The night of the dinner arrives and you all arrive at Tanglewood Estate at the appointed time. When you ring the bell a butler sees you in and the lady Prunilla Svalkvor greets you merrily. She is very well dressing in the finest fashion of Lantan which seems to be quite an old style compared to what you have seen in the east. She is quite cordial and you all are ushered into a small sitting room and served a glass of wine.

"My husband was delayed Im afraid, and bids me wish you good evening.

 "We are so glad you all have come."

The Lady Svalkvor

A small gnome with combed back brown hair, perpetually narrowed eyes, and a nasty series of scars on his throat, sits first.  He is dressed in shabby street clothes, including an oversized vest with multiple pockets, a backpack stuffed to the brim with supplies, and a brown headband with a golden lowercase 'g' inscribed upon it.  The gnome sniffs the wine, not so much classily as suspiciously, and finding nothing wrong, downs it in a single gulp before wiping his mouth off on his sleeve.

Not far behind, a blond human youth steps into the sitting room, with a polite greeting to the Lady Svalkvor.  His garb marks him as a scholar, though it has clearly had some alterations made for the practicalities of travel.  The young man accepts a glass of wine from the butler with a murmur of thanks, and elects to stand for a while, admiring the furnishings.  Taking a sip from his delicately-blown glass, he seems suddenly to notice the gnome - and quickly looks away, as though taken by an abrupt fit of shyness.

A man steps inside the house. He looked a bit out of place in his less formal wear. Gives the Lady Svalkvor a smile showing slightly pointy fangs and giving her a more formal salute before moving for the room. He takes a look at the wine offered to him before acepting it. He gives it a wiff before moving for a wall at the side and moved the cup in his hand. His eyes looking at each stranger as if cataloging them.

The lady is obviously disturbed by the fangs and blanches, she quickly controls her self however and trys to make you all more comfortable.

"Well,please sit down as I said my husband will arrive soon. I wonder if you might tell me about yourselves a little."

The strange gnome cleared his throat, his voice harsh and raspy.

"My name Gibius, I'm a gnome.  I do ... gnomey things.  Where's the food?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Fri 19 Oct 2007.

A pretty half elf stood by the door, the servant excused himself and left. The dress wasn't as elaborated as the lady of the house, but she made it look good enough. A dagger dangling from an elaborated scabbard at her side just seemed to compliment the attire.

"Good evening." She took stock of the others, lingering on the dangerous one a moment longer before finishing her introduction. "Lady Svalkvor." Se seemed to have arrived a little late, so she took her time before moving for the table.

An awkward half hour is spent with the lady as you all try to socialize the best you know how with the lady of the house. Soon the door opens and a tall thin man with a very worried expression and a two day beard swiftly enters, a thick folder brimming with papers in his arms as he moves into where you are.

"Ah that would be Artemis" Prunilla says.


The man sweeps into the room and greets you all with a friendly smile  spilling some papers that the lady discreetly picks up.


"Um..yes well lets go eat, and after we can talk"


Dinner is wonderful and you all have as much as you like, soon after the last plate and coffee is served Artemis gets down to business.

Well, im sure your all curious as to why a stranger has summoned you to his house for dinner. To be honest its your reputation as adventurers, but also how each of your abilities can fulfill my desperate need.

I own a small mining outfit in the mountains north of here, ofcourse its not your normal pick axes and carts, but a place to test my new invention.

Efficient mining operations start with effective drilling and blasting. With the right drilling system, a drill-and-blast team can produce more holes - at required uniform depth and precision - faster and at lower cost.

I have come up with a marvelous contraption that does just that.

However a strange event has taken place recently, large mounds of sand have appeared around our operation and creatures that look like giant ants bearing weapons and some degree of intelligence have attacked the men on the site. Testing of my machine has ceased and its costing me dearly.

I you to go up there investigate and get rid of them.

Now, I am willing to pay you handsomely say in the range of 2,000 gold coins each plus outfiting expenses.

What do you think?
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:44, Sat 20 Oct 2007.

Garath reaches for his tea - he does not drink coffee - and takes a contemplative sip as he mulls Artemis' words.  "Fascinating..." he mutters quietly, almost to himself, "I wonder if a formian hive has been breached by the mining operation."  He chooses not to address the key question of employment until he has heard from the others around the table, and instead focuses on something else that caught his attention.  "Sir, I confess my surprise that my extremely meager reputation has preceded me here.  For much of my life I have been an academician, tending to my studies in book-lined halls, not out afield doing deeds of derring-do.  How would you envision my abilities, such as they are, contributing to this task?"

Gibius drinks both tea and coffee with notable indifferance as he listens to the mans proposal.  For the majority of time he seems off in his own world, his eyes drifting along the walls and ceiling and at one point carefully inspecting his teacup.  But upon the mention of a 'contraption' his eyes perk up and he speaks.

"I'll do it."

The concern seemed genuine, the gold sounded good, but there had to be something else, he concentrates in him. [Private to DM Raconteur:  10:03, Today: Secret Roll: Kratos Aureon rolled 11 using 1d20+6. Sense motive on Artemis.] The blond seemed to have the right idea, or was he part of something?
Kratos was about to comment on what he was talking when the gnome spoke. He had known many gnomes, but this one...
He decided to go back to Artemis, after all, gold was gold, IF it was worth it. "That seems unfortunate. And for what you are telling me the formian weren't there when you inspected the land? After all incects thend to be territorial." [Private to DM Raconteur: 10:13, Today: Secret Roll: Kratos Aureon rolled 17 using 1d20+4. General K (nature) to remember as much about it as he could]

"Could that thing explode or be used as a weapon?" She prefered to get to the start before going to the end. 'Small words could contain such great power.' Thats what her fater had told her once.

At this Gibius sits on the edge of his seat, listening intently to each word.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:36, Sun 21 Oct 2007.

"Could it explode... well thats very unlikely but yes I suppose if the pressure in the steam tanks build up it would explode. I doubt however it would make a very good weapon"


[Private to Kratos Aureon: You get no sense of deception or skulduggery]


Turning to Garath Artemis says Why your great knowledge first and foremost, it seems you have already figured out what they are..what did you call them formorons?

Garath seems surprised, startled even, by Artemis' suggestion.  "I guess I never thought of it that way before..."

He pauses, ruminating a moment on his host's question.  Then another moment.  Just before the pause threatens to lengthen into awkwardness, he speaks up, more slowly this time.  "Formians.  But that is just a guess - they might be muryans, or a number of other types of creature, though formians would be the most likely.  I'd have to see them to be sure."

Marina listens with care at Garath words. Something will have to be done. "Well, it could blow, but not enough to be an explosion... Say, Mr Artemis, what else can you tell of this creatures?"

Gibius nodded.  "How do they die?"

Artemis shakes his head "I know little, they attack in groups and have made no attempt to communicate they seem to be quite mindless in there ways. They will allow no one near the mine however, and so they must be removed"

"Removed?  If they are indeed formians, they are probably only protecting their hive - they mean you no harm.  And they are intelligent creatures, not vermin to be exterminated!"  Garath seems dismayed by Artemis' hardline position, but his expression quickly changes from consternation to reflection.  "I... apologize for my outburst.  Of course, it is your property and you have the right to evict trespassers.  And yet - I come from a family of merchants, and perhaps I am overly disposed to explore avenues of mutual profit, but I see an opportunity here for trade, rather than violence."  The hitherto-shy youth grows more animated as he launches his ideas at his host.

"Consider.  Formians do not enjoy a reputation for benevolence, 'tis true, but they are generally deemed trustworthy, and their word, once given, is rarely broken.  Your machines would likely be of great interest to them, and their expertise in underground excavations would certainly be of use to you.  They can test your inventions, even before you have carried out the full roster of safety checks - they are a hive, after all, and a few individual formians killed by accident are no great loss to them.  This could cut the development time and let you field new prototypes and improvements more quickly than your competitors.

"Moreover, the vast differences in lifestyle and talents between your workers and theirs open up equally vast opportunities for trade based on comparative advantage.  You can find in them a market for the resale of tools and machines, while they can rent out their workers to you as cheap, dependable and capable miners.  If you manage to get them to agree to an exclusivity compact with you - before they are aware of the value of such an arrangement - you will have a lasting advantage over other mining companies."

His bashful nature reasserting itself, Garath blushes and seems to shrink in his chair a little.  "Sorry - sometimes my thoughts get ahead of me.  But I really think you have an opportunity here."

Kratos was more open than most, but to change that it would mean he will have to work with a wild card on the team. Why am I even here if this was going to be a diplomatic group? "But what exacly are you proposing? one thing is defending something and other complete different is to just kill. I mean, they had to kill the workers way before the guards could get there. SO if they had just defended they could have made them run... " At this he turned to Artemis. " ... No report at all? I mean, how did you got what you know?" This was turning way too fishy for him. Or was there something else? something more deep than he could get at the moment?
This message was last edited by the player at 03:15, Thu 25 Oct 2007.

Gibius leaned back in his chair and let the conversation play itself out.  Meanwhile he entertained an idle daydream in which he used the blasting and drilling machine to blow the Formorians to pieces in a wonderful firey explosion ... after he had copied down the machines schematics of course ...

"My one question is,why did they attack my men. If they were trustworthy at all they would have attempted to talk to my foreman or in some way make it known they meant no harm  I cannot waste time trying to persuade them to help. They need to be destroyed or driven back to where they came from.

He then turns to Aureon I have told you what I know, they attacked my men and we haven't been able to continue our mining operation. No one in there right mind will go up there, the creatures are to formidable for the common man. Thats why I have sought you out and made you the offer that I have.

"Smart and diplomatic are not the same." Marina tried to give her point. "I have seen grown men act like children, have seen them act like they dont know people from years of friendship, just beause menial things. Either they dont care or considerthemselves too smart for us."

Garath considers the sparse information.  "Would we be able to speak with some of the foremen who were on the site?  I'd be curious to learn more of these attacks - where in the mine they first occurred, what tactics and weapons were used, the pattern of fatalities - if any - and so forth.  That the formians attacked does not, in itself, imply they are untrustworthy, merely aggressive in protecting what they see as theirs."

*Just as you are, my worthy host*, he finishes silently.

"You know, this is starting to sound like church" Not one of his best places to be, but at lest he had an idea of were this was going to end.

"So witch one will it be?" It was going down hill.

Gibius sat up in his chair and looked straight at Garath.  He began to speak in a raspy high-pitched monotone.

"You say that they are intelligent, you say that they only protect what they think is thiers ... I say so what!  Orcs are intelligent, and they think everything is theirs!  The same goes for the drow, and the demons, and so many others.  Now what happens when they try and claim their posessions?   People kill them.  We are those people, or at least we have been offered a nice sum to become them.  So I say that we do."

Gibius looked to the other two as well, not speaking to them directly, but obviously awaiting their choices as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:19, Fri 02 Nov 2007.

Yes, just like the church, cant this clerics ever stop talking? "Look I'm not a diplomat, if thats what we are going to do count me out. I'm sure you can find some sacrificial lamb for a pair of gold to go in your place." He replied a bit angry, his frown showing it. Damn this guy is frustrating! To bad he seems to know more than anyother on this table. He took a swing of his dring and was about to break it on the table when he remebered it was no bar. It just helped remind him of what was happening here. That made him a litte angry.

She considered her words, taking as much time as she needed. It was clear the next words could change everything.
"I have traveled much in my life. Cant say I understand all of it, but one thing is sure, I will not walk away."

Garath turns to consider the raspy-voiced gnome, whom he had initially taken for a street beggar being charitably hosted and fed during the island's festivities.  His surprise that Gibius was in fact counted among the adventurer's number had faded, but a faint disdain for the creature's poor manners remained.  Still, courtesy was for everyone, from royalty down; and so Garath would address the gnome appropriately.

"Master Gibius - let me be clear here.  I have no dispute with our host's right to clear the ant-men off his land, if that is his choice.  I shall help him do so, if that is his will.  But since he has invited me here to benefit from my knowledge, such as it is, I would be guilty of malfeasance were I not to place at his disposal all options that I see.  The Elves have a saying, 'A drow's word is lighter than his step' - meaning, one does not bargain with them.  Demons are, if anything, worse.  But formians are different from the creatures you cited; they are reputed to stand by their bargains."

The academician turns back to face Artemis.  "Sir - the choice is rightfully yours.  It may be possible that these creatures can be reasoned with, to mutual profit - that is, you might profit more by trading with them than by destroying them.  But I do not believe you have anyone here with diplomatic training; certainly, I do not have such.  If you wish us to use violence, I think all here are prepared to undertake the task; if you wish to parley, I would be prepared to try, though I would counsel you to retain more experienced negotiators."

At this Gibius nearly gaped.

The fool boy is giving away good money - my money!

But there was nought he could do but sit and await their might be employer's decision.

Artemis rubs his chin thinking on the words Garath spoke. "Listen, I want the danger removed thats the bottom line. My mining operation must continue with out danger to my men. With that said, you can try diplomacy if you desire I would welcome any lucrative arrangement you could work out. I will pay you if the danger is removed permenantly, weather by negotiating there retreat or there destruction," he says at length.


I can arrange for you to speak to the foreman to gather anymore information you might need.

Gibius nods.

"You mentioned you'd pay for provisioning?"

At least we are moving. It was exasperating to have someone on the party that would me just trying to change what was being done every time they had to do something. Who knows what scheme he is playing. On the other hand if he wanted to do all the job then he will let him do it to his holly deserts.

"I would like to talk with him."

He let the gnome elaborate. The least angry he got his host, the better for him. His kind asnt that welcome in some places.

"I'll need rations enough to take me to the mine, and about three days more after that. If you could supply me with some magical weaponry, a wand or some such, then things would go all the faster ... Provided others have basic equipment- rope and lights and so on -  we will do quite nicely I think."

"You know thats a little unconsiderate of you." She wasnt one to stand down, specialy of it affected her. "And of you are just going to beg for money then do it some other way." She rarely was angrt, but having all the equipment would leave the others to be ill equiped.

Garath nods, satisfied that his soon-to-be team-members were heading in the right direction - seeking information from the mine's foreman, and discussing the composition and allocation of the necessary equipment.  Having made his point to Artemis, and opened the door to at least the possibility of a non-bloody solution to this task, the academician is content to let the others take the lead for now.

After dinner you depart to your various residences...

Artemis' Warehouse
Sunday, the sixth of Mirtul
Sunny, 56 F
8:45 AM

Artemis supply's you with all that you need for the trip from the stores at one of his warehouses. He also gifts you with various items of power or quality. Each of you signs a scroll agreeing to fulfill the terms of your verbal agreements.

At the warehouse his foreman is there ready to answer any questions that you have.



Please give me a list of any party items you might be taking with you, also please update all of your character sheets with any mundane items you needed. Each of you gets 30 gp to spend* at his warehouse on items or you can pool it for group fund to purchase the equipment you need

*Your not actually receiving money. I'm using as a guide as to how much he is willing to give for supplies.

As you all are packing various items up a man exits a small room off to the side of the warehouse. Hes of typical Lantanese stock, cooper colored hair and skin the color of parchment.

"So Art says you want to ask me some questions. he says to you.

Garath is hefting a silk rope against a hemp one when the man approaches, trying to determine whether the weight difference justifies the difference in price.  He puts both coils down and turns to look at the newcomer.  "A good day to you, sir.  I take it you are the mine's foreman?  I am Garath Darkstar."

"Yeah I'm the mine foreman," the man says as he throws some equipment up on a crate.

Gix just watches and lets Garath ask the questions.

Kratos wonders what to ask that could give him an idea of what could help.

If Garath is a little non-plussed by the foreman's pointed refusal to provide his name, the academician hides it well.  "Your employer has asked us to deal with the creatures that attacked the mine.  We are trying to get information about them that could help us do so quickly and effectively.  What can you tell us about the mine, and the creatures?  We'll go into more specific details later, but first, if you could tell us about the context - what your mining activities consisted of, whether you were opening tunnels into new areas, how and where you first learned of the creatures, what their initial reactions were, your own counter-measures, and so forth - that would give us a framework with which to start."

The forman scratches his beard a bit confused by Garath but says.

"Well, its a basic hard rock mining outfit 'cept for Art's fancy machines. We had cut about a 500 ft shaft. Ya see,the priests of Gond Art hired had summoned up some ely-mentals and had them looking around for copper or gold or maybe some iron. Well they found a rich vein of copper bout 600 ft down.  So Art gave the go head and we fired up his new miner.

Now as I said we reached 500 ft an these giant ant mounds started appearing round about the mine. We didn't think much of em but had our resident cleric look em over.

Well he was the first to die, the ant men came out all round us and started killing my men and drove us off.

We tried going back with some spears and pistols but it was like they couldn't be hurt, we would do some damage then they would just heal back up. Finally after losing  three more men I had us retreat and we haven't been back since.

Gix was suddenly very attentive to the foreman's words.

"What are the machines like?"

"And what do we need to watch for?. If they were damaged what could happen?" He want to be sure the people here wherent going to just throw them to the lions.

Inspecting the place was more interesting to Marina at the moment, she would let the others do what they did best, while she waited for her turn. This is boring.. She pused her inspection of a wood piece when she spoted a couple of children running down the street. For a moent she wished she was that age again.

The foreman looks at Gix."The machine? What does that have to do with it?"

"I dont follow you, I told you they are ant creatures, that walk and act similar to men. Watch out for them, they can tear you apart fast. Some of em use weapons but most just tear you apart with their jaws"

There is a slight gust of wind as if a door was suddenly open, then shut. But no sound is heard. Moments later a man appears at your side, wearing expensive-looking dark clothes and his face covered under a large hooded cloak. A longbow hangs across his shoulders and strapped to his hip is a rapier.

Master Garath, I finally catch up with you! He says in a rather sinister voice. Then there's a bright laugh as he strides forward to greet the academician. You were gone so quickly I barely had the time to visit the families before having to start tracking you across the continent! I understand there is some kind of insect problem we need to deal with here?

The youth's face lights in a warm smile as he recognizes his erstwhile adventuring companion from Phlan.  Stepping forward to meet the dark-clothed man partway, he clasps forearms with the new arrival.

"Good to see you here, Master Quinlan!" he replies, chuckling.  "I take it Sir Artemis has invited you to join our little group?  It looks like our foray will be a little deeper than a wellshaft this time.  From what we could glean, the Svalkvor mine has been beset by formians, and it is up to us to clear the mine."

The newcomer pulls back the hood of his cloak, revealing the dark skin and white hair of a... Drow? A closer look reveals the physical features of a human ancestry, and his hazel eyes definitely sets him apart from the Drow.

Formians? I have never encountered those before. Up north they'd probably just be roasted as snack by trolls or ogres...
Do we know *why* they are causing trouble?

"It would be a rare ogre who could take a formian for food and live.  They are hardy, tenacious and fearless, and often aggressive.  I fear the Svalkvor mine may have disturbed a hive of them."

The academician gestures at the foreman.  "Sir Artemis' foreman was just filling us in on some of the details of the initial encounter with the formians."

Leaning against the nearest wall Gareth watched his namesake conduct yet another long winded interview. It seemed no matter what the station of the person the Academic was more than capable of talking down to them. Needless to say he hardly ever got useful information out of anyone.

Well foreman, how many men you have with you when these things attacked and how many of them did you see? The fighter looked around the room, Seems to me we should get some numbers 'fore we start counting anything like how to get the machine or diplomatic talk.

Garath is about to introduce the half-drow to the group when the warrior, Smith, turns and addresses the foreman.  The academician stares, shocked that the brawny man chose to utterly ignore the new arrival's presence.  That is no way to behave toward someone who could be saving your life in a few hours, he thinks, irritated by the insult to his friend.  Realizing that he was staring, he catches himself and shakes his head slightly, turning his gaze elsewhere.  Smith might not recognize good manners if they came up and shook his hand, but Garath was brought up to better standards.

"That one is Gareth, Gareth Smith," he mentions to Quinlan in a low voice, determined to make the introductions even if perforce one-sided.  He points a thumb up at his chest.  "Garath," he enunciates carefully.  An oblique gesture at the human warrior.  "Gareth," he emphasizes the difference in pronunciation.  His lips twitch slightly.  "I don't think you'll confuse one for the other."  Quickly, the youth points out the rest of the group and indicates their names to the newcomer in hushed tones.

Gareth... Master Gix... Kratos... My Lady...
Quinlan repeats the names of the adventurers and bows at each in turn as they are presented to him. I'm Quinlan Fairfellow, of the Dales

He then turns his attention to the foreman, seemingly fully devoted to the task ahead.

 "10 workers, me and a cleric of of Gond and I were five of the ant creaturs. the foreman says.


After gaining that last bit of information the forman excuses himself and departs. You then gather any last bit of provisioning you need and head for the mine.

The mine is on the far side of what is known by local Lantanna as "The Lows". Which is a combination of swamp and thick rainforest's. Luckily there is a raised road that crosses The Lows which is covered in a black substance that in our own world would be called asphalt.

The road is well protected by a force of Lantana guards that patrol the road and you travel quickly to the the far side of The Lows. It is hot and humid and though travel is easy the hot tropical sun is hard on you, your only relief is the occasional passing rain shower that is common on the islands of Lantan.

When you depart the asphalt road you enter a small community set up on the green hills just south of the northern mountains. Several signs direct you to differn places on this side of The Lows. Illul another large city on the far north coast, The Irodo An immense canyon running through the middle of the island of Lantan.

Your path takes you to the north Irodo where the goverment has sold land to private contractors to mine various metals out of the lower peaks of Lantans mountain range.

When you arrive at the Svalkvor mine it is of course abandoned, tents and several large wood building exist around a large scaffold that stands roughly 100 ft into the air. A large strange machine is nearby which must be Artemis' invention. Four large mounds of sand are also seen in various locations.

OOC: Supplies? I really need an off-hand weapon, among other things. Was it 50 gp worth of stuff?

Ah, found the data: 30 gp. I'll equip Quinlan accordingly.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:24, Wed 06 Feb 2008.

Shall I scout ahead? The rogue asks, looking quite at ease in the heat in his loose-fitted silk shirt, his cloak stowed away now that he travels with a group of more socially accepted races.

Come on players...I cant lead you by the nose.

The gold-haired wizard shrugs nervously, uncertain how to solve the tactical problem.  The formians could be anywhere, including right beneath the party.  He picks at the hilt of his dagger, finding little reassurance there.

Though... while beneath the ground the formians could move unhindered, as fish in the sea, on the surface they were bound to a flat plane...  Garath muses, sinking into his thoughts.

Well Quinlan I think that might be a good idea. I'll provide you some cover. Taking out his bow and stringing it he sets several arrows into the ground ready for use.

Well Garath, what can these things do? Your silence on this is becoming a little perturbing to say the least.

Thanks, though I pray to Tymora I won't need it.

Quinlan readies his own bow and takes a good look at the surrounding area, focusing his attention on the two nearest sand mounds and the machine and scaffolding straight ahead.

12:23, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 21 using 1d20+8. Spot.

Young Darkstar blinks, Gareth's words knocking him from his reverie.  He looks levelly at the warrior while his mind replays those words and parses them.  *So, he gives me dirty looks every time I open my mouth, but he finds my silence perturbing?*  Garath chuckles inwardly.  *With some folks, you just can't win.*

Still, it is a fair request.  His presence here is certainly not due to his combat skills, so he might as well make what contributions he could.

"Yes.  Ahem," he coughs lightly into a rolled-up hand, and enters lecturer mode, a comfortable enough role for him to play.  "Everything we have been told, and seen, thus far - including these mounds - is consistent with the idea that our adversaries are formians, so I will proceed on that assumption.

"Formians are burrowing creatures who live in complex societies, with different castes filling different needs - workers, warriors, and the like.  The resemblance to ants is not accidental.  There are two key things you need to know about them to understand something of their capabilities and behaviour.

"First, they are extraplanar beings."  Garath pauses a moment.  "Sorry, a bit of jargon there.  I meant, they are from another plane, one associated with Order - not surprising given their highly-organized society.  This has a number of implications, not least of which is that certain spells that affect beings not native to this plane will be effective against formians.  A circle of protection, for example.  Moreover, beings from other planes are typically resistant to certain natural forces - or what we perceive as natural forces - on this plane.  Which forces they are resistant to will depend on what plane they are from, and the allocosmological vectoring to the different elemental and inner...  Sorry."  Garath shrugs, a little sheepishly.  "Jargon again.  The point is, these creatures, being from a plane associated with Order, will likely be resistant to both heat and cold, and possibly lightning as well.  Which somewhat reduces my offensive spellcasting options, I'm afraid.  Also, they probably do not need to eat while on this plane, so waiting here to ambush them when they emerge to forage may not be productive.

"Second, they are hive creatures.  They are in constant telepathic communication.  You cannot surprise them; even if you kill a sentry in utter silence, its very death will alert its comrades.  They probably attack in concert using intelligent tactics, though I am not sure how intelligent individual formians are.  It could be that their actions are dictated purely by mental commands from their queen..."  Garath's voice trails off, and he stares upward, pondering something, then starts muttering softly to himself.  "I wonder - could one tailor a circle of protection spell to sever the link between them and their queen?  If so, that would surely throw them into severe panic, they might well go catatonic... most interesting."  A longer pause, while the wizard takes a mental note.  "Err, yes.  Interesting, but academic, one might say.  One other thing to note - although the formians' insect legs probably give them a swift speed, they cannot burrow naturally as, say, a badger can.  They must dig out their tunnels like we do, with strenuous labor.

"Other than that, one can only speculate.  I would expect, given the resemblence to ants, that some of them might have poisonous stingers.  If that is the case, it is likely that they are resistant to their own poison, and perhaps poison in general, like scorpions are."

During his little presentation, Garath has been scanning the group, trying to make sure everyone is following his meaning.  As he closes, his eyes come back to the warrior, Smith.  "You probably do not need my advice on tactics.  But for what it's worth, I would rather fight these beings on the surface than in their own tunnels.  Also, we should try to focus our attacks on one at a time; from what the foreman said, they may have regenerative powers, so it would be more efficient to kill one off before attacking the next."

Quinlan looks at Garath with some interest: Say, it sounds like you've read a book on the subject? I'd liked it better not really knowing what we were up against. Gave me the illusion of having a fighting chance...
Quinlan shrugs and awaits the result of his scan of the surroundings...

Smith grimaces, Sounds like he swallowed the thing. But like it or not he is the expert on these things. looking at the terrain the fighter is not happy in the least. So by now they have probably total knowledge of the mines, which we don't, excellent communication, which we don't and a cohesive defence.

Smith snorts with laughter, I think we should see if they will negotiate.

The sand mounds are rather uninteresting in general, at least from this distance. The machines seem to have been left as they are. You can see also several stained areas in the area where it is obvious someone died and then was dragged away. Whether they were dragged away by the miners or the formians you to far away to tell.

[Private to Garath Darkstar: Excellant Roleplay!   100 XP Bonus]

Oh, so now he wants to negotiate.  The academician chokes down a sardonic I-told-you-so comment, deeming the gibe unworthy of a gentleman of his upbringing.  Besides, he tells himself, give the man credit for admitting his mistake and changing course.

Aloud, he says, "I concur," with only a slight dryness to his tone betraying his thoughts.  He looks around, to see the reaction of the other team members.

And how do we go about doing that? Let me sneak a peek first, and try to gather what information there is; maybe we can find something worth negotiating over?

Garath nods, soberly.  He could probably identify something of value to the formians, to negotiate over, but first the team needed to get a formian to talk rather than attack on sight.

A short, softly-uttered but resonant chant calls forth a faint shimmer that bends the light around the mage for an instant, then fades into near-invisibility, leaving Garath with an ever-so-light bluish tint.  His spell complete, the youth begins scanning the four mounds, hoping to be able to react quickly to any formian that might emerge to threaten his friend.

Alright then, I can't detect any activity so I'd better get going.
Quinlan's dark face is split by a wide grin as he nocks an arrow to his bowstring and sets off, as silent as a cat. Aiming for the area near the machine he intends to investigate the area of the fighting first.

20:49, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 6 using 1d20+2. Move silently at normal speed (-5).

Keeping the elf in sight Smith scans the area for any sign of movement. He has his bow in hand and an arrow notched.

The wizard, about a dozen steps away from Smith, likewise scans the area, a worried look on his face.

With steps less soft then he would hope for Quinlan moves toward what looks to be an area near a sand pile that is bloodied and scuffed with the prints of battle.

As he sweeps the area no formian jumps from behind anything to eat him and he makes a slow circle around checking things out.

One thing he does notice however is that the mine is a straight shaft that goes down quite deep and all ways of decent have been torn away by the formians.

Quinlan searches the area for anything less obvious at a first glance, such as items left behind or dropped during fighting. The rogue also tries to determine the the direction and origin of formian tracks on the ground.

14:41, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 22 using 1d20+5. Search.

Nothing particular is found, tracks of both humans and formians are everywhere.

The Track feat and a subsequent survival check is required do do any more.

21:31, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 6 using 1d20. survival (track feat).

Not sure of his ability to follow tracks, Quinlan resorts to other means and pulls a furry ball out of a gray bag and throws it on the ground. As it hits the ground the ball seem to wiggle and distort as two leathery wings grow out and start to flap. Moments later a small bat flies around the half-drow looking a little lost in the daylight. Oh well!
Quinlan orders the bat down the wellshaft to look for any sentries. He stays a little distance from the hole until getting the all clear from the animal.

Quinlan moves about the area carefully checking tracks. But formian tracks are practically impossible to track it seems for he comes up with no more information then he had before he started.


The bat flys down the hole and never returns, however much to your chagrin small tremors are felt below your feet and its clear you have awoken the formians.

You wait with seconds passing like minutes wondering what is about to happen and to see the creatures that you have talked about for the past few days.

ROLL INITATIVE!

15:52, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 16 using 1d20+4. Initiative.

Quinlan signals to his companions the imminent arrival of the formians, then looks for a better tactical position.

OOC: Awaiting the result of the initiative roll. How far is the scaffold from Quinlan's position (above the mine shaft)? The machine? Is it scalable? And for the record: Quinlan never waits seconds to act... ;-)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:03, Mon 18 Feb 2008.

Well librarian it looks like you'll get your chance. Be very good at talking.

Smith drew the bow and held his release, hoping that Darkstar could do his job.

OOC: 15:44, Today: Gareth Smith rolled 10 using 1d20+5. init.

Garath looks sideways at the warrior, but does not reply.  That depends on what they send at us... not all of their castes can speak.  And faced with two drawn bows, they might not give us the chance anyway.

11:12, Today: Garath Darkstar rolled 16 using 1d20+2. Initiative.

[Private to DM Raconteur: As a swift action, activate the Vest of Tears for 1 charge (12 temporary hp, for 10 minutes)]

Three formians appear out of the mine shaft, two small ones and a larger one.


Round 1

                  AC   HP    Special

Quinlan           19  27/27
Darkstar          16  12/12
Formian Warrior   17  ??/??
Smith             19  ??/??
Formian Workers   18  ??/??



[Private to Gareth Smith: I didnt see your hit points listed on your character sheet could you point them out for me]

Boo! Quinlan can't really help himself as the formians emerge from the mine. Deciding to at least attempt a negotiation he lowers his bow, slowly, and takes a few steps back before raising his right hand in greeting.
We are emissaries and have come to to talk! he says in a rather loud voice, hoping his companions will be able to follow what he does.

09:24, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 14 using 1d20+3. Diplomacy.

OOC: Ummm guys! Did you just leave me to "negotiate" with the ant-men alone...?

OOC: Well I'm waiting on init order. Darkstar goes and then Formian. If all goes well I won't be needed. Still here with sucky init.

Yeah, you're excused.

The wizard takes a slow step forward, and shows his palms to the formians in the almost-universal "I come in peace" gesture.  He hopes that, even if not capable of speech - he tries to remember whether formian warriors could speak or not - the creatures would recognize the gesture and send for a member of a caste that could speak.

OOC: Formian action?

The Formian Warrior gives no expression but takes a step toward Quinlan and attacks suddenly but the agile Quinlan dodges Sting and Bite but one claw manages to rake him. Causing a burning pain in his shoulder where the claw hit.

7 Damage to Quinlan




09:37, Today: DM Raconteur rolled 7 using 1d6+1. Claw Damage.
09:34, Today: DM Raconteur rolled 17 using 1d20+5. Bite.
09:34, Today: DM Raconteur rolled 20 using 1d20+5. Claw 2.
09:34, Today: DM Raconteur rolled 13 using 1d20+5. Claw 1.
09:34, Today: DM Raconteur rolled 12 using 1d20+7. Sting.

So no talking then. Smith says casually as he takes a step closer
[Private to DM Raconteur: 5 foot step to O12, getting the PBS on J7.] and fires at the Formorian to the right of Quinlan. He trusted his aim but the nimble elf may not be so appreciative.

OOC:16:36, Today: Gareth Smith rolled 5 using 1d8+4. Damage.
16:35, Today: Gareth Smith rolled 23 using 1d20+6. Attack PBS.

This message was last edited by the player at 14:52, Fri 29 Feb 2008.

Quinlan tumbles backward to put some distance to the warrior. Pulling back on the bow he lets loose an arrow, only to see it go wide.

Tumble: 30
attack: 12

OOC:  Are the formian workers doing anything?

OOC: I imagine them being support to the warrior. Don't expect them to attack unless they have to.

IC: Blind'em or something! Quinlan shouts, clearly worried after missing his shot, but confident that by putting some distance between him and the ant-men will give his companion some offensive options.

No they dont seem to be moving in for the attack. Also you do not have to post in initiative order.

"Arur atta ve'arur sheheviekha halom," the academician mutters, invoking imprecations in fluent Celestial; but his mutterings soon take on a different tone, and with word and gesture Garath draws on the Weave.  As his chanting nears its end, he reaches into a pouch and flings some glittering powder in the formians' direction.  The powder sparkles for a moment in the air, then vanishes - and a large glittering cloud of dust suddenly appears around the insectoid aggressors.

OOC:  Cast Glitterdust at the three formians, avoiding Quinlan.  Will save, DC 18 or be blinded.

Smith lets fly with another arrow at the same ant.

I'm hoping that they arn't gathering the blooby hive now that they've attacked.

OOC 12:56, Today: Gareth Smith rolled 8 using 1d8+4. Damage.
12:56, Today: Gareth Smith rolled 15 using 1d20+6. PBS at Same Warrior.

The Formians covered in glittering dust react violently. Only one of them is blinded however.

Gareths Attack Misses

One of the workers blindly attacks and hits the scaffold causeing a loud ring.
The other remains behind a strange clicking noise can be heard comeing from it.


Round 2

Please indicate where you are on the map. So that I can recreate it for the next round.

Formian workers are in there original squares the warrior is in K-8

Formian Saves:
09:11, Today: DM Raconteur rolled 3 using 1d20+2. Worker 2.
09:10, Today: DM Raconteur rolled 20 using 1d20+2. Worker 1.
09:10, Today: DM Raconteur rolled 20 using 1d20+5. Warrior Save.



                  AC   HP    Special

Quinlan           19  20/27  <----your up
Darkstar          16  12/12
Formian Warrior   17  ??/??
Smith             19  35/35
Formian Worker 1  18  ??/??
Formian Worker 2  18  ??/?? Blind

With his arrows doing no good Smith decides to move into sword range. He drops his bow and draws his longsword.

OOC: Standing at O12

OOC: Quinlan was at N12, moves to L14

They look a lot prettier now! Quinlan exclaims at the sight of the sparkling formians.
Seeing the worker blindly attack the scaffold, Quinlan once more pulls back on his bow string, and this time sees the arrow fly straight and true.

Prepare to cast a web over the mine shaft! He shouts at Gareth, worried the sounds of battle will shortly bring out the entire hive.



Total damage: 16
20:59, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 18 using 1d20+4. Listen.
20:49, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 9 using 2d6. SA damage.
20:48, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 7 using 1d8+1. Damage.
20:47, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 28 using 1d20+10. Bow attack.

OOC:  Casting spells is my department, bro.  Gareth has the poking with a pointy stick department. ;)

IC:

Garath nods at the suggestion.  "I'll let a couple more through, then obstruct the passage behind them."  He follows in Smith's footsteps, remaining near the burly warrior, and scans the battlefield intently, preparing to react swiftly to any sally by the formians.

[Private to DM Raconteur:
Move to P13.
Ready action: cast spell on a mineshaft (or one of the other shafts) after a few formians - no more than 4 workers or one warrior formian - pass through.  Can he use a grease spell to coat the upper 5-10' of a shaft with grease?  Normally the spell covers a 10' square.  He'll try to cast it while additional formians are still scrambling up, to try and drop them to their deaths below.]

OOC: 'Twas the beer talking, my bad ;-)

Ok, I think this will do. If you see any problems please dont hesitate to tell me.




B=Building
T=Tent
Sc=Scaffold
Sp=Sand Piles
GD=Gareth Darkstar
GS=Gareth Smith
Q=Quinlan



The warrior moves in, chasing after Quinlan it strikes with a sharp stinger piercing his armor pumping poison into the Rogue.

Quinlan make a DC 14 Fort Save

11:00, Today: DM Raconteur rolled 1 using 1d6. Potential Str Damage.
10:58, Today: DM Raconteur rolled 7 using 2d4+3. Damage.
10:56, Today: DM Raconteur rolled 24 using 1d20+7. Sting.

The other worker continues to make the strange noise and takes cover behind the scaffold


                  AC   HP    Special

Quinlan           19  13/27  <----your up
Darkstar          16  12/12
Formian Warrior   17  ??/??
Smith             19  35/35
Formian Worker 1  18  ??/??
Formian Worker 2  18 -11/?? Dead

The poison sucks his strength, yet the rogue battles on pulling out his blade and axe and attempts at striking the formian. His efforts are for naught though and he takes a few steps back towards his companions for shelter.

New pos N13

20:48, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 5 using 1d20+3. Handaxe.
20:48, Today: Quinlan Fairfellow rolled 16 using 1d20+3. Rapier.

The academician hurries toward his dark-skinned comrade, though he takes care to stay well away from the insectoid's deadly stinger.  He claps Quinlan on the shoulder, and mutters something in a low voice.  A green glow envelops his hand, swiftly diffusing into the ranger - and somehow causing the stinger wounds to close and partially fade.

[Private to DM Raconteur; Quinlan Fairfellow: Garath mutters "havriyeno".  Quinlan heals 11 hp.]

[Private to DM Raconteur: 1 charge from the Healing Belt.]

OOC:  Final position: O14.

Smith charges the Formian Warrior attempting to distract it from his newest companion, unfortunatly the swing goes wide, his supporting foot sliding at the last instant in the dirt.

OOC: 00:45, Today: Gareth Smith rolled 13 using 1d20+10. Charge warrior .
At M13
Thrice damned Dice Roller.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:48, Wed 19 Mar 2008.