Martaug looks at the gnome quizzically "Wait, ya mean da undead creatures dat went affer da farm wuz Blackspears, too? Do dey mingle wi'da livin' Blackspeares dat's in da area?"
I listen to the Gnome's words,
silently noting the lack of exaggeration despite opportunities any legend-spinner would kill for.
Words start to come to my mouth, but my attention leaps back to the tunnel as the scittering approaches again.
"Ready your bow, Sure Shot!" I call back to Grumblenaught, as I ready my spear for more of the spiders.
"Ffffsh! If there are living Blackspeares, you won't find them 'round these, my hills! All 'round these parts have long since breathed their last."
And ... initiative! No one is surprised.
The Mad Slasher (? + ? = 23)
Deserach (15 + 3 = 18)
Kara (15 + 2 = 17)
Martaug and his wolf (16 + 1 = 17)
Gnome (? + ? = 14)
Grumblenaught (8 + 3 = 11)
Orislav (8 + 2 = 10)
Sachiko (7 + 2 = 9)
Valdisara (3 + 6 = 9)
Yalka (7 + 2 = 9)
Another Mad Slasher, this one a light brown, darts around the corner and slips past Yalka before she has a chance to spear it. It jumps up to land next to the hole, at L11, and it spins like a tornado, its legs slashing lize razor-sharp whips.
Yalka, Kara, and Sachiko are close enough to be attacked.
Yalka, you duck for cover, and take no damage.
Kara, you're hit for 8 hps.
Sachiko, you're hit for 9 hp.
Its single eye blinks as it comes to rest, its legs stained with blood. You can hear a horrible tittering sound coming from the underside of its legs.
Yalka, down the tunnel, you can see
On being hit by this beast Sachiko's eyes narrow and she lets out a bit of a girlish shriek, She flies at the spider-thing with her quarterstaff .
She flails at the thing but only manages to rile it up, her grandfather taunts her, "Oh little Sachi is upset...Watch out...."
Pushed aside by the insectoid abomination as it launches into it's whirlwind attack above me, I'm showered with screed as it's legs strike the tunnel edge, but am shielded from the claws themselves.
"Shoot it!" I yell at Grumble, pointing towards the Southern tunnel and the creature trying to squeeze it's way thru.
The dwarve's bolt(s) whooshing past me, I launch myself towards the encroaching beast.
I strike out at as the beast tries to haul itself round the curve, and ready my spear if it comes any closer.
10 to-hit for 12 damage, AoO: 16 to-hit for 9 damage (both Rage Fatigued)
On init: Raising her blade and shield, the paladin steps forward to
attack the unnatural spider, hoping at least to deflect some of the blows from her wounded companions. Over the sounds of battle she says, "Gnome! Will your ward hold them inside?"
"Shoot it!" I yell at Grumble, pointing towards the Southern tunnel and the creature trying to squeeze it's way thru.
Grumblenaught will have to drop into the tunnel to hit it; the corner it's rounding is 35' down the tunnel, and the angle from the ground outside can't see that far.
I'd normally question how they could pass thru my square w/o Tumble (much less Full Attack the same round),
but I can see how my positioning could be TOO effective, & it's better game-wise if everyone's involved in combat.
Well, that's two things. First, although no one's surprised, it is the first round of the combat, and you're flat-footed (and unable to make Attacks of Opportunity) until your turn.
Second, you're right, Whirlwind Attack is indeed a full-round action, and the Mad Slasher was only able to make a single attack. (1,2,3: it attacked Kara ; 4,5,6: it went for Sachiko ; 5; sorry, Sachiko! ) It'll spin up next round.
The dwarf's bolt whooshing past me, I launch myself towards the encroaching beast.
Well, let's see if Grumblenaught decides to shoot down the tunnel, first. And, it seemed more like about 15-20 seconds out of combat, or three rounds.
I strike out at as the beast tries to haul itself round the curve, and ready my spear if it comes any closer.
10 to-hit for 12 damage, AoO: 16 to-hit for 9 damage (both Rage Fatigued)
Hmmm. The (Pathfinder / 3.5) rules are vague as to how rage and fatigue interact. Can a Pathfinder barbarian be both enraged and fatigued from a previous rage at the same time? Or does a barbarian suspend fatigue when a new rage begins, and then get al the fatigue at the end of the second rage? Or does a barbarian have to wait until the fatigue is over before being able to rage again?
In any case, the creature squeezing around the corner is denied its dexterity bonus, so Yalka gets a bonus to hit, and it can't hit back this round, so any reckless maneuvers like charging or Power Attack are pretty safe. But you don't get an attack of opportunity against it. To make two attacks, you would need to use two-weapon fighting or whirling frenzy. (You'll also have to move back down the to the south. The corner it's coming around is 30 feet out of your range. But you knew that.)
I assume Val is still in the tunnel with the majority of the party. Can she hear the gnome and Martaug?
Actually, at this point, Yalka is the only party member actually standing in the tunnel. Many other people are clustered around outside.
On init: Raising her blade and shield, the paladin steps forward to
attack the unnatural spider, hoping at least to deflect some of the blows from her wounded companions. Over the sounds of battle she says, "Gnome! Will your ward hold them inside?"
He replies, "If it fails, I'm planning to be very cross."
"Holy Man!", I yell to Orislav from down the tunnel, "Yalka think soon need divine healing!"
I think Full Attack is needed to use 2WF & Whirling Frenzy, so I'll forego Raging this round... (CAN I 2WF down here?)
Since I'm not Fatigued, that one attack would have been 13 to-hit (w/ Charge), 14 damage (w/o Rage or 2WF))
Excellent. You charge, and strike it in the leg (well, that's all you can see). Somewhere around the corner, you hear an outraged tittering, a full four octaves lower than the sounds the others were making.
Do you dare to look around the corner?
--+--+--
Everybody else, feel free to post your actions this round if you haven't done so. (The Mad Slasher has a higher initiative than any of you, so the order is, essentialy, it and then you all.)
Anyone who hasn't posted by Sunday evening will be off fighting that proverbial mother bear.
Giving the gnome a penetrating glance, Kara turns back to the battle. Assuming she is either already in range, or in move range, and able to hit it, she will strike down at the creatures.
...no, but I will grab some parts (legs, etc) of the two little spiders I killed,
an toss them around the corner, loudly humming a kellid ditty about "a spider-kebab barbecue" :-)
i'm readying my spear (delay action), otherwise, of course...
"Bah!" grunts the stout dwarf, beetling his tufty brows at the situation in general. "Ne'er did much like spiders, much less spiders what ain't spiders a'tall..."
With nary a care for the gnome and his nonsensical sing-song patter, Grumblenaught licks the business end of a quarrel and holding his breath, drops down into the cramped tunnel, moving forward to Yalka's aid, snapping off a hasty shot at the encroaching aberration if he can get an angle not obscured by the frenetic actions of the tall barbarian woman.
Martaug bristles at the dwarf's smear of spiders. "Spiders is noble critters. These ain't dem," he hollers. His hand clenches around his shortspear as he fights the urge to jump over and engage with his friends. He fixes the gnome with his gaze "So whut is yer plan now? Ya just gonna go roun' puttin' circles on da cave entrances?"
Still in her rage she swings her quarter staff at the spider-thing Smacking. it squarely in its chest
Hearing the gnome's reassurance, Valdisara raises her voice, her shout clear and strong, pitched to be heard over the din of battle. "Grumble! Yalka! Regroup aboveground - the wards should keep the creatures at bay!"
In the tunnel:
Yalka and Grumblenaught seem to be a nautral combination. You both hit what look to be enormous slasher legs. Grumblenaught, your crossbow bolt manages to pierce straight through one of the legs and strike the wall behind it.
You hear a sound like the scraping of a large boulder over cobblestones, as loud as a lion's roar, and the legs retreat back around the corner.
Up top:
Kara, Valdisara, and Sachiko are all next to the smaller abomination, which skitters around, looking at all of you, and then leaps into the air, attempting to catch all of you within it's whirling frenzy of knfe-sharp legs.
Kara: miss
Valdisara: miss
Sachiko: miss
But it looks damned impressive.
The gnome:
Ubfill looks at Martaug out of the corner of his eye, still devoting most of his attention to the fight.
"I'd be a fool's fool for that. Point of fact, I spend most of my effort sealing them away. Or did ye think that pebble over there rolled on top of the hole by serendipity?"
I glance at my stout companion, verifying if he also has problems hearing when in tunnels fighting spider-things.
Martaug grunts to the gnome "Arright, I hope ya stick aroun until after we're done here." With that he vaults over the powdered silver line and looking over his shoulder to the wolf says "Stay here, boy." He runs over to the hole to assist his friends.
Yalka, initiative is cyclical. The Very Bad Scary Thing started to round the corner; you ran up and atacked; Grumblenaught jumped down into the tunnel and shot it.
This round, it retreats, leaving you and Grumblenaught to decide whether to pursue it.
--+--+--
Everybody up top, the Mad Slasher has attacked; feel free to each take a whack at it. (Martaug, you'd be able to reach it on a charge.)
Martaug, that's enough to kill it.
Everybody top-side is out of combat. Yalka and Grumblenaught can re-engage in combat with ... something down there ... if they round the corner and enter the area that Ubfll described as "the labyrinth".
And with that, everyone has enough experience to reach 2nd Level! You'll gain all your new abilities and hit points the next time you wake from a night's rest.
The Dwarve's silent manner draws Yalka back to the here & now beyond her engagement with the Demon Beast.
Letting out a tired gasp, I glance between Grumblenaught and the hole where the wounded beast escapes to.
"Talk Valdi-sara, see group safe, now?"
Scrambling down the tunnel, lungs heaving from the exertion of the encounter with the spider-things, I haul myself back up to the surface, where I see the others managed to dispatch the spider that got past me, and the curious small character still stands, WATCHING US.
"What you..." I start in, my breath still heavy from Rage, "You, small person, Why you know about Constable & Spiders, but not help him? Muster maybe take you back to see Constable and find truth."
Sachiko is also flush with Fatigue she listens to Yalka and awaits an answer for the gnome.
Mumbling under his breath, Grumblenaught efficiently racks another bolt into place as the huge, chitinous legs withdraw from view.
Not willing to let an opportunity for a finishing blow pass so easily, the dwarf calmly steps forward to the edge of the side tunnel and peers after the scuttling abomination.
Watching Yalka as she exits the tunnel, Val sees the dwarf who jumped in to aid her is not with the woman. "Where is Grumblenaught?" she queries in a brusque tone.
"What you...you, small person, Why you know about Constable & Spiders, but not help him? Muster maybe take you back to see Constable and find truth."
"And why, tall person, should I have helped him and his cowherd? Why should I show hospitality towards men who traipse around all armed an' armored?
And he grins at you. "But, that aside, help them I did! They sought treasure, buried in the caves. And treasure I showed them.
"And so you come, banging your shields and whooping up with your spells. You seek vengeance. You seek the Blackspeares and, you know what, I'll show you to them.
"Drop down that hole and set off this direction," he says, gesturing north, "you'll find their own terrible lair. But they're not home. Last night, they set out to meet you, up that way," he gestures towards the northwest, "up the river bluffs."
Grumblenaught
You turn the corner and see something like the mad slashers, but much larger: the central sphere is probably 3' in diameter. There are a half-dozen or so mad slashers bundled up, clinging to that central body mass, all of them looking at you with agitation.
The central sphere has more than six legs: somewhere about 10 or 12, and they're all scrunched up pushing the creature down the narrowing tunnel.
I need you to make a Will save, Grumblenaught.
I try to stay clear of assuming decisions for other PC's if their players don't post often, Quandary. (Even so, given my role, it's inevitable to a certain extent.)
Rather than retrofit what you would have done, I'd be more comfortable with Yalka assuming that Grumblenaught would, of course, be following right behind her, and then honestly surprised when she sees he's not.
The round after you realize he's still down there, you're free to rush after him, of course.
Martaug shrugs at the gnomes words "Well, den, most'a 'em won't be comin' back. I tink it would be good ta see this lair'a dere's. We might find out more about da nature'a threat."
Grumblenaught, a wave of fear and revulsion washes over you, but you're free to act as you please. You're only several steps behind Yalka as she reaches the hole to the surface. (And you know that up to a half-dozen more of the little beasties are that close.)
Martaug, the farmstead is to the east. Wherever the Blackspeares went --or more precisely, wherever the gnome claims the Blackspeares went-- to wait for you is somewhere else.
Nonetheless, the gnome's expression seems to soften as your words. "If they are moving across the surface world again, using these, my hills, as a base, you may be doing me a favor in this. Be you seeking them with fire," he says, nodding at Deserach, "or water?"
Yalka's eyes glaze over as the Gnome's spiel turns to "Fire & Water"
Phht! If this character ISN'T a story-chanter, it sure could give one a run for the money...
Turning back as my stout companion scrabbles up out of the tunnel, a bit later than I expected,
I lend a hand to help climb out, and silently focus my thoughts for a moment...
"Yalka think good cover tunnel again with big stone. Keep spider thingies inside. Anyone help?"
I'll try and wedge the stone as tightly as possible, re-latching the mechanism (if there was one).
"Yalka think good cover tunnel again with big stone. Keep spider thingies inside. Anyone help?"
The gnome smiles. "That's the wisest thing any of you have said so far. Go back to your homes and houses. Leave those things be which move within the Earth."
Yalka, you would need one other person to help you seal up the Blackspeares' lair; the boulder's weight and bulk are more than you can lift.
"Yalka think good cover tunnel again with big stone. Keep spider thingies inside. Anyone help?"
"More'n a few o' them skitterer down there, an' none too pleasant-minded, I saw," offers Grumblenaught to the group in general. Setting his trusty crossbow carefully to the ground, he shrugs his shoulders to loosen them, and digs in beside Yalka, heaving at the capstone.
Sachiko will gladly help move the boulder back in place.
"We will not be going back to our homes and letting these creatures continue to kill innocents," the paladin says sharply, a frown marring her face. "However, we first seek the undead that attacked the Roslen's farm last night. The tracks led here, although there were no spiders among them that we saw. These blackspears - does their lair connect with this by chance? And what payment is it you believe they still seek, that persists beyond death?"
On a count of three, Yalka, Sachiko, and Grumblenaught lift the boulder and set it down on the hole, where it nestles with a peculiar "click".
The gnome crosses over the silver boundary, climbs atop the boulder, and sits, facing you. He looks to the west, and squints into the sun as it makes its way down to the horizon.
"We will not be going back to our homes and letting these creatures continue to kill innocents," the paladin says sharply, a frown marring her face. "However, we first seek the undead that attacked the Roslen's farm last night. The tracks led here, although there were no spiders among them that we saw. These blackspears - does their lair connect with this by chance? And what payment is it you believe they still seek, that persists beyond death?"
"I can tell you what I know, which is not much. A cadre of the Blackspeares passed through these, my hills, some seven-score years ago, carrying a couple of wagonloads of treasure, or at least that what they themselves believe. They were caught by something, perhaps and perchance the Spider King. That'd be my guess, at any rate. They died, and rose, and dwell now in their great tomb warrens.
"They think their treasure is still 'round here and ready, but they can't get to it. Something's sanctified the aquifer, and the loot is sealed from them by scalding water.
"So they plot, and they plan, and they've been worried about it for lo these years. They keep to themselves, which is good, and every few years one of them will fall prey to the other dangers underground, like these little menaces you've killed, and that's better. And after more than a century, they've finally found the means an' materials to pump the water. A few more months, and they'll take their goods and be on their way, clear of these lands. And that will be a fine day, indeed."
Valdisara,
We had our first play-by-chat this morning. It went something like this:
At the mound
‹Martaug› "So, are da undead Blackspears and live Blackspears workin' in concert, den?"
‹Chris Mortika› The gnome turns to Martaug, an edge of frustration in his voice: "Are there living Blackspeares around here, then?"
* Valdisara shakes her head at Martaug and the gnome
‹Valdisara› my companion misunderstands.
‹Grumblenaught› "So. Who was it what said that these blackspeares was waitin fer us ta crash their party?"
* Valdisara looks at Martaug
‹Valdisara› I believe the Blackspears are all the walking dead by this point, at least based on everything we have heard
* Grumblenaught claps the dirt off his hands and shoulders his crossbow
‹Martaug› (I'm sorry, I was confusing them with the Vipers that attacked us on the way out. Don't blame poor Martaug for his handler's density)
* Valdisara turns back to the gnome
‹Valdisara› I think I understand.. do you have any knowledge of their numbers? The blackspeares I mean.
‹Chris Mortika› The gnome replies to Grumblenaught: "For people who don't draw breath, the Blackspeares were making quite the racket when they left just before dawn. There are only a handful of them remaining, and they all went off that way" he gestures towards the west) with their pet puff of evil.
‹Martaug› "An' dese little slicy critters... are dey in other caves aroun' here or are dey confined to dis one?"
‹Chris Mortika› "The whirling what-cha-ma-dingies? There's something down there that's breeding them. They sometimes wander off, but as long as they don't surface, it's neither my concern nor care."
* Grumblenaught nods brusquely at the diminutive figure
‹Valdisara› And does this cave connect to the Blackspears' lair, if you know?
‹Grumblenaught› "An yer not objectin' ta us puttin' a finish to 'em, assumin' the gods favor us…"(meaning the bandits, not the skitterers)
‹Martaug› Martaug huffs under his breath "We should end both of 'em, dey's all unnatural."
‹Chris Mortika› "Thank you, no. Not if you kill them and leave. But if we have wave after wave of your friends, and their cousins and the odd fortune-hunters, and their blood-sworn comrades..
* Grumblenaught absently rummages in his satchels, looking for the remnants of his wheel of cheese
‹Valdisara› I don't think that will be a concern.
* Valdisara looks to the others
‹Valdisara› So, to the Blackspears?
‹Grumblenaught› Can't speak fer anyone else, but meself, I'd be content ta keep ta me traditional haunts. Gold doesn'a inspire me. In an of itself, anyhows. I'd rather see folks what need lookin after get looked after, rather than me hoardin' coins
‹Valdisara› (yep)
‹Martaug› "Me either. I'm tryin' to keep the farmers 'round Carrion Hill usin' their land wisely an' livin' in balance... not tryin' to send 'em off to colonize more."
* Valdisara looks back to the gnome
‹Valdisara› DO you know how the Blackspears are getting rid of the water that kept them from their treasure?
‹Grumblenaught› They be usin the windmills, lassie.
* Grumblenaught carves a few mouthfuls of cheese and offers the rest of the wheel around, with a raised brow
‹Martaug› Martaug takes a slice with a nod of thanks.
* Valdisara sighs
‹Valdisara› Is there another way in?
‹Grumblenaught› Always another way in
* Valdisara that is my thought as well.. especially for thieves
‹Chris Mortika› (Well, the tunnel to the Blackspeares' lair went north, away from the Mad Slashers' area. If there is another entrance, it might be there.)
‹Valdisara› Do you know of any, Gnome?
‹Chris Mortika› (Sorry, didn't realize you were talking to the gnome.) "Eh? If so, it's probably harder to reach than this one. For the last few seasons, they've been havin' their comings and goin's through this hole, even with the whirlin' things here."
* Valdisara nods
‹Valdisara› Well, it seems this is the best way in then.. problem is getting by those creatures in one piece.
‹Grumblenaught› Chris, were the bundled baby skitteres pursuing Grumble as he left, or just dangling from the big one?
‹Chris Mortika› Grumblenaught, you would say that they were dangling from the larger one, but seeing you riled them up. If you'd stayed down there another round, you might have had a half-dozen of them after you.
‹Grumblenaught› <nods> Pretty much what I figgered
‹Valdisara› facing the gnome, says "Do you know if they are vulnerable to anything in particular? The spiders, I mean."
‹Martaug› Martaug winces and whispers "Not spiders."
‹Grumblenaught› They don't take well ta cold iron, I can offer that
‹Martaug› Martaug shrugs "Well, I don't have any'a dat, but our weapons did work on 'em."
‹Valdisara› Perhaps we could kill them with fire?
‹Martaug› "I can call on da nature spirits ta give me fire in my hand, but it'll only be good fer one attack."
‹Chris Mortika› So, there see to be three or four clear options: (1) open this seal and go north, (2) hunt around to the north for another entrance to the Blackspeares' lair. (3) Go back and follow Gunlar's directions / the footprints to the cave a little ways to the north, where the treasure is supposed to be. (4) Head west a mile or so to the windmill.
‹Martaug› to the group: "Well, I think dat dese slicy critters are too spry fer us right now. We need to rest if we're goin' to take 'em on face to face."
‹Grumblenaught› Gnome. How many of the Bandits set forth this mornin', and what evil went with 'em?
‹Chris Mortika› "Dwarf. A handful, and their deranged little smoke creature."
* Grumblenaught nods ‹Grumblenaught› A wraith of some sort, yer meanin? The one what escaped us last night, I am wagerin
* Valdisara nods
‹Valdisara› “That makes the most sense.”
‹Martaug› To the gnome "So, was yer magic circle goin' to keep ‘em at bay?”
‹Chris Mortika› The gnome turns to Martaug. "No, it won't last that long. It was to keep the Whirling things secure, an' yourselves, naturally, if you were planning on doing somethin' nasty."
‹Martaug› Martaug sneers at the gnome "How sweet'a ya."
‹Chris Mortika› "I am many things at many times, orcling. I am naive, and I am wise. I am unarmed and helpless, and I am terrible in my power. I am affable and social, and I want nothing more than solitude here. I crave excitement and stillness. But of all times and laces, I am never 'sweet'."
* Valdisara snorts
‹Valdisara› Well, we have some other options for gaining access.. why don't we go try one of those
‹Grumblenaught› I can get us t'the boy's entrance, no worries. Can also take us t'the windmill.
‹Grumblenaught› Chris, can Grumble make a guess at which of the places the bandits were headed, based on tracks? Windmill or cave?
‹Chris Mortika› Grumblenaught: to the windmill; it's over that way.
* Valdisara mentally rolls her eyes at the gnome's words
‹Valdisara› You, gnome - you are only interested in keeping these creatures at bay, not in destroying them?
‹Chris Mortika› Valdisara, the gnome looks at you with a perplexed expression on its face. "Tucked away, they do me no harm, nor these lands."
‹Valdisara› But does it not concern you that they and their evil persist? What if your wards and boulder should fail? The creatures below are unnatural to say the least.. and the Blackspeares, they are a blight on the land and need .. put to rest. I am asking if you would aid us in this, or be content to continue as you have."
‹Martaug› "I agree wit’ you, Val, but I also t'ink they's da more passive evil. We need to worry about da Blackspears first."
* Valdisara nods at Martaug's suggestion
‹Martaug› "Well thanks, Ubbfelldigaitifurght. Yer a confoundin' font of information, but we do appreciate it.
"I t'ink we should head over ta da windmill. It's not far away, so it'll be quick ta check out."
‹Chris Mortika› Valdisara, the gnome looks at you very carefully, and you realize he's sizing you up. "They make less ruckus than you do, with your charging about and swearing vengeance."
‹Valdisara› "There is no vengence here, Ubbfelldigaitifurght, only what is right and just."
‹Grumblenaught› Don't make me shoot anyone now that I have just filled me stomach.
* Grumblenaught sighs
* Valdisara stands resolute before the gnome, meeting his gaze
* Valdisara raises her brows at the gnome challengingly
‹Valdisara› "Well?"
‹Martaug› "C'mon Val, daylight is burnin'."
‹Valdisara› "Hrmph"
‹Chris Mortika› The gnome looks at Valdisara with a crooked smile and says, "If I were the vowin' type, I'd swear you'd said you were here to avenge your big, handsome, strong Constable."
‹Grumblenaught› Lets get the animals ready, while we get folk bandaged up. We can head to the west an the windmill easy enough - tis only a short mile
‹Valdisara› "Some of this group may be, I am not. But no matter, my companion is correct, we are losing daylight. If you are interested in ridding the land of these problems once and for all, come with us and lend your aid. If not, best of luck to you."
‹Martaug› "Nay, Master Pesky. She's here to avenge MY big, handsome, strong Constable. We's ta be married in the spring."
* Valdisara cracks a grin at Martaug's words
* Grumblenaught coughs on his cheese
‹Martaug› "Twill be a lovely affair. We'll send an invitation out to ya. Ta for now."
‹Chris Mortika› The gnome grins back at you: "Now there's the spirit." And he waves you off.
* Grumblenaught steps lively to the north (?) where the animals are tethered
‹Valdisara› "Iomedae keep you"
* Valdisara walks towards the horses as well.
That Evening
‹Chris Mortika› Do you want to go to the windmill today, or head back to the farmhouse for the evening. You've got about another three hours of daylight.
‹Valdisara› (should we leave half the party here? Or send them back to the Roslens to guard for when night comes?)
‹Martaug› (I guess send them back, that would resolve any absentee players)
‹Valdisara› (or we could all go back and rest, level up, and then head to the windmill tomorrow. The question is, can the three of us take whatever we might find if we go without them?)
‹Martaug› (true, that would probably be advantageous. Three of us at 2nd level would be more of a front than 3 of us at 1st. And we can move more quickly without the cart (since we'll have folks at the homestead to take care of it.)
‹Valdisara› (sounds like a plan then)
‹Martaug› (alright, I'm for the house for the night.)
* Valdisara looking at the waning afternoon light.
* Grumblenaught cackles
‹Valdisara› "I think we should go back to the farmstead, in case they come again tonight"
* Grumblenaught nods in assent
* Martaug nods "Arright. Sounds fine enough."
‹Valdisara› "Now that they know the place was protected, they may come in stronger numbers"
‹Grumblenaught› Might be that there's still some leavin's in the missus' stewpot too.
* Grumblenaught grins fondly in remembrance
‹Chris Mortika› Fair enough. You get back to the farmstead around an hour before sunset. The Roslens are nowhere to be seen, but the animals have all been fed and cared for.
‹Grumblenaught› (didn't we send them off to the neighbors?)
‹Valdisara› (think so)
‹Martaug› (yes, after they took care of chores)
‹Valdisara› "Can anyone cook?"
‹Martaug› "Cook good, or cook?"
‹Valdisara› "Just hot cook"
‹Grumblenaught› I c'n arrange fer somethin edible, anyhows, if the missus has washed her kettle
‹Grumblenaught› I think survival can do that
‹Valdisara› "Excellent. As for watches, I think the three of us should keep an eye out, since we can see in the dark somewhat"
‹Martaug› "I can prob'ly make somethin' we can choke down."
‹Martaug› "I do need ta rest ta restore my balance wit' nature and da bounty a' magic it gives me."
‹Grumblenaught› Orislav, you mind curin' up the wounded - I'd hate fer our wee lassie ta ruin her fine gauzy dress by bleedin more onnit
* Grumblenaught frowns disapprovingly at the travesty that is the courtesan Sachiko
‹Chris Mortika› So, the eight of you settle down, and set watches. The night passes uneventfully.
‹Valdisara› "I too need to pray, for strength and guidance."
‹Grumblenaught› BTW, did Sachi ever hand out the "healing" potions she was instructed to give us?
‹Chris Mortika› Grumblenaught, she'll be happy to do so now. They're not healing potions, per se. They're supposed to guard against poisoning, and the instructions were to drink the whole draught in one gulp. If anybody wants to make a Knowledge (nature), roll, that's be fine.
Yalka joins Ustalav Campaign
‹Martaug› Thank the nature spirits, we have a barbarian at the gate!
‹Grumblenaught› Howdy, Barbarian Queen Lady
‹Martaug rolls dice› 1d20+6 » + 18 [+6] = 24
‹Martaug› Good roll for Know(nature)
‹Yalka› whoa... I have to figure out what's going on here first... Are we rolling Know(Nature) for some reason? (I'm decent at that)
‹Martaug› (Yalka, just academically to see the nature of the antidotes that we've been given)
‹Chris Mortika› Yalka, yes, Sachiko is handing out some anti-venin potions with fairly explicit instructions.
‹Yalka rolls dice› 1d20+5 » + 17 [+5] = 22
‹Martaug› (Chris, do they need to be taken before being poisoned? They way you said 'guard against' makes it sound proactive and not reactive.)
‹Chris Mortika› Martaug, yes, proactive.
‹Yalka› Yalka thinks about those potions that funny girl handed out... And wonders if they're better to take BEFORE running into Spiders, or AFTER getting bit.
‹Martaug› Martaug takes his vial, examines it, and then dashes it against the wall. "I ain't havin' none of it."
‹Martaug› "I don't know who you got dat from, girl, but I don' trust it one jot."
‹Valdisara› "Well, with luck we won't encounter any of the spiders where we are going"
‹Yalka› Shaking my head at the confusing turn of events, I ask "What people think strange Gnome. Good or Bad? Yalka almost kill him, but not."
‹Chris Mortika› Martaug, Sachiko is shocked.
‹Valdisara› "The gnome was a waste. Imagine just being content to watch these creatures rather than destroy them"
* Valdisara sighs in annoyance
An hour after dawn, Hilden and Gunlar come over a hill from the northeast.
‹Grumblenaught› Mornin' to ya,mum and laddie.
* Valdisara likewise nods at the returning Roslens
‹Valdisara› "I hope your night was passed safely and quietly"
‹Yalka› "Yalka agree. Something wrong with that Gnome. Maybe we deal with him later."
‹Yalka› "Wind-Mill (with sound of incomprehension) maybe good plan. Muster also can go to cave Gunlar find and get what Blackspears want first...?"
‹Chris Mortika› Yalka, the potion is dwoemered to boost the natural powers of its herbs. Martaug certainly thought there was something wrong with his, though.
‹Martaug› Martaug whips up his spear and points it at the Roslens. He bellows loudly "STAND OVER BY DA WALL NOW, YOU TOO, SACHIKO!!!"
* Valdisara raises her brows and puts her hand on her sword
‹Valdisara› "What's wrong?"
* Grumblenaught steps back to stand beside Martaug, looking somewhat bewildered
‹Martaug› "Dat ain't no antivenom! I don't know if you was tryin' to dope us or not, but it weren't right!"
‹Yalka› I glance at the paladin and the dwarf, with a questioning look... "Orc, what is wrong?"
‹Chris Mortika› Hilden is surprised to see you all here. "No, actually, my night was dreadful. But, please, as long as you're here, let me fix you breakfast."
* Valdisara narrows her eyes at Sachiko
‹Grumblenaught› Never trust a whore
‹Martaug› "And you two were suppose to be stain' away for the night. You was goin' ta finish your chores an' stay at the neighbors!"
‹Valdisara› (sense motive to guage her reaction to Martaug's accusation?)
* Valdisara looks confusedly at Martaug
‹Martaug› (Hang on, did the night pass by? Did I miss that during one of my *offs*?)
‹Valdisara› (lol yes)
‹Yalka› "Mar-Tog, this seem like special an-ti-venom. It has same smell as medicine tribe use when poison beasts threaten. Yalka think just "dweomer" to make bigger. No worry."
‹Chris Mortika› (Martaug, yes. They came by in the morning.)
* Grumblenaught racks a bolt and motions the young courtesan to follow Martaug's instructions
‹Martaug› (dammit! I am sorry, I thought they were getting there just as we were cooking supper. I missed the night passing)
‹Valdisara› (it was uneventful)
‹Grumblenaught› heh. No worries
‹Martaug› (see, P-b-chat is just like P-b-P, just as confusing, only quicker)
‹Chris Mortika› Valdisara, Martaug is not under any compulsions.
‹Valdisara› (sense motive on Sachiko, once she reacts to Martaug's accusation?)
‹Chris Mortika› Valdisara, Sachiko is honestly taken aback, and is not under any compulsions. She does seem to be possessed, though.
‹Yalka› I look at my potion, thinking to drink it as a demonstration, but then dont' have any reason to do so NOW. "Don't hit girl Mar-Tog. You bigger. You like hit girl, try me first!"
‹Valdisara› "The fumes from the potion likely confused him for a moment" (poor Martaug)
‹Grumblenaught› Chris, have the wounded been healed, by Orislav or other methods?
‹Chris Mortika› Grumblenaught, yes.
‹Yalka› I step between Martaug and Sachiko (in melee range) I say to Sachiko "I keep you safe. But you do act very strange. People think."
‹Valdisara› Looks to Sachiko with open suspicion. "What do you hold within you, young one?"
"And do not lie, my goddess will know as thus will I"
* Grumblenaught warily eyes Martaug, Sachiko and the Rolsens.
‹Valdisara› "Yalka, step away from her"
‹Chris Mortika› Sachiko looks abashed. "I carry a revered ancestor spirit within me. It is he who gives me strength."
‹Valdisara› "You are possessed by a ghost?"
* Yalka is relieved
* Grumblenaught mutters "Yer honorable Ancestor should dress you decently.”
‹Chris Mortika› Sachiko is a little confused. "A ghost? Of a sort. But he cannot leave me. She looks distracted for a moment. "He says, unless I am killed."
‹Valdisara› (Chris, can I detect evil on her?)
‹Chris Mortika› Valdisara, there is in fact a trace of evil around her. After several rounds of concentrating, it seems like evil just "around the edges" of her, or evil "eclipsed by" her.
Yalka steps back, still trying to keep in position between Sachiko and the others.
‹Yalka› "Sachiko, are the potions bad at all, or anything but anti-venom?"
‹Chris Mortika› Yalka, Sachiko says, "These were given to us by my mistress, Lady Urthula."
‹Valdisara› Ignoring Yalka's interruption, Val continues to question the girl. "Ghosts.. nay, all undead, are evil and must be put to rest."
* Valdisara draws her blade
‹Yalka› Yalka glances at the Paladin, wondering why she's squinting so much at the girl.
‹Valdisara› "You must be rid of it.. I see its taint on you, Sachiko"
‹Yalka› Bewildered by the turn of events, I haltingly stutter "...Yalka... hear story of good ghost Kas-Pur from story-chanters..."
‹Grumblenaught› Praps we could jes' tie her up? In the sunlight or somesuch...
* Valdisara nods at the dwarf
‹Martaug› "Um, Grumble, she's been in the sunlight wi' us before."
* Grumblenaught nods, abashed
‹Valdisara› "I am unwilling to bring her with us, without further thought and prayer. Perhaps she should remain.. safe, and guarded by one or two of us"
1
‹Grumblenaught› Yer right Martaug. Ain't used ta havin' folk around me who are other folk, an not the folk they says they be
* Grumblenaught shakes his head
‹Chris Mortika› Valdisara, Sachiko replies, It is my burden, as it was my mother's before me, and my daughter's in days yet to come."
‹Valdisara› without taking her eyes off the girl, says to Martaug, "She has a spirit within her that is evil. We must discuss what to do"
‹Yalka› I stare blankly at Sachiko's words, their meaning escaping me. It sounds rather like how the followers of the totem-chanters tend to speak.
‹Chris Mortika› Yalka, you suspect it's exactly like the totem chanters.
‹Grumblenaught› Sorry bout the confusion, missus Rolsen. Havin' a bit of a surprise, y'see
‹Chris Mortika› Gunlar says, "Hey! If you're guardin' Sa- Sa- the nice girl, can you help with the goats? 'Cause we have to clean 'em all today and get 'em ready for market tomorrow."
* Yalka gestures for the group to discuss things out of earshot of their hosts.
‹Valdisara› "We will discuss it on the way to the caves. Until then, I want her to stay here, under guard."
* Grumblenaught wishes that the nice Missus Rolsen would get started on breakfast already, though he hides his desires well
‹Yalka› "Yalka think girl like totem-chanter followers. Never see them do anything exactly bad (or worse than others) but still not like."
‹Valdisara› "You can explain that statement to me on the way, Yalka"
‹Yalka› "Talk is better when walk. Walk to Gunlar cave, or other win-d-mill?"
‹Valdisara› (so we leave Sachiko and the missing folks behind at the farm, to guard her and to help the Roslens)
‹Martaug› (Chris, I'm changing 2 of my 1st level spells to Cure Light, Keeping 1 as Produce flame)
‹Martaug› (sounds good Val. And Martaug will humbly apologize to Hilden and Gunlar about adding them to his outbreak)
The next morning
‹Martaug› Martaug is for going to the windmill.
‹Valdisara› glances at Kara, saying "Keep them safe, and her out of trouble" (at the last, nodding towards Sachiko)
‹Grumblenaught› (sounds good to me. Grumble can lead the way to the windmill whenever we're ready)
‹Valdisara› (ready and falling in!)
* Valdisara gathers up her gear and re-sheathes her blade
‹Valdisara› "Let's get moving"
‹Martaug› Martaug pets his wolf and they join Valdisara.
‹Valdisara› "Grumble, you know the way right?"
‹Chris Mortika› So, you head back to the west. The sky was red as the sun came up, and it looks gloomy and overcast. Just as you step between two trees, Valdisara, you feel like you're stepping away from some power source. Off to the south, several miles away, there's a cluster of crows and larger birds circling slowly. And you see before you the cave Gunlar described.
‹Grumblenaught› I thought we were headed to the windmill, Chris
‹Chris Mortika› The windmill is another mile or so west from here.
‹Martaug› (is the crow swarm in the area of the slasher den?) 10:22:32
‹Chris Mortika› (Martaug, no. The slashers are only a couple hundred feet away. You don't see a connection here with anything you've seen so far.)
* Valdisara sighs as she again feels the change in the land
‹Valdisara› "Do you feel that Martaug?"
* Martaug grunts "Feel what?"
‹Valdisara› "Nevermind. Before we go further, let me tell you all some thoughts I have had"
‹Valdisara› "The Gnome mentioned the blackspears were seeking their lost treasure, which was protected by water. Remember the tale I told you on the way to the farm, about the holy battle that occurred in this area?
Valdisara› I think that they ... hundreds of years ago.. may have found the sacred mace wielded in that battle, but somehow lost it. That may be the treasure they are seeking so diligently."
‹Valdisara› "It warded off evil during the day, so it may have affected the water somehow so that they couldn't get to it."
‹Valdisara› "Depending on where the mace now lies, it might also explain some of the strange sensations I have been having as we walked the land. There are areas that are.. holier,,, than others, as if they have been consecrated."
‹Martaug› "Could be. Da radiance from da mace givin' good pollution to da water."
‹Yalka› "That story was... founder of your... Church?"
* Valdisara shakes her head No at Yalka
‹Valdisara› "No, but a brave paladin within it"
‹Grumblenaught› Din't take you fer a storyteller, lass. Yer sayin' it'd be wiser than not ta go an fetch it?
‹Grumblenaught› Seemed easy enough ta get to, given th' boy's instructions
‹Valdisara› "No, I am saying merely that if it is the mace, it is very powerful and belongs to Iomedae, and to say that it cannot fall into evil's hands"
‹Martaug› "But could be wielded by one'a her followers."
* Valdisara shrugs
‹Valdisara› "Perhaps"
‹Yalka› "Ah, that what Yalka ask. What think, better leave here for 'safety' and go wind-mill, or get maybe-Iomedae-thing and carry with when go wind-mill
‹Valdisara› "The goddess will show us what to do with it, should it come to that. I may be wrong, of course"
‹Martaug› "Well, if'n we recover da mace, dat would make us da targets fer da undead Blackspears. Aldough I don't like dat thought, I like it better'n dem goin after Hilden and Gunlar."
‹Valdisara› "True enough"
‹Grumblenaught› An' it might offer us some protection against 'em as well
‹Martaug› "Arright, let's try it."
‹Grumblenaught› Not that they was much but daisies after all was said an done
‹Martaug› "Yeah, but'a entire field'a daisies might pose more'a challenge."
‹Valdisara› "Regardless of where we enter, we will find the Blackspeares, so here is as good as the windmill, I think"
‹Grumblenaught› Boy said he fell down a shaft and done some swimmin, which'd be easy enough fer the most of us, since we ain't all metal-clad
‹Yalka› "Yalka think we already enemy Blackspear. If Blackspear soon have way to get treasure other way, maybe good us find first."
‹Grumblenaught› I am thinkin' the same as Yalka, meself.
‹Chris Mortika› Yalka, you can tell that someone's been in here over the last few days.
‹Yalka› Last few days, but not since last night? In the time-scale we expected Deputy Win/ Papa Rolson to have been here.
* Grumblenaught points earthward
‹Grumblenaught› See that? Them be wight tracks. Fresh too. Y'can tell 'cause of the way the toes drag.
‹Yalka› "Is that like things we fight at barn?"
‹Grumblenaught› Yurp, ezzackly them. Tracks weren't here yesterday; fresh this mornin’.
‹Grumblenaught› Any tracks coming OUT, Chris?
‹Chris Mortika› No.
* Yalka thinks about killing more of the undead bandits that attacked the farm before... but worries about the kind her spear couldn't hurt.
‹Grumblenaught› Looks like we'll have company inside, m' friends
‹Valdisara› "Well, that is to be expected. Shall we?"
‹Martaug› "Well, den, we need to move quick-like. "
‹Yalka› "Validsara, is WIGHT thing that my spear not hurt other night at Barn?"
‹Valdisara› "I assume so, Yalka."
‹Chris Mortika› Grumblenaught, Gunlar had said: "There's caves all through the hills. The one that I went in, is on the north side of a hillock, maybe ten feet off ground level. It's wide at the mouth, but not tall at all." He turned to Grumblenaught, "Even you'd have to duck to get in. I had to be on hands-and-knees.
"The drop-down was about 15 feet into the cave. I think the main tunnel kept going on, but I never went that way, so maybe not. The drop was like the fall from the room of the house, so, maybe 20 feet or so before I hit the water.
"Did I tell you that the water was cold? Well, it sure was.
"I was sort of turned around when I hit the water, so I couldn't really keep track of how far I travelled from that first drop to the treasure cave. It was a ways, though.”
‹Grumblenaught› <nods> Not much room for ambush prior to hitting the water then.
‹Martaug› Martaug nods, "Let's scout it on out. " He walks toward the entrance. He will help lift Grumble if the dwarf needs it.
‹Yalka› "What order of group? Do we have knot-rope ready?"
‹Grumblenaught› Martaug or Val or meself should go first, since we c'n see best in there.
* Grumblenaught secures his gear tightly before stepping towards the cave entrance
‹Grumblenaught› Grumblenaught surveys the hillock for handholds
‹Chris Mortika› As Gunlar had said, its a steep climb up to the cave, which is a wide gash in the hillside, like a mouth, cracked open with a little underbite.
‹Yalka› Chris: Do we have a heavy branch with us to serve as cross-beam across the shaft, like I said? And knotted rope ready? I have 50' silk rope and grapple, I prefer to keep as backup.
‹Chris Mortika› (Yalka, yes, paladin's Laying-of-hands can hurt undead.
‹Martaug› Is getting up and easy take-10?
‹Grumblenaught rolls dice› 1d20+6 » + 12 [+6] = 18
‹Grumblenaught› Also a climb roll
‹Grumblenaught› Grumble's was to climb UP to the entrance, but if not needed, then apply whenever
‹Chris Mortika› The hill is steep, but not so steep as to require a Climb roll out of combat. Simply "taking ten" would suffice for everyone to make it up to the cave entrance.
‹Yalka› Climb: /roll 1d20+8
‹Yalka rolls dice› 1d20+8 » + 19 [+8] = 27
‹Martaug rolls dice› 1d20+2 » + 10 [+2] = 12
‹Chris Mortika› Excellent. When it comes time to climb down, you'll have great rolls.
‹Chris Mortika› Grumblenaught, looking in, you see that, indeed, not more than ten feet inside, the cave floor gives way. The wight tracks you've found jump over that crevice and continue father into the hillside.
The party is standing just outside the cave that Gunlar described. Grumblenaught pokes his head in, and sees that the cave is a tunnel, extending back perhaps three dozen feet before opening into a larger cavern. Meanwhile, there's a pit spanning the width of the tunnel, about ten feet in from the entrance.
Grumblenaught, you don't hear anything in this cave, but the air feels cool and moist.
"I got bored at the farm, and I have as much right to be here as any of you, if your holier than tho attitude does not like it too bad, but you say you know of duty and honor, well I have a duty and honor that I have to fufill that is harder than any Paladin's code, so like it or not i am here to stay. And to you dwarf, if you call me a whore once more I will see that I take your tougne from your mouth!"
Sachiko bows to the party as her gretting and enters the hole.
"...And to you dwarf, if you call me a whore once more I will see that I take your tougne from your mouth!"
"Right ya be. Would ya prefer me ta label ye "Strumpet" or "Trollop," then?" He scowls at the youthful human girl. "If ya be shamed of bein' noted fer th' trade ye ply, p'raps it be time ta be quit of it, an practice another."
Quite deliberately turning his back on Sachiko, Grumblenaught moves carefully to the lip of the pit, pausing to peer down the hole before gesturing to Yalka for her spare coil of rope.
Sachiko eyes the dwarf and states in a cold and uncaring manner, "Keep it up, and you might end up like your mother and your brother, you know the ones I hear you crying about as you blubber in your sleep, you outcast"
Sachiko's eyes glint with an impending rage and she looks through the fat dwarf, "Good little Sachi, he will fall easy, yes he is no match for you gut him, I see his baby brother now, tell him he burns in the fires of the abyss while his mother frolics with demon spawn"
Grumblenaught
The hole goes down about thirty feet before it hits the surface of water down there. The shaft is more or less circular, with a 7' diameter. The walls are rough, suggesting that the water has never gotten much higher than it is now.
The cave complex ahead of you is quiet.
In particular, I'd point out that both of you are having this conversation at full, normal voice range, neither whispering nor shouting.