Tom Day suffers a moment of embarrassment spread over multiple dimensions as he tries to go back.  He's only taking the initial versers the spell glommed on to as he's become aware thats all the Lady Morrigan's spellring will carry in safety. Feeling a bit uncomfortable, he tries again, and this time it almost works. With a rueful smile, he notices the pattern. The ones that almost worked were in complete sync with each other.  And so, he pulls back on....mark.

And everyone gets taken apart, starting with the clothes and skin first, and then moving on to muscle, and eyeballs, and finally bone. You're put together back in the same way in a circle surrounding Tom Day.

Many of you recognize each other from Radix, Nevada.  There seems to be a new capabability, and strength, and new weapons.  Others you don't recognize, but all have that unmistakable look of versers, and the signature of versers, the 'feeling' in the gut, the vector.

The air is pure and clean, untainted by the burning of hydrocarbons.  Oaks, maples, cedars, hickory, and a couple unfamilar trees tower around the clearing with the tallest perhaps a hundred-fifty feet.

The clearing is approximately five acres in the midst of this old growth forrest.  It is a meadow with knee-high grasses, but unlike the trees, the grasses do not seem to be bursting with health.  They are not visibly sagging either.

A grass-covered mound, fifty feet high, centers the clearing. A miasma felt rather than seen seems attached to the mound. There are a couple animal paths over the mound, and following them with your eyes leads out to the treeline where a wolf sits in a tree.

It stares at you with yellowed and red-lined eyes. It seems in pain, and distinctly wrong on some fundamental level.

Forty feet from the mound are two statues, overgrown with vines. One is of a female in a dress with a tear dropping across her cheek.  The other is of a man holding the scales of justice.  Both are holding their right hands out, palm forward.

Oak: Kyle happily gives you one of his pin feathers which has a nice streak design through it.  You do not learn more about your katana, but you do remember Mr. Miyagi of Karate Kid and "wax on, wax off" and your deckhand experiences.

Jhiaxus: Tessa and Siljonic are left behind as are the others at the Menlo Park College for the Arts.

Tom looks around, "Thank you very much for coming.  Before I give a massive info dump...are there any quick questions?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:21, Tue 02 Dec 2008.

I get my bearings look around and then say,"Thank you Tom, it is my pleasure and God's grace I am here to help you as much as I can."
I turn to the others and say," Hello I am Amanda I have met some of you before, it will be a honor to work with everyone."
When I see Oak my eyes will go wide open and I  will run to him, her trained body moving extremely well, I will jump into Oak's arms when I get to him, and plant a kiss on his cheek.

:: Ring, CU2, are you online?  Please acknowledge.  Initiate our standard monitoring, recording, and analysis. ::

I smile as I twirl Amanda in a hug, and give a nod of recognition to the familiar faces among them.

"Greetings once again dear daughter, and to you friend Tom.  It is good to see you both well.  Thanks be to God."

"And to the rest of you, well met.  I'm John Oakmaster.  'Peace be unto you.'  I believe I saw several of you from afar during the battles in Radix, though we lacked the time for introductions then.  And didn't I briefly glimpse you in the Kingdom of Vespucianna, in that shared Dreamworld?"

The last sentence is said with a friendly nod toward Jhiaxus.

"After some introductions, I'll be ready for a data dump, Tom, both from you and from these other folks.  If we can inventory what resources and capabilities we have together, and what is known of what we are up against, we'll probably be more effective..."

And as I wait for the others to speak, I silently pray.

:: Dearest LORD, please give us wisdom and insight and discernment, and bless our interactions and efforts, I pray... ::

I take a quiet deep breath of the fresh clean air and glance with pleasure at the green trees as I look around at my companions and at our surroundings through my Sight.  My gaze lingers upon the mound, and the statues, and the wolf.  And I reach out with my telepathic senses as well to see if I get any impressions, particularly from the wolf.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:20, Tue 02 Dec 2008.

Wonderful...surrounded by the type of people that annoy me the most...

Hadrian...good to see you again...did things go well after I took care of that abyssal creature the last time we met?

Looking around at the other versers present..

Well, it seems I recognize a couple others here... however...coming here to be all cheery wasn't the objective.  Day, what do you have planned, and what exactly are we up against?  Please provide all relevant data on what you are having such an issue with.

*puts his double bladed battle axe head on the ground and leans on it as he takes in the scene, seeing a couple of familar faces from last time, doing a gear check, making sure his firearms are loaded and free, checking to see if his monoblades recrystallize here, checking his PDA for power and holographic functions.*

Well I see the male to female verser ratio is absolutly horrid, with that aside if this is what I think this is, the best weapon is a keen mind.

*nods to Oak*

As for our capabilities, I'm sure once we get a deeper understanding of why we are here, we can start show and tell. Although looking at most of us I am not looking forward to the swimsuit part of the program, let me tell you.

*grins*

Lucas pulls back his hood to get a good look at the other versers present.
 "Wow, I've never seen this many versers in my entire existence. Hi, eh, all."
He looks around the clearing and pulls forth a small book and leafs through the pages. The cover reads 'Binas: Beta Sciences Almanac 2005'.
 "Hmmmm, yes, I'd say this is a temperate zone. Can I take a moment to test my equi... Since when do wolves climb trees?"

I test whether or not if my laser-rifle, cell-phone, watch, magnet and pocket-knife-flashlight still work.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:33, Tue 02 Dec 2008.

I stand before everyone, smiling at seeing some familiar faces, frowning at seeing others.

Still, I raise my hand in greeting when suddenly my legs buckle, and I fall to the ground.  The dog next to me, a husky, also falls to the ground in pain.  I grope at my legs with one arm while holding Kox's (the husky) head with my other.

I try to get a smile through and say, "Well, Tom, it looks like teleporting us here wasn't as effective as I had hoped."

I look to the wolf and struggle through the the pain to say, "I can talk to the wolf over there in a second, but for now does anyone know how to set broken bones?  My pup and I ran into a nasty bout with a terminator and need some healing.  I'd rather set the bones in my legs first before healing, to make sure they heal up correctly.  So, can I get any help, then?"  I'll smile through the pain to those around me.

PM  :)

EDIT: No real need for this to be private any more, I suppose...  :)

[ Private to Playtester: Did my medical training aboard the Mary Piper include how to set broken bones?  :) ]



This message was last edited by the GM at 22:09, Tue 02 Dec 2008.

Oak,

No response on CU2 or the Ring.

Your prayer is answsered. Clarity fills thoughts, and fortune seems to hover in the air.

Looking with the Sight, you see Amanda's aura glows more brightly and she has a planet orbitting her head. Amused and curious, you look on the rest. Avahur has a bloody sword like the one you saw before floating over his head, and on his back is a raging fire in the shape of a sword. Looking at the injured giant-sized Husky, you see a Wolf standing in its same space and it looks back at you with enough force that you feel like you've been clouted in the head.

Looking further, the statues also radiate force, and the mound makes you feel extremely nauseas as does the wolf in the tree.  Theres something horribly wrong with the wolf.

Avahur,

Ajax responds in your mind.

*Don't kill them, unless you're curious as to what Ares does to people who tick him off. From what I hear, the Greek gods have a really vicious sense of humor. So unless you want to spend the next hundred years as a spider, or having your liver eaten out daily... However, if you want to kill someone, the female has a power source in her heart, a shard, I'd love to absorb that.*

Jhiaxus,

You pull your blades free, and they do recrystallize. Your PDA is an inert lump. It doesn't even flash '12:00' or anything.

Lucas,

It does indeed look temperate. Wolves don't climb trees as far as you know.

It hears you, and leaps out of the tree,a nd vanishses into the forrest.

Your laser rifle has eight shots. How are you testing it? It doesn't have any meters or screens. Its a very simple, rugged survival camp oriented device with a few strange hooks on it, and a belt so you can sling it on your back. Your cell phone is non-functional, totally. Your flashlight considers working, and then does. Your pocket knife part of the ensemble seems to work a tiny bit more awkwardly than you're used to, but nothing you can't get used to.

Krillis,

Sweat is breaking out on his face. Its clear despite the brave front he's putting on that he's in considerable pain.  He looks like he just got in a serious fight.

His husky is about four hundred pounds, and its laying down whimpering.

Oak.
Yes it did. It also included how to cut legs off with a bone saw.

PT

*looks around at Krillis, and the Husky whining and walks over*

Well, you look like you can use a little pick me up.

*put a hand on both of them, and try a healing spell like I saw from the cleric from the gamemastah's trap, figure this is as good as world as any to try to build up my magic*

Rise and be healed, by the power of Greyskull I have the power!

*see if it works after someone sets his bones*

Jhiaxus
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:54, Tue 02 Dec 2008.

Tom has been studying basic humanoid biology for quite some time, so while that might not apply to medicine, he can make sure that they are set in the proper fashion.  He will also invoke his last stored 'medium' healing prayer if Jhiaxus's doesn't work.

He won't as easily be able to help Kox because he doesn't know much about basic canine bone structure.

After Krillis and Kox are healed, Tom says, "Alright.  As I've mentioned before, my name is Tom Day.  This is my seventh or eighth world depending on how you count transitions.  The world back before this one that I arrived in was a futuristic world far in Earth's future.  Humanity has reached a point of stagnation and are being judged for their rightful place in galactic civilization by a review board of aliens.

The way they do this is basically to put people in a school situation and watch what they do.  Long story short, I arrived as they arrived and worked to help them.  Humanity barely managed to pass the first phase of the test, but they were doing alright until the next phase, which involved interacting with a coalition of alien species that encountered other alien species.  One of these were Catapillar Ants.  They're a bunch of nasty little %%@#$@#ers that can create a bunch of chemicals at random.

Through treason, they managed to get some humans on their side and nearly managed to destroy or enslave all of the human faction there, but they were discovered and stopped.  I believe ultimately, humanity and its allies will win there, but its going to be a nasty fight.

I prayed about the situation, and felt inspired to use an alien artifact called 'the Unknown Door' which brought me here.  Wasn't sure about why at first, so I milled about a town for a while, getting the local lay of the land until I learned that the local Duke is willing to gather a crusade full of humans to go back through the door to fight the evil alien scum.

I found that there is a guy called Warreth, an archmage, who can do the job, but he's getting weak, so he can only send so many.  He suggested an artifact called the City in a Gem, which will let me bring a lot of people back through the Unknown door instead of a few.

I then began to see where I could find info on where one of these artifacts was, and was sent by these people called the Crystal Sidhe, to this spot.  I'd been warned in a prophesy by a good necromancer named Morrigan that I'd be at a spot like this and to use the ring that brought you all here.  I had no idea what it would do.

Upon being sent to the area by the Crystal Sidhe, I found a local village being ravaged by wolves in their fields.  I pretended to be a sage to get the lay of the land, and then headed out here.  On the way here I ran into a bunch of psychotic wolves, who proved very vulnerable to bullets, a psychotic tree person, who I assume was either a lunatic druidess or a corrupted dryad, who proved rather vulnerable to grenades, several animated trees and a giant thorn monster who were rendered temporarily harmless by the exploded dryad.

The nature of the world is polytheistic and very high magic.  Technology that seems to work includes the printing press, air rifles, and chemically propelled explosives.  Advanced biological structures don't seem to work, but basic 20th century norm does.  I haven't even tried psionics, but my mind shield works.

Magical feats that I know work include resurrection, teleportation, interdimensional travel and probably reality alteration if this fits the genre tropes at all.  Both arcane and divine magic seem to work fairly reliably.  I do not know what is inside of this mound, but it is clear from the architecture that these figures have been placed here as a ward and a warning, so before we deal with anything inside of the mound, we should investigate the figures, potentially to ask permission to kill whatever it is.

Anything that requires this many Versers to kill it is probably titanic in scope, so I'm expecting either a lair or a gigantic dungeon complex.  If it is a dungeon complex, its Tomb of Horrors level in lethality given that it involves multiple versers, which means working together as a cohesive unit is paramount to our success.

I hope that helps information wise.  I will, of course, answer any questions I can."

Hadrian smiled radiantly, so much so that his dimples threatened to pop out of his face. This was more or less what he had hoped for when he accepted Cristophe's offer - other verser, and a chance to thoroughly interrogate them for information pertaining to versing.

He nodded toward Avahur, who was the only one there he actually knew.

"Sorry, I never did catch your name before swordsman.

Things went as well as could be expected. After you took care of Gluttony I shattered Greed's soul into a thousand pieces, ripped Lust out of her human host and prevented their attempted summoning of Satan himself. Then I died and went to horror movie-land, so all in all I came out of it rather poorer."

He trodded over to Krillis, gave him a polite nod then bent down beside the dog. He had set bones before, but not on dogs. At first he did nothing more serious than stroke the wounded canine to calm it. He remembered reading a book about animal anatomy, and conjured up several illustrations of dog bone and muscle structure in his mind. When the dog was sufficiently still he gave a quick examination of it's legs and tried to compare the images in his head as best he could to the superficial impression he got of the husky's broken bones. He stroked the dog gently to console him, waited until the others were done healing, or attempting to heal, Krillis, then set the bone right before they did the same to the dog, to minimize the amount of pain it had to endure.

With that hopefully over with Hadrian got back up, put his hands in his pockets and listened to Day and looked around at the immediate area and his fellow versers.

"Well," he said once Day had finished explaining their purpose in being there, "it sounds to me like a very straightforward dungeon crawl.

First impression is that this looks like some kind of burial mound, with the statues erected, as Day suggested, most likely to seal the evil in and keep people out. It's obviously working, because the evil we are here to defeat seems either content with, or restricted to using its influence and will to corrupt the nearby area. If this thing is anything from conventional mythology the statues might provide clues as to what it is, in which case I will probably be able to tell you more."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:36, Tue 02 Dec 2008.

*Very visibly shutters as he hears the words.*

****.

Looking over to Hadrian..

My name is Avahur.

The girl eh?  I don't really care about what the gods might say...  Vicious sense of humor?  Ares doesn't bother me, neither does Thanatos, I've dealt with both of them before, and they both know that I'm a very capable warrior.

What type of source are you referring to?

*laughs*

ToH, damn you guys are hosed, luckily you have a Hackmaster Wurld Champion with you. Autographs 10 dollars, Photos 50 dollars.

*winks to the girl*

How you doin?

Jhiaxus

"Well the good news is that since this is the real world, the nonsensical and insane auto deaths that gave Gygax giggles are likely to be missing.  On the other hand, since this is probably actually designed to kill people, there won't really be an underlying sense of fairness...which is why cheating as much and as often as possible by working outside of the box will be our best way through this thing.

I'm considering how best to investigate the statues.  Probably divine magic.
"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:13, Tue 02 Dec 2008.

When I see Hadrian approaching, I'm at first cautious to allow him to touch Kox; however, I'll let him and wisper to Kox in dogtalk.  --It's okay, he's just trying to help.  Try not to move too much and let them help us.  We really showed that robot, though, buddy...--

Then, I'll gesture nod for Hadrian to go ahead and help Kox out.  I'll allow anyone who approaches to set my legs and do whatever healing they can on me.  I'll allow the green healing energy inside of me to resonate outside of skin-level once my legs are set.  I'll focus most of the healing energy on my legs.

I'll be touching Kox at the time and attempt to resonate the healing energy through his body as well, once Hadrian does what he can for the dog.

I struggle to talk, or I'll talk normally if the pain stops.  "I think it's probably time to go over our abilities with one another.  I think I can trust at least most of you with the information.

Magically, I'm proficient with fire and water.  With the fire, I can also use it close-range for explosions or even just raise the heat of the area.  I'm able to generate both fire and water.  I can protect myself from fire or lightning, talk to animals, block magic and speedcast."  I pull out a knife with some runes on it, "I can Call Fury Down with this," I pull out a stick and say, "and I can Reveal Bane Spirit with this.  Also, I can Break an Enchantment of Sleep.  It's probably irrelevant, but I can create a sorceror's broom with magic as well."

I put my hand to my face for a moment, thinking.  "Physically, I'm really good with my legs when they're not broken.  I can run on walls well and use that for attacking as well.  I can walk softly at a half-step pace and I was in a world where I had to deal with micro-gravity for a little while.

I've also recently been practicing psionics.  I can create a mental block and read emotions and surface thoughts.  What might be important is that recently I've actually been practicing mental domination.  I'm able to command people psionically to do things.

While I also know how hydrogen and nuclear fuel systems work, I doubt that'll come in handy; however...this might."

I'll pull my backpack over to me.  "I'm willing to share this with the entire group to improve the proficiency of the group..."

Inventory
-Food: 1 pack of Granola Bars, 1 Box of Cornflakes, 1 Candybar
-Melee-Weapons: 1 Vibrowire Knife, 1 Switchblade, 1 Club
-Guns: 2 Plasma Pistols (one in chest holster), LaseTek Pistol, .18 Pistol
-Bags: School Backpack, Hiking Pack
-Medical: 1 Medical Kit
-Books: Gray Magic Book, Geometric Algebra Book, Bohmian Mathematics Book, Physics Book, Esper Booklet
-Tools: Diamong Glass-Cutter, Flashlight, Lift-EZ (grapling think attached to hip), StickForever (some adhesive), Cube of "Happy Dust" (probably a sweetener), Normal School Supplies (notebooks, pencils)
-Jewelry (in case anyone can imbue them with magic): Necklace of Amber Stones, Necklace of Turquoise Stones, Long Strand of Pearls, Turquoise Ring, Silver Ring

"Also, there's this."  I take out the white crystal I picked up off of Devlin.  "I know it's got some special property, supposedly telekinesis, but I haven't unlocked it yet."

"Is anyone willing to offer their mind for a moment to see if I can actually read emotions in this world?"

Oak, you set his legs with your twenty minutes of training, and Day, it seems to be okay.  Jhiaxus, your voice echoes around the clearing, and his legs mend. Krillis, your power flows into your legs and your body, and your bruises start to dissappear and then the aches.  You then direct the power into Kox who in a minute is standing up.

He shrinks back to his normal husky fairly mature puppy size.

Avahur,

*Just so long as its clear I advised against it so when Ares uses your guts to string a bow, I'm not responsible. That said, I'd like to kill them all. The girl, I'm not sure what her power is, only that its some sort of attachment to one of the Greater Powers second or third hand, but when you're talking about beings who can unmake dimensions with a single word, third hand is plenty close enough.*

Ajax pauses.

*I think you're assuming the gods are reasonable people. Clotho got turned into a spider for being a better weaver than Athena, and Athena, by the tales is more reasonable and sensible than most of her kin."

OOC: 1@3 Leg Setting for Oak, and 1@1 for Day, and 1@1 Heal Major Damage for Jhiaxus, and +@1 Psi Healing (new use) for Krillis.  The prayer of blessing was definitely useful.

"After getting my body snatched from me on a world, I've been working on some ways to keep others out.. care to try it on me, so I can give it a shot to keep you out?  Assuming it works?  And if it doesn't work, meh.  Still, if you want to try to read surface thoughts go ahead, although I'm sure you might be able to figure them out without trying."

I move over towards Krillis while everyone is taking care of their own business and assisting and such.

After setting Krillis' broken legs, I give him a gentle reassuring pat.  Once healed, I help him up to his feet.

"I follow the LORD.  He has used me in various ways in many worlds, sometimes manifesting more subtly, and others more overtly powerful.  In Gygax's worldview, I would be a cleric, rather than a mage.  Through His power, I have healed myself and others, seen the true nature of my surroundings, banished demons, and befriended dragons."

"My own gifts are more of mind than body, though I do have some training in the ways of the samurai, and in kung fu.  With my mind, I have looked into past and future, seen and sensed from afar, controlled emotions, mentally dominated and possessed foes at great distances, teleported near and far, and TKed orbiting space stations.  I also have momentary glimpses of superintelligent insight, a remnant of a time when I was temporarily upgraded into a superintelligence by technological means."

"I also have some useful technology, but it does not seem to function in this world."

"This world seems to be one where the LORD's manifestations are more overtly powerful.  I prayed a silent prayer of blessing for us shortly after introducing myself, and can tangibly feel the effect.  I perceive the statues radiating force, and also a nauseating sense of wrongness from both the mound and from that wolf in the tree when we arrived."

With Avahur volunteering himself in response to Krillis' request, I look at the latter's white telekinesis crystal with my Sight.  If it doesn't register as malevolent, I experimentally attempt to gently TK it into my hand.

I then experimentally stretch out my Sight and my clairvoyant and telepathic senses into the surrounding forest to see if there are any further signs of wolves or other presences...

*smiles at his being able to heal, and steps back*

I am a jack of all trades I guess, I am pretty good with my swords and axe, pretty good at some psionic skills, ironically possessing bodies, have decent climbing and hiding skills, decent ability to detect things others miss, guess I'm like a first edition bard. I guess I'll be the thief, if I get another half share of treasure.

*smiles wide*

*as for items, well I got what I normally take in my backpack, clothes, tools, water food, have a few firearms, my monoblades and axe.*

Jhiaxus
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:08, Wed 03 Dec 2008.

Tom says, "Given that you're all here helping me, the only treasure I'm going to lay hold of is the City in a Gem.  And 'rogue' skills are going to be vital here.  This thing is going to be riddled with traps, but I honestly want to blow holes in the walls and bypass the death corridors as much as possible.  If we have clairvoyance, we should use it.

Does anyone here have a spell that speaks with Stone?

As for myself, my skills are somewhat martial.  I have moderate skill with a blade and pistol.  I also serve the Lord and have extremely minor arcane skills.  I am also moderately intuitive.

As for equipment, I have a sword capable of harming demons, two pistols, and an air pistol capable of shooting alchemical beads that explode on impact.  I have high tech equipment but its mostly paper weight here.  If no one minds, might I ask a series of questions related to what I think we're going to need skill wise to see how many of us can accomplish certain key tasks for what we'll need down there?"

I look to Avahur, smile gone from my face even though I'm healed.  "There's no point in matching wills against you.  It was simply for a test, and I'm no longer in the mood for that.  Our friend here has more psionic abilities than I and probably would be able to test them easier here."

Then, I'll turn to Day at his questions.  "By all means, ask any questions you have."

Afraid I'd kill you?

I walk around a little bit...

I listen to everyone as everyone tries to help Krillis I would say a silent prayer to the Lord to aid them in their healing attempts.
After everyone speaks I smile back to Jhiaxus, then I say.
"ello like I said I am Amanda and seem to be the only female here, I am a servent of the Lord and an Angel of God gave some of her Humility to me and I seem to have gain some strong divine powers because of it. I can read surface thoughts and have Telekinesis. I am not much of a combatant fighter only recently I was still trapped in my wheelchair. I use to be a high school level amth and science teacher, and I only have the clothes on my back the last world I was in had very low technology and I didn't wear any of my clothes."
When I finish I will reach out to God with my soul and pray aloud,
"Dear great Lord I ask you bless us with your power and strength and guide us in this mission you are sending us on, I ask in your name to give all of us the power and iner strength to succeed, I pray in Jesus's name Amen."

The Husky goes from its normal hundred pounds to four hundred pounds in a second, and a rattling growl comes out of its throat as it faces Avahur.

*Let me kill him boss. He reminds me of the people I grew up with.* Kox speaks in dog-talk to Krillis.

PT

I back away from the dog, keeping my hands near my swords, ready to kill it if it attacks, and start heading away from Krillis and his dog...

Eh...fighting here is pointless,  Ajax, anything you could do the make mince meat of this dog? Should its owner feel so courageous to attack me?  It isn't wise to reveal all you can do to other versers, so to keep things interesting and keep people guessing, I'm going to keep most of what I can do under wraps, I suggest you be careful as well.  However if we could injure them to teach an issue it would be fun.  But not now, its pointless when we can't put a name or a face to the enemy.

*moves toward Amanda smiling back as the tension rises*

How interesting, squabbling before we even set foot in the dungeon, we might not even have to wait for the traps, we can just fight each other.

*to Day*

Seems the conversation we had before rings true, perhaps you should step in before your party shrinks before we walk in the door.

Tom pauses a moment and looks at everyone present one by one, though he lingers a slight, almost undetectable moment longer on Hadrian and says, "Attacking Avahur serves Darkness more than light.  He made an oath to me that he would not kill me.  Implicit in that oath is that I will not kill him unless it is my belief that he will harm this mission."

"Let me tell you all where I am coming from on this, so we're clear.  I am concerned about the fate of a few dozen billion people.  My brand of Christianity is a personal one, and it involves solving the greatest problems with the most ethical means available, but that doesn't preclude personal justice of an extreme or an eternal scale.

I've met many of you at least twice before.  Time is a cycle and what goes around comes around.  Quite frankly, I don't care what has come before.  Much.  I care what happens now.

There are certain minimum basics that every party entering a dungeon must have.  If we don't have them, we need to get them before we go in.  If we don't have certain requisite abilities and skills, we need to find someone that does.  My time table is my own, save as it is dictated by the Lord God to me personally himself.

For me, this isn't a recreational activity, its a personal mission.  But all of you are versers.  I can no more command you than I can God himself.  You are my peers, so I state my intent and my actions clearly.  I make a formidable and reliable ally.  I make a relentless and vicious enemy.

If you help me with this, I will do all in my power to return the favor."

Tom pauses to see if there is any response, addressing any questions that come up and then he continues, "This is the minimum equipment we all must have upon entering this dungeon.  If we don't all have it, we have to go back through the horrific enchanted alien forest, find a town and get what we need and then come back through the horrific enchanted alien forest right back where we started from.

Everyone should have a light source, cold weather clothing, something to cut with (ie a knife), 50' of rope, a weeks worth of food, three days worth of water, a ten foot pole, 10 iron spikes, and something to write with and paper to write on.  If we don't at least have the basics, we need to get the basics.

As a party, we must be able to have: A healer capable of addressing battle wounds, it seems we have someone capable of doing that.  We need someone at the least capable of dispelling magic.  It seems we have that.  We need someone who can pick locks.  I've got a spell that does that, but it would be ideal if we had someone who knows it well.

My primary concern is this...does anyone here claim the skill to be able to detect and disarm mechanical traps? Does anyone here have experience with it? Because if we don't then setting foot inside of there is pointless until we get a local thief."

He pauses, waits and listens again.

When addressed, he continues, "I refuse to be the leader of the party.  Because my primary interest is in staying alive.  Normally, I'm willing to take risks, but when my life is predicated on the fate of tens of billions of people, it means that I need to stay alive.  That means if I see this dungeon (if it is one) as too much of a risk, then I must ignore it and spend a year or ten years if that is what it takes getting the gem from the Elf King or the Dragon.  My goal is to help those who are in the world previous.

My instinct tells me this is the best way but I will continually listen to that instinct as we progress.

Having said that, it is my firm belief that once we enter we will be trapped inside, which is why getting the right supplies ahead of time is of paramount importance.

I cannot force any of you to do anything.  But if you want the greatest chance of success and staying alive, then you must work together as a cohesive military alliance.   Small unit tactics demand a leader with an immediate chain of succession.  If you want my advice, I recommend Hadrian as commander and then Jhiaxus and then Oak.  Take it or leave it as you will.  I am not going to lead the party.

For those of you motivated by greed, there is beyond doubt treasure in this place.  One of the local world laws is that ancient ruins have treasure.  This place is of a sufficient threat to warrant multiple versers entering it.  For those of you motivated by higher factors, this place is clearly a nexus and a front in the greater war between worlds.

Do as you will.  I have spoken my peace on the matter."

 "The Tomb of Horrors. *gulp* isn't that the infamous party-wipe game from Dungeons and Dragons?"

 "uh, I'm Lucas and uh, I can uh, have uh..."
He nervously fiddles his hood and pads his body looking for something, anything that would justify his presence in the wake of these titans. He has no combat-skills of note and only one functioning weapon, so his list of assets quickly turns to random junk.
 "uh, an angels sword, a laser-rifle, but that doesn't work, uh, a A Tranquilizer Pistol, but that doesn't work either, uh, a magnet, a crayon uh, a watch, a pocket-knife, with a flashlight and some tools, uh and I used to do chemistry so I guess that would make me an acceptable cook?
But I'm an eager student and am willing to learn any skill you can be bothered to teach me. Please?"

Tom smiles, "....An Angel's sword is ....a rather extremely adequate weapon and probably more powerful than mine.  The tranq pistol probably does work here.  It sounds like we need to get you some food, a canteen, rope and a pole.  I actually don't have the pole myself, though we can make that.  I can't make rope though.  I am more than willing to teach you any skill I possess and I'm moderately skilled at teaching though others here are probably more skilled than I am."

I nod quietly, and give a gentle encouraging smile to Lucas as well.

"I used to be a Professor in my native universe.  In my experience, students who are willing and eager to learn have half the battle won already.  Skills may be taught or not, but will and desire for knowledge must come from within."

"We all had to start somewhere, sometime.  But where would you start, Lucas?  Our time is limited, and our choices somewhat constrained by what skills this universe best supports.  But if we end up needing to take time to acquire supplies, there may be time for a few lessons.  Given the choice, what skills are you most interested in learning?"

*smiles*

It's funny, the guy who would have whooped this dungeon is sitting back in me resort, while I am here, in any case, I was not prepared for a dungeon crawl, and I do not have much of the equipment needed. I can pick locks, I was not a thief before I versed, but I was always messing around with things. I will grab a set of lockpicks in town as well as some sacks and whatnot.

*takes a quick peek at Amanda's backside*

Although spending the time to learn what we need to learn doesn't seem like a bad thing.

Jhiaxus

"I, for one, generally follow the cautious path, but bear this in mind.  This forest is a rot upon creation itself, and there are people around it that are suffering greatly as a result of its activities.  The fact that it is able to do this implies that there is something tunneling its way out beyond the seals that keep it imprisoned.

Getting supplies is simple mandatory.  I'm not going to get pointlessly slaughtered for someone else's amusement.  Taking the time to train properly, well on my scale that would take a full year and I doubt we have that kind of time."

Lucas,

You burn a hole about six inches deep and two inches wide in the turf. Now you have one less shot. It took three times pulling the trigger for the laser rifle to work.

Thunder echoes around the clearing in the wake of the shot.

You feel jittery and hungry. And you seem to have flashes of seeing people more clearly. A flicker of an expression crosses a face, and you can remember it, and compare it to a full blown expression. A twitch of the lips is as good as a snarl.

PT
OOC: I wanted to know how you were testing it because the obvious method burned up one of your valuable shots. I make it you have seven shots left.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:31, Wed 03 Dec 2008.

 "Yelp!"
The gun almost flew out of his quivering hands and is put away before it does more harm.
 "Yeah food sounds good, I'm hungry. Let's have lunch and then we'll have time forme tolearn something. Oak, you mentioned psychicabilities, could youteach me aboutthose? Isitjustmeoriseverybodyelsejustslowingdownalot?"

I growl to Kox for a moment,

I pick up the candybar from my pack and toss it to Avahur.  I'll shoot a smile at him.  "Yeah yeah, everyone knows you're tough.  We're all immortal, so no one's afraid of one another."

I'll approach Lucas as well, with a notebook and a pencil.  I draw the symbols that I know from memory, having pictured and looked at so many times.  They're the same symbols that are on my gloves.  Above one, I write 'Water' and above the other, I write 'Fire'.  "This might help you out a little bit.  It's all about visualization.  Focus on the results you want while focusing on whichever image.  Then, you say 'Amen' and magic happens."  I'll create a flame in my right hand and jet some water toward the ground with my left hand to show him some examples.

I about suggest that Tom lead the group when I hear him.  My jaw drops some, and I take a moment.  "We need to practice cooperation first, and perhaps we can determine who should lead then.  The beasties will surely still be waiting for us in there.  What I don't understand is why we need a thief so much.  Why can't we just fight our way through every path?  We're tough enough to push through, right?  A trap won't work if you bust it into bits."

I'll use the spell that I recieved from Gwen to raise the Sun when I hear the thunderclouds, in an attempt to make the storm go away.

PT,

You said that I was taking Gwen's vampire and other undead slaying class for a while.  What others skills did I learn in there, or any other information on the undead?

Tom deliberately talks as fast as he can, "Noyou'respeedingupbutitishighlypossiblethatthisplace hasacorruptinginfluenceonthelaws ofphysicalrealitysuchthatbyshootingtherifleyou haveexposedyourselfmoretothatcorruptinginfluence andarethereforehavingthebasicnatureofyourreality shortened.Iamdefinatelyveryinterestedinknowing whatOak'sperceptionsofthisplacemightbe."

 "OhnoIthinkitmaybethe geneticenginering Iunderwent inthe previous world. I didn't think it would start working so fast though. It will make me quicker, faster, but I'll also burn more calories. That would explain the hunger. BTW, you have my vote, provided you take the time to listen to Too-Many-Weapons-Guy. He seems to know what he's doing. And if he doesn't, at least have him lead the way, he looks though enough for that."
He turns to Krillis:
 "True, but I still don't want to die. dieing hurts, a lot."
He takes drawings and looks at them, turning them upside down and sideways, trying to derive a hidden message from the symbols.
 "So, what I just think 'wet' really hard and moisture will happen?"
He looks at the grass and shows his best constipated face.
Wet. Wet. Wetwet. Wetwetwetwetwet. Grasswet. Grasswetwetwet...

Hadrian raised an eyebrow in surprise when Day unexpectedly nominated him for commander. The first thing that struck him was how desperate Day must be if he considered one of the least experienced versers leadership material - then again, no one here knew that Hadrian had only started his new career five worlds previous.

"Tom makes a very good point, and it is fairly obvious that he has given this matter a great deal of thought," Hadrian said with a raised voice, the one he used when participating in debates or holding speeches.

"My name is Hadrian. As far as practical skills go I can do very little. I am moderately proficient with a rapier, but I have little to no experience in magic. I am very well-read, though, and I doubt there is any field I don’t know something about, if even remotely. I can tell you how a machine works, or what a lock looks like on the inside with just a glance. But in disarming traps and picking locks I am, as you, a mere novice."

”As for equipment, well,” Hadrian said and looked down upon his smart suit and impractical shoes, ”I probably have the least suited attire and gear for this kind of thing.”

”Like Lucas and Day I would prefer to prepare myself better before venturing into the mound. We may be immortal, but being skewered by a trap is still damnably unpleasant. Other than that I am unbiased in this. I do not value riches, nor am I driven by goodly goals. I am here for the experience of it, for better or for worse.”

Tom looks with mild horror at Lucas and sincerely hopes his genetic surgeon was skilled.  He remembers what he was like after he initially got his own modification and the idea of crawling around the Tomb of Horrors (or whatever this place was called) was .....

Well it simply wasn't going to happen.

He watched Lucas with concern, patience and interest.

He turns back to Krillis, "We need a thief because a place like this is going to be riddled with traps. If you can't find and disarm the traps, you're dead.  It's just that simple."

He nods to Hadrian, "That MIGHT work.  Understanding of the devices plus Oak and Amanda's TK might give us the edge we need, but it is still incredibly risky."

He turns back to Krillis, "And as for fighting our way though, I view this place as if *I* had designed it, and if I had, no one here, I don't care how tough you are, would have been able to get through it through sheer force alone.  I could design traps that would kill anyone here.  And if I could do it, I know the people who built the place that requires 8 versers could do it."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:04, Wed 03 Dec 2008.

*looks around*

It's pretty apparent to me, the person who should lead is the same one who gathered us. If this was a test of our leadership, one of us would have been tasked with this. One of the burdens of leadership is accepting the mantle even when you don't think your the best person to do it.

*pauses*

Beyond that, the one who gathered us, has knowledge of this world and the mission. If we are to get supplies. let us go, in a group, unified in one goal, and do what we came here to do. Either way, let's not stand in front of the evil mound, shooting our "frikken" lasers off, giving away our position to every evil thing around.

Jhiaxus
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:00, Wed 03 Dec 2008.

I nod in agreement with Jhiaxus, and glance thoughtfully at Tom.

"Tom, I think we should reflect a bit, and seek the will of the LORD, before making key decisions such as 'I refuse to be the leader of the party'."

"The Sovereign LORD has placed you in every facet of your current circumstances."

"You are the one involved with the universe where the lives of billions hang in the balance.  You are the one who was originally brought here.  You are the one with the greatest knowledge and experience in this universe.  You are the one who best knows the dangers, trade-offs, and alternatives.  You are the one that was given the means to summon us, and the one who requested each of us to come here.  And you have some martial experience, yet it is necessary for you to survive here, in order to fulfill your mission."

"Therefore, I believe that a non-front-line leadership role is appropriate for you, is it not?"

"As Krillis observed, we have little to fear from death.  The relevant stakes are not our lives, but the mission, and the lives of those billions you seek to help deliver.  We accepted this mission and this challenge.  Each of us is a resource to help achieve this goal, and individually expendable if that greater goal is reached."

"You, however, are the only one that is not expendable.  The LORD has placed you in this position, with this responsibility."

"Therefore, at least at first blush, I believe it best if you lead the party.  I am certainly willing to reflect, and seek the will of the LORD, for my perspective and reasoning may be flawed.  But I would urge you to reflect and seek the will of the LORD as well, rather than assuming it is His will that you abdicate the responsibility of leadership here."

Tom sighs, "I doubt you're going to like my leadership style.  If I am in charge, that means I'm IN CHARGE and that while I will seek input for certain aspects of things, it also means that I don't care if you're a verser or if you've saved the planet Nartoc from certain doom, I only care that you've agreed to serve under my command.

Leadership to me means different things at different times, but a properly run adventuring company is a military campaign.  That means you obey my orders or die.  I rather doubt that's the situation you're looking for.

My experience in the universe can be used to advise just as much as it can be used to lead.  I'll take the leadership position if you want, but what I won't do is work with anyone under my command who doesn't agree to follow my command.  I'd rather you stayed up here than do it in half measures."

OOC: I suspect these actions may have been lost in the shuffle...

PT, what were the results of these experiments?  :)

I gently smile.

"Why are we here, if not to do our best to fulfill this mission?"

"And how can we do our best to fulfill this mission, if not to work in a coordinated fashion?"

"I certainly expect that any leader would draw upon the opinions, knowledge, and experience of the rest of the party, drawing upon our collective wisdom."

"But in the field of battle, there won't be time for decisions by committee.  We will need to work as a well coordinated, strongly led unit."

"We should certainly take time to reflect, and to pray, and seek the LORD's guidance.  But as things stand now, I, for one, think that you are appropriate for that leadership role."

Catching the snack from Krillis..  Thanks...  I picked up a skill from gluttony that will fill your stomach from eating the smallest amount of food... this could probably last me a couple meals.. maybe more.

Then looking towards the rest of the group...

Leadership?  Well, I offered to lead the last time we all met up, and I got knocked out...  what happened to that verser?  It isn't really important, but I don't enjoy the possibilities of what happens to anyone that volunteers to lead.  So, now, you WANT someone to lead?  You're not going to knock them out as well if they do something you don't like?  It seems to me like you might be a hypocrite Day..

You say that a proper adventuring group is like a military campaign and that you follow orders or die.  What if someone doesn't like your orders and decides to try and knock you out?  Would you allow it, because it is what you would do in their situation?  Or would you allow them to explain themselves and let things play out?

On the condition none of you try to kill me, I'll make the same offer as the last time I ran into a couple of you..  If you need a leader, I'll lead, but I look at the big picture, assess the skills of everyone involved and go from there.  It will probably be similar as to Day's way of doing things...except that I really don't care about light or darkness, good or evil.  If someone needs to die so that we can press forward, then someone will die.  We're all skilled versers, so I'm sure there are ways around situations, but if that isn't the case, then the most useless will die first, so that we aren't being dragged behind.

Some of you may not agree to how I do things, but being agreeable doesn't win a war.  Taking action and doing what is best in your situation does, and having been in several myself, preparing to lead another army, before coming here, I can lead if you'll agree to it.  But everyone would need to fully explain all that they can do, so that I could take it all in and make informed decisions about what to do in a situation.

Information is one of the best weapons in any campaign.  Wars are won and lost because of information.

OOC: And Avahur knows it was Day who knocked him out...how exactly?  I've been watching and waiting for this event for quite some time and Avahur has never, in any thread I've observed, EVER found out what happened.  He might have, but I haven't seen it.

IC: "Avahur, first of all, I said I didn't want to be leader.  You call me a hypocrite because I say that you need to follow orders or die if I'm leader? Finally, and this is rather important...I have a very good memory, and while I was talking about the importance of a leader, at no time did I EVER say 'Avahur I will follow you as Leader.'

And to be honest, I AM willing to follow you if it means the most party unity.  I will also say that given what I've seen so far, that isn't entirely a bad idea simply because you and Krillus seem to have the most animosity towards each other.....so putting one of you in charge could defuse that.

But to be honest Avahur, I also didn't suggest you as leader because in my assessment, I think I'd count about....4....members of the party that wouldn't follow you to a picnic, much less into hell itself.

And if someone decides they don't like my orders and try to knock me out, then I'd allow them to explain themselves if we're not in combat or immediate peril, but the odds would be pretty steep against them.  I don't plan on shooting people pointlessly.  But the difference between the situation in the building and now is that if anyone follows me, they do so voluntarily, not just because of expediency, which is a different set of standards for me.

And finally, honestly Avahur, if you want to go into the dungeon entirely on your own I'm not going to stop you and would benefit from it.  I asked you to swear not to kill me, so basically you'd have to attack someone else here except in self defense for me to take action against you, because that's the way I interpret the oath even though I technically didn't make one.

If you volunteered to follow me, then that would change and I would reserve the right to kill you if I thought you were plotting something.  Then again, I'm being up front about all of this, so I don't honestly believe you'd be plotting something."

Krillis,

The sky is clear. It seems the thunder was a result of the laser rifle firing. A moment's reflection reminds you that a lightning bolt is a high-energy beam that heats the air, and shoves it aside. Once the beam passes, the air collapses back, and causes the thunder.  A similar process must be in effect for the laser rifle.

As to what you've learned from the Lady Gwen.

1@4 General Undead Knowledge with 1@6 Vampiric Knowledge. Also, you've learned how to turn the undead 1@2 and Cause Sunlight 1@1.

Oak,
The white crystal is very intriguing,and seems harmless, and you venture into it with your mind...and realize at the last that its setting hooks into you to control you, and drag you further into its depths. Lucas, you see Oak's face go slack as he holds the crystal, and then an expression of fear flicker across his face before it goes completely slack.

Oak,
You're in a white walled room. An alien is speaking to you. At first you can't understand it, but then its repeated message becomes all too clear as its repeated over and over.

"You will obey the master of the cube, subject species. You will use your TK as the master of the cube desires. You will obey the master of the cube, subject species. Go deeper into the cube. You will obey the master of the cube, subject species."

PT

Tom thinks a moment, "Well, all these questions will keep.  I think we definitely agree that we need supplies, and I think that Jhiaxus is right that staying here is a really bad idea.  I know that the local lord has been desperate for people to take care of their wolf problem, so he's probably willing to supply us without spending gold if we show up there.

As a side note, normally I'm not a big fan of defiling nature, but since they tried to kill me, anyone with magic powers that wants to show off by killing a wide variety of animals or trees proactively as we travel is fine by me."

OOC: All Avahur knows is that his mind and body communications disintegrated in a fleeting moment of pain and shock, and then things went black. He woke up, and had to 'put his mind back together again.'

Its a fair deduction on his part that it was one of the other versers there in the room at the time.

PT

OOC: Well obviously.  In fact, there are several versers here who were there at the time who he could ask or could have asked in the previous gather.  Heck, he could ask Tom himself.  All I'm saying is that he never did even that.  He could have asked Ares or a supernatural spirit.  Hiding the information is not something I could realistically do in the context of  game like this..at least not without hiding it from every other person there.

I'm merely saying that Avahur doesn't have reason to know it right now.  That I'm aware of.  If he just wants to be suspicious of everyone that was there by definition, that's certainly well within his character's paradigm too.  He just doesn't KNOW it was me.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:14, Wed 03 Dec 2008.

:: I must still be with the others physically, in the same universe. ::

:: Dearest LORD, please strengthen my mind now, and free me from this place, and return me to where I was with the others a moment ago.  Grant me the strength to serve you and you alone, now and always.  I pray in the Name and Power of Jesus Christ...  Amen. ::

OOC: I'm agreeing with you Tom. You can stop arguing. You've won.:)

I will listen and watch and use my telepathy to just get a basic feeling from everyone.
Then I will say," I have nothing of the needed equipment, I only have the clothes on my back and my faith in the almighty Lord."
I will pause and I notice Jhiaxus staring at my back side.
I give him a smile and nod and continue,
" I agree with Oak, we should go quickly to get our supplies and we can decide the leadership then, and we can ask the almighty for guidence in these matters."
Her clothing would be kind of tettered and unkept for not wearing them in a long time, her shirt will be low cut and she is not wearing a bra, she got used to not wearing one.

While waiting, I concentrate a bit and touch the ground.  Then, after a few key words, erect a mount in the ground, a couple feet thick and about 4ft high.  Then, I proceed to sit on it, and wait to see what happens.

Tom looks at the small mount and asks, "Avahur, can you create objects in addition to summoning the mount that you're on?"

I can create some of the basic elements, Fire, Water, Wind, and Control Earth to an extent.  Objects?  With dirt, sure, it is possible that I can do a few things... and there is always experimentation that can be done to see what else, but if you mean for setting off traps.. I can throw a few things around so that any traps in front of us that get set off by motion will be known.  I'd also in a previous world, had to survive a deadly maze as an entrance exam to the country, and that was interesting.

So, there are a variety of things I could potentially do.. and there is a spell I know that I haven't tried, but only because when I saw the spell performed it was high level and beyond my grasp of magic at the time.  So, I only wait for an opportunity to use it... one where I'll die if I don't, but if I do, I might die anyway..  Messing around with magic that is beyond your capabilities is never a good thing... it took me a few weeks to recover, the last time it happened..

"Well that is certainly a master of the elements.  It sounds like you'll definitely be the resident wizard when it comes to magic.  I mainly asked because it could save us a trip back through the forest.  My instinct says that it would be better if we could go in now....but I'm not going to be marching people in with nothing more than the clothes on their back.  I don't want you to cast a spell that will harm yourself, I can respect the power of magic and what it can do.  Moving too fast with it would cause....problems."

*now finishing his circuit right next to Amanda, and fixated on her chest*


*pokes Oak's body*

Well Oak is catatonic, so if we do go, we can either carry him with us or leave him here. I don't feel right on the latter option, I think I can throw him over my shoulder, but let's decide a coarse of action immediately.

Jhiaxus

Tom looks at Oak with concern.  He looks at Krillus, "Is he supposed to do that?"

He says a quick internal prayer to ask if it is OK to leave Oak like this.

"Damn, I wasn't sure about that thing.  Mind looking after my body for a little while?  Look in my gray magic book, 'Defenses and the Senses' for something that could help out."

I look to Kox.  --Keep an eye on me.--

I'll go up to Oak and put my hand to his head, like I saw Drake do once when he helped me enter someone's mind.  I do the connection for better focus on Oak.

I'll use the spell to Break Enchantment of Sleep on Oak, with hopes that it might be related to a knock-out spell.

If that doesn't work, I enter my Altered Mental State and attempt my hardest to get into Oak's mind.  At first entry, I'm just trying to see what Oak might be feeling at the moment.  I'll keep an image of the drak voir stone (my mental block) in my mind, in case whatever might be happening could be harmful towards me.

"Two minutes and then I smash the crystal."

I see Oak's condition and before Jhiaxus can react I run ove to him, kneel beside him and begin to pray,"Oh great Lord I ask you to help and watch over my good friend  and your great servant Oak I humbly ask for your aid if he requires it, also great Lord I ask humbly for your assistance in equiping ourselves to enter this dungeon to help save millions of people, please great ord aid us and guide us. I pray in Jesus's name Amen."

Lucas listens to Krillis, in hopes of learning more.
 "Hmmm, nope the magic isn't working for me. Canyou giveme anyfurthertips?"
He goes trough Krillis' stuff and pulls out a grey book. "Thistheone? Chaptersomething,DefensesandtheSensesImnotsureIshouldbetheonetosportyouonthis."
Lucas tries to read attentively, but the hunger eats away at his focus.
 "Ok, Irecognizethesymbols forwater andfire, but I can make heads or tails out of the rest. It's all so strange, so alien. Avahur, you know about these 'magic elements', can you explain some of it to me?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:22, Thu 04 Dec 2008.

*drapes his leather duster over Amanda as he watches her pray over him, and stands watching around them, not liking the general feeling of this place*

Jhiaxus

Tom waits two minutes and if the efforts of the others have not saved Oak by that time, he smashes the crystal to bits.

Amanda,

You pray a blessing on the party, and everyone feels strengthened and fortified. +@1 to Improve Skill for new use (large party).

Oak and Krillis,

You're not sure which works. Both of you feel buoyed up by energy, and suddenly the white walled room is shredded, and Oak is aware of his surroundings once again.

+@1 to Krillis, and 1@2 for Oak for Breaking Sleep Spell from Inside.

Amanda,

You pray again. Nothing seems to happen although you felt sure your prayer was answered.

All,

I have a motion to have Day as party leader. I have another motion to have Hadrian as party leader. Both are excellent choices, and you can register your votes now, or PM them to Lucas (who will be able to read  your face anyways unless you've got a good poker face.)

You see a wolf climb from the backside to appear on top of the mound.  Its obviously studying your group.

All of you feel strong, quick, and unusually graceful. Its not something that surpasses anything you've ever felt. Instead, its like you very definitely got up on the right side of the bed. Its that 'I'm having a great day' feeling.

PT
OOC: I think that has got it.

OOC: I abstain from voting. Hadrian is too smart to be considered trustworthy. Anyone he voted for would have to be disqualified, because if Hadrian voted for him then he probably knows something the others don't, and if anything we want this to be a fair election, right?

Hadrian was relieved to see Oak back in the world of the conscious again. It would have been troublesome to get back to the village for supplies and a more thorough process of planning without his telekinetic powers and sight.

"Now that we are all healthy, awake and properly introduced, I would like to suggest we start moving."

"As you can see we are starting to attract unwanted attention to ourselves, and should leave accordingly," Hadrian said with a gesture toward the wolf on the mound, "I suggest we travel in a set formation, for safety. Unless you have any objections I would like to ask Oak and Avahur to take point, with Day following directly behind giving directions. Myself and our multi-weaponed friend here will make up the rear guard, with Amanda and Lucas in between us. Krillis, I'd like to ask you to stay close to Amanda and Lucas, but if we find ourselves attacked, assess the situation and go where you feel are most needed."

"So group, shall we be off?"


@ PT: If coming here wasn't like ordinairy versing, did all our stuff come with us, if not, can we assume Hadrian brought his things anyway (after all, throwing on a coat, putting on a hat and picking up a cane shouldn't take more than a moment)? It's the sword cane I am worried about here. I just remembered that it might be a good idea to be armed, just in case.

I'll say aloud, "Let's have Hadrian lead us through the woods.  If nothing more, I like his formation."

I look over to the wolf, before taking my place in the formation, and I'll dogtalk to it. 

I take my position, near Lucas and Amanda, no matter the response.  I'll say to the two of them, "Don't worry.  I've got your backs, Hadrian put me with the two of you for a reason, and he seems pretty capable."

"If it's okay with the two of you, I'll be reading your thoughts on the way, and if you ever see anything sneaking around, just think it at me, and maybe pull on my arm for my attention."

I'm ready to leave whenever the group is, and will follow the formation when we head out.  If Lucas and Amanda give me permission to read their minds during the trip, I will.

I'll equip myself so the switchblade is reachable on my belt while I have the club in my right hand.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:20, Fri 05 Dec 2008.

I blink as my perception of the outside world returns.

:: Thank you for your deliverance, dearest LORD. ::

I TK the white gem back to where Krillis' other belongings are, where I originally TKed it from in the first place.

"Beware of that white crystal, Krillis.  It is dangerous to attempt to use it."

"This probably a useful reminder to us all, if we encounter any items within."

As soon as the wolf appears, I stretch out my telepathic senses toward it, and observe as Krillis talks to it.

When Hadrian finishes speaking, I respond softly as I continue my observations.

"Please wait a moment, before we depart..."

OOC: I've already made my leadership vote in character, with the reasoning behind it.  But no offense Hadrian!  :)

*had said all that I wish to say on the matter, somewhat annoyed that the leadership by committee is taking forever to just decide on a single leader and when we should be going, puts on my helm for my armor, leaning on my axe, waiting for us to get moving, stealing a glances toward Amanda while I wait*

I fall in line with the formation, and continue my lessons with Krillis.
 "Ok, I forgot the 'amen' bit, any other tips?"
I practice on some trees along the way.
 Fire. Symbol fire. Fire tree. symbol fire tree.
 "amen."

I fall in line and wait for the others..

Tom watches the dog very closely and how it reacts to Krillis.  He also takes his position and will guide the group as it moves with the best directions that he has.  He'll use the compass if need be.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:34, Fri 05 Dec 2008.

*gets board and searches through his pack and sees the portable hole he never did anything with and starts opening it up and playing with it*

Jhiaxus

Lucas is momentarily distracted from his practice by JhiaxusHACK's portable hole.
 "...Burn tree Am. Is that a hole you're holding? OMGWTFcanItouchit?"
Lucas tries to touche the hole, completely ignoring the paradox that is touching a lack of matter.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:00, Sat 06 Dec 2008.

*looks at Lucas*

Did you eat paint chips as a kid? Don't touch the portable hole, or you might lose a limb inside it. I'm trying to figure out just all the uses for it in a dungeon.

Jhiaxus

 "If I can't touch it, how do you wield it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:59, Sat 06 Dec 2008.

I nod to Hadrian, and take up my position in the middle of the group.
I look at Krillis and say,"I trust he has his reasons, I am a noncombatant I use the power the angel gave me, and my inner strength to protect myself and others. I do not mind you reading my mind, I also have mind reading abilities, and telekinetic abilities."
As we get ready to head out I will pray," God watch over us on our journey through this forest, guide and protect us as we travel on mighty Lord, I pray in Jesus's name Amen."

*sighs*

I weild it because I earned it, and it's not to say you can't touch it. I'm saying don't touch it because you don't know what I'm going to do with it, hence you can lose a limb.

*pauses*

Can we please get going here? We need to get going through the evil forrest, so we can get to civilization, so we can get supplies, and a warm bed for the night. The position of bed warmer is open as well.

*looks at Amanda and grins at his last comment*

Jhiaxus

Hadrian,

Yes, you picked up your stuff, especially making a point of grabbing your swordcane. After all, you knew you were heading into trouble.

Unless you object, I'm going to assume you went with Krillis' suggestion.

All,

Day is now Chieftain and has all the perks which come with that.  Mainly the priviledge of tearing his hair out on regular occasions....

Krillis,

You try to talk to the wolf.

Its startled.

*Druid? The small, stinky men hurt me. I must go or they will hurt me more.* It spins about and vanishes over the crest of the hill.

New use +@1, talk to wild-ish/opposed animal.

Oak,

You catch the wolf's thoughts, and see an image of very short, heavily armed, and disciplined humanoids with near pure black skin, and blood-red eyes, and carnivorous teeth.

+@1 for new use, read surface thoughts to animals.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:26, Sat 06 Dec 2008.

Amanda will smile at JHiaxus and hold her position awaiting for the group to head out, she will also watch the wolf and say a silent prayer to try to get more info on the wolf.

Lucas,

Your attempts at spellwork continue to meet with failure. At one point, you almost felt something ignite in your mind, but then it extinguished as you examined that feeling.

Day,

Your compass leads you onward.  Whether its Amanda's prayer, or the size of the party, or that you intimidated the forrest last time through it, the forrest seems quiet.

All,

A woman of astonishing dirtiness is sitting on a stone up ahead. Mud cakes her face, and dust ripples when she moves an arm. Bones dot her tangled hair. She is facing you.

"Hail, priest of a war god. There has been a misunderstanding....on both our parts. I had thought you were in alliance with the forces in the mound as you walked in my woods without my leave." She grits her teeth. "However, I could have inquired further." She glares at a towering oak tree nearby. "Happy now?"

Tom presumes she's talking to him.  "My god has a wide portfolio.  War is...well, let us say that that is not the aspect I most represent.  I apologize for not asking your intent upon meeting you as well." Granted she'd her minions trying to eat his face off at the time...."We have been sent to cleanse the mound, but there are certain basic supplies which must be obtained for my companions before they can do so.  Can you help us? If not, your aid in returning to the town would be appreciated."

To Lucas, "Lucas, I will happily teach you spell casting when I can, but please stop messing around with the cosmic forces of the universe because I'd rather not be turned into a Bannister."

I move over to Lucas for a moment.

"Listen, because your attempts at magic are making me laugh, and I find the manner in which you're trying to learn to be rather ineffective.  I've got something that should be fine in getting you started.

A person gathers energy to their feet just before then need to sprint, they gather it to their legs when they are going to kick something.  Now, I'm telling you to gather energy in your hand, then, snap your fingers.  In the process of snapping your fingers, say the word 'flamma.'  If all goes well you should produce a small flame, go from their, and if you can do it repeatedly, then I'll tell you something useful.

The rest of you feel free to try it as well, its useful for setting things on fire, creating a small amount of light, or for cooking.  It has its other uses, and so long as you bring energy to your hand the flame will continue. However, for those of you lacking stamina, I don't recommend holding a flame for a while.  Since it uses your energy, it can be quite tiring."

After the short speech, I go back towards the front ish...

Tom smiles ruefully, "Any other time and any other world, I'd try it.  I need to increase my skills....but I can't.  Thank you though, for the lore."

I gather energy in my hands as I walk, I say a silent prayer to God to aid me and help me open up to the magic, and I summon as much power as I can and then snap my fingers and say 'Flamma'.

I see the woman, but when Day responds I'll stop worrying.

I'll keep my eyes on the trees around me, and the woman as well, but I'll talk to Hadrian.  "Back there, when I talked to that wolf, it told me that some people were hurting it.  It gave me the impression that it's doing some evil force's bidding because of fear."

I abstain from trying out the spell, because I already have my own way of making fire.

When the wolf near the mound departs after talking to Krillis, I gaze upon the scene quietly for several long moments.

:: Dearest LORD, please open my eyes to better understand this place, by glimpsing what has passed here, and what will pass, if it be pleasing in your sight.  I pray in the Name and Power of Jesus Christ...  Amen. ::

And with that, I stretch forth my postcognitive and precognitive senses toward the mound and the surrounding area.

After this attempt, I thoughtfully take my requested place in the party's formation...

-=-

As we set off, I attempt to scout the area around and ahead of the party, stretching forth my clairvoyance, and my Sight, and my telepathic senses.

:: Dearest LORD, please grant us your protection as we travel, and open my eyes to see and my ears to hear and my heart to understand, that I may sense any danger, and that I may discern between good and evil.  I pray in Jesus' Name...  Amen. ::

And as we encounter the woman, I stretch forth my telepathic senses and Sight toward her, as well as toward the oak tree she talks to...
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:05, Sat 06 Dec 2008.

Lucas tries Avahur method of fire-magic, if only because the urge to follow up every third 'amen' with a overly stereotyped 'hallelujah! Praize ouw Lawd!' became to much bare.
 <snap>"Flama!"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:44, Sat 06 Dec 2008.

"That is a very interesting piece of information," Hadrian said to Krillis in a lowered voice.

"I was afraid that the evil we are up against was influencing or corrupting the wildlife to do its bidding through supernatural means, but if it drives them through fear then we might be able to lessen or sever its grip by removing the medium with which it induces this fear in the animals."

Hadrian proceeded to scratch his chin, thinking about what Krillis had told him and listening to what was being said between the party and the filthy hag.

Earlier, Hadrian had, like Krillis, refrained from trying out Avahur's fire spell, but he had taken note of it and decided to ask Avahur to give all of them a bit more thorough instruction in how to use it. Having the ability to light up torches or create campfires could be useful if the had to travel deep under ground, without access to firewood or a source of flame.

"Aid, well, I can conjure fruit and nuts from trees, and speak to them so that they hold their virtue for many weeks for the fruit and a full year for the nuts. I can take you to a pure spring not far from here, and a salt lick."

She thinks for a moment.

"I can instruct the forrest to let you pass with ease. What else have you need of? And why are you leaving the Mound of Ancient Days?"

PT

"If you will notice, several of our number do not have ropes, a light source, arms or armor.  They are all powerful but without basic tools if there are dire circumstances down there then they will be quickly killed.  The power of the mound must be stopped.  The fruit and nuts would be quite helpful as would the passage."

Lucas,

You conjure up a ball of fire in your hand about the size of a grapefruit, and feel a sudden faintness as beads of sweat pop out on your brow.

1@1 Create Fire, variable size, drains personal energy

Amanda,

You create a huge ball of fire in your 'hand', more in front of you. You're dropping to the ground, its hits the ground near you. You're trembling with exhaustion, and you smell burnt hair, and your face, arms and hands feel hot.

1@2 Create Fire, variable size, drains personal energy

OOC: Key phrase--as large as I can.

The rest of you see Amanda flattened somehow, and a ball of fire the size of a beach ball that hits the ground and starts to spread as the tinder and underbrush ignites.  Amanda is right next to it.

Oak,

You see the two statues as beings of fire with wisdom and power in their eyes. The man is stern and righteous. The woman is full of mercy. From their feet fire circles the dome, holding in the pit of foul darkness.  The Light and the Dark are so overwhelming that you cannot distinguish anything.

You reach out with your precog, and run into a wall. With your postcog, you see a man in black armor being dragged by armed men in chain mail and women in silk, and carried through the space between the two statues like its a path, and ....nothing.

She's grouchy, and still suspicious of your teams's good intentions.  The tree has a dryad in it who is talking to her. Your attempt to reach the dryad's thoughts runs into confusion. It always seems if you press this way, or that, that you'll reach her mind, but it never works out.

Hadrian and Krillis,

"You are a wise men and. Indeed, I feel a shadow on my heart, and I weep to see the pain my poor wolves are in." She does weep too, leaving tracks cuts in the sandy beaches of her face. "I believe that Sir Holmesby the master of the town is responsible. After all, he is a worshipper of strange things. He worships his ancestors. Bizarre. I very rationally worship the trees and the life in them."

PT

I listen to the woman, but then I'm distracted by the two people that I've been looking after.  I look down at Amanda, on the ground with fire near her.  That's what you get when you mess with dangerous magic, I guess...

I'll take my time to visualize the water symbol, while looking at the actual symbol on my left hand glove.  I'll generate a good amount of water, and shoot it down at the fire that's on the ground.

Once that's done, I put one hand on Amanda and other other on Lucas.  I'll flow a little healing energy into them to make them feel a little better.  "I don't know if we have enough time for you two to get a handle on that spell.  It seems dangerous, potentially lethal.  'Flamma' is the latin word for flame.  It seems like you're just calling on the power of fire from within you to the outside, perhaps a burst of exothermic activity."

Seeing the large amount of fire being created hitting the ground, I quickly extend both my hands towards the fire and shoot a healthy amount of water at the fire to douse it and to cool Amanda off.

"Like I said, it drains your energy, fire needs to be controlled, if not, then it can spread quickly and well, you see what happens when you don't control how much energy you put in it.  It is a simple spell, so it shouldn't kill you if you dumped too much into it, it'll just make you extremely exhausted.  That can't be helped.

Well, once your both on the way to recovering a bit, I can create some water for you to drink.."

 "Ooooh, soooo hungry... must eat... drink... do any of you guys have something to eat? Avahur, you said you know a trick for eating? Krillis do you have any more of those candybars?"

He looks at the creature's face attentively, hoping to focus his attention on something other than his screaming gut.

*shakes his head at all this*

*gets bored, and is says*

"Fade ex sight"

*using both arms, to perform the spell, looking to do a 5@8 Invisibility spell, repeat facter 1/360 *6 hours, effect lasts 6 hours unless the user ends the spell early from making an attack on another being, example is the invisibility spell in my Hackmaster Book*

*If I am going to be stuck here with a bunch of morons, might as well practice some spells that aren't so flashy*

Jhiaxus

I look back at Amanda with concern after her fireball, but relax as I see her (and the resulting fire) taken care of by the others, and resume my clairvoyant sentry duties as I continue to examine our surroundings.

-=-

I regard the woman with genuine empathy, for I also am burdened by the fear-and-pain-enforced bondage of the wolves.

"What do you know of this mound, and the forces within?  How long ago did it first appear, and what was the manner in which it came to be as it is now?  How did the statues of Justice and Mercy come to stand guard there, and restrain the evil within?  What do you know of these very short, heavily armed, and disciplined humanoids with near pure black skin, and blood-red eyes, and carnivorous teeth, who inflict pain upon the wolves?"

"We are indeed summoned to do what is necessary to cleanse this mound, and to free the creatures who are currently in this fear-and-pain-enforced bondage.  Anything aid you can give us, and any information you can tell us of the forces that would oppose us, may be of use."

My voice is gentle as I ask her of these things.  And my telepathic senses and Sight remain stretched out toward her as I proceed...
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:49, Tue 09 Dec 2008.

I shake my head and try to stand as I do I say,"I guess I have to be careful on how much power I put into that, thank you everyone, again I apologize."
I stand wobbly and then say," I could use some food and water as well."
I will silently pray to God for forgiveness and let him know I have learned my lesson I ask him to give me the strength to continue and to heal my wounds.

Krillis and Avahur put out the fire before it spreads to consume Amanda. Amanda needs healing, but Lucas doesn't, and Krillis supplies that need while Avahur helps them replenish their energy a bit with good clean water.

"Hungry man, you may eat of those berries without harm." The druidess points to a vine that drapes over several trees, and is hung with small patches of green berries.

Sighing, Jhiaxus turns invisible, and works on practising his magics. 1@1 Invisibility.

Amanda, you apologize to God, and receive amused laughter in return.

Oak, she turns to you at the last.

"You ask many questions, sage. The Mound was here long before me. I recognize the gods who stand outside, the Lord of Justice, and the Lady of Mercy as do you." Day, you recognize the typical way of speaking here. Most gods here don't seem to have a given name as much as a role they play. "Some call the woman Kwan Lei. It is said that a very long time ago, centuries, that a crusade was called, and the temple here was overthrown. I know of short humanoids in plenty. Those with coal black skin and red eyes would be kobolds, but none would call them disciplined or particularly dangerous. They are less than goblins who are less than orcs."

She gets up and motins for you to follow her.  She takes you on a smooth path through the woods, and arrives in an orchard in the midst of the woods. She sings, and the trees seem to listen.

"Pick what you desire of fruit and nuts, and it will be well. I shall return shortly."

She leaves and comes back an hour later with two objects in her hands. One is a ring of gold with a picture of a humanoid eating a pie. The other is a hilt of a sword, but not blade. Both are very well crafted.

"Magic, but not of the sort I would use. They are of little value to me. Take them."

PT

He bows politely to the Druidess Dirt, "Thank you for assistance in this.  Do you think we could make ropes of the vines and acquire spears from fallen trees?"

"If these do what I think they should do, then we should give the ring to Lucas.  I've had bio mods and I was VERY dangerous to be around while they were taking effect.  Lucas, you seem much safer fortunately, but getting you food is a good idea.  Who here does not have a weapon?"

He finally said, "The Kobold in RPG lore where I came from was a bit of a joke in the early days of the world because you could smash them in incredibly huge numbers in a short period of time, but there were also many in later years who made it a personal challenge to show just how deadly one could be with such 'harmless' creatures.  If you've ever seen the Looney Toons where Bugs Bunny has a bounty of two cents place on him you get the idea.  We will need to be VERY careful inside of the mound.  I have a few ideas for standard methodology that will help us somewhat avoid the traps, assuming psionics work.  I warn you, it will be boring, but it will help us succeed."

*walks up to Amanda, and slides the duster aside and places my hand on her bare flesh below her neck*

Rise and be healed, by the power of Greyskull I have the power!

*trying to heal her before deciding what spell he should try to learn next*

Jhiaxus

Lucas greedily partakes in the bounty provided. He seems to have a preference for oily nuts over fruit, but on a whole a balanced meal.
 "I would <munch> gladly take this beautiful gift, but what exactly is it for? Sure it looks like a ring of food-ity-ish, but I don't know what that is or how it works."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:09, Tue 09 Dec 2008.

"If I were to guess, I'd say that it is a ring of sustenance that will feed you."

*grins*

Or it is a Ring of Gluttony, either way, should be amusing the results.

"Not disciplined, and not dangerous, at least as they are usually known?  And yet, the image of them within the mind of the afflicted wolf was different.  Curious..."

I also give a polite bow to the woman.

"Thank you for these kind gifts.  Do you know what they do?"

In response to Day, I reply...

"Clairvoyance, Telepathy, Telekinesis, and Postcognition appear to work in this world, at least to some degree.  However, thus far the former only appears to function outside of the mound, and I haven't tried any of the others within yet.  I have not been able to look within, through the barrier that the statues use to restrain the evil within.  It is possible that these abilities will function when activated from within... or that these abilities won't function within at all."

OOC: PT, am I able to see Jhiaxus through my Sight?  :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:15, Tue 09 Dec 2008.

"If we can't see through the walls, then we're going to have to do a whole different Standard Operating Procedure, and it will make the one with psionics look simple by comparison.  And it will be REALLY boring...but it will drastically increase our odds of staying alive.

If we're very lucky, TK will work even if it doesn't work through walls.  Of course, the most deadly traps are going to be the ones with the Kobold's watching and setting them off at will.  Which will be the reason WHY we'll be doing this slowly."

Give me the hilt of the sword... there are a couple things I'd like to try first, and if someone else needs a weapon they can have it.. I'd just like to try a few things out with the hilt....

"If I may," Hadrian interrupted.

"If it is decided that we take our time to prepare before venturing forth, then I might be able to share some insight into the makings of conventional traps, in the form of a simple lecture. Knowing how the traps we face work might help in avoiding them. If nothing else it might help to increase awareness of the the dire need to avoid walking them."

Hadrian looked briefly over the items the group had been gifted with, but didn't seem to find any of them interesting - although his eyes lingered slightly on the hilt than on the ring.

"Also, in addition to a certain standard of equipment, I feel that I must demand that each member has a certain standard of abilities before we attempt on the mound. For some this will not prove a problem, but for others, such as myself, it will take some time to learn the skills necesary. Being able to summon enough flame to light a torch without consuming large amounts of energy, being able to summon enough water to extinguish said torch, being able to heal simple injuries, being able to defend oneself in melee combat and being able to use at least some form of offensive and protective magic are just some of the skills that would increase our chance of survival by a healthy amount. If every party member cannot do these things then they will be constantly depending on the others for defense against monster, healing from minor wounds and help with smallish tasks, thus becoming more of a burden then an asset."

Hadrian let his eyes wander up into the treetops for a few moments, then nodded, as if confirming something to himself.

"I think if we spend about a month training and gathering equipment and resources we will be able to increase the chance of successfully completing this task with minimal losses by, say, forty to fifty percent."

"I realize we don't have that kind of time to spend, and to give you the option I can devise a training plan compromised to two weeks, but it will not yield the same results as the longer one," Hadrian said.

He looked around and shrugged, as if this was important, but ultimately not his decision to make.

Unless Tackled, Tom hands the sword to Avahur.

Tom thinks deeply about this, "My concern is the wolves.  The druidess believes that the Lord of the Town is responsible and the Townsfolk believe the druidess responsible.  It is my believe that the influence of the mound is leaking out, and that whatever is sealed inside is in danger of escaping.  If I can get a confirmation that we have two weeks, I'd be delighted to take them."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:06, Tue 09 Dec 2008.

"Well," Hadrian said to Day, "I can't give you confirmation that we have time, but I can at least tell you what I think. There is an evil presence here, seeping out of the mound, that much is obviously true, but I do not think it is as present as it could be. Krillis told me that the wolf at the mound had seemed scared of the creatures forcing it to do what it was doing, and what those creatures could do to punish it. If the attacking wolves are driven by fear of pain, then that is significantly different from being supernaturally compelled to do an evil entities bidding. This evil is probably very strong, but if it were near to escaping I think it would have been more present, its influence more powerful, instead of being content with spooking wolves into attacking villagers.

Lastly, if Oak could not look past the barrier, then that is, at the very least, evidence that the barrier still holds strong."

Hadrian stopped and looked at Day, and only Day.

"I can't give you a straightforward answer, although I probably wouldn't even had I known the truth of things, but I can give you a best guess. I think that we have some time before this situation goes from bad to worse. I also think that if we can't give ourselves two weeks to prepare at the very least, then most of are going to die face down in the dirt inside that mound, and if this evil is truly something that requires eight capable verser to kill, then the rest will follow along shortly."

"Rationally speaking, I agree with you.  However, since we are dealing with matters of the divine here, I want to be sure."

He thinks a moment and looks to the Druidess, "Please instruct the forest to leave me alone for the moment.  I'll be back shortly."

Tom goes a bit into the woods, not too much, within shouting distance of the group but far enough to be just out of sight, where he kneels and prays.

"Lord, I need to know if this is an issue which cannot wait two weeks.  Please enlighten me unto Thy Will.  In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

I really chose poor company this time...  why can't I ever find some people that aren't lawful good, and instead were close to my own alignment...  Then again, if there were eight neutral evil people standing around together, nothing would get done...  Oh well...  if only we were in the presence of people a bit less....good aligned.  Ajax...  care to spar a bit?  If we've got time...

Avahur proceeded to sit on the ground with his eyes closed, a little bit away from the group.  Focusing deeply, he started to rise a few feet off of the ground.

Lucas, having finally sated his hunger, takes his time to behold his company. He is drawn to Avahur, who hovers sulking just outside of the group.
 Look at this guy, he's like an emo at prom-night; too superior too join in, but too desperate for attention to leave. Well isn't this his lucky day, cause he has the skills I want, and plenty of time to teach me and be disappointed in me at the same time.
Lucas pulls off his hoodie and waves his hand over Avahur, feeling for strings.
 "Woaw, so you're like, totally flying! Could you teach me that too?"

*ignores the rest while they waste time, setting to the task at hand*

*takes off his pack and opens up his Hackmaster book, thumbing through to the spell Detect Traps, looking add it to his abilities*

(Have no idea of where detects are without my book, but here goes, Detect Traps, Range Line of Sight, Lasts for 30 minutes, 1 minute casting time, saying "Reperio totus laqueus intus meus os." Using full body to cast)

*starts casting the spell*

Jhiaxus

Day,

You get an answer back: "No."

However, the druidess is happy to let you take spears and vines.

Jhiaxus,

You cast your spell.

You don't see any traps nearby. Whether it worked or not is hard to say.

Avahur,

You practise.

Tom returns, "I think we should take the month to practice properly.  And that means training and also getting the supplies that will make all of the difference here.  Technically I asked about two weeks, but I feel strongly if it will wait two weeks, it will wait a month.  I think Hadrian's idea of a training regimine is an excellent one.  I have some skills that might be helpful to add to that, including a spell that removes the need for sleep but for an hour, which should increase our training time."

Oak,

She shakes her head.

"I have no use for a sword being a cleric, and the ring did not work for me, not that I was greatly curious about it."

All,

You've gathered your vines, spears, fruit, and nuts needed for the expedition. Prayers revealed that there was enough time for a quick trip to town and back. No wolves bothered you on the way out, a two day trip, although some kept an eye on you.  However, they clearly decided that if one (Day) was a serious problem, a whole party of you was more than they were willing to tackle.

Those of you interested in learning magic are able to practise it further. I will take requests for learning one spell in transit for those who want to learn a spell.

Upon arriving in town, you find that there are no thieves in town, or so they claim.

There is a nasty bar/shack by the waterfront. And the respectable inn is run by a halfling.  Other than that, this is a logging town that is becoming a farming village due to resource depletion. Unfortunately with the wolves attacking, farming is becoming too hazardous to accomplish.

There is a small temple/priest's house (the front room is the temple) to the Lord of Justice. A blacksmith works, mostly making nails nowadays, and desultorily repairing a plow when you visit him.

The total number of houses and stores is about fifty total.

The people are very glad to see you as they've sent out letters asking for adventurers to come aid them.

The local lord is Sir Holmesby. He maintains a motte and bailey fort south of town, and  a manor house on the hill north of town. He rides his old-ish stallion down to greet the party.

I'm good for learning that sleep spell, after the greetings, I will head to the inn and speak to the halfling.


Jhiaxus

Tom will also practice the sleep spell regarding it as inherently safer than the ones involving elemental forces.

Upon arrival in town, Tom immediately begins praying in an inn room, 'stocking up' on prayers, being sure to vary each one enough that they are not vain repetitions.

He will pray the moderate healing, armor, 'bless' and 'dispel magic', which he then 'stores' in his holy symbol.  As many as he can in the time available.  He will also do the same thing when the group is camping at rest there and back.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:29, Wed 10 Dec 2008.

Hadrian will spend the trip to the town talking primarily to Jhiaxus and Krillis. Having seen briefly what they can do, and still thinking about his proposed training programme, he wants to know more about how much they know about magic.

Unless Jhiaxus refuses to teach it, Hadrian will try to learn the invisibility spell he saw Jhiaxus use earlier as they walk. If he manages to do it, he will continue to practise, exploring its capabilities and limitations, until they either arrive or he becomes physically tired due to the effort.

When they arrive in town, after all the trivialities such as finding lodgings for the party have been dealt with, Hadrian will take a stroll about the place, looking for suitable spots for training (open areas, fields, fenced-in areas, haystacks etc).

Unless it is very late in the day at this point Hadrian will talk to people about what has been going on with the forest in the last month, what services the town can provide (what do they farm here, is there anyone who knows enough about magic to teach it) and try to find out if the town is in such dire straits that they might be willing to donate weapons, armor and equipment.

At the end of the day he will return to the party at the inn and brief them on what he has discovered as well as bring up the training he propoes earlier, with examples from his stroll as to where they could perform their training.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:06, Wed 10 Dec 2008.

Well, first off, I'll investigate the ring, figure out exactly what it does: does it sate hunger, or just hide the feeling? How much nurishment will it provide per day and for how many days?

If I'm going to be the chef for the rest of the group, I'll need some ingredient's to do so properly. I've got a sword for big cuts, and a pocket-knife for small cuts, but unless we want to drag along whole animals I will need a bone-saw of a sort. Pots and pans would also be of use. On top of that I'll need either a book detailing local flora for consumption or fruits and vegetables, dried for longer preservation, and spices, ya can't ever go wrong with strong spice.

I'll work on Avahur's version of the element: fire-spell for small flames and his element: water-spell. If there is any time left, I'll ask someone for lessons in psyonics, preferably a version that I can perform without engaging in a full fledged sermon.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:03, Wed 10 Dec 2008.

*smiles and speaks to Hadrian*

This is the first world I have been in where magic has been high enough, and me not being forced to play a dwarf. I made those spells up on the spot, I base my spells out of the Hackmaster Player's Guide, gives me a reference point, and an example of the spell, makes learning spells easier.

*shrugs about teaching it, it's not hard, just follow the words, gestures, and I will help you with it*

*during various times if the trip, walks a little faster to catch up to whisper to Amanda, and make contact with her with his hands, and then falls back in line*

Jhiaxus

Before we depart the woman, I ask her if the dryad knows anything more about the mound, and if she would be willing to tell me about it...

OOC: I don't do arcane magic.  However, my wishlist for either divinely-powered gifts or psionic powers would be (in decreasing order of priority):

(*) Portal creation, or mass teleport (at least within a universe, ideally across universes, the more control over where and when to transport to, the better)

(*) Danger sense (the more lead time and greater insight as to the nature of the danger, the better)

(*) Protection from control or possession (the greater the protection and the more types of attack protected from, the better)

I spend as much time as possible getting to know the others, and listening to whatever tales they are willing to share about themselves, and the worlds they have been in.  If they have interesting skills to share, I'm all ears.  If folks desire to be taught by me, I am open to suggestions, time permitting.

When we arrive in town, I spend some time getting to know a few of the townsfolk, particularly those of other species and/or those who might know any interesting stories or bits of information about the mound, or the evils within.  The halfling innkeeper is at the top of my list, followed by the blacksmith.

I also use clairvoyance and telepathy to gather whatever information I am able from the folks in the nasty bar.

I pray to the LORD for guidance regarding the temple of the "Lord of Justice", seeking answers to the following questions:

(*) Is this "Lord of Justice" actually a local alias for the LORD, or is he one of His servants, or a false god, or a demon clothed in light?

(*) Is it appropriate for me to worship there?

(*) Is it appropriate for me to visit there, and seek any available information about the mound and what is within, and the statues there that restrain the evil within?

(*) Who else should I/we seek relevant information and/or training from?

(*) What skills and/or supplies will most be needed there?

And at some appropriate point, either as we walk or in private, either verbally or telepathically, I converse with Day.

"Friend Tom, I am concerned.  The first rule of having important data is to keep backups of that data... and you possess knowledge that may affect the welfare of billions."

"Do you think it would be wise for you to do a telepathic data dump to me of the relevant facts concerning your quest, and the universe you seek to bring assistance to?"

"That way, should it come to pass that you are struck down despite our best efforts, but I somehow survive, I may take up the quest in your place."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:01, Wed 10 Dec 2008.

A spell for sleep, eh?  That would be especially useful considering all the training that I myself do.  So if it is possible, I too would be in favor of learning that spell for sleeping.

Tom nods to Oak, "Yes, I'm most willing to let you do that."

I'll tap Oak on the shoulder once we reach the town, and talk a little lowly to him.  "You asked that woman back there about teleportation.  I thought I should tell you that I've sort of figured out how to teleport between universes; however, I can't really target on specific universes at all."

I will go with Hadrian to look around as well, with the thought that even in the town people shouldn't be traveling around alone.  Once we get back, I'll start running up a wall, as high as I can, to see if I've improved much since last time.

OOC: Actually, I would have asked the LORD in prayer, rather than the woman.  However, the topic of portals could have easily come up when chatting about past worlds of interest...  :)

To Krillis, I nod, and respond...

"When I was a superintelligence, I invented technological means to open portals between universes.  However, I also am unable to target, and this universe doesn't support such a level of technology anyway."

"Is your power from the LORD, or from your own mind, or through other means?  For as best as I am able to understand the relevant Scriptures, I am forbidden to practice magic, or call upon any other spiritual entity for aid, other than the LORD God Almighty."

To Day, I nod, and respond...

"It is well.  Let us take the first convenient opportunity, and do so.  For safety's sake, the sooner the better."

And as soon as such an opportunity arises, I proceed...
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:54, Wed 10 Dec 2008.

Jhiaxus,

"Fifty years ago, I'd have gone myself. The locals don't know what I did to get the money to start my inn, and I'd prefer to keep it that way. That said, if you're willing to come up to my room for a few hours each night, I can help you out."  He sighs. "No need to give me anything. The simple fact is that this town is dying, and if it dies, so does my inn. Besides, I like these humans. They're my friends."

Over the next month, you practise invisibility, and detect traps, and learn how to pick locks, detect pressure plates, find hidden doors, sneak better, climb better, and a bit of thiefwriting (a simple language with about twenty symbols).

OOC: Somehow I thought we were NOT staying the month.

During the course of the Month: If Hadrian has a schedule he follows that for up to 8 hours a day, but then does the following in addition to that:
6 Hours practicing the spells he knows.
6 Hours in Prayer and Meditation, both to increase his insight and understanding of the Lord's Plan and in preparation for the journey ahead.
2 Hours working on his Alchemistry.

If Tom seems the most skilled (And I doubt that he is) he will teach what spells he knows, fighting skills etc.  Whatever is needed for the schedule.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Wed 10 Dec 2008.

Day,

OOC: I thought it was go there, and go back, and No on the two weeks, but I'll work on being clearer. I just decided to go with it rather than argue it. Its okay, I'll just run the month very quickly.

IC:

You're fully stocked up on spells (obviously).

And you're almost as good as Avahur in swordfighting (although radically different styles....yours is Legionairre gladius combat, and  his is more freeform.) And you're a lot better in teaching how to fight.

There is a problem with armor. The blacksmith has a rusty set of gauntlets, and several farmers have oxhide vests. Sir Holmesby has an actual set of half-plate, but he's hanging on to it.  He does have a spare chain mail shirt and coif.

OOC: Regarding the armor.  Is there something in the Alchemy book about transmuting something into metal and if there is, would there be an Alchemistral equivalent?

If not, then we'll make due with the best we have, be it leather or even wood.  If the druidess is willing to cooperate, 'enchanted wood' might be workable.

Hadrian,

You're the reason Day found out about the lack of armor and weapons. There are a number of spears, and a LOT of axes, and a fair number of woodsaws.

Sir Holmesby is happy to lend you his sal d' armes with 'dummies' and spinning bars, and other bits of simple equipment, but mostly its got a combat ring.  Its a little small for the whole party at one time since its really only for Holmesby and his man-at-arms/personal servant.

Day takes over training.

There are difficulties. Jhiaxus has two swords, but after the first cut, it partially breaks and does not repair itself. It does manage to slice a spear haft through glass smooth. The edge of the cut wood is so sharp it cuts your finger when you run a thumb over it.

Lucas draws his angel sword, and it starts to sing. It lights up the area for about thirty feet wide, and flame runs up and down it. At first you think its you that its after because it sings in Norwegian about the destruction of the wicked and the joy of the righteous, but upon talking to the others they claim it was singing in English. It has a very nice baritone voice.

And when Avahur draws Ajax, there are other difficulties. Tom and Lucas have to leave for a while to calm their swords down.

Amanda has no special difficulties learning to use the sabre the halfling digs up for her, or the main-gauche' the knight finds for her.  However, its clear that both fellows wouldn't mind spending some time with her, and hope their gifts will endear them to her.

When Tom draws his sword, a certain ferocity enters his face, and he has to occasionally talk to his sword which seems to be of the opinion that their are wicked beings over in teh mound and Tom should leave instantly and go slay them all. His sword, or perhaps the air around it, occasionally moans and shrieks.

Oak,

You're out of swords, but they do have a nice dagger, and a good oak quarterstaff with metal knobs at the ends.

Lucas,

You enter the inn intending to find out about pots, and soon find yourself with a job. You cook, and they'll teach you everything you need to know, and give you pans to boot.

After a month, you've got 1@6 Inn Cookery, and 1@4 Camping Cookery. This includes knowing how to wring chickens necks, drop them in boiling water for removing feathers, starting campfires, making ham from pigs....

You put the ring on and nothing happens, but the halfling recognizes his ring.  He laughs and tells you the key word 'pie'. You say it, and your legs disappear. He laughs.

"Its a Ring of Halfling Invisibility. Meant for smaller people. I ...ah....lost it in the woods some time ago. But keep it, I have no need for it now."

You've practised your Flamma spell and the Fire spell that Krillis teaches you. The Flamma spell is easier and more variable in effect, but it tires you out greatly.  The other spell is harder, but it doesn't drain your personal energy.  At Hadrian's insistence you also learn EITHER Av's or Krill's water spell.  1@4 in all.

Amanda,

You learn how to control your Flamma spell from marble sized to something about a yard wide. 1@6 You also learn  how to economize on the energy expenditure, not letting your personal energy just fly out of you wildly.1@3. At Hadrian's insistence, you learn Krillis's water spell. 1@2

Jhiaxus is being attentive and charming, and he teaches you an invisibility spell.1@3.

Other than that, you learn how to fight like a swashbuckler. 1@4. However, others are better, and far better. You and Lucas are at the bottom of the pack, and he has that angel sword which makes fighting him in practise very difficult as he's hard to look at when he's holding it.

You also spend a considerable amount of time praying, and it seems very easy in this world to talk to God. Its as if the veil between the material and the spiritual is very thin.

PT

I'll go with Avahur's version of the water spell.
 "So what is the classification of this type of magic, elemental or arcane?"

*happy with the training, happy to teach people what he knows, and lets the knight and halfling know politely Amanda is spoken for*

*lets the party know he has gotten training in the arts of thievery, not giving up his source*

Jhiaxus

"Well... what do you want to know?  Magic is magic, its qualification doesn't make a bit of difference.  Arcane casters can create water, and so can those controlling the elements.  They both can do the same thing, so the classification doesn't really matter.  Call it what you want at the time so that it suits you.  If Arcane magic is banned in the world, then it's elemental magic.  If Elemental magic is banned, then it's Arcane.

What do you want to know about water?"

I explain to Oak, "I have some power with both.  I don't draw from God himself.  I use energy from within myself for a lot of my magic.  I manipulate healing energy in my body, and another special energy, used to create the Gates.  Another thing is that I do contact other entities on occasion, including Fenris and Morpheus.  Kox draws from Fenris whenever he grows in size for combat.  I don't contact demons of any sort, though."

If Oak wants, I'll try to teach him how to manipulate the Gate-making energy by letting him read my mind and memories of creating the interdimensional gates.

Through the month, I work on my physical fitness by running up walls and doing push ups and sit ups in my spare time.  I'm in favor of grabbing some spears and practicing with those over the course of the month, both with throwing light spears and using them in melee combat.  I'll practice throwing them at targets (trees, if I must) and fighting with Kox if I can't find an appropriate teacher.

OOC: I'll be able to post my activities for the month after I get the answers from msg #127... :)

Before we depart the woman, I ask her if the dryad knows anything more about the mound, and if she would be willing to tell me about it...

==She doesn't know anything more.

OOC: I don't do arcane magic.  However, my wishlist for either divinely-powered gifts or psionic powers would be (in decreasing order of priority):

(*) Portal creation, or mass teleport (at least within a universe, ideally across universes, the more control over where and when to transport to, the better)

(*) Danger sense (the more lead time and greater insight as to the nature of the danger, the better)

==You learn this over the month, but from your prayers you're aware its likely to be uselessin the mound. 1@4.

(*) Protection from control or possession (the greater the protection and the more types of attack protected from, the better)

==You learn protection from possession. 1@4

I spend as much time as possible getting to know the others, and listening to whatever tales they are willing to share about themselves, and the worlds they have been in.  If they have interesting skills to share, I'm all ears.  If folks desire to be taught by me, I am open to suggestions, time permitting.

When we arrive in town, I spend some time getting to know a few of the townsfolk, particularly those of other species and/or those who might know any interesting stories or bits of information about the mound, or the evils within.  The halfling innkeeper is at the top of my list, followed by the blacksmith.

==The town is human, except for the halfling innkeeper. There is a statue of a dwarf named "Polinax" in the center of town.  They know less of the mound than does the druidess, however you listen to many wild tales before you realize that they're re-telling stories they told each other as children.

I also use clairvoyance and telepathy to gather whatever information I am able from the folks in the nasty bar.

==There are a couple actual real thieves in town.

I pray to the LORD for guidance regarding the temple of the "Lord of Justice", seeking answers to the following questions:

(*) Is this "Lord of Justice" actually a local alias for the LORD, or is he one of His servants, or a false god, or a demon clothed in light?

==One of His servants.

(*) Is it appropriate for me to worship there?

==NO!!

(*) Is it appropriate for me to visit there, and seek any available information about the mound and what is within, and the statues there that restrain the evil within?

==Its ok.

(*) Who else should I/we seek relevant information and/or training from?

==No answer.

(*) What skills and/or supplies will most be needed there?

==Practise with your staff.

And at some appropriate point, either as we walk or in private, either verbally or telepathically, I converse with Day.

"Friend Tom, I am concerned.  The first rule of having important data is to keep backups of that data... and you possess knowledge that may affect the welfare of billions."

"Do you think it would be wise for you to do a telepathic data dump to me of the relevant facts concerning your quest, and the universe you seek to bring assistance to?"

"That way, should it come to pass that you are struck down despite our best efforts, but I somehow survive, I may take up the quest in your place."

==Day does a datadump, and suddenly you've 'met' a number of alien species.

I know I am not a great swordwoman but she will practice hard and give 100 percent effort.I will be polite to the men but I will not reciprocte their feelings. I will spend time getting to know Jhiaxus and ask him if we have time what else he can teach me.
I will also pray and ask that the mightly Lord bless the armor and weapons we have recieved.
I will also practice harnessing my inner strength, I will try to use this inner energy to heal, to use as a push like I did to the body guards of Lust,and lastly try to use this energy to erect a protection field around myself.
As I practice these I will also pray for God's assistance and guidance.

*curses at his swords not working here*

"Well that stinks, did anyone find out what that sword hilt did? If someone isn't using it can I try it?"

*to Amanda*

"I don't have too many skills that aren't in the technical area, to be honest, it seems my time in the verse has been rushed from one adventure to another, this is the first time I've had time in a magic world. So I'm making it up as it goes pretty much. I am more suited to a modern world, but I have picked up a few things that will be of help. So what's your story?"

*Will also learn that less sleep spell*

Jhiaxus

I will also try to learn the less sleep spell.

I say to Jhiaxus,"I am a new verser I guess, I use to be paralized and I was a teacher of math and science, my first world was one of robots and a pyscho miner woman, then I went to a ship and was quickly brought into a world where alot of versers where brought to help angels and battle demons, I was given a part of a Angel's humility and ever sense I have very strong communications with God, after taking out the demons and closing the void I was sent to a planet with bird people, they taught me telekinesis and telepathy, also there I wore no clothes and tried to strengthen my body, mind and spirit. Then I was brought here, my combat skills are not that good but I am willing to train hard to learn as much as possible."
As I train in combat I will try to impliment my TK in combat as well, and I will also pray for God to grant me the power, patience and the ability to learn how to defend myself in melee combat.
Also I will also at night sneak out and bathe naked in the nearest body of water suitable for swimming and I will pray as I swim.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:39, Thu 11 Dec 2008.

Jhiaxus,

You mess around with the sword hilt until suddenly you see a sword in your hand.
Odd thing is, it seems to damage things, but later you can't see the damage to the dummy target from your sword strikes.

Amanda,

You pick up +@1 in TK, and 1@5 in Swashbuckling. The females of the town take pity on you with your poor set of clothes, and so they sew you up some because every female in their mindset needs some pretty things.

So, on the third week they present you with thigh boots, purple pants, a leather belt, a purple vest, and a white blouse (fluffy with a few ruffles), and a short cloak of crimson.

Hadrian,
I forgot to mention you added fire of your choice, water of your choice, and light spells, and Krillis' healing spell, also you got much practise in using your swordcane which adds +@3.

Krillis 1@2 Spears.

Month's over...and its back on the trail. I hope I got everything or reasonably so.

Two days later, you're back in the clearing where you all arrived.

OOC: As a general rule, I don't like to list the whole ninety-eleventy things an adventurer carries. Instead, I give everyone a Basic Adventurer's Kit. Inside it is everything that a reasonable adventurer might carry. So everyone has a BAK.

*to Amanda*

Very interesting Amanda, well whenever I know I will teach, I'm ok in combat, it's been awhile, but been training with experts in my last world

*follows Amanda at night to stand guard*

*tries to figure out the secret of the sword, on different materials, living, non, flesh from a beast, to see if it affects different things different, and how long damage lasts, will continue to figure it out on the trip back*

*uses the sleep spell if possible to get more time in the day*

Jhiaxus

Tom says to Hadrian, "Hadrian, we need a marching order, both two by two and single file if you don't mind."

He looks at Oak, "Oak, can you find out what you can from the two statues?"

He looks at Amanda and Jhiaxus, "Would the two of you mind circling the mound to see if there any discernible marks or entrances? Please don't get too close yet."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:46, Thu 11 Dec 2008.

I will pray for protection as I look at the mound, circle it looking for a way in, I will also use my telepathy to sense any minds near, around or directly under the mound.

I appreciatively take up Krillis' offer, then pray for guidance as to the nature of this skill, and if it is permissible for me to use it.  If so, I practice during the month.


When I realize this is likely to be useless in the mound, I turn my attention to work on a "mass sleep" ability, similar to my currently nonfunctional empathic field device, and to some type of "continual light" ability.  If I am successful with the latter, I practice by creating a collection of continual light pebbles...


I visit there, and seek any available information about the mound and what is within, and the statues there that restrain the evil within... :)



OOC: What about my katana?  Is it an actual working sword, or only ceremonial?

I take the oak quarterstaff with gratitude.

Then I take obtain some anointing oil, and also Lucas' angel sword, if he consents to lend it to me for an hour or so.

After a lengthy time spent Bible reading, worship, singing, and prayer, I anoint the quarterstaff with the oil, and place it next to my Bible, and next to the angel sword (if present).

"Dearest LORD, my God.  I am no angel, but only the least of your servants, and unworthy.  But you have brought me to this place, to battle evil.  And you have provided me with this quarterstaff with which to enter battle."

"I have seen with my own eyes your wonders not only in my own universe, but in the multiverse you have created.  And I have seen your power fill even an inanimate object with holy fire, and with holy light, and with a voice to sing praises to your name, and with power to smite evil."

"Dearest LORD, I pray that you would stretch forth your power now, and anoint this quarterstaff with your holiness and power.  O LORD, please let your servants see your light, and hear your praises, and see your holy fire and power within it, and be strengthened.  And LORD, please let your enemies also see and hear and feel its power, and be defeated and scattered as the chaff which the wind driveth away.  Thank you for hearing my prayers, now and always.  I pray in the Name and Power of Jesus Christ...  Amen."

After this, I practice with my staff, getting tips and training from the others when available, and leveraging off of my previous samurai, martial arts, and jedi lightsaber training if/as appropriate...
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:42, Thu 11 Dec 2008.

I nod, and quietly bow my head in prayer.

:: Dearest LORD, please help me now to speak with these servants of yours, I pray... ::

Then I lift my head, and regard the statues through my Sight, and stretch out my telepathic senses toward them.

:: 'Peace be unto you', servants of the Most High LORD God Almighty, in the Name of Jesus Christ.  We have been brought here to do battle with the evil within.  Have you any wisdom or aid or counsel you would be willing to bless us with? ::

*walks around slightly ahead of Amanda, the hilt in his hand looking for an obvious traps or secret doors from his training, while making sure he can still see her out of the corner of his eye*

Jhiaxus

Lucas comments on Amanda's new attire and skill with "Aaarrgg matey! Thar be a sight that could send a thousand ship-of-the-line to Davy Jones' locker."

I'll allocate some time to finding a use for a ring of half-invisibility; can it only hide my legs, any particular part of my body, all of it if I crouch, can it hide anything I want that is sufficiently small etc.?
And continue my cooking practice in the inn and Avahur's spell-lessons.


 "Ah, yes, it is true that classification is but our feeble attempts to draw straight lines in a curved universe."

 "How to make it shoot out of my hands, duh."

OOC: BTW, may I please borrow your sword for an hour or so during our month in town, Lucas?  :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:45, Thu 11 Dec 2008.

 "Sure, see if you can get it sing something funny."

OOC: Sorry, missed it, sooo much post!
This message was last edited by the player at 16:10, Thu 11 Dec 2008.

Jhiaxus,

It damages everything you strike it with. A few minutes later, the damage is gone. Its very light and easy in your hand as if it were just a sword hilt.

Lucas,

It will hide half of your body, randomly, each time you put it on. Legs, upper body, right side, left side. You've got a 25% chance of getting one of these every time you use it.

On the plus side, it works all the time, and it keeps on working for up to thirty minutes even if you attack while half-invisible.

1@1 Shoot Water.

Oak,

You bless your quarterstaff, and yes, you train with your katana.

OOC: I forgot your katana.

You'll have to work on your mass sleep spell later.

The portal that Krillis is creating is an arcane magic.

The statues ignore you.

Jhiaxus, again,
OOC: Happy, happy joy, joy. Into the dungeon we go. Enough preparations. You'll never be ready. Doom awaits!

You walk in through the high grass with Amanda nearby. You walk in between the two statues. You immediately feel a horror at your back, and you spin to see the statues. They are Janus faced.

From this side, the Lady of Mercy has her loose sleeve drawn up over her face, and the Lord of Justice has his sword out at his side, and an enraged snarl on his face.  You find yourself stumbling backwards in fear toward the Mound.

Amanda is beside you.

Oak,

Light spell, thirty minutes. Can be cast on object in hand. 1@2.

PT

OOC: Awesome!  Does the quarterstaff light up, and sing duets with the angel sword?  :)

BTW, did I get any useful info about the mounds and statues from the temple folks?

Did my training give me any quarterstaff melee skill?

My unsuccessful attempts to communicate with the statues come to an abrupt halt as I notice Jhiaxus and Amanda actually walk between the statues, and within the restraining ring of fire!

:: Argh!  They weren't supposed to get that close yet!!! ::

I call out to the others.

"Jhiaxus and Amanda have crossed over the restraining barrier!  They may be in trouble!"

I attempt to pick them up with telekinesis, and bring them gently back across the barrier to us...

*Just so we can stop with the "rescue", let's just get to the dungeon, you all are lucky you got this much time to gear up and get skills, now it's crunch time*

*sighs as he realizes what happens, shrugs and sets down his pack and gets out a light source, while waiting for the others to join them here, keeping the hilt in reach*

Jhiaxus

When I see Jhiaxus' initial fear fade, I stop my telekinetic rescue efforts, and call out both verbally and telepathically.

"Are you guys OK?  Do you need help?  What do you perceive on that side of the barrier?"

*looks around*

We're fine, the statues on the other side have other faces, which produced a fear effect, I don't think we can pass them again this way to come out.

((EDIT: Unless anyone said that they wanted the chain shirt that was offered to us back in town, can Hadrian have it? I just remembered how naked he was against attacks with nothing but his suit on.))

Hadrian pursed his mouth and whistled sharply. The kind of 'all eyes on me'-whistle that people use when they want attention, and Hadrian wanted just that.

"Okay people, it looks like we are going in, wether we want to or not.

Let's keep it simple and tight. Single file formation: Jhiaxus up front; he'll be our rogue, Avahur behind him as support, then Oak; who will use his 'sight' to detect traps and enemies that Jhiaxus does not see. Tom; as VIP and Lucas and Amanda, being the worst armored combatants of the group, will be walking in the middle. Amanda will also be using her sight to detect anything sneaking up behind us. Krillis and myself will be last, covering our behinds.

Where we can walk in a double file we will use the buddy system, with almost the same formation, although I'm a bit more worried about ambushes in wider areas. Jhiaxus and Oak will be up front, Lucas and Avahur behind them, Amanda and myself next and Krillis and Tom last. That way each group of two has at least one combatant, and we have reliable fighters covering our front and rear."

Hadrian turned to Tom.

"Do you disagree? Once we're in I don't think we'll have time to make plans, so we should make sure we have a formation that distributes the group's abilities and increases the chance of success should we become separated."

___________________________

((The following is more for flavour and letting everyone get to know Hadrian a little better than anything else. That, and I had already started writing it up when we sped things along, and I felt it would be a waste not to post it.))

During the month of training Hadrian took his time to get to know each of the others personally, to sow the seeds of friendship, catalogue their abilities and also find out more about his new life as a verser.

Oak/Amanda:

 Hadrian tried to get Oak and Amanda on their own early one day in the inn.

"I have noticed that the two of you seem to have the most intimate relationship with God out of everyone in this group. Seeing as we are without any conventional healer, I believe your connection with the divine might make you capable alternatives. Do you have a Bible Oak? If yes, then do you think you and Amanda can sit down as soon as you find the time and memorize a few passages fromt it pertaining to the art of healing? I believe that your prayers, combined with simple healing spells might be enough to substitute an actual cleric.

Matthew 4:24, Psalm 107:20 and Jeremiah 17:14 would be good picks, I believe."

He was smiling very brightly as he suggested this, and if Oak and Amanda wanted he would be more than willing to sit down with them and find other helpful passages. If they did this, or if Oak used his telepathy on Hadrian, he would discover that Hadrian knew his Bible uncannily well, despite not worshiping God or any other deity.

Avahur:

After an early session practising melee combat Hadrian held Avahur back to speak with him in private.

"Avahur, I was wondering if you and I could talk. It seems to me that we are the only two here, with the exception of Jhiaxus of course, that aren´t doing this for some goodly cause. You mentioned in Radix that you only cared about honing your skills and becoming stronger. I have much the same goal, and if you want I think we might be able to help each other. My strength lies in knowledge, and in return for a few one-on-one sparring sessions I can tell you everything I know about combat tactics, both as an individual combatant and large scale warfare, and fencing techniques that will give you increased stability and balance, an enhanced ability to evade attacks as well as some effective parries."

Hadrian looked about to confirm that they were alone.

"Let me be honest with you, Avahur. Day and the others seem very dedicated to this - a bit too much so in my opinion. You and I, all we want is to grow stronger. If we end up saving the world at the same time then that is a fortunate side effect. I am a bit worried that we might come up against an enemy or an obstacle that we have no chance of defeating, and that the other's dedication might blind them to that fact. We can't become much stronger if we die and verse on, don't you agree?"

After this comment Hadrian trailed off and started asking Avahur about Gods he has fought, seeing as he mentioned it in passing back in Radix.

Jhiaxus:

On any random day when Hadrian managed to get Jhiaxus on his own:

"I have noticed that you have your eye on Amanda. She is a very interesting woman. Hard to believe she was in a wheelchair not too long ago.

...

There is something strangely alluring about the female sex, and I always find myself drawn to the women I meet - that's not to say I will give you competition for Amanda, of course!"

After a bit more friendly bantering Hadrian came to the point.

"I like your style, and it is obvious you know enough about versing. I haven't been able to figure out much myself, apart from the obvious bits. Would you like to share some veteran verser wisdom with me over a drink in the inn tonight?"

Lucas:

I haven't written up anything about Lucas, but Hadrian would obviously talk to him as well, and I think the conversation can be narrowed down to:

"He who runs away, lives to run away another day!"

Day:

"Hey Tom," Hadrian said, bothering Day after their daily magic training together, "do you have time to talk for a bit?"

"I think you should officially take upon yourself the mantle of leadership. I offer to assist you with council and insight, but I think you should be the official leader. Oak and Krillis are set on having you as their captain, and I believe Avahur and Jhiaxus respect your almost ruthless determination. Lucas, Amanda and myself are uncomplaining, and would probably follow anyone. You have the strength of personality to keep this group together, whereas I would probably have failed to keep Krillis and Avahur from tearing each other apart should one of the them ever get out of line. In addition you have the willpower to see this through, where I have no stake in this, and would probably not have been able to summon up the necessary resolve to do what is necessary to destroy the evil which resides in the mound."

...

I have also nothing on Krillis, but I can say as much that Hadrian would most likely try to befriend him, and tell him to keep an eye out for Lucas and Amanda once inside the mound. They are the least combat proficient, and might need protecting.

In addition, Hadrian tried to encourage the others to gather up at the end of every day to speak, socialize and occationally learn. Hadrian himself was more than eager to teach them anything he knew that might be of use, such as theory about how traps work, conventional first aid as well as underground navigation by drawing maps with notes on which way they are going so that they do not get lost. He was also very willing to talk about himself and his past experiences, although he was somewhat lacking in this field.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:30, Thu 11 Dec 2008.

*to Hadrian*

"Yeah she's a good looking woman, funny, flirtatious, but most importantly she's got smarts."

*at the inn getting a drink with Hadrian*

"Versing it's pretty simple, I don't question why I'm here, I'm here and it's up to me to decide why. As for wisdom, pretty simple as well, find a woman, make connections, don't lose your humanity. Once you lose that, your nothing more than a mad dog, albeit like a powerful one. Eventually someone will put you down or out of commission permanently. Really, just enjoy yourself, sometimes you will be the bad guy, hopefully more times the good guy, and everything will fall into place."

Jhiaxus
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:44, Thu 11 Dec 2008.

 "You are very skilled in the art of butt-kissing, Hadrian. You'll make some politician very happy one day. Let's hope it's not one I'll be running away from."

I'll use my last moments to gather the cooking equipment and some rations.
 "If anybody has any special nutrition requirements, like vegetarian, now is the time to speak up."

*Hadrian*- Amanda will tell you,"In the last world I was in I converted the Bird residents into christians and God gave me in depth knowledge of the bible to help them."
Amanda will study the passages and keep them close in her memory for healing purposes.


As I stand on the mound and the fear tries to take hold I pray,
"Oh mighty Lord help regain composure and fight this evil bless Jhiaxus and myself to fight this and find a way into this mound to do battle with this strong evil and to do your bidding mighty Lord, I pray in Jesus's name AMEN."
I will move close to Jhiaxus and touch him as I pray.

To Hadrian, "I'm not the one who defeated three major demeans and earned a personal 'I hate you' from Satan himself.  Thanks for the marching order.  I think its a good one."

Tom looks at the others, "At this point there really isn't any going back.  So I'm thinking what we should do is send one person through at a time in single file marching order.  I say one at a time because it gives us some order and also because Oak can try someone by TK in case they go nuts on the other side.  The LAST thing we want to do is go running down into this thing pell mell and disorganized.  When we're on the other side I'll discuss the SOP for Halls, Doors, Monsters and anomalies."

 "Why only tell us then? Surely we can walk in one by one and listen to you at the same time."

"It seems a bit silly to shout the whole thing out."

Once everyone is within hearing distance, whether that be on both sides of the divide or one the other side, Tom goes ahead and shares his thoughts on the matter.

"Alright.  Doors.  Assume every door is trapped.  Do not rush through a door.  Always check the door for traps.  Always check the lock on the door for traps.  Always listen to the door after you have checked the door for magic and for traps.  Always use two by two formation before opening the door.  Never shoot an area of effect weapon into the room without clearance.

Halls.  Assume every tile is trapped.  Always use a ten foot pole to tap the ceiling, the walls and the floor.  This is not a race.  We're also looking for secret doors.  If you have functional eyes, you should be looking for pressure plates, sliding doors, sliding openings and the like.  This is not a vacation.  Idle chatter alerts the monsters.  We need to hear them.  Conversely, if you know something and don't share it, you're being a moron.  Intelligence and information keeps us alive.  Every ten feet, if possible, all Oak and Avahur should use Clairvoyance through and around the walls above, below and to the sides to look for items.

In combat.  Stay within 10 feet of your 'partner' in marching order unless you've got a REALLY good reason not to.  The buddy system keeps you alive.  This is not Doom.  There is no cheat mode and there are no saved games.  Even if you wake up somewhere else alive, you're still no longer any use to us, because you're dead.

The ten commands.

1) Thou shalt not be a moron.

2) Thou shalt not leave they buddy without a damned good reason.  See commandment #1.

3) Don't split the @#$@#$ party.  See commandment #1.

4) Don't use area of effect weapons without clearance unless you're @#$@#$@# sure they're not going to hit the party.  See commandment #1.

5) We're all versers.  We're all special snow flakes.  Save the show offs for the next world unless you're trying to intimidate the enemy.  We don't need to see the show.  See commandment #1.

6) This is not Reality Television.  Save the drama for the next world.  See commandment #1.

7) Do not just pick up random treasure at random.  It could be cursed. It could be trapped.  They know you're going to be tempted to do it, so they'll be coming after you.  See commandment #1.

8) Respect the chain of command.  This isn't about ideology, it isn't about coolness, its about tactical skill, and that means that if I get gacked, Hadrian is party leader and Avahur is tactical commander.  After that it goes to Oak and Jhiaxus. Arguing in combat is a sure fire way to get you killed.  The chain of command only applies if I'm taken out of commission.  See commandment #1.

9) If you hear me call Retreat, then #$@#$@# Retreat. See commandment #1.

10) If you hear me call Hold the Line, then @#$@#$# hold the line.  See commandment #1.

Anomolies.  There will be weird stuff down there.  We don't know what it all is.  Look, I'm all for picking up treasure myself, but if it isn't something you can carry with you and it looks interesting, DON'T MESS WITH IT.  If you think its worth the attention of the group point it out and we'll analyze it carefully.  If you see a lever, don't pull it at random, or so help me I WILL SHOOT you.  If you see treasure lying out for the taking, don't run up to grab it without taking the standard steps or so help me I WILL SHOOT you.  Aside from Jhiaxus, I've gone through this crap more than any of you, perhaps a few of you combined, and we can't afford to fail.

Finally, if you have a problem with that, that's fine.  Go ahead of us, or better yet, stay up here and come in about a half a day because I don't want someone with me who is going to get me killed.

And if enough of you have a problem with that, that's just fine because we can make Hadrian leader."

*waits for the speech to end*

"KTATTS is in effect b*tches, I'm only calling you b*tches, because I can't remember your names individually. Gawd I love my job."

Jhiaxus

Well, sounds jolly...  I suppose now would be the time to mention, I can open doors from a distance provided they aren't locked, and without touching them...

Tom smiles, "Broadly speaking I think that's extremely useful.  My only concern is doors which are designed to spring a trap if this tactic is used.  However, I think on a case by case basis it is our best bet."

 "Should we make a map, or mark of the walls? I have a crayon for that if it helps."

Once on the other side of the statues, you all feel that awful fear that presses down on you with mind-bending force. Looking at enraged Justice and hidden Mercy reminds you of what a man sentenced to die must feel as the judge says "May God have mercy on your soul."

Clustering far enough away that you can think, you listen to Day's 'pep talk'.

Beneath your feet are the broken up paving stones of what was a marble walkway. Now its just glints of white between overgrown grasses.

There is an animal path to your left about twenty feet which leads up through the waist-high bushes that thickly rim the circle of the Mound of Ancient Days. To your right, there is no such path.

Their is a circle around the Mound at the line of the statues. Grasses inside are more stunted, not twisted or tortured. This circle is about thirty feet from the Mound's edge and it goes as far as you can see around both sides.

The Mound looms above you, and you can feel its oppressive force weighing on your mind and heart, trying to twist you inside with soft, subtle insinuations. Day, you feel this most of all. Its almost as if the Mound has been waiting for you, and now it holds its breath in anticipation.

Lucas, with your keen eyes, you spot a glint of gold in the thick brush ahead, at the end of the assumed pathway. Its covered by brush. It looks like a golden sun inset in flat timbers.

The team is buoyed by Amanda's prayer, but the weight of evil pushes past. Still in a snowstorm, even a t-shirt is welcome.

PT
OOC: If I missed anybody's actions, please remind me. In fact, thats a good general rule. I will miss them at times. Feel free to throw dice at me with notes attached.

Tom almost draws his sword and almost sneers at the mound, but that would directly contravene his 'no drama' speech.  Instead he says,

"Oak, Jhiaxus and Avahur, if you could check for secret entrances that would be helpful.  I generally prefer not to use the front door when applicable.  Krillis, you seem to have a fine eye for detail...would you mind making the map?  And yes, Lucas, the chalk thing is an excellent idea.  Just be sure to draw the mark over at least two tiles in case someone has the cute rotating tile trick (which they might do anyway but its less likely)."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:50, Fri 12 Dec 2008.

A slightly larger than normal black bird flies overhead, and croaks out...

"Nevermore, nevermore, uh, not real, not real." As it bombs Jhiaxus' right shoulder with a smeary white deposit. It continues to fly on, and mockingly jeers at the Lord of Justice and the Lady of Mercy as it soars out over the forrest.

PT

*I close my eyes and disbelieve in the sword, then open them up and look at it, then if it's still appears as normal, I will disbelieve that it is doing damage, and then finally disbelieve the damage is being "healed*

If all that doesn't work, *disbelieve the mound, statues, the whole area, closing his eyes and repeating the process*

Jhiaxus
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:12, Fri 12 Dec 2008.

"I'm in for the long haul."  I pull out one of my school notebooks, full of graph paper and a pen.  "I'm all for map-making."

I'll say aloud to the whole party, "Well, I gotta say that I hope the mound only knows how to taunt us."

OOC: Guys, so we're going in one by one, but this 'buddy system' is the one that we're following in Hadrian's plan, right, putting Hadrian with Amanda and Tom with myself?
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:11, Fri 12 Dec 2008.

*looks at Krillis*

That was not taunting, that was getting off light. That was a message from someone I ask for help from time to time. You would do best not to anger it's master, that is not a threat, that is a warning from me to you, knowing how his master works.

"Um...sorry if I offended you.  I was referring to the strange feeling we were getting from the mound, and just trying to ligthen the mood a little bit.  I know that we're up against something serious."

Black bird...that seems so familiar...

I look to Jhiaxus, "Was that just Huginn?"

"grins"

"That was indeed Huginn."

*continues the disbelief*

Sword dissappears to you. Hilt's still there. Swordblade is now permanently invisible to you.

Magesword: Does up to 2@5 skill of attack, does up to Fatal damage...for one minute, can do up to three attacks. The more ridiculous the attack, and the smarter the target the more likely its to be disbelieved...as in "No way you killed a Dragon with one strike...!! Oh, you didn't. Its an illusion."

The greater the difference between your sword skill, and the apparent sword skill you're creating an illusion of, the more likely it is to be seen, especially against someone with actual sword skill.

PT

Lucas turns even paler than he naturally is.
 "Oh crap, it's like the first day of high-school all over again."

Lucas Responds to Day:
 "I was planning on writing a direction and an number, to indicate in what order we passed it. And yes, I'll be sure to check if the tile is pressure sensitive, in case it is trapped. BTW, in that bush there is something that is shiny. It must have some important role in our quest. Who's stupid brave enough to crawl over there and see what it is?"

 "Who's Huginn, or is better that I don't know?"

Before crossing over the barrier, I pray.

"Dearest LORD, please give us your protection, and guidance, and wisdom, and strength, and go before us to help defeat the forces of evil gather here, and bring our quest to a successful conclusion.  I pray in the Name and Power of Jesus Christ...  Amen."

Once across, I experimentally scan the area with my telepathic senses and Sight, and use these upon the raven that speaks to Jhiaxus.

I then experimentally attempt to gently TK a small rock into the air, and then between the statues and through the barrier at high speed (but not anywhere near hitting the bird).

I then experimentally regard the area through clairvoyance to see if it functions here, since I had difficulty using it through the barrier to see anything within.

Finally, I use both my Sight and postcognition to examine the area, in order to gain any insights into the area, and whatever entrances and traps may be here, hidden and otherwise.

OOC: Did I get any useful information in town from the temple regarding the mound and/or the statues and/or what lies within the mound?  :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:46, Fri 12 Dec 2008.

I will go to my partner Hadrian when he enters the field.
I see the shiny object and try to lift it with my TK and bring it to myself.
Then I say,"Now we have passed the point of no return now we get serious."
I draw my sword and look at the shinny object if I can bring it to myself.

Say, "Hugin is one of the two raven messengers of Odin, chief amongst the Norse pantheon.  That he shows up here indicates a degree of favor with Jhiaxus.  And thank you for the information about...whatever it is.  Oak do you see what it is?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:01, Sat 13 Dec 2008.

Tom seems to ponder something a moment and then finally says, "Avahur, can I talk to you in private a moment?"

(if willing)

pm

Avahur thinks for a moment, but ultimately says nothing..

Lucas,

You have your pen and paper. Curiously, the pen seems more awkward in use than it usually is.

Oak,

Your blessing passes muster.

You run into a buzzing sensation like a thousand bees humming nearby when you try to use your telepathic sight. Its only when you try to use such on Huginn that you get through, and you have a feeling that he helped you.

*Man of Midgard, a little respect is due to the gods so even though I appreciate boldness...* Blistering migraine....*Just be grateful I'm not of the Grecian pantheon, or I wouldn't be so kind."

Your Sight is overwhelmed by the pit of evil before you.

The rock does fly.

Clairvoyance and postcognition both bring back that buzzing bees sensation.

Amanda,

You reach out for the object, but its anchored, and you don't know how to move anchored objects. Stepping closer and pushing back the brush, you see that its a golden eye in the face of a tarnished sun image that is attached to an ebony wood door in the side of the  hill. You see some stone around the edges of it, but its mostly covered by moss and dirt.

PT

And then the mouth of the sun speaks.

"Who is worthy to enter the temple of Radian the Glorious. Let him or her, for Radian holds no care for mortal differences, speak now. But beware the wrath of Radian."

PT

I wince in pain at the migraine, and bow my head in prayer.

"Dearest LORD, please heal me now, I pray in the Power and Name of Jesus Christ...  Amen."

Then I look over at Day.

"It appears that Clairvoyance, Telepathy, and Postcognition are offline here.  And my Sight is overloaded by the pit of evil, which is blinding in intensity.  I am unable to bring any special senses to bear in finding secret entrances, at least thus far."

"Telekinesis still seems operational."

"Tom, the LORD has called you to this quest, so it may be that you are the one that must answer this 'sun'.  But there may be danger to the one who responds, and you must be protected.  Shall I give answer to it instead?"

I look at the statue and then I say to the others,"I also volunteer to answer the sun god as well Tom, but if Oaks wishes I agree on that as well."

Tom says, "Given the vibes that we're getting from the mound, I think it safe to say that no one who worships the Lord should answer that question.  I think Avahur, Jhiaxus or Hadrian should answer.  And given that its a riddle, I think Hadrian is most qualified.  But I also agree that we should ensure that they're protected from fire damage."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:51, Tue 16 Dec 2008.

Well, Hadrian, if you want to answer, go for it, although let me know before you do, I've got something that I can do to keep you protected from fire... well, it should keep you protected from fire anyway....

To do my part, I'll cast my Warden of Fire on the one who approaches the talking eye-creature.

This will be for whoever they choose; however, I definately don't volunteer myself for the position of talking to the new and weird thing.

*content to stay in the backround, too many people buzzing around the same place is inviting a area of effect spell, and since approaching the statue is what activates whatever happens, takes a look at the ground and underbrush, to see signs of scorching, or footprints.*

Jhiaxus

After dragging a big arrow in the dirt from where they came, Lucas follows JhiaxusHACK's example, or more accurately, makes sure he is always behind him.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:32, Tue 16 Dec 2008.

Tom too, instinctively stays at least ten feet away from everyone but his combat partner.  He also says, "Make sure you are ready to cover your eyes if need be as well.  It might not be flame."

Jhiaxus,
There could be. Its hard to say. If it was, it was a very long time ago.

"Each must answer for themselves."

PT

Tom gets the fire protection from Krillis and Avahur.

Since the mouth seems to be answering, Tom will attempt to ask, "How do you define worthiness?"

Oh, well in that case..

Avahur moves up to the mouth...

Well, before I give my answer... just in case the wrath of he that casts it, is aimed at me.. Aqua Tutela..

Avahur traced the perimeter of a large rectangle that would fully cover himself from frontal attacks....  Once he was finished making the Water Shield..

Worthy you say?  No one knows if they are worthy.  Only the one judging can decide who is and who is not worthy. If I am to be judged by my actions, then let me pass and my actions you can judge.  If I am to be judged by my allegiances, then do so on any other world except this one.

Avahur looked back for a moment..

No offense meant, but its true.

Then looking back..

Lastly, if I am to be judged by my response, here you have it.  Judge me as you will, and you can tell me if I am worthy to enter.

Thinking for half a second..

Oh, also, do you want my sword to answer for himself as well?

I quietly wait for a response to Tom's query...

OOC: Was my self healing attempt successful?  :)

Avahur,

Your water shield goes up.

"Infidel!"

Fire roars out in a broad band from the metal seal on the door, and smashes into our water shield. It takes but a second for your shield to be consumed, but thats enough time for you to leap back.

You get the back of your left hand light scorched as you're not completely clear of the area.

Day,

"I can't hear you from there. You'll have to step closer."

Oak,

You're partially healed, but you've still got a splinter of a headache. A repeat effort yields no further relief.

PT

"Yeah.  Of course."

Tom looks at the others, "Fall back!"

To those who do so, once they move about 150 feet back Tom says, "Yeah.  We can pretty much assume that this place isn't going to follow any rules.  So we're gonna have to bust our way in here.  Which means we're destroying the doors.  Oak, can you rip it from its foundations from here?  At the least we're destroying the seal.

Avahur, do you need healing?"

As we fall back, I experimentally attempt to teleport to the new location, walking there only if I'm not successful.

In response to Tom's query...

"Telekinesis does still work here, but that would certainly make some noise, and perhaps wake up all the peacefully sleeping monsters within."

"I noticed that Jhiaxus has a portable hole.  Should we try that first, or just bust our way in?"

I scan the area, looking for any nice big rocks or boulders.

"I'm not entering a portable hole.  To many memories of a Bag of Holding.  As for the monsters....I think it fair to assume they know we're here now."

Sure.  I could try something else, though only as a last resort if you can't figure out a way to open it.

*shakes his head and sighs*

"Look around people, the statues, the Lord of Justice, of fairness. This one is probably strightforward, don't try to cheat the system test of worthiness. The simplest answer is likely the right answer."

*looks to Day*

"I'm going to head up and try it, this is not to defy your authority, but someone needs to take the straight and narrow approach to this, and I volunteer. Someone needs to take a leap of faith."

*walks up to the door*

"I am Jhiaxus, I await your judgement."

Jhiaxus

"Thinking I'm doing something stupid and not doing it is not 'defying my authority' unless we're being attacked...though granted this is close."  Tom watches Jhiaxus.

I fall back at Tom's command.

"If this plan works, should I still put magic on everyone before they themselves go and try?  My Warden of Fire doesn't really take any energy to use, much like my other magics."

"Yes.  Go ahead.  Thanks Krillus."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:50, Wed 17 Dec 2008.

Lucas stops following Jhiaxus and falls back to the designated spot.

The absolute max you can fall back is thirty-five feet. Twenty feet is comfortable. Thirty-five feet is a continual severe strain for the more strong-minded among you, so much so that retreating further seems impossibly painful.

Jhiaxus walks up. He makes his proclamation even as the Warden of Fire spell is proclaimed and the party is protected.

The door seal says nothing. You can now see the door clearly as the covering brush has been burnt back to black stems jutting a few inches from the ground.

"Are you worthy to enter the Temple of Radian?"

Jhiaxus, Oak, and Day are, as computer experts, becoming increasingly aware that the door seal seems to be a rather simple-minded 'program'. Its got a few contingencies, and perhaps some slack, but its not truly intelligent.

Oak gathers his telekinetic force.

Day, if the wide fire blast follows the same pattern and size as before, the bulk of the party is clear of damage.

PT

*says in a clear and unwavering voice*

"I am worthy. Please grant me enterence to the temple of Radian the Glorious."

Jhiaxus

OoC: Avahur is also a computer expert...well.. a programmer... and I'm sure he'd notice it as well..

Avahur waits and watches.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:57, Wed 17 Dec 2008.

Tom says, "Wait.  It is not as intelligent as I thought it is.  If we give it the right answer it will let us through.  Let's see what happens with Jhiaxus."

"Welcome holy one into the embrace of the great god Radian." The door swings open, and you walk in, Jhiaxus.  The door shuts firmly behind you.

Av,
Quite right.

All,
Everyone who says 'yes' enters freely. Please list off anyone who says 'no' or 'could be' or ...

Inside is a large room with a ceiling at least a hundred feet tall (in a fifty foot tall mound...). In the middle of the room is a ten foot tall dais, circular of some dark stone or metal, and on top  of it is a thirty foot tall statue of a sun-god.

The statue looks to be gold.

On the left side of the room is a staircase of marble steps without railing which leads up to a second floor balcony.  On the opposing right wall is a granite staircase of cruder steps, and less steps with higher rises, which also goes up to the balcony hallway (with a rail) at the back end of the room.

On the left and the right, there is one door each in the back wall leading off form the balcony hallway.

A terrible feeling of oppression grips you, and you shake it off, but you can feel it waiting at the edge of your mind and heart.  The more sensitive and perceptive you are, the more you feel it.  Also the more gentle of mind or weak of mind feel it more.

Avahur, being, ah, a trifle hardheaded, is little affected. Amanda and Oak are the most affected, but they also can identify that its a spiritual darkness.  A simple prayer by the two of them and you all can feel the pressure retreat even futher.

PT

Tom says, "Good instincts Jhiaxus.  It seems that healing is probably going to be a problem here.  This may seem counter intuitive, but I think we should go up, not down.  Let's form into two by two marching order, with poles at the ready.  Jhiaxus, if you would check for traps....."

He definitely prays for the divine link to reestablish itself and puts up his mind shields.

He looks at the statue, "Before we go up....Jhiaxus, would you mind checking to see if that rotates?  It might need to face the stairs for us to go up."

Does the body position of the statue indicate left or right handed prominence?

From the safety of their formation, Lucas scans the room for signs of life, both plant and animal.


Thank you for speeding up the game and saving me from certain doom.

As the oppressive feeling retreats, I quietly pray once again.

"Thank you, dearest LORD."

I take my place at the front of the two-by-two marching order beside Jhiaxus, and attempt to stretch out my Sight as I regard the scene before us.

"Tom, which stairway did you have in mind?"

*starts searching for traps on the floor on his way up and around to the statue, checking the statue first for traps, and seeing if the base is on a swivel before thinking about touching it*

Jhiaxus

OOC: Tom, both the granite and marble staircases go up.  Going down doesn't seem like an option.

I'll stand in position to the right of Tom, a spear at the ready to throw in my hand, just in case.

Oh, and I'll quote Jhiaxus when the statue asks me the question.

Oak,

You see a putrid mound of something in the place of the statue, and your Sight fails before its horror as your mind shuts it down to protect you.

Jhiaxus,

There is a small inset where one could drop in a coin, and what you think is a secret latch below it. The dais does not look like it moves. It looks enormously heavy and fixed in position.

Day,

Left-hand promminent. Marble or granite staircase?


Krillis,

From your position, you can see around the statue. On the far ground floor, between the two staircases, there is another doorway. However its completely overflowing with large marble chunks of rock, the largest about the size of a medicine ball, and the smallest about the size of a volleyball. It looks deliberate although you can't be sure.

Hadrian bit his lip and pondered over the significance of the sun on the door, the name 'Radian the glorious' and the query of wether or not they were worthy to enter.

To Hadrian it all seemd a bit peculiar.

Firstly he could not recall any evil Sun Gods from conventional religion or mythology. The fact that Oak and Amada could easily pray to God, and that one of Odin's birds showed itself, proved that Gods Hadrian were familiar with did in fact exist here. But which God could this Radian be?

With no obvious answer forthcoming, Hadrian decided to take a closer look at the symbol on the door. At least with that he could make some progress.

"A face within a radiant sun - a very common symbol.

The symbol of the sun has a multitude of meanings, amongst these Life, Rebirth and Good, but also Power, Supremacy and Fire."

Whoever inhabited the mound, Hadrian was fairly certain he or it held to the latter associations to the sun symbol.

What they were trying to enter then, was the temple of a God, or a being who fancied itself a God, who associated itself with the power and strength aspect of the sun. If this was true, then the question: '"Who is worthy to enter the temple of Radian the Glorious?' could very possibly be a simple trick question. Only those with enough gumption, or arrogance, or prowess, to proclaim themselves worthy before a fire breathing symbol of the sun would be allowed to enter. This again both said something about the patron of the temple, and the level of difficulty they were likely to expect.

When Hadrian looked up from his pondering though he saw that Jhiaxus had arrived at a similar conclusion, and moments later slipped through the door. Hadrian sighed, a bit relieved that he had been correct, and also because he had been spared the duty of going first.

Hadrian followed after the others, proclaimed himself the worthiest of worthy, and entered the temple of Radian.

Well inside, it was the statue that claimed most of Hadrian's attention. After Jhiaxus had checked the area for traps Hadrian went with the others over to the statue and studied it thoroughly, trying to determine if it was a representation of any God he recognized.

((@PT: Hadrian is looking intensely at the statue, and is trying to find out if it is of any God from an earth religion. Can you give me some more details about it? Is it a figure of a human man? Are there any traits on the statue that makes it unique?))

(If Krillus points out the door on the ground floor), "Well that one interests me, but the 'correct' path I think goes up the Marbel stairs and then the door on the left."

(If Jhiaxus points out the coin slot with the mechanism), Tom tosses Jhiaxus a gold coin (the only metal acceptable to a Sun God most likely.)

*looks around*

"There looks to be a coin slot with a mechanism here, if I were a betting man, it sounds like an offering box with secret latch to open it up. "

Jhiaxus

I will follow behind, I will say yes and follow the others.
I will look around and pray to the Lord for knowledge and guidence.

The statue raises its left hand in a wide-fingered blessing, similar to the sunspike crown on its high forehead, after you drop in the coin Jhiaxus. The coin rattles around inside what you think is the box, and a puff of dust comes out of the coin hole.

The dais, or plinth, of the statue is bloodstone.

Furthermore, you'd say its not solid gold, but gold plate.

The face is lofty and proud, but somehow invites the viewer to join him all the same.

The garment is a robe, belted with a sun belt buckle.

Hadrian, you don't recognize this god from your readings. It is the figure of a human man, but like that of a bodybuilder with a noble face, or what some might imagine such to be.  You feel pride expand in your heart at your keen insight.

Amanda,
You feel the touch of God's presence, but no answers as to directions are forthcoming.

Jhiaxus,
Looking closer, you see a further line, dust has been disturbed by the movement of the statue's arm and a very thin line in the plinth is now visible. It runs vertically four feet.

Assuming Krillis goes up the marble staircase...

The marble staircase is layered with a beaten thin and tarnished sheet of embossed copper in pieces. The green copper is pierced in places, and you see the rusted outline of an arrowhead near such a hole.  One bit is decipherable as it shows a heroic male figure in combat with monstrous beings.

The marble staircase is chipped and ravaged, but you can see signs of ancient glory.

Halfway up, an eight foot wide, and five foot tall (until the next stair) section of stair folds away to reveal a pit.  The pit is ten feet deep with punji sticks in it. There is also a dead man, a skeleton with bits of meat still on it, as well as the fragments of chain mail, and a single green boot ripped and rotted. On his right...hand...is a fine golden ring with a sapphire stone.

Day says to Krillus, "If you want the ring you're welcome to it.  After all, all of you should be repaid in some way, though be cautious.  Kobolds no doubt know that treasure is adventurer bait."

Sure, I'll go up there and all, but I don't think things like that should be assumed.

I'll shake my head, but say, "Thanks for the offer, but no way am I touching anything in here unless it's been checked both for traps and for curses.  Isn't that one of your rules?"

I also look to Tom.  "The individual is left-hand dominant, Tom.  The door we should enter is the one on the right, because it's on the same side as the dominant hand, right?"

(If the figure is facing us and is left-hand dominant, that's on our right side.)

Tom, I thought I'd also just make sure you know this, but Kox is with the two of us-that would be my dog, I mean.  He's a husky.

I ask Kox in dogtalk if he sees, smells, or hears anything out of the ordinary.

OOC: I thought we were staying in 2x2 formation, with Jhiaxus and I in front???

I carefully follow Krillis' route up the marble stairs, using my Sight upon the stairs, but purposely not looking toward the statue.

When I get to the pit, I use my Sight to look within, examining the skeleton and the ring, and pray for guidance regarding the nature of the ring.

Given that Tom has already given the OK for taking the ring...  If the ring doesn't look cursed, I TK it into a sack from my Standard Adventurers Carrying Kit (SACK) for later division of loot, unless someone wants to try wearing it now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:02, Fri 19 Dec 2008.

*checks the plint for traps, noting the thin line, which indicates to him, it opens somehow*

"Can I get a god check here, can we freely try to figure out this statue, I found something new here."

*if he gets the verbal ok, will take a further look into the mechanism and crack*

Jhiaxus

"Yes.  Don't touch it unless you check it for curses or traps first.  Though with TK....that kind of is checking for traps."

Tom will pray about the Ring to see if it is Cursed and pray about the 'thin line' to see if it is safe for Jhiaxus to act on it.

He reports the results to Jhiaxus.

In wake of the others successful entries, Lucas answers the door with a trembling "yes" and enters the room.



Still sticking to Avahurs side, Lucas continues to look around the rest of the room, as looking for life seems to take a while.

Hearing Day call out the findings of a ring:
 "What, just a ring? Surely there's more there than that? I mean, where's the other stuff this guy was wearing?

OOC: That is a subtle hint to loot the chain-mail as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:41, Sat 20 Dec 2008.

"There are other items to be sure, but both look pretty er....mangled.   But I'll ask."

Almost embarrassed, Tom asks the Lord if the single boot and the scraps of molded rusty chain mail are cursed.

Pings and Sight yield no useful information in this Pit of Darkness and Doom.

Now, I might say, Jhiaxus uses his thief skills to open the lock, and Oak uses his TK to lift up the ring, but both put these in the form of contingencies that if they did not recieve information they were not moving ahead.

So, nothing happens.

And this is why I need to push things forward. Probably the best way to do that is to have contingencies like "If I get a god check this is okay, I open it. If I get a no, I don't. If I get zippo on information, I go ahead anyways after casting a spell of protection on myself against fire damage." Or some such thing.

I'll admit my assuming people move forward has problems, but I think there is only three choices.
1. Be very slow.
2. Assume by the power-crazed GM.
3. Lots of contingencies and decisive plans by the players.

I watch and Listen, then I will lean down put my hand close to the crack and pray,
"Great Lord help Jhaxius and the rest of the party to move forward on your great mission, grant us the power and ability to move forward, and I humbly ask to be able to tell if a item is cursed or trapped to prevent my companions from getting injured, I pray in Jesus's name AMEN."

OOC: I will give lots of contingencies tomorrow when I will have more time.

"The Lord is not revealing much information here."  Not, that He can't reveal information anywhere He darn well wants to, "Therefore I recommend putting the treasure in the portable hole until we get out and properly test it."

 "Question? Isn't a portable hole something that makes holes in things and can't be used as a bag of holding, which is for storage?"

You get no answer other than no feeling of things cursed (OOC:I'll give that much).

There is no treasure in hand to be put in a bag.

PT

*shrugs and checks for traps on the crack, using a multipurpse too blade, tie some rope to the lever and pull, and if none are found, will try to open it*

Jhiaxus
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:34, Sat 20 Dec 2008.

As soon as the party found itself within reasonable speaking distance of one another, Hadrian cleared his throat and spoke.

"I have a piece of good news, and a pice of bad, if you will hear it."

"Firstly, that statue over there," Hadrian said and gestured toward the Sun God statue, "although it very likely is a representation of the host of this place, is not a statue of any God I know of. I'll admit that I do not know of every God ever worshipped, but I can say with a fair amount of certainty that if I do not recognize him, he is no God that has been around for the last, oh say, five thousand years. If I am not entirely mistaken, this means we are fortunate enough to not be up against a supernatural being. He is powerful, we know as much, but he is likely no God, which is slightly comforting."

"Secondly, the bad news. We know that this man, or entity, is evil - and he has chosen to associate himself with the imagery of the sun. In addition to being the symbol of light, life and all things good, it is also the symbol of power, strength and superiority, and its main tool is fire. I think it goes without saying that our enemy puts a certain amount of emphasis on the latter attributes of the sun.

We had to declare ourself worthy in order to enter this temple - Avahur almost got scorched because he did not say he was worthy in an arrogant and straightforward manner. In all likelyhood these kinds of test will persist as we move further into the depths of this place, increasing in lethality and difficulty as we proceed. I fear we may have to defeat traps that has us wilfully throwing ourself into mortal peril in order to prove our prowess and worthiness in the face of Radian the Glorius."

"I just felt I should warn you all that we may be forced to walk through fire, or worse, before we reach our quarry."

OOC: I have to say that I am a personal fan of contingencies myself.

In order to simplify things for ourselves, as well as PT, I think we should establish a few basic contingencies.

#1: If we get a good 'feeling' about something, we proceed. This means, Jhiaxus finds no traps, we open it. Oak senses no evil, we pick it up. Hadrian says the air smells fresher in the middle passageway, then we go down it.

#2: If we get a bad 'feeling' about something, we stay away. No walking over tiled floors before they are checked, no picking up random valuable-looking treasure and above all no opening of doors before we have both checked it for traps and listened for monsters.

#3: If we are ignorant about something, we don't do anything, unless we state otherwise. Loot that is not trapped, for instance, but we cannot verify that it is not cursed. We take it with us, but we do not use it. Or ff the floor is solid stone and Jhiaxus fails in his trap searching, we might decide go ahead anyway.

Some encounters, however, are not as easy to determine contingencies for. Riddles for instance, or intricate traps, or multiple choice problems, or enemies.

Anyone else have anything to add?

Jhiaxus,

The multipurpose tool slides down the crack, and klick...trips a lever, and a small door (4X3 ft.) swings open in the plinth base. Inside is dimness and dust which sets you to sneezing.

You clear your nose, and see a variety of handcontrols (Levers and such) for moving the statue. You also see the money box from the inside.

There is a chair, and a man sitting in the chair. He seems to be made of dust, and his eyes are the bleakest saddest eyes you've ever seen.

Hadrian,

The room's acoustics are excellent which makes you suspect they were designed to be so, and everyone is able to hear your speech from their positions.

As to #1, I was agreeing, but now I'm not. I'm going to have to have definite decisions. A contingency stated "If we don't find a curse on the item, Hadrian picks it up, and puts it in his pocket." would count as a definite decision.

I personally find your logic to be quite sound, but you'll have to see how it works out.

Thank you, Avahur.

PT

"Tom, I might've been hasty in coming up here.  Right now, it's probably important to stay in a group and be in formation, instead of separated."

If Tom agrees, then I'll head back down the marble steps to join with the rest of the group, hoping that everyone agrees with this.

I will stay near my partner (I believe Krillis please let me know if this is correct), I will also watch Jhiaxus and if he needs assistance I will go to his side and begin to pray for him.
If I can see into the room I will ask the lord to let me see what truely lies in this room.

*a little shocked to find someone in this place*

"Greetings, why were you in there? Did you operate the levers?"

*waits for a response*

Jhiaxus

Amanda,
You pray, and your vision sharpens as you notice things a bit more clearly.  He seems to be made of dust.

His bleak eyes flash over you and you feel pity and disgust flood through you. Even as you see him draw a rusty knife, its harder for you to act as pity stays your tongue and hand just a bit.

Jhiaxus,
He looks at you, but somehow you expect something. Your experience gaming, and so when you feel a wave of pity hit you, your mind rejects it as a foreign influence.  He stands drawing a rusty knife.

"I am a fallen priest of Radian, cursed by Kwan Lei and Justic the Righteous for my base nature. I had no gods in life, and I have none in death."  He laughs and dust floats from his mouth.

He slashes out with his rusty knife. He misses, but he advances forward.

I will call for God to remove the pity so I can protect my friend, when I can act I will summon the power within me and send the force attack at the man of dust.

The formation is this, from front to back (buddy system wise).

Jhiaxus and Oak
Lucas and Avahur
Amanda and Hadrian
Krillis and Tom

I'm going out of town for a few days, which I'll also say in the OOC so it doesn't get lost.

In all situations, I'll follow Tom's lead unless it's just straight up crazy to do so (for example, I'm not going to jump off the ledge into a firey pool of lava unless there's a riddle or some inscription that says it's a test of faith--and someone else has already done it successfully).

OOC: Does this also mean that I was able to get this much information when I prayed?  If so, did I get an impression that the ring is cursed, or not cursed?

IF ((I am able to discern between cursed and not cursed) AND
    (The ring does not appear cursed))
{
  I TK the ring into the sack
}
ELSE
{
  I don't.  :p
}

I attempt to grab the attacker and lift it into the air.

"Tom, do you wish this attacker to be slain, or interrogated?  It may have knowledge useful to us, if it could be reliably extracted..."

 "I think we're going to have a problem if we take to long going through this dungeon. We only have supplies for about two weeks and I see no way of restocking down here."
I keep my eyes on the rat.

@ the fighters:
 "Well I have a few questions for him, that's for sure. I can get most of the answers from either his corpse or his mouth, so at least try to leave him in one piece."

*pulls out the hilt of the magesword, and tries to slice off the hand with the knife, if I do this, with whatever strikes I have left, aim for the chest*

Jhiaxus

Oak,

Your action #1=null
--due to lack of information.

Amanda,
You pray for a removal of the unnatural pity you feel. It doesn't work.

Jhiaxus,
You whip out the magesword and slice through his wrist.

He laughs with hatred evident in his voice, and with bits of dust breaking off his gray parched skull as he clambers out.

"Illusions do not affect the dead, little wizard."

His wrist is fine.

Oak,

If TK <=Target Number + Entity Fail Willpower Check, then go to line three. If not, then go to line four.

The fallen priest of Radian grits his teeth as dust floats off from him.

"What strange magic is this?"

He then slashes at the person nearest him which would be Amanda or Jhiaxus (50/50).

Jhiaxus, he rips open your bicep with his rusty knife, and you feel something virulent and horrible try to pass into you from him, but you fight it off.

Oak, he glances in your eyes, and you feel pity and disgust slow your hand, and your will.

Jhiaxus,
I'm going to remind myself that you've had a fair bit of success in Resistance so far, and are thus builing up this attribute. If it were a skill, I'd already have given you a bonus, but this is an attribute which is harder to get.

*smiles*

"Have it your way"

*pulls out his axe and starts swinging at him, using the axe to keep distance on him to keep the knife from hitting me again*

Jhiaxus

I will try to summon the inner power within me, concetrate that power and send it at the man of dust, making sure I will not hit Jhiaxus.

"He's a priest of Radian, and made of dust!  Avahur, Krillis... try using water!"

I grit my teeth, and pray for strength, and attempt to TK him again.

The Abandon slices at Jhiaxus several times with increasing fury as the axe drives him back. Until he dives in, and takes two hits to mark Jhiaxus across the neck.

Jhiaxus you feel a sickness enter  you.

Amanda's force strike doesn't materialize in the chaos of combat, and neither does Oak's TK, but Krill's water blast hammers the creature to its knees, and chunks of mud fly off the monster.

"The water attack is working!  More water!"

Sizing up the situation, Avahur proceeded to think of the possible effects he could do.  After going through a few possible ideas... he  looked like he had an idea...

Hadrian gritted his teeth, darted up to stand behind Jhiaxus' right shoulder, lifted both hands toward the puny dust creature and tried to use his recently learned water spell to conjure two jets of water onto the foe.

Regarless of the outcome he retreated immediately after using, or failing to use the spell, to keep himself away from harm.

 "If he's this dry, wouldn't fire do more damage?"
In spite of the statement, Lucas throws in his own splash of water.

If this creature was undead, then it was also going to take damage from an infusion of the Lord's light.

"In the name of the Lord God of Israel, thou art cursed in thy actions against us, yea even beyond that which thou hast suffered.  Thy way blocked, thy path stuttered, thy unrighteous desires faltered."

He then presents his holy symbol prominently.

OOC: Sorry for the absence.  It appears most questions asked of me have been resolved by circumstance :)

Amanda will join Tom and pray,"Lord ease the soul of this tortured man release him and let him rest in peace oh great lord, but allow us to gain what he knows before you take him great Lord, I pray in Jesus's name Amen."

*I will attempt a Heightened Attributes 5@2 to increase my Resistance and Stamina by X amount, and lower my Persuasion and Charisma by X, all baselines, should be a stright out roll X, is determined by RS/5, to try and get another resistance roll to fight off the poison*

Jhiaxus

Avahur blasts the Abandon with a single, pressure spray like blast of water that eats away his arm.  You feel a sudden wave of weakness, Avahur.

Hadrian blasts it with his twin shots of water which are more in volume, but less in speed. It soaks the creature thorougly.

The creature looks...

Avahur, you find terror gripping your guts, and you stagger away.

Hadrian, the fear you feel is an interesting sensation which by the time you realize you're supposed to be terrified, its already past with your curiousity shielding you.

Jhiaxus, again your game knowledge comes to your rescue. Its an obvious Area Effect, caused by vision, general fear spell. Nothing you haven't faced a hundred times on the game board.

Oak, your previous prayers and your faith shields  you.

Amanda, as Oak.

Day, you're caught off guard and leap back in shocked fear.

Lucas, you grit your teeth and hang on.

Krillis, takes several steps back with fear etched on his face.

Oak prays and the creature stops in its tracks.

Amanda prays and the creature turns to her and sprays mud as it tries to speak.

"No, no, I am not wrong. I was not wrong. If it takes eternity, I will be proven right."

Jhiaxus,
I need a little more than quoting the rulebook as to how such a spell would work. I need an actual spell...and probably one in the Hackmaster tradition.

Those who were affected by fear cannot come physically closer to the creature without a deliberate effort (which I will roll for), or some other means such as a spell.

It is clear that the creature is being beaten down. Unfortunately, its also clear that he's not giving up, and he has the capacity to wreak havoc yet.

"Dearest LORD, please hear my prayer now, as you did in Radix, and cast this evil spirit into the Abyss.  I pray in the Name and Power of Jesus Christ...  Amen."

Amanda kneels bowa her head and prays,"Lord please protect us and save this suffering soul release him into the darkness and always in your eyes we are right, I pray in Jesus's name Amen."

I've fought gods, killed thousands of men, seen mutilated corpses, demons, and drank from the river, Styx.  I've seen worse than this thing and yet I'm afraid?  <insert term beginning with B and after 7 letters ending with S>  This thing can't hold a candle to the stuff I've seen.  I've seen hordes of zombies, ghosts, and really freaky crap.  Then a dust man that can't do more than stand still scares me?  I'm not buying it.  I don't care what my body may have a reaction to, this thing is nothing.

"You insignificant guttershite..."

Avahur moved forward (if possible) and created an extremely large gust of wind, which exited from his body to slam into the Abandon.

(if not possible, see the above with another random and extremely obscure curse, followed by the above action happening anyway)

 "That scary little b<beep> is dead meat! ... again!"
Lucas throws another splash of water, for all it is worth.

Av,
You've also blown up a town...you force your feet to move forward becoming aware that the fear is something imposed on you, and not your natural reaction to the creature.

A pit of darkness appears behind the creature, and wind and water hit him, and fling him headlong into the Abyss. Even as he falls he shouts.

"I'm right you fools." And throws his dagger at Amanda.

It flips through the air and flies over her shoulder, and clatters to the stone floor as the Abyss closes with a boom not heard, but felt deep inside each of your minds.

PT
OOC: And on that cheerful note...Merry Christmas!

"Alright, the controls that he has are going to be very helpful here.  But the key is going to be trying them out very carefully to figure out what we want and how we want to use them."

Tom examines and inventories the controls carefully without touching any of them.

The levers are fairly straightforward. Pull on a long, metal, rod attached to a rusted metal cable, and you can move an arm, or raise an eyebrow, or open the mouth....

There is also a speaking tube. A wooden plaque hangs from it with suggested lines for the operator to say.

"The Blessings of Radian upon you, O most worthy."
"How dare you offend the great god Radian?!"
"Infidel! Burn him at once!"
"Great is Radian, most holy and powerful of all the gods, the one true god."
"The worthy will give of his treasure to Radian."

Etched in the door jam on the inside is a line of runes that looks like they were added later than the original construction although they look quite old.

PT

 "Let's try to break or take the coin-collection box. It's probably the most worthwhile loot left in the room, now that dusty has given us the slip."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:01, Thu 25 Dec 2008.

"Nice work, team."

I look over to Avahur, and realize he probably used a lot of magic.  Knowing his magic, it probably took a lot out of him.

"Here, mind if I help you out a little?"  If Avahur allows, I'll channel some healing energy into him to maybe restore a little of his energy.

Other than that, I'll stay near the entrance to the statue, to stay close to my partner without hindering him.

OOC: It's good to be back, y'all.  Merry Christmas!

OoC: I forgot about blowing up the town.  But that doesn't fall into the remotely scary part, but the extremely cool part.

Eying Krillis suspiciously...

"I'll pass.  This is nothing in comparison to a death maze I had to pass to gain entrance to a different America.."

Avahur closed his eyes for a little bit trying to sense the use of magic in the air around him...

Amanda watches the dagger fly over her head, then she says,
"We need to figure out where we go from here everyone."