The hubris of Twessa's actions, already regretted, had been set by the cold in dark, dead flesh. No prize beyond the door could compensate her for what she'd lost in defeating this challenge; not just a physical piece of her, but the everlasting reminder of her foolish greed.

Arrogant carelessness had cost Twessa her spear, her armor, the respect of her goddess, and now several fingers and toes. Her behaviour had been shameful, and whatever awaited her on the other side of that door, whatever its worth, would be nothing but a memorial to her shame.

The price had been too high, but now had been paid. Twessa pressed her shoulder to the door and pushed on towards her tainted prize.

---

04:32, Today: Twessa Dumdellin rolled 8 using 1d20.  frostbite digits.

Oof, Twessa just keeps losing things. Could be worse :/

So, hmm the losses.....Left ring finger, right little finger, all toes but big toe on left foot, smallest two toes on right foot


This message was last edited by the player at 19:42, Thu 18 Apr 2019.

Gania threw herself into the diverted attack, faring somewhat better than if she stood and took it face-on. But it wasn't for naught. She pulled her blade after her and used her whole weight and strength to slash deep into the sandy arms. "You are bested!" she proclaimed "Yield and serve me and you shall see both my future glory and have a chance to earn yours."

21:59, Today: Gania Flamekeeper rolled 8 using 2d10, dropping the lowest dice only with rolls of 8,2.  Damage from dervish.
21:59, Today: Gania Flamekeeper rolled 11 using 1d10+1.  Damage to dervish.

22:00, Today: Gania Flamekeeper rolled 2,4 using 1d6,1d8.  Conquest parley.
Damn... Do I get +1 forward for the max damage roll? :D
Idea is to get a hireling out of this. Might consider sacrificing the magic item in return.

This message was deleted by the player at 17:57, Fri 19 Apr 2019.

"--HEY!" shouted Istvan, and he stomped on the floor, since snakes and worms are more about felt vibration than sound as such.


(CHR: 12:30, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 11 using 2d6+1.)

Istvan's sudden shout and stomp worked great-- the heads before him were momentarily startled...

He dashed to the bowl he'd used to make the snake-charming stuff, trying to re-dose his creation...

(DEX: 12:30, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 8 using 2d6 with rolls of 4,4.)

He was partially successful...

Gania

Gania's strike caused the dervish to go rolling sideways through the air until it struck a wall, where it slowly lowered to the floor. When Gania made her proposition, Mozerat did not answer immediately. Instead he began laughing painfully where he lay on the ground.

Between pained laughs, the dervish said, "It is true you have bested me. I yield. And I would not be opposed to lending my aid to a true champion who has defeated me in fair combat. But I fear you do not realize just how deeply your last blow struck..." Even as he said the words, both of Mozerat's legs were slowly dissolving into sand. In a few moments, the dervish was nothing but a head and torso with three arms. It seemed he had lost his ability to hover as well.

"I am willing to join you, but I am afraid you will have to carry me until I recover from my wounds. Which... could take a while."

What do you do?

---

Twessa

When the frostbitten Twessa pushed on the door, it opened with ease. The warmth of the dry treasure room air washed over her as she emerged into the square shield's display area itself. She had discovered why each treasure display had a door behind it. It was the exit to one of the challenges. Sure, the direction she had traveled for her challenge meant the architecture did not line up, but that was nothing new.

The window inside the shield's display area was still opaque, so she couldn't see if anyone else had retrieved a treasure yet, but the shield she had sacrificed her fingers and toes to obtain was now within her reach.

What do you do?

---

Istvan

Itvan effortlessly startled the worm-snake hydra and grabbed the bowl he needed. Now for the tricky part. Getting close enough to use the residual dust in the bowl. He was in a position where he could move to a safe distance if he would like, where he could try and formulate a plan for approach. Or, he could seize the initiative and move in immediately, but some of the heads would surely snap at him.

Either way, he did not have a lot of time remaining in his challenge. The hourglass hovering at the corner of his vision looked like it only had a few minutes remaining at most.

What do you do?

---

Harlin

Harlin dove to scoop up Quickclaw before dashing across the bridge, but the moment he had the cat in his arms, the ranger felt a large hand grip the waistband of his pants. The troll lifted Harlin off of his feet with little effort and held the elf at eye level. From here he could see that the gap the bridge crossed had spikes at the bottom.

Stoog was frowning as he looked Harlin in the eye and said, "Why you steal Stoog's snack? You no want Stoog be happy?" The troll's eyes teared up quickly and his frown became even sadder. "It seem nobody want Stoog happy." It was apparent that the troll was seconds away from full-blown sobbing again.

What do you do?

---

Gania
You can take on Mozerat as a Hireling if you wish, but he has lost the ability to walk or hover and you will need to carry him. So long as you are carrying the dervish, you will be considered to be over-encumbered with a weight "greater than your load +2."

quote:

When you make a move while carrying weight you may be encumbered. If your weight carried is:
-Equal to or less than your load, you suffer no penalty
-Less than or equal to your load+2, you take -1 ongoing until you lighten your burden
-Greater than your load+2, you have a choice: drop at least 1 weight and roll at -1, or automatically fail

Twessa
You are now within the display case containing the shield. It is sitting before you, ripe for the taking. Is there anything you want to do before grabbing it?

Istvan
You can stay safe and not use your charming dust just yet (will need a new roll of some kind), or you can use it successfully now but take 1d6+4 damage as half of the heads snap at you. Armor counts.

Harlin
You grabbed your cat, but Stoog is holding you up by the waistband of your pants. He is about to cry because you kept him from being happy.

(I'll use the stuff successfully now, but take damage.

14:12, Today: Istvan Vanoson rolled 10 using 1d6+4 ((6)).

Istvan, minus armor, takes 9 damage, and has 2 HP left. Hope this gets me out of here fast...)

Istvan re-doses the wormsnake with the charming powder, but gets hurt in doing so... At least he's alive so far...

Why not? "I want Stoog to be happy," Harlin said. Letting Quickclaw jump to the floor, the ranger reached out to hug Stoog.

Gania's eyes narrowed in suspicion at dervish's unexpected reaction. Then they widened at the revelation. She glanced at her blade, which she sheathed, and back at the sandy remains of Mozerat's limbs. "Yet you live." the barbarian said in the end, her voice filled with respect. Anyone made of flesh and blood would not survive such a strike. "How much do you know of this place, Mozerat Salazzan?" she moved towards the fallen form "Will you be of help while you recover?"

Gania

"Will I be of help?" Mozerat asked, parroting Gania's last question in his typical slithery voice. He looked down at his injured body almost as if only just noticing the extent of his injuries just now. He shrugged and sheathed his three scimitars on his back. "I can still swing a sword, if that's what you mean. You may need to help move me next to my target though..." He slowly dragged himself toward where his fourth blade had dropped, then sheathed it on his back with the other scimitars.

"As for what I know about this place, well, it isn't much more than you. I was conjured from stasis when you broke the wall. To be your challenger and keep you from reaching the door. I don't know how long I was in stasis though, or even who put me in stasis in the first place. I am certainly eager to finally be free of this place though. You were the first challenger to best me, so there will no longer be a need for me in this challenge once you claim your prize."

What do you do?

---

Twessa

The moment Twessa touched the shield she had won, the entire room began to glow with a mysterious magical blue light. She could feel it saturate into her very bones. Permeating her essence.

"You have completed the Rite of Vitality. You have proven yourself worthy of this treasure. Use it wisely." Twessa could suddenly magically sense all of her treasure's capabilities. It was a square shield that was absolutely impervious to any sort of damage, magical or mundane.

Then, the blue light continued to brighten and filled the room to the point where Twessa could no longer see the walls. She felt herself being pulled upward through the air. Then finally, the light faded and she found herself standing on a warm sand dune with a human man practically on top of her. The man looked awfully familiar too...

What do you do?

---

Istvan

The arcane duelist used his magic dust on the many-headed beast even as several of its heads gnawed at his body. Their hundreds of tiny teeth scratched at the skin of his arms and legs. One mouth was even closing in over his head, but then the entire beast stopped. A forked tongue flicked out and tasted the air around Istvan, then all of the heads retracted. They were staring at him with the same loving stare they had that first time he used the powder. Back when it was much tinier.

The pseudo-hydra awaited Istvan's bidding.

What do you do?

---

Harlin

Stoog seemed startled by Harlin's unexpected hug, but soon found himself returning the embrace. "You- you Stoog's friend now?" the troll asked as it put Harlin in a bear hug that threatened to crack a few ribs. The troll began sobbing with happiness. "You stay here and help Stoog forget pretty princess that won't let him come inside?" The troll continued hugging Harlin well past the point of awkwardness, waiting for the ranger's assurance that he would stay here and be Stoog's friend forever.

What do you do?

---

Gania
You will still be able to benefit from Mozerat's aid in combat as long as he is nearby.

quote:

Name: Mozerat Salazzan
Description: A Dervish. He has sandy skin, a slithery voice, and caries four scimitars. He normally has four arms, two legs, and long flowing robs that billow as he hovers. But right now one arm and two legs are missing, and he has lost his ability to hover. He expects to regenerate eventually though.
Loyalty: 2
Cost: Thrill of Victory
Skills: Warrior 2

Twessa
My last post for you was basically me stalling for time to help threads line up a bit better, so I moved you forward some more. You have claimed your prize. An indestructible shield. It I would ever say something damages it, correct me. It CANNOT be damaged.

Please make your next post in the thread "Group Two: Weaving a Tale."

Istvan
You can have the hydra-creature do as you please.

Harlin
The troll wants you to stay and be his friend. To help him forget the pretty princess that made him stay outside. To do otherwise will probably require a roll.

"Quickly-- and gently!" Istvan orders. "Get me up to that door!" he says, pointing at himself, and then up to where he needs to be, just to help facilitate clear communication.

Gania gave Mozerat an appreciative glance and finally nodded, offer her hand "Then we shall learn more of it together." She knelt and offered her back for him to climb on. She forced the thoughts of how vulnerable she was out of her mind. The dervish was an honorable warrior and had offered his service. Once he was in position she ventured toward the gate he was guarding "Now for the prize and to see how my companions fared."

Harlin grunted out, "I will talk to the pretty princess! I can convince her to let you inside! Just take me to her."

Parley 9. That's an improvement!

11:43, Today: Harlin Greenarrow rolled 9 using 2d6.  Parley.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:53, Mon 29 Apr 2019.

Gania

After Mozerat climbed atop her back, Gania made her way to the exit. Beyond the door was the little treasure display area where the serpent glaive was kept. As she touched the weapon, a voice spoke out and the room began filling with blue light. She could feel herself and Mozerat being lifted upward. "You have completed the Rite of Might. You have proven yourself worthy of this treasure. Use it wisely."

Gania could instinctively understand her new weapon's capabilities. She knew that in addition to being a formidable weapon, it could also be used to bind people. What's more, she understood how to make it do so.

After a few moments, the blue light began to fade and Gania found herself standing atop a sand dune with Mozerat on her back and her new weapon in her hand. A few feet away she spotted Twessa having an interaction with two vaguely familiar men. In the opposite direction there were more lights similar to the one she had just emerged from.

What do you do?

---

Istvan

The serpents under Istvan's spell all pushed and shoved against each other to be the one that had the pleasure of doing as the arcane duelist requested. In the end though, they lifted him up gently like he desired and Istvan soon found himself standing next to the exit. And not a moment too soon. The hourglass hovering at the edge of his vision was moments away from emptying!

But as he pushed through the door and into the treasure display area beyond, he knew he had succeeded the moment his fingers brushed against the prize waiting for him to claim. The large glass beaker containing a syrupy looking brown liquid inside. "You have completed the Rite of Thought," a voice said "You have proven yourself worthy of this treasure. Use it wisely."

As the room began to fill with blue light and Istvan was lifted upward, he instinctively understood what was contained within his new beaker. It was Chronos Elixir. Three doses of it. It was an unbelievably rare liquid that could return something to a state it once was.

Before he really had a chance to think about all of the potential applications though, he found himself standing on a sand dune. Gania was a few paces away, and Twessa was with two vaguely familiar men a bit further off. In the opposite direction were two more blue lights, much like the one he had just exited.

What do you do?

---

Harlin

Stoog held Harlin at arm's length when the ranger made his offer. The troll's ugly face broke into a crooked smile and he brought Harlin in for one last squeeze, leaving a glob of snot on the man's shoulder. Then he let go and finally allowed Harlin to stand on his own two feet again.

"You good friend," Stoog said as he led Harlin toward the door. "We best buds. Best bud gets princess for other best bud! So nice." It was quite evident that Harlin had brightened the troll's day considerably. As Stoog reached out to the double doors and cracked them open an inch or so, he paused and looked down at Harlin again, concern on his face. "But what if best bud decide to stay with princess instead of Stoog? Gimme somethin to come back for. Then I know you not steal princess for self." He held out a hand and waited for Harlin to put something in it.

What do you do?

---

Gania
Please join us in the Group Two thread for your next post. Here are the stats for your new treasure:

quote:

Serpent Glaive
reach, +1 damage, two-handed, 2 weight
On a successful Hack and Slash, you may forego dealing damage and instead bind someone with snake-like coils as your weapon wraps around them. (or at least bind a man-sized portion of their body.) The weapon is unusable for attacks while it is binding someone.

Istvan
Please join us in the Group Two thread for your next post. Here are the stats for your new treasure:

quote:

Chronos Elixir
2 weight, 3/3 uses
You may spend a use of Chronos Elixir to return something to a state it was previously in. You could fix a broken object, mend an injured friend, or even unbake a loaf of bread. Feel free to think big and get creative (although there are limits). When you use it, what you intend for it to do matters.

Harlin
The troll opened the doors for you, but wants an item from you so that he knows you will come back to get it later. This is the "concrete assurance" that you will hold up your end of the parley. You can give him any item you want, or Defy Danger if you want to keep everything.

Harlin gave the troll a sheaf of arrows as surety.

The troll smiled wide when Harlin handed him the arrows. "You best," Stoog said happily, then opened the doors wide. "I wait here. You go in."

Behind the doors was a small waiting area with a lavish rug and carved benches to each side of the entrance. On the far side of the room was another set of polished doors set into the granite walls. This place was certainly upscale.

Once Stoog closed the entrance behind Harlin, the other doors were opened by a well-dressed man. He gave off the distinctly snooty vibe of a servant to a wealthy individual. "Welcome to her highness, Madam Cronchette's palace. I am Master Orwell. If you seek the madam's audience, you must dress appropriately. This..." He gestured disapprovingly at Harlin's attire. "...will not do. She does not speak to anyone unless their outfit interests her."

Without a word, Master Orwell turned on his heels and began walking down the hall. It was as incredibly lavish as the entryway, but also sported various sculpture pedestals and oil painting instead of the entryway's benches. At the very end of the hall Harlin could see that it opened up into a large throne room with a raised platform. But where he might expect a throne to be, he could just make out what appeared to be a door identical to the one he had entered at the very start of this challenge. And sitting atop the door was the ghostly figure of a woman. Her long translucent ballgown draped over the exit.

"You may make use of the changing facilities if you desire," Master Orwell said, drawing Harlin's attention back away from the throne room. He had paused in front of a room halfway down the hall. Within were rows upon rows of different outfits all hanging on racks. It was downright absurd how many outfits were packed into that single room. "Ring if you need any assistance," Orwell said, gesturing to a bell next to the door.

What do you do?

---

You can see the exit now, but it is serving as the ghostly princess's seat. The butler guy, Orwell, says the princess is only interested in speaking to people who have an outfit that interests her. Whatever that means. Orwell has shown you to a room containing pretty much any outfit you can imagine. He suggests you pick something you think the princess would like before going to meet her.

If you decide to make a costume change, go ahead and tell me what you find to wear. You can basically find anything someone may wear that is non-magical. Clown outfits, knight's armor, peasants rags, dwarven jewelry, cowboy hats, elvish spider-silk underwear, etc. Feel free to get as creative as you want.

Of course you can choose to try your luck and skip the room too. It's up to you!

Harlin waited long enough that he hoped Orwell had passed out of the hallway. He had no interest in changing clothes. This was a test of personality and his personality was reflected in his traveling clothes and armor. He left the changing room and proceeded toward the exit chamber.

Though he had to admit to himself he had been tempted by some of the sturdier armor.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:20, Sat 04 May 2019.

When Harlin stepped into the throne room, trumpets sounded to announce his presence. The room was grand, with paintings on the walls and a stained glass ceiling. Colorful light beamed down and illumunated the ghostly princess where she sat. The princess herself sat atop the exit door with her legs tucked sideways and her dress still covering the door. She didn't look at Harlin, but said, "If you have selected your attire, then approach and impress me. If you manage to show me a true understanding of dress, I will grant you a single favor. Disappoint me..." She let her voice trail off, but there was a definite threatening tone to her words.

Harlin approached the "throne." Holding his bow in one hand and his broken spear in the other, he held his arms outstretched and bowed.

Go ahead and give me a Defy Danger +Cha roll to see if the ghost-princess is adequately impressed with your actions. The danger being that she is somehow insulted instead.

7

13:08, Today: Harlin Greenarrow rolled 7 using 2d6.  Defy Danger-CHA.

When Harlin bowed before the princess, he could feel her eyes on him, judging him. After what felt like several minutes, Madam Cronchette finally spoke again. "Well, it's not the most exciting ensemble," the princess said with obvious snootiness in her voice. "But I suppose I must give you credit for honesty. Is that... swamp mud on your legs? And ooze residue on your forearms? Hmm."

At this point the ghost-princess hovered closer to Harlin and began examining his outfit much more carefully. "You attire speaks a story without using words," she commented. "Much more so than most of the ones that have been made specifically to impress me. Such sturdy construction too!" She reached her hand out to touch it, but it merely passed through the fabric, chilling it slightly. "I'll tell you what. Leave this armor you wear here, in my collection, and I will grant you your single favor." Madam Cronchette hovered before Harlin and awaited his answer.

What do you do?

---

Madam Cronchette has offered to grant you one favor if you leave her your armor for her collection.

"You are most gracious, Higness," Harlin improvised. His experience with ghostly royalty was limited. "I accept your offer: My armor for a favor. I ask that the troll Stoog be allowed to dwell in the palace area. He is sad and lonely guarding the bridge."

"The troll?" the princess asked with incredulity. She wrinkled her translucent nose. "Ugh. But he is so... crude. Unkempt. Unsightly." Despite her overt objections though, the princess sighed. "Very well. If that is truly your request..."

Madam Cronchette floated a few feet higher into the air and called out to her servant. "Master Orwell! Come take this man's armor. I will show you where I want it displayed. Then go open the main gate and escort Stoog into the palace. Just... try to keep him out of my sight, I suppose."

After Orwell collected Harlin's armor, the butler and princess headed off to a different part of the palace, leaving the exit unattended. Harlin new he could get to it easily enough right now if he didn't want to wait for Stoog to return his bundle of arrows. If he did decide to wait, it was likely that the princess would return to her seat before Harlin got the chance to leave.

What do you do?

---

Mark your armor off of your sheet, Harlin, and adjust you load and armor score appropriately. If you don't wait for Stoog, mark off one of your arrow bundles as well (all 3 uses), and complete the Rite of Personality.

If you do wait for Stoog, tell me what your plan is to finish this challenge.

Harlin had hoped to get his "deposit" back from Stoog, but wasn't sure what might happen if the princess returned. He exited the palace.

Ok, losing armor and half my arrows, but keeping my cat and whatever the benefit is of the Rite of Personality. Could be worse.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:31, Wed 08 May 2019.

When Harlin pressed against the door-throne, it opened easily and the ranger soon found himself standing within the treasure display area containing the ornate headdress. When he touched it, the room began to fill with a blue light and a voice spoke out. "You have completed the Rite of Personality. You have proven yourself worthy of this treasure. Use it wisely." And with that, Harlin felt himself being pulled upward.

When the light faded, Harlin found himself standing on the side of a sand dune, with a group of familiar faces not far off and his new treasure in his hands. Not only that, but it was as if he could instinctively sense his treasure's magical capabilities as well.

---

Harlin, please join us in the Group Two thread. Also, here are the stats for your treasure:

quote:

Headdress of Concessions (a large and ornate Egyptian pharaoh-style headdress)
Weight: 2
When equipped, the wearer may choose one debility to ignore. (they still have the debility, but ignore the penalty.) They may not change their choice until someone else wears the headdress. Additionally, the headdress may be traded for one item that someone else possesses, regardless of value. The person will be happy with the trade for at least a day. The person must have the authority to give you the item requested. (for example, you can't trade the headdress for someone's house unless they actually own the house.)