The Miconoid gardens are a series of passages and chambers filled with luminescent fungus and small streams diverted from a major underground river. It seems it must have taken years of work to make this place as pleasant as it is.
This message was last updated by the GM at 00:40, Fri 09 June 2006.

Deepwalker sits the garden mentally preparing for the arrival of the mind flayer.  It would be good to get his revenge on one of their number.  Looking around he notices his current compainions.  Thinking to himself, They better stay out of my way when the Mind Flayer shows.  I don't want them getting hurt in the fight..

Illianka was twitchy. She couldn't help but play with one of her daggers... the raiding party had spooked her. She didn't know for sure that they'd called for help, but... they might have.. this place had been home for a while, she didn't want to risk it being damaged...

Schnickle climbed out from under the hood of a giant mushroom where he had stashed himself while sleeping. The mushrooom hadn't eaten him during the night, so presumably it hadn't objected.

His new travelling companions were already awake, or perhaps he had just slept in, or they'd never slept, or Schickle was still dreaming, or... but the simplest explanation was probably the right one. Usually.

"Good mornings to you." Schnickle said to the others. He didn't know much about them yet, but they seemed okay. They hadn't tried to eat him or anything.

Then Schnickle went into his morning routines. He pressed his hands to the cold stone ground, and uttered a quick prayer to Callarduran, giving thanks for safety and peace.

As he did so, he took a moment to attune his mind and find his still point. The ruby my mind is, clear it is, sharp it is, smooth it is, and perfect it is.

Then he checked his crossbow, making sure that every little lever and spring was functioning smoothly and quietly. He loaded it, then whipped it out fast, aiming it down the length of the garden. Satisfied, he hooked it on to his belt.
Then he gathered up his other things, his bag, his chain shirt, his tools and other weapons, checking them all with great fuss and care.

Then he was ready.

"Flayers here yet?" he asked the others in a squeakly svirfneblin voice.


OOC: Taking 20 to gain Psionic Focus.

No sign of anything yet.

Schnickle tried to think what he knew about this region of the Underdark, and what they could expect.

OOC:
17:39, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 9 using 1d20+8. know: local northdark
Rolled a 1. Nothing I guess. :(

Time drags on as you sit about playing at cards. Suddenly, everything goes dark for Illianka and Schnicklegulp, as Deepwalker sees four darkmantles drop from the roof, two landing on their heads and wrapping around them.

Illianka grabs hers and rips it off, throwing it to the ground, but Schnicklegulp finds his rather better attached as he struggles to remove it.

Seconds later, the darkmantle that attacked Illianka leaps back at her as she reels in suprise, hitting her again.
Again, she throws it away from her as Deepwalker gets grabbed by another one leaping from behind him, which he throws over his shoulder.
Schnicklegulp manages to hold the darkmantle from crushing his neck but can't remove it.

The final darkmantle seems to be ineffectual, having missed deepwalker altogether on both it's initial and followup attack.

Moments later, four grimlocks run in from the sides of the room.

OOC: 13 damage to Illianka, 7 to Deepwalker, 10 damage to Schnicklegulp and he is grappled.
The party all failed two spot checks and then lost initiative. Ouch.
Illianka gets lucky - the guys grappling her rolled below 5 both times.
Everyone, take your actions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:14, Mon 22 May 2006.

Schnickle squeaked in surprise as something dropped over his head and began to squeeze. "Ack!

The skinny gnome let himself go limp, and tried to slide right out of the creature's maw.

OOC:
Standard Action:
16:03, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 23 using 1d20+4. escape artist.
Assuming that works...
Move Action: to nearest mushroom and standing underneath.
20ft covered. If the nearest mushroom is 25-30ft away, then manifesting Burst (1pp) to make the distance.

Schnickle dropped out and hit the ground, running as fast he could. He scuttled towards the cover of the nearest giant mushroom, hoping that it's hood would stop any more of the things dropping on him.

Schnicklegulp wriggles free of the darkmantle and dashes under cover.

Badly injured, Illianka takes a cue from Snicklegulp and runs for cover, reaching into her cloak for a dagger as she does so... these were not favourable combat conditions. With a moment's thought, she drew on the power within her, channelling it down to increase her speed. With luck, she would be able to alert the myconids, and perhaps they would be able to help defend their home... [Private to DM Daniel: Actions are:
Swift: Manifest Burst
Move: Draw dagger
Move: Run 50' towards the main part of the Garden.]

PM
[Private to DM Daniel: Deepwalker is concidered large when it comes to grappling according to the powerful build racial trait.  This means that Deepwalker is +12 not +8 when it comes to grapple checks.  Will wait for you to check this out yourself and edit your post.]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:54, Mon 22 May 2006.

I see. The darkmantle had a little more trouble than expected with deepwalker, but still dealt some by slamming into him. See above.

Deepwalker pulls out his Heavy Flail that looks oversized for a person Deepwalker's size.  Wielding such a large weapon doesn't seem to be a problem for Deepwalker as he attacks one of the darkmantles.

Use a move action to set Psionic Focus using Psionic Meditiation Feat.
Expend Psionic Focus on Psionic Weapon Feat.

Rolled 29 to hit for a total of 20 damage(14 from Heavy Flail and 6 from Psionic Weapon Feat).  Didn't think a 13 would confirm the critical.

Schnickle peers out from under his mushroom, and readies his crossbow.


OOC: Still here, just waiting for next round.

Having thrown one of the darkmantles to the ground, Deepwalker turns, drawing his flail and crushing the darkmantle on the ground.

The remaining three darkmantles turn towards Illianka the moment they see her using her powers. As they try to escape, Deepwalker tries to hit one but it moves too quickly for him to catch.
Two of the darkmantles slam into Illianka, one managing to wrap itself around her head and begin suffocating her. The world goes dark for her as the blood to her head is cut off.
Meanwhile, the grimlocks step forward to engage Deepwalker in melee.



OOC: The darkmantles charge at Illianka and one grapples her. She takes 16 damage and falls unconscious. The one of the darkmantles grabs her and begins dragging her away.

Deepwalker readies himself for the fight with the grimlocks.  Tightening his grip on his flail he puts his back to one of the mushrooms and grimly waits for them to come within melee range.

Rolled a 20 for Concentration check to set Psionic Focus using Psionic Meditiation Feat.
Rolled a 13 to hit for 17 possible Damage.

Schnickle aims his crossbow and fires at the creature that is dragging Ilianka away, then hurriedly reloads.

OOC:
Fire xbow at creature dragging Ilianka, then reloading.
13:54, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 17 using 1d20+8. crossbow attack.
13:55, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 5 using 1d6. damage.

A grimlock dodges out of the path of Deepwalker's flail, but Schnicklegulp's aim is perfect, hitting one of the Darkmantles eyes. It doesn't appear to react, but continues dragging Illianka as it's companions start flying towards Schnick.

Meanwhile, the grimlocks surround Deepwalker. Each of them hefts a rusty battleaxe that appears to have seen far better days, and none of them look to be in good health. However, they converge on him carefully and their attacks come all at once as if they were telepathically coordinated. Deepwalker turns one of the blades with his flail, leaving himself open to the other three to cut into his flesh.

OOC: 19 damage to Deepwalker (who is flanked in two different directions), and Schnicklegulp very nearly killed that Darkmantle.

That critter might not have reacted, but it definitely seemed to be wounded. Thinking he was onto a good thing, Schnickle fired again. The bolt short forth, piercing the creature's hide and killing it outright.

Seeing more of the creatures fly towards him, Schnickle scuttled behind the mushroom stalk, away from their tendrils and teeth.


OOC:
Same again:
18:00, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 5 using 1d6. damage.
17:59, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 20 using 1d20+8. xbow attack.
I looked up the darkmantle. :) Only 6 HP!
Standard: Attack the one dragging Ilianka again
Move: Seek cover.

Anger glinting in his eyes Deepwalker strikes one of the Grimlocks dropping it.  This immediately gives him the opportunity to stike the one beside it dropping it as well.

Rolled a 31 to set Psionic Focus using Psionic Meditiation Feat.
Rolled 19 to Hit for 19 total Damage (12 From flail + 7 Psionic Weapon)
Rolled 27 to Hit second creature due to Cleave Feat for 17 Damage

As Schnicklegulp kills the darkmantle dragging Illianka, one of the two charging at him breaks off to head towards her again. The final darkmantle charges at Schnick, but he steps behind a mushroom stalk and it flies past (i'ts poor manuverability means you can almost certaintly make an AOO next round if you have a melee weapon out by then. As it stands now, the darkmantle is adjacent to you.)

One of the grimlocks moves carefully around Deepwalker to continue flanking and they both strike in unison, and this time even his training can't stop their axes powering through his defences.

OOC: 15 damage to Deepwalker.


At this point, you see the reason for this attack - a young 'flayer is at the edge of the cavern, looking hungrily at Illianka as it's darkmantle slave drags her towards it. It seems uninterested in actually doing anything to fight, but is instead focused on it's meal.

Seeing the Mind Flayer Deepwalker heaves his flail into one of the remaining Grimlocks smashing it to a pulp.  As the creature falls Deepwalker uses his backswing to hit the last remaining Grimlock.

Rolled 21 to set Psionic Focus using Psionic Meditiation.
Rolled 16 to hit for 22 damage (12 plus 10 for Psionic Weapon)
Using Cleave rolled 22 to hit for 13 damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:07, Wed 24 May 2006.

Schnickle huddled behind the stalk, a bolt already in hand. As the creature flew past, tentacles waving, the little gnome jabbed out with the pointed stick.


OOC:
What would you say, improvised siangham? (What is a siangham, anyway?)
10:59, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 10 using 1d20+1. bolt attack.
Missed anyway.


Failing to hit the creature, Schnickle gave up on that plan. Ilianka was still out cold. He had to save her. Bolt and crossbow still in hands, he rolled out from under the mushroom, and raced towards Ilianka as fast he could. Faster even.


OOC:
Manifesting Burst. -1 pp, +10ft
Move: 30ft towards Ilianka.

Schnickle, you will be able to attack in melee next round if you charge, but you will be putting yourself dangerously close to the flayer by doing so.

Deepwalker crushes the grimlock's skulls and turns to face the flayer, which steps towards Illianka...

OOC: Our turn again?
Schnickle's a crossbow guy anyway.


"Mind flayer!" Schnickle squeaked as the hideous being loomed out of the shadows.

The gnome skidded to a stop and slammed the bolt into the crossbow, and drew the trigger mechanism back.

Let my aim be true.

Schnickle fired.


OOC:
Move: Load xbow
Standard: crossbow attack with Psionic Shot, expending focus. Firing at flayer.
12:11, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 19 using 1d20+8. crossbow attack.
12:12, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 11 using 3d6. xbow damage, psionic shot.

Knowing that he's no match for the mind flayer as gravely wounded as he is right now Deepwalker drops his flail and pulls his longbow.  Nocking an arrow he fires at the foul creature.  But in his haste the arrow goes helplessly wide.

Rolled a 3 to hit so didn't bother rolling damage.  Took the -4 penalty for firing into melee.

Schnicklegulp's crossbow bolt slams into the flayer and it flinches, staggers back.

The flayer spreads it's tentacles open and begins the dreaded attack of it's race - the mind blast, but it seems that Schnick is too far away to be affected and Deepwalker shrugs the blast off easily.

Schnicklegulp whooped at his successful hit on the flayer, and dashed towards Illianka again while the creature was distracted.

But the illithid was still there, and it could attack again. So Schnickle reached out to the magical luck of his race, hoping it could help him, and praying to Callarduran as he did so. Little help here, Smoothands?


OOC:
I think I've killed that darkmantle that was dragging Illianka, yes?
Move: Towards Illianka. Should be there now, right?
Standard: Casting Resistance, +1 resistance bonus to all saves, 1 minute.

Curses! I found out that administering a potion is a full-round action. Next round okay?

Cursing with frustration Deepwalker knows the only way he can kill the mind flayer is to engage it melee.  Dropping his bow and retrieving his flail Deepwalker draws on the powers of his mind to heal some of his wounds.

Use Body Adjustment to Heal 12 points of Damage

Panicking, the mind flayer desperately blasts once again, this time stopping Schnick in his tracks.

[Private to Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper: You feel like this battle is just an dream - the reality is that you are back home in bed. Nothing bad could come of this, since you are just dreaming. You are stunned for (gulp) 8 rounds as you believe this.]

Deepwalker steps into melee with the creature.  Swinging his flail he misses in his haste to kill the foul beast.

Rolled a 10 to hit with a 2 point Power Attack so didn't roll damage.

Schnickle catches the full force of the flayer's stunning blast, and finds himself somewhere else, as though he were dreaming and back home in his bed.


OOC: It's all you now, Deepwalker.

The Illithid, looking desperate now as the huge man looms over him decides to give his mind blast one more try, but Deepwalker is used to it by now.

Deepwalker swings his mighty flail again.  And again he misses the slimy creature before him.

Only rolled an 11 to hit with a 2 point Power Attack.  Didn't bother with damage.

The mind flayer realises that this tactic is getting him nowhere, and lunges at Deepwalker, it's tentacles sticking to his head for a moment before he twists free from them.

OOC: 5 damage, your turn.

Deepwalker swings his flail at the grotesque beast.  Crying in triumph as he finally hits it.

Rolled a 26 to set Psionic Focus using Psionic Meditiation.
Rolled a 22 to Hit for 16 Damage
Expend Psionic Focus on Psionic Weapon for another 6 Damage.

The flayer staggers from the force of the blow, and begins retreating. It seems he can't move very quickly - his injuries are slowing him down.

PM
[Private to DM Daniel: Rolled a 10 for any AoO when the mind Flayer retreated.  I think that would miss.]

The mind flayer is moving about 30ft per round.

Deepwalker charges the mind flayer to kill it before it can get away.

Rolled a 23 to Hit for 19 Damage.

Deepwalkers flail crushes it's skull like an eggshell, ichor oozing from the holes in it's tough skin.

I suggest you give Illianka a healing potion sometime in the next round or two. If you don't have one, Schnick was about to administer one before he got stunned.

OOC: There's Cure Light and Cure Mod in Schnickle's potion belt. Take the Cure Mod.

Deepwalker takes a potion from his belt and give it to Illianka.  He then concentrates on using the powers of his mind to heal himself.

Illianka gets 4 point back from Potion of Cure Light Wounds.
Deepwalker get back 14 points from the use of Body Adjustment.

OOC:  Sorry Deepwalker has know idea what potion is what on your belt.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Mon 29 May 2006.

OOC: I figured cure potions are universally recognisable :)
Is the fight still going? I think there were a few more darkmantles and maybe grimlocks.

Potions can have a label written on the bottle if you like. Just for future reference.


And you guys have killed 4 darkmantles, 4 grimlocks, and a mind flayer.

OOC: I guess it's okay to wake up now.


Schnickle felt as though he was waking up. One moment, he was back home in bed, the next he was here in this dank mushroom-full cave. And before that... he was also in a dank mushroom-full cave. So where was he? Was he in the cave and dreaming of home, or was he in bed and dreaming of a cave?

And somewhere in the middle... a Mind Flayer! Had he been stunned? Yes he had. Was he now in some Mind Flayer cage, with his mind in a crazed delirium? Schnickle didn't know. Perhaps even now they were eating his brian. Aaah!

But he was still alive, and with no evidence to the contrary, so Schnickle would have to assume that he really was here in this cave, fighting a Mind Flayer, and had been momentarily stunned, whilst trying to help... Illianka!

Schnickle rushed over to the half-drow. "Are you okay?" And Schnickle saw the dead Mind Flayer laying not too far, and the ichor on a big flail, and he looked up and up to see Deepwalker towering above him. "Well done!" he said brightly.

Illianka groaned, almost choking on the healing potion. She blinked her eyes open to the sight of a gnome staring at her asking if she was okay.
"What..? I..." then she remembered, and noticed the mind flayer. "Oh." she finished, shortly. "I guess... you won, then..? Or were there others that I didn't see..?" she looks around quickly, then stops as it makes her head spin.

Within a minute, several myconoid guards arrive, alerted by the yells. Seeing the destruction and injuries (and the fact that the fight is over), they huddle together in the peculiar way they do when communicating. You have no idea what they are saying, since they don't use speech to talk and you have little understanding of their alien minds.

Schnickle observed the mushroom-men huddling and communicating, and whispered to the others "What do you think they're doing?"
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 07:16, Tue 30 May 2006.

Illianka murmured in return; "Probably discussing whether to kick us out for endangering the place or reward us for saving it.." though personally, she favoured the former option as being more likely. Illithids probably didn't have much to gain from the physically brainless Myconids.

Deepwalker retrieves his bow and makes the others are alright before saying, Looks like the two of you need some combat training.

Illianka scowled at Deepwalker.

"I can fight... I just prefer to be the one doing the ambushing. I didn't expect darkmantles to be so fast..." Her scowl turned into a frown. "If I hadn't used my powers, I might not have been targeted.."

Schnickle eyed Deepwalker oddly, and decided to just be annoying instead. "See me you did fire the crossbow." He mimed little crossbow firing actions. "poot! poot! Down went the darkmantles! Made that illithid think twice I did!"

Deepwalker thinks for a moment, You still need combat training if only to strengthen yourselves.  Pausing for a moment he adds, It took you more than one shot to kill a puny darkmantle.  The physical training will toughen your body to help you survive here in the wilds of the underdark you if you're willing to train with me.

Schnickle considered Deepwalker's statements. "Prefer I would to sneak and strike from shadows. More than one way there is to skin a beast."

The little gnome grinned at Deepwalker from below. "Perhaps I can teach you to be a little more quiet, yes?"


OOC: Schnickle might take a few Fighter or Psychic Warrior levels later on, but only to be a better crossbower.

The mushrooms seem to come to an agreement. They seperate and start to drag the bodies away, probably for use as fertilizer.

It occurs to each of you that regardless of whether the mushrooms want you to go or stay, the mind flayers will return here looking for food. Micronoids gardens are rich targets for the flayers because of the ready supply of food of all kinds, which keep their servants working longer even if the mind flayers find little to eat.

Schnicklegulp let himself relax and focus his mind, while he thought about where to go next.


OOC: Gaining Psionic Focus.

Schickle sighed. The Mind Flayers would perhaps be back - the Miconids seemed used to them. Perhaps it was time to move on. "Where next shall we go? Guessing I am that Flayers come here to gather food; no wish have I to become their supper."

Schnickle racked his brains to think what was going on in this part of the Underdark.

OOC:
08:29, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 11 using 1d20+8. local.
Knowledge: Local Northdark
Blah.

You haven't heard of 'flayers in this area before - the appearance of one is disturbing, especially since it was so young. It is likely that this was the first raid for this mind flayer, which explains how any of you were able to withstand it's attacks.

Young mind flayers don't venture far from home, so it is likely that a new mind flayer cult is being formed nearby. If this is the case, they probably have not had a chance to grow an elder brain to rule them yet, which means they are not nearly as powerful as they often are.

Schnickle announced his theories to the others. "Mind Flayers in these parts are unheard of. Perhaps it is that a new base is being constructed nearby. We must beware, and carefully we must act."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:05, Mon 05 June 2006.

"It might be possible... no, not at our current strength. I think we should gain more power as quickly as we can so that we can destroy that Outpost before it grows strong enough to threaten this area." She looked at the other two, seriously. "Otherwise, we'll be marked. That youngling probably stayed in contact, and they know there's a team of people who can stand up to them here."

Schnickle grew increasingly surprised and shocked as Illianka spoke. "Destroy? No no, flee we must, and hide and move with quietness. The Mind Flayer is so terrible a villian, we must run and get to safeness." It seems that as Schnickle grows more excited, the more mangled his speech gets.

Deepwalker replies, I agree with the woman.  Let's kill the foul things before they can set up a base around here.

Schnickle threw his little arms into the air. "Mad, you are! Mad!"

"Perhaps so... but what will you do when you run out of places to hide? I am not suggesting we simply strike now... we need something to give us an edge first."

[Private to DM Daniel:
09:35, Today: Illianka rolled 19 using 1d20+3. Int - Local Legends. Trying to think of artifacts or other entertainment that will give an edge against the Illithids.]

Schnickle mumbled a response. "The Underdark is big. There are always places to hide." But even as he said it, he knew that Illianka was correct. Evils such as the Mind Flayers could spread across the entire Underdark if left unchecked. Then the svirnebli might have no defense, no hiding.

The elders had sent him out into the tunnels to take the defense of the deep gnomes to the enemy. So Schnickle had to fight the Illithids, or at least sabotage their efforts, or even just spy on them. He had to, no matter how much he didn't want to.

"Fine. What do we propose we do?"

OOC: It may be necesary to enlist the aid of nearby communities to win this battle; Scnick knows the location of some snirf settlements, Illianka knows where some drow settlements are but neither are likely to want to go to these.

Kua-Toans are unlikely to ignore this threat, and there is a settlement of them near an underground lake within a few days travel from here. Minatours are also likely to fight the mind flayers, but it would take at least a week to get to their nearest settlement.

OOC: "I ain't tellin'!"



We're not too far from Reeshov, a city of grimlocks who escaped mind flayer slavery. It's detailed in Underdark, and maybe some older books. I think they're out closest and best bet. I don't think grimlocks are mean, are they?

Thats slightly further than the minotaurs, but is also a larger city so it may be an option.

Grimlocks are commonly evil and will do anything for personal gain, however this particular city harbours a special hatred for mind flayers.

Aren't we under the High Moor?

OK, here is a list of locations relative to you.

You are in the upperdark (top 3 miles) on the far southern borders of Araumycos, the fungus kingdom beneath the High Forest. The fungus kingdom is not usually welcoming of strangers, so heading directly north is probably a poor idea.

200 miles from the fungus kingdom is Ammarindar, beneath the location where Hellgate Keep had it's upper portion destroyed a year ago. Many fiends and other powerful evils still reside there. (dangerous)

To your SE is the Darklake, a huge lake known for being black after a short distance even in magical lights. It is large enough to be a small sea rather than a lake.

Blindigstone, the primary publicly known Svirf city is about 400 miles north of Araumycos. To get there you would have to go around, rather than through, the fungus kingdom. (good-aligned)

Ched Nasad was mostly destroyed in an attack by duergar a few years back, but is in the process of rebuilding. This is how Illianka was able to escape - the confusion when the huge, suspended sphere that housed most of the city was cut free and fell hundreds of metres before smashing into pieces.

Chi-chitl is a deep city - some 18 miles down - but is one of the largest mind flayer cities in a large radius, and is probably the source of this latest incursion - whenever it get's too big, a group are sent away to form a new cult. It is located close to waterdeep (so also a fair distance from where you are).
It was once far larger, but some internal strife appears to have devastated it within the past few years as there have been few raids coming from it in recent times.

Eryndlyn is the nearest drow city, located beneath the centre of the high moor. It is also one of the largest drow cities, being even larger than Menzobarrenzen. It's worship is openly divided between Lolth (50%), Vhaeraun (30%) and Ghaunadaur (20%)

The Labyrinth, south of the darklake (which is SE from where you are) is the minatour's home in the underdark. It is a maze of windy passages, all alike that stretches from the surface to as deep as 15 miles.

A market city is reputed to be located near the darklake (within a days walk), but it's location and the password to enter are known only to exceptionally rich merchants. All races live in harmony with each other there, on pain of death.

Reeshov, the city of escaped Grimlock slaves (formerly mind flayer thralls), is about 100 miles on the far side of the Darklake. Quaggoths, Lizardfolk, and Trogdolytes also live here.

There is a sharn stronghold somewhere deep, but none of you are sure where.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:38, Fri 09 June 2006.

Blingdenstone was destroyed in one of the Drizt books. It's deserted now, except for were-rats.

This is set two years before the standard setting. Ched Nusad has only just been destroyed, and try to act suprised when Blindigstone gets destroyed by house do'Urden.

Deepwalker listens then suggests, Sounds like it's settled.  First we need to rest and recover our strength.  We can disguss where and hows at a meal after we're rested.  Let me have a couple of hours rest then I will guard the two of you while you rest.

Before resting Deepwalker uses Body Adjustment to heal 13 more points of damage and takes 10 on his Concentration check to set his psionic focus.

[Private to DM Daniel: Due to his Ring of Sustenance Deepwalker only needs 2 hours sleep.]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:26, Sat 10 June 2006.

Deepwalker awakens, looking rested after only two hours.

"Okay... I suppose..." She settles down to rest in her nook among the mushroom stems.

Deepwalker puts his back to a wall where he can see the entrances and his charges and settles in for his watch.

[Private to DM Daniel: When do Power Points refresh for the day?]

"But I only just woke up..." Schnickle shrugs, climbs back inside his mushroom, and has a nap.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:55, Mon 12 June 2006.

You regain power points 8 hours after you don't use any powers. If you just use a few powers in an 8 hour period, you gain back power points as if you had cast them after regaining your points (ie if you are attacked in the night and use one power, you gain back full power points - cost of the power you used in the morning).

At a guess, I would say the most reasonable sounding places to warn about the mind flayers would be Reeshov, The Labyrinth, and Eryndlyn. Also, the merchants of the Darklake would probably find it useful information.

Illianka returns from her meditation, looking slightly better. Some more of her wounds have closed, though she's still not at the peak of her health.

"So... who should we travel to first? Since we need to warn them, even if we can't garner their aid.." she looks at the other two.

Schnickle awoke from his nap, feeling relaxed and relieved after the fight with the Illithid. He jumped out the mushroom, said his prayers, found his focus, and checked his crossbow, and he was ready again.

"Wherever is closest would be best. Not good it is to wander for long in the 'dark."

Schnickle looked with concern at Illianka. "If travelling we must go, you are in no state. Have this." The little deep gnome handed Illianka a potion from his belt.


OOC: You look like you need healing. Take a Cure Mod!

[Private to GM: Schnick, be careful with your color tags - preview & proofread your posts if you must. I am often editing out mistakes.]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:02, Fri 16 June 2006.

Reeshov is quite close to Eryndlyn. Reeshov is known for being *very* hard to enter. The labyrinth is slightly closer, but in a slightly different direction.

Either way, you will need to cross the darklake, which means finding a ferry across (nobody swims across the darklake)

This message was deleted by the player at 02:52, Thu 15 June 2006.

"Ah... thankyou.." She took the potion and downed it, the sour lemon taste not seeming to bother her in the slightest as she smiled to the gnome. "We'll need to cross the darklake whatever... oh, I do wish I could have taken a map when I left... where can we get a ferry?"

You vaguely remember something about there being ferry stations fairly regularly along the darklake - all the major tunnels that lead to it have ferry stations nearby, so you should be able to locate one by walking along the shore for a day at most.
(A DC 15 knowledge: local check reveals the exact location of a ferry station and DC 20 will tell you the schedule they leave on)

Schnickle piped up. "I think I know where we can can find a ferry."

20:57, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 26 using 1d20+8. know: local northdark.

OK, if the group is ready to depart, Schnick knows the way perfectly and has met Carevas the ferryman before. He's an odd sort - always wears a heavy cloak that covers him up completely, and he doesn't meet people's eyes if he can avoid it at all. He generally charges 10 gold to take you directly where you want to go.

Schnickle explained to others, about the route and about Carevas the ferry-man. "Well, ready I am.

"As am I... do we know what lairs between there and here? It seems unlikely that the route will be clear."

Raiding parties from various sources are the only real risk - there are no large settlements nearby. You are likely to run into raiding parties of:

Mind Flayers
Driders
Beholderkin (Although there is no hive nearby, some of the lesser beholders are fairly common - groups of them rove the underdark on food raids.)
And you may also encounter oozes.

These are the major dangers in this part of the 'dark.

Also, how much food are you going to carry with you?

OOC: What we've already got listed on our sheets?

Well, food is plentiful here, but it may not be in other places, so I'm giving you the option of gathering up some extra before you go. I will be tracking how much you eat - there is precious little food in the underdark outside of cities.

OOC: Well, I guess we'll stuff our packs full of yummy mushroom steaks - at least, what the Miconids will let us have.

Deepwalker packs up his gear and states, Let's be off.

The party is travelling down a particularly narrow bit of corridor when webs fly from behind you, sticking to the walls and to Deepwalker & Illianka but flying over the head of Scnicklegulp.

OOC: It's a web spell, see http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/web.htm for consequences. Only Scnick made his save.

The quick little gnome ducked under the stick webs. "Eek!" Schnickle squealed, and looked around for the source of the attack.

A drider skitters up the wall, cursing gnomes for being short enough to be missable.

Schnickle raised his crossbow, took aim, and fired at the Drider.

14:05, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 14 using 1d20+8. crossbow attack.
+1 attack if within 30ft (Point Blank Shot)
14:06, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 4 using 1d6. xbow damage.
+1 damage if within 30ft (Point Blank Shot)

Scnick's crossbow bolt goes wide, entirely missing the creature.

Drider stats are here: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/drider.htm

These monsters are common enough that Illianka and Schnick certaintly know about them, and Deepwalker would have at least heard of them.

"Trust!" Illianka said the word like it was the vilest oath ever created. She didn't struggle, though - she knew that she didn't have the gross physical strength needed to break free. Instead, she closed her eyes and focussed, drawing up the power she knew to be within her... her hair rose, starting to dance as though blown upwards by a wind from below. The loose parts of her clothing also behaved in a similar way, though her cloak was too thoroughly entangled to do the same. Fire danced among her fingers before enshrouding her hands. A moment later, the psionic flame leapt from her hands to the Drider with a roar.

[Private to DM Daniel: Manifesting Energy Ray: Fire to attack the Drider and enhancing it with 2 PP for a total cost of 3 PP;

10:25, Today: Illianka rolled 22 using 1d20+5. Ranged Touch.
10:25, Today: Illianka rolled 21 using 3d6+3. Fire damage. Rolled max, woot!

Edit: 10:27, Today: Illianka rolled 14 using 1d20+4. Ooops. Forgot Initiative. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 09:27, Mon 19 June 2006.

Illianka's ray burns into the drider's flesh, and it shrieks in Drow "Curse you, vile escapee! Lolth's revenge is coming for you!"

Then it turns and flees at high speed.

Clearly shaken by the Driders' words, Illianka pulled at the webbing, breaking free with a supreme effort. [Private to DM Daniel: 21 on str check vs DC20. Natural 20.] "No..." she whispered, staring at the drider.

Schnickle helped Illianka and Deepwalker out their webs. "About what was that?" he said with concern for Illianka.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 11:34, Mon 19 June 2006.

"It's..." She stopped, then shook her head. "It's nothing. Lets keep going." She knew she should leave them and go her own way, but there were more important things afoot... she couldn't decide if the Illithids or her two friends were more important.

She realised with a start that she did indeed consider them as friends. It was... a nice feeling, she thought, suppressing a smile.

Schnickle considered Illianka's reply. The deep gnomes knew well the value of keeping secrets, so he could respect her reluctance to speak. He himself had things he would not speak about. As long as more driders and drow did not come, he would not try to find out. "Okay."

The drider behind you, the travel to the ferry-station passes fairly uneventfully.

Upon arrival, you find a pair of grimlocks waiting. It is likely to be 10 hours before the ferry comes past.

Schnickle wandered over to the grimlocks. "Good mornings to you." he said cheerily.

OOC: Exactly how do you want the concept of 'morning' to translate into a place with no concept of day or night? Perhaps 'time after sleeping' is a fair translation.

The grimlocks grunt. "Good enough." You note that the grimlocks are playing some sort of game involving some oddly shaped rocks. Each has a few copper coins in front of them, and every so often one or two of them change hands.

OOC: As someone who frequently mixes up mornings and evenings on the surface world, I'm not fussed, and neither is Schnickle. :)


Schnickle watches the game, intrigued. "What are you playing?"


OOC:
Was leading up to a Gather Info check regarding Svirfs and Mind Flayers,
20:32, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 3 using 1d20+2. gather info.
But never mind. :(

"It's called grak'rak'lansa. Old Grimlock game."

"Oh..." Schnickle thought about asking to play, but they might fleece him, or just get annoyed and squish him.

Still, he was a svirf with many questions. "Whereabouts are you going?"

"Back home." The grimlocks seem uninterested in disclosing any more details.

"Oh. Good luck to you then." They didn't seem inclined to be talkative, so Schnickle decided not to push them further, at least, not now.

He wandered back towards Illianka and Deepwalker, but kept an ear and an eye on the two grimlocks.

If they're blind, how do they see the dice? the gnome wondered.

They are feeling which side up they are - there are depressions on the stones.

"Can we get passage here..?" Illianka looks at Schnickle keenly, the whites of her eyes start in her dark face.

"Yes, I am guessing so. But wait we must, for ten hours or so." Schnickle shrugged. "In the 'dark, time is not so good."

The svirfneblin clapped his hands together. "Perhaps a game we could play too." He looked around for a moment, at the caverns, and rocks and stalactites and water. "My little eye with I spy... beginning with something R!"

Time passes quietly. A mist rises & then thins, and eventually you spot the ferry coming in. The ferryman stands at the helm as the boat floats through the eerily black waters.

"Ten gold each for passage - where is your destination?" intones a soft-spoken, yet strong voice.

"Where are you going>" Schnickle called back.

Deepwalker spends his time in mediation and training.  Reaching into his coffers when the ferryman arrives he pulls out ten gold pieces.

"The ferryman goes everywhere. Of course, if you meant *next*, I will be travelling clockwise around the lake - the labyrinth then reeshov are next."

The Grimlocks were probably going to Reeshov then. Schnickle reached into his bag pulled out ten pieces of local 'dark currency. He skipped into the boat and gave the ferryman the coins. "Get there when we, let you know we will." the svirfneblin said mysteriously.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:18, Fri 23 June 2006.

"Very well" says Coveras.

He pushes the ferry away from the edge and it begins to glide through the waters. Several hours pass as he comes close to several stops but sees nobody interested in getting on there. Finally, the two grimlocks tap Coveras on the shoulder and say in crude common "Reeshov is us."
Coveras pulls the ferry in to a halt at a well-built and apparently frequently used port.

Schnickle watched the not-all-pleasant sights of the Darklake with interest and patience. Sometime during the voyage, he piped up to ask Caveras "Know you anything in these parts about Mind Flayers?"

"They have a city a few weeks away from here, and they have awful dinner manners. What more do I want to know?"

"Being constructed a new illithid settlement is. Where we were, it is not too far from. A new port of stopping you might have." Schnickle explained. He wondered if that would get the attention of the Grimlocks. If they were going to Reeshov, then they must despise the Flayers.

Illianka grimaced, pulling out the small pouch of coins she's managed to steal on her way out of Ched Nusad. Of the decent amount she'd taken, there was very little left... With a little regret, she dug her single remaining platinum piece out and passed it to the Ferryman for passage then settled into the ferry. Though she seemed to be meditating, in reality she listened to the conversation with one ear.

The grimlocks display no outward sign that they are listening, but you are fairly sure that won't stop them keeping a close eye on anything involving the flayers.

OOC: Or would that be a close ear or nose? :)

Schnickle went on talking to Carevas. "Know you a person or creature who would well pay for information such as this?"

If it were from a reliable source, or there were some proof - virtually every settlement within a weeks travel would want to hear of this.

OOC: If only we had proof or were reliable!

Well, if people forked out money to strangers for information with no proof, they wouldn't have money for long...

So... To Reeshov, or somewhere else? Are you going to get off the boat (the grimlocks just did).

I guess we go to Reeshov then.

Reeshov has only one issue - every entrance is heavily trapped. The escaped slaves take their security *very* seriously, and won't risk mind flayer agents entering the city.

Would those Grimlocks let us tag along?

Ask them :p

Schnickle called out after the grimlocks. "Excuse me! Know you how enter we might this fine city of yours?"

"The location and entries to the city are well-guarded. How do I know you are not carrying the seed of a devourer's mind within you?
What business have you entering Reeshov?"

(Grimlocks and several other species refer to mind flayers as devourers).

Schnickle took note of the Grimlock's terminology. "Information we have of devourers. New cult there will be."

"A new cult is grave news, and we will certaintly relay word - but I do not believe it is grounds to allow you within the city. We do not trust anyone at all until they have lived six generations in the city. Only those who are permanantly settling may enter, and they are not taught the way through the traps until they are trusted."

Schnickle nodded. Svirfnebli knew well the valued of security. "Understanding I am... Know you of tasks that need doing, work of the adventuring kind?"

"Reeshov deals with it's problems... internally. There may be others who need help about - the minotaurs in the labyrinth have been stirred up unusually, the reason for our visit there. Some sort of magical device has been uncovered, and they are all fighting over it. Doesn't appear to threaten our home, however, so we are returning there."

Schnickle waved. "Fare well may your city."

The little gnome returned to the boat, and turned to the others. "Where to go should we next?" he inquired.

Deepwalker replies, You are the one who knows about the area.  Choose a destination that will help our cause.

OOC: I am? D'oh! Since when do svirfneblins do the leading? :(

Schnickle shrugged. "Labyrinth the next stop is, I guess."

"Very well" says Coveras, and the ship sails onwards.

OOC: Everyone gets a day unit.

"We have arrived - it is a short march to the labyrinth, and once there you should be able to find the minotaurs easily."

Schnickle nodded to Caveras. "Thanks to you."

The trip to the labyrinth takes another day of travel.

You know you have arrived when the tunnel you are travelling through begins to branch out. The rock is practically honeycombed with passageways, and every part looks like every other part.

"A labyrinth indeed. How do you suppose we announce our presense in a way that does not label us as lunch?" The problem had been worrying her on the whole trip, and she'd yet to come up with a suitable idea...

"Announce one's presence one does not. Sneak and listen and keep eyes open we must."

Deepwalker replies, Sounds like how a coward does things.  Simply hold yourself with confidence and present yourself honestly.  That's how you announce youeself.

Schnickle muttered, slowly trying to imitate Deepwalker's human language style. "That is how you get killed."

"Come on, you two. Minotaurs respect strength, but they tend to show their respect for a worthy adversary by strangling you with their bare hands. Let's see if we can find some - then we can try talking to them."