says warmly, unsure how one introduced oneself to a divine being. Did you sleep well? We didn't really get a chance to introduce ourselves properly last night...I'm Lyriel Vesper, and honored to meet you.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:56, Fri 25 Apr 2014.

Maeve smiles her thanks to Lyriel and nods politely to Liora before descending to the common room of the inn and procuring brunch--which she inhales--while waiting for the others to greet the day.

In reply to Maeve Hassan (msg # 260):

Keef sleeps well until midday.

Boreas wakes and goes about his daily ministrations, feeling vastly refreshed.  Once he finishes, he finds Keef.  He spreads the loot from the driders out before the young mage.

You fought bravely yesterday.  I'm impressed by how much you've learned in our travels.  But then, haven't we all...

But judging by how close that last fight was, we'll need all the help we can get.  Can you identify this stuff for us?

Boreas takes out some gold for Keef to use while casting.

In reply to Boreas Highwind (msg # 262):

Keef rubs the sleep from his eyes with the back of his hand.  WhattayameanmorningIdidn'tsleepbutstilltiredandmagicwha?

After a few minutes of furious yawning, blinking and looking around confused, Keef seems to figure out what you're asking.

He strips down to his smallclothes and sits cross-legged on the floor.  He then channels his magics to identify:

-2 cobweb amulets,  the spidersilk sash, the set of spidersilk bracers (I assume the 'set' counts as one item?).

In reply to Keef (msg # 261):

Upstairs - Girls' Room

"Good... afternoon," Liora responds, raising an eyebrow at Lyriel. "I slept adequately, yes, though I'll admit I prefer the high heavens."

She gestures around the room they shared.

"These quarters are drab, but suffice. Mine are equally spartan, though a thousand times more clean. Perhaps more."

Liora adjusts the lenses covering her eyes and smiles.

"This is my first time traveling beyond the walls of the Eternal City, and I am having a difficult time focusing on any one thing, when so much around me represents something new. But otherwise, I am well, and it is kind of you ask. Thank you."


Downstairs

Brunch consists of a strange porridge made from swamp grass and salted ham on biscuits. The former is considered a "bronze" meal, while the latter is a "silver" meal. Close-Talker sidles up next Maeve, nursing a breakfast ale while he tackles a plain biscuit with gusto.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:01, Fri 25 Apr 2014.