the new OOC for the new Rashemen group.

   ...even newer now!
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:37, Sun 24 Sept 2006.

Just a note: the new ARPs thread is in Group 0, when it probably should be Group 2.

went back and checked, it says group 2. you change it?
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:52, Tue 25 July 2006.

Not me, I don't have DM access here. Must be one of the other DMs.

ah well, thanks to whoever did!

I do not have DM acces here so I cannot edit my psionic/cleric char name into Relgar :P.

Ah yes, finally :). May I introduce myself; I am Relgar, a wandering rasheman tribesman and ranger follower of Mielikki.

YAY!!!

Hey everyone...your resident Rashemi witch reporting for duty;)

Hey.

Eirik's a Barbarian, though more in the Conan-style than the Minsc. And not much of a Rashemi either.

He'll likely move on, as for some reason, Barbarians are quite popular in Rashemen. :)

Almost more popular than the witches!;) But the Rashemi are quite xenophobic people…a non native will be fun to play, I’m sure.

I have a question…I have searched through the UE, FRCS, PGtF and some other books…do the Witches of Rashemen have to wear their masks only when traveling abroad or always?

Actually they only wear the masks within Rashemen. When abroad, they don't wear the masks, but they don't call themselves Witches either. They go incognito.

Eirik is technically Rashemi, but he was captured and enslaved by Thayans, then went on an extended dajemma when he escaped.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:20, Mon 31 July 2006.

That is true, so you need buy a mask :).

Already did buy one;)

Oh, did you buy a magicall one :)?

You’re an inquisitive one, aren’t you?:) Yes, in fact, I bought a magical one!

Well, Relgar is curious type ;). Anycase as note that altough I have barbarian levels I plan to be more ranger alike and as note my char dislikes very alot undead (have exalted feat; Nemesis for it :P).

So, we have two fighting types (a ranger/barbarian and a barbarian) and little ol’ me (an arcane caster)? Right?

I think there might be another barbarian on the way.

And no divine casters… that’ll be fun;)

I would imagine that after Spirit Shaman was approved then there could had been at least one.....but it seems we have to improvise :). Anycase I ahve taked Combat Style; Archery and I use magicall scimitar in close combat so I am not 'conan' barbarian type but it would be fitting if other barbarian was melee focused and I am a ranged focused ;).

How many characters will there be...and more importantly, when are we going to start?

Well Eirik's got Power Attack and a greatsword, and the other Barbarian has a greataxe.

theres just the three of you right now, I was hoping for more before we got started.

Hurray! We are getting perhaps soon a druid and dragon shaman :). Altough I wonder does any rasheman tribe worship or revere dragons that well to qualify for it.

Well, they worship a whole lot of spirits. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them would be pictured as a dragon…Great that some more players are coming!:)It means that we’ll start soon!

Greetings.  I am Graros Dragonflight.  My tribe had many names for me, most of them were bad, but I call myself a Dragon Shaman.  A Copper Dragon established it's lair near my home village when I was born.  The other tribesmen were too fearful to approach the lair.  I was not.  As  young man, I approached the lair and lived there a year with the Dragon.  When I returned to my tribe, I was not welcomed back.... So, now I wander.

My last post was to answer the the question that some of you might have...

Welcome to the region;)

Hello.

Greatings all. I'm your druid, so you have a healer.

okay, I think I had six or seven RTJ, and I believe hey are all taken care of. I will make a post over in ROA OCC to make sure I have everyone, and we will be ready to get started. I will have a ppost up of adventures to choos from hopefully within the next day or so, and we can get it moving from there. Sorry for the delays, trying to balance work and play.

Eirik where are you from. I wonder because of the name.

I've got it all in the description.

Rashemen, originally. But he was taken by Thayan slavers who destroyed his tribe. He became a slave, a gladiator, and finally broke free to become a barbarian adventurer. He's only just returned to Rashemen.

And if that all sounds a lot like Conan, well, yeah.

He's not much of a Rashemi either, more original Conan than Minsc.

He's a wandering barbarian of mine who's backstory and origin changes whenever the game does. In the Icewind Dale PC game he was a tundra barbarian, in Neverwinter Nights, he was Uthgardt. Now he's Rashemi. If he moves on, he'll change again. The name and personality stay roughly the same, and I just hope Eirik/Erick/Erik fits wherever he winds up.

Is the game going to start soon or?

I'm done with my character a long time ago. I assume the rest are as well. Would you please open up the character sheet area and make it user editeble.

Yeh, I wonder same. I have gived my charsheet already. Perhaps the newer players have problems whit the sheet?

I sendt DM Fairyfire a pm and have got here reply. She is going to start the game and i quote on thise on. By the end of the week. so Hopefully you have not all gone over the hills and far away.

I am still around :).

Me too;)

I'm still here too.  Ready and willing to go.

"Yeah, I'm here."

I won’t be able to post for about ten days, starting of now (I’m traveling abroad). So please NPC Navarra if you start playing.

We're trying to get a new DM to take over this region.

Hang tight, heroes!

*Hangs himself :P*

Hanging here....

Hung as a PC (in which case you get no XPs since you have a dead PC) or hung as a player (which means either you are not reading this since YOU are dead, or you are the dream of a certain type of woman)?

==================================================

ANYway, we have a DM looking over the region.  News should be coming soon!

=================================================

And since I mentioned XPs, 50 XPs to those PCs still here waiting and additional XPs for those of you who post a short description (IC) of your PC and also to the player(s) who posts a helpful sum-up of the current adventure in the region.

As I understood it, Rashemen was being rebooted, adn we haven't started yet, so there's nothing to summarise.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:46, Tue 12 Sept 2006.

Well than, 50 XPs for that summarization of the situation!

   Ok let me get a good look at you folks....

   *squints*

   I see four people posting here. Does this sound about right?

   I also found two threads titled for the PC selection of an adventure topic, but it looks like neither actually got off the ground. Does this sound accurate too?  :/


   Let's see if what you players want out of an adventure in this region is anywhere near what I can deliver for you. If they come close to meshing, then we can get started right away. Almost. :P

Good to see that we really got a new DM (too bad that the old one left:(

You’re right about the player number and the ARPs…the previous DM didn’t post any adventures there..

Oh yes, I’m still here;)

I'm here..I'm here.  am I one of the four?

But, I still cannot post my character sheet in Character Details.  I'll PM it to you.

   Ok I have a few more statements/questions to shoot out there while we decide whether to start this par-tay sooner, or later.

   Relgar. Is it Reglar or Relgar? I find it spelled both ways in the game and in your own description! :P  Please choose a single spelling for it, or else take more ranks in 'bluff', 'obfuscate obvious', and 'confuse motive'. Hehe

   Navarra and Relgar, you both have temporary user-editable character sheet spaces. Please post yours there so I can check them out. I'll warm up my red pen while you do that....
   Graros and Eirik, yours are already in there.

   For my own peace of mind, how do you pronounce Graros? Is it Grair-ohs [long A], Grah-rohs [short A], or neither? Eirik I'm just going to remove the first letter 'I' in your name when I say it. :P

   I have a couple of private questions to ask about personalities and character sheets, they'll come out later tonight.


   As a side note, if anyone wants to point me in the direction of acceptable text or references for added flavor to the Rashemi experience, please do so here with links, etc.  :)

I always thought of it as "Grah-rohs" [short A]

I think "Graaa-Rose"  ..cause I'm so sweet smelling....

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, DM Lobo, but some of it looks good.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashemen

http://www.answers.com/topic/unapproachable-east

http://www.candlekeep.com/libr...icles/faerielore.htm

http://www.candlekeep.com/campaign/chars/hunter.htm

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/art...sp?x=fr/fx20020313rt

http://www.thalcos.com/pdf/TheIronFortress.pdf

   Thanks Mike [which, coincidentally, is my favorite brother's name...ok, my ONLY brother, but still], I'll take a look at them tonight.

   To my peeps: I am getting my first 3-day weekend of the year this week. Actually, It might be my first in two years, not counting my vacations this and last year. Huh.
   Anywho, I'm going to be out on the farm, so to speak, so rather than hopping online every few hours, it will only happen once or twice between tomorrow morn and sunday night.
   When I return monday-ish, I'll see if anything new has developed here, and then post a few potential adventure hooks for the lot of you. If there is anything specific you would like to see in those hooks...like evil Red Wizards [99.999% of them are, you know], or a great marauding horde of [insert fiendish 2nd level humanoids here], or a quest to find a magical item for a powerful good-aligned person, feel free to post them here in our ooc thread, and I'll laugh at th-, I mean carfeully weigh each on its merits when I return. :P

Whatever you throw at us, I’m sure it’ll be great (if we survive, of course).

Have fun on your vacation…and please return to us:/…don’t disappear like the last few DMs (the Rashemen region seems to be cursed with disappearing DMs;)

What abouth me then. I'm here to. Just had a bit of work this last few days or the last day.

   Hmmm...I went to the DM section for checking group access, and I see that there are two other players placed in group 2, but these two are also placed in multiple other groups, too! I'm working to find out just how many actual players I have now. Five? Seven? Hmmm....

   Vicril, I've posted your character sheet for you. I'll send you some questions about it either tonight or monday when I return from my time off.

   Ok, so at the moment we have a druid, a barbarian, a witch, a warrior-shaman, and a ranger. Very much oriented to nature, the wilds, the outdoorsy adventures, and probably more in touch with beasts than the spotty communities that plague the otherwise serene landscape of your homeland, Rashemen. :)

I am called Relgar, I edit the typos in my background :P. I am happy whit foiling Red Wizard plots , treasure hunts or monster hunt (whit these preferance order).

   Ok, it was an almost successful weekend - barring the ticket I got 20 blocks from home [after a 300 mile road trip] for having a headlight out [which broke going through a construction zone an hour earlier in the trip]. Grrrr.

   Thanks, Relgar. I'll check over it again later today. Heh.

   Heading to work now, so I'll log back in a few hours and start finalizing your choices for adventures so I can post them tonight.

   Vicril, look for a PM from me tonight too. :)

What have I done now I wonder. Have I broken the rules? No. I only stretch them thats all:P

   Bah. Thunderstorms last night kept me offline. I'm heading to work again now...sigh....so the adventure hooks/plots post will be slightly delayed until later on today. Again. :/

Do we have to post our choice of adventure hook in the ARPs thread or PM it to you?

   I would prefer that you post your discussion of it to the actual ARP thread. Hopefully you folks can explain why your character would be most interested in the adventure of your choice! If you are convincing enough, you could either sway the others to that one, or come to a stalemate, in which case I'll just pick the most popular one.

   Or most deadly.


   Whatever. :P

   So...ah...nobody will mind if I start writing the first post for the new adventure thread tonight? I'm kind of anxious to see how it will sound, and so will probably write it several times before actually putting it out there for youse guys. :P

   Might be tonight, might be tomorrow night. Depends how sleepy I get and how much Guinness I have left two hours from now.

I am fine whit DM doing the first post of course and I am anxious to beging the adventure (altough it is exactly the one what I wanted).

   Just a brief note on skill uses with regards to other player characters....

   If you wish to use diplomacy [a skill that writes well, though many RP'ers do not posess in real life] or bluff [a skill that, by its very nature, allows the reader to know you are lying based on ooc information], or any other non-violent skill on another character then you have options:

1. tell the player at the bottom of your post that you are using a skill, or that your bonus to such-and-such a skill is +X. This will let everyone know that you aren't initiating a PVP situation, but that your character has a normally valid effect on NPC's, and that the player should roleplay accordingly.

2. tell the player to stop being a dumbass and act like a teammate. Lol....no! Don't do this one.  :P

3. inform the GM and the player in the ooc thread about your plans, so that it allows the storyline in the main thread to be uncluttered with text that doesn't apply to the adventure

4. perform the action [sleight of hand, for instance] and post in a private line to the player as appropriate in the game thread [since the GM can read all PMs anyway, you don't need to address it to me].

   Technically, this animal/creature/beast is not coming towards the party, all it did was step out from behind the nearest building. When it saw you, it stopped. It is about 80 yards from the party now.

   EST myself. New York [not the city] :)

Perth, Western Australia. +8:00 GMT.

Zagreb, Croatia;) +1 GMT...we really are a merry bunch, aren't we?:))

Wow..Didn't know people from all over were playing.  I'm from Mountain Zone, USA

-7 GMT

+2 GMT, Finland (basically Europe).

   >:O

   no, No, NO!

   GMT is not a valid point of reference in this game! Use EST as your jumping off point, 'cause that's where the all-mighty GM lives! I'm the center of the universe! Lol

   Kidding, of course....mostly.  :P

We rally are from all around the world! That's nice;)

I'm from Norway. +1 GMT. Right next to Finland.

   Sounds good to me, too. Now, no matter what country I get arrested in, I'll have someone nearby to post bail for me. :P

   Ok, so someone give me something I can post to.

yeag always nice to know right. You got friends in Croatia, Austraila, Norway, Finland and in others åarts of the US.

Well you got to get in toucha nd I do not belive they alway you a little time on the internett while you are under arrest;P

   Oh Eirik. You slay me.  LOL

lol;)

   Just giving Relgar a little more time to post. He might have something to add. Or not.

a reminder, if you are within 30 of Graros, your characters get a +1 on your spot checks.

   I'll forward the action tonight if there is nothing new added or desired by the party...

Hi everybody.

Due to Eirik's terminal boringness, I've rewritten him as a vastly different and less cliched character. This doesn't change anything in the game so far though. If interested, you can see the new Eirik in his Description.

And hopefully now I'll start playing properly.

   Unless there is a preference to do things differently, I plan on putting individual experience point awards directly onto each of your sheets. I could make a separate thread and do it like all the other DMs but prefer to handle it this way...besides, I already have 3 pages of threads to look through as DM access on this ROA gamesite.  :/

   I expect to do this about every other week, plus after every battle. I will generally let you know when it has been done, though you can simply look on your sheets and note the last time it was edited.

   I'm using the other Groups in here as a guideline for how much XP to award and for what actions they award. I don't want to be overpaying you, nor do I want you to lag behind other regions in your advancements, particularly if you have completed an appropriate number of trials, adventures, and missions compared to the rest of them. That way you can transfer [when the time comes] and not feel slighted or held back.

   As far as magic items are concerned, I am seeing a wide range of hauls out there. Some GMs are handing out stuff fairly regularly [though in truth some is gained from dead adventurers hehe], while others are keeping a pretty tight rein on things. I think I'm fair, but you don't find swords in stones or The One Ring lying on the floor of a cave with me. :P

No problems.

you mean, I can't stop and dig in the sandy river bottom and then come up with magical longspear?

Such is Faerun, if you dig anywhere deep enough, you'll find treasure of some kind.

Ah, I get it. Stone's throw, earth elementals. :p

   Despite Eirik's apparent total dependence on the scouting information of a bird with an intelligence of 3, that is indeed a logical progression of thought from plot to adventure title. You don't get any additional XP for that, regardless of how right [or wrong] your guess may be. :P

   Remember, I planned for this adventure to take between 3 and 6 months of fairly steady posting and adventuring. Even with the bonus feature of having an airborne scout to complement the ranger's and the druid's abilities, we are still only in the first month of this adventure. I would not anticipate an easy victory just yet. :D

   Graros: an fyi that your aura effect works for Listen and Spot checks, but this is a search check. Not the same.

sorry..I thought it was spot check wewere doing.  sorry...

   Heh. It isn't a loss of XP for using it wrong!  Just a reminder for future uses.

   If no one else is going to help in the search, I'll move things along after lunch. Some quick math:

   5 players + 3 horses (2 spaces each) = 11 space(s) required

   18 + 10 = 28 survival needed to fit everyone inside.

   25 = current total.

   Does this look right? I could, alternately, allow the party to split up into a single large group of 4 + their horses and one person plus their mount could go to another location. That might require some sort of check to see if, well, something *bad* happens to that one person. :P

we'll just let the horses butts hang out in the rain....

Someone could sleep under a horse...

Or Eirik could rough it.

   Hmm...no discussion about the day's plans? I suppose that means you'll continue heading upriver, higher into the mountains here....

   I should post either tonight latelatelate or tomorrow morning.

   Does anyone want any additional threads opened for the party? I am noticing that several of the other games here have specific ones for Treasure/Loot, or for XP Awards [which I'll be handling directly to your sheets], or even for a running journal of your 'clues and travels'. Do you want a general purpose journal thread for listing of NPC characters you meet, or plotlines you choose to pass on and explore later?
   It's still early in the game for this region to need anything, in my opinion, but if there is something you folks are familiar with or used to in your other regions or realms, let me know and we'll see what we can cook up.

   Maybe I'm just that good and we don't need any more threads cluttering up the place! :)

Ha! You should see what I do with mine! Not recommended for people with lives of course...

I like journal threads, where PCs can post lengthy diary entries of thoughts and feelings in character. Though I probably don't use them enough, and I'm not sure what Eirik would have to ponder though. He's not very introspective.

Threads of story so far and plot clues are always useful.

   I am not opposed to making a thread like that when I get some time later today, and awarding XP for posting there, so long as the posts remain in-character.

   I'll flesh out the details in my own first post in that new thread.

   XP has been updated on your sheets.

   I took the 'DM liberty' of awarding base 50 xp additional for each week that this region was in limbo but people were actively posting their intentions to stay until the next, and then the next, and finally I, took over the place. It's not much, [only covering about 7 weeks] but it's better than nothing. Thank you for your perseverance.
   You also got xp for bypassing the snake, which could have been a fun fight, but as it was wholly unnecessary to kill it, and the party stayed in-character by going around, you get those points. Who says a group of uncultured woodsy-types can't find peace and harmony in the wilderness? :)
   Graros is the only one, as far as I can see, who responded correctly to the little quiz about the quote "The bones say nothing!" It was, of course, the Pech sorceror from Willow's village, so Graros gets those points.

   Relgar is not in as much danger as it may sound, but he will be making a reflex save for me, after which I'll post what happened to him to the game thread. The rest of you can react as you wish for about a round's worth of time, though remember he is 50-80 feet ahead of the next closest person in line, uphill, and so your point-of-view is slightly askew here.

   "Relgar hangs by one hand some twenty feet below..."

   Hehe. Eirik, unless you are  Plasticman or Mr. Fantastic - Reed Richards, then I doubt you'll reach him. :P

Yeh, I figured that and now I try use grappling hook and rope to try toss it up so I can climb MORE easily up. I asume my arm is too hurt for climbing but not that hurt for tossing a rope (or at least take it outside and tie it around his waist slowly).

@Relgar: I think it’ll be easier for us to throw the rope down, than for you to throw yours up!

Ok, and we cross posted :P. I think after seeing Navarra birng rope in he stacks up his silk rope back into his bag and tries then grab the rope whit his hurted arm and tie it around himself and then grab it whit his healthy hand.

   Big wind/snowstorm here in Buffalo last night. Lotta power outages and such, so I'm heading in to work early today...as in right now. I'll get up some response tonight assuming I still have power myself.

I guess I should have read more closely. :) (Bit of a rush.)

best of luck to your rolls;)

Ah Well it's not the best feeling your characters going to get. If you fall all the way and is stopped by the rope it has to hurt like hell.

I think we just invented bungee jumping, Rashemi-style!

Think it will catch on? :D

Hehe, yeh. As additional element one guy jumps after the rope tied guy and the catch of the game is to grab the guy who jumped after you after the rope stops the first guy's fall :P. Very uselfull sport, improves reflexes and strenght and endurance to pain.

   Just a note about your location: you ARE in the Running Rocks, I think I mentioned you entering the southeastern edge of them. That is why it is rocky, mountainous terrain right now. The Running Rocks area/zone/region of Rasheman is rather large [about 1600 square miles, give or take].

   More OOC notes:

- There are several features and notable landmarks available to visit in the area, though not everyone will have knowledge of their location, or even their existence. The skill Knowledge will come in handy here, as well as bits of background fluff.  :)

- In the opening scene, the party was given [I think] three different paths to choose; two of those are still available to you

- Snowflake is, effectively, an NPC, and has all the characteristics of one. All of them. *smiles cryptically*

   You've all done a great job of using deductive reasoning and good brainstorming for ideas and plans so far...with the exception of Relgar jumping into the hole accidentally. :P  Keep up the good work, and don't do something silly or exceptionally dangerous out of frustration.
   There is a whole country out there to explore.

I'm going to be busy/away over Monday to Wednesday next week. NPC me as needed.

   Someone should think about adding some sort of search check, or at least a blurb of a note telling the poor DM what it is you expect to look for or find once you get into the mountains. What is up there that you think you can use as a clue [or compass to the next clue] that you did not find at or near the river/hole?

Navarra hopes to find/meet the Old Ones...what should I roll for that?

   I would say roll d20 and add either your search skill bonus or your highest knowledge [rashemi/history/local etc] skill bonus.

   Roll! Roll!

OK...and you are my minion, not Edgar Allan's;) lol

And i9 think she won't find them...
21:24, Today: Navarra rolled 6 using 1d20+4. knowledge rashemi local.

   Anyone wishing to move closer than the 50' starting range should roll move silently [hiding is not neccessary for now - their backs are to you]. For this encounter I'll grant a synergy bonus of +1 if you have 3 or more ranks in survival [+2 if it is survival:mountains].

   Of course, the scout(s) can also make spot and listen rolls, if they so choose. :)

Nah, Eirik's not too stealthy, so he'll wait further back, then rely on 40ft move speed to get there quickly.

Hey guys.,  I'm sorry for the lack of posting.  things have been busy here.

But, I do feel like I've fallen behind and can't get the motivation to catch up.

I'm sorry.  You are all great players and a great DM.

It's not you, it's me....

[Private to DM Lobo: do with Graos what you like.  either kill him off or let him wander off.  I was trying a new class, Dragon Shaman, and to be honest, I can't get into it.  Sorry for being a whinny.]

Goodbye.

I hope you will find a new and better game for you. Will miss having you around.

   FYI to the group: Relgar has not rolled his stealth or scouting skill checks yet for me, so I'll assume he is waiting to find out from the group whether he is going on alone or if you are letting Vicril walk forward in the open [minus Eirik, who has put out a hand to stop the impulsive druid :P].

   I know speaking is considered a free action, but with the depth that this conversation is beginning to show, I'm ruling that you have backed off to 100-120 feet distance so as not to alarm or alert the two figures Relgar spotted.

   Keep in mind, my lil peeps, that you only have until this Saturday midnight [Nov 11th] to send me, either here or in a PM, your requested item(s) for the RoA Birthday Gift! Please don't miss out on this opportunity to gain that one thing [or group of small things like potions] you wish you had held enough gold for during character creation!  :)

   Heavy day at work. I'll post the forward action tonight around dinnertime.

   Ok, Eirik or someone go to the file links section of this forum and tell me if you can view the pic I uploaded as 'mountain'. If so, then I'll just keep updating the map from there instead of posting it into the page here. Maybe it was too big for insertion here? Dunno.

Ah.

You're using Yahoo Groups - in which to see the picture, one must log in. Which we and RPOL cannot do.

:D

I couldn't see the file links picture either.

   Well in the other game I suppose it does matter that they are all in my yahoogroups game as well! :P

   Ok, so I need another site to upload my maps to. Any free ones out there I can link through?

http://imageshack.us/

I use ImageShack. It gets the job done, though it puts a lot of crap in the links it gives you, which you then have to clean out to make work in RPOL.

   I am a blue collar worker, not a programmer, and don't even know what the lines of text were that I put into the failed link in the first place! :/

   So there will be no cleaning from me.

I'll show you tomorrow.

You can start using ImageShack straight away, but if you want to access your pics later, its best to sign up for a free account.

So, on the main page, select upload, them Browse. I choose yes to "resize image? - optimise with resizing" and "remove size/resolution bar from thumbnail?".

Then click host it, and it will upload.

You'll then get a series of code snippets to choose from. You want one for Sites. Neither Embeddable Code or Thumbnail Code will work in RPOL as they are:

Embeddable Code
<img src="http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/3302/alamondhlab2bln8.png" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" />

Thumbnail Code
<a href="http://img92.imageshack.us/my.php?image=alamondhlab2bln8.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/3302/alamondhlab2bln8.th.png" border="0" /></a>

So you have to chop it down to basic HTML.

Take out this line:
<img src="http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/3302/alamondhlab2bln8.th.png" border="0" />

And clean it up to make it look like:
[img src="http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/3302/alamondhlab2bln8.png"]
Including the widget in the actual name - remove the .th

Important: I used square brackets [] to make the code visible. Replace them with <> to make it work.

With the proper brackets, you get:

This message was last edited by the player at 02:52, Sun 12 Nov 2006.

   I certainly should have thanked you sooner, Eirik. Didn't. Sorry. :/


   Just waiting on Vicril to post his new actions, or for 10pm to roll around so I can advance the round. :)


   FYI, the player for Graros has left, as you all know. Should I actively recruit for someone to take over his body, or actively recruit for someone to make a new character to join you, or are you folks fine with having a group of 4? This question will self-destruct at midnight on Sunday.

I think we'd be fine. Four is the standard after all.

What roles do we need filled? We have Barbarian, Barbarian/Ranger, Wizard, Druid - tanking, stealth, arcane and divine, with a good nature theme. Not much call for Rogues in the wilderness though. Clerics are always handy, but I think Druid healing would be enough, right Vicril? (Eirik's trying to avoid healing to get his Berserker Strength to kick in.)

I can heal small amounts of damage, but not to worry. I'm a good summoner:P'

Also I belived I had posted. My deepest apologies for that my friends. I had made all the rolls and all.

Yep...I don't think that we need new players joining the fun:)

   Works for me! I'll post in a few hours for the combat. I already have a good way for Graros to leave that doesn't necessarily involve killing him. Kinda. :|

I'm going to Italy for three months not long after the new year starts. The only problem is that internett acess will be something I don't think I'll have much of. Just a little heads up. The date for when I'm to leave and return is still unknown, but some time after new year.

So I must be NPCed by our lovely GM or if you belive it best seen as it is for a long time let someone else come in for me instead. It's all in the hands of the mighty GM

   If you are certain it will be no less than 3 months, I will probably have your character go off on a minor, personal quest, and either let in a one-adventure outsider, or tailor a shorter run at evil for the remaining group members [assuming this adventure is over when you leave].
   If your time away will be more flexible, then I'll likely NPC you for a bit, until Vicril fails his first saving thrown, then let nature take its course. :P

I'm just home after a really great konsert by Iron Maiden her in Bergen and I must say that they are one hell of a band.

Also My trip to Italy will be spent working in a resturant where I'll learn to make real italian food. I will be away for 12 weeks after what I have been told and will be in Italy the whole time.

   Lettin' Relgar post if he wants to, then putting up my own tonight or first chance tomorrow. :)

   FYI...your group TOTALLY went in the opposite direction I had planned [and secretly hoped], and so the slight delay in my first couple posts after the 'hole in the ground' scene should be more easily explained.  Had some mad scrambling to do there for a bit....   :P

   I don't see a note about Thanksgiving here, so let me be the first to hope everyone enjoyed last week well enough not to forget it till Xmas.



[edited to reflect not enough time before work to post after the good ranger's suicidal- er, I mean interesting action! Hehe. :P]
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:53, Mon 27 Nov 2006.

   I'll post the encounter with the guardian(s) tomorrow.   <:o

good.

How come nobody posted in the journal notes thread? I would really like to read something new about your characters...I didn't scare you away with my post, did I?;)

Eirik's not good with words. :) My re-entry in the game thread kind of serves as a journal entry though, but there's nothing new to Eirik yet.

   Xp has been updated, and I gave Vicril and Navarra each a bonus of 100xp for their great in-character arguments...but only because it did not split the party or come to violence. :o

Yes over half way to next level:D

Well sorry for not posting now. Must go to work. shall post when i get home around nine hours from now.

   Vicril sent me a PM indicating he wanted to make another post, and I'll let him decide if it happens that night or the next morning. If it happens before you go to sleep, someone can just post that they wake up in the morning and I'll move things along...though I am sure there will be some discussion over what the druid will be telling the party about the valley. :)

   In other news, I went back and looked at the ARP for this particular adventure, and noted that it had Graros and Navarra as the main focus of attention [for their backgrounds to be involved in this]. I know that it seems that focus has shifted somewhat to Vicril and NAvarra, but rest assured that ALL of you will find some reason or another to be on this particular mission nefore it reaches its conclusion.
   Even if that only means more chopping and smashing for Eirik to do. :P

No I'll not be making anouther post befor daylight has returned. So just tell me if anything happens trough the night and I'll make my post as soon as possible.

Doh!

I thought I'd be all naturey (see, its possible) and be sure not to burn down the forest. And putting out fire and warmth is a sign of latent Auril-ism.

But I only just realised that now. :)

   Trust me, I'd much rather see you 'all naturey' than 'au natural'. Lol

I must say Eirik that your Journal shall be fun to read if it continues as well as the first, I can't stop laughing. It was briliant

I agree...it's great:)

Thanks!

I also agree Eirik's diary is very fun to read :).

Your's too. Bolvar sounds interesting. :D

Well, had to think some funny char in Relgar's background and one which could had tutored Relgar to get Homeland [Exalted] feat :P. Also I thinked him as fun possible char concept in some game.

   Just letting you folks know that I'll add XP awards for your Journal Notes to the XP you earn when you leave the Valley, so you'll probably have several weeks of opportunities to add more interesting and flavorful [not to be confused with Flava Flav] posts to that thread. :)

   No real decision reached yet RE: splitting the party or not, so I'll check back in tomorrow or monday and look again. Have a nice weekend, all!

You to.

   Navarra: I'll provide those directions in my own action post in a day or two [probably two, since I have a baptism to go to tomorrow and a 300 mile trip to make tonight]. It is currently 4pm here. :/

Ah..no problem. Take care on the travel...and enjoy the baptism;)

   Ok, so the baby got dunked, and the pacifier he was sucking on to keep quiet popped out of his mouth and fell into the basin of holy water. Lol We all laughed so hard, and people were making comments like "that's going to be the healthiest baby ever" and "now the family has a holy relic to hang in the house" and several references to the movie The Golden Child. :P

   Great time and I still have 1.5 days left on my vacation.

   So....which group is going in which direction? I am guessing at this point that Vicril and Graros [who is being NPC'd by me, so private messages to him are redundant :P] are heading straight-line across the valley to visit with the water dryads that the druid helped a few years ago.
   The other three will therefore be heading where? To the Eastern Pass? To do what, talk to the Guardian there? I am pretty certain that the air elemental won't be any more or less helpful as the earth spirit was here....
   ARe they going to randomly walk around looking for a Red Tree? Ask people or spirits or monsters they may come across where to find it? I just want to get a feel for what those guys are doing while Vicril and his mate are heading for the stream/pond.

Walk around. Kill stuff that wants to do the same.

Well, that's Eirik taken care off. :) Navarra?

Well...search for the Red Tree...or any clues connected to it...

Same here.

I'll be away over Christmas (isn't everyone?). I'll have some internet access, but not much.

   I should have something meaningful up today or tomorrow, depending on health and work. :)

everyone has had a good start on the year I hope.

Well, Rashemen's taken a turn for the wierd.

   I thought it was fairly clear that the vegetables could be heard by everyone when the Gnoll shaman laughed at the veggie's antics and turned to walk away. :P

   And remember what Vicril said to you all:

   Vicril can tell the party during camp that the valley is several miles long and broad, and that he understands there are several overlapping communities of spiritfolk and nature creatures living across the whole area. Most are helpful to people of nature [druids and rangers], and several are friendly only to those who show fear or respect, or bring gifts. One or two are downright mischevious, and the druid will warn the party to harm nothing that does not directly harm them first.

   I'll post tomorrow after work to give you all a chance to continue posting/reacting to this interesting turn of events. Remember that all of my NPCs have personalities, so you can click on them to read more about their situation. :P

   Navarra, I'll post reaction to your questioning offer to the shaman at that time. You may roll diplomacy if you like, though be warned that a bad roll [generally below 10, but in this case below 15 since he seems frustrated with the enforced peace] might get you less than desired results.

   I'll give Navarra another half-day or so to get that diplomacy roll up then move it along.

   *nudge*

I'm still here master. Vicril then draggs his feet after the floor in good old Igor style.

   My post later today/tonight...but Vicril, is there anything or anyplace particular you want to go in this mini-valley, or just make a beeline for the pools below? I don't like to force moves on people, and your post is rather slim in the direction department.

Well it says I would want to go to the waterfall. It said atleast that there was a waterfall there.

   I'll have to look up the rules for bluff/somatic concealment as far as casting one spell but saying you are casting another. I know there is a spellcraft and/or sense motive check involved, but don't want to carte blanche deny Navarra the opportunity to really screw these gnolls over. :P

   Might be later today, but no later than tomorrow night for sure.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:58, Sun 28 Jan 2007.

You do that:P

   Ok, a decision has been reached. I just need an opposed STR check from Navarra, please. I'll roll it for her in 24 hours if not done by then. :)

This was somewhat...unexpected:)!

I think that's a tie for the strangest encounter I've ever been through. (The other being cubic beholders.)

I've been waiting for a big monster for Eirik to fight, barbarian-style. A giant cabbage isn't what I had in mind. But now I'm really looking forward to it. :D

Hey it's dinner. well as soon as Eirik kills the huge cabbage. It should be more then you need:P

   As you can see by the rolls for the gnoll shaman, he failed to notice the trickery involved in the wand usage, but was wildly successful in his spellcraft check to realize it was a spell [and what that spell was], and then saved against that spell....and went on to beat her by 5 on the opposed STR check.

   And, mind you, the vegetables DID warn you not to provoke acts of violence in the valley. :P

   The party is not waiting on me; I am waiting on you. Vicril's thread will not move into the next day until the garden scene is resolved and left behind, and that half of the party has moved on in time to their own evening. Please do not make him wait more than a week again.

Well I'm sleeping now untill next post from you Lobo.

   On the plus side, Vicril, you will still gain XP for the time you are forced to wait, since I know you generally hold well to the 'twice weekly' schedule that RoA requests of its players. :)

I'm online most of my time. It's not like I got a life anyway:P Only work and Rpol. I know it does not seem much, but it's enough for me.

Also I have gotten new on my travel. It seems like some one really messed up and if I do not hear anything befor wensday the trip is not going to happen. I' really angry at those people who where going to make the trip happen. Just needed to get it out.

Sorry for not posting regularly in the past few days (!?). I've been having some health and computer problems...so talk about luck:(!

   That's less of a problem for me; what get me is that you folks have this tendency to leave your posts hanging, like the current one, where Eirik got an answer from the witch and where Navarra is obviously awaiting a response from Eirik now, not me. The scene is either played out and you three can leave, or else you have more questions for the vegetable garden [silly as that sounds].

   So we wait....

Eh, barbarian. I'll either grunt or pick a fight. Or both, like now. :) No need to wait on my account.

Sorry for not posting! My January was tight scheluded in school :(.

Navarra's done with questioning the veggies...if you're waiting for me to say something, don't, cuz I'm ready to move out;)

   Then post a departure; I am sure Eirik is waiting on your lead, and Relgar's posting schedule has declined somewhat recently, so I bet if you get them going it will pick up again. :)

   Ok, so you three are going to exit the scen, taking only the 'tales of the veggies' [lol] with you? I don't see any mention of harvesting food for the road, or picking up the bag(s) that the gnolls dropped in their retreat.

   I'll post tonight regardless of your actions, and move things along pronto.

Hey guys, I won't be able to post because of some health problems. I hope this will be resolved during the next week, but if needed please npc my character.

Get well soon.

   Yes! You are in two of my games! Get well!


   Eirik, you didn't get my hint, I guess...please either roll a d3 or decide how many sacks, up to three, you would have grabbed one-handed.

Not sure how big they are, so I rolled 1d3 - 1 sack.

   Well, you should know by now that holiday weekends mean backed-up workloads for the following days at my job. :P

   My post later today....

I'm going to be busy and away over the next 2-3 days. I'll have some internet access, but not as much as I'd like. Weekends are usually slow round here, but don't wait for me if needed.

EDIT: No, never mind, I'm still here.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:12, Fri 23 Feb 2007.

   Well then! Navarra is still temporarily away, and I'm going to have to advertise for a replacement or two for Relgar and Graros, it seems. Would you gentlemen prefer one or two new people to join you?

Two would not hurt.

a stealth character as a rogue, ranger or the bard
a healer could be useful. I can't cast many healing spells now so I'm a poor choice for a healer. Other then that I think we could manage.

[Private to DM Lobo: I'll be leaving this night so this might be my last post. I'll be back the 15th of May.]

Hey! I am still around! I just dont post much because I am busy :P. Also I post if there is reason for me to post most cases anyway (like some event starts or ends or someone asks Relgar's opinion etc). I am reactive poster than spontaneus one :P.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:02, Wed 28 Feb 2007.

   Right! So why don't you and Eirik react to my question, and let me know if you want to post just as the two of you for the time being, or if you want to add another party member [either as a replacement soul in Graros' body or a totally new character].

   And let me remind you for the record that I tried to use an NPC to persuade the party AGAINST splitting up, knowing that it would cause delays and posting troubles. You went ahead and did it anyway, and now we are about 2 months behind where I had planned on you being. Not that I'm complaining. :P

Sorry, I was waiting to see what the others would say before chiming in on the question.

I guess we have holes in the classic party formation for a rogue-type (probably not necessary in the wilderness - maybe a scout or nature rogue variant) and a cleric. But we haven't really had a need for either yet, so I'm not sure. Introducing new characters tends to bring a hiccup into the storyline and slow things down a tad.

But if you think we need one, then no problems by me. :) The new guy should probably go keep Vicril company.

I think we just kind of blundered into splitting up. (You could have said no.) We'll go back to Graros and Vicril then.

I'm back:) And ready to rumble...I posted already IC, but if Relgar doesn't know in what direction we should go, I don't think that Navarra will be able to help (and judging by the rolls, neither will Eirik!)

I think I am to blame for the split up...but it was something I thought Navarra would have wanted to do.

   No finger-pointing here; I'll post the group's collection tonight and move on toward the Red Witches after you share info with each other.

   I'll also put up a small ad for a new player to join in the ooc lounge....rogue or healer preferred, but all welcome.

   Bah! Someone explain to me how my cable TV can be working fine, but my cable internet service is out, when they use the same dang line into the house!

   Ok, post being copied over from word in a few minutes.

   Oh, and our advertisement is up in the ooc thread. Let me know if I left something out, or need to change someone's...description. :P

For one, you seemed to think we're in Halruua. :p

[Private to DM Lobo: I fixed it. :D]

   Lol what a putz! I had sooo many RPOL games to write to after my two day disconnect, I guess it just all got mixed up in me ol' noggin.

Glad to have you back:)

   I think it is safe to assume that your plan is going to be accepted by Relgar, Eirik. Go ahead and outline it, then implement to your heart's content.

Great!

If only I had one...

   Got a possible taker, either for a replacement soul in Graros' body, or with a new character. I'll chat with the person again this weekend.

   I'll also move Eirik's "plan" forward tomorrow. Navarra can post her new information whenever she wants, as a current post or a backpost.

   Should I conclude that the three Player Characters would prefer I control the action with my two Non-player characters? :P

   Obviously, this area is Vicril's little spot, but since he is on an extended touring vacation I am running him for the time being...so if there's no other talking or plans to make, I'll push him along in his surly, headstrong way.

   Oh, and while I'm thinking about it...all male party members should make a WILL save, immediately. Heh, heh, heh

   I'll make Relgar's roll later today and post right after, assuming it's a standard saturday for me at work.

I rolled a 10. :( (Dice Roller says 12 because I went and counted my raging will save score).

Hi guys, I'm going to be joining you soon and thought I'd better introduce myself :)

I'm from the UK, currently a final year undergraduate doing a masters in maths at Durham University. Been playing D&D for about 7 years now, and have DMed once (for a year over PBeM. The logs are stored over at Candlekeep). I'm also currently playing a dwarven fighter/barbarian in RoA 5: Sword Coast (North).

If I'm a little quiet this next week or so please don't be alarmed, I've managed to destroy my computer (by taking it apart and putting it back together again, now it won't turn on :D), and whilst I'm in the process of ordering parts for another I might not be around so much.

I should also warn you that I'll be away from 30March-6th April, since I'm playing a lacrosse tournament in Barcelona. Maybe I'd best say until the 7th of march actually to cover any potential alcohol poisoning recovery ;)

I'm going to do my best to read up all the posts and goings on here, and hopefully get a character involved before too long.

Welcome to the game! Might I ask if you already have some ideas about what will you play?

Yes it will be some Rogue type, probably a halfling. I'm not sure of exact details yet about whether to have a mix of arcane, or nature (ranger), or something else (such as a Fey Warlock) but when I work out some details you'll know :)

With regards to ultimate intentions I've just got the complete scoundrel and seen the master of masks, something I've wanted to be documented for god knows how long, so I will be working towards that in his stats and personality :)

So, what are the questions we're going to ask the nymphs? We know where to find the Ruby Witches and the Red Tree, but don't know what they really are. Anything else?

That has been there any other odd disturpances in nature? As water spirits nymphs would know likely when or how the river was changed in first place likely (if they can reach their cousins in there). Also water haves tendecy move far and wide so they could have spotted other odd activities.

Eirik has some questions he could ask the nymphs, but... they might not be exactly relevent to the plot. :)

   Sound like good ideas all [even Eirik's, though that is a strictly ooc assessment :P].

   Go ahead and put them into a post!

   Whoops! Sorry Navarra, didn't realize yours included the questions! :P  I'll get on it later today.

   Navarra's post is pretty much rhetorical, so when the majority of you post you are ready to resume your trek to the Red Tree, I'll move things along. If you prefer to ask a few more questions, or take a few more minutes to stare [hey buddy - take a picture, it'll last longer!] then we can do that, too.

   Ok, it looks like we're just going to let the debate over the merits and flaws of undead witches die for now? I don't want any angry shouts of surprise later on when one of you decides to hack them to bits for the XP they represent. :P

   I'll move along tomorrow, then, and hopefully there'll be no encounters to deal with. I know there is a pending question about what dangers you might meet, but it will be one of those 'parting shots' given to you as the nixies slip back beneath the surface of the water....

   Since nobody has an exact location of the Red Tree [remember it is 'along the north wall'], your scouts will have to make Survival rolls to navigate a route across the valley to the north and then [basically] guess left or right when you get there...unless someone remembers what the gnoll shaman told you.

Here you go.
14:41, Today: Vicril Shipsail rolled 17 using 1d20+13. survival.

Well, I am egually good as Vicril whit survival wise :P.

17:40, Today: Relgar rolled 18 using 1d20+9. Survival.

Follow the barbarian and his mighty two ranks in survival:

00:24, Today: Eirik rolled 22 using 1d20+2. survival.

20, natch.

Always the skill check, never the crit. Sigh. :(

   Kind of like Gandalf saying "it's this way!" because the air didn't smell quite so foul....  lol

That was a little funny yeah. If ever in dought follow your nose:P

A 20, then a 1. Why?

I'm thinking that we should plant our swords in the ground to make lightning rods. We could either get +1 shocking swords, or melted hunks of metal.

   I'd tell you why, but it might discourage you from doing silly things you do that make me laugh, like you are now.  :P

   Just some brief revisitation of information I've given the party:

- the storm is coming from the east
- you are heading north
- Vicril knows it should only take two days to cross the valley, and one day was already used getting to the nixie pools in the center
- the gnolls actually *did* tell you which way to go

   So I am just waiting to see which direction Vicril rides [which will put Eirik in the opposite, as he said], and what the other three will do [Graros will follow the lead of Navarra in this instance].

So long as you make it to Red Tree, otherwise there might be a rather lonely PC :)

And you missed out on the nymphs!

Awwww.....can we go back? :D

Ummmm...Vicril, you lost me. What are you doing exactly?

   Hehe  :P

   It seems that the barbarian was waiting to see which direction the druid went, then went opposite, but the druid fooled him good and doubled back on the barbarian's trail anyway! So the net result is that I don't know which direction they both went, since they are going together anyhow.

And for the love of God, why?:)

[Private to GM: I'll post in the Halruaa game alter on...does he really need to say his'fer' or what?]

???

:D

Normally it's the barbarian who's the dopy one, but Eirik has Int 10. Vicril?

Put me... somewhere, anywhere, scouting around.

Okey
I got a int of 14. I got brains okey, but I think my post now will shine some light on why I went to catch Eirik. I always has his reasons this druid.

@Eirik: Twas magic...and you ruined my bragging with that question!:)

   Once more you folks impress me with your adaptation to the scene. Relgar set the somber tone by pulling out the wineskin [like a soldier under seige, not expecting reinforcements] and the rest of you picked it up and ran.

   Of course, Navarra's lead-in for disappointment [he's found shelter for us!] was good for a laugh, too.
   Yay Vicril! He's our hero! Oh wait....  :P

   Don't know if I mentioned it in this game yet, but I try to work each scene/encounter as a focal point for one [sometimes two] players' talents to be showcased. Relgar and Eirik had the zombie encounter, Vicril had the nixies, Navarra had the gnolls....
   If anyone ever feels they are being left out of the game, or their character neglected...well, I don't see it that way, but you can complain and I'll see about setting you up for failure, er, giving you an opportunity to shine sooner.  :P

I really enjoy the many RPing scenes between our characters...and I think you're doing a good job Lobo. Maybe you'r enot doing justice to Relgar's char, but he said he enjoy more going with the flow than talking all the time:)

Hey all, I'm jumping in to take over Graros.  Looking forward to gaming with yas.

If there are any character assoications between Graros and any of ya'll (aside from being in the same group) for rp purposes, feel free to let me know.  Cheers.

Ah welcome. I'm your friendly and somewhat mad Druid.

Welcome to the crew...I'm the local witch...muhahahahahahah:P

Welcome, I'm the BARBARIAN!

You missed the nymphs as well. :p

Yep, and I am half-somber ranger/barbarian. Hate anything creepy what crawls in night and was once dead.

hahahhahaha
The mad druid still stands safely on the ground againest the strong winds. I belived I could never make it, but then the dice rolled gave me a mighty gift indeed.

   Heading out on a road trip right now...had hoped Relgar would post while I was at work today. I'll log on at first opportunity tomorrow and post, though it might be after lunch.

Damage assessments from the storm [so far]:

Eirik: 4 real, 11 subdual

Graros: 6 subdual

Navaraa: 5 real, 9 subdual [horse 10 subdual]

Relgar: 4 real, 8 subdual

Vicril: 6 subdual [wolf 10 subdual]

   Note that subdual damage regenerates very quickly [though probably not quickly enough to offset the damage from the lightning]. :P
   Vicril and Graros, please make Reflex saves for me [but go ahead and post reactions for the current scene].

Do you want new streght checks as well for when the storm hit againe.

[Private to DM Lobo: 17:18, Today: Vicril Shipsail rolled 20 using 1d20+5. reflex save]

Eirik, you evil barbarian! Attacking the helpless woman like that!!!xD

   I am sure you are all waiting with barely contained excitement wondering what will happen next. Unfortunately you will have to wait till tomorrow to find out. For now you get a visit from an NPC. :P

Graros is too distracted with praying his saving throws work to pay attention to NPCs ^^

So that's why the witches wear masks.

Is the storm over, or is the lighting still to come?

   lightning, then more wind, though not enough to warrant another actual saving throw....but your char don'y know this

I've updated Graros' description to better fit my own liking.. and added an addendum in purple text considering recent events IC.

*peeks IC* Tings be gettin' crazy yo

   Eirik & Navarra: note that you are still located several hundred feet from Vicril and Graros, and as such cannot yet see the nearly invisible, ghostly form of the shaman. You will have to be as close as he is [within 30 feet] to spot him, and since Vicril hasn't said 'ye gods!' or anything declarative....

   Please edit your posts accordingly, even if only to walk up to that spot and discover the ghost yourself.

   A successful INDIVIDUAL sense motive or gather info check of 18+ will notice that the wolf is not reacting strangely [or at all] to the new Graros, as if he were invisible, or perhaps an illusion.

Done. How's that?

Huh...sorry for that LOB-O-ster;) Edited now!

   Outstanding, both of you. Thanks muchly!

Does my feat (Nemesis) react to Graros? If not I will post my reaction to that in next post (it comes as after tought like 'Hey! He aint dead because I aint sensing it!' deal).

   No, your ability to 'sense undead' broad as that term may be, does not seem to register Graros as an undead. You would surmise, therefore, that either A) his soul is still attached to this transparent body, or B) he is an undead but not connected to the negative material plane in any way.

   AHEM! Please keep in mind that there is still a new player waiting patiently for you to get to the Red Tree so he can join the group...!

Unfortunately, no idea what the Red Tree is ^^

...but for sake of moving things along, as I know that is the truest mission of any pbp game, post incoming.

Just a FYI guys in case you do happen to get to Red Tree anytime soon, I've got my final exams for my degree coming up (on the 21st, 22nd, 24th and 25th) so over the course of that week I may not be able to post much. Chances are I'll get fed up revising and find the time but I'm just warning you in case I'm MIA for a short while. Oh and if I do post that weekend there's a fair chance it will be illegible :)

   Waiting until after work tomorrow to introduce the party to the witches/oracle tree.

   XP has been updated on your sheets.

   Note that all temporary damage from the storm is now removed, though the real damage some of you took is still present [bumps and bruises]. Please note in your pic/profile your current HP for me.
   Vicril, you should set up your profile like the others so I have a quick reference of your pertinent stats [saves, HP, etc]. I'm referring to the two lines under each person's portrait in their posts. :)

   I know Relgar posted an IC question to the witches, but I want to wait and see one or two more posts between Harto and Navaraa/Graros/Eirik before I move things along. Remember, he *will* eventually be joining the party...though it doesn't have to be a smooth transition, it *does* have to be non-violent and without antagonistic undertones to it [unless they add humor].

   As a side note, I went back and re-read the section of the adventure where Relgar falls into the hole in the ground at the river's head, and Eirik jumps in after him to save the ranger, then all heck breaks loose. Hehe. Good stuff.

I don't expect Harto to be welcomed ;) But it might do him some good to have some of the more 'serious' characters teach him a little about not being quite so superficial :)
I think you'll find he has his uses anyway, however reluctant he may be :)

You'll be welcomed don't worry about it, but then againe i am a man of actions and not of joaks.

[Private to DM Lobo: I got a mquestion for your. Have we healed the damage from the fight with the evil undead??]

   Harto has expressed a desire to describe the cabin to you folks, so my next post will probably be sunday, unless Graros wants me to post saturday night.

Sorry if I'm a little slow at the moment guys. This, coupled with a new character in the Border Kingdoms, setting up the new Cormyr game, and the fact that final exams only just finished, mean my time is a little stretched at the moment :)

I'll get a post describing the cabin out tomorrow hopefully.

Yeah, no worries Harto.  I'm still really just feeling out this character, haven't been playing him very long but taking from his background - I think he is more meant to be a social paradox with tense or humorless undertones.  While I wouldn't consider things to become antagonistic, I would point out that some of the best friendships in fantasy literature (and on-screen) start out rocky.

I'm posting IC here in a sec.  I thought I had posted yesterday but I can't find it now so I guess I must have slipped up in a hurry like usual.

Han Solo and Leia for one :)

Or Eirik and Navarra. :D

@Eirik: Lol. you wish;P

   Just a brief to clear up about the Decanter of Endless Water: There is no bathtub, per se, but Harto is right about the 'shower'; there is a bracket-and-sluice setup behind the cabin that will allow someone to take a shower in relative privacy. This particular magical bottle has the ability to regulate the temperature of the water as well, from a chilly 35 degrees to a comfortable 105 [no, it can't come out ready to boil an egg]. To avoid pranks, I'm ruling that only the last person to touch it can control the outpouring temperature of the water...it's not verbally activated. :P

   Yeah, I should have posted tonight, or last night. Fell a little behind with posting to four other games tonight. Also hoping Harto can respond to Navarra so I can post behind, rather than splitting their conversation or copying her post, deleting the first, and dropping it in behind my own.

   Yeah, I'm kinda retentive about some things like continuity. :P

Are we allowed to post now?

   Yep. It's about 2-3 AM and everyone is awake, unless they *really* want to play the part of the stone-cold snorer and sleep through the noise. :)

Oh man, I never noticed that journal board before.  I will probably be using it soon.

   Yeah, it was down by the very bottom of page 2...had to hunt for it myself, as you can see. :)

   Hope it keeps everyone on their toes! [insert evil chuckle]

I'll put something in for Harto at some point, he might be a bit sullen about his new companions. However he is largely an extrovert, so it's likely his 'inner thoughts and feelings' will be displayed for all to see anyway :) (through his incessant speech, or his multicoloured tunic hehe)

   I'll give the party the rest of today and tomorrow to talk things over with Harto, Graros, and each other, before dawn comes and breakfast is served. I'll try to post it friday night but if I don't, it will be after midday saturday.

   Today and tomorrow are for talking things over some more during breakfast, then I'll post the witches into the cabin thursday night.

   Navarra asked for some information and received it. I'll post late tomorrow regardless of whether or not she chooses to use that information with the witches' discussion.

This week's been hectic for me...going through my graduation exams (6 of them!). So I don't think I'll be able to post tomorrow or the day after.

   Shall I assume since there is no further discussion being made that the party will either figure this out on their own or else consider the trip to the Red Tree a waste of time? Seems an awful waste to get the help you wanted, only to be stumped by the answer....

   I'm a fairly big fan of word games, ever since reading the riddle games in the Hobbit back in 7th grade. I'm not terribly keen on letting people simply roll an INT check and giving them answers to stuff like this; many modules of the old 1st edition D&D game held riddles and puzzles that the party had to defeat before continuing onward safely....

   Still, I'll probably post something tomorrow from the witches in the line of a clue. *sigh*  :P

I must say that I do not know much waht to think about the riddle.
I also like the riddles in the hobbit. Ofcourse I got my ideas what it might be.

I'll make a post at some point before tomorrow morning.  I have yet to get caught up IC but I intend to.

   I am still around, logging in daily, just so you know. The party should either continue discussion, ask for *more* aid, or leave the valley and continue the quest.

I am doing this with all of the games I currently play in.  To be certain, I have no ill will to fellow players or DM in this decision.  It is purely a point of preference on my individual options.

Several factors in my personal life leave me with the heavy decision of decreasing my involvement on RPoL... I have decided that I would much rather cut those games which I play in as opposed to games where I am currently DMing.  I am much more expendable and clueless as a player anyway.  Considering that pretty much all of my activity on Rpol is in RoA, removing games that I DM is not an option for 2 reasons:

1. It is more a headache for RoA and
2. I enjoy the games that I DM

I've enjoyed this game as well even if it has taken me some time to catch on and I have struggled with the character I adopted but this is the decision I have come to with careful thought.  Be well - Steel

I've copied this to all of my games.

As of tomorrow I'll be away for a few weeks, possibly up until the beginning of August. Everything seems to have come at once, but there may be times in between when I'm home. For the next few weeks I should be able to access an internet café every now and again and catch up with posts, but it's unlikely I'll be able to respond to anything daily. For the last week in July (up until the 27th/28th) I will almost definitely be without internet access, as I'll be staying at a bare flat in London whilst I attend some job interviews.

Apologies for not being able to participate, but I'll do my best. This is just a warning :).

My absence was unexpected...I had two college applications (3 hour long exams), so I had to prepare for them. Coupled with nervousness, I couldn't muster the strength to post on RPoL. Sorry for not sending a word...

@Harto: Best of luck with the job interviews!
This message was last edited by the player at 14:25, Sun 15 July 2007.

Don't worry about it. It can happen to all of us.

   Hehe...you said college appliances, I thought you meant like a toaster oven and a mini fridge! :)

Uhm...sorry. I was aiming for the the plural noun of the verb to apply. How should it be written?:D

   The plural of 'application' is 'applications', if that's what you mean. I'm not sure what the root word for whatever you wanted to say is. I suppose you could go to Dictionary dot com, or an online thesaurus if you really had to.

   Going out to brunch, will update the thread [with great joy that the game is moving again] when I return in a couple hours.

Right. Thanks. Edited.

   If the five of you have made plans to turn this into a once-a-week posting schedule without letting me know, I'll hand the adventure over to another DM and move on. Otherwise, please be kind enough to respect the effort I put into this game and begin posting again.

Sorry if I have not psoted often but I post when I can. But I dont know about others but my quess they are paralyzed by the riddle and they try think answer instead posting :P. Or they wait someone reply/react to their posts. Also possible summer festivals and events may have made them distracted (alot concerts in July).

I was waiting to make sure the witches had left before detailing my suspicions to the others.

[Private to DM Lobo: This slow-down has happened in all my games, the ones I play in and those I DM. Maybe it's a seasonal thing.]

   With all the hemming and hawwing going on, the witches have not left yet on the off chance you are going to ask them for more advice. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to depart the presence of the halfling, just like you. Hehe :P

   Graros will be remaining behind with the witches, instead of going on what I had expected to be a grand side-quest-within-a-quest that would lead to another ARP choice. Does the party want to replace him [or have someone fill his soul's shoes], or go on with the five you have now? His role wasn't important in the traditional 'warrior-rogue-priest-mage' sense, though it certainly was in this Rashemen where the majority of events occur outdoors....

[Private to Eirik: I'm seeing it (almost) across the board, too, which is why it was only a two-sentence nudge rather than a tantrum/rant :)]

Well...between Vicril and Eirik, I think we have good coverage of the outdoors skills. So I don't see a reason why should we keep him as an NPC.

What?! Do you disrespect my outdoorsman skills as a ranger Navarra :P.

Sorry all. I must have forgotten to put up my I'm leaving for three days post here.  I'm back and not going anywhere for long time.

PS: Dm Lobo:
I truely like your game and hope you will not leave this game in the hands of another DM. It just would not be the same. It would not remain in the same charming form and package that it's now. Pleas stay with us.

I'm going on vacation for the next two weeks, with little (probably none) Internet access. Please NPC Navarra.

   I will assume then since nearly four hours have passed since that statement, you will not be responding to Eirik's bold statement in-character before you leave?

   I have no problem controlling Navarra [i.e. the default group leader on this mission] but cannot offer more information through her or her actions than she would normally be entitled to.
   The rest of the party will therefore have to discuss, either IC or OOC, which direction to pursue and/or what to do about this river problem.

   I'll post sometime sunday whether or not you've come to a decision. It would probably be best if you have by then. :)

   I remind you that, indirectly, the witches' information they gave you was contingent upon your group accepting the halfling as part of your quest. Try not to look at it like picking up a cursed item from a treasure pile; think of it more like stepping in something unpleasant on the road - you can try and get rid of it later. :P

   Sorry Harto, I just couldn't resist!

   Getting in too tired and too late to post. Will catch up tomorrow after work.

   The conversation is looking good, folks! Navarra's player quit their other RoA character, apparently to be able to devote more time to this one. I'll give him/her another day to step into the conversation, then move you out of the witch's vale scene myself tomorrow night...unless someone else does so in their own post.

Ah well Navarra is on vacation for 2 weeks. She's not coming back until around the  the tenth august if my math is correct.

I'm back guys. I hope I haven't missed much:D Starting to read through your posts ASAP and will post a reply after I'm done.

   I had two opposing answers/thoughts to Eirik's question about the alcohol:

- jhuild, being a potent alcoholic beverage, might be the closest think to 'wineshine' that the world has ever seen [though there are varying intensities and proofs of the stuff availbale]. Like any strong alcohol, the higher the proof, the more it burns going down, and the more it burns exposed tissue like cuts, scrapes, and eyes...but probably not just normal applications of it.

- jhuild is a potent wine/spirit that is cultivated in a fantasy realm, grown in a country where the very earth itself is magical. I can totally believe that the properties of the liquid have increased universally, such that while the proof increases toward something akin to gasoline, the acidity of the fruit juices themselves might also increase, perhaps an entire number on the pH scale. Nothing like battery acid, but definitely enough to make the user uncomfortable if rubbed into the skin [think HEAT in a man's jock strap].

   ...use whichever version you prefer, Eirik! :D


   In-game post will come sometime tomorrow, I expect.

Hehe, ok. I think jhuild is strong enough to burn tongue if you plan to try taste it. So when I smear it on Eirik's face he should feel her face burning (and if it goes to eyes, well, agony is tenfold XD).

But Relgar tries none the less test does the jhuild cure Eirik's poor rainbow condittion (if it works, Relgar gives whole damn skin to Eirik but asks 75 golds because jhuild costs that much). Reason for attempt is that he had used jhuild remove tar from his hands.

Also forgot mention that jhuild gives +2 to all Str checks and Str related skill checks for 1 hour after drinking it. But afterwards you get somesort pen for two hours I think (will save I think).

There, a non-committal answer!

Typical barbarian. :)

   Note that although Navarra's post says 'sticking out of the ground', the zombie isn't actually buried, just hidden from the party's previous position behind the boulder. And obviously not animated, because the ram wasn't afraid to munch on some greenery right beside it.

Oh, I pictured it like that. Sorry. I can edit it if you want?

   Well, suggesting in text that it is, or was, buried at all might provoke players' thoughts to the [mistaken] belief that it was buried by someone who isn't here, or that it crawled back and tried to bury itself, for whatever reason.

   This is not to say that *something* odd isn't going on, and perhaps there was indeed someone else involved in the reanimation of this particular zombie, or maybe it was just a slow regenerator. Maybe the other one is sitting on top of the boulder ready to pounce upon you as I type this! Hehe

Oh, God...this is an omen. Next time, I won't post first:D

   THE BODY IS NOT BURIED!  Lol!!!  Now do you see why I specifically posted that ooc comment about the body?

   Vicril finds nothing with his spot check, least of all the information about the body not being buried. :P

Ah sorry. I read this post and then to check as I almost always do I saw that it said buried. What I was really to say was drag the body over. The spot was to see if I saw any animal or human tracks. Maybe a search would have been better.

I knew I should have edited it:D

Ah, too many big cat wildlife documentaries. :)

No worries, if have damn freaking undead radar in my head which works so long zombie doesnt plan jump over 60'ft above us......

Ah well in my defense There has been documented several cases where some animals have dragged thye corpse a very long distance. Of course the body got dragged two times. Once by a pack of wolfs, but that was not far. Then a bear came and dragged it far away. So it's possible.

Just got back from my first day of work (after lacrosse training) and I don't have enough time to even sleep before I'm off again tomorrow. I have to be away on a course straight after work tomorrow and I'm also away all weekend. Apologies if I won't be able to post much, we get laptops tomorrow but the firewall is pretty restrictive so not sure if I can post. Sorry all, Harto will be back and cheering your days before long :)

   Well, I thought Harto's character would have some specific questions, but he didn't ask any, and I'm not going to NPC him to do it myself. Maybe Navarra has something to add, maybe not.

   Wrap up the funeral pyre whenever you're ready, and someone post your movement toward the lake-towns again.

   A very interesting dynamic change, Vicril! :)

   I'm sure she is now totally confused by you; you used to argue, now you're pulling her close and whispering sweet nothings in her ear! Heh...if you're lucky, she'll only turn you into a toad...which for a druid, is probably considered a gift! :P

Hey got to make it look real. Why else would a man ask a woman for a word private if not to do that. It's not like if he let's say kissed her. or told her a few secrets.

Well we all got to do our dutys. It's just that some are better then others. Like he does now.

Nah, if he's a toad, Eirik wouldn't want to kick his ass:D
This message was last edited by the player at 18:08, Mon 03 Sept 2007.

I almost expected Eirik to charge and kill me:P

I first thought maybe breaking into linedance first, but then decided that acting like a pair of lovers are better. Who knows. Maybe it will work.

   This is the kind of dialogue I like to see! Whee!

   Eh...just no beating each other up, yet. :P


   To anyone who has had their character move more than 30' total during these conversations [like Eirik walking back and forth with the packs, or Harto moving across the camp and behind the tree and onto the log, etc] go ahead and make both a spot and a listen check. Totally a judgement call, so if everyone does it I won't be surprised or disappointed.

[Private to Navarra; Vicril Shipsail: since the two of you have some idea what to look for or expect, add +2 to your spot rolls after the roll (but not as a modifier in the dicebot itself).]

Too late:D

Get the druid! Before he learns wildshape!

[Private to DM Lobo: Nah, not trying to kill him. Eirik suspects something's up, given Navarra's warnings. I'll do non-lethal, which my experience, never actually hits anybody anyway.]