Stiehle's page

Nice! So I'm showing 139gp, 2sp and 1cp for each survivor. And yes, if you had two survivors, you get a double share - since each of us is holding onto one character! If you keep your backup, you'll probably want to keep their share since they're not hopelessly poor when/if you turn to them. As for Dude, he wandered off into the wilderness to seek his path as a devotee of the Lady in Blue. After all, she gave him a second chance at life after having his brain decorated that cannibal's club!

Brainiac, I've got no problems with a GMPC! I'm thinking a heavy hitter would be a nice addition, based on the party composition. :)

Cucumber did the maths:

67 sp, 7 gp and a brilliant blue topaz of rare clarity and depth (100 gp value)
1 holy symbol (Justicia), made of platinum and copper and hung on a silver chain (1000 gp value).

185.6 gp per player

But I'm not sure if this was a split among all those that actually 'stayed' and didn't disappear after the spin of the wheel? I also think that the holy symbol can be sold at 50% rather than full value, though I suppose that depends on whether it's considered a jewel selling at full value or a piece of equipment sold at half value. Maybe DM Braniac can give us a ruling there?

In any case, that's either a grand total of 1,113.7 gp OR 513.7 gp split among the survivors. For myself, technically only Dude and Cedric (aka Clucky) were left standing after the wheel spun.

Oh man, I love this talking scorpion!

Woot! Thanks for the Luck boost, DM!

Birth Augur Roll: 1d30 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21 = Fort Saves

Clucky sees a different destiny awaiting him, but the farmer hesitates, feeling as though this isn't... right. None of this is right. The Blue Lady seems more demon than goddess, and in his heart, Clucky feels the wrongness of everything - but he had come all this way, seen so much death, all for nothing?

He falls to his knees, closes his eyes, and prays. He isn't even sure who or what he is praying to... perhaps simply anyone that will listen. "I hear you, child." The crystalline voice reverberates in his mind and his eyes flicker open, to behold...

A woman, armored in plate and bearing scales in her right hand, a flaming hammer in her left. She has no hair, but rather two faces - one on each side of her head - and both sets of eyes are covered with a blindfold. Despite her appearance, there is a soothing feeling of relief and good that strikes into the heart of Clucky as he beholds the goddess. And he knows in her heart that this, is a true goddess. Unbidden, her name comes to his mind as though he's known of her his entire life. Justicia, Goddess of Justice and Mercy.

They speak for a short time, there in a place that is no place at all, and in a moment that stretches for days, or weeks, or months. It is impossible to know for certain. But when the farmer opens his eyes again - his mortal eyes, for it was eyes of his spirit that opened before to behold Justicia, and the mouth of his spirit that held counsel with his goddess - he is no longer Clucky. The hen that he had protected for these past weeks lies dead at his feet now, its neck broken, a sacrifice to Justicia and a symbol that there is nothing in this mortal world - or beyond - more important than Her.

Clancy the Just wipes the chicken's blood and feathers from his hand, then starts a fire and prepares the dead bird to consume - as Justicia commanded he do to seal their pact. She is his patron now, and he will devote his life to her tenets, or die in the trying. And if the Lady in Blue crosses his path again, she will certainly find that Clancy the Just will never again do her bidding. Instead he will do all in his power to thwart the demon, for she is an agent of Chaos, an enemy of all this is good in this world.

After his meal, Clancy speaks with his companions about their future plans, and during that time he argues with Dude - who remains a true fanatic of the Lady in Blue and finally the gongfarmer leaves in a huff. And as the sun sinks below the horizon and one by one the others doze off, Clancy finally falls asleep himself and dreams. But not of the Lady in Blue, he dreams instead of a noble woman with two faces, Her eyes covered in a blindfold, and tears fall from his own eyes, because he knows that he will never be able to truly recall Her infinite beauty again. Not until his service to Her is complete in this mortal realm and he stands before Her in judgement at the end of his days. And Clancy will do everything in his power to make certain he is worthy of her blessing on that beautiful day.

The warhammer wound up quite fitting, as it is the symbol of Justicia. Rolling for HP below, and GM, do we get any luck back at the end of the adventure? You know, for surviving? :)

HP: 1d8 ⇒ 8

We're rich!! That's awesome DM, thank you! Alas, I already gave Fennik that +2, but he rolled very, very low indeed. That's OK though, I'll keep Clucky and make him a cleric, I do believe. Maybe of Justica? :)

After gaining safety, Clucky wonders to himself at what they have unleashed upon the world. Fennik is somewhat disappointed that he is still alive, somehow. Perhaps he will find the power to bring his family back. Hope is all he has left. Mickey smiles wickedly at the promises made by the Lady in Blue. And each of them spin the wheel...

Wheel Spin for Clucky: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
Wheel Spin for Fennik: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
Wheel Spin for Mickey: 1d20 ⇒ 7

Fennik and Mickey disappear and suddenly Dude appears, his eyes glowing with adulation for the Lady in Blue!

Wheel Spin for Dude: 1d20 - 1 + 1 ⇒ (14) - 1 + 1 = 14

I think I got that right... whoever I gave Mickey to, bring back one of your 'other' characters, if I'm reading that chart correctly! I'll work on something a bit more elaborate later. Thanks for running the adventure GM, would be VERY cool if we can continue on with these characters in a Level 1 game! :)

Fennik smiles and nods, as though knowing somehow that this is the price he must pay for allowing his family to die while he sold glass figurines to the humans. The survivors of the raid blamed the goblins of course, but the elf never stopped blaming himself first and foremost. He dimly hears Pip's call, but the elf's gaze stays locked upon the captive's eyes as he thrusts his hand into the lock...

Fort Save: 1d20 ⇒ 9 vs DC 12 <3 Luck burned> = Success!

The pain is nearly overwhelming, and though darkness threatens to overcome him, some hidden reservoir of strength (or pure dumb luck) overrides his death wish and he numbly hangs on, his vision swimming as the captive seems to separate into four figures, then eight, and finally comes back into sharp focus...

OSW, you can have Clucky's pitchfork - which counts as a spear if you'd like.

Having stayed behind on the platform long enough to pitch the rope to Fennik, the farmer takes a leap of faith, hoping that his natural clumsiness doesn't kill him. Still, it's likely he'll get ripped apart by that crazy pumpkin monster if he stays put. It would seem that freeing the captive quickly may be their only hope - slim as it is. These thoughts cascade through his mind as he sails through the air...

AGI Check: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (8) - 2 = 6 vs DC 13 <7 Luck burned>

...and though he nearly skids off it completely, he manages to regain his balance just before he pitches over the side!

Fennik starts to scramble down the rope, not bothering to answer the prisoner, as he figures there's not much time to talk with Cur Maxima hot on their tail. The elf nearly loses his grip, but manages to hang on as he reaches the cage...

STR Check: 1d20 ⇒ 5 vs DC 6 <1 Luck burned>

Is there a door that can be opened? Or is it locked, if there IS one? I'll leave Mickey's action for Scranford - in case he wants to take the urchin. If not, she'll try and make the jump as well and burn luck to make it, if she has enough to do so.

Scranford, feel free to take my maniac urchin Mickey, if you'd like! I think she's updated, including some of the stuff taken from the unfortunate Dude, as well as the claimed shortsword. I figure after camping, she's got maybe a day's worth of rations left - same as the rest of my characters.

Mickey the Urchin

STR 9 (+0)
AGI 12 (+0)
STA 12 (+0)
PER 9 (+0)
INT 10 (+0)
LCK 9 (+0)

AC 10
HP 1

Starting Equipment:
Shortsword
Stick
1 Days of rations
Small sack
Small sack
Candle
50' Rope
Begging bowl
5cp

Attack Shortsword (+0 melee, 1d6 damage)

Birth Augur The Raging Storm (+0 to spell damage)

Fennik nods to himself, as if coming to a decision. He runs and makes a grab for the branch, as though the elf has no fear of death. In truth, he does not. He has lived a long, mostly meaningless life and lost his family under tragic circumstances while he was selling his wares at a human village. There is little left to live for now, but perhaps the Lady in Blue can fix that. Or not. But death certainly will. He snags Mickey's rope, the urchin crying out a startled oath, then hands one end to Clucky, gauges the distance and makes his leap in the blink of an eye...

AGI Check: 1d20 ⇒ 13

Landing in a crouch like a panther with the other end of the rope in his hand, the elf scans the prison from his perch, looking for the inhabitant and a way to open the cage. He sees that two others have joined him, and nods at them. A slight smile touches his lips as he realizes that their brazen leap paid off. Perhaps between the three of them, they can survive long enough to free the Lady in Blue's mysterious ally. If Maxima Cur has spent its entire miserable life guarding this prisoner, than certainly they might get some help in dealing with the lunatic monster. And an ally of the Lady in Blue must certainly be a formidable individual. Or so Fennik deems.

Was prepared to burn Luck there, but wasn't needed! Fennik would have let go the rope if he had missed the branch, by the way... Can we see a way to actually get into the cage from up here? Or do we need to rapel down from the branch? Clucky has one end of the rope in hand, Fennik has the other, so if the latter, he'll tie off his end to the branch above the cage and call out for the farmer to throw his end of the rope over the side, so that the rope will hang from the branch, to be used by whoever is alive next round to get into the cage.

Wow, woke up to lots of discussion! I'm seeing the titan as the prison warden and Cur Maxima as the crazy damn prison guard. If the prisoner gets free, and the warden is sleeping (or dead) who will the now free prisoner go after?

Aye!

Oddly enough, Mickey ACTUALLY giggles in an almost girlish manner as Karlos sputters out his protest when Sloe pours the holy water on the dwarf. Fennik only raises an eyebrow as though in polite, but somewhat distant interest.

Clucky swings the warhammer a few times experimentally, watching the scene with more than a little interest, intrigued at Mister Wanderful's theory. And though the dwarf doesn't seem to react, he sees the runes flare on the spear and he stops his exercises, holding the weapon at the ready, his attention split between his Mister Wanderful and Karlos. "What happened? Is that spear reacting to the dwarf somehow? Is he demon after all?" He asks tensely.

Thanks, that looks perfect OSW! Any more dwarves in the party? Or someone able to use that banded mail? Pretty sweet protection, but fumbling in that armor is no fun at all!

Also have a short sword up for grabs, it looks like!

Great post by the way CucumberTree, I love it! So... Wanderful is going after the titan, right? :)

LOOT!!!

Clucky would like the dwarven-crafted warhammer.

Thinking maybe each of us makes a 'claim' for one of our 0-Level characters? Then once those have cleared, we can put in claims on the remainder?

If there's any left, Mickey would take a short sword and Fennik would take the leather armor currently worn by Clucky - if there's a suit of chainmail remaining for Clucky to have.

I'd suggest someone with good Agility take those holy waters and use them against Cur Maxima if/when we encounter him. Maybe it'll be helpful.

We can keep the holy symbol to sell, if any of us make it out of here alive!

Mickey looks at the mutants with undisguised disgust - and more than a hint of fear besides - then pokes the dwarf with her stick and motions him toward the passage that leads upward, the one Pip pointed out. "OK, you ugly little cannibal, how do we get up there to the landing? You show us, and go on ahead so we know the way is clear. Looks like we're leaving your little friends behind, but I don't think you'll mind being away from them. Did you see what that one did to your kinsman? Not pretty at all, but death by blade or arrow or having your head bashed in is just as final." She repeats her claim (see below) that this is his best bet to survive and maybe get his wish granted from the Lady. If he starts to scream out again, she'll attack with her club.

Still thinking we have Karlos go ahead of us, just so we know there's no traps. Also, if Cur Maxima is sitting up there waiting maybe he'll grab the dwarf first - not that she points this out. In fact, she'll do her level best to convince Karlos that all of them going up together is his best bet. Either they free the captive and get their spin at the wheel (him included - at least according to Mickey, who has no idea if that's true or not) or there's mass chaos as the monster starts picking them off one by one and with all of them up there he has the same chance as any one of them to get through the carnage.

The three companions attack the thing as well, Clucky with a look of revulsion on his face, the elf with his usually impassivity and Mickey with her usual homicidal sneer!

Clucky's Pitchfork Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Pitchfork Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4

Fennik's Spear Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 1
Spear Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 6

Mickey's Heavy Stick Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 15
Heavy Stick Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 1

"So maybe that was a bad idea." Mickey titters insanely as Fennik only nods his head slightly and loses his grip for a moment when he thrusts at the rampaging monster with his spear. "You THINK?" The farmer shrieks in a voice that is an octave or two higher than his usual.

Ouch, a fumble! I'll let you make the roll, DM. I don't have the table in front of me at the moment.

-2 to Fennik's next attack!

Whew! That fumble could have been MUCH worse!

Clucky is the kind of guy that'd ask permission of his friends first. Mickey, not so much... :)

Clucky, still wincing at his rib injury, limps over to Lou. "I'm sorry about Franc, and I'm sorry to ask, but... my ribs are like to kill me here. I'm thinking that leather armor he wore might serve to see me through this last bit. I'll give you my share of the coin for it, if you'd like." The chicken farmer asks hopefully.

Fennik and Mickey are looking speculatively at the disturbingly mutated people that have apparently come here to die, from the looks of it. The odd pair exchange a few words and the elf nods, then approaches the others. "If we have another length of rope, we could tie these unfortunate souls together, with Karlos in the lead to drag them along - unwillingly if need be - to the landing. They should serve as ample bait for Cur Maxima. Then we slip in behind them as the monster is picking them off and use the other rope to reach the cage and free... the Lady's friend." He gestures dismissively at the mutants. "They are likely to die here anyway, but slowly and miserably. Better to put out of their misery swiftly, I should think - if any of you are hesitant to use them as such."

The elf's eyes betray no emotion at all as he speaks, as though he speaks of cattle being led to the slaughter. Mickey, however, looks positively excited at the prospect of watching the carnage that hopefully won't affect her directly. She turns to the dwarf and growls. "Don't even think about refusing. At least this way you might survive, if that thing goes after the others rather than you. And if you don't do this, we'll just kill you ourselves, right here, right now." The urchin smiles nastily at that prospect - as though she'd be happy either way.

@Scranford, are you willing to give up that leather armor now that you have the scale mail? Anyone have another 50' length of rope? Thinking we tie these guys together with the dwarf at the lead, similar to how we did on the invisible bridge. Send them out to meet their fate with Cur Maxima, and once the monster is busy with them, we go for the cage using Mickey's rope.

If you have it to spare, Clucky will thank you kindly!

Mickey speculates aloud. "I've got no plans to sit around for the next five years and starve to death. I could have stayed on the streets and done that. If I'm gonna die, I'll do it while shooting for a better life. The one that the weird lady promised us. Maybe she's a liar, and maybe not. But she didn't say this was gonna be an easy thing, so I'm not gonna call her that. Not yet, anyway."

The urchin stares at the dwarf with her mad eyes. "You tried to kill us. So we'll give you a chance to redeem yourself. You'll come with us, or you'll die right here, right now. We've got the weapons and you've got nothing, see? Maybe you'll live and get the wish you were promised when you first came here. Anyway, I figure you, and maybe those other gimps you've got tucked away, will go ahead of us onto that landing - if we can get 'em to climb up there. A quick death would probably be a blessing for them anyway. When Cur Maxima comes to get us, that'll make the odds of surviving a bit better for the rest of us, right? And who knows, maybe you'll live anyway! We use the rope to get to the cage and get that lady's friend out of there so we can all have our dreams come true." She says the last with a sneer, then looks at the others. "Right? Any other better ideas?"

She turns back to the dwarf. "Hey, you said the landing overlooks the cage. Can a fifty-foot length of rope reach it, you think?"

We ought to split up the silver and gold among us and we can equalize the shares among the survivors. Maybe leave the gem here so it doesn't get lost if the one carrying it gets tossed into Cur Maxima's flaming maw?

This is tough... I'd like to rest for Clucky's sake, as he's down from a whopping 5 HP to only 1. I think you get 2 HP for every FULL day of rest, if memory serves. So two full days would see him back to normal HP.

That said, Cur Maxima is gonna do more than 5 damage anyway based on its previous attacks (most likely), so now that I think on it, let's just press on. A HP total of 1 or 5 won't likely make a difference in the long run.

Does Artemis have a decent weapon to use with that whetstone? If not, I'd suggest it follow the battleaxe (or another good weapon wielded by someone else.)

My characters will go ahead and stick with their own weapons for now, I reckon.

No worries either way, just wondered at how we'll handle distributing loot - specifically weapon/armor upgrades and the like going forward. The battleaxe and pitchfork (i.e. spear) are pretty much the same so a trade wouldn't really matter. The thought of Mickey with the battleaxe is tempting, though... :)

That magical whetstone is nice, but now that I think on it, maybe it should go to someone without a damage bonus so that they have one. That'd give an edge to another 0-Level who otherwise wouldn't have a bonus at all due to strength.

Anyone who fell in battle with a decent weapon and no home for it? Or is Percolation's former weapon better than a simple club? That's all Mickey has at the moment.

Does first post get first claim? Just asking for future loot splits. In my experience, this sort of thing is usually handled with player discussion outside of the game, so we should probably figure out how this adventure is going to work with regards to that. I'm not usually available to post at nights, so might be at a disadvantage there...

Let's discuss loot division in Discussion, I think we've got a lot to talk about on this topic.

Clucky looks disgusted at the talk of cannibalism, though neither the elf nor Mickey look particularly disturbed. "Better to die trying to find a way out of this prison than resort to that." He chokes out, his contemptuous gaze fixed on the dwarf. "Let's figure out how to best arm ourselves and rush up there - once I've healed up a bit..." He grimaces as he sits back down, now aware of his broken ribs that flared pain through his chest as he spoke.

Fennik, who had been coolly assessing the dwarf as he spoke, no asks a question of their captive. "These survivors you speak about. Are they as feral as your lot? Where are they? Perhaps we can persuade them to cause a distraction and allow us to reach the cage." The elf suggests. "How do you get up there, anyway? Through your lair, I'd expect?"

Mickey is picking through the dead, setting aside weapons and valuables as she goes.

As we don't have a timetable here, I wouldn't mind healing up for a few days to get Clucky back up to full HP. He's down 4. Anyone else wounded?

What sort of weapons do we have available to scrounge off the fallen at this point? Both the bad guys and our own?

Dude had a trowel (i.e. dagger), so that's not much. I'd say dibs goes to the player of the dead PC (transferring to another of his 0-Level characters), but if the player wants to put a decent weapon out there for general consumption, let's do so.

The dwarf's battleaxe is a good weapon, as is the magical whetstone, obviously. Do we want to roll off for the whetstone, among those who have decent melee skills?

Clucky wouldn't mind the battleaxe, he's at +0 to hit, but gets +2 to damage because of his Luck score and Birth Augur. He'd jump in a roll off for the whetstone too.

Bodies are dropping, both friends and enemies, and the trio fight more or less as a team, realizing that their survival might rest in doing so. Clucky stabs with the pitchfork, the elf with his spear and Mickey with her makeshift club!

Clucky's Pitchfork Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 17
Pitchfork Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Fennik's Spear Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 9
Spear Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 3

Mickey's Heavy Stick Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 8
Heavy Stick Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Dude's seemingly ceaseless litany is truly ceased forever when his brains spill out of his head, his skull cloven by the heavy mallet wielded by one of the feral men they stumbled into.

Clucky cries out in pain as he feels ribs break under the force of the blow by another, and he readies his pitchfork, thrusting it toward his assailant even as he struggles to breathe.

Fennik, ever silent and inscrutable, wields his spear and thrusts it at the same man.

A strange bloodlust enters into Mickey's eyes, and her lips peel back in a savage smile that is truly disturbing to behold. With a primal scream, she launches herself at one of the men, attempting to brain him with her own heavy stick!

Clucky's Pitchfork Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 6
Pitchfork Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (3) + 2 = 5

Fennik's Spear Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 4
Spear Damage: 1d8 ⇒ 4

Mickey's Heavy Stick Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 7
Pitchfork Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 2

Mickey screams as the man is dragged away right next to her, though the urchin doesn't care a whit for Eyehope. It is her own safety she fears for now.

Fennik glances down, the slightest tinge of surprised alarm might be glimpsed reflected in the eyes of the elf, but oddly he doesn't seem outwardly afraid as his grey eyes betray none of his emotions or thoughts - perhaps it's an elf thing.

Clucky, further up the ladder, spares a quick downward glance and grimaces at the scant protection afforded by these paper-thin walls as he murmurs a soft prayer for Eyehope's soul - and for all of them, for that matter. He is all too aware that the tone and words of the monster, spoken in that crazily soft and polite manner, is entirely creepy and unnerving so he instead focuses on climbing - the basket containing the blissfully sleeping hen is hooked into the crook of his arm at the elbow while he grasps the rungs of the makeshift ladder with both hands. He hopes fervently that it continues to hold...

Ahead, Dude is muttering under his breath, over and over. "..the Lady is with us, my life for Her, those who believe in Her words shall be made safe, the Lady is with us, my life for Her, those who believe..." as he climbs toward the opening a short distance above.

Fennik speaks for the first time, the elf usually quite aloof and uncaring in his demeanor. "Likely the screams have alerted whoever might be waiting above. I would recommend whoever goes first to bring along another flask of oil, if you have one. Light it as you approach, then throw it inside before you scramble in. Perhaps it will grab their attention, if anyone lies in wait. Those proficient in battle should follow quickly. Or at least, those with weapons. I suspect that few of us are warriors." He smiles self-deprecatingly at that.

Oathday, the 17th day of Desnus, 4714 AR
Weather is clear and pleasantly warm (about 80 degrees) with a refreshing, mild breeze.
Hour of sunrise

----------------------------------------------

Soumral and Devin both decide to help their friends win their race and let the would-be assassins go, and the pair fade into the crowd and are gone as they focus on their spellcasting. Glittering bursts explode in front of the two leaders!

Camel's Will Save vs Devin's Glitterdust: 1d20 ⇒ 14 vs DC 15 = Failed!
Driver's Will Save vs Devin's Glitterdust: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (9) + 4 = 13 vs DC 15 = Failed!
Passenger's Will Save vs Devin's Glitterdust: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (8) + 4 = 12 vs DC 15 = Failed!

Camel's Will Save vs Soumral's Glitterdust: 1d20 ⇒ 10 vs DC 18 = Failed!
Driver's Will Save vs Soumral's Glitterdust: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (18) + 4 = 22 vs DC 18 = Succeded!
Passenger's Will Save vs Soumral's Glitterdust: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (5) + 4 = 9 vs DC 18 = Failed!

The pair watch as their magic takes hold and grin at each other before they too melt away into the crowd, the half-orc looking around for the assassins but having no luck. They hear the brays, screams and cries as the blinded charioteers and the camels try to deal with their sudden blindness in the final stretch! (imposing a -15 penalty (-5 for blind driver and another -5 for blind camel with a -5 kicker on top if they're both blinded) to their rolls in the final Event!)

Skill Check Event 13 - Finish Line!
Nevitash bellows a warning in a last ditch effort to throw off the competition (Bluff Check 24 vs DC 25 = -1 point), but it's not quite enough to help their situation and they fail to make any headway.

Elliander feels the poison coursing through his blade - and it feels like a bright, burning fire! The duskblade only slumps against the rail, barely able to croak out some kind of attempt to bluff the other riders, and the paladin reaches out to hold his friend steady, barely focusing at all (Bluff Check 18 vs DC 25 = -2 points) on trying to win the race now in his worry and concern.

The magic creates absolute bedlam at the end of the race, with passengers and drivers attacking each other or standing around babbling inanely, or even at times getting hold of their senses and futilely trying to get their camels moving again! In any case, they are unable to make any forward progress - and one of the camels viciously attacks those the other chariots that are either stalled out next to it or try to race past! But four charioteers - including the adventurers - manage to race through the chaos even as one crashes painfully into a stalled out camel that stands in the middle of the race course, a vapid look in its eyes as the driver curses and shrieks before he too loosens his hold on the reins and begins to babble crazily.

One set of charioteers afflicted by blindness drives his chariot right into the crowd, causing injuries from the looks of it, and maybe even a fatality or ten. But the driver in front, after yelling and snapping the reins of the camel that had slowed down, does a good enought job of guiding the blinded animal onward enough to win the race - mostly thanks to his tremendous lead. The other chariot in front of the heroes finishes a distant second, while Nevitash and Amenhep tie for the third and final spot - for strewn behind them all along the course is nothing but destruction and mayhem.

Elliander gasps as the pain nearly overwhelms him (See OOC below!), the poison bringing the duskblade nearly to his knees as hears the concern in the voices of Frances and Amenhep both. But then, the big black paladin is engulfed in a massive hug by what he first thinks is a bear that had jumped on him from behind. He quickly realizes it is only Muminofrah, who is kissing Amenhep across the back of his neck, his right ear and cheek, and then finally his mouth as she turns him firmly around! "Oh my champion! My dear, dear champion! You were nearly killed in that dreadful crash! What forces of evil would seek to murder those who only sought to win a chariot race and receive my gift? And your friend! He is surely mortally wounded!! Did foul assassins lay in wait along the route?! The fiends!! I will have my men search for them, but I fear they are long gone by now! Oh my champion! My dear, dear man!! Come, come with Muminofrah and I will make sure you are not hurt! We must get those clothes removed so that I can make certain of it!" Despite the tone of her voice, there is a twinkle in her eye as she pulls on his arm, her lips curved sensually.

Even has the noblewoman is trying to drag the paladin away from the scene to her private quarters, the 'winner' of the race (and his blinded passenger) ask excitedly about their reward from the bodyguards surrounding Muminofrah. The other driver and passenger that took second place look dazed as chaos and bedlam still reigns supreme among the crowd surrounding the finish line all the way back about a hundred yards to the site of the multiple crashes, with bodies strewn about, along with camels and men attacking each other under the compulsion of a magical spell. In the next moment, Devin and Soumral join their companions at the finish line.

Based on where that #1 chariot was in terms of position, I figured first camel attack would go at either #6 or #7 (since the rest where either ahead or behind), and the second attack would go at either #7 (which had stalled out) OR one of the player's camels, since they'd caught up by that point. That's why the d2 and d3 rolls!

That was a very nasty poison, and Elliander is down to a CON of 4 (could have been worse, even fatal...) with an effective 12 HP currently!

In all, it was certainly an... interesting race!! It was set up pretty much as a series of skill checks that anyone and everyone could have joined in on - and I did mention several times that you didn't have to be trained in driving a chariot to join in, and I even told you all that there would be a great variety of skills that would be tested. As it turned out, I had to come up with some off-the cuff ideas as to how to incorporate magic meant to sabotage the other riders (the idea wasn't mentioned in the adventure), and when I prepped this out I admit I hadn't really thought of that possible outcome - though perhaps I should have. Keep in mind there were definitely injuries and very likely a few fatalities among the townsfolk at the end there, which may or may not have an effect on the landscape both within the party and without - especially should Muminofrah find out about the involvement of Soumral and Devin. Let me know what actions you're taking immediately upon finishing the race. Elliander is definitely in bad shape...

Map/Guide of Tephu

--------------------------------------------

Clucky winces at the violent end of the man, but judging how he'd been wielding that spear it could very easily have been any of them instead, he deems. The grisly, burning death of the woman is another matter entirely though, and he retches at the sight and smell of the charred flesh that fills the corridor.

Fennik stoops down to snatch up the spear, nodding a bit as he twirls it around, getting the feel for its weight. Unable to touch iron, the wooden haft of the weapon gives him some comfort in knowing he can now better protect himself. Mickey sneers behind him. "Don't poke yourself in the face with that, pointy ears." Glancing back at the urchin in the ragged pink dress, the elf ignores her jibe and continues his search of the body before moving along the passage after the hen farmer - who has gathered himself together. Mickey fixes Clucky with an expression filled with scorn and disgust at his weakness. He wouldn't have lasted a single day in her shoes - if she'd had any. And she'd sure as hell have eaten that chicken as soon as she'd gotten her hands on it. Still might, for that matter - the farmer sleeps very deeply, after all.

The companions take care to avoid the tripwire, Clucky thanking Dee with a smile and a nod for bringing it to their attention. In the lead with the others in the vanguard position, Dude kneels down beside the woman to see if they can glean any clues from her charred remains. "She likely turned her back on The Lady's orders. She chose her own fate. We shall not fail Her. I shall not fail Her." He murmurs the last softly, smiling and nodding as he completes his search. Behind the stinky gongfarmer, Clucky holds the cage with the strange, translucently glowing insect inside and peers upward, trying to see how far the ladder goes. He's quite doubtful as to its structural integrity...

Fennik will take the man's spear, if that's OK with the rest of the party? Does the fellow have anything else? Same question about the charred corpse of the woman. Can we see how high the ladder goes? Does it look... uh... 'safe' to climb?

Dude beams at Mister Wanderful. Ecstatic to be in the company of one who sees so clearly. "Truly, The Lady is with us, she guides our steps. We must only read Her signs correctly."

The gongfarmer keeps his eyes out for signs from The Lady, while Clucky is watchful for any signs of the killer jack-o-lantern. Those walls look entirely too thin for his taste, but there seems to be little choice beyond heading down that dark passage that runs alongside the main room where the titan sleeps and the demonic maniac dwells. What did it call itself? Cur Maxima? The famer curiously takes down one of the cages holding the strange, glowing creatures and gives it a little shake to see if the thing is alive. If the cage can be held easily enough, he finally shrugs and holds it in one hand like a lantern, the basket with his hen in the other as the fowl clucks softly to itself.

Fennik the elf looks thoughtfully around, picking through the debris in the room and also at the glowing insects, seeming rather bemused at this strange place - for elves are long-lived, and this is certainly something new for him. Mickey keeps peering over her shoulder behind them, walking in a sort of hunched, feral crouch with the heavy stick in her hand. She is clearly thinking that horrid thing is going to come crashing through the breach in order to reach them.

Fennik will search around, looking for secret doors or anything useful. Clucky will use one of those glowing creature cages for a lantern, if they're small enough? What do the creatures look like? Beyond that, Dude and Clucky are both keeping an eye out ahead (for different things, of course), while Mickey keeps a sharp eye out behind them.

"Lady protect meeeeeeeeeee!" Dude shrieks as he runs toward the breach that enters into the far wall, his gangly legs pumping furiously and comically.

"Move! Move!" Clucky calls to his companions, as the elf seems to be looking at the creature in frank admiration and Mickey stares in stark terror. The farmer is already running, clutching his hen to his side as he races across the open space, his eyes flicking toward the sleeping titan and hoping it doesn't wake up. He doesn't look back at the... the awful thing from his worst nightmares. There's no sense in doing so, if it catches him, he'll be dead. Or worse.

The urchin and the elf finally break their own paralysis and run after Clucky!

Clucky's mind boggles at the size of the beast! The... titan! Ever practical, he looks for a way up to the cage - perhaps stairs or the like. Dude nods and murmurs under his breath, then eases into the massive chamber just behind Mister Wanderful. After a moment's hesitation, the farmer follows, with the elf and the urchin trailing the pair. All of them try to keep their eyes everywhere at once, looking for a way up to the cage via staircase or the like, but they also keep glancing at the titan. Is it REALLY sleeping? Or just pretending...

Clucky gazes up at the massive doors with a look of wonder mingled with fear. The Lady's words come back to him. A titan... Certainly these doors could be used by such a creature, but his mind refuses to imagine the size of it.

Dude is already wriggling his skinny frame under the door, and then heaving a sigh, the farmer follows. The elf and the urchin finally move through as well.

Heading in!

Dude jumps up and down excitedly as the rift appears in the near distance, pointing toward it. "There it is! There it is!!" Clucky peers into the distance, absently stroking the feathers of the hen that lays complacently in the basket he's holding, now tucked under his left arm. "It'll be awhile before it gets here, looks like. Let's rest until it gets here. Then..." He trails off uncertainly, as though he is about to say something more, then seems to change his mind.

The farmer sits down on the bridge, setting up to rest as the others do the same. Only Dude watches the distant 'hole in the sky' drift closer as the hours do the same. His eyes seem to glow with some kind of inner light that nearly matches the electrical blue energy that surrounds the rift...

Clucky speaks up. "We should keep the meat packed away until we get wherever we're headed. It'll be right hard to cook on this here bridge, with no firewood in sight." He moves up next to those who managed to dispatch the creatures, sharing words of thanks and praise for their aim and their courage.

Mickey only stares nastily at the near-mortally wounded beggar that had accosted her at the feast. She'd rather hoped she'd get to watch him bleed out. It would have been far more appealing than the momentary thrill she'd felt watching the one fellow fall from the bridge. She hadn't even been able to see him hit the water far below. And how had that mule survived? The sight of the pair going over the side had held such promise. Very disappointing.

The elf Fennik only goes about his business as though nothing of particular interest had taken place while Dude peers forward, a smile upon his lips. "The Lady's will shall be done." He murmurs to himself.

"NO!" Shouts Clucky as he surges forward, pitchfork held high to skewer the ugly bird that just gouged its beak into one of the pilgrims they've joined! The other three, bound as they are to the hen farmer, shuffle forward grudgingly as they are pulled along for the ride. Mickey has no intention of exposing herself to the dangerous birds and takes up a defensive position again, but Dude stabs at the same target while Fennik, finding himself closer to the one pecking through the rope, swings his hammer, trying to brain the thing.

Clucky's Pitchfork Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 8 vs Bird #1 AC
Pitchfork Damage: 1d8 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9

Dude's Trowel Attack: 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3 vs Bird #1 AC
Trowel Damage: 1d4 - 1 ⇒ (4) - 1 = 3

Fennik's Hammer Attack: 1d20 ⇒ 8 vs Bird #2 AC
Hammer Damage: 1d4 ⇒ 3

Alas! Well, Mickey continues her defensive stance as the others swing and miss, most likely.

"I think they're attacking!" Mickey cried out in a shrill voice, reading her heavy stick in a defensive posture. They will fall before us! It is the will of The Lady that we reach our goal!" Retorted Dude, readying his sharp trowel as though it were a dagger. The elf and the farmer glance at each other, the former hefting a small, but serviceable hammer that could probably smash in a head easily enough. Clucky set down the basket with his hen and readied his own weapon, a pitchfork that could serve easily as a spear.

The foursome stand back to back in a sort of box-like formation so that they could defend against the gruesome raptors no matter how they approached...

No missile weapons here, I'll take the +2 to AC for the first round.

Yeah, Luck rolls are weird! I don't think you can actually spend Luck on a Luck roll though, but that's up to our benevolent referee! Securing my band together with rope could have been REALLY bad news for all involved with the unlucky gongfarmer going over the edge (and nearly the elf as well), but it worked out okay in the end. Whew!

Clucky looks up at the heavens as the rain begins to fall, after their near tragedy with the gusty winds, his face beaming for perhaps the first time in this grim endeavor. "Perhaps the gods favor us after all." He says, as he cups his hands to catch the rain and drinks deeply. He cocks his head a moment, then snaps his fingers, turning to the urchin - whose pink dress is looking quite sodden as the storm starts in earnest. "Mickey, let's have that bowl of yours. Don't give me that look little girl or I'll bend you over my knee. I know you can't be much older than fourteen, no matter what you'd like us to believe. There you go..."

The farmer takes the offered bowl in both hands, ignoring the urchin's glare (which is positively venomous) and sets it upon the bridge to collect as much water as he can. Fennik takes his flask as well, filling it up when the water level is high enough for later use, and the four companions take turns drinking water from the bowl until they are close to bursting. Clucky offers the water to share as well, if collecting the rain proves difficult or impossible for the others that have joined this strange quest that they have begun together.

As the storm continues unabated into the night, Clucky strides through the chill rain without batting an eye - for the farmer is used to working in foul weather - and though Dude coughs once or twice and wraps his arms tightly around his spare frame as they trudge onward, the rest of the quartet manage the conditions quite nearly as well.

Dude's STA is 9, but that's the lowest score I've got.

Luck Check for Clucky the Farmer (LK 16): 1d20 ⇒ 12 = Success!

Luck Check for Mickey the Urchin (LK 9): 1d20 ⇒ 2 = Success!

Luck Check for Fennik the Elven Glassblower (LK 9): 1d20 ⇒ 20 = Failure!
Fennik's Reflex Save: 1d20 ⇒ 10 vs DC 10 = Success!

Luck Check for Dude the Gongfarmer (LK 8): 1d20 ⇒ 18 = Failure!
Dude's Reflex Save: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 vs DC 10 = Failure!

Clucky's STR Check: 1d20 ⇒ 12 vs DC 10 = Success!

A sudden and unexpected wind gust blows hard, knocking Fennik and Dude off their feet! The elf is barely able to grab the edge of the bridge, holding on for his life as the gongfarmer is pummeled over the side entirely!

Clucky, seeing this and realizing that he will certainly be next, braces himself and slides a few feet toward the edge as the rope goes taut, and with pulling onto the tether grimly, one hand after the other, brings Dude back up to the bridge. By then, Fennik has also clambered back onto the surface (albeit invisible) of the bridge as well and all three men collapse in a heap, neither of them caring about the godsawful stench surrounding Dude.

Only Mickey stands to one side, a sneer etched on her face. "Are you three about done? By the Gods I thought it was going to be up to me to drag your sorry asses back up for a second there, and I couldn't care less if you all die or not! I really need a knife..." She growls to herself as she turns around in disgust.

Clucky glances up at the sky and nods in agreement. "Yup, was one of the concerns I had startin' out. The water, I mean. But those damn skin bladders in town were pricey. We got a couple flasks and filled 'em, but they won't last long. If it rains, we can store some water inside, but we'll be hurtin' in a few days either way. Glad the sea breeze is keepin' us cool at any rate."

Dude turns his dark gaze upon the farmer and then the others. "The Lady will provide." He insists in a tone that brooks no argument. Fennik smiles thinly and shakes his head slightly, as though amused at some private joke. Mickey nods as Mirande speaks. "To change our lives forever? Yes. I'd pay any price."

Fennik's small small smile fades into a thoughtful frown as he glances at the girl, who has already laid her head down upon the sack she has folded up in a makeshift pillow. Then he too lays down wordlessly, soon followed by the farmer, whose hen clucks softly as the sun begins to warm the air. Only Dude continues to stare off into the distance, toward the promised 'hole in the sky' that the Lady promised would change his life. And everyone's, if they should survive long enough. After several long minutes, his head bows as he sits in a lotus position and he begins to snore softly...

Dude strides forward in the formation, a beatific smile upon his face and confidence in his every step. Fortunately for everyone, the air currents up here wash his stench over the side of the bridge to spare his companions of the ripe odor emanating from his clothes, skin, hair and most especially that soiled-looking sack hanging from his rope belt. Clucky keeps his eyes resolutely forward as he walks along, not wanting to look to either side as he clutches the hen basket to his hip, while the elf simply seems bored and the urchin girl mutters constantly under her breath, sometimes in a sing-song voice and other times in an angry, cursing tone.

As the group travels into the night until the pink dawn lights the sky to the east, even Dude is struggling to stay upright, weaving ever so slightly, which alarms Clucky badly as he imagines the entire column marching right off the edge of the bridge to one side or the other.

"Whoa! Let's stop and get some rest, we need it." He adds, plopping down heavily as the others that travel with him do likewise - though Dude seems keen to continue on, unflagging in his manic state, until the taut rope between himself and the farmer refuses to slacken. Finally, the gongfarmer sits with a word and nibbles absently at his rations as Mickey eats her share greedily, glancing at Fennik's food constantly as though waiting for the elf to drop a scrap for her to grab up.

Clucky eats thoughtfully and slowly as Alasdair hums and plays the ukulele, his eyes gazing toward the distant sunrise. "What do you all think? Rest six hours or so and continue on? We should look to getting to this... this 'hole' the Lady spoke of as quickly as possible, before our food runs out." He almost seems to be talking to himself, but his voice is loud enough to be heard by everyone nearby.

After a few minutes of silence, he turns to regard not only his companions, but those that he has just met, almost as though seeing them for the first time. "Strange, that we all had the same dream, isn't it? What do you think of her? The... Lady in Blue? Not human, that's for damn sure. And she has some kind of magic power, that's for sure. That giant wheel we saw spinning in the sky." He chews his lip for a minute and then speaks again, tentatively this time. "Do you think she's truthful? That if we do this task for us, she can... can let us become something important? More than what we are? I want to believe, but..." He shakes his head, his gaze straying again toward the distant horizon. "She sure wasn't what I was expecting. That face of hers. And those... those heads she was holding..." He shudders as he recalls the sightless dead eyes of those grisly trophies, even as they spoke words - and what the hell language was that red-headed one speaking anyway?

Pooling their meager resources together, and led by the practical hen farmer named Clucky, the shopping excursion consists mostly of several days of rations split between them, small sacks to hold their food and other belongings, as well as a couple of flasks that could perhaps hold drinking water or the like to use at need during their journey.

Dude is the first of this crew to step onto the bridge, close on the heels of Cyne. The gongfarmer claps the ill-armored man on the shoulder (should he not shy away at the approaching stink) and grins with fanatical approval. "Well done sir, well done indeed! Trust the Lady! Oh my yes, She will provide!" Clucky looks dubious, but follows after, and then the elf (named Fennik, though he has not yet introduced himself to the strangers) - his eyes darting about as though distrustful, and finally the filthy urchin girl in the pink dress - who goes by the name of Mickey - bringing up the rear, her eyes feral and conniving.

As they walk along the invisible bridge - a crazy idea, the practical Clucky feels - the farmer suggests to his immediate companions that they tie themselves off together should Dude, walking in the lead, take a fall or otherwise slip. The same would go for Mickey, walking behind them. Both are relatively light compared to the stout farmer and even the more slender elf. Fennik clearly doesn't like the idea, but goes along with the plan.

GM, can we tie ourselves together with the 50' of rope? Perhaps with ten feet or so between each of us?

Marching Order
1. Dude the Gongfarmer
2. Clucky the Farmer
3. Fennik the Elven Glassblower
4. Mickey the Urchin

Again the farmer (whose name is Clucky, a derisive term that others have used because of his infatuation with hens - an affectation that he doesn't particularly mind and so has taken to calling himself since leaving the farm where he grew up) swallows hard. "I... I thank you for this opportunity, Lady. I have often thought I was meant for much more than this world has given me." He strokes the feathers of his hen absently, almost seeming to gain some strength of spirit as he speaks again, haltingly, before the inhuman gaze of the Lady in Blue. "But... several days? What will we eat? Or drink? Our food ran out days ago and the land provides at least some substance for those that know how to look. But a bridge that spans the ocean? There won't be any food at all to be found, and the water ain't fit to drink -not for huma... um... us, anyway. Meaning no offense!" Though not terribly bright in the way of words and books, the farmer is practical to the core and so gives voice to his concerns despite his fear of this being and his disgust at the speaking heads she holds in her hands. Are they truly doing the talking? Or is she throwing her voice like that fellow that passed by the local village with the wooden puppet some years back?

He either doesn't hear - or pretends not to hear - the crazed-looking man (who so often hears the word "dude" by those that wander close enough to smell him before plugging their nose and rushing swiftly away with watering eyes that he has taken the utterance proudly as his own moniker) that stinks of refuse a short distance behind him as Dude mutters softly, as though to himself. "Blasphemer! The Lady will provide!"

After Supper...
Again, the reactions of the four companions to the sight of the enormous spinning wheel varies between each - though all struggle to see against the wild winds that pummel them mercilessly. The farmer witnesses the scene with a sort of fascinated dread - like a man who cannot decide whether he is living a rather strange dream or an absolute nightmare. He holds tightly to his hen, as though for support. The stinky, lanky fellow drops to his knees and raises his arms as though in supplication or worship. His eyes, revealed to be a rather startling green as they widen in awe, are filled with tears as he shouts. "My life for you! My life for you!!" The elf crosses his arms and gazes at the 'Wheel of Destiny' with a look of interest, turning to regard the Lady in Blue with a similar gaze, though he keeps his thoughts to himself. Demon? Or angel? Very interesting... The young girl holds the bowl up to her eyes at first, as though to shield herself from the violent winds, then lowers it and gazes at the massive, spinning disk with an undisguised look of greed as she whispers to herself. "Yes. I will spin the wheel and show them all. They all will pay..."

Once everything has settled down again, the hen farmer turns the Lady in Blue, his eyes flickering unwillingly toward the heads clutched in her hands, then clears his throat nervously and speaks. "Uh... thank you, Lady, for our repast and your very generous offer. But... well, umm... how do we cross this bridge if we cannot see it? Won't we... you know, fall off the edge or something? And... how far must we walk to reach this... this hole? All I see out there is the water, just as far as the eye can see."

During the Initial Approach...
Two men, a male elf and a young girl approach the table with looks that vary from nonchalance to wary trepidation, given the very strange appearance and welcome given them by the lady of their dreams. Though all four were relative strangers to each other, still they had met on the road and so perhaps knew a bit about each other - at least more than they knew of those that had gathered around this wonderful table of food set high upon the cliff overlooking the sea.

One of the men is a tall, lanky fellow with stringy brown hair, pale skin and a long beard wearing ratty clothes that are quite soiled. A small, darkly-stained bag hangs at one hip, supported by a simple rope belt into which a trowel is tucked as well. The other three have given him a wide berth due to the horrific stench that emanates from him, which is immediately apparent to all as he grins wildly and darts toward one of the chairs with a look of thanks directed at The Lady along with a few words. "Oh my, what a feast you have prepared! Thank you, thank you!" He seems unperturbed by her appearance, as well as the severed heads she holds in each hand. Upon reaching the table, he starts plucking food seemingly at random, the expression on his face is joyous as he grabs whatever is near, fresh-food and spoiled alike. He doesn't seem picky at all.

The other man is a blond-haired youth with tanned skin and a broad, handsome face - his soft, downy-like whiskers look reluctant to form anything resembling a true beard, but it somehow works for him. He has a pitchfork slung awkwardly across his back and he carries a basket, from which peers a healthy-looking hen. The farmer's eyes are fixed upon The Lady, and he swallows visibly as his gaze strays toward the heads she holds for a just a moment before he reluctantly looks away from the grisly trophies, then he bobs his head once in a nervous movement as he too approaches the table, nearly tripping on an exposed root that he apparently didn't see. "Uh... yes, thank you, ma'am. It all looks... quite delicious." Unlike the stringy-haired man gobbling food no matter its condition, he avoids the spoiled food and takes only the fresh food, feeding his hen bites of food as she sits complacently in her basket beside him on the bench.

The third to approach is a male elf of indeterminate years, not uncommon to the members of that long-lived race. His hair is dark like ink, his eyes are a luminous blue not unlike the waters of the ocean that stretch away from the cliff toward the distant horizon. His traveling clothes are cleaner and in better condition than those of his companions, a leather belt at his waist holds a small sack and a hammer that dangles in a loop at his right hip. He gazes at The Lady with a curious look, but his eyes reveal no fear nor even any particular surprise. The elf bows in response to her offer and approaches the table, sitting well away from the one that smells as though he fell into a cesspool less than an hour ago and takes only food that is fresh and green, though he also consumes a bit of fish - if any is available.

The fourth is a rather young girl - though beneath the grime and filthy hair (that might be a pretty auburn color) mostly covered by a bowl-shaped hat, it's difficult to get a definite fix on either her age or gender. Still, the pink dress she wears gives at least some indication as to her sex, and though she is quite small in stature her world-weary dark eyes and the lines upon her face could put her anywhere between fourteen and twenty five years of age. Oddly, she has a coil of rope looped over her left shoulder, the end of which is tied off to a heavy stick. Wordlessly, and without a second look at The Lady, she sits at the table, taking a seat near the wild-looking fellow despite the stench he emits and begins plucking at the food as well, though she seems to be at least a bit more discerning than her companion, as she avoids the rotting food and sticks to the fresh stuff.

As Eudi approaches her, the little girl removes her strange wooden hat and swats away the boy's hand with what he recognizes as a begging bowl. "That's my gig, kid. Get the hell away from me!" She snarls.

Hi there,
first time poster here.
I agree with the pale green prism ioun stone. Maybe you could even have that implated to avoid it getting sundered.

@ Wiggz
The problem with ignoring it in a home game is that you can only do that for some time. Like the scarred witch doctor for example who got his CON casting stat changed back to INT.
Our group really liked the archetype back when it had CON. Very flavorful as well. We imagined how the pain magic really put a strain on the body of the user^^
But now when a player goes to get a new book they'll only be able to find the INT version of the archetype. And so, slowly but surely the old options start to vanish until only the Errata-versions are left.
I wish there was a way to still have long term access to those old versions :/