Tonight there are many caravans in town and the day was busy with merchants and traders exchanging wares and hauling cargo to and from the Outer Ring.  In all, it was a prosperous day.  Work was had for anyone willing to put their back into it and a day’s wages would pay for a meal and drink tonight.

The Hearth Room of the Caravansary Tavern is full.  The tables, mostly large affairs of a sturdy construction designed for six large patrons each, are crowded with peoples from all over:  turbaned men from the South, fur-clad barbarians from the North, colorfully robed Easterners, Westerners in doublets and capes, even a table of dwarves from the mountain mines.  Mixed in are the doughty men of Karfan, a mongrel of the blood of all men – and even orcs - who pass through these crossroads.  You are among them!

---

It is early autumn, the first week of the tenth month.  Outside it is cool already, though it doesn't really start to get cold until the middle of next month.  The only women in the place are the staff of the tavern and a couple of prostitutes with their clients, enjoying some drinks before finding a tent for their business.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:48, Tue 06 July 2021.

The door to the Caravansary Tavern swung open, and large, muscular man stepped him. His gaze was piercing, his muscles rippled. A massive blade hung across his back, and his long mane of golden hair rustled in the autumn wind.

As everyone turned to stare, a small, dirty guy with heavy five o'clock shadow wearing dirty black monks robes slipped in unnoticed behind him.

Certainly the big man-mountain was destined to be the hero of a mighty saga, but for reasons I cannot explain, we will follow the little mouse of a man as he struggles to find a table where he can sit to find dinner.

The man has the look of someone not all there. He wears a vest over his robes made of colorful but tattered bird feathers. At his hip he wears a heavy footman's mace with a head of bronze. Around his neck, a wooden totem carved like a monkey with a laughing face. To all appearances it seems to be laughing at the man wearing it.

Finding an empty chair against the wall furthest from the fire, the man looks sadly at the flames across the crowded room, removes his backpack and takes a seat. He raises a hand in the direction of the serving girl, in the hopes of ordering something cheap but filling for his evening meal.

The well manicured warrior entered without thorough fare. Of average height and build, his eyes scanned for a place to seat. The look of apprehension clear on the young man's face. So far from what I expected of myself. He thought to himself. The door closed behind him as the wind blew it shut and the man made his way to a seat near the barkeep. His eyes didn't stay long on the prostitutes as he needn't have the extra coin for a dalliance.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 00:58, Thu 08 July 2021.

Zudaan entered, having just left the stables after seeing to the proper care of his mounts, his boy opening the door for him then falling in behind him wordlessly. Upon Zudaan's gauntleted left hand was a hawk,  one of the pair he kept, the other either left with the horses or perhaps out hunting. He glanced at the men in turbans, the colors and styles revealing their homelands just as his headwear would tell them he was from Adiz, and his silk robes and ornate silver and lapis dagger would reveal his social class, as would the hawk and even the silver training whistle, itself in the shape of a hawk, on a lanyard about his neck.

Glancing about the tavern he spots an open seat with a couple familiar faces, and handing the hooded hawk and the glove it was perching upon to his boy he made his way to the table.

Kurin, weary from the road and covered in dust and muck, entered and looked about. He was short for a man but tall for one of elfin blood with dark hair and eyes that gave him a brooding look. Kurin was lean and fit looking, sporting leather armor under his travel cloak. He wasn't exactly sure what had drawn him here but sensed that something was amiss and, in the tradition of his fathers, he was going to find out what it was and do something about it.

The spirit of the place cheered him somewhat and he relaxed marginally, a smile even threatening. Casting about, he sought out a chair along the wall so that he could slake his hunger and thirst in relative peace.

The four of you - Kurin, Zudaan, Nivor and Oxsidi - find yourselves sharing part of a long table with two quiet Eastern merchants wearing colorful robes and sporting long, wispy mustaches.  There is a haze of smoke from the hearth and from the quartet of turbaned merchants in a corner smoking from a hookah.  The serving wenches are very busy, taking orders and dropping off drinks, bread or shanks of meat at the various tables, the younger ones dodging groping hands as the hurry about, the older ones slapping the groping hands in admonishment.  The master stands behind the Board pouring drinks and conversing with some locals.

It is late, after a meal that may have been satisfying, and you are working on your after meal stein/goblet/mug that the door opens and closes quickly admitting a woman mostly wrapped in a dark green traveling cloak, and despite that, it is obvious that she is a rare beauty surpassing any rivals in the establishment.  She has brown hair, apparently long and bundled into the hood of the cloak, dark eyes and either paint or tattoos of blue on her cheeks and above her eyes.  She has a gold band around her head, ear rings and bracelets, and carries a walking staff that is unadorned.

Her appearance definitely catches the eyes of some of the caravan guards, and three stand from a table near the hearth and move towards her, leering and looking at her hungrily.  For her part, she looks past them at your table, making eye contact with Zudaan...

Licking his plate clean, and wishing for more, Oxsidi absentmindedly notices the woman who enters the establishment. He seems confused by her appearance there, but not unduly concerned.

Zudaan stands when he sees the woman fix her gaze on him, and with a smile and a wave of his hand motions her toward his table, not only intrigued by her beauty but also curious as to why a woman such as her would be traveling with no guards or male family members to protect her. His expression remains impassive as he notices the boorish guards, and although his first impulse is to intervene, his curiosity gives him pause so that he can see how the woman handles the boorish guards.

Kurin watched with interest, not being local, he had no idea what the customs might be nor the laws. He glanced at Zudaan, obviously native to the area, and waited to pick up a clue from him. Nothing here seemed to threaten balance and, though his family teachings spurred him to action, he waited to see what would happen.

ooc: Sorry! Kurin seems the sort that wouldn't get involved, so I was waiting to see how it unfolded before acting.

"Hey look, a new one!" One of the men says as the three block the woman's path.  A second one looks to where she is looking and frowns when he sees Zudaan standing and watching.

"Sit down, fop!  This one is ours," he says calling to Zudaan.

The third tries to grab her by the arm, saying, "come on, darlin', let's see what you've got under there."  She shakes her arm free, in the process making it clear that she is wearing very little under the cloak, which only encourages the men some more.

As they move in her expression goes from annoyed to alarmed, and she starts backing away from them...

Absent mindly, Oxsidi straps his shield on to his arm, and rises to his feet. The shield is bronze, and the face has the form of a large daisy on it.

Pulling out his bronze-headed mace, he gives it a test swing or two. The head of his mace resembles a paid of dice in mid-throw, and shines dully in the light of the tavern.

While he wears a monks robe, and a vest of brightly colored feathers, anyone who glances in his direction can see he is wearing heavy armor underneath it.

He then looks around, as if a little surprised to see he is standing up. He doesn't sit back down however, instead waiting to see what happens next.

The entire time, he says nothing.

Zudaan picks the strongest looking of the three and starts softly chanting and gesturing toward him for a handful of heartbeats, then says "Friend,  I would consider it a personal favor if you would protect that girl from any harm or abuse." .


OOC: casting Charm Person on which of the three looks biggest and dumbest

Kurin rose to his feet. Balance was one thing, a very public rape another! He felt the blood of his ancestors rise in his heart and knew he had to help the woman. He was a bit surprised that the man next to  him was employing magic! He smiled as he slowly slid his scimitar half-way, about to advance after whatever the magic was that the man sent towards the rapists did its work.

A strange expression comes over the largest of the caravan guards and when his companions look at him to see what was happening the woman takes the opportunity to pull away from the man trying to grab her arm and she punches him in the face.  Unfortunately, she is clearly not accustomed to bar room brawls, and loses her balance with the swing.  The second man catches her and grabs her in a bear hug pinning her arms.

The charmed brute smiles with a certain realization and says to Zudaan, "oh, hey friend!  You want first turn with her, aye!"  Meanwhile the punched man rubs his jaw and draws a dagger.

The rest of the clientele, the wenches and even the two bouncers, stand back for now to watch, the lines having been drawn between the three of you and the three of them.

---

For Round 2 you guys can keep the initiative.  #1 is the charmed brute, #2 is the man holding her, and #3 is the man with the dagger.  Will not count Nivor unless he returns.

A rapist willing to declare his intent in an open bar was something outside of Oxsidi's ken, such cowards usually took their 'pleasure' in a dark alley. He wondered if the man was insane.

He maneuvers out from behind the table, and takes the right flank, keeping his shield between himself and the ruffians.

Kurin took a clumsy swing at the man with the dagger. He missed but then again, unlike his siblings, he wasn't the 'charge in and cleave the bad guy in half' sort. His gifts lay elsewhere but few of them were any use in a tavern!

11:16, Today: Kurin Jeth rolled 10 using 1d20.

Zudaan reaches into his pouch and pulls out 10 gold coins, holding them up, and says loudly "10 gold to the man who beats the one with the knife so thouroghly that his own mother would not know him."

There is dead silence when Zudaan makes his offer, the only sound hears were the struggles of the woman against her captor.  The man with the dagger, who moments before was menacing her and had turned confidently to strike out at Kurin now looked far less confident, his eyes darting around the common room.  Even his erstwhile companions are now eyeing him with a rapacious expression.  He makes a run for it and there is quite a commotion as half the tavern jumps at him.

Meanwhile, the large charmed man crosses his arms and gives the man holding the woman a deathly glare.  That man smiles nervously and pushes her towards him.  "Of course, you first," he says handing her off to the large man, and then turning to slink off into the night.  Holding her firmly by the upper arm, he turns to Zudaan, Kurin and Oxsidi.

---

The dagger-wielder is going to get beat to a pulp, the Master of the Tavern will 'adjudicate' who gets the reward.  We can drop out of rounds at this point, Zudaan can remove the 10 gp.  What next?

Oxsidi slides his mace back into the leather loop in which he keeps it, then removes the shield, calming as if nothing had happened. He returns to his seat and takes another sip of his drink, waiting for the others to take their seats as well.

Kurin looked towards Zudaan, waiting on him to act. He smiled. Such a thing would not occur to him normally, being from a belligerent family, he would remember that a bit of coin, a dash of gile and a bit of misdirection were handy tools as well as the blade.

Zudaan's lips curl ever so slightly in a hint of a smile but quickly turn dispassionate again. He gives a small bow to the others who rose to protect the woman, then he addresses the charmed guard as he makes room next to himself for the woman to sit. "Bring her over and sit her here," he tells the man, pointing to the seat next to him "Then you sit there while I conduct my business." he adds, pointing to another spot at the end of the table within his sight but out of whisper distance, wanting to retain the use of the charmed man for a time.

Once the woman is placed in the seat next to him he sits and calls one of the older servers over and hands her 10 gold, then 5 more. "give the prize money of ten to your owner to disperse, the other is for the table. Wine and something refined to eat if you have it for myself and the lady, mead, bread and meat for the table and a plate and cup for my serving boy, when four of the five gold is used, inform me. And don't get so far away that I have to look for you if I need something else."

He then dismisses the server and turns to the woman next to him with a wide smile.

"Welcome to my table, little flower. I am Zudaan. It seems you know how to get the attention of men, myself included,  for better or worse. It is now time for you to introduce yourself."

The big man drags the woman, still struggling, to the table and roughly plops her down on the bench against the wall.  He then nods to Zudaan with a lascivious grin and sits down at the end of the table.  While Zudaan is talking to the serving woman the mystery woman composes herself, looking angrily at the big man, and pulling her cloak tighter around herself.

The serving woman takes the coins with a huff, biting more than one to be sure of their authenticity, before moving on.



"You're an arrogant one," she replies with derision.  "I came here looking for potential partners in a venture, men of different talents.  You," she indicates the three of you; "look to have the necessary skills.  My name is Thalia," she says, introducing herself at the end.

"Kurin (CUR-inn), the half-elf said in measured tones. "What sort of talents do you mean, praytell."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:34, Thu 05 Aug 2021.

Putting his drink down, Oxsidi glaces about as if suddenly aware of his surroundings.

"I don't know these folk," he says, implying everyone else at the table, "but when adventure comes looking for me, I like to tag along. Thalia, was it? My name is..."

He pauses for a second, searching his memory.

"...Oxsidi, that's right. Oxsidi."

He rolls the name around in his head, as if trying it on for size.

Zudaan laughs. "I was wondering if the the three men accosting you at the door was a show meant to draw out those of the nature to rescue a woman from trouble of her own making. Did I overestimate your guile?" he then sighs. "Since you are here sharing a table with the men who broke up your last... partnership attempt, why don't you tell us more. What is it that you need us to do? Seek revenge for a past wrong? Rescue a kidnapped loved one? Free your land from an oppressive overlord? Kill a dragon that has ravaged your farm perhaps?"

Thalia looks at Zudaan with an unreadable, if cold, expression.  "I under-estimated how starved for real women these caravaners can get," she says, by the admission confirming that the assault was not planned.

"South of here, among the badlands, there is an ancient tomb, the final resting place of one of the wizard-priests of Phundail.  I know where it is, but I need someone good with traps and trickery, men who can fight, and a wizard for the arcane obstacles," she whispers leaning in close so that she is not overheard at the other tables.  "I prefer to keep the numbers small, fewer shares in the treasures, hence three or four men aside from myself," she adds, looking around surreptitiously to see if anyone is listening.  The uproar surrounding the beating dagger-wielder is taking masks much of the conversation, however, from prying ears.

---

Zudaan has heard of mythical, ancient Phundail; a land said to have been ruled by wizard priests of The Old Ones.  Evil and malicious, mad worshipers of unearthly and inhuman creatures.

"Huh, sounds like you have no need for me then, as I am a holy man of sorts. Shame, sounded fun."

Despite the fact that he wasn't needed, he would dig in to the food Zudaan had ordered when it arrived.

"I would, perhaps, be of use while navigating the wilds on the journey and am a fair hand with a blade." He regarded the lovely woman and asked levelly, "How did you come across this information? What lurks in the tomb to stop us?"

Turning to Oxsidi with a new expression, Thalia says, "you are a 'holy man?' Of a martial order, perhaps?" she looks down at the mace, then turns her eyes back to his face.  "Double the use, then.  Did they teach you healing arts?  Exorcism?  I'm afraid both will be useful on this venture.  Interested?" she says with raised eyebrows.

---

Was waiting for Zudaan to reply, but this is an open conversation. 

"I can marry folks, if that is what you mean, and do a little healing. I exercise when I can."

He puts a slice of ham and cheese on a cracker, and pops it into his mouth.

His reply is a bit muffled by the food, but he nods his head in the affirmative.

"Sure... (swallows)" licks his fingers and takes another swig of ale.

"My names Oxsidi," he says, having already forgotten he had introduced himself. "That guy had some mighty useful sounding questions though," he said, gesturing towards Kurin. "Why don't you tell us what you know, so we can prepare good, and stuff?"

"If this is indeed a tomb of a wizard-priest of Phundail" Zudaan remarks, clearly dubious by his tone "There is the strong possibility of undead present, so a priest might be useful. We are talking about men whose knowledge of hidden arcane secrets was so great they were considered insane by others. While such a tomb might have mundane treasures the real rarity is that knowledge, even a fraction of it is such that it would draw many. Some to recover it, others to ensure it remains buried."

"Indeed," Thalia says agreeing with Zudaan.  "The tomb is three days ride from here, South.  I will not reveal any more in this place.  Once we are agreed to go in this together and we are safely away I can guide you to the place and we can reap the rewards together," she says clearly smart enough to know that revealing too much could mean competition for the treasure that awaits.  (Or for that matter, the possibility that you three go without her...)

Looking toward Oxsdi, Kurin said, "I got nothing better to do. You?"

At the question Oxsidi could be seen furrowing his brow, and sinking in to deep though. After a minute he shook his head in the negative.

"Nope, nothing better to do, except maybe a little shopping first. Holy water might be useful."

" 'Holy water'? Do you know something of these tombs, Oxsidi? I have never heard of this man or his legacy."

"Nor I, but I was taught that water that had been blessed could aid in fighting the undead Zudaan thinks we might encounter."

The thought of undead caused a shudder to run thru Oxsidi's body. He took another sip of ale.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:36, Mon 09 Aug 2021.

"Any sealed ancient tomb is likely to contain undead, as anything living would have likely perished eons ago. then he says "My friends,  let me speak of the wizard-priests of Phundail. Long ago a group of men discovered beings, gods if you will, but unlike the gods we know, for our gods are like us and we like them, we share their form and visiage, their emotions, and we can see ourselves in them. Not so for these gods. They were from beyond the realm of reason where chaos reigns,  where the laws of nature do not apply. Their forms  are said to be hideous to behold, the things of nightmares. Their thoughts and desires unfathomable by the human mind, and their lives exists outside the bounds of creation and destruction, where as we lay between the two. So these powers, seeking to return the world of men back to the primordial chaos, got these men to worship them with promises of great power, and they taught the men forbidden knowledge, powerful secrets that the human mind is not meant to hold, and so they twisted them, hopeing they would open the gates between their realm and ours. Needless to say, these men failed to manifest their gods here, else we would be no more, they became so twisted, depraved and mad that they slew each other,  descended into unrecoverable madness and isolation or were overthrown, so it is said." he takes a so of wine then says "I'm in, of this is truly one of the wizard-priest of Phundais tombs imagine what secrets lay within."

Kurin repressed a shudder of revulsion. "Should not such things remain buried?" he asked. "While chaos has its uses in the larger scheme of things, inviting chaos would be most unwise."

"I must agree with Kurin,"  Oxsidi adds. Goosebumps have risen on his flesh from Zudaan's eerie tale. "What treasure would be worth risking opening our world up to destruction. Where would we spend it?"

Kurin smiled, "Oh, I suspect we would find somewhere to spend the coin and doubt we'd destroy the world but on balance," he became more somber, "if undertaking such a quest, we must remain vigilant that the Balance is not harmed. Who knows?" he concluded sipping his wine, "there may be an opportunity to right some past wrong or destroy something that would damage harmony and life in the future."

Head spinning at Kurin's swift and bizarre change of mind, at one moment wanting to keep chaos locked up, and the next willing to risk it for enough profit, Oxsidi blinks rappidly, and tips his head at an angle, as if hoping to see the world straighter.

"Zudaan just spoke of evil knowledge not meant for the mind of mortal man, if this involves something like that, I will opt out. Sorry."

He drank deep of his ale, and ordered another.

"Well, your loss then," Thalia says in response to Oxsidi.  "For you two then, I will depart at first light from the South gate as the farmers head to the fields.  If you want to join me on this venture meet me there,"  she says concluding her pitch.  She will pause to answer any final questions and then wrap herself in her cloak and depart swiftly.

Seeing as she actually gave them almost no information, and things sounded way to dangerous for him anyway, he certainly didn't feel like it was his loss. If anything, it might be to his advantage, as he did enjoy living.

"Best of luck you guys, if you wanna follow that crazy lady into the unknown." he says, after she leaves.

OOC Guess this is where we part ways, best of luck everyone. It was nice getting to meet you.

Kurin, having not taken a stand either way but was in the process of weighing the merits of said venture, found Oxsidi's withdrawal disappointing. He said, "Fare thee well, then. Perhaps we'll meet some other day on some other adventure." He returned to his drink, waiting to see what Zudaan or the woman would say next.

"It is doubtful the tomb is what she claims it is, undiscovered for so long?" he says, shaking his head with doubt. "Yet it could be so, the sands are fickle and can bury a city and then uncover it after many lifetimes. Consider this though, man of faith, perhaps the old gods unburied it seeking to once again threaten our world, and your gods put you here, in this place and time, to stop their plans?" he smiles.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:51, Thu 12 Aug 2021.

As dawn breaks in the Eastern sky, coloring the clouds and sky in bright earth tones of orange, yellow and red, the new companions meet at the South Gate.  The Kadun's soldiers opened the gate with first light and the workers - farmers and miners - are heading out.  Thalia is waiting just outside the gate mounted on a black mare with black saddle and bridle.  The only color is some green of a saddle blanket peeking uot.  Thalia herself is wearing her traveling cloak, and beneath that a white divided skirt from her bronze girdle and spiral bronze cups over her breasts secured with thongs around her neck and chest.

---

Her clothes is very Deja Thoris in design.

Loitering nearby is a tall, blonde and obviously female figure silhouetted with her back to the rising sun. Saefrith has made little concession to the southern heat save a bulging waterskin and a lightweight white cloak of local manufacture, with the hood pulled up beneath her helm and single thick braid falling from one shoulder to her mailed chest. Her blue eyes are keeping a wary watch between the bustling crowd of working men and her charge and employer, with a two handed axe across one shoulder, her offhand holding the reigns of a dark brown horse. From the accrouments of her mount, weapons of choice and especially her complexion the fighting woman is clearly a northern barbarian, uncommon but not unknown amongst the mercenaries in this part of the world and rumoured to worship evil gods.

Saefriths otherwise icy composure cracks somewhat as she intermittently fidgets in the heat. With a look cast to Thalia she finds herself coming to understand the womans' choice of attire, but keeps her thoughts to herself.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:16, Mon 16 Aug 2021.

Zudaan, who had left the tavern soon after Thalia the night before shows up, riding his black stallion, one of his hawks on his wrist, the other on his boys hand, the boy leading a pack mule. Also with him is the guard from last night, astride another mule.

He looks at Thalia with a smile, taking in her garb. "Still testing the wills of the local men I see." he says to her.

Saefrith releases the reigns of her mare, which obediently remains in place as Zuldan's party approaches. The northern woman strides to within a few steps of Thalia and slightly ahead of her, axe still resting over her shoulder with the fearsome head and rings of her mail both catching the orange dawn light. While her posture isn't hostile, her eyes are bright and alert.

Helmed head tilted, Saefrith scans Zuldan quickly, with a single eyebrow briefly raised in apprehension. From his neat appearance, silk clothing, books that must be ledgers, and single ornate dagger she takes him to be a spice merchant or such like and takes a moment to wonder why he's here at all. Her gaze quickly shifts to the enthralled guard, sizing him up as the potential real threat, unsure if she recalls his face from the caravansary tavern or other merchant teams, and particularly if he was among the more boorish and troublemaking clientele. She overlooks the boy entirely, opting to let her watch divide between the warriors weapon hand and the thronging crowd behind unless addressed.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:24, Fri 24 Sept 2021.

"Indeed, Zudaan, though I do not intend to tarry here any longer," Thalia says in response to the mage.  "I see you kept the boor from last night.  You have a strange taste in pets," she adds glancing and then dismissing Alperen.  For his part Alperen snorts in derision, though he casts the occasional hungry look at Thalia.  "This is Saefrith, a warrior of the North, who I also recruited to our venture.  I had a sense last night that the others had no stomach for it," she introduces Saefrith.

After Saefrith and Zudaan exchange greetings, Thalia will say "let us begin before the day gets too hot." and she will then urge her horse South along the road at a comfortable pace.

---

Which remind me that Alperen does not have a mount.

Saefrith diverts her attention to the man she'd dismissed as a merchant when Thalia addresses him directly, inclining her blonde head to him in recognition before a wary eye returns to Alperen.

"Well met" she offers simply, with a friendly tone, feeling her employer has said all that needs to be known for now. She's happy to take any position in the group after climbing astride her dark mare but by her own preference would fall in at the rear of the party to keep up her vigilant overwatch.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:26, Fri 24 Sept 2021.

Zudaan looks the barbarian woman over with an appraising, unsubtle examination. "I am Zudaan of Adiz, you are a striking flaxen haired barbarian woman! A true rarity in my lands. Perhaps you should come to Adiz with me when we are done. You could join any Harem in the town and have a life of opulence and leisure that all would envy."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:30, Fri 20 Aug 2021.

"I am sure in your land that is a high compliment,  Zudaan of Adiz." Saefrith notes, a flicker of disdain giving way to a gregarious smile and tone when the mage's eyes find their way to her own. She turns away, striding to her mount to reach up and drop the haft of her long axe through the loops that keep it tight to the saddle.

"Not to mention a life even less likely to provide for my twilight years than that of axe and shield. Why not accompany me to my home? A close shave and we would find some warrior or another willing to take you to warm his furs, I am sure." The warrior woman casts a grin back over her shoulder, taking her turn to appraise him for any provocation before hoisting herself into the saddle.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:39, Fri 20 Aug 2021.

"Surely even a barbarian can recognize the dichotomy between perfumed silk in a temperate land where the desert kisses the ocean, and sweat stained hides in the bleak desolation of ice pummeled rock?" Zuldaan laughs "If you ever visit my land you would not wish to raise your children anywhere else, if you cared for them. Come, let us see where fate takes us then." he continues,  motioning to the open land.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:00, Fri 20 Aug 2021.

The company moves South with Thalia in the lead, passing the miners on their slow march to work, and following the Spice Road away from Karfan.  The terrain is hilly and rocky, with scraggly brush here and there and the occasional Joshua or Acacia type tree providing some meager shade.  Within an hour the city and the plateau upon which it sits are out of sight.  Alperen is in a foul mood by that point, muttering to himself as the mule plods along, and looking askance at the women, but Thalia in particular, as the company progresses.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:55, Thu 26 Aug 2021.

Saefrith, at the back of the group, finds her attention drawn from watching the groups of workers to intermittent scans of the horizon and checks over her cloaked shoulders to ensure there are no unexpected followers. She's happy enough with Zudaan and wouldn't at all be surprised to find him riding alongside Thalia to regale her with flattery and keep an eye on her employer, in one fashion or another.

More troubling is the other warrior's grumbling. With her helmed head tilted and long braid tugged by the wind, she spurs her mare to trot up alongside him, offering careful encouragement in a noble tone.

"What troubles you my friend?" she asks.

"If you are unused to the travel, worry not. I will be happy to take your watch when we make camp so you may dedicate to rest, and when this trip is through I am sure your share will be more than enough to acquire something more pleasing to ride in our future endeavours, hmm?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:46, Thu 26 Aug 2021.

"I am quite used to travel under harsh conditions," Alperen growls.  "And taking a watch in the evening has always been part of my duties, I am a mercenary but mostly work the silk road caravans," he says straightening up in his saddle.  He pauses as he speaks, as though he is thinking or leaving out some words he wishes to say, but thinks better of it.  As the party is riding along what appeared at first to be a mottled boulder on the side of the road suddenly comes to life revealing a toad of immense proportions.  The toad makes a loud croaking sound and moves to attack...

---

The toad has a 2 inititive, there is a good chance you guys have the initiative.  Going with Party Initiative, first person to read this and roll, that's it.  If  you have higher than 2 go ahead and post your action.  This will be Round 1.

08:09, Today: Saefrith rolled 3 using 1d6.  Initiative!

"Good man! I will pry no further the-" Saefrith cuts herself at off with a curse in her northern mother tongue at the creature unfurling, and another for distracting herself.

"We have need of such a warrior, then!" She laughs to Alperen, followed by a warning cry to Thalia and Zuudan. She rises in her saddle to dismount, battle axe rising with her in one smooth, practiced motion and her boots kick up dust as she hits the ground and breaks into a sprint towards the monster, axe raised above her head!

Zudaan's desert courser kept a measured gait as he rode, it's nostrils narrowed to protect against blowing sand even as Zudaan's  headscarf protected him, wrapped about his face with only his eyes showing. One of his hawks, the unhooded one rode with him, perched on his saddle front. It occasionally took to the air to fly a high, wide circle about the troupe, then landed again as if keeping a watch. Zudaan's own eyes proved quite good, as he could spot features in the distance and remark upon them prior to others seeing them well, if at all.

He often rode beside Thalia, speaking with her,  inquiring as to her tattoos and upbringing, and probate warning her to be wary of his guard.

He said to Alperen "Be of good cheer, my friend, we head toward treasure enough for you to call yourself prince when we return! You can buy your own caravan and fill it with exotic women!"

When the desert toad shows itself he moves away, looking about in case there be more, ordering Alperen "Take your spear to it, quickly!"

The toad leaped at Alperen, but the caravan guard avoided the monstrous creature as he dismounted.  Unfortunately his counterstroke went wide and he in turn missed with a slash of his scimitar.  Saefrith also missed with her strike as the beast readied to attack again.

---

Sorry, I totally spaced most and thought I was waiting for someone to post.  I’ll roll the dice for the toad later, bit of a pain on the iPad.  Please declare actions and roll to hit, we’ll keep the initiative order.  Thalia is hanging back and observing.

Saefrith turns on her heel, skidding and kicking up another small cloud of sand as she about faces towards the creature leaping out of her reach. With no loss of enthusiasm she raises her axe for another charge and another lilting northern warcry, putting herself between the beast and Thalia's position for another swing!

---

To hit! Saefrith rolled 18 using 1d20+1

Damage if I hit! Saefrith rolled 10 using 1d8+2.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:46, Fri 10 Sept 2021.

Gathering itself the creature leaps again at Alperen, this time managing a bite.  He yells in pain and rage and and slashes at it, cutting its hide with his scimitar.  The Saefrith finishes it off with a mighty blow, the toad falling limp after one last croak.

"Filthy creature," Thalia comments when it is dead.  "Thank you, Saefrith; that was most impressive."

---

It hit Alperen hurting him pretty bad.  However, it only had 13 HP so it's dead.

18:07, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 5 using 2d4.  Toad Damage.
18:07, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 17 using 1d20.  Toad To Hit.
18:08, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 14 using 1d20.  Alperen To Hit.
18:10, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 3 using 1d8.  Alperen Damage.

60 XP for Saefrith..

Zudaan hops down and examines Alperen's wound, binding it as best he can. "Well fought! Let's hope this is not the poison variety." he says,  turning to his boy. "Naimir, cut some of the leg meat for roasting tonight."

Zudaan then searches around to see if the toad left anything of value in the area.

Saefrith lets out a shout of satisfied exertion as the broad axe blade buries itself deep into the thick hide and the creature collapses. Anyone with a critical eye might note that she does not immediately check over her shoulders for other threats as a truly experienced warrior might, but triumphantly turns away with a laugh and both hands raised before turning back and finding she'd buried the axe so deep it needs the leverage of her boot on the corpse to pry it back and forth and, eventuslly, free. She nods her thanks to Thalia for the complement, and only then seems to notice the wound Alperen has taken and Zudaan lending aid.

The northern lady hovers nearby, intermittently maintaining a look out but mostly with her helmed head tilted as she watches the hasty work.

"I had taken you for a merchant, friend. Are you skilled in the healing arts?" Saefrith asks with an earnest curiosity and a presumptive respect that flickers to concern for the fighter as another thought comes to her mind.

"Will it fester?" She adds, sticking near Zudaan while he searches the area, then returning to her own saddle.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:34, Fri 24 Sept 2021.

The boy, Naimir, proceeds to do as he was told, though there is obvious distaste in his expression as he draws a knife and goes about it.

"Let us hope indeed," Alperen says sourly, but he stays still for the binding and takes the pain well.

From the saddle Thalia waits patiently, occasionally standing in the stirrups to look ahead, an action that Alperen does not miss.  "If he can continue traveling today we can camp tonight within half a day of the badlands.  From there the going will be slower," she says, looking once to the sky to gauge how much daylight remains.

"I am no healer, but I do what I can. " Zudaan replies to Saefrith while doing the bar he can to tie the guards clothes to staunch and cover the wound. "he will be fine with a little rest."

When Thalia mentions moving on he nods in agreement. "Let us continue then."

"I can travel," Alperen says gruffly.  He mounts up on his mule with a grunt of pain and then acknowledges that he is ready to proceed.  Thalia watches with one eyebrow raised, whether fascination or skepticism is unclear, and then spurs her horse forward when he is ready.

The rest of the afternoon's travel is largely uneventful.  One stop for a quick meal, and then the company pushes on.  As the sun is beginning to set the ground is already becoming more varied.  The terrain undulates as if it were waves or dunes were, though the ground is quite rocky and hard.  Thalia leads the way around the hillocks, staying in the low ground until the sun sets.  By that point the hillocks are taller than a mounted man, and she goes up one that has some large boulders scattered on top.

"What do you say, a good place to camp?" she asks.  Pointing South she adds, "the badlands are that way, less than a league.  The road will be sheltered and very much like a maze in there.  I prefer to have the light of day to navigate."

"In my homeland we would camp beneath the tall pines, to hide the smoke of our fires" Saefrith offers, brow furrowed. From her tone she is willing to defer the expertise of the others in this country. "As we cannot do that here and may be seen anyway, we may as well camp ourselves on this high ground, no?"

Saefrith pulls the hood back from her helm as the day grows long and the air cools. The bright steel catches the red dusk light and her pale eyes squint out first to the badlands through the spectacled guard, then with quick and wary glances to the men of the party. She brings herself alongside Thalia for a quick and quiet word.

"No point troubling ourselves with tents here I think, but be sure to keep each other near, yes? I will take watch with the warrior."

She peels away with that, clearing her throat to address the group. "Alperen and I should take first and last watch, if we are attacked it will most likely be the twilight. Zudaan, you and our employer should find the darker hours more peaceful, yes? How best to use your boy?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Mon 20 Sept 2021.

"Yes, the dark of night is best for me," Thalia says with a smile.  She dismounts, secures the horse to a pathetic bramble of a bush, and then unpacks some rations and a water skin from a saddle bag.  She sits on the ground with her legs together, and proceeds to eat her light meal alternating her attention between the others and the sun setting behind the mountains to the West.

---

For each watch roll 1d8 please.

Saefrith is perturbed by Thalias comment, already suspecting there's more to Zudaan than meets the eye she finds herself wondering the same of her employer. The warrior shrugs the thought off, hammering a tent stake into the ground with the flat of a hand axe to secure her own mare. She busies herself scooping a small firepit with the handle of the same, filling it with quickly gathered sticks and branches and taking a spark to it. When the kindling takes she entrusts it to the others, hiking up to a high point nearby and settling into her first few hours of watch after waving Alperen over to join her. She is partially keeping on eye on him, not just the area around.

08:27, Today: Saefrith rolled 2 using 1d8. Dawn watch.

08:27, Today: Saefrith rolled 1 using 1d8.  Dusk watch.

Brilliant!

This message was last edited by the player at 08:02, Fri 24 Sept 2021.

At dusk as the group is bedding down and Saefrith stands watch the sound of metallic tinkling is heard coming up from the South.  It is soon accompanied by a murmuring sound.  Saefrith from her vantage on the hill sees a group of men, somewhat camouflaged by their dark grey robes in the waning light, hoods pulled up and marching in a file.  The one in front carries a staff with metal rings at the top that jingle as he walks, and they are chanting in unison as they march.  There are ten of them, moving along the road up from the badlands heading North.

Saefrith watches from high, though careful not to silhouette herself clearly against the setting sky. While she assumes these men to be pilgrims or other holy men of some order unknown to her Northern sensibilities they could be worse yet, just as easily witches or other magicians out to kidnap children and such like. Not recognising the symbol of the ringed staff, she nudges Alperen and points it out from the gloom.

"Do you know that symbol, friend?" she asks of him, quietly.

Alperen spits when he looks down on the pilgrims.  "Zathaqua, some toad god from the South.  Pilgrims, and worse missionaries, have come up from the south of late," he says with contempt.  Thalia sits up on her bedroll to listen but does not stir any further.  The pilgrims make their way past the hillock where you are camped, making no sign that they are even aware of your presence, and continue on the north road to Karfan.

"I never met godly men of any sort until I came down from my home"   Saefrith offers to the warrior conversationally. "But it is particularly strange to worship creatures such as those vile things we encountered earlier, no?"

The blonde leans on her axe to watch them depart, and then as the sun comes to set finally takes to rest. She's careful to rouse the others and see Alperen bed down before doing so herself, though she's also careful not to make an obvious point of the latter. Finally relieving herself of white cloak, helm and shrugging out of her mail hauberk to rest by the embers of the fire she unfurls a wool blanket of herringbone weave, a distinctive style of her people. Her weapons are not far from reach should see need them, and the seax knife is kept clasped in one hand. The colder nights are much more to her liking than the relentless sun, and she finds herself lightly dozing much quicker than expected.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Mon 04 Oct 2021.

"People will pay worship to anything that brings them power or solace," Thalia says sleepily.  Alperen grunts and shrugs noncommittally, marking the strange woman with a sidelong glance before taking up a position opposite the Northern beauty to keep watch.

The rest of Saefrith's watch is uneventful, and Zudaan wakes her and Alperen for the early watch, confirming nothing untoward occurred whilst they slept.  The dawn breaks with rose and orange across the plains to the East, while below the shadows of the badlands only deepen.

Saefrith relaxes, opening up to conversation as the night grows brighter and the sun breaks. She'd already re-armed and armoured herself on being awoken.

"I take it you are not a godly man, then?" She asks her watch partner out of idle curiosity, and another opportunity to reminisce aloud of the cold home she's beginning to miss. "My people believe it is always an ill thing to invite the attention of those who made the world, do you know this? Our kind are destined to fight them, so that we can finally be free of them and the masters of creation. It is where my people go when we die, if we have proved ourselves worthy, the great battle for heaven."

She's happy to subject him to her wistful chatter, up until it's time to again rouse the rest of their party and break camp, though she insists they eat a quick breakfast to keep spirits high and feed the horses before heading off to the looming badlands
This message was last edited by the player at 00:18, Sun 17 Oct 2021.

"I have seen enough too know there is a vast world I do not understand, but I do not think it wise to attract the attention of such uncaring creatures as 'gods'" Alperen says in response to Seafrith's question.  He broods a bit more for much of the watch, but recovers his ordinarily less foul mood by dawn.

At first light Thalia stretches her supple form in a cat-like, graceful arc before standing to full wakefulness.  A short breakfast, followed by the breaking of camp, and the party is ready to proceed into the badlands.

---

My plan is to introduce the new people in he badlands, travelers who were turned about and are  now lost.

Saefrith is less concerned with putting herself at the rear of the party this time, her mild worry about their potential bad character giving way to what might lie ahead around as they push on and the terrain turns rocky.

"Few creatures seem to make a living here. I wonder about the sort of things that choose to, predators that do not mind competing for a meal. I have been warned of Goblins and Orcs and the like this way also, or so the men of the caravans rarely failed to warn me. Is it true what they say, or were they simply making petty attempts to unsettle me?" The warrior voices, to no one in particular though she keeps herself alongside Thalia to keep a close eye. She has a habit of trying to engage the group in chatter it seems.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:32, Sun 17 Oct 2021.

"Aye, these cursed lands are home to goblins, orcs and worse I hear," Alperen say spitting in a direction away from Saefrith.  "A man can get lost in these mazes for weeks, die when the food and water runs out," he adds with some resentment in his voice as he looks to Thalia's back.

For her part she smiles a crooked smile and says, "a man might, yes."

Leading the way, Thalia rides down into the badlands along the road, the walls of the short mesa tops rising above some thirty feet almost immediately and then up again after a few hundred yards before leveling off at about 50 feet.  Those walls are striated, layered, with almost liquid curves to them; there are very few sharp angles to them, and no straight paths longer than 15 yards.  The party sees, from time to time, a piton hammered into the rock marking something, perhaps the road itself.  But despite those, it is clear that one would have to have traversed this road many times to avoid getting lost.

The passages between are also variable in width, sometimes wide enough for a wagon, sometimes too narrow to ride through, requiring the party to dismount and squeeze the horses through, saddle bags piled on the saddles.  By the mid-day rest, notable as the sun is above and actually shining through to break up the shadows, Aperen, Saefrith, Zudaan and the boy are certain they could not easily find their way back.  Thalia remains confident, however.

---

The main party stops at mid day to rest and eat.  This is a good place for the new-comers to wander into them.

Sin-Nasir halted in his steps, got low to the ground. He wanted to take in these strangers before announcing himself. Accordingly he turned to his comrade and said: "Hold friend, do you see them up ahead?"

He gave it a few moments. "Do you see anything I don't? They seem...capable, and they don't seem the sort to exercise their aggressions on strangers."

The keen eyes of the elf had indeed seen the strangers up ahead, and he nodded in confirmation to his companion, Sin-Nasir. As to aggressions...

"Well that would be a welcome change, after all the humanoids we've come across. Let us find out, but be prepared.

Hail the camp! We come in peace...two wanderers who would seek good company, instead of the edges of humanoid blades!"

Wadefyr walks into open view of the camp, hands held high and empty above his head, weapons sheathed. He indicates with his head for Sin-Nasir to step out and join him.

If Saefrith was out of her element in the arid hills around Karfan, she is doubly lost in this stone maze. The shade is something to be thankful for, and precious little else. The spiderweb of tight corridors are at the same time impossible to secure and impossible to escape from, to her mind ambush and death could await with every narrow passage ahead or circle around to their rear at any moment. There is no order of traverse she finds satisfactory: while inclined to go first that means relinquishing the protective watch she keeps on Thalia, doubly necessary as she's seemingly their only lifeline out of this place, last means sending another into the looming prospect of confrontation with rapacious, monstrous denizens and in the middle is merely the worst of both. She tries to push the thought from her mind, but it seems to her the tight gaps are growing more frequent and more pressing, if she had the words for it she might know it as an increasing sense of claustrophobia.

Her indefatigable facade shows it's first crack as they come to a rest, leaning against the smooth and alien curves of the rock walls around with her axe gripped tightly for comfort. She spends a great many minutes focusing on breathing slowly and deeply, through her nose and out of her mouth, choosing the eyes and ears of the others to be vigilant ahead and behind their passage. Her heart skips at the sound of unfamiliar voices but the adrenaline is the tonic she needs, rising to her feet and locking eyes on...

"An Elf?" she gasps quietly, for those near her. She swallows, wetting her mouth to call out in response as she signals behind with one hand for party nearby to stay close to the wall.

"This is hardly a place for idle wandering!" Saefrith challenges, a wary tone to her clear voice and northern manner. She looks past Wadefyr and the shifty looking human emerging from cover, craning her neck to see if there are any others behind them with no concern for subtlety
This message was last edited by the player at 13:05, Wed 27 Oct 2021.

"Not idle, I should say! Our caravan was attacked, but we survived that attack. We are merely trying to get through this ordeal." He called out his response, trying not to reach for the mace attached to his hip.

He looked back at his comrade and decided to take a chance. He stepped out into the open, hands up. "Would you be comfortable if I put down my arms?" He grimaced across the way at Saefrith.

"If what you say is true, I would much rather you kept them!"

Saefrith relaxes her grip on her weapon, keeping it loosely by her side with one hand as looks back to defer to Thalia. Having heard them both speak she finds herself believing their words well enough, but quietly voices her concerns back to her employer and companions.

"Two more shares, two more fighting men. I think we should ask them closer to talk further, we can't have any more shouting echoing around this stone maze, yes?"

Thalia acknowledges Saefrith's look with a slight nod of her own.  "Parlay is good, we must discover what they know, and if they are willing to risk for the potential reward," she says quietly to the other woman.  Her eyes glance just briefly in the direction of Alperen, whom she clearly does not trust.

Saefrith leans back out to wave the pair closer with her free hand, into the wider slot canyon the party had chosen to rest in. She offers a smile when they're close enough, but doesn't remove her spectacled helm. She can likely tell there's at least some truth to them having seen fighting and days of exposure, or at least they don't seem to have directly followed from Karfan.

"What are your names, friends?" Saefrith asks, while offering a waterskin to them both if they seem in need of it and trying to avoid staring at Wadefyr.

"If you seek a return to Karfan after your failed venture, I will tell you now we are going the other way for some time"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:54, Fri 29 Oct 2021.

Cautiously, he approached, looking back at his friend. He spoke for himself then. "They call me Sin-Nasir, I am a simple priest."

The elf followed Sin-Nasir, lowering his hands but keeping them empty and in the open all the same. He offered a smile of his own, but knew well from experience that elves were not always welcome outside of their homelands. He would have to wait and see.

"And I am Wadefyr Xyrven - you may call me Wade, if that is easier.

We are in no hurry to return to Karfan. We seek opportunity and adventure, and companions worth fighting with and for. Where are you headed?"

The helmed warrior acknowledges each with a nod, now only briefly meeting Wadefyr's eyes but trying to offer both a sincere enough smile.

"I am Saefrith Omrsdottir, well enough met in this cursed place, yes?"

She looks back over her shoulder, just to check one of the others is looking out at the other end of the narrow canyon while they talk.

"We are heading deeper into this maze, seeking opportunity of our own. May I ask, friends, how long you tracked us?" Saefrith answers the Elf's question truthfully but vaguely, leaving it to Thalia to interject if or when she's satisfied.

Sin-Nasir pulled at his collar and sat down. He took a breath and began explaining: "Well, not very far. Approximately...fifteen feet?" He scratched at his jawline for a second and continued. "We have just stumbled upon you."

"What is this opportunity you speak of, if you might speak of it?"

Stepping up from behind Saefrith, Thalia addresses the newcomers.  She is a woman in a in a dark green traveling cloak, cast aside now to reveal a rare beauty.  She has brown hair, long and loose to the wind, dark eyes and either paint or tattoos of blue on her cheeks and above her eyes.  She wears a gold band around her head, gold ear rings, belt and bracelets, and carries a walking staff that is unadorned.  There is not much more to cover her modesty, a cloth hanging from her belt.  "There is an ancient tomb, the final resting place of one of the wizard-priests of Phundail, South of here.  I know it's location and we seek its plunder.  Are you brave enough for that?" She asks, with confidence that clearly annoys the large man n the rear with the scimitar and leather armor.

"Fifteen feet is not exactly true...it might have been nearer to twenty. Well met, Saefrith."

Wadefyr smiled at his jest and sat down beside Sin-Nasir. At that point a strangely attired woman behind Saefrith made her - rather striking - presence known. Still, death came in many guises, though Wadefyr was careful to keep his expression neutral.

"That would depend on what we might face once there. Only fools rush in...but we are brave enough."

"Very well, join our venture then, we shall see what evil lurks in ancient tombs," Thalia replies to elf.  She then whispers to Saefrith, "better to keep them in sight than risk them following us, striking at an inopportune moment."

She steps back to where her black mare is waiting and leans against a canyon wall.  "We will continue when have eaten and rested," she adds.

Saefrith nods her acquiescence to the whispered instruction. If the circumstance is good enough for Thalia it'll have to be good enough for her too. Though there's a tightening of her mouth as she, once again, wonders about the sort of games her employer likes to play, it's brief and any concerns that things aren't what they seem are hidden behind a gregarious smile to the newcomers.

"Help yourself then, friends. We have food and water enough for the journey ahead, though no mounts to spare I am sorry to say."

She's still uneasy to say the least in the tight confines of the terrain, but sets her mind to sticking close to Thalia as a rearguard, keeping a relaxed watched on the others and more frequent checks behind lest they be surprised again.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:39, Sun 31 Oct 2021.

After a meal shared, the newly enlarged company prepares to continue on their journey.  Alperen stays close to his 'friend' Zudaan and the boy, the three in the center of the party with Thalia.

Through the winding canyons they move, some mounted and others afoot, the maze of rock swirling with shades of orange, brown and red, darkening as the sun sinks low on the horizon lost above.  At last it becomes too dark to safely travel and the horses need their rest, and so they stop for a night using what shelter they can find.

---

Watch order and any other preparations or conversation you want en route this afternoon and during the evening meal before bedding down for the night.

Saefrith finds yet more reason to dislike the open air cave system, how at the same time any noise at all they make seems to reverberate and echo from the multi-hued rock around but any benefit they might gain in listening out for others seems to swallowed by even the mildest breeze becoming distracting whistles or howls as if some strange creatures could be haunting the myraud dark alcoves and crags above and all around. It's by one such overhang she suggests they camp and get a small fire going. She also suggests the same pattern of watch as they'd done before, explaining to Wadefyr and Sin-Nasir that herself and Alperen take the twilight hours while Zudaan and Thalia look out between.

"I would suggest you split yourselves between either, dusk and dawn with myself or bed down now to watch with Thalia and Zudaan when the moon is highest, yes?" Saefrith isn't presuming to give them commands, by her tone, but seems to think this is the best idea unless they have any others themselves. She looks evenly between the pair with a smile waiting for either to give their preference.

Sin-Nasir settled quite directly in at camp, and when the subject of watch was broached, he agreed with Saefrith. "I think that makes sense. I would say that we take the first and last watches, Wadefyr."

"Agreed. I shall take this first one then, and you the last? Please save me some dinner!"

Wadefyr looks for a slightly elevated spot with reasonable lookout views to both ends of the camp, and makes himself as comfortable as he dares. He keeps his bow in one hand, his arrows close to the other, and his eyes open and alert.

Saefrith nods to each in turn, giving each an appraising look and choosing to trust in them, despite some mild misgivings about Sin-Nasir."Good men." she says, reminding herself not to judge ale by its colour, as they say in her homeland.

The Northerner helps spark a small fire for the others sake in the shallow cave, before hiking up not far from Wadefyr with a less graceful assent in her ringing mail and with her axe-haft used as a walking staff for support. She settles down nearby to keep a complementary lookout to favour the opposite view to him

"So, from where do you hail Elf-friend?" Saefrith asks simply after only a few moments of silent vigilance. From her tone, she's been eager to ask since they first met.

The fighter soon followed Wadefyr to her own guard position close by, and the elf knew they would hardly spend the watch in silence. The first question was the one all humans wished to know, but the answer rarely varied...

"From beyond the mountains to the West. Most of my people prefer to stay there, safe in the forests, far away from troubles and intrusions from...outside. It is better that way. There are but a few who are called...away. I am one such."

The gray elf appeared to speak quite a lot while actually saying very little. All the time his eyes did not waver from his watch, but after several minutes silence he turned and looked right at Saefrith.

"What brings a warrior woman of the North here? You also have travelled far, but a good swordarm - or axe - is never short of work."

Saefrith for her part is not neglectful, her own gaze locked blamelessly on the other end of the narrow canyon, but her quiet murmured acknowledgement demonstrate that she's listening. She doesn't push for more than he wishes to say, and takes it as a pleasant surprise when her interest is reciprocated, sharing in a quick moment of eye contact (that drifts to his ears) before looking quickly away again. There was a smile before her head turns and from her tone she is still bearing it as she speaks.

"Ah, now, I asked simply from whence you came, not why, friend. But I will say for now that circumstance made flight to the south the honourable course of action, and I intend to return home with fame and glory that would otherwise be denied to me before long. And a good deal of warriors at my back. So now I will ask, what it was that brought you here, hmm? And perhaps you can tell me a little of your companion I have not yet had a real chance to speak with."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:11, Fri 12 Nov 2021.

The night is unpleasant and not very restful; sounds echo and distort strangely in these warrens and the once familiar animal noises  so distorted are disturbing and in some cases alarming.  The moon is seen only briefly when high in the sky, beaming silvery light into the maze of canyons, and then she is gone and the gloom and cool night settles back in.  Thankfully, it is otherwise uneventful with no violent interruptions.

Morning comes cool and dark, the sun unable to penetrate deeply until it is high noon.  Thalia stretches after waking, looks up at the morning sky and then at the walls around almost as though seeing them for the first time.  "We are close, we should arrive before noon," she says.

Sin-Nasir rubbed at his hands incessantly that morning. His time engaging in pursuits related more directly to his deity had, of course, left him with many aches and pains, not least of all in his hands. On cool mornings, they sometimes ached a bit more than normal.

He checked in with his comrade Wadefyr, before moving over to Thalia. "What do you know of this tomb and its dangers?"

Thalia looks at Sin-Nasir, considering his question; then to the other companions.  "This tomb I believe is the final resting place of one of the last wizard-priests of Phundail," she says.  She looks to Zudaan and the wizard nods before speaking.

"Long ago a group of men in the city of Phundail discovered beings, gods so different and alien as to be unlike any gods we know, save perhaps for Zathaqua.  These gods were from beyond the realm of reason where chaos reigns, where the laws of nature do not apply. Their forms are said to be hideous to behold, the things of nightmares.  Their thoughts and desires unfathomable by the human mind, and their lives exist outside the bounds of creation and destruction.  These powers, seeking to devour the world of men, fooled the men of Phundail into their worship with promises of great power, and they taught the men forbidden knowledge, powerful secrets that the human mind is not meant to hold, and twisted them, hoping they would open the gates between their realm and ours.  In that they failed, for the warrior-priests engendered such hatred among the people they ravaged or enslaved that they were overthrown.  In the end, they were overthrown and the survivors became so twisted, depraved and mad that they slew each other as they descended into unrecoverable madness.  So it is said."  Zudaan intones as though reading a passage from a book memorized.

"The tomb will be trapped for certain," Thalia adds.  "The wizard-priests would not want their rest disturbed until a time of their own choosing.  But there should be artifacts of their power there, if we are clever enough to overcome the wards," she says with a gleam in her eye at the mention of power and artifacts.

After an unsatisfyingly fitful sleep, the Northerner would have rose a little before twilight in case of trouble, stretching off in her own way with a focus on her arms and shoulders for potential violence before tightening her braid and hiding her face and figure beneath mail and helm for a new day. In the shade of the stone maze she goes without her white cloak, rolled up and left on the saddle of her mare after shaking off the worst of the sandy dust left from tight squeezes against red rock.

She has a small fire going for their comfort and breakfast by the time Thalia comes to speak, smiling at the familiar instructions and the trust shown in the two newcomers to be properly party to their adventure. Something less to worry about.

When it's time to move on she extinguishes the flames, takes up her long axe and awaits the day ahead on which they'll finally sight their objective.

As was his habit Wadefyr rose early and prepared himself for the day ahead, making sure everything was ready and set. He enjoyed a light breakfast and greeted his companions. If he had any thoughts about the prospect ahead he kept them for himself.

"Hmm. Well, it certainly sounds lucrative. How have you figured the shares?" Sin-Nasir asked, nodding long with Thalia's explanation.

After breaking fast and packing the camp, the party moves ahead further into the badlands.  As the morning progresses the day does not become significantly brighter and it is clear as midday approaches that a storm is brewing.  The sky seen through the narrow passages is steel grey and roiling with clouds.

"We must find shelter soon," Alperen comments in his gravelly voice as the impending storm becomes obvious.  Thalia shakes her head.

"We are almost there, perhaps another few turns and we will see it, we can shelter in the tomb," she replies.  Her words were scarcely out of her moth when a howl is heard echoing through the canyons.  It is followed by a series of short, high-pitched barking sounds that reverberate among the walls of the rocky maze.

Alperen looks alarmed.  "Gnolls!"

"Have they spotted us? We could retreat and hide, or take up a suitable defensive position."

Wadefyr had his bow at the ready in any event.

Sin-Nasir, likewise, tried to move himself into a position to hide, although he notably did this away from Wadefyr, since he realized he was significantly less good at this sort of thing than many other people.

He retrieved his mace, and prayed he would not need to use it yet this day.

"We are caught in the open, let's hope it is only a small hunting party and not the whole pack!" Alperen says with a spit as he draws his scimitar.

"The tomb!  Race to the tomb," Thalia says suddenly.  "We can use the entrance to force them to concentrate, two could hold such a stone doorway against many for a long time," she says spurring her horse to move forward.  Though race she said, she keeps the horse to a pace that is fast but manageable for those on donkey or foot.

As soon as he heard this news, Sin-Nasir diverted his path to dash for the tomb entrance. He didn't like the idea of holding the creatures off there, but he would try and help if it came down to that.

Not one who needed to be told twice, Wadefyr turned and headed for the tomb entrance at full speed, sword in hand should anyone try to stop him.

With the whooping and howling of the hyena-men echoing through the maze-like passages of the badlands, the party races after Thalia trusting her sense of direction, praying the woman knew where they were.  That faith is rewarded after the third turn, some two hundred yards from where you first heard the howling.  Ahead, built into one of the mesa-like walls, and partly carved from the rock, is what looks like a ziggurat, a stepped pyramid.  It is clearly not a real one as it was carved from the rock and looks like a facade.  It has three levels, the lowest some thirty feet tall, the other two twenty and ten feet tall ascending.  In the front is a large, black double door.  Before the pyramid is a wall fifteen feet high that blocks the passge forming a courtyard of sorts between it and the false ziggurat.  There is a an opening in the wall with a raised portcullis of iron.

Behind you as you approach the open gate you see a hunting band of gnolls - the wild hyena-men, visions hunters and chaotic in the extreme, running or loping towards you.  Thalia rides through the gate and leaps off her horse in the courtyard, looking around frantically.

Sin-Nasir rushes in after her, immediately looking about himself for the mechanism controlling the portcullis. They had to close it, as soon as they could.

Sin-Nasir can see that the portcullis is held by a rusted iron chain around a simple wheel.  The chain around the wheel, the mechanisms to move it, look at first glance to be rusted into almost a single lump of metal.  The chain, though holding, however does not look very sturdy any longer.

Sin-Nasir rushes to the chain and watches for the entry of their other comrades before cracking his mace down over the chain as hard as he could.

Wadefyr hurries through the opening after Thalia and Sin-Nasir, and seeing the latter ready to smash the chain holding the portcullis with his mace, turns and blocks the entrance. He brings up his shield and his sword and mutters a quick prayer that the portcullis comes down before the gnolls get there.

Saefrith, Zudaan, and Alperen rush through the gate, the boy and his mule desperately trying to catch up and the gnolls now visible rushing behind him.  Sin-Nasir slams the mace down just as the boy enters, smashing the rusted chain.  There is a moment when it seems the portcullis might be stuck in place and with a groan it falls down.  The gnoll in the lead looks like he is going to try and dive under it...

Unfortunately for him the portcullis slams down on him, killing him as it pins him face-down on the ground.  The other five stop short, their tongues lolling out, and two with spears start thrusting through the portcullis trying to pierce someone.  They all have scimitars as well.

---

Now we roll initiative.  20:47, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 5 using 1d6.  Gnoll Initiative.

Gnolls have greenish gray skins, darker near the muzzle, with reddish gray to dull
yellow mane. Eyes are dull black and nails are amber colored. Their armor is
of horn, metal plates, and leather; like their fur capes and vests, it is shabby,
and the latter are moth-eaten and dingy, being brown, black or grayish pelts.

Standing out of range of a spear thrust, Wadefyr readies his bow and if the gnolls persist, lets fly two arrows to hopefully chase them off.


19:15, Today: Wadefyr Xyrven rolled 3 using 1d6.  initiative.
19:16, Today: Wadefyr Xyrven rolled 4 using 1d20+2.  attack roll, longbow.
19:16, Today: Wadefyr Xyrven rolled 15 using 1d20+2.
19:16, Today: Wadefyr Xyrven rolled 2 using 1d6.  dmg.

Sin-Nasir moves clear out of the way of any spear strikes, hoping nonetheless to swing his mace and knock a spear out of the grip of one of the gnolls.

OOC: "03:59, Today: Sin-Nasir rolled 4 using 1d6.  initiative."

Wadefyr fires two arrows at te gnolls; the first gets caught in the portcullis, the second goes through a gap and slices a gnoll's ear.  He yelps in pain and hops a bout for a few seconds.  Sin-Nasir clashes his mace along the spear heads and the gnolls thrusting through the portcullis howl in impotent anger.  Meanwhile, the other two move to the right out of sight from the portcullis.

Alperin, scimitar in hand, stands ready by Sin-Nasir and Wadefyr.  The boy and Zudaan are holding the reins of their mounts as the wizard contemplates a suitable spell.  Saefrith stands by her charge (Thalia) who is standing before the iron doors of the tomb, the wind whipping up her hair and cloak.

---

You guys have initiative.  You can easily stay out of reach of the spear, unless they throw them.

"My friends, this is not a situation I relish being in. Does anyone have any ideas?" Sin-Nasir turned half to his comrades, trying to keep one eye on the remaining gnolls.

"I would suggest keeping well away from the gnolls, and finding a way into the pyramid. Staying out here only invites danger...not that the pyramid is any less dangerous, in all probability, but right now 'tis the lesser of two evils.

Thalia?"

Wadefyr keeps his bow ready and watches further along the wall for any breaches, or climbing gnolls.

Sin-Nasir nodded, backing up and looking for, first of all, a good spot to take cover while they figured out where to go from here. "Yes, Wadefyr, that accords with my thinking."

"I do not know if there is a way to open these doors other than by strength, and I cannot alone," Thalia replies as the wind and the gnolls howl together.  Something about the nook where the tomb is located, a dead end among the maze of crevices, whips the wind into swirling currents, howling though the narrow openings scattered about.

Wadefyr spots two gnolls climbing the wall onto the top of it and preparing to leap down into the courtyard.

---

Next round.  They have a 4 initiative.
20:19, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 4 using 1d6.

Contemplating for only a moment, Sin-Nasir rushes in to help Thalia, bracing himself against a door and pushing as hard as he can.

Spotting the two gnolls climbing onto the wall Wadefyr lifts his bow and fires two arrows at them. Unfortunately the distance and the swirling winds play havoc with his shots, and the arrows sail off harmlessly.

15:57, Today: Wadefyr Xyrven rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5.  initiative.
15:57, Today: Wadefyr Xyrven rolled 16 using 2d20 with rolls of 8,8.  attack roll, longbow.

OOC: Oh, this is a wonderful roll to see:

"03:14, Today: Sin-Nasir rolled 2 using 1d6.  open doors (1-2)."

The two gnolls jump into the courtyard, Wadefyr's arrows zipping passed them.  Alperen intercepts one of them, chopping solidly into the hyena man with his scimitar in an upward swing.  The gnolls swing at him with their short swords but he manages to parry or evade both blows.

Meanwhile, Sin-Nasir grabs hold of one of the door handles, the iron leaving brown rust stains on his palms, and pulls with all of his might.  There is a moment of tension and then the door gives with a loud groan of rusted hinges and an expulsion of air from the tomb itself.  He pulls it open just enough to let a horse enter before the hinges seize up again.

Zudaan meanwhile casts a spell, his voice unheard over the wind and the groaning hinge s of the door.  The gnolls outside poking spears through the portcullis drop to the ground seemingly at his command.

---

Wadefyr and Sin-Nasir may take an action for the next round.

11:54, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 7 using 1d6+1.  Alperen Damage.
11:54, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 15 using 1d20.  Alperen To Hit.

Sin-Nasir will hold at the door until everyone else has gone through it, brandishing his mace at any gnoll which attempts to accost his comrades.

Wadefyr quickly switches from bow to sword, and attempts to keep the remaining gnoll at bay as he backs toward the opened door. But keeping it at bay is easier said than done.


13:38, Today: Wadefyr Xyrven rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  attack roll, longsword.

Zudaan quickly enters the tomb and Thalia follows after him.  Alperen swings his scimitar at the gnolls again, but this time the beast man evades his attach.  The gnoll thrusts its short sword at the mercenary and stabs him though it appears his armor softened the blow.  The second one swings wildly at Wadefyr laughing hysterically in the hooting/barking manner of his kind.

---

Your turn in the initiative.  Thalia and Zudaan's actions are to move into the tomb.  The slave boy, horses and mules are still out in the courtyard, the boy trying to pull the animals to the tomb.

22:49, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 3 using 1d6.  gnoll damage. on Alperen
22:49, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 6 using 1d20.  Gnoll Attack. Wadefyr
22:48, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 17 using 1d20.  Gnoll Attack. Alperen
22:48, Today: Dungeon Master rolled 4 using 1d20.  Alperen To Hit. Gnoll 1

"We can't leave the boy and the animals!"

Wadefyr tries to knock back the gnolls but his blow is deflected.

Sin-Nasir rushes to help the boy move the animals, instructing the boy to rush further in on his own if Sin-Nasir seems capable of moving the animals on his own.

The boy runs in when Sin-Nasir takes the reigns.  Alperen backs up behind the animals trying to cover the retreat.  Fortunately one of the gnolls trips and falls over desperately trying to evade whathe thought was a skillful blow from Wadefyr.  Unfortunately, the other one scores another hit on the mercenary.  Alperen grunts in pain as blood starts soaking his leg from the stab in the seams of his armor, limping in retreat to the door.  He swings wide trying to at least ake the animal-man back off but does not connect.

---

At the end of this round Thalia, Zudaan and the boy are inside with Thalia's horse.  The donkeys/mules can go in next round, and then Wadefyr and Sin-Nasir.

Perhaps the wildly flashing blade of the elf gave the gnolls reason to pause, but it didn't trouble them in any other way. Still, if Wadefyr was buying time for the others then that was all that mattered.

15:35, Today: Wadefyr Xyrven rolled 12 using 1d20+1.  attack roll, longsword.

Sin-Nasir, for his own part, swings a wild miss which would have been an impressive strike had it landed.

OOC: "01:52, Today: Sin-Nasir rolled 4,5 using 1d20,1d6.  mace attack + damage, hopefully."

Sometimes you roll well--and sometimes you roll a 4.

Alperen backs up a couple of more paces to the door swinging his scimitar in an impressive display - despite not actually hitting anyone.  The gnolls are either impressed or prudently keeping out of the way of the weapons the party is wielding and also miss with their hesitant thrusts.

---

Looks like everyone missed this round.  The animals are in, next round you two can go in and Alperen can follow, though the gnolls can try to go with him.

Sin-Nasir continued to assist in the retreat of the group by swinging another brutally hard swing that hit exactly nobody.

OOC: "00:37, Today: Sin-Nasir rolled 3,6 using 1d20,1d6.  mace + damage, hopefully."

Wadefyr backed toward the door, sword keeping the gnolls at bay but not much else. At least, until one of the gnolls became over-confident at his wayward slashing and overstretched - and Wadefyr was all over it in a flash.


00:16, Today: Wadefyr Xyrven rolled 21 using 1d20+1.  attack roll, longsword.
00:16, Today: Wadefyr Xyrven rolled 10 using 1d12+1.  dmg.

Wadefyr runs the gnoll through the heart, killing him with an expert thrust.  Alperen takes the opportunity to duck into the tomb as the second gnoll tries to thrust with his short sword.  Tries and misses.

Wadefyr and Sin-Nasir can enter the tomb as well.  It is pitch black inside, only the light pouring in from the door illuminates.  There are shapes inside, something large in the chamber, though at present the others are occupied calming and securing the animals.

---

The door opens outward, you will have to pull it closed to prevent the gnoll from entering.  Or you can just fight from there and try to finish him.  Thrusting with weapons the two of you can fight.  Slashing requires more room to swing, ony one at a time.  Next round

OOC: Sin-Nasir will try to pull the gate down behind them while Wadefyr fights--if this is a good plan in Wadefyr's opinion. :)

Occupying the space in the doorway Wadefyr keeps the other gnoll at bay with another expert slash, though he only wings it slightly.


22:13, Today: Wadefyr Xyrven rolled 19 using 1d20+1.  attack roll, longsword.
22:14, Today: Wadefyr Xyrven rolled 4 using 1d12+1.  dmg.

The gnoll thrusts his shortsword into the doorway as Sin-Nasir pulls the door shut, stabbing Wadefyr before he jumps back to escape the elf's sword and getting caught in the door.  Once the door is shut there is a moment of relative silence, the noises of the animals snorting and of the companions breathing is all that can be heard.

It is also utterly black now, with no light whatsoever.  Wadefyr's darkvision kicks in a moment later and he can see his companions clearly.  Zudaan and the boy are against the outer wall with their backs to it; Alperen is leaning against the same wall, breathing hard and clutching his wound. Thalia is standing about 10 feet inside the door with her back to it looking at what it is hoped is a statue: a demon over ten feet tall with four arms and great bat-like wings; the arms chained to the floor with manacles on the wrists.  It is not moving.

---

Sin-Nasir, and everyone except Wadefyr, are blind in total darkness.

Sin-Nasir tries to find Alperen. He whispered. "Alperen, where are you? I need to heal your wounds."

Sin-Nasir grasped along the walls trying to find him.

"I would say we are safe, but I cannot say for sure. For the moment we can pause and take stock. There is a statue of a demon ahead of us, which Thalia...appears to be looking toward.

Thalia? Can you see in the dark?

Give me a moment, I will light a candle and then someone can get torches or a lantern going."

While he waits for Thalia to respond, Wadefyr reaches into his pack for a candle and his tinderbox.

"I am here," Alperen says in a hoarse whisper.  Not so much the sound of pain, but rather torn between calling out and keeping quiet.

"I cannot see it any longer," Thalia says in a normal voice, which sounds loud in the enclosed tomb, though there are limited echoes.  "I was fascinated by it and then the door closed," Wadefyr can see that she turned to look towards the door.

With a tinder box Wadefyr can get a candle lit.  Once he does the range of his vision is diminished to the radius of the candle light, but the others can see now.  The boy looks close to terrified, huddling by the wall holding the reins of he animals.  Zudaan is crouched down resting.  Alperen is leaning against the wall with his scimitar still in hand.

Sin-Nasir gave a spell of healing as he reached Alperen, helping to recover the man's wounds. "Let's all agree not to be caught off-guard by any gnolls from here on in, yes"

"Now...what is this about a demon statue?"

"That, my friend," Zudaan says when the candle is lit, pointing at the statue in the center of the room.  The room is not large and between the statue and the animals it is quite crowded by the doors.  The statue is not centered, at least, but closer to the back wall.  The walls are featureless and are made of well-crafted stone blocks with almost no seam, of a sandy color.

"Does anyone have a torch, or more, or perhaps a lantern? I have but two candles, and would rather not burn them out right now. I can survive without the light, but you all might struggle..."

Wadefyr had mastered the art of understatement.

"Here, I believe this will help," Zudaan says now that there is light.  Moving to his mule he rummages through the pack and withdraws a hooded lantern and a flask of oil.  He fills the lantern by candlelight and uses the candle to light it, handing the candle back to Wadefyr. The lantern is sufficient to light the whole room, though it is dim on the edges and the shadows cast by the demon statue are ghastly.

"Oh, my. I see what you mean." Sin-Nasir cringed at the sight of the statue. Yet, he knew there was no way they could go back, so he gulped, looked to his comrades, and stepped slowly forward at the edge of the room, mace at the ready. He just wanted to get a look, see if there was a doorway on the other side of this statue.

Sin-Nasir circles around behind the statue, where the shadows are concentrated because of the looming statue, and does not see any door or marking on the walls.  Thalia circles around in the opposite direction, passing him behind the statue and padding along lightly in her sandals.

The boy crouches down still holding the reins of the animals while Zudaan holds the light aloft.  Alperen sheaths his scimitar and sits by the door with his back to the wall.  "Those gnolls may return to their tribe and come back in greater numbers.  Let us hope the tribe is not near and we have time," he growls.

Putting out his candle and returning it to his pack, Wadefyr began to look around and explore the room. It would be troublesome indeed if there was no other means of egress from the chamber, but he kept those thoughts to himself. He went to the wall behind the statue and began to look for secret doors.

OOC: I don't know if we can (as characters) try to determine if the outside dimensions of the building match up with what we are seeing inside?

"Well, if we have to go right back out...I hope they'll have left to find their tribe." Sin-Nasir approached the devil statue, looking the thing over quite closely and quite cautiously.

Sin-Nasir can see that the statue has four arms, all four shackled and those have chains running into holes in the base o the statue.

By Wadefyr’s estimate, this chamber does not take up the whole structure.  Depending on how thick the stone block it is made of are, this room is maybe 2/3 of the base.

Image of the Room


This message was last edited by the GM at 19:10, Wed 02 Mar 2022.

Sin-Nasir backs away from the statue, going to the door. He turned to his comrades, and simply said: "Well, I'll get started on trying to hoist this door back up whenever you all tell me I should."

Wadefyr goes searching for secret doors in the wall behind the statue.

"Wait!" Thalia says as Sin-Nasir heads for the door.  "There has to be more, this is a tomb, where is the sarcophagus?"  She asks looking about.

Wadefyr finds no concealed or hidden doors along the back wall.

Returning to the center of the room, Sin-Nasir looked about the statue.

"Well...maybe this is the...lid? We could try to move it or...break it?"

Wadefyr gives up on the wall and exmaines the statue's chains, to see if they can be pulled. He also examines the holes they disappear into, for marks that might suggest the chains move or if there are spaces below the holes.

The two of them can see that the chains go into the floor through holes designed for it and the arms of the statue are jointed.  It is all covered with dust, careful inspection reveals the joints.

Sin-Nasir first tries to pull the bottom-most arms up and the top-most arms in, then the reverse operation of pulling the top-most arms up and the bottom-most arms down.

When Sin-Nasir starts moving the arms he finds they pull down with some effort, the chain descending into the ground beneath as he does, and the arm returning to its original position when released.  When he pulls down the first one there is a hiss of released air from the East and a panel on the wall springs lightly open, a door fairly wide and nearly as tall as the chamber itself...

Thalia looks quickly at the opened door.  "There!" and she points at it.

Sin-Nasir crosses to the doorway immediately, wielding his mace in case of any danger on the other side.

Wadefyr also crosses to the doorway, in haste as much as the others.

Sin-Nasir and Wadefyr move tot he newly opened door, Thalia following.  Alperen and Zudaan look to each other before also following her.  The door opens into a corridor and stairway leading upwards, which turns left after a few steps.  Arcane symbols, inscribed in muted pigments, line the walls, ceiling and stairs. They are indecipherable, the glyphs merging in patterns which are captivating to the eye...

Sin-Nasir went to the glyphs, examining each of them closely. "This is fascinating." Moving along the corridor, and up the stairs, he kept his mace at the ready despite his interest.

A young cleric would soon knock on the door softly, quietly coming out with hands raised as he looked for traps. "Hello? Do you need help?" he asks, slowly making his way out.

OOC: The requested saving throw: "03:54, Today: Sin-Nasir rolled 10 using 1d20.  saving throw against spell."

(No matter what happens, I have no regrets about putting my eyes on the wall there, or anything else I might have done to trigger this.)
This message was last edited by the player at 09:56, Tue 19 Apr 2022.

"Hello? What? Who are you?"

Wadefyr did not like the look of the inscriptions on the wall, and now another human had appeared, seemingly from nowhere.

Aelfwine kept his hands raised, slowly moving out from where he was. "My name is Aelfwine, and I'm a cleric. I mean you no harm." He lowered his hands, nodding towards the group. "If you'd like my assistance, I'm glad to help how I can."

Sin-Nasir sees the twisted writing come alive, turning into slithering tentacles that reach for his throat.  They are starting to choke him.

Meanwhile, the new traveler steps into the chamber, pushing the door open and keeping his hands visible.  Thalia draws her dagger, but does not move to attack.

Sin-Nasir tried to speak, but his breathing was heavily constricted, and the sound he made was less than a coherent communication. He was, however, bashing the tentacles and the wall alike with his hand and his mace.

"Perhaps you can help me right now! Quick, Sin-Nasir here looks to be ensorcelled!"

Unsure as to what his best move might be, Wadefyr tries to pull Sin-Nasir away from the wall, or at least avert his eyes from it.

In reply to Wadefyr Xyrven (msg # 176):

"Aye, I will." With that, Aelfwine will move to help pull the other man away from the wall.</Goldenrod>

ooc: Let me know if I should just do a strength roll or if I should do something else

Wadefyr and the new arrival, Aelfwine, pull Sin-Nasir from the corridor with difficulty as he seems to be resisting.  From his perspective, the tentacles become more ghostly and their grip feels slightly looser as the horrid abominations try and pull him back.

---

Sin-Nasir gets another saving throw.

OOC: Not great...

"18:09, Today: Sin-Nasir rolled 6 using 1d20.  saving throw against spell."

Cassander calls, "Sin-Nasir, it's Cass speaking, please hear my voice. You are enspelled. Close your eyes and relax."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:50, Wed 15 June 2022.

"I don't know what else to try, short of a blow to the head."

For now Wadefyr keeps Sin-Nasir pinned down.

"A blindfold may work."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:51, Wed 15 June 2022.

After a few minutes of restraining Sin-Nasir the effect wears off.  From his perspective the strangling tentacles lose their substance and grip and fade away.

"Are you recovered now?" asks Cass. "Are you hurt? What triggered that?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:51, Wed 15 June 2022.

"A foul dwoemer, perhaps," Thalia says standing clear of the revealed passage.  "You were not affected?" she asks of Wadefyr.

Sin-Nasir, tired by his struggling, leaned against the wall huffing and puffing. "I don't know, but it was not a pleasant experience, and you can be sure of that. Cassander, when did you get here?"

OOC: I think that our DM suggested Cassander and Aelfwine would be from the same caravan as Sin-Nasir and Wadefyr.

"I arrived with Aelfwine," replies Cass.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:51, Wed 15 June 2022.

Turning slightly to the side, Sin-Nasir was surprised to see Aelfwine. "Then, er, when did Aelfwine arrive?"

"No," replies Wadefyr to Thalia. "But then I made a deliberate effort not to look at the markings on the wall, as I found them rather disturbing. We best avoid looking at them, given the affect on Sin-Nasir."

Cass nods.

In reply to Sin-Nasir (msg # 188):

"I hadn't been here very long," Aelfwine says. "I was lost in the badlands and heard the gnolls yipping and howling. And so, I crept close enough to watch the fight but stayed hidden. After the tomb closed the gnolls regrouped, so I made my way inside. Which way to civilization?"

Sin-Nasir coughed. "Well, this is the site of an ancient sorcerer's tomb, so...we're to be looting it, I suppose. Then, these fine folks can lead us back to civilization. Isn't that so?"

"I know my way through the badlands, back to Karfan," Thalia says, in support of Sin-Nasir's last statement.  "How far do the foul writings go?  I fear we shall have to proceed blind-folded; perhaps Wadefyr is immune and lead?" she suggests.  Her manner is somewhat haughty, not as one accustomed to command, rather one confident in her ability.

Caass thinks the problem through and then tackles it from the other side..

======
OOC: It's not possible to read with infravision, correct? i.e. without a light source

"Well, I suppose...I would be willing to be blindfolded momentarily."

"Or perhaps someone just using infravision that takes one end of a rope with them?" continues Cass. "I'll do that, unless anyone has a better plan."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:53, Wed 15 June 2022.

Thalia looks around as though asking if anyone had a better plan, then nods.  "It appears that is the plan.  Well, then, let's proceed.  Though it would be better if the boy at least stayed with the animals," she says.

Fishing out a rope from someone's pack and fashioning blindfolds from available materials, the group prepares to tie each other in line blindfold themselves and proceed with Wadefyr in the lead, torches and other light sources extinguished to be certain.

OOC: Sin-Nasir will go along with the plan.

Cass will lead the group when all are ready (and lights extinguished).

"Let's get this done."

Cass takes one end of the rope and, out of range of any light source, steps into and then along the passage.

He looks ahead to see what may be seen by infravision.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:15, Wed 03 Aug 2022.

Leading the way up the passage, Cassander sees stairs going up, which turn twice before ending at a small landing with a wooden door.  The door is barred from this side, and it shows signs of age:  cobwebs and dust cover everything, the dust kicking up as you walk, your own footprints half an inch deep.  Via infravision the arcane symbols on the walls are invisible, and on the upper landing, Cassander can't tell if there is more writing without light.

---

Okay, let's give it another chance.  Thank you for staying with me.  Sin-Nasir, Cassander, Aelfwine and Thalia are together on the upper landing.  Alperin, Zudaan and the boy are below in the vestibule.

Sin-Nasir held on behind Cassander, eyes still closed.

Cass asks, "You all ok back there?" and keeps going until they seem clear of the curse-runes.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:24, Sun 28 Aug 2022.

Cassander calls out, "It ends on a single door. Opening it. Cover your eyes." He counts to three then opens the door taking care to not look in the direction of runes passed.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:24, Sun 28 Aug 2022.

Cassander pushes the door open, needing some effort to force it, and looks into the room beyond.  It is a large chamber, to his infravision all in black, with polished tiled floor.  At the far end is a raised dais of three steps with a sarcophagus atop.

"What do you see?" Thalia asks, her voice filled with anticipation.

---

Apologies, I missed the edit and didn't update.

OOC: The room seems free of those runes, correct?

You can’t see writing with infravision.  You would need a light to see if there is any writing.

Cass feels the wall for any engravings and describes what she has seen this far.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:14, Sun 11 Sept 2022.

Sin-Nasir holds on, waiting for the signal to open his eyes and resume walking as normal.

OOC: I'm not sure that Sin-Nasir could tell that Cassander was feeling for engravings on the wall...

Aelfwine will close his eyes, following the others.

So does the wall feel to be engraved with the runes of mental ensnarement?

OOC: DM said in the OOC thread that Cassander couldn't feel anything on the walls other than the seams between stones.

"Come on up, slowly. There's a door here at the end of the hallway," calls Cassander and he adds the number of steps and length of the hallway.

When everyone is more or less on the landing he suggests, "Will one of you, sit cross-legged on the floor, please, I will help. Then you make a light and tell me if theere's anything alarming going on. Essentially, the effect would be if there are still magical runes here that I can't see by infravision nor feel. I will keep my eyes shut and start off behind you to wrestle you down if need be." He sighs and hopes for the best. Damned runes.

======
OOC: I totally missed that, TY!
This message was last edited by the player at 22:05, Tue 13 Sept 2022.

Sin-Nasir nodded, convinced of the reasoning. Waiting a few moments, he lit his lantern, set it on the floor before him, and opened his eyes to look about himself.

OOC: No problem, by the way!
This message was last edited by the player at 22:42, Tue 13 Sept 2022.

Cassander is kneeling behind Sin-Nasir with a loose but ready wrestling hold applies (eyes closed)..
This message was last edited by the player at 08:32, Wed 14 Sept 2022.

Sin-Nasir lights the lantern, the light of which seems suddenly bright after the utter blackness within the hall.  On the landing, in the hall, there is no writing on the walls; just bare stone with dust and cobwebs.  The door likewise has no writing, made of thick, sturdy wood.

Inside the chamber the walls and floor are a black polished stone, tiles of it on the floor, even slabs from floor to ceiling along the walls.  On the walls there is more writing in a purple pigment, difficult to see against the black stone.

The dias at the far end is of the same black stone, three steps up, to a sarcophagus made of iron.  From this distance the light is too dim to make out any details of the writing or the sarcophagus.

Releasing the tension, Sin-Nasir exhaled hard and said, "We are fine here, fellows, everyone open your eyes up."

"Good, and thank you, Sin-Nasir," answers Cassander. "I couldn't think of another way to do that."
The fellow stands and re-equips his shield and weapon, allowing the rope to be recoiled by someone willing.

Thalia opens her eyes and looks around at the foyer/landing area outside the tomb.  With a hesitant step she stops at the doorway and peers inside, then withdraws.  "This looks to be the main tomb.  It will be trapped, of course," she says.

Sin-Nasir contemplated matters.

"Ah, does anyone have a stick on hand, or anything like that to probe with? Maybe a bag of something?"

Cass replies, "Stick? No. Back of what? I have a backpack of stuff. Is that any good? Stuff includes a crowbar."

"Would a crowbar work? I suppose one would only be losing a hand if something happened, then. Very well, would we use your crowbar to probe?"

Cass proffers the crowbar.

Taking a big gulp, Sin-Nasir goes to lead the way, coming to the door which he crudely thunked at with a crowbar at arm's length. It was clear that he had never gone dungeoneering before, but he was making an honest effort.

The crowbar makes a loud 'bunk' on the door but no other effect.  Thalia jumps a bit, startled by the sudden motion.

---

Did he enter the chamber?

Sin-Nasir will first grab at the door handle from the side and test it before pulling the door open, and will thunk at the floor from outside before going in.

Cass waits, weapon readied.

[OOC: I thought the door was open, Cassander opened it at message 205 and I already described the inside.  That is the black room with the purple writing on the walls, the dias with the sarcophagus, the room Thalia looked into and proclaimed was the burial chamber.]

Sin-Nasir thunks the crowbar on the floor and rings as metal will when hitting stone.  There is no ill effect from the action.

Aelfwine will wait with his weapons ready.

OOC: Oops, misunderstanding on my part!

Sin-Nasir steps inside, moving forward cautiously and around the side of the room room.

Cass retrieves and stows the crowwbar

The floor and walls are very smooth in here, polished stone.  The writing is some eldritch script in purple paint.  Thalia waits for Cassander to enter and then follows him in, taking her cue from Sin-Nasir and sticking to the edges/walls.  There is an enchanted look of wonder and a gleam in her eyes when she looks to the dais.

Cass glances across to see what he may see on or near the dais.

"What do you see, Cassander?"

Sin-Nasir, quite nervous about being further ensorcelled, chose not to examine the writing or the dais too closely for now.

He describes what he preceives.

The dais is too far to see clearly in the torchlight and the torchlight disrupts infravision.

Sin-Nasir continues to circle around the room, being cognizant of anything around the dais without looking at it too closely, and approaches closer.

The sarcophagus is made of metal, perhaps iron as there is some discoloration despite the dry air in the badlands.  The lid has four clasps holding it shut, two on each long side, shaped like clawed hands grasping it.  It is decorated in a pattern evoking the sense of lizard scales.

"Assuming it's not 'just' some once-famous, now-simply-dead person, does anyone know much about what kind of creature, presumably undead, is likely to live in one of these containers?"asks Cass after moving nearer.

Sin-Nasir shrugs and silently prepares to give a blessing to Cassander, to give him luck in the coming fight. "I don't know about such mysteries, friend."

OOC: I'll cast the spell if we find something creepy and undead in there.

"Why do you anticipate undead?" Thalia asks with a bit of humor.  She steps into the chamber and starts walking carefully along the walls looking at the writing.

Sin-Nasir creeps ahead, coming to the tomb itself. He motions Cassander in, and keeps his mace at the ready.

Cass smiles at being called 'friend', bobs his head and follows.

Sin-Nasir and Cassander step onto the dais to examine the sarcophagus and trigger a series of actions.  First, six man-sized trap doors built into the the steps of the dais, one on each end and two on each side, open - Cassander falls in one, but Sin-Nasir was luckily standing on a solid step.  Second, a stone block crashes down blocking the entrance.  Third, the sounds of mechanisms moving or shifting can be heard.

Let's drop into combat rounds as we resolve.  This is round 1, state your actions.

Cassander falls into the pit.

Sin-Nasir is going to first Bless Cassander for the remainder of the fight, then is going to stick his hand down the pit to help Cassander climb out.

OOC: If I have to choose, I'll pull Cassander up instead of casting Bless!

Aelfwine will also try to help Cassander up.

The half-orc drop onto a metal plate, "Ooooff!" 

He hit the plate lightly near its edge causing the plate to turs on its pivot cutting him off from sight.

Thalia steps away from the edge of the room, whether moving towards the block covering the door or towards Cassander to help was unclear, and when she does the floor tile depresses and a glass vial of acid falls out of he ceiling on her.  She tried to avoid it, but without much luck and screams in agony as the acid burns her shoulder and arm.

Aelfwine also steps on a floor tile that drops an acid globe.  Make a save v. poison, see below.

---

Sin-Nasir's spell has a 5" radius, or 50 feet, meaning it covers everyone in the room.  You all have a +1 to hit and save for 6 rounds.  However, he cannot perform any other action this round.

Cassander tries climbing up 20' to the disc-shaped 'ceiling'.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:23, Sun 20 Nov 2022.

11:48, Today: Aelfwine rolled 20 using 1d20 ((20)).

Aelfwine winces as the acid globe shatters, but other than broken glass, he feels fine.

Sin-Nasir doesn't move, being in a spot that did not seem to be trapped at all.

"Cassander, can you hear me?"

"Yes. I'm climbing," he answers with a drawn out grunt while trying to scale the wall.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:34, Sun 04 Dec 2022.

Cassander is incapable of climbing so he sits down and waits for something to happen. Or not.

"Does anyone have some rope? I have a belt, but I don't think it'll reach!"

Sin-Nasir was careful to look about without shifting his feet around.

Thalia looks at the block closing over the door.  "I don't have any rope, and we are going to be locked in here!" she says, caught between a desire to escape and the possibility of more acid raining down.

---

Let's call that another round gone, we are now moving into round 3.  I'm counting rounds as the block closes the door. Aelfwine has no equipment listed on his character sheet.

I couldn't find any equipment lists anywhere, so I wasn't sure what to put for armor, but probably mail or plate and a mace.

Sin-Nasir removes his belt, ties it around his mace, and then throws it down the hole after Cassander.

"Cassander, you'd better hope this belt reaches! Someone come help me get Cassander up before we're shut in!"

"Go! Save yourselves! Please! I'm not worth risking you all dying." calls up Cassander.

”Maggot   dung.”

As oaths went it wasn’t particularly inventive, but when you have to come up with a decision in a hurry, faculties oft are diverted   to other reasoning.  With his right hand  Nivor grabbed up the rope left in the hall, and tossed into the room, while his left went for the unattached grappling hook in the outside sack  sewn  onto the outside of his pack, right into the case that also held his crossbow.  This he dropped on the floor just inside the doorway to  the tomb room.

”Use the hook and the rope to get him out of the pit.”

His hand was busy again, reaching back into his pack, unhooking a belt that was equally sewn in to help keep things orderly. A military man needed a military pack, and this one was worth every gold piece he paid for it. The crowbar was out and   in position. With it, he might be strong enough to stop the  room being blocked off, if not, then…

”If the room gets blocked off, I’ll see if the statue can’t raise it , or get the wizard to help.”

Brilliant tactical planning.

---

</quote>
This message was last edited by the player at 04:36, Sat 10 Dec 2022.

"What's going on up there?" shouts Cass as, out of impending boredom, he getss off his butt and ambles around the base of his containment area looking and tapping, searching for other for ways out.

The block is nearly down at this point.  Sin-Nasir is on the dais by the pit where Cassander fell.   Thalia is still by the wall, afraid to move and suffer more acid burns.  Aelfwine is opposite from her by the other wall.  Nivor Scin is just outside the doorway, with the block closing down.

---

Last round, you can try and wedge or prop something to hold the block, you can scamper under it, or  let fall.

 Nothing for it, he'd have to try and stop it with mere strength.

He wasn't the strongest of men.    Still they'd be trapped in there if he couldn't stop it. If the statue didn't move the block... He tried to feel for an edge, as it would be  easier to grab a hold there, if he could move the thing out of alignment...

Was that the edge?

He tried to grab hold, and pulled. Tried to pull the thing out of alignment. Tried to stop the thing from moving. He put his legs into it. His back into it. His all, the frustration of this journey into a Gods forsaken  tomb, of the life that hadn't turned out the way his parents would have wanted,   every wrong turn and embarrassment of his short life, all into keeping that block from coming down.   His muscles stood out like chords, and his heart pounded in his ears, but on he struggled.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 15:46, Sat 10 Dec 2022.

This message was deleted by the player at 02:43, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

Aelfwine would quickly but cautiously make his way to Nivor, looking for a piece of debris or something to wedge under the block. He silently prays for assistance from the gods. He avoids the second acid globe falling.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:26, Tue 13 Dec 2022.

Sin-Nasir, panicking now, shouted back at his comrades. "No luck--get me the rope!!!"

Cassander continues searching for a way out down below.

Struggling with herself for a moment, Thalia dives across the room narrowly avoiding a falling globe of acid, and lands on her belly.  She picks up the rope and tosses it to Sin-Nasir, then quickly covers up her near-nakedness again with her cloak, staying put to avoid more acid falling.

Aelfwine finds no debris, all that comes to mind is a dagger or something else perhaps of iron or steel that could hold it.

---

That was round 4.  The block will close at the end of round 5.  Actions?  Nivor, you can copy out one round of action from that other post and use that, please delete that extraneous post.

Sin-Nasir throws one end of the rope down, then grabs the other end and shouts for Cassander to climb it. He braces the rope against his back and his arm, then braces himself against the steps, pushing himself back along his path to the sarcophagus, since his path to the sarcophagus seemed to have been perfectly safe.

OOC: He'll just focus on helping Cassander get up for now, but if Cassander gets up, he's going to start rushing along to the door.

Can Cass see the rope?

The rope can get to him yes.

If it reaches him, Cass tries to climb.

Stepping back from the block, Nivor quickly opens his pack and reaches into it, slipping his hand into the left rear sack, which resides furthest away from the straps that attach to him.  Pulling out the crowbar, a listening ear might hear him mutter ill-remarks, about the parenting  of the builders of this place, their lack of wit, and there general lack of good manners.

There might be a curse tossed in here, or there, just enough to spice up the running monologue, but nothing that any caravaneer hadn’t heard before.

Crowbar in hand, Nivor continues, what might be a fruitless effort.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:08, Wed 21 Dec 2022.

Nivor Wedges the crowbar in between the wall and the block, bracing it on the floor.  The block grinds to a halt and stays there, inches off the ground.  Though not impossible it is a tight fit for most of you to get through, perhaps excepting Thalia.

Cassader starts climbing the rope, getting up to the pivoting plate as the block is stopped.  Ten feet more to climb.  Sin-Nasir is holding the rope for Cassander.  Thalia is sitting on the floor, legs curled beneath her to make sure she does not set off another tile.

After a moment there is the sound of some heavy thing or machine moving.  Cassander gets to the top before anything further happens.

"Thanks. TIme to go!" suggests Cassander getting to his feet.

Sin-Nasir beckons for Cassander and all but sprints down the path he took in, which had quite apparently been untrapped on his way to the sarcophagus.

Cassander follows step for step

 Nivor remains where he is, secretly concerned if he moves the crowbar, even a little, the block will finish coming down.

Aelfwine stays exactly where he is.