As you prepare, you note carefully that the (seeming?) form of Meren is on the other side of the camp, near the clubhouse, listlessly chatting as usual.
Further, Minna's comment on the globe is: "It seems we have no choice but to use it now but we should not keep it long. Such strange things can effect the minds of their users - that is how poor Fentor became what he is today." - she casts a worried glance at Arlo. And when Armaund is told of the situation, he looks serious, "This is concerning and tricky but it seems we have no choice but to fight. I shall summon what the power I have. If this Meren is to challenge us for control of this globe, perhaps we should concentrate on him first. I believe I could reach the tent just standing near our window. Other may move closer or stand behind my form. Ask the Globe to seal this demi-plane, if it is able." He vanishes and you sense him expand to a vast bulk. Then, moving, through the window/gate after Gift, you sense a movement like a snake striking and Meren is torn literally to shreds, his head landings several feet outside the destroyed tent, the two Dark Trade giving ghastly shrieks and one of them has a wicked, bloodless gash on his side. "Too easy, could that have been the duplicate and the real Meren is wandering the camp? Still, let us deal with these two while we can!"
At this point, the Meren-in-the-camp turns and begins sauntering, at a leisurely pace, back towards the area of the "window". He will be there in about three rounds.
Seeing Meren slowly walking over, Gift turns the mech around and stands by it ready to defend the open side of the window from Meren.
Lucien quickly casts Greater Magic Weapon, Blur, Reduce Person and, just before combat, Haste on himself. "Ready when you are." he says, looking around at his new compatriots. Let's see how good this group is. he thinks, always a little bit nervous about working with new partners before he's had time to get their full measure.
Rollo watches in awe the gloriously destructive power that was Armaund! The dhampir appreciates his efficiency.
The Sage then targets the two Dark Traders while surprise was still on their side!
Heightened Glitterdust Will DC 22
The wounded Dark Trader clutches at his eyes while the other bats away the Rollo's glittering sparkles... One blinded, both sparkly. Armaund whispers, "The more disruption they get, better, let's get them... though his voice now sounds much deeper...
Terex takes advantage of the chaos to stealthily dart into the ruined tent. He gives the now-sparkling contents a quick look, seeing if there's anything the Dark Traders might be able to use to fight back that he could snatch away.
If he doesn't see anything, he instead studies the Dark Traders themselves, seeing if they might have some magic items on them whose loss would weaken them.
Barlo unsheaths his holy longsword and rushes to attack one of the Dark Traders.
Minna follows Arlo, charging and tumbling into combat, her knife telescoping out to rapier and attempting to hobble the creature Arlo is attacking (Arlo has flanking now) - but misses her target.
Now that Rollo, Arlo and Terex are on this parallel plane, they can see it resembles their present plane for about 300 years and then it's edges get strange and blurry...
Now, as Gift, Arlo and Armaund's attacks explode around them, The two Dark Traders flicker with shadow but only manage to orient once they've been significantly pummeled. But their dead flesh seem extraordinarily tough (Arlo's blade barely nicking one) and they move with sinister intent once they orient themselves.
The figure in front of Arlo huddles to cast a spell defensively, then an explosion of supernatural Erupt in the entire area. . The other figures cries to some unknown god or spirit and two waves of black energy expand in all direction. .
Finally Arlo's target reaches a bit to the side to gather something and then suddenly seems surrounded by some kind of force field.
Armaund whispects to Rollo, "Take down the barrier so Arlo can finish the wizard, I will forcus on the priest of shadows." and his invisible, massive form pummels the priest... and the figure seems to barely survive...
As all this happen, the "other" Meren continue walking peacefully towards the "window" on the other, ordinary plane - He'll be there now in 2 rounds now.
Terex darts by the Dark Trader as he pulls something out and manages to snag it just barely as he evades the blast of cold, but he feels the life being sucked from him by the other enemy. He flies a bit further back, takes a quick glance at what he has in his hand, then blasts the priest with his wand of scorching ray.
plus
Shaking off the worse of the damage, Barlo swiftly casts smite evil on the Dark Trader generating a force field.
Rollo rolls right riding the wave of cold, but suffering little damge.
The dhampir actually laughs as the Negative Energy erupts around them!
That really feels good!
Listening to Armaund about the wizard, the Sage begins to attempt to unravel its magic.
Gift winks out of being and reappears directly in front of this plane's Meren.
"Hello Meren, may I have a word"
She takes Meren's arm and seeks to guide her to their Cabin.
"Its a private matter and I really hope you can help me with it"
Rollo is able to get the Wizard-Trader's shield down soon enough for Arlo and Minna to attack. The Wizard-Trader once again casts defensively and damaging storm rain gravel fills the area .
The Dark Priest once again channels negative energy . You see dark redish flames licking at the bodies of each figure and when Armaund's monstrous bite invisibly lights to into the dark priest, he falls to the ground as something like burn embers. But Wizard is still up.
...
Outside, Meren looks at Gift surprised and says "My lovely lady, of course...Then looks chastened "I fear there are things I must confess now...
Barlo Boulderhands weathers the Wizard-Trader's storm, then suddenly all joy and light leaves the universe as the undercover dwarven paladin's life force is stripped away by the Dark Priest's negative energy waves.
"...Lyra.."
So She heard it, Arlo's pain and anguish, and she was no longer with Meren she standing between Arlo and the Black Trader.
::"Rollo get Arlo out of here! I'll deal with this &£*£^!!"::
"Dodge this Mother %£&£^!!"
Flame shoots from her hand and engulfed the black Trader
Rollo watches too late the assault of negative energy washing over everyone!
The dhampir relishes the feeling, but his companions begin to wilt under the onslaught!
The Sage then quickly approaches the fallen Paladin. He places a hand on the dwarf; muttering a short verbal phrase.
Both the dhampir and the dwarf vanish!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Batlo Boulderhands wakes up in the medical bay, sore but alive.
Terex breathes a little sigh of relief as the other Dark Trader crumples. That had been close for him, as well--he hoped Arlo had survived.
He wasn't going to lose another friend.
Pushing that thought aside as something beyond his power now, he quickly dives into the wreckage and looks for anything interesting, valuable, or possibly magical.
It burned, the thing that had harmed Arlo burned, she was so angry she blasted what was left until it was just ash. Then she looked up to see Terex rummaging around the wrecked tent. But her thoughts went to Meren, she ported back out the window to find Meren.
"""Control report where is Meren"::
She sent to the psionic mecha.
Lucien is caught off guard by the suddenness and violence of the attacks, and manages to get precisely nothing done. He tries to make himself useful by keeping watch for any observers. Also, it lets him turn away and hide his embarrassment Yes, great job. An excellent introduction to your new teammates. he thinks, rolling his eyes.
Infirmary When Rollo appears in the sick bay (a utility room in the clubhouse) with the battered and unconscious Barlo, the medic and the assistant rush in and each apply one of the two cure light salves they keep on hand to Barlo, (curing 14 point exactly, bringing him to zero) and Rollo and Barlo are able to get another potion in as well. On regaining consciousness, Barlo can immediately feel a sensation of respect mixed with a bit of amusement and from the sphere. No words but an awareness the thing is happy with you as master... And as Barlo gets this sensation, Rollo realizes ... dimension door can't go between planes but somehow it did... the sphere itself must have transported you here... As well as allowing Gift to reach the demi-plane... The medic, (who's primarily the club bartender) says "I've never seen such horrible necromantic wounds. I can't believe you're alive. That was the only salve available here, though perhaps lord Rollo has more...". (With the gravel and smoke, Rollo is barely recognizable).
The demi-planeThe burnt ciders of the Dark Traders have a horrific smell to them. The smoke lingers because it has no place to go. Terex goes the remains of the traders, gagging at times. The things he stole earlier were necromantic herbs and dried offal for some horrific summoning. Now, the magical item he finds are two rods, two rings, a dagger and a pair of bracers. It's easy to determine only magic items survived. None detect as evil. Glancing around, each character senses how small this plane is...
Armaund has assumed human form and is visible, healing Minna, who's softly sobbing, not knowing the fate of Arlo. Gift attempts to sense the location of Meren...
Outside the window:The sports camp is calm, last minute practice continuous. As Blue orients himself and turns to guard the well concealed window, he soon sees ... Meren hastily approaching. When the Rogaveyian noble gets in the busshes near the window, Blue points his gun at him, and Meren puts up it his hands and says "I must see Gift again. I can sense she is behind this barrier", so, closely guarded by Blue, Meren steps through into devastated demi-plane, at which point he breaks down sobbing ... and Armaund, runs from Minna to infront of Meren, shouting "My Gods, do I have to kill you again? What is your story... and Gift immediately detects where Meren is.
After short bit, he says "They're gone, thank god, those horrid things. I'm guilty I suppose. You have the bobble, that inheritance of mine. Keep it. It has only brought me ruin. Should we bargain..."... he appears emotional devastated by the situation.
Gift comes back into the space, v the window, running this time.
She stands with Armaund looking down at the crying noble.
"Why do you want to see me?"
Terex carefully gathers together the magic items, placing them in his handy haversack for later identification. Unfortunately, it didn't seem there were any handy expository journals around (or if there were, they'd been destroyed), so he turns from the ruins to find Meren entering in.
In response to the noble's words, Terex interjects, Great evils often seem small to start. How did all of this start? What had you agreed with them?
Rollo nods once he sees Arlo blinking.
Hold that thought.
The dhampir says an arcane phrase, vanishes, only to reappear a few moments later, holding a Wand.
The Sage beats the dwarf healthy!
Rollo then mentally gives the Globe his gratitude!
What shall we call you, friend?
Barlo sits up on the table, looking up at Rollo. "Thanks. Damn those Traders hit hard."
The dwarf then unstraps the globe from his backpack, holding it up between both men. "Thanks. Especially after what I said earlier."
Lucien watches Meren quietly, still unsure what to make of all this. His arms are clasped behind his back, but Meren won't make it two steps if he tries to run.
At the plane: Haltingly, with sobs, Meren explains that he retrieved the crystal medallion from his family treasury four years ago. It had entertained him with trips across the multiverse but then gradually it gradually challenged him to engage in something more adventurous and enticed him to, six months ago, make contact with the Dark Traders, who promised that if he allowed them to enter Syranix, they would reward him beyond his wildest dreams. Soon, however, he grew so afraid of the Traders that he had sphere create a double who would conduct all of the dealings. The double, however, began to also make deals to murder people he had grudges against but by that time, he felt completely trapped...
Armaund looks ready to speak but he waits for Gift, Terex and Blue to speak first...
At the Infirmary: The chief medic/club barkeeper, who's mentioned his name is Firgo, nods and smiles when Rollo wields the wand. "See, a patron such as Lord Rollo is a crucial companion. You're good as new. Can I fetch you something?" As he leaves this backroom to return to the clubhouse proper.
The sphere, as usual, does not answer with words. Rollo and Barlo get a sensation of "You're welcome" ... but no name.
At the Infirmary: The chief medic/club barkeeper, who's mentioned his name is Firgo, nods and smiles when Rollo wields the wand. "See, a patron such as Lord Rollo is a crucial companion. You're good as new. Can I fetch you something?" As he leaves this backroom to return to the clubhouse proper.
"No, thank you, Mr. Firgo." Barlo Boulderhands gets off the table and straps the sphere back into his backpack.
Looking back up to the dhampir, the dwarf bows. "With your permission, M'lord. I'd like to go and show the others I'm alright."
"Again,why did you want to see me?"
She asked again,
Rollo smiles at his friend.
Yes, of course. May I study our friend for the remainder of the evening?
The Sage bows to the Globe.
With your permission, of course.
Lucien looks to Terex, to see if he has anything to say.
In the demi-plane:
Meren looks at Gift, "I wished to tell you all this. I sensed the scheme falling apart and something in your face left me feeling you had ended things and that I might fall on your mercy."
Armaund, pointing a wand at himself and healing, says to Gift, Terex and Blue: "We should go back, I sense Barlo is safe but we should make sure."
Then turning to Meren, "We'll continue this conversation in the ordinary world. Till the end of the games, you'll follow our lead and answer our questions. You've seen our power exceeds that of your friends. I sense you may have done great wrong but for now, all we wish is information."
The group enters the ordinary world and meets with Rollo and Barlo, who is indeed safe. Blue and Gift debrief Meren, learning a variety of details of the Dark Traders' aims and methods.
That night, Rollo studies the sphere in even greater depth. Even with that extra study, he doesn't discover any particular further powers but he sees a vision of the things' home plane or place of origin - a swirling 5 dimensional nexus of constantly rippling force. This thing or entity wishes to return to this place but is trapped here, it can only about act by satisfying the wishes of its possessor(s). Moreover, even if he wanted to, Rollo would no know how to return the thing and the thing itself doesn't seem to know either.
Also, at some point, Rhea, who's staying in the party's suite of cabins, will approach Blue, introduce herself, and ask "I can sense something happened with the group. Is it something to worry about? Will you OK for tomorrow?" (Blue can guess she's approaching him in particular because he seems to also be "new" in the group).
I trust, Meren, that you've learned to be careful what deals you make? Terex asks. People are dead because of your actions, even if it wasn't your intention to start. He does his best to sense if the noble is truly sorry about his actions, or just getting caught.
The little dragon insists on being included in Rollo's study of the orb. It's clear he's entranced by the artifact, even though he's wary of it at the same time.
I'm sorry to hear you've been taken from your home. We'll do our best to find a way to return you, he 'says' to it when it reveals its history... even if a corner of his mind wonders if it's just trying to manipulate the group.
Before going to sleep for the night, Terex writes a report to be sent to the Organization, reporting both the confrontation with the Dark Traders (along with his analysis indicating they didn't seem to be aware of Organization presence but were likely involved for the same reason the party is) and the Orb's plight.
She looks at him
"Your lucky I don't end you here and now for what your plans did to Arlo"
Gift yanks Meren to his feet and frogmarched him out the window. Tossing him to Blue as they debrief the little creep. Once done she jumped back into her Psinon-Mecha and kept watch over the camp during the night. She had her feet up reading the screens and reviewing the security drone feeds when she spotted a feed showing Rhea talking with Blue.
"Terexa, I just spotted Rhea making a b-line for Blue, do you mind eavesdropping as my drones too far off to get sound. I want to know what she is upto"
I can... Terex replies uncertainly, ...but I'd rather wait and ask Blue Lucien about it later. He's new, so it's hard to trust him, but if we don't how will we ever work with him?
Unersood Terex
She went back to her guard duty.
Barlo meets up with GIFT and Minna to let them know he's okay.
As Arlo comes up she jumps out of the Think-tank and Punching his shoulder exclains.
"You had me worried papa"
Then she seems to get embarrassed and steps back.
"I'm happy to see you are well Sir"
She says again in a more formal way.
The Organization left the group a device similar to a FAX machine with which to communication - it's normally kept in someone's bag-of-holding/handy-haversack.
After Terex send his report of the events, he receives communication back from agent Kargal in only 20 minutes. "A difficult fight - congratulations on overcoming strong enemies. Try to stay ahead of Dark Trader agents once you are in Syranix - switching identities or otherwise. The sphere is clearly dangerous - using it for this mission may be advised but after that, we shall try to find a place for it, perhaps it's home. Also, if Rollo isn't using the wand we gave him, perhaps you can switch with him."
Meren argues that he should be allowed to do a little partying that night, "Otherwise the camp will be buzzing with suspicion..." Armaund agrees this is good idea. He suggests that maybe, for the sake of appearances himself, Gift, Meren and Minna should do some subdued celebrating in the clubhouse before they retire back to their cabins (while Terex and Rollo are analyzing the sphere). But he leaves the decision to the group.
As Arlo comes up she jumps out of the Think-tank and Punching his shoulder exclains.
"You had me worried papa"
Then she seems to get embarrassed and steps back.
"I'm happy to see you are well Sir"
She says again in a more formal way.
"Papa, eh?" Barlo leans up to the blushing android. "Hmm. That does better define our relationship. I'll have to see about asking Lyra to de-age your appearance, instead of looking just like her."
The dwarf takes GIFT's hand and pats it. "Come. Let's both get some drinks in before bed." Barlo leads the android to the clubhouse.
"Hmm. That does better define our relationship. I'll have to see about asking Lyra to de-age your appearance, instead of looking just like her."
The dwarf takes GIFT's hand and pats it. "Come. Let's both get some drinks in before bed." Barlo leads the android to the clubhouse.
She is happy he took her hand when he talked of chining her looks, she smiled and took off something bangles around her wrists. Instantly her form morphed and changed from that of an older-looking Construct robot to one Younger and far more familiar to Alro.
Arlos and Lyras Android Daughter 'Gift'
A form, similar to his wife's old one. That of an Android. Much young and shorter but Arlo can recognize the craftsmanship of his wife's art. Now he knew what she had done with her old Android body. She had used it as the basis to create for them a child. Now her name Gift has new meaning.
"I'm sorry father. It was mother's idea, she said if you found out who I really was you would not let me get the experience She said I needed. I mean who's going to look after my brother and sister when they are born... Mums always working in the lab and your... Father...?"
She stopped and looked at her father's face, something she had said had affected him.
Arlo sighed deeply. "So. She's settled on a number. AND what do you mean? Is your mum pregnant now?!"
The dwarf sat down for a moment. "I'll have to ask for a raise. WE both will!"
Meanwhile, Rollo has been furiously searching for the spy camera that must be hidden on him by The Organization!
Sons of b##+#es! How can they possibly have known that I forgot about the Wand!?
The sounds of plenty of ruckus explodes about his private villa that evening.
Whispers of Nobles being strange persist throughout the Resort....
Arlo sighed deeply. "So. She's settled on a number. AND what do you mean? Is your mum pregnant now?!"
The dwarf sat down for a moment. "I'll have to ask for a raise. WE both will!"
"O... She told me not to say anything, but it kind of slipped out."
You can tell she was busting a gut to tell you everything.
"Mum did this test thingy just before you left, with tubes and bottle and stuff. And she said I would have a twin brother and sister in 9 months. I can't wait, babies are so cute, then she kitted me out with that robot disease, placed me in the fold-box, and told me to look after you once you opened it. Which I have been doing, so what do you think, have I done well Pops."
She walks up and down like a robot and says in a robot voice.
"I will check the promiterrr"
Then she falls over laughing and holding her sides.
"Your face when I came out the box."
More Laughter, she stops and looks up at the sky.
"You know mum used an N-Gram of hers and your mind as a seed for mine. She said I have her brains and your temper. Which I think is right because when the dark trader hurt you I just wanted to smash its face in, I mean really hurt that Son o..."
She stops herself, not wanting to use bad words in front of her pops.
"Person"
She makes a neck strangling motion with her hands. There is real feeling in her voice.
Arlo sighed deeply. "So. She's settled on a number. AND what do you mean? Is your mum pregnant now?!"
The dwarf sat down for a moment. "I'll have to ask for a raise. WE both will!"
"O... She told me not to say anything, but it kind of slipped out."
"Mum did this test thingy just before you left, with tubes and bottle and stuff. And she said I would have a twin brother and sister in 9 months. I can't wait, babies are so cute, then she kitted me out with that robot disease, placed me in the fold-box, and told me to look after you once you opened it. Which I have been doing, so what do you think, have I done well Pops."
She walks up and down like a robot and says in a robot voice.
"I will check the promiterrr"
Then she falls over laughing and holding her sides.
"Your face when I came out the box."
More Laughter.
"Hmm. I was hoping we'd have more time making the babies. Your mother and her secrets."
The dwarf walks over and help his android daughter up off the ground. "Now. Give your father a hug." The dwarven paladin smiles as he holds his taller daughter.
"Now, GIFT, please tell you ol' Dad all you know about the upcoming birth or anything else you'd like to talk about."