The Greeks and Romans dont fight with such things; but the Merc have a spare normal buckler; they dont have a masterwork. Thre are no cities other than the Necropolis close by; you might find one there though...
Ok; as the feast winds down and everyone is resupplied; the Greeks and Romans give their farewell and move off; they will care the the paladins chariot while he is in the necropolis until he returns it (as it wont fit into the underground tunnels and things would probably eat your horses and steal the chariot)
so; I assume the party gathers to move lead by Caledon; post any closing things you desire and I will post shortly the trip to the necropolis where we will start the adventure. :)
Oil is not available; torches are not easily had on this continent where so much is destroyed; but they can give 10 of them.
Thoron
Kemnebi closes his tome and stretches his cramped neck muscles. He flexes his writing hand, wiping ink from his lightly furred fingers. He then flexes both of his hands in front of his face, as if he can see the potential they now hold. FOr good or ill, the power is his to command, and it is growing.
With a grin and feline grace he rises and repacks. With the grin of a child with a new playtoy he wastes a bit of his new powers and his items float thru the air to his waiting hands. His pack following along behind him obediently, he walks to rejoin the others.
Thoron
** spoiler omitted **
Its no sweat; it hard to guage when things will happen; but we are casual.
Kemnebi closes his tome and stretches his cramped neck muscles. He flexes his writing hand, wiping ink from his lightly furred fingers. He then flexes both of his hands in front of his face, as if he can see the potential they now hold. FOr good or ill, the power is his to command, and it is growing.
With a grin and feline grace he rises and repacks. With the grin of a child with a new playtoy he wastes a bit of his new powers and his items float thru the air to his waiting hands. His pack following along behind him obediently, he walks to rejoin the others.
hehe; that is pretty certain; you will understand more soon hehe <insert evil chuckle coming from behind the DM screens>
The party finished their repast, meditations, studing and small talk; the two groups give their farewells as they would and move off, perhaps the pc party is a bit saddened that one of their member has decided not to enter the Necropolis; but takes heart that he will return with their allies to cause havok among the undead elsewhere.
As the party marches on, a noticable gloom settles over the party, but not just the party - everywhere. A long dark sense of isolation and hopelessness mixed with the occassional sharp tang provided by the threat of instant violence and death. Signs of combat ancient and recent mar the landscape; burned out buildings; peices of wrecked armor and weapons; broken pennants of forgotten fighting groups; death upon death upon misery and death. The stillness is palatable; the misty vapors that cling to the ground seem to grab at you with wraithlike misty tendrils; often strange lights of greens and reds, purple and orange can be seen flickering or moving about in the mists. The silence is madening. The party is becomes very conciencious of the noise they are making; movement slows; things are adjusted, quiter, but still the party is the only thing making noise; not even the wind dares breathe here.
The party decends deeper into the mists; whereas in the hilly area the mists clung about your ankles and knees; here you are in the thick of it; like decending into a cloud. as the mists now rise far over your heads. Visibility is cut to 30 or so feat for those that can see in the dark; a wetness develops on everything; a sour and dead wetness. You walk in the slop of brackish water; rotting, death and mold are everywhere yet Caledon does not pause; with certainty he leads you on.
You take a dinner break in a place he says is relatively safe, but the dark elf is not so sure as he had seen fairly fresh ghoul tracks earlier followed by 3 huge tracks of some armored war trolls who probably were looking to the ghouls as an easy snack. yes, trolls and their kin would like this domain, what they could wrest from the dead anyway as would certain of the winter sidhe and perhaps a demon or devil. Evil is thick in the air here; broken and burned out buildings about as well as a few just run down with age; you are on the outskirts of the city; part of the outer village of dwellings of farmers and craftsmen who once lived here it seems like a age ago says Caledon in is quietly sad and gravely voice.
The party takes a repast of rations (please track your meals as it may matter sometime) during which in the close distance a loud sharp banging of metal on metal; more like a blacksmith than a drum; can be heard; 5 sharp loud sounds; then nothing. The party strains their eyes and ears, perhaps taking up a defensive position ready for combat; time wears on; nothing; perhaps dread creaps up the spine of some of those less experienced in this life and sets up shop rolling cold sweat down center of the parties already wet clothing.
After a bit, Caledon softly suggests the party stay close; and move quietly (checks please) he will lead you to a inn that looks like it just fell over and collapsed to the side; except for an eight foot carved rock that sits fairly close to the center. Caledon picks through the rubble to what was the cellar and goes down the stairs; he knows a particular way on a fairly stout door, the door is opened; and he goes in side and motions you to enter.
Inside is what was perhaps a larder at one time; very little food is left; two large kegs rest here; one obviously for wine; the other for beer; their current contents unknown.
Caledon is here with two other figures that look very much like him; but one shorter and more hunched; the other taller and older; but missing one arm. Caledon introduces them; this is Akelipetes and T'Kylos of my order. They nod at you; but other than that their unnatural stillness is creepy. This is the most cheerful place you have been in for the last many hours as it is fairly clean and drab and you begin to dry as there is not mist in this room.
Caledon takes you to a door in the floor; "this is the tunnel that you will enter to get past the sentries and the city wall; it will bring you into the city of death to another inn that is unoccupied. You will enter soon; one hour; this would be best as it will take you a bit to get inside and if you walk the pace we walked getting here; you will arrive at the inn in good time. the inn is next to what was once a bath house of the city; do not enter the bath house; yet near the back is a green door; enter that door and it will take you into the sewers where the water comes and goes. It is likely to have guards of skeletons or zombies; doubtful there is any leader among them; just set orders. Enter the green door; follow the sewers to the right; go past three intersections and go down; then three is a bricked up doorway on your right; that goes into the area you need to enter to find what it is you seek. This is as much help as I and my Order can give you; after you enter this tunnel; we will cover and hide this doorway with shelves and the like; and close and lock the outer door; and fill and hide the stairs down. I suggest you do not return this way."
The little Fey crawls out of Llevnnoc's instrument; stretches; stamps his feet; tries to talk; can't; flys over to the wine; puts his head under the spicket; takes a long drink; "ah; thats better, well now; what a cesspool; well reckon this be it o' adventurous hearts; well; the king of the mound; his great moundliness; says you gotta have fey with you so you dont blow up the world; so; <he whistles> Boy; get your barberous self down here N stand too; I gots ta presents ya.
The door opens and a little guy comes inside; he is less than 3ft tall; but mean looking and rail thin; hard glowing eyes and clawed fingers and toes sprout from his wispy translucent armor; an overly large pommel of a sword sprouts from his back near his pack and is taler even than his thin sharp horns. He has an aura of deific power that any divine caster or pally can pick up on.
He motions behind him; and you hear another start to enter.
The Fey with you says; Ah; Grymbol me boy; found plaything didja?
Nebibit watched as the strange fey entered the room in front of her she wasn't quite sure what to make of the little thing. She was fairly certain it wasn't since it had saved her from having her throat slit by the snake men but beyond that she knew nothing else about it. watching the fey point towards her she began to enter the ruin she had seen the adventurers head into.
The fey gawks; looks back and forth; "wal, some peeps got bats in the belfry; guess we kin have cats in da cellar, look over at the mage, is that kin or would it be pride o yours.....<his eyes get really bit> Ack; Lormkin; ack run away; run away; <he flies out the door>
Nebibit watches the strange feys outburst before turning to the rest of the group "My name is Nebibit Sanura I'm all that's left of a group that were trailing Snake men, The small fey saved me and seemed to want me to follow him. I believe he wants me to aid you all if you would have me."
Welcome Nebibit. Know we are going further into danger. Not away from it. Your skills I am sure will be of great value.
** spoiler omitted **Thoron
** spoiler omitted **
Thoron
Caledon exchanges silent looks with the other two in his order.
Namaste back over in the Greek area.
Damn post monster ate my first post; so here goes again, sigh.
for those who dont know me or havent played with me; I just wanted to let you know up front that I will occassionally mix up your die rolls, there are several reasons for this but I find the added chaos it tends to cause a good thing for the game; especially as Chaos is greatly in accendance in the world and wierd stuff should happen from time to time. So, I have a d12 that I have a couple sides colored on that I roll with peoples rolls; if a colored side comes up; the forces of chaos are messing with things; so I will change your number; sometimes that is good; sometimes not; seems to average out over time. so; if no colored side comes up; which happens most often; things proceed normally; if a colored side comes up; then something happens; one color; I reverse the number max and min; so, a 37 becomes a 63; or a 8 becomes a 12; depending on die set; if the other color comes up; I reverse the numbers; so 37 becomes a 73; or a 16 becomes a 6. I find this adds an element to the game which lends to a better story.
ok;I would like 4 listen and 4 spot rolls from everyone; will use as needed for things you may or may not see or hear when your not actively telling me your doing this that or the other.
When you give me a roll; please give it like this; base roll; +whatever bonuses; please give me a hint on the bonuses so I dont have to look things up; there are areas where magic is suppressed or increased so that bonus may change and things of that nature so I need to know quickly and easily what your roll comes from so I can determine if anything increases or decreases. Always give the total; if there is nothing out of the ordinary going on; will just use that.
ok; initiative is alway individual; will count down from the highest number. For fights when I have lots of bad guys; I tend to put most of the fodder in groups and they have group init; but pc's always have individual so they can act heroic. Keep in mind that even if you have a higher init; you might not be able to act on that init number; for instance; when in a tunnel where only the guys in front or rear as it may be; have an idea of what is happening; usually only the first two people can see what is going on clearly; third is a bit dicey; nearly hopeless in some situations after that; this all depends of course upon lighting; cramped space; peeps with sheilds and light sources and how big or small peeps are.
now then,
in the trap door; you see a rusted iron ladder going down; into a tunnel with stagnent water in the bottom; the tunnel will be 5ft high and 5ft wide at the bottom and three foot wide at the top; it is shoddy and not well made; probably once a smuggling tunnel it is worn with age and wetness; there is a fair amount of slime and mold around; smells terrible; there are heavy oil soaked, but rotten beams holding up the ceiling about every 10 ft; and those are held up by posts in questionable condition. Other than mold and stagenent water; there are rats and lots of creepy crawly bugs and whatnot in the tunnel. the air is not fresh.
so; continue with your introductions and please give me a marching order.
Okay how do we want to handle this. We need one fighter as point. Me or you Astinos. Doesn't matter to me. You are better armored. I can see in the dark. Since Thoron has alot of unique skills we don't. I think he should also be point. From my experience fighting undead. We need one fighter in the middle of the group to protect casters. Generally they swarm the mindless ones to the front of a party. Pinning down the fighters. Then the intelligent ones rip into our healers, and mages. If you can take rear guard. With your speed you can assist anywhere in the group except for point if we are stuck in a tunnel. Save them til we absolutely need them. Some undead are vulnerable to flame as I am sure you know. We also don't know if those Trolls are still in the area. I would personally like to avoid as many fights as possible. We have limited resources. So lets save our strength to accomplish our goals. Then we can kill any many as we are able. What do you all think?
here are my roles: move silently: 12=6+6
listen: 25+8+17, 28=8+20, 9=8+1, 17=8+9
spot: 19=4+15, 9=4+5, 11=4+7, 24=4+20
Hello tall ones. Blarney Joe sent me to help ye. I can fight and I can help with healing. This one also can heal(pointing to the cat person who came with me.
"That sounds reasonable. If ThoronHen is on point, I believe he can make up for my visual lack. I fight best in the front, drawing enemies to me and making it difficult for them to get past.
When battle is joined it would be well for me to be away from the casters."
"Thank you for the torches. I will use them wisely."
Astinos looks to the newcomers, greeting the Catwoman with a bow.
"Well met. I sense a strong divine presence in you both. Truly the Gods are with us on this venture."
"I am am Astinos."
Ye said we are going to fight undead. I have a spell that allows 3 of us to hide from the undead, but if you give them a reason to think ye are there, they can try to attack ye.
a small snicker and little laughter can be heard out the doorway. soft music begins to flow in the room with a sorta upbeat sound.
<to the sound of the group Men at Work>
Traveling like a fried out Pixie
On a crypty trail, all full of zombie
I met a strange lady; she made me nervous
She looked like Lorm, I lost my breakfast,
and she said.
are you going into that hole down under?
where women gulp and men shudder,
I said do you hear that thunder? better run; better take cover.
"The replacement fey was man named Grymbull,
2"10 and full of muscle,
I said do ya speaka my language,
He just smiled and showed me his Vegazombie Sand Wedge"
so; what language are you guys speaking in anyways? hehe guess that last part was a fantasy golf term hehe.
I can speak drow, greek or roman. Which ever people seem to understand. I also speak high elf and sylvan.
Spot checks (d20 + wisdom)
1 d 20 + 3=10, 1 d 20 + 3=9, 1 d 20 + 3=10, 1 d 20 + 3=17
Listen checks (d20 + wisdom + 2 racial)
1 d 20 + 3 + 2=22, 1 d 20 + 3 + 2=20, 1 d 20 + 3 + 2=11, 1 d 20 + 3 + 2=11
Nebibit nods towards Llvinoc "Thats fine I am used to danger now." She then turns towards Kemnebi looking him over as if trying to recognise him.
The Jewel; a Drow Noble; looks at both the new commers and shrugs.
" I have heard that name before.....Leper Chaun right?; that's your boss; hmm, fey have started really getting involved on several continents; interesting. Interesting holy symbol as well; especially for a Puck; not afraid of the wrath of your Sidhe Queens; surely they think you disloyal.
Friends; teammates; this one may bring us great doom; the Queens of Sidhe are jealous and powerful; this one may have offended them taking power from a rival elder god, I know not that symbol but feel a strange recognition; sheltering this one may perhaps be a doom to us but his power is real and strong."
"Priestess of B Ast" <Jewel says with a semi spitting emphasis> "know you our good will in your fight against the Ophidians and know that several snakes did spy upon this party and did ask questions and recieve answers at the Temple of the Oracle of Delphi not a day or so past; due to the chains of slavery the party wore, enslaved to a foolish peace; they could not attack and kill the enemy snakes; though Kenembi did alert the party to their spying tactics and did cause them to leave, thus it was told to me by the Oracle.
Lady, the King of Now won my favor while gambling. He knows who I am and what I am. He knows who I worship. If He knows, my queen knows. There is no doom on me. There is nothing else to say about it.
Listen Rolls; D20+4 (+2 RAcial, +2 Alertness) 1d20+4=9, 1d20+4=19, 1d20+4=8, 1d20+4=19
Spot Rolls; D20+2 (+2 RAcial) 1d20+2=11, 1d20+2=11, 1d20+2=7, 1d20+2=8
At first amused by the antics of the tiny fey, he is nonetheless on edge from the past several hours, and spins towards the cellar door with his staff raised and a chant half-formed on his lips as the small creature enters.
The chant is first frozen in amazement at the small man's appearance. Then he deflates entirely in shock as the second enters. A female of his own race!
As introductions are hastily made and a plan of attack formed, he cannot help but stare at the Feline cleric. SHe looks familiar, but in this lighting and circumstances, and with the dust and weariness of travel upon her, he cannot seem to place it,....
Finanly, in exasperation at her thick-skulled companion, the cat which has not budged from his shoulder these past several hours stretches, hops down, and goes over to Nebibit. With a soft meowl of 'will someone pay attention to me?' She leaps up onto Nebibit's shoulder and rubs in greeting against her cheek as she purrs.
The action of his familiar seems to jolt Kemnebi out of his shock, and he grins a radiant smile.
"Nebibit? I didn't recognize you! You were attacked by the Snakes? Are you alright? What are you doing here? I mean How did you end up here? I mean,..." A flicker of insecurity flashes across his face for a moment. "MAster Kantararo didn't send you to check on me, did he?"
His familiar looks at Nebibit with a look that plainly says, 'Some things never change.' And then the ring-tailed cat leaps back to her master's shoulder and resumes her favorite position.
Spot=13,23,14,23 Listen=11,21,29,12
Hwe-Ko bows and greets the newcomers. "Welcome to our band, I am pleased to met you". "I am Hwe-Ko monk of the Ninth Sun monastery, chosen by 'Mother' to represent her in this endeavor".
I am Grymbol, and let us get going.
|
Finally, in exasperation at her thick-skulled companion, the cat which has not budged from his shoulder these past several hours stretches, hops down, and goes over to Nebibit. With a soft meowl of 'will someone pay attention to me?' She leaps up onto Nebibit's shoulder and rubs in greeting against her cheek as she purrs.The action of his familiar seems to jolt Kemnebi out of his shock, and he grins a radiant smile.
"Nebibit? I didn't recognize you! You were attacked by the Snakes? Are you alright? What are you doing here? I mean How did you end up here? I mean,..." A flicker of insecurity flashes across his face for a moment. "MAster Kantararo didn't send you to check on me, did he?"
Nebibit expression goes from confused, to realisation, to overjoyed, to mildly annoyed.
His familiar looks at Nebibit with a look that plainly says, 'Some things never change.'
She gives the familiar the exact same expression before speaking to Kemnebi in Feline
"Well I see you are your usual slightly paranoid self. To answer your questions No Kantararo didn't send me. A group of our fellow countrymen were headed here and I decided to accompany them. The group I was with were trailing some snake men. We planned to ambush them but instead fell into an ambush ourselves." Nebits face darkens though whether from rage or sorrow it is hard to tell "Im not sure what happend next I took a glancing blow to the head and spent the next few minutes stunned. The next thing I remember is one of the snake men hauling me to my feet and pinning my arms whilst another one advanced on me with a dagger to slit my throat like they had just done to my companions. Fortunatly the gods decided to send a most unusual savior to my aid." She nods her head briefly in Grymbol's direction "After he had killed the snake men he indicated he wanted me to follow him and that is how I now find myself here."
Nebibit. Let me give you fair warning for I fear Kemnebi is lost in the moment of reunion. I would probably make the same mistake myself if I was reunited with my cousin.
There is a vile human wizard who has taken the form of your people. There will be much suffering of innocents being mistaken for being him or his kin. Kemnebi himself almost lost his life the other day from swirling knife, and dagger. From one whom this group calls ally. All because of mistaken idenity. I have heard the story of this villian more than once by those of authority. Know this danger and ward yourself against it. This enemy has a name. Lorm. If I should ever cross paths with him. I will shoot him.
Astinos smiles,amused by Llvenoc's speech.
Kemnebi calms somewhat as Nebibit explains her travels, (you suspect that the purring of his familiar into his ear helps), and his moment of mild paranoia changes into an obvious anger, and relief at her narrow escape. He turns to the small fey warrior and places a gloved hand on his chest as he gives a formal bow to the small man.
"I am grateful that you were there warrior. If you have a request you have but to ask, and if it is in my power I will grant it and count myself honored to do so."
HE turns back to Nebibit and says hastily in feline; "I am relieved that you are well. And you will no doubt say that your delivery was arranged by the gods, for we are about to enter the Necropolis. And our goal is nothing less than the rescue of a goddess! Your faith will no doubt allow us to manage the undead that dwell within much easier. Stay close to me, and my Art shall protect us both. I have already learned more in a week of travel than in a month of study in the Temple library! Why,..."
And Llivenoc interjects his warning into Kemnebi's feline babbling. At first his brow furrows in frustration at the interruption, but he quickly nods in solemn agreement with the dark elf's words. When he speaks again, it is in Egyptian (or Roman, whichever the majority seems to be able to understand)
"He is right, I have heard these tales. This Lorm seems to be an agent of chaos itself, for in one tale he is a great evil, and to the next village he is a great saviour. I have heard no rhyme or reason to his actions yet. But we should take care to conceal our race when we travel until we are assured of a non-violent reception. " He tells Nebibit.
"But now, our new companion is correct. We should not tarry here long. Let us prepare, and proceed." And the feline mage fits actions to words, and casts a protective spell, then nods he is ready. With a grin to Nebibit, he takes his place in line, staff grasped firmly in both hands.
Nebibit takes up a position right next to Kemnebi "Perhaps Ibenbast my reason reason being here is to protect you and if this Lorm is using our form to spread suffering I shall end him myself."
So you say ye owe me a favor, so noted. I accept the favor owed.
Nebibit takes up a position right next to Kemnebi "Perhaps Ibenbast my reason reason being here is to protect you and if this Lorm is using our form to spread suffering I shall end him myself."
Kemnebi winces at the use of his proper name, but raises an arching eyebrow as Nebibit takes a ready stance by his side, hefting her weapon.
"Maybe." He says with a smirk. "But I don't remember needing that much help on the training field. Well, there was that once,..." He adds grudgingly at her direct stare.So you say ye owe me a favor, so noted. I accept the favor owed.
Placing his hand on his chest once more, he gives the Fey another bow. "It will be my honor." He repeats solemnly.
As they shuffle and make last-minute adjustments, a glance at the young feline's face reveals a glimpse of thoughtfulness, or concern. Perhaps he is considering that he should be more cautious of hasty promises.
So be it.
Namaste back over in the Greek area.
** spoiler omitted **
To Llvenoc, back at the Greek encampment:
Namaste gives a curtsey to the newcomers.
"Nebibit, is it? It is good that you have joined us. I much enjoy the company, conversation and youthful exuberance of your cousin. More than one of us seeks to be reunited with our family, friends, loved ones, so the fact that the two of you have been rejoined on this, the eve of our descent into the darkness, I can only believe is a wonderful omen!"
Turning to Grymbol, she says, "You should know that what we face in the days ahead will call for precision, planning, discipline. I know of the fickle and sporadic nature of the fey, indeed I have called some my friends in my youth, and much joy - and consternation - has it brought. But that fey mien may become a liability. Can you cool that fiery blood when need be?"
Aye, our sense of humor can get us in trouble, but I am of a different mien. Among other things, we are the ones sent to dispatch our people's justice, when needed. Do ye think we could do this. if we were like the fey ye knew?
"Good then" Astinos says with a nod adjusting the grip on his spear.
"Shall we proceed? Time is of the essence."