Adventures in Sigil - IC [4E]

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick was still a bit on edge after the fight with the Lolth worshippers. He decided it was best to try not to draw attention to himself. He stuck close to Shep, figuring he could be more unobtrusive in the shadow of the biggest person here. He wandered around Shep's legs trying to observe the others here while not being noticed himself.


Pavick isn't really trying to hide, but is trying to be evasive in his observations. Not sure which skill is more appropriate (or even if either is needed), but here are a couple of rolls.
[roll0]
[roll1]

And here are a couple more for the actual observations.
[roll2]
[roll3]

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain raises an eyebrow at the ancient symbol of Lolth and a frown briefly crosses his face before he pushes it aside. It was hardly the first time he'd seen it, many an ancient temple in the Feywild still bore a third bare altar besides the ones devoted to Corellon and Sehanine no longer dedicated to Lolth, but still present. Some even left it hopefully, dreaming of a day when the rifts between the elven peoples and their gods would be healed. Eltain doubted Lolth would ever abandon her evil ways, but there was certainly hope for the drow. He smiles at Eilistraee and approaches her, whispering so he isn't overheard.

"We were attacked on the way here. They tried to kill us and impersonate us, but we defeated them. I don't believe we were followed, but this is something I believe you should be aware of." He nods at the symbols, changing the subject to make his whispering less obvious. "It's been some time since I've seen that symbol. It still decorates some ancient temples in the Feywild, you know. Some predate the fall and still bear the altars to her that existed then. A few even still hope that those altars may one day again see use." He smiles. "I don't know about her or her altars, but regardless of if the gods reconcile or not, it is my hope that someday at least the elven peoples might."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

You're able to find places to sit and stand without difficulty, and Pavick practically disappears into the shadows behind Shep, unnoticed by all but a few.

Eilistraee gives a slightly worried look as Eltain and Zyrr explain the skirmish on the streets. "Well, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised. I'd hoped I could avoid the notice of the priestesses for a bit longer, but I guess I'm lucky I lasted as long as I did."

A few more drow enter, two males and a female, as well as an Eladrin. The Eladrin appears nobly dressed, but it's clear he's uneasy about his current surroundings. He quickly moves to a corner and sits silently.

Eilistraee moves up to the front of the room, and begins speaking. "Some of you have remarked on the symbols behind me. It's true that once the three fey gods once worked together, before the fall of Lolth." A few of the drow in the room visibly stiffen. Most drow versions of the event shade the event as a brilliant strategic move by the Spider-Queen, and old dogma dies hard.

"While I don't believe that they will ever be united, it does remind us that there was once a place for the Dark Elves. A place where they did not fear their kinsmen, or their fellow fey..."

Eilistraee continues speaking, building a picture of a society of drow where males were treated as equals, and females did not fear their sisters and mothers. As she speaks, a few of those watching storm out of the room, but many others stay and listen, although they appear skeptical. As the priestess of Corellon and Sehanine speaks of a new drow society, you can hear the passion in her voice. As she tries to describe a new future, eventually, she turns to look at the party. "It's easy to dismiss what I've said as something that could never realistically happen, but I've seen the possibilities. With us today are a group that have both Drow and Eladrin working together. Two half-humans, who are content to fight along side one from the Underdark." She looks at you all, and gives a smile. "Would any of you be willing to speak, and tell the others how such a company came to be?"

The entire room turns to look at you, and on the faces you see a blend of curiosity, hope, and skepticism.

[Mando Knight]

Aramil shrugs. "Oh, nothing much. Strange quests, neatly if temporarily aligned goals, death threats, common enemies, the end of the planes as we know them... you know, the usual."

His deadpan tone makes it hard to tell whether he's completely serious or making a crack at the group's history.

[Haberdashery]

"Something involving the hands of fate, and being the only people capable of doing some such thing, and the like." The Shepherd adds in coolly, after Aramil has spoken. "I assume this happens all the time." Like his eladrin companion beside him, whether the Shepherd is being absolutely serious, or resorting to the new sense of snark he has seemingly picked up from the witty swordsman, it is entirely lost in the crags of his face.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain frowns and looks at the two who have spoken somewhat disapprovingly, before rising to speak himself.

"I first met Zyrr here as an enemy, in the employ of a man my companions and I were hired to deal with. In time, we convinced him of his employer's ill intentions against him and he eventually came to our side, hired by our employers for his knowledge of the enemy. We did not trust him at first, but during the course of our travels together he has proven to be at least open in his duplicity, expressed a desire to continue the life of freedom the surface offers him, and saved my life when he could easily have let me die." He pauses.

"You may ask why I, a Paladin of Corellon, allowed a drow to live long enough to learn anything about him when my faith generally calls for their destruction. It is because I believe the church to be wrong. I belong to a small order called the Order of the Azure Star. We believe that Corellon could never truly shun his own creation, that the drow can and should someday rejoin their brethren on the surface." He looks at the assembled drow. "My brothers. My sisters. Our father Corellon loves you still, wants you to return to where you belong. I implore you to hear his voice and do so." He smiles at them, finally somewhere he feels comfortable.

[Toric]

Zyrr

As his companions stand and speak one by one, some from the heart, others with a wit he is proud to behold, Zyrr thinks about his options. He could use his trusty doubletalk, or he could make up a story wholecloth; at least three of the group would likely go along with it or simply believe it to be true. But as he looks around the room he realizes that this room full of skeptics is waiting for something, for a reason to stay and to believe, and no amount of wisecracking or platitude will give them that. He narrows his eyes at Eilistraee: if there ever was a time for him to give an honest answer, that time is now.

As Zyrr'delin Morvyndis begins his speech, he follows a line through the crowd. He glares down at those he passes, challenging them to meet his eyes. This is no time for isolation. "Fellow dark elves, I joined these surfacers for the very same motivation that has seen you here today: survival. We all have our own unique paths and personalities but the one thing that binds all adult drow is survival above all else. I have survived forty nine years but I have only lived a fraction of that. My goals, my dreams, my hobbies have existed only in shallow puddles amongst the vast desert of time I needed to invest in my continued existence."

Now on the far side of the room, he waves a dark hand to his companions, his friends. "This changed during my journeys with them. I was able to stop looking over my own shoulder-" he gives a young male doing just that a tap on the head, and flashes him the hand-sign for "pay attention." "-and start looking at the beauty between the threatening shadows. The single most valuable lesson I have learned from these these five is how to truly live, how to do things not because they're the most rational thing at the time but simply because I want to. Each of them has shown me a strength of conviction that none but Lolth's chosen are even allowed to publicly express in my home. This is not a choice of good or evil, nor is it a choice of being drow or no longer drow. It is a simple decision of burying or embracing the desires each of you possesses but have never dared admit for fear of showing weakness. I entered this group and this world because I wanted to survive; I remain because my existence now has meaning to me beyond its continuance." Having spoken his mind and made a full circle, the drow resumes his seat.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan's thinking he should say something about how Zyrr hasn't tried to poison them in a long time, but he realizes that maybe silence would be a better choice.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

After some initial odd looks and a few chuckles at Aramil and the Shepherd, the audience's attention is focused in on Eltain as he speaks. You see a number of wide eyes and curious looks exchanged as the paladin speaks, and a few mouths even seem to be smiling slightly, as if pleasantly surprised. As Zyrr begins his journey around the room, the effect that Eltain had started continues growing, and all eyes are locked on the Assassin. As you finish, there's a low murmur throughout the room as the groups discuss your words among themselves. Eilistraee practically beams at the pair of you, but as she opens her mouth to say something, a slow clapping sound fills the room.

All eyes turn to the far corner, where one of the female Drow steps forward, continuing her sarcastic applause. "Now, I've truly seen everything. Just when I thought a male could not get any more foolish, you've proved me wrong." She looks at Zyrr, and gives a laugh of pity. "You really expect us to believe this? You think that a millennium of war means nothing?" She continues looking at Zyrr, her face a mix of pity, and scorn.

"Have you not stopped to think that this isn't a trick by the Corellite to subvert their greatest enemy?" she practically spits the word "Corellite." "Or a ploy by the Eladrin houses to find our weaknesses, and mount an assault on the Underdark?" She looks at Aramil, and the corner of her lip curls.

The woman turns to look at everyone else in the room, "And you all are listening to this? How do we know that they haven't brought us here to beguile and enchant us? They even try and hide the wizard that came with them." Her arm straightens, pointing at the huddling figure of Pavick behind Shep's leg. You hear a number of gasps and murmers, as many had been unaware of his presence.

"All we have heard is the word of a seductress, she points at Eilistraee. "A paladin of a god who rejected us," the finger shifts towards Eltain."A noble of a race that has declared war on us," she looks at Aramil, "A wizard of a race so weak they serve as our slaves," she looks down her nose at Pavick."And a Drow who has betrayed and abandoned his own house!" She walks over to Zyrr, and spits on his face.

"Believe them if you will, but only if you are willing to throw away your lives and souls on foolishness."

Eilistraee's fist tightens, and her hand moves towards the blade at her side. She manages to restrain herself, however, and looks back to the party. "How do you answer these accusations?"

[dariathalon]

Pavick steps out of the shadows. This was not exactly what he was expecting. He knew someone would be fighting back against Eilistraee, but expected it would be through guile instead of open discourse. Most present were drow, afterall.

He leans on the side of a chair, trying to appear calm and relaxed. “This is one of the greatest problems the fey people face. Thank you for illustrating it so well. The problem is a lack of trust. Look everywhere expecting to find enemies, and you will find them. That is why my people are enslaved. They expect that the world is out to get them, and rather than fight back many choose the path of least resistance. It is why yours are held at sword point, and why you hold others the same way. You aren’t willing to put down the sword and hear each other.”

Pavick moves over behind Zyrr. “The second time we met, it was on the field of battle. reached out to me telepathically. He offered me a deal. He trusted me to get my allies to stop attacking him, and I trusted him to help us kill the necromancer that was attacking us.” He momentarily places a hand on Zyrr’s shoulder. “We both did as agreed, trusting the other to carry through. That trust allowed us all to survive and begin the friendship you see before you today.” He says looking around to all gathered.

He turns back to the drow woman who had thrown accusations. “So if you wish to seek enemies here, I am certain you will find them. If, instead, you are willing to turn aside years of distrust and hatred, it is possible to find something I doubt you’ve ever experienced in the underdark. Friendship.”


[roll0]

[Mando Knight]

In one swift moment, Aramil's demeanor changes from aloof and self-assured to a calm fury. Before anyone else can react, he draws his blade and teleports close to the accuser... closer, probably, than any male had ever dared to approach her unbidden before. Not hearing Pavick's own attempt at placating pleas, he growls to the drow. "My group fought off deadly assailants from your own people as we came here in good faith. Yet now you assail their honor and mine with your derisive words. What response do you expect?"

Aramil narrows his glare at her, then thrusts his sword into the ground. "Were the circumstances any different, I would not have spared you for your insults. Yet my friends think you can yet be saved. Go ahead, prove them wrong."

He turns and walks off without picking his sword back up. (Readying an action, however, to call it back to his hand if it gets picked up or if actual trouble starts)

[Nai_Calus]

"I do not seek to subvert anyone, nor to find anyone's weakness. Of course Pavick seeks to hide. As has been said, his race is often enslaved by the drow. He knows he can trust Zyrr, and Eilistraee, but the others present he does not know." He sighs. "And that is why I am here. That is what I truly seek. An end to the fear, and to the distrust. You fear us, do not trust us because we are what you have been told all your life is the enemy, the other, the thing that you should hate more than anything else. I seek to earn your trust, to answer your hate with my love and show you how to love yourself. I cannot claim to know what it is like to be a drow, but I do know what it is to be alone, to be afraid, to have no one to trust. It was horrible, and only in finally finding companionship was I able to be free from it. Corellon has not abandoned the drow. And neither have all of his followers. I am here because I truly believe in what I have said today. We who follow Corellon are charged above all else with protecting the beauty to be found in the multiverse. There is beauty in you, and in everyone in this room. There is hope for you to have a life free of mistrust and hate, hope for you to find love and joy and freedom. I don't ask you to follow my god, if you cannot find it in your heart to listen to his call. Follow whomever you like, even Lolth if that is truly what your heart cries for. But do not give up so easily on hope. Do not be so quick to dismiss thoughts of freedom." He holds out his sword hand to her, his other hand well away from the weapon as well. "Corellon will not abandon his children. And neither will I. I seek a world where the drow are reunited with their brothers and sisters, and the cycle of hate and distrust has been stopped once and for all. That is all I seek. No subversions. No exploiting weaknesses. Merely love."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The strange combination of promises of friendship, withheld wrath, and plea for love has a strange effect on the group. The gnome's words seem to resonate the most with the Elves and Eladrin in the group, whereas Aramil's confrontation with the female Drow seems fairly unimpressive to all but a few of the male Drow, who had never seen someone stand up to a female like this before. Eltain's final plea seems to have a bit of a polarizing effect, causing either wonder and hope, or scorn and doubt to appear on the faces in the crowd.

The female Drow who stood in front of Eltain looks down at the Paladin's extended hand, sneers, and mutters "Pathetic." before turning and walking out of the building. A number of other Drow follow suit, as well as the Eladrin noble. However, some still remain, and a few move up to ask questions of you, Eilistraee, and some of the others standing around.

After Eilistraee answers a few questions, she steps over to you. "Well, that didn't go as well as I'd hoped, but I think we're making progress. Thank you for coming, and for your wise words. Your being here had more of an effect than anything I could have said."

OOC: Feel free to hang out and talk to people if you want, but you can head out whenever you want.

[Toric]

"One moment!" Zyrr calls as the woman leaves, wiping the wet off his face with a sleeve. As he approaches within five feet, he slips a shiny item out of his pocket, a gold coin. "If it was your business to swap spit with me..." With his free hand he reaches around her and pulls her into a wet, forceful kiss. Half a second after their lips smash together, an act that might cause his own to bloody, he distances himself from her with a big grin. In his gloved hand, the coin is surrounded with a greasy substance that is quickly absorbed into the metal. "You should have just said so. Wonderful speech, your conviction as a lady of the night... goddess is second to none. Before I leave you to your streetwalking (http://thesaurus.com/browse/harlot), I have but one token for you." He draws himself close again, leaning forward in his dance, and slips the tainted coin down her front before backing away again. "I believe that is the custom on the surface. I bid you good night and good business, if your business with me is through."

[roll0] check to keep the female baffled enough for me to use the carrion crawler brain juice stored in my gloves to coat a coin and plant it on her person. In the next minute she will be Immobilized until her next extended rest.

[Hzurr]

OOC: Give me a stealth check to see if your poisoning of the coin went unnoticed.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Zyrr's sudden and unexpected movement comes a shock to all, including the Drow woman. As Zyrr kisses her, he feels her teeth clamp down, hard, and a piece of his lip gets torn out as she pushes him away, and slams his head against the wall, her eyes wide with fury. As Zyrr drops the coin down her shirt, a dagger appears in her hand, it's own blade obviously dripping with poison. She pauses for just a moment before bringing the blade down on the Assassin. Zyrr can practically feel the hate rolling off of her, as she examines the room, particularly Zyrr's very well armed allies. She looks down at Zyrr, and gives a grin, showing her teeth almost like she was bearing fangs. "I prefer my playthings a bit rough, but such impudence must be punished. You've signed your death warrant, traitorous scum, and I'll see to it you receive your reward. You will not survive the week, I promise you."

With one last curse, she backhands Zyrr across the face, and turns to leave. As she opens the door, you notice her step stumble slightly as she makes her way into the streets of Sigil.

The rest of the room has turned its attention on Zyrr, and even Eilistraee arches an eyebrow in puzzlement.

OOC: Zyrr will lose a healing surge, and he now has a small piece of his lip missing.

Well these rolls were useless..
OOC: Hmm...a couple of checks. Full post to appear momentarily.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Haberdashery]

The looming shape of the Shepherd had the irritating habit of showing up unannounced and unexpected. The light over Zyrr suddenly dimmed, and the Shepherd's voice broke then silence that had now filled the hall. One of his graceful fingers pointed at Zyrr's bloody lip.

"I've heard some strange people mention something strangely called love bite, which I do not quite understand. Is that what that was?"

[Toric]

As the female leaves and the world's most amicable boulder appears beside him, Zyrr holds his position against the wall with a mad grin, one hand pressing a thumb to his torn upper lip, the other waggling its fingers at the door. Once he feels she has truly left he turns to address the stony face. "Yes, it's actually part of an old love ballad we're recreating. In the transition from this scene to the next, she is fraught with passion as she waits at a street corner throughout the night. Only her one true love can give her the key to release her heart from the chains that bind her to her current situation." He leans to one of the random drow that remain and whispers theatrically, "One of you may want to check on her later. It's cold outside, she may want a blanket."

Satisfied he has had the last laugh (and oh what a laugh it is), Zyrr settles into his position between a rock and a hard wall to speak with any that would approach him.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan has no idea what just happened, but he goes to check on Zyrr.


[roll0]

[Nai_Calus]

"Really, Zyrr, you have such a way with people. Half the time I swear I could walk through the middle of a drow city and have fewer people try to kill me than you doing the same thing," Eltain whispers jovially to Zyrr. He shrugs at Eilistraee and goes over to speak to her.

"This is... Normal for him. He has a near-suicidal love for pushing boundaries and seeing what he can get away with." He smiles at those who have remained. "Well, at least some of them seem to have been reached, if only a little. I pray that those who left will think on what was said tonight and come to a favorable conclusion." He looks about the room, looking friendly and approachable, should anyone wish to speak to him.

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd scratches at his haired chin, pursing his lips.

"Hmmmmm." There's a lengthy pause, and from the method in which the Shepherd begins to straighten, it would seem a Shepherdism is on the horizon.

"So you're saying she's a harlot."

The disbelief in the room is...palpable, and the Shepherd stares blankly back at his companion.

"...what?"

[Toric]

Lucan's job of inspecting Zyrr's upper lip becomes much harder when his lower lip protrudes in a pout. ".....Well it's no fun if you just spell it out like that." He shifts his eyes to the half-elf hovering over his face. "In any other case I might ridicule you for your concern, but she's a drow after all. She may very well have planned for this scenario and poisoned her canines. So.... smart thinking, Lucan. Continue."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The meeting doesn't last long after that. A few are clearly nervous that the female Drow who left is going to turn them in, but some stay to ask questions. Two male Drow and an elf press Eltain for a bit more information about the Order of the Azure Star, some ask Aramil about his experience in battle, and one even approaches Pavick wanting to know how he made the deal with Zyrr, and how he knew it would be fulfilled.

Zyrr (and the tending Lucan) are given a wide berth. No one seems very angry at him, but none know quite what to make of him either. He's given a number of curious glances, and thoughtful looks, but no one approaches the Assassin.

OOC: Anything else people want to do hear before we move on?

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain tells those interested about his order. When the group is alone with Eilistraee, he approaches her.

"Thank you for allowing us to come tonight. I hope we were able to be of some help. I so rarely get to speak openly of my beliefs. Far too many still consider it heresy." He smiles. "But that may yet change with time." His smile shifts, becomes more intimate. "Perhaps when I return we can help each other in... Other ways. I've found that those who share our views are far too often lonely. Beauty should be shared and... Appreciated." He blushes slightly and mentally notes to himself that he is bad at this.

(OOC: After his pathetic attempt to get laid, Eltain will be done. Poor Eltain.)

[Mando Knight]

While Aramil does regale the attendees with his tales of valor, he also drops hints that something big and exciting may happen in the Feywild in short order and they should ask the Printempest family if they could help if they're interested.

When he's done, he sees Eltain trying to woo their hostess. Trying to keep the kid from getting shot down, he walks over and puts a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, Casanova. We've got things to prepare for tonight."

[Toric]

Zyrr isn't all that surprised nobody is talking to him. Were he himself just a decade ago, if he saw a male steal a kiss from a female and live to tell about it - even for just a few minutes - he'd likely have regarded that person as nothing short than legendary. He's shown them the extreme of possible action in an equal setting; it's up them to imagine everything else one could do.

---

Once Eltain is done being the young buck of the group, Zyrr silently beckons Eilistraee to a chair holding up a bound drow male. "This is the guest I brought in. His name is Kosalram. He tried to kill me tonight, and I couldn't bring myself to kill him back." The smile the assassin has been wearing all day is now gone. "He'd been shadowing me for several days, and much of his personality reminds me much of myself just a short time ago. He was loyal to Lolth's clergy out of pragmatism, I believe; now that he's failed his house and been seen brought helpless before us heretics, it's unlikely he'd be foolish enough to return and be rewarded for his failure."

He sets his hand on Kosalram's shoulder, hard enough to hopefully elicit a flinch if the man is awake. "I'd like to ask you and your sisters to offer him refuge and wisdom, taking the proper precautions of course. If you cannot, I'll have to take him with me on a long and bumpy ride, convincing him in my own way. What say you?"

[dariathalon]

Pavick

Pavick, unable to control his exaggerations any further regaled the questioner with the tale of the battle with the necromancer. He took plenty of liberties with the events, painting himself in a much more important role, as he usually did with stories, but still leaving plenty of glory to go around.

When he finally reached the critical, turning point when Zyrr switched sides, he explained that magic had allowed the two to communicate during the course of battle. "Drow society is built on distrust. They control each other because they don't feel they can trust each other. I just made sure that Zyrr distrusted his old boss more than me. Honestly, I didn't know that I could trust him, but we really had nothing to lose. And I guess we've sort of built on things from there."

Pavick goes on to complete the tale and then excuses himself to where the others are gathering. "I'm ready whenever you lot are."

[Haberdashery]

As Pavick approaches, the Shepherd cants his head to one side like some sort of great stone bird. "You know, I don't quite remember the necromancer being eight feet tall with burning coals for eyes, or that he breathed fire. Nor do I remember you shapechanging into a golem made of iron and wrestling him."

Shep scratched his head with a weak smile.

"But then again, I did take a number of blows to the head during that fight, and you are the Lucky Gnome."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick blushes. "Well, it happened something like that anyway. Between the blows to the head, the poison vapors that were being thrown around by the half-goblin/half-ogres, and the necromancer's mind magic it isn't too surprising that we might remember things a little differently. In fact, with my superior resistances, I might be the only one among us who remembers the details exactly as I told them." He tries to keep a straight face as he speaks, but isn't very successful this time.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Eilistraee hesitates for a moment, trying to decide how to respond to the advances of the much, much younger half-Eladrin. She's saved from answering when Aramil steps up and puts his hands on the Paladin's shoulder. "Casanova? Ah, yes, the Goblin Psion. What a peculiar nickname..."

She turns her attention to Zyrr with the unconscious Kosalram. "Hmm...well, we try not to keep fellow Drow against their will, but leading an attack against you is justification enough to hold him for a few days. Although I've heard that a few days of my proselytizing is akin to torture for some..." She gives a slight chuckle. "Leave him in the corner, I'll bring him with me when I leave. Thank you again for what you've done...

As Pavick spins his stories to the few remaining fey, further cementing his already highly exaggerated reputation, the rest of the crowd thins out, and you soon find yourself alone in the building with Eilistraee and one of her guards from the temple. The Drow priestess pulls a small cord out of her belt pouch, and ties a few loops around Kosalram's wrists, before heaving the unconscious creature over her shoulder with a grunt, and making her way out into the streets, the temple guard following behind her.

OOC: Anything that you want to do between now and when you meet up with the ship?

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"That was fun," Lucan says. "Are we ready to go now? We have a quest scheduled."

[Haberdashery]

"Of course, of course." The Shepherd concedes, nodding his head. "I should know better than to doubt you."

[Nai_Calus]

"It's not my nick-name..." Eltain says, allowing Aramil to pull him away.

"Why would you compare me to a goblin psion? I'm confused."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As you head back toward the Inn of the Lady's Favor, the streets are quieter now, although you can hear the sounds of various crowds and gatherings going on in some buildings. There's no sign of the Drow woman who left, but just a little ways down the street from the meeting, Shep and Lucan spy what looks to be her shoe laying in the middle of the street near the entrance to a rather dark alley.

The rest of the night passes without incident, although late in the evening, Lena does see a couple of Drow watching the inn, but none made any attempts to force their way in. She reports this to Lucan in her odd gibbering language that no one else can seem to quite make out.

-------- Around Midday -------

As you make your way to the Portal indicated by Farrel, Verathi El'thian, the Tiefling is waiting for you. As you arrive, he gives a low bow to Aramil. "My lord, it is as you requested, yes? A small group of men-at-arms to accompany you on your trip, while the rest will rendezvous at your father's house." The Tiefling strokes his beard again, and with a flourish, motions to a group of seven tieflings behind him. Four carry long, curved swords, one casually twirls a foot long iron rod that seems to glow slightly at one end, while the last two take turns flipping daggers to one another, all the time eying you. They all carry themselves as warriors, although they eye you with something akin to contempt. Still, they give a low bow, and solute you, closed fist over heart. Verathi bows again. "They will serve you well, and I assure you that they will assist you in whatever you endeavor, yes?"

With a deep bow, and a flourish of his cape, he bids his farewell, and makes his way back into the streets.

There's an awkward pause as you and the Tieflings stare at each other, but before long, it's broken up by the sound of a throat clearing. You turn, and a female Dragonborn in a loose fitting shirt looks down at you, arms crossed. "I'm Demerius, first mate under Captain Ferrell on The Ishbane. You the passengers we're taking?"

OOC: This is more or less your last chance to do anything in Sigil before you head out. Anything y'all want to pick up?

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Assuming the shoe is pointed out to him, Pavick will pick it up and tuck it away in his bag. He looks up the others and shrugs before explaining himself. "Somehow I doubt we've seen the last of that woman. Having an object connected to a person can be helpful for divination rituals. You know, just in case." After returning to the inn, he'll ask Lucan to find a place somewhere in the inn where the shoe can be left undisturbed.

----

Pavick stifles a giggle when he hears the name of the ship. "Well, I suppose it's probably easier for the captain to say when he's drunk," he mutters.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan stores the shoe in his room. Lena seems most amused by it. He also tells the others about the drow, but doesn't seem particularly concerned by it.

He's a little bit wary of the tieflings. They don't seem particularly friendly, but if Aramil thinks they're good hires, Lucan trusts his judgement.

Mostly, he's just eager to get going. Lena alights on his shoulder as he boards the ship.

[Haberdashery]

"That is the name of our vessel?" Shepherd asks the Dragonborn plainly. He pauses for quite a long time, studying her scaly face with the utmost care and patience, while breathing so softly his normally deep breath is naught but a whisper from his nostrils.

He finally quirks one eye so that it is wider than the other, and frowns.

"There would not happen to be great white whales in the Astral Sea, would there?"

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The Dragonborn meets the Goliath's eyes. "Yes, why wouldn't it be the name of our vessel? What kind of a question is that?" She eyes you, up and down for a moment, eyes narrowed. "Don't know of any whales in the astral sea, white or otherwise. I have heard stories about an Albino Astral Dreadnought, although I think that one is more to frighten sailors..."

[Mando Knight]

Aramil smiles and looks up (he's probably at least half a foot shorter than she is, after all) and offers his hand. "If you're with Captain Ferrell, then we're your passengers. I'm Aramil Printempest, the gnome is Pavick, the half-elves are Lucan and Eltain--he's the one in the armor--and we just call the big guy Shep. The surly fellows in need of attitude adjustment are an additional guard we've hired as an extra precaution."

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain looks at Aramil with a hurt expression on his face, unable to understand why the man keeps insulting him. First comparing him to a goblin, now this? Bad enough that Fey he didn't know shunned him for his heritage, now one he did know was doing it.

"I'm half-eladrin, Aramil. Not half-elf. You know that." He can't keep the hurt from his voice any more than he can keep it from his face.

[Haberdashery]

"I would not be so sure." The Shepherd points out, waggling a finger. "Not that I know what that is. Or that I even begin to know what that is. Because I don't. But, at this point in time, considering what I have seen," The Shepherd chuckled to himself. He'd seen a six-legged goat. The universe could no longer shock him. "I would not at all be surprised if it does in fact exist, and speaking about it will call it down on our unsuspecting heads. So..."

He puts his finger to his lips.

"Shh."

[Toric]

Zyrr's mood stays chipper on the way back - the drow is skipping and humming at one point - until they find the shoe, at which point an uncharacteristic frown mars his face. "Yeah, she probably just had somebody pick her up when the poisoned coin started taking effect. She'll likely be hopping mad once she can feel her legs again." His voice contains its natural joking lilt, but his face does not match his joking tone.

---

Much like Lucan, Zyrr isn't worried about the drow skulking around the inn. "We showed far too much strength in the last ambush for my kin to think about another one so soon." he observes. "If anything, they saw our bold display at the meeting last night and were following to see if we'd sprout wings and dive-bomb Lolth's temple next."

When the Tieflings salute Aramil, Zyrr gives them a bow in return. "Now you folks bring back memories of some quality berks. You and I, we're going to get along just fine."

[Mando Knight]

Aramil sighs. "I know that, but most races never bother to learn the difference."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

OOC: Hmm...insight check from Zyrr & Lucan on the shoe

Demerius looks at the two of you, and shrugs. "You people all look the same to me." She rolls her eyes as she walks down the street a little way. "If you just laid eggs like civilized creatures, there wouldn't be so much confusion about what kind of creature is what..."

She stops in front of what appears to be a doorway to a small back alley, but as she enters, she mutters the word "diapclen" and a swirling purple vortex appears in front of her, and she steps in without hesitation, motioning for you to follow.

As you pass through the portal, you feel your body stretch slightly, then bounce back to it's normal proportions. Stepping through, you find yourself on a small hunk of land barely 30 paces wide, floating in the middle of the Astral sea. All around you, is a vast, dark sky, but rather than emptiness, it's clouded with huge silvery-gray clouds that glow dimply and seem to flow across the sky. In the distance, you can see thousands of stars glittering in the darkness. Your skin tingles slightly, and as you look out across the vastness, and you can see a few ribbons of opaque light that seem to trail through the glowing clouds.

The small mote of earth you're standing on is fairly sparse, but there are some barrels and boxes stacked in various locations around the mote. Near where you entered, a long wood and rope bridge stretches to a spelljammer, floating silently in the air. At first glance, it appears to be very similar to a normal sailing vessel, but the longer you look at it, the more differences you see. Long, slender masts support fan-shaped sails completely impractical for travel at sea, and along the rim of the ship, strange arcane runes are etched into the dark wood. On the bow of the spelljammer, where the wheel for guiding the ship would normally be found, is a large chair, made of steel and gold, it's magical aura evident to all who are trained in the art.

The crew, moving boxes and crates on and off, consists mostly of humans and Githyanki, but there are a few half-orcs and even a Genasi, with flickering flames instead of hair on his head.

Standing on the deck, yelling orders, is Captain Ferrell. The Githyanki captain looks exceptionally more sober now, and as you arrive on the mote, he looks down at you from the deck above and scowls. So, these are the people I agreed to shuttle. Be grateful I have business in Celestia, or I'd have exceptionally little reason to uphold my end of the deal. Get aboard and stow your things, we leave within the hour." He mutters to himself, obviously regretting the hasty agreement he made while drunk, but he seems resigned to it.

[Toric]

Zyrr doesn't give the shoe much thought. Yes, this drow might be in danger, but so is Shep, and as bad as he might feel about helping her put herself in a bad situation, he's willing to let the matter rest until the stone giant's soul is secured.

"I'll want to see that shoe when we get back," the assassin whispers to Lucan when they're at the spelljammer dock, past the point of no return. "I'd like to see just how much trouble my stolen kiss caused. Once our current business is done, of course."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"Sure, sure," Lucan says. But he's not really listening. Instead, he's staring at wonder at the ship. "It's beautiful, isn't it? I think I'm really going to enjoy this trip."

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd hadn't been on a proper boat, let alone an astral vessel. Of course, that depends on what your definition of proper happens to be, for the Shepherd happened to think that the Githyanki pilot must indeed refer to his ship as a proper boat, and the ones on the Shepherd's plane as water vessels, or something.

...had it begun to strike the Shepherd just the slightest bit strangely that his head was now filled with terms like astral, and planar, and githyanki? Yes, yes it did. But then again, these things, though strange looking, were not all so different than things that existed on his home plane. That did beg the question though...were there astral goats?

Shaking the strange and somewhat disturbing thought from his head, the Shepherd stepped on board the vessel, half expecting it to dip in the sky under his weight and send the entire crew plummeting down into the inky abyss below.

[Nai_Calus]

Ice crystals swirled around Eltain, a chill wind wrapping him. "Even so. Simply because mortals are too unobservant to notice the obvious differences between elves and Eladrin is no reason to insult me," Eltain presses, frowning and doing his best impression of the imperious tone he's heard from noble Eladrin like Aramil's relatives and Certhiel.

-----

The Astral Sea takes his breath away, and when he regains it Eltain bursts into song, a hymn to Corellon and a celebration of the beauty of the plane. Where Sigil had been cramped, dirty and ugly, this place was none of those things. A thought occurs to him, filling him with joy and pulling at his soul. Arvandor was out there somewhere. His god's realm, the place where Corellon Larethian himself lived, was somewhere here on this plane. He felt both small and excited. Now this was more like it!

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"Is it really that insulting to be called a half-elf?" Lucan asks. "What's wrong with being a half-elf?"

[Haberdashery]

"Frankly," The Shepherd calls, looking back at his companions while boarding the vessel, "Eladrin, Elf, you all look the same to me. I can't really tell any difference."

[Nai_Calus]

"Nothing, if you are one. But I'm not, I'm a half-eladrin. It just bothers me when people get it wrong, especially when they know better."

(Wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey. I like how we're doing things at different points in time and places in the multiverse.)

[Haberdashery]

"From what I understand though," The Shepherd continues, "The difference between the elves involves Corellon, Lolth, and Sehanine, right?"

He strokes his beard carefully, thinking quite hard.

"Where, one day, Lolth took the drow to the beach. And they stayed an awfully long time, and got very badly sunburnt. When they returned home, Corellon laughed at Lolth for looking so silly. Lolth didn't like that. She got really angry, and punched Corellon right on the nose. Which made Corellon cry. And then Corellon said they couldn't be in his tree fort anymore."

The Shepherd paused in his recitation, scratching the top of his head under his cloak.

"And I think the elves and Sehanine thought Corellon was a big old meanie, and so they left because they didn't like his tree fort anyway."

[Toric]

Zyrr freezes in the middle of checking his weapons, cranes his neck, and stares up from the dock at the Shepherd. For a long while, he doesn't move. Eventually, he shakes his head. "And here I thought I had an odd view of the mythos." he mutters to the planks as he boards the ship.

[Nai_Calus]

(Er, I've been finishing up Eltain's reaction to Aramil's introduction back in Sigil. Eltain's too busy being awestruck by the Astral Sea to be grumpy about things once we're through the portal. Although Shep's stuff kind of... Um... Demands reaction.)

Eltain is broken from his reverie and pulled away from admiration of the plane's beauty by Shep's blasphemy.

"...That is not even remotely..." His eyelid twitches and he snows so hard there's quickly a full inch of it on his armor.

"That is not at all how it went. Please do not utter such blasphemy in my presence again." He frowns. "...Please."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick was a little nervous about meeting the captain again, especially after their previous encounter. Still, the little gnome was shameless and knew it would be little use trying to stay out of his sight throughout the entire voyage. Instead he decided that maybe he could make the crew's work seem to go a little faster. He took out the flute he always keeps in one of his large pockets and begins to play a jaunty song.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"Well, I like being a half-elf," Lucan says, before muttering, " Stupid Eltain thinks Eladrin are so superior. He's just being stupid, isn't he, Lena?" Lena's twittering response sets Lucan sputtering. "What do you mean they sort of are? If that's the way you feel, why don't you go be Eltain's friend. I'm not talking to either of you."

[hr]

Lucan's still giving Eltain and Lena the silent treatment when they arrive at the Spelljammer, but he cheers up when Pavick begins to play, and soon joins with his drum and voice.

[Mando Knight]

Aramil attempts to hide his admiration of the Sea behind his usual serious face, though the admiration is more due to new perspective on the vastness and intricacy of the sea of stars than it is simply about its beauty. He almost ignores Farrell's comment, but decides against saying anything about it anyway.

Before boarding, he approaches Eltain and calmly states in a voice that is just audible over their companions' jam session "Once we get settled, I have some things to discuss with you."

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain blinks at Aramil for a few moments before nodding, shaking the snow from himself.

"...Is something wrong? Well, we'll discuss it then, as you say." He sighs. "Hopefully I won't do that again," he mutters, gesturing vaguely at the pile of snow. He takes another joyous look around and boards the ship. The ship is nearly as magnificent to him as the plane itself, and he finds himself once again grinning.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Captain Ferrell looks down, and realizes that his new passengers have begun flute, drum, and singing. He closes his eyes, and pinches the bridge of his nose. "This is going to be a long trip..."

Before long, you and your Tiefling hirelings have found your way below deck, where a small room filled with hammocks has been assigned to you. It's fairly cramped, and there aren't enough beds to go around, so you'll need to sleep in shifts.

The workers on the ships eventually finish loading (and seem keen to keep you far away from everything they're keeping in the cargo hold), and within an hour, you're ready to take off.

Ferrell takes his position in the stern of the ship, and sits down in the large steel and golden chair. The rest of the crew take their positions, some manning the sales, some at the top of the mast, keeping watch, and a few taking position around a strange series of arcane glyphs etched onto the deck near the bow of the ship. Demerius walks around on the main deck, shouting orders to all the various crew members, as Ferrell closes his eyes. The air around the Githyanki captain seems to haze a bit, and the golden chair begins glowing and shimmering. The Genasi sailor quickly pulls up the loading ramp, and with a slight jerk the spelljammer begins moving forward. The vessel seems to be barely creeping along at first, but it slowly begins gaining speed, smoothly making its way out into the vastness of the astral sea.

Before long, the small earthmote is well in the distance behind you, and within another half-hour, it's completely out of sight. Demerius opens up a large map, and examines it for a few minutes before moving up to review the arcane glyphs near the ship's bow. She moves back to speak a few words with the captain, who gives a stiff nod, his concentration never breaking. The Dragonborn calls out orders to the crew, who tie off one of the sails on the starboard side, and within a few more hours, one the githyanki at the top of the mast gives a shout, and in the distance you can see a shimmering ribbon of gold winding its way through the Astral sea.

It takes another 2 hours until you reach the ribbon, but as you approach it seems that all hands are on deck, moving about quickly, but purposefully; the movement of experienced sailors. There's a jolt as you enter into the flowing ribbon of gold, but as the spelljammer glides into the stream, you again feel your speed increase.

Once The Ishbane has navigated it's way inside the ribbon, Captain Ferrell finally relaxes, and steps out of the chair. It seems that the difficult part of the journey is finished for now. Several of the crew members break for food, and before long many are engaged in games of dice, cards, or simple swapping stories. None approach the party.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain keeps out of the way as the journey begins, but he's busy enjoying the scenery. Finally he tears himself away to seek out Aramil.

"What did you want to speak to me about?"

[Toric]

Zyrr is impressed with the view of the Astral Sea, but not quite to the same extent as the others. After all, after discovering that the universe has no ceiling, the impact of the discovery that it has no floor or walls tends to be dulled.

Once the ship is on its way and he's stowed away his non-essentials, Zyrr gathers up the two knife-wielding tieflings from earlier with the promise of entertainment and approaches Shep with them in tow. He has a slight curl to his lip as he looks up at the moss-chinned face. "I have a favor to ask of you, friend. It will probably involve you hitting me many times with that stick of yours, if that strikes your fancy."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick stands on the deck of the ship, craning his neck over the railing to look out at the astral sea. He'd studied it plenty, but sailing in it was certainly a new experience.

A nagging question still plagued him. What exactly were in those crates that the captain and crew were so secretive about loading? Was it dangerous? Expensive? Illegal, if laws even exist out here? The questions nagged at his heart, but every time he considered satiating his curiousity, he remembered that Shep was on the line. If he did something to upset the captain and made it impossible to complete the mission, Shep would be doomed. That alone kept him from exploring.

So he stood looking over the railing; Slick was artfully peeking out of Pavick's sleeve watching too. Pavick had warned him earlier not to let himself be seen on the voyage.

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd strokes the sides of his mustache, his stony lips pursed beneath them. With his forefinger and thumb he pulls the sweeping ends to the side gently, and lets them fall back against his chin.

"I suppose you wish to spar, yes?"

[Mando Knight]

Aramil sighs, trying to figure out the best approach. "There's... several things. I suppose first you'd like to hear what my family thinks about you, or would you rather discuss one of the more recent issues first?"

RETCON: Go to 595.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain frowns, a few snowflakes briefly floating in the air around him before melting. He stares at the floor and heaves a sigh.

"Start wherever you think is best, I suppose. I can kind of tell what your family thinks of me, though. I know they don't like me. I'm only half eladrin, and half winter eladrin at that, and it isn't exactly... Subtle." He glares at the ice crystals sparkling in the air around him as if everything were their fault. He sighs again.

"Forgive me. Say what you need to."

[Mando Knight]

"Well, they trust you in that they trust me trusting you, but they've got a lead on your parentage that they don't know what to make of."

Aramil puts a hand to his chin and looks off to the distance, trying to think of the best way to phrase the next few words. "Their concern is it might make you question your loyalties, but I'm pretty confident that it won't. What my concern is about it is that you'll get into one of your... moods."

Turning back to Eltain, he gets back to the point. "Your... snowy-ness is fairly strong evidence that your Eladrin half is from a fairly powerful noble line. That and the fact that you were brought up in Certhiel's domain means that there is a chance that you're her son."
RETCON: go to 595.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As Pavick looks out over the astral sea, he is soon joined by Demerius. The Dragonborn takes a place next to the small gnome, and shares the view of the infinite vastness beyond.

"Beautiful, isn't it? I've been sailing it for nearly 20 years, ever since I left the prime." She pauses, and looks around to make certain there is no one standing near. "So between you and me, are you really an assassin of Zehir?" The dragonborn gives a chuckle. "Don't worry, I won't tell the captain, I'm just curious."

[Nai_Calus]

Snow swirls violently about Eltain at Aramil's words, his breath fogged in the suddenly cold air.

"You... Cannot be serious about that. It's ridiculous. As if someone like that could be my..." He breaks off, thinking about Toveliss. Certhiel was definitely the man's mother, and he seemed perfectly nice and normal. Certainly Eltain hadn't noticed anything bad about him.
Alright, so Toveliss isn't apparently like her, but still..." He laughs nervously. "Even so, it's ridiculous. Why would someone like her have an affair with a human? And me, the bastard son of a noble. Ridiculous. You're joking, right? Right?" His tone turns slightly desperate. It makes too much sense. It would explain far too much. Her interest in him, the way he affected the air around him like nobles did, why he'd been abandoned at a temple, the kinship he'd felt instantly for Toveliss... He just didn't want it to be true. He chuckles bitterly.

"I suppose that would make your family somewhat on edge. You're probably more certain of this than you claim to be and you're testing me to see how I'll react." He snorts. "Well your family is wrong. Even if she is the one who bore me, she's not my mother. She abandoned me and threw me away. My loyalty lies with Corellon first and foremost, and the Fey people, and with my friends. You and the others are my family, not her, if she truly is my mother." The storm continues unabated as he speaks, calming slightly as he reiterates where his loyalties lie. The cabin looks like the aftermath of a blizzard and the snow makes Aramil's suggestion seem irrefutable. Eltain glares at it and nods.

"If she tries anything against us, I would rather die than let anything happen to you."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick continues to stare off into the astral sea for a moment longer. Almost enough time to make Demerius think he hadn't heard her. Finally he moves, first glancing from side to side then looking up into her eyes. He has a serious expression. "I am whatever it takes to get my friend out of this mess we've gotten him into." He ***** his head in Shep's direction.

"I'll be an assassin, if the need arises, but I'd prefer it is not the case. I have no affiliation with Zehir," he cracks a smile, "though if I did I probably wouldn't admit to it anyway. The captain just got the wrong idea when he saw my familiar. Meet Slick," Pavick says while rolling up his sleeve just a little so that Demerius can see Slick coiled around his forearm. Slick quickly recoils slithering further up into the shadows of Pavick's sleeve.

"He was drunk and we were desperate, so we did what it took to get where we needed to go." He shrugs.

[Mando Knight]

Aramil smirks. "Actually, I was also just as worried that you'd insist that we could redeem her. Though if you could keep your emotions under control, I'd appreciate it. I'm not too fond of chilly nights."

RETCON: go to 595.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Feeling left out since everyone but him's involved in an interesting conversation, Lucan starts a lively conversation with himself. Lena tries to join in, but he's still not talking to her. As usual, when no one tries to stop him, the conversation turns to Lings. Soon the conversation grows heated, as he argues both for and against the plausibility of a lost tribe of Lings somewhere in the Astral Sea.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

A few of the crewmen give Lucan odd looks as he sits there speaking to himself, and the half-elf is given a wide berth. It's a bit uncomfortable as everyone tries to avoid him, but eventually Captain Ferrell walks over, just to find out why no one is managing the port side of the ship where Lucan is standing "Hey, you! Drummer! What the hells is wrong with you, are you crazy? Stop bothering my crew!"


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

Back near the front of the ship, Demerius gives Pavick an appreciative nod. "I understand. Normally, I'd say that You were fortunate that you caught the captain when you did, but lately it seems that any time we're on shore he gets himself drunk and gets into all sort of trouble. It makes you wonder if he's really fit to be a captain of a fine ship like this..." She leaves that last part hanging in the air, and watches the gnome from the corner of her eye...


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

Zyrr finds no shortage of people interested in hitting him with a stick.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf Bard

Lucan looks at Ferrell as if he's just been insulted. "Me and my Self were just having a stimulating conversation, but I can see that we aren't welcome here. If that's how it is, we'll just go below," he says. "C'mon, Me. Of course, Self." And with that, he heads to their room belowdecks, Lena flittering behind him.

[Toric]

Zyrr nods. "Precisely. The truth is, while I'll still be able to make plenty of the typical pain-first-death-later poison, the more sophisticated poisons rely in part on certain guild components. As I've had a falling out with drow society in general, these ingredients are beyond me, and so soon will be my more fun venoms."

He leads the goliath and the two tieflings to a fairly clear space in the spelljammer's hold. "That makes for a rather crippled assassin. And seeing as we're on our way to an island full of poison-blooded creatures, and I'm looking forward to facing many people who know exactly how I was trained to fight, I'm better off learning sooner rather than later to not rely on old tricks. I need to fight anew, and I need you to help me."

He draws a dagger and gestures to Shep. "For now, just fight me. Hit me when you see an opening." He draws another dagger in his off-hand, and gestures to the tiefling knife-fighters. "Here's where you two get your entertainment. Point out anything I do that you know can be done better, more fluidly. Cajole me, throw a knife at my foot, whatever it takes to ensure that I learn this as quickly as possible."

The two tieflings respond with a chuckle."Well first off," one points out with a dagger of his own, "you can put that second blade away. Sure, you're thinking you can use it to guard against attacks, but you look quick. Use those legs enough, and you won't have to parry. Besides, there's much better things a free hand can be used for in a fight." The other tiefling, having snuck up behind him, demonstrates this by tugging his white hair, shoving him forward, and presenting him with a rude gesture. "Now put that thing away, it's just a nice, obvious mirror for when somebody shines a lantern on your shadow."

After sheathing himself and taking a few minutes to compose himself, telling himself the whole time that they're doing exactly as he asked, Zyrr enters a battle stance - instantly mocked by the tieflings as a nice look for a statue, not a moving fighter - and faces Shep. "Anything to add before we begin?"


((I hope Hzurr doesn't mind if I take a few liberties with his NPC's. If there's a conflict I'll edit this.))

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick looks back out over the astral sea. "I think I understand. He must have gotten you all in a spot of trouble by selling that whatchamacallit to the efreet. Fortunately, he seems to be competent enough to get us back to the Strickweem. Though I suppose others might be equally capable, without bringing along a lot of extra trouble."

Suddenly Pavick turns to the dragonborn. "Say, you were probably on board when that ship was run a ground, weren't you?"


Pavick really isn't interested in helping with any mutinous plans, seeing it as more trouble than it's worth. Though I suppose if she can come up with a good enough reason he might be willing to change his mind.

Though he is stringing her along a little, hoping to get some more info about the Strickweem out of her. I'm thinking that means a bluff check might be in order. Here it is just in case... [roll0]

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain grins.

"I never said I didn't think she could be redeemed. Ideally, if possible, of course I'd see her turned away from her current path to a less sad one. I heard rumors in my youth that she wasn't always as cold and heartless as she is now... Perhaps she could be saved after all. Well, you know me. I believe in redeeming the drow, why not a wayward Eladrin as well?" He smiles fondly. "Especially if she truly is my mother. Even if we aren't truly what you could call family..." The smile turns wistful. "I guess I'm just not ready to give up on that dream yet. I always dreamed that someday I'd find my parents, and that they'd turn out to be wonderful people who just couldn't keep me for some reason, and we'd end up becoming a family. But I won't let that endanger you. I will certainly try to help her, but if it becomes a choice between her and you five, I'll kill her myself if I have to."

He quirks an eyebrow at Aramil. "Sorry, it just happens. I'll try to keep it under control, but it's not really something I can control." He looks about at the indoor winter landscape and lets out a noise that sounds halfway between a snort and a chuckle. "I admit this is a bit excessive, though, but it did rather startle me." He pauses. "Was there anything else you needed to discuss with me?"

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd simply smiles, bowing by bending ever so slightly at the waist, and spins his crook in a wide arch beside him.

The towering goliath takes two steps backwards--the length of his legs are just so that only two steps bring him to the exact opposite side of the ship's hull. He bends at the knees, grasping the wooden staff in both hands...before he stops, standing up straight again, and looks quite oddly past Zyrr. With a look of the utmost puzzlement, he points that the tiefling behind him.

"I don't think Zyrr would appreciate you stealing that. It's very important."

[Toric]

"Wha-" Zyrr uses his now-free hand to pat his vest down, before turning back to the offending tiefling.

[Haberdashery]

Out of the corner of Zyrr's eye, the static form of the Shepherd shifts into blurred line, his form moving so fast the eye cannot detect the extent of his movement. The dark, rock-shaped blur rushes forwards...

[Toric]

...toward a drow whose first step toward the tiefling continues long after his foot should have made contact. Once his knee touches the ground, Zyrr rolls to the side and again uses his free hand to push back into a side lunge at the goliath charging past....

[Haberdashery]

...which swipes at thin air as the blurred form halts in a split-second redirection, forming into a swift upwards arc like the flight of an arrow. Two graceful stone feet plant themselves against the wooden planking of the hull, and rebound backwards towards the drow...

[Toric]

...who lands on one hand, coils himself until his feet touch the tips of his hair, and launches himself up in a spinning corkscrew, giving himself the momentum to meet the Shepherd's crook...

[Haberdashery]

...so that the speed of both wildly moving objects collide to a perfect stand still. Wooden crook meets with the bite of cold steel, and the two figures stand locked with crossed weaponry. The Shepherd's face is that of a rock slab, a cliff face, rigid and lifeless...until a crack forms across the mouth, and a smile showing glittering teeth spreads across his face.

[Toric]

This smile is reflected on both Zyrr's face and, more literally, his dagger. He finds himself back in his starting stance, though in a less rigid, more relaxed form as he's pleased to note. "I'll be honest, that roll was reflex. I didn't think you had it in you to pull trick number one." He reaches his free hand to wipe away an imaginary tear. "Beautiful execution. I couldn't be more proud."

[Haberdashery]

"I find myself wondering..." The Shepherd begins, in his deep, throaty voice. "Am I tutoring you, or are you tutoring me?" The crook breaks away, and the Shepherd gives a quick bow. "A wise Shepherd once said..." The goliath pauses, and shrugs his shoulders. "Oh it doesn't matter."

[Toric]

Zyrr gives a short bow in return. "An experienced shepherd finds the goats herding him once in a while?" He resumes his fighting stance. "Enough play, let's get to work."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Demerius looks down at the gnome. "Spot of trouble doesn't begin to describe it, but that's not something we're entirely unfamiliar with...

"As for The Strickweem, I was here when it went down. We do a lot of...business, near the outskirts of Celestia, and we spotted it moving around some of the islands, trying to avoid the major ship channels. Naturally, when a merchant ship does this, they have our undivided attention, so we...pressed them a bit, to find out what they had on board. They resisted, and a fight broke out. The ship was already a bit damaged, so it didn't take much to send it spiraling out of control into the Tangle. Most of the survivors managed to jump out, so we picked them up, and sold them back in Sigil."

Insight DC 21
You think there might be part of the story that's being left out.

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick turns back to face Demerius. He drums his fingers on the ship's railing as he speaks. "So, it must have been a worthwhile haul for you, eh? There had to be something they were protecting. And if nothing else, selling the crew must have earned you something." Pavick is carefully controlling himself, her casual mention of enslaving the crew was not what he wanted to hear, but he was hardly in a position to do anything about it at the moment.

[roll0]

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Demerius shrugs. "We never really found out what was on it, most of the crew didn't know, and if they did they wouldn't talk about it. There was one guy who I think knew, but we never got to really press him about it. When we got back to Sigil, before we had even sold him, some woman walked up to the slave pins, pointed her finger at him, and these burning chains sprung up out of nowhere, and dragged the guy off." The dragonborn gives a slight chuckle, faint sparks of lightning in her breath. "We didn't even try and stop her. There's a time when you have to recognize when something simply isn't worth the cost." She nudges the gnome with her elbow "Am I right?" with a laugh, she walks off, leaving the gnome again alone on the front of the ship.

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

OOC: Can I get a perception & arcana check from Lucan?

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf Bard

Lucan likes looking at stuff. And magic.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As Lucan heads back down below, he notices that one of the door to the cargo hold was left slightly ajar. Glancing in, he sees that a few of the larger crates have been left open. He doesn't see anything in them, but they radiate with slight enchantment magic, usually the kind associated with magically induced sleep.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"That's odd," Lucan says to Lena, completely forgetting his silent treatment. "Do you think they're shipping animals? I know some people will pay a lot of money for exotic pets."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Your first day of travel goes relatively smooth. The Tieflings elected to wait out the night, and sleep during the next day (aside from Zyrr and Shep to a degree, you get the feeling that they don't like you very much), so for the moment you have the cabin to yourselves.

OOC: This is your chance to share any info, and make any plans before we move this ship to high gear

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"I think these people are smuggling exotic pets," Lucan announces to the others.

[Mando Knight]

"Yeah, a couple of things. First, I don't trust any other group on this ship. Not the crew, not the Tieflings, and definitely not the captain. Keep an eye out for any treachery, and don't be afraid to influence their attitudes with the carrot or the stick. And second..."

Aramil adopts an I-don't-know-how-to-tell-you-this,-but-I'm-a-bit-disappointed-in-you look, with an accompanying son-I-am-disappoint tone. "For someone whose beliefs include an improved sense of freedom from racial predispositions and who is just now coming to terms with the idea that he might have been born to one of his adversaries, you're awfully stuck-up about how superior Eladrin blood is. I've personally never really cared for flaunting that just for the sake of my own pride, and I'm surprised that you still carry that notion of racial superiority even though we travel in such a motley crew. If we're going to stop the Prince of Frost, I don't think we can afford the risk of alienating our own friends."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

"Exotic pets? What gives you that idea?" Pavick asks. He has hands on his hips and he looks at Lucan incredulously.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"There's some sort of sleep magic on whatever they're smuggling," Lucan says. "So I figured it must be exotic pets. I hear they sell for a lot."

[Toric]

"I could probably check the crates to make sure." Zyrr suggests, rubbing a sore shoulder from his sparring with the Shepherd. "I don't see much of a problem with it, as long as the goods aren't sapient or dangerous. What's the surface phrase? 'Don't rock the boat?'"

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

"Oh, yes, of course, exotic pets. That MUST be it. It couldn't be slaves, like they made of the crew of the Strickweem. Slaves taken back and sold in Sigil to people like that Zorella," Pavick says unable to keep the sarcasm and crankiness out of his voice.

He looks back to Lucan, and suddenly feels like he has just kicked a puppy. A cute puppy. "Sorry. That dragonwoman just got under my skin when she told me what they did. And to think she wanted help with overthrowing the captain. No reason to get rid of one slaver when you're just going to replace him with another. At this point, I'd like to throw both of them over the side." His voice slowly drifts down to a mutter.

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd stands next to his drow companion, a rather nasty looking purple lump on the top of his head that seems to throb just looking at it. He speaks a bit quieter than normal.

"...that strikes me as a horrible thing to do, but I cannot help but wonder exactly what happens when you fall off this boat.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

When Shep talks about going over the side, Lucan tilts his head. "Wouldn't you just keep falling? Until you hit . . ." His expression becomes comically puzzled. "Wow. I hadn't thought of that. What would you hit?" He shakes his head, and turns to look at Pavick. "But you said something about slaves," he says. "Why would they keep slaves in crates? Slaves wouldn't make good pets, would they?"

"And what does sa-pi-ent mean, anyway?" When Lena says something in his ear, he nods sagely. "Oh, you mean wise. Like owls? What's wrong with a pet owl? I knew a wizard who had one once."

[Haberdashery]

Where Lucan's statement leaves off, the Shepherd only nods his head.

"Exactly."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

"Carrots don't make very good pets either, but I've seen them stored in crates," Pavick says, becoming more exasperated. "Listen, pets are not the only things one might put in a crate. They probably put the slaves in a crate and cast some sleep magic over it to keep the slave from causing trouble on the journey to wherever they plan to sell them."

He pauses for a second, then adds just before Shep or Lucan is able to respond, "And I don't want to hear about some little slave girl or goat who kept a carrot as a pet!"

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd's mouth had just opened before Pavick cut him off. He frowned, and stared at his feet below him.

It was a good story too...

[Toric]

Zyrr sighs. "Let's just end this mystery then. I'll see what are in the crates, and tell you all. I can do it during one of my sparring rounds. I already have a plan in fact."

The drow takes a deep breath before he lays down his concept. "It'll require getting one of the tieflings who've been helping me spar on my side, most likely both. Buttering them up, bribing them, whatever it takes. Tomorrow I spar against both of them and Shep at the same time. The four of us fight our way into a secluded area, and I hand one of the brothers my magic hat. The hat turns the wearer into another me, and they spar back in the open minus one tiefling. Then I simply have to not be seen as I get an up-close look at the crates and rejoin the sparring match."

He looks around at the others. "What do you think?"

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick's eyes light up. "Now you're talking!" he says shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He either is getting excited, or has suddenly had the urge to use the restroom. "If it'll help I've got an illusion that I can prepare for tomorrow. I can make an illusion of the missing tiefling somewhere else and carry on a conversation with him for 5 minutes or so."


Just to be clear, while Pavick isn't interested in hearing the story, I am!

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain nods at Aramil's mistrust of the other groups on board, but he frowns and snows lightly at Aramil's chiding.

"That isn't it at all, Aramil." He sighs. "Of course you don't speak of your Eladrin blood, you're a full-blooded noble. I'm a bastard half-breed nobody who's probably the son of some passing bard and a scullery maid. It's not about superiority, it's about... Recognition. People acknowledging that I am what I am. I've tried my whole life to fit in among the Fey, among Corellon's people. But... Well, you know how your family acts around me. They don't trust me, of course, because I'm obviously from Certhiel's lands and of winter blood, but it's more than just that. They look down on me, seem to half-pity me. Because I'm not an Eladrin, no matter how hard I try. I'll always be half human, always be something less than them. But I wouldn't even know how to begin to try to be human, and I wouldn't fit in there, either, because I was raised by eladrin. The Feywild is my home, Aramil, as much as it is yours, and I want to belong there. I want people to see me as at least partially something that belongs..." He sighs. "You're right, we can't afford to alienate our allies, but please understand that it's not about being better than Lucan or whatever you think it is, and understand that insisting it doesn't matter whether I'm half-eladrin or half-elf alienates me."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The Tieflings agree to Zyrr's plan (primarily because they have nothing better to do), and later that evening, another round of sparring goes on. Most of the crew watches with half-interest as the Drow duels the Tieflings around the ship, and none seem to bat an eye when one Tiefling fails to return above deck. And the few that do soon spot him speaking softly with Pavick over in a corner.

Silently, Zyrr makes his way down into the hold. The door is locked, but for someone as skilled as Zyrr, picking the lock is fairly trivial. Slipping inside of the cargo hold, he sees several of the large crates and boxes Lucan had seen. Moving around, it becomes clear to someone who grew up around the slave trade that these are for moving people. Hanging on the far wall, Zyrr finds several sets of manacles and chains, as well as several scrolls used to charm and subdue creatures. While there is currently no one in this hold, there can be no doubt as to it's purpose.

OOC: Again, I'll give everyone some time to discuss this if they wish, and then we'll move on with the voyage

[Mando Knight]

"Maybe... maybe it's because you try too hard to fit in. Approach your attitude from the outside, and it looks like you're saying 'Oh woe is me, I'm not Eladrin enough, so now I have to prove that I'm more Eladrin than everyone else so they'll accept me.' Don't reject your human half... just... be yourself."

Aramil sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "...Look, what I'm trying to say is, don't worry about what the other nobles are saying about you. They haven't seen you be you. Isn't being confident in who you are another kind of beauty that you can use to praise Corellon?"

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain mulls over Aramil's words in his mind, and the weather around him calms for once. He finally offers Aramil a sheepish smile.

"I suppose I do try too hard at that... You're right. Trying to be more Eladrin than actual Eladrin is just going to make them wonder what's wrong with me. And Corellon has human servants as well, so he obviously doesn't shun humans." He sighs wistfully. "Perhaps he finds beauty in those such as myself. Perhaps he finds our blending of the children of his blood and the children of his heart pleasing. Maybe that's why he hasn't given up on me yet. Maybe he's been hoping that I'll finally see that for myself." He smiles again, a boyish grin.

"You're right. I've been too busy trying to be Eltain, perfect Eladrin warrior, and not spending enough time being Eltain, well... Eltain."

[Mando Knight]

"Exactly. Oh, and ah, don't worry about that bit back there when I called you Casanova. It's actually a fairly interesting tale of a Goblin whose mental abilities were such that he could charm any female he wished into bed. Lucan could probably tell it better than I."

[Toric]

"Well, that magic you sensed is being used for a big fat nothing at the moment." Zyrr reports, reaching up to tip his hat to one side mostly to make sure it's back on his head. "No unicorns, no owls, and no humanoids of any sort are in those crates. So what we know is they're slavers, they're just not slaving right now."

He looks around at the others, particularly Pavick. "It's up to you what to do with this knowledge. So long as they don't start fitting us for manacles I don't take issue with it."

[Nai_Calus]

"Ah, I see," Eltain says, tilting his head slightly. "Sarcasm, then. As much as I'd like to convince myself that I would have been successful in my attempts had you not interrupted, I fear that it simply isn't the case." He sighs. "She's horribly wrong for me anyway, and could probably be my great-grandmother. I guess it's just the first time I've really met a woman who shares my views. Ah, the curse of adolescence. Even I sometimes forget I'm still little more than a child." He chuckles and stares off into space for a moment, before rising and enfolding Aramil in a completely un-self-conscious, if slightly cold, hug, and snows happily on him.

"Thanks, Aramil. I feel much better now."

-----

When Eltain later learns of the contents of the hold, his mood re-darkens and the air about him glitters with ice crystals.

"Well. We'll use them for now, since they aren't actively engaged in their foul trade, but... As soon as their usefulness to us has ended, so do they and their sick ways. We'll give them a chance to repent and redeem themselves, and if they squander it, well..." He leaves it at that.

(OOC: Feel free to continue the discussion with Eltain and Aramil, Mando, I'm all for wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey, I just figured I'd catch up with time at some point.)

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick glances around at the others, then stares down at the floor, a frown on his face. "Eltain's right. I don't like this turn of events at all, but we have more important concerns right now." His eyes flit momentarily back up to Shep before returning to the floor. "We'll have to let this go, at least for now, but as soon as it is safe to do so, we take care of this problem."

[Haberdashery]

"I will say one thing," The Shepherd begins solemnly, his face expressionless, "Gods are very funny. Or fate. Or that strange man who keeps staring at us from behind his folding screen and laughing. Or whoever. Often times they will make something look a certain way to get people to jump to conclusions, and make a bad decision just to amuse them." The Shepherd smooths his beard with his forefinger and thumb. "They are very sneaky like that. This situation might look like what you are expecting, but it might not be that. They could be transporting prisoners, or bad people, or exotic animals like Lucan said. And should we act on our assumption, and we are wrong, then we will have committed a grievous crime."

He shifts from one foot to the other, sternly glancing at his companions. This is not the face that will produce a Shepherdism.

"I strongly suggest we learn more about this before making this assumption."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The rest of your journey through the Astral Sea is uneventful, as the ship follows the golden ribbon along it's path through the stars. It becomes difficult to track time through the never fading light of the silver mists around you, but one day, as you peer into the horizon ahead, the small ribbon of gold seems to explode, and a curtain of golden light seems to expand miles above and below you. As you draw closer, you can faintly see the outline of a huge mountain range behind the veil, seven tall snow covered peaks looking overshadowing everything else on the isle of the gods.

As the captain stays on the throne of gold, the Dragonborn yells out orders to the crew, who are now darting all about the ship. The veil seems to be approaching quickly now, deceptively closer than you first thought. Before you cross, however, one sail is tied, and a group of sailors around the arcane markings on the bow of the ship change their chant, and the vessel drastically changes course. It drops down and to the starboard side, and below you can see a small island, floating alone in the astral sea. As you approach it in a spiraling corkscrew (any feelings of nausea you may have had before are nothing compared to this new sensation, Demerius approaches you.

Holding onto a rope so as not to lose her balance, she shouts to you to be heard over a loud humming coming from the veil. "That't the Tangle down below, we'll be approaching soon. That valley- She points to a valley deep in the heart of the island "is where we saw The Strickweem go down."

With the exception of two or three large mountain peaks in the middle that jut out from the rest of the island, the tangle appears to be nothing but a mass of thick, green jungle. On the side closest to Celestia, A river forms right on the edge, that seems to cut through the middle of the island, and cascade over the far side in a waterfall that disappears into the Astral Sea below.

Demerius continues shouting. "We can drop you off at the north end-" she points to the side where the river forms "and you can try following the river down to the heart of the island. It passes under most of the mountains through a series of caverns, don't know much about them. Or, we could drop you off at the south side-" she points to the other edge of the island. "And you can make your way through the jungle on foot. Just navigate through those valleys and you should be fine." she traces out a path through the mountain ranges. "Last option, would be for us not to land at all, but fly above the island, throw down a rope, and drop you on the tops of those mountain peaks. That'll start you closest to where the Ship is, but you'll have to climb down the mountain side." She looks at you, and beyond her you see the island below approaching fast. "What'll it be?"

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick holds onto ship's railing. He looks over the side, taking stock of the situation.

"My vote is for the south side. I'm not much for climbing, and given the choice between an overland route and one that leads through caverns, I'd rather stay above ground. The caverns sound like they could be easy to lose our way."

[Toric]

"Hmm." Zyrr thinks on the options. "Were it me by myself I'd take the mountains, they'd be just like navigating my Household except upside-down. But with the rest of you, yes, the valleys would likely be the best bet. We'll have landmarks to guide our way as opposed to in the caverns, and we won't have to worry about birds harrying us during a descent. We'll just need to mind the priests' warning: everything is poisonous."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan peers at the island below, seeing if he can spot something the others have missed.


[roll0]

[Hzurr]

DM Post

For all but Lucan, the island below is simply a blur of green, but to the bard's sharp eyes, he catches a few small breaks in the foliage below, and what looks like a trail of smoke from a small campfire. It appears that the path through the valley will take you near at least two separate villages, and the river runs near to one other.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"There are villages down there," Lucan says, pointing them out to the others. "I bet we'd meet some interesting people down there. And here I was going to suggest we take the mountain route to get there quicker."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

"Getting to know the locals could be a lifesaver. If anybody knows how to survive down there, it'll be them. If we can make nice with them, it'll probably make our time a lot easier."

[Toric]

"Interesting villages that we can bet are warring with each other, so we might be able to get through one territory peacibly but the second would be pushing our luck to its limits." the drow scratches his dark chin. "On the south side, so they're not the 'reasonable' Jepsik village we were told about. That's on the north side where the caverns are at. ...Actually, they might be able to give us a guide through the caverns now that I think about it, should we offer them something in return. So that's a better option now, I think. One peaceful village and a territory that's home to me vs a jungle with two mutually-exclusive tribes."

((OOC: The information used in this post comes from here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11025479&postcount=355) and here. (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=11032105&postcount=363)))

[Nai_Calus]

"As much as I love forests, I'm not too fond of jungles. Not so fond of rivers either, but I'm not the type who can really climb down mountains. I'm inclined to agree with Zyrr."

[Mando Knight]

"Honestly, I was thinking that the mountain path would be the easiest start. Maybe not the best way to extract us, though."

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd simply stared at his companions. And continued to stare. It was a blank expression, one they had grown accustomed to, and in this particular vision of his craggy face, they saw entirely plainly that there was really no need to even ask him such a question. It was entirely all too obvious what he was going to answer with for him to even begin to say it.

The Shepherd chuckled. Climbing down a mountain side. Oh dear, how treacherous. How ever would he manage.

...it was perhaps beginning to bother the Shepherd just how sardonic he was becoming in his travels with his companions.

[Toric]

"I suppose you've all had plenty of time to develop a tolerance to vertigo by this point." Zyrr chuckles, as he reads the Shepherd's very precise expression true. "So let's look at a mountain descent. It'll be easier if we can borrow some spare climbing gear, I'm sure a ship like this would have some. The main issue with this approach is, yes, it will be much harder to climb back up than it will be to descend."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"I like mountains," Lucan says. "And I don't mind climbing. Let's do that."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

"Oh yeah, getting down the mountain will be easy. We should be able to make it down really fast. In fact why bother with dropping ropes at all. Why not just throw ourselves over the side. We'll get there faster still!" Pavick mutters sarcastically.

"I think Zyrr might have the right idea about looking for helpful natives, but if you all really want to risk the mountain we can do it. I just wish I'd bothered learning that feather fall spell."

[Haberdashery]

There is an amused silence before the rumble of the Shepherd's voice breaks it.

"The Lucky Gnome can ride on my shoulders if he'd prefer."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

"Now that sounds absolutely wonderful my fine rocky friend. A mountain of a man to carry me down a mountain of a... mountain. Perfect!"

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Demerius nods, "The mountain it is then. Get ready, this will be a little rough." She turns back, and shouts some orders at the crew, and the ship dives into a tighter spiral around one of the mountain peaks. As it draws close, the vessel begins shaking, and the wind from the island below begins whipping past you, making it nearly impossible to hear one another.

Demerius looks back to the captain on the back of the ship, and Ferrell gives a slight nod of his head, his concentration focused on keeping the spelljammer in the air. Demerius looks back to you, shouting to be heard over the rushing wind. "Ok, this is as low as we can go!"

Two of the crew bring a long rope ladder from below, and fasten one end to the railing, before tossing the other over the side of the ship. The ladder unfurls, the last few yards coming to rest on the top of the mountain. Before you go over, Demerius leans in. "Ok, you've got 5 days til we get back! Make your way to either end of the island or back up to the top of the mountain, and light these on fire!" She shoves a handful of red pellets into Lucan's hand. "That will let us know where to pick you up. If we get here, and there's no signal, we're leaving you!" A glance behind the dragonborn shows the four tieflings remaining on the ship observing all of this, and one gives a slight shake of his head and mouths "No they won't."

From the golden chair in the stern, Ferrell shouts out "Get them off the ship before I lose control!" and the next thing you know you're being shuffled to the rope ladder, and sent over the side.

The trip down the ladder is a bit wobbly and shakey, but eventually all six of you make it down, and you find yourselves standing on the peak of the mountaintop, watching the spelljammer sail off into the distance. Below you, the entire island is spread out, a vast jungle that covers nearly every square inch of the land below. Even at this altitude the heat and humidity hits you like a wet blanket, and you all find yourself sweating before too long. There's an odd tingling sensation in the air, some strange magic you've never felt before, and a glance at your packs reveals a few cracks in the leather you hadn't seen only minutes ago.

Far below you, you can see the valley where The Strickweem was thought to have crashed. There doesn't appear to be an easy path down to it, and scaling down the mountain will be challenging. Still, at the moment there appears to be only one direction to go, so your path seems set.

OOC:

Ok, I'll need the following checks from everyone:
Athletics, Endurance, Nature

And everyone should make one of the following checks (your choice)
Perception
Religion
Insight
Acrobatics

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

The first thing Lucan does is change his armor into some sturdy clothes. He doesn't need protection as much as he needs freedom of movement right now. He's ready to start down the mountain, keeping a sharp eye out for trouble.

Unfortunately, going down the mountain requires so much concentration that he has a difficult time watching what's going on around him and the effort leaves him winded.


[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3] + 4 = 17 [typo on the mod]

[Haberdashery]

This was more like it. Though the air was insufferably humid, and he was hardly used to the jungle, the moment his feet touched the mountain he felt a deep sigh fill his lungs. After months and months of adventuring, they were finally somewhere he understood. He could feel the mountain's heartbeat underneath him, slow and alien, it spoke in a tongue he could scarcely understand. This was a mountain he could have only seen in his dreams. A wide smile spread across his face, and he rolled his shoulders in preparation and anticipation for the following climb.


Athletics (assuming this is climbing/jumping related): [roll0] or [roll1]

Perception: [roll2]

[Mando Knight]

Aramil, as a dedicated swordsman, is unlike most Eladrin. He is strong and tough, but fairly un-knowledgeable about nature, despite his natural proclivity towards various kinds of information.
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[roll3]

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick was well familiar with the rigors of nature, from an academic standpoint, of course. When it came to actually climbing mountains and hiking through foothills, well, he usually left that to others.


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

[Toric]

The Shepherd isn't the only one that finds a sense of belonging on the mountain. The path is little more treacherous than the chain walkways between House Morvyndis's inverted spires, and Zyrr knows enough of natural rock faces to find and use secure handholds when he needs to. There's just one thing he didn't count on, that threatens to fatally speed his descent: the wind. The small thermal currents of his home undercity's cavern were breezes compared to the twisting, snarling gales of the mountain. When a gust catches him off his guard, he can only rely on his quick reflexes to find a handhold.

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

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain summons Frank and climbs atop him, knowing that his own strength will be utterly inadequate to the task. Even so, it's difficult going. Eltain's strength in battle comes from Corellon's grace and his own heart, not his admittedly weak body. Shifting his armor to lightweight clothing helps, but it can only do so much. He is quickly worn out and saddlesore, and the thin air and wind seems to have filled his mind with fog.


Athletics: [roll0]
Endurance: [roll1]
Nature: [roll2]
Insight: [roll3]

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As you begin your journey down the rocky mountain side, you make good progress. Now that you have spent some time journeying together, it seems that you are much more capable of catching each others mistakes and working as a team to navigate down the mountain.

As the Shepherd leads, leaping from rock to rock, Pavick clinging desperately to his back, you make your way down the slopes and cliff faces. Behind the Goliath and his gnome backpack, Lucan, Aramil, and Zyrr. The Bard and the Swordmage have little trouble navigating their way down the treacherous mountain side, but Zyrr struggles a bit more. However, between the strong arms of Aramil and Lucan, Zyrr manages to make it through. Bringing up the rear, the Paladin on the blessed mule of Corellon slowly finds it's footing down the mountain face. Eltain and Frank have little trouble navigating their way down.

The path down the mountainside is treacherous, with loose stones, narrow ledges, and deceptive trails. However, Lucan, Shep, Zyrr and Pavick manage to catch most of these before you take a wrong turn, and find a safe path to the jungle below. The trip is exhausting, however, and all but Aramil find themselves short of breath as you finally reach the treeline.

Up close, the jungle is truly stunning. Throughout the green foliage, brightly colored flowers bloom, and the cries and howls from within the jungle are nearly unceasing. This island seems to be bursting with life, and nearly everywhere you look you see plants blooming and creatures moving about. Yet even as you watch, you see the war within the trees. To your right, a large snake curls around a bird, squeezing the life out of it. To your left, a swarm of large wasps are dive bombing a lizard that wandered too close to the nest. A spider as big as Eltain's fist jumps from branch to branch, attempting to grab a bat out of the air. Even the plants seem hostile, as in front of you a flower with bright purple petals shoots a dart at a passing bird, killing the creature instantly.

Looking into the jungle, it becomes clear that traversing this will be difficult. The Shepherd spots what may be a hunting trail leading down through the trees that may make your journey a bit easier. As you observe the forest, Aramil recalls that the weather within the tangle is related to whatever god's champions are currently winning the games of Celestia (which in this case is Kord; meaning you may be in for some heavy thunderstorms this evening). It's mid afternoon now.

You now find yourself with a few options. You can make camp here at the edge of the treeline and journey into the jungle tomorrow, or you can head into the jungle now. Navigating through the Jungle, you can either journey on the ground (possibly using the path Shep saw), or you can try and make your way through the treetops, and navigate from tree to tree.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Shep moves into the jungle a bit, checking the path. There are some sort of tracks here, possibly from some sort if large cat or bear, but Shep isn't able to identity them or tell how many there were. In addition, there are also several large, round footprints, nearly the size if a dinner plate

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain may not know much about this 'nature' thing, but that won't keep him from wracking his brains anyway.


Nature: [roll0]

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan takes a look at the tracks, wondering if he's seen that sort of thing before. "What do you think, Lena?" he asks the familiar fluttering beside his head. When she just shrugs, he scratches his head. They sure are strange tracks.


[roll0]

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As Eltain studies the tracks, the best he can figure is that the strange paw prints were definitely from some large type of feline, and there appears to be more than one of them. The tracks are odd, though, as if the creatures weren't always moving on the ground. Regularly, the tracks seem cease on the ground, and jump ahead a bit. The foliage around the path is very torn up, so it's hard to say if they were moving through the branches or if they just jumped ahead.

The large round tracks are still a mystery, but whatever made them was large, and appears to be the reason that most of the branches and leaves around the path are broken and damaged.

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick bends over examining the first set of tracks carefully, taking an almost scientific approach to the situation. He uses his small hand to measure the dimensions of the print, then carefully paces off the distance to where they made contact with the jungle floor again. On his way back to the rest of the group, he pauses to make careful observations about how high the creatures seemed to get as they passed through the foliage above him.


[roll0]

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Looking at the tracks, Pavick's mind goes back to one of the many books that crowded his shelves back in the Separch's tower in Fallcrest; of an odd hunting cat with tentacles that disappeared and reappeared from reality. A glance at the way the tracks seem to appear and vanish from the trail confirms that a pack of displacer beasts have recently been using this trail.

A study of the large footprints and destruction of the foliage brings to mind a series of lectures on of his colleagues referred to as "Behemoths," a rather odd name for a group of large reptilian creatures the size of the elephants that wandered the Southern continent back on the material plane.

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick steps into one of the large dinner place sized tracks. "These," he begins by pointing to his feet, "are behemoth tracks. Giant reptiles, bigger than... bigger than Shep! In fact, if the tales I've heard are true, bigger than several Sheps all put together. I would say that I wouldn't want to meet one of them in a dark alley, but actually I would rather meet one there than most anywhere else. They're so big they'd probably get stuck in between the buildings so it'd be easier to run away. Unfortunately, this jungle seems to have a distinct lack of alleys."

He sighs and moves over to the other tracks. "And these belong to a creature. Something like a large cat, though if I remember correctly, it has tentacles too. Maybe a tigeroflumph? No, that's not it. A squidlion? Panthillithid? Those don't sound right either." He pauses for a moment, rubbing his chin. "DISPLACER BEASTS!" he almost shouts as it finally comes to him. "Well anyway, they can disappear and reappear in the blink of an eye. You can never quite be sure where they're going to be. A whole pack of the things came through here recently."

[Toric]

One thing Pavick says sets Zyrr's mind wandering. He conjures up a mental image of a being composed of several goliaths, walking on thousands of grey feet and hands, its large amalgam head framed with two kimono-draped eyes, speaking hundreds of koans at any given time through its myriad mouths. Knowledge of such creature's existence would surely drive a sane man goat-kissing mad.

He dismisses this as nonsense and simply imagines "something really big with scales."

"So what do we do if we run into some of these displacers?" Zyrr asks. "If we can't know where they'll be from one moment to the next, we might be in over our heads. The behemoths, though, sound definitely out of our league. From the sound of it, their beards alone would dwarf us."


His jests stirring no response, the drow moves on to business. "I myself wouldn't mind traveling in the black of night, but the rest of you would be at a disadvantage. I elect that we wait until first light and travel through the treetops; the canopy seems thick enough to navigate without too much trouble." He glances to the lucky gnome. "I know your strength is in your mind, but I'm sure your snake would be a great transport through the trees. Failing that, you may want to ask a ride on the Shepherd's back again, perhaps speaking shepherdisms in his ear as he hops along."

[Haberdashery]

Hopping? Who exactly did the drow think he was? A shepherd does not hop. He leaps across mighty boulders and up mountain crags, staring death in the face down a great chasm, and then climbing a sheer rock face. All before breakfast. Big difference. Hopping implies bouncing from one place to another, leaving one foot behind and...well, then traveling without touching the ground, and landing on the other foot, to then...umm...

...okay so maybe he did hop. Just a little bit.

[Nai_Calus]

"The trees seem like the safest option for most of us, I admit. Though I'm a bit worried about me slowing you all down up there... I'm not exactly good at this sort of thing, and Frank wouldn't be able to make it up there either." He pats the mule, scratching Frank's ears fondly. Only recently it would have astonished him to have the mule show up in a place like this, but he'd become used to it.

"But on the other hand, it seems like we're in for danger and possible death no matter which way we go, so it's as good an option as any. Merciful Corellon, what kind of hell is this place?"

[Hzurr]

DM Post

After some debate, the decision is eventually made to spend the night in the open, and attempt to navigate through the treetops the next day. As you make camp, you already notice that the leather on your packs has cracked and faded, and even the simple blankets in your bedrolls are looking threadbare and worn. The food in your packs has completely rotted away, even the dried meat that should have kept for weeks and months yet.

The trip down the mountain was exhausting, and you find yourself weary from the journey. Only Aramil was able to maintain his composure, but the rest of you feel drained (everyone but Aramil loses 1 Healing Surge).

As you make camp on the edge of the forest, darkness falls fast on as the afternoon stretches on. Thick, black clouds form above you, and before long the flash of lightning and crackling of thunder is all around you, the power of Kord echoing in each bolt. The rain falls in torrents, and dust and debris falls down around you as high above you the boulders themselves split in two from the thunderbolts.

The storm lasts nearly the entire night, and the next morning you wake up wet, and poorly rested. Unfortunately, the rain seems to have done nothing to the temperature, except make the humidity even more oppressive.

OOC: For spending the night in the open, everyone needs to make an endurance check. 20+ - you're fine, 14+ you lose 1 healing surge. 13 or less loses 2 Healing Surges

As you approach the jungle again, you find that using the trees here will be slightly easier than if you had approached from the valley, since you're still headed downhill. Climbing up into the branches, you begin making your way from one to the other, yet even as you move through the treetops, you're forced to deal with thorns, biting insects, and vines that seem to try and grasp at you as you move. The way is tough, but you make progress.

OOC: I'll need everyone to make the following checks:
Athletics or Acrobatics
Nature
Heal
Perception

[Mando Knight]

Aramil curses the nearly unbounded decay under his breath, but for the sake of the group tries to avoid a discouraging demeanor.
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]

[Nai_Calus]

Despite Eltain's natural affinity for lousy weather, the rain here is a vastly different beast from the blizzards of his homeland, and he does not take it well. He wakes shivering and miserable and feeling even worse than he had the day before. The jungle remains a closed book to him, and he can't focus on his surroundings, but his natural agility at least remains with him and his skills at first aid are able to patch up some of the minor wounds the group receives.


Endurance: [roll0]
Acrobatics: [roll1]
Nature: [roll2]
Heal: [roll3]
Perception: [roll4]

[Haberdashery]

This rain was...well, when it started to rain the night before, the Shepherd hadn't paid it any mind. Rain never bothered him before. But that night it almost drove him entirely mad. There was a leaf next to him that kept filling with water and letting loose a repeated dripping noise. Hours the Shepherd lay on his bedroll, listening to that continuous plink next to his head. Plink. Plink. Plink. Plink. When he tore the leaf from its root, the tree mocked him, and a nearby leaf that the previous one had sheltered immediately filled with water and began to plink in the exact same way.

On the following morning, the Shepherd lay in his bedroll, his arms crossed and his eyes wide open, almost on the verge of a very serene fume.


Endurance: [roll0]
Athletics: [roll1] or [roll2]
Nature: [roll3]
Heal: [roll4]
Perception: [roll5]

[Toric]

Although he's disappointed the rations have already rotted away - he was hoping for at least one more good gorging before they'd have to hunt for their meals - Zyrr manages to pass the night in relative comfort, putting the knowledge he'd acquired during his Sigil romps to good use. During the journey, he takes his role as self-appointed poison expert, intuiting from Prime plants those trees or vines to either avoid touching or avoid connecting hand and mouth after touching. Unfortunately, doing so takes so much of his concentration that the normally nimble drow finds his grip weak, his footsteps slippery, and the road ahead constantly out of view.
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
[roll3]
[roll4]

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan might have gotten a decent night sleep, if not for Shep and Lena. Shep's tossing and turning kept waking him up. And then there was Lena's constant complaining about the rain, and how it drenched her wings and made it hard to fly.

She was silent and sullen by the time they set out the next day, clinging to Lucan's shoulder. That was good, as he was better able to concentrate. He didn't lose his balance too much once they were in the trees, and he was able to keep a sharp eye out. His knowledge of nature applied reasonably well to this alien forest, and he was able to help his friends every time they ran into trouble, though he didn't have Zyrr's expertise on poisons.

Still, he couldn't help feeling that he'd be able to do all these things better if only he had gotten a decent night's sleep.


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

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick's night was not a good one. He spent it huddled under a blanket, trying to use it to protect his head from the rain. That worked for all of about 15 minutes, before the rain had soaked through. The heat and humidity of the day, combined with the blanket quickly made him too hot. Once the warmth of the sun had finally drained away, and the cool night took rule, the wet blanket did nothing to keep him warm. Pavick didn't end up getting a bit of sleep the entire night.

The next morning, as he was beginning to pack up, Pavick looked over to Shep. The rocky giant didn't look like he'd had any better evening. Perhaps now was not the best time to trouble the man for a lift through the trees, he decided he would at least give things a try on his own today, though he did stay close to Shep, just in case.


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

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As you move through the treetops, you make surprisingly good progress. For any creatures who see, it's quite the odd sight, watching the party as they swing on vines, leap from branch to branch, and brachiate through the foliage. At one point, the branch supporting Zyrr and Pavick snaps suddenly, and although the drow manages to wrap his arms around the tree-trunk and slow his fall, the gnome lands on the ground below with a thump. ( [roll0] Damage). Pavick is soon retrieved with little difficulty, and before long the small gnome is once again moving through the trees with the rest of the party.


In spite of the strange plants, the party has little difficulty identifying the poisonous and the deadly from the safe. Pavick and Shep especially prove to have a keen eye for spotting the flowers with poisonous barbs, and you manage to avoid the worst of these. Moving through this part of the jungle, however, certain scrapes are unavoidable, and a spiny barb from a passing beetle manages to jab Aramil in the hand. The area around the swordmage's hand turns green and begins filling with pus, but a quick action from Lucan and Zyrr manage to stop it before it gets out of control. Lucan quickly wraps Aramil's arm with a vine, slowing the poison, and Zyrr deftly extracts the deadly toxin. Within a few minutes, Aramil's hand is back to normal, leaving the Eladrin only slightly drained (Aramil loses 1 Healing Surge)

As you journey through the treetops, you don't see any sign of the displacer beasts that had been stalking the paths the night before, and the only sign of a "behemoth" that you see is a massive pile of bones and rotten meat in a small clearing. It's impossible to make out what the original shape of this creature was, as it appears to have been dead for several weeks (although given the nature of this place, it could have been less than a day), but Pavick's estimation of "bigger than several Shep's" appears to have been correct.

Eventually, the trees ahead of you begin to thin out, as the mountain side makes another steep drop, nearly a cliff face at one point. As you make your way down, Shep and Lucan catch the sound of flapping wings. Moments later, the source becomes clear, and on the cliff face ahead of you are nearly a dozen large creatures looking down at the jungle below. At first, all you can make out are huge leathery wings, but a second glance reveals that below those wings are large leonine bodies, and a long flicking tail with spikes on the end. Down below, one of the creatures glances up at the cliff behind it, and gives a ground-shaking roar of rage and hunger when it sees you. Almost faster than you can think, the entire pride of Manticores have taken to the air, swooping down towards the party, jaws open.

OOC: Combat Rules:

Ok, so, this battle will be largely narrative. Here's how it works: treat all the Maticores as having an AC = 26, Fort/Ref/Will = 23. On your post, make 5 attacks, and describe them as you wish (I suggest rolling first, and then editing based on how well you did). Don't worry about damage. I'll be treating At-Will attacks as 1/2 a hit, Encounter attacks as 1 hit, and Dailies as 3 hits. After everyone has gone, I'll look at the total number of "hits" and determine how well the battle went. If you have a large number of hits (either by being very accurate, or being willing to expend your dailies), you'll take little to no "damage" (in this case, healing surges) If you have a very few number of hits, that will reflect that you did very poorly, so the drain on your resources will be much greater, and you'll take a lot of "damage"

Since Shep and Lucan did exceptionally well on their perception checks, they can each make one additional at-will or encounter attack.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf Bard

Lucan hears the creatures coming long before they arrive. He has his now out and an arrow nocked by the time they hove into view, and he loosed with a shouted "Go away!" Unfortunately, the beast sees the arrow coming and bats it aside. Lucan decides to make him someone else's problem, and the next arrow forces him to focus on Aramil, which is tough considering the ways the Eladrin bounces around the battlefield.

Two arrows follow the last, this time focusing on another creature. One of them goes wide, but the second finds it's mark. His next arrow gives good luck to one of his allies. Next, instead of firing, he strums a few notes on his bow, and steals some of the manticore's luck to give it to an ally.

Finally, he notices one of his friends' swings go wide, and he fires an arrow to correct the miss. Unfortunately, his aim is off, and they both miss.



Karmic wound
[roll0]
Encounter: extra damage if target attacks an ally on a hit

Saga of Rivalry
[roll1]
Daily: Designate Aramil as rival. He gains +2 to attack this target, target takes 5 damage if he doesn't stay adjacent.


Twin Strike
[roll2]
[roll3]
At-will

Unluck
[roll4]
Can replace attack roll by ally and by target
Encounter

Prophesied strike
[roll5]
Encounter: Next ally attacking target rolls twice and takes the highest

Rhyme of the Blood-seeking Blade
[roll6]
Encounter: Interrupt when ally misses, lower defenses by 6, so may turn miss into hit

[Haberdashery]

Flapping wings, buzzing insects, dripping water, shaking leaves, hooting monkeys--UGH! The Shepherd had had it with this stupid jungle! He was tired, he was wet, he was smelly, and he was hungry, and Great Goat in the Sky damn it to the pits of the Eight Braying Hells, he was feeling anything but peaceful and serene right now! And these stupid flying cat-scorpion-whatevers were just trying to make his day worse! He just wasn't going to take it this time!

With bloodshot eyes tinged with sleepless irritation, the Shepherd lept from the branches of the jungle trees, soaring straight up into the sky...normally when one jumps up, or throws something up, the logical thing to have happen next is for the object, or person, to fall back to the earth. It might have been that the Shepherd was just so pushed out of his normal state of mind that he defied the laws of physics. But that's stupid, because the Shepherd defied the laws of physics on a daily basis. So actually, this was rather normal for him. Instead of falling back to the jungle floor, the Shepherd stuck in the sky, like he was standing on the sky itself. He pointed two great rocky fingers at the manticore that soared up beside him to swipe at him with its claws, and then pointed them back at his own eyes.

What happened next was...hard to believe. The Shepherd ducked the manticore, sliding under it like the sky was solid ground, and then caught the manticore by its stinger-tipped tail. With a mighty tug, he tore the beast from the sky, and began to whip it around him like some sort of makeshift nunchaku. The Shepherd let out a battle cry, a piercing, gravely shout that shook the very foundations of the jungle, reverberating with a thunderous echo for long after he had ceased the sound. Spinning his manticore in blazing arcs that scorched the beast's very fur, he surged straight into the entire pride--the sounds of the manticores' surprised screams mixed with the faux-weapon's yowling of utter pain, and the Shepherd's multiple kiai shouts. Dust clouded the sky, bursts of dusty cloud exploding to the sound of heavy cracks and wallops.


Five Storms (At-Will):
Attack vs. Reflex: [roll0]

Drunken Monkey (Encounter):
Attack vs. Will: [roll1], and the target makes a basic attack against another manticore (or itself).

Eternal Mountain (Encounter):
Attack vs. Reflex: [roll2]

Strike the Avalanche (Encounter):
Primary Attack vs. Fortitude: [roll3]
Secondary Attack vs. Fortitude: [roll4] (The secondary attack doesn't actually deal damage, it just knocks prone, so if you're only counting damage effects, this one doesn't matter.)

Divine Sun (Encounter):
Attack vs. Will: [roll5]

Masterful Spiral (Daily):
Attack vs. Reflex: [roll6]

[Mando Knight]

Aramil is absolutely disgusted by the strange insect that dared wound him.

Even among the treetops, Aramil blazes across the battlefield, his own lightning and thunder almost like an extension of Kord's own stormy influence. Unfortunately for him, the manticores are used to dodging lightning, and so manage to avoid a few of his strikes.

Well, this doesn't really go quite with Aramil's abilities, either.

Eladrin Swordmage Advance MBA: if it's possible to squeeze this in, I will. [roll0]

Lightning Clash is actually two weaker attacks... [roll1], (secondary only if primary hits) [roll2]

Dual Lightning Strike roughly the same deal.
[roll3], [roll4]

Learned Boost on Booming Blade. [roll5] Arcane Underpinnings grants the next attack +1 to-hit.

Spikes of Agony This one actually is a multiple-[W] attack. [roll6]

If I can get Eladrin Swordmage Advance as a free attack, Booming Blade again. [roll7]

If ESA and the dual-attacks are half-hits each, then it's a total of 3. If only the first attack of each matters and they're all full hits, but ESA isn't free, then it's also 3 hits. If ESA isn't free and it and each of the two-attack powers are half-hits, then it's 2 ½ hits. If they're all full hits and ESA is free, then it's 4 ½ hits.

I think the total is probably 3 hits.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain sees his friends in danger and not doing so well, and springs into action.

"Corellon, guide my blade. Help me to protect my friends and destroy our enemies."

And guide it he does, Eltain seeming to glow with a faint sky blue aura as he seemingly can do no wrong. He seems to dance across the battlefield, darting to and fro, vanishing from in front of one monster only to appear in front of another in a burst of snow and ice crystals. His blade bites deep into the first one he encounters, calling the others to focus on him and leave his friends be as he quickly spins around, burying his sword in its side and sending encouraging magic at his allies to strengthen them. Even the sky itself heeds his call, lightning forking down from the heavens to smite the manticores. A quick, delicate flourish followed by a dull but undeniable thrust gathers one's attention just in time for it to die.


1-4 are Encounter powers, 5 is an at-will.
Valorous Smite: [roll0] vs AC
Righteous Smite: [roll1]vs AC
Astral Thunder: [roll2] vs Fort
Elegant Strike: [roll3] vs AC
Ardent Strike: [roll4] vs AC

[Toric]

As they travel through the cold, wet, thunderous canopy, Zyrr dons a mantle of exhilaration; something about being caught in the twilight between the cacophonous storm above and the silent jungle below strikes a chord in the drow's heart. For the first time since he set foot back in his previous underground home, he feels completely in his element. His cold precision proves useful as he removes Aramil's barb - a task he needs no convincing to perform - and now, as they face this flock of flying lions, Zyrr's grin looks more natural than it ever has.

Choosing one manticore to focus on, the former assassin draws a dagger in each hand, his eyes daring the manticore to attack. When the beast lashes its tail, Zyrr whips his blades forth, trusting their magic to return them to him as he dives into the foliage to avoid a volley of spikes. The tingle on his fingers indicates his blades are not from behind, and he runs to the cliff, flipping forward and tossing the blades from his upside-down view before grabbing the land's edge and flattening himself against the wall. As soon as a maned face appears over the top of the ledge, a black hand grabs it and yanks down, jabbing one returned knife into the manticore's shaggy neck as it reflexively takes flight. Now airborne, Zyrr finds himself reliving the training of the past few weeks, dodging the powerful swipes of an adversary he must fight up-close while at the same time watching for projectiles tossed at him from afar. Just as in his spars with Shep, this is a test of endurance, one that will end either when he loses his grip and falls unaided to the ground, or his mad stabbing finishes its job and his descent is softened by a lifeless corpse.

Descending Shadows (Encounter)
Attack: Dexterity vs Reflex and Will: [roll0] You make one attack roll and compare the result against both defenses. The target might be hit one or two times, depending on which defenses are hit. (I'm not sure if this effect grants an extra hit if both attacks hit under this combat system)

Dazing Strike (Encounter)
Attack: Dexterity vs AC:[roll1]

Piercing Strike (At-Will)
Attack: Dexterity vs Reflex: [roll2]

Low Slash (Encounter)
Attack: Dexterity vs Reflex: [roll3]

Press the Advantage (Daily)
Attack: Dexterity vs AC: [roll4]

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick was in no mood for battle. The oppressiveness of this jungle was bad enough, now some stupid beasts had the gall to attack. He would show them what for.

The first warning of battle was a hail of incoming spikes. Pavick threw up his shield spell as quickly as he could, deflecting the majority of the problem. He darted along the branch for the nearest tree trunk to take cover from further attacks, then spun around and pointed a finger at two of the beasts blue-white rays of cold froze shot out at two of the nearest manticores. One was missed, but the other was hit and fell several feet landing on a branch below, being unable to fly with his wings frozen to his side. With a little magical mind-control Pavick sent the other following. He'd hoped to force the two to start attacking each other, but their minds were just a little too strong for that.

Pavick leaned down over the branch he stood on and looked down on the duo. With the wink of an eye and a waggle of a few fingers, the thorny vines around them seemed to come to life writhing and holding them in place. As they struggled and growled, tearing at the vines, Pavick stood above them clapping his hands and jumping gleefully on the branch.

If they thought the vines were trouble, wait until the saw what "real" threats a jungle like this could hold. A green dragon swooped out of the canopy above them, breathing a cloud of poisonous gas on them. Pavick loved his illusions. The twosome were either dead or had lost their will to fight, for they were simply laying there.

Pavick spun around, just in time to see another manticore swooping down on Lucan to claw at him. With a dismissive gesture, Pavick created a small gate between the two that the creature flew straight into. By the time it was able to return, Pavick had instructed the more melee oriented to be there ready to pound it to the ground. It didn't stand a chance.


Round 1: [roll0] vs. Reflex. This power allows two attacks against two different targets, so here is the second in case it matters. [roll1]

Round 2: [roll2] vs. Will.

Round 3: Minor Action to use Emerald Eye, then Standard to do[roll3] vs. Will. Given his previous attacks, he'd probably be able to catch at least two at once again, but it sounds like you aren't wanting extra rolls for burst or blast attacks.

Round 4: [roll4] vs. Will.
If this misses, Pavick would use his Orb of Deception power to get a reroll on another nearby enemy. Here that is, assuming you'll allow it [roll5] vs. Will

Round 5: [roll6] vs. Fort. He'll use Orb of Imposition to give it save penalty (keep it away) a little while longer.

Everything mentioned here was an encounter power except Nightmare Eruption, which is at-will.

If Pavick does take damage, he'll also use Fade Away, which gives him CA for the next couple of rounds. He also has Phantom Echoes which gives him CA when he hits a target with an illusion power. He used a couple of those up there, but I didn't include it in any of the attacks. I'll let you sprinkle CA in the form of +2 to whatever rolls you see fit.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The fight with the Manticores is practically a slaughter. Shep and Eltain tear through the ranks of the flying creatures, sending snow falling everywhere as the Shepherd's battle cries echo across the mountain tops. In between the snow fall, blasts of lightning from Aramil spark, as Zyrr rides around on the back of one of the creatures, stabbing and laughing like a madman. From the edges of the battle, enchanted arrows from Lucan and illusory vines and dragons take care of the few remaining creatures, and almost faster than it began, the battle ends. You find yourself with a few minor injuries. A scrape from a claw here, a few spikes in your thigh, etc, but a quick round of healing song from Lucan and a moment to catch your breath, and you're ready to go again. Those who are willing can cut up and cook some of the Manticore meat. It's a bit stringy, and doesn't necessarily have the most pleasant aroma, but it's digestible.

OOC: Everyone loses 1 Healing Surge

You continue your way down the mountain side, the heat growing more oppressive, but now that you've spent some time in the jungle, you're able to make your way through the trees and deadly plants and creatures without further incident. Nighttime again is plagued with horrendous thunderstorms, yet when they leave, the hot, humid air washes over you again, this time filled with mosquitoes. The insects bite and gnaw at you throughout the night and into the next day, not really hurting, but being an exceptional nuisance, especially since all of your non-magical gear has completely rotted away by this point.

Around mid-morning the following day, you finally find yourself at the bottom of the mountain, in the valley where The Strickweem fell. It takes a bit of searching (and a narrowly avoided encounter with what looked to be a very angry crocodile with spikes on his head), you eventually stumble into a huge chasm in the ground. The hole below you is roughly 70' across, but descends almost a hundred feet into the ground below. For the first 60 feet or so, there are numerous outcroppings and stones jutting out of the side, but the last 30 appears to open up into a larger cavern below. The floor at the bottom of the chasm is covered in a dark green ivy, and there, in shambles, is the remain of a spelljammer. The inherent magic in the ship is the only thing that could have kept it intact this long, but even now much of the hull that hadn't already been smashed to pieces during the crash are rotting and falling away.

The vines here are numerous, and it doesn't appear that getting down will be a problem, but before you can make an attempt, a creature ducks out of a small bush on a ledge just a few feet down, but on the opposite side of the chasm, turns to examine you. Under the layers of dirt and mud, it's hard to make out the creature, but as it stands, you recognize the telltale jaw-line and stance of a half-orc. The half-orc doesn't seem to be wearing any clothes, but on his head is a large, bleach-white skull of some large wolf-like creature, that appears to be functioning as a helmet or hat of some sort. The half-orc looks at you for a long minute, before raising a gnarled finger, and calling out in a deep, raspy voice: "Who You? Which tribe?"

[Nai_Calus]

"We aren't from a tribe that dwells here. We came from the sky, in hopes of finding members of our tribe that got lost here, or at least what happened to them."

[Toric]

Zyrr does his best with the manticore steaks. They taste quite bitter, as the only herb he can find that is not poisonous is a distant relative of the coffee bean. The meal does give the group a good energy boost.

Upon seeing the half-orc, the first thing Zyrr does is stare. He expected the locals to be some unexpected race, but the blending of a perfectly mundane human and a perfectly mundane orc was the last thing on his list of likely natives.

The second thing he does is give the half-orc a friendly wave while being careful not to give him a friendly, open-mouthed smile. One thing he learned on the Night Market: You never know when showing teeth is an act of war, and there won't always be a merchant around to sell you a dried squid to give as an apology. He then notes that Eltain never actually gave a name of the tribe....

"Yes, Who." he points to himself. He spreads his hands out wide, gesturing to the entire group. "Which Tribe. Good guess." From there, he narrows the span of his hands to Eltain. "This Why, this um...." He hesitates as his hands point to Aramil.

[roll0]

[Haberdashery]

"I Don't Know." The Shepherd immediately steps in, bowing his head to the half-orc respectfully.

"What." The Shepherd points at Lucan. "Tomorrow." He then points at Pavick. The Shepherd then points his finger back at himself.

"I Don't Give a Darn."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The half-orc arches an eyebrow as Eltain mentions coming from the sky, and looks up. Before he can speak, however, Zyrr and Shep jump in. As Zyrr speaks, you see the muddy creature before you begin to shake with rage. "You from Witch tribe? No, you leave! Wind lords will never allow Witches to pass!"

The creature raises what looks to be a knife made of bone, and all around you, you feel the air start to stir, and soon what is left of your cloaks is flapping in a heavy wind that seems to have arisen from nowhere.

The naked half-orc again points to you. "YOU LEAVE NOW!"

[Mando Knight]

Aramil pinches the bridge of his nose again. "Not the Witch tribe, the Which tribe." It's a pity the reference to the Abbot of Costello's classic comedy sketch would be lost on the angry half-orc... if it weren't for the seriousness of the situation, Aramil would be chuckling right about now.

"Our tribe is a great and powerful one from beyond the stars, with favor from the gods themselves. We wish only safe passage to recover what was taken from our home, and then we will leave. We will make no attempts to intentionally harm your tribe if you let us be."

Trying something clever here now... see if Aramil remembers hearing anything about either of the tribes on the island, particularly of the Witches.
[roll0]

Also, since this is probably called for...
[roll1]

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The Half-Orc, clearly on edge, eyes Aramil. The wind gradualy dies down to it's former level. "Maybe you not Witch tribe, but this still sacred ground to Wind Lords. You no can pass. Go around." he gestures off towards the right. "Path back that way."

Aramil recalls that there isn't a tribe called the "Witch tribe" but that for at least a while, a coven of witches attempted to rule the island, and placed the inhabitants in subservience.

[dariathalon]

Tomorrow - Gnome Wizard

Pavick shrugs at Shep's introduction. He'd been called worse.

He steps forward as the half-orc instructs them to go around. "This may be sacred ground to your people, but that vessel is sacred to ours. As we said, we came from the sky, you probably saw that ship do the same not long ago. We only wish to go down to retrieve the ... mojo from the ship to take it back to the skies. If left for too long, it may infect your sacred ground with its influence. Neither of us want that, so please, let us see to the situation before it becomes a problem."


Here are a couple of rolls, I could see both being needed here.

[roll0]
[roll1]

[Nai_Calus]

"No, no, it's my cousin that's Why. I'm When, I don't know how you keep getting that wrong," Eltain mutters, giving in to the ridiculous that Zyrr always seems to cause again, wondering why the drow always feels the need to do it at the worst possible moments for it. He notes Pavick's faltering voice and tries to smooth things over.

"What he says is true. It could be very dangerous to your tribe and the sacred grounds if it's left here. All we need is to be able to go in, retrieve it, and then get back out. Then your tribe and your sacred lands will be safe, and we won't trouble you again. That's all we want."


Diplomacy: [roll0]

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan smiles smoothly. "Maybe an offering to your land's spirits will convince them to let us remove our sacred object." His words resonate with power.


Use Words of Friendship
[roll0]

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The Half-Orc pauses as Pavick, Eltain, and Lucan speak. He considers your words for a long moment, before eventually raising the dagger, and screaming. "No! This sacred place, and ship belong to sacred place! You leave or you become sacrifice!"

With that, the naked creature jumps off the stone, into the cavern below. Gusts of wind seem to surround him, as he lands on a long platform that spans the chasm 30 feet below where you are. He raises his hands, and begins to chant. Around him, you see air currents moving and swirling, till the air around him is almost a tiny hurricane, with him standing in the center. As he chants, you see creatures stirring from below. Spiders crawl out of crevices; huge winged reptiles fly out from nests hidden in the cliff face, and from the ground below, huge ape-like creatures climb up the vines, taking positions all throughout the chasm, screaming and grunting at you. Even the jungle itself seems to answer his call, as vines animate of their own accord, and slither back and forth as if they were alive.

MAP:

(The following animated map may take a second to load. Each level should appear for several seconds, before the next level appears. 6 is the top level, 1 is the bottom)

http://i.imgur.com/Vvb9h.gif


Key:
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/2142/pctokens12.png


Initiative
Location is Level - Column - Row
Zyrr - 6F11
Shep - 6E10
Aramil - 6I11
Eltain - 6G10
Lucan - 6H12
Pavick - 6D12

Giant Spider - 5H14, 3E1
Half-Orc Wind Shaman - 4F9
Grasping Vine - 6M2, 5A5, 4A13, 4L6, 3A13, 2A5, 2G1, 2N11, 2K13
Obsidian Gorilla - 6D1, 5B2, 4K3, 3M6, 3K9, 2A7
Gorilla Hurler - 5M10, 2M13
Skinwing Behemoth - 5C12, 3B3

OOC: Ok, to move up, down, or across a level, it's a DC 13 acrobatics or athletics check, and is a move action. You can attempt to move up/down 2 levels, but it's a DC 19 Acrobatics or Athletics check. If you're pushed/pulled/slid off a ledge, you get 1 saving throw to grab onto the edge, otherwise you'll fall to whatever is below you (taking appropriate falling damage). If there's nothing below you, but you fall close to another platform, you can make an additional saving throw to grab onto the ledge you're passing. Each level is ~ 15 feet apart, so it will use ~ 3 squares of movement (double that if going up). We're assuming that there are plenty of vines and such hanging down, so moving up/down one level is possible from pretty much anywhere you are. If you move up/down, you're assumed to be going to whatever platform is closest on the level you're going to (so if you want to move down a level, and cross to the other side, that would be 2 checks.)

The Half-Orc currently has some crazy winds going around it, and is immune to ranged attacks from more than 4 squares away.

Edit:Map for those who can't see the gif:

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/9598/1level6.png

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/742/1level5.png

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/1930/1level4.png

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/3473/1level3.png

http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/9025/1level2.png

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/953/1level1.png

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd--HP 83/83, AC 29, Fortitude 24, Reflex 26, Will 26

The Shepherd watched the swirling presence of the wind create a gale within the chasm. The shaman apparently could control the wind, but so could the Shepherd. He turned to his dark skinned sparring partner beside him, canting his head.

"Shall we then?"

The Shepherd's own wind swirled around him, lifting both him and the drow slightly off the ground in its buffeting embrace. The wind howled, and neither he nor Zyrr were there a moment later. Below, the winds of the Shepherd and the half-orc colided, screaming and yowling in screeching conflict. Through the barrier of the winds, the goliath curled his fingers against his palm, and drove it straight into the half-orcs chin, batting him aside before turning to whirl on the snaking vines behind him, and, in the same fluid motion, spinning around once again to drive the side of his crook into the shaman's head. It snapped with a furious reverberation of noise, but the Shepherd's true purpose of the blow, to addle the shaman's brain, was entirely defeated.

The Shepherd shrugged. That was still a good wallop he gave him.


Minor Action: Stunning Palm. Shep is immune to daze and stun while in the stance.

Move Action: Divine Sun movement technique. Targeting Zyrr, and he and Shep both teleport down to level 4. Zyrr will be in E8, Shep will be in G10. (Zyrr might want to postpone his turn after Shep.)

Standard Action: Divine Sun attack technique
Attack vs. Will [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] radiant damage plus [roll2] poison damage, and the target gains vulnerable 5 radiant until the end of my next turn.

Action Point: Standard Action: Before Shep takes the Standard action, he will take a Free action to use Centered Flurry of Blows, which now does extra radiant damage equal to his Wisdom modifier, so it deals 15 radiant damage to the shaman (including radiant vulnerability), 10 damage to the grasping vine behind him, and 10 damage to the grasping vine in L6 with Starblade Flurry. Shep also regains 15 hit points, but since he's at full, it's irrelevant. Shep then slides the shaman to F10, and gains combat advantage against him until the end of his next turn. If Divine Sun misses, then he still has combat advantage anyway from the flank. He then uses the attack power of Stunning Palm as the standard action from the action point.

Attack vs. Fortitude: [roll3]
Hit: 5 damage plus [roll4] poison damage, and the target is stunned (save ends).
Miss: [roll5] damage plus [roll6] poison damage.

If Divine Sun missed, but Stunning Palm hits, Shep will use the flurry after Stunning Palm, which does the same thing, but minus the radiant vulnerability. So only 10 damage to the shaman if that's the case.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain - 88/88 30/21/22/25

Eltain raises his sword in the air and invokes Corellon's power, his sword pulsating with a bright silver glow, then, following Shep and Zyrr's lead, springs into action, teleporting down a level and across a chasm to behind and above the shaman, before pointing his sword at the half-orc and channeling Corellon's power through the blade. A blazing beam of holy energy shoots from it and strikes the half-orc, who can't help but be awed by the power of Eltain's sky-god.


Bless Weapon
Fey Step to 5F6, this is 4 squares.
Radiant Delirium on the half-orc, he's 3 squares away:
[roll0] vs Ref.
On hit: [roll1] radiant damage plus [roll2], unless he has radiant vuln from Shep's attack in which case it's more, plus he's dazed until the end of my next turn and takes a -2 penalty to AC(Save ends).
On a miss, half damage and he's still dazed until the end of my next turn.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard
HP 77/77 AC 26 Fort 21 Ref 22 Will 25

Lucan first spoke a word, and transformed his clothes back into armor. Then he drew his bow and nocked an arrow, and then . . . His bow waved back and forth, seeking a target. There were so many of them, but most of them were hard to get a bead on, hiding under ridges and below branches and the like. With a sigh, he aimed for the two big monkeys who presented the best targets.



Minor
Change clothes to armor

Minor
Unlimber bow

Standard
Use twin strike
At 6D1 gorilla
[roll0]
[roll1]

At 5M10 gorilla
[roll2]
[roll3]

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard
HP 64/64, AC 24, Fort 24, Reflex 27, Will 29, can't be seen from more than 5

Pavick pulls the orb from his large pocket and waves a hand over it. His form shimmers and wavers. Those close to him can still see him, but with difficulty, and to those beyond a few feet, he may as well have disappeared entirely.

He could already see one giant flying lizard, and heard the wing beats of another not far below. It was difficult to be certain if it were true about these, but he knew that many fliers have trouble staying in the air when they couldn't move forward. He prepared a spell to test this theory as soon as they were both in sight.


Minor: Ready orb.

Minor: Cast Blur. Until the end of the encounter Pavick has +2 to defenses, which is included above, and is invisible to creatures more than 5 squares away.

Standard: Ready action for both behemoths to come within 10 with a clear line of fire. When Pavick has that, he'll attack with Icy Rays.
(The numbers below assume they are between 5 and 10 squares away when the attack is triggered, so Pavick has CA. Less than 5 and he won't have the CA, more than 10 and they are out of range.)
[roll0] doing [roll1] and immobilizing until end of my next turn.
[roll2] doing [roll3] and immobilizing until end of my next turn.

[Toric]

Zyrr, Drow Rogue (75/75)
AC 25, Fort 21, Ref 28, Will 23

Zyrr looks up to his slate-skinned sparring partner, and nods with his trademark mad grin. "You first this time." He takes a step up onto thin air, and vanishes into the gale that surrounds the two.

While his sparring with the Shepherd originally involved one-on-one fights, the matches that improved their skills against each other served a second purpose of allowing them to experience each other's tactics and skills first-hand. Some later matches would pit the two travelers from Fallcrest against the Tiefling mercenaries, which gave them the chance to develop a few tricks.

As Zyrr touches down he immediately ducks, feeling the wind as a crook sails overhead. The half-orc knocked off balance from the Shepherd's assault, Zyrr closes the distance with a roll, sweeping his foot out at its finish to catch the back of a knee and pivot himself to a standing position. As he rises, he silently thanks the knife brothers for their taunting advice: "Just like a spider to only strike with its fangs. Your dagger's just your main weapon; you've got a second hand and two legs, use them!" He doesn't remember this in time to grab some mud from the ground as his free hand leaves it, but he does follow his midsection stab with a kick to the back, shoving the wind shaman away from him before he can recover.


Postponing my turn until after Shep's. Using the Imposter's Talon as my weapon. Move Action: Moving from E8 to E10 to get into flanking position.

Standard Action: Go for the Eyes (Daily power) on the Shaman.
[roll0] vs Reflex
Hit: [roll1] + [roll2], and the target is blinded until the end of Zyrr's next turn.

Minor Action: Low Slash (encounter Power) on the shaman.
[roll3] vs Reflex
Hit: [roll4], the shaman is shifted 1 square to F11, and it is slowed until the end of Zyrr's next turn.

Because I crit-failed the first attack, the second attack gets the Sneak-Attack damage dice if it hits.

[Mando Knight]

Aramil
HP 100/100, Surge 25 (8/10)
AC 28 Fort 22 Ref 24 Will 24

Aramil simply shrugs as he teleports down and slashes at one of the gorillas. It's unfortunate that he has to fend off such brutish animals... he hopes to save his power for a much graver threat.

Armathor's Step to 5L11. Gain a +2 to hit against the hurler for the next attack.

Lightning Clash on the hurler.
[roll0]
[roll1] Critical 29, make the secondary attack on the giant spider.
[roll2]
[roll3]

AC 30 Fort 22 Ref 26 Will 24

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As the wind envelops itself around the Shepherd, he and the drow find themselves on the arch-way far below, facing off against the Shaman. Again, the Shepherd begins to glow with a golden light. The radiant glow pierces the Half-Orc's eyes, and the creature reels back from the Goliath, only to get a blow to the head as the monk turns into a whirling blur of motion. The vine behind the Shepherd is ripped from the ground and tossed casually over the ledge, as a whirling shuriken slices another in half. The monk's staff comes down hard on the Shaman's head, but the blow doesn't addle the Shaman's brains as Shep had hoped. The winds around the Shepherd continue to blow, and the monk finds himself slipping backwards towards the ledge as debris pelts him (5 damage - pushed to 4I10)

The Drow takes advantage of Shep's repositioning of the creature, and even as Shep staggers back from the attack, Zyrr attempts to slash his own dagger across the creature's face. The Half-Orc ducks the first attack, but Zyrr's follow up jab catches the Shaman in the side, the blade biting deep, even as the winds force him back. (5 damage - pushed to 4C10)


In a flash of magical energy, Aramil finds himself adjacent to the ape on the branch below. The simian hoots with rage as lightning pierces it's skin. The spider, however, is fast enough to skitter out of the way as the lightning blasts a hole in the side of the chasm where it had stood mere seconds before.


Eltain, tapping into his fey nature, disappears in a flurry of snow, and reappears on the ledge below. A shaft of divine light flows through the Paladin's body, striking the Half-Orc below. The Wind Lord coughs up blood, before giving a scream of rage. The wind around him explodes outward, catching Zyrr, Shep, and Eltain in the blast, sending the three tumbling backwards, pushing Zyrr and Shep over the ledge. The Drow manages to grab onto a stray vine, and keep himself from tumbling over. The Shepherd, however, fails to find a handhold and with a rocky sigh plunges over the side of the platform. Even as he falls past one of the lower ledges, his reaction time is too slow to grab onto a rock, and with a crash, he plunges into the wreck of The Strickweem below. The rotted wood provides some measure of cushion, however, and Shep's injuries aren't serious. (9 damage) Eltain, while managing to stay on the ledge, is tossed backwards 15 feet, and lands on his back.


Wisely staying out of the chaos below, Lucan quickly fires off two arrows, one dropping the Gorilla across the chasm, the other piercing the arm of the ape on the level below.


The spider next to Aramil adjusts it's abdomen, and shoots a spray of sticky web across the body of the Eladrin, before skittering forward to try and pierce attack the swordmage. Aramil dodges the webs with ease, but the spider's bite still finds it's mark. (10 damage). Aramil's armor, however, glows as the spider bites it, and send the creature flying backwards, unmoving.

The second spider, seeing no prey in it's immediate area, skitters up the side of the chasm, positioning itself to leap down on unsuspecting creatures below.

The Shaman spends a moment blinking, trying to clear the blinding light that Eltain shone down from his eyes. After delaying a few precious seconds, it looks around. With Eltain out of sight, and Zyrr and Shep no longer on the platform, the Wind Lord turns it's eyes on the next creature it can see, Aramil. Pointing a long finger at the Swordmage, a small tornado appears around the Eladrin, trying to throw him off the tree. Aramil is able to avoid most of the deadly winds, but even as he jumps out of the way, the currents of air prove too much for him, as he tumbles to the platform below, hands unable to find a hold on the fallen branch as he plunges past it. (18 damage (can make acrobatics to reduce))


Before Eltain has a chance to regain his balance, he feels a long tendril curling around his leg, and up his body, as the vine begins twisting and dragging him, squeezing tighter and tighter (13 damage).

Even as Zyrr attempts to pull himself up onto the ledge, he too must fight off the grasping tendrils of the vines. Fortunately, the quick-thinking Drow holds up a large rock, and the vine grabs it instead of the Drow's head.

The two vines on the platform around Aramil begin flailing once the swordmage lands between them, each fighting to grab hold of him. Only one is able to make it past the quick swordmage's defenses, and begins squeezing the life out of the Eladrin.

The dark Gorillas begin whooping as they scatter. One moves up to the entangled Eltain, and smacks him with a huge fist (10 damage). Down near the bottom of the platform, one climbs down to try and take a swing at Aramil, but it goes wild, while another climbs up a level to see what is transpiring in the middle of the chasm. A third climbs down to the bottom of the chasm, to inspect what it assumes is Shep's dead body. The one already on the platform tries to move up and bash the body of the drow that refused to fall, but finds only air as Zyrr quickly rolls from side to side.

The Gorilla hurler who suddenly had an Eladrin land next to him backs away slowly, and circles around to the edge of the platform. It eyes Shep suspiciously, before picking up a near-by boulder, and hurling it at the monk, but Shep manages to roll out of the way just in time. The red gorilla on the branch, no longer facing down a lightning shooting warrior, climbs up a bit to see who was shooting arrows only moments before. With a roar, it throws a rock at Lucan, striking the half-elf in the head. (27 damage)


The giant flying reptile near the bottom of the chasm slowly begins flying up, eying Zyrr hungrily, when suddenly a ray of ice blasts down from above, freezing it's wings in place. The creature *SKWAKS* in protest as it spirals down to the ground below, unable to move it's wings. The second behemoth, much higher up, manages to dodge the ice ray, and a few flaps of it's wings bring it up to the gnome's level. Two razor sharp talons come out, and the creature dive-bombs the gnome, attempting to grab him and pull him off the platform. Suddenly, the wizard finds himself dangling in the air by the claws of a giant flying reptile.

MAP
http://i.imgur.com/24DMg.gif (apologies for the low-quality. I'll re-upload later)

Initiative

Location is Level - Column - Row

Shep - 1J10 (14 damage - prone)
Zyrr - 4C10 (5 damage - prone)
Aramil - 2M12 (51 damage - prone, grabbed)
Eltain - 5B4 (23 damage - prone, grabbed)
Lucan - 6H12 (27 damage)
Pavick - 6I7 (16 damage - grabbed)



Giant Spider - 6E1

Half-Orc Wind Shaman - 4F11 (144 damage - bloodied)

Grasping Vine - 6M2, 5A5, 4A13, 3A13, 2A5, 2G1, 2N11, 2K13

Obsidian Gorilla - 5C3, 4D9, 4M6, 3K13, 1I10

Gorilla Hurler - 6N6 (38), 2M13

Skinwing Behemoth - 6H6, 1F6 (11 - immobilized)


Attack Rolls:



Shep - FALLING DAMAGE [roll0]
Aramil - FALLING DAMAGE [roll1]

Giant Spider

3E1 -
webs - Attack vs. Aramil's Ref [roll2] - immobilized until end of next turn.
bite - Attack vs Aramil's AC[roll3] - 10 damage (+5 poison if immobilized)


Half-Orc

Wind Explosion (on being bloodied):

Attack vs Eltain's Fort: [roll4]
Attack vs Zyrr's Fort: [roll5]
Attack vs Shep's Fort: [roll6]

Hit: pushed 3 & knocked prone. Miss: Pushed 1


Tornado:

Attack vs. Aramil's Ref: [roll7] Damage: [roll8] grants CA til EoNT - Push 3 (miss push 1)


Save vs. Eltain's Penalty [roll9]



Grasping Vine

5A5
Attack vs. Eltain's AC: [roll10] Damage: 13 & grabbed


4A13
Attack vs. Zyrr's AC: [roll11] Damage: 13 & grabbed


(these two are a maybe)
2N11
Attack vs. Aramil's AC: [roll12] Damage: 13 & grabbed

2K13
Attack vs. Aramil's AC: [roll13] Damage: 13 & grabbed



Obsidian Gorilla

Attack vs. Eltain's AC: [roll14] 10 damage: pushed 2 squares
Attack vs. Aramil's AC: [roll15] 10 damage: pushed 2 squares
Attack vs. Zyrr's AC: [roll16] 10 damage: pushed 2 squares
Attack vs. AC: [roll17] 10 damage: pushed 2 squares



Gorilla Hurlers:

Attack vs Shep's AC: [roll18] -2 Damage: [roll19]
Attack vs Lucan's AC: [roll20] Damage: [roll21] Crit: 27


Skinwing Behemoth

Attack vs. Pavick's AC: [roll22] Damage: [roll23] - grabbed



OOC: The Shaman has an aura 2. Ending your turn in that Aura gives 5 damage & slides you 2 squares. In addition, if you move away from an Obsidian Gorilla, you take 4 damage. Finally, if you're both grabbed and prone, the move action to allow you to escape the grab can be combined with standing up from prone.

Non-animated maps:

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/2191/2level6.png

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/40/2level5.png

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/4022/2level4.png

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/443/2level3.png

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/1577/2level2.png

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/5766/2level1.png

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd--HP 69/83, AC 29, Fortitude 24, Reflex 26, Will 26

So that's how it was going to be.

The Shepherd cracked his neck on the rather soft bed of ferns he had landed on. He vaulted to his feet, and in the very same motion leapt from ground in a dark blur, like a comet streaking across the sky.

He landed perfectly on the ledge he had fallen off of, and stared a stare of daggers into the half-orc's eyes.


Minor Action: Acrobat's Boots to stand up from prone.

Move Action: Swift Flight to fly up to 4E10.

Standard Action: Strike the Avalanche
Attack vs. Fortitude: [roll0]. Shep still has combat advantage against him because he used his flurry against him last round.
Damage: [roll1] plus [roll2] poison damage, and the shaman is pushed 4 squares--Shep is attempting to push him off the ledge at I14.

No Action: Before the push, Centered Flurry of Blows to deal the half-orc 15 radiant damage (including vulnerability), the obsidian gorilla adjacent to him 10 radiant damage, and the grasping vine in A13 10 radiant damage with Starblade Flurry.

[Toric]

Zyrr, Drow Rogue (70/75)
AC 25, Fort 21, Ref 28, Will 23

The wind pushes Zyrr away from the half-orc just as effortlessly as it carried him closer. Within a moment he finds himself fighting for his life, slashing a vine here before kicking away from the wall to dodge a gorilla fist there. When the gale subsides, he jabs his blade into the flank of the offending primate and pulls himself back onto the ledge, shoving back against the ape as he pulls his knife out. Now back on solid ground, Who can only brace himself for the next gale from the raging native.

Move Action: Standing up.

Standard Action: Piercing Strike against the 4D9 Obsidian Gorilla.
[roll0] vs Reflex
[roll1] + [roll2]

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

And just like that, things had gotten bad. He glanced around, trying to gauge the situation. Aramil looked like he needed healing, but he was pretty far away. And Pavick was being carried off by one of those flying lizards that weren't dragons. That looked like a problem. "Need help?" Lucan called to Pavick.

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick's eyes practically bulge out of his head as he is carried off by the airborn reptile. Images from one of the books in the Septarch's tower flash through his mind. Mostly descriptions of birds that pick up shellfish and drop them from great heights to crack their shells. Pavick was feeling more than a little clammy at the thought.

Lucan's call brings him back to his senses, though. After taking a moment to consider his situation, Pavick calls back, "I think I've got things under control for now, but if he gets ahold of me again it could cause trouble!"

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard
HP 50/77 AC 26 Fort 21 Ref 22 Will 25

Pavick was smart. If he said there wasn't a problem, then he must be okay. There were other matter that needed dealing with.

Lucan turned and fired an arrow loaded with karmic retribution at the monkey throwing rocks at him. That had hurt! Then he jumps down to the lower branch. Then, when he's within range, he extends some healing to Aramil, who seems to be hurting the worst of them.


Standard
Use Karmic Wound on hurler at 6N6
[roll0]
[roll1]
On hit, takes [roll2] damage the next time it hits with an attack before the end of my next turn

Move
Move to 5K12
[roll3]

Minor
Use majestic word on Aramil, heals surge + [roll4] hp, and slides 1 square, his choice

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard
HP 48/64, AC 24, Fort 24, Reflex 27, Will 29, can't be seen from more than 5

Pavick's friend the illusionary green dragon from the last battle makes a return visit. He swoops down striking at the skinwing with a clawed foot before rising back into the sky. Pavick takes advantage of the momentary distraction to disappear from the creature's grasp and reappear on the ledge near Eltain.

Pavick then carefully aims a thunderwave to splash over the enemies in the area.


Free Action: Spend Action Point.

Standard Action: Nightmare Eruption on Behemoth holding him (this does not provoke OA because of Pavick's armor) [roll0] doing [roll1]
Move Action (from Planeshifter's Action): Teleport to 5A2

Standard Action: Thunderwave on the enemies around Eltain. If both enemies are still active by Pavick's turn, he'll hit the whole cluster (unfortunately getting Eltain too). If one of them is taken out, Pavick will aim to hit the other, missing Eltain.
Vine [roll2]
Ape [roll3]
Eltain [roll4]
The attack does [roll5] and pushing 2 squares. Pavick will aim to push each enemy off the edge. If Pavick does have to hit Eltain, he'll push him to 5D5 to get him away from the creature that has him grabbed.

[Mando Knight]

Aramil
HP 89/100, Surge 25 (8/10)
AC 30 Fort 22 Ref 26 Will 24

The swordmage rolls away from the vines at Lucan's call, flipping up to his feet in a swift motion. Seeing the flying beast fall even further, he gets an idea. Warping out of the gorillas' reach, he comes out slashing at the behemoth, hoping to make sure it won't fly off without him.

Slide to 2L11.
Minor: Acrobat Boots to stand.
Move: Fey Step to 1H8, attack the Skinwing Behemoth.
[roll0]
[roll1]

Standard: Learned Boost on Booming Blade.
[roll2]
[roll3], and if the Skinwing starts its turn adjacent to Aramil but moves away, it takes [roll4].

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As the Shaman's storm rages below, before he he blasted back by the winds, Eltain manages to let lose another blast of holy light, searing the Half-Orc's skin. (OOC: This is the reaction that happened last round that Eltain rolled in the OOC thread)

Far on the ground below, the Shepherd hops back to his feet, and with burst of energy, he flies upward, leaving the leaves swirling on the ground in his wake. The gorilla next to him screams as the Goliath flies past him, but manages to take a swipe (5 damage). Shep lands on the platform next to the half-orc, but in his rush to get back up to the battle, he didn't prepare for the battering winds. The monk's attack goes wild, and again he finds himself stumbling backwards off the ledge. Fortunately, he manages to find a handhold on the way down, and doesn't fall all the way to the chasm floor below. (5 damage from the winds, 8 damage from the fall

Zyrr, just outside the most battering winds, manages to pull himself up. With a quick jab, he drops the gorilla standing next to him.

Eltain, finding himself tangled and twisted in the vine raises his sword and hacks at the animated plant, freeing himself from the tangles.

With a quick song, Lucan sends an enchanted arrow screaming through the air into the red-gorilla across from him. The arrow finds it's mark, and the creature gives a howl of pain as blood spurts out the wound. Satisfied with his work, Lucan hops down to the branch below, and sends a quick song of healing to Aramil, allowing the swordmage to roll out of the vine's grasp.

Aramil, now free of the vines, calls on his fey heritage and teleports down to the flying creature that Pavick sent crashing to the ground. His blade flashes twice, causing the creature to "SKWAK" in pain.

The dangling Pavick attempts to re-create the dragon he used to frighten the manticores, but the claws in his arms prove to be too big a distraction, and the illusion fizzles. Luckily, Pavick's experience with the magic of the planes allows him to temporarily bend the fabric of reality around him, and the gnome lands next to Eltain, sending a blast of thunder towards the ape, sending the creature flying back into the cliff wall.

The spider, now in an advantageous position, sends a tendril of webbing down on the gnome, before scuttling down the wall and attempting to bite the small wizard. The webs bind Pavick to the ground, but the spider's fangs can't seem to pierce Pavick's magically enhanced robes.

The Half-Orc has finally managed to clear his head, and turns to the only enemy left on the platform. Pulling out the dagger, he gives Zyrr a toothy grin. "You be good sacrifice, yes?" The wind currents rip into Zyrr,pulling and tearing at his torso as the Half-Orc tries to spy an opportunity to jab the dagger in Zyrr's heart. Zyrr proves to be too resilient, and is able to fend off the wind blasts. Furious, the half-Orc again summons the blasts of air, but the Drow dodges them with ease.

The remaining vines flail around, seeking someone else in range, but only the vine near Shep manages to find a target, as it attempts to choke the life out of the monk, pulling Shep up onto the ledge (13 damage)

Two of the remaining gorilla's immediately scurry to where Aramil is waiting on the ground, and attempt to gang up on the swordmage, while the other climbs up a level, and moves towards Lucan on the log. The attacks of the primates against the Eladrin are laughable, and Aramil fends them off with ease.

The scarlet ape on the lower level peers down over the edge at the Eladrin, and hurls a rock towards Aramil's head, hoping to have better luck this time than he did against Shep. The throw goes even wider this time, blasting a hole in the side of The Strickweem, nowhere near Aramil. The ape up above, howling in rage, ignores the curse that Lucan put on it, and throws another rock towards the half-elf. The rock strikes true, even as the gorilla recoils in pain. (20 damage)

The behemoth, a bit confused over how it's meal managed to vanish from his grasp, looks around, and spies Lucan alone on the log. He arcs around, but rather than risk another creature slipping through his grasp, he simply takes a bite at the bard as he passes. (18 damage) The creature on the ground, heavily wounded, takes to the skies, but as it lifts off the ground, it snatches at Aramil, attempting to drag the Eladrin away with it. The claws dig into Aramil's shoulders, as he finds himself pulled into the sky (21 damage - grabbed)

Map:

http://i.imgur.com/GzrYv.gif

Initiative

Location is Level - Column - Row

Shep - 2B6 (31 damage - grabbed)
Zyrr - 4C10 (20 damage)
Eltain - 5B4
Lucan - 5K12 (38 damage)
Aramil - 3F10 (21 damage - grabbed)
Pavick - 5A2 (immobilized)


Giant Spider - 5B1
Half-Orc Wind Shaman - 4D11 (187 damage - bloodied)
Grasping Vine - 6M2, 4A13, 3A13, 2A5, 2G1, 2N11, 2K13
Obsidian Gorilla - 5L11, 1G9, 1I7
Gorilla Hurler - 6N6 (72 damage - bloodied), 2M13
Skinwing Behemoth - 5D11, 3E9 (57 damage - bloodied)

Attack Rolls:

Shep: Falling Damage: [roll0]

Eltain
Virtuous Strike vs Vine [roll1]

Spider:
Attack vs. Pavick's reflex [roll2] - immobilized
Attack vs. Pavick's AC[roll3] - Damage 10 (+5 poison if immobilized)

Half-Orc
Clawing Wind:
Attack vs. Zyrr's AC: [roll4] Damage: [roll5]
Attack vs. Zyrr's AC: [roll6] Damage: [roll7]

If both attacks hit, Zyrr is dazed til the end of the Shaman's next turn

Action Point: If Zyrr is dazed, the Shaman uses the dagger:
[roll8]
Else: Repeat the double attack:
Clawing Wind:
Attack vs. Zyrr's AC: [roll9] Damage: [roll10]
Attack vs. Zyrr's AC: [roll11] Damage: [roll12]

Vine:
Attack vs Shep's AC [roll13]+2 CA, 13 damage & grabbed

Obsidian Gorilla
Attack vs Aramil's AC [roll14]+2CA, 10 damage
Attack vs Aramil's AC [roll15]+2CA, 10 damage

Gorilla Hurlers
Attack vs Aramil's AC [roll16] Damage: [roll17]
Attack vs Lucan's AC [roll18] Damage: [roll19]

Skinwing:
Attack vs Aramil's AC [roll20] Damage: [roll21] - grabbed (recharge: [roll22])
Attack vs Lucan's AC [roll23] Damage: [roll24] (recharge: [roll25])


Expanded Maps:

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/3307/3level6.png

http://img853.imageshack.us/img853/7528/3level5.png

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/5381/3level4.png

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1531/3level3.png

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/984/3level2.png

http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/7250/3level1.png

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd--HP 68/83, AC 29, Fortitude 24, Reflex 26, Will 26

Flavor text irrelevant. Nothing to see here folks. Back to your business.


Minor Action: Healing Word on himself, healing an additional [roll0]

Standard Action: Crane's Wings attack technique against the vine grabbing him
Attack vs. vine's Fortitude: [roll1]

No Action: Centered Flurry of Blows using Starblade Flurry to deal 6 damage to the vine in 2G1.

Move Action: Crane's Wings movement technique to jump onto the skinwing behemoth carrying Aramil. This jump counts as if he was making a running jump.
Athletics Roll 1: [roll2]
Athletics Roll 2: [roll3]

Free Action: Nature [roll4]

[Toric]

Zyrr, Drow Rogue (50/75)
AC 25, Fort 21, Ref 28, Will 23

The dark elf winces as pebbles are blown across is skin in the cracks between his armor. With his clothing mostly gone, his midsection has enough bare skin to be injured even by a gust of wind. But as painful as the debris is, it shows a pattern to the finely-focused wind, and Zyrr quickly learns to dodge its rhythm as he dances his way around the half-orc. "Nice trick." the drow gives the savage a nod of respect. "But I've got my own element to help me." And with that, the air around the two shimmers with summer heat before winking into black. Veiled in darkness, the half-orc feels the familiar bite of the drow's blade, followed by a cold phantom pain in the same area, an echo of the previous strike.

Minor action to use the Cloud of Darkness power.

Encounter
Minor Action Close burst 1
Effect: The burst creates a cloud of darkness that remains in place until the end of your next turn. The cloud blocks line of sight, squares within it are totally obscured, and creatures entirely within it are blinded until they exit. You are immune to these effects.

Standard action to attack the half-orc shaman with Descending Shadows.
[roll0] vs Reflex and Will. One roll compared to both defenses.
On hit with vs Reflex: [roll1], and the target is slowed until Zyrr's next turn.
On hit vs Will: [roll2], and the target is blinded until the end of Zyrr's next turn.
If either hits, Zyrr also deals [roll3] damage.

If this doesn't drop the half-orc, I'll spend an action point to take another standard action and attack him with Piercing Strike. Using this action point activates my Shadow-Fade Action, which makes me invisible. ....In the cloud of utter darkness.
[roll4] vs Reflex.
[roll5]

If I do drop it, I'll save the action point of course.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain snarls as the spider appears.

"Foul spawn of Lolth, be gone!"

He rushes towards the spider and drives his blade deep into the thing's body, piercing the foul carapace and forcing it to focus on him.


Move back one if need be, then charge:
Ardent Strike: [roll0] vs AC
On hit: [roll1] + [roll2] and it's subject to my divine sanction until the end of my next turn.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard
HP 12 + 34/77 AC 26 Fort 21 Ref 22 Will 25

Lucan's feeling dizzy from the sudden attacks, and the loss of blood. Remembering that he's standing on a narrow tree trunk, Lucan decides that getting dizzy isn't a great idea. So he sings a few notes of healing, directed at himself. He really would have rather saved it for someone else, but right now, he was the one in the greatest need. As he sings, a few graceful dance steps slide him out of the black furred monkey's reach.

Then he gathers his energy, and his music takes on a quick, staccato rhythm, and Lucan's hands begin to fly, while his music guides them by fate.

And then he's moving, dropping to the lower level. But he doesn't stop, as all he learned in the forest comes to him. Keep moving, moving, stop, fire, move again, and fire. And by the time he's stopped, he's fired four arrows. Not every one of them hit--obviously, he should have paid more attention in the forest--but those that did hurt.



Minor
Use Majestic Word for surge 19 + [roll0] hp healing
Slide to 5J13

Spend action point
Fated action: re-roll one d20 for this round

AP action
Use twin strike on monkeys
If take down 6N6 hurler with first one, shoot the obsidian monkey at 5L11 with the second, otherwise shoot both at hurler
[roll1]
[roll2]

[roll3]
[roll4]

Move
Move to 4H12
[roll5]

Standard
Use Attacks on the Run
If half-orc's still there, attack him. Otherwise, attack 5D11 skin wing
[roll6] v AC
[roll7]
Half damage on miss

Move to 4H10
[roll8] 21 v AC
[roll9]
Half damage on miss

Move to 4K6

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard
HP 48/64, AC 24, Fort 24, Reflex 27, Will 29, can't be seen from more than 5, immobilized

Pavick glances at Eltain, giving him a brief nod of thanks for taking on the pesky spider. He then turns his attention to the skinwing that had recently caused him trouble, and had now was doing the same to Lucan.

Pavick takes a moment to gather arcane energy and focus it into a glowing ectoplasmic blob in his free hand. "Hey you, bird brain! Leave us alone!" he taunts, then flings the slimy goo toward the behemoth. As the energy spread over the creature's body, it pulled at its presence in this plane, trying to force it off into another.

If the creature actually does shift away, Pavick runs his fingers over the surface of his orb, trying to reinforce the weak gate he'd opened for the behemoth to keep it from returning for awhile longer.


Standard: Sequester on the skinwing in 5D11. [roll0] (includes CA). Hit banishes it to a demiplane (save ends).

Free: (Only if the Sequester hit) Use Orb of Imposition to give the skinwing a -2 penalty to its next save against that effect.

Minor: Twiddle thumbs

Move: Demote to minor for more thumb twiddling action!

[Mando Knight]

Aramil
HP 68/100, Surge 25 (7/10)
AC 30 Fort 22 Ref 26 Will 24

Aramil smirks as the silly repto-avian thing takes hold of him and flies upward. It's exactly what he wanted it to do. However, he has other places to go, so he slams his sword into an important-looking bit, then slashes again as he bolts across the chasm to an outcropping, attacking the vine-y mass that sits on it before sliding back.

Action Point: Spikes of Agony. I'll burn my auto-crit on this.
[roll0], and if the skinwing moves before the end of its next turn, it takes 8 damage.

Standard: Dual Lightning Strike, Arcane Underpinning grants +1 to attack (since Booming Blade hit last turn).
[roll1]
[roll2], marked until end of next turn.
Teleport to 3B14, attack the grasping vine
[roll3] Educated Action: Reroll.
[roll4], marked until end of next turn.

Move: Shift to 3C14

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Shep struggles and strains against the vine, but it holds onto him fast, squeezing the life out of the Goliath (10 DamagEe.

Zyrr plunges the area around him into a globe of darkness, as his daggers flash out against the Half-Orc. He feels the blades bite deep, and the self-proclaimed "Wind Lord" gives a shriek of pain. The shaman manages to stay on his feet, even as the darkness surrounds him, but the gale around him manages to pick up a piece of debris and slam it into the Drow, sending Zyrr tumbling over the edge to the ground below (5+[roll0] damage (Acrobatics/2 to reduce the falling damage)

With a flash of his blade, Eltain drives his sword deep into the spider attacking Pavick. The creature screeches in pain, before rolling over, legs curled in the air.

Aramil's sword flashes twice, severing the flying reptiles' head from it's body, before teleporting away. Behind him the headless body spirals out of control and slams into the chasm wall. A second flash of his blade, and the vine tangled around the Shepherd is severed, freeing the goliath.

After a moment to catch his breath, Lucan flies into motion, sending arrows flying as he jumps down. The first arrow flies through the skull of the rock-happy ape above him, while the second drops the monkey on the far end of the branch. Dropping down, Lucan sends two more enchanted arrows into the globe of blackness where he last remembered seeing the Half-Orc. He's unable to see if the arrows find their mark, but suddenly, the winds stop blowing, and an eerie silence fills the cavern. The animated vines that were twisting and grasping shudder for a moment, before falling still. The remaining apes look around nervously, as their leader has left them.

The only creature still intent on catching a meal is the last skinwing. It flexes it's wings at it arcs around, preparing to attempt to grab the gnome snack that had managed to escape, but as it opens it's beak, a blob of goo begins to spread over the body, and a moment later, the behemoth disappears from reality.

The remaining apes hoot in protest, before taking to the vines and running away as quickly as they can, looking behind them in fear as they flee the chasm.

As suddenly as the battle began, you now find yourself alone in the silent chasm.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain pulls his sword from the dead spider and wipes it on the grass before sheathing it and quickly climbing down to check on the others.

"Are you alright?" He asks the others concernedly, noting that some of them are badly damaged. "That... Could have gone better." He frowns. "Well, let's find this thing before anyone else shows up to try to kill us." He heads towards the ship, muttering darkly about devils' work, and looks for a reasonably safe way in, sensing for any latent magical wards.


Perception: [roll0]
Dungeoneering: [roll1]
Arcana: [roll2]

[Haberdashery]

"I would say so..." The Shepherd calls from below, beating the side of his head with his palm to knock a stray rock out of his ear. He then flies into a rabid shake, like some sort of shaggy dog, clearing himself of the stray vines and leaves that had found a home on the Shepherd after he fell--multiple times--into the jungle fauna. Today simply was not turning out to be his day.

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick watches the air for a few minutes, waiting for the skinwing to reappear. When it still hasn't by the time all the other enemies had completely left the area, Pavick lets down his guard. "Damn, I'm good!" he mutters.

Next he sets to cleaning himself up a little. He grabs handfuls of the webbing from his clothing and tries to throw them off the nearest ledge. A more difficult task than it first appears, because the web simply adheres to his hand instead of his clothes. He shakes his hands around in a vain attempt to unstick the substance before finally resorting to casting prestidigitation to get it all off. Honestly, he didn't know how most people made it through life without such a handy little trick.

"I'm fine. A bit scruffed up, by that damn behemoth, but otherwise fine. We should take a breather soon, just to bandage our wounds, but I'm okay with moving on now in case more of that half-orc's friends show up."

[Mando Knight]

Aramil slides down the jungle environment, jumping onto the rotting deck of the Strickweem. Sheathing his sword and brushing off gunk from his outfit (vines, behemoth guts, who knows?), he replies in a low tone.
"That is the question. This place saps our strength like no other. I say we duck inside for a quick rest before searching in earnest. There could very well be something worse than naked half-orcs and flying lizards lurking about our goal."

(By the way, I'd say that while most cloaks would be tattered, since Aramil's is in fact magical and teleport-y, the tatters on his would seem... out of phase rather than simply torn.)

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As you make it down to the wrecked vessel below, navigating through The Strickweem is a bit tricky. The magic holding the ship together has almost completely dissolved, and as you step, the wooden hull of the ship regularly snaps and breaks away from the rot that has consumed it. Still, all things considered, it's in remarkable state considering how long it's been here.

The odd deterioration of the magical bonds of the ship are too much for Eltain, who has trouble analyzing the magic fields, even as he navigates a safe passage through the wreckage. Aramil does see the remains of several wards that were certainly quite potent at the time, but now have unraveled so badly that he has little trouble dispelling them.

Eventually, you find your way to the cargo hold. Many of the barrels and crates that were once here have fallen apart, and you can see stains in the floor from where their contents spilled out. However, in the back corner, there is one item that still seems intact. A golden chest, a foot wide and high, and nearly 3 feet long. Strange glyphs and carvings are etched onto the seemingly pure golden surface, and while the magic emanating from the chest has dispersed some, the spell-weave embedded into the chest seems to be intact. The chest appears to have a mundane lock on it, but since this has also failed to decay, you assume there must be some magic permeating it as well. You think if you put your mind to it, you could open it without too much difficulty, but your mind does wander back to the warning that Zorella gave about breaking the seal.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"That looks like it," Lucan says. "Let's take a quick rest and then get going."


OOC: I say we take a short rest now, and then go.

[Nai_Calus]

"I know we need rest, but I'll feel a lot better if we get out of this chasm first. I don't want to be trapped down here if any of those creatures went for help," Eltain says, looking up towards the rim. "Although nothing guarantees there won't be anything up there either." He sighs. "Still. The terrain certainly doesn't favor us here."

[Toric]

"I agree with Aramil and Lucan." Zyrr says, still picking off the last of the ship debris he fell onto. "We can hide more easily down here than at the surface. I have a lot of splinters to pick out of some very tender areas, and when we're ready I can scout ahead to make sure nobody's waiting for us topside. For now, we should rest."

His attention is drawn to the chest, and he looks from it to the Shepherd. "I think our stony friend should carry this, don't you all agree? After all, Shep, it's only fitting that you take your own fate into your hands."

[Haberdashery]

With nary a word, nor a gesture, or even a grunt, the Shepherd lifts the box up by one hand and hefts its once. His eyes upon the length of it--it was such a small thing. So small for something that determined the ownership of his very soul. He hefted it again, catching it in his hand. And then he did the unthinkable--he tossed the box into the air, letting it spin wildly in a whirling arc, before intercepting it with his arm to spin it once around it and let it fly in the other direction. He caught it with a flourish, and slung it over his back, displaying a smile of his finest blitheness.

"Well then. Off we go."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

OOC: Could I get a perception check from Shep

[Nai_Calus]

"Well, let me have a look at that thing and around here while we rest, then."


Eltain will spend one surge to get back to 87 HP.
He also examines the chest to try to make sure it's the right thing and see if he can deduce anything about it.

Perception: [roll0]
Arcana: [roll1]
Religion: [roll2]

[Mando Knight]

"Be careful, then. Who knows what could set the thing off, given the environment."

Aramil remains vigilant, but is glad for the quick breather.
One surge tops Aramil off at 100, and puts him down to 6 surges left.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Neither Shep nor Eltain notice anything unusual about the golden box as the Shepherd swings it over his shoulder. After a quick moment to catch your breath, you have little trouble making use of the vines and other overgrowth to climb up to the top of the chasm.

You once again find yourself in the sweltering jungle, the mountain towering above you, and just below you you can see the winding path of the river, and the valley leading back out towards the edge of the Tangle.

OOC: At this point, you can choose how you want to try and exit. The river will be the fastest; going through the valley will be moderately simple but will take you through unknown lands. Heading back up the mountain will take the longest amount of time, but since you've already journeyed the path, the return trip should be simple. You made very good time getting here, so you should be able to make it back to the top of the mountain without risking missing the appointment.

[Nai_Calus]

"So... How do we plan to get back out of here? Back the way we came? Try to cut down on time some other way? I'm not looking forward to the climb up, I must say, given that the climb down was rather unpleasant, but I doubt that any way out of this deathtrap of an island is going to be pleasant at all."

[dariathalon]

Pavick Roslow - Gnome Wizard

Pavick's shoulders slumped at the thought of having to get back out of the jungle. Getting in had been bad enough. "The mountain sucked on the way down. It'll probably suck even more on the way back up. And look at us, we're exhausted; I don't even know if we'll be able to make it back up that way."

"Then again, I doubt the river will be much easier. A place like this probably has rapids or gnome eating fish or something." He stares down at his toes as he shuffles from foot to foot.

"The third option down through the valley seems the best to me. We'll probably run into one tribe or another. If it is the one that the windbag down there is from we can probably just talk our way past them. It didn't work so well this last time, but I still think it has more potential than the other options."

[Nai_Calus]

"We can't survive another fight like that, and we don't have time to try to escape if we're captured by them. I think the river's our best bet."

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"I think we should go back the way we came. There's less chance of running into any surprises that way," Lucan says.

I'll spend one healing surge. That should take me to 70/77, with 3 left.

[Mando Knight]

"That way will be a long and arduous climb. Considering how winded most of you were going down, I can't say it'll be pleasant going back up. The river will be an easier path to follow and will lead us to the shore. I do not know what we might encounter along there, but my bet is that any new threats compared to the rest of the jungle will be in the water, which will be easy enough to avoid."

[Toric]

"I agree that the river will be a good choice." Zyrr chips in, raising his most recent trophy: the wolf pelt from the half-orc. "We'll likely go through at least two tribes through the valley, but the river has quick enough travel we might be lucky enough to only see one across it. If we're lucky, this tribe will just happen to dislike whatever tribe it is of the cheery fellow we just killed, so we can give them his cowl in exchange for our safe passage.

If we're not... He twirls his dagger in the air and catches it. "I'm sure we'll figure something out."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

You have little trouble making your way down to the river. The water has a dark grey tint to it, and casual observation quickly reveals several snakes, carnivorous fish, and an odd creature that looks to be a cross between a turtle and a carp.

Around you, there are numerous trees and vines with which to make a raft, and a bit of poking around helps you find a suitable place to cast off (once you scare off the crocodiles).

OOC:
Making the raft: From everyone I'll need the following checks:
- Nature or Dungeoneering
- Athletics
- Endurance

Navigating down the river:
Everyone also needs to make any two of the following checks (your choice). No more than 3 people can attempt any one skill.
- Arcana (to try and ward off the magic that will make the raft weaken)
- Nature (to try and identify the river currents & navigate)
- Insight (To analyze the creatures in the river & predict their movements)
- Perception (To spot hazards and obstacles)
- Intimidate (To scare off creatures trying wanting to eat you)
- Stealth (to try and hide the raft's presence from creatures on the bank)
- Other? (If you can come up with a practical way to use another skill, feel free to pitch it

[Haberdashery]

Making the Raft
Nature: [roll0]
Athletics: [roll1]
Endurance: [roll2]

Navigating the River:
Perception: [roll3]
Stealth: [roll4]

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick certainly seems to have learned a thing or two from their sojourn through the tree tops earlier. He is quickly up the closest tree, almost like a little monkey. He searches around for supplies useful to build a raft, but most of the wood and vines he finds are weak and rotting. He quickly tires of the task and has to rest to catch his breath as the others finish up the task.

As the group got started down the river, Pavick alternated between using his magic to reinforce the bonds holding the raft together, often using mage hand to re-tie knots that were loosening with the withering vines. Any time danger seemed to be approaching, Pavick shifted his focus to protecting the group. He used his knack for illusions to create distractions farther back in the jungle while simultaneously bending the rays of light peeking through the canopy away from the raft leaving them cloaked in shadows.


Pavick also spent 1 surge bringing him to full hp with 3 surges remaining.

Making the raft
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

On the river
[roll3] That skill is always a no-brainer for Pavick when given the option. He's tied for highest mod in it with Aramil.
[roll4] I think Pavick has the 3rd highest skill in this, and it is his 2nd best mod of the skills listed, so he'll use this as his other option.

(Edit: I took a guess on which ones were successful as I wrote up the description.)

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

Lucan's knowledge of nature is decent, though not as thorough as the that in the tribe where he grew up. He's able to offer pointers on building a raft. He's also pretty good at keeping the raft moving in the right direction, though he does find it a bit draining.

Lucan does his best to keep a sharp eye out. He knows he's good at this. But between the biting flies and Lena's complaining, not to mention all the work of just keeping the raft from getting hung up on anything, he barely notices what's going on around him. Once someone points it out to him, though, he's quick to scare off any dangerous animal by uttering the cry of the scariest animal he knows--the dreaded dire moose-pig. All lesser beasts--manticores, gryphons, dragons, and humanoids with any sense--flee at the sound.


[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[roll3]
[roll4]

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain stoically endures the work, and proves to have some skill with knots, but his already weak body has been broken to the point of exhaustion and he can barely move, methodically trying his best. His fatigue extends to his skill with magic, the threads of it escaping his weary brain, but when the group is noticed by a fierce beast he manages to at least make a decent effort at infusing his voice with soothing tones as he sings a song to try to calm it down.


Athletics: [roll0]
Endurance: [roll1]
Dungeoneering: [roll2]

Arcana: [roll3]
Diplomacy: [roll4]

[Mando Knight]

Aramil performs as he has elsewhere in this venture: be the one elven being out of a hundred that can actually do physical labor and know magic.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[roll3]
[roll4] (push the raft along faster and/or punt nasties off the raft?)

[Toric]

Zyrr's role is double on the journey downstream: make the raft look and act as much like a piece of driftwood as possible, and dart out and frighten anything that comes close before vanishing back into the shadows inside.

[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]

[roll3]
[roll4]

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The construction of the raft goes fairly well. You have little trouble cutting and tearing down the trees to fashion the base of the raft, and soon you begin bound together with strands of vine. Thanks to a remarkably good find by Shep, you manage to get one long length of vine around it to remain alive even in the water, keeping things together even as other pieces of binding rot and wither away. The process is taxing, however, and all but Eltain and Aramil find themselves winded by the time the raft is complete. (OOC: Zyrr, Shep, Lucan & Pavick lose 1 Healing Surge)

As you float down the river, you fare extremely well. Between the combined efforts of Pavick, Eltain, and especially Aramil, you keep the raft from rotting away under your feet, and are able to make good time down the river. As Aramil works a makeshift oar to guide you, Shep stays on the front, calling out obstacles and shifts in the current to help navigate the path. Towards the end of the first day, at dusk, a group of crocodiles begin bumping and jostling the raft, trying to turn the craft on it's side, but a few well placed attacks and growls from Lucan and Zyrr send them scurrying back to their holes, wary of the strange creatures moving down the river.

In the hot afternoon of the second day, as you float along, a huge gray and yellow snake nearly 70 feet long begins slithering out across the water towards you. As it raises it's head and prepares to bring it's entire weight down across the raft, shattering it, a clear tone begins echoing through the jungle. The creature freezes, and begins swaying from side to side as Eltain sings a song of praise to Corellon. After nearly five minutes of swimming along side the raft, swaying in time to the music, the creature turns, and slithers back towards the riverbank.

Towards the end of the second day, you can see some telltale signs of an encampment up ahead. Pavick's illusions cause the light to shift, casting the river in darkness as Shep begins hanging vines and leaves around the ship to hide the occupants. Neither of these efforts, however, hold a candle to the creativity of the Drow. Zyrr grabs floating rocks, strands of creeper, and leaves, before detaching pieces of the vines holding the raft together. By the time the drow finishes his work, the vessel has transformed from a raft to what appears to be nothing but a series of fallen trees and tangles of leaves floating downstream.

Before long, you pass an area where several humanoids sit on the bank fishing. A few of them glance at the contraption passing by them, but none manage to see through the cleverly disguised raft.

OOC: If you wish, you can call out to the locals and make contact, or you can just float on by them and continue on towards the edge of the island

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

As the raft slowly drifts past the local fishermen, Pavick holds his finger across his lips in a gesture to everyone else to stay still and quiet until they are past.

Several minutes later, when the group has finally gotten out of sight and earshot, Pavick whispers. "Things probably would have gone alright, but with your luck, those would have been friends of that half-orc back there. My luck," Pavick straightens his robes dramatically, "is of course better than that. But with the time we've had the last couple of days, it seemed better not to chance it. So let's get this signal to the Ishbane ready to go."

[Toric]

"Right, then." Zyrr pulls the signal out of a hidden pocket of his leather chestpiece - the only pocket on his person to survive the trip thus far. He makes sure, first, that neither end of the stick is pointing at anybody, second, that his thumb isn't resting on top, and third, that the ship has in fact returned before activating the device. "I do hope they're quick about it." he quips as he watches a red fireball rocket into the air. "This just made us a target for everybody."

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain notices the poor condition of his comrades, especially the Shepherd.

"Shep, stay by me. I'll protect you."

[Mando Knight]

"Then let us hope that friends, not foes, will be the first to respond." Aramil takes position between the party and the jungle, just in case.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

You continue floating down the river, completely unnoticed by the local tribes. As the day draws to a close, you near the edge of The Tangle, where the water cascades of the side of the island. You're able to paddle over to the side, and looking over the edge, you can see the water fading away to mist one hundred feet below. Beyond the sky around the island, you can see the faint shimmer of the Astral sea.

As the red fireball sent from Zyrr fires off into the sky, there's several long minutes of silence. Eventually, the silence is broken not from the sky ahead of you, but from the jungle behind. As you look back, standing on a large rock protruding out of the mass of trees several hundred yards behind you, a humanoid covered in red paint raises a spear and points to you as he throws his head back and lets loose with a war cry. From the jungle, this cry is echoed, and soon there is no doubt that several dozen of these humanoid creatures are moving towards the jungle towards you.

As the sounds grow closer, and closer, there's a blast of black smoke from the edge of the island. Peering down over the edge, you see The Ishbane hobble into view. The ship is clearly damaged, with magical energy leaking out from one side, and one of the arcane glyphs in the front spewing the dark smoke periodically. On the bow of the ship, Captain Ferrell still sits in the golden chair, concentrating, but even as you watch, sparks seem to fly out of the chain periodically, singing the captain's clothes. The ship gradually rises until it's level with the edge of the island. Several of the Githyanki sailors, and one of the Tieflings are waiting on the railing of the boat with coils of rope that they throw out to you. It takes just a moment to tie the rope around yourselves, and soon the vessel takes off again, just as a group of the red-painted humanoids arrive on the edge of the island, still shouting war-cries and shaking make-shift weapons at the fleeing vessel.

As the ship begins it's journey back into the astral sea, the ropes are pulled up, and with a grunt the sailors pull you into the spelljammer. After nearly 5 days in the jungle, your clothing and packs are almost entirely rotted away, and even your magical armor and garments are showing wear and tear. As you stand, you find Demerius looking over you, nursing a broken arm. "Welcome back, didn't really expect you to make it, but your friends insisted we wait for you." She jerks her head back, to the Tieflings behind him, who give Aramil a knowing nod. You do notice that only three of the original four Tieflings who set out on the journey with you seem to be present.

[Haberdashery]

The Shepherd stands to his feet, catching possibly the first deep breath he was able to take since setting foot down in the Tangle. He cracks his neck to one side, and then the other, finally clenching his fingers together just so that they echo with a cascade of popping noises.

"You have excellent timing." He beams at Demerius.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The female Dragonborn gives Shep a nod. "We do what we can." She eyes the injured Goliath up and down. "Your bunks are still open down below, if you need to rest up."

[Mando Knight]

Aramil ascends to the deck, his confident demeanor making his ragged attire appear awe-inspiring rather than pathetic. "Did you seriously think the Tangle could end us? It looks like whatever you ran into was more of a threat than naked orcs and astral jungle."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Demerius gives Aramil a smirk. "Occupational hazard; it comes with the job." The spelljammer gives a slight shudder, as it climbs it's way high into the astral plane above the Tangle, and soon the golden veil of Celestia begins fading behind you as you resume your course back toward Sigil

[Toric]

As Zyrr surveys the state of the crew as he climbs back aboard, he only barely resists asking the Demerius "Did you get a good haul?". Instead, he merely slaps his hand on the dragonborn's side as he watches the beautifully savage island float away and comments "I'm glad you had as much fun as we did." He adopts a look of concern, though, when he notices only three tieflings on deck. "What happened to your brother in arms?" he asks. "He bet me an astral fish recipe I wouldn't make it back. I hope he hasn't fallen in battle. ....You know, before he can pay up." The last part is added with shifty eyes. For all his carefree bravado, he's grown to like the mercenaries over the course of their sparring.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain narrows his eyes as he comes on board and suspects there's quite a few untold stories here, but he's too exhausted to argue or even snark. There will be time for justice after rest and after Shep's soul is safe.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

The three Tieflings exchange looks with one another; and one scowls. "He fell..." he mutters, not making eye-contact with Zyrr.

Demerius gives a low growl. "We ran into some...opposition, in our mission. We lost several good sailors. I offered your men standard wages to help us out, and one didn't make it."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

After being hauled over the side, Pavick simply lays on the deck breathing heavily. He listens to the others talking, but doesn't move until he feels Slick slithering around inside his robes. "Okay, fine, I'm getting up," he mutters to the snake.

He pulls himself to his feet, and begins toward the space they'd been assigned. Whatever was going on, he could deal with it after he'd had a good solid rest.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan

Lucan and Lena get into an argument about sleeping arrangements, and end up flipping a coin for it. Lucan sighs when Lena wins, but he takes the floor while she takes the cot. Despite the discomfort of the hard planks beneath him, he's soon fast asleep.

[Hzurr]

DM POST

OOC: Could I get a perception check from Lucan, Pavick, and Shep

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As Lucan heads down to the cabin, he notices that the door to the room with all of the enchanted crates and boxes is shut, has been barred from this side, and there appear to be scratch marks in the doorframe, as if something was resisting being forced inside.

[Haberdashery]

There was a familiar shadow over Lucan's head, one that breathed like the sigh of a mountain. The Shepherd's graceful stone fingers traced the claw marks gently.

"Hmmmm..."

Was it foolishness that caused the Shepherd to lift the bar from the door with his normal unphased smile? Possibly. He set the plank down carefully, making not a sound, and gestures towards the door.

"After you."

The look on the Shepherd's face strongly suggests the phrase "Don't tell me you weren't thinking of doing the exact same thing."

[dariathalon]

Pavick - Gnome Wizard

Pavick followed Shep down the steps in a haze. He was very much looking forward to crawling into his hammock and losing conciousness for several hours. He almost ran straight into the goliath's leg when Shep paused to examine the door.

Pavick's eyes followed Shep's hand as it traced the marks around the door. As soon as he'd seen the aftermath of battle on the ship, a small part of him had thought that there might be prisoners down here. He was so tired that he wanted to put off investigating it at least until after a nap. But now, faced with evidence that someone was being held against their will, Pavick knew Shep was doing exactly the right thing.

He nodded his head saying, "Alright, we need to find out who they've got. Something tells me this is going to complicate our trip back to Sigil." He stood in the back, waiting for the other two to enter the room.

[DSCrankshaw]

Lucan - Half-elf bard

"Actually, I was thinking that whatever it was, I'd worry about it in the morning," Lucan says, stifling a yawn. "But I wasn't looking forward to sleeping on the floor."

He peers into the room.


[roll0]
[roll1]

[Toric]

Zyrr nods solemnly at the news. "He was a good sparring partner. His insults taught me a lot." After this small gesture of respect he follows Pavick down to the cabin.... and sees two of his friends sneaking a hand into the proverbial cookie jar. He takes up the sentry position, leaning casually by the entryway just in case he needs to intercept a crewman.

[Mando Knight]

Aramil adopts a stern look as he replies to Demerius's news. "I see. I suppose it can't be helped. I'm going to rest a bit. If anyone needs me, I will be belowdecks."

With that, he goes off to trance. For the moment, he ignores his meddling friends, figuring that if they needed someone to hold down a dragon or stop an army of angered sailors or something, they'd call for him.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As before, Lucan sees only a room filled with crates of all sizes. This time, however, each box is sealed shut, and all are emanating that same aura of enchantment magic.

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain, on his way to rest, comes across the others. When the scratches are pointed out to him, his eyes narrow and he nods at the others and takes up a guard position near Zyrr, looking more like he's glaring at the drow for being a drow than guarding.

"If this is what it looks like..." He mutters darkly, whispering to the others. "But if we're going to try to do anything about it, we need rest first. We've got time to rest and plan before we get back to Sigil. If there are people who have been captured and enslaved in there, we can't just ignore it, but we need a plan. I certainly don't know how to fly this thing, and neither do any of you."

[Hzurr]

DM Post

As you look into the room of boxes, you hear a cry come from above deck, and you feel the ship begin to make a sharp turn, as the thumping sounds of running feet begin to echo from above deck. Down the hallway, you see the trap door leading the the top deck open, and one of the Tieflings begins climbing down to where you are, shouting "WE'RE UNDER-"

He's cut off, as an explosion rocks the ship, sending the Tiefling tumbling off the ladder, and Eltain stumbling into Zyrr who falls into Shep who manages to bring down both Pavick and Lucan as he falls, leaving everyone except Aramil piled in a heap in the doorway of the storage room. Aramil, just about to fall into his reverie, is rocked out of his bed, and rudely jostled into consciousness by the floor.

From up above, a magically amplified voice echos throughout the ship. "Attention Ishbane. Your vessel is weakened, and your is crew injured. If you don't surrender the golden chest immediately, I'll blow the entire spelljammer up, and fish it out of the debris. You have one minute. Even below deck, and piled in a jumble of fey and rock, you have little trouble recognizing the voice as one belonging to a certain succubus with six fingers on her hand...

[Nai_Calus]

Eltain pulls himself angrily from the pile, rising to his feet and clenching his fists in rage.

"Zorella! I knew we couldn't trust her. What the hells is the meaning of this?!" He rushes to the deck to join the crew and find a way to speak to her.

[Hzurr]

DM Post

Eltain has little trouble wiggling free of the pile, and stepping over the Tiefling as he makes his way to the main deck of The Ishbane. The front bow of Ship is spewing even more smoke, and it looks like another of the arcane sigils near the bow has been destroyed.

Floating just above you, and 20 feet off the starboard side is another Spelljammer, this one black as midnight. Huge, blood-red sails fly over the vessel, and on the deck, you can see several large ballistae pointed at your ship. Fiendish warriors as positioned throughout the ship; some managing the weapons, some helping guide the vessel, but many with weapons raised. Standing on the edge of the ship leaning on the railing casually, is the succubus, flanked on either side by her bodyguards. She's made no effort to hide her identity, and you can clearly see the large, bat-like wings folded behind her like a cloak.

As you come onto the deck, you see that familiar smile with just a hint of fang. ""Ah, yes, the Paladin. Let me guess... she begins strumming the railing with the fingernails/claws on her left hand, 6 quick taps that seem to pierce the air as she speaks. "You're going to do something very foolish, and in so doing you'll condemn your friend's soul and doom everyone on-board?" Again, that left-hand strums tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap, and she gives a laugh. This time, however, there is no music in the laughter, only cruelty and scorn."You're wounded, and outmatched. Just surrender the chest, and you can go on your way..."

[Mando Knight]

Aramil is displeased. He had hoped to finally continue his ponderings of the relationship between Evard's Laws of Astral Motion and Mordenkainen's Third Postulate of Arcane Theurgy. He stands, and bids his companions "Come" as he quickly ascends once again to the main deck.

As he stands on deck, he speaks calmly but loudly. "Patience, Zorella. Our time is not over, yet. We will bring you your trinket, though I should warn you that my companions are prone to rather rash actions when threatened."

He motions towards whoever is about to bring forth the chest.