The Black Mages of Corneria (IC)

[DiscipleofBob]

Matoya's Academy for the Normalcy Challenged

It nears midnight in the isolated mountains north of Corneria, the moon rising over the towers carved from the mountain itself. Despite its appearance, the inner architecture regularly changes according to Matoya's whim, certain rooms only being available and connecting when she wants them to be.

For now, only the bare minimum is available: your rooms, each suited to your individual tastes, the dining hall and kitchen where you make your own meals (anyone so unpracticed in alchemy not able to cook themselves a meal would starve under Matoya's tutelage), and a few small studies.

Besides you lot, there are two other students: Scraggle, an elderly dwarf artificer, the only senior of you that's still under Matoya's tutelage, and Aki, a beautiful young human sorceress on her first night at the academy. Currently Scraggle is fast asleep in his room, inaccessible to the other mages as all of the bedrooms are, and Aki is stuck on guard duty outside the front gate. Not that a guard is even considered necessary, Matoya just gives that punishment to whoever ticks her off the most, effectively grounding them outside on the cold mountain nights.

[Great Dane]

Panting, sweat running down his face and bare chest, Raiden grinned at the practice dummy in front of him in his bedroom. The faceless humanoid mass of straw and twine stood there upright, alert, almost tauntingly, as if to say, "Is that all you've got?" Raiden was sure that if the thing had a face, it would be grinning right back at him. After a full evening of enduring lightning strikes, its appearance was no more serious than a slight char around the edges.

"She sure makes 'em tough", Raiden admitted with a chuckle. The practice dummies he set up in the fields outside of Corneria, where his latent talents for the arcane were awoken by the power of the crystals, lasted little more than ten minutes against his lightning magic. But Matoya's practice dummies were different -- her magic-infused constructs of straw were able to withstand just about anything Raiden could think of throwing at it. Raiden even knew that he'd awake in the morning and there would be no sign of a full day of training, as if an invisible maid cleansed the walls as well as his "training buddy" of all magical residue. The magicks that enveloped this mountain were truly formidable, and yet, strangely comforting, reassuring Raiden that he was where he needed to be.

Grabbing a cloth and patting himself dry, he threw on his battle robe over his well-matured upper body. He was still only nineteen years old, but over the last few years he'd grown immensely. Despite the fact that during combat training he mostly relied on his arcane talents rather than his athleticism, it took a tremendous physique to be able to handle the amount of teleportation he could endure. It was only weeks ago that he taught himself the skill of disassembling himself in a flash of lightning only to reappear nearby to the amazement of anyone watching. He knew hard work would open the door to his next trick...

He grabbed his mother's dagger, flawless despite years of use. When he held it, he could almost hear the air crackle with energy around its blade. We sure have used this in very different ways, haven't we, Mother?, he thought to himself. Although the jagged, brutal sharpness of the blade suggested to its wielder it had seen a lot of battle in the shadows, it also gave him a sense of protection, knowing his mother ended up on top time after time. She was a damn good rogue and even though you didn't talk about them, the thieves in town revered her as something greater than she'd ever let on. By wielding it, he felt like Erwyn the half-elf was close by, proud of her youngest son.

Finding his father's battle staff, he held it out at arms-length and inspected it. Having recently received it as a gift, he was learning how to reliably draw power from it to strengthen his magic. Reminds me of your strength, Father...though it's abrasive, just like you!, thought with a smirk. He admired Corwen deeply, but was eager to emerge from his father's shadow and tell his own tale of adventure.

-----

Wandering out into the kitchen, Raiden grabbed some meat he had caught the day before and hacked off a sizable chunk of flank. Wandering out into the empty dining hall, he grabbed a seat at the table, setting down his implements away from his plate. Placing his hands just over the meat and closing his milky-white eyes, he focused a hint of his energy in his palms, zapping the meat for a few seconds. He opened his eyes, inspected his work, and couldn't wait to dive right in. "Just the way I like it!" he exclaimed, lacking the willpower to keep that thought inside.

Eating until he was satisfied while wrapping a sizable warm chunk in a cloth, he dropped his plate off in the kitchen, grabbed his tools, and walked toward the open door. He eyeballed a study on his way to the front gate, scoffing to himself. "Like hell you'll catch me in there if I can help it! He hadn't been able to shake his aversion to studying.

Approaching the gate, he dimly saw the figure of Aki leaning against the mountain wall. Why not chat up the new girl? "Hey lady, could you keep it down? You're causing quite a racket out here!" he calmly joked with a smile. He grabbed a spot on the wall opposite from Aki, and offering the still-warm meat wrapped in cloth, he asked, "Hungry?"

[Rausdower]

Malreth

By warm candlelight in the frosty study room, Malreth continues to intricately analyze the workings of thermodynamics and the breaking thereof using arcane applications. He mouths the words of the compendium silently as is a common habit he insists he shall break.

[The Crash Man]

Inside of the study sat Jykil, thumbing through a tome on curses, their causes, and their effects. This wasn't the first of these volumes he had thumbed through, and certainly wouldn't be the last, but no matter how many he had looked at he had found little to no knowledge of his own affliction. If it even WAS an affliction. Maybe freaky magic powers and a split personality were just part of who he was, no matter how much he wanted to deny it and just be a normal paladin serving under Bahamut.

He looked toward the elf also studying, mouthing the words to himself. A silly habit but also an understandable one. Briefly he considered asking the elf a question, as elves were known for their prowess in the mystic arts, but he decided against it. The last thing he needed was to be forcibly hushed by some mage's silence spell again.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina had been in her room for way too long, and she was getting cabin fever. She went out and ventured through the public areas, curious as to what other people were doing. Needing to get some air, Thina ventured outside. She was trying to watch where everyone was from outsife and see what they were going. Eventually she got bored of this and felt the need to sing. She went out in the middle of the courtyard and started to sing. It wasn't a sad song, necessarily, but a song of a powerful yearn to be back home with her family and see her father. She always sang this song when she hadn't been back home in quite a while and was wanting to go back. Some of the older students knew, right as they heard her voice, if they wanted to get anything done, they protected themselves from hearing her. However, if anyone was too busy or didn't realize what was going on, they would immediately get sucked in to Thina's song and all drive to do anything else but listen to her would be sucked out of them.

[Rausdower]

As Malreth began to hear the song of the Mergirl, he tightly clutched his eyes in frustration. After all, he stayed up well past bedtime to read so he could avoid disturbances such as this. Unable to concentrate further on the book and still not quite at the point of tiredness to sleep, he followed the voice to the courtyard.

Partly not caring about her sorrow painted in her lyrics and partly frustrated at her singing to begin with, his words towards her were chosen harshly.

"Honestly, you would have the entire school awaken to hear this performance?"

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Hearing the words from her fellow student, the singing stops immediately and her gaze shoots to who disrupted her. As if she was piercing his very soul, she eyes Malreth down, but not saying a word. She takes a deep breath, and then starts her lament again, determined, now, to finish it until she feel she is done.

[DiscipleofBob]

Approaching the gate, he dimly saw the figure of Aki leaning against the mountain wall. Why not chat up the new girl? "Hey lady, could you keep it down? You're causing quite a racket out here!" he calmly joked with a smile. He grabbed a spot on the wall opposite from Aki, and offering the still-warm meat wrapped in cloth, he asked, "Hungry?"

The sorceress is dressed in fine red robes, not at all suited for this sort of "work," but merely taps her foot impatiently while several small balls of fire hover around her for warmth. She was still new, and still self-important, as most of you were when you first came here. "You have to be joking. Eat some animal you charred to a blackened husk? No thanks! She turns her nose up. Apparently she came from a fairly wealthy family in Corneria, and it unfortunately showed. But the story's all too familiar to the veteran students: She would humble herself and adapt or she would quit early. That's just all there was to it.


Thina had been in her room for way too long, and she was getting cabin fever. She went out and ventured through the public areas, curious as to what other people were doing. Needing to get some air, Thina ventured outside. She was trying to watch where everyone was from outsife and see what they were going. Eventually she got bored of this and felt the need to sing. She went out in the middle of the courtyard and started to sing. It wasn't a sad song, necessarily, but a song of a powerful yearn to be back home with her family and see her father. She always sang this song when she hadn't been back home in quite a while and was wanting to go back. Some of the older students knew, right as they heard her voice, if they wanted to get anything done, they protected themselves from hearing her. However, if anyone was too busy or didn't realize what was going on, they would immediately get sucked in to Thina's song and all drive to do anything else but listen to her would be sucked out of them.

Aki rolls her eyes, "Ugh, does that damn bird keep everyone awake this late with her singing?"

Malreth and Jykil feel a strange chill run up their spine, barely distinguishable from the night air draft, but you learned to suspect everything in these towers.

Thina in particular when she's done singing is suddenly very tensed, getting that feeling one gets that someone or thing is present in the corner of one's eye when they're clearly not. Sure the towers were well-protected by a series of magical wards and enchantments, but still, it does not feel safe to be alone tonight.

[Great Dane]

"Suit yourself", shrugged Raiden as he threw the cooked piece of meat as far out of the tower as he could manage. "If you're not going to eat it, someone, or someTHING else will," he said with a wink.

"This cool air sure feels nice after a good workout!", said Raiden with a stretch. After settling back against the wall, he looked Aki square in the eyes and said,

"I'm rooting for you, I really am. No matter the circumstances behind why you're here, Matoya wants you here for a reason. That's why we're all here. Whatever it is that you have to do to improve yourself, make it happen. Malreath & Ezekial study, and that's well and fine for them. Me? I prefer...shall we say...live exercises. But a word of advice, New-Girl. Rely on us, your classmates. No one here is better than anyone else and we're all in this together. For example, you'd do well to respect Thina." He lifted his shirt to showcase a scar across his right oblique. "This one hurt pretty bad, but she healed me up like nothing ever happened. Likewise for everyone else here...we've all got talents to offer."
Diplomacy roll to get on her good side and break down some of the walls she's put up: [roll0]

Raiden gazed up at the moon with a sigh. "Be on your guard tonight, Aki. Alert us all at the first sign of trouble."

If Aki chooses to talk and be friendly with me, I'll stay and continue the conversation. Otherwise:

"I'm going to go find our little songbird," he said as he strolled toward the courtyard.

[The Crash Man]

Jykil's draconic ear-holes perked up a little as he heard the song. Some mages found it kind of annoying, but Jykil always found it to be kind of relaxing instead. Besides, being so far away from his draconic isles, he could deeply sympathize on how it felt to be fear away from home.

Of course, Malreth didn't seem as appreciative, and stormed off in a huff. It may have sounded silly, but the loneliness in the study soon began to leave Jykil kind of disquieted. His kind revolved around safety in numbers, true enough, but today more than ever being alone just seemed chill-inducing. Getting up and putting the tome he was reading away, he left to follow the sound of the singing. There would be a lot of people there, and numbers meant safety.

Then why did so many die under my watch?

[Sludge]

Winter was alone in his private chamber, standing perfectly still in the corner. Were one to venture inside they might be perplexed to find a room rather free of clutter with bare walls, practically empty save for a small wooden desk to one side and what would appear to be an iron suit of armor alone on the opposite wall. Left to his own devices, the living construct did very little to socialize with others, only acting on his own part when he was needed to perform some task for members of the academy.

As the melodious sound traveled through the corridor halls, it stirred the automaton mage from his stasis. The view of his surroundings became clear as he resumed "consciousness" and taking note of the siren song, he slowly willed himself to clatter to the door and out into the hall to its source.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

After Thina starts singing again, she feels a cold, daunting chill run up the back of her spine. After feeling this, her song immediately changes to one of defense and warning to all the others. This type of song, too , they have heard before, and it usually meant that someone, or something was around them that shouldn't be. The song is about a little fish that ventured too far out from his home and was stalked by a bigger fish and eaten, and as corney as the others thought of the lyrics, the melody put them on their guard and made them think twice abotu stepping into shadows.....or being alone.

[DiscipleofBob]

Raiden gazed up at the moon with a sigh. "Be on your guard tonight, Aki. Alert us all at the first sign of trouble."

If Aki chooses to talk and be friendly with me, I'll stay and continue the conversation. Otherwise:

"I'm going to go find our little songbird," he said as he strolled toward the courtyard.

Raiden can't really get a bead on whether Aki is a complete b!tch or if she's just putting up a brave facade.

The courtyard is a large lawn and garden, lit only by the stars, surrounded by a roof-covered walkway which, in this lighting, was completely engulfed in shadow. The only artificial light sources come from some torches inside the stairwell leading to the courtyard. There's only one, but it leads to everywhere else that the students are currently allowed to go simultaneously, one of those spatial quirks that took some getting used to. Also, a light is on far up in the highest tower where Matoya resides. Whereas the rest of the building is populated by animated brooms and featherdusters constantly cleaning the place by themselves, out here a series of animated gardening implements tend to the flowers and grass here. Normally this place is a pleasant respite compared to the rest of the academy, but tonight the shadows make it espcially eerie. Thina is here singing her song as the others gather toward her song.

Note: In case people are wondering, no NPC's are drawn by Thina's song.

[Great Dane]

Following Thina's melodic tune echoing through the halls, he continued at a leisurely pace. Upon hearing the melody change, he perked to attention. Although he couldn't quite make out the words, he knew those combinations of minor-scale notes and recognized the song. He fortunately wasn't too far away from Aki, and sprinting back to her position, he called out, "Get inside and double, no, triple-bar that gate. Ready whatever warding spells you know. Something's not right and we don't need to lose you on Night #1, do we darling?"

After delivering the word, he hurried through the halls and up the stairs. He could hear the heavy, mechanical feet of the Warforged behind him and his spirits lifted, knowing that one of the "big guys" had also heard Thina's durge of caution.

Soon he emerged in the courtyard, slightly out of breath but weapons in hand. He took a moment to survey the area, noting Matoya's magical instruments seemed undisturbed in their automated processes.

He quickly moved to Thina and quietly said, "I heard your song. Do you know anything? Where is it?" This was not the first time Matoya's school had experienced danger. Given her stature, she not only had many allies but many enemies...

Perception check: [roll0]
Arcana check for any unnatural magic: [roll1]

[The Crash Man]

God, that song was so corny. But at least it let Jykil know where to go. Sirens of myth used their song to lure others toward danger, but this song seemed different. It seemed almost . . . almost like a warning. Jykil's scale armor was in his pack, and before continuing to move any further the Dragonborn decided to stop and suit up. The armor would've been horrendously uncomfortable for studying in, but if there was going to be trouble he would want to be fully equipped.

Through the cold winds of the night Jykil advanced, the voice growing louder and louder as he approached the source. He turned to the merfolk, curious.

"Are you feeling ominous too, or is it just me?"

[Rausdower]

The melody and the lyrics warned of danger as Malreth turned to head back inside following being ignored by the girl. He stopped in place and drew his sword as some other students entered the courtyard. His body tensed and mind sharpened; racing words of enchantment that honed his spells.

Which, since my random encounter senses are tingling, are these spells I prepared.

Encounters (Daily for me)
Burning Hands
Shock Sphere

Utility
Shield

[DiscipleofBob]

KNOCK.

KNOCK.

KNOCK.

As tense as you were, the sudden sound echoing throughout the courtyard makes you jump before you realize it's only a sound. But where is it coming from...?

((Please make active Perception checks.))

[Great Dane]

Tuning his senses, Raiden looks for the source of the ominous sound.
[roll0]
...but loses focus as a broom whizzes by his feet.

[Rausdower]

The sharp sound rattled Malreth slightly, his body further reacted and he dropped into a fighting stance trying to turn towards the source of the sound.


Perception - [roll0]

Remember, those within 5 squares of me get a +1 racial bonus to perception

[The Crash Man]

Jykil's eyes narrowed as he tensed up, trying to look for the source of the knocking. It was loud, but the exact nature of it was still questionable . . .

[roll0]

Then he noticed Raiden and hissed, "Pay attention!" Ironically, in the process he himself lost track of the sound.

[Sludge]

By the time that Winter had made it towards the source of the bard's song, he too felt something, a sort of unnatural disturbance in arcane energies around him. One would say that he had felt what could be described as a "chill run down his spine", that is if he had one. Seeing a number of the other students from his class, the warforged followed after them, slowly but surely, into the courtyard. Assembled with the other mages, his hand just hovered near his broadsword to his side, ready for action.


Perception - [roll0]

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

As soon as the big kocking sound happened, Thina's song ended. She shot her eyes around, trying to figure out what made the sound. Generally very fun and mischievous, Thina definitely changes demeanor as soon as there is danger. "I do not believe we are alone", she says in her silky voice. "Be on your guards."

Perception [roll0]

[DiscipleofBob]

Raiden looks around at the shadows, but finds nothing but the usual movements in shadows one suspects of foul play, and the knocking only echoes for him throughout the courtyard.

Jykil swears he sees something move out of his eye and instinctively fires an Eldritch Blast, but hits nothing but a patch of flowers reducing it to a pile of smoldering ash. The gardening implements, enchanted by Matoya to dole out punishments, start chasing him...

Rolled a 6.

...but the warlock is too spry and they never catch him, eventually giving up and tending to the not-burnt plants in the garden. Jykil is thoroughly distracted though. The good news is that corner of the garden is much less frightening now that it's well lit.

Malreth, Winter, and Thina, however, manage to get a bead on the sound's origin, and it's coming from... Matoya's tower?!

Matoya's quarters are normally inaccessible from the magical staircases. Of course, if Matoya was currently willing it, they'd go straight to her room, or they could lead to the lavatory as they usually do for people who dare disturb her.

[Sludge]

Among the commotion of the assembled mages in the courtyard, Winter could only just make out the origin of the disturbance and cast his gaze towards Matoya's tower. Even in his short time of existence, the warforged had grown to learn that it was never a wise idea to disturb the old witch in her private quarters. Addressing the others, a gravely voice rumbled out between his metal maw,

"Source of disturbance... located. Course of action... investigate?"

[The Crash Man]

A very embarrassed Jykil hoped that nobody saw him fire at the flowers, thankful that his scale mail plating didn't inhibit his movement too badly. Fortunately, though, the automaton seemed to have a better idea of what was going on than he did.

"Sounds like a plan. That knocking can only mean bad news."

[Rausdower]

"That came from the tower...Matoya's experiments perhaps...though I have an ill feeling of what has transpired. If something's happened, or she's hurt, we must assist."

Malreth began walking back inside.

[Great Dane]

Raiden muttered, "What is that old witch up to now? I'm sure if she's gotten herself in a mess she could handle it...but I'm afraid of what would happen if she found out we stood around and did nothing." His mind took him back to the study, and he shuddered at the thought of a huge reading assignment. It's just the type of punishment she had doled out on him in the past. "The elf's got it right, it's time to go save the day. Maybe she'll even thank us!" said Raiden as he patted Malreth on the back, jogging beside him.

[The Crash Man]

Jykil followed the two, thankful he had his armor with him. He wasn't as familiar with the witch's habits as the others were, but he certainly knew that provoking her wrath was a bad idea.

"Stay on your guard, everyone. If something's happened at the tower of all places, we're probably going to be in quite a bit of danger.

What kind of power are you two packing for today?"

[Great Dane]

As the group neared the stairwell Raiden gently slammed the end of his staff on the ground, creating a small, audible concussive blast.

Then he, flexing his other arm slightly, created a streaking light through the blade of his dagger.

"Thunder and lightning, Scales. All the time."

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina walks up next to Jykil and whispers, "You'll have to teach me to move like that when I'm being chased by cleaning equipment." She then looks at him and gives him a wink and a smile and keeps walking with the others. Thina, too, is disturbed by the fact that something odd is going on in the tower. "I hope that this isn't a test. I don't want to walk into the bathroom.....again," Thina finishes with a hint of annoyance in her voice. Clearly this isn't the first time they have been "tested."

[DiscipleofBob]

As a welcome surprise, for once the staircase actually leads straight up to the highest tower where Matoya resides. As the group gets closer, the rhythmic knocking becomes easier to distinguish, but is joined by Matoya's loud cries. "THIEF! VANDAL! HOOLIGAN!"

Bursting into the room, a spacious laboratory and dormitory with every finery and arcane instrument a witch could want or need and cleaned by twice as many brooms and feather dusters as any other part of the building, the students find their Mistress atop of a chair atop of a desk, thrusting a broom repeatedly at the ceiling, creating the aforementioned knocking sound, "BURGLAR! ROBBER! POLITICIAN!" she continues to scream profanities at the ceiling.

[Rausdower]

"I have prepared mostly strong area spells. For your sake, stay clear of large groups."

As Malreth entered the room and saw the display of his teacher prodding the ceiling, he exclaimed, "Matoya! What in the Nine Hells is going on?!"

[Great Dane]

Raiden put a hand to his face, trying to stifle a chuckle. "Ma'am, knowing this place, that ceiling might poke you back one of these days."

Perception roll to see if anything looks cluttered or otherwise out of place, beyond the normal that is... [roll0]

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina cannot help but look at her master, with a half smile on her face. Quickly getting rid of that smile, Thina looks around to see what it is that Matoya is screaming at and poking at with her broom.

Perception [roll0]

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Staggering up the stairs and into the room behind the others comes a disheveled looking man of middle years, hastily trying to shove an overly large hat onto his head. Almost bumping into those at the back before stopping, Whats all the commotion? I heard a noise and headed right here, well almost right away that is. Just couldn't leave without my hat...

He trails off as he notices Matoya standing in the strangest spot, prodding the ceiling with a broom. What in the blue blazes is going on here?

[The Crash Man]

Jykil, a bit embarrassed that he was caught, smiled a little at the bard's comment. "I'll make sure of it," he responded, thankful it wasn't some other comment like "All hail Jykil, slayer of flowers."

Then he noticed the epic battle going on of Matoya vs. Ceiling. Part of him wanted to make some deadpan joke like "Hit it harder, miss! That'll teach it!" The other half of him, though, didn't want to get fried today.

"What's going on? Who robbed you?"

[DiscipleofBob]

"What does it look like happened?!" Matoya continues knocking at the ceiling for the brief moment of awkward silence, "No, seriously, what does it look like? Dang ceiling just came down and TOOK MY ONLY EYE!" Nothing in the room looks unusual except for the stuff that usually does, except the pedestal in the middle where Matoya kept her crystal ball is now empty.

[Rausdower]

"Poor old woman is clearly rattled...and delusional. It's possible that one using magic has used some sort of spell to pass through the ceiling. Or illusion magic perhaps.

He talked without trying to be quiet at all.

"How can we help you get the eye back from the...ceiling?

[Sludge]

Arriving on the scene with the others, Winter bore witness to the seemingly-raving antics of Matoya. In his time among his fleshy progenitors, he looked to how they behaved so that he might better emulate them. Often times he found himself at odds with how erratic they could be, but compared to Matoya as she was now, those eccentricities seemed to be baseline by comparison.

Surveying the old witch's quarters, the Warforged managed to take notice of the missing crystal ball from the pedestal where it would roost. "Search of inventory... missing. Query: method of theft... undetectable?"

[The Crash Man]

The ceiling. Took her eye. That totally didn't sound irrational or suspicious at all. However, with such little information to go on, Jykil was at a crossroads. For now, he figured the best thing to do would be inquire for more information.

"How did the ceiling take your eye? We won't be able to get it back easily if we don't know how it was stolen."

That felt ridiculous to say. But who knows, maybe it would help?

[Great Dane]

Raiden saw a golden opportunity to gain some brownie points with Matoya...after all, she constantly hassled him over his studies. He jumped up on the table, not needing a chair, and started poking the ceiling with his staff. "Spit out the ball, ceiling! I won't let this stand!"

[DiscipleofBob]

"Poor old woman is clearly rattled...and delusional. It's possible that one using magic has used some sort of spell to pass through the ceiling. Or illusion magic perhaps.

He talked without trying to be quiet at all.

"How can we help you get the eye back from the...ceiling?

"I am NOT delusional! I just can't see a dang thing! The ceiling came down, swooped over my eye, and now it's gone. I could still turn you into a toad if I so wished, just be glad I need someone to retrieve my eye!" Matoya threatens while banging the ceiling. "The thief is still here! Or is it? How can I tell when I can't see a blasted thing! Find it!" Giving up at knocking the ceiling, Matoya throws the broom against the wall, which in turn promptly shakes itself off and get back to sweeping the room.

You may make Perception checks or take any other actions you can think of.

[The Crash Man]

"Somebody with better eyes than me keep an eye on what's going on. I'm going to try to get more information on this.

Matoya, what were you doing right before the ceiling took your ball? Did you cast any spells on it or something? Were there any weird noises?

[Rausdower]

Malreth tried to feel for any stray foreign magics.

Arcane check - [roll0]

[Great Dane]

Raiden places the end of his staff against the ceiling, closes his eyes and attempts to sense unusual magic energies generating from the ceiling.
[roll0]

"I'm not the greatest at this, everyone. As if you couldn't tell from my test scores!"

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina looked all around, trying her best to discern the situation. Finally, a song came to her, a song to find her master's eye. She started singing, calling to the object, but also commanding whatever had it to give it back. She also poured her own arcane and natural magics in the song trying her best to manipulate the situation in their favor.

Ok, I am going to make some checks, a few of them for different things.
I already rolled a perception earlier, but I will roll another one if you would like, use either one you want to DOB :smallsmile: [roll0]
Arcana - Trying to get a read on her object [roll1]
Diplomacy - Trying to convince the thing that took Matoya eye, through her siren's song to come and out give it back, or just to give it back [roll2]

[DiscipleofBob]

"You blasted little whelp! I am the great witch Matoya! MY spells would not backfire or produce anything that I could not control!" Matoya screams at an armoire near Jykil.

Unfortunately sensing for strange magicks turns up nothing other than the usual. But strangely enough, Thina's song provokes a voice echoing throughout the chamber. "How quaint, the old hag can't teach any worthwhile magicks to her students, but she can teach her little birds to sing. Or is it a fish? Quite the trick I must say,"

[The Crash Man]

Jykil's eyes narrowed with annoyance as he put a hand on his flail. That voice was already starting to piss him off. However, he had an ace up his sleeve: a quick motion of his hand activated one of his favorite spells. His presence somehow seemed greater, and more persuasive. Voice low, he muttered out a savage threat.

"You wanna see worthwhile magic? If you don't drop that orb soon, we'd be happy to show you some. 'Course, I don't even think you'd live to tell the tale."

[roll0]

Activated Beguiling Tongue for the extra +5

It was part a boast, part a threat, and part a challenge. But hopefully it'd get the job done.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

After her comrades, speech, Thina tried her hand at talking. "My master did not teach me to sing. It was because I could sing she sought me out. Who are you, and why did you take my master's orb? You obviously have a problem with her, however now you have a problem with all of us. Give it back now, and I won't harm you." Thina intentionally left out everyone else from this promise because she knew her fellow students, and it was not in their nature to...not act.

Another Diplomacy Check: with word of Friendship, +5 to next Dip check
[roll0]

[Great Dane]

"You heard the man, er, dragon! Quit hiding behind your illusions and come out from the walls, weakling, and discover the talents Matoya's bestowed upon us!"Intimidate the mysterious voice[roll0]

Turning to Matoya while still on top of the desk, Raiden pleaded, "You know how much we revere your Eye! Help us with any extra information on your prized artifact and allow us to find it. Don't trouble yourself!"
Bluff, because Raiden quite frankly knows nothing about the Eye, but he wants to avoid as much future punishment as possible. He's trying to milk her for information at this point: [roll1]

[DiscipleofBob]

The voice rasps loudly in what can only be assumed is a huge laughter, "I see your teacher has done very little to instruct you in humility. No matter, the boasts of ants are comedic, if nothing else. But I've wasted enough time here. My ally shall be waiting for me by now." Thina's eye is drawn to the shadow of a nearby desk which quickly morphs and jumps to the shadow of a chair, and finally to the doorway and stairwell, all the time staying a shadow of the wall as it slithered quickly down the stairwell.

"Well? Don't just stand there like the incompetent buffoons you are, go get my eye back!"

[Gillric]

As the shadow begins to move towards the door,
It's headed for the door, after it! shouts Ezekial. Whatever it is, it seems to be the source of this confounded mess. And as it has disturbed my rest, I think it needs to be taught a good lesson even if it didn't steal the eye.

will add a couple of rolls in the ooc thread to go with this post after I check my modifiers

[Rausdower]

Malreth takes off after the mysterious shadow being. As the fastest one here, he expects to end the pursuit quickly.

[The Crash Man]

Jykil followed after the shadow being, hand raised and finger outstretched as he prepared to blind this foe if the need be.

If I we roll for initiative and I outroll the shadow, ready an action to use Eyebite before it flees.

[Great Dane]

Raiden deftly jumped down from the desk, readying his implements. He was giddy with anticipation. Haven't seen live combat in a while...this should be fun, he thought. He followed after his classmates.

[DiscipleofBob]

No one recognizes what exactly the shadow it or could be, although with only brief glimpses it's difficult to tell. Either way, it is not readily identifiable as anything you've ever heard of. The shadow darts down the stairway, only leading into the courtyard. Those who pursue it see it dart across the lawn in one quick movement, merging with and distorting the shadows on the opposite wall, "I see you think very highly of yourselves. Very well, let's see just how competent you are!" The shadows all around the courtyard twist and distort. You think you see something or rather several things move about in the shadows, but it's difficult to tell.

Matoya's Garden
(https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmWE1L0n1wCOdGpoNkZNM0JMM0NFUXlSSk82VzF4a Gc)

Hope that link works. Roll initiative and place your character anywhere in the 3x3 squares from L17 to N19.

[Great Dane]

Ill place myself when I get to my laptop. Ill be in row 19 somewhere. Won't let me make edits to the spreadsheet from my phone.

Initiative: [roll0]

[Rausdower]

Initiative - [roll0]

EDIT: The spreadsheet seem to be perpetually view only/working status for me. Can someone with access place me on L17?

[Sludge]

Initiative: [roll0]

OOC: Yeah, I'm having trouble too. Put me down about M17 please.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Initiative: [roll0]

[DiscipleofBob]

The giant face on the wall melts away, and all around the courtyard you see the shadows distort, twist, until finally some grow into a solid form. It's difficult to see, but you can make out the large, vague shadowy blob in the darkness directly across from you, as well as the two smaller shadows which appear beside it, before stepping out. The two medium-sized shadows resemble humanoid armored figures, now solid in form. The larger foe remains in the shadows. You get the eerie feeling that more shadowy enemies are appearing around you, but for the moment they remain hidden.

((This is the current Initiative. Only have four players on it now, the rest can jump in whenever they post.))
Enemy 1: 28
Winter: 21
Thina: 19
Enemy 3: 17
Malreth: 15
Raiden: 14
Enemy 2: 11

You can see the larger shadow writhing and twisting in its current position, although it doesn't move around. Suddenly, black tendrils lash out of the ground at the warforged, grabbing its legs and burying deep within the chinks in the armor. "Tell me little ones: Are you afraid of the dark? If you aren't, let me rectify that for you." The shadows all around Thina and Raiden lash out at them from all angles, cutting into their flesh like a series of whips, creating a vast web of shadow.

Enemy 1's Actions:
Attack 1: 29 VS AC (VS Winter) Damage: 6 (Immobilized until end of Enemy 1's next turn.)
ACTION POINT: Attack 2: 22 VS Reflex (VS Thina) 18 VS Reflex (VS Raiden (miss due to interrupt) ) Damage: 12 (Slowed until end of Enemy 1's next turn.)

[Great Dane]

Raiden senses the shadow tendrils lash out at him. Knowing there wasn't enough time to dodge, he formed a shield of lightning around his body. The tendrils struck harmlessly.

immediate interrupt to trigger Class Feature: Resistance Shield: end class thunder/lightning resistance for a +4 power bonus to all defenses, until end of next turn. Will note in signature.

Calling out to the darkness Raiden shouted, "Do not underestimate Matoya's Finest, creature." potential party name? "Why don't you come into the light? If not, I'll bring the light to you!

[Rausdower]

Rushing forward towards the unknown assailants, Malreth chants a series of strong arcane syllables. As he ceases moving, he releases a ball of crackling magical electricity that swiftly moves with the momentum of the motion. His outstretched hand grasps the air as the orb nearly passes the shadow being and the orb bursts in a bright blue flash.

Hopefully no ally is in the area of this. Doubt they can reach it anyway but still.

Movement to L10

Standard - Shock Sphere, Area Burst 2 centered on L4

Damage - [roll0] lightning damage

Attack on Small Shadow vs Reflex - [roll1]
Attack on Big Shadow vs Reflex - [roll2]

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina gets lashed by the shadows around her. Starting to catch on, Thina runs in the courtyard and yells to her class mates, "Everyone get out of the shadows!! They use them against us!!" Since the shadows still have a grip on her, she cannot move as far as she wants to, but she does get out of the shadows enough to feel them start to let go more. To help her allies out of the shadows as well, and to protect them, she starts a commanding song, urging them to move forward and protecting them until they get out of the shadows.

Actions
Move - To L16
Standard Converted to Move - Noble Presence Power - I am going to go ahead and move everyone for simplicities sake. Radien shifts to O17 and Ezekial to K17 and both of you get +2 to defenses until the end of my Next turn.

Arcana check to see what these things are, let me know if it is another check I need to make [roll2]

[Sludge]

Winter
HP 49/55 Surge 11/11, 13
AC 22 Fort 16 Ref 17 Will 14, Immobilized

All at once, every joint in Winter's frame seized up at once and the warforged found himself unable to move at all. What was once a walking armored suit in appearance was now merely... an armored suit. Try as he might, he could do nothing to dispel the shadowy tendrils that had possessed his body, not even with the natural arcane energies that permeated his very being.

"Mobility... severely limited. Assailant... identity unknown."

As the other students were left to their own devices for the time being, Winter braced himself for attack while attempting to perceive beyond the darkness for the true enemy.


Arcana - 1d20+11

Edit: Fudged the roll. See OOC thread for actual result.

Standard: Total defense. +2 bonus to all defenses until my next turn.

[Great Dane]

Aided by Thina's magic, Raiden is able to deftly slide out of the grasp of the shadows. They flail helplessly against the shimmering lightning covering his body.

Moving to the center of the courtyard, with Malreth in front for protection, he flexes his right arm, sending coursing lightning through his dagger and toward the shadowy monstrosity, hoping it would strike true and harm a nearby foe.

Move: O17 to L13
Standard: Lightning Strike on M3, Large Shadow: [roll0] vs. reflex for [1d8+11] lightning damage, and on a hit, the small shadow in J4 will take 3 lightning damage.
Free:Arcana check on the small shadow creatures, specifically J4 if needed: [roll1]

Raiden's lightning shield drops, but his defenses still feel bolstered by Thina's bardic magic.

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Ezekial rushes forward, Lets shed some light on this situation. he calls out before summoning forth a zone of bright light. And maybe we can even slow you down a bit. He shouts as he hurls an orb of swirling color at the larges shadow.

Double Move: to M8
Minor: Light in M5 (bright light in this square and all squares within 4)
Action Point: Colour Orb on large shadow
[roll0] vs Will
Hit: [roll1] radiant damage and dazed until the end of my next turn
Free Actions: Knowledges:
Arcana: [roll2]

Ezekial's Status:
HP38/38 Bloodied 19 Healing Surge 9 (0 used /7)
AC 20(22) Fort 15(17) Reflex 19(21) Will 18(20) Speed 6

THP 0

EFFECTS
+2 to defences from Thina

ACTION POINTS 0

At-Will Powers
Arc Lightning
Beguiling Strands
Hypnotism
Magic Missile
Light
Mage Hand

Encounter Powers
Color Orb
Charm of Misplaced Wrath NOT PREPARED
Glorious Presence
Blissful Ignorance
Fire Shroud NOT PREPARED
Chameleon’s Mask
Feather Fall NOT PREPARED
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Daily Powers
Fountain of Flame
Sleep NOT PREPARED
Fireball NOT PREPARED
Tasha’s Forcible Conscription

Item Powers
Accurate Orb of Supplementary Force
Shadowdance Cloth Armor
Accurate Orb of Mental Dominion
Amulet of Life

[DiscipleofBob]

Round Summary

After the larger shadow launches an assault of various hampering attacks, leaving Winter struggling to break free from the entangling roots, Thina's rousing voice manages to get the others out of the area of the shadows, even though they manage to trip her up enough to slow her down on her way out.

The shadows around the courtyard continue to twist and move, and it almost looks like something else is growing?

Ezekial's light spell and Color Orb hit the creature dead-on, clearly illuminating it for what it is. Its two long, spindly clawed arms cover its grotesque but still slightly humanoid face. Its body is a strange dark brown/green color, but simultaneously doesn't resemble natural earth at all. The strangest bit of all is that it isn't touching the ground. The shadow beast appears to be growing out of the ceiling, and if you look closely you can see some shadow remains around its base despite the physics of light trying to dictate otherwise. The Color Orb particularly seems to burn through its skin, whatever it's made of, as it hisses in pain.

The blast of lightning from Malreth makes the shadow warrior flinch in pain, but the larger shadow curls up and manages to avoid it by ducking behind a column for cover. But in doing so, it leaves itself wide open for Raiden's attack which strikes it in the side, the lightning ricocheting and hitting the shadow warrior already suffering from lightning.

The shadow warriors make their move. At first glance, they seemed to be fully armored figures, but in the light, their "armor" seems to be one half pure darkness and one half a strange variety of earth, with no chinks or openings in their armor to speak of. The first shadow warrior, enraged at the blast of lightning, moves up between Ezekial and Malreth bringing a large limb vaguely shaped like an axe down on Malreth.

Moves to L9
25 to hit Malreth.
11 damage, and you're marked by this particular shadow warrior until the end of its next turn.

The second, unharmed of the warrior moves forward, its "legs" never leaving the ground as it instead shuffles along, suddenly charging at the end of its supposed movement.

Moves and then charges to M12.
21 to hit Raiden.
11 damage, no mark.

Top of the Round

The larger shadow starts quickly shifting to get out of the bright light, its strange shadowy base writhing and pulsing in order to move it along the ceiling. Unfortunately for it, the blinding spells from before make it unable to do anything else.

Moves so that the top-left square of the Large Shadow is on G2. Should be completely out of the Light spell.

Thina is no longer Slowed and Winter is no longer Immobilized.

[Rausdower]

Malreth punishes the shadow being who dares mock him. He needed better practice combatants than his classmates anyway.


Melee basic attack at who marked me.
[roll0]

If I hit, no action at-will at guy who marked me for 6 fire damage. And he grants combat advantage to everyone till the end of his next turn.

[The Crash Man]

(By jump in whenever we post do you mean not rolling for initiative? Just in case, rolling anyway. When his turn comes, this is what he does.)

Initiative: [roll0]

Rushing forward, Jykil aims for the larger shadow as it retreats into the darkness. Pointing a finger, he swears an eldritch curse as he hopes to strike the creature with blindness.

[roll1] vs. Will
[roll2] damage. Big shade can't see me if this hits.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina rushes forward and calls out to the larger shadow, singing a song that's chords were sweet and melodic, taunting and calling to the shadow to move toward Thina, back into the light.

Actions:
Move: to P11
Standard: Use Cutting Words on the Large Shadow VS Will [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] psychic, & I pull his right bottom square to J5.

[DiscipleofBob]

Reposting Initiative because it was asked for:
Large Shadow: 28
Winter: 21
Thina: 19
???: 17
Ezekial: 17
Jykil: 16
Malreth: 15
Raiden: 14
Shadow Warriors: 11

[DiscipleofBob]

((Unless Sludge posts in the near future, Winter is considered to be delaying.))

((Enemy 3's Actions))

Some of the shadows in the walkway appear to be growing, but it's too dark to see what's actually there, with the exception of two that are growing near the illuminated smoldering flower patch in the top right. They appear to be narrow stalks growing out of the shadows of some pillars, ending in some strange pointed bulb. The bulbs point at their target of choice and shoot, along with other hidden stalks from all across the gardens. Black arrows fire from every direction at the party.

A "Shadow Stalk" spawns in X6 and T2. There are others, but they are currently hidden.

A total of eight shots are fired.
Three attacks VS Winter: Attack Rolls: 20, 13, 4
One attack VS Raiden: Attack Roll: 14
Two attacks VS Jykil: Attack Rolls: 30, 23
Two attacks VS Ezekial: Attack Rolls: 15, 24
It should be noted that the two visible stalks fire at Ezekial. The others come from sources hidden in the shadows.

5 damage per hit.

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Ezekial steps away from the warrior beside him and towards the large shadow again. Once out of the reach of the warror, Afraid of the light are you? Ezekial then proceeds to allow his light spell to fade in order to cast another, once again illuminating the shadow. Now to deal with a few of your friends. Bolts of arcane lightning streak from Ezekial's hands towards the two visible stalks.

Move: Shift to L7
Minor: Cast Light on G6
Standard: Arc Lightning on the two visible stalks
[roll0] vs Reflex (T2)
[roll1] vs Reflex (X16)
Hit: [roll2] lightning damage

Ezekial's Status:
HP33/38 Bloodied 19 Healing Surge 9 (0 used /7)
AC 20 Fort 15 Reflex 19 Will 18 Speed 6

THP 0

EFFECTS

ACTION POINTS 0

At-Will Powers
Arc Lightning
Beguiling Strands
Hypnotism
Magic Missile
Light
Mage Hand

Encounter Powers
Color Orb
Charm of Misplaced Wrath NOT PREPARED
Glorious Presence
Blissful Ignorance
Fire Shroud NOT PREPARED
Chameleon’s Mask
Feather Fall NOT PREPARED
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Daily Powers
Fountain of Flame
Sleep NOT PREPARED
Fireball NOT PREPARED
Tasha’s Forcible Conscription

Item Powers
Accurate Orb of Supplementary Force
Shadowdance Cloth Armor
Accurate Orb of Mental Dominion
Amulet of Life

[Great Dane]

The shot from the stalk manages to harmlessly splash off of Raiden's robes. He sees an opportunity to do some serious damage to these shadow creatures. In a flash of light, he disappears from sight, reappearing near the shadow who was staggered only a few seconds ago.

Move: Use Spatial Trip to teleport to K10
Minor: Lightning Cuts on the shadow in L9 granting combat advantage: [roll0] vs. reflex for [roll1] + [roll2], which includes 1/encounter Sneak Attack

Making a lightning-infused stab at the shadow in the dark and striking true, Raiden focuses his attention on the large shadow and a newly-revealed shadow stalk.

Standard: Lightning Strike on the large shadow in H3: [roll3] vs. reflex for [roll4] damage, and if I hit the stalk in D2 takes 3 lightning damage. I will take an AoO from L9, but I am hoping he will be marked at the time of my attacks considering the defenders go before me.

[Sludge]

Winter
HP 49/55 Surge 11/11, 13
AC 22 Fort 16 Ref 17 Will 14

"Mobility... restored. Subjects identified. Begin operation."

Free of the paralyzing phantoms that had him bound, Winter enters into the fray. With broadsword at the ready, he makes his way to the defense of the other students, charging one of the shadows in battle with Malreth and Raiden. He swings his mighty blade against the creature, calculating the sort of attack that might cause a significant blow. His weapon glows with arcane power as a conduit upon its strike, leaving a crackling of magical energy that sticks to it dark composition.


Move: To I12.

Standard: Charge to K9
Attack VS. L9's AC - [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Minor: Aegis of Shielding; L9 is marked. -2 penalty to attacks directed at a target other than Winter.

[The Crash Man]

Jykil's armor was pierced by the shadowy tendrils as if it wasn't even there. He gritted his teeth, glaring angrily at the large shadow. Surely it was responsible.

"You're gonna pay for that, shade. Now by Bahamut's will, stand and fight!

However, he had a trick up his sleeve. Even as he made his boast, arcane energy began to crackle around his hand. How could you fight with what you couldn't see?

Move to H7, use the tried and true combo of Paladin's Challenge and Eyebite on the shadow.

39/49 health.

EYEBITE: vs. Will. [roll]1d6+5 damage that had better work this time!

Also, it turns out I had been forgetting a few bonuses to damage and attack. That should be rectified now!

[DiscipleofBob]

Winter gets into a better position and charges the strange shadowy warrior, cutting a huge black chunk out of his hide. Thina's song beckons the larger shadow into the light, but all she manages to do is make it howl and recoil with a rather large headache.

The black stalk growths then appear and shoot a barrage of black arrows at the young wizards ((the attacks I mentioned earlier)), but many of the stalks are still hidden in the shadows, only three visible at the moment.

Ezekial fires a lightning blast at the two visible stalks, but manages to hit only the stone walls around the nimble, narrow stalks.

Jykil finally enters the fray and tries an illusionary spell to make himself invisible to the large shadow. Unfortunately, the damage from Thina's song also serves as a buffer to the illusion and it fails.

Malreth focuses his attention on the shadow warrior in front of him, his blade cutting deep where its heart should be, not killing it but visibly staggering it (Bloodied).

Raiden teleports into the same place as Winter, miraculously not accidentally merging with the body of the Warforged. His series of lightning blasts take whole chunks out of the warrior's dark armor, leaving only the bare frame left (Bloodied).

The staggering shadow warrior as a last ditch attempt swings its giant bladed arm all around it at Winter, Raiden, and Malreth. The two defenders manage to deflect the attack, only for it to cut that more deeply into the lightly armored Raiden, knocking the sorcerer over.

Attack Rolls: 15 VS Winter (miss), Critical VS Raiden (13 damage, and you are dazed, prone, and marked. This attack did include the defender, so mark penalty does not apply)

The other, undamaged warrior recognizes the hidden threat in the bard, and moves to attack her.

24 to hit. 4 damage, and you're marked.

Top of the Round

The larger being moves to get into the shadows, reaching them, but not being fully protected by them. Selecting over the many targets, it weaves its strange powers and a series of dark, root-like tendrils erupt from the ground to target Jykil, but the agile Dragonborn quickly dances through the roots and makes it out unharmed.

19 to hit, so miss.

((Crashed Man, you moved twice. I don't remember where you were before H7 but I moved you back. This round you can move there on your turn if you like.))

[The Crash Man]

(. . . Crap! I thought you posted a new turn with that other post of yours. Sorry, didn't realize that was a new enemy!

Just going to use that exact same move next turn. Terribly sorry for the mix up.)

[Sludge]

Winter
HP 49/55 Surge 11/11, 13
AC 22 Fort 16 Ref 17 Will 14

Through the combined efforts of Winter and his "classmates", the wispy shadow creature looked to be suffering considerably as its form started to lose coherent shape. But in the next moment, it soon snapped to attention in a solid form and lunged at the three of them. The warforged had managed to deflect the blow harmlessly, as did the elf Malreth, the human Raiden was not so fortunate. In retaliation, Winter brought his blade to bear on the shadow once more, a sound of a thunderclap echoing in the garden as he struck!


Move: Shift to K9

Standard: Booming Blade on Shadow Warrior at L9
Attack VS. AC - [roll0]
Damage: [roll1] If target is adjacent to Winter at the start of its turn and moves away, it takes [roll2] Thunder damage.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina's song get interrupted by a slash from a shadow warrior that appears in front of her. Recovering from the strike and eyeing the shadow down, Thina releases a cacophony of songs, seemingly all at once while she seems to do quite a few things at once as well. First, out of nowhere, you see Thina rise up and change into her native mer-form and get carried across the battlefield by what looks like a tidal wave from the shore, dropping her off by Raiden. After reverting back to her humanoid form, she turns to Raiden, who's wounds seem to dissipate, as her song of healing sweeps over him, infusing him with healing arcane energies. Next she turns to the Shadow that attacked her, and sings a vengerful, powerful song that makes everyone thank their stars that they are on her side.

Actions
Move - River Dash to K11
Minor - Majestic Word on Raiden, Take a healing surge + 5 hit points, and gain 5 temp hit points
Standard - Disorienting Ditty on O11 shadow, VS Will [roll0]
Damage - [roll1] psychic, choose a square adjacent to the target(P12). If the target does not enter that square before the end of its next turn, it takes psychic damage equal to your Charisma modifier(5 dmg)

[DiscipleofBob]

Winter's attack obliterates the shadow warrior into fine chunks, and Thina's dazzling display of magic confounds the remaining shadow warrior.

Then the barrage of black arrows begins again...

All attacks VS AC
Three attacks VS Jykil.
(26, 15, 21)
Two attacks VS Thina.
(17, 21)
Two attacks VS Ezekial.
(26, 27)
5 damage per hit.

Current Initiative:
Large Shadow: 28
Winter: 21
Thina: 19
Shadow Stalks: 17
Ezekial: 17
Jykil: 16
Malreth: 15
Raiden: 14
Shadow Warriors: 11

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Ezekial again works to keep the large shadow trapped in the light before moving towards the stalks in the corner by the ruined flower bed and trying to strike them down.

Minor: Light on G7
Move: to R7
Standard: Arc Lightning on the two stalks by the ruined flower bed
[roll0] (T2)
[roll1] (X6)
Hit: [roll2]


Ezekial's Status:
HP 23/38 Bloodied 19 Healing Surge 9 (0 used /7)
AC 20 Fort 15 Reflex 19 Will 18 Speed 6

THP 0

EFFECTS

ACTION POINTS 0

At-Will Powers
Arc Lightning
Beguiling Strands
Hypnotism
Magic Missile
Light
Mage Hand

Encounter Powers
Color Orb
Charm of Misplaced Wrath NOT PREPARED
Glorious Presence
Blissful Ignorance
Fire Shroud NOT PREPARED
Chameleon’s Mask
Feather Fall NOT PREPARED
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Daily Powers
Fountain of Flame
Sleep NOT PREPARED
Fireball NOT PREPARED
Tasha’s Forcible Conscription

Item Powers
Accurate Orb of Supplementary Force
Shadowdance Cloth Armor
Accurate Orb of Mental Dominion
Amulet of Life

[Rausdower]

Malreth concentrates his efforts on the remaining shadow being.

Melee Basic Attack at the shadow.
[roll0]
[roll1]

If hit, 6 fire damage and he grants CA

HP 33/44 Bloodied 22 Healing Surge 8 (0 used)
AC 21 Fort 14 Reflex 19 Will 15 Speed 7

THP 0

EFFECTS

ACTION POINTS 1

Daily Powers
Burning Hands
Shock Sphere

Daily Utility
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Item Powers
Quick Longsword
Bestial Armor
Cape of the Montebank

[Great Dane]

Raiden gasped as a dark blade raked across his chest drawing blood as he stumbled backwards. Looking up, the Mer stood over him and he heard her singing voice in his head. Looking down at his chest, he saw his would had mostly closed (and, somehow, his robe was mended). Healing magic was powerful stuff.

The wound, however, caused him to need to catch his breath and regroup. He had time for one action. From a prone position, he fired an orb of bright hues at the remaining Shadow Warrior, hoping Malreth could lock him down so his allies could focus at the shadow beast.


Standard: Color Orb, ranged 5 vs. Shadow Warrior in O11, [roll0] vs. Will for [roll1] radiant damage. If hit, enemy is dazed until end of my next turn.

[DiscipleofBob]

Ezekial fires another blast of lightning a the two visible stalks, blowing one to shadowy chunks but the ricochet strikes a column instead.

Jykil moves into position and casts his Eyebite spell, the shadowy hulk grasping its head in pain before it looks around for the source. Even though the warlock is standing basically right in front of him, the shadow sees nothing.

Malreth goes to strike the remaining shadow warrior, but not only does his blade deflect awkwardly off the armor, his concentration briefly breaks and the firey enchatment explodes in his face

Malreth takes his own 6 fire damage.

Raiden's Color Orb explodes all over the shadow warrior, searing its flesh in multi-colored flames.

Hissing in pain, the shadow warrior strikes at its only close target, the elf currently on fire.

26 VS AC to hit. 11 damage and you're marked.

Top of the Round

The giant shadow once more shifts around the arena. It desires very much to trap the warlock, but since he seems to have vanished, it opts to go after the pretty one instead. Shadowy tendrils erupt around Thina and flail wildly, but are unable to truly grasp her.

Moves so that the top-left square is in B11

19 VS AC so miss, and I'm pretty sure Jykil's got some Paladin-mojo to deal here.

[The Crash Man]

Jykil grows weary as two more shadowy arrows hit him, but he smirks as the large shadow tries to hurt the bardess.

"Don't think so, creep!"

A blast of of radiant light comes from Jykil as he loses the benefit of being obscured from the shadow's view, striking the shade for daring to ignore his challenge.

The paladin moved swiftly, opening his mouth and charging up a ball of blue energy as he muttered an arcane incantation. He pointed toward the light, almost as if he was forcing the shadow into it.

4 damage for the Paladin mark being triggered. Yay!

Move to F11, using my Dragon Breath and Curse of Dark Dream in one strike with my minor and standard actions.

[roll0] and [roll1] for Dragon Breath

[roll2] and [roll3] for Cure of Dark Dream. Move shade so upper right square is in 9D if a hit.

Breath hits Reflex, Curse hits Will Dice don't fail me now!

Jykil one more 5 away from being bloodied.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina dodges the tendrils of the big shadow, looks back at it, and smirks. She actually laughs at it and says, "I thought for a big bad shadow you might pack more of a punch....but I guess you are just in the dark." She then turns to her comrade, who looks fairly badly injured, and sings a song of healing, sending arcane energies to him and healing his wounds as well. She then turns back to the big shadow, changing her song to one of mockery, making the shadows out to be a fools, and calling all things that lurk in the shadows fools and idiots, taunting them to attack her.

Actions
Minor - Majestic Word on Malreth, use a healing surge + 5 hit point and gain 5 temporary Hit points as well.
Standard - Vicious Mockery on Big Shadow VS Will, [roll0]
Damage - [roll1] psychic, the target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn.
Move - J14

[Rausdower]

Malreth recovers quickly with the help of Thina's healing words and goes in for another strike. He wouldn't dwell on the strange backlash of magic or how it occurred and let it break his focus.


Melee Basic Attack
[roll0]
[roll1]

Shadow Sever at-will if hit for 4 necrotic damage (not 6 as I originally thought, that's paragon :smalleek:) plus the target is now prone

And if not vanquished

Quick Longsword Daily Power (If I previously hit)
MBA
[roll2] +2 for CA
[roll3]

And Dancing Fire at-will for 4 fire damage, grants CA


HP 33/44 Bloodied 22 Healing Surge 8 (1 used)
AC 21 Fort 14 Reflex 19 Will 15 Speed 7

THP 5

EFFECTS

ACTION POINTS 1

Daily Powers
Burning Hands
Shock Sphere

Daily Utility
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Item Powers
Quick Longsword
Bestial Armor
Cape of the Montebank

[Sludge]

Winter
HP 49/55 Surge 11/11, 13
AC 22 Fort 16 Ref 17 Will 14

With his first opponent slain, the warforged turned his focus to the large mass of shadows that seemed to be the orchestrator of this chaos. Striding towards it Winter's body pulsed with arcane energy that centered on the monster. With spellblade in hand, he hurled his weapon forward at the beast and in the same motion it returned back to his hand, an elegant dance through the air as it did.

Move: E12

Minor: Aegis of Shielding burst 2; Large Shadow is marked.

Standard: Ranged basic attack on Large Shadow
Attack VS AC: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]

Action Point: Standard action to recall Farbond Spellblade

[DiscipleofBob]

Stalks Turn

The black arrows fire again, but this time something different happens. The one visible one aims for Ezekial, but when the mage ducks in time, the arrow keeps going to the opposite wall, deflecting a different arrow as it did so. When it vanishes into the shadow, instead of the familiar sound of an arrow hitting stone, you hear the sound of one of the stalks being shattered.

I got a natural 1 on one of the attack rolls, and the other rolls were fairly poor. Said minion accidentally deflected one of the other attacks and killed one of the other minions.

((Also, Winter, you don't need to spend an action point to recall your blade. It just automatically returns to you.

Waiting on Ezekial and Raiden's actions.))

[Gillric]

Ezekial

With the sound of another stalk shattering Ezekial works to expose any others and destroys the one already visible. You guys bring down the big one, I will mop up some of these stalks.

Standard: Magic missile on stalk in T2, auto hit for 9
Move: to R13
Minor: Light on T15

Ezekial's Status:
HP 23/38 Bloodied 19 Healing Surge 9 (0 used /7)
AC 20 Fort 15 Reflex 19 Will 18 Speed 6

THP 0

EFFECTS

ACTION POINTS 0

At-Will Powers
Arc Lightning
Beguiling Strands
Hypnotism
Magic Missile
Light
Mage Hand

Encounter Powers
Color Orb
Charm of Misplaced Wrath NOT PREPARED
Glorious Presence
Blissful Ignorance
Fire Shroud NOT PREPARED
Chameleon’s Mask
Feather Fall NOT PREPARED
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Daily Powers
Fountain of Flame
Sleep NOT PREPARED
Fireball NOT PREPARED
Tasha’s Forcible Conscription

Item Powers
Accurate Orb of Supplementary Force
Shadowdance Cloth Armor
Accurate Orb of Mental Dominion
Amulet of Life

[Great Dane]

Raiden remains in a slightly crouched position, hoping to avoid the shots fired by the stalks around the perimeter of the garden. He took a quick look toward the southern end of the courtyard hoping to see additional stalks.

At Ezekial's direction, he focuses on the shadowy behemoth, flexing his right arm and sending more coursing lightning through his dagger and at the enemy, hoping to FINISH HIM.

Live combat was way more fun than his practice dummy.


Move: Crawl from J10 to I13
Minor: Active perception check toward the southern border [roll0] to find additional stalks.
Standard: Lightning Strike at the large shadow, [roll1] vs. Ref for [roll2] lightning damage. If I roll above a 3 but miss, add in Heroic Effort for an additional +4 to the attack roll. If my active perception check discovers another stalk within 10 of the large shadow, and I hit with lightning strike, the new stalk will take 3 lightning damage.

[DiscipleofBob]

Winter marks the large shadow, but his swing misses as the darkness makes it difficult to perceive creature from actual shadow.

Malreth manages to bloody his target, but the humanoid shadow isn't down just yet.

Ezekial blasts the visible stalk and moves his light source to reveal two more.

The stalks fire their black arrows, but this time they all miss. One arrow even goes awry and severs a stalk on the opposite wall.

Jykil, Thina, and Raiden focus-fire their various attacks against the large shadow, electrifying and telepathically assaulting it before finally it's ripped from its roots and collapses on the ground in a large pile of strange, black mud, unrecognizable from its previous form.

The remaining shadow warrior crosses blades with Malreth, but is unable to get a solid hit in.

Top of the Round

Large Shadow
Winter
Thina
Shadow Stalks
Ezekial
Jykil
Malreth
Raiden
Shadow Warrior

[Rausdower]

MBA @ Shadow
[roll0]
[roll1]

Dancing Flame for 4 fire damage if hit

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Seeing many of the foes falling, Thina decides to help Malreth with his shadow problem. She slightly changes her tune to one of a dissonant nature, seeming to disrupt the shadow's very being, rendering it a less effective attacker.

Actions
Move - To O16
Standard - Dissonant strain against Shadow Warrior VS will, [roll0]
Damage - [roll1] psychic, the target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn. In addition, an ally within 5 squares of you can make a saving throw. Who wants it or needs it?

[DiscipleofBob]

The stalks fire again, this time less than before. The two visible stalks fire at Ezekial. Two arrows fly from somewhere in the west wall, one at Winter, the other at Jykil.

Attack Rolls: (Natural 20 VS Winter so auto-hit. Not giving the minion and bonus on a crit.)
(25 VS AC against Jykil)
(16 VS AC and 21 VS AC against Ezekial)
(5 damage each).

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Ezekial throws up a shield of arcane power as the stalks lunch their bolts at him.

Immediate Interrupt: Shield (+4 to AC and Ref UENT)

As the bolts shatter against his shield, Ezekial launches two bolts of lightning back at the stalks before moving towards the lower west corner of the garden.

Standard: Arc Lightning
[roll0] vs X16
[roll1] vs U19
[roll2] lightning damage
Move: to L13
Minor: if both stalks die, Light in G15 (will update map if both stalks die)

Ezekial's Status:
HP 23/38 Bloodied 19 Healing Surge 9 (0 used /7)
AC 20 Fort 15 Reflex 19 Will 18 Speed 6

THP 0

EFFECTS

ACTION POINTS 0

At-Will Powers
Arc Lightning
Beguiling Strands
Hypnotism
Magic Missile
Light
Mage Hand

Encounter Powers
Color Orb
Charm of Misplaced Wrath NOT PREPARED
Glorious Presence
Blissful Ignorance
Fire Shroud NOT PREPARED
Chameleon’s Mask
Feather Fall NOT PREPARED
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Daily Powers
Fountain of Flame
Sleep NOT PREPARED
Fireball NOT PREPARED
Tasha’s Forcible Conscription

Item Powers
Accurate Orb of Supplementary Force
Shadowdance Cloth Armor
Accurate Orb of Mental Dominion
Amulet of Life

[DiscipleofBob]

Crit

Ezekial's first bolt of lightning (the 6) just misses one of the shadowy tendrils, but the second bolt of lightning not only sears through the second tendril, but the enchantment is particularly strong and the lightning conducts through the entire southeastern corridor, blasting apart even the second tendril from earlier.

(Crit blasts both minions away.

The new light source placed in G15 does not reveal any new targets.)

[Great Dane]

Given that the remaining shadow warrior is the only enemy Raiden can see, he fires another lightning bolt his direction.

Standard: Lightning Strike against the shadow warrior, [roll0] vs. reflex for [roll1] lightning damage. If I roll a 2 or higher and miss, I'll spend my Human Effortfor an additional +4 to the roll.
Move: Crawl to F14
Minor: Active perception to find more stalks: [roll2]

[DiscipleofBob]

((Winter and Jykil delay until further notice))

Thina's song echoes forth, and the warrior vibrates and explodes from the frequency of the noise.

Ezekial's lightning blasts the remaining stalks with his lightning before moving the light source.

Raiden sees the other targets fall and attempts to locate the remaining stalks from his "unique" vantage point on the ground. Accidentally wandering a little too close to the flower garden, the nearby malevolent gardening implements attack Raiden from his 'vantage point' starting the process of burying him as if he were another sapling. Raiden fires off a couple blasts of lightning in retaliation, not hitting the remaining stalks, but revealing their location for the others.

((Raiden takes 5 damage from the gardening implements. Your turn is expended as well as your Heroic Effort. Other stalks are revealed though.

Malreth can redo his turn, and Jykil and Winter can jump in whenever they get a chance too.))

[Rausdower]

Move to G10 and cast Magic Missile at the B15 Shadow for 7 force damage

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina runs to the stalk to her right, and re-directs her song to it, hoping to end it, and the threat.

Actions
Move - F9
standard - Vicious Mockery VS Will on B4 [roll0]
Damage - [roll1], psychic damage, and the target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn.

[DiscipleofBob]

Victory! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3suGfhnT2Sg)

The last shadow writhes and explodes.

However, from the shadows, the laughing voice echoes, "You've managed to slay the shadow of a shadow. How quaint. I wonder if the rest of the old bat's children are as competent. Say, that lovely little thing you've got at the front gate. I must say I rather like your taste in guards."

It is unclear whether the voice's owner is still present in the courtyard.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina hears the things words and is worried. However, knowing they need to rest, she starts a song. As the song washes over them, they feel better, scrapes are wiped away, cuts are healed up, and bruises fade away, and are inclined to stay until the sons is over. The song doesn't last too long, but long enough for them to rest. As soon as the song is over, Thina readies herself, looks at the others with her blue eyes seemingly on fire, and says, "Aki needs us now, she is in trouble." And the she turns and runs for the front gate.

So song of rest is what I am doing, take whatever healing surges you need at the 5 min rest (I suggest we take) and each surge get +5 HP's added to it. I will do this at every short rest we take DOB, just FYI.

[Great Dane]

Raiden mutters sternly under his breath, Dammit, it's her first night!

He then says to the group, "Hurry, Aki may need our help at the gate!"

Edit: I'll spend a surge too, recharge all encounters.

[The Crash Man]

Jykil gritted his teeth, bloodied by the strikes. He clutched his head with agony as he felt his alternate persona struggling for dominance, just aching to take up the reigns. Of course, the healing song renewed Jykil's energy and gave him enough strength to fight the persona off.

"Thanks a ton. I needed that.

We can't waste any more time, though. We've got to help the newbie!

He rushed off, weapon still firmly in his grasp as he followed after the bardess and the lightning mage.

Jykil was down to bloodied, takes a Healing Surge to bump himself back up to a respectable 39 HP. Next time he's bloodied, though, we'll finally get to meet the voice that lives in his head!

[Rausdower]

Upon hearing the disembodied threat towards the guard which he knew only by passing, Malreth takes a moment to prepare for the next fight. Hopefully, she isn't just guarding the front gates expected to talk potential threats down. Weapon gripped tightly, he sprints towards the entrance.

Spend one healing surge, back to full health.

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Damn it, we better go check on her. Ezekial sighs before heading off to check on the newbie.

spend one surge to regain 14 HP and put Ezekial back to 37

Ezekial's Status:
HP 37/38 Bloodied 19 Healing Surge 9 (1 used /7)
AC 20 Fort 15 Reflex 19 Will 18 Speed 6

THP 0

EFFECTS

ACTION POINTS 0

At-Will Powers
Arc Lightning
Beguiling Strands
Hypnotism
Magic Missile
Light
Mage Hand

Encounter Powers
Color Orb
Charm of Misplaced Wrath NOT PREPARED
Glorious Presence
Blissful Ignorance
Fire Shroud NOT PREPARED
Chameleon’s Mask
Feather Fall NOT PREPARED
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Daily Powers
Fountain of Flame
Sleep NOT PREPARED
Fireball NOT PREPARED
Tasha’s Forcible Conscription

Item Powers
Accurate Orb of Supplementary Force
Shadowdance Cloth Armor
Accurate Orb of Mental Dominion
Amulet of Life

[DiscipleofBob]

The group of mages rush through the magical stairway to the front lobby. Aki is staring at the large front doors, trying to figure out how to bar them as instructed, as there doesn't seem to be an obvious way to do so. She's startled as the party enters, "You're all in quite the hurry. What happened? Is the old bat on a rampage?" she asks, not aware of any of the danger that's taken place inside these halls.

[Great Dane]

We're under attack. Have you seen anything unusual?

Perception check in and around the gated area: [roll0]
Arcana check to detect anything of an unnatural, shadowy arcane origin [roll1]

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina rushes up to Aki. She always thought Aki was kind of a ditsy girl and too proud of her powers. However, she never wanted to see harm come to her. "Do you not know of the trouble that has been happening in this place? There is an enemy here and his next target was you, or so its threat went. Have you seen anything unusual?"

[Gillric]

Ezekail

Catching up to the others in time to hear Aki's reaction to their appearnce, Ezekial sighs audibly. It would appear that this supposed threat against our door person would be a ruse to distract us.

[The Crash Man]

Jykil notices Raiden's attempts at scouting and decides to lend a hand. Rather than scouting on his own, he focused on areas that Raiden was possibly missing to try and assist him.

A pair of Aid Another actions, first for Arcane and second for Perception. If I recall correctly that's a +2 bonus to Raiden's rolls for success and -1 penalty for failure, with a DC being 10 + 1/2 level? Lets hope I beat 12!

[roll0]
[roll1]

[DiscipleofBob]

Thina and Raiden briefly offer differing opinions on what's actually going on, and at quite an emotional level, their arguing distracting themselves and the others from the real threat...

A shadow separates from Raiden's, having hitched a ride during the distractions of the last fight, races up to the ceiling silently without anyone noticing it. Only when it hovers near the door does a large, green, grotesque figure emerges from the ceiling...

http://images.wikia.com/finalfantasy/images/3/3d/Echidna_psp.gif

It lowers, still attached to the ceiling, behind the distracted Aki, takes one of its large slender claws and slashes her across the back. With a scream the sorceress goes down, her blood the same color as her dress, the attention of everyone finally drawn.

"Why thank you, little ones for showing me the way out. I must confess the architecture of the place rather confusing. But now I must bid you adieu." The monster retracts back up into the ceiling and the shadow slips under the crack of the door to the outside ((effectively its action during the surprise round)), probably hoping that the severely wounded sorceress will be enough of a diversion for it to escape.

[Great Dane]

Raiden feels an odd sort of weightlessness lift away from him. Looking up and seeing the new menace claw his new acquaintance he exclaims,
"Are you kidding me??"

Rushing over to Aki, he gently lifts her up and asks, "Are you okay? Stay here for now; we'll pursue this shadow..."

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Seeing Raiden move to assist Aki, Ezekial moves to the door and pulls it open.

[DiscipleofBob]

The doors are large and heavy, but still not too difficult for Ezekial to open. The shadow dashes along the bridge before slipping over the railing, never once leaving the surface upon which it travels.

Something rockets out of Matoya's tower in wildly unpredictable angles before finally settling down in the sky near the bridge. "What happened? Did any of you get my eye back? Which one of you ingrates am I talking to?" Hopefully it was the broom and not Matoya that was doing the steering.

[Gillric]

Ezekial

We dispatched a number of shadow creatures in the gardens before coming here. One of them attacked Aki and fled through this door before disappearing under the bridge mere moments before you arrived.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina rushes over to Aki, and summoning her arcane powers, heals the wounds the shadow gave the poor girl. Thina then turns to Matoya, "As Ezekial said, we destroyed quite a few shadow creatures, but the main creature seemed to not completely get destroyed, despite the fact that we fell it. It somehow used a shadow form to battle us, instead of its true form." Thina then goes on to describe what the creature looked like, before it fled.

[DiscipleofBob]

"Well? What are you waiting for? Go after it!" Matoya is even more hysterical than usual.

Now that you've actually seen and fought this thing for a little, appropriate knowledge or other skill checks might yield more information.

[Great Dane]

Raiden ensures that Aki has been stabilized. "Rough first day for you, huh?" as he touches her shoulder.

Heeding Matoya's advice Raiden runs out of the gate and tries to detect the direction in which the shadow may have headed.

Arcana check to detect the shadowy presence [roll0]
Perception check to see any unusual shadows [roll1]

[Rausdower]

Malreth chases after the shadow and looks down over the bridge where it fled judging how suicidal a leap from an ordinary being off the bridge would be. His mind also fled to ancient texts of battles and tomes of knowledge with insubstantial beings such as this.

Gonna guess jumping off the bridge is a bad idea? :smalltongue:

Also, history check to know what we are dealing with [roll0]

[DiscipleofBob]

Aki is still bleeding and unconscious, her state of health unknown.

As Raiden and Malreth search for the strange creature which spawns from shadows, having never heard of such a creature either in history texts or their magical studies, observation of the creature leads to one possible conclusion: that the creature either must or prefers to appear only from the ceiling. With that in mind, plus the fact that despite its speed it couldn't have made that kind of progress that fast, it's likely that the creature is still under the bridge. In fact, it's kind of hard to tell against the cold night wind, but there definitely seems to be at least one presence under the bridge, not that you have a visual from this angle.

[The Crash Man]

"Alright, I'll be remaining on guard duty. Bahamut knows that shadow-beast probably left some stragglers behind. And I'm not letting anyone else get hurt on my watch.

Jykil assumed a guarding sense, shield held high and weapon at ready. The look in his high was fierce, daring anybody who wanted to die to try and attack Aki. Matoya was a powerful mage, but she was also blind and without a crystal ball. Anything quiet enough to sneak past her would have no problems hurting Aki, or worse, infiltrating the school.

[Great Dane]

Raiden peered around the bridge and underneath it to get a sense for how deep the terrain ran and to see if the group stood any chance of venturing under it in order to confront the shadow.

Perception check to get a general feel for the area and if there are spaces from which we could potentially fight: [roll0]
Dungeoneering check to see how stable the rocks and terrain under the bridge appear, and if they would be walkable, as well as ascertaining the easiest path to where we think the shadow is: [roll1]
Nature check on any flora we see that could aid us in movement? Like grabbing vines, walking on softer moss instead of rocky terrain, etc. [roll2]

"We can't let this guy get away. If it does, it could bring friends back to cause more trouble. And let's not forget how pissed Matoya will be if we don't bring back her eye...thing. Bad joke alert: eyes open people!"

[Rausdower]

"Chasing a shadow in the dead of night? There are fewer more futile options suggestable, sorcerer. We need to draw it into the open...into the light."

Malreth picks up a stone from the ground and speaks brief but strong words that cause the rock to shine brightly and float into the air. With a brief hand motion, it lowers and hovers under the bridge.

Mage hand and light spells on...something I find on the ground. May or may not be rock related. Move the stone under the bridge to grant light there. Would like the stone moved further down the bridge but can only move it 5 squares.

[DiscipleofBob]

Matoya gives a brief smile and starts waving her magic wand, an uneasy sight for the lot of you in the past made all the more terrifying wth the fact that she's blind right now.

"So this creature prefers the ceiling?
Well let's give it a sinking feeling."

There's now a strange magical effect thanks to Matoya directly under the ceiling. "Well? What are you waiting for? Get after it! The spell won't last forever!

((To Rausdower))
Malreth struggles to maintain the hovering rock as suddenly it appears that gravity has shifted directly under the bridge so that the rock wants to fall up towards the underside of the bridge, certainly a jarring effect for anyone trying to maintain a proper levitation spell.

[Rausdower]

All of you, on me!

Malreth jumps over the side of the bridge and twists his body to try to land on his feet.

Acrobatics check - [roll0]

Will hold off on further actions till we get the map.

[DiscipleofBob]

As you jump off the side, a normally suicidal action given that you can't even see the ground below, you fall past the side of the bridge and suddenly your descent slows, and suddenly reverses. Your senses take a moment to adjust to the new center of gravity as you fall back up towards the ceiling landing on the underside of the bridge, the creature from before clearly in sight and clearly confused along with... something else.

((More later tonight once I get the map up.))

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

After tending to Aki, and taking a few minutes to figure out what to do, Thina sees Malreth just jump off the bridge, after Matoya having cast some sort of spell. She jumps up after him and screams, "No!", but then she sees him levitate back up and disappear under the bridge. Wow, Matoya's magic is strong indeed, and then a smile grows across her face. She then dashes off after Malreth yelling, "No fun without me!!" And she dives off the side, where Malreth did, as if she were diving into water.

[Great Dane]

Raiden chuckles and rolls his eyes as he jogs to the edge of the bridge. That old bat's forgotten more magic than I know right now. Maybe I should hit the books...

After seeing his allies' strange movements mid-air under the bridge, he sits on the edge, leans back, and falls, gracefully flipping in midair as the alternative gravity pulls him feet-first against the stone underbelly. Implements in hand, he peers down the "walkway".

Perception check to look down the walkway: [roll0]

[DiscipleofBob]

Those who leap over flip to the underside of the bridge, an arch spanning a good distance. The ceiling, now the floor, curved upward towards the ground on each side.

The strange green creature is currently exposed, confused and disoriented by the gravity shift, but it's not alone. Next to it is a large yellow creature, a demonic one-eyed bulbous orb with bat-like wings and rows of vicious jagged teeth:

http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080918093436/finalfantasy/images/5/5a/Ahriman_PSP.gif

"Heh, looks like you've got your claws full, Echidna. I'll let you handle this."

"Damn you Ahriman! After I went through the trouble of getting you your blasted crystal ball, you're going to leave me here?!"

"If I don't hear from you again, I'll let the master and the others know that you were died honorably in combat against schoolchildren."


Bridge Underside Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmWE1L0n1wCOdEN0V1l6dmVxWDAtMzNhelNsS0NnR 0E#gid=0)
((Roll for initiative.))

[Great Dane]

"Really? After that impressive feat you just pulled with latching onto my shadow like that, you're going to let that flying freak boss you around?"

Intimidate or Bluff, whichever seems more appropriate, both rolls are the same: [roll0]
Initiative: [roll1]

[DiscipleofBob]

Battle Initiative:
Ahriman: 30
Thina: 18
Malreth: 17
Ezekial: 15
Raiden: 14
Winter: (Not rolled yet)
Jykil: (Not rolled yet)
Echidna: (Not rolled yet/Surprised.)


The Ahriman flies off cackling at the Echidna's misfortune, barely affected by the shift in gravity as it does so, with a large crystal ball tucked in its talons, while the Echidna seems to have difficulty retreating back into its shadow, cursing the creature as it flies away.

Ahriman flies off the map. No longer relevant for this fight. You get a surprise round against Echidna.

[Great Dane]

Raiden grins at the creature's bewilderment and is eager to punish him for infiltrating the keep. He fires off a colorful orb that he suspects may harm him further.

Standard: Color Orb, ranged 5. [roll0] +2 for combat advantage, vs. will for [roll1] radiant damage. If it hits, target is dazed until end of my next turn.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Seeing that this, Echidna, was distracted by her old teacher's spell, Thina took this opportunity to disorient her even more with a song, explaining her failure to escape and her ultimate doom.

Surprise Action
Standard - Vicious Mockery VS Will, [roll0]
Damage - [roll1] psychic damage, and the target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn.

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Seeing the disoriented creature before them, Ezekial endevours to make it hit itself.

Standard: Hypnotism
[roll0] vs Will (counting CA)
Hit: the target makes a free MBA against a creature of my choice with a +4 bonus to the attack roll, the target will be itself.

Ezekial's Status:
HP 37/38 Bloodied 19 Healing Surge 9 (1 used /7)
AC 20 Fort 15 Reflex 19 Will 18 Speed 6

THP 0

EFFECTS

ENCOUNTERS SINCE LAST EXTENDED REST 1

ACTION POINTS 0

At-Will Powers
Arc Lightning
Beguiling Strands
Hypnotism
Magic Missile
Light
Mage Hand

Encounter Powers
Color Orb
Charm of Misplaced Wrath NOT PREPARED
Glorious Presence
Blissful Ignorance
Fire Shroud NOT PREPARED
Chameleon’s Mask
Feather Fall NOT PREPARED
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Daily Powers
Fountain of Flame
Sleep NOT PREPARED
Fireball NOT PREPARED
Tasha’s Forcible Conscription

Item Powers
Accurate Orb of Supplementary Force
Shadowdance Cloth Armor
Accurate Orb of Mental Dominion
Amulet of Life

[Rausdower]

Malreth charges the creature, planning to take advantage of it's shock of combatants now on an unsuspect battlefield.


MBA [roll0]
[roll1]


HP 44/44 Bloodied 22 Healing Surge 8 (1 used)
AC 23 Fort 16 Reflex 21 Will 17 Speed 7

THP 0
EFFECTS

ACTION POINTS

Daily Powers
Burning Hands
Shock Sphere

Daily Utility
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Item Powers
Quick Longsword
Bestial Armor
Cape of the Montebank

[DiscipleofBob]

The four students unleash a devastating combination of attacks upon the unsuspecting Echidna. The green monster tries two claw swipes at its only reachable target.

All attacks hit. It takes a total of 32 damage.

Status: Dazed, -2 to hit, swearing profusely (save ends)

Standard Action: two claw swipes against Malreth, one hit, 7 damage.

Initiative:
Echidna: 27
Thina: 18
Malreth: 17
Ezekial: 15
Raiden: 14
Winter: (yet to roll in)
Jyjil: (yet to roll in)

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina starts a song, one the rest of the group has never heard before, but everyone can feel the power that is behind it, for it is a powerful song infused with all manner of magics. It is a march, of sorts, and seems to drive everyone and rally them into a fight. The only one who doesn't seem rallied, is Echidna. She seems more worried by the song and it seems to affect her physically, though how she is not sure how as of yet.

Actions
Move - N/A
Minor - N/A
Standard - Vigorous Cadence VS Fort, [roll0]
Damage - [roll1] , Until the end of the encounter, the first time the target makes an attack roll during each of its turns, your ally nearest to it regains hit points equal to your Charisma modifier.

I was going to fluff this power as the song kind of pulling life from Echidna and then transferring it to my allies, for flavor texts DOB.

[Great Dane]

Seeing the creature woozy, Raiden rushes forward, hoping to strike true with a combination of attacks before deftly sliding out of harm's reach.

Since he's dazed he cannot take AOOs...
Move to F11
Minor: Lightning Cuts vs. Reflex, [roll0] which includes CA. Damage is [roll1] + [roll2] lightning, which includes Sneak Attack.
Standard: Storm Walk vs. Reflex, [roll3], which includes CA. Damage is [roll4] thunder, and I shift to E12.

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Ezekial steps forward before a bright blast of light bursts from his person to strike at his foe and ward his allies

Move: to E10
Standard: Glorious Presence (Close Burst 2, enemies only)
[roll0] vs Will
Hit: [roll1] radiant damage and push up to 5 to J5/K6
Effect: All allies within the burst gain 2 THP

Ezekial's Status:
HP 37/38 Bloodied 19 Healing Surge 9 (1 used /7)
AC 20 Fort 15 Reflex 19 Will 18 Speed 6

THP 0

EFFECTS

ENCOUNTERS SINCE LAST EXTENDED REST 1

ACTION POINTS 0

At-Will Powers
Arc Lightning
Beguiling Strands
Hypnotism
Magic Missile
Light
Mage Hand

Encounter Powers
Color Orb
Charm of Misplaced Wrath NOT PREPARED
Glorious Presence
Blissful Ignorance
Fire Shroud NOT PREPARED
Chameleon’s Mask
Feather Fall NOT PREPARED
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Daily Powers
Fountain of Flame
Sleep NOT PREPARED
Fireball NOT PREPARED
Tasha’s Forcible Conscription

Item Powers
Accurate Orb of Supplementary Force
Shadowdance Cloth Armor
Accurate Orb of Mental Dominion
Amulet of Life

[Rausdower]

Proceeding the song of Thina, Malreth begins to sing a slow ballad of elvish origins as he assaults the creature with sword and spell combined.

Minor action - Bladesong
Standard action - Burning hands, Int vs. Reflex
[roll0]
[roll1]

Drop move to minor to MBA
[roll2]
[roll3]

HP 37/44 Bloodied 22 Healing Surge 8 (1 used)
AC 23 Fort 16 Reflex 21 Will 17 Speed 7

THP 2
EFFECTS - Bladesong +2 power to attack rolls and defenses and +5 damage rolls

ACTION POINTS

Daily Powers
Burning Hands
Shock Sphere

Daily Utility
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Item Powers
Quick Longsword
Bestial Armor
Cape of the Montebank

[DiscipleofBob]

Thina's song strikes Echidna like a cord and the creature tries to cover its ears in agony.
((That's right. I lied. It hits.))

Then Ezekial and Malreth's barrages of fire and light practically drown the creature and burn its skin as it hisses in pain.

Raiden leaps forward with a blast of lightning, but in doing so the electrical energy somehow interferes with the spell and for a brief moment he's falling the RIGHT way. Fortunately it immediately corrects itself, causing Raiden to fall back on the hard stone.
((5 damage and you're prone you silly person you.))

"You foul little songbird! If I go down, I'll at least take the prettiest one of you with me!" The Echidna looks up from its pain and catches Thina's eye. Looking into the creatures dark, yellow eyes, Thina feels an overwhelming sense of dread a dark magic seeps into her from the soul outward. (Dazed (save ends)) Then its root squirm and shift along the stone surface as it circles around the rest of the party to sidle right up next to the bard. With two devastating claw swipes it rips into her tender Merfolk flesh. (2 attacks: 26 VS AC, 24 VS AC; 7 and 9 damage.) "FEEL MY WRATH!" As it roars, its roots squirm and twist as shadows grow despite the light source and cover the entire area, shaking the entire foundation and threatening to tear the bridge apart from under you. (Action Point: Close Burst 10: 28 VS Fort on Thina, 27 VS Fort on Ezekial, 20 VS Fort on Malreth, 22 VS Fort on Raiden. Hit: 10 damage and you're slowed until the end of Echidna's next turn. Miss: 5 damage, no effect.)


Echidna's Turn:
Minor Action: Death Gaze: Ranged attack VS Thina.
Move Action: Move.
Standard Action: 2 Claw Attacks on Thina.
Action Point: Shadow Quake: Close Burst 10 on all.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina looks at Echidna's eyes and suddenly is unaware of what is going on and goes down to a knee. When she recovers and looks up, Echidna is in front of her and clawing at her, finding places in her armor that her nails rip into, and tearing into her face. And even then, the assault is not done. Echidna then uses the shadows to attack everyone. After she recovers from this onslaught, Thina looks up at Echidna and laughs, wiping the blood from out of her eyes Thina yells back into the things face, "IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE YOU WRETCH!!!", pointing her wand at Echidna's face. Right before her wand goes off, Thina's armor starts glowing a bright, radiant light. This light sweeps over Thina, healing her most grievous wounds, including the one on her face. Once the healing is complete, Thina smiles and her wand shoots right into Echidna's face.

Actions
Dazed
Standard - Wand Encounter, Eyebite VS Will - [roll0]
Damage - [roll1] , psychic damage, and I am invisible to the target until the start of my next turn.
Free Action - Dwarven Chainmail, Free action - You regain Hit Points as if you had used a healing surge

[The Crash Man]

(I swear, this campaign just LOVES hiding on the low page numbers and updating while I'm asleep. Timezones make me a very sad Crash sometimes.)

Jykil had been laying in wait, just waiting for the perfect time to get involved and strike. And as the Echidna was starting to fall he figured there was no better time than the present. Dashing forward with great speed, he opened his maw and spewed lightning upon the beast.

[roll0] = initiative.

When Jykil's turn comes up, blow a standard action and a move action to move toward Echidna's location. Then use minor action for dragonbreath encounter power.

[roll1] [roll2]

[Great Dane]

"It's about time you showed up, big guy!" Heartened by the reappearance of his draconic ally, Raiden stands and shuffles his feet toward the enemy, scraping the staff in his left hand on the ground. A crack of thunder pulses along the ground toward his foe.

Standard: Storm Walk shifts me to G8 and I attack the enemy, [roll0] vs. Fort.
Damage: [roll1] thunder damage.

Raiden then focuses his attention, trying to learn as much as he can about his foe. But all at once, he experiences an intense amount of vertigo due to the inverted gravity and throws up. Naturally, or unnaturally as it is, it passes by his face upward toward the ground.

Self-imposing a slowed condition until end of my next turn. :P

[Gillric]

Ezekial

His movements still somewhat sluggish, Ezekial hurls a ball of swirling light at Echidna before stepping back.

Standard: Colour Orb
[rollv]1d20+11[rollv] 22 (rolled in OOC) vs Will
Hit: [roll0] and dazed UE my NT
Move: to C12

Ezekial's Status:
HP 29/38 Bloodied 19 Healing Surge 9 (1 used /7)
AC 20 Fort 15 Reflex 19 Will 18 Speed 6

THP 0

EFFECTS
Slowed UENT (Echidna)

ENCOUNTERS SINCE LAST EXTENDED REST 1

ACTION POINTS 0

At-Will Powers
Arc Lightning
Beguiling Strands
Hypnotism
Magic Missile
Light
Mage Hand

Encounter Powers
Color Orb
Charm of Misplaced Wrath NOT PREPARED
Glorious Presence
Blissful Ignorance
Fire Shroud NOT PREPARED
Chameleon’s Mask
Feather Fall NOT PREPARED
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Daily Powers
Fountain of Flame
Sleep NOT PREPARED
Fireball NOT PREPARED
Tasha’s Forcible Conscription

Item Powers
Accurate Orb of Supplementary Force
Shadowdance Cloth Armor
Accurate Orb of Mental Dominion
Amulet of Life

[Rausdower]

As a crescendo of arcane tinged lyrics escape the lips of the Elf, his fluid movements sync with vicious strikes of deadly precision.

MBA [roll0]
[roll1]
Dancing Fire for 4 fire damage and Echidna grants CA (What has two thumbs and forgot to do this last turn like a dummy?)

Action point

MBA [roll2]
[roll3]

Drop move to minor to Dancing Fire again for 4 fire dmg.

HP 29/44 Bloodied 22 Healing Surge 8 (1 used)
AC 23 Fort 16 Reflex 21 Will 17 Speed 7

THP 0
EFFECTS - Bladesong +2 power to attack rolls and defenses and +5 damage rolls (ends past this turn), Slowed

ACTION POINTS 1

Daily Powers
Burning Hands
Shock Sphere

Daily Utility
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Item Powers
Quick Longsword
Bestial Armor
Cape of the Montebank

[DiscipleofBob]

Thina's Eyebite blasts a large chunk out of the Echidna, taking part of its shoulder and an ear. But as she does so, one of the roots around the Echidna unwinds into a green snake and lashes out at Thina's ankle, biting it
((20 VS Fort, Ongoing 5 Poison damage (save ends) ))

Ezekial follows up with a colored orb, blasting another large chunk out of the Echidna's hide. (Dazed and Bloodied.)

Malreth and Raiden follow up with their various attacks on the dazed Echidna. Jykil finally joins the fray, but his lightning breath strikes wildly off-target.

Severely limited in its options, Echidna tries its strongest move again, shaking the entire bridge with its shadowy roots nearly dislodging the stone.
Close Burst 10,
Attack VS Thina: 29 VS Reflex
Attack VS Ezekial: 20 VS Reflex
Attack VS Malreth: 17 VS Reflex
Attack VS Raiden: 13 VS Reflex
Attack VS Jykil: 17 VS Reflex

Hit: 9 damage and you're slowed.

And apparently I failed my save against rolling for crap.

[Great Dane]

Bridge Underside Map (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmWE1L0n1wCOdEN0V1l6dmVxWDAtMzNhelNsS0NnR 0E#gid=0)
Raiden leaps just in time as another root attempts to snare his foot, slowing his movements. He senses urgency as he sees shadowy, organic ooze starting to pour from the echidna's wounds. This bridge cannot take many more of those attacks! We must take this thing out, now!

Spinning his staff in the air above his head, Raiden starts to manipulate the air around him. A vortex of wind shortly appears and is thrust toward the echidna.

Standard: Whirlwind , area burst 1, on D7
Attack: [roll0] vs. fort
Damage: [roll1] and the target is knocked prone.

Although Raiden's feet feel heavy, he manages to stumble a few steps forward. During his movement, he looks "up" toward the ground and mutters to anyone within earshot, "This isn't exactly how I've practiced this move, but here goes nothing!"

Raiden slams the end of his staff against the ground with massive force propelling him downward toward the ground. "Matoya, your gravity spell better work!" he shouts. Gravity takes hold of him, and he flies back up toward the underside of the bridge, landing on his feet with the end of his staff causing rippling damage to quake outward.

Move to E7
Action Point: Standard -- Thunder Leap, close burst 1 against all creatures (the enemy only).
First Attack: [roll2] +2 if enemy is now prone, vs. Fort; I launch myself "in the air", which does not provoke opportunity attacks.
Damage: [roll3] thunder damage.

Second attack: [roll4] + 2 if enemy is now prone, vs. Fort, and choose to land in square D6.
Damage: [roll5] thunder damage, and I cannot push the enemy.

All of this assumes that the enemy's still standing by the time it's my turn or after my first attack goes off. If my first attack kills him, I'd rather save the action point & daily :smallwink:

[Rausdower]

MBA [roll0]
[roll1]

Dancing Fire for 4 fire damage

And I don't need the THP right now.

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Ezekial Attempts to hypnotize his foe into again striking himself.

Standard:
Hypnotism on Echidna
[roll0] vs Will
Hit: Echidna makes a free MBA vs Echidna with a +4 bonus to the roll

Ezekial's Status:
HP 29/38 Bloodied 19 Healing Surge 9 (1 used /7)
AC 20 Fort 15 Reflex 19 Will 18 Speed 6

THP 0

EFFECTS

ENCOUNTERS SINCE LAST EXTENDED REST 1

ACTION POINTS 0

At-Will Powers
Arc Lightning
Beguiling Strands
Hypnotism
Magic Missile
Light
Mage Hand

Encounter Powers
Color Orb
Charm of Misplaced Wrath NOT PREPARED
Glorious Presence
Blissful Ignorance
Fire Shroud NOT PREPARED
Chameleon’s Mask
Feather Fall NOT PREPARED
Shield

Action Point
Second Wind

Daily Powers
Fountain of Flame
Sleep NOT PREPARED
Fireball NOT PREPARED
Tasha’s Forcible Conscription

Item Powers
Accurate Orb of Supplementary Force
Shadowdance Cloth Armor
Accurate Orb of Mental Dominion
Amulet of Life

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

After taking a few hits from this beast along with this poison from her snake, Thina decides it is best to take a few steps back and make her attacks from there. Knowing that Echidna cannot see her for now, Thina moves farther away and starts a couple of songs. One heals her wound, and the other rocks the very being of Echidna, causing her to not be quite as effective as she should be.

Actions
Move - to D11, Echidna gets a OA if she wants, but she cannot see me so its at a -5 to attack.
Minor - Majestic Word, I get 13 HP's 5 THP's and I slide myself to E11
Standard - Dissonant Strain VS Will [roll0]
Damage - [roll1] , psychic damage, and the target takes a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of your next turn. In addition, an ally within 5 squares of you can make a saving throw.

[DiscipleofBob]

It's not a good evening for the Echidna. Thina's attack fails to affect the still woozy monster, but she's invisible to the beast so she's safe.

Ezekial's hypnosis gets the Echidna to eviscerate herself, taking a large chunk out of her own gut. ((Crit on Hypnosis means Echidna auto-crits herself for an additional +4 damage.))

Malreth's blade and fire and Raiden's leaping lightning attack (his tornado spell misses) further mutilate the creature until it's on its last legs, figuratively speaking.

"Heh heh... HAHAHAHA... You foolish little brats... think you've accomplished something here today... But your deaths are assured... I will enjoy watching from oblivion... As your world is enveloped in darkness!" Then the Echidna does something very unexpected. With its last breath, its two claws reach for its own throat and slash it to pieces, the creature determined to die on its own terms with a monstrous grin on its face.

The beast crumbles into a pile of strange, black, unearthly material, unrecognizable from its current form.

Victory! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3suGfhnT2Sg)

It also becomes clear that Matoya's gravity spell will be ending soon.

(For those with Passive Perception 17 or greater):
In the pile of black, plantlike matter, there's something blue and sparkly.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina, thanking that the monster was dead, realized that the gravity spell would probably be ending soon. "We should get off this bridge before we drop, we can rest on right-side-up, solid ground." Right as she starts to leave, she notices a gleam from what was once Echidna. She walks over to it, and wipes away all the gore and blood and finds a blue, sparkly object, but decides to wait to identify it until after they were all safe. She then gets back up from the bridge and helps all those that needs it. Then, as they rest, sings her song of regeneration and rest. Once they are all rested up form their fight, Thina examines the object and uses her magics to identify its nature.

Ok, I grab the thing, get back up on the normal land, and then start my song once everyone is together and resting.
Song of Rest:
When you play an instrument or sing during a short rest, you and each ally who can hear you are affected by your Song of Rest. When an affected character spends healing surges at the end of the rest, that character regains additional hit points equal to your Charisma modifier with each healing surge. A character can be affected by only one Song of Rest at a time.
Once our 5 min rest is done, I will make an arcana check to see what the heck this thing is :smallbiggrin: [roll0]

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Seeing the creature drop, Ezekial notices a gleam from its remains. When Thina picks the object up, Ezekial follows to the normal side of the structure before resting.

Assuming we get the rest, Ezekial will spend one surge to get back to full.

[Great Dane]

As the creature melts from the ferocity of his allies' attacks, Raiden starts to feel gravity waver beneath him. Not wanting to get acquainted with the rocky surface "above" him, he quickly dashes to the railing of the bridge, hoisting himself up onto the rocky path above.

On the surface, sitting cross-legged with his friends, he exhales. Whew, that was a good workout...but now I'm really hungry.

Assuming we short-rest, I'll spend a surge to get back to full. If we're resting around Matoya, I'll hang out here and look after Aki to see how she's doing...otherwise I'll hop up and move that way toward the two women.

As Raiden rests, he thinks he could have dodged one of the echidna's attacks had he attuned his teleportation a certain way. He nearly had the timing down on the root that grabbed him. He's also not sure, but he swears his skin feels harder after enduring the attacks from the last two encounters and being healed by Thina's magic.

[The Crash Man]

Anyone else find it weird how that thing clawed its own throat out? I mean, sure, it got pulverized to a wreck, but I figured it'd at least make a last stand."

Jykil followed the others, a little confused but not wanting to fall off of the bridge.

Another healing surge spent, bringing Jykil back to full HP.

[Great Dane]

Cut its own throat, or eat a fistful of lightning? says Raiden with a chuckle. I think it picked the more merciful option!

[DiscipleofBob]

As the group gets right-side up and rests in the cold mountain air on the bridge, the gravity spell wears off and the remains of the strange monster fall to the mountain below. Matoya stands at the entrance and stares at nothing in particular, tapping her foot impatiently. "Well? Any of you little ingrates get my eye back or what?"

[Great Dane]

Raiden sighs, looks at the floor for a second, then meets her gaze. No, that shadow creature had a friend underneath the bridge, a huge one-eyed round bat thing. We were prepared to take them both out, but the shadow passed your eye off to the bat and it flew away before we were able to strike.

So we gave the shadow creature double the beatdown instead, hoping that would console her a bit.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue
Thina, after resting and trying to figure out this orb that seems very odd, yet familiar, to her, listens to her Master's words and is thrown back into reality. "It is as Raiden says, Master. The thing called Echidna, talked with a winged creature, named Ahriman I believe, and handed your eye off to it. Before Echidna slashed her own throat, she said something about an impending darkness coming our way. Also, after she died, I found this within her remains," holding up the blue orb and "showing" it to Matoya. "I know not exactly what it is, but it feel very familiar to me...and it also seems like, I can't believe I am going to say this, one of the crystals of the Light Warriors. Master, what does this mean?"

[Gillric]

Ezekial

A crystal of the Light Warriors? Oh this bodes well, bodes well indeed. And to think we risk our hides and then she calls us ingrates. Ezekial mutters sarcastically.

[Great Dane]

The Crystals gave me my power! What the...how did he...I don't get... stammers Raiden, stupefied. Now I'm pissed. Matoya, how would that creature have a Crystal in its gut?? Now I want to beat up that thing's buddy even more.

[DiscipleofBob]

"Bah! Don't be dense! That's impossible foe it or you to have a Crystal. You're all useless!" she turns to storm back inside, the broom in front of her opening the door and making sure she doesn't run into any walls. After a few seconds though, she turns around, confused and skeptical, but intrigued, "Let me see-" she stops mid-sentence and turns beet-red at her slip of the tongue, "Hand this crystal thing you found over here. Let's take a closer look..." she grimaces again, "...That is, study it further."

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina hands over the crystal and waits for Matoya to look it over, following her to where she is going to...inspect it.

[Great Dane]

Amused at Matoya's slip of the tongue, Raiden walks over to Aki and motions to help her to her feet. How are you feeling?

Diplomacy check: [roll0]

[DiscipleofBob]

Amused at Matoya's slip of the tongue, Raiden walks over to Aki and motions to help her to her feet. How are you feeling?

Diplomacy check: [roll0]

She's still unconscious. Stable thanks to the healing magic Thina spent earlier, but she probably won't wake up until at least tomorrow morning.

Matoya fondles the crystal for a bit, unable to see but only feels it, shakes it for a bit and holds it up to an ear like a seashell, even tries to bite it with her teeth hoping for a reaction. "Sorry, there's no Light or other magic in this thing. Probably a knock-off. At least I sure hope this isn't one of the original crystals, otherwise we're already screwed." She tosses it back to Thina, and by tosses it back, I mean throws in a random direction. It's a miracle it doesn't go sailing over the edge. "Well, better get some rest. After all, the lot of you have got to be up bright and early tomorrow for your big journey." Finally she walks back inside.

Meanwhile, entering the common room is the only other student, the dwarf, who sleepily rubs his eyes to check on what's all the commotion.

[Gillric]

Journey, what journey is this?

[DiscipleofBob]

Journey, what journey is this?

"Well certainly you don't expect an old, blind woman to go wandering off into the world, do you? And someone has to get my eye back as soon as possible."

[Rausdower]

Malreth picks up to the stone and inspects it himself to see what the fuss was about.

"Hmph, the excitement never ends, does it Matoya?", he says sarcastically as he pockets the stone.

[Great Dane]

Raiden starts stretching his limbs out in an overdramatic fashion. Toe touches, shoulder stretches, maybe a jumping jack or two. Ignore these guys Ma'am, they don't appreciate a good adventure like you and I do.

He walks over to Aki and picks her up in her arms, walking inside. Can't have you catching a cold out here while you nap. Let's bring you inside, shall we? I'll watch the gate tonight.

Making his way inside the tower, Raiden notices the old dwarf sitting in the common room. Knowing that it will be impossible to find Aki's room, he walks through the hallways until he reaches his own room. Opening the door, he places her on his bed, thinking to himself, Hope this isn't too much of a shock to you in the morning! and exits, closing the door behind him.

Back out in the common room, he walks by Scraggle, slaps him on the back and sits across from him. Where you been, Whiskers? You've missed all the fun!

[DiscipleofBob]

Back out in the common room, he walks by Scraggle, slaps him on the back and sits across from him. Where you been, Whiskers? You've missed all the fun!

The dwarf hears Raiden's word, looks at the unconscious Aki in Raiden's arms, sees Raiden headed towards the bedrooms, and draws his own conclusions. "I'm not sure me sensibilities would permit me to participate in whatever fun ye were thinkin' aboot. Is ther' somethin' goin' on I should be stoppin' with less I regret it later?" he asks with mild suspicion.

[Great Dane]

Haha, you old rascal. Not that kind of fun! We fought a few shadow beasts tonight and poor Aki got slashed across the back on her very first night. Wasn't gonna let her sleep that injury off in the cold. Man, I thought my first night was bad... as he trails off for a moment. *ahem* Not sure how you didn't hear the commotion outside...you must really sleep like a rock. Those shadows stole Matoya's eye. Can you believe it? I couldn't find Matoya's lab if I tried, and yet they snuck right in with no trouble at all. I can't decide if they're powerful or lucky. Anyway, the old bat's now blind as a...well, a bat. So we're off in the morning to go find the old hunk of crystal. Sounds fun, doesn't it!

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue
Noting that Malreth picked up the orb that, still, pulls at Malreth, Thina nods to Matoya, "Well, time for a rest then. We will depart tomorrow morning," smiling because she gets to be on the road again. "Malreth, would you like to accompany me to the library for a little while? I would like to do some research on that orb some more, it is very familiar to me for some reason."

[Rausdower]

"Fine, I have little need for long rest anyway.", he says not even looking at Thina while starting to walk towards the library.

History check on this crystal - [roll0]

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina follows Malreth to the library. Letting him hit the books, since she is not any good at it, Thina looks the crystal over and uses her scrutinizing eye and her experience from the sea and the forests to help her as well.

Perception Check to notice anything odd, markings, etc. [roll0]
Nature Check to find out if it come from nature or if, somehow, it came from the sea. [roll1]

Also, what time is it when we get started researching?

[DiscipleofBob]

The dwarf just stares skeptically at Raiden's rambling. "You know as well as I do that sound doesn't travel to or from the bedrooms, bein' all interdimensional n' stuff. I'm glad I skipped whatever ye had for dinner tonight."

It's well past midnight when Malreth and Thina begin their research. Even with Malreth's elven constitution, you'll both only be able to work for a few hours at best before you need to crash.

Malreth's History Check:
You know all the usual details from the old legends: Many years of strife as the various elements died out until a group of four crystal-bearing Light Warriors appeared. They took their crystals to the elemental shrines to restore the light to the crystals and destroyed the beings who tried to corrupt their energy. The conclusion of the story is vague, only that some accounts state they actually traveled back in time to slay an all-powerful entity, restored light and balance in the world, and ushered in the current age of prosperity. Supposedly the restored crystals are still in their elemental shrines, and the crystals the Light Warriors used are enshrined at Castle Corneria.

Thina's Perception Check:
There are no strange markings or any manufacturing marks or patterns of any kind. It appears to be naturally formed, which would fit the description of the Light Warriors' crystals.

Thina's Nature Check:
As said before, it does seem naturally formed, but to say it came from nature wouldn't quite be accurate. If this is the crystal of legend, it's more like nature comes from it. Also, since each crystal corresponds to one of the four elements (common knowledge) it would make sense if this is a, or the, Water Crystal, which alone could explain Thina's connection to it.

[Great Dane]

Oh you old dwarf, I'll get you to crack a smile one of these days, just you wait! says Raiden, grabbing a few pieces of fruit on the table and chuckling as he walks away.

Noticing Thina and Malreth in the study eyeballing the mysterious crystal, Raiden walks in and asks, I don't want to believe the old woman. Mind if I check that out? If this is truly one of the Crystals, it might react to my magic. Heck, the Crystals know my magic better than I do. Creating gentle waves of thunder with one hand, barely louder than a whisper, he levitates the crystal in midair as he sprinkles small bits of crackling, electric energy along its entire surface. Closing his eyes, he focuses his attention and waits for a response.

Arcana check to detect any latent magic: [roll0]

[DiscipleofBob]

Oh you old dwarf, I'll get you to crack a smile one of these days, just you wait! says Raiden, grabbing a few pieces of fruit on the table and chuckling as he walks away.

Noticing Thina and Malreth in the study eyeballing the mysterious crystal, Raiden walks in and asks, I don't want to believe the old woman. Mind if I check that out? If this is truly one of the Crystals, it might react to my magic. Heck, the Crystals know my magic better than I do. Creating gentle waves of thunder with one hand, barely louder than a whisper, he levitates the crystal in midair as he sprinkles small bits of crackling, electric energy along its entire surface. Closing his eyes, he focuses his attention and waits for a response.

Arcana check to detect any latent magic: [roll0]

Raiden's Arcana check:
It feels similar to a wand that's used up all of its charges. It could theoretically hold vast quantities of magical power, it may even have at one point in time. But now it's empty of any real power.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

After a couple of hours of researching and scrutinizing the orb, Thina lets out a big yawn. "Well I think we have figured out all we can about this crystal tonight. Lets go get some sleep." With that, she closes up some books and puts them back on the shelves, when she returns she slips the crystal in her pouch and shuffles off to bed. I will have to send this to father, she thinks to herself, He might know more clearly if it is, in fact, a crystal of legend.

[Great Dane]

After a few moments of meditation and feeling the crystal's reactions, he opens his eyes and notices Thina starting to nod off a bit. He grabs her attention as well as Malreth's.

This is going to sound weird, but this feels like it's out of energy. I feel like I could charge this thing all day and it would be nowhere near full -- in fact, the kind of power this thing could possibly have is on another plane of existance compared to the power I wield. Thina, I don't want to jump to conclusions, but this feels like THE empty Water Crystal.

[Great Dane]

Ears is right. What do I know? grins Raiden as he walks out of the study and toward the front gate. Propping himself against the wall and sliding down to a sitting position, he tips his hat over his eyes and starts to doze...but never ceasing to grip his weapons.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue
Stopping her motion to her bed, she turns around and says what she is thinking. "Then I will have to send it off to the foremost expert in the water's world.....my father."

[Rausdower]

"Keep the chatter to a minimum, Sorcerer, as impossible a task that might be for you....there are people here at work who know what they are doing.", Malreth said to Raiden as he walked in.

As he spoke, Malreth interjected.

"A ridiculous theory. If this WAS the fabled water crystal, why would it be in the hands of such a meager being as what we faced? It's disapperence would not go unnoticed and to transport it freely would, in fact, draw the wrong attention. Nevertheless, send the stone to your father. I'll eat my finest silk if it is more than a mere rock."

With that, Malreth returned to his room to sleep till morning.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue
Hearing Malreth's words, Thina smirks and yells back at him as he is leaving, "Better grab your knife and fork, then Malreth. Would you like that silk grilled or baked?!" Then looks at Raiden and bursts out laughing. "Goodness, I must be tired, that was much funnier to me than I had intended. Well, off to bed then. I will ask Motoya if there is a way to send this to him, posthaste. Good night Raiden." She says goodbye, and leaves with a wink. Then sleeps, though not very soundly, until morning.

[DiscipleofBob]

The party goes to sleep, and night passes without incident, except for one:

As Raiden is going back to his room, he sees Aki coming back towards him in the hall. Beet-red in the face, she storms up to him, fists clenched and slaps him across the face, "PERVERT!" She doesn't even give the sorcerer the chance to explain himself before she storms off to her room.

Morning comes. The bright sun lighting up the academy is a welcome change from the night before when every shadow could conceivable stab you in your sleep. Those who get up will find Matoya at the front gates, as a broom is trying to help her with a spell. "Blast it, if I had my notes I could easily do that spell. Now I'll just have to improvise from memory. You better have the brooms like I asked for." she scolds the broom. The broom nods, not that Matoya could tell, but curiously there are only six animated feather dusters beside it. She addresses the students who come out, "Ah, good timing. I was just about to conjure you up some horses so you can skedaddle on out of here. Here we go!" she mutters some powerful arcane words and magic flows from her fingertips around the featherdusters until there's a bright flash of light.

There are no longer any feather dusters.

Nor are there any horses.

http://images.wikia.com/finalfantasy/images/b/b2/FFX_Chocobo.jpg

Instead, there are six giant yellow birds standing around. "WARK!" One of them cries cheerfully.

"That's a weird-sounding horse," Matoya comments to herself.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue
After getting up, and getting some breakfast, Thina joins the others in the courtyard where Matoya is standing. She is talking to her broom, again, which Thina silently giggles at. Thina then watches the spectacle, and then can't help but let out a laugh once Matoya is done. These creatures look like huge canaries. "Umm, master, I........are they supposed to look like birds....or is that an ascetic choice?" She then walks over to one, and puts her hand up so the poor thing can smell her, get her scent, and trust her. She starts talking to it in Elven, a trick her learned from her woodland brothers and sister, and coaxes it calm and lets it know she isn't going to hurt it and asks if she can ride it.

Nature check to interact with the....Horsebird :smalltongue: [roll0]

[Great Dane]

If anyone notices my slightly-red cheek, I'll say, This is what I get for being the good guy!

Raiden, having witnessed this entire scene play out before him, could do nothing except shake his head and chuckle. Just when he thought he'd seen it all, the old woman summoned horsebirdthings. He swore he'd seen their yellow feathers here and there in the tower...now he knew the source.

Raiden walked up to the wildest-looking one, hopinig to tame him and turn him into a beast of war. Hearing and recognizing Thina's elven, Raiden looked into its wild eyes, petted his face and whispered in Elven as well,
You're a good bird, just misunderstood. We're perfect for each other. Let's stomp some heads today, shall we?Nature check: [roll0]

[DiscipleofBob]

You all have never seen a Chocobo in real life, in fact they were thought to be extinct, but you know the name of it at least, and know that they're supposed to be almost universally friendly.

Thina's bird immediately takes a liking to her and actually squats down to help her up on its back. Also, there's something else that's different about this bird than the others:
http://www.dandwiki.com/w/images/2/2e/Black_Chocobo.jpg
You could also swear from the other birds' reactions to it that it's the alpha of the... pack? flock? You aren't sure of the proper term.

Raiden tries to get on the chocobo of his choice, however, and not only falls off the back as he's bucked off, but as he's lying on the ground behind the chocobo, he feels something warm, wet, and sticky plop on the back of his neck.

[Rausdower]

*sigh* "Somehow, I feel this is a perfect metaphor for what happens when that one tries to make friends. If you try any of that with me, I will personally have you over a fire in time for dinner."

Nature [roll0]

[Great Dane]

Raiden lays on the ground for a few seconds, blinking. He calmly stands up, brushes his clothes off, takes one hand and thunderblasts the...whatever was on his neck away and turns to the chocobo. Stepping to its side, he placed a firm hand on its back before mounting the creature. Taking ahold of the reins, he leaned forward, cocked his head so Thina could hear, and whispered in Elven into the earhole of the chocobo:
Strike one, Feathers.
He flashes a grin to the rest of the group. See? No trouble at all.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

Thina watches Raiden walk over to his mount, get on top of it, and then fall right off the back of it. And before she can issue a warning, the birds lets out a big, steaming pile of...well whatever it is and can't stop laughing. She giggles for quite a few minutes, until Raiden gets back on the Chocobo, when she is still slighting laughing here and there. She hears his words, and winks at him, giving him a big smile. She then motions the bird over to Matoya, "Master, two questions before we leave. One, is there any way you could transport this egg to my father? As King of the sea, I would like him to look it over and see is he can't make anything of it, while we are gone. He can send it back through the waterways, I'm sure, but could you get it to him? Also, the bird I am riding is grey, not like the other birds' yellow, what does that mean?"

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Ezekial watches the others mount with varying degrees of success before looking for the brightest or most colorful of the beasts. This one he then attempts to mount.

Nature: [roll0]

[The Crash Man]

Jykil approached the chocobo with soldier-like determination. "Easy, now," he rumbled, hoping his low, gravelly voice wouldn't startle the bird too much. Slowly he began to mount it, constantly reassuring it like a captain to his subordinates.

[roll0]

[DiscipleofBob]

"I ain't your damn courier! Whatever sort of egg you have you can just transport yourself. The only egg I'm interested in is one for an omlette. And what are you talking about birds? I conjured horses not birds! Now get going the lot of you!" Before anyone can explain the little mixup, she storms back inside to her chambers.

The others get on their chocobos with little trouble. The birds are quite friendly. It seems that Raiden on the other hand just can't catch a break. As Raiden turns and smiles to the group, the chocobo grabs his hat in its beak and runs off, quite quickly too.

From here, you can head south to Corneria past Bridgetown. Normally that'd take better part of a week, but with these birds you might be able to at least get to Bridgetown in one day. If you decide against that, you might also be able to reach the port town of Prontera to the east if you rode through the night.

[Great Dane]

Raiden watches as Matoya huffs back inside her keep and rolls his eyes. Circling up with the rest of the group after regaining composure of the little bastard of the chocobo he chose, he says, Well, if we HAD questions, there's no way she'll let us find her now.

First and foremost, we have to find her eye. We'll never hear the end of it and she'll make our lives living hells until we do. We stand a better chance of running into someone in Corneria that knows the name Ahriman than anywhere else, so I suggest we go there first.

Then again, Prontera will have ships that can take us to your father, Thina. I have a vested interest in seeing if this thing is the real Water Crystal.

So what'll it be gang...find Matoya's Eye and save our sanity, or restore this Crystal, and save the world?

[The Crash Man]

"Technically, if we go on a giant world-saving quest, won't we be too far away to lose our sanity?

And if the monster who dropped the crystal was in league with the monster who stole Matoya's eye, we'll probably find the eye along the way anyway.

I'd say the crystal's a safe bet."

[Rausdower]

"Whether my vote goes towards or against this mission to restore some long dead relics, I'd imagine you would like to return home, Thina? Thus, to avoid the inevitability of both a tie and wasting daylight, let us focus attention on the crystals."

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Looks like the crystals it is then, but I don't think after this school any of us needs to worry about crazy.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue
Thina listens closely to everyone's decisions. She then thinks for a moment before casting her vote in with the others. "I would love to see home again and speak with my father, not only to ask of the crystal, but also for personal reasons. Thank you all for wanting to accompany me to my home. I am sure that my father will be able to enlighten us as to what, exactly, this empty crystal is. However, in our current state, I am not sure you all could get to my father. I can, because of being able to breathe underwater in my natural state. But all of you can't hold your breath for hundreds of feet and hours, you would just not survive. So, while I would love to go home since it has been awhile, I feel we should go for Matoya's eye."

[Great Dane]

Thina's got a point. And I'd rather not travel halfway across the globe just to find out that shadow-bat is in our own backyard.

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Well, we need to gather information before we sharge off anywhere. Information should be readily available if we go to either this port town or the capital, maybe even in Bridgetown which is the closest so I vote we head there.

[Great Dane]

Well, hrm...why haven't I heard of Bridgetown? says Raiden as he scratches his head. If it's close, as you say, I vote there too.

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Well, what are we waiting for then? Exekial then puts his heals to the chocobo he is riding and heads out across the bridge.

[Great Dane]

Whoa, slow down Brains! says Raiden as he HYAHS his chocobo as well.

[DiscipleofBob]

As the group leaves Matoya's academy, crossing the great bridge across the chasm, (and the opening theme music plays) just on the other side of the bridge, atop a tall pine tree, Raiden's hat is visible. The remaining chocobo rejoins the flock, giving Raiden occasional whimsical glances but staying away from the monk.

((Whether or not you stop to deal with that))

You would expect to come across some kind of monster on the way to Bridgetown, but you make good time on these Chocobos and your journey is thankfully uneventful.

Bridgetown as its name suggests is a giant, two-story bridge lined with houses, shacks, and shops. The second story of the bridge has a more crowded pathway, but also a greater selection of shops. The main path across is unobstructed but slow-moving, but the upper is even more crowded, has a wider variety of shops, and it would be impossible to take your mounts with you.

The day's ride has left you somewhat fatigued. It would be wise to get a room for the night.

Fortunately, Ezekial is surprisingly familiar with the place. He's able to find his way around with no problem, knows where the best shops are, and is pretty much a go-to source on anything you could ask here.

((Gillric, I'll let you flavor this however you want, but pretty much ask whatever you want about the city and I'll tell you what you want to know thanks to your natural 20.))

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Well, we should find a place to stay for the night and a stable for our mounts, I think I know the place. In the morning we can begin gathering information, or if we are lucky we might find something out by listening in the common room of the Inn we stay at over our meals.

Cheapest Inn and Stable that has good food and service.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue

"Well, you seem to be most familiar with this city, Ezekial, so I will follow where you lead. I, personally, am not very fond of cities, so the quicker we get what we need the quicker we can leave. Maybe I can make some friends at our tavern and sing them some songs." Thina, then, follows Ezekial where he thinks is the best place to go.

[Great Dane]

Well you two have fun. I'd like to see what else this town has to offer. Scales or Ears, you're welcome to come with. Raiden struts down the street, presumably toward other nightlife attractions in the hopes that he can meet some other rapscallions with stories to tell.

[DiscipleofBob]

Outside Matoya's Academy

"Hold on, guys, I'll catch up in a bit," says Raiden as the rest of the group goes ahead with the chocobos, knowing better than to stick around.

A loud crack of thunder later, along with the sound of a large tree falling, and the vague smell of smoke, and soon Raiden has caught up with the group, a smug look on his face as he sports his conical hat.

Bridgetown

"You go on ahead, guys, I'll catch up in a bit," says Raiden as he purposefully splits off from the group. You all can only speculate as to the type of trouble he'll get into.

((Great Dane, give me a Streetwise check.))

Ezekial leads the others to a small stable, unconnected with either of the inns. Unfortunately, it's not standard to have a place for a traveler to have a place to rest their horses, or whatever you're riding, presumably so they can force tourists to buy new ones. Fortunately, Ezekial knows how to get around this being exceptionally savvy here, and with a little bribe, you can find a stable to rest your mounts.

((Nature checks all around plz.))

The inns are similar in terms of price and quality, but the Stick Monkey is less of a booze-well so Ezekial decides to head there. It's on the second story of Bridgetown, and it's not the most impressive hotel by any means, but it's reasonably comfortable with decent enough food.

((From here you can make Streetwise checks to gather information and/or Diplomacy checks to win over some of the locals, but Diplomacy won't be nearly as succesful as Streetwise. Intimidate might also work, but it could get you in trouble real fast.))

[Great Dane]

Raiden dismounts and closes the door on his chocobo's pen.Streetwise: [roll0]
Nature for his chocobo and because hilariously dumb things happen when I make nature checks: [roll1]

[Rausdower]

Upon entering the den of drunkards, Malreth removes a stack of a dozen of so gold from his pouch and clutches it as he sits at the far end of the bar and waits for the bartender to approach him.

Nature [roll0]

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Urging the others to leave their mounts in the stable, Ezekial dismounts and calms his beast before heading to the Inn. Upon reaching the Inn he takes a table in the corner with a good view of the rest of the room and flags down a server to request food and drink. While waiting for his meal he surveys the room to see if anything can be learned.

Nature: [roll0]
Streetwise: [roll1]

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue
Thina boards her bird, who she has not quite named yet but will be naming him soon, at the stables and follow Ezekial to the Inn. After entering the Inn, she heads right up to the bartender and asks about a meal and drinks and perhaps room and board for her and her companions for the night if she were to sing a few songs and perform for his patrons. Before he can answer, she jumps up where the normal "stage" area would be for bards and starts to sing. It is one of the most melodic sounds anyone in this bar has ever heard and after a few moments of her voice ringing through the Inn, a hush falls on all the patrons. Even the serving wenches and bartender stop what they are doing and listen. It is a song full of emotion, and a little bit of magic, to ensnare the senses and render the listeners absolutely focused on her. When she finishes, she jumps down and goes back up the the bartender and asks with a wink and a very warm smile, "Well, what do you think? If I do more of that can we stay here for the night?"

Nature for boarding - [roll0]
Diplomacy for the bartender & Patrons(with help from Word of Friendship) - [roll1]

[DiscipleofBob]

Ezekial finds a stable owner, and while normally he doesn't let others rest their mounts (preferring tourists to have to buy from stock as the rest of the town does) a few quick words from Ezekial and a small bribe makes the stable owner change his position very quickly.

Raiden and Ezekial realize that these Chocobos are going to hate being cooped up. They're not even domesticated. They're essentially wild but friendly animals that more or less agreed to take you of their own free will. Whether they're truly sentient or not is anyone's guess, but you pretty much know that if cooped up, they're going to break out and escape to the best of their ability.

((I'll let you choose whether or not to do anything about that here while I go on with the rest of the rolls.))

Malreth clutches his coin at the end of the bar keeping an eye on these rabble. You wouldn't find a place this uncivilized in an elven establishment, that's for sure (or at least that's what he thinks anyway).

Thina's song enraptures the bar, and the bartender replies, "Lady, if you play like that, you can stay all week!" The rest of the bar erupts in laughter and applause, though Thina's pretty sure she can catch some remarks of, "Aye, but whose room will she be stayin' in" and similar innuendos. You're not certain if anyone would actually try anything dishonest, but there are definitely a crowd of men (and some more butch women) clamoring for your attentions.

[Great Dane]

Raiden closes the door on his chocobo's pen and, sensing the stress the animal currently expresses, says to the group, These birds aren't going to like being cooped up. What should we do?

[Irish Musician]

(Rewind to before the Inn)

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue
Thina gets an idea in her head. She looks at her bird straight in the eye, after taking him out of the pen, and asks, "If we leave you somewhere with some food, so you can be out in the open, will you wait for us in that spot until tomorrow when we ride on? Will you do that for us?"

[DiscipleofBob]

"Wark!" The lead black chocobo ruffles its feathers and warks loudly. You have no idea what that means, but you're guessing these birds, while friendly, are extremely difficult to domesticate.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue
Smiling at the bird, and seeming to understand its loud squawk, Thina takes a hold of its bridle and speaks, "Go then, you silly bird. I thank you for your companionship thus far and taking me all the way here. If you see fit to come back and carry me a while longer I will be grateful. I'd like to think that I can help protect you as well, but you will do as you with, me thinks. Go, gentle Chocobo and enjoy your life." She then leads it outside the city and takes off its bridle. After she lets the bird go, she takes the feather left by the bird and puts it in her pack, then she goes to the Inn. (Which is where the story picks up in the Inn for Thina.)

Nature check to let the chocobo I cared for it and bear it no ill will for leaving, etc. etc. Thina is now dipping into the elven part of her past. [roll0]

[Great Dane]

Seeing Thina lead her chocobo outside the Bridge and realizing her intentions, Raiden follows her with his own. Speaking in Elven, he says, Your friend was pretty worthless, but you're a good bird. Hope you'll bail me out one of these days when I need a quick getaway. I promise you lots of snacks.

If you want another nature check, here you go...but I'm nervous. [roll0]

[DiscipleofBob]

((Let's resolve this unintended subplot now. :smallwink:))

The black chocobo nuzzles up against Thina several times, presumably to let her know there's no hard feelings. When the entire party has dismounted, the black chocobo gives a loud wark. The remaining chocobos snap their restraints with one good bite and they're off before anyone has a chance to stop them.

Thina, however, notes a grayish feather on her shoulder, probably from when the black chocobo nuzzled her. Ezekial and Raiden find themselves in similar situations with yellow feathers.

[Great Dane]

After seeing the chocobos depart, Raiden wanders back toward town, throws his hands up, and yells, "OH YEAH! Night life, here we come. I'll meet you guys at the Stick Monkey later on!" and moves quickly toward where he thinks the Drowning Dwarf is.

...with his 9 streetwise, and let's throw in some Perception to detect anything unruly going on that may be of interest: [roll0], losing the +1 since I ditched Malreth.

[DiscipleofBob]

Raiden goes off on his own, hoping for some urban-style adventure, but he quickly gets lost in the crowds, an impressive feat considering the simplistic layout of the city. He's unable to find this Drunken Dwarf inn, so Raiden stops to ask for directions.

Approaching a man standing in a corner, one who stands out slightly due to his red and white striped clothing and glasses, Raiden waves in friendship, "Pardon me, sir, but I..."

"How did you find me?!" The man gasps in surprise.

"Er..." Raiden is unsure whether to ask.

"No one's supposed to be able to find me!" The man reaches into a pack of his and pulls out a pair of boots. "Here take these, but remember, you never saw me!"

Waldo gives you a pair of Boots of Striding.

That's right.

You found Waldo.

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Watching the chocobos go, Ezekial takes the large yellow feather and firmly inserts it into the band of his hat with the overly large brim. Well, back to the Inn for a much needed meal and then we should see what we can learn.

[Irish Musician]

(Continuing in the Pub)

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue
Thina smiles at the bartender, and at all her new fans. She winks at some, and gives a flirty evil-eye to the others. She then orders a mead, and goes back on stage to sing the night away for the bar. She loves to sing for people, and hasn't really gotten to since the left the elves in their forest homes, so she takes full advantage of the situation and sing her heart out, arcane infused melodies coming out of her in what seems like an endless stream of song. She sings about missing home, those friends that she hasn't seen in a long time. She sings of good times and of bad times, all the while capturing the bar's attention, and even grabbing some people from outside and luring them into the Inn. She sing for a while, stopping every now and again for a drink to refresh her voice, but in truth she doesn't really need it.

Eventually she stops and bows, hunger tearing at her belly, and she goes and orders some food from the bartender and sits with her comrades and rests, so that she can replenish and maybe even do another round of song.

[Great Dane]

Raiden blinks a few times, takes the boots from the striped-shirt man and whispers, I never saw a thing. Putting them on, he feels lighter and quicker on his feet.

Sweet, wishlist item!

A bit confused as to where he is, he instead wanders back over to the Stick Monkey.

[DiscipleofBob]

Thina's singing manages to procure free rooms for the night, and tomorrow you can set out, either by mount (that you may have to rent) or by foot which shouldn't be that long either way.

Malreth huddles in the corner watching these filthy common human rabble to make sure he isn't mugged.

When Ezekial goes to check his room, he finds that the previous tennant accidentally left some things behind. In fact, they left a lot of things behind. And some blood, too, but that's mostly cleaned up. The beds are fresh anyway.

Ezekial gets a random item from his wishlist in his room.
Other benefit to that natural 20 Streetwise from earlier.
I'd be more specific but I don't have access to google docs at the moment so I can't read your character sheet.

Raiden... is still lost.

[Great Dane]

Raiden has no idea where he is. He tries to find a sense of direction by remembering the architecture of the bridge and which streetlights, archways, etc. he may have passed on his way to, well, nowhere.

Dungeoneering: [roll0]

Wandering around, Raiden tries to spot someone that seems to know where things might be in this damn city, and if they'd be nice enough to point him in the right direction.

Perception:[roll1]

Assuming he finds someone that fits the criteria, he'll start up a conversation. Otherwise he'll walk up to the first person he sees.

Good evening fine sir. You might call me an "out-of-towner", says Raiden as he tips his straw hat to the gentleman. I've heard the Stick Monkey's a fine dining establishment but I cannot for the life of me find it. Might you point me in the direction?
Diplomacy: [roll2]

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue
After finishing her sets, and getting some food in her belly, Thina sits at the bar and talks with the patrons, and those that approach her. She speaks of many things with them, but also she asks many, in her sultry, nonchalant way and kind of like it doesn't matter, if any of them have heard of the name Ahriman or of his master. She does this very jokingly and off-the-cuff as not to arouse suspicion of the part of the patrons. Laughing and getting slightly tipsy, Thina starts to realize that Raiden is not there with them. At first, she shrugs it off, but as the night grows late, she get more and more worried. She asks the others, "Have you seen Raiden at the Inn yet?" With fairly negative answers coming her way, Thina thanks everyone for listening to her, lets the bartender know she will be back, and walks out the door, looking for Raiden.

Ok, Diplomacy for checking on Ahriman [roll0]

Perception for looking for Raiden [roll1]

[DiscipleofBob]

Raiden goes up to a random stranger on the street and asks for directions. The stranger is a dishevelled bearded man who says nothing, merely looks up and holds out and old, withered palm towards Raiden.

"Thank you, thank you, you've all been too kind. Say, while I have your attention, my companions and I were wondering: Has anyone seen a giant, yellow, one-eyed monster recently?" The entire bar erupts in roaring laughter. Thina can't get another word in and steps down, completely unaware of the entendre she just made.

[Great Dane]

Raiden sighs, fishes a coin out of his pocket and hands it to the beggar. Stick. Monkey. Where? Please.

[DiscipleofBob]

Raiden sighs, fishes a coin out of his pocket and hands it to the beggar. Stick. Monkey. Where? Please.

The beggar accepts the coin and nods appreciatively. When you try to mouth words at him he merely shakes his head.

[Great Dane]

Raiden makes a face that looks something like this: :smallannoyed:, tips his hat down over his eyes and calmly walks down the street. Gods, this town sucks, he thinks. He keeps walking and listens for sounds of music.

[DiscipleofBob]

The Stick Monkey is calming down for the night, everyone has rooms reserved. He goes over to Malreth and speaks in a perfect Elvish dialect, <"Look, are you going to sulk there all night or are you going to order something? Because it's going to be last call pretty soon.">

It doesn't take long for Thina to go out and find Raiden wandering around town aimlessly. He's less than a block from the Stick Monkey but he was walking away, apparently having passed it at least once without realizing it.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue
Thina sees Raiden wandering around aimlessly, seeming to be drunk. Oh gods, she thinks, he smashed. Great, didn't want to play babysitter tonight. She starts walking up to Raiden and shouts, "Hey, Raiden!" Over here!" When he gets a little closer, she says, "So where did you go? It's been hours.....you're....you're not drunk are you?"

[Great Dane]

Raiden sees the merlady and throws his hands up in the air in exuberation. Thank the Gods, I've found a familiar face! I'm starving and thirsty. I've been wandering around this place for hours now. But I did find some fancy shoes... as he scoots to and fro.

Walking inside with Thina, he asks, You look like you've had a pleasant evening and..., as he takes a look around, you seem to have made some friends. Sitting down next to Malreth with Thina following, he asks, So have we found anything out? I sure as hell haven't.

Motioning behind the bar, Raiden asks, Barkeep, food and drink please. I'm with her, as he points to Thina.

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Not a thing as of now. How was the other establishment?

[Great Dane]

What other establishment? As far as I can tell, the damn place doesn't exist. says Raiden with a certain level of annoyance.

Ahem, sorry about that. I'm just hungry, as he guzzles down a tasty beverage.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue
Thina laughs at Raiden. I know the truth. He looked more lost than anything else, but I'll let him have this one. She orders another drink from the bartender and then sits at the bar with her comrades, listening to the murmur of the Inn.

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Doesn't exist? Why its no more than a 5 minute walk out that door. This isn't that big a town you know.

[Great Dane]

A bit exasperated at Ezekial's response, Raiden stammers, But I looked...er, I went tha-...whatever.

When the food comes, Raiden scarfs it down, thanks the bartender, and asks where his room is at. See you all in the morning, bright and early. We can't count on those birds to be here when we wake up, so we might need an early start, says Raiden to Thina, Malreth, and Ezekial. He reaches in his pouch and feels for the yellow feather.

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Listening to Raiden, Ezekial exclaims loudly, Early start? We aren't stuck under that crazy woman's roof so I am not rising before they have prepared breakfast!

[Great Dane]

Raiden ponders for a second and nods his head in agreement. You're right old man. And it's more time for me to get warmed up, as he flexes one arm. You hear a slight sizzle in the air. Getting up from the table, Raiden retires to his room.

[Irish Musician]

Thina (http://www.myth-weavers.com/sheetview.php?sheetid=399551), Bard of Blue
Thina shakes her head and smiles. We may not be at Matoya's, but somehow I think she will wake us early anyway. She laughs at this though, out loud, and finishes her drink. "Well, I am off to bed as well. It has been a long and tiring day. See you all in the morning." With that, Thina goes to her room, looks around for a moment in the room, and then goes to bed.

Perception for looking around the room, Thina is nosey :smalltongue:
[roll0]

[Rausdower]

The man approached an irritable-looking Malreth and as a response to the question he split the stack of coins in front of him in half and placed them in front of the man.

Seeing that the others are not within earshot, Malreth speaks but in a hushed tone.

"I'm going to ask you a very simple question. Have you ever seen an elf in here who looked like me? When inebriated, this elf would have possibly spoken of either a family he failed or a brother who overshadowed him."

[Gillric]

Ezekial

Seeing the others head to bed, Ezekial rises and heads for his room as well.

[DiscipleofBob]

The bartender thinks for a moment before replying to Malreth in Elven, <"Well, how long ago would this have been? I try to remember regular faces, and we don't get many elves here. Moreso than in the Druken Dwarf, so if he did come through here he'd probably have stopped here.">