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" Heck, we can put Edmin far ahead with the light and the rest of us can sneak around the outskirts!"

That mental image made me laugh. 'Guys? Guys? Why do I have to hold this torch up high and are you sure these red circles of protection you put on my chest will keep me safe? They kind of look like a bulls eye now come to think of it.'

Cуровую Creates a New Friend

The ruins of Aldencross, Before the Dawn the Morning After
--

'You will owe me a favor then, and put in a good word for me with Jax too?!' the sorcerer is clearly excited, at the idea of a favor owed, the promise of Jax, and in the ritual to come.

'Yes Rasia, although as I said, Jax is spoken for ... at least to some extent.'

The sorcerer thinks a little, 'But your sure he likes girls right? At least prefers them!'

Cуровую raises an eyebrow and despite herself allows a half smile.

'Yes he does ... 'Cougars' if you want to be specific. Ones that like to smoke.'

Raisa is all smiles now.

'See! Then there is a chance! Squee!'

'Ok let's get down to business.'

Raisa holds up the staff of her now dead ... now undead colleague.

Then she begins to dance and caper wildly in a circle around the dead body.

Swinging the staff to and fro in great sweeping arcs, her dance is quite mesmerizing.

She is getting good at this.

Raisa firmly grasps the staff in both hands, there is something like a flash of blackness, a momentary pulse of unlight that darkens the room she and Cуровую taken over in the fort.

There is silence.

Then, slowly, once dead hands twitch, once strong legs that lay dead move again. A head turns. She sits up.

"Yeah baby!" Raisa yells. "Rise! Rise! Riiiiise!"

The Seeker's fists slowly clench and unclench as the undead monk rises.

The Witch watches the ritual, studying and learning what she can, 'Well done Raisa, truly.'

'Thank you! I am getting the hang of this! I can command her to follow your commands like you requested.'

Cуровую looks from the sorceress to the once Pain in the Monk.

'Yes. Please do. That bytch has a long road ahead.'

Cуровую says Goodbye to an old Friend
--
The ruins of Aldencross, Daybreak the Morning After

The winds are strong, they blow the black smokes coming from the still smoldering fires south, just where Sakkarot intends to march his triumphant bugbear army.

Last night's rain drenched much of the ground.

But the rain waters have not reached deep under the Lord's Dalliance, where real gold once found false love.

In a long forgotten tunnel built by Dwarves to keep secrets, a tunnel which in turn brought forth a darkness to lay Aldencross low, a simple ceremony is taking place.

In Giant

'That is deep enough great one. You may stop digging.'

A fiendish ogre grunts and starts to pull himself up from a hole that reaches his waist.

Cуровую turns to the linen wrapped figure next to her, although she can not see his face, she remembers the smiles it once wore easily.

She then in turn smiles at the fond memory.

Cуровую says a few ancient words of respect, admiration and finally protection to the figure wrapped in the linens.

She then gently kisses the covered forehead, then cheek and finally full on where the lips should be and says

'Farewell my friend, I owed you those. May you keep my goblin friend in good company.'

She then checks the Sepia Snake Sigil and other wards she left on the body to make sure they have been set properly.

Using Levitate she lowers the body gently into the newly dug earth.

Over her shoulder she hears the ogre's tribute.

'Goodbye smiley man ... you were, umm, nice to me.'

He then grabs the large shovel and motions to start covering the body, but is stopped.

'Wait a moment great one.'

Cуровую produces three tall glasses from the fort, and one of the few remaining bottles that innkeeper Barhold was quite fond of.

She fills all the glasses full, and offer one to the ogre then Mage Hand's another to the wrapped figure.

'To happy times past, and to fondly remembering them long into the future my friends.'

Ogre and Witch take long drinks, the third drink remains filled.

After a pause, Cуровую gives a gentle nod and the Ogre begins to refill the hole with dirt.

---

Above Ground

The Champion of Hell catches a glimpse of the Ogre walking towards the members of the group, sucking on a now empty bottle of fine wine.

'Grumble, where is Cуровую? The whole army is ready to move.

The ogre, licking his lips, then frowning seeing the contents all but gone looks at the antipaladin.

'She said she would be coming soon, she needed to make some magic stuff and did not want me to disturb her.'

The ogre shrugs.

---

No horses whine from the stables of Aldencross, no dogs bark in the now empty streets.

But somewhere under the streets of Aldencross, where real gold once found false love, the scion of the Eternal Hag, the child of the Wintery North, the Witch who would be Queen ...

Weeps like a babe.

Edmin reaches to his side and opens a bloody sack hanging from his hip, the champion retrieves the commanders severed head and places it so it faces towards The Cardinal. "The Commander of Balentyne."

Oh Oh. Um um um. Perception? Um Knowledge over the top Greek Tragedies? Umm .. Sense Motive?

The Old Talirean name for a hazelnut was "aveline". This tree, common today, was an introduced exotic at first, and so became associated with nobility, especially the nobility of service. Several noble families have names derived from this plant, or make use of it in their coats of arms. -- The Book of the Great Houses

what do you suppose the more senior Seeker was carrying

A real hard on for me apparently.

Xen says as he climbs aboard Moraum

-

Please stow your Ogre in overhead cabin before boarding, any use of Message is strictly prohibited during take off and arrival.

On flight beverages in First Class include blood types A, B and AB (upon request)

For today's inflight entertainment, our ground crew will provide a hail of arrow fire.

We know you have a choice when you adventure, thank you for Flying Quasangi Airways.

Set was kind enough create this spell for me.

Makeover
(Cуровую's Lingering Presence)

School Transmutation; Level Bard 0, Sorcerer/Wizard 0, Witch 0
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
Range touch
Target creature touched
Duration 1 hour/level
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes

With this cantrip, you can cause the most minor of alterations to the touched target, decorating skin and hair with cosmetics, and altering the length, type, style and color of hair and nails. You can use this spell to add or remove tattoos or henna decorations, temporarily. If you use this spell as part of a Disguise check to change only minor details, you can perform this action as a standard action, but the spell is of no use for more involved Disguise attempts, such as to change apparent gender, race, age category or size category, or to impersonate a specific person.

An appearance change generated with this spell might prove worth a +1 circumstance bonus to certain Bluff or Diplomacy checks, at the GM's discretion, particularly when dealing with a culture that has different standards of beauty than your own. (Such as finding a white pallor more dignified, long straight hair more alluring or finding tattoos unseemly.)

The town priest is old Father Jole. He insists on riding the circuit to the outlying towns, though, so he's gone more than half the time. Last summer he fell ill for a month, and we thought we'd lost him. He should be back for this Brightday, though.

If we intercept this cleric it will be one less to deal with and may force one of those in the fort to at least spend some time away from the fort. Also since he already had a mishap it may not be looked on with full suspicion if we can make it look like an accident.

Further, if something should happen to the priest, maybe Dren could pose as a replacement, and that would at least give him possible access to the chapel in the fort, to consult with the priest there.

I am sure there are a dozen ideas we can come up with, this is the part where we just throw things at the wall and see which is pretty.

This is where this module gets real.

Oh good. So far its been so easy its like boiling eggs, that are already half cooked, in already hot water prepped by French sue chefs.

Okay, off you go to North Fell.

Now, Communal Mount is not going to get you there unless you leave Grumblejack behind, because it only generates up to six mounts. Also, the duration on that is 2 hours/level, divided among the users. So, 8 hours divided among six of you only gives you a horse for an hour and a quarter each. That won't get you very far.

Anyway, it's a lovely spring day. You walk.

It's a good thing Cуровую cast Mount for herself, summoning the White Strider Snowmantle and cast Mount, Communal for the group.

Cуровую could cast the higher level spell twice to save the group some time if you like.

Sitting upon Snowmantle, Cуровую will have her Mount the full 8 hours.

I'm too young to even look at the lawn.

But I think the Baron was just trying to do a grumpy old men routine.

Now lets get back to talking Order of the Stick guys!

SQUEE! Look at those scores! Nat 20 for Stealth (Bref would be proud!) and a very high roll on Perception which I never get.

Rolled general Knowledge, I have higher bonuses for more specific knowledge.

New Tactic - enlist the captain as new PC for the group. Sit back, relax. Watch experience and treasure roll in.

Judge, Jax, unless you suggest otherwise via Message I will drop the Charm the minute the Judge gives a warning to abandon 'what's in the captain's cabin Part II', although we may have had time to attempt something while he was playing chicken with the iceberg.

DM said dragons. Like, dragons? Like not something we would mistake for a dragon, but the real puppy?

Edmin snorts and shakes his head. "You're part something that's for sure."

Edmin usually plays the straight man but sometimes has the best zingers. Actually we all do. Yaay banter.

Part beautiful, part brilliant and part brave.

and that's just his hat!

Took me 20 minutes to find this - but here is the source, I found.

rules FAQ

It's nice that DM gives some semblance of hope, not unlike shooting a downed horsie.

All the while, I was thinking 'well we are all evil with our own agendas, and our roster ranges from a goblin head that explodes in flames to a healer who uses Cthulhu's squid ink for healing, but at least we are NOT clubbing baby seals'.

I guess well get that ethical road bump out of the way shortly.

4. And from Cimu who put message on me. Any others been around possibly making alliances. not completely sure what she meant perhaps she can clarify.

We know the captain is greedy, and we half expect to be betrayed. Now the cardinal has been a paying customer, what would cause the 'good' captain to chance losing a reliable backer?

So that leads me to believe that either the captain found a new (possibly rival) sponsor, or he has plans of turning us in for money (the cargo or possible ransom) or to save his own skin from the authorities, or suddenly has more of a backbone because he has backing from someone/somewhere else.

I don't even have to think like an evil character, this is just Fundamentals of Business 101.

Right now Edmin's standard reaction since being snubbed by the Cardinal is "I'd take pleasure in guttin you, boy."

While reading it, I first thought 'guttin' was 'ruttin' and raised an eyebrow.

-

Ok I found this after I did a search for Pilkington, took me over 20 minutes.

In post 1,853, it was difficult because I did not know if DM mentioned it in the game or discussion thread.

DMDM can we keep left over money? from the original 300, or does it have to be spent?

It was 300 gp each. See told you I have good memory. I just need confirmation from DM. How much did we get from the prison prior to that? That's the total we had to spend.

Guys, hi, I have asked this on the discussion thread three times and it seems to be a little ignored. Before we entered the tests we each had a sum of money, some from the prison and then given to us prior to the tests to purchase equipment. What was that amount? 300+ ? I had it on my iPhone but can not pull it up.

I need to verify please. Thank you.

At least Jax makes better sense than he does normally.

There is a physical creature with us still in the room? Can I make a Knowledge check to see what it is, I want to Know if I am susceptible to another attack. My action will depend on that.

Free action from the same round as Cуровую cast Charm - As Irin, 'Jax, my sweet tiefling, come to me please ... Walk to me, that's a good boy. Give me the quill my dear, I want to tickle your naughty bits with it.'

Just as much as I want a Frost giant masseuse to walk on my back.

And thus did Asmodeus learn the meaning of the word 'fear'.

'Do you have any tools that we may use that may prove useful in this endeavor, not counting Jax here of course.'

Didn't Superman's psyche split into multiple personalities when he 'died'?

Bref can also be like team evil Obi-Wan.

Use the poo Edmin, use the poo.

For the Judge's benefit, I will research the abjuration spell Block Impending Migraine between level up.

Cуровую listens to Bref's Message and like a good interpreter, attempts to filter the thought to the Judge.

'Bref is alive, but ... indisposed. Bref would like to discuss your management style at some opportune time. Oh on the positive side, he believes your skill matches his at disarming traps.'

Cуровую looks around her and realizes she misses the bitter, cold, desolate Winter of her youth.

I just preordered 'Barbie Seoni' from Amazon so I can pre sell her on eBay.

That was 'fun' DM, way to ramp up the tension.

I don't think most adventuring parties could have done any better than what we did for that test, lots of luck, skill and running like crazy, nice work guys!

We expended some resources, I hope we won't be hurting for the Judge's Summon spells in the next rooms, I think we should take stock, heal up, before proceeding

Spellcraft which potion is which as well.

If I could ask DM, how much time has passed?

As Edmin sweeps down to carry her off

Cуровую looks lovingly at the long haired gallant, determined and muscular hero that just absconded her gracefully despite the chaos around them, and lovingly strokes his supple back.

Whispers

'My thanks Snowmantle.'

She glances at Edmin, 'I guess you as well Sir Knight.'

Got any more banana jokes?

Yes I got a bunch.

Young Cуровую as Slave Leia.

Again this is not me.

Wow.

Thats serious attrition.

Hope we do better.

What the Germans do well, they do really well!

Invade Poland?

Sorry, I am sorry, sorry.

Bref has the Special Ability, Transmute Trap to Business Class? Who knew?

Get some Indian food while your in London Bref.

Well: is the setting too hard, too easy, or around right? Are you guys finding the NPCs frustrating to deal with? Or does it seem about like what you ought to be encountering?

I LOVE THIS GAME.

I have as much fun playing this PBP as I do playing any video games on my iPad.

DM -as a story teller, you are simply an artist in the craft of running a game. I mean that. There were times that you actually scared me (the Bard with Zargo) and there were times you ramped up the tension in game, no small thing for a PBP - the prison escape, especially with the close fight with Blackery and when Bref almost got left behind.

Yes it does seem we are the weak pawns of the more powerful players in game, but thats to be expected. Even the Cardinal seems more than a one dimensional villain. This may come as a surprise but one of my favorite NPCs is Pilkington. And Zargo is the opposite and creeps me out even before you enumerate his eccentricities.

I really like how you personalize the story, even the small flourishes, it seems very 'real'. This is only my second PBP, and I think you have set the bar pretty high.

As a DM, as far as rules go, you seem tough but fair. I really think the dice favor you.

:)

I think that the players characters are very unique and each of us have strong persona's which is great because no single one dominates.

While Edmin could have been arguably more 'lawful' than 'evil' his out burst seemed more powerful because he was more 'in control' before - his anger seemed more raw because he normally was more controlled. Its sexy when a guy lets his controlled mannerism down.

Jax seems like a flippant swashbuckling scoundrel but there are many layers to him. He really surprises me the most of all the pcs.

At times I actually feel the Judge's persona is grating, but like the child king in Game of Thrones, that just means he role plays his character extremely well and should be commanded. He aslo has a great tactical mind, we have a player like him in our home game, sometimes its like watching a game of chess between him and the gm. Its always good to have one of those on your side.

Bref. How I LOVE Bref. In the real world Bref would be shot on site. As it stand, Bref has the only PC I wish I thought of playing before the campaign started. Even if I was not in this game I would read each thread just to see what Bref does, I could play an entire adventure with just me and Bref.

Dren is a walking spine rupturing Japanese horror story waiting to be told, I can't wait to see how he develops.

At least two of my fellow players from Shattered Star home game follow this thread, they think were role play more than any other PBP.

I wish we could go just a little bit faster, it does slow down at times, I wish we could pace ourselves the way we started but there are a lot of things going on.

Darth Maul

Christmas Wish

DM

I have it on good authority that you played out an entertaining conversation between 'an old hag, a hill giant and a draconid', at a convention, care to share that with us?

Bref thanks for helping with my 'home work'.

The Judge casts Polymorph Goblin to Poo.

Bref gains a +2 to Charisma.

[b]Do the two of you always interact in this manner?

What is it's purpose?
Do you seek dominance over each other?
Do you wish to destroy each other?

From a game standpoint, if say, at level 8 or so, were Cуровую to have my hands wrapped around Elise's neck and her hands around mine as we plummet down a waterfall, I would be quite content with this campaign.

LOL! Hey I like the tall silent types, I take your car keys.

Also Bref your old avatar had more charisma.

In my minds eye I see Morsum and Bref as the most twisted Disney characters ever.

Oh the plans I have for this beauty."

With no trace of irony,

"Just remember to use protection Sir Knight, she looks like she's been around the block a few times."

zing

Dedicated to Gary McBride and our GM Doug, I am posting this here but I'm trying to avoid spoilers (above) so I won't be responding for a bit.

Sing a song for six fools, all made hung out to dry,
Two set for a life of labour, Four condemned to die.

When the locks were opened the Gob began to slash,
Wasn't that a dainty twist, preferable to beheading or the lash.

Watch Sergeant where are you, we fools spoiling for a fight
Warden in his lofty tower, researching Wizardry by candle light.

With stealth, summoned shadow, spell, and blade let us make haste!
Fools we may be, but pity those sods our newfound Giant will turn to paste.

Okay, now that we've started combat, quick note on DMPCing. I'll occasionally make rolls for you to speed things along. I don't want to make this the default, though. If I have your character do something you're not fine with, please pipe right up and tell me. My goal here is never to make you do one thing or another, but just to keep the Fun Train from getting derailed.

-

:)