Aelfric and Devamil are on guard when the incident occurs. They both hear some sort of motion just outside the lighted area of their camp, which is in a small cul-de-sac off the side of the main tunnel. The tunnel is ten feet wide, the light from the fire beetles extends out to twenty feet down the tunnel in each direction, and the cul-de-sac is about a twenty foot deep alcove.
Devamil motions to Aelfric to wake the others. He takes out his sword and moves as quietly as possible towards the noise to check it out.
Aelfric nods and quietly begins waking the non-spellcasters in the group, with a finger on their lips as he shakes their shoulder. Aelfric will wait to learn more of what the disturbance may be before waking anyone who needs mental focus for spell preparation.
He manages to wake Phaethon and Shiro before he hears a quiet puffing, hissing sound coming from the hallway.
Devamil steps into the opening of the small alcove and peers out into the hallway, looking in both directions. The light from the fire beetles doesn’t penetrate very far, but he can just make out the aforementioned noises coming from the left hand side of the passage. He looks in that direction, and a fog of smoke or some other cloud comes wafting toward him, rolling around him and past him and into the room beyond. He can tell there’s some movement, maybe shuffling, going on just outside the lighted area, but he can’t tell exactly what.
The fog settles over everyone, hitting Phaethon and Shiro just as they wake. Everyone breathes in some of the fine particles, which feel oily and taste unpleaseant.
Phaethon wakes and readies his flail, holding the chain to keep it as quiet as possible and holding it up to see if it begins to glow. It does.
Shiro grabs his sword and covers his mouth with his opposite arm as he moves toward the archway. As he arrives in the opening, he hears a noise from his left, and senses some sort of missile sent in his direction. His hand flicks out instinctively, deflecting the little dart to bounce harmlessly off the rough stone wall of the tunnel.
A second dart hits Devamil in the wrist, where it proceeds to burn and ache immediately (1 HP). He plucks it out, possibly preventing its ill effects.
Aelfric holds his breath and tries to wake the rest of the group. Genar wakes with little difficulty, but Dakbyr only snorts and twitches, unresponsive to shaking and prodding. Aelfric gestures to Genar that he should also hold his breath, by pursing his lips and pinching his nostrils shut with one with one hand.
Actions?
HP Tally:
Aelfric: full HP
Shiro: full HP
Phaethon: full HP
Devamil: -1 HP*
Genar: full HP
Dakbyr: full HP*
Genar nods his head and holds his breath. He begins scanning the area for anything/anyone that looks out of place. He pulls a rag (it was right on top, like he knew it would be) and places it over his mouth and nose.
Phaethon takes a cue from the others and pulls the collar of his tunic over his mouth; trying to breathe through it for now and holding his glowing flail up with one hand.
If an enemy presents itself, he’ll attack. Otherwise he’ll hold and let the more experienced tunnel-fighters take the lead.
Shiro drops into a crouch and presses himself against the left wall, hoping to make himself less of a target. He keeps his sword at the ready position but doesn't move out into the tunnel until he can see something.
OOC: Can we see through the mist/fog; like can I see Shiro?
"Ouch" Devamil mutters to himself under his breath. He will retrieve the dart and retreat back into the alcove. If it's possible, I want to check the dart fot obvious signs of poison.
OOC: Hm. Is the tunnel space large enough for a dire bat (10 ft.)? If so, Aelfric will press himself against a wall and start the summoning as quietly as he can.
The foggy mist settles, and the view in the alcove and the short section of tunnel is not obscured in any way. The little stretch of tunnel is empty.
“Ouch" Devamil mutters to himself under his breath. He retrieves the dart and retreats back into the alcove, checking it for obvious signs of poison. It’s clearly poisoned, the tip smeared with a blue paste. He has only a moment to consider the implications of this discovery before his vision goes dark, and he pitches to the floor unconscious.
Phaethon takes a cue from the others and pulls the collar of his tunic over his mouth; trying to breathe through it for now and holding his glowing flail up with one hand. He stands in the alcove, frustrated, waiting for enemies to present themselves. They don’t.
Shiro drops into a crouch and presses himself against the left wall, hoping to make himself less of a target. He keeps his sword at the ready position but doesn't move out into the tunnel until he can see something. He suddenly feels a sharp pain in his mind, as something intrudes upon his thoughts. It feels similar to when the illithid invaded his mind, but the invading psyche is not so alien as was the mind flayer’s. It is clearly more than a little insane, however. “Where is the Chalice?” The invading mind probes. “Where is the essence that you looted from Sandman? Hand it over and we go.” Shiro can’t help but think of the essence, held now by Gerrod, wherever he is. Is there anything more that Shiro would like to transmit to the mind invader by his thoughts?
Genar nods his head and holds his breath. He begins scanning the area for anything or anyone that looks out of place. He pulls a rag (it was right on top, like he knew it would be) and places it over his mouth and nose. The interior of the alcove is quiet, with nothing unusual apparent, so Genar looks out into the tunnel. There is nothing to be seen within the reddish glow from the fire beetles, but he can definitely sense motion going on in the left hand side of the tunnel, beyond the dim illumination. Two darts suddenly fly from that direction, one missing wide and one bouncing off Genar’s breastplate.
Aelfric presses himself against a wall and starts summoning as quietly as he can. A dire bat the size of a small pony suddenly appears in the tunnel, screeching and rotating its ears back and forth. (What do you want the creature to do?)
The two fire beetles slowly sink to their bellies, unconscious or dead. Their glow begins to dim slightly.
Actions?
HP Tally:
Aelfric: full HP
Shiro: full HP
Phaethon: full HP
Devamil: -1 HP - unconscious
Genar: full HP
Dakbyr: full HP - unconscious
Genar motions to the left, indicating where he saw the movement. He then holds the dart that was deflected by his armor for all to see.
"Takes cober.", he says, as he follows his own advice, waiting to see what reveals itself from the shadows.
Feeling the other presence in his mind, Shiro's face becomes grim as he slides the rest of the way to the ground and tries to eject the invader. Recalling his training in Limbo he tries to focus his thoughts on nothing but his breathing, which slows to a rhythmic pace.
The foggy mist settles, and the view in the alcove and the short section of tunnel is not obscured in any way. The little stretch of tunnel is empty.
If the foggy mist still seems to be a danger (i.e. is above knee level and therefore breathable), Aelfric waves his arms, gesturing to the bat to flap it's wings and blow the mist back out into the corridor. As it does this, Aelfric props the unconscious people up against the walls, so that their heads are above any low-lying mist.
If the foggy mist seems to have settled, Aelfric will gesture to the bat to wait one round, then swoop out into the corridor and left, biting anyone it finds. Aelfric drops to all fours, with brown fur rippling to cover his skin and heavy muscle cording his body. In a moment, a brown bear stands ready to follow the bat in it's attack.
unwilling to wait for darkness to envelope them as the fire beetles dim, Phaeton shoulders his flail and makes ready to follow the bat and bear into the hall and attack.
Unwilling to wait for darkness to envelope them as the fire beetles dim, Phaeton shoulders his flail and makes ready to follow the bat and bear into the hall and attack.
Genar motions to the left, indicating where he saw the movement. He then holds the dart that was deflected by his armor for all to see. "Takes cober," he says, as he follows his own advice, waiting to see what reveals itself from the shadows
Genar concentrates in the direction of the fire beetles, and their hind quarters suddenly brighten back to their previous illumination level, like a couple of reddish colored lanterns. (Steve – These are Dancing Lights. You can move this light around if you like, or leave it associated with the beetles.)
Aelfric gestures to the bat to wait one round, then swoop out into the corridor and left, biting anyone it finds. Aelfric then drops to all fours, with brown fur rippling to cover his skin and heavy muscle cording his body. In a moment, a brown bear stands ready to follow the bat in its attack.
Feeling the other presence in his mind, Shiro's face becomes grim as he slides the rest of the way to the ground and tries to eject the invader. Recalling his training in Limbo he tries to focus his thoughts on nothing but his breathing, which slows to a rhythmic pace.
The presence in Shiro’s mind reveals himself to be an unstable entity that calls himself Kravichak. After its intrusive probing, it quietly withdraws with a frustrated sigh.
The bat springs into action as soon as Aelfric finishes his transformation, pushing forward with a powerful beat of its wings and banking left as it enters the tunnel. It finds a target almost immediately by using its echolocation, and hones in on it. The bat disappears into the darkness beyond your light sources, and the sounds of a close-combat struggle shortly ensue.
Aelfric-bear lumbers along behind, and using his sharp animal senses he is able to flank one of the two humanoids he finds in melee combat with the bat. Aelfric-bear swats the dark-clad man with a powerful paw, drawing a splash of blood that arcs across the tunnel. The man grunts in pain, ducking low to cover his vital areas with clenched fists and looking up at the bear with his black and white painted face.
Phaethon moves out into the corridor. As he moves, he holds his flail up with one hand, leaving the other free to give a chance to deflect additional darts. (Phaethon’s flail glows only in the presence of strong evil, and its glow is a pale white light that only illuminates a 10’ radius or so.)
As soon as Phaethon turns to the left, darts fly at him from the right, down the other side of the tunnel. He somehow senses them, and whirls to deflect them, knocking one to the side and ducking under the other.
Genar feels a stab of mental intrusion from the entity known as Kravichak, but he somehow manages to block the intruder.
Actions?
HP Tally:
Aelfric: full HP
Shiro: full HP
Phaethon: full HP
Devamil: -1 HP - unconscious
Genar: full HP
Dakbyr: full HP - unconscious
Dire Bat: -4 HP
Look at the pretty mushrooms ... those look tasty ...
As soon as his mind is clear, Shiro rolls into the hall and heads to the right in the direction of the darts. The light of the fire beetles flickers momentarily off his blade as he moves it into the ready position.
> Actions?
I shall attempt to convulse more quietly. :)
If possible, I will lay totally still, possibly lapsing into a state of unconsciousness.
Aelfric-bear lumbers along behind, and using his sharp animal senses he is able to flank one of the two humanoids he finds in melee combat with the bat. Aelfric-bear swats the dark-clad man...
Aelfric-Bear uses the combined scents of the stranger and fresh blood to stay on his opponent, clawing, biting, and clawing.
When he is able to see, Aelfric-Bear shifts position to flank flank an opponent with the giant bat or one of his other allies.
Genar moves one of the lights in the drection that the bat went and uses another to sweep side to side like a search light.
He comes ot of cover and unsheathes scalebreaker, heading towards the sounds of Melee.
As soon as Phaethon turns to the left, darts fly at him from the right, down the other side of the tunnel. He somehow senses them, and whirls to deflect them, knocking one to the side and ducking under the other.
Immediately deciding the foes to the left are sufficiently occupied by Aelfric-bear and the dire bat, Phaethon sprints to the right to confront who or whatever just fired the darts at him. The soft, sun-yellow glow from his flail bounces crazily as he runs, throwing indistinct shadows around the tunnel.
The man in the black and white greasepaint drives his gauntleted fists into Aelfric-Bear’s midsection, but the beast’s solid ribs absorb the blows harmlessly. In return, Aelfric-Bear uses the combined scents of the stranger and fresh blood to stay on his opponent, clawing, biting, and clawing, and mauling the man to shreds. He falls to the ground in a messy heap.
The dire bat and the other man trade attacks, bloodying each other in the process. They are both still in the fight though, and the hooded man now finds himself surrounded by the two feral opponents.
Genar moves one of the dancing lights in the direction of the bat, illuminating the scene. The man fighting the bear and the bat can now be seen clearly as a Last Laugh guildsman, wearing his black and white face paint in the pattern of comedy and tragedy. He is wearing tight fitting black leather armor wrapped in black fabric that covers all of his body except for his face. He appears to be unarmed but for his gauntleted fists. Genar then uses the other dancing light to sweep side to side like a search light. (Steve, let me know where you want to move this light.) He comes out of cover and unsheathes Scalebreaker, heading towards the sounds of melee. He finds that the tunnel to the left is blocked by the big animals however, who are taking up all the available space, with the Last Laugh guildsman positioned beyond them.
Immediately deciding the foes to the left are sufficiently occupied by Aelfric-bear and the dire bat, Phaethon sprints to the right to confront who or whatever just fired the darts at him. The soft, sun-yellow glow from his flail bounces crazily as he runs, throwing indistinct shadows around the tunnel. The flail illuminates the two opponents that appear from the darkness, two more Last Laugh guildsmen that flank the young monk. He swings the weapon in a wide arc, making impact across the shoulder of his nearest opponent, who absorbs the impact with a tumbling roll, disappearing into the darkness deeper in the tunnel. The other guildsman stands his ground, pummeling Phaethon around the head and shoulders (-7 HP).
As soon as his mind is clear, Shiro rolls into the hall and heads to the right in the direction of the darts. The light of the fire beetles flickers momentarily off his blade as he moves it into the ready position beside Phaethon, he’s just about to make a slash at the guildsman when he feels the familiar stab in his brain again. This time, the mental invader has no interest in talking, simply making a psychic jab and overwhelming Shiro’s consciousness. He pitches forward with a grunt, out cold.
OOC: do the fire beetles respond to verbal commands like “come” or “here, beetle, beetle…” more light would be better, I suppose.
DM Note: The beetles are either sleeping, unconscious or dead. They aren’t moving any time soon. They do know a few simple commands (heel and guard), however, and can perform them when they aren’t otherwise indisposed. On the bright side (pun), Genar is providing plenty of illumination with his dancing lights, and my description of the battle scene takes that into account.
Dire Bat: -4 HP
1 - - 5 HP
2 – dead
3 - -7 HP
Sorry, my HP tally in the last post was wrong. Here's the correct one.
HP Tally:
Aelfric: full HP
Shiro: full HP -unconscious
Phaethon: -7 HP
Devamil: -1 HP - unconscious
Genar: full HP
Dakbyr: full HP - unconscious
[Phaethon's] flail bounces crazily as he runs, throwing indistinct shadows around the tunnel. The flail illuminates the two opponents that appear from the darkness, two more Last Laugh guildsmen that flank the young monk. He swings the weapon in a wide arc, making impact across the shoulder of his nearest opponent, who absorbs the impact with a tumbling roll, disappearing into the darkness deeper in the tunnel....
“there are at… least… two more over… here!” Phaethon calls out, his warning made erratic by the distractions of combat. The young monk tries to keep an eye out for the guildman that disappeared into the darkness as he keeps his glowing flail moving in wide, fast arcs. Hoping the enemy will focus his defense on the magic weapon, Phaethon snaps a kick under the man’s jaw in an effort to stun him.
Genar moves the other light toward Phaethon and in turn rushes to join him in battle.
The dire bat and the other man trade attacks, bloodying each other in the process. They are both still in the fight though, and the hooded man now finds himself surrounded by the two feral opponents.
Aelfric-bear roars and jerks his head toward Phaethon, before falling on the Last Laugh guildsman, clawing, biting, and tearing. The dire bat disengages and swoops down the tunnel towards Phaethon and the other Last Laugh guildsmen, shrieking an ear-piercing challenge.
“there are at… least… two more over… here!” Phaethon calls out, his warning made erratic by the distractions of combat. The young monk tries to keep an eye out for the guildman that disappeared into the darkness as he keeps his glowing flail moving in wide, fast arcs. He’s not able to anticipate an invisible opponent however, and the missing guildsman suddenly appears at Phaethon’s side, driving his gauntleted fist into the monk’s ribs (-12 HP). Phaethon is knocked sideways, bouncing off the wall of the tunnel and missing his snap kick.
Genar moves the other light toward Phaethon and in turn rushes to join him in battle. The lighting in the corridor has expanded now so that a full forty foot length is illuminated. He thrusts Scalebreaker out in front of him as he charges, but the hooded guildsman ducks under the attack, pivoting in a crouch to face the big fighter with his black and white painted face. The guildsman whistles a few short chirps, gesturing toward Genar with his left hand.
Aelfric-bear roars and jerks his head toward Phaethon, before falling on the Last Laugh guildsman, clawing, biting, and tearing. He hits with a powerful swipe, almost spinning the man around with the force of the blow. The guildsman throws a small stone down directly on the ground, producing a cloud of whitish smoke in front of him as he takes a short step backward and seems to disappear into the obscured darkness.
The dire bat disengages and swoops down the tunnel towards Phaethon and the other Last Laugh guildsmen, shrieking an ear-piercing challenge. It reaches a bottleneck when it gets behind Genar, who fills most of the tunnel with his bulky body and large sword. As the big bat begins to work its way past, Genar feels a strange sensation in his head. A few seconds later, he lurches to the side, completely overcome by the massive presence dominating his consciousness. Overwhelmed, he crumples to the ground, unconscious.
So – Phaethon and the bat are fighting two guildsmen, while Aelfric must move into the smoky darkness to get at his opponent.
HP Tally:
Aelfric: full HP
Shiro: full HP -unconscious
Phaethon: -19 HP
Devamil: -1 HP - unconscious
Genar: full HP – unconscious
Dakbyr: full HP – unconscious
Dire Bat: -8 HP
“there are at… least… two more over… here!” Phaethon calls out, his warning made erratic by the distractions of combat. The young monk tries to keep an eye out for the guildman that disappeared into the darkness as he keeps his glowing flail moving in wide, fast arcs. He’s not able to anticipate an invisible opponent however, and the missing guildsman suddenly appears at Phaethon’s side, driving his gauntleted fist into the monk’s ribs (-12 HP). Phaethon is knocked sideways, bouncing off the wall of the tunnel and missing his snap kick.
Phaethon exhales sharply and tries to roll with the jarring impact, pushing himself off the tunnel wall and back into the fray. He aims another strike at the nearest guildsman in a renewed attempt to stun his opponent...
ZZzzzzz....
Aelfric-bear roars and jerks his head toward Phaethon, before falling on the Last Laugh guildsman, clawing, biting, and tearing. He hits with a powerful swipe, almost spinning the man around with the force of the blow. The guildsman throws a small stone down directly on the ground, producing a cloud of whitish smoke in front of him as he takes a short step backward and seems to disappear into the obscured darkness.
So – Phaethon and the bat are fighting two guildsmen, while Aelfric must move into the smoky darkness to get at his opponent..
Aelfric-bear snuffles and backs up a step before rearing up on hind legs to grunt and growl while waiving his paws in the air in front of him.
Phaethon exhales sharply and tries to roll with the jarring impact, pushing himself off the tunnel wall and back into the fray. He aims another strike at the nearest guildsman in a renewed attempt to stun his opponent.
The dire bat tries to bite one of the guildsmen flanking Phaethon, but misses. Phaethon strikes one of his opponents square in the face, smearing his facepaint, causing him to stagger backward and temporarily stunning him. The other guildsman responds by punching Phaethon in the chest with his studded gauntlet (6 HP). The damage is more than the young monk can handle, and he pitches backward unconscious.
Aelfric-bear snuffles and backs up a step before rearing up on hind legs to grunt and growl while waiving his paws in the air in front of him. He gets half-way through his spell when he feels a sharp pain in his head. An overwhelming, alien presence invades his mind and he loses consciousness.
Time passes.
The darkness that you were all experiencing slowly lifts, and you find yourselves lying around in the alcove where you had stopped to rest. Your wrists are bound behind your backs with strong metal manacles, and your legs are lashed together with rawhide. Shiro wakes first, then Genar and Aelfric. They see three alert Last Laugh guildsmen in their dark clothing and black-and-white greasepaint, one standing in the entrance archway of the alcove looking out into the tunnel, one standing next to Shiro, looking down at him, and one crouched next to Devamil, pouring some sort of potion down his throat.
A fourth figure that you had not yet seen is also standing among the guildsmen, dressed as they are, but without the painted face. Even with the hood of his cloak throwing shadows across his face, you can tell he has quite the distinctive appearance. His face is almost skeletally thin, but his large eyes bulge from their sockets, taken up almost completely by red irises and black pupils. He giggles when he sees you begin to wake.
“Troublesome adventurers! You force me to use brute force, which I must admit I enjoy – but it wastes resources. You’ve killed one of my guildsmen, an action for which I plan to eventually make you pay.” His bulging eyes swivel to take you all in, then he giggles again. “But not today.” He clears his throat dramatically, then continues. “I am Kravichak, a High Jester in the Last Laugh guild, as you might have surmised, and you are in my power. Please do not try to escape, or I will be forced to kill you all, which is not in my plan. Although I must admit that I enjoy slaughtering bound prisoners.”
Devamil splutters and comes awake, and the guildsman kneeling beside him moves to Dakbyr.
Kravichak continues. “I believe that I have obtained the information that I came for from the swordsman Shiro, but I’m afraid that I must be sure.” He leans over Genar’s reclining form, his face unsettlingly close to the big fighter’s. “You will feel some discomfort as I probe your mind, but rest assured that I will cause no permanent damage. If you relax and let me probe, it will be less painful, and resisting will only prolong the ordeal.” He giggles. “If you feel like resisting however, please do. I must admit that I enjoy prolonging the ordeal.”
Actions and conversation, please. Steve - let me know if you allow Kravichak into your mind, or if you resist.
HP Tally:
Aelfric: full HP
Shiro: full HP
Phaethon: -26 HP - unconscious
Devamil: -1 HP
Genar: full HP
Dakbyr: full HP - unconscious
“Troublesome adventurers! You force me to use brute force, which I must admit I enjoy – but it wastes resources. You’ve killed one of my guildsmen, an action for which I plan to eventually make you pay.” His bulging eyes swivel to take you all in, then he giggles again. “But not today.” He clears his throat dramatically, then continues. “I am Kravichak, a High Jester in the Last Laugh guild, as you might have surmised, and you are in my power. Please do not try to escape, or I will be forced to kill you all, which is not in my plan. Although I must admit that I enjoy slaughtering bound prisoners.”
Devamil splutters and comes awake, and the guildsman kneeling beside him moves to Dakbyr.
Kravichak continues. “I believe that I have obtained the information that I came for from the swordsman Shiro, but I’m afraid that I must be sure.” He leans over Genar’s reclining form, his face unsettlingly close to the big fighter’s. “You will feel some discomfort as I probe your mind, but rest assured that I will cause no permanent damage. If you relax and let me probe, it will be less painful, and resisting will only prolong the ordeal.” He giggles. “If you feel like resisting however, please do. I must admit that I enjoy prolonging the ordeal.”
Aelfric looks directly at Kravichak and, keeping his voice as mild as he can make it, says "I think our balance already clear; your side initiated the violence and paid the price of it. If it is information you want, there is no need to drive your mind against another's mind; just ask your questions and I'll answer as best I can. Given a chance, you may find our goals do not conflict with yours..."
After Aelfric speaks, Shiro adds, "Are you of the ithillid?"
Aelfric looks directly at Kravichak and, keeping his voice as mild as he can make it, says "I think our balance already clear; your side initiated the violence and paid the price of it. If it is information you want, there is no need to drive your mind against another's mind; just ask your questions and I'll answer as best I can. Given a chance, you may find our goals do not conflict with yours..."
Kravichak giggles. “But I do so like to invade minds! Besides, it’s the only way I have to be sure I’m not being lied to. I don’t know where you got the silly idea that we might not have conflicting goals, unless your plans are to give the Chalice of Essence to me as a gift, and help me wake Cthulhu. Even now he stirs, and I can’t waste time bandying words with smooth-talking non-believers.”
After Aelfric speaks, Shiro adds, "Are you of the ithillid?"
Kravichak’s red eyes bulge even further than his usual, and he hops back and forth from one foot to the other, his hands clasped together against his chest. “Oooh. Don’t I wish. But sadly I’m just a mere human, like yourself. I dream of the Darkscape, though, and I know the plans of the Mind Flayers. Don’t they have the right of it? Aren’t they just spot on? This new Age will be glorious; of course you non-believers are not likely to live to see it, but take my word for it, it’s going to be swell. Really really swell.”
Kravichak turns back to Aelfric, suddenly all business. “So. I was going to probe Genar, here, but you seem a more likely target.” He places his fingers to his temples and speaks a few arcane words, then asks, “So, where is the Chalice?”
A few seconds later, Kravichak smiles. “Hmm. All righty then.” He turns to his guildsman and says, “Lets get out of here.”
One of the guildsmen tosses a key on the ground in the middle of the floor, then they all move quickly out of the room and into the tunnel.
You hear Kravichak’s voice echoing from down the hall after he leaves the room. “I hope you don’t hold a grudge, it’s just business, after all!”
Actions?
HP Tally:
Aelfric: full HP
Shiro: full HP
Phaethon: -18 HP
Devamil: -1 HP
Genar: full HP
Dakbyr: full HP
Devamil will roll over to the key and get himself freed. "What did you tell them?" Once freed, he will work on the others.
DM Note: When Kravichak asked him, Aelfric began thinking about how Gerrod has the Chalice containing the Essence of Madness, and he's gone to the Feverglades to see the Heron-woman. Kravichak was detecting his thoughts - Aelfric could tell from the alien presence in his mind.
DM Note: When Kravichak asked him, Aelfric began thinking about how Gerrod has the Chalice containing the Essence of Madness, and he's gone to the Feverglades to see the Heron-woman. Kravichak was detecting his thoughts - Aelfric could tell from the alien presence in his mind.
Aelfric spits and then answers, bitterness plain in is tone "I told him nothing, but he had the information from my mind as easily as if I handed it to him on a platter. Damnation! All the fancy words in the world are useless, when your mind can be pierced like an apple! I would that we could ward our minds against these hell-spawned intrusions and manipulations!"
Trying to calm himself and focus on anwering the question, Aelfric adds "He plucked from my mind the fact that Gerrod has the Chalice and that Gerrod is visiting the Hag of the Feverglades. If we are fortunate, Gerrod will have moved on and Kravichak will be too late to find him. If we are unfortunate, the Hag will cut a deal with Kravichak and deliver Gerrod and the Chalice to him... We'd best pray for fortune."
Please feel free to discuss your next move, or take action as you see fit. The keys do, in fact, fit the manacles, and you can all extract yourselves within a few minutes time.
Actions?
P.S. - Check it out
http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/?p=612
Genar shakes the cobwebs from his head. "Metinks we mights needs to get words ter Gerrod somes'ow."
Genar shakes the cobwebs from his head. "Metinks we mights needs to get words ter Gerrod somes'ow."
Aelfric frowns while thinking hard. "Damnation! They are ahead of us and moving fast. If they detect us following them, then we will likely be again treated to mental assaults which none of us can prevent as well as more poisons. Hm. If I can pray to Eldath for a boon in the morning and be at the surface to cast it, we may be able to get a message ahead of those madmen. If we can not, then I am loath to abandon our current quest a second time merely to chase after an enemy with the advantage of a long head start..."
"The dark and the mental attacks have me confused. What time is it? If it is shortly before dawn in the surface world, then I may pray for boons from Eldath shortly. If it is past dawn in the surface world, then the timing is wrong and I strongly doubt I have the means to get a message ahead of the madmen."
Greetings from Qatar.
As a DM Note - Aelfric has a Raptor Pin, which is paired with one Gerod is wearing. You've had them for ages, so I'm not surprised you forgot. I'm ruling that you remember that you have it. You can communicate with Gerrod simply by speaking into it.
If you choose to talk through the Raptor Pin, post what you say to the Revinia - Baby Demon Hunt thread.
Also, I'm surprised that the group doesn't have more to say to each other, considering what just happened. What do you say and do?
"How did these guys even know where to find us? It's not like we were broadcasting our presence and it's not like we're out in the open."
OOC: Greetings...how was the trip?
Shiro flexes his arms against the shackles until they are unlocked and released. "If the mind flayers are involved in this plot, the road forward is likely more difficult. It is grim." Reaching into his pack, he pulls out a scroll case and hands it to Aelfric. "This was given to me by Celeste after meeting with the elder. The paper sends our messages to her. She showed unusual interests in the Sandman. Perhaps if you write of this Kravichak and his interest in Sandman, she will cause him trouble on his journey." A rare michevious smile is breifly seen on Shiro's face.
How was the trip? Long and uncomfortable - but no fiery crashes. I'm finally in Afghanistan. It's cold here. Pretty mountains.
Anyway, I should be able to post every few days, so let's continue on with the game, shall we? I'm waiting for Keith right now. If he doesn't post within a few days, I'll move things along.
BIC:
Aelfric says "Perhaps the communication magics may extend far enough to reach Gerrod."
Closing his eyes and focusing his attention on the Raptor pin, Aelfric invokes it's energies, speaking aloud the words he thinks towards the link. "Gerrod. Beware; Kravichak the mind-invader High Jester and Last Laugh guildsmen defeated us with poison and mind. Kravichak took from my mind that you have the Chalice of Essence of Madness. They seek you now in the Feverglades. Move and beware. Respond."
"How did these guys even know where to find us? It's not like we were broadcasting our presence and it's not like we're out in the open."
Aelfric rubs his temples. "The strands of fate are being plucked at oddly indeed... This Kravichak named himself 'High Jester of the Last Laugh Guild', so perhaps he is high enough in the esteem of his mad god that he was guided somehow... To find us, by chance, in these tunnels seems highly unlikely. It is odd, also, that he left us all alive and with our gear intact, as if we could not harm his cause. He is either so mad that his actions border on divinely guided randomness, or he knows things that render us ineffective in opposing him.
Suddenly resolute, Aelfric grabs his backpack and begins dumping it out to go through his belongings. Sorting the objects into various piles, he says over his shoulder "A further few minutes delay will not greatly damage our hunt for the dwarf. Lay out your things as well. I seek to see if anything has been taken or added to our possessions. The simplest answer is that Kravichak has some way of tracking us, some thing that is in the possession of one of us which reveals us to his searching. Another possibility is that one of us is knowingly or unknowingly aiding our opponents."
Aelfric carefully sets aside his possessions, with all non-magical accoutrements to one side and the few magical or odd items to the other.
Keith, don't worry about trying to figure out all the doo-dads Aelfric is carrying. I can tell you right now that none of you have either lost or gained any items. It appears that your stuff was not touched.
I will also add as a DM hint that Aelfric is onto something with his speculations about how Kravichak found you - of course I would make things too easy if I told you which particluar one is correct.
Aelfric's raptor pin tingles and a response comes back almost immediately. Gerrod's voice is unmistakeable. "It would be difficult to leave at the present time. There is work unfinished and much at stake. We will be on our guard. Is there anything we can to to assist you or do you believe yourselves beyond rescue?"
Aelfric's raptor pin tingles and a response comes back almost immediately. Gerrod's voice is unmistakeable. "It would be difficult to leave at the present time. There is work unfinished and much at stake. We will be on our guard. Is there anything we can to to assist you or do you believe yourselves beyond rescue?"
Aelfric repeats Gerrod's words to those gathered around him and then responds, again aloud and in thought:
"We were spared, left with our gear intact, and allowed the means to free ourselves... I do not know why. All of us yet live and will continue our quest for the mad Dwarf. Gerrod, be more than on your guard; if you can not leave, send one of your party away with the Chalice, ensure it slips away before the Last Laugh Guild may claim it."
Genar looks on with interest as Aelfric starts talking with Gerrod over the distance. When they are finished, he shugs and says, "Dey coulds be trackin' us by's me. Not sure 'ows dey talks ter minds, but bets dat mines is differents cuz of whats I am."
Gang - The holiday season is upon us, and I'm sure there'll be a serious lull in the action due to vacations, family commitments, etc. Since I'm stuck here, I'll continue to monitor the boards and move the game along as well as I can, but be prepared for long periods of silence. Go ahead an post dialog if the action is stalled.
Happy Holidays,
Chuck
You all eventually get out of your shackles and check through your possessions. Nothing is missing or added, causing much speculation, but no obvious answers are forthcoming. Dakbyr checks on the fire beetles, determining that they are unconscious. He grunts in annoyance, hiking up his broad belt and adjusting his pickaxe. “Well, we can’t stay here any longer, so it’s carrying ‘em we’ll be doing.”
Camp is broken rapidly, and in moments you’re back in the tunnels leading ever downward. You pass a few forks, but Dakbyr points out Zenith’s rune engraved on the wall leading in the correct direction. “Aye, he’s made it a fairly simple thing to follow his path.”
After about four hours of tired walking, you all decide you’ve moved far enough away from your previous camp, and try again to get a decent rest. The fire beetles have recovered from their poisoning, and are walking on their own by this time, seemingly none the worse for wear. You’re successful in getting a full night’s sleep this time. At one point during the “night” a distant scraping sound is heard. It goes on for a few hours, but eventually fades away with no further incident. In fact, the next two days of travel are uneventful.
You reach the Kraal Nexus, an intersection of several tunnels that a few of you remember from your trip to the duergar city of Rugator. The giant metal construct shaped like a duergar with an axe still stands ready in the tunnel leading to Rugator, filling the space of the entrance and blocking access. Dakbyr leads the way to another tunnel, across the Nexus through patches of brightly colored fungus and past a small pool of standing water. You travel for another few hours before you enter the territory of the svirfneblin, and the city of Slag Hollow.
You don’t even realize you’re in the city at first. The ceiling of the tunnel you’re walking in gradually widens out and opens up, forming a tall, narrow crevice. This crevice continues to widen to the point that you’re basically standing at the bottom of a large, natural ravine. The ceiling is lost in the darkness beyond the range of your light, and the walls are roughly ridged, throwing shadows along the many natural fissures. You pause for a moment at the entrance, listening to the water drip from the stalactites and run down the walls in rivulets.
Within a few steps, you hear a nasally voice echo softly off the walls in broken common. “You uppy-men come for trade with Slag Hollow, or you pass through nicey-nice? Pay toll to the svirfneblin?” There’s no way to determine which direction the voice came from, so Dakbyr simply speaks into the air. “I am Dakbyr Hammerfist, of the Malachite Fortress, and I travel with those who rescued your man Pitsnoggle from imprisonment by the duergar. We wish to speak with him.”
There’s a pause, then a small concealed door opens up from about ten feet up the wall. A cheerful, ruddy light shines from within. Looking closely, you see a series of small steps carved into the crevices of the wall that allow you to climb to the door. Climbing the little staircase, you find yourself in a short hallway that leads directly into a sort of antechamber with three stout iron doors. One of the doors is open, and the sound of conversation, laughter, and the clinking of mugs can be heard from within.
Inside, you find a small, cheery pub filled with an assortment of svirfneblin, a race of deep-dwelling gnomes with nut-brown skin, big eyes and large hook-noses. The barkeep calls out to you in common, “Takey seat, uppy-men! Drinky time while Tunnelscout Pitsnoggle is fetched.” Most deep gnomes are a bit shy of three feet tall, so some of the tables are very low to the ground, and many of the chairs are way too small for humans. But since this is a traveler’s pub, you can drag together enough human-sized furniture to get comfortable. The ceiling is too low for Genar to stand up straight, so he especially is happy to sit and have a drink.
You sip a fermented puffball fungus called “spiff”, while you wait, and generally relax for a little while. You note with some surprise that while most of the tables are occupied by deep gnomes, one table has a group of five dark skinned elves seated around it. They’re all arrogant, dangerous looking men with long white hair and reddish-purple eyes, bearing an assortment of slender rapiers and knives partially concealed by their dark green, flowing cloaks. They size you up for a few seconds, then go back to their muted conversation in a lyrical language that you imagine must be elven.
Pitsnoggle arrives before too long, pleased to see you again. He’s wearing his traveling gear, a shirt of chain mail under a leather jerkin, with a war-pick and a quiver of darts hung from his belt. Tufts of wiry, grey-brown hair protrude from under the sides of his metal cap. “So.” He says with a chuckle, taking a sip of spiff, “I can guide you someplace, maybe? Izzat why you come see Pitsnoggle? You decide to go deepy-deep? Where you wanty go?”
HP Tally:
Aelfric: full HP
Shiro: full HP
Phaethon: -4 HP
Devamil: full HP
Genar: full HP
Dakbyr: full HP
Genar looks at his friends and then back to the man, "We searches fer one dat is lost. I'll lets de rests fills yer in, cuz I mights gets it all mixed up." Genar looks for the man who appeared in the tunnel, and turns back to Pitsnoggle and realizes it must be him. "We 'eards you tells abouts a toll ter gets through 'ere, an you talks bout de deepity deep. Wot lies beyond dis place?"