The reign of the evil overlord and necromancer, Nikadroy Qizproteus, has been over for quite some time.  Most of his lieutenants have been tracked down and dealt with in one way or another, but a few still remain.  Some have merely been hiding really well.  Others have started to amass power of their own.

You suspected both when you learned of events going on just outside of the great harbor in Markhain.  Along the coast to the south, houses have been being ransacked by dark shapes in the night.  Nobody has seen exactly who or what has been doing it, but the story is always the same.  Someone who lives near town has their house robbed and burned.  No one who has survived has been able to give clear details other than rough descriptions and vague clues.

Still, it was enough to grab your group's attention.

After the last attack, Illura was able to track the culprits to a cave on the Black-Sand Beaches nearby.  You stand now at the entrance.  You are at the bottom of a rocky cliff face, standing on the beach's signature black sand.  It is low tide, and you can tell that the cave entrance will be flooded before the day is through.  Which means if you don't hurry, eventually you would have to swim out or wait for the tide to go out again.  But hey, at least you will be out of the drizzling rain...

What do you do?

Dr. Hiran Krauss - What vague clue was given about the burned and ransacked houses that made you think it was one of the fallen overlord's lieutenants?

Illura - What clues have you been able to draw about the ransackers based on their tracks?

Eryn - What do you know of the Black-Sand Beaches from your former trips to the great harbor in Markhain?

Marcus knelt, glad that his helmet kept most of the rain out of his eyes. Grasping a handful of sand, he wondered how it would look like under the moon's glow. Probably almost as buetiful as Lusiny herself. A smile, barely noticable through his beard, crossed the paladin's face. Letting the sand trickle from his hand, he took hold of his silvery simbol with the other, and uttered a prayer in a low voice "Into the dark, we carry your light, searching for those that taint your night. May the pearl moon be forever white."

As he stood up, his eyes glanced involuterily to the North, where the red moon was just setting. His throat tightening at the sight and he forced himself to look away. The Blood goddess made a point in hunting down those following her twin, and while he did not fear such fate, the thought always made him uneasy.

Eryn felt miserable. She stood a few feet behind the others, silently observing the holy knight's subtle ritual. She couldn't wait to keep going. On eerie nights like this - when the moon was red and animals hid from the rain - Eryn felt like not even armor and shield could protect her from the things that must surely lurk in the shadows. The recent attacks confirmed it. Something was out here.

No wonder the townsfolk say this place is cursed, she thought, as she tapped a small rock with the blunt end of her spear. The fish and crabs are all black as well.

The sellsword paused for a moment when the rock suddenly sprouted thin, black legs and began scuttering away towards the ocean. Eryn bowed down to pick up the black crab, but her hand stopped just before touching it, and instead she let it vanish below the water's surface. She turned her head to look at the others, and waited for Marcus to finish his prayer before she spoke.

"You know, in Markhain I once met a man named Bolen," she began. "His entire right arm was black and withered. I thought it was an infection he couldn't afford to treat, but Bolen spun me a tale about how it had happened after he went fishing around these parts. He claimed that his arm had gone black the moment he pulled his catch of the day off the hook. He thought it must have been the will of the gods that he be marked for trying to take anything from cursed land."

Eryn shuddered almost imperceptibly and quickly continued, her voice betraying just a hint of unease. She stood back up.

"I'm not one to believe in tall tales like that, but many fishermen have seen their wounds slowly grow black with disease. We should be careful, and hurry up. I don't wish to stay here any longer than I have to."

Rirrik stops in front of Eryn with an arm full of the black crabs he had been planning on cracking against the rocky crag. Upon hearing about withering arms and cursed land he drops the pile onto the sand. They all scatter except for one that snips onto the gnoll's finger. Letting out a yelp he flings the creature off and says  in an irritated tone "Jeez, you could have warned a gnoll about curses before he picked out a nice dinner."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:39, Sat 11 Nov 2017.

Ilura stood with her back to the sea, protecting her eyes from the brightness of the silver moon, but also watching the cliffs for any signs of threat or overwatch.  The rain rolled easily off her cloak and the deep hood kept it from her eyes.  Their small party had travelled well and she was glad of their company.

The two moons had made the tracking straightforward, not that it had been a hard task.  Lower-level undead didn't pay much attention to covering their tracks.  Or much of anything beyond their assigned task.  She'd seen a couple of skeletons walk right off a cliff once when the summoning wizard hadn't been paying enough attention.

Zombies were the easiest.  They had more flesh and clothes to catch and tear, but no sense of pain to notice what they were leaving behind.  Skeletons had no flesh and far less clothing, though some bore the odd fragment of decaying cloth.  But their tracks were clear enough as were the broken branches as they mindlessly pushed through obstacles.  She put the number of the zombies at 4-5.  At least one of them had been  a female - unless one of the males had been a fan of gingham dresses.  The skeletons numbered between two and three.  Plus there was something else.

The last creature troubled her.  It left far less evidence of its passage.  The odd bent blade of grass, a scuff mark on stone, but no real tracks.  At least partly manifested in the physical world, but perhaps not wholey.  Whatever it was was certainly controlling the band.  Their quary had made several turns in their march rather than following the typical mindless straight line.  And from the depths of the tracks, they were carrying something.  From the tales of past attacks, probably victims.  A shudder went through her.  She wondered if the thing in control was the creature with the blue sword she'd encountered before.  "This time I must be strong enough"



She nodded her agreement at Eryn's urging and moved to the mouth of the cave.  If they hurried, there might be a chance of saving some of from the homestead.  Plus Eryn's tale wasn't making her want to wait for the water to encroach any closer.

Arrow at the ready and keeping to the cover of rocks at the edge of the cave mouth, she peered inside.  The pearl moon was near full, reflecting off the sea and carrying at least some light into the depths of the cave, though the black sand absorbed more light than she wished.

With a quiet rustle of feathers, Thomas lifted from her shoulder and entered the cavern, his eyes probing the darkness even more surely than her own.  If there were sentries or other obvious dangers, he'd let her know.

Seeing no obvious targets, she turned her head to the group.  "Keep your voices low once we enter the cavern.  The waves cover our sound here, but echoes may carry our voices far once we are within the rocks."

With that, she moved inside, continuing to scout with her bow at the ready.

quote:

15:48, Today: Ilura rolled 9 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,4.  Discern Realities.

+2 is for Thomas' aid while scouting.  Forgot to include the +1 for my Wisdom, which takes it to 10 :)
"What here is not what it appears to be?"
"What is about to happen?"
"What should I be on the lookout for?"

As Ilura led the party into the cave, it became increasingly difficult to see.  The moonlight reflecting off the water and salt crystals on the rocks was just a step better than total darkness.  Everyone had to move extremely slowly to keep from tripping on the rough rocky ground or to keep their armor from clanking too noisily.  What was worse, there were strings of jet black shells hanging from the ceiling in places that would surely clank loudly if bumped.  Illura was about a nose-breadth's away from running into one when her crow warned her of its presence.

After that, the skilled ranger was able to locate more of the simple traps by listening for them rustling in the slight breeze.  And with her ears perked, she now noticed another sound as well.  The sound of running water.  There was a stream in the cave that was emptying into the ocean.

After painstakingly travelling a few hundred feet into the cave this way, there was a turn in the cave's path.  Dim firelight could be seen reflecting off the rough, wet wall ahead.  As Ilura peeked low around the corner, she found herself looking at the feet of two skeleton sentries.  They hadn't noticed her or the rest of the party yet, but if you pressed any further into the cave, they surely would.

What do you do?

Ilura:
"What here is not what it appears to be?"
The cave.  It is not just a hole in the cliff face.  It is actually the outlet of an underground stream that could go for quite some distance inland.

"What is about to happen?"
Two skeleton sentries are about to notice your party if you go any further.

"What should I be on the lookout for?"
The strings of shells hanging from the ceiling.

[Edit:] Remember you get to take +1 forward when acting on the answers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:02, Sun 12 Nov 2017.

Upon investigation and a few field tests using his various tomes he brought with him Hiran recognized the magically enhanced rotting flesh left all over the scenes.  His former master would commonly create creatures that were a mixture of flesh golems and sentient dead enhancing their forms and abilities while keeping the same obedience of the usual form.  Once these were created he would give them to his underlings and save the truly frightening creatures (Liches, Vampires, unspeakable horrors, etc..) to himself.

Hiran used to love the red moons, the red moons in his past life meant the master would bring in new experiments and new assignments for Hiran to work on.  The red moon's were always the best for grafting, dissecting and reanimating  the recently or partially departed.  Now they brought a shiver of excitement and fear up his spine.

"Wait a second" he said muttering more to himself than anyone else.  "Yes, he could help me...but what do I want to ask?" again muttering to himself.

Hiran walks off to a bit more secluded spot away from the rest of the party.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:07, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

Her master would have dropped the two skeletons where they stood and kept moving, but Ilura knew that her skills were not yet up to that task.  At least one would have survived to raise the alarm.  And though she had a larger party this time, she didn't have Growler or her mentor.  Surprise was probably best.

She backed away from the corner and made her way back to the party, signalling them to stop and move towards the cave entrance as best she could in the low light.

In a hushed voice she shared what she'd found.  "Two skeleton guards around a bend just a little ways ahead.  Plus strings of shells hanging from the cave ceiling that might raise an alarm.  I can probably take down one guard, but not both.  And the one I hit might not stay down.

If they were still human, I would suggest preparing an ambush.  We could make a small noise to lure one out and I could shoot from a distance to stun the other one.  But I am not sure if such undead are capable of curiousity, nor whether a blow to the head of one would stun it.  Does anyone have more experience with such abominations?"

What weapons has Ilura seen the rest of the party carrying?  Does Rirrik have a bow?

Eryn moved slowly across the slippery rocks, allowing Ilura to take the lead and point out most of the shell chimes before they became a problem. In this black place, even the ones hanging at the mouth of the cave had been almost impossible to spot until they were right in front of them. Lighting a torch had been out of the question. The flickering light would certainly have given them away immediately, ruining the element of surprise. Besides, they appeared to be approaching a torchlit area already.

Seeing Ilura pause just a few meters ahead of her, Eryn immediately came to a stop as well. Her shield was already partly raised in anticipation, and her spear was kept aloft to avoid scraping the ground. When Eryn heard what the ranger had to say, she wrinkled her brow.

"Skeletons," she muttered. "I don't suppose they were black as well?"

Undead had been mentioned as a strong possibility on the way in, and Eryn didn't know too much about those beyond the basics. She knew they were animated by magic or supernatural means, and that destroying them permanently could often be much more complicated than just hitting them until they stopped moving. The only one she had ever encountered in person was a ghoul that the village priest had laid it to rest with some sort of ritual after the warriors helped knock it down and drag it back to its open grave. They had been forced to strike it repeatedly to keep it from rising again on the way there.

"I've only dealt with fleshy monsters before," she replied to Ilura, keeping her voice as low as the ranger's. "I've heard tales of how to deal with others, however: It's nothing I have tried myself. Perhaps Hiran or Marcus knows more?"

Thinking back to the summer nights spent around a campfire in her home village, when she had listened with childish glee to the stories of the hunters and travelers that came to the woods for the season, Eryn faintly recalled another priest explaining the difference between regular restless spirits and necromancy. She was certain there had been mention of skeletons, for in her memory the priest held animal bones in his hands and used them to mimic the clacking of undead monsters snapping their jaws shut.


What does Eryn remember being told about undead skeletons in her youth?

Dice roller:

Eryn rolled 7 using 2d6.  Spout Lore.

[Edit:] Spelling.

This message was last edited by the player at 12:08, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

Rirrik sheathed the short sword he had out and pulled his bow from off his back. "My Ex-peer-tease" he began, struggling to use the word. "Isn't in undead, but unusual living creatures." he stressed living. "But I am sure they can atleast hear and see somehow. There would be no point to putting up the shells or having them guard otherwise. if we tossed something farther in they would probably atleast head down that way. The darkness won't be too much trouble for MY eyes" As soon as he finished speaking in whispers he looked around for Hiran only to catch him wandering off.

Ilura: He has a short sword and a ragged bow.
GM: I assume that gnolls like hyenas have excellent night vision, I hope it's okay that I put that bit in as part of the fiction.

The entire party would be well aware that Hiran carries a large sack of books of various knowledge and those of you who know of any of his past deeds would know that he would have more intimate knowledge than most of the undead.

Dr. Hiran Krauss

As Ilura filled in the group on what she had found, the Dr. found a nice quiet spot to help him concentrate on the spell he wanted to cast.  Sitting on a stone with a pool of dark shimmering water behind him and to each side, Dr. Hiran Krauss pierced the veil between this world and the next and drew a spirit toward him for questioning.  Not just any spirit either.  The spirit of his former boss.  The necromancer, Nikadroy Qizproteus.

A deep mischievous laugh reached the Doctor's ears as a glowing deep-purple shape flitted under the water around him.  It was a reflection of something that was not quite there.  "So you want to know what orders I gave my followers for after I perished?" The spirit asked.  "I will tell you.  And not just because I am bound by your spell.  Your pathetic little spell.  But because there is nothing you can do to stop it, traitor.  And because it should be obvious."  The amorphous reflection circled in the water to Hiran's other side.  A bit of ice began forming at the edges of the still pool and the wizard could begin to see his breath.  "My orders were to bring me back.  Death is just a minor roadblock to a skilled necromancer, after all.  I have my lieutenants collecting the resources necessary to reform my body and bring me life once more."

Hirian's fingers are starting to get numb now, and his nose is cold as can be.  The purple shape began lifting up out of the water, no longer merely a reflection.  Whispering to the doctor, it said, "Of course it might be helpful to posses a physical vessel in the meantime.  Yours will do, I suppose.  It really is dangerous to conjure the spirit of a skilled necromancer, you know."

Just as the form touched his skin, Dr. Hiran Krauss was able to end his spell, banishing the spirit back to the other side for the time being.  Warmth began flooding back into the man almost immediately, but the frost on the hair of his left arm lingered a bit longer where the necromancer's spirit had touched him.

What do you do?

---

Eryn

Thinking long and hard about those stories from long ago, Eryn was able to recall something about how skeletons liked to reform when destroyed.  As she tried to recall more details, her focus on the here and now wavered a little.  The tip of her spear absentmindedly drifted to her right and brushed against one of the shell traps.

The slight clanking brought her focus back to reality, but the damage had already been done.  The party could hear a shuffling sound from where you knew the skeletons to be, and you could see the reflection of firelight on the back of its skull as one stepped forward.  There were glowing red orbs deep in the eye sockets and you could tell it was searching for the source of the sound.  It hasn't noticed you yet, but it will in mere moments.

What do you do?

Rirrik:
That's fine.  I imagine you would still be just as blind in complete and total darkness though without magical help.

Hiran dropped to his knees and drove his frosty fist into the sand a look of fear and frustration on his face. "Of course, of course that would be their plan I should have known already.  We have to figure out how he's likely to do it."

Hiran was an intelligent man and worked with the master for a long time but he wasn't a skilled necromancer, more of a doctor who dabbled in information forbidden and unknown.

He dropped his sack of books and began furiously searching through tomes.

"It has to be here, a clue or something has to be here."


I will use 1 use of bag of books to try and find information on what I think the plans will be to bring the master back.  My thinking is any information we can gain gives us an edge on what we are stepping into.

OOC: Current Spells: Magic Missle, Contact Spirits
This message was last edited by the player at 15:36, Mon 13 Nov 2017.

Hiran

If you can create a way to read in the dark, roll me a spout Lore with your +1.  If not, you may still roll your Spout Lore without the bonus, or you may wait until you have a light source.

Hiran runs quickly over to the others. "A light please, I need a light source I must investigate.  Quickly there's no time to explain."

I guess there's another way to find out if Skeleton's can be stunned...

Ilura winced when the shells jangled.  She had turned and was already aiming when the first skeleton shuffled into view.  If she could daze this one, the others might have a chance to take it out quietly enough that the other one wouldn't notice and raise the alarm.

quote:

08:39, Today: Ilura rolled 2 using 2d6.  Called shot to skeleton's head.

There's a +2 on that for dex, but even so, not good enough.

I don't think I can combine moves - so I can't Command my crow and do a Called Shot.  If that presumption is incorrect, then I'd have gotten Thomas in on the action too.  However, in this case, even that wouldn't have helped :(

Does ammo get reduced on every shot or only when I volley and choose that as the consequence of a 7-9?

OOC: Usually you only lose ammo on a 7-9 or if the GM wants it to also be lost on a complete failure but that's usually just time for a hard move which is far worse than losing ammo.

Curses, Eryn thought, as the clattering shells caught the attention of a skeleton. She swiftly drew her spear closer to her side, ready to fight.

Ilura was quick on the draw, however, and had already made the first move. In the dark Eryn was unable to tell if the clattering sound of the arrow hitting something solid meant that the shot had missed, or if the skeleton simply did not care about being struck at all.

"Everyone, get ready," Eryn said. "They are coming for us!"

The red glow in the otherwise empty skull sockets made the undead quite menacing, but it was the bones walking seemingly without support that gave this one its frighteningly unnatural appearance.

"That thing is haunting!" she said as she came up next to Ilura. "All I remember hearing about them is that they put themselves back together even if you break them apart."

Eryn shivered as she steeled herself behind her shield and took a few steps forward. If she could put herself between Ilura and the skeleton, her shield could protect them both.

quote:

Eryn rolled 6 using 2d6+1.  Defend against incoming skeleton.

Darn. That's a failure. :)

Ilura was about to take her shot when Hiran ran up and started asking for light.  That small distraction was just enough to throw off her aim and Ilura's arrow sailed harmlessly through the skeleton's collarbone and clanked off the rock wall behind it.  The skeleton immediately turned toward the ranger and approached, bearing a rusty butcher's knife.  The second skeleton appeared around the corner too.  This one's glowing red eyes were set in the skull of a deer, despite the rest of its body being human, as far as you could tell.

Just as the skeleton was withing striking range, Eryn stepped in front of the reanger with her shield at the ready.  Or, at least she tried to.  The mighty warrior did not notice the black starfish on the rock she was about to step on and she tumbled forward as it squished beneath her boot, bringing Ilura down with her.  The two end up in a jumbled heap before the approaching skeletons.  The nearest one takes a swing at Ilura.

Rirrik and Marcus, you see two of your comrades in immediate danger.  What do you do?

Ilura, take d6 damage.  Don't forget about your armor.

Eryn, you can either help yourself or Ilura avoid the skeletons' next attacks.  Tell me who, and tell me how.  The other takes d6+1 damage.


You can combine moves if it makes sense.  In this case I don't believe it would have improved your roll though.  Only your damage if you had rolled a 10+

Ammo is kind of abstract in Dungeon world.  6 ammo does not mean 6 arrows.  You can shoot them all day long as long as you keep rolling well.  And as Hiran said, usually you only lose ammo if you choose that option on a 7-9 volley roll, or a GM move gets rid of some.

"Spawn of a Barghest!"  The knife pierced through the leather and stabbed into the ranger's left shoulder.  She struggled to regain her feet, drawing her short sword as she did so.  When fighting with her mentor, combat had been an elegant dance.  But her new compatriots seemed to be listening to a different tune.  She'd have to adapt quickly if they were going to stay alive.  On the plus side, the glowing red eyes made it easy to know where to strike.

"Thomas, KILL"

quote:

10:17, Today: Ilura rolled 5 using 1d6.  Damage from skeleton.

With armor, that's a 4

quote:

10:27, Today: Ilura rolled 4 using 2d6.  Short sword on Skeleton w/ crow's help.

At least we're consistent...

"Damn it we don't have time for this." Hiran sets his bag of books down in the sand in front of him trying to shield them from any uprising water.  He then calls forth the destructive magics the overlord taught him so long ago.  The spell causes his eyes to bug out and turn bloodshot as he controls a large ball of pure destructive force.  He sends it forth aiming for the skeleton that threatened his fumbling companions.


OOC: 12:52, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 4 using 2d4.  Magic Missle Damage.

12:49, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 14 using 2d6+2.  Magic Missle on skeleton.

Unspeakable words erupted from Eryn as she slipped and took Ilura with her. Things happened quickly then. The skeleton was on them in a flash, striking Ilura before Eryn had time to react. Magic light flew past her prone form, striking the skeleton and rattling its bones.

Hiran. Has to be, she thought. Eryn took the opportunity to scramble back on her feet, attempting to raise her shield once more. She wasn't quick enough, however, and even as the fighter tried to push back against the undead attacker, the skeleton's rusty blade slipped past the shield's edge and scraped across her chainmail. She felt the sting as it happened, and hissed with anger.

She tried to regain her balance as she prepared to throw her weight behind a new strike. They needed this thing down, and fast.

Ilura's animal companion took flight, and as it sped past her Eryn reflexively took a step back. Missing her opportunity to strike, she instead returned to a defensive stance, determined to protect her ally despite her initial failure.


I took the hit.

quote:

Eryn rolled 4 using 1d6+1.  Damage from skeleton.

With armor, that's 2 damage. Down to 21 HP.

Attempting to defend my ally again.

quote:

Eryn rolled 9 using 2d6+1.  Attempting to Defend again.

Partial success. Hold 1.

Marcus hasn't faced any undead since his squireship with Tiberon, and the although he was aware what waited in the cave, the approaching skeletons woke up some memories he thought were buried. But clearly not deep enough. Closing his eyes for a moment, he pushed through the image of the brother he lost and readied his shield and blade.

But much happened in those few seconds. The animated creatures were upon them, and he moved to stand next to Eryn, swinging his blade in an attempt to sever the connection between bones, paying little heed to his own safety. He wanted to tell how they should proceed, but apart of knowing that there were rituals that dealt with eternal rest, which he didn't know how to perform, he came up short.

6 damage to skeleton, but he gets an attack back.

21:12, Today: Marcus rolled 8 using 2d6+1.  Hack and Slash skeleton.
21:14, Today: Marcus rolled 6 using 1d10+1.  Damage.
21:13, Today: Marcus rolled 6 using 2d6-1.  Sprout lore - undead.

Rirrik shook his head at the scene that unfolded mere moments before. The possibility of stealthily stalking their prey fell apart before their eyes like sand falling through one's fingers. Rirrik jumped back with his bow still in hand. He fired shot after shot while moving back, hopefully out of their reach. Finally one arrow caught hard on a clavicle, snapping it. Rirrik let a small excited yip escape his snout.

17:20, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 5 using 1d6.  Damage.
17:11, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 9 using 2d6.  Volley.
Reducing ammo by one.
OOC: Ofcourse, it still requires some light. Not like predator style thermal vision (which would be pretty cool).

Ilura's blade slipped neatly between the skeleton's ribs, harmlessly, just as Hiran's magic blasted away at its shoulder.  The force of the magical impact caused the skeleton to pivot and wrenched the blade from Ilura's grasp.  You could hear it clatter somewhere in the dark before making a splash.

Then Marcus came in swinging, taking the first half-shattered skeleton to pieces with his blade.  As the glow started to leave the abomination's eyes and it fell to the ground, its arm twitched one last time, striking out at Marcus. Even as its brother fell, the antlered skeleton stepped up and began clawing at Marcus's shield.

A split second later though, the antlered skeleton staggers backward as an arrow shattered a portion of its chest.  It's eyes flickered, then flared up again as it tore at Marcus and Eryn's shields once again.  And to make matters worse, the dim firelight around the corner was now getting closer.  Marcus may not be able to remember much about undead in general at the moment, but he was certain that the moaning sounds approaching indicated zombies.

What do you do?

Illura, your blade is somewhere in the dark at the moment.

Marcus, take d6+1 damage.  Mark XP if you haven't already for your Spout Lore.

Eryn, feel free to use your hold where appropriate, or continue to save it for later.

Hiran and Rirrik, you're good.

You can all hear zombies approaching noisily.

The fighters and mage seemed to have the skeletons well in hand, and she had proved herself less than competent.  Taking the loss of her sword together with her aching shoulder as a sign that perhaps melee combat wasn't the best strategy at the moment, Ilura fell back and took up a flanking position a descent way away from where she knew the zombies would emerge.  This wasn't the time to go digging in the stream for her sword, especially in the dark.

Readying her bow and aiming at the area of growing firelight, she calmed her breathing as her mentor had trained her.  She opened her senses, listening, watching, smelling.  A flick of her head sent Thomas to help survey the darkness.  The zombies were the obvious threat.  She didn't want to be surprised by anything else.  And perhaps there was something in this cavern that would be helpful in the coming fight.

quote:

16:38, Today: Ilura rolled 10 using 2d6+3.  Discern Realities (with crow's help).

What should I be on the lookout for?
What here is useful or valuable to me?
What here is not what it appears to be?

Hiran grabs his bag of books and begins to move away from the cave.  "They know were here, the master knows we are here. We must learn more about what they are attempting before we do this again or were going to get swarmed." Hiran knew the master's tactics he knew what was about to happen and he couldn't sit and watch people he respected be murdered the same way he saw so many be slaughtered before.

As the zombies got closer the voices of the damned that swarmed Hiran began to laugh and cry out. "They are coming for you Doctor." "It's time to meet the same fate that we did." "Suffering comes for you Doctor Krauss!"

Hiran grit his teeth and ran the opposite direction of the water up the hill above the cave and onward away from the threat. He waved his arm to encourage the others to follow.  He stops still in range to cast another spell at the remaining skeleton hoping it would give the others time before the undead swarm arrives. The screaming voices in his ears reminded him of his old self what he used to be and the magics he called forth followed suit.  These bolts of decay and terror incarnate form in his hand encased in a shell of arcane force.  Hiran releases the bolts from his hands and they fly into the still standing skeleton peppering it with several quick blasts in succession.



OOC: 18:16, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  Magic Missle on remaining Skeleton.

18:16, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 4 using 2d4.  Magic Missle Damage.

I will take some Danger for that partial success.

Rirrik tried to move himself into a better position to strike the antlered skeleton without putting an arrow Marcus or Eryn. He should have been paying attention to his footwork. He felt his paw slip up from under him and in the stumble his shot went wild. Who knew where or in who it would end up...

18:44, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 4 using 2d6.  Volley.

At first Eryn thought that the clattering sound in the darkness was a skeleton's knife being dropped as it fell, but a moment later she saw Ilura retreat, blade no longer in hand.

Although his attack was effective in reducing their foe to a pile of bones, Marcus had placed himself in harm's way to do so. Eryn leapt forward towards the second skeleton, interrupting its assault and giving it less of an opening to strike. Its horrible claws bore down upon their shields with unrelenting fervor, however, and the fighter could tell that Marcus was struck by bony fingers at least once during the scuffle. How bad it was, she could not tell, but he kept standing and so she stood her ground as well.

More magic from Hiran peppered the antlered skeleton. Eryn couldn't help but be impressed. Their weapons barely scratched its bones, but magic seemed to do the trick. She could see the creature's eyes flicker. Was the magic destabilizing the spell that kept it alive somehow?

Seeing a chance to finish it off, Eryn brought her spear to rest on her shield's edge, and thrust it forwards towards the deer skull in front of her. The tip had been fashioned to penetrate human armor, but she had a feeling it could shatter human bones as well.


I use my Hold to protect Marcus from the skeleton's attack, halving the damage he will recieve.

quote:

Eryn rolled 12 using 2d6+2.  Hack and Slash at skeleton.
Eryn rolled 2 using 1d10.  Deal damage to skeleton.
Eryn rolled 8 using 1d10.  Re-roll damage (Human Fighter move).

I don't want to mess up again when I got such a good attack roll, so I'll use my damage re-roll here. Result: 8 damage (2 piercing).

Hiran was able to retreat to higher ground along the cave wall.  From his place of relative safety, he was able to blast the skeleton with magic once again.  However, his rocky perch had very uneven footing and the intricacies of spellcasting distracted him from maintaining proper balance.  The wizard began to teeter on the edge of his outcropping, surly about to fall.

However, with the combined efforts of Hiran's magic and Eryn's mighty strike, the enemy skeleton didn't just fall apart.  It exploded apart!  Magic-laced splinters of bone erupted everywhere, peppering Eryn and Marcus in fine bone powder.  One of the antlers even cartwheeled through the air, knocking Rirrik upside the noggin as he was trying to see where his stray arrow had gone.

Throughout this excitement, Ilura was busy scouting out the approaching zombies.  From her new vantage point she could see three of them approaching, dragging burning firewood logs as crude clubs/torches.  An action that was very unnatural for a typical zombie.

That was not the only thing unnatural about them though.  They looked almost as if they had been stitched together with spare parts from a fish market.  Sure, they were mostly human, but one had tentacles instead of arms.  Another had a long sawfish blade where its hand should have been.  The last one's entire head was replaced by that of a swordfish.  It was downright ghoulish and bizarre.

On the plus side, as the zombies approached with their firelight, Ilura was able to see the glint of metal from her lost sword.  It was half submerged in a tide pool between herself and the zombies.

As the zombies round the corner, what do you do?

Hiran

Give me an appropriate Defy Danger if you wish to keep from falling from your perch.

Rirrik

That antler smacking into your head didn't injure you per-se, but it definitely left a mark.  You gain one of the following debilities until you get a chance to tend to the injury.  Stunned (-1 Int), Confused (-1 Wis), or Scarred (-1 Cha).

Ilura

What should I be on the lookout for?

Whatever is leading those zombies.  Their strange actions indicate they are following instructions.

What here is useful or valuable to me?

Your sword, sticking out of the pool over there.

What here is not what it appears to be?

The zombies.  They are augmented.

Take +1 Forward when acting on the answers.

Hiran was too distracted by the voices and his magic to even think about his footing.  The ground crumbles away underneath of him as his bolts are released. He futilely tries to grab for the ledge as he falls hard and flat into the earth at the mouth of the cave.




12:15, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 5 using 2d6.  Defy Danger + Dex.

Marcus grunted as the skeleton's attack connected, but his armor protected him from any lasting injury. The cloud of bone dust distracted the paladin that he couldn't make it in time to prevent the doctor's fall from the perch. "Are you alright?" he inquired the fallen man as he offered a hand to assist him in getting up just as the grotesque zombies came into sight.

"If we leave now they will flee or be ready for us the next time. We should press this opportunity." Marcus stated as he moved towards the zombies, his shield ready to block their attacks. Whether the others agreed to attack or just needed someone to protect their retreat, the knight was ready. These blood spawns are abominable even for Cherka he grimaced as the wet flops of the flesh dragging on the stone floor became louder and the stench of rotting meat and fish, as well as a hint of something more sinister, hit him.

18:33, Today: Marcus rolled 5 using 2d6.  Defy danger - catch the Doctor.
18:37, Today: Marcus rolled 9 using 2d6+1.  Defend the group.
Hold 1

Rirrik watched his arrow splinter uselessly against the wall. He just managed to get his footing and put away his bow away when a huge chunk of antler clocks him in the head. He lets out a groan and his mind just goes blank.  Without a civilized thought in his mind and only instinct to go on, he finds himself on all fours rushing headlong into the cave away from the fallen skeletons.

OOC: I took the Stunned debility which reads "That last knock to the head shook something loose. Brain not work so good." So I worked that into him just sort  of acting like a scared/wounded animal thought wise. Only simple flight or fight choices.

An argument could be made that I am Confused instead, which is "Ears ringing. Vision blurred. You’re more than a little out of it." but I feel that is more like not being able to perceive what the hell is going on, rather than not being able to think about what to do next. What do you all think?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:59, Tue 14 Nov 2017.

Hiran fell hard, but he was not quite high enough to sustain any serious injuries from the fall.  He did, however, find a sea urchin's spines lodged in his thigh when he pulled his knee out from within a tide pool.  He could feel its poison coursing through his veins and making him a bit woozy.

Hiran

Take -1 Forward for your next action that requires accuracy or precision.  The urchin's poison is making you a little disoriented.

Marcus

I think Hiran was too far away from everyone to be able to reasonably try to catch him, Marcus, so I won't penalize that failed catch attempt.  No XP either though.

Rirrik

Sounds good to me.

Hiran took Marcus's helping hand. "I am fi.." he drones off as the poison from the urchin flows throughout his system. "I may need to sit down for a spell."

Hiran finds a smooth rocky wall of the outer cave face and sits down.  Hiran was a doctor he knew what to do in this situation but he needed help. "Marcus, take this dagger and cut the the urchin off my leg and make a larger incision.  I then need you to suck out the poison and spit it out on the beach.  Quickly before the zombies reach us."


OOC: Making an assumption Hiran would have this knowledge as a doctor but if its at all in question I can make a roll.

That is fine, Hiran.

Marcus, if you do as he asks, I will need a Defy Danger + Dex to do the procedure quickly and accurately.

With Rirrik lost in his primal side, and Ryn and Ilura closer to zombies, Marcus was an obvious choice to assist Dr. Krauss. But it didn't make it any easier. He was used to swinging blades against foes, not making delicate incisions with a knife. And it showed in his clumsy attempt to aid the redeemed man.

Catch - no problem, just wanted to put it out there if it was an option.
19:31, Today: Marcus rolled 5 using 2d6.  Suck out the poison (what about defend)?

So.. yea. 5 is clearly a magic number for me. Failed the incision and might not be in time to catch the zombies advance.

It was a good idea in principle, but Marcus made quite the mess of Hiran's leg as he attempted to follow Hiran's instructions.  The wizard's leg garment was starting to stain with blood now, and to top it off, the woozy feeling wasn't going away either.

By this point the tentacled zombies is directly behind Marcus, reaching around him for a squeeze.  The other two are keeping Eryn company as she faces them on her own.

Eryn, Ilura, Rirrik what are you doing while this is happening?

Hiran

You take d4 damage, ignoring armor.  And you still have the -1 forward to a precision or accuracy action.  Your leg still works, but it is pretty mangled.

Marcus

You still have your hold, but you can't use it to prevent the damage you dealt to Hiran.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:06, Tue 14 Nov 2017.

Hiran seems to be fading in and out but in his bouts of lucidness he either moans in pain or tries correcting Marcus as he fumbles in his task. "OW! What are you doing I said make an incision not gut a fish." "You can't swallow the poison, spit it out you oaf!"

"I agree with Marcus, we have to stand our ground or they'll get us!" Eryn shouted, caught in the midst of multiple zombies. She did not enjoy having Marcus retreat without her, but she knew that right then Hiran's magic was their best shot at dealing with undead.

"Come on then, you abominations," she hissed. "Let me show your master we're not afraid of you!"

Eryn gritted her teeth and prepared for another assault, but she could already feel her defensive stance slipping due to the wet rocks.

quote:

Eryn rolled 3 using 2d6+1.  Defend the group.

Complete miss.

Edit: Grammar, missing word.

This message was last edited by the player at 19:04, Tue 14 Nov 2017.

"Just go butcher the zombies you are making my leg worse." Hiran seethes in pain and he's struggling to focus clearly as well.  He waits to see how the others fair before he considers risking a spell in his current condition.

Rirrik reared up right in front the two zombies that atleast to him had just unexpectedly popped into existence. He took only the briefest of looks for an escape route before he struck out with his claws. He growled in triumph as the attack connected, but in a moment of slight clarity he realized that the damage it caused had been minimal. Baring his teeth he got ready to try to tackle one of his enemies.

14:44, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 1 using 1d6.  Damage.
14:44, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 7 using 2d6.  Hack and Slash.
Once the enemy's counterattack is resolved, my next plan is to just try to get one of zombies to the ground. What should I roll when I do that? Defy Danger + Str? Treat it as a Hack and Slash?

This message was last edited by the player at 20:30, Tue 14 Nov 2017.

Ilura considered dashing for her sword, but decided her skills with the bow were more useful.   Plus there wasn't time.  She noted the location for later and focused on the mishapen beasts aiming for the one.  Thomas was already nearby, checking for anything else that might have been coming.  She gave a quick shout "KILL".  The crow wasn't terribly effective at damaging an enemy, but he could certainly distract.  He flitted about one of Eryn's zombies, cawing furiously managing to keepi just out of reach of creature's sword arm.  As expected, the abomination twisted it's head and lowered its guard slightly, setting her up for a neck shot.

"Hiran, watch the bones.  Don't want them popping up behind us"

She drew another arrow from her quiver and prepared to fire again.


You can decide whether the Command move is allowed to be combined with the Volley move based on my description.

quote:

23:14, Today: Ilura rolled 11 using 2d6+3.  Volley at zombie.
23:14, Today: Ilura rolled 5 using 1d8+2.  Damage (with crow's assist).

Feel free to roll the dice for a repeat of the above if that still seems like a reasonable thing for me to do.  If I get a 7-9, I'll go for the danger and try to avoid it using Dex.

The zombies were all too ready to accept Eryn's challenge.  They dropped their burning logs on the damp ground and battered themselves against her shield with a ravenous hunger in their dead eyes.  At first things seemed all well and good.  Then the fighter's footing began to slip.  She was able to keep her balance this time, but the zombies still slid her backward, pressing ever closer.

Bang! Bang! Bang!  The zombie with the sawfish arm batted against her shield with surprising strength.  The swordfish-headed one put it's full weight into her and reached for Eryn's face with grasping arms and flaring gills.  The smell of rotten fish breath was almost overwhelming!  The combined efforts of both zombies soon had Eryn backed into a corner of sorts.  In front of her were the zombies, too close to use a spear on, and behind her was a pool of dark water.  One more misstep and she would go splashing backward.

Rirrik showed up and tried to help, but his efforts were largely in vain.  His swipe took out a chunk of flesh, but it looked like that flesh was barely attached to begin with.  To make matters worse, his efforts were rewarded with a backswing hit from the saw-arm of one of the zombies focused on Eryn.

That same zombie had an arrow appear in its throat a split second later.  Illura's crow let out a mocking caw and disappeared back into the darkness from whence it came.  However, a blow that would have devastated most foes barely seemed to inconvenience this undead monstrosity.

What do you do?

Eryn
You are at "hand" range with both zombies.  Your weapon will be ineffective for Hack and Slash in your current predicament.
Don't forget to add your XP if you haven't already.

Rirrik
You take d6 damage from the zombie's backswing.  As for taking a zombie down, if you want to purposefully deal damage as you tackle it, it will be Hack and Slash.  If you just want to knock it over, Defy Danger with an appropriate stat (probably +Str).

Ilura
Command (attack the same target) works with Volley so long as you are both attacking the same target, so your ok here..  It can work with any form of attack, even if it is not a Volley or Hack and Slash.

Marcus
The third zombie is attempting to grapple you while all this is going on.

Hiran saw what he feared would happen, the zombies of the master were overwhelming with power and threats garnered by the strange and brutal studies of his own devising.

He had to try and help.  He summoned forth more magical force trying to force his mind to focus through the fog the poison caused him. His willpower was strong and he pushed through the pain. This time he called forth a giant orb of force and thrust it at the head of the fish headed zombie.


13:38, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 8 using 2d6+1.  Magic Missle on fish head zombie -1 due to poison.
13:39, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 4 using 2d4.  Damage on fish head zombie.

OOC: Bring on the danger sir. Man the dice roller loves 4 damage for my missles

"Fall back! These aren't regular zombies.  We need to string them out and take them one at a time or lead them into a trap.  Like this, they'll kill us, especially if there are reinforcements."  She wasn't in favor of running away, but it certainly made sense to terrain that was more to their advantage for the fight.

Following her own advice, the ranger backed carefully toward the entrance before firing another bolt - desperately to help take some of the pressure off her fellow female.  She summoned Thomas again, then planted an arrow between the creature's eyes.

quote:

19:52, Today: Ilura rolled 11 using 2d6+2.  Called shot on zombie.
19:53, Today: Ilura rolled 10 using 1d8+2.  Damage (with crow's assist).

Cumulatively, that'd drop a standard zombie.  Do I have a sense of whether this thing is better armored, tougher or both?

EDIT: corrected formatting; removed implication of called shot
This message was last edited by the player at 21:33, Wed 15 Nov 2017.

Despite Ilura's warning, Eryn tried to convince herself that they were doing fine. The zombies were pushing her back, but for all their flailing they had yet to strike her directly. Torchlight flickered behind them.

"Rot-for-brains here don't even have the foresight to keep their weapons handy," she cried to the others. "They attack blindly. I'll keep them focused on me while you strike!"

Eryn drew her breath to regain some composure, but the air was rank with the stench of death and decay, and did not provide much refreshment.

I've got nowhere to retreat to, she thought. The fighter found herself forced to rely on brute strength alone, and so she took one final step backwards to gain some brief respite, before she flung herself forward in attempt to gain some ground on the zombies.

quote:

Eryn rolled 9 using 2d6+2.  Defy Danger (Str) to push the zombies back.

Ramming the shield into them.

This message was last edited by the player at 19:04, Wed 15 Nov 2017.

Marcus gave up on his attempt to aid the doctor just as Hiran dismissed him. With a glance over his shoulder, he noticed the approaching zombie. His blade and shield still at his feet, he needed to choose which to go for. At this distance, the shield was a safer bet. With a fluid movement, he grasped it and turned towards the zombie, still crouched. With no space to stand up, he coiled his legs and propelled himself forward, trying to take the zombie away from the wounded mage.

21:40, Today: Marcus rolled 11 using 2d6+1.  Defy danger (Str) - force zombie back.
Can this be combined with some sort of an attack?

Rirrik watched as one of his companions slammed into the zombies with her shield. His rattled mind took this as the time to put all his strength into a tackle. He rushed headlong and blindly at the sawfish blade zombie trusting his pure momentum to carry him through. He probably should have trusted in something else...

19:45, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 5 using 2d6.  Hack and Slash (Tackle).

Dr. Krauss's magical cannonball managed to strike its intended target with great effect, but its path wavered on its way there due to the urchin poison messing with Hiran's accuracy.  As the orb skimmed past the fragments of the skeletons, two red eyes flared up from within a cracked skull.  The bits began to coalesce into a solid form once more.  It was a haphazard lopsided monstrosity, but it was mobile and focused intently on clawing its way toward the source of the magic.  Hiran.

However, as the wizard's magic struck the swordfish head of one of the zombies by Eryn, Illura's arrow struck the head of the other.  And with her first arrow still lodged in its neck, the second snapped its head clean off.  The rotten head crashed into Rirrik who successfully tackled its now-motionless body.  Not only did the head land atop the ferocious gnoll, but it also knocked a sack from his belt that contained one of his pre-prepared meals.  It spilled open onto the salty floor, spoiling the breads and meats as they mixed with the sand, saltwater, and zombie flesh.

With the headless zombie now slumping to the floor, Eryn had no problem pushing back against the remaining one.  Its strength was no match for her own without its buddy helping.  As the fighter pushed with her shield, she was close enough to the monstrosity to notice a curious detail.  Hiran's blast had loosened the stitching that was holding its fish head on.  It would be so easy to reach out and tug that thread...

Meanwhile, Marcus was battling a zombie all on his own.  With impressive force, he was able to propel the octo-zombie back in the direction it had come from.  It flew several feet backward, lost its balance, and toppled onto the sand.  Its tentacle arms flailed in the air as it tried to get back up.

What do you do?

Hiran
A skeleton is clamoring toward you.  Also, the poison effect is gone now.  Maybe your body compensated, or maybe Marcus's aid was more effective than it seemed.  Either way, you're better!  Leg is still pretty mangled though...

Ilura
You do have a sense of whether these things are better armored, tougher or both.  But you are the one who has fought these foul creatures many times before.  Tell me, are these zombies above average, below average, or just average?

Rirrik
You have -1 ration.

Eryn
You have the opportunity to pull out the thread holding your zombie's head on.  However, you know it will get through your defenses as you try.  If you pull out the thread, take d6 damage.

Marcus
You asked, "Can this be combined with some sort of an attack?"  You could have rolled Hack and Slash instead of Defy Danger if you wished.  Even if you use something that isn't designed to be a weapon, you can still roll Hack and Slash if it makes sense that you would deal damage with it.  Something to keep in mind for future rolls.  We will keep it as Defy Danger this time.

Hiran scrambles to his feet and begins to just beeline away from the battle limping as quickly as he can. On his way he thinks back almost in a haze.  Maybe this is from the poison still seeping from his body or the loss of blood from his leg but he starts to see images of the overlord, his former master and remember bad memories but memories full of knowledge about these undead, who keeps them coming back, and how to slow down their onslaught.

His moment of peace is then shattered by a taunting screaming tormented spirit.  One of the many that still haunts him each and every day.

11:54, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Spout Lore about the Undead.

Rirrik freaked out when the decapitated landed on his, grabbing at it with both hands he throws it hard out of the the tunnel. Catching his breath, he took the time away from immediate threats to himself to try to calm down. He leaned against the rock, breathed deeply, and tried to gain his composure. Thinking with the pounding in his head was still hard but atleast he wasn't slavering at the mouth and charging around anymore.

Hiran
Even as the spirit screams in Hiran's ear, he is still able to piece together a few useful scraps of knowledge about skeletons and zombies.  Firstly, they are stupid.  Incredibly stupid.  If they are given orders they will try to carry them out no matter what, so if you know what they were ordered you can use it to your advantage.  Secondly, skeletons like to reassemble, but can only do so if there is enough material, and they have enough magic. (Which usually recharges over time.)  He takes a guess that his magic blast gave it just enough oomph to start reassembling again.  The magic that animates zombies can't do that though.  The vessel is too squishy.  They can, however, spread their un-life to other vessels.

Dr. Hiran Krauss, who was the fellow follower of the Overlord who first taught this information to you?

Satisfied with having the zombie on its back, and reflecting for a moment whether it would be better if they were fused with turtles instead of more menacing sea creatures, Marcus turned to see a new danger threatening the mage. Rushing back to Hiran, he tried to reach the doctor before the skeleton did. "Light prevails!" The paladin managed to grasp his sword and turn to slice at the re-reanimated creature, but not fast enough to avoid a counterattack.

19:28, Today: Marcus rolled 8 using 2d6+1.  Crush the skeleton.
19:28, Today: Marcus rolled 5 using 1d10+2.  Bone damage.

Marcus's slice severed the bottom half of the skeleton clean off.  Unfortunately the top half managed to grab hold of Marcus's arm and climb aboard.  Now that it was literally right on top of the paladin, it began to scrape and claw at him with every spare bone of its body.

Marcus
I am assuming "Crush the skeleton" was a Hack and Slash roll. ;)  Where did the +2 in your damage roll come from though?

Also, take d6 damage from the skeleton clinging to you.

Klauss Rottman, he was the man who taught Hiran magic.  Klauss Rottman was one of the Overlord's greatest wizards.  The people called him a Wizard of Murder, what Hiran didn't teach himself was taught to him by Rottman who was a very intelligent and learned man. What happened to him during the downfall is a mystery, but if the overlord is coming back he can't imagine he wouldn't try to bring back Klauss as well.

Krauss recalled the information he had and he took a rough guess as to what it might be the undead were sent there to do.  Realizing he'd never outrun the skeleton on his heels he decided to attempt to play dead.  Hiran held his breath dropped prone and tried his best to make the creature believe he was no longer alive.



14:04, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 11 using 2d6+1.  Playing Dead.
I used charisma assuming that made sense. If you prefer a different stat let me know

Seeing one zombie go down the moment its head was off, Eryn decided that taking it out quickly was worth the risk it posed. She reached out and grabbed onto the first thread she could reach, and pulled as hard as she could. At the same time, the zombie clawed madly back at her, scratching her face even as its head came lose and toppled to the floor. Eryn winced and pulled back, her foe collapsing... but was it truly vanquished?

Turning to check on the others, Eryn spotted a skeleton that had reformed itself already. Seeing Marcus going after it, the fighter tried to check on the fallen enemies before her. If they kept rising, it would be impossible to prevail.

quote:

Eryn rolled 3 using 1d6.  Taking damage from zombie.

No way I could resist an opportunity like that. Minus 2 armor equals 1 damage taken.

quote:

Eryn rolled 4 using 2d6.  Defy Danger (Int). Quick thinking to make undead stay down.

Tried using Defy Danger instead of Discern Realities because I want to figure out a quick way to make them stay down permanently. Tell me if you want a different move rolled. (No really, because that result was bad. :P)

This message was last edited by the player at 19:13, Thu 16 Nov 2017.

Marcus has the skeleton that was after Hiran well distracted, but not long after Hiran began playing dead the octo-zombie wandered over.  It stood next to the doctor for a moment, almost as if it were contemplating, then it wandered off back toward the rest of the party.

Meanwhile, when Eryn pulled the thread and the zombie slumped over motionless, it stayed that way.  At least for now.  With her check, Eryn determined that they were no longer animated as far as she could tell.  Which left only one and a half mobile enemies remaining.

Eryn
No need for a Defy Danger, because there is not any danger to defy at the moment.  As for figuring out how to keep the undead down, you could try Spout Lore if it is something you might already have in your memory.  If you want to search for clues on the bodies, it would be Discern Realities, I suppose.  Or you could always just try an educated guess too.  Not everything needs a roll.

If Marcus is close Hiran will try to whisper to him from the ground. "Spread the bones of the dead skeletons and don't use spells against them.  The Zombies will stay down."

It was amazing how quickly the tide of a battle could turn, and then turn again.  She had been worried when her first target barely noticed the arrow in its neck.  In the heightened state of combat, she'd forgotten how senseless the things were.  They never acknowledged their damage until they were totally out of the fight.  Though in truth, when Growler and her mentor had been dealing with them, not many had a chance to experience the sensation of "damaged, but not yet destroyed", and those that did didn't have long to react to it.

She switched her aim to the tentacled creature and was about to fire when Hiran went down.  "Hiran!!"  She ran toward the mage, signalling her crow with a whistle, re-aiming and firing as she ran.  She hadn't seen what had hit the mage.  She prayed it wasn't a shadow...

quote:

23:04, Today: Ilura rolled 6 using 1d8+2.  Damage (with crow's assist).
23:03, Today: Ilura rolled 8 using 2d6+2.  Volley at Octopussy.

She'll accept danger - likely putting herself in range of the zombie.  If she can, she'll do her best to dodge.

quote:

23:11, Today: Ilura rolled 8 using 2d6+2.  Defy danger.

Rirrik took one last big breath to clear his head some and pulled out his bow. Taking aim at the tentacled zombie that seemed to be  the only one milling about. He fired shot after shot, his headache clearly effecting his aim. Finally an arrow sinks into the back of the creature's head.

19:20, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 6 using 1d6.  Damage.
19:17, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 9 using 2d6.  Volley.
Choosing to reduce my ammo by one again. Playing with fire here lol.

Two zombies were down, but other enemies were still afoot. To her horror, Eryn noticed that Hiran was down, and neither Ilura or Rirrik still fighting on their own, the fighter decided to aid them.

She hefted her spear once more and moved in to strike the tentacled zombie at an upwards angle into the skull, starting at the base of the neck. With any luck, they could rip this one's head off as well.


I have ignored the previous roll, since it wasn't needed.

quote:

Eryn rolled 11 using 2d6+2.  Hack and Slash at octopus zombie.
Eryn rolled 9 using 1d10.  Damage to octo-zombie.

9 damage (2 piercing). Roughly calculated I think that might do the trick compared to the other ones. ^^

This message was last edited by the player at 12:50, Fri 17 Nov 2017.

The combined efforts of Ilura, Rirrik, and Eryn made short work of the last zombie.  In the end, it was thoroughly pin cushioned and with its head on a pike.  With the rush of battle coming to its conclusion, Eryn, Rirrik, Marcus, and even the "dead" Hiran, could focus on the half-skeleton still trying to claw at Marcus.

Ilura, on the other hand, was a bit more preoccupied than the others.  Her shot went off well, but she had had to maneuver nimbly over a few tide pools to get a shot where the ceiling of the cave wouldn't interfere.  As she stood atop a boulder, triumphant, she caught sight of a shimmer in the darkness headed her way, similar to Hiran's magical blasts.  She knows she could easily jump out of the way, but not if she has any hope of seeing what its source is.

What do you do?

Marcus
The skeleton is still latched on to you.

Illura
There is magical energy heading toward you.  In order to see where the blast came from, you will have to let it hit you.  Otherwise you can leap to safety.

Everyone else
You are free to act.

Hiran gets up from his fake death and tries to lay a booted foot into the thigh of the skeleton realizing that magic would only empower the beast.  He quickly realizes why old men without training don't get into physical confrontations as his leg begins to cramp up and his kick becomes more of a spasm.


12:17, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 5 using 2d6-1.  Boot skeleton in the thigh.

The ranger continued her jumping, getting out of the way of the spell and turned to face the direction it had come from.

"MAGE!"

She drew another arrow, fitting it to the string easily while scanning the area the energy had originated from, doing her best to see where the attack came from and watching for another attack.  She heard a brief flutter of wings as Thomas moved off to explore the area she was so obviously watching.

quote:

19:07, Today: Ilura rolled 10 using 2d6+3.  Scouting w/ Thomas.

I know I might not be able to see the attacker, but I figured I might learn something.
General contextual information that I presume I don't need a roll for: Am I facing the direction the stream had been coming from, towards the outside of the cave or somewhere else?  Are any of the zombie torches still lit?  Is there more obvious about the cave now that we've had some light as we've been fighting?  How close am I to the nearest torch?

Specific questions for my Discern Realities:
What is about to happen?
What should I be on the lookout for?
Who's really in control here?

Hiran's kick/spasm connected, but not with the skeleton.  He jostled Marcus's hip instead.  Not enough to actually hurt the tough warrior, but enough to knock the skeleton torso loose.  It fell off of the paladin and onto the wizard, happy to have softer flesh to rip into.

Over among the tide pools, Ilura narrowly avoided the blast of magic that was headed her way.  It struck the rock where she had been standing a moment before and a thick coat of barnacles erupted from that spot, encasing it.  Once she regained her footing, the ranger looked toward where it had come from.  It was from the same direction the zombies had come from.  As she abandoned the battle to try and get a glimpse of this new foe, Illura and her crow spotted a couple of shadowy figures retreating in the sputtering torchlight.  Her crow probably got a good glimpse, but Ilura was too far away to make out any details.  They quickly disappeared further into the caves where the zombies had come from.

The current situation:
Marcus and Hiran are near the cave entrance, dealing with the skeleton.  Eryn is also near the entrance where she just skewered the last zombie.  Rirrik is a little ways into the cave, on some sand with his bow out.  Illura is halfway into the cave, among the rocky tide pools.  The spot the zombies and skeletons emerged from is way at the back of the cave, far away from everyone at this point.

Hiran
Take d6 damage.  You now have a half-shattered skeleton on top of you.  Don't forget to mark your +1 XP.

Ilura
What is about to happen?
It is about to get a lot darker again.  The firelight won't last much longer. (You are pretty far away from the dropped torches.  They are close to the back of the cave.)

What should I be on the lookout for?
The shadowy figures.

Who's really in control here?
Your crew is pretty well in control at the moment.

Hiran still throbs from the muscle spasms when the skeleton falls on to the old wizard its sharp bony edges and wild cackling face scraping against flesh.  It then starts to bite into his shoulder as he howls in pain.

Hiran realizes this will hurt but he needs to get away.  He tries diving towards the back of one of his better armored companions allowing the skeleton to fall towards them and off of his elderly form.


OOC: Went with a Defy Danger + Dex let me know if you prefer a different roll or if I can't pull this off.
15:11, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 8 using 2d6.  Trying to dive behind a companion to pass the falling skeleton to another.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:32, Fri 17 Nov 2017.

Ilura glanced back at Hiran.  There was little she could do to help with the skeleton that wouldn't risk skewering the old mage - and Marcus and Eryn were better positioned to deal with the problem.  She hurried to where her sword was waiting and then advanced to the torches, grabbing them and snuffing two out, in the hopes of allowing the group to use one at a time, then she returned to the group near the cave entrance.

Marcus was just judging how to ram himself, skeleton first, into the wall of the cave when the doctor's unexpected, and unhelpful, assistance arrived. Stumbling, he was glad to be rid of the clawing menace, but the merit didn't last long. Judging his strategy still sounds, the paladin reached to grab the skeleton and slam it into the stone. "Go back to dust you were meant to be!" he shouted as the bone met rock.

21:12, Today: Marcus rolled 11 using 2d6+1.  Hack and crash skeleton.
21:13, Today: Marcus rolled 3 using 1d10.  Damage.

Dr. Hiran tried to get away from the skeleton, but it's grasping claws did not want to let go of the old man.  They tore and ripped at him even as he managed to slip away, snagging on his clothes, skin, and equipment.  Then Marcus's powerful arms lifted the skeleton and smashed it against the rocks.  CRACK! The skull shattered, along with much of the rib cage and the bones moved no more.

With the immediate threats neutralized, Ilura had no trouble retrieving her weapon and the torches.  As she drew her weapon from the pool where it was half-submerged, she noticed the part that was in the water was now jet black.  Just like all the sea creatures that lived around these parts.  The torches Ilura picked up were not so much torches as they were half burnt logs pulled from a fire, but they would do the trick if you didn't mind getting a hand full of soot.

What is everyone doing?

Hiran
The skeleton damaged something up pretty good as you slipped away.  Remove one item/use of your choice, or take 1 damage.

The skeleton ripping and tearing shreds into Hiran's pack of food destroying one of his rations completely.

Hiran didn't care as soon as he saw the skeleton fall he started grabbing bones and chucking them in different directions out on the beach and then proceeded to do the same to the other skeletons.

"The skeleton's can absorb magic to reanimate themselves that's how this one came back.  The zombie's don't have this power.  Now please pause for a moment there is study I must do before we dive into more battles."

" I spoke with my former master, they are planning to bring him back!  I must find out what their plans are even just a clue. Somebody give me a light."

The voices that haunt Hiran begin to taunt and scream in his ears trying to distract him.  He yells out of seemingly nowhere "Quiet how am I supposed to stop him if you keep shouting!"

If nobody gives him a light Hiran goes and grabs a burnt out torch and uses it to start going through his books.


OOC: I want to do what I planned originally

I will use 1 use of bag of books to try and find information on what I think the plans will be to bring the master back.

Rirrik said (to noone in particular) "Well that could have gone better..." Rirrik switched out his bow for the drum slung over his shoulder and began to beat out a lively rhythm. It was the type of song that was often heard at a spring festival in his homeland. The sound echoed through the area but noone heard or felt it more than the doctor, Hiran. Healing energies surged through the wounded man.

18:10, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  Arcane Art (Heal).
18:18, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 4 using 1d8.  Healing Hiran.
Have back 4 HP, "Doc".

This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:31, Sat 18 Nov 2017.

"What kind of magic...?!" Eryn exclaimed, when she saw the mass of barnacles sprouting from where the energy had struck. She whirled and held her shield towards the direction she thought the magic came from, but couldn't see anyone.

They must have retreated for now, she thought.

Against her better judgement, Eryn turned her back on the cave and went to assist Hiran. On the way there, she made sure to get a grip on where everyone was and seeing if they were hurt. Thankfully no one was seriously injured, but the sudden attack had still left a few of them a bit rattled.

"Here, have a torch," she said, fishing one out of her bag and handing it to Hiran after he was done yelling and scattering skeleton bones. There was no point in worrying about the flickering light giving their position away now that the enemy clearly knew they were there.

The fighter looked back at the odd piles of flesh left behind. Eryn wrinkled her nose as she wiped the zombie fluids off the tip of her spear. Sea creature heads attached to corpses was the most disturbing thing she had seen in her life so far, in part because it must have taken a disturbed mind to come up with the idea in the first place.

At least that menace is dealt with, she thought as she checked her shield for damage as well. Surface scratches, nothing bad. Rirrik's song calmed Eryn's nerves, and the fighter felt like she was finally in control of the situation again.

"You said you spoke with someone," she said to Hiran, trying her best not to disturb his reading. "I know better than to question wizards talking to voices no one else can hear, but I'm afraid I don't quite understand what's going on. Is something happening inside this cave, right now?"


Using Adventuring Gear to have a shiny new torch.

Rirrik's magic reverberated through the cave as he beat on his drum.  The sound echoed and doubled back on itself in unique and interesting ways, amplifying the magic's effect.  It wasn't the gnoll's intent, but the upbeat healing magic flowed into every living being within hearing range inside the cave entrance.

Hiran heals 4.  Everyone else heals 2 (including Rirrik).

Hiran takes the torch and finds a few books that catch his eye from his large bag.  He begins flipping through them furiously certain he might have found what he was looking for.

He almost absent mindedly responded to the the question of who he spoke to, still primarily focused on the books. "I spoke to Nikadroy, as I said before."


The sound of Rirriks drums was soothing not only to drown out the spirits that haunted him but the feeling of his body repairing itself becoming closer to whole.

19:59, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 10 using 2d6+3.  Spout Lore with Bag of Books
This message was last edited by the player at 01:07, Sat 18 Nov 2017.

The drum beat was foreign and unfamiliar  but strangely comforting.  So much so that she didn't even start as the ache in  her shoulder started to fade.  She wiped the end of her blade carefully on the ragged clothing  of one of the zombies.  She wanted no part of whatever that stuff was.  Then she extinguished the remaining log and left them in a pile beside Hiram.  The rest of her party could decide whether they were useful or not.

"I'm going to watch the entrance where the zombies came from and maybe scout it out a bit.  I can take one more, but I think the other two should stick with the wizard."

She paused to  see if anyone wanted to take her up on her offer before moving to the back of the cave, bow at the ready.

She gave her eyes ample time for her eyes to adjust to the blackness and her ears to adjust to the cave.  The dim light from the distant torch didn't provide much illumination this deep, but given time,the human eye could adjust to a great deal and the eyes of her scavenger crow were even better.  It took a little while to our coax Thomas from pecking at and eating the eyeball  of one of the fallen corpses, but eventually he fluttered over to lend his aid.

quote:

10:15 Today: Ilura rolled 10 on 2d6 + 3: More reality discerning / scouting

What is about to happen?
What should I be on the lookout for?
What here is not is it seems?

She'll take her time and won't go further down the passageway than she can see.  If the fire the zombies pulled the logs from is still burning, she'll try to get sight of that before finding a defensible position (and hard to see position) near the passage entrance - unless she discovers something urgent in which case she'll return to the party).

Rirrik, happy with his performance and it's effect, put his drum down and leaned against the rocks near Hiran. He nodded to Illura and said with a bit of tongue-in-cheek "I'll watch the old man. Wouldn't want him breaking a hip." The Gnoll guarded the man and kept an eye out for anything that might come at him as he read.

Eryn felt a bit dissatisfied with the answer Hiran had given her, but decided not to harass him over it. He was reading, and Ilura had just left to scout ahead. They would give more information in a few minutes. Eryn slung her weapon over her shoulder and slumped down next to Rirrik. Like him, the fighter was still tense from fighting and kept her guard up.

"Nice performance," she said, giving a momentary glance towards the gnoll's drums. "Effective too. The scratches I got are almost invisible already."

She went silent for a moment, contemplating whether or not to ask what she was most curious about.

"Where did you learn your art? Did you have a teacher, or did it come naturally to you, perhaps?"

Rirrik gave her a wide toothy grin.
"Thanks, I do accept tips you know." He winked and let loose a barking laugh before continuing "A little of both. I met a group of outsiders like me and one of their number taught me a few tricks. Strangely it all came easy as mincemeat pie. It was like the songs were already in me, and I was just giving it escape." Rirrik then patted his drum, and recalled how he got it "This drum called to me so strongly, that I just had to take it... Not sure if I regret it. I think it's with who it needed to be with. Desire can bring about strange things." He moved in closer and whispered to her "What desire drives YOU?"

OOC: I think I fulfilled the requirements of my Charming and Open move and the question I am asking Eryn is 'What do you most desire?'. She must answer truthfully then she can ask me one of the following (that I must answer truthfully):
• Whom do you serve?
• What do you wish I would do?
• How can I get you to _____?
• What are you really feeling right now?
• What do you most desire?

Hiran flipped trough pages of Advanced Ritual Summonings & Necromantic Incantations in search of answers to his question. How the former overlord, necromancer Nikadroy Qizproteus, plans to bring himself back to life.  The wizard knew the necromancer's body was destroyed after death to avoid such things, but he recalled reading about a way to get around the obstacle of not having a body.  But where was that passage he was thinking of?

There!  Under the standard revivification ritual there was a footnote.  According to the passage you could potentially bring back someone without their body intact if you added three things to the standard ritual.  The willing "tribute" of a blood relative, a honeyed topaz from the Jungle of Blossoms, and a Pit of Shadow pulled from a Vorlag's stomach.  It is noted that Vorlags are known to roam the caves of the Black-Sand Beaches.

While Hiran was busy looking that up, Ilura was busy making sure nothing would sneak up on the group and to gain some more information on their immediate threats.  After grabbing her sword and trying (unsuccessfully) to clean the black coloration off, the ranger found a nice vantage point to spy down the tunnel.  The rock floor slopped up slightly, and it looked as if this is where the stream exited into the cave.  She could see firelight up ahead reflecting off the walls, but it would be difficult to approach without splashing in the water running down the floor.  Luckily she could make out words from here, now that there was no longer a battle going on.

Voice 1: "And then she went ahead and blasted her anyway, even after I said not to!"

Voice 2: "I almost had her..."

Voice 1: "Nuh uh.  And now they know we saw them.  Now we'll have to deal with them."

Voice 2: "Only because your stitch-work is so lousy!  Myyy guy didn't fall apart like yours did."

Voice 1: "Shut up.  Anyway, we aren't being paid enough to deal with meddlers like these.  We should get out of here while we still can.  Don't you two agree?"

Voice 2: "Or!  Or we could go get more payment!"

Voice 1: "Oooo, yeah!  Mr. shadow man owes us more anyway.  Let's do that!"

At that point Ilura heard footsteps running off into the distance and no more words were spoken.  Only the crackling of a fire could be heard now.

Everyone, what do you do?

Ilura
What is about to happen?
Judging by the sound of the footsteps, least two people are leaving the fire area ahead.

What should I be on the lookout for?
The people you hear coming to deal with you if they get their payment.

What here is not is it seems?
You only hear two voices from by the fire, but three people are alluded to.

Take +1 forward when acting on the answers.

Rirrik
Yup.  That works.

Marcus
Did you stay by Hiran, or go with Ilura?

"Oh, I'm not much of a musician myself," Eryn laughed, "and frankly I don't know any magic either. I wish I did, though; I greatly enjoy watching magicians weave their spells. I've always considered learning the basics, but never found any time for it. I've been thinking about it since I was a kid, so I guess that's my desire."

She eyed Rirrik carefully as he leaned in a bit too close for comfort. The gnoll's forwardness would have bothered her were it not for his laughter and good mood appearing to be sincere. She knew gnoll tribes valued personal space less than the city folk she were used to dealing with too.

"I've been told magic research expensive, too," she continued, "so without seeing a big future in it I took it off my to-do list for the time being. Besides, my village priest was the only magician at my birthplace. He always said he got his spells directly from the gods as a result of his faith and diligent prayer, so there was little he could teach me unless I devoted myself."

The fighter tapped her zombie-scratched shield and smiled. "As you can see, I did not." Eryn figured there must be a reason behind Rirrik's question, as it was a bit personal. Plus, he seemed excited just by someone deciding to talk to him. "You said you learned easily... is it something anyone can learn, then? Is it even something you could help me out with?"

Her expression was involuntarily showing a faint hint of excitement at the prospect as well.


As far as I can tell the move trigger is fine; and even if it isn't Eryn doesn't have any problem with answering that question truthfully in the first place. The question I am asking in return is "How can I get you to [teach me magic]?"

Edit: GM just posted as I was typing.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:30, Sun 19 Nov 2017.

Rirrik shrugged and with an unsure tone said "From what I've heard on my travels, there are many forms of magic and ways of tapping into them. I can't promise you will be slinging fireballs and having visions, but for as long as we travel together I will teach you what I have learned. I just ask that you listen to your own song and follow your own desires when the time comes."

"I would prefer to get a pass on the visions anyway," Eryn chuckled, "but I thank you for the offer." She frowned slightly. "That said, I'm not sure I get what you are trying to tell me. Did you say you stole those drums on a whim, or did I misunderstand you? I like to think I have more self-control than that."

Rirrik gave her your gesture that meant 'your welcome' to his people. He scoffed slightly "Whim? Self-control? Those are just words at the end of the day. What I am saying is that sometimes YOUR song.." On those last two words he pressed a clawed fist to her heart (in a totally innocent gesture from his view) then removed it "Has a greater rhythm to follow. That is when to loosen the bindings that keep you from playing. Law or plan be damned!"

With that the gnoll turned to the doctor who looked like he was finally coming to some epiphany regarding the situation. "You find anything out, Doc?" Rirrik asked.

Marcus spread out the few remaining chunks of the skeleton, as well as those of its previous partner, per doctor's instructions. When done with the task he held the torch Eryn provided while Hiran poured over his book and Rirrik sang.

"Let me accompany you." The paladin followed the ranger, keeping a dozen paces between them to allow her to scout ahead more freely, but still close enough to assist if need be. As they moved, Marcus grimaced at the black tinted blade in Ilura's hands. Please don't let it be a bad omen. he pleaded silently.

With the faint sound of the unfamiliar voices reaching him, warrior's brow furrowed and he exchanged a worried glance with the scout. They needed to deal with this. With a nod of his head back to the other and a finger pointed at her position, he inquired whether he should fetch them while she kept watching.

The ranger nodded her agreement at the paladin's offer.

As she watched the religious man depart, she considered doing some further scouting up the tunnel while she waited, but thought better of it.  While she could probably manage navigating the tunnel quietly enough, she didn't know for sure what she'd find on the other side.  If she was overwhelmed, it'd be better to have backup.  And if she messed up, there was little chance of being able to catch anyone who remained before they got away.  Plus, whoever was left was probably a wizard too.  "I'd really rather not be a barnacle-covered addition to this cave..."

Better make sure his 'song' stays aligned with our interests then, Eryn thought to herself, or he might grab the first shiny thing we find and be gone by morning. The fighter tried her best to ignore the constant invasion of personal space, but was uncertain of how much longer she could stand the smell of the gnoll's soggy fur invading her nose. Frankly, she didn't want to be racist, but messy or smelly fur were one of the things humans always brought up as bothersome when they spoke of the wild races.

Out loud, she said: "I appreciate the notion, Rirrik, but I'm not sure if I'd be able to put myself before others. Humans govern themselves by laws, and I've seen first hand what careless theft leads to. The roads aren't safe because bandits roam the wilderness, and people are scared for their lives. Sometimes they lose things they can't afford to replace. For all I know you took that drum from someone who depended on it to work his art."

Eryn had more to say - particularily to avoid harassing Rirrik too much over the topic - but Marcus had returned and was waving for the rest to join him. She interrupted herself, gave an apologetic glance to Rirrik, then rose to her feet.

"From what you've told us, Marcus, these people don't sound too keen on meeting us." She pulled her shield back down from her shoulder and gripped it properly, ready to fight once more. "We should shake them down for information. Don't know if Hiran is ready yet, though. He made it sound very important to find what he's looking for first. If it's evil magic we're dealing with, I'm inclined to agree."

Note: Reacting to post from OOC thread.

quote:

Marcus goes back and reports there is trouble ahead, urging everyone to rejoin Ilura.

"Yeah and I hope you don't run off at the first sign of a squirrel, dog boy." Hiran says with a playful smile while he reads.

"Yes, yes this is it right here. I found it." He begins reading from the book running his finger along the page so he doesn't lose his place. "You could potentially bring back someone without their body intact if you added three things to the standard ritual.  The willing "tribute" of a blood relative, a honeyed topaz from the Jungle of Blossoms, and a Pit of Shadow pulled from a Vorlag's stomach.  It is noted that Vorlags are known to roam the caves of the Black-Sand Beaches."

"They must be here to find a Pit of Shadow.  The curious part is the tribute of a blood relative...The only relative i knew of was Yordakin and he's been gone and assumed dead." Hiran puts his books away and looks to the others. "We have to stop them, this place is key to the resurrection of the master."

OOC: Do I know what a Vorlag is GM?

"Eryn you speak to Rirrik like he's a common thief when he is in fact a fascinating outlier of his kind that we should cherish.  Not all that is important in life is the law, it is the balance of law and chaos.  This is why magic has come so hard to you, you are too rigid in your beliefs."

Hiran smiles.  "Perhaps when we have some downtime you can study tomes with me and I can try to put your mind in the right place for the true study and learning of magic."

Ilura continued to watch the tunnel and Marcus went to collect the rest of the group.  And now that Hiran has shared what he has found, they are all free to regroup if desired.  The only question left was, "What is a vorlag?"

What is everyone doing?

Dr Hiran Krauss:

OOC: Do I know what a Vorlag is GM?

Anyone can feel free to Spout Lore on this if they feel their character might know something.  I think Rirrik, at least, knows something interesting about this unusual beast.

"Wait a minute, Vorlag's...I think I know what that is give me just a moment." He ponders as he begins packing his books and things back up and grasps the remaining burnt up wooden torch.


13:58, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 11 using 2d6+2.  Spout Lore about Vorlag's.

OOC: I thought Hiran might know from his study and his working with the master in his labs on various amalgamations and abominations over the years but if you disagree ignore this post.

It doesn't take the doctor long to recall more about what a vorlag is.  He recounts to the group that is a large brown lizard-like beast covered in quills.  A truly terrifying sight to behold, they say.  It likes to stalk things from cave ceilings at high tide, then eat the bodies of its catch back at its lair at low tide.

"That doesn't sound like something one would be wise to seek out." Marcus commented the description of the beast. "But whatever those that raised the undead want, we should stop them." He turned back to the doctor while readjusting the straps on his shield "Anything we should keep in mind once we attack them?"

"The concern with Vorlag's is if they get the jump on you.  We used to refer to them as Assassin slugs they are foul and quite dangerous.  If that is what they are after I expect the master's minions that are here are not simpletons."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:56, Mon 20 Nov 2017.

Rirrik frowned at Eryn, she clearly didn't understand him. Not that this was different or suprising to him. The gnoll listened to the discussion and tapped out a quiet rhythm on his side. Upon hearing about the Vorlag, he thought to himself and tried to remember some vital information they might be missing.

OOC: Since Vorlags fall under my  Bardic Lore, the one question I want answered is "What is the best way to kill a Vorlag (without getting killed yourself)?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:04, Tue 21 Nov 2017.

Ilura watched the distant converation.  She couldn't really hear what was being said, but they were obviously in active discussion about something.  She hoped they'd hurry.  She didn't know how long it would take before the group that had left finished their "negotiating" and she'd like to be past the "front door" of this grim cavern before they did.

Right now, the room was either empty or had a single individual, which made for pretty good odds.  Once the others returned, the odds would drop considerably - especially if they were all mages, as seemed likely.  If her party could manage to secure the "campfire" room, they might be able to set up an ambush or do something else that would improve their odds against the remaining two.  If they could capture one, they could squeeze them for information, and information was definitely something they needed.  She wished she had a way to tell her companions to hurry up without giving away her location.  But all she could do was wait.  Sometimes patience was necessary for more than hunting game...

Eryn tried her best not to look perturbed at Hiran's implication of magic being too hard for her. Instead, she chose to focus on their fellow party member.

"I agree, Hiran, I do. Rirrik is unique, and I had already decided that our relation to gnolls is one worth cherishing, now that we finally have a friendly one among us. However, I also think that not condemning theft will just make it harder for townsfolk to accept him. They don't trust gnoll at all."

"Your offer of teaching me magic is a generous one. Goes for both of you, really. I'd love to try, if we can find the time."

The fighter's eyes involuntarily darted across the dark cave roof, never staying in one place for too long. Ever since Hiran told them there were monsters that could drop down from above, she didn't feel comfortable. She startled, once, when a reflection of  flickering torchlight briefly came from what looked like two glimmering eyes. Even as Eryn readied her spear to skewer the would-be assassin, however, she realized somewhat sheepishly that it was just another wet rock formation.

"Let's hurry," she said to the party as they began walking. "The longer we stay, the more time they have to get ready for us. Do you want me to take point, or should I keep watching the ceiling?"

"Yes Rirrik probably should learn to not steal but imagine the life of a beggar's and you might mildly understand the life of a wild gnoll trying to survive in the world."

Hiran smiles when she mentions magic. "Magic is my love, the offer stands assuming I survive whatever is to come.  Let us go we should finish this quickly."

Hiran begins to head down the hall taking up the rear if he can get everyone else to go and wielding the makeshift torch in one hand.

"Me and Marcus both have shields, we should be in front. That will leave you free to cast spells from the back."

Eryn looked over at Rirrik as they walked carefully across black sand and wet rocks. "I guess you might want to use your bow from the back as well."


We would catch up with Ilura quickly, I believe.

The group was able to get to Ilura's area easily enough.  Not exceptionally quietly, but still far more quietly than the battle had been.  By the time everyone regrouped, Rirrik was able to share a bit of knowledge with the group about how he had heard to defeat a vorlag.

Now that you have regrouped, what do you do?

Rirrik
"What is the best way to kill a Vorlag (without getting killed yourself)?"
The "best" way is probably to seal it off in a room and wait for it to starve to death, but that is both impractical and could take weeks.  A more realistic way would be to find a way to draw it down to the floor, then surround it so that it can't retreat.  It is most comfortable attacking a single target from a range.

What tale, song, or legend did you hear that information in?

Ilura and/or Eryn
Is exploring this cave anything like the time Ilura guided Eryn in the past?

Illura relaxed slightly as the party finally started moving in her direction.  She moved to meet them a little ways from the coridor entrance.  She whispered softly, sharing what she knew.

"There were three in the room with the fire.  At least two left, seeking more payment for dealing with.  I believe those two were wizards - they created the zombies.  I suspect the third may be as well.  The third likely remains as a guard, though he may have joined the first two.  It's possible there are other guards as well.

It will be difficult to move up the passageway without splashing, but I think I can find a path.  I'll need to do it alone though.  My thought was to scout the room.  If it's empty, I can summon you.  If there's only one, I'll try to stun them and call you forward.  If I'm detected or my attack is unsuccessful, I'll try to lure our opponents into this coridor so the rest of you can attack.  If there's more than one, I'll either come back or call on you to help rush them.

By the way, does anyone know the best way to disable a wizard?"

She paused to see if the others had a better plan or suggestions.  Most of her attention was on Hiran.  If they were going to go toe-to-toe with a mage, their own spell-thrower was likely to best know what to do.

Game Master
Yes, as a ranger, Ilura is skilled at tracking both humans and beasts. Ilura is good at locating threats, while Eryn is more used to follow close behind and then stab them until they stop moving. Never been hunting in a cave before, though.

She may fill you in on the details of that particular venture, if she wants to.

Eryn eyed the ranger carefully. "All of those sound like good plans, but I feel you left out the alternative where you encounter this person, and then get struck down by a spell before you can signal us."

She looked over at Hiran.

"I'm hoping my shield can still stop those glowing balls you wizards like throwing at people?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:13, Tue 21 Nov 2017.

Ilura gave a quick grin.  "I wasn't planning on that being one of the options."

She liked Eryn's attitude.  Even when the forrest had been overgrown and near-impassible the fighter had managed to keep a positive attitude, slicing through vines, snakes and worse, but willing to take advice when a different approach was called for.

"Based on the firelight, I should be able to see them just peaking around the corner.  If I run into trouble, you should see it.  And you'll certainly hear it..."

Rirrik pulled up the back of the group, still in thought about Vorlags. He eventually found that a tune came to mind and under his breath he hummed and sang a selection from abridged 'The Ballad of the Nine' "...The awful Vorlag came upon the Nine, Clinging above with its dreadful spines, Those wise with oil did slick it's perch, from its height did the monster lurch, All the nine with blade surround, it's last breath it had found.." Keeping this information tucked in his mind, he trudged on with the group.

When the question of how to deal with a mage came up, Rirrik chirped up with an only half smart-ass answer ""Why don't we just get Marcus the Mighty here, to shove a bag over their head?"

"The best way to handle a wizard is incapacitate their ability to move their hands or arms and silence their voice.  This is no easy task but most of us are not trained in the melee arts so you may be able to overwhelm a mage who is alone......" He trails off for a moment for what feels like almost dramatic effect. "These mages won't be alone."

Hiran smiles at Eryn's half statement/question. "My dear the answer as with all things magical is, that depends.  It depends on what kind of magic the user is casting, what elements it employs.  Some mages could just overpower your shield or blow it off your arm.  Others might burrow through the metal.  Others you could deflect like a flying arrow."

His face turns solemn and he starts talking again but to seemingly nobody. His head tracking around to various spots above around and even below himself. "Yes, I know your shield didn't help you.  Well of course not that's what I told her.  yes yes, you'll have your revenge i've heard it all before."

Marcus nodded at Ilura's plan, but he also grimaced at Eryn's and Hiran's concerns. With no idea what to expect, it was hard to even plan on how to find things out. He did understand the ranger's drive to put herself in danger in order to protect the others. "Be careful." he commanded as much as he asked, moving closer. Reaching out with his hand, he traced three intersecting lines and a circle around them on her forehead with his thumb, a simple version of Lusiny's symbol. "She always watches over you." he preached with a serene smile "But don't let your guard down because of that."

Although he managed to refrain from commenting Rirrik's 'plan', the paladin rolled his eyes as he readied his blade and nodded to Ilura while moving in position with Eryn. They would be ready to follow up on whatever happened in the cave beyond.

22:07, Today: Marcus rolled 9 using 2d6+2.  Lay on hands - Ilura.
22:08, Today: Marcus rolled 7 using 1d8.  Transferred damage.
GM, is it possible to grant temporary hp in excess of maximum because I'd like to do that (seeing as Marcus will give some of his own life to fuel the protection).
Ilura currently has 2 points of damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:30, Tue 21 Nov 2017.

"So how well a shield protects depends on the spell. Fair enough."

Eryn decided to ignore the rest of the wizard's disjointed speech, and focus on the task at hand.

"Rirrik, I don't know if I can get close enough to bag 'em, but I'm willing to draw the mage's attention if it allows the rest of you to get a clear shot."

Ilura nodded her understanding of Hiran's warning.  More skeletons, zombies or perhaps something else was likely.  But until they knew what awaited them, they could make no plan at all.

The ranger flinched a little as Marcus reached out his hand.  Subconsiously her hand raised to her shoulder as she felt the flesh meld together and her pain vanish.  She nodded in response to his admonishment, but appeared to be deep in thought.  Then she gave her head a shake.  She dug in her pack for a moment, then pulled out a burlap sack which she folded carefully and hung it over the front of her belt.

"A bag might not be a bad idea."

She looked at the wizard as she talked to himself and frowned.

"Any further thoughts before I go?"

Used one adventuring equipment

Rirrik smiled at Illura and said "Atleast someone understands my genius." He then hefted his drum around in front of him and said to the group "If it's a distraction we need, I'll work with Eryn to provide it. First we should let the accomplished scout do her job. Wouldn't want to walk into a meat grinder." He gestured for Illura to proceed.

Ilura entered the passageway, her bow at the ready as she gracefully hopped from rock to rock - small boulders and piles of stone remaining from when the stream had been more forceful.  She had put her time waiting to good use, carefully plotting her path to keep out of the water entirely when possible and to place her boots in deeper water less likely to splash when she needed to.  When she reached the corner, she notched an arrow, then crouched low into a place where there was a small indentation in the cavern wall.  She looked back to make sure the rest of the group was watching and ready to ambushor charge as necessary.  Then she peeked one eye around the depression to get a quick sense of the layout and who, if anyone, was there.

quote:

22:03, Today: Ilura rolled 12 using 2d6+3.  Defy danger (Dex with 1 carry-forward).

I presume I don't need to roll to just peer around the corner, though I can roll scouting if necessary.

Hiran after he's done talking to seemingly nobody waits patiently for the return of Ilura's scouting ready to react to any further foes or unexpected events.

Ilura made the difficult trip upstream seem almost effortless, and before long she was in a position to view their enemy's location for the first time.  Peeking around the corner, the ranger was able to see a large campfire.  A cooking pot with unknown contents was frothing in its center.  On the wall behind the fire was a tunnel.  It had kelp draped from the ceiling as a makeshift curtain.  To the left was a large pile of driftwood, presumably for burning.  To the right of the fire was an old lady sitting on a log, stitching peacefully.

She was perhaps one of the oldest looking women Ilura had ever seen.  Easily in her nineties, or possibly even older.  But other than her age, there were several other things "off" about her.  Things Ilura almost didn't notice at first.  Firstly, her long black hair was a blacker black than Illura had ever seen.  Almost like the firelight was afraid to touch it.  Secondly, despite sitting calmly and peacefully by the fire, the woman was dripping wet.  And thirdly, the thing she was stitching was not a piece of cloth or a needlepoint.  It was flesh.  After a moment Ilura was able to determine the old woman was sewing an eel onto a body where an arm should otherwise be.

---

As the rest of the group waited patiently for Ilura to do her thing, it becomes evident that the water from the sea was now higher than it had been when the group first arrived.  Not significantly, but definitely noticeably.  The tide was starting to come in.  In the span of a few more hours, this lower section of the cave they were standing in would be flooded.

What do you do?

This message was deleted by the player at 16:27, Wed 22 Nov 2017.

This message was deleted by the player at 16:46, Wed 22 Nov 2017.

The ranger watched for a moment, trying to determine how far along this "sea-wizard" as she deemed the creature was in constructing its new zombie, then carefully edged back from the corner and stood so that she was clearly silhouetted against the light of the campfire reflecting down the passageway.

She held up one finger and gestured to the cavern.  Then she held up her bow, pointed to herself and then to the cavern.  Finally she pointed down the corridor to the party and made a motion for them to come.  Not waiting for a response, she returned to her previous position and when it was clear her target was deeply engaged in her stitching, leaned out further and let he bolt fly, directly at the thing's head.

At least that's how things played out in her head before she let loose.  The reality was a little different.

quote:

10:39, Today: Ilura rolled 5 using 2d6+2.  Called shot to creature's head.

That was somewhat embarrassing.  :(

I've taken my XP.

Hiran follows their scouts instructions progressing forward holding up his makeshift torch trying to see what he can ahead of them.

Ilura's arrow sailed through the air toward the old woman and nearly found its mark.  It whizzed through the air mere millimeters in front of the target's face.  It clanked loudly against the stone wall, but the old woman didn't even flinch.

"Tisk tsk, little lady."  The old woman kept her eyes on her stitching and continued to work at a lazy pace.  "Why don't you put down that bow and dry your bones next to old Mira?"  She patted a wrinkled hand against the wood beside her.  "There's room for all, don't worry."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:05, Thu 23 Nov 2017.

"Let's go," Eryn said, urgently making her way after Ilura. She moved as swiftly as she could without slipping on the wet rocks.

She fired a shot, but it doesn't seem like anyone is retaliating, she thought. Maybe she killed them in one shot?

Hiran follows behind Eryn and heavily investigates this woman and her immediate surroundings.


Does Hiran recognize her or what she's trying to do?

Hiran
If she is in fact one of the overlord's minions, she is not someone you have ever met or heard of before.  She appears to be stitching together a new zombie like the rest of you saw earlier, although it doesn't look very close to complete yet.  It is difficult to tell at a glance with zombies though.

Ilura
I forgot to mention in my previous post, mark off one ammo for that spectacular miss.

Hiran walks up to the woman. "How long have you worked for the Overlord or one of his underlings?" he says this in a calm curious voice.

Ilura swore briefly and nocked another arrow and sighted the woman, then moved into the room, circling the fire while keeping her arrow clearly focused on her target.  The noise of her companions splashing their way up the passage was clear, so there was no chance of the old woman being suprised, but she could at least give her opponent multiple things to look at.  She ensured that she had a good view of the kelp-covered passageway as well, in case this woman's friends came back.

"I think I'll stand, thanks."

Ammo updated

To clarify, I'm positioning myself on the far side of the fire from her.  I can shoot through the flames, but it's harder for Eryn, Marcus, etc. to charge through them.

"Ha!" the woman said with a cackle after Hiran asked his question.  "My sisters are the ones employed.  Not me.  I'm not nearly as naive as they are."  She made no effort to elaborate.  She also seemed remarkably unconcerned by what any of the party members were doing around the campfire.  She merely continued working her needle like everything was normal.

The fighter wrinkled her nose as she glanced around the room. It all smelled of fish, and the heat did not make the faint stench any better. In addition: The initial stages of some odd form of necromancy, happening before their very eyes. It all seemed wrong. The woman was much too calm in their presence, and despite the fire casting a warm glow over the rest of the black cave, Eryn felt it only served to make this person seem all the more odd.

"Grisly work you got there," Eryn said, glaring over the edge of her shield as she moved into the room proper. As promised, she kept herself in front of Rirrik and Hiran, intending to protect them if a fight was to break out again. The sight of magic causing barnacles to sprout on rocks was fresh in her mind. She dearly hoped not to see any more magic from these people, but the hope was not strong.

"Care to tell us why you're doing it if you're not working for an evil wizard? I've heard even the nastier ones prefer golems over moving corpses, if only for the smell."

Hiran chuckled he had seen this before, a minion of the overlord commonly pulled others especially family into their web of darkness.  He imagined this woman was the same as many he did the same to over the years. "So your just doing their side work? Repairing some of their minions in your downtime? How amusing, the master never does stop working even in death."

Rirrik was very confused that they weren't  now all fighting for their lives. It was certainly a pleasant change to the normal chaos. The gnoll strolled up to the haggish woman and sat next to her, resting his head on on the drum in his lap he glanced over the work she was doing. In a matter of fact voice he said "That's pretty gross work there. Probably wouldn't even make a good meal for the vorlag. That's wandering around here right? You wouldn't mind telling us about whose been robbing and burning down the town, would you? You seem like a wise, if creepy old lady."
OOC: Going for 'Charming and Open' and the question "How can I get you to tell us about the recent crimes?"

To Eryn and Hiran's comments, Mira closed her eyes sagely and said, "It is good to give your family support, even if you don't always agree with their decisions..."  She then opened her eyes and was about to resume her work when Rirrik sat next to her.

The old woman looked at him with a wide smile.  Her teeth were yellowed and a few were missing, but it was an otherwise kind smile.  She was obviously amused with Rirrik's behavior.  When the gnoll finished talking, she replied, "You are right, I wouldn't mind telling you.  And you could get me to do just that, on one condition."  She went back to her stitching, once again paying little attention to those around her.  "You and your friends must agree not to kill me."  Her eyes flicked up at Ilura.  The one who had already tried attacking her.  "Especially when I have done nothing to provoke you."

What do you do?

Marcus
Your bond with Rirrik is "Rirrik Lollygag is a brave soul, I have much to learn from him."  Is sitting next to the old lady bravery on Rirrik's part, or something else?

"You are creating an abomination just like the 3 that just attacked us.  And your sisters (or daughters?  some other relation?) seemed to indicate that they had each had responsibility for one of them, which leaves the third as one of yours.  Plus you seem on very friendly terms with those who did directly attack us.  So I feel plenty provoked..."

She keeps her bow aimed at the woman, but takes no further aggressive action.

Rirrik nodded then shot Illura a glance of 'I wouldn't do that if I were you'. He stood up and slung his drum over his back "As much as my friend is tempted to, we DON'T just immediatly slaughter the elderly just because they seem to be up to no good. Spirits forbid some townsfolk takes such an action against some of our party." It was clear he was referring to himself but he also looked to the haunted doctor.

"As long as you aren't posing a threat to us, I am open to just trading words with you." To prove this point he stepped between the ranger and the hag and said quietly "I would speak quickly though, for all our good."

"Assumptions," she said dismissively.  "Is the fletcher who makes your arrows responsible for where you aim them?  Can one person not own three arrows while another person owns none?"  Mira snipped off her thread, then began to tie the loose end.  "You are free to feel the way you feel, but that does not make you right."

When Rirrik stood between Ilura and herself, Mira looked up from her work and seemed to be considering.  Finally she nodded then said, "Very well.  What would you like to know? Who is doing the crimes?  That would be the man my sister's are working for.  They call him Mr. Shadows.  Or Shadow man.  I do not know his real name, but I have seen him.  He looks to be incorpreal and made partially of darkness.  Except for his weapon, which is very solid and made of blue light."

Hiran would describe the overlord in particular detail and see if that rings a bell to Mira.  To show that he means no harm he would even start trying to help her with her work pointing out areas he could help or pieces she has missed.  This was a skill he honed for quite a many years so he was well versed in the master's processing of all things fleshy.  He attempted to share his knowledge in a friendly way like a fellow artisan who deserved respect.

"You are skilled Mira, how long have you been doing this? I was once like you, elbow deep in the flesh of various things."

Ilura refrained from moving to a better vantage point, but she kept the bow aimed.  If Rirrik moved, she could draw and shoot in a heartbeat.

Regardless of the hag's claims, she was obviously unnatural and engaged in deeply unnatural conduct, violating nature's balance.  Combining the parts of different creatures was clearly outside the natural order and animating them to a semblance of life was far worse.  Her gaze flickered occasionally to Hiran.  It was not pleasing to know that one of her companions had once been involved in similar activities, but she bit her tongue for now.  Her associates were extracting useful information.  The time for killing would come soon enough.

Eryn exchanged a meaningful glance with Ilura. She was certain neither of them trusted this woman at all. For that matter, both Hiran and Rirrik were getting almost a bit too chummy with her, even if the conversation proved to be informative.

Eryn lowered her spear so it didn't point forwards quite as threateningly as before, but her posture was still tense. While the others kept the old woman occupied with talk, she glanced around the cave to see if she could spot anything useful, but also made sure to gradually move closer to Ilura as she did so.

"Incorporeal, huh," she said to the ranger in a low voice. "Sounds like trouble for us. I'm not sure if my weapon will even affect a ghost."

"Where do you think this tunnel leads? Sleeping chamber? Underground lake? Pile of corpses?"

Eryn kept looking around intently, making sure to take in the scene before her in detail so she could learn more about what the strange hag was doing.

quote:

Eryn rolled 4 using 2d6.  Discern Realities in cave with campfire.

Oh well.

If any of the others attacked, Marcus would have been glad to follow, but as the encounter turned to exchange of words, not blows, the paladin stood silently slightly behind Eryn. Rirrik's forwardness caught him off guard, and he wasn't sure what to make of the gnoll at that moment. His fists clenched and teeth ground against each other as he observed the abomination being made before his very eyes. And the woman dared to say she wasn't provoking them.

Afer getting some information, although not much, the holy warrior could stand it no longer. Moving forward he proclaimed, his voice booming through the cave "Some things can indeed be used for both good or evil. But what you are creating can serve but one cause!" he pointed his sword towards the unfinished zombie "Stop the vile practice now, and there might be hope for you yet. Continue, and you shall damn yourself in both this world and the one that comes after."

20:47, Today: Marcus rolled 5 using 2d6+2.  I Am the Law!
On a miss, they do as they please and you take -1 forward against them.
So... XP is good, right ;)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:54, Thu 23 Nov 2017.

Hiran recoiled in horror at Marcus's firm tone.  He felt like a chided child who disappointed their father. Marcus was important to Hiran a representation of who he could become.

"I...I am sorry Marcus, I fell into old habits I....I must naturally fall into evil schemes without even realizing im doing it."

Hiran drops to a knee at Marcus's feet."I am sorry my friend."

"This swordsman spook ring any bells, anybody? Anyone encounter anything like that before?" Rirrik asked this to the group, but especially to those with far more knowledge of the undead than he. He turned back to the hag "So that answered the who, the other big question that comes to mind would be why?
What's the purpose for such seemingly random violence?" The last of the question was unheard over Marcus' righteous indignation. The gnoll was friendly with the paladin, but sometimes he could throw a holy wrench in things.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:35, Thu 23 Nov 2017.

Ilura looked at Marcus with a new sense of respect.  His vision for right and wrong was similar to her own - and furthermore, he wasn't afraid to stand up for his beliefs.  Hiran's appology settled her concerns somewhat.  Everyone had a past they needed to get away from - and habbits that were sometimes hard to leave behind.

Rirrik's question brought her focus back to the moemnt.  The thought of the blue-sworded creature sent a shiver up the ranger's spine.
"I have seen it - I believe it is the same creature that killed my mentor."

There was a tinger of anger in her voice.  She wanted the thing dead more than anything in the world - but how could her arrows touch something which held no substance?

Mira was happy to hear Hiran's suggestions for improvement and willingly showed him what she had left to complete.  She admitted to him that this was not indicative of her "usual work."  As Eryn looked around and asked about the tunnels, Mira replied, "The tunnels follow the stream for a while, then branch out all over the place.  Easy to get lost.  I don't usually stray too far from the sea myself."

When Marcus made his divine declaration, however, Mira gave him a look that exuded disapproval.  The old woman said nothing, but plucked out one of here long blacker-than-black hairs, threaded it through her needle, then began stitching the body again, calm as ever.  She was obviously not impressed by Marcus's threat.  And when Hiran keeled down and apologized, she said under her breath of Hiran, "And here I mistook you for someone with a spine..."

While this was happening, Eryn was still examining their surroundings.  In her efforts, the warrior got close enough to the pot bubbling over the fire to breathe in some of its vapors.  After a moment of light-headedness Eryn felt something bubbling up inside her.  A sickening feeling that didn't want to go away.  Her tongue suddenly tasted very salty and she could not help but wretch up a mouthful of sickness.  Soon the fighter was vomiting saltwater onto the floor of the cave, seashells and all.

Mira chuckled as she continued her stitching.  "You humans react so peculiarly to the simplest meals."

Eryn
You currently have the sickened condition.

Add your +1 XP if you haven't already.

Marcus
Add your +1 XP if you haven't already.

Eryn coughed and retched as she tried to regain her composure. The world around her was forgotten as she vacated whatever was brewing in her stomach onto the black cave floor. She had expected any number of foul things to happen, but losing all control she had over her stomach was not one them. Her head spun, but soon settled. The fighter became vaguely aware of her surroundings again, as the all-encompassing nausea began fading.

What was that on the floor? Seashells...? Her mouth tasted of saltwater, and she spat a few more times, disgusted.

Eryn could feel an uncomfortable amount of sweat on her skin, soaking every garment she wore. She unsteadily rose to her feet, silently wincing and wiping her forehead with the sleeve on her left arm. The right still clutched her spear, though it was certainly not steady anymore. The seasoned sell-sword was terrified by how easy it was to lose control. It hadn't even been a spell that did it... just some horrible witch's brew. Eryn trembled with shock, embarrassment... and barely contained rage.

"What the hell are you brewing in that pot!?" she roared at Mira, taking one solid step towards the fire, leaning forwards into a fighting stance. "And I don't care for your lies about how it's just some innocent soup. Soup doesn't make people vomit seashells!"

I will mark XP... though I think the real life experience came from the event itself. :) Sickened condition marked as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:08, Fri 24 Nov 2017.

In response Mira smiled her old yellow-toothed smile and reached for the ladle hanging from the side of the pot.  She brought the scoop of steaming mixture under her nose and breathed deep before slurping up the scalding liquid.  There were no ill effects observable, from the heat or otherwise, as the soaked old woman returned the ladle to the pot.

Seeing - and smelling - the fighter's obviously unnatural illness pushed the ranger to action.
 She circled around, regaining her line of sight on the old woman and pointed the bow threateningly.

"It would be best for all if you and your sisters returned to the sea.  It seems you would be happier there anyhow.  We are here to prevent Mr. Shadows from achieving his objective.  If you and your siblings leave, then, dispite your unnatural practices, we can agree not to cause you or them harm.  But if you continue to take steps in accordance with Mr. Shadows' desires, including creating more minions for his service, then we have no choice but to treat you as an enemy."

quote:

14:28, Today: Ilura rolled 6 using 2d6.  Parley.

Oh well...

"Yeah, I'll certainly do my best to avoid harming anyone," Eryn muttered, not taking her angry glare off Mira. Her attempt at looking intimidating was slightly undermined by her suddenly coughing up a final bit of seawater. Her throat still had a tingling pain in it, and things were clearly not going their way. She was glad Ilura and Marcus were there to make threats instead.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:48, Fri 24 Nov 2017.

Rirrik, seeing that everything was beginning to turn to crap, decided that the information he had garnered was good enough for now. "Yeah... that's probably a good point to leave. Thanks for the help, hope we don't have have such a negative meeting next time."   He headed toward the entrance to a tunnel farther in and began to make desperate motions to get a move on. "We have a watery timer that's ticking on. Perhaps we go?"

Hiran just sat there a bit stunned.  Marcus was right, but so was this woman.  What was right, what was wrong, what path was he supposed to follow.  Life was so much simpler when his life was his lab and the work the master provided him.  When he saw his friend Rirrik run off he joined him deciding fleeing was his chance to evade the morale questions about himself now swimming in his head.

Mira snorted at Ilura's proposition, but didn't even bother to look up or pause her stitching.  "If I had any sway over the decisions my sisters make, I would not be doing this, and you would not be doing that.  I can not command them to leave any more than I can command you to do the same."  At this point she looked up at Ilura and stared her in the eye.  With an accusing tone, she said, "Trespasser.  Interloper.  Eavesdropper.  Would-be executioner of the elderly.  Any one of these terms could be used to describe you, archer."  She went back to her stitching.  There was an anger in her needlework now.  "Kill me in cold blood if you must, but know that the decision to do so is yours to make.  Not mine.  Or leave me to my work, continue on, and see if my sisters procured the payment to deal with the likes of you.  And oh, they definitely did.  They always do.  You may not want to let your two little men stray too far ahead if you want them to survive."  She indicated Rirrik and Hiran, who were heading out of the room. "But regardless, you have all overstayed your welcome.  Begone!"

Ilura
You can add your +1XP.

The weight of Ilura's threats diminished as her party slowly vanished.

"You would send us on, even knowing it likely that it may result in the death of one or perhaps both of your sisters?  You came here, though you did not wish to.  You sew another minion for them for a cause you do not share.  So they have some hold on you.  Yet you do not seek to stop or divert a clear threat against them.  Perhaps you are content for them to reap the harvest they have sewn?"

She waited briefly to see if there was any response before shrugging her shoulders.  She put an arm around Eryn and helped her to the doorway, leaving Marcus to take the rear guard.  So far, she couldn't say this was going terribly well.

Not sure if a roll is required for my monologue/question.  If so, feel free to make it on my behalf.

And XP taken.

"Forget her. She's content to sit there with a mutilated corpse in her hands and tell us about how we are unreasonable," Eryn grumbled. Her stomach was churning and complaining, but she still shook off Ilura's support once they had passed the doorway.

"Thank you, but I feel better now. It caught me off guard, that's all."

She peered back towards the cave they had just left, and waited for Marcus. At the same time, she wished to rush after Hiran and Rirrik, before they got too far ahead. "We shouldn't split up, and we certainly shouldn't leave anyone behind. Between the zombies, the hag and those crawling lizards that supposedly dwell here, I don't like our chances if we end up alone."

Marcus flinched at Hiran's reaction. He meant most of his words for the hag, forgetting for a moment the doctor's past. He did promise to keep the reformed mage on the right path, but this was not the way to do it. He acknowledged the apology with a faint nod, but did not speak, not trusting his voice at the moment.

As the likely unnatural sickness gripped Eryn, the paladin's face grew dark and with a last narrowed gaze directed to the witch, he turned his attention to his companion. "Let the breeze take the smell away. Let the light fill you." he spoke softly as he slowly gripped the warrior's hand.

Forcing himself to ignore the hag, Marcus moved to catch up with the two too eager explorers together with Eryn.

22:46, Today: Marcus rolled 4 using 2d6+2.  Lay on Hands - Eryn.
Doesn't matter. Disease or 1 damage.... what could possibly go wrong?

As Ilura was leaving, Mira made no effort to respond directly, but she could distinctly be heard muttering, "So young and naive.  If I did as I desired to you, you would kill me for sure.  But who is the one who just survived unscathed?"

As she finished saying this to herself, another wave of nausea washed over Eryn.  It seemed to subside as Marcus touched her hand and offered a prayer, but then flared back up again almost immediately, twice as bad.  Not only that, but the nausea spread to Marcus as well.  While Eryn was still vomiting seawater and shells, Marcus was now struggling not to spew up mouthfuls of sand.

What do you do as you move up the tunnel?

Marcus and Eryn
You both now have the sickened condition.

Rirrik was relieved when the whole group began to come back together and move on past the hag's lair. This relief was down right crushed when he heard the sounds of retching. At once he understood that the hag had done something once again. Rather than have one of the less charismatic companions talk there way into being permanently hexed, he was going to take this into his own hands. He turned around and told Hiran to stay with the others, passing Marcus and Eryn he said "I am very sorry. I will take care of this.ALONE." His tone and face was one of hard determination.

He marched right up to the witch and said with force "I know we didn't have a great meeting, but we were leaving. Now, you are hurting my friends. I don't like that, so cease at once or YOU will feel what it's like spitting up sand."

20:02, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Parley.
The leverage is physical force against her.

Hiran investigated some of the seashell filled vomit seeing if he could find any black or oddities within.  If that came up empty he spent a bit of time investigating the walls and hallways they had been walking through.  Mold or oddities of this cavern would be causing a transformation unbeknownst to the entire party.



If you need a specific roll GM let me know I wasn't sure what would fit best if anything.

At Rirrik's words, Mira dropped her stitch work, gritted her teeth, and flexed her fingers as if trying to resist the urge to strangle the gnoll.  There was real anger in her eyes now.  Through clenched teeth she said, "All that has been done to your people, they have done to themselves.  But if I agree to remove their symptoms, will you promise to LEAVE ME BE!?"  She looked for any one of of the adventurers to take up her offer.

What do you do?

Hiran
That sounds like a Discern Realities roll to me.

02:33, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 12 using 2d6.  Discern Realities.

What is about to happen?
What here is useful or valuable to me?
What here is not what it appears to be?

Oh, good, more seawater I definitely did not swallow beforehand.

Eryn tried to compose herself, but found it impossible with the implication that the foul magic would keep creating more horrible sea soup inside of her. The fighter's eyes fell on one of the shells on the floor, and despite it being a smooth white shape she could tell that the shell's edge must be somewhat coarse. She swallowed. Her throat felt sore.

"I hate that hag already!" she muttered, trying her best to look unaffected. With her own sickness subsiding for now, Eryn became aware of Marcus not looking so good. Worse, Rirrik had returned, obviously agitated with the witch. The fighter remembered how easy it was for him to get in someone's face when he got excited, and felt a sting of fear at the thought that he would end up cursed as well - and if he did it would be by Mira's express intent, not just an accident.

"Marcus, I fear we may be out of our league here," she said. "This old witch almost put me out of commission without even trying, and despite looking like she could keel over from age at any moment she still manages to give me the creeps. In the dark caves we will be easy to ambush by the others, and both the people and the monsters are much better at traversing them than we are."

Eryn sighed, before putting her bag down on the floor and rummaging through it. She had a few rations left, but decided not to eat anything yet. If she vomited again, it would just be a waste. Instead, she moved on to the other things she had brought.

"I don't have much that would be of use outside making camp, but maybe Hiran can tell me if any of it could work against these creatures somehow..." When Eryn looked back up again, she noticed the wizard in question poking through the seashell vomit on the floor. "...Find anything you like in there?"

Rirrik moved his toothy snout in closer to her and shouts back at her "We were just about to leave you alone, you old hag!" Rirrik then made a big show of stomping off back toward where his allies were. Before he was completely out of ear shot he shouted back you her "Now cure them of your curse, or else!"

 The gnoll knew yelling in a cave network probably wasn't the best idea, but he hoped the labyrinthine shape of it would make it hard to gauge where the shouts were coming from and he was just so angry. When he got back to the group he looked the two affected over and patted their backs reassuringly

When Hiran examined what Eryn and Marcus had expelled, he noticed that the seashells and sand were all normal non-black colors.  The only thing really notable was when one of Eryn's seashells started walking because there was a hermit crab inside.

As the wizard was doing his examinations, the witch got to work.  Unhappily.  She could be heard muttering phrases under her breath such as, "In 700 years I have never seen such insolence," or, "Not my fault they can't hold their brew," or even, "Don't lose your temper Mira.  Remember what they'll do to you if you lose your temper."

The old hag grabbed the ladle from her simmering pot, dumped its contents, then licked it clean.  From within her ragged robes she pulled out a bottle of what looked to be sea water and dumped it in the end of the ladle.  Then, she reached her entire arm into her pot of boiling brew, felt around on the bottom for a bit, then pulled up a spiked starfish.  She bit off the end of one starfish arm and dropped the rest back into the pot.  She took the bitten off portion and squeezed green goop from it into the end of her ladle then mixed it with her finger.  It turned muddy brown and chunky.  Lastly, she shuffled over to where Eryn and Marcus had gotten sick and scooped some of the sand and the shells into her mouth and began chewing.  After a few moments she spit the contents of her mouth out onto her free hand.  Instead of mush, it was a beautiful perfect pearl an inch in diameter.  She crushed it in her fist and sprinkled it in with the rest of her ladle contents.  The small amount of liquid started bubbling and turned bright pink.  "Here.  Take a sip of this and you should be cured.  Quickly now, before it bubbles away.  And once cured, try not to breathe in the vapors from my supper again or we'll have to do this all over again."  She shot an angry look Rirrik's way.

As the witch brewed her cure, Hiran continued his observations of their surroundings and noticed a few things.  First, the cave walls seemed normal as far as he could tell.  He did notice, however, when the witch reached into her robes for her saltwater, there were several other jars hanging there.  Some of which were rare poisons.  He knew that if she were not brewing a cure, she could easily have slipped a dose of one of those into her brew and instantly turned it into a deadly concoction.  He also noticed that while the old hag was certainly old, she was not as frail as she pretended to be.  There was a subtle spryness and strength in her motions.  She was good at hiding it, but she could probably outrun any of them or lift any one of them over her head if she felt so inclined.

What does everybody do?

Eryn and Marcus
The witch is offering you her cure.  If you drink it, remove your Sickened condition.

Hiran
What is about to happen?
Eryn and Marcus are about to be cured.

What here is useful or valuable to me?
The poisons in Mira's robes are certainly valuable.  Possibly useful too!

What here is not what it appears to be?
The witch.  She is actually very physically fit.

Take +1 forward when acting on the answers.

Ilura isn't quite sure why the gnoll got a better reaction than she had.  Perhaps her initial shot at the woman's head had got them off to a bad start.  In any event, she was glad Rirrik had been successful where she had not.

"We will likely need to pass this way again when we make our exit, but we'll do our best not to disturb you.  And if we can avoid harming your sisters and simply return them to you to chastize or not as you see fit, we'll do our best to do so."

The ranger set off down the tunnel with her crow flitting from sone to stone.  She took the torch as far as the first junction and explored a little ways down each branch.  She wanted to figure out where the sisters had gone, but she was also looking for signs of any other threats or areas they could take advantage of in setting up an ambush.

quote:

10:45, Today: Ilura rolled 8 using 2d6+3.  Discern Realities (with crow's help).

What happened here recently - specifically, which way did the sisters go?

Pride mixed with disgust almost got the better of Eryn, as she witnessed the witch create a cure - so she said - from what looked like regular seawater and sand. On the other hand there was nothing ordinary about this person, and there was no way of telling if the unpleasant curse would go away on its own.

Reluctantly, Eryn took a sip of the ladle, making sure to leave half for Marcus. The brew tasted foul, but as it wasn't quite as bad as crab-filled vomit, Eryn thought that was something worth cherishing. Better yet, the feeling of lingering sickness vanished almost immediately after swallowing the cure, and the rolling ocean in the pit of her stomach finally settled.

"Thanks, I guess," she mumbled, still not comfortable with the situation.

"How come this stuff doesn't affect you the same way it affects us?"

Marcus heard Elyn out, shaking his head as he tried to deny her words. Then a mouthful of sand spewed out of his mouth. He caught most of it in his hands and watched as it slowly trickled through his fingers. The sight was a sinister mirror of the handful of black sand he admired outside the cave. It could hardly be a coincidence.

The paladin admired the gnoll's stand against the witch, and he understood his friend's acceptance of the cure. But he gently pushed the ladle Eryn offered him away. "There will be no or else." he said to Rirrik and Mira alike, spitting grains out of his mouth when he managed to push the words through his teeth.

"The Crimson One looks after her own." Marcus spoke, fighting a new onslaught of sickness as he answered Eryn's question. "Until she doesn't." he concluded, giving Mira a pointed look. The holy man followed Ilura without a second look back, although his mind couldn't abandon thoughts of the cure that was within his grasp. "Let's go." he spoke softly as he moved past his companions, stepping outside the flame the hag's fire cast.

19:54, Today: Marcus rolled 5 using 2d6+1.  Defy danger (hide the sickness).
Roller... thank you for the RP opportunity I guess?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:55, Tue 28 Nov 2017.

Rirrik nodded respectfully to Marcus and fell behind him as they proceeded through the tunnels. He didn't want someone or something sneaking up behind the sick holy warrior. The gnoll tried to diffuse the tension somewhat by grinning and saying to him "I'm sure there's a song lyric in this somewhere. 'About the evil, he had a hunch. Though try he did, to hold his lunch'."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Tue 28 Nov 2017.

Mira looked as if she was about to reply when Marcus gave his own answer.  At his words, she smiled mischievously and made no attempt to correct the paladin's claim, whether it was truth or not.  "I think The Crimson One is looking at you now too.  And laughing."  She let out an amused cackle and went to sit back on her log after Marcus let the last of the cure evaporate away.  Marcus could was able to stifle his symptoms for the moment, but he could tell this was not the last time he would have the taste of sand in his mouth this day.

Meanwhile, further up the tunnel, Ilura and her crow were busy trying to track the witch's sisters.  The tunnel was cramped in most places.  From time to time it required the party members to squeeze between two tight rocks, or to duck low under an overhang.  But at least it never came to the point of having to crawl through the shallow freshwater that was still flowing over the floor of the tunnel.

After several hundred yards, the tunnel finally opened up a little more.  Ilura's torch illuminated a chamber about thirty feet high and just as wide.  After a quick search around the rock formations in the area, Ilura was able to determine that there were three obvious tunnels that led off of this one.  One was up high, where the stream flowed down the cave wall from an opening about twenty feet up.  Then there was one to the left and one to the right.  Neither looked particularly promising at first glance, but then Ilura's crow directed the ranger's attention to the floor by the left tunnel.  Wet footprints.

As the rest of the party caught up with the ranger, Marcus was really starting to feel the drawbacks of his display of fortitude.  He had managed to look healthy at first, but all of the contorting required to get through that stretch of tunnel really took its toll on his ability to hold it all in.  It seemed the act of trying to look healthy was more hazardous to his health than just acting the way he actually felt.  As Marcus entered the cavern with Illura and the others, the sand within him felt about ready to burst out of him like a geyser.

What do you do?

Ilura
What happened here recently - specifically, which way did the sisters go?
Someone recently left wet footprints down the left tunnel.  Presumably they are the sisters'.

Take +1 forward when acting on the answers.

Eryn
You no longer have your Sickened debility.

Marcus
You do still have your sickened debility.

Also, choose one of the following:
1. Finally let the sand erupt out of you, but you know it will be very noisy and the sound will carry a long distance.
2. You can hold in the magical sickness anyway and see what happens.

Hiran approached the woman again with a few questions on his mind after his investigation. "So Mira I hope you recognize I have been far more welcoming to you than my companions so I hope you don't mind a few questions.  So what would happen if one were to take this cure when they were not afflicted? Also I must know is there a concoction you take to keep in such great physical shape or does that come natural to your species?"

Mira was back to her stitching now, and once again paying very little attention to her surroundings.  But in response to Hiran's question she said, "The deal was that if I brewed a cure for their ailments, you would all leave me be.  You aren't going back on the deal now, are you?  Because that would be most unfortunate while you are here all by your lonesome."  Indeed, the rest of the group seems to have already left the room.  Only Hiran and Mira are currently by the cook fire.  The spirits haunting Hiran start to goad the wizard with renewed vigor, whispering hopes for the man's untimely death at the hands of the sea witch.

Hiran sighed every time he tried to be pleasant he felt like he was faced with opposition around every corner.

He silently turned back to his friends in a bit of a frustrated huff.

The cave to the right looked pretty mundane and quickly branched out in several more directions.  The path that followed the stream quickly became more cramped and much more like a crawlspace than a tunnel.  To the left, the path with the footprints, led to a place where the cave takes a steep upward turn.  Wet hand prints can be seen along with the footprints, climbing up the steep, wall-like path.

Ilura returned to the group letting them know what she'd found.

"No ideal spot for an ambush - unless maybe they were ambushing us from the top of that climb.  That prospect doesn't excite me much, so I'd rather we do the climb sooner than later.  The other possibility is we could head up the branch to the right a little bit.  It's pretty much a dead end.  When they walk past, a few of us could hit them from behind and when they turn to face us, the others could rush from the direction of Mina's fire.  It does mean we'd be close enough for Mina to hear and intervene though."

"We wasted some time on that witch, but when we count their travel time I think negotiations of payment would take longer than our little chat.

Eryn followed the footprints with her eyes, and looked up the wall. Between the darkness and the uncomfortable feeling still lingering in her body, she felt like moving on quickly.

"I think I could scale that wall without trouble, but I'd have to strap my fighting gear to my back to free my hands. Best case scenario, we find a nice spot to get the drop on them. Worst case scenario, they push us back towards the edge, or attack while some of us are still busy climbing."

Her gaze shifted to the tunnels that went in every direction and made it impossible to tell exactly where they would lead.

"On the other hand... there might be more than one way back to this spot, through the rest of the cavern. I presume they took this route because it was fastest, or because the steep climb would keep us from catching up with them."

"Ilura, is your crow able to keep watch for enemies at the top of the wall?"

Rirrik waited with held breath. He tried to think of ways to help in this situation, but didn't see how he could. They had no way to know where an attack would be coming from. Any mystical musical aid might draw unwanted attention. For now the gnoll thought it best to wait and watch for trouble, ready as he was to continue on.

"Only if I go with him.  Which I may as well do.  I'll scout ahead a bit.  If it's safe for you guys to come up, I'll signal you - and can toss down a rope if need-be."

The ranger slung her bow across her back and re-stowed the burlap sack in her pack - she didn't want it tangling her legs in the climb.  A quick chirp to Thomas sent him aloft ahead of her and she began following the tracks up the cave wall, her senses tuned to any sounds or images that seemed out of place.  Unfortunately the angle of the rock and the flickering shadows from the torch below made it hard to pick out too much as she went - or to see much when she reached the top.

Not sure if I need a roll to climb the cliff face.  Feel free to make one on my behalf to move the fiction along if so.

quote:

09:00, Today: Ilura rolled 7 using 2d6+3.  Scouting up (and past) the cave wall.

Looking for signs of an ambush/trap/other threat, so presume that's "What should I be on the lookout for?"

Hiran gave Rirrik a flabbergasted look as he also wasn't sure what he could do to help other than wait for his companions to scout out this place and report back with new information.

He stayed in quiet contemplation, at least as best as he could while voices are screaming and taunting him.

Eryn watched Ilura begin climbing without a word. Truth be told, she still wasn't feeling all that well, as the magical sickness had left her in a state where every other action felt just a little bit tiring. She desperately wanted to wash up and lie down for a bit, but she knew there was no chance of doing so yet. Instead, she turned to Hiran, as he had gone quiet and seemed to be haunted by whatever mystery he was thinking about this time. Given his knowledge of supernatural creatures, Eryn couldn't even imagine what thoughts must be going through the wizard's head, but from his seemingly random outbursts she had gotten the impression that they got the better of him sometimes.

If he can't keep it together we might be in trouble, she thought while fishing out a ration from her bag. The fighter began chewing on the dry food, enjoying the momentary break. It wasn't exactly a king's meal, but it was enough to keep anyone going for a while. Eryn wrinkled her brow as she tried to make out the taste. The flavor was almost gone thanks to the dryness and high amount of salt, but it was definitely some kind of bread, with just a hint of pork meat mixed in. Taste didn't really matter in the end, for she had to finish the meal quickly to avoid wasting any more time than they already had.

"How are you holding up?" she asked Hiran between bites, in as friendly a voice as she could muster in their current situation, with a mouth full of food. "That witch caught us by surprise, I'd say, but I bet a non-puking wizard like yourself got more out of the meeting than me." She gulped down the rest of the ration, feeling more spry already. "Did you learn any valuable information from her? How to counter their magic, I almost dare hope."


Consuming one ration to refill an empty stomach.

With the others waiting below, Ilura scaled the steep slope without trouble.  It was actually easier than expected.  The lighting was poor and she had to be careful, but there were plenty of hand and footholds to make the climb fairly straightforward.  It also helped that the "wall" was not perfectly straight up and down.

Unsurprisingly, at the top it was dark.  But as the ranger's eyes adjusted to the darkness once again, she noticed it wasn't quite as dark as one might expect.  In many of the cracks and crevices there was some sort of fuzzy fungus growing that gave off a faint purplish-pink glow.  It became more noticeable a few paces in, especially near the ceiling and where the witches had stepped.  Ilura could see that the cavern atop the wall was a huge flat space that stretched hundreds, if not thousands of feet in all directions.  It was rarely more than twenty feet high at any given point, and it was riddled with stalactites and stalagmites.  Quite beautiful, actually.

There was no sign of the witches though, save for their footprints, which glowed the same color as the fungus.  Ilura could see her footsteps were doing the same.  More notably though, was that the fuzzy fungus probably glowed more brightly near the ceiling because there was motion up there.  Not a vorlag, thankfully, but bats.  Thousands of them.  Not a big deal to the experienced ranger on their own, but then Ilura spotted the Broodmaster Bat.

It was about the size of a bobcat, hanging from a particularly bright part of the ceiling about a hundred feet in.  Right above where the witches' footprints led.  It appeared to be asleep at the moment, but Ilura knew it would be trouble if it woke up.  Swarms of trouble...

What do you do?

Ilura
What should I be on the lookout for?
The bats.  Especially that big one.

Tell us, what does the Broodmaster Bat look like?  How/what do you know about them?

Everyone Else
You have a moment to breathe (or eat in Eryn's case).  There is nothing visible or audible coming from any of the tunnels at the moment.

Marcus
When you get the chance to make a post is when the sand sickness will overcome you.  Make your choice from my earlier post at that time.

Hiran turned to Eryn.  "Unfortunately young lady, with the hostility I didn't get to learn as much as I would have liked.  Though I did notice curiously Mira was quite fit and athletic considering her age, she seemed to hide that from us for some reason though.  She also held a myriad of poisons and potions that looked quite valuable.  Still so much more we have to learn about this place and the things that inhabit it."

Hiran tapped his right index finger on his chin thinking to himself.  He had a bad habit of talking with others and then getting lost in his own mind instead.

"Too quick for her age, you say? She probably eats children and steals their youth." Eryn rolled her shoulders to get the stiffness out, then thought of something. "Oh, and being quicker than your enemies think you are is always an advantage to keep secret. A highway bandit once slipped away from my grasp thanks to that. Hit me in the noggin and bolted away faster than a hare. He wasn't half as feeble as he looked."

Hiran nodded in agreement. "All of that is probably true but, my experience with non-human beings is they bare greater gifts than that of a simple human.  We need to be wary she could be one of our targets in disguise or have a few tricks we have yet to learn."

"About that... if she's not human, what is she, exactly?"

Ilura didn't need to see the faint motion of the ceiling to sense the bats.  Her nose had informed her of the cave's occupants before she got half-way up the wall.  Bat guano wasn't a scent that was easily ignored.  The presence of bats told her something useful though - the cave definitely had at least one other exit.  There'd been no sign of guano in the passageway or any other signs of bats.  The swarm hanging from the ceiling would need to leave to feed.  If she could figure out where they left to, the party could potentially get out without ever having to pass Mira's way again.

The fungus was more interesting.  She'd heard of fauna like it, but never seen such a thing before.  It certainly made tracking straight-forward, though it would be pretty obvious to the witches that she'd been up here unless she could figure out how to calm it somewhat.  She experimented briefly, touching some with the blackened tip of her sword, irrigating a tiny clump with water from her flask. It was very pretty to look at, especially the flickers from the ceiling as the bats subtly shifted.  She gazed around, then froze.

Oh Crap...

Townfolk and peasants often freaked out at the sight of a bat or certainly at the sight of a swarm.  But bats were generally harmless.  They fed on insects and small birds or sometimes fruit.  Their biggest harm was if they occasionally got tangled in your hair - plus the mess they made wherever they roosted.  But Broodmasters were different.  More critically, they made the regular bats around them different.  Regular bats would only swarm on their way to feeding or if you disturbed them.  But they almost never attacked humans on purpose.  Bats under the influence of a Broadmaster were an entirely different matter.  They would bite, claw, even carry off a target into the air.  Broodmasters were intelligent - and they didn't like humans much.  They liked fire even less.  She was glad she'd left the torch far below.

She'd heard tales of a colony of bats even carrying off a horse - though she personally figured it must have been a pretty sickly horse.  However, the Broodmaster would certainly have no issue ordering the coloney picking up her or any of her teammates.  Being carried off the edge of the steep wall and dropped would NOT be a pleasant experience.  And the fat creature hanging deep in the cave would have no hesitation commanding its fluttering minions to do just that if it decided she or her group were a threat.

The question was whether to try to sneak the team past it or to try to leverage it to help take care of the sea hag creatures.  If she could somehow light her oponents on fire, they'd certainly be attacked.  But she doubted the dripping magical creatures would burn well.  On the other hand, sneaking the whole party past was going to be difficult at best.

She decided to scout further, doing her best to avoid the fungus and minimize evidence of her passage.  She wanted to get a sense of how far past the Broodmaster they'd have to go to get out of the bat-filled cave, how far a path she could trace through the cave to avoid the creature and whether there was a defensible position the team could hold if they needed to.  The good news was that it must not be too long after daybreak.  The bats would be tired and wouldn't be too likely to wake up with her movement - provided she didn't screw up...

quote:

18:12, Today: Ilura rolled 10 using 2d6+3.  Scouting the bat cave.

What should I be on the lookout for?
What here is useful or valuable to me?
What here is not what it appears to be?

Ilura
This area is dangerous to scout.  Give me a Defy Danger to avoid being noticed while you do so.  Probably with Dex if you are trying to be quiet.

quote:

21:50, Today: Ilura rolled 5 using 2d6+3.  Defy danger (Dex with 1 carry-forward).

Uh oh...

Ilura moved easily through the darkness at first.  But the better she got at not lighting up more of the fungus as she moved, the harder it was to see where she was stepping.  The darkest patches of ground seemed to be where the fungus wasn't growing, and so they seemed like the best spots to step.  That is, until one of those dark patches turned out to be dark because not only was there no fungus there, but there was nothing at all!

Ilura's foot started to fall into crack in the ground, but she was able to catch herself with her arms and other leg before she fell all the way in.  Purplish-pink light illuminated where her limbs touched the ledge.  The ranger's crow seemed rather disturbed by this surprise peril her friend was in and let out a loud "Caw!" of alarm that echoed throughout the cavern.

To its credit, the crow seemed to realize its folly immediately and fluttered to Ilura's shoulder to hide behind her hair.

In the distance, the broodmaster stirred.  It looked almost as if it might go back to sleep, but as Ilura pulled herself up, the extra large bat looked her direction and opened its wings.  Its huge, leathery wings.  It opened its toothy maw and suddenly the cavern was filled with a rapid succession of echoing, ear-piercing shrieks.

An instant later, the room erupted.

The empty air of the cavern was quite suddenly filled with bats as far as the eye could see.  Which was quite far, actually. The bats had disturbed a lot of the glowing fungus as they awoke, causing the entire area to illuminate to the brightness of a strong candle.  Some subconscious part of Ilura's mind noted that to get to the other end of this cavern would take quite some time.

Now back on her feet, Ilura could see the Broodmaster in the distance take to the air.  the swarming bats were beginning to coalesce in its vicinity, making it harder to see by the second.  What's more, there were other clusters of bats forming as well.  Several of which were moving in the ranger's direction.

---

Meanwhile, down below, the pleasant rest and idle chatter were suddenly interrupted by ear-piercing shrieks echoing out from the cavern Ilura had climbed up into.  When you look up where she climbed, you can see little bats flitting out into the air before circling back and disappearing into the cavern again.  You can see there is a faint purplish-pink glow coming from up there too.

What do you do?

Ilura
The Broodmaster is flying into the thick of the swarm.  You only have a moment before he is out of sight.  You also only have a moment before you are swarmed with bats of your own.

What here is not what it appears to be?
The floor is not as solid and uniform as it first seemed.  There are fissures and holes hiding in the darkness that someone might trip, or even fall into.

What should I be on the lookout for?
The Broodmaster's approaching attack is the obvious one.  But also keep an eye out for other pitfalls.

What here is useful or valuable to me?
The shallow crack you almost fell into might be useful.  Taking cover in it would keep you from being surrounded on all sides.

Don't forget to mark XP and take +1 forward for your Discern Realities.

Ilura might have had a shot at the Broodmaster while it was still sleeping, but with the bats swarming, her chances had dropped to near nil.  At best she'd just piss it off further.  Hiding in her little hole didn't seem wise either.  She'd seen bones picked clean from a bat attack once and that didn't seem like a fun way to go.  Deciding that leaving footprints was now the least of her concerns, the ranger ran for the ledge and jumped off, landing on her rear and using the slanted wall as a sort of slide, doing her best to avoid the rock outcroppings that had made such useful handholds on her way up but which now threatened to snag at her clothing or worse.

"BROODMASTER!  RUN!"

The light from the party's torch came up rapidly as she carreened down the cavern wall.  She flexed her legs to absorb the impact as she hit bottom, hoping that she wouldn't break anything - or anyone...

quote:

10:23, Today: Ilura rolled 13 using 2d6+3.  Evade danger - slide down the wall, using +1.

NOW I make my evade danger roll... :>

XP taken

Hiran bolts back the way they came back toward Mira and away from the sea of oncoming bats.

Rirrik turns around in time to see Illura sliding down the wall and Hiran running past him. For a moment he wants to run, but he isn't quite sure if the sickly Marcus will be able to make it out in time. The gnoll pulls out his short sword and brandishes it at the incoming onslaught. When they come closer he swings wildly, hoping to lessen the numbers that might seek to harm  his friends.

16:50, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 11 using 2d6.  Hack and Slash .
OOC: I realized after I rolled it made more sense as a Defend (Marcus) roll. So if I am allowed to change it to that, I will use 1 of my 3 hold to deal damage equal to my level (so 1?)
This message was last edited by the player at 22:45, Thu 30 Nov 2017.

Marcus struggled to keep up with others, his stubbornness keeping him from admitting that the forces of evil seemed to triumph over him this day. He even managed to hold the sand in when he saw Ilura's near fall.

But then the Broodmaster shrieked and the sound resonated through paladin's armor and body, bringing him over the edge. The sickness won and he doubled over, ratcheting as a torrent of sand burst forth, the sounds of his sickness spreading through the caverns.

Struggling to react, Marcus shuffled forward, raising his shield against the incoming swarm, hoping to give his companions some cover from the creatures of the night. "Try not to hurt them." he pleaded as he considered his next move.

Going with: Finally let the sand erupt out of you, but you know it will be very noisy and the sound will carry a long distance.

23:22, Today: Marcus rolled 9 using 2d6+1.  Defend (if I have an action).
Use hold to draw attack from bats.

Moments after Ilura appeared from the cavern above and began sliding down the wall, a thick cloud of bats erupted from the opening above.  They swirled for a moment, then cycloned downward in a torrent of leathery wings.  As they approached, the cloud split into two.  One cloud headed after Ilura and the other veered directly toward the noisy Marcus.  As the ranger slipped past where the paladin stood, however, the two swarms reconvened and focused solely on Marcus.

With his chest covered partially with sand, the mighty paladin stood valiantly despite himself and weathered the onslaught of winged rodents for the benefit of his companions.  Not on his own though.  Rirrik stood bravely next to him and was able to help repel the bats with some swings of his sword.  It didn't seem to do much good though.  The gnoll cut three down, but the bats were endless!

The brave Marcus withstood the onslaught easily at first.  After all, they were just tiny little bats.  Individually they wouldn't have even posed a threat.  But with so so many, it was nigh impossible to block all of them.  They flew up and over and around from all sides and were beginning to find fleshy areas to bite.  Not only that, but they were beginning to cling to his clothes, armor, and shield as well.  With unnatural cooperation, the little bats began to lift the paladin into the air, mainly by lifting his shield.  He was only a few inches up at the moment, but the bats wouldn't take long to get him up to dangerous heights.

What do you do?

Rirrik
You have 2 Hold remaining for your Defend roll.  You may use them as you see fit so long as you continue to defend Marcus.

Marcus
Take 1D10-2 Damage.  You are also starting to get lifted into the air.  You are mostly being lifted by your shield at the moment.

I should also point out that you do still have the Sickened debility (-1 to your Con modifier).  Letting the sand out noisily was just a drawback to trying to hide the fact that you were trying not to look sick.  So your Defend roll would actually have been an 8 instead of a 9.  It doesn't change anything for your roll, but it may affect future rolls and I wanted to make sure you were aware of that.  More information about Debilities can be found here:
http://www.dungeonworldsrd.com...the-game/#Debilities

Dr. Hiran
You are safe from the bats for the moment.  How far are you running down the tunnel?

Eryn and Ilura
The bats are focused mainly on Marcus for now, but that won't last for long.

Rirrik's eyes darted to each of the creatures flying around him and his companion. Try as he could his slashes weren't doing enough damage to make a dent in the numbers. To make matters worse, now  Marcus was being carried away. The gnoll rushed forward and grabbed onto the paladin's shield and attempted to pull hard against the many claws lifting it. At worse he hoped it would slow their ascent.

OOC: Using a hold (leaving me with 1) to "halve the attack’s effect or damage" the effect being the quickly rising of Marcus to dangerous heights. Sound reasonable?
This message was last edited by the player at 02:48, Fri 01 Dec 2017.

Ilura pulled a bundle of rope out of her pack and quickly tied a secure slip-knot before flipping it around the struggling palidin's legs and pulling tight.  She grabbed the remaining coil and dashed up the passageway heading a good 15 feet down before starting to yank on the fighter.  She knew that if the bats could lift the bulky and well-armored fighter so easily, they'd have no issue getting her.

"Rirrik, get down the passageway and help me pull Markus!.  If they get us out there where they can drop us, we're done for."

Used one adventuring gear.

"You do that; I'll drive them away from him in the meantime!"

Eryn had never seen so many bats at once before. She flicked her spear upwards repeatedly, using her extra reach to stab at the flock of bats swarming around Marcus. With any luck, its sharp head would be enough to down a few bats even if she didn't manage to skewer any. At the same time she feared striking Marcus by accident, for with so many black wings flapping around at once in the darkness she could barely see any of them clearly. Prioritizing defense over vision, the fighter also kept her shield close to her face to protect it from scratching claws and sharp teeth.

"Did anyone see where the big one went?!" she shouted over the noisy creatures bearing down on them.



I'm not sure if I would call this Hack and Slash versus the swarm (as it could easily retaliate), or if it's Aid towards the effort of pulling Marcus back down. I've assumed Hack and Slash and done the roll with STR (+2) for now. The natural roll was 8.

quote:

Eryn rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Hack and Slash at the bat swarm around Marcus.
Eryn rolled 2 using 1d10.  Damage to swarm.

This message was last edited by the player at 11:56, Fri 01 Dec 2017.

"It'll be way up at the top surrounded by a swarm.  Only time we'll see it before they get settled is if this swarm has lifted you up to the roof and is about to drop you.  We've gotta stay back in the tunnel where they can't really lift us, block most access and wittle 'em down.  Eventually they'll calm down and go back to roosting.  Then we'll have to figure out how we get past this thing."

Rirrik had been putting all his force and weight into keeeping Marcus down. Seeing the manuever that Illura performed he swiftly alters his plan. Letting go of the shield the gnoll instead runs down the hall to where Illura is and begins pulling on the rope instead.

11:37, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 13 using 2d6+1.  Aid Illura.
Going to just forgo my last hold and switch to aiding Illura with pulling the rope. So +1 to whatever she might need to roll. Defy Danger + Str probably?

Hiran runs far enough where he has made some distance from the bats but can still see a few fluttering around.  He knew he was no help in a brawl with hundreds of little creatures.  He was aware certain magics existed to handle such a situation but Hiran never had an opportunity or need to learn them.

The strange assault caught Marcus by surprise. Doing his best to keep the creatures at bay, he soon realized it wouldn't do him much good. But getting to their master could. Twisting among the thousands of claws, paladin swung his sword, not against the bats, but to strike his own shield and set it ringing. Adding his own voice, conviction taking over from nausea for a moment, he claimed "We walk with Lusiny and hunt traitors to the night." hoping that the Broodmaster would recognize the divine decree and let them pass.

21:12, Today: Marcus rolled 4 using 1d10-2.  Damage from bats.
20:43, Today: Marcus rolled 11 using 2d6+2. I Am the Law! (of the night).
The bats (or Broodmaster) can:
 - Do what you say
 - Back away cautiously, then flee
 - Attack you (let's hope they don't continue down this path)
Also, have +1 forward

With a group effort, the party managed to get Marcus down to the ground and everyone backed into the tunnel in a defensive position.  Eryn managed to cut through swaths of bats, but nothing seemed to be making a dent in their numbers.

Then Marcus beat on his shield and spoke to the bats with divine authority.  At first, nothing seemed to happen.  Bats continued to assail the group, trying to get past their defenses in any way they could.  But then the bats backed off a few feet.  And suddenly, the sea of wings parted and the silvery form of the Broodmaster Bat hovered in the air, looking at Marcus.

Now, some of the party members probably thought this was quite odd.  Broodmasters were known to be intelligent, but not to the point where they understood words.  But Marcus had spoken with the divine authority of Lusiny, the advocate for natural predators of the night.  A category the Broodmaster was definitely a part of.

The Broodmaster looked at Marcus for a moment more, then flew back in the direction it had come from.  However, the parted sea of bats remained.  They carved a path in the direction the Broodmaster had gone, almost as if they expected you to follow.

What do you do?

Meeting the bat's gaze, Marcus gave a nod of thanks, making a note to return later with a proper offering. Motioning for the others to follow his lead, he stashed his shield and sword and started the climb up. The victory kept the sandy issues that were occupying him until recently off his mind, and he felt good as he tried to keep up with the unlikely guide.

Rirrik let out thankful sigh when they were able to keep Marcus on the ground. When they suprising listened to the paladin the gnoll let out a hearty whoop. Clambering up the mound, the gnoll hoped to see something hopeful rather than dreadful

Ilura's head swiveled, looking first at Marcus, then the Broodmaster, then Marcus, then the Broodmaster again with a very clear WTF?!?? look on her face.  She hesitated briefly, then followed the palidin up, catching him quickly with her nimble feet and lower encumbrance.  As she went, she gathered her rope back into its bundle, but decided to leave it knotted around the fighter's waist - at least until he complained about it.  She wasn't sure exactly what was going on, or what was going to happen next.

When they reached the top and were waiting for the others, she turned and spoke to the holy man in a low voice, her gaze continuing to flit occasionally to the massive bat who was waiting for them to follow.

"How did you DO that?"

Eryn was speechless. She knew paladins and clerics alike had some influence over the world around them, but she had never expected wild animals to obey their orders. Yet here they were, standing in front of a pacified giant bat that had been terrorizing them just moment before, and all at the uttering of a few words.

"I... uh, I guess I am sorry for... killing a lot of your bat friends...?" the fighter murmured as she walked past the now calm Broodmaster, her gaze averted to avoid meeting its own intense eyes. Eryn briefly wondered whether the beast was truly intelligent or if it had just been dumbstruck by some kind of magical compulsion, but she decided not to ask.

Sticking close to the rest of the party, Eryn slung her shield over her shoulder and attached the spear to its carrying strap, before climbing to the top of the wall in silence. Once there, she unlimbered the gear again, and made sure to quickly wipe off the bat blood left on the pole-arm's tip before continuing.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:58, Sat 02 Dec 2017.

If the bat could understand or even cared about Eryn's apology, it made no indication.  It continued to flutter back and forth in front of the group as they made their way up the wall.  The wall of bats closed behind the group as they progressed forward.

In the cavern above was all alight with the purplish-pink glow of the fungus Ilura had encountered earlier.  Her earlier footsteps were still very bright.  The witch's were less-so, but still easy to spot.  The path carved through the sea of bats followed the general direction the witch's footprints did.  The party easily progressed through the stalagmites and around the gaps and holes in the cavern's floor.  Eventually the bat-path led next to where the witch's footprints descended into a lower cavern once again.  But instead of letting you go down and follow the footprints, the bat-path continued past it for another hundred feet or so to where there was another opening in the floor.

From where you are you can see the flicker of firelight coming from below the hole the bat-path leads you to.

What do you do?

Everyone
You are currently at the spot where the witch's footprints descend out of the cavern.  To follow the prints, you would need to leave the bat-path.  The bat-path is trying to lead you to another opening a few hundred feet further ahead, where flickers of firelight can be seen reflecting from below.

Ilura advances quietly across the now well-illuminated rocks to the opening indicated by the Broodmaster.  It was intelligent, it new who they were targeting and somehow or other Marcus had managed to convince it that her party was aligned.  So until proven otherwise, she'd trust in the Broodmaster's judgement.  She peered cautiously into the hole, listening to see what might be below and nudging Thomas to hop down and see what he could see as well.  Perhaps he could redeem himself.

quote:

15:05, Today: Ilura rolled 13 using 2d6+3.  Scout the hole w/ Thomas.

What is about to happen?
What should I be on the lookout for?
What here is useful or valuable to me?

When Hiran could hear the bat noise dying down he crept back up towards where the party was curious if he would see bodies or dead bats.  Finding they seemed to move in harmony fascinated and kind of scared him.

Perhaps they are under a compulsion of some sort

Hiran began to speak in a hushed tone ready to run for his life if anything former party or otherwise showed hostility. "psstt.. hey what happened? Were friends with the evil bloodsuckers now?"

"The noise and chaos drowned out the exact words for me, but Marcus shouted something about his god at them, and they all just stopped attacking us," Eryn replied in a whisper. "I'm not sure if the big one is spellbound or if it's just particularily pious compared to other beasts."

The fighter glanced nervously back over her shoulder, seeing the flittering mass of bats still blocking their retreat. With the glow of the strange fungi all around them, it was possible to spot them even against the backdrop of jet-black cave walls.

"Looks like they've lead us to a vantage point of some sort instead of into the hands of the witches, but for all I know they'll turn on us again at a moment's notice."

Eryn looked the wizard over. Hiran didn't seem like much of a physical fighter, and she had gotten the impression so far that casting spells needed at least a modicum of composure. When the bats were lifting him, Marcus had been surprising calm, and able to turn the tide of the battle in an instant. If the bats swarmed Hiran, would he be able to do the same? Would he be able to do anything at all? Her train of thoughts was interrupted by the sting of harsh realization. Would I be able to do anything even, in that situation? she thought.

Not wanting to demotivate herself, Eryn instead tried to continue the conversation, undaunted.

"What kinds of mushrooms are these, I wonder? The pink color and wide area are a bit like Stinkhorn, but they glow and don't smell when we step on them. I'm almost surprised it's not Witch's Butter - that one would be fittingly jet black and creepy, even."

Rirrik followed the ranger to the opening, but decided to leave the peering in to her. He instead crouched nearby, ready to pull her away if she started getting pulled in or something dangerous decides to fly out. The gnoll glanced momentarily around to the glowing fungi, they offered interesting decoration to the place but he wondered what purpose they served other than glowing. Perhaps they were edible, psychedelic, or poisonous. Rirrik hoped it wasn't that last one, considering how much they seemed to be poking around them. Maybe Eryn knew?

Hiran nods at Eryn's words and begins slowly creeping through the swarm of bats tense and nervous he begins to sweat.

Assuming he makes it across Hiran begins collecting various mushrooms and putting them in his pack. "Alchemists and wizards pay good money for various fungi.  Great for potions and other effects." he whispers to nobody in particular.

When Ilura and Ririk reached the hole in the floor, the Broodmaster departed and all the little bats nestled back onto the ceiling.  Very suddenly, the cavern was quiet and empty once again.  Which made it all the more easy for Ilura to hear the familiar voices of the witches.  And one other, much deeper and calmer voice that sounds almost familiar.  Almost.  From her current vantage point though, Ilura could only see the shadows two of them cast on the ground.  And a faint blue glow as well.

Voice 1: "...so really, two is the appropriate amount."

Voice 2: "One and a half is completely unreasonable.  I mean, who really want a half?"

Deep Voice: "Enough!  I reduce the offer to one!  The bats have quieted, so they have probably died.  Bring their bodies to me and I will give you one.  If they are still alive and you can bring at least two of them to me that way, then I will consider giving you two."

Voice 1: "But two makes more sense beca-"

Deep Voice: "I said ENOUGH!  We do not have the resources to spare for that.  I need all available resources for digging and searching.  High tide is nigh upon us."

Voice 2: "Can we at least get a skeleton in case the broodmaster is still agitated?  He's usually smart enough not to mess with us, but if they got him all riled up..."

Deep Voice:  "Very well. Now begone!"

The two shadows begin heading toward the other opening, followed by a third skeletal shadow.  It won't be long before they all emerge into the cavern.

What do you do?

Ilura
What is about to happen?
The witches and a skeleton are going to arrive in the cavern soon.

What should I be on the lookout for?
The witches trying to capture some (but not all) of you alive.

What here is useful or valuable to me?
The element of surprise!

Hiran
You are able to easily collect a sellable pile of mushrooms (1 weight).

The ranger suppressed the shiver triggered by the deeper voice.  backed away from the opening quietly and returned to her group.  "They're coming back with a skeleton in tow.  If we move quickly, we can position for an ambush.  Be careful of the fungus.  It shows where we've stepped and we don't want them to know anyone's around the entrance to the cave.  If we can, we should try to take one alive."

She found herself a depression that wasn't full of fungus.  She wanted cover but didn't really fancy being clearly illuminated from below.  She slotted an arrow and prepared to fire once the witches emerged, resolving that this time she wouldn't miss.

quote:

11:14, Today: Ilura rolled 10 using 2d6+3.  Called shot on witch's head (using +1).
11:14, Today: Ilura rolled 4 using 1d8+2.  Damage (with crow's assist).

Of course that assumes I'm able to get surprise on the witches coming out

"Alright, time to get ready," Eryn said. "Prepare your weapons, we need to be swift and precise."

The fighter positioned herself at an angle where the archers would have a clear shot past her charge, and held her shield up to cover her body. With her head low and spear at the ready, she expected this battle to be over quickly, one way or the other.

The moment Ilura let the arrow loose, Eryn made her move. With any luck, the skeleton's movement would be blocked by the two witches as they recoiled from the ambush for a precious few seconds.


Looking at where the arrow hit, Eryn moves in and takes a stab at the second witch (the one Ilura did not aim for).

quote:

Eryn rolled 13 using 2d6+2.  Hack and Slash at a witch.
Eryn rolled 3 using 1d10.  Damage to witch.

Spear has 2 piercing as usual.

Rirrik told the group in whispers "Leave boney to me, I should also provide a nice distraction to let you all push the advantage." The gnoll tried to position himself on a tall enough outcropping so he could jump down on the skeleton with shortsword in hand. Hopefully he wouldn't be seen before he could get atleast one strike in.

Hiran stayed a bit back from the group but made sure to dodge making fungus footprints.  He waited to see what was coming before calling forth any prepared magics. "Let's confirm they are hostile before we go straight to murder."

"They sought and have received agreement of payment for killing us.  That's hostile enough for me.  If you can take them down without killing them, be my guest."

Just as everyone is getting into position, the head of the first witch rises out of the gap in the cavern floor.  She is taller, younger, and by far more beautiful than Mira was.  In fact, she is more beautiful than any person you can recall in recent memory.  Her seafoam green robes flowed effortlessly behind her as she emerged.

Then Ilura's arrow whizzed by and grazed the beautiful witch's forehead.  A thin red line appeared and a single drop of blood ran down.  The witch touched it, looked at her hand, and stood there with a look of shock on her face as if trying to comprehend the fact that her face had been marred.  "Wh- what?"

A split second later her sister emerged and felt the bite of Eryn's spear.  "Graaahh!" She shrieked with gravely pain, then drew power to her fingertips and searched for a target to unleash it on.  This sister was short and round.  Nearly spherical, it seemed.  She was not as old as Mira either, but certainly uglier.  Her robes were nearly worn bare in patches and seemed to be ripe with mildew.

Behind the two witches, the skeleton could be seen as well.  Unlike the two the party faced earlier, this one was wearing armor.  Platemail, to be exact.  But it was all rusted out and falling apart at the hinges.  It also drug a chipped greatsword noisily behind itself.

Just as it was beginning to raise its sword for combat, Rirrik managed jump from his ledge, plunging his sword into bone and catching the skeleton by surprise.  The gnoll now stood behind the witches and skeleton in the tunnel the three foes had entered from.

What do you do?

Edit:
Rirrik
You may deal your damage to the skeleton.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:20, Tue 05 Dec 2017.

Marcus met Iluar's question with a content smile. "I just reminded him of our allegiance, nothing more." Turning to Eryn, he spoke the words Broodmaster could not "We defended ourselves from an attack. The loss is regrettable, but the brood will recover."

---

As the bats departed, the paladin held his holy symbol and murmured thanks to his Goddess, as he followed their disappearance into the dark. Hearing out the ranger's plan, Marcus prepared himself to jump the blood servants, dismissing the notion of their innocence. He saw and heard enough to know they were dangerous. Whether that warranted their deaths was another matter.

As the fray started, Marcus followed Eryn's lead, his attack focusing on the young witch. But her appearance caught him off guard, and his swing went wild as for a moment he doubted such a woman could serve the darkness.

19:13, Today: Marcus rolled 6 using 2d6+1.  Hack and slash the younger witch.

Rirrik felt his shortsword stick hard between a rusted hinge in the skeleton's armor and break peices of bone. The gnoll immediately follows up by attempting to push the skeleton over. Using the momentum of his attack, getting presses his shoulder and a foot against the torso of the undead creature, hoping it will topple over. Something didn't quite feel right though when it started to move..

13:30, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 7 using 2d6.  Defy Danger + Str (Shove).
13:25, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 6 using 1d6.  Damage.

The little round witch immediately noticed Marcus going after her sister.  And hesitating no less!  "Don't worry, Rishna! I'll protect you!" She aimed her open palm toward the paladin and wrenched her fingers menacingly, almost as if twisting the lid of a jar.  Black, brown, and grey tendrils spiraled from her hand toward Marcus's shield and struck hard.

After Marcus staggered back a step, he noticed something was off.  His sword seemed to be stuck to his shield.  And his hands were stuck to the shield and sword as well.  Coating them all was a layer of rough brown coral and sickly grey sea anemones.

Meanwhile, Rirrik's attack splintered bones all over the skeleton's body.  The sudden weight of the gnoll was too much for some of its old brittle appendages.  So much so that when the bard shoved the skeleton down the slope, the hand holding its sword didn't go with it.  It snapped off in mid air and the heavy rusty weapon was about to land on the bard!

Marcus
Your hands, shield, and sword are all encased in an unwieldy mass of coral.  A Defy Danger of some sort might get you loose.  Or some other plan you come up with could work too.

Rirrik
You can avoid the sword hitting you by tumbling down with the skeleton, or you can stay up top and get hit by the falling sword. (D4 damage)

Deciding to take advantage of the pretty witch's momentary confusion, Ilura grabbed the sack which was still sitting conveniently at the top of her pack and attempted to pull it over the woman's (creature's?) head and body and then wrap the resulting package in rope.

quote:

12:46, Today: Ilura rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  Defy danger (Dex) - bag a witch.

Hiran was unsure of whether these witches were truly evil or not but he owed Marcus much and seeing him fettered angered the old wizard greatly.  He called forth bolts of pure wind and force aimed for the barnacles and coral that held Marcus's weapons together.

"You lesser creatures of filth cannot hold the good that resides in my friend.  Be free Marcus show them the power of your righteousness and good!"

Hiran said the words but felt like he was faking it.  He didn't really know what to make of Marcus but the man had changed his life and that was important enough to try to follow his lead and certainly attempt to save the paladin if his magic was capable.


15:15, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 10 using 2d6+2.  Hiran using magic to bust Marcus free.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:19, Tue 05 Dec 2017.

The feeling of having the arm come off as he shoved the skeleton caught him off guard. He just barely managed to dodge the rusty greatsword when he felt himself go tumbling down after skeleton. The gnoll scraped and scuffed up his armor on the cave floor before landing in a heap beside the broken boney creature.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:27, Tue 05 Dec 2017.

Eryn saw the spell fly, but couldn't do anything to stop it. By the ruckus behind her, she knew Marcus had been struck, but Hiran seemed to be on the case.

Rirrik's scuffle with the skeleton made him fall to the floor, and Eryn instinctively moved to position herself between the witch and the gnoll. With her shield at the ready, she took up a defensive stance. The unknown magic was hard to predict, however, and Eryn did not feel entirely certain she could stop it.

quote:

Eryn rolled 9 using 2d6+1.  Defend against witch.

Hold 1. If the witch casts another spell I'll use it cut the damage/effect in half.

As Ilura started putting the burlap sack over the pretty witch, Rishna, she seemed to come out of her stupor.  As Rishna raised her arms to protect her head from the bag, she yelled out, "Unglaw!  Help me- mph mmm mumph"  Her words became muffled as the sack covered her.  Once the bag was secure, Ilura reached for her rope, but it was not on her.  It was still tied around Marcus!  The end was still within arm's reach, but tying the bag would mean tethering the two together.  As Ilura decided on her course of action, the sacked witch struggled to move away from the ranger with the legs that were still poking out the bottom.

At this same time, Hiran sent some magic of his own flying toward Marcus.  Again, the paladin staggered back a step, but this time the coral that was encrusting his armaments was blasted to pieces and his movements were free once again.

Unglaw, the small round witch, glanced over briefly at Rishna when she called out for help, but Unglaw's attention was much more focused on Eryn now.  The warrior who had stabbed her when this entire quarrel began.  The witch reached to her necklace and yanked off a small glass bead, then threw it to the rocks at Eryn's feet.  Simultaneously, she yelled the words, "Eruptishus Scyphozoa!"  The bead burst open and hundreds of tiny clear blobs with tendrils exploded into the air, coating Eryn.  Jellyfish!  The fighter managed to block a lot of them with her shield, but not all.  And some of the jellyfish-rain found bare patches of skin.  Intense, burning pain immediately shot through Eryn's body wherever one of these things touched her.

Lastly, at the bottom of the entrance tunnel, Rirrik and the skeleton stirred.  The fall had been much more rough on the skeleton than Rirrik, but the old undead monstrosity didn't have any sense of pain.  And so, the moment the bard landed near it, the skeleton reached out with the one hand it still had and wrapped it around the gnoll's throat.  It's red eyes stared down at Rirrik menacingly as it tightened its grip.

What do you do?

Ilura
The witch is bagged, but she is trying to run away.  You can still tie her up though if you don't mind tethering her to Marcus.

Hiran
I treated your roll as a casting of Magic Missile, targeted at Marcus's coral.  It is most definitely successful in doing what you wanted though.  Nice job.

Marcus
You are free of constraints again.

Eryn
Take D8 damage.  It ignores armor, but your Defend cuts that in half.  (So D4 damage, I guess.)

Rirrik
The skeleton is currently trying to choke the life out of you.  No damage yet, but that will change shortly!

The mass of jellyfish splatted against Eryn with almost a comical lack of force. A moment later, however, the fighter felt a burning sensation streak across her left cheek, where several tendrils had brushed against her. She grimaced and winced. Suddenly her hand began stinging too, as a piece of clear jelly slipped off the rim of her shield and ran over the sleeve of her chainmail, before plopping to the floor with a faint splash. She strained the muscles in her hand and adjusted her grip behind the shield in an attempt to fight through it, but it was of no use. The burn stayed, and she hissed in pain. Eryn could see faint red lines forming on her skin - her face was likely to bear the same marks.

Still, as unpleasant as it was it did not seem poisonous, and did not seem to have done any real damage. The warrior forced herself to flash a grin back at her opponent, made all the more sinister in the dark, partly distorted from suppressed pain.

"If that's the best you got, witch, I'm afraid it just won't do."

Regardless of what her allies were doing at the moment, Eryn decided it was best to keep the witch occupied, to prevent her from casting any more spells. Rirrik was in trouble, but hopefully he could manage for a few more seconds...

The fighter struck with her spear once more, and this time she managed to land a solid hit.

quote:

Eryn rolled 3 using 1d4.  Damage taken from jellyfish spell.
Eryn rolled 8 using 2d6+2.  Hack and Slash at the witch.
Eryn rolled 7 using 1d10. (Forgot to write the reason, but it's for spear damage. +2 piercing.)

Deciding that Marcus was unlikely to be going more than a rope's length away from the two witches any time soon, she wrapped the other end of the rope tightly around the bagged witch and tied it off securely.  If he needed to, she figured the palidin could always cut his end.  And having only one witch to deal with was definitely in the party's best interest.

As the woman continued to try to move away, Ilura tripped her and placed her boot firmly on the witch's head.

"If you value that pretty face of yours, sit still and shut up"

Not sure if I need a roll for that or not but it seems like a Parley, so I'll give it a shot.

quote:

10:16, Today: Ilura rolled 8 using 2d6.  Parley with the pretty witch.

Hiran proud of his ability to aid Marcus got cocky and seeing Eryn in trouble called forth another flurry of bolts these heated up bolts aiming for the glass beaded necklace around the witch's neck.




13:02, Today: Dr Hiran Krauss rolled 4 using 2d6+2.  Magic Missle at the Witch's Necklace.
OOC2: looks like I got a little too cocky +1 XP

Marcus considered rushing the witch despite his predicament, but Hiran's spell came to the rescue at the right moment. With his arms freed, what would have been a clumsy maneuver turned into a mighty bash of the shield against the spellcaster. Granted, the paladin couldn't do much to defend himself but it didn't stop his advance. "My thanks!" he yelled to the wizard over the ringing of metal against bone. So far he has not yet become aware of Ilura's workings on the other end of the rope.

22:18, Today: Marcus rolled 8 using 2d6+1.  Hack and bash the round witch.
22:18, Today: Marcus rolled 9 using 1d10.  Damage.

"Anytime brother Marcus" Hiran yells over the sounds of battle.

Rirrik found himself beige gripped by the suprising strong skeleton. He jerked back and forth, even tried to bite at it awkwardly. Try as much as he could he couldn't free himself from it's grasp.

00:00, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 5 using 2d6.  Defy Danger + Str.
+1 xp

Ilura had Rishna thoroughly bound now, but the captive continued to wiggle wildly.  When Ilura made her demand, however, the bound witch struggled a little less and yelled muffled words through the burlap sack.  "Heeel ma aace, en I coahperay!"

At about that moment, Eryn's spear found a sweet spot between Unglaw's defenses and struck her deep.  The witch grabbed on to the spear that was impaling her and said weakly, "You stick me.  I stick you."  With a dying smirk, the little round witch sent a magical pulse quickly rippling up Eryn's spear.  As the pulse progressed, little sea urchin spines appeared and disappeared in its wake.  When the pulse reached Eryn's hands, it continued its path over the warrior's entire body.  A wave of spines appeared and disappeared, erupting from her skin beneath her armor.  The momentary pain was great, but thankfully it didn't last long.

Then, when the dying witch was in the midst of trying to draw on a little more power before she faded completely, Marcus's shield bash struck.  Instead of crunching like one would expect, the witch popped like a bubble.  Except instead of air inside, thick black ink sprayed everywhere.  Anyone nearby got at least a little bit on them, but Marcus got the worst of it.  A big blast of ink landed right in his face, momentarily blinding the man.

Hiran's spell went off as planned, but unfortunately his target had turned to ink even as the bolts of heated magic were flying through the air.  They pierced right through the bursting bubble of inky messiness and struck a large stalagmite on the other side, causing rocky debris to fly outward.  The stalagmite then began to topple over.  Directly toward Ilura and her prisoner!

And finally, Rirrik.  Poor Rirrik.  All alone at the bottom of a dark hole, unable to even call out for help because an undead monstrosity has a firm grip on his vocal chords.  As the bony fingers dug even deeper into the struggling gnoll's esophagus, his vision began to blur around the edges and it became more difficult to think clearly.  It wouldn't be long now before the skeleton would have no more life left to choke out of his victim.

What do you do?

Ilura
Rishna gave a muffled reply to you Parley attempt.  Also, there is a stalagmite toppling over in your and Rishna's direction.

Eryn
You got hit by one last spell from Unglaw.  Take D8 Damage, ignoring armor.

Marcus
You are momentarily blinded until you can spend a moment or two to wipe the ink from your eyes.

Hiran
Your missile was successful, but inadvertently put an ally in danger.  Hopefully you learned from this experience.

Rirrik
You are having a breathtaking experience with the skeleton.  Take D6 damage.

Everyone
You may have gotten splattered with ink.

Ilura removed her foot and was about to talk further when the rotund witch "popped", spattering her cloak with ink.  As she was turning to see what had happened, Hiran's magic flew past her face and struck the rock.  As the limestone started to teeter toward her, she swore.  She stepped out of the path and strained on the rope, trying to drag the witch out of the way.  The woman proved remarkably light and the ranger almost stumbled as her bagged bundle skittered over the ground as the column crashed down a few feet away.

"Sorry about that.  I figured you'd like a ton of rock on your face even less than you liked my boot"

quote:

09:28, Today: Ilura rolled 11 using 2d6.  Defy danger (Str - pull witch out of way).

I think I'm too busy to even notice that Rirrik isn't around yet.

"Eh? ... Gaaaaahh!!" Eryn barely had time to grasp the situation before the spell struck her. One moment she was trying to wrench her spear loose from the witch's grasp, the next she jerked backwards and couldn't help but scream from the pain of a thousand needles seemingly poking her from every angle at once. She felt both her skin and the clothes she was wearing ripple as the spines jutted out, then collapse once more as they all broke off at once. Eryn stumbled and dropped to one knee, trying her best to keep steady and get back up for another stab. The sting of the magic faded quickly, but the fighter still felt stiff urchin spines rattle around in her sleeves; stuck in her shirt like bristles from a pine tree. She was not too keen on finding out what her skin would look like beneath the chain-mail.

Seconds later, just as Eryn regained her footing, the crumpling witch exploded. Ink went everywhere, spattering black spots onto whatever was left of the fighter that wasn't already scratched, worn, dirty, sweaty, or soaked in saltwater. Worse, the simple ambush had already devolved into chaos. With one enemy down, Eryn whirled around to check on Rirrik and the others. Through the confusion she managed to notice that the skeleton was not dead, but choking the gnoll. With an angry roar, she strode over to the monster, reaching it as swiftly as she could. The fighter tossed her spear next to herself and allowed her left arm to slide out of the shield's strap as she dropped it too.

Still wincing from the discomfort of the magic that had struck her, Eryn reached down and grabbed onto the skeleton's rib cage, giving it a pull. When it failed to let go immediately, she decided not to waste any time. Remembering that the zombies fell once their heads were cut off, she instead grabbed tightly onto the undead creature's skull with both arms and attempted to tear it off.

"Let go of him, you bony freak!"

quote:

Eryn rolled 8 using 1d8.  Damage taken from urchin spell.
Eryn rolled 8 using 1d8.  Using Fighter ability to reroll damage from urchin spell.

Eryn rolled 14 using 2d6+2.  Defy Danger using STR, trying to tear the skeleton's skull off.

Oh my, those were some unlucky damage rolls.

"ILURA LOOK OUT!" Hiran shouted realizing his mistake. He then began staring at the ground and cursing under his breath frustrated with himself, trying to calculate what he did wrong and how he could have done better.

The huge column of stone shook the ground when it landed, but Ilura's skills were more than enough to save both herself and the witch.  Despite Ilura's remarks, though, the witch did not sound too happy about being drug around recklessly.  She was squirming excessively and raising quite a ruckus from inside her sack.

Meanwhile, Eryn made her way down to help out Rurrik.  With a mighty heave, the skeleton's head popped off in her hands.  The skeleton's body immediately collapsed into a heap of bones and Mr. Lollygag was able to gasp in a lungful of air at long last.  As Eryn turned the skull over in her hands, however, she saw its glowing red eyes still staring up at her from within the sockets.

"Huh. I'll deal with you in a moment," Eryn mumbled, shifting her grip on the skull so she was holding it by the rim of the cranium, where it would usually be attached to the spine. She made sure to point its eyes and jaw away from her body, just in case. The scattered bones around them did not seem to move any more.

The fighter extended her free hand to Rirrik, offering to help him to his feet.

"Are you alright, my friend? Sorry I didn't help you sooner, but I couldn't turn my back on that witch."

Ilura paused a moment to help wipe Marcus's face with her cloak.  The ink-stain was scarcely noticable on the dark and already stained fabric.  Then she untied the rope from around his waist before returning to the sac-o-witch and placing her boot squarely on the woman's head again.

"I believe the deal was that I don't step on your face and you sit still and shut up.  Apparently you prefer my boot?"

She transferred a bit of her weight onto the woman and then released it before awaiting a response.

Not sure if I need to make another Parley roll here or not.

Rirrik gasped in deep breaths once he was free. He rubbed his throat and checked to make sure he wasn't bleeding out. Luckily the damage seemed mostly superficial. The gnoll took Eryn's hand, smiled, and said "Thank you for the assist. Could have gone worse. What all did I miss in my scuffle?" He looks over the battlefield and wonders what to do next.
18:03, Today: Rirrik Lollygag rolled 1 using 1d6.  Skeleton damage.
Would my armor be able to absorb the damage? My thoughts are no, but it's up to you.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:43, Fri 08 Dec 2017.

See the battle was over Hiran went to find where Eryn had run off to.  Upon seeing her with a skull in her hands and the other bones nearby Hiran picked up his pace.

"You must separate all the bones and crush the skull for good measure that thing still has sentience and will come back!"

"We dealt with one of them," Eryn said, while picking her shield back up and slinging it over her back with one hand. "She nailed me with a couple of spells before she fell, but I think I'll be fine. Ilura has the other one in a bag over there."

Hearing Hiran talk to her, the fighter turned towards him, still holding the undead skull. His urgent tone of voice made her realize the skeleton may not have been rendered harmless just yet.

"I figured this thing would still be alive; the spirit... fire, glow or whatever in its eye sockets hasn't gone out yet." Eryn struggled to find the right words, as she wasn't very well versed in the art of wizards. "I was just wondering if you could use it to weave a spell or something, since it still has magic in it? If not I'll break it, of course, as you say."

When Ilura put her boot on the witch's head, she stopped moving.  But her response to Ilura's comment was a lot of muffled angry words.  They were hard to make out, but seemed to keep to the general theme of suggesting that Ilura should put things in various uncomfortable places.

Ilura
No need to roll again.  Your fist Parley was a partial suggest, which meen instead of doing exactly as you wanted, Rishna gave you terms to meet prior to doing exactly as you wanted (her assurance of your promise).  Her terms were hard to hear through the bag though.

Rirrik
Your armor does apply to the skeleton's attack.  It helped keep some of its other pointy bones from puncturing you as it leaned in to crush your throat.  So no damage for you!  (No HP damage anyway.  You'll probably have a nasty bruise.)

Hiran
You would know that the skull could potentially be used as a very tiny Place of Power for a very tiny Ritual.  Use that knowledge as you see fit.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 15:16, Fri 08 Dec 2017.

Hiran gently grabbed the skull and moved over the bagged witch. "I don't know if this will work but." He begins to trail off then speaks up again. "If she is the one who created this undead I think I can reverse the spell that binds it.  Use that magic to bind her to my will, get information out of her.  Though I don't know if she will survive the process."

Eryn frowned, and leaned down to pick up her spear. "You can control people? I'm almost afraid to ask what other kinds of magic you've got up your sleeve."

She glanced nervously at Marcus. He did not seem the type to condone the darker arts. Her gaze returned to Hiran.

"...But I am intrigued. I don't suppose you could get the information without breaking her mind?"

Hiran frowned at Eryn "Magic has limitless capabilities if you have a place of power to harness energy from." He pauses looking at this witch and at the skull weighing his options. "Magic is dangerous though, it comes at great cost and commonly involves bargains with those beyond the mortal ken, some good some evil and everything in between.  I just wanted to present it as an option."

In the short span of time that it took Marcus to clear the worst of the blinding ink from his eyes, his companions managed to finish the fray. Looking around at the broken skeleton and the subdued witch the paladin give a satisfied nod, not trying to think of the witch popping, but he had trouble dealing with the strange defense. "Doctor, was the ink blob last grasp of the witch, or could it have concealed her flight?"

Then the warrior noticed the bad shape Eryn was in, thin lines of blood showing through her armor and clothes. Rushing over, and drawing Rishna with him a short distance, he gently traced what seemed to be the worse of the witch's attack on his friend. "You should not suffer so." he proclaimed and several dozens of small wounds opened on his own skin as they disappeared from Eryn. Marcus winced before forcing a reassuring smile on his face.

The talk of foul magic brought the paladin's focus squarely to Hiran. He opened his mouth to rebuke him, but held his tongue as the kneeling form of his friend was still fresh in his mind. "Could you perhaps just see what the skeleton saw before coming here?" he suggested a less radical alternative.

21:30, Today: Marcus rolled 7 using 2d6+2.  Lay on Hands - Eryn.
21:30, Today: Marcus rolled 6 using 1d8.  Damage transferred.

"Ah, you don't have to suffer yourself just to fix me up! Thanks, though."

Eryn drew her fingers across the exposed skin at the sleeves of her outfit. The faint red pinpricks were gone, but the red lines from jellyfish remained, as well as the ache throughout her entire body.

"Before we risk the witch's mind, perhaps we might see if we can convince her to cooperate using more conventional means?  I presume we're going to need to take some precautions in taking her out of the bag - stripping her of spell stuff like that necklace from the other one.  And binding her hands and covering her eyes and maybe her mouth, at least until she agrees to talk nicely."

She looks at Hiran as the resident expert on such things.

Rirrik pipes up when there is mention of breaking minds "If she's going to have her brain turned to pudding, can I atleast have a chance to question her first?The precautions sound smart though." He walks over to where the witch is held and gives her a look over.

The witch is still laying on the ground and still struggling, but all of the fierceness in her movement is gone.  She is still also talking angrily, but more to herself now rather than to anyone in particular.

What do you do?

Assuming the others take the precautions they outline, Rirrik stands before the witch and says "You talk too much,
And what comes out of your mouth is all filth and this is coming from someone who eats..Well just about anything. We know your master is one bad guy. He doesn't care about you though. We don't care either, but we can atleast be convinced to let you live after you've served your purpose." He moves to within inches of her and whispers "Give us something of value, if you would."

OOC: Speaking frankly to trigger Charming and Open. Question is "What do you possess that is valuable? (Though that could be information as well as items)

Ilura felt the woman's head to get a sense of which end had the nose, then cut a small slit in the sack behind the woman's head and, using strips of cloth cut from the bottom of the bag, both blindfolded and gagged her.  Then she cuts the slit wider, allowing the bag to be pulled down over the woman's shoulders, stripped off any jewelery and removed anything within the woman's cloak she could get at while the bottom half of her was still bound.  She passed everything on to Hiran figuring that he'd be the most likely to know what was useful or dangerous.

"Hold her arms when I remove the rope"

This was primarily directed at the two fighters, but she didn't object if Hiran and/or Rirrik choose to lend a hand.  Once she was confident the witch was properly restrained, she loosened the rope, slid the sack the rest of the way down and then boundthe witch's arms securely behind her back and tying her feet for good measure.  Once she was secured, she continued her search of the woman, including up her sleeves, in her boots and anywhere else something dangerous might be hidden.

quote:

19:08, Today: Ilura rolled 7 using 2d6.  Search the witch.

What here is useful or valuable to me?

(The focus being on removing anything that could be dangerous to the party)

"All right," Eryn replied, moving over to restrain the witch. In order to do so she had to keep her equipment slung across her back again, but a spear wouldn't do much good at such an intimate range anyway.

The fighter watched in silence as Ilura disarmed and secured their captive. As she held on she strategically positioned herself to block the other witch's corpse from view - evil or not, seeing a relative or close associate dead could easily trigger an emotional response the group may not be able to handle. As long as the witch stayed calm they could at least try to reason with her.

"It could be either Marcus, Magic is a strange thing that is hard to understand even for those who train in it. It could also be a living embodiment of the witch that will come back to life similar to the undead they control.

He then shifted to the subject of the skull he held in his hands and the use of its power.

I could speak to the spirit of this undead but it is unlikely it knows much the only thing it would know is the minute it was cobbled together what was happening and that's about it.  The witch would know far more."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:02, Mon 11 Dec 2017.

Hiran held a dagger to the witch's throat while they bound and gagged her.  "There is no cure for completely stopping a spellcaster as they are all different, but threat of death or injury tends to work pretty well.  Though the precautions you are taking make solid sense unless she is something truly inhuman."

"Take my bracelet then, if that will help me get out of here alive," the witch replied to Rirrik as Ilura began cutting.  Although the gnoll's sharp ears were probably the only ones that could pick out her muffled words.  "Why are you all invading my home anyway?  What is it that you desire?"

Ilura managed to get the witch properly bound without trouble.  Despite being roughed up, the witch's appearance is completely unblemished, save for the scratch across her forhead from Ilura's arrow.  Not a hair ever seems to go out of place, not a speck of dirt on her skin, and not a wrinkle ever seems to appear on her clothing.  She did give Hiran evil glares though as he stood with the dagger against her neck.

During the binding process, Ilura managed to find many items hidden away on Rishna's person.  Several jars that could be potions, poisons, or even snacks.  It was hard to say.  The bracelet she mentioned to Rirrik was another item found, along with several rings, a jeweled necklace, a stylish hairpin, and two matching earnings.  The last thing of note was a small wooden box, bound in chains and locked tight.  It dripped seawater and seemed to have live seaweed hanging off of it.

Rirrik
Her answer to you is "her bracelet."  The question she asks you in return is, "What do you most desire?"

Ilura
What here is useful or valuable to me?
4 miscellaneous jars
2 earings
3 rings
1 necklace
1 mystery box
1 hair pin

Some of it is certainly valuable, but it is difficult to say exactly what or why.

Take +1 forward when acting on the answer

"You work for the overlord Nikadroy or some of his minions. That is why we come." Hiran felt no sadness or empathy while holding his dagger, he had killed many innocents who begged and screamed while he cut.  Her reaction barely registered in his mind but the spirits surrounding him were losing their minds screaming and shouting crude words and names in his ears.

The witches question was an intriguing one and his wasn't sure how literally she meant it. "Most desire? To live my life to its fullest, to follow it's beat where it must go. Most immediately,
I desire you to stop destroying the town and siding with who is most likely some insane malefactor. I know how my life led me here, I question how yours led you. The gnoll doubted she would give him a satisfying answer, but wondered just how deep her malevolence really ran.

The witch was blindfolded and gagged, so she couldn't reply to Rirrik and Hiran's comments.  However, she did give a sharp jerk, indicating that their words had agitated her.

What do you do?

OOC:
FYI: If anyone decides to investigate the items, I'll probably need a roll of some sort.  Whether you Spout Lore, try to get info from Rishna, try trial and error, or try something else.

While Hiran was busy holding the skull and various other items, and Ilura had finished tying up the witch, Eryn took the opportunity to inspect the jars. She had learned her lesson from Mira's chamber, however, and did not attempt to open, smell, or taste them. Instead, she tried to figure out what their contents may be by turning them in her hands and looking for labels she might recognize. She had seen many goods being transported in her work as a sword for hire, and in the back of her head she felt like she had seen similar jars before.

quote:

Eryn rolled 10 using 2d6.  Spout Lore about jars.

A few questions that might be relevant: Roughly how large are these jars? Do they have any markings that might distinguish them? Would Eryn recognize any common goods, maybe, or something her village priest may have been knowledgeable about?

"It would be best if her things were not in range of us if we give her the use of her voice again."

All of the previous attacks from the other witch had seemed to involve both words and something she had been wearing.  It seemed reasonable to presume this one could work the same way.  It didn't mean that the witch couldn't do things with words alone, but hopefully Eryn's spear nestled in the divot at the back of her skull and Rirrick's dagger at her throat would provide sufficient dissuasion.

"This one seems designed to charm.  Hiran, are there any ways we can guard ourselves against such magics?"

"There are certain charms or magics that prevent ones control of anothers will.  Perhaps I could use the skull to grant one of us this ward but I don't think there's enough power here to do it for us all.  That and the skull will be destroyed in the process."

Nodding at Hiran's answer, Marcus moved toward the passage the witches came through. "Do what you must." he forced himself say as he stared off into the darkness. He prayed under his breath for things to end quickly, as nothing in the cave so far sit well with him. While trying to see if there was any reaction to their fight, his mind kept wondering what and how to do, making his guard nothing more than a token.

18:57, Today: Marcus rolled 4 using 2d6.  Discern realities.

As Eryn examined the jars, she was surprised to notice that they shared the exact same design as ones she had seen in a shop near the harbor in Markhain.  The only difference was that these did not have the stickers bearing the shop's logo.  The shop seemed to have mostly novelty gifts, but a healing potion she saw on the shelves there looked identical to the one she now held in her hand.  Same with the jar that had the constantly swirling water.  She remembered it being labeled a "whirlpool in a jar."  It is supposed to create a whirlpool wherever it is dumped out.  In the shop it just seemed like a cheap parlor trick to attract gawkers...  The last two jars seemed more mundane, although still peculiar.  One was filled with pickled anchovies and the other contained saltwater and a live seahorse.

Elsewhere, as Marcus's mind began to wander, he strolled a little further down the tunnel than he had planned to.  He found himself in a spot where the noise from up ahead was amplified by the cave walls.  He could hear what was going on, even if he didn't yet know exactly what it all meant.  The deep voice of Mr. Shadow reached Marcus's ears (and only Marcus's ears).

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
"Drop your tools.  High tide is upon us.  Send the children into all the new tunnels we unearthed to draw them out!"  The sound of metal and wood hitting the ground reached Marcus, soon followed by the gentle sobs of many kids.  And the sound was fading fast, indicating everyone was moving further away from the paladin.

---

What do you do?

Everyone
You can read the spoiler, but only Marcus should act on it.

Eryn
The 4 Jars are as follows:
1 healing potion
1 ration
1 live seahorse in saltwater
1 "whirlpool in a jar"

I will let you decide roughly how large the jars are and what distinguishing markings they have.  Also, is there anything else notable about the shop where you saw these?

Marcus
The sounds are fading fast.  You know that if you go back to get the group, the people ahead will be gone by the time you move forward.

Don't forget to add your +1 XP if you haven't already.

Hiran
Let me know if you want to make an official Ritual move and I will give you the criteria

Hiran was beginning to grow impatient he liked his first idea much better but everyone seemed unsure and unwilling to make a decision which was very different from the mindset of Hiran.

"Well do you want me to try and perform one of these magical effects either the domination or the one person warding or not? It will take time and isn't guaranteed but it's better than wasting our time debating."

"There's food and a healing potion from the harbor shops", Eryn said out loud to the others, turning the fist-sized jar with her fingers. "No labels, but the cork's still on tight and I recognize the design. It may have been pilfered from a crate before the items were brought into the store for sale." The fighter furrowed her brow as she carefully exchanged the potion with another jar from her other hand. "This looks like some parlor trick potion that makes water in a bucket swirl around. I guess a witch may dump it in a cauldron to let it stir it on its own... or maybe these ocean-obsessed hags have some way of sinking ships with it; I don't know."

Eryn then picked up a larger, transparent jar containing a sea horse. This one was roughly as tall as her whole palm. She watched the creature bob slowly up and dpwn in the clear water for a few moments, before glancing over at the captive. "Cute pet. Or were you going to eat it? Sacrifice it?" She slowly put it down on the cave floor, careful not to topple it over. "If you care about it I guess I'll give it back. If not we're keeping it. Now let's see..." Eryn's words trailed off into a mutter as she surveyed what they had. "I can carry some of this in my bag. Give a shout if you need any of it." She began stowing away the ration, and paused with the healing potion in hand.

"Hey, Marcus, do you need this right away? You don't look all that good, pardon me for saying."


Adding 1 ration and one Whirlpool jar to inventory (does it have weight?).
Offering the healing potion to Marcus, take it if you will.

Seeing Marcus move off, Ilura followed him.  Talking wasn't her strong point and the witch seemed to be well in-hand.  Besides, if the witch did cause a problem, she would probably be better off being able to fire at a distance.  More importantly, though he tried not to show it, the palidin had clearly been wounded in the previous fight.  She didn't want him on his own - particularly not so near to the cavern structure where she'd so recently heard that blue sword-wielder's voice.  She was NOT going to let her new friend end up like her mentor...

As soon as Marcus realized the words he overheard implied children were present and abused, it became the sole focus of his actions. Calling back to his companions "After me!" he rushed forward without even bothering to check if anyone heard him.

Once caught up with the man and his slaves, the paladin's shield reflected a thin ray of moonlight that made it through a crack in the ceiling onto the retreating group. He proclaimed "You cannot escape the silver light, nor the punishment for your crimes!" as he tried to impose himself between the young ones and their tormentors.

Marcus will take and drink the potion if it's offered before he wonders off.

The roll was is a tricky one, let me know if it fits.
22:30, Today: Marcus rolled 10 using 2d6.  Defend! - hold 3
Use 1 to redirect if possible/needed.
Think this is the best way to attract attention.
Alternatively, defy danger - Dex to catch up before they leave, or Cha to be heard.

Eryn barely had time to hand the potion over and turn back towards the witch before she heard Marcus cry out behind her. A moment later he was gone, running off into the darkness on his own. "What---? For goodness sake, man, wait up! She knew this was bad. Really bad. They had a witch behind them, the promise of lizard monsters ahead, and possibly more undead lurking somewhere in the darkness. Furthermore, Eryn wasn't even sure if the paladin had downed the healing potion or not. He had certainly not given it any time to work.

"Guys, stick together, or they'll have an easy time picking us off one by one!" She exhaled in frustration, then fell back to her training. No use in getting worked up. Stay calm.

"Hiran!" she shouted, "If you can wring anything out of that witch, do it! Whatever lies ahead, we need that information now!"

Feeling a bit too slow and unprepared to catch up on foot without having to move alone, the fighter decided to stick with Hiran and Rirrik and advance alongside them, despite every instinct screaming at her to follow the others into the fray.



@Marcus: Yes, take the potion.
@Hiran, Rirrik: Eryn will follow you if you go, and stay and help out with the witch if you don't.

This message was last edited by the player at 22:11, Tue 12 Dec 2017.