Myarra, Silver and Amara quickly go to the rest of the rooms in the basement. The doors are just as cheap as the prisoner door and is easily kicked down once Myarra notes that nothing dangerous lies within. One room appears to be a torture chamber, which some of the prisoners have already seen, another room appears to be a fighting circle. There are 2 sets of manacles, one on each side of the room. It appears that prisoners fought here and those who lost....well, the Crocodiles in the pit are well fed here. The last room has a table and two chairs and a bunch of adventure equipment on it that has been looked through....

Kevnan had followed the stranger part of the liberators out of the prison cell. He wanted to learn more about them and the remaining prisoners was not his concern anymore even though he knew how he would have liked it. He wanted their respect before he would start insisting on his solution.

As the group entered the room with the adventuring gear, Kevnan approached the pile and started looking for useful equipment. Maybe some of his own would be here?

Thelonius looks at the newly freed prisoners, sadness in his eyes, and asks them "Have you seen my friends, do you know if they are here? I must free them from this place." his eyes are pleading to them for good news, but considering they haven't been found yet, is not expecting the best of answers.

Hearing the prisoner's promise, Oren begins looking for a method to release them. (Except for the Orc who refused to respond)

"Eldath will hold you to your promise. If you would be so kind, please respond to this man's question."

(24 diplomacy check)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:31, Mon 11 Nov 2013.

Ignoring the newcomers for the moment, Myarra headed out of the prison room with Amara and Silver following, and then one of the newcomers trailing behind.  She trusts Aliana to keep an eye on the others and to call out if anything goes amiss.

The place was as cheaply made and depressing as any hole-in-the-woods fortress she'd ever worked out of ... although it was considerably bigger.  The torture chamber and fighting ring got barely a glance, being of no concern.  If it weren't for the people (evil though they might be) chained to the wall, she'd suggest just burning the place to the ground on the way out.

She looks over at Amara as they move from room to room.  She'd never liked the drow wizardess.  Partly for being a wizard, with all the deviancy against nature that went with it; partly because Nolan drooled over her very name, which was 3/4 annoying, and 1/4 hilarious given that Amara wanted nothing to do with him; but mostly because she was a drow ... and Myarra'd had lots of history with the drow in her early, formative years.

Still, Amara was an active member of the group now, and perhaps it was time to mend some harness.  And while they looked over piles of equipment, it seemed like an apt time to offer a water gourd of peace.

"I've always wondered," she asked.  "How do you know they're evil?  I figure it must be like Nolan and his woo-woo, is-it-magic vision.  But how does that work?  Do you see whether they're naughty or nice?  Or can you just see evilness ... and if you don't see it, you assume good.  Or maybe the other way around?"

She moves aside to allow Kevnan to look through the gear as well.  "Does any of this stuff belong to you or the others?"

In reply to Thelonious (msg # 3):

Coming away from some of the prisoners she was inspecting for wounds, the elven priestess of Oghma smiled at the monk.
"Thelonious!!  How are you, my friend!?!"
She grinned at him, going over to give him a hug.

The prisoners look at Thelonious with confusion written on their faces as they claim they don't even know who he is, or who his friends were. But, the Orc speaks up, which upsets the chained prisoners greatly.

"These fools still chained to the wall are soldiers for the Cult of the Dragon. If you free me and let me go in peace, I will give you useful information in return."

In reply to Prisoners (msg # 7):

Oren turns toward the voice. A look of concern upon his face.

"Who are you, brother Orc? And, why have you refused to give your oath?"

Sister Aliana listened, ready to help if need be.

"You're the only prisoners we're aware of," Amara replied to Thelonius as she continued into the torture chamber. She narrowed her eyes at it for a long moment, then glanced around. "Get the others," she said to Kevnan. "Have them take their things." But she paid little more attention to the equipment than she had the instruments of torture themselves. Instead she focused on the walls . She didn't look at Myarra when the half-fiend addressed her, but she did answer. For her part, she was no fan of demons or devils, so she had seen little point in attempting to warm their relationship, but she had known Myarra long enough to know she wasn't evil. "It's similar to magical detection, but not the same. It's a natural ability of my people. Basically, when I call upon it - it isn't always active - I see an aura around the pure of heart, the good."

Finding herself now free of chains, Cierra decides to follow her rescuers into the next room. Spotting the pile of gear on the ground, the elf moves closer, discreetly looking to see if her belongings were in the pile.

"They will come" he answered the dark elf. He was not to be buzzed around by the dark elf. For now, the common suspicion about the underdark creature was too great for that.

While he scramble thought the loot pile, he listen to the two, whos races useally where evil, and their talk about ensuring who was good.
These two was sure to effect the world around them, and there was a proper chance it would be for the better.

"This is my shoulderpad, and my shield. There is a good chance the rest will be here too..." Kevnan said with a smile.

Amara snorted at Kevnan's flippant response as she examined the walls of the room, and added to Myarra, but loud enough so that Kevnan can easily hear, "Unfortunately, the pure of heart types are often also the mush-for-brains types, and I've never found a way to detect that with magic."

Myarra snorts as well.  She wasn't looking to befriend the wizard, but a lack of animosity would be a good start ... and that included her side as well as Amara's.  And the drow seemed to be willing to at least go that far.

"Maybe some wizard has figured it out, but there are signs even without magic.  Grand pronouncements about how things are all going to turn out for the best.  Blind faith in the goodness of people.  And, of course, going around patting people on the arm or shoulder without permission as if you're supposed to thank them for the comfort and compassion." She finishes off in a high pitched squeak voice, "Oh, thank you so much, kind sir.  I'm just a girl; how would I get through the day without your strength and guidance."

She nods to Cierra when she arrives to look at the gear, but there's still no signs of the other two.

"I'll go get the others and haul them in by the ear if necessary.  This is taking too long.  We have to get out of here."

Leaving Kevnan and Cierra to equip themselves, she hurries back down the hall to see what the delay is.

Silver saw the piles of loot, and immediately began to check the room, quickly sorting through to see if anything was worthwhile, and if there was anything else hidden. This was probably all the prisoners gear, but who knew how many prisoners came before the current group?

31 to Search. Like I posted, I'm pretty sure this is the other players gear? But Silver looks for other stuff, and hidden stuff that may not be claimed, or claimable.

Kevnan look though the pile with some speed. Quickly he produced the shield, a full plated armor and a backpack which he filled with various common items. Each item was specificly picked.

As he dressed him self, Kevnan said to Myarra as she left the room. "I can give you a little hint, but you properly know it..." The massage was also to Amara, though he only looked at her for a spilt second. "Even when acting nice, people will always judge you on how you looks until they get to know you. Let them get that chance." Myarra was out of the room now and Kevnan had not elevated his voice. She was not the intended target. He looked at Amara briefly, and return to his armor straps.

Thelonious waited near the top of the stairs to keep a lookout for enemies moving towards them. If any showed up he would call down to the others. When people start coming up the stairs, he moves closer to the door to allow more people upstairs.

"My name is Cragmesh and I give no oaths to the dark elves or her winged servants. I am a warrior and I promise not to attack anyone here."

The chained cultists spit out words claiming the Orc is a liar, that he leads ambushes on innocent travelers along the road and that he tortures women and children...

In reply to Cragmesh (msg # 18):

"Brother Cragmesh, I have no desire to leave you here where you are so reviled. Harm can be caused even without attacking, promise to cause no harm through your actions, please."

Oren prepares to release the Orc.
15:44, Today: Oren Blathe rolled 12 using 1d20+2. sense motive
This message was last edited by the player at 23:45, Tue 12 Nov 2013.

"Freeing prisoners, I would think, would be somewhere beyond being nice" Amara replied without even bothering to glance at the man, instead finishing her scan of the walls.

"No secret passages," Amara confirmed, as she came to the end of the room. She looked around, frowning deeply that not all the freed prisoners were here gathering their stuff.

Myarra reached the room with the prisoners, most of whom were still fighting over who was really good and who was just kind of not really evil, and who was a big mean orc.  She really hadn't had much experience with orcs, other than in the current circumstance, and she had no real reason to suspect them of being inherently bad and more than she did of humans ... many of which had proven themselves to be really bad.

"We found your belongings just up the hall." she tells Oren and Samuel, who seem to be waiting on the orc to say something.  "You need to go pick it up, because we're leaving momentarily.  If you want any of these folks released, say so and I'll cut them loose.  Otherwise they stay where they.  But there's no more time for talk.  It's action time."  She casts an extra glance at Aliana, who's opinion carries a fair amount of weight.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:27, Fri 29 Nov 2013.

In reply to Myarra (msg # 22):

Oren looks at the beautiful woman. "Yes Myarra, please release Cragmesh here just as soon as he promises to cause no harm.  The rest have shown they do not mean their Oath by their treatment of this prisoner. Thank you, this place holds nothing of mine, Samuel you should prepare yourself for what may wait for us outside." Oren turns to waiting for Cragmesh's response.

Kevnan bend his head and ignored Amara. The only dealings he had have with dark elfs before, had been bloody and cruel. Not that there had been many.

He finished his gear, grab an above averages sized sword and a long spear.

Im ready

"Cragmesh promises that he will not hurt any of you today."

Since Oren had made his decision, Myarra slashes the chains that hold the Cragmesh to the wall.

"I have no reason to trust you, but I hold you no ill will," she tells the orc.  "We are in a hostile place and I do not know your heart, nor has anyone vouched for your character.  If you give me reason to distrust you, I will end you as easily as I released you.  Be honorable until we part ways above, and we will all live to enjoy another day.

Let's get out of here," she adds to Oren and Samuel.  "Thelonious is keeping watch upstairs and your gear is on the way out."

It hurts to leave the rest of the people in this place.  When she'd been the one chained to the wall, her would-be rescuers had left her behind as well.  In a sense, she felt like she was betraying herself.  But she'd left it up to the others and decision had been made.

Ignoring the pleading and the whining, she gestured the others out in front of her.

Oren follows the winged woman. "Thank you, Myarra. Sometimes, good requires one to assume the best about about a stranger. Cragmesh may have done horrible things in the past, but I'm willing to look beyond his past and forgive him. Sometimes appearances are deceiving. And sometimes, all a person needs is a chance."

07:35, Today: Oren Blathe rolled 27 using 1d20+20. diplomacy check

"It's good to keep an open mind," Myarra agrees.  "Just not so open your brain falls out.

Cragmesh may have done horrible things in the past, or he may not have.  I don't hold his being an orc against him.  I've been fighting orcs and humans for the last few months and, frankly, I don't see a whole lot of difference in their behavior.

The fact that he was chained to a wall in a dungeon of the Cult of the Dragon, and that none of the people I can trust can vouch for him ... that is what I hold against him.  And if Amara hadn't vouched for you lot, I'd be treating you the same.

But what about the rest of them back there?  Don't they deserve forgiveness and a chance?  Not that I'm saying they do, but your philosophy seems to have some ragged edges.

And I'm the last person in the world that you want to be lecturing to about appearances.  I've been a demon, devil, daemon, fiend, hellion, hellspawn, or worse since I was four years old ... which is about as far back as I can remember. And mostly from nice, fine, upstanding, Good folks, not unlike yourself.  Talk about giving a kid the wrong idea about herself."

In reply to Myarra (msg # 28):

"Yes, my Sister. What I said is as much for him as for you.  I can see you have a good heart. I hope that Cragmesh will see that you aren't a demon, in setting him free.  In regards to the other prisoners, you can tell a lot about a person in how they treat those they consider beneath them. Their fellows will set them free. Perhaps one day, they will find Peace. "

Oren glances at the prisoners as he leaves the room

"Cragmesh is cautious of you and Amara, Myarra. But, there was no hatred in his words. I don't see any ragged edges in my philosophy."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:36, Wed 13 Nov 2013.

"Silver, do you have enough room to carry all this stuff out? We can, apparently, sort it out after getting out of here instead of before."

"OK, I suggest that you all get out of this cell and into the next room to collect your gear if it's still there." Francis said to the newly freed prisoners "We need to leave this place before the Cultists know what's going on."

Once the big Orc is freed from the chains on the wall, he spits on the ground near the cultists still in chains and leaves the room. He does not look back as he climbs the stairs and out into the Dragon Cult's complex...

As they arrived at the room with the equipment, Myarra gestured within while she watched Cragmesh start up the stairs.  Oren was going to be interesting, she mused, but he clearly had some self-imposed blinders.  Of course, most of the "Good" did.  She let the conversation drop for the moment.  There were more important matters at hand ... like, survival.

"Amara, Silver, they've decided to just let the orc go.  He's heading upstairs now.  Samuel, your stuff is most likely in there.  Grab it, and then let's get out of here."

There was also the possibility that Cragmesh was going to betray them.  But that just meant they needed to move faster.

"Thelonious, the orc is being released.  Please let him pass in peace!" she called up the stairs at the retreating orc's back.

She'd found that the majority of problems seem to come from not letting people know critical details ... in this case, letting the guard know that a prisoner was being released, and not escaping.  It really did matter if you wanted to keep things quiet and blood-free.

Oren glances at Myarra. "I hadn't realized that you had placed a guard at the door. Good thinking. We should hurry Samuel, I fear that I may have wasted valuable time." Oren begins to travel up the stairs to meet the last of his rescuers.

Kevnan moved up to Myarra and said with a low voice: "_{As I said, you properly knew.} I'm going up and joins Thelonious "
He slowly followed the orc. He was eager to se the sky again but wanted to wait for the rest of the group.

Hearing Myarra's call, Thelonious looks back and sees the Orc climbing the stairs. when the orc gets closer he says, "Well met friend Orc. Safe travels away from this place."

"I was put in chains because I could not catch you in the forest." Cragmesh said to Thelonious "I fight my enemies hand to hand, not while chained up. The snake woman killed your friends. Her base is North of here."

With that said, Cragmesh runs into the yard of the complex, but says nothing.

Thelonious gazes at the Orc in bewilderment. thinking aloud he says "The snake woman?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:19, Sat 16 Nov 2013.

Sister Aliana smiled at everyone until they were all ready to leave.  She was anxious to go, but didn't want to rush anyone.

Samuel indeed found his prayerbook there and a quick search revealed the rest of his equipment. The only things missing were his money (not that he was surprised) and his notes and maps. Even checking the equipment storage for the second time didn't reveal them. Sighing, Samuel turned to leave. My notes and maps aren't here. They must have took somewhere else. They were interested in them, so it's not a surprising thing.

Oren walks up the stairs stopping at the door near the man. "Hello, I am Oren Blathe, Cleric of Eldath. I want to thank you for rescuing me and the others." seeing the chaos outside,  he stops and stares for a moment "Oh, my... you do a thing right,  don't you?"

Thelonious holds everyone back from the door just a little out of sight. Still keeping an eye on the door and the outside in case enemies come through, he glances at Oren and says,

In reply to Oren Blathe (msg # 41):

"Well met friend Oren. I am pleased to find some alive. The orc said something about a snake woman? Do you know what he refers to?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:25, Mon 18 Nov 2013.

"We found a bunch of papers earlier.  We have them stashed away for now." Myarra tells Samuel.  "Once we're safe we can take a look and see if any of them are yours."

To Thelonious, as they reach the top of the stairs and join Oren and the monk by the door, she adds, "It's a medusa.  We mentioned her back in the forest, but things were a little busy.  She's the one running most of what goes on around here.  We fought her briefly a few days ago.  She killed a couple of our friends by turning them into stone and having her orcs smash them.  She managed to run away before we could stop her."

And looking out through the door, "We do a good job at causing chaos.  I'm rather pleased.

But right now, we need to find our two missing friends, and then get ourselves out of here before the cult gets its act together, or the big green dragon comes looking for us.

Is everyone ready to go?"

the elven cleric nodded.

"I'm ready to go.   Lead on...."

Readying his weapons and gear, Thelonious says "Let's find the others, and quickly. who will go first? if nobody would like to I will."

Silver packed up everything that would fit, and didn't get claimed. Following Myarra back up, he stood by, waiting for the word to go. When it came, he nodded sharply. He had no idea what they were going to run in to outside, but he thought it might not be good. They had maybe spent more time inside then they should have. Either way, it was time to see. Silver followed the women out, staying close to Aliana.

Amara picked up anything left over that could fit in one arm (apparent most valuable first) after Silver had taken as much as he could. She needed another arm to have a hand free for casting. She followed Silver up the stairs. "Let's go," she agreed with Myarra upon reaching the top.

Unarmed and unarmored, Oren prepares to follow the group wherever they led him. "If it's quite alright, I'll follow you all and offer aid as I am able."

Sister Aliana nodded.
"I'll go first, since I'm armored, unless there's a fighter who wants to."

Seeing that everyone seemed to be getting ready to leave, Cierra quickly grabbed what she could find of her belongings from the stash, and hastened to follow them. Without a chance to prepare her spells, the wizard knew that she would pretty much useless if there was a fight.

Better to stick with the group, for now.

Thelonious follows Aliana out and stays to her off hand side so she has a clear area to swing her weapon. "Ready when you are."

Ready and able.

"I'll make sure it's safe-ish," Myarra says, her shape suddenly melting and reforming into that of a human man, wearing Cult style clothing ... or close enough to hopefully pass for a few seconds from a distance.  "If I don't get engulfed by a large cloud of poisonous gas, feel free to follow."

Walking calmly out the door she looks around to get a lay of the land she can report back to the others.

"well, I guess that would work as well."

Kevnan moved up to the elven priestess as the tiefling moved out. "I volunteer to move out as number two. When she give us the sign, I can take point for the group."
He was heavy armored as well and looked hard_in his battered plate and shield.
As he stod up, everyone felt a just a bit more tough than before.

Kevnan made himself ready to follow Myarra, when she signaled them.

OOC
Aura: DR 2/ magic (30 ft)
Note: everyone in the group is affected by kevnans aura. I will make a note in the bio as well

Edit: typo
This message was last edited by the player at 22:00, Wed 20 Nov 2013.

"Francis, we will take the back for now," Amara said to her charmed cultist.

Myarra, disguised as a Cultist thanks to the gift that Nolan gave her, walks out the door to take in the situation. Orcs and Cultists are running all over the place because the compound is in shambles now, thanks to Satin. It appears that nobody is coming to the building the group is currently in because they know what the building is for. Groups of Orcs have their gear on and are running out what is left of the front gate. A group of Cultists to the North-West argue amongst each other and pointing to the sky where the group spots Satin, the Colossal sized Green Dragon. When she flies by again, the Cultists run for their lives in different directions. It's unknown whether or not the group will be stopped from escaping, but from the look of the way things are going, nobody appears to care that people are coming out of the prison building.

Myarra scanned the area, looking for anyone interested in them. But they didn't seem to be anyone's particular target.  Since the other's weren't going to be able to pull off the cultist look, she let her form shimmer and warp back into her normal grey skinned beauty (at least she liked to think so).

"It's as clear as it is going to get.  I think we should try for the main gate.  If anyone sees Nolan or Swiftstrider, call out ... but I have a bad feeling we're looking at a Trizdan all over again."  Realizing that only Silver would have any idea what she was talking about, she added, "A friend of ours who took off into the woods on his own.  I'll tell you the story later."

Waiting just long enough for the first of the others to emerge, she then turned and strode off towards the gate as if she owned the compound and had every right to be there.  Her sword she keep resting over her shoulder, ready in case anyone decided to tell her they didn't belong.

Okey, lets move out. Kevnan said to the others and followed Myarra.

He kept a eye out for any that might intersept them, but mostly the possible dragons.

Thelonious follows Kevnan out. He looks at the others in the room and says "Let's move quickly, we don't know when they might come here or see us, and the later that is, the better."

Oren follows. "I, for one, am grateful to be out of this place."

"Not quite out yet," Amara said, glancing around when she got to the vantage point to see the chaos around as she followed the group.

"Which way are we headed when we get into the forest?" Francis asked as he pulled out his sabre

"Whichever way Myarra leads," Amara replied.

Cierra was thrilled to be out of the prison as she followed her rescuers out of the complex. She thought it was a bit strange that a Drow and a Tiefling were working together to save people, but she wasn't going to bite a gift horse on the mouth. She had her gear and once she had some time to study some spells, she knew she could leave if she felt she was in danger again with this new group. Until then, they were the lesser of two evils.

"I'm not the leadership type! Myarra calls back.  "But I think it's time to head home.  Once we're out, hopefully T.L. and Aliana can guide us back to Lyran's.  Then we can regroup and figure out what we're going to do next.  We still have snake-head to deal with, and now we owe Satin a lizard-hunt."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:31, Sat 23 Nov 2013.

Sister Aliana looked around.
"If we have everything we need, then it's time to go, as long as we've done all that our dubious dragon ally wanted us to do."

Silver shook his head as he followed the group out, and into the compound. "This time, I'm going to cut the bitch's head off. But you're right. A regroup is in order."

The group runs out of the Cult complex and into the forest, having no idea where Nolan and Swiftstrider ran off to. Moving South seemed to be a good idea, since the group knew the road was that way. Looking back over your shoulders, everyone would notice that the Orcs and Cult members alike are moving to the North....

Anyone with Tracking skills can roll to see if you pick up any kind of trail to help you get out of the forest.

For anyone who has the 3.5 Edition of the Forgotten Realms Book, there is a picture on pg 223 that is interesting

Could you lend me my maps and notes for a moment? Maybe I can determine where we are from them. And where they are going.

Now that they're temporarily out of danger, Myarra slows to a halt and signals that, in her humble opinion, the rest should do the same.

"Does you know how to get back to the Lyran ruins from here?" she asks Aliana and Thelonious, still keeping watch on the area around them in case anything dangerous should be lurking.

When Samuel asks for his maps, she looks over at Amara and Aliana.  "If not, can either of you pull out the papers we found without having to dump your whole sacks?  We can take a minute or two to rest, especially those that have been in chains for a while.  Maybe Samuel's maps will help."

Sister Aliana, who considered herself an amateur explorer, examined the tracks as she spoke to Myarra.


OOC:
16:58, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 23 using 1d20+7. tracking.

"I've never been to the ruins, but I can try to find it using our maps.  The Haversack lets one pull out whatever one needs, so getting the papers is easy.   I'll do that as soon as I'm done looking at tracks."

Cierra thought she could walk out of the complex just fine, but now that the group has stopped for a brief rest, she's starting to feel the effects of her imprisonment. She wished that she could sleep and take a nice bath and go to sleep again, but she said nothing. She was just happy to be free and with her belongings...well, most of them. She wasn't worried about the missing money, as she was sure if she stayed with the group, she could probably find something valuable to sell in town.

Amara reached into her pack, thinking maps, and pulled out whatever came to her hands.

Myarra shook her head.  "Of course you've been there, Aliana.  We left Daak through the wizard tower.  We went down into the basement, and passed through the portal into the basement of Lyran's Hold.  That's the place where you heard the whispering voices.  We then came up the stairs and out into the forest.  We just need to find our way back there and we're home free.

Just remember the magic kitchen, the magic baths, and the nice warm soft beds.  If that doesn't inspire you to find the way back, nothing will."

Aliana nodded, her eyes widening.
"Ohhhh...THAT was Lyran's Hold?   I'd forgotten, sorry.   I can try to back track to that place, if you'd like."

I would certainly like that. It sound inspiring. He answered Aliana.
Even though the free air had helped, Kevnan was still very much a former prisoner how was dirty, smelly and beaten up. Thoug he walked with firm steps and joyous attitude.

While waiting for Aliana to finish examining the ground and for Samuel to look over whatever maps Amara managed to procure, Myarra looked over the collection of people she now found herself with.  Strange probably was too normal a word for it.

"How is everyone holding up?" she asked the newcomers.

"I only got a couple of names given the rush.  How about we introduce ourselves properly if we're going to be traveling together for a while?

My name is Myarra, daughter of Mariasha.  I answered the call of Mystra to fulfill the wish of two children, and am now part of a group currently protecting the village of Daak from the forces of evil.

No, I am not fully human.  But no, I am not a demon.  And no," she adds with a pointed (but not hostile) look towards Silver, "I am not under anyone's control."

Kevnan looked at the tiefling with interest. "What and excellent idea. Im Kevnan and Drover is my family name. Im was on a missoon the kick some dragon tails of the green scaled kind. But we got the beating unfortunatly. I came from Soubar, its not fare away."
While he spoke he accidently hit the copper coloured dragon scale around his neck so the copper chain, from which it hug, drageled forth and back.
"Since my former project has gone south, im willing to give a hand to you guys".

"I am Oren Blathe. I'm a travelling healer and cleric of Eldath goddess of Peace. I am originally from Baldur's Gate, though I was forced to leave and have never returned. Though I will perform no violence, I would wish to travel with you. Perhaps this Medusa can be reasoned with..."

Oren looks at the assembled group.

"At least I can offer healing and other aid, should violence erupt"

Amara nodded at Myarra's suggestion, but did not immediately chime in. She waited to give the others a chance first.

The look she fixed upon Oren suggested that she thought him quite crazy when he spoke, but she said nothing else.

At the pause, she introduced herself simply, "I am Amara, sorceress, follower of Mystra and Eilistrae. And this is my familiar Flicka." A jewel-colored hummingbird fluttered out from her rich, furred cloak for a moment, before darting back in to hide in the folds of the drow's robe/dress.

Cierra smiled as she knew she would fit in with this band of Misfits in search of treasure and glory in this forest. She knew it was going to be dangerous, but she knew the from the start and so far, her rescuers seemed pretty able. She was about to introduce herself....

"My name is Cierra and..."

"And my name is Satin. You may all call me Satin." the "woman" said as she stepped "out" of a tree, interrupting Cierra  "My part of the deal is done and now it's your turn."

Satin has a haughty look about her, but through it all, she still looks quite attractive. She scans the people of the group and smiles at Silver. But, when she sees Kevnan, a mischievous smile comes to her face. "Kevnan Drover from Soubar. Interesting. Perhaps I'll make a visit to see your family unless you can keep me entertained to get my mind off the subject?" 

Myarra turned and step forward towards Satin, putting herself between the dragon and the former prisoners, her sword still held firmly, but not threateningly.

"Yes, you have completed your part.  And once we resupply and get these former prisoner's injuries seen to, we will complete our part, exactly as we agreed.  Tell us where the lizard people are and we will see it done."

Silver just stood somewhat dumbly, clearly shocked at the sudden appearance of Satin. His mouth slightly agape, before he closes it and clears his throat. "Uh, yeah, what the Dem...Myarra said. We'll keep to our side, but we've got to re-arm. We'll be back soon, I promise."

Amara blinked at the appearance of Satin, and narrowed her eyes slightly. But she nodded agreement to Myarra's and Silver's words. "Do you know the fate of Nolan and Swiftstrider?" She asked. "The wizard and goliath?"

"I noticed that those two were missing and assumed they didn't make it out." Satin said to Amara with a smile "I'm sure they'll be OK. Nolan is more powerful than he looks."

Walking up to Kevnan, Satin smiles "that look" as she fingers his copper dragon scale. "I can smell them on you."

Satin, what a wonderfull name, so easy to remember. Kevnan gave Satin a irronic smile.It is always nice to have seen one in person if I ever get the need to... visit you.   The "visit" sounded more like "hunting down" .
I dont think I have heard about you before. You must be brand new in this naboughhood. Have you gotten permission to visit your uncle?

Kevnan shifted pose from the "fronting ganger" to the "nonchalant easygolucky". About the magican and the stone man, didnt you remember, I lead them to you so you could devoure them. Cant you feel the stoneman in your stomage? Have you forgotten so quickly? Or are you just full of words of your own that you have to consume later? The duallity of the words was thick as he stroke the chick of the dragon in disguise.
 He was not moving an inch. So whos backyard is it that you are trying to pullute by having us piss in it?
He didnt expect the dragon would blund it out, but if she did. It would be vuneable infomation that could be used later agianst her.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:13, Sat 30 Nov 2013.

Myarra looks back and forth between Kevnan and the dragon, a frown deeply engraved on her face.  She could have sworn she just heard the newcomer say that he had led her group to the dragon to get them eaten.  She hates having to kill people she just introduced herself to, but if he's confessing to being evil, and harming Nolan and Swiftstrider ...

But what kind of idiot would say that in front of his victims?  And hadn't he been locked up in the dungeon the whole time?  The whole thing makes no sense.  Maybe he's trying to taunt the dragon somehow.  Maybe it's his idea of a joke.

It's too complicated to deal with at the moment, especially when they're still going to have to deal with Satin.

For now she'll just put it down to "civilized humor", something she's never had much success understanding.

But he's going to have to answer some questions as soon as they can get rid of Satin.

Sister Aliana didn't care for Satin's threatening tone, but she said nothing, only prepared to lead the group out and away from the orc fortress.

The blonde elf blinked in surprise as the shaman talked about leading Nolan and Swiftrider to Satin to be eaten.
That made no sense to her, since she had thought he was a prisoner until they'd rescued him.  Was he just messing with the dragon girl?    That seemed VERY silly and dangerous, but she said nothing.

Silver goes from staring starry eyed at Satin, to staring dumbfounded at Kevnan. If it wasn't for Satin standing there, and her being able to eat them all without choking, he would have been at Kevnan's throat in an instant. As it was, al he could do was look back and forth at the two. And take a few steps back, clearing himself to swing a weapon. If the need arose.

"What's wrong, Kevnan? Can't we be friends?" Satin said with a pout look on her face that would make most men and some women melt "Silver and I are friends, aren't we Silver?"

Silver stopped short and looked at Satin. He visibly *gulp*ed. "Uh, yes, Yes of course we are. Heh. Friends. Yep. _{Please don't eat me.}"

Myarra moves forward, trying to get bodily between Silver and the dragon.  "Fight her Silver.  She's trying to get inside your head.  Next thing you know you'll be her best friend in the world ... right up until she swallows you whole.

And you," she actually points her sword at Satin, but from several feet back.  Cut it out now!  Or there will be unpleasantness.  And if we can't kill you, you'll have to kill us.  And then you'll have done us a favor without getting paid back.  Won't that stick in your craw?

You're getting what you want from us.  So back off, fly away, and leave us in peace to do your dirty work."

Kevnan still stood a few inches from Satin with a serious mean. "She has a point, the tiefling." He shifted to copy the baby face of the dragon. "It would be sooo nice to be friends, but you make sooo hard, when you bring family and friends into the conversation before starting on business."

He turned away, showing he did not fear her, and walked a few steps "Lets get down to business."  he said with action and turn halfway towards her. "Why are you here now? Making sure They haven't forgotten there deal?"

Myarra was facing down the dragon, so Amara turned slightly to watch Kevnan. He may be good, but she did not trust him at this point. Perhaps he was enchanted. He was treating them as if they were nothing, when in reality, they had just rescued him from a terrible fate.

"OK, OK. Fine. I'll play with Silver later." Satin said to Myarra, annoyed "And you're not doing my dirty work. Like I said before, a tribe of Lizardmen have taken up residence in my home and I don't care how you get rid of them. Just get rid of them."

"The tiefling has a name, she tells Kevnan.  "It just told you less than a minute ago.  Perhaps you don't care to remember it given that you're planning to feed her to the dragon as well?"  She seems a little put out with him at the moment.

Then turning to Satin, "Yes, I'm irritating." Myarra replies to Satin's pout, which has absolutely no effect on anyone lacking a Y chromosome (not that she'd know what one was if you gave her a scanning electron microscope ... not that she'd know what one of those was even if .... never mind, we're getting off the subject.).

"Just tell us where the lizardmen are, and then go away."

Thelonious hears what Kevnan said to the dragon and frowns slightly. He wonders at what it might portend later. He thinks to himself, "the dragon and this man seem fairly familiar with one another. How do they know each other?"

Watching Kevnan's movements carefully, he promises to keep an eye on him.


Thelonious rolled 7 using 1d20+3. sense motive. for Kevnan


Thelonious speaks out, "Dragon, where must we go, so we can be done with this trade of favors?"

22:09, Today: Kevnan Drover rolled 12 using 1d20+10. Bluff.

"I heard the cultists talking about a tribe of Lizardmen to the East someplace in some ruins they wanted to investigate." Francis said to the group while standing to Amara "They gathered many Orcs to try an assault, but it appears that you guys just messed that up."

Myarra looks at the dragon, waiting for a reply to Thelonious' very reasonable question.  When it doesn't come, she prompts, "Look Satin, I'm tired, filthy, wet, and I've got bruises and bite marks in places that you don't discuss in front of people you just met. This makes me irritable and prone to violent impulses.  So could you, for the love of Uthgar's Holy thigh bone, please just stop with the games?  Are Francis' lizardmen the same ones we're supposed to move? Or is it some other band?  If you're not going to tell us where your pest problem is, we can't very well do the job.  The sooner you tell us, the sooner we get you your property back."

"Yes, the Lizardmen to the East is the problem." Satin said in response to Thelonious "The group of Orcs from this outpost wouldn't have won. If my count is right, there are over 200 Lizardmen living on and in my home. I want them out. Go East from here about a day. You'll run into some ruins."

The cleric was a bit confused about a few things, but that was nothing new.

"It would help us if we knew a bit more about them, ma'am.   For example, what makes you think these orcs couldn't have beaten them, besides their numbers, and why couldn't you beat them, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Because if I attack them and get hurt, it will be a sign of weakness and I might get attacked by something else. It was unfortunate that I left the area for a bit and when I returned, they were there." Satin said to the group "As to where they came from, there are a couple tribes of Lizardmen in the forest and they could be any one of those tribes. I want them out. Go East from here about a day. You'll run into some ruins."

In reply to Big Boss (msg # 105):

"I'm certain we can convince them to move, if we approach them in peace. Lizardmen are not inherently bloodthirsty, in fact they can be down right reasonable."

"Fine.  Then when we encounter them, Oren can do the talking.
But in the meantime, let's get moving.  We need to get back to Daak to report in, heal up, and restock.  Then we can return and take care of the lizardmen."

Bowing a very short bow in Satin's direction, Myarra turns away and addresses Aliana and Thelonious.  "Have you managed to find our trail back yet?"

"I'm not so good with maps. Aliana though... she might be." Says Thelonious looking towards her

"Daak? Daak is about two days foot travel from here." Satin said to the group "Two days out, two days back, one day to the Lizardmen. That's not part of the deal, but I could reconsider if Silver and Kevnan remained behind to entertain me."

The elven woman looked at the dragon carefully.
"Not part of the deal?   I thought you wanted us to actually succeed??"

"Our side of the deal was to remove the lizardmen.  You didn't specify how quickly it had to be done, so that is not part of the deal."  Myarra responds, emphasizing the word "not".  "As we have honor, we will do it as quickly as we can.  But you left it up to us to figure out how to do it.  And I say that requires us to return to Daak first.

Now if you'd stop delaying us, we will do what needs to be done and be back before you know it."

Sister Aliana shrugged, trying to look diplomatic.
"I mean, if these lizard people took your home, then it's just the right thing to do to get them to leave, right?   So that's what we're planning to do."

"Besides, what's the rush?" Myarra adds, not trying to be diplomatic at all.  "You're going to live long enough to make trouble for our great-grand-children.  What possible difference could a day or two make?"

"You rushed while you were saving Daak for those villagers. Why not rush for me, when I helped you get inside the place you wanted to get into?" Satin asked "All of you are adventurers, Yes? I know many secrets in this forest. Just remember that."

"Because people's lives were in danger in Daak." Myarra scoffs.  "You just have a pest problem and, unless you've left out some critical details, which I have absolutely no doubt, they're not threatening anyone.

Furthermore, half the folks here didn't agree to any deal with you.  We've just barely rescued them, and that job isn't finished until we deliver them to safety.  And hauling them off on a quest they had no part in would be a pretty crappy rescue.

But, I'm not in charge here.  So, everyone, speak up.  What do you all wish to do?  Return to Daak to recover, restock, and plan how to deal with this problem, or head off and take care of the lizardmen now?"

In reply to Myarra (msg # 115):

I've already agreed to follow where you lead. The lady here, a dragon did you say? Obviously wants what she wants. And though I don't believe dragons are known for their impatience, they take the hardline on any bargains they make. I owe you a great deal, and Eldath sent me here for a reason. To my mind, your obligation is my own. Though, I would beg for an hour of peace to pray to my goddess, I will agree to go where you will it.

Kevnan kept his mouth shot. Thelonius had ended the game and the green meance had accepted it. Great, they where making progress.

 He slipped slowly away from the focus, there was no need to distract the antique bitch,now that things was going so well.

Sister Aliana shrugged.

"I agree with Myarra.  We need to prepare for this next mission with the lizard men, as we prepared for the one with the orcs.
With respect, Madame Satin, this is what we do for a living, so we know what we're doing.  Please trust us to do our jobs, ma'am."

She nodded respectfully.

Looking down, she tried to find their path back to Daak.
OOC:15:13, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 27 using 1d20+7. tracking.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:14, Fri 13 Dec 2013.

Silver's eyes got big when she suggested him and Kevnan keeping her company, but then when she mentioned "secrets", those big eyes took on a greedy shine. "Well, I mean, I'm not hurt, I still have food, I'm not sore... I don't see why we can't head over there to these ruins, and at least do some scouting. Maybe we can clear it out after all, without going to town. If we don't think we can, we lose 2 days. Whereas if we don't go scout it out, and go to Daak first, whose to say what we know to bring? Whatever happens, I think it's in our best interest to at least go check it out. We can appease Satin, and work on a compromise. She needs US to do it, and if we don't think we can, then she cant say no to us resupplying, right?"

Silver was somewhat out of breath by the time he finished speaking.

"I do not wish to sound inconsiderate towards you dragon, or make it sound as we do not respect you, but would you be willing to fly one or 2 of us closer to the lizardmen so we may see what they have there? while everyone else goes back to Daak 1 or 2 could scout out the area and what we would be up against. Then they could head to Daak to meet back with the rest, and from there we could plan accordingly." Thelonious looks towards the dragon to see her reaction to being asked to fly lowly creatures such as himself.

Satin just rolls her eyes at Myarra as she smiles at Thelonious,

"That is a problem, sweetie." Satin said to Thelonious "I don't want anyone knowing anything that I have a problem at my home, so flying you near it is out of the question. But, I will follow you in my current form to make sure you're safe on your journey there."

"So far it looks like two of us definitely want to go back, two definitely want to go forward, and one doesn't really care.  That's not much to go on.  What about the rest of you?  Speak up so we can get going ... somewhere," she concludes looking at Amara, Cierra, Samuel, and Francis.  Kevnan looks like he's trying to make himself invisible, so she tries not to draw attention to him.

Amara was spending her time trying to get a good idea of how opposed the dragon was to them returning to resupply. But she really didn't feel she could figure it out well. Maybe it was the dragon in human form having strange facial impressions, or maybe the drow just wasn't as good at reading emotions as she liked to think, but she finally gave up when Myarra questioned her more directly. "I think our best chance of dealing with this problem would be for us to re-supply. If we do not, we run the risk of not being able to accomplish what we have promised to do our best to do. And Myarra is right - time was not a specific part of our deal." The dark elf stated. It was a simple statement of facts, really. She considered for another moment. The dragon had not seemed to be disturbed by the idea of people riding her so much as the idea of people riding her over her own territory. Perhaps a compromise could be reached. "Perhaps if you were able to carry a couple of us back to Daak to resupply and bring the supplies to the rest of us, the rest could continue on toward your lands. We could meet up at night, then, so that we could complete this as soon as possible."

Sister Aliana shook her head.
"Splitting up is a bad idea.   We should all stick together."

"Let's go back to Daak by fastest means possible and then head over to finish with the dragon. Drop off prisoners so we have fewer worries, and get supplies and sell what we have since people are starting to be weighed down. Then head over and figure out the lizardmen issue."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:55, Fri 20 Dec 2013.

"I'll go wherever my Mistress commands me." Francis said with a smile and a bow

Since neither Cierra nor Samuel seem inclined to give an opinion, Myarra just shakes her head at the idea of flying on Satin's back.  The very idea gives her an upset stomach.

"The majority of us either want to go back and resupply, or have no opinion.  Talking any more would be pointless.

So, short of you offering to fly us to Daak on your back," she pauses for a second with a look of extreme discomfort crossing her face, "we'll just be going.  We'll be back as quickly as we can, and then we'll take care of your pest problem."

She then turns her back on the dragon (all the hairs on her back standing up, waiting for the bite that might be coming), and gestures to Aliana.

"Lead on, sister.  Take us back the way we came.  Sooner begun, sooner completed, and sooner back."

Sister Aliana nodded, and worked to lead them aback towards Daak, trying to keep an eye on the dragon.

"No, I don't like flying anyone I just met, so that's out of the question. Well, maybe Silver...." Satin said with a chuckle "If you need to re-supply and take these refugees to a safe spot, go ahead. I know where you live, in case you decide to not hold your end of the bargain."

"Dragon, you impugn my honor." Myarra replies with a pained expression and a hand over her heart.  "Of course, I don't care about crap like honor, and I have no долбанные clue what impugn means.  It sounds like it would be painful.

But I stand by my father's wisdom.  Never double-cross a dragon until it's dead and its name has been forgotten by the sages.

Neither has happened, so I will be back to hold up our end."

And again turns and continues following Aliana, hoping the others will follow suit.

Feeling much more confident now that the dragon was not going to attack them from behind, Amara turned to follow Myarra. "Come along, Francis."

"And we are off to see the wizard, the wonderful wizard of Oz" Thelonious mutters aloud while they walk away. Thelonious then looks around at the quizzical expressions on the people's faces. "Isn't that what people say when they start going somewhere? Or am I mistaken?" Thelonious ponders the idea for a bit while the others continue looking at him funny.

We will see you again. Kevnan said to the dragon. It was both a promise and a subtle threat.

He then turn away and started walking.
We have much to discus he whispered to his new friends, between his teeth.

In reply to Thelonious (msg # 132):

Sister Aliana looked up from her tracking to chuckle at the monk, not quite hearing him fully.
"I think that might be a different tradition.   No one really says that they're off to see 'the wonderful wizard of ours', but I suppose it's something that might be fun sometimes.
I mean, we're not seeing a wizard, and the only one that's 'ours' is still here with us, that is.
Still, it's catchy."

She went back to leading them into the woods.

"Sweetie, the only person who could even possibly hurt me wouldn't last a minute with her sword. What good do you think you could do with your little threats?" Satin asked Kevnan "I'm playing nice, so I think it would be in your best interests if you did the same."

So, the group leaves Satin in the woods as they head South. With all the commotion that has gone around in the past 30 minutes, the party encounters nothing as they reach Lyran's Hold. Going inside, the group quickly finds out that they can't get past the magical barricades that protect the place, so cursing Nolan for running off to find Swiftstrider, the group travels West to the main road to head South-East.

Luckily, they encounter a Merchant Caravan who is happy to have a band of Mercenaries join them along this dangerous road. Over the next day, a few of the adventurers that were rescued decide to stay on as guards as they thank the group for saving their lives. The rest of the group makes it back to the small village of Daak to gather supplies and to rest up and possibly gather more adventurers to venture back into the forest....
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:57, Tue 04 Feb 2014.

Kevnan smiles a tense smile to the dragon as the they leave.


When Satin is in good distance he turns to Myarra and Silver. "Myarra, I remember your name. Who was Nolan and Swiftstrider? Where did you loose them?" he said with a pleasent face.  "I hope they are doing okay. "


When they meet the caravan, Kevnan uses some time to small talk with the travelers.

Sister Aliana is full of curiosity about the caravan, full of smiles and questions for everyone.  She also offers her healing services to anyone injured.

When they reach the town, she helps inventory their loot, if any, to see what they needed for their mission.

Myrra smiles coolly back at Kevnan.  "Remembering to use it would be an improvement.  I don't refer to you as the human after all.  I'll give you points for not referring to me as the demoness though.  That, at least, is an improvement.  And I don't hold grudges, so don't repeat the mistake and we'll be just fine.

As to your questions, Nolan is our wizard, and resident sarcastic jerk.   And Swiftstrider is a goliath, big man, looks like he's made of rock.  Got a bit of a temper problem when he gets to fighting.  Sweetheart of a man otherwise.  Last we saw, Swifty was in one of his rages and chasing after a big bunch of orcs, and Nolan was chasing after Swiftstrider.  That was just before we rescued you lot.

I'm hoping that they passed through Lyran's Hold and we'll find them waiting for us when we arrive in Daac.

During the ride back to Daac, there's time for some personal chitchat, so she tries to break the ice.

"So, is there anything else you'd like to tell us about yourself?  Just a few personal tidbits: Where are you from? Why are you here? Why are you wearing that dragon around your neck? How do you know Satin?  Where do your loyalties lie?  You know, just the easy stuff.

I'll even go first:  My name is Myarra, born and partially raised somewhere in the underdark.  Raised some more as a member of the Chiotan Tribe.  Later from the Dalelands where I set myself up as what I like to call an ahn-tra-peen-ur, and now here to serve the people of Daac at the behest of two children and the Goddess of Magic.  I like Cormanthorian opera, slaying dragons, and seek to acquire my own drigible.  My dislikes are wizardry and men who want to "feel my wings".

See, not that hard."

Once they reach Daac, it's time to see if they can get back into the tower, and start planning an assault on a tribe of lizardmen.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:11, Wed 05 Feb 2014.

Thelonious, being the quiet type as normal, sticks with the caravan and just listens to the conversations going on around him. every so often someone might ask him a question and he responds in kind, often asking a question in return. He is mainly listening to the conversations involving the people that want to join with them. he likes to know about people before he lets them know about himself.

Im deeply sorry that offended you, but I got little carried away when we spoke with the green dragon. I don't know her and have never seen her before. Well, I have heard of her, but so has many others. A lot of what I said was just to play the Game. A lot of the dragons do that, not only the green. They talk trash and make stuff up that could or could not be true, trying to shake the opponent.

And a Demonette? No! I do call myself an relatively enlightened one and 'demonette' ... I think there is a difference.
he says with a wink in the eye.
...
When the talk turns to Nolan and Swiftstrider. Let us hope they are in good shape. I guess they can handle them self or should we go after them?


But excuse my ignorance, what does, an-tre-peen-ur, means?

Im glad we have this talk, It is not like we had a real opportunity before.
Im actually born in Soubar, but I have spent most of my life in the Serpent Hills just north of here. I have been in service to the copper dragons up there, and too some degree, still is. Hence the scale. Kevnan lifts the copper chain with the scale a few inch's of his chest.

I entered the forest with a bunch of guys, hoping to make some havoc against the green dragons, but one night our night watch disappeared and we got jumped by the orcs.  By the way you haven't seen a blond guy with a bow and a tattoo all over his right ear? or the left-behinds of him?
Well, I have no idea how long I have been with the orcs, but I have not seen any of my companions for a some time. We where 3 in the dungeon, but the others has been taken away,some time ago. I believe they are gone to the next realm...
A hint of sadness flushes over him, but he quickly lightens up as he continue.
I like a good drink, a fair day of work. All topped with a good joke. I have not been with the Coppers and been unaffected. and another wink. I really dislike cruelty and meaningless violence... And Myarra, by the way, can I touch you wings? He finishs with a big and happy grin, and jumps a step away from Myarra.

"Just in case some of you don't know, my name is Francis Orville. I'm fourth in line to my family which means that I'm screwed out of any inheritance there might be. Before I was charmed by the presence of Lady Amara by sight and spell, I was a mercenary working for whoever paid the most. That has resulted in me being hated by many people along the Sword Coast. I consider myself an above average duelist who's trying to earn a living and adventuring with this band of odd adventurers is intriguing at the moment."

As the group travels back to the small village of Daak, the black wizard tower in the village could be seen for miles. The small village is business as usual with farmers tending their crops and repairing the damage the Orcs did to the place. Villagers that are familiar with the group wave, especially a young little girl who runs up to the party with all smiles on her face!

"Myarra, Myarra!" Amanda said as she ran up to Myarra and hugged her left leg

Myarra considers Kevnan's question as they enter the now strangely familiar environs of Daak.  "Well, I consider it a person that uses her wits and talents to make a living as best she can with what she can find.  But the folks up in the Dales don't recognize it as a person controlling her own destiny.  They called it being a highwa..." she cuts off as the little girl flings herself at her leg.

"Sweetling! she exclaims, reaching down to pull the little girl up into a hug.  How are you, Amanda, my darling?  And your brother?  Is he treating you right?  Have you seen Maggie lately?  She's not causing anybody trouble is she?  Would you like to go for a ride?"

She turns and looks back at the others for second, a smile splitting her face and displaying an impressive set of fangs.  Handing the green dragon skull that serves as her helm to Aliana, she says "I'll meet you at the tower.  Find out if anybody's seen Nolan and Swifty."

Then with a few steps to clear the others and snapping her wings out to full extension, she launches herself and the child into the air, soaring away across the ground about ten feet in the air.

Amanda screams with joy flying in the air while holding on to Myarra, yelling for her to fly higher and higher! If this was any other place, people would be frantic and calling the city guard. But, in the simple village of Daak, Myarra and the rest of the group, including Nolan, are considered Heroes. Residents smile when they see Myarra fly into the air with little Amanda.

Amara has been in the town for years and finds out that Amanda's Brother Willie and their Uncle Rufus are in the forest gathering supplies. A local Druid volunteered to look after Maggie as she's growing up pretty quick and Nolan has been back in town for several days. He came out of the forest wounded, confused, and went into the tower. Nobody has seen him since then. Nobody has seen Swiftstrider.

Amara was not the first to join in the introductions, and indeed considered for a long while before bothering to answer, belatedly. "Needless to say, I am from the Underdark. I worship Eilistrae, which is why I do not still live below the ground, and also Mystra, and with them is my loyalty. I enjoy dancing naked in the moonlight."

Perhaps it was a joke. Perhaps not. But she added nothing more, instead moving to converse with the townsfolk.

It wasn't long before she got what information she could, telling the others, "No one has seen Swiftstrider, but Nolan has returned, wounded. We must talk to him." And so she led the way toward the tower.

Amanda had a lot of fun on her flying trip and when she landed, she thanked Myarra and ran off to tell everyone of her adventure. After finding out that Swiftstrider was missing, but Nolan was in the tower, Amara led the group to the front doors where they are met up with the tower's mascot, Ashara, who is standing behind the magical barrier (J-10 on the map message 2).

link to a message in this game

"No-lan not No-lan." Ashara said to Amara

Myarra had a good deal of fun flying Amanda around town.  And after the last few days, it was a welcome change to her emotional state.  Still all good things must come to an end, and at last she swooped back to the ground and released the child to run off and keep being a child.

Making her way over to the tower, she arrived at the same time as the others.

"Be careful of the doorway" she tells Kevnan.  "It looks like air, but if you don't have the right magic in your blood, it will feel like a brick wall."

She frowns at Ashara's comment but, since the displacer beast was talking to Amara, she didn't try to intervene.  Nolan frequently was a bit different, but she couldn't imagine what the cat was referring to this time.

"This is Ashara, the tower cat I told you about." she also tells Kevnan.

"Interesting. I've fought Displacer Beasts before, but never have I heard them talk!" Francis said with a chuckle "I noted that this village looked a bit burnt. Are the rumors true that monsters came out of the tower and attacked the village?"

Amara squatted down, scritching the displacer beast between the ears. "Good girl. But what do you mean? How is Nolan not Nolan?"

To the others she said, "Be ready. You know his power if he turns against us."

At Amara's words, Thelonious looks dubiously at the beast. prepared to bring out his gauntlets if necessary but preferring not to until it attacks, if it does at all. better to not seem hostile. "No-lan not No-lan" he mumbles aloud curious as to what it means. Does the creature mean that Nolan is not Nolan?

Sister Aliana nodded to the drow woman, getting ready in case something shenaniganesque is up with Nolan.   The man, she suspected, was much more than he seemed, since she thought she knew some strange things about him.

It takes Ashara about 30 seconds to understand what Amara requests of her and tries her best to express her feelings.

"No-lan go up." Ashara pointed up with one of her tentacles "No come back."

"Черт побери!" Myarra curses.  "The idiot's gone up to the upper levels where we can't follow."

She pauses and looks at Amara.  "Can you, Amara?  You're not as flashy with the magic as Nolan, so I haven't got a feel for your level of wizard-stuff.  Is there any chance you could get up there?"

Silver just sighed. All this magical door stuff was getting annoying. Couldn't follow the Mage, so who knew if he could be helped or not.

"I think we need to find another Wizard. Not as a replacement, mind you, but, maybe one who won't wander off as much? I mean, how are we supposed to follow him if we can't even go through the door..."

Sister Aliana looked up where the wizard had supposedly gone.

"Remind me again. .....is it only wizards who can get up there?"

"Amara is every bit the wizard Nolan is," Myarra tells Silver, surprising herself a little in the process since it wasn't intended as an insult.  That was something she was going to have to give some thought to later.

"And anyone with magical blood, wizard or cleric can get into the tower and around the common areas. So either Amara or Aliana can escort us around.  Frankly I find that humiliating, but that's wizards for you.

Kevnan, you might want to give it a try and see if whatever it is you have in your blood meets the approval of the idiots that designed this place.

As for going up into the higher levels?  That I don't know, other than Nolan said that he himself wasn't powerful enough to get there, at least at the time.  And he said that anyone trying to climb onto the roof would be killed instantly, just in case anyone was thinking of going around."

Aliana shrugged and looked at her winged friend.
"My 'magic' comes from my god, though I suppose that counts.   What can I do to help?   I can fly up there if you'd like?"

"Didn't mean to offend you, Aliana.  However you believe you get the power, I'm not in any position to say you're wrong," Myarra replies with a matching shrug.  "I've heard all kinds of ideas of how magic works.  Can't say if any of them are more reasonable than any others.  Magic in the blood is what my father always said.  Some comes from demons, some from gods, some comes from no one rightly knows where.

But the fact remains, you and Amara can walk through the doorway without breaking your noses.  Silver and I can't unless one of you holds our hands.  As for the new folks?  Only way to know for sure is to have them try.

And as far as Nolan goes?  He was quite clear that it was death to go up the outside, so I'd prefer you didn't get hurt testing it.  I don't believe half of what he tells me, but I've stayed clear of it just to be on the safe side myself.

I figure all we can do is go inside and start climbing the stairs, see how far we can get, and see if we can't find Nolan before we run out of floors."

She turns to their friendly neighborhood displacer beast.  "Ashara, these are Francis, Kevnan, and Thelonious.  They're our new friends and will be staying with us for a while and helping us find and fight the medusa."

Waving the three newcomers forward she concludes, "You can't enter if you don't have magic, or if you're evil.  We've established that you're not evil, so we just need to see if you're sufficiently magical.

Just walk on in and see what happens.  I'd put a hand out to test though, or this is what happens."

Turning to the side, she gives a little jump, as if to hop sideways through the arch, and quite clearly bounces off an invisible wall.

Sister Aliana smiled at her friend's antics.
"No offense taken, my friend.   So, if you're done bull rushing the wall, perhaps Amara and I can get you all through it, then?"

Kevnan had been silent, taking in the tower, the beast and the magic ward.

I have not idea about me, myself being magic. I dont belive so, but there is only one way to try. Let me have a go first, Aliana.

Kevnan takes a step back, ready his shoulder...

...starts running...

...and stops!

No need to be extreme. He says with a grin, and reach out to touch the door-void with his hand.

Thelonious chuckles at Kevnan's attempt at humor. he thought it was pretty funny and gives Kevnan a little thumbs up in approval with a smile.

Kevnan jokes as if he was going to run and bounce off the magical barricade. Good thing he didn't...he touches it with his hand instead and encounters resistance. Kevnan can't get through.

Amara pats Ashara on the head. "Good girl. Thank you." Then she stood back up. "We will see. Nolan has more power than I do, in addition to being... unnecessarily more flashy about it, but that does not mean that I am without my own strength. Would you like to come with me?" She extends a hand toward Myarra. Although they are far from the best of friends, the half-demon has strengths that the drow does not, and vice versa. And if Nolan was not Nolan, well, a warrior could be a mage's worst enemy.

Aliana put a hand out to two others.
"Can we take two people at a time, or just one?   I can give someone else a 'ride', too."

She smiled helpfully.

Myarra hesitates for just a half second as Amara holds out her hand.  She'd been expecting to have Aliana take her through the barrier, as she has so many times in the past.  To have Amara offer put her off her stride.

It was true that she had never liked the drow woman, but then it was also true that it was mostly because she had never really like the drow race.  They were slavers, murderers, and quite literally, in her case, the stuff of nightmares.

But Amara was none of those things.  And it was about time Myarra gave the woman the benefit of being judged on her own successes and failures, not those of kin hundreds of miles away (mostly down) and 15 years in the past.

Nodding agreement, she reached out and took Amara's hand.  But "Thank you," was all she said.

Amara just nodded, taking Myarra's hand, and walking through the doorway. While she was willing to bring others along, for now she wanted a free hand. That way, her hand was free in case she needed to cast anything.

Sister Aliana, believing in her innocent and naïve way that everyone was super best friends because of their time together, was oblivious to the drama between the two women.

The group quickly finds out the taking a "Muggle" through the magical barricade can only be done one at a time. Walking through the barricade (with help) can't be described...it just feels weird. The tower feels like any other regular school for the training in the wizardly profession, each room with their own purpose...but as the group is walking through the halls, you definitely know you've walked longer than what this tower looks like on the outside.

OOC: If any of you have any questions about the tower, please ask. I'm not the most descriptive person in writing, but I try my best. Please refer to the maps I've provided:

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Each area on the ground floor is explained to the new-comers, even Silver, who doesn't trust this place at all. The tower could crumble to dust for all he cared. But, after a search of the floor and a couple long stares from the ladies at the pool-type bathtub, you don't find Nolan on the ground floor of the tower.

Amara was not amused at playing ferry, and her patience was wearing thin. But finally everyone was through and the entire first floor was checked. So, taking Myarra's hand once again (assuming she let her), she headed up to the next level.

Unlike the drow, Aliana was more than happy to chauffeur people from level to level.    It was actually kind of fun for her.

Kevnan happily takes the hand of Aliana.

Interesting felling He said when they passed through.

For some, it feels like walking through spider webs and to others it feels like walking through a water fall, but at least now the group knows that everyone in their little group is not evil in nature, or else the barricades wouldn't have let them through. After searching the ground floor, they head on up to the second floor where Nolan liked to work on projects.

Message 2 Map Level 2 (Ignore the green X)

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Walking up the stairs counter-clockwise, the party walks down the hallway West until reaching 2 doors. Everyone can feel the working of magics in the air. Opening the door to the North (F-14), the party looks inside an alchemy lab. All sorts of pots and pans, beakers, jars and smelly fumes are cooking on tables, with ghostly hands moving around doing different duties. Amara would explain that students are taught how to brew potions here. Nolan is not in the room.

Opening the door to the South (F-14), the party looks inside a library? Amara would explain that students are brought up here to learn how to scribe scrolls. Tables and chairs and sofas are lined up like a library with book shelves along the walls. Books are filled on the shelves and more magical floating hands are busy dusting the place. Nolan is not in the room.

Walking down the hallway past the intersection, the group stops at more doors (F-4). The door to the North is opened by the group. Amara explains that students are brought here to create their wild ideas. Inside the room looks like a workshop full of junk. Tables are scattered all over the room with various tools lying about. Nolan is not in the room.

Opening the door to the South, Amara explains that students are brought to this room to learn how to make Wands that cast spells. Inside the room, the walls are lined up with wands, rods, staves and what looks like sticks. There is only one table in the middle of the room and floating above this table is a glowing staff...probably something to demonstrate to students. Nolan is not in this room.

Walking back to the staircase, the party tries the 3rd level, but is blocked by the magical barricade....

Myarra doesn't believe for a moment that Nolan is going to be easy to find.  At least not on the lower levels of the tower.  Still, Kevnan needs to be shown around the important areas if he's going to be staying with them:  The kitchen, the baths, and the barracks.  Then it's up to the second level.

Each time they encounter a barrier, she reaches out and takes Amara's hand, and immediately drops it on the far side, leaving the mage free to cast, herself to draw her sword, and just because, despite her best efforts and intentions, holding hands with a drow still freaks her out to some degree.

After the second floor is found to be similarly empty they arrive at the barrier to the third.

"You should be able to get through at least this one." she tells Amara.  "Nolan took me up here when we first arrived.  You should all be warned that there's a demon, imprisoned in a column of light.  He's apparently been here a while, and a bit cranky.  Nolan and I both agreed that it was best to leave him where he is."

Francis thought the tour of the Wizard tower was amazing, as he'd never been in one before. It was a new sight to him and he soaked it all in...

"My older brother Thomas, who is second in line, became a Wizard and went to school in Baldur's Gate. He talked about things, but I don't think they describe what I see now." Francis said to the group, amazed "A demon? I thought evil beings couldn't be in the tower?"

"They can't enter the tower normally.  I get the feeling the demon didn't come of his own free will, or through the door.  They can do some amazing things, which is why, mostly, wizards just give me the heebie jeebies.  It may be an evil monster from the deepest parts of the abyss, but being locked up for who knows how long in a tiny cell of light?  That can't be an act of Good either.  Some of them take their powers far too lightly."

Amara nodded, letting go of Myarra's hand. Some of her energy went into bringing the passenger across. She reached out to the barrier.

So that is maybe why the tower was abbandoned. They went too fare?
 

He had been observant on the tour, but in front of the barriers he stood awaiting the others with magic potential.

Thelonious finds all the magic to be interesting as usual. He wonders where Nolan is, getting a little worried about him.

Sister Aliana pushed down her curiosity about the demon with effort, and followed along.

"The tower wasn't actually abandoned," Myarra tells Kevnan, stepping back to allow Amara room to give the multiverse a wedgie.

"They had some big celebration in town and all the wizards attended it.  That's when the medusa and her minions attacked.  From what we've heard, the wizards were singled out and slaughtered first.

Of course that doesn't explain the dead wizard that Nolan and I found in the top guy's office on the ground floor.  But frankly, I don't think we'll ever get to the gizzard of half the weirdness of this place."

"I don't actually remember Nolan going up here. I remember him going to the third level in the forest tower, but not here. Still," she placed her hands against the barrier, closing her red-tinged eyes, and concentrating on getting across.

Try as she might, Amara does nothing to the barrier. If Nolan went up here, the party will have to wait for him to come back.

After several minutes, Amara steps away. "I can not. If anyone else wants to try, you are welcome."

Sister Aliana sighed, sad that they couldn't find Nolan or the rest of the really cool tower.
"I have miracles that can shape stone or dispel magic, but I presume both wouldn't work here?"

"I think it would be very dangerous to try.  The wizards who built these towers ... there are three towers, by the way" Myarra adds as an aside to Kevnan, Thelonious, and Francis.  "The wizards were deeply paranoid, even for wizards.  Anyone that would trap a demon and then ..." she stopped suddenly and then slapped her forehead.  "Oh!  The demon isn't in this tower.  He's in the other one.  I'm clearly getting cactus brained." She shakes her head sadly before turning back to Aliana.

"Plus, we don't know how much further Nolan went.  Even if your magic worked, you could very well run out before we reached him, and then we'd be stuck.

The only other possibility is Ashara.  She seems to have a way with the barriers.  But if she could get to him, I think she already would have.

Otherwise, I think the best course of action is to go get a bath, clean clothes, and a hot meal.  And wait until that inconsiderate, rude, condescending, camel-dung-for-brains, waste of flesh, oh-look-at-me-I'm-a-wizard decides to grace us with his presence."

And that is a good reason to go after the Medusa!

So there is three towers, each connected by magic portals. Kevnan looks like like he nailed it. And you have a good point about the meal and a bath. It has been ages since I got a good one of both. Not that the rations you gave us wasn't good, but there is nothing like a well-prepared meal
He looks around for the possibilities for making a good meal.

When the talk goes to Ashara he adds. "Can Ashara pass the barriers? And if she can, can she bring some of us along?"

Ashara was displaced on the stairs while watching the group and when she heard her name, she became visible for everyone to see.

"A-shar-a can not go there." the displacer beast said pointing up the staircase with a tentacle

Amara just nodded at Myarra's words, then headed toward the bath, to draw herself one. She patted Ashara's head as she went past, but said no more.

No ? Then a bath it is! Kevnan was not disappointed.

The cleric nodded, smiling.
"A bath sounds lovely, to be honest.   I'm sure we all smell of orc den and dragons."

"A bath sounds great to me. Those cultists didn't take them very often, so facilities were hard to come by." Francis said to the group "Then, I was hoping this place had any food in it? I'm tired of trail rations."

"Well, it sounds like a wash and a meal are the plan." Myarra says, and then, with "magical" aid, heads back to the living areas where the baths and kitchen are located.

For the benefit of the newcomers, she gives a brief explanation of both.  "There are two baths, one for the women, and one for the men. They work exactly the same way.  It's about 20 feet across and 3 feet deep, with submerged seats built into the outer rim.  There's a pedestal at the edge with two rocks, one blue, one red.  Tap the red one to make the bath warmer, tap the blue one to make the bath cooler.  The water itself is magical.  You get in and the water cleans you.  You get out, and you're instantly dry.  For those folks with a shy personality, you can even wear your clothes into the bath and the water will clean them as well as you.  It's not supposed to damage anything, so you could, I suppose, bring all your belongings in as well, but I'm still doubtful if bringing in bows, arrows, potions, scrolls, or anything really delicate, would be a good idea.

If Aliana and Amara don't mind, we can all use the men's bath so we can keep talking, and so we'll have the necessary magical folks to get us through the damnable barriers.  I've found that so-called civilized men don't seem to care, but the women seem to care very much, and it's important that everybody be comfortable.  If anyone objects, I'm sure there will be men available in the men's bath to answer any questions you might have on the details, and to escort you to the kitchen afterward.

So, after the bath, we'll head to the communal kitchen." She does her best to give accurate directions.  "There's no cooking pit or anything like it.  There are just these holes in the wall.  You go up to them, tell them exactly what you want to eat, and the food appears in the hole.  Then you take your food, go sit down, and stuff yourself until you can't move.

After that, I'm sure we'll all be in the need for a good nap."

Amara was almost out of the room when Myarra gave her explanation. She was a bit surprised by Myarra's suggestion. After all, a bit of time to reflect privately was a good thing in her mind - soon enough they would be back together to eat where they could talk. But she was not embarrassed or ashamed of her body - indeed, Eilistrae, her deity, encouraged her people to embrace their bodies and to feel free to worship her naked. So she just shrugged. "If you all wish, very well."

That is some wizards, that want to make a easy living. And the women are of cause welcome  in our cambers. I must warn you, I will bath as the gods created me, but I promise to behave. 

Sister Aliana nodded and smiled.
"After all we've been through, I can't see why we need to hide from each other."
The elven people didn't have nearly as many taboos about nudity as humans, though they usually kept to themselves around the larger beings.

Silver grinned when Myarra suggested everyone bathed together. But he quickly hid it in a cough, and shrugged. "I couldn't care less about bathing together. My armor is pretty filthy anyways."

"I didn't mean to cause a stir.  I just figured since almost all the men are newcomers, and none of them can get through the barriers unassisted, this would just be more convenient all around.

Because while we're waiting for Nolan, we need to start talking about what we're going to do about the lizardmen.  Satin isn't going to wait for long before coming to find us.  And I'd rather no one in Daak get's hurt because we're taking too long.

She said there are over 200 of them.  That's over 20 to 1 odds if we go with killing them, plus they're probably in a cave or something.  So that means what I do best is probably not the best idea.  So how are we going to deal with them?"

"Satin requires us to get them off her land, not to kill them," Amara said, leading the way to the baths. "What if we invited them here, to Daak?"

"Yes, I seem to remember hearing something about those Lizard-people from the cultists." Francis said to the group "Not much detail, but I know they were annoyed with them for some reason."

While everyone was enjoying their view bath, Ashara comes into view near the tub, startling a few of you while you are talking about plans. The Displacer Beast is breathing a bit faster than normal, which would probably mean that Ashara was running.

"A-shar-a find No-lan sleep on feet hold rock." Ashara said to the group

"The people of Daak are remarkably accepting.  But I think they'd probably object to a couple hundred lizardmen taking up homes here.  I suppose we should ask about it though.  I could be underestimating them.

As another option, I found a map that shows this area from long ago.  And there were a number of elf settlements marked on it.  The elves are gone now, but maybe there's enough of the buildings left to tempt the lizardmen into settling in one of those instead."

She pauses as Francis speaks.

"Yes, I remember you saying the cultist were going to assault the ruins because of the lizardmen.  I wonder why the cultists would care about lizardmen in ruins a day's march away?  My best guess is that Satin is lying through her scales about what is in the ruins.  But maybe the cult was planning on turning her into one of their skeleton dragon minions.  Maybe we'll need to have a look around.  Our deal with Satin was that the lizardmen should be removed.  She didn't say they ... or we ... couldn't take anything of interest that we might stumble across."

She cuts off entirely when Ashara suddenly appears and tells them that Nolan has been found.  Unfortunately, the "where" part is a little less then clear.

"Ashara, Myarra does not know what feet hold rock is.  Will you take us?  We'll go right now."

Even as she speaks, she hauls herself out of the bath, her ash-gray skin drying instantly thanks to the magic.  "Let's go folks.  If Nolan is touching that damn crystal ball he could very well be on fire by now." she tells the others while hopping back into her clothes and grabbing up her gear.

Amara also got out hurriedly at Ashara's words. She also quickly dressed, nodding to the feline.

Remembering the baths from her last visit,  Aliana quickly submerged herself after taking off her haversack and anything else water soluble.   The magic was still quite fun, to submerge and then emerge completely dry, though it wasn't quite as satisfying, or sensual, she was embarrassed to admit, as a regular bath.

She spoke up about ideas.
"I wonder how primitive or intelligent they are?   Perhaps we could trick them, perhaps into thinking the ruins were unsafe, either poisoned, haunted, or ready to collapse?   Maybe we can make a vision of their goddess telling them to leave?"

She moved to join the others when they got up to leave.

The bath felt wonderful to Thelonious. He relaxed and rinsed himself from all the grime that had accumulated. When Ashara arrived and Myarra said to get to him, he got out of the bath and dressed himself. He followed everyone else out in search of Nolan.

Some of you might have just got into the tub and soaked for a few minutes, but after Ashara arrives, you all quickly get out and dress yourselves as you walk down the hallway where Ashara leads you...down to the basement.

Message #2 Basement picture
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Passing the barricade on the staircase and ending up in area 1, the chairs still line the walls and nothing seems out of place....except there is a stack of books and scrolls in front of the door to area 4. The treasure vault to the south is closed. The door to the North that leads to the portals is closed. Moving East, the group walks down a hallway to area 5 and finds Nolan touching the Pink crystal. This time, everyone looking can see a Green Dragon image in the crystal that looks heavily wounded...Silver and Myarra recognize it as the one that the party damaged with all their forest traps.

Myarra moves into the room at nearly a run.  Nolan looks okay.  At least he's not on fire.  But she knows the damnable crystal can harm a person's mind as easily as their body.  She still blames it for killing her best friend.

"Nolan! she says in a slightly louder than normal, but by no means shouting, voice.  "Nolan, we're back!"

She waves Amara forward to be more visible.  If Nolan would be interested in any of them, it would be Amara.

"If we can't get his attention, should I try to pull him away from it?" she asks the drow, but much more quietly.  "Kimora spent too much time touching the thing, and she went crazy and died."

Kevnan was first in the bath. He just wade in and there after taking his cloth and armour of, Taking full advantage of the magical properties.

---

I really like your ideas, Aliana. We should investigate the lizards when we get there, and maybe some of ideas might be possible.
He looked like he fully enjoyed the bathing session.

---

As Ashara enter, Kevnan assessed the others and grabbed his goods in a big bundle. As they walked he slowly dressed him self.

Nolan doesn't even know that anyone is there. The image of the dragon is still visible within the crystal as the wizard curses at the beast in the infernal tongue. Getting closer to Nolan reveals that he is severely wounded. There is dried blood in his hair and down his left arm and part of his robe looks like it took damage from a green dragon. Probably the one he is cursing about. He looks pale and is shaking a bit.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:23, Wed 26 Feb 2014.

One look at the pink crystal and the wizard using it to create images of monsters and Francis was done....

"Yeah, I don't like it down here." Francis said to the group "I'll wait in the hallway while you play around with that thing."

Amara took a long moment analyzing the situation. "Stand away from him," she commanded the others, waiting for them to disperse. Then, as Nolan still didn't seem aware of them, she chanted, weaving her hands in a simple, but generally effective, spell.

Casting Sleep on Nolan, Will DC 15 to negate

Nobody had really seen Nolan upset before, as he stared into the crystal at the dragon, swearing in several different languages. His condescending attitude towards the adventuring group wasn't spoken out of anger, it was just ego. This is much different. When the spell washed over him, he yawned a bit and let go of the crystal. Still not noticing the group, he limps out of the room. Unless stopped, he limps down the hall and into the portal room and steps through the portal that leads to the ruined tower in the forest.

"Oh no you don't, you кусок верблюда косе!" Myarra growls as Nolan starts to head out of the room, totally ignoring both Amara's spell, and the members of the group.

Planting herself firmly in front of him, she tosses her armor and gear (which she hadn't managed to strap on, given the urgency to get here) to the floor and reaches out an arm to grab the mage by the shoulder.

"We've been worried sick about you, and this is how you treat us.  You're not going anywhere until you tell us what is going on!"

Amara too moved forward to stop Nolan. She reached out, placing a hand on his uninjured arm. "Nolan, snap out of it. We need you here, with us." She was not the strongest of the group, not by a longshot, but her grip did hold her strength in it.

It doesn't take much to stop Nolan from leaving. Myarra grabs the wounded Wizard with Amara's help and Nolan practically goes limp. If the group needs Nolan's help, it's not going to be in the near future....

Kevnan observes the much mentioned wizard with interest and suspicion.
Instinctly he adopt the caring attitude of Amara.

OOC
Chanced aura to:
Regeneration 2

"Let's take him upstairs and put him to bed," Myarra says, with a uncharacteristic note of caring in her voice.

"Hold him for just a moment, please."

Once someone is supporting Nolan, Myrra quickly dons her armor and gear, and secures her sword into the sheath on her back.  Arms free, she scoops the wizard up, holding the limp form like a child.

"So, if I carry him around like this, does that mean I can walk through the barriers on my own?  I guess we'll find out.

Come on.  I'll watch him for a couple of hours.  You guys can go get something to eat in the meantime, then somebody come and swap with me.

In his condition, I don't think we want to be leaving him alone.  Who knows what mischief he'll get up to if allowed to wander."

"Agree," Amara said to the half-demoness. "But I will stay with him first while you finish showing the others around."

Aliana smiled at Kevnan, grateful that he appreciated her ideas.  She hoped that a non-violent solution was possible, since killing the dragon's enemies didn't sit well with her.   When the found Nolan, she rushed to help them with the odd mage.

Sister Aliana will examine the mage, casting some healing spells if needed, to aid the dragon shaman's aura of regeneration.

Let me. Kevnan received the wizard while Myarra dressed her self.

And let me help you carry him out of here.

Carrying Nolan doesn't allow Myarra to walk through the barriers, for which she is annoyed. Now she needs help carrying and going through the barriers. The healing Aura from Kevnan takes hold immediately as the group walks down the hallway to put Nolan to sleep. Nobody has seen the wizard actually sleep before, so none of you are sure which bed is his , so when you reach the Mens barracks, you place him in the nearest bed and put him to sleep. Aliana and Amara take off his robe and now you can see the extent of his damage. He was attacked by a large creature and Aliana was amazed that he was still standing. She casts a few healing spells and Nolan finally relaxes and falls asleep

Silver follows along, shaking his head. "See, this is what happens when you split up with the party, and run off to fight a dragon on your own. I'll wait in here with him, if you all want to go get some rest He's just sleeping now, right Aliana?"

Silver frowned when he offered to watch over the wizard, but other than that no one would know he found the task unsavory.

In reply to Silver (msg # 221):

Aliana nodded to Silver.
"Yes, he should be out of danger, now."

"You and Amara can arm-wrestle for who gets the honor of staying with him." Myarra tells Silver, impressed that he's willing to put himself out for the wizard.  Normally he's out of the tower at the first opportunity.

"Whoever loses can join us in the kitchen.  Which is where I'm going before I faint from hunger.

Aliana, if you'd be so kind as to escort us?"

---

Once in the massive kitchen/dining hall, she takes some pleasure in showing the newcomers how the magical system works.  "Ten ounce steak, rare, with two medium fried potatoes, covered in brown sauce." she tells the device and then, once she collects the meal that has been magically created, adds "Two slices of lemon pie.".  Taking meal and dessert with her towards one of the tables, she adds over her shoulder. "I always get my sweet separately.  Just in case it decides that the gravy should go over everything.  Once you have your food, let's sit down and plan our eviction of the lizardmen.  We'll need to be ready when Nolan wakes up, so he can tell us how wrong we are."

Sister Aliana went to the magical food dispenser, clearly fascinated.
"Chicken stew with buttered biscuits on the side.   A slice of berry cobbler and a large glass of water."

She gathered her things and, though clearly tempted to order more just to do it, went to join Myarra.
"The way I see it, we should discuss a few plans, then reconnoiter the area to see which would be better."

The rest of the day is spent getting to know each other while eating and drinking and talking about plans on the Lizardmen. Eventually, you all go to sleep. You all choose the same room, just to be on the safe side. During the night, a magical mouth scares the crap out of everyone as it speaks to Nolan:

"Project Complete."

This goes on for close to a minute before it stops and fades from view. It never woke Nolan. Every hour after that, a magical mouth appears and speaks the same words to Nolan, disrupting everyone's sleep to the point that if you stayed in the room, you won't get any sleep. Those of you who find another room have no problems going back to sleep....but it's morning now. Nolan is still asleep and Aliana doesn't recommend waking Nolan up. Myarra has seen this before with Kimora. Poor girl. Amara wonders what project is completed.

Around noon, with the magic mouth spells still speaking to Nolan, they finally shut off when he wakes up and says "Thanks".

And also at that moment, Satin walks through the front door and stops at the barricade. She doesn't look happy.
This message was last updated by the GM at 01:19, Tue 11 Mar 2014.

Sister Aliana blinked in surprise at seeing the dragon.
"Good afternoon, Satin.   Are you feeling alright?   You look upset.  Was there a new development in our mission?"

Amara kept vigil over Nolan for a while before turning watch over to the next person. She thought about what the magic mouths could mean, but had little way to tell, not being allowed in all of the areas of the tower. She went to get her late dinner, feasting on home-town delicacies, best not to share time with strangers. Not too many surface dwellers like deep-fried spiders with deep mushroom gravy.

Silver sat with his feet crossed, and propped up on a stool, sitting across from the bed Nolan was laying in. Amara had left a while before, and Silver was starting to get really, really bored. After counting all his coins, twice, and attempting to guess to value of several of the gems he had squirreled away, Nolan finally woke up. It was good timing too, because another of the mouths had appeared, and Silver was just about fed up with them.

"Oh good, you're alive. And you even woke up, unlike Kimora. If you'd care to know, we're all here, except Swiftstrider. No one's seen him since he ran off in a rage. We've a new addition or two to the group. Soon as you're ready, let's go see them, huh? There's a plate of food on the table next to you."

Silver had left a plate of some assorted fruits on the bedside table, left over from his meal. Likely not exactly what Nolan would desire, but food was food, when waking up from an ordeal like this.

Kevnan orders a long roasted piglet, with green stuff on the side.
He eats well, and when the magic mouth starts, Kevnan tries to satisfied it with answers, but gives up and move after a few attempts.

When Satin enters the next morning, Kevnan is choked. He did not expect her in their sanctum. But he keeps quiet and straiten his face quickly.

Nolan grabs a few pieces of fruit and gobbles them down before he realizes he's in the women's quarters. Getting up, he doesn't look pleased that his robe is in tatters, but once he spotted the dried blood on them, he remembered what happened.

That damned dragon that got caught in our orc traps ambushed me. Never saw Swiftstrider. He's probably dead by now. Thanks for watching over me. It's been awhile since I've slept. I'm going to take a bath, collect my projects and meet you guys in the dining hall.

"Glad to have you back, wizard.  We were starting to get just a bit worried.  Just so that you know, your damn magical mouth things have been yelling at us for hours.

Anyway, we just heard that that damn green lizard, Satin, is down at the front gate.  I'm going to see what she wants, but it probably isn't good news.  Could be it's her stupid mission, or your dealings with her cousin in the forest.  But we need to go make nice.  We may be safe in the tower, but the rest of the town isn't."

With Aliana's help, she heads down to the tower entrance to meet with the dragon, careful to stay on the safe side of the primary barricade.

As Aliana has already greeted Satin, Myarra just stands quietly beside her, waiting for what is sure to be an enjoyable talk.

"I'm not amused about your tardiness, but I am tolerant. What's the hold-up?" Satin said to Sister Aliana "It does not take this long to gather supplies."

Looking toward Myarra, "I thought we had a deal? My end of the bargain helped you save several people and disrupt those cultists' plans."

Aliana frowned and raised an eyebrow.
"With respect, ma'am, you have much smaller needs than we do.  We had to regroup with our lost members and talk tactics, but we were getting ready to leave today.    Please forgive me if this sounds disrespectful, but if you want this mission done correctly, we will have to take out time to do it correctly....ma'am."

She did a little curtsy to add some diplomacy to her words.

"You know, all you have to do to get what you want is to stop bothering us." Myarra replies with some exasperation, and not a shred of diplomacy.

"Most of us just got back yesterday afternoon.  Our missing wizard turned out to be gravely injured and in need of magical healing.  Now that he's back to normal, we're finalizing our preparations. So yes, it does take that long to get ready to oust a couple of hundred lizardmen, with nothing but a handful of weirdos and what we can carry.

Yes, we did agreed to remove them, and I will uphold that bargain, or die trying.  But we did not agree to do it on any given timetable.  So, once more, despite the fact that I've already told you a half dozen times, we'll finish preparing and re-supplying today and leave first thing tomorrow morning.

If you have some kind of deadline you haven't told us about, perhaps you should tell us now, and tell us why.  Because I'm not about to get myself or any of the others killed because we were needlessly rushed."

Thelonious, having followed Aliana and Myarra, thinks for a second and pulls Aliana aside for a moment and says "The dragon seems to be in a bit of a hurry for us to do this for her. I understand the want of having your home back, but still. Don't dragons view time much differently than humans and other short-lived people? Won't a week be more like a day or so in her mind? What could have her in such a rush?" he ponders quietly to her so that Satin can't hear. "I'm thinking there is something she is not telling us. If there is and I'm not just thinking up things, I think it best to try to figure what that is."

After eating, Amara went to her room to reverie. Waking up again, she went to check on Nolan. She was glad to see him awake, and nodded to him. "We agreed to help a dragon rid her land of lizardfolk. Will you be ready today?"

Kevnan kept silent and unnoticed in the precent of the Dragon.

Yes, I know who Satin is. We made a deal when we first met and now she wants to collect. I remember when she lured my friend Corvus away from the tower years ago. He loved her and I think she might have felt the same. Huh, haven't thought about that in awhile. Anyways, yes, I'll be ready to leave soon. Some of my projects are completed. I'll be upstairs in the labs if you all need me.

Nolan walks towards the stairs that lead to the second level of the tower.

"Let me come with you," Amara said to Nolan. With him having been so out of it, she did not want him to be left without eyes upon him.

Nolan doesn't say a word as he walks towards the stairs with Amara following him. He goes through the magical barricade and up the stairs. Once at the top of Level 2, he tests the barricade for level 3 and sighs when he can't get through. Going to the room where odd magical items are created, Nolan walks into that room and picks up a necklace, a cloak and a pair of bracers and puts them on.

----------

Meanwhile, at the entrance to the tower....

Satin stood there and listened to the group ramble on and none of it caught her attention...until she heard that their wizard was injured..

"Nolan was injured?" Satin asked

"Yes." Myarra replies.  It's the first thing Satin has seemed actually interested in.  And of course, it was interesting that Satin automatically assumed that "missing wizard" was Nolan.

"He ran into an old enemy in the woods after we got separated.  He got badly hurt getting away.  We've healed him up, good as new, but it did take a little extra time.

So, are we done here?  Can we get back to our preparations?  Are you going to tell us why you're in such a rush about the lizardmen?  I'm figuring the best I can expect is two out of the three, but hey, might as well shoot for the moons."

Amara was a bit surprised that Nolan couldn't get through the third barrier, but didn't say anything. She watched him put on the various newly-created magical items. "What should we know about those items?" she asked. Some magical items were powerful enough that they could change the plan of attack, while others were simply beneficial to the user in some more minor way.

After Myarra explained that something happened in the woods, Satin didn't like the sound of that and her tone became really serious.

"An old enemy in the woods, you say?" Satin said with a really mean look "When you are ready, meet up at the ruined cult outpost."

With that said, Satin storms out of the tower.

Silver just stood there dumbfounded, Satin had left before he could even get a word out. But then he shakes his head, to clear the fog, and got a sly look. "Did...did she just fly off to deal with that other dragon? Did anyone else get that idea?"

The elven priestess shrugged.
"She can fly off to deal with her collection of novelty doilies if she wants to, as long as she flies off."

These items? Nothing special about them. The bracers are what we wear instead of armor, the cloak will help me resist enemy spells and other negative effects and this amulet will make my skin harder to make it more difficult for me to be wounded. Do you want me to make you something?

The look in Nolan's eyes hoped Amara would say yes.

I agree.  I'm not sure what set her off, I was trying to be vague and annoying.  But whatever it was, I'm glad it worked.

Let's go get his royal wizardness.  We have a bunch of magical stuff we picked up over the last couple of days, and I'm interested in seeing what he thinks of it."

The group meets up near the stairway with Amara and Nolan coming down. Nolan had just been talking to her and was hoping for an answer, but now the group is back together. With some sleep, Nolan looks much better than the last time everyone saw him. His clothes are changed and he has a new bluish-green cloak on.

Amara smiled at Nolan. "Actually, I would very much like that, Nolan. Thank you. But I think you should make me whatever you think would best define me."

Francis smiled at the half conversation he heard, his thoughts definitely in the gutter, but says nothing. He thought Amara was very attractive, but he wasn't interested in her.

"OK, folks. Is everyone in good shape to return into the forest? One of you was recently a prisoner, one of you lost all your friends and the rest of you look like you could use a vacation. Me, I'm ready to go back in when you all are."

The elven priestess smiled at the handsome warrior.
Unless we should stock up on potions or scrolls, I'm ready to go.

Im ready to take on anything. He said proud.
He had being packing most of his stuff that for some reason had scatter it self all over the living area. But then again most of the stuff was recently acquired and he had yet to familiarizes himself with them.
But as the moot for departure had been increasing he had been started collecting.

"We picked up a number of things recently which we really need to have Nolan look at." Myarra points out.  "Treasure is great, don't get me wrong.  I'm a woman who loves treasure.  But we found maps and notes and what not, not to mention we still haven't identified the stuff we took off those cultist that tried to murder us.  Well, me.  Murder me, enslave you.  Anyway, them."

Nolan takes everyone to the Lab level to get the items found identified. Everyone who was just here previously would remember the room with all the junk in it. Nolan has you all find a seat while he goes to a pedestal in the middle of the room. Each item that is placed on this pedestal glows and them a magic mouth speaks gibberish...only wizards and other spell-users would even understand the identification process.

Message 2 has been updated
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After identifying the magical items that were found, Nolan was interested in dividing up the loot, but left that up to the rest of the group.

OK, there we are. Job finished. If there's nothing else, I'm ready to leave.

The priestess was ready to go as well, eager to get back to action.

"I suppose.  There's nothing there for me.  Such a pity.  And as much as I like money, there doesn't seem to be much point in hauling it around.  It might as well stay here until we come back.

And speaking of which, I still haven't heard any solid suggestions for how we're going to move a couple hundred lizardmen.  Are there any, or are we just going to make it up as we go?"

"Yes, i was thinking we should scout the area and the people, before making plans.
But I'm leaning towards trickery and trying to spook them out."

Amara turned to look at Nolan, expecting him to have a plan.

I have no claim in your spoils of war, but I agree with sister Aliana. We should scout them out first before making big plans, but trickery is a good possibility.

"Yes, scouting out the area is a good idea, in my opinion. I've heard that these wild lizard people are savages." Francis said to the group "If things turn ugly, we'll need an escape route. I don't feel like fighting through an army of Lizard men and then run into one of Satin's relatives."

"I'd still prefer to have some kind of plan before heading out to face what could be a couple hundred lizardmen.  But if unless Nolan has any ideas, I supposed we better go.

Let's go pick up some food and then we can head on our.  At least this time we can go the short way.

Does anyone mind if I wear that ring?  Since I'm up front, I can use all the help I can get in not getting hurt."

"I think it is a very nice ring. It will fit your eyes." Kevnan winks. "It is very fitting to any who stand in the front." The claim was not his, and he had no voice in the matter, that concerned only the original liberators.

"Okey, the plan is to figure out how to trick the lizards away. How that can happen, must be considered, after we get some intelligence on the who they are and how they live. But we must be ready for an alternative plan if opportunity or disaster present it self."

It does seem strange that a tribe of lizardfolk would move like that. It makes me wonder why they did in the first place. I feel like using the crystal to see if I can scout out the area, since Satin isn't going to give us all the details. She may be trying to help us, but she isn't going to give up her secrets. Maybe we can find something out. Let's try that first and make plans based off what I might find.

Nolan eyed the ring and hoped that he could get it, but knew that Myarra would need it more than him, so he said nothing.

Silver just shrugged. "We know nothing about them. We can't really plan, until we do. Right now the plan is to get them out. Nolan, if you can scry them out, we can get an idea of what's going on. Otherwise, we do it the old fashioned way. And curse that Medusa for Trizdan's death. Wretched as he was, this would be his prime function. I'll take a pair of those bracers. If no one objects."

When...if....no one spoke up, he grabbed a pair of the braces and put them on, nodding satisfied.

"Okay, that sounds like a good idea" Myarra agrees.  "Just don't half kill yourself using the trice-damned thing."

Aliana was a bit disappointed that none of the magical items were something she needed, but knew that such things weren't important to do good things in the world.   She was ready to go when the group was.

OK, let's go to the basement, then. I have some books I need to pick up. I finally made it into the room to the west.

Nolan leads the group to the basement.

Thelonious follows the crowd thinking to himself, "my, what big rooms there are in here." since he has nothing to say that hasnt already been said.

Nolan leads the group down to the basement, picking up some books outside of room 4, that were on the floor, and then takes you all into the room with the Pink Crystal where you all found him before.

Message 2 Basement Room 5
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Putting the books down on a nearby bench, Nolan explains that the crystal is a large version of a Crystal ball. Anything you know about, you can find with the help from the crystal. But, it has a price. It drains your life away until you fall unconscious.

Nolan grabs hold of the crystal and tries to look for the Lizard tribe. Remembering that Satin told the group that her den was about a day from the Orc complex, Nolan starts there. The crystal glows and a picture is shown in the middle. The complex is in ruins with a couple green dragons eating bodies that were killed during the fight 3 days ago. Looking for left-over treasure will include a fight, if done so.

Moving around and remembering her den was a day away from the complex, that would mean deeper into the forest. Flashes of trees, Green Dragons and more trees, there is a glowing sphere that catches everyone's attention. Without it, you never would have found the location. Nolan tells the group that the area is protected with an Anti-Magic field and without the crystal, nobody would have seen it. Moving closer, you all start seeing Lizard Men.

The area is set up as a village, but with nests. Lizard-females take care of the young and the males protect the area while on guard duty or doing various working activities. A typical Lizard-man society.

Aliana offered to help with the scrying, if needed.

"So that's why the dragon couldn't reclaim her den, or am I misunderstanding?   How are you able to see it if it's anti magic?"
The second part was said with awe at the man's abilities.

It's not my abilities, it's the crystal here. I just use it. There are so many unexplained things in this tower that I couldn't begin to guess what their powers are. Like the barricades. Two years ago, I couldn't get through them without help from another student more experienced than I and now it feels like they're not even there anymore.

Nolan let go of the crystal and turned to the group.

I think we should talk with these Lizard people.

"How long ago did our friend the dragon say the lizard folk took over her place?"

In reply to Nolan (msg # 272):

Sister Aliana made a dubious face.
"I'm usually all for talking to people, but if we do that then the 'tricking them' angle will be that much harder.  Though if there's an anti magic thingy around, that will limit things as well."

I would go for finding a reason or a reason so that the Lizards will figure out that is a good idea  to move on.
And for that, knowing how long they have been there is a handy information.

But lets us not forget to find the reason why Satin is in a hurry.

In reply to Thelonious (msg # 273):

I honestly don't think she even spoke of it, but I think we need to make a plan of escape from her after this little adventure is over. Green dragons kill without provocation and we're going to know secrets about her. As for the Lizard people, they tend to stay in one place and claim that as their territory. For them to move like that seems strange.

Myarra's pretty much at a loss when it comes to magic, or anti-magic. And so far, no flash of brilliance has given her a plan that would convince a hundred or more lizardmen to move.

"Escaping Satin is going to be some trick.  She was just at the door a while ago, so it's not like she doesn't know where we live.  I think killing her would be best, but I have no idea how we'd pull that one off either.  Nolan seems to think she's pretty powerful, and we don't have Swifty to help out anymore.  Maybe if we find out what's so secret about this Aunty Magic lady, do you think we could blackmail her into behaving?"

Amara also was a bit surprised at Nolan's statement, although it did make sense. "If our goal is to kill her, then I imagine the lizardmen would want to help, as she is in her territory," she stated simply, not saying whether she felt that the best course of action.

I honestly don't think we have the ability to kill her, but I think blackmail might be the answer. If we know her true name, we'll have power over her, especially if she thinks her secret might be told to other dragons. I can use my magical medallion to read her thoughts when somebody asks her what her name really is. In return for keeping her secret, she cannot harm us or anyone from the village. We'll probably have to give her shiny objects of wealth as well.

Silver just shakes his head when the talk of killing Satin comes up. "So eager to kill a potential ally. Granted, she's not the best of the best, and she might not be entirely "good". But she's powerful, she's having us help her, and is much, much more reasonable than her kin. I for one think we should be doing what we can to keep her on our side, not thinking on how we MIGHT be able to kill her. I don't suppose you thought that she might be part of what keeps the hordes of younger greens mostly away from town?"

Sister Aliana sighed.   Talk of being betrayed by allies depressed her.
"I want to be honest in my dealings with anyone, but dragons have a reputation for betrayal.   We should be at least prepared for her betraying us.   But more information about the lizard men and this nest is essential."

That's about it for the lizard man and their nest. I can focus on the people and figure out who their leader might be? I'm fluent in the Draconic language, so if we figure this out, we can speak with them to find out what happened? I'd also say that we keep Satin out of the area, so she doesn't know what our status is. I don't want to kill her either, but I certainly don't want to be a victim of her anger. The less she knows, the less she can plan against us.

Myarra pretty much ignores Nolan's scrying for the moment.  He's not smoking, and there's not much she can offer him by way of suggestion in using the magical contraption.  The other conversation on the other hand.  She can't quite believe what she's hearing.

"Ally? Really?" she says, incredulously.  "Satin is a dragon. A green dragon.  An evil, scheming, murderous, green dragon.  We don't need to prepare for if she'll betray us, we need to prepare for the betrayal she already has in store, which will likely involve agonizing, choking, burning, death.

She is no ally to us, nor us to her.  We are a convenience for her.  She's got us doing a nearly impossible task, in exchange for which she had to fly around and make a scene.  As soon as we are no longer a convenience, or worse, become an inconvenience, she'll squash us without a second thought.

Killing her would be the best outcome; and no, I wouldn't lose a second's sleep over it. It's always easy to be honorable when you're in a position of power.  Less easy when the sandcat already has you in its jaws.  But, in any case, I don't see killing her as a possibility, so I suppose we can agree to disagree.  It really makes no difference."

She turns back to Nolan as he finishes his lizardman peep show.  "Satin's old and crafty, and her mind is strong.  I suppose it's worth a try, but do you think she's going to fall for the old: Hey baby, you got great scales. Quick, don't think of your True Name?  I think we're going to need a Plan B for blackmail."

"We will know more about her once we have spoken to the Lizardfolk," Amara stated, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the idea of Satin betraying the group. "There are enough possibilities that I think anything we consider here is nothing more than wild conjecture which may or may not be useful."

I volunteer to convince the lizards of anything we figure will solve our problem, as a I too speak the scaly language.

And Yes. We should expect the betrayal form Satin. And yes, I will kill her IF we get the opportunity. But as Myarra says, that opportunity will not likely come.

The elven cleric nodded, too.
"I also learned Draconic while studying in the Great Library.   A fascinating language, actually, though I always needed some tea to sooth my throat after long conversations."

"Well, I'll rely on all of your expertise in the matter of their language. But, if we encounter some Orcs or Goblins, I'm your man!" Francis chuckled "And for the bribery, I remember the Green Dragons in the complex liked gems. And if we need to move around in the forest less dangerously, I suggest dressing up in the Dragon Cult gear we swiped from them."

Amara raised an eyebrow at the number of people who spoke Draconic. She would not have expected that, few other than wizards usually bothered to learn it. "Then let us have a good meal and go forth."

Those libraries ran by them Oghma priests? I can't stand them. You have to jump through hoops to get anything out of them if you don't follow their god. I remember giving them a book I found that interested them and they still gave me trouble when I asked to use a book they had.

At the thought of a good meal, Nolan followed everyone to the kitchen.

In reply to Nolan (msg # 289):

Though polite, Sister Aliana was quick to defend the Library where she'd lived most of her life.
"With respect, Nolan, it's not unreasonable to  expect a bit of protectiveness, even if a little too aggressive,  around objects considered somewhat holy and sacred.   And, forgive me for saying so, your own attitude wasn't exactly suggestive of someone who had respect for other people's property.   One of the senior priests, curmudgeonly though he was, seemed sure you were about to rip pages out of some of the texts in your haste to acquire knowledge. "

Myarra doesn't speak any language that would be helpful, and her skill set really doesn't apply to diplomacy ... unless you include intimidation as a form of diplomacy, so she just shrugs and turns to follow up on Amara's suggestion.

"If you all think we need to talk to the lizardfolk before coming up with plan, than I guess that's what we'll do.

In the meantime, Amara's right.  Never turn down a chance for a good meal.  Then we can head down to the magic doors ... now that the wizard is back to let us through."

"Magic doors?" Francis asked with a chuckle "What do they do? Open and shut by themselves?"

"Of course not." Myarra replies seriously.  "That would be rather annoying.  Doors should stay the way you leave them.

These magic doors allow you to step from one tower in the forest to another.  Much more useful.

Doors with a mind of their own," she shudders.  "Wouldn't put it past a wizard though to think of it though."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:59, Fri 11 Apr 2014.

OK, I'm ready to go. I want to be at the ruined cult complex before Satin even knows we're gone. We know our mission. She doesn't need to know how we're going to do it. I plan on wearing one of those cloaks you brought back as a disguise, just in case we run into somebody.

Amara simply nodded to indicate that she, too, was ready.

"And I can be whatever's needed.  So, if nobody has any objections, let's get this travesty underway."

Kevnan was still eager to get going and headed in the direction he thought was the right.

Aliana nodded and went to join the others.

Thelonious just looks calm and collected and not saying much. He suddenly says "I am ready as well." the whole time people were chatting about what to do, Thelonious was maintaining his gear.

OK, if the new players need some help understanding the map, I'm here to explain as well as the other players who know it.

Message 2: Basement
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The group gathers at the portal room in the Daak basement. The Adamantite doors are currently closed, but Nolan opens it with no problem. The swirling pool of magic lights up the room and Nolan walks through and disappears. Those of you who haven't seen a portal before are definitely startled, but Myarra laughs and tells everyone to walk through...

Message 3: Lyran's Hold basement
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Nolan is already at the magical barricade waiting on the group.

"It feels a bit strange, but there's really nothing to it," Myarra tells the others, then waves them on, coming through at the tail of the pack.

"Unless the place cleaned it up too, please note the dragon skeleton halfway up the stairs."  She taps her dragon's skull helm.  "Well, most of a skeleton.  But watch out for the barrier Nolan is standing at.  Most of us need to be ushered through it like the doors back in Daac.

And when you hear whispering voices, just ignore them.  The place is just crawling with unnatural magical perversions."

Yes, you all might want to hold your breath; It's going to smell pretty bad. And when we get to the top of the stairs, don't knock any of the statues over. I plan on reversing their condition when I learn the spell. Then we're going to meet the Iron golem guards. I'll have to lead you through them as well.

Nolan walks through the barrier and holds his hand out for everyone to pass through.

Sister Aliana followed along, walking carefully.

Thelonious walks along with the others in his normal quiet way. he thinks to himself, Breathing, why am I thinking about breathing? now im focused on my normally involuntary acts... damnit! now I have to force myself to breathe! crap... the things I think about...

Kevnan followed the others while curius looking at what they passed.

OK, the group gets by the magical barricade and the smell of the decaying dragon body makes everyone gag. Silver, Myarra and Nolan tell the story of how they fought a force of Orcs on this stairway as you step over their bodies as well. Getting to the top of the stairs, the room is filled with statues of people in various looks of horror...the Medusa at work. Moving North through the door, the group encounters the Iron Golems (see picture in basement map area) Nolan walks down the stairs really quick and is annoyed that he can't get through the barricade there (Yellow Barricade on map)

Walking through the hallway North of the Golems, Myarra hisses at the doors that gave her that little shock she received and then you all are at the Element corner: Water to the North and Fire to the East. The bodies are still gone. Walking West, there is another floating crystal in the Northern room and the Southern room the group has no clue what to make of it still. Magic Mouths talk when you stand in a foot impression on the floor, but the group really never investigated this.

Walking up the stairs, there is a thick mist and the area puts you on edge. Some of you swear you saw something go in and out of the walls or there were duplicates of yourself walking beside you...the area is pretty creepy as you hurry on your way, but there have been rumors of this place being haunted for years and your instincts don't deny that now. The long hallway seems to go on for quite sometime and then you hear the voices whispering. Silver is freaking out....he hates these wizard's towers and when Nolan stops at the "T" intersection to test a barricade to the North, the rest of you can tell how much Silver hates this place. Nolan walks back with a smile on his face, which confirms that he can still get through that Northern barricade...now you all just need time to explore...

Walking outside, the mist forms a couple of claws that try to drag you back inside, but it's just mist and dissipates. Everyone seems a bit relieved to be out of there as they head North. Aliana picks up the party's old trail from several days ago and you all follow that to the ruined Cult Complex. Walking to this point from the village of Daak would have taken 3 days at least, but you all have made it to this point in less than an hour. Still, nobody gives thanks to the haunted ruins. 5 hours later, the group encounters the dead Dragon the party took out that was chasing Thelonious a week ago...or what's left of it...animals have been having a feast of it and now it smells just as bad as the one encountered in Lyran's Hold. The ruined outpost is maybe 15 minutes ahead and you all saw the Dragons in those ruins eating orcs...dead and alive.

What's the party going to do?

Amara watched carefully as they walked through the various tunnels. She wished they had time to explore, and wondered when, and if, they would have time to explore... What wonders might there actually be? But she was no more comfortable with the various spirits than anyone else, and moved through quickly.

She paused, looking at the others. "Do we go back to the complex and see if everything was cleared out, if perhaps we can find something of use, or do we continue on to the lizardfolk?"

Nolan looked around, trying to see if there were dragons hiding behind trees, spying on them. The outpost wasn't that much further ahead and exploring the place once more did intrigue him, but getting to the Lizardman encampment was also important before Satin arrived.

From now on, we should call you-know-who SHE. I don't want to take any chances that she magically hears her name and then she knows where we're at. So, call her SHE. SHE mentioned that the lizardfolk took over her place about a day from the outpost and my handling of the crystal confirmed that. I agree with Amara. Do we all want to wander for a day without rest looking for this place, while dragons roam the forest? Or should we do something else? Any suggestions?
This message was last edited by the player at 12:39, Fri 02 May 2014.

"Well, if Dragons are indeed in the complex having dinner with the bodies of the dead, we'll be in for a fight that might attract others if we decide to go in there." Francis said, giving his opinion "Going into the unknown is equally dangerous, but who knows what could happen?"

"It would depend on how big they are." Myarra adds to the converstation.  "Anything we can do to rid the forest of their kind, safely, would be a good idea.  But there's no point in getting ourselves killed or maim in the process.  Besides, I'm not sure the orcs or their masters wouldn't have taken anything really useful with them when they fled.

Nolan, I can't tell anything through those orb things.  How big were the ones in the courtyard?"

There were two of them and they were bigger than the ones we fought in the outpost. If we do go in there and kill the dragons, then what? Hide in one of the buildings to rest?

"I believe we should stick with the mission first. After that, we can discuss fighting these dragons," Amara interjected, feeling the others were becoming distracted, which was not likely to do them any good.

"I was just thinking it would be a good thing to get rid of another couple of dragons." Myarra explains.  "But if they're too large to take care of quickly and safely then I agree that we should avoid them for now."

Sister Aliana smiled at her winged friend.
"Agreed.  We have enough dragons to deal with already."

Thelonious suddenly speaks up and says, "fight small dragons and not do our mission thus angering Her? Or do the mission and not anger Her and then take care of the small dragons? I would rather not have to fight Her."

"Well, to be clear, we're not talking about if we're going to do the job, just whether or not we should take a short detour. If Her doesn't like it, Her can kiss my задний.

But that aside, I think we're all in agreement, the delay isn't worth it.  Let's continue on our way. Aliana, which way is the huge tribe of lizardmen we need to convince to move, despite having no way of compelling them to do so?"

Kevnan took a deep breath as they exit the tower It was good to be outside again.


I could not agree more. Lets finish the deal and then we can track back. we might even have a change of catching one alone.

And we dont know how stubborn the lizards are. We need to be ready for them.


He also wanted to be liberated from the deal with Her as fast as possible, but he told noone.

"They may be stubborn or they may be perfectly reasonable. Until we speak to them, we will not know. We need to attempt to negotiate first, and only fight if we must. For after negotiation fails, fighting and prevail, but rarely will anyone listen to negotiation after fighting has failed," Amara said.

I couldn't agree more." Myarra admits.  "Because if it comes to fighting, we'll most likely get slaughtered.  We're good, but 30 to one is not my idea of good odds.  I'd really prefer pretty much any other solution if we can manage it."

I agree as well. Lets find them first and talk with them. Like I said before, nobody moves without a reason. Their home is north-east about a day. I've decided that I'm not going to wear this cult cloak as a disguise. I'm sure the lizard people have seen enough Dragon cultists to hate them. Let's move.

Francis didn't have anything to add about the Lizard-folk, so he walked with Aliana to pass the time while she was tracking.

"So, what brings you to this forest of danger? I'm here for the money, since I'm the 4th son in my family. Dragons always have some kind of treasure hoard someplace and if we get rich, I can start a fencing school of my own."

In reply to Francis Orville (msg # 321):

Aliana smiled at the handsome human as he talked.  She seemed, despite her tracking activity, to give him her full attention.   She was an apt listener.
"For me, it's more about perusing knowledge.   Riches would be quite lovely, and I'd love to found a library one day, like the one in which I grew up, but this adventure for me is more about seeing the world and the things I'd always read about in books."
She paused, with a shy smile, and tucked a stray lock of long blonde hair behind one delicate ear.
"I bet your school would do really well.  You have such a natural authority,  and a wonderful voice like a bard should have.  I wouldn't be surprised if you could teach a bear to sword fight."

Silver just followed along, visibly happier outside, in the woods, than inside the towers. He couldn't help but think Myarra was wrong, but he kept his mouth shut. They didn't need to argue, and bring attention to themselves.

Nolan followed along as well, but walked beside Amara. Even though he could read her thoughts at any moment with his talisman, he would never do that to her. Nolan liked her alot, but respected the fact that she didn't like him. He really wasn't sure that anyone here even liked him at all, but kept that to himself. Over hearing Francis and Aliana, Nolan whispered to Amara,

I know a couple places she would love to see, but since she's an Oghmite, I'll have to think hard about that one.

Thelonious continues on with everyone, his stomach growling a little. He reaches into his pack and pulls out a small snack to satisfy his hunger.
He doesn't worry overly much about getting the lizardfolk to leave since they would end up fighting us and even if they managed to defeat us, they would then need to fight HER. He thinks to himself, perhaps if we say this to them, then they may be more likely to acquiesce to the request of leaving. Thelonious thinks about it for a second, then mentions it aloud in case nobody else thinks of it.

Myarra just strolled along with the others, not really enjoying the view.  How could she when she couldn't see more than a couple dozen feet at best before one damn tree or another got in the way.   An enemy could be in spear range before you even knew they were there.  The whole environment made her skin crawl. No horizon, solid ground under foot, water everywhere, and she did mean everywhere, the damn trees dripped on her.  And her companions weren't being much help.  Nolan was trying his best not to look like he was hitting on Amara, who was just as disdainful of him as ever.  Francis was making no effort not to look like he was hitting on Aliana, who was busy trying to find the way to the lizardmen.  And she could barely get a half dozen words out of Kevnan, Silver or Thelonious.  So she was really relieved when the newcomer finally offered up a suggestion.  It was just a pity that she couldn't agree with it.

"Probably not a good idea.  Remember that the reason we're doing this instead of Her Bossiness is that she didn't want anyone to know that she'd lost a bit of her territory.  Telling the lizardmen and then letting them live would probably just make her more irritating.

It's kind of a dwarven urgoosh thing.  On the one blade, it's something we know that she doesn't want to get out, which is good for us as long hold that secret over her.  On the other blade, it's something we know that she really doesn't want to get out, which is bad for us, as long as she knows we can hold it over her.  I hate dealing with lizards.  You're damned if you do, and eaten if you don't."

She paused for a second to stretch, clasping her arms above her head, rising up on her toes, and twisting side to side to stretch her back, unsure if anybody else can hear all the cracking.  Maybe she would live to get old after all.  But it was a pity that it might only happen because old age didn't seem to be as far in the future as she'd thought in her idiot youth.  And, since Nolan had mentioned it, she also remembered that they were supposed to be in disguise.  As she sank back down to normal, her form shimmered and reformed, her hair shortening, her wings vanishing, and her sword shrinking down to longsword size.  Within three breaths, a grizzled young man walked in her place, her armor and belongings looking much that same as before, but with the symbol of the Cult of the Dragon (or a reasonable approximation) now gracing the front of her chain shirt.

"Thanks again for the circlet, Nolan" she calls to the wizard, in a much lower register.  "It really can be very useful.  And she did appreciate it, and the gauntlets that greatly increased the power of her sword.  Not for the first time, she wondered if he was ever going to get around to giving her the third gift.

Nolan turned around and looked at the new Myarra and gave her a confused look and showed her that he took off his cult cloak.

I took off my cloak, figuring that the lizard people were tired of seeing cultists. The disguise is fine, just get rid of that symbol.

"I'm the one the cultists want to kill on sight, remember?" Myarra tells the grumpy wizard. "Since we don't know how many of them are running around, or where they happen to be running around, I think I'm safer with the symbol on just now.  I'll change the whole thing when Aliana says we're getting close.  It's not like it takes me more than a thought.

And, by the way, the traditional response is: You're welcome."

Nolan just shook his head and rolled his eyes and looked back to Amara, who completely ignored him.

We have about a day of travel ahead of us Aliana, so please find a resting spot along the way, if possible.

Kevnan followed the others with a distant mind. More observing on their surrounding then the company.

Amara was trying to think of the best ways to negotiate with a dragon. The essential thing in a negotiation was that both groups had something that the other wanted. The problem was, once they rid the area of lizardfolk, she wasn't sure what else they would still have that the dragon would want. Unless that was not telling her secret. And trying to use that as a negotiation point was likely to get them killed instead of anything else. A person might be grateful for the help, but a dragon was not likely to feel the same.

She wasn't really paying too much attention to the others around her. In truth, that was often the case - which made her appear more disdainful of others than she generally actually was. Aloof would be a better description, but either way, Amara wasn't concerned about that. A drow knew that to plan was to have a chance at survival.

Aliana looked up from her conversation with the handsome and charming swordsman and nodd d to the enigmatic wizard.
"No problem, I'm on it."

Smiling, she turned her attention to finding a good spot to camp.
OOC:
03:54, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 18 using 1d20+7. survival.

The group travels North East to try and find the current location of the Lizard-man settlement that Satin wants back. With Sister Aliana in the lead looking for tracks and possible shelter, the group travels in silence as to not attract attention from the large Dragons that are known to wander the area. The sun comes and goes with the thickness of the trees and many ruins are passed by as Nolan explains that this forest once belonged to the elves and the city was called Myth Jannath.

Please look at game maps for picture of ruins that are passed by.

Whatever took this place out was definitely powerful and still here. Only the brave or idiotic come into the Forest of Wyrms. Sister Aliana picks up some tracks of a group of travelers going North-East as well...maybe a couple days old... and then is surprised when an Orc comes around the trunk of a large tree near her. But, this Orc, and the others nearby that she sees now, are dead...but they don't care.

Please Roll initiatives and post your actions. The zombies are moving towards the party.

Amara was not the type who wanted to have animate dead flesh fondle her. Especially as many undead could do much more than simple physical wounds that heal in a few days or weeks.

Her first actions was to say a word, and rise up about 20 feet in the air, using her natural-born ability to levitate.

"At last, something to do other than walk," Myarra says, with a light-hearted tone.

Silver just shakes his head, as he unslings his crossbow. "Only you would be HAPPY to fight undead orcs."

Then he grins, and steps to the side, to get a clear shot, lining up but holding back for a moment. "Ok, maybe not ONLY you."

Move to the side, about 10 feet, and hold action until Myarra moves to attack.

Without a word, Nolan wiggles his fingers and goes invisible.

Initiative: 22

"Happy, naa, but it is always nice when it is done."

Kevnan put his massive body in speed, moved just under Amara as she took to the air.
He drew his sword and readied his shield as he reached the front of the group, and everyone in the front felled ready to stand against the coming attacks.


OOC
2x Move forward to Y20
Draw sword as part of move
swift action: change aura to DR2/magic (30 ft radius)

This message was last edited by the player at 21:07, Tue 27 May 2014.

Aliana let out a muffled "EEP!!" as the orc walked into her path.  It was acting strangely, and her first impulse was to see if the poor thing was okay.  Then she noticed that it was kind of dead and whatnot.    Her  training kicked in and she presented her holy symbol of Oghma.
"Great Keeper of Knowledge, please let Your faithful servant drive away these abominations of the natural order, and send them crawling back to their graves!!!"

OOC:
07:12, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 13 using 2d6+6. turning damage.
07:12, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 21 using 1d20+5. turn undead.
07:09, Today: Sister Aliana Farwalker rolled 10 using 1d20+3. initiative.

Round 1 results----------

As soon as the Zombies started walking towards the group, moaning with their hands reaching out, Nolan wiggles his fingers, and then he's gone from view. Francis quickly pulls out his sabre and steps up front to protect Aliana from the undead threat, while Silver steps to the side to get a good view of the area to find good targets with his crossbow. After the moment of surprise is over, Aliana pulls out her Holy Symbol and calls to her Deity to destroy the undead. Several zombies that she could see disintegrate in front of the party's eyes. Myarra takes her time to scan the area as she pulls out her weapon. Kevnan moves to the front of the party with his sword out, ready to cleave some undead, as Thelonious also moves to the front to protect Aliana. Amara, slow to react, decides that going up out of harms way was the best thing for her to do at the moment.

The Zombies continue to move towards the group and the ones that were just destroyed are replaced by more coming out of the brush and behind the large trees.

Name      Initiative    Health    Misc.
Nolan        22         59/59     Invisible*
Francis      16         ??/??
Silver       12         36/36
Aliana       10         34/34
Myarra       08         65/65
Kevnan       03         45/45     Aura 30ft. Radius!
Thelonious   02         47/47
Amara        01         30/30     Levitated 20 feet
Zombie 1     01         ??/??
Zombie 2     01         ??/??
Zombie 3     01         ??/??
Zombie 4     01         ??/??
Zombie 5     01         ??/??
Zombie 6     01         ??/??
Zombie 7     01         ??/??
Zombie 8     01         ??/??
Zombie 9     01         ??/??
Zombie A     01         ??/??
Zombie B     01         ??/??
Zombie C     01         ??/??

Killed in Action
Zombies: 5

* Invisible (70 Rounds)
! 30 ft. radius DR2/Magic

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