Kalitharsis, Walking in the Wastelands

[Jair Barik]

"Very well then. Xerxes, accompany this Sindri, I will send a courier to the other town to meet with you and bring you anything you may need, now if you will excuse me I have to search for something within the hoard."

"Understood mistress."

The dragon turns round and heads back through the doors which close behind it. Xerxes walks up to you.

"Is there anything you need me do then?" about you the priests return to their 'work'.

((OOC: Even on a nat 20 I think your proposed bluff would have failed. :smallamused:))

[Emperor Ing]

((Need moar ranks! Now if you'll excuse me it just came to my attention the latest DBZA (http://teamfourstar.com/) is up. :smallbiggrin:))

First off I must know if what I believe is true. Do you possess the powers of divine magics?

[Jair Barik]

"Though the Gods have long since ceased to speak to the mortal realm or to grace it with their power I do have a certain divinity within my powers of the mind. I can heal the wounds of others as well as my own much faster than the passage of time would normally permit."

[Emperor Ing]

Such powers can prove to be an asset. Will you travel with me now?

[Jair Barik]

"The hoard mother has commandedme to do so and so I must."

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel grins. Excellent. Prehaps I should fill you in on what has conspired so far. Come. Stiekel walks out to the exit of the chapel.

[Jair Barik]

Xerxes follows you closely behind remaining silent for the time being.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel continues. I have already recruited three lizardmen. They are meeting me in Easterdan while they search for a particular elven ranger. Both of us are looking for a psion, one with teleportation power.

[Jair Barik]

Xerxes nods "As has already been discussed by mistress can provide transport there. We only need provide transport back."

[Emperor Ing]

Personally I have considered using it to transport back. Still, I hope that any psion we find could be an asset. Plus it would save us from having to risk encountering the desert. At one time I was being chased by what I assumed to be an undead version of myself.

[Jair Barik]

"How strange. My mistress' reluctance to give us means to return is not unfounded though. If say this is a trap and she hands you an artifact from her hoard you could easily run away with it and she would never see the object again. You see her concern then and it is not withouht reason, after all, you have already admitted to intending to betray Alarev, why wouldn't you betray us also?"

[Emperor Ing]

Because I do not have a reason to not trust you. Hear me out, as noble as the goal of Alarev may be, the prospect of the new world order should be approached with skepticism and caution. Almost nobody in this day and age acts out of nobility or selflessness. While this may be subject to change I do not intend to betray Alarev, I simply wish to have him recieve his sword personally, not be delivered by some faceless courier.

[Jair Barik]

"Very well. Where do you intend to go now though?"

[Emperor Ing]

That depends. Do you personally know of any psions?

[Jair Barik]

"Most of the Psions around these parts are under the cities thumb. They follow the rulers like dogs follow their masters. They don't take kindly to the Cult of Gold and they would not be likely to agree with raiding Gecis."

[Emperor Ing]

This goes well with my plan to use the gift from your Hoard Mother on our way out. We can use a psion to transport us to the ruin.

[Jair Barik]

"I don't think you comprehend. The hoard mothers 'gift' will be being brought by another of the acoloytes, likely it is some staff or such like, the acoloyte will likely use the gift and then return it afterwards. The cult does not take kindly to people taking the treasures it has spent so much effort collecting into places where they are likely to be lost again."

[Emperor Ing]

Oh, oooh, now I see. I was expecting a scroll, the kind that is destroyed upon its use. Oh my this makes things much more complicated.

[Jair Barik]

"Indeed. Because they were by nature quite fragile few scrolls actually survived the scourging. This means that most of the treasures the cult possesses are much more solid in nature, made out of metals and alloys that weathered the test of time more easily. Paper dating from before the scourging is a great rarity."

[Emperor Ing]

I have three such books. All three allegedly date back before the scourging, but this is irrelevent. Tell me more about your talents.

[Jair Barik]

"What is there to say? I am predominantly trained in the art of curing people of their wounds, taking their wounds upon myself and healing people of the ill effects of undead attacks and the like. It is gard to find a healer in the world, so those that seek to make a proffesion of it do well to train hard in it and make a good living out of it."

[Emperor Ing]

So tell me then, have you been outside of this city?

[Jair Barik]

"Occassionally. It is dangerous out there, many creatures that will eat you alive, some that are even worse. On the whole the undead are the biggest threat but when your out there the first rule to remember is that everything could want to kill you. Hmmm? Who are they?"

A group of three humanoids is approaching you down the alley you are currently walking through. They appear to be an elf, halfling and dwarf robed in cloaks of blue, green and red respectively. Their appearance is quite unusual and the best word to describe them is probably 'fantastics'.

The elf seems to lead the group and runs up to meet you, all three appear to be male.

"Greetings great and gleeful guests! Tired travellers are we, trecking troubled through timeless trenches over tattered tholus and, tempted to take time to think, travelled to this township of tenacious troops! Amiably assembling we chanced upon our aged and altogether able friend Alarev, who whilst wandering with wearied wonder gained generous goals of getting gold and glory in Gecis! Seek Stiekel said sombre Alarev and such a strange way he spoke, but seek such a stranger we have and so we seekers three to you offer our services." the elf bows with a flourish.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel seems at least a bit suprised by this friendly inquisition, and even more so by the chaotically alliteratorial elf.
I am Stiekel, and I am more than willing to accept your service. She remembers a slight inconsistency, and turns to Xerxes. "Stiekel" is my real name, Sindri is just a false alias used for nothing more than inconspicuicy and...I prefer to be called that sometimes. She turns back to the group. Please, tell me whom it is that offers their services.

[Jair Barik]

Xerxes frowns at you and the elf smiles and continues to speak.

"Stupendous! Seth Seril steps forward and smiles sagely at Stiekel the sometimes Sindri for a seer stands steady before such as you."

Next the halfling steps forwards.
"Nolan Nerik notifies you if his name noble Stiekel. Never is night a nether night for Nolan for Nolan be a Nomad noble and nice."

Finally the dwarf steps forwards
"Taga Torth takes tired truth and tells Stiekel he be A Telepath, taker of thought, teller of tales and tricker of tricksters."

[Emperor Ing]

More alliteratorials? Oh my you are reading my mind at this moment are you not?

[Jair Barik]

((OOC: Well one if them us a Telepath :smallbiggrin: . Whys your mind on alliteration?))

[Emperor Ing]

((:smalleek: Oh god it was completely unintentional, I swear! Still, don't forget that I superimpose Stiekel's thoughts into the black-text narrative.))

[Jair Barik]

((OOC; ohhhhh so Stiekels mind is on alliteration!...why? Also they are kind opf waiting for Stiekel to respond))

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel scans the group again. Apparently they are all in on this joke.
By any chance do you have powers of teleportation?

[Jair Barik]

Nolan nods. "To teleport, to trek through the tiring toil of journey without taking time, that tis the task of this one, the Nomad travells through the land."

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel lights up. Spectacular! In this case I see no reason why we should not go to Easterdam as soon as possible. If you have any questions now would be the best time to ask.

[Jair Barik]

Xerxes decides now is a good time to speak up.
"I assume then that you have all of your provisions already purchased then? I am in so such state of readiness and will need to buy food for the expedition before I am ready to depart. How long do you think we will be there?"

[Emperor Ing]

A day on foot is the estimated time of travel, purchasing of rations would be wise as I have need to do so myself. I recommend excess in the event that we are slowed or underestimate distance.
Stiekel will lead the group to the market district where they can buy food rations.

[Jair Barik]

Your various companions stock up on rations whilst at the market.
(You buying anything or did you have some food left?)

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel will buy two days worth of rations. She plans to re-stock when she gets to Easterdam. ((I'm always accidentally adding "n" at the end of Easterdam :smalltongue:))

[Jair Barik]

(so are you planning on moving out yet? Theres still names on the list if you think you need them and you havent actually read the notes)

[Emperor Ing]

(( Notes? ))

[Jair Barik]

((As well as the list of names Alarev gave you the halflings notes that would prevent you dying horribly during your expedition. Gecis is a colossal labyrinthe wandering around aimlessly would be futile))

[Emperor Ing]

((It would probably be worth looking at once the whole group is assembled at Easterdam.))

[Jair Barik]

(So you headed out there now then?)

[Emperor Ing]

((As soon as everyone, including me, gets their travel rations.))

[Jair Barik]

The day travelling to Easterdam is thankfully uneventful shortly after you arrive a second kobold who is known by Xerxes also turns up. You find the three Lizardmen at the only inn in town. Easterdam is not very big.

[Emperor Ing]

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll246/EmperorIng/gentlemen.png
((Don't worry about that little snippet on the side. >_< ))

[Jair Barik]

((lol wut?))

[Emperor Ing]

Gentlemen.

[Jair Barik]

"Delik says you made it. Delik also says you brought some more friends for the trip."

Xerxes looks at the three Lizardmen. "So this is the enterity of the expedition is it? The five of us and these three Lizardmen?"

[Emperor Ing]

Not quite. Stiekel turns to Delik. Did you find the elven ranger?

[Jair Barik]

Delik nods.

"Delik says yes. She is waiting inside."

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel nods. Excellent, I shall meet with her now. Which is what Stiekel does.

[Jair Barik]

Going inside the inn it is a dank (perhaps even squalid) little place, filled with desert dust. It appears the settlement has a predominant Lizardman population as opposed to Kobold, explaining why it is built aboveground as opposed to below. Sitting at one of the tables is a heavily scarred and battle hardened looking woman in brown travelling cloak, with pointed ears and a bow across her back.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel takes a quick glance at her list, and looks back up at the elf.
Taniya I presume?

[Jair Barik]

The elf looks over in your direction.
"Aye. I assume you are the one Alarev is sending? The smuggler and his two lackies told me he had chosen a kobold to lead the expedition, a Psion and a woman no less."

[Emperor Ing]

And they would be correct. I am certain Alarev has already filled you in as to the nature of the ruin, true?

[Jair Barik]

"Aye. So how many are we taking? I've arranged for camels for crossing the desert but as i said everyone needs to supply their own rations."

[Emperor Ing]

((I seriously hope i'm not misinterpreting here...))
That will not be necessary. I have already arranged teleportation to and from Gecis. As for our numbers we are at nine strong.

[Jair Barik]

"Nine? Hmm. Well if we don't have to do any travelling then that should be fine. So who is there beside myself you and the three lizards? More crooks and felons?"

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel briefly turns outside before turning back to Taniya
The Alliterary Trio and a priest and healer of my kind. It will be a psion of the alliterary trio that transports us there. I am unfamiliar with the outstanding warrants against them if any at all. Nor am I a felon outside of the unique nature of my psionic powers that grant me the unpleasantries of false accusations of arcane sorcery and wizardry.

[Jair Barik]

Taniya frowns. "I'm sorry who? What trio? Also even with another three people that only makes eight by my calculations."

[Emperor Ing]

An unoffical name I gave to three individuals who approached me in the prior town. You will know if you speak to them. Their names are Seth Seril, Nolan Nerik, and Taga Torth. The name of the priest is Xerxes, and he is of the kobold race. The reason our estimates retain a difference of one is that you failed to include yourself.

[Jair Barik]

"Of course. Shall I leave the camels here then or would they not have any effect on teleportation? Also I assume you are aware of why your friend is missing his tongue? It is not my place to question your laws but still."

[Emperor Ing]

I was completely ignorant of this punishment prior, but this is likely a conversation for another time. As for the camels, hold that thought. Stiekel goes outside and summons the group inside.

[Jair Barik]

The fellowship of the ring nine travellers with no named group affiliation assemble inside. The other people in the inn are quite intrigued by this unusual gathering and watch with keen interest. Everyone awaits your word.

The group consists of
Frodo Baggins Stiekel
Samwise Gamgee Delik
Meriadoc Brandybuck Bort
Peregrin Took Burk
Gandalf the Grey Xerxes
Aragorn Taniya
Legolas Seth
Gimli Taga
Boromir Nolan
and in addition to the goup there is also Bill the Pony the Kobold from the Cult of Gold who has brought your means of transport.

(OOC: Sigh... you just had to have the group come out at nine people didn't you :smallamused:)

[Emperor Ing]

((Yes. :smallbiggrin:))

Stiekel scans the group and removes the halfling king's notes on Gecis, holding them in hand.
Gentlemen, lady, we're all here for one simple purpose. We all want something, whether it be fame, fortune, freedom, or redemption. Today we will risk it all just to hope to see it happen. The risks are great but I see among me some of the finest warriors in the wastes. At this point I almost feel sorry for the guardians of- others are listening! -our destination. We are not unprepared. I have in my hand the notes of a great halfling king far older than I concerning our destination. We shall review it now else we shall be going in blind.
Stiekel puts the notes on the table.

[Jair Barik]

"Halfling king? Hardly what I'd have called him..."

The notes read as follows...

I have put much money into this project and so have no intention of leaving anything up to chance for the potential rewards that my task will bare will far outweight the expenses I have acquired. With a good sword in hand and a sturdy suit of leather I do not fear the risen dead but regardless of this I have hired the best help I can for the task ahead. So as to avoid betrayal or trouble from the locals I thought it pertinent to hire my help from closer to home. My hired muscle consists of a half ogre, a troll and a pair of Gnolls. All dumb as a post but i hardly expect any of them to see a share of the treasure wether they survive the jouney or not. One of my Psions, a man by the name of Kreoss will be teleporting us there and back while Joon will be escorting me through the catacombs. Kreoss intends to teleport us about a mile outside of the ruins for reasons of paranoia and supersition. Finally the wyrm Beyul will be joining us to guide us past many of the problems that only those bearing draconic blood may pass. He is an idiot of a blue dragon, even for his younger age but is more than willing to help us so long as I provide him his elixer.

Deciding which tomb to loot out of Gecis was a hrad decision. Not one of the well known ones as they have likely already been emptied, and not one that I couldn't find any information on. That is why i have settled upon the tomb of the Gold dragon Gargagrz. Its location is known as was the dragons insatiable greed but getting into the tomb has always been a task far too difficult for any treasure hunter in the past. Much research and divining has proved difficult but I have finally worked out how to reach the treasure safely.

First of all its location. From the ancient records salvaged by the dragons one can build a map of what the city used to be like but sadly most of the details are gone. As far as I am aware the nearest entrance to Gargagrz lair is blocked so we will be taking the spiral turret passage instead, it is easy enought to locate once you are in the ruins.

Having reached the bottom of the spiral we will come to the labrinthe. I have made a map of a safe passage here and will copy it precisely into my final notes.

(a map interrupts the writing here)

The next problem is descending the pit but thankfully i am more than capable of doing such a thing. It is estimated to be approximately 200ft deep. Once we reach the bottom of the shaft we are in the dragons lair and must be cautious. The great hall door is likely trapped but I have aquired a key so all is good. The great hall itself is a fake built to lull thieves into a false sense of security. As far as I can tell the dragon flew across it to avoid the traps that riddled the floor. I have no idea how his servants crossed though but with my resources I need hardly worry about such a minor detail. Once in the true great hall it is of vital importance that you turn left, then right, then straight then left again. All that glitters is not gold. This should take you up to the antechamber to the dragons sleeping chambers. The door can only be opened by those bearing a trace of draconic blood or a shared ancestry to the dragons, a means for keeping those who were not its servants out I presume. The antechamber itself has a guardian of some sort which we are more than prepared to fell. After this is another trapped door which i have the key for and then the dragons hoard. The only defence of the hoard is long dead and so all the treasure will be ours for the taking. We cannot fail!

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel reads them aloud to the group, but replacing all mentions of "Gecis" with "Our destination" as well as correcting certain typos in the text.

[Jair Barik]

"So any thoughts on that then? And does anybody have 100ft of rope?"

"Delik says he can probably get rope."

None of the group have the heart to point out that a few posts back Stiekel's speach pattern changed colour :smallamused:

[Emperor Ing]

((Her "speach" color didn't change, I don't even know if she even has one. Though I accidentally did change her speech color to that of an NPC in a game i'm DMing. :smalltongue: ))

And is there anyone here with draconic heritage?

[Jair Barik]

Taniya looks at the group and smiles.

"It depends on what that even means. I see nobody who is a dragon, or even half dragon from the looks of things, but the way I read it was that any dragonblooded race would do. Likely Kobolds possibly even Lizardmen."

"But you could be wrong."

"Perpelxing puzzles and confounding confusions these words written woud wound were we to read wrong..."

"Wait what?"

"Delik says why the elf crazy."

"Strange signs this script has scribed such that sights should lead safe the path 'pon which we tread."

"Oh...Gods..."

"Delik says shut up now."

"The spiral spoken of seems strange to read, so perhaps its shape shall be the sign to set us on the straight."

"This is clearly going to end well...."

"Delik says he wishes he was deaf too."

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel looks at Taniya and mouths "I told you so" silently.
Prehaps we can use psionics. If the door cannot be openned through any of our bloods, we can simply teleport past it. Also, please save the violence for the undead guardians.

[Jair Barik]

"Apart from the rope is there anything else we need to pick up?"

[Emperor Ing]

I am listening to all input. If anyone has any ideas as to what we may need please speak up. For the sake of readiness I suggest getting whatever it is in excess.

[Jair Barik]

"Delik says dat if we teleport straight into the ruins then you should all listen to him and do exactly as he says so we don't all die."
"Delik lived through a lot, Delik knows how to survive."

Everyone else seems uncertain as to what could be needed. There appears ti be many dangers ahead but the notes are vague and it is unclear what might be needed.

[Emperor Ing]

I do not wish to have any dark intuitions, bad feelings, or instinctual hunches unheard, I want everyone to keep a vigilant eye open for anything that even remotely resembles a trap. Your instincts and warnings shall not fall on deaf ears Delik, I will see to that. Until then take the time to get whatever supplies you think you need, including that 100 foot rope you wanted.

[Jair Barik]

The party disassembles and meets back at the inn later on. As well as the rope a couple of members seem to have stocked up on other items such as food, extra water and various odd little objects they could find around town.

((Doing anything or ready to head out?))

[Emperor Ing]

Buying an extra ration just in case, and now ready to head out.

[Jair Barik]

Meeting outside the inn Xerxes coughs to get everyones attention.

"If you are all ready then we can leave. Where should my friend aim to port us Stiekel?"

[Emperor Ing]

If the notes are correct, teleporting approximately a mile outside the ruin would be wise. The chance that it is superstitious nonsense is likely, but it is not a risk I wish to take. Also I wish to be teleported facing the direction of the ruin.

[Jair Barik]

"Very well then."
"Delik says we are all organised wrong."
The two lizardmen direct everyone into a formation with the Psions at the centre and the more combat oriented members along the outside of the group when they are happy with this Xerxes friend draws out a wizards staff with a knob on one end and begins chanting.

"Do not break formation. On my mark we begin moving forwards. Fast." the voice is booming and not one you have heard before. it seems to come from in the group.

"What?"
"Huh?"
"Wait what?"
"Wait who?"
"Wait where?"

*pop*

there is a flash of light and you are all standing in the middle of the desert. Standing far before you are a series of majestic ruins rising up from the earth, broken stone shapes visible across the horizon, a testament to an age past, the ruins of the once great civilisation of dragons. Gecis.

"HOLD!"

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel is little more curious about the mysterious voice. Upon entering the desert she adjusts her hood to the sunlight while looking around and casting Blindsight on herself.

[Jair Barik]

There doesn't appear to be anyone else around.

"What is going on?"

"hold and ready yourselves. They are going to hit any second now."

[Emperor Ing]

I do not know.
She casts Mage Armor on herself

[Jair Barik]

Uh oh...

The earth erupts as the skeletal forms of Kobolds rise up about you. In addition to the imminent threat of the kobolds further afield partially decomposed humanoids begin shambling up out of the sand and faster looking humanoids burst out with great speed ravenous hunger upon their faces. In the north headed towards you from Gecis you can just about make out the shape of something big and winged heading towards you at high speed but it is much too far away for the time being. In the east a pair of large stony looking creatures burst up from the sand, a dark glow about them. A few human skeletons also burst out igniting into flames as they are touched by the suns light. Some of the faster looking undead also seem to have rather long claws.

Only one thing for it... (http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=4&p=000509)

(OOC:The party wins initiative, what do you do?)

MAP (warning mucho grande)
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc97/dragonhunter55/bigmap.png

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel, with a great leap, jumps 5 feet diagonally and fires a rocket launcher that she pulls out of thin air at a three-zombie group to the north-east, all in midair.

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/5450/fireballt.png
Okay, maybe she didn't fire a rocket launcher, just trying to keep the theme going. :smalltongue:

[roll0]

[Jair Barik]

The fireball toasts the three undead. they won't be getting back up.
"Attack!"
One of the two big lizardfolks (you can't really tell them apart) swings his club around managing to smash one of the skeletons to dust, but his other targets are too small and nimble to hit. The second does likewise but also manages to land a bit on a second skeleton but his teeth prove to do nothing to the bony form. Taniya notches three arrows and shoots down another skeleton but misses her second two targets. Delik and the Psions draw crossbows but these prove to have little effect against the undead.


[roll0] [roll1]
[roll2] [roll3]
[roll4] [roll5]

[roll6] [roll7]
[roll8] [roll9]
[roll10] [roll11]

[roll12] [roll13]
[roll14] [roll15]
[roll16] [roll17]

[roll18] [roll19]

[roll20] [roll21]
[roll22] [roll23]
[roll24] [roll25]

[Jair Barik]

The undead hordes advance but both Lizardmen manage to smoosh one of the advancing monsters with their massive clubs. It appears as thoguh the worst of the enemy are still yet to hit but the scrabbling claws of the massed skeletons scratch both Lizard thugs (4 damage to one 3 to the other) Taniya and Delik take the rest of the intial assualt eeasily dodging their foes and Taniya getting attacked but not hit by one of the flaming skeletons.

(Your go)

Map
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc97/dragonhunter55/bigmap-1.png


Against BigLiz1 v AC18
[roll1]
[roll2] [roll3]
[roll4] [roll5]
[roll6] [roll7]
[roll8] [roll9]
[roll10] [roll11]

Against Big Liz 2 vAC18
[roll12] [roll13]
[roll14] [roll15]
[roll16] [roll17]

Against Delikv AC22
[roll18] [roll19]
[roll20] [roll21]

Against Taniyav AC18
[roll22] [roll]1d4+1+1d6
[roll]1d4+1+1d6
[roll24] [roll25]
[roll26] [roll27]

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel moves 5 ft up northwest, and fires the bead of the fireball spell 5 feet south of the skeleton that is south of the flaming skeleton that is northwest of Delik.
[roll0]

[Jair Barik]

The flames toast two skeletons and a zombie but the flamer doesn't appear to be touched in the slightest. Delik puts his bow away drawing a sword instead and backs away slightly towards the rest of the group. Taniya drops her bow and pulls out a sword instead. The Lizards manage to smash another three skeletons with their clubs and another takes considerable damage from their fangs. The three Psions don't fire their crossbows but unleash some powers instead. A wall of a myserious roiling semitransparent substance appears to the east slowing the enemy advance, a ball of flames erupts in the south taking out three of the enemy and a blast of enrgy hurls a zombie to its death.


[roll0] [roll1]
[roll2] [roll3]
[roll4] [roll5]

[roll6] [roll7]
[roll8] [roll9]
[roll10] [roll11]

[roll12]

[roll13] [roll14]

[Jair Barik]

The flying shape is getting worringly close now but you cannot make out its details. It looks as though it likely has big wings. The two big Lizardmen are swarmed by the living dead but they manage to tough it out taking only minor injuries from the scrabbling claws and taking down another skelly as it gets within clubs reach (1 damage each). the flaming skeleton manages to land a blow on Taniya who grunts in pain, as does a kobold skeleton (11 damage). One of the flamers has managed to close on you now after charging to get in range. its first swipe goes horribly wide but the second penetrates your mage armour (6 damage 2 of which is fire). The other dead continue to advance. From the sound of things one of the big earth things is trying to break through the wall kool aid man style. It is yet to succeed.

(OOC: Your turn. Also as a side note my music is on shuffle and has played thriller twice whilst doing these posts)

map

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc97/dragonhunter55/bigmap-2.png



Against BigLiz1 v AC18 (4 damage)
[roll0] [roll1]
[roll2] [roll3]
[roll4] [roll5]
[roll6] [roll7]
[roll8] [roll9]
[roll10] [roll11]
[roll12] [roll13]

Against Big Liz 2 vAC18 (3 damage)
[roll14] [roll15]
[roll16] [roll17]
[roll18] [roll19]
[roll20] [roll21]
[roll22] [roll23]

Against Stiekel AC20
[roll24] [roll25] [roll26]
[roll27] [roll28] [roll29]

Against Taniya v AC18
[roll30] [roll31] [roll32]
[roll33] [roll34] [roll35]
[roll36] [roll37]
[roll38] [roll39]
[roll40] [roll41]
[roll42] [roll43]

Strength check [roll44]

[Emperor Ing]

We need more crowd control. Stiekel fires another fireball at a spot 5 squares north and 2 squares left. The bead should land northernly adjacent to a Runner.
[roll0]

NOTE: Edit was made!

[Jair Barik]

(OOC:You realise you will be provoking attacks of opportunity if you cast in your current location?)

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel takes a 5 ft step south and casts it to land in the spot in the adjacent north slot of the Runner closest to Stiekel.

[Jair Barik]

(OOC:South you will still suffer one AoO. If you want you can make a concentration check to cast defensively or you can risk the attack.)

[Emperor Ing]

((hmm, southeast then.))

[Jair Barik]

The fireball toasts another runner and a pair of zombies in their tracks. The two big guys smash another two skeletons but by now there are too many for them to keep up with. Taniya proves quite adep with her sword slicing through the flamer and a regular skeleton with ease. Deliks sword sparks with electricty as he draws it and he engages the first of the clawed creatures but it easily dodges his blows. A seconf ball of lightning explodes on the left flank taking care of most of the weaker undead that were starting to build up to a threat and one skeleton is thrusted by a burst of energy into the wall smashing it to pieces. finally a second wall springs up blocking off the rest of the enemies southern advance. Crowd control.


[roll0] [roll1]
[roll2] [roll3]
[roll4] [roll5]

[roll6] [roll7]
[roll8] [roll9]
[roll10] [roll11]

[roll12] [roll13]
[roll14] [roll15]

[roll16] [roll17] [roll18]

[roll19]

[roll20] [roll21]

[Jair Barik]

The big guys manage to smash another two enemies, a pair of flamers this time as they move into the path of their lethal clubs. the earth creature still hasn't managed to get through the wall and is too dumb to try going round it. The last of the smaller skeletons manages to land a blow on one of the Lizards (2 damage) while the claw creatures move in one the other Lizard brother, Delik and Nolan. Nolan manages to dodge but the other two are less lucky, Delik suffering a great gash from the claws (8 damage) and the other Lizard getting bitten (6 damage). Taniya is well and truly surrounded now and gets hit by the fire skeleton again (10 damage). Everyone else though is safely out of harms way and Xerxes circles round you to touch Taniya, energy flowing from his hand mending her wounds (10 points healed).

Your turn.

Map
http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc97/dragonhunter55/bigmap-3.png



Against BigLiz1 v AC18 (5 damage)
[roll0] [roll1]
[roll2] [roll3]

Against Big Liz 2 vAC18 (4 damage)
[roll4] [roll5]
[roll6] [roll7]
[roll8] [roll9]

Against Nolan vAC18
[roll10] [roll11]
[roll12] [roll13]
[roll14] [roll15]

Against Stiekel AC20 (6 damage)

Against Delik v AC22
[roll16] [roll17] [roll18] v DC15 [roll19] v DC15 disease
[roll20] [roll21]
[roll22] [roll23]
[roll24] [roll25]

Against Taniya v AC18 (11 damage)
[roll26] [roll27]
[roll28] [roll29]
[roll30] [roll31] [roll32]
[roll33] [roll34] [roll35]
[roll36] [roll37] [roll38]
[roll39] [roll40] [roll41]

Strength check [roll42]

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel eyeballs the long-claw undeads next to the larger lizard and Delik and from each hand, fire a scorching ray at both of them.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[Jair Barik]

Firing into the combats you narrowly miss both your targets on the left and miss your intended target on the right instead toasting one of the faster undead. The first of the big guys smashes the last of his skeletons and then moves on to the clawed creature biting it to some effect (6 damage). The three Psions move out of the enemies way and fire off more energy beams knocking two of the clawed critters flying backwards in bursts of fire, a third wall then pops up blocking them off. The other big guys flies into a rage beating two of the clawed monsters into a pulp with ease as he roars in anger. Taniya drops a second flamer but the other one dodges her blows. Delik tries to take out the last of the nearby Claws but can't land a blow. The creatures wounds from the Lizards bite appear to be healing up.
"Dragon inbound!"
Indeed the approaching shape appears to be a dragon.


[roll0] [roll1]
[roll2] [roll3]
[roll4] [roll5]

[roll6] [roll7]
[roll8] [roll9]
[roll10] [roll11]

[roll12] [roll13]
[roll14] [roll15]

[roll16] [roll17] [roll18]

[roll19] [roll20] [roll21]

[roll22] [roll23] [roll24] [roll25]

[Jair Barik]

Taniya is getting into her stride now, dodging the skeletons with ease. The claw creature manages to land a blow on Delik and tries to sink its claws into his wounds for some reason but he fends it off (9 damage). It really sounds as though the undead are hammering on those walls now. Wait is that....

*CRASH* OHH YEAHHHHH! both Earth creatures burst through the walls kool aid man style. Xerxes moves across to Delik and heals him (heals 10 points) but in doing so is leaving himself dangerously open to attack.

Your turn.

Map

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc97/dragonhunter55/bigmap-4.png



Against BigLiz1 v AC18 (7 damage)

Against Big Liz 2 vAC18 (10damage)

Against Nolan vAC18

Against Stiekel AC20 (6 damage)

Against Delik v AC22 (8 damage)
[roll0] [roll1] [roll2] v [roll3] [roll4]
[roll5] [roll6]
[roll7] [roll8]

Against Taniya v AC18 (11 damage)
[roll9] [roll10]
[roll11] [roll12]
[roll13] [roll14] [roll15]
[roll16] [roll17] [roll18]

Strength check [roll19]
[roll20]

[Emperor Ing]

I think we have to move, now.
Stiekel fires two scorching rays again at the two shambling zombies to her immediate west
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[Jair Barik]

The zombies are toast.

"Agreed!"

An acrid smell fills the air and a light glow appears around you. With a flash the group is somewhere else. From the looks of things you are nearer to the ruins now than you were before but not by too much. A rocky outcrop sits to one side potentially offering some cover and the undead are nowhere to be seen. The dragon on the other hand is visible turning around behind you and arcing back in your direction.

[Emperor Ing]

Everyone, get behind the rock!
Stiekel makes a run for behind the rock so the dragon won't see her.

[Jair Barik]

Everyone hits the crag and the dragon flies over head a blast of icy cold hitting the stone. The dragons flesh is a rotten white colour, is wings a patchwork of holes and scratches. As it flies past you it begins to go into an arc slowly and clumsily turning around for another fly over.

"Any bright ideas?"
"To teleport takes time and takes tiring power. Can't continue carelessly continuously."
"I'm running out of time so I vote we stand and fight this crrrfkgkgkeeeeerrrth..." the voice degenerates into a wheezing sound.
"How badly wounded is everyone?"

[Emperor Ing]

It looks like it cannot hit us over cover so I vote we take cover on the other side of this rock and shoot it as it flies overhead.
Stiekel will do so, running to the other side of the rock as cover and waiting for the zombie dragon to fly overhead, after which Magic Missile will be cast.
[roll0]

[Jair Barik]

"I'll agree with that."
"Aye."

The party moves round to the other side of the stone. Delik choices to not bother shooting as his bow is next to useless against the undead. Taniya notches three arrows which she lets fly at the beast hitting it twice in the underbelly. The two Lizard brothers only have their clubs and Xerxes seems unarmed. Your missiles strike the enemy and two of the Psions manifest great bolts of fire that shoot up at the creature, these seem to fizzle about it though where your missiles succeeded. Xerxes moves over and heals you (6 healed). The dragon turns again but this time it is coming much lower.

Your turn.


[roll1]
[roll2] [roll3]
[roll4] [roll5]

[roll6]

[roll5d6+5 [roll8]
[roll5d6+5 [roll9] [roll10]

[Emperor Ing]

Other side!
Stiekel makes another dash for the other side of the rock, prepping a magic missile spell should the dragon come overhead again.
[roll0]

[Jair Barik]

Everyone makes their way over to the other side but instead of the dragon coming overhead you hear it land heavily on the other side of the rocks.

[Emperor Ing]

Oh...wonderful. Stiekel switches her spell from Magic Missile to Scorching Ray if possible should the dragon investigate the other side of the rock.
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[Jair Barik]

The dragon rears its ugly undead head over the rocks and breathes ice down upon the huddled party (Big guys and Delik take 10 each, everyone else takes 5 damage). In return the dragon gets a faceful of fire from your rays, more fire from two of the psions (but one of their spells seems to fizzle off of it) and arrow from Taniya and both of the big guys bring their weapons to bare getting two hits and two bites in on it between them. Between you this flurry of blows manages to drop the dragon ripping its rotting flesh apart as it crashes down about you.


[roll0] [roll1]
[roll2] [roll3]
[roll4] [roll5]

[roll6] [roll7]
[roll8] [roll9]
[roll10] [roll11]

[roll12] [roll13]
[roll14] [roll15]
[roll16] [roll17]

[roll18]
[roll19] [roll20] [roll21]
[roll22] [roll23] [roll24]

[roll25] Saves
[roll26] Big Liz 1
[roll27] Big Liz 2
[roll28] delik
[roll29] Taniya
[roll30] Xerxes
[roll31]Stiekel
[roll32]
[roll33]
[roll34]

[Emperor Ing]

Despite the burns of the frost and the burning laceration from that fiery skeleton, Stiekel still feels a powerful euphoria envelop her upon seeing the beast that should be long dead fall in front of her. This feeling devolves into cackling laughter.
GehehehahHAHAHAH!! I AM STIEKEL, MISTRESS OF THE WASTES!!...everyone is watching aren't they?

[Jair Barik]

Yes. Yes they are. Xerxes goes about healing everyone up but this expends pretty much all of his power for the day. Similarly the three Psions have also used a fair bit of their energy in the fight.

[Emperor Ing]

Okay Stiekel, this might be awkward but just...roll with it and it'll slip off.
gahahahah, it was a truly glorious battle. But nevertheless, my powers have been drained significantly and I do not question everyone else is similarly. She looks around for any specific areas that the group can rest in for the rest of the day
I propose we rest for now.

[Jair Barik]

"Delik says no fires. Keep under the rocks and have a watch throughout the night. No tents."

"I won't question that."

"Seems reasonable."

[Emperor Ing]

Simple enough.
Does the rock outcropping have a canopy?

[Jair Barik]

(Its more like a big piece of rock jutting out og the earth at an angle. It doesn't create a roof but it will offer some shelter.)

The two elves agree to take turns at watch so that everyone else can get a proper nights sleep.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel nods and goes to rest under the rock and refresh her spell slots.

[Jair Barik]

Come the morning you are awoken by a hand shacking your shoulder and a hand calmped upon your mouth.

"Don't woory nothing has happenned I just want you to be very quiet." It is Taniya.

"I didn't get too much sleep and was watching your Psionic friend a little during his watch. i don't know why but I think theres not something right about that elf. He spent almost as much time watching you as he did watching for danger. He unnerves me. I don't mean to say there is something wrong but I would keep an eye on that one."

Taniya then takes her hand away from your mouth and goes about waking the others.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel instinctually rubs her hand on her snout where Taniya, thinking about what she said. So many possibilities. The psionic elf might recognize her arcane powers! Maybe he simply does not trust me, maybe Taniya herself is trying to sow discord into Stiekel so she does not trust her own allies, or maybe nothing is happening at all and Taniya only saw him as he was watching me. Also, elves don't sleep. ((typo?))

Still a little wigged out by the random inquisition, she checks to see if she did successfully refresh her spell slots.

[Jair Barik]

You do have your magics restored.

(OOC: When taniya says 'sleep' she means rest. You as a player know that Elves 'Trance' instead of sleeping but Stiekel and Kobolds in general may not be aware of that fact. Some Kobolds for example may not realise that Elves don't lay eggs or might even believe that Dwarves are made out of stone. Regardless Taniya is describing her rest in a broader term that she knew Stiekel would understand.)

[Emperor Ing]

((Fair enough.))

Stiekel stretches briefly and scans the group. So is everybody okay?

[Jair Barik]

"Fiddler fit and feeling fine."

"Relatively refreshed, ready to reach the ruins."

"Didn't see any undead in the night so I doubt anyones too bad off."

"I am feeling refreshed but it would be good if we could try and avoid further combat. I can only heal so much in a single day."

"Delik says he is fine."

"We are also fine."

"Prepared to pass peril."

[Emperor Ing]

No reason we cannot continue on then.
Stiekel will lead the way to Gecis.

[Jair Barik]

The party gradually makes its way across the desert heading into Gecis. The undead presence is clearly felt by all. Occasionally you see shapes on the horizon or half buried bodies jutting out of sand dunes. You make sure to avoid them. It is unclear when you actually enter the ruins. Occasionally you see rocks that are either a part of the landscape, or possibly a piece of the ancient civilisation that once stood here. Perhaps there is no difference any more. The further in you go the more 'buildings' that you see. The arches and caverns are clearly built for very big creatures but some are half buried in sand, other completely caved in. You could easily be standing upon one for all you know. As time goes by the undead seem to be becoming more aware of you. there is the feeling of being watched and a few corpses seem to be starting top follow you at a distance.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel tries to take her mind off the prospect of another undead inquisition. She reviews the halfling's notes.
So we are looking for a turret?

[Jair Barik]

"That one perhaps?"

not too far away is a tone tower of sorts. It appears to beopen as the notes suggest but your not sure if it could be described as a spiral.

[Emperor Ing]

((Described?))
Stiekel goes over to examine the hole

[Jair Barik]

((I really need a new keyboard....))

The group makes its way across towards the tower. The hole is large enough to admit most creatures, certainly a dragon. Inside is a large hole descending into the bowels of the earth. A spiral staircase runs along the edge of this looping around the rim of the hole and leading on into the darkness beneath.

"Delik says this looks like it."

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel grins slightly, remembering how she figured that the spiral mentioned in the notes had to be a spiral staircase going down.
I agree. Let us go, and I want everyone to stick together and keep a sharp eye out for traps.
She begins the descent downwards, at a slower pace than walking, keeping a constant eye out for traps.

[Jair Barik]

Delik grabs you by the shoulder before you take the first step and pulls out a wand of some sort. Tapping it to the side of his head he starts to speak "Perhaps the traps specialist should go first hm?"

[Emperor Ing]

That was him the whole time?!
Hmm, yes, that sounds like a good idea.

[Jair Barik]

Delik lowers the wand and puts it back into his pack. He seems slightly unsteady on his feet and almost falls into the pit but steadies himself and soon appears to be better. He then continues down the descent slowly checking the stones as he goes. Occasionally he pulls out some implement to tinker with some wall device, or plate of stone. Once or twice he takes a hammer and gently taps a piece of the flooring causing it to crumble away. He then directs the party (through his two Lizards) to step over the break. Progress is slow but eventually the torchlight shed by your companions and your own darkvision lets you make out the floor of the room. It appears to be piled high with bones and four passages lead off of it, labelled N, E, S and W in Draconic runes. Each at a 90 degree point from the others.

[Emperor Ing]

Something tells me we do not want to touch that floor. Stiekel reviews the notes but it looks like this is the labrynth. Do we have anything we can throw down there?

[Jair Barik]

Delik gestures to the two brutes. Between them they pull out a big chunk of stone from the wall and toss it down the hole. It crashes into the bones and a network of 10ft long spikes flies upwards out of the floor before quickly retracting, the sound of their metal rushing through the air is audible and almost painful to hear.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel watches in startlement as the metal retreats back into the ground.Hmm, any ideas?

[Jair Barik]

"The tunnels are pretty big. Big enough for a dragon. We could try and lower ourselves down and then jump for one of them."

"Could try and find the mechanism like you did for the other traps."

"Delik says the problem here is if he sets these traps off instead of diasrming them, den he won't be 10ft away from them when they go off."

"Ah."

[Emperor Ing]

One idea that just crossed my mind is we meticulously remove stones from the wall and use them as stepping stones. For this reason our path will be quite close to a wall.

[Jair Barik]

"Pretty perilous too."

"Some of us are bigger than other Kobold lady."

[Emperor Ing]

Then can anyone fly here?

[Jair Barik]

There is much shaking of heads amongst the group.

[Emperor Ing]

Well there has to be a way, some sort of mechanism that turns off the trap...

[Jair Barik]

"Well it would appear that the floor is the trigger. I imagine that the dragons would just fly over it into the tunnels..."

"Except they had servants remember. Servants who couldn't fly."

"Does seem odd though. What is the point in a trap if it so obvious that it was here? How long do you imagine it took for these bodies to pile up?"

[Emperor Ing]

One to figure it out the hard way, and hundreds of years of the servants dismissing it as superstition. Or prehaps hundreds of years of servents told to clean out the bodies from the labrynth while they "forgot" to turn off the trap.

[Jair Barik]

"I suppose."

"Delik says he could go down and search for things."

[Emperor Ing]

I would say that is suicide unless you can see the holes that the spikes come out of.

[Jair Barik]

"Delik says he didn't mean all the way. Just to the bottom of the stairway."

[Emperor Ing]

That is simple enough. Be my guest, and I do not need to tell you to be careful.

[Jair Barik]

Delik descends the staircase. After a few minutes he starts making frantic arm movements. "Delik says a ledge along the rim seems safe. Delik want to know which passage we should take."

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel. with the notes in hand, looks at them and frowns how unclear they are about what to do at the bottom of the turret, unless this "pit" thing is the turret's spiral staircase. Stiekel is pretty confused.
Excuse me, Delik, come back up here for a minute.
If he does, Stiekel will hand him the notes, hopefully he can make better sense of the map and its relativity to this ledge than she can.

[Jair Barik]

After some awkward shuffling about on the stairway Delik gets over to you and looks at the notes. He puts his finger on the map oif the labrinthe and points at two places shown on the map. One is a large round room with what appears to be a circle drawn in the middle and a passage leading up out of it. The other is a similar round room with four passages leading off of it and a circle in the middle. For some reason only the passage that leads left across the page is shown on the diagram the others are drawn as leading off of the room but where they go is not detailed. The map seems to detail a route leading from one room to the other.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel looks as to where the ledge leads to and cross-references that with the map. If her theory is right the ledge should go down the left passage.

[Jair Barik]

The ledge skirts the edge of the room offering access to all four passages. And in a circular room how can you define 'left'.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel looks for a point of reference on the map that can be found on the map, an irregularity marked on the map that can be found in the chamber, anything that would allow her to figure out which one is the "left" chamber on the map.

[Jair Barik]

There seems to be no such marking. The map sits directly beneath the writing on the scroll of notes and neither of the end chambers seemed to be marked with any details as to the staircases position. The only distinction on the tunnels themselves are the Draconic runes above each one, N, E, S and W

[Emperor Ing]

Prehaps the map is oriented so "N" could mean north, meaning the "N" passage is going up on the map. That would mean that left would be "E" or "East."

[Jair Barik]

http://i492.photobucket.com/albums/rr290/usshorizonkitty/picard-facepalm.jpg

((OOC: I'm sure you meant left would come out as west :smallamused:))

[Emperor Ing]

((Left and right, I CONSTANTLY get them confused. I must have directional dyslexia or something. :smallyuk: ))

So uhmm...*googles left and right* west passage goes left. >_> <_<

[Jair Barik]

"So then boss? Think you've worked out where we head from here?"

((OOC:I really didn't want you running off into certain doom. It's great when a player works out a puzzle but when they work it out correctly and then make some minor mistake like thinking there is no y in hymn or that they forget to carry a one I can't help but step in to stop unneccessary confusion, well unless their in the tomb of horrors... That okay with you?))

[Emperor Ing]

((Yep, I tend to be prone to stupid mistakes. :smalltongue:))
We go that way.
Stiekel points to the W marked passage.

[Jair Barik]

The party carefull descends the last of the stairs and makes their way into the tunnel. Progress is slow through the labrinthe, the tunnels being so vast and Delik routinely checking for any traps the designers may have left (especially whenever you come to a chamber or an intersection). The tunnels are dark and eerily cold for those used to life in the desert. The map seems to prove accurate enough, every junction you come too is marked upon it and every path exists. After much trecking through the dark Delik stops you and turns to the party. According to the map you should be nearing the shaft by now.

"Delik says there is something in the next room. Something not right."

"Delik wants to know if we should fight it or try finding another path."

[Emperor Ing]

I can scout ahead and see what sort of thing we could be up against, I can turn invisible.

[Jair Barik]

"Sounds sensible."

"A perfect plan."

"Aye but remember, the traps left by the previous owners are the least of our troubles. be careful if you value your life."

[Emperor Ing]

Which is why I am becoming invisible, does the plan to lower the invisible me down until I reach the bottom sound reasonable?

[Jair Barik]

"Delik says we not at the pit yet."

"Delik says something in the next room not right. Wants to know if we should go through the room or look for a way round it."

[Emperor Ing]

Into the shadows I go. Stiekel casts Invisibility on herself and slowly and carefully moves into the next chamber.

[Jair Barik]

Creeping invisibly into the chamber you are aware that something is not right. You are slightly afraid but you cannot tell why. Voices whisper in the air in the common tongue but you cannot make out the words. A light fog seems to hang upon the floor. The room is illuminated by a glowing orb embedded in the ceiling that sheds an artifical twilight upon the room. Many of the rooms you have passed have been to a degree ornate, all of them wethered by time of course, but this one seems especially grand. It is large enough to hold at least four dragons within it and has four passages leading off of it, marked with the N, E, S and W runes that seem to mark every passage within the maze. According to the map you need to carry straight on through this room as opposed to turning off from it. The floor of the room dips down with steps leading downwards into the centre. The dip is of no great size but sitting in the centre of the room you see a large basin, easily 10ft in diameter, still filled with crystal clear water that ripples gently.

[Emperor Ing]

Oh that water is definitely not a trick. Stiekel gently moves to the beginning of the straightaway hallway. Once she is in the threshold and nothing happens she'll dismiss invisibility.

[Jair Barik]

As you turn to leave you notice the water go flat and still. Your not sure but your pretty sure you saw a Kobold with a fancy hat reflected in it.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel dismisses her invisibility (if she has not done so already) and goes back to the group, making occasional glances at the water to make sure nothing jumps out of it.
It appears clear, we are going straight through it. Just move carefully and make periodic glances at the pool of "water" in the middle. Holler if it does...un-waterlike things.

[Jair Barik]

The party carefully makes its way across the room keeping an eye on the basin of water.

About half way across the room Bort turns round and looks at Burk who seems to have stopped in his tracks. Burk has pulled out his greatclub and seems to be holding it in a strange manner. Roaring the Lizardman raises his weapon and brings it down upon his own head caving in his skull.

"Burk!"

The second lizardman roars out in anguish. Howling fills the room as the mist about the floor begins to rise up in the midst of the part forming a large gaseous cloud of screaming faces, each filled with anguish and suffering.

(your turn to act)


[roll0]
[roll1]

[Emperor Ing]

Xerxes! Heal him now!
Stiekel casts Magic Missile at the mist
[roll0]

[Jair Barik]

The magic explodes into the creatures screaming form in spectacular fashion. Roaring his rage Bort takes two swings at the form but his first strike passes through it like mist. His second however appears much more effective. Both Delik and Taniya take swipes at it but their weapons pass through its form as though it were air. Two of your psion allies then fire a blast of fire and of ice into its form and the appiration disperses into the air. Xerxes makes it over to the bloody form of Burk in time to stabalise him but his wounds are quite serious and it takes a lot of Xerxes power to heal him back up to full strength.


[roll0] [roll1] [roll2]
[roll3] [roll4] [roll5]
[roll6] [roll7] [roll8]

[roll9] [roll10] [roll11]

[roll12] [roll13] [roll14] [roll15]

[roll16] [roll17]
[roll18] [roll19]

ones hit.

[roll20]
[roll21]
[roll22]

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel hustles over to the next hallway.
Let us move, now, the time for talking is not now.

[Jair Barik]

There is a general agreement amongst the party on this matter. Everyone makes for the door quite quickly but as you leave the pool catches your eye one last time. It briefly seems to hold an image of a bloodied Alarev fighting with somebody and then passes and is gone.

[Emperor Ing]

After everyone is relatively safely in the hallway, Stiekel pauses.
What happened?

[Jair Barik]

"A caller in the dark happenned. A foul undead that is the product of many souls dying together in agony. They wander the dark reaches of the world seeking to add to their collection of souls, killing with a thought, controlling mortal minds, lashing out with the force of their massed minds to crush a person beneath their will. Not pleasent."

[Emperor Ing]

Is that the undead manifestation of the bodies lining the ground below?
Understatement prehaps but let us continue.
Stiekel continues carefully on the ledge, letting Delik check for traps ahead of her periodically.

[Jair Barik]

The ledge was only in the first room. There may have been one or two rooms since then that have had ledges to cross but the passages themselves and the room you just passed through have not had ledges and the number of bodies is significantly less than in that first chamber. Continuing onwards you eventually come to a room with no more passages leading off of it. Just a large black pit that drops into depths fare deeper than you can see at its centre. You have come to the labrinthe's end.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel looks down the pit.
...and here we are.
Stiekel spits down the pit just to watch it go down.

[Jair Barik]

"It's bad luck to spit on the graves of the dead you know."

"With dragons everythings bad luck priest."

"Delik wants to know if we should sleep here an continue in the morning."

"Morning man? Never. Night eternal ever under the earth."

[Emperor Ing]

Hmm? It has barely been an hour. Of course Stiekel might have lost track of time.
At the very least I can turn invisible again and you can use the rope to lower me down.
Note to self: Do not attempt to touch the ground.

[Jair Barik]

Delik, Bort and Burk get out long lengths of silk rope with knots that run their length. "So people who not good at climbing don't fall." Bort explains. Delik hammers a few heavy iron pitons into the ground and firmly attatches the rope to them. Dangling the very end of the rope of the edge he smiles and gives a low bow inviting you to hop on and prepare to descend."

((OOC: You did have to walk into the ruins, walk to the spiral, go down a very deep staircase slowly then slowly traverse a large underground labrinthe intended for dragon sized creatures. Admittedlymost of that wasn't RPed so you are excused))

[Emperor Ing]

((I estimate it took somewhere between 1 to 4 hours to get from the morning encampment to where we are all now))
Stiekel goes through the usual "what if" scenarios in her head to evaluate risks and rewards, and then it occurs to her. She is weak. Extraordinarily weak, weak even by Kobold standards.
Erhm, I believe I would like to sit out of this particular task. Is there anyone else who...would be able to climb better than I? I can make you invisible as well.

[Jair Barik]

"Oh? I was under the impression you wanted to be lowered down. That can be arranged easily enough but if you don't feel confident then Ican always go in your place."

[Emperor Ing]

I did want to be lowered down until I remembered how stagnant my physical prowess is, I would consider myself lucky if I would be even able to lift the strand of rope. If you would not mind please take my place.

[Jair Barik]

"Very well then." Taniya gives a nod to Delik who signals for his two friends to begin lowering her down. After you cast invisibility on her of course. As Taniya descends into the darkness there is a sudden expectant silence as everyone waits for her to make some noise. All eyes are on the pit except for the last pair of elven eyes that are squarely on you a strange curiosity in their eyes.

[Emperor Ing]

Funny thing about kobold faces, they have eyes on both sides of their heads, they have better panoramic vision than humans and humanesques like elves.
Can I help you?

[Jair Barik]

"No no no. Something starnge is all says I. Something... strange and special," the elf takes a deep breathe of air and smells his surroundings. "Something strange..."

The dwarf looks at his friend curiously and then at Stiekel and shrugs his shoulders.

"I wonder wether we three would be wiser to wait here watching the rope, wouldn't want it cut would we? Safer for some to stay and stop here."

"Delik says the strange man makes a good point. Don't want to have to climb back out of the rope gets cut while we are down there."

As the group muses on the wisdom of going down the pit without leaving anyone to guard the rope Taniya calls back up.

"Seems pretty safe down here. You lot coming down or do you want me to come back up." her voice echoes back up the shaft.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel shrugs at the idea. That sounds reasonable, however the notes dictate that one of the last barriers between us and the hoard is a massive gate that only the dragonblooded can pass through. While that can mean that my kind can walk freely to and fro, it may also mean we require someone to teleport us past it. Two of you can stay back here and protect the rope but I request one of you whom has teleportation powers.

[Jair Barik]

Delik starts wheezing in a manner that you are sure must be laughter.

"Delik says that suits him fine but he's not letting anyone teleport him."

"Delik says do you know what happens to people who teleport into places they have no idea what looks like."

[Emperor Ing]

I do not, however I sincerely hope we will have to find out.

[Jair Barik]

"Delik says he seen people get stuck in walls before. An people vanish never to be seen again."

"The Sharn of Kalee thought to teleport himself into the kings treasury but he'd never seen it before. He ended up in the King's other vaults with a violent murderer and had his eyes and tongue torn out by the mans fingernails."

By now Taniya has finally been pulled back up.

"What is all this then? Telling little ghost stories are we? Did I miss something while I was down there?"

[Emperor Ing]

People being stuck in walls, not a particularly pleasant topic. Would rather talk about how to tunnel through the walls.
turns back to Delik.
As I have said before, hopefully it will not come to that, otherwise we will have to deal with it once we arrive.

[Jair Barik]

"Never fear for Nolan never faulters and futher will walk with you."

"Well thats settled then. So are we headed down now r resting first?"

[Emperor Ing]

Well, we can rest now. Who can keep watch?

[Jair Barik]

"Would seem prudent for the same watchmen as before. We need the rest less than you do."

((OOC: You have got another level up if you wish to make the changes to your sheet. Is Mythweavers working for you yet?))

[Emperor Ing]

Are you sure you do not require sleep?

((What rhymes with "go?"))

[Jair Barik]

"I shall trance but I need not sleep for the whole night."

((:smallamused: No. If you post an updated photocopy after the changes then, or just say what spells your adding, also you get an extra ability point this level.))

[Emperor Ing]

(( I'm on a different computer due to technical difficulties on my usual one so it'll be a while before I can get the 8th level sheet up and running. Also I noted that for this level, my saves get raised and I get +1 to my BAB, maybe this level i'll actually be able to use a melee weapon without a crippling attack penalty!) and I THINK I get a feat too, but I gotta double check that. Did I mention I get a 4th level spell? :smalltongue:))

Hmm, very well then. Stiekel will rest for the remainder of the day, is it the day? There is hundreds of feet of solid stone preventing such knowledge from being acquired.

[Emperor Ing]

(HP roll)
[roll0]

[Emperor Ing]

((t-t-t-triple post!!
I'll put down what Stiekel has gained here and add it to the char sheet when I am able to.

HP: +1 ( :( )
BAB: +1
Saves: +1 to Will
Attribute Bonus: +1 to Cha
Skills: Pending until I can get char sheet
Spells Per Day: +1 to level 3, +3 to level 4
Spells Known: +1 level 4, +1 Cantrip
Spells learned: Polymorph, Read Magic ))

[Jair Barik]

(:smallannoyed: polymorph? really? :smallbiggrin: not a problem, this is a solo game so as long as you don't rigorously abuse your new found power should be fine. Want me to continue with the plot or wait till youv'e picked skill points and the like?)

[Emperor Ing]

((We can continue, but I recommend you try to avoid situations where I need to make a skill check.

Also my ability to abuse Polymorph is limited to transforming myself into creatures with 8 hd or less. What other ways there are I am unaware of, lucky for you.

NOTE TO SELF: Update skills.))

[Jair Barik]

You are now awakened before the rest of the group as you were yesterday. As you rise from your slumber the others are already rising about you, preparing their weapons, counting out arrows and looking on into the darkness below.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel feels a new energy flow through her body. It is the familiar feeling of arcane power but it's...there's something else to it, it's like a door opening, a new power. She feels as if a piece of her has been found.
Stiekel looks to the abyss below.
So, I shall meet you at the bottom?

[Jair Barik]

"It's a long climd down I shall see you when I see you."

The Lizardmen have already thrown the rope back down and Delik has begun his long descent.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel turns to smile at the guarding psions before polymorphing herself into a very young green dragon and nose-diving several feet down the pit before using the wings to catch her fall, where she'll fly down to the bottom of the pit. She may or may not beat everyone else to the bottom.

[Jair Barik]

You easily beat everyone else to the bottom of the pit, it will probably be a little while before they all catch up. The chamber is well decorated with various carvings on the walls and a floor carved of what you can only assume to be marble. A huge pair of dounle doors forged out of some intricatly shaped metal stand ajar before you.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel uses her flying ability to hang just above the ground in case it is another trap, of course it's probably just her being paranoid. Did Alarev give her any keys to open these doors like the notes say whatshisface used?

[Jair Barik]

Delik takes a good look at the ground before finally dropping down onto it once he has reached the bottom of the rope. Nothing happens when he does so. You don't have any keys but thankfully this door appears to be open already. It takes a little while but soon all seven of you are assembled at the bottom of the pit.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel wonders if they recognize her in this form, or for that matter, if they've even seen her yet.
Either someone forgot to close the door behind them or this is our lucky break. Do not forget to check for traps!

[Jair Barik]

The group give you a few curious looks but on the whole they are hardly surprised by the change of appearance. They live in a world where every day is likely a struggle of life and death, a world where war seems to be sitting upon the horizon and where strange men seek stranger relics. Yesterday a cloud of mist almost had one of them kill himself and the day before they fought with undead hordes and dragons. To see a Kobold become a dragon is the least of their concerns.

"Delik says don't touch the door and we should be fine."

[Emperor Ing]

Good enough for me, I will follow your lead. By the way you might need these.
Stiekel will fly behind Delik after she hands him the notes.

[Jair Barik]

Delik nods and picks up the notes which you clearly did not have on your person when you polymorphed so that you could easily hand them over without having to keep changing shapes. The party advances into the next room. The great hall. The walls are adorned with images of a Golden dragon performing various noble deeds and accumalating wealth. Tapestries hang in some places and the floor is a great mosaquie. Picking out a rubber ball from his pouch Delik hurls it at the centre of the room. As it bounces a path around the room various bursts of flames bolts of lightning, hidden blades and spikes attack it quickly destroying the object. Delik grins and gestures his hand in a manner that doesn't need translating. 'Any takers?'

[Emperor Ing]

((The rules for alter self (which Polymorph uses) say that any equipment held by the caster is retained in the new form unless it's implausible that the new form can hold it, in which case it melds into the polymorphed form. Are you saying a few pieces of paper are too implausible to be retained and must meld into the new form? :smalltongue:))
Hoo-hoo, fun.
Stiekel flies into the hallway and looks around.

[Jair Barik]

It looks likely that the large Mosaique in the centre of the hall is the trapped area. Unfortunately this stretches the full breadth of the floor in a manner that jumping across and walking round it are both ruled out. There are no roof ornaments either, the roof is flat and offers no hold. At one side where the mosaique is thinnest there is a rope stretched from wall to wall that looks as though it could be climbed across . It is pinned into the far wall and near wall by two thick metal bolts but it appears rotted through with age now and unlikely to support the weight of Delik, let alone either of his two thugs.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel flies along the length of the rope

[Jair Barik]

Which promptly takes her to the other side of the room where a second set of doors stand.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel hovers to the door without trying to touch it and she examines it.

[Jair Barik]

The door appears to be an exact replica of the great double doors that you have already passed through in even the smallest detail.

[Emperor Ing]

Is it open, or to the left of the entrance to the hall?

[Jair Barik]

The double doors are closed. They are directly opposite the pair you entered the room through with the mosauique between them.

[Emperor Ing]

In a hint of once again being lost, Stiekel remembers the scabbard. She takes it out and whispers the name of Eventide's Edge, where she will then try and look for a guiding light.

[Jair Barik]

The glow is faint but it seems the sword is within its range somewhere beyond the second pair of doors.

"Any ideas for getting the rest of us across then?"

[Emperor Ing]

There is a rope hung along the wall you would be able to travel along if only it was not rotted down to such a point that it does not look like it can support the weight of even me in my normal form. At this moment I am currently trying to figure out how to open this door.
She tries touching the door.

[Jair Barik]

The door is made of heavy cold metal. It appears as though it is not actually locked though and can likely be opened by pulling on its handles.

[Emperor Ing]

She does so, openning one of the two parts of the door using a strength almost 4x her normal own.

[Jair Barik]

you easily manage to push the door open and thankfully this one doesn't seem to be trapped. A long and wide corridor stretches before you splitting off left and right up ahead. At the very end of the corridor there appears it opens out into a vast cavern filled with the loot of the dragons hoard.

[Emperor Ing]

Oh nice, this actually makes it easier.
Stiekel flies back to the group.
So, any ideas how you can get across?

[Jair Barik]

Delik shrugs.

"Was thinking of asking you the same question. We could likely string up a rope with your help in the same manner as this rotten thing but I somehow doubt we could get the two big uns across without them touching the floor, and I'm certain we don't want to touch the floor. Don't you have any power that might help?"

[Emperor Ing]

I have one idea...I can hang up the rope like our predecessors did and we leave the big ones behind until we reach the guardian of the hoard, from there our teleporting friend can backtrack and teleport them there.

[Jair Barik]

Nolan places a hand upon each of the larger Lizards shoulders and the three materialise by the door.

"Why waste words? Power is however precious."

"Okay, that works too. Now lets see about getting us across as well."

[Emperor Ing]

Do you have an extra rope I can place along the bolts already in place?

[Jair Barik]

Delik smiled his smile and pulled out even more lengths of rope from his bag, tying one end about the bolt on his side of the room after he cut down the existing piece. As the existing rope hit the ground it was torn to pieces in a variety of methods.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel flies over to the other end of the room and attaches the rope there.

[Jair Barik]

The rope firmly attatched and drawn tight Delik, Xerxes and Taniya cross the room and make it to the door.

"Delik says dats one room down."

"Aye but how many more to go?"

[Emperor Ing]

The notes say we go left. To tell you the truth I am actually relieved to see a turn in the path. I do not believe I have to tell you to not touch the shiny things.

[Jair Barik]

Coming to the fork the passage turns off both ways and then forks again down each passage by the looks of things. The dragons hoard is richly decorated with fabulous weapons, works of arts, tomes of knowledge stacked high and a deep carpet of coins across its floor intermingled with heavy oaken chests, gems and jewellry.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel goes right, then straight then left again through all intersections as per the notes instruct (The first left she has already taken). She also steers clear of anything that resembles a hoard or treasure.

[Jair Barik]

Following these directions you pass a number of other intersections and finally come to a large pair of gilded double doors. These have no handels and no key holes on them, a scroll lies to one side of them, long discarded and aged, written in the old Draconic language. The rest of the group follow you, occasionally looking at the various caverns that lead off to dragon hoards but wary not to venture into them after seeing the dungeons other traps.

[Emperor Ing]

Stiekel touches the door. By this time her polymorph has probably worn off.

[Jair Barik]

The doors swing open at your touch ad the chamber ahead lights up as torches afixed to the walls burst into a green flame. Another pair of double doors stands opposite the great antechamber. And that centre of the room lies a great metal suit of armour with a sword in each hand. Upon closer inspection the suit appears to be filled of metal as well but it is torn, battered and cut deep in many places, its remains lying crippled on the floor and completely immobile the head detatched arms hanging loose and legs bent at odd angles. Lying at one side is the rotting carcasse of a blue dragon, not even a particularly old one, with a large potion vial sitting shattered before it. Other than this the chamber is relatively empty, it lacks the splendour of prior rooms.

[Emperor Ing]

Huh, well that was easy.
She goes past the remains of the long forgotten battle, looking around the room for suspicious things before coming to the door.

[Jair Barik]

"I hunger...." the reptilian voice comes from the dragons corpse. Its eyes fly open showing an intellect behind their coldness and as it opens its mouth lightning flies at you across the room. You manage to dodge thankfully but you still take a nasty shock (12 damage). The creature rises from its rest and looks at the party with an evil look upon its face.

http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc97/dragonhunter55/PoseAsATeam.png

Your turn



[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[Emperor Ing]

Augh, burn!
Stiekel fires two scorching rays at the creature
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[Jair Barik]

Your flames lick at the creatures rotted flesh leaving great scorch marks upon it. It seems to show little care though as with one great flap of its wings it barrels into the party its claws flying at the two big Lizards in a flurry of bone and blood. It hits Bort twice and Burk once and both hit the ground their bodies limp. Delik draws his sword and stabs the monster but it has no effect. Nolan steps backwards slightly and unleashes a blast of fire at the creature but his power fizzles harmlessly on its hide.

"I am an immortal! Bow before my might you foolish creatures!"

your turn


[roll0]
[roll1]

[roll2] [roll3] [roll4] Save [roll5]
[roll6] [roll7] [roll8] Save [roll9]
[roll10] [roll11] [roll12] Save [roll13]


[roll14] [roll15]
[roll16] [roll17]
[roll18] [roll19]

[roll20] [roll21]
[roll22] [roll23]
[roll24] [roll25]

[roll26] [roll27]

[roll28] [roll29] [roll30]

[Emperor Ing]

It is hard to bow before you if you are killing us!
Moar scorching rays
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[Jair Barik]

The flames strike its hide once more but the dragon is even deadlier now in close combat, lashing out with wings, claws and fangs it strikes Delik, Taniya and Xerxes hitting some more than once each falling to the ground. Nolan lets lose with another burst of fire and this time it is not resisted, the flames striking the beast and knocking lose its jaw. Unfortunately the creature remains standing and its jaw looks to still be in working order.

Your turn.



[roll1]

[roll2] [roll3] [roll4]
[roll5] [roll6] [roll]1d6[/roll
[roll7] [roll8] [roll]1d6[/roll
[roll9] [roll10] [roll]1d6[/roll
[roll11] [roll12] [roll]1d6[/roll
[roll13] [roll14] [roll]1d6[/roll

Saves [roll15] [roll16] [roll17] [roll18] [roll19] [roll20]

[roll21] [roll22]

[roll5d6+5 [roll23] [roll24]

[Emperor Ing]

Just die...again!
Damn good thing dragons have absolutely no Touch AC. =\
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]

[Jair Barik]

The first of your rays fizzle to absolutely no effect on the dragons scales but the second strikes it full in the head again. it teeters around for a little and then collapses to the ground "I-mmo-rtal...." its eyes close and it is still.
Nolan looks at you and smiles.

OOC: Just remembered I forgot to post something at the start of this combat, it will be added now :smallamused:


[roll0]
[roll1]

[Emperor Ing]

((We're all going to die. :smalltongue:

And I always pictured the big guys as having green scales, and for some reason, space marine armor.))

Stiekel takes out her spear and using the butt of it, spears the dead thing in the head (Redundant coup-de-grace)
Agh, is everybody okay?