Edwin presents The Fires of Zatal an adventure through the lands of Maztica

Game Master Insnare

Ik' Skull covers her hands over her mouth in amazement. "This is a blessedly happy event. Please Manauia, we need a holy one of Qotal - for we seek the Cloak of the One Plume." The plumaweaver pauses for a moment. "The guidance of Qotal in this matter could make all the difference."

Manauia looks surprised at this revelation for a moment, then replies, "The Cloak! Lost in the destruction of Nexal... Yes, I can understand how that would be a laudable goal." He regards the foreigners briefly, as if weighing the price of their involvement, then continues, "It was a union of people of the True World and people beyond the sea that brought forth the Cloak during the war, so perhaps this unlikely group s a good omen." He raises his club and crosses it in front of his shield, the bows and says, "I shall join with you in this good cause."

Otazi does his best to divide his vigilance between the two newcomers.

any idea what the other is?

Apparently a Zakharan? Uh, if the player returns?

You move toward the pyramid. The pyramid has
nine levels, each one five feet wide
and ten feet tall. A steep staircase
leads up the east side of the
pyramid. Noise and voices can be
heard from behind the pyramid.

Yes please forgime me. And Allow me to introduce myself i am Al Suresh Khalida, Sailor on the Seaven Seas, Navigator to the Ship: The Light of Kurami who sank about a tendays ago.

he looks a orren

I am pleased to meet someone from the realm as well he makes a grand salute touching his finger on his forehead before his lip and bowing

the elf is armed with a long bow, two short swords and a light reinforced leather

Otzali motions for silence as he hears the sound of voices. "For an abandoned ruin there seem to be many people here."

He looks to the two newcomers. "More friends of yours?"

Can Otzali climb up 4 or 5 levels then start making his way around the pyramid to the other side? idea would be to do some recon from above to avoid notice but still be close enough to see/hear whats going on.

"No," says Manauia in a hushed voice. "I have been trying to avoid many strange monsters of late, so this could be anything or anyone." He takes up a position with the group and watches nervously as Otzali ascends the steps of the pyramid.

Orren nods in greetings to Al Suresh, I will have to speak with him when we have a moment to rest, his accent I cannot place...

As the group heads to the ruins he hears Otzali's words and nods in agreement. At Manauia's response, Orren grabs a pinch of sand, My last spell, I will need to make it count.

Orren holds back to allow the stealthier members of the party act without his interference.

Armor spell should still have a few points left even after the pirranah took a chunk out of it.

You would have Maztican gear because you escaped from slavery. The Mazticans aren't not familiar with elves totally, especially Mani who is from Nexal.

Ik' Skull circles around the bottom, ready to harass any threats with her bow from below.

hide, vs. skill 40%: 1d100 ⇒ 98

got it dm

Avoiding things and being on the move has been our way of life very recently he says smiling

So no idea either

Otzali, could you give me a sneak roll or something.

Al and Mani

or something: 1d20 ⇒ 9 dont have any skill or prof in stealth, but if that was a hunting check to stalk prey I would have made it.....?

Hey i wounder if what we hear aren't the slavemaster ? If is it them then its 4 orcs and an oger. Get ready for combat he says drawing his weapon with a smile of vengence

"Possible," says Mana, with a wary look. "Still dangerous."

Otzali and Ik'skull

Orren grabs a pinch of sand with one hand and unslings his dagger with the other, I hope my spell works, I would hate to be wielding a dagger against bloodthirsty Orcs much less an Ogre.

Otazi creeps back and confirms Khalidas suspicions. "the orcs are on the second tier, the ogre above. Can't tell what he's doing but his four friends are trying to break in. "

He gazes up the steep steps of the pyramid, wondering if it can be used to their advantage against the powerful beast.

Orren whispers, "My magic may be able to bring the Orcs low while the rest of you concentrate on the Ogre. What do you all think of that plan?"

Revenge is such a sweet and delicate mistress he says with almost an sadistic smile

"You are a... sorcerer?" Mana says with some surprise. "If that is the way of your magic, then let it be so."

Orren nods to Manauia, "My strength is limited but if effective, it should render most if not all of them helpless, for a time."

After Ik' Skull returns she nods in concurrence. [b]"We shall be ready" She nocks an arrow in her bow, ready to harry the orcs and their foul leader from the ground.

Mays the Stars and the sand be on our side

So what exactly do you want to do?

I think wait for Orren to cast a spell and keelll the rest with bow/sword/pointy sticks.

I'll throw down a bless spell while Orren is casting sleep, just to help a bit more.

Orren will close on the Orcs from behind and once within range cast Sleep!

Duration lasts 5 rounds. My range is 30'. The spell affects 2d4 ⇒ (1, 3) = 4 HD of foes who are no more than 4+3 HD individually. I center the spell on the Orcs ignoring the Ogre in the radius. The Orcs do NOT get a saving throw according to the Player's Guide. o it is really up to the luck of the die how many are incapacitated.

The range is 30 yards which means it is 90 feet.

From within the forest Orren casts his sleep spell affecting the four Orks on the pyramid.

The ogre is still unaware of your presence.

I will give you one free ranged round, because you are at the bottom of the pyramid.

Seeing the creatures below fall prey to the foreigner's magics, Otzali turns back to the ogre with a grim look. And now for you...

With practiced motions the warrior draws his bow and looses an arrow at the unaware beast.

Shortbow attack: 1d20 ⇒ 14 hits AC6
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 4
Shortbow attack: 1d20 ⇒ 20 ROF is 2/1, so hits AC0
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 5

Ik' Skull begins to unleash arrows, which fall among orcs like hawks among rabbits.

16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (13) = 3
1d6 ⇒ 1
16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (1) = 15. woosh!
1d6 ⇒ 4

Manauia raises his hands to the heavens and calls for the blessing of Quetzal to lift the team's spirits through this difficult conflict.

That's the aforementioned bless spell.

Waiting on Al

Round 1

Al will draw on his bow and fire at the Ogre. Delighted with anticipation to the melee combat that will follow. Taking swifly one more arrow while the first one is still in flight

Bow: 20 - 3 - 1 - 1d20 ⇒ 20 - 3 - 1 - (18) = -21d8 ⇒ 4

Bow: 20 - 3 - 1 - 1d20 ⇒ 20 - 3 - 1 - (1) = 151d8 ⇒ 1

Maztican bows only do 1d6 damage, the arrowheads are made of obsidian or maybe flint. By the way there are no feats in 2nd edition

1d6 ⇒ 5

1 arrow from each of the party members hit home.

Initiative: Party 1d10 ⇒ 1, Ogre 1d10 ⇒ 8

The ogre turns with Maca in hand launches himself at 1d3 ⇒ 1 1=Al 2=Otzali, 3= Ik'skull

Thaco 17 1d20 ⇒ 7 miss

Party

Manauia switches to his sling, picks up a rock, spins it and lets it go in an attack on the ogre.

Sling attack: 1d20 ⇒ 12

The plumaweaver turns her attention to the ogre and looses an arrow at the greater threat, but unsettled by the brute her arrow goes astray.

16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (2) = 14
1d6 ⇒ 2

Orrren fires his crossbow at the Ogre.

Crossbow Attack 1d20 ⇒ 6

Damage 1d8 ⇒ 3

Orren's shot misses wide, very far wide.

Otzali, Al

got it for the arrow damage. Bow do have 2/1 RoF

Round 1

Al Suresh will drop his bow and draw his two weapons and attack the Ogre

Short Maca: 18 - 1d20 ⇒ 18 - (1) = 171d6 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9

Short Maca: 18 - 1d20 ⇒ 18 - (19) = -11d6 + 4 ⇒ (3) + 4 = 7

As the group moves to engage the ogre Otzali also drops his bow and wades into the frey. Trying to move around the others and get into position proves distracting to the warrior and his strike also goes wide.

Maca: 19 - 1d20 ⇒ 19 - (3) = 16

There is no such thing as a short maca, maybe if your captors were gnomes but they were orcs. You can use a maca and a knife.

i figured it was the equivalent to a short sword. as this would be what Al would be using

Round 2

Out of spells for the remainder of the day, Orren reloads his crossbow.

Al drops his Maca not being familiar with it.

But is successful with his knife doing 1d2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5 damage

Otzali, Ikskull and Orren as well as Manu

Initiative Round 2 Party 1d10 ⇒ 3, Enemies 1d10 ⇒ 10

Ogre attacks Al 1d20 ⇒ 16 vs THACO 17 = hits AC 1, hits Al for 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Party

A bit worried now, Manauia backs up and lets fly another sling stone at the ogre.

Sling attack: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (19) + 1 = 20 (+1 is from bless spell)

Sling damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Ik' Skull tries to steady her hands against fear, and fires twice more at the ogre.

16 - 1d20: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (4) = 12
1d6 ⇒ 1
16 - 1d20: 16 - 1d20 ⇒ 16 - (1) = 15
1d6 ⇒ 2

Drat

Al and Otzali

Pulling a second knife Al Suresh wounded after the ogre's attack launched a hopefully deadly series of attack on the ogre

Knife: 18 - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ 18 - (4) + 1 = 151d2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Knife: 18 - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ 18 - (20) + 1 = -11d2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

Knife: 18 - 1d20 + 1 ⇒ 18 - (4) + 1 = 151d2 + 4 ⇒ (1) + 4 = 5

But the pain in his main shoulder prevents his right arm from reaching the ogre. But the other weapon strikes true