Mister J's Return to the Temple (log)

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Mister J Looking around (3/6/03 10:55 am) Reply	Mister J's Return to the Temple (log) Ok, this is gonna be the space I'm gonna go ahead and jot down my log. For those of you who are wondering "Who the hell is this guy??", I used to be C Galadrim. Yeah, I know, still no bells, but I've posted a few questions and concerns while preparing to run the Temple here before, and I am much more comfortable with Mister J than that other one. Well, like I said, all is set to go and we start tonight. I've done some major preparations for this game, more than I have ever done before. I've got maps drawn out and alterred to fit into the Realms, write up's of the NPC's I'm putting in myself, lists of items and names and everything under the sun. I'm ready for this. To go ahead and recap the party for sense of completion, I'll do it here again. 5th level human fighter (mark) 2/2/1 half drow sorcerer/thief/ranger (troy) 5th level dwarven cleric (jeff) 5th level human paladin (kevin) 5th level human barbarian (matt) 3/2 half elf sorcerer/fighter (dorian) I know, you are all prolly saying "WHOA!! Overkill!". The reason there are so many players is that alot of them are hit or miss each session. We usually end up with about 4 players present each time, so it balances out overall. Also, I put the player's names in for now. I have a few char names down, but not all, so I'll just wait and put those in later. The lead in to the Temple have been the Citidel and the Forge. Appropriate items and treasure have been garnered from each module, so the party is ready to rock. It's set in the Forgotten Realms, and I'm putting it in the middle of the large stretch of open land between Waterdeep and Anourach, closer to the desert. Rufus and Byrne have been replaced by Torzon (thief/mage) and Stonn T'pree (fighter{swashbuckler type}), two characters that were played when we went through the original temple many years ago. It adds a certain personal touch to it. Also, Thrommal has also been replaced by Frederick Gilbear(former paladin), another former character. Anywho, I just wanted to get this out there now, as a starting point. Also, this is mainly for you Dave. You are here with us in spirit, rolling the dice alongside us. Oh, and by the way Davey, I just thought I should let you know that Stonn has a collection of magical swords, all stashed away on various parts of his person so as to overcome encumberance... Much more to come later. J
Mister J Looking around (3/6/03 9:43 pm) Reply	Entry 2 Okay, just back, and just let me say, I think it went rather well... One correction before I start, The Half drow is now just a 3/2 sorcerer/thief. He asked if he could change that, and since he never really played with the ranger, I let it pass. And like I said, I'm writing this with a friend in mind as well, so I will go into a little extra detail so that he understands what is happening at all times. So they gather back at the city outside the dwarven ruins from the Forge of Fury. The two chars that left, the fighter and the sorc/thief, return from their side trip to gather with the rest of the party. All stories are told and everyone is filled in. While they were gone, the two wanderers heard of an abundance of kidnappings that are occuring in the area to the immediate southwest of the Great Desert, specifically of an encounter that took an entire clan of dwarves away. One female dwarf taken matches the description of the cleric's lost sister, so the interest is introduced. The kidnapping are rumored to be centered around the great forest south of Silverymoon, so the party decides to head in that general direction. The fighter's father was adventuring partners with a pair of men who are now de facto governers of a small town south of Silverymoon called Hommlet. The party decides to head there to start, and see what happens next. For sake of expediating things, I basically just asked what route the party was to take, as it was a journey of over 700 miles to get to where they wanted. Then I just kinda waved my magic wand and made it happen. Two hours role playing travel just seemed a little too tedious, and the fact that our group has been in a little "action slump" just made more pointless rolling seem redundant. So, they arrive in Hommlet after a months travel, and it's reaching midwinter in about a month. Needless to say, it's cold. Let me add that at this point the party also includes a 1/2 orc monk and a human wizard, who are going to become NPC's in Hommlet and used as "back up" in a tight spot. So, the party of eight hearty adventurers stroll into town, turning many heads, and ask for the local inn. The Welcome Wench is pointed out to them, and they purchase rooms and beds adequete for rooming the entire party. At this point, the cleric and paladin both head out to the Church of Helm, looking to tithe and gather information. There, the Canonness Y'dey greets them, and they exchange pleasentries and such. The two ask about any suspicious activity in the area, and the Canonness says that the area is mostly quiet, save for some reports of activity coming from the moathouse in recent weeks. The two make generous donations, then return to the rest of the party, when all actively played chars then decide to visit on the family friends of the fighter. (FYI, the barb wasn't there today, so his char stayed with the other NPC's in the inn.) After a meeting with Stonn and Jozun, Stonn invites the group in for dinner. They all get to know each other a little better, making small talk and such, until the conversation turns to business. Stonn says that he has heard very little out of the mouthouse until recently, and hasn't had the time to check out what has been going on. He offers any help he can give, but changes his mind quickly when the fighter asks for some of his magic swords... They hold much personal value, you see... So, they all return to the inn, turning in for the night. As the day begins anew, the party decides to go ahead and check out the moathouse and at least get a feel for what's going on. Three hours walk later and they arrive at the ruined moathouse, a shell of it's former self. (the second story is collapsed and most is in ruins...) Looking suspiciously at the moat, the half drow decides to grab a stone and toss it in. In the process of grabbing a large enough rock, a giant toad jumps out of the reeds, and is quickly dispatched by the well equiped party. Everything to their liking, the party makes it's way across the re-built bridge and into the courtyard. They quickly split up, and begin searching various parts of the area. The half drow checks out the toppled guard tower, while the dwarf and the paladin check out the debris piled in the corner. The fighter/sorc stays and keeps an eye towards the outside, while the fighter decided to check out the path of a strange bloodstain trailing up some small stairs and into the next room. While doing so, he comes a little too close to the door, when he hears heavy breathing. Now, I played Big U (a young blue dragon) a little differently than most. Like it said in the book, he's not overly hungary or anxious to leave his position, so he wasn't just gonna charge out and engage a large party for the heck of it. If it could be avoided, he would do so, and get back to his business. So, out of the room pops his head, staring daggers at the surprised fighter. Of course, all who eventually saw the dragon stopped dead and just waited, not knowing what to do. Big U decided to parley in lieu of fight, and told the fighter to go ahead and gather his little group and leave now, and they wouldn't have to die today. Of course, the fighter decided to act big and bad, but eventually the fact that all the rest of the party began retreating one by one buckled his nerve a bit. He too left the moathouse, and the party decided to regoup outside. Now, the party stops on the other side of the moat and decides to discuss this turn of events. They begin making plans, discussing strategy, and arguing robustly. Of course, Big U hears just about every word of this, and waits. Eventually it is decided that they want to go back in and draw him out into the courtyard, where they can surround him and attack. So, they "quietly" cross back over and take positions in the courtyard. The half drow is in the opposite corner, the paladin on the far side, the sorc/fighter in the middle of the room, and the dwarf and fighter near the stairs. Making sure all was ready, the fighter then charges the stairs, hoping to taunt the dragon and then run back. Of course, the fighter didn't even make it to the top before a cone of lightning blasts through the double doors and hits him, the dwarf and the sorc/fighter! All fail saves, but the damage was low, so they only took about 21. Then, the battle took off! The dragon flies through the blasted doors and into the courtyard. The figher tries to throw some alchemy fire, but manages only to clip a wing and do minimul damage. The drow fires his short bow to no affect. Then the hovering begins, blinding everyone in the area. After a few rounds of aimless firing, the dragon lands in front of the fighter, and rips him a new one. At this point, they all bum rush the dragon, and the dwarf manages some damage as he charges in with his antlered helm and crits! All are around the dragon now except the half drow, swinging away with all their force. The dragon hits the fighter once more before flying up again. The dwarf casts cause serious before he lifts off, and the others get some attacks of opportunity, which manage a great deal of damage. I saw that it was time to go, so the dragon decided to hover 20 ft up, and then blast one more time straight down, hitting everyone who had previously surrounded it! This time I roll better, and the fighter goes down, and all the rest are damn near it. The dragon begins to fly away in retreat, but the half drow wants one more shot. He beats my initiative, so he shoots with a medium range penalty. And hits. Now, I look down at the sheet, and see that Big U has 4 more hps. I gulp, and ask to roll damage. He does 6. Down falls U, through the already worn down roof and into the room he originated from! Now, the fighter is somewhat revived, but he is left upstairs to cut up the dragon for parts for sale (also, mark had to leave, so it made sense) The rest decided to search around, and eventually find the secret door leading down. Heading into the blanket room, they find it empty (I decided that all the ruckus upstairs brought most of the population into the main staircase room). Gathering up the blanket and it's items somewhat quietly, they listened at the door leading out into the larger staircase room. They hear voices, and it is decided to just fling it open and let the drow cast prismatic spray inside and ask questions later. So, door opens, they see four gnolls, a human, and a ghast looking up the stairs, then he casts. BAM! Two gnolls and the human cleric drop like flies! Then the cleric rebukes the ghast and sends him packing up the stairs. The two gnolls look around for a minute, realize what has just happened, and are fearful. I decide a moral check is in order, and since I rolled a stinkin 1, they flee screaming! The party decides to kill the creatures they knocked out and take their items. Then they look around the corner into the torture room. Of course, as the drow turns the corner, two ghouls attack! One failed save and resistance later, and the the half drow is paralyzed. (that does work against half elves, right, with reduced resistance?) anywho, the new fight is started, and as the fighter/sorc is hangin in the back, he notices the return of the ghast that was turned earlier. The battle is joined, but eventually, after the fighter/sorc is paralyzed as well, the party prevails. They wait, then decide to check on more room before they stop, where they find four skeletons and a large skeleton. This encounter turns almost deadly, and most are hurting pretty bad afterwards. It was also time to stop, so they decide to just pick up what they can, grab as many dragon parts as they can carry, and head back to Hommlet. Now, a few questions to those who actually read this long winded tale. Where exactly in the moathouse can Wat be found? I know that he is somewhere, but I can't find exactly. Either way, I'm gonna go ahead and say he watched from afar, and is going to wait this one out. When the party returns, they will be more prepared, and he'll wait till an ambush is sprung before coming in from behind with a sneak attack. That's all for now. We meet again in two weeks, so I'll update then. Questions? Concerns? Comments? J
Lord Krolar Looking around (3/7/03 12:54 am) Reply	The Return... Mister J: Sounds like you hit them right between the eyes. With all of the casualties, it sounds like a new part leader is in order. You would think that an experienced group like these guys could take down a blue dragon without too much difficulty. Keep me posted - I certainly enjoy living vicariously through you. I was almost able to be there, but circumstances didn't quite work out. $:\$ I will see you (hopefully) Saturday night. We can tak more then. Until then... farewell. And tell Stonn that the next time we meet, those swords will have a permanent mount on ther inside of his rectal cavity. Lord Krolar, Skull King
Siobharek Still here? Wow. (3/7/03 2:45 am) Reply	Re: Entry 2 *Quote:* Of course, the fighter didn't even make it to the top before a cone of lightning blasts through the double doors and hits him, the dwarf and the sorc/fighter! You mean a line, don't you? Because otherwise I think Utreshimon might have gotten an angle right there. *Quote:* and then blast one more time straight down, hitting everyone who had previously surrounded it! No, you do mean a cone. A standard dragon shouldn't be able to do that. *Quote:* Where exactly in the moathouse can Wat be found? Nowhere, I'm afraid. He's a ghost in Nulb. If you mean Chatrilion, he can be found pretty much where you want him to. I don't remember reading that the party met him, so maybe he doesn't know where they've gone, in which case he won't worry too much. His main job is to dissuade parties from going to the moathouse and, failing that, accompany them to wreak some havoc of his own. Otherwise, it sounds like a good game, although I must say that your group hit Big U an awful lot given that they were blinded. And about the half-drow: Do they have spell resistance? If so, make sure you know what effects they can resist, because I read your entry as if the drow got a SR roll against the ghast's paralysis, which is an Extraordinary effect and therefore cannot be blocked by SR. But hey, maybe I'm just reading your text wrong Siobharek ...it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing. Edited by: Siobharek at: 3/7/03 2:47:04 am
Mister J Looking around (3/7/03 6:51 am) Reply	Siobharek Okay, I thought the dragon breath weapon was in a cone. I looked it up in the monster manual, and it had a chart that showed the size of the dragon, the length of the breath weapon, and the size of the cone at it's end. I could have been reading it wrong, but I thought it had at least a little width to it, not just a straight line. It wouldn't have effected the first time, since I had the battle drawn out and asked everyone to lay down a die to represent themselves. The fighter/sorc patiently waited in the center, the dwarf right at the bottom of the stairs, while the fighter charged. Almost a perfect line. Amatuer mistake from them. The second time it would make a difference, though I won't tell them that. Hey, they all survived, barely, so it's all good. As for the half drow resistance, no, I didn't give it to him. I was asking if I should have, since I'm still caught up in the second edition rule where elves and half elves have resistance to mind magic. I didn't however, so it is of no moment. J
Siobharek Still here? Wow. (3/7/03 6:59 am) Reply	Re: Siobharek Heh, now you're giving me doubts about blue dragon's breath I'll have to check it when I get home - the dragons have flown from the SRD. Oh, I misread you then about the drow's resistance. To answer your question, then: No, he should not, IMHO get any SR. Siobharek ...it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.
Infiniti2000 Still here? Wow. (3/7/03 7:06 am) Reply ezSupporter	Re: Siobharek Spell resistance only applies to spell and spell-like abilities (or effects from magical items that simulate spells) and only when the SR line in the spell description says "Yes". This will become very tedious for you to check all the time, but you will need to do it so as not to give the half-drow too much power. A blue dragon breathes lightning in a line 5' wide, not a cone, but no matter anymore. Poor Utreshimon!
smetzger Here for a while (3/7/03 8:02 am) Reply	Blue Dragon Breath For the SRD: Breath Weapon (Su): A blue dragon has one type of breath weapon, a line of lightning. I would let a blue do a 5 ft wide line for full length or a 10ft wide line for 1/2 length, just like Lightning Bolt.
Mister J Looking around (3/23/03 9:53 pm) Reply	The next day... Ok, time to fill in the blanks and get the ball rolling and all that stuff. I've decided to take a more narrative roll of telling the stories of my party, just to make it a little easier to write. Anywho, after our last session, the party was in a world of hurt and running away from the moathouse and back towards Hommlet. Before fleeing, however, they did manage to cut up a dragon carcass and take various parts and pieces with them in hopes of selling them to a needy wizard or some such. Back in town, they went about the process of fishing for information on the things they had come to learn. The holy symbol they brought back seemed to spark the most interest, and it was revealed to them that the cult of the Elder Elemental Eye was the prime culprit thus far. Errands then took over, as the party prepped for a return to the moathouse to finish the extermination of the cult. A trip to the potion shop found the fatherless girl and her dwarven defender alone still, as the missing Spugnoir had yet to be found. (IMC, he is dead. I just thought it might add a little spice to the town while also making it a trifle harder for my potion happy players to snatch up cure potions). The party then split up, traversing and doing personal things. The thief/sorc just walked around town, using his gather information skill to pick up gossip. Sifting through all types of rubbish, he learned very little. That is, until someone mentioned that they hadn't seen the miller in a couple days. This sparked his curiosity, and he decided to make a trip out the mill. Of course, his snooping uncovered that all is not what it seemed, and one trip to the aboned miller's house confirmed that foul things were afoot. Gathering the troops, so to say, they made their way out and planned a late night inspection tour. Of course, the barbarian goofed it up before it even began. Let me just say this, if something goes wrong with a plan and totally screws it up, it's usually the barbarian's fault. He said he was sneaky, but that 1 he rolled kinda made him look silly. Out comes the half orc on guard, and he drops onto the ground looking for shadow. He jumped right into the only patch of light available, and a tussle was soon underway. The two guards were easily knocked out with a color spray from the sorc, but when they entered the basement, there was no one to be found. Until the invisible assasin leaped out of the corner and attempted his death attack, barely missing. The thief/sorc and the warrior fought valiantly, but did not notice the appearance of the other previously invisible cult members behind them. Somehow, they fought through, with a little help from the dwarf and his antlers of doom, and a barbarian recklessly swinging his chain in every direction and defeated their foes. Finding a note on the leader of the vagabonds, the party decided a trip to the moathouse must be made immediately. They ventured back, finding gnoll resistance moved into the upper levels. Dispatching the undermatched beasts, they began systematically clearing out the dungeon room by room, eventually making their way to a room with a pully system leading down. Of course, the party now discussed what to do for the next twenty minutes. With all their planning, they decided to simply all get on and just go down. What a brainy group! They reach the end of the first pully, only to see obsidian ground between them and another pully. Once again, they discuss strategy intently and repeatedly, but this time they are interupted by a grell falling on them from above! Refusing the leave the safety of the platform, they tried to beat back the beast while huddled together. Almost losing the dwarf to the monster, they finally dealt the killing blow and brought back their friend. Finally figuring out that they needed to simply run across the obsidian, they all piled on the next pully and began their long descent down. At the bottom, they grew fearful to get off yet again as they spied unholy symbols carved into the stone of the room. Looking back upon the obsidian structure, they figure out that this immense obelisk must somehow be connected to the "dark god" they have gathered info about. Facing their fear, they step off onto the stone floor, to no harm, and begin searching the area. Out jumps a madman from the stones, only to be felled in a single round by the cooperative might of the party. Reviving the sick man, they began asking questions of him. Their answers were simply babbling and screaming, and the only useful thing they learned was that the dark god's name was Tharizidun, and he would soon be reborn! Gagging the man, the party spread out to search again. The found a pillar that led up to the tip of the upside down obelisk, and the fighter climbed up to get a closer inspection. Upon reaching the top, he begins "feeling around" to see what he can find. His exact words, mind you. Poof! Before the rest of the partie's eyes, the fighter disappears! But before they can even react more than just to question what the hell happened, he returns, bearing a black fruit in his hand and a quizzical look on his face. He relates that he was in a dark room, where a voice spoke to him. He spoke of four moons and a prison, then gave him a fruit to "eat and be blessed". The fighter, being brave, ate it, but felt niether ill nor good effects of it, and the party dismissed it. (He gained a plus one to charisma, but I didn't think anyone can really know that by looking. I'll tell him next session, after they are gone and won't come back). On the other side of the pillar was a pool, which they generally ignored. And on the wall past that was an archway, which the sorc decided to examine. The portal led simply to a wall, and he could sense a trap. Regardless, he touched it, and out of the stone came another grell!! This time, the beast nearly got away with the barbarian, but the party prevailed! The sorc then stated, "I disbelieve the illusion!". Of course you do, go right ahead! He then bravely walks toward the wall, seeking to walk right on through to the other side. Unfortunately, there is no other side, and his head slammed into stone! And out came yet ANOTHER grell!!! This battle took the last of what the party had, and all they could do was send the grell fleeing away wounded. Deciding that enough was enough, they took what they could find and left the moathouse. Along the way, they found a note from a man named Hedrack's journal. After reading it, they have decided to rest up and take a trip to a town to the west called Rastor, and see what they could find out about a "temple of all consumption". Meanwhile, they wait at the inn of the Welcome Wench, where the sorc has deduced that Maridosen, the barwench, is somehow in league with the cultists. She still holds to her cover, but the sorcerer never gets tired of telling her how well they did and asking her if she's seen the miller. She despises him, but can do nothing yet to shut his trap! For now, the party rests, and they are currently trying to find out how much they need to pay for a mill and a small cottage. They think to maybe hire a new miller and maybe make a little profit on the side, while also setting up a base of operations to work out of. Also, the sorc has grand plans of buying out the now useless potion shop, and taking the young orphan girl under his wing to teach her the trade of thievery. His plans are still under construction, but I get nothing but bad feelings about that one. Until next time, J
smetzger Here for a while (3/24/03 10:07 am) Reply	Re: The next day... "I disbelieve the illusion!" Now thats funny.
Infiniti2000 Still here? Wow. (3/24/03 10:16 am) Reply ezSupporter	Re: The next day... What is Hedrack's journal doing in the moathouse? Did you mean Geynor Ton? Disbelieving the "illusion" seems like something my group would try!
KCJedi Looking around (3/24/03 10:48 am) Reply	Re: The Next Day Finding the wrong journal would certainly change the course of events as to my recollection the Temple of All-Consumptions should be unknown to them at this point.
Mister J Looking around (3/24/03 10:05 pm) Reply	You're right It wasn't Hedrack. The name just stuck out in my head at the moment. No, it was the one you find in the moathouse, Ton I believe?? I am really bad with names, as you can tell already. Anyway, like I said, Troy, playing Tebryn the half drow thief/sorc is thinking of taking over the mill for his own. Also, as Spugnoir has died IMC, he is thinking of taking on the potion shop as his own. At first he will just sell potions that he runs across, but eventually he would either get the player created mage or himself to take it up full time. Also, he has the idea to run a small thieves guild in Homlett based out of the potion shop. While I think it a bit bold, I think I'm gonna let him run with it for now, but step in if he takes it too far. Either way, I am pretty excited because the party has agreed to start up a little adventuring company which would encompass the revovling roster of all the PCs and also some player created NPCs that could be used in case someone dies and cannot come back. I think it's a great idea, and am proud that they are getting into this as much as I have! This game is so massive it's literally pulls you in completely! Great stuff! Laterz J
Mister J Looking around (3/24/03 10:09 pm) Reply	oops Oh, and they don't really know about the Temple of All Consumption as yet, but they do know the phrase as it is used at the open of Gaynor's journal entry. They simply made a connection on their own and assume to find a cult associated with it, which makes sense. They are actually taking time to figure out the clues, something that has been missing from our games for a long time. It's usually just hack and slash, but they are taking the time to learn things this time around. It's really a great experience! J
Xharqhoun Looking around (3/24/03 11:34 pm) Reply	Details count. Reminds me of the time when the DM said "There should be meta-breath weapon feats, and I'm going to make them." When blue dragons start shooting Chain Lightning on a regular basis, you know it's time to kick the DM's head in. Good stuff so far, though. Nice to see ya.
Lord Krolar Looking around (3/26/03 8:44 am) Reply	Recent Adventures Just like Troy to get a business started. It must be a fantasy world, truly. Of course, the party's past experiences with walls must make them a little leery every time they go indoors. Have they found any paintings yet? Sounds like I am missing a lot of fun. Keep me posted - you guys are rolling! Lord Krolar
Mister J Looking around (4/5/03 12:05 am) Reply	Phase THREE!!! Okay, I'm going to go ahead and write up our latest session, even though it's late night and I'm just a tad tipsy. Hell, all the greats wrote their stuff drunk, it can't hurt... hehe Okay, first off, we are getting down to using names a little more often, to preserve the roleplay aspect of the game. While the crazy dwarf will always be "the crazy dwarf", I'll go ahead and list character names here now, and hopefully stick to using them throughout my write-ups from now on. Troy, the half drow thief/sorcerer = Tebryn Mark, the human fighter tank = Alexander, or Xander Dorian, the half elf fighter/sorcerer = Thamior Jeff, the crazy dwarf cleric = Oskar Kevin, the human Paladin = Derrick My character, a half orc monk, now NPC = Tulgar Matt, playing the human Barbarian, is drawing a blank. He wasn't there this week, so I can't remember. I'll edit this out later. Okay, so we start the game out with a little metagaming. Basically, the group is on good terms with the shop owner in Homlett, so they sold off alot of the extra loot they have been gathering. Then, the party decides on a charter for thier newly formed adventuring company. Basically, there will be a party pool to draw funds from for spells like Raise Dead and Neutralize Poison. It will be up to each character to decide what he wants done, and some have already spoken up. The Paladin in particular wants a proper burial, no matter what, so that Kevin can change classes to better suit his crazy antics. Fine with me, as long as there is no dissention. But alas, dissention was next up on the list. Tebryn decides to stay behind in Hommlet to put his plans for the potion shop and the old miller's house in motion, while the other guys present, Xander, Thamior, Oskar, and Derrick, decide to take a trip to nearby Silverymoon to sell off the dragon parts they have collected. So, off they go on their two and a half day journey, and almost immediately after they leave town, infighting begins. Xander and Oskar begin bantering about what will happen with the funds they recieve from the parts. It's a classic arguement session here, reminding me of times when the player Mark would have similar "discussions" with our buddy, his brother, Dave. Seriously Dave, it was like looking back in time. I was waiting for Jeff to flip the table over... hehe... Okay, they make it to town, shack up in the south quarter for the night, and head out first thing to a local potion/magic shop recommended to them by Stonn back in Hommlet. Everything is going along fine, with more bickering between the dwarf and Xander. They make their sales and purchase some supplies and head out. On their way back to the inn, Derrick spots a familiar face in the crowd. It seems Maridosin, the bar wench from Hommlet, it tailing them! She notices she has been seen and ducks down an alley. Now what happens next can only be described as classic folly as it pertains to our group history. Derrick and Oskar decide to run down the alley in pursuit, while Thamior and Xander go to the inn to grab the horses and their stuff for a quick exit. Derrick and Oskar run down the alley, and Oskar is quick to notice Maridosen hunkered down behind a trash can hiding. Derrick runs by blindly, but Oskar stops to confront the woman. She then produces a knife, trying to stab the dwarf! A short scuffle ensues, and when Derrick finally turns around to see what happened, she is hog tied and lying prone on the ground. Now, both men decide to interrogate the lady, but she refuses to cooperate. Oskar, losing his temper, decks her. A short while later, the two other men return, and while Thamior waits with the horses, Xander heads back towards the alley mouth to see what's goin on. Of course, the two town watchmen who have been standing across the street the entire time take an interest in this suspicios situation. Xander is intercepted and questioned, and the situation looks bad indeed. Xander begins escorting his new friends down the alley towards the spot where the others are. Oskar and Derrick hear people coming, due to Xander's raised voice, and are sent into panic! Oskar begins looking for a can to hide her in, but Derrick decides simply to pick her up and run! Derrick turns a corner just as the guards entire the area and see Oskar looking around confused. Delaying actions are taken, but Derrick soon runs out of alley with a hog tied woman in his arms! Seeing a tapestry shop nearby, he ducks inside unseen and sees various patrons inside. Noting that everyone was fairly pre-occupied, he begins casually stolling towards the door in the back. Now, I rolled spot checks. Nothing I rolled was above a 5!! So, he made it! In the door, carrying a hog tied woman, through a room with four people conversing, and not a one knew a damned thing!! The situation outside got ugly, as the crazy dwarf decides to start casting spells! Long story short, a celestial black bear is summoned! One guard is dropped like a bad habit, and the other flees from a fear spell! At this point, the paladin exits the back door back into the alley, and the bear is sent in pursuit of the fleeing guard. The horses are brought around, everyone mounts, and casually walks out of the alley and the city. I know, it sounds mundane, but that was crazy stuff! Okay, back in town, a base of operations established, the party questions Maridosen and learns little. It is decided the they should go check out this small town to the south called Rastor and check some leads. Maridosen in taken outside town and let go, a horse to help her on her way, and she flees far, far away. As the party approaches Rastor, part of the party decides to drive the cart they purchased into town wearing the robes of the cultists they aquired. They move towards the local inn to get rooms, and then Tebryn leaves to gather info on a man named Tal. Once again, long story short, they find out where Tal is and what he means to the community. Tebryn is stopped as he walks through the street in his robes and told to bring the items to Tal immediately. Of course, Tebryn isn't going to do that, and instead goes back to the inn, up to his room, disrobes, and climbs out the window. The party waits outside the inn, unrobed, until the dwarf who questioned Tebryn shows up with some toughs to find out what the delay on delivery is. Of course, they find nothing, and eventually head back towards the abode of Tal. The party follows them, and as they near the destination, Tebryn decides to attack out of nowhere! Mass chaos ensues, where the party easily dominates the three men, but one gets away! Alarms are raised, party members retreat, and it eventually ends up with the party hiding on top of a roof throughout the entire next day to avoid notice. I know, they have no people skills! It's amazing! BTW, at this point, the paladin has to leave, so his character ends up hiding for a while. The next night, they try agian, this time locating Tal and color spraying him and his companion. After a brief interrogation, they decide to go ahead and head up to the crater ridge mines to see what it's all about. So, in the middle of the night, they head up the mountain. They notice a small footpath off the main road and decide to take that instead. Here they are, at the South entrence to the mines, and the doors are unlocked. It's about 3 or 4 am, and they casually stroll right in! Balls, I tell you! So, the party enters, checking around to see what's going on. The area is mostly asleep, but no one notices the platform almost to the roof where a lone watchmen spies their every move. A cross path is encountered, and the double doors beyond are checked. Mulitple sets of loud snores are heard inside, and the party decides to move on and see what else they can find. Mind you, they are all being relatively quiet and doing a fair job at it. Another room is found, and when the drow opens the door he finds a sleeping quarters occupied by a large group of dead to the world gnolls! Whispering occurs, and it is decided to all go in the room, close the door, and try their best to kill the whole lot without a confrontation. Meanwhile, the guard watching them decides to wait on his attack. When they all go inside the sleeping gnoll room, he climbs down his rope ladder, goes to the double doors and wakes up the fighter inside (Lelliel??) and his two guard henchmen, as well as the two ogres also sleeping inside! Inside the other room, the party is actually doing quite well coup-de-gra'ing the gnolls, but eventually one manages to kick over a stool and alert the rest to the problem! At the same time, Tebryn hears whispering outside and now knows that the area is up and on alert!! A short scuffle is under way with the other gnolls, but Tebryn decides to knock two arrows at once on his bow and jump back out into the hall to confront the rest! Imagine jumping out to find a big warrior in exquisite half plate painted black leading two other warriors and two armed ogres, all walking towards you on tip toe, as well as another warrior almost next to the ceiling in a loft with a bow pointed at your heart. Imagine peeing your pants. That's just what Tebryn felt! Tebryn still let's fly his shots, missing badly, and then jumps back in the room, closing the door! By this time all the gnolls have been dispatched, and the others are looking at the startled half drow in puzzlement. He quickly relays the situation and the party begins beefing up. They are given one round to prepare, and most use this time to "tank up", casting spells that can increase power. Mage Armor and Bull's Strengths are cast, and the party waits, staring at the closed door, in anticipation. Suddenly, the door is shattered into many pieces, and the sight of two huge clubs smashing the door from either side is seen. No creature is really seen, save for the arms of two large huminoids. After a moment, the large black plated warrior steps out and battle ensues! One by one the party decides to leave their hiding place and jump back out into the hall. The dwarf is quickly busied with one ogre, but the other ogre takes off down the hall screaming "Wake up!! Danger!!" Xander decides to challenge the plated warrior, and Thamior takes massive damage from an ogre club! All the while, the fighter hovered in the loft high above is plucking arrows at whoever seems an easy target. The two minor thugs are taken out quickly, but the ogre and Falliel are a different matter. Tebryn looks back towards where the other ogre ran, and sees the ogre coming back, followed closly by a robed individual. While Xander continues to trade blows and massive damage from the plated lord, and Oskar and Thamior fight against hope agianst one oger, Tebryn decides to try to tumble past the charging ogre and attack the new robed man (Facish?) to attack. Of course, the ogre whacks him good on his way by, but Tebryn does manage to hit Facish! However, the cleric manages nails his concentrate check and gets off his spell! Tebryn fails the save and becomes blinded, permanantly! After a bloody battle, Xander finally fells his opponent, and at almost the same time, the crazy dwarf lands a crushing blow with is dwarven war axe and brings the ogre down! Oskar ducks behind the ogre body for cover from the steady stream of arrows, while Thamior ducks away for a much needed cure moderate potion quaff! (He was down to about 5 hps) Xander turns around and sees that Tebryn is having little luck on his own, the ogre pouding away on him while he attempts to grapple the cleric and manages to disrupt his spells. After the rest of the party regroups, they rally and take down the ogre, then focus their attention on the now injured priest. Facish manages to concentrate enough for one last spell and casts gaseous form, floating away harmlessly back the way he came!! Eventually, the man in the loft runs out of ammo, and the party intimidates him enough to make him come down in surrender. A quick search of the fallen battles is next, with Tebryn casting detect magic while Xander moves the invisible man's arms and finds the releven items. Grabbing the warrior's body outright, the party decides to regroup out in the wilderness and lick their collective wounds, ending the session. I know it's long, but I need Dave to see the whole thing. Only he could appreciate some of this crazy stuff. BTW, a note given to me by Troy while he watched the others go crazy in Silverymoon read this, "Wanna go get a car and drive off the Skyway?" J
Lord Krolar Looking around (4/5/03 12:37 am) Reply	Re: Phase THREE!!! Too wild!! Man, I am SOOO missing the action down there! And see, it was always Mark's fault that we argued. And how did Tebryn manage to regain his eyesight? Or did he? I bet that will truly suck if he doesn't for a while. Keep me posted. It's late here, and I will post again later after IO have re-read the incident. Sounds like too much fun! I am jealous! Lords Krolar
Tebryn Noquar Looking around (4/5/03 1:39 pm) Reply	re: phase three ok, he was a little tipsy writing that. my arms were not invisible but i was blind when i cast detect magic. i did draw first blood on the fighter though. i nailed him with one of my arrows. granted it was only for a point of damage but still. as for my employment oppertunities, my characters are trying to take over hommlet! i'm almost there. just a few more well placed people and i'll rule from on high! we miss you dave! i need a good power struggle. ttfn tebryn