CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

As Elsee climbs up the shaft, crawling until it widens just enough for her to crouch, Naga slinks up behind her, whimpering at his separation from Badger. The tunnel is cut from dirt and laid with wood and stone, stained and worn in channels. There's a mixture of acrid and bitter smells, and the floor feels not just moist, but also oddly sticky. If Elsee looks up she can see sealed of grates and the hint of light and proper rooms up above; it seems as though this tunnel was cut out to serve as drainage from the labs. Who knows what residues are left behind--she should wash as soon as she can. There's solids left behind too, like the long slug-like deposits not far ahead.

Elsee stops when she sees an opening cut out from the side. She can see a room below, sloping down and then sharply sloping up. The center of the room is almost completely submerged in stagnant water that must be seeping in from below, and pretty much the entire room is boggy. And there seem to be things floating in the water, and other things, white, closer to the door...

Behind her, Naga, who has been whimpering this whole time from the smell and separation, stops. The whimper is replaced by a growl, which very very quickly shifts to an all-out snarl, as if he's about to attack.

 Everyone else: 

Kheel is busy devouring all the fresh-killed, not undead rats when Artorias motions for everyone to follow. He cautiously opens the door and everyone files into the next room...

 
 Spoiler 
Waiting to see what order people want to enter the room in.
 
super dark33
 [D]Kheel, come along.[D]
 

Surdrak signals Kheel with three fingers.
Athedia
Badger watched Naga climb into the hole, she wished she could go with him, but Elsee would have to protect him instead.   "Okay, lets go."  Badger followed closely behind Artorias, switching the axe in her hand for her bow.
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

As Naga growls, Elsee turns to the source and sees the massive slug-like deposit move towards her, inching along the ground with surprising speed, with a second one not too far behind. It reaches out tentacles to drag itself along, and as it closes in on Elsee and Naga it opens a surprisingly small mouth, filled with razor sharp teeth...

 
 Spoiler 
Initiative:
Elsee:  (d20+4)[ 7 ] 
Naga:  (d20+3)[ 14 ] 
Gricks:  (d20+2)[ 7 ] 

Initiative order:
Naga
Elsee
Gricks

Roll knowledge (dungeons and dungeneering) to officially identify the creature in-character.
 

 Everyone else, and Elsee if she looks: 

As Artorias enters the room and Badger follows, three amorphous shapes drop from the ceiling. Two fall upon Artorias, while the third, slightly larger one, lands on Badger's head.

And then they reach around Artorias and Badger's necks with their long black spiny tentacles, wrap around their throats, cut off their air, and start throttling the life out of them.

To make matters worse, there's a rattling in the back of the room, and a splashing sound in the shallow sodden boggy "pool" in the center of the room, down a gentle slope. Four otherworldly growls rise in unison as four stripped-down dog skeletons, soft fur and a faithful expression torn away, their bones better preserved than the rats but not by much, slowly close in on the group. And then four logs in the boggy center of the room roll over and turn, and even Artorias and Badger, if they care to look despite the tentacled things trying to murder them, can see the gray rotten flesh and sunken eyes of four zombified alligators.

 
 Spoiler 
Initiative:
Surdrak:  (d20+3)[ 15 ] 
Jadeite:  (d20+2)[ 17 ] 
Badger:  (d20+4)[ 15 ] 
Sora:  (d20+2)[ 22 ] 
Artorias:  (d20+2)[ 15 ] 
Kheel:  (d20+2)[ 15 ] 
Chokers:  (d20+6)[ 16 ] 
Skeleton dogs:  (d20+7)[ 24 ] 
Zombie alligators:  (d20)[ 6 ] 

Initiative order:
Skeleton dogs
Sora and Jadeite
Chokers
Surdrak, Badger, Artorias, and Kheel
Zombie alligators

Choker 1 attacks Artorias:
Grapple:  (d20+5)[ 17 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+7)[ 25 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d3+3)[ 4 ] 

Choker 2 attacks Artorias:
Grapple:  (d20+5)[ 7 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+7)[ 15 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d3+3)[ 4 ] 

Choker 3 attacks Badger:
Grapple:  (d20+12)[ 21 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+6)[ 12 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d4+4)[ 7 ] 

Roll knowledge (dungeons and dungeneering) to officially identify the creature in-character.

And now I need to make the map.
 


Artorias manages to fling up his glaive just in time; both of the creatures wrap around his neck but neither manages to establish a firm hold. Badger, however, is less lucky as the squid-like beast wraps around her throat, the sharp spines digging into the sides of her neck, and starts to  squeeze. 

The skeleton dogs, roused by the sounds of battle, close in though the water and mud in the center of the room slows them down.
Silverraptor
Sora squealed and ducked under the rat thrown.
 "Badger! Why would you do that?!" 
CoffeeIncluded
With otherworldly howls the skeleton dogs run through the shallower edges of the near-swamp, but get bogged down partway through. Jadeite gasps as he sees the chokers strangle Badger and try to do the same to Artorias, and sees the undead dogs and alligators closing in.  "I apologize for destroying such fine handiwork, but you simply must burn!"  And he launches at the center of the muck, which explodes in a geyser of heat and slimy green and brown.

 
 Spoiler 

SD1 reflex:  (d20+4)[ 22 ] 
Damage:  (5d6)[ 21 ]  (10)

SD2 reflex:  (d20+4)[ 10 ] 
Damage:  (5d6)[ 12 ] 

SD3 reflex:  (d20+4)[ 9 ] 
Damage:  (5d6)[ 17 ] 

SD4 reflex:  (d20+4)[ 23 ] 
Damage:  (5d6)[ 18 ]  (9)

ZA3 reflex:  (d20+3)[ 13 ] 
Damage:  (5d6)[ 17 ] 

ZA4 reflex:  (d20+3)[ 21 ] 
Damage:  (5d6)[ 15 ]  (7)
 


Two of the skeleton dogs and one of the zombie alligators dodge the worst of the blast, but the rest are caught in the fireball. When the muck and water settles, they see that the dogs are in bad shape. Their white bones are scorched and many of their ribs are cracked, broken and gone. The alligator also has a huge chunk taken out of him. But none of them seem to notice, and they still move to attack.

Up in the tunnel, Naga growls.

 
 Spoiler 
Athedia, you're in control of Naga. The skeleton dogs have gone, so Sora's up. Then the chokers, then everyone else.

Up in the tunnel, it's Naga (controlled by Athedia) and Elsee, then the two gricks.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Note: This is supposed to go before the Chokers attack and Jadeite's counter move.
 "This is weird, people normally trap stuff they want to protect, but there doesn't seem to be anything valuable in here."  Artorias' hand moves towards his glaive, something just fell... off.

As they enter into the room, the feeling of danger increases, an almost inaudible noise makes Artorias look up just in time to bring his glaive to block... something.

 "What the hell is that?"  he yells.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler 
Knowledge:  (d20+4)[ 20 ] 
 

 "It's called a choker,"  Jadeite says as the two smaller ones try to snap Artorias's glaive and get to his neck, batting away and pressing their tentacles against the wood. Meanwhile the larger one tightens its grip around Badger's throat, eliciting awful gagging noises from her. Several feet away there's still bubbling noises as the muck settles.  "They're nasty predators that strangle their prey before consuming it. And they're deceptively quick." 
Athedia
Naga growled, a low angry sound directed at the gricks.  Seeing Elsee behind him he launched forward attacking the first grick he saw.  Of course it wasn't a grick to him, but a weird tentacled mass.  Probably dinner.   
 Spoiler 
Bite:  (1d20+2)[ 5 ] 
Crit:  (1d20+2)[ 8 ] 
Damage  (1d4+1)[ 3 ] 
I never rolled the stats for Naga.  What hitpoints does he have?
 
Silverraptor
Sora shrikes and tries to get the thing off Badger, pulling out her dagger, she attempts to stab it off.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack:  (1d20+1)[ 6 ] 
Critical:  (1d20+1)[ 18 ] 
Damage:  (1d4-1)[ 3 ] 
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee sneered at the slug-monsters, bearing her own sharp teeth while she was at it. Great, first she's crawling about in the alchemist's toilet pipe on date-night, now she has to fight living turds about it too. great. Juuuust great.

Ignoring the cut in the tunnel for now Elsee slowly brings herself to the closest thing to a stand she could manage, letting her teeth drag along the blade of her Kurkri as she draw it from her mouth, creating a faint scraping noise as she slowly moved forwards, uncomfortably hunched over to prevent the very top of her head from touching the ceiling. She didn't mind her hair being a mess, but she drew the line at having chemical turd in there.

Without even questioning the creature's motives, Elsee moved up to the nearest one and shot her Kurkri right towards the closest thing she could identify as a face, drawing the Kurkri's twin as she did so for later on in the fight.

 
 Spoiler 

Untrained dungeoneering check if allowed; (d20-1)[ 19 ]
H'uh, Elsee has a -1 on int. forgot about that.

moving to M84 and attacking G1
Attack: (d20+6)[ 24 ]
Crit: (d20+6)[ 11 ]
Damage: (d3+2)[ 3 ]

Sneak attack: (2d6)[ 11 ]
 
CoffeeIncluded
Sora's dagger is unsuccessful at cutting though the choker. It is, however, very successful at cutting off a chunk of Badger's hair.

Elsee has more luck. Though Naga's fangs slide off the grick's hide (and Elsee knows it's a grick, a skulking slug-like tentacle thing that bashes its prey to death and devours it at leisure later) Elsee somehow manages to find a vital spot and plunge her dagger in all the way to the hilt. The grick shudders, makes a rasping noise, and falls limp.

 
 Spoiler 
ill go for the chokers when I get back.
 
CoffeeIncluded
All three chokers continue to squeeze and strangle Badger and Artorias, pulling their tentacles tight around their throats, trying to cut off their air and blood supply.

 
 Spoiler 
I'm rolling multiple grapple checks because they're going to try to grapple on each successful attack. Of course, once they grapple they're going to choke, so disregard any grapple checks after the first successful one. I think that's how it works, anyway. I don't like the grappling rules.

Choker 1 attacks Artorias:
Attack:  (d20+6)[ 25 ] 
Crit:  (d20+6)[ 14 ] 
Damage:  (d3+3)[ 6 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+5)[ 7 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+7)[ 17 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d3+3)[ 5 ] 

Attack:  (d20+6)[ 16 ] 
Crit:  (d20+6)[ 22 ] 
Damage:  (d3+3)[ 5 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+5)[ 21 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+7)[ 26 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d3+3)[ 6 ] 

Attack:  (d20+6)[ 17 ] 
Crit:  (d20+6)[ 17 ] 
Damage:  (d3+3)[ 5 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+5)[ 17 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+7)[ 27 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d3+3)[ 5 ] 

Choker 2 attacks Artorias:
Attack:  (d20+6)[ 23 ] 
Crit:  (d20+6)[ 19 ] 
Damage:  (d3+3)[ 6 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+5)[ 13 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+7)[ 26 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d3+3)[ 4 ] 

Attack:  (d20+6)[ 9 ] 
Crit:  (d20+6)[ 18 ] 
Damage:  (d3+3)[ 5 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+5)[ 15 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+7)[ 19 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d3+3)[ 6 ] 

Attack:  (d20+6)[ 21 ] 
Crit:  (d20+6)[ 17 ] 
Damage:  (d3+3)[ 4 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+5)[ 14 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+7)[ 19 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d3+3)[ 6 ] 

Choker 3 attacks Badger:
Attack:  (d20+8)[ 27 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 10 ] 
Damage:  (d4+4)[ 6 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+12)[ 22 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+6)[ 24 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d4+4)[ 6 ] 

Attack:  (d20+8)[ 13 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 17 ] 
Damage:  (d4+4)[ 8 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+12)[ 28 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+6)[ 26 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d4+4)[ 8 ] 

Attack:  (d20+8)[ 13 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 25 ] 
Damage:  (d4+4)[ 6 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+12)[ 32 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+6)[ 11 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d4+4)[ 6 ] 


Wow, these attacks are adding up fast. I knew they would, but I forgot just how fast. 😦 At least neither of you are as squishy as Mithril!

27 damage to Artorias, and...oh god, Badger's at -7. though I think you need to win a grapple check to throw them off you?

And you're up!
 


All the chokers manage to constrict Artorias and Badger, crushing their windpipe and leaving bruises. But as they shift their tentacles for a better grip, Artorias manages to grab onto the wriggly black limbs and wrench them away from his neck.

Badger, however, is not so lucky as the choker clenches even tighter. For one brief moment it looks like she'll be able to yank it away from her, but then it throttles her neck one more, before Badger can even draw a single breath of air. She can feel something being crushed inside her neck, and red specks burst to swim in her vision. And then nothing, as the world swims before her and fades out.
CoffeeIncluded
The grick bashes against Elsee with its tentacles, leaving residues of unknown liquids on her skin, and tries to bite with its protruding mouth.

 
 Spoiler 

Attack:  (d20+3)[ 4 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 22 ] 
Damage:  (d4+2)[ 4 ] 

Attack:  (d20+3)[ 7 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 8 ] 
Damage:  (d4+2)[ 5 ] 

Attack:  (d20+3)[ 4 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 17 ] 
Damage:  (d4+2)[ 4 ] 

Attack:  (d20+3)[ 20 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 10 ] 
Damage:  (d4+2)[ 6 ] 

Attack:  (d20-2)[ 7 ] 
Crit:  (d20-2)[ 5 ] 
Damage:  (d3+1)[ 4 ] 
 


But Elsee's fast, ducking and dodging and weaving through the tentacles, the strips of her leather armor sweeping behind her as she turns and sidesteps the around the biting jaws. And then one hard tentacle smacks her to the ground.
super dark33
Surdrak conjurs a hand extansion which resembles the Choker's hand, and attempts to lunge at the Chocer on Artorias.

he aims for the neck.


 
 Spoiler 
Aiming at choker 1
 (1d20+4)[ 24 ]   Att
 (1d20+4)[ 24 ]   Crt
 (1d3+1)[ 3 ]   Gnt
 (3d6)[ 10 ]   Eldh
 
CoffeeIncluded
Surdrak lunges at the choker strangling Artorias, slashing wildly with his hand and tearing into it. With the force behind his attacks, he rips it open and it falls limp to the ground.

As does Badger behind them with a mighty thud, limp on the ground as the choker continues to constrict her. Her face is blue, her eyes are wide open and speckled with red from burst capillaries. And only the slightest twitching of her fingers and feet indicate that she still lives. But only just.
Athedia
  "Damn necromancers"    Badger managed one thought before passing out fighting against the monster.  Of all she had fought for, all her close calls THIS was how she was going to go?  Helpless and choked to death.  She hated being helpless, she hated it.  Of all the ways she would have preferred a sword to her heart, something she got in a fair fight.  This?  This was to much like a hanging.
Draconi Redfir
Kheel flys into the fray, biting at the Choker wrapped around Badger's throat and attempting to pull it off.

 
 Spoiler 

Bite:(D20+8)[ 12 ]
Crit:(d20+8[ 9 ]
Damage:(2d6+3)[ 10 ]
 
CoffeeIncluded
If Surdrak had actually helped Badger instead of seeking the glory of a one-hit-kill, Kheel's bite would have done much more damage. As it is, he still manages to tear off a chunk of leathery, rubbery flesh. But the choker is still firmly attached to the twitching, dying Badger even as it hisses.

 
 Spoiler 
With charge and flank, Kheel hit.
 

 "Badger!"  Jadeite shouts as the ranger falls, too quickly for him to react.  "Artorias, I am sorry but that large choker is the greater threat, and Badger is in more immediate danger!" 
CoffeeIncluded
Naga snarls and races around the grick to bite into it again.

 
 Spoiler 

Attack:  (1d20+4)[ 9 ] 
Crit:  (1d20+4)[ 19 ] 
Damage  (1d4+1)[ 2 ] 
 


But again, his teeth slide off the slimy exterior.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee sneered and slowly backed away from the seccond Grick, she had managed to kill the first one no problem, but this one had already hit her pretty hard, and she'd rather not risk letting herself die again, with the dog missing all his bites, it would be all on her.

but first, Elsee popped open the potion of cure moderate wounds Jadeite had given her just a moment before, hoping that it would at the very least keep her alive if the thing landed any more hits on her.

 
 Spoiler 

5-foot stepping backwrds one square and taking the cure mod potion.
(2d8)[ 11 ]

not sure on the caster level of the potion sooo... yea.
 


Ahhh that hit the spot alright! Elsee grinned wickedly as she felt all her wounds heal up, even the one caused by those rats from earlier. now all she had to do was not let this thing hit her enough times to make the entire thing meaningless.
CoffeeIncluded
As Elsee drinks the potion, the grick reaches up a tentacle to slam it out of her hand. It then proceeds to attack, flailing out its tentacles to bask and batter both Elsee and Naga, then biting into Elsee with its tiny yet oh so sharp teeth.

 
 Spoiler 
The potion healed 14 damage, and the grick gets an AoO. This damage will be healed by the potion.

AoO on Elsee:
Attack:  (d20+3)[ 18 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 10 ] 
Damage:  (d4+2)[ 6 ] 

Attack on Elsee:
Attack:  (d20+3)[ 21 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 22 ] 
Damage:  (d4+2)[ 6 ] 

Attack on Elsee:
Attack:  (d20+3)[ 16 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 5 ] 
Damage:  (d4+2)[ 5 ] 

Attack on Naga:
Attack:  (d20+3)[ 7 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 5 ] 
Damage:  (d4+2)[ 5 ] 

Attack on Naga:
Attack:  (d20+3)[ 20 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 21 ] 
Damage:  (d4+2)[ 5 ] 

Attack on Elsee:
Attack:  (d20-2)[ 16 ] 
Crit:  (d20-2)[ 1 ] 
Damage:  (d3+1)[ 2 ] 
 


Most of the tentacles barely miss Elsee, but one sends her sprawling. Naga isn't so lucky--he manages to dodge one tentacle but the other one lashes against his chest. They hear ribs crack, and Naga immediately begins yelping and crying out in pain.
Dusk Eclipse
 BADGER!  Artorias redoubles his effort, he couldn't loose her, he couldn't loose any of his friends period. Breathing heavily Artorias redoubles his efforts to pry the tentacles from his neck.   "Hang in there Badger, please just hang in there."  Finally managing to free his left arm he touches the moonstone stud on his belt and reaches towards Badger's prone form.
 
 Spoiler 

Spending the three charges to heal her  (4d8)[ 21 ]  hit points.
 


His belt glows for a moment, before the shining moonstones turn a dull grey.
CoffeeIncluded
Badger's eyes open, painfully. Everything hurts, her head feels light, the world swims and fuzzes. She can't quite tell what is or isn't real. But what IS real is the now-confused choker still crushing her throat and windpipe.

 
 Spoiler 
badger is at 14 HP and she can go.
 
Athedia
Badger struggled against the still constricting tentacles of the choker.  She just needed to get a word out.  One word.

 
 Spoiler 
Grapple to Escape Badger:  (d20+6)[ 14 ] 
Opposed Grapple Choker:  (1d20+7)[ 16 ]  +5 so actualy 21
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee sneered and growled as she wiped her mouth of the potion, quickly tightening her grip on her kurkri as she tossed the bottle asside. She would have survived that hit without the potion of course, but had it landed annother like it she likely would have been dead on the ground right now.

A quickl glance of the eye was all that it took to see that Naga was in danger, jeeze what was it with her and taking care of pets all of a sudden? it was cool at first, but what was next, some dwarf kid gunna ask her to babysit his battle-hamster?

Elsee didn't have time to think like this though, and instead lunched at the Grick just as it's attention was diverted to Naga, if she could just time it right...

 
 Spoiler 

Attack: (d20+7)[ 15 ]
Crit: (d20+6)[ 24 ]
Damage: (1d3+2)[ 3 ]
Sneak attack: (2d6)[ 4 ]

Attack: (d20+7)[ 19 ]
Crit: (d20+6)[ 19 ]
Damage: (1d3+2)[ 4 ]
Sneak attack: (2d6)[ 5 ]
 
CoffeeIncluded
Both of Elsee's attacks rip through the grick--it shudders and bleeds out on the ground.

There's nothing else up here, but Elsee can see the noise of battle below, about a seven foot drop from where she is now. Skeleton dogs and zombie alligators are closing in on her friends. Two small tentacled things are strangling Artorias and Badger, and Badger...Badger's face is blue, and she's gasping and scrabbling at the tentacled thing, but unable to pull it off even as it chokes her to death.

 
 Spoiler 
I'll go for the undead animals later.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The zombie alligators slowly make their way out of the muck, and as the slimy water drips off their bodies everyone can see their pallid, slightly rotting flesh, the way their scales are loose and threatening to drop off, and their underbellies are swollen and scorched by Jadeite's fireball.

Two manage to lumber their way to Artorias and Kheel, but too slowly to attack at the moment.

The skeleton dogs are more mobile, and as they race through the muddy water, the muck splashing against their burnt bones and dragging against their toes as they race down the room. Their eyes glow with an unearthly light and two manage to get close enough to sink their fangs into Artorias and Kheel, unhindered by lips or gum. And Artorias, grappling with the choker, is unable to swipe out at the undead animals, is unable to bring them to a swifter rest.

 
 Spoiler 
You're getting swarmed next turn.

SD1 attacks Kheel
Attack:  (d20+4)[ 8 ] 
Crit:  (d20+4)[ 21 ] 
Damage:  (d6+2)[ 7 ] 

SD2 attacks Artorias
Attack:  (d20+4)[ 18 ] 
Crit:  (d20+4)[ 22 ] 
Damage:  (d6+2)[ 5 ] 

Artorias is at 5 HP
 


The skeleton dog attacking Kheel misses, but Artorias isn't able to dodge out of the way and the second one bites down hard on his leg. Red blood flows over its white jaws.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Badger!"  Though Badger has managed to get to her feet, she's still desperately scrabbling, and the blue in her face is becoming deeper and deeper. And Artorias seems to be sinking to the ground too.

Jadeite leaps into action. His fingers fly faster than they ever have before, weaving a spell faster than he has ever done before. And then he grabs onto the choker, curls his fingers right around the tentacles, and casts another spell as he growls,  "Time to make you calamari.  Dried  calamari." 
 
 Spoiler 
Sudden quickened true strike, followed by parching touch.

Attack:  (d20+21)[ 40 ] 
Damage:  (5d6)[ 14 ] 
Fort save or take 1 con damage and become dehydrated:  (d20+4)[ 8 ] 

Okay, with the con damage that MIGHT have killed it but I need to check my notes and I can't do that for a bit.
 


The choker shudders and shrivels under Jadeite's merciless spell. Fluid leaks from it, slipping down its rubbery exterior and moistening Badger's neck. And yet it remains upright, but only just.

 
 Spoiler 
the choker is at 0 HP.
 
CoffeeIncluded
As Jadeite sucks the choker very nearly dry, the nearest skeleton dog tries to bite down on the necromancer.

 
 Spoiler 
I forgot about the AoO. Here it is!

Attack:  (d20+7)[ 16 ]  (d20+4) = 13 and that misses.
Crit:  (d20+7)[ 16 ] 
Damage:  (d8+7)[ 10 ] 
 


Jadeite turns and the dog tears at swishing fabric, but nothing else.
Silverraptor
 "Artorias! Badger! Stay alive until I can attend to you!" 
She then looks at all the undead approaching. Gripping her amulet, she lets her power flow forth.
 "Consecrate!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Here is hoping the group can survive until I can turn undead next turn and then provide healing. Everyone, use your potions!
 
CoffeeIncluded
A bright light and warm energy fills the area, and the approaching undead creatures seem to stop and shudder.

The battered, dehydrated choker around Badger's neck pauses, as if considering the situation. Then it lets go, slides off Badger's neck, and races as quickly as possible into the mucky thick water, where it seems to bend down what is apparently its head to drink. The popping lights in front of Badger's head take time to fade, and the first few breaths she take feel like fire mixed with the sweetness. Her whole neck is swollen and bruised, and even though every gasping breath she takes is wonderful, the effort still hurts.

But the other choker around Artorias's neck continues battering and strangling him. If it manages to throttle Artorias into unconsciousness, it leaps off the warblade and latches to the next closest target--Surdrak.

 
 Spoiler 
Choker 1 attacks Artorias:
Attack:  (d20+6)[ 14 ] 
Crit:  (d20+6)[ 14 ] 
Damage:  (d3+3)[ 5 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+5)[ 16 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+7)[ 20 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d3+3)[ 6 ] 

Attack:  (d20+6)[ 14 ] 
Crit:  (d20+6)[ 13 ] 
Damage:  (d3+3)[ 5 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+5)[ 20 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+7)[ 26 ]  (if Surdrak  (d20+3)[ 9 ] )
Constrict damage:  (d3+3)[ 4 ] 

Attack:  (d20+6)[ 19 ] 
Crit:  (d20+6)[ 20 ] 
Damage:  (d3+3)[ 4 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+5)[ 19 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20+7)[ 20 ]  (if Surdrak  (d20+3)[ 8 ] )
Constrict damage:  (d3+3)[ 4 ] 
 


Again Artorias manages to keep most of the tentacles away from him, and just barely stop himself from being strangled, but one blow sends his head reeling back. Everything sounds funny, and he feels lightheaded and weak.

 
 Spoiler 
Artorias is at 3 HP. Artorias, Badger, Surdrak, and Kheel are up. Draconi, do you want to go for Kheel?
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias struggles with the choker, waiting for the best opportunity to act.

 
 Spoiler 
Delaying my action till Surdrak, Badger and Sora go.
 
Athedia
Badger struggled her bow out aiming an arrow at Artorias's neck where the choker tried to do to him what the larger one almost had done to her.    She could not speak a warning to Artorias, her neck was too sore, but she aimed and shot anyway, hoping no harm would come.

 
 Spoiler 
Rapid, Precise and Point Blank Shot with normal bonuses for a total of +9 to hit and +2 damage,

Attack 1:  (1d20+9)[ 17 ] 
Crit 1:  (1d20+9)[ 16 ] 
Damage 1:  (1d6+2)[ 4 ] 

Attack 1:  (1d20+9)[ 23 ] 
Crit 1:  (1d20+9)[ 28 ] 
Damage 1:  (1d6+2)[ 5 ] 
 


As the arrows jumped from her bow she could swear she heard a whimper from high above her in the wall.
CoffeeIncluded
Both arrows slam point-blank into the choker. It shudders, and what could be blood if it weren't so dark leaks from the wounds, but as it waves its tentacles Badger can see that though it's badly wounded, it's not down yet.
Draconi Redfir
with the chokers all dead and gone, Kheel turns his attention on the other nearby threats.

 
 Spoiler 

gunna break up attacks between sd1 and za1. if i cany do that just have them all target za1. all follow the standard "attack &gt; crit&gt; dmg pattern.

bite on dog
(d20+8)[ 25 ]
(d20+8)[ 22 ]
(2d6+3)[ 9 ]

claw 1 on dog
(d20+8)[ 28 ]
(d20+8)[ 22 ]
(2d4+3)[ 6 ]

claw 2 on dog
(d20+8)[ 28 ]
(d20+8)[ 12 ]
(2d4+3)[ 8 ]

tail on gator
(d20+8)[ 25 ]
(d20+8)[ 22 ]
(d4+3)[ 6 ]

wing 1 on gator
(d20+6)[ 17 ]
(d20+6)[ 25 ]
(d6+1)[ 4 ]

wing 2 on gator
(d20+6)[ 9 ]
(d20+6)[ 12 ]
(d6+1)[ 3 ]
 


Meanwhile Elsee crawls her way over to Nage, sneering to herself as she watched the dog squirm. pets, it aaalways had to be pets. cautiously Elsee dug around her pack for things that could help a shattered rib, some thieves tools, some rope, a crowbar, a bucket, a grappling hook, flint and steel, aaand that island kids doll.  she didn't know, maybe she could use the bucket to make the dog re-breathe the same air until she passed out, and then use the thieves tools to open her gut enough to put the busted rib back and tie the whole thing in place with rope before cauterizing the wound shut with a crowbar heated up by the flint and steel?... and then give the dog the doll to gnaw on? ... maybe just petting the thing would help...


Heal check on naga.
(d20)[ 17 ]
CoffeeIncluded
Naga whimpers as Elsee runs her hands along the dog's body. He's battered and bruised, and she thinks a couple ribs are cracked, but he looks otherwise okay.

Below, Kheel turns his power on the skeleton dog. His first bite shatters the dog's front legs to splinters, and with smash of his wings what remains of the skeleton falls apart. The alligator is next, and he claws it deep and bloody--or it would be, if the alligator were alive. Kheel's final stab of his tail gouges the zombie's eye and must pierce its brain, for it instantly goes limp as well.

 
 Spoiler 
I hope you don't mind that I swapped the wing and claw attacks. You can do that and he'd bypass DR that way. It was the only way to take them both down.
 
super dark33
 Stay put artorias! 

Surdrak poses himself, Breathing in,
Strike.

 
 Spoiler 

Sapphire nightmare eldritch punch!
 (1d20+8)[ 13 ]  Concentration
 (1d20+4)[ 15 ]  Attack
 (1d20+4)[ 16 ]  Crit
 (1d3+1)[ 3 ]  Gauntlet
 (3d6)[ 11 ]  Eldritch
 (1d6)[ 6 ]  Sapphire nightmare
 


Breathing out.
CoffeeIncluded
For a moment it looks like Surdrak's attack is going to miss. But the choker can't dodge while grappling Artorias, and the warlock punches straight through the creature, until his knuckles brush against Artorias's bruised neck. When Surdrak withdraws his hand, the choker is hanging dead, impaled off his wrist.

 
 Spoiler 
Choker's down and Artorias is up!
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias let's out a breath he didn't know he was holding as he feels the squid-thing tense a little more before slacking. He gives Surdrak a grateful look.

Carefully moving around both Surdark and the alligator Artorias position himself with just enough space to be able to hit the alligator, breathing in to compose himself, Artorias slashes at the zombied reptile right between the decomposing scales with as much strength as he is able to.

 
 Spoiler 

Tumble check to move to (90,V)  (1d20+10)[ 27 ]   (14-4[being threatened by the dog and alligator)
Standard action to initiate  Emerald Razor 
Full Power Attack Roll  (1d20+4)[ 5 ]  vs. Touch AC
Crit Confirmation  (1d20+6)[ 15 ] 
Damage  (1d10+15)[ 23 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias is able to tumble out of the way, but the lack of blood and sudden movement makes him woozy and lightheaded. He stumbles on the attack, swings wide. It's honestly a bit of a miracle he doesn't fall over on his own attack.

 
 Spoiler 
I'll attack for the undead later. At least you get AoOs!
 
CoffeeIncluded
One of the zombified alligators sees a much easier target than the guild members right next to him. It lashes out to bite into the choker desperately trying to rehydrate itself on muddy water. But the rest of the zombified alligators and the skeleton dogs move in to attack.

 
 Spoiler 
Unfortunately all the undead animals on Artorias's side did 5 foot steps, so no AoOs for him. Sorry! And consecrate's in effect.

ZA4 attacks the large choker:
Attack:  (d20+6)[ 7 ] 
Crit:  (d20+6)[ 16 ] 
Damage:  (d8+6)[ 10 ] 

ZA2 attacks Artorias:
Attack:  (d20+6)[ 25 ] 
Crit:  (d20+6)[ 16 ] 
Damage:  (d8+6)[ 12 ] 

ZA3 attacks Kheel:
Attack:  (d20+6)[ 18 ] 
Crit:  (d20+6)[ 23 ] 
Damage:  (d8+6)[ 8 ] 

SD2 attacks Surdrak:
Attack:  (d20+3)[ 15 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 4 ] 
Damage:  (d6+1)[ 3 ] 

SD3 attacks Kheel:
Attack:  (d20+3)[ 8 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 10 ] 
Damage:  (d6+1)[ 7 ] 

SD4 attacks Badger:
Attack:  (d20+3)[ 19 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 13 ] 
Damage:  (d6+1)[ 7 ] 
 


A skeleton dog bites into Badger's leg with an unearthly snarl. And yet she can't help but be reminded of Badger.

Kheel cries out as the zombified alligator tears a long rent into his wing. And Artorias's scream of pain at the alligator's attack is cut short as he finally passes out, bleeding profusely from a filthy-looking bite wound. Actually, more than profusely...Artorias is loosing blood at a frightening rate. His face is ashen and pallid, and growing paler by the moment.

 
 Spoiler 
Sora and Jadeite are up.  ARTORIAS IS AT -9. 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Sora!"  Jadeite shouts as he steps back and shoots three spiraling masses at the undead alligator attacking Kheel. There's actual fear in his voice, and for once he doesn't snark or make a quip as he casts his spell.  "Artorias is about to die!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Magic Missile on ZA3, then SD3 if ZA3 goes down before the spell ends.
 (d4+1)[ 2 ] 
 (d4+1)[ 3 ] 
 (d4+1)[ 2 ] 
 


The zombified alligator stops moving, defeated. The third missile strikes the skeleton dog between the eyes, and for a moment it looks like it will crumble, but it just barely stays upright. Not that it seems to notice how close it is to destruction.
Silverraptor
Sora reaches out, trying to grab ahold of Artorias, converting the Magic Circle against Evil.
 "Cure Serious Wounds!" 
 
 Spoiler 
 (3d8+5)[ 11 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
The wound is still bleeding, but it slows and clots just enough for Artorias to get up and open his eyes.

 
 Spoiler 
Artorias is at 2 HP.
 


The choker continues to drink water, desperately trying to rehydrate itself after Jadeite's spell.

 
 Spoiler 
Surdrak, Badger, Kheel, and Artorias are up. Let's finish them!
 
Athedia
Badger activated her boots, instantly giving herself a little distance from the monsters.  Raising her bow she let off one arrow directly at the creature attacking artorias.

 
 Spoiler 
Same as before w/o rapid shot since she moved.
Attack:  (1d20+10)[ 11 ] 
Crit:  (1d20+10)[ 26 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+2)[ 3 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
The first arrow flies over the head of the alligator, as Badger didn't take the time to fully reorient herself after shooting.

 
 Spoiler 
Where did you teleport to?
 
Draconi Redfir
Kheel calls out in pain as his wing is torn, and between his torn wing, his sudden lack of targets with any decent flesh to dig into, and the smell of fresh blood filling his nostrils when he was perfectly aware only the humans and elf around him were alive, he ultimately decided it was best to move and switch targets.

Somewhat clumsily due to the torn wing and the stagnant air, Kheel flys over to the polearmed-human's side, raking his talons at the zombified Aligator.


 
 Spoiler 

Moving to U-90 through Jadeite and Badger. SD 3 will probably get an
AoO.

talon: (d20+8)[ 23 ]
Crit: (d20+8)[ 11 ]
Damage: (2d4+3)[ 10 ]
 



Meanwhile Elsee, upon ensuring Naga was okay to walk, resumed crawling up the tunnel, looking back from time to time to check on the canine.
CoffeeIncluded
One of the skeleton dogs bites Kheel, but utterly fails at the attack and pdoesn't stop the wyvern from tearing the zombie alligator's head off.

 
 Spoiler 

Attack:  (d20+3)[ 6 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 4 ] 
Damage:  (d6+1)[ 6 ] 

Oh, and Artorias is up too.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Naga follows Elsee down the tunnel. There's nothing else here except for chemical residues, damp and sticky. And the occasional dried carapace, cobweb, spider, and small rodent skeleton, rotted and inert and forgotten. There's another side opening that presumably leads to a third room. As Elsee walks she gets the sense that she's sloping up, gently. About twenty or thirty feet after this third opening the tunnel ends, blocked off by a dirt wall.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee clicked her tounge in frustraition, turning her attention to Naga s the thought of examining the opening she passed behind her breifly crossed her mind.

 "Don't suppose you know how to dig without colapsing this whole place on us huh?" 
Athedia
Naga whined and tilted his head.
Draconi Redfir
 "Figures."  Elsee grunted and moved back to check out the opening into what was likely the third room.
super dark33
Surdrak attempts to crush the neck of the skeleton dog that bites his hand, though not wounding him.

 
 Spoiler 

 (1d20+4)[ 6 ]  att
 (1d3+1)[ 3 ]  gntlt
 (3d6)[ 7 ]  eldritch
 


He misses entirely, nearly hitting his own leg.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias stands with great difficulties, his glaive forgotten in the damp floor besides him, with the last strength in his body he retrieves the dagger he always carries in his boots and savagely attacks the alligator in front of him.

 
 Spoiler 

Free action: Draw dagger
Standard Action: Initiate Rabid Wolf Strike (they do say a cornered animal is the most dangerous type)
Attack Roll  (1d20+12)[ 31 ] 
Crit Confirmation  (1d20+14)[ 21 ] 
Damage [roll]1d4+2d6+3[/roll]
My AC drops to 14 for the rest of the round.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias slams into the zombie alligator with all his waning strength. Panic and adrenaline guide his blade, and he pries open the zombie's skull, utterly destroying most of its brain--and the zombie with it.

The final zombie alligator continues trying to devour the choker next to it, while the three remaining skeleton dogs snarl and attack Jadeite, Surdrak, and Kheel.

 
 Spoiler 
ZA4 attacks Choker:
Attack:  (d20+6)[ 24 ] 
Crit:  (d20+6)[ 17 ] 
Damage:  (d8+6)[ 8 ] 

SD2 attacks Kheel:
Attack:  (d20+3)[ 18 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 22 ] 
Damage:  (d6+1)[ 6 ] 

SD3 attacks Surdrak:
Attack:  (d20+3)[ 17 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 6 ] 
Damage:  (d6+1)[ 6 ] 

SD4 attacks Jadeite:
Attack:  (d20+3)[ 21 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 20 ] 
Damage:  (d6+1)[ 7 ] 
 


Surdrak dodges the skeleton dog's attack, but the zombie alligator rips the choker to shreds, and both Jadeite and Kheel groan in pain as they receive deep bite wounds.
CoffeeIncluded
With one hand pressed to his side to stem the bleeding, Jadeite slams the butt of his dagger down onto the bridge of the skeleton dog's nose. Hemlock follows with a deep hiss.

 
 Spoiler 
Jadeite does an unarmed strike.

Attack:  (d20+1)[ 18 ] 
Crit:  (d20+1)[ 5 ] 
Damage:  (d4-1)[ 0 ] 

And Hemlock attacks!
Attack:  (d20+5)[ 24 ] 
Crit:  (d20+5)[ 11 ] 
Damage: 1
 


Jadeite's blow leaves the skeleton dog's skull spiderwebbed with cracks, and as Hemlock bites down it shatters into hundreds of pieces. And the skeleton dog falls apart.

 
 Spoiler 
Two skeleton dogs and a zombie alligator left. EVERYBODY is up!
 
Silverraptor
Sora points her amulet towards the remaining undead.
 "Turn Undead!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Turn Check: (1d20+6)[ 22 ] 
Turning damage: (2d6+9)[ 14 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
The skeleton dogs start yiping and yelping, which is just disturbing coming from the undead creatures, as they flee from Sora at top possible speed. The alligator follows.

 
 Spoiler 
But you still need to kill them!
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Breathing had never been so hard, but at the same time it had never been so fulfilling for Artorias, with great effort he grabs his glaive from the floor and slowly walks around the remaining skeletons, he nearly trips on a dog's tibia but somehow manages to keep his footing. With trembling hands he adopts a defensive stance as he slashes at the undead animal.

 
 Spoiler 

Move towards (88,S)
Fighting defensively (-4 attack + 2 AC for a total of 21) the skeleton dog
Attack roll [roll0] 8-4(fighting defensively)+2(flanking)
Crit confirmation [roll1]
Damage[roll2]
 
 
 

 White Text of post lengthening +1 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias puts all his strength into the attack, and it pays off. He smashes the skeleton dog to bits.
super dark33
Surdrak aims a blast at the skeleton dog.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+6)[ 19 ] 
 (3d6)[ 14 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
The skeleton dog explodes as the blast hits it, sending bony shrapnel flying everywhere. Only the zombie alligator is left, and he is already turning to flee from Sora's divine power.

 
 Spoiler 
Kheel and Badger are up, only the zombie alligator is left.
 
Athedia
Badger aimed her bow at the fleeing... creature.  Her lip raised in disgust as she let her arrows fly.

 
 Spoiler 
Rapid and Point Blank Shot with normal bonuses for a total of +9 to hit and +2 damage,

Attack 1:  (1d20+9)[ 19 ] 
Crit 1:  (1d20+9)[ 15 ] 
Damage 1:  (1d6+2)[ 4 ] 

Attack 2:  (1d20+9)[ 21 ] 
Crit 2:  (1d20+9)[ 27 ] 
Damage 2:  (1d6+2)[ 4 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Both shots slam into the zombie alligator's back, but though they seem to sever the spine, and the alligator's tail goes slack, the zombie doesn't stop moving yet.

 
 Spoiler 
Kheel's turn--bring it on home!
 
Draconi Redfir
Kheel flies up to the final remining undead and bites into it, tearing a chunk of flesh away in what was hopefully a deadly strike.

 
 Spoiler 

attack: (d20+8)[ 27 ]
Damage: (2d6+3)[ 5 ]
 
CoffeeIncluded
Kheel's attack is just enough, and as he tears away part of the zombie, it stops moving. As the wyvern settles to the ground, the room goes quiet, except for some blubbing noises as the bodies sink into the muck, and the occasional dripping of blood.

 "Badger! Artorias!"  Jadeite runs over to the two guild members who very nearly died, though with his wound he stumbles over a pile of bones.  "Are you okay?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Combat over. Anyone want to search the room? I'll give out exp now and roll for treasure in the next room.
 
Athedia
 "Where is Naga.  I heard him! If Elsee let something happen..."   Badger ran into the previous room, pushing her upper body into the hole and shouting down it.   "Come here boy, come back here." 
CoffeeIncluded
After a moment of silence, Badger hears Naga's faint bark. It takes about thirty seconds, but she eventually sees Naga bounding over to her as fast as he can on his short legs. He looks mostly okay, but every few steps he seems to pause and almost stumble on both feet.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Kheel's attack is just enough, and as he tears away part of the zombie, it stops moving. As the wyvern settles to the ground, the room goes quiet, except for some blubbing noises as the bodies sink into the muck, and the occasional dripping of blood.

 "Badger! Artorias!"  Jadeite runs over to the two guild members who very nearly died, though with his wound he stumbles over a pile of bones.  "Are you okay?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Combat over. Anyone want to search the room? I'll give out exp now and roll for treasure in the next room.
 
 
 

 "We are alive, that is all that matters  Artorias starts walking towards the door, but the lack of blood and general exhaustion makes him stumble  ugh, does anybody have a potion? I don't think I can much longer like this" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I have a few healing potions,"  Jadeite says, passing one to Artorias and another to Badger.

 
 Spoiler 
More after dinner in a few hours.
 
super dark33
Surdrak takes out two ceramic rods and a skull of a sparrow.

 Break these over the wound. Works as well as a potion.  

He gives Artorias and Badger the rods, and the skull to Jadeite.
All have markings on th

 I met a witch who made these sort of things. She also grew fruit to be inscribed with healing spells. The ceramic rods are from Kago. It was developed to be used by soldiers in the war.   
Athedia
 "I'll just chance the potion for now.  Those things look like they might last longer."   Badger gulped down the potion.
Silverraptor
 "I have some potions as well if you guys need some." 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite's potions help Badger and Artorias, though they don't remove all of the damage.

 
 Spoiler 
He gave both Badger and Artorias potions of Cure Moderate Wounds.

Badger CMW:  (2d8+3)[ 13 ] 
Artorias CMW if he wants:  (2d8+3)[ 12 ] 

Anyone want to look around?
 


Meanwhile, Jadeite is busy examining the remains of the skeleton dogs. Looking more closely, he and other can see that all the skeletons are shaped and sized slightly differently, as if each one belonged to a different mix of large breeds.

 "Have there been any reports of missing dogs, whether owned or stray, recently?"  he asks, turning a long bone over in his fingers.  "Considering that our mysterious man has also zombified alligators, which are both easy to find and generally considered a nuisance, I am inclined to think he killed and skeletonized stray animals. He's clearly practicing his arts, but I doubt the chokers we faced were under his control--you saw how one of the alligators shredded the largest one, right?" 

Jadeite clenches his fist around the bone, and sets his jaw in a harsh line.  "There are rules that must be followed for necromancy. My ancestors implemented them for a reason." 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias downs the potion in record time, he smiles abit as he feela the magic knitting his wounds and replacing his blood.
 "Thanks Jadeite, so are those tentacled things called Chokers? "  Artorias waits for him to answer,  the elf nods.  " And since this necromancer isn't controlling them, I assume they are not undead... what are they?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "They're called aberrations,"  Jadeite says.  "Bizarre and perplexing creatures, likely resembling the ones in Surdrak's mind. They often have...unique anatomy and physiology."  He lifts up one of the dead chokers by a single tentacle and lets the rest tangle; it looks well-fed except for the past couple of days.  "I believe some of the labs were studying these aberrations and so raised a few in captivity. These must have escaped in the explosion yesterday." 

There's little of note in the room right now, but there are scuff marks and signs that things were dragged from this room to others, presumable after the depression in the center of the room started flooding. The water in the center of the room is dank and muddy and slimy. It's only a couple inches deep at the edges but feels like it gets deeper closer to the center. And the water's so murky nobody can see the bottom.
Draconi Redfir
 "Hey wait!"  Else rolled her eyes as Naga ran off, the sound of Badger's call escaping her less-sensitive ears.Whatever, she was alone now, she could take care of herself. she was only looking after all right?

Elsee moved back to the gap in the tunnel to the third room, peering inside and taking a look around.
CoffeeIncluded
Ah. Now this room looks interesting. Sloping gently upwards, this room seems to have many of the supplies and furnishings that were dragged in from the previous muddy, flooded rooms. There's two workbenches, one with a rat skeleton on it, the other with what appears to be a half-finished brewing apparatus. There's a box of potions under the bench, and what seems to be a couple of sealed chests by the other bench. One has a small pile of what appear to be rat bones around it. Both the benches have small idols to Golek, the stony goblin and hobgoblin god, on them.

Off in the corner there's a large vat filled with an unidentifiable liquid. Two dead dogs, their throats cut and bled dry, are soaking in the liquid. It appears to be dissolving their flesh.

There's a door leading to another room. There appear to be no monsters in the room at all. But...

Elsee only:

 
 Spoiler 
Elsee can see a trap above the door to the previous room her friends are in. There are several large logs on a sloping containment platform. If her friends open the door without disabling the trap, the logs will smash onto their heads, and continue rolling to crush anyone behind them until they land in the swampy part. And her friends barely made it out of that fight; Badger and Artorias nearly died.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee groaned and carefully snuck into the room as silently as she could, approaching the device over the door and attempting to disable it to the best of her ability.

 
 Spoiler 
 Disable device: (d20+3)[ 5 ]
 


as it turns out, the "best of her ability" was... not very good.
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Elsee hops down from the opening and makes her way to the trap, trying to tug on the wire so it triggers before her friends open the door and rain logs on themselves.

Her attempt to prematurely trigger the trap is a resounding success. Unfortunately, she's standing right under it.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack:  (d20+8)[ 13 ]  against AC 20, including Trap Sense
Damage:  (2d6)[ 3 ]  AND Elsee is pinned under the logs.
 


Elsee manages to dive out of the way as the logs smash to the ground and roll to a rest against the door.

 Everyone else: 

You hear an extremely loud crash coming from just behind the door.
Dusk Eclipse
 "What the hell?"  Artorias is on his feet and runs towards the source of the noise, he spares just a moment to check if the door to the other room is trapped (considering how things have been going, he believes it is the best course of action). He spares a moment to break the rod Surdark gave him.

 
 Spoiler: Checks 

Search  (1d20+11)[ 23 ] 
Disable Device  (1d20+8)[ 10 ] 

@super dark: What cure spell is in the rod?
 
CoffeeIncluded
There  was a trap on the door, but it seems to have just been triggered. A limp piece of wire comes away in Artorias's hands.
Dusk Eclipse
 "It is safe, something  or most likely  someone  Artorias thinks to himself   already triggered the trap in this door, so it should be safe." 
super dark33
 
 Spoiler 
Light cure.
 


Surdrak looks around the room. he also attempts to see inside the marshy area, maybe to spot somthing not before seen.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+2)[ 12 ]  search check upper right area of the room.
 (1d20+1)[ 8 ]  Spot check marsh area.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias opens the door carefully to peak into the next room

 
 Spoiler: Healing Rod 

 (1d8+1)[ 7 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Surdrak can't see anything in the muck.

As Artorias opens the door, two large heavy logs roll down to rest against his boots. If he steps out of the way, they continue rolling until they splash into the muck. Elsee's sitting next to where the logs were, the other half of the broken wire in her hand.

Sloping gently upwards, this room seems to have many of the supplies and furnishings that were dragged in from the previous muddy, flooded rooms. There's two workbenches, one with a rat skeleton on it, the other with what appears to be a half-finished brewing apparatus. There's a box of potions under the bench, and what seems to be a couple of sealed chests by the other bench. One has a small pile of what appear to be rat bones around it. Both the benches have small idols to Golek, the stony goblin and hobgoblin god, on them.

Off in the corner there's a large vat filled with an unidentifiable liquid. Two dead dogs, their throats cut and bled dry, are soaking in the liquid. It appears to be dissolving their flesh. At first glance, there appear to be no monsters in the room at all.
Dusk Eclipse
 "Hey Elsee, had any troubles?"  Artorias greets the goblin while he makes his way towards the chests, carefully checking them for traps;   at this point, I would be surprised if they weren't trapped   he complained to himself before getting to work.

 
 Spoiler: Looting checks 

Search Take 10 for 21 total
Disable Device if there are traps  (1d20+8)[ 16 ] 
Open Lock Take 20 for a total of 28 (since opening locks is a full round action, this should take 2 minutes.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee just sneered and forced herself off the ground, brushing off the gunk that had caked itself onto her butt from the force of the fall as she did so.

 "Ohhh you know, long giant shafts knocking me off my feet, tentacles before that, nothing out of the ordinary for me." 

With nothing better to say then that, Elsee scampered off to get a better look at the idols decorating those benches, she figured this would be closer to her expertise then anything else, as she doubted a cleric of Astrid nor a bunch of humans and an elf would know more about her own gods then her.


though her writer is not sure which if any checks should be made for this.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Elsee, is necromancy common among goblins and hobgoblins?"  Jadeite asks as he inspects the dogs dissolving in the vat.  "It's a shame they have to practice their craft illegally, and in secret." 

Elsee Knowledge (Local/Religion, DC 15):

 
 Spoiler 
It's not particularly common at all.
 

 Elsee: 

The idols are not particularly ornate; they're not something an especially devout person or cleric would have. But Golek is the god of goblins and hobgoblins.

 Artorias: 

Artorias was right to be cautious. The moment he leans down to inspect the larger chest, it springs to life and attacks!

 
 Spoiler 
Chest is a mimic. Map won't be up for a bit but let's just say everyone's in attacking range.

Attack:  (d20+9)[ 22 ] 
Crit:  (d20+9)[ 11 ] 
Damage:  (d8+4)[ 11 ]  and Artorias is automatically grappled.

Initiative:
Surdrak:  (d20+3)[ 22 ] 
Jadeite:  (d20+2)[ 18 ] 
Badger:  (d20+4)[ 11 ] 
Sora:  (d20+2)[ 3 ] 
Artorias:  (d20+2)[ 8 ] 
Elsee:  (d20+4)[ 23 ] 
Kheel:  (d20+2)[ 16 ] 
Mimic:  (d20+1)[ 10 ] 
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee shook her head a bit and scrunched up her face at the idol.  "not ususally no, hell i don't think magic period is very common." 

it was then thaat Artorias was attacked, and the sound adverted Elsee's gaze away from the idols.  "oh come on!" 

Elsee moves in and attacks, kheel does the same.
 
 Spoiler 

Elsee: (d20+6)[ 26 ]
Crit: (d20+6)[ 7 ]
Damage: (d3+2)[ 4 ]

Kheel bite: (d20+8)[ 28 ]
Crit: (d20+8)[ 19 ]
Damage: (2d6+3)[ 13 ]
 
super dark33
Surdrak attacks himself with an eldritch facepalm.

He charges to triple shank the mimic with a three clawed blade he conjured on his hand.
All these living things that shouldn't be living, it makes him ANGRY.

 
 Spoiler 
Mortalbane eldritch claw charge!

 (1d20+6)[ 22 ]  att
 (1d20+6)[ 8 ]  crt
 (5d6)[ 15 ]  eldtch
 (1d3+1)[ 3 ]  gntlt
 
CoffeeIncluded
As Elsee rushes to attack the mimic, it lashes out.

 
 Spoiler 
attack:  (d20+9)[ 28 ] 
Crit:  (d20+9)[ 25 ] 
Damage:  (d8+4)[ 11 ]  Elsee's grappled if it hits.
 


Elsee deals a blow to the mimic, and Kheel bites down with a loud crunch. The mimic cries out at that, and when Surdrak shoves a claw into the wound, the mimic's surprisingly high-pitched  "AAHHH!"  makes those close by wince.
Athedia
Hearing the screams Badger slid off the shelf anxiously, reaching back up to the hole to help Naga down to ground level.
CoffeeIncluded
Naga slides into Badger's arms, licking her face and wagging his tail hard enough to brush dust and mud off the walls.

Back in the third room, Jadeite raises his hands to cast a spell when the mimic says in high-pitched, clipped Common,  "Wait! I surrender!" 

And she withdraws the slime wrapped around Elsee and Artorias, who fall a few inches to the ground.
super dark33
 Step back. Now. What is going on here? 
Silverraptor
Sora was still reacting in horror to a treasure chest suddenly coming alive, only to react in even more horror when she heard it speak.
 "IT CAN TALK?!" 
Anyone observing her at the moment will see her on her tip toes leaning back slightly with her hands up around head level, with a look of full shock and surprise on her face.
CoffeeIncluded
The mimic shakes its--her?--head. Or what would be the head, maybe. The top part of the chest is certainly rattling.

 "I'm not sure what happened. I was part of one of the Transmutation labs with chokers and other strange creatures. Yesterday there was a large explosion and a lot of us fell down here."  The mimic points up, and as the group looks up they can see that the ceiling is shattered and broken and open to the floor above. And the floor above is in worse shape, open to the sky with smashed tile and equipment hanging into the gap. Right on cue, some rubble slides out of place and falls into the pit where everyone is standing, followed by a chair. Thankfully that doesn't hit anyone.

 "I didn't take a look around, but there's lots of dead things here, and I think undead things too. And a couple living people, though I've never seen any of them before. But the undead things are pretty aggressive, except when they're around the living people, so I holed up here and waited. I attacked you because I'm hungry, but you're so strong! And you really hurt!" 

If the group looks around some more, they see that one of the workbenches is longer than the other, as if built for two people. They also see, close to the vat of acid for dissolving the flesh of dead dogs, between that and the dead alligators, a mound of assorted humanoid flesh, stinking of rot and formaldehyde, covered in dirt. Some dismembered feet have toe tags marking their theft from a morgue. It smells like the golem they fought yesterday.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

As Badger helps Naga to the ground, and feels the swelling bruise on his chest, she hears Sora shout from the third room, and the sounds of fighting cease.

 Everyone else: 

If the group searches the room more, they can see that parts of it are covered in rubble; the explosion must have been right on top of it. Still, there's scaffolding and patchwork, as if whomever works down here has been trying to patch up the ceiling, and quickly. After all, they wouldn't want their deeds to be exposed. Though they would have a couple more days; the holes aren't too big and the remains of the labs above are heavily damaged. They'll take some time to clean and clear.

There's a jacket and a cap, worn to shreds, on the top of the longer bench, though it's hard to see under the paperwork and spell components. There's different spell components on each bench, and only Jadeite recognizes most of them.

 "They're components for necromancy spells, and reanimation of flesh,"  he says.

Artorias opens the chest with little trouble. He finds a decent stash of gold. Swimming in the gold are a few cheap polished gems (the most valuable is an amethyst geode, the violet crystals sparkling in the light), a rolled up scroll, a medallion, and a lot of potions. He recognizes one of the potions as a potion of Endure Elements, but the rest are healing potions.

 
 Spoiler 
Treasure includes the following:
3340 gp
A scroll with Identify and Summon Swarm
A potion of Endure Elements
A Contact Medallion

As for the healing potions? Let's say there's oh, just enough to heal everybody to max HP, and not a drop more. 😉
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee merely rolled her eyes.  "Well /Duuuhh/, the entire place was crawlin with your necromancy stuff wasn't it? or at least whatever caused the explosion was." 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias finishes the healing potion with  "That's better.. wait a minute are the more uh...aber..... guys... like you down here?" 
Athedia
Badger picked up the little dog, helping carry him across the rough and swampy surface of the next room.  Entering the room with the mimic, the first thing she saw were the healing potions, one of which she snatched up and held to Naga's mouth so he could lap it up.  Then she saw the mimic.

She would have backed away if it were not for the potion in her hand.  Instead she drew out an axe.   "Guys, there is a monster right behind you.  Back away, NOW!" 
super dark33
 Well i didnt notice. i thought it was just a talking chest that knew about this place a lot. 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
 Elsee merely rolled her eyes.  "Well /Duuuhh/, the entire place was crawlin with your necromancy stuff wasn't it? or at least whatever caused the explosion was."  
 

Jadeite shakes his head, quickly downing a potion before continuing.  "Some of these reagents decay quickly. Whomever did this still uses this underground laboratory. And doesn't that mound of flesh smell like the golem we fought yesterday?" 

 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Artorias finishes the healing potion with  "That's better.. wait a minute are the more uh...aber..... guys... like you down here?"  
 

The mimic seems to shrug.  "I don't think so. At least, I didn't see any others back in the lab. Not like me anyway." 

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Badger picked up the little dog, helping carry him across the rough and swampy surface of the next room.  Entering the room with the mimic, the first thing she saw were the healing potions, one of which she snatched up and held to Naga's mouth so he could lap it up.  Then she saw the mimic.

She would have backed away if it were not for the potion in her hand.  Instead she drew out an axe.   "Guys, there is a monster right behind you.  Back away, NOW!"  
 

 "Wait! It surrendered!"  Jadeite says as the mimic screams and hops away from Badger, making a strange noise that sounds wrong for its current form as a treasure chest.
Athedia
Badger looked at him with a confused glance.   "Surrendered?  Those things don't know what surrender is... it isn't like they can think." 
 
 Spoiler 
Lets just say she doesn't know anything about aberrations.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I can think perfectly well!"  the mimic retorts.  "In fact, I was working in the labs upstairs before the explosion, where all the smart people work! And I've never seen the two down here in the labs." 
 
 Spoiler 
Actually, make a knowledge (Dungeons and dungeoneering) check. You have a rank in it.
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
Knowledge roll  (1d20+1)[ 21 ] 
Flavor wise she doesn't HAVE to know anything if I don't think she does.

EDIT: Of all times to roll a natural 20....
 
CoffeeIncluded
Badger:

 
 Spoiler 
As the monster speaks, you realize that it's something called a mimic. They're actually intelligent creatures, unlike the chokers that nearly strangled her and Artorias which would barely classify as sapient. Mimics aren't geniuses, but they're about as intelligent as the average person (which, knowing Badger, probably doesn't mean much to her) and can be reasoned with. They can disguise themselves as inanimate objects of similar sizes and dimensions with uncanny accuracy. This one probably attacked because it was hungry.
 
Athedia
 "Mhm, can you make yourself look a little better than.  Talking chests are not really comforting." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Say you're sorry first,"  the mimic says. If it could pout, it would be doing so right now.

 
 Spoiler 
And watch as you get a natural 1 on Mithril's spell resistance check. 😛
 
Athedia
 "For what?  Making sure these idiots didn't get their heads ripped off?"   She pulled out another healing potion and downed it.   "I find my dog injured but alive, Art and I almost get killed by goddamn chokers.  Then I come in here and find my friends around another thing that could get them killed. I have nothing to apologize for." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Those weren't my fault!"  the mimic says.  "This is the first time I've seen those squid things in a really long time, and all the skeletons and zombies attack pretty much everything except the two who live down here! I didn't know those were your friends. I haven't eaten in days, nothing but rats and bones." 
Athedia
 "So you did attack.  Seems like my statement from before holds true.  You were not thinking, also do you really think that warlock would taste good?  He smells like rotting fish."   Badger stood up, the bruises on her neck fading from view.  Placing the axe back on her belt she drew out her bow.   "Either show us where you saw the other humans or stay here and starve.  I think that is far.  And maybe our 'friendly' necromancer here can return you to whoever you worked for." 
CoffeeIncluded
The mimic, badly wounded, seems to cow under Badger's glare. Finally, it says,  "They do work in this room, mostly with the dead things. I've only been here a couple of days but they've been setting up things like the logs on the ceiling and more undead animals. I saw them taking some skeletons out of there,"  the mimic indicates the vat where the dogs are dissolving.  "And they were saying angry things about a third person. They went in there a couple hours ago."  The mimic points at the last room, which nobody has yet entered.

Badger:
 
 Spoiler 
The extremely worn cap hanging over one of the chairs looks somewhat familiar.
 
Athedia
 "Wonder how this got down here?"  Badger lifted the edge of the cap with her bow.   "Mimic, who wore this hat and when did you last see the person?" 
CoffeeIncluded
The mimic shakes the top of its lid.  "I don't know. It was down here when I fell after the explosion. Nobody's touched it." 
 
 Spoiler 
It's not the same cap. It's very similar and worn completely to threads, but it's not the same cap.
 
Athedia
 "Matching hats.."   Badger looked at the door and sighed.   "They probably know we are out here waiting for them.  I am not looking forward to this." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "At least we managed to find some of their items,"  Jadeite says as he sorts out the treasure.

 
 Spoiler 
Does the ever-so-convenient presence of *just* enough potions to fully heal everyone make you nervous? 😉
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias has been meditating, listening to everything. "I agree with Badger, if they know we are here, and they most likely do, they will be prepared."  Artorias stands up and stretches his limbs a little, he turns towards the Mimic and addresses him...her....it  "Is there anything else that you can tell us about these guys?" 
 
 Spoiler: This dialogue is supposed to go after the Mimic talks (if he/she/it does) 

 "Jadeite, Sora how are you doing on spells?" 
 

 
 Spoiler 

First of all I'm taking five minutes to change my readied maneuvers to: Steel Wind, Moment of the Perfect Mind and Rabid Wolf Strike

And I am a unnerved that you are allowing to top our HP; if there is something that video-games have taught me is to be extremely wary of sudden generosity in the form of healing, ammo or other benefits. 9/10 times it means boss battle!
 
CoffeeIncluded
The mimic pauses a moment before speaking, then says,  "There is a man one and a woman one, and they both have magic. But I've seen the man one work with the dead things more than the woman one. Oh! The woman one is a human, but the man one looks like you--"  it indicates Elsee  "--except that the man one is bigger and yellow." 

As the mimic speaks, Jadeite listens and casts a spell under his breath, tracing sigils on his body and letting them evaporate. After finishing, he says,  "I have approximately half of my prepared spells left, and most of them are supportive. I have Ray of Enfeeblement, Baleful Transposition, Glitterdust, Desiccate, Haste, and Vampiric Touch. I also have some minor healing potions and a wand of Silence." 
 
 Spoiler 
I forgot False Life lasted an hour per level, I should have casted it before going in like mage armor. Anyway:  (d10+5)[ 14 ] 

Nice! And heh, maybe maybe. 😏
 
Athedia
 You have any more of that oil?  Badger fingered the notch on the arrow that marked it as the alchemist arrow.
CoffeeIncluded
 "I'm afraid I'm out of lamp oil,"  Jadeite says.
Draconi Redfir
 "Hobgoblin"  Elsee choked as she wiped a bit of healing potion from her mouth, holding up annother bottle for Kheel to drink.  "They're the smartest of our lot, were always the most likely to build working cities and farms over hunter-gatherer tribes. Though i'm surprised one would be using magic, espesually in the middle of the city." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "That is strange,"  Jadeite says.  "And I did not know there were cities in the Alavaan Plains." 

The elf sidles up next to the door.  "Are we ready to go?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 " I think so, just let me check the door... again" 
Artorias takes out his set of lockpicks and starts poking at proding at the door with care, looking for anything that might be dangerous to his or his friend's health. He takes extra care on the borders of the door.
 
 Spoiler 

Take 10 on search for 21
Disable Device  (1d20+8)[ 19 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Something unidentifiable, but a fusion of metal, wood, and bone--and very sharp--falls into Artorias's hands. There was clearly a trap in the process of being made above this door, but it was unfinished. And it appears that this final door isn't locked either, though the hinges are rather squeaky and a stone placed under the door means that it's going to scrape when it's opened.
Dusk Eclipse
 "You know, these are getting old"  He shows the others the unfinished contraption he just dismantled.  "Since it is unfinished, I'm guessing they where setting it up when they heard us coming"  Artorias pockets the unfinished trap into his bag of holding . You never know when that kind of stuff can be useful .  "But they had enough time to set up a rock as a rudimentary, if effective alarm system and that is before we account for the squeaky hinges" 
 No matter what we do, they'd know we are here and are probably prepared for that...umm what should we do , Artorias paces a little in front of the door, trying to find a safe way to engage the rogue casters; stopping once more in front of the door he puts his ear to the door and motions everyone to be silent. He concentrates and tries to listen to whatever lies behind it.

 
 Spoiler 

Listen  (1d20+8)[ 24 ] 
 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "That is strange,"  Jadeite says.  "And I did not know there were cities in the Alavaan Plains." 

The elf sidles up next to the door.  "Are we ready to go?"  
 

 "Said most likely, now most sucsessful. Started it up a few times, but only ever got about as far as a small town before a drought, faminne, disease, fire, or kago paladin came in 'nd ruined it all." 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias thinks he might hear something creak into place, and then there's silence. Not a peep can be heard from behind the door.
Athedia
Badger listened without looking at the door.   "Which side does it hinge on?  Does it open toward us or away." 
CoffeeIncluded
The door opens away from the group, into the next room.
CoffeeIncluded
Everyone's fully healed and fully prepared. The once brimming-full chest is now completely stripped of its contents, with only lint inside. They gather around Artorias as he forces the door open, pressing against it with all his weight. It swings inward, slowly, with a loud scraping noise.

As the group enters the room they can only see ahead of them. The sides are blocked off with hastily-constructed walls, made from the wood and slate in the rubble above. The walls extend about fifteen or twenty feet into the room, abd are about two-thirds as high. They're too high to jump over. They're pinned in on three sides, with the only way out ahead. And behind, too--the door is wedged against the stone and can't close on it's own.

The group can see a dresser, and the edge of a bed, and some more bones strewn on the ground, but there's nobody living.

Not that they have a chance to really look, because the moment the last person enters the room a deep voice says,  "Web." 
 
 Spoiler 
reflex save, everybody! I don't think I can get a map up until tonight, so you want to have everyone talk to the bad guy until then?

Reflex:  (d20+3)[ 18 ] 
 


Jadeite just barely avoids being pinned down by the thick sticky strands, though they still coat him and slow his movement.
super dark33
Surdrak's eyes widen as he attempts to dodge the ensnaring webs.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+4)[ 16 ] 
 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Spoiler 
(d20+8)[ 12 ]
(d20+6)[ 7 ]
 


Despite her best efforts, Elsee gets caught by the web. Kheel has even less sucsess and manages to get completely pinned to the ground by a large blob of magical web falling atop him.
CoffeeIncluded
Surdrak almost makes it. But at the last moment a web snares how ankle and drags him to the ground. He's then pulled down and covered with the strands, just like Elsee and Kheel.
Silverraptor
Sora tries to back out of the way.

 
 Spoiler 
So, seeing the post above, I know the DC is 17 so...
 (1d20+3)[ 16 ] 
Lets see if Sora can avoid bondage.😛

And... Just barely no. Lets see if I can flavor this.
 


Like Surdrak, her foot gets snagged by a web and she falls backwards. Her arms fall high above her head and land on another strand as well, providing enough resistance for the rest of the web to fall on her. She now is caught in the sticky mess with her limbs stretched out in 4 directions.

 
 Spoiler 
I'm sorry. I had to do this to Sora.😛
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Did you build those traps from before? Cause honestly my baby brother could have done a better job with them. Trip-wire connected to a box of metal shards? That is soo last century" Artorias mocks the Hobgoblin's handiwork as he tries to avoid the sticky strands by ducking low while twisting his body.
 
 Spoiler 

Reflex [roll]1d20+8 [/roll]

Coffee, how high is the ceiling, high enough to use   Enlarge Person   with impunity?
 
Athedia
Badger walked in with the others, looking up in time to spot the web falling on them.  With a weary sigh she positioned herself between two of the strands and let it fall around her.  The sticky white strands still coated her new boots she noticed, and made movement a little harder.  Looking to see how her companions had done she only saw Jadeite.

He appeared to have stayed upright through shear force of will, as his entire body was coated in the strands.  Or maybe that was just how he looked now, weird spells and all.  Looking down she noticed the rest of her companions, especially Sora.   "That doesn't look comfortable.  All that praying and you never learned to fall." 

She examined the surrounding at her own pace.  Naga still waited in the previous room with the mimic.   She leaned back shouting through the door.   "Mimic, watch him and DON'T EAT him, okay?"   Re-orienting her self in time to hear Artorias's taunts, which appeared to be coming from ground level, she sighed.   "Damn mages." 
Silverraptor
 "Hey, I was trying to avoid the web! And it almost worked!" 
She then looked down at her feet and then up at her wrists.
 "Damn it! Its in my hair too!" 
Athedia
 "I would like to see what you consider a plan NOT working then."   Badger looked closely at the surroundings.  Anything could be lurking out there.

 
 Spoiler 
Spot  (1d20+9)[ 10 ] 

And a natural 1....  after all those nice rolls.
 
Silverraptor
 "Well, I think this one qualifies, if only because of that one stupid strand of web." 
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+3)[ 13 ] 
 
super dark33
Surdrak fleshes out his teeth and his eyes unglow dark.

 བཏཇོདྭ! 

He directed the breaking force at the webs.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Okay!"  says the mimic.

Jadeite grits his teeth and tries to wipe some of the strands from her eyes.  "I suppose if your plan involved being tied down and potentially roasted, then it's going quite well indeed."  He looks up.

 
 Spoiler 
spot:  (d20+4)[ 8 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
As Surdrak lashes out at the webs, they bounce but hold firm, pinning him down.

 
 Spoiler 
Youve got to roll for it.
 

 "I'd say the traps worked well. They certainly alerted us to your presence, didn't they, Nedivax?"  it's a high pitched female voice, coming from above them. And from the opposite side as the male voice that cast the web.

 "Certainly, Bella,"  the original male voice says.  "And how do you like this trap, human? A little more modern, made for your liking?"  the smile drops from his face.  "Let me guess--Tanner's explosion led you down here?" 

Athedia and Sora:

 
 Spoiler 
You see the heads of two people leaning over the wall and the taunt you. To the left is Nedivax, a hobgoblin whose hair is pinned back with something small and white. You can only see the top of his robes, but it's in a unique style. And he has a tattoo similar to Elsee's on his forehead. It's different, but it looks similar.

To the right is Bella, a human with long black hair, narrow cheekbones, and a cruel thin smile. You can only see the top of her robes, but they seem to be fashioned in the same style as Nedivax's.
 


Badger:

 
 Spoiler 
Bella's accent sounds strange. Parts of it are vaguely Tobeemish.
 
super dark33
 
 Spoiler 
Treat it as using the spell Shatter against the webs. its no strength check.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler 
i don't know if the shatter spell works against if, and this is a surprise round. I'm just adding in the talking because Im stuck on my phone most of the day.
 
super dark33
 
 Spoiler 
Since Web does not apply SR, then it means the webs themselves are not magical, therefore Shatter can break them, maybe even only the ones he is stuck in.
In any case, Surdrak is going to say a few bad words about the necros.
 


Surdrak twiches violently in his bed of webs.

 Well thank you for saying your names out loud as forcably as possible, but i think ill just call you c*** 1 and c*** 2. 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Then how about we call you Corpse One?"  Bella purrs, leaning one elbow against the wall to prop up her head. She then splays out her hands and shoots a burst of color at Surdrak, Sora, Jadeite, and Artorias.

 "Sorry about this,"  says Nedivax at the same time, in a tone that indicates he's sorry, but not that sorry.  "Just letting Tanner down here was a huge mistake. I doubt you'll just let me and my sister go after seeing our lab. Even if they're just alligators and stray dogs. If anything, you should be thanking us for keeping the streets clean!" 

Surdrak, Sora, Jadeite, and Artorias:
 
 Spoiler 
All of you make a will save against color spray, DC 16.

Will:  (d20+4)[ 23 ] 
 


DC spot 15:
 
 Spoiler 
They're both standing on ladders and are flat-footed--as are you. This is also still the surprise round.
 
Silverraptor
 "Mmppf!" 
Sora tries to rally herself against the spell, despite the awkward position she has found herself in.
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+7)[ 12 ] 
 


But her strange position still held too much of a distraction to provide the concentration needed to resist the spell.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite manages to shrug off the spell, glaring up at the necromancer.  "Why are you practicing your craft in such an illegal and unethical manner?" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee, who had managed to get herself pinned face-down on the ground with one arm somewhat uncomfortably close to a similarly pinned Wyvvern, raised as much of her one free arm as she could to point upwards, speaking with a muffled tone as only her nose kept her mouth from being pressed against the floor.

 "I for one found your traps to be particularly effective, Though that one with the logs could have been disarmed better. The tentacles in the small confined pipeworks however, i could have gone without." 
CoffeeIncluded
Nexivax laughs, harsh and guttural.  "You think anybody here would want me to join a research lab? As if they could recognize my genius?" 
 "What tentacles?"  Bella asks, lost.

Jadeite whispers to everyone,  "This is a Web spell. Even if you manage to burst out of the strands, they will still entangle you and slow you down. There is one other way we could escape the web short of physically climbing out."  He swallows.  "We could burn it." 

Elsee:
 
 Spoiler 
I need a spot check from you, and Kheel too if you want.
 
Draconi Redfir
 "You know! The freaky blue slug things in that dumb pipe that doesn't even go anywhere! What the hell was even the point of that thing!?" 
 
 Spoiler 

Elsee: (d20+2)[ 4 ]
Kheel: (d20+15)[ 21 ]
 


Elsee is too busy having her eyes be half an inch from the floor to spot much of anything. Kheel however has his eyes on TOP of his head, and thus has a much better angle for wich to spot things.
super dark33
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+5)[ 10 ] 
 

 RRRRAGH, AND YOU WILL BOTH BE CORPSES TWO AND THREE THEN! 

Surdrak continues to rave on for until the duration of the spell effect, yelling four-lettered expletives at seemingly random, yet well placed in the grand scheme.
Dusk Eclipse
 "Eh... I've seen better, Web is effective, but boring and "Corpse 1" seriously? Common if you are going to taunt us at least be orginal"."  Artorias continues to mock the caster duo. He looks up just in time to see the telltale signs of a spell; he quickly steels his mind behind a mental bastion of forged mind-iron.

 
 Spoiler 
initiate Moment of thr perfect mind
Concentration roll  (1d20+10)[ 24 ] 
Spot check  (1d20+8)[ 13 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Thank you,"  Jadeite says as the spell shuts Surdrak up. Artorias still glares at Bella as the spell washes over him

Bella, for her part, blinks in confusion at Elsee's retort.  "Slugs in the pipe? Ah, they must have fallen down in the explosion. That tunnel is used for drainage. You can thank Tanner for that too." 

Kheel, meanwhile, is staring intently at Bella and Nedivax. After a moment, he says in Draconic,   "They're holding wood poles!"  
 
 Spoiler 
its up to you to interpret Kheel. 😉 and I'll roll initiative when I get home.
 
Athedia
 "Your Tanner friend should watch where he is going.  He ran into my fist, I had to help him fix his nose."   Badger activated her boots, allowing her to escape the web.

 
 Spoiler 
I want to use them to move away from the web.
 

 "Anyway, my Naga is a dog.  Wouldn't have minded you dealing with the gator's but you made it personal.  That and your friend tried to blind me." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Feh,"  Nedivax huffs.  "Friend. Tanner was just a two-bit grave robbing wannabe who couldn't even make a proper flesh golem, let alone a lovely skeleton or zombie like my lovely creations. And then he literally went and blew the while thing open. Couldn't even evade arrest."  The hobgoblin snaps his fingers and four more skeleton digs assemble, approaching the party with rattling snarls.

 "Sorry, but no way am I going back to jail, and no how am I letting you drag my sister there. I know what sick **** you humans do to Plavaan." 
 
 Spoiler 
walking the dog, I'll roll initiative when I get back. Athedia, you can have badger use the boots as a move action her turn. Where do you want her to go?
 
Athedia
 "Sister?  She looks human."   Badger stared at the woman leaning over the wall.   "Anyway, humans are **** to everyone.  Trust me I know.  You did break some laws, but you didn't KILL anyone so if you surrendered...." 
 
 Spoiler 
No teleporting just yet, but probably going to use twice to escape the web."
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Belladonna may be human, but she's as Plavaan as me! I'd say she's more Plavaan than your goblin, all buddied up with a wyvern." 

Still, Bella looks at her adoptive brother with a touch of concern for the first time and says,  "Even if we surrendered, we'd still go to jail, right?" 

Nedivax nods.  "And that's not happening to you. We are necromancers, and we should have every right to practice our magic!" 

Initiative:
 
 Spoiler 

Surdrak:  (d20+3)[ 13 ] 
Jadeite:  (d20+2)[ 21 ] 
Badger:  (d20+4)[ 7 ] 
Sora:  (d20+2)[ 16 ] 
Artorias:  (d20+2)[ 12 ] 
Kheel:  (d20+2)[ 7 ] 
Elsee:  (d20+4)[ 7 ] 
Skeleton dogs:  (d20+7)[ 24 ] 
Nedivax:  (d20+2)[ 22 ] 
Belladonna:  (d20+2)[ 13 ] 

Initiative order:
Nedivax and skeleton wolves
Jadeite, Sora, and Surdrak
Belladonna
Artorias, Kheel, Elsee, and Badger
 
Athedia
 "Wait! I don't understand you mages, but I am sure that if you had ASKED Deathboy here he could have helped you out.  Plav or not I don't like people trying to hurt me." 
CoffeeIncluded
The skeleton dogs snarl and sprint to the webs holding down the party, but as they dash into the webs, they stick and bind to the white bones. As the skeleton dogs run the webs stretch, then snap back, knocking the dogs to the ground.

 
 Spoiler 
They can't charge in a web, but are now next to the party. And entangled too. I'll add them to the map in a moment.
 

 "Sadly Badger, I do not believe Nedivax will listen to us until we--how do you say it?--Beat the tar out of him." 

A tiny brown weasel pops up next to Nedivax on his left side, and on his right side a ghostly hand rises up and over the party to slam down on Elsee and Kheel.

 
 Spoiler 
He used Spectral Hand to deliver Chill Touch to Elsee and Kheel.

Kheel:
Attack:  (d20+5)[ 18 ]  TOUCH
Damage:  (d6)[ 1 ] , and roll a fort save or take 1 point strength damage.
Attack:  (d20+5)[ 6 ]  TOUCH
Damage:  (d6)[ 5 ] , and roll a fort save or take another point strength damage.

Elsee:
Attack:  (d20+5)[ 10 ]  TOUCH
Damage:  (d6)[ 5 ] , and roll a fort save or take 1 point strength damage.
Attack:  (d20+5)[ 11 ]  TOUCH
Damage:  (d6)[ 3 ] , and roll a fort save or take another point strength damage.

You make a melee touch attack up to one time per level, so he attacked four times.
 


Elsee manages to dodge both attacks, and Kheel evades the second, but he shudders as the first freezes a bit of his wing.

 
 Spoiler 
Kheel needs to make one fort save, DC 16 and took 1 damage.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "If you need to bash these mages into oblivious, I can attempt to help you do it more quickly,"  Jadeite says as he tries to cast a spell while straining his hands against the webs.

 
 Spoiler 
Cast Haste, Concentration check:  (d20+10)[ 27 ] 
 


Artorias, Elsee, Kheel, Badger, and Surdrak find themselves filled with renewed speed, energy, and vigor.

 
 Spoiler 
Everyone's Hasted for 5 rounds! Sora and Surdrak are up.
 
Silverraptor
Sora is disoriented from the color spray and doesn't register the skeleton dogs approaching her.

 
 Spoiler 
No haste spell for Sora?😛
 
CoffeeIncluded
Kheel whimpers as his strength is slightly depleted. Sora and Surdrak are stunned and unable to react to the skeleton dogs. They're also unable to react to Bella, leaning against the upper wall, splay out her hand and let a shower of glitter rain over everyone but Sora.

 Everyone but Sora: 
 
 Spoiler 
Make a will save or be blinded for four rounds.
Jadeite will:  (d20+4)[ 20 ] 
I swear to god I don't mean to roll this well. I want to spread the love to you all too!
 


Jadeite manages to wipe the glitter from his eyes, though it's still sprinkled all over his face and hair and robes.

 
 Spoiler 
Artorias, Kheel, Elsee, and Badger are up.
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
Will Save:  (1d20+3)[ 4 ] 
 


Badger let out a scream as her eyesight disappeared behind the glitter.    Was it permanent? God no, please don't let it be.  She would be useless to the guild, abandoned.    She clawed at her face, feeling at her open eyes but not seeing her hands.
CoffeeIncluded
Glitter flies into Badger's eyes, and all she can see are painful refracted points of light, interspersed with dark. Her vision isn't completely black, but she's blinded all the same.

 
 Spoiler 
you can still teleport out, and get a sense of the enemies' location with a listen check.
 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Spoiler 

Elsee Will: (d20+1)[ 20 ]
Kheel: (d20+5)[ 15 ]
 


Elsee's face-down position works in her favour as the glitterdust lands harmlessly in her hair, making it sparkle as she moves to try and pull herself off of the ground.  "Yes, because a Drow having a pet dog makes HER more human then plavaan too. loving your logic there pal. Reeeaaal arrow-proof for a genius." 

Kheel however has less luck in the eyes-department, while he is able to keep his eyes closed as the glitterdust decorates his scales, he opens them just a smidge too early, the last of the flakes landing in his eyes.

 
 Spoiler 


Escape artist for Elsee to be unpinned.
(d20+8)[[b21[/b]]
 
Athedia
Badger aimed at where she had last seen Bella, shooting one arrow off as accurately as she could.

 
 Spoiler 
There is a -2 to attack.

Attack:  (1d20+8)[ 15 ] 
Crit: Attack:  (1d20+8)[ 24 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+1)[ 6 ] 
Miss on 1:  (1d2)[ 2 ] 
EDIT: Wait I was wrong that -2 was to Badger's AC.  So add 2 to both the attack and crit rolls then.  Whoops.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Badger's attack almost strikes Bella. But at the last moment she hears the Mage twist and the arrow thunk into wood.

 
 Spoiler 
would have hit if not for cover.

Elsee, Kheel, and Artorias are up. Are you hitting for lethal against Bella and Nedivax? Or nonlethal like with other humanoids?
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias can't help but yelp as his vision is drowned by tiny glittery stuff, closing his eyes, he unleashes his instict hoping his sense of smell will help him in this fight.

 
 Spoiler 
swift action, Enter hunter's sense stance for the lovely scent.
 


As he proceses the new smells in the air he tries to grab a bottle from his bag.
 
 Spoiler 
artorias bought a couple of CL 1 enlarge person potions a few weeks back, he is trying to find it to drink it, but I'm not sure what kind if action it would be. If he can he uses a move action to retrieve the potion and a standard to drink it.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias can smell death all around him. He can smell the sweat and fear and exasperation of his friends behind him, and can smell the acid and bones and the  wrong  stench of undeath of the skeleton dogs ahead and around him. And higher up, he can smell two different scents--they've got to be Nedivax and Belladonna. Fumbling through his bag, he manages to find the right potion and drink it down. It works, and Artorias can find himself towering over the skeleton dogs, who back away as he grows and grows.

Nedivax appears to shrink back at the sight, and those who aren't blinded can see him sway and grip the ladder to stay where he is. He appears to mutter something under his breath, then shouts,  "Summon Undead!" 

A skeleton, a human skeleton, appears beside the dogs, its finger bones sharp and ready to claw. Nedivax's eyes widen as he sees the spell he has cast.
CoffeeIncluded
Two of the skeleton dogs attack Artorias, one of the skeleton dogs and the summoned human skeleton claw and bite at Sora, and the final skeleton dog tries to tear into Jadeite.

 
 Spoiler 
SD1 attacks Artorias:
Attack;  (d20+2)[ 7 ] 
Crit:  (d20+2)[ 19 ] 
Damage:  (d6+2)[ 7 ] 

SD2 attacks Artorias:
Attack;  (d20+2)[ 12 ] 
Crit:  (d20+2)[ 22 ] 
Damage:  (d6+2)[ 6 ] 

SD3 attacks Sora:
Attack;  (d20+2)[ 10 ] 
Crit:  (d20+2)[ 16 ] 
Damage:  (d6+2)[ 7 ] 

HS attacks Sora:
Attack;  (d20+2)[ 5 ] 
Crit:  (d20+2)[ 9 ] 
Damage:  (d4+1)[ 2 ] 

Attack;  (d20+2)[ 17 ] 
Crit:  (d20+2)[ 3 ] 
Damage:  (d4+1)[ 2 ] 


SD4 attacks Jadeite:
Attack;  (d20+2)[ 3 ] 
Crit:  (d20+2)[ 18 ] 
Damage:  (d6+2)[ 5 ] 
 


The summoned human skeleton manages to score a deep scratch in Sora's face, but none of the other attacks hit.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite grits his teeth and raises his wand, trying to silence Bella and prevent any more of those debilitating spells from being cast.

 
 Spoiler 
Concentration:  (d20+10)[ 23 ] 

Bella Will save:  (d20+5)[ 11 ] 

I swear to god if this doesn't continue for Natalia in my other game...

And I swear to god I didn't mean for Jadeite to be this strong here!
 


Bella's eyes widen and she grabs her throat. She opens her mouth and seems to be screaming something, but not a single sound comes out.

 
 Spoiler 
Sora and Surdrak are up.
 
super dark33
Surdrak awakens from his stun, and bellows:

  དཧཙདཡ།།  
 
 Spoiler 
Baleful utterance at the webs.
 (1d20+5)[ 23 ] 
 
Silverraptor
The cut along her face brought Sora's attention back to her surroundings. Suddenly seeing the skeleton dogs and the skeleton figure over her, she put every ounce of strength and will she had into her amulet, calling forward All of Astrid's light.
 "GREATER TURNING!!!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Turning Check:  (1d20+3)[ 22 ] 
Turning Damage:  (2d6+8)[ 15 ] 

Don't forget, Greater Turning destroys the undead that would be turned anyways, though she seem's to have hit almost max damage anyways. Also don't forget that Sora also turns as if 1 level cleric higher.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The webs around Surdrak stiffen and shatter. He's free, for the moment, but if he moves he'll be trapped again.

Sora's light washes over the the skeletons; their outlines seem to fuzz and go black under the searing light. Two of the dogs let loose an unearthly howl and crumble to dust, while the summoned skeleton winks out of existence. One dog seems unaffected, while the other seems to weather Sora's blast, though just barely. It's still smoking.

Bella, silenced by Jadeite's wand of Silence, hops off the ladder and runs out of sight.

 
 Spoiler 
Elsee, Kheel, Badger, and Artorias are up.

Elsee can climb onto Kheel if she rolls 15 or better on her escape artist check. If Kheel rolls 15 or better in 2 consecutive rounds or 20 or better this round, he can take flight and escape. Though he's still blinded, so Elsee needs to guide him.
 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Spoiler 

Elsee escape artist: (d20+8)[ 19 ]
Kheel Strength: (d20+3)[ 11 ]
 


Elsee, having managed to twist her way out of the webbing previously, manages to slowly make her way infront of Kheel, pulling and tugging on his own web strands to try and help the Wyvern move once more. ultimately however the creature remains stuck. With not much else she could do, Elsee drew her Kurkri and began cutting at the webs around him.

 
 Spoiler 
 Elsee movies to S 56, beside Surdark and infront of Kheel. Next round she will try to assist Kheel in getting out of the webs.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Elsee manages to climb onto Kheel's back, but try as he might the wyvern can't move through the web.
Athedia
Badger  loosed another arrow this time at Nedivax who she had just heard cast a spell.  She was oblivious to the monsters around her, blinded as she was.

 
 Spoiler 
Is she close enough for Point Blank Shot?  If she is +1 to attack and damage
Attack:  (1d20+10)[ 27 ] 
Crit: Attack:   (1d20+10)[ 11 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+1)[ 3 ] 
Miss on 1:  (1d2)[ 2 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Nedivax shouts as Badger's arrow hits his shoulder.

 
 Spoiler 
lethal or nonlethal?
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias struggles agains the webbing, trying to break off.

 
 Spoiler 

Strength Check  (1d20+4)[ 20 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias just barely manages to burst out of the webs. He can move, though his movements are still constrained.

The two remaining skeleton dogs keep attacking him.
 
 Spoiler 
Attack:  (d20+2)[ 12 ] 
Crit:  (d20+2)[ 7 ] 
Damage:  (d6+2)[ 7 ] 

Attack:  (d20+2)[ 3 ] 
Crit:  (d20+2)[ 15 ] 
Damage:  (d6+2)[ 5 ] 
 


However, neither is able to hit as the strands pull them back.
super dark33
 Surdrak readies a blast, aiming with pure rage,
but on the last moment he hesitates and pulls out his wand of enlarge person, and uses it on Artorias instead.

 
 Spoiler 
[roll]10+10=20=enough to use a wand[/roll] Use magic item roll
 
 

Derp that doesnt read the thread.

BAD SUPERDARK BAD SUPERDARK.
CoffeeIncluded
Nedivax grits his teeth and summons his hand down, to lay upon Artorias's shoulder. The instant it does, he feels a wracking pain shoot down from it.

 
 Spoiler 
Fort save for half damage, please.
Wracking Touch:  (d6+4)[ 9 ] 
 


EDIT:
Surdrak is about to enlarge Artorias, but realizes he already drank a potion to do so.
 
 Spoiler 
What else do you want to do?
 
super dark33
Upon second hesitation, Surdrak fires the blast at Nedivax instead.

 Living things.  URGH . 
 
 Spoiler 
 just note that the disdain for living things is only activating the Mortalbale feat, not anything psychotic.
 (1d20+6)[ 26 ]  RangedTouch Attack
 (5d6)[ 13 ]  Lethal

Also: shouldnt he roll climb checks for staying up that ladder or somthing?
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias grinds his teeth as the pain shoots though his body.
 
 Spoiler 

Fortitude Save  (1d20+5)[ 15 ] 
 
Silverraptor
Sora looks back at her wrists and ankles, tentatively pulling to test their strength. She quickly comes to the conclusion there was no way she was going to get out of these webs on her own. However, things were too dangerous for one of the others to help her out, so she decided to contribute to the fight in other ways. Like those last 2 skeleton dogs, for instance.

 "Turn Undead!" 
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+3)[ 19 ] 
 (2d6+8)[ 12 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias can't fight off the full might of the spell. But Sora's light bathes over him and the two dogs whimper and back away.

Rummaging through something unseen with one hand, Bella appears to be casting some sort of spell that clouds Kheel's mind.

 
 Spoiler 
Kheel needs to make a will save.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Nedivax screams in pain as Jadeite raises his wand once more.

 
 Spoiler 
Concentration check:  (d20+10)[ 15 ] 
Will save:  (d20+4)[ 24 ] 
 


The scream seems to stutter for a moment, but then continues, dying out naturally. It's replaced by panting and a murderous glare at Surdrak--and a murderous growl.

 
 Spoiler 
Elsee, Kheel, Artorias, and Badger are up.

Kheel needs to make a will save or take no actions this round.
 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Spoiler 
 Kheel will save: (d20+5)[ 14 ]
 


If sucsess: Kheel continues attempting to pull himself out of the webs, Elsee attempts to assist him.

 
 Spoiler 
 Kheel strength: (d20+3)[ 13 ]
Elsee assisting him, strength check as i don't think she can assist himn with an escape artist. if she gets higher then 10, then kheel gets a +2 bonus to his roll.
(d20+1)[ 17 ]
 
Dusk Eclipse
 Artorias charges blindly, trying to plow through the skeleton dogs in front of him 
 
 Spoiler 

Strength check to move through the web  (1d20+4)[ 6 ] 
Strength Check to Overrun dog 1  (1d20+8)[ 28 ]  (4 from str +4 from being large)
Strength Check to Overrun dog 2  (1d20+8)[ 27 ] 
Moving towards the (48-49, S-T) square.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "That's a daze spell,"  Jadeite shouts to Elsee.  "Kheel should be fine in a moment!" 

Artorias tries to Hargreaves forward and shove the skeleton dogs out of the way, but the strands hold him tight, and he very nearly falls flat on his face.

 
 Spoiler 
jadeite auto-passed the spellcraft check, I realized. Athedia, Badger is up.
 
Athedia
Badger kept her bow pointed at where she had heard the yelp.  Another arrow sprang from the string, unseen by her as to where it went.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack:  (1d20+10)[ 25 ] 
Crit:  (1d20+10)[ 23 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+1)[ 2 ] 
Miss on 1:  (1d2)[ 1 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
It seems like the arrow is going to fly true...but it goes just over Nedivax's head and clatters against the wall.
CoffeeIncluded
The skeleton dogs continue mindlessly attacking Artorias.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack:  (d20+2)[ 4 ] 
Crit:  (d20+2)[ 8 ] 
Damage:  (d6+2)[ 6 ] 

Attack:  (d20+2)[ 7 ] 
Crit:  (d20+2)[ 11 ] 
Damage:  (d6+2)[ 3 ] 
 


Neither can still touch Artorias.

Nedivax, clutching his bleeding side, growls in rage at Surdrak,  "BURN!"  He launches out a cone of fire at the warlock.

 
 Spoiler 
Reflex half, take  (4d4)[ 7 ]  damage otherwise.
 


But the cone of fire isn't limited to Surdrak's spot. It ignites the webs around him, and they burst into flames! Artorias is instantly caught in the conflagration, and though the webs in the fire burn to ash, Artorias is burning as well!

Nedivax's eyes widen. He lowers his head and says,  "Oops." 
 
 Spoiler 
Artorias takes  (2d4)[ 5 ]  fire damage.
 
super dark33
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+5)[ 21 ] 
 


Surdrak bends out of the burst, but not without getting a few burns.

 
 Spoiler 
3 damage, since DR.
 
super dark33
Surdrak readies another blast, still thinking about the fact living things suck, and launches it at Nedivax again, with malicious glee.
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+6)[ 15 ] 
 (5d6)[ 17 ] 
 

 Any idea what I am Naeddae? Or your education is not beyond 'corpses are cool'? 
CoffeeIncluded
Nedivac screams and falls behind the wall to the ground with a very loud thud.

 
 Spoiler 
How many times can you use that blast?
 
super dark33
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Nedivac screams and falls behind the wall to the ground with a very loud thud.

 
 Spoiler 
How many times can you use that blast?
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler 
five per day. 3 remain.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Soul-peddler, you fool!"  Jadeite screams as he flails against the thick strands, the wall of fire roaring up behind him and consuming the strands, creeping onto the fringes of his cape.  "What have you done?! He was perfectly content with dealing moves meant to incapacitate and only do minor damage! I have no spell to nullify these flames! Not all of us have bargained our spirits for more power!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Jadeite is trying to flee the fire.

Escape artist:  (d20+2)[ 22 ] 
 


Jadeite actually looks panicked, and he manages to force his way through multiple thick gobs of web. He actually picks up a crumbled but still sharp shard of bone from one of the skeleton dogs and hacks his way through.

 
 Spoiler 
Sora's up.
 
Silverraptor
 "OH GOD NO!!" 
Sora watches helplessly as the wall of fire makes its way over to her. She struggles slightly with the webs, but still knows it will do no good. She instead focuses in trying to mitigate the fire damage once its upon her, focusing the spell to wash over her, literally.
 "Create Water!" 
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+9)[ 20 ] 
 


The water gushes out of her amulet to about a foot high before arcing in all directions and washing over her. While she is now drenched and her clothes becoming slightly see through, this would hopefully help reduce the impact of the fire. Or at very least prevent her clothes from catching fire as well.
CoffeeIncluded
Ten gallons of water splash over Sora's head, completely soaking her and the webs around her. The water forces its way up her nose and in her mouth and plasters her clothes to her skin, but doesn't actually harm her. But she is dripping soaking wet, as are the webs. Which is probably a good thing as the fire roars closer.

 
 Spoiler 
The fire will only do half damage, but it will create smoke that you'll have to fort save against next round or spend the round choking and coughing. Smart move!
 
CoffeeIncluded
Bella runs forward, desperately waving her hand, which comes into view first.

 
 Spoiler 
Kheel needs to make another will save, same DC.
 


Upon seeing the conflagration and increasing chaos, and Nedivax unmoving behind the walls, Bella seems to desperately sign something, or make some sort of movements with her hands.

 
 Spoiler 
Unless you guys know drow sign language, I'll need a sense motive check to understand what she's saying.

Badger, Artorias, Elsee, and Kheel are up.
 
Silverraptor
 
 Spoiler 
Sense Motive:  (1d20+5)[ 7 ] 
 


Psssshhh.
Athedia
Badger heard the crackle of fire beside her.  Normally she would be able to squash her fear, she had when rescuing Felix, but this was different.  She was blind, she was underground and she was helpless.  Panicked she fought the web trying to move out the door, back to safety.

 
 Spoiler 
Escape Artist:  (1d20+4)[ 22 ] 
Coffee, I will post more once i learn the outcome.
 


Her panic and the rush of energy she got had served her well in the past.  She stumbled out of the web and the room, collapsing on the floor.  She could still hear the blaze roaring behind her and the screaming of her companions.  A cold nose nuzzled at her and she started to cry for the first time in years.

She was helpless, she couldn't save them.  And even if she survived she was stuck down here and those two... they would not hesitate to kill her.  Sthe collapse on the floor hugging Naga close to her.  She was no longer Badger, because Badger was strong and did not fear her death.  She had become the scared girl from so many years ago, helpless, alone and afraid.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias endures the heat, he has lived all his life in a forge, he doesn't fear fire. He tries to charge forward once more, trying to locate the witch by her scent.

 
 Spoiler 

Another overrun attempt
strength check to move [roll]1d20+[/roll]
vs. SD1  (1d20+8)[ 24 ] 
vs SD2  (1d20+8)[ 15 ] 
 
Draconi Redfir
 "awww comeon!"  Elsee shouts as the fire rages on, her tiny hands desperately trying to slap kheel out of it while trying to untangle him.  "whatever happened to no lethal injuries in city limits!? I mean for Golek's sake i swipe out a guy's tendon so he can't run off 'nd i get shouted at for two hours and sentenced to three weeks hard toilet duty on Chilli month! There is NO way I’m letting some other dink get away with outright killing a guy because the races were flipped around!" 
 
 Spoiler 
 Kheel will:(d20+5)[ 20 ]

will post Elsee's actions once i know what the willsave was.
 


From the looks of things it looked like Kheel was starting to wake up, so Elsee quickly redoubled her efforts in trying to break him out of the webs.

 
 Spoiler 

Kheel strength: (d20+3)[ 8 ]
Elsee escape artist to assist: (d20+8)[ 15 ]
 
CoffeeIncluded
Badger flees the web and curls up crying in the previous room in shock. Artorias tries to flee as well but is held fast.

Kheel snaps to it, and immediately starts screaming and flailing his wings, trying to escape the fire.

 
 Spoiler 
He made the save.
 
super dark33
Surdrak attempts to break more web by speaking spirit profanities at them.

 ᏯᎦᏜᎧ. 
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+5)[ 7 ] 
 


The webs barely budge.
CoffeeIncluded
Nedivax remains silent and unmoving behind the wall, his status unknown, and the turned skeleton dogs attempt to flee Sora. But the fire still spreads, incinerating the webs and burning everyone in their path.

 
 Spoiler 
Screwed up and posted in the other thread since I'm tired.
SD1 strength check:
(d20+2)[6]

SD2 strength check:
(d20+2)[13]

Artorias fire damage: (4d4)[10]

Sora fire damage: (d4)[1]

Kheel fire damage: (2d4)[5]

Elsee fire damage: (2d4)[4]
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite watches Bella's movements, even as he flails and struggles to escape the approaching flames.

 
 Spoiler 
sense motive:  (d20)[ 10 ] 
Escape artist:  (d20+2)[ 21 ] 
 


Jadeite can't understand Bella's desperate signing, but he manages to push through the webs and very nearly escapes.
Silverraptor
As the webs burned around her, Sora found the tension release. Pulling sharply on the strands, she rolled through the fiery web into the heart of where the fire originated, where there was nothing but soot and ash (5ft step). She then gets on all fours slowly, bits of spider web dangling down still from her, especially her wrists and ankles.
 "If you'd think that I am a bondage type of girl..." 
She puts one foot under her and starts getting up.
 "...then you would actually be right." 
She then stood up and looked at the hobgoblin above.
 "But if you'd think I would enjoy trying to be burned alive while in said bondage..." 
She reached down the from of her shirt and grabbed for something.
 "...then allow me to give you my appropriate response." 
She then flicked her hand out, palm up, to reveal the amber beetle necklace. At the moment her arm stopped at full length, the beetle flew out of the amber at same speed. The beetle began to buzz and fly through the air angrily, growing slightly at the same time, and charged straight at the hobgoblin who casted the fire.

 
 Spoiler 
I just want to say that if Jadeite had casted a fire spell, Sora would've behaved in quite a similar fashion, though probably not as extreme. She would've probably hit him a few times, which with her strength wouldn't account for much.😛

I also forgot the HP of everyone, so I just had Sora react how she would normally in this situation with no context.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Following Sora's mental orders, the summoned beetle flies right at the unconscious, dead or dying Nedivax. Where it bounces off the top of the wall, spiraling backwards in midair. Instead, it flies straight at the nearest humanoid target--Belladonna.

 
 Spoiler 
nedivax is unconscious and behind a wall. You can't actually see him. So the beetle is going after Bella instead.

Otherwise, nice post!
 
CoffeeIncluded
Seeing the enormous stab beetle head her way, Belladonna immediately summons a floating image before her. It's not an illusion of a monster. It's not an illusion of Nedivax. It's not an illusion of a spell.

The illusion consists of two words, bright red and floating in the air. They read:  I SURRENDER. 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee hisses as the flames wash over her and Kheel, singing their skin and blinding their eyes temporairily as they pass. Fourtionately they tke the webbing with them, freeing the both of them from their entangelent. Coughing loudly from the smoke and heat, Elsee taps the underside of Kheels chin a few times as she climbs onto is back, leaning to the left a bit as she attempted to guide him up and to the left to escape the flames and smoke.
CoffeeIncluded
As Elsee and Kheel fly above the smoke and flame, the goblin sees Bella desperately waving around the illusion that says  I SURRENDER,  and she hears jadeite shout,  "Bella is surrendering!" 
Silverraptor
Sora stops, frozen where she was for a moment, before turning to Jadeite.
 "WHAT?! NOW SHE SURRENDERS?!" 
Sora gestures around.
 "Badger and Kheel are blind. Artorias is almost the size of a house. Her Hobgoblin friend is unconscious over the wall. She can't speak. And for me..." 
She holds her arms out.
 "I have bits of spider web dangling from me from all places, especially my hair. Parts of me are soaked wet while the other part is bone dry after the fire swept through trying to burn me alive. And not to mention all this dirt we've accumulated." 
She drops her arms at her side in disbelief and disgust.
 "Why couldn't she have just surrendered earlier so that NONE OF THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT ALL?!" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "I can still hear you" 
super dark33
 She surrendered because she saw what happens to those that dont, like Naeddae over there.

 At least i calmed down before i killed him or somthing.  

Surdrak rubs the areas that burn on him.

 Where did Badger go? 
Athedia
As Badger heard the fire die down she tried to calm down, her face still buried in Naga's fur.  She could hear her friends voices from the other room, they were still alive.   And Bella wanted to... surrender?  Elsee echoed her sentiments.

Taking deep breathes she scrubbed the tears away from her face and shakily stood up.  She was still blind and could not see her friends but spoke softly.    "I am out here."  
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite dismisses the silence spell as everyone else except Badger crowds in the middle of the burnt-out webs, waiting for the rest of the web to burn to ash as well.

 "The spell should wear off in a few seconds! Just let me get to my brother!"  Bella shouts, running to him as the two remaining skeleton dogs whimper and flee from Sora, racing to a desk and hiding under it.

The group can suddenly hear her shout behind the wall,  "Nedivax! Nedivax, are you a-alive? Please tell me you're alive!" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee lept off of Kheel's back and floated down to the opposite end of the wall to examine the hobgoblin herself, calling out to the rest of the group as she slowly fell and approached the fallen hobgoblin.

 "Either way i'm totlly voting we kick the warlock out of the guild for this. No way in hell is he getting away scott free for doing ten times worse what i got stuck with toilet duty for!" 

(( Any checks i should make to see if the guy is still alive?))
super dark33
Surdrak turns his back and folds his arms.

 Emane citsinohcrana na htiw namow a dna recnamorcen a yb ta detaolg dna snoteleks yb netae, bew a ni dnilb eb dluow uoy em tuohtiw, pleh ym rof uoy knaht yas, doog.  

He starts walking towards the end of the room, to see if he can spot anything.

 Enod eb ot dah tahw did i. 
CoffeeIncluded
Nedivax is alive, but barely. The pool of blood beneath him is growing by the moment.

 "Surdrak does seem to be more unhinged than before, though I cannot say it was entirely unjustified in this case. Regardless, I agree, that he might need some sort of restraint in the future,"  jadeite says.

Bella shoves a potion down Nedivax's throat, and the hobgoblin wakes with a choked gasp.
CoffeeIncluded
Nedivax's eyes grow huge as he takes in the complete chaos before him. Badger, Artorias, and Kheel rub glitter out of their eyes as the two skeleton dogs run away from Sora, who is all but shoving her holy symbol in their faces, and scrabble under his bed in a fit to get away. Artorias is nearly as large as a horse, sora is sopping wet, everyone is covered in webs, and half of them are burnt. And the goblin is on top of an angry young wyvern.

 "Bella,"  he says quickly and quietly,  "Get out of here."  He then steps between Bella and the group, one badly wounded hobgoblin wizard against six angry guild members and a wyvern, and shouts,  "Take me, but leave my sister be!" 
Athedia
  It was temporary   Badger was relieved that she could see again.  But she didn't let it show as she walked into the room with the others.   "Family loyalty is nice an' all.  But you tried to kill us.  I am sorry but if she flees that I will track her down and I do not let people go." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "T-Then I'll have to kill you first!"  Nedivax says with a quavering voice as the little weasel hops onto his shoulder and buries herself into his hair.

 
 Spoiler 
im going to need a sense motive, athedia.
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
With that stutter?  (1d20+10)[ 21 ] 
 

 "I wouldn't do that.  See, right now I am at least willing to talk to some people on your behalf.  Be a little harder if I have to knock you out first." 
CoffeeIncluded
Badger:

 
 Spoiler 
oh, he's totally lying. He probably doesn't have much useful magic left, if any.
 

 "Who are you going to talk to? You brought a while force in here just for fighting us necromancers!"  Nedivax looks terrified. Bella is edging towards the side of the room where the ceiling has crumbled in and been hastily patched, but she doesn't seem to be fleeing yet.
Athedia
 "Them?  A whole force?"   At this Badger couldn't help but laugh.   "Well it is good we all came or those chokers would have gotten us.  But you, no.  Even if you wanted to you couldn't hurt us right now.  Bella, I would suggest you don't try to flee.  Your brother here is out of spells, and trust me the law looks badly on those who run." 
CoffeeIncluded
Judging from the look on Nedivax's face, neither of them knew about the chokers. Bella freezes in place, and when she speaks it's much less confident and cruel than before.  "Please, don't hurt my brother. Nedivax was...he was just..." 
Athedia
 "Trying to protect you?" 
Draconi Redfir
(( How many times do i need to say that Elsee isn't on/got off of Kheel? :U))

Elsee slowly goose-steeped towards the Hobgoblin as he and Badger talked, her arms folded behind her back and her weapons sheathed. Upon getting within just a few feet of the hobgoblin, Elsee kneeld forward at the waist, squinting a bit as she examined the hobgoblin's tatoo just in time for Badger to begin talking to Bella.

 "You a Seer?" 
super dark33
 They resisted arrest, which like using lethal force, is against the law. Therefore I have no right to say anything in that matter. 

Surdrak frowns and examines his hands.
CoffeeIncluded
Bella pauses, as if she's not quite sure about what to say next.  "It's more than that. Nedivax and I, we--" 

But she falls silent as Nedivax stares at Elsee, who is scratching Kheel's chin. Of rather, he's staring at her tattoo.  "I didn't know there were still other goblin tribes who followed the ways,"  he says.

Jadeite mutters to Surdrak,  "Then they will face arrest and criminal charges as well. There are rules."  the last three words are said much harder than the others.

 
 Spoiler 
sorry about that, Draconi. Oh, and do you guys want to search them for treasure?
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee merely quirked an eyebrow, her smile fading as she crossed her arms under her chest.

 "Didn't know it was somethin other tribes did. Guess that's whatcha get fer quittin early. mighta been told'a bout it more later on." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Why would you ever leave?"  Nedivax asks in disbelief.  "It is...it was...it is...the greatest honor of our tribe."  The hobgoblin rubs the tattoo above his eyes, the blue swirl that evokes a sense of movement and travel.

 "Why would you ever give it up?" 

Elsee:

 
 Spoiler 
Elsee can make a knowledge check to identify it.
 


EDIT: Nedivax's familiar runs up to the hobgoblin's face and places her paws on it. Upon closer inspection, the familiar is not a weasel, but a ferret, an odd ferret with a black-tipped tail and a black patch on her back and black paws.

 
 Spoiler 
His familiar is a black-footed ferret.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee sneered and shrugged a bit as she kinda stared at the tatoo, racking her brain for anything simmiler she might have seen all those years ago.

 "only got et cuz my mom's family line had it, was never able to do the whole magic shabeil, never even wanted to do it in the first place. they didn't listen, so eye left." 
 
 Spoiler 

knowledge (idunno,) (20-1)[ 15 ]
 
super dark33
 The tattoo has qualities of some kind. Neither arcane or divine. 
 
 Spoiler 
Surdrak activates Detect magic to search for stuff in the room.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Elsee:

 
 Spoiler 
There were other clans who had tattoos like hers and Nedivax's, and all of them were goblin clans. Maybe. Either way, she doesn't know of any other Seer clans.
 


The way Nedivax's eyes widen, it's as if Elsee admitted to being born disabled. Which, in a sense, to one with the tattoo, isn't far off the mark.

 "Do you have any siblings?"  he asks.  "My sister, Bella, we tried, but she could never be a..."  he says a word that, in goblin, translates to  Midnight nomad.   "I always thought it was because she never shared our bloodline, but if what you say is true, then it may be more complicated than that. 

Surdrak:

 
 Spoiler 
There's no magic on the tattoo (did I ever say it was magical?), but Nedivax's headband and Bella's chain shirt both register as magical. Other things may be as well.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee shrugged a bit, idly sitting on the ground near the hobgoblin, crossing her legs.

 "only one last time i checked, wasa few years ago though so i might have a few creeps running around. Other'n tht i got nothin." 

She squins a bit though and glances over to bella, who is still busy chatting with badger.

 "Seems pretty magic user-y to me." 
CoffeeIncluded
Nedivax shakes his head.  "Simply being a mage isn't enough to become a  midnight nomad  or a  delve reader . You out to know at least this,"  he says.

Bella sighs.  "I could learn any illusion or enchantment, beguile even Kago soldiers to protect my family, but I could never be a  midnight nomad.  And now I can't even protect my brother from you."  She tugs on her chain shirt.  "What good is this for?!" 
Athedia
 "Well, we have an issue here.  The two of you did break the law, and did try to kill us.  I hope more that I remember that.  But we already turned someone in for the flesh golem.  This was just us following up a lead about dancing skeletons.  Unless you did participate in the golem?  And why dancing?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "umm does anyone knows how long this stuff lasts?"  Artorias says in a booming voice.

 
 Spoiler 

Artorias knows a little about spellcasting (decent INT) but he has no idea of the finer points of spellcasting, and since I wasn't sure what to post, I decided to go with comedy.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Well, we have an issue here.  The two of you did break the law, and did try to kill us.  I hope more that I remember that.  But we already turned someone in for the flesh golem.  This was just us following up a lead about dancing skeletons.  Unless you did participate in the golem?  And why dancing?"  
 

Bella and Nedivax blink.  "Dancing?"  It's clear neither of them know what Badger's talking about either.

The two mages ignore Badger's remark about their criminal activity. Nedivax says,  "Tanner found out about us and asked to join. He's responsible for the flesh golem." 

 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "umm does anyone knows how long this stuff lasts?"  Artorias says in a booming voice.

 
 Spoiler 

Artorias knows a little about spellcasting (decent INT) but he has no idea of the finer points of spellcasting, and since I wasn't sure what to post, I decided to go with comedy.
 
 
 

Jadeite looks down and starts counting off on his fingers.  "Three...two...one..." 

Right on cue, in a swirl of vertigo Artorias instantly shrinks down to his normal size.
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Nedivax shakes his head.  "Simply being a mage isn't enough to become a  midnight nomad  or a  delve reader . You out to know at least this,"  he says. 
 

Elsee merely shook her head.  "Mom 'nd grandma 'nd great-gramma 'nd so on were the only ones who could do magic 'nd predict the future 'n stuff for us." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "How small was your tribe?"  Nedivax asks, almost in horror.
Dusk Eclipse
 "Urghhh.... ok that could have been worse" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "It's a shame the spell has few direct offensive purposes,"  Jadeite muses.  "Though I suppose there could be a variant which, upon restoration of size, would restore size from the feet to the head rather than vice versa, leaving the subject to the whims of gravity." 
 
 Spoiler 
I'll roll for treasure tonight or tomorrow.
 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "How small was your tribe?"  Nedivax asks, almost in horror. 
 

Elsee wrinkled her nose as she thought, trying to count out all the families she'd seen in the tribe.  "maaayybe booouut... eighty? ish?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Nedivax closes his eyes.  "That few...I remember the stories..." 
 
 Spoiler 
Goodnight, everyone!
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee merely quirked an eyebrow, having run out of motions or gestures to make to prevent the conversaition from feeling bland and keep her posts of decent size.

 "What stories?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "That the tribes used to be so much bigger, a long time ago,"  Nedivax says, closing his eyes.  "But with Kago and internal wars and our journey across the plains...wait, why am I telling you this? You're going to arrest me and my sister." 

Jadeite whispers to whomever is close,  "Is this a pattern with you?" 

His ferret familiar curls up on his shoulder and seems to whisper something in his ear. Nedivax sighs.  "I suppose that's it, Rikin. I'm just pleased to see another goblin with the tattoo after such a long time." 
 
 Spoiler 
I guess I'll roll the treasure for later.
 
Draconi Redfir
 "i just asked a question. you're the one who started talkin." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Hey, the more I talk, the more likely you are to keep me and Bella out of jail, according to bow girl over there,"  Nedivax says, jabbing a finger in Badger's direction.

Bella looks like she's about to say something, but instead says,  "Can you just let us go or something?" 
super dark33
 Nothing is a pattern in the guild, Jaeddae. We are all just full of surprises.  

Surdrak looks at the tattoo.   Might it be A half completed warlock binding ritual?  
 What achievements could a Seer or a [broken]Midnight nomad[broken] do?   
Draconi Redfir
Elsee all but throws a peice of debris at Surdrak in a mild rage.

 "it's just a stinkin tatoo ya moron! 'Nd ya don't even speak Goblin! quit basterdizing our words!" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Really soul-peddler, you're going to start selling cultures now as well?"  Jadeite says with a smirk as Elsee yells at Surdrak and tosses a piece of trash at him.

Still, Surdrak may have a point. The tattoo does look a bit like some warlock tattoos. Maybe. But then again it also looks like some of the tattoos that some sorcerers get, so there may not be anything to it.

 "Badger? Elsee? Artorias? What are the rules on obtaining items from criminals?"  Jadeite's voice is a bit muffled as he pulls out a chest under the bed. There's another pile of coins there, and two potions, and for some reason a Greatsword.

 
 Spoiler 
you can take about 70-75% of gold and items from a convicted criminal, unless they get the death penalty or are a wolfs head. The gold I rolled is after the 70-75% calculation.
 
Athedia
 "We keep majority, about 70%.  And Elsee, Jadiete let off.  Surdrak is curious, I would be too if I was not the only one TRYING TO ARREST THESE TWO!"  Badger glared at the rest of her group.   "We can ask for leniency for them, we can talk to them in the cell, hell we can treat them like Surdrak.  BUT WE CAN'T BE CHATTING NOW!" 
 
 Spoiler 

  Might it be A half completed warlock binding ritual?  

  I believe this was a private thought and not spoken aloud so how are people responding to it.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "As you wish,"  Jadeite says with a sweeping grandiose bow, stepping back.

 
 Spoiler 
see my Facebook, athedia. Jadeite wasn't responding to Surdrak's thoughts.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias rummages through the stuff Jadeite found, taking particular interest in the greatsword. He takes it in his hands and examines it closely testing it's balance and weight.   "Hmmm... it is a nice blade, nice balance but it seems it is slightly weighted towards the point and yet it is easy to wield"  Artorias stops musing to find everyone staring at him, he tries to cover with a chuckle  "Did I said that aloud?" . Everyone nods.
 "....right, were where we? Oh right."  He clears his throat.  "Badger is right, we can make some sort of deal to lessen the sentence if you come with us without making any more fuzz." 
CoffeeIncluded
Bella and Nedivax look like they're wavering, giving each other sidelong glances, though they protest as Artorias tests the greatsword. The skeleton dogs are still cowering from Sora's holy symbol.

Just a little more convincing, and they'll likely surrender.

 
 Spoiler 
Someone's got to roll diplomacy. Sorry. I recommend Sora because she's got the highest score. 😛

I'm going to the dentist tomorrow morning, so goodnight!
 
Silverraptor
 "So. Shall we start making our way out of here?" 
Sora's voice has a hint that is only picked up by the members of the guild that she wants to wash the dirt off.

 
 Spoiler 
Diplomacy:  (1d20+13)[ 28 ] 
 
Draconi Redfir
 "i knowa few of the guys in the prision from my old pre-guild days, could probably pull some strings 'nd getcha both in the same cell if ya want." 
 
 Spoiler 
 Diplomacy/assist for Sora. (d20+7)[ 27 ]
 
CoffeeIncluded
Belladonna and Nedivax look at each other. With a sigh and a snap of his fingers, the two skeleton dogs come to heel. They raise their hands in surrender.

 "Could you please?" 
 "Elsee, I thought the guild served as auxiliary law enforcement,"  Jadeite says with a grin.

 
 Spoiler 
a 30 with aid another absolutely makes it. Good job, everyone!
 
super dark33
 Auxillary law enforcement, extermination service, bodyguarding, rehabilitation, and fugitive safety.  

Surdrak turns to the captives.

 Emphasis on rehabilitation.
 At least you don't need inquisitors before anything starts, lucky you.  
Draconi Redfir
 "What? I wasn't always part of the guild yaknow, 'nd runaways gotta feed themselves somehow. I just liked to be freindly the few times i got caught." 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite stares at Elsee and Surdrak before turning to Badger and Artorias and asking, this time in confusion,  "Again, I thought the guilds served as auxiliary law enforcement, and that Surdrak was an unfortunate exception?" 

After stripping Belladonna and Nedivax of their magical items and tying the two mages up, the guildmembers start doing an initial splitting of the items. Jadeite immediately claims the band for his own, and Artorias does the same with the greatsword. After the elf points to the necklace and says,  "That will allow you to mentally communicate with someone for up to a minute three times a day, provided that the two of you know and are within a mile radius of each other. In my university we use them to coordinate on experiments where researchers cannot be in the same location simultaneously,"  Badger immediately picks it up and claims it. Elsee chooses the chain shirt, though it's made for a larger person. It's so large on her that it drapes down to her knees like a dress; unless she gets it shortened by a professional blacksmith it will impede her movement. Surdrak claims the scrolls, and Sora chooses the potions as her own.

The path back to the surface is much less treacherous than the one down. Bella stares at the carnage in the second room, where dismembered chokers and zombies and piles of bone litter the floor, and the seeping swampwater is tinged red with blood. Nedivax stops to mourn the loss of his undead creations before they move on.

The muddy wet floor in the final room is also stained red, and the previously mucky ground now slightly crunches underfoot. as they step on the hundreds of rat corpses in various states of decay.

 "...I tried using some new chemicals instead of the ones from home. They didn't work very well,"  Nedivax offers by way of explanation.

But there's a problem. The group jumped down about ten or fifteen feet to enter the underground lab. And while there is a ladder on the far end of the pit, it's broken and won't reach all the way up. How are they going to get back to the surface?

 
 Spoiler 
There is a way to get up and out. A couple ways, actually. I'm curious to see what you guys come up with! 😉
 
Athedia
Badger looked up at the hole then looked at Artorias.  "Can you do that spell again?  Make yourself big?" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee had decided to hold off on the chain shirt for now, folding it up and keeping it in her bag for the time being.

 "The pipeline was blocked off just as it started tilting up. If everyone can squeeze in there we could dig our way out." 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite looks at everyone else, especially Sora, hoping they'll share his expressions.  "And crawl through a waste drainage pipe to claw at the end of it like a common mole?" 
Silverraptor
Sora laughs, which was  rather high pitched , and puts a hand on Jadeite's shoulder.
 "Oh, you're so funny Jadeite. Heh heh..." 
super dark33
Surdrak moves to the shelves and benches, tries to see if they budge.

 How movable are these? 
CoffeeIncluded
The shelves and benches are rather heavy, and the thick muddy ground doesn't help. But they can probably be moved around, if people work together.
super dark33
 Alright, we build a ladder-tower from these smei-furnitures. Come help me with this. 

Surdrak places himself in the position he could help the most.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite stands back and observes the stronger guild members push and lift the furniture into place.

 
 Spoiler 
Knowledge (architecture and engineering):  (d20+13)[ 14 ] 
 


He tries to help direct where to put the furniture so they won't slip or collapse, but it's difficult as their bottoms are covered with slick mud and mold, and he doesn't know the exact materials they're made of.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee had starded carrying one of the tables' chairs over to the pile when she realized something they all probably should have before they started. with a quiet utterence of  "Wait..."  she lowered her chair and looked to the prisoners.

 "Stupid question. You know how to get out of here? Like, a path that isn't shet? You've had to get those bones 'nd stuff from somewhere." 
Athedia
Badger didn't bother helping, she wasn't going to drag the two prisoners up that rickety structure and wasn't going to let them go either.   "Elsee you have rope right?  If their isn't a way out, which I suspect it got destroyed, we could use Kheel to fly the rope outta here." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
 Elsee had starded carrying one of the tables' chairs over to the pile when she realized something they all probably should have before they started. with a quiet utterence of  "Wait..."  she lowered her chair and looked to the prisoners.

 "Stupid question. You know how to get out of here? Like, a path that isn't shet? You've had to get those bones 'nd stuff from somewhere."  
 

Bella nods towards the broken ladder.  "We had a ladder, but it broke in the explosion yesterday." 

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Badger didn't bother helping, she wasn't going to drag the two prisoners up that rickety structure and wasn't going to let them go either.   "Elsee you have rope right?  If their isn't a way out, which I suspect it got destroyed, we could use Kheel to fly the rope outta here."  
 

 "That would be a better solution,"  Jadeite says.  "Unless you wish to test the stability of your tower." 
Silverraptor
Sora also didn't help move stuff, but just watched, knowing if they did decide on plan "leaning tower of stupidity", she wouldn't be able to contribute much to it.
super dark33
 Lets not bother blaming each other after this thing inevitably falls. ill go on it first. 

Surdrak starts to climb the tower, trying to catch on to the ledge of the hole as soon as possible.

 
 Spoiler 
Roll needed?
 
CoffeeIncluded
Surdrak starts clambering up the "leaning tower of stupidity," as Sora puts it, pulling himself up by open drawers even as his feet slip against mud and mold.

 
 Spoiler 
Climb and balance checks, please.
 
super dark33
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+3)[ 20 ]  Balance
 (1d20)[ 15 ]  Climb
 


Surdrak takes his first step into the grand creation, thought by a madman, engineered by a madman, and built by a madman, and the results would not be pretty...
CoffeeIncluded
As he grips around the edges of the Leaning Tower of Stupid, for a moment it looks like the warlock is going to make it But halfway up the structure, both of Surdrak's feet slip out from under him. For a moment it looks as if he's going to topple to the ground and take the desk with him (and on top of him), but he manages to catch his fingers around the half-open drawer of the desk and hang on.
super dark33
 The Tower is balanced, but still slippery. proceed with caution. 
 
 Spoiler 
Should i roll again for another climb?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by super dark33 
  The Tower is balanced, but still slippery. proceed with caution. 
 
 Spoiler 
Should i roll again for another climb?
 
 
 

 "I think I'll pass." 
 
 Spoiler 
Sure, and another balance too!
 
super dark33
 Your loss. 

Another fateful leap against wood and idiocy, Surdrak does a reenactment of the climbing of the Evverest. not that he knows what an Evverest is though.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20)[ 16 ]  Cluimb
 (1d20+3)[ 9 ] Builance
 

 Of failure. 
CoffeeIncluded
Flailing his legs, Surdrak fails to get a grip, and instead just clings desperately to the drawer, which is starting to creak and tilt under his weight...

 
 Spoiler 
Do you want to keep going?
 
super dark33
 Forget about the balance part, this tower is unusable. 

Surdrak drops off, feeling smarter with every centimeter he gets further from the tower.

 Kheel and Elsee should get out with a rope like you said.
 Retteb hcum dekrow evah dluoc siht...  

Surdrak steps back, to give stage to others.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Badger looked up at the hole then looked at Artorias.  "Can you do that spell again?  Make yourself big?"  
 

Badger notices Artorias isn't there with the others,  however soon after she sees him entering the room.

 "Why is there a pile of moldy furniture?  Why is Surdark on the floor? On q second thought,  don't answer that. " 
He then takes out another bottle aand drinks it, this time bracing himself for the sudden enlargement.
 "This should do the trick." 
CoffeeIncluded
With a sudden rush, Artorias doubles in side again. He can now curl his fingers over the ledge they jumped down from before to enter the labs. If he helps stabilize the structure and helps people climb up it, they should have no trouble exiting--and then they can all pull him up.
Silverraptor
Sora looks up at the rickety furniture ladder.
 "Well, I guess I'm climbing the leaning tower of stupidity. So long as Artorias helps me up. I'm not that good of a climber." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I trust you not to let me fall and snap my neck. After all, both Sora and I have been rather helpful here, have we not?"  
 
 Spoiler 
If Artorias helps you out everyone can climb up without a check.
 
Athedia
Badger watched as Artorias grew larger.  Giving a nod she backed up a little and then sprinted right at him.  A jump and a little clamber latter she stood on his shoulders, the outside visible.   "Thanks Art, mind handing Naga up after me?"   She jumped from his shoulders and pulled herself onto the ground outside.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Sora looks up at the rickety furniture ladder.
 "Well, I guess I'm climbing the leaning tower of stupidity. So long as Artorias helps me up. I'm not that good of a climber."  
 

 "Sure"  Artorias picks up Sora by the waist and helps her reach the border of pit.


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "I trust you not to let me fall and snap my neck. After all, both Sora and I have been rather helpful here, have we not?"  
 "Don't tempt me"  Artorias deadpans as he is used as a stepping stool by the necromancer.

 
 Spoiler 
If Artorias helps you out everyone can climb up without a check.
 
 
 


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Badger watched as Artorias grew larger.  Giving a nod she backed up a little and then sprinted right at him.  A jump and a little clamber latter she stood on his shoulders, the outside visible.   "Thanks Art, mind handing Naga up after me?"   She jumped from his shoulders and pulled herself onto the ground outside. 
 

 "Are you sure Naga won't freak out?"  seeing the archer nod Artorias picks the small dog and lifts her/him carefully. He then turns towards the caster siblings.
 "Your turn". 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias easily lifts Naga to the surface, where he climbs out of the pit and into Badger's arms. Jadeite steps up after Sora, allowing Artorias to lift him up into daylight as well.

Belladonna and Nedivax are both heavier than Jadeite, Nedivax particularly so, but Artorias is able to heft them both up to the surface.

Elsee and Kheel are still in the pit, and Kheel, about the size and weight of a very large pony or a small horse, is too heavy for Artorias to lift. But the wyvern can fly.
Draconi Redfir
wich is weird when you think about it, usually flying things need to be very light just to get off the ground, and have hollow bones to do so.

Reguardless Elsee and Kheel just fly on up.
CoffeeIncluded
It's true that birds are often extremely light, but Kheel is not a bird. He is a wyvern, a species of dragon.

Elsee and Kheel easily fly out of the pit and touch down in the afternoon light. Kheel spreads his wings and stretches to the sky with a joyful cry.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias lifts himself up with little difficulty, one would think being twice as large would impair movement, but it doesn't.  "Now that we are done with that, I think we should take you to Leif"  
CoffeeIncluded
 "Artorias, why are we taking them to Leif? I thought we delivered criminals to the watch, like how we did with Cecil." 

At the mention of the half drow's name, both mages fall silent and stare at each other.
super dark33
Surdrak sighs and attacks his own forehead with an eldritch tentacle.

 You know the guy personally, dont you. 

There is obviously a secret club of half Plaavans that arrengment crimes and murders.
Athedia
 "Put that away Surdrak."   Badger walked over to the two and laid a hand on their shoulders.   "You aren't wolves heads, you won't be executed."   She looked around, other than her companions the site was rather deserted, no workers cleaning up the scene.

While everyone was relaxed she quickly shifted her hands to grab Belladonna and Nedivax's collars and shoved them against a broken apart wall.   "But I do want the answer to one quick question, those dogs.  Were they dead when you dumped them in acid?  Or did you kill them?"   Her face was stony and her voice sharp.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by super dark33 
 Surdrak sighs and attacks his own forehead with an eldritch tentacle.

 You know the guy personally, dont you. 

There is obviously a secret club of half Plaavans that arrengment crimes and murders. 
 

 "How could we not know about the Cleric Butcher?"  Nedivax says.  "Do you realize how hard he made things for us Plavaan? Even if I say he was completely justified, his need for revenge made everyone even more suspicious of us!"

"And now...and now the same thing's going to happen to us,"  Belladonna adds.  "And there's the whole Wolf's Head thing too." 

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Put that away Surdrak."   Badger walked over to the two and laid a hand on their shoulders.   "You aren't wolves heads, you won't be executed."   She looked around, other than her companions the site was rather deserted, no workers cleaning up the scene.

While everyone was relaxed she quickly shifted her hands to grab Belladonna and Nedivax's collars and shoved them against a broken apart wall.   "But I do want the answer to one quick question, those dogs.  Were they dead when you dumped them in acid?  Or did you kill them?"   Her face was stony and her voice sharp. 
 

 "W-We never dumped live dogs in acid!"  Nedivax says, frantically straining against Badger's grip as Bella does the same.  "They were all dead, or strays. It's not like they belonged to anyone!"  He genuinely doesn't seem to understand what the problem is--and judging Bella's expression, neither does she.
Athedia
 "So you did kill dogs."   Badger shoved them away from her toward the rest of the group and spat on the ground.   "They get no help from me." 
CoffeeIncluded
Both Nedivax and Belladonna stumble away from Badger as she lets go of them.

Nedivax speaks first.  "What has gotten into you? You didn't act like this about the skeletons. What's the big deal; they were j--" 
 "Stop it."  Bella holds a hand to his mouth, even though she seems just as confused and bewildered by Badger's sudden outburst as her brother is.  "I don't think it'll help." 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee merely rolls her eyes.  "C'n we get goin now? I gotta date tonight 'nd i wanna bath'er somethin before he comes around." 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Elsee is right, let's go" 
Silverraptor
Sora holds herself up, showing the dirt and spider webs all over her.
 "Please?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Agreed,"  Jadeite says as he brushes webs and ash off him.

The nearest outpost to turn over Bella and Nedivax is the outpost where they reported the murdered cleric weeks ago. And the same severe-looking woman with the long flaming red-orange hair and the longsword is there to greet them. She looks at the criminals, then at the filthy guildmembers, then at Bella and Nedivax again.

 "You know what, I don't even want to know,"  she mutters before taking the two mages and pushing them inside.

Eventually, eventually, everyone makes it back to the guilds, and they're starting to outright stink from the heat and humidity baking the filth on them. And the huge strands of the webs are starting to stiffen as well. There are large metal and wooden tubs in the guild, and every single person takes one of them, filling it up with clean water from a nearby well, then heading to their rooms, stripping down, and washing themselves clean, adding soaps, scents, or perfumes if they'd like.

Jadeite himself adds a bit of pine scent, before taking a cloth, dipping it into the water, and while standing up rubs himself clean.

 
 Spoiler 
Sorry, it's about to start blizzarding and I was watching Sherlock.

Does anyone want to describe their bath? If not, I'll move on in a bit.
 
Athedia
Badger waited to take her bath, first changing into a pair of strangely hair covered clothing.   She set some of the water she had hauled to her room to boil downstairs, which everyone knew not to touch.  The rest she hauled to her room along with two tubs.  The smaller one she filled halfway with a bucket and the larger one she dumped the rest of the water in.

Then she grabbed Naga from where he was napping and dropped him in the small tub.  The clothes were hairy for a reason, she only wore these when attempting to bath Naga or one of the other dogs at the guild.  Naga fought to get out of the tub, but steadily the mess was wiped off his fur.  Dumping the water outside she left the basin outside her door.

The days exertions had caught up with Badger and all of her muscles ached.  The marks from the choker were tender as well even though the damage had been repaired.  Taking on last trip out of her room she went to the heating water and grabbed the cloth wrapped handle.  It was a heavy trip back up the stairs but doable and the scalding water joined its colder brethren in the larger tub.  It was tight but Badger managed to sit down in the tub, and let the warm water sooth her muscles.

Badger stripped and climbed into the large tub,
Silverraptor
Sora gratefully made her way upstairs, and once bathroom door was closed, stripped and practically threw herself into the bath. The quickly turned dark gray as she vigorously scrubbed off the dirt, soot, ash, and pulled off the sticky strands of spider webs still clinging to her in her hair, which she tried to remove carefully.

She then got out and drained the bathtub by pulling the plug, only to refill it with the extra clean water she brought up. Once it was full, she eased herself into the tub and relaxed as the dirt from the day's events were finally put in the past.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite takes a bucket of water and pours it over his head, letting it plaster his green hair to his shoulders and run down his back. He scrubs himself clean once again, paying special attention to his face and his fingernails and wherever sweat collects. Cleanliness is rather important, after all. When he's finally finished, he dries himself off with a snap of his fingers, and a muttered spell, then slowly dresses himself again.

He'd stay damp and let the afternoon sun dry him off, but it's too humid in Runite for that. He'll just get sweatier faster. But he took a rather long time in the bath, making sure he was clean. He always did this after working with undead for extended periods. You never knew what diseases could be lurking, and even when they were preserved, formaldehyde was never a chemical you wanted clinging to your robes and skin.

Jadeite takes a bottle of the scent he put in his water. Pine extract, and extremely concentrated at that. Just a few drops in the water would perfume him for a whole day. Turning over the bottle in his hand, a slow grin slides over the elf's face. What would happen if someone used a much greater quantity?

He leaves his room and walks down the hallway, testing the doors of his teammates one by one. Sora's is unlocked; she must have already finished and left. The wizard grins as he walks in. This would be as good a time as any to find out, even if it would have to wait until the next bath. Still, knowing Sora, that wouldn't be too long.
Silverraptor
As Jadeite makes his way into the room, he'd see that the bathroom door closed. As he quietly makes his way across the room, suddenly the door handle to the bathroom door turns and it starts to swing open. Emerging from the bathroom, Sora has her towel draped over her face initially, drying it off, while the rest of her is completely uncovered. After a couple seconds, she pulls the towel off her face with a pleasant sigh, before seeing Jadeite standing facing her in the middle off her room.

There is another 2 second pause before Sora drops her towel in front of her.
 "JADEITE!! What in the 9 Hells are you doing?!" 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite stares at Sora, his mouth hanging slightly open at the sight of her. The wooden bottle of pine extract slips out of his hand and falls to the floor.

At Sora's shriek, he grabs the front of his scarf and yanks it up over his eyes.  "I'm terribly sorry,"  he says, more frantic than usual,  "I must have entered the wrong room by mistake." 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias fills the iron tube with cold water, he uses a simple coarse rag to scrub himself, he grimaces as he cleans the wounds he received during the day. He almost dies, but in the end everything was worth it.
Silverraptor
Sora looks from Jadeite, down to the wooden bottle of pine extract, before looking back up at him with suspicious, calculating eyes. She then takes the towel that is covering her and throws it off before marching across the room to the hallway door, closes it, locks it, and then turns to face Jadeite with her hands on her hips, still unclothed.
 "So. What are we going to do now?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite still has his scarf over his eyes.  "We? We are going to finish bathing--or rather you are going to finish bathing, and I am going to return to my room and arrange my books!" 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias happened to be carrying the tub back downstairs when a door is slammed right next to him, he manages to catch a glimpse of a naked Sora and someone with green hair.

  "I don't want to know"   be shrugs and continues his way downstairs.
Silverraptor
 "No. We are going to stay here and talk until I am satisfied with the answers I am given. For example, first, why are you in my room?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Naga, still wet in places and fluffy-toweled-dry in others, starts barking at the wall.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "No. We are going to stay here and talk until I am satisfied with the answers I am given. For example, first, why are you in my room?"  
 

Jadeite lifts up his scarf, takes one quick look at Sora in all her glory, then quickly squeezes his eyes shut again.

 "I merely entered the incorrect room! After all, it was unlocked." 

A small wooden bottle is resting by his feet.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Naga, still wet in places and fluffy-toweled-dry in others, starts barking at the wall. 
 

 
Artorias finds Naga in the guild's storeroom.  "What's he matter boy? Rats again?"  
CoffeeIncluded
Naga continues to bark in Badger's room.

 
 Spoiler 
It sounds like Naga's in Badger's room? Sorry if that's not the case.
 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Jadeite lifts up his scarf, takes one quick look at Sora in all her glory, then quickly squeezes his eyes shut again.

 "I merely entered the incorrect room! After all, it was unlocked." 

A small wooden bottle is resting by his feet. 
 

Sora looks around at he décor, where it was quite obvious that a high enthusiastic teenage girl with a natural love for the color pink and other bright colors.

 "Uh huh... And a smart necromancer* elf such as yourself would not notice that this room was not the usual dark and undead layer you would have set up for yourself until you were more than halfway across the room and stumbled upon me? With a bottle of concentrated pine smell perfume shampoo, when its quite obvious you have already finished bathing yourself? Lets try this again Jadeite." 

(* She thinks of Necromancers as the equivalent of goth.)
super dark33
After cleaning himself, surdrak sat down on his polearm-smuggling-barrel-bed and cleaned his armor and crowbar, while humming a tune of a Tobeem song regarding the great deciever, a warlock that eluded the Kagoan paladins for decades.
It was an attempt to get warlocks to join the Tobeem against Kago, but the song never catched on.

He raises the humm to a quiet singing as he heared screams across the guildplace that disturbed his peace.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite looks at Sora, then down at the shampoo, then Sora again.

 "How did you manage to evade the suspicions of your mentors when becoming a cleric?"  He shakes his head.  "Regardless, please get dressed." 
Silverraptor
 "Get dressed? Oh heh heh heh..." 
Sora shakes her head, chuckling.
 "Oh no. There is a reason for this Jadeite, for several reasons. One, you are an elf. Now if you were human, or any other race, I would have kept my towel cover and shooed you out with a broom as fast as I could. But I know all about you elves and your 'trancing' where you review memories. That good look you got at me, I know you can review it while trancing over and over again. So I think its time I take advantage of the situation." 
A creeking down the hall as what would be Artorias walking away causes Sora to pause and hold up a hand to listen. She smiles rather satisfied as she hears the footsteps getting farther.
 "I do wonder, how our beloved teammate would think of a situation like this if they stumbled upon us with no context? Especially Badger. You walking into a room that you knew better was not your own and me completely obvious that I had just stepped out of the tub." 
She then gives him a suspicious look.
 "And even if they were to learn the context, how would they react? That you came in to prank your teammate again and stumbled in on her naked? Do you really think they would have any sympathy for you?" 
She steps forward and points at the bottle of concentrated pine.
 "And that, I suppose, is the method of which I think you were attempting to prank me. Well, since I have no idea how long you have been here, I have to assume that you succeeded in your prank and I caught you on your way out. And given how you attacked my clothes last time, I can not grab anything to cover myself up in for fear that they were the item which had been pranked." 
She then takes two more steps closer to Jadeite, putting her arms behind her and taking a flirting stance.
 "So, I would say, shall we take this time to really get to know each other Jadeite?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite steps back as Sora approaches, clenching his teeth even as his face starts to flush. To regain control of the situation, he starts counting off on his fingers, his voice growing more clipped and angry by the moment.

 "First,"  he says,  "Even if the image of your body is seared into my retinas, that does not necessarily mean that I would desire to review it at a later date. I can assure you, I have many samples of far more attractive females for my, ah, personal enjoyment and do not require your services. Second, I believe that if if our teammates should stumble upon this scene, they would ask for context. I would sincerely hope that they know that, while I am a prankster, I am most definitely not a rapist."  He spits out the word in disgust.  "Third, I can assure you my prank was harmless, and your clothing is intact. I was never going to tamper with your clothes anyway." 

Jadeite curls his upper lip.  "Finally, I prefer the company of other elves in my romantic endeavors. And while I would have been more amiable to your requests had you not attempted to...seduce me so forcefully, I will tell you this now."  He leans into Sora's face.  "I have no interest and will never sleep with you. Ever." 
 
 Spoiler 
Jadeite feels threatened. He lashes out when he feels threatened.
 
Silverraptor
 "Does... Does this mean you find me ugly?" 
Sora slowly and sadly sinks to the floor, her hands coming up over her face as she begins to tear up. It is a remarkable vulnerable position."
 "I didn't mean for anyone to think you were a r-rapist. Maybe a pervert but... why would you try and look at something you thought was ugly?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite winces, nearly imperceptible. He hadn't meant to cut her so deeply. But still...

 "Are you attempting to bluff me?" 
Silverraptor
 "Well..." 
She crosses her arms to comfort herself, which did cover up her chest somewhat.
 "I did hope to entertain the idea that some others outside of my species would find me attractive enough..." 
She goes and wipes a tear out of her eye.
 "But I just originally wanted to counter-prank you. I just didn't know you would be so objectively against the sight of me." 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite pulls a blanket over Sora, then hands the cleric her clothes. He coughs.  "It's not that I find you unattractive,"  he says, somewhat awkwardly,  "But simply that I prefer the...company of my own race. It is merely a personal preference." 
Silverraptor
 "Well, thanks for the comfort." 
And she hands Jadeite back her clothes.
 "But I still can't trust you didn't do something to them." 
She keeps the blanket on somewhat precariously, as a precaution that at first whiff, she would drop it quickly.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite sighs.  "If I must...I was merely going to pour the pine extract into the tub, for the benefit of whomever next bathes in it." 
Silverraptor
 "Meaning me, particularly." 
She then gets to her feet.
 "I guess I'll feel better about it on one condition." 
She goes and grabs some clothes, including the dirty ones from the days events.
 "I want you to wash these clothes, in your room, with my supervision. Once done, then I'll trust them (and you) enough to finally get dressed." 
She then pulls the blanket more properly draped over herself, as she was now confident from the lack of smell that nothing was indeed done to it.
 "Do we have a deal?" 
 
 Spoiler 
I figured this would be a good time to have Sora and Jadeite have some 1 on 1 chat about their past and preferences while Jadeite makes it up to Sora.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee bore no shame as she bathed, throwing her clothes to the floor and diving into the water. She was alone in her room after all, Kheel was off doing whatever it was Dragons did to clean themselves, and unlike some other individuals she may work with, she knew how to lock her doors.

Elsee cleaned herself more thoroughly then she may ever have done before in her life, making sure to scrub every inch of her skin with her soap. Were this story taking place in a more visual media, such as a comic or an animation, this would likely be considered a fairly decent fanservice moment.

lastly, Elsee picked through her hair, carefully removing every strand of spider silk she found while searching for her little pet. Somehow, the parasite had managed to survive the extreme heat of the fire, and still rested on her scalp. With a little prompting, Elsee was able to coax the Tic into biting her finger, allowing Elsee to dunk her head under the water and wash off her face and hair with her free hand, holding the other above the water to keep Lil Miss in the air.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Not necessarily, if these tubs are communal." 

Jadeite smiles at Sora's request and says,  "Or I could do it right here. Prestidigitation!"  He waves his hands over Sora's filthy clothes, and in an instant they become pristine, and smell vaguely of rosewater, as if lightly sprayed with perfume.

 "A personal touch. I thought you might enjoy it." 
Silverraptor
Sora looks at the 'Clean' clothes and raises an eyebrow.
 "And I'm suppose to take your word that you didn't add a little extra to such a vague spell to begin with? That is why I rather see you do it, by hand, in a way that I know and understand completely while watching." 
She walks over to one of her suitcases and pulls out some mini-washboard and tub with some laundry soap.
 "With just a few article of clothings, it shouldn't take longer than 5 minutes tops. I just want to make sure there is no doubts or hard feelings when we leave this room." 
She smiles pleasantly in a perfectly innocent and reasonable tone that should disarm most objections.
 "Unless you have something else you were suppose to be doing instead of trying to prank me in the first place?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Jadeite is not going to get out of washing a few of Sora's clothes that easy Coffee.😛 I also have 1 more funny thing I want Sora to ask Jadeite while he is cleaning the clothes.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite rolls his eyes.  "It's called Prestidigation, and it is one of the simplest and most useful cantrips that exists. I promise, I did nothing to your clothes. It would be cruel at a time like this." 

Still, he closes his eyes and looks away as Sora washes her clothes.  "Could you please dress before washing your clothes?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Oh, and it's blizzarding out now. I wanna see the movie Frozen. ☹️
 
Silverraptor
 "How can I dress when I'm washing my clothes?" 
She says it so matter of factly as she sits down and begins rewashing a batch of clothes.
 "Oh, I just realized. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate these?" 
She hops a bit, causing the front part of her blanket to bob a little?
 "I mean, I was told I was flat chested by some other girls at the church, whom I don't care for their opinions anyway. So I was thinking, what would the actual intended demographic think about them? Even though it was an accident that you got to see them, I'd still like to know your opinion. Not to many girls get that particular chance I would think." 
 
 Spoiler 
I'm actually giving you complete power over this coffee. However you answer, I'll make that canon on how Sora looks like.😉😛
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "And that's why I cleaned them."  Jadeite is still pointedly looking anywhere but Sora's direction.  "You are...decidedly not flat,"  he says. Eventually.

He stands up.  "I think I should take my leave before any rumors start. You seem to be in better spirits." 
 
 Spoiler 
Don't forget--Jadeite's an  elf .

Also, some people have told me they're starting to get uncomfortable so we should probably wrap it up now.
 
Silverraptor
 "Alright, well I guess there isn't that much damage done. Just make sure you listen at the door before you leave, to avoid any potential rumors. And try to cut down on the pranking in the future. Heavens knows what would've happened if I were to be Badger instead. " 
 
 Spoiler 
Yeah, I was getting ready to wrap up. Now Sora is just going to be out of commission for a couple hours as she washes all her clothes.
 
Athedia
Badger ignored Naga's barking, probably just more rats in the walls.  Soon she climbed out of the tub, the water was getting cold anyway.  She changed into a set of street clothes and repeated what she had done with the previous tub.  Her armor hung on her bed, she would ask Jadiete for his cleaning spell later, leather shouldn't get wet.

Taking the medallion in hand she walked to Leif's office and knocked on his door.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias retires to his room for the rest of the day, onñy coming out if someone specifically calls for him. If someone passes near his door they can hear grunts of frustations.
CoffeeIncluded
 Sora: 
 "I can't guarantee to cut down on the pranking,"  Jadeite says with a grin,  "But I'll change my targets and methods to less potentially destructive ones. No guarantees for the soul-peddler though." 
 Badger: 

Leif's door is unlocked, and when Badger enters she sees him sharpening his swords. He looks up when the ranger enters.  "Badger? What is it?" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee's bath was done and Lil Miss was back on her home on Elsee's scalp. Elsee now sat on her floor in her underwear, browsing through her outfits for something to wear on her date. She didn't care too much personally, but it was always fun to see the boys' reactions when they saw her in something a little more... "fun."


She was currently trying to choose between a silken-ish black dress with a cut up one side that may or may not have been swiped from a caravan intended to reach a snooty rich gnomish woman somewhere far to the north from here, and a less-girly but more form-fitting pair of dark leather trousers with a purple cloth top that decently matched, both of which were entirely and legitimately bought in runite with non-stolen money. Completely.
CoffeeIncluded
Elsee's actually clean for the first time in...well, a while. But which outfit would the hobgoblin sailor prefer? The date didn't sound too fancy, but should she impress with aplomb anyway?

 
 Spoiler 
your choice. Once Elsee's dressed I'll start the date.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger: 

Leif's door is unlocked, and when Badger enters she sees him sharpening his swords. He looks up when the ranger enters.  "Badger? What is it?"  
 

Badger raised and opened her hand, allowing the medallion to fall, catching the chain on her finger.  "We found this catching some stray dog murdering necromancers.  Jadeite says it can allow minds to speak to each other from up to a mile away.  We almost died today, chokers I think they are called.  Then we had to climb out of a pit.  Just a little while ago we ended up stuck at the bottom of a well.  I would like permission to contact you if we are in danger and need backup." 
CoffeeIncluded
Leif motions to see the medallion, turning it over on his hands.  "I've seen these before, they're damn useful on stealth missions where we've got to split up."  He shakes his head at Badger's story.  "Dog-murdering necromancers and chokers? Forget it, I can read the writeup later."  He carefully places the medallion back into the palm of Badger's hand.  "Badger, you're one of my most reliable subordinates, and I trust you to use this responsibly and not harass me with it. Of course you can contact me in an emergency." 
Athedia
 "Thank you."   Badger put the medallion in her pocket.   "I also have a small request, my group has had a prank war going for a bit, but I it might be starting to get out of control.  Could you say a word to Jadeite for me, he tends to be at the center of it." 
CoffeeIncluded
Leif looks up.  "What do you mean by out of control?" 
 
 Spoiler 
I'm serious. Please, tell me these things before they get to be a problem. I don't want to cause issues for anyone.
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
Oh no, I am fine with the pranks, Badger isn't.
 

 "The pranks are hitting more than their target now.  Like Jadeite's fondness for making Surdrak smell like the latest in disgusting. I would be okay if it only hit Surdrak or whoever, but when I can't eat my breakfast?  That is not contained." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "So the broken bowls this morning were from those two?"  Leif sighs, then gives Badger a sharp nod.  "I'll give Jadeite a talking-to. Thanks for letting me know." 
 
 Spoiler 
Thanks. Like I said, if there's ever a problem in anything, especially in roleplaying, just let me know. That goes for everyone.

Anyway, it's snowing like crazy and I didn't sleep well last night, so I'm headed to bed. Night, everyone!
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee  Eventually  settled on the less-fancy of the two outfits, knowing her luck with the guards she'd get arrested under even the smallest accusistion that the dress was stolen if she was just walking out in the streets in it for no reason. Not that it was stolen mind you, i mean, it might have been, but it also might not have. So yeah, Lether pants it was.

once she was dressed, Elsee went on downstairs to wait in the dining room.
CoffeeIncluded
As Elsee waits in the dining hall, and then the foyer, she soon hears a knocking on the great doors. When she opens it, Darric Kell is there, with his hair neatly combed back and tied in a ponytail. He's wearing a starched white shirt with the collar open, and a faded but washed pair of pants. The hobgoblin is grasping a small bouquet of flowers in his right hand, and he holds out his left with a smile.

Then Darric takes a good look at Elsee, and swallows, blushing.  "Wow, you look, um, wow. Hi." 
super dark33
After he finished cleaning his armor and arrenging his collection of Things-That-I-Got-Stabbed-With to aim to his bed, Surdrak went to Leif's office, right after badger left it.

 Hey Leif! Are there any other jobs or missions today, or can i rest for the day? 

The tone of his voice is the same one of a pup attempting to please its master.
CoffeeIncluded
Leif sighs as Surdrak barges into his office. He's finished sharpening his swords, and is now polishing his shield, an well-worn model from Tobeem.

 "No Surdrak, I don't have anything for you right now. Although..."  Not dropping the shield, he approaches the warlock.  "How are you getting along with your new team?" 
super dark33
 With Artae it's as good as always, i always trusted him and he never seems to not trust me very much, with Badger it's Abysmal as always, Elsee is suspicious and resentful of me, the Cleric girl Sora is afraid of and/or suspecting me and the Elf... I'm not sure what's his deal.  

Surdrak frowns. And looks down.

 And I also think I made a rash decision that could've ended very badly today. The others were very... 
Surdrak says the next word painfully.
 Critic, to say the least.  

Surdrak looks up at Leif.

 It isn't the perfect group, but nothing is perfect. I'm thankful it's not made of intolerants who would leave me to dead, more thankful that Sora never attempted any exorcism, and the most thankful that you still keep my origin a secret. 
CoffeeIncluded
Leif pinches and rubs his nose, but doesn't say anything about how Surdrak's actually the second teammate to complain about Jadeite.

 "What happened? What was this rash decision that could have gone so badly?" 
super dark33
 It involved Chokers, nasty buggers with long arms. Two small ones cringed to Artorias while a single larger one was on Badger. While being close to badger, I attacked on of those that were on Artorias, killing it, instead if helping badger who was knocked out. None of them seemed happy with this move, thinking I only wanted to kill instead of help. 

Surdrak sighs and frowns.

 Nothing I do is accepted. 
CoffeeIncluded
 "From what Badger told me, that choker very nearly killed her."  He sighs.  "Surdrak, you can't deny the foolishness of that decision, even if you weren't seeking the glory of a kill."  Leif returns to his desk, pulling out what appears to be a sheet of tactical strategies.  "I modeled the groups of the guild after my own training in Tobeem. The greatest strengths of the mercenaries of my homeland are our group tactics and adaptability. To be truly powerful you have to work seamlessly with everyone in your group. Any error could prove disastrous, even lethal, even if done with good intentions. Badger was in imminent danger of dying; that choker was the greatest threat and needed to be defeated first. I hope you've learned your lesson from today.

"Surdrak, you have...absolutely improved since first arriving here. But you still have a ways to go. However,"  Leif puts away the sheet with a smile.  " am proud of your progress, and I am sure you can do great things with your teammates in this guild." 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 As Elsee waits in the dining hall, and then the foyer, she soon hears a knocking on the great doors. When she opens it, Darric Kell is there, with his hair neatly combed back and tied in a ponytail. He's wearing a starched white shirt with the collar open, and a faded but washed pair of pants. The hobgoblin is grasping a small bouquet of flowers in his right hand, and he holds out his left with a smile.

Then Darric takes a good look at Elsee, and swallows, blushing.  "Wow, you look, um, wow. Hi."  
 

Elsee grinned wickedly as she looked up to the goblin, taking the flowers in hand as his guard is down before awnsering with a flirty  "Heeey~"  and taking his hand.  "So where we goen?" 
super dark33
Surdrak smiles, like that same pup got patted and was told "good job".

 Thanks Leif. Bye! 

He then walks out of Leif's office, and heads down to the dining room.
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Darric can't stop grinning that goofy grin of his when Elsee holds his hand.  "Well, there's this noodle bar not too far from where I work. You can add whatever sauces and ingredients to the noodles and they make it right in front of you. There's loads of different sauces from all over the world." 
 Surdrak: 

Dinner isn't going to be served for another couple hours, but it is cooking, and the thick aroma of meat and spices. Smells like cayenne pepper and chicken.

 
 Spoiler 
I won't be available from around noon Eastern time until tonight, just letting you know!
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

As Surdrak sits in the kitchen, he hears a crash, a sneeze, and a woman shout,  "Levis, go home! You're too sick to work!" 

After some more arguing, a coughing, sneezing halfling with a dripping red nose stumbles out of the kitchen, hacking up phlegm into a handkerchief. He's clearly got a terrible cold.

The large woman, the sous chef, leans against the doorway and sighs.  "That's both of them sick. How in the world am I gonna cook dinner in time?" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee twists her face in concentraition as she thinks, squeezing the flowers under her arm tightly as she thought. Eventually after an almost teasingly long moment of thinking, she eventually speaks again.  "Sounds like fun! They got meat right?" 
super dark33
  Should I help though?
Naaaaaah. But it's either that or sneezed-on food. Buuuut I'm very tired....
So should or should not?  

Surdrak looks at the cooking spit and then at the door.

  Hmmm maybe some altruism wouldn't hurt. I do need to prove myself after all.   

Surdrak opens his gob, and forces out the words:  Need any help? 
 
 Spoiler 
Can I take 10?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
 Elsee twists her face in concentraition as she thinks, squeezing the flowers under her arm tightly as she thought. Eventually after an almost teasingly long moment of thinking, she eventually speaks again.  "Sounds like fun! They got meat right?"  
 

 "Of course they do. They've got chicken, beef, pork, and shrimp. Sometimes they have other meats too, but those four are always on the menu." 

The Docks are busy, crowded, and loud, thrumming with energy as the evening shipments are moved off the ships. Fishermen unload barrels full of salmon, shrimp, crabs, herring, and more. Crates of dried fruit and potted plants are rolled off ships on small wheeled platforms drawn by the strongest sailors--mostly humans and dwarves, though there are a few orcs, half-orcs, and hobgoblins working the Docks as well. Seagulls cry and dive down at the open containers of food before being chased off; they content themselves on the scraps that fall off during transport. Smaller (but no less valuable!) boxes of cloth and spices, their contents sealed and unknown except for what's written on the sides (black pepper, chili, coriander, cumin, ginger, and more). It's a busy afternoon.

Darric, however, doesn't approach to help out. Instead, he leads Elsee through the crowded dirty streets into an alleyway, navigating the crooked shady streets with the calm and confidence of a long-time native. He looks back at Elsee and makes sure she's comfortable as well, though he seems to have complete faith that she is.

The noodle bar is tucked away in a side street, in a place where few people would stumble upon it by chance. And yet, as Darric opens the door, Elsee is struck by how busy and lively it is. Dozens of people, mostly sailors and shipworkers, sit around wooden tables made from refurbished crates and barrels, and slurp noodles that have been cooked with various sauces, meats, and vegetables. The beer seems to be freely flowing here as well. As a couple of men get up, Elsee can see that there's a spot in the corner for her and Darric to sit. It's slightly darker and quieter there, so they'll be able to talk without shouting.

In the back, where customers place their orders, several cooks heat noodles on a flat iron grill. It's cooked in front of everyone and as Elsee looks at the menu written above the grill, with everything priced by item category and weight, she can see the process: The cooks place noodles on the grill, and then put a bowl of the selected meats and vegetables on top of that. A ladle-full of sauce is poured on top of the mixture, and then it is all heated until it sizzles. The noodle dish is then scooped into a plate and served to the customer, who adds any extra toppings (mostly assorted powdered spices, but there's also ground peanuts and something called sesame seeds as well) before paying.

And there are so many choices. For meats, there's the shrimp, chicken, pork, and beef, but there's octopus as well today. There are so so many vegetables--carrots and mushrooms and zucchini and small corn bits and chopped cabbage and bean sprouts and celery and succulent sweet pineapple and something called water chestnuts and another something called bamboo shoots. And the sauces! There's a peanut sauce, and a honey soy ginger sauce (whatever that is) and several spicy curry sauces and several chili sauces, some hot and others sweet, and a teriyaki sauce and many other sauces that Elsee has never heard of before.

 "This place was made by sailors and dock workers for sailors and dock workers,"  Darric explains.  "It's food from some of the more southern Southern Islands, food that we helped to introduce here."  He grins and rubs the back of his neck.  "I love this stuff. I really hope you like it, Elsee." 

 
 Originally Posted by super dark33 
   Should I help though?
Naaaaaah. But it's either that or sneezed-on food. Buuuut I'm very tired....
So should or should not?  

Surdrak looks at the cooking spit and then at the door.

  Hmmm maybe some altruism wouldn't hurt. I do need to prove myself after all.   

Surdrak opens his gob, and forces out the words:  Need any help? 
 
 Spoiler 
Can I take 10?
 
 
 

The chef looks over at Surdrak's voice and smiles.  "Oh thank goodness. I could really use the help. You know how ta cook, right?"  She shakes her head.  "Oh, even if yeh don't, I need the extra hands just cleaning and setting up the food. Come in, wash yer hands!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Do you have ranks?
 
super dark33
 Sure, my ancestors invented cooking! 

Surdrak proceeds to wash his hands, conveniently he wore his short-sleeved cloak that day.


 
 Spoiler 
He has a single rank, warlocks don't get much skill points.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak:

"Great!"  She points Surdrak to strips of raw chicken stacked up next to a cutting board, with smallish bowls of herbs and spices and several dozen assorted vegetables (mostly onions, bell peppers, and celery) by another cutting board.  "Could you please cut those up for me? Make sure all the vegetables are about the same size, and the chicken's a bit bigger."  She returns to her work--smoking sausages over a fire.

 
 Spoiler 
Taking 10 you can properly chop the ingredients and check to make sure things are the right temperature.
 
super dark33
Surdrak takes  ten  his time cutting the cuttables with precision.

When he is done, a black aura forms around his eyes as he is   just getting started!  
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+2)[ 12 ]  temperature, though not sure why. 🤨

Edit: Oh come on!
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

Taking his time, Surdrak has little trouble neatly and evenly chopping the vegetables, then scraping them into a bowl. He then continues with the chicken, fileting it and slicing it into neat cubes.

 
 Spoiler 
What was that roll for?
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee grinned widely as she looked around, it sure smelled good at least! she wasn't really much for fancy foods, but most of the time she'd just eat anything that had meat thrown in there somewhere so it'd probably work out just fine.

As the two of them take their seat in the corner, Elsee speaks up once again with yet annother question.  "So do they come to us or do we gotta go to them?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "You go up there, place your order, watch them make it, and then pay. They also have beer for sale."  Darric stands up and reaches over to take Elsee by the hand.  "Come on, let me show you." 

The heat from the grill is intense, even shielded by glass. Darric waves to one of the chefs, a dwarf whose sloping jaw and upturned nose hint at slight orcish ancestry to the discerning eye. He grins at the hobgoblin and says in a heavy accent,  "How you doing? Long time no see!" 
 "I'm doing fantastic, Ben,"  Darric says, still unable to keep the grin off his face as well.  "Could I have the carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, and, ah, the chestnut things with chicken in that peanut sauce!"

"Sure, sure, right away!"  Ben immediately starts scooping vegetables out onto a scale, then placing them into a bowl. As he draws out a plateful of noodles with tongs and places them onto the grill with an aromatic sizzle and moves to upturn the toppings on top of the noodles, he turns to Elsee and asks,  "And what's for the lovely lassie?" 
super dark33
 
 Spoiler 
I don't know.
 

 And done! 
Dusk Eclipse
Anger finally draws Artorias out of his room; he makes his way to the mess hall hoping food is ready, but worst comes to worst he can do with some leftover bread or something. Despite being nose deep in a small leather book Artorias manages to find a place to sit down without causing any (major) incident.
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak:

"Thanks!"  The head chef says as she takes the ingredients and mixes them all together; the smell of it all hits Surdrak at once and he has to fight the urge to start eating the half-cooked food right out of the pans.

 Artorias: 

The dirt on his head would beg to differ.

As Artorias sits down he hears Surdrak's voice in the kitchen, soon followed by the heavenly aroma of chicken and the holy trinity of Runitian cuisine--onion, bell pepper, and celery.
Dusk Eclipse
  This doesn't make any sense... I can read it, but I can't understand it."  Artorias sighs.  Maybe I'll think clearer with a full stomach"  
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite walks out of Leif's office, chastised. As he enters the dining room and inhales the scent wafting out of the kitchen, he sees Artorias deeply perusing a small book.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias notices a mop of green hair in the crowd, he beckons the elf to join him in the table.  "Oi! Jadeite over here" 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite's hair is not a mop, though it is still somewhat damp. He tucks a strand of it behind his ear as he sits by Artorias.  "What is it?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Hi to you too. I found this  he shows him the book back in the lab, I can't understand it and figured out you could help me". 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite looks at it, then snatches the book from Artorias's hands.  "Let me see that." 

He flips back and forth through the book, making small noises of  "Hmm,"  and  "I see,"  and things like that. And then he pauses, takes out his own spellbook, and flips open to a certain page. Finally, Jadeite closes both books, and looks at Artorias.

 "I can't read Hobgoblin,"  he says,  "But I believe this is Nedivax's spellbook." 
Dusk Eclipse
 "His spellbook?" Artorias closes his eyes for a moment  "I can read Hobgoblin,  I've tried to translate as much as I can but it seems like gibberish to me"  he opens his eyes and looks straight at Jadeite.   "If I translate it, could you decipher it? " 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite thinks.  "I could, though it would be rather difficult, especially if I were to copy these spells into my own spellbook for personal use. A far more accurate way to do this would be if I could cast Comprehend Languages to read the book myself. Which I could, but not until tomorrow." 
 
 Spoiler 
Jadeite can read the spellbook if Artorias translates. But if he wants to add spells, then let's say...+5 to the spellcraft DC, so the DC is now 20+spell level? Jadeite has a +15 to spellcraft anyway; +17 if it's a necromancy spell. Unless he has Comprehend Languages up, which he can prepare tomorrow.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Well, there is no rush. Do you need it tonight?  I want to check  something" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "Well, there is no rush. Do you need it tonight?  I want to check  something"  
 

 "We could give it a cursory examination today if you would like. What do you wish to check?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Well you see"  Artorias takes the book, he opens it to a dog-eared page and shows the elf necromancer a passage, it is full of ink blotches, things struck out and the like  "What little I could read just mentions powdered onyx, does that means anything to you?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Black onyx is a material component used in creating undead creatures."  Jadeite takes back the book and flips through it.  "He must have obtained scrolls of it as well; this spell looks incomplete, though it's close."  Jadeite points to one part of the passage.  "That part of the incantation is close to universal; the same gesture is used in any language. But it is unfinished here." 
Dusk Eclipse
 "What do you mean incomplete? He had those skeleton dogs and he must have created them." 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite shakes his head.  "He could have obtained scrolls--completed forms of the spells, able to be cast a single time. You can cast a spell off a scroll without knowing the completed form and having it written in your spell book. A little more time and he would have been able to cast the spells on his own."  He shudders a bit.  "I can only imagine how many hostile undead creatures we would have encountered if it had come to that." 
 
 Spoiler 
Nedivax is level 4. He could cast animate dead off a scroll, but not on his own.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "I know about scrolls Jadeite"  Artorias deadpans  "though I agree with you, but how could he acquire those? I mean from what you've told me Necromancy is strictly controlled so I doubt Nedivax got enough scrolls to make all those dog legitimately" 
 
 Spoiler 
Artorias does have some unused UMD ranks you know 😛
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite frowns.  "I'm not entirely sure. But he might have stolen them, or smuggled them. It could have been a partially-depleted wand as well, one nearly drained of charges that would not be as missed. Of course,"  he closes the book,  "This is all just speculation." 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "You go up there, place your order, watch them make it, and then pay. They also have beer for sale."  Darric stands up and reaches over to take Elsee by the hand.  "Come on, let me show you." 

The heat from the grill is intense, even shielded by glass. Darric waves to one of the chefs, a dwarf whose sloping jaw and upturned nose hint at slight orcish ancestry to the discerning eye. He grins at the hobgoblin and says in a heavy accent,  "How you doing? Long time no see!" 
 "I'm doing fantastic, Ben,"  Darric says, still unable to keep the grin off his face as well.  "Could I have the carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, and, ah, the chestnut things with chicken in that peanut sauce!"

"Sure, sure, right away!"  Ben immediately starts scooping vegetables out onto a scale, then placing them into a bowl. As he draws out a plateful of noodles with tongs and places them onto the grill with an aromatic sizzle and moves to upturn the toppings on top of the noodles, he turns to Elsee and asks,  "And what's for the lovely lassie?"  
 

Elsee peers over the counter to the various ingrediants beyond the glass, having to lift herself off the ground to get a decent veiw. there was... a lot of stuff in there she couldn't name, some of wich she couldn't even tell what it was. She quickly decided to play it safe, stick with what she knew and what she knew tasted good together.  "Uhhh, Beef, carrots, some of those non-spicey peppers, mushrooms, celery, and that soy sauce stuff." 

She had had something simmiler to that before, though it was with rice and cooked all day in a pot, not with noodles and made infront of her in ten secconds flat. She wasn't sure how well it would turn out.
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee:

"You got it!"  Ben flashes a smile at Elsee before scooping the items into a dish and upturning them over the noodles on the grill. He follows by pouring the golden sauce over her dish. Elsee's meal is cooking next to Darric's, and as they're heated and the meats brown and vegetables crackle, Darric takes two spatulas and mixes the noodles and toppings until everything is evenly coated and distributed, through and through. It smells so good, sweet and savory at the same time.

In a short time the meal is finished, and Ben slides her and Darric's meals into separate dishes. Darric's peanut sauce is thick and brown, thicker than hers, and he adds more crushed peanuts on top of the dish. As the cashier reads out the price, Darric stops Elsee and says,  "I got it." 

Once Darric and Elsee paid and added their toppings, they sit at the table and start to eat. Darric slurps his noodles, leaving the thick brown sauce staining his lips.  "This is so good. Elsee, I hope you like it." 
 
 Spoiler 
You can describe adding toppings and how it tastes if you want.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Jadeite frowns.  "I'm not entirely sure. But he might have stolen them, or smuggled them. It could have been a partially-depleted wand as well, one nearly drained of charges that would not be as missed. Of course,"  he closes the book,  "This is all just speculation."  
 

 "I don't think we should worry about that right now, in any case we should be able to interrogate him if we ask the guard, they kind of owe us a few favours don't you think?"  Artorias smirks a little.
Athedia
Badger wandered in, having heard the last part of Artorias and Jade's conversation.   "You talking about those murderer's we just found?  Can I help?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "I don't think we should worry about that right now, in any case we should be able to interrogate him if we ask the guard, they kind of owe us a few favours don't you think?"  Artorias smirks a little. 
 

 "Hm. You certainly are probably correct in that assumption,"  Jadeite says, returning the smirk.


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Badger wandered in, having heard the last part of Artorias and Jade's conversation.   "You talking about those murderer's we just found?  Can I help?"  
 

 "That depends. How much do you know about wizards and spellbooks?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Can the three of us go together so I have less party splitting? Please? Maybe bring Sora along or have her eat here if she wants?

Seriously, we do a lot of party splitting.
 
super dark33
 Is there anything else you need help with? 

Despite all his efforts, Surdrak knows that there will be many worried faces once it gets known that he helped with the meal.
Dusk Eclipse
 "I found Nedivax' spellbook in his lab and Jadeite is helping me translate it. Nifty stuff, never knew spells were so complex you needed two pages of diagrams and stuff to make a web appear."  Artorias pockets the notebook.  "Oh hey Surdrak, where were you?"  
 
 Spoiler 
Yeah... we shouldn't split as much, but the thing is that it is easier to do it in pbp at least for the players.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak:

"I'm all good, 'cept..."  She pauses and opens a drawer. A shelf of vegetables soon to go bad, a nearly-empty bag of beans, a bag of dried pasta even closer to emptied, none of these could make a meal for the guild on their own. But together...

 "Actually, couldja take that huge pot under there--yes, there!--and fill it up with water from the well in back?"

Badger, Artorias, and Jadeite: 
 "You'd be surprised how complex the spells are,"  Jadeite says.  "Spells are often laid out like a research paper, and indeed that is how many spells are created. You need to diagram the spell components, the gestures, the incantations, and the effects, and more, all in exacting detail." 
 
 Spoiler 
Seems like the rest of that was directed towards Badger.
 
super dark33
 Right on it. 

He grabs the pot and goes all Sorcerer's apprentice with the well in the back.
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Elsee:

"You got it!"  Ben flashes a smile at Elsee before scooping the items into a dish and upturning them over the noodles on the grill. He follows by pouring the golden sauce over her dish. Elsee's meal is cooking next to Darric's, and as they're heated and the meats brown and vegetables crackle, Darric takes two spatulas and mixes the noodles and toppings until everything is evenly coated and distributed, through and through. It smells so good, sweet and savory at the same time.

In a short time the meal is finished, and Ben slides her and Darric's meals into separate dishes. Darric's peanut sauce is thick and brown, thicker than hers, and he adds more crushed peanuts on top of the dish. As the cashier reads out the price, Darric stops Elsee and says,  "I got it." 

Once Darric and Elsee paid and added their toppings, they sit at the table and start to eat. Darric slurps his noodles, leaving the thick brown sauce staining his lips.  "This is so good. Elsee, I hope you like it." 
 
 Spoiler 
You can describe adding toppings and how it tastes if you want.
 
 
 

Elsee nods as she takes a bite into the mixed noodles, it was... okay, not EXACTLY like how she was hoping it would turn out, but it was still pretty decent, the cooking had managed to remove most of the soy taste and mix it in with the flavor of the meat, though the carrots and celery could have been soaked a little longer, they were still kinda crunchy. Finally she stops chewing and swallows it down, figuring she may as well prevent this from just being a pair of goblinoids awkwardly eating together.

 "Sooo, whatcha do before becoming a sailor?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "They're supposed to be crunchy,"  Darric says through a mouthfood of food, waving his fork in the air.

He swallows and thinks.  "Well, before I was a sailor I was a shiphand, helping to load and unload cargo. I've actually only been sailing a couple of years. "Before that, well, I've lived in Runite and the rest of Kyare as long as I can remember. What about you? What did you do before joining the guild?" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee shruged an took another forkfull of noodles into her mouth, speaking again with the wad of it tucked away into her cheek.

 "Used to be one of those types the guild goes after, picked a few pockets, mugged a few people, used to be part of a gang of highway men back before i came to Runite. Some bandits before that, worked a few odd jobs with some dealers in the swamps once or twice, so I’ve been around the block a few times. Only workin for the guild now cuz i owe em a pretty big favour." 
CoffeeIncluded
Darric's eyes bug out and he starts choking on his noodles, pounding his chest a few times before very nearly spitting them out and managing to swallow them instead. Clearly, he was not expecting that from Elsee.

Looking at the goblin again, he asks,  "But...you're straight now, right? And what does the guild owe you?" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee nods at the first question while rolling her eyes, chewing on her food and twirling up another forkfull.

 "not them that owes me, i owe them. but yeah, that's pretty much it." 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Badger, Artorias, and Jadeite:[/B]

 "You'd be surprised how complex the spells are,"  Jadeite says.  "Spells are often laid out like a research paper, and indeed that is how many spells are created. You need to diagram the spell components, the gestures, the incantations, and the effects, and more, all in exacting detail."  
 

 "Really interesting, one could think you are just waving hands and throwing stuff because it look   Artorias air quotes  cool" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

The pot, filled with clean well, water, is surprisingly heavy. Surdrak has to stagger to bring it back, and water sloshes against his hands and feet. Once he returns to the kitchen and manages to put the pot of water back on the stovetop, the head chef sweeps back her curly black hair with a shake of her head, and pours in the leftover beans and pasta. A menagerie of vegetables, on the brink of going bad but still good and perfectly fine in a minestrone soup, sit on a large chopping board.

 "Want to help me save some time?"

Elsee: 

Darric turns red and lowers his head at his mistake, taking another slurping bite of his noodles before continuing.  "I'm sorry, I meant what favor you owed them. And I'm, I'm really glad to hear you're straight now."  He looks up at Elsee and, with a smile, offers her his plate.  "It's really good. You want a bite? Have you ever had peanuts before?"

Artorias: 

Jadeite rolls his eyes.  "I assure you, any superfluous movements made in an attempt to look 'cool' would merely result in a wasted spell at best and a smoking crater where your body was formerly located at worst." 
Dusk Eclipse
 "I was joking, spellcasters are dangerous no matter how silly they can look" 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite opens his mouth, then closes it to give Artorias A Look. He then turns to Badger and asks,  "Would you like to see if we can interrogate Nedivax and learn more about the spellbook?" 
Athedia
 "I want to make a detour first." 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Can we at least eat first, I am starving" 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite's stomach rumbles.  "I agree, I hope dinner will be ready soon." 
 
 Spoiler 
I have to go to bed soon but let's assume that the dinner is almost done; one more post from Surdrak about chopping up the vegetables and then my description later should do it. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow but I should be able to post after that.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee just grinned and shook her head at the offer.  "Don't like 'em, flavor just never sat well with me. 'Nd i've always been "straight", but i'm at least not picking any pockets nowadays."  Elsee's grin shrank into a smile as she forked more pasta into her mouth and winked.  "Ash for the favour, they  did a pretty big one a year or so ago 'nd i just kinda feel like i owe 'em. So i signed up 'nd started working for 'em till i felt like i paid it off."  Elsee twirled her fork about in a complicated pattern as she rolled her eyes a bit.  "et's all a pretty beg mess 'nd i don't like to talk about it, sooo yeah." 
super dark33
 Aaoagh, hmm? Yeah, why not. 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
 Elsee just grinned and shook her head at the offer.  "Don't like 'em, flavor just never sat well with me. 'Nd i've always been "straight", but i'm at least not picking any pockets nowadays."  Elsee's grin shrank into a smile as she forked more pasta into her mouth and winked.  "Ash for the favour, they  did a pretty big one a year or so ago 'nd i just kinda feel like i owe 'em. So i signed up 'nd started working for 'em till i felt like i paid it off."  Elsee twirled her fork about in a complicated pattern as she rolled her eyes a bit.  "et's all a pretty beg mess 'nd i don't like to talk about it, sooo yeah."  
 

 "I think you're missing out. This is my favorite sauce,"  Darric says with a smile.

He squirms and smiles a bit at Elsee's wink, then shifts more uncomfortably and says,  "I can only imagine what kind of mess it was. Say, uh, Elsee, can I tell you a secret?" 

 
 Originally Posted by super dark33 
  Aaoagh, hmm? Yeah, why not.  
 

Surdrak chops the remaining vegetables and drops them into the pot of water, now at a rolling boil.

The head chef's timed it perfectly, and the soup is complete by the time she's dressing the main dish. It smells heavenly, chicken and sausage and vegetables with more than a hint of spice served with rice.

If Surdrak helps, then Artorias, Jadeite, and Badger see him carry the huge pot of minestrone soup to the serving table, while the head chef follows with a larger tray of chicken and sausage jambalaya. She then turns with a smile to Surdrak, gives the warlock her thanks, and rings a bell that echoes throughout the room and beyond.

 
 Spoiler 
I might be eating lunch right now.
 
super dark33
Surdrak bows a little.

 It is my pleasure. 

Surdrak is the first to take of the food, and he brings a few plates with him to the table where his teammates are.

 Hello! what are you talking about? 
Athedia
Badger eyed the food warily.   "You were... involved in this dinner?"   She waited until the others had eaten some, especially Surdrak before she tasted the soup.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Is there any antitoxin left?"  Jadeite stage-whispers. Still, once Surdrak starts eating, Jadeite takes a cautious bite.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias just rolls his eyes  "You are acting like a bunch of babies"  and happily digs into his meal.
super dark33
 Yes, i helped the chef lady with the meal today because both of her assistents are sick. 

Surdrak happily gnaws a perfectly sliced square piece of pepper.

 Would either of you done the same?  He points his fork at Badger and Jadeite.
Athedia
 "You don't want to know what happened the last time I was in a kitchen."   Badger dug into her food, she had to admit it smells good and she was hungry.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite eats more carefully, helping himself to a larger sample of soup than jambalaya. Still, once he actually tastes it, his eyes widen and he immediately gets up to get some more.
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "I think you're missing out. This is my favorite sauce,"  Darric says with a smile.

He squirms and smiles a bit at Elsee's wink, then shifts more uncomfortably and says,  "I can only imagine what kind of mess it was. Say, uh, Elsee, can I tell you a secret?"  
 

Elsee quirked an eyebrow at te mention of a seacret, shoving annother forkfull of noodles into her mouth silently as she indicated for him to go on. in her mind she gambled with herself, a bar of chocolate tomorrow if this guy turned out to know/be involved with that necromancer seer.
CoffeeIncluded
 Artorias, Badger, Surdrak, and Jadeite: 

The minestrone soup was clearly thrown together last-minute, probably out of leftover food that wouldn't keep much longer, but it's good enough. But the jambalaya is good. The vegetables and chicken are evenly chopped and coated, and the sausages still taste smoky from the fire.

 Elsee: 

Darric looks around, then leans in over the half-finished food to whisper in Elsee's ear,  "Actually, I'm thinking of quitting." 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee quirked an eyebrow again.  "Quitting the sea life? Howcome?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Darric shakes his head.  "No, I'm thinking of joining a different ship."  he looks around before leaning in again.

 "The company I'm working for right now is pretty big, but they don't treat us Hobbos well. There's this new company though, only a couple years old, called Golden Eagle. It's run by this guy named Anton Quilla, and from what I've heard he pays Plavaan just as much as he pays humanoids." 
super dark33
 So what was the discussion about before i barged in? where are Elsee and Sora? 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee nods slowly as the hobgoblin speaks.  "Sounds like a good deal then... Quilla though? Makes me think of a porcupine." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

Jadeite puts down his spoon and says, as both Badger and Artorias have mouths filled with food,  "Artorias seems to have secured Nedivax's spellbook and has taken an interest in it. As he cannot understand spells written in spellbooks and I cannot understand hobgoblin, we are going to ask Nedivax a few questions regarding it." 
 Elsee: 

Darric starts laughing at Elsee's comment.  "Ha! Actually, it's got something to do with an eagle, apparently. Maybe a spiny eagle?"  He shakes his head.  "Anyway, the problem is that the companies are all in fierce competition with each other, and they don't exactly take kindly to sailors switching jobs. So if this goes south, I may not have another place to work." 
 Sora: 

Sora finishes her bath in peace.

 
 Spoiler 
Does she want to do anything, Silverraptor?
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee just shrugged as she took a swig of her drink, trying to think up any backup ideas she may have in her mind.

 "Thiiink there's an opening or two for necromancers in the magic guild place. Other'n that i unno... seem to know ya pretty well here, maybe you could apply 'nd start cooking up some decent goblinoid food." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Darric leans back in his chair in shock.  "Necromancers?!"  He takes a long drink and leans in again.  "Thing is, I love being a sailor, I love being on the sea. I just couldn't take being a short-order cook." 
Draconi Redfir
elsee just shrugs again, idly picking at the scraps of her meal with her fingers to get as much of the juices in her mouth as possible.

 "Not a sea goblin myself, so not exactly somethin i can help ya with." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Darric shakes his head.  "No, just...just listening to me ramble is enough, you know?" 

He finishes the last few bites of his meal as well, scraping up the stray sauce on his fork before burping loudly.  "That was great."  The hobgoblin smiles, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.  "Say, uh, what do you want to do now? Since, you know, I showed you a place where I like to eat dinner, and maybe you could show me something you like to do, since it's not really fair otherwise." 
Silverraptor
Sora comes down quite late. Probably as the rest are getting up to leave. She goes and selectively picks out her food from the list on what looks to be the most 'edible', before sitting down and beginning to eat. All the while, she is happily humming to herself.

Coffee's eyes only:
 
 Spoiler 
Sora has pulled a counter-prank on Jadeite which he'll discover when he gets ready for bed. That's why I want you to give me a chance to post before going to the next day. I'm sure you'll be highly amused.😏 And its completely appropriate.😛
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite finishes and stands up as sora enters the dining hall.  "Are we finished and ready to go?" 
 
 Spoiler 
you guys ready to go?

And got it, silver.
 
Athedia
 "I will go, if only to make sure they don't try to bargain their way out of things." 
super dark33
 Ill stay. Showing him his spellbook is jsut rubbing salt, and as a wizard you should know that. 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Yeah, I'm done" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by super dark33 
  Ill stay. Showing him his spellbook is jsut rubbing salt, and as a wizard you should know that.  
 

 "You do have a point,"  Jadeite says.

It's getting late, and though summer means that night won't come until late, already the golden light of the afternoon is being cast over the city. The severe looking guard sighs as she sees the group coming.

 "Let me guess, you forgot something?" 
super dark33
Surdrak waves the group goodbye, and sits down at the table, taking out the Sepicer Semalg and starts reading.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Ma'am, we're looking to question the necromancer and beguiler we brought into custody earlier today. They are still here, right?" 

She doesn't change her expression.  "Yeah, they're here, but I can't just let you walk in and interrogate them. Who knows what you'll do?" 
Athedia
Badger muttered under her breath as she stood behind Jadeite.    "Murdering scum don't deserve protection."  
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler 
Listen:  (d20+1)[ 18 ] 

Hm, you guys mind if we name her Severa for her severe nature until further notice?
 


The guardswoman scowls at Badger's remark.  "I heard that! Look, I'm sure they're awful criminals, but we're not the Larian secret police, and we don't allow torture!" 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias fights the urge to facepalm, adopting a diplomatic tone he tries to calm down things.  "Look, Badger is just a bit overzealous she was almost killed during their capture as I was too, look it isn't something serious, just a couple of question and we'll be gone.... you can have another guard in there if you want to.   he gives Severa what he hopes it's a calming smile

 
 Spoiler 

Untrained Diplomacy check  (1d20)[ 9 ] 
I think the name fits really well, and just FWI Severa is the female form of stern in Spanish 😉
 
CoffeeIncluded
Severa looks over the party and says,  "I'll be going in with you. And she,"  she points at Badger with the butt of her spear,  "Is staying outside. I don't care what justification you have, I am not putting my head on the line because you want to get some extra revenge. Gaia below..." 
 
 Spoiler 
Why do I do these things to myself. We now have a 4-way party split. 😛
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Artorias fights the urge to facepalm, adopting a diplomatic tone he tries to calm down things.  "Look, Badger is just a bit overzealous she was almost killed during their capture as I was too, look it isn't something serious, just a couple of question and we'll be gone.... you can have another guard in there if you want to.   he gives Severa what he hopes it's a calming smile 
 

Badger protested Artorias's explanation.   "I don't care that they tried to kill me.  Cecil tried as well and I was fine with him, beyond the whole serial killer thing.  But those two!  We should have left them tied up in the hole for the mimic to finish."   A thought came to her as she spoke.   "Speaking of the mimic, where is she?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "You value the lives of dogs over that of clerics, including Sora?"  Jadeite looks to Badger in confusion.  "And I believe the mimic ran off." 
 
 Spoiler 
You used Mithril's colors again.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "You value the lives of dogs over that of clerics, including Sora?"  Jadeite looks to Badger in confusion.  "And I believe the mimic ran off." 
 
 Spoiler 
You used Mithril's colors again.
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler 
*Looks around guiltily* No I didn't
 

 "Astrid doesn't 'xactly care about us.  Plus I bet the clerics are being remembered as martyrs.  Someone mourns them." 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Elsee: 

Darric shakes his head.  "No, just...just listening to me ramble is enough, you know?" 

He finishes the last few bites of his meal as well, scraping up the stray sauce on his fork before burping loudly.  "That was great."  The hobgoblin smiles, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck.  "Say, uh, what do you want to do now? Since, you know, I showed you a place where I like to eat dinner, and maybe you could show me something you like to do, since it's not really fair otherwise."  
 

Elsee tapped her finger against the table as she thought, she didn't really have anything she liked to  do  that didn't involve the guild or those wherein. she'd often go out to visit the swamps and such but she wasn't exactly sure if he'd be into that kind of stuff over there...

 "You any good at climbing?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee:

"Uh, yeah, I'm pretty god at climbing. I've to climb up and down the rigging on my ship to adjust the sails all the time."  Darric stands up and pushes his chair in.  "Why, what do you have in mind?" 
 
 Spoiler 
I'm making some quick nachos for dinner; mind if I do the interrogation while they're baking?
 
Draconi Redfir
 "a little place i used to go to when i was picking pockets. real quiet'nd outta sight. Not a lot to do up there besides sleep granted, buut it's probably a shorter walk then goin out to the swamps 'nd lookin for a fight." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Jadeite and Artorias: 

While Badger remains outside, Severa leads the two young men into the watchtower, down the stairs, past the break room where a couple guards are laughing over bread and beer, and down a slight of narrow stone stairs. The basement cells are dimly lit and the floors are a bit damp, but are otherwise mostly clean and well-maintained. The guardswoman leads Jadeite and Artorias to the cell where Nedivax and Belladonna are being held. Both of them are being watched by a guard, and both of them are firmly handcuffed, unable to move their hands to cast a spell. There's a container of something held above their heads, attached to a string next to the other guardsman.

 "We dump cold water on their heads if it looks like they're about to cast something,"  Severa explains.

Bella appears to be taking a nap, but Nedivax looks up when he sees Jadeite and Artorias arrive.  "What do you want?"

Elsee: 
 "That sounds pretty neat! We, uh, won't do any fighting there, right?"  Darric asks as they leave the restaurant.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias makes a mock grimace "Nedivax, you hurt me; is it that weird we want to have a chat with our favourite necromancer?"  Artorias can  feel   the glare of Jadeite  "... OK, second favourite" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Artorias and Jadeite: 
 "Thank you." 

Nedivax rolls his eyes.  "Well, considering that you arrested me and are almost certainly going to be witness at our trial--assuming we even  get  one--you obviously didn't come here for a friendly chat over milk and cookies. What do you want?" 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias nods to the elf and once more faces the captive hobgoblin
 "Straight to the point, that is what I like about you." 
Artorias smirks and gets closer to him
&lt;G&gt; "I found a really interesting book hidden in your lab, care to guess what is it?" &lt;/G&gt; he whispers.
Straightening himself once more, he waits for his or her "sister's" reactions.

 
 Spoiler 
&lt;G&gt;This is supposed to be goblinoid&lt;/g&gt;
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Jadeite and Artorias: 

There's a pause, and Nedivax's eyes widen as understanding dawns on him. Bella opens one eye, then both fly open and she shoots off the bed as Nedivax lunges at Artorias and Jadeite through the bars and screams, in Goblin,   "GIVE ME BACK MY SPELLBOOK!" 

"Woah, woah, woah!"  Both guards immediately scramble to their feet; the male guard prods Nedivax with his spear and makes the hobgoblin retreat to the corner of his cell, while Severa takes Artorias and Jadeite and all but pins them against the opposite wall.  "What the hell was that?"  she hisses.
Dusk Eclipse
  Ok, that wasn't the reaction I was expecting.... not that off though   he says to himself.

 "I don't know, I simply asked a question"  he glances towards Jadeite  "Are you wizards always that possessive of your books? 
CoffeeIncluded
 Artorias and Jadeite: 
 "Generally. They are our livelihoods and sole means of defending ourselves in combat,"  Jadeite says. He doesn't seem to be surprised by Nedivax's reaction.

 "I should have trapped the book sooner,"  the hobgoblin mutters, having calmed down slightly.  "Explosive runes and fire traps on every single page, once I learned the spells."  Now there's a whining tone to his voice.

Jadeite walks up to Nedivax and says,  "You know you can't keep your spellbook in police custody. I promise, from one necromancer to another, your spellbook will remain unharmed in our possession and we will return it to you once you are released." 
 
 Spoiler 
Does Artorias want to say anything?
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "And you don't make back up copies? I mean books seem quite vulnerable, specially considering many of your spells tend to cause... how do I say it... collateral damage?" 

Turning back to Nedivax he deadpans
 "Umm I disarmed all your previous traps, you know just so you know" 
 
 Spoiler 
I don't know why but I'm finding antagonizing Nedivax loads of fun
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Jadeite and Artorias: 

Nedivax simply growls at this point,  "First, any wizard worth the name abjures his spellbook against all manner of hazards, and second if you try burning my spellbook then if I'm not brought up on a murder charge now then  I will be. 

"Hey, knock it off! Don't make me dump the cold water again!"  the male guard threatens while Severa flippantly waves her spear at them from across the room, as if she can't be bothered to close the distance.

Jadeite just sighs.  "And you call me immature. Anyway, many wizards keep a spare spellbook, but it's rather expensive to scribe spells and the costs can add up very quickly." 
 
 Spoiler 
And I'm having great fun playing along! Sorry if it's taking a moment for my responses; I'm also working on the drawings of Surdrak and Sora.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Wait a minute... scribing is expensive? And I thought you only spent your reward from the rescue job on inks because you liked them too much, sorry my bad" 

Artorias attempts to look confused at Nedivax's threat  "Why would you do that? Aren't we friends? And why would I burn your spellbook? That isn't smart; in any case that isn't the reason why we are here. According to pointy ears here"  he points Jadeite with his thumb You didn't create those dogs; at least not with your own power"  he lets the words sink in before continuing.
 "You being a powerful wizard must know about this handy little things... what where they called?"   Artorias scratches his chin as in deep thought  " Oh yeah! Scrolls, pardon me I never went to a fancy wizard school"  he deadpans.

 "Jadeite told me you were on the verge of being able to  Animate Death , but you couldn't, not yet anyway. So you had to use scrolls to raise all of your pets" Artorias eyes narrows and he smiles in a predatory manner.  "But here is the best part, those scrolls are strictly controlled, you can't buy them at the [Insert magic mart's name], I should know I tried, so please tell me. How did you get hold of them?" 
 
 Spoiler 

Wow, big post, by the way it is my headcanon that the magic item shop is called Magic"IS"us [whistles innocently]

And don't worry, I may or not may be playing LoL and posting on my downtime (read deaths)
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Jadeite and Artorias: 
 "Artorias, you would be surprised at the intricacies of arcane magic." 

As Artorias speaks Nedivax seems to grow pale, then quickly composes himself. Belladonna is keenly listening, and when Artorias finishes and her brother opens his mouth to respond, she quickly says,  "He didn't use scrolls." 
 
 Spoiler 
 (d20)[ 4 ] 

Artorias doesn't get the sense that she's lying.
 
Athedia
 "HEY! Don't leave me out here."   Badger shouted after the guard as the other's left her behind.
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Elsee: 
 "That sounds pretty neat! We, uh, won't do any fighting there, right?"  Darric asks as they leave the restaurant. 
 

 "prooobably not. 'sfar as i know climbing up a building isn't illigle or anything." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "HEY! Don't leave me out here."   Badger shouted after the guard as the other's left her behind. 
 

Severa isn't letting Badger inside after her muttered comment, so the ranger is left people-watching with Naga outside. After several minutes she hears what sounds like faint splashing not far off. Which is odd, because she's nowhere near the canals, or the sea, or the Bogs.


 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
  "prooobably not. 'sfar as i know climbing up a building isn't illigle or anything."  
 

Darric gives a little laugh.  "well then, what are we waiting for?" 
 
 Spoiler 
do you want to describe it?
 
Athedia
 "Stupid idiot thinks I would kill 'em.  Just cuz I think prison is to good for them doesn't mean I would hurt them."   Badger ignored the splashing, she was going to wait here for the rest of the day if she had too.

 
 Spoiler 
In all fairness a listen check from the guard would have been needed to hear that.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

The odd, incongruous splashing noise eventually stops.

 
 Spoiler 
I did. She rolled a 17.
 
Athedia
The stopping of the splashing concerned Badger more than the actual sound itself.  Pulling out one of her axes' Badger moved toward the lack of sound.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Jadeite and Artorias: 
 "Artorias, you would be surprised at the intricacies of arcane magic." 

As Artorias speaks Nedivax seems to grow pale, then quickly composes himself. Belladonna is keenly listening, and when Artorias finishes and her brother opens his mouth to respond, she quickly says,  "He didn't use scrolls." 
 
 Spoiler 
[roll0]

Artorias doesn't get the sense that she's lying.
 
 
 

Artorias answers the elf. "Duly noted" , he turns towards the so far silent Belladonna.  "What do you mean by that?" 
 
 Spoiler 

Since I forgot to add that in my previous post, can we retroactively assume Artorias has been pacing in front of their cell during the whole conversation?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 The stopping of the splashing concerned Badger more than the actual sound itself.  Pulling out one of her axes' Badger moved toward the lack of sound. 
 

As Badger walks, there's nothing that could have made the splashing noises, except for a nearby well. Almost chest-high, the well is one of the taller ones in the area, and the water level is about six inches, maybe a foot, below the top of the well. Naga sniffs it curiously, his tail wagging.

 
 Spoiler 
Roll spot, listen, and search checks please.
 


 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Artorias answers the elf. "Duly noted" , he turns towards the so far silent Belladonna.  "What do you mean by that?" 
 
 Spoiler 

Since I forgot to add that in my previous post, can we retroactively assume Artorias has been pacing in front of their cell during the whole conversation?
 
 
 

 "Uh...uh..." 
 "You mean wands,"  Jadeite says.  "Wands, or a rod, a much better use of resources than purchasing several scrolls at once." 

Nedivax's silence tells everything.
 
 Spoiler 
No problemo!
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 As Badger walks, there's nothing that could have made the splashing noises, except for a nearby well. Almost chest-high, the well is one of the taller ones in the area, and the water level is about six inches, maybe a foot, below the top of the well. Naga sniffs it curiously, his tail wagging.

 
 Spoiler 
Roll spot, listen, and search checks please.
 
 
 

 "Not another well." 
 
 Spoiler 
Search:  (1d20)[ 20 ] 
Spot:  (1d20+9)[ 18 ] 
Listen:  (1d20+10)[ 29 ] 
 
super dark33
 Why do I have a feeling I remember this happening? 

Surdrak says, looking at the picture of a long dead king of a faraway land he keeps in his pocket.
He is young and red-headed, but his scowl is ever judgemental. His crown rests lightly on his head. His name Juvilianus.

 I mean, there are so much things to do when you meet up besides climbing, is this the kind of image they want to create? These animals. 

He takes a sip out of the Barlour he ordered. There was also a cup in front of Juvilianus.

 I'll never understand gorillas. 

Juvilianus did nothing in agreement. He is just a painting.

Surdrak looks down on his slouching body.

 Huh. You might even wonder... 

The Sepicer Semalg was open on a particularly peculiar note:

Liev eht dnoyeb tahw tae ton od.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

There are wet footprints leading out of the well, heading roughly north. There's a scrap of dark indigo cloth hanging off a nail in the structure that holds up the bucket used for drawing water. And Badger can just barely hear the wet squelching of footsteps, not more than a block off.

 
 Spoiler 
Very nice rolls.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 As Badger walks, there's nothing that could have made the splashing noises, except for a nearby well. Almost chest-high, the well is one of the taller ones in the area, and the water level is about six inches, maybe a foot, below the top of the well. Naga sniffs it curiously, his tail wagging.

 
 Spoiler 
Roll spot, listen, and search checks please.
 

 "Uh...uh..." 
 "You mean wands,"  Jadeite says.  "Wands, or a rod, a much better use of resources than purchasing several scrolls at once." 

Nedivax's silence tells everything.
 
 Spoiler 
No problemo!
 
 
 

 "Ok, so you got your hands on a wand, it doesn't change  anything really, now the question is, how did you get it? Did you steal it? Did you buy it or did someone else gave it to you? My, my you are in quite a pickle guys" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Artorias and Jadeite: 

Nedivax looks trapped, his eyes flitting back and forth wildly around the cell. Finally, Bella speaks up. She sounds...not nostalgic, more melancholy.  "It was from home." 
Dusk Eclipse
That does surprises Artorias "I see" 
 
 Spoiler 
Would a sense motive check be too meta-gamey? I (Dusk) knows what a beguiler is and I know they are excellent liars. I think Artorias knows she is one too (IIRC Jadeite did mentioned the name IC), but he doesn't know what they are, and yet the name itself implies deception and she did use lot of sneaky tactics and illusion.... so can I make the check?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler 
Feel free to make the check.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger: 

There are wet footprints leading out of the well, heading roughly north. There's a scrap of dark indigo cloth hanging off a nail in the structure that holds up the bucket used for drawing water. And Badger can just barely hear the wet squelching of footsteps, not more than a block off.

 
 Spoiler 
Very nice rolls.
 
 
 

Badger paused only as long as it took to grab the scrap of cloth.  She took off in pursuit of the footsteps, glad that she was not going down the well.   But what would be climbing OUT?  She hoped that Elsee had not managed to train the alligators this well.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

As Badger runs and follows the footpoints, and the sound of squelching footsteps, she prepares herself for the worst--alligators, or zombie alligators, or zombie alligator riders riding zombie alligators.

Instead, she comes across a young man with greasy black hair and an overall unwashed appearance. He looks rather skinny, almost gaunt, and is soaking wet. Naga takes one whiff, then whines and draws his ears back.

He turns around when Badger shows up, and though he raises his eyebrows his eyes look a little unfocused.
Draconi Redfir
With their meal over, Elsee led Darric through the city streets for a time, the spot was more near the centre of the city then it was to the ports, more likely to come across someone with a decently sized wallet there. During the trip the two of them talked as they walked, idle chit-chat often broken up by the usual awkward pause that left them both wondering what the heck they were doing. But finally they arrived, it was late-ish by now so the usually busy street had died down a fair bit as everyone was heading home, so Elsee had to double-check to ensure nobody was watching the two goblinoids before leading the hobgoblin into the darkened alley that ran between a cluster of buildings.

around a corner to a spot that couldn't be seen by the city streets, and Elsee immediately began climbing, grinning with glee as she found everything she used still there, the dumpster she used to get off the ground, the ever-curtained window which gave her a platform to leap to the sturdy drainage pipe on the opposite building, and the perfect-sized holes and cracks in the brickwork carved out by her own hands and toes to serve as usable aides in climbing to the roof. The hobgoblin likely had some troubles following her path due to his larger size, but Elsee as able to stabilize him from the rooftop and help him make the final stretch.

The rooftop is large and flat, with a decent view of the city around it, save for one direction which houses a building  few stories taller. Elsee wandered over to a somewhat empty spot on the roof, poking at the ground with a foot lightly.

 "Used to be a pair of water tanks up here i made a sort of nest in. looks like they got removed once the canals came in." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger: 

As Badger runs and follows the footpoints, and the sound of squelching footsteps, she prepares herself for the worst--alligators, or zombie alligators, or zombie alligator riders riding zombie alligators.

Instead, she comes across a young man with greasy black hair and an overall unwashed appearance. He looks rather skinny, almost gaunt, and is soaking wet. Naga takes one whiff, then whines and draws his ears back.

He turns around when Badger shows up, and though he raises his eyebrows his eyes look a little unfocused. 
 

 "Are you alright?  Don't say yes, you don't look it." 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Where do you come from, the plains?  Artorias ask, this time talking Belladona.

 
 Spoiler 
Retroactive Sense motive check  (1d20)[ 9 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Darric's surprisingly good at climbing up the buildings and following Elsee; he only needs to grab her hand a few times. Though when he does, he holds on. Pausing to catch his breath, he lets out a slow whistle when he takes in the view, the buildings, the sea, all framing the setting sun.

 "Wow."  Then Elsee explains and he looks back at her.  "You used to live here?"

Badger: 

The gaunt young man laughs a bit and waves her off.  "Im fine, just took a bit of a spill in the...well..."'  he trails off, staring at badger's feet until he shakes his head and collects himself.  "Sorry. Those are some really nice boots. They magic?" 
Athedia
 "I don't think that is any of your business.  Why were you nosing about in the well, don't you know there are alligators down there?" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee shrugs slightly as he sits herself between the no longer existant water tanks, missing the pipes and metal drums she'd prop herself up onto for a quick nap.  "On and off. sometimes i'd get a room with one of the other shady-types in exchange for a favor, other times i'd just nap out on whatever rooftop i happened to be on at the time. was only here a few months before joining the guild." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "Where do you come from, the plains?  Artorias ask, this time talking Belladona.

 
 Spoiler 
Retroactive Sense motive check [roll0]
 
 
 

 "Yeah. Hard to believe it's only been a few years now,"  Bella says, while Nedivax is quiet.

 
 Spoiler 
Whatever she's hiding seems to be rather painful, and probably unrelated to the wand.
 


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I don't think that is any of your business.  Why were you nosing about in the well, don't you know there are alligators down there?"  
 

 "There are?"  The greasy-looking man takes out an empty flask and waves it in the air.  "I was just getting a drink, you know?" 

 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
 Elsee shrugs slightly as he sits herself between the no longer existant water tanks, missing the pipes and metal drums she'd prop herself up onto for a quick nap.  "On and off. sometimes i'd get a room with one of the other shady-types in exchange for a favor, other times i'd just nap out on whatever rooftop i happened to be on at the time. was only here a few months before joining the guild."  
 

 "Oh..."  And Darric looks sad.  "I've always had a place to stay here, even if it was a little tenement in the Bogs. But the guild gives you room and board, right?" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee grins and nods at the mention of the guild.  "Took a little while to get used to sleepin in a bed every night, little longer to stop wanting to rob every rich shmuck i saw, but it's pretty good there. Better'n what i was doin before anyways." 
super dark33
Surdrak sighs.

 Why can't I rest normally? Even at rest there is plenty of work. 

Surdrak drinks the remaining of his cup.
Juvilianus never touched his cup. He stared at Surdrak with caution.

 Well your life wasn't easy on you either. What age did you live to? Can't remember.  

There was a scratch on Juvilianus' crown.

The table was attacked by Surdrak using his eldritch forehead and is demoralized by Surdrak's deep sigh.
 I hate my life. Also life in general.






Are you going to drink that? 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Darric looks like he doesn't quite know what to say. So instead he says,  "Did you always live here? I-In Runite, I mean?" 
 Surdrak: 

As Surdrak complains to his imaginary drinking partners, a real presence taps him on his shoulder. If he turns around, he sees Natasha behind him.  "Say, it's Surdrak, right? Are you okay?" 
super dark33
 Oh, I am fine, just honouring an old man's last request. How have you been... 

Surdrak raises his head to see Natasha.

 Natasha? 
 
 Spoiler 
Surdrak's uncle told him to take Juvilianus to a drink once a week.
 
Draconi Redfir
 "Only 'bout a year 'er two now. Before that i was wanderin the plains 'nd surrounded area, either on my own or with others, 'nd before that i lived in a tribe." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

Natasha gives Surdrak a little wave when he turns around. She looks happier now than before, more hale and hearty. Her hair's pushed back, and she still has her daggers by her side. There's an empty seat with half-finished food behind her; Mika is sitting next to that empty seat, and she's turned around to see where Natasha has gone.

 "Yeah, it's me. I saw you muttering into that bottle of alcohol and wanted to come over and see if you were okay. Are you okay?"

Elsee: 
 "Wow. When did you leave? Did you just head straight for Runite? Why did you leave? Uh, if you're cool with asking, I mean, you don't have to answer if it's painful,"  Darric hastily amends with a wince. Many stories of Plavaan flight are tragic, even if Runite is all the hobgoblin has ever known.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "There are?"  The greasy-looking man takes out an empty flask and waves it in the air.  "I was just getting a drink, you know?"  
 

 "You may want to fill that next time you want a drink."   Badger looked at the man head to foot.   "And I doubt water was the drink you were after to begin with.  Where do you live?  I can't have people just falling down wells." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

The man looks down at his flask and gives a rueful smile.  "Guess you got me there. But even a little water's needed, you know?"  He swings his arm--and the flask--back in celebration, splashing some more liquid behind him.  "And I lives by the Bogs." 
super dark33
 I'm fine and well, there are no other missions today so it's time to enjoy myself.  
 
 Spoiler 
Bluff check. Surdrak isn't enjoying himself.
 (1d20+3)[ 16 ] 
 

 But anyway, how have things worked out for you and your sisters? 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

Natasha looks at Surdrak dubiously.

 
 Spoiler 
 (d20+5)[ 22 ] 
 


She sighs.  "I'm doing really well, and so is Eva. My mom...well lets just say that the phrase "Inhaling your food" isn't supposed to be literal. But Surdrak, you're not okay."  Natasha pulls up a chair and sits next to the warlock.  "Are your friends running errands? Do you want to have dinner with me and my friends?" 
super dark33
 You're right. Enjoying your work too much may mean not enjoying the eventual rest. 
 My friends  Surdrak mentally adds " " around that word  Have gone to interrogate a necromancer we caught today, the cleric girl is nowhere I know of and the goblin thief is probably on some roof somewhere in the bogs with her hobgoblin hunk date.  

At her suggestion, Surdrak is surprised and even slightly shocked.
She obviously doesn't know him, even the most liberal of folk are uncomfortable with a warlock around. Less so him.

Coffee only.
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d8)[ 3 ]  Tick Tock
 


After a few seconds of compiling Natasha's words in his head, Surdrak responds:
 Sure, why not? 
There is no point in acting yourself miserable if you can enjoy!
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak:

"So you're by yourself? That's no fun, even if everyone else is busy. Oh, come on, don't look so shocked!"  Natasha pouts a bit.  "Look, you have no idea how much you and your friends helped out me and my sister; this is the least I can do and it's still not enough. Surdrak, why are you so surprised?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Sorry, there are no clocks here. No time bombs either. Also, I've got a nice surprise coming OOC in a bit.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Yeah. Hard to believe it's only been a few years now,"  Bella says, while Nedivax is quiet.

 
 Spoiler 
Whatever she's hiding seems to be rather painful, and probably unrelated to the wand.
 
 
 

 "Why did you come to Runite?"  Artorias ask softening his voice a little.
Silverraptor
As if for comedic effect, 'the cleric girl' walks by as she had just finished dinner. She stops and bursts out in cheerful greeting.
 "Natasha! Hey girl, what's going on with you? Haven't seen you for a bit. 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak and Sora:

"Come on over then,"  Natasha says, leading him over to the table with her partners. Surdrak can recognize the timid Mika, the aloof Sergei who's actually put down his book (mostly because his hands are occupied with eating, and he likes to keep his things clean), and the calm and relaxed David.  "You know everyone here, right?" 

Mika and Sergei's eyes widen a bit as Surdrak sits down. However, when they look at Natasha she gives a nod and they say nothing. Still they keep their eyes on the warlock.

Sora takes this moment to walk in, and Natasha starts at the sudden shout. But she turns around to see Sora, and she waves and says,  "Hey Sora, I'm doing well. Leif actually let me into the guild, and I'm working with Mika, Sergei, and David!"  Each of them wave and say or grunt a greeting in return.  "And I'm having dinner with Surdrak too, since he seemed lonely."  She smiles at the warlock.  "Thanks for joining, by the way." 

It's barely been a week since Natasha joined the guild, but already she seems to have blossomed.

 Artorias: 

Bella looks at the ground and seems to shut into herself, while Nedivax seems to have reloaded his barbed tongue.  "Well, I certainly didn't travel across over half the continent with my sister, through that psychotic kingdom you call Laria, over mountains and through swamps because I wanted to! Nobody does. We come to Runite because it's a place where we can get rich and not have our violent deaths be a matter of public policy!"

"Not to mention I'm human,"  Bella says quietly, in a tone of blame and guilt.  "We might have been okay, except that they caught wind of me, and thought you kidnapped me. Some crap about enslavement and sacrifices, and...at least our tribe's still around. That's better than some others." 
 
 Spoiler 
Couple this with Darric's conversation. He's got a few more interesting things to say, if Elsee presses the right topics. Not to mention Elsee herself...😉

What do you think of this?
 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded;16772611
[b 
 Elsee:[/B]

 "Wow. When did you leave? Did you just head straight for Runite? Why did you leave? Uh, if you're cool with asking, I mean, you don't have to answer if it's painful,"  Darric hastily amends with a wince. Many stories of Plavaan flight are tragic, even if Runite is all the hobgoblin has ever known. 
 

Elsee blinks a few times at the question barrage. sure were a lot of people interested in her past these days it seemed.

 "Few years ago, three or four maybe, no, aaand i was marked for a job i couldn't do but nobody would listen. not too much interesting about it really. howabout you?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Darric sighs in relief.  "That's...I'm sorry that happened. Heh, wasn't what I was expecting though."  He grins and scratches his head again.  "You've probably got some really cool stories about traveling, right? I mean, I've got some fun things that happened to me while sailing, but I've never gone that far south. And to be honest, my parents were the first immigrants, so I was born here in Runite. All the stuff that people say in the Bogs about how they miss the Plains and how great their homeland is, I guess it doesn't really, uh, mean much to me, since Runite's my homeland, you know what I mean?"  The hobgoblin lets his hands fall into his lap.  "Sorry, I'm just rambling again. You have a lot of time to think when you're at sea by yourself. Wait, did you travel alone all the way from the Plains to here?" 
super dark33
 Of course i do! hello Mika,  she captured some bandits with him, got angry at him after he killed one of them who resisted arrest and hurt his horse.  Sergei,   thinks Surdrak should be treated like an animal for "taking a shortcut to power". and David!  helped Surdrak with his errends once, earning a good place in his mind.

 Your proffesions do fit well into a group. Leif bases those on the tobeem guilds. Hey Sora! 
Draconi Redfir
 "Naaah, kinda just wound up here really. left home alone, joined up with some highway men for awhile, moved around a bit, left them, hithed a ride on some caravan over to Laria, hung out there for a bit, left once the guards started getting wise, got a job with some smugglers in some one-horse town, wih brought be further south, 'nd so on and so on." 

Elsee crossed her arms under her head as she lay down to look up at the sky.

 "So you're a naitive born 'eh? when'd your parents get here? had to have been awhile ago." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee:

"Wow. Are you planning on staying here, because you're, wow, you've been all over the place."  Darric lets out a low whistle, and gazes at Elsee in admiration.

 "As for my parents, they moved here in the first wave with Deirdre and everyone else from that time, though they don't know here. But I was born just as Runite was getting big. It really wasn't much about 20 years ago."  
Draconi Redfir
Elsee shrugs a bit, still looking up at the sky.  "Dunno. Depends on when and if i pay off my debt i think. meyeght run off again, might not. hell ef i know." 
 "Who's Deirdre again? The Drow chick who made the cannals?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Artorias: 

Bella looks at the ground and seems to shut into herself, while Nedivax seems to have reloaded his barbed tongue.  "Well, I certainly didn't travel across over half the continent with my sister, through that psychotic kingdom you call Laria, over mountains and through swamps because I wanted to! Nobody does. We come to Runite because it's a place where we can get rich and not have our violent deaths be a matter of public policy!"

"Not to mention I'm human,"  Bella says quietly, in a tone of blame and guilt.  "We might have been okay, except that they caught wind of me, and thought you kidnapped me. Some crap about enslavement and sacrifices, and...at least our tribe's still around. That's better than some others."  
 

Artorias lowers his eyes to the ground  "I was born in Runite, for me Plaavan's have always been a part of my life. I guess I never really thought were you come from. For what it's worth.... I am sorry"  lifting his head up he stares intently at Nedivax  "And you did have a choice, you could have go to Deidre... or even Leif, they would have given you a chance". 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Darric looks down at the ground below at that news.  "Oh...You don't like it here?"  He twiddles his thumbs together.  "I mean, I guess it sounds like you like to travel and you don't like being tied down, but I dunno, it's nice having a place you call home." 

He brightens up when Elsee mentions Dierdre though.  "Yep! She's the one who designed all the canals and upgraded sewers and clean water and everything. Pretty amazing, huh?" 
 Artorias: 
 "Thank you,"  Nedivax says, though he can't bring himself to respond to Artorias's second comment, and Bella just hangs her head.

 
 Spoiler 
I'm going to bed soon, night!
 
Silverraptor
 "Hey Surdrak. What are you all doing?" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee just grinned and shrugged, idly raising a hand to indicate the empty spaces around her.

 "Did cause my spot to dissapear though. not that i used it still or anything." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Darric grins.  "But she helped give you that great spot in the guild. Well, the head of the guild probably did, but I bet she helped give you the business!" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

The man takes a swig of his flask, then frowns down at it.  "Can I go home now?" 
 
 Spoiler 
If you want to get a hat now then it'll take about 45 minutes to get to the store and back.
 

 Jadeite and Artorias:

"Are you done here?"  Severa says, blowing a lock of orange hair out of her eyes.  "Because we've got to get dinner ready for the prisoners." 
 "Artorias, I can translate the spells in the spellbook myself with some preparation. Nedivax, I promise that as a fellow necromancer your spellbook will be safe in my care." 
 
 Spoiler 
You ready to go?
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger: 

The man takes a swig of his flask, then frowns down at it.  "Can I go home now?" 
 
 Spoiler 
If you want to get a hat now then it'll take about 45 minutes to get to the store and back.
 
 
 

 "Look there is a man with a weird cart around.  Tell him Badger sent you and she will pay him to take you home.  I just don't want anyone showing up in a well tonight."   She had other plans, ones that didn't involve escorting drunks.  She eyed the distance from one of the roofs to the inside of jail.  She had seen an item that might help her in the magic store from before, if she could get there on time.  Starting out she jogged away to the store, leaving the jail behind.
Dusk Eclipse
 "Yeah, I'm done here, good bye Nedivax, Bella"  he turns towards Severa  "Thanks, I really appreciate it"  Artorias walks out of the prisoj and looks for Badger.

 "Oi Badger! Badger?"  Artorias sighs  "I'm going to look for her,  are you coming?"  Artorias begins to track down Badger's and Naga's scent with help frok his Hunter's senses.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger:

"Thanks,"  he says before staggering off. Badger watches him leave, then turns around and goes into the opposite direction, towards the magic shop where she bought the boots earlier. They're still open, and once again the pink-haired half-elf waves as she enters.

 "Welcome back!"  he says.

 Jadeite and Artorias: 

Badger's scent appears to be heading towards the closest shopping district.
Dusk Eclipse
 "She is heading towards the merchant district, if we hurry we can catch up the her"  Artorias follows the scent to the magic shop.

  Badger, why didn't you wait for us?  Artorias asks before pausing  We didn't take that much time did we?"  
Athedia
 "That hat.  It looked interesting earlier, and I just got another pay.  Could I have it?"   Badger gestured toward the item she wanted and laid down the money on the counter.  Picking up the hat and trying it on she immediately used the powers she had seen described in the book.

A minute later a shorter half elf with blond hair down her back and a small dagger at her side stepped out of the shop.  She was dressed in more formal attire and had a flower pin in her hair.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "She is heading towards the merchant district, if we hurry we can catch up the her"  Artorias follows the scent to the magic shop.

 Badger, why didn't you wait for us?  Artorias asks before pausing  We didn't take that much time did we?"  
 

 
 Spoiler 
Coffee said that she would let me leave before you caught up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Jadeite, Badger, and Artorias: 

Instead of Badger, Artorias and Jadeite come across a young half-elf girl, her blonde hair pinned back with a ribbon.

 "Hello,"  Jadeite says as he approaches here.  "Would you mind telling us if you have seen our friend?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Will save once you interact with her, please!

Will:  (d20+4)[ 11 ] 
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Spoiler 
missed that, my bad.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Badge.... oh, hello" 
 
 Spoiler 
[roll]1d20+1
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Jadeite, Badger, and Artorias: 

Instead of Badger, Artorias and Jadeite come across a young half-elf girl, her blonde hair pinned back with a ribbon.

 "Hello,"  Jadeite says as he approaches here.  "Would you mind telling us if you have seen our friend?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Will save once you interact with her, please!

Will: [roll0]
 
 
 

 "What does she look like?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "What does she look like?"  
 

 "Umm, she is about this ta...  he pauses for a moment  actually she is about your height, she has short black hair and lots of tattoos on her face." 
Athedia
 "No, but could you help me?  That dog looks like it belongs to someone, have you seen its owner?"   Naga sat with a confused look on his face.  The smell was the same, maybe a tad more floral, but the same.  But his owner was not this shape, or look?
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias is a tad surprised to see Naga here, he is usually unseparable from Badger "Actually, he belongs to our friend"  Artorias pats his tight trying to grab the dog's attention. "Here Naga" 
 
 Spoiler 

Now that you mention scent, Artorias could deduce she is Badger since scent allows to recognize ... familiar scents just as easy as familiar sights, but since I forgot about that Artorias dropped out of the stance before entering the shop.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Naga barks and runs over to Artorias. He look back at the girl, tilts his head in confusion, and whines a little.
Dusk Eclipse
 "What's wrong boy?"  Artorias bends to pat the dog's head.  "Where is badger?" 
Athedia
 "Well he might want to  go home , if you know where she lives."   She emphasized the command a little hoping that Naga would get the hint.
CoffeeIncluded
Naga looks back at the half-elf and whines, then obediently trots home.  "Interesting. Naga never listens to me,"  Jadeite says.
Athedia
Badger could not help throwing out a little quip.   "Maybe he only listens to females." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I suppose he's threatened by my masculinity?"  Jadeite teases, though he leans closer to the half-elf and, where Artorias can't see, gives her a knowing wink.
Athedia
Badger suppressed an urge to vomit.  Was Deathboy hitting on her? Though this would make a good start for a prank.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite blinks.  "Are you ill? Or have I been  badgering  you too much?"  He leans in on the critical word.

 
 Spoiler 
I'm gonna let Artorias and Badger have some fun for a bit.
 
Athedia
Badger's eyes widened, but she didn't let the shock show too much on her face.   "I think I am just a little dehydrated."   She looked over at Artorias, he still hadn't figured it out.  That was good, this hat/pin might be a good investment after all.

 "Say, you never told me your name?  I don't mean to pry but is the Badger person... special to you?  You just seemed so worried about her?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Sora and Surdrak: 

As Sora and Surdrak eat and talk with the group that Natasha joined, everyone comments on the food, some surprised that Surdrak had a hand in the cooking. But the food is good, and they continue eating.

Suddenly, a dog comes bounding in, tail wagging and long ears dragging. It's Naga and he runs over to lick Surdrak and Sora's face.
Silverraptor
 "Oh, hey Naga. Where's Badger?" 
She pets Naga a few times as the dog came in to greet them.
CoffeeIncluded
Naga barks and whines as Sora mentions Badger's name, then, as Sora pets him, rolls over for a belly rub.
Silverraptor
Sora obliges and proceeds to rub Naga's belly.
 "Did something happen to Badger, Naga?" 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Elsee: 

Darric grins.  "But she helped give you that great spot in the guild. Well, the head of the guild probably did, but I bet she helped give you the business!"  
 

Elsee quirked an eyebrow a bit at this.

 "Nnnooo? Eye've never even met the chick." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Sora and Surdrak: 

Naga barks, then runs over to Surdrak and Natasha, every part of him wiggling. He rolls over again, demanding belly rubs.

 "Do you think Badger's in trouble?"  Natasha asks as she rubs Naga's tummy.

 Elsee: 

Darric vaguely waves his hand in the air.  "I meant metaphorically, by bringing more business into the city and stuff. Ah, never mind." 

They continue talking for a while on every possible subject as the sun sets below the horizon.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Badger's eyes widened, but she didn't let the shock show too much on her face.   "I think I am just a little dehydrated."   She looked over at Artorias, he still hadn't figured it out.  That was good, this hat/pin might be a good investment after all.

 "Say, you never told me your name?  I don't mean to pry but is the Badger person... special to you?  You just seemed so worried about her?"  
 

 "She is one of my oldest friends in the guild, I trust her with my life, though we haven't seen eye to eye on many things recently; honestly I'm not worried about her, she can take care of herself and if I even implied she couldn't she probably would  try  to kick my ass for that"  he laughs a little   the thing is she said she would wait for us, but she took of and her trail lead us to here. 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "She is one of my oldest friends in the guild, I trust her with my life, though we haven't seen eye to eye on many things recently; honestly I'm not worried about her, she can take care of herself and if I even implied she couldn't she probably would  try  to kick my ass for that"  he laughs a little   the thing is she said she would wait for us, but tool of and her trail lead us to here./  
 

Badger couldn't help but smile.  It was nice to know he cared, though the way she had gotten the information may have been a little sneaky.   "She probably got distracted by something.  And I don't know about try, if you can't find her I would say she had already kicked your ass." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Ah, but what about when we turn out the entire guild on a search mission for her?"  Jadeite says with a grin.  "After all, while I am sure Badger can take care of herself, and while I must admit that I trust her, Naga must be beside himself by now." 
Athedia
 "She probably has business to take care of.  I know I don't like people, even my friends poking their nose around when I want to be alone."   Badger let out a small laugh, and grinned at Artorias.   "Don't worry, if she is as resourceful as you say I don't doubt you will see her tomorrow." 
 
 Spoiler 
And now she will not be able to make it back tomorrow will she?
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Huh... that's weird, that is exactly how she usually acts... but you are right."  he turns towards Jadeite...  ""Why is he smirking like that?... nevermind hmmm perhaps I should do it now.... nah it is getting late"   he ask himself before shrugging "Ready  to go back Jadeite?"  Artorias ask the elf.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite keeps grinning.  "I suppose we should head back. Who knows, Badger might be waiting there--and if not, I'm sure she'll appreciate all the effort we shall have to go through to locate her." 
 
 Spoiler 
I need to get the comic done, so I can't post IC for a bit. Sorry!
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias is starting to get unnerved by Jadeite's grinning; usually that meant trouble... or at least a prank, but perhaps against his better sense he decides not to mention it.  "Lead the way"  he makes a flourish with his right hand before turning towards the half-elf girl.  "Anyway, thanks for your help miss.... uh  Artorias blushes a little as he notices he never asked the girl her name. "Sorry I never catch'd your name" 
Athedia
 "Susanna."   The name left Badger's mouth before she could censor herself.
Dusk Eclipse
 "Thank you Susanna, if you ever need anything come to the guild and ask for Artorias"  he finishes with a wink before starting to walk back to the guild.
CoffeeIncluded
 Everyone but Elsee and Badger: 

Jadeite and Artorias make their way back to the guild without much trouble, although a collapsed horse causes a massive traffic jam that they've got to evade by going around several blocks, where they are immediately accosted by a street vendor come to peddle his questionable endcatch stew. It was probably made a few days ago at best--the ships are still unloading their fish!

But both Jadeite and Artorias finally make their way back to the guild, where Sora and Surdrak are petting Naga and striking up a conversation with Natasha and her teammates.

 Elsee: 
 
 Spoiler 
I'm letting you finish up the date--just please make it appropriate!
 

 Badger: 
 
 Spoiler 
Ready to do your plan whenever you are.
 
Athedia
The half-elf watched as Jadiete and Artorias disappeared and then headed toward the prison.  She first wanted to see if the disguise would work to simply have them let her in to the jail.  Approaching Severa she smiled and waved.   "I was told there are two Plavaan in here?  I am hear as part of a new organization to inform the Plavaan of their rights and provide counsel." like their right to not break the law and force me to arrest you and the advice to not break the law and force me to arrest you.   Could I see, uh, Needlewax and Belladoodle?  Cripes they have weird names don't they?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

Severa looks up from her beer and paperwork. She looks somewhat bored, but regardless gets up and asks,  "What's this organization? I've never heard of it--do you have any proof?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger: 

Severa looks up from her beer and paperwork. She looks somewhat bored, but regardless gets up and asks,  "What's this organization? I've never heard of it--do you have any proof?"  
 

 "Equality Under Law, they just told me to come down here and that you would have the papers... oh don't tell me."   Badger/Susanna winced and placed her hand on her head.   "The founders cousin needed a job so she made him the messenger.  He does like his drink though." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger:

"Well, then they must have gotten lost, because I don't have any papers,"  Severa says, looking at Badger suspiciously.

 
 Spoiler 
I'm gonna need a bluff check.
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+1)[ 2 ] 
 
  
 Spoiler 
 Let Plan A work, though they continue on for a bit.

Why.  Why do they never work.  Seriously? A 1?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

Severa's frown deepens, and now she looks angry rather than just annoyed.  "What are you, a fool who lost a bet? Get out of here before I call for backup." 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Everyone but Elsee and Badger: 

Jadeite and Artorias make their way back to the guild without much trouble, although a collapsed horse causes a massive traffic jam that they've got to evade by going around several blocks, where they are immediately accosted by a street vendor come to peddle his questionable endcatch stew. It was probably made a few days ago at best--the ships are still unloading their fish!

But both Jadeite and Artorias finally make their way back to the guild, where Sora and Surdrak are petting Naga and striking up a conversation with Natasha and her teammates.  
 

 "Hey guys! Have you seen Badger? " 
super dark33
 Only Naga, he came here looking worried and demanding tummy rubs. 

Surdrak is already compiling to the canine's requests.
Athedia
Badger followed on her second, and initial plan.  She peered through each of the cell windows until she found where the two necromancers were kept.

 
 Spoiler 
Which floor?  Ground, 2nd? 3rd?
 
CoffeeIncluded
The cells are on the ground floor, actually in the basement. They must be just above the water table; the floor is damp. Badger has to lie on her belly and look down through the window to see Bella and Nedivax.
Athedia
Badger looked in, attempting to see if any guards were present.
CoffeeIncluded
There are no guards at the moment, but there is an empty chair with a newsletter on it, so he may not be gone long.
Draconi Redfir
they sky was already dark by the time the two goblinoids finally decided it was time to head home. they had stopped talking awhile ago and had merely been sitting on the rooftop watching the people walk by with the sea in the distance, Elsee's head resting on Darric's side with her eyelids slowly growing heavier as time went on, completely innocent thoughts of a second or third date occasionally passing through her mind.

still, both of them had work in the morning so they climbed on down and walked together until their paths eventually diverged. Elsee all but climbed up Darric's arm to plant a kiss on the hobgoblin's cheek before grinning and falling to the ground to leave.  "Lets do something fun next time nnnkay? watch some fights in the bogs or go sailing on bumpy waters or somethin!" 

Elsee grinned wickedly as she turned her back to Darric, her words made it sound as if she had been bored with the night, but her voice was that of someone genuinely exited, which she was, she just knew he'd be wracking his brain thinking she didn't have fun all night.

At some point in time, perhaps not when the others are still eating dinner and petting naga, Elsee returns to the guild.
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

At some point in the evening as Elsee drifts asleep on Darric's shoulder, the hobgoblin takes her hand in his. Even after she wakes and they eventually climb down and go their separate ways, he's still sporting a goofy grin.

 "S-sure! Of course, any time! Maybe we could go drinking too; I know a few good bars where the brawls are practically a game! Any time!"  If Elsee turns around, she sees the hobgoblin walk off, and pump one fist in the air in joy and triumph.

The guild hall is pretty much deserted when Elsee returns. Leif is still working, and a few people wander the halls or chat, but most have retired for the evening.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite tries to go to bed early, hoping to get up early the next morning so that he can finish some research before any business with the guild occurs.

 
 Spoiler 
Let 'er rip, Silver.
 
Silverraptor
As Jadeite walks through his room and into his bathroom, nothing unexpected seems amiss. He reaches for his toothbrush and starts brushing his teeth. Mid-way through, something in the mirror causes him to stop and turn around. The lid to his shampoo is twisted off and set aside, while the pine extract he was going to use on Sora, lay next to it on its side, no lid and completely empty.

 
 Spoiler 
Make sure you have Jadeite confront Sora for this. Also, have her separated from the current group she's with, so its one on one.😁
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite takes one whiff of his shampoo and wrinkles his nose in disgust. scooping up both bottles, he marches down to Sora's room and knocks on the door. When she's not there, he eventually finds her eating in the dining room.

 "I'm going to need to borrow your wand of prestidigitation,"  he says.
Silverraptor
Sora gets up and walks past Jadeite down the hall, expecting him to follow. Once they are out of earshot, she looks over he shoulder while still walking.
 "Oh? What's this about?" 
She says it in the most sweet and innocent voice possible.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Your copycat break. Now please, give me the wand, or I will simply use your shampoo instead--oh, don't give me that face. I know you have it, even if it's a recent invention." 
Silverraptor
 "Copycat break?" 
She puts on an unconvincing confused face, stopping outside the door to her room.
 "Whatever do you mean?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Your copycat prank." 
 
 Spoiler 
Sorry, autocorrect changed prank to break.
 


Jadeite holds out a hand.  Unless you want to smell like pine as well. You put the pine extract into my shampoo. How original." 
Silverraptor
 "Pine Extract?" 
She opens her door and reaches in.
 "Oh, you mean this?" 
She pulls out a different bottle that contained the same color liquid as the pine extract. Judging by the content in the vial, every single drop was contained in it.
 "Now Jadeite, did you really think that *I* would do something like that? And did you even smell your shampoo? Either you assumed I had done it, or your shampoo already smells awful." 
She hands out the vial to him with a smug, teasing face.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite glares at Sora and finally smirks.  "If you give me back everything and allow me to use your prestidigitation wand to restore the liquids to their proper containers, will you allow me to let you in on a secret?" 
Silverraptor
 "I actually just poured the pine extract in here, but sure." 
She hands him the vial and the wand.
 "And what secret would that be?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite smells the containers to be sure, then puts everything back into their proper places. As he does, he says to Sora,  "Badger has disguised herself as a blonde half-elf for an unknown purpose. Artorias has no idea where she's gone, but I'm sure she'll return before the morning. Do you want to use this knowledge for some entertainment?" 
Silverraptor
Sora raises an eyebrow.
 "She is? Why would she do that? And what do you have in mind?" 
super dark33
 Well it's getting late, I'm off to bed. See you!  Surdrak waves towards the new group. What great people!

He walks to his room and sits on his bed.
Thoughts merge in his mind, memories cloud his vision. He shakes them off and readies himself to sleep....

In his dream, he is in a clearing inside a forest made of razor-sharp coral spires, eight larger ones surrounding the clearing. Rocks and boulders of various sizes dot the landscape.
Surdrak stands on one end. An archway with a swirling dark mass for a door on the other.

  uv ájèd! Niaga maerd taht s'ti ho, I ma erehw?  

Surdrak takes the familiar steps towards the portal. Various seaweeds and plankton form themselves from void to explore their habitat.

Surdrak sees the corpses of Nedivax and Badger.

I may have killed them then, but I didn't. What stopped me?
  Em deppots tahw? T'ndid I tub, neht meht dellik evah yam I.  

The corpses melt into stew, and Surdrak hops over it.
Various spirits continue to form around, and start closing in on the human food that used to be corpses. Each piece of meat and vegetable is enjoyed by the bigger spirits, while the plankton dissolved the liquid into non-existence.

Surdrak stops near the portal, and ogles the markings on the pillars that compose it.

 CREATION. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. DECAY.  

A giant spirit roars from behind Surdrak. He turns around, waves it a hi-goodbye and steps into the portal, leading him to a brand new day.


He wakes up to find that he placed his armor on the sharp object collection instead on its rack.

  Well, it's not like it got dirty there or something.  
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite shrugs.  "I have no idea what her motives could be. And as for having some fun, perhaps some redecoration is in order?" 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Jadeite shrugs.  "I have no idea what her motives could be. And as for having some fun, perhaps some redecoration is in order?"  
 

Sora bends forward, looking mischievous.
 "Do you have certain type of decorations in mind? 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Perhaps a nice natural theme for our urban ranger? Give her a little taste of the swamps surrounding this city and the forests of my home?" 
Silverraptor
 "Intriguing. Lead the way." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I was hoping to trance early tonight, but this prank is too good to resist. I believe the Bogs are only a half-hour walk from here, although..."  He pauses, giving a meaningful look to Sora's holy symbol,  "I suppose it's not that much further to the canal. Do you have any spells that can accelerate plant growth?" 
Silverraptor
 "No, sorry. I don't think I have any of those kind of spells prepared. Do we have a backup plan? 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Of course."  Jadeite procures a bucket from somewhere.  "Would you prefer to go to the canal, a nearby park, or the Bogs?" 
Silverraptor
Sora takes the bucket.
 "Wherever is closer." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I believe the park is closest."  Jadeite motions for Sora to take another bucket.

 
 Spoiler 
I may not be able to post for a while.
 
Athedia
Unknowing of the plans her friends had for her back at the guild Badger changed her appearance.  A short human, dressed in the guards uniform was not lying in the dirt looking through the window.  The human then disappeared.  Anyone who had happened to look through the window at that time would have spotted a guard pop into existence on the stool.  Badger picked up the newspaper and sat down.   "Do they really put prisoners underground?  Well I guess it feels more like home for you two." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger:

"GYAH!"  Nedivax jumps back at Badger's sudden appearance and Belladonna nearly falls back onto the thin threadbare bed.

After a moment they collect themselves and look at Badger suspiciously--especially Belladonna.

 
 Spoiler 
Sense motive:  (d20+8)[ 16 ] 

Bluff or disguise check, your choice. Both are INT-based spellcasters; they're not stupid.
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
+10 from the hat
Disguise:  (1d20+11)[ 23 ] 
 

 "Calm down.  A rumors been going around that you two are siblings?  Also there was a girl outside, tattoos that sorta thing, she was muttering 'bout you two being dog-murdering freaks." 
 
 Spoiler 
Both the truth technically
 
Silverraptor
Sora takes the bucket and heads out to the park.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

Whatever suspicion is on Bella's face is replaced by fear as Badger says that she'd heard a rumor about them.  "Oh noooo,"  she groans in despair,  "It hasn't even been a day and random people already know about us. We really are gonna be the next Cecil!"

"Forget being the next Cecil!"  Nedivax shouts back.  "If that Badger girl is still going on about our skeletons then we won't live that long!"

Sora and Jadeite: 

The normally welcoming park is rather less so in the dark. The utter (well, relatively utter) silence is a massive change from the normal noise and bustle or Runite. Add in the dark and shade, the long shadows cast by trees and the darkness only illuminated by the edges of light from magically powered street lamps nearly a block off, and the whole place feels tense, as if anything could jump out from behind the bushes...

 
 Spoiler 
spot and listen, silver.

Spot:  (d20+4)[ 9 ] 
Listen:  (d20+4)[ 5 ] 
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger: 

Whatever suspicion is on Bella's face is replaced by fear as Badger says that she'd heard a rumor about them.  "Oh noooo,"  she groans in despair,  "It hasn't even been a day and random people already know about us. We really are gonna be the next Cecil!"

"Forget being the next Cecil!"  Nedivax shouts back. [B]"If that Badger girl is still going on about our skeletons then we won't live that long!" 
 

 "Skeletons?  She didn't say anything about that.  Just muttering to her dog, she looked like she liked the animal more than her companions.  Anyway, my question.  How in all the gods names are you two siblings?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger:

"Of course she would,"  Bella mutters, flinging herself backwards on the bed.

Meanwhile, Nedivax rolls his eyes and says, in the tone of someone who has given this speech countless times and is damn tired of giving it,  "When I was a kid my parents ran into Bella somewhere near the Tobeem border. It was winter and she was even younger than I was and all by herself, so they adopted her. So she's my little sister, even if we're technically not related. That's it. No ulterior motive, no weird human sacrifice, no excuse or twisted explanation you guys try to dream up because it's so damn impossible in your minds for a hobgoblin to adopt a human kid just because they want to. That's all there is to it." 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Sora and Jadeite:[/B]

The normally welcoming park is rather less so in the dark. The utter (well, relatively utter) silence is a massive change from the normal noise and bustle or Runite. Add in the dark and shade, the long shadows cast by trees and the darkness only illuminated by the edges of light from magically powered street lamps nearly a block off, and the whole place feels tense, as if anything could jump out from behind the bushes...

 
 Spoiler 
spot and listen, silver.

Spot:  (1d20+3)[ 8 ] 
Listen:  (1d20+3)[ 18 ] 
 
 
 

Sora shivers a bit as they enter the dark park.

 
 Spoiler 
Spot:  (1d20+3)[ 8 ] 
Listen:  (1d20+3)[ 18 ] 
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger:

"Of course she would,"  Bella mutters, flinging herself backwards on the bed.

Meanwhile, Nedivax rolls his eyes and says, in the tone of someone who has given this speech countless times and is damn tired of giving it,  "When I was a kid my parents ran into Bella somewhere near the Tobeem border. It was winter and she was even younger than I was and all by herself, so they adopted her. So she's my little sister, even if we're technically not related. That's it. No ulterior motive, no weird human sacrifice, no excuse or twisted explanation you guys try to dream up because it's so damn impossible in your minds for a hobgoblin to adopt a human kid just because they want to. That's all there is to it."  
 

 "So was what she said true?  You killed dogs?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Sora and Jadeite: 

There's a jangling, shuffling noise off to the side that Sora picks up on. Swiftly turning her head, she can't make out much of anything through the gloom.

 
 Spoiler 
Low-light vision or darkvision would let you see it, or you can move closer, or point our what you heard to Jadeite.
 

 Badger: 

Nedivax and Bella again look at Badger with suspicion. The hobgoblin asks,  "...Did she put you up to this?" 
Athedia
 "No.  Just can't see why someone would do that.  Plenty of crocs in the sewers, probably stronger too.  Speaking of which, why isn't your sister gagged?  I heard she was a magic user, the ones that don't need any book." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger:

"We did, but while they're stronger, they're not as fast. And it's different, with skeleton dogs. They..."  He trails off, and mutters something harsh and guttural in his native tongue before returning to common.  "Flesh ages and weakens, but old bones stay strong. You wouldn't understand." 

In response to Badger's query about why Bella isn't gagged, she simply turns around. Now Badger can get a good look at her hands, which are firmly bound behind her back in some sort of mechanism that prevents somatic spellcasting.
Athedia
 "Oh."   Badger wanted to gloat, to feel glad that these two were locked up.  But even though she had wanted them here her stomach felt ill at seeing the device on Belladonna's hands.  She didn't know what exactly made that feel worse to her than preventing her from speaking, but she couldn't help but anxiously rub her wrists, as though they chaffed from the same bindings.

 "Look, I doubt they will keep you both here long.  A few months, at most a few years.  Just promise me that when you get out you will not kill anything, even if you think the creature will not be missed.  Can you do that?"   The short guard faced away from them, staring at the wall.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger:

"A few years..."  Bella starts to laugh, darkly.

 "I'm not going to guarantee anything,"  Nedivax says.  "And what you're suggesting is impossible. Are you saying I should never raise a hand in defense? Do what I will with my own? Become a vegetarian?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger:

"A few years..."  Bella starts to laugh, darkly.

 "I'm not going to guarantee anything,"  Nedivax says.  "And what you're suggesting is impossible. Are you saying I should never raise a hand in defense? Do what I will with my own? Become a vegetarian?"  
 

Badger closed her eyes.   "It is better than life.  As for your question, not to that extreme.  But don't take something off the streets and assume it will not be missed.  There is always someone who will miss it." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

There's a pause as Nedivax and Belladonna look at each other. And then, a tired voice.  "I'll keep to my own." 
Athedia
Her fists clenched, better but still not enough for her to forgive them.   "Let the animals die a natural death.  There are plenty of dead on the streets, I have seen the cleaning wagons gather them, people toss them in wells.  No-one should die before their time, especially not a dog.  I have never met a dog that will betray you." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger:

"How is it a betrayal?"  Nedivax looks genuinely confused.  "Even if it is before their time, their time is old and weak. But bone is always strong. We are...assuring eternal loyalty,"  he says after some time searching for the word.

 
 Spoiler 
He's still killing dogs and reanimating their, and yeah I'd have a problem with it too. I think it's interesting to look at the different morality though.

Okay, I need to go to bed. Night!
 
Athedia
 "No you ensure servitude.  A dog is loyal when they have the choice.  Eternal servitude... do you even understand what that means?"   Her fists tightened and shoulders began to shake a little.
Silverraptor
Sora jumps at the sound. She quickly points in the direction its coming from.
 "I hear something over there!" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger:

"They are much the same for dogs, and we do release them after a time, when even the bone grows weak."  Nedivax shakes his head.  Forget it, we'll never agree with each other."

Sora and Jadeite: 

Jadeite approaches where Sora is pointing, and Sora cautiously follows...

And they come across a half-orc panhandler, napping under a tree and jangling a nearly-empty cup with a few bronze and silver pieces in it.  "Spare some change?"  he asks.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger:

"They are much the same for dogs, and we do release them after a time, when even the bone grows weak."  Nedivax shakes his head. [B]Forget it, we'll never agree with each other." 
 

 "Then you have never known a dog.  Raise one, not for your tests but for a companion." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger:

"They're not for tests; it is our tradition and an honor on them to--oh, forget it."  Nedivax turns away from Badger and goes to sit on the other bed, petting his ferret familiar.

 
 Spoiler 
I wonder how Badger would respond to people who eat dogs.
 
Silverraptor
 "Uhhh..." 
She leans closer to Jadeite to whisper to him.
 "Is he okay?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Sora and Jadeite: 
 "You've never seen a beggar before?"  Jadeite asks as he begins collecting stray leaves and moss and duckweed from around and inside a nearby pond.  "They're homeless and jobless people who get by on handouts and charity. Of course, many use the money for drugs and prostitutes instead of legitimate needs like food or shelter. It's up to you to believe him." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger:

"They're not for tests; it is our tradition and an honor on them to--oh, forget it."  Nedivax turns away from Badger and goes to sit on the other bed, petting his ferret familiar.

 
 Spoiler 
I wonder how Badger would respond to people who eat dogs.
 
 
 

 "How is killing them an honor?  Why not use the ones already dead?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger:

"We do as well,"  he says, not even bothering to turn around.

 
 Spoiler 
In case it's not clear what he does, his tribe has a tradition of skeletonizing their old, dead, and dying dogs, and yes, that includes killing the ones not already dead. The skeleton dogs then serve their necromancer masters. They consider it an honor, and a measure of respect--the dogs' bones can continue their faithful service to their masters even when their bodies are unable to do so, and they can still be useful guardians.

Obviously we'd consider it abhorrent and unacceptable, but he doesn't. And neither does Belladonna.
 
Athedia
Badger still hated the idea of killing dogs.  But for some reason, Nedivax's talk made sense, she didn't understand it that was true, but she no longer felt the anger she had before.   "I do not understand your traditions.  But I don't understand the mages in their colleges, the clerics in their temples or the artisans in their shops either." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger:

"And I do not understand your repugnance, though it seems like this reaction is common here."  he turns around now, and his expression seems to be a bit softer.  "I suppose I have much to learn about your traditions as well."

"so do I,"  says Bella.  "I may be your sister, but, uh, actually I have sometimes wondered what humans and humans from Tobeem are like too."  She's almost apologetic as she says it.

 
 Spoiler 
ill soon be gone for most of the night.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger:

"And I do not understand your repugnance, though it seems like this reaction is common here."  he turns around now, and his expression seems to be a bit softer.  "I suppose I have much to learn about your traditions as well."

"so do I,"  says Bella.  "I may be your sister, but, uh, actually I have sometimes wondered what humans and humans from Tobeem are like too."  She's almost apologetic as she says it.

 
 Spoiler 
ill soon be gone for most of the night.
 
 
 

Badger turned around and faced the two.   "Tobeem...." 
The short guard was melting away, growing taller and reverting to a more familiar form.  Badger, now in her real form looked at Belladonna.    "And I wouldn't worry about being the next Cecil.  That gallows calls for names far more guilty than yours." 

Which a quick word Badger disappeared from the cell, popping back up beside the window.  She looked through the window at the backs of Belladonna and Nedivax before standing up and brushing away the dirt.  The hat, now looking like a plain clip was slid into her front pocket as she walked away.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

Belladonna and Nedivax stare in utter shock and silence, their eyes bulging out of their heads as Badger walks away. When badger looks back in the window, they're still staring at the empty space where she just was.

 
 Spoiler 
Silver, you ready to continue? Athedia, you mind if I hold off on Badger's return until the prank is set up?
 

 Jadeite and Sora: 

It's dark and hard to tell, but Jadeite and Sora seem to be by a small pond in the park. Soft and slippery moss runs over the rocks into the pond, algae and lily pads and tiny green duckweed completely cover the surface near the shore. There are many trees nearby, and leaves and sticks and pebbles lie by their roots. The half-orc beggar appears to be lying against one of the larger trees.

Jadeite continues putting leaves and muddy sticks and...something else under the sticks that makes him smirk into the bucket. When the beggar shakes his cup again, he turns around. Normally most people in Runite would walk past the man, or drop some change into the cup and keep walking. But Jadeite hasn't had too many encounters with beggars before.

 "Spare a few coppers for a meal? Please?"  he asks Jadeite and Sora.

 
 Spoiler 
What are you going to do? And describe whatever you want to put in the bucket too, please!
 
Silverraptor
Sora looks over her shoulder at the orc, paralyzed by indecision.
 "S-Should we do something for him?" 
 
 Spoiler 
I don't know what to add to her bucket collection. This is Jadeite's prank after all.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "If you want to give him some money or food, feel free. I'd rather give the food than money." 
 
 Spoiler 
Swampy and plant stuff. leaves, grass, flowers, moss, duckweed, you name it as long as it's not too dirty.
 
Silverraptor
 "I...I didn't bring any food with me." 
She absentmindedly grabs random foliage and stuff to put in her bucket.
CoffeeIncluded
After a pause, Jadeite sighs and puts a couple copper pieces in the tin cup.  "You would never let me hear the end of it if I did nothing,"  Jadeite says to sora.

 
 Spoiler 
ill be gone for a bit--mind if I do the description of the prank later?
 
Silverraptor
Sora shrugs, unsure of herself.

 
 Spoiler 
Yeah, sure. Have fun.🙂
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Sora and Jadeite:

"Thank you,"  the half-orc croaks as Sora and Jadeite finish filling their buckets with assorted plant material, most of it rather wet. It's completely dark now, and they head out of the too-quiet park and back into the safety of the guild as quickly as possible.

As they slow and approach Badger's room, Jadeite grins and whips something out of his pocket.  "Look what I found. I believe Badger and Naga will appreciate this gift most of all, don't you think?" 
 
 Spoiler: Sora only, Please 
Jadeite is holding a rather large frog in his hands.

So, how would you like to redecorate the room? Do you have any suggestions? I'll put them in the next post when we're all done, so we can all move forward to tomorrow! This should be entertaining.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias spends the rest of the night drinking and chatting with Natasha and her team, he had worked with Sergei before and thus was happy to catch up. He also chats with Mika. He eventually goes back to his room and  continues working on the spellbook translation before finally retiring to sleep, blissfully unaware of his companions' schemes.

 
 Spoiler 
sorry for my lack of posting, hell of a weekend, and this is just to advance Artorias' part in the game.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Artorias: 

Natasha seems to be doing well, and is quickly making friends with everyone in her group, even the normally aloof Sergei. As he finally goes to bed, he still doesn't see Badger.

 Badger: 

Naga's lying outside Badger's door; he starts wagging his tail and jumping up on her the moment she's in eyeshot. It takes several minutes to get the wiggling, deliriously happy basset hound off her so she can enter the room.

Badger smells it before she sees it. The entire room smells like pond water. And it looks like the side of a pond. Twigs crunch underfoot as she steps inside. The chair and desk are littered with leaves, both fresh and decaying, though there aren't any leaves by documents or water-vulnerable items on the desk. Fresh grass is strewn all over the floor--not strewn, because the word strewn implies that it was carelessly thrown about, when someone took the time to artfully lay out the grass in neat rows.

And then there's Badger's bed. A second blanket, a sheet of algae, pond scum, and soft green moss has been laid over the first blanket of cotton. The pillows are encased in duckweed and lilypads, with various flowers woven in between the layers of still-wet plant life. Most of the flowers are some shade of light purple or pink. And in the center of it all, on top of the largest, still-damp lily pad, is a large green bullfrog.
Athedia
Badger looked at her room.  This was not what she had wanted to come home to.  Especially not after tonight.  She had wanted to lose herself in sleep.  Sighing she walked away from her room, she would go to Leif for yet another move in the morning.

Going down to the kennels she gathered some straw and slept on the ground with the dogs.  They acted as a warm, if somewhat squirmy blanket.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

The next morning is rather uneventful. Badger actually sleeps surprisingly well, though when she wakes her back is somewhat itchy from the straw and her face is a bit wet from where naga and the other dogs have licked her. David comes down soon after and his dog, a large pit bull mix, bounds out of the straw and runs to him. He pets his dog, but looks over at Badger.

 "What are you doing, sleeping here?"

Jadeite and Sora: 

Jadeite trances and prepares his spells as normal, but when he finishes he presses an ear to the wall, listening in on Badger's room. He hears nothing but the occasional bullfrog's croak. With a frown he heads over to Sora's room and knocks on the door.

 Everyone else: 

Everyone wakes without incident, although everyone wakes early. With good reason--today's the day of the concert, and there are a lot of errands to get done before that.

 
 Spoiler 
i figure we can finish up this arc in the next few days. What do you think?
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger: 

The next morning is rather uneventful. Badger actually sleeps surprisingly well, though when she wakes her back is somewhat itchy from the straw and her face is a bit wet from where naga and the other dogs have licked her. David comes down soon after and his dog, a large pit bull mix, bounds out of the straw and runs to him. He pets his dog, but looks over at Badger.

[B]"What are you doing, sleeping here?" 
 


Badger stretched reaching up to pull Naga onto her lap.   "People like to mess with my room.  I got back last night and it was a swamp.  I guess another room transfer is in order." 
super dark33
After taking his chain shirt off the collection, Surdrak dresses up in his gambson and long cloak.

He applies some of the perfume he bought before the golem incident, only because it was there and his.

He gets out and smells the odour emanating from Badger's room, and gets inside.

A happy smile spreads across his face as he sees the lovely swamp, and the smile gets even bigger as he sees the fat toad. He walks inside and picks it up.

 Awww, who are you and what are you doing here and why? 

Surdrak embraces the toad, rubbing it against his cheek.

 Ill call you Peter Molyneux. 

Surdrak gets downstairs with the toad still in his arms.

Spirit fragments from his sleep still haunted his vision.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

David frowns, but it can't conceal the hint of a grin.  "That sucks. Though the visual is kinda funny. Do you know who did it?" 
 Surdrak: 

The bullfrog croaks as Surdrak picks it up.

 
 Spoiler 
you want to take pond stuff from the room to build an aquarium for him?
 
super dark33
But before he takes a step towards the first stair, Surdrak twirls 180 degrees in his place and gets back into Badger's room.

 Ill make you a nice aquarium to live in Peter, I declere you an official guildmember! 
Athedia
 "Probably Deathboy.  Damn Pointy seems to have it out for me.  First it was a rotting pig, now this.  And it was not amusing.  Not in the slightest, I had just wanted to go home and sleep.  Especially after last night."   Badger scratched both Naga and David's dogs behind their ears.   "What's his name again?  I remember one like him called Bax, but was that his father?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 
Surdrak finds all sorts of things for Peter the bullfrog--leaves, twigs, duckweed, lily pads, water from a dog dish and a bucket to put it all in.

 Badger:

"Maybe he likes your reaction when he pranks you? Or he doesn't realize how much he bothers you when he does it? I doubt he's being malicious."  Of course David wouldn't think that; he's an optimist who tends to see and think the best of people. The pit bull mix pants happily as Badger scratches her, and Naga barks.

 "Nah, that's not her name. She's Cass." 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias awakens with a very mild hadache, he didn't drink that much but he did went to bed rather late.He the best course of action would be getting a glass of water and if that doesn't help he can always ask Sora for a healing spell, if they work on cuts and bruises it should also work with headaches. .. or at least he hopes so.

Artorias runs into Surdrak as he madkes his ways to the mess hall, he does a double takes when he notices the Warlock carrying a bullfrog and what seems to be a miniature swamp in a bucket.

 "Morning! Umm Surdrak, why do you have a bullfrog?   thinking it through he quickly amends "On a second thought, don't answer that." 
Athedia
 "I guess Bax was her father then.  Or I think he might have been, she looks just like he did."   She looked down at the happy dogs.

 "I don't know.  I think he thought he was funny.  It's probably because he caught me doing a private job last night." 

She looked around the kennel at the dogs.   "You think Leif would let me live down here?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

Cass suddenly kneels into a play now, and Naga responds by chasing the much larger dog all around the room, kicking up hay and dust as they chase each other.

 "Probably. Did the job have anything to do with a swamp?"  He looks at their dogs chasing each other.  "I don't think Leif would let you live down here unless you were a dog yourself. I've thought the same thing myself sometimes too." 
Athedia
 "Well some of the people I have caught have called me a b***h.  Does that count?  And no it didn't. I wasn't in the Bogs at all." 
super dark33
 Good morning it is Artorias, ill ignore you please and answer anyway. A stench rose from Badgers room, and when i went inside i found that it was redecorated as a swamp, with this Bullfrog-Peter Molyneux- sitting on the top of her pillow. Badger was nowhere to be found. Suspects are either Jadeite or myself, though the arrengment of the moss seemed quite proffesional, so i wont exclude Sora. 
 Surdrak rubs his chin, Peter Molyneux makes a huge
 CROOOAACK. 
 Though i wouldnt disregard a joint effort. 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Well some of the people I have caught have called me a b***h.  Does that count?  And no it didn't. I wasn't in the Bogs at all."  
 

David blinks.  "Yeah, I guess that counts. Can't say Id blame them though, if your arresting them. And huh. That is unusual. Maybe he was taking advantage of the materials at hand?" 
 
 Spoiler: Surdrak and Artorias 
im just gonna let you guys talk.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by super dark33 
  Good morning it is Artorias, ill ignore you please and answer anyway. A stench rose from Badgers room, and when i went inside i found that it was redecorated as a swamp, with this Bullfrog-Peter Molyneux- sitting on the top of her pillow. Badger was nowhere to be found. Suspects are either Jadeite or myself, though the arrengment of the moss seemed quite proffesional, so i wont exclude Sora. 
 Surdrak rubs his chin, Peter Molyneux makes a huge
 CROOOAACK. 
 Though i wouldnt disregard a joint effort.  
 

Artorias just stands there dumbfounded  "That... That wasn't what I was expecting at all.  the warblade sighs  ""Is it really that much to ask for someone here to behave like an adult?" 
super dark33
 Yes. Well I'm going to put Peter Molyneux in my room first, then I'll come to breakfast. 
Silverraptor
Sora sleepy comes to the door in a flashy night dress. She yawns and tries to rub the sleep out of her eyes.
 "What's up?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Sora: 

Jadeite decides to get straight to the point.  "Badger was not in her room this morning, not last night when I finished my trance. And both my room and trance were left undisturbed. I honestly believed she would attempt a retaliatory prank. Did you hear her return or leave her room last night?"  
Silverraptor
Sora blinks through her half closed eyes.
 "I just woke up. I have no idea where Badger or anyone else is for that matter." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Should I search for her myself then?" 
Silverraptor
 "If you give me some time, I can get dressed." 
She sounds a little annoyed and impatient.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by super dark33 
  Yes. Well I'm going to put Peter Molyneux in my room first, then I'll come to breakfast.  
 

 "Uhhh OK then"  Artorias decides that just going with it would be best for his sanity, so he continues his way to the mess hall.
super dark33
Surdrak looked inside his room for a clear space to put Peter Molyneux's bucket in.

Eventuently he placed it in a corner.

 Farewell Peter. 

Surdrak sees Sora and Jadeite on the way down.
He greets them, but expects no response as he keeps walking.
 Sunrise, friends! 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Okay, I'll be back in a few minutes,"  Jadeite says as he leaves Sora's room to check on Badger's.

 "What the?"  he steps back and takes a quick look in his own room.  "The frog isn't in my room, so Badger wasn't here..."  He closes the door, shutting himself in badger's room.

A few minutes later he reappears and waits outside Sora's room. When she's dressed they head down to the mess hall, where breakfast is being served.

 "Good morning, Surdrak. Any particular reason you're so chipper today?"  he asks the warlock.

(As Surdrak had left his room, Peter the bullfrog had stared at him, then snagged a fly out of the air and gulped it down.)

 
 Spoiler 
is everyone getting breakfast? Athedia, where's badger?
 
Athedia
Badger had her backpack and the change from her purchase last night as she snuck out of the guild and over the back wall, Naga squirming in her pack.  She found a nearby bar and put down some coin for breakfast.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger:  

No bars are open at this hour, but there's a small cafe not too far away. It's a small cozier place, with several different varieties of coffee for sale, along with half a dozen types of muffins, pastries filled with jam, toast, and eggs that can be scrambled with mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, or cheese.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger:  

No bars are open at this hour, but there's a small cafe not too far away. It's a small cozier place, with several different varieties of coffee for sale, along with half a dozen types of muffins, pastries filled with jam, toast, and eggs that can be scrambled with mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, or cheese. 
 

All Badger wanted after last night was a good beer.  Coffee just never did it for her.  She gestured to the toast getting a plateful.  She dropped a piece on the floor as she let Naga out of the bag.  As the cafe's owner gave the dog a nasty look Badger glared back at her.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

The toast is whole grain, rough and brown yet thick and hearty, and it comes with an orange butter and assorted jams. As Naga scarfs down a piece of the bread he sits next to Badger and stares at her with his big brown eyes, letting out a little whine for more.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger: 

The toast is whole grain, rough and brown yet thick and hearty, and it comes with an orange butter and assorted jams. As Naga scarfs down a piece of the bread he sits next to Badger and stares at her with his big brown eyes, letting out a little whine for more. 
 

Badger dropped another scrap of toast for Naga before leaning back and relaxing.  She wondered what the others were thinking. Art had seemed concerned about her disappearance last night, but would the others even notice.  She stood up, leaving the payment on the table and walked out.

Once on the streets she decided to pay some people a visit.  She headed toward the location she had followed the little halfling child.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

There's a slight problem. Badger isn't sure where the halfling boy--Emil, she thinks his name is--lives. She's pretty sure it's somewhere by Necal, or maybe a bit southwest of there, but beyond that she isn't sure.

 Everyone else: 
 "Has anyone seen Badger?"  Jadeite asks over a breakfast of steaming hot oatmeal with honey and cream and strawberries.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias glares at Jadeite over his breakfast, some toast and eggs.  "I haven't seen her, but I do know that someone converted her room into a swamp, you don't know anything about that do you?" 
Athedia
Badger wandered the street she remembered seeing the boy on for a while before giving up.  She had other stops to make.  The first one was to an address she still had not removed from her pouch, Brent's family.
CoffeeIncluded
 Artorias: 

Jadeite starts whistling innocently. It's not very convincing.

 Athedia: 

A few minutes after Badger knocks on the door, she hears a tired,  "Who's there?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Mind if I do this after dinner and I can look at my notes? This was nearly a year ago after all and I need to do a bit of digging.
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
That is fine.
 

 "I don't know if you remember me.  I am Badger from Leif's guild." 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias just sighs  "I don't know if Badger has seen it yet or not, but she has seen Leif about this prank war, so I suggest you tell whoever was behind it to clean it up before she sees it" 
Silverraptor
Sora chokes for a moment on her oatmeal, but recovers quickly. She however stares intently at the bowl of oatmeal she is eating without looking up.
CoffeeIncluded
 Everyone but Badger: 

Jadeite pauses and gives Sora a sidelong glance.  "I'll be sure to pass on the message,"  he says cautiously.

 Badger: 

There's two doorknobs on this door, and as the door opens, Badger looks down at Brent's mother. She looks tired, with bags under her eyes, and there's a weariness about her. Nevertheless, there's a warmth about her, and she welcomes Badger into her house without hesitation. It's small, and feels like it should be cozier than it is. But right now it feels a little empty.

 "Of course I remember you, Badger?"  she says with warmth, kindness, and more than a little sadness.  "How could I forget everything you've done?" 
Athedia
 "I was just wondering if you needed anything done?  Errands, anything really.  Even if you just need some company?"   Badger stood awkwardly in the doorway of the house, holding Naga back with her foot.  She felt bad for Brent's family, he had been so young.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

Brent's mother seems to warm and thaw from Badger's request, and she looks up at the ranger with a smile.  "Of course you can. Here, sit, sit,"  She leads Badger to a small couch inches off the ground, and leaves to the kitchen. A sharp whine pierces the air, and in a few minutes Brent's mother returns with tea with a nice scent of berries.

 "It was his favorite,"  she says, before her voice breaks off.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger: 

Brent's mother seems to warm and thaw from Badger's request, and she looks up at the ranger with a smile.  "Of course you can. Here, sit, sit,"  She leads Badger to a small couch inches off the ground, and leaves to the kitchen. A sharp whine pierces the air, and in a few minutes Brent's mother returns with tea with a nice scent of berries.

 "It was his favorite,"  she says, before her voice breaks off. 
 

Badger looked at the low couch and settled on the floor next to it, afraid of breaking the smaller furniture.   "I am sorry I never knew him.  I would have gone to the funeral, but I was on a job." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

Brent's father appears and provides a cushion for Badger to sit on. The tea is hot and sweet and tastes of berries.

 "You and your friends caught his murderer,"  he says.  "You did all you could." 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Everyone but Badger: 

Jadeite pauses and gives Sora a sidelong glance.  "I'll be sure to pass on the message,"  he says cautiously. 
 

Artorias decides to leave the situation.... for now. He finishes his meal and clears his voice  "Ok guys as you should know, today is a big day and I want to make sure things go as smoothly as possible ok? That means we will be on our  best   he makes sure to empathize  best   behavior. I also want everyone to be on guard." 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite nods, as his mouth is full of oatmeal. When he swallows, he asks,  "Do you honestly think somebody will cause a commotion or start a fight?" 

EDIT: Looking through his spellbook, the elf eventually says,  "If you believe some sort of incident will happen, what do you propose we do? We can't exactly walk into the theater armed." 
CoffeeIncluded
Almost as if on cue, Leif himself enters the cafeteria and walks to a small platform to the right of the serving stations. There are a few dozen guildmembers also having breakfast or entering the cafeteria right now, but it doesn't seem like every single member of the guild (around a hundred total, last time you can remember) is in the room. Evidently Leif sees whatever he's going to say next as important, but not urgent enough to warrant calling a mandatory guild-wide meeting.

 
 Spoiler 
Gonna give you guys a chance to talk and speculate, then after I do some more GRE practice I'll post.
 


EDIT:

 Badger: 

Naga sneezes and sends up a small cloud of dust. As Badger drinks the berry tea she notices that the living room seems to be extremely dusty, and in fact the front entrance is rather dirty, as if it hasn't been cleaned in some time.
super dark33
 Oooh! Leif's going to speak! What can he announce about? cant be the Mercenry of the month, thats in about a week or so. 

Surdrak folded pieces of bacon and a slices of cheese into themselves around small tomatos, and pierced them with a toothpick.
Athedia
 "Do you have a broom?  I think Naga and I tracked some dirt in.  One of the hazards of my line of work."   Badger picked up a small broom from the corner and knelt to sweep the front entrance.  She had not done this in so very long, but while before it had been something she hated this time she was glad to do it.  Odd how doing the same thing for different people could make such a difference.   "I need to get some food for the guild, do you need anything while I am out that way?" 
Silverraptor
Sora looks at Jadeite as Leif steps up in front of them. Her eyes are squinted and giving him a look saying "You had to drag me into this, didn't you?"
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger:

"You don't have to..."  the halfling woman starts saying, but Badger's already sweeping and cleaning the entrance to the house and working her way in. The moment Badger says she'll go shopping too, she immediately picks up a rag and bucket and hands them to her husband, who runs out to fill the bucket with water.

 "Bless you." 
 more later.  
Draconi Redfir
At some point Elsee wanders into the cafitiria of the guild hall, having slept in late, randomnly grabbing some food off of someone's plate and shoving it into her mouth before taking a seat next to the others.

 "mornin" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Everyone but Badger: 

The young man with the long black hair glares at Elsee as she swipes a pastry off his plate and shoves it into her mouth. Meanwhile, onstage, Leif coughs and projects his voice out for everyone to hear.

 "Attention, everybody! I wanted to let you all know that lately I've been hearing isolated reports of conflict between the humanoids and Plavaan here in the city. Evidently the vote against Dierdre and the whole Cecil thing had a rather large effect on many peoples' sentiments. But that's not an excuse, and I will not tolerate any behavior like that in my guild. Not that I think you'd join in on such racist attitudes; I know you're all better than that."  He looks around the room and gives a nod in everyone's general direction.

 "But that doesn't mean you should sit idly by whenever you see anyone harassing anyone else, and I won't tolerate that either! If you see something, I expect you to report it and handle it like the upstanding mature citizens you are!"  There are nods and shouts of affirmation that Leif lets die down before he continues.  "Anyway, on that note, Artorias and his guild here have arranged for an orc ceremony to be performed onstage for the whole city to see! In fact, Artorias has helped fund this on his own silver, and I've been given several tickets to distribute to you all. If any of you have free time, just see me or Artorias or anyone else in his party; I've seen ceremonies like this before and I'm sure it will be an unforgettable experience."  He gives some details and the name of the theater that the performance is being held at, before giving his thanks and leaving the stage to short applause.
Dusk Eclipse
 Errr.... he just put me on the spotlight didn't he? 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I think he thrust all of us into the center of attention." 
 
 Spoiler 
Do you guys have a group name left?
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger:

"You don't have to..."  the halfling woman starts saying, but Badger's already sweeping and cleaning the entrance to the house and working her way in. The moment Badger says she'll go shopping too, she immediately picks up a rag and bucket and hands them to her husband, who runs out to fill the bucket with water.

 "Bless you."  
 

 "I am just cleaning up the mess I made.  What are you low on?" 
super dark33
 Shush. 
 
 Spoiler 
The Elite Guild.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I am just cleaning up the mess I made.  What are you low on?"  
 

Brent's mother embraces Badger.  "Oh honey, it wasn't your fault." 

His father chooses this moment to come back in, lugging a pail full of water and a dishrag. He immediately sets to taking another one and scrubbing down the lower areas set in with grease.

After several moments, the halfling woman says,  "I suppose we're out of fresh goods." 
 
 Spoiler 
I literally slept three hours last night. I'm ****ing exhausted.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Everyone but Badger: 

Moments after Leif leaves the entire group finds themselves nearly swarmed by a couple dozen guild members, all looking to buy a ticket and asking for directions and the time of the performance. It starts about an hour before sunset, and will end as the last of the sunlight fades under the horizon.

There's a whole day to prepare for that though, and as the party scatters around the city, distributing flyers, tickets, and interest, they're met with a variety of responses. Most people just keep walking, and more than a few react with slurs, curses, and in Elsee's case, a glob of spit. But some people do show interest, people of all races, and by the evening everyone's sold their tickets.

And badgers still nowhere to be seen.

 
 Spoiler 
anyone want to roleplay selling the tickets?  Gonna wait for badger before going much further.
 
super dark33
Surdrak went back to his room, to check his fancy outfit again.
It probably had some stench on it, better borrow that prestidigation wand.

 Peter Molyneux! what a magnificent beast you are! 
 CROAAAAAAAAAK. 

Surdrak rubbed Peter Molyneux's chin, while checking if his fancy perfume still existed.
And it still does! he thought he had used it all already!
Oh he never been to an Orc ceremony!

But to pass the time, he sat down, and started drawing the void, with all the spirits flying around.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20)[ 4 ]  Craft arts
 


It ends up looking like a black mess with a few white blobs.
A  4  year old couldve done better.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Brent's mother embraces Badger.  "Oh honey, it wasn't your fault." 

His father chooses this moment to come back in, lugging a pail full of water and a dishrag. He immediately sets to taking another one and scrubbing down the lower areas set in with grease.

After several moments, the halfling woman says,  "I suppose we're out of fresh goods." 
[/SPOILER] 
 

Badger stood up, clapping off her hands.   "Well then, I guess since I was going to go that way anyway I might as well grab you some.  What exactly did you want?" 
 
 Spoiler 
AKA what is in season I will make a short post and then return to the group.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

Peter closes his eyes and lifts his head so Surdrak can scratch under his chin more efficiently. He watches silently as Surdrak starts painting the void, the eldritch creatures he made his warlock pact with. And as he paints, the drawings seem to start shuddering on the canvas, starting to twitch and undulate as a far-away ringing begins to echo between his ears.

Then with a loud croak, Peter leaps onto Surdrak's head. Surdrak instinctively jerks his hand up, slashing a broad streak of paint up the painting. With a snap, the spirits still and the ringing abruptly stops.

 Badger: 
 "Crab and scallop,"  she says.  "I make excellent endcatch stew. Why don't you stay for dinner?" 

Brent's mother, Marisa, is actually a lovely woman. Her husband, Norton, is a bit more taciturn, but equally affable once he warms up. They slip into easy conversation, and Naga's presence seems to cheer them up. Especially since Marisa and Norton are both short enough for Naga to easily lick their faces. Apparently Brent's friends have been coming over to provide company, but every single time, it just gets too sad after a few hours. But they're slowly getting better, moving forward if not on.

Marisa is very good at showing Badger how to select the freshest shellfish, how to tell what vegetables are at their ripest. It smells delicious as they head back to her house, even though none of it's cooked.
Athedia
Badger looked at Naga and smiled.  She was starting to relax here, even though she had only come to help they had ended up helping her as well.  As she helped  Marisa prepare the stew she realized she had that other than David had seen her that day.   "Marisa, I would love to stay for dinner, but I have to run right afterward.  I needed a break from people last night and did not return to my room last night so no-one knows where I am.  I don't want them worrying." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 
 "Of course, Badger."  Marisa smiles as she drops the last of the crushed garlic and pepper into the thick stew and stirs it in. It looks thicker than the endcatch stew the street vendors peddle, and she can see larger chunks of assorted fish and vegetables bobbing up and down in the broth. There's a lot of stew in there, enough for a few days at least. Maybe even more because they're both halflings.

She scoops out a large bowl for Badger, and gives a couple scallops to Naga, who scarfs them down and begs for more. As they eat, they talk, and eventually Norton sniffs and wipes his eyes.

 "I can't thank you enough for coming over today. It...it means a lot to me. Please, come back whenever you want. Our door will always be open for you."

"It'll always be open to your friends as well,"  Marisa says.
super dark33
 HORRID FIEEEEEND! 

Surdrak drops the brush and grasps Peter Molyneux off his head.

He opens his mouth as if to yell, but immidietly closes it and embraces Peter.
Athedia
Badger said her goodbyes and thanked them again.  Promising to visit when she had the time.  Slipping over the back wall of the guild again she lifted herself on to the balcony of her room ready to clean it.  Tired out she looked inside to survey the work she had to do.
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

Peter lets out a long croak.

 Badger: 

When Badger returns to her room, she expects the swamp to be there, probably festering with mosquitoes.

It's not.

When Badger returns to her room, she sees that her room is clean. Actually, it's more than clean, it's spot lee. It's the cleanest her room has been in a very long time. Her clothes are cleaned and folded, her bed is made, and Naga's shredded hair has been swept out of the corners where it's been collecting. The only remains of the swamp are the grasses and flowers in a glass vase.
Athedia
  Silence speaks louder I see   Badger set Naga down on the floor and quickly freshened up and changed out of the clothes she had slept in.  She felt better now, like she could see people again.

Heading down the stairs she went to Leif to apologize for her absence, Naga at her heels.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

Leif just shakes his head and says,  "Honestly I think it's best to not ask about what you guys are up to by now. Everyone else is near the theater." 
Athedia
 "Theater?  Why, Surdrak taken up that as well?"   Badger meant it as a joke, but his cooking had not been that bad.  It had been quite tasty actually, maybe a drama.  Theater wasn't in her tastes but Surdrak could be in a drama.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

Leif sighs.  "For the Orc ceremony Artorias helped organize." 
 
 Spoiler 
check your Facebook. Mithril should have 4263.15 gp. And she does.
 
CoffeeIncluded
It takes Badger the better part of an hour to rush to the theater where the performance is supposed to be. It's getting dark now, and she can see the Omnicart rushing by her, going in the opposite direction. And yes, her name is on it. But eventually she makes it to the theater. It's not hard to spot. It's especially busy today, and the crowd outside seems to be especially loud. Actually, it's split into two factions, and the one on the right appears to be yelling at everyone entering the theater. As Badger goes inside, she hears what the second group, all humanoids, is shouting. It consists mostly of insults, slurs, and some variant of  "Don't give yourself over to that evil!" . Many of them seem drunk, and the rest are angry. Honestly, its' a bit hard to tell the difference. A couple of guardsmen keep the peace; Severa is among them.

Regardless, when Badger descends the steps into the theater, she sees her teammates standing outside the auditorium, distributing tickets amongst themselves. After a moment, they turn around and see Badger standing there.

 "Where have you been?"  Jadeite asks after a blink.

A few moments later, Orovis and Yerrik, the two orcs who went to Artorias for help in the first place, walk of a changing room in back. They're dressed in the traditional garb of their tribe, all specially pressed and cleaned for this performance. They smile, and greet Artorias and everyone warmly.

 "The theater is nearly full,"  Orovis says.  "Even with the humanoids outside, Plavaan and humanoids are both sitting in the theater. I cannot thank you enough for what you have done." 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias just smiles "It was our pleasure" 
CoffeeIncluded
The shouting outside becomes louder as someone--an elf--enters the theater. Giving a nod to the group, he checks his ticket and heads inside. And with that, Orovis says,  "I hope that this will bring humanoids and Plavaan closer together. If my son can be friends with a halfling boy, then perhaps we shall see more of this in the future, and there will be no more yelling and fighting and calling each other subhuman and pinkskins." 
CoffeeIncluded
The group continues chatting amiably for a while before a bell rings in back.  "The show is about to begin. You should find your seat,"  Yerrik says before he and his older brother head to the back.

The auditorium is dark, but Badger, Artorias, Jadeite, Sora, Elsee, and Surdrak are able to easily find their seats. After all, they've already been set aside, six seats, very nearly front and center. As the group sits down, they see Emil and his parents there, nearly invisible in the dark of the auditorium at first. Emil looks ecstatic to see his best friend onstage, while his parents seem...actually, they seem mildly curious. More than mildly curious, in fact. There's curious muttering in the group, but it falls silent as the stage itself goes dark too, at least for the moment.

A light shines on the stage, focused on one person--Orovis. He's not a professional, and there's a tremor in his voice as he look on the crowd as mixed as the city of Runite itself, though still mainly Plavaan this time. He says,  "Thank you for coming,"  in a clipped practiced voice, as if he's been reading off a card. A few rough voices to the side translate the Common Orovis is speaking into the most common dialects of Orc, Golbin, and even Drow. Still, Orovis continues.  "In my tribe cooperation is extremely important to live in the plains. Each person must work with each other, yet must still be able to carry their own weights. In this coming of age ceremony, my son, Mezzet, shall take his place as a full adult member of the tribe. The drums are an important instrument to us. They represent power and force, and they carry a beat for other instruments. Together, many drums can create powerful music as well. Each boy creates his own drum out of wood and hide, and plays it with the rest of the tribe, with him as the center. After the ceremony, he will use the hollow space of the drum to carry his supplies when traveling.

"Thank you, and enjoy." 

Orovis leaves the stage, and now the whole stage brightens. There's at least two dozen orcs on the stage, shrouded in silhouette, their drums by their feet. Mezzet is in the center, sitting crosslegged in front of the largest drum, his arms raise above him in silence, his hands gripping tight on two large, wide sticks.

 
 Spoiler 
More after lecture. Please, feel free to post your thoughts and stufff.
 
CoffeeIncluded
With one sweeping, practiced stroke, Mezzet brings the stick down on the center of the drum. The loud percussion echos throughout the room, and doesn't even have a chance to die away before a louder one, made by all the orcs in unison, follows close on its heels. As the crashing of the drums fill the air, the orcs' shouts, again made as one, join their drums.

It's loud, overpowering, but not cacophonous. There's a rhythm to the drumbeats, a beat that echos through the room and thrums through every person. It's vigor and vitality and roaring passion. It makes you want to get up, to dance and beat your chest and scream at the sky. It roars, it tells a tale of hunters and cliffs and the raging river and the thunderstorm and the fire that so often consumes the plains and the thrill of the fight and it never stops moving. And as Mezzet and the other orcs play, the truth behind the stereotype of the orc becomes clear to many people in the room.

It's power. It's physical might and the exhilaration of using it, of pushing your body to its limits. It's not savagery. It's not the rabid barbarianism that scared people whisper about. It's simply physical might, power and strength above all else. That is what orcs--these orcs, at least--value most. As to how they use that power? Well, it's all up to the individual.

The crowd is silent now, rapt with attention to the shouting and the beating and the song onstage, so different than any music they've ever heard but no less valid for it. And it's hard to see, but some of them look thoughtful.

One song cannot change a government's policies. One song cannot singlehandedly change the heart and mind of an individual, much less the hearts and minds of an entire city. Only a few hundred people can fit in the theater anyway. One song cannot reverse years, generations of discrimination and prejudice. But one song can plant a seed. One song can put a crack in a stone wall. One song can make these people leave the theater thinking new thoughts for the first time. One song can make these people say hello to the next Plavaan they meet in the street.

Next to the group, Emil throws his arms up in the air and shouts along with his friend onstage. And maybe, just maybe, the walls may one day start to come down.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias just sits there, drinking everything, the beat, the sounds, everything. He says nothing, but he is glad he could be part of this.
CoffeeIncluded
Eventually, the music dies away. And after a moment's silence, it's replaced by thunderous applause. Against his mother's protests, Emil stands up on his seat and cheers for his friends. One by one, everyone in the auditorium follows suit, some more reluctantly than others, until eventually Mezzet and his fellow performers are receiving a standing ovation. Mezzet grins awkwardly, as though he's not quite sure what to think or how to react. He does give a little wave to the audience though.

===

The group, along with Emil and his mother, stays behind even after everyone else leaves. After some time, Mezzet, Orovis, and Yerrik emerge from the dressing room. Emil runs forward and jumps into a high-five which Mezzet returns.

 "That was so cool! Why were you so worried about doing that; you were awesome!"

"Really? You think so?"  Mezzet scratches the back of his head.  "It was some personal stuff that I needed to deal with. But...thanks."  He turns to Elsee.  "Thank you too, for talking to me." 

Yerrik too, addresses the group, and lends out small sacks to everyone. They're filled with gold, and Artorias has the most--he has everything he lent to the manager of the theater, plus a bit extra.  "You did a great service to me, my family, and my tribe,"  Yerrik explains.  "This is a portion of what we earned from tonight. Please, take it. This is only a portion of what we owe you and what you deserve. I...we cannot thank you enough for your help with this." 
 
 Spoiler 
Everyone gets 500 GP and 1000 EXP. Artorias also gets all the money he lended back.

The arc's pretty much finished. Does anyone have anything to say IC to make the transition less awkward?

Anyway, back to physics!
 
super dark33
Surdrak makes a sublte bow, and says nothing.

A smile dominates his face.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias stares at the bag of gold pieces dumbfounded  "It is the least I could do, I owe a lot to Plaavans, it was my pleasure to help and Mezzet was incredible." 
CoffeeIncluded
Mezzet shuffles awkwardly, clearly unused to this amount of praise.

Orovis however, speaks.  "Like I said, you are very strange humans. I hope we get to meet again." 

It's late when everyone returns to the guild, and when they do many of their fellow members are there congratulating the group, thanking them for the opportunity to see this show. It's nearly an hour after you return when you're actually able to go to bed.

 
 Spoiler 
Okay, I think that about wraps it up for the arc! We're gonna do a timeskip of a few days, maybe a week or two to the next arc, so if you wanna go shopping in between, feel free! I'm gonna hit the books for a bit.
 
CoffeeIncluded
A few days pass into a few weeks, and not much has changed, at least on the surface. But the group--the Wyvern's Fangs--doesn't live solely on the surface of Runite. When Elsee goes to the Wolf Fang Forge to pick up Kheel's armor and get her new chain shirt shortened and fitted, she feels fewer looks and glares on her back as she walks through the streets. When Badger tracks down a runaway in the Bogs, she feels as if she doesn't need to keep to the shadows and away from the locals as much as before. That's not to say that things are completely better in Runite, or that there's no racial tension anymore. Because there is, and Runite is still fragile, a truly multicultural city coming into its own, struggling between splitting and melding. Anything could sent it to pieces.

But right now things are going mostly okay. Well, except for some of the companies who ship goods up north to the other Kyarian nations; there have been an awful lot of attacks on the cargo in the past couple weeks. But the Plavaan are clearly not involved, so only the fringe conspiracy theorists suggest it. Still, that doesn't concern the group, and they continue on life as normal, seeking out criminals, buying equipment, and so forth. Artorias swaps his greatsword for one that can hold and discharge spells. Badger uses the scraps from Elsee's chain shirt to make barding for Naga. Jadeite upgrades his circlet, allowing it to not only increase his focus, but hasten his recall when casting spells--to a point, of course. And who knows what Sora and Surdrak get?

However, all is not well with Surdrak. He and Elsee don't get nearly as much rest as everyone else, but for different reasons. While Elsee and Darric continue dating, Surdrak's sleep is disturbed by strangely vivid dreams.

The dreams bring whispers from up north, whispers that curl around his brain and fill it with prickling and buzzing. They murmur his name, and call out to him. The whispers are amorphous, but silvery, and occasionally Surdrak gets a glimpse of a blob or vaguely tentacle-like appendage. But every time, just before the dreams get bad, Surdrak hears fragments of a voice, a little clearer each time.

 "Surdrak...me to...ck's birth...in the mo...De Sol..." 

And every time, just as the voice gets clearer, sharper, piercing, Peter hops from his tank onto Surdrak's head, waking him up.

 
 Spoiler 
Feel free to describe getting the upgrades, reactions to the upgrades, what you did in these couple weeks, the date with Darric, the dreams, whatever!
 
super dark33
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d8)[ 7 ]  AGGGHHHHHH
 

 AAAAAGHH WOULD YOU KINDLY SHUT THE **** UP? 

Surdrak is not in a good mood, an is not speaking down.

 AND YOOOOOUUU! DAMNABLE FROG! YOUU! GET BACK TO YOUR TANK AND STOP BEING SUCH A HUGE PRICK ALL THE TIME! 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias was jolted awake by Surdrak's yelling. While he is mad he was so rudely awaken he can't help but feel a little relieved. He had fallen asleep on his desk again, and the awkward position gave him neck pains, but it was all worth it, he was closer than ever to understanding Nedivax's spellbook, sure it had been a pain to translate and decipher everything even with Jadeite's help, but he was so close.

Deciding to see what is going on with his companion Artorias makes his way toward's Surdrak's roon.
 "Hey... Surdrak, are you ok in there?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

Peter leaps back into his bowl when Surdrak screams at him and cowers under a damp rock.

 Artorias: 

Translating the spellbook is a much more drawn-out affair than Artorias would have initially believed. There's truly an incredible amount of work put into each wizard's spellbook. And as he watches Jadeite work, and listens to Jadeite's reluctant explanations, he realizes just how individual each spellbook is as well.

 
 Spoiler 
ill try to get a complete list of Nedivax's spells up tonight. When I statted out his encounter I only included the spells he had prepared but he probably has about a half dozen to a dozen more on top of that.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Spoiler 
Great! I really appreciate that and I'm sorry for throwing such a curve ball, hope that didn't screw up your plans or anything.
 
super dark33
 NO I AM NOT OKAY IN HERE. I HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO SLEEP FOR NEARLY A MONTH, EVEN WITHOUT FROGS JUMPING EVERYWHERR! 

Surdrak makes a sharp movement towards Peter Molyneux, and speaks quietly yet menecingly, filled with pure anger.

 Peter Molyneux i swear if you do that again i will gut you with my hands. 
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+5)[ 9 ]  intimidate.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Dude chill, why haven't you seen a healer or something about that?"  Artorias howls back through the door.  "And please for Mar's sake, DO. NOT. GUT. YOUR. PET. FROG! 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

Peter shrinks back further against the back of the rock.
super dark33
 And what would they say? WARLOCK! CURE IS DEATH OR PROLONGED TORTURE! 

Surdrak falls to a sit on his bed.

 The very things Leif saved me from. 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

While Surdrak and Artorias discuss the warlock's strange dreams and possible solutions, Elsee's in the Bogs. Specifically, she's in a large house in the Bogs, introducing Darric to Kheel, in the small but clean shack where he lives, just outside Runite proper. His armor is sitting on a shelf; even though Artorias's father made it exactly to specifications and beyond, the young wyvern doesn't like wearing the studded leather unless he has to.

Elsee brings Kheel outside, where he stretches in the sun and flies to perch on top of some soft wood so his feet don't sink into the bog and muck. Darric awkwardly approaches, then lays a hand on Kheel's neck. When they wyvern lowers his head so the hobgoblin can scratch it, he obliges.

 "Hey, remember me?"  Darric asks.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by super dark33 
  And what would they say? WARLOCK! CURE IS DEATH OR PROLONGED TORTURE! 

Surdrak falls to a sit on his bed.

 The very things Leif saved me from.  
 

 "Look, I understand what you are going through, but isn't there anyone else who could help you?.... Have you tried going to the Bogs?" 
super dark33
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "Look, I understand what you are going through, but isn't there anyone else who could help you?.... Have you tried going to the Bogs?"  
 

 Same deal if not worse! If there is anything Plaavans and Humanoids have in common is hate to me! 
Dusk Eclipse
 "You know, you make helping you extremely difficult. .. is there anyone wbk can help you? A teacher, family...anyone at all? " 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee grinned, leaning against a nearby tree as the boys got re-aquainted.  "stell get in trouble for riding him around in places. Feel like a girl just can't have a pet these days sometimes." 
Athedia
Badger stopped by Artorias's fathers place to pick up Naga's armor.  It took some convincing but the little dog finally allowed her to fasten it on him.  The metal was light on his fur but cold and he whine a little.  She ruffled his fur and tried to keep him calm.

 
 Spoiler 
Can she pay him via installment?  The hat of disguise ate up her saving as she only has about 100 gold left.  She can pay him that and pretty much only that.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Badger stopped by Artorias's fathers place to pick up Naga's armor.  It took some convincing but the little dog finally allowed her to fasten it on him.  The mithral was light on his fur but cold and he whine a little.  She ruffled his fur and tried to keep him calm.

 
 Spoiler 
Can she pay him via installment?  The hat of disguise ate up her saving as she only has about 100 gold left.  She can pay him that and pretty much only that.
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler 
orovis gave you 500 gp. You have enough. And it's not Mithril, just a +1 chain shirt.

More later, and athedia if you need any help with item discussion I'll be free in about half an hour.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  
 Spoiler 
orovis gave you 500 gp. You have enough. And it's not Mithril, just a +1 chain shirt.

More later, and athedia if you need any help with item discussion I'll be free in about half an hour.
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler 
Okay edited the metal.  Sorry, and I totally forgot he gave gold to all of us.  For some reason I thought it was just Artorias.   Okay so she has 300.  She will buy 4 CLW potions then.  That leaves her at her current gold total.  No changes needed for me 🙂
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak and Artorias: 

As Surdrak and Artorias try to figure out what's wrong with Surdrak and who they can go to for help, they here a knocking on the door.

 "Surdrak? Artorias? Is something happening?" 
 Elsee: 

Darric grins and scratches the space under Kheel's horns.  "Yeah, but most people's pets don't have wings, claws, teeth, and giant poison stingers for tails." 

The sun peeks out from between the mangroves and sparkles on the clear water of a nearby well for a moment. Kheel's head snaps around at the sight, and leaps into the well, shoving his head into the water while holding himself by his clawed wings.

 "Or do that. Well, actually some might."

Badger: 

Naga whines and scratches at the chain shirt, though thankfully doesn't seem to be in pain from it. Artorias's father was perceptive and cut the shirt so his ears wouldn't snag as they flopped back and forth, and there's a light cotton shirt under the chain so his fur and skin doesn't punch between the links.

As badger sits on a park bench, she idly sits back and listens to the conversation. One interesting thing that quickly jumps out is half a sentence overheard between two people, both muscled, their accents foreign.

 "Didja hear what path that storm cleared?!" 
Draconi Redfir
 "yeaaahh.. that'sa dragon thing 'parrently. Been learning the language from Jadeite, don't know a whole lot still but it's better then nothin." 
Elsee snapped her fingers to get Kheel's attention before speaking in broken Draconic, obviously tumbling over a few of the larger words.

 &lt;"Not get... Rare. Stop... or... Hurt."&gt; 

she was essentually trying to tell the Wyvern that the shiny water wasn't hordable, and that he might get hurt if he didn't stop.
super dark33
Surdrak freezes in his place, great fear radiates from his face, within moments he turns from a raging aggressor to a paranoid coward.

 F... Family? T.. They are far away from here a..and shouldnt be mentioned, please dont ask about them Artae please  AGH JÆDEITE. 

Surdrak jumps back when the elf enters the room.
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Kheel pulls his head out of the well and shakes himself dry.  "I saw dragon words in the well!"  he says.

 Jadeite: 

Jadeite gets right to the point.  "Surdrak, why are you yelling so much? Are you ill?"  his fingers twitch.
super dark33
 YELLING WHAT YELLING ILL NO YES WHY? 

Surdrak looks frightned and distressed, his eyes move from one side to the other quickly.
He thumps his head against his pillow.

 I need some sleep. I have the same vivid dream with someone telling me things. The frog wakes me whenever it gets to the main parts. Help please. 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak,Jadeite, and Artorias: 

Jadeite goes very, very still.  "What is this being saying? Is it telling you to do something?" 
super dark33
 Its telling me to somthing somone's birth in the somwhere de sol. 

Surdrak rubs his forehead.

 Ive always had vivid dreams but this one is repeating itself. If one of you could take the frog for one nigbt so he would not awake me, i might know more. 

He slowly sits up.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d8)[ 6 ] 
 


Surdrak's expression changes from panic to satisfaction and he smiles slightly.

 But now lets get somthing to eat. 

And with that he gets up.

 
 Spoiler 
Men only men talk for men! 😁
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak, Jadeite, and Artorias: 

Jadeite looks at the other two men.  "Are you sure we should do that? He may be trying to protect you." 
super dark33
 Protect me from things i saw my whole life. This dream isnt any diffrent .  prolly.  
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak, Jadeite, and Artorias: 
 "For your sake, I hope you're right,"  Jadeite mutters as he joins the men for breakfast.

 Badger: 

The smaller man, possibly part halfling from his build or just extremely short and thin for a human, picks up a stone and bounces it from knee to knee as he walks.  "I know! Guess forest fires are good for something after all!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Most posts later, I'm revising a paper that's due in an hour and a half. Then class, then physics homework (****) and then dinner. I can post more tonight, and may be able to do short posts between now and then.
 
Athedia
Badger turned around confused.   "The storm caused a fire?  How?  What did it reveal, the burial place of Salblaze?"   She was curious but couldn't help but snark at the excitement of these men.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

The men jump at Badger's interruption and turn around. The smaller man smacks his older friend on the arm.  "Idiot, I told you not to speak so loud!"

"You were yelling just as much, dumbass,"  the older one says playfully before turning to Badger.  "You know the mountains and plateaus about a week north of here? Well, we were passing through there and stayed by this little town between a river and a curved lake. Anyway, a thunderstorm caused a forest fire closer to the top of the mountain a couple months ago, and everything's still burnt. But you know what we saw in the cliff side?"   he grins, and waits to see if Badger can guess.
Athedia
 "I would say treasure beyond your wildest dreams, but then you wouldn't be telling me this.  So I will stick with Salblazes tomb." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

The younger man grins.  "Sort of! We couldn't get too close cause the people in the village wouldn't let us, but there were buildings right in the cliff! How cool is that?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger: 

The younger man grins.  "Sort of! We couldn't get too close cause the people in the village wouldn't let us, but there were buildings right in the cliff! How cool is that?"  
 

 "Why wouldn't they let you? They want the stuff for themselves?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

The shorter half-halfing shakes his head.  "Something about protecting their past. It's not my fault this big lug here breaks half the walls he leans against!"

Surdrak, Jadeite, and Artorias: 

The men grab their breakfast and eat, the sound of their chewing the only ones they make. None of them say a word to the others. Jadeite's the first to break the awkward silence. He slides Nedivax's spellbook over to Artorias and says,  "I finished translating it last night. He has a lot of necromancy spells, as well as spells to help with his studies. There are other spells in here as well. 
 
 Spoiler 
Here's the spells in Nedivax's spellbook. Give Athedia a round of applause for helping me out; I wanted to get this up before going to bed but didn't have the time!

Cantrips: All SRD cantrips not in the Illusion or Enchantment schools (his barred schools)

Level 1 spells: Burning Hands, Helpful Hand, Chill Touch, Mage Armor, Summon Undead 1, Magic Missile, Shield, Greater Mage Hand, Mount, Backbiter (be glad he didn't prepare this!), Death's Call

Level 2 spells: False Life, Spectral Hand, Web, Wracking Touch, Locate Object, Knock, Cloud of Knives
 
Athedia
 "Where was this?  Sometimes places like that can be dangerous, I would like to check it out if I head up that way." 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Elsee: 

Kheel pulls his head out of the well and shakes himself dry.  "I saw dragon words in the well!"  he says. 
 

Elsee groaned and but a hand to her head as she tried to understand the wyvvern's speach, still not quite able to understand the language entirely.

 "eye think he said.... he found dragon writing? i seriously need to get jadeite to teach him common... or Goblin." 

Elsee rolled her eyes again, rolling her hand as she once more struggled to find the right words.  &lt;"only... dragon... runite... Kheel."&gt; 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger: 

The taller man scratches his head.  "It wasn't far from this town between a river and a crescent-shaped lake. I think the town was called Sandy Loon? I'm not sure." 

The half-halfling rolls his eyes.  "That's just what the town sounded like. Anyway, that cliff village looked to be about a day's hike from  Sandy Loon, "  he says the last two words with a smirk as he looks up at his friend.  "Probably a day and a half; you've got to hike up the mountains and I don't know what the forest's like after the fire."

Elsee: 

Darric blinks.  "That's weird. How could a piece of paper still be legible? Unless someone carved it into the stone?" 

Kheel nods at Elsee's words.  "I'm the only wyvern here, but I saw dragon words in the side of the well! You and Jadeite and Surdrak know them too! Jadeite uses the dragon words for magic!" 

Now that Elsee remembers it, Jadeite did say that draconic was often used in spellcasting.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger: 

The taller man scratches his head.  "It wasn't far from this town between a river and a crescent-shaped lake. I think the town was called Sandy Loon? I'm not sure." 

The half-halfling rolls his eyes.  "That's just what the town sounded like. Anyway, that cliff village looked to be about a day's hike from  Sandy Loon, "  he says the last two words with a smirk as he looks up at his friend. [B]"Probably a day and a half; you've got to hike up the mountains and I don't know what the forest's like after the fire." 
 


 "Sandy Loon?  That does not sound like a real name."   Badger thanked the men, repeating the information they had given under her breath as she hurried back to the guild.  Bursting in to where everyone but Elsee, she must be on ANOTHER date, sat she paused to catch her breath.   "There was a fire to the north and there was a CITY in the MOUNTAIN!  I need to get away from here for a bit, anyone else feel the same way?" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee groaned loudly and approached the well, beckoning Darric over with a finger. Hopping up to land her stomach on the rim of the well, elsee peered down into the water, squinting her eyes to look for these so called "dragon words." not that she'd be able to read them, she could barely speak the language so far.
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Elsee can't really see much on the walls from this angle, much less read them. She's going to have to dive into the well if she wants to see anything.

 Badger, Jadeite, Surdrak, and Artorias: 

Jadeite raises an eyebrow.  "A city in a mountain? Are you talking about dwarven settlements?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Working all day and superbowl. I'll try to update but it's kinda doubtful.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias had spent most of thr breakfast trying to breao through Surdrak, but the warlock had proved too stubborn even for the warblade, he was going n the verge f giving up when the Badger all but trampled her way to their usual table.
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
   "There was a fire to the north and there was a CITY in the MOUNTAIN!  I need to get away from here for a bit, anyone else feel the same way?"  
 

.

 "That is.... actually a great idea.  Artorias smiles, thinking that getting away from Runite might help Surdrak, and if he was totally honest with himself he was getting rather bored and antsy. A trip outside the city was just what the cleric ordered.
 "I'll talk withh Leif so we can leave ASAP" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I suppose I could use a vacation as well. But Badger, what is this place and where is it?" 
Athedia
 "San de Lune or something like that.  Apparently the villagers don't want people nosing in the ruins though." 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee pouted her face and pushed herself off of the well's wall, rumaging through her hair as she spoke to Darric.  "Can't see em from here. probably just some enchantments that drow-lady put up to keep the smell or the gaters or somethin away. Buuut somethin tells me  SOMEONE ..."  elsee shoots an accusitory glance towards Kheel  "... would get obsessive over it. So 'm gunna go down 'nd take a better look. Grab somethin to write on 'nd i'll describe what i see to you as best i can 'nd Kheel 'kin read it to us. Hold this too."  Elsee extended a finger housing Lil' Miss towards the hobgoblin, waiting until he finally took it before climbing back up the wall and sitting on the edge of it, repeating what she told Darric as best she could to Kheel.
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Darric takes the tick and, suppressing a grimace, places the bug on a nearby wall where it can hang out for a bit. He takes out a piece of a paper and a short nub of a pencil, and tells Elsee,  "Okay, ready whenever you are...oh, wait!"  He takes a rope out of his bag and hands one to Elsee, saying,  "Here, hang on to this just in case." 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee was futonately not looking when the hobgoblin so blatently disreguarded her oldest freind. she looked to him however as he handed her the rope, a wicket grin crossing her face at the sight.

 "ooohhh!!! So do you ALWAYS bring rope with you on a date? Didn't know you were into that kinda thing Darric." 

With a wink and not waiting for a response, Elsee bit down on her end of the rope and lept into the water, taking the rope in hand as she swam down far enough to get a good look at the first few symbols.
super dark33
 That means one thing: we are nosing through the ruins. 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee:

"I...uh...I..."  Darric stammers, his face quickly turning red. Without saying another word, he secures his end of the rope and lets Elsee into the well.

It's hard for Elsee to see in the well, and if she didn't have darkvision it would be even harder. But after about a minute of searching, she finally sees the words carved into a brick. And she can understand them--Kheel must have been looking at the words upside down, which is why he didn't.

The words say  Clean,  or,  Pure.  Something of that nature.
CoffeeIncluded
 Jadeite, Badger, Surdrak, and Artorias:  
 "I assume ruins spelunking isn't among your normal guild activities?"  Jadeite pops the rest of his pastry into his mouth.  "A change in scenery may be therapeutic to some of us. What do we need to do to prepare?" 
super dark33
 To get there we can use my wagon. which reminds me to go and check on my horse. in the stables outside runite. well need to load the wagon with all the things we need. 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite raises his eyebrows.  "You have a cart and a horse? That makes things easier; we won't have to sign on to guard a caravan. Though since this isn't guild business, do we have to tell Leif where we're going?" 
 
 Spoiler 
yes you do. In lab, more later if you respond.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "We actually have to tell him, don’t worry I'll talk to him, you guys prepare everything and we can leave tomorrow morning  
Draconi Redfir
Elsee rolled her eyes once more and immidiately pulled herself up out of the water, crawling out of the well and sitting on the stone ledge to allow herself to dry off a bit.

 "if it's a spell it's just somethin to keep the water clean, nothin to worry about." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Darric lets out a low whistle as he takes a semi-clean cloth out of his pocket and offers it to Elsee to dry herself off.  "So that's how these wells work."

Badger, Jadeite, Surdrak, and Artorias: 
 "That sounds good,"  Jadeite says.  "I'm going to try copying that Mount spell into my spellbook. If it works, then by casting it as Surdrak's horse grows tired, we might be able to shave a few days off our travel time." 
 
 Spoiler 
Who's going to see Leif?

Also, Jadeite auto-passes the spellcraft check; he now knows Mount.
 
Athedia
 "Let's talk to Leif then.  I doubt he will complain about the troublemakers taking a break for a little. 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee sneers a bit, drying herself off with the cloth while holding a hand out for Lil'Miss.

 "Kinda figured that's what it was to begin with." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Darric picks up Little Miss and places the tick onto Elsee's head, where she reattaches.

 "It's still pretty impressive. I bet Dierdre and the builders put just as much work into building the pipes and sewers and everything. All that stuff is interesting, but the mechanical stuff is beyond me."  He looks down at the well, then at Elsee with a smile.

 Surdrak, Jadeite, Badger, and Artorias: 

Leif is in his office, doing some sort of bookkeeping when the four walk in. He looks up and raises an eyebrow.

 "You know, I did install a knocker. What is it?"  He looks more amused than anything else though.

 
 Spoiler 
Feel free to explain.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger, Jadeite, Surdrak, and Artorias: 

Leif listens to the Wyvern's Fang's story and request. Throughout the whole thing he doesn't move from his seat. When they're finally done, the head of the guild takes the papers in front of him and shuffles them into place before looking up and giving a response.  "I have to say, I never thought you'd be the group asking me for a vacation. But I suppose you've had a lot on your plates the last few months, and you've certainly earned it."  He smiles wryly.  "And I could use a break from the interruptions and prank wars as well." 

Jadeite chooses this minute to look at the ceiling and adopt an angelic expression.

Leif spreads out his files across the desk.  "Feel free to take three weeks off, but I do want you back here by then. Though I'm sure we'll be able to manage that long without you, so don't push yourselves." 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee just shrugs as she dries herself off, hopping off of the well and to the ground once more,  "t's just water as far as i'm concerned" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

Darric smiles.  "I guess it's because I'm a sailor. Water's in my nature, and I know the different types of it all too well." 

They sit and talk for a while by the well, just enjoying their time together.

 
 Spoiler 
You wanna end the date now?
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger, Jadeite, Surdrak, and Artorias: 

Leif listens to the Wyvern's Fang's story and request. Throughout the whole thing he doesn't move from his seat. When they're finally done, the head of the guild takes the papers in front of him and shuffles them into place before looking up and giving a response.  "I have to say, I never thought you'd be the group asking me for a vacation. But I suppose you've had a lot on your plates the last few months, and you've certainly earned it."  He smiles wryly.  "And I could use a break from the interruptions and prank wars as well." 

Jadeite chooses this minute to look at the ceiling and adopt an angelic expression.

Leif spreads out his files across the desk.  "Feel free to take three weeks off, but I do want you back here by then. Though I'm sure we'll be able to manage that long without you, so don't push yourselves."  
 

 "Thanks boss, if everything goes as planned we leave tomorrow morning"  Artorias excuses himself and goes to gather supplies for the trip, he picks up his Survival pouch and wand of shocking grasp at the magic item shop.   Mental note, pay Jadite back ASAP.  
CoffeeIncluded
 "Do you know how to activate a wand?"  Jadeite asks as they return to the guild. He lays it out next to the spellbook and the greatsword.  "A wand is excellent practice for spellcasters, and even many who cannot fully manipulate arcana to cast spells can use a wand. A wand already has the arcanic flow for one specific spell stored in it, and activating the wand simply means tapping into that flow and establishing the proper connection. If you already know the spell or have sufficient control of arcanic flow, the process is automatic. But for someone who cannot cast spells, it requires some guessing and testing to establish the flow, and more than a bit of luck to do it properly the first time. Do you want to try?" 

Jadeite's surprised. This teaching thing actually isn't so bad.

Elsee finishes her date with Darric, who leaves with a kiss and a promise to see her the moment he returns from his voyage. It's afternoon when she returns to the guild.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler 
Guys? Is everyone here?
 

 Elsee and Sora: 
 "Elsee, Sora, I have wonderful news! It seems our group is taking a vacation up north, to a lovely town called San De Lune and some ancient, abandoned, likely haunted ruins nearby!"  Jadeite says with a grin.  "If you have any questions or concerns, please, direct them to Badger. She came up with the idea in the first place, after all." 
 Surdrak: 
 
 Spoiler 
I'm doing this one now; we can add more stuff retroactively.
 


Night comes quickly as everybody packs their things and prepares to go to bed early. The Wyvern's Fangs are leaving immediately after breakfast, and they can't afford to waste time oversleeping or running back because someone forgot arrows or underwear. Surdrak goes down to the barn to check on his horse, a roan mare, and make sure the cart is up to such a long journey. The bag of holding they got from Pallasc helps; it clears up quite a lot of space in the cart, enough for two or three people to lie down and actually sleep while it moves.

Jadeite's actually the one to propose that.  "If I cast a mount spell every day to aid your horse, and we spend some of our time sleeping in the cart as it travels, we can get to San De Lune two or three days ahead of schedule." 

The one thing he doesn't propose is Surdrak handing over Peter as he goes to bed that night. But Surdrak insists, and finally, the necromancer reluctantly takes the bullfrog from the warlock and says,  "If you have any strange dreams or nightmares, come to us straight away." 

At first Surdrak's sleep is easy and mostly dreamless, and what dreams he has are pleasant, and it seems that Jadeite's concern was unnecessary.

But then, the dreamscape shifts and warps. The colors change, and the ground is sucked out under Surdrak's feet, dragging him with it. He's yanked down, pulled down, and then cut loose, floating in an endless abyss that shimmers and twitches occasionally, but remains mostly featureless.

And then something undulates. There's a pulse, a steady rhythm instead of the random spurts here and there. And then, there's the same silvery voice wrapping around Surdrak and slithering into his ear. And this time, Peter isn't here to interrupt it.

The silver tendrils probe into his ears and pierce his brain, squeezing it tight. Surdrak feels something burst inside him, something run out. He can't see anything, can't feel anything, can't hear anything other than the gentle whispers that penetrate his mind from the inside out and run against his skull. For the first time, he hears what the whispers have to say in full.

 "Surdrak, come to the place of your warlock's birth. Come to the place of the pact in the mountains. Come to San De Sol." 

And then he wakes up.
super dark33
Meeting the horse:
 Path****er! We are going on a trip! Get your hooves ready or   I WILL.   

The horse is not amused and looks at Surdrak with loyal hate.

Going to bed:
 Jadeite id prefer if the dreams woukd unfurl fully tonight so take this frog so it wont pounce my head while i sleep.
 

Next day:
 So thats where it was. 
The horror hits him.
 Ohnonononononononononono! I cant go back yet never! Why wasnt i told that the name of the place was in a language that doesnt exist in this world?!
NOOOOOOOOOO! 
CoffeeIncluded
The next morning Jadeite returns as Surdrak thrashes and screams in his bed. Upon seeing the warlock waking up from the throes of a nightmare, Peter hops out of Jadeite's hands and lands next to Surdrak.

 "You're not doing this again, are you?" 
 Elsee: 

Elsee wakes to the sounds of pebbles striking against her window. When she opens it and looks down she sees Darric below, with a sheepish smile, a fistful is pebbles, and another fistful of flowers.

 
 Spoiler 
he doesn't know you're going on vacation.
 
super dark33
 What oh no thats just a regular routine of mine.
Anyway it told me to go to San De Sol, which is probably connected to San De Lune somehow, granted that they both mean Saint Son and Saint Moon respectivly.
 

Surdrak leans towards Jadeite

 This wont be the first time. My dreams get very retroactivly prophetic most of the time. 

Surdrak looks at the frog next to him.

 PETER MOLYNEUX! the room is never the same without you! ssenhgih lacihtym fo tseab citsejam emosdnah uoy  
 FLASHBACK 
 What? Oil on my cloak? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Elsee: 

Elsee wakes to the sounds of pebbles striking against her window. When she opens it and looks down she sees Darric below, with a sheepish smile, a fistful is pebbles, and another fistful of flowers.

 
 Spoiler 
he doesn't know you're going on vacation.
 
 
 

Elsee smiled down at the hobgoblin, only slightly annoyed that he woke her up erly yet again. "Sorry hon.  'mparrently i'm goin on a trip with the group to see some bird covered in snad... or maybe it's made of sand... heck if i know. buuut i was too tired upon getting home to say anything so i kinda just fell asleep 'nd they took it as a "sure i'll come along". 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

Jadeite's eyes widen and he seems to pale, though it's hard to tell.  "I sincerely hope that was merely a nightmare and nothing more." 

As he walks off to collect his thanks, he mutters to himself,  "For your sake, and ours too." 
 Elsee: 

Darric laughs, then turns serious. He shouts up to Elsee,  "I need to hurry and catch my ship soon myself. I won't be back for a week. Please, Elsee, promise me you'll be careful and safe! I heard there's something in the swamps attacking travelers!" 
CoffeeIncluded
Soon enough, everyone says their goodbyes, packs their things, and makes their way onto Surdrak's cart. The mare nickers as he pulls the reins and they ride north, out of the city. There used to be only one path out of the city, narrow and winding and cutting through the swamps. Anyone who wanted to travel north usually did so by boat. That's starting to change. There are three roads out of the city, although one is still under construction and little more than a semi-dried path at the moment.

But all three paths go through the Bogs--they split off of one path, actually, later on in the actual swamp itself--and there are walls and guards to make sure no desperate or criminal Plavaan tries to hold up a cart. Normally, this is one of the more dangerous parts of the trip. But this cart is well protected, and another caravan passed by several minutes before, so there's nothing to fear.

The swamp itself, uncivilized and beyond the bogs, is thick and wet. The ground is only stable thanks to pavement and stone. Mangroves hang over everything and block out the sun, a large slow river seeps through roots and around curves, and elsewhere it's impossible to tell where land ends and water begins. It's hot and humid and mosquitoes whine and drone and attack, and the forest of mangroves and reeds blocks out the sun. It looks especially dark ahead.

That's probably just a mirage though, and some daylight filters in as the Wyvern's Fangs reaches the three-way fork that splits the three router out of Runite.

And then everything around them plunges into night and dark. It's daytime, not even noon, but everything goes pitch black.

 
 Spoiler 
spot and listen checks, everyone.
 
super dark33
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+1)[ 17 ] 
 (1d20+1)[ 17 ] 
 


Surdrak had fond memories and not so fond memories about the cart. But the thoughts were inturrupted when he thought he saw somthing...
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
Spot:  (1d20+9)[ 14 ] 
Listen:  (1d20+10)[ 24 ] 
 


Badger sat on the bumpy cart playing with her bow.  Naga beside her was not enjoying the ride, instead longing for solid ground.

As the world around her grew dark she held out a hand, holding Naga back.  Those lights... Nothing good could come of those.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite stiffens as everything goes dark around him. He looks around, trying to see or hear anything.  "Does anyone have a light source? I doubt this darkness is natural." 
 
 Spoiler 
spot:  (d20+4)[ 11 ] 
Listen:  (d20+4)[ 16 ] 
 


Spot 10+:

 
 Spoiler 
you see two faint lights hovering above the ground, about 50 or 60 feet away.
 


Listen 25+:
 
 Spoiler 
you hear slight burbling from the slow moving river not far off.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee rubbed at her eyes as she sat up, having been taking the opportunity to catch up on her sleep during the trip. it almost looked like it was nighttime, though darker then usual... usually goblins had no trouble sleeping in the dark. Elsee blinked a few times, hoping it was merely tiredness in her eyes.


 
 Spoiler 

spot: (d20+2)[ 3 ]
listen: (d20)[ 3 ]
 


If darkvision does NOT give her a +10 ish bonus to that spot check 😛
 
 Spoiler 

Seeing absolutely nothing wrong with the scene, Elsee just shrugs it off as having dozed off for longer then she originally thought and moved to lay down once more.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Spoiler: Perception checks. 

 (1d20+8)[ 17 ] 
 (1d20+8)[ 17 ] 
 


Artorias eyes caught something moving, but in the darkness he can't quite make out what they are. Not wanting to take any chances Artorias let's his hunter's sense free as he moves  a hand to the hilt of his sword and the other starts fumbling through his Survival pouch, trying to find something.

 "There is something above us" 
 
 Spoiler 

Swift Action: Enter Hunter's Sense stance
Free action: Prepare to draw his greatsword, Artorias has Quick Draw.
Standard Action: Ready Action to use the survival pouch and produce a a bonfire to try an illuminate the road. The trigger is any hostile action by the thingies.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias smells nothing. Just the swamp. The alligators and snakes and heady smell of mud and decaying leaves in the water, but just the swamp.

 "This darkness is magical, and there are two glowing lights over there,"  Jadeite says, pointing. The two motes of light swirl and spiral around each other, then start leading off in one direction. One comes back, bobs up and down, and then floats off after the first.

 "...I think it wants to follow us,"  Jadeite says.  "It could be a trap, but it could ne someone wanting to help. What do you think?" 
super dark33
 A person wanting to help wouldnt have cast darkness. Its obviously a trap. 

Surdrak attempts to detect magic. he feels he would soon be able to eat the feast of energy around him.

 
 Spoiler 
I intend to take the Voracious Dispelling invocation at level 6. it dispells a magical effect and heals me according to the spell level.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Surdak is right, we should be careful"  Artorias fidgets with the sword handle. He hops off the cart, feeling that he would be in a better position to defend himself and his friends on the ground.  "Still... I can't smell anything but the swamp..." 
Athedia
 "I don't like magic users.  We should get out now, anyway you know this road is popular for bandits." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "But where should we go?"  Jadeite asks. He lights a torch but it does nothing.  "And thank you, Badger. I don't like magic haters much either. Still, what should we do? Badger is right; if we stay here we are nothing but a target. Did anybody see any of the forks before this darkness was cast over us?"  

Surdrak can feel magic all throughout him, in the dark.
Silverraptor
 
 Spoiler 
Spot:  (1d20+3)[ 16 ] 
Listen:  (1d20+3)[ 17 ] 
 


Sora blinks and looks around.
 "What about the glitterdust spell or something? You know, the spell that was used to light up my amulet before I was... stabbed?" 
CoffeeIncluded
A faint rush of wind blows across the party as Kheel takes to the air beside them. A few moments later that same rush returns in reverse as he lands next to the cart.

  "The lights are going down the right road. It's by a river, but the trees are thick. I don't like this. It's scary. Something bad's coming,"   Kheel says as Jadeite translates.

 
 Spoiler 
You've got a choice here. Left, right, center, or stay? I'll be checking in tomorrow morning, and once we've got a majority I'm going. Jadeite will vote after many of you have. Goodnight!
 


EDIT:


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Sora blinks and looks around.
 "What about the glitterdust spell or something? You know, the spell that was used to light up my amulet before I was... stabbed?"  
 

Jadeite shakes his head.  "I'm sorry, I don't think that will work here. Glitterdust sparkles because it reflects light. This darkness spell blots it out. Those motes of light over there are magical, but they are not the result of a glitterdust spell. 
Draconi Redfir
 "We were goin forward right? let's just keep goin that way"  Elsee mumbled through a half-sleep state.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Hopefully our luck will be favorable and we stay on one of the two paths. I agree; those lights are likely leading us into a traps."  Jadeite looks to Sora.  "I apologize. The spell Cecil used to light up your amulet is called Faerie Fire, and those lights might be created by that spell. It took me some time to recall it; I did not linger on that memory while trancing. It was...unpleasant." 
Silverraptor
Sora kind of grins and leans towards Jadeite a bit.
 "So you *Do* care." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I would rather not see an ally of mine, particularly a young girl unfairly targeted, be stabbed in the heart during her first real fight,"  jadeite says. He's not quite looking at sora.
Dusk Eclipse
A vein throbs on Artorias' temple  "Guys, could your please stop for flirting during a potentially dangerous situation?" , he tightens the grip on his sword feeling something akin to a buzz coming from the runes etched on the flat of the blade.

  "I say we press forward, we should keep an eye on the floating lights." , the blacksmith turned warrior tries to remember the tales his parents hae told him about the swamo and it's dangers.

 
 Spoiler 

Since Artorias has lived his whole life in Runite I assume he has heard legends or tales about the swamp, does he remembers anything that might help here?
I'll roll a K:Local check just in case
 (1d20+3)[ 15 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite smirks, but shuts up.

Artorias remembers a story. It's dangerous to go to the swamps without a map or a guide. Everything changes with the seasons and storms, and with the trees and marsh and land that can't decide whether it's earth or water, it's easy to lose your way.

And there are things that can make you lost too.

 
 Spoiler 
are you saying to follow the lights or go another way? You don't know if they're leading you down the right path or not; that's the point.
 
CoffeeIncluded
After a short discussion, Jadeite reaches over and takes the reins.  "We cannot stay here,"  he says,  "And those lights are almost certainly a trap. We have no good options here, but we should press forward and hope for the best." 

And they do so, riding forward blindly in the dark, even as the ground below them gets bumpy and moist. Mud sucks against the mare's footsteps and the wheels of the cart, and the jostling of every rock and root jars against the party, sending their teeth rattling. When the darkness abruptly lifts, as they pass through the barrier of the spell, the reason why quickly becomes apparent.

The best did not happen. Trees close in around them, the sky is nearly blocked out. The air is hot and heavy and filled with mosquitoes. The ground is boggy, marshy, with reeds and roots everywhere. Water and mud splash against the bottom of the cart and onto the faces of anyone who leans out. Mangroves and other trees and rivers that can't decide whether they're water or mud crisscross the area in front of them, not a path because their is no path, no path before them and no path behind them and no path in sight.

The Wyvern's Fangs have gone off the road entirely, and there's no visible way back. The trees press in around them, the ground below is treacherous and can give way to mud at any moment. The swamps can be helpful, and can be beautiful, but not now. Here there are no open waters, there are no egrets and there are no fish to catch. There's only the ever changing ground below, and the feeling of something watching...waiting.

There's only the mercy of the mire, and it has none to give.

 
 Spoiler 
I rolled to see whether you'd go left, center, or off the path. You've gone off the path. Anyone walking, including the cart, moves at 3/4 speed and cannot run or charge. You move at full speed if flying, but can't run or charge unless you get above the trees.

Spot and listen checks, or do you want me to roll for you?
 
super dark33
Surdrak looks around for any sign of witness to the group's emberessment.
Just what he needed, his cart stuck in the swamp.
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+1)[ 5 ]  Listen
 (1d20+1)[ 11 ]  Spot
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Great... just great"  Artorias curses their luck, he waddles through the mire, he stops next to a low hanging branch and leaps onto Iit.  "I'll climb the tree and see if I can find the road" 
 
 Spoiler 

Spot  (1d20+8)[ 22 ] 
Listen (1d20+8)[ 11 ] 
Sudden Leap  (1d20+13)[ 20 ] 
Balance (if needed)  (1d20+9)[ 28 ] 
Climb (taking 10) total 15
Artorias is still in Hunter's sense stance so he should detect unfamiliar smells as soon as they get within 30 ft. of him.
 
Draconi Redfir
By this point Elsee was too awake to fall asleep, and was sitting up within the cart alongside everyone else.  "Should probably just keep goin forward. Swamp can't last forever right?" 
 
 Spoiler 

spot:(d20+2)[ 8 ]
Listen:(d20)[ 20 ]
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler 
Jadeite spot:  (d20+4)[ 16 ] 
Jadeite listen:  (d20+4)[ 16 ] 

Kheel spot:  (d20+15)[ 22 ] 
Kheel listen:  (d20+12)[ 21 ] 
 
super dark33
 And risk getting the cart stuck? or worse, my HORSE stuck?We better find the road and get back to it. 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias easily hops onto a nearby tree, jumping from branch to branch as he keeps up with the cart. It's not too hard, considering how slowly it's moving through the much and mire. It's hard to see much through the thin fog and the thick groves of trees, but...Artorias thinks he can see a place where the trees thin out, several hundred feet away. It's either a lake or a road and the marsh has been staying consistently boggy; it hasn't been getting much wetter. So it's probably a road.

And just then he sees a  change in light out the corner of his eye. Kheel probably notices it too; the wyvern folds his wings closer together and whimpers.

The change in light comes closer, and then doubles. And then they're  hovering in front of him several feet off, spiraling and dancing around each other in a shower of sparks as they swirl around each other. They bob close to Artorias, staying just far enough away that he has to each out and risk falling if he lashes out. Their ghostly hum echoes around him, vibrating. They're laughing at him, and his friends.

Artorias:
 
 Spoiler 
The motes of light are will-o-wisps, two of them to be precise. Artorias knows they're likely malevolent...he's not sure whether they're spirits or monsters or something else, but he knows they're said to lead people off the path in swamps.
 


Knowledge (Local): DC 15: or Knowledge (Dungeons and Dungeoneering DC 15+:
 
 Spoiler 
The motes of light are will-o-wisps, two of them to be precise. They're almost certainly malevolent. They're said to lead people off the paths into danger in the swamps. They're practically gaseous and nearly impossible to hit.

Jadeite knowledge:  (d20+5)[ 8 ] 
 
super dark33
 What do you see up there? 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite's eyes widen as he sees the motes of light swirling around Artorias.  "Are those a spell, or a creature?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Anyone can see them if they look.
 
super dark33
 Hmmm... 

Surdrak looks at the two orbs.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+2)[ 15 ]  Knowledge
 

 These are two of a creature. They like to lead people to dangerous places in the swamps they live in. They are gaseous in form so hitting them would be a problem. Its name is  i kid you not  Will-O'-The-Wisp. 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias stops cold in his tracks as the Will-o-wisp circle him, he longs to draw his blade and slice them, but his precarious perch stops him.

Hearing the Warlocks yell, Artorias answers him without taking his eyes of the little dancing lights.  "Remember those balls of light from before? They are will-o-wisp and they found us."  
 
 Spoiler 

K:Local  (1d20+4)[ 12 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "What are those?"  Jadeite asks. Behind him, Kheel whimpers and looks around, nerves turning to all-out fright.

 
 Spoiler 
Artorias can attack them, but he'd have to make a balance check to stay on. Also, their AC is "This is CR 6?" high.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Swamp spirits,  they lead travelers off the path and into to their deaths...or at least that is what the stories say."  Artorias answers in grave voice.  "considering our current situation I believe them". 

Artorias make his mind up and attack the WoWs, his hands seem to blur as he draw his greatsword and slices through the aberrations like a steel wind.

 
 Spoiler 

Assuming they are both adjacent to Artorias
Free action: Draw sword
Standard action: Intiate Steel wind (attack both of them as a standard action)
Vs. WoW1 [roll]1d20+8[roll]
Crit confirmation  (1d20+10)[ 14 ] 
Damage  (2d6+7)[ 9 ] +1 electric (least crystal of energy assault)

Vs. WoW2 [roll]1d20+8[roll]
Crit confirmation  (1d20+10)[ 12 ] 
Damage  (2d6+7)[ 13 ] +1 electric (least crystal of energy assault)

Balance [roll]1d20+9 [/roll]
 
CoffeeIncluded
As fast as Artorias is, the will-o-wisps are faster. They avoid the sword, moving back so quickly he can't even see it. And in the next instance, they both vanish. Less than a second later, two earsplitting ghostly shrieks come from above and echo throughout the swamp.

There's no reply. There's nothing at all. The forest, so full of life, the drones of mosquitoes and the peeping of frogs and the squawking of birds, has gone completely and utterly silent.

 
 Spoiler 
You have one round to do whatever.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias eyes widen as the wisps evade his attacks, they widen even further when the swamp falls into silence  "This isn't good" , thinking quickly Artorias let's himself fall to the ground, twisting his body to evade the branches. The faster he reuinite with his friends the safer they would all be.

 
 Spoiler 

Free action/move (not sure which) Jump down from the tree
Tumble check to reduce falling damage  (1d20+14)[ 33 ] 
Jump check to reduce falling damage  (1d20+13)[ 25 ] 
 
Athedia
 "Oh ****."   Badger covered Naga's ears as the screech reverberated through the air.   "I don't suppose running is an option?"   She pulled out her bow, checking her quiver for the special arrows she had bought.   "Do they have ANY weaknesses?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias lands back in the cart on all feet. The impact jars his spine but he shakes it off without a problem.

His eyes wide, Jadeite casts a spell and another horse appears beside Sudrak's mare. He quickly attaches the reins and says,  "We have to leave. Now." 

Kheel, for his part, looks like he's about to panic. He flaps his wings and frantically looks for a place to take off.   "Lets go, I wanna get out of here!"  
 
 Spoiler 
Athedia, does Badger want to try a spot or listen check?

With both horses, the cart can move at full speed. It still can't run or charge though.
 
Athedia
Badger knelt at the back of the cart, watching the rear in case the wisps appeared again.  Her bow was knocked and ready to shoot the first that crossed her sight.

 
 Spoiler 
Spot: (1d20+9)[ 20 ] 
Listen:  (1d20+10)[ 14 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Badger, Kheel, and Artorias all get the feeling that they would see something if the area were clearer, if the sunlight didn't filter in patchwork, if the trees didn't make a million shadows. But all these things block their vision, and they see nothing. Maybe that's why Kheel is freaking out.
Silverraptor
Sora backs up further into the center of the group and starts praying.

(Prayer is cast.)
CoffeeIncluded
Elsee and Surdrak:
 
 Spoiler 
You each have one retroactive action before this post. I just wanted to put this up now before I go to bed. Elsee can get on Kheel and then have him move as an action for both, or they can have separate actions.
 


As the cart races towards the road ahead, the sounds of the horses galloping as fast as they can through the swamp and the sucking noises of the mud pulling them and the cart down are the only sounds for miles. And then, out of nowhere, a line of acid shoots from somewhere behind the party to strike Artorias square in the chest.

 
 Spoiler 
Artorias takes  (12d4)[ 28 ]  acid damage, DC 23 reflex negates thanks to Evasion.
 


When the Wyvern's Fangs turn around to search for Artorias's attacker, they see nothing but black between the trees. And then it appears, tall and outstretched and proud, a master of the swamp. It appears quickly and so quietly out of nowhere that it might have risen from the rivers, melted out of the roots of the mangroves and cypress. Artorias's attacker is larger than the cart, larger than an adult Kheel would be, and all too similar in appearance, though with none of Kheel's friendly countenance.

Its--his, the low growl is too deep to register as female in the party's minds--black scales are drawn tight around his face, bringing the bony outlines of his skull into sharp relief. His blood-stained claws are sharper than knives, and his bared teeth are sharper still. His violet wings may not be fully outstretched but even half-unfurled they're nearly as long as his body, tail included. The two will-o-wisps suddenly reappear, and circle around his head, laughing in that ghostly mocking laugh. Artorias's attacker, the creature stalking them, the creature that's been attacking the traders and stealing their valuables, gives them a nod but no other acknowledgment. His eyes are fixed on the group, and he curls his lips in...not a smile. It's so much more malevolent than a smile.

Eighty feet away from the party, sneering at them all, stands an adult black dragon.

 
 Spoiler 
And I'm just gonna leave this here. Map and initiative tomorrow. Let it soak in. What do you think? I've been so excited for this encounter for weeks.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee sneered as she pulled Kheel closer Clambering onto his back as she spoke, both in common and broken dragon.

 "If we fly up there it might turn it's focus on us, we can fly faster then the cart, 'nd so long as we avoid getting hit we should be fine. if anyone's got a better though eye'd love to hear 'em. en the meanteyeme hitting us up with any enchantments to speed, armor, 'r loaning me a crossbow or two would be lovely." 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite's eyes widen as he sees the black dragon behind them.  "That would be a good idea, but Kheel is not as fast as a dragon. We need to run, now. A direct fight with a dragon that size is suicide; if we can leave its territory it may not pursue us. RUN!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Will save DC 20 against Frightful Presence:  (d20+4)[ 6 ] 

Initiative (Artorias already rolled for a 15, Will-o-wisps rolled for 30):

Elsee:  (d20+4)[ 15 ] 
Surdrak:  (d20+3)[ 11 ] 
Jadeite:  (d20+2)[ 21 ] 
Badger:  (d20+4)[ 17 ] 
Sora:  (d20+2)[ 15 ] 
Kheel:  (d20+2)[ 6 ] 

Horses (cart):  (d20+1)[ 18 ] 
Adult Black Dragon:  (d20)[ 16 ] 
 


Jadeite throws out a spell, and the horses, Badger, Elsee, and Kheel find themselves filled with a rush of speed.  "Now run! Distract him, slow him down, but we have to get out of here!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Jadeite casts Haste on both horses, Badger, Elsee, and Kheel for 5 rounds, more for the speed boost than anything else.
 
Athedia
Badger cast a spell at the dragons feet.  It wouldn't do much, but if she could ensnare its feet for even one second.  Naga hid behind her on the cart.   "I never signed up for this! I fight people, the occasional crocodile, not DRAGONS!" 
CoffeeIncluded
The swamp comes alive at Badger's spell. The shallow roots of the trees and the long grasses and the reeds all rise up and twist to snare the dragon's feet.

 
 Spoiler 
reflex:  (d20+11)[ 18 ] 
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias smelled something acrid,  perhaps even.. acidic, and right then the haira on the backo of his neck stood up. While he was not as experienced as his teacher he had taught hik to trust his insticts. He had started rolling forward before he had finished that thought.

 
 Spoiler 
Reflex  (1d20+8)[ 17 ] 
 
super dark33
 [D]I dont suppose you just want us out of your swamp do you?[/D] 
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+5)[ 14 ]  Will save
 
Dusk Eclipse
But he was a second to slow and he recieved the full brunt of the acid right in his back,  he yelled in pain as the acid burnt through his cloak and into his skin. It hurt, more than anything he had ever felt before,  but he had to endure, for the sake of his friends he would endure.

Using every ounce of will power he looked back, and then he saw it, a black Dragon in all its terrible glory. He swallowed hard.

 
 Spoiler 
will  (1d20+1)[ 8 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
The black dragon grins at Surdrak's words.   "Another payment? Begging won't save you."  

As the horses flee towards the road several hundred feet ahead, the dragon strains against the roots and vines. With one methodical step after the other, and the snapping of roots and reeds that fail to hold him back, he steps out of Badger's spell. It slowed him down, but only for a few moments.

 
 Spoiler 
Black dragon is 20 feet out of the entangled zone, though it took him a double move to do so.

Sora, Elsee, Surdrak, and Kheel are up.

 (d4)[ 3 ] 
 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Spoiler 

Will: (d20+1)[ 6 ]
Kheel will: (d20+5)[ 19 ]
 


Elsee had been talking big, though the moment she had fully go onto the wyvvern, she looked up towards the dragon and her pupils shrank as her hands gripped the reigns tightly. her entire body frozen in place.

 "o-on seccond thought c-can i not go up there?" 
Athedia
 "JUST MOVE!"   Badger watched as everyone around her froze up, stopping their motion as they stared at the dragon.
Silverraptor
Sora was in full retreat mode, running as fast as she could.
CoffeeIncluded
The horses keep running, dragging the cart behind them. Everyone but Elsee is on the cart, and Elsee is on Kheel. As the dragon unfurls his long wings and takes to the air, what will Elsee, Sora, Surdrak, and Kheel do?

 
 Spoiler 
the horses will run in a straight line. You can control them with a ride check, which will probably be a good idea soon.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee -still in the cart though not on Kheel- quietly balls her hands into fists and presses them against the side of her head, shaking it back and forth slightly as she tried to force herself to calm down.

 "C'mon Elsee it's just a dragon, you ride on one all the time these days, and hey you've been dead before right it's not like it's irriversible or anything right!?" 
 
 Spoiler 
 Will save take 2:(d20+1)[ 5 ]
 


Elsee's eyes shoot open wide as her hert rate and breathing increase dramaticly as she enters full-on panic attack mode.

 "A really BIG dragon that's eatten people alive before and probably knows how to bind someone's soul to a rock forever and and and you can't even REMEMBER anything about being dead so for all you know it was a void of blackness or wors and nnngaaaauuughhh!!!" 
Silverraptor
Sora jumps into the cart and looks back at the approaching dragon. Panicking, she reaches down her shirt and grabs the amber beetle and points it at the dragon, causing the beetle to buzz angrily towards the dragon's face, attempting to distract it enough.
CoffeeIncluded
As the dragon takes flight, wings twice as long as Artorias is tall unfurling and beating down with broad, powerful strokes as he soars above the trees, Kheel also flies as fast as possible to catch up with the cart. Her hands shaking, Sora pulls out the amulet and an oversized stag beetle materializes, maneuvering through the trees to distract the dragon.

 
 Spoiler 
Full update in a couple hours. I tried to make sure everyone had something to do here.
 
Athedia
Badger saw Artorias cowering in the cart.   "Snap out of it Art and give me anything you have that might slow it down.  Don't worry about throwing things, I can shoot it!" 
CoffeeIncluded
Elsee and Surdrak cower in the carts as Sora summons the giant beetle from her amulet.

 "If you can shoot anything to slow him down then do it now!"  Jadeite shouts.  "I have a spell that can do the same thing but he needs to get within fifty feet of us!" 

He turns around and sees that the horses are racing forward at top speed. Right into a deep bog.

 "AND SOMEBODY STEER THE CART BEFORE IT GETS STUCK IN THAT MIRE!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Jadeite, Badger, Artorias, and the horses are up. Someone needs a ride check to steer the cart, and Jadeite will do it if nobody else will.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias numbly nods, he gives Badger a pair of tanglefoot bags.
CoffeeIncluded
Launching over Surdrak, Sora, and Artorias, Jadeite grabs the reins and yanks them sharply to the side, desperately trying to steer the horses away from the deep bogs right in front of them.

 
 Spoiler 
ride:  (d20+2)[ 3 ] 
 


But Jadeite can't get a tight enough grip reaching through everyone, and the reins slip from his hands.  "Badger! Help me steer the cart, or we will crash straight into that swamp! 
Athedia
Badger cursed as she had been attempting to put the tanglefoot arrows together.  She lunged over, grabbing the reigns from Jadeite.

 
 Spoiler 
Ride:  (1d20+4)[ 21 ] 
If possible also puts together at least one arrow.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Badger manages to lash one bag to an arrow when she hears Jadeite's shout. She's had more experiences with horses than him, and knows how to control two panicking ones in this situation. With a much calmer hand, Badger is able to steer the horses  (d2)[ 1 ]  left and away from the swampy pit before them.
CoffeeIncluded
As the dragon roars out a command to his will-o-wisp minions, one flies against Kheel's back to deliver a nasty shock as he tries to flee and catch up to the cart while the second does the same, hanging back to try and destroy Sora's summoned beetle before it can attack the dragon.

 
 Spoiler 
WoW 1 attacks beetle:
Attack:  (d20+16)[ 35 ] 
Crit:  (d20+16)[ 22 ] 
Damage:  (2d8)[ 5 ]  electricity

WoW2 attacks Kheel:
Attack:  (d20+16)[ 21 ] 
Crit:  (d20+16)[ 26 ] 
Damage:  (2d8)[ 3 ]  electricity
 


Both deliver nasty shocks to their target, and Kheel cries out in pain.
CoffeeIncluded
The black dragon soars overhead, and even though he's above the trees the party is easily able to see him. He flies past Sora's beetle, still locked in combat with one of the will-o-wisps, and in six seconds the Wyvern's Fangs can see him just behind them, hovering just before the deep mire they narrowly avoided.

They're close. The road is less than a hundred feet ahead, just beyond a thin line of especially marshy land. And yet at the same time the dragon is almost on top of them. They're so close to safety, but so far away.

 
 Spoiler 
Sora, Elsee, Surdrak, and Artorias are up. Sora's stag beetle didn't stop the dragon, but it DID distract one of the two will-o-wisps. Do you want to roll its attack or should I?
 
Silverraptor
Sora looks up at the dragon before turning to Artorias.
 "C-Cure moderate wounds!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Cure:  (2d8+5)[ 13 ] 

Go ahead and make the rolls for the beetle.

 Also, this music is now maditory for this part. 😁
 
CoffeeIncluded
Some of the frightful-looking acid burns on Artorias's neck and chest close over, leaving new pink skin.

Meanwhile, over a hundred feet away, the stag beetle tries to bite down on the will-o-wisp.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack:  (d20+10)[ 13 ] 
Crit:  (d20+10)[ 28 ] 
Damage:  (4d6+9)[ 24 ] 
 


The will-o-wisp shoots back and up, easily evading its bite. It vibrates in a mocking tone that the stag beetle cannot comprehend.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias let's out a relieved sigh as Sora's magic mend his body.  "Thanks Sora".  While he can't forget the looming threat of the dragon, he takes a moment to try and calm himself.

While he is still unerved he has managed to somewhat steelhimself  "Jadeite, give me the reins I can't do anything else right now" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Thank you,"  Jadeite shoves the reins into Artorias's hands. He just needs to control the horses a little bit longer; they're almost back to the road.

 
 Spoiler 
surdrak, Elsee, and Kheel are up. Artorias needs to make a ride check.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias takes the reins and tries his best to keep the speeding cart in a safe route.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20)[ 1 ]  +2 from dex, -2 from frightened
Edit: ...
 
CoffeeIncluded
The horses whinny in fright and yank the reins out of Artorias's hands. They fly into the air and start bobbing back and forth with every panicked step. As the cart rolls along thick mud the horses kick up a spray of it that paints Artorias's face. At this point if they even make it past the thick strip of especially boggy marshy land before them, they'll run right over the road and into the mire beyond!

 
 Spoiler 
Oh great. At least Elsee and Surdrak are up?

This is seriously starting to turn into a comedy act. Well, at least I started laughing when I saw the second natural 1 in a rod?
 
super dark33
Surdrak takes the reigns himself.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+2)[ 22 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
With a well-trained hand, Surdrak guides the horses over the bog and onto the road, where with a grunt of effort he makes them turn and follow the actual path. They're almost there. With a shout, Kheel flies at top speed and nearly catches up.

As the cart turns, jadeite shouts and lets out two spells.  "Hey, dragon! Aren't you tired, running after us?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Badger is up, and so is Elsee if you want.

Jadeite casts quickened true strike and ray of exhaustion, uses the circlet to recharge the spell.
Ranged touch:  (d20+22)[ 25 ] 
Fort save:  (d20+15)[ 25 ] 
 
Athedia
Badger happily let Surdrak take the reigns, they were his horses after all.  Picking her bow and the completed tanglefoot arrow back up she aimed at the dragon.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack: (1d20+6)[ 22 ] 
Crit:  (1d20+6)[ 26 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+1)[ 7 ] 

Ah, if only I could switch that attack and Crit roll.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The dragon roars as Jadeite's spell strikes it between the eyes. It falters but seems to shake off the worst of it. Still, his broad wing strokes seem more labored.

It leaves him just a bit too slow to dodge Badger's arrow. Though the arrow itself is buried harmlessly between a couple of scales on his back (the shaft sticks up but he doesn't seem to even notice), the tanglefoot bag attached to it bursts, splattering itself all over his wings and immediately stiffening to fix them in place.

 
 Spoiler 
reflex:  (d20+10)[ 26 ] 
 


With a great roar of frustration, the dragon forces his wings down. The sticky material bends a little before stiffening, and he's free to fly. But he's flying slower now, he can't move his wings as well with their base fixed in place.
CoffeeIncluded
As the cart races ahead and Kheel catches up, just twenty feet away and barely off the road, the swamp seems to clear up ahead, and it looks like they might outrun the dragon. He's not behind them anymore.

A gust of wind blows back hair and clothes, and anyone who looks up realizes why the dragon isn't behind them anymore. He's above them. Slowly, laboriously, he climbs into the sky. Then with stiff movements, he folds his wings behind him and tucks into a dive. The black dragon rockets towards the fleeing group, and as he catches up to the group, the look in his eyes is somewhat amused, but mostly furious. With a great snarl, he slams one clawed foot onto the cart, and slashes the other one deep across Badger's chest, seeking revenge on the one who hindered his movement in the first place.

 
 Spoiler 
Dive claw power attack, -6/+6. -2 to strength with fatigue is balanced by the +2 to dive, which works like a charge but also does double damage. It also works if you're fatigued, I think.

Attack:  (d20+18)[ 33 ] 
Crit:  (d20+18)[ 27 ] 
Damage:  (2d8+11)[ 19 ] 
 


The dragon slashes deep across Badger's chest, and his claws come away bloody. He looks straight into the eyes of the Wyvern's Fangs and snarls. Acrid smoke rises from his nostrils and his eyes are a brilliant blood-red, even deeper than Jadeite's. As the group shrinks away from the black dragon, his snarl morphs into a sneer.

 
 Spoiler 
Everyone's up, and the map is updated. The black dragon is fatigued. If you hinder his movement or distract him one more time you can outrun him.
 
Silverraptor
Sora quickly reaches out for Badger.
 "Cure Moderate Wounds!" 
 
 Spoiler 
 (2d8+5)[ 17 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
With Sora's touch, most of Badger's wounds close up, though they still ooze a bit of blood.

The horses whinny and shriek in panic as the dragon grabs the back of the cart. Jadeite thrusts a trembling finger towards the dragon and shouts,   "We have no treasure to give you and mean you no harm! We only wish to leave in peace! Now get off our cart!"   A ray, the same as before, shoots from his finger to strike the dragon.

 
 Spoiler 
another ray of exhaustion:  (d20+2)[ 12 ] 

Save or not, he's exhausted.
 


The ray barely strikes his wings, but it's enough. With a roar of exhaustion, the dragon's wings slump against the cart. He's hanging on, but barely. Just a bit more and he should fall off, or be pushed.
Athedia
Badger turned around her back still bleeding and glared at the dragon.   "You really picked on the wrong people. Now. Listen. To. The. Elf."   She reached behind her, pulling her staff out of the quiver.  No-one ever though she could hold something like that, but it worked.  Swinging it with both hands she attempted to knock the dragon off the cart.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack:  (1d20+6)[ 14 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Badgers blow smacks the dragon's claws, but doesn't even chip their surface. He growls, his acrid breath right against Badger's face.
super dark33
Surdrak conjures an Eldritch morningstar on his hand and attempts to attack the dragon. he take his moment to focus on its weakest spot.


 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+8)[ 9 ]  Concentration check, if passes the target's AC, target is flatfooted and takes Sapphite damage. if misses, attack roll suffers a -2.
 (1d20+1)[ 18 ]  Attack roll
 (1d20+1)[ 11 ]  Crit roll
 (5d6)[ 14 ]  Eldritch damage
 (1d6)[ 6 ]  Sapphire damage
 (1d3+1)[ 4 ]  Gauntlet damage
 
CoffeeIncluded
Though exhausted, the dragon manages to dodge Surdrak's attack.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias swallows hard before trying to smack the dragon with strength born of panic

 
 Spoiler 
Using  Rabid Wolf Strike
Attack Roll  (1d20+10)[ 29 ] 
Crit confirmation  (1d20+12)[ 29 ] 
Damage  (2d6+7)[ 12 ] + (2d6)[ 8 ] 
Armor class reduced to 14
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Spoiler: Crit damage 
 (2d6+7)[ 16 ]  Sadly maneuver damage isn't multiplied on crits ☹️
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias swings his sword down with all the force he can muster, and it cleaves through the dragon's scales with a spurt of red. As he pulls back the sword more blood spatters out in a trail. With a loud roar of pain the dragon reflexively lets go of the cart, and in that moment it rushes on.

 
 Spoiler 
just Elsee and Kheel! Very, very nice crit, Artorias.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee manages to look up from her fright to see the Dragon beginning to dissapear behind them. Hah! they were actually going to make it!
CoffeeIncluded
Kheel lets out a shout as he races past the dragon without looking back. The cart rattles and shakes as the horses gallop around the turn and as far away from the dragon as possible. Panting for breath, bleeding from his paw, the black dragon lets loose a roar of frustration and a parting shot, a line of acid straight at the party's retreating backs.

 
 Spoiler 
 (d7)[ 1 ] 
 (12d4)[ 26 ]  acid damage, reflex save dc 23 half
 
CoffeeIncluded
The line of caustic acid strikes Badger in the back, between her shoulder blades. If anyone turns around, as they round the corner and retreat, they can see the two will-O-wisps hover by the dragon's head. They must be asking something, because he shakes his head, and slowly stalks back into his part of the swamp. Moments later, the two will-o-wisps follow.

 
 Spoiler 
combat over, feel free to talk
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+8)[ 12 ] 

She will survive if this doesn't work so no worries.
 


Badger stumbled falling to the bottom of the cart as the acid struck her.  Pushing herself back up she winced as she watched the dragon stalk away.   "Let's not go home this way." 
Silverraptor
Sora hurries over with another Cure Moderate Wounds.

( (2d8+5)[ 19 ] )
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite sighs in relief as his spell wears off, the horses slow down, and there's still no sign of the dragon.  "I agree, Badger. We got incredibly lucky here. Next time he will be waiting for us. Is everybody okay?" 
super dark33
 The dragon didnt do any damage to the cart or the horses. This went well. 

Surdrak slouches in his place.
Draconi Redfir
It takes time, but eventually Elsee manages to come to her senses, taking slow, deep breaths as she gradually calms down.

 "that... was pretty stupid..." 
CoffeeIncluded
The cart continues to race along the road out of the swamp. The sounds are returning, as bullfrog croaks and blubbing noises again fill the air.

 "That was scary!"  Kheel says.  "That dragon was scary, mean scary! And he wasn't hungry either!" 
CoffeeIncluded
The rest of the day passes with little issue, as the swamp dries up and is eventually replaced by deciduous forest. Deer dart through the undergrowth and Kheel vanishes abruptly. As the cart stops and everyone fans out to search for Kheel, the wyvern suddenly reappears, a dead turkey hanging from his jaws. It's more than enough food for everyone, enough to last a couple more days if properly preserved and eaten in moderation. Of course, how are they going to preserve it? They'll need to get salt from some place, or trade the turkey for non-perishable food supplies.

Other carts pass by, but none of them contain the supplies for salt. They'll have to smoke the turkey over a fire tonight, as they camp out near the side of the road, too exhausted from the dragon's escape to go any further.

 
 Spoiler 
chat and watch order please?
 
super dark33
Its not like they would starve if the turkey wouldnt be preserved, there are some rations in the cart.
How many exactly though?

 Ill watch first. Who wants to be next? 
Dusk Eclipse
 "I'll take the second watch then" 
Athedia
 "I will take last." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I shall take the third watch; as I should be awake from my trance by then." 
 
 Spoiler 
update tonight. I had a long day. I'll explain later
 
Silverraptor
 "And I'll... sleep in and see you all tomorrow. Good night." 

Sora picks up her bag and starts walking away with an impish grin on her face.
Athedia
 "Sora, you didn't get dragon acid down your back today.  You can share my watch."   Badger crossed her arms and glared at the cleric.  No-one would skirt their duties.
Silverraptor
Sora stopped, foot in mid-air.
 "...But I healed you right away, right?" 
Athedia
Badger raised an eyebrow.   "Yes, my back doesn't show the damage anymore.  But the memory of pain is still there.  That is something no healer I have met understands."   She sighed and continued to set up her bedroll.   "A mark and a memory are different." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Badger is right,"  Jadeite says from under his bedroll.  "Rather a good thing too, I might add. Otherwise we necromancers would have a much more difficult time with our more...invasive studies." 

Eventually, everybody falls asleep or keeps watch. Whether or not Sora keeps watch with Badger, and how they decide upon this, is of course up to them both. But nobody gives them any trouble. It seems like any predator, human, animal, or otherwise, gives the group a wide berth once they catch sight of the myriad weaponry and Kheel. Though when Artorias takes watch, he hears a howl in the moonlight and, off in the distance, sees a pack of blink dogs race past.

The sky is red and flaring in the morning, and by the time Jadeite, Sora, and Badger have finished their spells and everyone else has broken camp thick clouds are beginning to roll in. It's going to rain later, and rain hard. If they want to make up for lost time, the group will have to hurry.

 
 Spoiler 
Is Elsee flying slightly ahead on Kheel?
 
Draconi Redfir
 "Full night's sleep for me then? Hell ef i'm complainin." 

After what was ironically the longest and probably most resfrul sleep Elsee had had in the past two weeks or so, lacking any wakings or sturrings from nearbuy hobgoblins, and only breifly becoming concious again at the sturring of one of her teammates, Elsee awoke wide awake and fully rested. judging from the clouds, she wasn't looking forward to getting rained on, though the lack of the bright sunlight was a bit of a plus.

Figuring she may as well get the rain over with, Elsee wrapped her blanket over her head and tied it off into a makeshift cloak, calling Kheel over and trying out his new saddle for the first time. She made a mental note to tell Kheel once they were in the air that she'd split any food they spotted with him if they didn't bother to tell the others about it.
Athedia
 "Elsee if we have to wake up you can join me and Sora as well. No-one slacks off." 
super dark33
 Good morning fellow Teeth! We had zero disturbence over the night, the turkey is as smoked as possible and its time to move on!  

Surdrak walks over to his horse, he bellows at him but the horse seems to not care.

 HORSE! We are moving! 
CoffeeIncluded
With a look at Surdrak, the horse finally goes to the cart to be saddled up. Elsee and Kheel fly ahead of the cart, and Elsee can instantly tell just how well-made the saddle is. Even when the clouds open up and start to rain, and winds blow against Kheel's wings and slow his flight, she feels comfortable and secure.

The ran continues throughout the day, a steady near-downpour that thankfully has little wind and thunder. The roads are well-maintained, so the group is thankfully able to travel mostly unhindered. Still, there's very few people on the road thanks to the rain, and the isolation is almost eerie. The few carts and caravans that move past in all directions provide a welcome change of scenery. They camp on the side of the road, and though the rain lets up slightly during the night, it's still drizzling the next day. Sopping wet and desperate for company, the Wyvern's Fangs are more than happy to see a tiny village where they can rest for the night, so small it's not even on the map. But there's food to eat and beer to drink and a dry place to sleep.

Nobody knows about San De Sol.

It's the next day, however, that proves to be dangerous. It isn't even noon when the air goes suddenly still and the clouds just as quickly turn an ominous green. The heavy smell of ozone hangs in the air, and then all of a sudden the skies open up, soaking everyone through in moments. The deluge is accompanied by a flash of lightning, and a loud thunderclap that sends Naga whimpering and scurrying to hide between Badger's legs. As quickly as it died down, the wind roars to life again, whipping trees and grasses and buffeting Elsee and Kheel. Kheel's instantly blown back  (d6+5)[ 10 ]  feet, tumbling backwards tail over head. And yet even then the saddle Artorias's father made remains mostly secure.

The wind continues to howl, even after Kheel rights himself. It's impossible to fly any further, and even if he could, the steadily approaching lightning bolts are incentive enough to get out of the air. You need to find shelter now.

Elsee and Kheel:
 
 Spoiler 
Just before the storm hit you saw what looks like a part of a stone fort a couple hundred feet off the road.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee frowned and directed Kheel to return to the cart, giving the dragonid her seat on the vehicle itself as she hopped down onto the horse's back, facing the others.  "There'sa castle not too far from here. IF we wanna go all stupid-horror-story we could go in there 'nd snoop around for no reason while we all get killed off one by one." 
super dark33
 Come on, our horror story wouldnt be as lame. We might discover there that our ancestors are Welsh. I think we should go. 

Surdrak doesnt know what a Welsh is, but thought the word sounded funny.

 
 Spoiler 
Shadow over Innsmouth. Thats basically the premise only with fish people. 😛
 
CoffeeIncluded
A lightning bolt strikes barely a half mile off in the distance, sending a loud roaring crack through the air.

 "And if we stay out here, the lightning shall pick us off one by one." 

So the party heads to the ruined structure nestled in the woods. It looks like a building, a large squarish shape, with stone walls around it. But the stone walls are fragmented and crumbling, and part of the roof appears to be sagging in. Tendrils of ivy snake and twist around the walls and thin openings for arrows to shoot from have their line of sight obscured by saplings. Still, the structure looks relatively stable, and it should hold and serve as shelter for the night.

There's no reply as the Wyvern's Fangs pull up to the fort. There's no signs of any life at all.

 
 Spoiler 
Map coming up. Everyone roll spot, listen, search, and survival. Here's Jadeite's rolls:
Spot:  (d20+4)[ 23 ] 
Listen:  (d20+4)[ 8 ] 
Search:  (d20+7)[ 8 ] 
Survival:  (d20+2)[ 14 ] 
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "I don't like the look of this,but it is our best option"   he moves next to the door and examines the door for traps (old habits die hard)
 
 Spoiler 

Spot (1d20+8)[ 22 ] 
Listen (1d20+8)[ 9 ] 
Search (1d20+11)[ 26 ] 
Survival (1d20)[ 20 ] 

I am also initiating Hunter's Sense stance, but I'm having troubles weaving it into the description so.... yeah I'm sniffing everything within 30 ft (or 60 or 15 depending on the wind direction)
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite looks over at an extension of the wall that juts out about ten feet from the rest of the fort.  "Does anyone else sense something unusual about the construction of that segment of the wall?" 

Artorias:

 
 Spoiler 
There was a trap on the door, but it appears to be broken and useless now. The door appears to be slightly torn off its hinges. Jadeite is right; there is also something odd about the construction of the extension of the wall to his left, though he needs a closer look to be sure.

Also, as Artorias leans close to the door and activates his stance, he smells something...off. Something that doesn't belong with the heavy smell of the rain and ozone from the storm.
 
super dark33
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+1)[ 13 ]  listen
 (1d20+1)[ 10 ]  spot
 (1d20+2)[ 12 ]  search
 (1d20+1)[ 12 ]  survival
 

 What wall, this one? Well we better hurry. Is the door trapped Artæ?  
Dusk Eclipse
 "Was, most traps are quite delicate and need constant upkeep to maintain them in working order"  Artorias cautiosly approaches the wall.  "Something is not quite right here, but I can't tell what exactly" 
CoffeeIncluded
There's still nothing here. Jadeite gets off the cart--do the others follow as well?

Artorias:

 
 Spoiler 
As Artorias moves away, the smell fades, but it's still present. It's definitely coming from inside. It smells...sickly sweet, but putrid and foul at the same time, and kind of familiar, but he can't quite place it yet.

Are you going to search the wall?
 


Badger:

 
 Spoiler 
If Naga gets close to the door he jumps back with a yelp.
 
super dark33
 Then lets get inside then. Do the doors need any persuading? 
Surdrak jumps of the cart and walks towards the doors with his crowbar out.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by super dark33 
  Then lets get inside then. Do the doors need any persuading? 
Surdrak jumps of the cart and walks towards the doors with his crowbar out. 
 

 "I tell you, something isn't quite right here, can't you smell it? It smells putrid"  he tells Surdrak as he starts to investigate the wall

 
 Spoiler 

Search  (1d20+11)[ 28 ] 
Spot  (1d20+8)[ 15 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias:

 
 Spoiler 
There's a hidden door on the side of the wall. It appears to be locked, and there seems to be an arrow trap, though it's also well-hidden and hard to reach. It's built low to the ground; Artorias would have to be on his knees to assemble or disable it, though it's around Elsee's height. And if it's triggered it'll fire right at his crotch.

I realized that halfway through typing and couldn't resist. 😛
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias raises his eyebrows in surprise and can't help but shudder a little.  "I wasn't expecting this.... OI Elsee can you come here a for sec?   he motions her to come with his hand while moving out of danger.
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 

Spot:  (1d20+9)[ 12 ] 
Listen:  (1d20+10)[ 17 ] 
Search:  (1d20)[ 9 ] 
Survival:  (1d20+2)[ 10 ] 
 


Badger stood near the door shivering as she looked outside at the downpour.   "Can someone go see what Naga is barking at? It better not be another dead squirrel." 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee snarled a bit and hopped off the hourse, pulling the hem of her makeshift blanket-cloak around her tighter as she walked to Artorias' locaition.

 "Urgh, whaaat? can't we just go inside? et's wet out here! 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
 Elsee snarled a bit and hopped off the hourse, pulling the hem of her makeshift blanket-cloak around her tighter as she walked to Artorias' locaition.

 "Urgh, whaaat? can't we just go inside? et's wet out here!  
 

 "Something smells rotten inside"  he says pointing to his nose  "Anyway do you see this trap?"  he points to the arrow launcher  "Can you help me disarm it?" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee grumbled to herself again as she lifted up the blanket enough to pull out her long-neglected theives tools, taking a closer look at the trap while looking for weak points or trigger mechanisms.

 
 Spoiler 
Disable device: (d20+3)[ 5 ]
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias crouches to start working on the trap.
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+8)[ 18 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
As Artorias slides the tools into the crack in the door and twists, he eventually feels a string snap and give out, then hears something clatter to the floor. The trap is disabled.
CoffeeIncluded
Cautiously, Jadeite opens the opens the door. He blinks, then mutters a spell under his break as he opens the door wider. The elf starts scanning the room as everyone looks inside.

The room appears to be a supply area, refurbished to be a secret hiding place. And there's certainly things to hide. It's hard to see through the darkness of the storm outside, but there are several sacks on the ground--ten, in fact. Each one is filled to bursting with gold pieces, and some shining platinum ones mixed in as well. On a shelf by the sacks of money are several large cut gems, glittering emerald and a golden ring inlaid with topaz. There's also a wand, slightly scuffed from use, and what appears to be a large black coin. Jadeite picks it up and says,  "This is magical. It's used to aid in divination."  He then follows with the wand, and proclaims it to be used for healing, although it's partially depleted.

There are also footprints in the dust and dirt by the door, though they're faint and are already being distorted and washed away by the torrential rain.

 
 Spoiler 
Treasure time!

You've got 2,000 gp (half of it in platinum), 1,400 gp in gems, a scrying beacon (MIC), and a wand of Mass Lesser Vigor with 35 charges left.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee's eyes open wide at the various treasure piles, her exitement quickly carrying her to the nearest one, taking all her restraint to avoid completely jumping in. She pickes up one of the gems and looks at it closely, admiring it's shine.

 "Early retirement here we come!" 
Athedia
 "Maybe if you kept it all for yourself."  Badger reached over the goblins head and took the gem from her hands.    "Though I will admit it is pretty." 
CoffeeIncluded
It is rather a lot of gold, a nice haul after their massive shopping spree before going on the trip. While Elsee manages to restrain herself from jumping in, Kheel doesn't. He dives headfirst into a bag of gold, splitting it open and sending the coins scattering along the ground as he rolls around in it with wild abandon. And then, as he rolls to the inner wall, stops and sniffs the air.

There's another door here, leading inside. And with the relative dryness of this inner room, the smell is much more noticeable, enough for anyone near the door to catch a whiff. Artorias smells it much more strongly, and with the increased strength, he can identify it.

Artorias:
 
 Spoiler 
The smell is one of decay and death. Something, or many somethings, is dead and rotting inside.
 
Silverraptor
Sora picks up the scrying beacons, looking at it curiously.
 "This looks cool." 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee pouts as Badger stole the gem from her, hopping slightly to try and grab it back but just barely missing. Giving up, Elsee takes annother gem from the pile nd turns around to lie down on the cash.  "wonder how this stuff got here... Still ours by the way." 
Athedia
Badger laughed at the goblin trying to grab the gem and tossed it back to her as she collapsed into the coins.   "Artorias, why are you sniffing the air.  You look like Naga." 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite looks over at Sora.  "I believe that is a scrying beacon. It's a rather useful device that allows you to observe an area from up to a mile away. Unfortunately, I do not know the spell required to use it." 

Naga doesn't want to go anywhere near the inner door.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Badger laughed at the goblin trying to grab the gem and tossed it back to her as she collapsed into the coins.   "Artorias, why are you sniffing the air.  You look like Naga."  
 

 "Something smells rotten in there"  he points towards the door  "Could be corpses, could be undead I am not sure" 
CoffeeIncluded
The door is locked, but there's no trap on it. Does anyone want to open it?
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias puts his ear to the door and listens
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+8)[ 17 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias hears nothing but the thunderstorm. There's nothing coming from inside the door.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite pauses and steps back, looking at the floor by the door.  "It looks like there were footprints here, and somebody had to have set this trap." 

Indeed, the trap was set rather low to the ground, which means the one who set it was about three feet tall or had a rather cruel sense of humor.

There's silence from inside. The only sounds anyone can hear are the howling wind and pouring rain and roaring thunder.
Dusk Eclipse
 "I'm gonna open the door, be ready"  Artorias puts his tools to use and starts picklocking the door
 
 Spoiler 
Open Lock  (1d20+8)[ 16 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Since he's overeager, the lockpick gets stuck inside the lock, and it takes Artorias a moment to wrench it free. It's not a particularly difficult lock; he can open it if he calms down and takes his time.

 
 Spoiler 
You can do it if you take 20.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias growls under his breath.  "Ok this might take a few more tries 
 
 Spoiler 
Take 20 for 28
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias opens the door, and is greeted by nothing.

Nothing except the blood on the ground and the two headless furred beasts, like wolves but larger, by the door, and the two decaying dead goblins beside them. Their bodies bloated, their skin crawling with flies and starting to mottle with, the dead creatures stink of rot and death.

Knowledge Nature DC 15 and Elsee (any check):
 
 Spoiler 
The dead creatures are worgs, intelligent wolves that some goblin tribes train and ride for mounts.
 
Athedia
Badger took one look at the decaying bodies and fled to the door almost vomiting.  Who locked them in there?  Why?
Silverraptor
 "Oh lord!" 
Sora backs away with her hand over her nose and mouth.
 "That smells so foul!" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "I wasn't expecting this" 
super dark33
 Doesnt look like a mutual kill with the goblins and wolves.
Somthing else killed them.  
CoffeeIncluded
Surdrak's right. Upon closer inspection, there are clear signs of a battle here. The stone looks eaten away in very specific patterns, and the ground is gouged in straigh lines and spattered with blood. Both the wolf-like creatures and goblins all bear several wounds, and both dead goblins are missing their right hands.

Jadeite stands closest to the decaying bodies, looking down at their flesh, crawling with tiny maggots, as he adopts a thoughtful expression.  "Even in the summer heat, these goblins and their mounts were likely killed only a few days ago." 

And there's another door behind these dead. This door is partially ripped off its hinges as well.
Dusk Eclipse
 "Fantastic"  everyone can heart the sarcasm dripping from Artorias mouth.  "Let's see if we can get the cart in here, then we can decide what to do" .

  "What can we do with the corpses, should we dispose of them?"   Artorias scratches the back of his head deep in though.

 "I... I think we should dispose of the bodies, Elsee do goblins have special funeral rites?" 
Draconi Redfir
Else blankly shrugged as she stared at the corpses from the gold pile. not quite wanting to beleive the sight yet too sure of it to look away.

 "Different for most tribes... Some burn, some bury, hell some eat since food is food 'nd all... ummm... both the dog's heads 'nd the guys' right hands 'er gone..." 
Dusk Eclipse
Artotias nods  "As soon as thr storm passes we should take the bodies out and cremate them"  he says gravely.  "Meanwhile I think we should explore the keep more, if who...whatever did this is still in here I don't like the idea of it finding us first   he walks around the corpses towards the door and examines it.

 
 Spoiler 

Taking 20 to search for traps, total 31
If any Disable device  (1d20+8)[ 16 ] 
Take 20 Open lock total 28 if locked and once traps are disarmed
 
CoffeeIncluded
There are no traps on the door. It was locked, but the lock appears to have been forced open. Jadeite nods to Artorias's remark as the warblade opens the door...

The grisly sight outside the door was just a hint for what awaits the Wyvern's Fangs inside. Almost two dozen goblins and three or four hobgoblins lie strewn on the floor, bloated, rotting, and dead. They bear terrible wounds, and some look partially dissolved. They're dead. Everything in this room is dead, and every single goblin and hobgoblin has their right hand cut off.

Two more of the wolflike creatures, their hides torn apart and their heads cut off, lie dead next to the corpses of their riders, whose chests are full of arrows. They're arranged almost in a circle, almost as if they're protecting something...
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 There are no traps on the door. It was locked, but the lock appears to have been forced open. Jadeite nods to Artorias's remark as the warblade opens the door...

The grisly sight outside the door was just a hint for what awaits the Wyvern's Fangs inside. Almost two dozen goblins and three or four hobgoblins lie strewn on the floor, bloated, rotting, and dead. They bear terrible wounds, and some look partially dissolved. Two more of the wolflike creatures, their hides torn apart and their heads cut off, lie dead next to the corpses of their riders, whose chests are full of arrows. They're arranged almost in a circle, almost as if they're protecting something... 
 

 "I don't know, but I don't think this is a good idea.  Let's just leave.  I would rather face the storm." 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite points at a back door behind the mound of corpses.  "I believe that is the door to the other side. This is the entire fort."  Though there is another room to everyone's right.

 
 Spoiler 
Do you want to inspect the bodies?
 
super dark33
 What about this door?
 

Surdrak points at the door.
 
 Spoiler 
Activate Detect magic.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The door is not magical. It's just a door.

If anyone looks around, they can see that every goblin and hobgoblin has been stripped of their possessions, with nothing valuable remaining. And if they move to either door, they can see what the goblins and worgs were guarding.

Or rather, who.

There aren't many, but whether four legs or two, they're awfully small.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee takes one look at the even larger pile of goblinoids before quickly turning on her heel and shoving as much treasure into her bag as she could manage in less then six secconds before quickly making for the door out into the rain.

 "WELP! Eye'me out! Screw thes full shippery eye'm gunna take meye chances en the rain!" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Elsee! Don't go out there; they might still be around!"  Taking a deep breath, jadeite looks back at the bodies.  "This was the work of more than one person." 

The elf is right. Many of the dead goblins are shot full of arrows, but those are far from the only wounds. Some are burned, some have been sliced or smashed open, and others look like their flesh has been partially...dissolved, for lack of a better word. Because of the decay, some of this is difficult to tell without further inspection.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias swallows hard.  "We need to make sure the keep is safe... we should move" 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Elsee! Don't go out there; they might still be around!"  Taking a deep breath, jadeite looks back at the bodies.  "This was the work of more than one person." 

The elf is right. Many of the dead goblins are shot full of arrows, but those are far from the only wounds. Some are burned, some have been sliced or smashed open, and others look like their flesh has been partially...dissolved, for lack of a better word. Because of the decay, some of this is difficult to tell without further inspection. 
 

Elsee hissed and napped her head back at the elf, glaring at him at best she could from her vastly smaller stature.  "Well gee, would YOU want to hang around in a tomb full of desecrated elf corpses!? oh who am i kidding? of course you would! You'd probably spend a whole week en there just to get off on it!" 

Elsee's glare turned to Kheel and morphed into an almost pleading look as she half-whispered a broken request for Kheel to come with her to get out of there in draconic, speaking in common once more once she was finished, but not making eye contact with any of the others.  "'nd what ef they're still HERE h'uh!? Ever think of that!? Between bein trapped in a twenty foot box 'nd a world that stretches for miles in every direction? I'll take the latter every time thank you very much!" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "You seriously think I'm aroused by--by this?! I may be a necromancer, but that does not mean I engage in or approve of wanton slaughter! And if they are here? That is exactly why you should not go off by yourself right now! Kheel may be powerful, but whomever killed these goblins would be able to shoot him down. You already died once, Elsee! Don't be so stupid a second time!" 

Jadeite sighs and puts his head in his hands.  "I'm sorry. I was not expecting to come across this." 

Kheel whines and leans forward, allowing Elsee to easily climb up.  "There's nobody dead in the gold room,"  he says.
Athedia
Badger stood in the rain, staring out in the direction of the swamp.  Hearing Elsee and Kheel exit she spoke, not looking at the goblin.  "It got to you too?  It looks like a cult or something.  The pattern was to regular for just any slaughter.  You didn't... you didn't know any of them did you?" 
super dark33
Surdrak translates Kheel and tells the group:

 [D]Well said Kheel[D]. Whoever killed this squad had no interest in riches. 

Surdrak takes out an arrow from one of the bodies as carefuly as possible.

 Anyone recognize? 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee shakes her head as she hugged Kheel's neck tightly, somewhat relieved to feel the rain strike the blanket covering her head as they exited the building completely.  "Different tribe. if i did it was only for a short time 'nd a long time ago, so i wouldn't recognize any of 'em... looks more like a hunt then a cult to me. Someone collecting trophies 'nd the like... Maybe i should go back to Runite..." 
Athedia
Badger laid a hand on Elsee's head.   "Anyone who wants to hurt you will have to kill me first.  And unlike you, I am not so easy to kill.  I will make sure the threat is eliminated." 

She turned and re-entered the building.   "Alright people.  We are going after these thugs.  Elsee feels unsafe and I will not be letting her die again.  We can't afford another raising." 
CoffeeIncluded
The arrow Surdrak's holding is rather nondescript. All anyone can tell from it is that it's just an ordinary wooden arrow with a sharp stone tip, and that it was made for a medium-sized bow.

Jadeite's face is set in a hard line as Badger, Elsee, and Kheel return.  "I agree, but these...thugs killed these goblins several days ago. They may be in another region of Kyare by now." 
 
 Spoiler 
Roll survival to see if you can tell which direction they went.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee frowned at both of Badger's comments, refraining from mentioning the whole "I wouldn't have DIED if i haden't been put to SLEEP!" arguement in favor of a simple  "Are you crazy!? et's GOOD if these things 're gone! Eye don't wanna go after something spesificly targeteng goblinoids!" 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
Survival  (1d20+2)[ 9 ] 
 

 "Well if they end up going to San de Lune we will be in trouble.  Better to know where they are going so we can avoid them for a little.  Anyway we went after someone targeting clerics of Astrid and Sora was okay with that." 
CoffeeIncluded
Badger:

 
 Spoiler 
Badger can't find any tracks; anything she might have found has been obliterated by the storm.

Does Naga want to try?
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee rolled her eye and crossed her arms over her chest.  "Oh puh-LEEZE! Cecil was ONE guy takeng out ONE kind of person who only became that way BY CHOICE 'nd he dedn't even kell them hemself! He just used Kheel's poison 'nd ran off! We're talking about sometheng here that deliberately hunts an entire freakeng SPECIES 'nd can defeat a small army 'n then some of 'em all on it's own, 'nd then takes a freakeng TROPHY from et!" 

Elsee shoots an angry arm towards the pile of corpses, trying to point out the hundreds, if not more of them there were.  "This thing took on a HUNDRED goblins and won! How the hell do you thenk six people are gunna fair h'uh!? For all we know this could just be where it stores the bodies 'nd all the loot it pulls off of 'em! We could be standing right in the middle of it's home 'nd it could just be off buying milk for it's goblin-head cookies right now and could be back here any minute! We. Need. To. LEAVE!" 
 
 Spoiler 

If Elsee wasn't so freaked out right now, she might be checking the bodies to see if they were all from the same tribe/from one she knew or not.
 
Athedia
Badger grabbed Elsee's arms and knelt down to her level.   "First a few dozen goblins Elsee not hundreds.  Also we don't know if this is one person, my guess is that it is much much more than one person.  Finally do you think just going out there, to be found is the smart idea?  No it isn't!  We are going to stay here and I will keep watch over you all night if I have too."   Though for Elsee's protection or to make sure she didn't run away, Badger never specified.

While his owner was trying to calm a hysterical green person Naga took to sniffing the ground.  The scent of blood was strong in the room, but he was trying to follow the fainter trail.  The odd person had been sniffing as well, but Naga thought he was stupid about it.  He kept his nose high, trying to smell the wind.  That worked sometimes, but the ground was were it was at, a big wet sniff with his ears turning up the old smell, that was the way to do things.

 
 Spoiler 
Survival  (1d20+4)[ 7 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
The stench of blood and rot is overpowering inside, and outside the only thing Naga can smell is the rain--not that he wants to be out for long anyway. He can't get anything useful.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee snarled at Badger, fighting off the faint beginnings of tears in her eyes as she tried futiley to tear her arms out of Badger's grasp.  "We have a better chance out there where they could be anywhere then here where we know they've been at least once! They could be coming back for the gold for all we know!at least out there we have a higher chance of NOT running into them then we do here!" 

Elsee knew she wouldn't be winning this fight anytime soon, but she still put up the best effort she could manage.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Elsee!"  Jadeite grabs the goblin's shoulders and turns to stare straight into her eyes.  "Take a deep breath. Calm down. That was a secret door. If they had noticed it they would have cleaned it out by now. Look at this place. Nobody has been here for days. There haven't even been any animals come to scavenge the bodies. Nobody knows we are here, and nobody is coming back. And if they are, do you think we will abandon you? I am an elf; I do not sleep! I can stay awake the entire night and keep watch over the entire fort. And I am sure everyone else will do the same despite their need to sleep. We will not abandon you. And we will give these goblins a proper rest as well." 
 
 Spoiler 
Also, what do you want to do with the bodies?
 


If Elsee calms down:

 
 Spoiler 
These goblins were from a tribe further north, in a colder more forested area. Only those tribes breed, raise, and ride worgs. Most of the goblins killed were also adults.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias stares numbly at the carnage in front of him, a shiver makes it's way up his spine. What he doesn't understand is why is it affecting him so much, he is no stranger to death, the life of a mercenary is usually short. But this.... this is just too much.
 "Jadeite is right Elsee, we won't let happen anything to you, they will have to pass over my body before I let anything happen to any of you"   he says with more confidence than he really feels.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee frowns and rips her hands out of Badger's grasp, silently wandering to the nearest corner to curl up into it and pout. First the dragon and now this, she should have stayed in Runite, nothing good had come from this trip yet and she doubted it would wind up any better.
CoffeeIncluded
Eventually, after many vows and reassurances, the Wyvern's Fangs decide to stay for the night and ride out the thunderstorm. And hold a funeral for the dead goblins. There's not enough time to bury them, and they can't just leave them out in the woods to rot. So they're forced to cremate them.

It's easier said than done in the rain. The wood they drag in from the surrounding forest is soaking wet and smolders instead of catching fire. It takes several minutes and, eventually, a spell from Jadeite before the torches finally work and the pyre goes up in flames. Everybody watches in silence, and some say prayers. It takes a very long time for the flames to die down and the black ashes to be pounded into the ground by the rain.

Nobody comes that night. The wind howls, and lightning flashes and thunder roars as the storm passes overhead, but nobody comes.

 
 Spoiler 
Feel free to say a prayer or whatever; tomorrow morning you're headed to San De Lune!
 
CoffeeIncluded
It takes a very long time for morning to come, and only the horses sleep that night. Elsee lies curled up beside Kheel, who wraps his long neck and longer tail around the goblin, shielding her from any passers-by. Jadeite sits next to her, one hand held over Hemlock while twitches to any unusual sound his ears pick up. Naga runs back and forth between the doors, snarling at ant snapped twig, and everybody stands guard in their own way. But eventually the storm dies down to a drizzle, the drizzle peters out, and the clouds part to reveal a clear night sky and the smell of fresh rain. It's a beautiful day.

The Wyvern's Fangs sleep through much of it as they climb into the cart and exhaustion takes hold. They continue on for a few more days, occasionally meeting other caravans guarded by well-armed mercenaries on horses. They speak in hushed tones of bandits and raiders in the area, brigands and highwaymen wanted dead or alive.

But they encounter none of these, not even as the road widens and the sun sets. It's nighttime and quiet when the party rides into the wide streets and rolling slopes and small thatched houses and broad-leafed trees and the far-stretched cornfields of San De Lune.

 
 Spoiler 
Welcome! It's nighttime so some places may be closed, but where do you want to go?
 
super dark33
Surdrak's sleep was haunted with nightmares as always, but at least not that annoying voice again.

 You all find an Inn of some sort while i stable my horse and cart. 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee looked unimpressed at the rather boring-looking town.  it was hardly Runite, even less anything decent.

 "so... why did we come here again?" 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias stiffled a yawn before answering Elsee  "Badger told us that a fire uncovered some ruins nearby and we wanted to check it out" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "And because we needed a vacation,"  Jadeite says, looking around. It's difficult to tell in the dark without enhanced vision, but many of the houses appear to have intricately carved patterns around their door frames. They long spirals, tendrils of ivy, long points, and, most often, sunlight and the moon.

If Surdrak looks at some of the more undulating patterns for too long his head starts panging terribly until he looks away.

It's not like there's nobody home, and the town is far from deserted. It's just starting to drift off to sleep. As they ride into what appears to be the central circle of the town, the Wyvern's Fangs can see some of the largest houses on a hill to the distance, barely visible through the trees and small gardens, though it's nothing compared to some of the manors in the Heights. There are several shops in the main circle, and even more stalls circling a large fountain, though they're all closed for the night. There's a figure in the center of the fountain, a carved stone statue of a lovely woman wearing a long dress that flows into the fountain itself. She's sitting in the curved seat of a crescent moon, and is pouring a jar of water over her shoulder; the water bubbles out of the jar and runs back down to the fountain. The jar appears to have small suns carved on it. The woman's hair is long and flowing, and appears to be tangled up on itself. It's impossible to tell her race from this angle, but she's likely either elven or human.

There is one place in the circle, or off the circle that's lively, one building with yellow lights glowing in the window, where noise and cheer filters out and can be heard from a long distance away. Of course, it's a tavern. It's an inn as well, and the swinging wooden sign bearing its name (The Bear's Den) also proclaims that the inn has vacancy. And, furthermore, there appears to be a set of stables nearby, guarded by a napping man, slouched over in a chair with his arms folded over head other and his hat pulled down over his face.

 
 Spoiler 
Who's going to bring the horse and Kheel into the stables, and who's going to check in? And no, Kheel can't stay inside. Sorry.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "That too"   once they are in front of the "Bear's Den" Artorias hops off the cart.  "We ahould rest tonight and heqd for the ruins tomorrow...  so sleeping arrangements; Badger,  Sora and Elsee share one room while Surdrak, Jadeite and myself share another. Any objections? " 
Athedia
 "You're leaving me with those two?  Fine, but they better not snore."   Badger threw her pack over her shoulder and headed toward the inn.
Dusk Eclipse
 "You don't have to share a room, but I thought it could save us a few coins."  Artorias sighs and follows Badger inside.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite looks at Artorias and Surdrak.  "I think that would be a good idea,"  he says slowly.

 Badger, Jadeite, and Artorias: 

The noise and din grow louder as Badger, Jadeite, and Artorias open the door. It's a cramped tavern, filled to bursting with travelers, adventurers, and sellswords. They're mostly human up here, though there's quite a few elves, dwarves, halflings, and people of mixed race. Special drinks with names like  Moonlit Draught  and  Firepepper Ale  are scrawled with white chalk on the blackboard that hangs above the bar. But most people seem to be ordering some variety of ale, and a waitress scampers from table to table, setting down drinks and stew to hungry travelers.

Few people are alone. In one corner several men dressed in uniforms, with capped spears and chainmail and sheathed blades, inspect a map of the area. In another corner a group of adventurers are practically climbing over the table in excitement. The tallest of them, a black-haired young man in blue robes and an indigo cape, waves and shouts to the waitress,  "Hey, another round of drinks, all on this guy!"  pointing to the younger boy next to him, who seems to squirm and shy away, trying to duck beneath the wall of his booth.

The other waitress, a young woman whose apron looks rather flattering on her, turns and asks,  "May I help you?"

Sora, Surdrak, and Elsee: 

The sleeping stableboy grunts and shifts as the remaining three members of the Wyvern's Fangs stay outside for the moment. With a yawn and a stretch, he wakes and pushes off his cap...

...And opens his eyes to see Kheel staring him in the face.

 "GYAAAAHHH!!!" 
 
 Spoiler 
I'm assuming everyone else is outside for now. That's Sora, Elsee, Surdrak, and Kheel. And the horse too.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Yes thank you, we are looking for a place to stay the night, food and drinks would also be nice   he says to the waitress with a toothy grin.
CoffeeIncluded
The waitress returns the smile.  "Of course, right this way!" 

She leads Badger, Jadeite, and Artorias to a table next to the other adventurers. Now that they look more closely, they can see that there are four people there, three men and a woman. The older man with the black hair in the robes appears to be the leader, and he's laughing and joking with a younger man, the violet cape and golden holy symbol of Astrid prominent around his next. Next to him a half-elf woman about the same age as the cleric playfully teases a shy dwarf boy in heavy armor. He looks over at the three, happy for the distraction, and gives a wave before ducking back under the chair.

The older man with the black hair picks up on that and turns around with an easy smile.  "Hey, travelers!"  he says.  "What are you doing here?" 
super dark33
 Sorry, Person. 

Surdrak lets the stableboy calm down before he continues.

 We came to stable these horses and park this cart. 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee snickered at the stableboy's startlement and gently pulled Kheel back away from him.  "'Nd don't worry about this guy, he's with us." 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias returns the smile  "Vacations"  he offfers the older man a hand.  "Name's Artorias, yours?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee, Sora, and Surdrak: 

The boy nods furiously, white-faced. Scrambling back against the wooden side of the stables, he somehow manages to squeak out,  "Do whatever you want; do it all for free! Just don't eat me!" 
 Badger, Jadeite, and Artorias: 

The older man smiles and shakes Artorias's hand fondly.  "Ah, it's great up here. Watch out for the bandits though! I'm Connor."  
Dusk Eclipse
 "Nice to meet you, are bandits a common problem here?" 
super dark33
 Just feed the horse and keep the cart safe. heres some dosh. 

Surdrak tossed 5 gold coins towards the boy.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Oh yeah,"  the dwarf pipes up.  "They steal from carts, so--hey!"  he breaks off, glaring at the chuckling woman as he rubs his arm.

Connor gives Artorias a broad smile.  "Yeah, there's bandits around here. Nasty highwaymen who'll jump you for a couple gold. But don't worry; we'll take care of it. Just leave the peacekeeping to the Steel Thorns and you go enjoy vacation."  He holds up a mug.  "Drink?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Steel Thorns? Are you mercenaries or something?"  he takes the offered mug.  "Oh! Where are my manners, Connor this is Jadeite"  he points to the Elf necromancer  "and this is Badger, we have other guys with us, but they are taking their sweet time with the cart though" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Only the finest around,"  Connor says, extending a hand to shake Badger and Jadeite's in turn.  "This is Ajax,"  he points to the cleric,  "Seres,"  the woman raises a hand,  "And Ragnar,"  the dwarf nods.
Draconi Redfir
 "&lt;You... Goood... Stables?&gt;"  Elsee Asked Kheel, asking if he would be okay in the stables.  "&lt;No... Eat... Horse.&gt;"  Having a wyvern for a companion may get them a lot of unwanted attention, but hey, they just got a free use of the stables! Bonus!
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Only the finest around,"  Connor says, extending a hand to shake Badger and Jadeite's in turn.  "This is Ajax,"  he points to the cleric,  "Seres,"  the woman raises a hand,  "And Ragnar,"  the dwarf nods. 
 

 "Nice to meet you guys, so are you guys based here? Or just passing through doing good deeds and helping the town's people?" 
Athedia
Badger sat back, placing a few coins down for beer.  She had no need to speak, these people would reveal plenty as long as Artorias kept up the idea they were just here for vacation.
CoffeeIncluded
 Sora, Surdrak, and Elsee: 

The boy yelps as Surdrak throws the bag of coins in his face. With a bruise welling around his eye, he clutches the bag and runs off, his face still white.

Meanwhile, Kheel whines at Elsee's command but says,  "Okay,"  as he sulks to the barn.

 
 Spoiler 
are you heading inside?
 

 Jadeite, Badger, and Artorias: 

Connor kicks back, placing his feet on table and crossing his ankles. Ajax takes one finger and gingerly pushes Connor's muddy boots away from his ale.

 "Oh bit of this, bit of that. What about you? No way you're from here." 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Nah we are from a little further south" 
CoffeeIncluded
Ragnar chugs the rest of his ale before turning to Artorias. He sets down the mug and asks,  "So, where are you from then?" 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias finish his drink before answering  "Runite" 
CoffeeIncluded
The four members of the Steel Thorns blink in silence at Artorias's answer. After a moment, Seres says,  "Well, glad you came up here! About time you got away from a city like that and saw the real natural Kyare! Beautiful, isn't it?" 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias feels a tad uncomfortable at the sudden silence.   "It is nice, I'll give you that, but it is just so.... quiet, it unnerves me little." 
CoffeeIncluded
Ajax fiddles with his holy symbol, flipping the golden symbol of Astrid up and down between his fingers.  "Your city is far too noisy. And so...base,"  he says, vaguely waving his hand in the air. It's clear he was thinking of another word but didn't want to say it.  "But I suppose you enjoy it there. What do you do? Are you one of their few lawmen?" 
CoffeeIncluded
The corner of the bar shifts in uncomfortable silence before Ragnar fidgets with a clasp on his armor and blurts out,  "Um, I bet you are! I mean, you seem like pretty cool people, and I've never been to Runite, I've actually never been outside Roihu and Runite's pretty big so I bet there's good people there too..." 

Even though Ragnar trails off again, the conversation does tentatively start up again, though more guarded this time. Through it, the Wyvern's Fangs learn that all four members of the Steel Thorns grew up somewhere in the country of Roihu, and they they're also mercenaries of a sort.

 "We protect this area from highwaymen and bandits, and keep things safe for travelers like you,"  Connor says proudly, though with an edge as he tries to defuse the situation.

And then Sora, Surdrak, and Elsee walk in. The moment the goblin walks through the door, the tavern falls silent. The waitress gives all three of them her standard speech, but her smile is clearly more strained and forced than before. And the Steel Thorns go silent, and every line in their face is harshly drawn.
Draconi Redfir
 "We're good thanks, just looken for some freinds" 

Elsee either ignored or failed to notice the waitress' forced smile, instead focusing on standing on her toes in an attempt to see Badger, Jadeite, or Artorias. Unfortunately the crowd of people much taller then her even while sitting, combined with Artorias' choice in sitting in the very back corner, made this fairly difficult for someone of her size.

 "either of you guys see 'em? 'm too short for this." 
Athedia
Seeing the bar draw quiet Badger smirked to herself.  She had suspected they would react this way, all their talk of defending the town and roads.  A whisper in the back of her head agreed with her, reminding her of the slaughter they had come across before.   "You asked if we were lawmen.  Well I am not.  I bounty hunt."   While speaking she pulled an arrow out of her quiver and started to clean her nails with the tip.   "Oh, Elsee did you find the wyvern somewhere to sleep?"   Badger spoke spotting the little goblin trying to see them through the crowd.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee blinked and jumped at the faint sound of Badger's voice, waiving an arm towards her as she hopped in place to see her for a few brief seconds.  "There they are!" 

Elsee almost rudely pushed herself past and between the various people of the crowd to get to the others, clambering up onto the too-high chair next to Badger with a grin, her question only now sinking into her mind.  "Oh! Yeah Kheel's saying with Surdark's horse. Told 'em not to eat any of 'em though, so 'm probably gunna buy an extra meal for him before we leave."  It was then that Elsee noticed the strangers at the table, grinning widely as she gave a short wave.  "New freinds?" 
Athedia
Badger helped Elsee climb into the chair.   "I don't know about friends, it all depends on them I suppose.  You know me, friendly with everyone."   She leaned forward, her body tilted to be ready to act as a shield for Elsee.   "But see the thing is, I always want my friends to be nice to family." 
 
 Spoiler 
And she finally admits the Wyvern's Fangs are a family to her
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Aww so you  do  care"  Artorias grins at Badger's declaration.  "We are Mercenaries too, people have started calling  us the Wyvern's Fangs, no idea why though." 
super dark33
 Hællo. 

Surdrak sat down quietly. He didnt trust that cleric over there...

 Probably because we have a Wyvern.  
CoffeeIncluded
 "Oh, you're bounty hunters too? Then that means you're lawmen like Ajax says since you also fight and catch--!"  Ragnar stills as Seres lays a heavy hand on his shoulder, clenching the metal armor so tight her knuckles turn white. She shoots the dwarf a glare and he squirms into his seat.

Jadeite stills and raises his hands into a guarding stance as Elsee scrambles over to meet them. People look down, mutter, and glare as she pushes her way through the crowd. The reactions range from curious to confused to downright hostile, but generally trend towards the unfriendly. When she finally makes her way to the table and Badger helps her up, Jadeite looks Connor in the eye as he moves over to give the goblin more room to sit. He looks over at Badger when she gives her declaration and smiles slightly, but says nothing.

The Steel Thorns say nothing either. But as each member of the Wyvern's Fangs declare their allegiance to and friendship with Elsee, their glares become more and more hostile, albeit to varying degrees. Connor and Ajax seem the most angry, with none of their initial geniality and friendliness left. Seres is looking around the bar, where many people are staring at the table and some people appear to be moving to their weapons and armor. Ragnar just looks uncomfortable. The half-elf whispers something into Connor's ear and he loosens up slightly, though Ajax is still tense.

 "Well, I suppose they'll take anybody in Runite,"  Connor says.  "It's a shame. I suppose you're trying to redeem this goblin?" 

Ajax simply sniffs, his nose in the air.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias narrows his eyes,  "I beg you pardon?"'  his smile fading  "Leif's guild is the premier mercenary guild in Runite, and no, we aren't trying to redeem Elsee"  Artorias emphasizes  her name  "she doesn't need to be "redeemed" 
Athedia
 "Leif's only takes the best."   Badger examined the Steel Thorns more closely.   "Don't bother applying."   She stood up, her features no longer feigning friendliness and her hand at her bow.   "As for redeeming, the people who caused the slaughter we witnessed on our way here.  They are the ones who should be looking for redemption." 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee grins and winks at the dark-haired human, folding her arms under her chest as she leans against the table, again either ignoring or failing to notice the obvious hostility.

 "Oohhh they've been tryin that for YEARS trust me, Buuut eye'me still my wild self! I just like hanging around these guys 'cuz i'm used to 'em now." 

Elsee turned her head towards the rest of the restaurant briefly in search of the waitress before returning to Badger.  "You guys order yet? 'm hungry." 
CoffeeIncluded
There's silence from the Steel Thorns, though Ragnar looks to the others and worriedly asks,  "Slaughter?" 

Connor scowls.  "See, Ragnar? They've gone beyond simple banditry and highway robbery and moved on to murder."  He closes his eyes.  "We've been relaxing and celebrating too long, and good people are suffering without our help."  He stands to leave, and everyone follows. But before they walk into the crowd and out of the door into the night, Ajax turns back.

 "Your little pet may have blinded you to the true nature of the savage Plavaan,"  he says,  "But I have seen it. And once you do, you'll know what monsters they are. Even though you're sadly misguided, I will be praying for you, and your safety as well. If you have a safe vacation, then it's because of our work in protecting you and all good people."  And with that, he leaves along with everyone else.
Athedia
As they left Badger made a rude gesture at their backs.   "Soft brained idiots probably think I was talkin' bout humans.   Hey Jadiete, could you make their skeletons misbehave for me? Please?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "I thought we agreed not to kill anyone without a very good reason"  Artorias chide Badger  "though I'd be willing to rough them up a little" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I would, but i'd rather not start an altercation. That could put Elsee in direct danger,"  Jadeite says as he stares at the front door of the tavern.  "But should we meet on the road then I would be more than happy to assist. I could use some more subjects, after all. I haven't quite tested my theory on forceful expulsion of liquid through impermeable tissues yet.

"And also..."  he hesitates before continuing,  "You may call me Jade, if you so desire." 
 
 Spoiler 
only people he considered his friends can call him that.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "I thought we agreed not to kill anyone without a very good reason"  Artorias chide Badger  "though I'd be willing to rough them up a little"  
 

 "They insulted Elsee.  I think that is a pretty good reason.  Stupid skaza jerks, don't they realize the Plavs are not nearly as bad as humans.  Never seen a Plav do the things some people do without blinking."   Stretching, she stood up and shouted out to the bar.   "Anyone else got a problem with my friend?" 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias sighs "Believe me when I say that I understand how do you feel, but attacking them just for that would only serve to validate their claims that Plaavan's are savages"   he smirks  "but that doesn't mean we can't get some payback, we will just have to be subtler." 
Athedia
Badger sat down, glaring at the people around her.  "But I am not a Plav.  Fine, for Elsee's sake I will not.  And thanks Jadiet... Jade."   After musing for a second she looked at Artorias.  "Subtle is not my strong point.  What was your idea?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "I'm not sure yet, but I'm sure Elsee here might have some ideas"  
Silverraptor
 "I'd rather be in the camp of 'Not!' picking a fight unnecessarily, if you would be so kind." 
Sora looks nervously around the table, realizing she missed most of the context of the previous conversation.
super dark33
 Im in favour of humiliating the Steal Thongs.  Mostly to see the look of a cleric when the worst form of heretic is standing above him.  

Surdrak cant help but think they all are talking about him.
But then again, thats because he is in constant paranoia, most of these folk probably dont even know about what a Warlock is.

But somthing in the buildings says otherwise...
Draconi Redfir
Elsee blinked and looked about as the other group up and left, followed quickly by her own suddenly erupting into talk, calls of her name suddenly floating through the air like one might expect a bird's song.  it was a lot of information to process, and as it did Elsee quickly felt like an idiot for actually being nice to those jerks, giving them the benefit of the doubt, and URGH! what was she THINKING!?

Elsee snapped her fingers and pointed to Badger, followed by Jadeite, Sora, and Surdrak a she spoke.

 "Maybe et's time the lot of you put this whole "prank war" thing behind you and channelled that energy into more..."appropriate" targets." 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite slowly smiles, a lazy grin that creeps across his entire face.  "I believe you have an excellent idea there, Elsee. Shall we put our heads together?" 

As the party sits and eats dinner, a simple meat stew with local ale, the locals seem to give them a wide berth, accompanied by many looks. All the waitresses and waiters seem to be huddled over by the blackboard whispering among themselves. Finally, they push one out of the circle, and she stumbles forward. She looks back awkwardly before making her way to the Wyvern's Fangs. She takes a deep breath and puts on a cheery face before she speaks.

 "Are you folks staying here tonight? Is there anything I can help you with?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Sorry I couldn't get any updates today. I'll have something tomorrow morning before I go to class for sure.
 
super dark33
 Yes, we will be staying a night or a few. 
Dusk Eclipse
 "We'll take two rooms, if the can be next to each other or one in front of the other we would really appreciate it" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Of course. I believe we have two rooms available next to each other."  She relaxes a little when she sees Sora and her holy symbol. There has to be a reason she and Elsee are getting along.  "Are you all together?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Yes, we are"  Artorias seems to be a little confused at the question.
CoffeeIncluded
The waitress pauses, then gives a little bow. She seems to have made a decision.

 "If you are paying, polite, and courteous guests, then it is our duty to see e you and ensure you have a safe  and pleasant stay,"   she says, looking back at her co-workers and the rest of the tavern with a pointed glance.

 
 Spoiler 
and I gotta go to class. Talk later!
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Thank you, we really appreciate that" 
Athedia
 "We have the gold, no worries."" 
CoffeeIncluded
She pauses.  "It'll be 140 gold for the six of you to stay tonight." 
Athedia
Badger froze, eyes widening.   "How much? That is highway robbery!" 
CoffeeIncluded
The waitress bristles.  "That includes dinner and breakfast! Not to mention we have been having some difficulty with deliveries lately." 
 
 Spoiler 
I think I mentioned earlier I was bumping up the inn prices a bit.
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
I do not remember that being mentioned.  Also that doesn't divide among 6 people.  And the inn costs in the book are calculated on 1 person per room, not sharing
 

 "But we are sharing! Fine, but Naga is sleeping upstairs with me for that price." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "As long as this...Naga isn't destructive or bothersome to the other guests,"  she says after some hesitation.

 
 Spoiler 
I honestly didn't look at the book and eyeballed it. This was honestly a spur of the moment walking between classes price. Is this unreasonably high? If you all think so, I'll retcon it.
 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Spoiler 
 we can always just say they're charging extra because of the plavan😛
 
super dark33
  Yawyna siht naht erom tol a sah su fo hcae, rettam yllaer tnsoeod ecirp eht.  

Surdrak mumbled to himself.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "As long as this...Naga isn't destructive or bothersome to the other guests,"  she says after some hesitation.

 
 Spoiler 
I honestly didn't look at the book and eyeballed it. This was honestly a spur of the moment walking between classes price. Is this unreasonably high? If you all think so, I'll retcon it.
 
 
 

 "Don't worry, Naga behaves better than most people I know" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "We'll hold you to that,"  The waitress says with a hint of a smile.  "I'll tell the innkeeper and show you to your rooms when you're ready." 
 
 Spoiler 
is 80 gp okay?
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Thank you very much, meanwhile do you have anything stronger than ale?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Fair enough for me.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "We do have wine, and assorted spirits like whiskey and scotch. We also have imported vodka from up north." 
 
 Spoiler 
thanks. Again, I'm really sorry about all this.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "A glass of scotch sounds good"  he turns to the others  "Do you guys want anything?" 
super dark33
 Scotch too for me. 
CoffeeIncluded
The waitress reappears a few minutes later with a couple glasses of scotch, along with a glass of deep red wine that jadeite ordered and beer for the rest. It's good, old and strong. The quality is especially surprising considering the size of the town.

People still give the group looks, but as tone passes more of them ignore it, though more than one person makes comments as they pass or to the staff of the inn. Jadeite grits his teeth at the umpteenth comment about Elsee knowing her place, and Hemlock hisses, but there's no altercation. It's late when the Wyvern's Fangs go to bed, but even though the inn promises their safety, the group takes no chances. It's easy to string up alarms by the doors and windows, and Jadeite casts another alarm spell around Elsee's bed that overlaps the men's room as well. Eventually, everyone drifts off to sleep, some more easily than others.

 
 Spoiler 
more later, hopefully before I go to sleep but I can't guarantee it. Feel free to describe the drinks, night, security measures, or whatever in the meantime.
 
CoffeeIncluded
As Surdrak drifts off, he thinks nothing of the voices. But they were simply biding their time. They come to him in the dark, little more than a whisper.

 "Blood..." .

And that little whisper opens the door to more.

 "Did you see the goblins? Did you see the blood?" 

The floodgates open; a torrent cravers over Surdrak and sweeps him away. He tumbles Over and over in the dark. He's surrounded by black. Not the black of sleep and dreams and closed eyes with the sparks and motes of flashing colors, but a thick black mist that threatens to drown him. As the mist crashes over him he hears the voices call.

 "You're so close."

"A little more, my Surdrak."

"Surdrak...Surdrak..."

"The goblins...th... a sacrifice!" 

Surdrak tumbles over a waterfall he can neither see nor feel, and falls into a pool of tentacles gelatinous red.

 "The wrong one!"

"Bring the right...Surdrak...San De Sol."

"The source!" 
 
 Spoiler 
roll a will save.
 
super dark33
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+5)[ 20 ] 
 


Surdrak was satisfied: Finaly! Some answers!
CoffeeIncluded
Surdrak bolts upright on his bed, and just as quickly the dream fades. As his vision focuses, he can see Peter sitting between his legs on the blanket. The bullfrog looks up and croaks.
super dark33
Surdrak whispered, he did not expect that.

 But i left you in Runite to be cared by an unnamed mercenery whose existence is not important! how did you get here? 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias had been drifting on and off all night, he knew he should have been resting, but he was nervous. Even with all the protections they had put around their rooms he still couldn't sleep well.

A soft whisper wakes him up, his hand bolting the hilt of his sword, relaxing only when he noticed it was Surdrak.

 "Can't sleep?" 
CoffeeIncluded
When Surdrak focuses his vision, Peter vanishes. He must be so used to having the bullfrog wake him up from these nightmares that he imagined he was there.

 
 Spoiler 
I'll let you guys talk for a bit, then update later tonight. Maybe around dinner, but I may not be able to do so until later.
 
super dark33
 Nightmares. This time it told me that the dead goblins were a sacrefice.  
Dusk Eclipse
 "Sacrifices.... for what?" 
CoffeeIncluded
As Artorias and Surdrak discuss the warlock's nightmare, they don't hear a peep from Jadeite.

Morning comes quickly, and bright sunlight shines in through the windows. It's a clear day and now, as the members of the Wyvern's Fangs stretch and wake in the small but comfortable beds, they can look out the window and see the land around San De Lune in all its glory.

And it's certainly glorious. Rolling hills turn into towering mountains to the east, whose peaks are capped with white snow even in the summer. Green trees grow all along the mountains' slopes and peaks and blur the sharp stone, though they still stand in stark contrast to the bright blue of the sky. Anyone craning their neck and practically leaning out the window can see a river flowing behind a stretch of farmland. It's nearly clear, but runs white as it flows over stacked rocks and burbles on.

And yet, looking at the mountains, the group can swaths of black cutting through the green, large dark scars running over the peaks. The recent fire has left its mark, scorching streaks of the forests to ash.

That's where San De Sol is. That's where the group is headed.
super dark33
 Spirits probably. And why would they need sacrefice is beyond me. It definetly wouldnt increase their power or size.  

Surdrak shrugged.

 Its probably to prove domination over whatever mortal they deal with, be it a simple goblin in the plains or the greatest of empires. 

A domination Surdrak is already in.
Silverraptor
Elsee and Badger are woken up by a high pitched humming. As they get up, they'll see Sora sitting at the desk holding her glowing amulet in her hands and having her eyes closed while concentrating. The amulet itself is what is make the faint high pitched humming.
Athedia
Badger squinted her eyes and held her hands to her head.  This early in the morning?  Must she?

Naga appeared to agree with her, letting out a low growl as he shook his head, trying to get rid of the sound.
Dusk Eclipse
 "I.... honestly don't know what to say, are you sure you are ok? I mean you've been having nightmares a lot lately"  Artorias passes his hand over his hair in exasperation.

 "Common, let's get some breakfast, the faster we do that, the faster we will be on the road; Jade are you coming?" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee hissed at Sora's humming, rolling over in her bed sevral times to try and fall asleep again despite it. When this eventually proved fruitless however she finally gave up and sat up straight, tired eyes staring blankly at the wall ahead of her for sevral minutes at a time. one thing was for sure, Elsee was definately not a morning goblin.

Eventually Elsee got up from her bed and wandered over to Badger's leaning against the human and closing her eyes as she covered her ears.
Athedia
Badger felt the weight of the goblin against her and smiled.  Nothing had happened in the night, that was good.  Maybe, she hoped, the goblin haters had decided not to tangle with the group.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Of course,"  jadeite says, suddenly upright. He's resting one hand on his spellbook while the other covers Hemlock. And the viper is staring straight at Surdrak.

Meanwhile, in the other room, as Badger holds on to Elsee and tries to drown put Sora's humming, she remembers something else the two men had told her. They didn't know where exactly San De Sol was, and when they asked nobody would let them go. It's something the group has to deal with.
Dusk Eclipse
 "I'm going to see how the girls are doing and I'll meet you downstair, ok?"  Artorias carefully navigates through the mass of traps and alarms they had set up the night before,   "Perhaps we overdid it"  . He knocks on the door.

 "Are you girls awake? We want to have breakfast and leave as soon as possible" 
Draconi Redfir
 "Yes, but go away, we're all naked and having a pillow fight in here!" 

Elsee grinned and jabbed Badger in the side with her elbow before lowering her voice to a tone Artorias couldn't hear.  "That'll run though his mind fora few days dontcha think?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
  "Yes, but go away, we're all naked and having a pillow fight in here!" 

Elsee grinned and jabbed Badger in the side with her elbow before lowering her voice to a tone Artorias couldn't hear.  "That'll run though his mind fora few days dontcha think?"  
 

Badger shoved the goblin.   "Don't be mean.  Anyway, only a fool would have removed their armor last night."   True to what she had said as she stood up and the blanket fell away it was obvious she had slept in her clothing.
super dark33
 Haha very funny.  Surdrak said bluntly.
 Do hurry up. 
CoffeeIncluded
Everybody is dressed and ready to go more quickly than ever before. Clearly more than one member of the team was expecting to have to make a hasty escape in the middle of the night. As it it,s they got up early and are still among the first to make it down to breakfast, despite spending the better part of an hour dismantling tripwires, alarm bells, caltrop traps, swinging spiky things, and other various traps set up in both rooms.

Breakfast isn't as different from Runite's breakfast as the group may have expected, although there's more pork, fewer shellfish, and an entirely different array of spices. And there are a lot more eggs. The waitstaff is friendlier than they were last night, and a couple even approach to ask whether the Wyvern's Fangs slept well. As they sit and eat and discuss what to do next, they come across a problem.

 "The mountains are far too large to search for San De Sol; we need more precise directions. Considering that this town is named San De Lune, someone here almost certainly knows where to go." 
 
 Spoiler 
Okay, I'm back. I still have more exams next week along with various assignments and internship applications and GRE studying, but I can breathe a little bit more easily for a while.

Gather information checks will get you what you need here.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee put in an order for three extra orders of uncooked pork during their meal, planning on bringing it to Kheel once their chat was over to ensure he had eaten something too.

 "Me 'nd Kheel could always fly out 'nd look around the fire area. we 'kin fly high enough that people'll just think we're a bird or something, 'nd we can get a good veiw of a huge area in little time." 
Dusk Eclipse
 "That is a good idea Elsee, but I'm worried those Steel Thorns might try something... they weren't too happy yesterday" 
 "Badger do you still have that pendant we found on the island?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite thinks for a moment.  "That could help us narrow it down, and while the Steel Thorns are a concern they do not know about Kheel. Perhaps we could disguise Elsee as a halfling?" 
 
 Spoiler 
searching on Kheel should work, assuming you don't blow the rolls.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Please tell me you have a spell for that" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Unfortunately, no. I never found it necessary to conceal my identity. Furthermore, the spell would last an hour or two at most;
Elsee would need protection the entire day. However, there might be a wand with it available." 
 
 Spoiler 
a hat of disguise would be best but there are other ways to do this.
 
Athedia
Badger groaned and pulled the hairband out of her hair.   "Fine Jadiete.  She can use it."   Her hair lengthened as she pulled the hairband out and those around her could notice something else.  Instead of the dark reddish brown hair that usually topped her head there was blonde, not much but it stood out against the rest of her hair.  The henna markings on her face faded as well.

Badger looked away from the group, not wanting to see their faces as she thrust out the hairband.   "Just think about what you want to look like, it is just an illusion, and the hairband can change looks too."   She blinked a couple times, she felt naked without the hairband.  Why hadn't she brought her dyes, why had she felt like she didn't need them?
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias raised his eyebrows at Badger's "real" appearance, he had his doubts sure, but seeing them actually confirmed. "When did you get that band anyway?"  was the only thing he could come up with and not invoke her rage.
Athedia
 "When you were questioning the necromancers.  I needed something so I could talk to them."   Badger still wasn't facing the group and they could see a slump in her shoulders.  Naga whined and nuzzled her hand.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee frowned and stuck out her tounge in disgust as she took the headband, dangling it infront of her like something rotten.

 "Do i /have/ to be a halfling? eye mean no offence to the guys but those feet... eurgh..." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Do you remember the half elf Susanna we met while searching for Badger? That was her,"  Jadeite says gleefully, though he looks at Badger with a curious expression on his face.

He approaches Badger and says out loud,  "Im sure they have dyes here, though nothing mundane could make one race appear like an entirely different one. Though Elsee, if you're that insistent on having some part of your body remain green, you could be a gnome." 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias opens his mouth as if to say something, but he closes before saying anything, instead glaring at the elf.
Athedia
 "I wasn't really hungry anyway."   She pushed the plate away and walked out to the stables with Naga.  She pulled her bow out of the quiver and started cleaning off the wood.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias follows Badger to the stables, he gives Naga a pat on the head before sitting next to the brooding archer  "What was that?" 
Silverraptor
*Somewhere in the conversation before Badger walked off*

 "Oh Badger, you look good with blond highlights." 

(Because I couldn't think of anything else for Sora to say in this situation.😛)
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Artorias follows Badger to the stables, he gives Naga a pat on the head before sitting next to the brooding archer  "What was that?"  
 

 "This isn't me."  Badger gestured to the blonde roots showing .   "I didn't want you to see it.  Any of you."   Sora and Jadiete's comments stung.   "And I called them family." 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "This isn't me."  Badger gestured to the blonde roots showing .   "I didn't want you to see it.  Any of you."   Sora and Jadiete's comments stung.   "And I called them family."  
 

 "You are right, this isn't you"  Artorias raises his hand silencing anything before Badger can say even say something   but nor for the reasons you think. Do you really think that you are a different person because of the colour of your hair? Did you think we would think less of you because you are blonde?"  he doesn't gives her time to answer

 "Because that is bullcrap, pure and simple"  Artorias throws his arms over her shoulders in what he hopes is a reassuring gesture.  "We are family, don't you ever think otherwise" 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite blinks as Badger wanders off, and Artorias follows.  "I wasn't looking to insult with that jest." 

The scars of the fire cover multiple mountains. Elsee and Kheel could certainly find the location of San De Sol within a day or two--if they're lucky.

 
 Spoiler 
I'm gonna let Badger and Artorias finish their conversation. I want to see how it goes.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "You are right, this isn't you"  Artorias raises his hand silencing anything before Badger can say even say something   but nor for the reasons you think. Do you really think that you are a different person because of the colour of your hair? Did you think we would think less of you because you are blonde?"  he doesn't gives her time to answer

 "Because that is bullcrap, pure and simple"  Artorias throws his arms over her shoulders in what he hopes is a reassuring gesture.  "We are family, don't you ever think otherwise"  
 

 "You don't get it.  She is dead, if anyone found her..."   Badger shuddered at her memories.   "Please, just make sure I get it back before we go home. Please." 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias eyes widened, he had never seen Badger so vulnerable.  "Of course"  he continues to hug her.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee quirked an eyebrow at Jadeite's comment, not really understanding what part of a gnome would be green. she quickly shook her head of it however and twirled a hand as she attempted to think of something better.

 "does it really matter if i turn into anyting? we'd be higher then anyone kin see remember, 'nd even if someone did see us, they'd be more worried about the Wyvvern then the Goblin." 
super dark33
 This town seems to have a secret going on, maybe its some sort of warlock conspiracy. I know it sounds weird but ill need to look at the walls.  
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Artorias eyes widened, he had never seen Badger so vulnerable.  "Of course"  he continues to hug her. 
 

Badger let herself relax, leaning her head on Artorias's shoulder.   "Thank you."   She stood like that for a while, feeling safe.  But she had a job here, as much as they had been pretending this was vacation.

 "We should go back in.  I don't think Elsee will be taking kindly to the idea." 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite shakes his head at Elsee's question.  "Rember the books Feliks had? Wyverns don't like around here; they live on the more arid mountains near Kago. Furthermore, Kheel is wearing armor. Anybody seeing him would expect a rider, and I would rather not put you in any extra danger." 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee sneered and pouted, putting the headband down on the table infront of her.  "Fiiiine"  she muttered, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms over her chest.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Badger let herself relax, leaning her head on Artorias's shoulder.   "Thank you."   She stood like that for a while, feeling safe.  But she had a job here, as much as they had been pretending this was vacation.

 "We should go back in.  I don't think Elsee will be taking kindly to the idea."  
 

 "Let's go" 
super dark33
Surdrak looked iritated.

 Im going out to look at some masonry.  See you.  

With that Surdrak went outside. He would look around town and search for a bench to sit on.
Athedia
Badger appeared behind Elsee, having re-entered the room.  Picking up the hairband she forced it onto the goblins head.   "Be a human child.  You're close enough to being a sister anyway.  And they like humans.  And most people like children.  Just no swearing or misbehaving." 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite looks curiously at Badger and Artorias when they return but doesn't say anything.

Surdrak finds an empty bench near the fountain. Now that he can see the statue in the sunlight, it's a sculpture of a human.

 
 Spoiler 
whats Surdrak looking for?
 
super dark33
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Jadeite looks curiously at Badger and Artorias when they return but doesn't say anything.

Surdrak finds an empty bench near the fountain. Now that he can see the statue in the sunlight, it's a sculpture of a human.

 
 Spoiler 
whats Surdrak looking for?
 
 
 

Surdrak concentrated his vision, and began looking for magic auras.

 
 Spoiler 
The sensation he has when looking on spirit stuff. and also the culture of this place.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee grinned a bit and darted her eyes from Badger to Artorias, her appearance changing slowly as her eyes jumped back and forth between the two, eventually causing her to look like a miniturized Badger with a few hints of Artorias thrown it.  "Gee, Thanks  Mom !" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
 Elsee grinned a bit and darted her eyes from Badger to Artorias, her appearance changing slowly as her eyes jumped back and forth between the two, eventually causing her to look like a miniturized Badger with a few hints of Artorias thrown it.  "Gee, Thanks  Mom !"  
 

 "You... you."  Badger tensed and released her fists a few times.   "I said sister, not child."  She spoke through gritted teeth.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee couldn't help but burst into a fit of laughter, her disguise quickly fading as her concentraition wained. it took a full few minutes for her to finally calm down enough to talk once more.

 "Nnngehehehe~ Sooorry! You just gave me such insperaition!~" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Now Badger, doesn't she look absolutely adorable? I would say she gets it from you."  He can't stop grinning.

 
 Spoiler 
Anyone else having problems with massive forum slowdown today?
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias is stunned. He tries to regain composure by coughing into his fist.   "How about we start asking for directions?.... Yeah that sounds like a plan." 
  "I should have seen that coming, I should have....   Artorias mumbles to himself.
 
 Spoiler 

That goes for both me and Artorias.

And yeah, the forum has been specially slow, at first I thought it was because my sister was on Netflix, but all other pages work fine.
 
Silverraptor
Sora has her hand over her mouth, trying to suppress her giggles.
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

There are several magical items around, mostly in the carts. And...something else.

His vision seems to fuzz a bit as he stares at the base of the fountain and the opening of the jar where the water spouts out for too long.

 Everyone else: 
 "I agree,"  Jadeite says.  "Perhaps we should start by asking the elders of the community? Or do you have any better ideas?" 
 
 Spoiler 
You can start searching and rolling whenever. Does Elsee want to start flying now?
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee hops out of her chair and removes the headband from her head, slipping it in Badger's pocket as she picked up the extra pork she had ordered for Kheel.

 "i'll give Kheel his breakfast 'nd then fly up 'nd look around for awhile. We'll be back before sunset don't worry." 
Athedia
Badger grabbed Elsee's arm and spun her around, pulling the headband out with her free hand and forcing it back on Elsee's head.  She grabbed Elsee's shoulders and knelt down to her level, eyes steely with anger. "You will wear this, you will act human all day.  If I find out you removed it I will personally hunt you down myself, not let the Steel Thorns even have one crack at you.  Do you understand me?"  She shook Elsee before she spoke again.  "Do. You. Understand. Me." 
CoffeeIncluded
This conversation happens just after Elsee tosses the leftover pieces of a few pigs to Kheel. As the wyvern happily digs into the entrails he looks out the window, digging his claws into the windowsill and leaving gouges into the wood. He slurps down a long string of intestines he asks, still staring off at the mountains,  "Feliks said I'm from Kago, and there are mountains there. Is this Kago?" 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Badger grabbed Elsee's arm and spun her around, pulling the headband out with her free hand and forcing it back on Elsee's head.  She grabbed Elsee's shoulders and knelt down to her level, eyes steely with anger. "You will wear this, you will act human all day.  If I find out you removed it I will personally hunt you down myself, not let the Steel Thorns even have one crack at you.  Do you understand me?"  She shook Elsee before she spoke again.  "Do. You. Understand. Me."  
 

Elsee hissed as she pulled herself away from Badger again, crossing her arms and pouting as she once again took the form of a miniature Badger with bits of Artorias thrown in, even going so far as to include one of Badger's face-tattoos in the same shade of purple as her own usual one.  "I'd be too high for them to even SEE me! let alone REACH me! But ef you're so obsessed with a makeover then dine. But eye'm using THIS form just to spite you!" 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 This conversation happens just after Elsee tosses the leftover pieces of a few pigs to Kheel. As the wyvern happily digs into the entrails he looks out the window, digging his claws into the windowsill and leaving gouges into the wood. He slurps down a long string of intestines he asks, still staring off at the mountains,  "Feliks said I'm from Kago, and there are mountains there. Is this Kago?"  
 

Elsee had lowered her disguise briefly as the stables were empty to avoid spooking Kheel, quickly explaining the whole disguise thing to him as he ate and showing him wht she'd look like for the rest of the day, her hands constantly going up to scratch at the itchy headband every so often, not used to needing to wear something around her forehead.

 "Trust me, ef this was Kago eye'd probably be dead. You too probably. If anyone asks about you though we could probably say we're a trainee team from there maybe."  This was all spoken in poor and broken Draconic mind you, it was merely written more legible for the sake of those reading these lines from an electronic screen.
CoffeeIncluded
Kheel scratches his head and nudges Elsee's headband. He doesn't really seem to fully comprehend Elsee's explanation of her disguise, but when she mentions she'd be dead if this were Kago he asks,  "Why? Is Kago a bad place like the pirates were?" 
super dark33
Surdrak leaned forward and glared at the fountain hole.

This is a discovery!
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Everyone else: 
 "I agree,"  Jadeite says.  "Perhaps we should start by asking the elders of the community? Or do you have any better ideas?" 
 
 Spoiler 
You can start searching and rolling whenever. Does Elsee want to start flying now?
 
 
 

 "I thought of asking around the tavern or the inn, those tend to be gossip hot-spots, but asking the elders is a good idea too."  
CoffeeIncluded
Surdrak has to climb into the fountain to really search. The water is colder than he expected and goes up above his knees. People stop to stare at the sight of the warlock crawling all over their fountain, and a couple people publicly comment on the state of his sobriety. But eventually he finds the source of the magic. It's something small, something strange that seems familiar yet not quite identifiable. And it's hidden under the surface of the sculpture, on the inside and out of sight.

Everyone else splits up to search and ask about San De Sol.

 
 Spoiler 
please tell me where you're going and roll gather information checks.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias spends part of the morning chatting with the waitress/ers and patrons in the Bear's Den, asking for rumors, about the fire and the like.

 
 Spoiler 
Gather Information  (1d20+1)[ 4 ] 
 
super dark33
 Everyone calm down. There is somthing magical inside this fountain and i will find out what is it.  

Surdrak recalls books he red and his education to try and pinpoint the magic that is going on. He doesnt really care about what the people around think.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+10)[ 25 ]  spellcraft
 (1d20+4)[ 7 ]  knowledge magic
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee grinned and lighly stroked the back of Kheel's head picking away a stray scale or two when she found them.  "Sometheng like that." 
Athedia
Badger went with Artorias, almost laughing at his attempts to get information.

 
 Spoiler 
GI:  (1d20+9)[ 22 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

The magic coming out of the fountain is...old. Much older than he'd expect. And there's conjugation in there, but...is that enchantment? A warped, refurbished enchantment? No, it's more than that. There's a hollow skeleton of old magic there, the rubble reused but hidden from the sun. And the rubble almost seems like pact magic.

 Badger and Artorias: 

Badger manages to step in before Artorias manages to completely screw up the operation and get them kicked out of town, never mind the bar. Eventually someone says,  "I don't know much about San De Sol, but you might want to ask that old Druid Ced by the river. He used to be the mayor." 
Athedia
 "Thanks, I do think I should remove my inebriated friend first."   As she pulled Artorias out of the bar she slugged him on the shoulder.   "Be careful.  We are outsiders remember."   She started to head toward the river, Naga following behind.
CoffeeIncluded
Ced may have been the mayor, but his house isn't as nearly ostentatious as some (well, most) of the mansions in the Heights. It's larger than the other houses by the river, and in one of the most scenic location, and it's the most well-maintained and has the most intricate carvings, but it's nowhere near the gaudy flashing of wealth that some people like Lady Polzin want to show off at every and any available opportunity.

The house is made of natural stone, and seems to rise up from the riverbank, The lawn before the house appears to be overgrown with plants and choked with weeds, but upon further inspection there seems to be a guiding hand of order to the chaos; it hasn't simply been left to seed. Naga sniffs the ground intently, then runs off, following a hard-to spot trail of beaten grass into the garden. A bit of smoke rises up from the chimney; he is home.
super dark33
Surdrak squeed silently and started grinning enthusiasticly.

He turned back into the people:
 Since when is this fountain here, and how much would you say it costs? 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Thanks, I do think I should remove my inebriated friend first."   As she pulled Artorias out of the bar she slugged him on the shoulder.   "Be careful.  We are outsiders remember."   She started to head toward the river, Naga following behind. 
 

Artorias huffs annoyed.  "If that is the case; I'll let you do all the talking from now on" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Artorias huffs annoyed.  "If that is the case; I'll let you do all the talking from now on"  
 

 "Fine with me."   Badger led the way to the way to the front door and knocked.   "Excuse me sir, we were told you might be able to help us?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 surdrak: 

The small crowd just stares at the warlock, and eventually one man shrugs.  "Dunno. We've had it here long 's can remember." 
 Badger and Artorias: 

There's silence from the house, but suddenly the two hear a rustling behind them to their left, followed by yelling from Naga. The Basset hound races out of the tall grass to Badger and leaps into her hands; scared but unhurt. Behind him walks an old stems-looking land with a long tangled stark-white beard and pine needles in his hand. He clutches an old staff, which he thrusts and Badger and Artorias.

 "Whicha ye had yer dog go sniffin' round my rabbits?" 
super dark33
 Priceless then. 

Surdrak sighd, he intended to break it and pay for the damages.
When all you have is a hammer yknow.

 This doesnt need to alarm you, but there is a source of ancient magic in this fountain, older even than what the elves faff about in their forests.  
Athedia
 "I didn't send him to do anything."   Badger looked down at the frightened dog.   "He meant no harm, we don't really have rabbits in the city." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by super dark33 
  Priceless then. 

Surdrak sighd, he intended to break it and pay for the damages.
When all you have is a hammer yknow.

 This doesnt need to alarm you, but there is a source of ancient magic in this fountain, older even than what the elves faff about in their forests.   
 

The same man shrugs, even as some people glare at Surdrak's statement.  "So?"  he asks in that same drawl.  "God magic's just as old too." 
 
 Spoiler 
You might want to think twice about breaking it...
 


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I didn't send him to do anything."   Badger looked down at the frightened dog.   "He meant no harm, we don't really have rabbits in the city."  
 

 "And if he killed my rabbits? Ignorance ain't an excuse."  He seems stern but not angry--and it's probably a good thing he isn't!
Dusk Eclipse
 "In that case we would offer some sort of compensation for your rabbit sir, but since Naga didn't kill anything then there is no need for that right?"  Artorias waits for some sort of reaction before continuing.  "Anyway sir, are you by any chance Cel the former mayor of San de Lune?" 
Athedia
 "Weird slug creatures yes. But nope, never killed anything without my word."   Badger shrugged and carefully put Naga down.   "We are actually here to ask about San de Sol.  We heard tell that the recent forest fire revealed it again.  Someone I know from the city remembers that name being mentioned before, thinks it has some importance." 
super dark33
 Welldo you know anyone who might know better about this fountain? 
 
 Spoiler 
Surdrak wont break it, wont worth the hassle.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

He shrugs again--people are already starting to leave for the next distraction.  "Ced may know. He's the oldest here, 'sides the few dwarves 'n elves."

Badger and Artorias: 

Ced pauses and his eyes narrow.  "Mebbe you should come inside,"  he says, opening the door and ushering them in.

The house is cramped but comfortable, warm and cozy. Bundled sheafs of dried plants and long grasses hang on the wall, and pressed flowers hang on the mantle of the fireplace. A half-filled pipe and a small round plate of tobacco rest on a table surrounded by chairs--more like stools--carved from large tree stumps. A crust of dried bread and a couple of day-old carrots lie next to the tobacco, and as Ced shuffles in he picks them up and feeds them to another hare, gray with age but still lean and spry, resting by the fireplace. Though the house is cramped the wind seems to whistle through it, and chimes hung up in every room ring out a melody with even the softest breeze.

Ced sits down on the largest stool, picks up his pipe, and lights it with a whispered word. He takes his time, drawing in a deep breath of tobacco and savoring it before deigning to answer. And when he speaks his voice is just as gruff as before.  "Where have ye heard of San De Sol?" 
Athedia
 "Well originally it was just some drunk guys in a park.  Apparently they were here when the fire happened.  then someone from my guild mentioned it.  We needed out of the city anyway." 
Draconi Redfir
Meanwhile Elsee had resumed her Badger Jr appearance with the headband and brought out Kheel'ls armour and saddle, once again tripping over her Draconic as she fitted it onto him and eventually took mount.

 &lt;"Fly... high over... burn... trees. Looking for... old... place."&gt;  Elsee winced and clenched at her head, instinctively scratching the headband again, she made a mental note to bring Kheel to the next Draconic lesson with Jadeite, maybe get him to learn some freaking common.

Once everything was said and set, she pulled on the reigns to signal Kheel to fly, leading him up high over the city and towards the mountains, hoping that her not being able to make out the people huddled around the city's fountain meant they wouldn't be able to make out her.
super dark33
 Thank you Man. Where do i need to go to find him?  
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

The man looks somewhat confused at Surdrak's address to him but says,  "Ced lives by the river, in the house 'hind the meadow thingy." 

If Surdrak looks up he can see Elsee flying overhead.

 Elsee: 

Kheel's eyes widen as Elsee changes her appearance, but he seems to relax after
Cautiously sniffing her.  "You smell the same,"  he says in draconic before letting Elsee climb on.

The town and the fields and even the trees shrink below her and Kheel. The wind whips through her hair. The people on the ground are so very small, but if she can tell their hair color, they might be able to discern her skin tone, if they look up. She flies on, out of the town, and into he mountains where green conifers stand tall and strong, and the air is cool and clear. She flies deep into the mountains, where it's absolutely quiet and the only sounds are the water bubbling through rivers and rushing over waterfalls below, and the cries of hawks as they soar at Kheel's height.

 
 Spoiler 
spot, listen; and search checks please. I'll go for eberyone else later, but I need to go clothes shopping now.
 
super dark33
 Thankes again. 

Surdrak takes out a gold coin and throws it at the man, and proceeds to walk to Ced's house.


 
 Spoiler 
When will he arrive there?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger and Artorias: 

Ced draws a deep breath from his pipe, closes his eyes in thought. The old hare hops over to his master's lap and nestles in there. Finally, the Druid speaks.

 "Tha city, huh? Suppose ye mean Runite, right?"  he scratches his heard, and his fingers sink in deep.  "And whatcha plannin' there anyways?"

Jadeite and Sora: 

The wizard and cleric attempt to search for information on San De Sol. The temple for Astrid appears to be the largest one here, but there's also a temple dedicated to the four elemental gods of nature. A cleric dressed in green roves with the holy symbol of Gaia around her neck appears to be arguing with another cleric. Even without her holy symbol visible, she's easily identifiable as a cleric of Astrid by her violet cloak. As Sora and Jadite approach they hear a snippet of the argument.

 "--Need to update this bounty now; we've been waiting weeks!" 
Silverraptor
Sora stops and raises an eyebrow.
 "Bounty? What?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Exploring, it isn't an everyday occurrence that you have an opportunity like that" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Sudrak: 

The man catches the gold coin, nearly dropping it on the ground several times before finally getting a firm grip.  "Thank you!"  he shouts as the warlock leaves. It takes about twenty minutes to get to the river.

 Sora and Jadeite: 

The two clerics jump at Sora's question, but seem to relax slightly when they recognize her as one of their own, a cleric as well. The Astridian cleric says,  "You must have just arrived, Sister. You are certainly fortunate if you know nothing of the bandits and raiders that have been plaguing the area for weeks."

"And one of them stole the seed pouch that we were supposed to get nearly a week ago!"  the cleric of Gaia shouts.  "There's only a few of them in all of Kyare, let alone Roihu!" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger and Artorias: 

Ced's eyes narrow.  "An what do ye plan ta do then? Strip Tha' place clean, loot our past?" 
Draconi Redfir
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Elsee: 

Kheel's eyes widen as Elsee changes her appearance, but he seems to relax after
Cautiously sniffing her.  "You smell the same,"  he says in draconic before letting Elsee climb on.

The town and the fields and even the trees shrink below her and Kheel. The wind whips through her hair. The people on the ground are so very small, but if she can tell their hair color, they might be able to discern her skin tone, if they look up. She flies on, out of the town, and into he mountains where green conifers stand tall and strong, and the air is cool and clear. She flies deep into the mountains, where it's absolutely quiet and the only sounds are the water bubbling through rivers and rushing over waterfalls below, and the cries of hawks as they soar at Kheel's height.

 
 Spoiler 
spot, listen; and search checks please. I'll go for eberyone else later, but I need to go clothes shopping now.
 
 
 

Elsee squinted her eyes as she searched the ground below for the charred landscape and the hidden city somewhere witin, her ring of fetherfalling and Kheel assuring her that she would be safe even at this height.
 
 Spoiler 

Elsee:
Spot: (d20+2)[ 11 ]
Listen: (d20)[ 2 ]
Search: (d20+3)[ 23 ]

Kheel:
Spot: (d20+15)[ 33 ]
Listen: (d20+12)[ 22 ]
Search:(d20-2)[ 17 ]
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Badger and Artorias: 

Ced's eyes narrow.  "An what do ye plan ta do then? Strip Tha' place clean, loot our past?"  
 

Badger raised her hands, backing up a step.  "Whoa, who said anything about looting.  Honestly I just wanted out of the city.  And exploring can be for answers too." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 

As Elsee flies along the lower peaks and up above the cliffs, she and Kheel notice something...odd. Some of the flatter cliffs seem to jut out and slope downwards, and if she flies in from the side she can see them curl inward. This must be a section of the mountain where the cliffs naturally curl inward and create a large cavern, perfect to build a small village, but hidden by the stone before the fire.

And there's something else. While all these cliffs are darkened with soot and ash from the forest fire only a few are stained pitch black, charred black with smoke through the centuries. Small living fires, made and built by people for all those years gone by.

 
 Spoiler 
You'll have to fly lower and look. Or you can turn back now and tell everyone you found the general spot. Though it might be a bit harder to find a trail by foot. Nice 20 by the way.
 

 Badger, Artorias, and Surdrak: 

Ced laughs into his pipe.  "Heh. What answers could ye possibly be lookin' or in ol' San De Sol?" 

Right on cue, there's a loud knock on the door. With a muttered comment of,  "Look who's Mr. Popular today,"  and a creaking of old bones, Ced gets up and makes his way to the door. He opens it to find Surdrak standing there. The old druid looks at Surdrak, then at Badger and Artorias, and says,  "Lemme guess. You're one of their buddies, gone askin' around 'bout San De Sol too?" 
Athedia
 "I don't know, last time I saw him he was crawling in the old fountain.  Could be he wanted to know other public bathing areas."   Badger looked at the still damp Surdrak.  She didn't know what to make of him, ever.
super dark33
 Oh yes, The fountain has some sort of ancient magic in it, of a type neither arcane or divine. Do you know anything about it, and how does it connect to San De Sol? 
CoffeeIncluded
Ced pauses and shakes his head.  "Can't say I have. Though Tha guys who left San De Sol ta here did make that fountain too." 
super dark33
 Huh. 

Surdrak rubbed his chin and looked at the druid with curiosity.

 What do you mean "left" San De Sol? What would drive them out? 

Surdrak pauses and then asks:

 Were they Warlocks? 
CoffeeIncluded
 "San De Sol ain't exactly huge. Guess they just got too big fer the cliff." 

Ced pauses at Surdrak's second question, and side-eyes the warlock suspiciously.  "No." 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee indicated for Kheel to fly lower for a closer look, the wind blowing too loudly for her to outright tell him.
super dark33
 Oh okay. 

Surdrak looks at Artorias in an expression that states "What do we do now?"
CoffeeIncluded
 Elsee: 
 
 Spoiler 
 (d6)[ 2 ] 
 


Elsee guides Kheel down, just above a grove of short aspen trees that shake in the wind. The cavern carved into the mountain is relatively shallow but long, and offers protection from the summer sun. A little bit of water trickles down the back of the cavern, about fifty feet back or so, and pools into a small hollow in the ground. Moss grows around the tiny pool and by the rivulet running down the back of the cavern wall, and bird droppings streak the front entrance of the cavern where kestrels nest above on the cliff, but otherwise the inside of the cave is dusty and dry.

There are a few buildings here, a few half-ruined structures  and small rooms with carved-out windows. The stone is stacked up on top of each other, hundreds of years old, mostly protected from the elements. But only a few houses, and no more than a few could fit in here. San De Sol is nearby, but this isn't San De Sol.

It's early afternoon. If Elsee wants to scout further, she risks not catching up with the party until later and risks being separated from them for some time. But she could pinpoint the location of San De Sol, and if she gets lucky she might even be able to catch up with them sooner. Is it a risk she wants to take, or would she rather turn back now?

 Sora and Jadeite: 
 "What does this have to do with a bounty?"  Jadeite asks?

The cleric of Astrid smiles.  "We've put out a bounty on the raiders in the area, along with any goods they've stolen."

"And you've got to add this pouch to the bounty!"  the cleric of Gaia says.

 "We will, but it takes some time to update them all and spread the word,"  the Astridian cleric says, patiently.
Silverraptor
 "Is there any information on the bandits? Where they are located generally or what they look like? Without basic information, I will be difficult to find them." 
CoffeeIncluded
 Sora and Jadeite:

"Oh, they're all Plavaan, mostly hobgoblins and goblins,"  the cleric says. Behind her the Gaian cleric mutters something under her breath.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias tries to adopt a calming stance, he doesn't want to make things harder.  "Look sir, we really don't want to cause you or anyone trouble, is there anything we could do so you can trust us?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "San De Sol ain't exactly huge. Guess they just got too big fer the cliff." 

Ced pauses at Surdrak's second question, and side-eyes the warlock suspiciously.  "No."  
 

 "You said that your past was in San de Sol.  What if we brought some back for you? There have to be a few things that were left behind." 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee climbed out of Kheel's saddle to take a closer look around the area, it was too small to be this ancient lost city, but it could have been related. She instructed Kheel to keep an eye out for any wild animals or the like that might live in the area, as well if at all possible get a good whiff of the place or a few things within it, that way he might be able to pull a bloodhound and know how to get back here via scent trail. Meanwhile Elsee peeked her head into a few of the houses and other structures, looking for some minor artifact she could take with her, half to show to the others to prove she found something, half to give Kheel something to sniff if they ever needed to find their way back here... though mostly it was on the vague hope that it would be valuable to someone in Runite and she could easily hawk it off.

Regardless of whether or not Elsee finds anything, she climbs back onto Kheel after a few minutes and the two of them set off again. It was still early, so she figured she could look a little longer for the real place. She just said she'd be back before sunset right?

 
 Spoiler 

Elsee: (one search and spot for artifact-looking, the others are for sol-looking

Search: (d20+3)[ 13 ]
Search: (d20+3)[ 17 ]
Spot: (d20+2)[ 17 ]
Spot: (d20+2)[ 18 ]
Listen: (d20)[ 16 ]

Kheel: (one search, spot, and listen to keep an eye out. If there's an encounter then you can just ignore the second paragraph)

Search: (d20-2)[ 7 ]
Serch: (d20-2)[ 16 ]
Spot: (d20+15)[ 16 ]
Spot: (d20+15)[ 25 ]
Listen: (d20+12)[ 32 ]
Listen: (d20)+12[ 20 ]

hope that wasn't confusing at all.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler 
 (d5)[ 5 ] 

More after class.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak, Badger, and Artorias: 

Ced looks at Badger and Artorias for a long time. Finally he settles back into his chair. The old hare nestles deeper into his lap.

 "I don't know why I'm tellin' ya this,"  he says, taking a long draw on his pipe.  "But there are stories I was told as a kid. Something our ancestors made there. Weaponized starlight, poured inta a blade, they said. Course, they used a prettier word, but I can't remember it now."  he smirks up at the three guild members.  "Don't look at me like that. Weren't much of a scrapper when I was young and I sure as hell ain't one now. But it would be nice to have, ta know it's real." 
 Elsee: 

There's pottery shards on the ground and pictographs of the sun and moons traveling around arcs on the wall. But anything valuable and shiny left behind was carried off by the magpies and crows. Elsee turns around and looks out over the mountain to another cliff beyond...

And stops. Something is on he other side. A hole in the cliff, like the one she's standing in now, but much larger. And dark dark ash stains the whole ceiling. Buildings, a maze of mostly-standing tan stone, full nearly the entire mouth of the gorge. It's not just a hamlet. It's a village, a small town.

Elsee can't see it in much detail, but unless there's a bigger cliff dwelling, she's found it.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Surdrak, Badger, and Artorias: 

Ced looks at Badger and Artorias for a long time. Finally he settles back into his chair. The old hare nestles deeper into his lap.

 "I don't know why I'm tellin' ya this,"  he says, taking a long draw on his pipe.  "But there are stories I was told as a kid. Something our ancestors made there. Weaponized starlight, poured inta a blade, they said. Course, they used a prettier word, but I can't remember it now."  he smirks up at the three guild members.  "Don't look at me like that. Weren't much of a scrapper when I was young and I sure as hell ain't one now. But it would be nice to have, ta know it's real."  
 

Artorias eyebrows shot up  "Weaponized starlight?"  the part-time blacksmith allows him to fantasize with that, but quickly composes himself  "Would you tell us where to find San De sol if we promise to try and find that starlight?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Artorias eyebrows shot up  "Weaponized starlight?"  the part-time blacksmith allows him to fantasize with that, but quickly composes himself  "Would you tell us where to find San De sol if we promise to try and find that starlight?"  
 

Ced sighs.  "Guess I might as well at this point, right? It's in that there cliff, built right into Tha side."  he stands up and shuffles over to the window, and points.  "There's lots of them cliff dwellings, but Tha biggest one's San De Sol. Can't tell you which is which though, just that it's Tha biggest."  suddenly he glares, and grabs Artorias's shirt to yank him down, so the two men are looking eye-to-eye.  "Don't you dare go breakin' Tha place, ya hear me?" 
Dusk Eclipse
The younger man refuses to be stared down, he carefully pries himself free from  the old man's grasp and rises to his full height "Of course, if that is all you can tell us, we will take our leave"  he answers with ice-like voice.
CoffeeIncluded
Ced grumbles.  "Young'uns today, so disrespectful...Look, I ain't telling you 'cause I don't want ta, I just don't know which it is." 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias looks over his shoulder to answer  "Respect needs to be earned, good day" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee indicates for Kheel to take her in closer once more, again intending to look for something to show the others, as well as hopefully memmorizing the path from there to sandy bird and back.
CoffeeIncluded
 Badger, Artorias, and Surdrak: 

Ced makes it clear that the three of them are wearing thin on their welcome, and so they head outside, and wait for everyone else to return.

 Elsee: 

There is some rubble on the ground, but it doesn't look too much different from the stones all over the mountain, at least not to her untrained eye. She flies back and forth over the entrance to San Del Sol, looking at the walls half-turned to rubble, the circular structures descending below. It's a bright and sunny day, but the inside of the dwellings are shaded and dark. Kheel shivers beneath her.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee frowned at her inability to find anything, but reguardless she indicated for Kheel to return to sandy bird, keeping an eye out on the ground below to try and memmorize any and all landmarks she could see to guid them back.
CoffeeIncluded
Elsee and Kheel fly back without incident. It takes them a couple of hours, but thankfully the river winding its way down the mountain below, cutting through rock and cascading down falls, helps guide her way.

 
 Spoiler 
spot checks please.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee: (d20+2)[ 5 ]

Kheel: (d20+15)[ 18 ]
super dark33
 Where do we go now, to the inn? 
CoffeeIncluded
  "Ooh, big birds!"   Kheel says as they fly over the river. Elsee cranes her neck to look in the direction Kheel's gazing towards, but sees nothing. And nothing bothers either of them even as they land behind the inn at San De Lune. It's early afternoon; if the party leaves soon they can make it to San De Sol by around midday tomorrow.

 
 Spoiler 
party can reunite. Silver, does Sora want to keep talking or head back?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 Sora and Jadeite: 

Jadeite's eyes narrow.  "And what is the bounty on these raiders and bandits?" 

The cleric shrugs.  "Two hundred gold for every physical evidence of a bandit's death or capture. I know it's somewhat grisly, but it's too dangerous to insist that every bandit be captured alive."  

Jadeite gives Sora a long look.
Silverraptor
Sora raises an eyebrow at Jadeite.
 "Do you know what are the bandits are hiding out in?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Sora and Jadeite:

"They don't have a hideout,"  she says.  "At least, none we know of. Knowing them, they probably hide in caves and abandoned buildings, scavengers through and through."

Everyone: 

When the party reunites, it's behind the inn, where Elsee is waiting next to Kheel.

 "Did you discover anything?"  Jadeite asks.  "We found some...potentially useful information." 
super dark33
 San Dae Sol is located in the biggest cavern in the cliffs. I think that they might have a connection to spirits somehow.  

Surdrak sounds excited at the last remark.
Silverraptor
 "Caverns in cliffs, eh?... That sounds, er, somewhat related to the information Jadeite and I stumbled upon." 
She says all this looking at Jadeite.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias gives Sora a quizzical look  "What did you find out?  Apart from what Surdrak said, we really didn't find anything useful"  he mutters still somewhat angry "....no... wait we did hear something else"  he admits with a sigh
CoffeeIncluded
 Sora and Jadeite: 

Jadeite looks back at Sora.  "Thank you. We will keep our eye out for bandits." 
 Everyone: 

Jadeite lets Sora explain what they found, but looks curiously at Artorias.  "What else did you hear?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Apparently the original Sandesolians were able to weaponize starlight and it is possible that we could find those weapons in the ruins"  Artorias looks at Jadeite  "Have you ever heard of anything like that before?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite blinks.  "No, I have not. Well, not specifically. There is an enchantment called the Twilit enchantment that makes armor lighter and easier to move around in. I could, for example, wear a twilit chain shirt and not have to worry about it impeding my spellcasting."  He smirks.  "But somehow I doubt that is what you are looking for." 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias chuckles "Sounds useful, but definitely not what I am talking about" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Regardless, I wonder what these people were aiming for when they...weaponized starlight. Considering that many undead are vulnerable to sunlight, I wonder if undead or...spirits, as Surdrak puts it, are involved."  He smiled at his teammates.  "I wonder if they are meant to be used on undead and spirits, or by them? Hopefully there will be other living creatures to test my hypotheses on, for all our sakes." 
Dusk Eclipse
 "That's funny, I thought you would be more interested in the how, instead of the why." 
Draconi Redfir
 "We found it."  Elsee finally threw in idly, her previous attempts having been interupted by the others speaking.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "That's funny, I thought you would be more interested in the how, instead of the why."  
 

 "Who said I wasn't? After all, I would need research material and test subjects to discover the fundamentals of the enchantment."  His smile has quite a few teeth.


 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
  "We found it."  Elsee finally threw in idly, her previous attempts having been interupted by the others speaking. 
 

This gets his attention quickly, and the elf turns to Elsee.  "You did?" 
 
 Spoiler 
I'm going to bed; I have a prelim tomorrow. Night guys!
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee grins and nods.  "Yup! Found an outlying village too! Wanted to bring somethin back to show off, but there were only rocks there." 
Silverraptor
 "Well, sounds like San De Sol got a little more complicated. There is the possibility that a large bandit force has moved in that area. They have been raiding caravans to and from this town." 
She places her chin in her hand, thinking.
 "You know, its possible that the bandits are looking for, or found this 'starlight stuff' and using the caravans for supplies while camping out in the caverns..." 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee sheugged and scratched at the headband again, already getting tired of her human appearance. Frustrated, she looked up to Badger and moped.  "Mooom! Can i take thes theng off yet!?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Well, sounds like San De Sol got a little more complicated. There is the possibility that a large bandit force has moved in that area. They have been raiding caravans to and from this town." 
She places her chin in her hand, thinking.
 "You know, its possible that the bandits are looking for, or found this 'starlight stuff' and using the caravans for supplies while camping out in the caverns..."  
 

 "Great, just great... as if things weren't complicated enough"  Artorias starts massaging his temples trying to avert a coming headache.
😩 "What do you mean by large?" 
super dark33
 Large bandit force. from what i gather about the locals here, does that mean "Loads of Plaavans"? 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite sighs.  "Unfortunately, they did not tell us exactly how large this force was. However, Surdrak, you are completely correct. They were rather emphatic that these raiders are Plavaan--specifically, goblins and hobgoblins."  He lets that revelation hang in the air for a moment before reaching over to ruffle Elsee's hair as the goblin complains, a gesture that would be kind and paternal if it came from anyone else.

 "Sorry Elsee, but Uncle Jadeite thinks it would be a bad idea for you to take your headband right now. I'm sure your mommy and daddy would agree, wouldn't they?" 
Athedia
Badger glared at Jadiete.   "I know I call myself a bounty hunter.  But I just track down those the watch wants caught.  Not Plavs looking to feed their families.  What is their proof that humans are not the cause of the banditry." 
super dark33
 Well bandit clans like to fight each other, and the biggest bandit clan around is The Astrid Temple.
Whatever bandits there are, this place calls me and wants sacrefice, and im sure that they are the candidates it had in mind. 
 
 Spoiler 
I forgot the word, Astrid Temple/Church?
IRL orginized religion is the butt of my many jokes.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "See Elsee? What did your mommy tell you?"  He grins at Badger, but the grin fades slightly at her explanation.  "One of the clerics, a cleric of Gaia, said that the bandits had stolen a relic belonging to her temple. I suppose if we find that relic, we have found the bandits."  He shrugs.  "Or Surdrak might actually have a point."  The necromancers eyes narrow.  "What do you mean by 'this place calls me and demands sacrifice.'? Are these the same voices that have been plaguing your dreams? What else have they said?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Are you all okay with heading out tonight or tomorrow?
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "So we came here to explore a lost city and now we have to find starlight weapons, a stolen relic and we probably will have to fight a horde of bandits.   Artorias shakes his head with slight amusement.  "So business as usual, big question is, do we rest and head to San De Sol tomorrow morning or do we press on tonight?" 
 
 Spoiler 
I think we will move tomorrow since apparently I'm the only party member online right now 😉
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
Whoops; I will replace w/ a IC post soon
 

 "A relic.  That could be anything.  If we stay the night how will we explain Elsee's sudden change.  They know Elsee to be a goblin, not a girl.  Unless we want to call her by another name.  I have always liked Elaine." 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Spoiler 
Edit: Will replace with a proper IC response
 

 "She could just take the band off before we turn in" 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite shakes his head.  "I doubt that would work. If the Steel Thorns come back tonight they will wonder where Elsee has gone and where little Elaine has come from."  Again, he tousles Elsee's hair, and seems to get too much entertainment out of the look on the disguised goblin's face.  "Elsee, how far away is San De Sol? Perhaps we could camp nearby for the night." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Jadeite shakes his head.  "I doubt that would work. If the Steel Thorns come back tonight they will wonder where Elsee has gone and where little Elaine has come from."  Again, he tousles Elsee's hair, and seems to get too much entertainment out of the look on the disguised goblin's face.  "Elsee, how far away is San De Sol? Perhaps we could camp nearby for the night."  
 

 "Our... daughter... was arriving later and Elsee went back because of the atmosphere.  Would that work?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Our... daughter... was arriving later and Elsee went back because of the atmosphere.  Would that work?"  
 

Jadeite pauses.  "Not if they have something to dispel magical effects, or possess the willpower to look past the illusion. Although I can certainly help you play the part of lovers." 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Our... daughter... was arriving later and Elsee went back because of the atmosphere.  Would that work?"  
 

 "Are you seriously considering that?"  Artorias ask completely flabbergasted  "I mean it can work, but if we are supposed to be a couple how would you explain sleeping in separate rooms? Or what if someone sees through the illussion; Elsee is already under suspicion and if someone finds that she is masquerading as a human child things could get ugl...ier" 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Jadeite pauses.  "Not if they have something to dispel magical effects, or possess the willpower to look past the illusion. Although I can certainly help you play the part of lovers."  
 

Artorias glares suspiciouslya at the necromancer  "What do you mean by helping us play the part of lovers?" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee feigns an attempt to bite Jadeite's hand at the second hair-rustle, reminding him that while her teeth may look short and flat, they were still the long and sharp ones she always had. Followed by crossing her arms over her now much flatter chest and pouting again.  "It's probably a few miles from here, only took us a couple hours to get straight here from there, but there were a lot of trees, rivers, 'nd steep climbs we'd have to navigate on foot." 

Elsee shot a casual glance towards Badger, finally finding room to speak.  "Elan*?  Seriously!?  You'd name yer own daughter after the fool from the gate-quest fairytail!? Yeesh. 


* She misheard the name😛
super dark33
Surdrak expected more response.

 The dreamvoice told me that the goblins from the fortress were a wrong sacrefice. They want me to come there and make a real sacrefice.  
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
 Elsee feigns an attempt to bite Jadeite's hand at the second hair-rustle, reminding him that while her teeth may look short and flat, they were still the long and sharp ones she always had. Followed by crossing her arms over her now much flatter chest and pouting again.  "It's probably a few miles from here, only took us a couple hours to get straight here from there, but there were a lot of trees, rivers, 'nd steep climbs we'd have to navigate on foot." 

Elsee shot a casual glance towards Badger, finally finding room to speak.  "Elan*?  Seriously!?  You'd name yer own daughter after the fool from the gate-quest fairytail!? Yeesh. 


* She misheard the name😛 
 

 "Elaine. It was my sisters name."   Badger didn't let it show that the comment had stung. Turning to Surdrak she questioned him. "They were a sacrifice?" 
super dark33
 Strange Dream Voice said they were a sacrefice, but not the one it had in mind so it told me to bring the right one. 

Surdrak shrugs.

 If we have to do it, a lot of arm choppings are in order. I hope these bandits are real bandits and not desparate refugees. 
Silverraptor
Sora was leaning back, tongue in cheek. She was watching the conversation half amused, half curious on what was to be decided.

 
 Spoiler 
I'm going to be busy this next week, but I'm going to be like Sora and watch with amusement.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite pauses at Surdrak's remark.  "Right...Surdrak, how about you walk near the front of the group?" 
 
 Spoiler 
seems like we're moving forward. I'll make a post after the program but you can do spot/listen checks if you want. I'm gonna call for them soon so it should make things a bit easier on my end.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee merely rolled her eyes and pouted, scratching at the itchy headband once more
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Spoiler: Checks in advance 

Spot  (1d20+8)[ 11 ] 
Listen  (1d20+8)[ 10 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
The party eventually sets out into the rolling hills and tall mountains, on the road to San De Sol. The sky is clear and blue, and the wind whistles through trees and over the long grasses. They walk along a natural trail, beaten down by hundreds of hooves passing back and forth, a thin path through the grasses and around the larger conifers. As they walk the mountains rise up around them,  and rocky cliffs close in on them. The river flows beside them, then runs, then rushes white and frothy, bubbling over rocks and skipping around stone. Old slate shards piled up the sides of the cliff--the gorge in which they walk--balance precariously on each other and threaten to slide down at the slightest movement. The river widens, thirty, forty feet long, deepens, and roars. Here and there the river is just shallow enough to cross. But there, ahead, is a waterfall, at least seventy feet tall, with hundreds of thousands of gallons at least cascading down. Mist rises up as the water falls, covering even those nearby and the trees and plants and lines of moss that cling to the sides of the gorge with a fine layer of wet.

 
 Spoiler 
I gotta run to a meeting but wanted to put this up. Spot, Listen, and Knowledge (Nature) checks if you want as well, please.

Here are Jadeite's rolls:
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler 
HERE are Jadeite's rolls:

Spot:  (d20+4)[ 6 ] 
Listen:  (d20+4)[ 14 ] 
Knowledge (Nature):  (d20+13)[ 29 ] 
 
super dark33
Surdrak looked at the surroundings.
Looked nice but he prefered the sea-bed.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+1)[ 7 ]  LiSten
 (1d20+1)[ 20 ]  SPot
 (1d20+2)[ 7 ]  KnowLedge
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee's eyes darted about from point to pint, trying to remember the landmarks they passed on the way back from san de sol and pointing out every one she could see, correcting the course a few times after they had to maneuver around a river or a rock or something.

 
 Spoiler 

Spot: (d20+2)[ 17 ]
listen: (d20)[ 17 ]
Knowledge: N/A
 
CoffeeIncluded
Kheel soars overhead, twisting and flaring out his wings as he circles in and out of the mist. The spray reflects a rainbow that's barely visible depending on the angle, but is still there.

 
 Spoiler 
Yes, you can use the telepathic bond necklace with Kheel, but he only speaks in Draconic, so otherwise you won't understand him.

Speaking of which, his rolls:
Spot:  (d20+15)[ 31 ] 
Listen:  (d20+12)[ 22 ] 

I'm gonna give about a half hour and give Athedia and Silver a chance to post her rolls before doing Badger and Sora's. I'm going to another game in about 45 minutes or so so I don't wanna leave you hanging for a long time, even though...well, you'll see. 😉
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite points at the bottom of the falls, where the water froths and churns.  "The current there is surprisingly thick and can hide or even carve small caverns. I believe some larger cave networks have been concealed behind larger falls. However, despite their beauty, the currents there are particularly hazardous. If you fall in, you could be trapped and drown."
 

Elsee and Surdrak:

 
 Spoiler 
you see a set of bushes on the other side of the river rustle slightly in the opposite direction of the wind and you see Kheel look curiously at a couple large birds flying nearby.
 


Badger:

 
 Spoiler 
You hear a twig snapping and a hastily-muffled cough from...the other side of the river? And something scuffing above the waterfall, barely audible above the rushing water?
 
super dark33
 Well then caverns like these are ussualy filled with nesting horrors. its better not to get in there. 

Upon seeing the bushes, Surdrak straightens up and his eyes widen.

 A thing, it moves over there in the bushes. 

Surdrak lifts his hand to point at the distraction quickly, Eldritch energy begins to gather around the hand.
Athedia
Badger looked at where Surdrak had indicated.   "I just heard something from over there.  A cough and a twig."   She pulled her bow out looking around warily.   "And something is moving above the waterfall, I don't like this at all." 
CoffeeIncluded
Badger is barely able to finish her sentence when an arrow comes shooting from above, landing inches from her feet into the water. At the same time, three hobgoblins emerge from the bushes on the other side of the river. The one in the center with the large bastard sword and the smirk on his face appears to be the leader, and he's framed by two over-muscled hobgoblins with greataxes.

 "Right!"  the leader shouts.  "You're surrounded! Hand over all your valuables and you'll get to walk away alive. Or we can do this the hard way." 

Above, an eagle and...an eagle-sized owl fly over the waterfall, obscured by the mist and angle.
Silverraptor
Sora blinks. Looks up at Kheel flying over them, and looks at the rest of the group.
 "Are they blind not to notice a wyvern flying over us and expect us to give up easily? 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Badger is barely able to finish her sentence when an arrow comes shooting from above, landing inches from her feet into the water. At the same time, three hobgoblins emerge from the bushes on the other side of the river. The one in the center with the large bastard sword and the smirk on his face appears to be the leader, and he's framed by two over-muscled hobgoblins with greataxes.

 "Right!"  the leader shouts.  "You're surrounded! Hand over all your valuables and you'll get to walk away alive. Or we can do this the hard way." 

Above, an eagle and...an eagle-sized owl fly over the waterfall, obscured by the mist and angle. 
 

Badger raised an eyebrow in acknowledgement of what Sora had said.   "Elsee, please remove the headband.  This will be less confusing if I don't have to remember what this form of you looks like." 

Badger did not put down her bow, but didn't fit an arrow either.   "I was so hoping you were humans.  That would have been so nice to rub in their faces.  I don't think my friends would like to fight, though I would like to shoot something non-dragony for a change." 
CoffeeIncluded
The hobgoblin raises an eyebrow at the muttered conversation between the girls--evidently he has neither seen nor heard Kheel. But he scoffs at the second part of Badger's statement, and the bulkier bandit next to him with the axe and rather unique-looking boots shouts,  "Whose faces? Feh, we're better than any human bandit round here! They ain't nothin' compared to us! And if you don't wanna fight..."  He trails off, looking to the leader, who shoots a glare at him, as if to admonish him for stealing his line.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 The hobgoblin raises an eyebrow at the muttered conversation between the girls--evidently he has neither seen nor heard Kheel. But he scoffs at the second part of Badger's statement, and the bulkier bandit next to him with the axe and rather unique-looking boots shouts,  "Whose faces? Feh, we're better than any human bandit round here! They ain't nothin' compared to us! And if you don't wanna fight..."  He trails off, looking to the leader, who shoots a glare at him, as if to admonish him for stealing his line. 
 

 "Oh, I think you misunderstand.  It isn't for our sake I don't want to fight.  I was hoping to spare you." 
Dusk Eclipse
 "I would listen to her if I were you."  Artorias nods in Badger's direction  "We don't want troubles, but if you do want them...  A predatory grin forms on Artorias' face showing his slightly elongated canines.
Silverraptor
Sora answered, hinting at Artorias, by pointing a finger casually up in the air at Kheel.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee rolled her eyes and elbowed Badger in the leg as she pulled off her headband, her fully goblin form finally appearing from the illusion as she scratched at her scalp once more.  "Yasee that!? They woulda killed us no questions asked if they had seen Kheel with us! They'dve thought we were all Kago! Five humans 'nd an elf all walking around with a Wyvern? How does that NOT scream Kago to you?" 


Elsee finally turned and aknowledged the hobgoblins across the river, waving a small hand with a grin.  " 'Sup cousin?" 
super dark33
 Please **** off and let us through.  
 
 Spoiler 
Intimidate roll!  (1d20+5)[ 23 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
The hobgoblin's grin falters as Elsee reveals herself and Sora points out the wyvern flying in the air.

 
 Spoiler 
Opposed intimidate:  (d20+5)[ 25 ] 

Ooh, I wasn't expecting that. Can't say I wasn't hoping for it though. Sorry, Super Dark. 😛
 


He looks up at the waterfall and grips his sword with a grin. The moment of uncertainty seems to have passed and he's got that cocky grin again.  "So you've got a baby wyvern; we can eat those for breakfast! You don't scare us! Now, your money or your life--what's it gonna be?" 
CoffeeIncluded
If the party looks above the waterfall they can see two more heads just barely peeking out above the mist.

 "Come on out, boys!"  the hobgoblin shouts.

Initiative:

 
 Spoiler 
Come on, it's gonna be a fight; we all know that. 😛
Hobgoblins:  (d20+2)[ 20 ] 
Goblin:  (d20+1)[ 18 ] 
Elsee:  (d20+4)[ 8 ] 
Surdrak:  (d20+3)[ 9 ] 
Jadeite:  (d20+2)[ 8 ] 
Badger:  (d20+4)[ 6 ] 
Sora:  (d20+2)[ 13 ] 
Artorias:  (d20+2)[ 15 ] 
Kheel:  (d20+2)[ 19 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
As the three goblins on the bank move over the slippery rocks in the river, they reveal a smaller goblin, the holy symbol of Golek dangling from a necklace, behind them.

Meanwhile, four arrows come shooting down from above the waterfall--and two of them appear to be aflame.

 
 Spoiler 
HR1 attacks Artorias:
Attack:  (d20+8)[ 10 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 11 ] 
Damage:  (d8+1)[ 9 ]  plus fire damage:  (d6)[ 2 ] 

Attack:  (d20+8)[ 22 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 28 ] 
Damage:  (d8+1)[ 4 ]  plus fire damage:  (d6)[ 1 ] 

HR2 attacks Kheel:
Attack:  (d20+8)[ 27 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 22 ] 
Damage:  (d8)[ 6 ] 

Attack:  (d20+8)[ 12 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 13 ] 
Damage:  (d8)[ 6 ] 
 


Kheel cries out as an arrow pierces his wing, and Artorias feels another arrow thud into his arm, and a searing pain as the flame burns the wound shut, but sears it further.

 
 Spoiler 
Kheel's turn.
 
Draconi Redfir
Kheel motions to attack the archers that wounded him, but stops at Elsee's call, instead turning in the sky to dive down and give her a ride.
CoffeeIncluded
Kheel dives to the ground and lands, stretching out so Elsee can easily get on.

 
 Spoiler 
I'll be using one initiative for Elsee and Kheel until/unless Elsee gets off Kheel. Which initiative do you wish to use--Elsee's or Kheel's? Once/if you guys separate I'll be using your separate initiatives again. It's a lot easier for me to keep track of things this way. Is that okay?
 


The goblin cleric tries racing her way across the slippery wet stones. She splashes water as she runs.

 
 Spoiler 
Balance:  (d20+1)[ 15 ] 
 


She presses a hand to the hobgoblin leader's back, and he doubles in size until he towers over everyone.

Jadeite lets out a shout and Badger, Artorias, Elsee, Surdrak, and Kheel find themselves invigorated and filled with extra speed.

 
 Spoiler 
Everyone's up. The goblin cleric just enlarged the hobgoblin with the bastard sword.  Jadeite just Hasted Badger, Artorias, Surdrak, Elsee, and Kheel. 
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias' grin widens even further.   "Oh so you want to play that way, well..."  he pulls a small vial from his belt as he confidently takes a step towards the towering Hobgoblin and drinks the potion. "Two can play that game."  He draws his blade as he begin to grow until he is just as large as the hobgoblin leader.

 
 Spoiler 

Move Action: Walk to (30,R)
Free Action : Retrieve Potion of  Enlarge Person  (Quick Draw)
Standard Action: Drink Potion
Free Action: Draw greatsword (Quick Draw)
Swift Action Initiate Hunter's Sense stance.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler 
You're hasted, so you can move a bit further (into full attack range for both of you, which would allow Artorias to attack twice next turn, but I'm not saying anything about the hobgoblin) if you wany.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Spoiler 
I want to stay there to "bait" the hobgoblin leader, remember that both me and the hob are large we have natural reach of 10 feet so I want to stay there to force the goblin to come to me if he wants to engage.
 
CoffeeIncluded
With a growl, Artorias downs the potion and storms forward even as he grows to match the hobgoblin in height.

 
 Spoiler 
Ok, got it! You have combat reflexes, right?

Elsee (if Draconi decides to move both initiatives to Elsee's initiative), Badger, Sora, and Surdrak are all up.
 
Athedia
Badger raised her bow before she moved.  She carefully pulled one of her new arrows out and smiled.  This should be fun.

 
 Spoiler 

She is shooting a thundering arrow.  If it misses treat it like a splash weapon.

Attack:  (1d20+11)[ 14 ] 
No damage but

 Each creature within a 10-foot-radius spread must make a DC 15 Fortitude save or be deafened for 1 hour. A deafened creature, in addition to the obvious effects, takes a -4 penalty on initiative and has a 20% chance to miscast and lose any spell with a verbal component that it tries to cast. 

Aiming at  the cleric

I believe T18 is as far as she can go and still be 2 range increments away.  She will take a 5 foot step next turn to get within 1 range increment and still be able to full attack.
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 

 If you miss the target (whether aiming at a creature or a grid intersection), roll 1d8. This determines the misdirection of the throw, with 1 being straight back at you and 2 through 8 counting clockwise around the grid intersection or target creature. Then, count a number of squares in the indicated direction equal to the range increment of the throw.

After you determine where the weapon landed, it deals splash damage to all creatures in adjacent squares. 

which way  (1d8)[ 1 ] 

EDIT: Lands in K29, all adjacent must roll against a Fort 15 DC which is GC, HW and HB2
 
CoffeeIncluded
The arrow flies straight at the cleric...and then bounces harmlessly off her chest. It didn't even hit the breastplate--it seems to be repelled by another force. The arrow falls to the ground and releases a deafening thunderclap.

 
 Spoiler 
GC fort save:  (d20+5)[ 15 ] 
HW fort save:  (d20+6)[ 20 ] 
HB2 fort save:  (d20+6)[ 9 ] 

Did I put Badger in the right spot on the map?
 


The cleric and leader seem to shake it off, but the hobgoblin with the greataxe doubles over, covering his ears with a cry.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee grins at Jadites spell, her eyes following Artorias and the hobgoblin up as she kicks Kheel lightly to prompt him to take off.  "Clash of titans everyone! Keep yer eyes up! this outta be good!" 

With a pull of Kheel's reigns Elsee directed the wivern up and towards the waterfall, indending to take out, or at least distract the two archers above.

 
 Spoiler 

Not sure how far Kheel can fly while hasted, so just put him and Elsee as close as you can to the rangers. in the mist if they can't land right behind them.
 
Silverraptor
Sora starts things off with a prayer.

 
 Spoiler 
You all know the drill. Bonuses for us, penalties for them.😉
 
CoffeeIncluded
Kheel and Elsee soar through the mist and spray, all the way to the top of the waterfall. Two hobgoblins in studded leather with longbows stagger back in shock at the sight of Elsee on Kheel, the sun reflecting off the water droplets shimmering on their skin.  Just before they leave, just before they're out of range, Sora's prayer reaches them.

 
 Spoiler 
Everyone  except  Badger and the two hobgoblin archers on top of the falls is affected by prayer, whether buffed or debuffed.

Surdrak's turn.
 
super dark33
Surdrak dashes to T-25 and launches one hateful blast at the large Hobgoblin

 SLATROM! 
 
 Spoiler 

 (1d20+6)[ 17 ]  +1(prayer) = 18 touch attack remember that the Hobgoblins touch AC has lowered.
 (5d6)[ 20 ]  +1? Eldritch damage.

Im not sure if he can shoot another one?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler 
I need a balance check before you can do anything else.
 
super dark33
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  
 Spoiler 
I need a balance check before you can do anything else.
 
 
 


 
 Spoiler 
He isnt standing on the water?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by super dark33 
  
 Spoiler 
He isnt standing on the water?
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler 
Oh, sorry, nevermind. Gimme a bit to finish my work then I'll post.
 
super dark33
Without even looking at where his blast went, Surdrak readied another and launched it, abusing the speed Jadeite's spell has given him.

He focused in the blast all his opinions regarding the shamans of the plains.

 
 Spoiler 
 Aimed at HB1 (1d20+7)[ 20 ] 
 (5d6)[ 20 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Both hobgoblins that Surdrak attacked cry out as the spell sears into them. The hobgoblin with the greataxe that he wounded lets out a roar and flies into a rage as he charges Surdrak, while the leader glares at Artorias and steps forward, bringing down his blade in a powerful arc. And as he does, Artorias realizes something--he recognizes this hobgoblin's fighting style.

It's one that he was trained in by another hobgoblin back home.

 
 Spoiler 
Yep, HW is a warblade.

HB1 attacks Surdrak. Raging. Power attack -1/+2

Attack:  (d20+9)[ 27 ] 
Crit:  (d20+9)[ 15 ] 
Damage:  (d12+10)[ 12 ] 

HW attacks Artorias.
Attack:  (d20+8)[ 18 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 25 ] 
Damage:  (2d8+4)[ 10 ]  plus  (d6)[ 1 ] 

More in a few hours. Sorry--I'll be on but on my phone, away from all my notes. We're still in the middle of the turn.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The second hobgoblin barbarian also flies into a rage and charges straight at Artorias, lowering his shoulder and slamming into the warrior in an attempt to shove him back.

 
 Spoiler 
dusk, make an attack of opportunity for him getting into range, and an opposed strength check.

HB2's check:  (d20+14)[ 27 ] 
 


Meanwhile, the two hobgoblin archers up top frantically fire at Kheel, attempting to shoot down the wyvern.

 
 Spoiler 
everyone attacks Kheel.

Attack:  (d20+8)[ 25 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 26 ] 
Damage:  (d8+1)[ 4 ]  plus  (d6)[ 5 ]  fire

Attack:  (d20+8)[ 19 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 13 ] 
Damage:  (d8+1)[ 8 ]  plus  (d6)[ 3 ]  fire

Attack:  (d20+10)[ 19 ] 
Crit:  (d20+10)[ 16 ] 
Damage:  (d8)[ 4 ] 

I'll resolve aACs later--everyone is up.
 
super dark33
The Barbarian would find Surdrak's flesh a bit more dense than the flesh he ussualy chops off, but this occupation is full of surprises.

Surdrak dashes back, raises one finger up and says:

 ไก่ชนที่เต้นแรง 

The Barbarian's axe would break into a lot of little pieces,

Surdrak grins and launches another blast with the barbarian's name on it...
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias blades blurred into motion before the Hobgoblin barbarian finished his charge "Don't"  Artorias growls in Goblin as he maneuvers his sword.
 
 Spoiler 

Attack of Opportunity  (1d20+10)[ 26 ]  Haste, Prayer and size modifiers already taken into account.
Reflext save equal to=  (3d6+19)[ 26 ]  (+10 from Stand still already taken into account.

If I fail to connect the attack or the Barbarian passes the save
Strength check  (1d20+8)[ 11 ]  +4 bonus from being large.
 


Without wasted moves Artorias segues from his warning strikes into full offense attacking the hobgoblin leader with almost inhuman(oid) speed thanks to Jadeite's spell, the blade seems to crackle with energy as it moves through the air.
 
 Spoiler 

Full Attack against the Hobgoblin Leader
Attack 1  (1d20+5)[ 15 ] +3 if I get the bonus from delivering Shocking Grasp (8 base +1 haste +1 prayer -5 PA)
Crit Confirmation  (1d20+5)[ 22 ] 
Damage  (3d6+19)[ 32 ] + (1d6)[ 4 ]  (shocking grasp)
Attack 2  (1d20+5)[ 12 ] (8 base +1 haste +1 prayer -5 PA)
Crit Confirmation  (1d20+5)[ 10 ] 
Damage  (3d6+19)[ 31 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
The barbarian attacking Surdrak stares at his axe as it begins to reverberate with the warlock's words.

 
 Spoiler 
Saving throw:  (d20)[ 4 ] 
 


He lets out a shout as the axe bursts into shards of metal and splinters in his hands.

The warblade's stance is powerful but leaves him more vulnerable and open to attack. Artorias is just barely able to take advantage of this and deal a grievous blow. At the same time, he whips the flat of his blade out, and tries to stop the rushing barbarian to his right in his tracks. He looks up in surprise at Artorias's words--he wasn't expecting him to know Goblin as well.

 
 Spoiler 
Reflex save:  (d20+3)[ 16 ] 
 


Artorias successfully holds him off mid-charge.

The cleric rushes forward and presses a hand to her leader's back, slightly healing his wounds.

 
 Spoiler 
Cure moderate wounds:  (2d8+4)[ 13 ] 
 


The worst of them knit shut.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite doesn't move, but he grins. Raising his hand, he shouts,  "A pity you couldn't simply enjoy the view. Well, it's not like I'm going to be giving you much choice in the matter anymore!"  At his words, a shower of glitter rains down on the two hobgoblins and the goblin in the river.

 
 Spoiler 
Glitterdust.
HW will save:  (d20)[ 8 ] 
HB2 will save:  (d20+2)[ 7 ] 
GC will save:  (d20+7)[ 8 ] 

...Wow.
 


All three scream and claw at their eyes, blinded.
Athedia
Badger took a short step forward as she raised her bow, thanks to Jadiete's spell a second shot flew from her bow.

 
 Spoiler 
Attacking nearest Ranger.

Attack1:  (1d20+11)[ 15 ] 
Damage1:  (1d6+1)[ 7 ] 

Attack2:  (1d20+11)[ 13 ] 
 Damage2:  (1d20+11)[ 21 ]  
Don't think it hit so whatever.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Neither of Badger's arrows fly high enough, and both are lost in the roaring waters of the falls.

 
 Spoiler 
Elsee, Kheel, and Sora are up.
 
Draconi Redfir
Kheel screeched in pain once more as a burning arrow struck his tail, the mists of the waterfall fortunately putting the blaze out before too much damage was done, but the burn remained there. With a pull of the reigns Elsee Prompted Kheel to fly forward over and behind the goblins, all the while whispering to him in Draconic.

 &lt;Keep... Eye... birds... Help... if... call.&gt; 

With her words done Elsee back flipped off of Kheel and down to the landmass below, her ring of feather falling activating and catching her a few feet off the ground, allowing her to safely land. Elsee grinned at the two hobgoblins at took a pose, her right hand resting on her hip while the left hung by her face, twirling a Kurkri around in her fingers.

In goblin, she speaks.  "Oh hello boys~ Room up here for one more?" 
 
 Spoiler 


Just for the heckuvit. Seduction-based charisma check.
(d20+3)[ 21 ]

Edit: Make a will save rangers!😏

edit 2: OH! and she lands on M6. Kheel is just flying around randomly.
 



Kheel meanwhile patrolled the sky, keeping an eye out for the eagle and the owl, intending to intervene should they attempt to attack.

 
 Spoiler 

Spot/listen/search just in case.

Spot:(d20+15)[ 26 ]
Search: (d20-2)[ 8 ]
listen: (d20+12)[ 29 ]
 
Silverraptor
Sora reached out for Artorias's leg, due to his sudden growth spurt.
 "Cure Moderate Wounds!" 
 
 Spoiler 
 (2d8+5)[ 15 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
The cleric flails her arms out until they press against her leader's leg. She shouts a spell and a shimmering shield seems to pop into place around him.

DC 16 Spellcraft:
 
 Spoiler 
She cast Shield of Faith on the hobgoblin.
 


Both blinded hobgoblins lash out at Artorias, hoping to fell him though a stroke of luck. At the leader's shouted order of,   "Get the cleric!"   the barbarian again tries to shove Artorias back into Sora.

 
 Spoiler 
HW attacks Artorias:
Power Attack -2/+4
Attack:  (d20+8)[ 23 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 11 ] 
Damage:  (2d8+10)[ 21 ]  plus  (3d6)[ 14 ] 
Miss on 1:  (d2)[ 1 ] 

HB2 attacks Artorias:
Strength Check (No AoO, sorry!):  (d20+10)[ 12 ] 
Miss on 1:  (d2)[ 1 ] 
 


Both attacks barely miss.

Meanwhile, the hobgoblin whose axe Surdrak shattered screams in range and tries to throttle the warlock with his bare hands.

 
 Spoiler 
He's got gauntlets; this is lethal damage. Surdrak gets an AoO but I don't think he can use a spell-like ability with it.
Power Attack -2/+4
Attack:  (d20+8)[ 20 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 12 ] 
Damage:  (d3+10)[ 13 ] 
 


His fist slams into Surdrak's cheek, and he feels a blinding pain and hears things crackle as the other hand closes around his throat.
CoffeeIncluded
When the hobgoblin leader hears both attacks whiff, he points to the barbarian, who somehow finds the energy to raise his axe and strike at Artorias again.

Martial Lore DC 13:
 
 Spoiler 
He just used White Raven Tactics.
 


Attack:
 
 Spoiler 
HB2 attacks Artorias.
Power Attack -1/+2
Attack:  (d20+8)[ 23 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 9 ] 
Damage:  (d12+10)[ 16 ] 
Miss on 1:  (d2)[ 2 ] 
 


The hobgoblin's axe cuts deep into Artorias's side, and his blood stains the river red.

Meanwhile, up above, the two goblins gape open-mouth at Elsee's display. Then one of them grins, a lazy yet predatory smirk.   "What's a pretty girl like you doing with those guys? Come on, come over here. Ditch those stupid humans and I'll show you how a real goblin does things. I bet you've missed that, huh?"

"Dammit, Varn!"   the other goblin shouts as he fires at Kheel.   "You can get some later; let's take out these guys first! And save me a piece of her too!"  
 
 Spoiler 
I really needed to think about how to respond to this, and write it in a way that felt grimy but not overly repulsive or offensive. I hope I did okay. Elsee's check prevented one attack, but not the other.

HR2 attacks Kheel:
Attack:  (d20+7)[ 9 ] 
Crit:  (d20+7)[ 22 ] 
Damage:  (d8)[ 6 ] 

Attack:  (d20+7)[ 13 ] 
Crit:  (d20+7)[ 11 ] 
Damage:  (d8)[ 1 ] 

Party's turn.
 


Both arrows miss Kheel as the wyvern dips into a quick short dive.
super dark33
 
 Spoiler 
Using the feat Eldritch Claws is at will, Surdrak can use it in the AoO but can not apply anything to it, like Mortalbane.
 



Surdrak sees the hobgoblin try to gather his might in a punch and doesnt waste an opportunity to slap him with an eldritch powerd hand of metal.

 
 Spoiler 

Ding ding!
 (1d20+3)[ 18 ]  attack
 (1d20+3)[ 17 ]  crit
 (1d3+1)[ 4 ]  Gauntlet
 (3d6)[ 6 ] 
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias grunts as the axe cuts him, but he ignores the pain and attacks the Hobgoblin leader with renewed vigor

 
 Spoiler 

Full attack against HW
Attack 1  (1d20+7)[ 15 ]  Power Attacking for 3 (8 base +1 haste +1 prayer -3 PA)
Crit Confirmation
Damage  (3d6+15)[ 22 ] 
Attack 2  (1d20+7)[ 22 ]  Power Attacking for 3 (8 base +1 haste +1 prayer -3 PA)
Crit Confirmation
Damage  (3d6+15)[ 23 ] 

Martial Lore Check  (1d20+2)[ 8 ] 
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee's grin only widened as her ruse worked, well, on one of them at least. she swayed her hips as she walked closer to the hobgoblin she had fooled, her eyes half-lidded and a seductive tone in her voice, a finger beckoning the hobgoblin down to her height as she spoke.

 "Ohhh you can be sure i did~ But i'm sure a big, strong goblinoid like you can remind me how things are done Hmm?" 

Elsee's grin turned into a phony pout as she wrapped her arms around the hobgoblins neck, her hands still clutching her Kurkri behind him. As the hobgoblin blinked her grin grew wicked and her eyes shone with an evil glint, her arms quickly tugging back on him, prompting the blades of her kurki to drag across his throat. Fortunately for the hobgoblin, she had opted to use the enchantment enforced by the mercenary guild, so while painful, the blades would not break the skin.


 
 Spoiler 


Using guild enchantment to deal nonleathal damage to HR1. Full attack, haste benefits taken into account.

Attack: (d20+8)[ 28 ]
Crit: (d20+8)[ 22 ]
Damage:(d3+2)[ 4 ]

Attack: (d20+8)[ 19 ]
Crit: (d20+8)[ 27 ]
Damage:(d3+2)[ 4 ]

Attack: (d20+8)[ 23 ]
Crit: (d20+8)[ 10 ]
Damage:(d3+2)[ 4 ]
 


Kheel merely flew about, keeping one eye on Elsee and the other on the birds, holding his action until it was needed.
super dark33
Surdrak swayed in his place,
But then took no less than a second to position himself for his next strike, a trick taught by Artorias...

His hand took the form of a tentacle.

 
 Spoiler 
Sapphire Eldritch Mortalbane Punch!

 (1d20+8)[ 16 ]  Concentration, if higher than AC, enemy is flatfooted and takes a d6 of damage.
 (1d20+3)[ 23 ]  attack
 (1d20+3)[ 19 ]  crit
 (1d3+1)[ 4 ]  Gauntlet
 (5d6)[ 12 ]  eldritch damage
 (1d6)[ 4 ]  sapphire damage
 


After his fist connected, Surdrak launched his second arm on a highway to the hob's teeth.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+3)[ 23 ]  attack
 (1d20+3)[ 19 ]  crit
 (1d3+1)[ 3 ]  gauntlet
 (5d6)[ 16 ]  eldritch

2 Mortalbane uses remain.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias's first attack barely hits but cuts a deep gash into the warblade. His second strike, a powerful thrust, runs him through. His allies gasp audibly as he topples over, dead.

Surdrak's face is bruised, bleeding, and swollen, and his nose is bashed in, but he claws furiously at the barbarian and delivers equally strong blows. Finally, his tentacle lashes against the barbarian's throat and just barely rips it open. But barely is enough, and he falls as well.

The two archers at the top of the falls look horrified at this turn of events, and can barely comprehend Elsee's attack. Which is why she can so easily throttle one, smacking his neck with the butts of her blades.

 "We warned you,"  Jadeite says as he shoots several missiles at the archer Elsee is attacking.

 
 Spoiler 
elsees crit damage:  (d3+2)[ 3 ] 
Jadeite's magic missile damage:  (3d4+3)[ 14 ] 

Sora and badger are up.
 
super dark33
 Who is næxt?! 

Surdrak raises his arms, showing the blood on his left hand.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+5)[ 12 ]  Intimidate.
 
Silverraptor
Sora runs over to Surdrak.
 "Cure Moderate Wounds." 
 
 Spoiler 
 (2d8+5)[ 12 ] 
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "You should have known, the first attack is always a feint"  Artorias wihraws his sword from the bandits leader's corpse.
Athedia
Badger nodded at Artorias's statement and raised her bow again.   "I believe we gave you a chance to leave."  Twin arrows again shot from the bow arcing up toward the hobgoblin that Elsee had not strangled.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack:  (1d20+11)[ 16 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+1)[ 2 ] 

Attack:  (1d20+11)[ 19 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+1)[ 3 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
One of Badger's arrows flies high, but the other one pierces the second hobgoblin's arm. The first is badly battered by Elsee's throttling and Jadeite's spell, and looks to be on the brink of passing out.

With a shout of,  "Get away from me, you crazy bitch!"  he pulls Elsee off of him and frantically fires his bow at the goblin, ignoring the wyvern that appears content to fly overhead. The other hobgoblin shouts a command to his bird and fires at Elsee as well.

 
 Spoiler 
HR1 and HR2 attack Elsee.

HR1 attacks:
Attack:  (d20+7)[ 18 ] 
Crit:  (d20+7)[ 14 ] 
Damage:  (d8+1)[ 9 ]  plus  (d6)[ 5 ]  fire

Attack:  (d20+7)[ 12 ] 
Crit:  (d20+7)[ 18 ] 
Damage:  (d8+1)[ 5 ]  plus  (d6)[ 6 ]  fire

HR2 attacks:
Attack:  (d20+7)[ 22 ] 
Crit:  (d20+7)[ 15 ] 
Damage:  (d8)[ 1 ] 

Attack:  (d20+7)[ 12 ] 
Crit:  (d20+7)[ 19 ] 
Damage:  (d8)[ 6 ] 
 


Although one flaming arrow nearly strikes her shoulder, Elsee manages to dodge all but one.

The eagle and the eagle owl both dive down onto Surdrak at their masters' commands, crying out as they rake at him with talons the size of his fingers.

 
 Spoiler 
Eagle attack:
Attack:  (d20+3)[ 17 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 5 ] 
Damage:  (d4)[ 2 ] 

Eagle Owl attack:
Attack:  (d20+3)[ 9 ] 
Crit:  (d20+3)[ 23 ] 
Damage:  (d4)[ 1 ] 
 


The talons tear long gashes in Surdrak's jacket but don't leave more than a scratch.

Still blinded, the goblin cleric screams out at her leader's death, and shouts,   "DIE!"   Suddenly, Artorias feels his muscles and limbs lock up, bound in place.

 
 Spoiler 
Roll a will save, Dusk.
 
Dusk Eclipse
As soon as Artorias feele the creeping tendrils of magic digging into his flesh his mind steels itself.

 
 Spoiler 
Moment of Perfect Mind Go!
Concentration Check  (1d20+10)[ 30 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias easily shakes off the cleric's spell as the remaining barbarian screams incoherently and tries to hack him apart.

 
 Spoiler 
Power attack -2/+4 against Artorias.
Attack:  (d20+8)[ 24 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 13 ] 
Damage:  (d12+12)[ 21 ] 
Miss on 1:  (d2)[ 1 ] 
 


The strike is powerful enough to crack stone, and indeed it does. But that's all it cracks, as the blinded barbarian whiffs.

 
 Spoiler 
Party's turn.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias' eyes narrow as he carefully steps over the hobgoblin corpse, he uses the increased size of his sword and swings his sword in an arc.

 
 Spoiler 

5ft. step into (2930,NO)
Full attack
Attack vs. HC  (1d20+7)[ 20 ]  PA -3/+6
Crit confirmation  (1d20+9)[ 28 ] 
Damage  (3d6+15)[ 25 ] 

Attack vs. HB  (1d20+7)[ 19 ]  PA -3/+6
Crit Confirmation  (1d20+9)[ 12 ] 
Damage  (3d6+15)[ 27 ] 

I'd forgot I add my int modifer to crit confirmation rolls thanks to Battle Ardor!)
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias's swing cleaves through the barbarian, badly wounding him. But as he continues the attack to strike the goblin, his sword bounces off her chest, reflected by an unseen force.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias positions himself so he can watch both the blind barbarian and the goblin cleric at the same time.  "Seems that luck is on your side goblin, but do you really want to test if it will hold?"  Artorias threatens in Goblinoid.

 
 Spoiler 
This is just a "flavour" post, he is still in (2930,NO) and with his action spent for this round
 
Silverraptor
Seeing Artorias in the running river and nervous she would lose her footing, Sora continues to patch up Surdrak.
 "Cure Light Wounds." 
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d8+5)[ 8 ] 
 
Athedia
Badger shot again at the two hobgoblins, this time aiming at the one that Elsee had almost finished.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack:  (1d20+11)[ 20 ] 
Damage: (1d6+1)[ 6 ] 

Attack:  (1d20+11)[ 30 ] 
Damage: (1d6+1)[ 3 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
As Sora continues healing Surdrak, Badger's arrows slam into the hobgoblin's back, and he collapses, bleeding out, onto the little strip of land splitting the falls.

 
 Spoiler 
Elsee, Kheel, and Jadeite are up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite cautiously steps out onto the rocks and raises his hand, throwing it out at the goblin cleric then pulling it back.  "Why don't you go have a drink?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Balance:  (d20+2)[ 15 ] 
Desiccate on the cleric.
Damage:  (2d6)[ 7 ] 
Fort save:  (d20+5)[ 24 ] 
 


She manages to shake off the worst of the effects, but her lips look dried and cracked.
super dark33
 Thankes Sor- BIRDS! 

Surdrak readied a punch against the Eagle, the Eldritch eneregy hand was shaped like a  seax. 
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+4)[ 12 ]  att
 (1d20+4)[ 17 ]  crt
 (1d3+2)[ 4 ]  gnt
 (3d6)[ 12 ]  eld
 


A second swipe he directed at the Owl.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+4)[ 16 ]  att
 (1d20+4)[ 7 ]  crt
 (1d3+2)[ 4 ]  gnt
 (3d6)[ 8 ]  eld
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee pouted as Jadeite and Badger interrupted her fun, turning to the one remaining hobgoblin with a pout.

 "Now yasee, what i WOULD have liked would be if you both fell for it 'nd either started fighting eachother for me 'er both just ditched the whole fight to have some fun. But noooo, YOU had to shoot my dragon. 'nd eye didn't like that! So look at what you made me do, you made me knock out your freind while my freinds potentually killed him. eye hope you're happy!" 

Elsee's pout turned into a sadistic grin once more as she crouched down as if to pounce.  "Now hold still while i finish YOU off. Don't worry~ Eye'll be gentle~" 

Without nnother word Elsee pounced, again attacking the hobgoblin with the nonleathal enchantment. maybe once they'd woken up she'd take the take the time to have a little fun with them Hmm?

 
 Spoiler 
 Attacking HR2.
Attack:(d20+8)[ 21 ]
Crit:(d20+8)[ 19 ]
Damage:(d3+2)[ 5 ]

Attack:(d20+8)[ 17 ]
Crit:(d20+8)[ 18 ]
Damage:(d3+2)[ 5 ]

Attack:(d20+8)[ 23 ]
Crit:(d20+8)[ 16 ]
Damage:(d3+2)[ 5 ]
 


Kheel meanwhile shreaked at the two large birds as he dived in to aid Surdrak, opening his mouth wide to bite into the Eagle's wing.
 
 Spoiler 

Bite attak on eagle, charging.
Attack: (d20+11)[ 30 ]
Crit: (d20+11)[ 20 ]
Damage: (2d6+3)[ 8 ]
 
CoffeeIncluded
Kheel and Surdrak easily down the eagle and eagle owl, and their remaining master cries out as he sees the wyvern bite into his eagle. His cry for his companion turns into a cry of pain as all three of Elsee's attacks hit, leaving him bruised.

 
 Spoiler 
They're both deep into negatives but not dead. Yet anyway.

And isn't Elsee dating Darric?
 


The archer shouts a curse at Elsee as he fires his bow again.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack:  (d20+8)[ 24 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 26 ] 
Damage:  (d8)[ 5 ] 

Attack:  (d20+8)[ 18 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 18 ] 
Damage:  (d8)[ 4 ] 
 


One arrow misses, but the other stabs her clawed foot.

The blinded cleric fumbles around for a moment. When she fails to find the barbarian, she shouts,  "Golek curse you!"  and every member of the Wyvern's Fangs near her feels some of their strength drain away.

 
 Spoiler 
Bane on everyone in range.
 


Meanwhile, the barbarian keeps screaming as he tries to attack Artorias.

 
 Spoiler 
Power Attack -1/+2
Attack:  (d20+9)[ 16 ] 
Crit:  (d20+9)[ 17 ] 
Damage:  (d12+10)[ 20 ] 
 


He howls in triumph and revenge as his axe goes deep into Artorias's back. Blood rushes from the wound and pain overwhelms him and it's too much blood lost at once. He can't help but pass out.

 
 Spoiler 
Artorias is at -5. Party's turn.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias last thought before darkness fully overwhelms him is  "I'm sorry guys, it seems I wasn't strong enough" 
Athedia
 "Sora, help Artorias.  Damn fool should have used his belt."   Badger noted that Elsee looked like she had a handle of her situation, but the group down the river was a different story.

She took a step back aiming at the barbarian attacking Artorias.  A cleric was still dangerous, but not so harmful on her own.  She was unaware of the spell that had been cast on them, being at the distance she was.

 
 Spoiler 
Rapid Shot, extra arrow all at -2

Attack1 : (1d20+9)[ 19 ] 
Damage1 : (1d6+1)[ 7 ] 

Attack2 : (1d20+9)[ 29 ] 
Damage2 : (1d6+1)[ 5 ] 

Attack3 : (1d20+9)[ 10 ] 
Damage3 : (1d6+1)[ 4 ] 
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
I never score a crit so I forgot to roll for one:

Attack : (1d20+9)[ 23 ]   if it hits then the crit is x3
 
Silverraptor
 "Dammit Artorias! Why didn't you use that belt of yours?" 
Sora runs into the rock riddled river trying to get to Artorias.

 
 Spoiler 
Balance:  (1d20+1)[ 11 ] 
 
super dark33
Surdrak looked at his guildbro fall, and immidietly went to make the hobgoblin besides him do the same.

Getting into positions to both launch a blast and himself in a direction, Surdrak looked at the Hob with hunger to revenge.

 
 Spoiler 
Haste Eldritch Combo Mortalbane  Charge Punch Blast (Ultra will be added if using Sapphire Nightmare Blade)
Surdrak has 2 remaining uses of Mortalbane.
 (1d20+6)[ 23 ]  att
 (5d6)[ 19 ]  Mortalbane eldritch blast

 (1d20+5)[ 20 ]  Charge attack
 (1d20+4)[ 13 ]  crit
 (1d3+2)[ 3 ]  gauntlet
 (5d6)[ 16 ]  mortalbane eldritch
 



Surdrak felt as if all hate inside him has stopped.
He had forgiven the Temple of Astrid.
He had forgiven the tribes of the plains.
He even forgiven the Hobgoblin, it was not his fault in the first place but it actually is so he needs to die also Surdrak wants his stuff.
CoffeeIncluded
Sora manages to run across the wet rocks, slippery with water, moss, and blood, without losing her balance. She bends down and prepares to heal Artorias.

 
 Spoiler 
I need a healing check from sora.
 


Badger's first arrow misses, but the second and third embed themselves deep into is thigh, so deep she can barely see the feathers at the end of the shaft. He stumbles, but barely managed to stay upright.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee winced as a seccond arrow dig into her flesh, though she was greatful these guys sucked at shooting in close range. Still she grinned and winked at the hobgoblin again as she moved in for annother strike.

 "Aww, what's wrong big guy? Eye thought you wanted a peice of me, can't handle the whole thing all by yourself?" 
 
 Spoiler 

Nonleathal against HR2.

Attack:(d20+8)[ 18 ]
Crit:(d20+8)[ 28 ]
Damage:(d3+2)[ 3 ]

Attack:(d20+8)[ 12 ]
Crit:(d20+8)[ 10 ]
Damage:(d3+2)[ 4 ]

Attack:(d20+8)[ 26 ]
Crit:(d20+8)[ 19 ]
Damage:(d3+2)[ 3 ]
 


Kheel meanwhile, eyeing a not-Elsee Goblin that was causing trouble, quickly dove after her, pushing his claws forward in an attempt to grab at her arms.

 
 Spoiler 

 Grapple check  on goblin cleric, intending to lift her up into the sky.

(d20+9)[ 21 ]
Vs Touch AC i think, or possibly vs a grapple check of her own, BAB+Str mod, -4 for being small. GC gets an attack of oppertunity.
 
super dark33
 [D]Kheel! Dont throw her into the water, she has magic items on her![D] 

Surdrak pauses and then says:

 [D]Drop her On our side of the river![D] 
CoffeeIncluded
Two of Elsee's attacks hit and badly batter the hobgoblin. One cuts his lip open.

Kheel dives down and attempts to grab the cleric.

 
 Spoiler 
I'll resolve that later, when I don't have as much work to do. Sorry. In about an hour or so? Maybe 40 minutes?
 


Surdrak rushes forward, charging through the water. He leaps onto the barbarian and tears at him with vile-looking claws. When he finally lets up the barbarian falls to the ground, dead.
CoffeeIncluded
Kheel dives down and attempts to snatch up the cleric in his talons.

 
 Spoiler 
Opposed Grapple:  (d20-2)[ 4 ] 
 


She shrieks as the wyvern easily grabs her arms between his talons and lifts her off the ground.
CoffeeIncluded
Sora runs over and channels a healing spell into Artorias. He opens his eyes to see Surdrak standing Over the bloody corpse of the barbarian that nearly killed him, and Kheel hold the flailing goblin cleric in midair. As Artorias gets up, Jadeite launches three more missiles at the archer attacking Elsee.

 
 Spoiler 
he has used the circlet to save magic missile a couple turns ago, and is casting it again.

Damage:  (3d4+3)[ 11 ] 
 


The missiles strike the battered and bruised archer in the back, and he falls.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias winces as he pulls himself up, while he was glad to be alive, he could do without the renewed pain.  " Thanks Sora"  

He places one hand on the moonstone stud on his belt and channels it's energy into his body, letting a small sigh of pleasure as the magic begins to mend his broken body.

 
 Spoiler 
using two charges of the belt to heal  (3d6)[ 11 ]  HP
 


Artorias cracks his neck before setting his gaze on the airborne cleric,  he speaks in goblinoid  "You have two options girl; a you answer our questions and we may tell Kheel to let you down or b, you refuse to do and we will have to get our answers some other way"  switching momentarily back to common  "Do you understand me?" 
CoffeeIncluded
The cleric shrieks and scrabbled at Kheel's claws, shouting several curses and pleas to let her down in goblin before finally saying, in thick accentuated common,  "Alright! Alright! Just put me down! I can't see! Put me down!" 
Draconi Redfir
smiling as the hobgoblin falls unconcious, Elsee breifly takes a look over the waterfalls to see her freinds handling the situaition fairly well, snickering at Kheel's treatment of the goblin cleric.

Turning back to her hobgoblin freinds, Elsee begins to search their pockets, putting asside anything she finds that could be valuble, and also binding any bleeding wounds as well as their hands, ensuring that they wouldn't die or wake up and try to kill her if they got up.

 
 Spoiler 


use rope to tie them up with anything they have, since Elsee lacks rope
(d20+5)[ 11 ]
(d20+5)[ 21 ]

Heal to stabalize them, not bring them to positive hitpoints and conicousness, just enough to make them stop bleeding to death.

(d20)[ 15 ]
(d20)[ 3 ]

aaand also looting them for everything they're worth.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias grins  "I knew you would see things our way, Jade could you please tell Kheel to put the girl down? I would do it myself... but well you know." 
CoffeeIncluded
The two hobgoblin archers look battered and bruised but are in no danger of dying, even though they're unconscious. As Elsee pulls everything off of them she comes up with two near-identical sets of studded leather armor, two bows, two sacks of gold, and a potion. And Elsee remembers how one of the bows shot flaming arrows, even though the arrows themselves don't seem special--it must be a property of the bow.

There are some vines hanging down from the falls and whippy-looking trees and reeds on the island. Elsee's able to tie them up, though she needs to get used to the improvised materials for the first one and so the bindings are sloppy and slipping off, even after just a few minutes.

Down below, Jadeite shouts to Kheel,   "Drop her!"  

Kheel obligingly opens his talons and lets the cleric fall to the ground. She lands in the river with a splash and thud, and a weak groan of pain. The cleric gets up dizzily, but the moment she does so, she screams and runs in the other direction as fast as she can, even though she's still blinded.
 
 Spoiler 

Falling damage:  (2d6)[ 4 ] 
Balance:  (d20-3)[ 0 ] 

Are you looting everyone down below? I'll post a complete list of items if/when you decide.
 


She doesn't make it far, slipping on a rock coated in moss beaten flat by the current and landing face-first with another splash. All she can do is lie there and moan weakly.
Athedia
Badger took a step forward and shot two arrow at the fleeing clerics back.

 
 Spoiler 
Enchantment ON
5 foot step to get in range
A: (1d20+11)[ 15 ] 
D:  (1d6+1)[ 2 ] 
C:  (1d20+11)[ 22 ] 

A: (1d20+11)[ 20 ] 
D:  (1d6+1)[ 5 ] 
C:  (1d20+11)[ 12 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler 
Is this before or after she slips and falls?
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias intended to get the goblin girl, but it seems Badger had other plans.  "Nice shots" 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
After, once she tried to run
 
CoffeeIncluded
Badgers arrows fly into the space where she would have been just before she falls.

 
 Spoiler 
anyone gonna tie her up and search her as well?
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee lung the bows and their respective arrows over her shoulders, pocketing the gold and potion for herself, leving the armor on the ground for the time being. The hobbo's  Seemed  safely tied up for now, so it was just a matter of getting them down to the rest of the party.

As she was thinking, Elsee walked up to the first archer, the one she had managed to seduce, gently planting a kiss on the hobgoblin's forehead.  "For bein such a good little toy~"  She whispered to the unconscious hobgoblin, knowing he likely couldn't hear her. Elsee looked up to look t the party again, wondering if maybe she could get Kheel to carry these guys down the waterfall, though from the looks of things, he was busy playing around with the goblin cleric. Elsee hoped the others wouldn't kill her, she'd like to meet her herself. Elsee looked around her surroundings, wondering if there was a path the hobbo's hd taken to get up to this spot, or if there was something she could use to drag the two down relatively safely to meet her freinds.

 
 Spoiler 

Some random checks just in case.
Knowledge nature: (d20-1)[ 19 ]
Search: (d20+3)[ 10 ]
Spot: (d20+2)[ 9 ]
 


Kheel meanwhile squawks and dives for the cleric again, this time grabbing her prone boddy and lifting her only a few feet into the air, carrying her to the shore next to Jadeite before dropping her to the ground and landing ontop of her, his claws pinning her arms to the ground.
CoffeeIncluded
There's a trail winding down around the side of the gorge to the bottom. It takes much more effort than Elsee would have thought dragging the two unconscious hobgoblins down with her. By the time she's done one of them is groaning weakly and starting to regain consciousness. And goblin pinned under Kheel has finally regained her vision, and upon taking one look at the scene surrounding her shouts,  "Okay! I surrender!" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee just grinned at the moaning hobgoblin as she approached the others, hearing the cry of her fellow goblin and announcing,  "Great! So do these two!" 
Silverraptor
 "Oh! That must be the pouch for the Gaia cleric!" 
Athedia
Badger went over to Elsee carefully and took one of prisoners from her.   "Why don't you get the cleric onto dry land.  Unless you all WANT to get sick." 
super dark33
Surdrak hopped back towards the bank he was previously on. And sat on the most comfortable looking rock.

Not knowing what to do he took out his crowbar and drew the visage of a spirit on the ground, hoping it would reveal what needs to be done.

 
 Spoiler 


Any rolls needed?
 
CoffeeIncluded
Surdrak can't look at the drawings of the spirits too long before getting a pounding headache.

As the cleric cranes her neck from under Kheel's feet to see Elsee drag the two goblins she shouts,  "Varn! Custer! You're alive!" 

She struggles and protests as she's dragged onto dry land and tied up close to the others, but one look at the wyvern, the rest of the party, their very sharp weapons, and her dead comrades makes her significantly more quiet and compliant. Still, when Sora recognizes the pouch, she says,  "So that's what it is? Useless thing; we could only ever get rocks outta it!" 
super dark33
 Pu tuhs ot uoy rof emit ylevol a tahw.  

Surdrak sighed and got up to stand with the rest of his party.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee crossed her arms behind her back and grinned as she approached her three tied-up cousins, bending down to meet eye-level with the cleric and grinning wickedly  "Betcha wish yas didn't mess with us now Hmm?" 
Athedia
Badger settled down, putting the various items away in her quiver.   "I always warn them don't I?  Do they ever listen?" 
CoffeeIncluded
The cleric can only nod frantically, her eyes wide. She says quietly in her thick accent, too scared of Kheel and Artorias to say much more,  "Who in the hells are you?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Still trying to sort out this exp mess, then I need to work on PMs.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 The cleric can only nod frantically, her eyes wide. She says quietly in her thick accent, too scared of Kheel and Artorias to say much more,  "Who in the hells are you?" 

SPOILER]Still trying to sort out this exp mess, then I need to work on PMs. [/SPOILER] 
 

Badger held out the headband to Elsee, gesturing for her to wear it again.   "Just some travelers on a well deserved vacation." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "...No ****ing way. No way are you just plain travelers; we've jumped real travelers twice your--aah!!!"  She tries to clap her hands over her mouth but merely succeeds in smacking her back and the back of her head with the way her hands are tied, and so instead settles for scrabbling backwards, digging her feet deep into the mud as she tries to escape.
Draconi Redfir
Elsee snarled at the headband, taking and holding it as if it were some diseased rodent. She did take the oppertunity hand Custer's flame bow over to Badger however, figuring she'd have more use for it.  "How long you guys been in the area?"  She asked the goblin, trying to delay putting on the headband.
CoffeeIncluded
The cleric just presses her lips shut and shakes her head. Beside her, Custer and Varn groan weakly.
Dusk Eclipse
 "Answer the question girl" 
super dark33
Surdrak summons his claws and stands by Elsee.
He looks down to the goblinoinds.
CoffeeIncluded
The goblin cleric's eyes bug out when she sees Surdrak summon the claws that ripped her partner apart.  "ALL RIGHT!"  she screams, shutting her eyes and flailing against the ground.  "We've been here 'bout a month, give or take! Don't kill me! What do you want from me?!" 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee frowned and pressed her face right up against the cleric's, speaking loud enough to ensure the hobgoblin's could also hear.

 "Personally i only want you to know that you've essentually commited gennocide. An entire tribe of warg-riders wiped out 'nd piled up in a castle just a few miles south of sandy lune, men, women, worgs, children, pups, all dead. heads'nd right hands cut off 'nd turned in for the bounty that was on  YOUR  heads. Eye just thought you outta know." 

With a sudden smile Elsee stood up straight and patted the cleric on the head, turning on the spot and walking away, waving a dismissive hand to the others.  "That's all i've got, go ahead 'nd do whatever with em, just let 'em live with that little factoid will ya?" 
CoffeeIncluded
The goblin cleric falls silent, and stares up at Elsee in horror.  "No..."  she whispers in a hoarse voice, shaking her head furiously in denial.  "No, no, that can't be true, you're lying..." 
super dark33
 Some of these corpses had stone tipped arrows in them. I dont suppose you know who uses such primitive weapons? 
CoffeeIncluded
The cleric is still staring off in horror, whispering fervent denials to herself. One of the tied up hobgoblins with two black eyes lifts up his head and looks over to her, groaning,   "What's it matter? Better them...than us, right?"

"SHUT UP!"   she screams.   "What the ****, Custer?! You're yanking my ears, you're just ****ing with me, right?"  
 
 Spoiler 
When did I say they were stone? Did I?
 
super dark33
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 The cleric is still staring off in horror, whispering fervent denials to herself. One of the tied up hobgoblins with two black eyes lifts up his head and looks over to her, groaning,   "What's it matter? Better them...than us, right?"

"SHUT UP!"   she screams.   "What the ****, Custer?! You're yanking my ears, you're just ****ing with me, right?"  
 
 Spoiler 
When did I say they were stone? Did I?
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler 
Yeah you did, I had lots of theories about that.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite looks down at the goblins, then at his friends.  "Do any of you have any ideas on what to do with then? Letting them go us not an option, but we cannot exactly take them with us to San De Sol, and it would be extremely inconvenient to bring them to San De Lune, although they do need to face judgment.  
Athedia
Badger stood up and brushed off her hands, looking at the waterfall.   "We can't kill them, much as they deserve it.  Tie them up here, tightly.  If they are still alive when we come back we take them with us.  If not...." 
Silverraptor
Sora thinks.
 "Is there any way to send a message to the village, magic or otherwise? We could have someone come out here to pick them up?" 
Athedia
Badger looked at the necklace she wore.   "You think you can get this thing to work?  I am not sure what it does, but it may suffice." 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite looks down at the necklace.  "This allows you to telepathically contact anyone within a mile, albeit for only up to three minutes a day. You could contact someone you know in San De Lune, assuming they are in range." 
Dusk Eclipse
 "And the only people we "know" in San de Lune are the Steel Thorns, great... just great" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler 
You also know a few people at the inn, and Ced.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee stands up from the loot pile again, instructing Kheel to pick up the two armour sets she had left up at the waterfall as she returned to the group.

 "Well we know they're fighters. Could take 'em with us to san de sol, 'nd if they survive that without stabbing us in the back 'er running away, we could bring 'em home with us. Leif's always looking for new mercs, 'nd it'd help even out the lousy plave/pale ratio of the breakfast hall." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
 Elsee stands up from the loot pile again, instructing Kheel to pick up the two armour sets she had left up at the waterfall as she returned to the group.

 "Well we know they're fighters. Could take 'em with us to san de sol, 'nd if they survive that without stabbing us in the back 'er running away, we could bring 'em home with us. Leif's always looking for new mercs, 'nd it'd help even out the lousy plave/pale ratio of the breakfast hall."  
 

 "They tried to kill us and from their words have attacked other travelers.  They are not going to the guild.  And Artorias, I know you didn't like Ced, but we do know him.  Of all the people I think he would react the best to a disembodied voice in his head." 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "They tried to kill us and from their words have attacked other travelers.  They are not going to the guild.  And Artorias, I know you didn't like Ced, but we do know him.  Of all the people I think he would react the best to a disembodied voice in his head."  
 

 "Right... it is just....  I don't like that guy, he rubbed me the wrong way"  he sighs in defeat  "but you are right it is probably our best option" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "Right... it is just....  I don't like that guy, he rubbed me the wrong way"  he sighs in defeat  "but you are right it is probably our best option"  
 

 "I don't understand why you don't like him.  Sure he was grumpy, but aren't all old people?  I mean look at Jadeite."   She looked at Jadeite and held out the necklace.   "How does this work?  Do I just think of him or whatever?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Old? You wound me, Badger. I prefer the terms  mature,  and  refined."   Still, he takes the necklace and shows Badger how to use it before handing it back to her, saying,  "I don't know why Ced is and Artorias doesn't seem to like him much? Perhaps he perceives him a a romantic rival? Regardless, you should be the one to contact him." 
 
 Spoiler 
ready to try it out?
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee pouts and crossed her arms under her chest, muttering to herself.  "didn't stop me." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Old? You wound me, Badger. I prefer the terms  mature,  and  refined."   Still, he takes the necklace and shows Badger how to use it before handing it back to her, saying,  "I don't know why Ced is and Artorias doesn't seem to like him much? Perhaps he perceives him a a romantic rival? Regardless, you should be the one to contact him." 
 
 Spoiler 
ready to try it out?
 
 
 

 "As mature as a rotten cheese."   Badger grumbled as she prepared to use the necklace.  She couldn't help but talk aloud while using the necklace, it helped her focus her thoughts and it felt weird otherwise.   "Ced, this is Badger.  The one with the dog.  We need help." 
CoffeeIncluded
There's a long moment of silence, and for a moment it seems as if Badger's spell has failed to pick him up. But a moment later, she can hear his grumpy voice of,  "Yes? Who is it?! Oh, it's just ye guys,"  filter into her mind, albeit faded and fuzzy--he must be nearly of range.

 "What diyya need ta interrupt an old Druid on his evening walk?"  he doesn't cut her off, however, but seems to be listening.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 There's a long moment of silence, and for a moment it seems as if Badger's spell has failed to pick him up. But a moment later, she can hear his grumpy voice of,  "Yes? Who is it?! Oh, it's just ye guys,"  filter into her mind, albeit faded and fuzzy--he must be nearly of range.

 "What diyya need ta interrupt an old Druid on his evening walk?"  he doesn't cut her off, however, but seems to be listening. 
 

 "The bandits that were attacking travelers?  Well they made the mistake of attacking us.  Three are dead, the other three are tied up currently near a waterfall.  There is probably some reward out for whoever brings them back, and since we have to retrieve that sword for you it would be a tad out of our way.  You seemed a better bet than a barmaid for getting them back." 
CoffeeIncluded
Ced is silent for a moment.  "How do I know ya ain't pullin' me leg? Ah well, one way ta see fast. Where are you all now?" 
Athedia
 "A waterfall.  I don't know the area, but it is a rather large one." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "...Oh, I know tha place,"  Ced says after a moment's thought.  "Hang on, don't ya move a step." 

Ced abruptly cuts the connection and Badger is left there holding the stone in silence. They wait for a little bit until they hear a rustling and creaking noise behind them. The bandits' eyes bug out and if the party follows their gaze they see a large oak tree, one of the few oaks in the area, warp and bend until Ced steps out of the bark. He sighs and dusts off his arms and knees before looking over the scene. He lets out a low whistle as he observes the blood in the water, the dead hobgoblins in the river, and the three survivors.

 "What do ya know. Looks like the truth,"  he says.

 
 Spoiler 
Tree Stride!
 
super dark33
 It makes me sad that im not surprised. 

Surdrak relizes he never dismissed the claws, he blushes and immidietly places his hands behind his back, allowing the claws to fade into the air.
Athedia
Badger stared at the tree Ced had emerged from.   "But.. how? Solid....   She shook her head clear and tucked the necklace away.   "If there are to be executed I would like to be there.  Could there sentence be delayed a little until we get back.  It should only be a few days." 
CoffeeIncluded
Ced laughs and shakes his head.  "There's many types of magic, lass. Just be thankful Tha fire didn't make it's way down here, else I couldn't have done this."  upon listening to Badger's request, he nods.  "Suppose as you're the ones who finished this, ya deserve to see it Ta the end. I ain't about to make promises, but I'll see what I can do."  with that, he picks up the clearly terrified bandits. He lifts up the goblin cleric with little trouble, but visibly struggles when picking up the first archer. He can barely grab the second archer, who sticks out his tongue at the old Druid but at least has the presence of mind to keep his mouth shut.

 "No matter,"  Ced says. He then whistles, a sharp note that echoes through the trees. There's silence, then a loud crashing noise. A great brown bear ambles out of the forest and meanders his way down the slate piles lining the cliffs. The second archer starts screaming for mercy as the bear gets closer, and lifts him up, holding the rope between his teeth. Ced simply smiles and pats the bear on the head.

 "Thank you,"  he says.
Athedia
Badger quickly picked up Naga and backed away from the bear.   "And you were worried about your RABBITS!" 
CoffeeIncluded
Ced smiles. The bear sniffs Badger and Naga but does nothing.

 "He has no master, while your dog does. Who would he follow first? It probably aint gonna be me." 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias looks at Ced and the bear warily.  "Thank you, we really appreciate you doing that for us" 
CoffeeIncluded
Ced grunts, a hint of a smile ghosting on his face.  "Don't mention it. I've been lookin' fer these bastards too. Guess they knew not ta mess with me--an' they learned the same with you tha hard way!" 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias simply shrugs.  "We've dealt with bandits before, but I have to give it to them; they are far more coordinated that your run of the mill bandit." 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee groaned and slapped her hand against her face at the manage of an exicution, great, they spare their lives just to humiliate them in public. the human chick who ran off and broke the rules got a new lease on life, but all the plavaan people who do the same get exicuted. What was even the point of telling them about the butchered tribe if they were just gunna DIE ten minutes later anyways!? Once more Elsee pouted and wandered off, walking over closer to the waterfall until the noise drowned out the speach of the others, taking a seat by the shore and throwing rocks into the river.
Athedia
Badger walked over and sat next to Elsee.   "Are you okay?  You don't need to wear that headband if it bugs you that much.  I just wanted you to be safe.  That was brave of you to fight those archers by yourself." 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee rolled her eyes and immidiately shoved the headband back into Badger's arms.   "Coulda at least asked 'em more questions..."  she mumbled.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
 Elsee rolled her eyes and immidiately shoved the headband back into Badger's arms.   "Coulda at least asked 'em more questions..."  she mumbled. 
 

 "Like what?  Why they tried to kill us?  It doesn't matter why, just that they did.  Everyone comes to justice eventually.  If it helps any I asked to be at the execution so I can make sure it is swift, if they will not do it properly I will." 
Draconi Redfir
 ""have you actally killed anyone" would been a good start." 
super dark33
 From what their leader told us, yes, they killed a lot of people. Who knows how many of these victims were innocent or clerics. 

Surdrak sits back down at the rock he sat on earlier.

 You know that if they were human we wouldve still killed them the same Elsee, dont see it as an insult to you. 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite sits down as well.  "Whether humanoid or Plavaan, a criminal is a criminal and must be punished. Their injustice is not because they executed Plavaan criminals, but that they executed Plavaan indiscriminately, believing them all to be criminals without evidence. Elsee, what if these bandits were humanoid? Would your shouts for mercy be just as loud?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
  ""have you actally killed anyone" would been a good start."  
 

 "So those holes in Kheel's wing just appeared by magic?  What about Artorias, if Sora hadn't been able to get to him he would have been dead.  Surdrak is right, they admitted to us that they killed others.  Or are you mad because they are Plav?  If so, get over it.  I wouldn't have treated a human any different."   Badger pulled the headband over her forehead, her tattoos darkening and hair returning to it's deep red-color.  She walked away, over to where Artorias was.   "We need to bury or burn those bodies, can't leave them in the water like that." 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Sure"  Artorias sighs and rumages through his survival pouch before retrieving a small bundle of sticks, he looks for a clear patch of ground that and throws them, immediately a roaring fire springs from the sticks.

 
 Spoiler 

Used a "charge" from my survival pouch to start the fire
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee silently macks Bdger's words as she walks away but otherwise does nothing, knowing their words to be right, yet still wishing they'd get to live, if only to live with knowing what they caused.
CoffeeIncluded
It takes a while for the soaking wet bodies to catch fire, but they eventually do. Ced remains with the hobgoblins and goblins. The surviving bandits are silent as they watch the pyre but their expressions are somewhere between distraught and murderous. The fire eventually takes on a strange shape, a roaring conflagration shooting straight up that yet does not sent flames shooting outwards. A gust of wind gives the answer--Ced has the winds at his disposal as well, and is guiding the pyre to burn as hot and fast as it can, while keeping the forest itself out of danger.

He shaves a couple hours off the grim work, and when the fire has died down to ash and bone, he takes the three goblins and returns to San De Lune. But before he does, he turns to give a nod to the group.  "You have my thanks,"  he says.  "And if this is what all ya Runitians do, then I think I might just check out that city meself." 
super dark33
 Ecifercas yb naem yeht thaw si siht epoh i. 

Surdrak looked at the pyre from the comfortable stone. he looked at the spirit scribble again, to see what would happen.
CoffeeIncluded
As Surdrak stares at the scribble, he feels a screeching noise in the back of his mind.
super dark33
Surdrak reaches out for his crowbar and adds more detail to the spirit.
Maybe this time it will work.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler 
Craft check please.
 
super dark33
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+2)[ 19 ] 
 


Drawing lines in the dirt with a crowbar was as much of an art as smacking someone's head empty with it.

But still, considered art.
Or so Surdrak thought, joking or not even he himself didnt know.
CoffeeIncluded
The hissing in his head seems to stop, and turns away.
CoffeeIncluded
When Ced, the bear, and the bandits are out of sight, the party moves on. Everyone is quieter and more morose than before, and even Kheel isn't as chipper and exuberant as he typically is. He flies far overhead, only descending when the sun dips below the horizon and the forest becomes pitch black, with only the seemingly infinite stars to guide the way. Both moons are waning or empty, so it's even darker than usual. The Wyvern's Fangs have to break camp on a sparse plateau, at the border of the forest fire.

Nothing bothers them. It's quiet that night, and morning comes soft and dim with a light drizzle. The rain is heavy and dark and smells of ash and burnt wood, as the blackened remains of the forest stretch up the slope.

The hike up is steep but quiet, and they encounter no trouble. Elsee guides the way, but it's easy to see through the charred leafless remains of the forest. Still, it's not an empty husk. There are still birds flying from limb to limb, and there, on the ground, small saplings shoot up from the ash and earth and long grasses blow in the breeze.

The forest is burnt, but it's not dead. Life is returning.

Eventually, after many hours of increasingly steep hiking, the party comes onto a flat plateau, where fallen burnt trees make it easy to see the cliffs off to the distance and nearby. Elsee and Kheel point it out, and then everyone can see it.

Under the largest cliff, its roof stained black from centuries of smoke and campfires, is a village of tan stone. Sandstone walls, crumbling in places but mostly intact, delineate rooms and mark off the front platform from the buildings inside. Some are rounded, some seem to be a few stories tall, built up to the roof of the cavern, and others are short and squat. Some buildings appear to be raised up, with stairs carved and built to access the higher levels. Circular pits are dug into the ground in places and lined with stone.

Inside the cliff are the abandoned ruins of San De Sol.

 
 Spoiler: Picture for a mental image 
 

We'll pause here. See you all in a week!
 
Silverraptor
 "So, we... *pant* made it?" 
Sora is bent over with her hands on her knees, breathing heavily after the steep climb.
super dark33
 Appearently. San de Sol, ruins to nose about in.  
CoffeeIncluded
The ruins are quiet, almost serene at first glance. Mounds of rubble block some paths, but others are clear. Five buildings, one in each corner and one in the center, are taller than the rest and almost scrape against the ceiling of the cavern. The rest are low and rectangular, either isolated or connected to each other. The latter is more common in back.

In the front, separated from the village itself by a partially-destroyed wall, is a courtyard. In the courtyard are three round pits that go about 10 feet into the ground.

 
 Spoiler 
map when I can. Searh, spot, listen please.
 
super dark33
Surdrak looked around, the sight amazed him but he had to focus.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+1)[ 20 ]  Listen
 (1d20+2)[ 13 ]  Search
 (1d20+1)[ 13 ]  Spot
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias takes a little time to drink in the views, he lets out a content sigh; it had been a long ardous trip but they had made it.  "So this is San de Sol" 
 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Search  (1d20+11)[ 30 ] 
Spot (1d20+9)[ 19 ] 
Listen  (1d20+8)[ 14 ] 

Hey Coffee, do you want me to PM my last character choices?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: Rolls and note to dusk 


Jadeite search:  (d20+7)[ 26 ] 
Spot:  (d20+4)[ 20 ] 
Listen:  (d20+4)[ 21 ] 

Or Facebook me, dusk. Either works.
 

 "What is that?"  Jadeite asks as e points at the pits.

Artorias can sense something there, the familiar feel of arcane magic.
super dark33
 Thats a pit Jædæ. 

Despite the remark, Surdrak was curious about those pits.
Dusk Eclipse
 "I'm pretty sure Jadeite knows they are pits; lets check them"   Artorias walks towards the pit; he let's his senses go wild, the encounter with the bandits just proved that they would need to be careful, abandoned city or not.

 
 Spoiler: actions 

Initiating Hunter's Sense
Spot  (1d20+9)[ 24 ] 
Listen  (1d20+8)[ 13 ] 
Search  (1d20+11)[ 21 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
As Artorias descends into the pit with jadeite, he's instantly struck with a sense of calm. This was once a religious place and that sense still remains even though is builders are long gone.

There are carvings on the wall, pictures and words in some hybrid of Elven and Draconic, Jadeite says. And as the elf traces what remains of the carvings Artorias realizes, to his shock, that he can follow along. Here are humans and strange dogs, hunting with lightning and fire. There is the arc of the sun, and the path of Aequar's two moons. The sun appears to be traveling along multiple paths around San De Sol, and one is higher than the rest.

The flow of arcana is strong here, just here on the surface where it bubbles up. For the first time Artorias can feel it. For the first time he can use the things he saw in the spellbook, and the blank pages that Jadeite gave him to fill in, and harness the magic for himself.

 
 Spoiler: For everyone to read! 
Yer a wizard, Artorias.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: All other spot/listen checks: 

Badger:
Spot:  (d20+11)[ 19 ] 
Listen:  (d20+11)[ 17 ] 

Elsee:
Spot:  (d20+2)[ 8 ] 
Listen:  (d20+2)[ 16 ] 

Kheel:
Spot:  (d20+15)[ 25 ] 
Listen:  (d20+12)[ 26 ] 

Sora:
Spot:  (d20+3)[ 18 ] 
Listen:  (d20+3)[ 21 ] 
 

 
 Spoiler: DC 20 Listen: 
You hear scuffling and cracking noises from deep within the ruins.
 

 
 Spoiler: DC 25 Spot: 
You see a shadow move in the building right before you. Maybe.
 


There are three buildings whose entrances are closest and most immediately available to you. The furthest left leads into a rounded tower whose roof and second floor appears to be partially open, though it goes up to almost the ceiling. The one right in front of you is broad and squat, with small high windows on a narrow section of wall that juts out from the rest of the building. The third building, to your right, is the narrowest and longest. Other rooms are available, but some are deeper in and others are blocked by rubble.

Where will you go first?
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias is left speechless as the Arcana flows through him, as the surge of strange energy wanes the young human smiles; he doesn't understand why or even how, but this new power just felt right to him.

 "I feel.... weird  he clenches his hand   weird, but oddly... right" , he motions Jadeite to follow him as he jumps out of the pit they had been in. His sight immediately drawn to the tallest building on his left.

 "I think we should go up there"  he points to the top with his finger

 
 Spoiler: Maneuvers readied and spells "prepared" 

Maneuvers: Sudden Leap, Emerald Razor &amp; Steel Wind
Spells
Cantrips:
Acid Splash
Acid Splash
Prestidigitation

1st level spells
Blade of Blood
Lesser Deflect
Fist of Stone (transmuter bonus)
 
Athedia
Badger looked at Artorias.   "Art, you are weird.  Glad you finally realize it."   Pulling out her new bow she nodded as he pointed at the tower.   "You want to lead?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "If I am the weird one,  Artorias replies with a smile  what does it makes you?" , he nods.

 "Sure" 
super dark33
 I always thought of it as the deafult that he does. Whats down this pit anyway? 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest as she waited for someone to pick a direction, idly waving a hand around and pointing her thumb to everyone as she refers to them.

 "He makes out with the soul of a demon, he likes to fondle dead people, she has an over-attachment to animals, SHE willingly supports an oppressive regime, HE thinks he's an animal half the time, and eye'm the only one here with fangs and green skin. We're all freaking weirdos, that's why we joined the guild remember?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Congratulations, Artorias."  Jadeite looks awkwardly at the man, then, as if he isn't quote sure what the protocol here is, places an arm up and around his shoulder, almost like a quarter-hug.

He follows Artorias out of the kiva a little while later and also me toons that he can hear something in the back. And, much to everyone's surprise, Jadeite actually laughs at Elsee's remark. Sure it's a quiet chuckle, but still.

 "You are most certainly right, Elsee. Though I certainly do not like to fondle corpses. However, what is it they say about motley bands of the eccentric?" 

Jadeite then turns to answer Surdrak's question, but it's hard to hear over the laughing and whispers in his head, which now hiss at Artorias as well.

Eventually, the Wyvern's Fangs reach a consensus to enter the tower. It's quiet in there, and dark. The only light filters in from above, where the second floor is partially floored off by stone and supported by old suspect wood. It can probably handle the weight of some of the group, but not all at once. There are steps deeply carved into the side, or rather a ladder. The ladder goes all the way up to the second floor bThere is also a hallway straight ahead of them, a corridor that leads to a closed stone door.

 
 Spoiler 
nap time. Decisions, decisions. 😛
 
super dark33
 So there is nothing of importence in the pit then. This area seems bare.  

Surdrak looked for magic or any sign of spirits. He was kina frustrated he didnt get an answer.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Actually, there were things of importance in the pit. There were several carvings and inscriptions. Most revolved around arcane magic and the solar cycle, but others were rather worn down."  he looks up, then down the hallway.  "In either case, where do you think we should go? Should we inspect the top of the tower or head down the hallway, into whatever may he waiting for us?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Draconi Redfir 
 Elsee rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest as she waited for someone to pick a direction, idly waving a hand around and pointing her thumb to everyone as she refers to them.

 "He makes out with the soul of a demon, he likes to fondle dead people, she has an over-attachment to animals, SHE willingly supports an oppressive regime, HE thinks he's an animal half the time, and eye'm the only one here with fangs and green skin. We're all freaking weirdos, that's why we joined the guild remember? " 
 

 "Only attachment I have to animals other than Naga and other dogs is as breakfast."   Badger grumbled as she headed toward the building.  Once inside she looked around.   "I say the roof first, give us an idea of what we are doing." 
CoffeeIncluded
The ladder, for lack of a better word, carved into the stone appears to have been secondary to a ladder, whose rotted remains lie nearby. It can be climbed easily with caution. How many people are going to climb up, and who will climb up first?


 
 Spoiler: Athedia: 
wrong color.
 
super dark33
 Ill climb first. Im not trusting this to hold up  or you to catch me when it does fail  But theres no alternative. 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Surdrak wait"  Artorias rummages through his belt pouch  take this and tie it at the top"  he gives the Warlock a coil of rope.

 
 Spoiler 

Have you selected your 6th level invocation? if you haven't I suggest you to get fell flight.
 
super dark33
 Ill see if i can.  
 
 Spoiler 
Oh right, forgot about that one, i took a dispelling invocation. Do you think i should switch one for the other?
 
CoffeeIncluded
  No! Down, not up!   the voices hiss as Surdrak climbs. There's no handholds, but the stones are carved well. Surdrak is careful and makes his way up with little trouble.

The stone floor is narrow but solid. Surdrak's no architect but he's pretty sure that the floor can support at least one more person for sure. Jadeite looks up as the warlock climbs onto the second floor.

 
 Spoiler 
knowledge (architecture and engineering):  (d20+14)[ 18 ] 
 

 
 Spoiler: What Surdrak sees: 
the sun is bright but doesn't shine directly into the tower, which has a window carved to face the sun. The sun is just a bit too low in the sky for that, even though it's around noon. There are carvings on the walls, more carvings tracing the path of the sun and moon, and glimmering stars as well. At least, he thinks they're supposed to be glimmering.

There appears to be a mirror, a smooth piece of polished reflective material, fixed to the lower left corner. As Surdrak looks around he can see four more towers. Three more with similar dimensions are straight before him, to his right, and on a diagonal. They seem to form four corners. In the middle is a largest building, whose roof is covered with a similar material as the one on the wall.

And it's your choice if you want to switch.
 
super dark33
 Look who decided to come back... 

Surdrak rolled his eyes and muttered to himself as the demanding voice returned.

He thought out loud while looking for somplace to tie the rope to.
  Well somtimes you need to go up to come down. Dont worry i will do as you say eventenly.   
 
 Spoiler 
Surdrak, no, smart mouthing spirits is a bad idea dont do it you idiot.
And yeah ill switch, suddenly remembered that he was supposed to be researching it.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee idly kicks at a stone as they wait for Surdrak, eventually calling up to the warlock in impaitiance.

 "Well!? Anything up there?" 
super dark33
 There is a mirror here, and a window for the sun. Cant find a place to tie the rope. 

Surdrak went to inspect the mirror closely, to see if its operable, trying to detect magic everywhere.
CoffeeIncluded
The mirror is mildly magic, but it's old and worn. If Surdrak inspects the mirror long enough, he can tell that the magic is transmutation-based.

There's no hook to tie off the rope, but he can tie it around the opening of the window and the end sectio of the wall that's collapsed, thought it'll take a lot of rope. Still, there should be enough rope left to reach the ground afterwards.

 
 Spoiler 
done for the day, I'll post more on the train when I'm not walking through the city.
 
super dark33
 How nice... 

Surdrak ties the rope, throws the remains down the ladder and walks to inspect the mirror...

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+9)[ 11 ]  Spellcraft
 (1d20+4)[ 17 ]  Knowledge arcana
 
CoffeeIncluded
Surdrak is able to secure the rope, and then he inspects the mirror more closely. It seems to be designed to do something with light, but it's clearly not working right now.

 
 Spoiler: Everyone 
yay, just barely made the express train home! I'll post Sora and Badger's climb once I get out of the tunnel.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Badger and Sora also manage to climb up with the robe Surdrak dropped down, though it takes the cleric some time. Up on the second floor, the sun is bright but doesn't shine directly into the tower, which has a window carved to face the sun. The sun is just a bit too low in the sky for that, even though it's around noon. There are carvings on the walls, more carvings tracing the path of the sun and moon, and glimmering stars as well. At least, you think they're supposed to be glimmering.

There appears to be a mirror, a smooth piece of polished reflective material, fixed to the lower left corner. As Surdrak looks around he can see four more towers. Three more with similar dimensions are straight before him, to his right, and on a diagonal. They seem to form four corners. In the middle is a largest building, whose roof is covered with a similar material as the one on the wall.

EDIT: Jadeite sends his familiar up as well; the small added weight doesn't matter.

What should everyone else do?
super dark33
 Jædæ you see this mirror? it has a magical aura, transmutition. its probably here to deflect the rays of the sun to perform somthing. 

They will probably need to aim it towards the other mirrors, maybe even spread out between them to do so.

 
 Spoiler 
Mirror puzzles are rated among the top 10 lamest puzzles in games. Pushing boxes takes the 1st.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The mirror is fixed to the wall. The wall is immovable stone. The mirror must already be calibrated?

Jadeite climbs partway up the rope, twisting it around his wrists so he won't fall as he cranes his neck upwards.  "Interesting. Though I cannot get close enough to touch this unless someone descends. Hemlock, what do you see?" 
 
 Spoiler 
I have to go pretty soon; can't post more for a bit. Super Dark, you hate this that much?

 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite hoists himself up on the rope a bit more, though he can't actually get onto the floor unless someone descends. Nevertheless, he inspects the mirror as best he can from across the turret.

 
 Spoiler 
spellcraft:  (d20+16)[ 26 ] 

Knowledge (arcana):  (d20+16)[ 34 ] 

Knowledge (nature):  (d20+14)[ 15 ] 
 


Jadeite points a finger at the mirror and the carvings on the wall while gripping tightly to the rope with the remaining fingers and his other arm.  "I believe that mirror is designed to capture light and reflect it at a certain angle already determined by the way the mirror is positioned and carved. A large quantity of light must be required, which is why the windows are carved to face the sun at its zenith. But even though it is midday, the sun is still slightly too low to fully shine through the window."  A note of confusion creeps into his voice when he says the last sentence.
Dusk Eclipse
While Artorias has the suspicion that Jadeite hadn't meant that question to be answered he nevertheless tries to "Well, San de Sol is built in the face of a cliff isn't it?  he cracks his neck to relieve some of the tension   "then perhaps the sun doesn't strikes the mirror at midday, but at some other time"  
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite pauses.  "Perhaps, but the sunlight would not be as strong at that time. At least, I do not believe it would be. Besides, if your suggestion is correct, then the exact moment could very well have passed, or could be hours from now. We cannot wait hours or an entire day." 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Does it has to be natural sunlight?"  Artorias arcs one of his eyebrows  "I've seen some clerics back in Runite being able to emulate sunlight with a spell." 
 
 Spoiler 
Not sure if this count as metagaming, but since  Daylight  is a 3rd level spell, I don't think it would be that rare and it is on every core spellcaster list ( bar the ranger for some weird reason, considering it is a Druid spell) so... at least I know have the Spellcraft ranks to sort of explain why Artorias can recognize it.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite looks down at Artorias, then back at the mirror.  "That could work. However, I only have a Light spell, not a Daylight spell. Still, it may provide enough light to work. Sora, have you prepared any light-producing spells today?" 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias simply smiles.
Silverraptor
 "I don't have daylight prepared... but I did receive a new spell from Astrid today called Searing Light. Might that do it?" 
 
 Spoiler 
I was about to post something for Sora an hour ago responding to Jadeite's explanation of the light angle not making the light strong enough at that time of day by having her reason if the mirror is magical by absorbing light and redirecting it, it could amplify it at the particular time of day based on the brightness one would expect for the sun to come in at that time. In addition, one must also account for the season as winter sunlight comes at a completely different angle and sunlight strength than summer sunlight depending on the position on the hemisphere the location is at.

But before I could make this incredibly nerdy and information spouting post, my sister needed me to "help" her with an economics assignment since I already taken economics during my associates degree. All it turned into was an hour of me writing it for her with her just copying everything I said down onto her paper.🫤

And it also prevented me from showing how brainy Sora could be. When you do the comic Coffee, and skim through these threads for ideas, could you add this kind of analysis for Sora when you get to this part?
 
Athedia
 "I don't know much about your magic but it only lasts so long right?  We should check out the other towers and make sure the mirrors, if they have them are intact.  Wouldn't it be our luck to find a broken one?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite's response is thoughtful, and he's still staring at the mirror as he speaks.  "My spell normally lasts an hour on its own now, but this mirror seems to absorb light as well as reflect it. That might change the duration of the spell, or the output of the light. These ruins do not appear to be especially big anyway."  It would most certainly be their luck to find a broken one, though. He's forced to agree with Badger on that.
Silverraptor
 "If it absorbs light, perhaps it doesn't need the strength of the sun to reflect the right amount of light needed. It could possibly condense it down to the proper amount intensifying it. Like you said, the angle it seems to want the light to come from couldn't be very strong. Light!" 

Sora's amulet glows brightly and she holds it up and waves it in front of the mirror.
super dark33
 Maybe it collects the rays of the sun on a certein day. Ancient civilizations love their astrology. 

Surdrak knew none of that.
What he also didnt know was the date in the year though that didnt bother him.
CoffeeIncluded
A large mote of light suddenly appears, and is just as suddenly sucked into the mirror. For a moment nothing happens, and it looks like all the guesses were wrong.

What happens next is silent and instantaneous, and these two things feel dramatically wrong--there should be a sound effect, or a visible beam shooting out. But neither of those things happens. What does happen is that four rats of light shoot out of the mirror. Three are aimed at the other three towers at the corners of the ruins, but the fourth is aimed at the large structure in the center. The light falls there, and illuminates a quarter of the structure, the lower left bit. And as it illuminates some spots in the structure seem to especially glow and twinkle. It takes everyone a moment, but then the answer is clear. They're stars, the night sky reflected in the material.
super dark33
Surdrak's eyes widen and his mouth opens with awe.

 Forget the mirror, THIS looks interesting. Im going there if anyone wants to join. 

The awe turned into glee Surdrak hurried out to the middle structure, giggling silently all the way there.
CoffeeIncluded
The middle structure is several hundred feet away and two stories up as well. On the ground floor, there's no easy way to access it--there are neither windows nor doors. But it seems, looking from above, that if they continue down the corridor in the floor below, they'll eventually make their way around to that room.
Dusk Eclipse
 "If there isn't anything more up there, shall we continue?"  Artorias motions to the corridor in front of them.
CoffeeIncluded
 " I saw something moving in the other building in front! There were shadows in the fatter building!"   Kheel says as Sora, Jadeite, Badger, and Surdrak descend.

 "After you,"  Jadeite says with a superfluous bow and flourish.

The corridor leading to the back of the ruins is relatively narrow and not very long. At the end appears to be a simple stone door.

 
 Spoiler: Everyone: 
Spot and listen checks, search if you want them too.
Jadeite spot:  (d20+4)[ 9 ] 
Jadeite listen:  (d20+4)[ 9 ] 
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias raises his hand in a stopping motion  "I'm just going to do a quick check for traps, one can never be too careful about thi stuff"  Artorias begins to carefully prod and search for anything that might be a trap in the corridor, he also sniffs the air for anything unusual, like the stench of carrion, or the acrid smell of acid.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Search Take 10 for 21 total
Spot  (1d20+9)[ 13 ] 
Listen [roll]120+8[/roll]
And generic roll for scent in case Coffee want me to roll for something with Scent  (1d20)[ 20 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias smells something odd as he walks down the hallway. Normally he'd expect the hallway to smell of old stone and the forests, and maybe the trace of long-gone magic. But instead he smells...dog? A heavy smell of dog permeates the area, but it's unlike the smell of Naga. It's...different. The smell of dog is recent but it doesn't smell like there are any dogs in the area right now. And as Artorias smells closer to the door, he catches a hint of blood...and something else. Though the smell of dog is strongest behind him, closest to the entrance of the ruins.

The warblade is so engrossed with identifying the smells that he fails to pay more than cursory attention to traps. There's a quiet click as he approaches the door and feels his ankle snag against a wire. And then a sharp blade, thigh-high, comes swinging out at him.

 
 Spoiler: Sorry! 
sorry, you missed the dc by one!

Attack:  (d20+10)[ 19 ] 
Crit:  (d20+10)[ 25 ] 
Damage:  (2d4)[ 6 ] 
 


The scythe slashes into Artorias's thigh, then swings back and forth a couple times harmlessly, dripping blood.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias winces as the blade slices his tight.  "Good news, I found a trap... bad new... I got hit by the trap"   he then rips a little piece of his cloak and ties it around the wound to stem the blood flow .  "We... I need to be careful" 
 
 Spoiler 
1 point to find it and  it beat my AV by 1 point lovely.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I don't think I've seen that method of discovering traps before. I must say I prefer the traditional way of doing so."  Jadeite cautiously makes his way down the hallway and inspects the blade, which has finally stopped swinging.  "Strange. You would think this trap would be rusted to uselessness if it were as old as the rest of the ruins. Somebody must be here to build and maintain these traps. Artorias, did you sense anything?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Map updated, and goodnight everyone!
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "That was a familty technique passed through the Kathe bloodline..."  Artorias deadpans "but I did it wrong,  you are supposed to send someone in before you."  ahe crouches o examine the mechanism more closely as he listens Jadeite's theories.   "Not necesarilly, magical traps don't need upkeep after they are set, though I'm fairly certain this one isn't magical"  he stares at the scythe intensely,  but he is taken out of his contemplation by a cough.

 "You could say that, I can smell blood and something else, not sure what though;   coming from there   he points towards the door  but, this place is also smells like... well dog" 
Athedia
Badger crossed her arms and glared at Artorias.   "He didn't even go in the water.  And that was hours ago.  Are you sure you are smelling Jadeite?" 
super dark33
 Is this trap magical? 

Surdrak intended to give himself the answer.
This is taking too much time! The starthing could be over by now!
CoffeeIncluded
The trap is not magical, and Jadeite confirms it if Surdrak and Artorias don't.

 
 Spoiler: Why I said it outright 
We have four people who can cast Detect Magic and I think one can do it at will. It would be easier to just say it outright.
 


Jadeite looks to Badger and smiles.  "No Badger, if you honestly think I smell like dog then your senses must be even more shot than I originally believed. How much fur do you have in your nostrils?"  he turns back to Artorias.  "Do you smell any humans with the dog smell?" 

It's at this moment that the whispers start up again in Surdrak's mind.

 
 Spoiler: The whispers.  
  Damn dogs!

They want...to stop us.

How dare! How dare!

Stop us? Lets stop them...

Yes! Yes! A good sacrifice! Yes!  
 
super dark33
 
 Spoiler 
It will be easier to just say if anything around Surdrak is magical to prevent annoyence.
 

 There are dogs over there, dogs that want to kill us, but not if we do the same to them first, IF YOU CATCH MY DRIFT. 

Surdrak already summoned a pair of claws that may or may not have a major studio sue him by their appearence.


  How many of you are there, voices? Do you have names? Do you want me to hit you, yes or yes?  
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Badger crossed her arms and glared at Artorias.   "He didn't even go in the water.  And that was hours ago.  Are you sure you are smelling Jadeite?"  
 

Artorias puts his hand up in a placating gesture  "I didn't say it was Naga's smell, just dogs.... it is hard to explain, so please trust me on this one. 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 The trap is not magical, and Jadeite confirms it if Surdrak and Artorias don't.

 
 Spoiler: Why I said it outright 
We have four people who can cast Detect Magic and I think one can do it at will. It would be easier to just say it outright.
 


Jadeite looks to Badger and smiles.  "No Badger, if you honestly think I smell like dog then your senses must be even more shot than I originally believed. How much fur do you have in your nostrils?"  he turns back to Artorias.  "Do you smell any humans with the dog smell?"  
 

Artorias sniffes again to confirm.  "No, I can only smell dogs and blood, but the blood scent is fainter" 
 
 Spoiler: RE: trap issue 

I'm sorry about the slight derail with the trap, I was hoping someone would ask something like "how do you know it isn't magical?" and then have Artorias go into a long winded explanation on the difference between magical and mundane traps, finishing with "And the trap hasn't reset itself, if it was magical it would have" or something along the lines of that.

😳
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee smirked and leaned against the wall bext to her as she observed these goings on.  "this is a REALLY nice vacaition isn't it?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 Surdrak: 

The voices hiss in his mind, and they seem to slither and slink into his mind, leaving only slime and shadows.

  No names...for years...

What are we? Who are we?

Dig down deep.

You already know.

Surdrak, our warlock.  

Artorias: 

Jadeite frowns. "So the smell of blood and the smell of dogs are in opposite directions? In that case, which should we investigate first? Or should we split up?"

If Artorias looks at the door more closely, he sees that the door is locked. It's a very odd lock, unlike any he's ever seen, and it's about thigh-high as well.

 Elsee: 

"Now now," jadeite says, patting the goblin on the head. "I think the scenery is absolutely lovely! Don't you agree?"
Dusk Eclipse
 "I think we should check the blood first"  once again he examines the trip-wire trap  "I think I might be able to jury rig this trap in a makeshift alarm, that way if something comes from here it won't catch us by surprise" 
 
 Spoiler: OOC questions 

I don't have Craft: trap.... so can I make the alarm? I do have some trap-making supplies from cannibalizing the traps from Nedivax &amp; Bella's lab; and I just noticed that I can no longer try to activate my Wand of Shocking Grasp by myself, since I' decided to ban Evocation 😳

You also forgot to color Jadeite's speech.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite nods and steps aside. As he does, Naga runs up to the lock on the door. He sniffs it, then whines.

 
 Spoiler: Answers  
youll have to roll to make the trap. And you need to unlock this door. I didn't color Jadeite's speech because I couldn't do it on my phone for some reason. I'll do it when I get home.

What did you ban? And your specialty is transmutation?
 
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias pats Naga on the head  "I know buddy, I don't like it either"  he then begins to work on a makeshift alarm using pieces from the trap he had just "disarmed" and some stuff he had taken from the spellcasting sibling's lab.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Craft: Trap roll  (1d20+2)[ 9 ]  I'm assuming it is an Inteligence check

I banned enchantment and evocation with specialization in transmutation.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias tries and miserably fails at building the trap. It takes him several tries to even stretch out the wire correctly, and when he finally does so it snaps back in his face. That's the only time Naga backs away from the door. The rest of the time the dog is sniffing the lock intently.

 
 Spoiler 
You can smell it too.
 
super dark33
 Lets getin there! Whatre we waitin for? 

Surdrak lost his patience a while ago already.
He speaks very quickly and warms himself up in his place.
Dusk Eclipse
 "Fine, just let me work"  Artorias crouches in front of the locked door to examine it while grumbling something that sounds suspiciously like "stupid trip-wires"  "What do we have here?"  he whispers to himself as he ties to detect whatever smell is making Naga uncomfortable.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Search  (1d20+11)[ 30 ] 
Disable Device if a trap is found  (1d20+8)[ 11 ] 
Open Lock  (1d20+8)[ 28 ] 

Sorry for being absent today, I met some old friends a my FLGS and there was an event so I spent most of the day there.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The lock is surprisingly easy to open, as if it was made by someone who didn't really know how to set locks. And as Artorias looks more closely, he can see why. The lock has shallow bite and scratch marks in it, and dried slobber around the soft shallow tooth impressions. There's a scrap of yellow-brown fur around the lock and bar as well. And, if Artorias leans in to take a deep sniff, he smells what's got Naga so worried.

It's the same smell of strange dog that's behind them, in the previous building. And it also smells like fear.
Dusk Eclipse
 "This is getting weird....er, unless I'm completely mistaken this lock is designed to be opened by dogs" 
Athedia
Badger whistled for Naga and aimed her bow at the door.   "Be careful, we don't know what is back there." 
 
 Spoiler 
Ready Action to shoot if anything  comes through the door.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Actually, the look doesn't look like it was designed to be opened by dogs so much as it was  set  by a dog. A very scared dog, judging from the smell.

Badger draws her bow, but nothing comes from behind the door. Naga comes to her side, but is still sniffing, and has moved to sniffing the ground and moving in tight circles.

 
 Spoiler: For everyone 
If other people want to search or whatever they might get a few clues. Badger's tracking in particular might be helpful, if she rolls well.

Either way, I have to go to bed. I have an interview in the morning and then I'm headed back to school. I should be able to post some though. Goodnight, everyone!
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite takes a look around as well.

 
 Spoiler: Search dc 15 (all, including Badger): 

Jadeite's search:  (d20+7)[ 9 ] 

There are paw marks in the dirt. They lead up to the locked door and back down. There also appears to be one set of regular footprints that goes beyond the door.
 

 
 Spoiler: Dc 20 search (Badger only): 
The pawprints are made by a running animal. They look like large dog prints, but unlike any badger has ever seen before. From the shape of the prints the animal ran up to the locked door, set the lock (if Artorias is right, and it's hard to believe) then ran back at top speed. If she follows the paw prints, they lead back out the way the party came.

The footprints are made by a humanoid creature that came along before the dog-like animal ran and set the lock. And according to the footprints, the humanoid who made them walked with a very odd lurching, staggering gait. Still, badger can tell that the humanoid is medium sized and has relatively small feet, so it's probably female.
 


If the Wyvern's Fangs open the door, they find another tower much like the first. This one has a fully intact second floor, but the carvings are worn away; you can't climb up on them.
Dusk Eclipse
 "Common, let's move"  Artorias cautiously enters the new room, his senses on full drive trying to either detect the source of the smell of blood or the "dogs"

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Artorias enters the room in front of them
Sorry, busy day in general.
Search (1d20+11)[ 29 ] 
Spot  (1d20+9)[ 11 ] 
Listen  (1d20+8)[ 13 ] 
Smell  (1d20)[ 10 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
The party enters another turret like the one before, with a closed door to the right. Above them they can tell that the upper floor here is intact and can likely support everyone except maybe Kheel. However, the "ladder" carved into the wall in this room is heavily damaged and pretty much missing beyond the last few feet. How will the party climb up?

 
 Spoiler: Artorias, and anyone with a DC 20 search check 
There are no more dog prints, but the same set of humanoid footprints continues and goes right.
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler: Search 
 (1d20)[ 12 ] 
 
  Badger looked around not expect to notice anything.  This wasn't her strong point.

 
 Spoiler 
Badger doesn't HAVE track, she traded it for Urban Tracker.  It is an ACF.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Badger's suppositions are right--she can't see much of anything, either in this room or the next, where they're on the base floor of the second tower.

 
 Spoiler: To Athedia 
Sorry, I forgot. I made that post after waking up from a nap on the bus. But the tracks had a very odd gait to them, so I guess it could have been clear otherwise.
 
super dark33
  If you really want whatever i need to do here to happen, why dont you just give md me definitive directions and answers? Also i remember that there alwsys been one of you, where did the rest of you come from?  

Surdrak was too distracted to search for clues.
CoffeeIncluded
The voices laugh. They seem to be getting stronger.

  You want power?

Then dig.

But they'll stop you.   
Draconi Redfir
elsee merely quirks an eyebrow as the warllock before turning to look at Sora Jadeite, Bdger, and Artorias to obusy with the door. Elsee just pointed towards surdrak with one finger while twirling the other around her opposite ear. The warlock is loosing whatever he had left.
super dark33
  Thats not even the question i asked! You want me to do stuff? Explain it so it will go smoothly and you will get the yummies you want.
Otherwise ill build an oven right here right now and bake me some pumpernickel.   

Surdrak adressed his thoughts to Elsee:
  And how can YOU see what im thinking? Your meta sense is not existant enough! I swear by Astrid's hot bum, some people dont have manners.   

Surdrak's next words were out loud.

 Found anything? 
CoffeeIncluded
The voices chuckle.

  We're weak.

But you're strong.

Strong together. Just a bit more...  

Then they fade out, leaving Surdrak with nothing but a sense of brief dizziness.

Jadeite is watching Surdrak intently, but says,  "It seems like we can go up, although the stone ladder is partially destroyed. There is almost certainly another mirror on the second floor of this tower. Or we can continue to the right. 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Do you have more Light Spells prepared"  Artorias ask Jadeite.  "I think you might be able to get to the mirror if I give you boost, reckon you can do that?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite looks over at Artorias.  "I have one casting prepared, though I can recall it if necessary." 
Silverraptor
Sora watches as it looks like Suradrak might be slightly dizzy for some reason.
 "Are you okay?" 
 
 Spoiler 
I didn't know what else to do and figured Sora should say something at the time.
 
super dark33
 Yes im fine thank you. 

Surdrak takes out his waterskin from his handycape and drinks some.
Those spirits....
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite doesn't take his eyes off of Surdrak the whole time he speaks. Eventually, though, he turns to Artorias.  "In any case, could you please give me a boost up?"  He then leans in closer to Artorias, Badger, and Sora.  "And keep an eye on Surdrak,"  he whispers.
Dusk Eclipse
Artorias nods and forms a crude foothold with his hand so Jadeite can attempt to reach the upper floor.
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite climbs up on Artorias and steadies himself on his shoulders. Artorias notes that the elf is surprisingly light as he reaches and stretches for the footholds above him. But even with his arms fully outstretched, he can't quite reach; he's a few inches short.

 
 Spoiler 
jadeites about a few inches short. He could try to jump up with a check or you can jump and have jadeite reach with a check with, say, a -2 penalty?
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Spoiler: Quick question 

Do I have to make the jump check? Making a 1 feet vertical jump is DC 8 (without a Running start) and Artorias has a +13 jump modifier.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: Answer  
nope! I didn't know your modifier! Okay, here's Jadeite's balance and climb.

Balance:  (d20+2)[ 16 ] 
Climb:  (d20+1)[ 20 ]  should be 18, sorry.
 


Artorias jumps up and jadeite manages to keep steady, grasping onto the remaining ledge. His feet are swinging in the air when Artorias lands, but the ledge is rough and dry and jadeite is able to pull himself up after a bit of exertion.

 
 Spoiler 
more latter, gotta study. Sorry.
 
super dark33
Surdrak makes an "Im not daft yet you ear shishlik bastard" expression and folds his arms, stabbing himself a little with the claws he summons, startling him.
Its better to dismiss the claws for now.
CoffeeIncluded
There's silence from above for a few minutes. After the pause, a rope falls down from above and Jadeite's voice clearly echoes down. He sounds intrigued.  "interesting,"  he says.  "Artorias, I believe you said something about smelling dogs?" 
 
 Spoiler: Anyone who heads upstairs  
this floor is in much better shape, and looks like it should be able to support everyone except Kheel. There's a mirror in the top right corner if you look at it on the map from a top-down perspective (I'll put it in later tonight); it is intact. The ray of light from the previous mirror is still being beamed to this one. It is not being reflected off, but rather absorbed. There are windows facing out that seem to be carved at exact angles.

The markings in back are eroded by centuries of neglect, but they're still legible. Most appear similar to the markings in the previous tower, but there are some differences.

For instance, the figures bent in supplication to the sun and moons, and pointing to a symbol Jadeite describes as rather close to the holy symbol of Isarus, are all dog-like.

Wish me luck, guys!
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Yes... why?"  Artorias tugs on the rope to make sure it is will resist and ascends to the next floor.  "Wow... 10 GP says San de Solians worshiped Isarus." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "Yes... why?"  Artorias tugs on the rope to make sure it is will resist and ascends to the next floor.  "Wow... 10 GP says San de Solians worshiped Isarus."  
 

 'I don't think that is a question any of us would gamble over." 
CoffeeIncluded
The rope is steady and sturdy. When Artorias and Badger climb up to meet Jadeite and inspect the room he responds by saying,  "Most likely. I wonder if they were elves, or human mages. But Isarus is not a sun god. I wonder if they worshiped Astrid as well. Sora, do Astridians hold the moons in any religious significance?"  
 
 Spoiler: Knowledge (religion) dc15 (10 for Sora): 
Not particularly. Some sects may, but it's far from common.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Yeah... I know"  Artorias answers Badger sheepishly.

 
 Spoiler: rolls 
Religion (untrained)  (1d20+2)[ 5 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Jadeite casts the light spell, and just as before the mirror sucks it in before shooting out four beams of light--three to the other towers and one to the middle structure. More of the reflected sky with constellations somehow put in place appears on the roof of the middle structure, and the ray of light reflected between the two already-lit towers seems to intensify.

Jadeite shouts down from above,  "Do you want to see the carvings up here as well?" 
 
 Spoiler 
do you want to come up and look, go back and look at the unexplored rooms to the front, or move on?
 
super dark33
 Were not sure how long these beams will last, so its better to move to the next mirror. 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 The rope is steady and sturdy. When Artorias and Badger climb up to meet Jadeite and inspect the room he responds by saying,  "Most likely. I wonder if they were elves, or human mages. But Isarus is not a sun god. I wonder if they worshiped Astrid as well. Sora, do Astridians hold the moons in any religious significance?"  
 
 Spoiler: Knowledge (religion) dc15 (10 for Sora): 
Not particularly. Some sects may, but it's far from common.
 
 
 

Sora thinks for a moment.
 "Hmmm..." 
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+10)[ 30 ] 
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee sighed as she kicked around a loose stone on the floor for a time, eventually Culminating in a small game of "pass the rock" with Kheel for awhile. The others seemed to be having fun turning on some ancient mirrors, but so far Elsee wasn't particularly enjoying herself, having no interest in this religion or learning stuff thing, she was more hoping to grab some ancient and now unique treasure or something cool like that. plus the hallways here were way too cramped, did people seriously LIVE here?
CoffeeIncluded
Kheel doesn't seem to be paying much mind to the structures, though he really doesn't like the enclosed spaces much. He's far more interested in whatever shadows he saw in the isolated rooms closer to the entrance, and keeps looking in that direction. However the wyvern enjoys the game with Elsee and bounces the rock back and forth, using his muzzle. He gets bolder with each toss, however, and finally ends up flinging it through a small crack between the tower the party is currently in, and the hallway to the right behind the closed door.

  "Sorry,"   he says.

There is something strange though. Anyone close enough can hear something odd. Or rather, something that's not odd. The stone makes a soft muffled noise when it hits the ground on the other side of the crack rather than the clattering noise one would expect it to make when striking bare rock.

 
 Spoiler 
What do you want to do?

 Oh, and I think I found the music for this dungeon! 
 


EDIT: Jadeite looks at Sora. "Sora, what can you tell from these?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "I don't think we will find anything else up here, there is another door in the down so I think we should check it out"  Artorias goes down the rope to rejoin Surdrak, Elsee, Sora and Kheel.

 "Did anything interesting happened while we were up there?" .

 
 Spoiler: Roll 

Listen check because, why not?  (1d20+9)[ 18 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "A door in the down?"  Jadeite raises an eyebrow.  "Artorias, you had best learn not to mangle your sentences before you cast any spells. I doubt you would like the...complications that could result, entertain as they may be to spectators." 
 
 Spoiler: What Artorias hears: 
Artorias hears something faint and unidentifiable but rhythmic.

What were you saying there?
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee sneered and shook er head, idly thumbing to the crack in the wall behind her.  "lost a rock we were playin with, other'n that not a whole lot." 
Silverraptor
Sora replies to Jadeite.
 "No. Not really. Maybe a couple small groups, but not generally no. 
CoffeeIncluded
 "How strange,"  jadeite says.  "I suppose there must be numerous small cults or obscure mini-religions." 

He hops down the last foot on the rope.  "Do you hear something? Where to next?  I wasn't told anything significant about San De Sol, after all." 
CoffeeIncluded
After some discussion, the group decides to turn right. This door is unlocked, and when they open it, they see a long hallway with a door on the end. Actually, it's not a long hallway, but a collection of long-emptied rooms. Sunlight filters in from small windows cut into the sides and ten-foot wide openings are carved out of the walls. Perhaps there were originally doors there that rotted away by the ages, but the party is too far away to tell if there are hinges or any other sign of once-present doors at the moment. The wall immediately to the left of the party is eroded from water and a portion of it has collapsed. They're near the back of the cavern; water trickled in from above and plant growth has followed. Green lines of algae and moss run along the floor and wall, and thicker fines spread into the middle of the room as well.

 
 Spoiler 
Spot and listen checks please.

Jadeite spot:  (d20+4)[ 8 ] 
Jadeite listen:  (d20+4)[ 8 ] 

Badger Spot:  (d20+11)[ 20 ] 
Badger listen:  (d20+11)[ 16 ] 
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Spoiler: Rolls 

Spot  (1d20+9)[ 21 ] 
Listen  (1d20+8)[ 9 ] 
"Scent check"  (1d20)[ 8 ] 

I have no idea what to say, so I'll just roll, sorry.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Badger is looking at the plant that has crept its way in over the years, then suddenly turns to the rest in alarm. Artorias sees it too.

 
 Spoiler: Spot dc 20: 
Did one of those vines covering the hallway just move?
 

 
 Spoiler: Spot dc 25: 
theres something on he ceiling.
 
Dusk Eclipse
 "Someone please tell me I wasn't the only one who saw that vine move"  he says as he draws the greatsword strapped to his back.
CoffeeIncluded
 "You weren't,"  Badger says, quickly drawing her bow.
Silverraptor
Sora stops, nervously looking around.

 
 Spoiler 
Did we just reach the hinted fan service zone?😏
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee grinned and instinctively drew her Kurkri, twiling one of them around in her fingers as she eyed the vine further ahead. " Eye was wonderin when somethin interestin would happen..." 
super dark33
 
 Spoiler: R olls 
 (1d20+1)[ 10 ]  Spot
 (1d20+1)[ 14 ]  Lisen
 

 Moving vines? how about some unmoving for it? where is it? lemme blast it! 

Surdrak readied his claws and a blast, towards whatever point Artorias will show him
CoffeeIncluded
Right then, at that very moment, the vines lash out and snatch up Artorias, trying to crush the life out of him! And at the very same time, some more vines reach down and attempt to snag Surdrak, dragging him up into the air!

 
 Spoiler: Attacks 
Plant 1 attacks Artorias:
Attack:  (d20+7)[ 11 ] 
Crit:  (d20+7)[ 27 ] 
Damage:  (d6+7)[ 8 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+12)[ 13 ] 
Artorias's opposed grapple:  (d20+3)[ 18 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d6+7)[ 10 ] 

Plant 2 attacks Surdrak:
Attack:  (d20+7)[ 14 ] 
Crit:  (d20+7)[ 17 ] 
Damage:  (d6+7)[ 9 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+12)[ 17 ] 
Surdrak's opposed grapple:  (d20)[ 7 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d6+7)[ 13 ] 

Map's updated, but I may not be able to roll initiative for a bit.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Both Artorias and Surdrak manage to dodge, but it's close.

 
 Spoiler: Initiative: 
Surdrak:  (d20+3)[ 8 ] 
Jadeite:  (d20+2)[ 20 ] 
Badger:  (d20+4)[ 7 ] 
Sora:  (d20+2)[ 3 ] 
Artorias:  (d20+2)[ 13 ] 
Elsee:  (d20+4)[ 12 ] 
Kheel:  (d20+2)[ 7 ] 
Assassin Vines:  (d20)[ 8 ] 
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Both Artorias and Surdrak manage to dodge, but it's close.

 
 Spoiler: Initiative: 
Surdrak: [roll0]
Jadeite: [roll1]
Badger: [roll2]
Sora: [roll3]
Artorias: [roll4]
Elsee: [roll5]
Kheel: [roll6]
Assassin Vines: [roll7]
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: Coffee 
Coffee you forgot that Artorias now has +6 initiative, I took Improved Initiative as feat.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  
 Spoiler: Coffee 
Coffee you forgot that Artorias now has +6 initiative, I took Improved Initiative as feat.
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler 
whoops, sorry. It's block initiative though so nothing changes
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Get ready to run,"  Jadeite shouts.  "These plants will provide excellent kindling!"  He thrusts out a finger and a orb shoots from it, to detonate in a concussive blast of smoke and flame that scorches the inner stone walls and knocks the weaker ones out of alignment.

 
 Spoiler: Saves 
reflex one:  (d20+1)[ 6 ] 
Reflex two:  (d20+1)[ 3 ] 

Damage:  (6d6)[ 16 ] 
 


Both plants shrivel and char, but the blackened bits slough off, as if the plants could resist the worst of the attack.
Dusk Eclipse
 "You heard the elf, let's move" 

Artorias charges through the vines, weaving and dodging, never in place for more than strictly necessary.
 
 Spoiler: Actions/Rolls 

Move action Tumbling from (37,L) to (37,N)
Tumble  (1d20+15)[ 22 ] 

Artorias will try to attack the assassin vine from (37,N) with Emerald Razor (touch attack)
Attack roll:  (1d20+3)[ 23 ]  full power attack
Crit confirmation  (1d20+3)[ 18 ] 
Damage  (1d20+16)[ 21 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Artorias's greatsword isn't an axe, but it might as well be. With a single overpowering blow, he chops down the assassin vine, slashing through all the vines right by the roots. They fall limp on the ground as sap flows from the stumps.

 
 Spoiler: For everyone to read! 
One assassin vine is down, one is left. Surdrak and Elsee are up.
 
Draconi Redfir
Elsee grinned as she caught the Kurkri she had tossed into the air, quickly darting forward to the still-moving vine, the blade curved up over her head to be brought down on the first peice of plantmatter to greet her.

 
 Spoiler 

Attack: (d20+8)[ 20 ]
Crit: (d20+8)[ 22 ]
damage: (d3+2)[ 5 ]
 
CoffeeIncluded
Elsee races forward and slices off a bit of plant matter, but another vine sneaks up behind her to wrap around her midsection.

 
 Spoiler: Vine's aoo  
attack:  (d20+7)[ 8 ] 
Crit:  (d20+7)[ 22 ] 
Damage:  (d6+7)[ 12 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+12)[ 21 ] 
Opposed grapple:  (d20-4)[ 9 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d6+7)[ 13 ] 
 


But Elsee manages to roll out of the way.

 
 Spoiler 
darn natural one. Surdrak is up.
 
super dark33
Surdrak opened his mouth in joy and axed his handclaw into the plant.

 
 Spoiler: Drolls 

[Roll][1d20+5[/roll]
 (1d20+5)[ 11 ] 
 (1d3+1)[ 4 ] 
 (3d6)[ 7 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
The plant twitches as Surdrak cuts into it, then lashes back.

 
 Spoiler 
attack:  (d20+7)[ 10 ] 
Crit:  (d20+7)[ 15 ] 
Damage:  (d6+7)[ 12 ] 
Grapple:  (d20+12)[ 13 ] 
Surdrak's opposed grapple:  (d20)[ 17 ] 
Constrict damage:  (d6+7)[ 8 ] 
 


It too misses the warlock.
CoffeeIncluded
Badger raises her bow and fires three arrows at the plant, grumbling something about how plants are supposed to behave and not move.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack:  (d20+10)[ 20 ] 
Crit:  (d20+10)[ 26 ] 
Damage:  (d8+1)[ 2 ] 

Attack:  (d20+10)[ 19 ] 
Crit:  (d20+10)[ 27 ] 
Damage:  (d8+1)[ 8 ] 

Attack:  (d20+7)[ 11 ] 
Crit:  (d20+7)[ 10 ] 
Damage:  (d8+1)[ 6 ] 

Sora and Kheel are up.
 

Two of the three arrows that Badger fires hit and pierce the roots. The vine is now badly wounded.
Draconi Redfir
With a shreik Kheel charges forward, at first trying to fly as per his instinct, but quickly changing to a land-based run as he realized the hallways are much too small for flight. Once within range he quickly digs his teeth into the plant's fines, tearing at them as best he can.

 
 Spoiler 


attack: (d20+8)[ 16 ]
Crit:(d20+8)[ 23 ]
Damage: (2d6+3)[ 11 ]
 
CoffeeIncluded
With a growl, a snap, and a powerful shake of his head, Kheel tears the vines right out of the wall. He then grimaces and spits them out, making a noise universally understood as,  "Blechh!" 
 
 Spoiler 
combat over, post-combat stuff later.
 
super dark33
 Nicswing there Artæ! I cant come up with anything that is a threat to us! 

Surdrak gives Artorias a friendly punch to the shoulder.
CoffeeIncluded
 "That was much easier than I expected,"  Jadeite says, searching through the vines.

 
 Spoiler 
I need to shower and go to bed soon. More tomorrow. Do you want to look through the vines or move on, or both? I'm making a new IC tomorrow morning too.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 New IC thread over here, everyone! 
LibraryOgre
  The Mod Wonder:  Closed for Length. Restart if you haven't already. I suggest copy/pasting this threads location for reference. 
flat_footed
  The Fullmetal Mod   : Raise Thread 