--Wonders; the book of the Father’s Wisdom

    The passageway was wide enough for most of the group to travel down it without any difficult.  To the great frame of the paladin Iron Jubei it was a bit uncomfortable.  He had to almost crouch and his sides kept scrapping or bumping into the walls of the passage.
  Each member of the part was quite concerned for pitfalls or pressure plates or tripwires of any kind.  Even magical wards were being sought by Phelan.  Yet none were found. It would seem that the artificer of this passageway had not considered this secret tunnel to be in any danger of discovery or trespass.

  After a turn, not long into the passage, the adventurers lost sight of the doorway which had saved them from a grisly fate.  There was no sign of pursuit from the creeping blackness that had pursued them here either.  Another turn came and the passageway slanted upward rather sharply until finally it levelled out and the party came to a halt at another small chamber.  Similar to the one they had left before.  Though here was not crystal lantern and the walls curved inwards to form a domed ceiling with another door set almost in the roof the dome, a short stone staircase leading up to it.  Beside it was another lever which probably opened this doorway.  Though where it came out was something of a mystery.
[Anyone with training in dungeoneering may role to try and estimate were this passage has lead the party to.  In relation to the burned down villa that had once been the augur’s home.]

Phelan looked around the chamber curiously, taking in the staircase, roof and level. So far they hadn't encountered that destructive shadowy mass that had been following them. Hopefully it wasn't able to enter the passageway; nevertheless there was still a level of concern about it following them.

His head tilted to the side in thought, as he tried to figure out where their current location was.

Dungeoneering: 20!

Willa entered the apparently barren room and was instantly disappointed that there was so little for her to investigate.  She looked back down the tunnel and wondered if perhaps the smoke had been all that bad after all...

Jubei let out a low growl, visibly displeased by the whole ordeal of having to cram his large bulk through the staircase and was quite relieved when they finally got into the... well, slightly more spacious room. "I really don't understand why people like to live underground.", he muttered to himself and seemed quite intent to just pull the lever and open the door so that he could get out and have some space again without constantly bumping into things.

    By Phelan’s best guess he’d expect this area to be just beneath the surface of a hillock maybe some thirty or fifty feet away from the stable yard on northern side of the road they had used to enter the village.
  Jubei, not hearing any objections, made his way to pull the lever beside the doorway which flipped open and spilled cold and gloomy yet fresh air into the stuffy underground space.  The kaetyma advanced onto moist, glistening grasses part of him had thought he would never see again.  Not far before him he could make out the signs of a wide, hard-packed, dirt road a rather familiar one at that.  And to his left a few buildings with lit windows that most probably was Kyssea.  From the smell more than the not-too-distant whines and snorts he could tell that the stables were not too far away and that building had been located just at the western edge of the village when last Jubei had seen it.
  His train of thought was interrupted by a startled yelp and shaky query from a familiar voice that said “Who goes there?”

Drex is glad to be out of that place, removing the cloth around his mouth and nose he put there to lessen the putrid stench of that place. Taking a deep breath as he does this. The air was the freshened he had ever smelt.

Letting Jubei handle the guards, Drex did a quick survey of the terrain around them. He checks for any tracks or unnatural disturbances in there immediate area. This might prove useless but you never know what clues laid in plain sight. Maybe someone else knew about this entrance and came to inspect it.

11:14, Today: Drex rolled 30 using 1d20+12. Perception check. (to find footprints, flatend grase, broken twiges,... if any.)

Speeding past Iron Jubei, Willa slipped out of the exit onto open ground and happily declared: "Willa goes!"  Not seeing who had asked the question and probably looking in completely the wrong direction to do so.

Strangely enough the Kaetyma felt rather glad to have that grass under his paws again... it certainly beat wading through the blood, ichor and gore that had stained part of the ground in the basement and for a couple of moments he wiped them off the ground. "Shoes... that's what I need...", he muttered to himself and then turned to see who spoke there.
Only to be preempted by Willa on that notion. Nonetheless he felt inclined to say something anyway. "Someone who wants to know some things about the augur.", he rumbled with his deep voice.

    There was an intense moment of quiet following Jubei’s words before there was some rustling from the not too distant grass and out from the shadows strode a familiar pair – a tall, lanky human child, possibly male and a short, squat doola tywuar.  Both dressed old, worn and tattered hide armour which was too big on the human and too small on the doola.
  “Oh it is you.” the heft doola sighed with relief as he and his companion existed the shadows or a low stone wall.
  “We were not sure what was going on when we heard that rumbling.” the human said somewhat shakily as his eyes darted about the four.

  There was a slight pause.  Jubei gave them a meaningful look, awaiting them to answer his question.  The little doola jumped “Oh right!  The augur!  Uh…well I did not know him personally neither did Lento here.” the doola tywuar looked over to his companion.
  Who stammered “Uh, yes he mostly only saw to the merchants and uhm, nobles in the village.”
  “The captain might know more, you, uh have not seen her yet have you?”

Jubei furrowed his brows and grimaced at the response, but he quickly got a hold of his expression again. After all these two young militia fellas hardly were to blame for his current sorta sully mood.
"Well then... where may we find the captain? And just what rumbling are you talking about?", he asked and wondered rather genuinly what rumbling they had meant. The loud slam that had perceeded the smoke attack? Or just the sound of the secret passage opening?

Realizing that the two men were guards, Willa let out a small squeak and ran behind Jubei.  Once there she tried to spot the augur's house, wondering just how far the passage had led them.

17:36, Today: Willa rolled 16 using 1d20-1. Willa trying to spot the augur's house.

Drex is still looking for any signs, he was not planing to get into a conversation with the to guards even it there is nothing to find. But he does keep his keen ears focused on the conversation. "Grate more delays, but I guess the captain is an important individual. Not that I trust any one other than Vito in this town." Drex thinks to himself

He strays away from the group a little first to the left then to the right.

    In equal parts displeasure but also relief Drex found that nothing else seemed to be coming for them from the shadows of the village, or the countryside around it for that matter, at least for the moment.

  As the boy called Lento spoke “I think it came from that doorway you emerged from.  Come to think of it, it was more of a scrapping noise then a deep rumble…” he looked over at his smaller companion nervously.
  “Uh…probably, uhm…” the doola tywuar seemed to be thinking something over “I think we should take you there.”  He turned around and pointed to the south-east.  “The Captain has taken up the Old Watchtower on the south-eastern part of town as her…what did she call it again?” he scratched his head.
  “The Command Post I think.” provided Lento.  “Yes, uh, that.”

  While all this conversation was going on Willa could only distantly see part of the ruined structure that had been the Augur’s Villa, but it was dark and only a dim silhouette lit by the surrounding homes.

  Itching to be on the move, and not feeling entirely safe yet, but having no concrete reason not to follow the two militia men - at least for now – the adventurers made their way back into the village and across the village square, heading towards the southern edged of it.
  The Augur’s Villa came into view, and as each of the adventurers paid a great deal of attention to it, there was no sign of anyone being there at the moment.

Willa continued to try to remain inconspicuous as the party walked towards the watchtower.  As they neared the Augur's Villa, she watched the ruin with a grumpy expression.  Much like the conspirators, the smoke was dangerous and should be taught to behave!  The captain sounded important but the little umbrean could not help thinking that she could wait a little bit longer.  Who knows what the smoke might do in the meantime?  She crept over to Phelan and whispered her concerns to him.

"Mr Phelan, sir, Willa think, may be, must deal with smoke?"

17:23, Today: Willa rolled 20 using 1d20+2. Sneaking and whispering.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:24, Tue 20 May 2014.

"Hmm yes. That... was just us.", Jubei rumbled and gave a bit of a shrug to 'justify' the scraping noise the two militiamen had heard.
For a moment he wondered if he should tell them about the secret passage, but dropped that thought again as he realized that it wouldn't matter. There were two exits, possibly more even, and whatever wanted to leave could probably well do so no matter what the militia might try to do.
So the big kaetyma remained rather silent for the most part as they were lead to that command post to meet the captain.
"So,I'm afraid I don't quite remember, but she was the captain of the Gravewatch before, yes?.", he said to make a sort of small talk, and also to maybe get some extra information.

Drex followed the group without any protest. He wanted to see it the sours of the smoke left any traces but decided not to give any thing clues that they were there or of the discovery they have made, as they past the augers ruined home.

But what he could do, without attracting any more attention was too look around. Who was watching them, or not watching them because that would be even stranger. Considering they stood out like a sore thumb.

09:01, Today: Drex rolled 17 using 1d20+12. Perception check.

    Drex’s keen ears seemed to be the only ones beside Phelan, to pick up on Willa’s whisper although his keen eyes could not make out anything unusual in the dark ruins of the augur’s villa.
  “Uh…no, from what I heard she was a captain in the old king’s army but finished her tour of duty before the queen’s time.  She has a big farm not far from here, but she spends most of her time here in town though.” said Lento as the short doola tywuar beside him chipped in “And she spent time with the Gravewatch.  My da said she helped train the watchmen.”
  “Yes and you father also says that the moon is a great big dragon egg that will hatch upon the end of days.” Lento countered which made his companion look up at him with an annoyed expression.

  As the adventurers passed down a street leading off from the square they turned down a street which went almost south-east and from between the few houses they could spot a large familiar looking tower standing out over them.
  It was the same, blockish, octagonal tower within which they had met the wizard Uthnonin.  Though it had a structure built onto it, a long hall of at least two storeys.  Much of it was in the same style as that of the village’s grey-stone buildings.
  All around the perimeter of the watchtower were placed long, thin, wooden stakes with a cylindrical glass lantern tied to each which provided some candle light to the surrounding area.  Drex could even make out a few silhouettes in the dark windows of the watchtower.  Probably watchers he reckoned.  There was also light from within a few windows within the watchtower.

  A voice called out from a window just above the watchtower’s large doors  “Halt!  Declare yourselves and your intentions!”  The voice was somewhat firm and deep, but also a little slurred.
  Drex could just make out a snicker from somewhere up the watchtower as well.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:02, Wed 21 May 2014.

"If the moon really is a dragon egg then it will be the end of days either way if it hatches.", Jubei said with a rumble and chuckled a bit, yet he felt intrigued by that bit. "Where did he.. learn that?", he asked, but by then they had reached the tower and the watchmen called to them.
"We wish to speak to the Captain, let us in.", he then simply called back.

Willa watched the Augur's villa disappearing behind her with concern.  She had expected that they would return there, not be led on past it.  She was tempted to try and slip away and deal with the smoke problem herself.  Later might be too late, after all.  It could have done something bad by then, or have made its escape.  The only thing stopping her was that she had no idea how to deal with it...

In the end she decided that Phelan and the others were much more experienced in this sort of thing than she was and probably knew what they were doing. Shrugging, the worried look faded to her normal, cheerful smile.  However, it quickly reappeared when she saw the watchtower.

Guards.  A lone umbrean in a city of other races quickly learns to avoid them.  They have a habit of blaming innocent oozlings for every crime going.  And here Willa was, being led by two to a whole watchtower full?  That was not good.  Not good at all.  It was entirely possible that they would accuse her of all the undead stumbling about!  She couldn't have that!  How would she help the villagers then?

Whilst the guardsmen were distracted by Iron Jubei, Willa hoped that his massive form would keep them from noticing her as she ran and hid...

17:13, Today: Willa rolled 14 using 1d20+2. Hide!

Phelan was feeling fairly nervous. To a degree they had been dealing with other races for a while now, including the Isleborn. But to actually enter a guard tower with them brought a feeling of concern that they might not react too well to having him present. He had been listening curiously earlier to the conversation, noting down details that seemed pertinent; smirking slightly at the suggestion the moon was a dragon's egg.

As Jubei called out a response, he noted Willa attempting to hide behind the Kaetyma. Probably for good reason from what he had heard in the past of her race's mistreatment.

"A dragon's egg, now that is an interesting and scary thought all at the same time." Drex touch on this thought as he observed the surroundings.

Letting Jubei and Phelan handle all the talking, Drex will try to become inconspicuous. Which should not be to hared with his party, considering the composition of it, he is the most normal. The less people pay attention to him the more he can observe them and there actions without them knowing. In Drex's mind this will be the way he will catch the townsfolk of guard reviling there true motivations.

It is only a matter of time before the betrayers revile themselves.

"They can see us, they know who we are and why we are here. If they didn't they live under a rock. But I can judge by the snicker they do." He said to softly to thous in earshot.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:11, Fri 23 May 2014.

    As Jubei asked his question the doola answered back, “Uhm…sorry sir but I do not know.  Maybe he heard it from his da?”  just before they arrived at the watchtower.
  After Jubei called out the two militia men that had accompanied them nodded to them and said their shaky goodbyes and left to return to their dark post with blushes on the human’s face and the thick set doola hunching up a good bit.

  The inside the watch tower was dimly lit by a lone candle.  Beside the doorway a single militia men stood and asked the adventures to extinguish their lights.  The reason given was that the bright illumination would damage the night vision of the watchers in the tower.  So the adventurers grudgingly complied, though they remained suspicious.
  Willa was glad to remain unnoticed while she hid herself beneath Jubei’s metallic skirts.

  At the back of the tower the adventurers were lead up some stairs and onto the second level of the watchtower and told to go through the other doorway on that level.  This revealed a hallway that was part of the building adjoining the watchtower.  Where another militia men nodded and sent them on to a room at the end of the hallway.
  While moving through the building the adventurers could not help but notice the cobwebs and dust in the corners of the places they passed through.  This suggested the building had not seen much use until recently.
  Willa noticed scores of carefully concealed darkin marks.  One of them told the little umbrean something immensely important.  This place had once been the site of an umbrean colony and more importantly there was an entranceway to caves hidden in the lowest level of this building as well.  There were also the same sort of warnings scattered around about “the Voice in the Darkness” and about a “Poison of the Mind.”

  The party entered a small room, made so only because Jubei would take up one quarter of it by himself and so stood half inside the hallway and half inside the room.  It was well furnished with two small tables at the corners need the door.  A small desk behind which sat an middle aged woman who was busy reading a page as the adventurers entered the room.
  She was human and her hair was long if cut very short.  The blond colouring of her hair was fading out towards silver at the edges and her face, though chiselled was softened by wrinkles.  Drex could guess that she was probably around her 50’s.
  “Ah!  Welcome, moor yourselves.  I had been just puzzling over something.” She said as Drex and Phelan found chairs to sit on.  Willa however remained hidden beneath Jubei.
  “I am glad you have managed to come and see me before you disappeared off into the necropolis to fight whatever monsters are in there.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:20, Sun 25 May 2014.

Jubei was of course a little disgruntled to find himself having so little space yet again, but he did arrange with it, even though it was a little awkward to have so much of his rear sticking out into the corridor behind. But sacrifices had to be made either way.
"Well...", Jubei started but paused for a few moments again as he realized that he didn't actually recalled the Captain's name. ".. we decided to do some investigation first and we're not quite done with them yet. But I think you want to tell us what puzzles you, before we sour your day with our own questions. Or am I mistaken?", he decided to continue and glaze over that little bit.

Willa dared not make a move or a sound, desperate to remain unnoticed.  Even the darken markings she had glimpsed on the way here were not enough to ignite her curiosity in this precarious position.

    The captain lips quirked in a smile.  “Then I will not keep you long.” she rested her elbows upon simple desk “As you might be aware, I am the one who assembled Kyssea’s militia following the invasion.  I have been trying to keep the peace around the village since then.”
  She sighed and sat back in her chair.
  “That has not been easy.”
  “The people are becoming restless and the disappearances have only made it worse.  One of the things I would like to know from you, are the roads safe to travel?  If so I had been thinking of having the village evacuated.”

Having been silent for a while now Drex observing the people. It seems that at the mention of the disappearing townsfolk Drex's interest was drawn. He decides to speak up.

Darkly Drex replied to the captains question "No they are not. It seems that undead are patrolling the outskirts of the town." Evacuating the town was a smart decision and they could help the captain with this. But Drex could not let the betrayers escape with the evacuees, they must pay for what they have done.

 "What do you know about these disappearances?" He asked the captain, trying to make it sound like as casual as possible.


09:05, Today: Drex rolled 14 using 1d20. Bluff, so as not to make his interests apparent.

09:06, Today: Drex rolled 17 using 1d20+5. Insight to detect any lies via subtle facial expressions and body language.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:49, Mon 26 May 2014.

Now that a little time had passed and she had not been found, Willa was beginning to feel a little better.  She still remained hidden, but was not so tense.  It gave her mind time to wander and she began to think about the Darken markings.  Tunnels beneath the watchtower?  Could they be the entrance to the Necropolis she had read about before?  Would it even be possible to get down there with so many guards about?  Perhaps a distraction was needed?

Of course, there was more than that. The voice in the darkness had been mentioned again.  The apparent cause for the former colony of umbreans to pack up and leave. Was that what was beneath them?  If so, all these guards here would surely have been exposed to it.  Unless, may be it was just umbreans that it targeted?

Willa thought it best to try and learn a little more about this possibility.  She has heard the Captain ask if it would be okay to evacuate the village and Willa could not understand where that idea had come from.  Had not the spirit caravan owner said something like: “He said that as long as we remained in the village we would not be harmed?” The implications were clear - even to Willa - that it meant that they would be in trouble if they did leave.  If the guards had been exposed to the thing in the night, then they could be desperate, or worse, under its influence.

She quietly closed her eyes and tried to focus, searching for any mystical effects in the area.

[[10:21, Today: Willa rolled 26 using 1d20+6. Arcana - detect magic.
A Natural 20! (Perhaps the only chance Willa has of doing anything useful with her Arcana!)]]
This message was last edited by the player at 09:30, Mon 26 May 2014.

Jubei seemed to think for a few moments on the question and was preempted by Drex on it's answer. To that he gave a nod then. "Indeed. The roads are far from save. We might have managed to get through, but we didn't had a civilians to protect either. You would have to send a considerable number of militiamen with them, which would most likely leave you open to retribution here in the city. As it stands, it seems inadvisable.", he then tapped his chin as he wondered how to formulate his own question and shuffled a little in the incredibly comfortable position he was in.
"Hmm... and what do you happen to know about the Augur? Did he showcase any... strange behaviour prior to the... undead showed up?"
He asked and moved to sit down his large rear, not really caring anymore who's way he might block in the corridor behind. Only to notice that there was 'something' beneath him in the last moment and quickly standing back up with furrowed brows and slightly puzzled expression. Though the rather cramped room didn't really allow him to move and see what it was. So he turned his attention back to the captain and potential signs as to a untruthful answer to their questions.

12:25, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 29 using 1d20+9. Insight Check: Reveal thine lies to me!

It seems that the conversation with the spirit, from the caravan, has slips Drex's mind.

Drex nods agreement with Jubei's question. Any strange behavior noted by the captain might be clues to some unknown avenue of investigation.

    “I do not know as much about these disappearances as I would like.” the captain sighed.  “Though what we have learned is that whoever is responsible likes to work under the cover of darkness and at the outskirts of the village, and that they target anyone who is alone outside.”
  “Some of the men wanted to try and track down whoever or whatever is responsible but I would not have it.  I will not have anyone under my command disappear like the miller’s men.” the captain snapped, however it seemed rather that she had not snapped at the adventures but rather to be heard by everyone else inside the building.
  She coughed lightly as she brought her voice back down.  “Excuse my outburst, I have to keep reminding these men about that.”

  “I do however suspect that whoever or whatever is responsible for this it is probably undead in nature.  What better way to replace the losses they suffered in their ranks when they attacked the necropolis then to steal a few people from the village in the night.” she held up a hand.  “Despite what you might have heard I have no reason to trust a word uttered by that thing that was leading the army.”

  Drex did not notice anything unusual about captain Acano’s manner nor did it appear that she was lying.

  “I was afraid of that.” the captain sighed in an almost resigned fashion “Then out best hope lies with you, I doubly implore you to enter the necropolis and deal with whatever foul, undead thing remains there that is tormenting us.”
  To Jubei it seemed curious that there was a very slight pause just whenever the captain spoke, as if she was reviewing what she was going to say before letting it pass her lips.  What was more interesting is that her eyes, her eyes were slightly unfocused just enough to suggest she was not all there at the moment.  What was also interesting was how insistent she was that the adventures enter the necropolis.

  To her mind’s eye the space about Willa was saturated with magical energy.  A shifting brilliance that the warlock knew formed the very foundations of all realities.  In that glow she cast about insubstantial eyes, looking for anything that disturbed the aether about her.
  There was the glows from the magical items she and her companions had found, she could count each one and feel the pulse of their power like music in the air.
  Then there was something about the captain.  It was not a spell, at least not any Willa could recognize, not did it have the impression of a spirit it was something else and it was influencing the captain.  The warlock realized that the captain was probably not even aware of it.  This entity clung to the back of her head and neck in a way unlike anything the little umbrean had ever seen before.
  Once she recognized it, her magical senses found something else.  About, herself and her companions, each of them was host to another of these unseen creatures.  When she saw the thing about herself the little umbrean could only scream as a terrible and unnatural terror seized her and she ran from the room.

[Whistles nonchalantly as he rolls dice.]

As Willa's terror retreated she stayed frozen for a few moments, quite unsure what to do or how.  She had experienced worry and concern before.  Worry about being treated badly by others, concern for the safety of friends.  But she had never before experienced fear.  At least not on this scale.  As her mind started to calm down, she thought how good it was to have felt something so new and so vivid and how terrible it would be to do so again.

The paralysis faded and her arms suddenly started to flail wildly at the back of her head and neck, without her willing them too.  They scrabbled to remove whatever unseen entity rested there.  Much like someone frantically trying to brush away cobwebs that they had unexpectedly walked into.

A few moments later, after her arms had worn themselves out, Willa tried to piece together the strange things that she had seen and could only surmise that the Big Bad Mind Voice in Darkness Soul-Eater Demon, was to blame.  But just how much so?  Was it connected purely to the vision, or to the undead as well?  She had had little success in locating it so far.  Perhaps it awaited them in the necropolis? Or...she wondered just how much control had Vito over that arm of his?  Even if it wasn't to blame, it somehow predicted the coming darkness.  Maybe it knew things?  Could be conversed with?

For better or worse, Willa was now known by the guards.  She should go talk to her friends.  Even if she got blamed for all this, may be they could go on without her?  As she tried to stand up, she felt her 'stomach' churn and stumbled.  Righting herself, the oozling felt strangely smaller than ever before, even compared to 'tiny-ing' herself.

"Wonder what happen if Willa stay in dream?  Blue light save Willa?  What was?"  She looked up at the underside of the stairs, but imagined looking past them, the floors above, the watchtower's roof and through the ominous cloud above.  Willa was not religious.  Gods and such were altogether too big for one so small but, in this instance, she found herself thankful to have made a pact with one.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:46, Tue 27 May 2014.

Jubei flinched a bit at the sudden scream of Willa beneah him and for a moment wondered if that was because of his sitting attempt. Some shuffling followed on his side as he moved around to figure out what was up with the Umbrean, but didn't manage to spot her there anymore. He gave a bit of a shrug then and turned back to the Captain. "Ignore that, our Willa is a little... weird sometimes.", he said and gave a faint nod. "Now, we will go to the Necropolis in due time. I'd much rather like to know if you were about to answer my question before that little interruption, or if you willfully ignored it? I will give you the benefit of the doubt and rephrase my question. Did you know that the Augur was doing experiments on awfully fresh corpses in his basement? Experiments that looked quite a lot like necromancy in fact.", he then paused for a moment to let her think over what he just said.
"I will give you a fair warning. Say the truth now. If we later find out that you have lied and had a part in this, then I will have harsh repercussions."



11:39, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 17 using 1d20+12. Intimidation check. Well, fucked that one up.

Drex thought it wise to not interrupted Jubei. Instead he will see if the captains answer to this question is truthful. It would seem that Jubei thought there is something amiss.

13:58, Today: Drex rolled 13 using 1d20+5. Insight. don't know if I may make another check, if not ignore this one XP

    Acano’s manner went from surprise at Willa’s sudden departure to concern then annoyance as Jubei spoke.  Folding her arms she said “I had not been avoiding your question I simply did not see what that had to do with anything really.”
“The augur was a recluse and a noble one at that whom you are levelling very serious accusations against.  Candidly I am far more concerned about this darkness and the undead fiends desecrating our dead then I am about a few missing peasants!” she growled, clearly angry but trying carefully not to let her voice be heard by anyone outside the room.
  From what Drex could tell the captain was acting much as one would expect a former soldier of the royal army to behave.

  In the gloom Willa found a spark of solace leaping from her rod and forming a small twinkling ball of light.  Casting a pale light upon her and her surroundings which seemed to melt away in the week light leaving the umbrean standing upon…
  A rough stone, batted by waves, she overlooked the sea ringed by clouds all around her.  Lightening crackled in those clouds and a storm ragged beneath them.
  It was storm without end.

  From the waters that lay in the tranquil gap in the vast storm stood, scattered about, glittering spires of crystals.  They looked small from where Willa stood by she knew they towered as tall as mountains.  Inside those crystals shone a familiar blue radiance…

  The area grew dark and the dungeons around Willa returned.  The spark growing faint again as it hopped back onto her rod and stayed there are the little umbrean drew out a proper light source.  Then it faded completely.

[Again, sorry for the late post.  :o  I should be getting back on track now with things.]

Willa let out an exaggerated sigh and blankly walked away, as if everything 'till now had been completely normal and not the least bit strange.  Her mind somewhat blown, it seemed the most reasonable response at this point.

She now had two options.  One, return to her friends, or two, try and make use of the comparative freedom she had in this place.  Although she sorely wanted to seek guidance, somehow the second choice seemed the better one as there might not be another chance to wander around the watchtower unguarded.

With her ever-burning torch in hand, she hunted around the dungeon's nooks and crannies.  Hopefully she might locate more Darken markings, or even a way leading further down.

23:26, Today: Willa rolled 8 using 1d20-1. Willa hunting for secrets!
This message was last edited by the player at 22:28, Thu 29 May 2014.

Phelan looked in surprise to where Willa once was. He was wondering what was bothering her, but couldn't think of a good way to find her with the Umbrean having already taken off. Dismissing it as a bad job, e focused on the conversation between his party members and the captain. The reaction the captain had towards the mentions of the augur caused suspicion to flare in him.

"Then it is possible someone has been using or impersonating the Augur." Phelan replied, realising quickly that accusations probably wouldn't go so well. "And, unfortunately, it could very well be linked to the undead threat. Captain, how much do you know about-" He shuddered slightly at even mentioning it. "Necrothaumaturgy? And I'm not throwing accusation sat you, I am asking for the sake of my explanation."

Jubei grimaced at the snapping back of the captain before he gave a faint nod. "Accusiations that have a very solid base, as whoever burned the augur's manor forgot to get rid of the evidence in the basement as well.", he then let Phelan finish his talking. Taking a back seat in the talk for a moment, possibly to formulate his own train of throught a little better.

    “Enough to be able to recognize it.” the captain said.  “So that explains what you were doing there earlier this morning.”
  “Should your accusations turn out to be true it could have serious repercussions for the kingdom.” she finished, no longer so much on the defensive as she had been.
  “What exactly had you found to convince you of this?” she asked.

  The cells in the dungeon were closed but not locked; Willa found various bits of detritus within but nothing interesting or valuable and no darkin marks.  Though she had only taken a look at a part of the dungeon around the entrance she had come down.

Finding nothing, Willa decides to tries to widen her search and heads deeper into the dungeon.

22:13, Today: Willa rolled 11 using 1d20-1. Perception - deeper dungeons.

[While we wait for Phelan, I’ll continue with Willa’s bit.]
    Moving on from the cells she had found when she entered, Willa makes her way in further into the dark dungeons.  The stale air was almost rancid here and the warlock waved her hands just to get the air moving a little when she spotted a darkin mark.
  It led her to a nearby cell which had another mark indicating the position of some loose bricks in the wall.  Prying the brick out with one of her implements, and moving it aside, she squeezed through and found a large, dark passage beyond.  It was rather trapezoidal, tapering off to the top and widening at the floor.
  It slanted softly downwards and the unusual architecture was familiar to Willa.  She wasn’t sure why…

Experience Awards:  Escape from the Augur’s Laboratory (125 Experience Points, each), Discover that the Heroes and Villagers are being Influenced by Demonic Forces (125 Experience Points, each) and Surviving Chapter 1 (25 Experience Points, each).
[Yes I get so caught up in telling the story I often forget to dish out XP for no combat encounters until much later.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:33, Sun 01 June 2014.

Willa slowly moved further into the passage, entranced by this feeling of familiarity that she was experiencing.  She swallowed in anticipation and placed her free hand against the wall, leaving a trail of slime behind in case it became difficult to retrace her steps.

She kept a close eye on her footing and the immediate area in front of her.  This place was likely old and could therefore be in disrepair, or even trapped!  Of course, there could be more markings too.

18:30, Today: Willa rolled 22 using 1d20+4. Perception check - a careful eye on her surroundings.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:38, Mon 02 June 2014.

Phelan grimaced. "We had been requested to investigate the Augur's home.  When we got there, it was already severely damaged; but we found an odd passageway that led underground. From the looks of it, it had been transmuted." He paused slightly, looking somewhat pale as he remembered what they had seen below. "We found a door... Behind it... We found a laboratory for necrothaumatology." He continued explaining what they had discovered; including the animated skeletons and the odd shadow that had chased them.

Having finished, he sagged in place, looking somewhat sick at his recall about what they had discovered.

Jubei gave a grim expression as he looked to Phelan and listened to his elaborations, adding his own impressions whereever necessary.
"Something... of note. Before we investigated the basement itself, I found a half-charred corpse that was rather peculiar. It seemed to have been hollowed out by black tendrils. Of course I can't say how the... thing had looked like before it was charred, but given the rest of what we found it would seem likely that the Augur... and whoever might have helped him, had tried to make servitors that would wear a human guise. And yes, I believe that the Augur hasn't been working alone, for that the workshop was far too big for just a single madman."
He then took a little pause and began to fumble with his pack, eventually pulling the little obsidian shard out that he had almost forgotten about and held it towards the captain so she could take a look at it.
"And do you happen know what this is? I found that on the corpse I had mentioned."
Of course he also kept an eye on the captain and looked for a suspicious reaction.

12:01, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 25 using 1d20+9. Insight Check: Captain's Reaction.

While Jubei hand's the amulet to the captain, Drex opens up one of the side pockets on his backpack and retrieved the two signet rings. Placing them on to the table while saying: "When you are finished looking at that what can you tell us about these." Watching the captain's reactions.

13:27, Today: Drex rolled 13 using 1d20+5. Insight to see if captain reacts.

    “Then great care must be taken to prevent others from stumbling down there.  Though I shall have it investigated after the darkness has passed.” she looked up at the adventurers.
  “Which makes the removal of the undead from within the necropolis even more important! she almost shouted at them.
  The captain’s eyes appeared to glaze again as she looked at the shard Jubei presented.  “What do you think this is?” she asked, not sure herself it seemed.
  When she saw the items Drex layed on the table she seemed quiet shocked “It would seem you were right in that we had been dealing with an imposter of some sort.  Who knows how far this might go…”

  Willa found no further markings as she moved down the corridor, which was surprisingly straight, if slightly slanted.  It leveled out and opened into a large chamber, lit by the glow of a massive green crystal poking through the ceiling of the circular chamber.
  It was cavernous and rough forming a large bowl in the center with two other doorways, both sealed by large stone doors, leading out from the chamber, spread out almost equidistantly about the room.
  Something about this place was incredibly familiar to Willa but she could not put her finger on why…
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:46, Sat 19 July 2014.

Willa walked forward into the bowl.  She nostalgically rubbed her hand against the bottom, wondering what the significance of this place was.  Why did it seem to mean so much to her?  It seemed time had slowed as she forgot the troubles outside and become lost in her own thoughts.

There was one possibility.  Perhaps this place was not familiar to her at all.  Perhaps it was some long buried memory from a life long past?  Going with that idea, she stared into the glowing crystal above her.

16:47, Today: Willa rolled 6 using 1d20+4. History Check - Willa tries to recall long forgotten memories from her predecessors.

Jubei squinted his eyes at the brief shouting of the captain, then took the shard back and let it slide into his pack again. "You keep saying that, and we will get to it too. As for the shard, I don't know. It has some small writing on it. We will investigate that when there's time for that. Now however since you're so insistent on sending us to the Necropolis... we apparently require a Spirit Lantern to enter. Would you be so kind and provide us with one?"
The kaetyma was of course aware that he had one already in his possession, he was however also a little suspicious still about the motivations of the captain, in particular the seeming absent mindedness she had during all of this.

"In that case we must be really causes..." Drex said as a reply to the captains statement. Leaving the rings on the table.

Drex again think it wise to let the scene play out in front of him. He trusts Jubei's judgment. These last couple of weeks Jubei has proven himself worthy of Drex's trust. He is an excellent warrior and well mannered, not thing like the barbarian raiders that rape and pillage villages he heard of in stories. He gives a smurk as he thinks this.

    Willa stared at the big green crystal until her neck got sore and nothing came to mind.  Though there were still the other two doorways to explore, so she crossed the bowel and climbed out and looked at them.  Both were indeed like the first though the one bore highly stylised darkin marks which read ‘Escape’ and the other was written upon in common, saying ‘This passage to the city of the dead may only be entered those who carry the light of the spirit.’

  Captain Acano fell back into her chair as she folded her arms and said “No, we do not at the moment.  When the darkness fell over the village it would seem all the Spirit Lanterns vanished.  However I suspect the druid might have one or could obtain one as she is the only remaining spiritualist in the village.  The other would have been the Gravekeeper of the Gravewatch but he’s most certainly dead now.”
  She looked over at Drex as he mentioned the rings and amulet.  “A master craftsmen could tell you if any of those are forgeries or genuine articles.  I do not have that skill.”

[Le sigh for their being no “crafting” related skill in D&D 4th edition, so its basically just a perception check done by someone who should have that sort of knowledge, ala artificer or such.]

Willa wondered over and tried the door marked 'escape'.  Perhaps, if it led outside the watchtower and was big enough, it could be used as a way back in for her and her friends.

Having been quiet whilst he tried to regain his composure from telling his story, Phelan had simply been listening as the others spoke. Eventually Drex brought out the items, and Phelan's curiosity was aroused. There had not been opportunity to examine earlier; he decided now was a good time.

"If I might take a look?" He enquired, clambering up onto a chair to get a better look, eyes narrowed at the items. He tried to recall if he had ever seen them before so he could compare them to mental recollections of genuine articles.

Perception: 15. Woo?

Drex sits quietly, observing the scene. Waiting for Phelan to come to his conclusion about the rings.

Jubei gave a low rumble and then a bit of a smirk. "Well, good that we found one in the augur's little laboratory then.", he said as he carefully pulled the thing from his backpack. "Just out of curiosity, since I'm not fully familiar with your rites here, why is a spirit lantern... required to enter the Necropolis?", he asked, while he of course tried to figure it out himself, he might even consult the spirit of it!

11:03, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 21 using 1d20+9. Religion check: musings in regard to the lantern.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:04, Fri 06 June 2014.

    Willa was not certain how she would open either of the doors as they appeared to have no visible mechanism by which they could be opened.  Yet as she approached the door marked in darkin with the symbols for ‘Escape’ the door shimmered and vanished and in its place stood the glowing apparition of an umbrean.  He appeared dull blue and much like Willa had rather child-like proportions and was wearing a neat robe and mantel made from patches of discarded fabrics of mostly browns and beige with a polygon of orange upon his stomach.  His bright yellow eyes were flecked with black and stood forward from his face upon two stubby stalks.  He spoke with deeper voice then one would have expected from a creature just over two feet tall, and he spoke in darkin “Cousin of the Wells I can only hope that you have found the lands above this chamber in a far better state then in which we had been forced to leave them.  This passageway before you is a trap meant to lead those who would pursue our kind into a maze from which they would be unlikely to escape in a timely fashion.” the image smirked to itself, blinked and continued “We found passage south, with the aid of the druid, who – unlike most – bare our kind no ill will.  There are secret ways out of this place if you seek them, simply walk the circumferance of the chamber and they will reveal themselves to you cousin of the well.” he pointed around the large room before saying “May you find your time precious.” as he folded his arms and vanished, leaving the stone door reappearing in his place.

  Having worked with metal himself, Phelan quickly found that one of the two rings was indeed counterfeit.  It lacked the imperfections and stylizations of a jeweller or smithy’s handiwork and so had probably been produced by magic.  He grinned to himself, in that the isleborn did something so similar to what the narayah did; only narayah made precious articles exorbitantly intricate or puzzle like to prevent easy duplication.
  While the room was bathed in the soft green light produced from the low, heatless and smokeless flame within the lantern.  The captain’s brows drew up at the sight.  Then she explained something that was also unravelling in Jubei’s mind, and which Drex knew, the graveyards of the Old Kingdom had been built in equal parts to honour the Isleborn’s compact with the Grim and to protect the dead from interference by the living.  Something that was for the most part the fault of kaetyma raiders of old, who were not above using sorcery to raise the dead of the isleborn to fight in their service.
  The necropoli grew from those fortified graveyards.  As part of their fortifications the necropolis were built with powerful magical protections which would assault any living or undead being that entered or tried to enter the necropolis without the sanction of the dead within the necropolis.  The Spirit Lanterns were instruments created to facilitate communication between the living and the dead and to allow save passage into and through the necropolis to those who fed it their blood and who bore no ill will toward the dead.

Experience Reward: Discover the Fate of the Umbrean Colony of Kyssea (125 Points)
[Congratulations to Willa for finding out what happened to the missing umbreans.]

Phelan tapped the faux ring thoughtfully with a claw. "This one is a forgery." He informed the room at large quietly. "It seems my initial assumption really does have grounding in reality. This is a magical duplicate; possibly the same person who created the necrothaumatology lab." He felt somewhat suspicious about the captain's behaviour, particularly her reaction to the shard that Jubei had presented to her.

I wonder... How many Enchantment specialists are present in the land now? He thought to himself, focusing his ability to detect magic around him, paying careful attention to any sort of magic around the captain.

Arcana check - Detect Magic: 16. Derp! Maybe Willa can fill him in later. We all roll a 3 sometime...
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:52, Sat 07 June 2014.

At the appearance of the umbrean's apparition, Willa was struck by a cavalcade of emotion: confusion, joy, wonder, longing, excitement, gratefulness, emptiness, despair and loss.  All of which accumulated in a lonely whisper a few brief moments after the image had faded, "...bye."

Willa had little to no experience of her kind and the sense of belonging that accompanied conversing with one, even just an illusion of one, was incredible to her.  He had spoken as an equal, with acceptance and...kinship.  Cousin he had said, cousin.  The concept of family was new to the little oozeling.  She had seen other races' families of course, but it was so very alien to her.  Then there, for the briefest moment, she experienced a fraction of what it must be like for them.  Perhaps deep down it was something she had always wanted without realising?  May be that explained her passion for making friends?

But, as suddenly as it began, it was over and she was alone again.  Feeling cold, silent and bitter.  Willa shook her head free of the negative thoughts.  It had been a busy day!  She sighed and grinned happily at the door, thankful to have been able to be a part of this moment.

"You be grateful too, naughty head-hugger-thing!" She said to the invisible companion accompanying her.

09:54, Today: Willa rolled 21 using 1d20+7. Arcana - Willa trying to converse with her little hitchhiker.

Walk the circumference of the room?  Should she do that now? She pondered whether or not that would be a good idea.  What if that made a lot of noise and the guards came?  Before she realised that she was now beyond caring about the guards, she had already walked half way...
This message was last edited by the player at 08:57, Sat 07 June 2014.

Jubei listened to the explanation of the captain with a rather grim expression before he gave a bit of a nod. Of course he knew about the whole affair with the kaetyma invasion, but beyond that he wasn't quite as versed in history, especially if it wasn't even of his home.
"Well, thanks for illuminating that for me.", he said and then looked over to Phelan. "If it is a forgery, then someone has been impersonating the augur... maybe even before the necromancer showed up. I dare say that the threat from the Necropolis isn't the only one here, but it's certainly the more obvious one.", he continued before he looked to the others. "So... what will be our next step?"

[Willa is a little ahead so I'll give her part of the story a skipover for this round. While the rest of you make up your minds about the next stage.]

  The captain was apparently deep in thought as the adventurers conversed.

Phelan's conclusion about the rings confirmed his suspicions. Drex think it unwise to say to much in front of the captain. But they do need to discus the next step, they are going to take. "Well I think we need to regroup and maybe have some lunch. I am getting hungry." He looks down at his stomach as it rumbles.

[Alrighty then, I’ll move this along then.]

    The adventurers bid their farewell to the captain and make their way back to the inn, keeping an eye out for Willa as they do so, though they do not spot her as they make their way back to the inn.  Though Phelan wonders out loud to his companions about perhaps using the guild badge to send a message to Willa about where they were going, and hoping that the warlock would either tell them where she was so that they could meet up with her there or that she could meet them back at the inn.
  None of the adventurers wanted to express the gnawing worry they felt, which they believed was just concern for their missing comrade.

  Walking around the periphery of the chamber Willa did not notice the glowing darkin marks that sprang up upon the wall, and the bright outlines of doorways these marked until she caught herself from her reverie.
  Paying attention now as she walked around the room she found there were six hidden passages.  Each indicating a general direction and the distance as well as annotations that named the area within which the passage existed, these were as follows;
North by 5 miles – Old Quarry.
East by North-East by 2 miles – Sea Caves.
South-East by ¼ mile – Southern Outskirts.
South by 3 miles – Cauis Farmstead.
South by South-West by 1 mile – Western Outskirts, Caravan grounds.
West by South-West by 4 miles – Plaerus fields.

"That is a grate plan, I'll do that." Drex takes out his badge and sends a message to Willa. The message told her that they are going to the inn and wants to know where she was and if she was in danger, hoping that she was not.

"Well ifs done now we wait... And I think this short rest would do us good." Drex waits to hear what the others have to say before he also mentions that he would like to speak to the Druidess before we head to the necropolis, but if you think we should rather do as the captain wants that's fine with me..." He said to Jubei and Phelan as they walked to the inn.

Jubei rubbed over his chin and gave an agreeing nod. "Yes.. we should wait for Willa... hear whatever she learned. Then go and meet the druid. I just can't shake the feeling that there are more threats present than just the necromancer in the Necropolis. The Augur must have been replaced long before that ehuron even showed up.", he mused and then froze up for a few minutes and took a look around if they were being followed or otherwise shadowed by something. For an onlooker it might look amusing how the large kaetyma was circling around himself for a little bit, like some sort of dog.

17:21, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 16 using 1d20+4. Perception check: Stalkers, eavedroppers and other creeps.

Willa looked back in puzzlement as her backpack started talking to her.  "Naughty-Head-Hugger? No...Drex!"  She exclaimed recognising the voice at last.  Digging around, she pulled out the strange badge-thing that she had 'borrowed' from that guild-place.  She tapped at it inquisitively, not quite sure how it worked and tried talking to it.

"Uh, hello?  This thing on?  Willa okay.  Umm...bit lost may be."

She looked at the doors.  None of them indicated that they would lead to the inn.  That was a little surprising considering she had found tunnels there.

"Many doors.  All lead out of village."

Willa was a little stumped.  On one hand it might be best to use one of these passages and find another way back here.  Then they could return bypassing the guards.  On the other hand she had no idea which locations, if any, were safe and she didn't want to let undead back into the village.

The umbrean vision had said that they were in close contact with the druid and Willa knew she was to the south.  But how far south?  Would one mile be too far?  She thought it best to ask.

"How far Mardigras' home?"

As she waited for a reply Willa looked aorund to see if there were any other tunnels leading out of the room, which she had not noticed before.  In case the way to the inn was not hidden behind a magical door.

17:04, Today: Willa rolled 14 using 1d20+4. Perception.  Wooking for wabbit warrens.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:20, Mon 09 June 2014.

Drex relays Willa's message to the group...

Well at lest she was not in any trouble. Drex thought to himself. "I think we should wiat half-an-hour and if Willa has not joined up with us, then we must go and look for her."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 08:27, Tue 10 June 2014.

    The ceramic disk shone with faint blue light from the inlaid symbol of House Vana’Mere as Willa spoke her message and she thought about her friends.
  As she wondered out loud about how to get to the druid’s home a stream of bright green light flowed from the stalagmite like crystal in the ceiling and ran across the floor towards the doorway that led to the Caravan Grounds.  It continued to flow that way even as Willa stood watching and seemed to remain in place making a glowing line upon the floor.
  Willa had simply taken the crystal to be a light source rather then something else.  She hadn’t sensed an inherent magical aura to it when she had entered the chamber.  And even now she did not detect any magic from it nor from the stream of light that was pouring out onto the floor.
  Despite this lightshow she tried to find other doorways out from the room but became quite certain there weren’t any more.

    Jubei only noticed a smattering of the village folk going rapidly about their business.  Much like before they were being very wary about staying in any dark spot for long.  Satisfied that they weren’t being spied upon at the moment, they made their way to the inn.  Which was quite with one of the wenches the only person in the large tavernhall and she seemed to be daydreaming, her gaze upon the low fire in the hearth.
  Drex had to make a polite grumble to shake her from her reverie.  Phelan wanted to smack her, in equal parts annoyance and because looking into a fire for too long was incredibly stupid.  You never knew what devil or other thing from the abyss might be looking back into you then.

Willa cocked her head as she pondered over the green light.

"Caravan Grounds, huh?"  She spoke uncertainly, remembering the last caravan she had encountered. After a moment she nodded enthusiastically, thanked and waved to the helpful crystal and slipped over to the indicated door.  It was, after all, the one she had been thinking about trying anyway.

Before packing up her badge she sent a message to Drex, informing him that she would try to get to the druid's hut and cautiously headed out.

Drex orders something to eat and drink, while he takes a seat. "I wonder if the missing people and the necromancer are connected or do you think they are two separate occurrences..." Drex said when they were alone, just then the message from Willa came through. Drex relays the message to the rest of the group.

As the wench brought his food and drink. He in-hails it all, mumbling something about eating now and tasting later. He tells her to put it on there tab.

Drex will wait for anyone else who has ordered a meal, then if all of them are ready to leave and its agree to go to the Druidess Madahgarra's abode. He will cover the rear and making sure no one is following them.

If not, then I will re-post if necessary.
10:34, Today: Drex rolled 14 using 1d20+12. Perception check

Jubei also ordered himself a rather generous meal. The events up to this point had kept him mind busy enough that it didn't realize the needs of his body, well until they walked to the inn. "I am not sure.", he said after ordering something. "Do we actually know when these people went missing? I think the captain said that the miller's men were the first to disappear? Maybe we should check by there and investigate. Though we shouldn't forget about the necropolis either... I am sure that by nightfall we'll get to hear something from there."
He dove right into his meal the moment it was placed before him.

    Willa began her long trek down the passage.  Dimly lit out before her by the thing stream of green light which ran off down the dark tunnel for what Willa suspected was about a mile.  To a creature as small as her, a mile was as good as five times that to the bigger folk…
[Willa, you are going to be walking that distance for a good bit, so again – depending on the others – you may have to sit out on a post or two.]
  Phelan points out on the map the Vito (the alchemist) had provided them that the Miller’s home lay between the main road that ran east-west through Kyssea and the Augur’s Villa.  That would be their best bet to find the miller he supposed.
  Drex noticed nothing peculiar about his surroundings, nor any immediate danger.  Though a few men came to the inn for a quick bite to eat and something to drink before they went out again, they talked a bit about how this darkness was probably ruining the harvests in the fields and how they wouldn’t really get paid much by the farmers if there wasn’t much of anything for the farmers to sell.  One of them hoped in apparent vain that maybe the clerics at the temple would help and he got told that such help was as likely as the druids doing anything about it.

Jubei tried not to chew too audibly as he leaned over to take a look at the map as well before he let out a low rumbling. "So... I would suggest that we first go and see the druid, since that would provide us some more leads. Sure we could go to the miller first... but our only lead there is that his men disappeared. That's not much to go by. What do you say?", he looked at the other two then.

"I think this would be the wisest course of action." Drex said, nodding his head will leaning back in his chair and crossing is arms. "If we are finished here, then I think we should head there right now."

Jubei gave a slow nod and tapped his chin. "Well, we should wait for Willa to arrive first, no? Maybe she has learned something important to share with us, that might change the situation?", he rumbled while he finished his meal.

[So while Drex and Jubei, with the quiet and ever observant Phelan, decide what to do I’ll continue with Willa.]

    The oozeling emerged from a door which lead out from atop a ladder which was all concealed within the trunk of a very large, black willow tree set among a small copse of other willows near a small pond.  This is were the light stopped.  Once will was out of the tree the green light retreated and left Willa in to dark amongst the quiet trees.
  Taking a quick look at her surroundings Willa could see only about 1/3rd of a mile away lay the outskirts of the village.  The druid’s home should not be too far from here, but Willa realized she would have to look harder to find a lone building out here in the dark.  And she didn’t even know if the druid hid her home with magic or was it perhaps between a copse of trees like this one?

"Huh.  How find druid?"  Willa quietly wondered to herself.  She hadn't met one before and didn't know much about them.  She had heard children's tales though and had an idea that they could talk to animals and even become animals themselves.  That sounded really amazing!  But Willa could not talk to animals, or she could, but she did not think they would understand.  May be she should try anyway?

The little umbrean decided that she better try and remember the location of this tree stump.  She could and attempted to commit this spot to memory and made a small pile of stones, to hopefully help find it again.  As she expanded her search, she used a rarely seen dagger to cut a few small umbrean markings into any trees she passed, directing her back the way she came.

Willa wondered what kind of place a druid would live in, and spent a little longer looking about for anything unusual.  May be she didn't live in a normal house but something stranger.  Like a nest or...a dam made from twigs?  Weren't there some animals that did that?


Lots of rolls incoming, no idea which apply, if any:

If she sees nothing in particular, Willa will wonder about looking for small animals ans asking them if they would show her where Mardigras the druid lives.

11:24, Today: Willa rolled 14 using 1d20+4. Perception: Spot checking for a hovel/strange plant formation.

11:29, Today: Willa rolled 14 using 1d20+2. Nature: attempt to appear friendly to the critters she tries to talk to.

11:30, Today: Willa rolled 10 using 1d20+4. Perception:  On the look out for critters!

This message was last edited by the player at 10:35, Sat 14 June 2014.

Jubei gave a rumble and then reclined a little, having finished his meal now he then gave a bit of a sigh. "Well, I think you're right. We should probably head out and find Willa instead. Though where could she be?", he rubbed over his chin then. "Our initial plan had been to check the augur's home, then go to the druid... no? We should probably head there then."
The kaetyma then shuffled back up, stretched his limbs and gave a growl. "Enough time wasted. We should go."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:19, Sun 15 June 2014.

    Jubei, Phelan and Drex left the inn and made their way across the field to the south, taking the map Vito gave them out again just to get their bearings and adjust their direction to the south-west.  Soon they left the village and looked about the darkness spreading out before them to see if they could pick out the building when they almost walked into a dark copse of willows.

  As Willa looked around for the hut she spotted a moving light coming from the village, it was just too far to make out exactly who was carrying it in the darkness but it seemed to be moving in a roughly southerly direction.
  While looking around she discovered that the loose scattering of willows and smaller trees around here appeared to have been planted rather than having grown as they were by themselves.  Each tree was clumped together with other plants, mostly herbs and small bushes which Willa could tell provide symbiotic benefits to one another.  Believing this to be someone’s idea of a garden, Willa moved from copse to copse before long she found she was almost right in front of the direction the distant light was traveling.  When she managed to spot it’s bearer.  Drex and beside him, striding with his heavy footfalls, Jubei – his dark stone armour soaking in the light from the lantern much like the darkness about them.  Phelan was barely visible in their long shadows.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:48, Tue 17 June 2014.

"How far out do you think the druid's home is?" Drex asked Jubei as they waked in the direction of Willa, not having noticed her yet. Because of the darkness.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:35, Tue 17 June 2014.

Upon recognising her friends, Willa rushed forwards waving.  "Hiiii!" She called with a broad grin on her face.

Jubei gave a bit of a shrug at the question while the spirit lantern floated around next to him. "I have no clue..." he said, just moments before that high pitched voice of Willa called out to them. "Well, at least we found Willa... or she found us.", he chuckled and then looked over to her. Which was easier said than done, given that her small form was rather easily disguised by the surroundings. "Been exploring again?", the big kaetyma gave a bit of a smirk and a wave to her.

"I'm glad she is save..." Drex said as they came closer to Willa. Drex waits for Willa to answer Jubei's question befor asking his: "And have you found any clues to the whereabouts of the druid's home. The quicker we can speak to her the better." Drex looks very serious as he said this.

"Yep!" Willa declared triumphantly at Iron Jubei.  She looked up out of the corner of her eye and placed a finger on her chin as she tried to think.

"Is Umbrean place beneath Watchtower.  Left 'cause of Voice in Darkness Demon, but is way to Necropolis.  Need spirit lantern." She pointed at the thing hovering beside Iron Jubei, just in case there was any doubt. "When Willa talk of druid, Umbrean place show here." She gestured to the nearby copse. "Mardigras and umbreans good friends!"  she grinned.  "What also?  Hmm...not much.  Willa think place here may be druid home, but not know for sure.  Went looking for animals to ask, but not found any yet." She looked about her feet, making sure that none had sneaked up on her.

"Also many villagers got brain huggers.  Willa got one!" She pointed to an empty spot on the back of her head. "Drex, Mr Phelan sir and Iron Jubei too!"

"Quite excellent, then we've headed in the- wait what?", Jubei's smirk vanished the moment Willa mentioned the 'brain huggers' and furrowed his brows at her then. "Would you... elaborate on that? We got what now?", he asked and couldn't quite resist feeling the back of his head to feel if something there was out of the ordinary, but other than ruffling his feathers, it accomplished rather little.
Though just because he didn't feel it, didn't mean that it wasn't there and he knew that, they had faced enough incorporeal threats so far and he tried to discern what this one was now.

20:41, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 22 using 1d20+9. Religion check: Trying to detect them brain huggers
This message was last edited by the player at 18:11, Fri 20 June 2014.

The 'brain hugger' remarked startled Drex, he was not expecting that. At lease its not talking to him, or was it?

He finds his composure and stats in a low voice:"Well, maybe Mardigras could help us with that. The quicker we find her the quicker we will find out."

Willa shrugged.  "Not know.  First see in Guards' place.  Scared Willa, but not so much now.  Sea helped.  Guard Captain had also.  Think may be hugger control her.  But Willa still Willa yet.  May be not later?  How feels all?"

"Also, Mr Phelan Sir..." Willa shuffled shyly and looked towards Phelan's Rucksack, "you want keep pretty skeleton hat?  'Cause Willa, uh, Willa like..."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:43, Thu 19 June 2014.

Jubei gave a light nod at what Willa said. "Well, from what I can tell I'm not really feeling different... but how would I know... naah. Let's not take the thoughts there.", he gave a bit of a grim chuckle as he crossed his arms before his chest. "I did notice that the captain seemed to be rather... absent minded. Along with her insistence on sending us to the necropolis sooner rather than later. It might be the influence of those creatures. You said that this demon is there too? It would seem to me that the creature knows that we're coming and has probably prepared traps for us. That makes it even more important to be prepared.", he said and again gave a nod. "Yes, we should see the druid and see if she has something that could help us there."

Willa looked up at Iron Jubei, away from Phelan's rucksack and shook her head.  "Willa not know where is Demon.  But, if in Necropolis, may be is what Ehuron wants?"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:42, Thu 19 June 2014.

"That could be." Answering Willa's question. "But we don't know for sure." He said over his shoulder as he walks to the brush next too the road.

Drex uses his keen sight to identify any paths that were maid by animals as they cross the road. He bends down to have a closer look. "Mmmmm..."

08:02, Today: Drex rolled 13 using 1d20+12. Perception, to see if Drex can find any animal crossings... Rolled a 1
Sorry I should have rolled Perception not Nature, to spot animal or any crossing for that matter. I kept the dice result just added my perception score.

[Its perfectly fine, you can substitute to the proper skill Drex.  :) ]
  While Jubei’s spiritual senses could not find any entity attached to him Jubei did notice that his emotions were being manipulated in a most unusual manner.

  Looking to their immediate surroundings for any sign of tracks resulted in Drex being startled as a figure appeared beside him out of thin air.

    A deep blue light shone from a rhombus shaped jewel set into the wide, flat head of a staff which, along with the thin trunk like shaft, made the whole thing look like some oddly proportioned tree.  It even had roots which ran into the earth without disturbing its surroundings or the ground beneath it for that matter.
  The person wielding the staff upon their left side was dressed in a hooded cloak, shirt and pants made from hides and furs.  And the build an proportions suggested a human, though it was difficult to tell from the darkness under the hood nor could the gender be readily identified because of the type of clothing they wore.
  “Ye ahe eider braith ar fawlegh ta be gyppen ein auwn’en en fhy daukniss waif aul fhy ondyad hyre abroot.”  spoke the woman the adventurers suspected, because it sounded far to motherly not to be, even if the accent was so bad that it was difficult to understand her common.
  “V’ll?  Ahe hurst goen ta stande deur ar ye goen ta koma inseda?” she said.

[Tip, read what she said out loud.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:43, Sat 21 June 2014.

Willa giggled and bounced up to the new person.

"EEEEEi!  Willa ees.  Drex, Iron Jubei and Phelan ees.  Ahe oo Mardigras?  Veev bin Lukin feh oo.  Willa lickeh or stahrf.  Komeh Inseda?  Inseda air?"

11:19, Today: Willa rolled 22 using 1d20+10. Bluff - trying to impersonate the person's speech.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:22, Sat 21 June 2014.

Phelan cringed slightly at the speech, trying his best to hide it. The accent was rather unusual and gave him a headache to understand. He had been thinking over Willa's information about the 'huggers' and the Captain's behaviour when both sets of horrible accents startled him out of his thoughts. Deciding quickly that he really didn't want to deal with two sets of it; it was time to distract Willa.

"Here, Willa. Why don't you play with this for a while?" He carefully withdrew the helm he had found earlier out of the rucksack, holding it out to Willa as he approached the pair.

Willa turned round to see what Phelan had and her eyes instantly lit up upon seeing the helmet.  She rushed over, forgetting about the newcomer and quickly laid her hands on it.  As she was about to snatch the item away, she peered around at Phelan questioningly.  As he showed no sign of changing his mind she took it away from him and proceeded to roll it over in her hands, studying it wondrously.

"Thuynk oo, Fehlon!"

Jubei was a little taken aback, not just by the sudden appearance of the druid, but also of the excruciating accent that the woman had and which seemed to cause him physical discomfort by listening to it. At least judging by his brief facial expression.
Then he leaned in to Drex, given that he was the only one Jubei could comfortably reach without bending a whole lot and muttered, "What did she just say?", in a low voice that the druidess would hopefully not hear it. "I couldn't understand a bloody word there..."

The words was heavily accent but coming from the Isles he could make out what she said. Answering Jubei with a whisper: "Basically she said that we are either brave or stupid going around in the darkness. And the second part invites us to come into her place."

Drex looks her deep in her eyes and bow. "Thank you." Drex moves towards the place she appeared from assuming that there should be some sort of unseen gateway.

    Drex finds no gateway as he moves into the place the woman had emerged from.  While to his fellow party members he faded into the darkness.  She chuckles heartily at this and walks the way Drex had gone and she disappears to.
  Willa, trailed by Phelan and Jubei pass the unseen threshold and suddenly a huge jacaranda tree appears out there in the dark, illuminated by lights from a wooden building that girdled the trunk of the great tree and rose along its trunks and branches in places.  It appeared to be a large cottage with a peculiar garden.  Different shrubs, bushes and other small plants put beside each other in concentric circles around the home.
  The house itself looked to be a very haphazard construction of wood that had been grown over by moss, branches and vines.  Yet as they approached it rather than the smell of earth, mould and plants they had expected, it was instead a subtle sweet smell that was almost like that of a rose and caramel.
  There was a rustling as they got to the house itself and a large doorway of interlocking branches curled inwards to allow them passage inside the well-lit, wooden interior of the house.
  Despite its outward appearance, the interior was rather clean and simple in appearance, much like that of a hollowed out tree trunk.  The floor was some sort of solid rock (Phelan believed it to be sandstone) it was covered by a fuzzy blue carpet which upon closer inspection turned out to be some kind of plant similar to grass but much finer.

  Removing her hooded cloak at the door the woman the adventurers suspected to be the druid was revealed to be human, with an unusually fair complexion.  She was about average for a human in height and had rather attractive features.  Her hair was black with a few lengths of bright white hair in places.  She looked neither old, nor young. Which made it difficult for the party to judge her age accept to say that maybe she was around her late 20s.
  She led them to a large oval room which was clearly made to attend for a small gathering.  It seemed to be a conservatory combined with a green house.  There were three small circular wooden tables which stood low above the ground.  With several mats scattered about them.
  Even in here the woman still carried her staff with her as she motioned for the adventurers to make themselves comfortable as she sat down on the ground.  “Ei barlyth ye koma hede dye ta fhy onbudjrne plak’en ye and fhy v’llaghe, yas?”

Drex could not believe his eyes, he has never seen or been this close to druids hollow, but keeps it to himself and not reflecting this in his body langage. He takes it all in, noting all the detail.

Drex takes a seat. "Well if you mean the undead, yes. That would be part of the reason we sought you out. But I'm being rude." He stands up and introduces himself to her, with a flurry of his mantle he bows most courtesy to the lady before him. Making eye contact most briefly. "We would be most grateful, if you would be able to help us." A silly smile appears on his face as he said this. He seats himself again.

10:33, Today: Drex rolled 2 using 1d20. Diplomacy, with slight seductive nuances... Really, I'm beginning to think that I mildly dislike the dice.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:53, Tue 24 June 2014.

Willa wondered at the scene as she entered the druid's abode for a few moments, but interest was fleeting as her attention was quickly drawn back to the new helmet she now held in her hands.

Whilst Drex spoke to the lady, Willa lifted the item over her head, pausing only to look at the Deseekay with some confusion over the way he was acting.  Then a strange slurping noise followed by a quick pop announced to the room that she had squeezed herself in.

It felt strange to have her head confined in such a way and Willa could feel it moulding to the shape of the helm.  As she pulled it off, her face momentarily retained the skull-like visage of the visor, before returning to its usual shape. Fun! She thought and spent a few minutes pushing the helmet on and pulling it off again, making herself look like an undead umbrean, if such a thing could exist.

Jubei was rather taken aback by that great tree. After all hailing from a desert, he was still sorta new to the idea that there was green basically everynow now and so was rather surprised when that green suddenly also came up in rather impressive purple displays. He just trudged along, trying to make himself comfortable while he still tried to make sense of the druid's accent, which so far still managed to elude him, so he let Drex do the talking for the moment. At least until he caught on to the druidess' peculiar way of speaking.

    S he nods slightly at Drex’s introduction and smiles his charms not seeming to have the impact on her that he had been hoping for.  “Nhu, nhu ye ken not about fhy-” she paused as she mouthed something over and over for a moment then said rather slowly “Uuhhnnbboornnhe?” she said emphatically then sighed as she saw the adventurer’s frowns.  “Laat mii shaafh ye.” she says as she gets up and leaves the room for a few minutes then returns with a wooden tray with cups, a kettle and a few small glass bottles of various fluids.  Sadly their content was a mystery as their labels were written in the incredibly curly script of the druidic language.
  She spent an industrious minute going through the vials opening them up, taking a sniff, or swirling the contents around then poured some of them onto a tea spoon, mixed them together in a small empty mug then pour the resulting fluid into a cup of steaming water then presented the adventurers with the cup to examine its contents.
  The dark green and yellow fluid seemed to be oils of some sort which were slowly turning brown and the blobs of oils seemed to remain rather stationary as they swirled atop the hot water.  A few globs rising to the surface of the water as the tiny whirlpool within calmed.
  She looked at the adventurers expectantly.

Willa got up and waddled curiously over.  Looking first at the strange liquid, then at the druid's head and neck.  She furrowed her brow in concentration, checking for...something.

20:46, Today: Willa rolled 16 using 1d20+7. Arcana - looking for brain huggers!
This message was last edited by the player at 19:48, Tue 24 June 2014.

To Drex's dismay she didn't react the way he hoped she would. He takes the suspension she handed him. Looking down at it. "And what would this be?" He said confidently in his most approachable tone of voice, it is not like Drex to give up so easily. Looking up, he lests his gaze fall on her ones more.

This was like a game for Drex... a predator stalking its pray.

09:31, Today: Drex rolled 7 using 1d20+5. Insight, to see if she her hidden motifs.
Really another 2... Le-sigh

Jubei furrowed his brows some, having already sat down and still finding the table to be a little too low for him, but at least the mats were comfortable enough and he didn't complain. He probably wouldn't have even if they hadn't been. He also figured that he had finally managed to make some sense of her accent.
"Unborn? You mean undead?", he said with a rumble and then eyed the cup. Given the last part she said made him... well not suspicious, instead it was more of a curiosity as he shuffled some and leaned forward to get a look at the contents. "We're not supposed to drink that, are we? Otherwise you would have made more of it, no?", he said and scratched his chin a bit. "It is some sort of divination, right?"

    When Jubei talked about the Unborn being Undead she shook her head but when he spoke of the cups she nodded then said “Ye ken abroot shignhe shyle hulle uhnnerstare wjate Ige mene.”

  Willa found that there was no creature riding upon the back of the druid’s head.  While Drex could make not sense of any hidden motives the druid might posses, she genuinely seemed to be trying to convey something to the adventurers but suffering from either a cultural or language barrier.

  Phelan on the other hand, recognized what the druid was doing, it was a simple procedure that demonstrated the presence of unnatural psychic phenomena within the area.  Which suggested to Phelan that the druid’s Unborn were in fact disembodied minds, which were sometime known as daemons.

What started out as fun was fast becoming confusing.  Willa had understood the druid fairly well up to this point, but suddenly found herself stumped.  The first words made sense, the last too, but what was going on in the middle?  She looked to the others, hoping someone could shed some light on the matter.

Phelan was studying the cups curiously. A faint memory from his classes was stirring as he watched the odd activity in the mugs. He began murmuring the theory behind it in Narayan. Going through the  list of possible results and what they meant, when he eventually stopped on a word, repeating it in a strangled tone of voice.

"The Unborn are daemons?!" The question in Common still came out rather strangled and he almost choked on the last word.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:32, Fri 27 June 2014.

To Drex the liquid seems save and and he cannot detected any malicious intents. "I'm going to drink this, if its poison then only one of us should take the risk. And I sure I can resist it if it is." He said softly to Jubei. He looks at Mardigras, smiles and drinks it as he looks her in the eyes.

Jubei thought he had a grasp on the strange accent of the druidess, until he got that response from her which left him baffled again. His expression a grimace as he tried to figure out what she said, before his attention was drawn to Phelan thanks to his exclamation. "What now? Daemons like those things that attacked us in the basement?", he rumbled and was pondering that for a few moments before Drex then took his attention and he turned to the deseekay. "I... okay, go ahead... just tell us when you feel strange."
He then proceeded to rub over his temples and rumbled lowly. "So... those unborn...", he paused himself as he realized that there wasn't much point asking the druid given the communication problem they had already and then gave a bit of a smirk as he looked to the druidess. "Can you write? We might get past our little problem that way. Unless that...", he pointed to the pot Drex was holding. "Magically imparts wisdom on us."

    When Drex made to drink the concoction in the mug the druid had handed him she waved him off and frowned to stop him from drinking it.  She seemed a tad annoyed at the trouble the adventurers were having in understanding her made the druid make a loud whistle.  To which responded a soft cawing, followed by the appearance of a raven.  Which swooped in from the back of the conservatory to land upon the druid’s right shoulder.  The bird croaked at the adventurers as it landed and cocked its head towards the druid as she looked up at it.
  The raven swallowed quite deliberately, shook its head and emitted an audible sigh as the druids spoke up.  And the raven, translated.  “This should-” the bird seemed to pause as it blinked and turned its head to one side, as if thinking over something then croaked “-suffice.”

Willa giggled and reached for the raven, even though it is too far away for her to touch.  At the same time, she wondered why it had taken the druid so long to call upon the useful creature in the first place. Then she drew her hand back and spoke with an unusually sombre voice.

"Mr Mrs Bird, Willa got question.  Know Mardigras help umbreans from before leave.  Also know umbreans from before leave 'cause of big bad voice in darkness demon.  Willa want to know: what is big bad voice in darkness demon?"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:03, Sat 28 June 2014.

Jubei gave a grimace as well, rather unhappy at the predicament they were in and stuffed whatever he was about to pull from his backpack right back into it. Then he furrowed his brows as he watched raven take place on the druidess' shoulder, which was then followed by a low chuckle as the corvid began to speak, despite the caw and croak the raven was still better understandable than the druid, though Jubei made no remark on that.
"That will work indeed, I suppose.", he said but then took a momentary backside as Willa asked her question.

Drex moves the cup away from his lips. Okay then what should we do with is stuff? He wanders to himself, a little frustrated. He acknowledge the addition of the raven to the conversation with merely a glance. The frustration has turned Drex's mood quite dark. But Phelan and Willa seem to ask questions that he himself are wondering about. Drex decides to let his mood improve before speaking another word and let Mardigras answer these questions firs.

    Midahgarra spoke in short clipped sentences so that the raven could more easily translate for her.  “Yes child, the umbreans left because of the-” the bird squawked in displeasure as it turned to the druid who seemed to be turning a particular word over in her mouth “-deamons.”
“That was well over a year now.”
“Though they had been aware of something unusual going on for well over three years by that time.”
“I do believe that some of the farmers to the north-west are involved as that is where the umbreans sensed the greatest presence emanating from.”

Willa was a little unhappy with the raven's answer.  She had hoped for a lot more, but then again, it was just a bird.

"Okay, thanks Mr Mrs Bird."  She beamed happily under her helmet.  "Also, you know about brain-huggers?  Village peoples got.  We got.  But Mardigras not got?  Why?  They bad?  We can get off?"

Jubei furrowed his brows, intently listening to the raven and also rather happy still that he could at least understand that damn thing. He then raised his hand slightly to get some attention to himself as well. "What is in the north-west of the village? Is there anything of significance? Something that could potentially explain where this demonic influence can come from. From what I can tell it's currently trying to influence our emotions... and I'd rather have those things stop that."

    “That has to do with my background.  Druids are bound to the natural world in ways others are not and afford us some benefits and obligations.” the raven squawked at the druid who fed the bird a small nugget of food which she extracted from her clothing.
  Which the raven gulped down and made a satisfied croak before Midahgarra continued “The borrowers can be expelled but they will return once you have lowered your defences.”
  “They are but the outlaying roots of a greater corruption.”
  “Should you destroy the source whole would wither away.”
  The druid paused for a moment as she tapped her chin, lost in thought for a moment before her eyes focused again and raven spoke for her again “The infestation here has some power over darkness and shadow, to what extent I am not certain though I suspect this came at a vulnerability to light and fire.”
  “The magic which is responsible for the thick, obscuring clouds overhead is sustained by some power within the necropolis the spells source comes from somewhere to the north-west.”
  “Which makes me suspect the demons involvement.”

  “As for your kind little one, their reason for leaving was the demon, they prevent their own corruption and that of the Well.”
  “Should the demons have gained control of it they could have formed themselves permanent physical forms with ease.”

  “There is an old road that goes that way to the quarry but mostly farmlands.” the druid nods towards Jubei.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:31, Wed 02 July 2014.

"A psychic influence that fails against those with ties to the natural world...?" Phelan mused aloud. "With ties to shadow...? Something is very odd here." He frowned, lost in thought before turning his attention to the current situation. "So we have possibly aberrant entities. If I am correct, they attached to us when we last slept. I thought I had sensed something..." He trailed off, shaking his head before continuing. "They appear to have ties to shadowy power; we have something creating dark obscuring clouds up above, it makes sense that these  entities could be linked to it."

The small being began pacing as he continued his monologue. "We may need to expel these 'borrowers', at least temporarily. When exploring the source, I don't think we'll want the possibility of something influencing our emotions or thoughts. Would a ritual be required for it?"

Jubei gave a slow nod at the explanation and sat back with a rumble again, his torso leaning a little back onto his lower body while his gaze seemingly went off into the distance. "So... the power source of that spell is in the quarry... it would seem that the miners have unearthed something that would have been better left alone.", he said with a grim chuckle. "I would say that our next course of action should be to investigate the quarry, destroy or at least render that power source unusable to make sure that the cloudy weather dissipates. Exposing the undead to sunlight should give us a clear advantage against any that we might have to confront on the way to the Necropolis. And if they decide to sustain the spell anyway, it might draw from their more limited ressources within the necropolis then.", he said and gave a slow nod. "We might even get rid off those daemons of ours in the process."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:37, Wed 02 July 2014.

Willa listened to the responses quietly, then leaned over to Phelan.

"Mr Phelan, sir, Willa confused.  Why head-huggers called borrowers?  They not just make think strange things?  They take from Willa?  Will give back?"

    Midagarra bursts out laughing, curling forwards which had the raven leap from her shoulder with an irritated squawk before it landed on a nearby rack amongst some potted plants were it settled and cawed and looked about the room.
  After a few moments she motioned for the bird to come back to her.  Which it did after it croaked at her a few times, apparently the bird was a bit upset about having almost fallen from her shoulders.  Upon its return she fed the bird another nugget of food which it gulped down before making a low, shrill cry.
  The druid said that she had laughed because of Willa’s misunderstanding of the term ‘borrowers’ she had meant that the lesser daemonic entities ridding the villagers and the adventurers were similar in nature to something druids and shamans tended to from time to time.  Which was to ‘borrow’ the mind of animals, similar to a rider upon a mount, for a while before returning to their entranced body.

  Considering that each member of the adventuring party appeared to the druid to know a little about conducting rituals of either a magical or spiritual nature she explained to them what she knew about casting off daemons that had managed to worm their way into one’s mind while one slept.
  After learning what needed to be done it seemed rather simple to each of the adventurers in hindsight, the impromptu ritual required that the supplicant or performer asserted their identity.

  “I would like to help you expel the evils that have taken a hold in this land.  Would you care if I joined you?” the raven said.

[The ritual is a simple Arcane, Nature or Religion check (training required), of DC 13 and takes about 10 minutes to perform.  And yes, Midagarra is a Level 2 Druid Companion.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:29, Thu 03 July 2014.

Willa cocked her head at the Raven's question.

"Willa love more friends!" She bounced.  "But...Mardigras not mind to have Bird come with?"

Jubei listened intently to the explanation of that little ritual and gave the ocassional nod to signal that he was still following it. Then at the end and the offer that Madigarra gave he again gave a nod.
"I would welcome you to our group. I certainly won't frown upon any help you could render us.", he said and rumbled lowly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have a... brainhugger to get rid off.", the big kaetyma continued and then focused his attention on himself for that little impromptu ritual.


17:48, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 21 using 1d20+9. Religion check: get rid of the deamon. .

"I would also welcome you. The assistance of a druid is valuable." Phelan agreed. He moved away from the others slightly, tracing a mental square in the floor with a claw. Having done so, he focused into another improvised ritual. Magical formulae were rolled around in his mind, remembering papers describing rituals to banish or dismiss outsiders and focusing it on the daemon, changing the formulae as needed.

Then he infused it with the memories he had of learning how to master magic. Asserting his own identity as an artificer and a Narayah. The mental square glowed slightly into existence above the floor as the ritual was performed.

Arcana: 21

"You would make a wonderful addition to our group." Drex said suddenly with a friendly smile. Seeing the others preforming the impromptu rituals to remove the daemon, Drex joined them. For a brief moment a dark smile flashed on his face, before all expressions melt away.

"If you don't mind." Drex said to Midagarra in a soft and gentle voice as he cleared the table he was siting at. Creating an impromptu altar lighting incense that has a sweet and sticky smell. Placing a statuette of The Teacher on it with a single lit candle in the middle.

He closed his eyes saying a prayer under his breath, he takes a small piece of parchment and scribbles something on it and sets it a light, dropping it into a censer in front of him on the altar. The candle flame leaps and spatters as Drex seems to glow.


12:30, Today: Drex rolled 24 using 1d20+6. Religion check: "Get rid of the daemon".

    “Willa.” the raven croaked “Morrey-” and at this point the druid, who had just finished saying the same name, pointed the hand of her unoccupied shoulder at the raven before she continued and then followed by the bird “-is a companion of mine, who helps to translate my poor common into a form most will more readily recognize.” after which the raven cawed and shivered as Willa’s fellow adventurers excused themselves to spots around the small conservatory within which they each began to do small rituals to expel the entities holding onto them.

Experience Awards: For discovering and exorcising the deamonic influence upon yourselves (125 points).

As Drex, Iron Jubei and Phelan each started doing strange things, Willa watched intently.  She understood what they were doing, but not how they did it...Her fingers tapped together out of quiet concern.  It was good that they could get rid of their borrowers, but she did not know what to do about her own.

Only one thing occurred.  Mardigras had said the key was to be assertive about who you were.  So the little ooze simply closed her eyes behind her helmet and thought: "Naughty brain-hugger borrower know this: Willa is Willa is Willa IS WILLA!"

A moment later the bouncy umbrean joined everyone else, unsure whether her little mental assertion had any effect on the borrower that still accompanied her...

Drex bows respectfully to the statuette of The Teacher, before packing everything away in a methodical manner. Looking up to the rest of the group, and says in a calm cheerful voice: "So where to next, the quarry?"

    While the adventurers had been attending to their rituals, the druid had excused herself.  Dismissing Morrey the raven as she said something in her druidly accented Common about getting ready for her journey with the adventurers then disappeared into the house.  As the adventurers finished up and met back at the table and discussed their plans they could distantly hear some rummaging in the still house.

Jubei let out a little rumble as he returned out of his meditation and stood up to stretch his limbs which was accompanied by an audible creaking before he joined the others at the table. "Hmmm... yes. The quarry next. Destroy the powersource of the spell. Weaken whatever forces are at work here. Then we can make our move on the Gravewatch keep and Necropolis."

"Umm." Willa spoke up.  "Willa think may be way to quarry through Umbrean place.  Has many doors."  She then looked at Iron Jubei dubiously.

  A sudden thump followed by a particularly loud and long curse in a language none of the adventurers recognized briefly broke the conversation amongst them.  As the heavily accented common of Midagarra shouted that she was fine just having some trouble with her gear.

Willa listened to the commotion with a poorly concealed giggle.

"Mardigras, okay?"  She called out.  "Willa can help!"

Drex nods in agreement, to Jubie's logic. "Mmm that sound like an excellent strategy. And the tunnels you speak of could be most us full Willa. Especially If we want to move quickly without being seen."

Drex look to the room Midagarra had excused herself to, as he heard the noise. "Just shout if you need us to help with any thing." He said almost in unison with Willa's exclamation.

Jubei gave a somewhat irritated look to the direction Midagarra had disappeared too before he gave a light shook of his head and turned his attention back to the others.
"Yes, that sounds like a good idea indeed. We can use the tunnel to get to the quarry. That will give... whatever has taken residence there less of a chance to spot us and muster it's defenses."

[Right so after almost a week of no-to-low activity I am going to move things forward based on the last approximate decision you guys made.  It’s easier to be sure about what you guys want to do when you say that is what you are going to do rather than the last scene still having being a case of your characters discussing your plan.  I personally don’t like moving forward when there is too much ambiguity around what your intentions are, especially when you’re heading into dangerous territory.]
    Midagarra returned near the end of their conversation, a fur cowl over her head, which did not do much to conceal her long, curly black hair, which spilled out from the cowl and onto her chest.  She did not seem that much different from before clothing wise but seemed to be wearing far more fur then hide which gave her a rather puffy appearance.  The furs and hides were all a dark copper red colour, which reminded Phelan uncomfortably of Narayan fur.
  A large leather satchel was slung over her left shoulder and Morrey, the raven, fluttered down from somewhere in the conservatory to sit upon her right shoulder from where it cawed before preening itself.

  The adventurers and their new companion made their way back out into the darkness and with a little searching found the hidden doorway that Willa had used to emerge from the tunnel.  When they ran into a snag.  The ladder, while rather large was not made for Jubei.  The ladder stretched a full 30 feet down towards the tunnel below and the kaetyma was by no means eager to jump all that way down.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 09:39, Mon 14 July 2014.

Phelan did his best to ignore the chills send down his spine from the eerie similarity of Midagarra's clothing to Narayan fur, including his own. Instead he focused on the path ahead in the darkness, following Willa through the doorway to the ladder.

The ladder that was not made for Jubei. A problem.

He quickly ran through his lessons, wondering if there was anything he could use to magically strengthen the ladder for Jubei's use.

21:42, Today: Phelan Drixos rolled 14 using 1d20+13. Arcana Check - Knowledge.

Ladies and gents. A natural 1! Essentially what I'd like him to try and do is modify a Make Whole ritual to instead strengthen or continually repair the ladder enough for Jubei to use it.

But with that 14, there's no way he's going to be able to do that. :P

"That clothing really highlights your beautiful cheekbones." He said to Midagarra then turning to the rest of the party, not expecting an answer from her. Drex walks behind Willa as she lead them to the tunnel entrance.

Standing next to Phelan and peering down the tunnel. "This might be a problem." Drex thought as he looks at the ladder then to Jubei and back to the ladder. His facial expression reflected this thought quite clearly. "You could use a rope to lower yourself." Drex said to Jubei, himself not knowing how that would work.

Jubei grimaced as he looked down into the hole, then looked to Drex at his suggestion. He seemed to mull it over for a few moments before giving a nod. "That might work... though I will probably require two ropes for this, I'm not sure that a single one can carry me without tearing.", he said and then looked to the nearby trees to make out one that he could use as an anchor to bind the ropes around before he eventually turned to Midagarra. "Are any of those trees particularly strong or weak? I'd rather not pick one that would break at a moment's notice." , he asked with slightly furrowed brows. His large feet shuffling a little on the ground.

Willa shifted uncomfortably.  She had led the others to the entrance of the umbrean tunnels somewhat awkwardly at first.  It took time to find one of the trees she had etched darken markings into, but now they were here she was beginning to feel a little guilty.  Should she really be bringing her friends here?  It was not her place.  Although the other umbreans had abandoned it, it was still theirs, wasn't it?  They could return.  Not only that but it was the first umbrean 'settlement' she had ever seen.  Somehow that made it special...

"Umm..." She squeaked from underneath her helmet.  "Must tie ropes?  Ladder not strong?"  She scratched the back of her neck and looked around.  "Willa not want leave ropes.  Give secrets away.  Maybe, maybe someone go after Iron Jubei and get ropes?  Someone not Willa.  Willa go first.  Need check okay."

Drex takes out hes rope and hands it to Jubei to use. "I'll go last and bring the ropes along with me." He said to Willa in a comforting tone of voice.

Willa nods thankfully at Drex and digs around in her pack.  She pulls out her trusty, frayed rope and hands it to him, then hurries off down the ladder.

    As his companions spoke Phelan realized the problem wasn’t so much that the ladder wouldn’t be strong enough but that instead wasn’t designed for a quadruped to use.  Which suggested to the artificer that the kaetyma couldn’t or simply had a greater deal of difficulty climbing or moving when they were totally horizontal.
  Though doing the math in his head Phelan concluded that at least two ropes, either hemp or silk would be needed for the task not only because of the weight but also the distribution of Jubei’s considerable mass.

  Midagarra went around to the few trees that stood about the hole and knocked at parts of each while also inspecting the tree itself and its roots.
NPC Midagarra, rolled 14 using 1d20+4. Nature roll to examine nearby trees.
  After some searching she settled on a rather squat looking tree as she gestures for the adventurers to tie their ropes about it.

  Though there was obvious that just the two ropes would not be long enough to get Jubei down the hole it seemed that they would have to use every scrap of rope available to them to pull this off.  And an industrious few minutes were spent tying various knots before Jubei’s descent could begin.

[For everyone that wants to help lower Jubei down this will be an Atheletics check, DC 11.  Jubei himself will need to make an Atheletics check himself to descend savely, though his will be DC 13.]

Whilst everyone else saw to Iron Jubei's descent, Willa hurried ahead.  Once in the tunnel, she started to call out.

"Uh...Sir Illusion?  Still here?  Willa say something!  Friends, not umbreans, come.  No fear.  Good people.  Mardigras come with.  Gonna stop Big Bad Voice in Darkness Demon.  Please not to be angry.  Let pass!"

She had no idea if this place was in any way warded or trapped against non-umbreans.  However, the image had said something about protection from pursuers before and that carried with it certain implications.

Jubei eyed the tree in question a little suspiciously, but eventually gave a nod and went to tie the first ropes around it. "This will be interesting...", he muttered lowly as he soon found himself in a rather... awkward position with those ropes wrapped around his lower body like he was some sort of freight crate loaded off from a ship. Though it pretty quickly became clear that Jubei lacked practical experience in how to act like a piece of freight and his bulk got also in the way of things.


16:11, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 9 using 1d20+4. Athletics check, down the hole it flops. Halp ;-;

Drex helped Jubei tie the rope to the tree. "Well it seems like it will hold." Hoping that it does as Judei lowers himself in the hole. As he does this Drex coils the rope around his left arm and planting his feet firmly in the ground.

Just as Drex thought that this was not that difficult, the rope suddenly pulls taut and cuts into his arm as Jubei's full weight comes to bear on the rope. The strain can be seen on Drex's face as sweat beads starts to form on his forehead. Drex groans  loudly. "JUBEI, PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND QUICK, YOU ARE REALLY HEAVY!"

19:20, Today: Drex rolled 15 using 1d20+5. Athletics Check.

[A quick reaction post on Jubei's role.  You failed by 4 or less and so don't make any progress, no do you fall.  X3  That would only happen if it had been 5 or more. ;3  Take a look at the Atheletics skill in the PHB under climbing, that'll give ya details.]

    Jubei's paws slip but manage to catch themselves on the edge of the hole, otherwise the kaetyma paladin would have taken a rather painful tumble down...

Jubei growled and let out some words that were rather unbefitting for a paladin as his paws slipped. Though as it turned out, there were several more of those holes down along the wall, which greatly eased the climb of the Kaetyma. Probably... assuming they didn't stop halfway. Given Drex's distress he certainly tried to make it quick, though obviously not rushing it either.

11:21, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 24 using 1d20+4. So athletic much wow. Many flop.
Natural 20, wohoo :D

Phelan did his best to try and help lower Jubei, but his small stature made his help entirely pointless. He didn't hinder, but he was hardly any help.

Athletics: 8. I'm helllllping!

    With Drex slowing the large kaetyma’s descent, and Jubei himself guiding his descent down the hole, it took only a few agonizing minutes to get the draconic paladin safely into the underground.  Naturally this process had exhausted Drex who’s muscles were now thoroughly swollen and tense after the incredible exercise he had done.
[@Drex:  Achievement!  Feat of Strength!]
  Phelan on the other hand had tried his best to help with lowering Jubei, but he found he was having little effect on the whole thing.  At the moment his wiry frame could not summon the strength to provide much of an anchor for the big kaetyma.
  Despite what Jubei had heard Willa cry during his climb the dark tunnel before him felt unnervingly foreboding, even more so then the eternal night above.  Though a part of his mind reflected, nervously, that this might just be because his people were used to the open desert plains and told terrible and sinister stories about caves and underground regions…yes that was it…it had absolutely nothing to do with that sensation crawling up his long, curved spine that there was something deep in the dark – just out of his sight – that was just watching him and waiting…
  The paladin felt a distinct need for company, as he felt his hindquarters press into a corner.

  Above the hole Phelan was undoing the ropes while Midagarra climbed down the ladder, the stony ladder clacking lightly with each of her steps.
[Edit!  Doubly so because I noticed this afternoon that Phelan made a post prior to mine last night.  Again somehow I missed it.  I really so make a habit of not posting stuff at night.  I seems to make mistakes then.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:12, Fri 18 July 2014.

Jubei was indeed distraught.. for a few moments, before he straightened his shoulders and tried to at least give the impression of being not intimidated. After all he was probably the scariest thing down here right now. Probably.
He clutched to that thought as he waited for the others to join him and Willa down here. At least the presence of the Umbrean was a bit of comfort. After all, those tunnels were made by them, so she should know where it leads, right?
Those thoughts stayed in his mind however, while he pondered activating the spirit lantern once more. After all it would no doubt dispell any darkness down here.

    With the adventurers gathered in the tunnel, Willa closes the opening.  While Drex takes out his lantern, and with Jubei beside him proceeds down the long, dark tunnel…

As the group travels, Willa leads the way.  She is unusually quiet, her shoulders sagging.  She also seems particularly small, though perhaps that is just the impression given by the massive hallway.  Still concerned about bringing her friends here, she eventually speaks up.  Whether out of caution or thoughtfulness, her voice is barely a whisper and does not travel far.

"Tunnel long.  Lead to many doors big crystal room.  But not to open doors.  Are tricks.  Is door to Nec-ro-pol-is.  May be trick also.  Though, Willa know stories of tunnel to there, so may be not trick?"  She looked back at the group and shrugged a little hopefully, then returned her focus to the tunnel ahead. "But must walk round round room.  Make safe doors to show.  Door to quarry."

11:03, Today: Willa rolled 12 using 1d20+5. Stealth - Willa being unusually quiet.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:03, Sun 20 July 2014.

    It wasn’t particularly difficult for Willa’s companions to note how worried and careful the normally bright and cheery umbrean was being.  As the adventurers travelled down the long tunnel they began to heat up a bit.  Despite the air being rather stuffy it was refreshingly warm.
  When the large circular chamber Willa had spoken off, Drex and Jubei could not help but realize the umbrean had not been exaggerating – even for her stature – that the room was quiet large.  And the green crystal in the ceiling shone like moonlight upon the party as they stood at the edge of the bowl that took up most of the middle of the floor.
  Midagarra said that she had never seen this chamber before but knew about the existence of the spawning pool.  Despite the trust the umbreans had with her they had never shown her this place.  The colony itself had been a different subject.  But she said that she believed the umbreans had considered this place sacred, thus why they had never shown it to her.  When asked about the colony she pointed out that it had been right in the middle of the village, underneath the square.  The umbreans had dug out small chambers for themselves just about 20 feet under the ground with small tunnels connecting to every single building in the village.  None of those tunnels, she said, were anything like the well carved tunnels and chambers that made up the former spawning pool area.  She was even amazed that umbreans had made something like this.
  All the while Willa listened but was still somewhat focused on the task at hand.  She made her way around the bowl and, doorways suddenly appeared from the stone as she passed the wall until she stopped at one which told her that it lead to the Old Quarry.
  Opening the passage, much like she had done with the other one, the stone doorway simply dissolved into thin air.  Once the adventurers went through it, the doorway rematerialized behind them.  Like smoke suddenly becoming visible then thicken and finally solidifying.
  The passage to the old quarry was not as direct as the other one had been.  The tunnel slanted down, curved to the side, broadened into a small circular room and continued on when just beyond that room a long stretch of the chambers floor lit up with darkin markings.
  To Willa they read “Danger.” and another passageway revealed itself beside her which lead her and her companions around what the party suspected had been a trap designed to deal with intruders.  It was not the only one.
  Five more such areas appeared when the adventurers approached them and each had some way around.  Before finally they came to a gradual upslope which spiralled up a few levels until it ended in a chamber with a large doorway which existed into a small stony clearing.
  The frigid air made adventures breath’s fog up and caused some shivers amongst them.  They had been underground for well over five hours now.

For the last five hours Drex followed Willa's every move. Realizing that it he got lost he might not get out.

Taking in a deep breath of cold air, making him shiver. Would these daemons, which Drex only recently noticed, leave physical clues. Regardless of this thought Drex looks around to see any signs of resent activity, not knowing what precisely he is looking for. He removes his weapon from his back, ready to defend himself if he needs to. Slowly and quietly making his may out of the doorway.

13:40, Today: Drex rolled 11 using 1d20+9. Stealth check, not to attract attention.
13:37, Today: Drex rolled 30 using 1d20+12. Perception check any signs of resent activity.

Jubei seemed quite pleased by the warm air and also somewhat amazed by the craftsmanship the umbreans had seemingly sported. He couldn't quite help but give a low remark that sounded like "Not bad for some jelly." while they strode through the chamber and then the trapped corridor.

A shiver ran through him as they stepped out into the cold air of the evening again and he let out a sigh, "I was just starting to get used to it.", he rumbled and then quickly drew his weapon as well to be ready for anything as he surveyed the area as well.


15:04, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 11 using 1d20+4. Perception check: survey the area!

    Looking about the immediate area, Jubei did not see notice any sort of threat and neither did Drex.  While Drex, much like Willa kept to whatever cover there was available and stepped carefully, weary of his surroundings turning and craning his head to make certain he was not noticed by anyone besides his companions.
  As the other adventurers made their way out of the tunnel they all took in the details of the dark landscape around them.  In the distance and almost directly ahead though just to the left of the tunnel they had left lay a constellation of faint though brilliant in the absolute darkness the yellow lights huddled so closely together that the party surmised that it was Kyssea.  The tunnel itself was part of short cliff of mottled, dark grey stone which circled around the dusty clearing and gradually descended into the earth on the far side.  The area was also mostly rock covered with dust or a thin layer of dirt with the sparse clumps of grass and hardy weeds wilting in the gloom.
  Beyond this dug-out area Drex could see another larger excavation no more than a quarter of a mile away.  He suspected that was the quarry proper.

Willa breathed a sigh of relief upon reaching the quarry.  It was a weight off to now know that her friends were, if not welcomed, permitted within.  She smiled underneath her helmet and rediscovered a spring in her step.

Feeling much lighter and more like herself, she looked about eagerly despite the cold.

"Air cold?  Is late?" She turned to Midagarra.  "Night before Big Bad Voice in Darkness Demon spoke to Willa.  Will happen again?  Maybe should to wait 'till morning?  Camp in tunnels?"

Jubei grimaced a little at the notion of making camp in the tunnel. "Hrrrmmm.... I told the people in the tavern that the clouds would be gone before the dawn of the next day... but it would probably be wiser to rest for a few hours first... yes.", he rumbled and stared back into the distance where the light of the town was, then turned to look into the other direction where the quarry was. Before he finally gave a shrug and turned back to the tunnel.

    Midagarra agreed with the wisdom of facing the daemons once the party was rested rather then doing so right before they all became exhausted.  So with that decided they party made their way back into the concealed tunnel and made camp there for the night.  Eating a cold dinner before going to sleep not long after.
  Willa, Drex and Jubei took watch for the evening and nothing disturbed the adventurers as they slept that night.

Drex was taking the last watch just before everyone woke up, he spent that time sitting beside his glowing lantern.

He just finished eating another cold meal as the first of his companions started to stir. Greeting them a good morning before asking them to wake the others, and also telling them that he needs to go and pray. As he stands up taking his gear and moving a few feet away from the group.

He sets up his make shift altar and soon the party could smell the sweet sent of burning incense. Muffled chanting starts coming from Drex's direction, which will last for about an hour.
.
.
.
Later on Drex rejoins the group and inquires on the next action they should take.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:42, Wed 23 July 2014.

Jubei stretched his large bulk and paced a little around to get his legs awake again as well. At least he hadn't been that bothered by the hard ground, it certainly didn't hurt his appetite as he ate his breakfast as well. Although he seemed maybe a little too eager to leave the tunnel again. "We should head straight for the quarry now. If we can dispell the clouds then we'll have the morning sun on our side."

Whilst everyone else readied themselves they heard a noise, which might once have been strange but was fast becoming commonplace.  Behind the others Willa, yet to put her helmet on, had her thrown head back and opened her mouth wide.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh......"

It had been a while since she last ate and she would probably need her strength today.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:08, Wed 23 July 2014.

Phelan raised tired eyebrows at Willa as she opened her mouth wide. Such an odd being, still rather friendly. He shook the cobwebs out of his head, having slept somewhat poorly on the hard group. He wished he had something more comfortable to sleep on, and would admit that he had grown a bit spoiled from his times at the Academy.

He spent a little bit of time with his crossbow, murmuring an arcane chant and tracing magical runes on it. Eventually it was powered to his satisfaction and he thought he was done until he remembered the wand that  they had picked up earlier. It was a fresh slate, ready to be written upon, and he would do the writing.

He created a makeshift ritual square and returned to the arcane chanting, binding the power of sound to the wand to turn it into something appropriate for his use.

Essentially finally getting around to making it a Master's Wand of Thundering Armor +1. I totally did not just remember it.

Drex nods his head in agreement to Jubei suggestion. "You did make a promise to the villagers that this cloud will be gone, so the quicker we find and eliminate the source the quicker we can fulfill the promise." Drex extinguishes the fire and he will start moving out with the rest of the group as soon as every one is finished. Making his way to the quarry.

Keeping his eyes peeled and alert to any noises that seem out of place.


08:16, Today: Drex rolled 13 using 1d20+12. Perception check. Rold a 1 :(

    Breaking camp, the party moved out of the tunnel again, and in the darkness outside they made their way down from the old quarry to the newer excavation.

  Willa could feel the psychic parasite trying to usurp her cheerful emotional state and could easily avoid its machinations upon her mind.

  Drex was so absorbed in looking about himself that he did not notice the apprehension that crept in and settled upon his demeanour.  While his friends could not help but notice that Drex seemed spooked.
Hysteria:  Drex has become afraid of any sudden movement and loud noises.  He takes a -2 penalty to initiative checks, to Will and any defence attacked by a fear effect.  This penalty is cumulative if this result is rolled more than once.
[Have fun with that!]

  As the adventurers stepped into deep rocky furrow of dark earth a wide cave entrance in the floor of the quarry became visible at the far side if the large trench within which they stood.  The adventurers could not see down into the hole well enough to tell if it was a tunnel straight down or more gradually slopped and as they approached it to investigate demi-human figures wrapped in roiling, oily shadows separated from the darkness that clung to the edges of the adventurers lights and stepped into the pools of light.  These were joined by men in loose black robes who leapt down from or stepped out from the cliffs about them, armed with either ebony staves or obsidian knifes.
  One of them, possibly the leader, spoke in a whisper that carried in the cold, still air “You have come so far to trouble us in the spreading of our Lord’s gospel, come forth and become his latest converts!” other voices broke out about the party that seemed to be hissing or chuckling in eager agreement.

[Roll initiative…]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:24, Tue 29 July 2014.

Phelan nervously levelled his crossbow at the cultists ahead of him, his fur standing on end. Drex's behaviour earlier combined with this sudden arrival and the behaviour of the cultists had him rather concerned. Before they were fighting undead, but these were living. What was going on here?

21:17, Today: Phelan Drixos rolled 12 using 1d20+1. Initiative.

... I really need to invest in something  to boost my initiative fairly soon. Hm.

Willa, who had been happily watching the antics of Midagarra's raven friend up to this point, squeaked at the sudden interruption and fumbled around for her rod.

12:23, Today: Willa rolled 2 using 1d20+1. Initiative - Go Willa, Go!
Haha, 1! Doh.

Jubei let out a growl as they were waylaid by those cultists and reached for his axe and shield. "Come forth and see how much your lord will help you.", he snarled at them in return.


19:49, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 6 using 1d20+1. Initiative - Woohoo! Like a brick!

    The robed men rushed ahead towards Jubei, their staves spinning as they bash them against the thick plates of the paladins stony armour.
Voice in the Darkness Initiate I (i I) moves from N14 to T14 (6 squares) and attacks Jubei with a quarterstaff.  Hits(!) dealing 5 physical damage to Jubei.
Voice in the Darkness Initiate II (i II) moves from O13 to S14 (4 squares) and attacks Jubei with a quarterstaff.  Misses.
Voice in the Darkness Initiate III (i III) moves from O17 to S16 (4 squares) and attacks Jubei with a quarterstaff.  Misses.
Voice in the Darkness Initiate IV moves from P15 to S15 (3 squares) and attacks Jubei with a quarterstaff.  Misses.(i IV)
Voice in the Darkness Initiate V (i V) moves from Q18 to S17 (2 squares) and attacks Jubei with  a quarterstaff .  Misses.

  While behind them, the men with the knives seem to meld into the shadows that gather about the two hideous black mockeries of humanity.
Voice in the Darkness Acolyte I (a I) moves from L13 to P15 (4 squares) then makes a Stealth Check.  Last seen position is P15.
Voice in the Darkness Acolyte II (a II) moves from M18 to S19 (6 squares) then makes a Stealth Check.  Last seen position is S19.

  The obscured, dark figures move behind their allies one throwing a glob of what seemed to be semi-solid darkness at Jubei, which bounced off harmlessly from the stonecut armour though the other cast a spray of liquid night upon most of the adventurers.  Though Jubei and Drex managed to dodge the slimy substance Phelan and Midagarra were not so lucky.  As the goo clung to them, hindering their movement, some of it even slithered about their bodies covering their eyes before setting into a tough rubbery material.
Faint Shadow I (fs I) moves from N12 to R13 (4 squares) and attacks  Jubei with Shadowbolt.  Misses.
Faint Shadow II (fs II) moves from O19 to Q18 (2 squares) and attacks Jubei, Drex, Midagarra and Phelan with Ebonic Bile (origin square U17).  The attack hits Midagarra and Phelan for 3 physical damage and both of them are blinded and dazed (save ends).

[And now it’s the adventures’ turn!  Because the enemies initiative block is ahead of yours (the PCs) I will be posting their actions along with the Round Summary and Start of the Next Round post.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:01, Mon 28 July 2014.

Suddenly every thing seems more threatening to Drex. "They are close." He thinks to himself. In the corner of his eyes he sees the shadows move and he shields himself with is axe, trying to protect himself from the lurching shadows.

His suspicions was proven right with the appearances of the two shadowy apparitions and strange robed figure. Focusing on the one who spoke. As anger and hysteria completely consumes him.

Drex rolled 14 using 1d20+(4-2). Initiative.

Minor action:
Drex rolled 13 using 1d20+12. Perception check to spot Hidden "Leader" (Going to assume Drex doesn't see him because he rolled higher than Drex's Passive Perception to become hidden).

Loosing sight of the robed figure, Drex's Hysterical mind fixates on the Shadow who dared to attack him.
Free Action:
Drex rolled 13 using 1d20+6. Religion (Monster Knowledge check on Fleeting Shadow).

Convert Move Action to Minor Action:
Oath of Enmity
Encounter (Special) ✦ Divine
Minor Action Close burst 10
Target: One enemy you can see in burst
At the top of his lungs Drex yells hysterically at the Shadow:"AS THE TEACHER AS MY WITNESS YOU AS FEEL MY WRATH!"

Drex focus divine energy through his body to gain uncanny speed as he weves past his enemies and make his attack.
Standard Action:
Angelic Alacrity
Encounter ✦ Divine, Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Effect: Censure of Pursuit: The number of squares you shift equals 1 + your Dexterity modifier(3). (From U17 to Q19 [moved Drex myself])
Target: fsII
Attack: 20 vs. AC
Hit: 21 damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:49, Tue 29 July 2014.

Willa, slow to react, finally gathers her wits and grabs her rod.  Taking a few steps back, she sees her friends getting hit and, deciding that she doesn't have time to mutter a curse, shouts one word:

"Waktipus!"

As they had done yesterday, large shadowy tendrils gather around her foes and start brutally slapping the air about them.

Minor: Draw Rod
Move: to Y14, activating shadow walk
Cast Shadow Tentacles, focused on square R15
Attack Rolls:
vs Reflex
iII - 26 CRIT! 14 Cold damage + taking advantage Suppress on death racial ability
iIV - 21  6 Cold damage
iIII -16  14 Cold damage

Attack Breakdown - Cha +4, +1/2 level: +1, +Rod expertise
Damage breakdown: 1d10+Cha(4)

07:17, Today: Willa rolled 22 using 1d20+6. In case there is an unseen target inside Willa's AOE.  Damage = 12.

Free action: light a gem in her helmet, if an enemy dies.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:59, Tue 29 July 2014.

Phelan let out a pained whine as he rubbed at the gunk in  his eyes, unable to see anything. Blindly, his hands dropped the crossbow onto the floor as he pulled out his newfound wand, deciding to rely on attacks not needing his sight. He hoped Jubei was still in front of him as he channeled arcane magic through his wand into the target in  front.

Sonic energy rippled out of the wand to coalesce protectively around the dragon in front of Phelan before slamming into a nearby enemy.

Free Action: Drop item (Superior Crossbow)
Free Action: Fast Hands
Effect: Draw Master's Wand of Thundering Armor +1

Standard Action: Thundering Armor
Close Burst 10
Primary Target: Jubei
Effect: Jubei gets +1 AC until the end of my next turn
Secondary Target: iI
Attack: 17 vs Fortitude
Hit: 12 thunder damage and iI is pushed 3 squares (or well, zero since there's a pillar right behind him, unless you want to rule for him being smashed into the pillar.

Failed the saving throw. D: At least being blind doesn't penalise bursts!

Midagarra's Turn

Saying something on her heavenly accented voice, but not even the raven could make it out due to the goo covering her mouth.

The raven flies to a save rock where he can observe the combat safely.

Blinded by the sticky goo, Midagarra takes her staff in both hands and trusts it hard into the earth. Roots starts to grow out at the end that is firmly planted in the earth rapidly spreading out toward Jubei. The viney roots raps themselves around his large body before hardening into a second skin around Jubei's. Every one suddenly realize that she must have tried to tel Jubei what she was planing to do. So that he should not be startled by it.

Minor Action:
Barkskin (Prime) Encounter
Target:Self or one ally within 5 squares (Jubei)
Effect: Until the end of your next turn, the target gains a power bonus to AC equal to your constitution modifier (4).

Saving through: 3
She now attempts to remove the pestering goo, but it seems resisted her attempts to remove it.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:44, Tue 29 July 2014.

Jubei had hesitated as he found himself confronted with so many enemies and his attention had been on defense. But seeing their staffs bounce off so harmlessly on his armour, save for one lucky hit to one of the less armoured joints made him let out a roaring laughter.

Seeing the thunder arc out from his armour and hit the enemy next to him, Jubei used the moment of vulnerability to strike out in order to finish the foe off.

Standard Action: Virtous Strike
Target: iI (Assuming the pillar did take the push and the target is still next to Jubei otherwise target is iIII)
Attack: 8 vs AC (natural 1 ;-;)

His attack whiffed however, surely only because he was distracted by the sheer abundance of targets and a tiny amount of indescision in regards to who his target would be in the end. He grimaced and turned his attention to the foes that cowardly decided to stay far away to throw shadow bolts at him.

Minor Action: Divine Challenge
Close Burst 5
Target: fsI
Effect: -2 to attack rolls that does not include Iron Jubei
8 radiant damage if target does not include Iron Jubei

Finally he called upon the great dragons to rid his companion Phelan of the shadowy goop that had befallen him. Divine energy accumulated to burn the affliction away.

Move Action to Minor Action: Channel Divinity: Divine Mettle
Close Burst 10
Target: Phelan
Effect: The target makes a saving throw with a bonus equal to your Charisma modifier. (3)

  Drex’s mind raced, even in its mania, to find his enemies and recall anything that he could about the shadowy figure he was trying to assault.  Sadly, nothing came to mind even as his axe fell upon his foe and it passed through the creature with little trace of its passage, even at the thing shuddered and smoky tendrils of shadow flailed about it as the thing tried to keep its distance from Drex.
  Willa’s dark conjuration startles the initiates as it wraps about them, freezing them solid as they fall to the ground and break apart.  Sending frozen chunks flying across the furrow.
  Phelan, despite being blinded he had dropped his bow and quickly brought out his new wand doing his best to support his allies even though he could not see them he heard a loud thudding crack of bone and an unfamiliar groan.
  Morrey caws at the dark figures as he settles onto a tall cliff on the far side of the furrow and skips about on the rock there while his master summons her druidic powers to her allies aid.
[Rember Jubei that Midagarra’s power bonus to your AC applies now instead of Phelan’s.]
  Jubei was emboldened by his resilience to his enemies and tried to make short work of the one foe still remaining beside him only to find his quarry elusive to his blow.  Despite this he called upon the divine power of the Zak’tyr to aid Phelan, only for the narayah to not quiet summon up enough of his own strength to cast of the affliction.



    The frozen remains of those slain just moments ago melt away into boiling, smoking shadows that speed across the ground and through the air to the places where their bodies had fallen before and assemble themselves again into demi-human like shades that shriek and growl at the adventurers before attacking them along with the last remaining wielder of the quarterstaff.  Interestingly one of their number was missing.
Voice in the Darkness Initiate I’s Embracing Darkness power activated and missed Jubei.  A Vengeful Shadow appears at U14 and attacks Willa with Shadow Caress.  The attack hits, Willa takes 3 physical damage and takes a -1 penalty to her next damage roll.
Voice in the Darkness Initiate II’s Embracing Darkness power was negated by Willa.
Voice in the Darkness Initiate III’s Embracing Darkness power activated and hit Jubei.  He takes 5 physical damage and Jubei is Blinded until the end of his next turn.  A Vengeful Shadow appears at T17 and attacks Jubei with Shadow Caress and misses.
Voice in the Darkness Initiate IV’s Embracing Darkness power activated and misses Jubei.  A Vengeful Shadow Appears at T14 and attacks Jubei with Shadow Caress and hits.  Jubei takes 3 physical damage and takes a -1 penalty to his next damage roll.
Voice in the Darkness Initiate V shifts from S17 to S16 and attacks Jubei with his Quarterstaff and misses.
  Though most of the newly appeared shadows attack Jubei, and so does the last remaining cultist initiate, one of the shadows manages to scratch the oozling with its disgusting nails.

  The shadows monsters in the back move about the battlefield, one steps away from Drex and the other moves right through a large boulder as if it wasn’t even there.
Fleeting Shadow I moves from R13 to W14 (5 squares) and uses Ebonic Bile (centered upon V16) on Jubei, Phelan and Midagrra.  Jubei and Midagarra are hit each taking 10 physical damage and each being blinded and dazed (save ends both).  Phelan is missed.
Fleeting Shadow II shifts from Q18 to R17 (1 square) and uses Shadowbolt on Drex and misses.
  Though Drex deflects the shadowbolt with his weapon Jubei and Midagarra are not so fortunate as the other shadow attacks them with a similar spray of stickly black fluid as the other shadow had done before.

  Drex is surprised when from the shadows, beside him, the two missing cultists appear and both attack him with their knives before melting back into the shadows.
Voice in the Darkness Acolyte appears at P19 and attacks Drex with Hamstring and hits him dealing 5 physical damage and slowing him until the end of the acolytes next turn.  The acolyte makes another Stealth Check.
Voice in the Darkness Acolyte appears at R19 and attacks Drex with Make them Bleed and hits him dealing 13 physical damage and ongoing 5 physical damage (save ends).  The acolyte makes another Stealth Check.
[A Perception Check of DC 15 will reveal the Acolytes positions at P19 and R19.]

[Please see Battlefield Effects down in the Combat Map for details on the Aura’s produced by the Shadows.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:54, Tue 29 July 2014.

Willa had been impressed with her Waktipus, smiting three enemies down at once was a good result!  However, things still seemed to be taking a turn for the worse.  There were even more enemies now...and they were everywhere!  Not only that, but her friends appeared to be in a lot of trouble.  Taking lots of hits and having the senses knocked out of them.  She was only one little umbrean, but she would do what she could!

Just as she was looking for her next target a shadowy figure emerged before her.  Too close for comfort and too scary to ignore!  She hoped that her friends would be okay without her for the moment.  For now she had to focus on her own problem...

She slipped away, spat a few choice words at the interloper and called upon the cold lights of the void to smite it down.

"Take Willa's mark!  It cut deep.  Burn your flesh.  Leave smouldering heap."

Whilst she cast her evil eye over the creature, she tried to remember any pertinent information she had heard about such things in her travels.  She was not a religious umbrean, but she was becoming more and more worldly by the day.

Finally she shouted words of warning to Phelan and Midagarra who seemed to have been hit in the eyes and having difficulty seeing:

"Mr Phelan Sir!  Mardigras!  Watch out!  Shadow thing nearby behind left!"


Move: Y17, I have moved Willa
 - Activates Shadow Walk (gaining concealment)

Minor: Curse FS1

Standard: Dire Radiance on FS1
To hit: 22 vs Fortitude
d20+Cha:4, +Disquiet:2, +Expertise:1, +1/2level:1
1st Damage: 8 Radiant, 6 Untyped
(1d6 + Cha:4, Curse:1d6, -1)

Effect: If the enemy moves close to Willa on its turn, it takes: 7 Radiant damage

Free action: 23 knowledge check on FS1 (religion)
This message was last edited by the player at 21:56, Tue 29 July 2014.

As the Fleeting Shadow moves away from Drex, his furry grew stronger as Divine retribution starts to radiate all around him. (fsII triggers Drex's Censure of Pursuit class feature)

But this unwavering focus on the shadow fiend puts Drex of guard aginadt the sudden appertains of the robed figures. Both hitting him the last leaves him bleeding from an open wound. At that moment Drex rejuvenating energies bolsters him.

Immediate Reaction:
Aspect of the Wild (Strength of the Wild)
Trigger (Immediate Reaction): The first time you are bloodied during an encounter.   Effect: You gain 5 temporary hit points.

But as he was about to act the bolstering energies dissipates.
5 ongoing damage

Free Action:
"I need healing over hear and Midagarra attack in the direction of my voice!" Drex yells in the direction of the blinded companions. As the wounds he sustained started to bleed once more.

Drex's eyes glows bright and the aura of Divine Energies flare into a brilliant glow of radiance. Obscuring him from the view of his enemies. Reappearing next to the Fleeting Shadow.
Move Action:
Distracting Flare
Encounter ✦ Divine
Move Action Personal
Effect: You become invisible and move your speed. You are invisible until the end of the movement.

Slashing the shadowee creature with his great axe.
Standard Action:
Overwhelming Strike
At-Will ✦ Divine, Weapon
Standard Action Melee weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: 16 vs. AC
Hit: 16 damage. You shift 1 square and slide the target 1 square into the space you occupied.


Not forgetting the attack of the just a moment ago Drex tries to spot his assailants. But they manage to avoid his attempts to detect them.
Minor action:
09:25, Today: Drex rolled 14 using 1d20+12. Perception check.
Saving throw: 3.
His body seems unable to stop the bleeding.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:31, Wed 30 July 2014.

Phelan scrabbled uselessly at the grime covering his eyes, desperately trying to clear them so he could see. His frantic actions slow at Drex's yell.

"Support incoming!" He yelled, pulling out one of his infusions. He removed the lid, releasing the healing energy to coalesce around Drex, repairing the flesh around his wounds and easing the pain. After he did so, he continued scrubbing at his face, eventually clearing enough of the grime so he could at least see normally again.

Minor Action: Healing Infusion: Curative Admixture.
Effect: Drex heals for Surge + 3.

Saving Throw:
18:16, Today: Phelan Drixos rolled 10 using 1d20. Saving Throw.

Finally. Sheesh. That was utterly obnoxious.

Midagarra's Turn

Free Action:
Hearing Drex request, she replies that he then needs to get out of the way.

With a swift hand movement she sprinkles whit dust on her staff chanting softly in a rhythmic fashion. The wind starts to pick up as she sways her staff from side to side. The whit dust being caught in the wind transforms into frost flacks in the now howling wind forming a vortex at its epicenter... Everything seems to fall silent at that point as the vortex sucks in all air around it for an instant. Before bursting  and sending razor sharp winds of cold in all directions and flash freezing everything that stood around the vortex.

Standard Action:
Frost Flash (Cold, Implement, Primal) Encounter
Burst 1 within Range 10; Each Creature (Q18)
Attack:19 vs Reflex (fsII)
             8 vs Reflex (aII)
           14 vs Reflex (aI)
Hit: 9 cold damage + 4 extra damage (Total:13), and the target is immobilized until the end of your next turn.

She now resumes her attempts to remove the slimy substances covering her eyes. As it seems that the cold frosty winds hardened the slime, making it easier to remove.
Saving throw:19 (Saves!)

And the second bark like skin that covers Jubei starts to peel off.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:31, Wed 30 July 2014.

The large dragontaur suddenly began to flail a little as shadows engulfed his sight and robbed him of his vision. His valiant defense failing only for a few moments, but that was enough to receive several hits that made him roar out, just in time for the disgusting ebonic bile which he ended up inhaling, filling his lungs with incredibly burning sensation and his mind dazed at the sudden lack of air.
His addled mind wanted to lash out at the nearest thing, take vengeance for what he had to endure. But reason quickly won over that petty desire, he had to focus again.
Jubei turned inward, tapping into whatever strength reserves he had while he let his defense run on the instincts years of training had given him.

Standard Action: Second Wind
Spend healing surge: 14 HP
+2 to all defenses until the start of your next turn.

It didn't really help him regain the clarity of mind necessary however.

11:09, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 6 using 1d20. Saving throw against dazed.

  As Willa<b> summons her spell the shade before her lets out an unnerving chuckle as it says <b>“There is only one god in the darkness.” then the cold light she had summoned melted away much of the shadow.  Now having seen the creature beneath the cloaking shadows it had, Willa realized that the twisted thing she had been fighting had once been a deseekay of all things, the equine features were all there beneath the shadows but the flesh had so been warped by whatever power the creature wielded (or perhapse that which had created it) that it not only was it still alive but it was also elemental in nature.
[Willa, your religious knowledge – if it wasn’t made clear enough by the text above – can’t tell you what the creature is however you managed to deduce that it’s not something that falls under the domain of undeath though Arcana will be the skill needed to learn about the monster itself.]

  Drex’s greataxe makes an oddly satisfying if sickly slicing noise accompanied by a shrill, bestial shriek from the shadow-fiend which he had just so soundly stuck though with the might he had put behind the blow the avenger was certain his foe should have been wounded more thoroughly then that…

[Uh well, Phelan’s post was good enough that I don’t have anything to add really.]

  Midagarra’s command of the elements manages to elicit a few cries as she strikes both a hidden assailant and a shadow just before she managed to clear the bile from her face.

[Nor do I have anything to add to Jubei’s post, just remember that its Blind and Dazed.]



    “E mbrace the darkness.” whispered a voice upon the wind.  “Your deaths are inevitable, and in your death you shall serve a greater cause.” where it came from the adventurers could not say.  Though a shiver ran up their spines (for the most part) as they heard it, and that voice was eerily familiar to both Willa and Phelan.  Though their minds were distracted for the moment by the battle, so neither turned towards their memories to recall who it was they had heard that sounded like that before.
Voice in the Darkness Initiate V shifts from S16 to R17 and attacks Drex with Quarterstaff and hits dealing 5 physical damage.
Vengeful Shadow I shifts from U14 to V15 and attacks Phelan with Shadow’s Caress and misses.
Vengeful Shadow III shifts from T17 to U17 and attacks Midagarra with Shadow’s Caress and hits her, dealing 3 physical damage and causing her to take a -1 penalty to her next damage roll.
Vengeful Shadow III shifts from T14 to S15 and attacks Drex with Shadow’s Caress and misses.
  The shadows shift about Jubei, seizing this moment while the paladin is distracted to attack his friends.  Though Jubei’s friends are anything but helpless and only Midagarra is struck by one of the shadows.

Fleeting Shadow I attacks Jubei, Phelan and Midagarra with Ebonic Bile.  The attack misses Jubei and Midagarra but hits Phelan dealing 5 physical damage and Blinding and Dazing him (save ends both).  The shadow then move from W14 to U12 (2 squares) phasing into the rock.
Fleeting Shadow II attacks Drex with with Slam and misses.
  The other shadow creatures first vomits up more black slime upon Jubei, Phelan and Midagarra though Jubei manages to accidentally stumble clear of it and Midagarra deftly leaps aside.  It’s only Phelan who actually is caught again by the shower of black slime.

Voice in the Darkness Acolyte I attacks Drex with with Flash of Knifes and hits dealing 9 physical damage before making a successful Stealth Check as he leaps away from Drex (shifting up to 3 squares) and disappears in the shadows.
Voice in the Darkness Acolyte II attacks Jubei with Flash of Knives and misses before making successful Stealth Check as he leaps away from Jubei (shifting up to 3 squares) and disappears into the shadows.
  While from the shadows black robed figures come out running with their obsidian knifes flashing in the lantern light as the one figures cuts Drex while the other’s attack is deflected by Jubei’s stone armour.

Willa's first reaction was to blink in response to the words whispered on the wind, but quickly moved on to reporting what she had witnessed.

"Mr Phelan, Sir, Drex, Iron Jubei, Mardigras, Morrey, enemies not undeads!  Peoples and magicks!"

As her foe disappeared into the rock, the little ooze became worried.  These strange shadowy things seemed to be causing most of the group's problems whilst hiding and striking at a moment's notice.  She just hoped that they could not attack from inside the quarry's walls.  Dearly wanting to help her friends, she was torn between being on guard and attacking those enemies she could see.

She was quickly running out of tricks, but did have one idea.  It was something that she normally only used as a last resort, but perhaps it could serve a different purpose now.  She nodded to herself, deciding that it was the right course of action and began by throwing curses at the enemy nearest her: the fiend assaulting Phelan!

"Willa not know what you are.  Nor care.  Person, Shadow or Ghost.  Willa make you to roast!"

Opening herself up to the world she calls upon her strange umbrean abilites, leaching her target's psionic energies away.  Hoping to break its tether to the physical world.  She then places an ambush of her own, waiting patiently for the strange shadowy Deseekay to show itself and call down terrible starlight upon it.

Whilst she waited for her target to appear, she looked over at its counterpart near Drex and wondered about their origins, now that she knew they were not undead.


Minor action: Curse vs1

Move to Minor Action: Umbrean Racial: Psychic Parasite on vs1
To hit: 24 vs fort
(1d20+2+Cha:4+1/2level: 1)
Damage: 8 Psychic damage
(1d8+Cha: 4)
On Hit: Willa gains 8 temp hp

If vs1 dies:
Fate of the Void triggered +1 to any one d20 roll before EONT

Standard: Ready Dire Radiance
Target: FS1
Trigger: FS1 moves into Willa's line of sight
Attack: 12 vs Fort (Probably a miss)
(1d20+Disquiet: 2,+Cha: 4,+Expertise: 1, + 1/2level: 1,+1 Fate of the void)


If vs1 survives:

Standard: Ready Dire Radiance
Target: FS1
Trigger: FS1 moves into Willa's line of sight
Attack: 11 vs Fort (Same roll as above but without fate of the void)
(1d20+Disquiet: 2,+Cha: 4,+Expertise: 1, + 1/2level: 1)

Free action: 21 Monster Knowledge check on FS2

If Dire radiance hits at all:
- Primary Damage: 8 radiant, 3 untyped
(1d6+Cha:4, +1d6, curse)

- Secondary Damage (if target moves closer to Willa on its next turn): 7 radiant
(1d6+Cha:4)

This message was last edited by the player at 16:51, Thu 31 July 2014.

Phelan let out a frustrated snarl as he scrabbled at the gunk covering his face. "Can't...  See..." As he continued the scrubbing with one hand, he was already waving the wand with his other, sonic energy gathering around the tip of it.

The sonic energy was released, coalescing around the small artificer before blasting in the direction of the shadow that had been harassing him previously. He had heard Willa's information; but without being able to see for himself, he was somewhat useless.

12:40, Today: Secret Roll: Phelan Drixos rolled 1 using 1d2. 1. Attack FSI. 2. Attack FSIII.

Standard Action: Thundering Armor
Target: VSI (regardless or whether or not he's alive, Phelan doesn't know that)
Effect: Phelan gains a +1 power bonus to AC until end of next turn
Attack: 24 vs Fort
Hit: 12 thunder damage and VSI is pushed three squares

Saving Throw: 3. Nope!

As the Acolyte hits Drex his horns begins to glow a golden yellow as revitalizing energies erupts from his wounds as they start to nit themselves together. The bleeding seems be negated by the healing energies.

"YOU WILL DIE!!!" screams and Drex starts to laugh hysterically. "But first let me drink this." As he shifts his axe in to one hand, takes the potion from his belt and  slurping it down before dropping the now empty bottle and crushing it with his hoof as he strengthens his grip on the axe. Swinging his axe at the fleeting shadow with all his might as he sidesteps and forces the fleeting shadow to move.

Immediate Reaction: Vital Surge

Takes 5 damage and regenerates 5 hit points.

Free Action: Shift axe to one hand.

Move Action to Minor: Retrieve Potion of healing.

Minor Action: Drink potion.
Spend a Healing Surge and heal 10 instead of normal amount.

Free Action: Drop Potion bottle.

Free Action:Shift axe back to two hands.

Standard Action: Overwelming Strike
Target: fsII
Attack: 24 vs. AC
Hit: 11 damage. You shift 1 (R16 to Q15) square and slide the target 1 (Q17 to R16) square into the space you occupied.

Saving throw: 15 Save!
This message was last edited by the player at 09:36, Thu 31 July 2014.

Jubei flailed somewhat helplessly thanks to his condition. Even though the unnatural shadows still blinded him and his mind was far from focused, he could feel the subtle shift in attention which was followed by the sources of the noises he had fought against so far being somewhere else now.
That was all he needed to know that his foes had disengaged him to instead fall upon his allies. Needless to say that infuriated the paladin enough to gather a rather distinct, clear thought. He roared out and menacingly swung his battleaxe, which in that gesture might well have hit something, but that hadn't been the plan.
"Dragons be my witness, you will face ME, cowards!", he cried out through the quarry. Radiant energy accumulating and floating above every creature like a Damocles sword, ready to cast down upon them if they denied the kaetyma's call.

Minor Action: Call of Challenge
Burst 3
Target: Each enemy in burst.
Effect: Each target is subject to your divine sanction (6 radiant damage) until the end of your next turn.

10:36, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 7 using 1d20. Saving throw against blind and dazed.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:48, Thu 31 July 2014.

Midagarra's Turn

Seeing her companion next to her covered in goo once more, she stays her ground and set her focus on the approaching assailant in front of her. Bring her staff down on the creature in front of her. For a split second it seems as if Midagarra outlines blurs and her staff seems to hit with more force. She chants a haunting tune as a cold wind seems to pick up again and the melting frost seems to solidify again on the fleeting shadow.

Standard Action: Staff
Target: vsIII
Attack: 13 vs AC
Hit: 6 damage

Serendipity was used

Free action: Control
Effect: You may extend an effect on an enemy to end at the end of his next turn, rather than his current turn. (fsII)

End of Round Summary

  Willa drains the etheric power from the shadow-creature immediately causing it to fall apart though once it does so its body seems to rapidly fester, swell then explode throwing sizzling shadow-stuff at both Jubei and Phelan.  The paladin manages catch the material upon his large shield.  As the shadow-stuff begins to burn the fur on Phelan’s body were it fell.
[Right, well you know now that the creature is a Fleeting Shadow and is a Medium elemental magical beast(shadow).  It has an aura that not only makes it difficult for you to see inside of it but also provides concealment for its allies.  Its basic attacks are Slam (melee) and Shadowbolt (ranged) with Ebonic Bile being its only encounter level power (though it can potentially recharge the use of that power every round).]
When Vengeful Shadow I dies this triggers Devouring Darkness which attacks Jubei and Phelan although it only hits Phelan for 5 ongoing necrotic damage (save ends).

  Phelan spell, while empowering Jubei, did not find its mark on an enemy as without any really input from its caster the spell could not change to another target beyond that which Phelan had hoped to hit.
[I rolled for Phelan on the saving throw against the necrotic damage, so while he initially took the 5 necrotic damage at the beginning of his turn he saved against it at the end of his turn.  You find the roll I made in the log.]

  Drex fells the shadow creature before him and as the magical shadows that surrounded the thing melts away with it the two missing robbed figures become exposed.

  Noticing Jubei’s challenge most of the enemy combatants seemed to be rethinking their choice of opponents and attempted to engage the kaetyma again.

  Midgarra staff misses her mark as the shadow easily deflects it with an agile manoeuvre.

Round Four

    With Jubei’s challenge to motivate them the huge kaetyma is beset by every enemy upon the field, though he manages to weather the assault quite well considering the circumstances he is nonetheless wounded.
Voice in the Darkness Initiate V attacks Jubei with Quarterstaff and misses.
Vengeful Shadow III attacks Jubei with Shadow Caress and hits dealing 3 physical damage and causing Jubei to take a -1 penalty to his next damage roll.
Vengeful Shadow IV attacks Jubei with Shadow Caress and hits dealing 3 physical damage and causing Jubei to take a -1 penalty to his next damage roll.

  A lone shadow emerges from the grey, stone walls of the quarry only for the pale, cold light of the distant stars to burn it into nothing.
Fleeting Shadow I emerges from the quarry wall (1 square) and is struck down by Willa’s Dire Radiance power.

Voice in the Darkness Acolyte I moved from P17 to S17 (3 squares) then attacks Jubei with Flash of Knifes hitting him and dealing 9 physical damage to Jubei.  The acolyte then shifts to V18 (3 squares).
Voice in the Darkness Acolyte II moved from T18 to T17 (1 square)  then attacks Jubei with Flash of Knifes missing him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:01, Fri 01 Aug 2014.

As the Fleeting Shadow dies to Willa's biting starlight, a second gem on her helm begins to glow eerily.  Meanwhile, underneath the helm, a surprised, but gleeful umbrean "whooped" and punched the air with joy!

She was amazed her plan had worked and bounced up and down happily.  It had been difficult to predict where and when the creature would strike and she was sure her aim had been terrible but somewhere, somehow, something in the heavens guided the light to its target.  And still that something seemed to be with her now.

She sighed contently and turned to face the remaining enemies with a sparkle in her eyes and a spring to her step:

"Face Willa and Friends of Willa.  See what get!"

There was still no shortage of targets for her wrath but, having struck one of those weird shadow things down and seen the damage it did to Phelan's fur, Willa thought it best to focus on the other two enemies that were no longer able to hide from sight.

She skidded up to Phelan protectively and turned to face the knife wielding enemy beside Midagarra.  Smiling sweetly to herself, she innocently whispered foreboding words:

"Think darkness friend?  Think Shadow shield?  Well Willa see you now.  Bend darkness to her Will."

The curse mark began etching itself into the corrupt creature's hide.  It was a small, crystalline shape that once completed, became the centre of two concentric circles, one larger than the next.  They linked to it by twelve spokes.  Willa's curse had always been so, but she had never understood how or why it took the shape it did.  But Midagarra's almost throwaway statement in the umbrean's hall had made it evidently clear.  The stylised spawning pool, cut deep and cut well.

Once completed, Willa raised her wand to the heavens and yet another beam of pure starlight answered her call.

Then she tried to cast a critical eye over her target.  However, this time, she knew nothing about it.


Move to: W16

Minor: Curse a1

Standard: Dire Radiance on a1
To hit: 29 vs Fortitude (CRIT!)
(d20+Cha: 4, +expertise: 1,+1/2level: 1, +disquiet: 2, + fate of the void: 1)
1st Damage: 10 Radiant, 6 Untyped
(1d6+Cha: 4, +curse: 1d6) [maxed]

Effect: If the enemy moves close to Willa on its turn, it takes: 5 Radiant damage

00:42, Today: Willa rolled 10 using 1d20+7. Monster Knowledge (Arcana) check on a1

This message was last edited by the player at 09:41, Sat 02 Aug 2014.

Phelan cringed at the burning sensation, wishing desperately he could see. He scrubbed at the regions where they were, eventually removing something from there though not knowing what.

However, his world was still dark as he tried again to remove the gunk protecting his eyes with one hand as the other began waving the wand around. The rippling sonic energy surrounded him in a protective sphere, before blasting towards the only  other shadow he had been able to see before his eyes were covered again. Or at least where he thought it might be.

He was, however, finally able to clear the gunk from his eyes and see again, even as he looked around the battlefield

Standard Action: Thundering Armor:
Effect: +1 AC to Phelan
Secondary Target: Anything in U18 (VSIII)
Attack: 20 vs Fortitude
Hit: 11 damage and it is pushed 3 squares (into the wall beyond S19). I figure that the push means the explosion won't actually affect us, but I'll make a save just in case

Saving Throw against blind/daze: Succeeded! Finally! I've been blind this entire fight so far.
Possibly Necrotic save: Natural 20. Huh.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:21, Sat 02 Aug 2014.

The gunk continued to cling to Jubei's face no matter how much he shook or dragged at it and the continued lack of vision was slowly... becoming rather infuriating, with a roar and all the fury of a dragon he lashed out at where he perceived to be the nearest enemy. However his strike failed to connect with the shadowy opponent.


Minor Action: Dragon's Fury
Effect: Make a basic attack (either melee or ranged) against the nearest opponent.  Upon a successful hit make the following attack.
Close Burst 2, Personal

Substituting Virtous Strike
Special : This power can be used as a melee basic attack.
Target: vsIII
Attack: 6 vs AC

13:21, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 5 using 1d20. Saving throw against blind and dazed.

No luck was to be found here. :|

Drex feels a surge of adrenalin rush through him as the Fleeting Shadow collapses.

Drex moves closer to his new target laying an oath on the shadow creator "By the wisdom of The Teacher I will destroy you!". Lifting his heavy axe high in to the air before slamming it down on his opponent.

Move Action: Q15 to S14

Minor Action: Oath of Enmity (Regained the use of this power on the death of my last target)

Standard Action: Overwelming Strike
Target: vsIV
Attack: 21 vs. AC
Hit: 14. You shift 1 (R13) square and slide the target 1 square into the space you occupied (S14).
This message was last edited by the player at 09:44, Mon 04 Aug 2014.

Midagarra's Turn

This was definitely not a position that Midigarra liked. She jabs with all her might at the robed figure in front of her before retreating to a saver position.

Standard Action:Staff
Target: aI
Attack: 28 vs AC Crit!
Hit: 10
Move Action: Shifts from V17 to W17
This message was last edited by the player at 10:00, Mon 04 Aug 2014.

    Willa’s spell casts its victim in brilliant illumination, much to his agony, as the man screams and falls silent as he collapses in a heap.  The men in the black robes seemed to be mortal creatures, humans for the most part, it was clear that they had some supernatural affinity for shadows and darkness that was not common amongst humans.
  Though as the man collapses and the light from Willa’s spell fades there is a swirl of shadows about the corpse that builds up into an eruption of shadowy knifes that fly into the surrounding space and though Midagarra has part of the rock face of the quarry protecting her it is not enough and some of the shadows strike her.  As she cries out from the stabbing pain the shadow knife expands into a cloud of shadow stuff that wraps itself around her making it difficult for her to see.
Midagarra is blinded until the end of her next turn.

  Phelan’s wand casts his intended enemy into the wall, what was left of the shadowy thing anyway, as the sound tore the thing apart even as it cast the creature towards the nearby wall.  Even as the Narayah manages to tear off, painfully removing some of the fur from his face, the hardened goo that had covered his eyes.

  Jubei growled as he swung, his wrath quiet apparent but with his vision impaired as it was the great draconic paladin took wild swings none of them finding his foes.

  Drex’s attack spins his enemy about throwing it down into the ground between the blinded Jubei and himself, only for the shadow-thing to give a last chuckle before it expires in a wave of shadows that sweeps across Drex and Jubei leaving behind shadow-stuff that burns away at both the paladin and the avenger.
Drex and Jubei were both hit by Devouring Darkness and take 5 ongoing necrotic damage, save ends.

[Well that sucks, you score a crit and the guy you want Midagarra to attack is already dead.  So I’ll have her move up to U17 and attack a II instead.]
  Though blinded the druid moves about ahead and swings her wooden staff, its blue jewel flaring as it strikes the robbed assassin with a resounding crack of bone as the man cries out in pain and says “Begone you wretched heathen!”



    Amidst Phelan, Willa and Midagarra a dark shadow takes shape.  Roaring with new life it strikes at the narayah though Phelan is prepared for it and evades the shadow’s swipe with little difficulty.
Vengeful Shadow V appears at V17 and attacks Phelan with Shadow Caress and misses.
  The robed figures continued their assault on the paladin, each of them just barely managing to score a hit upon their blinded victim.
Voice in the Darkness Initiate V attacks Jubei with Quarterstaff and hits him dealing 5 physical damage.
Voice in the Darkness Acolyte attacks Jubei with Flash of Knifes and hits dealing 11 physical damage then shifts to W17 (3 squares).
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:54, Mon 04 Aug 2014.

Willa recedes in response to Jubei's monstrous bellow, her eyes locked on him in awe.  He seems so much like a gentle giant at times, it is surprisingly easy to forget the power that he wields and the rage he can muster.

When she returns her attention to the battlefield, she is shocked to find her target towering above her, with a wicked gleam in his eyes.  She thought her strike had been sound, no, more than sound - deadly - but here he stood in all of his villainy.  Instinctively she stumbled backwards, forgetting about poor Phelan beside her.  She coughed out some incoherent phrase and hoped that her garbled words would be enough to summon her affliction.

Although startled, out of the corner of her eye she saw her curse beginning to slice into the creature's hide.  It cleared her mind and she realised that odd sensation she felt after killing a cursed enemy lingered with her still.  There was only one explanation for that.  She had killed her previous target.  What she faced now was either another foe, or something even more sinister.

She gulped, stood up straight, adjusted her leather armour and glared right back at the fiend.  "You turn!" She declared and a moment later the knife wielding man is shocked to find himself suddenly bathed in the same cold, unyielding light that had previously undone his cohorts.

As the luminescence continued to engulf the acolyte Willa called out.

"Mr Phelan, Sir!  Come to Willa.  Star may be not done yet!"


Move Action: Shift to W15

Minor Action: Curse aII

Standard: Dire Radiance on aII
To Hit: 13 vs Fort.
(1d20+Cha: 4, +Disquiet: 2, +1/2level: 1, +expertise: 1, +Fate of the Void: 1)
Damage: 9 Radiant, 4 Untyped
(1d6+Cha:4, 1d6 curse)
Secondary Damage: 5 Radiant
(1d6+Cha: 4)
(if target moves closer to Willa on its turn)

Free action - if Willa kills the creature: Light a Gem
(I keep forgetting to do this! >.<)

Jubei barely had time to notice the retaliation that his fumbled attack received. The darkness that laid itself over his body like a cloak, eating away at his life, along with the hits he received were enough to down the Kaetyma. The ground shook for a tiny moment as the large weight of the draconic taur landed on the ground with a thud.

-8 HP / 37 HP
10 HP away from death.

Saving throws:
00:53, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 16 using 1d20. Saving throw against dying.

00:53, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 20 using 1d20. Saving throw against necrotic.

00:54, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 5 using 1d20. Saving throw against blind and dazed.


 

"Jubei!" Phelan yelled in shock as the large Kaetyma crashed to the ground, the tremor knocking the Narayah briefly off-balance. He quickly reached for the other vial on his bandolier. "Rise, Jubei. Rise and fight once more!" The lid was removed and the magical essence surged out of the vial to imbue the Kaetyma, sealing some of the more grievous wounds and filling him with energy.

Having done that, Phelan glared irritably at the creature in front of him. "No, no. I've had quite enough of you things." He analyzed it briefly, finally able to actually see the thing, before snapping his wand out. Rippling sonic energy flowed out of the wand to surround the fallen Kaetyma, before blasting out at the shadowy figure, shoving it into the wall.

Deciding that prudence was the better part of valour the Narayah carefully slipped away, dropping his wand at his new location as he quickly snatched up his crossbow.

Minor Action: Healing Infusion: Curative Admixture
Target: Jubei
Effect: Heal for Surge+3. Don't spend a Surge. Remember that you heal as if you were at 0, not at whatever negative you are.

Knowledge check: 21
Target: Vs V

Standard Action: Thundering Armor
Target: Vs V
Attack: 19 vs Fort
Hit: 8 damage, and it's pushed three squares away from Jubei (to Y21)

Move Action: Shift V17->V16

Free Action: Drop wand in V16

Free Action: Fast Hands
Effect: Pick up Superior Crossbow from V17
This message was last edited by the player at 05:26, Tue 05 Aug 2014.

The shadowy remains tears at Drex's skin leaving small green-black oozing wounds. As hysteria overcomes him and he rushes to meet his next foe. Will uttering a vow of unrelenting pain, as he brings his mighty hammer down on the initiate, pulling him away from every one. Not even noticing his companion falling next to him. "I shall not fall not to your likes." he yells as his body is infused with a new found vigor. And the wound seem to stop festering.

5 ongoing Necrotic Damage

Move Action: R13 to R15

Minor Action: Oath of Enmity

Standard action: Overwelming Strike
Target: iV
Attack: 22 vs. AC.
Hit:  8 damage. You shift 1 (Q14) square and slide the target 1 square into the space you occupied (R15).

Spend Action point, Standard Action: Second Wind.

Saving Throw: 12 Save

Midagarra's Turn

"This was no good..." she thought to herself as she heard the commotion next to her, shifting backwards away from the noise. She aims her staff in that general direction and intones a chant that calls a fiery hawk to her aid, swooping at the opponent supposedly in front of her.

Move Action: Sifts from U17 to T17

Standard Action: Fire Hawk
Target: vsV but if that is dead it would be aII
Attack: 21 vs Reflex Crits again lucky her...
Hit: 13 fire damage.
Left out the secondary attack because she is blinded and don't get Opportunity Attacks.

End of Round Summary

  Willa’s spell fells the robed man much like it had his comrade before him as he screams at the brilliance that engulfs him.  As the light fades shadows erupt from the man’s mouth though Phelan nimble escapes the explosion of darkness.

  Though Jubei stumbles and falls Phelan though is not willing to see his friends fall so and the kaetyma finds himself wrest back from the darkness as light from Phelan’s infusion fades about the big paladin.
  The sonic shockwave from Phelan’s spell not only provides a cracking shield of sound about the prone paladin but also careened into the newly spawned shadow, sending it flying into a nearby wall.  From which Phelan was certain it would not emerge given the force of the spell had already begun tearing the creature limb from limb.

  While Drex, possessed by madness cares for little more than his next victim, who falls to Drex’s axe and even as the darkness within the man erupts Drex simply spins his blade to deflect it at its source.  As he snorts thereafter taking a moment to catch his breath before searching the quarry for another enemy…

  Midgarra though still blinded tried to strike out at her nearest foe, and though her attack hit the man was already dead even as the flaming bird lit up the furrow as if someone had suddenly lit a bonfire.

Round Six

    Even as it seemed things would settle down and that the fighting was over, two more shadows appeared beside Drex and before Willa, each striking at them while a deep guttural chuckle escaped their dark masks.
Vengeful Shadow VI appears at Q15 and attacks Drex with Shadow Caress and misses.
Vengeful Shadow VII appears at W16 and attacks Willa with Shadow Caress and misses.

Phelan's expression became flinty as the shadow appeared and failed to strike Willa. "I have had quite enough of this foolishness." He muttered as he quickly returned his crossbow onto his back, pulling out his wand once again.

"Begone. We have work to do and you're getting in the way." A wave of the wand and a crackling shield of sound was created around Willa, before blasting at the shadow that attempted to strike her. Unfortunately the blast of energy failed to phase the creature, however the protective shell around Willa remained as the Narayah watched the being carefully.

Free Action: Fast Hands
Effect: Sheath Crossbow

Minor Action: Draw Master's Wand of Thundering Armor +1

Standard Action: Thundering Armor
Target: Vs VIII
Attack: 10 vs Fort (Ahahahaha no)
Hit: 13 thunder damage, and it is pushed 3 squares. But that is so not a hit.

Contingency: Nimble Reversal
Trigger: If any creature attacks Phelan, he will move to be behind them and at range

Willa was startled by Jubei's sudden stumble and was about ready to cry out when Phelan rushed to his rescue.  These shadows were much more dangerous than she had given them credit for.  Who could have imagined that they would be capable of hurting Iron Jubei so badly?

She turned her attention back to the shadowy form in front of her and locked her eyes with it.  Angrily she hunched over, slunk back and whispered with a voice full of venom:

"Light beat shadow."

As her star's brilliant beam once again appeared, Willa bound the shadow's gaze to hers and made it watch its own demise.


Move action: Shift to W14

Standard Action: Dire Radiance vs vsVII
To Hit: 19 vs Fortitude
(1d20 +Cha: 4, +Expertise: 1, +1/2Level: 1, +Disquiet: 2, +Fate of the Void: 1)
Damage: 5 Radiant
(1d6+Cha: 4)
Secondary Damage: 9 Radiant
(1d6+Cha: 4)

Minor Action:
Arcana Check (Fatality!): Make shadow creature witness its own death: 20
(1d20+7)

Fingers crossed they really are minions, else I may have wasted a minor action on some really stupid, over the top RP...

This message was last edited by the player at 20:40, Wed 06 Aug 2014.

Revitalized by Phelan's concoction, the dracotaur returned from the brink of death. Although to him it didn't seem to change much. He merely noticed that he suddenly lying on the ground in a rather awkward position, rather than standing up as he had been just seconds before. His movements were slow and sluggish as he climbed back onto his feet. Though it seemed that the darkness that had coated his face had hardened and finally fell off as he stood back on his feet. All of a sudden he could see again and make sense of everything around him. Much to his woe he realized that the opposition was next to non-existant anymore.

Move action: Stand up

15:19, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 11 using 1d20. Saving throw against blind and dazed.

15/37 HP

With out a thought to the damage he suffered just a moment ago from another shadow, due to his condition. Drex places an oath on the shadow promising its demise as he brings he swings his axe at the thing. Drex gives a mighty roar.

Standard Action: Overwelming Strike
Target: vs VI
Attack: 17 vs AC
Hit: 15 damage. You shift 1 square (Q14 to Q13) and slide the target 1 square into the space you occupied. (I choose not to slid the target)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:09, Thu 07 Aug 2014.

Midagarra's Turn

Her vision slowly returns as the shadows dissipated from her eyes. And takes up a defensive position next to Jubei seeing if he need her help.


Standard Action: Full defense

End of Round Summary

  Despite his best effort Phelan’s spell does not beat his enemy back, the shadow stood defiantly against Phelan’s attack.

  “Death holds no fear for us…Willa…” the shadow-creature said as it burned away under the light from Willa’s spell.  As the shadow fades away darkness erupts from its chest and quickly spreads to the space around it some of it caught Phelan, burning away at his fur like a mixture of fire and ice.
Vengeful Shadow attacked Phelan with Devouring Darkness and hit dealing 5 ongoing necrotic damage.

  Drex cleaves the other shadow as it sighs into oblivion, its deathly power unable to snare any living victims before the furrow grows quiet.

End of Combat Encounter

    A dry feminine voice speaks to them.  Her voice seemingly carried upon the wind “Your folly is now complete.  My temple would not be so easily breached.  Your doom awaits you out here in the darkness.  By my hand or the undead that stalk these lands you will fall and at that moment you will join my congregation.  We await you there though we shall not wait forever.”
  The wind picks up and blasts through the furrow, throwing up grey dust which swirls around the adventurers as it swirls around the hole at the far end of the furrow.  The dark hole in the ground shimmers away in a heat-like haze leaving only the empty stone floor while the wind that had spun about it lifts up and blasts into the air, scattering dust over the injured party all the while shrieking and roaring with countless voices screaming incomprehensible nothings at the adventurers.  The barrage upon their ears so intense they reflexively threw up their hands to close them.  Silence falling along with the rain of dust.
Ambush at the Quarry:  Players gain 125 Experience Points and receive 3 Fame and 3 Fortune Tokens.

  Even then in the silence each of you could swear you could hear someone at the edge of your hearing, feel someone besides your companions close by and even saw something shift just at the edge of your vision…
[You each loose one of your remaining healing surges.  Obviously this effect does not apply to Midagarra as she doesn’t have any healing surges.  Phelan please note that despite the automatic ending to your ongoing damage you still take 5 from the start of your turn at the end of the encounter.]

  Drex’s only now, once things have calmed down, notices that his holy symbol is still glowing and that was unusual.  Once he started looking at it, the divine icon flashes as a concussive blast of divine power surges from the godly talisman.  Scattering dust and small rocks all about the avenger, who was unaffected by this power, as Supernal Glyphs flex in a stream from Drex’s holy symbol and spun about his great axe causing the weapon to glow with white light, brighter and brighter until the thing shone like Drex’s own personal sun.  Crackling with energy the shining weapon’s form changed.  It remained a great axe though it became more refined and elegant, its balance and heft improved as Drex held it quiet awestruck as he was by what was happening before him.


[Drex you have received a Vanguard Weapon (great axe) Level 3, please see adventurers vault page 81 – there are no updates (rules wise) to this weapon that I am aware of.  Also – this is an example of what you could do by spending fame tokens.]
  The light suddenly fades as darkness rushes back to lap at the edges of the lantern’s light about the adventures.  Drex’s new, god-given great axe gleaming with steely in the light.  The axe seemed almost like solidified quicksilver, the edges of the blades were marked in a string of Supernal glyphs the strange moving symbols were almost mesmeric to the eye.  While the hilt was some-sort of rough and solid leather which fit Drex’s hands perfectly.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:54, Thu 07 Aug 2014.

Willa ran over to Iron Jubei and, grabbed his leg, as if trying to steady him and make sure he didn't fall again.  However, the distinct appearance was that of a child clinging to a tree.  Then she shouted to the winds:

"Willa knows you Big Bad Voice in Darkness Soul-Stealer Demon!  Not to be friends now.  Willa get y..."


Her voice was suddenly cut off by the brilliant light show that erupted from Drex's axe, making her own dainty starlight one from earlier pale into insignificance and leaving her gaping in awe.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:15, Thu 07 Aug 2014.

Jubei grimaced in the face of that threat from the darkness and it seemed like he wanted to reply something, only to be preempted by that screeching cacophony which forced him to cover his ears. Any comment that might have followed that was again shut up in the face of the... divine intervention on Drex's behalf.
Which left the dracotaur suspiciously silent as his gaze drifted towards the sky. He didn't even seem to take note of Willa clinging to his leg as he suddenly sat back down with a thud. His expression drifting somewhere between frustrated frown and a confused stare before he again made a grimace and closed his eyes. Blankness slowly crept onto his mimic then.


Short rest/meditation, spending two healing surges to get back to full health.

Drex felt an extreme dislike for the foul voice as it invited him and the rest of the party to their doom. Standing firm and upright not to show the fear that he was feeling at that moment, thinking to himself that: he will fight this thing while he was still breathing. As the wing started to scream he felt a chil run down his spine.

It was at that moment that he noted his holy symbol glowing...
Drex was overcome by the events that was taking place before his very eyes. As the voice spoke Drex kneel and bowed his head in reverence, holding his axe slightly aloft in front of him.

"I, Drasden Braskaal Anoer, protector and executioner, upholder of the mandate of enlightenment, servant of Aurelius will uphold this task that You have set before me and as Your humble servant I offer thanks for this mighty weapon. By Your grace alone..."

He lights a couple of incense sticks at that spot, before standing up and rejoining the group where they are catching their breaths.

Spends 1 healing surge while taking a short rest.

Phelan gritted his teeth, hands dropping his crossbow as they were clamped over his ears to try and futilely block out the sound. He swayed slightly, falling back to the ground. As the sound died down, he decided that simply staying down felt better at the moment. He slowly caught his breath, feeling the burning pain from his wounds slowly die down as he regained his energy.

As an afterthought, he remembered his infusions, and rooted through his backpack for an odd-looking apparatus looking something similar to a rather crude syringe. "Jubei... I need to use some of your blood for my infusions." He staggered back up to his feet, re-mounting his crossbow on his back  as he approached the Kaetyma with the syringe.

Spend two healing surges while taking a short request. Going to 'borrow' two surges from Jubei if permitted to refresh my healing infusions.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:52, Sat 09 Aug 2014.

Jubei just sat there, eye's closed and silent. It seemed almost like he wasn't going to respond to Phelan's request at all. "Do as you will. I'm not worthy of my blood anyway.", the kaetyma replied after a... rather considerable delay and made no attempts at all to resist Phelan's syringe. Though that said, aside from a very brief grimace he didn't seem to notice much of it anyway.

You can have them surges, still got enough left xD

Willa let go of Iron Jubei's leg as Phelan came to admimister his healing tonics.  She looked at the giant Kaetyma with confusion.

"Iron Jubei strong.  Save Willa much.  If Iron Jubei not here, Willa dead." And she gives him a deep, thankful bow, which might have been quite touching had she managed to keep her balance...

Upon extracting herself from the quarry floor, with a slurp, she noticed the gooey patch left behind on Iron Jubei's leg and spun around in shame.

"Uh...Must, um, find Big bad voice in Darkness Soul-stealer Demon? Yes.  Is bad... Like name!" She shouted the last part with excitement, as if only just making the connection.  Looking around in a confused state, she said: "Where hole go?" then checked back behind her, in case she had gotten turned around.  But no.  The hill was definitely lower that way.  She gazed back at the hill's crest, then ran towards it.

"Was here?"  She called out and started digging at a spot on the ground with her hands.

15:32, Today: Willa rolled 12 using 1d20+4. Perception - trying to locate/remember the original position of the hole.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:38, Sat 09 Aug 2014.

Phelan carefully extracted the blood, looking at Jubei with a measure of concern. This change in attitude was... Unusual. Perhaps  it was something to do with the light and Drex, or the sound and voice. Either way, he couldn't think of any to stir the Kaetyma out of whatever had descended on him, so he finished preparing  the infusions in silence. He split the  blood between two vials, and then imbued them with magical energy and a few other components from his kit.

His work done, and the vials filled with the magical energy from before, he placed the vials on the bandolier and joined Willa in searching for the entrance. Realising that digging might not help, he cast his magical senses, attempting to detect an illusion.

Arcana check: 15. So like, how is it that I only get good Arcana on knowledge checks of items? But anything else I will never roll above a 5?

    Midagarra sat down on the earth and leaned her back against the nearby wall.  Her staff standing beside her against the rocky wall, the brilliance of the blue stone in its head oscillating moment by moment, almost like it was breathing.
  Further inside the furrow the other adventurers were either recuperating like the druid or were searching the area.

  Willa was certain she had found the spot where the hole had been but it seemed all solid earth now.  While Phelan tried to sense any magic about the area but sadly failed to do so as whispering and the darkness about him was starting to wear of his nerves.

A bit of a smirk crept onto Jubei's muzzle after Willa's comment and a bit later, after Phelan had finished taking the blood he needed he stood back up again and shook his head. "Sorry about that... I was... Let's just forget about it.", he rumbled and then looked around to find that the access deeper into the quarry was indeed gone. "Maybe... if we use the Spirit Lantern? Could it unveil the magic at work here?"
He said and then pulled the Spirit Lantern from his backpack and tried to commune with it's spirit as to that possibility.

11:09, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 18 using 1d20+5. Religion check for da lanturn.

Willa's scrabbling at the ground was doing nothing but clogging her hands up with dusts and small stones and she fell back onto her bottom with a disgruntled huff.  The floor was most certainly solid.

"Willa think hole go away.  But hole can move?  It strange.  Big Bad Voice in Darkness Soul-stealer Demon able to move ground?  Willa not think likely.  Maybe portal?"

She looked around curiously and her eyes landed on Phelan.  She immediately felt a tingling sensation and realised he was trying to work some magic, apparently without much success.  She stood up and wandered over to everyone.

"Willa not know, but think may be need to be quick.  If portal, magic not last.  Willa not know best thing to do." She looked around again, then took her helmet off and stared at the two glowing gems.  Timidly, she spoke again.  "But has ideas.  May be bad."

Her attention first focused on Drex. "Willa see bodies and glowy gems.  Makes wonder if dead help?  Maybe Wieder, or Grim?" Next she turned to Iron Jubei, who was busy with the spirit lantern. "If that not work, Willa remembers Iron Jubei gots shard thing from Augur home.  It can helps? Or maybe finds clues on here bodies?" After Iron Jubei, was Phelan's turn. "Willa hear voice in fight.  Bet Mr Phelan, sir, did also.  Think was Big Bad Voice in Darkness Soul-stealer Demon?  Same makes cloud above.  Portal magic go, but cloud always above.  Can find source of cloud?  Willa think to be big."  Finally, she walked over to Midagarra and presented herself to the druid.  "Mardigras," Willa's voice was barely a whisper at this point, "Willa sorry.  She still got Borrower Head Hugger."   For a moment the umbrean looked away in shame.  "But...may be he knows where go?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:51, Mon 11 Aug 2014.

Drex was mostly quite during the rest. The event seems to have affected him profoundly...

But as Will spoke to him he snapped out of his deep contemplation. "... dead help?" He repeats Willa's statement as if confused. He moves to the two dead acolyte's bodies and search them for any clues.

Taking a 20 if I may, can't remember if 4ed allows it.
Perception check: 32 searching the dead bodies.

    The Spirit Lantern shone with a heatless, emerald green flame, the white cylinder floated in the air before Jubei as the paladin tried his best to commune with the spirit within.  The fire swirled and spurt within its container light it shone bright enough to light up the entire furrow.  After a moment the light shrank, pooling at the site the hole had been and the air shimmer as the hole appeared once more, though this time as an phantasmal apparition.
  To Phelan and Willa the revelation was clear, the hole had been nothing more than an illusion, probably used to lure the adventurers deeper into the furrow so that the daemon’s force could ambush the adventurers.

  The lantern then grew dark and its flame dwindled to but a little spark.  Jubei realized this was because the energy he had given it the day before was now expended and another sacrifice of life blood before the lantern could use its powers again.

  Midagarra nodded at Willa and said “Ei ken.  Ye eingh ehm.” while pointing at Drex.  Who was busy with the corpses.
[Yes Drex Perception Check’s apply to searches.]
  Drex finds on the corpses more of the obsidian shards, engraved in the same alien language as the one Jubei had shone him.  Each one felt warm to the touch and the whispering intensified as he touched one, enough to startle the paladin and cause him to jump back from it.

  His mistress giving him a soft though piercing whistle, Morrey came flying down from the cliff side of the furrow, cawing as he landed on Midagarra’s shoulder as he cocked his head this way and that, taking in the scene before him before he squawked and began translating for Midagarra again.
“I can not read mind’s child.” Morrey cawed and bit Midagarra’s hand, which she had sent to stroke the bird though it did seem to startle her or hurt and the raven released the finger it held in it’s beak a moment later.  The druid only smirked at this before she continued and Morrey croaked “Those who could have done so have not had the ability since before the umbreans left.”

"Oh!" Willa yelped as she realised the nature of the hole that had never been.

"Hole fake, but...where enemies' home?  Men go in rock, but Willa not see all do."

And she wandered off checking the walls of the quarry for any hidden passages.

17:03, Today: Willa rolled 10 using 1d20+4. Perception: Cave Spotting.

"Well these are the same people that we found at the Auger's home." stating the obvious as he walks to Jubie. "I think we need to explore the quarry further, the focus of the magic that created the cloud should be here..." he said in a questioning manner, as to inquirer if this is the right place. Drex also seems to have calmed down now, but any sudden movement does startle him.

He hands the shards to Jubei before moving off to see if he can find anything.

Perception check: 22 searching the area for clues.
Dungeoneering check: 11 the physical structure of the quarry to find possible hidden passages (If I am allowed two rolls).
This message was last edited by the player at 07:27, Wed 13 Aug 2014.

Jubei gave a nod at Drex's observation. "Yes. The quarry is larger than just this one pit. The entrance is bound to be somewhere.. just..", he then furrowed his brows as he was handed all those shards, but put them into his backpack anyway, after all they might turn out to be useful at some later point. He then regarded the spirit lantern with a grimace and gave a little shrug, cutting himself with little hesitation to make it work again.
"Now spirit, do you happen to know where the entrane is?", he asked more or less rhetorical. But he still hoped that the spirit knew the answer... or at least had a helpful 'hint'.

Spends healing surge to activate lantern.

12:55, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 24 using 1d20+5. Religion check fly lantern fly!

    Drex and Willa find no indication of secret passageways inside the furrow itself and Jubei has little luck with the spirit of the lantern, as it tells the paladin that it does not know where the daemonic lair is.  Though at the mention of other quarries Midagarra speaks up, Morrey naturally caws just before he begins to translate “This hill is dotted with excavations.  From what I can remember most of them were upon south-western slopes of the hill.  Though I do not know exactly how many there are.”

Willa frowned from beneath her helmet.  She was running out of ideas.  She took a few moments to rest and think a little, but felt a little stumped and her shoulders slumped dramatically.

"Uh...maybe look from hill top?  Or..." she looked at the ground from left to right.  "Bar peoples tell men come here before."

She felt like she was clutching at straws, but put her face to the ground anyway.  She was looking for any indication of where the miller's and quarry men may have gone.  Hopefully, tracks, but possibly drag marks or - and she shivered at the thought - blood trails?

20:58, Today: Willa rolled 22 using 1d20+4. Perception - Perception again?  Why's it always perception?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:00, Wed 13 Aug 2014.

"Then we need to find higher ground." Drex in agreement with Willa. "Willa, Phelan can't you use your sensitivity to the arcane energies to pinpoint us in the general direction, like a compass of sorts...Then me and Jubei can commune with our gods to see if they have any advice for us and Midagarra could you get in touch with the primal powers of nature to see if you can spot any strong sources of corruption other than the cloud..." he looks up as he said this, before going to the spot where he received his holy axe.

Lighting more incense, taking out a small statue with 'n cup and bowl. He starts to chant to The Teacher. Filling the cup with oil before anointing the statue. He fills the bowl with water and drips black liquid into it turning the water inky black.

He becomes quite as his eyes seem to go blank. "Wise and grate are Thee Teacher... I your humble servant ask for Thy aid in matter regarding the origin of foul and corrupting cloud..."

Drex rolled 20 using 1d20+6. Religion check
This message was last edited by the player at 07:15, Thu 14 Aug 2014.

"Yes, getting to high ground would be our best choice here. We have lost the moment of surprise anyway.", Jubei remarked and looked to the side of the pit, which hopefully should be the south-western side. "I find it unlikely that they would try deception like this again. The cult can't be that large that they would just let themselves get slaughtered out here to maintain an illusion...", he mused and then began to trudge on to the hill to get a better look down the side to the other excavation sides.

    If she had not been looking as attentively as she had Willa would not have noticed that besides those made by herself and her companions there were indeed tracks all over the furrow and leading out of it as well.

  Something drew Drex’s attention to the north as he thought he could see a light flickering out there in the distant darkness, maybe a mile away.  It seemed almost like a flare and for a moment he could clearly see a wide, shallow depression with a wide cave entrance upon the side which merged with the hill’s slope to the west.  Then it grew dark again and the vision was lost.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 20:23, Fri 15 Aug 2014.

Willa hopped up and stated: "See tracks.  Go all places, out also.  But Willa not know who made." She pointed in he direction of the tracks leading out of the quarry and shrugged.

As Drex's mind returns to this world, he hears what Willa is saying about footprints leading out of the quarry. Before moving to engage Willa he thanks The Teacher for his aid.

"Could you please show me where the track exits the quarry." he said to Willa. While they were walking to the spot Drex told the others about his vision he received from The Teacher. "If the tracks are heading to the north or coming from the north we should see if they lead us to source of this foul cloud" pointing to the cloud as he said this.

"But, it might not be the source... It might only be the next place we need to be..." it seems like Drex is rambling almost not making sense. He stops himself. Shaking his head. "Sorry, I think my nerves are getting the better of me, but that is expected in a situation like this."

He now looks at Phelan, "Have you figured out where that telaportion device leads to?"

    The tracks, from what they could she could see by the light they had, Willa thought the tracks might be curving around the hill, going northward.

  Phelan did know exactly where the device would teleport to, trouble is, he had no idea what was there.  He had considered asking the villagers but had abandoned the idea after realizing that there was quite possibly a large daemonic infestation in the area.  But, Midagarra seemed trust worthy enough.
  Afterall she did live in this region she might know what was there.  From where he stood Phelan figured the destination was about a little to the north of a few miles west from where they were.  Quite some distance away from this hillock.

"So Midagarra, what should we find at that area?" he asks.
Drex waits until she finished answering him before looking at the rest of the group and says: "Well we can follow the tracks northward, which gives them time to prepare of our arrival or we could make use of the device and potentiality catch them by surprise. Personally, I'm up for the latter and Jubei I believe that you would also pick this option. Because of the vow that you made to the villagers." Drex gestured with a sweeping motion of his hand at the remaining party members, "But you also need to agree with our decision. If you think of a wiser course of cation, I'm all ears."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:00, Tue 19 Aug 2014.

Jubei had listened intently to what Drex said and eventually gave a faint nod. "I'm not sure if using the teleportation device would be the wisest thing to do. They could easily cloud their presence in shadows either way and lie in ambush for us. That said, I don't have any better idea, so assuming that the thing actually gets us into their lair, then let's do that.", he said and finished with a bit of a grim chuckle.

Willa looked around uncomfortably and then apologetically at Midagarra.

"Mardigras is nice.  Bird also.  But Willa not know is best person to ask." The little umbrean paused for a few moments, obviously trying to fight back her guilt and build up the courage to speak more.  "Vito also, also nice.  But Vito not trust Mardigras.  Was right about undead attack.  Is right about this also?  Willa not think Mardigras bad, but maybe not knows all?"

    Midagarra turned to look out the way Phelan pointed.  Her normally smooth brow furrowed in apparent thought for a few moments before it smoothed out again as she turned back to Phelan and spoke, Morrey of course translated “I believe that would put you atop the hill of Old Stones.”

  “It is a hillock much like this one though it is a tall, ridged and jagged spire with worn stone carvings upon it.  The summit is crowned by a smooth dais and a circle of perfectly carven stones so brilliantly white one would think they were mirrors.  It is a sacred place which few visit and even fewer climb.”
  Morrey squawked as Midagarra turned and looked at her staff before continuing “I have been there a dozen times myself though I have only dared climb the hill a few times.  There is a sense of trespass as one reaches the summit that is difficult to ignore and whatever power holds there it does not entertain or suffer foolishness.”
  “It has shown me things, sent me to places that I do not think I can ever properly describe to anyone.  Once it conjured and gave to me this staff promising that-” Morrey cut off with an irritated warble as Midagarra had paused her eyes cast down to the ground as she was still for a moment before she looked up again a peculiar sadness in her eyes.
  “That one day, it would lead me to find someone I have lost a very long time ago.”

  “I can not imagine that that place has anything to do with the daemons.” Midagarra sighed “As for Vito, I know his about his prejudice, we druids prize careful wisdom of quick intelligence and we prize the unspoiled wilderness over the trappings of what you would call civilization.”

  “Vito carries the symptoms of sickness that is slowly eating away at these lands, I hope that other beyond the circles of the druids realize this before that illness infects us all.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:30, Tue 19 Aug 2014.

Drex stands silently, listening to Midagarra before speaking: "Well it might not be any demonic activity at the sight but close by. Why else would one of them have a device going to that place? And if it is a source of power someone might be taping into the power using it to create this strange weather."

Jubei furrowed his brows upon hearing the description of those stones. "I think... isn't that the Conduit the wizard back in Galdion had talked about? The one we should seek out if we wanted to learn more about the Dream Village the psions in the city were talking about? It... might be worth investigating that either way, demonic infestation or not. Especially though if this Conduit is used by demonic forces to enter the Dream Village, after all... who knows what havoc they might be able to wreak there?"

Willa looked confused.

"Vito not sick.  Vito cursed.  Also, what dream village?  Is place you must sleep to see?  Or place where dreams made?  Or where dreams are real? Or may be is place where all sleep always?"

As she asked her questions, Willa puzzled over the answers herself, trying to recall anything that she may have heard about such a place.  There was a God called the Dreamer, she was pretty sure of that.  Maybe the two were connected somehow?

16:52, Today: Willa rolled 22 using 1d20+4. Religion Knowledge Check: Dreamer and Dream Village.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:54, Wed 20 Aug 2014.

    Midagarra regards Jubei with curious expression as Morrey squawked and bit her finger for a moment before she spoke again followed by the raven’s voice “Dream Village?”

  Willa recalled that the realm of the mind and the domain of dreams were realities even more peculiar then those of the Spirit World or the Underworld though she had never heard about a place referred to as a Dream Village.  Besides that anyone could visit the dream world, you just had to sleep!

  What Midagarra had described sounded unusually familiar to Phelan though he could not quite put his finger on why.

Jubei blinked for a moment as if he had forgotten that not all of his current companions had been with them from the very start. "Before we came here, our first... assignment back in Galdeon was to investigate strange dreams which the psions of the city had. A village prominently stared in each one of them, though I am a little unsure about the details beyond that right now. Our investigation lead us to be invited into a wizard's tower who made mention that we might find out more about it if we used the conduit near Kyssia... he described it as a circle of ten white stones at the summit of a hill. Which would fit with what you just said.", he nodded to Midagarra then and rubbed over his chin and stared to the ground, as if to recall more details, before he eventually gave a shrug. "That's all I remember right now."
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:12, Thu 21 Aug 2014.

Although the explanation was short, Willa looked fascinated to hear of her friends' other exploits and hung on Iron Jubei's every word.

She spent a few moments staring off into the distance, looking forward to the promise of more adventures after this.  She had not considered what she would do once Kyssea had been freed of its plight and the sudden thought of being alone again sent shivers through her goo.  She liked her friends and hoped to stay with them for a long time!  A long time?  She wondered...

"Willa not know how long live.  Umbrean life...different.  Mostly short.  Willa two years old.  Could be life may already be half done or just begun."  She shrugged.  "So Willa want to adventure with time has."  She looked back at the others and grined broadly from beneath her helm.  "And to stay with Iron Jubei, Mr Phelan, sir and Drex!  If friends go to dream place, Willa come with?"

"This is grate, we can kill two flies with one swat... I mean that we can... You know what I mean." Drex said as he looks to the north, he seems uneasy. "And Willa you are welcome to travel with us as long as you like."

"Are you going to take it out or what Phelan? The longer we wait the more time we give thous cultist to prepare for us." Drex look 'n little frigidity as he addresses Phelan.

At Drex's frigid statement, Phelan was already carefully removing the device. "Hush Drex. This device is likely in a bit of a fragile state, so I want to handle it carefully." He responded absently. "Now... If we do wish to go there, you will need to gather fairly close to me. The device does not have a large area of effect, and I suspect  we'd want to be grouped for safety if we are ambushed on arrival."

He returned his pack to his back as he fiddled with the device, setting it up for use. "Are we prepared to give this a try?"

    The barely twisted about in Phelans grip as his small and dexterous hands easily explored the devices surfaces and found the built-in toggles and switches which played some role in the mechanism that only the artificer could discern the functions off.  Though he could simply have pressed the lone button upon the eerily smooth and organ-like device the narayah was concerned that the thing might have had fail-safes and security measures to prevent others from using it and his alterations were his best attempt to assert his mastery over the device.  Finally it was ready and his companions had gathered about him.  Phelan mentioned to his companions that the journey would be only in one direction.  The device had been constructed in such a fashion to allow only for a single use, thereafter it’s power would be spent.
  With a single twist of the button and a solid punch it slid down into the device with a loud thithrink and the device began to whirr loudly.

  The whirring noise suddenly died away as it reached a crescendo and silence fell again.  Phelan was at first confused by this, and so were his companions, until they looked around themselves for they had indeed been transported elsewhere.

  They stood upon the perfectly smooth surface of a great dais of familiar white stone.  It caught the light that fell upon it and shone like a heated stone causing the entire dais to glow softly.  Lighting up with the dim light of the adventurer’s lanterns were ten, forty-five foot monoliths of the same smooth, white stone as the dais.  The stones were spread around the dais at an equal distance from both the dais and each other.  Each stone rose from a base well over 20 feet wide and tapered to a single point at its top, with that top being precisely aligned with the face of the stone which pointed towards the dais.  That faces being a straight line from the dirt covered floor to the sky above.  Despite this impressive size, each stone was remarkably thin, little more then beams radiating out from the center it seemed with their total width being only about two-to-three inches.
  Were it not for the lights of the village to the east, and the knowledge that they were upon a hilltop the adventurer’s would have though them adrift on a platform in an endless void.  Each one of them could feel a flow of power here, like the current of a great river or the push and pull of the ocean’s waves.
  Standing there as they did, near the approximate center of the dais the adventurers could not help but feel intimidated by the circle.  Each of them had the sense of having just gone someplace they had not been meant to go and whatever authority resided over that place was staring down at them in accusation.
  The whispering each of them had been hearing since their battle in the quarry grew loud and frantic, urging them to fly from this place as fast as they could even the light from the jewel upon Midagarra’s tree-like staff had dimed.

Willa gawked at the scene around her and couldn't help but drop to her 'knees,' crawl to the edge of the dais and peer over the edge, just to make sure that there was actually ground beneath them.

Confirming that it was actually there with a short nod to herself, she dropped off of the dais with a small thud.  She then looked at it sideways on, her head tilted to one side like an inquisitive dog.  Reaching out to the reflective white stone, she almost, automatically started to focus magical energy around her in an attempt to learn more about the place.  Almost but not quite.  That insistent voice interrupted her.

She stopped short of the stone and started to look around for the voice, both in mild annoyance and quiet expectation that perhaps here might be more friends, or more foes.  The voice seemed agitated, panicked even.  Willa was not sure why, but she was pretty convinced that if there was ever a time the voice would respond to her questions, it would be now.

"Hi-ii-ii!"  She called out.  The thrum of power echoed through her, making her jelly resonate and voice wobble.  "I-i-is W-W-W-W-i-l-l-l-a.  Y-y-you i-i-iis?  W-w-w-hy n-nnn-not to sss-taa-aay?"

The big kaetyma stumbled a little in the aftermath of the displacement and relocation. His senses taking a moment to take in the sudden change in scenery around and he furrowed his brows a bit as the oppressive sense of... 'not being welcome' reinforced itself quite considerably. "In hindsight... I think we should have stayed in the quarry for a bit longer.", he muttered and looked around before he tried to shake his head clear of the feeling. "Now how do we commune with this place...?"
He tried to meditate for a few moments, but it seemed like the threatening atmosphere inhibited his attempts.


20:56, Today: Iron Jubei rolled 7 using 1d20+5. Religion check: Mediation! Communion! Stuff! .

The unwelcoming feeling made a shiver run down his spine, and it seems as if Drex has lost it again. His companions watch as he runs to the edge of the dais and jumps off, his foot gets caught on a rock as he lands and falls face first on the hard ground. But it seems the fall did not even phase him, as he stands up and starts running around the hill. If they listen they would hear him murmuring something about a cave that was in his vision should be close by...

Drex's behavior is really starting to become erratic, could the stress of the mission be getting to him or is it something else?

09:54, Today: Drex rolled 8 using 1d20+5. Athletics Check. Jump off dais.
09:58, Today: Drex rolled 31 using 1d20+12. Perception check. "To find the cave in his vision"

    If there had been any doubt as to the exact state of Drex’s mind it was now quite clear to the other adventurers that the deseekay had lost it either partially or entirely some way’s back, hich meant that he was not even a barely competent leader of the party at this point.
  Morrey, the usually talkative raven was cowed by the place he was in, the bird sat huddled against Midagarra’s cowl, shivering as if expecting some terrible, unstoppable predator to leap at him from the darkness.


  The air seems to shimmer and-
[You each should have gotten a “Private” message in the thread, let me know if one for you alone doesn’t appear.]

Willa looked about in confusion.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:01, Mon 25 Aug 2014.

The big kaetyma gave a growling rumble.

Before Drex could react to the voice...
This message was last edited by the player at 06:47, Tue 26 Aug 2014.

The artificer seemed unaware of a tear coursing down his face...

You turn around-
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:11, Wed 27 Aug 2014.

... the wind blows, or is it the wind?

The kaetyma let out a gasp...

Willa blinked...

Phelan murmured something in his native language.

    The dimmed overhead as a cloud passed before it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:38, Sun 31 Aug 2014.

Willa paused...
This message was last edited by the player at 09:52, Sun 31 Aug 2014.

Jubei lowered his head...

Phelan's ears and tail drooped...
This message was last edited by the player at 03:12, Mon 01 Sept 2014.

A somberness fills the air.

[Now after almost a week finally continue!]
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:33, Sun 07 Sept 2014.

In reply to Author (msg # 258):

Willa blushed.

Jubei frowned...
This message was last edited by the player at 20:20, Thu 04 Sept 2014.

Shacks of the strange feeling.

Phelan's ears were laid back as he bared his teeth.

[@Phelan: Atalan is the name of one of the worlds the K’yri wrote for the Narayan League as part of a trade agreement between their two societies, at the time of this chapter in the campaign that was almost 3,500 years ago.  There are three other such worlds, Kyrandor, Tuvilon and Zyrandus though the returned narayah have yet to find the portal books that connect to those worlds.]
[@Drex: You are no longer afflicted with Hysteria, also you can no longer be affected by the Daemontation affliction.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:54, Mon 08 Sept 2014.

Willa nooded her agreement.

Drex regards his surroundings.

The kaetyma's eyes squinted...

Phelan tilted his head to the side...

[I am sorry for the long wait but I am feeling alot better now so that helps!]

]
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 19:29, Fri 12 Sept 2014.