"Not a bad idea." Mikael responded to Imbellem. "Will you two join us?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:43, Thu 23 June 2016.

Godric thought for a moment to himself about the dwarven king. before responding to his new companions
 "I think he seemed trustworthy as well. I'm a little surprised that he didn't consider what happened to us with the supposedly dead man as being possibly related to the problem. I would have thought he would consider anything as they don't seem to have any explanation for the current happenings."
Godric then responded to their inquiry about helping them "Well since I don't really have anything else to do here other than come with you, I'll gladly help. I'm rather curious about whats going on and I'll never turn down an opportunity for adventure and battle."

Godric agreed to join them in their quest, and they were glad to have him. It was always nice to have a tower of muscle around in a dangerous world. Together they looked at Torrick expectantly, and to their relief, he consented with a silent nod.

As they left the castle, Imbellem pondered heavily on the King's true intentions.

"You don't think the King was secretly after our peanut-butter, do you?" asked Imbellem earnestly.

"No, no, of course not. Don't be silly," replied Mikael. However, even Mikael could not shake the feeling that the King really did want their peanut-butter and resolved to keep a closer eye on their stock from there on out.

As they walked down the tiers of the city, Imbellem took a moment to ask for directions from a passerby dwarf, had a brief argument on the superiority of beards versus mustaches, and only after letting the stubborn dwarf win, managed to learn the location of the temple. They found it on the second tier of the city, not far from the garden where they had first run into the King.

The temple, like many of the important buildings, was partially built into the side of the mountain. Its front oaken doors were guarded on both sides by two giant statues of dwarven warriors, each forty feet high, their stone faces forever gazing across the valley. There were no buildings built in front of the temple, instead being a spacious plaza, and the adventurers could clearly see the evergreen forests on the mountain opposite them and the snowy peaks beyond. Evening had fallen upon the city {Dusk in 1 hour; You feel hungry}.

The adventurers entered the temple. It wide marble hall was full of people, but most of them were bandaged and laying in rows upon cloth mats. Godric counted roughly fifty wounded. Female dwarves in silky black robes with veiled headresses walked briskly between them like so many shadowy ghosts, some administering food and water, others performing prayers, and others still replacing bandages.

A dwarven woman approached them, but this woman was not one of those wearing black robes. Instead she wore a lavender tunic and beige trousers, and her hair was black with a white stripe on one side. They had seen her before.

"Hey, you were just at the castle, weren't you?" said Ranna, the King's daughter.

"Yea," said Mikael. "We were hoping to talk to one of the priestesses about what's going on."

"That's good of you," she replied. "A lot of the people are physically wounded, but its the emotional wounds that hurt the most, those from either losing family or their futures. They draw strength and courage from seeing others care about their situation."

"Ranna, could you give me a hand with this?" asked of the nearby priestesses in black robes.

"Certainly," Ranna answered. "Farewell." She departed their company with a brief wave.

As she left, one of the priestesses noticed them and approached. Her black veil hid her eyes, but she still seemed able to see them through it; her black silk robes swayed as she walked. "Hello, I am Sister Yelna. Do you need assistance travelers?"

"Yes," said Godric. "We wanted to ask for information, about a certain god."

Sister Yelna nodded courteously, "Of course. We are happy to provide services and teachings on the divine. Come with me and we'll speak elsewhere so as not to disturb those in recovery."

Taking their leave of the main chamber, they went down a short hall and into another room. This chamber was smaller than the other one and, oddly, dimly light. But as their eyes adapted, they quickly realized they were not alone. This chamber had over twenty tables, arranged in three rows to fill the room, and on each table was a dwarf – men, women, and even a few children. At first the adventurers were horrified in thinking they had been brought to a morgue, but then they noticed the pink color in their cheeks and the gentle rise and fall of their chests. The dwarves were asleep, despite being without blankets or bedding.

"Do not mind them," said Sister Yelna. "They are in the death sleep and are unfortunately unable to wake. We can converse here and not bother them. You may ask your questions."

Godric was momentarily stunned by seeing all the unconscious dwarves and could not shake the discomfort he felt being surrounded by them, feeling as though he were surrounded by corpses readied for autopsy. After a few seconds, he regained self-awareness and urged himself to continue speaking.

"Erm, yes. We wanted to ask for information. . . about a god named Bagna."


This message was last edited by the GM at 12:07, Sun 26 June 2016.

As Sister Yelna stepped down the hall and left the adventurers alone, Imbellem turned to the others and spoke pensively, "This one is a real headscratcher."

"Agreed," said Mikael as he pondered intensely. "I feel as if this were a great puzzle. And we are mere inches from solving it."

Torrick leaned against one of the heavy tables. He felt burdened at having done so little for his kin thus far. He was no great thinker nor solver of puzzles. He sighed heavily.

Suddenly Godric froze. "Friends," he stated in a strange, strained tone.

"What?" asked Imbellem. "Did you think of something?"

Godric shook his head slowly and continued staring wide-eyed past Torrick. The others turned around.

Every dwarven body in the chamber was standing up.

They stood beside their tables, corpse-like, facing the party with half-opened eyes. Their faces were shadowed in the dim light. Those nearest of adventurers abruptly charged, lurching, groping – as though they intended to tear the adventurers to pieces.





This message was last edited by the GM at 00:17, Mon 27 June 2016.

Mikael watches the dwarves lunge at Imbellem and Torrick. There was some relief in seeing them fend off the surprise so easily. He drew both of his swords. "Well this just got a bit more interesting!" He looked around the room for anyone else or to see if there is anything to take note of {Spot check}. "Where did that priestess go?"

09:57, Today: Mikael Vaeltaja rolled 24 using 1d20+6.  Spot check.

Mikael set his gaze upon the dwarf closest to him (Z) and prepared to bring his sword down on him. He needed to be careful, surely their minds are being affected and these are not their enemies.  He attempted to strike the dwarf, but in a way that would only leave him disabled. {Non-lethal attack; -4 to AR} With a quick and precise motion his sword came down.

09:42, Today: Mikael Vaeltaja rolled 26 using 1d20+7.  Attack roll 'Z'.
09:42, Today: Mikael Vaeltaja rolled 6 using 1d6+4.  Damage roll 'Z'.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:57, Mon 27 June 2016.

Torrick could not die.  He had not found any of his kin yet.  He had not found someone more able and worthy to carry the family axe.  He knew what he must do to assure that he would not die here today.

"MORADIN FORGIVE ME" Torrick roared as he broke his long brooding silence drawing his ornate axe from his back.  "Any dwarf I know deserves a clean death.  I will try to make it fast."   He spoke apparently to their newly risen enemies.

With a giant heave Torrick swings his axe at the closest one.


18:43, Today: Torrick Axebearer rolled 23 using 1d20+8.  Attack roll "x".

18:45, Today: Torrick Axebearer rolled 10 using 2d8+2.  Damage "x".
This message was last edited by the player at 04:49, Sun 03 July 2016.

Imbellem stood in shock as he saw the previously comatose dwarves suddenly stand and was caught so off guard, one of them grabbed him. He shook the dwarf off and stood wide-eyed as Mikael and Torrick sprang into action

From what he saw, he noticed Mikael was being careful not to cause physical harm to the dwarves, Torrick however... Torrick roared into action with the intent to kill. Imbellems wide eyes began to close into a squint due to the furled brow. The priest was very angry

"TORRICK!" He shouted, not with a voice of fear, but one of anger "What the hell are you doing!" he continued, spit beginning to fly out of his mouth as he screamed in rage. "These men do not know what they do! You might as well run into the previous room and attack the sleeping children!" His voice easily topping the sounds of the fight, Imbellem began to feel adrenaline fill his body. He wanted nothing more than to stop the frantic dwarf, even if it meant putting him down himself... The priests eyes began to water, and face became red, an unfortunate visceral response to rage. Not very intimidating.

"You surprise me, dwarf" he said, as torrick brought his axe back after attacking. "You attack with malicious intent to your own kin... wounded, and controlled kin at that!" He began to walk forward, reaching for his hammer to stop him from causing anymore harm, but then stopped as he say Mikaels eyes. A look that almost said 'Dont'

Imbellem shook his head, "Im going to grab the priestess. Im afraid if I stay I will..." his voice trailed off slightly, collecting once more to finish his thought, "do NOT hurt anyone or I will deal with you myself! ALL OF YOU!" He shouted in anger to all his friends, something he'd end up regretting later. The cleric shot one more harsh gaze to the dwarf and took off into a sprint down the hall to warn the others

Godric was surprised that at Torrick's attack. As much as he liked fighting, he wouldnt attack helpless creatures. "Why don't we just leave this place, that way we could avoid any bloodshed until we figure out what's going on with these dwarves?" Godric moved towards Torrick, trying to grab him and drag him away from the combat.

Dark stone walls, two flickering torches, over twenty dwarves. The dim lighting cast black shadows across their many faces. Most stood as still as statues, dispassionately watching the adventurers fight like some horrifying audience. They watched with half-open eyes. Their pupils were gone, replaced with an unnatural pure whiteness.

The dwarves closest to the adventurers had broken from their stupor and lunged, like beasts starving for food, like madmen. The adventurers desperately wrestled them away.

Mikael hastily took out his shortsword and swiped at them, only intending to disable. He struck better than he had hoped for {Critical Hit ~ 14 Non-lethal Dmg}. He severed a nerve in the dwarf's leg, and the dwarf crumpled up on the floor.

Torrick, however, lost control. In a blaze of passion, he drew his exceptionally large axe and aimed to bring a quick death to his brethren. His companions saw what he was about to do, and their eyes grew wide; he was about to kill innocent dwarves. . . in a temple of all places! . . Godric moved fast.

With speed and strength befitting a barbarian, Godric swiftly moved behind Torrick and grabbed him in a serpent's embrace with his muscular arms:



Imbellem, seeing that situation come under control, ran down the tunnel to find the priestess, to warn her of what's happening, to get help. But before he reached halfway down the hall, he met the priestess already arriving on her way back to them!

"You shouldn't run in the halls," scolded Sister Yelna politely. "You could run into someone."

"Sister. . . They're. . . The dwarves. . . They! . ." Imbellem panted heavily between breathes. Then, rather than explaining, he decided to show her; he grabbed her arm – to her shock – and pulled her toward the room. They entered a moment later. "See!" exclaimed Imbellem. He gasped, and his expression to change into surprise.

"What's going on here?" said Sisten Yelna hotly.

Godric, Torrick, and Mikael looked at them, their weapons drawn, then turned back to face the swarm of dwarves – only to see that all of them, every last one, was now laying on their tables, asleep, exactly as they were. They stared at the scene in bewilderment, which appeared as though nothing had ever happened. They could hardly speak short of shock.

Finally Sister Yelna said, "It's disrespectful to have weapons drawn in a temple. You'd best put those away. . . The High Priestess will see you now." She turned and stormed down the hall, expecting them to follow.

The adventurers gave a wary glance at the still bodies of the dwarves. Had it all been a dream? As they cautiously slid their weapons back into their sheathes and followed the priestess, Godric lingered behind. He heard a drip-drop sound. His head turned and glared at the leg of a sleeping dwarf, where there was a cut, and where blood was gently dripping off the table. It was the dwarf Mikael had wounded.

"Not a dream. . ." murmured Godric under his breath. Keeping his eyes on the dwarves, he warily left the room.

Sister Yelna led them back to the main hall and to its farthest end where five marble statues towered in a half-circle. None of the wounded were kept in this part of the temple, and its only current occupant was an old dwarven woman in black robes, tracing her finger in a basin of water which sat atop a pedestal. Sister Yelna made a gesture, indicating to the adventurers to go and speak with her, then left them – not as friendly as she once was.

But the old dwarven priestess made no such signs of ill-will as the adventurers approached her. They approached timidly, uncertain of the proper way to greet a High Priestess. The High Priestess spoke, her voice old but gentle.

"Sister Yelna tells me you saw a visage of the priest Falameezen in the forest." She continued dragging her finger across the surface of the water, her veiled eyes seeing something they couldn't. "If this is true. . . then you will all die."


This message was last edited by the GM at 14:33, Wed 06 July 2016.

Imbellem secured his hammer on his side, brushing off the dust from its hilt. Ignoring the stifled giggles of Mikael, he checked his breastplate for any indentation.

Wanting to ignore an embarrassing conversation, he spoke aloud, "It seems we dont have much of a choice here, we are going to have to deal with frost giant... maybe giants" He said, turning around, flattening his short beard with a downward motion between two fingers, "I do have the ability to dispel them, however I worry the enchantment may be too strong, if indeed placed upon them by a deity." Imbellem looked around, trying to speed up the workings of his mind.

As his eyes grazed the crowd, he noticed a rather lovely dwarven woman - or more accurately, the golden pendant necklace as the sun glared across its lovely engraved surface. He must have been gazing rather intently, because the cleric did not notice she was walking with her husband and his gruff, angry face broke the line of sight and snapped imbellem out of his trance in a rather aggressive full body twitch. Upon reflection, the Necklace was rather low on the dwarfs chest... That must have not looked good

Within his internal monologue, he had a thought, "Frost giants," He began with a brief pause, "Even though they may be enchanted, one thing that reigns supreme in their minds is their lust for fine jewelry. Even though it must be hard to find good looking rings, bangles, or necklaces in giant size." A smile crept along his face "I would be willing to wager if they found something of elaborate style, they would be hard pressed to pass it by."

By the confused look of his comrades, he decided to elaborate - "If we were to contact the local smith, we could create some form of jewelry in the size of a giant and then asked for the church or some other magical foundation, we could curse the item. That way when the giant collected it and put it on, we could dispel the curse, immobilize it, or even effect its mind to help us!"

By the far fetched idea, he learned to get confirmation from the group before doing something silly. "...Maybe? Do you think it would work?"

"Frost giants? Where did you get that from?" Mikael wrinkled his brow wondering where Imbellem was coming up with this. "You mean that troll we encountered earlier? Nonetheless a good idea. I'll accompany you. Then let us retire to the Dowry once we have prepared. After spending time at see and in the woods the dustiest room will feel like a royal bedroom." He gathered himself and followed next to Imbellem to find a smith.

The adventurers reflected on the long day. The cold tower they had woke up in this morning seemed like an age ago.

They remembered how they had left the door of the lonely stone tower where they had spent the night, wondering if a whitetroll still awaited them outside, and finding out they would live yet another day. There, they found themselves accompanied by a new, mostly unconscious friend, a dwarf named Torrick.

They remembered how they had traveled all morning through the Sentinel Forest, a grove of the largest trees they had ever seen, and had a strange conversation with the strange Falameezen, who they had now discovered was a priest of Bagna, the God of Nightmares, that had been executed over twenty years ago.

They remembered how they had arrived at Shelterpeak, the fortress capital of the Comoset dwarves, and had a literal run-in with the King, King Odiff, delivering the letter that brought them to Comoset in the first place; and at the same time, learning more about the mysterious Falameezen.

They remembered how they had visited the Temple and spoke with Sister Yelna and the High Priestess, learning that the Falameezen they had met in the woods may not have been a ghost after all, but a dreamed reflection of his spirit, one that may be very much alive in a hidden Dream Realm, causing the curse that now beset the dwarves of Comoset.

And most recently, they remembered how Ranna, the King's daughter, caught them in the plaza as they left the Temple and pleaded to join them, to participate in bringing the sufferings of her people to an end; and to which they agreed after a brief spectacle of Imbellem losing a fight to a girl.

Needless to say, the day had been eventful.

Now, the night sky stretched over them, dotted with a million glistening stars, stars that seemed brighter here in the mountains than they had ever seemed on the isle of Perdane. The plaza was silent. The dwarven people slept. The stores were all closed. And the only remaining signs of life were in the taverns, where patrons drank and sang late into the night.

Since the blacksmiths were asleep, they headed straight for the inns, seeking shelter from the peaceful city.

The adventurers headed down a grand set of steps to the first tier of the city, which was like an enormous terrace carved into the mountain and crowded with buildings, and found their way to the noise. It was not hard to find the lanterns hanging outside and the boisterous dwarven voices. A drunk dwarf pissing in the street might as well have been a sign that the tavern was here, promising fun times. But above him also hung an actual sign: The Dowry Inn, screaming cheap rooms and cheap drinks.

They entered inside to find a full house, dwarves packed end to end; and despite being high in the mountains, the room was stifling hot. For a moment they thought they were on the jungle isle of Noanatu. They squeezed through the dwarves, dodged drinks, were scratched by beards, and after a journey as arduous as any they'd had that day, reached the bar counter.

Mikael called over the noise and caught the attention of a barmaid. "Excuse me! We'd like a room please!"

"Sorry hun," replied the barmaid, practically shouting to be heard. "We're booked, sold out, not a space left!"

Her shouted was suddenly replaced by an even louder shouting from the stairs. Two dwarves who seemed to work for the bar pulled another dwarf down the steps, dragging him unceremoniously behind them, kicking and yelling. The crowded tavern made way for them as they headed for the door, a seemingly impossible feat of the crowd, squeezing together more than Mikael already thought possible. He felt a blonde-bearded dwarf press into him.

"No taking axes to the furniture!" shouted of the dwarves doing the dragging.

"It turned into an orc, I swear!" hiccuped the dwarf being dragging, who was obviously and absurdly drunk.

The two dwarves threw him out the door and into the night. The barmaid then touched Mikael's shoulder.

"A room just opened up!" she said cheerfully.

Mikael payed her the three gold it cost for the night, flagged down his companions, and guided them through the crowd and up the stairs. He opened the room the barmaid had given him a key for, and they all flooded inside. The room was a wreck. There were axe marks on the armoire and bed posts as though a barbarian had entered a frenzy, but for the most part, everything was intact.

"A room's a room," shrugged Imbellem, throwing himself on one of the two beds.

At least tonight they wouldn't freeze to death.

Godric looked around at all the damaged furniture, raising his brow. "Looks like someone had a battle in here. Better than nothing though." He went to the corner of the room and began to set down all of his equipment. "Well we should get some rest, we are gonna have a long day tomorrow."

Imbellem rested his face underneath his arms, trying to block out as much light as possible as he nestled deeper into the mattress. "I don't care how messy a room is," he said, mouth under his hands and into the bed so the others could hardly hear what he was saying, "I've slept in a hollow log before and was waken up to other adventurers starting a fire on me without knowing i was there. This is great" he added with a stretch

"Well a couple of drunk dwarves sure beats spending the night around that troll the other night." Mikael said with a sigh of relief. Although, he did check the handle on the door to ensure they wouldn't be rudely disturbed by any others. "And we will see what this Falameezen is really up to."

Godric, Imbellem, and Mikael fell asleep in their room while Torrick stayed up for a drink or two. However, it wasn't until the next morning that they'd discovered it had been a little more than two.

"Torrick?" said Mikael as he shook the unconscious dwarf, slumped over on a table piled high with empty mugs.

Torrick snored a reply, a sound echoed by ten or so other dwarves strewn around the tavern.

"I don't think he's going anywhere," Mikael diagnosed.

"This can't wait," stated Godric grimly, tightening the leather straps that held his sheathed greatsword on his back. "Let's go."

Godric and Mikael headed out the door of the tavern with Imbellem following behind, letting out a large yawn as he stepped into the morning light; the sun had yet to escape the mountainous horizon, casting a fiery streak of orange across the eastern sky. They mounted their horses. Imbellem allowed Mikael to ride with him, and together they trotted down to the gates of the city where they met Ranna, the dwarven princess of Comoset. She looked drastically different than she had last night, her pitch black hair now tied in a taut bun, and her dress replaced by studded leather armor.

"I'm glad to see you recovered okay," she said, smirking at Imbellem. "After that beating I gave you."

Godric and Mikael chuckled while Imbellem darkly squinted at her. "Don't push it, princess."

Ranna rode with Godric, and the four of them left the city on horses at a fierce pace. They trotted up the side of the valley and entered the pass near the top, and once again found themselves in the Sentinel Forest, where the trees grew five hundred feet high and as thick as houses.

"If I remember right," mentioned Imbellem. "The High Priestess back at Shelterpeak said that old Bagna shrine was somewhere around the west side of the forest."

"Yea," corroborated Mikael, keeping his elven eyes sharp.

They steered their horses off the road. Travel off the road turned out to be easy as there was little brush, and the ground in-between the sentinel tree trunks was spacious. It took them nearly two hours to find the old shrine of Bagna, at the base of a cliff on the west side of the valley. In a clearing between the cliff and three sentinel trees stood a ruined pair of stone legs, broken off at the knees. The upper part of the statue had been shattered into rocks and boulders that now laid strewn around the clearing, overgrown with moss. Based on the size of the legs, they figured the statue must have been at least thirty feet when it was first built.

"We found it," said Ranna. ". . What do we do now?"

"Now," said Godric. "We sleep. Supposedly, this will take us to the Dream Realm."

She eyed him skeptically as they dismounted. Gathering near the base of the statue, they laid down on the leaves and moss, which made a surprisingly soft bed. Godric frowned as he made his horse lie down, uncertain if it could follow into the world they were about to enter. Then, there was only one thing left to do.

"I can't sleep," said Mikael, adjusting his head on a rock.

"Me neither," grumbled Godric.

"Wait, I have an idea," announced Imbellem. "Ranna, tell us about your day."

"Oh, well, first I woke up and talked to my servant Hertrude. She was wearing just the cutest necklace, so I had to ask her where she got it. She said she got it from a trader in Ertton, can you imagine that? She even bartered it down to ten percent off! Then I just had to talk to daddy about going to Ertton cause I was thinking of getting one like it, but maybe with an amethyst instead of a rose quartz cause amethyst is my birthstone. And then-"

Godric snored, and Ranna realized that Godric, Mikael, and Imbellem had all fallen asleep.

"Hey!" she cried. "I'm not that boring! I was just getting to the *yawn* good part. . ." Ranna, too, fell asleep.

And then, a few minutes later, they woke up.

Godric, Mikael, Imbellem, and Ranna opened their eyes, but they still saw the ruined statue and sentinel trees above them.

"Uh, wasn't something something supposed to happen?" asked Imbellem.

"Yea," replied Mikael. "Maybe we need to do it at night or something. . . Hey, was it this foggy when we got here?"


Glancing around, they saw that the forest and sky had been enveloped in a misty fog, and a soft, blue light seemed to permeate everything.

"Where are the horses?" asked Godric, realizing they were gone.

"You don't suppose we're in the Dream Realm after all, are we?" questioned Mikael.

Suddenly, as if in answer to his question, all the sentinel trees seemed more twisted than they were a second ago, and a thousand shadows fleeted through the fog. The surreal and abrupt movement of the world startled all four of them onto their feet, and they drew their weapons.

"I think that answers your question," said Godric.

Getting their bearings, they glanced around. To the west, there was a steep cliff face like before, but now, it seemed to stretch into the infinity of space. To the north, something glittering caught their eye, the hilt of a luminescent sword that had been plunged into the trunk of a sentinel tree, something that definitely hadn't been there in the waking world. To the east, the fog grew denser, and a large, haunting shadow moved through it. And from the south, a humming echoed in the air, the sound of a jovial song.

Pick one
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:19, Mon 16 Jan 2017.

Upon seeing the sword, Mikael immediately grabs it and attempts to pull it out of the tree.

13:58, Today: Mikael Vaeltaja rolled 5 using 1d20.  STR check; Pull sword out of tree.

The moment Mikael gripped the sword and pulled, the golden hilt morphed into a branch-like hand, twigs growing from its gnarled fingers. It grabbed Mikael's hand in return, tightly, and forced him into a grapple.

14:25, Today: Secret Roll: DM Ryan rolled 26 using 1d20+xx.  Tree Grapple Check vs Mikael.

Mikael tried to escape free, but failed.

20:21, Today: Mikael Vaeltaja rolled 4 using 1d20+3 ((1)). (nat 1)

The fingers of the branch-like hand grew at an unnatural speed, climbing and curling around Mikael's arm, then his waist and legs.

12:15, Today: DM Ryan, on behalf of Mikael Vaeltaja, rolled 8 using 1d20+6.  Grapple Check: Defend against Pin.
12:14, Today: Secret Roll: DM Ryan rolled 15 using 1d20+xx.  Tree Grapple Check: Pin + Constrict.
DM Ryan
12:16, Today: Secret Roll: DM Ryan rolled 12 using 2d6+5.  Tree: Constrict Damage

The branches tightened around his body, crushing him. Mikael is presently in a pin.

"I'm coming!" 14:33, Wed 18 Jan: Secret Roll: Imbellem Tueri rolled 24 using 1d20+8.  Grapple check: aid Mikael.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:41, Sun 22 Jan 2017.

The adventurers quickly realized that it was wrong to call this place the Dream Realm - the Nightmare Realm was a much better name. From the trunk of the Sentinel Tree, the branch grew and curled around Mikael's limbs, choking and crushing him like a many-headed snake. Mikael tried to pull away, but the twigs of the branch tightened, painfully holding him in place; he shouted as they cut into his skin.

Horrified, Imbellem, Ranna, and Godric leapt to his aid. Imbellem dove into the ever-growing branch and started tearing away at the twigs while Ranna and Godric grabbed Mikael's free hand and pulled. In the trunk of the tree, hundreds of faces emerged, as though the bark was merely a film or liquid, the tree a container of souls. They whispered in languages that made no sense, but it still felt like they spoke of secrets that you were never meant to hear.

Mikael, for a brief moment, ripped through one of the branches holding him in place {Escape Pin Success}, but the branch simply grew back, bigger and more terrifying than before {Re-Pin Success}, crushing him further {Mikael takes 14 Dmg (HP: 34/60)}. On the verge of panic, Imbellem embraced Mikael in the wooden web and pulled with all his might, and, miraculously, he carried them both out from the thickets of the branch and into safety, where they collapsed onto the open grass as free men {Grapple Success – NATURAL 20 vs NATURAL 1}. The branch clawed at the empty air but was no longer able to reach them; disappointed at the loss of its victim, the branch, along with the many faces, receded into the trunk of the tree, until it once again looked like an ordinary plant.

Imbellem, Ranna, Godric, and Mikael breathed heavily, with relief and exhaustion at their near misfortune. Imbellem shot Mikael a dark glance.

"The next time you see a shiny sword sticking out of a tree, especially one in a wierd dream dimension, please don't touch it."

"Understood," replied Mikael, rubbing his wounds.

Imbellem then hugged him, now simply glad he wasn't dead, and Godric helped them on their feet.

"That was the scariest thing I'd ever seen," said Ranna, brushing aside her black hair, now damp with sweat.

"Hopefully," said Godric. "That's as scary as it gets."

"Let's try south this time," advised Mikael, as the sound of a hummed song drifted from that direction. "It sounds friendly enough."

Keeping close together, the party wandered south through the Sentinel Trees, letting the song be their guide. Strangely enough, the forest looked a lot like how did in the waking world, most everything in the same place, with nothing unusual at first glance. It wasn't until the second glance that things got strange. Trees seemed to shift and move when they weren't looking, but only enough to make them doubt, and the luminous fog seemed to cover the whole world, with no sky visible through its eerie blue haze.

From the trees, the party entered a clearing, one they did not think existed in the waking world, for in the center of this clearing was a black pit that descended into infinity. On the other side of the pit was a ruin, consisting of a platform, an alter, and a few crumbling pillars. And standing on this platform was a dwarf with a silver beard, wearing pale green robes, humming the song that led them there. The party recognized him instantly, for they had met him once before: Falameezen.

He looked at them through his bright green eyes, his face a gentle one in every respect. The party struggled to comprehend how this kind-looking old man was responsible for all the evils they came to stop. But as they had learned earlier with the sword, nothing was ever as it seemed in this place. He smiled at their arrival.

"Ah, you finally made it. I'm so glad you're here!"

Continued in Chatroom.

Falameezen seemed ecstatic at your arrival. "Hello, hello! And a minute early too! Tsk, tsk, that won't do. Would you like to leave and try again? It's good to be punctual you know. No? Well then, how would you like to hear a story? since we have all this time!"

Well apologies on the early arrival. I'm up for a good story.

"Once upon a time," began Falameezen. "There was a king among dwarves, and in the later years of his reign, this dwarf king and his wife gave birth to daughter. But something was wrong with their daughter, for when she was born, she did not cry nor open her eyes nor do anything at all. The king sent for all his healers and priests, but none could cure the infant of her illness. And so the king and his wife despaired and given their child up for death - until a new priest came their way, claiming he could cure her. This priest was not a servant of their usual church, but the servant of a forgotten god, a god of dreams.'

"The priest and the king made a deal, that the priest would cure the infant in exchange for a shrine to his god, and to share his god's wisdom with others. And the deal was made. The priest, true to his promise, cured the infant, whose cries and sounds of life filled her parents with joy. And in return, the king build the priest a shrine to his god, and all was well. Over a happy couple years, pilgrims came from the town and all over to give and offering to the god of dreams, and were blessed with happy dreams and visions of beautiful wisdom in their sleep. . . But some poor souls were overwhelmed by the glory and wisdom of what they'd see, unable to handle the secret the noble god told them, yet that they had asked for. And these poor souls went mad.'

"The king heard of this and blamed the god of dreams, instead of the foolishness of his seekers! And, breaking his promise, he came with guards and smashed the very shrine he built, and killed the priest so that he would not come seeking repayment. And he thought the matter settled. But, the god of dreams, though he sleeps, does not forget, and he cursed the dwarven people, and especially their king. Cursed them until their kingdom crumbles, much the same as the shrine that was shattered. . . or until the repayment is given. . . And that's as far as I've got on the story. Not sure where I heard it, but it's a pretty nice tale, don't you think?"

"I heard," Ranna cried out defiantly, "That is wasn't just -some- people who went mad, but tons! A husband even killed his wife in his sleep!

Falameezen shook his head sadly, "Couldn't handle the glorious wisdom. . . Anyway!" He instantly perked up to his usual, ecstatic self. "There's a secret I'd like to tell you, one that not even your DM told you - whatever a DM is. Would you like to hear what it is?"

"What are you talking about? DM?  I suppose since we have the time I'd like to hear it. Also what is this repayment that needs to be given to lift the curse from the dwarves?"

"That," said Falameezen with a smile, "Is part of the secret! You see, there are actually two endings to this story! Exciting, isn't it? One ending is that you try and break this altar behind me," He gestured toward the altar on the platform, "the conduit that channels the Bagna's holy curse to the Waking World. But, I'm afraid, I'd have to try and stop if you did that. The other ending is much more interesting, and that is repay that which was given. To give back the life that the priest gave. Her life to be exact." He pointed at Ranna, to her surprise. "For this, you much toss her into the black hole there, back to the unformed, the true realm of the God of Dreams. If you do this, you gain a special, one-time opportunity: You enter the covenant of Bagna and join our oh-so ancient order. You'd gain special abilities, immunity to sleep spells, resistance to mind-affecting spells, and other little perks - while in return you act in the service of Bagna. It's a good deal, I promise! All you need to do is give back what was given, a sacrifice that never costed anything. . . So, choose your ending!"

13:44, Today: Godric Lothar rolled 9 using 1d20+5.  Knowledge adventure on Falameezen.
13:46, Today: Godric Lothar rolled 12 using 1d20+1.  Knowledge adventure on Falameezen- On behalf of Imbellum.
13:48, Today: Mikael Vaeltaja rolled 10 using 1d20+3.  Knowledge adventure; Falameezen.
4:13PM

For free on examination, you can tell that Falameezen, one on one, has an Impossible rating, but vs your group rating (which is 11), he is rated as Very Difficult. Your Knowledge Adventure checks discern only that his class is that of a Mystic Theurge. As to what that is, you aren't exactly sure.

Falameezen! I have a bit of a wadger for you... you posed a riddle to me before, perhaps I, a lowly priest, may return the favor?

Falameezen: "Riddles, riddles. I do like riddles."

"I realized you do! So, how would you like to play a bit of a game..."

Falameezen: How can you bite a game?

Typo, leave me alone

Falameezen: Leave you alone? Do you want me leave!? Can't do that, no. Must take care of the altar you see.

Er, my mistake, I was thinking of something else entirely... a bit of a game

Falameezen: Come then, tell of your game!

I liked your riddle so much, I may have come up with one of my own! And if you win, you get your way

Falameezen: What way? Up? Down?

Side to side, diagonal. You can get what you've asked for

Falameezen: I ask for nothing! Come now, why do you dally?!

You can do what you will with the girl

Falameezen: I'm an old man! What are you suggesting!?

*Godric looks at Imbellum and his eyes seem to say what in the world are you doing*

Ew gross, what's wrong with you?.. the life of the girl. And ours if it would be so fitting
*looks at goric and raises a brow*

Falameezen: Yours lives!? I don't want your lives. I already had one. Tedious things.

Oh good, that would be unpleasant

Falameezen: I do have a riddle for you though! . . First I'm dark, then I'm light, sometimes crying, but never contrite. What am I?

...just a second. Might you be.. the sky?

Falameezen applauded. "Excellent! Well done!"

Now you've had your fun, how about my turn? You know what you win, now how would you like to know what I would win? It's only fair after all. I've solved two of yours.

Imbellem received the buff: Bagna's sight. He gains a +1 bonus to attack roll for the next hour.

If I win, you step away from the altar and leave us be until we call on you

Falameezen: How could I protect the altar though if I leave? No, no, can't do that.

You are far more clever than I, surely you cant think you can fail.. can you?

Falameezen: I'm afraid I'm full of failures!

How surprising! Tell me, what if you instead of leaving, you grant me a request

Falameezen: I'm not very good at grants. The university never gave me many.

what can i say, some universities are sticklers for things of the sort... How about instead of a grant, you allow me one wish if you will. Nothing beyond your power

Falameezen: I wish I could grant wishes. I also wish I could wish for grants. Or should I wish for grants that grant wishes?

i wish grant.. for a... Ah this is ridiculious, do you want an easy game? you get the girls life, or I get you to leave. simple as that

Falameezen: No thanks! I'm much too shy to have a life.

are... do... am i missing something. I feel like i covered that pretty well *looking to the others*

"You're both mad!" cried Ranna. "You know I'm standing right 'ere, right!? I won't be bartered away or betted on! We must save my people! Attack!"

*I extend my hand toward the lunging dwarf (I cast hold person)*

20:29, Today: DM Ryan rolled 2 using 1d20+1.  Ranna. Will Save vs Hold Person.
Ranna freezes in place.

*During the arguing Godric does a spot check on the altar to examine how it may be destroyed*

i walk near Ranna and whisper to her while continuing toward fala "i got this, i wont let anything happen to you. . . So? how bout the game then?

Spot Check ~ The Altar appears to be made of stone, but as you've learned in this world, appearances can be deceiving. You imagine it could be broken with a few hits of damage.
Although Ranna can't move or speak, you can feel the burn of her eyes. She is not happy.

"sorry"

Falameezen: Ah, you mean one of your edible games?

*drops head* So you have it set that you wont leave the altar be, i understand. What if you can make the nightmares stop, and return this back to how they were before

Falameezen: Oh no, I can't do that. I can't do anything you see. Don't you remember what I told you? Bagna's Curse and all that.

can you help us break it?

Falameezen: Break it!? Break the altar!?! No, no, no. One rule is not to break it. If you're trying to break it, that means I have to stop you. Shame, shame. . . Well, good luck to you friends!

no the curse you silly man

Ranna unfreezes. "I hate you for that.

Falameezen casts some sort of spell, and combat rounds begin.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:55, Sun 29 Jan 2017.

Godric immediately begins to move toward Falameezen and the altar, while readying his weapon. He's sure to keep a few feet of space between himself and the black hole * double move to 12j*

""

Imbellem muttered under his breath "it was a good one too!"

The escalation of his voice resonated amungst the trees, echoing his woe to share his riddle

He then looked at the dwarf, who now likely wanted to attack him more than Falameezzen "Now I know what you're thinking," He said timidly, as he made his way to Mikaels side, "I was going to try to trick him into ruining everything for himself and not actually hand you over... Promise" he added with a tint of despair, "Feel free to do whatever you see fit after we survive this though!"

The cleric then made his way over to the elf who was still in rocky shape after his bout with... the tree.. Remembering this, Imbellem stifled a laugh and quickly bowed his head, reciting a prayer quickly under his breath


"God, you know me so well. You created me. You know the number of hairs on my head, and you even know the thoughts conceived in my heart before I ever vocalize them. You've told us to come to you and ask for every need of life. You are Jehovah, the God who heals, and you have the final word on my destiny, the number of years I'll live and serve you on earth.
I'm coming to you today as your child, longing to hear from you and asking for your divine healing. There's so much I don't understand about life. But I do know that with one touch, one word, you can make me whole. Please forgive me of my sins, cleanse me of my unrighteousness, and begin your healing from the inside out.

I thank you for this, as I know that even as I ask, you work. And it is in your name we pray, Amen"

A stern pat on the shoulder was the symbol that the time to fight was now...

Imbellem sidesteps to Mikael, resting his hand upon his shoulder
Imbellem Tueri rolled 22 Cure Serious Wounds - Mikael
Imbellem Drew his weapon

Mikael looked back to imbellem feeling quite refreshed. "Ah much better." He said with gratitude. He then looked one again to the old men who stood before them and prepared himself for anything. {Assign dodge to Falameezen}

As soon as Godric moves to the left, mikael moves to the right whole drawing both swords {move to R9}.

Spellcraft {Imbellem} ~ Falameezen waved his staff in the air, but as far as Imbellem could tell, nothing happened.

Hastily, Imbellem cast a healing spell on Mikael, which was the cue for Godric and Mikael to rush the altar. Weapons drawn, gleaming in the luminous mist, they split up and circled around the black pit, closing in on Falameezen.

Ranna, still standing near Imbellem, drew her sword and dagger. "If you want to make it up to me," she said to him, still snarky after his brief apology. "Another duel will suffice, where I plan to humiliate you a second time! But for now. . . FOR COMOSET!" Shouting a battlecry, she joined the sprint for the altar, following closely behind Mikael.

Godric was the first to arrive at the platform and was on the verge of climbing it when Falameezen glanced down at him, smiling with a twinkle in his eyes. "No, no, no. Tsk, tsk, tsk. This is my fort. You can't come up without my permission!"

Falameezen waved his staff, and suddenly, a huge wall of ice formed in the air! As though the luminous mist was rapidly condensing, the wall spread and grew thicker before their very eyes, forming a glacier-blue barrier that obscured Falameezen and the altar from view. Ten feet high, spanning between the two nearest sentinel trees, its cold sides looked perfectly smooth and had even retained some of the mist's glow. {1. X Dmg to break at 5 ft. location; 2. Strength DC X to break at 5 ft. location; 3. Jump DC 8 (Move Action) + Climb DC 20 (Move Action) to climb over.}

They could still hear Falameezen chuckling from behind it. "Come dreams and nightmares and pretty things. Come serve your lord Bagna."

The party knew these words had an ominous sound to them, but they were still startled when they heard a response, a high-pitched yelping that echoed from the depths of the black pit. Growing louder and louder, the yelping was soon upon them as black smoke rose from the altar and formed two creatures on the grass. Four-legged, beady glowing eyes, solid bodies yet not, smoking still rising from their backs – but what attracted your attention most of all was the teeth – the big, big teeth.



Moving rapidly, one of the Nightmare Hounds launched itself at Godric, practically diving at him with open jaws. Godric raised an arm up to protect himself, but its teeth simply sank into the arm {Nightmare Hound 1 deals 9 dmg to Godric (5 Normal + 3 Acid)}.

07:29, Today: Secret Roll: DM Ryan rolled 24 using 1d20+X.  NightmareHound: Attack @ Godric.
07:31, Today: Secret Roll: DM Ryan rolled 9 using 1d8+X+1d6.  NightmareHound: Dmg @ Godric.

The other Nightmare Hound sprinted at Mikael, who barely had time to lift his sword before the beast bit him in the thigh, and tore something away {Nightmare Hound 2 deals 9 dmg to Mikael (5 Normal + 3 Acid)}.

07:29, Today: Secret Roll: DM Ryan rolled 17 using 1d20+X.  NightmareHound 2: Attack @ Mikael.
07:31, Today: Secret Roll: DM Ryan rolled 9 using 1d8+X+1d6.  NightmareHound 2: Dmg @ Mikael.




This message was last edited by the GM at 13:02, Sun 29 Jan 2017.

Black smoke drifted from the Nightmare Hound's back as though it was evaporating, but never did it grow smaller. Its beady eyes glowed a haunting teal, with no pupils to be seen;- eyes from another world. With a shortsword in one hand and a rapier in the other, Mikael assumed his stance, a single rivulet of sweat racing down the contours of his face. The beast rumbled with something like an ethereal growl, something that could only exist in the darkest dreams. Mikael could intimately feel his wounded thigh where the creature had bit, but he fortified his mind and shoved the pain in its place, then, he launched himself upon his foe.

Swords blazing in a fury, he landed several powerful cuts on the Nightmare Hound, causing it to whimper something high-pitched and screeching, and black liquid oozed from its wounds, smoking on the ground as though it were acid {Mikael deals 18 dmg to Nightmare Hound 2}.



Ranna, who was right behind him, continued the attack with another series of quick strikes, landing an additional two. Wielding a longsword and dagger, she concluded with a final stab from her dagger into the Nightmare Hound's neck {Ranna deals 20 dmg to Nightmare Hound 2}, and its body suddenly dissipated into a cloud of smoke, then into nothing.

quote:

08:23, Today: DM Ryan rolled 8 using 1d4+4.  Ranna. Off hand, 2nd attack dmg.
08:22, Today: DM Ryan rolled 12 using 1d8+4.  Ranna. Main hand, 1st attack dmg.
08:22, Today: DM Ryan rolled 16 using 1d20.  Ranna. Off hand, 2nd attack @ 2.
08:21, Today: DM Ryan rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  Ranna. Main hand, 2nd attack @ 2.
08:21, Today: DM Ryan rolled 15 using 1d20+7.  Ranna. Off hand, 1st attack @ 2.
08:21, Today: DM Ryan rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  Ranna. Main hand, 1st attack @ 2.

They had successfully defeated it.

Mikael and Ranna exchanged glances, pleased at their spontaneous act of teamwork and the small victory, and they could feel the bond of allies growing between them.

"And this is why we didn't throw you down the well," said Mikael, being facetious.

Ranna smirked. "I'm not going to say to thank you."

However, their sense of easement was suspended when Falameezen chuckled madly, as though laughing at a hilarious inside joke. His voice echoed through the air in an ambiguous, spectral way, like the very mist that enveloped the world.

"There was once a man who could see,
All of the things he could be,
But then with a start,
Up spoke his heart,
Saying he could never be free."

The party then felt a sense of alarm as yelping rose again from the pit, and two more plumes of black smoke flew out from its depths. The smoke formed into creatures, one being another Nightmare Hound, and the other being something new – a large creature that stood on two legs and had a dark beak-like face. The Nightmare Hound sprinted to Imbellem, who donned a look of panic as it leapt upon him, but his armor resisted the long, pitch-black teeth {Nightmare Hound 3 misses Imbellem}.


The other creature, an Omen, advanced upon Mikael and made a powerful swipe with its shadowy claws, which Mikael, too, dodged only barely {Omen misses Mikael}.

Godric continued defending himself from the Nightmare Hound already at his back, batting it away as it repeatedly leapt on him like a ravenous dog {Nightmare Hound 1 misses Godric}.

Falameezen concluded with a poem.

"In this land we seek,
From plains to mountain peak,
But wherever we turn,
We always learn,
That the goal remains mystique."

"All of the children were still,
Standing still on the hill,
Such wonderful courtesy.
Standing so still for me,
And giving me an easy kill!"

From somewhere around the crumbling stone, left of the black pit, lights sprang into being. A bolt of lightning shot forth and struck Godric, who cringed as the electricity coursed through him {Falameezen deals 35 dmg to Godric}. Yet, while he twitched, he managed to fight off the Nightmare Hound, which assaulted him tirelessly {Nightmare Hound 1 misses Godric}.



At the same time, five violets lights soared from the near the stone like small shooting stars, and hit Imbellem feeling less like stars and more like hammers {Falameezen deals 10 dmg to Imbellem}. And, like Godric, he too fought off a Nightmare Hound, its teeth struggling to pierce through his plate armor {Nightmare Hound 3 misses Imbellem}.

Mikael and Ranna exchanged glances as the Omen formed in front of them, now glaring at them with glowing green eyes.

"Of course. . . There had to be a bigger one," groaned Ranna.

She attacked, striking furiously with her sword and dagger, landing two solid blows {Ranna deals 20 dmg to Omen}. The Omen swung its massive, shadowy claw in reply, which Mikael barely ducked {Omen misses Mikael}.


"I'm not sure much longer we can hold off like this!" cried Ranna, readying her blades for the next assault.

"Some travelers went to sleep,
And in dreams they went too deep,
And all thought with woe,
How they didn't know,
That here, we play for keep."


This message was last edited by the GM at 13:22, Sun 12 Feb 2017.