In reply to Trysk (msg # 336):

"No one communicated much during the battle including you, Trysk."

In reply to Morteft (msg # 337):

Trysk shrugs, "If that's how you feel then I'm at fault, too. However, I shared all the intel I had, especially when when may actions my impact you."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:20, Sun 04 July 2021.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 338):

"Actually, it's true of all of us.  I think Shorty and I tried to share the most, but we couldn't here you and Morteft, Trysk, and figured that meant you two were either in trouble or unable to share.  Don't read anything into that.  The idea of stating our thoughts aloud via telepathy is an odd thing and none of us are accustomed to doing it.  Perhaps with practice, we'll get better with it."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 339):

Dualis stands there with a bit of a scowl.  Art begins to snicker a little and Dualis gives him a sharp look.

"OK, enough." he says. "Alannon was, as far as level, well beyond anyone on the battlefield, roughly double.  He is actually known as a Hierophant, basically an advanced arch-mage.  You and the enemy were roughly equal in skill level.  They had superiority in numbers because they needed the numbers to go up against such a powerful adversary as Alannon.  They had some items, powerful ones as you have seen, that gave some of them an edge.  The information I am sharing with you now"  he points to the image "we were able to glean from observing the battle along with magics I employ and Orkex sensing. None of this could we share with anyone during the battle as it would have been seen as an interference and started an escalation that you probably would not have survived."  he motions with his hand and the scene goes back to the beginning of the day 2 battle and you see the cube of force highlighted "Alannon is able to sense things, apparently he sensed the cube, took a guess at its origin and asked Morteft to cast a spell.  I am not sure what tactical value there would have been to saying I think there is a cube of force there, cast a spell.  Sure if Mortefts spell would have not done the trick. OK .. now where was I."

OOC: Sorry, lost my train of thought .. I will send this out.

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 340):

Mortetf says, "Dualis, you will have to forgive our comments. They come from a feeling of being less than the task required. A world was at stake and a world was saved. We should focus on that, but it is hard to let go of the fact that we, or maybe just I, felt very lucky that it turned out the way it did. I did not feel I was up to the task. Also, if we were bait, then it was probably good that we did not know all the machinations behind the scenes because we were probed by the psionicist. I am glad I did not know that there was a cube of force since it would have revealed something the enemy did not need to know. Of course, I wish we had recovered the cube of force." He snickers. "Anyway, do not be offended by our comments. Too much good has come out of all that has happened."

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 340):

Shorty looks at Dualis and smiles.  “All us would has fought dere anyway.  Alannon need what you call distraction.  But when tell us about enemy would has helped to know real job we possed to do.  Maybe done it better if knowed.  Dat all we sayin.”
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Mon 05 July 2021.

In reply to Morteft (msg # 341):

"I was more concerned that the conversation was devolving into bickering." Dualis responds to Morteft "You are still a fairly new team and mental communication especially during battle is not necessarily natural.  Plus with the psionicist breaching your minds it might have actually been counterproductive, as you mention."  looks over at Shorty and then the others "You are all getting too caught up with the word, distraction.  In the grand scheme of things that is what that is the best way to describe it.  What was their ultimate goal, take out Alannon.  Your presence was meant to even the odds.  They could not focus all of their attention on Alannon because you were a threat.  A minor threat against their combined strength; however given their nature they saw individual goals.  Even so, during battle they could not concentrate on you because of the threat of Alannon and needed to be wary.  So you could even say Alannon was a distraction to aid you.  Or since they had to change their game plan because of your presence, you could also say you were game changers."

--DM2
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:49, Mon 05 July 2021.

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 343):

"It's just a blow to our egos.  We were pumped us up with us being world savers.  And we were, just not quite in the way we all thought.  During the battle, we all thought we were goners.  And we only survived because of Allanon.  That's quite... humbling.  I'm all for fighting against dire odds, but this was more than that.  I felt completely outclassed and figured we were going to die.  Ye know, never once did it occur to me that I was a distraction,, but I did feel glad knowing that we helped Allanon at that point."  Warwick shrugs.  "Take from that what ye will.  I'm not mad.  I don't think anything would have changed if I'd known any more details.  I don't think we could have done anything different.  So, there's things we can all improve on and we all got fancy new things to help with that.  Let's be glad we survived and learn how to do better the next fight."

In reply to Warwick (msg # 344):

"Fighting when the odds seem against you can make you more focused Lord Warwick." Dualis mentions  "I suppose we all need some humbling at points in our lives.  As one of my old instructors said, it does not have to be pretty, just has to work."

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 345):

Dualis: "Now that we have that out of our system.  Let us finish day 2.  We have everybody break up and Alannon charges.  Throughout this you can notice that the female drow is following Trysk's movement, she had True Seeing operating nullifying your invisibility Trysk. We see Shorty and cat coming up the hill from behind.  The cat and Shorty run into the spell Wyvern Watch which the cat succumbs to while Shorty is unaffected.  He is less fortunate with the Psionic Blast from the Psionicist.  This time the psionicist 'hid' as a normal size scorpion until this point."  He points over at the drow "Notice how she takes the form of a large black snake; which she used to escape the hemisphere of force cast by Morteft by burrowing. Good job by the way Morteft.  She then was aided by the psionicist with Detonation, allowing her to get more quickly to Warwick." the image stops and then Duais continues "She really wanted to pierce Trysk; however her sword, Suffer, has a special purpose to destroy clerics especially those that use their healing powers.  That is why it damaged you so Warwick.  I will skip past Mortefts polymorphing fun .. although, thank you for the Tyrannosaurus, it shall come in handy. "  image continues  "Ah, this was good.  Trysk redirects his attack from the cleric to the mage; which turned out to be a wonderful play as you see the cleric was staring an attack to his back, where Trysk was.  This shows you that the psionicist both knew where you were and communicated to the group." image stops  "And now for the finale..."

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 346):

Dualis the goes "Ah, I should have mentioned that Shorty was cursed by the cleric.  Not an ordinary curse, but a special deity provided curse; which would be equivalent to a 5th level spell.  Shorty might not have been able to hit the ground if he were trying as he was cursed never to hit again.  OK, moving on.  Actually there is not much more that you would have not been able to notice.  Morteft kills the cleric with a telekinetic sword thrust, may make a warrior out of you yet.   The psionicist turns into a giant black scorpion and attacks Trysk after Trysk attacks the mage.  Eventually the psionicist turns into himself and with Alannon coming, he and the drow retreat as the mage commits suicide in the hopes of taking some of you with him and then the remaining two clear the teleport proof zone and Teleport away." he moves his hand and the image shrinks significantly but does not disappear "I think that about wraps it up.  Any questions?"

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 347):


Shorty shakes his head then shrugs and asks, “Dis feel like go to school.  Like get ready fer  to take test.  Uouse got sometin we need do next?”

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 347):

Trysk days, "A couple of questions: 1) What can counter a True Seeing spell? 2) Why would the mage commit suicide instead of just trying to escape? 3) Is Paedur's Plane Lock a mage spell? If so, what level is it and can I get a copy of it?"

In reply to Shorty (msg # 348):

"Well Shorty" Dualis says "You can probably get ready to go to your home with Know-Man and collect everyone and everything to go Arcturus.  The others need a little more school.  Also I need to find you a ranger .. Leslie is out."

--DM2

In reply to Trysk (msg # 349):

Dualis briefly considers Trysk's questions.  "Not much to counter True Seeing, except for some very high level magics.  I mean it is sort of the point of the spell.  As for your second question.  The mages options for escape where almost nil and if he did escape he would probably be executed anyway.  Suicide was more or less a noble way to go for them.  Orkex also gets the impression that he was ordered to do so. Third, Paedur's Plane Lock is a mage spell of the fifth rank.  Created by Paedur who I also believe is Finella's father or some relative if I remember correctly.  I am sure I can provide that to you as long as you can understand it, should present little difficulty but there is a chance it does not stick."

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 350):

Shorty looks at Dualis and nods, Änd after all do school for while?” Shorty glances over at Know Man and then back at Dualis.  “Me gots one more question.  Or maybe short story.  Below me home is tunnel go under water den comes out into small cave.  Useta be thing wid lots a wiggly arms live done in water but me kilt it.  Dis be where black Sword and Glove be hide.  When me an thief first find home, der be Bone Man live der who mage big magic.  Him send me wid Orc to find Red Dragon home to take sword fer him.  Dragon be gone when get dere.  But shorty find Birdie an Sword.  Oc steal eff when Shorty not lookin.  Shorty kill Orc ta gives back eff.  But Egg hatch and den me da Mommy.” Shorty looks around hoping he is making sense.  “When get back to home, Bone Man try to kill all us.  Shorty have to break him into many pieces.  Thief find and break little bottle say bone man hide in der.  Any hows, sword be very bad.  Bite Shorty when touch.  Thief say not good, say Magic Blade… no Mage Blade.  Not know what do cause you not liking Baby so me hide in cave under home.  Neber tells no one.  Birdie pack rest of stuffs but biting sword still in cave.  Should be leaved it?”

In reply to Shorty (msg # 352):

Dualis listens to Shorty little story.  Know-Man just nods his head every so often.  Then Dualis says, "I see.  I guess I will need to check this out.  As far as Baby, I was concerned that he might grow up to be bad.  I am sure now with Alannon and the rest that he will be fine."  he turns to the others "It appears I need to go with Shorty on this side trek.  While we are away I will leave you in Orkex capable hands.  Orkex will talk to you about psionics and some .. things."  he thinks "I will tell you.  Orkex would like to probe your minds to better determine what the psionicist was doing to you and hopefully glean something about him. Probes can be mentally penetrating so you can decline if you wish. After that there may be another little item."

Dualis waits for any comment.

--DM2

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 353):

Trysk smiles at Dualis, "If you could leave the Paedur's Plane Lock spell and provide me the magic short sword before you leave that would be great."

He continues, "As for Orkex, I would love to talk with him about psionics. I have no issue with letting him probe my mind as long as he is willing to grant me the same courtesy. I have never been this close to an illithid before and would like to learn to better defend myself against them. No offense, Orkex."

In reply to Trysk (msg # 354):

Trysk adds, "Oh, and if we're not destroying the Ring of Ruthlessness, yet, is there a safe place to keep it?"

In reply to Trysk (msg # 355):

Trysk shakes his head, "By the way, Dualis, what happened to the mage's imp? I don't recall anyone seeing it or it taking any actions."

In reply to Trysk (msg # 356):

"Orkex, ye can poke around in me mind.  Especially if ye can help me to better use me psionics.  If we ever have another crack at that psionicist, I want to do better against him."

In reply to Trysk (msg # 354):

Dualis replies: "Trinny can show you the spell and Art can pick up the item for you." he looks over at the big efreet. "Art, go to the treasure room and pick up one of my old weapons .. the one with the one ruby in the scabbard I think."

"Of course milord."  he bows and heads out the door.

Orkex's tentacles wave a little after Trysk's question *It is understandable* you hear in your heads.

Dualis interjects "Probe is a psionic technique in case you are not aware; however I do have books on the subject in the library which you can study during your down time.  Orkex can guide you of course."

OOC: I have a house rule that if you study a monster for a month (from a sage .. Dualis will do) that the character can refer to all its data during adventuring/battle - basically everything in the MM about it.

--DM2

"Here, obviously." Dualis replies



"Ah yes, I wondered the same thing.  It could have been upto a mile away and still be of benefit, so it could have been difficult to find.  Or, perhaps, Set took it back .. a worthiness test."

--DM2
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:12, Thu 08 July 2021.

In reply to Ron, The DM (msg # 358):

Trysk nods, "Sounds good, Dualis. How long will you be gone for and what is the one other little item you mentioned?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:26, Thu 08 July 2021.

In reply to Trysk (msg # 360):

"I suspect no more than an hour .. probably"  Dualis remarks.  "I think I shall Wisdom.  Should allow him to get out, stretch his wings."  he moves toward the door and stops.  "The other little thing. One could call it Brain Surgery." he smiles "We shall discuss when I get back."

--DM2