Kyren unstraps himself and jumps to land where he kisses the ground. "Desna be praised! Crazzleboks! That was a close one! Thank you my friends, you have saved my life!"
Ha! I knew it, you're alright, aren't you? I could've never forgiven myself if you would've been harmed! I'll gladly pay you 200 gp, but tell me now, what have you found out about the flying qualities of the new kite?
"What in the world went wrong, Uri? Dammit! I was sure that you checked it over! If I ignore the fact that the contraption was on the verge of falling apart and I was about to plummet to my death, I would give it raving reviews. It's tremendously fast, sleek, aerodynamic, and and in hot pink, it will be undoubtably be all the rage. However, what it has in speed, it lacks in maneuverability. This is a great kite for long distance racing, outrunning gargoyles, or simply getting lots of speed. However, in its current form, I would only recommend it if you've lost hope and want to end your life early."
"However, I do forgive you. I also want to thank you kindly for the gold, Uri. I would be happy to fly for you again, but let's make sure that it is first put together well!
""Now have we learned our lesson?"
"Bonzo, you are a great friend and I cannot thank you enough for saving me! But forgive me, for I am hooked and will always be lured to the sky like a bird. Although this was an unfortunate incident, today, I know Uri will not make that mistake again!"
"Although this was an unfortunate incident, today, I know Uri will not make that mistake again!"
Well, call me a glass-half-empty kind of guy, but you're being *awfuly* trusting. But hey, let's ask him . . . Hey Uri! Have you ever made that mistake before?? I ask this with raised eyebrow, expecting a particular answer.
Sense MOtive (I wanna know if he's lying): <--oooor maybe not
"Maybe leaving flying to the birds is for the best my little friend. Then again, how was it?"
For a moment Uri looks conscious-stricken, but then he blushes and raises his hands in a defensive gesture
Never ever, did I make such a mistake! one of his employees behind him raises his hand as if to say something, but then just shakes his head...
Kyren my friend, your review is very profound, I will start to work on enhancements instantly. We need better bolts, harder wood and more pink...very good. Please Kyren return next week to take another test flight, will you?
"Aye, Uri. I'll be back. But please just make sure the kite is ready for me."
"Well, my folks. You are the best friends a halfling could ever have! Not only have you saved my life, you have also given me enough to pay my registration for the Tzarek tournament! I've got to swing by and pick up the rest of the fee at the Revive. Then I would like to go and register at the Night Owl. Will you join me? I am so excited, I can hardly wait!"
"Aye, Uri. I'll be back. But please just make sure the kite is ready for me."
*blink* *blink* Boy, you really are a daring little bugger, aren't you?? You're going to do this AGAIN?!?! I certainly hope there's someone here to save your life next time too, ya crazy bastard!!
I go over to the employee who started to raise his hand and whisper try to get Uri to do something about that, will ya?
Sure, let's go to the Night Owl. My drink will be on YOU, after saving your tiny butt!!
*blink* *blink* Boy, you really are a daring little bugger, aren't you?? You're going to do this AGAIN?!?! I certainly hope there's someone here to save your life next time too, ya crazy bastard!!
I wasn't worried until that crazzlebocked contraption started to come apart! Maybe I am a little crazy, but I have to admit it was a exhilarating! But you are right, I think I better start working on my arcane talents and figure out how to fall like a feather."
Sure, let's go to the Night Owl. My drink will be on YOU, after saving your tiny butt!!
Kyren chuckles to himself,"Very well, Vaughn, You certainly deserve a whole lot more than thanks! Was it your idea to shoot the arrow to the pink kite? That was most impressive. I don't care what Thorne says about you, you are alright in my book. Would you consider becoming an honorary halfling? We could call you a full-ling, or better yet, a double half!"
"Very well, Vaughn, You certainly deserve a whole lot more than thanks! Was it your idea to shoot the arrow to the pink kite? That was most impressive. I don't care what Thorne says about you, you are alright in my book. Would you consider becoming an honorary halfling? We could call you a full-ling, or better yet, a double half!"
Heh, yes, that was my idea--it was the only way I could think of to get a rope to you. Good thing Bonzo used Guidance--I was in such a rush that it wasn't a very good shot.
.A double-halfling, eh? I'll tell you what--I'll leave it to YOU to come up with the honorary titles. :-)
After your stopover at the Revive you are just about to reach the square where the Night Owl is located at, as you suddenly feel the ground shaking. Some passersby around you give the street cover a puzzled look, then suddenly there is another rumble, this time far more forceful, and then, only a jiffy later, the earth splits and a gigantic purple creature breaks out of the cobblestoned street!
And the beast does not remain alone: Another blink later a second creature of the same kind devours a whole cart loaded with dead bodies some meters farther up the street as it emerges from the depths.
People scream in panic and run away as fast as they can from the monsters, while a group of nearby Duskwardens draw their swords and engage the monsters, their captain shouting
By Gorum, attack! Beware of the poisoned tail, these are purple worms!
Both worms are heavily injured and seem rather panicked.
Cyan = Civilians
Yellow = Duskwardens
Round 1
"Crazzleboks! Who let the worms out!"
Kyren casts magic missile at the purple worm at V13
Magic Missile
ROUND 1
Wow, those are BIG worms
Move to Y 16 and shoot at the same worm Kyren hit.
Bow attack: crap!!
Seeing the attacking threat, Alcheringa lets out a deep growl like a lion and charges teeth bared at the closest worm, drawing his Elven blade as he crosses the distance to the target, Blaze takes off beside him as they run at the target.
Alcheringa
Charge to the worm at X14
Attack -
Damage -
Blaze
Move to worm at X15
Bite -
(Trip) - =CMD
Damage -
Alcheringa Crit Confirmation
While Alcheringa and Kyren are able do deal the huge worm some serious wounds, Donna and Vaughn miss and Bonzo fires only a small acid orb at the creature.
Most of the Duskwarden attack the worm farther away, while two help Alcheringa to flank the creature he's attacking. The fleeing townsfolk remain in a distance they can still observe the fight - while even though this is Kaer Maga, this is still no everyday sight!
The purple worm which is attacked by Alcheringa, turns it gigantic maw towards the two Duskwardens and with a strange unearthly sound attacks one of the courageous guards
After this initial attack the ground below the poor man breaks open and a purple sting buries itself in the man's abdomen.
Mortally hit, the man falls to the ground, like one of his companions fighting against the other creature.
Rd 2:
Duskwardens
Bonzo
Vaughn
Alcheringa
Worm
Kyren
"The Earth must be happy to spit out such ugliness!"
He swings away again whilst Blaze tries to find purchase in its skin with tooth and claw.
Alcheringa
Attack - (Flanking)
Damage -
Blaze
Bite -
(Trip) - =CMD
Damage -
Claw -
Damage -
Claw -
Damage -
Round 2
Kyren hesitantly moves closer to the ugly worm and casts Acid Splash on the beast.
"Orb go Splat"
Acid Splash
ROUND 2
I blink as I watch the Duskwarden get ground to meat and swallowed.
HOLY . . . *gulp*
hesitating only a hearbeat, I drop my bow, draw 2 daggers while moving to X 13, and make a stab.
Dagger:
Damage:
It seems like you totally overrestimated the condition of the worms: As Vaughn plunges his dager into the body of the monster, it emits a last eerie sound and then slumps lifelessly to the ground, the other one finds it end simultaneously under the swords of the Duskwardens. With a crashing sound it takes half the building down with it as it dies.
A moment of disbelief and then the cheering crowd are the next things you experience.
The captain of the Duskwardens runs over to you and says
out of his breath
Ha! By Gorum's balls, we massacred these ugly monsters!
Kazam! I totally underestimated my acid splash! Nice work folks. Shall we go in and get ourselves a drink?
"First Otyugh, now Worms... what disturbs the Earth under Kaer Maga so..." Alcheringa wonders out loud as he gently crouches down and feels the ground, as if trying to listen and feel the pulse of a wounded person.
"First Otyugh, now Worms... what disturbs the Earth under Kaer Maga so..."
I wipe my dagger and retrieve my bow, shaking my head.
Yeah, what the HELL is up with this town? I mean, weird enough stuff happens ABOVE ground, what's with all the monsters coming up from UNDER???
The captain eyeballs Alcheringa for a moment and revelation flashes over his face
Hey, you were also there when the otyugh attacked, eh?! Come on, I will bring you to Dusklord Noctar, you might bring some light into the whole strange thing!
"I will go with you, something is amiss"
The captain eyeballs Alcheringa for a moment and revelation flashes over his face
.
Hey, you were also there when the otyugh attacked, eh?! Come on, I will bring you to Dusklord Noctar, you might bring some light into the whole strange thing!
While they go, I get Kyren and Bonzo's attention.
Hey--I heard that these things sometimes swallow valuable stuff when they swallow people. Anyone wanna help me cut them open??
If no one's willing, I'll do it myself. :-)
The same idea as Vaughn also had a lot of the passersby, soon there is a tumultuous mob of people hacking and slashing at the bodies of the giant worms...
Meanwhile Alcheringa follows the Duskwarden captain to the headquarter of the order in Bis District.
The bunker-like building is guarded by twice as many Duskwardens then the last time you were here. The man who led you here, bids you to stay in the large antechamber and returns about ten minutes later with a good looking half elven female.
As the two reach you, the captain says
May I introduce you to Dusklady Amberline Terrafiere
she puts her hand forth and nods friendly
I'm sorry, but Dusklord Noctar is in the tunnels. I heard you have witnessed both of the last two "emersions"?
Kyren does his best to hack into the purple worm with one of Vaughn's daggers. "This is really gross and tiresome! I hope this is worth it!"
STR Check
STR Check
DEX Check
DEX Check
Kyren tries his best and even manages to drag though the people and shove enough of them away to hack at the dead monster, yet, he is unable to extract anything than a bloody, gory and very purple mess...
Str checks:
Dex checks:
Yeah, I hope so too! I"m going to need another bath . . .
Vaughn's gold-digger nature kicks in and he is able to push a flind away that is at least 50cm larger than him.
As he then begins to hack at the worm, he finds a silvery chainshirt that has outlived the time inside the worm without being corroded, no scrtches no discolourations, nothing and it's even very light!
"Oh Crazzleboks. There has got to be a better way in life to make a living than by fighting through crowds trying to stab an already dead, overgrown purple worm and trying to find gold by digging through its guts. I've had enough of this! Vaughn, when you are done, lets go back to the Revive and get cleaned up. I still want to get over to the Night Owl before the day is done."
As he then begins to hack at the worm, he finds a silvery chainshirt that has outlived the time inside the worm without being corroded, no scrtches no discolourations, nothing and it's even very light!
*whistles low* is this what I think it is?? Is this a mithral chain shirt?! And it will fit me?? SCORE!! YOINK with extreme prejudice
Yeah, we've got some cleaning up to do, that's for sure. But this sure made it worthwhile!!
What!!!!! You found that glittering, light weight, glittering, piece of chainmail armor inside that ugly, scum infested, purple people eating worm?!?!?! Kazam! You are good!"
With your newly found piece of armour, you stroll over to the Night Owl to pay your registration fee.
This time the bouncers let you pass unchallenged and you meet the same servant again in the hallway.
Hello Mr. Tosscobble, you have the fee with you?
With your newly found piece of armour
Hey Kyren--do you know how to Detect Magic?? Can you . . .I wave my fingers in a manner meant to look arcane-ish.
Hello Mr. Tosscobble, you have the fee with you?
"Indeed I do. Here you go, five hundred gold ones! Well actually twenty platinum coins and three hundred gold coins. I am not sure how many sections you have, but you may place me in the open section. Before I go, I have a few of questions for you. How big is the prize fund for this tournament? How many are registered? Are any of them grandmasters? Most importantly, what time do I need to be here for the first round? "
I'm sorry, but Dusklord Noctar is in the tunnels. I heard you have witnessed both of the last two "emersions"?
"Yes, I was there when the earthmother threw the Otyugh from her belly, and when she expelled the two worms. Both times they appeared worried and confused as though something bigger and nastier had been hunting them, though this time the worms seemed like they'd already been attacked."
"I am a Child of Natures Garden, not a Tender of Her Womb, so these things are outside my knowledge, but there is clearly an issue in the balance...something is disturbing the order down there"
@ Kyren:
The servant takes a look at the money and without counting it, puts it away.
Thank you Mr. Tosscobble, you are now registered. Here are your documents. he hands you some folded parchments. They include the rules, a timetable and information about our establishment. To your questions -
Firstly, the prize money is scaled like this:
1. 12.000 gp and a magic item given by our sponsor.
2. 5.000 gp and a magic item given by our sponsor.
3. 1.000 gp and a precious Tzarek board.
Secondly, we have 50 players registered and yes a good dozen of them are grandmasters.
And thirdly, the first round begins tomorrow at 1pm.
@ Alcheringa:
Amberline follows your words very attentively, she nods several times and is obviously surprised by your insightful comments.
I totally agree with you. You should know that Kaer Maga is built upon a gigantic system of tunnels, caves, grottos and subtarrenean vaults. Creatures like the otyugh or the pruple worms dwell deep down there and normally never pass our Duskwardens who protect the tunnels. Most Kaer Magans think we Duskwardens are here to secure the public order, but actually we are trying to fend off what lurks in the depths.
During the last two weeks something strange is happening down there, something we don't understand by now. Traders from the Darklands speak of an "Old Threat" something that has rested for a long time...we have just begun to investigate the darkness below, but there are already a lot of hindrances. Now elf, it's obvious that you also feel that something is wrong, may I ask you, if you were willing to help us in this matter? Find out what is beginning to stir in the Heart of Darkness?
"I will help. Every time I take a journey in this place I learn a new lesson; the gifts of wisdom pile upon me. The Wee Bluets are off to some gaming competition and in search of answers to different riddle, but we shall return to aid you once that is done"
Alcheringa looks at Blaze. "Yes I agree, big worms might lead to big birds"
He then looks at some shiny baubles in the office before leaving.
Amberline nods and smiles friendly, she even seems relieved
As soon as you have gathered your friends I await you back here. I'll also prepare everything that is necessary to grant you the title of Duskspy. Duskspys are all helpers of the Duskwardens that are no regular members of the order...I mean only if you accept. Then she looks to Blaze and asks
May I pet it? It's a firepelt isn't it?
May I pet it? It's a firepelt isn't it?
"She is a Firepelt, and I don't get to say if you can pat her or not, I guess its partly her decision..."
"As for the title, I wear many and none. I am a free spirit, one without shackles or burdens, I have nothing..." he points to his clothes and lack of anything worth a copper piece, barring his sword and bracers "...yet I have everything I ever need, as Nature always provides."
"If your gift limits that, then please bestow it on others in my stead. Regardless, I will bring my friends here soon."
Hey Kyren--do you know how to Detect Magic?? Can you . . .I wave my fingers in a manner meant to look arcane-ish.
I'm always glad to help out a friend. It is the least I could do! Let me see this pretty piece of armor. Hey, while I'm checking out the armor, could you take a moment and see if there is any mail to pick up?
Kyren casts Detect Magic on Vaughn's Mithral Chainmail.
"Magic be known!"
Knowledge, Arcana
Spellcraft
Thank you Mr. Tosscobble, you are now registered. Here are your documents. he hands you some folded parchments. They include the rules, a timetable and information about our establishment.
"Well thank you very much. I truly look forward to the tournament tomorrow. Tell me, my fine fellow, do you know if there are any Grandmasters in the Night Owl presently that have any published material on Tzarek available?"
Diplomacy
I'm always glad to help out a friend. It is the least I could do! Let me see this pretty piece of armor. Hey, while I'm checking out the armor, could you take a moment and see if there is any mail to pick up?
I doubt there will be anything this quicklyk--but I'll take a look.
I go take a look. :-)
@ Vaughn:
Stealthily you approach the box, but just as you thought, there is no new letter in it. As you are about to turn away, you notice a package lying some metres away under some loose boards. You are sure it wasn't here the last time you took a look into the box.
@ Kyren:
The servant eyes you curiously
Published material on Tzarek? No, sorry, I don't know anything about that.
@ Alcheringa:
Amberline pats Blaze carefully and replies
You have a fine understanding of the world, elf. May I ask your name?
I would like you to gather your friends as soons as possible, or a s soon as they have finished their errands. Then return here and we will discuss all further steps.
"I am Alcheringa, my adopted tribe are the Wee Bluet people, and my current shelter is The Revive...a place of foul deeds now made a place of life and sanctuary."
Very well, my good sir. Until tomorrow then.
Kyren gathers up the other Wee Bluets and returns to the Revive.
At the Revive, Alcheringa briefs the Wee Bluets on the Duskwardens request.
Well it sounds like we have a lot to do. I don't want to forget about taking down our slithering slave lords either. As long as we try to keep a balanced life with lots of food and time for fun and games, I am with you. Now Vaughn, did you find anything in the box?
I'll grab the box and stow it as best I can under my clothes and book it out of there, back to the group.
@Kyren: Only this . . . I'll bet it's more of that stuff! but let's see . . . wait, anyone seen Thorne? I'd like him to check it for traps fist.
The package is full with about a dozen of glass bottles filled with the viscuous white fluid you know as midnight milk.
Bobo peers over your shoulder and asks with interest in his voice
Umm, what's that? Some strange milk? May I use it for a new recipe?