"Dolurrh's Gate!" Arelth swore, and took a reflexive step back, away from the swarm. As the small creatures flowed up and onto her friends, she took another step away, while pulling a small bag from her belt. Doing her best to aim such that it would get as much of the swarm as possible, without actually capturing Bronwyn or Palisade, Arleth tossed the tanglefoot bag into the swarm.
The bag burst apart, throwing sticky resin around in circle. It caught dozens, if not hundreds of beetles in it, and they scritched against the rapidly hardening material in vain. It wasn't enough to catch them all, but more than a few wouldn't be attacking.
"My thanks, Palisade. If you are able to, I would take healing gratefully."
The fall ‘forged nodded and touched the half-elf’s burned hand, it’s single eye’s glow dimming for a bit as it recited from the Tinker’s Guild’s worker’s manual, the holy book of his one-warforged faith.
”… seventy four, paragraph five: concerning health regulations… employer is responsible of… proper care and… availability of first aid supplies…” Palisade muttered, a pale greyish light flickering into life over his hand, flowing slowly into Arleth’s flesh, numbing the pain and mending her flesh.
Action 1
”Warning. Cease and desist, or this one will be forced to use deadly force,” Palisade announced calmly as the chittering horde swept over it. The swarm, naturally, ignored the warning and the ‘forged soon thought better than to reach for one of its weapons – it’d take hours to squash all the tiny creatures one at a time, and it could already feel tiny jaws gnawing at the lifewood parts of its body under its armor.
Instead, Palisade smashed its own body against the wall, crushing dozens of tiny inspects between the immovable stone and its own sturdy body. In moments, it was covered in ichor inside its armor and out, but the swarm just kept coming and coming…
Rathan watched the swarm advance with dread as he had seen similar vermin eat the flesh off a fleet claw in seconds. With out hesitation he follows Arleth and yells,
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Squeak can take Bronwyn's place and lift her preventing damage this round.
However, the bugs will crawl on her next round if you're still holding her.
Smashing bugs with your body/armor will kill some so I will let you do that but it's probably not a good long-term solution because the bugs will kill you before you disperse the swarm.
Anyone remember the last scene of 'The Mummy'? I always picture that with swarms.
Questions?
Game on!
Rathan watched the swarm advance with dread as he had seen similar vermin eat the flesh off a fleet claw in seconds. With out hesitation he follows Arleth and yells,
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Rathan acts in the surprise round AND in Round 1.
I don't think I have all your intended actions.
-------
Once I get actions from Rathan and Squeak, I'll recap.
Questions?
Game on!
Turn 023 - Flesh-Eating Beetle Swarm
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
, Bronwyn
, Palisade
Yes, I know. It wouldn’t feel like a Fabian game unless Shari’s PC is in danger of dying.
As Lady d’Deneith on its side succumbed to her wounds, Palisade’s priorities became crystal clear. Ignoring the biting insects covering its body, it scooped up Bronwyn’s body and hustled away at best speed. ”Unit Squeak! Incinerate!” it shouted the moment it managed to get the least little bit of headway, fully prepared to shield its Lady’s body with its own from the explosive blast, if Squeak aim cut too close for comfort.
Squeak - frozen in indecision - was suddenly released from the necessity of free will. Given a clear order, the next step was obvious.
With one hand Squeak drew the rat-on-a-stick. With the other he drew a concoction of his own devising. He threw them together into the now vacant swarm of beetles.
The beetles scattered from the goblin's meal - and stayed scattered - but the burning napalm spread far enough to catch the beetles not incinerated by Bronwyn's magic.
Rathan watched his student fall and rushed to Palisade's side as he moved her away from the swarm. He quickly looked at her wounds and shook his head in despair at the bleeding puckered mess of her body. He removed a vial from his pouch, waving it in the air, and yelled, "Someone give this her."
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I would think his armor is more against blows and such. These are diminutive critters and Squeak does have components made out of something other than adamantine.
I will probably apply his standard DR to the swarm's attack.
Recap later today after Arleth post.
Having retreated to a safe distance, Arleth immediately ran forward again when she saw Bronwyn fall. She arrived just as Rathan was pulling a potion from his pack. Snatching it from his hand, she carefully dripped it down the girl's throat, hoping it wasn't too late.
Rathan examined the mass of stuck bugs. With a large grin he looked to Squeak and suggested, "Fire burn."
After the chaotic encounter with the beetles the serenity of the room had a calming effect on the barbarian. He looked around at the scratchings and ignored the incomprehensible markings.
Rathan examined the mass of stuck bugs. With a large grin he looked to Squeak and suggested, "Fire burn."
After the chaotic encounter with the beetles the serenity of the room had a calming effect on the barbarian. He looked around at the scratchings and ignored the incomprehensible markings.
Just some feedback for our newest member. :)
I love your quickness and consistency in posting; that's great so keep that up.
However, when you post try to do the following: a) evaluate/reflect the current situation (s) though your PC's experience (internal thoughts?), b) move the story forward (llok at the OOC to see if any decisions need to be made), and c) involve other PCs/NPCs (tag them).
I know you can't do that all the time but think about those things when you post to see if you can incorporate them.
And please don't think I'm picking on you; those are the same parameters I use when I post as a player.
All things considered, you're doing great.
Do you have any questions/comments?
Game on!
Arleth sat back on the scorched grounds, breathing heavily. Bronwyn looked like she would live, as did her large protectors. Turning to Rathan, she said, "That was quick thinking, thanks."
tag Rathan
Hoisting herself to her feet, she moved closer to the entrapped bugs and said, "This won't hold them much longer. Does anybody have any oil? We could just burn them the old-fashioned way."
The others shook their heads, so Arleth said, "I guess it's magical fire then. Bronwyn, are you up for it? Either that, or maybe you big fellas can just stomp them?"
tag all
Action 1:
Bronwyn scrambled to her feet. She vigorously brushed at her skin and clothing to make sure all the critters were gone. She shivered when her skin still felt like they were crawling on her.
"I guess it's magical fire then. Bronwyn, are you up for it? Either that, or maybe you big fellas can just stomp them?"
She was still weak but not too weak to make more fire. "The least I can do is repay them for almost killing me. I've got this."
She points her finger at the remaining beetles and makes them burn. There seemed to be something flammable within the gooey substance of Arleth's because it flashed brighter for a second before continuing to blaze.
Bronwyn wandered over to the font and gave a sniff. "How is there still water down here that hasn't been polluted or become stagnant? I would expect a raunchy slough smell from standing water and yet this looks clear."
Yes and no. My untrained knowledge checks go up to DC 15. Anything above that and it's not something you would know without having some 'knowledge' on the field.
So you can try for this.
Questions?
Game on!
As the others entered the strange temple, Arleth stayed outside by the door. "I'll keep watch," she said. There was something very much not right about this place, and it gave her the heebie jeebies.
She stood with crossbow in hand, a bolt loaded. Her ioun torch continued its drunken orbit around her head, throwing her shadow around on the uneven floor. She strained her ears and looked carefully around, hoping to not be caught by surprise by the next hidden nasty.
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She points her finger at the remaining beetles and makes them burn. There seemed to be something flammable within the gooey substance of Arleth's because it flashed brighter for a second before continuing to blaze.
Once Rathan’s potion brought Lady d’Deneith back to her senses, Palisade had been hovering around her like a flustered old butler trying to manage an overactive lordling. ”Lady d’D- Bronwyn, you must be feeling weak. Please consider lying down for a moment to recover while this one tends to your wounds,” the tall ‘forged said. ”Suggestion. You should remove your clothes so that all your wounds may be cleaned properly. If you would, this one will be pleased to hold on to your garments.”
Once the immediate issue of Lady d’Deneith’s health had been dealt with, Palisade inclined his head at Rathan to express its gratitude. ”Individual Rathan, this one is grateful of your sacrifice of the potion for La- Bronwyn’s benefit,” it grated, nodding its head at the short-statured tribal warrior. ”This one is most pleased that you have correctly understood the importance of Lady- Bronwyn’s existence compared to that of lesser individuals.”
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"Keep her safe!" demanded Squeak of Pallisade, acknowledging Rathan's order and lobbing another incendiary at the swarm.
Squeak - oblivious to the stomach churning scent of burnt chitin - rushed over to his mistress. "Are you okay Bronwyn? Rathan can hold your clothes, Palisade can help me with your repair. I have some fine blue silk, I can use that to sew up those wounds if you like? I could probably arrange it to spell a name or pattern, if you like." A strange tone sounded in his voice "Did you eat any of them? There's none inside you, are there? I saw a soldier wandering around for days once, after she stumbled into some sort of nest, and it turned out a whole family of spiders were hiding out inside her. Came out at night. Do you remember, Palisade? That time the ensign started screaming and he wouldn't stop?"
Squeak looked around in awe and wonder - right up until Bronwyn looked about to stick her head in the water.
"Please be careful, Bronwyn. It could be hostile. We're running low on methods of healing you - let one of us approach first, please. Also, it could be acid. Some acid looks like water. Please hold off drinking it."
Arleth sat back on the scorched grounds, breathing heavily. Bronwyn looked like she would live, as did her large protectors. Turning to Rathan, she said, "That was quick thinking, thanks."
Once the immediate issue of Lady d’Deneith’s health had been dealt with, Palisade inclined his head at Rathan to express its gratitude. ”Individual Rathan, this one is grateful of your sacrifice of the potion for La- Bronwyn’s benefit,” it grated, nodding its head at the short-statured tribal warrior. ”This one is most pleased that you have correctly understood the importance of Lady- Bronwyn’s existence compared to that of lesser individuals.”
Rathan looked at his companions puzzled by their thanks, On the plains tribe takes care of tribe. But these outlanders weren’t of the plains Rathan reminded himself and he found their ignorance worrisome. Were they not supposed to take care of each other, he wonders.
He awkwardly acknowledges their thanks with a slight bow of his head, ”We are tribe.” He pauses and scratches his head as he searched for the right words, ”Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable.” With a desperate look on his face he adds, ”Do you not sacrifice for each other?”
--------------------------------
Squeak looked around in awe and wonder - right up until Bronwyn looked about to stick her head in the water.
"Please be careful, Bronwyn. It could be hostile. We're running low on methods of healing you - let one of us approach first, please. Also, it could be acid. Some acid looks like water. Please hold off drinking it."
Palisade nodded its head at unit Squeak's wise words, staring suspiciously as the liquid with a hand on the pommel of its sword, half-expecting the liquid to project pseudobods to try and attack them. "Query. Should we exterminate it?" After what had almost happened to Lady d'Deneith, Palisade wasn't going to take any more chances.
Unnoticed to it, a single beetle survivor of the holocaust crept from underneath the 'forged's plate armor. It sat a moment on Palisade's shoulder, feelers twitching as it got its bearings, then proceeded to climb up its neck to fidn a perch on the top of Palisade's head, where it proceeded to begin cleaning itself, the proud new beetle king of the metal and stone hill.
He awkwardly acknowledges their thanks with a slight bow of his head, ”We are tribe.” He pauses and scratches his head as he searched for the right words, ”Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable.” With a desperate look on his face he adds, ”Do you not sacrifice for each other?”
"Declaration. This one will live and die for Lady d'- Bronwyn's pleasure," Palisade announced proudly. "Protection will be afforded to each member of the party depending on their continued existence's projected value to La- Bronwyn's well-being."
Arleth slung an arm around Rathan's shoulder. "Don't mind them. They're programmed to watch for Bronwyn first. We're all secondary to them. I don't think they can help it. I'm happy to be part of your tribe, and we will all watch out for each other."
Anything else in the 'temple'?
If not, we'll continue exploration later today.
Questions?
Game on!
Squeak looked thoughtful - inasmuch as his blank features looked anything.
"This word, 'Tribe'. I've heard of it of course, but your usage makes me think it similar to the word 'Unit'. Palisade and I were members of a 'Unit' a long time ago. Most of them are gone now. The damn Peace did more damage than years of war."
"While we are under orders to protect Bronwyn, my observation of her over the last few years has convinced me she is worth protecting in her own right. She is very.... Squeak struggled with a concept his upbringing had no word for "... Cute?"
Once Rathan’s potion brought Lady d’Deneith back to her senses, Palisade had been hovering around her like a flustered old butler trying to manage an overactive lordling. ”Lady d’D- Bronwyn, you must be feeling weak. Please consider lying down for a moment to recover while this one tends to your wounds,” the tall ‘forged said. ”Suggestion. You should remove your clothes so that all your wounds may be cleaned properly. If you would, this one will be pleased to hold on to your garments.”
Bronwyn's voice took on a mixture of exasperation and exaggerated patience, as if talking to a child. "We've gone over this Palisades. It is not good etiquette to ask humans or humanoids to remove their clothing in public. However, I do understand your concern." She pulled up her sleeves to show him her skin. She also pulled up the hem of her dress to show him her legs. "The rest you'll have to take my word for. The bugs are gone. I'm doing much better. If I am ever in great need, I know to come to you and Squeak. You are very good at protecting me."
Action 2:
Bronwyn studied the symbols carved into the pillars before moving over to the font. "I remember these from a history class, or was it a history of religion class? It doesn't matter. Anyways, they are symbols of Onatar, god of artifice and the forge. Palisade, you would probably be interested in them, no?"
Palisade nodded its head at unit Squeak's wise words, staring suspiciously as the liquid with a hand on the pommel of its sword, half-expecting the liquid to project pseudobods to try and attack them. "Query. Should we exterminate it?" After what had almost happened to Lady d'Deneith, Palisade wasn't going to take any more chances.
Bronwyn hid a smile knowing that the 'forged was serious. "No to exterminating the font." She then caught sight of the beetle atop Palisade's head. She jumped back out of reach and pointed at his head. "If you want to exterminate something, there's one of those pesky beetles on your head."
She gave Palisade a wide berth and moved closer to the font. "Since this font has clean liquid, let's assume water, in it and this appears to be an ancient temple then maybe the liquid is blessed water of some sort. Squeak, is there any way you can tell whether it's water or something else?"
Action 2 perception
"Looks like we found the place,"Arleth said, as she carefully eyed the foundry. Holding an arm out, she prevented anybody from approaching. In a whisper, she said, "We're not alone - somebody is watching us."
tag
Action 1:
Action 2:
Bronwyn cranes her neck and looks around before leaning towards Arleth, "From where?"
Action 1
Bronwyn hid a smile knowing that the 'forged was serious. "No to exterminating the font." She then caught sight of the beetle atop Palisade's head. She jumped back out of reach and pointed at his head. "If you want to exterminate something, there's one of those pesky beetles on your head."
Eager to obey, the 'forged reached for the offending beast with one hand. The beetle, having grown bored with its current vantage point obediently wandered over to inspect the metallic fingers, and was summarily brought down for Palisade's single eye to stare. Having now verified the presence of a potential threat, the 'forged calmly walked over to the nearest wall and smashed its fist against it, crushing soft, corroded stone and one happless insect with equal ease.
"Threat eliminated," it announced gravelly, wiping ichor from its fingers against a handy batch of moss.
Action 2
Bronwyn cranes her neck and looks around before leaning towards Arleth, "From where?"
"Individual Arleth Fadi is correct. We are being observed," Palisade said quietly, taking care not to look directly at the spot he had seen the flash of the whites of eyes against darkness.
Squeak straightened in pride at Bronwyn's words. Carefully he bent to inspect the water more carefully. "I would have to test it, but I believe this is..." he looked over at Bronwyn as things clicked into place "It is a healing font - but you knew that. I hope I have tested well. Given the state of the injuries sustained so far, it might be worth me attempting to preserve the fluid."
"Palisade: is your damage sufficient we should take time to repair you?"
"Logically" whispered Squeak "This could well be the agent to pluck the prize from us. I suggest confrontation before we unlock the door."
"Declaration. This one will live and die for Lady d'- Bronwyn's pleasure," Palisade announced proudly. "Protection will be afforded to each member of the party depending on their continued existence's projected value to La- Bronwyn's well-being."
Arleth slung an arm around Rathan's shoulder. "Don't mind them. They're programmed to watch for Bronwyn first. We're all secondary to them. I don't think they can help it. I'm happy to be part of your tribe, and we will all watch out for each other."
Squeak looked thoughtful - inasmuch as his blank features looked anything.
"This word, 'Tribe'. I've heard of it of course, but your usage makes me think it similar to the word 'Unit'. Palisade and I were members of a 'Unit' a long time ago. Most of them are gone now. The damn Peace did more damage than years of war.""While we are under orders to protect Bronwyn, my observation of her over the last few years has convinced me she is worth protecting in her own right. She is very.... Squeak struggled with a concept his upbringing had no word for "... Cute?"
Rathan struggled to follow the conversation but could tell they knew about the purpose of a tribe when Arleth put her arm around his shoulder. He felt a feeling he thought long suppressed, a feeling he thought vanished when his tribe was slaughtered, a feeling of welcome. He could only mutter a hasty, "Thanks."
Action 2
"Looks like we found the place,"Arleth said, as she carefully eyed the foundry. Holding an arm out, she prevented anybody from approaching. In a whisper, she said, "We're not alone - somebody is watching us."
"I see it, many eyes in shadows," Rathan added after he almost bumped into Arleth's out stretched arm. He releases his grip on his blade and points toward the watching eyes, "There many eyes"
"While we are under orders to protect Bronwyn, my observation of her over the last few years has convinced me she is worth protecting in her own right. She is very.... Squeak struggled with a concept his upbringing had no word for "... Cute?"
Arleth laughed out loud. Moving over to Bronwyn, she pinched her cheeks gently. "Yes she is! Very cute. You're a cute little pyromaniac, aren't you? Yes you are!" Wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, she said, "Maybe if I change my hair - pigtails maybe? - your 'forged will upgrade me to primary too."
tag?
"Yes she is! Very cute. You're a cute little pyromaniac, aren't you? Yes you are!" Wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, she said, "Maybe if I change my hair - pigtails maybe? - your 'forged will upgrade me to primary too."
Bronwyn gave her a quizzical look. "Of course I'm cute. Um, thanks for noticing? I'm not sure that the cheek pinching is really necessary. I'm not six after all. And you probably shouldn't be giving Squeaky or Palisades any ideas."
Ugh, my PF didn't show any posts until Bronwyn's last post. :(
I was wondering why no one had posted. :)
I'll recap now...
Turn 026 - Pigtails and Cuteness
Read the OOC.
Questions, comments, and/or suggestions?
Game on!
Action 2:
Bronwyn looked at the approaching rats with disgust and fascination. She recognized the creatures and began to recite what she knew as if reading from a textbook. In a somewhat bored voice she says, "Those are horrid rats that have armored plates on their bodies and their bite secretes acid so don't let them bite you. Horrid animals are dire animals that have been reshaped and bred for battle by the Gatekeepers who are a militant sect of druids."
Knowing she needed better protection from the horrid rats, she concentrated on her dragonmark on the left side of her neck. In her mind she traced the pattern of the mark until it began to feel warm which let her know that it was activated.
She then took a step backwards to put herself behind Squeak. She had no desire to almost die a second time that day.
"Palisade: is your damage sufficient we should take time to repair you?"
Action 1
"Agreement. Many dangers likely lurk ahead, preparation is prudent," Palisade answered. "Perhaps this one will sample the healing fluid to make sure it is safe for L- Bronwyn to use," it offered. "Query. This one assumes you have a clean vial in your inventory?"
Action 2
In a somewhat bored voice she says, "Those are horrid rats that have armored plates on their bodies and their bite secretes acid so don't let them bite you. Horrid animals are dire animals that have been reshaped and bred for battle by the Gatekeepers who are a militant sect of druids."
"Understood," Palisade grunted as it absorbed the relevant bits of information. Dangerous attacks that belied their small bodies? A more conservative combat protocol seemed to be called for, it thought as it drew its shield and warhammer, trying to interpose itself between the creatures and Lady d'Deneith as well as the terrain allowed. It banged its hammer against its shield, hoping the loud noise would attract the creatures to go for it.
One bone-plated rodent made a beeline to Palisade and launched itself into air in its eagerness to take a bite out of the 'forged, the warpriest hunkered down behind its shield, easily absorbing the impact and launched a counter-attack with its hammer, striking true but failing to penetrate the thick natural armor of its foe. The force of the blow knocked the rodent back, but it landed lithely on its feet, ready for another round.
Bronwyn looked at the approaching rats with disgust and fascination. She recognized the creatures and began to recite what she knew as if reading from a textbook. In a somewhat bored voice she says, "Those are horrid rats that have armored plates on their bodies and their bite secretes acid so don't let them bite you. Horrid animals are dire animals that have been reshaped and bred for battle by the Gatekeepers who are a militant sect of druids."
Rathan smiled to himself as he listened to his student proud that she share her knowledge to help the tribe. Unconcerned he remarked, "Rats are rats."
The savage warrior held his ground and lifted his tangat over his head ready to sever one of the rodents if it approached.