DM Carbide's Through a Cracked Mirror: The Dark Road (Inactive)

Game Master John Woodford

Sami shakes his head as he casts a final glance about the area with mild frustration. I can't help but think that we're missing something here.. Ultimately, though, all he can offer is a shrug, and he hefts and shoulders the chain without a sound. I'm ready, then. Let's get back to Luntz

Eretria frowns at Xavier, he had no attention span or a respect for magic it seemed. "Sami... Let me see the chain actually... I'll just carry it." If he gives it back she is going to defiantly connect the chains ends, determined to prove the chain had a purpose.
If she does get it and it does nothing she will just shoulder it like Sami had.

Otherwise she'll just be quiet and leave with everyone when they do, not wanting to push the issue if refused.

Eretria, when you connect the chain ends nothing apparently happens.

The party makes its way back to the surface, to find that Luntz has spent some time picking through nearby buildings for salvage. He has a couple of sacks of odds and ends. "Well, yer still alive, that's a good thing. Any fighting?"

"Why yes, old man. The big monster has been met this day and soundly defeated. No match for 'The circle of 5' and our might. Now, that settled, can you aid us to our next target? and if you've any reward for destroying the monster, it would be much appreciated. That flying helmet would be particularly useful. If not, no matter, the Inheritor does say, 'Good is it's own reward.'

Xavier was quite pleased with how all this was going. Nobody he liked had died, the big monster dead and it was.only morning.

He finds a pretty flower in one of the near, overgrown garden and decides it's time to sweeten Eretria a bit.
He hands her the delicate bloom and says, Not gold or jewels, but a gift from the heart and surely more valuable for it is in full bloom and will never be as beutiful again. For our Mighty and Stunning sorcerer, empowering her allies arms and turning our enemies thoughts from defence, overwhelmed by spell or beauty.
He dips a deep bow.as he presents her with the flower. Then rises to ask the group, (for he truly had no idea what the next move was)
Well comrades, do we need further equip or shall we press on this day, for the sun is only young in the sky and we may yet find more sport before the eve?

Sami grins at Xavier's continued and seemingly unrequired courting of th sorceress. He nods at his bold statement, and gives Luntz a reassuring smile. He says it true, sir, the beast and its companions have all been slain. We only found one group of them, but looked through the entire lair. We'd like to move on now, of course; if we can be sure that you're now a bit safer with what we've done today. How long is the journey upriver?

The old druid's wrinkled face splits in a smile, the widest you've seen from him. "Thank you all! Now, it'll take me a day or two ter get a boat for you, an' then depending on the current an' winds it'll take mebbe a week, mebbe a bit more ter make it up where you're goin'. Iffin' you walked, could be more like three or four, so a boat's worth th' wait.

"So tell me what yer found there, 'sides the big one."

Rashun begins to sweat, and gains a feverish look.
"I don't know what is going on, but I don't feel so good."

Xavier is deflated to hear Rashun and see the mans discomfort, "Whats wrong friend? You looked fine before. Can your god heal you at all?

"Maybe she could but a warrior can't always depend on a deity for help. Maybe I was cursed by those creatures we fought."

He then looks everyone else.

"Are any of you skilled in the art of healing? I am not going to be of much use to you like this."

Eretria is unsure how to respond with the flower gift, she stares at it a moment before tucking it into her hair. Best not to toss it aside lest she offend the warrior. She looks at Rashun with concern, she wasn't a healer but curses were known and rumored to those daring to explore some of the ruins of her home nation, she hoped one had not befallen him.

"There was signs of digging... they could have been searching for the underground city, and also... this chain... which while has a magical aura doesn't appear to do anything."

Xavier still looking at Rashun but unable to assist does catch Eretria put the flower into her hair and smiles to himself, It was over the top, but she likes it.

Sami prepares to tell Luntz of the abandoned shrines and to odd chain, when Rashun seems to come down with something. He stops, and holds a hand up to stave off further questions as he watches Rashun for the signs of his illness. A moment if you please, sir, while I try and see to our friend here.. Concerned, he moves to help Rashun, first by determining the nature of his illness and then seeing what he can do about it.

Heal check to diagnose1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26
Additional heal check to treat, if needed1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 10

Sami, Rashun seems to be suffering from some sort of parasitic infection with which you're not familiar. As far as you can tell, curing it would be a matter of major surgery, or possibly treatment with some variety of drug.

As the nagaji examines Rashun, Luntz looks over his shoulder. "Oh, now, that don't look good. You get bit?"

"I got bitten by one of the smaller monsters, but I did not notice anything at the time."

"Aye, that's the way it goes. Yer bit, an' nothing happens for a little while, then y' start feeling weaker an' clumsier, an' if y' don't get over it or get cured it'll kill you. You got the void death, boy. I can't cure it, but I can keep you alive 'til your body fights th' thing off by itself. Let's get ourselves back t' the lighthouse, an' I'll get some o' that damage fixed up."

"Thanks for your help. I would hate to die before I even get past the first obstacle."

The group heads back to the docks. By the time you get there, it's almost sundown, and Luntz is growing increasingly agitated to be back in time to get the beacon up. "You folks start walking back, an' I'll meet yer at the gap. Rashun, you come with me." He rows off with the ranger/inquisitor. While the rest of you pick your way to the gap in the breakwater (now much wider with the tide high), you see him raising the basket, and by the time you get to the gap he's waiting for you with the dinghy. He grins at Darc. "Come on, get in. Two at a time, an' sit still!"

Rashun, while you waited Luntz spent some time in silent meditation with his eagle sitting nearby. When he finished, he got up (joints crackling merrily as he straightened up), and prepared to cast a spell on you. "Now, I can only do this once today. Three times tomorrow, but every time I cast it that's one less wood shape I can use to make yer boat. But the boat won't do yer any good, you get eaten from inside by an akata." He casts a lesser restoration on you. Take back one point of CON damage.

Rashun thanks Luntz for his help, hoping that he can recover from whatever evil is affecting him.

Eretria still hated being in the boat, and dredded the thought that they would be in it going up thE river for so long as well. She can't offer Rashun much help in his illness so she will spend the night staying out of the way or sleeping.

Back at the Safety of the lighthouse Xavier is twitchy for some action and after a workout doing sprints up the stairs in full armor grabs a very large rock and starts Two Handed Hurling italong the shoreline and doing burpees Think of a crossfit style workout
and has a quick spar with Sami, utilizing two overly heavy training sticks of equal weight.

Sami notes the equal length and equal weighted toy swords and when.quizzed about the change from the usual Blade/Cestus combination Xavier explaines, Sami, I have been taught by many swordmasters in my life, including my father. Most warriors will choose one big weapon and work on getting Strong. Quick, light warriors will usually pair daggers or kukris and rely on finesse. Dad was different, he paired a Sword and shield and unlike most who simply carry a shield for defence, he'd bash people with it. Being Strong and Agile, I saw no reason why a warrior couldn't have the best of both styles: Two Handed Power, Two Weapons for all out offense and offhand blocking. It's all about balance. Even you are a far better fighter when you are stationary. Movement cost us our attacking power. He pauses to let the great wisdom of his style sink in, after all, Sammy lacked skill with REAL weapons, so he might struggle to see Xavier's point

So far I've got 2 parts mastered. By wearing a steel cestus I protect my hand and can parry as well as with a blade, if my feet are set and can punch an armored.hide easily while slashing with my main hand. And a two handed grip adds power when.I move. What I haven't achieved yet is proper abidex...even handedness. One day I'll be just as strong on my left as my right. Then I'll be able to use Two scimitars at once instead of the Glove. And when that happens I'll be able to use both weapons while running or moving. The greatest threat to any warrior is a foe with a style you can't combat. Never have I seen or heard of a fighter who could pair two full length swords. It is a goal I WILL achieve.

He finishes, stows his practice swords and readjusts his gear, I'm not sure how many safe places we'll find to train on this trip but I appreciate the partner. Thankyou.

If Xavier wanted to do more than a practice workout, there are two more akata out on the breakwater.

Similar to last night?

Seeing 2 of the akata pacing the opposite shore, Xavier rushes to the lighthouse and borrows the harpoon once more. Care for another go, Sami? We'll take turns. If I can spear it, help me drag it to the water.

Harpoon attack1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22

They're farther away, since the tide is in. Out of easy harpoon range, although a 22 will still hit.

Sami listens patiently to Xavier, knowing full well that the way to learn was to listen and study, not to interject and question. Though Sami didn't use weapons like the big warrior did, he understood their effectiveness in a fight, and Xavier certainly seemed to be more capable than most. Even so, Sami smiled at the fact that Xavier would share his goals. It's good to train again, though m former masters would certainly question my choice for a sparring partner.

I'm certain that your skill will exceed that of even your most capable teachers.. His eyes scan out to the far Akata. It seems that we've no shortage of targets upon which to practice.

Sami follows Xavier as far as the man will dare to go, and prepares t strike out at whatever beast that their presence will draw in.

Not a critical, so no grapple. Damage
1d6 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

Damn, it didn't stay in....You want a go, friend?

Xavier then hands Sami the Harpoon and takes 2 chackrams from his bandolier and with one in each hand, Throws them right, then left at the Akata he wounded.
TWF Thrown Weapon Power attack, Chakrams 1d8. The table simply lists them.as 'Thrown' weapons. I figured they were Light for TWF penalties since they weigh 1 pound (same as a dagger)
1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (7) + 5 - 1 = 11Primary
1d20 + 5 - 1 ⇒ (15) + 5 - 1 = 19Offhand

Damage1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13Primary

Damage1d8 + 3 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 3 + 2 = 13Offhand

Rashun watches Xavier thinking he is just showing off for Eretia again. Part of him wants to test the warrior in a sparring match, but he decides that his current condition will pass quicker if he does not exert himself for the sake of curiosity.

Eretria sits back, smirking as she watches Xavier throw the chakrams, standing up and walking over to where they are. "I am sure throwing those seemed like a great idea... but they don't have ropes attach... now you'll have to retrieve them from across the water huh?"

Sami looks at the harpoon and grimaces, remembering his botched last attempt at using the weapon. I fear that my pack of familiarity with this weapon makes it a bit difficult to use. I shall help you take them down with other means; then we can pull them into the water after.

Attacks using merciful sling until they're down
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
damage1d4 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (5) = 9
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (14) + 5 = 19
damage1d4 + 3 + 1d6 ⇒ (1) + 3 + (4) = 8

Xavier gawks at the woman, clearly surprised that the woman was not smart enough to figure it out. How to put this so I don't embarrass her?

Well..Eretria, I'm not sure what you know about the tides, being from the desert and all, but you see, the water rises and falls and follows the moon. Just like today, the tide will go out as the moon goes to bed and the water level here will fall enough to hop across on the boat to het them back. I do have 6more, if I need them and Chakrams are quite cheap. They're really only for things I cannot charge anyway...but I should probably buy a nice bow when I can.
Survival is one of the few skills Xavier does know a bit about

Poor thing probably couldn't tell me where north is
Ahem..well, Sorcerous, you have a bit of Magic left today? Can you help Sami and I defeat yonder monster

After a bit of messing around, you take down both akata. While Luntz gets food together, I assume someone brings him up to speed on what happened. He pauses after you tell him about the collar, wooden spoon in hand, mulling things over. "Well, that's kinda odd. Something was controlling the big one? An' it was digging a deep hole? I wo--aw, feck!" He turns his attention back to the stewpot. "Whew...didn't burn. Go on, now."

Darc, watches Xavier, Best he try his skill in battle, when the gore is spat from his teeth. This game is for children, I hope he will be a man when called upon to die honorably. He closes his eyes as the smell of the food seeps from out inside the building. "Hmmm!"

Sami smiles at Luntz, as the man's hospitality provides for a refreshing Example of humanity after spending time in the dark, alien lair of the Akata. Indeed, it was kbvious that the beasts were seeking something, if only a more suitable subterranean lair. More likely, they were searching for something more specific under those tons of rock.

Sami proceeds to tell him of the separate rooms with their shrines and how, oddly enough, the room to Norgorber was largely untouched. He closes by pointing out the magical chain that they had returned with.

Is any of this making more sense to you than it did to us? Why would the single shrine be left alone while the others were not?

"Sami I still have not figured that out yet. I don't know what Norgorber would need with beast like those. He deals in murder, not that those things are not capable, but something is not right".

"Sami's got a good thought there, 'bout the chain mebbe hidin' the shrine. Have to see what it does. Though iffin' it could do that, how'd you see through it?" He dishes out fish stew. "Ah, well. It'll keep fer now. Tomorrow we keep Rashun goin' and it's off t' th' yards t' start work on yer boat."

"Norber, no honor. Murder, no honor. Find dishonor and bring justice and honor." adds Darc as the juices of the dark stew trickle slowly down from the sides of hips lips, before the back of his large hands wipes them away. The juices eventually merging with the seeping wound on his leg, as the half-orc removes the liquid from the back of his hand. Once the mouthful is swallowed down, "Good."

Xavier tucks into his meal, obviously, quite hungry after his sport

The rest of the night passes uneventfully. Early the next morning, Luntz is up to take down the fire basket and serve out leftover stew for breakfast. After eating, he settles down to meditate for a time, and then he casts another lesser restoration on Rashun. It fixes the rest of the CON damage, Rashun. "I can take care o' that bit of clumsiness, or wait an' see if it gets worse. What's yer pleasure?"

Rashun, even though it won't affect anything until later in the day, make another DC 14 Fort save.

fort save:1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15

"I feel perfectly ok again, at least for now. Thank Luntz."

Rashun, you're still down 1 point of DEX, but you didn't get any worse today. (Incidentally, it's a good thing he cured the CON damage, or I think you would have failed that save. Void death is a nasty, nasty disease.)

I thought it was the next day in the game or do you wait until 24 hours later? Ability damage heals naturally or is it ability drain?

It's ability damage, but the cure is two consecutive saves so you still have the disease. From the core rulebook, "Hit point and ability score damage caused by an affliction cannot be healed naturally while the affliction persists."

Sami rises with the dawn, as always, and immediately begins his routine of stretches and free-form combatives that make his style unique. His race doesn't perspire, but he knows his body well enough, and the call from Luntz for breakfast is quite a welcome sound to his fatigued body.

When at breakfast, he questions the man. Luntz, you had an idea yesterday of what those Akata were searching for; had you any more thoughts on this? And...I'm hoping that we can help you with the craft; idle hands just lead to trouble.

"Nawp, no real idea. Thing is, I've watched them things for more'n thirty years, an' I never seen 'em act smarter than wolves. Now I'll grant that th' big one's an alpha, king o' the pack, but it acted like any pack leader, reet? This diggin', from what you said 'bout how deep that hole went...that's different. There's purpose in that, an' now y' tell me that the alpha wore some kind o' control collar? I'm thinkin' the purpose comes from whoever's got the other end o' the leash, iffin' y' know what I mean."

Since it's the next day and there are no akata, Xavier will retrieve his Chakrams

It's ability damage, but the cure is two consecutive saves so you still have the disease. From the core rulebook, "Hit point and ability score damage caused by an affliction cannot be healed naturally while the affliction persists."

Darn it. Oh well at least I now have a reason to use diseases against players now. :)

Since it's the next day Eretria will eat breakfast and resume her paranoia about being so near large open water. >_>

Sami nods, firm resolve plain on his angular features. Well, then...that other end of the collar is what we must find; and we must be ready for something quite a bit smarter than those things we faced yesterday. Is there something we can do to help you with construction of the boat...or anything else that we can take care of about your home?

Don't worry, Eretria--the orcas hardly ever come this close to the breakwater, and Luntz has only had to fight off giant squid once in all the time he's been there. Now, if you'd come during the spring, when the storms blow in from the south....

"Come on down to the yards, fer I'll likely need some help movin' wood around, least to start with."

Xavier brightens at the sound of manual labor. All this thinking about how to get here or there amd understanding why a damnbeast would dig a giant hole was hurtimg his head. Here was a job he could help with. I'll come, Luntz. Anything to help.

Xavier, had also been biting his lip over something for a bit but he thought he could impose upon Lutz now. Ummm, Luntz. Would you be able to do something for me. It's just a warrior should always carry the best weapons he can and my father told me about this great spell called Masterwork Transformation, and he said just about any Cleric or Druid can cast it. I've got the gold for the spell and I was wondering if you'd trouble yourself to cast it on my Warhammer if I gave you 2 potions worth the 300 gp?