Ah.. was hoping to have moved closer + draw last round... i'll throw another spear or stab as i move up, (guessing its difficult terrain???). (Trying to be attacking as I move in)
Attack: +4 if i cant throw
Damage:
Is it possible to charge??
Confirm:
Damage:
I am now crying...
Fort Save 1:
Fort Save 2:
Str damage:
Con damage:
Dancing back, Shisa falls into a defensive pattern.
acrobatics:
************
Fully defensive (+6 Dodge bonus to AC due to Acrobatics ranks)
AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 2 / 14
Rotting: Str: 8/12 (-1) Con: 10/11 (0) (-2 HP loss due to mod)
Defensive [AC16], again Tony will move to flank [if possible] and attack.
Acrobatics to avoid AoO:
Deulling sword attack: for a possible piercing damage.
IF flank achieved and it is vulnerable to sneak attacks, +2 to hit and an extra piercing damage.
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Is the str / con damage per round or a one-time thing?
As Shisa defends herself as best she can, Tony tumbles to position the fiendish fungus between himself and Aerodus although this time his sword-thrust slides ineffectively off the thing's purple 'flesh'...
Seeming to somehow sense (a react badly to) Aerodus's presence, the fungal monstrosity focuses all its attacks on the paladin, a high-pitched whine escaping its lumbering form as its tendrils whip out in a near-beserk attempt to smite its goodly foe!
As Aerodus drops, Taki screams from the mouth of the cavern, although Gelik manages to hold her back,
'Wait, child,' he insists, 'it's not safe yet!'
Fort 1:
Fort 2:
Fort 3:
Failure: Str
Con :
Stabilization: Yay stabilized.
Hp: -4/19 LoH: 2/4
One more time, Tony will move to flank [if possible, with his companions preoccupied by being beaten up] and attack.
:
Deulling sword attack: for a possible slashing damage.
, +2 to hit and an extra slashing damage.
As Aerodus collapses, Shisa takes a rolling dive to her left, trying to pin the creature between her and Tony. Her side screams in pain as she lets her dagger drop to the cave's floor, concentrating on dropping the foul beast while still maintaining a semi-defensive posture.
Acrobatics:
Short sword attack (str dmg / Ishi /defensive)
damage:
if flanked:
************
defensive fighting (+3 Dodge bonus to AC due to Acrobatics ranks)
AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 4 / 14
Rotting: Str: 8/12 (-1) Con: 10/11 (0)
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Short sword attack (str dmg / Ishi /defensive)
Stepping to catch the fiendish fungus between the two of them, Shisa and Tony both manage to slip their blades past the evil thing's defences, slicing open purple 'flesh' and plunging swords into the core of the monstrosity... It shudders a few times, its tendrils whipping about wildly for a few moments... then collapses to lie still on the cavern floor...
Within seconds the remains of the violet fungus start to rapidly decay, its hue changing from purple to grey as it appears to dry and shrivel, until what's left crumbles into so much dust on the wind... A similar thing appears to be happening to the curtains of fungus covering the entrance to the cavern, and as they quickly die out and disintegrate, sunlight once more finds its way into the cavern interior.
Once the obvious danger's passed, Taki rushes to kneel by Aerodus's side, her loving touch seeming to revive the stricken paladin...
Walking over, Gelik sifts the small amount of remaining grey dust with the toe of his boot,
'Even the Captain's skeletal remains have gone,' he observes, 'it would have been nice to have given the man a decent burial... but we can only hope that he is, at least, now resting a little more peacefully.'
Consciousness returning, Aerodus groans to inform the group of his survival, "That... was painful." Standing causes even more pain, and reveals the missing portions of flesh that have rotted away. "You all have my thanks once again, for helping slay this fiend." And with a nod to Gelik "As well as helping put the Captain to rest." Before hugging Taki close, and healing himself with his free hand.
LoH:
After bending over to gather his things Aerodus uses one of the spears as a walking stick, when he notices the fungus having disintegrated. "If the fiend's death is killing the fungus... then what about the bridge???"
Sheathing her sword, she bends down to retrieve her dagger. Slipping it into it's sheath, she turns to the others. "Well, that was.. interesting," she says wincing with pain from her ribs. "Shall we head back?"
Her eyes glance around the cave's interior, looking for anything useful.
Perception:
************
AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 4 / 14
Rotting: Str: 8/12 (-1) Con: 10/11 (0)
Rolling away as it flails its tendrils, Tony tensely watches its death throes. As it finally dries up and blows away, Tony flicks the remains from his blade and sheathes it with a flourish.
Kneeling by Aerodus, he grins and says "Glorious victory indeed! But are you and Shisa alright? Those looked like ugly wounds."
"If the fiend's death is killing the fungus... then what about the bridge???"
"Let's find out!" Tony will lead the way outside.
Managing a chuckle, Aerodus shows off the condition of his borrowed armour: "You will be glad to know I kept your armour safe from harm, not a scratch on it! As for the Songstress..." He makes his way across and invokes the healing power of the Inheritor.
LoH for Shisa:
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"Glorious victory indeed! But are you and Shisa alright? Those looked like ugly wounds."
Gelik tuts as he quickly sketches an anatomical diagram of the wounds in his journal,
'They're beyond my meagre skills,' the gnome comments, 'and I'm doubting that even Mrs Whiteblade's jungle dung concoctions will do any good smeared on those sorts of wounds.'
Taki winces as she examines Aerodus's wounds and shakes her head...
Since Shisa notices nothing of any real interest remaining in the cavern, the group head outside... Sure enough, the fungal ropes are gone, and the grey fungus of the island itself can be seen receeding as all of it dries and crumbles to so much dust... Forty feet below the cave entrance the sea smashes and pounds violently against the base of the rock pillar, whilst the main part of the formerly-fungus-covered island looms a 'mere' ninety feet across that raging sea...
Yipper flies out, across to the island... before glancing back and returning...
Tony peers down at the water from the cliffs edge.
"While I am reasonably sure I can dive in to swim it, we need to find another way for the untrained to get down at least."
Looking across to the other side, where the fungus bridge once was, he examines thoughtfully.
"I wonder. Do we have enough rope to string our own bridge?" Rooting through his own bag he mumbles "Of course, the one thing we have apleanty I don't bring..."
Tossing his bag to the ground: "I should have enough to get us across, if we can get it to attach to something on the other end.." As he roots through his supplies to dig out his rope and grapple.
Attaching the grappling hook to one end, he gets to work tying the two coils together.
Ranged touch:
Ranged touch:
Ranged touch:
"Marik! Is it possible for Yipper to fly the hook across and set it for us?"
Wincing at the pain in her side from her leather armor rubbing against an exposed rib, Shisa drops her pack to the ground. "Would be best to set the hook on this side and tie it off on the other. Otherwise, you may end up leaving your rope behind with no way to untie it to retrieve."
Plopping down on the ground next to her pack, she rumages inside for another piece of fruit which she immediately begins to devour. "Perhaps there's another way accross," she says as she takes another bite.
Looking out across the water below, she shakes her head and mumbles, "I do hope someone is able to heal these wounds. They'll leave horrid scars which could affect my ability to gain employment once we return."
************
AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 10 / 14
Rotting: Str: 8/12 (-1) Con: 10/11 (0)
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After a few tries Aerodus realises that he just can't get the distance with the grappling hook to cross the ninety foot wide space between the rock pillar and the formerly fungus-covered island...
"Marik! Is it possible for Yipper to fly the hook across and set it for us?"
Yipper eyes the heavy-looking grapple warily...
"Would be best to set the hook on this side and tie it off on the other. Otherwise, you may end up leaving your rope behind with no way to untie it to retrieve."
'Excellent plan!,' comments Gelik, dryly, 'Now... who exactly is going to be over there to tie the rope in place for us? Wait! Has Yipper grown opposable thumbs whilst I wasn't looking?!' the gnome pantomimes looking around to try to spot the evolutionary miracle...
"Perhaps there's another way across,"
'Yes,' Gelik continues, 'perhaps if we closed our eyes and wished really hard..?'
"I do hope someone is able to heal these wounds. They'll leave horrid scars which could affect my ability to gain employment once we return."
'What sort of employment requires you to leave your torso exposed to view?' the gnome continues... then quickly shakes his head and holds up his hands, 'On second thoughts, I don't need to know!'
Speaking an arcane word, Gelik points to a fist-sized rock... as he does so the rock first levitates then, following the gnome's finger, floats out of the cave mouth and across the gap... only to waver, then plummet into the chruning sea below, about a third of the way across...
'Damnit!' Gelik snarls, sitting down with his back to the cave wall, 'It's hopeless...'
Throwing a grappling hook requires
a ranged attack roll, treating the hook as a thrown weapon
with a range increment of 10 feet. Objects with ample
places to catch the hook are AC 5.
And since rules on thrown p144 state:
A thrown weapon has a maximum range of five range increments. A projectile
weapon can shoot to 10 range increments.
Besides the -18 on rolls, I think we are far beyond the range limit for grapple hooks.
"He could chew threw the rope if we tied it on this end." Aerodus remarks as he begins to coil rope+grapple after his latest failed throw. "A few feet lost would be worth not having to spend all day thinking of a way across!"
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In old school D&D that's what we used Gnomes for as they really served no other purpose....Hey, wait a minute. (judges the distance) Master Gelik could you come here for a minute,
Marik looks at Yipper and laughs "Yes, being able to fly would certainly come in handy right about now. I'm so glad you volunteered." he then turns to the group "Yipper could carry the grapple over to the other side and try and set it for us. Then he could fly back and gnaw through the rope on this end, probably would shorten it a couple of feet. But, man am I going to owe him big time for this."
Offering the hook to Marik/Yipper "It's all yours. If he succeeds I'm sure we can cook him something to his liking..."
"'What sort of employment requires you to leave your torso exposed to view?..On second thoughts, I don't need to know!'"
Shooting the gnome a conspiratorial grin she replies, "Why..didn't you know Master Gelik? I am in the business of antiquities and rarities acquisition. Sometimes, one must dress for the occassion."
With a laugh, she reaches into her pack and pulls out another piece of fruit. She scowls at it a bit and sighs. "I must have been hungry and ate more than I thought. Last one.. anyone care for it?"
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"Why..didn't you know Master Gelik? I am in the business of antiquities and rarities acquisition. Sometimes, one must dress for the occassion."
'Oh, well then,' Gelik retorts, 'if tomb robbing is your game, then looking a little like a zombie will probably be a help...'
Yipper, meanwhile hops over to the grapple and looks at it for a few moments... then back at Marik... then at the grapple again... then seems to slump a little as he lets out a long drawn-out yip (a bit like air escaping from a balloon)... but finally he takes to the air, circling round the cave a few times, before diving towards the grapple and snatching it with his rear talons as he passes...
... Flapping furiously as he heads out of the cave, Yipper drops a good few feet, before rising again, slowly and with what seems to be great effort as he fights both the weight of the hook itself and that of the trailing rope... but he keeps going, finally getting across the ninety foot gap to drop the grapple behind a formation of rocks on the other side. A couple of good tugs confirms that the grapple is secure, and Aerodus ties it off on the cave side.
One by one the group pull themselves, hand over hand, across the rope, until all are back on the other side of the gap, most slumped and gasping for breath from the effort - Master Gelik having had a particularly rough time trying to cross with his shorter stature. His own rest disturbed, Yipper dutifully flies back across to gnawl through the rope on the cave side, allowing Aerodus to reclaim the majority of it.
The once fungus-covered island seems strangely empty now it's devoid of its grey covering - only a layer of dark mud, rapidly drying out in the sun, remains... although even now, here and there, new green shoots are already sprouting, suggesting that the jungle won't delay too long in reclaiming the island.
It's another long trek (broken by another night spent camping in the jungle) back to Aycenia's hill, but the journey proves to be without major hazardous incident this time...
The sun is once more dipping below the horizon when Aycenia's hill is crested, and the fey lady herself is seen, reclining against her tree...
'You succeeded!' she declares (it doesn't seem to be a question, but rather a statement), 'congratulations!'
A smile beaming on her face, the green-haired woman bounces over to hug each one of the group in turn (including hero-of-the-hour Yipper, of course!)... but she frowns as she notes Shisa and Aerodus's wounds...
'That won't do,' she says, 'that won't do at all!'
Sitting everyone down in her hilltop grove, Aycenia proceeds to lay hands on each in turn... as she does so a soothing calm passes through each person, and their wounds close before their eyes...
Appearing a little fatigued - but still smiling - as she completes her healing task, Aycenia sits with the group,
'You have my eternal gratitude,' she announces, 'all of you. If there's anything I can do to aid you, please feel free to ask.'
Giving an audible sigh of relief as his rotting flesh begins to mend "You have my thanks spirit, we were glad to have slain the fiend." Sitting himself around the group, with Blinky in tow to provide illumination.
"You spoke earlier of some of the other evil's below the island? Would this have anything to do with the Thrunefang's 'Mother'?" Aerodus inquires.
Entering the clearing, she walks over to the same spot she used on her last visit and grounded her gear, wincing as her armor rubbed yet again against her rib.
She smiles weakly at Aycenia's greeting as she strips out of her leather. The sweat-soaked, torn shirt does little to hide the hideous wound on her side as she walks over to join Aycenia and Aerodus and waits her turn.
Marveling at the way her flesh closes as the healing warmth flows through her, she gives the other woman a smile. Bowing deeply, she offers her thanks, then turns to Gelik with a grin. "See. I don't look like a zombie now do I," she asks, pulling up her shirt to show off her now-healed ribs.
With a wink at the gnome and a roll of her eyes at Aerodus' question about yet more evil, she begs her leave to wander back down to the stream to bathe and gather more of the succulent fruit.
************
AC 14, touch 12, flat-footed 12 (+2 armor, +2 Dex)
hp 14 / 14
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"You spoke earlier of some of the other evil's below the island? Would this have anything to do with the Thrunefang's 'Mother'?"
'Perhaps,' Aycenia replies, 'but I can't say for certain. The evil here feels like it stems from ancient times, long before I came to be here, and certainly a lot longer ago than when the Thrune's Fang found itself stranded on these shores. But the children of the Thrune's Fang have been touched by the corruption of that evil, as I said before, so it's quite possible that there is a connetion of sorts.'
"See. I don't look like a zombie now do I,"
'Maybe a well-preserved one,' Gelik allows, with a smile...
After glancing away embarrassed as Shisa exposes her healed ribs, Tony clears his throat and asks; "Milady, will our friends be safe where they are, or is there a better place for them to camp?"
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"Milady, will our friends be safe where they are, or is there a better place for them to camp?"
'I cannot say if your friends remain safe or not,' Aycenia replies, running her fingers through the grass on the hilltop as she sits with the group, legs tucked under her; then she smiles at Tony and adds, 'but I shall see what I can find out...'
Moving across to Tony on all fours, with feline grace, the leaf-clad green-haired woman takes his face in her hands and kisses him deeply. Eventually breaking the kiss she leans back, opens her eyes, and sighs,
'My thanks,' she says to the swashbuckler, a smile on her lips as she adds, 'that has nothing to do with the magic - I just felt like trying it... and it was good...'
Standing, arching her back as she stretches her arms above her, Aycenia steps over to the huge banyan tree. Leaning her palms and forehead against its ancient bark she sighs once more,
'I'm still weary,' she explains, 'much as Master Nedraid's kiss invigorated me!' she turns her head and winks at Tony, 'but I should be able to do this...'
As you watch, Aycenia appears to fall forwards, into the tree, almost as if its surface was mere liquid. Briefly the texture of the tree's bark can be seen spreading across the green-haired fey woman's skin... and then she's gone, become one with the tree...
...
...
...
... It's about ten minutes later when the process appears to reverse: first one slender leg steps from the tree, then an arm, the bark texture retreating from the limbs as they emerge, then finally Aycenia herself steps out...
'I have grave news,' she reports, a frown on her otherwise smooth brow, 'the children of the Thrune's Fang have found your friends, and taken them back to their village. I can't imagine they will treat these castaways any better than they have all the others they've found in the past...' she casts a sidelong glance at Taki, where the local girl is curled up next to Aerodus, '... which means a feast for the children... and the end of your friends. The children have been known to nibble on their prey beforehand as well, so there may not be much time if you wish to recover them... in one piece...'
Holding up a hand to forestall any comments, the fey woman adds,
'I hate to bring you this news now, but it would be wrong for me not to tell you. However, I urge you to at least rest here tonight and to not set out until you're recovered from your recent trek. If you wish I can induce a deep slumber, as I'm sure sleep will be hard to come by otherwise tonight...'
Tony participated in the kiss with enthusiasm, his arms creeping around her waist.
When she breaks free, he says (a little breathlessly); "Anything I can do to help milady."
When Aycenia returns, Tony jumps to his feet at the news, grasping his sword.
He turns to the others; "Can we afford to wait?"
Entering the clearing as Aycenia makes her emergence from the tree, Shisa stands watching in fascination. Her wet hair hangs plastered to her head and the bottom her soaked shirt is held in one hand, a pile of fruit cradled in its fold. In her other hand, her boots bounce against the side of her leg.
As the tree spirit makes her disclosure regarding the others, Shisa walks quickly to her gear and sqiats dpwm before letting the gathered fruit spill out next to her pack.
"Well, as it will be dark soon, I think Aycenia has the right of it. We should wait until the morrow. The jungle is hazardous enough in the daylight."
Reaching into her pack, she pulls out her comb and turns to sit on a nearby root. She starts working the comb through her hair as she stretches out her legs wiggling her toes. "Although we're safe here, I would prefer not to be bespelled into sleep."
At the news Aerodus is a flurry of questions...
"Priestess, where do they keep their prisoners? May haps we can strike a rescue in the morning, or can use a distraction to free them."
"They are right nobleman, if we rush in unprepared we only risk putting ourselves at risk as well as their own. But we should try as get as close as possible to the village as we can."
Tony slowly sinks down again. He nods slowly.
"Very well then. But I think we're going to need a new plan."
He turns to Aycenia and takes her hand in earnest.
"Milady, is there any way you can show us the Thrunefang village? Draw it out? Describe it's defenses and numbers? Please. Our friends lives are at stake."
"The priestess may be able to help in this regard, she did live in the village, and as for a distracton I could challenge the chieftain, that should draw the village while you free our compatriots." Aerodus volunteers.
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'We're going nowhere tonight,' states Gelik flatly, 'we've just trekked for what, twelve, fourteen, hours through the jungle to get back here... to attempt to struggle further only to collapse of exhaustion somewhere out there,' he gestures expansively towards... well, pretty much the rest of the island... 'would not be heroism, but rather sheer idiocy... though I realise the two are oft bosom companions...'
'Meals...' Taki begins, before trailing off, glancing sheepishly at Aerodus, and starting again, '... prisoners kept in pen behind butchery,' she explains, 'refuse pit behind pen... then jungle. Guards between butchery and big tower where chieften sleeps with wives. Butchery face firepit in centre of village. Sleeping hut and storage hut also face fire pit. Path to centre of village guarded by dragon tied to tree... and by Malikadna's walking skeletons - they in pen on way to village... Malikadna's hut down path behind skeleton pen. Entrance to afterlife next to chieften's big tower.'
Falling quiet for a while, Taki then adds,
'Aerodus kill Klorak, kill Malikadna, then Aerodus chieften and do what he want with m... prisoners.'
'What the child says is correct,' Aycenia offers, 'the tower she refers to is the lighthouse settlers never quite finished building years ago. Their "entrance to the afterlife" is a hole leading to the caverns under the island... and I can sense a great evil from there.'
Eating quietly while the others discuss the upcoming raid, Shisa listens attentively, pausing only to grab another piece of fruit.
".. and I can sense a great evil from there."
Waving the fruit in her hand at the others, she quietly speaks around the bite in her mouth, "Oh great, she said the magic word. Here we go..again." Raising her voice just enough for all to hear, she continues, "Ok Aero.. first the village.. then rest.. THEN the evil beneath."
She shoots the paladin a grin then turns back to her meal momentarily. "Let's see.. walking skeletons and cannibals. Any suggestions as to how we're going to deal with all of that?"
Let's see.. walking skeletons and cannibals. Any suggestions as to how we're going to deal with all of that?
"With planning, faith, and luck."
Drawing the in the dirt Aerodus will do his best to map out the buildings.
Pointing to the pen... "The prisoners are our main concern, luckily it seems we can get to it from the jungle rather than having to wade through the village."
"As for the chieftain and his witch, they be more difficult to assault with stealth...." he muses.
"As for the chieftain and his witch, they be more difficult to assault with stealth...."
Tossing the seed from her recently finished fruit aside, she looks over at Taki and grins. "We should just get Yipper to carry Taki's snake and drop it on the old hag while she sleeps. I'm sure a good bite from that thing will solve some of our problems," she says half jokingly. "After all, snakes are quiet and often go unnoticed until it's too late, especially in the dark."
Turning to Aycenia she asks, "Are there any good components for poisons nearby? Perhaps any that could paralyze?" Tapping her finger to her lips in thought she asks, "Also.. how DO you fight walking skeletons?"
Also.. how DO you fight walking skeletons?
Knowledge Religion:
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"We should just get Yipper to carry Taki's snake and drop it on the old hag while she sleeps. I'm sure a good bite from that thing will solve some of our problems... After all, snakes are quiet and often go unnoticed until it's too late, especially in the dark."
'Snake bite Malikadna, snake get poisoned...' Taki answers with a scowl, 'Malikadna make men weak and conjure monsters with her magic...' the young girls trails off, looking a little dejected as she adds, '... much better witch than Taki...'
"Are there any good components for poisons nearby? Perhaps any that could paralyze?"
'I wouldn't know about such things,' comments the green-haired fey woman, 'I prefer healing to harming, if at all possible.'
"Also.. how DO you fight walking skeletons?"
"Sticks and stones will break their bones Songstress. Much better than swords, spears or arrows." as he chuckles to himself at the joke while patting his morning star.
Redrawing the buildings to match the new map, Aerodus takes a few stones and moves them around the village..."Is it possible to manuever around the village to the pens?"
Her eyebrows furrow a bit in thought as the young half-elf thinks over the things she's hearing. Looking over at Aerodus she asks, "Can we fashion staves out of those javelins? If not, we'll have to cut some heavy branches for clubs."
As she gazes at the crudely map drawn in the jungle floor she says, "Perhaps one of us can try to circle around to get to the prisoners and set them free. If we can do so, we will have more people to help should things go ary. Taki may be our best bet as she wouldn't stand out as much should someone catch but a glance of her."
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"Is it possible to manuever around the village to the pens?"
'Difficult,' Taki says, 'but can do it - jungle very thick.'
"Can we fashion staves out of those javelins? If not, we'll have to cut some heavy branches for clubs."
'No,' states Aycenia flatly, 'you won't.'
"Perhaps one of us can try to circle around to get to the prisoners and set them free. If we can do so, we will have more people to help should things go ary. Taki may be our best bet as she wouldn't stand out as much should someone catch but a glance of her."
'Thrunefang Taki family,' Taki points out, 'everyone recognise Taki. Taki banished - be killed on sight! Taki go with Aerodus - when Aerodus kill Klorak, Taki not banished any more.'
'While I'm sure they "all look alike" to us, Mistress LeCroix,' Gelik interjects, 'young Mrs Whiteblade has a point - if anything she's the most likely to be recognised of all of us... although I dare say if the community is no larger than a small hamlet or village, then any one of us will be spotted with ease - this isn't like losing the watch after picking a pocket in the market of some big city...' he gives Shisa a sidelong look, '... not that you'd have any experience with that sort of thing, I'm sure...'
"I can cast a minor illusion of invisibility over myself, and attempt to free the captives. It will only last a few seconds though but it should be long enough for me to get to the pen."
'That sounds like a captital idea,' agrees Gelik, 'as our fearless Sir Aerodus and his good lady wife make their challenge to the incumbent political hierarchy, Master Whiterose and Mistress LeCroix can skirt the camp and try to free our erstwhile colleagues in castaway calamity. Master Nedraid may well be needed to act as second to our paladin... I assume the usual niceties of a formal duel between gentlemen are to be observed? I, myself, may offer my services as referee, if no established notary is available in the village.'
Sometimes it's hard to tell if Gelik is being serious or sarcastic...
'Oh,' he adds, 'there was that potential hiccup in the plan... what with the witch, animated skeletons, and one of the local giant lizards to deal with... Unless, of course, they happen to have a real dragon as a guard dog - that would change everything...'
... but this one seems to be leaning towards the latter...