<time seems to slow down and events occur in the mindlink>
in a almost cartoon vision (cartoons represent archtypes whereas the moral mind cannot truely grasp the existance of godly archtypes)
The Hawk; the godhood essence of Horus the Avenger enters the mindlink and says in a loud, pleading; angry voice full of violence and retribution:
Grandfather!
Spirit of Raven, the Old Crow and countless other names who maintains the mindlink replies:
yes, Grandson?
Spirit of Horus: One of the faithful cries my name; one worthy who seeks retribution for the death of the Green Man, Osiris, He Who Gives Life! The enemy has returned and he battles in my name; May I Bless Him Grandfather, I beg you; the Blood Of Innocence cries out for Vengence! I ask permission to give My Blessing to this group to slay the unclean enemy; the Destroyers of Life.
Raven replies sternly: They are unworthy of the task; look upon their hearts; they are heavy; they know not Joy, do not trust in Love, see them; they are blemished....
Horus: But they CAN be Grandfather! <pulling his feathers out in anguish> They have the Spark of Hope from Beautiful Isis, they have the gift of Chance from the Messanger of the Gods; Let Me Bless these children and grant them Vengence against the Slayers of Life, I beg of you Grandfather, the Blood, the Anguish of the Innocent; it hurt me so; it cries out in death, the rage of the UNJUST! Ease my pain o' Grandfather, let me bless them and grant Vengence!
Raven ponders, looks at each of you and smirks: you may grant them your Blessing of Vengence if they complete a task. They must vanquish this enemy using no weapons or magic. They must only use those tools they were born with; their teeth and claws; elbows and fists; feet and knees. <you can use your mailed fists> If they can defeat this foe on equal terms; tooth for tooth; claw for claw; they you may Bless them Horus.
Horus smiles, looks at each of you; then departs!
--------------
ok; in game terms; if you guys can defeat this enemy as stated; if you have questions, just ask; you can get Horus Blessing; which will give you, fast heal 1 and a +5 to any attack or save vs the snakemen and thier allies during this scene; this scene doesnt finish until you rescue the Goddess. it is totally up to you if you want to do it or not; but requires everyone to agree; you also will need to instruct the NPC's.
again; hardside rolls are extremely rare; this one only had 8% chance and rolled a two; pretty cool.
hehe I rolled a 09; grats on making your hardside roll; it was extremely unlikely.
Kemnebi blinks once in rapturous fascination, otherwise unmoving as the glorious afterimage of the voices fades from their minds. The clatter of his staff falling to the floor echoes loudly in the sudden, pregnant pause of the lizard's rushing attack.
"I accept." He snarls gleefully. His voice is low, powerful, with an almost odd echo in it. It is NOT the voice of the usually timid bookworm.
"Neb! June! You heard! Claws and Fangs! The way it was meant to be!" He howls, an almost manic gleam in his eyes. The mage crouches low, protecting his vulnerable belly from the tiny lizards as they swarm, and flexes his fingers in anticipation,...
Sure; claws, gauntlets; spiky armor while grappling all ok. Swarms do not use regular rules; they do set number of damage to anything in any square they occupy. This swarm will do a d6+1 to 2 10' squares; they cannot be blocked and can move through, between, over, under people at will; but you will get your regular attacks of opp against them if they do.
Am waiting on others agreement; but we can go by initiative anytime; my guys are in the middle somewhere.
Post your actions.
hehe I rolled a 09; grats on making your hardside roll; it was extremely unlikely.
Kemnebi blinks once in rapturous fascination, otherwise unmoving as the glorious afterimage of the voices fades from their minds. The clatter of his staff falling to the floor echoes loudly in the sudden, pregnant pause of the lizard's rushing attack.
"I accept." He snarls gleefully. His voice is low, powerful, with an almost odd echo in it. It is NOT the voice of the usually timid bookworm.
"Neb! June! You heard! Claws and Fangs! The way it was meant to be!" He howls, an almost manic gleam in his eyes. The mage crouches low, protecting his vulnerable belly from the tiny lizards as they swarm, and flexes his fingers in anticipation,...
Aahz <out loud is a petulant voice>
Darn; Birdman said I cant join in; neither can May or June; sheesh; I never get to have any fun <pout> I dont know what this "mortal coil" thing is, but I dont like it! how can I break something when I dont even know what it is, Llvenoc; use dem pointy ears and stick a few fer me will ya. Darn Grumps and their rules, rules; bleedin rules.
Teeth and Claws! Really!?! Its bad enough that by your rash actions we suffer judgement by the Sun God. Now you expect us to debase ourselves like beasts!!! You can have your barn yard scrap. But I will defend myself with civilized weapons.
Lol; hehe actually did too, nice turn of phrase Llvenoc hehe
Fox is hesitant to offend a deity or jeopardize someone else's blessings, so she'll hold off with her magic.
Heck ya; you would more worry the other way; he loves to bit the head off rats; has teeth, fangs and claws and a somewhat base nature and barely civilized.
Fox is hesitant to offend a deity or jeopardize someone else's blessings, so she'll hold off with her magic.
With a gleam in his eye:
Prissy Elf; this zzz only an appetizer; dont fret if yea dont liken ur meat raws; weez'ul take care of em gut afore yea need glut yur blade. MMShore der beez guttems snakemen to cross blades wit yea soon.
drops his sword and sheild.
natural weapondry.
claw; hit; damage; 3 +5=8
claw; hit; damage; 1 +5=6
Bite; miss.
The swarm engages the first four characters and npc and skelly guards; whomever of characters; each take 5 pts damage. Am thinking you guys are two people wide; so the third rank; can engage as the swarm in right in front of them.
So I am thinking the party looks like this; XX can fight.
xx
xx
xx
--
oo
oo
oo
oo
<back in the rear with her sister and LLvenoc>
I have been told that there is a certain satisfaction, cathardic really, from personally rending your foes or ringing there neck...
yes; some species to tend to go on and on about it; in detail; as if we were interested.
So true my sister.
Kalona listens to the two 'powers' shaking her head now and then and when over turns to listen to the others. So far the responses are as expected. She sighs, then jumps in...
Llevnoc, for the powers to intervene a proper sacrifice must be made. That is the way for powers, lest those of us be trod upon by such things. The sacrifice will be that we fight without the aid of what we consider precious. Those 'civilized' weapons of yours, that honored dwarven heritage that the dwarf bears, that blessed spear of the palladin, the magic that the catkin did spend his life researching as well, I think the fox, the blessings that the priestess who pledged her life to the power is gifted with.
That is the sacrifice that has been required, to dismiss it with an angry retort at the catikin who merely volunteered to give up his precious gifts he has strove so hard to achieve, so that this group may be further blessed on this mission and have that much better chance to succeed. This action of yours is very unbecoming of one who would call themselves good, who would wish for the well being of all and the success of this mission.
So is that your final answer, refusal of the gift from an ally of your patron, one that would increase the chances of the mission you swore to 'die' trying. That would increase the chance of these group-mates surviving this trial, some of which are the ones you pledge too. Is this your sense of good, the depth of your convictions you have sworn and pledge too? Is all it takes to overcome these things just the momentary sacrifice of your most precious 'civilized' weapons?
Her discusions with Llevnoc are something of legend with this group and through the link, various responses of his flash as she remembers his steadfast statements of the past...more because she is unuse to the link that deliberate. It is quite clear though that she is not passing judgement by her tone, it is more a curiousity as to 'who is this Llevnoc' then anything else for indeed this seems to her a deciding moment and her curiousity is quite aroused.
Skeletons are on guard btw, swarm comes in contact they go 'tooth and claw' but only if she, the skeletons themselves or the catkin are attacked.
Inits:
sure; skelly can fight without violating the offer; they are all bones and this is a crypt and egyptian dieties are big into the dead and these are not self aware or animated so you dont get blasted; they dont care about skellies for the most part.
Swarm has a 15 AC; mostly cause their fast and slippery.
Go Durr Go
Kalona; peck their eyes out; Peck em good
Go team go
give em that headbutt; dwarven heads are so hard it is legendary;
Go Kosan go; headbutt headbutt
Come on Astionos; stomp those feet
Rah Rah Rah.
Lets go Cats lets go!
<still in her cheerleader outfit...fairly revealing outfit; she dances and shakes her pompoms>
Astinos looks over his shoulder at Kemnebi with an expression of both incredulity and amusement. His vision shifts to Llevenoc and becomes something a bit more akin to a glare.
He then makes eye contact with Decidio.
In mindlink: 'Stay back '
He sighs deeply.
'I'M IN!' rings through the mindlink.
His shield and spear drop, the metallic clang echoing throughout the tunnel, mailed fists clenched he roars a challenge to the oncoming swarm of creatures.
"C'mon!!!"
As the wave of creatures envelop him biting and scratching he hammers home blows that shike a few of the little beasts at once.
In the mind link: Blasted godlings always getting involved where they were not invited. If some one o'l shut that blasted bird up I'm in. A fights a fight. Kill em with yer axe or your fist they still end up dead.
I drop my Axe/hammer and shield. Initiative of 19. Full armor, and helmet, I Lean forward (makes me about 4 foot off the ground) and stand my ground (+4 vs Bull rush). I swing at any combatantant that comes with in my reach.
in the mind link: Grumbling lowly about blasted birds, trouble they cause, always meddling, leaving feathers everywhere, lecture'n more then me mudher, never stop their blasted yapping on, and on ...
If Anything comes near:
8 (Base to Hit) + 18 (1d20) + 7 (Mod) = 33, . If Hit: 2 (1d3 (Dam)) + 7 (Mod) = 9.
3 (Base to Hit) + 14 (1d20) + 7 (Mod) = 24, . If Hit: 1 (1d3 (Dam)) + 7 (Mod) = 8.
With a sigh I drop my swords and prepare to swing my fists at any of the tiny creatures that get close to me.
A proper sacrifice? I disagree. It reminds me of jumping through hoops. But who I am to interfere with your religious practices. If you wish to fight like beasts then so be it. And when the next power asks you to wallow in the mud, and dig for truffles. You can go and do that too. You want my aid. Just ask. I will come with weapons drawn.
A proper sacrifice? I disagree. It reminds me of jumping through hoops. But who I am to interfere with your religious practices. If you wish to fight like beasts then so be it. And when the next power asks you to wallow in the mud, and dig for truffles. You can go and do that too. You want my aid. Just ask. I will come with weapons drawn.
I chuckle in the mind link at Llevonics coments. Then I return to my grumbling.
Kemnebi endures the first impact of the swarm, and those closest to him can actually hear him chuckle. (Whether from Llivinoc's and Kalona's comments, or from near-hysteria, it's difficult to tell.) But his voice sounds normal, if a little bit gleeful, as he uncrouches and displays his impossibly long gloved claws with a 'SNAP'.
"My turn!" He cries, slashing at the tiny reptiles attempting to overwhelm him,...
He catches a few of the tiny carnivores on his first swing, sending them flying, but his second wild swing is just too slow to catch the rapid reptiles, and they leap up onto his wildly swinging arm instead.
"Slippery lil' suckers,..." He growls in feline, frowning at the ravenous raptor clinging to his arm. It hisses at him in hunger. The mage returns the hiss with equal venom,...
With a sigh I drop my swords and prepare to swing my fists at any of the tiny creatures that get close to me.
I swing my fists at the creatures:
Nebibit shrugs and resorts to clawing at the enemy
Claw 1
Claw 2
Claw 1 Damage
Claw 2 Damage
They do; you crush a few amids a hundred snapping jaws and countless scraping claws as the swarm rolls over you...
Astinos looks over his shoulder at Kemnebi with an expression of both incredulity and amusement. His vision shifts to Llevenoc and becomes something a bit more akin to a glare.
He then makes eye contact with Decidio.
In mindlink: 'Stay back '
He sighs deeply.
'I'M IN!' rings through the mindlink.
His shield and spear drop, the metallic clang echoing throughout the tunnel, mailed fists clenched he roars a challenge to the oncoming swarm of creatures.
"C'mon!!!"
As the wave of creatures envelop him biting and scratching he hammers home blows that shike a few of the little beasts at once.
1d20+11 1d4+4
1d20+6 1d4+4
in usual circumstances yes; an attack of opp would be generated; but not against a swarm as they dont attack, but rather do damage to any square they occupy. Your fist, if in a gauntlet of meduim or heavy armor; does lethal damage.
With a sigh I drop my swords and prepare to swing my fists at any of the tiny creatures that get close to me.
is this saying you rolled a natural 1 twice? sounds like the random generator you using doesnt work to well.
Nebibit shrugs and resorts to clawing at the enemy
Claw 1
1d20 + 5
Claw 2
1d20 + 5
Claw 1 Damage
1d4 + 3
Claw 2 Damage
1d4 + 1
The pack and the party clash as the swarm moves into and through the party biting and clawing as the party pounds, smashes, bites and claws them to smitherines.
Everyone who fought; take 7 pts of damage.
no attacks of oppurtunity necessary against the swarm as Caerwyn bashes the last of the surviving pack <with his much lower initiative>
All those who took place in natural weapons fight gain the blessing <means you took the damage> as fire erupts in your heart to slay snakemen and thier allies(those who havent posted yet can still post their fight actions, I think Caer went on init 4; so his damage just finished them off so if you didnt post you still can.)
JIHAD!
OK; about 40 ft in front of the party can be seen strewn rubble that mounts as most of your visions end at 60ft; those who can see farther:
sight beyond 60
this hall ends at a corner, and presumably; the hall continues to the right, but the corner is missing; like a giant maw burrowed through and bit the corner off the hall; dirt and chunks or brick and rock are strewn about leading up in a slopewards manner to birm between the Crypt and the fresh dug tunnels that burrow to the crypt; also; the corner is missing off the crypt to your right as well, leaving that crypt open and exposed.
When I see the fight is clearly over. I will move back up and take my position as rear guard of the party.
I gather up my spear and shield.
"Everyone all right? Good work. What do you see up ahead?"
I Take my 7 Pts of Damage, Wipe off my armor. Rerieve amy shield and Axe/Hammer.
In the mind link: Is every one still ok. Is anyone in need of immediate healing. Speak up is any one in need of healing. Caer your post, same formation. Form up and grab your gear.
your man did and he is right next to you; take the risk of combat, take the damage; gain the blessing. That fight could have gone on for 1 or 12 rounds; you never know so it would appear that Horus is looking for willingness to pursue the enemy, being in the thick of it; doesnt matter to him how effective you were; its all about risk.
your man did and he is right next to you; take the risk of combat, take the damage; gain the blessing. That fight could have gone on for 1 or 12 rounds; you never know so it would appear that Horus is looking for willingness to pursue the enemy, being in the thick of it; doesnt matter to him how effective you were; its all about risk.
"That - is a startling sensation..." With that, she shuts up again and checks to make sure she is still in position.
ok; the party has a few obvious options and others not so obvious.
Does the party go forward or back?
do you go into the broken crypt or through the broken wall into the tunnels.
you can do all of them; just tell me which course your pursing first.
The broken corner of the crypt; when you can see it; is missing about 15 ft of stone and as it is diagonally opposite of the ripped out corner of the hall; about 20 ft closer to the party.
After 40 ft; the ground becomes very rough as the rocks, bricks, and sand are barely settled.
Kosan and LLvenoc
That roof is pretty weak and the walls as well; looks like the bad guys took out some important support beams; you dont think it would be a good idea to blow anything up in that area or even stomp your feet very hard.
Quickly grabs up about 10 tiny saurus bodies and ties them to a string and hooks that to his pack.
He picks up another couple and bites the head off and starts eating for a quick little snack...raw, but fresh.
Llvenoc
you can hear that the sand has stopped pouring out of the hole behind you or at least slowed such that you can no longer hear it.
The ground ahead is unsafe. Broken, and unstable ground. All it would take is for someone to trip, stomp on the ground, or a small explosion. Then the whole area would collapse. It would explain why they had such tiny creatures guarding this place.
Before we go forward a careful path will need to be mapped out. As a side note; the sand stopped pouring behind us. At least slow enough to no longer be heard. Might well be worth the look if it provides us another path.
After the fight is over, I activate my belt for a few seconds and heal most of the wounds inflicted during the fight.
I then move towards the broken entrance to the crypt and look inside, to see if I can spot anything. I don't have darkvision and my magical blades, which I draw after the fight, will only illuminate a short distance.
Kemnebi snarls softly, still crouching slightly as he darts his head left and right, looking for any survivors of the lizard pack. He seems almost disappointed that there isn't any. Seeing Durr gather a few of the lizards, and begin eating them raw, seems to snap him out of it. Although he still seems very energetic and excited about continuing onward. The fires that he feels in his soul seem to have empowered him, and he retrieves his staff from the floor with a simple gesture, causing it to leap into his grip.
"That - is a startling sensation..."
"Yes. Yes, it is." Kemnebi quietly agrees, his eyes seem to be glowing slightly with his fervor. The smile he gives Neb is reassuring, but it's intensity seems out-of-place on the usually reserved magus.
Before we go forward a careful path will need to be mapped out. As a side note; the sand stopped pouring behind us. At least slow enough to no longer be heard. Might well be worth the look if it provides us another path.
Kemnebi nods, a little of is usual cautiousness peeking through. "No fireballs, got it." He whispers. "I'll defer to those with more experience as far as the path goes." He nods deferentially. But he seems unusually eager to face more lizards. His gaze passes over June, still in her cheerleading outfit, and his grin widens,...
just a reminder; as part of the blessing; all those that have it have fast heal 1 for this scene.
just a reminder; as part of the blessing; all those that have it have fast heal 1 for this scene.
ok.
what does the party do next?
As he feels the effects of the Blessing, Kemnebi bows his head slightly. (Still a surprise considering his previous comments regarding Powers) And murmurs in Feline:
"Thank you Horus, I shall deliver vengeance upon the serpents and their kin, in your name, and Bast."
He stands still for a moment longer, then shudders slightly, as if chilled. When it passes, he seems more like his old self, although still obviously possessed of energetic fervor.
"The chance of attacking from an unexpected direction is too good to pass up, we should inspect the sand-passage and see if it offers another avenue of attack." He declares softly, but very assured. "But may I suggest that we move swiftly? The next set of guards could be the one that triggers the alarm. I personally wish the next spell I cast to be at the feet of the goddess!" He adds with a tight, intense, smile.
Kemnebi stands ready, balanced on the balls of his feet, waiting,...
Seeing that no one has moved. Well I am going to head back. See if anything can be seen in the hole that June and Decidio made. If someone could cover my back.
I start walking back that way to investigate. Let me know when a plan is in place to bypass the obstacle. So we can proceed.
You see the floor is covered with fine sand just up and over the hole; looks like pressure has stabilized. There is a big mound of fine sand under the hole that goes all the way across the hallway and is about 4ft high at the hole. Your best guess with this kind of fine, regular, clean sand and this much; there is probably a lot more; this looks like it is probably a storage vault that has a lot more sand and probably is to bury some room, like a trdasure room of something important if some trap below it is set off.
Alright, I will head back after I am done looking at it. Mostly wanted to see if the way back was cut off if we needed to fall back this way.
The sand filled across the hallway about 4ft. But the passage is still open enough if we need it to backtrack out this way. Heading back to you all.