A warparty of minotaurs is being lead by the party through the underdark. First stop: The shores of the darklake, where you will have to make several trips (not everyone will fit on the ferry). Each of the minotaurs has brought coin for their passage.
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:55, Tue 25 July 2006.

Schnickle had hoped to sidle off and leave the minotaurs to their expedition, but with the brutes crowded around him, he didn't have a hope. It seemed that he was along for the ride.

Of course, now he had to ensure that the assault was, at least partially, a success. With little in the way of intel, this was a problem.

So he racked his brains, pondering the next stage of the journey. He chased thoughts around and around inside his head, considering every side of every eventuality, and ultimately getting tangled, lost and thoroughly confused.

So he gave up. He'd think of something, or something would turn up, Callarduran willing.

The ferry comes - what stop will you give him?

(You can just say "The furthest away one" or something if you want)

Schnickle gave Carevas an embarrased grin as the minotaurs horded behind him. "Miconid Garden, can you take us back?"

[Ie. back where we first took the boat.]


While the loading and shipping of minotaur warriors took place, Schnickle sought out their leader to discuss the battle plans.

"You want to speak to me, little one? What is it?" replies the leader gruffly.

Schnickle looked up and up at the minotaur. "Greetings to you. Planning the forthcoming attack I am, and the capabilities of your kind and your soldiers fine I would like to know."

"We have a few on their grown-quest to prove themselves, but most are veteran warriors. Devourers are not to be taken lightly - they are foes most dishonorable in battle, but most glorious to destroy. However, you are leading us there - you are no commander of minotaurs."

Schnickle shook his head. "No, but wish I do to advise on tactics. Special abilities that will help, have your men?"


OOC: Trying to interrogate him for Minotaur stats.

I've rolled knowledge (local) for you and got a natural 20 - you know minotaur stats in detail.

Here they are: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/minotaur.htm

Most veteran minotaurs from this community would have one level of barbarian, and the leader is likely to be a mid-level barbarian.

By talking to him for awhile, you are able to get some stories of past battles which gives you some information on the prowess of minotaur warriors.

"We are each stronger than the strongest of men - Devourers are vulnerable once their heads are turned to a pulp."

Schnickle nodded as though the Minotaur's words were sage advice. "Pulpy heads make many a creature a vulnerable."

"Devourer city is hidden well, but patrol the tunnels around they do. Propose I do that we find us a Devourer, and slay it. Great minotaur trackers then sniff the hidden way back." Schnickle was careful to use the local word for Illithid, Devourer.


OOC: Not sure if there's a lie in there or not, but just in case:
20:52, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 16 using 1d20+6. bluff.

The minotaur tenses once he realises the implications of what you have said. "You do not know where they are. You lied to our kingpriest, dishonored svirf. Do not speak to me further - you will taint me. Once the devourers are defeated I desire no more to do with you."

Uh-ho... Schnickle tried hurriedly to resolve this situation. "A lie there is not." he insisted. "Said I did that I knew where it is. Said I did on Dark Lake's other side it lies, Miconid Garden not far from. Said I did not how to find it." he explained cryptically.


13:31, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 22 using 1d20+6. bluff.

OOC: You are lucky to have such a smooth-talking fellow along.

"Either way, that is not what any of us heard. Your accent is an affront to the common tounge, but we will follow this plan - for now."

OOC: The smooth-talking fellow is the problem in the first place. :)

Trying to smooth over any future conflicts, Schnickle went on - when he perhaps should have just kept his mouth shut. "And better it would be if yourself discovers the way to the Devourers, and leads to victory the army."

And if die there you should, then safer I shall be.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:19, Wed 02 Aug 2006.

After several days of travelling, the warparty is getting restless and there is still no fighting. You found signs of mind flayer activity - several hapless duergar with the top of their heads ripped open. This is odd - normally, mind flayers take the bodies with them - they need normal nutrience as well as brains, and their thralls will eat any further remains.

It occurs to you that Mind Flayers can read thoughts from a short distance, and you are actively hunting for one.

Minotaur brains, sweet and juicy and fresh, come and get some... Schnickle called out within his head.

Schnick calls out mentally, and in moments recieves a reply. Grasping his head, he stops in his tracks momentarily at the strength of the voice in his mind.

[Private to Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper: Minotaur brains? Don't make me laugh. I would sooner starve. Gnomes on the other hand...]

Calladuran hide me, worked it did. Schnickle mentally exclaimed, then realised that the voice in his head, presumably a Mind Flayer, probably heard that too.

He forced himself to focus, and to think carefully.

[Private to DM Daniel:

Too small are gnomes, I particularly so. Not so good a meal I am.

Minotaurs, now, unusually intelligent are they. A big city I saw. Organised well and clever.

]
This message was last edited by the player at 10:34, Sat 05 Aug 2006.

Schnick continues to look odd, as if thinking unfamiliar thoughts.

[Private to Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper: Intelligent? Thirty of them followed you because you lied to them. My needs tend to quality over quantity, and your thoughts shall be my feast this night!]

Suddenly, a distortion appears in the air around you, and the hazy forms of eight driders appear hovering above you in the darkness. Webs thrown from their outstreched hands fill the cavern, covering you all (as a web spell, DC 15). The driders each carry a bow and begin to pelt your group with arrows. Several minotaurs, trapped in the webs, are pierced by arrows.

[Private to Illianka: You are pretty sure that these driders were sent to find you - they bear your own houses insignia.]

OOC: Driders had a suprise round for being invisible, but their initiative is only 7 - anyone who beats it, take a round of actions.

 [Private to DM Daniel:
Hiccups then shall I give you!
]

Schnickle dove out of the way of the worst of the webs, but stick remained sticky and slow. He rolled up, and fired a quick shot at the nearest drider, but in his haste, the bolt went wide.

He then grabbed another bolt and started winding it into his crossbow.


21:04, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 17 using 1d20+3. init.
21:04, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 18 using 1d20+7. reflex.
21:09, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 12 using 1d20+4. xbow attack.

"Khal! Illianka cursed, caught off-guard by the unusual feeling of safety the minotaurs offered. She was well and securely trapped by the webs, and her struggles to escape only entangled her worse...

[Private to DM Daniel:
23:27, Today: Illianka rolled 23 using 1d20+4. Initiative.
23:27, Today: Illianka rolled 8 using 1d20+6. Reflex save.
23:31, Today: Illianka rolled 2 using 1d20+1. Strength. Natural 1. ><]
[Private to Deepwalker; DM Daniel; Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper: Khal being the verb "to trust", a common curse among the drow.]

Deepwalker is unable to move from the spot he stands on, but even if he could move he couldn't reach the driders hovering above him, so he remedies this - his body bulges, stretches, and grows to twice it's size. The driders look more than slightly concerned by this turn of events - they had relied on being out of reach, but there was no more room to levitate higher and Deepwalker could easily reach them with his flail.

Many of the minotaurs are trapped by the webs, but several rip themselves free instantly and begin pushing towards the walls of the cavern.

The driders chitter amongst themselves, and six of them float down to reach Deepwalker, who swings his flail at them but misses. Three of the driders bite Deepwalker for 10 damage, and their poison drains some of his impressive might (2 str damage).

Expend focus, fire crossbow. 9 damage to nearest Drider.
12:06, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 6 using 2d6. psionic shpt.
12:06, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 3 using 1d6. xbow damage.
12:05, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 22 using 1d20+4. xbow attack.


Schnickle aimed his crossbow and fired at the nearest Drider. The bolt flew off, fast and true, and struck the hideous spider-drow-creature. He was already reloading.

[Presuming it hit of course.]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:36, Tue 08 Aug 2006.

Cursing Deepwalker swings his flail again at the foul Driders.
Use a 2 point Power Attack and expend Psionic Focus on Psionic Weapon
Rolled a 26 to hit for 31 points of Damage

"Some help would be appreciated. Cut me free and I'll see them off with my flames, but... I can't move enough to point at them!" Illianka growled the words out, pulling at the webs futilely. Still, she hid her panic fairly well - she didn't want to seem weak, especially with the company she was in.

Powers have no somatic components, so they can be manifested while webbed. You will take a -4 penalty on your attack roll due to being entangled.
Deepwalker's flail nearly crushes a Drider in half, such is the force of the blow, and Schnick's crossbow finishes it off - blood flows from it as it starts to rotate in the air.

"Scissors I do not have, but beware your flames - ignite the webs it might."

Schnickle fired his crossbow again, but tangled up in webs as he was, the shot went wide.


11:08, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 6 using 1d20+4. attack.

The remaining driders chant in unison, and the air fills with fairly thin, wispy bolts of lightening. Everyone take 8 damage (reflex DC 15 halves).

OOC: Check out that roll in the dice roller - those of you with DM access can see I didn't fudge it, I just rolled 6d6 and got an 8.

13:49, Today: Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper rolled 29 using 1d20+9. reflex.
And Evasion makes no damage!


Schnickle ducked, jumped and contorted, and not one lightning bolt even sizzled him.

PM
[Private to DM Daniel: Does Deepwalker get an AoO against one the spellcasting Driders around him?]

"I don't want to burn myself to death..." Illianka muttered, before getting a look of resignation in her eye as she twisted aside from the lightning bolts, coming away with just a small burn. "Forgive me..." she looked up, eyes focussing on the dwarf, "Deepwalker!" As she said his name, her voice took on an echo and her eyes glowed blue.
[Private to Deepwalker; DM Daniel; Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper: Casting Dimension Swap on Deepwalker so that he's the one caught in the webs, and I'm free to move around.]
[Private to Deepwalker: If you resist her, it's a DC 15 Will save.]

PM
[Private to Illianka: Using Dimension Swapon Deepwalker and yourself is fine.  Just so you know Deepwalker is currently 15ft tall and escaped the webs by growing and bursting out of them.  He is still standing in the area of the webs.  The only reason he can attack is because he has reach due to size.]

[Private to Deepwalker: Yes, but enough are casting that you still get to make the save.]

Illianka appears where Deepwalker had been, no longer attached to the webs. Deepwalker rips free of the webs that had held her fast just by his size.

[Where are the driders now?]

Still in the air above you. It's kinda creepy the way the dead one is still floating up there.

OOC: Is it our turn?

Illianka took her action but the rest of you have done nothing yet.

OOC: I fired my crossbow, but missed terribly.

And then the driders shot lightening at you, and then illianka swapped with deepwalker.

Deepwalker takes a quick swing as the driders cast their spell but misses.  Disoriented by the swap with Illianka Deepwalker uses a move action to set psionic focus and misses with his regular attack.

Rolled a 9 to hit with AoO and a 12 to hit with normal attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:30, Mon 14 Aug 2006.

[I gotta get Schnickle something else to do. :( ]
Aim: nearest Drider
Attack: 22
Damage: 5
Point Blank Shot: +1 attack, +1 damage if within 30ft


Schnickle raised his crossbow again, and fired, scoring a solid hit on one of the Driders.

[Schnick, pick on the ones who are denied their dex bonuses.]

As several more minotaurs pull themselves free, the first few to escape begin scrambling up the walls, their large frames grabbing onto even the tiniest of handholds with ease.

The driders remain uncannily silent when a powerful blast of psychic energy whips through the room. Everyone give me a will save vs stunning, DC 17.

Several of the minotaurs stop struggling against their webs and slump helpless, while three of the remaining driders start gently rotating in the air, no longer controlling their own movement.

The driders who still have their consciousness resume creating webs - everyone give me a DC 14 reflex save vs the web spell once again. (Deepwalker gets an AOO if he isn't stunned)

Moments later, into the room walks an imposing figure - an adult mind flayer with a guardian who looks a little bit like a half-drow, but with a heavier build and green cat eyes.

Seeming to almost sense the psionic blast before it echoes through the room, Illianka steels her mind against it, shrugging off the mental assault...

... only to be caught once more in Drider webs. Cursing again, she drags her hands up in front of her and aims her palms at the Illithid.

"Not now!" she snarls, a small globe of energy flickering to life there before leaping from her hands in a ray of pure-white energy that rimes the illithid's tentacles with frozen mucus. Eww.

[Private to DM Daniel: Manifesting Energy Ray (Cold) at the mind flayer. Not enhanced.
02:42, Today: Illianka rolled 3 using 1d6+1. Damage (Cold).
02:42, Today: Illianka rolled 11 using 1d20+5. Attack (Range Touch). ]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:28, Wed 16 Aug 2006.

Will Save: 8 - Doh!


Schnickle was suddenly somewhere else, and stood there, limp and out of it.

Kill them

Kharona 'felt' the voice in head urge him to attack. Every bit of him tried to fight the command but the Illithid had brought the supressed thrall in him to the surface. Rage flooded thru him. Rage that the foul one turned on him and channelled into the silver mindblade flaming from his hand.

This cannot happen again. Kharona despaired. A soft laughter answered his mental wailing and again Kharona was urged, no, required, to kill the outsiders.

[Private to DM Daniel: Prep Stuff: Inertial Armor-AC4 (1PP), Force Screen-AC4 to front (1PP), Psionic Focus, Psychic Strike charged (only 1D8),

Current AC:22 front, 18 rest

Players rolls Initiative and you can move within 30' of any of the characters. You are in a big tunnel, there are driders levitating above you, webs in front of you, and the PC's and 30-something minotaurs in the webs. Some of the minotaurs are free, and the voice urges you to target them first.]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Wed 16 Aug 2006.

Kharona shot forward. Stepping off an outcropping on the wall he launched himself into a spinning jump. The silver midblade flared and shattered into a thousand jagged pieces at Kharona's will. He sent the shards speeding towards the nearest freed minotaur as he landed in a crouch. Focus made them razor sharp as they drove into the creature's side, passing thru his body and flying back to reform around the Soulknife's outstretched hand.


Move to within 30' of a freed minotaur
Use Crystal Shard - 2 PPs for 2D6 damage
Target nearest Minotaur
Ranged Touch attack - 18
Damage: 11

The shards rip into the minotaur, injuring him but not too badly - his tough hide seems to absorb the blows, and he roars in anger and pain.

Seeing the Mindflayer Deepwalker howls with rage and easily overcomes the creature's blast.  Still enraged he ripped away the new webs the driders send his way.  Having to go through the driders to reach his target Deepwalker slams the closest drider with his flail.

Rolled a 25 for Will Save
Rolled a 21 for Reflex Save
Rolled a 26 to hit on AoO for 22 points of Damage
Rolled a 21 to set Psionic Focus with move action
Rolled a 12 to hit using 2 point Power Attack
This message was last edited by the player at 21:25, Wed 16 Aug 2006.

Deepwalker clobbers the creature and it begins to chitter angrily.

Close on Kharona's heels, the Calishite fought the mental command as well. Dammit... just give me one minute of freedom and you'll taste my blade you squid face!

But the command was too strong to resist. Headed straight for a freed minotaur, Yuthel shaped the blade of energy around his fist and slashed at the cow-man. The blade plunged through the soft skin but the man's momentum carried him too far too soon to deal much punishment.

Init : 17
Charge : 25
Damage : 4

"Rothe iblith.." It wasn't clear who the half-drow was talking to as she corrected her aim before releasing a second icy ray towards the Illithid... however, she over-corrected, missing for a second shot running...

It seems the minotaurs know about flayer thralls - the three minotaurs who are neither webbed or stunned charge past the bodyguards (each bodyguard can make an AOO) and slam their horns into the mind flayer, which flies backwards & thuds against a wall, unconscious.

With it's defeat, the minotaurs shout out a great cry of victory - cut short only by the sound of the driders above you weaving spells again.

Their chittering takes on meaning for those who can speak in the tounge of the drow - "If you will not serve your house, you will serve none! The spider queen claims your strength and your sight."

[Private to Illianka: Make me the following saves:
Will save DC 15 or suffer -4 to all attack rolls, saves, ability checks, and skill checks
Fort save DC 14 or be blinded
]

"Free or dead!" Illianka cried back, defiantly as she resisted their magic through sheer mental fortitude. "The spider bitch has no claim over me! House DeVirr can rot!" with those words, she flicked a dagger from her sleeve up at the Driders, but the webs hampered her strike and the iron blade missed, clattering into the darkness before falling back to the cave floor.

With the beasts passing beside him, Yuthel's reflexes have him take a shot at the most wounded minotaur, trying to finish them as soon as he can to pursue other targets.

The mindblade's arc leaves a trail of light behind but misses the charging one.

Then suddenly, the illithid's command have no hold over Yuthel's brain. Could I really be free? Quick, I need to either get outta here or kill any mind-flayer around! He stops in his tracks and looks around at Kharona, to make sure the same feeling is there...

AoO misses

Kharona's chest tightened as he saw the minotaurs run past him, ignoring him and seeing the Flayer as the main threat. The compulsion drove him to attack the creatures and protect the Illithid. An act that went so far beyond being wrong...and yet the silver blade flashed as Kharona spun on the ball of his foot and slashed out at the nearest of his would-be saviors.


AoO: 15
Damage if a hit: 11 (discharge Psychic Strike on the hit)


Then the bulls charged past and Kharona watched with hope as they gored the foul one. A simple moment of realization was all he felt as the Devourer's presence left his mind but he gasped loudly as if he had just rose out of the water to suck in precious air. The Illithid's touch was on him like a cancer. He had escaped them so long ago that he had almost forgetten it's filthy caress.


KILL IT!!!! he screamed in Common at the bulls. He shot a quick glance at Yuthel and then up to the Driders. The least he could do was aid this strange party and kill the twisted Drow that floated above them.

OOC-Can we label our posts with something like Round 1 so we all know where we are at in the Initiative order/round? Something to help us keep time.

DM: Go ahead.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:00, Sat 19 Aug 2006.

Schnickle stood there, woozy and confused.

DM: Don't worry too much about initiative - I keep track of it fairly carefully & post the opponent's actions at the end of each round. We have more of a "All PC's go, then all NPC's go" initiative order.


Round 4

Kharona dropped to a knee and brought his hands in tight to his chest. The silver flames of his mindblade licked softly about him, growing in intensity as he focused his thoughts into the weapon. Releasing into the blade a small part of the anger that had overwhelmed him before.

With a suddeness that belied the fact that he had been motionless only a moment previous he rose and spread his arms wide. The mindblade spun from his hand but flew wide of the Driders floating above them.


Move Action: imbue Psychic Strike
Attack: Throw Mindblade at an unhurt Drider as Deepwalker will likely finish off the one he hit last round. A Drider that is not threatened by Deepwalker so I'm not throwing into melee and the -4 to hit=) Expend Psionic Focus for +2D6 on Psionic Shot.
Rolled a 1. Not even funny. Out of now 9 attack rolls in 3 RPs I've rolled 3 1s.  Yuthel's done it too already. I killed my own guy in an Eberron RP. I curse you Dice Roller, with all of my soul. So long hot 3d6 + 2d8 damage there. lol
Do I need to do anything about the 1?
DM: This DM doesn't punish people for rolling ones.

This message was last edited by the GM at 22:36, Sun 20 Aug 2006.

As the drider Deepwalker is fighting starts to cast its spell Deepwalker smashes it with his Flail, interrupting it.  Turning his attention to another drider Deepwalker hits it solidly with his Flail, bearing it down to the ground with the force of his blow and smashing it's body to a yellow-white pulp. Bouncing the flail off the ground, he slams it into another Drider to the sound of breaking bones.

AoO rolled 24 to hit for 19 Damage
Rolled a 27 to use a move Action to set Psionic Focus using Psionic Meditiation
Use a 2 point Power Attack and expend Psionic Focus on Psionic Weapon
Rolled a natural 20 to Hit and a 19 to confirm critical
Rolled a 25 for damage X2 for critical
Rolled a 6 for Psionic Weapon Damage
When one drops Cleave Attack on another drider; rolled 25 to hit for 17 Damage
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:33, Sun 20 Aug 2006.

"Then dead it shall be" return the driders, the remaining four dropping to the ground around Illianka and striking. Two of them manage to miss entirely and one finds it's fangs slipping away from her, but another strikes cleanly, dealing 6 damage.

[Private to Illianka: You passed the initial poison save.]

"Mother Lolth, give us the peace of death and glory!"

Seeing Kharona turning against the driders, Yuthel decides to help. He sees lots of people fighting, than, watching as some drop to the ground, he decides to charge one, lending whatever support he can to the dark elf surrounded.

13:48, Today: Yuthel Astid'Malaad rolled 23 using 1d20+10. charge drider.
13:48, Today: Yuthel Astid'Malaad rolled 9 using 1d8+3. damage drider.

"You strike at air..." she muttered, before her eyes glowed once more, her power activating as she chanelled her will. The same glow entered Deepwalker's eyes for the second time and a moment later, the melee specialist and the agile knife-thrower had switched positions...

[Private to Deepwalker; DM Daniel: Dimension Swap with Deepwalker again... >< please don't hate me.]

Round 5

Kharona hissed as the Driders floated to the chamber floor. Had the touch of the Devourer's mind been so foul that he couldn't even properly throw his mindblade?

Finding his center he manifested the blade once again with ease of long practice. Yuthel had joined the combat as well and damaged one of the creatures. Channeling the power of his thoughts Kharona stabbed with the mindblade, aimed directly at the spider-Drow facing Yuthel. Silver flame lit in the creatures eyes and loud crack snapped in the air as Kharona thrust the force of his mind into that of the Drider.


Move action: manifest Mindblade
Attack: Mind Thrust on the Drider hit by Yuthel. Damage:9
DM: Drider failed it's save.

This message was last edited by the GM at 05:05, Tue 22 Aug 2006.

Wading through the driders surrounding him Deepwalker brings his flail around to smash another of the foul beasts.  Suddenly he's somewhere else surrounded by driders his strike hitting the floor where a drider used to be in front of him.

Rolled a 20 on Concentration check to use a move action to set Psionic Focus using Psionic Meditation
Rolled a 11(assume miss) to hit using a 2 point Power Attack and expending Psionic Focus on Psionic Weapon

The remaining driders turn and make a dash for it - everyone gets an attack of opportunity as they pass, but otherwise they will be running for it.

Kharona intercepted the Drider he and Yuthel had damaged. He lashed out at the drider with a vicious swipe of his mindblade but the creature was fast and dodged up the side of a wall to avoid the strike.


AoO-7 sigh. A 1 and a 2 in my last rolls.

Stay and fight you dogs! Yuthel's anger at having been a thrall makes him lash out in fury at the driders around. Bringing his mind blade to bear again, he swings the thing at one of the fleeing half-drow/half-spider.

Die! Die! Die!

00:59, Today: Yuthel Astid'Malaad rolled 16 using 1d20+8. mindblade AoO.
00:59, Today: Yuthel Astid'Malaad rolled 5 using 1d8+3. damage AoO.

As one of the driders fled past, Illianka struck out with her dagger. The small blade flashed true, striking the fleeing creature hard enough to draw blood even through its' carapace.

"Rothe Iblith.." she muttered as it moved out of range, though it wasnt' clear whether she was insulting herself or the drider. "Do we give chase?"

As the foul driders flee his might Deepwalker smashes one of them with his flail.

Rolled 23 to hit for 27 Damage

OOC: Let me know if it drops cause Deepwalker may get a Cleave attack.

[Private to Deepwalker: (Rolled the cleave for you, missed)]

The driders suffer various cuts and scrapes as they attempt to escape, and one is crushed under Deepwalker's flail. The remainder dash away as one stops to cast one final spell, filling the passage between you and him with thick webbing. Then it turns, and dashes away.

OOC: If anyone can think of a way to chase them down, go ahead.

"Flamgra!" Illianka called, flinging her hand out at the webs barring their way and setting them alight with a beam of flame.

The webs begin to burn through, but if you wait for them to be out of the way the driders will have been running for half a minute already.

Unless anyone can sustain a better speed than 120' per round while running, catching them is out of the question.

Illianka smiled grimly while the webs burned through before blurring into action, running at full speed after them. The stocky half-drow woman was fast, that much was certain, but whether or not she was fast enough was yet to be seen... the terrain seemed to offer no obstacle since she simple took steps on the walls when the floor was too uneven to maintain her pace, her feet seeming to stick to them with ease.

[Private to DM Daniel: Running (x3 movement) for 160' per round after the Driders, using the Psionic Focus gained at the start of the day to use Up the Walls when neccesary to avoid terrain problems.]

Illianka's speed is incredible, and she starts rushing after the Driders.
[Private to Illianka: You are able to catch them with a minute of running. By this point you will both be very tired. You can move faster than them indefinitely however, so you could just follow them if you don't mind the risk of getting seperated from the party.]

Slowing to match their pace, Illianka changed from an all-out run to a careful stalking speed. They were far enough from the city that the Driders would be forced to rest... and when they did, she would be ready for them.

[Private to DM Daniel: trying to conceal my following of them;

03:26, Today: Illianka rolled 21 using 1d20+8. Move Silently.
03:26, Today: Illianka rolled 20 using 1d20+9. Hide. ]

The driders show no sign of noticing Illianka.

What is everyone else doing?

Schnickle just swayed on the spot, still stunned by the Flayer.

[Aren't I?]

Deepwalker lets the Driders go.  They would think twice before attacking their group again.  Allowing himself to return to his normal stature Deepwalker concentrates and heals some of his wounds.

Used Body Adjustment to heal back to full.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:15, Sun 03 Sept 2006.

You are free now. 3d4 rounds is a long time, and those who are giving chase have run off, but you can act.

Schnickle felt himself awake, and felt all dizzy. He shook his head to clear the fuzzy feeling, but only made himself dizzier. Eventually he stilled, and looked around. "Ohh, what happened?"

Looking around for Kharona, Yuthel checks out the newcomers. Hi there... did you come with the minotaurs? I've been in thrall of that mind flayer for some time now, and I'd like to thank the minotaurs who tore it apart, they freed me and Kharona here!

As Schnickle hazy thoughts and eyes cleared, he noticed the strangers. Instantly his crossbow snapped up in suspicion.

But as Yuthel talked, Schnickle took a moment to focus his thoughts and decided that the former thrall seemed okay. "Welcome you are. Now, who you are and where from did you come?"

As Schnickle took stock of the situation, he noted there was a new person hanging around, and someone else had vanished. "And Illianka is where?!"

Deepwalker replies, Illianka and some others went chasing the remaining driders.  Let them have their fun.  Seeing as I killed half their number they shouldn't have a problem dealing with the rest.

Schnickle thought about running after them, but didn't think he'd be able to catch up, and certainly didn't think he could help much when he did. He sighed, and began looking around the cave.

OOC:
Searching the dead Illithid.

The dead illithid was wearing several bejeweled rings. The minotaurs who killed the flayer are quick to loudly claim these as theirs for having been the ones to defeat the beast.

A cloak, fastened with a skull that has a high mantle behind it and straps sewn to the inside of the cloak which hold:
A brush with fine carvings all over its surface and a set of eight soft bubbles at its top. Each bubble is a different color.
An odd mechanical device with many levers.
A tiny blue-grey stone.

The minotaurs seem uninterested in anything but the rings.

Schnickle graciously let the minotaurs keep the rings; he wasn't about to argue with them about it. He cast cursory glances over the rest of the stuff, seemingly uninterested. A small victory I shall let them have.

Then he drew a long slim crystal rod from his bag, and summoned its power to let him see psychic auras. He examined the items, and tried to get a quick glance at the rings the Minotaurs had taken.


OOC:
Using Dorje of Detect Psionics. Hoping to scan the rings as well.

Both of the rings have faint power about them.
The stone also has a faint aura of Telepathy
The brush has a strong aura of Metacreativity

Leaving aside the psionically powered items, Schnickle started fiddling with the mechanical device, moving the levers to see what happens.

As you press certain levers, other ones move as well. The levers that move appear to change based on the state of all twenty-one levers, making deciphering it's exact function difficult.
Twenty of the levers have only two positions, while a rotating part on the end has  ten different positions, each marked with an odd sigil of some sort.

Strange are the ways of the Mind Flayers Schnickle mused, and placed the device to the side. Then he picked up the brush, and tried brushing his hair with it.

It's more like a paintbrush, although you are welcome to do so regardless.

Feeling silly, Schnickle then tried dryly painting some nearby rocks.
[Private to Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper: What are you painting, or what are you imagining in your mind as you paint?]
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:43, Fri 15 Sept 2006.

Keeping an eye on Schnickle as best he can Deepwalker lies back and stretches himself out against a wall.  While waiting he might as well rest hoping the effects of the poison will fade with time.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:26, Sat 16 Sept 2006.

PM
[Private to DM Daniel: Being a good little Svirf... Rubies! ]

As Schnick rubs the brush against a rock, the stones he is imagining take form before his eyes! They fall from the rock in a pile at his feet, but when he eagerly looks closer, they are more like red glass than rubies.

"By Callarduran!" Schnickle exclaimed, and played with the rubies. Okay, they weren't quite genuine, but he was impressed all the same. He scooped them into his pack, and looked around furtively to make sure no one else had seen his mock treasure.

Schnickle then tried to think what these items could be exactly. He poked and prodded them, and finally placed them to his foreheard and tried to think about them.


OOC: Trying to ID the items further.
Paintbrush:
  Psicraft: 12
  Knowledge (Psionics): 8
Stone: (Power Stone?)
  Psicraft: 27 (Addressing?)
  Knowledge (Psionics): 17

Did the Mind Flayer's cloak show up as magical/psionic on the Detect spell?

The cloak is non-magical as far as you can tell.
The brush seems to be imbued with magic that causes the ink in the wells at the top of the brush to flow out & resemble whatever the user imagines and create something similar to it. You are unsure exactly how accurate an image it creates.

You are unsure of the stones power, but you feel a tingle of pride in owning it when you press it to your skin.

Schnickle put the stone down, carefully and where he could keep an eye on it and wouldn't forget it. He didn't know what it was, but it felt important.

He went back to playing with the brush, and picked up a rock and painted it all over to resemble a potato.

Once done, he then tried to un-paint it so it looked like the original rock again.


OOC:
Ie. Is the effect reversible?

The potatoe comes out of the rock, falling at your feet. When you paint it over again, you have a potatoe-sized rock. (It doesn't go back into the origional rock, but becomes a new form in your hands).

Kharona left the elven girl to her own devices. Drider were not his concern unless they got in his way. The Illithid were the goal. Their city was not to be allowed to infect the surface lands.

Making his way back to the chamber where the others waited he lifted a curious eyebrow at the deep gnome who appeared to painting. The giant warrior was smaller and relaxed against a wall. Yuthel was fine. The minotaurs he avoided. He had wounded one of their own and Kharona had no desire to stand trial for it.

Your female companion has marched off to war against the remaining Drider, he said to the other two.

The minotaurs growl in their strange language, looking angrily at Kharona and Yuthel before their leader shouts a command over them and they quieten down and stop giving threatening looks.

Schnickle looked up from his work. "Okay she will be?" he asked with concern.

You know her better than I. She is very...intense. The drider do not concern me.

My name is Kharona Azahl. Master of the Soul's Blade. I thank you for freeing Yuthel and I and ask forgiveness for any injury I may have caused.

"Stunned I was by the Mind Flayer, I know not what happened, but fine I am. Apologise to the Minotaurs if you will."

Schnickle tossed the potato-rock aside, and placed the paint-brush, gadget and stone in his bag for investigation later. He stood up to his full diminuitive height, and placed the Mind Flayer's cloak impressively over his shoulders, where it trailed over the ground.

"Schnicklegulp of the Stoneswipers am I, master of shadows, clouder of minds and hero of the Svirfnebli." he declared grandly.

Not getting quite the response he'd been hoping for - awe and fear - Schnickle shrugged and said to the newcomers, Kharona and Yuthel, "March we do to the Mind Flayer city, there utterly to destroy it. Care you would to join in?"

He leaned in closer to the former thralls, and whispered "Know you would the way?"

Kharona and Yuthel look thoughtful, as if trying to remember something.
[Private to Kharona Azahhl; Yuthel Astid'Malaad: You remember the way once you think about it briefly - it's in the direction that the driders ran.]

We also came to...utterly...destroy the city of the Devourers. Long ago they had enslaved me and to have been a thrall once again has only fueled me.

I will gladly join with you and lend you my blade, Schnicklegulp of the Stoneswipers. The way lies in the direction of your half-Drow companion and her prey.

Schnickle nodded sagely and announced "That way is just as I thought.", more for the benefit of the minotaurs than anything else. To Callarduran my thanks. Knew I would something would turn up.

"Come!" he declared, "To war we go! First the driders, second the devourers!" He turned and began marching the way that Kharona had indicated, with a great sweep of the mind flayer cloak dragging along the ground.

Did the Illithid wear anything that may be of use to us? Not that I have any claim to such things. It was you and the minotaur that slew him. Yet if there is something that will increase my powers or ability to fight the Devourers, I would request to be able to use it and then return it to you when we are victorious.

Kharona followed quickly after the Deep Gnome, channeling raw emotion back into his blade. It's silver flames flared for a brief second before he continued on.

The girl's plan was to move on them once they made camp. If we are lucky we will come across them. We must hurry though. Is she strong enough to take that many of the spiders on by herself?

[Private to DM Daniel: Imbue Psychic Strike]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:44, Mon 25 Sept 2006.

As they walked, Schnickle explained to Kharona. "Some rings there were, but claimed they were by Minotaurs. This stone," The deep gnome retrieved the small blue-grey rock and other items. "telepathic power faintly it has."

"This paintbrush some unusual powers it has. Think you do of something, and paint it to something else. Strongly metacreative it is."

"This device, know I not what it does."

The little gnome tugged on his new cloak. "No powers does this have, that I could see, but very impressive it is."



Schnickle frowned. If she'd gone off by herself, then she could be in dannger. "Know I don't. If attack she did, then perhaps thinks she is. True or not, help we must bring her." Smoothhands keep you safe, Illianka.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 07:15, Mon 25 Sept 2006.

OOC: Talk IC for awhile - I need to see where Illianka's fight goes before the party shows up.

The cloak is indeed a treasure. It will aid the rest of greatly when the next Devourer we see attacks you first because of it. Kharona said with a  slight grin.

May I hold the stone? I have no ability to discern it's function but perhaps I access it's powers nontheless.

Schnickle chuckled. "Too short I am, stoop the Devourer must to feast on my brains. Then push him over you can."



Schnickle tossed Kharona the stone, while he took out the mechanical device and began fiddling once more.

Kharona caught the stone with a quick snap of his hand. Holding it tightly as he walked he sent his thoughts thru his hand and into the stone. Probing lightly first.

[Private to DM Daniel: Other trying for the standard activation I only have Knowledge: Psionics as a helpful skill. I'm not sure if using another Psicrystal is even possible if that is what this turns out to be.]

PM
[Private to Kharona Azahhl: You feel proud of your achievements, and begin to remember all your crowning moments and glories. You aren't quite sure what the stone is, but you feel it is similar to the kind kept around illithid homes. You never knew what function it served.]

Kharona stared at the stone as they walked.


I cannot discern the abilities of this stone, Schnicklegulp Stoneswiper. It leads me to recall battles I have won, the moment I became free of the Illithid, times of discovery in my training. he says to the Flayer-cloak wearing gnome walking beside him.

A portion of my memories place objects like this in the homes of the Devourers, though I was never told what those stones were set to do.

May I keep it on me for now?

Roused by the chatter Deepwalker smiles when the gnome annouces that he is a great hero.  Listening closely Deepwalker notes that these newcomers must be weak indeed if they are probing for objects of power in order to prepare for battle.

Schnickle nodded. "Sensations I felt also. Pride, it is. Carry you may."