Our heroes awaken to a very different world than the one they recall...
Whether it is due to the hardness of the stone on his face, or the trail of drool running from the corner of his slack jaw down his chin - something awakens Jayse with a start. He is curled up in a ball, sitting up, face planted firmly against a smooth semi-circular wall. His muddy clothes are dry and stiff on his body. His mouth tastes like he's been munching on seagrass and river-mud.
Jayse rises slowly, testing his muscles. Though stiff, it seems that the beating he took in the mudslide is largely a thing of the past. The monk glances around the room. It is immaculate save for the streaks of mud where he was curled up.
The 30' high conical room is lit by an expensive looking lantern hanging from the dome. The beige walls are richly frescoed with hunting scenes, strange animals, and flowers.
HP: 37/42
Ushari feels like a kitten, warmed by the bodies around her. She snaps awake, surrounded by whimpering women and girls. Staring into her face from an uncomfortably close distance is a god-cursed pirate! She sits up alarmed, her hand goes quickly to Jax's scabbard - it's empty. The pirate shows her a malicious grin capped off by his broken and rotting brown teeth. He's holding Jax's shortsword in one hand and Ushari's beltpouch (containing Skitter and her magic coin) in the other.
He points the sword at her "Were you looking for this?" He laughs mirthlessly, "Who be you, girl, and how did you come here?" He hefts her pouch. "You've got some fine things here. Got any more?"
Ushari glances around as she debates how to answer him. They are all in a large, rectangular, and lavish prison cell... unless prisons normally come with marble floors and mosaic tiles on the walls.
HP: 30/30
As Jayse stands, he grabs his right leg with both hands, wincing in great pain at a fake injury. His limp is obvious but hopefully not obviously fake.
Sometimes it's better to appear weaker than you are.
Continuing the act, Jayse spins in a slow circle, trying to determine how he got in this strange room... his weight resting on his left leg as he leans one arm against the wall.
Continuing with his limp, Jayse slides along the wall , his ears straining for sounds. When he gets to the first opening, he leans his shoulder against it, panting quietly while he looks through.
He also takes the moment of rest to check his equipment.
Ushari's mind races as she tries to figure out what just happened to her. She remembered the terrifying trip through the tunnel...and then a waterfall....and then...nothing.
So, the pirates base themselves out of this place. This must an underground maze...or a dungeon even. Uunfortunately, she has no idea who could have built such a place. Maybe the Shaudrans built this place? It is certainly possible...Well one thing is for sure, I need to find a way out of here!
All of this musing does not help her here though. The pirate is still waiting for an answer. She decides to try subterfuge.
She gives the pirate a hopefully disarming smile. "I do...and I have some more...goodies I can lead you to if you'd like..."
Jayse moves around the room cautiously. He sees that he is in one of three inter-connected domed rooms. The other rooms also boast frescoes on the wall but are equally empty. Even straining his ears, he hears nothing.
The pirate looks interested then laughs. "I'm thinking maybe you got something on you, Duchess. Hand over any other booty you got; turn out your clothes." He gets a cunning look, "If you landed here like we did, you aren't leading us to any treasure... least not til we get back to the surface." He looks at the sword in his hand for a moment and then casts a wary eye over to a massive bald and scarred half-orc. "Keep an eye on this one, Iron Bar. If she acts up - bring her in line." He tucks the sword and pouch in his belt and steps back, clearly waiting for her to prove she's got nothing of additional value on.
Jayse continues his cautious, limping exploration. He moves slowly and quietly to the second door of the room in which he awoke, carefully building a map in his mind of his environment. He keeps his eyes open, continuing to look for anything that may give him clues to what these rooms are.
Ushari thinks, So they found their way here by accident as well, that is good to know. Anyway, I hope this works...
She continues smiling at him, while stepping closer and reaching out to caress his face. Just before she makes contact with him, she calls on her deities power to daze him with her grace and charm.
Perhaps it is the feel of chilly mithril and sodden clothes against his skin...
Or the odd, echoing, lapping sound of the sea...
Or the irate SCREE SCREE SCREE of the eagle rattling its cage...
Or the rapidly dwindling smell of lavender...
But most likely, it is the heavy chunk of wood rubbing against Jofram's leg that finally brings him to wakefulness.
The half-elf bolts up to a sitting position and looks around. He is on a sandy beach with sea water lapping at his legs. But the minimal lighting is provided by neither sun nor moon. Rather, hanging lanterns attached to the wall behind him are the only source of illumination. They bracket a tunnel burrowing into the wall.
Jofram wipes the sand from his eyes and assesses the situation. He is in a large, fully enclosed cave. The far end of the cave isn't visible to his keen eyes. Nearby, on the beach, shifting slightly in the minimal current, is his backpack. Further down the beach, lying on its side, is a rather ornate bird cage holding his water-logged and clearly pissed off eagle companion. The bird glares at its friend as if to say Well? I'm waiting.
But it is the chunk of wood tapping at his leg that draws the half-elf's attention. It seems to be one of the few remains of a shipwreck. Bits of wood are scattered down the beach. The chunk at his knee is the largest bit, being nearly three feet across. There are large carved letters painted in gold on it. Unfortunately, all that remains is the first section which says NALA followed by an obliterated letter and the rest of the wood is gone.
Jofram gets up, his clothing abrasive with salt. Skilled tracker that he is, he immediately notices the odd 'tracks' that slide into or out of the water between himself and the bird cage. They go perhaps halfway up the strand then turn about. Whatever it was, it dragged its body and was large and quite heavy... judging by his snapped and now useless bow which was unfortunately in the path of the creature. Thankfully, his other equipment is intact.
Which brings Jofram to the one piece of equipment that seems out of place - the odd gauntlet on his hand. It appears to be made of the scaly hide of a black dragon reinforced with bands of mithril and adamant spikes. Even now, it glows with a faint witchfire of purple and black. It seems both familiar and unfamiliar... but there is no denying the sense of power radiating from it.
As strange as all this seems Jofram realises something worse. He has no memory of how he got here or much of anything else. He knows his name, his skills, his spells, even the name of his eagle... but his past seems a hazy blur.
The only concrete memory he has is the sight of a very large wall with a massive reinforced gate. He has the sense that other people are around him and there is the din of a bustling town. He recalls the feel of a sizeable bag of platinum ingots being dropped in his palm and a vague sense of having enjoyed earning it. But nothing else.
Scrambling to his feet, Jofram makes his way the the eagle's cage, his swiss-cheesed memories tumbling around in his mind, as he searches for a name... "Vaelos! What in the seven hells has happened to us?"
He wracks his brain for more - A ship? This cage? Where was I going, and where did I end up, instead? He rights the red eagle's cage, releasing the clasp that confines the majestic bird. Shuffling over to the pack, he dislodges the sand building up around it, examining its contents. He gives a rueful wince for the broken bow, but is relieved to find the rest of his gear intact.
Recognizing a particular item, Jofram pulls out a large bag out of the pack, and places the bird cage within. Remarkably, the burden fits easily back inside the pack. Drawing the curved elven blade, he examines its edge and, satisfied, takes a look around.
After examining his surroundings, he tromps through the sand toward what appears to be a cave in the cliff ahead. Shelter, first. Then perhaps I can set some snares, and find wood for a fire. Clucking his tongue at the eagle, he continues up the beach toward the shadowed cleft.
Irritated, Vaelos shakes off salt water and puffs his feathers out, giving him the appearance of a strange red pine cone with head and legs. Strutting through the sand after Jofram, he flaps tail and wing, shedding more water and seeking some semblance of his former arid regality.
Ushari plays her gambit, batting her eyes and offering her hand to the pirate captain to help her stand up. He sees through the ruse based on his long career as a black-hearted, larcenous bastard who has managed to captain a ship of cutthroats for years without getting murdered. He makes a subtle gesture to Iron Bar and allows Ushari to make her play. Her magical touch washes over him to no effect. Seeing her power have no effect, Ushari remains sitting.
The Cap'n shakes his head at her mistake. His decree is coldly factual. "Iron Bar, discipline this fishwife."
At the word 'discipline' the massive half-orc looks disappointed. The hand that was reaching for the greatsword on his back, becomes a fist. Iron Bar's face screws up in an expression of pure anger and his muscles seem to bulge. He doesn't bother stepping in. He drives blows at Ushari's face over the other prisoners.
With surprising speed he lands two bone-bruising blows on the woman. The captain watches the beating clinically. The other women wince in sympathy and shrink away from the pirates. More than a couple of them have been 'disciplined' on this trip.
U's Init:
Cap Init:
Iron Bar:
Putz:
Iron Bar v AC:15 (Ushari Prone)
HIT: DAM:
HIT: DAM:
U's HP: 4/30
Jayse hobbles by the other room and peeks in. The frescoes are similar to those in the other rooms. From each of the secondary rooms he can see tunnels stretching out into darkness. In the distance, along either path, he can see the glow from more lanterns.
Jofram wanders down the straight and quite dark hallway. At the end of it, he runs into a well-lit passageway running north and south. The south passage turns almost immediately and widens. The north passage continues until it is lost to his vision. The corridors are richly appointed and frescoed with island scenes of stark beauty and unusual buildings.
Ushari cries out in pain, and decides the best thing to do here is to practice that old art of playing dead.
She slumps to the ground, and tries to feign unconsciousness...
Jofram wanders down the straight and quite dark hallway. At the end of it, he runs into a well-lit passageway running north and south. The south passage turns almost immediately and widens. The north passage continues until it is lost to his vision. The corridors are richly appointed and frescoed with island scenes of stark beauty and unusual buildings.
This was obviously not just any cave, given the directness of its path, and the plastered corridors. He kneels down, examining the ground for fresh tracks, or broken bits of plaster - some clue as to how often this tunnel is traveled.
Deciding to take a chance on a potentially shorter route, Jofram makes his way South. He strokes Vaelos' neck lightly, and whispers, "Alright, be quiet for me, eh? No sense in warning scaring the locals with that cry of yours."
The great bird blinks in reply; as good a response as Jofram could hope for. He moves South, keeping eyes and ears out for signs of civilization. I don't suppose someone decided to build an alehouse down here? Perhaps a brothel?
Not immediately seeing that either choice is obviously better, Jayse decides to head through the door at which he stands. Limping along, he keeps his eyes and ears peeled, hoping to run across one of his friends.
Hell... in this creepy place, even catching sight of a pirate might be nice...
Ushari collapses convincingly under the onslaught. Or at least convincing enough to fool the half-orc who wonders if he's gone too far in 'disciplining' her and the third pirate who says "Ease up. She ain't no use dead!" But the wary captain merely snorts with derision.
"I've seen better play acting from a wharf whore, you sack-bellied jackasses!" He pulls Ushari up by her hair, not really caring if she continues the ruse or not. He growls in her ear. "The next time you try to spell me or bat your eyes at my boys, I'll slit your throat. Just test me on this, girl, and see what happens."
To emphasize his point, he plants an absolute hammer-blow with his fist across her temple. The explosion of pain in Ushari's head is quickly forgotten as she slides into unconsciousness. The Cap'n discards the blonde cleric. "Now, boys, we need to see about getting out of this pen."
Cap'n v AC:15 (Ushari Prone)
HIT: Crit?
HIT: Yes
DAM: Non-Lethal
The three pirates shove against the cell's gate. It bows slightly but doesn't give. The Cap'n growls, "'Bar, get this thing out of my way."
The half-orc nods and stares at the gate, pumping himself up. In a swift move, he grabs at the base of the gate, lifting and twisting. After a few seconds, the door crumples and the hinges pop. The wrecked door slams down.
The Cap'n grunts in satisfaction and looks at the women. "Carry the new girl and keep a close eye on her. If she acts up again, you are gonna pay for it. Get up. Let's go. Leave the kids, they will be safer here. We'll come back for them."
IB STR Check v DC:28
Cap'n AA
Putz AA
HULK SMASH! STR Check v DC:28
Cap'n AA
Putz AA
Fin doesn't see the first attack coming... and the second attack is equally surprising. She's never faced a creature like this and her ineffective attack is a bit alarming. Relying on the speed granted by her spell, she sprints away. Only to find the creature hot on her heels.
Init
Init
ATT: DAM
ATT: DAM
FIN ATT:
FIN ACRO:
Jofram wanders down the 20' wide, well lit corridor, admiring the frescoes that stretch up to the 30' high ceiling of this long vaulted corridor. The island scenes have given way to a variety of mountains dotted with impressive, gravity-defying castles clinging to them like barnacles. In one section, it shows a rather idealized man leading the construction efforts.
The half-elf sees that the end of the corridor approaches and his course will veer northward.
Jayse follows the corridor until it meets up with a square room. The perspective on the frescoes seem exaggerated or wrong... until Jayse stands in center of the room. From this spot, he moves in a slow circle and sees the frescoes show a 360 degree view from the top of a mountain.
Jayse exits the other side of the room and hits a corridor going northwest to southeast. Moving left since no option appears better than the other, the monk proceeds on.
Jofram peers ahead as he treads down the corridor. Such a strange place, with meters of empty tunnels, adorned, but empty. Surely there must be someone about...
Jofram examines the corridor for tracks but finds only a fine coating of dust. It appears these corridors are relatively unused and have been so for a long time.
Jofram examines the corridor for tracks but finds only a fine coating of dust. It appears these corridors are relatively unused and have been so for a long time.
"Well, Vaelos, it seems we are alone after all. Seems a pity that someone would create all of this beauty, just to leave it abandoned. I wonder where they all went?"
As soon as Jofram's curve blade is in his gauntleted hand, the blade changes subtly. It gains a pearly appearance and the blade gets noticably more honed.
- The gauntlet itself is indestructible save by deity intervention.
- This is a magical Spiked Gauntlet - +2/+2.
- It is Ghost-Touched.
- Any MW melee weapon held with the gauntlet gains the abilities listed above, except indestructibility. So when you are holding your curve blade, it is +2/+2 and Ghost-Touched.
- Finally, there are a couple of other powers that you'll be discovering soon, so I may have to take some liberties with your character actions to reveal those.
As he travels, Jofram wonders about this place and its origins. What purpose did it serve? Why are there no other passageways or doors? Who lit these torches?
As he muses over these questions, his lips unconsciously mumble in the tongue of Elves, "Air saesi tandros caesi..." The hair stands up on the back of Jofram's neck, and a curious feeling washes over him. It feels vaguely familiar, as if he should recognize its significance, but the meaning lies out of reach of his lapsed memory.
The faint sound of metal crashing echoes back and forth down the wide passage Jofram travels. It is impossible to tell from which direction the sound originates.
Fin keeps running, trying to put distance between herself and her pursuer. She runs through the intersection she woke up in and picks a new tunnel, seemingly at random.
Porter examines what remains of the pirate. He's been pulped. Not good. The warrior continues on - hoping to run into his traveling companions before he runs into whatever ended the pirate.
Straehan sneaks through yet another large circular room. At least the frescoes are interesting.
F
P
Jayse sneaks through a winding corridor. He stops when he hears what sounds like running footsteps coming towards him from around the next bend.
The faint sound of metal crashing echoes back and forth down the wide passage Jofram travels. It is impossible to tell from which direction the sound originates.
The clattering din from... some direction puts Jofram's hackles up. Is that the sound of battle? If they are behind, then they must be moving quickly, as I didn't see them earlier. Most likely, they lie ahead of me.
He draws his curve blade, the metal glowing with a pearly gleam. Carefully and quietly he treads forward, ready for trouble.
Jayse looks around for a place of cover, fighting the urge to immediately manifest his blade.
Once he's in place, he looks towards the running steps, trying to be prepared for whatever is to come.
Jayse looks for a place to conceal himself but there is none in the narrow corridor, unless he can magically turn himself into in a knight on horseback so he can blend in with the fresco near at hand. It shows a line of heavily armed cavalry sweeping across a field outside of a walled city.
The monk waits near the wall, prepared to strike when Fin comes running around the corner bearing her massive sword. Smoking holes are rent in her tunic. She pulls up short, utterly surprised to see him. She gobbles something in Aquan that Jayse doesn't understand. Behind her, moving at tremendous speed is a bobbing lantern. It sidles up next to her and its glow increases. Fin appears perplexed on what to do.
ORDER:
A bolt of electricity lashes out from the lantern, striking Fin in the back.
ZAP HIT: DAM:
Porter cautiously stalks the wider corridor, passing by a smaller side corridor with a fleeting glance.
Straehan wanders south down a long corridor. He is treated to a host of island scenes, featuring some strange architecture. He clucks to himself when he recalls of what they remind him. Have to show these to Jayse if there's a chance.
The little gnome arrives at an intersection, the smell down the side corridor is remarkably different but he spies footprints in the light dust heading away from it going even further south. While he doesn't recognize the prints, its been the first sign of life he's seen. He hustles southward.
Jofram sneaks up the corridor and takes a quick peek before trying to conceal himself in the slanted hall. He sees a phalanx of three fairly unsavory looking men - two humans and one massive half-orc with a scarred and bald head. They are followed by three women half-carrying a fourth woman between them.
Jofram observes the scene for a moment too long as one of the men, a mousy looking fellow, looks over in Jofram's direction as if he thought he saw something. The half-elf breathes a small sigh of relief when the mousy man seems to shrug it off as a trick of the eye.
The three men, all with weapons out, gesture at the two corridors and have a hushed conference. It seems they are deciding on a course. The human with incredibly bad teeth snaps at a sniffling woman, "Shaddap and quit blubbering." She winces as if hit and immediately falls silent.
Cap'n Perception v DC:29
Iron Bar
Putz
Seeing the blade in Fins hand and her worn appearance, Jayse realizes this might be a time for unconventional thinking. He shrugs his right arm out of his long coat , leaving it hanging askew from his left arm.
"Findelgwing! I have a thought! Step behind me!"
If she does, Jayse immediately steps into the gap, throwing his arms towards the lantern in an attempt to grab it and eventually cover it with his coat.
A moment of near panic sets in, as Jofram realizes that he is outnumbered with few options to flee or hide. A hazy memory floats to the surface, and Jofram looks to his mysterious gauntlet for a long shot. They mustn't see me! I've done it before - but how?! How does it work? I need it to work again! I need to…
Adrenaline courses through his veins mixing with his fey blood, and instinct takes hold. The words escape his tongue as arcane power swells like a flood within him.
"Shi ialeal" With the power comes calm, and in an instant he is hidden to prying eyes. He carefully steps into the room, and attempts to circumvent the newcomers.
Fin takes his suggestion and scoots past Jayse while trying to avoid the lantern's attack. She slips past the monk but an electrical blast cooks her arm in the exchange. She casts a spell and touches her comrade.
Jayse slips out of his jacket and attempts to cast it over the comically bobbing lantern. With unnatural dexterity the lantern dodges his well executed attack. It glows again and fires a blistering beam of electricity at the monk, catching him square in the chest. The smell of ozone infects the air.
ORDER:
FIN ACRO:
ZAP AoO (Fin): DAM:
ZAP HIT (Jayse): DAM:
31|49
28|42
Jofram, invisible, slinks into the room and takes position under the lantern. Engrossed in their debate, the men don't hear him. They quickly reach a decision and head into the northern corridor. As they pass, Jofram prays that his eagle doesn't make a chirp.... Once they pass by, the half-elf views the corridor from which they've come. He sees a bent cage door on the floor and beyond it, several young girls huddled into the corner of a now open cell. They seem afraid to move.
Ushari is pained, groggy, and perfectly willing to sleep. Alas, it is not to be. She finds a thin vial of spicy liquid being poured down her throat. A hand is clamped over her mouth as she wakes up and a woman hisses in her ear. "Play dead!"
The Cap'n turns. "Shut it, you cow! What're-you-doing-thar?"
The woman shakes Ushari's head, still blocking her mouth. "She's heavy, sir. I'm just trying to rouse her so she can walk for herself."
The Cap'n looks skeptically. "More likely you want her to save your fat ass. Good luck with that. She'll be out for at least another hour." He turns and continues his measured stalk up the corridor - eyes alert to every threat.
The women nods submissively and begin to carry Ushari again. Their grips are firm, as if trying to keep her from walking.
Bluff to pass message:
Cap'n Sense Motive:
17|30
4|30
Jayse is able to knock the edge off the blast as he lets the Calm overtake him. His blade flashes into his hand even as he drives it upwards in a vertical slash, infusing the blade with some extra power.
"Findelgwing... what is this thing?