Time & Place Unknown

They couldn't say how long the journey took; at once it was both over in an instant, yet seemed to span the aeons. They drifted a void of unfathomable darkness, punctuated only by the scattering of stars, remote and unblinking. It was a journey of crushing loneliness, lost in a cosmos with not another object or creature but each other for vast distances all around. And yet they were uncomfortably aware of formless shapes moving in the void around them.

And also that they seemed to have left their stomaches back in the Yuirwood, if the sudden snap back to reality was anything to go by.

The stones were the same, exactly the same, but the forest was gone, and the grass underneath. Now they stood on a coarse pebbly ground, part of a jagged rocky outcrop that jutted out of a turbulent sea. The angry grey waters crashed and roiled constant, as though struck by storm, yet only a hard cold breeze buffeted them. Only the sky above was the same, though the stars had moved and did not blink or waver one bit.

Beyond the circle of stones, four glimmering towers rose from the boiling sea, topped by tall spires. They glistened strangely, as though made from something glass and metal, and three flickered with an eldritch witchlight, with tops shining like beacons. Startlingly thin, gossamer bridges connected the towers.

This new world was awe-inspiring, and terrible.

Authiel and Iodaem quickly moved out of the ring to make room for the others, and slipped between the menhirs towards the bridge.



On the bridge immediately in front of them, a huge skeletal monstrosity was coiled around the platform, its bony maw opened wide to receive them.

OOC: Roll init and make your actions. :)

As mentioned in the last thread, other PCs will arrive in subsequent rounds. Only Iodaem and Authiel may post here until I update.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:05, Mon 26 May 2008.

"Stay behind me," Iodaem quickly whispered to Authiel, taking one step towards the skeletal dragon, watching it carefully.


OOC:  Is the thing moving at all?  I'll do a Total Defense for now, boosting my AC to 20.
16:18, Today: Iodaem rolled 20 using 1d20+1. Init.

The skeletal beast did not move a bone, though the wind whistled through its ribs and fangs strangely, and it stared at them sightlessly.

Authiel moved a little behind Iodaem but called to mind her favored spell and prepared to cast it.

Ready Action: MM if threatened/attacked/told to by Iodaem, etc.

Anxiously they waited, ready for the skeleton if it chose to attack. But it did not. It didn't move at all, just lay there coiled around the bridge. It was quite dead, and not undead.

Behind them, Jorn and Allessandra drifted down out of the sky, and shortly thereafter came Slove and Gurgun.


OOC: Curses, you've seen through my ruse!

Okay, everyone can post here now. I'll put up a map and details later.

As Allessandra got her bearings after being transported by the rings, the great skeleton came into focus. At first she was taken aback,but seeing Iodaem and Authiel not in combat, she relaxed a bit. Looking around, she looks at the four towers, the sparkling sea, and wonders if she will ever again set eyes on something so eerily beautiful.

OOC: what are the relevant knowledge checks on the skeleton?

The adventurers began to move out of the stone henge, when they noticed something odd. They felt light and springy, and every step took them a pace further than expected. The effect was startling and dizzying, and they tumbled up and about before they got their bearings.

The bridge they were on was maybe 20 feet above the boiling sea below, and passed ominously through the gaping skeletal mouth of the sea drake. They could walk with ease through the jaw and along the gullet, which formed tunnel 60 feet long. But the ribs in the way had been savagely wrenched out and scattered, one lying on the bridge, the rest presumably tossed into the sea.

Now they could get a better look at the new world in which they'd found themselves. Dark clouds scudded across the twilight sky above, and the seas below still raged, with strange black shapes slipping through them. The island they stood was on a high rocky spur, part of a lonely atoll that supported the towers.

There were four of them, connected by the bridges, and all built of a dark cloudy glass. The joins between structures were seamless, almost as if they'd been created whole, or grown. Each flickered with lights, which Slove recognised as faerie fire. A small ladder led from the base of each bridge into the sea.

The bridge they were on led to the largest tower, where the outline of a door could be seen.


OOC: On the skeletal creature, Knowledge (Arcana), I guess. The module says nothing about it beyond its name, and it doesn't appear to be statted out or described anywhere in D&D. It's a sea drake, some kind of sea-dwelling dragon-creature. That's all you really need to know.

Jorn looked around avidly, already mentally writing notes for his journal.  He whispered a prayer of thanks for a safe, if somewhat unsettling journey.

Then, with a shrug, he followed the leaders down the gullet of the skeletal beastie.

Gurgun felt uneasy; his natural instinct was to avoid anything related to plane traveling. It is a very alien concept for a hobgoblin. But his monk training and dedication to Oghma made him want to learn more about the planes. He followed the others across the bridge hesitantly.

Crossing uncertainly through the sea drake's fanged maw and down its gullet, the adventurers crossed the bridge to the first of the towers. This was one of the largest, a giant irregular octagonal obelisk flattened on their side. No doubt it used to be some kind of entry hall. Behind, they could see two bridges connecting it to other towers at different heights. The very top was a great glass pyramid, illuminated like a beacon-tower or lighthouse.

The double-doors were large, easily twenty feet high, and composed of a thick dark glass, clouded so they could not see within. Strangely, there didn't appear to be any handles or locks, just a flat, sheer surface.


OOC: Describe to me how you open the door when you try it.

When they arrived at the doors, Iodaem let his hands run across the smooth surface.  With a shrug, he did the only thing he figured they could - he pushed, as best he could.

[Private to GM:  Just in case the door is stuck...
05:04, Today: Iodaem rolled 19 using 1d20+3. STR. ]

Iodaem pushed at the door, but despite how hard he tried, it would not budge. The doors creaked and the glass groaned, but they would not open. Then he noticed that there weren't even any hinges. Odd.

Finally, they worked out the secret of the door. The ancient star elves had employed sliding doors, that at a firm drag slid neatly into the walls.

There came a slick scraping noise as the door slid open, then something thudded to the ground at Iodaem's feet. It was the bloody corpse of a hobgoblin warrior, covered in odd wounds. His face was a mask of horror.

The stink of carrion filled the chamber beyond, rising from the corpses that lay scattered across the glass floor. They were locked in poses of battle, armoured orcs and hobgoblins arrayed against their rotting dead kin and the skeletons of elf-kind. The fresher bodies had been struck by claw and blade, but also had hunks of flesh ripped like the one that had greeted them at the dor.

At the northeast wall there was a statue of cloudy crystal, showing a tall elven woman in flowing robes and pleasant smile. She had her arms raised and wide in a welcoming greeting. The effect was spoiled by the violent splash of orc-blood across her body.

The room was otherwise bare, but had probably once been quite impressive. The walls, floor and ceiling were the same grey cloudy glass that the adventurers were going to get very used to. A small flickering faerie fire in each ceiling corner provided illumination. Doors could be seen leading off to the left and right, the latter open.


OOC: Map later, the room is 45ft by 50ft.
Make a DC 10 Heal or Knowledge (Nature) check to see what caused the strange wounds, followed by a DC 20 Knowledge (Arcana) check to ID the creature. (You can make the checks separately.)
Also, make a Listen check if you like.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:45, Fri 30 May 2008.

Allessandra examines the orc's corpse, wondering what could have caused its messy demise.

"This place is so foreign..." she whispers.

21:47, Today: Allessandra rolled 14 using 1d20+9. heal check on orc body.

Allessandra decided that the rending wounds had been done after death, as though some creature had been scavenging the corpses. That creature seemed to have a large beak, like some kind of giant bird.

Slove move slowly getting use the the new world he is in.  A grim smile covers his face.  He keeps his bow ready for action.

He seems to like this wild and dark place.

He looks over battle that happened with interest.

Always watchful and careful he keep eye out for any danger that faces the party.

OOC:
17:08, Today: Slove rolled 7 using 1d20+3. Know Nature.
17:06, Today: Slove rolled 14 using 1d20+7. listen.

Jorn couldn't think straight yet. He seemed torn between terror and wonder. This place, the corpses, some monster that had been dining on them... all of these terrified him. But the place also held the potential for so much knowledge, and there was even beauty of a sort in the structures and the statue... Lost in thought, he stood, aimlessly OOC: The dice hate me... Heal 2, Know (arcana) 9, Listen 11

Gurgun studied the corpse of his fallen kin with some interest, but was unable to obtain more information than what they already knew. He entered the room with some trepidation, all senses fully awake.

21:46, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 15 using 1d20+5. Listen.
21:46, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 8 using 1d20+6. heal.

Authiel knelt down over the fallen hobgoblin with sadness. She recognised the rending wounds from a creature that lurked in the forests around her home-town of Silverymoon, and whispered what she knew to the others.

The creature was an owlbear, a cross betwixt bear and owl, with features of each. It had the powerful strength and endurance of the bear, as well its nose and tracking abilities. And it had the keen senses and predatory instinct of the owl. From both creatures it gained wicked claws and the tactic of grabbing and shredding its prey. And it had the savage rage and ferocious bloodlust of a tragic fusion between two unlikely and incompatible creatures with its very existence an uncomfortable pain.

Then they all heard a soft "Hoot." from within the chamber, probably from the left-hand alcove.


OOC: Rolled Know (Arcana) for Authiel: 23 to ID the wounds, 30 to know about owlbears.

You haven't quite entered the room yet, still standing at the doorway to the tower.

"Why would anyone want to cross an owl with a bear, anyway?" Iodaem mumbled, and shook his head.  "That's just wrong. . ."

"Was that a 'hoot' ? Do owlbears make hooting sounds, or would they growl? Are owlbears evil?"

Allessandra shifts uneasily, clearly unnerved by the concept of an owl magically fused to a bear.

"I would suggest the two with best armor at front.  Healers just behind and I try get round the creature and hit it with arrows from side or behind."

Slove moves around along wall away from the alcove trying to get round so he can come in from another side or if that does not work draw the creature so group can flank it.

"As for wrong.  Human cut down big trees and make silly farm destroying the land.  Some would say that just wrong.  It does not stop then doing it in their hundreds does it?"

"Feeling guilty about something, since you decided to respond by lashing out at an entire race, hm?" Iodaem replied with a smirk, and shook his head, before drawing his curved blade.  "Gurgun, you and me up front, let's have a look at this hooting abomination of nature...  and if it's as aggressive as Authiel says, we take it down before it can do any harm."

Cautious and alert, the adventurers filed into the foyer, and fanned out into formation. They tried to be quiet, but...

"Welcome to Tir'in'tiral. Be at peace and take refreshment." The statue had spoke in the archaic Elven dialect, with the crystal jaws actually moving.

There came a bloodthirsty roar from the side-room, a mangled mix of growling and hooting. Thanks to the statue, the owlbear had awoken. It was a hideous creature with the body of a bear, the face and beak of an owl, with feathers sprouting all over. Talons scratching on the glass floor, it lumbered to its feet and began to march towards its prey.



Round 1:



C - Iodaem
H - Authiel
J - Jorn
S - Slove
A - Allessandra
G - Gurgun

O - Owlbear

Effects:

Light Gravity, as seen in The Night Realm (Maps & Details) thread. Don't forget: -2 attack, double ranged weapon range.

Initiative: green means go
26 - Slove
20 - Owlbear
19 - Authiel
11 - Iodaem
 5 - Gurgun
 4 - Jorn
 2 - Allessandra
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:28, Tue 03 June 2008.

Slove moves across the room so that he near the statue (2c).  He then fire two arrows at the creature.
As he does so he answers Iodaem comment.
"If my history is correct it was some sick minded arcane human wizard that made the first Owlbear.  As for me feeling guilty.  The hardest guilt to feel is that in the eyes of the friends that love you.  The guilt they feel when they can't look you in face."
It clear part of his reason for leaving his home was is more to do with other elves reaction to him than to what he done himself.


20:07, Today: Slove rolled 26 using 1d20+7.
20:07, Today: Slove rolled 16 using 1d20+7. attack with bow.
20:08, Today: Slove rolled 7 using 1d8+3. damage.
20:08, Today: Slove rolled 4 using 1d8+3. damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:18, Wed 04 June 2008.

OOC: Slove, Rapid Shot is a full-round action, so you can't use it after a move. I'll take only one attack, and the highest damage you rolled (7). And I'm not quite understanding some of your sentences. :)


Slove's arrow buried itself in the owlbear, and it hooted and howled in rage. Shouldering it's way through the narrow door, it stomped up to Iodaem and Gurgun, and lashed out a mighty claw at Gurgun. [7 damage to Gurgun]


OOC: Owlbear moves to G8/H9

Initiative: green means go
26 - Slove
20 - Owlbear
19 - Authiel
11 - Iodaem
 5 - Gurgun
 4 - Jorn
 2 - Allessandra

OOC: I'm assigning dodge to the owlbear ASAP... grrr, damage.

Lifting his falchion over his head, Iodaem quickly slashed down at the owlbear, hoping they could down it quickly.

[Private to GM:
08:56, Today: Iodaem rolled 7 using 2d4+4. Damage.
08:56, Today: Iodaem rolled 16 using 1d20+7. Attack!. ]

Iodaem shaved off a few feathers, but learnt that owlbears didn't go down so easily. It hooted and squawked at him.


OOC: You can act now if you like, Gurgun.

OOC: On my initiative of course

Allessandra casts Spiritual Weapon. (what is Lathander's favored weapon?)

[Private to DM BadCatMan: Additionally, if Authiel moves out of the way, I will 5' step into her square, otherwise, I will 5' step back into the hallway.]


07:00, Today: Allessandra rolled 2 using 1d8+1.
06:59, Today: Allessandra rolled 16 using 1d20+5.

Gurgun barely manages to avoid the owlbear attack, whincing from the pain from the laceration. He brings his quarterstaff about attempting to hit the beast with both ends of the staff.

10:22, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 8 using 1d6+3. damage #2.
10:22, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 17 using 1d20+4. QS / FoB attack 2.
08:16, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 13 using 1d20+4. QS / FoB attack 1.

While Gurgun walloped the owlbear in the stomach with his staff, Allessandra conjured a glowing mace and bonked it on the head.

Stepping back, Authiel quickly begun to cast a spell, deciding to try one she rarely used, conjuring an orb of sound, before hurling it into the owlbear, doing great damage to it.


[Private to Authiel:  NPC'd by Annihilator.  Hope you don't mind, hon, just wanted to help out since you've been so busy lately. ]

[Private to GM:  Lesser Orb of Sound, hits Touch AC 24 for 18 damage (after Empowering it).

13:29, Today: Secret Roll: DM Annihilator, on behalf of Authiel Hannasiel, rolled 12 using 2d6+3. Damage.
13:28, Today: Secret Roll: DM Annihilator, on behalf of Authiel Hannasiel, rolled 24 using 1d20+5. Lesser Orb of Sound, touch attack.


Spells left:

              Base       Ability  Spells
Lvl    DC   Spell/Day     Bonus    Cast       Spells left
0      ?        6      +    0   +   0    =        6
1      ?        6      +    1   +   1    =        5
2      ?        3      +    1   +   0    =        4]

Authiel's ball of sound whooshed out, but the unusual magic properties of the plane played havoc on it. The noise reached a screaming pitch that left everybody's ears ringing. The owlbear staggered, bones battered and fractured, and screamed out in its own pain and rage. [Orb of Sound hits!]

Afterwards, they could still hear it. The glass walls were ringing with the sound still, gradually decreasing in pitch.

Jorn quickly fired his bow at the staggered owlbear, but the lighter gravity confused him, and the arrow clattered to the ground. [Jorn NPCed. Bow attack, miss; arrow not broken, and retrieved.]

Round 2:



I - Iodaem
H - Authiel
J - Jorn
S - Slove
A - Allessandra
G - Gurgun

O - Owlbear

Effects:

Light Gravity, as seen in The Night Realm (Maps & Details) thread. Don't forget: -2 attack, double ranged weapon range.

Initiative: green means go
26 - Slove
20 - Owlbear
19 - Authiel
11 - Iodaem
 5 - Gurgun
 4 - Jorn
 2 - Allessandra

Slove move 5ft forward towards the creature hoping to get better shot off (D3).
He lets off 2 arrows very quickly.

OOC:
17:43, Today: Slove rolled 9 using 1d20+7. attack with bow. +1 if in 30ft.
Miss
17:43, Today: Slove rolled 27 using 1d20+7. attack with bow. +1 if in 30ft.
17:44, Today: Slove rolled 22 using 1d20+7. Crit ??.
17:44, Today: Slove rolled 5 using 1d8+3. damage.

Damage = 15 with crit.

The arrow went wide, the second thudded into the owlbear's torso and struck something vital. The monster half-roared, half-squawked, then tumbled to the ground.


OOC: Owlbear is down! It's unconscious, so you might want to coup-de-grace it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:59, Tue 10 June 2008.

Wasting no time, Iodaem quickly thrust his blade through the neck of the fallen owlbear, sending it to whatever afterlife such a bizarre being would go to.


OOC:  Coup de Grace damage:  16
12:00, Today: Iodaem rolled 16 using 4d4+8. Coup de Grace.

Treading carefully, Gurgun enters the chamber the owlbear occupied, looking for any offspring... or unfortunate victim.

The owlbear jerked once beneath Iodaem's blade, then it was dead. Perhaps it was a mercy.

"Welcome to Tir'in'tiral. Be at peace and take refreshment." the statue spoke again in its ancient elven dialect, as the rest of the adventurers moved into the foyer. Those who knew the language translated for the benefit of the others. "Enjoy your stay." it added. [Spellcraft DC 20 to identify as a Magic Mouth spell.]

Gurgun crept into the east chamber. The sliding door had jammed open some time long ago, and could not be closed by cursory tugging. Thin glass rails ran along the walls, with rusty hooks hanging from them. Perhaps it had once been a cloak room of some kind. Now it was an owlbear's den, littered with filthy rags, shed fur and molted feathers - and a gruesome pile of bloody snapped bones, the remnants of the owlbear's last meal. Perhaps it had once been a hobgoblin.

The adventurers scouted the scattered bodies. A battle had definitely taken place here, and recently, perhaps no more than half a day gone. Orcish and hobgoblin warriors had fought side-by-side, fending off elven skeletons and the zombies of their former comrades.

The orcs and hobgoblins had probably won, for the undead didn't loot the dead. Every weapon, shield or armour that hadn't been broken had been taken, and not a single piece of food, flask of water or tool of any kind could be found on them.  They had been desperate.

A trail of bloody footprints led to the other door, which was still slid closed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:50, Tue 10 June 2008.

Gurgun made a quick search of the den, not really hoping to find anything interesting (Search: 13) then approached the group and eyed the closed door with a dark glare.
Gurgun does not think the door is trapped, but sometimes it is best to be sure. Gurgun can open the door if Slove and Authiel covers the entrance.

With wide eyes full of trepidation, Authiel swallowed the tightness in her throat and nodded once almost imperceptibly, moving to stand just behind and a little off to the side of Gurgon, her hands raised as she called to mind her simple yet favorite spell since she knew not what they might face on the other side of the door.

Jorn looked around, snapping back to the present, instead of wherever his mind had been wandering.  He too took up a place where he could cover the door, an arrow ready on his bow.

With his great shot taking down the owlbear he turns to Jorn.
"When did I become such a great hunter."
It seems all the years of using a bow have now added up so Slove found himself a major warrior in group of adventures he how found himself in.

Slove look around the rooms.  Unlike most of the rest of the group he seems unmoved by the dead.  The only thing he does react over is undead and that only to express his sadness that living should not be left to rest.

He helps the hobgoblin with search of the rooms (Search 19).

He turns to other elf.  Saying something softly to her [Private to Authiel Hannasiel: We will lay our brothers and sisters in  a proper way when we have made sure the tower is safe.  I will see to it.]

Last he places himself ready with is bow so as Gurgun opens it he can fire two arrows at what ever behind it.

With her spell at the ready, Authiel was a bit surprised when Slove spoke to her.  She had thought he was avoiding her and didn't like her, so it was nice.  That he felt as she did, she turned to him with tears in her normally bright eyes, a soft smile of understanding decorating her face, showing him her gratitude.  "Thank you," she whispered, a look of camaraderie passing from her to him.

Slove is even more surprised than Authiel at her words to him.  To be smiled at and thanked by one of his own kind is more that the warden bow he now carries.  It clear that two elves have much speak of.  In the look of camaraderie passing between the two Anthiel now know she welcome to speak to Slove at any time and maybe he will not avoid her as he had.

Jorn just shrugged at Slove's 'mighty hunter' question, but smiled to see the two elves talking and laughing.

With an uneasy glance at the owlbear's dead body, Iodaem followed the others, sticking close to Authiel - though when Slove begun to talk to her in elven, it was clear that he did not understand a word of it.  When it seemed like their little conversation was over, he placed a hand on Authiel's shoulder, and whispered, "Stay behind me - if something dangerous happens, I will not let you be harmed," before leaning in to give her a soft kiss, and then moving in between her and the door, waiting for Gurgun to open it.

Smiling even more at Slove when she recognized that her unspoken offer of friendship had been accepted, Authiel turned to Iodaem and nodded.  It was always thus, he always insisted she stay behind him.  She understood his reasons why, and actually appreciated it since it usually left her protected and free to cast her spells in relative safety.  His kiss surprised her for he didn't usually do that so freely in front of others, but she smiled sweetly as she returned it then moved behind him while keeping just a bit to the side still so that she could cast her missiles if needed once the door was opened.

Gurgun slid the door open with a squeak of glass on glass. Nothing was behind it.

The room appeared to have once been a sitting room, with glass benches crafted in a fluid, curving style ran along the walls. Soft grey cushions covered the seats. Perhaps they had once been a comfortable place to sit and relax, or even lie down to rest, as a dead orc now did. But now they were decayed and fraying with age, just like everything else in this dead world.

Authiel lowered her hands, her eyes filling once more with trepidation and worry.  What could have happened here to have turned such interesting beauty to so much ... nothingness.  The entire place felt creepy...dead...to her, and yet there was evidence of recent life.  None of it made sense to the young elf.  In desperation she reached forward and took hold of Iodaem's free hand, squeezing it tightly to convey her distress without alerting the others.

Another dead brute. Where did they come from, I thought this place was crafted by elves? We did not find tracks of them at the stone circle, this can mean there are other gates to this place.
Gurgun looks to see where the bloody tracks leads to.

Allessandra examines the dead orc, looking for how it died.

22:53, Today: Allessandra rolled 16 using 1d20+9. heal check on dead orc.

This place disturbs me because it feels violated.

The orc that Allessandra examined had died like all the others, by claw and blade, probably inflicted by more undead.

In answer to Gurgun's question Slove stated that any tracks from brutes must have been quite old, for he'd found no sign. They'd have been long obscured by rain and the merchant.

The bloody footprints led off to another closed door, to the north. There seemed to be nothing in particular about them, just the hurried flight of a squad of orcs and hobgoblins.

The party gathered around the door in the same manner they had the previous one. They got the feeling that this would become a common tactic. Gurgun opened it on to yet another scene of violence and bloodshed.

A gorgeous crystal fountain rose in the centre of the chamber, fashioned to result abstract designs of sunlight sparkling off water. A wide pool surrounded te fountain, with edges fashioned into seats, presumably so guests could relax in the pool and enjoy the water spray.

But the magnificent sculpture was ruined; a clumsy orc had smashed the glass wall, flooding the chamber. The orc himself lay face down in the water, now turned pink. A smeared trail of blood led to another door. The floor was slick and slippery.

They had no time to explore or admire the view however, for as they took a step through the door, they saw around the corner a squad of skeletons and zombie hobgoblin warriors taking up positions. Two of the skeletons took cover behind the fountain, with bows in hand. The zombies and another skeleton had weapons in hand and advanced on the party. One held a longsword that glowed a dim leaf green.

Round 1:



I - Iodaem
A - Authiel
J - Jorn
S - Slove
A - Allessandra
G - Gurgun

S - Elf Skeletons
Z - Hobgoblin Zombies

Effects:

Slippery Floor: DC 7 Balance check or fall prone if you make a melee attack or move faster than half-speed.

Light Gravity, as seen in The Night Realm (Maps & Details) thread. Don't forget: -2 attack, double ranged weapon range (including Point Blank Shot).

Initiative: green means go
25 - Slove
23 - Elf Skeletons
19 - Hobgoblin Zombies
16 - Authiel
11 - Gurgun
10 - Jorn
 9 - Iodaem
 7 - Allessandra
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:03, Wed 11 June 2008.

With out another word or thought Slove lets of two arrows at the zombie right across from him (7H).  He stays skill as for him it best creature come to him.
"Someone need get the archers as my arrows will be of little use against them."

OOC:
14:20, Today: Slove rolled 12 using 1d20+8. attack with bow.
14:21, Today: Slove rolled 28 using 1d20+8. attack with bow.
14:22, Today: Slove rolled 7 using 1d8+3. damage.
14:22, Today: Slove rolled 5 using 1d8+3. damage.

Mid-Round Update:

One of Slove's arrow bounced off the zombie's shield, the other thudded into its body. As it turned out, arrows were little use against them as well, and the zombie hardly noticed. But it was unbalanced, and fell over backwards. [1 miss, 1 doesn't beat DR 5/slashing. Zombie fails Balance check and falls.]

The skeletons let fly their own arrows. One hit the wall, the other struck Iodaem a glancing strike. [6 damage to Iodaem]

The other zombie, this one with the green-glowing sword, shambled up to the group, moaning and groaning.

The last skeleton moved much faster, dashing across the blood-slick floor with a bony clatter. It slashed out with a skeletal hand at Slove, but the desperate attack caused the hand to fall completely off.


Zombie in H7 is prone
Zombie with green sword in I8 moved to C10
Skeleton in I7 charged to E10

Initiative: green means go
25 - Slove
23 - Elf Skeletons
19 - Hobgoblin Zombies
16 - Authiel
11 - Gurgun
10 - Jorn
 9 - Iodaem
 7 - Allessandra

[Private to Gurgun Nightwhisper: Gurgun, remember you took 7 damage from the owlbear.]

Quickly cutting out with his falchion, going for power over finesse, Iodaem growled as he found his blade meeting the zombie's shield.

Jorn slipped right, around Slove and skidded toward the fountain. He managed to keep his feet, and chanted out the familiar words of a summoning spell.

A moment later, a large glowing beetle appeared between the archers, and swung its head around to bite. Apparently it wasn't expecting the slick floor and went down in a tangle of waving legs.

OOC: Move to e8, possibly drawing an AoO from e10. Balance check 13. Summon Monster II as a standard action. The summoned beetle got a 2 on its Balance check. I'm not sure if failing the Balance means no attack, or attack & fall, so I didn't roll it. If it's attack & fall, his attack is at a flat d20, for 1d4+1.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:06, Thu 12 June 2008.

The skeleton took a swipe at Jorn on the way past, but he was too short for it.


OOC: Sorry, no attack for failing the Balance check.

Allessandra presents her holy symbol towards the skeletons and zombies and calls forth the glorius light of The Morninglord - she attempts to turn the evil creatures.


18:59, Today: Allessandra rolled 5 using 1d20+4. turning check. (*facepalms*)
19:00, Today: Allessandra rolled 13 using 2d6+6. turning damage.
Max Hit Dice: 1 - 13 hit dice of 1 HD undead.

Gurgun curls himself into a ball while leaping forward, hits the floor and goes into a handstand before flipping over and landing upright on his feet right next to the prone zombie. Sling ready, he launches a bullet towards one of the archers scoring a glancing shot.
Gurgun hates the undead! he growls at the sight of his rotting brethren.

OOC: Assign dodge to skeleton archer (nearest), tumble to avoid AoO from zombie and skeleton at e10, land on g7, attacking nearest skeleton archer.
07:34, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 4 using 1d4+3. Damage.
07:34, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 15 using 1d20+5. Sling attack.
07:33, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 19 using 1d20+8. Tumble to avoid zombie AoO (beats DC17 to avoid AoO from both skeleton and zombie).
Also, even with the penalty Gurgun has +8 to balance checks so no need to roll.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:50, Thu 12 June 2008.

Golden light spilled forth from Allessandra's holy symbol, like the sunrise it represented. The zombies squinted against its glare and withstood its force, but the skeletons weren't so strong. They threw their bony arms up to pointlessly fend it off, and shield eyes that they did not have. Beneath the burning light, the skeletons screamed, a dry death-rattle, and collapsed into a pile of old bones.

Last Round & Round 2:

No map now, I'll update that when the zombies take their actions, probably tomorrow.

Locations:

E8 - Jorn
G7 - Gurgun
H7 - Zombie 1, prone
C10 - Zombie 2, with fancy sword

Skeletons are destroyed.

Initiative: green means go
16 - Authiel
25 - Slove
23 - Elf Skeletons
19 - Hobgoblin Zombies
16 - Authiel
11 - Gurgun
10 - Jorn
 9 - Iodaem
 7 - Allessandra


OOC: Authiel hasn't yet had her turn from Round 1, so she can still take it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:46, Thu 12 June 2008.

Realizing that she didn't need to take care of the archers, Authiel quickly changed her mind and cast a more powerful but less certain spell, once she couldn't be sure would hit, but she figured that since zombies were so slow she had a pretty good chance.  And this spell had the potential to hurt a whole lot more.  Aiming at the one nearest Iodaem, whom she temporarily moved in front of by a ways to better steady herself and aim, Authiel quickly recited her spell, and bolts of flame sprang forth from the fingers of her right hand.

[Private to GM: Ranged Touch Attack.  No Save.  Scorching Ray.
23:04, Today: Authiel Hannasiel rolled 20 using 4d6+4. Damage.
23:04, Today: Authiel Hannasiel rolled 17 using 4d6+4. Damage.
23:04, Today: Authiel Hannasiel rolled 16 using 1d20+4. Ranged Touch Attack (including -2/plane).
23:04, Today: Authiel Hannasiel rolled 17 using 1d20+4. Ranged Touch Attack (including -2/plane). ]

The flaming bolts struck the zombies, and dry flesh ignited. Immolated, the zombies staggered around with coats of fire, before they collapsed onto the glass floor, as ashy husks. The stench of burning meat filled the room.


OOC: Combat is over. XP coming next.

The adventurers fanned out into the room, taking the time to be careful over the slippery floor.

The hobgoblins had their basic gear, and a few coins, but one was much more impressively equipped. The glowing green longsword was fashioned in elven design, with leaves decorating its pommel, cross-guard and part of the blade. It might have come from the statue out in the foyer. The blade itself wasn't metal, but glass like the rest of this strange citadel. It glowed a soft green, like light through a forest glade. A flowing elven phrase ran down its length.

Of the skeletons, they had only bows, but one had its own odd treasure - A short silver chain was wrapped around a few of its ribs.

Two doors led out of the chamber, both to the east (for lack of a better word) and closed. A bloody smear on the floor trailed to one of them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:04, Fri 13 June 2008.

Gurgun looks appreciatively at the damage wrought by Authiel's spell. Impressive... most impressive!
Moving quickly across the slippery floor with practiced ease Gurgun takes a good look at the glowing sword, then turns his interest to the silver chain. Pretty sword, but I don't really know how to use it. This looks like an amulet of sorts, any idea what it could be? he asks the priestess, keeping a wary eye on the two doors.

Allessandra looks the amulet over, utters a few divine words, her eyes begin to glow from within her iris, she can now see the auras of any magics active in the room. She inspects the amulet and the long sword for clues as to their capabilities.

[Private to GM: () indicate expended
0th level: Read Magic, Read Magic, Detect Magic, (Detect Magic)
1st level: Bless, Obscuring Mist, Resurgence
2nd Level: Bull's Strength, (Spiritual Weapon)
Granted Spells:
Lvl 1: Endure Elements
Lvl 2: Heat Metal

Granted Spells:
Lvl 1: Protection from Evil
Lvl 2: Aid]

Allessandra was surprised to see the entire building light up with a faint aura of magic, due to the enchanted glass and fairy lights that illuminated the rooms and buildings. It took her a little while to filter that out and get a proper look at the treasure.

To everyone's disappointment, the silver chain wasn't magical at all. Yet it had an odd significance. It wasn't everyday that one saw a skeleton wearing jewelery, especially tangled up in its rib cage.

But the sword was magical, displaying both the schools of evocation and divination magic, both faintly. The evocation was no doubt due to being an enchanted weapon, and one that glowed. But the divination was unusual.


OOC: It's just a plain short silver chain, not an amulet or pendant of any kind.

I'm assuming that everyone's too cautious to pick something up yet. More information will come as you experiment and decide to take a closer look.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:47, Fri 13 June 2008.

OOC: Ah, but tied to a rib... it could still have some spiritual or other significance. I meant amulet in a non-metagaming sense ;-)

"I can't determine what auras there are, but the long sword is clearly magical. The amulet is just jewelry."


23:45, Today: Allessandra rolled 16 using 1d20+7. knowledge religion on amulet or amulet placement on skeleton

Allessandra couldn't be sure, but she'd heard of some religions that practiced unusual methods of treating their dead. One in particular involved taking the bones of the deceased for storage in an ossuary or crypt. Either this would be long after the flesh had rotted off, or after being burnt in a pyre, or performed much quicker using the process of maceration, wherein the flesh was boiled off in cooking pots. Some monstrous races ate the resulting stew, but she doubted it had happened here, or she really hoped it hadn't. It was the most effective means of keeping the bones clean, but the practice had almost died out in most civilizations due to the universal sense of revulsion people had to it.

By whatever means they were obtained, the bones were then collected into a bundle, and sometimes tied with string, ribbon or decorative chains to hold them together. The bundles would then be stored as required, either in a box or alcove in an ossuary or crypt.

This was just her best guess, of course. She'd have to know much more about the ancient star elves and their practices to be sure. But the bones of the skeletons were really quite clean and white...
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:47, Fri 13 June 2008.

These are just mindless pawns; who controls them... or what...? Gurgun asks sweeping an arm across the room designating the fallen undead.

He then points a thumb at the doors; So, the door with the bloody trail or the clean one? Gurgun is curious to find out what has been dragged this far.

Sheathing his own blade, Iodaem kneeled down to pick up the green-glowing blade, inspecting it carefully.  "Made of glass...  interesting," he mumbled, and gripped it tightly.

Though the blade was glass, it seemed to be as strong and as sharp any normal steel, though much lighter. Swinging it about was smooth and easy. The blade was translucent, almost transparent. Carved into the blade was flowing Elven script - Elf-friend. Iodaem barely knew a word of Elven, and yet somehow he could read it perfectly.

"Elf-friend...?" Iodaem whispered, and turned towards Authiel, showing her the script he had somehow read, to make sure it was correct.  She'd been teaching him a bit of elven, but he'd yet to pick up much - and so, he was surprised to find that he could understand this.

"Yes, Iodaem," Authiel said with a sweet smile before pronouncing it for him in elven to reinforce her lessons.  The pretty elf looked at the sword admiringly.  "It is beautiful," she whispered, running a finger lightly along the blunt edge of the blade.  "Anyone would be lucky to carry and use such a weapon."

"I...  I understand.  It must be magic, then," Iodaem whispered, offering Authiel a soft smile.  "Elf-friend...  I assume that this was not the weapon of an elf, then, but of someone close to one?" he suggested, looking at Authiel for confirmation.

"I would assume so, yes," Authiel confirmed, smiling up at Iodaem again before she went back to admiring the design.

"Then I think it is appropriate for me to take it," Iodaem replied with a nod.


OOC:  Is there a sheath for the blade on the dead body?  :p

Authiel smiled again and nodded in complete agreement as her eyes misted over with bittersweet tears.  Iodaem had nearly given his life to try and save her sister, and since they had found each other, Iodaem had done nothing but protect and care for Authiel as well.  If ever anybody had been an elf-friend, it was him in Authiel's opinion.

As the group look round the room Slove stays still and waits with his bow ready.
It clear the ranger feels that his first role is to wait ready with bow while other look place over.
He does take some interest in the sword taking in all that said.
At one point he look at Authiel Hannasiel then Iodaem and back to the elf.  Slove really can't made head or tail of the relationship and decides best just let it go.
He looks at Authiel and give her a shrug of his shoulders.
If the sword says Elf-Friend then must be gift so does not have problems with items being in human hand.  He does not see why she should not choose it next over.
He speaks again in elvish.
[Private to Authiel Hannasiel: We have much cleaning up to do to return this place to it former glory but for now we must still be careful.]

Jorn paid minimal attention to the treasures that had been gathered, instead making his way carefully across the slippery floor to the beetle. He steadied it as it rose and said, "My thanks for coming at my call.  Go in peace."

As the beetle faded from sight, returning to wherever it had come from, he turned back to Gurgun and answered the hobgoblin's question. "I'd say we follow the drag marks.  It's more likely to get us in trouble, but it's also more likely to get us answers about what's going on here."

Gurgun grins: Me like your way of thinking!

After giving Iodaem yet another smile, a very meaningful one, Authiel rested her hand on his and gave it a soft squeeze before leaving him alone to speak with Slove.  She walked over to the other elf, her sorrow at the death and destruction obvious.  [Private to Slove: "Yes, much work.  I will be proud to work with you and the others, hopefully, to do so.  And Slove, I hope you do not mind that I am kind of giving that sword to Iodaem.  I know I have no more right to it than you, and it is a long story, but Iodaem...  he deserves it more than any other I could possibly think of..."  Authiel's quiet words choked up, and it appeared she could not go on.  Clearly there was something very special that had occurred between her and the pale human.]

A simple hobgoblin-make scabbard would do for the sword. There didn't appear to be a proper one that came with Elffriend, but they recalled that the glass statue in the foyer might have had one.

The bloody trail was quite a ghastly sight, as Slove checked it over. A body, probably a freshly slain orc or hobgoblin, had been quite badly injured, possibly mutilated. Then something had dragged it across the floor. Drag, stop, drag, stop. It had been small, ground-level. But with the blood, ichor and running water, determining what it was was impossible.

Before the blood trail disappeared under the door, an awful left-over was found. A strip of peeled off skin, jammed under the door.

Are we ready? Gurgun asks, moving towards the closed door.

"I fear this is only going to get worse.  Until we have clean the whole place  we will not be safe.  I am ready however."

Slove falls quite quickly back to his negative self.

Allessandra steels herself.

"I'm ready."

Steeling themselves for whatever horrors lay beyond the door, the adventures opened it...

...And found that horror staring them in the face.

Lying on the floor amidst a crimson confusion of blood and gore was a dead humanoid. Possibly it had once been an orc. It had been stripped naked, and stripped of its skin. Split down the chest, the skin of the body, arms and face had been peeled back with agonising care, and lay spread out beneath the corpse like an old jacket and hood, all in one piece. The work stopped at the waist, but it didn't appear to be finished. Muscles, tendons, organs and bones were exposed. Fortunately for the poor orc, a broken neck and lolling head showed it had died before the skinning. Dead eyes stared upwards and back at the party, wide with horror.

Forcing themselves to look away from the nightmarish scene, they saw the room appeared to be a dressing room. Glass bins and coat hooks covered the walls, and rails with coat-hangers. Some still held old towels, now stiff and mildewed with age, or silk gowns of twilight grey, some still luxurious and clean. Amidst the gowns was an old pale leather coat on a coat-hanger, ragged and stained, whilst another hooks and hangers held the orc's breeches and vest and leather armour.

Whoever or whatever had done such a horrific thing had certainly been tidy about it.

All color drained from Authiel's face, and she gasped sharply, her small hands going straight to her chest as if to capture her heart before it jumped out of her chest.  The obviously shaken elf swayed slightly on the spot where she stood, the sight obviously too much for her but she couldn't look away.  Whether orc or human or elf or whatever it had been, it hadn't deserved that, even in death, and that shook Authiel to her very core, even more than the horror of the disgusting sight before her.

"There is something wickedly evil in this place, this confirms it. What sort of creature would act out this sort of violation of another?" she says out loud as she considers the carnage before her.

OOC: does Allessandra recall from any of her schooling at the monastery what sort of evil performs this sort of dissection (any pertinent knowledge rolls?).

Amongst the undead-hating and fearing Lathanderites at the monastery, there'd been a number of whispered tales of horrific undead things that some of their number had gone up against, and not all of whom had survived. But only a few tales referred to   skin, specifically.

Most undead were made of whole corpses, others just bones or flesh or blood, or limbs. A few however were made entirely from the leftover skin of the others. One that Allessandra had heard of a kind of kite or bat made of skin, that flapped around and literally tore strips off its victims. Another was much larger, a full hide that crawled along like a slithering blanket and liked to ambush, constrict and smother its prey. Both were known to steal skin from their victims, either to feed or to reproduce.

And of course, there were the usual vile necromancers and serial killers, many of whom were sadly all too humanoid.

Quickly, Iodaem wrapped his arms around Authiel, holding her close to him, wanting to shield her from the sight before them.  Iodaem had thought he'd seen some ghastly things in his life - and he had - but nothing was quite like this.  "Let's move on...  quickly," he mumbled, a hand stroking gently through Authiel's fair hair, hoping he could be a source of comfort to her.

Hiding her face in Iodaem's shoulder, Authiel trembled too much to even nod her agreement to move on.  It was all too much for her to register, to see.  But she wanted to get out of there.  Quickly.

As before Slove seems unmoved by the body.  Something in him seems to not really find this both surprising or even gruesome.
He keeps his thought to himself as know that it could up set others.

He moves into room once he sure it safe and lays what ever he can over the body so that it safe for Authiel Hannasiel to enter.  Once he done that he turns to her.
"The body covered.  Once we know safe I deal with it."

In the room there were a number of old towels, dressing gowns and bath robes, as well as the orc's own clothes. But the filthy pale leather coat or poncho seemed large enough to cover the whole mess.

[Private to Slove: But was it really an old coat? The thing was ragged and stained, and nothing about it really suggested the cut of a tailor. Maybe it was an orc's crude effort at an over-coat.

As Slove neared it, he realised that this leather coat wasn't made from the skin of a cow at all. The dust wasn't dust, it was hair. Specks of dirt were really freckles and moles. Gloves dangled from the arms, eerily like hands. There was a split up the lower back, suggestive of legs. The hood drooped down, full of holes and indentations that strangely resembled a mask of a face. The coat was made from the skin of a humanoid.]

A blanket of skin, slithering around searching for victims? Gurgun says nothing more, but simply nods towards the leather cloak.
The Seeker pulls out a small clay flask and calls out: Stand back!
He then throws the flask towards the cloak, it breaks on contact and its content ignites immediately, engulfing the cloak in flames.

OOC: Throw alchemists fire, 08:10, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 10 using 1d20+4. Ranged touch attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:11, Mon 16 June 2008.

The leather cloak writhed in the flames, whilst the silk robes charred and burned. The thing dropped off the hook and landed on the floor with a sickening flop, then slowly unfolded and creeped along the floor toward the living. Flames still licked across its undulating surface.

This leather coat wasn't made from the skin of a cow at all. The dust wasn't dust, it was hair. Specks of dirt were really freckles and moles. Gloves dangled from the arms, eerily like hands that reached forwards to grip the ground as it crawled. There was a split up the lower back, suggestive of legs and feet. The hood drooped down, full of holes and indentations that resembled a mask of a face.

The coat wasn't a coat at all. It was the skin of a humanoid.



Map:

No map this time. It's a single target and a 35x35 foot room.

Effects:

Light Gravity, as usual

The floor is dry, so the slippery floor problem of the last battle is not an issue.

Initiative:
17 - Authiel
14 - Iodaem
11 - Slove
10 - Jorn
10 - Skin Creature
 9 - Allessandra
 5 - Gurgun
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:56, Mon 16 June 2008.

Authiel went from being sickened and horrified to worse.  She'd never in her worst nightmares encountered any such thing.  Without knowing anything about the creature at hand, she didn't know what kind of spells she should cast, so she decided to go with her normal standby until she could get a feel for it after watching it and her allies fight.  Within a scant moment, two twin bolts flew from her hands to the creature.

08:27, Today: Authiel Hannasiel rolled 5 using 2d4+2. MM.  8 once Warmage Edge is added.

Quickly, Iodaem gripped his new blade with both hands, and moved quickly up to the...  thing.  Cutting down, he allowed the blade's magic to guide his hands, driving it into his foe powerfully.

Jorn stepped forward, pulling his axe as he moved. The broad blade swung down, but rang on the stone of the floor rather than biting into the obscenely slithering skin. axe attack 13

OOC: Do I think this is the skin monster mentioned before, and therefore it is undead? or is it something else? knowledge planes roll?

In a move that was as swift as was sleek slove drops his bow and draws his sword.
The sword was sucked on his back with handle sticking just above his ears.
It quite possible nobody notice it as slove always seems to use bow.

The sword is quite big and slove have to use both hands to use it.

However the blade goes flying over the creature on the floor.

The skin monster uncoiled and roiled along the floor, and shuddered sickeningly as the adventurers let rip against it with spell and blade. Iodaem's new sword rent a  gash in its side and Authiel blasted a few small holes in it. But it was barely slowed or wounded; there was so much skin and nothing else that it would take a lot of harm to stop it.

It reared up, like a snake, with its empty head drooping down. It swayed from side to side, seeking prey, seeking the one who threatened it most. Suddenly it lunged forwards, slapping a roll of skin against Iodaem. The blow had tremendous force, surprising for a creature with no bones or muscles. [Attack 26, Damage 16 to Iodaem!]

Then the piece of skin, perhaps it once been an arm, slithered over Iodaem, and began to coil around him and squeeze him tight. The rest of the skin rose up, threatening to engulf Iodaem beneath its putrid mass. [Improved Grab: free grapple with no AoOs. Grapple 22, Constrict Damage 10.]


OOC: Yup, undead skin monster. I rolled a Knowledge (Religion) check for you Allessandra, but you don't learn any more than I mentioned already, I'm afraid. From your last check and the now-obvious: Undead, Improved Grab, Constrict, very tough, strong and stealthy. It's called a 'Forsaken Shell'.

Grapple Rules for reference.
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/comb...lAttacks.htm#grapple

Initiative:
17 - Authiel
14 - Iodaem
11 - Slove
10 - Jorn
10 - Skin Creature
9 - Allessandra
 5 - Gurgun

OOC:  Opposed Grapple - 22.

OOC: Okay, opposed checks... better modifier wins, right? That would be the skin monster.

OOC:  Yeah, I was hoping you didn't know that.  :p

Allessandra summons forth the Morninglord's might and her holy symbol bathes the room in a soft light.

"vile thing, begone!"

23:33, Today: Allessandra rolled 9 using 2d6+6. turn damage on skin job.
23:32, Today: Allessandra rolled 19 using 1d20+4. turn check against the skin job.

most powerful undead affected: 5HD
9HD of creatures affected.

Gurgun stares horriefied at the abhorrant sack of skin, but finally snaps out of hit. Grabbing his staff at one end with both hands he lifts it high above his head before striking the writhing mass.
Let go of him!

10:26, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 5 using 1d6+4. 2H damage.
10:26, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 24 using 1d20+5. QS attack 2H.

The forsaken shell barely noticed the divine light of Lathander, except for maybe a light tan.

Gurgun walloped it with his staff, to much greater effect. He gave it a nasty bruise.

But still the skin monster was intact, and the thing climbed up Iodaem and wrapped itself around him like a blanket, and began to squeeze. The noxious empty face battered itself against his own with sick rubbery slaps.

Round 2:

Iodaem and the Skin Monster are grappling. Neither may threaten squares, they have no Dex to AC (except against eachother) and may move normally.

Initiative:
17 - Authiel
14 - Iodaem
11 - Slove
10 - Jorn
10 - Skin Creature
9 - Allessandra
 5 - Gurgun
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:12, Tue 17 June 2008.

Screaming for the others to get the thing off him, right away, Iodaem frantically tried to free himself, but it was just too hard, especially since he wasn't able to stay calm and concentrate.

OOC:  Total grapple score was lower than it's modifier, so no luck there.  :p  Gurgun, you're a Monk, can't you grapple it instead, or something?  :p

With frightened tears in her eyes, Authiel rushed forward to try and help Iodaem, no thoughts at all for her own safety.  She found a part of him not covered by the strange skin creature and activated a magical item she wore before yelling, "Please, come help!"  It was a little silly, of course, for everyone was helping, but Authiel was scared to death of losing Iodaem.  Especially as she'd just recently lost her beloved sister.

[Private to Iodaem: 11:52, Today: Authiel Hannasiel rolled 22 using 4d8. Activate Healing Belt. ]

OOC: I will, just need to boost my strength a little!

I can make you stronger, lets get in position. I can't believe that when I tried to banish the foul thing, it just shrugged off the power of Lathander!

Gurgun will need the strength of the gods if to wrestle the skin-thing and save Ioadem he will!

Jorn sighed and stepped back.  He didn't dare risk the axe while the thing was that close to Iodaem.  Much as he hated the cruder magics, he pulled the wand from his belt and unleashed a pair of darts of power at the skin creature.

21:23, Today: Jorn Brightcaller rolled 6 using 2d4+2. MM Damage.

Mid-Round Update:

Jorn blasted another hole in the skin, but they still had quite a ways to go to destroy the horrid thing.

Iodaem found himself buoyed up by life from Authiel's belt, but still the thing was crushing that new life from him. How long could they keep this up?

Initiative:
17 - Authiel
14 - Iodaem
11 - Slove
10 - Jorn
10 - Skin Creature
 9 - Allessandra
 5 - Gurgun

Using a slightly different movement with his sword Slove does his best hit the creature and not Iodaem.  He aim more to bottom of creature where only Iodaem legs are.

OOC:
12:29, Today: Slove rolled 26 using 1d20+8. Attack sword (if no chance to hit Iod).
12:30, Today: Slove rolled 11 using 2d6+4. damage.

Mid-Round Update:

Slove ripped a sizable hole in the skin. It was looking quite ragged now, but hadn't let up on its grip on Iodaem. [Slove hits.]

The skin pulled itself tighter around him, until Iodaem's chest felt crushed, his neck strangled. [Grapple check 17. Constrict: damage 9 if you don't beat the grapple, Iodaem.]


Initiative:
17 - Authiel
14 - Iodaem
11 - Slove
10 - Jorn
10 - Skin Creature
9 - Allessandra
 5 - Gurgun

Allessandra casts Bull's Strength on Gurgun.

+4 Strength

GC to join grapple 20

OOC: OGC - 16. You're in!

Gurgun leapt on the skin and ripped it a new one as he tried to pull the thing off Iodaem. The action just saved the human from another bone-crushing squeeze. [Iodaem, NPCed: OGC 19, no constrict damage. Gurgun, I rolled your damage to the skin: 11]

But the thing could flex both ways, and began to creep its frayed edges around Gurgun too.


Round 3:

Iodaem, Gurgun and the Skin Monster are grappling. None of them may threaten squares, they have no Dex to AC (except against eachother) and may not move normally.

Initiative:
17 - Authiel
14 - Iodaem
11 - Slove
10 - Jorn
10 - Skin Creature
 9 - Allessandra
 5 - Gurgun
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:46, Thu 19 June 2008.

PL: [Private to DM BadCatMan: You forgot to add +2 to damage from Bull's strength.

From DM: Fixed, thanks!]

Gurgun's imposing frame attains frightening proportions under the influence of the divine spell. His muscles ripple and bulges as he tries to get an upper hand against his nearly amorphous opponent.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:47, Thu 19 June 2008.

Slove again brings his sword down on the creature trying to cut it into peace so can no longer hold Iodaem.

OOC:
08:03, Today: Slove rolled 9 using 2d6+4. damage.
08:03, Today: Slove rolled 18 using 1d20+8. attack with sword.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:29, Sat 21 June 2008.

There was little Iodaem could do to break the hold of the skin-creature, despite his strength of arms and martial training - today, it was Beshaba who looked down upon him, not Tymora, or so it seemed. . .


OOC:  23:20, Today: Iodaem rolled 10 using 1d20+7. Grapple (Escape).

Bleh.  :p

Mid-Round Update:

Slove shredded a great gash in the skin thing with this sword. It was in a pretty sorry state now, with rips and holes all over, but it wasn't weakened any.

Authiel finally thought of just the right spell to use, one that would hurt the skin monster and not injure Iodaem any more. Murmuring some dark arcane words, her hand glowed a sickly pale blue light. She darted in and tried to slap her hand on the despicable monster's undead hide, but it between the frantic movements of Iodaem and Gurgun, it jerked out of the way. [Authiel NPCed. Cast Chill Touch, touch attack misses.]

Jorn moved in, a gripped the edges of the skin and tried to pull them away from Iodaem. He loosened them a bit, but not enough to let Iodaem go from the monster's iron grip. [Jorn NPCed. Uses Aid Another. Iodaem gains a +2 bonus to next escape attempt.]

The skin battered Iodaem again, slapping its hollow face against his own. He could feel a rotting non-breath in his face, before it coiled around his throat. [Grapple 15, Take Constrict Damage 7 if you fail on the OGC]

Initiative:
17 - Authiel
14 - Iodaem
11 - Slove
10 - Jorn
10 - Skin Creature
9 - Allessandra
 5 - Gurgun
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:00, Sun 22 June 2008.

Allessandra steps forward towards the writhing mass, watching as Iodaem struggled mightily against the foul thing.

She casts Protection From Evil on Iodaem. (+2 deflection bonus to AC)

She prays this will keep him from succumbing so easily to the creature.

Gurgun wraps his mighty arms around the thing.

20:58, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 29 using 1d20+12. GC brake grip on Ioadem.

Gurgun yanked the flaps of skin from around Iodaem, and with a mighty effort borne of divinely enhanced strength, he tore the skin's grip open, and Iodaem tumbled out, free and gasping for breath. [OGC 16. Gurgun wins! Iodaem is free!]

Only now, Gurgun was left grappling the thing all by himself, and it quickly turned its horrible attention to him.


Round 4:

Gurgun and the Skin Monster are grappling. None of them may threaten squares, they have no Dex to AC (except against eachother) and may not move normally.

Initiative:
9 - Allessandra
17 - Authiel
14 - Iodaem
11 - Slove
10 - Jorn
10 - Skin Creature
 9 - Allessandra
 5 - Gurgun

Jorn brought his axe around, trying to land a cut on the wriggling skin without harming Gurgun.

21:07, Today: Jorn Brightcaller rolled 5 using 1d20+2. Axe attack.
OOC: I don't find anything about attacking into a grapple that might injure Gurgun, but I'm admittedly brain dead at the moment.  If I'm missing something, please point it out and Jorn will just dither and do nothing for this round instead.

Slove carries on carving up the creature strip by strip.
The elf finds himself again the major strength in the group.  It has been a long time since anybody relied on him.  He elf finding this need other have for him something he missed from his long past.

OOC:
09:21, Today: Slove rolled 26 using 1d20+8. attack with sword.
09:21, Today: Slove rolled 8 using 2d4+4. damage.

The adventurers continued to hack-and-slash at the skin monster, with Slove scoring another big rip. And still the damn thing struggled in Gurgun's hands, refusing to die a second time.

Initiative:
9 - Allessandra
17 - Authiel
14 - Iodaem
11 - Slove
10 - Jorn
10 - Skin Creature
 9 - Allessandra
 5 - Gurgun

OOC: ok, the protection from evil was a lame idea.

Allessandra steps forward and draws her mace, and attempts to smash the skin monster without hitting Gurgun.


21:13, Today: Allessandra rolled 8 using 1d20+3. to hit on skin monster. (probable miss)
21:13, Today: Allessandra rolled 4 using 1d6. damage to skin monster.

Scrambling to his feet, Iodaem gripped his elven-made sword again, driving it into the skin-creature, wanting - needing - to see it die.



21:35, Today: Iodaem rolled 9 using 1d8+5. Damage.
21:35, Today: Iodaem rolled 21 using 1d20+6. Attack!.

Mid-Round Update:

Iodaem and Allessandra attacked the struggling skin monster; Iodaem ripped it, though Allessandra's mace only mashed it a little bit. [Iodaem hits, Allessandra misses.]

Then Authiel darted in, her hand still glowing a sickly blue. She slapped it on the skin monster, and the light seeped into the skin. The thing stiffened and shuddered horribly, and a dry gasp burst from its empty mouth. Then it shook the effect off, with the light fading. [Authiel NPCed: Touch Attack 17, hit. Skin Will save 28, success. No change.]

The monster went back to trying to strangle Gurgun, coiling its way around his torso and neck with slithering relentlessness. [Gurgun: Beat GC 19, or take Constrict damage 8]

Initiative:
9 - Allessandra
17 - Authiel
14 - Iodaem
11 - Slove
10 - Jorn
10 - Skin Creature
9 - Allessandra
 5 - Gurgun

Allessandra grows frustrated at this foul thing and takes a mighty swing.

23:21, Today: Allessandra rolled 6 using 1d6. dmg on skin monster.
23:21, Today: Allessandra rolled 17 using 1d20+3. to hit on skin monster.

Gurgun avoids the strangling hold, and using both arms and legs starts to crush the skin thing, bending its head backwards. "Back to the hell you came from!" he growls in between heavy breathing.

12:55, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 11 using 1d8+5. Damage.
12:54, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 28 using 1d20+12. GC to damage.
12:54, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 26 using 1d20+12. OGC.

Allessandra bashed the skin good. [Successful hit.]

With heroic effort, Gurgun tried to crush the bundled skin between his powerful arms and legs. The thing wriggled and squirmed sickeningly, always just oozing just out of his grip. Both of them struggled for what seemed like ages, before the skin slipped free. [Skin's OGC: 28. Equals Gurgun's 28. And both have the same modifier. Rerolled: Gurgun 21, Skin 22. Damn, that was a close thing.]

Now the skin monster was full of holes, gashes and frayed edges, and a lot of bruising. Surely it could not last much longer under this assault.

Round 5:

Gurgun and the Skin Monster are grappling. None of them may threaten squares, they have no Dex to AC (except against eachother) and may not move normally.

Skin Monster is Badly Wounded.

Initiative:
17 - Authiel
14 - Iodaem
11 - Slove
10 - Jorn
10 - Skin Creature
 9 - Allessandra
 5 - Gurgun
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:21, Wed 25 June 2008.

Making a violent downwards thrust with his blade, both hands on the handle, Iodaem sacrificed far too much accuracy for power - and ended up banging the sword against the ground instead.

Seeing that his work is slowly but clearly cutting the creature to peaces and he not damaging his friends Sloves swing his sword again to cut more peaces of the creature.

OOC:
16:40, Today: Slove rolled 12 using 2d6+4. Damge.
16:40, Today: Slove rolled 24 using 1d20+8. attack .

Slove's sword tore into the skin, and with a gods-awful rip, he split in two, right down the empty face and torso. Gurgun was left holding two dangling sheets of skin, which he quickly dropped into twin heaps on the floor.


OOC: It's dead! Battle's over!

Gurgun shudders as the skin monstrosity finally releases its grip.

This place is doomed. Is there no way to simply go back and shut the gate?

Allessandra kneels down near half of the shredded creature, examining its nature and pathology, hoping to learn something of it to put in her report back to the hierarchy of church.

Once they had time to breathe and relax, the adventurers inspected room and the undead horror.

Allessandra could determine little more about the skin monster than what she already could, at least not without the aid of an equipped lab and special spells and reference works.

The skinned orc's clothing hung up on the rack revealed a fistful of change. Some of the grey silken robes were still magically preserved, and might fetch a high price to a collector or fashion-lover.


OOC: Allessandra's Knowledge (Religion) check 19. No new info. It's a Forsaken Shell from Libris Mortis if you're curious.

Gate? Do you mean the portal? Perhaps you should go check... ;)

Slove looks around the place.  As usual he the last to put down his weopon.  He does put away his sword and  pick up his bow.
"I like the place.  Needs cleaning up and few more elves to make it home but I could settle hear.  Once we looked at tower I love see what else this domain has to offer."
He turns to the monk.
"Nothing is totally doomed not even me."
He smiles at Authiel hoping she will back him up with his very dry comment.

We've seen only the beginning of what this place has turned in to, but unless we can pick up a trace of the artefact or of the dragon cultists Gurgun thinks we should get back and seal this place off our world.
Gurgun replies, and heads out; ready to open the next door.

The dressing room contained little more of interest, and had no doors. Sadly, it had just been a dead-end death-trap. But they left feeling glad and relieved that such a nightmarish monster had been slain, and would not be left lurking behind their backs.

So the adventurers swiftly departed, eager to be away from the horrid sight of the skinned orc and the madly staring eyes from a bared face. On the way, they healed up and talked.

The other door from the fountain room led to an empty room, but it had a transparent glass stairway leading up to the next level. There was no hand-rail, and no supports except where the steps joined the wall. The whole structure seemed to float impossibly in the air, delicate and fragile yet they held their weight well.

At the top of the stairs, they came on to a small antechamber. Here a section of the wall was completely transparent, and offered a commanding view of the churning grey seas and the island upon which they'd arrived. There the stone circle stood, brooding and dark, eternally still.

The door on the right was closed, but presumably led deeper into the tower complex.

On the left was a small room - a privy by the looks of it, with a glass wash-basin and taps, and a toilet. It had been recently used too, because whatever means magical or mechanical had been used to clean it had long since stopped working. Now they realised with disgust that making everything out of glass really wasn't such a great idea.

"Perhaps there was some enchantment that obscured the glass that has worn off over time..." Allessandra muses.

OOC: does anyone want some healing, most I see is Gurgun is down a total of 7.

Gurgun only lightly wounded, save healing for later perhaps? Ioadem took a bad beating.

Gurgun moves over to the door, ready to open it as soon as he has cover. He wonders who or what is confident enough to go number two in this place with a host of undead shuffling about a flight of stairs below; perhaps their maker he muses.

OOC: Proposed marching order is Gurgun and Ioadem up front, followed by Allesandra, next Slove, Jorn and Authiel.

Slove sorts out his weapons and get ready.

OOC:
Would usually suggest slove at back.  He a great range weapons and fire into combat.
He also a good tank so if we attack from behind he hold his own until party get sorted out.

""Iodaem, how hurt are you?"


19:00, Today: Allessandra rolled 28 using 1d20+8. heal check on iodaem.


Once the party is ready to move forward, Allessandra grasps her shield tightly her hand at her mace, ready to draw it or make a move for her holy symbol in case of more undead.

"Don't worry - Authiel patched me up," Iodaem replied with a smile over at the beautiful elf, keeping the enhanced blade in hand as they prepared to move on.

With the explorers assembled and ready, Gurgun slid open the door, only to be blasted by a gust of wailing cold wind. Beyond was a grand hall, perhaps once a ballroom, but now it had been turned into a battlefield. More bodies lay scattered after some terrible battle - orcish and hobgoblin warriors, dead and undead, and elven skeletons. A few new creatures could be seen - great shaggy white hulks of some creature that would be more at home in an arctic waste.

The wind howled in through an open door that led out to a balcony just to their left. The whole ballroom was bathed in thick darkness, with only dim grey light filtering in through some transparent windows set high in the southern walls.

A soft grunt could be heard from somewhere to the right, followed by a creak and shuffle of hasty readiness.


OOC: Map later. Please roll Initiative, 2 Spot checks, and say how you want to advance.

OOC: 12:26, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 26 using 1d20+7. Spot #2.
12:26, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 9 using 1d20+7. Spot #1.
12:25, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 16 using 1d20+3. Initiative.


Gurgun takes a look around, his keen eyes having no trouble piercing the darkness. He readies his sling, prepared to take a shot at anything moving.

Gurgun stuck his head through the doorway to peer into the darkness when...

"Look out!" came a guttural cry from off to the left. He looked across to see a trio of orcs on a high balcony, raising their bows and pointing wildly to the other side of the room.

Movement caught Gurgun's night-sighted eyes, and he saw shadowy shapes drift out of the gloom. No, they were shadows themselves, moving about on their own and sliding silently towards the living.

Round 1:



G: Gurgun Nightwhisper
I: Iodaem
A: Authiel Hannasiel
J: Jorn Brightcaller
S: Slove
A: Allessandra

O: Orc Archers
S: Shadows

Effects:

Orcs are on a balcony, 30 feet above the ground.

Shadowy Illumination within the hall, grants Concealment: 20% miss chance, may make Hide checks. Darkvision cancels this (no miss chance, auto Spots hiding targets).

Light Gravity, as standard.

2 doors on the north wall lead out.

Initiative:
16 - Gurgun
15 - Slove
15 - Orcs
13 - Iodaem
10 - Shadows
 9 - Authiel
 6 - Jorn
 3 - Allessandra
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:20, Wed 16 July 2008.

Moving shadows! One to the left and two to the right. I go left.
Gurgun shouts before setting off (move to K12). Using his Ki he attempts a kick-strike combo but the etheral nature of his opponent proves hard to hit.

08:15, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 8 using 1d20+5. Unarmed strike / FOB 2.
08:14, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 8 using 1d20+5. Unarmed strike / FOB 1.

OOC: Bah, curse the dice bot! I'm assuming I'm still under the influence of the bull's strength spell.

Slove takes a side step to let the others throw (9N).
He looks at Iodaem.
If you have anther magical weapon Iodaem then can borrow your magical bow.  Otherwise I have no spells or items that will effect shadows unless someone can help me."

Mid-Round Update:

The orcs raised their bows and fired, but the shafts clattered uselessly against the glass walls. The orcish archers hadn't even come close to hitting their targets. [Orcs miss!]

The third orc loosed a silvery arrow that streaked across the hall, and hit the far wall with a squeak of metal on glass. The orc cried out in shock and panic, then pointed wildly at where it had fallen. "Get that arrow! It kill dead good!" he cried. [Orc misses and loses his fancy arrow! d100: 7, arrow survives.]

Iodaem saw where it fell, and shoved his bow into Slove's hand. "Here! You shoot, I'll get that thing!" With a wary eye at the rapidly advancing shadows, he dashed across the ballroom between them, drawing Elf-friend to his hand, dispelling the dark gloom with its forest-light. [Iodaem NPCed: gives bow to Slove, moves to H8, draws sword.]

Gurgun's flying foot and fist passed harmless through the shadow-thing. But it had no such problems. One thin claw-like hand of darkness darted out for his neck, and he felt the chill of death tighten around him, sapping his strength and his life. [Shadow attacks Gurgun! Attack 23, rolls 20, threatens crit, 5, no crit (but then, no effect on critical anyway). Strength damage 3.]

The other shadows glided across the room towards their living prey. One slashed at Slove, but he easily ducked it. [Shadow attacks Slove, 9, miss.]

Map Updates:

Gurgun: moved to K12
Slove: 5ft to 9N
Iodaem: Moved to H8

Shadow: Moves from M2 to M9
Shadow: Moves from F2 to J8

Magic Arrow lands in 5B

Initiative: go!
16 - Gurgun
15 - Orcs
13 - Iodaem
13 - Slove (delayed)
10 - Shadows
 9 - Authiel
 6 - Jorn
 3 - Allessandra

Slove: I'm going to assume that you delayed to act after Iodaem, so you could take the bow. So you may complete your action this round. You take a move action to take the bow from Iodaem, leaving you one standard. Since you still act before the shadows, you can attack them freely in their previous positions.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:15, Thu 17 July 2008.

Slove fires a arrow at the incoming shadow.

OOC:
09:50, Today: Slove rolled 5 using 1d8+3. damage.
09:49, Today: Slove rolled 16 using 1d20+11. attack with bow.

Allessandra raises her arms and invokes a prayer to the Morninglord and the part is blessed. (Bless).

Slove fired the arrow right through the shadow, but it didn't even notice and kept on coming. [Concealment 20%: 80, hit. Incorporeal 50%: 37, ignored.]

Authiel's favourite spell was just the thing against the incorporeal undead, so she quickly fired off a pair of magic missiles at the one closest to her Iodaem. The arcane bolts blasted the dark thing, and it reeled wordless beneath the assault. [Authiel NPCed. Magic Missile: 7 @ Shadow in J8.]

Jorn had a similar trick up his sleeve. Holding his hands apart and murmuring arcane phrases, a translucent dagger appeared, floating in the air in front of him. With a command, it flew off over the heads of the others, and zipped behind the shadow now menacing Slove, and stabbed it in the back. [Jorn NPCed. Casts Shelgarn's Persistant Blade (SC). Attack 23, Damage 2 @ Shadow in M9]

Then Allessandra blessed with party with renewed bravery against the forces of darkness. [see Bless, below]

The orcs however were arguing over what they should do next.

Round 2:



G: Gurgun Nightwhisper
I: Iodaem
A: Authiel Hannasiel
J: Jorn Brightcaller
S: Slove
A: Allessandra

O: Orc Archers
S: Shadows

Effects:

Orcs are on a balcony, 30 feet above the ground.

Allessandra's Bless: Party gains +1 morale bonus on Attack and Saves vs Fear

Shadowy Illumination within the hall, grants Concealment: 20% miss chance, may make Hide checks. Darkvision cancels this (no miss chance, auto Spots hiding targets).

Light Gravity, as standard.

2 doors on the north wall lead out.

Initiative:
16 - Gurgun
15 - Orcs
13 - Iodaem
13 - Slove
10 - Shadows
 9 - Authiel
 6 - Jorn
 3 - Allessandra

This... darkness! It sucks the strength out of me, beware of its touch! Gurgun warns his companions.
Perceiving something of a pattern in the erratic movements of his opponent, Gurgun once more tries to punch through the shadow. His first strike completely misses but the second one goes straight through.

22:57, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 10 using 1d8+3. Damage.
22:56, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 17 using 1d20+3. Unarmed strike / FOB 2.
22:56, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 5 using 1d20+3. Unarmed strike / FOB 1.

OOC: Sorry, I plum forgot that this had been updated.

Mid-Round Update:

Ki-focused, Gurgun's fist went straight through the shadow, and he felt it connect with the sucking coldness within. The shadow staggered beneath the blow, but for long. [Concealment: 80, hit. Ki Strike (magic) - yes. Incorporeal ignore: 83. Successful hit!]

The orcs on the balcony dithered, uncertain as to what aid they could offer to the adventurers, and hesitated before firing again on the shadows, now mingling close to the living. They fired, the arrows struck the shadows, but again whistled on through without affecting them.

Status:

Shadow K-13 moderately damaged
Shadow M-9 seriously damaged
Shadow J-8 unharmed

Initiative:
16 - Gurgun
15 - Orcs
13 - Slove
13 - Iodaem
10 - Shadows
 9 - Authiel
 6 - Jorn
 3 - Allessandra
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:54, Sun 27 July 2008.

Iodaem gripped the Elf-friend with both hands, deciding to make a swipe at the nearest shadow before going for the arrow, hoping he could at least weaken it - but no, the enhanced blade passed right through it. . .

Slove moves away from shadow and into the room.  He then fires an arrow at creature.

OOC:
Move action move through M11 to J11.  He then fires an arrow at shadow that after him
09:40, Today: Slove rolled 14 using 1d20+7. Spot check.
09:38, Today: Slove rolled 9 using 1d8+3. damage.
09:38, Today: Slove rolled 29 using 1d20+10. attack with bow.

OOC: Gurgun assigns Dodge to the shadow he's fighting (+1 AC).

Mid-Round Update:

Nipping lightly away, and leaving the shadow grasping at his own, Slove turned and fired an arrow which struck the thing solidly in the head. [Shadow AoO vs Slove: attack 8, miss. Slov's Attack: miss chance 54; ignore chance 74. Hit!]

Enraged, it glided after him and slashed its claws, but Slove easily avoided the strike. [Shadow M9 moves to K11, attacks Slove, 11, miss, Gurgun flanked!]

The other shadow-boxed with Gurgun for a while, to no avail. [Shadow K13 attacks Gurgun, 6+2, miss]

The last shadow took a swing at Iodaem, but it, too, sucked. [Shadow attack Iodaem, 6, miss]


Status:

Sorry, I mixed up my shadows last round.

S1 (M9 -> K11): badly damaged
S2 (J8): badly damaged
S3 (K13): badly damage

Slove moves to J11.

Initiative:
16 - Gurgun
15 - Orcs
13 - Slove
13 - Iodaem
10 - Shadows
9 - Authiel
 6 - Jorn
 3 - Allessandra

Authiel fired another salvo of magical missiles at the shadow threatening Iodaem, and ripped a few holes in it. [Authiel NPCed. Magic Missile @ Shadow J8, damage 4]

Jorn directed his force blade to dart after the shadow as it chased Slove. The blade struck it in the back. [Jorn NPCed. Persistent Blade: AoO Shadow, miss. Move to K10, attack 16 +2 for flanking, hit, damage 4.]

The shadow now found itself pinned between Gurgun and the blade, yet Gurgun was also caught between the two shadows.

Alessandra raised her symbol of Lathander high in the air, and with the murmuring of a prayer, the bright rays of a dawn sun burst from it, flooding the chamber with warm light. Silhouetted against the glare, the shadows took fright and tried to flee on wings of darkness. [Allessandra NPCed. Turn Undead. Turn check 22. Turning damage 12. 2 Shadows turned.]

Round 3:



G: Gurgun Nightwhisper
I: Iodaem
A: Authiel Hannasiel
J: Jorn Brightcaller
S: Slove
A: Allessandra

O: Orc Archers
S: Shadows

B: Shelgarn's Persistent Blade

Effects:

Orcs are on a balcony, 30 feet above the ground.

Allessandra's Bless: Party gains +1 morale bonus on Attack and Saves vs Fear

Light Gravity, as standard.

2 doors on the north wall lead out.

Status:

S1 (K11): badly damaged, Turned
S2 (J8): seriously damaged
S3 (K13): badly damaged, Turned

Initiative:
16 - Gurgun
15 - Orcs
13 - Iodaem
13 - Slove
10 - Shadows
 9 - Authiel
 6 - Jorn
 3 - Allessandra

Let's finish this fight! Gurgun growls before jumping up and spinning about; managing to go full circle and land a powerful kick on both his foes before hitting the ground.

OOC: flurry of blows, hitting the north shadow first (thus gaining flanking bonus +2)
08:25, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 10 using 1d8+3. Damage #2.
08:25, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 18 using 1d20+4. Unarmed strike / FOB 2.
08:24, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 10 using 1d8+3. Damage.
08:24, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 22 using 1d20+5. Unarmed strike / FOB 1.

Mid-Round Update:

Gurgun's flying feet spun right through the two shadows, and as he hit, they broke apart into tendrils of shadow. Spinning as he was, it was like a shadowy whirlwind had erupted around the monk. [Shadows K11 and K13 successful hit, damaged and destroyed!]


Status:

S2 (J8): seriously damaged

Initiative:
16 - Gurgun
15 - Orcs
13 - Iodaem
13 - Slove
10 - Shadows
 9 - Authiel
 6 - Jorn
 3 - Allessandra

Seeing that the fight was going their way, Iodaem made his way over to the arrow meant to destroy undead, and as he picked it up, he looked over at the lone remaining shadow.  "I'm hanging on to this until the next time we face undead here...  like another of those living skins," he mumbled, and shook his head slowly.

The weakened shadow made a feeble slash at the departing Iodaem, then gasped out its frustration.

[Shadow AoO vs Iodaem: attack 7, miss. From your present position, you'd have to either withdraw or double-move to reach the arrow. Either way, you won't have actions left to pick it up this round. Next round, you may.]

Slove stays still not sure if try attacking the fleeing shadow is good idea.
He is also little unsure about orc so he waits.

OOC: I'm going to assume you delayed, Slove.

Mid-Round Update:

Not about to cheated off precious life-force, the enraged shadow leapt into the air and swooped after Iodaem like a dark predatory bird. The formless thing descended swiftly, and one outstretched claw plunged into Iodaem's chest. He felt  something cold grip his heart and squeeze, and for one horrible instant it skipped a beat. Deathly cold ran through his veins. [Shadow charges Iodaem. Attack 17. Strength Damage 6!]


Status:

Iodaem moved to B5.
Shadow charged to C5
Shadow 2 (C5): seriously damaged

Initiative:
16 - Gurgun
15 - Orcs
13 - Iodaem
10 - Shadows
9 - Slove
 9 - Authiel
 6 - Jorn
 3 - Allessandra

Slove fires two arrows at the one on Iodaem.


OOC:
17:41, Today: Slove rolled 8 using 1d8+3. damage.
17:41, Today: Slove rolled 4 using 1d8+3. damage.
17:41, Today: Slove rolled 15 using 1d20+7. attack with bow.
17:40, Today: Slove rolled 20 using 1d20+7. attack with bow.

The arrows flew right through the shadow, and nearly struck Iodaem on the other side. [50% chance to ignore damage: 14, 16, neither arrow hits]

As before, Authiel quickly sent more of the magic bolts of power from her hand towards the creature that battled with Iodaem.  She was desparate to end this fight and make sure that he was okay.

08:57, Today: Authiel Hannasiel rolled 8 using 2d4+2. MM.

Twin arcane bolts blasted through the shadow, and it screamed silently as it burst into dark tatters. Yet its claw still gripped Iodaem's heart with talons like ice.

The bits of shadow spilled into him, and the warrior turned a greyish pallor as his life essence mixed with the shadow's death. He was wreathed in darkness, and his own shadow, silhouetted against the glass wall by the light of Elf-friend, began to dance and writhe.

But in one hand he held tight the orc's undead slaying arrow, in the other grasped Elf-friend, the glass sword of the elves. The shadow-stuff, repelled by the first, began to drift across to the other, down his arm and into the blade. The grey pallor cleared from Iodaem, but the sword now burned with a dark cold fire.

The orcs cheered, then yelled out "Quickly! Through this door!", pointing to the one directly beneath them.


OOC: Combat is over!
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:30, Wed 20 Aug 2008.

Gurgun, getting ready to lunge himself toward the remaining shadow grunts with contentment as it finally disappears.
Joining his companions he looks up at the orcs, trying to figure out if they're setting up a trap or not (Sense motive: 12).
Who is your chief, and what are you doing here? You've lost a lot of warriors! Gurgun points at them with his quarterstaff and continues, You saw me destroy the Shadows-that-move with my bare hands, I am Gurgun Nightwhisper and you must answer to me now! Why should we go through that door?

"Because other door where walking dead horde wait!" The orc pointed to the one on his right. "Hobgoblin, if you here to join Tolg's mob, then we fight on same side... Humans, elves and dwarfling, you are not dead, so we fight on same side against the dead, yes?" Orcish didn't lend itself well to negotiations, but he did seem genuine.

You speak wisely! Gurgun declares. Then continues a lot quieter,
Gurgun says we go with orcs for now. Ioadem and Gurgun are weakened by the touch of the Shadows-that-walk, and if orcs can provide safety and alliance against undead, we should use it. Gurgun does not want to be caught between undead and orcs.

Slove lowers his bow and show it clearly not to have an arrow in it.
He raises his voice.
"Elves and orcs are old enemies BUT we both agree undead are greater danger.
We fight on same side against the dead and leave this place in peace with each other."

Rushing to Iodaem's side, Authiel tried to help him in any way that she could, worry drawing her eyes and lips tight.  She was clearly distraught, beside herself with concern.  Her worry was the only thing that let her even consider working with orcs.  "Well, Elf friend?" she asked Iodaem with a soft smile, trying to coax one from him.  "What do you think?  Ally with the orcs against the undead?"

Jorn and Allessandra nodded their assent, though Iodaem was still distracted by the shadow's attack on him.

"Good good, now hurry! Lieutenant Thraka explain everything!"


OOC: I'll update further later.

Making his way to the door, Gurgun takes a good look at the white-pelted creatures scattered across the floor, trying to figure out what manner of creature they are, and if they died fighting the orcs or along side them. He helps Ioadem on his feet and will carry some gear for him should his weakness be overwhelming.

OOC: I assume the STR depletion is taken for Gurgun himself and not the enhancement given by the bull's strength spell?

Iodaem grabbed the arrow from the floor, and placed it in his quiver, trying his hardest not to give off any signs of the weakness he felt now.  "Let's go," he whispered to Authiel, and nodded, shaking his head at Gurgun's offer of help.

They went for the door that the orcs suggested, and it slid open easily. Behind there was a short stairway leading upwards to the balcony where the orcs waited. It was a dizzying journey making their way up a flight of transparent steps with no rails.

They soon reached the balcony, where another door led east, another north, and the stairs continued much more narrowly to a trapdoor in the ceiling.

The orc that had done all the talking held out his hand. "Give arrow back now." he demanded, though there was a note of pleading in his gruff voice. "We need it if more shadows-that-walk come."


OOC: Current Location: Contested Tower, Area #13

Easily seeing through Iodaem's attempts at covering his weakness, Authiel took his left arm and slid her hand down into his, giving it a reassuring squeeze and staying very close to him while they walked.  But it was clear by the way she went stiff when the orc requested the arrow back that Authiel didn't like that idea one little bit.

"No.  We're going to head further into this tower, and find the source of what has happened here - it will serve both of our interests better for us to hold on to it.  And unlike you, we actually have a competent archer among us," Iodaem stated matter-of-factly, and made no moves towards handing the arrow back to the orcs, instead gripping the elven glass-blade just a bit tighter.


OOC:  Not sure if you want to count it as Diplomacy or Intimidate, but I have the same bonus to both, and will take 10 for a total of 22.

The orc looked sideways at Slove and frowned. Wheels turned in his brain. Elf, archer. He scrunched up his brow, frustrated. If the human was an orc he'd just hit him until he gave it back, but they needed all the help they could get. "We talk to Thraka. He sort this out." There! Pass the problem upwards.

In orcish, he grunted at the other orcs, ordering them to remain at their posts - or else. Nervous, they returned to their watch.

"I am named Gorthos Stinkaxe. Uh, it why I am archer. Follow me, go only where I go, step only where I step."

Gorthos led them through the north door, and into a bare room filled with the tangible smell of orc. There were five of them, sitting or lying listlessly about on ragged bedrolls scattered about the room, though they kept to the corners. One was asleep. Two played a game of dice and knucklebones. Another was combing his greasy hair with a fine brush that he must have found somewhere in the towers.

And one orc sat upright in his bedroll, hugging his legs and pulling his head in tight. He could be heard muttering to himself occasionally, and he constantly rocked back and forth, back and forth.

Where you take us? That one hurt?
Gurgun asks as they walk through the room.

"To see Lieutenant Thraka, in next tower." Gorthos answered. "Here is orc room. Next room is hobgoblins." He was chattier to Gurgun than the others, probably because he was most familiar. "It is good that you came. We need the reinforcements. Many have died, or..."

Referring to the disturbed orc, he answered bluntly "He is coward."

Gurgun simply nods at that, feeling himself tense slightly at the prospect of meeting a room full of his brethren. His allegiance with the Seekers might not be well received.

Slove keeps his mouth shut.  This was going to be a fine line to walk.  The only thing he hoped was some answers may come out of the talk with the orcs.
With the numbers here it clear this was some sort of war band.  It also was clear the orc got problems with undead.  Either they just to many of them or type of undead was just to powerful for them.

The next room had been jammed opened with a large rock, presumably taken from the arrival island. Through here drifted wood smoke and warm air, a relief from the coldness they'd experienced in the twilight realm so far.

Inside was a small fire, built from bits of broken crates and decayed furnishing scavenged from around the tower, built directly onto the glass floor. Bed rolls, laid upon old mattresses, were lined up straight against the far wall. Three hobgoblins clustered around the fire for warmth, and talked in low voices. [Private to Gurgun Nightwhisper: They seemed worried, concerned about the mission and current leadership.] One was obsessively sharpening his sword, polishing it, checking the bindings.

As the newcomers entered, the hobgoblins immediately hushed and watched them. Cold and confused glares were directed particularly at Gurgun, but the hobgoblin warriors were disciplined and held their tongues.

Gorthos carried on talking. "This is hobgoblin room. Next we go across bridge to our tower, where you meet Thraka. He explain. And make you give back arrow." A nearby door led outside to a windswept bridge, back over the churning ocean.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:11, Sun 24 Aug 2008.

Gurgun greets the hobgoblins in the formal way used for members of other clans as they pass by, then addresses Gorthos as he leads them on.

Your tower?

Gorthos led them out onto the bridge, revealing a tall square tower topped by a squat pyramidal structure. The whole thing was translucent, almost transparent, and glowing with internal light. Two short turrets erupted from either side of the main tower. "Tower we have seized and made our base."

Another narrow bridge joined the towers, high over the boiling sea. Two ropes dangled down from the roof to the door that led inside the tower.

On the bridge was a hobgoblin, who immediately set his spear at the sight of the strangers. He and Gorthos exchanged some words, and finally let them pass, and slid open the double doors for them.

A vile stench blew out, and they entered into a small foyer. There lay a hideous creature, which immediately leapt to attention. It was like a large, hairless wolf, with pale slimy skin covered in bizarre abstract tattoos. It had no head, just a stump where its neck should have begun. Instead, a long serpentine neck erupted from the middle of its back, terminating in a grossly oversized maw filled with multiple rows of teeth. Though it had no eyes, the mouth-head turned unerringly to face the newcomers.

The orcs or the hobgoblins had given it a dirty blanket to lay on, and a bowl labelled 'Spot'.

Upon 'seeing' Gorthos and Gurgun, it laid back down, apparently disappointed.

http://fc07.deviantart.com/fs1...und_by_jdillon82.jpg
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:45, Wed 27 Aug 2008.

You find that thing here? Gurgun points at the watchdog.

Slove is very quite.  He make one or two looks at Authiel.  It clear the elf has some major issues with what going on.  However wisdom and age has educated the elf that sometime waiting your time is best way.
It his way telling other elf he see but not going say thing at moment.

With her arm still linked through Iodaem's, Authiel silently encouraged him to use her for support if he needed it.  She knew that something wasn't right with him, she just wasn't sure what.  Besides, being so close to him helped her to stay calm and feel a bit safer amidst all these creatures she normally counted as enemies.

Catching one of Slove's looks, Authiel innocently cocked her head to the side and gave him a questioning look of her own, not sure what was wrong or why he was looking at her that way.

"No, Tolg Beer-Eye give Spot to hobgoblins. He's their mascot... Uh, wait here." Gorthos growled a short phrase in Goblin - "No eat." - at the dog-thing, then went through the other door.

After several long and uncomfortable minutes beneath the blind watchful gaze of 'Spot', Gorthos returned "You may see Thraka now. This way." He lead them through the door, out of the foyer and deeper into the tower.

They entered into a large hall, brilliantly lit and full of the stench of orcs and hobgoblins that had lived for too long in close quarters with inadequate toilet facilities and badly treated wounds. It was obvious that they'd been camping there for some time, as evidenced by the many bedrolls, crates and barrels that used as benches for playing dice, and the odd bits of equipment and food scattered throughout, together with splatters of blood and muck. Everything smelled of stale sweat, decayed flesh, spoiled food.

High overhead, the ceiling was interrupted by a four-sided pyramidal skylight that let in a view of the night sky. There were four doors: the one by which they'd entered, one on the right which indicated further occupation, and one of the left which was propped open by a crate and was filled with darkness. The last door, directly in front of the visitors as they entered, was covered with a filthy sheet hung across the entrance.

In front of this a half-orc warrior sat atop a barrel, and met them with a dull-eyed gaze. Up to ten orcish and hobgoblin warriors were arrayed around the room, readily armed with swords and spears and watching the newcomers much more anxiously.

It was a long time before he spoke, a little too long. "Uh, I'm in charge here... I am Thraka. Why are you here? Hobgoblin, have you come to join Tolg Beer-Eye's mob?" He seemed like he'd once been a tough warrior, but now he was tired and worn, and his eyes were duller than usual for those of the orcish race. He was nervous too, glancing anxiously about.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:03, Fri 29 Aug 2008.

Very sensitive to foul odors, Authiel's eyes teared up and she had to place a small, delicate hand over her nose and mouth as she and her companionswalked in.  The pretty elf found everything about this completely wrong and...off...but she didn't say anything, instead focusing on not reacting to the stench while simultaneously being there for Iodaem in case he needed her.

I am Gurgun Nightwisper and I am free and part of no clan. I serve Oghma as a Seeker of Knowledge. This is why I come; to record knowledge, and to learn why this place is corrupt and spills over its evil into our world.
Gurgun strides proudly into the center of the room before addressing the chief.

He then pauses to see the reaction of the warriors.

A muttering and fidgeting arose from the ranks of the hobgoblins; Gurgun caught words in Goblin like 'outcast' and 'human pet'.

Thraka seemed heedless of it all. "And you others? Why are you here?"

Slove faces Thraka.
"I am Slove.  Elven Ranger.  I am here to find answer to what happen to the member of my race that use to live here.  In so doing I put aside my different between my race and yours to seek answer."

Slove careful to to sound aggressive but also not week either.

"The female elf and human beside her join me in this quest."

Jorn shuffled forwards and added "Ah, specifically, we came here to find a certain antique drinking horn lost by a merchant in the Yuirwood... Though if we'd known how far our search would take us, we wouldn't have accepted the commission. It's hardly worth all this." he sniffed. It wouldn't do to excite the orcs to the scent of wealth after all.

Thraka barely reacted to the tale, or the treasure. "We have not seen it... Gorthos says you fight well against the shadows-that-walk. That is good. We have need of fighters, and healers if you have any. You may camp with us if you lend your strength to our defense... We have food, water, weapons, that we can trade."

After a few short moments, Gorthos whined "Boss, they took our undead-deader arrow. Tell them to give it back."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:56, Mon 01 Sept 2008.

"Unlike your men, we actually have competent archers in our crew - leaving the arrow in our hands while we seek out the threats that lurk in this place is the only reasonable thing for you to do," Iodaem spoke up, standing up straight, locking eyes with the orcish chief.


08:00, Today: Secret Roll: Iodaem rolled 27 using 1d20+12. Diplomacy.

Gorthos opened his big mouth to protest, but Thraka waved a hand in the air and cut him off "Keep it." It seemed that he couldn't be bothered arguing, and was preoccupied with other thoughts. "Use it well. Against the lich or the four-armed beast that serves him.

Gorthos harrumphed, but wisely said no more.

"Lich?" Iodaem replied with a raised eyebrow.  He'd heard tales of liches before - and if what he'd heard was even close to reality, he wanted no part in trying to fight one. . .

Authiel shivered lightly at the mention of the lich and its creature with excess appendages.  While she held on to Iodaem, she tried to remember anything that could be applicable about liches in general and particular any one that might be here.

13:25, Today: Authiel Hannasiel rolled 13 using 1d20+10. Know: History.
13:25, Today: Authiel Hannasiel rolled 14 using 1d20+10. Know: Arcana.

Gurgun seems unperturbed by the talking behind his back. He tries to remember anything useful information gathered on liches (Knowledge: religion (8)) but can't really add to anything already said about them.
At the mention of the beast he seems to perk up: Beast? You mean it is living? Gurgun rather fight a foe that bleeds and feels pain than the silent dead. In the room where we destroy the shadow-that-walk there were corpses with white fur. What are they? he continues after a slight pause.

"Aye, lich..." Thraka paused, then decided to explain further. "A rotting elf mage leads the undead and raises more from the slain. We kill them, he un-kills them. The four-armed beast is like an ape, but it is walking dead."

Authiel couldn't think of much about liches, though she recalled that lich was an old word meaning 'corpse', now commonly applied to spell-used undead, particularly the more powerful varieties. Given the horrid tales about them, she could only hope to the Seldarine that the orcs had misidentified. Allessandra would know more, but this was not the time to ask.

She had a fair guess that the four-armed beast was a girallon, a magically created gorilla with four arms and four times the brutal savagery.

Thraka sighed, long and mournful, and spoke at last "Tolg Beer-Eye led us to this be-nighted realm, seeking elf magic. We were many and strong, and proud. Side by side, orcs and hobgoblins and taer snow-men - they have the white fur coats. We explored these glass towers, all empty and all silent."

"Then... then skeletons, everywhere, elf-bones with their bows and their arrows, burning skulls, the four-armed one... and the lich, blasting magic and raising our dead. The priest-orc died right at the start."

"We ran back to the circle-of-stone, but it would not take us back. Tolg says there is a key. The lich must have it. We fought our way here and made camp, but we are besieged. We have no priest to banish the undead, we can not fight our way out, nor get to the lich."

Thraka lifted an unsteady hand and pointed at the new-comers. "If you have a priest, and desire to see your homes again - then you must get that key! ...Tolg showed me how to use it, I can show you. Bring it back here. Please."

The half-orc slumped back down in his seat, seemingly tired. A sweat had broken out on his face, perhaps from the stress and exhaustion. He seemed anxious, nervous, and afraid. It sounded like he had good reason to be.

[Private to Gurgun Nightwhisper: Gurgun had been paying greater attention to the hobgoblins than the others. They shuffled their feet, and glanced regularly between him, Thraka and each other. Thraka also glanced around the room often, probably a sign of stress and fear.

His eyes often slid to the northwest door held ajar by a crate and showing a crack of gloom. Gurgun risked a sideways peek at it. Some dark and spindly shape twitched in the darkness.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:36, Wed 03 Sept 2008.

Who is Tolg Beer-Eye, and where is he now? Did you lose him to the Lich? Gurgun presses on the questions, afraid there might not be many more opportunities to gather the information needed to escape from this place.
Adding in a more conciliatory tone he then looks around at the assembled warriors, Gurgun has some skill with tending wounds and illness. Show your wounded and bring the healing supplies you have. he declares rather loudly. Gurgun hopes to be able to gain some trust from the warriors and to figure out what the half-orc has not yet told them. He tries to avoid fixing his gaze on the darkness beyond the half-open door.

OOC: Do they have any healing kits?

"Tolg is dead!" Thraka blurted, then explained "Yes, the lich slew him. Tolg was a powerful star-worm."

[Private to Gurgun Nightwhisper: Gurgun caught some suspicious glances shared between the other orcs and hobgoblins.]

Thraka seized on Gurgun's offer, grateful for it and the change of topic. "Thank you, we will be grateful for your help. Help who you may. We have some healing things." Judging by the bloodstained rags tied around wounds, these weren't the best, but they'd do. "Talk to taer wise-woman Grrunk if you find her. She is taking care of healing."

Thraka waved around the room. "Take a room or corner to camp. See quartermaster Thrugdish for supplies."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:45, Wed 03 Sept 2008.

Gurgun nods before addressing his companions: You better decide where to camp. Gurgun will follow. Will anyone assist Gurgun with tending to the wounded?
Secretly he keeps his attention peeled to Thraka and the assembled warriors, trying to figure out what the underlying unrest is about.

12:39, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 25 using 1d20+7. Sense motive.

[Private to Gurgun Nightwhisper: Gurgun detected a jumble of feelings: suspicion, mistrust, frustration, and most of, fear. Something had happened to Tolg, but not what Thraka had said. And now no one liked or trusted him as leader, but they feared something too much.]

A quick look around showed that there were a few spare patches of glass floor where they could pitch camp, albeit alongside the orcs and hobgoblins. There was no space for privacy. For that, they would need to occupy one of the empty rooms or storerooms, perhaps one that they'd already cleared out, though that could be unsafe if it left them close to the enemy forces.

"If the walking dead come, you will join us." Thraka stated bluntly. "May old One-Eye watch over us." Then Thraka got up from his upturned-barrel throne, and disappeared into his curtained-off room. An orc warrior stood guard against interruptions.

Allessandra dispensed some healing to her party members, then healed a badly wounded orc of his injuries. He smiled a toothy grin, so she asked him where Grrunk was. "Gone looking. Down in tower." The orc pointed at the ground, then wandered off. Allessandra wisely chose to save her last drops of healing energy in case they were attacked during the night.

The other orcs and hobgoblins chose to give the strangers a wide-berth. The adventurers found a narrow corner that they could camp in, and with hushed voices they would have privacy. There was something going on here, Gurgun was certain...


OOC:
CLW: Gurgun, Iodaem and Authiel healed to full hitpoints.

Gurgun follows Allesandra around the camp, trying to help out best he can (21:03, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 16 using 1d20+6. Heal).
As the companions settle in for the night, Gurgun tries to relate his impressions to his companions.
Thraka not tell truth about death of Tolg. Other orcs and goblins don't like him, but something about him makes them afraid. There is something in the room behind where he sit, Gurgun feels presence in the dark. Maybe Taer wise woman know more.

Iodaem didn't speak, he simply sat back, resting against a wall with one arm around Authiel, holding her close to him.  He still felt weak, as if the encounter with the shades had drained him of his strength, of his very life-force, and he couldn't help but doubt that he would be able to help the others much more now.  The best he could do was to shield Authiel of any harm, stand in the way of any attacks directed at her.  And so lost was he in his thoughts of weakness, that he did not pay attention to what Gurgun was saying.

"What a surprise, we can't trust orcs and hobgoblins, what is the world coming to?" Jorn commented drily, then added for Gurgun's benefit with a grin "No offense. He went on to say "He said this Tolg was a 'star-worm' - whatever that is, it doesn't sound sound good. Good thing that it's dead, though that means that this lich is worse."

"Liches are powerful evil mages, only made stronger in undeath." Allessandra mentioned. "But there are many kinds of spell-using undead, some less powerful, some more. I can only hope it is one less powerful than a true lich. These flaming skulls may also be quite dangerous."

"I think they want us to take care of this so-called lich for them and get the portal key. But if it's the only way out of this place, it looks like we'll have to anyway. Better if we get that key first." Jorn explained. "But something strange is going on here. I don't like having these orcs and hobgobs - no offense - at our backs, especially if this something in the darkness is pulling their strings."

[Private to Gurgun Nightwhisper: Thinking back, Gurgun had noticed that the half-orc Thraka had been acting and speaking very strangely. Slow or absent reactions, erratic personality, and a lot of fear. At first, it was easy to think of it as stress and nerves due to their situation.

But now Gurgun was reminded by Jorn's words - Thraka had been like a puppet or marionette, only occasionally free to act, but with someone or something else manipulating him somehow.

OOC: Some information due to Sense Motive checks I forgot to add earlier, or made too subtle. :)]

Gurgun seem not to take much notice of Jorn's reference to the orcs and goblins. Something Jorn says does stir something in him though.
Strings, yes. Thraka behaves like on strings. Perhaps the one pulling them is in that room. Thraka kept looking there. We would be safer if orcs leader is free, easier to predict motivation and actions. Now we are in the dark, who knows what lurker is up to? Can we sneak inside room, unseen?

Slove has been very quite.  The Ranger has been watching his every move.  It clear he not happy with being with orc but he know that they must do so to clear this place out.
He also seems to be weighing something up in his mind.
"If we are facing an Elven Lich then something not all it seems.  In this land of no sun and group of orc with no cleric.  Even with cleric they have problems.  There has to be something from keeping the creature from making all these orc it personal play things."

You speak wisely Elf. The orcs might be mistaken about the true nature of the undead ruler, or there could be opposing forces, using orcs and dead-that-walk as pawns. We rest now, regain our strength, then Gurgun will explore store room. Slove can stand watch.

OOC: Ok, lets get going here. I assume we can rest and regain strength. Gurgun will explore the store room as soon as Alessandra has healed him, assuming the others stand watch close to the door (if no-one is interested in joining the exploration)

Agreeing to Gurgun's suggestion, the others made camp in their corner and tried to get some shut-eye. But sleep was difficult, for the faerie fire that flickered in the ceiling corners stayed on all night long, endlessly distracting the eyes. Of course, the elves who'd built the glass towers only required a nightly Reverie of a few hours, they did not need the darkness to sleep. Authiel and Slove were the only ones who were unaffected.

The adventurers noted the example of orcs and hobgoblins who buried their heads beneath blankets and clothes or tied cloth bandages around their eyes. Even still, the creatures grumbled and complained, and turned restless throughout the night.

If it even was a night. With the perpetual twilight outside and the everburning light inside, there was no way to keep track of time.

And just to make matters worse, after a few hours of fitful slumber, whistles were blown and pots banged. Orcs and hobgoblins dashed about, shouting. The camp was under attack!

Getting up, the adventurers rushed to the defense, across the bridge to the other tower. But by the time they'd arrived, the battle had been resolved. Orcs were pushing the corpses and broken bones into the churning sea below the bridge. It had broadly been a success, though a few injuries had been sustained. Allessandra healed the orcs, who were very grateful. And they went back to chase elusive sleep for the rest of the twilit night.

Orc & Hobgoblin Tower, The Night Realm
Morning, Day 2?

The next "day" they woke from fitful slumber, bleary-eyed and more tired than they'd been before they'd gone to sleep.

Breakfast was available from the quartermaster Thrugdish, though it was old vegetables and hardtack and dried meats of questionable origin, washed down with water or a foul orcish grog. Those who'd brought their own rations felt it wiser to eat those instead.

Allessandra tried to pray to Lathander for the power to heal Gurgun and Iodaem of their shadow-drained strength, but she found it difficult to make a connection. In this twilight realm, there was no sun, no sunrise, and she couldn't even be sure of the time back in the material world. She laid her hands upon the two of them and tried her hardest to heal them, but little could be done. The young priestess was deeply apologetic.


OOC: Ability damage healing as follows: 1 point for a night's sleep, 1 point for Gurgun and 3 and 1 for Iodaem from lesser restoration:
Iodaem: Strength damage 1/6
Gurgun: Strength damage 1/3
So 1 point of Str damage each. There were very low rolls. :(

Deduct a day's worth of rations if you don't want to eat orcish stuff. No harm done if do eat it though.

There's no fatigue or exhaustion penalty, just RP it. Iodaem and Gurgun can have their virtual fatigue cured by the restoration spell if they choose.

Feeling his strength slowly return, Gurgun is grateful for the assistance given by the priestess. Going through his morning routine the hobgoblin adjusts for his loss of strength, making his movements slightly more fluid and quick to try and compensate for his weakened state. Once satisfied he picks up his staff and what little gear he carries and declares: Gurgun ready to go in. Stay close and watch, or help Gurgun inside.
With that he heads straight for the door, pauses slightly right before entering, straining his hearing to try and pick up any sounds of movement on the inside.

09:58, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 8 using 1d20+5. Listen.

Slove gets himself ready.
"Remember stay close as we still not sure who if friend or foe in this place."
Unlike anybody else in the group Slove seems at home here and deep down he like stay if he could just clean the place up.

As Gurgun approached the storeroom, two hobgoblins saw him and approached, one on either side. One was a spear-wielder, the other carried a mace and scimitar. The latter asked in Goblin-tongue "Where do you think you're going, mate?", a sneer across his orange-skinned face.


OOC: Gurgun hears nothing special. I assume you were heading for the storeroom, at area 29?
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:57, Sat 20 Sept 2008.

OOC: yes

I'm taking a look inside. I won't take anything. Gurgun replies, his demeanor completely calm and relaxed.

"Oh, yeah? And what are you looking for? To fetch food for your human masters?" the hobgoblin spat.

The other snorted. "Yeah, like a crukking dog!"

Coming from you two that's quite funny: doing the dirty work for a half-brute. As I said, I just want to take a look. I thought I heard something move in there before, and want to make sure there are no one spying on us. With the attack last night being faught off, we don't want the dead that walk to come charging through do we?
Gurgun still is perfectly calm.

The hobgoblin nodded. "Thanks for letting us know. How about we check it out, and you go back to waiting on the humans? Fighting the walking dead is a job for real men, not a servant with an old man's walking stick." he said with contempt, nodding at Gurgun's staff.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:14, Mon 22 Sept 2008.

What clan are you from? Hollow head? Gurgun destroyed two Shadows-that-walk with bare hands. I want to fight the dead elfs, not you. Now step aside and let me pass, go complain to Thraka, your master, if you want to.
Gurgun takes a step forward, still holding his hands to his side and his voice perfectly calm.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:30, Mon 22 Sept 2008.

After Authiel's reverie was complete, she tried her best to shield Iodaem' s eyes but it was nearly impossible to do so.  Nevertheless, she stayed beside him while she did some reading and studying.  The following morning found her none the worse for wear except that she fretted over Iodaem concernedly.

The elf chose to try and eat the food, but later she nibbled on a bit of her own rations to supplement what little she had partaken of.  Then she followed Gurgun in case he needed her assistance, as she assumed they all would, but let him handle the situation.

The hobgoblins hurrumphed. "I'll look with you, make sure you don't steal anything. Come on." the lead one said, whom Gurgun had come to realise was the sergeant. He disappeared into the storeroom, leading the way.

The other hobgoblin grunted and stepped aside to stand guard by the door, not forgetting to bump his shoulder against Gurgun on the way past.

Gurgun makes sure the guard does not forget which shoulder he used (OOC: I treat this as an AoO, non-lethal damage.).
Stepping inside the store room he first addresses the sergeant: Stand by the door and let me take a good look around first, and let the elf pass through as well. He's got keen eyes. Do you see anything not right in here?
Gurgun then lets his gaze sweep across the room, making sure to check the ground right inside the door first, then his immediate surrounding, then the ceiling. He keeps is ears open for any noise other than the sergeants grunts and snorts as he slowly takes a step inside.

Not really knowing where to start searching and what to looks for he calls out to Slove: Slove, you'd better take a look as well.

OOC: 07:45, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 25 using 1d20+5. Listen.
07:43, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 4 using 1d20. Search.
07:39, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 18 using 1d20+7. Spot.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:10, Tue 23 Sept 2008.

Gurgun found himself in a room filled with boxes, crates and barrels of food and supplies, no doubt brought in by the orcish and goblinoid troops. He looked in a few, mainly it was hardtack and dried meats, and barrels of stale water and the foul orcish booze. Other crates held spare bits of armour, weapons and equipment. Gurgun estimated that enough rations and supplies were stored here to last the company another month, though it was doubtful that the creatures themselves would last that long.

Gurgun noticed that the eastern glass wall had warped a bit, and made strange reflections.

As Gurgun looked around, but before Slove entered, the hobgoblin sergeant spoke quietly in Goblin "Tolg'byri the star-worm didn't die to the lich. We came to this tower, and Tolg'byri went down below. The half-orc woman Savera said she would challenge him for leadership. We laughed at her and let her go to her doom." He grunted, a snigger at an old joke that had lost its humour.

"We heard strange noises and thought her dead. But she came back, dragging one of the worm's tentacles as proof, and declared herself leader. She named Thraka as her lieutenant. Old Guerik complained, he had been lieutenant. Savera knocked him down and shamed him. Old Guerik went mad and ran off into the other towers."

The sergeant sighed and went on. "Now the taers take orders from Savera. We only see Thraka, and he acts as one dead, or heart-sore. Once I saw a giant spider, and a column of smoke that moves around by itself. Savera must be a powerful witch, powerful enough to slay a star-worm. We would leave, but there is no escape from this night-world. And we dare not challenge Savera or Thraka, though they order death-seeking raids into the towers."

"I don't expect you or your pink-skinned friends to get rid of Savera for us. I just thought you should know." The hobgoblin sergeant left the storeroom.


OOC: I'm going to need more Search checks. :)

Slove has said very little.  He never was much for words anyway but the elf know that Gurgun Nightwhisper is in a far better situation to get the information they need.
He give the hobgoblin and look as if say tell me what he said later.
When hobgoblin speak to him he answers back in level tone.  As one warrior to another or one lieutenant.  Of equal rank and power.
"Yes I can help you look.  It always good have two pair of eyes looking than one."

Unlike Gurgun slove take goes about search in more methodical way.  He start on his left and works slowly around the round.  He takes his time looking at everything and in no hurry.  One thing clear he alone seem to like this twilight world.

He then ask question.
"I wounder how my kind provided food for themselves here.  It would be useful to know."

10:01, Today: Slove rolled 8 using 1d20+7. Listen.
10:01, Today: Slove rolled 17 using 1d20+7. Spot.
10:02, Today: Slove rolled 20 using 1d20+5. search.
10:02, Today: Slove rolled 18 using 1d20+5. search.
10:02, Today: Slove rolled 6 using 1d20+5. search.
10:02, Today: Slove rolled 15 using 1d20+5. search.

Gurgun simply nods and waits for Slove to conclude his search, not wanting to interfere.

Slove looked around the room, finally peering behind a stack of crates set against the eastern wall. Then he found a hole in the glass wall, surrounded by a spider-web of cracks and splinters. The gap was just about big enough to crawl through - though he expected it to lead directly into Thraka's room.

Gurgun calls in the others, Gurgun tell what hobgoblin sergeant tell him and then we decide what to do.

Gurgun inspects the hole, trying to determine if that could have caused the odd look of the glass wall. Then he walks over to the door frame and motions to Authiel to bring the others with her into the room. Quietly he talks to the sergeant (in Goblin): You are wise and cunning. Can we count on you to back us if we succeed in overthrowing the reign of the she-half-brute? You must give Gurgun your word of honor. He pauses and awaits the reply of the hobgoblin.

Slove stands back after his search.  He gins at Gurgun.
"It takes a lot to out do good pair of elven eyes and ears."

Gurgun flashes him one of his very rare smiles in return. Indeed!

Before he left, the hobgoblin replied "If you live, human pet, and if you show yourself to be a real hobgoblin, then yeah, we'll back you. The orcs should back down if they see us on your side." Then he disappeared back into the camps, not wishing to arouse suspicion.

The others entered into the storeroom. Jorn quietly checked out the hole in the wall, then returned to whisper "Aye, this will lead into Thraka's room, alright. I heard snoring, so I think he's still asleep... That crack is old, caused by a spell-battle if I'm not mistaken."

We'll succeed, or die trying Gurgun replies as the hobgoblin seargeant leaves him, before joining the team inside the store room. Once inside, he quietly retells the information given him by the sergeant, finally nodding towards the hole:
Looks like this be our way forward. Gurgun rather fight witch than the dead. What to do now?

"Well, that Thraka's in there, I don't think we want to be waking him or exciting the orcs, but I know I'm not much of one for creeping about." Jorn mused.

"Nor I." Allessandra added.

The dwarf tugged his beard as he thought. "Now we could get some climbing equipment from the orcs, and maybe scale our way down to a lower level. Maybe there's a door or a window, or another crack like this one. Or we could even swim across to the base and climb upwards, but I don't like the looks of that sea..." He turned to Gurgun, who seemed to have inherited the role of leader of this phase of the expedition, and to the others. "How do you think we ought to proceed?"


OOC: That's two, three paths to investigate this tower. Stealth, through Thraka's room (and maybe dealing with Thraka on the way, but he might make a noise and alert the others), or head outside and find another way into the lower sections.

Gurgun can be very silent, but not strong enough to fight witch alone.

"I don't have problem with either way.  If we deal with Thraka's we going to be careful.  Stealth is no problem.  If want we could scout first and come back for others that not so skilled?"

Gurgun thinks we want to avoid Thraka. If orc chief under mind control, surprise is wasted if Thraka is disturbed. Maybe making us silent through magic? Or climb down to witch.

"I have a wand of invisibility, I'm afraid that's my only concession towards stealthiness." Jorn said with a bit of embarrassment at not being so useful.

"And I expended the last of my divine power at that level on healing you and Iodaem this morning." Allessandra added.

"Now, I reckon I could summon a critter to make a distraction, and we could slip in behind, but if we're caught, the orcs won't be impressed. They're on edge, and we don't want to make them jumpier." the dwarf mused. "No, I think sneaking might be best. I know Slove here can creep around pretty well, and I know that you hobgoblins are good at such things - no offense."

He turned to face Iodaem and Authiel. "You two haven't said anything for a while. What do you think we should do?"

Unfortunately Authiel had no idea what they should do.  Planning a military excursion such as this wasn't really her area of expertise.  "I wish I could be of more help," Authiel replied softly, "But I have no idea what we should do or how we should go about it.  I confess to being completely out of my element here."

"It maybe best idea if Gurgun and myself do some scouting and find out more about what going on her before we make any quick actions that could end up killing somebody or something we need.  The truth is I wish to see this kingdom restored to elves but I not going start killing until I know all peace on game board.  If we can play one peace of against another that fine by me."

The use of Gurgun name clearly state that even thought Gurgun is hobgoblin Slove views him as equal and valuable member of party.

"Alright, take a look, but be careful."

The crack in the wall was small, but Slove and Gurgun could duck and crawl through with little difficulty.


OOC: So, if Slove and Gurgun want to sneak into Thraka's room, give me Hide and Move Silently checks.

We'll be right back! Gurgun whispers before crouching and crawling through the hole.

07:57, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 17 using 1d20+10. Move silently.
07:56, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 17 using 1d20+6. Hide.

Slove follows the hobgoblin however not a well as he normal would.

OOC:
18:18, Today: Slove rolled 12 using 1d20+9. move silently.
18:17, Today: Slove rolled 12 using 1d20+9. Hide.

OOC: Crap!

Gurgun and Slove ducked and crawled through the fissure with as much care as they could muster. Gurgun made it through quietly and successfully, and found himself in a small, bare room, just like all the others. In the centre, atop a pile of grubby furs, lay Thraka. The half-orc was thankfully asleep, but tossing and turning, and muttering constantly under his breath in Orcish, as if in a nightmare. [Neither of you know Orc.]

Slove followed soon after Gurgun. But as he crawled, his knee bumped the glass wall. With a light tinkle, a shard of glass was knocked loose. The piece toppled out of the wall and hit the glass floor with a light crack!

Thraka stopped in his writhings, and snorted. For a few agonising heartbeats, they watched the sleeping half-orc. Would he wake?

Then, at last, he grunted and rolled over, still asleep, and now somewhat calmer for having his bad dreams interrupted. [Thraka: Listen 12 (after a -5 for light sleep. Just beaten due to Slove's higher modifier in Move Silently. :D Now sleeping properly, Thraka is back to a -10 Listen penalty.]

Now they had time to look around. The door back to the camp must have been broken in some ancient past, for it now lay propped up against the wall and holding in place a blanket. No orcs or hobgoblins came through it.

By his makeshift bed lay Thraka's possessions - a small leather chest, a belt of potions, a small plain wooden buckler, and a big orcish greatsword with jagged edges. Thraka slept in his armour.

Opposite the door was an alcove set into the wall, containing a tube of transparent glass an arm's span wide that descended into the floor. The walls of tube were covered with a netting of thick spider webs, that might serve as a ladder. [8 feet wide. Think of an elevator-shaft, only without the elevator, just a ladder.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:36, Thu 09 Oct 2008.

Gurgun contemplates the web-ladder, and the creature whose glands created the sticky strands. He takes a look at Slove as if to ask him how to proceed.

"I am not sure.  This new to me two."

He then tries the web to see if it possible to use it climb down or it trap by spider.

With Gurgun and Iodaem pronouncing it safe, the others followed them carefully through the hole, with varying degrees of silence. Jorn ducked through easily due to his smaller size, while Iodaem and Authiel shuffled through without much racket. But Allessandra fair grinded her metal armour against the glass with a horrid shriek, and it was only by some miracle that Thraka was not awoken, nor the rest of the orcs. [Move Silently: Jorn 22, Iodaem 10, Authiel 5, Allessandra 1]

Slove grasped the webs experimentally. They were were slightly sticky, but only enough to provide a firm grip. The thick white cords seemed strong enough to support his weight, as well as everybody else's. They were definitely webs spun by a spider, and quite a big one, Slove knew. [Knowledge (Nature) 17 - the webs were created by a Large monstrous spider of some kind]

The elf caught a whiff of various strong smells drifted up the shaft - the musky, greasy scent of large animals, mixed with a pungent chemical aroma of unidentifiable origin. The creatures they sought wouldn't be far away from the bottom of the shaft.


OOC: I'm going to need DC 5 Climb checks on your way down.

Gurgun follows Slove on the way down trying to keep his senses sharp enough to pick up any dangers approaching below.

One by one, they entered the shaft, and clambered hand after foot down the webbing. Jorn kept a steady pace, his good grip making up for his lack of reach.

The girls however had some troubles - Authiel placed a foot on one web that seemed sturdy, yet she slipped right off. Fortunately she kept her grip and found a new path to climb. Allessandra had more difficulties, first having a strand break as she hung on to it, then sliding right down a vertical string of web, but both times she stayed clinging to the webbing. Fortunately, the lighter gravity in this plane made them all weigh less, so the danger wasn't quite so bad.

The shaft was long, maybe about 40ft deep. A door could be spied at the bottom with Gurgun's night-sight.


OOC: Climb checks - Jorn 6; Authiel 4, 5; Allessandra 3, 2, 16
Doh! There's a +2 bonus to Climb for the light gravity.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:57, Wed 22 Oct 2008.

OOC: In light of all the fighting we've had so far we might be adapting (if you want an in-game explanation of not having to consider the penalty).

Finally hitting the floor, Gurgun quietly takes his usual position by the door, waiting for the rest of them to get organized.

08:43, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 24 using 1d20+10. Move silently.

Slove find it easy to climb down the spider web and tries to help the others as well.

He then turns to Gurgun Nightwhisper.
"What next?"

OOC:
10:47, Sat 18 Oct: Slove rolled 22 using 1d20+8. climb.

Iodaem took up the rear, with one eye on the still-sleeping orc as they all climbed down the shaft.

"An unusual method of travel." Jorn commented as he climbed the web-ladder "I don't think this webbing is original; it's impractical and doesn't fit the style. I think the ancient star elves had some magical means of going up and down. Mmm, perhaps a hovering disc of some kind, or even a trained air elemental."

They soon reached the bottom without further incident, and found themselves crammed into the base of the narrow shaft. A pair of sliding doors led out. The smell of before was even stronger down here; they were very close.

OOC: Let's buff :-)

Drawing the Elf-friend, Iodaem gazed into the glowing glass, sensing the shadow within it.  "I am ready," he whispered, moving into position close by the doors.  He glanced over at Authiel, his eyes speaking more of his promise to protect her than his words ever could, as he readied himself for battle.

Gurgun pulled out a small flask and emptied its content. The effect was immediately apparent as the hobgoblins bronze skin rippled and hardened as if transforming into the bark of a tree.

OOC: Potion of barkskin ingested.

The tiny elf moved up behind Iodaem, knowing that he would feel better if she were where he could protect her.  It was so sweet how he always worried about her, and Authiel had long since given up convincing him she would be fine on her own.  Whether she would or not, she liked having Iodaem around, quite obviously, and she thought that he rather needed for her to need him, and so she did need him.

Placing a small hand in between Iodaem's shoulder blades, more for a moment's worth of connection than anything else, Authiel began to mentally go through all the spells that might be of use to her in the upcoming situation they would soon find themselves in.

Gurgun just waited for a signal to pull(push?) the door open.

Drawing his bow and putting an arrow in it Slove nods to Gurgun Nightwhisper.
He was ready.

With that, Gurgun opens the door...

::Cue dramatic music::

The door slid open, smooth and quiet, revealing a chamber of light. Towering walls of softly-glowing transparent glass extended from the corners of the room to the centre, stretching from floor to ceiling. Each section was divided into thousands of tiny holes, and additional wall sections branched off from these, likewise covered with the small cubicles. Perhaps it had once been a library of some kind, though whatever had served as books had long ago been taken away. Though transparent, the holes refracted the light oddly, casting weird shapes in the soft arcane light.

At the room's centre, a small marble platform rose a few feet above the floor. Surrounding it, at the terminus of each of the interior walls, were four crystal busts atop glass pedestals.


OOC: Knowledge (Arcana) to ID the walls, though that can wait
Spot and Listen checks please

Map updated

Peeking in the room from behind Iodaem's shoulder, Authiel was intrigued by the walls and focused on them much more than on any possible danger that could be found within the room.

20:49, Today: Authiel Hannasiel rolled 10 using 1d20+1. Listen.
20:49, Today: Authiel Hannasiel rolled 10 using 1d20+1. Spot.
20:48, Today: Authiel Hannasiel rolled 24 using 1d20+10. Know: Arcana.

Slove wait quietly listening and looking.

OOC:
10:11, Today: Slove rolled 20 using 1d20+7. listen.
10:10, Today: Slove rolled 14 using 1d20+7. spot.

They all heard the noises, of grunts and rustling fur, drifting down from the ceiling above. Looking up, they saw large shaggy white shapes clambering on the shelves - the furry creatures whose bodies they'd seen elsewhere. They were like snow-white apes, with long fangs, cruel faces and dull eyes. Patches of leather were tied about their bulks, and they grasped heavy wooden clubs.

One of them glared down from above with beady eyes. "Come you word-fight with Savera?" he grunted.


(The third chap from the left.)

OOC: Knowledge (Nature) check DC 12 to identify it as a Taer

Yes. Where is she? Gurgun replies tersly, making a quick count of their numbers.

There were three of the creatures that could be seen, but judging by the snuffling sounds that echoed around the library, there were almost certainly more to be found.

The creature thought for a moment, probably a difficult task, then demanded "Say what you want. Why need you Savera? Savera say you slay dead-not-dead soft one."

Yes, we did. And we want to slay all dead-not-dead. We know Savera is in charge and not Thraka and we have questions for Savera, now lead us to her. Gurgun spells out the words clearly and fairly slow, wanting the ape-man to have a chance to follow him. Using his keen hearing he tries to determine the number of Taer rustling about.

07:35, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 12 using 1d20+5. Listen.

"Never mind, I am here." Stepping out from around the corner of the bookshelves came the speaker, a half-orc woman. Solidly-built and stout, she was clearly a warrior and with snub nose and olive green-brown skin she was no beauty, but handsome in her own way, with a sly promise on her lips and entrancing bright red eyes.

"I am Savera, welcome to my tower." she greeted in a husky voice with a slight orcish drawl, stopping to stand behind the altar in the centre of the library. "I'd like to thank you for coming to the aid of my band here. How can I help you?" she asked, very politely and full of charm.

She was clad in leathers and a fine chain shirt, with a curved long knife at her hip and a bow at her back. Her brown hair hung in braids, one with an orcish stone bead. Two scrolls were tucked into her belt.

You have enthralled Thraka to do your bidding, yet you are powerful enough to have slain the Star Worm. Why all the lies?

Gurgun decides to move forward, stopping only right in front of the altar before addressing the half-orc woman. He quietly wonders what the other half might be, but the sheer power of her person seem to cloud his mind.

10:49, Today: Gurgun Nightwhisper rolled 11 using 1d20+7. Sense motive.

While the two are talking Slove looks around.  He interested in book shelves.
Some answer about his own people maybe found in them.

Savera's voice grew hard as she replied to Gurgun's accusations. "Tolg'byri was a fool who would have led us all to our dooms. Something had to be done, by me. I took the worm by surprise - he didn't expect a simple half-orc to be capable of magic." She laughed cruelly. "And Thraka, he loves me. The dope is just upset that I slew his precious star worm and turned out to know magic. Now he fears me." She made a hollow sigh.

One of the taers climb arm over arm across the top shelves to hang from the ceiling directly above Gurgun. It was an ominous feeling, like a boulder about to fall.

Slove peered into a few of the pidgeonholes that lined the walls. They were empty; all the ones that could be seen anyway. They weren't shaped for normal books though, but for some unknown small objects.

"Now, Thraka asked if you could deal with the lich and his minions for us. Can you?" Savera inquired, suddenly eager. "It will mean your way home, or free access to the riches and wonders of this realm."