Fairly certain you have finally caught up with the others, relief sags over your adrenaline filled bodies. Silently yelling through the doorway you come to the conclusion that it appears to be safe to enter the glowing blue room.

One of the first things you notice is that the ambient light of the room is not radiating from the dark sconces but from the large contraption in the middle of the room. The chamber is devoid of all furnishings save for three smoldering silver censers hanging from the ceiling, as well as, three large silver braziers set on tripods. These objects are arranged in a double triangular pattern around a suspended, slowly revolving sphere, five or six feet in diameter. Inside the glowing misty blue sphere a humanoid form can be easily seen, only partially obscured by the swirling vapors inside the globe. The censers and braziers each glow with a sputtering pale blue illumination radiating from intricately carved fretwork that decorates each object.

The smell of ozone pierces your senses. Through the pale illumination you can see a corridor heading to the south. The door at the end of the corridor to the south appears to not have been disturbed. Moving about the room you do notice a few things out of place. While it looks as if much has not been disturbed, you each feel a faint breeze of "fresh" air coming from somewhere down near the door leading out of the room to the south.

Rael!hobbles over to the door and half runs to Rael giving him a massive one armed hug lifting him straight off the ground....still holding mighty axe remembers he is still a little out of it and sits down in corner for a moment of rest and to tell Donblas to step it up a notch if he wants more justice done..

Berta curses as Viktor rushes forward, but swiftly follows in his wake, sword at the ready, but point dropping as she breathes with relief at the sight of those she met earlier, if but briefly.

"Point that damned thing at someone else !" she tells Kazim, but with a grin that fades a moment later ...

"It's grim back there ... your friends did a fine job with the guards, but ... the demon ridden corpses were beyond us.  Eclair fell, but these damned hearts - she got back up again and I don't know which scared me more.  Told us to get clear while she held the unliving off.  Then Angrboda dropped the roof on them."

"Now ... what in Vallyn's name is that ?!!" she eyes the sphere, squinting through the mists within to try to make out the occupant.  "Is that the Tenatir ?" her hand tightens on the grip of her blade.

Angrboda rushes after Viktor at first but seeing him go to Rael she stops giving the man a respectful nod of her head she turns her mind to the task at hand.  Circling the sphere she inspects it from as many angles as possible, focusing with her innate ability to see magic, "Has anyone interacted with the sphere?  Does any of you have any knowledge that may be helpful in this?" she asks the group as she works.

OOC:  Do not know what I need to roll for this.

Rael heard Viktor bellow before he saw the man so he knew to sheath his blade back. Even so he nearly pissed his pants when the hulk in the Gothic armor rushed at him, he had to admit one had to have nerve of steel if the giant Pan-tangian came at you in full battle lust.

Whatever other thought he had were lost when he was encased in the iron embrace of Viktor, soon struggling for breath became the goal of his life, that and the silent prayer that his bones would not be pulverized to pulp.

When he finally was able to pull away he took a long breath of air choking slightly "...ahm.. .ahm it is indeed good to see you as well my friend..." he frowns when he manage to examine the giant "Have you been chopping at the guards again? how much of that is your own blood..."

He push the rock of a man to sit down so he could check his vitals and give care to his wounds and ills "What ills you my friend."

He glance at Angrboda and give her a small welcoming smile, it was indeed good to see her, quickly he caught himself and made the smile disappear. She was OK as hell maidens were but there was no point in risking it further.

"The braziers have some sort of lighting trapped inside them... it is released if you touch them... Khazim shot an arrow and the lightning bolts destroyed it... although some of it must have gone through as it destroyed the outer layer of the sphere. Releasing acid fog that did this..." he points at the dead guard.

It was beginning to dawn on him that they were missing Eclair... he heard Berta say something but ignored it for now "Is anyone else hurt? or in need of medicine?" he asks

Holds the arrow for a second longer, just in case. Seeing that the whole of the group seems to be acting normal, he lets loose the tension on his bow and re-sheathes his arrow. Nodding at Raels description he confirms what is said. "Indeed, as I shot my arrow to test the boundaries, lightning did leap from the braziers. Some part of the arrow did make it through the lightning though, and as Rael said, pierced the skin of the sphere." Khazim gets up from his braced position and begins a cautious walk moving to the east side of the room. Glancing to the south for a second he turns back to the assembled group. "I do not know much of magic, I leave that to the wise men of the tribes, but I know of Lightning. I would guess that when metal gets to close, it arcs."

He glances again to the south. "I'm sorry, but that seems to be the direction of the woman in black. I just do not like to leave an opening unattended." He motions with his bow to the half open "concealed" door near the cell block door to the south.

settles down and relaxes a little for the first time in what seemed an eternity...sets his axe down by his side...I think most of the fresh blood is mine, I was stabbed at one point on my side, kind of forgot about that one, I was in good shape until this intense wind came and blew a door in my face followed by this nasty misty smoke..I was caught in a hallway choking to death and bleeding from my mouth...Angrboda saved my life, they both did. looks over at the one handed dead guard and laughs loudly and hysterically...I actually gave her the chance to save her life...looks like Donblas didn't like that chance...there is an evil sorceress dressed in black, do you still have the orb Rael? I think if you want to survive, you need to show it to Angrboda

Remember he snagged a bunch of herbs and other things from the treasure room, unfolds his bag and hands them to Rael...We found a room full of gold, it might be our only way out of this place... throws a gold piece towards Lars and Khazim...and then folds up the gold and his bag and ties it back on his back, next to his small army of weapons.Damn it, I lost my throwing knife...damn it...

"Good idea Khazim... Lars, please secure the other door." he motion to Viktor to sit down shaking his head as he pull out his medicine bag "I'll treat you first as your wounds are the most severe, Berta just need some rest and wine and I have some lotion made from Mountain lotus buds that would help with Angrboda bruises."

He looks at Viktor for a few seconds and nods pulling the little sphere and offering it to the sorceress "Here, see what you can make of it."

"Now be quiet and don't move when I remove the bolt from your side." Rael begin working on Viktor calling for Berta to help hold the giant down when he need him to remain immobilized.

Nodding to Rael, and then motioning to Khazim. "Seems like the guy who can find these things gets the luxury of guarding them. Khazim, Since it was such a long hall, lets see if we can't shed some light at the end and set up something." Lars begins to gather a few of the unlit torches from the sconces and sparks one up. "Much as I do not want to do this, Khazim cover me as I go down the hall and see if I cannot find a few places to place these torches." Absently you here him softly whistle an off kilter shanty as he moves down the hall, torches in hand.

"I'm unscathed," Berta assures Rael, though her attention is on the far door, following the nomad's warning, and she doesn't relax until Khazim and Lars take up guard duty and even then only a little.  "I don't know how much of the corridor was collapsed," she notes, looking to Angrboda. "The passage behind us may still be open ?"

"Hold still," she tells Viktor, her sword now sheathed so her hands are free to hold the big man still as best she can, nodding to Rael to begin his work.

Fuckin Shit Ballsssss!!!!!!!!lays there and takes the pain but lets out multiple loud curses..

Angrboda takes the orb from Rael gingerly, never quite trusting in the magic of others she begins to examine it and the orb in the room, humming to herself as she does.

OOC:  Examining both orbs with witch sight.
01:21, Today: Angrboda rolled 27 using 1d100. Witch Sight: tn:30.
WOOT!

01:18, Today: Angrboda rolled 20 using 1d100. million spheres tn:20.
Awesome!

01:23, Today: Angrboda rolled 43 using 1d100. Idea TN 110.

Quickly in before work

Khazim and Lars begins the arduous task of securing the concealed passage while the rest of the group does their best to discern the floating sphere in the room. Angrboda takes the softball sized orb from Rael. After a few moments of examining it, she turns her attention to the double triangle setup around the larger sphere.

All the while, Viktor does his best to show both Angrboda and Berta what a man he is by "taking the pain". Blood flow from the quarrel renews as the shaft is worked free from his side. Rael works quickly to staunch the wound and dress it as quickly as possible.


[Private to Angrboda:
The orb that Rael gave you is a simple glass globe, containing a greater Fire Elemental. You would guess that all you need to do is shatter the bubble thin glass to release it.

The contraption is another thing entirely. It is a mechanism containing several demons all working together. The Censers and Braziers form a prison for no less than 6 Demons from the Kerg Breed. The Kerg are "Lightning Octopi", the combination of them make a "barrier" as their tentacles would lash out to anything crossing their guarded border.

The Floating Sphere is once again another demon. This docile demons only defense is emitting a confusion mist to disorient potential predators. This demon however is not bound to any object, it IS just floating there. The person on the inside must have been swallowed "intentionally".]

"Quietly would be good," Berta softly chides the big man, without any heat in her rebuke, grimacing herself as she tries to keep him still for Rael to work, sympathetic to the pain Viktor is in but unable to do anything about it.

"That's the worst of it," she offers helplessly as Rael sets aside the bolt.

Angrboda turns to Rael as she studies the orbs, "What exactly were you told to do with this orb?" she asks, holding up the small orb.

Need some wine...Figures he should be quiet and grunts a little and squeezes Berta's hand as Rael finishes...thinks of reaching for his wine but remembers what happened last time he grabbed his wine...

Thanks Rael...anything useful with the herbs I took from the treasure room...Angrboda we were never given direction on the orb...the witch just said it would help us defeat our enemies...slowly gets up and sits down in a corner...being rather quiet...looks at the guard whose arm is chopped off and starts to chuckle a little...pulls out his winesack and notices his teeth marks and blood on it but takes several large drinks and laughs some more...looks at the sphere and then his mighty axe..
This message was last edited by the player at 04:38, Thu 02 July 2015.

"And don't be so pleased with yourself !" the big woman scolds Viktor with feigned crossness, once it seems he's recovering somewhat, shaking her head as he sips from his winesack, and taking it off him ... only to take a few sips herself before handing it back.

"'Defeat enemies' doesn't sound much like 'free the prisoner'," Berta suggests.  "We might try breaking the glass with something that is not fashioned from metal - wood from one of those chairs, perhaps."

"Save that there's the acid gas as well as the lightning ..."

Rael shakes his head "Nothing much, just the cryptic message for your enemies." he explain to Angrbodaa searching his pouch for the crumpled note.

He was about to berate Viktor for not resting when he catch a whiff of the new herbs, trying not to coo he quickly finds a place to sit, examining Viktor loot while pull a worn leather bound journal full to the brim with notes.

Angrboda sighs, "Well this...." she says indicating the small glass orb, "Seems to be a break it and release the fire elemental inside.  That however...." she says, pointing at the massive magical prison in front of her, "is a conglomeration of 7 demons.  I don't know how your patron expected you to get through that without a sorcerer in the group."  She sets about trying to make some sort of rhyme or reason to the whole set up.

Khazim and Lars did you find the gold piece I threw at you?Berta we could have a fun night on the town...if we don't get killed and we actually escape...don't worry Rael I am resting...what if my axe went through the sphere...it is blessed by Donblas...lays back against a wall and relaxes a little...letting his guard down and checking out Berta offering her more wine...

Before Eclair gave her life for us she seemed to be almost demonic...do these hearts we have have something to do with the sphere?

Rael nods as he stand up and take back the orb, he circle around the sphere "I am not sure she cared how far we will get... we are not the first team." his hand creep to the talisman on his chest shivering slightly.

"I think it is all a game for her, if we are successful all the better if not, we managed to annoy her nemesis."

He glance at Viktor "In this town my friend, you'll get your behind squeezed and fondled... that is if the sorceress queen would not have our head on a spike."

Khazim side glaces at the large Pan Tangian. "Right now I'm more interested in getting out alive. Gold, when you are dead, is worth nothing. If you are so interested in it, why do you not keep it for Lars and I, that is until we are out of here." Daring to keep his eyes away from Lars for a second longer. "This hallway goes on for some while. We could hazzard another shot at the sphere and duck back into this passage as we had before."

After a few moments Lars returns from down the tunnel. "I've spaced out several torches so that it is not in complete darkness. The end of the tunnel curls around to a tight staircase going up. If the lady in black went this way she is on another level by now. Possibly even gathering reinforcements."

chuckles as he realizes the gold pieces were still in his hand and puts them into a small pouch on his armor and mimics Khazim...realizes between the wine, head trauma and loss of blood...he is a bit drunk.

"Behave," Berta grins at Viktor as she borrows his wine skin once more.  "Perhaps Eclair won," she suggests to him, perhaps optimistically.  "Perhaps those things prey on human flesh or life force ... Eclair didn't seem human any more."

The sphere though is a conundrum.  Where Berta had been hoping for a locked door that could be picked or broken, this magical impediment is much of a frustration.

"I'm all for the direct approach," she tells Angrboda, shushing Viktor, and holding on to the wine skin as she notices he's feeling a little the worse for wear, "if that's our best option.  The bitch-queen went to a lot of effort to get us all here, and I can't believe it was just to annoy Media - so we should be able to get the Tenatir out of this."  Her brow furrows a moment.  "So the fire elemental is the Tenatir ?   Don't suppose he ... it would be capable of disposing of seven demons ?"

Takes the winesack back and takes one more drink and puts it away...lays back and passes out cold...zzzzzzzzzzzzz....mumbles something about chickens, and chopping off arms...his axe laying next to him and his hand on his bandage...

Angrboda looks at the large man irritably, "How can he pass out when we have this..." she says pointing to the demon laden prison cell, "to deal with?"  She contemplates it for a few moments and her eyes light up, "The towers in Imrryr have tall metal poles that direct lightning strikes to the ground harmlessly.  Perhaps we could construct some sort of thing that directs the demons lightning attacks away from us?"

"Well beyond Viktors giant axe, which I doubt he will part with, we do not have much." A second later he crooks his head to the side and starts to walk over towards Angrboda. "Just keep an eye out Khazim." He tosses over his shoulder. "We do not have much." As he strides past Angrboda and over to the fallen guard. Bending down he pulls on the sheath at the woman's belt. "But they all had longswords. How many did you kill back in the hall? All we would have to do is go back and get them."

Berta frowns at Viktor, then at the wineskin, taking it from him once more and putting the opening to her nose , sniffing it suspiciously. "Delicate, are you ?" she inquires archly of the unconscious man.  "Unless you slipped him something ?" she asks Rael, though without rancour, remembering the concoction the pale man prepared earlier, but considering the big man's lapse into repose perhaps beneficial.  "Let him sleep for now," she suggests, "he's probably less trouble this way.  Him I don't fancy carrying !"

Angrboda's mention of the towers of her homeland is familiar territory to Berta, for all she takes little notice of such wonders.  "Metal, aye ... those swords are lost to us, at least for now," she tells Khazim, unwilling to brave that passage again, even if they can, unless she must, "but I have a dozen bolts," setting aside the skin, she pulls one from her quarrel, a metal rod about a foot and a half long, "and I saw a few more back in the guard room ..."

Berta examines the area around the sphere, brow furrowed as she struggles to recall what details she can of the mechanisms in Ilmoria that dissipate the lightning.  "They draw the energy away into the ground, aye," she agrees with Angrboda, "though generally the skies send us but a single strike, whereas this sphere ... perhaps if we surrounded it with metal ?  Three on the ground ... three more hung from those censers ?  It might work ..."  She looks to the pale woman for her opinion, ready to hand over the bolts that Angrboda might place them to best effect.

Rael shakes his head as he examines the herbs he got from Viktor "I'll have to sort them out carefully, most I recognize for different healing application... some I do not and they worry me."

He glance at Viktor and kneel next to him to check his pulse "What I gave him should not have made him fall asleep not unless he was in a very bad shape..." he pats the giant hand "Sleep well my friend."

He glance at the sphere "This thing is magic... do you think simple metal rod would help?" he motions at the braziers "The source of the lightning came from these do you think we could destroy them in some other fashion?"

Rael closed his eyes suppressing a shiver "Or maybe just use the elemental and have it destroy the brazier and the demons?"

Just as he said that something else occurred to him "Angrboda, are these demons still that... would a charm that protects from demons work on them or are they more like a thing now their essence changed?"

mumbles a few things about chopping....puts his hand on his axe and chuckles a little...his mind wanders and he dreams of Donblas and asks for his help on dealing with more justice...

Angrboda processes the situation more in her head before speaking, "There is no Chaos symbol so it is possible that if we disrupted the focal points," she indicates the three braziers, "that it would free the demons but I am unsure if they would be free to wreck havoc among us or if they would go back to their own plane.  It is also possible that they are bound to the points themselves, which would imply that if we could figure out a way to safely move them we could place them somewhere out of range of us.  It is also possible that they will be grateful to us for freeing them and leave us alone to create more Chaos somewhere else.  A charm protecting against demons should work depending on its abilities."

wakes up and looks around a little...slowly gets up and swings his axe around...feeling much better and somewhat rejuvenated...looks at the guard and chuckles...looks at the sphere...I heard demons....can I smash the sphere?

"The metal rods should at least direct the demons' departure from the sphere away from us," Berta suggests.  "After that we can bargain with them or rely on what sorcerous protections you can raise."

Viktor's return to the land of the waking adds further impetus to discovering a solution.  "Whatever we're going to do, we'd best do it quickly - before Salrenna returns, either alone or with other help."

With a shrug, Berta starts to position metal bolts around the sphere, lined up with what she hopes are the focal points.  "It can't hurt," she mumbles, hopefully.

Seeing Berta make a move towards the contraption Khazim calls out. "Wait! my Arrow triggered the lightning when it went between the braziers. I wouldn't go sticking anything between them. Everyone is talking of focal points and disrupting them. Why don't we just make Viktor strip to his skivvies, you know no metal, and have him move one?"

Rael shakes his head glaring at Khazim "No, Viktor is in no condition do such foolhardy stunt. Beside we need him armored and armed to delay the guards or whatever else the sorceress queen toss our way."

His throat felt dry and he took a step toward the braziers "I on the other hand have no metal armor, I have a blessing that would protect me from demons and the least useful in a fight. You all take cover in the secret corridor while I'll break the focal point and release the demons."

In the ballads the hero always felt virtuous when he offered such a thing the only thing Rael felt was that he was about to soil his pants and all his instincts where shouting to him to run away. Regardless, he knew the truth from all their numbers he was the most expendable the lease useful of the group too small to wield weapons and no magic to fend for himself, no he was the most logical choice.

Are you sure on this Rael? I know Khazim and the other girls would like to see me strip...chuckles....walks over to the secret passage and winds up his axe like he is going to swing...motioning everyone else behind him and far enough to stay out of the path of his axe...nods to Rael...

Angrboda shakes her head, whether in frustration or just to emphasize her comments is difficult to tell, "No, no, no, Lightning will strike a person not wearing metal too." she says, "I was thinking if we could get so rope and lasso the braziers individually we could pull them out of alignment."

Looks at Rael and starts laughing because he just got in trouble...not daring to look at Angrboda...she is scary when she is mad....shudders and looks for some rope....maybe the guard has laces he could take....                                               rolled 8 and 14
This message was last edited by the player at 16:05, Mon 06 July 2015.

Are you sure on this Rael? Viktor had ask

No, I am not sure at all he wanted to shout after the big man but all he managed was a weak smile and a nod.

Than Angrboda had spoken and for one brief second the hell maiden appeared as his guardian angel. "If the source of the lightning is demonic and that demon is sentient I think my charm would protect me." he said in a unsure tone.

Thinking he pulled the two items he took from their dead companions what seem ages ago, the necklace and hand held mirror offering both to Angrboda "I know not if these are enchanted or not see if you can decipher their meaning and if they would be useful for us."

He nods at Viktor suggestion "Yes, we could use her cloth and cloak as a make shift rope. It won't hold us if we need to climb down a wall but it should be enough to pull of one the braziers."

Pulling his knife Rael began cutting long strips of cloth from the dead guards cloths muttering a prayer of penance for disturbing the dead.

[Private to GM: These are Corvus's necklace with a tiny conch shell and Spooky hand held mirror]

Viktor goes and rips off the dead guards blouse...accidentally gropes her a couple times and chuckles...takes the cloth and does what Rael is doing but pulling the cloth across his axe to cut it...smiles because he gets to clean his axe in the process...

Angrboda takes the two items, exhausted as she is she dare not leave any stone unturned if she wants to make sure her new friends "Friends?  Yes I suppose they are actually friends now." and her survive this.  "Besides, there is a massive horde here that needs to be used." she says out loud as she peers at the items.

09:55, Today: Angrboda rolled 14 using 1d100. Witch Sight: tn:30.

Rael sets to making a decent rope out of the clothes and items from the prior two rooms. After several minuets of rapid knot tying there is a decent enough rope to lasso a brazier and still stand a few feet away. All the while Berta has taken it upon herself to lash together a few of the bolts. The ending result appears to be a length of metal long enough to touch a brazier to a censer. Gathering the several she had made she sets off to the contraption and begins studying the various points.

Lars and Khazim return to monitoring the secret passage with renewed interest.

Berta, after a few seconds, slides one of the lengths between the censer and a brazier. Letting it flop into position there is a great spark and flash of light as energy races along the metal shaft. After the spots clear from everyone's eyes, you can see the smoldering remnants of the bolts as slag on the ground. The fretwork of the braziers and censers glow somewhat angrily with bluish light.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:00, Tue 07 July 2015.

Does that mean that our idea didn't work? looks towards the sphere...

Engrossed in her task, Berta was barely aware of the conversation around her, and starts as the rod she'd fashioned sparks and melts, then breathes out deeply as naught inimical follows hard upon it.

"I think that's a good thing," the big woman tells Viktor.  "At least nobody was hurt by it.  We need to do that for the other focus points as well.  Get those spare bolts from the guardroom," she nods in the right direction as she returns to her labours, working more swiftly now she's more assured as to what needs to be done.

Shrugs his shoulders and nods as he walks away to get the other bolts...finds them in the other room and brings them to Berta....finds a clear spot and swings his axe around...preparing for the next round of battle...be it demons...oozing zombie mummies or evil witches...

Rael mouse is drawn in to a thin line as he watch the fate of the bolts. The notion he volunteered to be that bolt just a moment ago was not lost on him and he knew not enough gods to pray his thanks to the big woman for saving him from such a doom.

"Should we just pull at the brazier and try to topple it over?" he asks Angrboda, trusting her judgment in the matters of the arcane.

Berta looks to Angrboda too, deferring to her, though offers her own opinion on the matter.

"I do not think it would work - the trick seems to be to bridge the gap, and if the brazier was sacrificed there'd be naught at the far end of that short line to complete the arc ?"  She's puzzling it out as she goes, from memories of something in which she was wholly disinterested at the time, though moreso now !

"In any event, if this is working, then we should persevere.  Come," she tells Rael, emptying the rest of the bolts from her quiver onto the ground and tearing another strip of cloth, looking to Angrboda too, but not quite daring to command her, "help me fashion some more - join three together like so ... the faster we can do this the better ..."

Do you need my help on this or should i go scout out the secret passage?walks over and slices some more clothing on his axe and hands them to Berta....

Berta nods her thanks for the bindings, stealing a quick glance at Rael before she replies to Viktor.  "I'd feel better with you guarding our backs."

Glancing up to be sure he's out of earshot, she confides to the pale man, "I've seen him fight ... fearsome to behold, but this requires a more delicate touch to place the rods correctly ..."

Nods to Berta and walks towards the secret passage and enters it looking around a little to see if anything is unusual and listens to the walls to hear if anyone or anything might be coming...Lars and Khazim it seems to be quiet, they know we are here.  What do you think they are planning?






23:01, Today: Viktor rolled 44 using 1d100. listen.

23:01, Today: Viktor rolled 65 using 1d100. search.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:02, Thu 09 July 2015.

As Viktor brushes by Khazim he speaks up.
"I had offered my thoughts Viktor. I see no need to prattle on about things I know nothing about. The passage is clear, but who knows what other passages there are. I watch instead of talk so that we are not ambushed. If you wish to go down that passage I will cover you as I have covered Lars." Khazim eyes up the rather large axe that Viktor commonly uses.

"It was hard enough to squeeze by each other in there. I think you need a more delicate weapon in such a tight space."

Seeing that Viktor has decided to take his spot in watching the passage Lars returns to the group. Slinging his own axe to the side he looks the contraption over to see if there is any revelation to this mystery.

"So what do you need me to do?" He eyes up the improvised lighting rods being made by Berta and Rael. Grabbing two of the bolts he begins to help lash them together.

Berta watches Lars for a second. "Exactly that," she nods. "Three of them - doesn't have to be pretty, just has to hold for long enough ..."

Once her own three bolts are assembled, Berta will carefully slide them between the next censer/brazier pair.

Rael glance at Viktor "I agree, he has his moments but subtlety is not his thing." he tells Berta in a hush voice.

He glance at their handiwork "Are you sure this is going to work?" he asks "I mean as far as we know the cursed thing is powered by magic and would just never run out of lightning."

Nods at Khazim...straps on his axe which almost reaches the top of the passage and grabs his crossbow thing he was taught earlier...loads up a bolt and looks at Khazim and points to the crossbow and gives a thumbs up...if anything he can use it to hit someone...walks towards the end of the passage....

Angrboda studies the contraption now that it has changed, "I am not seeing anything change in the power of the thing but it could have been to subtle for me to notice in my tired state." she says as she rubs her temples. [Secret to Angrboda: Tiny drop, so tiny, each time a wave hits a rock it lessens. ]

OOC:18:46, Today: Angrboda rolled 75 using 1d100. Witch Sight: tn:30.
Sorry guys it had to fail sometime....lol
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:49, Fri 10 July 2015.

Lars finishes lashing a handful of rods together, if anything a sailor can do knots quickly. Gathering the few in his hand he walks to the opposite side of the contraption and looks at those assembled. "Think we should drop a bunch of these rods at the same time, see if we can get them demons to spend on each other?" Looking at the rope that Rael had made. "Angrboda, what do you think would happen if we moved one of them points on the ground out of alignment and then place the rods so that they all channel into it? I'm guessing that the breaking of the triangle might also break the bond funneling everything into one. Either we break it or get one hell of a pissed off lighting demon."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:51, Fri 10 July 2015.

Viktor swaps out his trusty axe for a far more elegant weapon of the crossbow. At least a single shot would be easy to get off in those tight confines. Advancing down the hall to the end, it turns a corner and begins to ascend up a tight stairwell. The stairwell is interrupted by a short landing with a choice of either continuing up the stairwell, or by diverting on to what must be the ground floor. The light begins to fade here as the torches that were placed by Lars does not go any further.

The contraption seems to pulse with a faint blue light, as if it waited for the furthering "attack" on their defenses. Lars and Berta stand on opposing sides ready to drop their makeshift lightning rods into the contraption. Rael carefully ties his own makeshift rope to a small spot around the legs where he is able to get to without actually crossing the line. Accidentally brushing against the brazier a few times you can see that he has not been shocked. Though when he is finished it is plainly evident that the hairs along his arms are standing straight as soldiers.

The man sized orb silently hangs in the air, slowly turning. Swirling patterns cross the surface in an almost hypnotic pattern. The outline of a humanoid thing, in a fetal position, is seen inside the demonic prison. No movement is seen in the form, you can sense that whatever is inside is not conscious of what is transpiring outside those thin spherical walls.

"On the count of three..." Rael tells the other as he wipe his forehead with the end of his sleeve.

"Ready..."

"One..." what am I doing...
"Two..." I am so going to get fried...
Gods above and below have mercy... "Three..."

On the count of three with the others Rael pulls the rope trying to topple his brazier.

Angrboda stands there tensely, hoping she has not just led them all to their deaths with her advice.  She watches as Rael topples his brazier, hoping that it doesn't release the demon as a free entity.  "Although, if we could take these with us or set them up behind us as we retreat they could prove useful." she says thoughtfully.

Looks around a bit and decides not to go any further...starts to walk back towards Khazim and see how the rest of the group is doing...

Lars suggestion is as good as any, so Berta shrugs her acquiescence, getting ready the rods she has prepared and dropping them into position on Rael's count, lips tightening at the "Three", though she does not invoke any help from the Higher Powers.  At least not out loud ...

At the hesitant count of three something miraculous happens. Tensions, as well as electricity, fills the air. Rael Heaves mightily on the makeshift rope in an effort of move the large brazier.

SKREEEEEECH

The brazier moves, slightly out of alignment with the rest of the triangle, though only a few inches. With the loud screaching noise causing a second of hesitation, both Berta and Lars toss their lightning rods into the rest of the contraption with the hopes of disrupting the other focus points. All seems to be going well, lightning races down the makeshift lightning rods dissipating into the ground. Beneath the crackle you are beginning to hear a kind of humming noise, slowly gaining in intensity.

Then everything stops, the lighting, the hum, the air. Everything except the sphere in the middle, still slowly turning. Then you feel it, a pressure like one would expect when visiting Praray's shipyards is felt all around you. The contraption detonates in a great shockwave of noise knocking those gathered around off their feet. Dazed, your ears ring in silence, you can feel a tiny trickle of blood running out of your nose. Dusting yourselves off your are mostly unharmed, dazed, temporarily deaf, but unharmed. The glow of the fretwork fade into nothingness, plunging the room into darkness. The only light comes from the torches lit by Lars near the entrance to the secret passage and a soft purplish glow from the still intact sphere. Still hanging a few feet off the ground, still slowly turning, hypnotic patterns twisting away on it's surface.


Your body screams in alarm. You just know they heard that detonation elsewhere in the castle.

"Well," Angrboa winces as she stands and dusts herself off, "Not the best solution but it did fix that problem.  Now what to do about this?" she says as she approaches the cocoon looking demon.

Rael slowly pick himself from the floor dusting himself and making sure all his limbs and digits are still attached.

"What?" he asks thinking Angrboda said something "Oh... the Tenatir. We need to find some way to break the thing and let the Tenatir out. Do you have any ideas?"

The detonation knocks Lars on his backside causing him to drop the remaining lightning rod. Letting the spare rod fall from his hands he pulls himself up from his undignified position. "Dang, I do not think I've ever woke up after a night of fun in as much pain as I'm in right now." Staggering to his feet he takes a quick look around. "Everyone Ok?"

Realizing that he is barely hearing anything over his own ears ringing he looks to the others also getting up. Taking a second to cough, he flashes everyone a thumbs up.

Hears something loud and grabs a torch and holds it against his crossbow and walks quickly back to the room to make sure everyone is ok...still keeping an eye on the hallway..

Still alive.  Berta lies on the ground for a moment, really wanting to stay where she is for a while ... and then struggles to rise as she really doesn't want to lay about any longer with the realisation that the noise will bring Salrenna ... and Wise Vallyn only knows whoever else can find their way here, blocked passageway not withstanding.

Everyone else seems alright, at least up and moving though the ringing in her ears is drowning out whatever they might be saying.  Attention seems focused on the thrice damnded sphere which seems to have survived the light and thunder without so much as a crack, though it remains to be seen if it can withstand more mundane methods of breaching now that, she hopes, its magical protections have dissipated.

"STAND BACK," the big woman warns, drawing her blade and swinging it two-handed at the sphere ...

[Private to GM: aiming to crack the sphere and hopefully pull up the blade before it might strike the creature within, whatever that involves.  Did a skill check on the longsword anyway ... :>

12:40, Today: Berta rolled 35 using 1d100. Longsword. vs 105 - Success
]

After seeing what Berta is doing...hands fhe torch to Rael and slings back on his crossbow and grabs his mighty axe back in his hands where it belongs...ready for anything and hoping it is time to fight....

Angrboda moves into the path of the huge sword, "What are you doing?" she asks the massive woman, "I do not believe your instructions were to bring two halves of a prisoner back."

Berta barely manages to stop her downward swing.  "WHAT ?" she strains to hear Angrboda as she allows the point of her sword to drop, heart pounding at the nearness of what might well have been a killing blow, able only to guess at the smaller woman's complaint.  "I'M GOING TO CRACK THIS SPHERE OPEN.  GET HIM OUT."

"WE MUST HURRY !"

Angrboda turns back to examine the sphere and pokes at it experimentally with her dagger, "This demon seems to be relatively weak, we should be able to just peel it off of the prisoner." she says as she tries to cut into it without harming the prisoner.

Berta opens her mouth to shout again, but her jaw closes as Angrboda turns her back, and she shrugs questioningly to Viktor.

Shaking her head, trying to regain her hearing, the big woman takes an involuntary pace backwards, bringing her sword to a guard position.  [Private to GM: looks like the mighty sword blow approach is off the table.  :>]

Shrugs back to Berta and laughs a little...winds up his axe just in case the demon is stronger then the seductive Angrboda thinks he is...

Rael shrugs as Viktor hand him the torch. If Berta and Viktor wanted a crack at the demon Rael would not stand in their way. He moved to the side tilting the torch so that it would give them good illumination on the prisoning sphere.

Hey Berta I think Rael wants this one... laughs and spins his axe around a little to get warmed up and ready to cut up whatever might appear...

Stalking about the floating orb, Angrboda prevents the forceful efforts of Berta. She calmly explains what she knows about the spherical demon holding the shadowy individual captive. Drawing a dagger she reaches forward to caress the demons skin.


POP!

The barest hint of the blade poking into it's skin causes it to deflate like a bursting boil on a plague victim. The Demons skin whips back as it shrinks into a tiny membrane ball before being lost in the fog that quickly begins to fill the room again. The gangly figure from inside the sphere drops unceremoniously to the ground hardly making a noise. You catch, in the scant second before your brain begins to scream RUN!, a glimpse of a black skinned figure. The smell of lotus blossoms and musk drift through the air causing a warmth to spread through your body. You find it getting increasing difficult to think straight. Right now the best thing in the world would be to simply lay down on let your weary muscles and bones absorb this delicious warmth about you.

[Private to Khazim; Viktor: You are unaffected by this, while it smells REALLY nice, you are not feeling the effects of the drug.]

16:20, Today: The Grey Lords, on behalf of Viktor, rolled 7 using 1d100. Mist tn 50. - Pass
16:19, Today: The Grey Lords, on behalf of Rael Gol, rolled 63 using 1d100. Mist tn 40. - Fail
16:18, Today: The Grey Lords, on behalf of Lars K'Rusome, rolled 50 using 1d100. Mist tn 35. - Fail
16:18, Today: The Grey Lords, on behalf of Khazim, rolled 6 using 1d100. Mist tn 60. - Pass
16:18, Today: The Grey Lords, on behalf of Berta, rolled 79 using 1d100. Mist tn 55. - Fail
16:17, Today: The Grey Lords, on behalf of Angrboda, rolled 56 using 1d100. Mist tn 40. - Fail

Run we should run Rael thought lazily... but he was so tired and it was so nice and warm here what harm would it be to just take a moment rest to close his heavy eyelids.

Slowly Rael sinks to the ground, some part of him tries to shout that this was wrong but the warmth the pleasure was so alluring there was no fear or pain within the warmth only bliss.

Rael slowly sinks to the floor with a blank expression on his face.

Sensing something is seriously wrong with everyone else...Rael get up you fool...why are you laying there?  sees the flash of black and attempts to swing at it...




17:01, Today: Viktor rolled 4 using 1d100. axe .
17:01, Today: Viktor rolled 9 using 4d6. damage.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:14, Tue 14 July 2015.

"Viktor WAIT!" Khazim, who also seems to be unaffected by the strange mist, launches himself at the giant Pan Tangian. Khazim grabs Viktor's arm on the backswing in a quick battle of strength to hold the swing. "Think you damn rock! It was a Prison!"

19:09, Today: Khazim rolled 1 using 1d100. Wrestle tn 25.
*GM Edit* 19:15, Today: The Grey Lords, on behalf of Khazim, rolled 28 using 1d100. STR vs STR tn 30. - Pass
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:17, Tue 14 July 2015.

Stops his swing as he gets grabbed by Khazim...I suggest you unhand me but I am glad to see you were not harmed like the others...what happened?

Seeing that his actions stopped the potential slaughter of an innocent Khazim lets go of Viktors arm. "The outer layer was poison. This inner layer seems to make people lethargic." His eyes widen and he lets loose a low whistle. "What would have happened if my arrow pierced both? We would have choked to death and not cared... Devious" Khazim kneels down near Lars and snaps his fingers. "Hey, You ok? You able to cast that wind spell again?"

Seeing the diffused look on everyone's faces he stands back up. Turning to Viktor "Your From Pan Tang, don't you know any magic?"

Still reeling from the earlier blast, Berta has few reserves with which to fight the strange lethargy that assails her.  Indeed it is only the ingrained habits of standing watch that keep her on her feet for even a few seconds before she falls heavily to the ground, sword slipping from her grasp.

Get up you stupid bitch.  So she tells herself, though in truth for the moment she's not even able to raise her lids, let alone stand.

If I did know some Pan Tang magic it is usually evil...straps his axe back on since he can't kill anyone and walks over towards Berta and puts his arm around the beautiful woman and lifts her up and to help her walk and repay her kindness from earlier...once she is up he offers a hand to Rael to get up and stabilize himself...

Viktor moves over to help a few poeple up. Offering his assistance, each person easily stands, as if Viktors will alone were causing them to move. However as soon as those few get to their feet and Viktor moves on, they stand unmoving in the last position left. This harkens back to those prisoners found earlier with the slavers. Completely docile requiring some outside force to make them move. In turn Viktor moves to each one letting himself be the anchor that each person needs to stand.

Soon those effected are at least standing after the initial drugged assault. Standing like zombies, each drugged person's eyes scream at those two who can move to do something.

"We had to move out of range the last time to get out of the effects. I saw Lars cast a wind spell, I'm not sure what Angrboda has left in her. I say we move those two out of the room till they recover. This mist does not seem to be dissipating." Khazim coughs a few times as the mist get caught in his throat, still raw from the poison inhaled earlier. Clearing his throat from the mucus "Why don't we just lead  them all out?" He grabs Lars by the hand and starts to lead him towards the guard station.

Yes let's get everyone out of this room, wonder why we were not affected by the mist? I hope they snap out of this soon before we get company...grabs Angrboda and Berta and leads them out of the room...trying to behave himself in the process and goes back for Rael to get him to safety..

Angrboda strains against the pull of the drug, "Stupid woman, of course it was a trap." she thinks as she tries desperately to voice a spell, suddenly her voice and arms begin moving and she is casting but it doesn't feel like she is casting.  "Is this some weird aspect of the demon drug?" she questions as the final syllables fly out of her mouth and a breeze begins to blow the drug away from the group.

... and suddenly she's standing.  Eyes flicker open, to see Viktor pulling on her arm, Angrboda, close by.  Let me be ! she yells at the Pan Tangian, but of course no sound comes out, as he half pushes, half drags them, her legs all but sliding across the stone slabs, feeling like leaden weights.

Not even enough volition to fall, much as she wants that more than anything. Just standing there, helpless ...

Stealing the momentum offered by others Angrboda is pulled to her feet. In a stiff and jerky action she pulls away from Viktor nearly loosing her balance. "[Language unknown: Sonbleive Ekhour i]" Stiffly moving a few feet away you see Angrboda pull a dragon winged dagger from her belt. Familiar words spring from her mouth, her body sways in a stiff, almost puppet like manner.

Slowly a breeze begins to pick up. Viktors nose begins to tingle in familiarity. Khazim also recognizing what is about to happen dives to the ground pulling the malleable Lars down with him.

"[Language unknown: Iouanddin urmosi, Ble ove Ingwhista, Wilromany wernotove diera omsios antio,  Evplna le arinlo, Th i p!]" Angrboda's arms fling out to the side as the wind begins to clear the mists from the room. Swirling from around Angrboda the winds pick up the mist in a swirling vortex and begin to shove it out of the room. Both the secret passage and the guard room equally take their portion of the mist as it blows through the dungeon. In but a few seconds the room is cleared out. Angrboda suddenly jerks and falls to the ground in such a fashion as a puppet with her strings cut.

Lying on the ground, near Angrboda, is the black skinned "man". His skin is a strange satiny-black color, covered with what appears to be tattoos. Looking a bit closer you can see that the tattoos are shifting and moving in much the same pattern as the spherical demon was. There seems to be a sense of peace about him, the kind that only children portray when they are safe and asleep in their own bed. Occasionally a tiny "Meep" escapes his lips as you can tell he is slowly beginning to regain consciousness.

Rael stood there where Viktor place him floating in a warm fuzzy cloud. It was interesting, part of his mind registered what was happening to him. It was an experience to learn from perhaps on how to create an antidote for this drug.

Rather than resisting it or fighting the effect, he rode it out making sure to analysis any feeling or other phenomena he felt.

Gets up after kneeling on the ground during the wind and keeping an eye on Berta and Rael as they floated through the mighty winds...Angrboda are you able to walk?  Khazim I am going stand guard over this man on the ground...keep an eye on the room openings...gets out his mighty axe just in case and waits to see what happens...

With the mists gone, your thoughts slowly become clearer. After several minuets you start to regain bits and pieces of control. Like waking from a deep sleep that you can not shake, you regain full consciousness. The black skinned man also stirs and gets to his feet slowly. Standing his full height he easily stands over seven feet tall. Rubbing his eyes and stretching he long gangly limbs he gives off the impression of a cat just waking from a long nap. His face portrays a look of bemusement with a hint of a childlike curiosity gleaming behind his large solid black eyes. He turns to everyone in the room and with a childlike voice he utters a single word. "Meep"

He returns to looking about the room. Seeing Angrboda crumpled in a head on the ground near him, he bends over and begins to poke and prod her form. Large slender fingers drift between touching her hair, the shirt she is wearing, anything shiny that glints, in much the way that someone experiencing the sense of touch for the first time would.

[Private to Angrboda: His touch is warm and tingly, like touching a plasma ball.]

I am Viktor and she is Angrboda....letting his axe down a little...points to himself and then Angrboda...watches in case he gets a little too hands on

Rael shakes his head and like from a bad dream he wakes back to his body. Slowly he lift his hand so he can watch his finger move.

He was too sluggish to help in a fight... who was he kidding even without the drug he was not that much of a warrior. He willed himself to move to stand next to the black giant.

"Well, what do you know, we were sent to free a demon." He shakes his head slowly from side to side. "After all we have just gone through, it does not surprise me." Shrugging his shoulders as if resigning himself to fate he walks back over towards the secret passage.
"If what is said is true and the main stairwell is blocked. This must be the only way out. That is unless we go through that area that no one wants to go through."
Looking back at the black thing "What are we supposed to do with that? It is like a child, I doubt it could fight if we needed it to."

Unlike Rael, the warrior-woman has no interest in the strange lassitude that holds her in thrall, other than being rid of it.  Unable to react, she stands, buffeted by the winds Angrboda has summoned ... until they carry away the torporous mists and fresh air fills her lungs.

Slowly the sorcerous effects wear off, though for all her strength no more quickly than the pale man close by - perhaps his knowledge of potions have given him some advantage in that regard, she ponders.

But at last Berta can move again, if only to slump against the wall as she waits for full use of her limbs to return, then to stagger back through the doorway, first to regain her sword, then to regard the freed prisoner.

"We must keep moving," her tongue is thick in her mouth as she echoes Kazim's concern.  "The palace guard will find a way through eventually ... and we still have Salrenna to deal with."

Shaking off the sleep, Lars pulls himself back to a standing position. "Dammit, I aint been that much on my ass since my last time in Menji." A smile creeps across his lips. "Damn, wish I were back there again!" Seeing the lanky black person poking and prodding Angrboda he shirks a bit back. "What the hell!" Noticing for the first time that the swirling tattoos are shifting a slightly confused, yet impressed, look crosses his face. "Well I'll be damned, that is one impressive bit of inkwork."

After finishing with his marvel at their implied target of their search he addresses Viktor and Angrboda. "You think the way you got in is open? That might be the only way back out thanks to the collapsed hallway."

I think the way we came in is open...I can find my knife and we can get more gold and herbs....MEEP MEEP...offers his hand to the new demon....and helps Angrboda get up...puts his hand on his chest I am Viktor touches Angrboda's shoulder She is Angrboda and you are? points to the demon
This message was last edited by the player at 03:26, Sat 18 July 2015.

Still foggy, Berta belatedly realises what has Lars and Viktor so concerned, but before she can say or do anything, the big man has pulled Angrboda from his clutches.

"If the passageway is open," the big woman tries to think, "then there's still the Syferan guard and those demon-bound creatures, unless one's taken care of the other or Eclair took care of them all."

"I'm with Kazim - if there's a way out down there," she nods towards the other passageway, "then we should take it."

Another thought.  "Dare we risk delaying another minute or so ?  That'd give me time to put on Yara's armour ... wearing it I might be able to bluff anyone we meet - at least enough to get close."

Angrboda struggles away from the creature touching her, "I did not," she begins struggling to get to her feet, fury evident on her face, she stands gasping a bit, [Language unknown: "Terac ulut ameanywil asceeiuton ai thilac ng!"] she practically screams at the man, she seems to calm down a bit when she manages to stand, smoothing her clothing she speaks, "I am Angrboda, the blood in my veins is the same that runs in that of the Imperial line of Melniboné and you dare touch me without my permission?" she looks at the tattooed man imperiously "We are here to rescue you.  You will either come willingly or tied up but you will come." she says as she slowly staggers over to Viktor's massive frame.  Placing her frail hand upon his arm she leverages herself to stand firm, "What is your decision?"

The strange black humanoid cringes back as Angrboda explodes at him. Surprise and shock covers his expressing as he lets forth a tiny "meep". Looking around as if she were yelling at someone else. As the yelling stops, the black skinned man looks about in wonder and amazement at everything. Seeing the Braziers and censers, he moves over towards them with a look if insane curiosity plastered across his face. Squatting down near one of the Braziers he reaches out towards the intricate fretwork designing the sides of the object.

Long, delicate fingers, touch the brazier and suddenly pull back. An innocent smile creeps across his face as he resumes touching the giant silver object and begins to caress the fretwork and trace the various paths. "Ohhhhhhh!" you can hear him croon. His attention so thoroughly caught, it is plain that he has completely disregarded the threat issued just moments earlier.

So far the group's luck has held. With the main stairway blocked, it seems fairly logical that those above are finding a hard time getting down. Occasionally, echoing from down hallway from the guards room, you hear the shifting of some of the dirt. The noises however are not consistent with shoveling. Noises from where Eclair was left has also ceased to happen. As far as you can tell, you and your small band is all that is left living down in these dungeon halls.

[Private to Berta: The plate seems fairly simple, should only take a few minuets to put on, given you having some help.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:09, Sun 19 July 2015.

"Sometimes the stray calf has to be tied in order to the camp to move. I'm in favor of tethering this one so we can get going." Out of the corner of his eye he see's the Berta is considering the armor. "Perhaps we can buy a few moments if the first to emerge were to be the slavemaster and a few guards. That armor may give us those few moments." Keeping his bow drawn he continues to watch the hallway down the secret passage.

If there are no voices raised in dissent, and assuming the creature will occupy others' attention for at least a short while then Berta will change into Yara's armour.

"Help me with these straps," she tells Viktor as she unwraps the makeshift bundle and begins to remove her own lighter mail.

Rael kept quiet as he recover the use of his limbs while the other were busy with Berta new armor and guarding the entry he moved toward the giant black man.

"I don't think he understand your threats or lineage..." he mutters as he offer his hand to the big dark skinned man "Hello... I am Rael." he points at himself and repeat his name.

"You want something to eat?" he pulls a dried biscuit from his pack and offers it to the man.

Seeing Berta unslinging the makeshift bundle from her belongings he wanders over. "While Angrboda hands on the mighty Pan Tangian, I think I know something about women's straps and armor." A salty sailor smirk runs across his face as he moves forward to help raising his hands innocently. "Lets get this thing going as I do not want to stay down here any longer. Who knows what they are planning."

Slinging his own axe he helps Berta get to work. "With Eclair gone, who else is going up with her?" Turning to Angrboda "Your still wearing the slavers gear, you able to go with?"

Takes his hand and puts it over Angrboda's hand and walks her away from the black man and over to Berta to block everyone's view of her changing...Lars I believe the lady wanted my help...why don't you go watch the entrance where you belong...looks Lars in the eyes as if warning him these are his ladies and no one will ever harm them again...letting Angroboda lean against him he helps Berta take off her straps and change into her new armor...I have a feeling since the evil sorceress is through the secret passage, I really think it is wise to go where Angrboda and I came from...Rael would love his choice of herbs and maybe grab a little more gold and then go find our ride out of here...Beaker will follow us..he seems to be rather fond of Angrboda and her ring...Boda would the doors to the passage still be open or could you still open them if you have some strength built up... finishes helping Berta and holds her hand for a minute and then swoops down and lifts up little Angrboda and starts walking towards the entrance having her show off her ring to keep Beaker following...

Angrboda gasps when Viktor picks her up then stares at him, "Put me down, I am quite capable of walking.  I just needed to get over the poison.  Besides how are you going to swing that beastly axe when you are carrying me?" she says, flicking his nose with her finger.  Once he puts her down she, true to her word, walks quite sturdily towards the secret door area, looking down the darkened corridor, "It is my belief that we should head back the way Viktor and I came.  While I do loathe leaving the sorceress slit alive in my weakened state I may not be able to best her."  The other direction should be clear and we know there is a massive amount of gold there." she says ruefully wishing she had been able to prepare for this endeavor more thoroughly.

smiles back at Boda and pats her on the backside a moment and laughs and then grabs out his crossbow and loads it up..walks over and grabs a torch and holds it with his crossbow and starts walking down the corridor to scout it out a little...



23:48, Today: Viktor rolled 31 using 1d100. search.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:51, Mon 20 July 2015.

Behind Viktor's back Berta grins broadly and rolls her eyes at the big man's sudden gallantry, shrugging her shoulders and smiling at Lars to let him know his offer was appreciated, but perhaps not politic.

"Thank you kind sir," she tells Viktor as the pair work to get her out of one armoured shell and into another, a touch of humour remaining in her tone, but no mockery.

"Perhaps someone might like my old armour to complement our disguise ?  It should fit better than the heavy plate that Yara favoured - luckily she and I are close enough in size !"

She smiles further at Viktor's foolhardiness as he attempts to carry Angrboda, but all trace of humour is swept away as the small woman pronounces her aim to head back the way they came.  Jamming the heavy helm on her head, Berta bites her lip, certainly not favouring this course of action, but not willing to gainsay one with Melnibonean blood.

"If the two of you finished comparing who has the bigger axe..." Rael shakes his head annoyed at Viktor and Lars

He was not sure what had gotten with the two, their choice of female companionship was either a evil hell maiden who had more packs with demons than Viktor had scars or a warrior woman whom could take either of them out, probably at the same time.

"We do have a mission, I think we should head down the secret passage, let us not forget the sorceress queen... I don't want her to double back on us and as far as we know it may take us just to your room of gold loot and herb joy for me."

Angrboda turns and hisses at Viktor, "I did not give you permission to touch me either Viktor." her eyes narrow ominously, "Uninvited creatures often find themselves in deadly traps." she says as she motions toward the trap they have just recovered from.

Finally realizing that someone was addressing him, the black skinned man looks up and sees Rael Gol offering the foodstuffs. His face covers over with a look like a child being offered a piece of candy he takes the offered morsel. Delicately he begins to dissect the offered hardtack shoving bits into his mouth. He shudders for a second and a look of unpleasantness crosses his face. Looking down at the biscuit he sniffs, shrugs his shoulders and tosses the rest of it in his mouth chomping down happily. He reaches forth with a long delicate finger and taps Rael Gol on the chest. "Meep". [Private to Rael Gol: A warm, tingly, sensation briefly spreads from his fingertip where he touched you] He then turns the same finger on himself and proclaims "Meeprupmerp".

A look of amazement crosses his face as he focuses on something else over Rael's shoulder. Brushing past the apothecary, he moves over to the area where Berta, Viktor, and Lars are all gathered. Seeing both Viktor and Lars helping to fasten bits of armor to Berta, the black skinned man decides to help. With a reach longer than either of Lars or Viktor he begins to grab pieces of the armor and "help" with attaching them to Berta. Helping place the tassets where the pauldrons would be, it is obvious that the man is excited to be helping.

After finally getting all the pieces in the right places, Viktor reloads his crossbow and heads back into the guards chamber. Quickly tossing a "I'll be Back" over his shoulder he ducks out of the room with a light torch.

[Private to Viktor: When you get down the hall a bit you see the several dead bodies of the royal guardwomen still on the ground. No evidence of the zombie-demon things can be found. The Stairway to the upper story is completely filled in with dirt and rocks allowing no reasonable way up. There is no evidence of Eclair's body either.]

OOC Edit, The only person who has a chance to wear Berta's stuff is Viktor. Everyone else is several SIZ points smaller (Think 6'2" vs 5'10" or 185cm to 175cm) Berta is also more physically fit than most. Khazim would be the closest in physical attributes, but even then he is more wiry than bulky. Technically yes others could wear it, You'd need a good disguise roll to make it "look right"
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:20, Tue 21 July 2015.

Lars glares at Viktor with his one eye as he walks off.  "Easy big man, i've seen mutinies started over less," he mutters.

He picks up his crossbow and rests it on his shoulder.  "Alright, if you've finished playing with the giant baby, let's get out of here.  Do you need some rope Khazim?"

He looks at the different exits, and nods towards the guard room where Viktor went.  "That one leads back the way we all came, can we still get out the way you came in Angrboda?"  He points the crossbow the other way.  "Down there is one of those secret passages that ends in a door with strange noises behind it...  From what you told us it might take us to where you lost Eclair."

All I see is a few dead bodies and the stairway is completely covered in dirt....I do not care which way we go but we need to go...Rael could wear Berta's armorafter walking back to the group and patting Lars on the shoulder...scared to look at Angrboda...sets down his crossbow and offers a gold piece to Beaker to see if he will follow and takes out his winesack...takes a drink and offers it to the black man...
This message was last edited by the player at 05:46, Tue 21 July 2015.

Berta looks askance at the black skinned man, but gives him a curt nod of thanks before grimacing at Viktor and Lars. "By the Nine this armour is heavy ! I pray we don't have to run for it !"

Considering first her discarded armour, then Rael. "Not a good fit," she shrugs. Assuming nobody does want to wear it, she'll bundle it up in Yara's cloak and take it with her.

An eyebrow raises from under his wrappings. "Yeah I can do something with that rope." He slings his bow over his shoulder and takes the offered cord. Digging into he pack he pulls out another trail biscuit and offers it to the black skinned man. Taking the rope in one hand he offers the food in the other. Waiting for the black skinned man to reach for the offered food, he will quickly loop the cord around the mans wrist and attempt to bind him into a makeshift body leash.


20:52, Today: Khazim rolled 95 using 1d100. Repair/Devise tn56. - fail
20:53, Today: Khazim rolled 32 using 1d100. Trap tn 60. - Pass

Should I try on your Armor Berta...not sure if I could pass for a female guard...reaches over and picks up the armor trying it on to see if it fits...

"If they're that close we're already in trouble ... but it can't hurt," Berta shrugs.

The warrior-woman as she returns the favour, helping Viktor with the buckles, though somewhat absently, her gaze flicking towards the black skinned man and Kazim's efforts to catch him, a thoughtful look upon her face.

Once Viktor has her old armour on, Berta slaps him on the back, then moves quietly to Angrboda's side, whispering a question.  [Private to Angrboda: "Are we sure that this creature is 'the Tenatir' ?  I didn't get a description from Pollidemia or her lackey and had planned to simply ask him, but this one isn't overly communicative !  Though I don't see any other candidates ..."]

Rael nearly toppled over when Viktor made his jest, even if the armor would fit him he doubted he could walk in such a heavy armor.

Instead he moves to Meeprupmerp and offered him another biscuit "Come Meeprupmerp we need to move... walk with me." he offered the man his hand.

Angrboda stares at the creature before them as he wanders around like a babe,If he isn't the creature you are searching for then what else could he be?" she questions as she rubs her temples, the headache from staring at the creature with her witch sight getting to her.  "We need to figure out which direction we will go.  I do not like the thought of fighting those mummy creatures without help though.  Perhaps if we go up we can capture the sorceress who bound them and make her help us past them." She looks around, this is not how she normally did things and she is visibly upset that the group may be caught.  "Berta, how many guards does this bitch command here?" she asks.

Eclair and the mummies were no longer there...all I saw was a few dead guards...walks around a little and sways his hips and laughs...trying out his new armor

Khazim's attempt to bind the creatures wrists seems to work, for a mere second, before the black skinned man simply slips out of them as if they're not even there. Seeing the offered hand the black skinned man wanders over and grasps it walking beside the apothecary. [Private to Rael Gol: Once again a warm, tingly, sensation spreads through your hand and slowly begins to creep up your arm.] Walking along side of Rael Gol, the black skinned man begins to point out a few things about the room with a few variations of his classic "Meep". There are times when it is plain the the meep is more about curiosity. Other times when it was merely to point out obvious things, such as the door you are walking towards. The creature seems to have calmed down for a bit as the party gathers to discuss their options.

Both of the ways I have seen are clear....Rael you decide...your decision is final...I want to fight the evil bitch but perhaps run for now to our ship...admires Rael's ability to communicate the language of Meep...chuckles loudly

Rael speak the names of any object Meeprupmerp points at repeat the name slowly while pointing at the object. He keep shaking his arm, the odd feeling making him a bit uncomfortable...

He glance at Viktor and at Angrboda "hmm, I see we go up the secret passage and if it bring us to the sorcerers well, let just show her that there is only one top-evil bitch in this chunk of island and she works with us." he grins.

Angrboda laughs, "Careful Rael, that almost sounded like affection." she says, "We do need to be careful however.  There is no telling what this woman has been able to stockpile."

Lars scowls and looks around at the others.  "Whoa, whoa, whoa.  You want to go fight this sorceress after all the fighting you have already been through?  We've got the prize let's get out of here!"

He points to the secret passage to the south. "Let's at least check if the way out is clear.  If it is we should make a run for it!"  He shrugs.  "Otherwise the stairs up are just a little further down the passage."

He grabs a torch and heads down the secret passage.  "Nice armour by the way Viktor."

His cowled head shifts a bit as he looks at the dickering. "Going back to the bar with our captive may not be a good idea, Rael do you think you can get him a disguise? Do you think he will even wear the thing?" Looking between the Guards room and the secret passage. "IF the sorceress were to think we are part of the resistance, and knew of the secret way in, she may not figure on us knowing the other secret passages. I might guess that a detachment of guards would be waiting for us outside the well, nabbing us as we come up one by one." Pointing to the new secret passage. "This may come out somewhere else, but still in the courtyard. While we are in the same amount of danger, it is unlikely that they will be waiting for us as readily."

"We should have tied him up instead of letting him put the armour on," Berta shakes her head at the big man's attempt at a sashay.

She turns back to Angrboda, shrugging her shoulders resignedly at the smaller woman's conclusions, and doing her best, as a former member of that Royal Guard to answer her question.

"Given the numbers of my former Sisters that perished down here, I'd say this building should be fairly empty at this point - maybe one or two still alive.  The problem is the compound outside - there's probably another two score or so of them out there, buzzing around like bees.  Unless the Queen has summoned reinforcements from the town, calling back everyone who's off duty ... hells, you'd find another twenty or thirty back at that bar, and most of them can hold their liquor !"

"I'm agree with Kazim - they'll have worked out which way you came in," she looks to Viktor and Angrboda, "anywhere else has to be better than that.  Dead men spend no gold."

I'm too sexy for my armor...so sexy it hurts...seriously speaking Berta makes a good point...shall we try the secret passage decide if we should continue when we get to the end...Rael seems to have our new friend under control...does a little dance and medieval twerking...laughs and loads up his crossbow...

"That is the point I am trying to make, the only way we know of out of this place is the way we came in." Angrboda explains, "That is why we need to go up.  I am guessing that, as paranoid as she is, there is another escape route upwards.  However, even if there isn't there could be a way we can climb down the outside of the building on the opposite side from where we expect there might be a trap." she finishes, still wishing that she had been allowed the time to summon a transportation demon before starting this endeavor.

Rael flash a smile to Angrboda "Don't worry about it..." he shakes his head "Fine we are all in agreement... lets move. If we stay here we will be trapped. If we will go back the way we came we will be caught so it leave only one way..."

He will let one of the other more combat orient to lead but will follow with his new giant friend in tow.

Not waiting for the others, Lars proceeds down the passage until he reaches the secret door found earlier.  He will listen a the door.


10:21, Today: Lars K'Rusome rolled 11 using 1d100. listen tn 29.

With the overall choices being figured out, based on their various merits, The crew gathers together to head down the secret passage. Lars stops at the initial alcove found earlier and hears nothing coming from the other side of the wall. Now that there is light, nothing is chasing you, and it is far easier to breathe, it is easy to find the latch. Based on the conversation of others, this door should lead back into the mummy room and the filled in stairway. Taking a step back, he notices that a torch has been placed down to the end of the corridor leading to a tight spiral staircase heading up. The creature eagerly falls in behind Rael Gol, whom is now the receiving end of this creatures, every so often, digging into any available pouch or plucking at every visible speck or loose thread.

Viktor returns from the guards room and confirms that there appears to be no signs of anyone pursuing the group. While Khazim, and his bow, take up the anchor position waiting for all to pass before he himself enters the secret passage and shuts things up behind him. Lars makes a hand motion for everyone to hold still and turns the corner at the end of the hall. "I want to check something." he whispers.

Maps Updated, Map 0 - Dungeon, Map 1 - What is known up the staircase
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:18, Fri 24 July 2015.

Rael neck was starting hurt from looking up all the time at the giant black man. He points at the wall "Stand here..." he tell him "We wait now for Lars to do his thing."

He glance at the others "Have any of you noticed something odd that happens when he touch you or some items?" he asks as causally as he can.

What do you mean by something weird Rael?  stops walking and takes a quick drink and offers it to the black man....

"No drinking on duty," Berta grins at Viktor, holding out her hand for the skin so she can have a sip herself.  "And it's moldy bread and dank water for the prisoners.  You make a terrible guard."

"I've not yet been touched by our new friend," she tells Rael in a tone that suggests she'd prefer to keep it that way.

The big woman glances around the corner of the narrow passage towards Lars, ready to rush forward if he should require assistance.

Angrboda, while definitely curious about the new addition to the group, is more concerned with getting out of the castle and figuring out how to traipse through a hostile city.  She moves up quietly to see what Lars is looking at, "What's going on?" she whispers as she reaches him.

01:34, Today: Angrboda rolled 60 using 1d100. move quiet tn 60.

Rael shakes his head "Oh, nothing... it just feel different ... " his gaze shifts around the ceiling "No matter... we have more important things to worry about."

He glance up the stairs trying to see if he can notice what troubled Lars so much.

wonder what is going on up there? don't drink too much Berta or I might have to carry ya...chuckles as he hands the wine to Berta...points to the stairs where Lars is....

Figuring he is now on ths ground floor, Lars listens at the door to the great hall.

23:16, Today: Lars K'Rusome rolled 77 using 1d100. listen tn 29.

Failing to hear anything Lars proceeds back to the landing, where he notices Angrboda sneaking up the stairs. "That way leads to the great hall.  I was going to check up there," he whispers.  Lars points to the next stairs leading up, then starts moving up quietly.

23:25, Today: Lars K'Rusome rolled 17 using 1d100. move quietly tn 20.

Everyone sits in the sputtering light of the torches in the secret hallway as Lars and Angrboda move on ahead. It seems as if a secondary set of stairs traversing all the levels of the keep has been found as the winding stairway leads from one level to the next. At the end of each of the landings appears to be another concealed exit. Given the overall ascension and location, this landing should deposit your somewhere on the top level of the building. From where you are at the latching mechanism is easily visible. Listening carefully at each of the false walls, Lars hears nothing. No shuffling of guards, no calls of alarm, or any other such noise other than your own breathing. You know that the inhabitants know you are here, however, what you do not know is where they are at. IF Berta's claim is true, the royal compound would be fairly vacant. Any smart ruler, at this point, would have gone to get reinforcements rather than face whatever was attacking her home alone.

For good or for ill, it seems as if you have the compound to yourselves.

The black skinned man notices the container being passed around with interest evident in his eyes. As soon as the skin is close enough he abandons digging through Rael's easy to reach stuff and grasps the skin. Taking a giant swig he smiles, tips it back again, and continues to drink. In appreciation the black skinned man lets forth an all to loud "Meep!" As people shuffle around it is hard to not brush up against each other, and consequently, the black skinned man. Those brief seconds of contact produce a warm tingle where contact is made. The feeling is there for only a second, as soon as contact is broken the feeling quickly fades away.

Pretty good shit there Meeper? chuckles a little but not too loudly...offers his hand out for his winesack back and motions he can take another drink first...ok I know I drank some of this wine and it is quite strong, but did you all feel a warm tingling feeling?

Angrboda motions for the group to come up the stairs, then slowly lifts the latch to the door into the upper level of the keep.  At Vktor's comment she answers, The creature s obviously some sort of magical being.  Perhaps a demon from another realm." she then looks at him, "I really hope you are not to drunk to swing your axe again when the time comes, we are not out of this yet."

puts his winesack away and holds his crossbow up as he walks up the stairs..yes mother...I will not drink anymore...mutters a few words and reaches down and feels the bandage on his side to make sure it is still wrapped up...

"You couldn't possibly drink any more," Berta grins, though she grimaces at the black-skinned figure sourly, as she realises it's unlikely the wineskin will find it's way back to her, at least not with a drop left within it.

The tingling at his touch was disturbing too, for all the sorceress dismisses the import, though the warrior-woman will not be the one to gainsay her.

At Angrboda's signal, Berta moves to the top of the stairs, entering the room first, by dint of both familiarity with at least the above ground floors of the Royal quarters, and also the stolen armour she wears ...

Rael climbed up the stairs following Lars and Angrboda he had his hand ready on his knife as he crept as silently as he could after the pairs and into the upper chambers.

Angrboda Grasps her dagger and follows Berta in, hoping the group will find another way to exit this place before it is too late.

With crossbow loaded and finger on the trigger, Lars waits for Berta's signal.

[Private to GM: Activates Goldar's Eye to use Witch Sight]

motions for Khazim to go ahead and he will take the rear of the group...follows behind everyone...ready to pull his finger on the crossbow...

The false wall opens up into a room dripping in decadence. Plush divans are scattered about the room. What space is not covered with rich tapestries and draperies are occupied with rows upon rows of bookshelves. The shelves are packed with aged, worn, and well read tomes. The lettering is familiar, yet just different enough to scramble the true meaning of each title. Many, however, are obvious in what they contain with the prominent eight arrowed sigil of Chaos emblazoned on the spine or cover. Mixed in among the books are also other, slightly more saucy, tomes of interest. Many of which describe various torturous or carnal works of writing, complete with pictures.

Along the "North" wall are two windows, currently open, yet covered with a single layer of draperies. It is enough to blunt out the light spilling forth into the night, but not enough to completely prevent the wind from occasionally spilling into the room. The doors exiting the room are all shut with key style locking mechanisms visible on the doors. The "South" and "South-West" door also has a lightweight bar able to assist in sealing the door.

As before, an eerie calm is about the place. Few noises drift in from the slightly open windows. As the wind billows in, moonlight also leeks through, enhancing the sparse illumination of the few candles that sit spaced about the room on large brass candelabras. Just outside those windows, you can see the battlements of the keeps wall well beyond reach of even the most athletic jumper.

At the sight of so many wondrous things, the black skinned man brushes past everyone like a kid first unleashed into a toy store. He begins to touch all the fabrics, play with the candelabras, page through the various books, and even go so far as to move towards the somewhat open window as a slight breeze makes the draperies flutter.

[Private to Angrboda: The Language on the books seems to be in a form more complex than Low speech, yet not as difficult as high Speech. Much akin to what Mabden would be to YK Common.]

Rael you might want to keep an eye on your new friend....it is way to quiet in here...goes off to the side and switches his crossbow out for his mighty axe...swings it around a few times to get limber...

"Oh...." Angrboda says softly when she sees all the books lining the walls.  She then approaches them, seemingly mesmerized.  Carefully watching for traps as she walks along the wall she allows her fingers to brush the spines of each one lovingly.  "My beauties, what sorts of knowledge do you hold?" she asks as she breathes deeply the scent on the room.

OOC: 12:31, Today: Angrboda rolled 92 using 1d100. search tn 71.  Sorry if there is a trap guys.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:33, Wed 29 July 2015.

Lars watches 'Meepo' as he explores the room.  "Make sure the giant baby doesn't get us all killed," he growls.  When he sees the tall man approach the curtains he quickly cuts in front of him and herds him away, drawing his attention to some other feature.  He returns to the window and parts the drapes just enough to peer out into the night.

[Private to GM: Does Lars see anything with his Witch Sight?"]

Keeps his axe in his hands and watches the entrance...just in case...Angrboda would you like to check some of these books out? Put some in a backpack, I would carry it.

Angrboda slowly slides 4 of the books off the shelves and places them very carefully into a backpack, "I wish I could take you all but alas it is not meant to be lovelies." she says mournfully as she shoulders the pack, "Thank you for the offer Viktor but if I am to spend more time with such robust adventurers as you I should start working out more.  Besides, 4 books don't weigh that much." she explains as she moves to listen at the doors, "Which way should we be going next?" she asks the group in general as she moves between the doors.

OOC:  Don't know how many doors there are but I assumed there would be 3-4.
22:36, Today: Angrboda rolled 7 using 1d100. listen tn 67.

22:36, Today: Angrboda rolled 32 using 1d100. listen tn 67.

22:35, Today: Angrboda rolled 76 using 1d100. listen tn 67.

22:35, Today: Angrboda rolled 43 using 1d100. listen tn 67.

Before Berta can so much as wave an all clear, Angrboda is pushing past her, captivated by the rows and rows of books which ... frankly don't excite the interest of the warrior woman.

That open window does, though, as a vantage point from which to look out over the compound if not a possible way out of the Royal quarters, and once the black skinned man has wandered off for some other passing fancy, Berta joins Lars to see what she can see.

"There'll be a staircase leading down out there," Berta tells the smaller woman.  "Probably safer than climbing down here."

Rael shudders as he entered the room, it just appeared to much like the room he spend as a child... the decadence and wealth.

"We should hurry..." he mutter shadowing Meeprupmerp to make sure he won't get into trouble "I don't sure we could explain to Meeprupmerp how to climb a rope yet... might as well get out by the stairs... hmm Angrboda is there something here would could use as a disguise?"

He glanced a wary look at the hell maiden, she seemed to control her craving for the books and things seem to be under control.

Still such a place might have one or two items of use for them beyond simple baubles.

[Private to GM: OOC: Rael does a quick search of the room trying to find anything of use]

All right let us make way to the stairs, so we can leave this dreaded place...watches Angrboda load up her books and gives her a nod...waits for the rest of the group to leave so he can follow.

Angrboda looks at the group confused, "I thought we were coming up here to find a way to deal with those mummy things?" she says, "None of these books have any kind of clue on how to do that, I suggest we keep looking.  Besides if we exit on this side of the fortress we will be in plain sight of the two secret passages we are trying to avoid." as she finishes she heads off to the SE door and checks what is behind it.

OOC:  I assume that since there was no mention of me hearing anything behind the doors that I didn't hear (or perhaps didn't get a good enough roll) anything on the other side of them?

straps his axe back on and walks over to search through the books...what kind of book are we looking for?



23:23, Today: Viktor rolled 74 using 1d100. search .
This message was last edited by the player at 04:25, Fri 31 July 2015.

"I thought we were looking for another way out.  Can we climb down here Beta?"  He looks out the window again.

"Then again, how would we get the man-child down?"

He strides over to the NE door and opens it a little so he can see through.

"He'd probably float down," Berta replies sourly to Lars, "but Rael is right, we need to take him down the stairs."

The big woman considers briefly, looking out of the window once more to orient herself.  "This is one chamber I've never set foot in," she admits, "but it must situated just above the common room ... that big room we were in before," she reminds the infiltration squad.  "If we go south," she raises a finger to point at one of the doors, "we'll find a stairway up to the roof and another leading down to a small guard station."

"Might be worth going up to the roof - the stairs lead to a window walk which will give us a good view of the compound, looking towards the main gate."

Lars replies to Berta over his shoulder.

"Are there windows in the common room?  I'm pretty sure that secret door on the landing below will open into the common room.  Maybe we can climb out there then sneak to the Gazebo."

People begin to cautiously poke about he various doors in the place. The view from the window look out just barely over the wall into the city proper. While it is still night there are hints of morning light on the horizon. Everything is quiet in the compound. One would think there would be some sort of hustle or bustle due to the incursion.

Each of the doors lead to separate areas. The North East door leads into a lavishly furnished bedroom. As you crack the door a hint of mint seeps out of the room. The South East door leads into a formal dining area. Tapestries hand from the walls framing out several paintings of scenery and woodlands. Draperies also hang down covering two "South" facing windows. The South-West door opens to a staircase heading down. The South door opens into a siting parlor. A continuation of the decadence of the room you now occupy fills this area creating a cramped, almost claustrophobic, feeling. Two more Windows face south out of this room, once again covered by draperies.

Each room is lit with the same style of brass, freestanding, candelabras. The illumination is soft and just enough to create a lazy sort of atmosphere.

Calmly waiting as everyone scurries around, like city folk tend to do, Khazim waits in contemplation. At the mention of a roof Khazim's eyebrow twitches. "The highest point would give us the best advantage for sight and planning. Since it is still night. I would suggest that both "Yara" and I climb up and see what can be seen. If the group were to be spotted on the roof, those who are seeking us would know exactly where we are and how to trap us." Pointing to the south western door. "I would suggest however we bar that way up. If Berta is also correct then I would suggest baring the stairway to the guard station if we can as well." Khazim shifts sightly uncomfortably. It is evident by his closed down demeanor that he would rather be outside instead of cooped up in such a claustrophobic building.

Angrboda nods her head absently as she wanders into the dining room, looking for anything that will help in this instance.  "Where did that sorceress go." she says absently as she searches, knowing that she is probably the key to getting out of here.

OOC: 12:00, Today: Angrboda rolled 13 using 1d100. search tn 71.

Hoping there was a mummy voodoo for dummies but alas no such book...decides to look around the room for anything useful and to keep an eye on the exits...kind of hoping something or someone would show up.



15:12, Today: Viktor rolled 98 using 1d100. search.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:13, Fri 31 July 2015.

"No windows below," Berta advises.  "But it's a short dash from there to the front gate."  She nods to Kazim.  "We can check from above and see if the way is clear."

"Salrenna ..." her lips tighten.  "Aye, her absence worries me also.  With luck she's fled with Media.  The further away she be, the happier am I."

Berta and Khazim move to the southern exit and enter the lush sitting room. Silently as possible, moving up the stairs, they crouch along the widows walk. The view from the top of the royal quarters allows for a well rounded view of the front gate right over top of the small guard station. There is one exception though, The torches that are normally lit out near the walls, the guard house, and the gate house are all doused. Peering into the darkness it is difficult to make out much of anything. You can still see the occasional guard on the battlements on patrol as is nothing were out of place.

Rael spend the time the other browsed around to rummage through his herb pouch with the extra herbs Viktor got him.

"So, Berta the stable what kind of stead will be there? could we use them?"

He looks at the others with an odd glint in his eyes "I figure there are enough combustible here and I might even be able to find some oils that burn well... nothing fancy like dragon fire or the like but still... it would make a hell of a distraction."

He grins madly at the others "What do you say? shell we burn this place down?"
[Private to GM:
OOC:
Figure Rael could find some flammable oil or the like in his pouch and if not there are enough burnable stuff in this room and beyond :)]

Upon finding the secret passage way in the dining area Angrboda slides in, leaving the door open behind her and parting the curtains so the rest of the party knows where she has gone.  "These people are more paranoid than any Melnibonian." She mumbles to herself as she begins searching the secret passage, "Secret passages all over the place.  I bet they had the builders killed after making it too."

As she reaches the end of the hall and finds nothing she stands there perplexed, "What the helll is the point of a secret hallway that doesn't go to anything.  There must be something else here." she says as she makes her way back to the dining room and retrieves a candle to light her search with.

14:35, Today: Angrboda rolled 97 using 1d100. search tn 71.
14:38, Today: Angrboda rolled 84 using 1d100. search tn 71.

"None."  Lars follows Angrboda into the secret hallway and searches for another exit.

10:23, Today: Lars K'Rusome rolled 52 using 1d100. search tn 56.
10:23, Today: Lars K'Rusome rolled 58 using 1d100. search tn 56.

Perks up and grins at the mention of burning the place down...I like the idea of burning the place down Rael...we should probably find a way out of here first.  Of course we could start a fire and go in the opposite direction of it.

Lars moves past the black skinned man to help with Angrboda in the dining room. With the assistance of the candles it is far easier to find the inner latches. During your searches however you stumble upon an interesting side note. Unlike the other secret passage which seem to be part of the construction of the place, these tunnels almost seems carved out of the stone. Carefully tripping the latch to the northern most door you peer through the tiny opening. The other side of the door appears to be another bedroom.

Where the first bedroom was full of decadence, this is more akin to a tornado's aftermath. While comfortable looking, strange objects both decorate and litter the room. The room gives a feel of merely being a room that someone uses rather than a room that time is spent in. In an almost mirror fashion to the room that you first stepped into, there are two doors on the southern end of the bedroom each with a cross bar for added security.

Updating maps

Angrboda smiles when Lars finds the secret catch, "Ah yes, it's on the other side of the passage.  Silly me." she says as she moves to peer through the small hole.  Seeing no movement she opens the door quietly and looks around the room.

OCC: 17:50, Today: Angrboda rolled 28 using 1d100. search tn 71.  17:50,
Today: Angrboda rolled 61 using 1d100. Move Quiet zTN: 60.

Once she's seen enough, Berta ducks back down the stairs, just in time to hear Victor's reply to Rael.  "Burn it down," she agrees.  "They know we're here anyway, and it'll give them something else to worry about other than us."

Conferring briefly with Khazim, the warrior-woman reports on what the pair have seen from above.  "They've doused a lot of the usual lights - the torches on the walls, guard house, even the gate house are all out.  We could just about make out the occasional guard on the outer wall ... safe to say we're going to have to be careful once we're out there."

"Setting this place on fire would at least let us see where we're going ..."

Rael begins to create several centers of flammable materials... he also tries to consider the spread of the fire beyond the room. If there are windows with wooden roofs nearby to catch the flame.

He glance at the stables trying to see if they could get a view of one of the windows "You think you can put a flaming arrow through one of these windows if we would be down there?" he asks Khazim.

"Providing my ancestors do not take offense this time I would easily hit the target provided. Why not bundle one of your packages near the draperies?" Khazim speaks with a smirk to his usually stoic face. Looking about he grabs one of the candelabra stands and moves it near one of the windows. "There, now I have a high visibility target to range off of."

His smirk turns to a frown.

"There is one danger to having a fire at our backs. We would be framed out nicely for those guards who have access to those crossbow things."

I wonder if we could use anything as a shield or if Angrboda and Lars might have anything up their sleeves...walks off by himself and swings his axe around to loosen up before taking a knee and saying a prayer for Donblas on possibly the final battle.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 10:40, Wed 05 Aug 2015.

"Where will we be picked up ... and how long do we have ?" Berta prefers to overlook the problems involved in getting out of the compound and focus on reaching the destination in time.

The stoic frown returns to his face. "There is a place, some hours east of the city where our pilot is to reach us. I doubt we would make it under pursuit. Our pilot benefactor did mention the airstrip just outside of town to the west. We just need to learn how to fly such a contraption." A tiny laugh escapes from his chest. "At least there is consistency in how bad we are off. Sneaking out of town during the fire would be a challenge, but if we could make the trees we should be able to dodge the airship patrols."

I say we give Lars and Boda a little more time to see if this is our best option...then lets leave this place in flames...gets a little too excited about burning the place down...figures he will check the room out for anything useful, food or drink or maybe jewelry he could borrow.





19:08, Today: Viktor rolled 82 using 1d100. search.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:42, Fri 07 Aug 2015.

Angrboda smiles as she stumbles across the sorceresses grimoire and a small silver ball,putting both away for later study she moves about the room quietly looking for anything else that might be useful.

19:26, Today: Angrboda rolled 95 using 1d100. Move Quiet zTN: 60.
my lord You would think I was in plate mail or something.

19:27, Today: Angrboda rolled 4 using 1d100. search tn 71.
yay critical success.

"Anything that will garner and hold their attention," Berta muses.  "I wonder if we could loose those ... creatures down below before we take our leave.  They'd certainly occupy the Queen's forces, at least for a short while."

Should we stay here or go check on Angrboda and Lars?walks around some more swinging his axe before putting it away and getting out his two short swords and swinging them around.

Rael dust his hands when they are done, he give Khazim a nod "I think we did all we can here... lets join with the others."

While half of the party sets into motion an elaborate plan to torch the building, the other half sets about tossing the sorceresses room. Hearing the noises coming from the secret passage the black skinned man begins to assist in the "searching" of the room. Any tiny tidbit of interest begins to find it's way to Angrboda as he continuously bring such benign curiosities to her attention. After a few minuets he moves towards the southern door and casually walks right on through with a curious "Meep".

The black skinned man waltzes into a second sitting room. This room however is the complete opposite of the bedroom that it adjoins. The room is orderly, neat, and tidy. Nothing is out of place and no hint of dust dares to adorn the well stocked bookshelves. Where as the other sitting room was filled with reds, golds, and silvers, this room is set in a deep ocean blue. The only trimmings and adornments are done in a brilliant silver with a chase of white. The only thing out of place in this rather orderly room is a single inkwell, a quill, and a sheet of parchment sitting on the small table in front of the fireplace.

[Private to Angrboda: You find a tiny silver pendant in the shape of a lightning bold in a downward thrust. Once again, it is the fascination with lightning that caused you to find this tiny trinket]

"Wait...." Angrboda begins as she hastily slips the pendent over her head and the black skinned man waltzes into the other room.  She then sighs and follows him in, seeing no lightning bolts flying at the man she deems it is safe and begins looking around at things in the sitting room, saving the parchment on the table for last.

OOC: 18:23, Today: Angrboda rolled 68 using 1d100. search tn 71.

Do we get a roll for every time we successfully use a skill?  Cause I am going to be a searching fiend at the end of this....lol

Berta has her own blade out and nervously watches the doors, while keeping an eye on Viktor's antics, lest his blades inadvertently stray too close for comfort.

Once Rael declares the room is prepared for conflagration, the warrior-woman nods and joins the general exodus to the sitting room where Angrboda leads the search.  Again, she prefers to stand watch, though can't help but cast her eyes around the room on the off chance that something might stand out.

[Private to GM: Berta's not helping ! ;>

13:45, Today: Secret Roll: Berta rolled 65 using 1d100. Search TN20 (try again using D100 not D20 !). ]

Don't you trust my sword skills Berta? chuckles as puts away one of his short swords and keeps one in his hand to join the others through the secret passage..

Rael get into the room, considering how to best to set this room in fire as well. He notice the parchment and move toward it looking at it without touching or disturbing it.

You eventually drift into the sitting room and take in it's orderly splendor. Each book has been lovingly bound in blue tinted leather. The titles of each book cleanly visible for easily cataloging in a silver thread lettering. Hidden from your original view are a few more items of interest. On the mantle is a 6" (15cm) crystal globe on a silvered tripod. The crystal globe is filled with a lazily swirling white mist. On the cushions of the sofa, partially hidden by the armrest, is single out of place book. The title Forbidden is scrawled across the spine in the same silvered lettering.

The piece of paper contains a hastily written note

To the resistance who found this place.
I am not your enemy, the queen has me working against my will.
Your way in is your way out, I will see that the Queen is there.
You must kill her and Syfera will be free.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:55, Sat 08 Aug 2015.

Angrboda stares warily at the forbidden book as she makes her way to the silver globe, "Oh, come on now." she says to no one in particular, "That is just way to obvious." she finishes as she picks up the swirling globe, "Now what is this?" she asks herself, inspecting it closer.

Takes a look at the note and then looks around the room for anything useful...So supposedly Syfera is being held captive.  Berta what do you think about that?  Do you think this note is full of shite?  Of course, the way we have been going on this mission...maybe the obvious is our best option.






22:19, Today: Viktor rolled 23 using 1d100. search.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:21, Sun 09 Aug 2015.

"I trust your skill, aye," Berta informs Viktor with a broad grin, "but it is your  ability to bury steel in tender flesh that concerns me !"  Despite her jest, she seems much happier when the big man puts one blade away and forebears from waving the other around.

At Viktor's urging, she examines the note, trying to recognise the handwriting.

"Killing the Queen would certainly set the cat amongst the rats," Berta muses. "They'd be too busy dealing with the aftermath of that to concern themselves with us ... at least for long enough for us to make the rendezvous."

"Trap or no, the idea is most tempting ..."

"If this was penned by Salrenna, then I very much doubt the 'working against my will' or that by Media's 'Syfera will be free' ... more like she wants to take the reins of power for her own.  But if it serves our purpose, that matters not."

"And whether Salrenna or another, maybe we'll have unexpected allies - though our plans should not rely on that."

I do have a tendency to chop arms off sometimes...so basically we burn down the place and run for it or try to kill the queen...chuckles and shrugs as he scopes out the place for anything useful.

Rael glance at Berta "You sure about that? I mean for sure in the long run the whole place would be a mess... but usually everyone is trying to get the assassins..."

He shrugs "I don't want to end up in a worse spot... I mean this may be a trap or it may not be and we might kick a hornet nest..." he considers and shrugs "Although, from what I saw she deserves to be Viktor plaything not just dead but who am I to judge."

He glance at Khazim "I think the plan is to get out, get the queen if we so choose and set the place aflame to cover our retreat."

He glance at Angrboda "What do you think, work with the sorceress or maybe get both ladies? I am sure you could have a use for her."

Angrboda looks up from the globe she has been studying and places it in her pocket, "I say the bitch is lying.  if we get the chance kill them both." she says, shrugging her shoulders and looking about the room more, "Do you still have the orb that you were given by your," she pauses looking for the correct word, "Employer?" she finally decides knowing it isn't correct but figuring it will get the point across.

OOC: 16:09, Today: Angrboda rolled 97 using 1d100. search tn 71.

Khazim contemplates what is on the note. "If she is our would be ally, it is guaranteed that the Queen will be at the Gazebo. If she is merely using us, the Queen is again there. If it is a ploy for us to go there. I would guess this queen would want to watch, and once again would be there." A small chuckle escapes. "To me that means the main gate would be the least guarded. What Queen would not make sure to have the most guards against those who had already slaughtered so many, besides who in their right mind would walk out the front door?"

"If that is our route why not use the orb as Pollidemia intended... For your enemies!"

Then again if we kill them all and bring their heads to our employer...maybe she would make me King Viktor and Queen Angrboda...chuckles as he trades his sword for his axe once again and starts cleaning its glourious blade with a torn piece of one of the curtains...

"We come back with their heads and more like our employer will consider us a threat," Berta responds sourly.

The big woman considers the opinions expressed, finally concluding with a sigh. "Our best bet is to make the main gate ... and if we can do that undetected, then there's a chance they'll think us still holed up inside this building ... but not if we burn it to the ground."

"I suggest we try for the main gate - if we're seen or thwarted in that, then double back, fire the place and try the gazebo."

I say we do Berta's plan...should we leave in ten minutes?finishes cleaning the blood off his axe so it is ready for the next round of law breakers.  grabs a biscuit out of a pouch and eats part of it offering the rest to whomever...blood still on his hands...

Angrboda shakes her head as she moves to inspect the books on the shelves for anything interesting, "Sorry, but I am disinclined to believe that strolling out the main gate to the main thoroughfare through town is the best option we have.  Although with the lack of stealth we have available we might indeed end up fighting our way out of the town.  I suggest we use that globe of yours and release the elemental inside of it to create havoc in the town by igniting fires wherever it can and then use the ensuing chaos to escape."

Since the books are nicely written do I need to roll a search to figure out if anything of interest is on the shelves?

"Ok how about this. Instead of the main gate, we go over the North wall?" He raises one arm vertically and mimics a man scampering up the "wall" with two fingers. "Angrboda and I climb up, drop down some rope, hogtie the black skinned man, and everyone hauls over. I then Shoot an arrow and torch the place covering our escape!" He points to Berta and Viktor. "For stealth reasons those two would have to sack the plate. Heck one of us could toss the orb out the front releasing the elemental and giving us enough time to scamper over the back wall."
This message was last updated by the GM at 22:45, Tue 11 Aug 2015.

Berta snorts. "Sounds about right.  I can't think of a way of causing any more mayhem !"  She eyes the black-skinned man thoughtfully.  "Ah, he seems fond of us - no doubt he'll follow."

"North wall it is."  She pointedly doesn't take up Viktor's offer of a biscuit.

Rael was happy they made their mind, he was no great warrior with great strategic insight nor a cunning thief who knew the best way to sneak so instead he follow the others trusting in group wisdom...

All right the north wall it is...finishes his biscuit and admires his shiny and polished axe....ready to chop up some more guards.

Angrboda sighs, looking at all the books she is leaving behind, "So are we starting a fire here and then using the elemental as a distraction when we get to the wall?"

I believe Khazim is going to shoot an arrow from below...of course if he missed...things might not go as planned...finds 3 smaller books and puts them in a pouch where he usually keeps his silver...straps his axe back on for now until he gets down the wall.

"I think the best course of action is if you" he points to Angrboda "climb down and set a rope on the opposite wall. I will stay here and cover you in case a guard shows. When it is set the rest of you will follow." He holds his hand out to Rael "Astralgyx's orb if you would" He takes a few steps towards the study and points to the windows facing out the front of the building. "I will toss this orb as you are all ascending the outer wall. That should cover our escape. I will then meet you on the other wall, Shoot an arrow into the building and set it ablaze as they are dealing with the elemental."

He holds his hands wide open and shrugs his shoulders a bit, a smirk crosses his face. "What could go wrong with a plan a simple as that?"

"I have a feeling that if you just break the orb the elemental will just leave.  It will need to be given instructions.  I could take it with me over the wall and have it start wrecking havoc then?" Angrboda explains.

"I will deffer to you when it comes to how to control those things. Come to think about it it might be best. Who has that map again, did it show a double wall around this compound?" He scowls a bit. "If there is an outer keep then we just trap ourselves between the two layers."

In reply to Khazim (msg # 217):

This plan is so horrible it has to work. I don't suppose there is a spell for magic steps in any of these books...laughs and stretches his arms and legs after checking his bandages to make sure they are secure.

Rael shakes his head "I rather that if we use the sphere it would be on an enemy we can see." he glance at Khazim "Can't you just shoot a burning arrow into the room?"

"You seem to be missing the point." Angrboda states, "It is not the intention to be seeing any more enemies.  Thus the point of the distraction.  If you want to save the orb for something later that is your choice, although I would suggest putting it to a vote for those of you who were given it.  If we can wait a few minutes I can always summon a fire elemental to cause the distraction." she finishes obviously getting a bit impatient.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:56, Fri 14 Aug 2015.

Use the orb now and save your strength Angrboda...we might need you to summon later if needed.  Let us check the map so we don't trap ourselves and let us get out of here.Nods at Angrboda  and puts his arm on Rael's shoulder...reminding him he has his back too.

Turning towards Rael "Indeed, I was going to use a flaming brand on the building here, the orb was to be tossed out the front of the building. When they were occupied with the elemental, I was going to then torch this place." Thinking for a second he tilts his head towards Angrboda. "What would it take for you to summon one and send it out the front? the orb would definitely be backup at that point."

"To those rebels who have invaded my home!
My sources tell me what you are after!
You leave the Tenatir with me and you are free to go!
I'll even throw in a ship!
Your friend is still alive and you can have her back!
You have a half cycle to answer!"

The voice seems to echo from every window. Not in a loud blustery voice, or in a dim proclamation. Instead to seems to drift in through the windows as in a normal conversational tone.

[Private to Berta: You recognize the voice belonging to Media]
[Private to Rael Gol: You hear a thump, like something hitting a wall, just outside the window.
22:26, Today: Secret Roll: The Grey Lords, on behalf of Rael Gol, rolled 25 using 1d100. Listen tn 28.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:29, Sat 15 Aug 2015.

I Viktor challenge your greatest warrior with my axe.  Do you accept this challenge? takes out his axe and bows to his knee praying to Donblas.

"That's Queen Media," Berta says in a low tone, shaking her head.

A small smile plays on her lips. "Even were I minded to believe her, would  the jester take us home without the Tenatir ?  Would Pollidemia be understanding ?"

"We must go now and hope to make our escape ... I counsel saving the orb on the chance we meet the Queen, in the hope it can distract her long enough ... though it was not given to me and so its disposition is not mine."

"Obviously not enough time now." Angrboda snarls as she moves to the window, "I will sneak to the northwest guard tower and hope that it is cleared of guards.  Give me the orb and I shall use it to start the distraction so that you may not be seen coming to meet me." she says as she begins fastening a rope to toss out the window.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:45, Sat 15 Aug 2015.

"I should come with you, but if we're doing it quietly then I'm not going to be much use in this," Berta taps the plate armour with her knuckles.

"If you prefer I could 'drag' you out the front door as my 'prisoner'," the big woman suggests, tentatively.

Stupid queen...save the orb and set everything on fire...if we see the evil queen I want her head.puts his axe away again and impatiently awaits the decision.

Rael has a knife in one hand and the orb in the other, his ear perks and he looks around "Did you hear that?" he asks walking toward one of the windows and sticking to the wall so he could peer outside with minimal exposure.

"Someone is out there..."

Angrboda snarls, "Great, someone at least, knows we are here." she says, retrieving a messenger arrow from outside and opening it up to read it.  She pauses momentarily to address Berta, "I am quite confident that I could get out of this predicament with my skill set.  Unfortunately I have become rather fond of the rest of the group so I am attempting to figure a way out for everyone." she smiles at the warrior woman, "That does not however include me being used as bait." she finishes and goes back to reading.

Angrboda halts for a second before dropping her rope. Stretching out the window just enough to grasp the arrow she pulls in a tiny slip of paper.

Heard what is happening.
Get ready to move.
Get in the open. - V

"Well apparently Valmir has been watching the whole time." Angrboda states, handing the parchment to the others, "I wish he would have told us about that ability before he left." She shrugs and continues throwing the rope out of the window, "I am not really looking forward to being out in the open however, those crossbows look painful."

walks over near Angrboda to see if she needs any help or to see if she prefer him to go out the window first...If you prefer I could go first, I don't know if this note is really from Valmir or if perhaps they have gotten to him first.

Angrboda looks up, "Do you suppose being on the roof is in the open enough?" she asks the group.

A rooftop rescue would be amazing....especially with meephead with us...I guess we go and find out how good Valmir really is with the ship...gets out his new 2nd weapon of choice and loads up his crossbow.

Rael nods "Aye, the roof it will be..." he glance at the other "How crazy are we planning to be?" he motions "Crazy says we set the room aflame and climb the roof and egrees via the ship while the fort burns... on the other hand sensible says we light the rooms only once we boarded the ship."

"While I'll go with sensible most days, I think that in our current predicament a distraction such as a burning castle is what we need and it is worth the risk."

After so long of sitting in the background Lars decides to speak up. "That passage in the other room stopped off at another level. Lets just pop back a bit and toss in a candle in the great room, it has enough furniture to blaze nicely. It will also have a whole floor to burn through before reaching us." He grabs one of the candles from one of the brass stands and heads back towards the original secret stairs.

Berta opens her mouth to explain to Angrboda, but thinks better of it, not wishing to make matters worse.  However the news regarding this Valmir and the shifting of the plan towards a daring, not to mention fiery rescue, drives other thoughts from her mind.

"You are all quite mad," she shakes her head, teeth flashing as she grins broadly.  "So must I be ... but bring the rope, just in case !"

The group waves bye to Lars as he ducks down the secret passage to the lower levels. Meanwhile the group gathers ropes, secures gear, and double checks the black skinned man to make sure he has not wandered off somewhere. Several minuets of gear checking and Lars returns from the secret passage. "The great room is ablaze. Best that we get going!" The group makes a grand egress up the stairs to the widows walk. The view from above offers a clear view of a small gathering of royal guards near the main bunkhouse. Strapped to a giant wooden X is a figure in royal guard dress. Sadly it is to distant to make out any real features of the strung up individual, the claims of having Elcair remain unverified.

The roof perch itself is long and narrow. Not a good place for an airship to touch down, but easily accessible via a rope ladder.

"You have no where to go!
I know my reputation for cruelty is known,
But is my offer not reasonable?
You are free to leave, Just leave the Tenatir!"

In the distance you hear the creaking of the main gate as it swings open. Torches are lit by two runners showing an open path from the Royal Quarters to the main gate and beyond. [Private to Berta; Viktor: Barely above the voice of Media you hear a quiet "Ho There!" near the peak of the roof. Glancing upwards you see the dark outline of Valmir's commandeered vessel outlined against the night sky. You notice a small handful of people moving about the deck. One of them tosses a rope ladder over the side. It dangles a few feet away from the widow walk up the roof.]

Takes out his mighty axe and holds it up so it shines back to the vessel then puts it away and grabs his crossbow again...Berta did you hear that?  Over there...that is our ship...let us get everyone to board it. We might actually survive this yet.  Rael you and the black man go first.  I will take up the lead unless Angrboda has something in mind. I do not think that is Eclair

Rael nods slowly taking Meep hand with his as he guide the man toward the roof "Lets burn the house..." he mutters.

Angrboda does not like being in full view of everyone wanting to kill her.  She reaches into her pocket and examines the glass globe she picked up from the Sorceresses room, it seems to resemble the fire elemental orb the others were given.  "Do you suppose that this is another elemental?" she asks no one in particular as she studies it.

OOC:  Holy crap I critted it!!!!
14:57, Today: Angrboda rolled 3 using 1d100. witchsight tn 30.

Angrboda did you find another pretty orb? Anything you can do to see if that is Eclair down there?keeps his crossbow pointed down below while Rael and Meep start towards the ladder.

Berta shares Angrboda's misgivings, feeling far too exposed out here, now that the game is up and everyone seems to know only too well just where the invaders are.

Like Viktor, the big woman has her crossbow ready, waiting for someone to come in range.

"Looks the same to me," she offers, and "stay behind me," she suggests.  "At least Yara's armour will give me some protection if they attack.

"Though it might be the death of me climbing that," she eyes the dangling ladder with some misgivings, resigned to being last off the roof.

Berta do you want your armor back?chuckles and wonders if his old armor might be safer to climb in.

Angrboda shrugs and raises the glass ball, the brings it down on the roof, smashing it.

The glass orb shatters with a thunderous crash. The smell of electricity and rain assails your nose as a great cloudy form bursts from the ruined orb. In a matter of seconds a huge cloud that easily overshadows the whole keep forms over your heads. Wispy tentacles, hanging from the mass like a giant jellyfish, are framed out by the angry red hued lighting that dances across the billowing mass. You can feel everyone holding their breath as they watch the great behemoth hang in the air. [Private to Angrboda: You can sense the being staring at you in expectation. This thing is big, and powerful, it could easily level this keep through lightning strikes. It does have one downfall, you can sense that it is corporeal like the Mist Giants from the Mist Marshes on the Western continent. ]

Screams of alarm are heard from above you as the people scurrying about the airship begin to panic. Both Lars and Khazim take this moment to dart towards the airship seeing that the window of opportunity to escape is rapidly dwindling. Rael tries to coerce the black skinned man towards the airship as he freezes, amazed at the boiling entity above you.

Below, in the courtyard, you can see those assembled holding their ground. It is not evident from this distance if it is out of bravery or out of the inability to simply move.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:29, Fri 21 Aug 2015.

If it wasn't tragic with their life on the line it was funny and if he had the time he would have rolled his eyes "What the seven hells was this good for..." he shouts as the wind snatch his words.

Cursing under his breath Rael try to cajole and push the giant man toward the air ship "Khazim... Viktor help me with Meep..." he shouts as he push and pull at the giant.

Angrboda smiles and points to the gathering below, "Kill them, and you are free." she says.  She then turns to the rest of the group, "Well, I wasn't expecting such a big friend but this should definitely cover our escape." she says happily as the wind whips around her, the group can tell that she is enjoying this immensely.  "Serves those bitches right for imprisoning the elemental in the first place." she says as she tilts back her head and glories in the power around her.

A kracken like howl escapes from the storm elemental over you. The mass moves towards the main courtyard where the trussed up "Eclair" hangs. The wispy tentacles undulate and begin to toss angry red lightning bolts at those below. The tentacles begins to pick up whirlwinds of dust and debris as the elemental begins is mass of devastation. From above one of the crewmen see the difficulty with black skinned man. Looping a rope around himself he slides overboard and free rappels to the roof. Dressed in tight leathers similar to that of any mariner from the Young Kingdoms, he quickly helps Rael sling a harness around the black skinned giant.

With a tiny "MEEP!" the black skinned man is lifted off of the roof. The mariner turns to help fasten a harness for Rael as a crossbow bolt pierces him through the side. In pain, the mariner tumbles off of the widows walk dropping to the ground below. A small hail of bolts sail through the winds and embed themselves into the building around you. Guards from the eastern wall of the inner keep have taken station and are loosing carefully aimed bolts at the airship and those escaping. To make matters worse, an orange glow is beginning to show from the stairwells from the lower levels.

As you begin to ascend the ropes you feel a slight change in pressure. For a brief second, the whirlwinds caused by the released elemental cease. To the west, a smaller storm elemental appears. The female sylph is barely recognizable as it slides towards the larger storm elemental.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:32, Sun 23 Aug 2015.

After getting to the top of the rope ladder, Khazim unslings his own bow provides some cover fire. Whispering a blessing to his ancestors he lets an arrow fly hoping that the his perch on the airship allows for a better shot than those below. Quickly releasing a shot he merely hopes to keep the target's heads down.

18:02, Today: Khazim rolled 50 using 1d100.  Desert Bow tn 108
18:04, Today: Khazim rolled 8,1 using d8+2,d2. Damage (9)

Tries to come over to help with Meep as Meep is lifted away.  Tries to help the person helping to see how bad the bolt pierced him. Uses his armor as somewhat of a shield to cover from the bolts.

"Rael!" Angrboda yells, "Break the globe and direct the elemental to attack the bastard crossbowmen." she says pointing at the wall, "We are sitting ducks, The elemental should be immune to physical attacks and will be safe from their crossbows." Oh what she wouldn't give for a good bonebow and the ability to use it.  She crouches low and waits for her turn on the ladder.

OOC:  Where is the invisibility spell when you need it?

"I'll keep this, it's stronger" Berta replies absently to Victor as she gazes in awe at the lightning wielding tentacled elemental above ... though the death of the man falling off the roof brings her attention back to the here and now and she drops to one knee, looking for a target her gaze flicking back to the ship and ladder, willing her companions to move faster as she's most keen to get off the roof.

As the storm winds whip her red tresses about her face, the warrior woman turns in horror as Angrboda instructs Rael to loose what she assumes is a second of the elementals.

"May the Balance preserve us !" she breathes, her words stolen by the assailing winds, cowed by the chaos all around her and dreading how much worse it might get as she looses a bolt from her crossbow ...

[Private to GM: Oh dear, oh dear.  Hate to think what that Crossbow Fumble did - chucked in a Luck roll for good measure but that was nearly as bad ... ;>

20:29, Today: Berta rolled 20 using 1d6+17.  Initiative.
20:30, Today: Berta rolled 100 using 1d100.  Crossbow. vs 70 - Fumble !
20:32, Today: Berta rolled 98 using 1d100.  Luck. vs 80 - Failure
20:32, Today: Berta rolled 52 using 1d100.  Dodge #1. vs 104 - Success
20:32, Today: Berta rolled 64 using 1d100.  Dodge #2. vs 74 - Success
20:33, Today: Berta rolled 24 using 1d100.  Dodge #3. vs 44 - Success
]

Rael was already toying with the sphere when he heard Angrboda screams, he nods and toss the sphere at the floor at the general direction of the crossbow women.

"The Balance is preserved by freeing these elementals, which should not have been bound in the first place." Angrboda explains to Berta.  Then when Rael throws the orb she tells him, "When it appears you should be able to give it orders."

"It's my own preservation that concerns me !" Berta replies, with feeling.

Watches as Lars and Khazim make their way towards the ladder and figures once they are up he will make a dash for it.  Walks over towards Berta and puts his arm around her to comfort her a little.  Berta do you want to go in front of me on the ladder?  I can cover your lovely rear.  Rael and Angrboda have their elementals to control. 

Both Lars and Khazim make it to the top of the rope ladders into the airship. Lars, in his sailors experience gets to work bracing the ladders and assisting the other aeronauts. Khazim lets fly an arrow at the guardswomen on the rampart. Unlike the crossbows of the palace guard, his arrow seems to defy the howling wind by flying true. One guard staggers and falls back out of sight from the strike. Berta takes a moment to assist in Khazim's effort only to have her own luck run dry. Only the fates seem to know if the blessing given to Khazim was taken from Berta or not. As Berta readied a shot a quarrel skims by her face, just enough to leave a paper thin cut, causing her to flinch. Staggering back the crossbow she was readying discharges straight into the air. [Private to Berta: Somehow you know. Whatever luck had allowed you to duck your way out of every situation, simply is not there, as the quarrel impacts into Lars as he was leaning over to drop another tether.]

As Berta staggers back, Rael Gol see's his opening and launches the crystal orb given by the jester towards the guardwomen. The orb shatters against the stone wall and erupts into a column of blue-red fire. A four legged wave of fire rolls up the side of the wall towards the gathered guards. In a mockery of reptilian joy, the fire salamander begins to lay waste to everything within reach. Where it's feet tread, the stones glow red hot, steaming with the moisture stirred by the now warring storm elementals. The smaller Slyph is hardly able to contain the power of it's larger hydra like cousin as the courtyard is being laid to waste.

Rael Gol takes his opportunity to grab one of the free ladders and starts to ascend towards their potential escape. A tiny stifled gasp from above as another body falls over the airships side, quarrel sticking out of them. The body hits the widows walk near the stairs and tumbles into the increasingly orange stairwell. You hear a voice from above, barely over the storms, telling those below to get a move on.

"Go burn our foes and level this cursed fort..." Rael shouts into the winds, he was not sure if the thing heard him or even if it cared but he did as Angrboda had said and now was busy trying to climb the ladder to the relative safety of the air ship.

Berta curses as the shaft grazes her cheek, turning her gaze skywards as she wipes at the wound with her hand.  The warrior woman grimaces, and not at the thin smear of blood on her glove.

"Hurts worse than it is," she assures Viktor, as she regains her feet in time to see the second elemental burst free of the orb that confines it and loose a fiery storm upon those in its vicinity.

Shuddering she nods at the big man, slinging her crossbow over her shoulder and leaping for the rope ladder, even as it shifts in the howling winds.

[Private to GM: Another not-good result !  :>

21:12, Today: Berta rolled 84 using 1d100.  Climb ..]

Ok Berta your turn to go up the ladder...glad you are ok..figures it is his turn to shoot back as he points towards a guardswoman and fires his crossbow, hopefully giving Berta a few extra minutes to get up the ladder.

Once the elementals are doing their work Angrboda turns to Rael, "Let's get out of here before they are dealt with." she says as she heads to the ladder.

Under the cover of the warring elementals, the group is able to eventually get aboard the airship. Berta, Khazim, and Viktor continue to loose pot shots at the guards below taking advantage of the chaos that the elementals are causing. Slowly and carefully the remaining aeronauts guide the ship away. After a few minuets it sinks in, You did it, You were able to free the Tenatir. Your body begins to slowly wind down as the past day's exertions begin to take over. How long has it been? 24, 36 hours since you have had a decent rest? As if it has a mind of it's own your body seeks a place to simply lean back and enjoy the moment. A singular "Meep" permeates the moment, ensuring that all you have endured is in fact real.

The aeronaut at the helm takes a moment to address you as you rest. His voice and actions are a bit twitchy, yet sluggish at the same time. "How is this for a daring rescue? You know you made it rather easy to figure out what was going on when the call for the guards to return went out. While I do not approve of the supernatural running rampant, it did make our escape far easier. Ha we do not even have to spend our forces on anything but cleanup." A reddish glow of the morning sun begins to creep over his shoulders. "We have more than a few hours till we get back to Laukland, why don't you all just rest."

[Secret to Angrboda; Viktor: That is when you notice, Lars is no where to be seen.]

Rael body was screaming to get some rest but he knew his duty well, he pushed himself and went to Berta first tending her wounds if she allowed him afterwards he would make his rounds making sure all that are wounded are taken care off.

He glance at the helmsman a slight frown on his face as he move closer to see the man face.

[Private to GM: OOC: Rael would try to assess what is wrong with the man]
[Private to Rael Gol: The best you can tell, he is on some kind of stimulant (To many "Pep Pills")]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:06, Wed 26 Aug 2015.

Decides to rest a bit and finds a spot on the ground near a bench which might be the same one as before.  He puts his crossbow next to him and takes his giant axe off his back and sets it across his lap for now. He takes a deep breath and realizes that they actually pulled it off and feels some relief, but still something doesn't feel quite right. He remembers he put an extra winesack inside the bench and opens it to see if it is still there.  He should also have a slaver sword and a few other items and food inside of it.

"It's just a scratch ..." Berta tries to protest ... but in light of her earlier remarks to Viktor can do little other than allow Rael to do his work, smiling her thanks.

Though the dangers she faced down below were myriad, not least the months spent posing as a guard in that terrible place, the worst of it, in her mind, was the nightmare of the climb up the rope ladder, tossed this way and that in the elemental winds.

"You have our gratitude," the warrior woman assures the helmsman as she gazes back at the fire and lightning receding in the distance, not quite able to believe what has been accomplished here.

"So ... who wants to go back for the gold ?" Berta grins, recovering some of her spirit.

Rael tends to Berta wound with care and delicate hands speaking to her softly cooing words.
[Private to Berta:
Rael whispers "There is something wrong with the helmsman, he is on some kind of stimulant, it could be nothing or it could be much... stay alert."]

Berta smiles back at Rael, her lips moving soundlessly beneath his ministrations. [Private to Rael Gol: "Might have known this was all going too well," her expression doesn't change]

Once the pale man is done, she again nods her thanks.

Following Viktor's example she takes the opportunity to check her weapons, grimacing as she draws her sword and regards the blade. "That wouldn't cut butter !" the warrior woman complains to anyone who will listen, companions and crew alike.  "Anyone have a whetstone ?  We left in a bit of a hurry ..." [Private to GM: keeping a weather eye on helmsman and other crew it is ! ;>]

You have our thanks and sorry for your loss on the lives lost...did the men who passed have families?...sees his extra winesack and smiles and puts his crossbow and 2 short swords away in the chest for now..frowns as he only has one throwing knife left.  Takes  a swig and then stands up and sits next to Berta offering her some wine.

Angrboda hardly notices the missing comrade, at the mention of gold however she speaks up, "Oh yes, gold." she says and begins pulling some from her pack.  After pulling 80 gold out she looks at the rest of the group and hands it to them, "Viktor and I found some, I believe this would be an appropriate share of what I took.  I don't know how much he has however." she states and then goes off to find the captain of the ship.  "I need a private room for a bit." she states simply when she finds him.

Khazim sees the tension building rather than relaxation setting in. Cautiously he sets his bow to the side, still strung, and begins to go over his gear. Slowly he slings his quiver down and begins to inspect his arrows for warping or other damage that may have occurred thanks to the gases they were exposed to. "I think maybe we should all relax as our helmsman said, it is a long journey."

Pulls out his gold also and keeps 20 for himself and hands 80 over to the group....If the people who died have families please make sure they receive some of this gold. takes off some of his armor and relaxes sitting next to Berta.Didn't Lars make it to the ship?  I didn't really like the guy but I hope he is ok.

Rael Gol begins to make his rounds, checking on scrapes, cleaning a few open wounds, checking on quarrel holes, the usual sort of stuff. A tense sort of relaxation sits on as something just does not seem to sit right with the group. That is when both Angrboda and Viktor mention gold. Both produce small bags brimming with coins. At this point, if anything, you have all made out like kinds considering those of you who are left. The few aeronauts left after the attack perk an eye as gold coins flash, but they are mindful to not look TOO greedy.

The helmsman begins to hum a jaunty ditty as he tends to the crosscurrents. While carefully navigating you see him take out a small silvered case, remove something and stick it in his mouth. He motions at one of the other aeronauts and then to the small furnace in the middle of the deck. The aeronaut grabs a small brand, brings it to the helmsman who in turn uses it to light whatever he took out of the case. "You will find that the rooms have been cleared below, no time to remove the stink mind you. I'm sure you know the way." He addresses Angroboda's request for a private room. "Of which, you may find that it is easier to tend to the wounded below Sir Rael, as I said before there is plenty of time till we reach Laukland."

[Private to Rael Gol: As you go about tending to the wounds, you now notice: Lars is nowhere to be seen. Near the wale of the ship, in the pile of rope ladders, you spy an axe similar to the one that Lars used. You noticed it as a crewman moved over and began to straighten the ropes you all used to escape on.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:47, Sat 29 Aug 2015.

Berta should we find a room and get you out of Yara's armor and back into yours?The gold is to be divided among all of us, including the people who rescued us.  Should we go down below or stay on deck?looks at Rael and Berta and starts to take off Berta's armor...

Angrboda, satisfied that everyone is getting a fair share turns and goes down to one of the rooms.  Locking the door behind her she ignores the smell and sets about setting up a makeshift summoning circle in the middle of the floor.  When she finishes she lays down on the bed and reads until she falls asleep.

Rael wanted to groan when Angrboda and than Viktor started to discuss gold in sight of the ship crew... great I guess now we will have to put a guard when we go to bed.

"Anyone saw Lars?" he asks as he goes to the edge of the ship picking up an axe from the ship floor. "Say where is Valmir, I did not knew he had the time to pick a full crew."

Gets Berta's armor off his body and hands it to Berta...stands up and picks up his axe...I believe he asked you a question.  Where is Valmir and Lars and who do you work for?  I thank you for rescuing us but who are you people? looking directly at the person who appears to be captain of the ship.

[Private to Viktor: You have to let others "allow" you do things to their character before "finishing an action" If you are interacting with someone, let them finish any action you may start. This will prevent anyone from getting upset that you are "controlling" their characters actions.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:52, Sun 30 Aug 2015.

The red-haired woman shakes her head. "I'll keep this on for now - it's kept me safe this far ... and until we're home again, being mistaken for the original owner might keep us alive."

Berta never knew the original crew, but Rael's questions, and Viktor's less than subtle ones, has her ready to take up her blade if she must, though she deliberately lowers her weapon, leaning the sword against the bench she sits on and releasing her grip on the hilt.

"We're all rather tense at this moment," she tells the Helmsman in the hope that he'll take that as an apology if all is above board, or a threat if not.  "We've had a few too many surprises of late."

"Lars was right behind me during the escape. I'll be honest that I did not keep track of him was I provided cover fire." He looks around and point to the spot where Rael found the axe. "He was right there last I saw him. Not to be blunt, but several of the crew did hit hit with bolts as they were helping us up. It is possible that he was hit, fell over and we left him behind."

Berta's lips tighten. "If he survived their shafts and the fall itself, the flames would have taken him."  Not a nice way to go, but assuredly better than living to fall into the Queens clutches.

She vows to raise a cup to Lars memory, should she actually survive this.

Yes sorry it has been a long journey...make sure you and your men take their share of the gold...Berta would you help get the rest of your armor off me it is a little tight...chuckles a little and takes a drink of wine and offers it to Berta as he sits down next to her again.

Thinks to himself...how did the captain know to call Rael by his name...Sir Rael?...VALMIR it is you..you crazy old goat...why didn't you say it was you?  Sorry about the threat and sorry about your losses....can you believe we actually pulled this offrelaxes a little more now.

Retrieving her sword and slotting it back into it's scabbard, Berta stands. She can't shake off the tension as easily as Viktor can, but does relax somewhat as the big man recognises the captain, and moreover seems to trust him.

"You're putting on weight," she assures Viktor with a broad grin, waving away the proffered skin as she leans over to work on the buckles of her armour.  Gods she needs a drink ... but despite their daring escape, is not yet ready to declare the day done - especially not with Queen Pollidemia yet to face.

The sun framing out the helmsman makes it nearly impossible to tell, but you swear you can feel the man smiling. "Have you all had little faith that I would have returned in 20 cycles. We have people constantly watching the palace, when you started your little ruckus we knew we had to move. As for getting a crew, it is fairly easy to get aeronauts at a port, this is a slavers ship if you do remember, I piloted this thing by myself earlier. A small handful of men is all this lord needs." He pats the wheel. "As for your friend Lars, I do not know what happened. In the confusion he may not have made it. Sadly that is the life of a freedom fighter."

He once again he puts the small cigarillo back in his mouth and begins to puff away. "Now it is time to relax. Put your swords down and take a load off. There may be foodstuffs still down below, I never did remove anything."


This is the end of the chapter. Time for you to look at all your character sheets and perform skill ups. There will be an X next to the skill on your character sheet. Those are the ones that you can test for. In the mechanics thread I've placed and explanation of how to do a skill up for those who need a refresher. I've already adjusted people for healing as Rael went around on the ship and talked to people. Any questions just let me know. If you are noticing something I'm missing also let me know. I have to read back in the logs and see how much allegiance gains everyone is going to get to make sure I didn't miss anything.