"Yes, that's the question, isn't it? We need to find our way. We need to free the Earth goddess. First and foremost, we need air and we need to escape this cave-in we find ourselves in. All of us.
"Allies, what would you have me ask for? I see this as little different than a soldier that offers himself on the battlefield for his friends. But I have some small measure of control in what I ask for. I must ask for that which benefits our goal -- what do you suggest? Escape? Success? Guidance?"
Aahz: ooh; aaah; hsssst; <weak voice> "as..k <labored breath> "for" hsst; oww; "healing"
"I would suggest that you ask for us to be free of the binding earth, able to travel it freely."
Nebibit remains silent and stony faced as she does her best to help with the digging.
Nebibit; do you seek to free the party members with Llvenoc; or find fresh air with Durr; though Llvenoc may be going toward Durr at the moment.
A pained look crosses his face again at Aahz's request.
'We'll take care of you Aahz, Promise. C'mon Neb. We need to free the others!' Kemnebi says through the link as he takes Llivinoc's place in the tunnel. His eyes widen as he realizes what Llivinoc might be afraid of,... and begins to dig as swiftly as he safely can,...
'Move Earth, Dig, Stone to Mud, Stone Shape,... they're ALL going in my spellbook!' Kemnebi mentally mutters as he digs.
Nebibit; do you seek to free the party members with Llvenoc; or find fresh air with Durr; though Llvenoc may be going toward Durr at the moment.
Find fresh air with Durr
you can dig well enough with your claws; the only roll would be engineering to keep the tunnel from collapsing and bringing more dirt down on everyone; but Llvenoc took care of that with you and shaping the ice; so you can probably get to Astinos in three minutes and free him in five.
Ok; Durr, Llvenoc and Nebibit at the other end looking at the wall that Durr says something strange is on the other side; are you digging through or what is the plan?
Kosan; singing along; your throat is getting mighty dry; voice is a cracking.
We are going to need some more con checks at a few negatives; roll please...
A pained look crosses his face again at Aahz's request.
'We'll take care of you Aahz, Promise. C'mon Neb. We need to free the others!' Kemnebi says through the link as he takes Llivinoc's place in the tunnel. His eyes widen as he realizes what Llivinoc might be afraid of,... and begins to dig as swiftly as he safely can,...
'Move Earth, Dig, Stone to Mud, Stone Shape,... they're ALL going in my spellbook!' Kemnebi mentally mutters as he digs.
"Consider your request a bit, I shall prepare"
She goes to the far end of the ante room and begins mentally preparing herself; she uses water to purify her body, her motions slow and graceful; rythmic and poised. She strips of anything that reflect light or shines; see sets out a very expensive black cloth worked with even blacker thread sewn with black jewels. See sets out a black decantor and some onyx oil pots; fills them with fragarant oil; she sets a very beautiful ceremonial dagger in the middle of the cloth. This takes about 2 minutes as she is quick, but not rushed.
"are you ready Sister of the Mask? join me and we shall begin; tell me your request that I may give counsel"
"are you ready Sister of the Mask? join me and we shall begin; tell me your request that I may give counsel"
"We need air most immediately and our success will be more likely if we do not exhaust ourselves in travel, so passage to our goal will be helpful, as well. I think that is what I will request. What is your counsel, sister?"
'Careful Fox,...' Kemnebi sends through the link as he carefully digs towards Kosan.
'Not trying to tell you what to do,... just,... be careful. Remember, this is a give & take deal. But what seems fair & balanced to a Power is not necessarily the same as fair to a mortal.' Kemnebi sends, his thoughts are tinged with,... bitterness? Or anger?
'Sometimes it;s better to rely on your own abilities, whether diety-provided or not. Find me a snake-kin to fight, and I think I can have Aahz back on his feet. Neb, Durr, Llivenoc, did you find anything over there?'
I move closer to where Durr is and carefully watch to see if my blade bursts into flames. Knowing we haven't made that great of a distance from the abberation that started to devour everyone at the stadium.
"Thanks, Kemnebi. I have no abilities left to offer - my spells used, no appreciable strength, my knowledge has been of little use - but if sacrifice must be made to allow the rest of the party to succeed and it is a sacrifice I can make, I will do so. I can live - or die - with the result if it means the rest of you reach our goal. I'm more concerned that the goddess is freed than my well-being. If this turns out to be as poorly considered a decision as you fear... raise a toast to me for meaning well, eh?"
In the Mind Link: Fox you do not give yourself enough credit. Ye are by far the best battle tactician in charge of the spell casters that we have. That is not a conjured magic or god given ability. It is an ability that no one can take away from Ye. Ask not from powers that will manipulate and warp your requests to get a finger hold into your soul. Trust in yourself not the darkness of uncertainty.
Fort check
no flames; but it does sense something....tiny sparks....
I move closer to where Durr is and carefully watch to see if my blade bursts into flames. Knowing we haven't made that great of a distance from the abberation that started to devour everyone at the stadium.
oooh; you fail; you get to go to dreamland with your lady love; will try to post it today, but am swamped so might be next couple days; let me get some juices going hehe so we can have some fun with it.
Fort check 1d20+7
Caerwyne; I am not at all ignoring you; but not much as gm I can do for you at this point; hang in there; your fine; not forgotten.
------
others new con rolls?
Con check
no flames; but it does sense something....tiny sparks....
I have a surprised expression looking at my blade.
In the Mindlink: "What in the name of Llo... Kemnebi dig faster."
I approach the spot Durr indicated with my rapier expecting the worst.
Caerwyne; I am not at all ignoring you; but not much as gm I can do for you at this point; hang in there; your fine; not forgotten.
------
others new con rolls?
Con check
Yes, you slump to the ground; thoughts of concern for others in your mind. In the back you remember that your mask is also is a soul storing device; if you body dies; your soul with reside in your mask; it is said that more powerful mages in your group were able to take their bodies inside their masks and wait; some for thousands of years...wonder how they did that...
Con check 1d20 + 7
Durr digs faster as he feels his mistress go unconscious...
Astinos
as you go unconscious, you get the idea of being lifted up by a bird with powerful wings but you dont see anything until you are standing...somewhere. It must be a dream; your body appears as your minds eye view of yourself with all the good and bad; like how your soul would appear. Iunius <correct me if I have the wrong girl> is next to you; she looks; perfect; flawless and you get the sense of vast age in her; timeless and unchanging; but also fresh and new, remade in the image of the cosmos. Cosmos? yes you look around and you are standing in what might be deep space; an etheral image of space as it were. To one side is pure light where all things are exposed and all is illusion of blinding light; so pure it burns and hurts to look at it; if you look to long you will burn up. To the other side is pure darkness; not one mote of light; and endless chasm part terror that sucks the soul; part timeless peace and rest. The two are at war; in the middle there is a thin band; a grey area where all things of light and dark meet; some cancel; some unite; a constant place of change, birth and death; but thin; so small; like a band really in the vastness of the Light and Dark.
An Otherness pervades you; a hing of sheer wrongness on a level so primal it cant be grasped by the mortal mind. Like giant tendrils they reach through both the Dark and the Light; searching; grasping; destroying and creating; thus the Source of Choas; it comes from the heart of the Grey area, and in the grey area you see world destroyed; some corrupted and fused to the tendrils; some destroyed by the Dark; some by the Light; like a shield of nothing area to the Tendril can't feed. You see one world; you recongnise it as yours that is close to the tendril; you know it cant find your world yet; there are sheilds; but the shields are failing; beaconing strands come from your world to call the Tendril, call the Destroyer; you see the Light and the Dark; fighting to hide your world; yet each sends a Destroyer to wipe your world out so the Tendril cant latch on and grow.
Iunius grasps your hand and looks deep within you and smiles and gestures; in the grey you begin to make out spots; these spots resolve in your mind to become worlds. Where do you look and what do you do? You know that is it see that is sheilding your sanity; shielding your soul; providing the anchor.
Fort check 1d20+7
Astinos; this may be to much even filtered for your characters mind; please roll as Ego roll; add your Intelligence; Wisdom, and Charisma; divide by three; add your character level; that is your Ego; add that numbers bonus to your roll.
All characters; you may wish to figure out your egos or at least remember this as it is important in rare times like if you have a relic or artifact that has a personality and your Ego and its Ego must war for control. Is also what I do for a basic sanity check.
This number can also be modified by trends; long term wins or series of losses; support network; ie; am calling all that zero at this time.
Nebibit; as a cat person you can take less air; your body is leaner and runs cleaner than many races; but you have over exerted yourself digging; you must stop for minimum two rounds to catch your breath and slow your hammering heart. If you choose to continue; your next failure if there is no fresh air; you will fall unconsious.
Con check
1d20 + 6
awaiting player comments before we continue.
zzzzzzzzzz
In the Mindlink: "What in the name of Llo... Kemnebi dig faster."
'I'm digging! I'm Digging! Fox, can you give me a,... aw nuts. She's out. Neb? Where did you go? NEB? are you alright?!?' Comes with just a hint of panic through the link as the mage shovels earth as quickly as his magic enhanced claws will allow him.
C'mon. Just . A little. FARTHER.'
'I'm digging! I'm Digging! Fox, can you give me a,... aw nuts. She's out. Neb? Where did you go? NEB? are you alright?!?'
Im fine just need to catch my breath Nebebit responds taking a moment to try and get some air
Astinos; this may be to much even filtered for your characters mind; please roll as Ego roll; add your Intelligence; Wisdom, and Charisma; divide by three; add your character level; that is your Ego; add that numbers bonus to your roll.
All characters; you may wish to figure out your egos or at least remember this as it is important in rare times like if you have a relic or artifact that has a personality and your Ego and its Ego must war for control. Is also what I do for a basic sanity check.
This number can also be modified by trends; long term wins or series of losses; support network; ie; am calling all that zero at this time.
Ego roll
Ilook into the light for the source of the beacon to the Destroyer. It must be removed
As the digging continues.
Dig Dig Dig; the digging to get to the trapped party members becomes easier; the dirt is looser and suddenly your scraping on the dwarfs armor; Kosan; you can move; and with this that or the other; get free.
Dig Dig Dig; Durr breaks through to some fresh air; as there is really no flow; it comes in slowly. So; each player who is conscious need no longer make checks; those that are unconscious; can make a check each round to awaken.
Third; when Durr breaks through into a new tunnel; it is a small, rough chamber about 30' semi circle; natural cavern and has one natural passageway out; smells of heavy of snakes. No threats can be seen; but Llvenoc's sword lights up with blue flame.
I breathe a sigh of relief for my ears now that Kosan is free, and his singing should stop. I don't show any concern about Astinos disappearance. I figure Decidio teleported with him somewhere safe. I do watch my blade carefully as the sparks burst into flames. In the Mindlink: "Abberations."
Kemnebi grins at Kosan when the dwarf's face bursts out of the dirt.
'Come along Master Dwarf. Naptime's over, there's snakes that need killing!' He sends with relief through the link as he backs up out of the tunnel so Kosan can get out.
In the Mindlink: "Abberations."
'FINALLY. Something I know how to deal with!' Kemnebi sends back. The mage crawls back over to Aahz and helps him move towards the reopened chamber.
'You hear that Aahz? Your practically all better already! A couple of dead serpents, and you'll be right as rain!' He sends to the young power encouragingly.
Once he has assisted Aahz to the chamber, He goes back to assist June, Nebibit, and Fox, checking to make sure that everyone is alright. He looks around with a confused look on his face.
'June, Where's your sister, and Astinos?' He asks, not quite alarmed.
As the digging continues.
Dig Dig Dig; the digging to get to the trapped party members becomes easier; the dirt is looser and suddenly your scraping on the dwarfs armor; Kosan; you can move; and with this that or the other; get free.
Dig Dig Dig; Durr breaks through to some fresh air; as there is really no flow; it comes in slowly. So; each player who is conscious need no longer make checks; those that are unconscious; can make a check each round to awaken.
Third; when Durr breaks through into a new tunnel; it is a small, rough chamber about 30' semi circle; natural cavern and has one natural passageway out; smells of heavy of snakes. No threats can be seen; but Llvenoc's sword lights up with blue flame.
ack
this dice roller eh; it happens
As the digging continues.
Dig Dig Dig; the digging to get to the trapped party members becomes easier; the dirt is looser and suddenly your scraping on the dwarfs armor; Kosan; you can move; and with this that or the other; get free.
Dig Dig Dig; Durr breaks through to some fresh air; as there is really no flow; it comes in slowly. So; each player who is conscious need no longer make checks; those that are unconscious; can make a check each round to awaken.
Third; when Durr breaks through into a new tunnel; it is a small, rough chamber about 30' semi circle; natural cavern and has one natural passageway out; smells of heavy of snakes. No threats can be seen; but Llvenoc's sword lights up with blue flame.
Ok; Llvenoc and Durr are peering through the opening; Kenembi is what; dragging Aahz to the opening which will take a couple rounds.
What is everyone else doing?
"Which abberations might we be discussing? there are so many."
<eyeing the still form of Fox wondering if she wants to continue with the ceremony>
"Which abberations might we be discussing? there are so many."
<eyeing the still form of Fox wondering if she wants to continue with the ceremony>
In the Mindlink: "My blade only flames when Abberations are near. It is not precise enough to tell me what type just that they serve the Ancient Enemy... I will take point til our main fighters find there feet."
I draw my hand crossbow, and step out into the cavern.
As the digging continues.
Dig Dig Dig; the digging to get to the trapped party members becomes easier; the dirt is looser and suddenly your scraping on the dwarfs armor; Kosan; you can move; and with this that or the other; get free.
Dig Dig Dig; Durr breaks through to some fresh air; as there is really no flow; it comes in slowly. So; each player who is conscious need no longer make checks; those that are unconscious; can make a check each round to awaken.
Third; when Durr breaks through into a new tunnel; it is a small, rough chamber about 30' semi circle; natural cavern and has one natural passageway out; smells of heavy of snakes. No threats can be seen; but Llvenoc's sword lights up with blue flame.
CON check
CON check
Kemnebi grins at Kosan when the dwarf's face bursts out of the dirt.
'Come along Master Dwarf. Naptime's over, there's snakes that need killing!' He sends with relief through the link as he backs up out of the tunnel so Kosan can get out.
Walking out from the wall, sand and dirt falling freely from my armour, weapon, shield and backpack as I take each step.
In the Mindlink (I think Much to everyones delight) I stop singing my funeral Dirge and Reply to Kenebi: Impetious cub Its about time I was dug out of that tomb, "Naptime" I should box your furry pointy ears for that remark and for leaving the party ta go exploring when there was a major battle ongoing ya foolhardy Inquesitive whelp. But that will have to wait For now I have ta get to the battle. Aberations Ya say, I do so love ta hear them squeal and see their life s blood leave their bodies. Hurry lad point the way ta the battle. Don't Ya go off and kill them afore I get there Llevonic.
I move away from the place I was entombed and shake trying to get the sand out of the crevicises of my person and figure out which way to go. Check for my Hammer/Axe, Shield, Backpack, 2 Throwing hammers and the rest of my gear.
Val: How many HP have we recovered during the cavein??
In the Mindlink: "Keep your arrogance in check Kosan, Kemnebi. Those who serve the Devourer have been around since the dawning of existance. They have had eternity to learn how to devour and twist your mind, body, and soul. How many races have fallen since the birth of creation? Do you think the Demons, and the Snakemen were always such; or were they spoiled while still in the cradle? Where there memmories of what they are suppose to be a forgotten memmory. Even my peoples beloved Goddess was changed in such a fashion. Be vigilant or loose your self."
My warning brings back memmories of a few days ago when I had the same conversation with Namaste. It brings back darker thoughts, and I become somber wrapped up in gloom. Reminding myself of my Goddess's loss, and the mass suicide of my people. That my cousin may very well still be in danger or worse from the awakening of the ancient beast from the Necropolis above us.
ok; youi awaken.
As the digging continues.
Dig Dig Dig; the digging to get to the trapped party members becomes easier; the dirt is looser and suddenly your scraping on the dwarfs armor; Kosan; you can move; and with this that or the other; get free.
Dig Dig Dig; Durr breaks through to some fresh air; as there is really no flow; it comes in slowly. So; each player who is conscious need no longer make checks; those that are unconscious; can make a check each round to awaken.
Third; when Durr breaks through into a new tunnel; it is a small, rough chamber about 30' semi circle; natural cavern and has one natural passageway out; smells of heavy of snakes. No threats can be seen; but Llvenoc's sword lights up with blue flame.
CON check 1d20 + 7
CON check 1d20 + 7
it has been 6 minutes since the cave in.
Val: How many HP have we recovered during the cavein??
Kosan; as you Kenembi and Nebibit move back <tunnel is small so you have to go single file> you see Kenembi move to Aahz and beginning to drag him back to the tunnel; guess Aahz is heavy. You see a flame lit on Llvenoc's sword and he then Durr step through the newly dug tunnel where the fresher air is coming in to this pocket cavern.
does anyone else follow them? or watch? you would have to walk into the twisting tunnel which Kosan and Nebebit may still be in if they like; but single file.
C. Dom; another roll please +2
Astinos looks into the Light of Creation; and is blinded; raw and unfiltered this could kill. Please roll a constitution check and will save.
"Which abberations might we be discussing? there are so many."
<eyeing the still form of Fox wondering if she wants to continue with the ceremony>
Fox awakens and sees the drow princess looking at her, the question in her eyes. She sees that the diggers have broken into a new area. "I think... I think perhaps I was being hasty. Forgive me, but I don't think I want to go through with the ceremony at this time."