Yup. Will keep checking this thread to see if there's gonna be more reactiosn
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As I said in Red Hand, sorry about the computer problems Nick. Hope you'll be ble to fix it in the near future AND find the time to play/GM while still spending time with family. That said, agree with Quinta, if we can find a DM to take over for CHH, that would be great. Love the story and the playing with y'all
Cursing under my breath at my failure to dodge the wasps' stings, even though I know it's at least partially caused by the poison coursing through my body, I keep at it and try to finish off the attacking insect. "Die, you overgrown honeysucker!" My rapier flashes as I lunge at the wasp, but with the damage from the poison messing with my precision and balance, I over-extend and the blade swooshes harmlessly past the yellow-and-black-banded body op my opponent.
Healing energy flows from Zag first, almost immediately taken away again by yet another wasp sting. Then a wave over warmth and healing washes over me, infusing my wounded body and within moments my wounds are reduced to a few minor scratches. But even so, I feel the poison attacking my body and my movements are feeling sluggish.
"By Cayden's ever-full glass, that hurts!"
"Guys, looks like we've got incoming!" In one fluid motion, my rapier is in my hand, ready to strike at any wasp attacking me. Making shooing motions with my other hand I slowly move straight ahead, while keeping an eye on the wasp to my right. "Don't mind us, we're just passing through."
"Not so rash, brave paladin. Striding boldly into ancient structures is very likely to get us into trouble. As Quinta just pointed out, traps and deadfalls may very well be in our way. I, for one, have no intention to run blindly into a pit or some such nastiness when there's a chance I can spot such things with a little bit of time and careful searching."
Stepping up closer to the entrance of the ziggurat, I scan the doorway and peer into the darkness beyond, looking both up at the ceiling and down at the floor before turning my attention to the walls.
Making my way over to Zag and the iguanodon, a smile lights up my eyes as I pat the dino on the back: "Oshok'arr, glad to see you're okay." Turning my attention to Zag, I continue: "Zag, how about some of that magical healing from that wand you're carrying. Think I've been dinged up a little."
A slight smile hovers around the corners of my mouth when hearing Krolmnite's boastful words, but there's also this uneasy feeling in the back of my mind where I'm equating red armor like the newcomer is wearing with the preferred style of gear of the Red Mantis. Then I remember that the gnome paladin can tell if someone is evil and I sheathe my rapier, reassured that the newcomer is not an immediate threat. "Hello there. Welcome and thanks for your help. I'm Rowena. And contrary to his words, we're not Krolmnite's band of warriors. We just let him think he is our leader. And who might you be? And how did you end up here?"
"Oh, I know we have to find it, but I'm afraid I am not going to be much help in doing so. But I'll give it another try. Everyone please be quiet." Focusing on my all senses, I try to find a trace of the snake, be it smell, taste or sound: and this time I am fairly certain I know where it is. "That way, come on!" Pointing the way, I start off after the snake, rapier in hand as I follow the faint sound of the snake's scales on the stony floor.
"I'm afraid I was lucky enough to get this far and find you, Krolm. I reckon we're not going to be able to search for it until this darkness is gone and by then it'll be long gone. I understand your desire to cleanse the world of this evil, but I don't think there's much we can do about it right now.
Senses out questing for sounds that might indicate enemies still alive I carefully move towards the spot I have last seen Krolmnite. Rapier in hand I'm ready to take on any of the charau-ka that crosses my path.
Listening intently, I hear that the charau-ka is still moving and needs another dose of sharp steel. Stabbing into the darkness again, I try to finish it off. "Die! You monkey-freak! Die!
Feeling a light tap on my shoulder from the direction I know Zaghigoth to be, I realize he must be bestowing some magical healing on me when some of my wounds start closing up. Listening intently for sounds of the few remaining charau-ka nearby, I hear something off to my right and immediately my blade flashes unseen in the magical darkness, aimed at the source of the shuffling sound I believe to be one of the monkey-freaks that are giving us such a hard time.
Cursing under my breath as my blade misses its intended target in the sudden darkness, I try to pinpoint the charau-ka's position by listening for sounds of movement. When I hear something, my blade stabs at the place I believe the monster to be hiding.
With more ape-freaks still around me, I let the dead charau-ka slide off of my rapier and immediately target the next one.
Wincing as the fangs of the charau-ka tear a strip of flesh from my face "Ow! Curses! That's gonna leave a scar. And cost a lot of gold to get it fixed.", I double my efforts to kill the monster quickly, before I receive yet more wounds.
While fighting the charau-ka blocking my way to Quinta, I hear Zag cast a spell and see the snake suddenly release Quinta. With that threat dealt with for now, I concentrate on taking out the enemies around me. Wincing inwardly as I see Krolmnite take as much punishment as he is dealing out, I am fighting as hard as I can to go help the gnome paladin as quickly as possible. "Die, you monkey-freak!" Lunging at the charau-ka closest to me, I jam my rapier into its side.
Despite my preparations I'm surprised by the speed with which the monkey-freaks attack. Before I can put up a solid defense, I feel sticks and clubs land painful blows on my body. Through the screaming of the beasts, I grit my teeth against the pain and lash out with my rapier. Over the din of the screaming and sounds of battle I call out to Quinta: "Hang in there, Quinta. We'll get you out shortly. But we need to deal with these freaks first!" As my blade sings a song of death, I flash a cold grin at the attacker the nearly broke my arm: "Time to die, you evil little freak!"
Drawing my blade free from its scabbard, I lightly tap Hskoro's shoulder with my other hand. "Come on! Once more unto the breach. Let's show these monkey-freaks they have made a poor choice in picking their fight." Moving lightly around, I make my way over to Zaghigoth and I point to the narrow strip of land alongside the tar pit. "Zag, can you do something to block that access? We don't need more of those freaks coming to aid the others."
Catching sight of Zhag touching Krolm while his lips are moving, I realize that I'm not only surrounded by potential enemies, but with friends as well who fortunately seem to be aware of the danger as well. The paladin's remark to Quinta confirms that Krolmnite is on the ball as well. Inching a little closer to Hskoro, I am grateful that the monkey-freaks apparently are unable to understand Common, unlike the nagaji. "Better be ready, looks like stuff is about to get real."
Though I can't understand all the gibberish being flung about between Quinta and the monkey-freaks, I have a feeling it does not sound very friendly. "What are they talking about? Are they looking to turn us into tar-cocoons as well? And Mr. Paladin over there seems to be completely oblivious that they don't seem to understand a word he's saying as well as to the fact that they don't seem all too friendly. Or he's the best actor I've ever seen. And what about that snake? Looks like it could swallow me whole and still have room left for Krolm. Better be ready Cat, for it looks like things may be going to hell sooner than later." My hand, never far away from it anyway, now rests on the hilt of my rapier and I carefully check to make sure the blade is free to slide from its scabbard in an instant. My eyes wandering around the room, I look for good spots to fight the Charau-ka in case I'm right.
Smiling inwardly at Kromlnite's words I look at Quinta as she addresses the ape-men. Since I don't speak polyglot myself, I can't understand what she's saying. "I don't know why, but somehow I have a feeling Quinta's translation of Krolmnite's words may not be an actual translation. That's the problem with those Chelaxians, can't ever fully trust them. Then again, who knows, it might be better if indeed she's not translating it as Krolm intends. I don't trust those monkey-faces at all. They look evil enough to me, so telling them we're good might be the shortest way to yet another fight." Shrugging I follow along with the others, but my hands never stray far from my weapons; my senses on full alert for any sign of trouble or danger.
Just as I'm about to scale the tree that holds up the rope with the net holding Oshok'arr, the band of freaks emerges from the surrounding jungle. But before I can draw my rapier, I see Quinta move forward, speaking in a language I don't know. Holding my place for now, my hand rests on my rapier. "Better be ready in case there's no negotiating with these savages."
"Well, as long as we can convince them we're friendly, we may gain their trust. I'd rather not have a bunch of monkey-faces dogging us every step of the way. And we may get some information on the strength of the Aspis band." Turning towards the grinning paladin, I lay a hand on his shoulder and with a twinkle in my eyes, I add: "Krolmn, I always thought paladins were a stuck-up bunch of goodie-two-shoes with a stick up their behind and with no sense of humor, but you, my friend, seem to be a different kind. Looks like your god does not frown upon a bit of bragging. So, let's go kick some Aspis arse."
A quiet smile creases my face as I hear Krolmnite's reply to Quinta's question. "Wow, our paladin is really full of himself. I wonder what his faith says about pride." Still, I check my weaponry and turn towards the remnants of the city. "Alright, let's see if we can speak with the monkey people. Quinta, I reckon you have the best chance winning them over."
Cool. Thanks to y'all. Will tell her :-)
Wife has asked if there would be an opening for her to join this game. She's a long time player who started out on AD&D 2E and who actually got me hooked on RPG's.
Turning towards the succubus, I repeat Quita's words: "Are or were you working in concert with the Aspis Consortium or any other groups looking to find Saventh-Yhi?"
"I have no questions either Quinta, but I will ask one in your place if you have more questions you want answered. If not, I'm with Yeks and Krolm. Send her back and be done with this evil blight."
And here he is ;-)
Level 6 hitpoints:
Following Quinta through narrowed eyes, I see Krolmnite move close enough to intervene in case Quinta decides to end Mellistra's life. Getting up from the ground where I am sitting, I too move closer and lay a hand on the paladin's shoulder. Turning towards the gnome, but still keeping sight of the succubus, my voice loud enough for her to understand what I'm saying: "Please stay out of this, Krolm. I understand you do not want to spill the blood of a captured enemy. But she is more than that, she is evil temptation incarnate. And not only that, she caused us, US I say, to spill innocent blood. Osumare lost her sisters to our weapons, beguiled by that Abyssal harlot. If it were up to me, I'd carve her up, one inch at a time, but that would make me no better than her. So, if she gives us her True Name, she can go back to the Abyss, but if not, Quinta will be allowed to do as needed." The grim determination in my eyes is a warning to all that I will do whatever is necessary to make sure we get rid of the demoness once and for all.
"Ah, forget this nonsense. Time to end this!" Frustrated by my inability to deal with the dancer in a less-than-lethal way, I attack Osumare again, this time going all-out.
Unable to reach the demonic temptress, I satisfy myself by making sure she can't use the dancer against us. No longer trying to kill her, my attacks are a little awkward, as a rapier is hardly the best weapon for dealing non-lethal damage; making for impressive sword play, but without the desired results.
Unaware of Quinta's thoughts on our opponents being dominated by the succubus, I continue my own offensive: "Let's end this, here and now!" Striking at Alala, I aim to finish the fight quickly, so that we can all concentrate on taking down that accursed demon.
"Oh no, you don't!" Dodging nimbly out of the way of yet another blow dart, I lunge at the dancer closest to me, leaping into the air and vaulting over the woman to get her between me and the gnome paladin, rapier leading the way as I come in right after Krolmnite's sword.
"And you shouldn't have attacked us!"
Before the dancer that struck Hskoro can turn the blowpipe to me, I move in a blur and my rapier flashes as I strike at the strange woman.
Letting Quinta take the lead as she's a far better diplomat than me, I'm free to observe the goings-on and to try and take a measure of the women and their intentions.
With an eyebrow raised, I look at Quinta, but when she heads off towards the source of the laughter, I turn and follow her. Keeping a few paces behind her, I cast my senses outward to find signs of danger.
"I'm glad too, to be alright. But I'm ashamed that I was so easily panicked that I just took of and left you to fend for yourselves. I sincerely apologize to any and all who got hurt because of that. I'm sorry." Much of the time spent traveling, I find myself lost in thought, brooding on what befell us and how I could better resist the fear and control the panic that nearly cost me the lives of my friends. When we hear the sound of splashing water and laughter, like Yekskya, I too am wary and wondering what dangers may be approaching us this time.
Even with Krolmnite's aura washing over me, I feel the fear grip me and I turn around and flee back the way we came. Will (NOT) Save:
"I reckon that would be an eight, Quinta" Putting away my bow, I grin at Hskoro. "Good fight, huh?"
Hearing Quinta call out to get Nkechi, I cast a quick look in the direction of the floating man but realize there's nothing I can do for him at the moment. So my eyes track back towards the Mzali I just hit.
Letting out a soft sigh of relief, "Thank the Gods that I wasn't its target. Then again, I'd probably have moved out of the way in time, unlike our poor gnome paladin over there." I draw yet another arrow and wait for the monster to emerge again.
"First arrow in! Come on, let's kill that overgrown lizard and we will all eat well tonight!"
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