Geared as much as their contract with Torhavich will allow, the party sets forth into the wilds of Xamador once more.  This time they are headed directly into the Cradle.  Vertium's monkey is constantly bouncing around in the trees exploring.  Dathnaea often fiddles with her instrument, and is actually fairly good with it.  Each night she lulls the group to sound sleep filled with peaceful dreams by playing a haunting melody or a lullaby.

Four days into the journey, long before reaching the influence of the Cradle, the morning feels different.  There is a dampness to the air and a light fog that stifles sound.  The smell of plant-life is thick and pure, but something does not feel right.

"Vertium, what's wrong with your monkey?"  Dathnaea's comment draws everyone's attention to the little creature.  It clings to Vertium's arm, resting in the crook of his elbow and is utterly silent.

Seeing the monkey's odd behavior, Adryn asks "Vertium, do you mind..." as he motions to the distressed little creature.

"Is everything alright little one?", Adryn asks the monkey, taking special note of the color of its fur.

[Private to GM: OOC: Should I made any sort of roll? Druidic lore for the odd surroundings, or handle animal for the monkey?]

   While eyes are drawn to Vertium's companion, Aethen instead fixes his gaze on the surroundings.  He could feel what the creature was wary of, an imminent danger.  Imperceptible, intangible, but very much real.

   "Perhaps we should be prepared...."  Aethen mutters as he grasps his staff with both hands.  His eyes had not left the washed-out forest, the fog sapping color from everything around.

It had taken some time for the mage to name the creature finally he had settle on Chu-Fi. At times, he addressed a single head as each seemed to act of its own volition. In this way, he was able to name the left one Chu while naming the other Fi.

Vertium observed Chu-Fi to confirm the colour of its fur. The mage had started to notice a relationship between the creature's fur and its state of mind. As time had gone on, Vertium had started to teach the creature sign language and attempted to ask the Monkey. The wizard nodded as the Anthros asked to see the creature.

The monkey's fur was a deep, burnt orange.

GM: Roll iniative.

The monkey's fur was a deep, burnt orange.

GM: Roll iniative.

The monkey's fur was a deep, burnt orange.

GM: Roll iniative.

Completely caught off guard, Adryn spins around to see whats going on.

19:46, Today: Adryn Longmane rolled 3 using 1d20+2. Initiative.

Vertium was still recovering from his addiction to the book and the time it had kept him relatively separated from the group. Ironically, it had been the appearance of Chu-Fi that had helped break the addiction and bring the mage back to the real world. The wizard was still fascinated by the books but he now realised that the best way to obtain them would be to involve himself in the matters of the real world. So, when the monkey showed blatant fear, the wizard did his best to warn the group about impending danger. "Get ready for combat everyone. This guy is scared out of his wits and since he knows this place better than the rest of us, I would trust his instincts!"

01:42, Today: Vertium Thrusius rolled 14 using 1d20+5. Initiative.

   How would it manifest this time?  Crazed lion-headed vipers?  Robust bear-ox warriors?  Aethen was beginning to grow weary of the surprises this place had to offer.  He often wondered what Addiyr sees in Niaaca, because this place embodied chaos incarnate.  Then he wondered if he was committing sacrilege by wondering, then he stopped.

   Holding his staff, he prepared to face a multitude of mental assailants while waiting for the real one.


20:15, Today: Aethen Ironroot rolled 6 using 1d20+2. Initiative.

Not willing to take any chances with what may be coming Arvil, clutching his mace, chants a blessing for the group.


Casting Bless: Each ally gains a +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and on saving throws against fear effects
07:29, Today: Arvil rolled 20 using 1d20+1. Initiative.

"Well, well, well.  The humans still live."  Out of the trees a group of six humanoids emerges.  Fylon, the Invar who'd challenged the group back in Qorlander Bay, smirks.  "No Shavon to pull your hides out of the fire this time, though."

Behind him are the two orcs that had been with him at the tavern.  One of these orcs is barefoot and wearing little more than a comfortable suit of sleeveless clothes.  The other wears enchanted leather that tends to blend with the background.  Two swords and a long bow are safely stored on his back.  None of the group appears interested in a fight, per se.

A towering ogre leans against one of the trees.  He wears the interlocking plates of a full armoragon, a nearly unbeatable warrior capable of shrugging off impossible blows without slowing.   As he leans, the thick, old-growth tree sways a bit under the weight.

Near the ogre, an Invar woman dressed in rich and somewhat revealing robes looks bored.  She is very beautiful by Invar standards, but the clothing and the gaudy jewelry detract from that somewhat.  The jeweled staff she carries and the book pack at her waist indicates she is likely a wizard.

The last member of their group is a goblin.  He is dressed in strange leather armor covered in geegaws and tools.  He is either a rogue specializing in dungeoneering or more likely an artificer.

Adryn turns to his companions, unsure of what the Invar said, "You know these individuals?"

Kahmaul turns and looks at the offending Invar and smirks, "Not well. They seemed to hold a grudge against our human companions. Probably something to do with their manners, my elders took time to teach manners along with how to hunt, perhaps our friends were poorly raised." The Anthros stands tall and moves between the others and Fylon's men.

He nods shortly, bowing his head towards the party, not indicating anything hostile but showing his attitude is still indifferent. He speaks calmly as he speaks in Invar, "We had no need of Shavon's protection then, and I doubt we need it now, I'm sure you aren't looking to do much more than stir up trouble. But with such a reasonable Invar as yourself, you must not be looking for trouble, are you?

Flynn moves deftly towards his large friends side. He smirks and offers a quick greeting, "Forgive me, but I don't believe I've met any of you, though you seem to have run into my companions here. I'm sure you both left some nice impressions on each other... I am Flynn Darktreader, is there anything I can help with here?"

[Private to GM: Diplomacy
01:26, Today: Flynn Darktreader rolled 22 using 1d20+9. diplomacy. ]

   For a moment, Aethen's jaw is left open.  In the midst of the Cradle these creatures are busy posturing.  Posturing!

   "In Addiyr's name....." Aethen mutters, letting his staff slump to the ground.  He then remembers his initial reaction and turns to the strange companion of Vertium, watching its eyes and color.  Was this what it was afraid of, or something else?

   Aethen's instincts held true.  The monkey's color had not waned and its eyes looked not at the group that had revealed itself, but to the south.

   "READY YOURSELVES!" Aethen turns and roars to those behind him.  "Something comes for us!"  He takes a stance and hefts the staff once again.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:29, Tue 11 Oct 2011.

As Aethen cries, a number of large forms crash through the trees attacking everyone.  They are recognizable as destrachan.  Caught off guard, Fylon's group turns to face the threat a bit late.  There are six of the creatures.


Feel free to look them up in the monster compendium.  Destrachan are well known creatures.  Still waiting on a couple of folks to roll initiative.  No need to post unless you want to, just roll.  I'll check the Dice Roller.

Before the destrachan can do more than take stock of their enemies, the goblin launches a dagger at the lead destrachor and scores a nasty hit in the shoulder.  Then he disappears into the trees.  Immediately after, the destrachan opens its mouth and emits an ear piercing cry catching the ranger and the ogre (and where the goblin formerly stood).  The ranger ducks behind a tree but the pain is evident in his bearing.  The ogre ignores the attack entirely as it hefts its massive bulk off the tree and begins to plod forward toward the threat.

Wasting little time, the woman in Fylon's group puts the ends of her palms together, palms and fingers splayed and says, "Duwresh!"  A globe of fire streaks from her hands and engulfs the creatures [27 dmg].  Four of the creatures are able to avoid the brunt of the damage, but two of them take the full force as the fireball explodes in their faces.


                       ^
                       |
                    goblin             ogre                    d6
                              orc r.                     d1 d5  d2
                                                            d3
          orc m.                                               d4

                    invar w.   Fylon





Genovia       Grondor         Aethen    Kahmaul
                       Adryn         Arvil     Flynn
                   Dathnaea      Vertium
             Tyler
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Name                 Init   AC/DR     HP/HP    Notes                                                    *
goblin rogue            24    ??/??     ??/??

destrachan6             22    15/--     74/88

Invar wizard            21    ??/??     ??/??

Arvil                   20    16/--     30/30    +1 Atk/Saves vs. fear<----- Initiative
Genovia                 18    18/--     18/18    +1 Atk/Saves vs. fear

destrachan1             17    15/--     68/88
destrachan5             17    15/--     61/88
destrachan4             16    15/--     74/88

Vertium                 14    15/--     15/15    +1 Atk/Saves vs. fear
orc ranger              14    ??/??    - 7/??
Dathnaea                13    12/--     18/18    +1 Atk/Saves vs. fear
Kahmaul                 12    21/--     42/42    +1 Atk/Saves vs. fear

destrachan3             11    15/--     61/88

Flynn                   10    17/--     24/24    +1 Atk/Saves vs. fear
Tyler                    9    18/--     30/30    +1 Atk/Saves vs. fear
Fylon                    9    ??/??     ??/??
Aethen                   6    13/--     33/33    +1 Atk/Saves vs. fear
orc monk                 6    ??/??     ??/??
ogre armoragon           6    ??/??     ??/??

destrachan2              6    15/--     74/88

Adryn                    3    17/--     36/36    +1 Atk/Saves vs. fear
Grondor                  2    19/--     84/84    +1 Atk/Saves vs. fear


This message was last edited by the GM at 01:00, Wed 19 Oct 2011.

Genovia looses an arrow, but the shaft breaks against one of the destrachan's hide.  Immediately she moves to take up position to the side and behind the tanks of the group, opposite her orc counterpart.  The orc nods in appreciation of her skill despite the lack of damage.

Kahmaul rushes forward at the destrachan with practiced ease. As he moves in to intercept one of the monsters his gauntlets seem to flash in his hands, as an ornate shield and hammer replace them. He lets fly a devastating swing at the creature.
[Private to GM:
OOC:
09:32, Today: Kahmaul Quddus rolled 22 using 1d20+5. Attack (power attack -3).
09:33, Today: Kahmaul Quddus rolled 9 using 1d8+8. damage.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:58, Wed 19 Oct 2011.

Vertium took out a rope and attempted to cast a spell on it. If successful, he would tie to a tree and then circle the rope between the enemies, attempting to tie it around their feet and trip them up. A simple spell that would hopefully turn the tide of the battle.

Chu-Fi was still paralysed with fear.

00:32, Today: Vertium Thrusius rolled 8 using 1d20. Move Rope. This is the cradle miss chance, I am not sure whether any stats or skills apply to this. Please tell me if you require any further rolls.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:35, Tue 18 Oct 2011.

Casters you might want to stay about 10 paces from the beast making that awful noise. Everyone else try to keep them close together and they won't be able hurt us with that hideous screeching.

Casting Silence on d1.