Those That Fight For Home Fight Hardest (Group 1 IC)

[Kallisti]

Sunrise in Neohaven is one of the pleasures of living here. As the light of dawn runs scarlet over the ground, it hits the lake, transforming the mirror-bright pool at the center of mesa and town from placid water to incandescent jewel, in shades so rich and glorious it sometimes seems that this tiny town could beggar empires.

There is much to do, of course--the mage fair must be planned, the traders taxed and brought atop the mesa, the nearby troll tribe dealt with one way or the other--but that can wait.

Just an hour. Can the world begrudge you that?

OOC thread. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9819850#post9819850)

[Chambers]

Raynar

*clang!*

...

*clang!*

...

"Mr. Norrel! Please awake from your dreams and attend me." Raynar says, wiping the sweat off his forehead and dipping the horseshoes into a large barrel of water. The blacksmith's young apprentice wakes up with a start, banging his head on the shelf. "Ow! Er...yes sir!" Orin Norrel says and stumbles over to the barrel, rubbing his head with one hand while he reaches out for the steaming horseshoe with his other bare hand.

"Stop yourself, Mr. Norrel!" Raynar jerks the horseshoe out of the teenagers grasp and glares at the boy. "You almost grabbed the shoe with your hand. It's clear you are not fully awake and ready to work." The boy's eyes widen and he looks at his hand and brings it up to his mouth as he yawns. "If you cannot function in the shop I hope at least you have the capability to prepare my morning coffee."

Orin nods and drops his hand down. "Yes, sir. I'll fix it right up!" The boy nods and lumbers off out of the workshop, scratching his head and yawning.

I do not remember why I allowed myself to be conned by Jeruth into taking the boy on as apprentice. Raynar sighs and dips the horseshoe into the barrel again and then hangs it up on a rack next to a dozen other new shoes. There. That completes farmer Holphs order. Placing his metal tongs on the neat and ordered tool rack Raynar walks over to the forge and whispers a word in dwarven. The intense heat from the fire dies off, the flames shrinking to a tenth of their intensity. Raynar nods and turns back, glancing over the smithy. Everything looks in order...ah ha! Striding over to the bench where Orin slept he picks up the boys coat that was left behind. Hanging it on the rack near the door he steps out into the street, shading his eyes from the rising sun. It appears the weather will be mild today. Good. He breathes in deep and rolls his shoulders, working out the knicks from the all-night work.

Where's that damn boy with my coffee?

[mootoall]

Crick'tah climbs from the depths of the rocky outcropping at the edge of the mesa. He flutters his wings, doing the slightest bit of preening, before doing a light hop-skip to the edge of the cliff. There, he finds a spire to perch on, and, with a mighty roar, belches a line of flame high into the sky, incinerating the bits of food stuck in his teeth from the night before. He adopts a strange perching position on the edge of the cliff, and starts to preen his wings. Old habits die hard, it seems.

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat


Good day to you sir. Dra'gat said, greeting the inn keeper verbally, and his young son with a nod.
"And a fine day to you as well Mr. Stonereaver. Might I ask where you're off to so early? Shift change isn't for another few hours." The innkeeper responded jovially, as he wrapped a few sweetbreads in paper to serve as a traveling breakfast. His young son as ever, just watched the giant sized guardsman with eyes wide as saucers.
Dra'gat hefted a moderate sized sack which gave a low clank when placed on the floor. Just off to knock a few more chunks off a boulder while the weather's nice. Thank you for the breakfast.
"Haha, so modest Mr. Stonereaver. I hope you'll be showing off that statue when you're finished."
Well, we'll see. I don't think I'm good enough to deserve much praise. Dra'gat responded. Ducking low as he squeezed out the door.
20 minutes later, and approaching the boulder he'd been steadily shaping for the last two months.
Thank Grumbar we managed to get the fair held on the other side of the mesa Cha'ak. I'd hate to work with everyone watching. Already the stone was the general size and shape of a burly dwarven man, armored and armed as only a respected Earth Warden would be. I know that Moradin, AND Grumbar say you can hear me whenever I speak to you Cha'ak. But working on a memorial like this, it helps me feel like you're actually here, that the entire clan is here if I need them.
Steadily Dra'gat worked in the rising heat of the morning, the stone slowly taking shape under his patient chisel. Pleased despite himself, to see his fathers familiar features take shape, emerging from the bare rock. I know this fair is a tradition for the town, but I can't help but think I'll feel better once it's over. All these visiting mages, some reputable, some just looking to make a name. What am I going to do if one notices the node forming? What can I do? I know you never trusted wizards, well aside from that mindmage you told me about years ago, but I think I might ask that teacher if he's like me. A snort. Literally blown into town by accident huh? Either he came here on purpose and is a bad liar, or he was led here.
Anyway Cha'ak, I have to go for now. More work to do. Dra'gat packed up his tools, gave the boulder a hug, then left to return to town.





Here's a post which contains an awesome table, and links to all character sheets.

{table=head]Seriously, don't laugh.|If you laugh, I will cry.|Fluff|Crunch|And nobody wants to see that.
Crick'tah tibur Halphir (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=251163)|Dragonborn Raptoran Dragonfire Adept 7//Dragon Shaman 7|Yes|Yes|Mootoall
Dra'gat (a dwarven word) (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=252041)|Half-minotaur Human Terramancer 7//Warblade 2/Stoneblessed 3/Deepstone Sentinel 1|Yes|Yes|Herrhauptman
Kindle (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=251281)|Kobold Paladin 7//Bard 7|No|Yes|DeafnotDumb
Koji (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=251944)|Faun Gadgeteer 7//Rogue 5/Assassin 2|No|Should you have Assassin spells yet?|Laughter
Korok Silentwing (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=251821)|Gryphon (Human) Anthro animal 6/Barbarian 1//Scout 7|Yes|Yes|Dresil
Raynar Julius Hrothgar III (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=251699)|Human Reforged Savant 7//Archivist 7|Yes|HP?|Chambers
Oristar Magiste (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/editpost.php?do=editpost&p=9732664)|Lesser Aasimar Divine Magician Cleric 4/Geomancer 3//Metamagic Specialist-Stalwart Sorcerer 7|No|Yes|Debatra
Placeholder (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=251363)|Lesser Air Genasi Aeromancer 7//Wizard 5/Swiftblade 2|No|Partial (Gear? Languages? Other spells if any?)|Herrhauptman
Sergeant DetritusGazzt (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=251195)|Troll LA 3/Fighter 4//Watchman 7|Yes|Yes|Tyrael

{table=head]I'm crying now.
Traxex Quaraun (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=251345)
I am so sorry...[/table]|{table=head]Kallisti keeps forgetting me ;-;
Drow Sublime Ranger7//LA+2 / Shadowcaster 5
Can you ever forgive me?[/table]
|{table=head]Fluff
Yes
I'll write you a poem[/table]|{table=head]Crunch
Yes
and code your table into mine![/table]|{table=head]Why does he forget me?
Dyth the Kobold
Please?[/table]

Urbis (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=252406)|Elan Society Mind 7//Healer 7|Put it on your sheet|Yes|Eurus
Wickett Bogun (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=250995)|Air Gnome Rogue 5/Combat Trapsmith 2//Artificer 7|Backstory?|Yes|Chained Birds
Zenith Quartin (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=251228)|Human Real Paladin 7//Proud Warrior 7|No|Pick your languages|KingRyan[/table]

[Dresil]

Korok Silentwing

The tall gryphon has already roused before the sun has, as usual. Some line about the early bird crosses his mind and just serves to annoy him slightly. Korok eats a silent breakfast and stretches his great feathery wings to fly over to the town square.

He may be a higher ranking officer in the town's guard, but he never was one to follow orders to the letter. Reporting for duty in his own way, Korok perches on the rooftop of the tavern where he has a perfect view of the town square. If anyone needs to reach him, they know where to look. Its not like one can easily hide an 8 foot tall black gryphon in broad daylight.

(Continuously taking 10 or Spot/Listen over the Town square for 22 a piece.)

[Chained Birds]

Wickett Bogunn

After a hard night of working, the young gnome is awoken by a glimpse of sunlight through a small window in her basement workplace. Grouchy at the sight of a new day, when work of the previous is only just started, she wanders up the stairs to her living room. Moving towards a shower, she notices a small painting of her and the founders when Newhaven was just starting to look like a town. She grins softly as she proceeds towards the bathroom to begin her morning rituals.
She will take about an hour to complete this ritual consisting of:
Shower: 5mins
Clothing: 3mins
Concentration for Infusions: 15mins
Checking on Recent work: 15mins
Eating: 5mins
Examining Household Traps: 10mins
Get Haversack and Other Items: 3mins
Leave Home and Lock Door: 1minute
Check Her Shop Next Door for Breakins: 3minutes

Then she leaves to the Town Guard’s Main Building for inspection.

[DeafnotDumb]

Kindle

The kobold's one-and-a-half ears flickered in the sun, lazily and catlike as he steadily prepared his lute for it's next tune. Somewhere, he has obtained a crate and begged or asked or paid someone to move it to near the gates, so he can greet most of the visiting humaniods on an equal eye-level. He is currently lying on it in a state of apparent repose, tail trailing down onto the street while his eyes search the crowd for any tourists in need of guidance, traders in need of encoragement, or criminals in need of deterrance.

People are wary of a Watchman, and seldom suspect a friendly minstrel. Kindle was not out of his old uniform today, but who could suspect such a faded old thing?


Spot roll: [roll0]
Mainly just waiting for something interesting to happen...

[mootoall]

After sitting on his perch for a while, Crick'tah heads from his outcropping into town. He didn't feel like hunting for breakfast today. No, a hot meal at the tavern would be today's fare. He takes a walk, the plains-like top of the mesa making for a nice easy hike to the center of town. He stops into the tavern, gives a quick nod to the bartender, and says tersely "Steak and eggs. Bloody." He yawns and shakes his wings out, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

[herrhauptmann]

Returning to Newhaven at a quick jobjog, Dra'gat hurried toward the barracks to retrieve his weapon and armor. A minutes assistance from another guard allowed him to don his armor quickly and return to the street, plenty of time before the start of his shift.

With time to kill, Dra'gat headed towards the main gate to await the arrival of the first set of travelers to ascend the lifts. Between his size, gleaming armor, and a hammer that outweighed most men, Dra'gat knew he cut an impressive figure. Nevermind the white fur and horns. Plus it allowed first time visitors all the time they needed to gawk as they approached, rather than wasting time stopping to stare as he made his rounds.




Edit:Sorry about the bad dice rolls. Apparently page preview and dice rolls aren't compatible.
Spot check (anything unusual)
Sense motive (to see if visitors have something besides the fair and buying/selling on their minds.

2nd edit: typo

[herrhauptmann]

Spot check
[roll0]

Sense Motive
[roll1]

[Lix Lorn]

Theresa yawned softly, leaving her own rooms in the back of the temple. It was a new day; and there was surely much to be done. What; she had no way of knowing. But surely, something.

[Chained Birds]

While Wickett was the former head of the Town Guards, she still felt responsible for the safety of the Neohaven, and would visit the Town Guard’s main building every so often for updates on the town’s current safety. Wickett occasionally used her status as a founder to gain access to secret information and be involved in any new operations, but usually lets the new officers and chief take control.
After her daily ritual was completed, she headed to the Town Guard’s main building known as (this is temporary until someone comes up with a better name) HQ. She only has a certain amount of time to spend there, as her shop opens towards the afternoon, 11:45 AM, and she must be there to open the trap-infested front door before the employees and fellow craftsmen come by.

She should make it to HQ in a matter of minutes due to the close proximity the guard station is to the town center and her shop.
Upon arriving, she moves to the front desk,

“Hello there officer; what news do you bring me today? And, are any of the higher ranked officers in today?”

[herrhauptmann]

During his 5 hours at the Gate, Dra'gat found and turned in 3 cutpurses. The fourth being a starving waif, bruised, beaten, and obviously starving.
Entering the temple, Dra'gat found the drider priestess Theresa preparing for a sermon.
"Priestess, I found one who needs help. It seems this poor girl was either found, or stolen from her family by some men. She steals from travelers in order to earn her dinner, and if she doesn't steal enough, they beat and starve her. And possibly worse. May I leave her in your care until we've found the men or and ensured they can't hurt her again? I hope afterwards we can find her a foster family, but until then she needs sanctuary.

Heading to a tavern for lunch, Dra'gat found Crick'tah dawdling over a late breakfast.
Crouching down next to him (none of the chairs would support Dra'gats armored weight), We need to settle things with those trolls before the fair gets in full swing. I've got an idea on how to start. If I can count on your support, please meet me here 3 hours before sunset. I hope to have a varied group ready by then which can deal with any surprises. At which point we can finalize the plan. He paused before continuing, Are you in?

[Lix Lorn]

During his 5 hours at the Gate, Dra'gat found and turned in 3 cutpurses. The fourth being a starving waif, bruised, beaten, and obviously starving.
Entering the temple, Dra'gat found the drider priestess Theresa preparing for a sermon.
"Priestess, I found one who needs help. It seems this poor girl was either found, or stolen from her family by some men. She steals from travelers in order to earn her dinner, and if she doesn't steal enough, they beat and starve her. And possibly worse. May I leave her in your care until we've found the men or and ensured they can't hurt her again? I hope afterwards we can find her a foster family, but until then she needs sanctuary."
"Of course." she nodded, calling for a generic NPC another cleric. "Would you mind finding this poor girl somewhere to stay?"


The fourth being a starving waif, bruised, beaten, and obviously starving.
Just checking, has she been fed recently? :smalltongue:

[mootoall]

Heading to a tavern for lunch, Dra'gat found Crick'tah dawdling over a late breakfast.
Crouching down next to him (none of the chairs would support Dra'gats armored weight), We need to settle things with those trolls before the fair gets in full swing. I've got an idea on how to start. If I can count on your support, please meet me here 3 hours before sunset. I hope to have a varied group ready by then which can deal with any surprises. At which point we can finalize the plan. He paused before continuing, Are you in?

"Aye, needs doing I suppose," he says, and chuckles, flames licking his lips. "It's been a while since I've tried troll. Rather bitter, but I believe a hint of rosemary would compliment that. Though naturally," he says, sarcasm tinged with regret colouring his voice, "We'll have to talk to them first. Perhaps they'll come here willingly."

[NineThePuma]

Traxex was wandering the Temple of Tamara, bow on her back as she padded silently down the halls, slipping through the worshipers and clerics who were in the halls. She paused as she spotted Theresa, debated for half a second, and then approached her mistress, pausing next to her, eying the half minotaur before her, wondering what had brought him here.

[Kallisti]

One of the acolytes bows to Theresa and leads the waif away, murmuring soothingly under her breath.

[Kallisti]

She should make it to HQ in a matter of minutes due to the close proximity the guard station is to the town center and her shop.
Upon arriving, she moves to the front desk,

“Hello there officer; what news do you bring me today? And, are any of the higher ranked officers in today?”

"Little enough news, milady. More reports of trolls harassing travelers from the North, a few petty crimes...one of the mages is requesting permission to erect a temporary tower above the Wellspring. I asked how he planned to erect a tower above a lake, and he assured me he'd figure something out. Watch-sergeant Gazzt is in, I believe, as is Captain Corpskanne."

[Chained Birds]

Wichett seems very annoyed by some of what the person said,

“That Gazzt… I thought he would have come up with a solution against those trolls. I’ll be going off to meet him. Is he in his office or out on patrol?”

She begins to head towards Gazzt’s room,

“Never mind, I’ll find out myself.”

[Dresil]

Korok

Something was amiss... like the gryphon had forgotten something important. Aha! He noticed the distinct jingle of coins in his pouch, and remembered he had a week's pay waiting for him at HQ.

Quickly flying over to the Town Guard's building, he pushes the doors in and looks around for the nearest private.

"Gazzt owes me some coin, where is he?" the gryphon speaks quite distinctly, a deep, resonating voice with the click of his beak edges catching each other on a few specific sounds.

[herrhauptmann]

Just checking, has she been fed recently? :smalltongue:
No, I decided it was more important to get her out of sight and to safety before more harm could befall her.
And yes I realize that I was a little redundant in my description.....



"Aye, needs doing I suppose," he says, and chuckles, flames licking his lips. "It's been a while since I've tried troll. Rather bitter, but I believe a hint of rosemary would compliment that. Though naturally," he says, sarcasm tinged with regret colouring his voice, "We'll have to talk to them first. Perhaps they'll come here willingly."
Excellent, if you have any suggestions for others, I would welcome them. I thought of Sergeant Gazzt, but do not know if he would be willing to enter direct conflict with a troll tribe. He paused, stretching to his full height and seeing the blacksmith and armourer enter the door. But for now, I need to report back in at HQ as soon my lunch is ready.
Dra'gat headed towards a server, seeking to place an order that could be eaten while walking.

[Kallisti]

"Gazzt owes me some coin, where is he?" the gryphon speaks quite distinctly, a deep, resonating voice with the click of his beak edges catching each other on a few specific sounds.

"Er...through the door behind me, last door on the left."

[Tyrael]

Sorry about the delay, folks. I never saw that the IC/OOC threads went up, and I'm still lacking the OOC link.

"Yew iz liss'nin up right quick now!" The deep, roaring voice of Sergeant Gazzt comes from the double-wide door to his office, which bears a large and crude placard reading Sarj GzZat. A mumbled reply comes from within, followed by a dull thump and Gazzt's distinctive roar again.

"Well now you iz doin' sumfing an' you iz liking it! Argh! I ain't believe what it are my eyez iz seein'!"

There is another mumbled response with a replying bellow. "Slab Mountain? Only two fings iz comin' frum Slab Mountain! Rocks, an'....an'...an' other sortsa rocks! Now which be it yowse iz!? You iz a REAL man in der Guard an' no three wayz 'bout it, an' no butts, an's or 'cuz's! Argh! You iz narsty piece o' work an' makin' my eyes go Wot Dis Bludy Rot Eh!? Now you iz gon' ter da patrolz an' gather in' up da boyz fer da ringin' o der bell an' da WAAAAAGH an' der ALLZ WELL an' der nicey nice, yer gotz it!? Now git!"


The door opens, and a shamefaced troll officer exits quickly, mumbling and staring at the floor. Inside, the lumbering form of Sargeant Gazzt is sitting behind his desk, shuffling a few papers with a fingertip. The hulking troll is wearing a "breastplate" that looks more appropriate for a war elephant, and a helmet large enough to serve as a human's small shield. A handheld seige crossbow of epic proportions leans against one wall.

[mootoall]

"Mm, right-o, Crick'tah says as the officer walks away. He pops the last bit of egg into his mouth, nods to the bartender, and leaves. By now his tab must be of prodigious proportions, but he hasn't bothered to pay it yet, and the innkeeper didn't seem to interested in collecting. He continues out the door, and, following a series of quick jumps, is on the roof of a house, then on the wall, watching the steady stream of people enter and the little minstrel-guard playing at the gates.

[Dresil]

Korok Silentwing

Korok brushes past the troll and walks briskly into the office of Gazzt. He places his talons on the Sarge's desk and says "I can't wait no longer to be paid, Gazzt. So you got some coin for me? Or maybe I should just take it outta that troll's hide, eh? Its not like anyone would miss him, and I could sell that steel barrel he calls a breastplate."

[herrhauptmann]

Sorry to disturb the flow of the game...
Here's the group 1 OOC (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175425) (not sure if a group 2 OOC was ever made)

[Tyrael]

Gazzt looks down at Korok suspiciously, on the general basis that anyone asking something from him usually had their own motive for wanting it. This assumption hadn't let him down so far. " 'ere, wot money iz dat? 'as yew got a receipt fer it?"

[Dresil]

Korok

"Receipt? Do you think I've got pockets on me? Look, you told me three days ago you needed more time to make payroll, now its long enough!"

[Chained Birds]

A familiar gryphon pops by Wickett and heads to sergeant Gazzt’s office before her. A troll passes by her as she begins to wonder if the sergeant is taking care of the problem to the north.
She stands in front of the office, overhearing the conversation between Gazzt and Korok, as she readies herself with a cheerful smile. She knocks at the door before entering without waiting for an answer.

“Good morning to you Sergeant Gazzt. I hope I’m not interrupting anything important?”

[Tyrael]

Gazzt waves a massive hand dismissively. "Naah. 'dis here Korok sez I got ta pay a roll, but I dunno nuffin' bout no bread. Anyway, I fort we 'ad Cap'n Corpskanne takin' care o' all dat rot, yeh?"

[Dresil]

Korok throws his talons up in annoyance. "Whatever. Unless anyone has anything better for me to do, I'm going back to my perch after I sell off a Breastplate to sell. Here Trolly..."

[Chained Birds]

“Well I came in here to check on the problem with the trolls to the north, so I just got a question for you Gazzt dear.
WHY ISN’T IT DEALT WITH?!”

She menacingly points towards the sergeant,

“You were supposed to take care of this mess. I was hoping you would solve this problem before the end of the week, but I guess I thought too much of you. Should I get out of retirement to help you out with this?”

She eyes the gryphon,

“…and you Korok, make yourself useful and scout out the north. I’ll make sure you get your pay.”

[Dresil]

Korok turns his head back to the sergeant, "Maybe she should be the one in that chair, eh? Or maybe she could use you as a footrest instead. In any sense, I'll be going up north to hunt, you are more than free to join me in the fun if you wish."

Just in case anyone is going to come with in a party to deal with trolls, Korok will wait up to one hour in Haven Yard in case there are any takers, then will set off north.

[mootoall]

From his perch on the wall, Crick'tah sees a very angry, fluffed up looking griffon, who he recognizes as that particularly hotheaded creature Korrok, stride out of the guardhouse and into Haven Yard. Feeling a sort of kinship with the beast, he unfurls his wings and glides down to his side. "Heh, what's got your feathers all ruffled? You get in a tiff with the king troll over there?" he says, jerking his head back to the guardhouse.

[Dresil]

"I don't know much about any king troll, all I know is I'm going north to take care of a few trolls one way or another."

[mootoall]

"Aaaaah, now if that's what you're interested in, me and Dra'gat were gonna take care of that ourselves. Though we could always welcome a bit more company. Seems Gazzt's been a bit inefficient with it. I'd be more than happy to kick it up a notch, if y'please. Find Dra'gat, if you want to go soon, and we can take care of it together." Crick'tah leans against the wall of the nearest building, and breathes a slow stream of smoke. It's going to be a fun day it seems.

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Exiting the tavern, Dra'gat returned towards Haven Yard at a steady pace. As eager as he was to inform the duty officer of his intentions to go after the trolls, he didn't want to walk in while still eating his lunch. Far easier to speak and reason with someone when you're not engrossed in your meals.
Spot check for the town. At a -2 for being distracted with lunch.
[roll0]


Entering Haven Yard, Dra'gat stepped aside to let the griffon Korok exit in a huff, before stationing himself before the duty officer. A new, young, and rather frazzled looking dwarven Lance Constable by the name of Cheery (Cheri?).
Speaking Dwarven:
Constable, has there been any further news on the situation with the troll tribe? Well anything new since the last 3 days?
If not, Krik'tah and myself are putting together a group to deal with them. Peaceably if possible, and if not, well, I think we should be able to handle anything that comes up.
He pauses, As he was assigned the task, please inform Sergeant Gazzt that I expect to leave a little before sunset, after my shift is done. Until then, I'm heading over to the mage fair, making sure that there's no problems there. I'll inform you of any changes.
Also I'd like a favor, could you dig out any reliable terrain maps of the northern end of the mesa? I'd rather avoid walking the group into a box canyon where we'd be sitting ducks.

[Kallisti]

Constable, has there been any further news on the situation with the troll tribe? Well anything new since the last 3 days?
If not, Krik'tah and myself are putting together a group to deal with them. Peaceably if possible, and if not, well, I think we should be able to handle anything that comes up.

As he was assigned the task, please inform Sergeant Gazzt that I expect to leave a little before sunset, after my shift is done. Until then, I'm heading over to the mage fair, making sure that there's no problems there. I'll inform you of any changes.
Also I'd like a favor, could you dig out any reliable terrain maps of the northern end of the mesa? I'd rather avoid walking the group into a box canyon where we'd be sitting ducks.

"In the last three days? Just more reports of attacks. One group claimed they'd encountered a shaman who had been dredging the corpses of the dead from the bottom of the river, but they were deep in their cups at the time. I'll send a message so Sergeant Gazzt immediately, and then start looking for that map."

[herrhauptmann]

Hmm, that's not exactly good news, but thank you for telling me. All the attacks in the same region, that foxfire forest? We can deal with this if we get just a few more people.

Dra'gat walks out mumbling to himself.
Myself, Krick'tah, who else should I ask? Draxex probably won't leave the temple or Theresa's side. Theresa, she might go, but she's in charge of the temple, so I doubt it.

[herrhauptmann]

Still trying to work out a group roster in his head, Dra'gat heads for the site of the mage fair.

Once there, his smile fades despite all the wondrous sites. Many wizards have set up stalls for their wares, peddling to other visitors, other merchants have set out wares intending to attract the participants of the fair, not just the fair-goers.
Everywhere he looks, he can see another amazing sight. Here an illusion of a firebreathing dragon. There, a tent transmuted (somehow) to resemble diamond. Even high above, the new teacher, Irulian Ventus άνεμος, floating over all. Whether looking for something/someone in particular, or just there to be seen, Dra'gat wasn't sure.
From one stall, Dra'gat can smell guano and cardamom, the mixing scents making him nauseus. In another, freshbaked pastries in fried sugar make his mouth water despite his recent lunch.

Still on the lookout for anything which deserves the attention of the watch.
spot check
[roll0]

[Chained Birds]

“You know what?”

Wickett ponders for a few seconds then gasps in surprise,

“That Mage Fair is up and running, I’d better go open my shop before it’s too late. I’ll scold you some more when I’m not pressed for time, bye!”

With that she hastily leaves Gazzt’s office without waiting for a response.

She rushes over to her store and opens it with her key. A few clicks and gear winding is heard from beyond the door, but it opens without too much effort. She turns on a few candles and opens the blinds on her shop. She switches a small sign from “Closed” to “Open,” and carries out a large colorful sign that says,

“17% off magical items and 23% off alchemic items.”

She is going to be at the shop until her employees come by around 11:45 AM to cover for her. She still wants to check up on that Troll situation to the north, but work comes first.

Wickett’s item shop, Recettear is now open for business.

Profession (shop owner): [roll0]

[Tyrael]

Sargeant Gazzt stares out the door after Wickett. He was always a little slow on the uptake, and had still been mentally sorting through his to respond to her when she rushed out. The hulking troll officer shrugs. Whatever she had wanted, it obviously wasn't too important, or else she would have stayed around for it.

With a grunt, Gazzt turns back to the paperwork on his desk. Reports....reports....hmm? What's this? Gazzt pulls out a small note, informing him of an expedition at sunset and inviting him along. Hmm.

Gazzt glances up at the doorway again. If it meant getting away from more people yelling at him like that woman, he was all for it. Signing the paper hesitantly because he isn't sure what else to do with it, Gazzt returns to the rest of his paperwork while he waits for sundown...

[Kallisti]

The day passes in a whirl of chaotic activity as more and more guests for the Mage Fair pour into town--many with news of trolls along the North Fathomwell. Soon enough, the sun begins to sink below the horizon, and you strike off into the Foxfire Woods. The wisplights dance through the evening mist in dizzying waltzes, and you find it increasingly hard to concentrate as the tiny lights spin and whirl above you. The way they shine through the mist is quite beautiful...

...what was that sound? No, probably nothing...you're just jumpy. Go back to watching the lights...

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Turning to the group, I show them all the map I was given by the duty officer Cheery.

Neither I nor Kallisti are at all good when it comes making maps, so the description will have to suffice.

The North Fathomwell stretches off to the north, eventually passing into the deep caverns beneath the mountain range that can just barely be glimpsed in the distance from atop the Mesa on a clear day. It passes through the fringes of the Foxfire Woods, the main body of which lies to the east of the river. The trolls presumably dwell in the forest, since if they lived out in the open you'd have known about them earlier. The forest has a bad reputation--although it seems tranquil and serene if melancholy and a little eerie, the reports of disappearances and the strange lights from which it gets its name have given rise to rumors that the woods are the haven of the fey, who do not take kindly to intruders.
Also, I was warned that some survivors claimed to have seen a shaman searching the river to claim bodies. While the survivors were drunker than a dwarven bachelor party when questioned, I'm going to believe them. So I'm expecting some undead in addition to everything else.
Now, something I need to know. Can everyone here see in the dark?

After the party all answer, Dra'gat sets off at a decent pace, taking time to check for troll tracks, while Korok and Krick'tah fly overhead. (20 ft movement, no penalties)
Skill checks:
Spot: [roll0]
Search to find tracks: [roll1]
Wisdom check to find troll tracks, which should be a familiar scent since Gazzt is with us(scent and Track feat) [roll2]

[NineThePuma]

Traxex moves silently with the group, focused outward, ignoring those nearby, lagging towards the back somewhat, her bow in hand though an arrow isn't yet nocked.

Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]
Move Silently: [roll2]
Hide: [roll3]

[mootoall]

Crick'tah glides serenely above the group, keeping his eye out for anything suspicious. This forest never struck him as trustworthy, but it didn't bother him unduly. After all, fire was good for the forest, in a way. He looks around, vestigial ears perking up as he thinks he senses something ... I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MY SPOT/LISTEN MODIFIERS ARE! spot: [roll0] listen [roll1]

[Dresil]

Korok mentions he can see just fine in the dark, and passes the time testing Krick'tah with flight, (comparing his flight to yours, fly 60' good manuverability)

Even in the air, the gryphon keeps an eye and an ear out for all things unusual.


Spot [roll0]
Listen [roll1]

[Eurus]

Urbis (who has totally been here the whole time and didn't just now appear because his player forgot about the game like an idiot) brings up the rear, his presence a comforting hum in the back of his comrades' minds. <I have no better sight than any human, unfortunately. I could create light, but if you want to avoid attention, that could do more harm than good.>

Incidentally, everyone in the group currently is part of Urbis's Worldthought Network as long as they're willing and within 170 feet of him. Everyone who's part of the network can communicate telepathically with each other.

[Debatra]

Oristar,having also been there the whole time and is most certainly not making up for lack of IC posting, is somewhere in the center of the group, not really caring who's sight is best.

Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

[Tyrael]

The huge, lumbering footsteps of Sargent Gazzt shake the earth mildly as he lopes along behind the group, his enormous Piecemaker balanced over one shoulder.

"Now we gotz ta try to take dese boyz alive, hey?" he reminds the rest of the group. "It are der civ'lized way ter do it, an' citizens ain't allowed ta take der law into deir handz."

[mootoall]

"Of course," says Crick'tah, deciding to land before he became too tired, "We'll try to take them alive. But if I think they're getting too snippy ... well, I hear your kind don't like fire. And I *love* it."

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Pausing in his search for troll tracks. Dra'gat turns to address the trollish sergeant.
Take them alive, are you crazy? He demanded quietly. The cells in town are barely enough to hold one person as strong as you or I. How could we possibly hold an entire tribe, especially when we have only a dozen or so small cells?
I wish we had had this conversation earlier... For now, everyone keep their eyes open.


Kallisti, not sure what you need, so here's a whole mess of skill rolls.
Spot:[roll0]
Search to find tracks: [roll1]
Wisdom check (scent and track feat): [roll2]
Survival: [roll3]

[Lix Lorn]

Theresa
"I hope my suspicions are incorrect." she says quietly, listening carefully, eyes blinking in the sun.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Eurus]

<That's true,> Urbis nods to Dra'gat, <but practicality aside, I still rather dislike the idea of butchering an entire tribe of sentient beings.>

[herrhauptmann]

Hurr hurr, I forgot we can speak telepathically now...
Dra'gat (Still about 30 feet ahead)

We can't let this go on Urbis, they'll just keep murdering innocents until they're brave enough to attack the town. Dra'gat pauses for an unneeded breath.
We need to create a peace with them, and make them see that it's in their best interests to maintain it, for which we need strength.
At that point, they'd be protected from us coming out to slaughter them, same as it should stop them from attacking innocents. A violation of that agreement, we or they would have to hand over the guilty, or risk a war.
Between the options of mass slaughter and ineffective containment, it seems the only rational choice.

[Tyrael]

Dra'gat

Pausing in his search for troll tracks. Dra'gat turns to address the trollish sergeant.
Take them alive, are you crazy? He demanded quietly. The cells in town are barely enough to hold one person as strong as you or I. How could we possibly hold an entire tribe, especially when we have only a dozen or so small cells?
I wish we had had this conversation earlier... For now, everyone keep their eyes open.


Kallisti, not sure what you need, so here's a whole mess of skill rolls.
Spot:[roll0]
Search to find tracks: [roll1]
Wisdom check (scent and track feat): [roll2]
Survival: [roll3]




"My job are to keep der peace," the trollish sergeant says stubbornly. "An' killin people iz against der law 'less you iz attacked wid deadly force an' in threat of yer life, an' den there will be an....in...ves...ti...gay...shun... All 'fficial an' ev'rything. If der cells don't work then dey can be Useful Members Of Society an' der like."

[Kallisti]

You hear a voice drawing nearer through the mist. It appears to be disembodied.* It laughs to itself--the helpless, mirthless laughter of the insane--and begins to whisper. "Silly little outsiders, don't even know I'm here. I could snap their necks, or go tell Levantine so he could send his little toys or maybe I'll talk to them and ask them my riddle and when they can't guess it I'll eat them all up..." A large troll has wanders up to you through the mist, still muttering. He stares at you for a long moment. "Hello, outsiders. Do you want to hear a riddle?"

*Unless you rolled high enough on your listen check to hear his stealthy footsteps before he was in earshot.

[Dresil]

"Try me, troll."

[mootoall]

Crick'tah startles at the approach of the troll, and then laughs. "A riddle? If you can come up with something that can stump us, I'll eat my own tail." He makes sure there is a clear path between him and the troll, just in case the riddle starts to ... bore him.

[Kallisti]

"There are rules, you know," he says reproachfully. "If you can't solve my riddle--one guess each!--then I get to eat you all up and you have to let me."

[mootoall]

"Heh, you eat me ... Well, it would certainly be a change! I only hope I'm smoother going down than you would be. You wriggle unless you're cooked right. Either way, I'm game."

[Kallisti]

The troll grins madly, and begins to slaver. "Didn't even ask what happens if he wins; knows he'll never solve my riddle. Smart outsider..." He clears his throat.
"In through your eyes I creep,
Whisper while you sleep;
Hound you 'til I get my way,
Then they come take you away."

[NineThePuma]

Traxex starts laughing at the troll, a fit of giggles at the riddle.

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

So we fail your game and we have to agree to get eaten. And if we win your riddle game, what is our prize, 'not getting eaten'?

Korok, Crick'tah, I can't believe you're going along with this insanity.
Dra'gat draws his hammer and wills the acid to flow from the head.

edit cuz the riddle's been posted while I typed:
Sorry, I type slow sometimes. Dra'gat doesn't consider himself to have agreed to the game, or given an answer

[mootoall]

"Hah, you're crazy, troll! If you think you alone could eat us even if we lose, you're a fool. Though your riddle can't be too hard to figure out. Give us each a guess, you say? Well, give me a minute to think, and if my more intellectually inclined companions haven't guessed it by then, I'll give it to you."

[Kallisti]

He looks at Dra'gat. "If you somehow figured out my riddle--which you won't!--I...hmm. I don't know. Name your prize."

[Debatra]

Hmm... Alright, lets have your riddle.

Ready Action: Scorching Ray if this turns ugly. Target(s) yet to be determined.

EDIT: Nevermind this, save for the ready. Had to leave comp while typing and didn't see the other posts.

[herrhauptmann]

Verbally to the troll: And if I guess correctly with your life, you'd probably lie and claim I was wrong. No deal Troll.

sense motive, to tell if he's honest regarding giving us a prize.
[roll0]

[Debatra]

OOC: I'd like to remind everyone that we're all in Urbis's Hive Mind. One of us gets it right, we all should.

[Eurus]

"I can't say that I like this idea much," Urbis notes aloud, "but it does seem like an ideal way to avoid bloodshed."

<His as well as ours.>

"And as it seems that my friends have already agreed for the lot of us, well, there's nothing else for it."

<I'm afraid that riddles aren't my specialty. Too literal-minded. Does anyone else have any ideas?>

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Mentally to Urbis
<He offers a guess for each of us. For those who don't make a guess, I think we're exempt from the riddle and the penalty.
On the other hand, he seems completely honest on one count at least: If we get the riddle right, we can name our prize. If I could trust him to deal fairly with the riddle itself, I'd ask for his master delivered securely as our prisoner.>

[Eurus]

<Well, there's no sense in asking for a reward that's beyond his power to give. But I'm sure we could come up with something. We likely only have one guess in total, though. If even one of our guesses is incorrect and he demands his price, the chances of convincing him to uphold his own end of the bargain without delivering ours are slim.>

[mootoall]

<No, no, he clearly said one guess each. For each of us, I think that means. So, without any further ado ...>

"I'll take my guess, stinker. The answer to your riddle's the same as what you are: insanity. Craziness. Call it what you will, madness is the solution." He stands boldly, straight across from the troll, and puffs out his chest, looking not so much like an exemplar of draconic gallantry so much as a strutting chicken.

[Kallisti]

"Wrong! Wrong, wrong, wrong, they always guess that, wrong! Next!"

[Debatra]

(please see the OOC thread for my apology and acknowledgment of my stupidity over this)

Conceal Spellcasting Detect Thoughts.

Sleight of Hand: [roll0]

Everyone that can see me gets a spot check to see that I'm casting. Will DC 16.

Can the others in our telepathy hear the thoughts too?

EDIT: Forgot to put Synergy Bonuses on my sheet. Add 2 to that SoH check.

[Eurus]

Urbis tilts his head to one side as if trying to hear something more clearly, as the beguiling whispers slip into his mind.

[roll0]

[mootoall]

Crick'tah's chest deflates as the troll rejects his guess. Grumbling, he stands aside, waiting for someone else to take a shot at the riddle.

[Dresil]

Korok flexes his talons, a trait he does when he becomes agitated. One part of him wishing he bought a fire enchantment instead of the electrical one, another at the riddle. The gryphon crosses his arms to hide his talons, as the smell of ozone gently carries on the breeze, signifying the activation of his gloves.

He keeps his ears perked, just in case this turns into an ambush. Listen [roll0]

<I'm torn between a nightmare, and guilt. They both seem to fit, yet everything seems to fit in hindsight. Only one way to find out.>


"I've lived it enough to know what it is, yet they haven't taken me away from it yet. You are Guilt."

[Kallisti]

"Wrong, wrong, a very good guess but wrong, wrong, wrong!" The mad troll is almost capering with glee at this point.

All those who rolled less than 20 on the will save:
Follow them follow follow them come away...you begin to drift off in the general direction of the wisps. After all, they have something to show you...something important...

[Eurus]

Urbis seems entirely distracted from the troll and his riddle, and begins wandering off in the direction of the wisps with an inquisitive look. "How curious..."

An orb of blue quartz about the size of a human fist on thin spidery legs of gleaming ectoplasm crawls onto Urbis's shoulder and nudges him insistently. <Hey, are you okay? Those wisps look friendly and all, but aren't you kind of forgetting about something?>

[Kallisti]

"Wrong, wrong, a very good guess but wrong, wrong, wrong!" The mad troll is almost capering with glee at this point.

All those who rolled less than 20 on the will save:
Follow them follow follow them come away...you begin to drift off in the general direction of the wisps. After all, they have something to show you...something important...

[Lix Lorn]

Theresa can't help but be distracted by the lights, oh so pretty they are...

[mootoall]

Crick'tah gleefully capers after the whispy flames, forgetting about his failure with the riddle. If the troll wanted to take a bite out of him, well, there wasn't much he could do about it. But the lights were so pretty ...

[herrhauptmann]

Ignoring the insane Troll and his ridiculous riddle with even more ridiculous conditions; Dra'gat notices a pattern within the movement of the lights surrounding them.
I wonder if that means something? He asks himself, gaze fixed on the lights, following them slowly.

Yeah, I'm getting a cloak or resistance first chance I get.

[Dresil]

The predator's eyes focus on something in the distance. Prey? Perhaps. Flattening his ears against his skull he moves to investigate.

[NineThePuma]

Traxex is side tracked, looking to the troll as she pads toward the wisps.

"Hunger, my dear troll friend." She says aloud, still sidetracked by the wisps; but

I just noticed... shouldn't I be Dispelled of the influence?

[mootoall]

Crick'tah's head clears, and he realizes that he was drifting towards the whisps. "Now that's not right," he mutters, as he sees some others traipsing towards the whisps.

[Tyrael]

Sargeant Gazzt begins to try to think some sort of message towards the rest of the party, but as soon as the Pretty Lights start flashing, he's off in his own head as the hulking troll officer lumbers away after them.

[Dresil]

"Can't be eaten now, better things to do..." In a daze the gryphon starts running toward the source of the come hither call.

Double move for 160'.

[Lix Lorn]

Theresa shakes her head in disbelief. What just happened to her..?
Nonetheless, others are still in danger. She moves 30ft towards the wisps, to give her a clearer view of what's going on, and grips the holy symbol around her neck.
"Dispel Magic!" she proclaims, pointing at the furthest creature under the wisps influence she can see-unless Traxex is still under it, in which case she targets her.

170ft range. I expect the target furthest away would be the Gryphon.
[roll0]
DC=spell level + 11

She frowns heavily and curses.

[Debatra]

Oristar casts another Dispel Magic on the two still in range. Satisfied that it worked this time, he takes off after Theresa and Korok.

Dispel: [roll0] +8 each

[NineThePuma]

Traxex is quick to Shadow Jaunt after the gryphon, flickering 50 ft closer before she chases after him, trying to maneuver after him.

Move 80ft closer to him.

[Debatra]

See my latest OOC post for why that's not (entirely) needed.

EDIT: Also, is the Telepathy network still up? What's the range?

[mootoall]

His mind no longer being influenced by the nefarious whisps, Crick'tah looks around him and sees the troll running after the lights as well, his fleet feet carrying him faster than he'd expect. He barks out a laugh at the troll, and says "Oh, the riddle game's over, is it? I thought we could all guess." He dashes after the troll, plants himself in front of it, and exhales a torrent of flame at it. It feels more liquid than flame, and when he closes his mouth he tastes something like petroleum. It hits the troll, and he finds himself unable to move as he could before, and covered in some sort of liquid flame.

Getting as far in front of the troll as possible, then Entangling Exhalation off the DFA breath.

[Eurus]

Urbis seems bewildered as the compulsion leaves him, and slows to a stop. <What in the world... oh. Goodness, he's fast, isn't he? I can't do much to catch him, but I can patch him up if you need to bring him down...>

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Shaking the cobwebs from his mind, Dra'gat looks ahead to see the crazed troll running forward with a vacant look upon his face. While even further ahead, Korok charges forward with reckless abandon, chasing the voices which while now powerless, still echoed through his own mind.

Bones of the earth, listen for now speaks Grumbars hand. Quiver and shake, tremble and tremor. Stop Koroks flight, that we may end his plight. Dra'gat calls out, stamping his foot.


Concentration to cast defensively: [roll0] (DC 16)
Casting 'Mire' on one of the squares Korok occupies. Everyone who is landbased (no fliers/swimmers) within 20 feet of that square is the subject of a trip attempt. May make a reflex save vs Spell DC (21) to avoid falling. Unusually stable creatures (quadrupeds, dwarves, etc) get a +2 on their save.
If not in contact with the ground, for example, in a tree within spell radius, on a tightrope with one or both anchor points affected by the spell, or in a building wholely within the spell radius, You still count as if you're in the affected area. Exceptionally unstable structures may collapse under effect of the spell, see DM for adjudication.
Reflex save is 21

[herrhauptmann]

Spell completed, Dra'gat begins to chase after the crazed troll

[Dresil]

Running along the forest path (Ironically, flying would be slower) Korok suddenly trips over his own hindpaws, as if the ground itself just decided to give him a shake up.

(Relfex save was posted OOC)

EDIT: Korok stands up and moves another 80' toward the lights, unless I can get a new will save for falling on my face.

[Tyrael]

Gazzt blinks, finally emerging out of whatever fog he had been in. Like most trolls, it took him a few moments to mentally catch up to events. "'ere, wot's all dis..." he concentrates. "...den?"

[Debatra]

Oristar makes yet another Dispel attempt on Korok. If successful, he moves in front of the troll. If not, 30' towards Korok.

Dispel Check: [roll0]

[mootoall]

Seeing the last of his companions freed from the wisps' powers, Crick'tah decides to finish dealing with the troll.

"Now, don't think you're going anywhere. We've still got a game to finish. I'm gonna guess again, and say that the answer's crisp-fried troll.

He lets out another burst of fire, this one not as gelatinous as the last.

Breathing fire, using Power Surge to deal +1 damage/die. DC 19 Reflex for half. [roll0]

[Eurus]

Urbis raises an eyebrow, and his telepathic voice is more than a little bit reproachful. <...Why are you still attempting to kill the troll if it is no longer an obstacle? Is ruthlessly burning sentient beings alive really that entertaining?>

[mootoall]

Urbis raises an eyebrow, and his telepathic voice is more than a little bit reproachful. <...Why are you still attempting to kill the troll if it is no longer an obstacle? Is ruthlessly burning sentient beings alive really that entertaining?>

Crick'tah grins, and responds telepathically <Oh, most definitely. Especially deranged ones. Especially deranged ones that tried to kill me. Especially if they're delicious.>

[Eurus]

<Technically, you did agree to let him try to kill you... >

[mootoall]

<Technically, you did agree to let him try to kill you... >

<I said he could take a bite. Never said I wouldn't bite back.>

[Eurus]

<True enough. I just don't see why you want to waste time chasing him down for revenge when he's not our problem anymore. It's not even as if he managed to actually do more than briefly inconvenience us.>

[mootoall]

<Honestly? I've heard troll tastes divine. And ours is off limits.>

[Eurus]

Urbis sighs out loud, a sentiment not echoed into the telepathic web. <I take it you won't be convinced to let it be, then? I imagine Sergeant Gazzt, at least, would agree with me on this one...>

[mootoall]

<I don't suppose he would, no.>

[Eurus]

<If you're determined, I can't physically stop you, but I'll be taking no part in this myself. We have more important things to take care of.>

Skipping my turn unless a threat comes up.

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Crazed one, you will fall by my hand. And you will lead me to your master. Dragat says as he sidles within reach of the beast
(5 ft step and full attack)


[roll0]
Damage: [roll1] and [roll2] acid

[roll3]
Damage: [roll4] and [roll5] acid

[Tyrael]

Gazzt lumbers towards the fleeing troll. "You iz under arrest for impedin' an officer in 'is duty," he rumbles, and lashes out with an enormous fist like the wrath of a god.

[roll0]
[roll1] nonlethal
(Automatic Grapple attempt thanks to Scorpion's Grasp)
[roll2]

[Kallisti]

Gazzt catches the troll before he hits the ground. His eyes stare blankly from his face--he'll wake up soon enough, with a very, very bad headache.

The wisplights begin to vanish into the mist. Somehow, despite their incorporeal nature, they convey the feeling of slinking off, a strangely feline kind of movement. You are now alone in the mist-shrouded wood, an eerie silence settling on the clearing as the din of battle fades.

[mootoall]

"Ach, Gaz'zt, you ruined my fun! Well, better put him out then ..." Crick'tah walks to the unconscious troll and flaps his wings at him, producing enough wind to blow out the dancing flames on his body.

"There, now, can anyone track this ugly fella back to his lair?"

[Dresil]

Korok comes tramping through the forest and without much as a word he looks at the fallen troll and begins to rifle through its things.

Search Roll
[roll0]

[Kallisti]

Korok finds, tucked into many rough pockets within the troll's crude hides, a bizarre assortment of items.

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Someone should tie him up before he wakes. Make sure to use lots of rope, otherwise he could probably tear Urbis, Traxex, or Oristar in two before we put him down again. After a pause, Dra'gat adds, And ask him who this Levantine is.
Stealing himself, Dra'gat takes a deep whiff of the unconscious troll. Trying to discern his natural scent behind the odor of acidburnt and charred flesh.



Spot:[roll0]
Search to find tracks: [roll1]
Wisdom check (scent and track feat): [roll2]
Survival: [roll3]

[Dresil]

Korok

"You really think I know one kind of tooth from another? Its so savage to even have teeth! Here, if it concerns you that much." The toothless gryphon tosses the necklace over to Dra'gat.

[Kallisti]

Dra'gat quickly finds the troll's trail.

When Korok opens the lantern, the wisp immediately streaks off into the distance, weaving crazily as it flies.

[mootoall]

"Let's go find where the stinker lives then."

[Kallisti]

Following the insane troll's trail is not difficult--he made little attempt to disguise the signs of his passage. After ten or so minutes you've backtracked to a small hill on the bank of a deep, cold stream that branches off from the North Fathomwell. There's a hole in the side of the hill, large enough for a troll to fit into, barely, and the entrance to it has clearly been disturbed somewhat regularly for a long time.

The skeletons of medium-size animals--dogs or wolves--lie outside the entrance, one posed as if it were watching the cave mouth and waiting for something to emerge, the other staring out into the forest. Dozens of tiny ragdolls dressed in vibrant cloth hang within the skeletons, suspended by small lengths of cord from the small metal studs that dot the bodies. A macabre decoration, to be sure.

[Debatra]

If he doesn't pick anything up with Detect Thoughts, Oristar casts Deathwatch (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/deathwatch.htm).

[Kallisti]

Oristar:
The skeletons are not alive, dead, or undead. They don't look any different under Deathwatch than they do normally; which is strange given that they appear to be the remains of living creatures.

[Debatra]

Oristar:
The skeletons are not alive, dead, or undead. They don't look any different under Deathwatch than they do normally; which is strange given that they appear to be the remains of living creatures.

Bone Golems, then? Some other Construct?

[Kallisti]

Bone Golems, then? Some other Construct?

It could be. Or they could be sculptures, or somehow shielded against divination, or perhaps something is interfering with the spell. Perhaps there's nothing wrong with the spell, but something's interfering with your perceptions.

[Debatra]

It could be. Or they could be sculptures, or somehow shielded against divination, or perhaps something is interfering with the spell. Perhaps there's nothing wrong with the spell, but something's interfering with your perceptions.

The spell description specifically says a. they would read as consructs if that's what they were, and b. it sees through anything that masks their condition.

[Kallisti]

Using the foul sight granted by the powers of unlife, you can determine the condition of creatures near death within the spell’s range. You instantly know whether each creature within the area is dead, fragile (alive and wounded, with 3 or fewer hit points left), fighting off death (alive with 4 or more hit points), undead, or neither alive nor dead (such as a construct).

Deathwatch sees through any spell or ability that allows creatures to feign death.
When you look at the skeletons, you perceive them as neither alive nor dead, but not as undead, and you know instinctively that they are not feigning death. Perhaps they're inanimate objects, perhaps they're constructs, perhaps your perception is, for whatever reason, inaccurate.

[Debatra]

When you look at the skeletons, you perceive them as neither alive nor dead, but not as undead, and you know instinctively that they are not feigning death. Perhaps they're inanimate objects, perhaps they're constructs, perhaps your perception is, for whatever reason, inaccurate.

Sorry, my mistake.

<Well, nothing's coming up on my divinations, though I don't have Detect Magic today. Damn that Troll.>

[mootoall]

<That's no problem, you know. I can handle that.>

Crick'tah gets the entire scene in view, then activates Magic Insight.

[Kallisti]

Crick'tah:
That's...weird. You're not getting anything from the skeletons. Normally, with Detect Magic, when you look at something nonmagical you feel...something. It's hard to describe, but it's there. As the black you see when you close your eyes is to vision, so this feeling is to Detect Magic. But when you look at the skeletons, there's nothing there. It's not like the black you see when you close your eyes, it's like the area behind your head--there's no black, because there's no anything.

The insane troll begins to stir in Gazzt's grasp, and groans. He'll be conscious again in a minute or so.

[Tyrael]

"Der suspect is comin' round again," Gazzt announces to no one in particular. "Want me ta hit'im onna head again?"

[mootoall]

"There's something wrong here ... let him wake up, but make sure he's secured. Don't let him move his hands. There's some sort of magic ... void here. As if magic just doesn't exist there."

Knowledge (Arcana) for what the hell is that all about: [roll0]

[Kallisti]

Crick'tah: It's not a magic void. Probably. Antimagic has its own distinct flavor. This is more like there being something wrong with your Detect Magic spell. It's theoretically possible that it's some kind of null-magic that was created in a distinct way from 'normal' antimagic, but if so it'd be unique. Interference with the divination is the likeliest answer.

[Debatra]

Knowledge (Arcana): [roll0]

Never know.

*sees nat 1* Nevermind then.

[mootoall]

"Perhaps it interferes with divination only," he says. "I'll be right back. Someone keep an eye on those skeletons." He reaches into his draconic wellspring of magic, and tries to fade from the visible spectrum.

Activating Walk Unseen. If it works, I'll approach the cave entrance.

[Debatra]

Knowledge (Religion): [roll0]

Hey, you never know.

EDIT: While I'm at it, I'll take 10 on an untrained Knowledge (Nature) check.

[Kallisti]

Crick'tah disappears from sight and begins to approach the cave.

Momentarily he has crossed to the cave's mouth and is peering into the darkness.

[mootoall]

Calling back across the Hive Mind, Crick'tah says <Nothing's jumped out at me yet ...>

[Debatra]

Spot: [roll0]

[mootoall]

Crick'tah, not able to see the cave, breathes in, then releases a burst of flame, covering his right hand in flame. He tries to make it mimic the appearance of one of the whispy lights, in order to remain undetected.

Can I make a disguise check for that to happen? If so: [roll0]

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat
<Be careful in there.>


Spot [roll0]
And I doubt it's applicable, but knowledge dungoneering on those 'skeletons'
[roll1]

[mootoall]

Crick'tah, hearing Dra'gat calling him back, turns around in time to see the skeleton things turn to him. <Guys,> he thinks, <this doesn't look too good ...> Startled enough to act purely by instinct, Crick'tah jumps and runs out of the cave, breathing a cone of fire at the skeleton things. Entangling Exhalation time! [roll0] Ref save, followed by [roll1] rounds of [roll2] fire damage.

[Kallisti]

The skeletons are scorched. The fire licks up and down the dolls, eventually guttering out, leaving them blackened, but still in place.

[Debatra]

Oristar remains invisibly in place (though not the exact same place), waiting for whatever happens next.

Spellcraft for Dancing lights: [roll0]

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat
Dra'gat moves to the entrance of the cave (but not into the cave), his bulk blocking out the light to those inside. Grasping his enormous hammer in both hands he prepares to unleash an attack with all his ability on the dolls should they prove to be more than mere 'watchdogs'.

Readying an attack, the maneuver Steelwind. Attack requires 2 separate targets, 1 strike on each. Will attack the two dolls that are nearest to Crick'tah and Oristar. Condition to activate the attack: One or more dolls makes an attack on me or an ally.
Rolling attacks now in case I'm not online when they move. If they don't attack, disregard these rolls.
Target 1: [roll0] Damage: [roll1] plus [roll2] acid

Target 2: [roll3] Damage: [roll4] plus [roll5] acid

[Kallisti]

Oristar remains invisibly in place (though not the exact same place), waiting for whatever happens next.

Spellcraft for Dancing lights: [roll0]

When Oristar moves, the dolls twist around. Their eyes remain pointed directly at him. There are literally dozens of them in each skeleton--all of you have dolls facing you. At this point, there's no need to roll Spot for it anymore--it's pretty obvious.

[Tyrael]

Dozens of eyes in each skeleton? :smallconfused: Are their ribcages stuffed with eyeballs too?

[mootoall]

"I don't like this!" says Crick'tah, clearly getting angry. "Creepy dolls that don't do anything ... Well, I don't like it!" He breathes in, then exhales as hard as he can, the exertion very clearly intense. Rather than fire, this attack shoots acid, with him attempting to melt as many dolls as he can.

Move to get as many dolls in a line as possible, then Dragonborn breath weapon for a Maximized Clinging Lingering Power Surge'd breath, to deal 36 acid damage, reflex half, that will last for ... Not sure how many rounds. I'll find out.

[Kallisti]

Dozens of eyes in each skeleton? :smallconfused: Are their ribcages stuffed with eyeballs too?

(No, the eyes mentioned are the dolls' eyes.)

Crick'tah draws in a deep breath and spits acid over one of the skeletons. The vile sludge coats skeleton and dolls. Eventually, however, it has evaporated, leaving its victims visibly marred, but still in place. A few more dolls twist to stare upwards at Crick'tah.

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Levantine! Master of the mad of the one! I demand you come out and face us! Dra'gat shouts. Come out or I destroy each of your toys, one by one. Starting with these. Challenge made, Dra'gat keeps his word, unleashing two mighty swings on the scorched and corroded skeletons.


Power attack for 5 (10 extra damage) while in Mountain Skin stance. Targets are two separate skeletons that Crick'tah already attacked. First preference is for skeletons that were torched and corroded, then ones that corroded, ones that were burnt, and finally skeletons that were untouched.

Target 1: [roll0] Damage: [roll1] plus [roll2] acid

Target 2: [roll3] Damage: [roll4] plus [roll5] acid

[Kallisti]

Beneath the sword blows, the skeletons finally collapse into a pile of shards. The dolls stare up at you from the ruined remains of the bones that encircled them, giving the eerie impression of people buried alive in a mass grave.

[mootoall]

Crick'tah walks up to Dra'gat and puts his hand on his shoulder "Ah, now, y'know how much I hate to be the voice of reason, but ... p'raps we'd best get going. These things're creepy, but don't seem like they're hurting us ..." Crick'tah walks over to everyone in the band and casts Endure Elements on them again. "Now, I'm ready to go ... how 'bout you?" He breathes on his hand, creating a fist-torch. "Anyone else want one of these?"

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

You may be right, but I'd like to see how deep this cave goes back. If you'd rather wait, would you mind questioning the mad one? I wonder if he's the one we were told was attacking merchants and travelers.
Pausing before stepping into the narrow cave, Dra'gat looks back to Crick'tah. Thank you for the protection, and for your offer, but Grumbars gifts do not include resistance or immunity to flames. Scooping a handful of acid from the head of his hammer and cupping it in his bare hand. Dra'gat looks Crick'tah in the eye. His gifts are in a different vein.


Spot: [roll0]

[Kallisti]

(Why are you rolling spot?)

The mad troll is awake by this point. He looks at the remnants of the the skeletons, then looks up at you mournfully. "You killed my dogs. Why did you kill my dogs? What did they ever do but love me?"

[Debatra]

Just in case, but not expecting much, Oristar focuses his Detect Thoughts on the troll.

[mootoall]

"I offer you the protection from my flames as well as anyone can. That is to say, very much." Turning to the troll, Crick'tah says "Creeped us out a bit, don't ya know. And you can always make more if we decide to let you live." Crick'tah fully intends on getting his troll meat meal. "I'll consider harder if you tell us what's been going on with the raids on the road. Endure Elements gives immunity to my breath weapon

[herrhauptmann]

(Why are you rolling spot?)

The mad troll is awake by this point. He looks at the remnants of the the skeletons, then looks up at you mournfully. "You killed my dogs. Why did you kill my dogs? What did they ever do but love me?"
Dra'gat


As a threat to any of your friends nearby. Now, if you answer some questions honestly, I'll bury your dogs decently, and perhaps even help you find some new ones. Lie, or refuse to answer however... Dra'gat doesn't finish the threat verbally. He walks over to the bound troll and pours the acid in his hand out onto the ground, letting it dissolve the vegetation while the peculiar odor wafts into the trolls nostrils.
Do you agree?

Sense Motive

[roll0]

[Kallisti]

Detect Thoughts:
Round 1: Look! Thoughts! There are thoughts present!
Round 2: Assuming the troll is the only person in the cone, one mind of Int 10.
Round 3: Killed my dogs. I loved those dogs. And they loved me. Who loves me now? Who do I love? They killed my dogs. Monsters.

"Why should I bother lying now? You broke my rules. You broke my dogs. You broke my heart. Ask your questions; I hope you choke on the answers. I hope they crawl down your throats and throttle you while you sleep."

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

I have a number of things I want to know. First, who and what is this Levantine person?
Is he the one that has you accosting people traveling on the mesa and along the river?
Where is he? And what are these toys of his you mentioned earlier?


<If he's honest with us and hasn't actually harmed anyone, should we let him free everyone? >


Edited to turn text to the right color.

[Debatra]

OOC: I have him with Detect Thoughts, so I guess Sense Motive isn't needed.

<I don't see why not. No reason to bother him any more that we have.>

[Kallisti]

Dra'gat
[COLOR="Sienna"]I have a number of things I want to know. First, who and what is this Levantine person?
Is he the one that has you accosting people traveling on the mesa and along the river?
Where is he? And what are these toys of his you mentioned earlier?


"Levantine?" He begins to weave back and forth, speaking with the sing-song quality of a child reciting a playground rhyme. "Levantine, the wood-folk know/ Is King of stones down deep below/Mountain prince and faerie knight/Lord of all within his sight/In the lights they see his song/Follow him but not for long/Levantine, his belly filled/Levantine intruders killed." He giggles. "If you wanted to meet Levantine, you should have followed the lights; they'd have showed you where he is, yes. You'd get to play with all his wonderful toys, yes, yes."

[Tyrael]

Sergeant Gazzt shakes his head. <Kein Weg können wir ihn kostenlos noch,> he says into the mind meld, mentally speaking his own native tongue of Giant. <Er ist ein Beitrag der Uhr mit unseren Untersuchungen als eine nützliche Zeugnis.>*

*"No way we can let him free yet. He is Helping The Watch With Our Inquiries As A Helpful Witness."

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

For the benefit of those who can't speak Giant, <He said we can't let him free yet, the mad one is helping our inquiries.> Dra'gat translates.
<Gazzt, Aber wenn wir fertig bekommen Antworten, brauchen wir nicht zu halten ihn nicht mehr für unsere Anfragen. But when we're done getting answers, we don't need to hold him any longer for our inquiries. >
<Ow my head. I've been speaking Dwarven and Common for years. It's hard to remember that language Gazzt. Would you please try and speak Common for everyone else?>


Sorry, just plugged that into Google translator to get the right feel. So sorry if it doesn't make sense to anyone who actually knows german.

[mootoall]

Crick'tah leans over the tied up troll and says "You were the one who ran away, eh? We didn't break no rules." He proceeds to sit on its chest. "Now, we might let ya go- if you tell us what we need to know. And you might find that I'm not so good at poems. So let's try again. Who's this Levantine, and what's he doing to our merchants?" Flames dance around his mouth, emphasizing his point.

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

<This Levantine. He sounds sort of like a fey. But an underground fey... I must have that wrong, it must just live underground and call itself a king. Only Grumbar can really claim the title Lord of the Earth or Lord of the Stones. Just like only Akadi calls herself the Queen of the Air and the Winds.> Dra'gat stands there for a moment, confusion writ plainly across his face.


Knowledge nature [roll0]
Knowledge dungeoneering [roll1]


Another question for you. He addresses the weeping troll. What were those dolls that were in your dogs?
As to Levantine killing and eating 'intruders.' Dra'gat practically spits the word. Our people passing peacefully across the mesa or the surrounding lands are not intruders. Levantine and his servants will pay for those crimes.

[Kallisti]

(:smalleek:Sorry I took so long to get a reply up...thanks to Internet trouble my thread subscription didn't let me know there were new posts; when I got Herr Hauptman's PM I thought there hadn't been posts since "Gazzt, please try to use common")

When Crick'tah demands to know who Levantine is once again, the mad troll looks at him with confusion and desperation. "Levantine, the wood-folk know/ Is King of stones down deep below/Mountain prince and faerie knight/Lord of all within his sight/In the lights they see his song/Follow him but not for long/Levantine, his belly filled/Levantine intruders killed..." He shakes his head. "Dolls? I see my poor murdered dogs' hearts, lying rotting on the ground! Murderers! What did those dogs do to you?" He begins to weep openly. "Levantine gave me those dogs. He said "Poor Wretched Thing, I have brought you these dogs that I made for you. Your family and your friends are all long gone, but these dogs will stay with you and love you always, poor Wretched Thing." And now they're gone. All gonegonegonegonegonedowndowndowndowndown."

[Debatra]

So, Knowledge checks? Wisdom?

[Kallisti]

So, Knowledge checks? Wisdom?

For what, the name Levantine? I'll let you roll Knowledge (Local) for that one.

[Debatra]

I was thinking for if the poem was a riddle or something.

Knowledge (Local) [roll0]

[Kallisti]

I was thinking for if the poem was a riddle or something.

Knowledge (Local) [roll0]

Closer to a nursery rhyme; hence Local.

With that check, you know Levantine is a figure in the myths of the local troll tribe, and that the poem is, in essence, a nursery rhyme or bit of playground doggerel.

Also, thanks to the Detect Thoughts, you can tell he honestly doesn't know how to explain Levantine better than this. It's not that he only knows Levantine by reputation--you can tell from his thoughts that he's encountered Levantine personally on several occasions and is telling the truth in saying the dogs were a gift from him--it's that, to him, the rhyme is the clearest explanation there can be. He honestly doesn't know why you're not satisfied--in fact, he's beginning to wonder if you're all wholly sane.

[mootoall]

"Useless," Crick'tah says, and spits. "Are you sure we can't kill him?"

[Debatra]

Oristar glances over at Crick'tah. "...I suppose we could, but what would that accomplish?"

[mootoall]

Crick'tah shrugs. "I 'unno. He got us in with those whisp things. Say," he says, turning back to the tied up troll, "What were those?"

[Kallisti]

"Levantine's lights."

[mootoall]

"They any good for eating? If not ... why was he lightin' things up if he wasn't there?"

[Kallisti]

When Crick'tah mentions eating the lights, the troll starts, then stares, wide-eyed, his grief momentarily forgotten. "*Eat* the lights? You're mad! Mad, mad, mad; you're a crazy person! Do you have any idea how badbadbadbadbad that would be, you stupid, stupid...stupid person?"

Also, Detect Thoughts: He's mad as moonbeams! Eat the lights! That would kill...that *would* kill...

"You'd steal the power Levantine used to light the light! You'd be strong, but he'd be furious! Stealing his magic is a badbadbad idea and you should absolutely not do it!" Let them do it let them do it letthemdoitletthemdoitletthemdoit

(I'm not even going to roll Bluff; the part about stealing magic is a blatant lie and you could tell even if you couldn't read his mind.)

[mootoall]

Crick'tah grins and stares the troll in the face. "Pity, 'cause I was gettin' hungry. Now what was this Lev-a-ma-call-it lighting up?"

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

<Dark...> Dragat swore softly, looking at the sobbing wretch with more pity than disgust. <This thing is worse off than I thought. A man this mad should be in an asylum or sanitarium. A man who has lost his entire family and all his friends should not be left alone to rot in his grief by his neighbors either. And if it goes for men, so should it go for the other races, including trolls.
I really don't think I can kill him now. Perhaps we could leave him bound until after we take care of Levantine. Then take him back to town, get him the mental help he needs. In addition, if necessary, we can try the murder of the travelers. Though personally I'd expect a "guilty but insane" verdict. Anyone have an idea who else we need to face? The tooth fairy? The spirit of summer?>

[mootoall]

Crick'tah looks disappointedly at the troll. <Well, if we're not killing him I suppose it couldn't hurt to make him useful. I guess Levantine's something burnable though. I would like that about him. Maybe we should follow the lights again, of our own will this time?>

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

<That could work Crick'tah.> Dra'gat acknowledged. <How should we ensure we don't get mesmerized again? I mean, we didn't find out the wisps were there until Eurus Urbis cast that spell, which affected all of us, badly.> He looks up at the rest of the party. <Any ideas?>

[Debatra]

<Well, we'd have to find them again; so it's moot for now. My spell's starting to wear off, so we're on our own.>

OOC:
I got tired of pushing it. It's only supposed to last eight rounds normally. Also, the moment we leave what could be considered "Mesa" (such as by going underground), my caster level will drop by one.

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

<That's okay. That detection spell was already very useful.>
You, Dra'gat points at the weeping troll, Would you be able to lead us to Levantine?

Sense motive to see if he lies in his answer, or wants to mislead us somehow.
[roll0]

[herrhauptmann]

Sense motive to see if he lies in his answer, or is trying to mislead us somehow.
[roll0]

[Kallisti]

"Lead you to Levantine? If you want to meet him I'll gladly lead you. I hope you follow; I want to see you meet Levantine, I want to see what he does to you!"

[mootoall]

"Sounds like a pretty dangerous fella, and I don't want this trash to be backing up his ally any more than he needs. How 'bout we have him draw us a map?"

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Hmm... You've got a point... Dra'gat pulls out the map he was given by the duty officer Cheery this afternoon, though it seemed like so much longer to him. Troll, can you tell us where Levantine is on this map? We should have met you 'there,' and we're about 'here' now. He says, finger pointing to two spaces on the map.

<If he doesn't know, then we can have him lead us. Then just tie him to a large tree so he doesn't interfere. If we use a lot of rope, he should be unable to get free. I've got about 50ft of silk rope. You?
However, I'm taking back my idea about rehabilitating him. As good as it would be, I don't think it's possible in this case.>

[Kallisti]

"Gladly." The troll gestures to a spot near the center of the forest. "Go there."

[Lix Lorn]

In case anyone is wondering, Theresa is indeed still about, fervently wishing she stayed in the temple.

[Debatra]

*avoids double-post in other thread*

(OOC: Figures, the one time I create a character and don't give him rope... [Seriously, this is the only one I didn't give rope.])

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Good, we'll be going to see Levantine. Now before we go, you're staying put right here. Dra'gat looks around for a large sturdy looking tree. Giving several a solid thump with his fist before selecting one that didn't seem to shake perceptibly. But if we don't return, Dra'gat calls over his shoulder. It's likely that you'll starve to death before anyone finds you to set you free. So I hope for your sake that you're sending us to a trap.

<Could someone bring the prisoner over here and help me please?> Dra'gat then spends the next several minutes tying the mad troll to the tree, back against the bark, with hisarms stretched behind him around the tree, tied at the wrists. Another length tight around his neck, holding his head firmly to the trunk, additionally, his ankles are tied together with several loops, then secured to the tree, with his waist receiving the same treatment.

Use Rope check. Taking 20. Total of 24 (2 dex, 2 silk rope). If someone can 'aid another' or actually has ranks in use rope, that would be even better. I'm hoping that significant amounts of rope will increase the DC to break them. And I've got 50 feet of rope to use on this myself. I can always get more later.

As he's finishing up, Dra'gat happens to look up at the sky trying to gauge time since sundown by the position of a keynote stars.
<Does anyone feel tired, or hungry at all?> A note of alarm in his voice. <Because I don't, but it looks to be almost midnight. If so, we've been walking since before sunset without pause. That's 6 hours or more. We should be tired, if not exhausted at this point. And I don't think it takes 6 hours to walk across the mesa, let alone a tiny forest on it.>

[Debatra]

OOC: I have no rope, but I have a +6 modifier to use it.
Aid Another (Use Rope) : [roll0]

<Neither, but I can go a long time without rest and have no need for food.?

Oristar uses the Fly enchantment of his armor (exactly as the spell, 1/day) and moves straight up until he's high enough to gauge their location.

Spot? Search? Survival? Something else?

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

<That's the problem. So can I, but it doesn't feel like 6 hours have gone past. I think something's really wrong here.>

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Dra'gat stares in disbelief at the small approaching figure of Wickett, a shopkeeper from the town.
Wickett? He shouts. How th-, why? What are you doing here? Who was that? He demands, sounded thoroughly confused. I thought you were setting up for the fair!

What dice do I need for 'roll to disbelieve'? A will save?
[roll0]

[Tyrael]

Sergeant Gazzt lumbers forward, holding up a set of manacles and a lock and key helpfully.

[herrhauptmann]

Thank you sergeant. Those should do nicely to help hold the crazy troll in place. They are sized for someone our size, right?

[Chained Birds]

Wickett

Approaching the group fairly casually, it is immediately apparent that she is not in a good mood. With an almost sinister smile on her face, she approaches Gazzt;

“Um Gazzt dear, do you know how long it has been since you guys went out on this little trip to end our tiny troll problem? THREE DAYS! Three DAYS! This is unacceptable, and it would appear you’ve already detained this strange looking troll for some time now. Did he even put up a fight? Is he the reason why the trolls have been acting up?
What the **** have you all been doing this whole time?!”

She pants for a bit after relieving herself of that pent-up anger, and becomes a little calmer.

“It’s not like I was worried about you guys… it’s just, it gets lonely when everyone is out of the town and gone for so long. Your job should have been done in 24 hours, and seeing you all unhurt or even the slightest bit drained is kind of… disheartening.”

She twiddles her thumbs while saying that; not even making direct eye-contact anymore.

[Kallisti]

The troll prisoner looks up at Wickett. "Three days? That's all? Levantine is kinder than any of you monsters deserve."

[Chained Birds]

Wickett

"Who?"

Puzzled, she turns to the group.

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

It's been 3 days? It only feels like it's been three or four hours! This one, he points at the tied up troll, was going to be taken prisoner, tried for his assaults on merchants and other travelers.
It was my idea originally, to take him back to the judges, but now I'm not so sure. How did you get out here anyway? Who brought you?

Dra'gat looks up at the sky, examining the night sky. We should hurry.

Levantine, his master. Something similar to a legend, like a fairy tale or the toothfairy.

[Chained Birds]

Wickett

"I walked. Tracking your guys' footsteps or whatever’s is but a simple task for me.
If this fairy tale character is what is bugging everyone, then I guess dealing with it would be top priority. But you should have sent a messenger or something to inform the town; even if you thought only a few hours have passed."

She turns to the tied-up troll

"Hey creep, which direction should I head to meet this 'Levantine'. If he is somewhat of a legend, then he might be reasoned with."

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

He's already given us the location on a map. Given that he hates us, and expects Levantine to kill us, I don't think he's lying.

And what did you want us to report to you? "It's been an hour, had an encounter with some wisps and an insane troll who might or might not be the one causing the problems?" It would've taken the messenger more time to reach you and come back, than it would for us to take down this Levantine. Dra'gat pauses. At least before this wierd time change.

[Chained Birds]

Wickett

"Whatever..."

Pouting but excepting his reasoning.

"If you're finished with the interrogation, then I guess I'll join you for the hunt. If time goes by the way you say it does, then finishing this up as quickly as possible is the best cource of action."

She winks at Dra'gat and gives off a pleasant smile.

[Tyrael]

"Dis troll is helpin' Der Watch with our inquiries," Gazzt recites the rote phrase from memory.

[Debatra]

Oristar turns toward the dolls, making sure they're all in range.

Greater Turn Undead: [roll0]
Turn Damage: [roll1]

Since it's a Greater Turning, any that would be turned are destroyed.

Regardless of the result, he turns towards his allies. <Let's go, then.>

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Yes, and he was doing a very good job of it. Dra'gat agreed with the watchman. Now, unless anyone has somethign that needs to be done, let's go pay a visit to Levantine.
With that announcement, Dra'gat leads the motley procession towards the depths of the forest, aiming for the region which the mad troll marked on the map. Taking the lead as before, by a good 20 or 30 feet.
Just remember, he cautions, if you see a wisp, don't attempt to communicate. They'll enthrall your mind like before.

Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

[mootoall]

"Hmm, I'd usually feel hungrier after three days ... eh, I'm in the mood to burn something. Let's go find ourselves a forest spirit!" He turns, and starts walking through the woods towards where the troll had pointed. He's not really concerned with the people going towards or away from the village at this point. He's very ready to burn the forest to the ground.

[Kallisti]

The journey to the spot marked on the map is not a long one, nor arduous, or so it feels; watching the sky through the few breaks in the canopy you quickly come to realize that you are making unnaturally good time. Very soon--much sooner than anticipated--you come to the yawning mouth of a cave on the side of a large hill that dominates a clearing. The clearing is lit brilliantly by dozens of wisps.

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Hold a moment, he whispers. Let's prepare a moment before we go in. I know this levantine is expecting us, it should've taken much longer to get here than it did, nor did I even see so much as a rabbit in the bushes. If we go in unprepared, we're dead.

Grumbar, aid your servant, lend me your strength. This will aid us for some time to come.
Casting Granite Hide, on myself, also on Crick'tah, and Oristar. Gain +4 Natural armor.
Spot check
[roll0]
[roll1]
Dra'gat takes one last look around, at the surrounding forest, and at his companions. Everyone ready?

[Lix Lorn]

Theresa draws her bow, and casts Mage Armour on herself.
"I am ready." she nods. She starts spitting poison onto her arrowheads, one by one, as many as she has move actions before they go in.

[mootoall]

Crick'tah, feeling his newly hardened skin, prepares himself for entry. "Let's go then!" He fearlessly heads in, after everyone has prepared their buffs and such, ready to breathe fire on the next moving thing he doesn't know.

[Chained Birds]

Wickett

"Don't be too hasty my friends, I can give a few of you a good benefit for some time. Theresa, one sec..."

She places a hand on Theresa's arrows for about a minute.

"Enjoy the benefit of no-miss arrows, courtesy of Wickett Bogunn."

Smiling as she looks over the rest of the group. Then places a hand on her armor for another minute.

Infusion lvl2: weapon augmentation (lesser)
- 1hour + 10minutes = seeking on up to 50 arrows
Infusion lvl1: ablastic armor
- 1hour + 10minutes = DR 11/-; removed after first damage

[Lix Lorn]

If she has a minute, then Theresa can poison twenty arrows.
"Thank you." she says gravely.

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Seeing that Wickett had finished casting her spell upon her armor, Dra'gat looks up at the rest of the party.
Is everyone ready? He asks. Then let's go.
Dra'gat then leads the party into the clearing at a slow pace, headed towards the yawning hole in the hill.

Spot[roll0]
Listen[roll1]

[mootoall]

Crick'tah follows him, whistling quietly. Seeing a nature god should be fun! Assuming the guy was as dangerous as the troll made him out to be, stealth was gonna be useless anyway. He breathes fire in front of him every round, to get some illumination and get a first strike on anyone in range.

Party members are immune to my breath weapon, again.

[Debatra]

Spot: [roll0]
Listen: [roll1]

[Chained Birds]

Wickett

Spot check: [roll0]
- trying to spot the elephant in the room.:smallbiggrin:
- or... anything that would fit the description of a forest deity:
Trent-like, large beastial creature, moss dragon, etc.

[Kallisti]

When you enter the yawning crack in the hillside, it leads into a long, dark corridor. As you progress down it, the stone goes from unworked and seemingly natural slowly to a carven hall. At the end of the hall is an open door, leading into a vast and impressive audience chamber. The room is choked with baleful black, and all is silent as the grave; the only light comes from yourselves and a few wisps floating through the mist that shrouds the chamber. On the far end, amid the shadows, you can barely make out a massive figure on a throne.

Suddenly eerie blue-green fire bursts into life along the walls of the room, illuminating it. You can clearly see, surrounded by thirteen human skeletens bedecked with dolls, an old, old troll with a crown of leaves, sitting upon a pile of large stones arranged into a rough throne, slowly turning a rough-hewn wooden scepter in his hands. He looks up and speaks in a voice like trees snapping in a great storm. "Why have you invaded my forest?" He fixes his eyes directly on Gazzt. "You. You are a child of the King Of Stones Atop The Mountain. Why do you betray your kin?"

[Tyrael]

There is a small dink as Gazzt salutes, bumping his steel Watch helmet. "Sargent Gazzt of der Neohaven City Watch, sir!" he bellows. "Beggin' yer pardon, sir, der trolls iz my kin but der peepul of Neohaven iz also my kin! Sum'thin in der woods an' roads bin eatin' people, sir! Me an' Da Boyz here come out 'ere to find out wut's wut! Dere ain't bin no betrayin', jus' Helpin' Der Watch Wit Its Inquiries, sir!"

[Kallisti]

Levantine looks thoughtful. "I see. And I am sorry for the loss of your kin. But I cannot allow intruders to set foot in this forest, no matter the price, and no matter how it pains me to slay those a child of The King Above has sworn to protect. Because you have not come in malice, and because you have elected to present your case before me like civil creatures, I will not execute you for your trespass."

As Levantine speaks, you hear a sound behind you, and the mad troll, bits of torn rope still hanging from him, rushes into the hall howling with rage. "They murdered my dogs! Monsters! Monsters, monsters, monsters, they must die, Lord Levantine, please!" He collapses into a heap before the throne, weeping. "They murdered my dogs. Monsters..."

Levantine stares for a long moment at the prostrate troll, then back to you. "Is this true? Have you destroyed Wretched Thing's dogs?"

[Debatra]

Oristar steps forward, using a tone well trained over his years for negotiations.

"Our apologies, Levantine. Some of our number were taken from their minds by wisps in the area."

Do I get a circumstance bonus on my Bluff check because everything said here is actually true?

Bluff: [roll0]

[Tyrael]

"Levantine..." Gazzt's lips move silently as he thinks. Then his eyes widen in sudden recollection. "Mr. Shine! Him diamond!"

The hulking troll Watchman stands stiffly to attention, his speech flowing with strange smoothness after his hulking moronic accent back in the city. "Our apologies, sir! Many thanks for not executing us for trespassing, sir! Though we'd also appreciate it if you didn't pull our arms and legs off too, sir! We've just been investigating crime in the area, sir!"

"Don't rightly know about any dogs, sir!" Gazzt continues. "We were attacked, sir! Bright lights in the forest! Wretched Thing asked us riddles, wanted to chew our arms off if we said no, sir!"

[mootoall]

Crick'tah shut his mouth at the appearance of the monolithic troll. He knew when to not offend someone, even if that someone did happen to be extremely ugly. Despite closing his mouth, he decided that freezing to death wouldn't be very nice either, and so decided to keep everyone wreathed in flame from his nostrils. Gazz't would probably be able to handle this. Though they did assault "Wretched Thing" quite thoroughly ... I knew we should have just killed him ...

[Debatra]

<I'm confident the fact that we didn't is all that's keeping us alive at the moment.>

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

<I can understand him breaking the ropes. But he broke Gazzt's manacles too? Damn. So here's where we find out if my pity saved us, or doomed us.>

[Chained Birds]

Wickett

She takes Dra'gat aside,
"you guys killed a bunch of dogs? That was kind of harsh in my opinion."

[herrhauptmann]

Wickett, Skeletons that were turning to look at us as we passed. Like those human sized ones there on the dais. I at least, thought they were traps or undead

My Lord, Dra'gat says, seeking the attention of the troll king. It is true that I, there is a slight emphasis on the word, am the one who crushed the dogs in the end. Yet in my defense, and that of my companions, I feared another trap. The one you call Wretched One, had already accosted us demanding our lives if we did not solve his riddle. While we spoke, the wisps assaulted our minds, and had not one or two resisted and freed the rest, we would all have been lured to our doom.
Dra'gat pauses for breath.
I cannot speak for the others on their motivations, but I felt at the time that Wretched One was both hostile to us, and the cause of the assaults on travelers. Yet even still, we did not kill him. Yes he was hurt as we took him prisoner, but we are not monsters that slay unnecessarily. We followed his trail back to home, and as I said, thought the dogs were another trap.
And even after he told us where we could find you, his master, we did not kill him though I feared he might warn you, or aid you against us should there prove to be a fight.
As you can see, he was bound quite tightly that he could not escape, or so I hoped. My goal was to return and retrieve him from where he had been tied, and return with him to our town.
Once there, with the threat stopped, we could have tried him in our courts of law. And while he may have been guilty of murder, I believe that his mental state would have saved him from the death penalty. That with time, his madness could have been eased, perhaps even to the point of allowing him to live in the town, rather in solitude in the forest. With no company save the rocks and animals. For as you can see, Dra'gat gestures to the varied group presented before Levantine, our town welcomes all.

I do not know if you believe me, but I swear before Grumbar, and by the bones of the earth, that I speak the truth.

[Kallisti]

"In these halls? One who lied swearing truth in the name of the Earthfather would swiftly realize his mistake. I believe that you had no malice in your heart when you committed trespass. But I cannot allow the boundaries of the forest to be violated."

Levantine heaves a long, heavy sigh and murmurs to himself. "والتاج على جبين أرتدي بلدي / أثقل من قمة الجبل فوق رأسي." (For anyone who speaks Sylvan, "And the crown upon my brow/Is heavier than the mountain above my head.")

"Allow me to explain. To a child of the King Of Stones Atop The Mountain and a priest of the Earthfather, I owe that much at least. There is...something wrong. Something very wrong. The elements are out of joint. I feel it in my bones and see it in the patterns of the stone. Something is causing the world to lose its balance; sooner or later it will fall apart. And for the first time in three centuries, I am afraid. I have long been a friend to the Faerie Courts; within this wood, their world and ours are close, and passage between the two easy enough. I have entered into a compact with Nephamel, the Knight-Commander of the Unseelie Court within the wood. Together, we will seal the borders and withstand the...imbalance...that approaches. By the terms of that compact, the life of any who set foot in these woods is forfeit. If you wish to be released, you shall have to bargain with him; I will waive my claim."

He sighs again. "As for the matter of Wretched Thing...I thank you for your restraint, and for your honesty. I...am not certain what to do, regarding the dogs. He was most attached to them. I do not blame you for your actions, but there is nothing I can do to stave off their consequences, however unintended; they were the only thing he had left."

He looks down at Wretched Thing. "What say you? Can you find it within yourself to forgive them?"

Wretched Thing sobs. "Monsters! I had nothing else and now they're gone! I want to see them suffer! I want to watch them die! I want to watch them go downdowndowndowndown into the darkness with nothing to keep them company but the Things in the Mist! I want to see them go mad! I want...I want......I want my family back."

[Chained Birds]

Wickett

She mumbles to herself for a bit...Then speaks in a curtious matter towards the two characters,

"Um... Excuse me lords, but if those things were not of the living or undead, I could potentially repair them. It is within my power to create/repair those that are both living and non-living, and from what I can gather, those 'dogs' you speak of seem to follow under that category.
The term I would use is construct, but if you wouldn't mind, I'd gladly look over the remains and see what I can do."

Wickett appears slightly enthusiastic over the concept of repairing a new construct to add to her collection of ideas.

[Kallisti]

Wretched Thing snivels and looks up at Wickett. "You...you could?"

[Chained Birds]

Wickett

"I'd have to take a look at the remains and if they fit the image I've got in my head, then it shouldn't be too tough to rebuild them. However, this time distortion is a bother as I might need my assistant who lies in Neo Haven. Who knows how long it would take for him to get here if a few hours in this forest, is days out there; I worry about the guy... he's not too bright."

She looks around the court,

"It shouldn't be too troublesome to turn off this time magic until I can at least discover if I can repair the 'dogs'. What do you say sir lord-of-the-forests and wretched one?"

[Kallisti]

"Time magic? I know nothing of this..."

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Yes, the time magics. Whatever it was that caused those of us who first entered the forest to experience a few hours, yet those outside the forest such as Wickett here, Dra'gat motions to the small gnome, saw several days go past without word from us.
When we realized the effect, Wretched Thing over there laughed at us, saying you were being lenient to us. Thus we thought it was your doing.


However, if that's not your doing, then who is?

[Kallisti]

"If time is out of joint, then the imbalance must be worse than I had realized..."

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

I fear that I know of which you speak. The very task that Grumbar has set on my shoulders, and those of my spiritual brethren. Dra'gat states, anxiety plain in his voice.
The imbalance, it's caused by a focal point of energy, or a locus of energy yes? Something which sages and wizards refer to as an Elemental Node.

[Kallisti]

"The imbalance formed because of the nodes? I am afraid it is likely quite the reverse, Hand of the Earthfather."

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

Then if that is so, Lord Levantine, I wish to aid you in this matter. I feel Grumbar desires that I learn to stop the cause of the nodes, as well as prevent their abuse. I hope I am not being presumptuous in asking, but would you in exchange, teach me the lore needed to better shoulder my burden?
But before that, I ask on behalf of my companions, how may we meet and placate the Knight Commander of the Unseelie? I can not work to hold the balance and defend the node if all our lives are forfeit by terms of the compact.

[Kallisti]

"We will talk of what aid I may give you when I better understand the nature of the problem. To meet the Knight-Commander? There are many doors, of which I would recommend one of three, depending on the impression you intend to give. In my halls, there is a fallen menir; pass beneath it to reach the Grand Gate of the Foxfire Court, if you wish to be so bold. On Wretched Thing's hill, if you stand in a circle of sap and whisper the words "Comes autumn", you will pass through the gate traditionally used by those making a personal visit to one of the courtiers. Or I could summon one of the Winter Guard and you could pass through the Huntsmen's Gate like one of the Hunt's trophies."

[mootoall]

Crick'tah sneers almost unnoticeably, thinking I ain't no trophy. We should take the official route. We represent our town, no?

[Chained Birds]

Wickett

"I'm fine going any path, but I do have to make a stop by the Wretched One's place. I did sort of promise him that I would at least take a look at his pets and see what I could do. And while I'm doing that, it could be enough time for our messenger to inform the town about what is going on."

[mootoall]

"An' what don't you understand about time going all wonky? No, as much as I pity Wretched Thing, we can deal with him after we talk to the Knight."

[Chained Birds]

Wickett

"You're right.
Hmm, hey Wicked One? If you promise not to go all wierd on us, why not help us out until we finish this knight stuff?
With your aid, we might be able to finish faster, and then you can remind me after we are done to repair your pets."

Wickett is looking to have at least another shield to help the group out. Even if the troll might go down fast.

[herrhauptmann]

Dra'gat

He turns to his companions. I think Crick'tah is right. So long as more lives than our rest upon our actions, we should travel as an official delegation, even if we are not outfitted as such.
He looks up to Levantine. Then by your leave, I think I and my companions will bargain with Nephamel of the Unseelie Court straight away before risking the Wild Hunt. With that said, Dra'gat begins to scan the hall for a fallen stone forming the lintel of a doorway.

[mootoall]

If Dra'gat finds the doorway, or Crick'tah does, he follows/goes through.

[Kallisti]

The fallen stone lies unobtrusively in a shadowy corner of Levantine's hall, and passing through it is a difficult fit for Gazzt. On the other side, however, you emerge from a massive, ornate gate of intricately carven stone set into the side of a massive living tree. You are in a vast, timeless clearing, carpeted with a centuries' graveyard of fallen leaves, ominous mist curling about you like the tentacles of some great beast. The trees are wizened, twisted and seem somehow utterly malevolent, and in the distance you can see firelight and hear, faintly, a song so plaintive, wild and strange that it is increasingly difficult not to dance along. The only light--save for that distant fire--comes from the pallid, waning moon. Curled up before the gate is a silver-gray cat the size of a horse. It raises its heavy head and stares at you imperiously with piercing green eyes.

"You're not expected. Who are you, who bold as brass come through our gate bearing iron in your hands and hearts?"

[mootoall]

Throwing up Persuasive Aura. Crick'tah steps up, and decides to silver his tongue. "Aye, we're as bold as brass, and we're willing to be cold iron. But we can also be warm as gold, if'n ya want to keep the metaphor going. But we didn't come to talk to a cat. We come on official Neohaven business, and shall be treated as delegates and guests." Diplomacy [roll0] +16 and Intimidate [roll1] +16 from ranks, Cha and the aura. I think.

[Kallisti]

"Ah, but my brazen mortal, so often gold is merely gilded steel, and as for cats, well, I am keeper of the gate, and adamant that you shall satisfy me before proceeding, unless you care to find why silver is so preferred in these lands." As it speaks, long, wicked silver razors emerge with languid menace from its velveteen paws where claws should be.

[mootoall]

"Heh, feisty kitty. I like that. Alright, what has to be done to- ah- satisfy you?"

[Debatra]

(OOC: Since it's an Aura, I assume it effects us all? If so, what are the effects?)

[Kallisti]

"You may start, impudent mortal, by placing your iron elsewhere. Do you realize the gravity of your act in bringing it onto the soil of Faerie? It could be considered an act of war. It will be, if Nephamel hears. Although...he need not hear, necessarily."

[mootoall]

"Our iron's not cold as the snows of winter. But I carry no weapons, ya know. If'n that's what you want us to lay down, say as much, 'r I'll grab me some adamantine instead."