Dusk Eclipse
 With no warning, you suddenly hear the voice of what sounds like a gnome inside your head. “Your services are requested. Come to Kern’s Rest and Revelry tomorrow morningg to discuss arrangements. Be prepared for travel. A House Sivis Service.”  For better or for worse you have decided to heed the strange words, making your way to Kern's Rest and Revelry, a humble hostel located in the middle ring of Sharn, it doesn't look much, but perhaps that is the reason you have been summoned there.

It is a pleasant surprise that despite the less than stellar outside appearance the hostel is operated by House Thuranni and House Ghallanda, the marks of the houses displayed proudly on the front desk, the tavern is almost empty, which is expected considering the day of the time, a few patrons enjoying a light breakfast while a lone bard softly plays the lute on one of the stages set up. Nobody pays much attention to you, nobody except for a perky half-elf girl who had been manning the desk.

 "Welcome to Kern's Rest and Revelry, my name is Jessica, how may I help you?" 
 
 Spoiler 

Sorry for the delays, but at least here is the opening post of "Eyes of the Lich Queen", I hope you enjoy the ride, because I sure will 😁
 
CoffeeIncluded
A sudden voice in his head, telling him to go visit a hostel in the middle ring? Could be a trap, could be adventure. A chat with Blake and a promise to keep in touch (and a bit more cajoling than he'd like to convince his protective older brother than he'd ever tell anyone) and Soren Lowell is off. It's a relatively short walk across the sky bridges these days, and Soren makes sure to whistle a jaunty tune as he makes his way among the towers, and to have his scarf subtly stream in the wind.

The hostel is sponsored by not one, but two dragonmarked houses, which is probably why it could get away with the more rustic exterior, Soren figures. But he likes it. Inside is war and cozy, and it seems like he's the first one there. Which means...ah, perfect.

Soren gracefully makes his way to the bar and leans over, smiling lazily at Jessica as he rests his chin on one hand.  "A cup of your strongest coffee, two creams if you please,"  he flirts as he tucks a stray lock of dark red hair behind a slightly pointed ear,  "Served by nobody else but you, if you could. And oh, where are my manners? I'm Soren." 
 
 Spoiler 
I am not good at the flirting dialogue. Hopefully this is okay and please tell me if I need to tone It down or stop or anything.

Regardless, I'm really excited.
 
CWater
A message straight into her mind? Kaarna snorts and rolls a lock of hair around her finger. And an invitation to trip, maybe. Oh well... it's not like she had anything better to do anyway. Work hadn't been easy to come by lately, and while the city had its good sides, being surrounded by all these looming towers was starting to feel a bit constraining. Maybe it was time to move on.

It didn't take Kaarna long to gather the few things she bothered to keep, most of them were scrolls that she had bought from a sale with her last money, and hadn't had the time to feed Veca. Finding the hostel took her a little longer, the directions she first got were obscure, and she ended up taking a wrong turn more than once. When she finally arrived at Kern's R &amp; R, some small clouds of annoyance had gathered over the witch's head.

Well, the place was cozy at least, she thinks after taking a quick look around, though a little empty. Except... Noticing the young human by the counter causes the witch to freeze for a moment. Then her face goes through a series of emotions, dread, slight embarrasment, annoyance and even uncertainty, before it settles on a bold grin.

 "Well, look who I found.. If it ain't the kid with the silver tongue",  Kaarna says and walks to lean on the counter as well,  "I'd watch out if I were you",  she says to the half-elf girl,  "That voice can make a crude ogre brute think he has a old ma at home who needs looking after." 
 
 Spoiler 
That backstory we talked about? Kaarna finds it most embarrasing.😛
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 A message straight into her mind? Kaarna snorts and rolls a lock of hair around her finger. And an invitation to trip, maybe. Oh well... it's not like she had anything better to do anyway. Work hadn't been easy to come by lately, and while the city had its good sides, being surrounded by all these looming towers was starting to feel a bit constraining. Maybe it was time to move on.

It didn't take Kaarna long to gather the few things she bothered to keep, most of them were scrolls that she had bought from a sale with her last money, and hadn't had the time to feed Veca. Finding the hostel took her a little longer, the directions she first got were obscure, and she ended up taking a wrong turn more than once. When she finally arrived at Kern's R &amp; R, some small clouds of annoyance had gathered over the witch's head.

Well, the place was cozy at least, she thinks after taking a quick look around, though a little empty. Except... Noticing the young human by the counter causes the witch to freeze for a moment. Then her face goes through a series of emotions, dread, slight embarrasment, annoyance and even uncertainty, before it settles on a bold grin.

 "Well, look who I found.. If it ain't the kid with the silver tongue",  Kaarna says and walks to lean on the counter as well,  "I'd watch out if I were you",  she says to the half-elf girl,  "That voice can make a crude ogre brute think he has a old ma at home who needs looking after." 
 
 Spoiler 
That backstory we talked about? Kaarna finds it most embarrasing.😛
 
 
 

Soren turns around sharply at the sound of Kaarna's voice. His eyes widen a bit, and though his easy smile remains there's a hint of disappointment around it.  "Kaarna, did you have to? I was busy talking to Jessica. And I'm sure even--"  he pauses and checks himself,  "you know that ogres have to have parents. Who knows, perhaps those mothers need their help with cooking."  He gives both women an easy smile, but when Jessica leaves to get the coffee he leans over to Kaarna and asks in a hushed voice,  "Did you...have any reason to come to this particular hostel instead of your normal bar?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Heh, well we don't need to mention it right now. Oh, and Soren's a half-elf too. This is gonna be fun.

I also figured Soren would guess that Kaarna's parents are a touchy subject so he checks himself.
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren turns around sharply at the sound of Kaarna's voice. His eyes widen a bit, and though his easy smile remains there's a hint of disappointment around it.  "Kaarna, did you have to? I was busy talking to Jessica. And I'm sure even--"  he pauses and checks himself,  "you know that ogres have to have parents. Who knows, perhaps those mothers need their help with cooking."  He gives both women an easy smile, but when Jessica leaves to get the coffee he leans over to Kaarna and asks in a hushed voice,  "Did you...have any reason to come to this particular hostel instead of your normal bar?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Heh, well we don't need to mention it right now. Oh, and Soren's a half-elf too. This is gonna be fun.

I also figured Soren would guess that Kaarna's parents are a touchy subject so he checks himself.
 
 
 

 "Sure, Veca wanted to try something new and had a temper tantrum, so I dragged myself all the way here to appease him."  Kaarna leans back and eyes the hostel ceiling.  "There was also this  other  voice in my head that seemed to have an opinion about it. Funny, you'd think one extra source of thoughts were enough."  The witch chuckles.
Kish
 This is worth investigating. It's unlikely to be a trap, both because it's so public and because no one would have a motivation to set a trap for me , Scholar figures. Frowning at the telepathic imperative's imprecision, she decides to arrive at the inn exactly midway between dawn and noon. She walks in and sees Soren talking to Kaarna. She stands for a minute, scanning the common room, until Jessica comes back and looks at her questioningly. " Hello ," she says to Jessica.  I need to justify being here; I don't eat or sleep so why would I come into an inn during the day?  " I'm meeting someone here." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren chuckles.  "I would hate to be on the receiving end of her tantrums."  He looks back at the platform where a bard is performing.  "Did the voice say something about meeting here and traveling?" 

EDIT: the heavy sounds of someone in armor make Soren look up towards the door. Much to his surprise, a warforged walks in--one he's seen before. What's its name again? Striker? Sunner? Oh!

 "Scholar?"  he asks almost to himself. After a moments thought he raises a hand to get its--her?--attention.
Kish
 "Hello, Soren."  Scholar turns to face the young half-elf.  "Were you summoned here as well?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Hello, Soren."  Scholar turns to face the young half-elf.  "Were you summoned here as well?"  
 

 "Yeah,"  he says, looking back at Jessica, Kaarna, and the rest of the hostel.  "I wonder why they asked us, ofnall people."  Er...does Scholar like being called that?  
CWater
Kaarna raises an eyebrow when the new arrival steps in. She had had to get used to these 'metal people' after she had come to Breland, though they did still make her feel a little awkward. Apparently they weren't just golems, but actually aware, which seemed very strange to her. Then again, who was she to question what was possible in this world?

 "Uh Soren, you know this... uh..."  She waves her hand in Scholar's direction.
CoffeeIncluded
 "I saw it--uh, her, she calls herself a her--a few times at the finder guild house. Hired my brother for help a couple of times."  He shrugs. It's not like he hasn't seen war forged before but they are still a bit unusual. Then again Karrnath used dead people to fight so he can't exactly use that argument.  "She's nice enough for sure." 
Kish
 "Hello, " Scholar says to the short woman, her voice completely inflectionless.  "Who are you?" 
CWater
Kaarna stares at the warforged intently for a moment, then spreads her hands and shrugs.

 "Name's Kaarna, I'm an evil witch",  she says with wicked smirk that reveals her yellow teeth.
Kish
 "And you got the same message? 'Your services are requested. Come to Kern’s Rest and Revelry tomorrow morning to discuss arrangements. Be prepared for travel. A House Sivis Service,'"  Scholar recites, mimicking the tone of the telepathic message. For all the reaction she shows to Kaarna's declaring herself evil or baring her teeth, she might not have noticed either.
CWater
Kaarna follows Scholar's reaction, and seems a little disappointed when there is none. Leaning back again, she starts to play with her braid.

 "Yeah, sounds like the new voice in my head this morning." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren watches the scene but doesn't say anything--he's kin of curious how Scholar would react too.  "I wonder who else got the message, and why us." 
rypt
The Sivis  sending  finds Athard near the bottom of what should have been his fourth and final drink of the evening.  But having nearly lost his sword-hand on the last similarly solicited job he accepted, the vagueness of the anonymous invitation warrants the ordering of a fifth drink.  It almost certainly does not warrant, but nevertheless occasions, a sixth and seventh drink as well.

So it is that Athard arrives at the Rest and Revelry with both a severe hangover and an undisguised apprehension regarding the nature of these so-called "arrangements."  Grimacing at the bard's music as he approaches the front desk, his eyes look to each of the tavern's patrons before finally focusing on its khorovar hostess.

 "Well, Jessica,"  he replies,  "you could tell me who it is that's trying to hire me and who's coin it is that's going to cover the cup of coffee you're about to bring me." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "...I don't know who he is though,"  Soren says. He runs his tongue along his teeth, apparently trying to decide whether or not to talk to this new surly-looking man who is grimacing and rubbing his temples.

 "Hey Kaarna, Scholar, think it's worth the risk?" 
Dusk Eclipse
Jessica somehow manages to keep her cheery disposition despite the somewhat bizarre scene unfolding in front of her eyes, she however isn't able to completely cover her surprise at the sudden appearance of the scarred man.  "Su...sure sir"  she manages to stutter, Athard can see a spark of recognition crossing the half-elf's eyes. Clearing her throat Jessica tries to gather the attention of the newest arrivals.  "If you would be so kind to follow me, master Sur'kill is expecting you upstairs." 

The hostess leads the group to a second-floor room, partially open to the floor below and with an excellent view of the stage. The sounds of a lute carry above the faint din of breakfast. A number of chairs are arranged closest to the balcony’s edge, and a low table against the back wall of the room is laden with fruits and pastries.

A middle-aged human with dark hair and neatly trimmed beard stands near the chairs, apparently enjoying the musical performance. He turns as the door opens, gesturing to the table.  “Please, help yourselves. My name is Sur’kil, and we have business to discuss, which is always more pleasant on a full stomach.” 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Of course,"  Soren says, following Jessica upstairs alongside everyone else. The upstairs is actually rather nice, and Soren heads over to the edge of the balcony to watch the bard. He starts swaying back and forth, humming along to the music. Until everyone's upstairs and he smells the food. Apples and oranges and sliced pineapple and chunks of mango, apple and egg custard and pecan pastries, Soren runs over to the food and shovels one of everything in his arms. He sits at the table and starts eating as quickly as he can, hunched over as if guarding the food from everyone else until he seems to come to himself and realize where he is. The half-elf looks around, then shifts to a more relaxed position and eats more slowly, though he still hols his arms in a guarding position, claiming ownership of all the food on his plate.

When he's done he extends a hand to the man and says,  "Good morning, Sur'Kil. I'm Soren, and were you the one who sent us the message?"  no, no r wasn't, Soren realizes as soon as he asks--this man doesn't sound like the voice in his head. Though he could have been the one who commissioned the message.
Kish
Scholar sits in one of the chairs and examines the man briefly, noting that he doesn't look much like a gnome, before she goes on to study the room. She waits for the flesh-people with her to eat and doesn't say anything.
CWater
Kaarna chuckles.  "What is it, kid? Afraid that someone's gonna steal the food from your mouth? There doesn't seem to be a shortage of it."  She leans to pick up a pear and takes a few good bites, staining her hand and face in its juice. She turns to Sur'kil.  "So what's up with gathering this weird bunch?",  she asks and licks her chin and cheek clean,  "I'm Kaarna, though I guess you must already know that?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren looks a bit abashed at Kaarna's accusation, but there's hint of something deeper in there. He clutches the pastry tighter and takes a few more bites, making sure to chew and swallow before asking,  "And why us?" 
rypt
A half-elf boy, a tiny shifter woman, and a warforged that could not possibly have been created for front-line combat.  Athard has no idea what kind of job would see him joined with such an unusual trio, but then again, none of the others seem to have any idea why they're here either.

Reaching for a heel of breed and some butter -- just about the only thing he can stomach at the moment -- the former Cyran assassin reclines in his chair and waits for their would-be employer's explanation.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren tears into another pastry, barely taking time to savor the flavor. He knows Kaarna pretty well and has met Scholar once or twice, but who's the scarred grumpy guy? He's got a Cyrian accent but beyond that...?

 "What's your name?"  Soren asks, polite and friendly as he offers the man a blueberry scone. He also offers the same to Scholar, asking,  "I know you don't have to eat, but, uh...are you able to?" 
Kish
Scholar shakes her head.  "It seems unlikely. Or rather...most likely it would get lodged somewhere around my throat and while I would not be impaired, I would increasingly smell of rotting pastry over the next few weeks until it had finally decayed completely. But thank you." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren sort of looks at Scholar awkwardly and clicks his tongue against his teeth.  "Okay then. Good to know."  Actually though, that might be good to know at some point. The half elf turns the pastry back and forth on his hand, then offers it to everyone in turn--even the host. If nobody wants it he shrugs and eats it. No point in wasting food, especially if it's good. Though why were they summoned here anyway?
Dusk Eclipse
 "As interesting as that may be, I think we should get down to business"  Sur'kil says as he takes a plum for himself.

 “I am what you might call an independent researcher. I have recently uncovered hints and rumors of an ancient site dating back to the so-called Age of Demons. I would like to employ you to investigate this location, and to retrieve a relic that I believe might yet remain there.” “This task is not without some  degree of danger, which is why I require the services of individuals such as yourselves,”  Sur’kil continues.

 “The location, while nominally still in Khorvaire, is somewhat remote, and so I would like to procure your services for a period of at least four weeks. You will have free choice of any treasure found at the site with the exception of the relics I seek, for which you will be rewarded in full. I can offer you each a base fee of 250 gp per week plus travel expenses. I will of course provide half up front.” 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren finds himself shifting more upright on his seat and paying more attention with every word Sur'kil says. His eyes grow a bit wider and he fights to keep the smile off his face. A treasure hunt, with adventure and riches at the end? The guys at the Finders Guild always come back from things like this with the coolest stories, and a few of the Cyrian plays were about stuff like this. Maybe now he'll have something of his own to sing and dance about too!

But try not to sound too eager, it's something he's learned.  "Where are we going and what are we looking for?"  he asks.
CWater
 "Must be pretty old then",  Kaarna says and leans back in her chair, throwing her gaze at the ceiling. She quickly weighted the terms of the contract in her mind. One thousand gold for sure and old ruins... who ever knew what they might have. A grin rises to her lips, life was already dangerous to begin with, so why not go looking for it? She lowers her gaze back to Sur'kil and sits up.  "Alright, unless you're going to tell the place is at the bottom of an ocean, I'm in." 
Kish
 "An ancient site?"  Scholar repeats.  "I'm intrigued, but one thing I want to know first. What made you choose us? "
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren finds himself shifting more upright on his seat and paying more attention with every word Sur'kil says. His eyes grow a bit wider and he fights to keep the smile off his face. A treasure hunt, with adventure and riches at the end? The guys at the Finders Guild always come back from things like this with the coolest stories, and a few of the Cyrian plays were about stuff like this. Maybe now he'll have something of his own to sing and dance about too!

But try not to sound too eager, it's something he's learned.  "Where are we going and what are we looking for?"  he asks. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Must be pretty old then",  Kaarna says and leans back in her chair, throwing her gaze at the ceiling. She quickly weighted the terms of the contract in her mind. One thousand gold for sure and old ruins... who ever knew what they might have. A grin rises to her lips, life was already dangerous to begin with, so why not go looking for it? She lowers her gaze back to Sur'kil and sits up.  "Alright, unless you're going to tell the place is at the bottom of an ocean, I'm in."  
 


Sur'kill smiles at Soren's eagerness, and can't help but chuckle at the Shifter's answer   "No, miss Kaarna, I can tell you in good faith that you are not going into the bottom of the ocean."  he takes a drink from his goblet,  "However I can't tell you the destination, at least not right now. Once en route, I can fill in as many details as I know.” 

 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "An ancient site?"  Scholar repeats.  "I'm intrigued, but one thing I want to know first. What made you choose us? " 
 

 
“Those in my profession make it their business to identify up-and-coming adventurers and explorers. Your activities have not gone unnoticed.” .
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Sur'kill smiles at Soren's eagerness, and can't help but chuckle at the Shifter's answer   "No, miss Kaarna, I can tell you in good faith that you are not going into the bottom of the ocean."  he takes a drink from his goblet,  "However I can't tell you the destination, at least not right now. Once en route, I can fill in as many details as I know.”  
 

Why can't he tell them now? Is it that much of a secret?  "When will we be going, and can we tell someone first?"  Soren asks.


  
“Those in my profession make it their business to identify up-and-coming adventurers and explorers. Your activities have not gone unnoticed.” . 

 "What's your profession?"  he asks. And what's he done? Sure he's helped out on Finder Guild missions, but Blake's the one with the dragon mark, not him.
Dusk Eclipse
 "My profession? I'm a simple scho.... academic with special interest in the Age of Demons, as for when will you leave, I have booked 6 places in the lighting rails that departs this afternoon." 
rypt
Athard turns a sidelong glance to the half-elf.   "Athard Cen,"  he says shortly before turning back to Sur'Kil, his interest clearly piqued by the discussion of coin.

 "Five hundred up, five hundred when we return, with additional dispensations contingent upon the recovery of your relics."   He nods as though he finds these terms satisfactory.   "How confident are you that your relics are there?" 

Sur'kil's unwillingness to disclose their destination does not sit well with Athard, but it sits well enough for a thousand galifars plus incentives.

 "Six tickets for the five of us?  Who's missing?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Sur'kill smiles at Soren's eagerness, and can't help but chuckle at the Shifter's answer   "No, miss Kaarna, I can tell you in good faith that you are not going into the bottom of the ocean."  he takes a drink from his goblet,  "However I can't tell you the destination, at least not right now. Once en route, I can fill in as many details as I know.”  
 

 "You're coming with us?"  Kaarna sounds honestly surprised.


  
“Those in my profession make it their business to identify up-and-coming adventurers and explorers. Your activities have not gone unnoticed.” . 

The shifter raises an eyebrow and rubs her chin. What is she supposed to think about that?


 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "My profession? I'm a simple scho.... academic with special interest in the Age of Demons, as for when will you leave, I have booked 6 places in the lighting rails that departs this afternoon."  
 

 "I'm sure you are."  One side of Kaarna's mouth twitches slightly upwards.

But the rails! Now that would be a new experience. She had seen the lightning beasts of course, but had never gotten on board before.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard turns a sidelong glance to the half-elf.   "Athard Cen,"  he says shortly before turning back to Sur'Kil, his interest clearly piqued by the discussion of coin. 
 

 "Soren Lowell. Nice to meet you!"  he says with a smile, sticking out his hand. It's almost reflexive.


  "Five hundred up, five hundred when we return, with additional dispensations contingent upon the recovery of your relics."   He nods as though he finds these terms satisfactory.   "How confident are you that your relics are there?" 

Sur'kil's unwillingness to disclose their destination does not sit well with Athard, but it sits well enough for a thousand galifars plus incentives.

 "Six tickets for the five of us?  Who's missing?"  


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "You're coming with us?"  Kaarna sounds honestly surprised. 
 

 "Yeah, who's the other person?"  he asks.

Though wow, the lightning rail! It's been nearly two years since he was last on it, and this time they'll actually have nice seats! And treasure hunting, mystery, and adventure!  "I'm in,"  he says.
Kish
 He's evasive. Unsurprising, but I wonder why.  Nothing of Scholar's thoughts shows on her face.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard turns a sidelong glance to the half-elf.   "Athard Cen,"  he says shortly before turning back to Sur'Kil, his interest clearly piqued by the discussion of coin.

 "Five hundred up, five hundred when we return, with additional dispensations contingent upon the recovery of your relics."   He nods as though he finds these terms satisfactory.   "How confident are you that your relics are there?" 

Sur'kil's unwillingness to disclose their destination does not sit well with Athard, but it sits well enough for a thousand galifars plus incentives.

 "Six tickets for the five of us?  Who's missing?"  
 

 "Confident enough that I'm willing to pay you"  Sur'kil replies with a slight smirk.


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "You're coming with us?"  Kaarna sounds honestly surprised.


The shifter raises an eyebrow and rubs her chin. What is she supposed to think about that?

 "I'm sure you are."  One side of Kaarna's mouth twitches slightly upwards.

But the rails! Now that would be a new experience. She had seen the lightning beasts of course, but had never gotten on board before. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Soren Lowell. Nice to meet you!"  he says with a smile, sticking out his hand. It's almost reflexive.

 "Yeah, who's the other person?"  he asks.

Though wow, the lightning rail! It's been nearly two years since he was last on it, and this time they'll actually have nice seats! And treasure hunting, mystery, and adventure!  "I'm in,"  he says. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  He's evasive. Not unsurprising, but I wonder why.  Nothing of Scholar's thoughts shows on her face. 
 


 "Me and my daughter will accompany you on the rail, at least till we reach Korranberg, I have other business to attend there"  
rypt
Athard shakes his head dismissively.   "It's easy to be confident when all you're risking is gold.  We're risking blood, so the least you could do is tell us why you believe your relics -- if they were ever even there to begin with -- haven't already been plundered by another  independent researcher ."   He rolls his eyes with these last words, making it clear that he isn't entirely sold on Sur'kil's nebulous self-presentation.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren pauses--an idea's suddenly come to him.  "Hang on, you asked us, not the finders guild.  Do you even know my brother has the dragon mark? Or is that why you asked me, because I'm unoffixially affiliated with the guild?  This is something you just found that you want secret, isn't it?"  Awesome!  
Dusk Eclipse
 "I see; you are very perceptive mister Cen, very perceptive indeed, the information that convinced me to finance this expedition is quite new, I heard of it just a couple weeks ago, so I'm fairly certain the relics are still there."   he crosses his hands in front of himself  "And in the remote case that someone else has already plundered them, then you still would get your pay, a win-win situation don't you agree?"  he finished with a smile

Edit:
 "Yes, mister Lowell, that is the reason  I asked you to come here; I'm in need of discretion." 
CoffeeIncluded
Now Soren lets himself grin.  "Will you be giving us any healing items or ways to contact you or anyone else? And once we get it will you tell us why you need to be so discreet?"  he adds, letting his curiosity get tje better of him.

 
 Spoiler: Guys  
I think Soren is too inherently trusting and excited to use sense motive or anything unless someone prompts him--if you don't like that please tell me.

Anyway, I'm convinced and Athard is gonna be great as a foil. Everyone's looking awesome.
 
CWater
Kaarna quickly stuffs some more food into her mouth; never say no to a free meal after all. Once the shifter gets the last piece gulped down, she stands up.  "Okay, lighting rails in the afternoon. I'll be there. Anything else we should know?" 
Kish
Scholar watches and listens and doesn't eat.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren takes a long sip (more like a swallow) of coffee. When he's done he says,  "I'm in." 
Dusk Eclipse
Sur'kil smiles  "That is wonderful to hear"  he stands up and retrieves a small chest from the back of the room, he places it on the table and shows it, you all see four small pouches.  "Here are 250 gold pieces as the first payment, I'll give you the rest once we are in the lightning rail"  he waits until everyone picks their money before continuing  "Now, I'll be expecting you in the Lighting Rail station an hour before sundown, please do not be late"  with those words he stands up and leaves the room  "Oh and don't worry about paying for the breakfast, it has already been taken care of" 
 
 Spoiler: Guys 

Feel free to RP between you, or if you want to fast-forward to the lightning rail just tell me.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Thanks!"  Soren says as he takes a small sack of gold and another pecan pastry.

Once he leaves, Soren turns to the others and asks,  "So, do you think we should do any shopping or anything before we go? Where do you think we're headed?" 
 
 Spoiler: Everyone 
I'd love to roleplay (though I'm about to head to a meeting for a bit), but Soren wants to say bye to his brother too, if that's okay? If not we can fast-forward or something?
 
Kish
Stowing her money, Scholar heads out with the others. Outside, first glancing around to make sure no one is obviously following us or eavesdropping on us, Scholar comments,  "It seems likely that they want us to succeed at least initially; if they knew of anything we'd need they would have told us. Do you have enough to buy anything that you'd want for adventuring and don't have yet? I don't." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I have money, but I'm saving up for something,"  Soren says.  "And I have a lot of survival gear."  He looks at the four of them--Scholar the tall warforged, Kaarna, the small and lithe shifter, Athard, covered in scars, and himself.  "We're probably going to get in fights if we're treasure hunting at the edge of Khorvaire. So that means we need to learn to work together and know what each of us can do, right?" 
rypt
Athard's pouch disappears beneath his cloak as he stands to leave.  Too bad this wasn't a lunch meeting instead of a breakfast meeting.  A bottle of wine for the road would have been far more preferable to a scone or some fruit.


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  Where do you think we're headed?"  
 


 "East,"  he says before taking a bite out of an apple, the weight of the coin in his pocket seeming to restore a bit of his appetite.  He takes his time chewing and swallowing before he continues.   "Darguun or Valenar if we're traveling overland.  Maybe Qbarra by sea."   He takes another bite.


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "We're probably going to get in fights if we're treasure hunting at the edge of Khorvaire. So that means we need to learn to work together and know what each of us can do, right?"  
 


 "Right,"  Athard replies with a hint of condescension.   "And why don't you start." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard's pouch disappears beneath his cloak as he stands to leave.  Too bad this wasn't a lunch meeting instead of a breakfast meeting.  A bottle of wine for the road would have been far more preferable to a scone or some fruit.




 "East,"  he says before taking a bite out of an apple, the weight of the coin in his pocket seeming to restore a bit of his appetite.  He takes his time chewing and swallowing before he continues.   "Darguun or Valenar if we're traveling overland.  Maybe Qbarra by sea."   He takes another bite. 
 

Soren pauses to look at Athard.  "Why do you think east--oh, because we're going through Korranberg, right?" 

  "Right,"  Athard replies with a hint of condescension.   "And why don't you start."  

If Soren notices Athard's condescension, he doesn't make a mention of it.  "Well, my brother taught me how to use a bow, and I'm also a bard. So I know magic like this, well stronger but I don't want to use the stronger magic right now."  With a twist of his hand the half-elf conjures up a few floating lights that circle the party and around Athard's head. A few seconds later they're accompanied by a haunted ghostly sound.  "Oh, and I can put magic into my music too!" 

Soren turns on his heel, pulls his scarf free and drapes it around him as if it were a sash. He spins and turns, dancing to the beat of the now-bobbing lights, and as he dances the other three find themselves filled with a brief sudden surge of courage.

 
 Spoiler: Everyone 
Soren uses the cantrips Dancing Lights and Ghost Sound, then uses Bardic Performance (Dance) and Inspire Courage (+2 bonuses) for one round.
 
Kish
 "Somewhere that isn't inhabited anymore, likely ," Scholar says.  "I study multiple kinds of magic." 
CWater
 "Kid, we already got paid today. No need for a street performance."  Kaarna smirks and playfully punches Soren with her elbow.

 "I do what witches generally do. Put curses on people and make them scream. Should I do a demonstration too?"  She takes a look around, as if looking for a suitable victim.

 
 Spoiler 
She's not being serious obviously.
 
Kish
 "One question. What languages do you speak? " Scholar asks her new companions.  "If we have any other than Common that we all know, it might be useful to talk without necessarily being understood by anyone around later." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Somewhere that isn't inhabited anymore, likely ," Scholar says.  "I study multiple kinds of magic."  
 

 "Really? What kind?"  Soren asks, perking up.


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Kid, we already got paid today. No need for a street performance."  Kaarna smirks and playfully punches Soren with her elbow.

 "I do what witches generally do. Put curses on people and make them scream. Should I do a demonstration too?"  She takes a look around, as if looking for a suitable victim.

 
 Spoiler 
She's not being serious obviously.
 
 
 

The half elf folds his arms.  "Hey, I bet my performances are more fun than yours. So Athard, what are you good at?" 

 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "One question. What languages do you speak? " Scholar asks her new companions.  "If we have any other than Common that we all know, it might be useful to talk without necessarily being understood by anyone around later."  
 

 "Um, well I know Elven, and I can read and write Draconic though I'm a bit rusty at speaking it, and I also know Orcish." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "One question. What languages do you speak? " Scholar asks her new companions.  "If we have any other than Common that we all know, it might be useful to talk without necessarily being understood by anyone around later."  
 

 "My mother taught me Sylvan",  Kaarna snorts,  "Hasn't been any use to me yet. Learned some Goblin while growing up, and I guess I can say I've picked up some Elven on the way too. Just don't ask me to do a poem in it." 

A grin slips to the shifters lips,  "I can also swear and insult like an Orc or Gnoll, although...",  she considers this,  "That's probably not a very smart thing to do." 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 The half elf folds his arms.  "Hey, I bet my performances are more fun than yours."  
 

 "Most likely",  Kaarna snickers,  "Speaking of your singing, if you're feeling helpful, there is something I could use your help with.." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Hey, I can help you do poetry in elven. Well, I can show you how to sing to it and singing is sort of poetry set to music, so..."  He does a sort of a half shrug that is cut of at her second question.  "Sure, what is it?" 
CWater
 "I have something to feed Veca. It requires concentration, and your music... helps",  the witch admits, reluctantly.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren looks at Kaarna with a slightly alarmed expression.  "What are you feeding her?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren looks at Kaarna with a slightly alarmed expression.  "What are you feeding her?"  
 

Kaarna pats Soren's shoulder.  "Don't worry, nothing too evil. Just a simple summoning spell. I bet half the local wizards know it. Not really Veca's favourite, but he'll better gulp it down." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "He...eats spells?"  Soren asks. He's never heard of that before; is that a witch think? Clerics pray and wizards study their books and he focuses on the magic in the music, but eating spells?  "Okay, whenever you're ready,"  he says, a bit skeptical but happy to help out.

Whenever Kaarna decides to begin, Soren breaks into song. It's high-pitched fr a man's voice, a melody without many words.

 
 Spoiler 
Soren uses inspire competence (either a +2 or +3 bonus I can't check right now) to give Kaarna a boost on her spell craft check. He uses it for the minimum number of rounds necessary.
 
Kish
 "I know Elven and Orcish, if we all know either of those well enough to converse in it. Who's Veca?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "He...eats spells?"  Soren asks. He's never heard of that before; is that a witch think? Clerics pray and wizards study their books and he focuses on the magic in the music, but eating spells?  "Okay, whenever you're ready,"  he says, a bit skeptical but happy to help out.  
 

Kaarna smirks at Soren's expression.  "Less weird than to carry them around in a  book.  Those aren't even alive." 

 Whenever Kaarna decides to begin, Soren breaks into song. It's high-pitched fr a man's voice, a melody without many words.

 
 Spoiler 
Soren uses inspire competence (either a +2 or +3 bonus I can't check right now) to give Kaarna a boost on her spell craft check. He uses it for the minimum number of rounds necessary.
 
 

 
 Spoiler 
I don't actually know how long it takes.
What do you say, Dusk?
 


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "I know Elven and Orcish, if we all know either of those well enough to converse in it. Who's Veca?"  
 

Kaarna shrugs.  "Guess there's no harm in showing you, you'll be seeing him eventually anyway."

 Veca! Wake up and come out!  
  You going to present me as a pet again? **** off, stupid humanoid,   answers a voice in her head.

 "Seems he's feeling a little shy today...",  Kaarna mutters clear annoyance in her voice and slips a hand under her tunic.

  Said, leave me be! 
 And I said that you're coming out!  

A keen observant will at this point notice that Kaarna is chasing a small moving bulge in her clothing, and that it stubbornly evades capture, until finally getting to her upper back where she can't reach well. The witch is starting to look rather furious.

 "Oh no you don't!"  And suddenly Kaarna's hair starts to move on its own and the braid dives under the shirt. When it comes back out to view, it is wrapped around a black scorpion that is obviously protesting to the treatment.  " This  insufferable little vermin, is Veca",  Kaarna says fuming.  "My 'pet' ",  she adds just out of spite.
Kish
 "I see ," Scholar comments.  "Sort of. A pet scorpion who eats spells."  She looks at Veca and then says,  "I prefer my spells unalive." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "I see ," Scholar comments.  "Sort of. A pet scorpion who eats spells."  She looks at Veca and then says,  "I prefer my spells unalive."  
 

 "I can see it has some appeal",  Kaarna replies with gritted teeth.

  You keep treating me like this, I'll leave you to fend for yourself, stupid mongrel! 
 As if! You're nothing without me, you dim-witted insect! 
 I'm not an insect!  

The witch and the scorpion glare at each other. Or well, one can assume that Veca returns the glare, it's a little hard to tell with vermin.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren watches Kaarna's acrobatics with an amused--and slightly bemused--expression.  "You two look perfect for each other,"  he finally says, smiling with his quip.

A thought strikes him and he turns to Scholar.  "Do you have a familiar?" 
 
 Spoiler: Hm 
so now what? Do we need to buy anything else or do you all want to keep chatting? This is definitely fun and I'm liking the dynamic already.
 
Kish
Scholar shakes her head.  "I do not." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Scholar doesn't have anywhere she needs to be before tomorrow and nothing she needs to buy, so she won't leave first; you flesh-creatures might want to get some sleep though.
 
rypt
Oddly enough, Soren's dance routine is more than Athard could have hoped for.  Not because it serves as an adequate, if not flamboyant demonstration the bard's abilities, but because it offers Athard the perfect opportunity to avoid even this basic introductory exchange.  With both Kaarna and Scholar distracted by the ridiculous display, the scarred Cyran slips unnoticed into the alleyway adjacent the tavern.  When Soren turns to inquire about Athard's abilities, he finds that Athard is nowhere to be found, his sudden disappearance perhaps answer enough to the half-elf's question.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Oh, is your magic like mine--wait, where did he go?"  Soren turns to find that Athard's slipped away during their conversation.   I'm pretty good at noticing people coming or leaving; he must be really good at sneaking,   Soren thinks. Why did he run off like that though? Hopefully he won't do that on their mission.

He fixes his scarf back into place. The silence has suddenly taken on an awkward tone with Athard's vanishing. Soren probably could pick it back up, but they only have a few hours to get ready, and he's got a few things he needs to do.  "Actually, I'm gonna go and say bye to some people. See you all at the station soon?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Spoiler: Guys 

I'm just going to speed this through, if anyone wants to have a goodbye scene or something we can do that as a flashback or something, I want to get this going on.
 


Soon the time of departure comes, you are all gathered in Sharn's Lightning Rail station and as expected it is busy, people of all races and ages milling through out the station. Inside the coin pouches given to you by Sur'kil you find a small piece of parchment which instructs you to go to the platform A. Once there you are met by a young woman, dressed in red coloured blouse and dark pants, she shares the same hair colouration as Sur'kil so you assume she is the daughter he mentioned before.

 "You must be the guys dad hired"  she says in a friendly tone  "follow me, I've got your tickets with me"  she starts to turn towards the rail, but she suddenly stops.  "Whoops... I almost forgot, you are going to need this"  she hands everyone a piece of red string.
Kish
Scholar goes to the lightning rail well before the scheduled time, having nothing else to do. Inside, she goes to Platform A and meets with the others and the dark-haired young woman.

 "What's it for?"  Scholar asks, examining the piece of string.  "Some kind of magic?" 
CoffeeIncluded
  "Guess there's no convincing you otherwise, is there?" 
 "Nope; I already got paid and everything. Besides, I'm 22. You can't keep guarding me forever." 
 "I know. It's just that I worry about you. You are my baby brother after all." 
 "Urgh, Blake do you have to say that? Though I guess I can be a handful." 
 "Heh heh heh." 
 "Hey..."  They cross wrists, clasp hands, and use the other to pull each other into a quick hug.  "Don't worry, I'll be fine. Kaarna and Scholar are with me and you know what they're like." 
 "I know. Love you bro." 
 "Love you too." 
 "Alright, enough with the sappy stuff, go kick some ass!   

Soren's in a good mood as he makes his way to the station, smiles as he picks up a pretzel from a cart. He's licking the last of the salt off his fingers when he spots the group. Cleaning his hands with a prestidigation, he practically saunters to the group and addresses the girl with a bow and smile.

 "Good evening, miss. My name is Soren Lowell; what might yours be?"  When she ties the string around his wrist he thanks her and asks what it is in the same polite but flirtatious manner.

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge to figure out the string 
they all have the same modifier so:  (d20+8)[ 23 ] 
 
CWater
After Soren has left back to the guild, Kaarna slips away too and finds a relatively peaceful spot. There she puts Veca down and digs up two scrolls from her backpack.  "I hope your hungry, and no complaining!" 

Carefully she performs the ritual to store new magic in her guiding familiar.

 
 Spoiler 
Kaarna would like to teach him two spells: Summon Monster II and Bestow Curse. It takes 5 hours in total.
 


 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  
 Spoiler: Guys 

I'm just going to speed this through, if anyone wants to have a goodbye scene or something we can do that as a flashback or something, I want to get this going on.
 


Soon the time of departure comes, you are all gathered in Sharn's Lightning Rail station and as expected it is busy, people of all races and ages milling through out the station. Inside the coin pouches given to you by Sur'kil you find a small piece of parchment which instructs you to go to the platform A. Once there you are met by a young woman, dressed in red coloured blouse and dark pants, she shares the same hair colouration as Sur'kil so you assume she is the daughter he mentioned before.

 "You must be the guys dad hired"  she says in a friendly tone  "follow me, I've got your tickets with me"  she starts to turn towards the rail, but she suddenly stops.  "Whoops... I almost forgot, you are going to need this"  she hands everyone a piece of red string. 
 

 "Cute",  the witch says and takes the string,  "Is this part of some secret code, or do you just expect me to decorate my hair with it." 
Dusk Eclipse
 "You tell me you have never been in the lightning rail before?"  the woman ask with incredulity, she shakes her head as if yo dispel an idea or something  "Nevermind; those strings are nothing fancy. Just simple string for you to peace-bind your weapons"  she turns sideways to show you a dagger sheathed, with a red string, quite similar to the one she just gave the party, tied around the handle and to the sheathe.  "House Orien policies"  she offers as an explanation.
Kish
 "I carry no weapons, " Scholar says, wondering if they're going to want her to tie her hands somehow if they figure out she's a spellcaster.
CWater
 "As if weapons were the only way to fight",  Kaarna mutters.  "I take it that they  have  some enchantment then?"  she asks. Nevertheless, she wraps a piece of string around her kunai knives and sickle.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "I carry no weapons, " Scholar says, wondering if they're going to want her to tie her hands somehow if they figure out she's a spellcaster. 
 

 "I see.... well in that case you can keep it anyway"  she smiles at the warforged


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "As if weapons were the only way to fight",  Kaarna mutters.  "I take it that they  have  some enchantment then?"  she asks. Nevertheless, she wraps a piece of string around her kunai knives and sickle. 
 

 "Oh, believe me I know that, but it is a symbolic gesture."  she stops, like she is at a loss of words  "You know, like a promise you won't attack your fellow traveles"  
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "You tell me you have never been in the lightning rail before?"  the woman ask with incredulity, she shakes her head as if yo dispel an idea or something  "Nevermind; those strings are nothing fancy. Just simple string for you to peace-bind your weapons"  she turns sideways to show you a dagger sheathed, with a red string, quite similar to the one she just gave the party, tied around the handle and to the sheathe.  "House Orien policies"  she offers as an explanation. 
 

 "Only once, and that was a few years ago,"  Soren says, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. But he does remember this, kind of. He takes the string and ties it around his bow.


 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "Oh, believe me I know that, but it is a symbolic gesture."  she stops, like she is at a loss of words  "You know, like a promise you won't attack your fellow traveles"   
 

 "Well, you won't need to worry about me breaking that promise,"  Soren says, with a little flourish.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "Oh, believe me I know that, but it is a symbolic gesture."  she stops, like she is at a loss of words  "You know, like a promise you won't attack your fellow traveles"   
 

Kaarna snorts.  "Oh really... what a pity",  she says with a toothy smile.


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Only once, and that was a few years ago,"  Soren says, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. But he does remember this, kind of. He takes the string and ties it around his bow.
 
"Well, you won't need to worry about me breaking that promise,"  Soren says, with a little flourish. 
 

 "Yeah, probably no risk of that. He might start a musical performance though. Or try to woo you with cheesy courtesies." 
rypt
Athard rejoins the others at the rail station in much the same manner as he left them at the Rest and Revelry -- silently, and seemingly from no where.  He greets them each with a slight nod or an acknowledging glance, and when Sur'kil's daughter hands him the red string, he accepts it without question or complaint.  As he ties the sting across the guard of his katana, he says nothing of the four other blades hidden about his person.

 "So, miss...."  he pauses a moment and allows Sur'kil's daughter to fill in her own name.   "Are you in the  independent research  business as well?" 
CoffeeIncluded
  "Yeah, probably no risk of that. He might start a musical performance though. Or try to woo you with cheesy courtesies."  

Soren just grins and bows, seemingly unaware of or unconcerned with Kaarna's snark.  "Ah, but people consider that entertainment! And shouldn't a lovely performance be part of the appeal of travel?" 

 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard rejoins the others at the rail station in much the same manner as he left them at the Rest and Revelry -- silently, and seemingly from no where.  He greets them each with a slight nod or an acknowledging glance, and when Sur'kil's daughter hands him the red string, he accepts it without question or complaint.  As he ties the sting across the guard of his katana, he says nothing of the four other blades hidden about his person.

 "So, miss...."  he pauses a moment and allows Sur'kil's daughter to fill in her own name.   "Are you in the  independent research  business as well?"  
 

In contrast, the half elf starts when Athard suddenly appears next to him. Soren doesn't want to admit it but the way he keeps popping in and out of sight without a single word is a bit unnerving.  "What, not even a hi? Come on, were partners now, we've got to get to know each other!" 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna snorts.  "Oh really... what a pity",  she says with a toothy smile.

 "Yeah, probably no risk of that. He might start a musical performance though. Or try to woo you with cheesy courtesies."  
 

 He is welcome to try"  she answers with a wink.


 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard rejoins the others at the rail station in much the same manner as he left them at the Rest and Revelry -- silently, and seemingly from no where.  He greets them each with a slight nod or an acknowledging glance, and when Sur'kil's daughter hands him the red string, he accepts it without question or complaint.  As he ties the sting across the guard of his katana, he says nothing of the four other blades hidden about his person.

 "So, miss...."  he pauses a moment and allows Sur'kil's daughter to fill in her own name.   "Are you in the  independent research  business as well?"  
 

 "Nah, that is my dad's business, I'm just accompanying him because we haven't seen each other in a long time" 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren just grins and bows, seemingly unaware of or unconcerned with Kaarna's snark.  "Ah, but people consider that entertainment! And shouldn't a lovely performance be part of the appeal of travel?"  
 

 "Maybe, maybe not; for now just follow me, the rail is almost ready to depart"  and true to her words, a human dressed in an official looking uniform, with the Unicorn crest of House Orien stamped on the shoulders walks towards the party.  "Alll aboard! 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  He is welcome to try"  she answers with a wink. 
 

Soren grins and returns the wink.  "I would be most delighted! Do you have any particular song in mind, or would you prefer a surprise?" 
 
 Spoiler: Couple questions: 
do you want me to roll, can I take 10, and what's her name?
 

 "Maybe, maybe not; for now just follow me, the rail is almost ready to depart"  and true to her words, a human dressed in an official looking uniform, with the Unicorn crest of House Orien stamped on the shoulders walks towards the party.  "Alll aboard! [/QUOTE]

The bard finds himself rocking back and forth slightly on his heels in excitement. Now that they're actually about to board, actually about to travel on a real treasure hunt like all the stories, he can barely contain himself. It's a struggle to wait in line and board patiently with everyone else.
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Elvish 
" Do you speak Elvish? "
 
 Scholar queries Athard. She watches the byplay between her new companions without any other comment, and follows the uniformed human onto the train.
rypt
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 In contrast, the half elf starts when Athard suddenly appears next to him. Soren doesn't want to admit it but the way he keeps popping in and out of sight without a single word is a bit unnerving.  "What, not even a hi? Come on, were partners now, we've got to get to know each other!"  
 

Athard exhales a deep breath through his mouth.   "It's gonna be four weeks of this, isn't it?"  he says, turning to the seemingly more even-keeled Kaarna.


 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "Nah, that is my dad's business, I'm just accompanying him because we haven't seen each other in a long time"  
 

 "Hmm.  I see."   Sending your own daughter to greet the mercenaries you've just hired seems like an odd choice when she isn't even involved in any relevant enterprise.  Odder still when you haven't seen her recently.  Strange as their circumstances seems to him, Athard does not press the matter any further.


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler: Elvish 
" Do you speak Elvish? "
 
 Scholar queries Athard. 
 

Athard's answer is written plainly in his expression.   "What?  Are you speaking elvish?"   Athard is traveled enough to recognize the Aeareni tongue when he hears it, but he has no idea what the warforged is saying.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard exhales a deep breath through his mouth.   "It's gonna be four weeks of this, isn't it?"  he says, turning to the seemingly more even-keeled Kaarna. 
 

 "You got that right, sneaky guy",  Kaarna replies with a lopsided grin,  "And believe me, he's just getting started. Say..."  A thought occurs to her an the smile widens to cover both sides of her mouth,  "You don't have a problem with scorpions, do you?" 
Kish
 "Unfortunate.  
 Spoiler: Orcish 
What about Orcish?"
 
  she asks.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard exhales a deep breath through his mouth.   "It's gonna be four weeks of this, isn't it?"  he says, turning to the seemingly more even-keeled Kaarna. 
 

 "Aww, why do you have to be like that?"  Soren puts his arms around his and Kaarna's (and Scholar's, if she's close enough) shoulders and pulls them in for a group huddle. He flashes a big cheesy grin.  "I bet we'll all be great friends at the end of this!" 
rypt
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "You got that right, sneaky guy",  Kaarna replies with a lopsided grin,  "And believe me, he's just getting started. Say..."  A thought occurs to her an the smile widens to cover both sides of her mouth,  "You don't have a problem with scorpions, do you?"  
 

 "No,"  Athard replies.  As though she might be offering him some means of relief, he nods towards Soren.   "Does he?" 

 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Unfortunate.  
 Spoiler: Orcish 
What about Orcish?"
 
  she asks. 
 

Athard's expression changes little.  If anything, he looks more annoyed now than he did a moment before.  He opens his mouth as if to speak, but all that comes out is a sigh.  Shaking his head, he mutters something under his breath and turns to board the train.
Kish
 "We do not have a common language that isn't Common ," Scholar concludes (in Common).  "Unfortunate."  She doesn't resist being pulled into a huddle by Soren, though she looks bemused.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
  "No,"  Athard replies.  As though she might be offering him some means of relief, he nods towards Soren.   "Does he?"  
 

  Hm, pity.. Was hoping he would be at least a little startled... 
 I could try sneaking up on him when he sleeps. See if he was really being honest about that. 
 Nah, better not. He might squash you first and ask questions later. Seems like the type.  

Kaarna is about to answer something outloud, but is then glomped by Soren.


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Aww, why do you have to be like that?"  Soren puts his arms around his and Kaarna's (and Scholar's, if she's close enough) shoulders and pulls them in for a group huddle. He flashes a big cheesy grin.  "I bet we'll all be great friends at the end of this!"  
 

 "I'd be more willing to bet that I'll be hoping to turn all of you into frogs in less than a fortnight",  the witch throws back and slips out of the bard's hug.  "But nothing can sully your mood now, hm?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Kaarna is ready to board the train anytime.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "I'd be more willing to bet that I'll be hoping to turn all of you into frogs in less than a fortnight",  the witch throws back and slips out of the bard's hug.  "But nothing can sully your mood now, hm?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Kaarna is ready to board the train anytime.
 
 
 

 "Nope!"  Soren says, popping the P.

 
 Spoiler: Same 
ready to be on my way as well!
 
Dusk Eclipse
Despite some slight delays, the rather unlikely party manages to board in time, the conductor leading the five of them to a single carriage, nothing really fancy, but quite comfortable, with just enough space so it isn't cramped.  A couple of hours into the trip you hear a knock on the door moments before Sur'kil's daughters let herself in.

 "Hey guys! How are you enjoying the trip"  she cheerfully says from the door's threshold.  "Hold onto that though, my dad wants to see you, so follow me"  and without giving time for anyone to answer she promptly leaves again, almost running down the lightning rail aisle. After a brief moment of indecision, you decide to follow her. She lead you to another carriage (one much fancier than yours), where your enigmatic employer waits.

 "Thank you Lydia"  he thanks his daughter before addressing the rest of you.  "First of all, let me apologize for all this cloak and dagger, not my cup of tea, but this particular mission requires discretion"  he waits for the party to sit down before continuing.  As I said before, I need  you to investigate a certain location, in the jungles of the Q’barran peninsula, to the south of the great volcano of Haka’torvhak. From Adderport, you will have a five-day trek inland to the site of the Temple of Kha’shazul. This temple is your destination and the site of the relics I seek."  he drinks fromt he silver teacup in front of him  "My sources tell me that the temple itself is now being occupied by a tribe of Lizardfok, worshippers of a half-fiend dragon god"  his brow creases in thinly veiled contempt  "From what I understand, this tribe demands tribute from other tribes in the region, therefore  they should be armed, capable and not too fond of humanoids. However, the temple and its inhabitants are merely an obstacle.   You can hear Lydia scoffing from her place at the back of the room, her father ignores her.
 "I believe that the Temple of Kha’shazul hides a deeper secret, one unknown even to the current inhabitants. My research indicates the temple occupies a place where an ancient demon was cast down. Such places were guarded, in legend, by half-dragon beasts. Somewhere beneath that temple, I believe that the crypt of one such ancient creature lies, along with relics of that time.”" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Despite some slight delays, the rather unlikely party manages to board in time, the conductor leading the five of them to a single carriage, nothing really fancy, but quite comfortable, with just enough space so it isn't cramped. 
 

 "Okay, this is some weird magic",  Kaarna says gaping out of the window,  "Doesn't even feel like we're moving. Well, not much anyway."  The shifter does her best to find a comfortable position and closes her eyes.  "I'll take a nap, wake me if you see mister fancy pants or his little girl." 

 A couple of hours into the trip you hear a knock on the door moments before Sur'kil's daughters let herself in.

 "Hey guys! How are you enjoying the trip"  she cheerfully says from the door's threshold.  "Hold onto that though, my dad wants to see you, so follow me"  and without giving time for anyone to answer she promptly leaves again, almost running down the lightning rail aisle. After a brief moment of indecision, you decide to follow her. She lead you to another carriage (one much fancier than yours), where your enigmatic employer waits.

 "Thank you Lydia"  he thanks his daughter before addressing the rest of you.  "First of all, let me apologize for all this cloak and dagger, not my cup of tea, but this particular mission requires discretion"  he waits for the party to sit down before continuing.  As I said before, I need  you to investigate a certain location, in the jungles of the Q’barran peninsula, to the south of the great volcano of Haka’torvhak. From Adderport, you will have a five-day trek inland to the site of the Temple of Kha’shazul. This temple is your destination and the site of the relics I seek."  he drinks fromt he silver teacup in front of him  "My sources tell me that the temple itself is now being occupied by a tribe of Lizardfok, worshippers of a half-fiend dragon god"  his brow creases in thinly veiled contempt  "From what I understand, this tribe demands tribute from other tribes in the region, therefore  they should be armed, capable and not too fond of humanoids. However, the temple and its inhabitants are merely an obstacle.   You can hear Lydia scoffing from her place at the back of the room, her father ignores her.
 "I believe that the Temple of Kha’shazul hides a deeper secret, one unknown even to the current inhabitants. My research indicates the temple occupies a place where an ancient demon was cast down. Such places were guarded, in legend, by half-dragon beasts. Somewhere beneath that temple, I believe that the crypt of one such ancient creature lies, along with relics of that time.”"  

 "So we need to break into the home of a bunch of lizards to explore their cellar?",  Kaarna shrugs,  "Sounds straightforward enough. But how many of these lizardfolk are there suppsed to be? I don't think you're paying us enough to fight a full horde." 
Kish
" How did you discover this information?"  Scholar asks.

She'll wait for Sur'kil's reply before questioning further,  "This hardly seems the kind of mission that would require such careful secrecy. What's in this lizardfolk-guarded temple that you're worried about drawing attention from others?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Despite some slight delays, the rather unlikely party manages to board in time, the conductor leading the five of them to a single carriage, nothing really fancy, but quite comfortable, with just enough space so it isn't cramped.  A couple of hours into the trip you hear a knock on the door moments before Sur'kil's daughters let herself in. 
 

Soren flops into the seat, bouncing up and down as he makes himself more comfortable.

  "Hey guys! How are you enjoying the trip"  she cheerfully says from the door's threshold.  "Hold onto that though, my dad wants to see you, so follow me"  and without giving time for anyone to answer she promptly leaves again, almost running down the lightning rail aisle. After a brief moment of indecision, you decide to follow her. She lead you to another carriage (one much fancier than yours), where your enigmatic employer waits. 

 "Ah Lydia, this trip is truly wonderful! Thank you so much for your hospitality."  He eagerly follows Lydia, happily chatting and flirting with her the whole while.


  "Thank you Lydia"  he thanks his daughter before addressing the rest of you.  "First of all, let me apologize for all this cloak and dagger, not my cup of tea, but this particular mission requires discretion"  he waits for the party to sit down before continuing.  As I said before, I need  you to investigate a certain location, in the jungles of the Q’barran peninsula, to the south of the great volcano of Haka’torvhak. From Adderport, you will have a five-day trek inland to the site of the Temple of Kha’shazul. This temple is your destination and the site of the relics I seek."  he drinks fromt he silver teacup in front of him  "My sources tell me that the temple itself is now being occupied by a tribe of Lizardfok, worshippers of a half-fiend dragon god"  his brow creases in thinly veiled contempt  "From what I understand, this tribe demands tribute from other tribes in the region, therefore  they should be armed, capable and not too fond of humanoids. However, the temple and its inhabitants are merely an obstacle.   You can hear Lydia scoffing from her place at the back of the room, her father ignores her.
 "I believe that the Temple of Kha’shazul hides a deeper secret, one unknown even to the current inhabitants. My research indicates the temple occupies a place where an ancient demon was cast down. Such places were guarded, in legend, by half-dragon beasts. Somewhere beneath that temple, I believe that the crypt of one such ancient creature lies, along with relics of that time.”"  

 "Wow, aren't half-dragons really rare or something? What's down there that's so secret?"  He looks curiously at Lydia when she scoffs, but doesn't say anything at the moment or do anything beyond locking eyes with her. But he listens intently to Sur'kil's story, places his hands on his knees and leans forward as he lightly swings his legs back and forth.

 
 Spoiler: Dusk 
Sense motive:  (d20+12)[ 23 ] 
 
rypt
All of this fuss over some jungle ruins and lizardfolk savages?  Not to discount the dangers of dead demons and dragon-beasts, but Athard doesn't understand the reasons for Sur'kil's clandestine methods.  Evidently, Scholar doesn't understand them either.  For the moment, Athard is content to say nothing while he waits for Sur'kil's explanation.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren pours himself some tea, watches it swirl and ripple. He offers the teapot to everyone else while waiting for a reaponse.
Kish
 "The temple contains tablets or slates with ancient writings, lost works of art of symbology, and other equally exciting finds--or so my research suggests. Enough to draw the attention of any number of treasure hunters if they were widely known--and the known attention of any treasure hunters would itself draw more treasure hunters, some of whom would likely smash priceless historical artifacts under their feet while searching for gold and gems, treasures their simple minds would assume must be there for anyone to be willing to search."  He scowls at the thought, then his face smooths out into an indulgent smile.  "You may think my secrecy excessive and perhaps you are right, but even if I am a paranoid old man, I'm prepared to pay well." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "The temple contains tablets or slates with ancient writings, lost works of art of symbology, and other equally exciting finds--or so my research suggests. Enough to draw the attention of any number of treasure hunters if they were widely known--and the known attention of any treasure hunters would itself draw more treasure hunters, some of whom would likely smash priceless historical artifacts under their feet while searching for gold and gems, treasures their simple minds would assume must be there for anyone to be willing to search."  He scowls at the thought, then his face smooths out into an indulgent smile.  "You may think my secrecy excessive and perhaps you are right, but even if I am a paranoid old man, I'm prepared to pay well."  
 

 "You keep the promise of gold, and I'll promise to be careful. Even if it isn't really my nature",  Kaarna says with a toothy grin.  "Well, I have no complaints. Like I said, this sounds straightforward a job to me.  Although ",  she lowers her voice and a hint of growling slips into it,  "you better not be tricking us, or plan to stab us in the back some way. Such things I don't forgive. Or forget." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren looks at Kaarna and smiles.  " sure that won't be a problem. Though what do you want us to do with all the tablets and diaries and pottery and stuff that we find?"  He doesn't really like the idea of them being smashed either--they were someone's once!

 
 Spoiler: Question  
kish, did Soren get anything from that sense motive check he made a couple posts ago?
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: for Soren 
Lydia doesn't think the mission is a good idea, though you can't tell exactly why.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren raises his eyebrows almost perceptibly. After a moments thought he leans over to Lydia with a smile and a wink.  "Ah, Lydia, I heard someone say something about a fully stocked bar in the next car over. Would you like to get something to drink and eat? My treat, of course." 
 
 Spoiler: Kish 
do I need any rolls for this? Assume Soren is being flirty but in a socially acceptable manner in front of her father. He's the one with 18 charisma, not me.
 
rypt
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "You may think my secrecy excessive and perhaps you are right, but even if I am a paranoid old man, I'm prepared to pay well."  
 

Athard exhales something between a chuckle and a scoff at this final remark, believing it to be the most genuine sentiment that Sur'kil has expressed all day.   "In that case, now seems as good a time as any for our second share." 

When Soren begins to flirt with their employer's daughter, Athard turns a harsh eye toward the young half-elf, his expression speaking wordlessly,   easy does it, kid  .

 
 Spoiler 
I'm just going to assume Athard's Sense Motive check failed.

And just a reminder, because I had to look back as well,  Sur'kil agreed to pay us the remainder of our free once we boarded the lightning rail .
 
Kish
 "You will be rewarded for bringing back anything you find that has historical significance, as well as for the specific relics I seek."  He takes out four pouches, a larger bag, a box, and a map. He hands one of the pouches each to Soren, Kaarna, Athard and Scholar, the box to Kaarna, the bag to Soren, and the map to Scholar. Opening the containers, you find 250 gold each in the pouches, two small stones carved to resemble conch shells in the bag, and five vials of liquid in the box.

 "These are sending stones. Use one of them if you find any of the relics, the other one when you're leaving the temple, whether you've found anything or not. These are antitoxin--in case you run into any of the inhabitants." 
 
 Spoiler: the map 
 
 


Lydia hesitates before replying to Soren,  "Sure, why not?" 
 
 Spoiler: for Soren 

Even though she accepted Soren's offer, she seems more reserved than usual for a woman he flirts with who doesn't immediately shut him down.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 ]When Soren begins to flirt with their employer's daughter, Athard turns a harsh eye toward the young half-elf, his expression speaking wordlessly,   easy does it, kid  . 
 

Soren returns Athard's glare with a rakish smile.

 
 Spoiler 
So what if Athard thinks him a dandy and a fool?
 


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "You will be rewarded for bringing back anything you find that has historical significance, as well as for the specific relics I seek."  He takes out four pouches, a larger bag, a box, and a map. He hands one of the pouches each to Soren, Kaarna, Athard and Scholar, the box to Kaarna, the bag to Soren, and the map to Scholar. Opening the containers, you find 250 gold each in the pouches, two small stones carved to resemble conch shells in the bag, and five vials of liquid in the box.

 "These are sending stones. Use one of them if you find any of the relics, the other one when you're leaving the temple, whether you've found anything or not. These are antitoxin--in case you run into any of the inhabitants." 
 
 Spoiler: the map 
 
 


Lydia hesitates before replying to Soren,  "Sure, why not?" 
 
 Spoiler: for Soren 

Even though she accepted Soren's offer, she seems more reserved than usual for a woman he flirts with who doesn't immediately shut him down.
 
 
 

 "Sweet!"  Soren immediately pockets the gold and sending stones with a promise to use them as soon as they find the things he's looking for. Afterwards, he offers Lydia a hand up on the lightning rail and moves to the cat where he heard the bar was. Leaning against the bar itself (which also helps him keep his balance with the swaying of the Lightning Rail, but don't tell anyone that), Soren smiles at the bartender and says,  "A glass of whatever Karrnathian stout is on tap for me, and whatever the young lady here wants for her. Both on my tab of course."  He smiles back at Lydia.  "Would you like anything to eat as well? 
CWater
Kaarna lets out a small cackling snicker after Soren has left with Lydia.  "In that age, there's nothing more important in their heads",  she says in Athard's direction. Then she pockets the gold pouch and swings herself up from her seat.  "I'm going to take a look around, never been on board of these noisy machines before." 
Kish
 "Wine's good, " Lydia says with a friendly, though bemused smile. She sits down and watches Soren curiously.
CoffeeIncluded
 "And a glass of wine for her,"  Soren says. Once they get the drinks he sits down and sips his beer. Eventually he asks,  "So Lydia, are you in the treasure hunting business too?" 
Kish
 "Sort of. I'm very interested in archaeology--less in what things can be sold for."  She shrugs.  "What motivates you, Soren? "
CoffeeIncluded
Soren shrugs.  "Actually I'm a bit of a drifter--at least, I've traveled across a good bit of the continent.  I suppose I've learned to think about the now rather than the far off future. What motivates me...right now I do exploring, traveling, and I would like to make a name for myself someday."  He chuckles and holds out his glass.  "But the secrets of the past--now that's a worthy goal."  He takes a sip of his beer.  "Have you been to these ruins before? It sounds like you and your father know a lot about them." 
 
 Spoiler: Kish 
Soren genuinely wants to talk to her and stuff, but he also wants to find out why she doesn't think the mission is a good idea. Also, I'm headed to class so I might not be able to reply for a bit.
 
rypt
Athard gives Scholar some time to review the map before reaching over to have a look for himself.  After a few moments, he looks from the map to the vials of antitoxin and grimaces.   "This train can only take us so far.  How are we getting to Adderport?" 
Kish
Scholar lets Athard take the map readily enough.

Sur'Kil: "We should arrive in Korranburg in three days. From there, we'll board a galleon I've chartered from House Lyrander to go the rest of the way." 

Lydia:  "No, we've never been to the ruins before. We're not exactly combatants, you know."  She smiles.

 
 Spoiler: conversation with Lydia 
Lydia's attitude toward Soren remains friendly but reserved. She'll talk in general terms about archaeology readily. She obliquely deflects his flirting, never seeming to quite acknowledge it.
 
 Spoiler: Sense Motive 20 

Whether she's a lesbian, or asexual, or for some other reason, she evinces no attraction to him--not even potential attraction.
 

 
 Spoiler: if Soren directly acts her about her opinion on the trip to the temple 

She appears a little surprised that you'd ask, but answers frankly,  "I don't agree with my father's interpretation of the reports he's gathered. I don't think the relics he's searching for are there. This is all a waste of your time and his money."  She shrugs.  "But I suppose going into dangerous places is what you do for a living, and there's only one way to be  sure  they're not there." 
 

 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: Sense motive 
take 10 for 22 if possible. I figure Soren's used to this. 😛
 


Soren realizes, eventually, that Lydia isn't into him at all. He can't say it's not new, though it is a bit disappointing. Still, a lack of attraction is no reason not to chat with someone, and so Soren continues the conversation. Though he does ease back with the flirting--especially when he offers to show her how to shoot a bow. At some point he asks,  "It sounded like you have some reservations about it mission. If it's not too much trouble, why?" 

Soren can't quite hide his frown at Lydia's news. He washes it down with another sip of beer and asks,  "Do you think they could be in another set of ruins, or not there at all? Thought of course, the only way to tell is to look! Seriously though, thanks for warning us."  he holds out the beer for a toast.  "To good fortune then!" 
Kish
 "We'll need to go back to searching if they're not there; I'm sure they're somewhere. Good luck."  She smiles. " I hope I'm wrong." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 


 Kish, am I in a different time point from the rest of the party? 

Not really; not much is going to happen until you reach Sterngate and Adrianna joins you.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Heheh, thank you. And I certainly hope you're wrong too."  Soren continues chatting with Lydia for a while, at least until they decide to return to the car with everyone else.

 
 Spoiler 
Ah, thanks. This is okay, right?
 
CWater
Kaarna wanders around the train, wherever she's allowed to go, poking around and inspecting this strange construction.

 
 Spoiler 
Ready to move on, if there's not anything else up.
 
Kish
Finally, the train pulls into Sterngate.  "We'll be staying here for seventy-two minutes; if you want to get off the train, make sure you have a token so you can get back on, and don't be late getting back,"  Sur'kil says. Scholar remains sitting where she has been since she first boarded the train.

If anyone is in a position to notice, Lydia disembarks the train almost immediately. Approximately twenty minutes after you arrived, Lydia returns with a teenage girl in full plate armor.  "This is Adrianna Isolte ," she tells (Scholar and anyone else who is in Sur'kil's cabin at the time),  "the last member of your party." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna stands before them at attention, with her helmet tucked under her arm. It is quite clear she is well trained and disciplined. There is no smile on her face, but a fierce determination of following orders. When Sur'kil introduced her, she steps forward to continue introducing herself.
 "Corporal Adrianna. As requested, here to provide security for your assignment." 
CWater
Kaarna was out on the platform when Lydia returned with Adrianna and followed them back in.

After her introduction she asks,  "Another kid? For 'security'?"  She eyes the girl and her expression says   Seriously?  
 
 Spoiler 
Kaarna might be a bit prejudiced (in more than one way), do prove her wrong! :)
 
CoffeeIncluded
If both Sur'kil and Lydia are gone for any period of time, Soren lowers his voice and whispers to the party,  Lydia isn't as certain as her dad that the relics are there, but she agrees that the only way to know is to try. I don't think she thinks there are extra dangers there though." 

Once Adrianne arrives the bard blinks away momentary confusion before bowing and saying,  "Pleased to meet you. My name is Soren Lowell."  Reporting for duty--is she a soldier? Was she? She looks so young...
rypt
As he listens to Adrianna's introduction, Athard looks incredulously to Sur'kil.   "You sure know how to pick 'em..."  he mutters through a tightened jaw.

He turns then to the armored girl, still shaking his head.  That she is so young  could  mean that she is an exceptionally talented soldier.  It could also mean that she's merely the niece of Brelish officer, or the rebellious daughter of a noble lord who has yet to learn the limits of her family's wealth.

 "How long have you served your king, corporal?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Athard is going to have a few more questions to ask Adrianna, but I'll go through them one at a time.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna stands firm, answering the questions unwaveringly.
 "I've been fighting for Breland for four years. I've carried out and completed every task and order that has been given from my superiors." 
Kish
 "Hello, Corporal ," says a tall, skinny female warforged, rising casually to her feet.  "I'm Scholar." 
rypt
Athard notes Adrianna's stoicism, but rolls his eyes at the thought of anyone taking pride in having obeyed every order they've ever been given.  A child's notion.  Or a fool's.

 "Where were you stationed during the War?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna stands firm, answering the questions unwaveringly.
 "I've been fighting for Breland for four years. I've carried out and completed every task and order that has been given from my superiors."  
 

 "So not totally green then",  Kaarna says and nods mildly approvingly,  "That does mean you've been in real fights, right girl?"  She tilts her head.  "I'm Kaarna, a witch who likes fire." 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard notes Adrianna's stoicism, but rolls his eyes at the thought of anyone taking pride in having obeyed every order they've ever been given.  A child's notion.  Or a fool's.

 "Where were you stationed during the War?"  
 


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "So not totally green then",  Kaarna says and nods mildly approvingly,  "That does mean you've been in real fights, right girl?"  She tilts her head.  "I'm Kaarna, a witch who likes fire."  
 

 "I was stationed at Fort Kennrun. Most assignments were either bandits or escorting refuges." 
Adrianna acknowledges Kaarna.
 "There have been some fights with bandits that resulted in clash of arms, including fatalities." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "I was stationed at Fort Kennrun. Most assignments were either bandits or escorting refuges." 
Adrianna acknowledges Kaarna.
 "There have been some fights with bandits that resulted in clash of arms, including fatalities."  
 

Kaarna looks mildly amused,  "If I understood that right, you're saying you  have  seen some real blood being spilt."  She raises her hands.  "Okay, good enough for me." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren simply nods, uncharacteristically silent. Just how old is she?
rypt
Adrianna's answer catches Athard off-guard.  The change in his expression is subtle, and he recovers quickly, but a practiced eye might notice that his iron gaze falters, if only for a moment.  When he speaks again, his demeanor is softened, the edge in his voice dulled.

 "Then you've taken a life with that blade?"  he asks somberly, awaiting the critical distinction between witnessing blood being spilt, and spilling it oneself.
Silverraptor
Adrianna's response may sound slightly hesitant.
 "With the reports I've turned in, there have been 6 that would have to kill in the activities assigned." 
CWater
 "Well, that's something at least",  states Kaarna, oblivious to the grave tone the others shifted to,  "I thought the girl was some untried cub, but she has drawn blood." 

Directly to Adrianna she says,  "Sorry for the doubt. You can never know with young folks. You don't seem like one to brag either, so let's say I trust your word." 
rypt
Athard responds immediately, as though to fill the void left by the girl's hesitation.   "Such is war,"  he remarks plainly.

He echoes Kaarna's sentiment in his own manner, with the simple and likely familiar words,  "At ease, corporal." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren catches Athard's faltering expression, but says nothing. He seems to have melted into the background for the time being though.
CWater
 "What's up with you?",  Kaarna says and aims a friendly punch at the bard,  "Usually it's impossible to shut you up even for a minute." 
 
 Spoiler 
Are we ready to move on?
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren returns the punch, coupled with a smile that's more wry than anything else.  "How old were you during the Last War? And what did you do? Did you ever see Cyre before...?" 
 
 Spoiler 
I'm ready to move on!
 
Kish
A day later, the rail pulls into Korranburg and Sur'kil rises from his seat.  "We've arrived. Unless you've thought of something you forgot to purchase before we left, we should proceed directly to the ship." 

The galleon Sur'kil spoke of earlier turns out to be called the  Swiftwind . The winds are in your favor and it makes good progress; both Sur'kil and Lydia spend most of each day above deck while at sea. Five days later, the  Swiftwind  docks in Adderport.
CoffeeIncluded
The first day of the voyage finds Soren abovedecks, laughing in delight as the wind streams through his clothes and hair and seagulls settle on the decks around him. His first time on a ship is so...freeing. The sea is amazing

The second and third days find Soren hunched over the back of the ship, utterly seasick. In between heaves he mutters,  "Reduced to this..."  just loud enough for people who may pass. By the fourth day he's well enough to appreciate the sight of dolphins leaping past the ship, and by the fifth day he's pretty much better, just in time for landfall.
CWater
Kaarna finds that she doesn't like being at the sea at all. She's not seasick like Soren (and she's sure to tease him about that), but something about the whole idea of this construction of wood floating about in the huge vast waters makes her want to crawl into a dark corner below deck, and pray for whatever gods she has ever believed in that they don't sink. She also doesn't like the idea of the others seeing her fear, so that's an another reason to stay out of sight.

When they have solid ground under their feet again, she's back to her usual sardonic self.

 
 Spoiler 
Sorry it took a while to respond, I've been crazy busy this week.
 
Kish
Adderport is a major trading center, mostly human but with sizable halfling and dwarf populations. It's slightly before noon.  "Now that we've been paid more, I might have a little shopping to do, " Scholar comments.
CWater
 "Guess I could stock up on some more scrolls",  Kaarna muses. They had been paid well, but gold in itself would of little help with the troubles you faced on an adventure.

 
 Spoiler 
Kaarna would also like to spend some time to learn some of the spells she has. How many hours she has for this?

And it was 500 gp that we got in total from Sur'kil, right?
 
rypt
Athard frowns as the others express their intent to make some last minute purchases.   "Be quick about it, then,"  he says with an eye toward the sky.   "We've lost the coolest hours of daylight as it is.  The weather ought to hold for the next day or two, and we should make the most of it while we can." 

While we waits for the others to return, Athard removes the map of their journey and begins to sketch a rough copy, a backup in the event anything should happen to the original.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren stretches out his arms and legs, eager to get off the ship and explore this new region.  "Aw, don't worry Athard, well be quick about it!"  with that Soren runs off to stock up on some scrolls and chat up the locals. For the next hour or two the cheery half-elf can be found in the parks and pubs; passing around secrets with beer.

 
 Spoiler: Shopping and info! 
right now Soren picks up a scroll or two of heroism, and maybe some elven trail rations if he can use them--can he?

Also, Soren asks around the town for any info that Sur'kil might not know or might not have told them. Stuff about the area, other ruins or adventurers, legends, things like that. It's great to be a bard!

Gather information:  (d20+12)[ 14 ]  it's part of diplomacy in pathfinder.

edit: darn. Ah well.
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard frowns as the others express their intent to make some last minute purchases.   "Be quick about it, then,"  he says with an eye toward the sky.   "We've lost the coolest hours of daylight as it is.  The weather ought to hold for the next day or two, and we should make the most of it while we can."  
 

 "Such haste",  is Kaarna's response to this,  "The ruin isn't going anywhere. But sure, I'll keep it short."  She departs to find a shop that sells scrolls.

Once she has completed her purchase, she searches for a secluded spot and does ritual of feeding one to Veca. As courtesy to Athard's request, she picks one of the simplest spells. Then she returns to where they left him.

 
 Spoiler 
This takes 1 hour + however much time her shopping takes.

I'll give a list of what she'd like to buy and which to learn in the morning.
 
Kish
Two hours later, all three of those who go to shop have returned, first Scholar, then Kaarna, and finally Soren. Scholar is wearing a headband she wasn't wearing before.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Let me know if you plan to walk for eight hours a day, following the trail marked on the map, until you reach  something that eats you  the temple, or have other plans.
 
rypt
As they begin to make their first inroads into the sweltering jungle, Athard glances back over his shoulder.   "Hey, kid,"  he calls out with a smirk, knowing full well that both Adrianna and Soren might respond.  It's the latter he's after, and after shaking off the former, he tips his head sideways, gesturing for the half-elf to join him at the front.

 "If things get ugly out there,"  he says with an eye on Soren's shortbow,  "can I trust you to land your shots with that thing?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Two hours later, all three of those who go to shop have returned, first Scholar, then Kaarna, and finally Soren. Scholar is wearing a headband she wasn't wearing before.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Let me know if you plan to walk for eight hours a day, following the trail marked on the map, until you reach  something that eats you  the temple, or have other plans.
 
 
 

Before Soren heads back, he makes sure to hide any traces of his attempts to gather information--his scarf smells like alcohol a bit more than he'd like. While the prestidigation is active is also takes the time to clean the rest of himself up too.

 "Apparently the jungles are full of 'evil killer lizard men,'"  Soren says, making sure to quote the words,  "so this should be fun!" 

 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 As they begin to make their first inroads into the sweltering jungle, Athard glances back over his shoulder.   "Hey, kid,"  he calls out with a smirk, knowing full well that both Adrianna and Soren might respond.  It's the latter he's after, and after shaking off the former, he tips his head sideways, gesturing for the half-elf to join him at the front.

 "If things get ugly out there,"  he says with an eye on Soren's shortbow,  "can I trust you to land your shots with that thing?"  
 

Soren returns Athard's question with a nod, an impish grin, and a quick salute.  "Of course you can. And if I can't, I can definitely make sure you will and they won't." 
 
 Spoiler: Rypt 
did you block your settings or something? I can't tell when you're online so it sometimes takes me a bit to notice you posted. Sorry about that.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna reacts to Soren's comment about the lizard men with a barely audible exhale, but otherwise didn't react.
rypt
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren returns Athard's question with a nod, an impish grin, and a quick salute.  "Of course you can. And if I can't, I can definitely make sure you will and they won't."  
 

 "That's exactly right,"  Athard replies.  As he speaks, he removes a handful of arrows from the quiver on his hip.   "Should we ever encounter something worse than your average 'evil killer lizard man,' then I'll be counting on you to make that something bleed with one of these."   He holds the arrows up for a moment so that Soren can see their distinctive striped fletchings.   "The coating on their tips reacts with blood to produce a rather distinctive aroma.  To your nose, it will smell foul at best, but to mine, and perhaps to Kaarna's as well, there is as much to be learned from the scent of a wounded foe as there is to be seen or heard." 
 
 Spoiler 
That's what the "instant notification by email" subscription option is for!

Athard is giving Soren 6 of his 10  pheromone arrows .
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren can't quite mask his surprise at Athard's offer, particularly when coupled with the man's earlier disdain for him. Maybe that was a bit of an act too. His smile is much easier as he takes the arrows and pockets them.  "Thanks, Athard! I won't let you down. Though where did you learn to do something like that?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Too true. I should get on that!
 
rypt
Athard scoffs at Soren's question.   "Don't get ahead of yourself." 
CoffeeIncluded
...Or not. Maybe he's just surly. Though he seemed pretty affected by Adrianna's comments when she first met. Best not to ask about that sort of thing, at least not now. So instead Soren simply gives Athard a little bow and says,  "As you wish." 
 
 Spoiler: Hmmm 
I wonder if Soren gets a bit of a kick out of teasing Athard. I honestly think he does.
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler 
 (1d100)[ 65 ] 
 

Your first day's travel is uneventful. When you stop for the night, you've covered about twelve miles; nearly twenty days of travel await you before you reach the temple if you keep going at this rate.

 
 Spoiler 
Let me know how you're setting up camp, if it's directly on the trail or how close to the trail it is.
 
CoffeeIncluded
By the time night falls Soren's eager to flop down on a rock or log and stretch his poor sore legs. He'd forgotten just how exhausting traveling so long and so far can be.  "I don't suppose there's any way were could get horses or a wagon or something?"  he asks.

 
 Spoiler 
I can't believe I forgot about horses. That was stupid of me.

Soren would like to set up camp just off the trail if possible--some place relatively secluded but not overgrown.
 
Kish
Your first day's travel is mostly uneventful, though at one point you see a panther. The panther quickly disappears into the jungle, but you are struck by the strange sensation that you saw that panther go by before, at a time when you had heavier purses and no horses.

When you stop for the night, you've covered about forty miles.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Once again Adrianna defines the lower boundary of the speed you can travel; since her class mount is automatically a heavy horse, there's no chance of you being able to travel at the 48-miles-per-day speed of all being on unencumbered light horses.
 


Unless someone objects to Soren's suggestion, you set up camp just off the trail.  "I can keep watch, " Scholar offers.
CWater
Kaarna is first very much against of the idea of travelling on horseback, but gets persuaded to try. She sits awkwardly on the saddle, and soon starts to complain that it hurts her backside. The horse seems wary of her too, but whether that is due to the rider's obvious inexperience or her shifter nature is unclear.


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Unless someone objects to Soren's suggestion, you set up camp just off the trail.  "I can keep watch, " Scholar offers. 
 

 "Oh right, your kind don't sleep. Sure, I could sure use the rest",  Kaarna replies, looking surly.  "As I'll have to deal with that dumb grass eater again tomorrow. But I don't think we should camp right next to the road. Or what do you say?"  The last question is directed at Athard.
rypt
 "With adequate tree cover, we should be fine.  It's not like we'll be keeping a fire burning through the night." 

As a veteran of the War, Athard is more accustomed than most to the idea of warforged keeping watch while he sleeps.  The warforged of his past, however, were all built for battle.  Whatever the purpose was of Scholar's construction, it certainly wasn't for combat.   "Anything at all out of the ordinary and you wake me up,"  he says firmly before settling in for the night.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Plus this'll make it east to break camp in the morning."  Soren unrolls his sleeping bag and barely waits for the others before chowing down on his soft rations of oats and honey and dried fruit.  "If we get in trougle, don't go fighting by yourself like everything else, Athard!"  He then elbows Kaarna in the side.  "did you bring a bedroll?" 
CWater
 "No, kid. I'll sleep in the dirt and collect some branches for a pillow",  Kaarna replies in caustic tone,  "You should try too. It builds character." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren shrugs, that smile still on his face.  "Been there, done that, got the tunic. I think I've had enough character-building in my life, thank you very much.

Besides, everyone knows you use moss for a pillow." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna unpacks little, other than a head pillow and some very light blanketing. She then finds a good sturdy tree in the camp to set up against. Before she lays out for comfort completely, she also talks to the warforge.
 "Don't forget to wake me up as well if something arises." 
As she goes off to her bedding spot, she taps the resting crystal on her armor to make sure it was still adequately in place before allowing herself to nod off.

 
 Spoiler 
I can't believe I confused Adrianna's speech color to the one of my other character in another game.😳
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren shrugs, that smile still on his face.  "Been there, done that, got the tunic. I think I've had enough character-building in my life, thank you very much.

Besides, everyone knows you use moss for a pillow."  
 

Kaarna smiles shortly and unpacks a (completely normal, if worn) bedroll of her own.  "Hmh, says you. If this trip won't change that silly smile, then you're a lost cause."  She curls up under her blanket. She exchanges a few more words with her familiar before falling asleep.

  Find a spot and stay put, Veca. No wandering around, or practical jokes.  
  Not even with the armored girl? 
 No. Just get some rest.  
CoffeeIncluded
Soren settles into the bedroll, wiggling his legs until they feel just right.  "aww, why do you have to be so negative?"  pretty soon he too curls up and falls asleep.

 
 Spoiler: Ready? 
everyone ready to go?
 
Kish
Scholar awakens you the next morning. Your camp has apparently been undisturbed.

You continue in this fashion for three more days. Shortly after you rise and set out on the fifth day, as you turn yet another corner along the overgrown jungle trail, you suddenly come across a well-armed lizardfolk standing somewhat surprised in the middle of the path. He eyes you warily as he motions to another five lizardfolk behind him.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 

Roll initiative, but don't take that to indicate hostilities are beginning; the lizardfolk looks wary but not, for the moment, hostile. Also, while it doesn't necessarily matter yet, it would be a good idea to decide on a marching order.
 (1d20)[ 14 ] 
 (1d20)[ 5 ] 
 (1d20)[ 14 ] 
 (1d20)[ 13 ] 
 (1d20)[ 20 ] 
 (1d20)[ 15 ] 
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna moves slightly forward to get some of the group slightly behind her. Her hand is quick to grab the hilt of her sword, but she doesn't draw it yet as she keeps and eye on the lizardfolk, wearily.

 
 Spoiler: Initiative 
 (1d20+1)[ 13 ] 
 
CWater
 "I think we found those 'evil killer lizardfolk' of yours",  Kaarna mutters to Soren,  "Got some sweet words in stock?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I'll try,"  Soren says. He doesn't draw his bow, though he does shift his weight a bit so he can grab it more easily.  "Good morning!"  he calls out to the lizardfolk with a smile in Common, and then Draconic if the lizardfolk does not initially understand.  "My name is Soren, and these are my friends. Might we have permission to pass through your jungle?" 
 
 Spoiler: Diplomacy 
Here's hoping it works. Anyone have an Aid Another in their back pockets just in case?

Diplomacy:  (d20+12)[ 25 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: Oh yeah, initiative 
Sorry, I forgot!
Initiative:  (d20+4)[ 15 ] 
 
rypt
With his hands clasped on the horn of his saddle, Athard watches the lizardfolk closely, his eyes searching the nearby trees for any others of their kind.  When Adrianna begins to reach for her sword, he audibly clears his throat, cautioning the corporal against any action that might appear hostile.

 
 Spoiler 
Initiative:  (d20+6)[ 9 ] 
Perception:  (d20+11)[ 12 ] 
 
Kish
After a moment, the leader gestures and all the lizardfolk step aside.
 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
" We don't want trouble ,"
 
 the leader says.
CWater
Kaarna raises an eyebrow.  "They're letting us past?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Sounds like,"  Soren says.  "He said they don't want any trouble, and honestly I don't want any and I don't think you do either.  We don't want any either, "  he finishes in Draconic while turning to the head lizardfolk with a smile and an appreciative nod.   "Thank you."   It doesn't seem like he'd be able to get any information from them, would he?

EDIT:  "I think we should just move on,"  Soren says.  "What do you guys think?" 
CWater
 "Agreed",  Kaarna says, keeping an eye on the lizardfolk.
rypt
 "We have an opportunity here,"  Athard says lowly but harshly, clearly irritated by the others' timidity.   "If they're letting us pass, then these aren't Surkil's demon worshipers.  Ask them about the temple." 
CWater
 "They might know the 'demon worshippers' though, and go tattle to them that a group of strangers have come looking for the temple",  Kaarna says, leaning back in her saddle,  " 'Course they might do that in any case. Speak if you want, kid." 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Sense Motive 10 

You think the lizardfolk leader understands what you're saying in Common, though for whatever reason he's not responding to it verbally.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Uh, I think they understand what we're saying,"  Soren suddenly whispers.  "Or at least the leader does." 
 
 Spoiler: Sense motive  
I auto pass but let's see if he can pick up anything else.

Sense motive:  (d20+12)[ 25 ] 
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Uh, I think they understand what we're saying,"  Soren suddenly whispers.  "Or at least the leader does." 
 
 Spoiler: Sense motive  
I auto pass but let's see if he can pick up anything else.

Sense motive: [roll0]
 
 
 

 " Is that so... ",  Kaarna mutters back. Outloud she says,  "Then perhaps it would be better for you to chat a little more, explain the situation to him."  She lowers her voice again,  [Elven]" And maybe you should add that getting in our way would be a bad choice, for him and his tribe. Wonder if these types need a demonstration of strength ..."[/Elven] 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Everything okay?"  Soren suddenly asks the lizardfolk in common, his levity now ever so slightly forced.

 
 Spoiler: Kish 
Did he get anything extra from that sense motive?
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Sense Motive 25 

Annoyance, wariness, possibly underlying amusement; no hostility.
 

 "Yes, I speak Human, " the lizardfolk leader says in an arguably non-sequitur reply to Soren's question.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren's smile is somewhat more relaxed at the lack of hostility from him.  "So you heard what we were talking about, I guess?" 
Kish
 "Yes,"  the leader says, his eyes briefly going to Kaarna.
CoffeeIncluded
 "So...are you willing to tell us anything?"  Soren laughs a bit and rubs the back of his neck, ruffling his hair.

 
 Spoiler 
do you want another diplomacy check? I'm not posting too much am I?
 

EDIT: he pauses and takes a breath. Not much to lose, right?  "Actually, would you please be able to tell us a bit about this place? Were on the right path, right?"  He gives a loose description of the temple they're headed towards.
Kish
 "Yes."  He looks at your horses before saying,  "Probably another day's travel. Watch out for the blackscales and poison dusk, they kill soft-skins and metal-skins on sight. When you first see temple, you go that way--"  (he points to the north)  "--until you reach a hill with a cave, the blackscales and poison dusk probably won't find you if you camp in cave." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren digests the information with a nod.  "Thanks for the help!" 
 
 Spoiler: Question 
he seems to be honest, right?
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler 
As far as you can tell he's honest. Let me know if you're asking more questions, or riding on past him.
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Yes."  He looks at your horses before saying,  "Probably another day's travel. Watch out for the blackscales and poison dusk, they kill soft-skins and metal-skins on sight. When you first see temple, you go that way--"  (he points to the north)  "--until you reach a hill with a cave, the blackscales and poison dusk probably won't find you if you camp in cave."  
 

 "And  why  do you think they wouldn't find us there?",  Kaarna asks, staring intently at the leader while wrapping a lock of her hair around her finger,  "What's it to you anyway, if we run into them or not?" 
 
 Spoiler 
She is a suspicious nature.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Kaarna, I don't think he's lying."  Soren holds out a hand, cautious.  "Maybe there's a rivalry between the tribes or something?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Soren is not and given that this is dnd he probably should be. 😛
 
Kish
 "Nothing at all ," the leader tells Kaarna.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Kaarna, I don't think he's lying."  Soren holds out a hand, cautious.  "Maybe there's a rivalry between the tribes or something?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Soren is not and given that this is dnd he probably should be. 😛
 
 
 

Kaarna squints her eyes.  "You think people are nice. I know they are mostly bastards, only interested in the safety of their own bellies. And he didn't answer the first question." 
 
 Spoiler 
Oh, the cynicism...

If the lizardfolk aren't saying more, Kaarna's willing to move on.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The smile fades from Soren's face.  "Kaarna, just because I know most people are out for them and theirs doesn't mean I can't think they're generally decent too. Anyway I don't think he's lying." 
 
 Spoiler 
I'm cool with moving on too.
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "Was there more you wanted, soft-skin?" 
 
 the lizardfolk leader asks Soren, ignoring Kaarna for the moment.
CoffeeIncluded
 "It's Soren,"  Soren says. He looks back at everyone else.  "And I think we're okay?" 
 
 Spoiler 
I feel kinda bad about the lack of silver and Rypt, but silver said he's in finals week right now. What's scholar doing or saying or thinking?
 
rypt
Athard exhales a tired breath and leans forward in his saddle.   
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "How many of the blackscales and poison dusk inhabit the temple?" 
 
 he asks the lizardfolk leader, speaking in perfectly accented draconic.
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "Too many, with children of Rhashaak and great jungle beasts, ,"
 
 the leader replies.  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "Enough to demand tribute from the tribes of the land." 
 
rypt
Athard furrows his brow.   
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "Who or what is Rhashaak?" 
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "You're going to the temple but you don't know of Rhashaak? Part dragon, part fiend; he claims rulership over this whole jungle, though he can only enforce it near the temple. The blackscales and poison dusk serve him. The blackscales claim to be descended from him--like that's something to be proud of if it's true." 
 
 He turns his head and spits before continuing,  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "And like Rhashaak thinks them any less expendable for it." 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren's eyes go wide and he swallows, though he quickly masks the nervousness. Nobody told them that--were Sur'kil and Lydia unaware?

(in a mix of Common and Draconic, mostly Draconic)

 "We didn't--thank you for telling us. What does Rhashaak look like,"  part dragon, part fiend? He's never heard of something like that before, never heard of a part-dragon  anything  before, much less a fiend outside of the scary stories Blake told him.  "And if these blackscale and poison dusk lizardfolk say they're descended from him he's been around a while, right? Is that why you're far from the temple, to get away from him?" 
 
 Spoiler: Question 
Would Soren or any of us know what the Rakshasa are, or why they're such bad news? Assuming what this guy is?

Also, I'm sorry but the light blue text is really hard to read.
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "Sur'kil said that the lizardfolk in the temple worshiped a 'half-fiend dragon god ,'"
 
 Scholar comments.  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "He didn't say the dragon was present and active himself, though." 

"Yes, we're going home, before the thieving blackscales take our huts, too,"
 
 the lizardfolk leader says.  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
"I haven't seen Rhashaak himself, but he's supposed to look like a big black dragon."
 

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge: The Planes 17; trained only 

If you can make this roll, you know what rakshasa are and that, despite the name, a creature described as part-fiend, part-dragon, looking like a dragon, and interbreeding with lizardfolk is unlikely to be one of them.
Scholar's roll:  (1d20+8)[ 26 ] 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Sorry about that. I'll just use standard black text for this guy.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "Sur'kil said that the lizardfolk in the temple worshiped a 'half-fiend dragon god ,'"
 
 Scholar comments.  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "He didn't say the dragon was present and active himself, though." 

"Yes, we're going home, before the thieving blackscales take our huts, too,"
 
 the lizardfolk leader says.  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
"I haven't seen Rhashaak himself, but he's supposed to look like a big black dragon."
 
 
 


 "Oh yeah...thanks, Scholar. Whoops." 
Oh, right, how could he have forgotten that? Soren mentally smacks himself.  "Thanks for letting us know anyway. I hope you can get back home safely--they're on the hunt right now? Is there anything we can do to help you once we get there?"  he's never seen a dragon, but if one is this fierce he really doesn't want to!


  
 Spoiler: Knowledge: The Planes 17; trained only 

If you can make this roll, you know what rakshasa are and that, despite the name, a creature described as part-fiend, part-dragon, looking like a dragon, and interbreeding with lizardfolk is unlikely to be one of them.
Scholar's roll: [roll0]
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Sorry about that. I'll just use standard black text for this guy.
 
 

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge 
take 10 for 18. Yay bardic knowledge!

And thank you. Sorry this post is short, I'm between classes and need to hurry.
 


...even if it's a dragon and not an actual Rakshasa. Though he idea of facing either isn't exactly comforting.
CWater
Kaarna looks questioningly at Soren,  "Care to tell me what he said? I don't speak lizard." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna looks questioningly at Soren,  "Care to tell me what he said? I don't speak lizard."  
 

 "It's Draconic, and turns out that apparently the dragon fiend Sur'kil told us about is in town and in charge. The blackscales and poison dusk guys say they're related to him but apparently they're disposable minions to the d-dragon. And the blackscales are also robbing these guys."  he indicates the lizard folk in front of them.  "Which I guess answers your question?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "It's Draconic, and turns out that apparently the dragon fiend Sur'kil told us about is in town and in charge. The blackscales and poison dusk guys say they're related to him but apparently they're disposable minions to the d-dragon. And the blackscales are also robbing these guys."  he indicates the lizard folk in front of them.  "Which I guess answers your question?"  
 

 "Hmh, maybe. So the dragon fiend's real then",  Kaarna frowns,  "That's a problem. We should try to not draw attention from these guys if we can." 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
"If you're going to the temple...there's nothing I'd ask you to do that you're not going to have to do. The blackscales and poison dusk will kill you or die trying."
 
 He lets out a mirthless chuckle.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Well, hopefully it'll be the latter,"  Soren says with a more wry smile.  "And should we let you know after?" 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
"That won't be necessary, but thank you. If you can actually take the temple from the blackscales, all the tribes of the jungle will hear about it quickly."
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "You're welcome, and I guess you should keep your ears open."  He looks back at the others and quickly translates the conversation, only occasionally stumbling over the trickier words or tenses.
Kish
You ride on past the lizardfolk and down the trail. The sun is beginning to set when Athard first catches sight of the temple.
rypt
Athard holds up a hand to signal the others as he slows his horse to a stop.   "Looks like we're here,"  he says once the rest of the party has gathered close.  If necessary, he points out the temple through the trees.   "We should find that lizardfolk's cave.  Should be a decent spot to tie up the horses." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren follows Athard's gaze to the stonework of te temple peeking through tangled vines and jungle trees.  "That was easier than I thought it would be. You see what a little friendliness will get you?"  he adds with a grin. The half-elf also looks for the cave, and a place to put the horses.

 
 Spoiler: Perception 
take 10 for 20.
 
Kish
You find the cave as the lizardfolk leader described it.

 "Are we spending the night here, or heading on on foot tonight?"  Scholar asks.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren follows Athard's gaze to the stonework of te temple peeking through tangled vines and jungle trees.  "That was easier than I thought it would be. You see what a little friendliness will get you?"  he adds with a grin. 
 

Kaarna just snorts at this.


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 You find the cave as the lizardfolk leader described it.

 "Are we spending the night here, or heading on on foot tonight?"  Scholar asks. 
 

 "I'm not interested in sleeping in a place other folk know about, however friendly you think they are",  Kaarna says shortly, but she is happy to get off the horse.

 
 Spoiler 
I have no particular reason to distrust the previous lizardfolk, so sleeping here is fine by me. Kaarna is unlikely to stop being paranoid, but that's her problem. 😉
 
Silverraptor
 "As long as we have someone on guard and we remain alert. One night might be passable. But we should remain on high-guard." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "You guys can't see well at night, right?"  Soren yawns and stretches, finishing with a scratch between his horse's ears.  "Adrianna's right, as long as we keep a lookout we'll be fine. And Scholar doesn't need to sleep anyway!"  He yawns again--is it the mugginess that's making him extra tired?  "I'd prefer being rested when we head inside, and that cave will protect us against rain too." 
rypt
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "I'm not interested in sleeping in a place other folk know about, however friendly you think they are",  Kaarna says shortly, but she is happy to get off the horse. 
 

 "Then don't sleep,"  Athard replies with shortness to match.   "I'm sure Scholar would enjoy the company."   He glances from the quiet warforged and back to the crotchety shifter.   "Well, maybe..." 

He dismounts from his horse and and begins to untie his saddle bags.   "I'll scout the area before it gets dark.  We'll move on the temple in the morning." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "By yourself?"  Soren pauses his rummaging through his saddlebags.  "You sure you'll be okay? I know you like to vanish on people but what if you need to fight or something? I'm a bit stealthy and I can use illusion magic; do you want me to go with you?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
  "Then don't sleep,"  Athard replies with shortness to match.   "I'm sure Scholar would enjoy the company."   He glances from the quiet warforged and back to the crotchety shifter.   "Well, maybe..."  
 

Kaarna snorts loudly again, but a small smirk passes through her face.


 He dismounts from his horse and and begins to untie his saddle bags.   "I'll scout the area before it gets dark.  We'll move on the temple in the morning."  


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "By yourself?"  Soren pauses his rummaging through his saddlebags.  "You sure you'll be okay? I know you like to vanish on people but what if you need to fight or something? I'm a bit stealthy and I can use illusion magic; do you want me to go with you?"  
 

 "Just make sure he won't end up needing to protect you",  the witch says and taps the bard's shoulder,  "I'm going to feed my pet." 

Before she does this though, Kaarna takes a deep breath and then starts sniffing around the cave. She still doesn't like the idea of staying here. After she has made sure she doesn't smell anything alarming, she finds herself a spot with her back against the wall and starts going through her scroll collection.

 
 Spoiler 
Activating Scent for the one minute. I don't really expect her to find much, but do I need to roll something? (Can't remember how Scent works.)

How much time would she have to work on learning spells?
 
Kish
Scholar stands against one wall of the cave, watching the entrance, as Soren and Athard leave.

 
 Spoiler: Kaarna 
There have been lizardfolk here, not recently.

Dawn is in eleven or twelve hours.
 

 
 Spoiler: Athard and Soren 
I need to know what spells you're using.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar stands against one wall of the cave, watching the entrance, as Soren and Athard leave.

 
 Spoiler: Kaarna 
There have been lizardfolk here, not recently.

Dawn is in eleven or twelve hours.
 

 
 Spoiler: Athard and Soren 
I need to know what spells you're using.
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: Soren's spells 
Soren isn't going to use any spells at first, since none of them have a duration of 20 minutes. If it seems like there might be trouble ahead he'll cast invisibility, first on himself and then on Athard (since Athard has the higher stealth score). If they need a distraction he'll use some combination of silent image, ghost sound, and minor image.
 


EDIT: Soren returns Kaarna's gesture by patting her wrist.  "Don't worry, we'll be fine and back before you know it."  His smile softens slightly at the edges.
Kish
 
 Spoiler: the temple approach, for Soren and Athard 

 
You see two clusters of mud huts to either side of the trail approaching the temple. At the nearer cluster to you, the one on the east, a short reptilian humanoid reclines near one of the small huts, barely noticeable due to its shifting, chameleonlike skin. It has a bow within easy reach, next to a large toadstool currently serving as a pincushion for the creature's arrows. As far as you can tell it does not see you.
 
 Spoiler: Knowledge: Nature 14 

This is a poison dusk lizardfolk. The subrace is smaller than most lizardfolk, cunning, stealthy, fond of using poison as the name suggests. Their ability to hide makes them good rangers.
 

 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: Knowledge 
Take 10 for 18 thanks to Bardic Knowledge!
 


Soren shifts lower in the undergrowth. Hopefully the patterns of light and shadow caused by the setting sun and foliage will help conceal him. Most of his hiding in the past involved making himself unnoticed, not outright unseen.  "Poison dusk,"  he whispers to Athard, almost mouths more than anything else.  "Looks like they're living here. Should we go back?"  He looks around, flitting his eyes back and forth for any sign of a trail or marks of other creatures.

 
 Spoiler: Perception and a question 
Perception:  (d20+10)[ 28 ] 

Can Soren find another path around the area, or signs that a dragon-demon thing or anything else were here? And that gray thing at the top is the temple entrance, right? Also, do these huts look permanent or semi-permanent?
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna dismisses her mount and makes her way inside. She stands mostly alert as the 2 leave for anything that might be out there.
rypt
Nearly flat on his stomach, Athard pulls himself forward with his knees and forearms.  Peering through the brush, he frowns at the sight of the solitary lizardfolk.  There are undoubtedly more inside the huts, particularly in the larger structures to the west.  How many more, however, he cannot know.  Not yet, at least.

He shakes his head at Soren.   "Now we wait,"  he whispers back.

 
 Spoiler 
Assuming they aren't visible from the trail, Athard would prefer to observe the huts for a while to see if he can get a better sense of their numbers.  He'll only stay for as long as there is sufficient light to withdraw safely, to a maximum of 45 minutes or so.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Really?"  he whispers back, a pensive note to the end of the word. After a moments silence he turns back to watch with a sigh and a,  "Fine." 

One of the things about Soren is that he gets bored so easily. After just a few minutes of watching he's watching a few ants scuttle across the leaves in front of him. Not long after that he's...not humming, not making noise, but moving his lips to some sort of chant or song. He also quietly taps a finger in the dirt before him in a rhythmic pattern. But he's still watching carefully, even if his hazel eyes are slightly glazed over from boredom.
Kish
It's already pretty dark by the time you get there, after walking to the cave and then close to the temple again. The lizardfolk doesn't move from where it (he? she?) is sitting in the first few minutes you spend looking.
CWater
Back at the cave, Kaarna picks a scroll, and performs the strange procedure of teaching the spell to her familiar. First she makes a small cut to her finger, and draws a complex symbol on the parchment with her blood. After that she rips it to pieces, burns the remains and then mixes the ashes with some thick suspiciuos looking substance she keeps in a jar in her bag. The resulting dough the witch offers to her familiar, who doesn't seem to enthusiastic about digging in.
 "Oh c'mon",  Kaarna coaxes the reluctant scorpion,  "It's transmutation, good and filling. And the spell has a nice crisp to it, so eat up."  Eventually Veca does so, first carefully nibbling the dinner, but soon gobbling it up.

 
 Spoiler 
Spell is Excruciating Deformation, as a 3rd level spell, all of this takes 3 hours.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren glances sideways at Athard, nervously pressing the tops of his index fingers together.  "Full humans can't see as well in the dark as I can, right? Are you able to see in this, or should we go back?" 
rypt
Athard's jaw clenches tight as he curses silently to himself.   "Can't stay,"  he whispers in reply, nodding his head back towards the direction from which they came.
Kish
Back at the cave, Scholar looks toward you, only her head moving, and says,  "What did you observe?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Back at the cave, Scholar looks toward you, only her head moving, and says,  "What did you observe?"  
 

Okay, that's a bit creepy. You don't really think about how human bodies turn to follow heads until they don't. Still, it's not really Scholar's fault, so Soren swallows and says,  "There's a poison dusk camp right on the road to the temple, a few hundred feet from it. The jungles pretty thick; I don't think we can sneak past them. I'm not sure how many lizard folk are there but it's definitely occupied. There were...two clusters of huts, each with four huts." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Okay, that's a bit creepy. You don't really think about how human bodies turn to follow heads until they don't. Still, it's not really Scholar's fault, so Soren swallows and says,  "There's a poison dusk camp right on the road to the temple, a few hundred feet from it. The jungles pretty thick; I don't think we can sneak past them. I'm not sure how many lizard folk are there but it's definitely occupied. There were...two clusters of huts, each with four huts."  
 

Kaarna frowns.  "I'd like to know the numbers before we turn this into a fight",  she says,  "Can't you turn invisible or something?" 
 "There was one spell I have on scroll...",  she rummages through her backpack, "That could scare away at least some of them..." 
Kish
 "Turning invisible is currently beyond my abilities,"  Scholar says.  "Not surprising that the temple is guarded." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna frowns.  "I'd like to know the numbers before we turn this into a fight",  she says,  "Can't you turn invisible or something?" 
 "There was one spell I have on scroll...",  she rummages through her backpack, "That could scare away at least some of them..."  
 

 "Yes, but I can only cast it three times a day, and then I won't be able to cast any other spells that strong for the rest of the day either. And we only saw one lizardfolk but I know there's more in the huts."  He pauses.  "What do you have in your bag, Kaarna?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Turning invisible is currently beyond my abilities,"  Scholar says.  "Not surprising that the temple is guarded."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Yes, but I can only cast it three times a day, and then I won't be able to cast any other spells that strong for the rest of the day either. And we only saw one lizardfolk but I know there's more in the huts."  
 

The witch sighs and and throws her hands in the air.  "Guess that can't be helped. I can't do it either, Veca is picky, and he hates the taste of Illusions." 

 He pauses.  "What do you have in your bag, Kaarna?"  

 "Lots of things, but I'll keep the frogs contained",  she grins,  "Anyway, this is what I was looking for."  She holds one scroll between two fingers.  "This spell (assuming the merchant didn't rip me off), could scare at least some of them to run away. Only works on a limited number and range, about 30 ft. though.  But , if we comp that with an illusion of yours, we could get a better effect."  She grins again,  "A few run, the rest should follow. Basic pack behaviour." 

She taps her temple with the end of the wrapped parchment,  "I'd need a few more hours to have Veca stomach the spell first though, I don't care to waste the scroll. Would have been nice if I'd have learned it earlier, but",  she shrugs,  "Didn't think of it then." 
Kish
Scholar shows animation at last at Kaarna's words.  "Lizardfolk are as intelligent as you are,"  she says.  "They're not simply going to run away and disappear from our lives. I don't know what the duration is on the spell you're thinking of, but even if it's hours, going from hoping to become invisible to a plan that guarantees every poison dusk or blackscale lizardfolk in the temple will know about us as soon as the spell wears off seems strange and tactically unwise. I would say we should try to avoid any lizardfolk we fight getting away, for as long as we might still have the advantage of surprise against our enemies." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar shows animation at last at Kaarna's words.  "Lizardfolk are as intelligent as you are,"  she says.  "They're not simply going to run away and disappear from our lives. I don't know what the duration is on the spell you're thinking of, but even if it's hours, going from hoping to become invisible to a plan that guarantees every poison dusk or blackscale lizardfolk in the temple will know about us as soon as the spell wears off seems strange and tactically unwise. I would say we should try to avoid any lizardfolk we fight getting away, for as long as we might still have the advantage of surprise against our enemies."  
 

Kaarna looks at Scholar with raised eyebrows.  "You'd prefer to torch them all to crisp?",  she asks, and a small spark flickers from her fingers,  "I was trying to think of other options, because I've been told that I should, for some reason, but if that's on the table then sure! Let's not make this overly complicated." 
 "Though you'll have convince the kid yourself",  she nods towards the Soren,  "I suspect he's generally against death and destruction." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "how did you guess?"  Soren asks. He pauses and looks down at his hands. Yeah, he's killed people before, but it was in self-defense. Isn't there something else they can try first? Even if diplomacy is out.

 "What if we knock them out? Or scare them off with your spell and an illusion? You guys seen awfully eager to turn to violence. Do you need blood for your wit it spells or something?"  Scholar is a warforged, so it sort of makes sense for her though. But as Soren looks at scholar, then Kaarna, then Athard and Adrianne, he gets the distinct feeling he's in the minority.
Kish
Scholar gives Soren a surprised look.  "If you can come up with a tactical plan that leaves them alive and doesn't result in our dying, I am certainly listening. Unless you think this Rhashaak would be willing to sell us the relics Sur'kil wants--for less than we're getting paid for this--then his servants will likely do their best to kill us. If any of them run away knowing that there are intruders there, they'll alert every lizardfolk they meet, and I cannot see a better-case scenario for us than one where they merely collect one or two more groups before coming back to attack us again and we still kill them. I realize not all of us were programmed with combat tactics, but, as adventurers, we  are  all professional killers." 
Silverraptor
 "Whatever you all decide, My orders are to protect all of you from danger and potential harm. Lethal force is authorized." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren pauses and twiddles his fingers together.  "I thought we could make an illusion of another dragon invading to scare them off or something,"  he mumbles.  "Is it really that bad of an idea?" 
CWater
 "I think it sounds hilarious",  says Kaarna and leans her back against the stone wall. After a moment spent thinking she continues.  "One thing about that torching plan though. What if they've got tinies around? Call me a softie, but I don't like the idea of slaying cubs, or whatever those are for lizards, tadpoles? It just ain't right." 
rypt
Athard regards Soren incredulously.   "And is your illusion capable of producing sound?"  he asks, in a tone that suggests he already knows the answer.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "I think it sounds hilarious",  says Kaarna and leans her back against the stone wall. After a moment spent thinking she continues.  "One thing about that torching plan though. What if they've got tinies around? Call me a softie, but I don't like the idea of slaying cubs, or whatever those are for lizards, tadpoles? It just ain't right."  
 

Soren's face goes dark.  "I'm not doing that,"  he mutters.


 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard regards Soren incredulously.   "And is your illusion capable of producing sound?"  he asks, in a tone that suggests he already knows the answer. 
 

 "Actually, it is,"  Soren says. He sings something too rapidly to make out the words, moves his fingers in a blur, and suddenly a silhouette of a dragon appears overhead in the cave. It circles around them, roaring something somewhat distant once or twice, and then lands between Athard and Kaarna and seemingly drapes its wings over the two. It growls again and breathes an illusory tongue of flame at Scholar and Adrianna.
CWater
 "That's still a bit silent for a dragon",  Kaarna says and eyes the beast,  "Still... I'm not really convinced of the war machine's extermination plan either",  she looks back at Scholar,  "What makes you think we could take out all of them anyway? Someone is bound to run, some always do." 
Kish
 "In your adventuring career, you've never fought a group of enemies where none of them ran away during the fight, even if you didn't magically compel them to run?"  Scholar looks at the others.  "Is that your experience as well, Soren, Athard?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "In your adventuring career, you've never fought a group of enemies where none of them ran away during the fight, even if you didn't magically compel them to run?"  Scholar looks at the others.  "Is that your experience as well, Soren, Athard?"  
 

 "Uh... That's not really what I meant",  Kaarna says, with a dumb look on her face.

 
 Spoiler 
Scholar takes things very literally doesn't she ;)
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Uh...what?"  Soren blinks and tries to work out the multiple double negatives in his head.  "I was usually the one running..."  He's clearly still trying to work out the double negatives when the dragon roars in Kaarna's ear.  "I can't do loud noises until I get stronger with illusions, but I can make them do basic sounds." 
CWater
Kaarna twitches at the sudden sound.  "Hey, watch it with the toy dragon",  she swats the air in the illusions direction.  "So folks, what do we do? After all this talk I'm leaning on the most simple approach possible, we just walk over there and see what happens." 
CoffeeIncluded
The dragon sticks its tongue out at Kaarna. Turns out illusions can make a raspberry blowing noise pretty well. Soren, for his part, smiles.

 "I don't think we should just march up and say, 'Hi, how are you, can we run into your temple and take your treasure please?'" 
rypt
 "Magically aided or not, I don't know how you expect to sneak this"  --he raps a knuckle on Adrianna's plate armor--  "past anyone.  They make  quieter airships." 
Kish
Scholar looks back and forth between the three of you.  "So, our proposed approaches for dealing with the lizardfolk at the huts you saw are: Try to kill them all. Try to frighten as many of them as possible off. Walk up to them and hope that the lizardfolk we spoke to earlier was lying about their unfriendliness." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar looks back and forth between the three of you.  "So, our proposed approaches for dealing with the lizardfolk at the huts you saw are: Try to kill them all. Try to frighten as many of them as possible off. Walk up to them and hope that the lizardfolk we spoke to earlier was lying about their unfriendliness."  
 

 "Two right, one wrong",  Kaarna says, making a small spark with her fingers,  "Never thought they'd be friendly." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
  "Magically aided or not, I don't know how you expect to sneak this"  --he raps a knuckle on Adrianna's plate armor--  "past anyone.  They make  quieter airships."  
 

Soren concentrates, and suddenly the illusion of a dragon turns to an illusion of an airship.  "Well, maybe we could go under the cover of an airship. I am a half-elf after all, even if I don't have a dragonmark. And I have met the house before, a little bit." 

 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar looks back and forth between the three of you.  "So, our proposed approaches for dealing with the lizardfolk at the huts you saw are: Try to kill them all. Try to frighten as many of them as possible off. Walk up to them and hope that the lizardfolk we spoke to earlier was lying about their unfriendliness."  
 

 "Walk up to him?"  Soren shakes his head.  "The lizardfolk we saw was sharpening weapons, I never said we just walk up to him. That...I was being sarcastic. And I don't think Kaarna meant we walk up there with the intent to kill everyone. Though..."  He pauses and trails off in thought.  "What if we do a hit and run thing? Don't stay, but run straight through, maybe cover our tracks so they don't know where we've gone? I might be able to cover our tracks with an illusion but can any of you cast a anything that would outright not let them see us?" 
rypt
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren concentrates, and suddenly the illusion of a dragon turns to an illusion of an airship.  "Well, maybe we could go under the cover of an airship. I am a half-elf after all, even if I don't have a dragonmark. And I have met the house before, a little bit."  
 

Athard scoffs.   "You think these savages are going to respect the authority of a marked house?" 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Walk up to him?"  Soren shakes his head.  "The lizardfolk we saw was sharpening weapons, I never said we just walk up to him. That...I was being sarcastic. And I don't think Kaarna meant we walk up there with the intent to kill everyone. Though..."  He pauses and trails off in thought.  "What if we do a hit and run thing? Don't stay, but run straight through, maybe cover our tracks so they don't know where we've gone? I might be able to cover our tracks with an illusion but can any of you cast a anything that would outright not let them see us?"  
 

 "This is absurd.  What were you expecting to do here?  Why in Khyber's depths did you even accept the job if this is how you planned you see it through?  There is an  entire temple  filled with lizardfolk over there and every single one of them wants you dead.  Do you really intend to guile your way past them all?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard scoffs.   "You think these savages are going to respect the authority of a marked house?"  
 

 "No, but airships are big and--" 

  "This is absurd.  What were you expecting to do here?  Why in Khyber's depths did you even accept the job if this is how you planned you see it through?  There is an  entire temple  filled with lizardfolk over there and every single one of them wants you dead.  Do you really intend to guile your way past them all?"  

 "Hey!"  Soren's tone turns sharp.  "Obviously I know that we're going to have to fight at some point--we're tomb robbing, for V-Olladra's sake, and that means I'm going to need to use my bow, but I DON'T see violence and shooting things as a first option! We can't bash our way through everything all the time. And if we can't sneak past and there's too many to fight through then why not cover our escape? I doubt well be able to rest an regain spells easily once were inside, so we shouldn't burn eberytjibg outside." 
rypt
Soren spoke as though Athard was a hammer rather than a scalpel.  Amusing, but irrelevant.   "And your alternative is what, a hit and run strike where we somehow disguise our withdrawal?  Why would they even bother trying to track us when they can simply fortify their encampment at the temple?  There's only five of us, in case you've forgotten, and Mockery knows how many of them.  We're not going to win a battle of attrition here.  Surprise is our greatest, if not our only advantage and I will not see it wasted." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren blinks in confusion, and then in clarity. Oh, that's the problem!  "I think I said the wrong thing. When I said hit and run I didn't mean we attack and then run back here. I meant we hit them, and then run straight through to the temple, without wasting time and magic killing everyone. Maybe we use an illusion or cover to make them think we headed back instead of going straight through to the temple, which is what were actually doing, to confuse them and buy us some time?" 
Silverraptor
Adrianna speaks up.
 "I'd just thought I'd inform you all that my armor is calling enchanted. At command I can have it instantly donned upon me fully suited up. Will that allow for more options?" 
CWater
 "So, what are we going to do?",  Kaarna asks in a lazy voice, she is growing bored with all the tactical talk.  "We go there, try to be sneaky, but as it likely won't work, we'll probably have to fight our way in. Does anyone have anything to add to that?" 
 "Oh, Soren, you'd probably do better to save those invisibility spells if you can. That way at least a few can hide if the fight goes really bad." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I'd like to note, just in case, that it is only Kaarna who is bored, not me.🙂
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren nods at Kaarna's comment.  "That's a good idea. And hm, if we can go in while They're still sleeping that could give us an advantage." 
 
 Spoiler: Kish 
should I roll to know when they'll likely be sleeping or active?
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Soren 

Pretty sure you can autopass the Knowledge: Nature roll to know that lizardfolk are diurnal, and none of the subraces that immediately come to mind are exceptions.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren licks his lips.  "The lizardfilk are all diurnal, so if we leave before dawn they'll still be asleep and the might not run into all of them." 
Kish
You leave the cave about an hour before dawn, and stumble through the darkness toward the cluster of huts you scouted last night.
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Make Stealth checks, and let me know what you're doing.
 (1d20+1)[ 4 ] 
 (1d4)[ 2 ] 
 (1d20)[ 18 ] 
 (1d20)[ 11 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
When you dance, unless you're tapdancing, you need to be light on your feet. You need to flow, and sway, and seem almost part of the scenery until you aren't. Some of the strategies apply to sneaking too. Hopefully it's enough, Soren thinks to himself as he draws his bow and slips through the jungle, trying to keep to the undergrowth as far as it can help him.

 
 Spoiler: Stealth 
Soren doesn't stay in plain sight, but f going through the undergrowth gives him a penalty he doesn't do that either.

Stealth:  (d20+9)[ 22 ] 
 
Silverraptor
Without her armor on, Adrianna tries to make as little noise as possible.
 
 Spoiler: Stealth 
Stealth:  (1d20+1)[ 10 ] 
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
They see you, and you know they're there. Initiative rolls:
Soren:  (1d20+4)[ 14 ] 
Kaarna:  (1d20+8)[ 20 ] 
Scholar:  (1d20+1)[ 16 ] 
Athard:  (1d20+6)[ 26 ] 
Adrianna:  (1d20+1)[ 3 ] 
Lieutenant:  (1d20+3)[ 8 ] 
Soldier 1:  (1d20+2)[ 4 ] 
Soldier 2:  (1d20+2)[ 19 ] 
Soldier 3:  (1d20+2)[ 19 ] 
 
Red is the fire pit, which provides bright illumination within 20 feet and shadowy illumination out to 40 feet.

If you go any significant amount toward the northwest you'll run into the cluster of larger huts the scouts saw earlier.
Each square is five feet.
While I couldn't mark this on the map, each hut has an opening facing toward the firepit, so from the west you can see into the two eastern huts--not the ones closer to you.
Athard, Kaarna, you're up.
 
CWater
Almost at the moment when they're spotted, Kaarna retrieves a piece of charred wood from her pocket and rubs its surface with her hand. Without stopping to ask questions, she makes a few quick hand movements, pointing at the sky and then at the lizardfolk soldier. A crackling cloud of electricity appears above them.

 
 Spoiler 
Casting  Aggressive Thundercloud  on S1.
Damage:  (3d6)[ 14 ] 
Ref save DC 15 to negate.
If she can't reach him from her current position, Kaarna moves to the south as many squares as needed.
 
rypt
 "Armor, now!"  Athard growls, sparing a moment's glance back towards Adrianna.  As Kaarna's magic rumbles over the firepit, the Cyran assassin darts forward, using the nearest hut as cover while he invokes a spell of his own.

 
 Spoiler 
Move action: Athard moves to Q6.
Standard action: Athard casts empowered   shocking grasp   via his spellshard and holds the charge on his longsword.
Swift action: Athard expends a point from his arcane pool to add another +1 enhancement bonus to his longsword.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna quickly calls her armor, which magically appears around her, perfectly fit. She then pulls out her sword and tries to position herself between the lizard folk and those she's charged to protect.
Kish
Kaarna creates a lightning cloud over one of the lizardfolk. You all see another one run past the firepit, going southeast, and run into the southeast hut, spinning to fire an arrow at Kaarna. The lizardfolk already in the hut fires two arrows at her. As three arrows strike Kaarna, she realizes abruptly that moving so that she has line of sight to the lizardfolk is a double-edged sword. Scholar takes a step back and shoves a holy symbol of Aureon at Adrianna, intoning words of magic.
 
 Spoiler: rolls, updated map, and initiative 

 (1d20+5)[ 14 ] 
 (1d20+6)[ 22 ]  (1d6)[ 4 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 21 ]  (1d20+4)[ 21 ]  (1d6)[ 1 ]  (1d6)[ 5 ] 
The two lizardfolk in the hut have partial cover. Scholar cast Bull's Strength on Adrianna. Kaarna takes a total of 10 damage and needs to make three Fortitude saves.
 
Soren is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Well, so much for stealth. As Kaarna calls down lightning and arrows start flying, Soren runs to catch up with Athard, nocks an arrow, and bursts into song. It's almost a war chant, fast and primal and in time with the crackling of Kaarna's thundercloud.

 
 Spoiler 
Soren runs to O6 and sings to activate Inspire Courage (+2 to attack rolls, damage rolls, charm saving throws, and fear saving throws). He also prepares to fire an arrow or cast a spell next turn (he can maintain the song as a free action).
 
Kish
The lizardfolk covered by the cloud staggers out of it, covered in burns; she starts toward the southeast hut but, at a sharp command from the apparent leader, goes into the northwest one instead.
The leader fires a well-aimed arrow at Kaarna and retreats into the northeast hut.
 
 Spoiler 

 (1d20+10)[ 23 ]  (1d6+3)[ 4 ] 
 
&gt;&gt; Athard: [26]
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: [20]
Soldier 2: [19]
Soldier 3: [19]
Scholar: [16]
Soren: [14]
Lieutenant: [8]
Soldier 1: [4]
Adrianna: [3]
Kaarna takes four more damage and needs to make a fourth Fortitude save.

Round Two begins; Athard and Kaarna are up again.
 
rypt
Athard exhales a steadying breath and then spins around the side of northwest hut, moving with assured swiftness towards the lizardfolk leader.  As he nears the entrance to the leader's hut, he empties his mind of all distractions, visualizing only his blade, his enemy, and a single perfect strike.

 
 Spoiler 
Move action: Move to V6.
Free action: Grip katana with two hands.
Immediate action: Expend 1 ki point to gain a +4 bonus on a Sense Motive check.
Standard action: Initiate the Rising Zenith Strike maneuver, which replaces Athard's attack roll with a a Sense Motive check and deals double damage if the check exceeds the targets AC.  His total Sense Motive modifier is 17 (11 base, 4 from the ki point, 2 from weapon enhancement bonus per the maneuver description).  He will Power Attack for 3 extra damage.  On a hit, he discharges his empowered  shocking grasp .
 Sense Motive:  (1d20+17)[ 25 ] 
Weapon Damage:  (1d8+11)[ 17 ] *2 = [ 34 ]
Shocking Grasp Damage:  (4d6)[ 16 ] *1.5 = [ 24 ] Free action: Release one hand from katana.
 
CWater
With arrows sticking out of her side, Kaarna drops to all fours, uttering words that are not suitable for typing. At the same time, her skin thickness and becomes more hairy and her facial features twist to a animalistic grimace. She throws a furious glare at the lizardfolk in the hut, and with a quick wave of her hand the witch commands the thundercloud to move after them. Then she takes out a wand from her pocket and casts a protective force to cover herself.

 
 Spoiler 

Free action: Drop prone
Free action: Shifting
Free action: Swearing
Move action: Move thundercloud at S2.
 (3d6)[ 9 ]  electric damage, DC 15 to negate
Standard action: Cast Mage Armor from wand.
Fortitude save:  (1d20+4)[ 8 ] 
 
Kish
Athard's strike reduces the apparent leader to charred pieces. Kaarna's cloud floats into the southeast hut. Both the lizardfolk in that hut emerge uninjured, dart into the southwest hut, and fire at Athard, but their arrows bounce off his armor. Scholar runs forward.
 
 Spoiler 

 (1d20+5)[ 25 ] 
 (1d20+6)[ 14 ]  (1d20+6)[ 16 ] 
 (1d6)[ 1 ]  (1d6)[ 3 ] 
 
Soren is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Holy ****,"  Soren mutters between beats as he sees Athard, illuminated in flashes by Kaarna's thundercloud, leap onto a lizardfolk and slice his head open with a single crackling blow. He raises his bow to fire a couple more arrows when Kaana falls to her knees with a pained grimace on her face. Are those arrows poisoned?! They're going to run from hut to hut, firing arrows at everyone while being chased by the cloud. He can't let them poison everyone!

As Soren sings, he moves his arms and hands in time with the beat, then all of a sudden splays them out like someone suddenly trying to keep his balance. The floor in the hut where the two lizardfolk are suddenly becomes slippery and slick as ice.

 "IIIIII can'tneutralizepoison!"  Soren shouts, or rather sings, after he casts.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's action 
Soren keeps singing (Inspire courage, +2 on attack, damage, charm saves, and fear saves; 18 rounds of singing left today) and casts Grease all over the inside of the hut where the two lizardfolk just ran (DC 15 Reflex Save or fall). It should cover the whole inside of the hut. I don't think Soren needs to see them so he's going to go to Q6 as long as that's not the entrance of the hut. Where are the entrances? If it's okay, could you please put a dashed line where the entrances to the huts are?
 
Kish
A carrying, flutelike whistle emerges from the northwest hut. Athard can see one of the lizardfolk in the southwest hut slip and fall, while the other one remains on her feet.
 
 Spoiler: Reflex saves and map 

 (1d20+5)[ 16 ] 
 (1d20+5)[ 8 ] 
 
Adrianna is up.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna moves cautiously towards the hut with the 2 lizardfolks. When she gets to the edge of the opening, she stands there ready for either of them to come out.

 
 Spoiler 
Adrianna uses a full action to the edge, just short of the flap of the hut (S10). I'm assuming the dashed lines are the opening to the huts.
 
CWater
With frogs still pouring from her mouth, Kaarna directs the thundercloud to follow the two lizardfolk to the southwest hut. Concentrating on her inner magic, she evokes her ability to fly, though for the moment she remains hovering just above the ground.

 
 Spoiler 
Should I roll percentage to see if the cloud finds either of the lizardfolk, since I assume Kaarna can't see them?
If it finds its mark, damage:  (3d6)[ 11 ] , Ref DC 15 to negate
Standard action to activate  Flight hex .
Fort save:  (1d20+4)[ 20 ] 
 
rypt
Stepping over the body of the lizardfolk leader, Athard sets himself to the grim purpose of silencing the flute in the northwestern hut.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move action: Move to R7 to join S1 in the hut.  I'm not sure if playing the flute prevents him from making an attack of opportunity, but my intent is to not be in line-of-sight of the other two lizardfolk.
Swift action: Activate Scarlet Throne Style feat.
Standard action: Initiate Flurry Strike maneuver.  Power attack for -1 attack, +3 damage.
 Attack 1:  (1d20+9)[ 29 ] 
Damage 1:  (1d8+11)[ 14 ]  +  (1d6)[ 3 ]  = [ 17 ]
Crit confirm: [ 26 ]
Crit damage: [ 18 ]

Attack 2:  (1d20+9)[ 21 ] 
Damage 2:  (1d8+11)[ 13 ]  +  (1d6)[ 4 ]  = [ 17 ] 
 
Kish
Athard finds a badly burned lizardfolk spinning a length of hollow reed and strikes with overkill somewhere between extreme and grotesque, reducing the lizardfolk to a blood-splatter. The sound stops.
Kaarna's body shakes off the effects of the poison.
 
 Spoiler 

 (1d20+5)[ 7 ] 
 (1d20+5)[ 17 ] 
 (1d20+5)[ 16 ] 
 
Kish
Both the lizardfolk in the southwest hut emerge, dodging around the cloud to close with Adrianna. The burned one, having risen from the greasy floor of the hut, is unable to also attack, but the uninjured one slashes at Adrianna with his claws, missing her.

Kaarna hears footsteps from behind her.  "We have company,"  Scholar calls, followed by words of magic. Three large black-scaled lizardfolk run toward you from the northwest.

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge: Nature 14 

Blackscale lizardfolk are large and brutish, fierce warriors. They greatly value their generally unsupported claims of being descended from black dragons.
 

 
 Spoiler 

 (1d20+6)[ 10 ]  (1d3+3)[ 4 ] 
 (1d20)[ 11 ]  (1d20)[ 15 ]  (1d20)[ 19 ] 
 
&gt;&gt; Soren: [14]
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: [3]
Athard: [26]
Kaarna: [20]
Soldier 2: [19]
Soldier 3: [19]
Scholar: [16]

Scholar cast Bless, affecting all of you; you have +1 to attack rolls and saving throws against fear. It's a morale bonus, so it won't stack with Soren's song, but it will remain for the next three minutes without maintenance.

Soren, Adrianna, Athard, and Kaarna are up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "A call for help! Silence it!"  Soren sings, trying to weave it into the song. He takes a breath, but immediately finds it's unnecessary.

He doesn't see Athard kill the lizardfolk, but he hears the music stop and sees a bit of blood spatter through the window of the hut. Of course, he doesn't even have time to register that before he hears something crashing through the marsh behind him, and turns to see--

 "Blackscale Lizardfolk!"  The battle is a roaring rushing tumult now, too fast for Soren to do anything more than operate on instinct. He's fought like this before, but something about the heat and the jungle and the swamp, the mud and the blood and everyone around her makes his ears roar. He's operating on instinct now, and his song takes on a higher pitch as runs forward and starts firing at the advancing blackscales.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's actions 
First, keep singing (2 rounds now). Second, step forward just enough to be in range of BS3. Third, fire! (Sorry I didn't get the two poison dusk lizardfolk attacking Adrienne, I figured she and Athard would take care of those two easily; might as well soften up the approaching ones.

Attack:  (d20+8)[ 25 ] 
Crit:  (d20+8)[ 17 ] 
Damage:  (d6+5)[ 10 ] 
Crit damage  (d6+5)[ 9 ]   (d6+5)[ 10 ] 
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna makes a powerful swing at one of the Lizard folk.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack: (1d20+14)[ 32 ] 
Critical Chance: (1d20+14)[ 15 ] 
Damage: (1d8+9)[ 10 ] 
 
CWater
Kaarna lets out one last curse, but she's starting to feel slightly better, or just a little less worse in any case. She turns around at Scholars warning and after a moment of estimating her odds, she takes flight towards the new enemies also gaining some altitude on the way. The witch starts to motion a new spell and soon flames erupt from her fingertips.

 
 Spoiler 
Casting  Burning Hands:   (5d4)[ 14 ]  fire damage, Ref save DC 14 half, 15 ft. cone
I'm a little unsure of her placement with the 3D range math. She would like to get all three in the spells range if possible, but also stay high up enough to be out of melee reach. If this is not possible, then the latter is more important. She can move 60 ft. in flight.
 
rypt
As Athard exits the hut, Soren's cry alerts him to the approaching blackscales.  He isn't certain where these new foes are coming from until a wave of fire erupts to the northwest.

Immediately recognizing the threat posed to the most vulnerable among them, Athard steps hurriedly towards the nearest lizardfolk.  He sheaths his blade, and then in a single fluid motion, draws it into a sweeping upward strike.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move action: Sheath his blade, triggering the Bushi recovery mechanic of a single expended maneuver.  Athard will recover Rising Zenith Strike.
Free action: 5-foot step into S8.
Standard action: Initiate the Swift Current maneuver against S2.  Because he draws his blade as part of initiating the maneuver, S2 is flat-footed vs. the attack.
 Attack:  (1d20+10)[ 23 ] 
Damage:  (1d8+8)[ 9 ]  +  (1d6)[ 5 ]  +  (1d6)[ 3 ]  = [ 17 ] Swift action: If S2 survives the strike, Athard will mark this lizardfolk using his Soul Claiming ability.
 
Kish
Soren shoots an arrow that hits one of the new arrivals in the shoulder. Adrianna slices into one of the poison dusk lizardfolk, then Athard appears and turns that lizardfolk into a cloud of bloodspray. Kaarna rises to a height of 20 feet while floating over to the new arrivals and blasts them with flame, though all three attempt to roll out of the way and two manage to get out of the fire quickly. The one remaining poison dusk lizardfolk attacks Adrianna with claws and teeth, but they scrape ineffectually at her armor.
 
 Spoiler: Draconic 

"Javelins?" the badly burned blackscale shouts.
"No, kill the ones on the ground!" the one in front replies.
 

The badly burned blackscale lunges at Soren, striking him a massive blow with a spiked club as large as he is (24 damage to Soren). The nearest one runs forward, pulling a flask from his belt and chugging its contents. Scholar clenches her fist and punches the air in front of herself, looking at the lizardfolk who attacked Soren; that lizardfolk falls to the ground, bleeding copiously from her nose. (BS2 is unconscious and dying.)
 
 Spoiler 

 (1d20+4)[ 24 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 5 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 15 ] 
 (1d20+7)[ 14 ]  (1d20+7)[ 8 ]  (1d20+5)[ 11 ] 
 (1d3+4)[ 6 ]  (1d3+4)[ 5 ]  (1d3+3)[ 5 ] 
 (1d20+8)[ 17 ] 
 (2d8+9)[ 24 ] 
 (1d20+5)[ 25 ] 
 (1d4+3)[ 7 ] 
 Map  link. (This will probably be clearer than using screencaps, as long as you're all seeing the same thing, unless someone objects to this method.)
&gt;&gt; Soren: [14]
Blackscale 1: [7]
Adrianna: [3]
Athard: [26]
Kaarna: [20]
Soldier 3: [19]
Scholar: [16]
Blackscale 3: [16]

Soren is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The massive club smashes into Soren's chest, driving him into several inches of peat. Pain bursts white in his eyes, and hrs vaguely aware of a cracking sound above him before his vision returns just in time to see scholar withdraw her fist and the blackscale topple to the ground.

Soren staggers to his feet, gasping in pain with every breath, his back plastered in mud. He quickly shoots a few obscene gestures at the blackscale closest to him and follows up by singing a more obscene joke, then staggers around to the back of the hut and pants with sharp pain at every word and breath,  "They're targeting...us on the ground first...oww...I think something's broken owwww..." 
 
 Spoiler: Soren's actions 
soren didn't actually fall prone; that was a Roleplaying thing. If you want me to change it I will. Anyway, Soren sings inspire courage some more, then casts hideous laughter on the blackscale closest to him (dc 15 will save or I believe fall prone and lose all actions for up to 5 rounds. If he fails he can try to save on each of his turns as a full round action. He then moves behind the hut so he's out of sight and charge range.
 
Kish
The closer blackscale collapses to the ground, laughing helplessly. The farthest blackscale charges Scholar, swinging his club into her with a hideous  crunch  sound.
 
 Spoiler 

 (1d20+4)[ 14 ] 
 (1d20+8)[ 27 ] 
 (2d8+9)[ 13 ] 
 (2d6)[ 6 ] 
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: [3]
&gt;&gt; Athard: [26]
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: [20]
Soldier 3: [19]
Scholar: [16]
Blackscale 3: [16]
Soren: [14]
Blackscale 1: [7]
 Map  is updated. Adrianna, Athard, and Kaarna are up.
 
rypt
Athard glances back over his shoulder to spot Soren slumped against the side of the northwest hut.  He mutters a curse under his breath.  The kid looks to be in rough shape, and by the sound of it, Scholar isn't faring much better.

Deciding that the larger lizardfolk need to be dealt with immediately, Athard turns away from the poison dusk beside him and charges directly towards the nearer blackscale, his eyes focused all the while on the creature's massive club.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move action: Move to O7, presumably provoking attacks of opportunity from both S3 and BS1 in the process.  I would like to resolve those attacks before continuing with the rest of Athard's turn.
 
Kish
As Athard runs away from the poison dusk lizardfolk, she slashes at his back with her claws. As he approaches the blackscale that just hit Scholar, the massive club attempts to stop his momentum.
 
 Spoiler 

Attack:  (1d20+7)[ 18 ]  Damage:  (1d3+4)[ 6 ] 
Attack:  (1d20+8)[ 10 ]  Damage:  (2d8+9)[ 25 ] 
I don't really know Path of War, so I'm not sure what kind of counters you have available; let me know if either or both of those hit and how much damage you take.
 
rypt
Athard ducks beneath the backhanded club, immediately recognizing that the motion of the attack will expose the blackscale's heart.  Just as the lizardfolk is reaching the full extent of its follow-through, Athard thrusts his sword upward and into its chest.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Both of the attacks of opportunity miss, but for future reference, Athard has two counters readied.  The first, Inner Sense, grants him a +2 bonus to a single saving throw.  The second, Sanguine Barrier, allows him to replace his AC with a Sense Motive check (with a +2 bonus) against a single melee or ranged attack.

Immediate action: Expend a ki point to gain a +4 bonus to a Sense Motive check.
Standard action: Initiate Rising Zenith Strike with power attack for +3 damage.  Sense Motive replaces Athard's attack roll and the attack deals double damage if it meets or exceeds the enemy's AC.
 Sense Motive:  (1d20+17)[ 18 ] 
Damage:  (1d8+11)[ 12 ]  x 2 +  (1d6)[ 2 ]  = [ 26 ] 
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna see's Soren leaning against the hut and quickly positions herself between him and the remaining Lizardfolk next to her. Knowing full well that she couldn't disengage from this target and help the others without this one becoming a threat to on of the most injured members of the group, Adrianna begins her hardest to cut the lizardfolk down.

 
 Spoiler: Attack 
Attack: (1d20+14)[ 17 ] 
Critical: (1d20+14)[ 34 ] 
Damage:  (1d8+9)[ 14 ] 
 
CWater
Kaarna flies back towards the rest of the party, over the lizardfolk that is rolling on the ground with laughter.  "Kid! You still alive?!",  she shouts, her voice more hoarse than usual in her shifted form. She motions the thundercloud to engulf one lizardfolk once more, before it fizzles out of existence.

 
 Spoiler 
Move action: Fly to P3, keeping the altitude.
Free action: Shout
Standard action: Move the cloud at S3.
Damage:  (3d6)[ 11 ]  Ref DC 15 to negate, the cloud disappears after this round.
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler 

This is almost certainly the end of the fight. Shall we see how it ends?
 (1d20+5)[ 23 ] 
 

 
 Spoiler 
Although staggered by Adrianna's slash, the lizardfolk manages to avoid the lightning and attempts to step back out of the cloud, provoking an attack of opportunity from Adrianna. If Adrianna misses, the lizardfolk, being staggered, is still unable to both move and attack in the same round and so is finished acting for the round, while the other one is helpless until succeeding on a save. Either way, I think we can call the battle over now. Let me know if you're attempting to take the laughing blackscale prisoner or simply coup-de-gracing him.
 

 
 Spoiler: XP and Treasure 
950 XP for each of you.

Each of the poison dusk lizardfolk has a masterwork longsword, 19 arrows three of which you notice have been treated with poison (that is, there are a total of 76 arrows and 9 of them are poisoned), a masterwork buckler, and a length of hollow reed with a short rope tied to one end. The leader has a masterwork composite longbow (+2 Strength bonus), each of the three followers has a masterwork longbow. The leader was also wearing an ornate bone amulet.

Each of the blackscale lizardfolk has a greatclub, a javelin, and is wearing dragon-themed rings and necklaces. The two dead ones also have flasks of some liquid, while the laughing one has an empty-but-otherwise-identical flask.
 
Silverraptor
 
 Spoiler: Attack of opportunity 
Attack: (1d20+14)[ 25 ] 
 Critical: (1d20+14)[ 32 ] 
 Damage:  (1d8+9)[ 13 ] 

Also, Adrianna does have combat reflexes. So will she get more attacks of opportunity if the first blow misses?
 
CWater
When she sees the other lizardfolk fall, Kaarna flies back to the one still incapacitated on the ground. Without hesitation, she shoves her kukri to his throat, repeatedly if need be.

 
 Spoiler 
Coup de grace, yes. Do you want rolls?
 


A little later, her she shifts back to her normal appearance, spitting out a curse when she feels how the poison has weakened her. The other shape seemed to lessen the effect. The witch's eyes start to glow when she checks the bodies for anything magical, the other items and weapons don't interest her.

 
 Spoiler: Spell 
Casting Detect Magic.
 
Kish
Adrianna cuts down the last poison dusk lizardfolk, and Kaarna cuts the last blackscale's throat. Scholar holds up her holy symbol and unleashes a wave of positive energy.

 
 Spoiler 
Everyone is healed for up to  (2d6)[ 5 ]  damage.
 

 
 Spoiler: Kaarna 
You detect faint magical auras on the poison dusk leader's amulet and the two flasks with liquid in them, none of the other items. Make three Knowledge (Arcana) and three Spellcraft checks if you want to try and learn more.
 
CoffeeIncluded
When the sounds of fighting start to fade Soren stops his song as well. The last few notes do little more than echo in the air as he catches his breath and gingerly presses his chest, trying to figure out what's broken and what's bruised. The first broken rib hurts too much for him to continue, and he doesn't do anything but take shallow breaths until Scholar's spell barely knits them together.  "Thanks,"  he says quietly as he helps collect the items before the adrenaline fully fades and leaves him not quite able to do it.

 
 Spoiler 
Soren let the song fade after the last fully narrated round of combat, so four rounds total. He'll help identify and appraise the items.

Knowledge (Arcana): Take 10 for 18 though he's assisting Kaarna unless she's stumped on something. This is how aid another works in Pathfinder, right?
Appraising the items:  (d20+2)[ 9 ] 
 
CWater
 
 Spoiler: Identifying 
Amulet
Knowledge(arcana):  (1d20+6)[ 13 ] 
Spellcraft:  (1d20+8)[ 14 ] 

Flask1
Knowledge(arcana):  (1d20+6)[ 9 ] 
Spellcraft:  (1d20+8)[ 24 ] 

Flask2
Knowledge(arcana):  (1d20+6)[ 16 ] 
Spellcraft:  (1d20+8)[ 20 ] 
 

 "Good to see you lived",  Kaarna says to Soren as she examines the three items.  "Better wave a healing wand a couple of times when you can though, we're far from clear."  She picks her own healing wand from her pocket and uses a few charges on herself to close the rest of the arrow wounds.

 
 Spoiler: Healing 
Using charges from the CLW wand on herself to heal at least 7 HP.
 (1d8+1)[ 4 ] 
 (1d8+1)[ 5 ] 
 (1d8+1)[ 3 ] 
 

 "Good moves, btw",  she says to Athard,  "Where'd ya learn them?"  Adressing everyone she says,  "Moving on, are we then? No one wants to turn back after the first squabble, I hope. Though I ain't taking the front again, that poison was nasty. Can still feel my veins throbbing." 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Kaarna 

Both the flasks hold potions of Cure Moderate Wounds.

You have no clue about the amulet.
 
CWater
 "Healing, healing...",  Kaarna says, and waves the potion flasks around.  "Any takers?" 
 "The amulet is magical too, but I can't tell what it does." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I think I'm okay. I actually have this belt."  Soren pauses and looks at the amulet.  "Well, he was wearing it so it can't be cursed or anything. Maybe we should put it on and see what happens?" 
 
 Spoiler 
I forgot that Soren has a healing belt.  (2d8)[ 8 ]  one charge left today.
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "I think I'm okay. I actually have this belt."  Soren pauses and looks at the amulet.  "Well, he was wearing it so it can't be cursed or anything. Maybe we should put it on and see what happens?" 
 
 Spoiler 
I forgot that Soren has a healing belt. [roll0] one charge left today.
 
 
 

 "If you want to risk your neck, you're free to do so."  Kaarna hands the trinket over to the bard.
Kish
 "I should be able to identify it,"  Scholar says. She holds out her hand for the amulet.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Sure thing, thanks,"  Soren says, placing the amulet in scholars hands. he goes over to the instrument and picks it up, inspecting it carefully.

 
 Spoiler 
does the other stuff look like we can sell or trade it?
 
Kish
Scholar casts a spell which those of you with Spellcraft likely recognize as Identify, and quickly says,  "It's a basic Amulet of Natural Armor." 
 
 Spoiler 

Soren's evaluation is that all the nonmagical jewelery is valueless. He knows he's not terribly good at appraising, though.

Each reed pipe will produce a penetrating whistling noise if you rapidly spin the length of rope at one end.
 (1d20+4)[ 22 ] 
 
rypt
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Good moves, btw",  she says to Athard,  "Where'd ya learn them?"  
 

 "War,"  Athard replies concisely and in an unhappy tone as he wipes dark lizarfolk blood from his blade.


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Adressing everyone she says,  "Moving on, are we then? No one wants to turn back after the first squabble, I hope. Though I ain't taking the front again, that poison was nasty. Can still feel my veins throbbing."  
 

He picks up one of the lizardfolk's arrows and examines the coated tip.   "Can you describe the poison's effects?  Weakness, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
  "War,"  Athard replies concisely and in an unhappy tone as he wipes dark lizarfolk blood from his blade. 
 

Kaarna sports a bleak smirk.  "If all the soldiers could have waved a sword like that, the whole mess wouldn't have lasted as long as it did." 

 He picks up one of the lizardfolk's arrows and examines the coated tip.   "Can you describe the poison's effects?  Weakness, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating?"  

 "I can tell it's a bloody nuisance!",  the witch snaps,  "My muscles ache and breathing's a bigger bother than usual." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar casts a spell which those of you with Spellcraft likely recognize as Identify, and quickly says,  "It's a basic Amulet of Natural Armor." 
 
 Spoiler 

Soren's evaluation is that all the nonmagical jewelery is valueless. He knows he's not terribly good at appraising, though.

Each reed pipe will produce a penetrating whistling noise if you rapidly spin the length of rope at one end.
[roll0]
 
 
 

Soren raises his eyebrows.  "Oh, could I take that, please?" 

The jewelry looks useless, though he could be wrong. Soren just stuffs it in a pocket for later. The reed looks interesting though and Soren inspects it to see just how it works.


 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
  "War,"  Athard replies concisely and in an unhappy tone as he wipes dark lizarfolk blood from his blade. 
 

Oh. That makes a lot of sense.  "Athard, I know that accent. You're from Cyre, aren't you?" 

 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna sports a bleak smirk.  "If all the soldiers could have waved a sword like that, the whole mess wouldn't have lasted as long as it did." 

Soren simply shakes his head.


 
He picks up one of the lizardfolk's arrows and examines the coated tip.   "Can you describe the poison's effects?  Weakness, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating?" 

 
 "I can tell it's a bloody nuisance!",  the witch snaps,  "My muscles ache and breathing's a bigger bother than usual."  
 

 "Are you okay? Are you able to get around okay? I don't think I have anything that can help, I'm sorry..." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Are you okay? Are you able to get around okay? I don't think I have anything that can help, I'm sorry..."  
 

 "I'm fine",  Kaarna replies grumpily,  "Not so weak that I'll collapse after a touch of some lizard venom." 
Kish
Scholar hands the amulet over to Soren.
rypt
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna sports a bleak smirk.  "If all the soldiers could have waved a sword like that, the whole mess wouldn't have lasted as long as it did."  
 

Athard sheathes his sword.   "Nor would've I." 

 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "I can tell it's a bloody nuisance!",  the witch snaps,  "My muscles ache and breathing's a bigger bother than usual."  
 

He nods.   "The poison already in your blood will make you more vulnerable to any future exposure.  You should keep a dose of antitoxin at the ready in the event we encounter more poison dusks." 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 The reed looks interesting though and Soren inspects it to see just how it works.



Oh. That makes a lot of sense.  "Athard, I know that accent. You're from Cyre, aren't you?"  
 

When Soren twirls the reed, Athard is quick to reach out and silence it.   "Be careful with that.  Who knows how many more are still sleeping in the temple."   

At the half-elf's question, the assassin's eyes grow distant.   "I  was , yes.  Cyre no longer exists." 

After adding one of the small blades to his belt and three of the poisoned arrows to his quiver, Athard removes any of Soren's arrows from the bodies of the lizardfolk and tosses them into the fire.  He then takes a step towards the temple's entrance.   "Come,  he says to the others.   "We should get moving." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar hands the amulet over to Soren. 
 

 "Thanks!"  Soren puts on the amulet and spends a few minutes trying to decide whether it looks better over his robes and scarf, under his scarf, or tucked in by his chest. He also spends the time casting Prestidigitation to clean off his clothes.


 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard sheathes his sword.   "Nor would've I." 

He nods.   "The poison already in your blood will make you more vulnerable to any future exposure.  You should keep a dose of antitoxin at the ready in the event we encounter more poison dusks."  
 

 "Kaarna, do you need any?" 

 When Sorren twirls the reed, Athard is quick to reach out and silence it.   "Be careful with that.  Who knows how many more are still sleeping in the temple."    

 "Hey!"  Soren reflexively jerks back his hand and yanks the reed out of reach. He quickly comes to his sense though, and lowers his hand, mumbling an apology.  "Don't worry, I put my thumb on the hole here to muffle the sound." 

 At the half-elf's question, the assassin's eyes grow distant.   "I  was , yes.  Cyre no longer exists."  

Soren lets out a long sigh and moves to sit next to Athard. He fumbles with his scarf for some time before saying in an unusually quiet tone,  "My brother and I spent a few years in Cyre."  And indeed, his robes are almost of a Cyrian make, cut so the bottom catches and flows in the wind.  "We didn't have much, we were mostly staying hidden, but...I learned to dance there. And sing there. I snuck into the opera house so many times I know most of  Night's Watch  by heart."  He falls silent, looking somewhere off in the distance, where an opera house with an underground path and ushers who would look the other way at a scruffy half-elf child still stands.


 After adding one of small blades to his belt and three of the poisoned arrows to his quiver, he removes any of Sorren's arrows from the bodies of the lizardfolk and tosses them into the fire.  He then takes a step towards the temple's entrance.   "Come,  he says to the others.   "We should get moving."  

The half-elf doesn't say much at the moment, but nods and follows.

 
 Spoiler: One thing Rypt 
It's Soren, with one R.
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Kaarna, do you need any?"  
 

 
 Spoiler 
I assume he is offering a vial of antitoxin?
 

 "Sure",  she replies gloomily.


 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 After adding one of the small blades to his belt and three of the poisoned arrows to his quiver, Athard removes any of Soren's arrows from the bodies of the lizardfolk and tosses them into the fire.  He then takes a step towards the temple's entrance.   "Come,  he says to the others.   "We should get moving."  
 

Kaarna nods.

 
 Spoiler 
Ready to move forward when you are.

Kaarna would like to be more at the back this time in the formation. She may have an attitude and be a tad overconfident, but she also has a working self preservation instinct.
 
Kish
You head toward the temple (your marching order unchanged, unless someone has more to say on that subject). The large huts to the northwest of where your battle took place are (now) unoccupied, but a large wooden cage stands to the west of the clearing. Through the narrow slits between the plank bars, you can make out a large, white-furred form. With a bestial howl, the creature begins to slam its arms against the bars, the cage shaking with every blow.

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge: Nature 17 

It's a girallon, an aggressive and non-sapient magical beast. Not evil, but still likely to attack if freed.
 
CWater
Kaarna frowns at the sight of the creature.  "Why would anyone want to keep a girallon as a guard dog?"  She looks at the others questioningly,  "Should we slay it, just in case, now that it's still contained? Any stray lizard could release it, and I also don't trust the condition of that cage." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren jumps back at the sight of the girallion thrashing against the bars.  "Maybe there's a way to release it remotely, so it attacks intruders but not lizardfolk?"  He looks back at Kaarna.  "Can we look for that way first? Or does anyone know how to calm it down?" 
 
 Spoiler: Question 
How does wild empathy work in Pathfinder?
 
CWater
 "I still say we should just get rid of it while we can." 
Silverraptor
 "If you think he would attack, I would advise we not release him in this current state. Your safety is my priority and I can't endorse any action that would physically put any of you in danger, especially if such actions don't contribute with your assigned mission." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren frowns.  "Maybe a timed release or something then? I dunno, i don't really like the idea of killing something chained."    
CWater
 "Oh, would you like it better if it was punching your head in?",  Kaarna snarks,  Save your suicidal principles to your own time." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Fine then! Well do something about it on the way back. But you're a shifter and you've got all sorts of weird hexes, are you able to talk to it?"  Soren looks curiously at the beast but the way it howls and thrashes against the bars deters him from coming closer.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Fine then! Well do something about it on the way back. But you're a shifter and you've got all sorts of weird hexes, are you able to talk to it?"  Soren looks curiously at the beast but the way it howls and thrashes against the bars deters him from coming closer. 
 

 "On the way back? And what if the lizards come here and let it out?"  Kaarna runs her finger on the back of her knife,  "I don't want to get close to it though, anyone got a bow?" 

She glances back at Soren after his last sentence,  "Talk to that? Yeah, I probably could. But why would I want to?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "On the way back? And what if the lizards come here and let it out?"  Kaarna runs her finger on the back of her knife,  "I don't want to get close to it though, anyone got a bow?"  
 

 "Which is why we find a way to do it from a distance. Or make it go after something else."  He pauses.  "Look, I'm not going to shoot something in a cage and helpless. I...it doesn't feel right." 

 She glances back at Soren after his last sentence,  "Talk to that? Yeah, I probably could. But why would I want to?"  

 "Maybe you can tell it that we just want to let it go and please don't eat us?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Which is why we find a way to do it from a distance. Or make it go after something else."  He pauses.  "Look, I'm not going to shoot something in a cage and helpless. I...it doesn't feel right."  
 

Kaarna spreads her hands and sighs.  "That's a big strong ape that could rip your head off given the chance. You really want to give it that?"  She looking for the others for support in the matter.


  "Maybe you can tell it that we just want to let it go and please don't eat us?"  

The witch snorts,  "I doubt that it will care, but if it makes you happy."  She closes her eyes for a moment and let's out a hoarse cough. What she says next in gruff primitive voice is incomprehensible for the others, but should be understandable for the creature in the cage.  [Feral Speech]"You, in the cage! Stop breaking it, or you're dead soon!"[/Feral Speech] 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: for Kaarna 
"How long do you think your cage will hold me?"
 


The creature redoubles its efforts.
CWater
Kaarna raises an eyebrow.
 
 Spoiler 
 [Feral Speech]"It ain't our cage. Stop that, and we might let you out. Keep doing it, and we'll kill you before you break it!"[/Feral Speech] 

Intimidate:  (1d20+5)[ 22 ]  (Kaarna's not really one for Diplomacy.)
 
Kish
You can tell from Kaarna's body language that she's threatening the girallon. The girallon roars and shakes the bars harder.
 
 Spoiler: for Kaarna 
"I will have my revenge!"
 

 "I don't think threatening him is the best approach,"  Scholar says.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren slaps his open palm on his forehead.  "Kaarna, that's not--Stop! Why are you threatening him? I think that's making it worse! What is he even saying?" 

Soren looks around for a long stick. When he does he impales some jerky on the stick and, crouching down, gingerly extends the stick with the jerky on it towards the cage. He moves slowly and if he does talk it's in a soothing voice.

 
 Spoiler 
Is Soren able to aid with Diplomacy or anything? Or should he roll on his own?
 
CWater
Kaarna follows Soren's antics with a mix of amusement and annoyance.  "I don't think it's hungry, it says it wants revenge."

[Feral Speech]"Revenge against whom? The lizardfolk? We're not with them."[/Feral Speech] 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Diplomacy won't work when he doesn't understand you. You can try Sense Motive to sense his motives.
 

 
 Spoiler: Kaarna 
"Whatever you are, if you want a fight, I'll tear you in half!"
 
 He roars and shakes the bars again.

 
 Spoiler: Sense Motive 20, or 15 for Kaarna 

While he likely would attack you if you let him out, he didn't seem at all interested in you personally until Kaarna threatened him; he mainly seemed to be angry at the lizardfolk.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna thinks for a moment.
 "If it wants revenge against the lizard folk, it might be beneficial to turn it against them." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Well, maybe tell him we're fighting the lizardfolk too? Hang on, maybe we can show him the bodies! 
 
 Spoiler: Sense Motive 
 (d20+12)[ 22 ] 

Also, how far are we from the dead lizardfolk?
 


Taking a closer look at the beast's body language, Soren rubs his face into his hands and groans.  "Kaarna, did you just make him personally angry against us? When he wasn't before?" 
CWater
 
 Spoiler: Sense Motive  
 (1d20+4)[ 18 ] 

Earlier, I was under the impression that it was about to break out on its own.
 


Kaarna lets out a frustrated sigh.  [FS]"We don't want a fight with you. We fight the lizardfolk, that's enough trouble as it is."[/FS] 

Kaarna turns to Soren,  "What does it matter? I don't know why I even bothered, let's move on. It can roar as much as it likes." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren frowns and says,  "I guess...should we show it the lizardfolk are dead though?"  A thought comes to him and he shows the garillon the amulet and items he took off the lizardfolk. Maybe he will recognize them.

 
 Spoiler 
I'm cool with progressing if you all agree, though I'm curious about his reaction to this, if any. Especially since we can't decide.
 
Kish
The girallon continues trying to break free.  "I don't think he's quite at the level of telling the difference between different weapon and armor designs,"  Scholar says.  "Try asking him if he'd take a chance to kill the lizardfolk--and for Aureon's sake don't threaten him again." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I think I need to learn to speak monster,"  Soren says as he tucks the the amulet back under his robes.  "I thought he might reconcile these." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 The girallon continues trying to break free.  "I don't think he's quite at the level of telling the difference between different weapon and armor designs,"  Scholar says.  "Try asking him if he'd take a chance to kill the lizardfolk--and for Aureon's sake don't threaten him again."  
 

Kaarna lets out another exaggerated sigh, but turns back towards the cage.  [FR]"These folks want to give you a chance to kill lizardfolk. Do you want that?"[/FR] 
 
 Spoiler 
Even if she's the second oldest in this group, it doesn't always show.😉
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Kaarna 
"The lizards who walk on two legs who locked me in here. I will kill them all!"
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler: Kaarna 
"The lizards who walk on two legs who locked me in here. I will kill them all!"
 
 
 

 [FR]"We also want those lizards dead. Now pay attention. We let you  out.  You don't kill  us.  We don't kill you."[/FR] 
Kish
The girallon stops shaking the cage long enough to consider this.

 
 Spoiler: Kaarna 
"Let me out of here and stay out of my way, and I won't break you."
 
CWater
Kaarna spreads her hands and takes a few steps back.  "Alright, if someone brave and foolish want to risk their necks now, go ahead and let it out."

"Yeah, it said it would go kill the lizardfolk and leave us be if we do the same",  she adds,  "Hope it remembers that..." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna begins to shepherd everyone from the group away from the cage and away from the gate opening of the cage. She'll even lightly push people who aren't moving fast enough. She also begins to speak in a manner much like giving orders to troops.
 "If that's what's going to happen, then I want everyone out of the path where it might charge out of the cage. Everyone be on guard in case it turns around and does come for us. Do we have a spell that makes anyone move faster? If we cast it on the person who is undoing the cage, then they can run towards us the instant they undo the cage. Since this is a decision you all have decided, I'll only endorse it if we have these or similar precautions prepared." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Hey!"  Soren says as he stumbles from Adrienne's sudden push.  "a What if we stand on top of the cage or something?" 
rypt
Athard glares at Soren.   "Enough already.  Have you forgotten where we are?"   He turns sharply to Adrianna, his patience wearing thin.   "Open the bloody cage, corporal." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna regards Arthard for a brief moment to consider. Then after making sure everyone is far enough back to her liking, she proceeds over to the cage entrance.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard glares at Soren.   "Enough already.  Have you forgotten where we are?"  
 

 "I know where we are,"  Soren says.  "Were in the middle of a jungle where more things are trying to kill and/or eat us than aren't, and we might have convinced this guy to put us in the latter category before we head inside the temple where there will probably be more things trying to kill and/or eat us, but maybe there will be fewer mosquitoes during it."  the words came out of Soren at once, and once he's done he takes a deep breath and flashes a grin. He also swats a mosquito for emphasis.

 
 Spoiler: Rypt, I'm kinda curious  
did Athard react at all to what Soren said about himself and Cyre?
 
Kish
Scholar moves back from the cage.  "I don't have any spells like that ," she says.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: Question 
I thought from the post that Adrienne was opening the cage?
 
Silverraptor
As soon as Adrianna makes sure that everyone is far enough back to satisfy her need for their safety, she then cautiously removes the log from the cage at an angle so that she is not in the most direct path should the girallon charge out.

 
 Spoiler 
I'm assuming no one else has anything to add so thought that I would proceed.
 
Kish
Adrianna struggles with the log but removes it. As soon as it's free, the girallon violently shoves the cage door open, knocking Adrianna out of the way. Bellowing furiously, he takes off at a run to the northwest.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren heads over and helps Adrianne to her feet, then watches the girallon tear off into the jungle. Hopefully he won't react badly once he finds out they killed the other lizardfolk. But it definitely feels good, watching him go free--especially when he takes a closer look and smell at the inside of the cage.

 "I guess that's our cue to exit?" 

If everyone else agrees, Soren heads back into formation and towards the temple with everyone else.
rypt
Athard watches the girallon disappear into the jungle.   "I wish him all the best,"  he says dryly as he turns to continue on toward the temple.
CWater
Kaarna shrugs.  "As long as we don't get an extra enemy. Let's move on." 
Kish
You approach the temple. Granite columns hold a stone roof 20 feet above a stepped stone platform. Between the columns, a low circular wall rises 3 feet from the floor, surrounding a circular well 10 feet across. At the north end of the portico, a short stair enters the temple proper. Between the columns, large bipedal creatures pace.

 
 Spoiler: Perception 20 

 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
" There went the ape. Was that what caused the alarm? "
 "No, I told you, it was the signal for intruders. Besides, the  girallon  was in its cage when I left." 
 "This better not be a false--" 
  "Stay alert."  
 

The last voice is harsh and sibilant, sounding much less human than the other two.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The moment Soren sees the figures he stops and crouched lower, trying to hide in any undergrowth. He falls silent and tries to listen in.

 
 Spoiler: Question  
can I take 10 for a 20?
 


EDIT: Soren's eyes widen and he whispers,  "The girallon ran past here. They heard the alarm from this whistle thing,"  he holds out the reed on a string just enough for the rest of the party to see,  "but one of them thinks it was the girallon rather than the actual alarm that lizardfolk did. Oh, and there's a third voice that told them to shut up and stay alert. That voice was...harsher, deeper. Didn't sound fully human." 
 
 Spoiler: Kish? 
How many figures can Soren see?
 
rypt
Athard frowns and shakes his head.   "That third one sounds like trouble."   He turns to Soren.   "The illusion spell you cast last night, could you use it to create the sight and sound of a poison dusk twirling one of those alarms?" 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Athard takes 10 on his Perception check for 21.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren grins and nods.  "Of course I can! Better yet,"  he holds up the reed on the string,  "I can play the real thing! They can't disbelieve that. Heh, I was thinking the same thing too." 
rypt
Athard's eyes narrow.   "Think for a moment about how that would work.  If you use the reed you're holding, you'll call them right to us.  If you use an illusion, you can draw them off into the jungle." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "True...Athard, we only need the sound, right? I can cast an illusion that fakes sight and sound, but it takes a lot out of me. Casting a spell that only includes sound is much, much easier--I can do it all day--but its range is only about fifty feet. I think I can make it sound like it's coming from farther away though." 
rypt
 "Fifty feet is not very far.  What happens when they reach the fifty-first and realize that the sound is coming from behind them rather than in front?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren pauses.  "You mean make it sound really far away behind them than in front? Because I can make it sound soft and far away. So I should use an illusion instead?" 
 
 Spoiler: Kish 
is this something that i need to worry about with the illusions? Also, how far away is the lizardfolk camp we attacked?
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren looks at the lizardfolk standing guard, then back at the campsite turned battleground. He flicks his tongue over his lips, then motions for everyone to crouch and hide in the foliage.  "I'm going to make it sound like the girallon attacked and the lizardfolk are calling for help. I don't know if it will work and if it does it won't work long, so we need to hurry." 

With that, he concentrates and mimes the motion of swinging the whistle. Suddenly, the buzzing sound that they heard before during the battle rises from the campsite a couple hundred feet back. Except that this time the whistle sounds staggered, labored, as if the lizardfolk sounding the alarm doesn't have the strength to maintain a swing.

 
 Spoiler: Kish 
Soren casts Minor Image for range, mainly for the whistle. Again, he's making it sound like the alarm is coming from a lizardfolk calling for help, except that he's badly injured and unable to maintain the steady swinging motion. He'll also add an illusion of girallon footprints in the area if possible. I know Athard collected all the arrows and stuff.
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
" More fighting?" 
 "A patrol found them, I guess?" 
 


The speakers don't seem to be coming down from the temple.
CoffeeIncluded
 "It's not working!"  Soren whispers as he translates what the guards are saying. The illusory sound of the warning reed becomes slower and more labored.  "What should we do?" 
CWater
 "You could try something more dramatic, like a proper ear-piercing scream",  Kaarna suggests,  "That usually gets people's attention." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I was going to have the illusion shout for help in Draconic, but speech is tricky. I'm not strong enough to cast an illusion with speech yet. He also said there are patrols."  Soren pauses in thought, though the illusion continues.  "Of they don't move should I have an illusion of people running past in the direction of the girrallon to draw them off?"  
Silverraptor
Adrianna just stands there with her arms crossed. Her eyes pass back and forth from the direction the illusion sound is coming, the figures on patrol, and Soren. When the figures fail to move initially on the first attempt, she raises an eyebrow, but continues to not speak a word.
Kish
 "If they're guards and there are patrols..."  Scholar shakes her head.  "It sounds like they're organized enough that getting them to leave their posts isn't going to be that easy. They apparently already know we were dangerous enough to wipe out two groups of lizardfolk." 
CWater
 "Then we attack",  Kaarna says and stretches her arms,  "Unless someone wants to try scouting first, to get a better look what's in there.  I'm  not interested",  she underlines,  "got enough poison in my veins for one day." 
rypt
 "I'll take a look."  

Creeping forward through the brush, Athard approaches the platform, hoping to peer up from the ground to get a better look at the three figures.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Athard will switch to the Body of the Night stance for +4 to Stealth.

Stealth:  (d20+14)[ 21 ] 
Perception:  (d20+11)[ 31 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "If they're guards and there are patrols..."  Scholar shakes her head.  "It sounds like they're organized enough that getting them to leave their posts isn't going to be that easy. They apparently already know we were dangerous enough to wipe out two groups of lizardfolk."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Then we attack",  Kaarna says and stretches her arms,  "Unless someone wants to try scouting first, to get a better look what's in there.  I'm  not interested",  she underlines,  "got enough poison in my veins for one day."  
 

Soren frowns even as the sound of the illusion continues.  "You're probably right. I'm going to keep this illusion up, maybe we can use it to gain the element of surprise or something."  He grins sheepishly.  "And to be honest id really rather not stop it without doing something productive. Beyond giving myself a pseudo-pseudodragon familiar or something, I mean." 

 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
  "I'll take a look."  

Creeping forward through the brush, Athard approaches the platform, hoping to peer up from the ground to get a better look at the three figures.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Athard will switch to the Body of the Night stance for +4 to stealth.
 
 
 

 "Let me know if you need anything,"  Soren whispers as Athard creeps out of the brush.
Kish
Athard sees three ogre-sized lizardfolk pacing around on the portico, indistinct in the dawn. They look restless but not like they're considering descending the stairs.

 
 Spoiler: Perception 20 

At the top of the steps leading up from the portico to the temple proper stands a creature with the upper torso of a powerfully built reptilian humanoid and the lower body of a four-legged wingless dragon.
 


Suddenly, a black dragon's head emerges from the well and looks directly at Athard.  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
  "There he is,  "
 
 the sibilant voice you heard earlier snaps.  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
  "Kill him!"  
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: NOTE 
This is assuming that Soren can hear what the dragon is saying, which I think seems likely given that he could hear it before?
 


Soren's eyes widen at the command. Sweat, already beading up on his neck and brow, starts running down his face and he flicks his tongue against his teeth in fear.  "They saw him. That's not good. I'm going to try and distract them; I really hope this works!"  The half-elf closes his eyes and starts humming a tune as he sways side to side. Heavy footsteps--or at least their illusion--shake through the jungle in time with his swaying, then stop to be replaced by equally heavy wingbeats. He opens his eyes and at the same time a loud shriek, a heavy roar, pierces the air and a shape zooms overhead. It's hard to tell from just a glimpse, but it looks like a large or larger copper dragon zooming overhead, roaring as it passes above the pedestal where Athard was sneaking towards and the lizardfolk are standing. The dragon illusion doesn't stop as it heads off into the direction the girralon went, conveniently ducking down under the overgrowth and out of sight at the edge of Soren's spell range. Anyone looking at Soren can see his breathing and heart rate race from exertion as he pushes his illusion to the limits of what he can do.

 
 Spoiler: What he did 
Soren changed the Minor Image to that of a dragon to hopefully draw off the lizardfolk and whatever found Athard and said to kill him.
 
CWater
 "Well, well, you did get to make a dragon",  Kaarna says and pats the bard's shoulder. She just observes the scene, though activates her flight hex.
rypt
As the dragon peers from the well, Athard grits his teeth and curses silently, recognizing its sightless sense and ability to pinpoint his location.  Hoping that the other lizardfolk have yet to spot him, he keeps low, carefully choosing his steps as he makes his way back around the western wall.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Not sure if another Stealth check is necessary, but in the event that it is:  (d20+14)[ 21 ] 

I realize we haven't rolled initiative yet, but Athard is essentially double moving at half speed so as not to incur Stealth penalties.  His priority is to get around the corner as soon as possible to break line of sight and line of effect with the dragon.
 
Kish
Athard hurries back around the corner. No one seems to be following him.
  "Hnnnnnnnnnnnn,  " the dragon's voice says.
 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "Was that a--?" 
  "You, go tell the others what you saw. Be precise and thorough. We'll stay here."  
 


No one comes down from the portico, that you can see.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Well, well, you did get to make a dragon",  Kaarna says and pats the bard's shoulder. She just observes the scene, though activates her flight hex. 
 

 "That was so much fun to cast,"  Soren says as he returns Kaarna's pat with one of his own and a brilliant grin. Indeed, the illusion still seems to be going on, or at least the loud roaring noises at the range of the spell are.


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Athard hurries back around the corner. No one seems to be following him.
  "Hnnnnnnnnnnnn,  " the dragon's voice says.
 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "Was that a--?" 
  "You, go tell the others what you saw. Be precise and thorough. We'll stay here."  
 


No one comes down from the portico, that you can see. 
 

The grin slips off Soren's face a bit as he see Athard return, though he does look relieved.  "What happened? I heard something say to kill you so I made an illusion of a copper dragon fly where the girrallon went to try and draw them away. Did it work? What was up there?" 
rypt
 "There's a black dragon hiding in the well,"  Athard says.  He grits his teeth and shakes his head.   "Can't imagine it's all that large, but it can sense movement in the surrounding air.  There's no sneaking by it."   He peeks quickly around the corner to make sure nothing is coming to root them out.   "In addition to the two sentries, there's also some sort of dragon-lizard hybrid waiting further up the steps." 
Silverraptor
 "So, suggestions? I imagine the illusion is buying us a little time. But we need to decide what to do now. I don't think its a good idea to fight the lizards and the dragon at the same time. Plus, we don't know if any reinforcements are en route. Our best bet is to separate the lizards and the dragon and dispatch them separately, but so far it doesn't seem like the lizards will leave. Any ideas?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
  "There's a black dragon hiding in the well,"  Athard says.  He grits his teeth and shakes his head.   "Can't imagine it's all that large, but it can sense movement in the surrounding air.  There's no sneaking by it."   He peeks quickly around the corner to make sure nothing is coming to root them out.   "In addition to the two sentries, there's also some sort of dragon-lizard hybrid waiting further up the steps."  
 

Soren chokes on whatever he was going to say, his face going stark white under his deep red hair. He too peers fearfully through the undergrowth, terrified at whatever might be coming their way. The illusionary dragon's roars seem momentarily more high-pitched.


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "So, suggestions? I imagine the illusion is buying us a little time. But we need to decide what to do now. I don't think its a good idea to fight the lizards and the dragon at the same time. Plus, we don't know if any reinforcements are en route. Our best bet is to separate the lizards and the dragon and dispatch them separately, but so far it doesn't seem like the lizards will leave. Any ideas?"  
 

 "No way am I fighting lizards and dragons and half-dragon lizard things! That's suicide!"  Soren exclaims softly, unable to keep the fright from his voice.  "Nu-uh, no way. I can cast invisibility, but not on all of us and it sounds like the dragon would spot us anyway.  Is there another place where we could enter? Maybe in back, or underground, or above?" 
CWater
 "Aye. I signed up to fight lizards, not dragons",  Kaarna nods and crosses her arms,  "I've got no desire to coat myself in acid." 
Kish
 "We can look for a back entrance ," Scholar says dubiously, seeming otherwise unmoved by Athard's grim report,  "but if there's an entrance that's as easy to find as the front one, it's likely just as guarded." 
Kish
You sneak around the temple.
 
 Spoiler: Perception and Stealth checks 

Soren Perception:  (1d20+10)[ 24 ] 
Soren Stealth:  (1d20+9)[ 28 ] 
Kaarna Perception:  (1d20+6)[ 25 ] 
Kaarna Stealth:  (1d20+4)[ 14 ] 
Scholar Perception:  (1d20+4)[ 15 ] 
Scholar Stealth:  (1d20+1)[ 10 ] 
Athard Perception:  (1d20+11)[ 12 ] 
Athard Stealth:  (1d20+10)[ 26 ] 
Adrianna Perception:  (1d20)[ 9 ] 
Adrianna Stealth:  (1d20-4)[ 4 ] 
 


Soren and Kaarna spot two poison dusk lizardfolk patrols from far enough away to give them a wide berth, which is lucky as Adrianna sounds like an elephant crashing through the undergrowth. Unfortunately, if there is a back entrance to the temple, it's beyond your ability to see.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren winces with every single clanking crashing step Adrienne makes. Why didn't he take a silencing spell. At least the sound doesn't impede his hearing, as he and Kaarna spot a patrol and stop, holding out a hand for the others. It gives them enough time to walk around and avoid them, but there's still no entrance to the temple.

 "Dammit. We're going to have to go in through the front, aren't we?"  The bard sighs, but seems to perk up suddenly as a thought comes to him.  "Unless, is there a window around here on the second floor or something?"  Indeed, he looks for one.

 
 Spoiler 
And now to study for my last final. See you all later!
 
Kish
Scholar follows Soren's gaze up. No windows are visible, but she says,  "Do you have some means of enabling all of us to climb up there, Soren? I doubt Kaarna can carry us, even if one at a time would be safe. She could scout, but they might shoot her down."  Scholar's tone is dispassionate.

The temple is a little under sixteen metres tall.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren holds up his hand and wiggles his fingers.  "I told you, I can make people invisible. And even better, I have a bag of holding!"  He looks up at the temple, and dances a little in place as ideas begin to form and spout from him.  "Okay, I think I hav an idea. I can turn Kaarna invisible, and then we hide in my bag of holding as she flies us up through a window or something. They won't see her!" 
Kish
 "How much weight can your bag hold?"  Scholar asks.
Silverraptor
Adrianna raises a highly skeptical eyebrow.
 "I don't suppose we'll be able to breathe in that bag of holding?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Uh..."  Soren sticks his head into the bag. When he speaks his voice sounds muffled and distant.  "Yeah, this isn't going to work. What about Kaarna flying up with a rope for us to climb? If we time it so the patrols are on the other side of the temple we might be able to get in without being spotted?" 

He yanks his head out of the bag; his dark red hair sticks up in a shock before he can flatten it.  "What do you think?" 
Kish
Scholar looks up at the temple.  "How much rope do we have? I presume Adrianna will be climbing unarmored. I have no particular skill at climbing but I'm not worried about falling; what about the rest of you?" 
CWater
 "I've got no rope along",  Kaarna says,  "But I'll take a look around, if Soren can make me invisible." 
 
 Spoiler 
She'll fly above the temple, trying to determine if there is another way in anywhere, on the roof or otherwise. She'll use 3 minutes of Flight  at most  on this.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Of course,"  Soren says as he passes Kaarna all the rope he has--at least a hundred feet--and a grappling hook as well. He then murmurs a song in elven, so quiet as to barely be noticeable. And in fact the words are a call for Kaarna to be beyond notice as well.

When he finished, Kaarna winks out of sight.  "It'll only last about five minutes,"  he says.
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Kaarna 

You find no windows, but there are gaps in the roof. Looking down, you see an apparently deserted wide hall from the well-guarded portico to the back wall of the temple, bisecting the structure. You see a bas relief of a skeletal dragon battling a horde of demons at the north end of the hallway (farthest from the portico).
 
CWater
Without stopping to ponder the matter any longer, the invisible witch flies back to the party and taps Adrianna on the shoulder (not at all to test if she would flinch, no..).

 "There's holes on the roof, let's get going. Try to stay hidden, I'll throw the rope for you."  She gives a rough description of the spot she intends to tie the rope to (as she can't point), then flies back the way she came.

Kaarna lands on the roof and attaches the rope as well as she can, then waits for the rest of the party to get there. She keeps an eye on the surroundings, should she see any lizardfolk, or worse.

 
 Spoiler 
Is a check needed for the rope?
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna looks over her shoulder at the tap and keeps her hand grasped around the hilt of her sword. But when she hears the witch talking she loosens her grasp.
 "Should I take off my armor again and call it on when we get to the top?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Without stopping to ponder the matter any longer, the invisible witch flies back to the party and taps Adrianna on the shoulder (not at all to test if she would flinch, no..).

 "There's holes on the roof, let's get going. Try to stay hidden, I'll throw the rope for you."  She gives a rough description of the spot she intends to tie the rope to (as she can't point), then flies back the way she came.

Kaarna lands on the roof and attaches the rope as well as she can, then waits for the rest of the party to get there. She keeps an eye on the surroundings, should she see any lizardfolk, or worse.

 
 Spoiler 
Is a check needed for the rope?
 
 
 

 "Perfect!"  Finally, some progress! Soren keeps his eyes out for Kaarna to drop the rope so they can head over and up.


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna looks over her shoulder at the tap and keeps her hand grasped around the hilt of her sword. But when she hears the witch talking she loosens her grasp.
 "Should I take off my armor again and call it on when we get to the top?"  
 

 "That's probably a good idea,"  Soren says with an exaggerated wince at the memory of her clanking through the undergrowth.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Nice,"  Soren says as he sees the rope come down. Once they make their way across he looks up and with a quick chant turns it green like the ivy that lines the wall. Satisfied, Soren follows the group up the rope. If any guards come while they're climbing up and seem like they're about to look their way, he casts yet another illusion--a weaker silent image this time--to cover them as they ascend.
Kish
More lizardfolk patrols come by as you climb, but Soren's spell prevents them from seeing you.

Looking down on  the corridor Kaarna saw , you can see everything from R2 to U12.
CWater
 "So, where'd ya like to go in?",  Kaarna asks, not directing the question to anyone in particular,  "Far away from that dragon thingy you saw, I say." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren pulls himself onto the roof. Once everyone is out of sight he shifts the silent image to more planks of wood, covering them from above. He crawls over to the edge of the roof and peers inside.  "Well, it looks like the path goes in two directions, so we just need to find which one leads to the dragon and go the other way, right?"   He looks down, then up again, trying to get a mental image of the interior.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 
Perception:  (d20+10)[ 11 ] 
Knowledge (Dungeoneering):  (d20+8)[ 11 ] 
Knowledge (Engineering): Take 10 for 18.

Soren has low-light vision; can he see farther?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Alright, so if the stairs are there,"  Soren points to where Athard was a few minutes before,  "And we don't want to fight that dragon, then we should probably go this way." 
Silverraptor
 "That sounds like a reasonable idea. Shall we get going?" 
Kish
Athard climbs down first; while he's still on the rope but approaching the floor, Scholar casually steps off the roof, floating to the floor. Adrianna climbs down behind him, followed by Kaarna and finally Soren. You regroup at the north end of the corridor and start down the eastern passage you saw.
 
 Spoiler 

 (1d20+6)[ 15 ] 
&gt;&gt;Kaarna: 28
&gt;&gt;Athard: 25
?? 19
Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
?? 12
?? 7
Adrianna: 4

Kaarna is up...as is Athard, but if no one else wants to take him over in combat I'll decide an action for him after Kaarna acts.

 Map  is updated. Red is the altar, cyan is the well.
 


As you edge along the corridor, a massive shape suddenly looms before you, a massive club in its scaly hands. This blackscale wears robes, but its bulk suggests armor beneath the cloth. From across the chamber, a second lizardfolk lurches toward you.

A massive altar dominates the far wall, a mural behind it stretching all the way to the chamber's vaulted ceiling. The mural depicts a massive black dragon perched atop an active volcano, the glow of molten lava reflected in the red of the beast's eyes. The bodies of demons litter the base of the volcano, while other fiendish creatures can be seen trapped within it.

A low circular wall surrounds a well in the center of the room. An open archway in the wall opposite the altar appears to lead to a vestry.
CWater
 "May your armour break",  Kaarna mutters and takes a step back.

 
 Spoiler 

Standard action:  Evil Eye  at BS1, choosing -2 to AC lasts 6 rounds, with Will save DC 15 only 1 round.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna calls her armor on and prepares for combat.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren easily hops to the ground, his elven heritage giving him te reflected to Land light on his feet. He grabs his bow and quickly and quietly makes his way around the corridor with everyone else.

A tableau of a black dragon and demon...things, with lots of fire and brimstone and wings and tentacles.  Though a first glance doesn't really indicate that the dragon is part demon or anything.

There isn't time for a second glance since a hulking blackscale with a club and another lizardfolk are headed their way.  "I don't think I can talk these guys down!"  Soren says in an increasingly high pitched voice.
rypt
Athard draws his sword as he steps forward.   "Those arrows I gave you?"  he glances back at Sorren.   "Now would be fine time to use them."   The Cyran then swings his sword towards the robed blackscale, his blade becoming a strand of liquid metal.  As it lashes itself around the creatures leg, Athard pulls on the hilt with all his strength, attempting to bring the massive creature to the ground.

 
 Spoiler 
Move action: Draw his sword.
Free action: 5-foot step to AB5.
Swift action: Adopt the Scarlet Throne Style.
Standard action: Cast   blade lash   on the robed blackscale (which I assume is BS1).
Touch attack:  (d20+7)[ 27 ] 
Trip check:  (d20+16)[ 21 ] 
 
Kish
Kaarna retreats. Athard pulls the nearer robed lizardfolk to the floor. To your south, you hear chanting.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+9)[ 21 ] 
&gt;&gt;Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
?? 12
?? 7
Adrianna: 4
Kaarna: 28
Athard: 25
?? 19

Tripping in Pathfinder doesn't work like it does in D&amp;D. You only make one roll (the attack roll, with your CMB in place of your normal attack bonus), and if it exceeds the target's CMD the target is knocked prone; if it falls 10 or more points short you are knocked prone instead. Would that attack roll be d20+7 or d20+16 for Athard?

You can spend an action point to add 1d6 to any d20 roll, but only if you don't know the results of any rolls that depend on it--e.g., if you think you might want to boost your attack roll, don't roll damage along with the attack roll.

Soren is up. Purple text denotes a prone creature on the map.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Let me get this song going first!"  Soren says as he twirls in place and starts breaking into a frenetic chant and dance, raising his voice to try and drown out the chanting to the south. He then steps back next to Kaarna.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's action 
Soren uses Inspire Courage (+2 to attack, damage, and saves against fear). Can he tell what the chanting to the south is (if it's magical or not)?

After that, he retreats to X5.
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: the chanting 

You think it's most likely magical, though you can't tell for sure.
 

Scholar steps forward and casts a spell on Athard, who promptly grows until he's bigger than the lizardfolk.
 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft 16 

The spell is Enlarge Person.
 

The tripped lizardfolk climbs to its feet and casts some kind of spell on itself. The farther-away lizardfolk yells at Athard, " Fall! "
 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft 16, separate roll 

BS1 cast Protection from Good.
 

 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft 16, third roll 

BS2 cast Command.
 

 
 Spoiler 

Athard needs to make a DC 13 Will save or fall to the floor and remain prone until BS2's next action. Note that if "bigger than the lizardfolk" is unclear, I mean that they're around 10 feet tall while he's around 12 feet tall; he's now a Large creature just like them.
&gt;&gt;Adrianna: 4
&gt;&gt;Kaarna: 28
&gt;&gt;Athard: 25
?? 19
Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
BS1: 12
BS2: 7

 Map  is updated. Adrianna, Kaarna, and Athard are up.
 
rypt
Athard's blade is back in its sheath before the robed blackscale hits the ground.  The lizardfolk manages to cast a spell after rising to its feet, but rather than submit to the creature's will, Athard advances, drawing on the power of Scholar's spell and Soren's song as he guides his sword -- now twice the size it was when he sheathed it -- through a devastatingly swift upward strike.

 
 Spoiler 
Move action: Sheath his sword, triggering the Bushi's maneuver recovery.  He will recover  flurry strike .
Free action: 5-foot step to the right.
Free action: Draw his sword courtesy of Quick Draw.
Standard action: Initiate  rising zenith strike  on BS1.  Normal attack roll is replaced with a Sense Motive check.  Success deals double damage.  He will Power Attack for +3 damage.
 Sense Motive:  (d20+12)[ 32 ] 
Damage:  (2d6+12)[ 14 ] *2 +  (1d6)[ 3 ]  = [ 32 ] Swift action: If the blackscale takes damage but survives, he will Claim it.
 
CWater
Kaarna takes a step forward and stomps the floor with force.  "Watch your feet",  she taunts the lizardfolk, completing her spell, and air bursts upward from the ground below the one farther away.

 
 Spoiler 
Move action: Moving to AA4.
Standard action: Casting  Air Geyser  on BS2.
Damage:  (2d6)[ 10 ] , Ref save DC 16 for half
If fails the save, the target is also lift up and hits the ceiling (max for Kaarna is 25 ft.) for another  (2d6)[ 5 ]  damage, then falls down and takes falling damage  (2d6)[ 9 ] . I would assume the target is prone after the fall, but it's not explicitly stated.

Spellcraft to recognize the enemy spells:
 (1d20+11)[ 20 ] 
 (1d20+11)[ 13 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Adrianne calls her armor to herself and rushes out to defend Athard in combat, setting up her sword in a guarding stance.

 
 Spoiler: Action 
It seems like Adrianne didn't have her armor out before combat so she's doing that now. Never mind what I had planned; it'll have to wait for next round.
 
Kish
Athard wounds the nearer lizardfolk severely. Kaarna casts a spell at the farther one, who goes sailing into the air. You hear more chanting from the south.

 
 Spoiler 

 (1d20+4)[ 12 ] 
&gt;&gt;Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
BS1: 12
BS2: 7
Adrianna: 4
Kaarna: 28
Athard: 25
?? 19

 Map  is updated and Soren is up.
Soren is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I think that song is magical! Can anyone silence it!"  Soren continues his chant, an elven plea for good fortune in battle, as he steps behind Athard and fires an arrow at the badly wounded lizardfolk.  "The next one will be scented; I figured you wouldn't need it for him,"  he whispers.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls 
Attack:  (d20+9)[ 12 ] 
Action point on the attack roll (am I doing this right?):  (d6)[ 2 ] 
Crit confirm:  (d20+9)[ 19 ] 
Damage:  (d6+6)[ 7 ] 
Crit damage (if applicable):  (d6+6)[ 9 ]   (d6+6)[ 11 ] 

Spellcraft 1:  (d20+6)[ 15 ] 
Spellcraft 2:  (d20+6)[ 12 ] 
Spellcraft 3:  (d20+6)[ 7 ] 
 
Kish
Scholar punches the air in front of herself and takes a step forward. The blackscale closest to you takes a step back and swallows the contents of a flask. The farther one climbs back to its feet and moves forward. From the south you hear a yell,  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "Defend the temple of your father! "
 

 
 Spoiler 

Attack roll:  (1d20+3)[ 15 ] 
Damage:  (1d4+1)[ 2 ] 
 (2d8+3)[ 14 ] 

&gt;&gt;Adrianna: 4
&gt;&gt;Kaarna: 28
&gt;&gt;Athard: 25
?? 19
Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
BS1: 12
BS2: 7

 Map  is updated; Adrianna, Kaarna, and Athard are up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Adrianne steps forward and swings her sword at the lizardfolk that just drank the potion. As she does so she shouts a prayer to Dol Arrah, and her blade glows in a brilliant light. When the blade comes down she screams,  "Smite evil!" 
 
 Spoiler: Attack 
SMITE EVIL on BS1!
Attack:  (d20+13)[ 18 ] 

More if needed.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: Action point and potential damage 
Action point:  (d6)[ 1 ] 
Damage:  (d8+8)[ 16 ] 
 
CWater
Kaarna glares at the same lizardfolk she sent flying earlier.  "May your eyes tire and aim be sloppy",  she mutters.

 
 Spoiler 

Standard action:  Evil Eye  at BS2, choosing -2 to attack rolls, lasts 6 rounds, with Will save DC 15 only 1 round.

She doesn't move, but she moved to AA4 last round.
 
rypt
Athard turns his attention to the approaching blackscale, weaving his blade through a trio of cuts at it steps within his reach.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
BS2's movement provokes an attack of opportunity since Athard now has reach.  Power Attack still applies from his last turn.
 Attack:  (d20+8)[ 10 ] 
Damage:  (2d6+12)[ 19 ]  +  (1d6)[ 2 ]  
Swift action: Athard will Claim BS2 at the start of his turn if he landed a hit with the attack of opportunity.  Otherwise, he will Claim BS2 as soon as he damages it (see below).
Standard action: Initiate  flurry strike  for two attacks at full attack bonus.
 Attack 1:  (d20+9)[ 18 ] 
Damage 1:  (2d6+9)[ 14 ]  +  (1d6)[ 5 ]  +   (1d6)[ 5 ] (only if Claimed) 

Attack 2:  (d20+9)[ 29 ] 
Damage 2:  (2d6+9)[ 17 ]  +  (1d6)[ 3 ]  +   (1d6)[ 5 ] (only if Claimed)  = [ 20 ]
Crit confirm 2: [ 24 ]
Crit damage 2: [ 20 ] 
I'm assuming both the attack of opportunity and Attack 1 were misses, in which case, BS2 is only Claimed at the end of Athard's turn (so no bonus damage).
 
Kish
Athard's sword cuts his target nearly in two. You hear more chanting from the south.
 
 Spoiler 

&gt;&gt;Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
BS1: 12
Adrianna: 4
Kaarna: 28
Athard: 25
?? 19

Soren is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Holy ****,"  Soren mutters, or rather whispers rapidly between breaths and beats of the song. He fires another arrow at the remaining blackscale in sight.  "Let their song cease!"  he himself sings as he does so.

 
 Spoiler: Attack: 
 (d20+9)[ 22 ] 

Soren also continues the song and runs up to AB4.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: Other rolls 
Do I use an action point before I know if an attack will hit or not? If so, then another action point:  (d6)[ 2 ] 
Damage:  (d6+6)[ 7 ] 
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler 
Yes, you can know what your unmodified roll is, and if you, e.g, figured out that the creature's AC is 45 (the blackscale's AC is less than 45), you know whether that makes an attack roll a miss or a hit, but the GM doesn't tell you "that's a miss" before you choose whether to spend an action point.
 

Soren's arrow strikes the standing blackscale. Scholar moves around the corner and looks into the chamber where the chanting seems to be coming from.  "I don't see anything,"  she says in an oddly calm voice.

 
 Spoiler 

 (1d20+4)[ 21 ] 
 (1d4)[ 2 ] 
&gt;&gt;Adrianna: 4
&gt;&gt;Kaarna: 28
&gt;&gt;Athard: 25
?? 19
Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
BS1: 12

 Map is updated; Adrianna, Kaarna, and Athard are up.  Messed up here. Second, will post.
 
Kish
The blackscale moves to the southwest and swings its massive club at Adrianna.

 
 Spoiler 

Attack:  (1d20+10)[ 17 ] 
Damage:  (2d8+6)[ 14 ] 
 Now  the  map  is updated and Adrianna, Athard, and Kaarna are up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Then it's invisible!"  Soren calls, weaving it into his battle song. Meanwhile, Adrianne blocks the club with her shield and attempts to parry the blow.

 
 Spoiler: Attack 
Adrianne continues attacking BS1.

Attack:  (d20+11)[ 19 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: More rolls 
Looks like it's another action point for Adrianne too.

Action point:  (d6)[ 2 ] 
Damage:  (d8+6)[ 10 ] 
 
CWater
 "Troublesome...",  Kaarna mutters, slipping past Soren and the giant Athard, moving to stand behind Adrianna. She takes a deep breath then opens her mouth wide, as if to scream, though none of the others can hear a sound except for the remaining lizardfolk.

 
 Spoiler 
Standard action: Casts  Ear-Piercing Scream  on BS1.
Damage:  (2d6)[ 6 ]  and daze for 1 round. Fort save DC 14 halves the damage and negates the daze.
Move action: From AA4 to AE4.
 
Kish
Adrianna's sword slash injures the lizardfolk, then as Kaarna screams, the lizardfolk collapses, blood pouring from his ears.
rypt
Athard strides over to the center of the room and peers down the well, joining the others in their search for the source of the chanting.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move action: Move to AF7:AG8.
Standard action: Perception check:  (d20+11)[ 30 ] 
 
Kish
Athard sees a gleam of red eyes about twenty feet down the well.

No one else seems to be present. Whoever or whatever was chanting no longer is.

 
 Spoiler: Perception 10 

You hear hurrying footsteps from the way you came in.
 

 
 Spoiler 

 (1d20+1)[ 16 ] 
 (1d20)[ 16 ] 
 (1d20)[ 17 ] 

&gt;&gt; Soren: 15
&gt;&gt; Scholar: 13
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 4
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 28
&gt;&gt; Athard: 25

Unless Soren's action exposes an enemy, Scholar will back up so that her back is against the wall and not do anything else.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren's keen ears prick up at the sound of movement--footsteps!--running past him. He turns--no, spins--and without a pause in his song does a flourish with hands, bringing his palms together below his chin and then splaying his fingers apart, sweeping his arms back as though he is showering something before him. And indeed, he is.

Once the spell is cast, he slumps slightly from the sudden exhaustion of his most powerful magic.

 
 Spoiler: Rolls and actions 
Perception:  (d20+10)[ 20 ]  (Soren autopasses to hear the footsteps, but let's see if he picks up anything else. He then keeps singing and casts glitterdust wherever he hears the footsteps--can I hold the move action until I see if he gets anything with it?

Also, sorry I wasn't on today; I was at the dentist again! Each crown takes multiple sessions to replace.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Something's coming down the hall this way!"  Soren says, backing up to the well where Athard is. He continues his song, but also peers down the well--and uses Detect Magic if he can see the glowing red eyes as well.
Kish
Soren sees the glowing red eyes, but his Detect Magic doesn't find anything in the well.
 
 Spoiler 

Adrianna, Kaarna, and Athard are still up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Adrianne moves to the corner and readies herself in a defensive stance. But before she does so, she uses a small mirror to peek around the corner.

 
 Spoiler: Adrianne's action: 
She moves to AA5 and uses a mirror to look up and around the corner.
 
CWater
With a few quick leaps, Kaarna positions herself behind giant Athard. As she moves, her hair seems to come alive on its own.

 
 Spoiler 
Activating Prehensile Hair and moving to AH7.
 
rypt
Athard exhales a steadying breath as he flips his blade in his grip and drops it in its sheath.   "Careful,"  he says to Kararna as she steps behind him.   "There's something waiting in that well.  Could be another dragon."   He then touches a hand to a pearl set into the side of his belt and takes a step towards the hallway, preparing himself for whatever is approaching.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Move action: Sheathe his sword, recovering  flurry strike .
Standard action: Active 1 pearl of power, recovering  shocking grasp .
Free action: 5-ft. step to AE6:AF7.
 
Kish
As Soren bends over to peer into the well, another robed blackscale, this one in more ornate robes, pops into existence behind him, swinging a greatclub at him and simultaneously bending to bite him. (27 total damage to Soren.)

Meanwhile, Adrianna sees the dragon-centaur creature Athard observed from outside round the corner, closely followed by two more armored blackscales. The strange creature lunges at her with a spear, shouting,  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
" Varmystix will destroy you, in the name of the children of night!" 
 
 (16 damage to Adrianna.)

 
 Spoiler 

 (1d20+10)[ 25 ]  (1d20+6)[ 20 ] 
 (2d8+6)[ 20 ]  (1d6+2)[ 7 ] 
 (1d20+9)[ 28 ]  (2d6+9)[ 16 ] 
 Map  updated.

&gt;&gt; Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
Adrianna: 4
Kaarna: 28
Athard: 25
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16
Varmystix: 16

Soren is up again. Bold Impact font is nearly illegible.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren opens his mouth to reply, but at that moment the invisible creature that he knew was there suddenly materializes, crushing his shoulder and tearing his back open. Stars of agony burst behind his eyes, and it's all Soren can do to grab the well with his good arm to keep from falling in. He scrambles and steps behind Athard, one shoulder dislocated and nearly useless, and looks frantically around at the sudden reinforcements.  "Kaarna! Athard! Help me! Adrianne, I'm coming!"  As he continues his song, he swipes his hand to mimic someone slipping, and another shimmering pool of grease materializes underneath the two closest creatures attacking Adrianne.


Or at least, it starts. But suddenly Soren gasps in pain and the spell fizzles.
 
 Spoiler: Soren's action 
I don't think Soren can be AoOed if he steps to AF8, so he steps there and takes cover behind the well if possible. If not, he moves to a safe space (I need to tumble if that's the case?). He then continues his song and casts grease on X4, Y4, X5, and Y5. He also uses the Arcanist Gloves to cast them as a 7th level bard instead of a 5th level bard.
 
Kish
Scholar steps away from the wall and makes a punching gesture at the robed lizardfolk, who is unmoved.

 
 Spoiler 

Attack roll:  (1d20+3)[ 12 ] 
Damage:  (1d4+1)[ 3 ] 

&gt;&gt;Adrianna: 4
&gt;&gt;Kaarna: 28
&gt;&gt;Athard: 25
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16
Varmystix: 16
Soren: 15
Scholar: 13

Adrianna, Kaarna, and Athard are up.
 Map  updated.
 
CWater
 "Should have sniffed him out."  Kaarna curses and moves forward, circling around the well.  "Leave the kid be!",  the shifter growls. Her braid rises up and smacks at the lizardfolk, acid dripping from between the strands.

 
 Spoiler 
Move action: Moves to AF11
Standard action: Casts  Trial of Fire and Acid. 
Touch attack with hair (10 ft. reach):  (1d20+6)[ 22 ] 
If hits, 1d6 fire and 1d6 acid damage for 5 rounds. Can do Fort save each round to halve damage.
 
rypt
Athard curses as another blackscale appears from nowhere and delivers two savage blows to Soren.   "Help the girl hold that hallway,"  he growls back to Kaarna and Soren.   "Scholar and I will handle this one."   Stepping between the wounded bard and the club-wielding lizardfolk, the assassin's steel whistles through the air, striking low and high in an attempt to deliver a deadly surge of electricity to this isolated foe.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Free action: Draw sword via Quick Draw.
Free action: 5-ft. step to AD7:AE8.
Swift action: Expend a point from arcane pool to gain +1 enhancement bonus to his katana for 1 minute.
Full-round action: Spell combat + Spellstrike.  1 normal attack followed by  shocking touch  delivered through a weapon attack.  All attacks are made at a -2 penalty.
Attack 1:  (d20+8)[ 20 ] 
Damage 1:  (2d6+10)[ 14 ] + (1d6)[ 6 ] 

Attack 2:  (d20+8)[ 16 ] 
Damage 2: (2d6+10)[ 13 ] + (1d6)[ 5 ] 
Concentration check to cast defensively (might add action point here):  (d20+6)[ 9 ] .  The spell fails, so it's just the 2 attacks.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna notices that the hall way she's standing in prevents the other 2 large creatures behind the centaur from getting down the hallway. Knowing that if they got through, it would be disastrous for those she was charged with protecting, she goes into total defense, and attempts to keep blocking the large creatures.
 "I'll keep these creatures stuck in this hall! You guys finish clearing out the room!" 
Kish
Kaarna's hair strikes the robed blackscale, seemingly doing negligible damage. Athard's two strikes glance off the armor under his robes. He steps to the southeast, swinging his club in a flurry of blows at Athard and bending to bite him at the same time.

The two blackscales behind Varmystix throw javelins at Adrianna.  "Thanks for telling me your plan ," Varmystix says in a heavily accented Common.  "If you have more breakable companions, infidel, then we shall break them." Instead of directly attacking Adrianna, he attempts to shove her into the room with the rest of you, but fails to budge her.

 
 Spoiler 

The priest's saving throw:  (1d20+8)[ 16 ] 
The priest's attacks:  (1d20+14)[ 27 ]  (1d20+7)[ 19 ]  (1d20+10)[ 28 ] 
Damage:  (2d8+8)[ 13 ]  (2d8+8)[ 22 ]  (1d6+2)[ 4 ] 
Varmystix's Bull Rush:  (1d20+10)[ 18 ] 
BS2 attack roll:  (1d20+3)[ 12 ] 
Damage:  (1d8+4)[ 12 ] 
BS3 attack roll:  (1d20+3)[ 11 ] 
Damage:  (1d8+4)[ 6 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 13 ]  (1d20+4)[ 20 ] 
&gt;&gt; Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
Adrianna: 4
Kaarna: 28
Athard: 25
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16
Varmystix: 16

Soren is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Athard! Are you okay?"  This suddenly started going badly, and what Varmystix says only makes it even worse.  "We really need a code phrase! Hang on Adrianne!"  Soren closes his eyes and runs closer to her, bracing himself as he slams his shoulder against the well and pops the joint back into place. He then waves both hands out in time with his song again, but completes the motion this time. A puddle of grease spreads under the feet of Varmystix and the blackscale behind it...him? Her? He pauses.  "And what do you mean by infidel?" 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Soren moves to AF6, continues his song, and casts Grease with the Arcanist gloves (so as a 7th level bard instead of a 5th level bard in regards to duration and other things tied to caster level) on X4, X5, Y4, and Y5. Both Varmystix and BS2 must make a DC 15 reflex save or fall. They're flatfooted if they move--I think this might prevent bull rush attempts from Varmystix, but I'm not sure.
 
Kish
Scholar moves to the south and directs a bolt of energy at the robed blackscale.

 
 Spoiler 

 (1d4+1)[ 4 ] 

&gt;&gt;Adrianna: 4
&gt;&gt;Kaarna: 28
&gt;&gt;Athard: 25
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16
Varmystix: 16
Soren: 15
Scholar: 13

Adrianna, Athard, and Kaarna are up.
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard curses as another blackscale appears from nowhere and delivers two savage blows to Soren.   "Help the girl hold that hallway,"  he growls back to Kaarna and Soren.   "Scholar and I will handle this one."   Stepping between the wounded bard and the club-wielding lizardfolk, the assassin's steel whistles through the air, striking low and high in an attempt to deliver a deadly surge of electricity to this isolated foe.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Free action: Draw sword via Quick Draw.
Free action: 5-ft. step to AD7:AE8.
Swift action: Expend a point from arcane pool to gain +1 enhancement bonus to his katana for 1 minute.
Full-round action: Spell combat + Spellstrike.  1 normal attack followed by  shocking touch  delivered through a weapon attack.  All attacks are made at a -2 penalty.
Attack 1:  (1d6)[ 5 ] 
Damage 1:  (1d6)[ 4 ] +[roll2]

Attack 2: [roll3]
Damage 2:[roll4]+[roll5]
Concentration check to cast defensively (might add action point here): [roll6].  The spell fails, so it's just the 2 attacks.
 
 
 

 "Right!",  Kaarna shouts back and circles around the well again. She throws a glare back at the lizardfolk as she runs.

 
 Spoiler 
Standard action:  Evil Eye  at BS1, -2 to attack rolls for 6 rounds or 1 with Fort DC 15. Casting hexes does not provoke AoOs.
Move action: Moves to AF7. Provokes an AoO, the attack roll penalty from the hex applies (I think).

Fire  (1d6)[ 5 ]  and acid  (1d6)[ 4 ]  damage to BS1.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna keeps standing in total defense, trying to block the other creatures from getting into the room.
rypt
The first swing of the blackscale's club strikes a hammer blow to Athard's shoulder.  The Cyran can hear his own bones breaking, but his focus does not waver.  Reading his foe's stance and momentum the way another might read a book, he manages to angle his blade to deflect what should have been a near fatal backswing.  The lizardfolk's teeth tear at the flesh of his forearm as he recovers from this maneuver, and once his arm is free, Athard channels raw magic into his blade before unleashing another pair of hewing strikes.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Athard takes 17 damage, bringing him to 21/38.

Swift action: Activate Arcane Strike for +1 attack and +1 damage for 1 round.

Standard action: Initiate  flurry strike  for 2 attacks at full attack bonus.  Power attack for -1 attack, +3 damage.
 Attack 1:  (d20+10)[ 26 ] 
Damage 1:  (2d6+13)[ 21 ]  +  (d6)[ 5 ] 

Attack 2:  (d20+10)[ 30 ] 
Damage 2:  (2d6+13)[ 18 ]  +  (d6)[ 1 ] 
Crit confirm 2: [ 12 ]
Crit damage 2: [ 16 ] 
Move action: Sheathe his sword, recovering  rising zenith strike .
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler 

Fortitude save vs. new hex:  (1d20+10)[ 28 ] 
Fortitude save vs. ongoing fire damage:  (1d20+10)[ 16 ] 
Attack of opportunity vs. Kaarna:   (1d20+14)[ 32 ]   30. Damage:  (2d8+8)[ 13 ] 
 


The now-injured blackscale priest attempts to beat Athard into the ground again. Seeing that Adrianna is immovable, Varmystix attempts to jab her with his spear, bite her, and hit her with his tail at the same time. The standing blackscale behind Varmystix throws another javelin at Adrianna; the other one stands back up slowly and carefully. Varmystix doesn't respond to Soren's words.
 
 Spoiler 

The priest's attacks:  (1d20+12)[ 31 ]  (1d20+7)[ 27 ]  (1d20+8)[ 22 ] 
Damage:  (2d8+8)[ 11 ]  (2d8+8)[ 23 ]  (1d6+2)[ 7 ] 
Note that if Athard falls, the priest will five-foot to the north and aim any remaining attacks he has at Kaarna.
Varmystix's attacks:  (1d20+9)[ 18 ]  (1d20+3)[ 17 ]  (1d20+3)[ 19 ] 
Damage:  (2d6+3)[ 8 ]  (1d8+3)[ 9 ]  (1d8+9)[ 12 ] 
Javelin attack:  (1d20+3)[ 6 ] 
Damage:  (1d8+4)[ 7 ] 

&gt;&gt; Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
Adrianna: 4
Kaarna: 28
Athard: 25
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16
Varmystix: 16

Soren is up. Sorry about the delay in posting, and good luck at the dentist's.
 
CoffeeIncluded
It happens before Soren can react, or do anything about it. He can only watch helplessly as the giant blackscale smashes Athard again and again, with so much force that there are crack in the pavement.

 "ATHARD! NO! ATHARD!"  His scream is loud and raw, and echoes through the chamber. He makes to run to him, to help, but it's already too late. Tears stream from his eyes, and in a savage movement he flicks them off his face. With a primal howl, a desperate sob, he casts them at the three monsters Adrianne is fighting, where it turns to a shower of glitter.  "We can't win!"  he screams, sobbing and terrified,  "We need to run! Or surrender! Whatever it takes to not die!" 
 
 Spoiler: Soren's action 
He keeps the song going and casts Glitterdust on W4, which then puts in range of the dracotaur and the two blackscales behind it. I'm holding the move action to see what happens next.
 
Kish
The victorious priest laughs a deep, malevolent laugh as Scholar casts some kind of spell on herself.
 
 Spoiler 

Will saves:
 (1d20+5)[ 24 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 22 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 11 ] 

&gt;&gt;Adrianna: 4
&gt;&gt;Kaarna: 28
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16
Varmystix: 16

Adrianna and Kaarna are up.  Map  updated.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "If we surrender, can we leave?! Or live?!""  Soren screams in Draconic.
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
  "You serious? You killed my acolytes, killed the guards outside, and tried to kill  me , and now you want to be friends? You're not going anywhere but to the Sacred Ones!"  
 
 the priest replies.
Silverraptor
 "I don't think they have any intention of letting us live!" 
Forced from her defensive blocking of the hallway due to the deteriorating situation, Adrianna swung her sword.
 
 Spoiler: Rolls 
Attack: (1d20+9)[ 19 ] 
Crit: (1d20+9)[ 25 ] 
Damage: (1d8+4)[ 9 ] 
 
CWater
Kaarna lets out a hoarse yell of pain when the blackscale beats her. When Athard falls she curses heavily.  "Should have never agreed to come here! Kid! Quit your weeping and pleading, that ain't of any help, and whatever you do, keep your bloody distance to them!" 

The witch grabs a scroll from her belt and reads an incantation. A pillar of ice bursts out from the ground under the lizardfolk that killed Athard.

 
 Spoiler 
5 ft. step east.
Casting  Ice Spears  from scroll. Piercing  (2d6)[ 3 ]  and cold  (2d6)[ 7 ]  damage and trip attempt.
CM:  (1d20+8)[ 15 ] 

Ref save DC 15 halves damage and negates trip.

Fire  (1d6)[ 5 ]  and acid  (1d6)[ 1 ]  from earlier spell.
 
Kish
The priest falls to the floor as an ice spear rams into him in a sensitive area. Adrianna's sword slashes across Varmystix' shoulder. The priest rises, looking, if possible, even less inclined to show mercy, and moves to the south, yelling,  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
  "Come in the back way!"  
 


Varmystix attacks Adrianna again. The lizardfolk behind him seem out of javelins.

 
 Spoiler 

Fortitude save against ongoing fire damage:  (1d20+10)[ 27 ] 
Varmystix's attacks:  (1d20+9)[ 14 ]  (1d20+3)[ 16 ]  (1d20+3)[ 18 ] 
Damage:  (2d6+3)[ 9 ]  (1d8+3)[ 7 ]  (1d8+9)[ 13 ] 

&gt;&gt; Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
Adrianna: 4
Kaarna: 28
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16
Varmystix: 16

 Map  is updated and Soren is up.
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC request 
Please make sure you mention the DC of any ability you use that requires a save.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Back way?! There's more?!"  Soren, still crying and terrified, runs forward and throws a tanglefoot bag above Adrianne's head at the dracotaur.  Scholar! Where are you?! Please! Kaarna, please help!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Dammit, I'm too far away for a heroism scroll. Instead Soren keeps the song going, then moves to AD5 (how the hell is BS1 still up; someone please get between it and Soren) and throws a tanglefoot bag at V. If it hits, then the dracotaur is entangled and must make a DC 15 reflex save or be glued to the floor (and if it makes the save can still only move at half speed).

Attack roll (ranged touch):  (d20+8)[ 14 ] 
 
Kish
 "I'm right here,"  Scholar says in a perfectly calm voice, running around so that she's standing behind Adrianna. The tanglefoot bag gums Varmystix' legs.  "I doubt he means more...although if you have some way of blocking off that well it might be a good idea." 
 
 Spoiler 


Reflex save:  (1d20+4)[ 11 ] 
&gt;&gt;Adrianna: 4
&gt;&gt;Kaarna: 28
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16
Varmystix: 16
Soren: 15
Scholar: 13

Adrianna and Kaarna are up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I don't!"  Soren sobs as he looks at the well and the blackscale.  "Unless another tanglefoot bag works, which I don't think it does! Kaarna! What about The big guy!"  he screams as he points at the blackscale who crushed Athard and is looking straight at him.

 
 Spoiler: Question 
Would a tanglefoot bag work? And just how much damage has BS1 taken from Athard's attacks and all of Kaarna's spells?
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna uses smite evil on the dracotaur and continues to swing he sword at him.
 
 Spoiler: Smite Evil 
Attack: (1d20+11)[ 29 ] 
Critical: (1d20+11)[ 17 ] 
Smite Evil Damage: (1d8+14)[ 16 ] 
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "I don't!"  Soren sobs as he looks at the well and the blackscale.  "Unless another tanglefoot bag works, which I don't think it does! Kaarna! What about The big guy!"  he screams as he points at the blackscale who crushed Athard and is looking straight at him.

 
 Spoiler: Question 
Would a tanglefoot bag work? And just how much damage has BS1 taken from Athard's attacks and all of Kaarna's spells?
 
 
 

 "I said enough with that panicking, Soren!",  Kaarna snaps,  "The armour girl knows to keep her cool, there's an example for you! We ain't dead yet, and I'm not planning on just laying down to die either!"  She moves past the well and hops over Athard's body to crouch behind the summoned ice spear. Her broken ribs scream and spits out blood.  "We need a damn healer",  the witch mutters as she heals herself with the wand,  "I ain't no good with this." 
 
 Spoiler 
Not entirely sure which square she moves into, depends on where the Ice Spear erupted (should have specified that since the target was large). If it's in the priest's threatened area, then she does not go there, but I don't think it is. The ice grants cover, so he can't charge her anyway. (Yeah, I know the well inbetween him and her earlier position would have also prevented a charge.)
CLW:  (1d8+1)[ 2 ] 
 
Kish
Adrianna's sword cuts deep into Varmystix. The creature staggers, but retaliates anyway with spear, teeth, and tail. The priest pushes the wall, and a section of it turns as if on a pivot; the priest runs down the revealed passage. Meanwhile, the two lizardfolk behind Varmystix run off to the south.
 
 Spoiler 

Fortitude save against ongoing fire damage:  (1d20+10)[ 27 ] 
Varmystix's attacks:   (1d20+9)[ 17 ]  (1d20+3)[ 12 ]  (1d20+3)[ 15 ]    15, 10, 13 , after Entangled penalty
Damage:  (2d6+3)[ 7 ]  (1d8+3)[ 10 ]  (1d8+9)[ 16 ] 
 Map  is updated.

&gt;&gt;Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
Adrianna: 4
Kaarna: 28
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16
Varmystix: 16

Soren is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "I said enough with that panicking, Soren!",  Kaarna snaps,  "The armour girl knows to keep her cool, there's an example for you! We ain't dead yet, and I'm not planning on just laying down to die either!"  She moves past the well and hops over Athard's body to crouch behind the summoned ice spear. Her broken ribs scream and spits out blood.  "We need a damn healer",  the witch mutters as she heals herself with the wand,  "I ain't no good with this." 
] 
 

 "That's because she's a warforged! I don't even know if she can get panicked! Scholar, can you even get panicked?"  still, the banter seems to have helped Soren somewhat, and while he's still scared, the blind panic of a few moments ago is diminished. Especially when...


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Adrianna's sword cuts deep into Varmystix. The creature staggers, but retaliates anyway with spear, teeth, and tail. The priest pushes the wall, and a section of it turns as if on a pivot; the priest runs down the revealed passage. Meanwhile, the two lizardfolk behind Varmystix run off to the south.
[/spoiler] 
 

Soren's eyes widen as the giant blackscale rushes out through a secret door, ad the two blackscales behind the dracotaur head down the corridor and out of sight.

 "That's what he meant!"  There's a thrumming rush in Soren's ears as a spark of hope flares for the first time since Athard was smashed.  "There must be a secret corridor. Get Athard; we need to go now! If the other ones are going the other way the big guy went, we might miss each other."  Soren sings this, the words coming out smashed together as he fires his bow at the dracotaur.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Soren keeps singing (inspire courage, +2 to attack, damage, and saves. He then fires his bow at the dracotaur. I'll wait to see the results of this before doing his move action. Don't forget that the dracotaur has -4 to dex because of the entanglement.

Attack:  (d20+8)[ 11 ] 
Crit confirm:  (d20+8)[ 24 ] 
Damage:  (d6+5)[ 7 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Action point:  (d6)[ 4 ] 
Total attack roll:  15  (fingers crossed!)

Move action here once the results of the attack are known.
Kish
The arrow sinks into Varmystix' chest and he crumples to the floor, shouting as he does,  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
 "Children of night, why have you not come to my aid?" 
 
.

 "I think 'Armor Girl' is Adrianna,"  Scholar says, casting a spell on the person she's speaking of.

 
 Spoiler 

Scholar casts Bear's Endurance on Adrianna; Adrianna has +4 to Constitution and, as a result, +10 hit points.
&gt;&gt;Adrianna: 4
&gt;&gt;Kaarna: 28
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16
Varmystix: 16
Soren: 15
Scholar: 13

Adrianna and Kaarna are up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 The arrow glances off Varmystix' scales.  "I think 'Armor Girl' is Adrianna,"  Scholar says, casting a spell on the person she's speaking of.

 
 Spoiler 

Scholar casts Bear's Endurance on Adrianna; Adrianna has +4 to Constitution and, as a result, +10 hit points.
&gt;&gt;Adrianna: 4
&gt;&gt;Kaarna: 28
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16
Varmystix: 16
Soren: 15
Scholar: 13

Adrianna and Kaarna are up.

Edited to add: Cannot spend action point on attack roll when damage has already been rolled, I'm afraid.
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: action points 
I didn't know that. I lump rolls together to make things easier in play by post and prevent multiple posts. I've also been instructed to do this in my other game so it's ingrained habit for me. Can I still use the action point, please? I can reroll he damage if you want.
 


Either way, Soren's going to grab Athard's body and drag it as close to the main entrance As he can while staying out of range of the dracotaur. He whimpers a bit as he grabs what's left of the Cyrian and says,  "Unnh! He's heavy!" 
CWater
 "Foolish kid!",  Kaarna shouts and waves Soren to stop.  "You don't know how long that corridor is! Do you want to run into the blackscales there?! With that dragonhorse at our backs?!!"  She looks around the chamber.  "If we move to the inner chamber and stop them at its entrance, they can't surround us. Yes, yes, we'll be trapped again!"  The witch coughs and spits out more blood.  "But none of us can take a hit, except Adrianna! You hear that, girl?! Unless you think you can slay that twisted horse in a few more strikes, I say we back to the room!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Is AD10 okay for the ice spear's location? In that case, Kaarna is in AD9.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna once again swings her sword at the Dracosaur.
 
 Spoiler: Attack 
Attack:[roll]1d20+13
Critical: (1d20+13)[ 26 ] 
Damage: (1d8+16)[ 19 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Foolish kid!",  Kaarna shouts and waves Soren to stop.  "You don't know how long that corridor is! Do you want to run into the blackscales there?! With that dragonhorse at our backs?!!"  She looks around the chamber.  "If we move to the inner chamber and stop them at its entrance, they can't surround us. Yes, yes, we'll be trapped again!"  The witch coughs and spits out more blood.  "But none of us can take a hit, except Adrianna! You hear that, girl?! Unless you think you can slay that twisted horse in a few more strikes, I say we back to the room!"  
 

 "Kaarna, look!"  He points excitedly to the dracotaur sinking to the ground, overwhelmed by Adrianne's strikes and his arrow.  "I didn't say go through that secret door, but the corridor where we came from! Look, we beat that thing! It's clear! We need to get Athard and run; the blackscales will only see an empty room!"  As he says this he runs over to Athard's corps and, grimacing and trying to fight back the nausea, tries to drag him through the northern corridor with the dying dracotaur.  "Nnnhh! He's heavy! Adrianne, Kaarna, help please?" 
 
 Spoiler: Move Action 
Soren was at AD5 before, and I think Athard was around AD8. In that case, for his move action, he runs to AD8 and drags Athard as far northwest to the corridor as he can (how far is that?). Also, Soren's not screaming at the top of his lungs.

Also, thank you so much!
 
Silverraptor
 "We are leaving now regardless of anyone's else's opinion! This mission has way overstepped the expected parameters we were briefed on." 
She hurries over to Athard's body and putting Soren to shame in both terms of strength and endurance (though the latter could be from the magical buff on her), she hoists the body and begins directing everyone out the way they came.
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Perception 9 
 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
"  You go that way, you go that way. I'll find out what's keeping the Sacred Ones,  "
 
 the priest's voice says.
 


The two blackscales who were behind Varmystix rush in, one coming down the north corridor, the other down the corridor the priest disappeared down. Both raise their clubs.

 
 Spoiler 

&gt;&gt; Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
Adrianna: 4
Kaarna: 28
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16

 Map  updated. Soren is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "They're getting the dragon!"  Or possibly many, Soren realizes with sinking horror.  "Hurry!"  He moves to run, but the moment he looks around the corridor he sees one of the blackscales racing down the corridor, which Adrianne is no longer blocking. And the other one is moving the same way. He lets out a low moan of horror during the song, and in desperation steps back and flings another tanglefoot bag at the blackscale closest to them.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
And we're in huge trouble again. Soren drops Athard (free action) keeps the song for +2 attack/damage/saves going (free action), 5 foot steps to AE8, throws a tanglefoot bag at BS3, and then runs to Z9 if it doesn't trigger an AoO.

Tanglefoot bag attack roll (Ranged touch attack):  (d20+8)[ 22 ]  If it hit's he's entangled (-2 to attack rolls, -4 to dex) and must make a DC 15 reflex save or be glued to the floor. Even on a successful save he's moving at half speed and I don't think he can run or charge either.

Also, please note that SOREN IS AT NINE HIT POINTS!
 
Kish
Soren's tanglefoot bag gums the lizardfolk's legs. Scholar moves out of the alcove and holds up her holy symbol.

 
 Spoiler 
Scholar channels energy to heal Kaarna and Soren, and Adrianna if she's taken any damage, for  (2d6)[ 7 ] .

Reflex save:  (1d20+4)[ 8 ] 
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 4
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 28
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16
Soren: 15
Scholar: 13

Moving through AC9 would trigger an AoO from BS3, so Soren's still in AE8. Adrianna and Kaarna are up.
 
CWater
Kaarna feels her body wanting to revert back to humanoid, but she stops the transformation and the fur grows back. Uttering a new spell she peeks past the ice spear and spits a white blob towards the lizardfolk already tangled by Soren. The ball grows during the short flight to a sticky bundle of webbing.

 
 Spoiler 
Free action: Shifting
Standard action:  Web Bolt  at BS3, Ref DC 14 negates. If hits, it needs to get rid of both the web and tanglefoot bag to move. Kaarna has cover to BS3, so it doesn't get an AoO at her, right?
 
Silverraptor
Hearing the Black Scale coming back around the hallway, Adrianna hoists the body aside and then hurries around the hallway to block it once again. She also swings her sword at the Black Scale.
 
 Spoiler: Attack Roll: 
Attack: (1d20+11)[ 31 ] 
Criticial: (1d20+11)[ 30 ] 
Damage: (1d8+6)[ 13 ] 
 
Kish
Kaarna fires a white globe at the entangled blackscale lizardfolk. Adrianna steps up and slashes the other one, wounding him severely. BS2 retaliates against Adrianna's attack, attempting to smash her and bite her simultaneously; BS3  drops his club and scrapes off goo with his claws.  is grappled and needs to deal with that before anything else.
 
 Spoiler 

Critical damage:  (1d8+6)[ 14 ] 
Reflex save:  (1d20+2)[ 3 ] 
Attack on Adrianna:  (1d20+7)[ 16 ]  (1d20+5)[ 14 ] 
Damage:  (2d8+6)[ 9 ]  (1d6+2)[ 6 ] 
Damage to goo:  (1d6+4)[ 10 ]  (1d6+4)[ 7 ] 

&gt;&gt;Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
Adrianna: 4
Kaarna: 28
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16

Soren is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren's song takes on a more insistent, almost hopeful beat as he and Kaarna pin one blackscale into place, scholar heals the worst of their wounds, and Adrianne's strike hits home. He steps back and fires an arrow at the blackscale, and shouts,  "Kill it, then run!" 
 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Soren keeps singing, moves (almost home; I can see the exact name and number of the square then), and fires his bow.

 (d20+8)[ 17 ] 

EDIT: I'll finish this post when I get home; battery is dead.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Home; here are the actions!

 
 Spoiler 
Soren moves to AE5.

Damage:  (d6+5)[ 9 ] 
 
Kish
Soren moves to the north and shoots the wounded blackscale, who crumples to the floor.

Scholar steps northeast, still holding up her holy symbol.
 
 Spoiler 
Channeling energy to heal  (2d6)[ 8 ] 
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 4
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 28
BS1: 19
BS3: 17
BS2: 16
Soren: 15
Scholar: 13
Adrianna and Kaarna are up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren sighs with relief as his shot hits home, but there's still the stuck blackscale and possibly the big guy and sacred ones on their way as well.  "Get Athard; let's go! Adrianne, can you summon your horse to carry you both?!" 

As scholars healing energy washes over them all, Soren aoghs in relief and shouts a thanks to the warforged.
Silverraptor
As the lizardfolk fell Adrianna musters her might.
 "You got it!" 
After summoning her warhorse near the hallway entrance, she then begins to pick up the body to put on the warhorse.
Kish
You load Athard on Adrianna's spectral warhose and run out of the temple as the lizardfolk deals with being thoroughly glued behind you.

You're able to reach the cave where you rested last night without any further lizardfolk getting between you and it.

 
 Spoiler 
1450 XP for each of you, alive or dead.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren runs out of the temple as fast as he can, sprinting past the point where his chest and legs burn and he's openly panting for breath in the humid jungle air. He screams his song without regard for melody or harmony, and only lets it drop when they're out of the temple and back into the jungle. When they're back in their hiding place he skids to a stop and dives into the spot so fast he actually rolls and tumbles into the cavern. When he rolls to a stop he immediately stars feeling himself all over, pressing his nose, running his fingers down his arms and legs to make sure he's really alive. Once he's decided that yes, he is alive, Soren lets out a little sob of relief and sets to healing himself and others. Or, at least, he reaches for the belt but stops when he sees Athard's corpse. His hand, instead, reaches for one of the two sending stones that Sur'kil gave them.

 "We need help, and they can give it. Maybe...maybe they can bring Athard back." 
Kish
 "Wait, wait,"  Scholar says, holding up her holy symbol.  "That thing probably doesn't allow unlimited two-way communication. Plan out what you're going to say before you use it." 
 
 Spoiler: channel energy 
  10  healing to everyone alive in the cave.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Thanks, Scholar. Um, what do you think of this?"  in the temples, back in Karrnath, he saw them raise someone once. It was a huge thing, right in front of everyone, and it was like a celebration. It was a celebration. Hw was so young then, but now Soren needs that feeling again. How did they do it? What spells did they use again? Think!

Ah!

 "The spells, they're raise dead, then restoration, right?"  
He's trying to put on the air of control again, but something's missing, beyond the levity. He trails off, looking at the few wounds left on him and Kaarna, and Athard's battered and broken body.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Scholar...what about this?"  He mouths something silently, counting on his fingers before speaking.  "Help! Outside temple, fought blackscales, dracotaur. Athard dead! Need a Raise Dead, Restoration, three tanglefoot bags, new sending stone. Possibly many dragons. Please help now!"  He coughs.  "Was that okay? Should I mention the big guy turned invisible? Maybe say something like 'fought spellcasting blackscales' instead? I mean..." 

He look at Athard's body again, and the rest of the team, still alive.

 
 Spoiler: Guys 
if you guys want me to post it later or something I will.
 
Kish
 "Resurrection and Restoration, actually, to get him back to full strength."  Scholar strokes her chin deliberately before saying, " The spells are less surprising than the dragons. Not worth mentioning, though certainly something for us to take into account for tactical planning." 
 
 Spoiler: math 
Raise Dead would leave Athard with two permanent negative levels, of which Restoration would only remove one.
 
CWater
When they get back to the cave, Kaarna stretches her limbs and takes a deep breath of the humid air. Then she pats, or lightly smacks really, Adrianna on the back.  "You're tough, girl!",  she says,  "Saved our hides there. My thanks. I won't forget it." 

Next she seeks to finds a spot from which she can see the surroundings as well as possible, while staying low and as difficult to spot as she can.  "Keeping an eye out. Just in case we were followed."  She manages a gruff thank you when Scholar heals the rest of her wounds. Now only the torn and bloody clothes remain as a reminder of the incident. That, and the one dead body.

The witch listens to the other's following conversation.  "You gonna bring him back?",  she asks, sounding curious,  "Now that would be something to see. You think the secretive man is going to pay for it? Wouldn't mind knowing there was a life insurance included." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Resurrection and Restoration, actually, to get him back to full strength."  Scholar strokes her chin deliberately before saying, " The spells are less surprising than the dragons. Not worth mentioning, though certainly something for us to take into account for tactical planning." 
 
 Spoiler: math 
Raise Dead would leave Athard with two permanent negative levels, of which Restoration would only remove one.
 
 
 

 "Resurrection...I've never even seen someone get resurrected, but I've heard of it."  Soren twists his scarf around his hands and wrists.  "What if Sur'kil can't afford it? Can Athard use another restoration wen we get back? Should we ask for both and see which one we get?" 

At scholars comment on the dragons and spells, Soren looks back down.  "Those wells weren't that big. If the dragons can fit through them, then maybe they're small enough for my tanglefoot bags to work. That could stop them from flying around."  
 
 Spoiler: On restoration 
darn, you're right. And yoU Can only remove one permanent negative level a week with restoration too. That means Athard is gonna be walking around with a negative level for the rest of this dungeon, most likely. That means he can be fully fixed when we get back, and he'll need a lot of buffs to deal with the one negative level until then.
Or resurrection works too, if they can afford it!
 


EDIT: Kaarna's comment makes Soren look up full tilt at Adrianne. He smiles and taps the back of her hand with a closed fist, places the other palm on her shoulder.  "You were amazing, Adrianne. You saved our lives. Thank you." 

His voice catches, and there's still a hitch to it as he answers Kaarna's question.  "I saw it happen once, back in Karrnath. I was really young, but...it was amazing." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 His voice catches, and there's still a hitch to it as he answers Kaarna's question.  "I saw it happen once, back in Karrnath. I was really young, but...it was amazing."  
 

 "You think  everything  is amazing",  Kaarna replies, smirking lazily.  "Still, wouldn't mind seeing that. But don't you need some fancy priest with a huge ego for it?" 
Silverraptor
Adrianna looks over at Athard's body.
 "All I really did was prevent a terrible situation from going full catastrophe. It could just as easily turned out that way. It was more a matter of luck in the end." 
 
 Spoiler 
I mostly talking about the lucky roles and the chance decision making. Such as going defensive the turn that the dracotaur would have hit all 3 major attacks on her had she not gone defensive. Also that lucky crit shot too.😛

Also, why is Soren looking up at Adrianna when he's 5 inches taller than her?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "You think  everything  is amazing",  Kaarna replies, smirking lazily.  "Still, wouldn't mind seeing that. But don't you need some fancy priest with a huge ego for it?"  
 

 "That's because the world is amazing,"  Soren says with a touch more animation in his voice. In fact, he's even smiling for the first time since the fight.  "Have you ever seen the mountains and forests in Karrnath, or seen an opera in Cyre before it was destroyed? And look at the jungle here--have you ever seen a bug like this? There's a whole big world out there and now that the war's over and I'm not running anymore, I want to see all of it."  

He sits back down.  "You do need a cleric, and there's a whole ceremony involved. But Sur'kil can afford to teleport one over, right? Even if it comes out of our future pay?"  

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna looks over at Athard's body.
 "All I really did was prevent a terrible situation from going full catastrophe. It could just as easily turned out that way. It was more a matter of luck in the end." 
 
 Spoiler 
I mostly talking about the lucky roles and the chance decision making. Such as going defensive the turn that the dracotaur would have hit all 3 major attacks on her had she not gone defensive. Also that lucky crit shot too.😛

Also, why is Soren looking up at Adrianna when he's 5 inches taller than her?
 
 
 

Soren shakes his head.  "You still saved our lives. I was wrong."  
 
 Spoiler 
that was certainly very lucky, and abain, you made fantastic calls. You were right.

Soren's looking up because he was staring at the ground and also sitting or crouching down.
 
Kish
 "I am a cleric,"  Scholar says. She looks at Kaarna consideringly but doesn't address any of the other things that have been said.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "I am a cleric,"  Scholar says. She looks at Kaarna consideringly but doesn't address any of the other things that have been said. 
 

Soren turns to scholar.  "So if Sur'kil got you a scroll can you cast it? Do you need an extra ritual or something too?" 
Kish
 "Yes. And no." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Yes. And no."  
 

Soren punches the air with a shout of joy.  "This is perfect! If we have the scrolls then we can get Athard back! What should we say exactly?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Hm, how about this,"  Soren asks after a few more minutes scratching out something in the dirt.  "Help! Outside temple, fought blackscales, dracotaur. Athard dead! Need resurrection or Raise Dead, Restoration, three tanglefoot bags, new sending stone. Possibly many dragons. Please, now!" 

The bard looks at everyone else for approval, and if nobody protests, that's the message he sends on the stone.
CWater
 "I don't like the  pleading ",  Kaarna snorts,  "But. I never got the customs you've got in these lands. Maybe it doesn't make us seem as weak as I hear it." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "I don't like the  pleading ",  Kaarna snorts,  "But. I never got the customs you've got in these lands. Maybe it doesn't make us seem as weak as I hear it."  
 

 "Well, we need help now, and not saying please is just rude."  Soren looks back at the message.  "Maybe it is pleading, but we need the help. I guess I could move the help now to the start, say please help now instead." 

If there's no complaints, that's what he does.
Kish
Scholar looks at Kaarna and says in a voice that almost sounds annoyed, though there's no  almost  to her words,  "Do you have any affirmative suggestions, or do you just wish to establish how tough you are?" 

She looks back at Soren and says, " I think it's better the first way.  Starting  with 'please help now' makes us sound desperate--which perhaps we are,"  she peers at Athard's corpse,  "but I think their death count has still been higher than ours--and unable to do our job, which I am unprepared to declare us yet." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar looks at Kaarna and says in a voice that almost sounds annoyed, though there's no  almost  to her words,  "Do you have any affirmative suggestions, or do you just wish to establish how tough you are?" 

She looks back at Soren and says, " I think it's better the first way.  Starting  with 'please help now' makes us sound desperate--which perhaps we are,"  she peers at Athard's corpse,  "but I think their death count has still been higher than ours--and unable to do our job, which I am unprepared to declare us yet."  
 

 "Hey, hey! We need to stick together."  Soren looks back at Athard's corpse.  "You might be right, scholar. But we killed a bunch of the blackscales and the dracotaur, so I think we can do our job. Okay...okay."  if nobody complains, Soren picks up the sending stone and squeezes it tight.

[color="#ff0000"]"Help! Outside temple, fought blackscales, dracotaur. Athard dead! Need resurrection or Raise Dead, Restoration, three tanglefoot bags, new sending stone. Possibly many dragons. Please, now!"
Kish
The stone replies in Sur'kil's voice,  "Understood. Help will arrive within a day. Remain hidden." 

Scholar gives the stone a puzzled look.  "Within a day?"  she mutters.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren sighs in relief at the sound of surkils voice and the promise of aid.

 "Well. It makes sense. I mean, the stuff we need can't be cheap; hell need to get scrolls, someone to teleport, things like that. So we need to stay hidden,"  he looks back at the temple,  "And we need a plan." 
 
 Spoiler: Ideas 
Ive got a couple ideas--do you all have any?"

Also, from walking around the outside and what we've seen inside, how much of the place could we map?
 
Kish
 "If he's teleporting someone here, he's spending three spells on us--all far more powerful than any of us can cast,"  Scholar says.  "What does he need  us  for, I wonder. Well. We should probably make plans while Athard is awake, but I'll say that I think our main problem is that we bypassed the group at the entrance and then they came in and caught us as soon as we were fighting another group of lizardfolk. We need either some way of bypassing combat entirely, which I don't think we have, or to fight as few lizardfolk as possible at a time." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Based on your previous circling the temple and your recent time in it, you have a pretty good idea of its shape:  Map . You seem to have thoroughly explored the east half, other than whatever the well leads to.
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar looks at Kaarna and says in a voice that almost sounds annoyed, though there's no  almost  to her words,  "Do you have any affirmative suggestions, or do you just wish to establish how tough you are?"  
 

Kaarna shrugs.  "Where I come from, those that seem weak are left to die. But you Brelanders are more soft I guess." 

 She looks back at Soren and says, " I think it's better the first way.  Starting  with 'please help now' makes us sound desperate--which perhaps we are,"  she peers at Athard's corpse,  "but I think their death count has still been higher than ours--and unable to do our job, which I am unprepared to declare us yet."  

 "Well I agree with that. Though he said nothing about fighting dragons or their kin when me made the deal." 

 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "If he's teleporting someone here, he's spending three spells on us--all far more powerful than any of us can cast,"  Scholar says.  "What does he need  us  for, I wonder. Well. We should probably make plans while Athard is awake, but I'll say that I think our main problem is that we bypassed the group at the entrance and then they came in and caught us as soon as we were fighting another group of lizardfolk. We need either some way of bypassing combat entirely, which I don't think we have, or to fight as few lizardfolk as possible at a time." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Based on your previous circling the temple and your recent time in it, you have a pretty good idea of its shape:  Map . You seem to have thoroughly explored the east half, other than whatever the well leads to.
 
 
 

Kaarna raises an eyebrow when they get a positive reply.  "Yeah, I'd really like to know why he bothers... But",  she shrugs again,  "best not to question it. As long as it is to our advantage." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "If he's teleporting someone here, he's spending three spells on us--all far more powerful than any of us can cast,"  Scholar says.  "What does he need  us  for, I wonder. Well. We should probably make plans while Athard is awake, but I'll say that I think our main problem is that we bypassed the group at the entrance and then they came in and caught us as soon as we were fighting another group of lizardfolk. We need either some way of bypassing combat entirely, which I don't think we have, or to fight as few lizardfolk as possible at a time." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Based on your previous circling the temple and your recent time in it, you have a pretty good idea of its shape:  Map . You seem to have thoroughly explored the east half, other than whatever the well leads to.
 
 
 

 "You're right, that is really weird. I wonder what's so important about us that we need to do if, and he can't."  he frowns as he draws out the map, circling the wells and writing where they saw blackscales and the dragon.

 "The problem is the big guy; if he hand surprised us we could have taken on everyone one at a time. We have to do that, we have to hit fast and hard..." 
 
 Spoiler: Everyone 
I have a lot of ifeas but no time to post until tonight. Sorry.
 


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna shrugs.  "Where I come from, those that seem weak are left to die. But you Brelanders are more soft I guess."  
 

 "Well that's because we don't consider compassion soft,"  Soren says, pausing in surprise at his tone.  "Sorry about that. But that's no weakness here, at least not in most places. An I told you, Breland is my home now but it wasn't always. It wasn't Athard's either." 

  "Well I agree with that. Though he said nothing about fighting dragons or their kin when me made the deal."  

 "Did he? I kinda wish I could trance like a full elf, then I would remember for sure right now. Maybe that's why Sur'kil isn't here?" 

 Kaarna raises an eyebrow when they get a positive reply.  "Yeah, I'd really like to know why he bothers... But",  she shrugs again,  "best not to question it. As long as it is to our advantage."  

 "Well I'm gonna ask when w get back." 
Kish
Scholar examines Kaarna contemplatively.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "You're right, that is really weird. I wonder what's so important about us that we need to do if, and he can't."  he frowns as he draws out the map, circling the wells and writing where they saw blackscales and the dragon.

 "The problem is the big guy; if he hand surprised us we could have taken on everyone one at a time. We have to do that, we have to hit fast and hard..."  
 

 "Right now, we need to stay on our guard, until they send us the spells and we can get  him ",  Kaarna tilts her head towards Athard's body,  "back to breathing. You think this location is secure?" 

  "Well that's because we don't consider compassion soft,"  Soren says, pausing in surprise at his tone.  "Sorry about that. But that's no weakness here, at least not in most places. An I told you, Breland is my home now but it wasn't always. It wasn't Athard's either."  

 "Eh, all you eastern folks are the same to me. And if that's what you people think, then I consider you all fools. But,"  she stretches her arms,  "if begging gets us the supplies, what do I care." 

 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar examines Kaarna contemplatively. 
 

When the witch notices that the warforged is giving her a long look, she turns to stare back at her.
Silverraptor
Adrianna listens to everyone asking the question, why were they there? What possible reason would he need people like them to do this if he had people much stronger under his disposal that could do this task much easier. After a moments pause, she speaks out. Partially a question, but partially a statement.
 "Plausible Deniability." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna listens to everyone asking the question, why were they there? What possible reason would he need people like them to do this if he had people much stronger under his disposal that could do this task much easier. After a moments pause, she speaks out. Partially a question, but partially a statement.
 "Plausible Deniability."  
 

Kaarna shifts her eyes from Scholar to Adrianna.  "The WHAT now?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "If he's teleporting someone here, he's spending three spells on us--all far more powerful than any of us can cast,"  Scholar says.  "What does he need  us  for, I wonder. Well. We should probably make plans while Athard is awake, but I'll say that I think our main problem is that we bypassed the group at the entrance and then they came in and caught us as soon as we were fighting another group of lizardfolk. We need either some way of bypassing combat entirely, which I don't think we have, or to fight as few lizardfolk as possible at a time."  
 

 "Alive, not awake, Scholar. I don't know how it is for warforged but there's a huge difference for us. How is it for warforged?"  Soren asks as he sketches out the map, marking the locations of enemies and the wells.  "Hang on, if the dragon was in this well then it and the other dragon or dragons (if there are more) must have a chamber underneath to rest in or something. And the wells aren't that big, which means the dragons can't be that big..."  He trails off in thought, racking his brain for anything he might have heard of about black dragons.

 
 Spoiler: Kish 
Soren's Bardic Knowledge ability lets him take 20 on a knowledge check once a day. I'm using that now for a 28 on Knowledge (Arcana) for information about dragons and black dragons. This would include, among other stuff, information on size and strength according to size, assuming that a 28 gives that info.
 


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Right now, we need to stay on our guard, until they send us the spells and we can get  him ",  Kaarna tilts her head towards Athard's body,  "back to breathing. You think this location is secure?"  
 

 "I don't know. Once I rest and regain spells I can cover this spot with an illusion."  He doesn't even respond to Kaarna's second comment, but instead sighs and shakes his head. It makes no sense to him, this philosophy of every man for himself. Isn't that how the war got so bad too?


 When the witch notices that the warforged is giving her a long look, she turns to stare back at her. 


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar examines Kaarna contemplatively. 
 

Soren stares at the two women staring at each other.


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna listens to everyone asking the question, why were they there? What possible reason would he need people like them to do this if he had people much stronger under his disposal that could do this task much easier. After a moments pause, she speaks out. Partially a question, but partially a statement.
 "Plausible Deniability."  
 

 "Wait, what?"  He too breaks his gaze to look at Adrianne, and as the words sink in his eyes grow wider. She's right, she's absolutely right, and she's probably dealt with things like this during the war herself.  "Oh no..." 
Silverraptor
 "First reason I can think of why we're here instead of others who are better experienced in this kind of manner is to have some form of plausible deniability. With whatever's going on, he can deny direct involvement of our actions should something go wrong. But that doesn't mean deniability to just these black scales and dragons. There is probably political pressure about involvement in this area of the world. I don't think we can or should know who is all involved with this, but I think we definitely need to take extra precautionary measures to prevent any future catastrophes." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "First reason I can think of why we're here instead of others who are better experienced in this kind of manner is to have some form of plausible deniability. With whatever's going on, he can deny direct involvement of our actions should something go wrong. But that doesn't mean deniability to just these black scales and dragons. There is probably political pressure about involvement in this area of the world. I don't think we can or should know who is all involved with this, but I think we definitely need to take extra precautionary measures to prevent any future catastrophes."  
 

 "So you're saying if things go sideways he can pin the mess on us and wash his hands of it?"  Soren frowns and looks down at the map he sketched out.  "I don't know if there's anything going on here, at least publicly, and I don't think he's like that."  Or at least I don't want to think he's like that.   But his uncertainty says it loud and clear. Would could be happening in this part of the world?

Still, he shakes his head.  "Still, Sur'kil is helping us, and he is raising Athard. If he though things were going to go completely kablooie I don't think he would have done that. And either way, we're stuck here until we can get the treasures and go. Wait a second..."  He frowns, then looks up at the group.  "Remember when I went off with his daughter, Lydia? We spent some time chatting over drinks on the lightning rail. She said she doesn't think that the treasure her father's looking for is here, that it's already gone or something. Maybe Sur'kil is sending us to save face in case that's true? And there's lots of other valuable stuff here just in case?" 

He looks back down at the map. The temple looks symmetrical on both sides, which means that the insides are probably somewhat symmetrical on the inside too, which means...  "I bet there's another well here,"  he says, pointing to the room that they haven't explored yet.  "And if the dragons can come up these wells, they're not too big, which means that I might be able to hit them with the tanglefoot bag, which means...I have an idea for how we can take on enemies one at a time, or before we get overwhelmed."  Of course, the idea depends on whether or not the big guy has taken the place of the dracotaur in the front of the temple.

 
 Spoiler: Knowledge checks 
Soren took 20 on the Knowledge (Arcana) check about black dragons for a 28 before (daily Bardic Knowledge ability--what did he find?), so here's some knowledge checks about the possible political situation here.

Knowledge (history):  (d20+8)[ 18 ] 
Knowledge (local): Take 10 for 18 per Bardic Knowledge

Also I'll post Soren's idea in a bit; I need to pack up.
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Knowledges 

Black dragons are usually cruel and domineering, though not as vindictive as many green dragons. Like all true dragons, they're intelligent and proud. When they're born they're about the size of a house cat, but they can grow to massive sizes.

Dozens of lizardfolk tribes known collectively as the Cold Sun Tribes call Q'barra home. Most want the warm-blooded settlers gone from the continent; some are more aggressive about it than others. You have heard nothing about dragons being active in the area anytime recently, though like most swamps in the world it's supposed to have housed black dragons in the past.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler: Knowledges 

Black dragons are usually cruel and domineering, though not as vindictive as many green dragons. Like all true dragons, they're intelligent and proud. When they're born they're about the size of a house cat, but they can grow to massive sizes.

Dozens of lizardfolk tribes known collectively as the Cold Sun Tribes call Q'barra home. Most want the warm-blooded settlers gone from the continent; some are more aggressive about it than others. You have heard nothing about dragons being active in the area anytime recently, though like most swamps in the world it's supposed to have housed black dragons in the past.
 
 
 

Soren shares what he knows, tapping a pencil against a sheet of paper as he does so.
 "Dragons are tiny when they're small, about as big as a cat, but they can become enormous. Those wells weren't that big, so the dragons can't be that big or old either. Though they're probably still controlling the blackscales. They're probably also not that big yet because I haven't heard anything about dragon problems here recently, so they can't have been around for long. Speaking of..."  He looks up from the sheet of paper to Adrianne and the rest of the party.  "Adrianne, you might be right about the plausible deniability thing. The Cold Sun Tribes--that's the lizardfolk tribes here--mostly want us gone. Sur'kil probably sent us and not soldiers from Breland or Karrnath or Aundair or whatever to prevent some any diplomatic problems if we get caught. Though...Adrianne, why did he pick you then? Are you still in the army?" 
 
 Spoiler: Knowledge question:  
Does Soren also know that black dragons shoot a line of acid every few rounds, are immune to acid, and can breathe underwater?

Also, do you guys want to set up watch and do the major battle plans tomorrow when Athard is alive again?
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Knowledges 


 Does Soren also know that black dragons shoot a line of acid every few rounds, are immune to acid, and can breathe underwater? 

Yes, he does.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Look, I can cover this place with an illusion tomorrow, but I'm out of magic and I can't do it unless I rest. And Scholar's right, we can't make a plan without Athard. Should we just go to bed now? Or at least rest?"  There was something else important about black dragons...ah!  "Kaarna, I don't think you should prepare acid spells tomorrow. You shouldn't either, Scholar. Black dragons breathe acid jets so they're immune to acid spells and flasks and stuff. It would be a waste." 
 
 Spoiler: Time for bed? 
I'm ready for bed, bot IC and OOC. What about you all?
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Look, I can cover this place with an illusion tomorrow, but I'm out of magic and I can't do it unless I rest. And Scholar's right, we can't make a plan without Athard. Should we just go to bed now? Or at least rest?"  There was something else important about black dragons...ah!  "Kaarna, I don't think you should prepare acid spells tomorrow. You shouldn't either, Scholar. Black dragons breathe acid jets so they're immune to acid spells and flasks and stuff. It would be a waste." 
 
 Spoiler: Time for bed? 
I'm ready for bed, bot IC and OOC. What about you all?
 
 
 

 "Well, that explains something",  Kaarna mutters,  "And get to sleep, kid. You need it."  The shifter makes no move to lay down herself.
Kish
You hide out in the cave for the rest of the day. Whatever the temple denizens' reaction to your incursion, they do not come near the cave.  "It's fortunate that that lizardfolk told us about this place,"  Scholar comments.

The next morning, a hawk flies down in front of the cave entrance and drops a bag there before flying away. Scholar goes over and picks the bag up. She looks inside it, takes out two scrolls, and hands the bag wordlessly to Soren before going over to where you've put Athard's body.

 
 Spoiler: the bag 
The bag holds another conch-shaped stone and three tanglefoot bags.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Well, that explains something",  Kaarna mutters,  "And get to sleep, kid. You need it."  The shifter makes no move to lay down herself. 
 



 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 You hide out in the cave for the rest of the day. Whatever the temple denizens' reaction to your incursion, they do not come near the cave.  "It's fortunate that that lizardfolk told us about this place,"  Scholar comments. 
 

 "Yeah. Goodnight. And it really was fortunate"  He lays down, uncertain. After a few moments Soren gets back up and arranges Athard's body to something more respectable than the tangled wreck from before. A whispered spell later and he's clean as well. With a slight nod to the others he gets back in the bedroll.

Soren's sleep is fitful for the first time in a very long while, filled with screams and snarling dragons with clubs bursting through green flames an the smell of blood. He falls asleep from exhaustion more than anything else, and wakes to flies.


 The next morning, a hawk flies down in front of the cave entrance and drops a bag there before flying away. Scholar goes over and picks the bag up. She looks inside it, takes out two scrolls, and hands the bag wordlessly to Soren before going over to where you've put Athard's body.

 
 Spoiler: the bag 
The bag holds another conch-shaped stone and three tanglefoot bags.
 
 

 "Thank you!"  Soren calls out to the hawk that soars past. He takes the bag from Scholar and pockets the new bags and shell and wait she can't cast from those scrolls yet! What if she messes up! He has a Chant that can help!

  "Scholar; wait!"   he runs over to Athard's body and shops away the flies. One look and smell (gag!) is enough--the blood is bad in this heat and humidity, much faster than the resurrection he saw in Karrnath, or the battles in Cyre. It has to be his own then. Soren take his dagger and with a wince and a hiss of pain presses it into his finger until drops of blood bead up around it. He leans over Athard's body and smears his blood on his face and arms--over his forehead, down his nose and mouth, in undulating lines following the veins in his arms. There's a strange ritual to it, and Soren looks nervous, like it's not one he knows himself, but one that he's copying and only witnessed once or twice. It seems like he's not paying attention to his friends, and when he's done he gets to his feet, stands back, and starts to chant. It's low and fast, so fast that it's hard to make out the words. But sometimes its possible to just catch of his words, somewhere between a chant and a song but still infused with his bardic magic.

 "...Blood calls you back from land of shadows
Walk no more in realm of Dolurrh..." 
 
 Spoiler: Mechanics  
Soren just used inspire competence to give Scholar a +2 bonus (I think, let me check) on the caster level check for the scroll. He'll use it on both scrolls but the raise dead/resurrection is more important.

The rest is just fluff, and if it sounds like blood of vol stuff, well...
 
CWater
Kaarna stands a little father away with her arms crossed, watching what the others are going to do. She tilts her head a bit when Soren starts his ritual.  " You humans and elves and your weird habits... ",  she mutters to herself.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
She really is such a hypocrit here. :J
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna spent most of the night restless and worried about potential attacks during the night, but thankfully nothing happened. She wakes up and watches the rituals and spells taking effect. Her armor is currently off, but the calling crystal was definitely primed.
Kish
Scholar chants, holding the scroll over Athard's corpse. A blue glow covers the corpse, and the obvious damage to it fades, as does most of the smell. As she finishes, the scroll crumbles to ash, and Athard's eyes open.

 "Welcome back to the living,"  Scholar tells him. She glances at Soren before holding up the second scroll.

 
 Spoiler 
Athard has been Resurrected. Accordingly, he has full hit points but currently has one negative level.
 (1d20+5)[ 18 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 23 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Athard!"  Soren runs forward to embrace the warrior but stops when he remembers how much the warrior would probably hate that sort of thing. Instead he sits back on his heals and coughs.  "I'm so...I'm sorry. I let you down."  He looks back up.  "But I won't again. I promise. I've been thinking all night about what to do, an I think I have another idea."  He closes his eyes and sings another song for Scholar's second scroll, one a bit softer than before, less desperate but still urgent.

 "...Call back strength to body of old
No more lost to plane of Dolurrh..."
 
 
 Spoiler: Kish and everyone 
Soren uses Inspire Competence again for the second scroll, if that roll hasn't been cast already.
 
rypt
Athard's eyes open slowly, almost groggily, as he draws his first deep breath of renewed life.  Sitting up is harder than it should have been, and after pulling himself into a seated position, he shifts backwards so he can lean against the wall of the cave.  A portion of his strength returns after Scholar casts her spell, but still the Cyran does not bother trying to stand.  He is silent for a time, hardly responding to the warforged's words of welcome, or Soren's apology.  After looking to see that all the others are still alive, he stares distantly through the floor.

 "How long was I gone?"  he finally asks without looking up.
Kish
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Scholar is a her, not a him.
 


Instead of answering, Scholar begins casting the spell on the second scroll.

 
 Spoiler 
Already rolled for; Athard's negative level goes away.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "...About nine hours,"  Soren mumbles.  "The big guy escaped, but we killed the dracotaur and one of the blackscales with him..." 

Athard looks so...tired. For the first time Soren can really see the lines on his face, the sprinkles of gray in his hair. And even though he's alive, it's like he's not really there, at least not right now. But...it sorta makes sense. Just watching him die was harrowing enough, but actually dying, and then coming back...Soren can't even begin to imagine the extent of it. All he can do right now is offer a hand. And so he does, along with water and some soft squares of oats, nuts, and honey.

He sits there for  while, a shoulder to lean on, a slightly pointed ear for Athard to speak into if he feels up to it.
rypt
Athard exhales a deep breath and nods.  It had felt like days, perhaps even weeks in Dolurrh, and with every moment in that desolate waste, a part of him had faded.  He reaches out and picks up the blank parchment of one Scholar's expended scrolls, its magical writing faded completely.   "Sur'kil's?"  he asks, again not looking up.
Kish
 "Yes. He sent us the scrolls with a hawk, somehow. He has resources that are hard to explain."  Scholar considers Athard before asking,  "Did you ever die before, during the war perhaps?" 
rypt
 "Didn't think my life was worth that much to him."   Athard wonders which is greater -- the cost of his resurrection or the reward promised the group for completing this job.

 "No,"  he answers Scholar.   "Almost, but no."   He pauses a moment, as though considering his next words.   "It wasn't what I thought it would be." 
Kish
 "I've never died. But for us, it's just nothing--one second we're dying, the next we're getting resurrected. This was used in the debates over the Treaty of Thronehold to argue that we do not have souls,"  Scholar says clinically. She looks at Soren and says, " Your religious affiliation surprises me, in light of your optimism. Or possibly your optimism surprises me in light of your religious affiliation." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
  "Didn't think my life was worth that much to him."   Athard wonders which is greater -- the cost of his resurrection or the reward promised the group for completing this job. 
 

 "Well, I kind of begged. An Adrianne was amazing, she's the reason we got out alive, but we can't do it without you either."  One look at Athard's face and Soren is practically shoving the baclava at it.  "You should eat it. It's sweet, and it's real." 

  "No,"  he answers Scholar.   "Almost, but no."   He pauses a moment, as though considering his next words.   "It wasn't what I thought it would be."  

Almost. So many almosts.  "...What was it like?"  Soren asks in a low voice, almost as if he has to. It's like a scab, you know what's underneath but you pick at it anyway.

 
 Spoiler 
don't forget he's got dried blood all over him! 😛
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "I've never died. But for us, it's just nothing--one second we're dying, the next we're getting resurrected. This was used in the debates over the Treaty of Thronehold to argue that we do not have souls,"  Scholar says clinically. 
 

 "I think you guys have souls."  at least, I think so.  "Maybe they're different souls, but they're still souls."  

 She looks at Soren and says, " Your religious affiliation surprises me, in light of your optimism. Or possibly your optimism surprises me in light of your religious affiliation."  

An uncomfortable itch crawls over Soren as he looks at the markings on Athard--the ones he trace with his own blood. Looks like the secrets out.  "Well,"  he starts, slightly uncomfortably,  "I was born in Karrnath so it's hard to shake what I grew up with. And even so...I don't see why my personalty and religion are irreconcilable. The Blood of Vol isn't just doom and gloom and undead. It's also about finding truth and power and divinity within yourself, and enjoyin life because there's so much more in this world than Dolurrh.  

EDIT: Soren smiles.  "But a lot of people think that. And I know a lot of people don't like the religion, so I try to hide it. At least, until something like this happens." 
 
 Spoiler 
sorry about the double post, I was in a hurry and didn't notice until after I posted. At least in getting a new phone.
 
rypt
Athard searches for the words to answer Soren's question.   "It's... an empty void.  A hungry pit.  Robs you of your desire and your will, your joy and your hatred.  The purest apathy, insidious and contagious, you begin to forget who you were, and want for nothing more than to remain."   He presses his eyes shut as if to purge the memory then reaches for the waterskin.  After taking a sip, he asks,  "Do we have anything stronger?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard searches for the words to answer Soren's question.   "It's... an empty void.  A hungry pit.  Robs you of your desire and your will, your joy and your hatred.  The purest apathy, insidious and contagious, you begin to forget who you were, and want for nothing more than to remain."   He presses his eyes shut as if to purge the memory then reaches for the waterskin.  After taking a sip, he asks,  "Do we have anything stronger?"  
 

 "Hatred as well?",  Kaarna asks, speaking for the first time since the warrior returned to life. She has kept her distance, peering at the revenant from between the other's backs. Now she slowly creeps closer, cautious to approach too quick for some reason, but finally she stops to crouch right next to Athard. She sniffs the air around him.  "You smell of death. And of life. It is confusing." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard searches for the words to answer Soren's question.   "It's... an empty void.  A hungry pit.  Robs you of your desire and your will, your joy and your hatred.  The purest apathy, insidious and contagious, you begin to forget who you were, and want for nothing more than to remain."   He presses his eyes shut as if to purge the memory then reaches for the waterskin.  After taking a sip, he asks,  "Do we have anything stronger?"  
 

Soren closes his eyes and shudders. The hissing breath he takes is confirmation of something ugly b "That's what they always said. honestly, if that's all there is, if dolurrh doesn't lead to something more, then...I think Seekers have the right idea. And we're going to send more of the blackscales there."   these few sentences are mumbled to himself.  But Athard doesn't need his musings, he needs comfort. What Soren does do, out loud, is put his arms around Athard, the Palm of his hand against Athard's bare arm, confirmation that the cyrian is alive.

  "I'm sorry I couldn't keep you alive before. And I'm sorry, but I don't have anything else to drink."  

 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Hatred as well?",  Kaarna asks, speaking for the first time since the warrior returned to life. She has kept her distance, peering at the revenant from between the other's backs. Now she slowly creeps closer, cautious to approach too quick for some reason, but finally she stops to crouch right next to Athard. She sniffs the air around him.  "You smell of death. And of life. It is confusing."  
 

This makes Soren look at kaarna with more than slight curiosity. He hasn't seen her act quite so...bestial--no, animal like l--many times before.

 "it's amazing, isn't it, kaarna?" 
 
 Spoiler 
sorry about the delay, I was busy getting a new phone. Greetings from my iPhone 6!
 
rypt
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Hatred as well?",  Kaarna asks, speaking for the first time since the warrior returned to life. She has kept her distance, peering at the revenant from between the other's backs. Now she slowly creeps closer, cautious to approach too quick for some reason, but finally she stops to crouch right next to Athard. She sniffs the air around him.  "You smell of death. And of life. It is confusing."  
 

Athard gives Kaarna a sidelong glance, raising his eyebrows briefly as if to say,   you're telling me  .


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren closes his eyes and shudders. The hissing breath he takes is confirmation of something ugly b "That's what they always said. honestly, if that's all there is, if dolurrh doesn't lead to something more, then...I think Seekers have the right idea. And we're going to send more of the blackscales there."   these few sentences are mumbled to himself.  But Athard doesn't need his musings, he needs comfort. What Soren does do, out loud, is put his arms around Athard, the Palm of his hand against Athard's bare arm, confirmation that the cyrian is alive.

  "I'm sorry I couldn't keep you alive before. And I'm sorry, but I don't have anything else to drink."   
 

He doesn't quite resist Soren's show of affection, but he clearly isn't comfortable with it either, trying to keep as much distance between them as the half-elf's embrace allows.   "Alright, that's enough,"  he says, disengaging.  He takes another sip of water.   "You said you killed one of the blackscales.  Was it the one that struck me down?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard gives Kaarna a sidelong glance, raising his eyebrows briefly as if to say,   you're telling me  .


He doesn't quite resist Soren's show of affection, but he clearly isn't comfortable with it either, trying to keep as much distance between them as the half-elf's embrace allows.   "Alright, that's enough,"  he says, disengaging.  He takes another sip of water.   "You said you killed one of the blackscales.  Was it the one that struck me down?"  
 

Soren recognizes Athard's discomfort and backs off, though he stays close and offers the Cyrian some of the smoked sausages Blake gave him. They're a bit strong for Soren's taste, but maybe Athard would like them more. Or maybe he'd prefer the flavor.

 "No, the one that...killed you...was badly wounded but escaped--there's a secret door and corridor on the other side of the room. We killed one of the blackscales that came in with the dracotaur, as well as the dracotaur himself. We made a big mistake--The dracotaur wasn't nearly as strong as the big guy."  He frowns.  "You're not gonna like this, but when the big guy ran out he said something about sacred ones, plural. I think there's multiple dragons. But I think I have an idea on how to fight them all too."  At least, he thinks he has an idea.

 
 Spoiler 
I'll wait another post before giving the plan. I also need to pack some more.
 
Kish
 "Considering the presence of the altar and his invisibility, I would guess the one who killed you is an adept--a generally inferior spellcaster. It is unlikely that those we killed will be brought back,"  Scholar says.  "It is certain that those who remain will be prepared for our next incursion." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Do you think that means they'll have boarded up the ceiling and the big guy will be waiting for us out in front? Or that the dragons could be up the well or flying around instead of down in whatever chamber is connecting them? The wells weren't that big so the dragons couldn't be that big either; if I hit them with a tanglefoot bag then they'd be stuck to the ground. They couldn't even fly anymore!" 
Kish
Scholar considers that.  "If I was a black dragon who was hindered by a tanglefoot bag, I would breathe acid on the tanglefoot goo until it no longer impaired me." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren shakes his head.  "Yeah, but that's time spent not attacking us, and even after he can't move that quickly. Besides, you saw how strong and tough Adrianne was. If we run in, hit hard, I use tanglefoot bags to pin them down. Before we fight you use lots of spells to make us stronger and tougher--especially Athard. Kaarna can use magic to keep the enemies pinned down once I knock them down? And then Athard, you can do hit and run attacks while Adrianne stays there drawing attacks because she's tough enough to take anything they throw at her. This might work..." 

He looks up again from the map, the smile back on his face.  "If the big guy's guarding the front I can pop that club right out of his claws with grease before we attack! We all have spells to buff us before and then I go in singing and dancing and throwing tanglefoot bags at everything that moves so we don't worry about getting surrounded! I think that might work do you think it might work?" 
 
 Spoiler: question 
Would the acid even work on a tanglefoot bag? It say a slashing weapon.
 
rypt
Athard looks to Soren.   "You can't honestly believe that they're just going to stand there and take swings at Adrianne when they've got four softer targets to attack instead?"   He shakes his head.   "That only worked before because they were foolish enough to file down a narrow hallway.  Don't count on that happening a second time." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by rypt 
 Athard looks to Soren.   "You can't honestly believe that they're just going to stand there and take swings at Adrianne when they've got four softer targets to attack instead?"   He shakes his head.   "That only worked before because they were foolish enough to file down a narrow hallway.  Don't count on that happening a second time."  
 

 "I'm not counting on it. But they might be forced to if they're all pinned to the floor, were hitting and running, and she's the only one there. And I might be able to force him to drop his great club too."   he looks down at the map he drew the night before.  "look, we can't have them all attack at once. If we fight the big guy and the dragons one at a time we might win. All I know is that the tanglefoot bags were amazing in the fight and we should keep using them. But I never fought in the Last War! Adrianne, athard, you did! What ideas do you have? Or anyone?" 
Silverraptor
Adrianna speaks up after staring at Soren for a few moments after his religious reveal.
 "It seems that regardless of our next step actions, the biggest issue is controlling the situation and state of the battlefield. Especially if I'm being planned to be the frontline to keep the enemy at bay." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "But how do we do that?"  Soren only now looks at Adrianne for the first time since the reveal of sorts.   "My grease spell only slows them down a bit; I think it's better used to pop that club right out of the big guy's claws. My tanglefoot bags worked really well though, which is why I asked surmullets for more. Scholar, Kaarna, do you have any spells that could help? Like that web or icicle spell? Or a spell to keep them down once they're pinned down?"  
CWater
 "Web I can do, ice not so much. It was a scroll and I hadn't learned that spell yet."  She frowns.  "I doubt we get to choose our opponents, and they're sure on their guard now. Is getting this stuff Sur'kil wants really worth risking our lives a second time? Like mister Came-back-from-the-void just told, life is all we've got." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "If we can engage them one at a time, those wells are deep, if we hit fast and hard...Maybe we should take a look and see who is guarding the gate now?" 

How can he respond to what Kaarna says? She is right, and it's too much to risk. This adventure didn't turn out as he planned or expected, not at all. But...

 "We still have a job to do, and surkil brought at hard back to life. Don't we need to finish the job then?" 
Kish
Scholar looks at Kaarna.  "What exactly were you expecting? That everything we fought would fall down dead when you told it how tough you are? That would explain why repeatedly asserting how tough you are is your sole contribution to discussing tactics, but it's not going to work."  She looks at Athard, Soren, and Adrianna.  "Did any of you three think we weren't going to be risking our lives when we came here? That we're in a nice safe profession? I don't think we can plan on being able to set up the battlefield the way we want it. We need to think in terms of how to influence it the way we want it, and the simpler such a plan is, the less likely they are to disrupt it; they'll be trying to influence the battlefield the way they want it at the same time, and we should obviously disrupt that." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar looks at Kaarna.  "What exactly were you expecting? That everything we fought would fall down dead when you told it how tough you are? That would explain why repeatedly asserting how tough you are is your sole contribution to discussing tactics, but it's not going to work."  
 

Soren shifts his weight, raising his hands between the two women.  "Woah woah woah! Look you may be right, a little, but not like that! We're all friends here!"  at the same time, however, part of him is letting out a low whistle. Woah. He was  not  expecting that from Scholar, and the surprise is clear on his face. Looks like she's playing the part of automaton, at least to some extent.


 She looks at Athard, Soren, and Adrianna.  "Did any of you three think we weren't going to be risking our lives when we came here? That we're in a nice safe profession? I don't think we can plan on being able to set up the battlefield the way we want it. We need to think in terms of how to influence it the way we want it, and the simpler such a plan is, the less likely they are to disrupt it; they'll be trying to influence the battlefield the way they want it at the same time, and we should obviously disrupt that."  

 "I...I didn't really think about it."  He shifts uncomfortably under Scholar's literally steely gaze.  "Adventuring is fun but it's also way more dangerous...and bloody...and scary than I thought."  He looks down, then looks back up.  "but that's my plan! my grease spell can make them slip, but it can also keep the big guy from using his club by making it all slippery, and you saw how dangerous he is with that club. And I think the tanglefoot bag idea is simple. I mean, it won't work for too long but we only need a little time. And it's the only thing I can do to disrupt them; all my other spells make us stronger. We almost got the big guy and we can if we can prepare! Scholar, what spells do you have to help?" 
Kish
 "I can prepare nearly any spell within my, currently quite relatively low, power level,"  Scholar says.  "I'm best at transmutations. I could try to disable them, but I'm likely to be more useful enhancing Athard and Adrianna's combat ability. I can make them both stronger, or both tougher, or one both stronger and tougher; I can make both of them as large as the blackscales. I could also create grease, but you seem to have that covered." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar looks at Kaarna.  "What exactly were you expecting? That everything we fought would fall down dead when you told it how tough you are? That would explain why repeatedly asserting how tough you are is your sole contribution to discussing tactics, but it's not going to work."  
 

Kaarna squints her eyes.  "Maybe I did? As you've already figured out I'm clearly not capable of intelligent thought",  she growls.


 She looks at Athard, Soren, and Adrianna.  "Did any of you three think we weren't going to be risking our lives when we came here? That we're in a nice safe profession? I don't think we can plan on being able to set up the battlefield the way we want it. We need to think in terms of how to influence it the way we want it, and the simpler such a plan is, the less likely they are to disrupt it; they'll be trying to influence the battlefield the way they want it at the same time, and we should obviously disrupt that."  

 "And yet we agree on this point. Now, unless you can conjure power back to used scrolls, we're not going to see any more ice pillars. But I can cripple my enemies, stuck them in place, drain their energy, or knock them off their feet. If you see some great strategy there, do tell." 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren shifts his weight, raising his hands between the two women.  "Woah woah woah! Look you may be right, a little, but not like that! We're all friends here!"  at the same time, however, part of him is letting out a low whistle. Woah. He was  not  expecting that from Scholar, and the surprise is clear on his face. Looks like she's playing the part of automaton, at least to some extent.  
 

 "Speak for yourself, kid",  Kaarna mutters and glares at Scholar,  "This one obviously has a problem with me." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna squints her eyes.  "Maybe I did? As you've already figured out I'm clearly not capable of intelligent thought",  she growls.


 "Speak for yourself, kid",  Kaarna mutters and glares at Scholar,  "This one obviously has a problem with me."  
 

 "Guys, stop it! Look, I know we're all under a lot of stress right now, but we need to get along! Kaarna, Scholar's right, you need to be  bit more positive about things and toughness isn't everything. Scholar, Kaarna's not what you make her out to be. I know she says she's an evil witch but she's not, not really evil anyway." 

  "And yet we agree on this point. Now, unless you can conjure power back to used scrolls, we're not going to see any more ice pillars. But I can cripple my enemies, stuck them in place, drain their energy, or knock them off their feet. If you see some great strategy there, do tell."  



 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "I can prepare nearly any spell within my, currently quite relatively low, power level,"  Scholar says.  "I'm best at transmutations. I could try to disable them, but I'm likely to be more useful enhancing Athard and Adrianna's combat ability. I can make them both stronger, or both tougher, or one both stronger and tougher; I can make both of them as large as the blackscales. I could also create grease, but you seem to have that covered."  
 

 "And I can sing or dance to make you all stronger and more accurate. I can grease the floor or a weapon right out of an enemy's hands. I can use Hideous laughter to make an enemy fall over, and I have several tanglefoot bags that can glue things as big as those blackscales to the floor. I also still have those smelly arrows Athard gave me, and a few scrolls to make one person more graceful, or be more accurate."  He looks down at the map he drew on the floor and begins scratching other things into it.

 "I'm starting to get an idea. First, we sneak up on the temple like before--Athard, the dragon didn't see you until you got close, right? Then we spend time preparing. Scholar, you use your spells to make Athard and Adrianne bigger and stronger and tougher--I think making Athard tougher is most important. I then use my scrolls to make them both more graceful and better at dodging stuff, or one cat's' grace for Athard and one for me if Adrianne's armor makes that tricky--does it, Adrianne?"  He looks at the paladin with a smile before continuing.  "Then I start dancing and we attack fast and hard. If the big guy is there I can use grease to pop that huge club right out of his claws and he won't be able to grab it again for a while. If not then I can start using tanglefoot bags to stick them in place. Then I start shooting arrows, those smelling arrows. Kaarna, you can start crippling enemies or stick them in place--or wait! If I stick them in place then you can drain them of their energy and make it really easy for Adrianne and Athard to attack. Kaarna, if we work together then the enemies won't be able to do much while Adrianne stays there and attacks, and Athard attacks and gets out to heal once he's hurt. Which Scholar, you're really good at doing, and Kaarna and I can do a little of too."  He looks around.  "What do you guys think of that? 
Silverraptor
 "It's not that easy to dodge around in the armor, no." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "It's not that easy to dodge around in the armor, no."  
 

 "So you sorta let things bounce off? Wow, what's in that armor? So then I could use one scroll on myself so I can shoot and dodge better and Athard, do you want the other? It'll also make me better at throwing things!" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Guys, stop it! Look, I know we're all under a lot of stress right now, but we need to get along! Kaarna, Scholar's right, you need to be  bit more positive about things and toughness isn't everything. Scholar, Kaarna's not what you make her out to be. I know she says she's an evil witch but she's not, not really evil anyway."  
 

 "Sure I am. Very evil. Grrr." 

  "And I can sing or dance to make you all stronger and more accurate. I can grease the floor or a weapon right out of an enemy's hands. I can use Hideous laughter to make an enemy fall over, and I have several tanglefoot bags that can glue things as big as those blackscales to the floor. I also still have those smelly arrows Athard gave me, and a few scrolls to make one person more graceful, or be more accurate."  He looks down at the map he drew on the floor and begins scratching other things into it.

 "I'm starting to get an idea. First, we sneak up on the temple like before--Athard, the dragon didn't see you until you got close, right? Then we spend time preparing. Scholar, you use your spells to make Athard and Adrianne bigger and stronger and tougher--I think making Athard tougher is most important. I then use my scrolls to make them both more graceful and better at dodging stuff, or one cat's' grace for Athard and one for me if Adrianne's armor makes that tricky--does it, Adrianne?"  He looks at the paladin with a smile before continuing.  "Then I start dancing and we attack fast and hard. If the big guy is there I can use grease to pop that huge club right out of his claws and he won't be able to grab it again for a while. If not then I can start using tanglefoot bags to stick them in place. Then I start shooting arrows, those smelling arrows. Kaarna, you can start crippling enemies or stick them in place--or wait! If I stick them in place then you can drain them of their energy and make it really easy for Adrianne and Athard to attack. Kaarna, if we work together then the enemies won't be able to do much while Adrianne stays there and attacks, and Athard attacks and gets out to heal once he's hurt. Which Scholar, you're really good at doing, and Kaarna and I can do a little of too."  He looks around.  "What do you guys think of that?  

 "Just be prepared for if the spells fail",  Kaarna notes glumly, but shrugs and says,  "Fine. You think we can do it, and you will go in despite whatever I say. I can at least do what I can so you don't end up dead too." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Sure I am. Very evil. Grrr."  
 

Soren grins and gives Kaarna a friendly nudge.



  "Just be prepared for if the spells fail",  Kaarna notes glumly, but shrugs and says,  "Fine. You think we can do it, and you will go in despite whatever I say. I can at least do what I can so you don't end up dead too."  

 "Thank you, Kaarna. And if they do...well, something has to work eventually, right?"  He gives Kaarna a hug and turns to the others.  "Should we go in now, or Athard do you need another day or so?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Sorry about that; this weekend's been crazy, But the bulk of the moving is done now so today I'm going to explore the Ohio State Fair!
 
Kish
You make your way back to the entrance to the temple. As you approach the portico, there are no enemies in sight now.

 
 Spoiler 

I was waiting for Athard to weigh in, but it's been six days, so.  Map  is updated.
 
CWater
Kaarna uses her wand to create an armour enchantemt on herself again.

 
 Spoiler 
Casts Magic Armour from the wand.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Huh, the big guy isn't here.  "Kaarna, do you smell anything?"  he whispers.  "Should we hang around out here or go back inside to closed quarters?"  He takes out a scroll and a tanglefoot bag, but takes a look around before using either.

 
 Spoiler: perception 

Take 10 for 20
 
Kish
Soren still sees no one on the portico.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Hmmm..."  Soren crosses his arms and taps his foot. He wasn't expecting this.  "So they're either inside and assuming we fled, or they're out in the jungle searching for us and there's no way to be sure of either until we get inside or wait out here."  He turns to the party.  "Should we head inside and see if we can get the jump on the big guy or other lizardfolk, or stay out here and try to lure the dragons out of the well? I kinda think it might be better to go inside because there Adrianne can block the hallway and the dragons can't fly as much because they'll be inside, but what do you think? And Scholar, do you have any spells you can cast now so if a fight starts all of a sudden we won't be losing time making Adrianne and Athard tougher? Kaarna, Athard, can you smell anything?"  He pauses.  "I can make someone invisible, if they want to scout ahead and see if someone's inside?" 
Kish
 "My spells have a duration of minutes. I think it would be a mistake to cast them when we don't know we'll be in combat right away,"  Scholar says.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "My spells have a duration of minutes. I think it would be a mistake to cast them when we don't know we'll be in combat right away,"  Scholar says. 
 

 "In that case...hang on."  A dance, a flourish, and Soren vanishes from view. His voice whispers from where he stands--first another chant, and then sentences.  "I'll be right back. If I'm not back in about a minute or you hear anything bad, then come in and rescue me!" 
 
 Spoiler: What Soren does 

Soren casts invisibility, then cats grace on himself and sneaks inside, just far enough to see or hear the big guy or any others. If there's anything remotely dangerous he turns around and runs back. I was going to ask if this should be done on Athard since he has the highest stealth score by far but since Rypt isn't here (what should we do about that by the way?) I'll do it.

I'm exploring Columbus right now so I'll be back later. And oh, right.

Stealth:  (d20+11)[ 29 ] 
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Soren 

The entire area of the temple you've been in previously appears to be deserted.
 
CoffeeIncluded
There's no way the lizardfolk abandoned the temple, which means they must be outside looking for them. Soren swallows, wipes the sweat from his brow, and takes a closer look and listen.

 
 Spoiler 

Was this before or after Soren's perception check? Can he hear anything? What does he see in this room (items on the ground, the walls, the state of the well, etcetera)
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Soren 
The bodies have been removed. There are still bloodstains on the floor. The altar and the walls look unchanged, as does the well from the side; are you going over to the well and looking down it? If any lizardfolk are in this section of the temple, they must be invisible, and you can't hear them either. It does occur to you that there's another side of the temple.

 Map  link.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren licks his lips but it does nothing to quell his nerves. The iron smell of blood still hangs in the air. If the big guy is here then he can't spot him, and hopefully he himself passes notice right now too. Should he check out the well? Soren make a step but athards words from before stop him. That dragon spotted Athard even when he was so well hidden, and he doesn't know how deep the well goes.

So instead Soren turns around and creeps over to the other side of the temple, turning his head back every so often to see if someone is following him.
Kish
To the north, Soren sees a short hallway leading to a suite of four rooms. The sickly sweet smell of incense lingers heavily in the air.

 
 Spoiler 

Soren's been in the temple for about ten minutes now.  Map  is updated; note that my description assumes that where he is is as far in as he's gone, in either the north or west directions.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Incense. They wouldn't leave something burning unattended, so someone's still here. Soren starts to step forward to investigate, but the sight of his boot as he takes that first step gives him pause. He's visible now, and there's no way of telling what's behind those walls and hallways, or in the next chamber down. But someone's in here, and so Soren sneaks back out to the others, sweat dripping with every step from the effort of not being spotted.

Outside, he says to everyone,  "i don't think anyone spotted me, and I didn't see the dragons or the big guy. They might be outside searching for us, but I smelled incense on the other side of the temple. Someone's inside and we might be able to ambush them. Should we?" 
 
 Spoiler: question 
did Soren hear or see anything else?
 
Kish
Scholar nods sharply.  "We should kill every hostile lizardfolk in our path, lest we be caught between them again." 
 
 Spoiler 
No, nothing else.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "But not if they surrender."  He pauses.  "There's two rooms. The first one has a bunch of chambers inside; we can use their entrances as chokepoints like how Adrianne held off the dracotaur and all the blackscales so they can't scatter us." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Outside, he says to everyone,  "i don't think anyone spotted me, and I didn't see the dragons or the big guy. They might be outside searching for us, but I smelled incense on the other side of the temple. Someone's inside and we might be able to ambush them. Should we?"  
 

 " Incense? ",  Kaarna wrinkles her nose,  "Yuck.." 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "But not if they surrender."  He pauses.  "There's two rooms. The first one has a bunch of chambers inside; we can use their entrances as chokepoints like how Adrianne held off the dracotaur and all the blackscales so they can't scatter us."  
 

The witch rolls her eyes at the comment about them surrendering.  "Well, what are we waiting for then? Maybe they are in, maybe they aren't. Won't find that out standing here." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  " Incense? ",  Kaarna wrinkles her nose,  "Yuck.."  
 

 "You don't like the smell?" 

 The witch rolls her eyes at the comment about them surrendering.  "Well, what are we waiting for then? Maybe they are in, maybe they aren't. Won't find that out standing here."  

 "yeah that's what I'm thinking too."  He doesn't reply to her comment about surrendering but instead gets up and grabs his bow.  "let's go." 
 
 Spoiler 
Sorry about that, I'm back from camping and ready to go. Should we do the same marching order as before?
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "You don't like the smell?"  
 

 "The damn thing messes up my nose",  Kaarna snorts,  "And I get a headache." 
Kish
 "Shifters have much keener noses than humans or elves do. Try imagining every scent is five times as strong,"  Scholar says. She looks at Adrianna questioningly.  "Do you have nothing to contribute to tactical planning?" 
Silverraptor
 "We have a plan set up, don't we?" 
She grips her weapons tightly.
 "Lets stick to it and make the best of it." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "The damn thing messes up my nose",  Kaarna snorts,  "And I get a headache."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Shifters have much keener noses than humans or elves do. Try imagining every scent is five times as strong,"  Scholar says. She looks at Adrianna questioningly.  "Do you have nothing to contribute to tactical planning?"  
 

 "Is that why I never see you at any ceremonies or festivals?"  Soren jokes.  "Seriously though, I didn't know. I guess it would make sense though." 

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "We have a plan set up, don't we?" 
She grips her weapons tightly.
 "Lets stick to it and make the best of it."  
 

Soren nods, but now that his plan is actually being put into action he looks significantly more nervous.
Kish
You head up the stairs into the temple. Adrianna's armor clanks as she walks, and it seems to echo through the temple. Soren directs the group to the western part of the temple; you reach the point where Soren stopped. There is an open area to the west and a short hallway leading to a suite of four rooms to the north.

 
 Spoiler 

I need to know whether you're going west or north from this point; I've moved you on the map.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren stops walking when he hears the clanking.  "Adrianne, can you remove your armor for now? It's pretty loud." 
 
 Spoiler: Perception 
To see if he can hear, see or since there's incense smell anything from either area:  (d20+10)[ 14 ] 
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna grits her teeth nervously.
 "Considering we are expecting combat any second now, do we really think its wise for me to spend several minutes trying to take this off, noisily I might add, and risk being ambushed while we're doing this? I you suggested this before we arrived here, that probably would've been better..." 
CWater
 "Let the girl keep her armour. We're in the lizards' home and they knew we were coming, so I doubt we'll get to ambush them, even if they are here. Besides if there's someone to hear us, then they already have."  Kaarna's voice is muffled, as she's holding a hand over her nose and mouth. She looks slightly ill.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren throws up his hands.  "Okag, okay! Yeesh, I thought we were just being stealthy the whole way through. We'll have to fight faster and harder then."  He points to the room where he smelled the incense.  "That's where I smelled the incense before. It looked like there's corridors and choke points and stuff there too, which makes it a good place to fight for us anyway. Athard, Kaarna, can you smell any lizardfolk in there?"  he looks over at Kaarna and fully notices the look on her face. He pauses and puts a hand on her shoulder.  "Kaarna, are you okay?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren throws up his hands.  "Okag, okay! Yeesh, I thought we were just being stealthy the whole way through. We'll have to fight faster and harder then."  He points to the room where he smelled the incense.  "That's where I smelled the incense before. It looked like there's corridors and choke points and stuff there too, which makes it a good place to fight for us anyway. Athard, Kaarna, can you smell any lizardfolk in there?"  he looks over at Kaarna and fully notices the look on her face. He pauses and puts a hand on her shoulder.  "Kaarna, are you okay?"  
 

 "You want me to open my nose here?",  the shifter glares at the bard,  "Ask me to drop dead instead, that is much less painful." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Hopefully the big guy won't do that and you won't have to find out!"  Soren says, trying to make a joke that due to his nerves falls flat.

 
 Spoiler 
Soren suggests the party goes north, unless he hears something to the west. He also readies an action to start inspire courage the moment he sees enemies vWhat do you all think?
 
Kish
As you deliberate, you hear an all-too-familiar magic chant in the open area to your west.

 "I think we've just run out of time,"  Scholar says, casting a spell on Athard.

 
 Spoiler 
Scholar casts Bear's Endurance on Athard.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Are you kidding me?!"  Soren screams in frustration as the fear comes flooding back. But no. He has to clamp down on it, ride the fear instead of letting it rule him. It takes every effort but he wills his feet to move into a dance, and his voice to break out into song.  "Athard, Kaarna, tell me if you can sniff out the big guy and stuff the incense!"  He moves forward as far as he dares without actually exposing himself or going into the corridor. He also draws a tanglefoot bag.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's actions 


Soren starts singing inspire courage (+2 to attacks, damage, and saves), and moves forward a few feet.

Both Athard and Kaarna have scent. What should we do with Athard? Do you want me to take control?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I hope you have more like that on the way,"  Athard says to Scholar as the warforged casts her first spell,  "Because I don't plan on dying again."  With that he slips around the corridor, sizing up the situation before he does anything else.

 
 Spoiler 
Athard moves to I15 or wherever he can see, and can I have a description of the room before doing anything else please?
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Athard 
Athard sees several empty pens to the west. Directly ahead of him, a blackscale lizardfolk commands attention and raises a club; he doesn't think it's a familiar lizardfolk though he has trouble telling lizardfolk apart. but it's definitely wearing an ornate breastplate engraved with draconic imagery instead of the robes the lizardfolk on the east side were wearing. Behind the lizardfolk is a well that resembles the one on the east side and the one on the portico, and behind that, an animal recognizable as a dire wolverine strains at the chain holding it to the wall. The following shout comes from the lizardfolk.
 


A deep female voice shouts,  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
"Death for the Black Lord Rhashaak!"
 

 
 Spoiler 

 (1d4)[ 4 ] 
Roll-off between Scholar:  (1d20)[ 14 ] 
and the wolverine:  (1d20)[ 14 ] 
Roll-off between Soren:  (1d20)[ 2 ] 
and someone:  (1d20)[ 9 ] 
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 24
Wolverine: 20.5
Scholar: 20
??: 18
Athard: 12
??: 11
??: 7
??: 5.5
Soren: 5
Adrianna: 2
??: 1

Athard can talk as a free action (as long as he doesn't try to recite a phone book); the only one who acts before any NPCs is Kaarna.  Map  is updated.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "There might be more invisible in here, and I don't intend to die again!"  Athard shouts as he strikes the blackscale before him, drawing as much power as he possibly can into the attack. His nostrils flare as he sniffs the air.

 
 Spoiler: Attacks and other things: 
Okay there's a lot here and I'm not sure if I got it all right. And I really don't want Athard to die because of my mistake if Rypt is coming back (I saw him post! He's alive, I just don't know where he is!)

First, Athard scents to smell the presence of other creatures--it says locating creatures by scent is a move action but nothing for actually detecting the presence of other creatures within 60 feet without pinpointing their location. Second, he claims the blackscale before him (letting him use that ki strike +1d6 to damage thing) and attacks, using the magus point to give him an additional +1 to his weapon, making it a +2 katana. Finally, he uses the flurry strike maneuver to make two attacks. I'll roll the attacks here, then action points if necessary, then crits and damage.

Attack 1:  (d20+10)[ 26 ] 
Attack 2: (d20+10)[ 16 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: Damage for the first attack 

Damage for attack one: [roll]d8+8+3d6[/roll]
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: Damage for attack one: 
Okay let's try this again.
 (d8+8)[ 15 ]  plus  (3d6)[ 10 ] 

Hang on, add +3 for power attack, so it's 28 damage.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: Action point for attack two (if allowed) 
 (d6)[ 4 ] 

Ignore the action point if this isn't allowed.
 
CWater
Kaarna runs forward, shifting on the way. She raises her open palm towards the lizardfolk, weaving a spell.  "Hold still!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Swift action: Shifting
Move action: To J17
Standard action: Casts  Hold Person.  Will save DC 15 or be paralyzed. Lasts for 5 rounds, the subject can attempt a new save each round to free themselves.

Sorry it took me a while to post!
 
Kish
Athard injures the lizardfolk severely with one blow. Kaarna casts her spell; it does not seem to have any effect. The wolverine lunges, its chain straining as it snaps at Athard. Scholar moves forward and casts another spell on Athard, causing him to grow to twelve feet again.  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
  "Send him back to Dolurrh!"  
 
 shouts an all-too-famiiar voice from somewhere in the seemingly empty space behind the visible lizardfolk...You think it's coming from northeast of the well. The same voice recites the words of another spell, but without seeing the accompanying gestures, you cannot identify it. You also hear footsteps.
 
 Spoiler 

&gt;&gt; Athard: 12
??: 11
??: 7
??: 5.5
Soren: 5
Adrianna: 2
??: 1
Kaarna: 24
Wolverine: 20.5
Scholar: 20
The invisible lizardfolk high priest: 18

Everyone make a Perception check. Scholar's:  (1d20+4)[ 5 ] 

Athard is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Something cold twists inside Athard at the sound of the blackscale that killed him yesterday. Is this fear?

 "I am  not  going back to Dolurrh! Behind the well!"  he hisses as he strains to pinpoint that adept.

 
 Spoiler: perception 
  (d20+11)[ 13 ] 

Where are the footsteps coming from?
 


I'm sorry, but I need to know the results of this before doing anything else because they might affect the rest of Athard's actions.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Adrianne, get in here, the blackscale that killed me is somewhere in this room and he's casting spells! Soren, Kaarna, find him because I am not dying again!"  He draws the roiling energy within into a devastating slice aimed at the blackscale before him.

 
 Spoiler: Attack 
Athard uses Rising Zenith Strike against the blackscale before him. Sense Motive against the target's AC, and if it hits it does double damage. Additional modifiers apply to the sense motive roll. Also if this kills BS1 then he recovers both maneuvers that he's used.

Sense motive:  (d20+15)[ 26 ]  If it beats the target's AC then it hits.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: Damage! 
Athard does double damage if this hits. Also, because he claimed BS1 if this kills BS1 then he recovers both maneuvers that he used.

Damage (first roll):  (2d6+13)[ 19 ]  plus  (3d6)[ 12 ] 
Damage (second roll): [roll]]2d6+13[/roll]  8, sorry  plus  (3d6)[ 6 ] 
Total damage: 45. Ow. I almost wish this were against the big guy. But if h😁e killed BS1 then he'll get the maneuver back so it might be too!
 


If Athard kills the blackscale before him then he takes a 5 foot step back and  notes the direction of the second lizardfolk in the room with his scent ability as a move action.  He then relays this information to everyone.
Kish
Athard's massive sword splits the lizardfolk in two. He thinks the remaining lizardfolk smell is coming from the northwest now, though the suddenly intense smell of blood and ruptured internal organs makes it harder to tell.

 
 Spoiler 

No one else does anything that you can see.
&gt;&gt; Soren: 5
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 2
??: 1
Kaarna: 24
Wolverine: 20.5
Scholar: 20
The invisible lizardfolk high priest: 18
Athard: 12
??: 11
??: 5.5

Soren and Adrianna are up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren dashes forward, sliding between Athard, Kaarna, and Scholar as he continues his song. It's a thrumming war cry, something that doesn't quite sound like it should be coming out of Soren's mouth. Athard's outstretched finger pointing to the northwest tells him what to do next. Trying not to look at the blackscale cut in two, the half-elf draws his hands to his chest, grips as though pulling something out. Then suddenly he splays his hands out, extending every finger. A shower of glitter falls where Athard smelled the blackscale.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's actions 
Soren moves to J16, continues his song (+2 to attack, damage, and saves), and casts glitterdust exactly where Athard says he smells the lizardfolk (Glitterdust covers an area and even though scent can't give an exact location unless you're within 5 feet of the target it gives a general area--thanks!). The save DC against blindness is 16 but if he's in range then he'll be visible, save or no save. And that's what I'm going for.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Perception:  (d20+10)[ 14 ] 
Kish
The cloud of glitter Soren creates covers the wolverine, who makes an enraged whining noise, and outlines the shape of a club-wielding blackscale in robes.
 
 Spoiler: saves 

 (1d20+14)[ 16 ] 
 (1d20+5)[ 18 ] 
 (1d4)[ 3 ] 

Map is updated.  Light yellow area is filled with Glitterdust (bear in mind, you all need to save if you enter it, too). Green area has both Glitterdust and part of the well.  Priest is P.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna runs over to stand in front of Kaarna.

 
 Spoiler 
Move to I-17
 
Kish
Another armored blackscale with a greatclub emerges from the corridor to your north.  "Drop!"  he commands in an accented Common.

 
 Spoiler 

Athard needs to make a DC 13 Will save, or use his next action to drop his sword and be unable to pick it up until the round after that.

&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 24
Wolverine: 20.5
Scholar: 20
The invisible lizardfolk high priest: 18
Athard: 12
??: 11
??: 5.5
Soren: 5
Adrianna: 2
BS2: 1

 Map  is updated. Kaarna is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard grits his teeth as he attempts to fight back the command that digs beneath his brain into the very muscles controlling his arms and hands.

 
 Spoiler 
will save:  (d20+12)[ 26 ] 
 
CWater
Kaarna slips past Athard and Adrianna and continues a little closer to the invisible priest revealed by the glitter. Quickly she weaves a new spell and when it's complete, spits a ball of webbing towards him.

 
 Spoiler 
Move action: To E14
Standard action: Casts  Web Bolt  at P. DC 14 Ref save or be grappled.
 
Kish
The wolverine snarls. The blackscale priest smoothly avoids Kaarna's bolt.   "You'll die second, annoying one,"   he tells Soren in accented Common, raising one index finger to beckon you toward him mockingly before he smashes the chain holding the wolverine. Scholar ducks around Athard and casts a spell on Adrianna, who grows to twelve feet tall as well, her increased size shoving Athard and Soren back as she grows.

 
 Spoiler 

&gt;&gt; Athard: 12
??: 11
??: 5.5
Soren: 5
Adrianna: 2
BS2: 1
Kaarna: 24
Wolverine: 20.5
Scholar: 20
The priest: 18

Athard is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard keeps an iron grip on his blade. He's slipped back into the single-minded zen-like state of battle, where the only thing is kill or be killed. The fear is still there, but he has it under control. And he wants to shut that blackscale up.

 "Everyone said you managed to hold off all the blackscales long enough for us to escape. Adrianne, show me what you can do."  He points to the space between the well and the right wall, just the right size for her to use as a chokepoint, and in fact goes so far as to give the paladin a slight nudge as he steps back into the hallway, shoving Soren out of the way again (the poor half-elf, already recalibrating his balance, nearly falls flat on his rear) to bring down fury onto the blackscale that just appeared.

 
 Spoiler: Attack 
Sorry about this but I figure it's best for Athard to take care of the mooks that he can one-shot or close. Adrianne can tank a hit from the big guy but Athard can't--better that he get the first strike against the big guy.

Anyway, Athard 5 foot steps or moves back to get in range and attack BS2 (he's got reach now too!). He claims the blackscale and uses Rising Zenith Strike for maximum damage.

sense motive:  (d20+15)[ 17 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Okay action point, let's hope it works this time:  (d6)[ 2 ] 

EDIT: Dammit, I don't think that works. Sorry guys.
Kish
Athard's arrow flies past the newcomer and shatters on the floor; the priest laughs nastily and, as a scaly black head rises from the well, shouts,   "The Sacred Ones are here! Behold true power and despair, infidels!"   The head's mouth opens and a stream of acid spews out, splattering Athard and Adrianna.

 
 Spoiler 

Athard and Adrianna take  (4d6)[ 19 ]  damage, Reflex DC 14 for half.

 (1d4)[ 2 ] 

&gt;&gt; Soren: 5
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 2
BS2: 1
Kaarna: 24
Wolverine: 20.5
Scholar: 20
The priest: 18
Athard: 12
The Small dragon: 11
??: 5.5

Soren and Adrianna are up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The big guy, the wolverine off his chain and looking to kill, black scales streaming in, and now the dragons. The fear returns, washes over Soren and the dread the plunges through him as he groans.   were dead were dead were all gonna die...  

But Soren's song keeps him going as he runs to the side, hurls a tanglefoot bag at the dragon   the plan stick to the plan   and begs Adrianne to run over to that corridor.

 
 Spoiler 

Soren moves to G15, keeps his song going, and chucks a tanglefoot bag right at the dragons face. While trying not to piss his robes. 😛

Ranged touch attack on the tanglefoot bag. If it hits the dragon is entangled and has to make a dc 15 reflex save or be unable to move. And if it's flying it'll fall to the ground and take falling damage. Even after scraping off the goo it'll still be entangled.

 (d20+8)[ 17 ] 
 
Kish
 "Spread out,"  Scholar says in a voice that betrays no emotion.  "The dragon's breath is a line; don't let it breathe on more than one of us at a time again." 
Silverraptor
Adriana moves to H12 and I12, 5 foot stepping as needed, to be right next to the dragon. She then throws a smite evil at the dragon.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack: (1d20+13)[ 27 ] 
Critical: (1d20+13)[ 28 ] 
Damage: (2d6+9)[ 11 ] 

If I miscalculated on these rolls, please let me know.
 
Edit: opps, I messed up on the damage roll. It's +5 to damage from smite evil, not +2. My mistake. 
Scratch that, I'm just really bad at making damage rolls anyways. Apparently I did the bonuses WAY too low. Do you want me to reroll? Or do you just want to do math and fins what I actually rolled to the real bonuses I have?
 
Kish
Adrianna steps up and slashes the dragon, who bellows with rage.  
 Spoiler: Draconic 
  "I'm stuck!  "
 

 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
  "Hold still!  "
 
 an equally sibilant but female voice comes from the well.

 
 Spoiler: Draconic 
  "There's not much else I can do!  "
 


The blackscale behind you moves forward, swinging his greatclub at Athard.

 
 Spoiler 

Attack:  (1d20+10)[ 27 ]  Critical threat roll:  (1d20+10)[ 28 ] 
Damage:  (2d8+6)[ 14 ]  Critical damage:  (2d8+6)[ 15 ] 

&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 24
Wolverine: 20.5
Scholar: 20
The priest: 18
Athard: 12
The Small dragon: 11
??: 5.5
Soren: 5
Adrianna: 2
BS2: 1

 Map  is updated; Kaarna is up.
 
CWater
Kaarna snorts and suddenly jumps up to hover by the ceiling, glumly eyeing the battle from above.

 
 Spoiler 
Standard action: Activate Flight
Move action: Up
Is the ceiling 20 ft. high again?
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler 
Yes, the ceiling is 20 feet high.
 


The wolverine lunges at Adrianna, snarling. Scholar holds out her holy symbol, taking a step to the west. The priest moves forward, casting another spell on himself.

 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft 17 

The spell is Bear's Endurance.
 

 
 Spoiler 
First the wolverine charges Adrianna:  (1d20+7)[ 11 ]  Critical threat roll:  (1d20+7)[ 14 ] 
Damage:  (1d8+4)[ 11 ]  Critical damage if applicable:  (1d8+4)[ 12 ] 
Then Scholar heals those who are injured for  (2d6)[ 7 ] . Finally, the priest moves and casts.

&gt;&gt; Athard: 12
The Small dragon: 11
??: 5.5
Soren: 5
Adrianna: 2
BS2: 1
Kaarna: 24
Wolverine: 20.5
Scholar: 20
The priest: 18

Athard is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I told you there was another dragon!"  Soren screams, his voice quivering with barely-concealed terror.  "she's coming up! Kaarna if you have any evil witch curses now would be a  really  good time!" 

Meanwhile Athard attempts to parry the black scale's strike and counter with a swing of his own.

 
 Spoiler 
athard attempts to block the attempt with sanguine barrier (couldn't post that straight away because of class) and NOW he does that sense motive for double damage attack. Black scale is still claimed, etc.

Sanguine barrier attempt:  (d20+13)[ 15 ] 
Attack:  (d20+15)[ 28 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Damage:  (2d6+13)[ 23 ]  plus  (3d6)[ 6 ] 
Second Damage:  (2d6+13)[ 21 ]  plus  (3d6)[ 11 ] 

If it's dead Athard moves to fg 13-14. He'll also get both maneuvers back.
Kish
The blackscale falls. A stream of acid flies up the well and covers the dragon, dissolving the sticky goo; the dragon drops back out of sight down the well.
 
 Spoiler 

The dragon delays and withdraws; no attacks of opportunity.

&gt;&gt; Soren: 5
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 2
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 24
Wolverine: 20.5
Scholar: 20
The priest: 18
Athard: 12
??: 5.5
The Small dragon: 5.25

Soren, Adrianna, and Kaarna are up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 The blackscale falls. A stream of acid flies up the well and covers the dragon, dissolving the sticky goo; the dragon drops back out of sight down the well.
 
 Spoiler 

The dragon delays and withdraws; no attacks of opportunity.

&gt;&gt; Soren: 5
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 2
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 24
Wolverine: 20.5
Scholar: 20
The priest: 18
Athard: 12
The Small dragon: 11
??: 5.5

Soren, Adrianna, and Kaarna are up.
 
 
 

Soren grits his teeth as the dragon escapes. But there's still some goo stuck on it and Adrianne got in a blow and Athard just freaking obliterated the blackscale so...only two. Maybe. Maybe they'll survive.

Soren's song gets louder, and he points straight at the priest's bloody club before slipping his hands outward, swinging then like they suddenly slipped. As he finishes his spell the club gets slick and slippery.

 
 Spoiler 
Soren casts grease with the arcanist gloves on the big guy's great club. He has to immediately make a DC 15 reflex save or drop the club. If he fails that save he needs to make A new DC 15 reflex saving throw each round that he attempts to pick up or use the greased item (quoted almost verbatim from the spell). This will last for 7 rounds because of the arcanist gloves.

I have to re-cast glitterdust in 2 rounds.

Spellcraft:  (d20+6)[ 7 ] 

Also the dragon is still entangled and will be for several more rounds.
 

 "The big guy! Before the dragons come back!" 
CWater
Kaarna takes out a piece of bark from her component pouch and tears it in half, then points her finger at the lizardfolk priest. A sizzling thundercloud appears over him.

 
 Spoiler 
Aggressive Thundercloud to H8. Electricity damage  (3d6)[ 12 ] , Ref DC 15 to negate.
4/5 rounds remaining.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna swings her longsword at the Wolverine.
 
 Spoiler: Rolls 
Attack: (1d20+11)[ 30 ] 
Critical: (1d20+11)[ 20 ] 
Damage: (2d6+7)[ 14 ] 
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler 

Critical damage roll for Adrianna:  (2d6+7)[ 17 ] 
 

Soren casts a spell at the lizardfolk priest's club and it becomes slippery, but he holds on to it grimly. Kaarna creates an indoor stormcloud over his head, but he nimbly sidesteps the lightning from it, his cloak swirling. Adrianna slashes the wolverine, who lets out a pained, enraged cry and retaliates with claws and teeth.  "Not in a line!"  Scholar says sharply, hurrying to the west and healing the group again as she does. The priest heads to his west as well, hiding his gestures behind one of the pens as he casts another spell. You hear several more lizardfolk coming down the corridor to your east.  "The reinforcements are an illusion--no one is coming!"  Scholar shouts.
 
 Spoiler 

Everyone make a Will save. Scholar's:  (1d20+11)[ 20 ] 
The wolverine's claw/claw/bite:  (1d20+10)[ 26 ]   (1d20+10)[ 30 ]   (1d20+5)[ 13 ] 
The wolverine's critical threat rolls:  (1d20+10)[ 23 ]   (1d20+10)[ 18 ]   (1d20+5)[ 8 ] 
The wolverine's damage rolls:  (1d6+8)[ 11 ]   (1d8+4)[ 11 ]   (1d8+4)[ 7 ] 
The wolverine's critical damage rolls:  (1d6+8)[ 11 ]   (1d8+4)[ 7 ]   (1d8+4)[ 8 ] 
Healing to everyone injured and on Scholar's side, after the wolverine's attacks:  (2d6)[ 8 ] 

&gt;&gt; Athard: 12
??: 5.5
The Small dragon: 5.25
Soren: 5
Adrianna: 2
Kaarna: 24
Wolverine: 20.5
Scholar: 20
The priest: 18

 Map  is updated and Athard is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I'll have to take your word for it!"  Athard shouts as he steps forward and brings his blade down twice onto the frenzied wolverine, trying to decapitate the rampaging beast.

 
 Spoiler: I'll put IC text and speech in after the rolls. Don't forget the +2 to saves from Soren's song and +2 from Scholar's warning! 


Athard's will save:  (d20+14)[ 16 ] 
Soren's will save:  (d20+8)[ 16 ] 

Athard 5-foot steps to get in range of the wolverine if necessary, claims it, then uses Flurry Strike on it.

Attack one:  (d20+11)[ 17 ] 
Attack two:  (d20+11)[ 26 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: damage 

Damage 1:  (2d6+13)[ 21 ] plus  (3d6)[ 13 ] 
Damage 2:  (2d6+13)[ 19 ] plus  (3d6)[ 7 ] 

If it's dead after this Athard gets the maneuver back.
 
Kish
The wolverine falls. The dragon's head rises out of the well again, breathing another stream of acid across Athard and Soren.
 
 Spoiler 

Athard and Adrianna take  (4d6)[ 12 ]  damage, Reflex DC 14 for half.

 (1d4)[ 4 ] 

&gt;&gt; Soren: 5
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 2
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 24
Scholar: 20
The priest: 18
Athard: 12
??: 5.5
The Small dragon: 5.25

Soren, Adrianna, and Kaarna are up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Aaaarrgghh!! It's burning my face!"  Soren screams as he tries to wipe the acid off of him, pour water onto the burns. His scream morphs into a cry of fury as he maintains control of the song. The acid is still sizzling as he reaches for a tanglefootbag, but...no, not until one of them is down. Otherwise the other will just melt it. He grits his teeth and nocks an arrow--a scented arrow, the kind that Athard gave to him for emergencies like this. He can't get into the open with the big guy, not yet, and not with this dragon right here. Once he's done he runs to the corridor, getting out of the line, wedging himself between wall and well where the blackscale priest can't reach.

 
 Spoiler: Reflex saves and attacks: 

Soren's reflex save:  (d20+8)[ 11 ] 
Athard's reflex save:  (d20+6)[ 23 ] 

Soren keeps singing, shoots a scented arrow at the dragon (Athard and Kaarna get another +2 to attack and damage against it if it hits-- is this the same one from before? ), then moves to E12.

Attack:  (d20+8)[ 10 ] 

Drat, poor Soren.
 


Unfortunately the acid is still burning, blurring Soren's vision, He lowers his voice and says to his friends,  "Wait for my next spell before chasing the big guy!" 
Silverraptor
Adrianna Quickly turns her attention to the dragon and swings her sword again.

 
 Spoiler: Attack 
Attack:  (1d20+17)[ 31 ] 
Critical:  (1d20+17)[ 34 ] 
Damage:  (2d6+17)[ 24 ] 
 
CWater
Kaarna glares at the priest and gestures the thundercloud to follow him.

 
 Spoiler 
Standard action:  Evil Eye  at the priest, choosing -2 to saves. Lasts at least 1 round, if fails Will save DC 15 then 6 rounds.
Move action: Thundercloud to D7. Damage:  (3d6)[ 11 ] , Ref DC 15 to negate.
3/5 rounds remaining.
 
Kish
Adrianna strikes the dragon, who looks close to dead. Soren's arrow misses the dragon cleanly. Another burst of positive energy comes from Scholar's holy symbol. The priest raises his club and moves toward you.

 
 Spoiler 

Will save:  (1d20+10)[ 11 ] 
Reflex save to dodge lightning:  (1d20+5)[ 18 ] 
Reflex save to hold club:  (1d20+7)[ 15 ] 
Scholar's healing:  (2d6)[ 10 ] 

&gt;&gt; Athard: 12
??: 5.5
The Small dragon: 5.25
Soren: 5
Adrianna: 2
Kaarna: 24
Scholar: 20
The priest: 18

Athard is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard looks at the priest, then grins as he points at the wounded dragon and brings the sword down twice, hasty as he tries to bring it down before it flies off again.

 
 Spoiler: Athard's attacks 
Hah! He finally failed that save! Quick question, Kish: Did the -2 penalty to all saves from Evil Eye apply to Thundercloud and Grease? Since he only barely made that Grease save.

Anyway, Athard claims the dragon then uses Flurry Strike again.

Attack 1:  (d20+11)[ 28 ] 
Attack 2:  (d20+11)[ 20 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Even though Athard is hurrying, his sword strikes true.

 
 Spoiler: Damage! 
Damage 1:  (2d6+13)[ 23 ]  plus  (3d6)[ 12 ] 
Damage 2 (if it hit):  (2d6+13)[ 19 ]  plus  (3d6)[ 8 ] 

If the dragon's dead he gets the maneuver back.
 
Kish
The dragon's body falls down the well.

 
 Spoiler 

Yes, the saving throw penalty applied to all three saves; CWater said that she was directing the lightning cloud after she used her Evil Eye, and reading the description of Grease, I concluded the saving throw for it took place on the priest's turn. The only one I wasn't sure of was whether the saving throw penalty should apply to the Evil Eye itself, but it turned out not to matter, since either an 11 or a 13 would fail.

Now, question: When you say Athard gets his maneuvers back if an enemy is killed, do you actually mean killed? I.e., should he be getting the maneuver back if an enemy falls at -5, or only if he brings the enemy to -10 or less?

&gt;&gt; Soren: 5
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 2
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 24
Scholar: 20
The priest: 18
Athard: 12
??: 5.5

Soren, Adrianna, and Kaarna are up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 The dragon's body falls down the well.

 
 Spoiler 

Yes, the saving throw penalty applied to all three saves; CWater said that she was directing the lightning cloud after she used her Evil Eye, and reading the description of Grease, I concluded the saving throw for it took place on the priest's turn. The only one I wasn't sure of was whether the saving throw penalty should apply to the Evil Eye itself, but it turned out not to matter, since either an 11 or a 13 would fail.

Now, question: When you say Athard gets his maneuvers back if an enemy is killed, do you actually mean killed? I.e., should he be getting the maneuver back if an enemy falls at -5, or only if he brings the enemy to -10 or less?

&gt;&gt; Soren: 5
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 2
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 24
Scholar: 20
The priest: 18
Athard: 12
??: 5.5

Soren, Adrianna, and Kaarna are up.
 
 
 

They just slew a dragon. It may have been a small dragon, and it was trying to kill them, but it was still a dragon. Soren closes his eyes in respect for the moment, then opens them again. His hazel eyes flare as repeats the motion for a burst of glitter. His song becomes one of pressing attack as the glitter falls on the blackscale again, and down the well as well. He then steps back behind Scholar. No telling how enraged the priest will be now.

 "Now!"  he shouts to Adrianna, Kaarna, and Athard.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's action 
Soren  keeps singing and casts Glitterdust so that it covers the big guy and falls in the well (in case the other dragon is coming up), but doesn't hit any allies. The main purpose is to keep the big guy glittering since his first glitterdust will expire next turn and invisibility is still up, but if he also gets blinded (Will save DC 16) that's a bonus. He then moves to D15.

Okay, so the grease save happened before the evil eye then, but it won't from now on. Thanks!

And I've been interpreting "kills the foe" as "the foe is out of combat" since DM interpretations of negative HP for enemies varies sometimes. I've had DMs that roll to see if enemies in negative HP stabilize and others that just assume they're dead. What do you do?
 
CWater
Kaarna has the cloud to keep following the priest. Then she weaves a new spell to cause a sudden burst of air erupt from the ground.

 
 Spoiler 
Move action: Thundercloud to E8. Damage:  (3d6)[ 6 ] , Ref DC 15 to negate.
2/5 rounds remaining.
Standard action: Casting  Air Geyser  on P. Damage:  (2d6)[ 6 ] , Ref save DC 16 for half. If fails the save, he is also hurled up, hits the ceiling for another  (2d6)[ 10 ]  and then falls down taking one more  (2d6)[ 8 ]  damage.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna steps around the well towards the Priest to engage him.

 
 Spoiler: Attack 
Attack: (1d20+11)[ 26 ] 
Critical: (1d20+11)[ 18 ] 
Damage: (2d6+7)[ 12 ] 
 
Kish
 " Not in a line , " Scholar says sharply as Soren moves behind her. Adrianna steps forward and slashes at the priest with her sword, but the priest blocks it with his club. Kaarna directs lightning and wind at the priest and Soren covers him in glitter again, but he smoothly dodges, seeming only annoyed; his grip on his club is unimpeded by the grease covering it. Scholar hesitates, and the priest strikes at Adrianna twice and tries to bite her too.

 
 Spoiler 

Will edit more in to the IC section when I know the results of these rolls. The priest's last action before Adrianna attacked him was to use Total Defense.
Will save against Glitterdust:  (1d20+12)[ 20 ] 
Reflex save to dodge lightning:  (1d20+5)[ 20 ] 
Reflex save to dodge air blast:  (1d20+5)[ 21 ] 
Reflex save to hold club:  (1d20+7)[ 16 ] 
Greatclub Adrianna:  (1d20+13)[ 30 ]  Critical threat roll:  (1d20+13)[ 19 ]  Damage:  (2d8+8)[ 18 ]  Critical damage:  (2d8+8)[ 17 ]  (Let me know if I've forgotten any debuffs that should reduce any of those rolls).
Greatclub Adrianna:  (1d20+8)[ 10 ]  Critical threat roll:  (1d20+8)[ 10 ]  Damage:  (2d8+8)[ 15 ]  Critical damage:  (2d8+8)[ 12 ] 
Bite Adrianna:  (1d20+9)[ 26 ]  Critical threat roll:  (1d20+9)[ 22 ]  Damage:  (1d6+2)[ 3 ]  Critical damage:  (1d6+2)[ 6 ] 

&gt;&gt; Athard: 12
??: 5.5
&gt;&gt; Soren: 5
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 2
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 24
Scholar: 20
The priest: 18

All of you are up; ?? will not act in any way you can perceive.
 
CoffeeIncluded
  Oh come on!   Soren thinks, and almost says, but instead his song becomes vehement, staccato as he scrambles behind Adrianne and throws a tanglefoot bag at the priest.

 
 Spoiler 
soren moves to H12, sings, and uses a tanglefoot bag on the priest. ranged touch, if it hits the big guy is automatically entangled (moves at half speed, -2 to attack, -4 to dex (which means -2 to reflex saves and ac!), and needs to make a DC 15 reflex save or be stuck to the ground. I'll post for Athard right after this.

Ranged touch:  (d20+8)[ 19 ] 
 


The bag splatters all over the blackscale, Athard rushes in, and Soren sings out,

 "Guard of Breland, shield a little longer!
Witch of wilds, call your hexes over!
Mage of metal, our lives' holder!
Stalker in shadows, let your blade strike truer!" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "That does it,"  Athard grumbles.  Scholar, you better have some healing left!"  Athard runs forward,  stepping along the edge of the well and striking at the remaining blackscale before attempting to retreat to the north side of the room.

 
 Spoiler 
athard moves in to attack and attempts to use Red Zephyr Strike, which lets him attack and then move 10 feet out of the way without drawing an attack of opportunity, probably returning to his original location. If he hits he also Claims the blackscale.

QUESTION: can Athard attack from EF 11-12, standing partially on the well, as long as he does not end his movement there?

Attack:  (d20+11)[ 27 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Remember me?"  Athard growls as he slices into the priest and quickly steps back.


 
 Spoiler: damage 
 (2d6+13)[ 17 ]  plus  (3d6)[ 10 ]  and the blackscale is now Claimed.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna steps forward and throws a smite evil at the priest.

 
 Spoiler: Smite Evil 
Attack:  (1d20+14)[ 30 ] 
Critical:  (1d20+14)[ 18 ] 
Damage:  (2d6+14)[ 23 ] 
 
Kish
Athard slices the priest, and Adrianna hits him as well. The lightning strikes him this time, his movements slowed by the goo from Soren's bag. Scholar says,  "I do, but I am somewhat stymied by my current position."  She moves forward and into one of the pens.

The priest wrenches partially free of the goo and steps back.   "How could I forget the  squelch  your skull made?"   he taunts Athard back, his voice betraying no fear even though he looks quite badly hurt.   "Stop hiding behind that little girl and I'll give you a replay. You'll have plenty of company in Dolurrh this time."   He drains the contains of a flask and the worst of his wounds close.

 
 Spoiler 

 (2d8+3)[ 9 ] 

&gt;&gt; Athard: 12
??: 5.5
&gt;&gt; Soren: 5
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 2
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 24
Scholar: 20
The priest: 18

All of you are up; ?? will not act in any way you can perceive.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The taunts and threats worm their way into Soren's head, and the frustration at the failure of every one of his attacks builds on that, sets his teeth to grit against each other.  "Shut up, shut up, shut up!"  Soren shouts more than sings as his temper finally gets the better of him, rage clawing its way above the fear as he takes one of the scented arrows and fires it at the priest.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's actions 
Soren will keep singing and fire his bow at the priest, moving to H15 if necessary.

Attack:  (d20+8)[ 25 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: Damage!  
Even with the protection against good, I think that hit!

Here's the damage! Also note that this was a scented arrow;  Kaarna and Athard now get +2 on attacks and damage against him. 

Damage:  (d6+5)[ 6 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Whether or not it's a result of the taunt is unclear, but moments after Soren's arrow lands Athard is striding forward, pushing past Adrianne to attack in a fierce strike.

 
 Spoiler: Athard's actions 
Athard moves to HI 8-9 and attacks with the rising zenith strike sense motive to attack for double damage maneuver. The modifier is so high because of the scent arrow and stuff. I really hope this works.

Attack:  (d20+17)[ 18 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Spoiler: Of freaking course 
Action point though. I don't think these skill-checks-in-place-of-attacks-or-saves automatically miss on a one, since skill checks don't autofail on a one. For instance, I know for a fact that things like Moment of Perfect Mind (concentration check in place of a will save) or mind over body (concentration check in place of a fort save) don't automatically fail on a one.

Action point:  (d6)[ 3 ] 

Damage 1:  (2d6+15)[ 26 ]  plus  (3d6)[ 12 ] 
Damage 2:  (2d6+15)[ 22 ]  plus  (3d6)[ 15 ] 
 
Kish
Athard chops the priest into pieces, freezing the taunting smile on his face as his head parts company with the rest of his body.

When enough time passes for Athard to shrink, Scholar says,  "It looks like the other dragon isn't attacking, at the moment." 
 
 Spoiler: XP and Loot 

1400 XP each; each of the lizardfolk has a masterwork-quality Large greatclub and a masterwork-quality Large breastplate engraved with draconic imagery. Each of weaker lizardfolk also has two javelins, and a flask with liquid. One of them has a ring set with a green stone. The priest has no javelins and his flask is empty, but he has a fine cloak and a brooch set with blue stones. The wolverine has nothing.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Soren's right,"  Athard growls as he plunges his katana into the priest's heart.  "Shut up."  He pulls it out with a squelching sound.  "Enjoy Dolurrh with your company."  With the next stroke he beheads the blackscale. All at once, Athard lets out a sigh of relief, and though he's still guarded and ready to strike there's a tension, a weight that's lifted off him.

Soren, for his part, jumps for joy but fights it back under control as he paces around the well. Only when Scholar voices his thoughts does he relax and lower his bow.

 "Ha! Hahahahahahaha!  He starts laughing, his whole body shaking from the effort as all the tension is released at once.  "We did it! We're alive, we did it! I mean we probably need to stay on our guard for when the other dragon comes by but we actually did it!"  The half-elf runs around, giving everyone a hug--especially Adrianne and Athard, who did so much in this fight.

When he calms down, he helps collect all the loot and checks it all for magic, but takes the time to line up the bodies.  "Where did they put the ones we fought yesterday?" 
 
 Spoiler: Haha! 
Yes! Thank goodness! Also, detect magic on the stuff we got.

Anyway, back to work! Soren's going to search everything in this room, right down to the walls! If he has the chance and isn't alone, he'll search every inch of this temple for stuff.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Sorry about the multiple postings but I can't edit in a roll.

Soren also inspects the potions, cloak, and broach. He also waves them over his head.  "Anyone know what these are?" 

Spell craft:  (d20+6)[ 24 ] 

He also lays his hands on Adrianne and heals her for 6 points of damage.
CWater
Kaarna glides back to the floor and claps her hands once.  "Not so cocky now",  she says to the priest's corpse,  "Though he was a tough opponent, I give him that." 

She ruffles Soren's hair when the bard runs by and then joins the effort to strip the dead bodies from everything remotely valuable that is also reasonably easily transported.

 
 Spoiler 
How many Spellcraft checks are required?
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren smiles as Kaarna ruffles his hair and replies with a friendly nudge.  "Awe should probably check the other rooms too." 
Silverraptor
 "We should make sure to stay on our guard and keep a look out for atleast the other dragon. There might be more minions wandering about too." 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Detect Magic and searching 

The priest's club, breastplate, cloak, and brooch all show as magical to a low level, as does the ring and each of the flasks. Let me know which Spellcraft check to apply to what. Is Soren taking 20 on Perception checks to search the temple? The room the third lizardfolk in that fight came from is blocked by a time barrier; I've been contacted by Dusk, but is there any word from Athedia?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "We should make sure to stay on our guard and keep a look out for atleast the other dragon. There might be more minions wandering about too."  
 

Soren nods.  "Yeah. I hope they're too scared to fight us though." 

 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler: Detect Magic and searching 

The priest's club, breastplate, cloak, and brooch all show as magical to a low level, as does the ring and each of the flasks. Let me know which Spellcraft check to apply to what. Is Soren taking 20 on Perception checks to search the temple? The room the third lizardfolk in that fight came from is blocked by a time barrier; I've been contacted by Dusk, but is there any word from Athedia?
 
 
 

 "Ooh, these are all magical!"  Soren says, holding them up and inspecting them one by one.

 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft and other things 
The  24  I rolled earlier goes to the club.
Breastplate spellcraft:  (d20+6)[ 18 ] 
Cloak spellcraft:  (d20+6)[ 22 ] 
Broach spellcraft:  (d20+6)[ 26 ] 
Ring spellcraft:  (d20+6)[ 15 ] 
Flask 1 spellcraft:  (d20+6)[ 8 ]  or he tastes a drop if that's also allowed in Pathfinder.
Flask 2 spellcraft:  (d20+6)[ 16 ]  or he tastes a drop if that's also allowed in Pathfinder.

Soren will take 20 wherever something looks interesting (eg treasure, interesting carvings or features, etcetera, otherwise take 10.

Athedia said she'd defer to Dusk, and that he gets first dibs.

What's a time barrier?
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft checks 

The club is a Large  greatclub +1 .
The breastplate is a Large  breastplate +1 .
The cloak is a  cloak of resistance +1 
The brooch is a  brooch of shielding , partially used.
Soren cannot identify the ring or the potions.

A time barrier is a way of saying that you can neither go in there, nor realize in character that you cannot go in there, until the prisoner who is in there has been finalized by Dusk Eclipse, and if going in there is what you'd do next we're going to need to pause the game until Dusk is done creating the character.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "These are magical, I think this one protects against magic missiles, this ones a cloak of resistance and Kaarna, scholar, any clue what these are?"  Soren asks as he practically tosses the ring and potions at the warforged and shifter. He looks back at the bodies.  "Say...does anyone have a shovel?" 
 
 Spoiler 
oh, ok. Thanks! You want to explore everywhere else in the temple then?
 
CWater
 "Let's see",  Kaarna takes a look at the rest of the items.

 
 Spoiler 
Suppose I can try those Spellcrafts.
Ring:  (1d20+11)[ 19 ] 
Potion1:  (1d20+11)[ 24 ] 
Potion2:  (1d20+11)[ 29 ] 
 


EDIT:
 "What'd you want with a shovel?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "...Bury them,"  Soren says, looking over at the blackscales and the dragon. It shouldn't feel so awkward to ask. And in a way some part of him growls   let them rot, they would have done the same...  

But the rest of him isn't the part that growls. At least not usually.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "...Bury them,"  Soren says, looking over at the blackscales and the dragon. It shouldn't feel so awkward to ask. And in a way some part of him growls   let them rot, they would have done the same...  

But the rest of him isn't the part that growls. At least not usually. 
 

Kaarna raises an eyebrow.  "You serious?"  She looks back at the corpses.  "The dragon would be too much trouble, and the rest are no pixies either. The priest though... He put up a good fight, would deserve a decent grave for that."  She considers this.  "But no. We don't have the time. These are not the only lizards that live in the area, and the other dragon got away. Best search for what we came looking for and get the heck away from here." 
Silverraptor
 "A shovel? Then I could run around and tell everyone 'get back, I have gardening tools!'" 
Adrianna does sound somewhat sarcastic, but it is also fairly obvious its not directed to hurt and more make fun of the ludicrousness of Soren's comment.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna raises an eyebrow.  "You serious?"  She looks back at the corpses.  "The dragon would be too much trouble, and the rest are no pixies either. The priest though... He put up a good fight, would deserve a decent grave for that."  She considers this.  "But no. We don't have the time. These are not the only lizards that live in the area, and the other dragon got away. Best search for what we came looking for and get the heck away from here."  
 

 "Well, we can't just leave them here,"  Soren says, nudging one of the cooling bodies with his toe.  "Where did they put the other blackscales, and the dracotaur?" 

[spoiler=knowledge religion]take 10 for 19 to figure this one out.[/quote]


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "A shovel? Then I could run around and tell everyone 'get back, I have gardening tools!'" 
Adrianna does sound somewhat sarcastic, but it is also fairly obvious its not directed to hurt and more make fun of the ludicrousness of Soren's comment. 
 

Soren stares at Adrianne. He blinks rapidly, trying to process that those words came out of her mouth. The half-elf strides over to Adrianne and waves his hand in front of her face.  "That guy didn't hit you on the head, did he?" 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: identification 

The potions are both Cure Moderate Wounds; the ring continues to defy classification, though its aura is of moderate evocation.

Soren doesn't know what they would have done with the other bodies so quickly.
 

 "We haven't killed every blackscale in this swamp--or very many of the poison dusk,"  Scholar says.  "They'll deal with the bodies, and they'll likely still attack us if we go outside and try to bury them."  She looks at the ring and says,  "I can identify it tomorrow." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren frowns.  "Well--"  He walks over the the wolverine and starts dragging it into one of the dorm-like rooms.  "We should--nnrgh!--at least line them--nnh--up!"  He heads over to the next blackscale.  "And check out the other rooms. The altar place we fought before is clean, I don't know what they did, but I bet there's stuff there, a place to rest that won't be smelly anyway."  He grins again, the rakish expression looking much more natural than the fear.  "I think this went well the second time around." 
CWater
Kaarna shakes her head, but leaves Soren to do as he wishes and makes a quick flight around the room while her hex is still active, looking for anything interesting.

 
 Spoiler 
Any checks that I need to make?
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna quickly grabs Soren's wrist as he waves it in front of her face, gives him a slightly disappointed expression, as if a kitten was disappointed that an older cat was not participating in its play. She then drops his arms and begins to pace slowly in the center of the room, staying on guard and keeping track of the rest of the group while they all split up to do their own thing.
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Kaarna 
You don't see anything from the air that's different from what you see from the ground in this room. If you're examining something specific, let me know.
 
Kish
Exploring the hallway the blackscale emerged from, you find a suite of four chambers, each apparently the residence of a large humanoid creature, probably a blackscale lizardfolk. The smell of old incense hangs in the air. Each room contains a silk hammock, a sturdy teak chest, and a motley assortment of pungent-smelling clay pots and urns. The northwest chamber also contains what appears to be a human man, chained to the wall in one corner and dressed in rags.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna quickly grabs Soren's wrist as he waves it in front of her face, gives him a slightly disappointed expression, as if a kitten was disappointed that an older cat was not participating in its play. She then drops his arms and begins to pace slowly in the center of the room, staying on guard and keeping track of the rest of the group while they all split up to do their own thing. 
 

This time Soren replies with a grin. So is this Adrianne?

It's hard work, lining up the bodies of the black scales, and the wolverine too. But it something Soren feels he has to do.


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Exploring the hallway the blackscale emerged from, you find a suite of four chambers, each apparently the residence of a large humanoid creature, probably a blackscale lizardfolk. The smell of old incense hangs in the air. Each room contains a silk hammock, a sturdy teak chest, and a motley assortment of pungent-smelling clay pots and urns. The northwest chamber also contains what appears to be a human man, chained to the wall in one corner and dressed in rags. 
 

The incense really isn't that bad. Pungent, but not bad. And presumably was made in these pots and urns, judging from the smell. If there's any incense left in them Soren takes the pots--if kaarna hates the smell that much then they might be useful if they get in a fight with something that has a strong sense of smell. He takes down the hammock, tries to open the chest, walks into the room with the prisoner...

Wait,  what? 

Soren doubles back, runs up to the man in chains and begins shaking the shackles, patting his face, looking around for any keys or anything.  "Guys! There's someone locked up here!"  he shouts as he heals the prisoner.

Cure light wounds:  (d8+5)[ 12 ] 
Dusk Eclipse
Pain, for the last few weeks he had felt nothing but pain; death was looking less like and less unwelcoming, it would be a relief. It wasn't long before he heard footsteps coming towards him, it seemed those damn lizards weren't quite done with him   "Well... let's see what they have in store for me now."   he chuckled bitterly to himself. He was mentally prepared for pain, a blade or perhaps even acid, it wouldn't be the first time, but he wasn't prepared for the cool sensation that started spreading through his body, the pain that had plagued him all this time started to dull, little by little. With more effort than he would ever care to admit, he opened his eyes.

 "Who...who are you?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Exploring the hallway the blackscale emerged from, you find a suite of four chambers, each apparently the residence of a large humanoid creature, probably a blackscale lizardfolk. The smell of old incense hangs in the air. Each room contains a silk hammock, a sturdy teak chest, and a motley assortment of pungent-smelling clay pots and urns. The northwest chamber also contains what appears to be a human man, chained to the wall in one corner and dressed in rags. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren doubles back, runs up to the man in chains and begins shaking the shackles, patting his face, looking around for any keys or anything.  "Guys! There's someone locked up here!"  he shouts as he heals the prisoner.

Cure light wounds: [roll0] 
 

Kaarna smells the air, trying to ignore the annoying perfumes these lizards have coated the place with.  "My nose might be confused, but is this one alive?"  She moves closer and pokes the man's forehead with a finger.


 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Pain, for the last few weeks he had felt nothing but pain; death was looking less like and less unwelcoming, it would be a relief. It wasn't long before he heard footsteps coming towards him, it seemed those damn lizards weren't quite done with him   "Well... let's see what they have in store for me now."   he chuckled bitterly to himself. He was mentally prepared for pain, a blade or perhaps even acid, it wouldn't be the first time, but he wasn't prepared for the cool sensation that started spreading through his body, the pain that had plagued him all this time started to dull, little by little. With more effort than he would ever care to admit, he opened his eyes.

 "Who...who are you?"  
 

 "I'll be damned, he isn't dead."  Kaarna peers at the prisoner curiously.  "I wonder why that is, I thougt only cats liked to play with their food." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna is quick over but doesn't put down her guard.
 "I could ask you the same question. Who are you?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna smells the air, trying to ignore the annoying perfumes these lizards have coated the place with.  "My nose might be confused, but is this one alive?"  She moves closer and pokes the man's forehead with a finger. 
 

 "I think so,"  Soren says. The man then twitches and he grins.  "Yeah I think he's alive." 

  "I'll be damned, he isn't dead."  Kaarna peers at the prisoner curiously.  "I wonder why that is, I thougt only cats liked to play with their food."  

 "I guess lizards too. Or maybe he got sent before us?" 

 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Pain, for the last few weeks he had felt nothing but pain; death was looking less like and less unwelcoming, it would be a relief. It wasn't long before he heard footsteps coming towards him, it seemed those damn lizards weren't quite done with him   "Well... let's see what they have in store for me now."   he chuckled bitterly to himself. He was mentally prepared for pain, a blade or perhaps even acid, it wouldn't be the first time, but he wasn't prepared for the cool sensation that started spreading through his body, the pain that had plagued him all this time started to dull, little by little. With more effort than he would ever care to admit, he opened his eyes.

 "Who...who are you?"  
 

Soren steps back and places his hands on his hips as a broad grin crosses his face.  "The heroes, of course! Name's Soren."  He starts fiddling with the shackles and looking for a way to free the man.  "And who might you be?"  he asks, still smiling and seemingly without much worry or concern.
Dusk Eclipse
 "Heroes huh?"  the man chuckles with some difficulty  "My name is Raphael d'Tharask." 
CWater
Kaarna glances at Soren, clearly amused.  "Yeah, the kid's delusional. I'm Kaarna, an evil witch, nice to meet you."  She smiles mischievously and reaches to shake his chained hand.

 "So, I take it that you're not on the side if the lizards? Even for a devout sacrificial pawn, this seems a little much."  She eyes at him from top to toe as if trying to evaluate his general condition.  "Say we got you loose and found you a weapon. Do you think you'd be of any use against those dragon worshippers?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "Heroes huh?"  the man chuckles with some difficulty. 
 

 "Well, we did rescue you, so I think that makes us the heroes,"  Soren says with a wink and a tone that suggests this should be perfectly obvious.

  "My name is Raphael d'Tharask."  

 "Wait, seriously?!"  he starts working on the shackles faster.  "Where are you from? Are you from Breland? Sharn? Or Karrnath? Do you know my brother? Have I met you before?" 

 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna glances at Soren, clearly amused.  "Yeah, the kid's delusional. I'm Kaarna, an evil witch, nice to meet you."  She smiles mischievously and reaches to shake his chained hand. 
 

Soren pouts and folds his arms, though it's clear he's not actually hurt.  "how do I know you're not delusional? I haven't seen you turn anyone into frogs. I'm pretty sure evil witches do that. 'Sides, I'm a bard,"  he adds as if that should explain everything. Which, actually, it might.


  "So, I take it that you're not on the side if the lizards? Even for a devout sacrificial pawn, this seems a little much."  She eyes at him from top to toe as if trying to evaluate his general condition.  "Say we got you loose and found you a weapon. Do you think you'd be of any use against those dragon worshippers?"  

 "I have a sword, and some food," 
Soren points out.
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna glances at Soren, clearly amused.  "Yeah, the kid's delusional. I'm Kaarna, an evil witch, nice to meet you."  She smiles mischievously and reaches to shake his chained hand.

 "So, I take it that you're not on the side if the lizards? Even for a devout sacrificial pawn, this seems a little much."  She eyes at him from top to toe as if trying to evaluate his general condition.  "Say we got you loose and found you a weapon. Do you think you'd be of any use against those dragon worshippers?"  
 

 "A pleasure"  he responds not quite sure what to take of this self-titled evil witch.  "I might be a little sore, but I can still fight". 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Well, we did rescue you, so I think that makes us the heroes,"  Soren says with a wink and a tone that suggests this should be perfectly obvious.



 "Wait, seriously?!"  he starts working on the shackles faster.  "Where are you from? Are you from Breland? Sharn? Or Karrnath? Do you know my brother? Have I met you before?" 

Soren pouts and folds his arms, though it's clear he's not actually hurt.  "how do I know you're not delusional? I haven't seen you turn anyone into frogs. I'm pretty sure evil witches do that. 'Sides, I'm a bard,"  he adds as if that should explain everything. Which, actually, it might.

 "I have a sword, and some food," 
Soren points out. 
 

Raphael ignores the excitable youth and adresses Karna directly  "Is he always like this?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren pouts and folds his arms, though it's clear he's not actually hurt.  "how do I know you're not delusional? I haven't seen you turn anyone into frogs. I'm pretty sure evil witches do that. 'Sides, I'm a bard,"  he adds as if that should explain everything. Which, actually, it might.  
 

 "How do I, now?",  Kaarna says and her smile grows wide enough to show her canines.  "Maybe I should make a better effort. Ah, but",  she waves her hand dismissively,  "sadly we need everyone present unharmed and in human form. Will have to get back to that some other time." 

 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "A pleasure"  he responds not quite sure what to take of this self-titled evil witch.  "I might be a little sore, but I can still fight".  
 

 "Alright then, who's best at breaking chains?"  Kaarna looks around the party members, her expression suggesting she's expecting someone to volunteer.


 Raphael ignores the excitable youth and adresses Karna directly  "Is he always like this?"  

 "I'm afraid so",  the witch replies smirking and pats Soren's head,  "But he's otherwise very well behaved."  The attempt at giving the air that 'grown ups are talking' is somewhat hurt by the fact that the bard is a head taller than she is.
Silverraptor
 "I could try to brute force them open. Unless one of you have a spell for this sort of thing." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "I could try to brute force them open. Unless one of you have a spell for this sort of thing."  
 

 "Not such skills",  Kaarna says raising her hands and steps out of the way.  "Oh, this is Adrianna by the way",  she says to Raphael,  "Don't let looks deceive you, she's the real muscle in our merry party." 
Kish
 "Tharask, the bounty hunters. Based in the Shadow Marches. You appear to be human,"  the tall, skinny female warforged says.  "They presumably have a key, if they meant to drag him to the altar for sacrifice or bring him to the dragons."  She looks through the chest quickly, dumping the equipment the blackscales took from Raphael on the floor, then moves on to search the pots, pulling a key out of an urn in the corner. She unlocks the chains before adding, " I am called Scholar. I cast spells." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "How do I, now?",  Kaarna says and her smile grows wide enough to show her canines.  "Maybe I should make a better effort. Ah, but",  she waves her hand dismissively,  "sadly we need everyone present unharmed and in human form. Will have to get back to that some other time."  
 

 "Or you could practice on that dragon,"  Soren adds, shrugging his shoulders.


  "I'm afraid so",  the witch replies smirking and pats Soren's head,  "But he's otherwise very well behaved."  The attempt at giving the air that 'grown ups are talking' is somewhat hurt by the fact that the bard is a head taller than she is. 

Kaarna's hand is rebuffed by Soren's, and he rubs where she ruffled his hair with a rueful look.  "I could say the same to you. After all, you haven't turned a single person into a frog yet, and even when you turn into that bear thing you're still housetrained." 

  "Not such skills" , Kaarna says raising her hands and steps out of the way.  "Oh, this is Adrianna by the way",  she says to Raphael,  "Don't let looks deceive you, she's the real muscle in our merry party."  

 "She's not joking." 

  
"I could try to brute force them open. Unless one of you have a spell for this sort of thing."  

Soren shakes his head. Adrianne's back into her all-business mode, with not even a hint of the playful banter that showed up. Did he really just imagine that?


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Tharask, the bounty hunters. Based in the Shadow Marches. You appear to be human,"  the tall, skinny female warforged says.  "They presumably have a key, if they meant to drag him to the altar for sacrifice or bring him to the dragons."  She looks through the chest quickly, dumping the equipment the blackscales took from Raphael on the floor, then moves on to search the pots, pulling a key out of an urn in the corner. She unlocks the chains before adding, " I am called Scholar. I cast spells."  
 

 "...Or that."  That was almost embarrassingly simple. Soren runs forward and helps Raphael to his feet.  "So do you have a dragonmark? And I guess you're not from Sharn if we haven't met; I know pretty much everyone in the guild."  He pauses, realizing that only Kaarna really knows the whole deal--after all, half-elves don't have the Mark of Finding.  "Oh, sorry, my brother's a Tharask too; we're sort of a package deal." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna notices the warforge getting the key from some pots and unlocking the chains before looking over at Kaarna with a raised eyebrow.
 "Did you even look for a key at all before asking others to try and break the chains?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna notices the warforge getting the key from some pots and unlocking the chains before looking over at Kaarna with a raised eyebrow.
 "Did you even look for a key at all before asking others to try and break the chains?"  
 

Kaarna shrugs.  "Didn't come to mind. If someone could break the chains then there would be no need to look for a key. But Scholar just found it, so I guess that solves the matter." 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Tharask, the bounty hunters. Based in the Shadow Marches. You appear to be human,"  the tall, skinny female warforged says.  "They presumably have a key, if they meant to drag him to the altar for sacrifice or bring him to the dragons."  She looks through the chest quickly, dumping the equipment the blackscales took from Raphael on the floor, then moves on to search the pots, pulling a key out of an urn in the corner. She unlocks the chains before adding, " I am called Scholar. I cast spells."  
 

Raphael eyed the construct warily, he never got used to warforged allied or otherwise, but he thanked her nonetheless.  "Thank you" , he hastily checked that everything was still there and began to don his armour.


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 "Not such skills", Kaarna says raising her hands and steps out of the way. "Oh, this is Adrianna by the way", she says to Raphael, "Don't let looks deceive you, she's the real muscle in our merry party." 
 


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "She's not joking."  
 

 "Duly noted" 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  That was almost embarrassingly simple. Soren runs forward and helps Raphael to his feet.  "So do you have a dragonmark? And I guess you're not from Sharn if we haven't met; I know pretty much everyone in the guild."  He pauses, realizing that only Kaarna really knows the whole deal--after all, half-elves don't have the Mark of Finding.  "Oh, sorry, my brother's a Tharask too; we're sort of a package deal."  
 

 "I'm not dragonmarked"  he replies tersely.  "And what do you mean your brother has the mark? Are you sure your not confusing the mark of finding with the mark of the storms? I mean the Sharn's guild has a lot of bussiness with the Lyrandars" he says in a somewhat bemused tone.  "Don't feel bad if you do kiddo, most people can't tell one mark from the other." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna notices the warforge getting the key from some pots and unlocking the chains before looking over at Kaarna with a raised eyebrow.
 "Did you even look for a key at all before asking others to try and break the chains?"  
 

 "I did look, I just didn't see it. I kinda stopped when I saw Raphael." 

 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "I'm not dragonmarked"  he replies tersely.  "And what do you mean your brother has the mark? Are you sure your not confusing the mark of finding with the mark of the storms? I mean the Sharn's guild has a lot of bussiness with the Lyrandars" he says in a somewhat bemused tone.  "Don't feel bad if you do kiddo, most people can't tell one mark from the other."  
 

Kiddo? He's probably older than this guy!  "no, my brothers name is Blake Lowell D'Tharask. He's a half-Orc. And I can tell the marks apart too."  He looks over the man.  "So really, what are you doing here?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "A half-orc you say?" , now that he thought about it, he had heard about a half-orc member of the house who supposedly had a half-elf brother, he had never put too much thought into those rumours, but apparently they were true.  "I haven't met him, I'm sorry. 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "A half-orc you say?" , now that he thought about it, he had heard about a half-orc member of the house who supposedly had a half-elf brother, he had never put too much thought into those rumours, but apparently they were true.  "I haven't met him, I'm sorry.  
 

Soren nods even as he begins looking for more items or interesting things in the room.  "I guess you're not from Sharn then. Where did you say you were from?"  the accent is familiar.

When Raphael is re-equipped Soren cleans him off with a Prestidigitation, then draws an arrow and looks outside of the room.  "since you're here; do you want to help us search the temple? I think there's a lot of treasure left and there's still a dragon." 
 
 Spoiler: everyone 
Shoukd we move onward? I want to search for treasure on the other side of the temple if that's possible.
 
Kish
The other side of the temple seems, still, deserted. Along with the bodies, their possessions have been removed. You can still see the marks left by Kaarna's pillar.

 "It appears that the only place left to explore is down one of the wells,"  Scholar says.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 The other side of the temple seems, still, deserted. Along with the bodies, their possessions have been removed. You can still see the marks left by Kaarna's pillar.

 "It appears that the only place left to explore is down one of the wells,"  Scholar says. 
 

 "Great,"  Soren sighs as he ransacks the alcove where the high priest was one last time.  "Do you want to go down there now? There's still a dragon at least there and we're sort of low on spells and everything. Actually I think we should wait the night." 
 
 Spoiler: Kish 
What about the alcove where the high priest hid in? Soren takes 20 for 29 on search to look for stuff there. He also inspects the altar for hidden things.
 
Kish
Soren finds nothing in the alcove or on the altar.  "Most likely, anything valuable got moved before the bodies did."  Scholar looks down the well and adds,  "I'm low on spells too, but if we rest until tomorrow, they'll have a day to prepare as well."  You can't tell from her voice whether she's in favor of resting or not.
CWater
Kaarna keeps an eye out for valuables and helps Soren look. She frowns when Scholar brings up the well.  "We going in there?"  She steps up to stand on the edge and peers down.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Soren finds nothing in the alcove or on the altar.  "Most likely, anything valuable got moved before the bodies did."  Scholar looks down the well and adds,  "I'm low on spells too, but if we rest until tomorrow, they'll have a day to prepare as well."  You can't tell from her voice whether she's in favor of resting or not. 
 

 "Dammit,"  Soren mutters.  "Maybe they're downstairs? And whose left, that one dragon? They won't get us by surprise, not with you around. And I think I have an idea..."  He trails off, looking at the well.


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna keeps an eye out for valuables and helps Soren look. She frowns when Scholar brings up the well.  "We going in there?"  She steps up to stand on the edge and peers down. 
 

 "I guess, but if we're not tonight, does anyone have wood or stone?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Dammit,"  Soren mutters.  "Maybe they're downstairs? And whose left, that one dragon? They won't get us by surprise, not with you around. And I think I have an idea..."  He trails off, looking at the well.


 "I guess, but if we're not tonight, does anyone have wood or stone?"  
 

 "What would you with that?" 

Kaarna's frown deepens while she considers their situation.  "So.. Climb down today or tomorrow, what do you say?",  she asks their warriors, Adrianna and Raphael.  "It's you who'll be in the front lines, with possibly less support from the rest us, due to the lack of spells. But, as Scholar here said, it could have its downsides to wait." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "What would you with that?" 

Kaarna's frown deepens while she considers their situation.  "So.. Climb down today or tomorrow, what do you say?",  she asks their warriors, Adrianna and Raphael.  "It's you who'll be in the front lines, with possibly less support from the rest us, due to the lack of spells. But, as Scholar here said, it could have its downsides to wait."  
 

 "I was thinking we could block up the wells while we rest, so the other dragon can't fly out until we're ready to face it. I don't think we'll be facing anything else."  He paces back and forth, looking again at the carvings, seeing what story they tell.  "We'd have to figure out a way to open the well, then either climb or fly down so we don't smash against the ground. And for all we know there might be something else down there other than the one dragon left, though that dragon will definitely be attacking us as we climb down, may even cut any rope we use. Kaarna, can you fly multiple people?" 
Kish
 "I can think of three major possibilities. One, you're correct that the dragon is alone down there and she's not coming up to face us because she's afraid she'd lose. If that's the case, if we go away and rest, she'll likely take whatever valuables she can carry and leave. That might be a way to avoid having to fight her again, though it would be unprofitable, and she might remove the relics Sur'kil sent us for. Two, the dragon is alone down there and isn't coming up because it's an obstacle course such that she's far more confident of winning if we fight down there than up here. I think that's fairly unlikely; the dragons had as much ability to customize this level of the temple as that one. Though I suppose they might have been restricted by needing the blackscales to be able to get around up here. Three, the dragon is  not  alone down there. Either way, I'm not sure how we could block the wells in a way that would hold the dragon in; aside from the acid, even a young dragon is smart and stronger than you or me." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I though that if we plug up the wells it would buy us time to get ready for a fight in case she came back in the middle of the night. The first bag bought us some time."  Soren looks down at the well, his fingers curling around the stone as he regards the trapdoor below. When he speaks, it's in the faintly distant tone of someone who is thinking at the same time.  "But maybe we can do that again. Which way does the trapdoor open?" 
 
 Spoiler: kish 
does the trapdoor open towards us, towards the lower level, or is it like a sliding door? Did we see or do you want a knowledge check?
 
CWater
 "I don't see how that would help, unless you were to sleep here, right next to the well",  Kaarna's expression tells that she is not at all interested in camping in the temple.  "Besides, there's what, three of these?"  She leans more over the edge of the well and sighs.  "If that's where we're looking, then guess we'd better get it over with then. Don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today.." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "I don't see how that would help, unless you were to sleep here, right next to the well",  Kaarna's expression tells that she is not at all interested in camping in the temple.  "Besides, there's what, three of these?"  She leans more over the edge of the well and sighs.  "If that's where we're looking, then guess we'd better get it over with then. Don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today.."  
 

Soren nods and pulls out a piece of rope, tying it around the well and looping the other end around his arm.  "Kaarna, can you go down first and let us know what you see? We'll be right after you, and maybe you can use your evil witch magic to slow it down? Or turn it into a frog."  He winks as he casts a few soft-colored lights that slowly circle around the inside of the well and slowly spiral downward, providing some soft illumination.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's action 
SOren casts Dancing Lights for illumination and gets a rope ready. Sorry about the wait; I've had a lot going on.
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren nods and pulls out a piece of rope, tying it around the well and looping the other end around his arm.  "Kaarna, can you go down first and let us know what you see? We'll be right after you, and maybe you can use your evil witch magic to slow it down? Or turn it into a frog."  He winks as he casts a few soft-colored lights that slowly circle around the inside of the well and slowly spiral downward, providing some soft illumination.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's action 
SOren casts Dancing Lights for illumination and gets a rope ready. Sorry about the wait; I've had a lot going on.
 
 
 

 "You want  me  to go down there first?",  Kaarna's eyes widen slightly as she stares at Soren, then snorts and peers back into the well that is now better lit.  "When did I become the freaking scout",  she mutters, conveniently ignoring the fact that Soren had actually done most of the scouting earlier today.  "Tsk, fine. But don't expect me to fight a damn wyrm..."  Activating her flight ability, she starts to slowly decend into the well.

 
 Spoiler 
She'll go, but not without complaining about it.😛
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "You want  me  to go down there first?",  Kaarna's eyes widen slightly as she stares at Soren, then snorts and peers back into the well that is now better lit.  "When did I become the freaking scout",  she mutters, conveniently ignoring the fact that Soren had actually done most of the scouting earlier today.  "Tsk, fine. But don't expect me to fight a damn wyrm..."  Activating her flight ability, she starts to slowly decend into the well.

 
 Spoiler 
She'll go, but not without complaining about it.😛
 
 
 

 "Well, I'd do it but I can't fly."  He slowly feeds the rope down after her.
Kish
Forty feet down, Kaarna encounters what appears to be the smooth stone bottom of the well. If she knocks on it it sounds hollow, but there's no sign of hinges, nor does it give way if pushed on.
Dusk Eclipse
Raphael peers into the well  "Do you see anything?"  he half shouts, half whispers to the witch.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Well, I'd do it but I can't fly."  He slowly feeds the rope down after her. 
 

 "I'm sure you would."  It is unclear whether Kaarna's tone is disbelieving or actually bemoaning the fact that it is what she'd think he would do.


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Forty feet down, Kaarna encounters what appears to be the smooth stone bottom of the well. If she knocks on it it sounds hollow, but there's no sign of hinges, nor does it give way if pushed on. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Raphael peers into the well  "Do you see anything?"  he half shouts, half whispers to the witch. 
 

 "There's a hollow floor here",  she pokes the stone with her foot,  "No idea if it can be opened though." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Great,"  Soren mutters. He peers down the well.  "Can we pry or blast it open? Anyone have anything adamantine?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Great,"  Soren mutters. He peers down the well.  "Can we pry or blast it open? Anyone have anything adamantine?"  
 

 "Nothing such",  Kaarna replies. She takes a look around at the bottom of the well, if she doesn't notice anything interesting, she floats back up.
Kish
Nothing stands out.  "The dragon came through there, so it must open somehow,"  Scholar says as Kaarna floats back out of the well.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Well, there's two dragons--or well, there were, and we only saw one at a time. So it probably opens only on the inside. I bet one dragon opened and closed the door while the other flew up and sprayed acid at us."  Soren looks down the well again.  "Maybe we could force it open from the inside? Or break it open? Scholar, you're made of metal, can you smash rock if you try really hard?" 
Kish
 "No. I'm not remarkably physically strong even by human standards. Can you break it, Athard?"  Scholar asks.
CoffeeIncluded
Athard peers down into the well, although his human eyes can't pierce as far.  "If it's not barred and not too heavy I should be able to open it. Everyone, get ready--we might need to wedge it open too if the dragon tries to close it." 

Once everyone is ready, and the rope is ready, Athard ties himself on the rope and rappels partway down the wall. He braces his feet against the well, holds on the other side, twists his body around until he can barely see the closed door, and casts a spell at the closed door.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Athard lowers himself down the well on the rope until he's in range (I think it's 30 feet?) and casts Open/Close on the door in the well.
 
Kish
The floor of the well slides to one side with a grinding noise audible from where Athard is, though not from the top of the well.
CoffeeIncluded
 "It's open. Hurry!" 

Soren rappells down after Athard, though with significantly less smoothness (even with his half-Elven litheness).
Dusk Eclipse
Raphael waits until the others rappel down before doing the same.

 
 Spoiler 

I forgot to ready maneuvers before, so better late than never:
Oaken Shield (Counter)
Stutter Strike (Strike)
Fading Strike (Strike)
Throwing Thunder (Strike)
Hangman's Curse (Strike)
 
CWater
Kaarna flies back down after Soren.
Silverraptor
Adrianna follows down shortly after.
Kish
Scholar jumps down the well, floating like a soap bubble to land at the bottom.

Your eyes immediately fix upon the massive skeletal dragon reclining upon a pile of treasure in the center of the room. It takes you a moment to confirm that the skeleton is, in fact, not moving. At least not yet.

The treasure beneath the dragon skeleton looks to be primarily coins of silver and gold, with a few weapons and suits of armor partially submerged within mounds of precious metals. Atop the pile, a string of orblike beads glows with a faint orange radiance, as if lit by a flame from within.

Near the center of the chamber sits a low stone platform 3 feet high. Atop the platform, three circular disks are arranged in a triangular pattern.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar jumps down the well, floating like a soap bubble to land at the bottom.

Your eyes immediately fix upon the massive skeletal dragon reclining upon a pile of treasure in the center of the room. It takes you a moment to confirm that the skeleton is, in fact, not moving. At least not yet.

The treasure beneath the dragon skeleton looks to be primarily coins of silver and gold, with a few weapons and suits of armor partially submerged within mounds of precious metals. Atop the pile, a string of orblike beads glows with a faint orange radiance, as if lit by a flame from within.

Near the center of the chamber sits a low stone platform 3 feet high. Atop the platform, three circular disks are arranged in a triangular pattern. 
 

Something hard brushes against the back of Soren's neck, and he turns around to find himself staring into the skull of an enormous dragon.

 "Gah!"  He jumps back, scrambling on his hands and feet down the pile of coins that slide and clink as he moves across them. Only when he's several feet away can he look up and see that it is, in fact, just a skull. Of an enormous dragon. With teeth as long as his arm.

But it seems like it's long dead. And with that he's able to calm down a bit and let his breathing even out.

 "Okay, okay."  He gets up slowly and looks around, up at the shaft where they descended and around at the chamber. His gaze lingers on the huge pile of treasure and he grins. There's so much here, mounds of gleaming coins and weapons and that beautiful necklace...

Soren carefully steps forward, his feet sinking slightly into the coins.  "They must have moved in after this dragon died. And remember the dragon carvings above? I bet those were carvings of this guy."  He places a hand on the smooth skull. How long has it been dead?

 
 Spoiler: Soren's actions 
Soren detects magic, and if that string of beads is magical he's snapping it up. He's also going to take a look around, and won't snap it up if the live dragon is right here.. Is there a map?

Perception:  (d20+9)[ 20 ] 
 
CWater
 "Well, well... Ain't that a nice little hoard."  Kaarna lets Soren examine the treasure and takes a quick look around the chamber, to see if there is anything else noteworthy, signs of another entrance or traces of a live dragon's presence.
Kish
There is no sign of a living dragon in the area. The hoard includes 20,000 copper pieces, 5,770 silver pieces, 923 gold pieces, a masterwork longsword, a masterwork scimitar, a masterwork dagger, a masterwork greataxe, a suit of masterwork banded mail, a masterwork breastplate, and a wooden wand.

 
 Spoiler: Detect Magic 

The scimitar, the necklace Soren grabbed, and the wand all radiate magic: strong evocation, moderate evocation, and faint conjuration respectively.  Map ; the grey squares are where the dragon skeleton rests, the 10-by-10 square is the raised platform with the disks.  
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren dangles the beads in front of his face. They shimmer and seem to reflect more light than what torches cast on them.  "Woah..."  He studies each of the items, picks up the thousands of copper pieces and lets them run through his fingers.  "The other dragon must have run for it, but I bet she'll be back. She, right? So we should be ready for her, since I bet if she comes back she'll be furious."  He looks back at the dragon skeleton, lays a hand on the skull.  "Most of the coins here are copper, not gold. It looks like more money than it is. I don't know if dragons care about quality more than quantity, but if they do I doubt this belonged to the skeleton."  He shudders a bit.  "Why did they leave the skeleton here though? Didn't they find it disturbing?" 
 
 Spoiler: Soren's actions 
soren tries to ID the three magic weapons, then takes another look around, especially the platform.

Spellcraft on the scimitar:  (d20+6)[ 25 ] 
Spellcraft on the necklace of red-orange beads (OOC I think I know what this is but Soren doesn't):  (d20+6)[ 9 ] . EDIT: Soren thinks they're pretty. And probably that the evocation just makes them glow. 😛
Spellcraft on the wand:  (d20+6)[ 20 ] 

Take 10 (bardic knowledge) to know more about the dragon, if they prefer quality over quantity, and this room: 19
 
Dusk Eclipse
 
 Spoiler 

K:Arcana Check to see if Raphael knows anything that might be relevant?
 (1d20+11)[ 29 ] 
 
CWater
 "Why would you want to still be here, when she returns? I say we grab what's loose and skedaddle."  Kaarna returns to Soren, to also take a look of the items he found.

 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft 
Is that necklace what I think it is?😛
Spellcraft:  (1d20+11)[ 29 ] 
(let me know if there are more rolls still to make)
 
Kish
 "We were sent here to find relics, not coins,"  Scholar says.  "If they're here at all, there has to be somewhere else in the temple we haven't been." 
 
 Spoiler 
Soren's knowledge of dragons indicates that they try to gather as much treasure as they can; no indication of whether a dragon would take 100 copper pieces over 2 gold pieces, because generally the dragon would look for a way to keep the copper pieces and the gold pieces. The dragon skeleton's position suggests it's a focus of honor, not fear or revulsion. The wand is a wand of  cure moderate wounds ; Soren's not sure what the other two items are, though he thinks the scimitar has a +1 enchantment, but there's more to it than that. Kaarna doesn't have Detect Magic active, and I don't remember whether she can cast Detect Magic; she needs it to attempt to use Spellcraft to identify magic items.
 
Silverraptor
 "I hate to be the bearer of reality, but considering the size of this hoard, its got to be awfully heavy to try to move around with it in our packs. Since we know where it is, lets just mark it down and come back later when we know for sure the place is cleared out and safe. Otherwise we would be weighing ourselves down and degrading our combat effectiveness." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "We were sent here to find relics, not coins,"  Scholar says.  "If they're here at all, there has to be somewhere else in the temple we haven't been."  
 

 "And they are not here?",  Kaarna frowns,  "What do you say we do next then, go down the other wells?" 

  
 Spoiler 
Soren's knowledge of dragons indicates that they try to gather as much treasure as they can; no indication of whether a dragon would take 100 copper pieces over 2 gold pieces, because generally the dragon would look for a way to keep the copper pieces and the gold pieces. The dragon skeleton's position suggests it's a focus of honor, not fear or revulsion. The wand is a wand of  cure moderate wounds ; Soren's not sure what the other two items are, though he thinks the scimitar has a +1 enchantment, but there's more to it than that. Kaarna doesn't have Detect Magic active, and I don't remember whether she can cast Detect Magic; she needs it to attempt to use Spellcraft to identify magic items.
 
 

 
 Spoiler 
Kaarna has Detect Magic prepared to has a cantrip yes, didn't remember to mention it. I'll try to do so in the future.
 


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "I hate to be the bearer of reality, but considering the size of this hoard, its got to be awfully heavy to try to move around with it in our packs. Since we know where it is, lets just mark it down and come back later when we know for sure the place is cleared out and safe. Otherwise we would be weighing ourselves down and degrading our combat effectiveness."  
 

 "I thought you could carry a horse if need be",  the witch says smirking,  "Oh fine, if that is what you think is best, at least the iron and steel can stay. Though we could take some of that gold along, just in case..." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "We were sent here to find relics, not coins,"  Scholar says.  "If they're here at all, there has to be somewhere else in the temple we haven't been." 
 
 Spoiler 
Soren's knowledge of dragons indicates that they try to gather as much treasure as they can; no indication of whether a dragon would take 100 copper pieces over 2 gold pieces, because generally the dragon would look for a way to keep the copper pieces and the gold pieces. The dragon skeleton's position suggests it's a focus of honor, not fear or revulsion. The wand is a wand of  cure moderate wounds ; Soren's not sure what the other two items are, though he thinks the scimitar has a +1 enchantment, but there's more to it than that. Kaarna doesn't have Detect Magic active, and I don't remember whether she can cast Detect Magic; she needs it to attempt to use Spellcraft to identify magic items.
 
 
 


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "I hate to be the bearer of reality, but considering the size of this hoard, its got to be awfully heavy to try to move around with it in our packs. Since we know where it is, lets just mark it down and come back later when we know for sure the place is cleared out and safe. Otherwise we would be weighing ourselves down and degrading our combat effectiveness."  
 

Soren's already shoved the gold and silver into his handy haversack, along with the scimitar, necklace, and wand. As he does he says,  "This wand heals even better than my old one, and I don't know what the necklace and scimitar do but the necklace has evocation magic on it and the scimitar has a pretty powerful extra enchantment on it as well."  He also takes the dagger.  "But yeah, we'll probably need to come back for it later. Though I bet you and your horse could carry a lot of this!" 

 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "And they are not here?",  Kaarna frowns,  "What do you say we do next then, go down the other wells?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Kaarna has Detect Magic prepared to has a cantrip yes, didn't remember to mention it. I'll try to do so in the future.
 

 "I thought you could carry a horse if need be",  the witch says smirking,  "Oh fine, if that is what you think is best, at least the iron and steel can stay. Though we could take some of that gold along, just in case..."  
 

 "I don't think the dragons here, which means maybe we can lock ourselves in and rest up and look for where to go next safely? And we should probably being the weapons along--look."  He points at the joints of the breastplate.  "These weapons and armor are really well-made, even if they're not magical. Put together they might be worth more than all the copper here!"  He looks around the room again.  "It looks like the dragon skeleton was laid out in honor. I don't think we should disturb it, it doesn't seem right."  Soren is running his hand along the walls now, looking for any doors, or murals and pictographs that tell more of the story depicted above. He also at some point goes to the pedestal in the center and fiddles with the discs.

 
 Spoiler 
soren is putting the gold, silver, magic items, and masterwork stuff into the haversack. Also take 20 for...29 I think along the walls. Also also he fiddles with the dials.

Back to studying histology!
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Detect Magic 
Casting Detect Magic and examining the necklace, Kaarna determines that it's a  necklace of fireballs IV .
 


The platform has three circular dials, each of which takes some effort for Soren to turn. As he turns one, a round panel in the ceiling above you slides back exposing a shaft leading up. It's probably the bottom of one of the wells.

Soren finds nothing searching the walls, but Scholar, searching as well, points to the wall north of AD49-AE49 and says  "There's a secret door here." 
 
 Spoiler: Adrianna, Kaarna, Raphael 
You can see the secret door when you investigate it closely.
 

 
 Spoiler: Soren 
It still looks like unbroken wall to you.
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren's already shoved the gold and silver into his handy haversack, along with the scimitar, necklace, and wand. As he does he says,  "This wand heals even better than my old one, and I don't know what the necklace and scimitar do but the necklace has evocation magic on it and the scimitar has a pretty powerful extra enchantment on it as well."  He also takes the dagger.  "But yeah, we'll probably need to come back for it later. Though I bet you and your horse could carry a lot of this!"  
 

Kaarna picks up the necklace from Soren (unless he resists) and brings it to her eye level to examine. A wide grin rises to her lips,  "Oh, I know what these are, they are  fun ."  One can almost see a flame flicker in her eyes.


  "I don't think the dragons here, which means maybe we can lock ourselves in and rest up and look for where to go next safely? And we should probably being the weapons along--look."  He points at the joints of the breastplate.  "These weapons and armor are really well-made, even if they're not magical. Put together they might be worth more than all the copper here!"  He looks around the room again.  "It looks like the dragon skeleton was laid out in honor. I don't think we should disturb it, it doesn't seem right."  Soren is running his hand along the walls now, looking for any doors, or murals and pictographs that tell more of the story depicted above. He also at some point goes to the pedestal in the center and fiddles with the discs.

 
 Spoiler 
soren is putting the gold, silver, magic items, and masterwork stuff into the haversack. Also take 20 for...29 I think along the walls. Also also he fiddles with the dials.

Back to studying histology!
 
 

 "Yeah, sure. I've got not interest in skeletons anyway."  Kaarna rises an eyebrow when Soren starts to play with the dials, but looks like he figured out how the mechanism works.


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler: Detect Magic 
Casting Detect Magic and examining the necklace, Kaarna determines that it's a  necklace of fireballs IV .
 


The platform has three circular dials, each of which takes some effort for Soren to turn. As he turns one, a round panel in the ceiling above you slides back exposing a shaft leading up. It's probably the bottom of one of the wells.

Soren finds nothing searching the walls, but Scholar, searching as well, points to the wall north of AD49-AE49 and says  "There's a secret door here." 
 
 Spoiler: Adrianna, Kaarna, Raphael 
You can see the secret door when you investigate it closely.
 

 
 Spoiler: Soren 
It still looks like unbroken wall to you.
 
 
 

 "And let me guess, in we go?",  the witch smiles sardonically,  "Assuming we get it open I guess. Can you do that previous trick a second time, Athard?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler: Detect Magic 
Casting Detect Magic and examining the necklace, Kaarna determines that it's a  necklace of fireballs IV .
 


The platform has three circular dials, each of which takes some effort for Soren to turn. As he turns one, a round panel in the ceiling above you slides back exposing a shaft leading up. It's probably the bottom of one of the wells. 
 


  "Yeah, sure. I've got not interest in skeletons anyway."  Kaarna rises an eyebrow when Soren starts to play with the dials, but looks like he figured out how the mechanism works. 

 "Really? I thought you'd be one to make them do your bidding or something. Where I'm originally from..."  he trails off.  "Actually I don't think that would be a good idea." 

The dials are large and Soren nearly needs to throw his weight behind it, but it looks like he was right! With a grunt he turns each dial until any light from above vanishes and the shafts seal closed with a thud. He turns around triumphant.

 "Ta-da! And now we're locked in here! Which I just realized sounds bad but is actually a really good thing, since nothing nasty can get in and we can rest up and figure out just what the rest of these magic things are!"  With that, he takes out the scimitar and necklace, along with the ring from one of the blackscales above, and takes a look at them again.


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna picks up the necklace from Soren (unless he resists) and brings it to her eye level to examine. A wide grin rises to her lips,  "Oh, I know what these are, they are  fun ."  One can almost see a flame flicker in her eyes. 
 

Soren does not resist and lets the necklace slip from his fingers, but the look on his face at her grin is a very odd one.  "Uh...Kaarna? What are they? And why am I suddenly very nervous by your definition of  fun ?"  He's smiling, but there's a bit of worry behind it.


 Soren finds nothing searching the walls, but Scholar, searching as well, points to the wall north of AD49-AE49 and says  "There's a secret door here." 
 
 Spoiler: Adrianna, Kaarna, Raphael 
You can see the secret door when you investigate it closely.
 

 
 Spoiler: Soren 
It still looks like unbroken wall to you.
 
 

Soren doubles back to where everyone else was. He peers closely at the wall, running his hands over the carvings and stone again. And again.  "What door?" 

  "And let me guess, in we go?",  the witch smiles sardonically,  "Assuming we get it open I guess. Can you do that previous trick a second time, Athard?"  

 "I can, though I think Soren has the right idea. If we are truly sealed in here then we should take the opportunity to rest and identify and sort the items at our disposal before heading on through that door." 

At the sound of his name Soren's voice can be heard, slightly muffled as though his face is pressed against something. In fact, it is--he's pressed up straight against the wall, squishing his nose and speaking almost into the stone.  "No, seriously, what door? Are you sure you're not all seeing an illusion?" 
 
 Spoiler: Kish 
Huh...I've got a couple of thoughts though I wish we had another elf or half-elf in the party to test some of them.

Anyway Soren's thinking there might be an illusion so he's going to cast Detect Magic on that spot.
 
Dusk Eclipse
Ignoring Soren's chatter, Raphael approaches the hidden door carefully, and tries to open it. Feeling a nervous gaze on him Raphael stops  "I'll just take a quick look and that's it." 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Detect Magic 
Soren detects no magic.
 
 As Raphael pulls at the wall, a lever clicks and a twenty-foot section of the wall turns sideways on a pivot, revealing a corridor beyond.
CoffeeIncluded
Nose to nose with the wall, pressed up almost flat against the stone, Soren's muffled voice can be heard saying,  "Okay, this is seriously weird there's no magic but I still can't see anything other than--woaaahh!" 

Raphael pulls at the wall, which to Soren opens up out of literally nowhere, and thwacks the bars on the side of the head. He stumbles to the ground and gets to his knees with a groan that abruptly cuts off when he sees the open corridor.

 "Woah..." 
 
 Spoiler: question 
can Soren see it now that it's open? If not I'll change it after the exam--wish me luck!
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren does not resist and lets the necklace slip from his fingers, but the look on his face at her grin is a very odd one.  "Uh...Kaarna? What are they? And why am I suddenly very nervous by your definition of  fun ?"  He's smiling, but there's a bit of worry behind it. 
 

 "Oh don't worry, I'll show you later. When I have a...  good target ",  the witch snickers and rubs one of the beads between her fingers.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Don't worry, I'm not going to have her hog the whole necklace to herself, especially without discussing it first. But I would like her to use it once at least, is that okay?
 


  "Ta-da! And now we're locked in here! Which I just realized sounds bad but is actually a really good thing, since nothing nasty can get in and we can rest up and figure out just what the rest of these magic things are!"  With that, he takes out the scimitar and necklace, along with the ring from one of the blackscales above, and takes a look at them again.

 "I can, though I think Soren has the right idea. If we are truly sealed in here then we should take the opportunity to rest and identify and sort the items at our disposal before heading on through that door."  

 "And you're sure it can't be opened and closed from the outside? Because if that... thingy is the only one that operated those doors then its one damn stupid structure, especially for a treasure chamber",  she shrugs,  "Though what do I know. Maybe these dragons are stupid." 

 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
 Ignoring Soren's chatter, Raphael approaches the hidden door carefully, and tries to open it. Feeling a nervous gaze on him Raphael stops  "I'll just take a quick look and that's it."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler: Detect Magic 
Soren detects no magic.
 
 As Raphael pulls at the wall, a lever clicks and a twenty-foot section of the wall turns sideways on a pivot, revealing a corridor beyond. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Nose to nose with the wall, pressed up almost flat against the stone, Soren's muffled voice can be heard saying,  "Okay, this is seriously weird there's no magic but I still can't see anything other than--woaaahh!" 

Raphael pulls at the wall, which to Soren opens up out of literally nowhere, and thwacks the bars on the side of the head. He stumbles to the ground and gets to his knees with a groan that abruptly cuts off when he sees the open corridor.

 "Woah..."  
 

Kaarna chuckles at Soren's antics, then looks at Raphael,  "Okay, it's open. How far do you want to look?" 
Kish
 "We opened it from outside,"  Scholar points out.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Oh don't worry, I'll show you later. When I have a...  good target ",  the witch snickers and rubs one of the beads between her fingers.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Don't worry, I'm not going to have her hog the whole necklace to herself, especially without discussing it first. But I would like her to use it once at least, is that okay?
 
 
 

Soren pales slightly, even though part of him is eager and curious in a more than slightly intimidated way.  "Good target doesn't include me, right?" 
 "And you're sure it can't be opened and closed from the outside? Because if that... thingy is the only one that operated those doors then its one damn stupid structure, especially for a treasure chamber",  she shrugs,  "Though what do I know. Maybe these dragons are stupid." [/quote]


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "We opened it from outside,"  Scholar points out. 
 

 "yeah, it's just harder. And like I said there were two dragons."  Soren actually gets up now, brushing himself off and peering down the corridor.  "Besides, I bet there's a secret exit or something all the way down the end of this secret tunnel anyway."  he looks back.  "Besides, dragons aren't stupid. Really greedy, but not stupid."  
 
 Spoiler: perception 
Secret tunnel!

Perception:  (d20+9)[ 12 ] 
 


 Kaarna chuckles at Soren's antics, then looks at Raphael,  "Okay, it's open. How far do you want to look?"  

Soren stretches.  "I say we just look down the corridor, then seal it up and rest up. I'm almost out of magic, and aren't you and Scholar? Scholar, you don't sleep anyway, so could you keep watch?"  
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren pales slightly, even though part of him is eager and curious in a more than slightly intimidated way.  "Good target doesn't include me, right?"  
 

 "Don't worry, kiddo",  Kaarna ruffles Soren's hair and smirks,  "I like you the way you are, with all your hair and skin intact." 

  "yeah, it's just harder. And like I said there were two dragons."  Soren actually gets up now, brushing himself off and peering down the corridor.  "Besides, I bet there's a secret exit or something all the way down the end of this secret tunnel anyway."  he looks back.  "Besides, dragons aren't stupid. Really greedy, but not stupid."   

 "Yes... And what if they decide to come back and know how to get the doors open?",  the witch asks and crosses her arms,  "I don't trust this place." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Don't worry, kiddo",  Kaarna ruffles Soren's hair and smirks,  "I like you the way you are, with all your hair and skin intact."  
 

 "Uh, thanks."  Soren grins sheepishly and elbow Kaarna in response.  "I hope that includes my blood inside my body too. That's surprisingly important to keep intact." 
 "Yes... And what if they decide to come back and know how to get the doors open?",  the witch asks and crosses her arms,  "I don't trust this place." [/QUOTE]

 "Neither do I, but it's the safest place to be right now. We killed literally everyone upstairs and one of the dragons. The other one probably escaped. This is clearly the way forward,"  he indicates the open door,  "And nothing's rushed out to eat us yet so as long as we stay here and close the doors we should be fine. If we camp outside for the night that dragon could return and trap this place to the gills while were gone. At least if she tries that with us here we'll be ready. I vote rest, and hurry on as soon as we can."  
Dusk Eclipse
 "You managed to kill one of the dragons?"  Raphael looks quite impressed  "I figured you've only managed to scare them off." 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "You managed to kill one of the dragons?"  Raphael looks quite impressed  "I figured you've only managed to scare them off."  
 

 "Don't sell us so short. We may have lost the first round, but we definitely won the second, as you can tell since you are with us." 
Kish
Scholar and the skeletal dragon both watch impassively over you as you sleep.

You can't tell in the darkness of the windowless chamber what time it is when you wake up, but Scholar assures you that it's morning, and that she's seen no movement since you went to sleep.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "You managed to kill one of the dragons?"  Raphael looks quite impressed  "I figured you've only managed to scare them off."  
 

 "We killed one and scared off the other,"  Soren says with pride.


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Don't sell us so short. We may have lost the first round, but we definitely won the second, as you can tell since you are with us."  
 

 "Speaking of which, did you ever tell us how you wound up there in the first place? Or where you're from?" 

 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar and the skeletal dragon both watch impassively over you as you sleep.

You can't tell in the darkness of the windowless chamber what time it is when you wake up, but Scholar assures you that it's morning, and that she's seen no movement since you went to sleep. 
 

It's dark, silent, and still in this chamber. As everyone drifts to sleep, Soren stays awake a little longer. Something about this place compels him to get up. Coins shift then settle as he stands, and with a whisper an illusion flickers to life between his hands. Two battles rage around him--the one he and his friends fought today coupled and merged with the one depicted on the pictograms long ago. He hums something to the sound of both battles, and dances between and among the two. He sways, shifts, and spins, his hair and clothes rippling around him. Anyone looking can see that his eyes are closed and there is a look of intense concentration on his face. And yet he seems almost serene on a sense, his breathing slow and even, his steps graceful and sure even as his eyes are closed and the illusionary battles rage around him.

Soren is the last to fall asleep, and when he wakes he feels...odd but rested.
Dusk Eclipse
 "I was hired to guard a House Lyrandar airship, just a simple run of the mill supply run to a nearby town"  he props his back onto a wall, trying to get comfortable  "We were attacked by pirates, we managed to fend them of for a while, but they somehow managed to free the elemental that powered the ship, so it crashed...  he pauses for a moment  "I was the only survivor, I spent the following days trying to survive, but then... those damned lizards found me, and here I am." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "I was hired to guard a House Lyrandar airship, just a simple run of the mill supply run to a nearby town"  he props his back onto a wall, trying to get comfortable  "We were attacked by pirates, we managed to fend them of for a while, but they somehow managed to free the elemental that powered the ship, so it crashed...  he pauses for a moment  "I was the only survivor, I spent the following days trying to survive, but then... those damned lizards found me, and here I am."  
 

Soren winces.  "I'm so sorry."  He places a hand on Raphael's shoulder.  "How long have you been here?" 

It's something he can imagine all too well.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "I was hired to guard a House Lyrandar airship, just a simple run of the mill supply run to a nearby town"  he props his back onto a wall, trying to get comfortable  "We were attacked by pirates, we managed to fend them of for a while, but they somehow managed to free the elemental that powered the ship, so it crashed...  he pauses for a moment  "I was the only survivor, I spent the following days trying to survive, but then... those damned lizards found me, and here I am."  
 

 "At least you took the pirates down with you",  Kaarna comments as she sets down in one of the corners as comfortably as she can. Veca climbs out of her clothes and the witch starts playing with the small scorpion, having it run around after a piece of food.

  Do you  have  to do that?  , Veca complains throught the mental link.

  Hush now, I'm presenting my pet to the new guy.  
  PET?! You ungrateful little mongrel! Now give me my dinner!  

The scorpion climbs up Kaarna's knee and his tail twitches threateningly. Their conversation has no sound, but the shifter's expressions change from amused to annoyed as she argues with the familiar. Eventually he gets his snack and the witch starts to sulk.
CoffeeIncluded
 "True...Hello again, Veca,"  Soren says, reaching out to poke or pet the scorpion but drawing his hand back as soon as the creature's poison-barbed tail twitches. He looks up to Kaarna with a teasing grin that falls when he sees her face.  "Hey, is everything okay?" 

*The next morning*

Soren wakes with a stretch and with a graceful dance replenishes his spells. When he's done he ties his scarf back into place and asks,  "Looks like we made it through without any dragons or anything! Ready to go check out what's beyond that door that I can't see for some weird reason?" 
Dusk Eclipse
 "I suppose this is a good time as any."  Raphael agrees with Soren.

 
 Spoiler: Maneuvers readied 

 
 Piercing Strike 
 Oaken Shield 
 Hangman's Curse 
 Fading Strike 
 Mockery 
 
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "True...Hello again, Veca,"  Soren says, reaching out to poke or pet the scorpion but drawing his hand back as soon as the creature's poison-barbed tail twitches. He looks up to Kaarna with a teasing grin that falls when he sees her face.  "Hey, is everything okay?"  
 

 "Suure, except that... Ah, forget it, I'm just going to sleep."  Kaarna snorts and mutters to herself,  " Stupidfamiliarbringsupallsortsofnonsense..."   She continues to grumble to herself, before curling up to sleep.


 *The next morning*

Soren wakes with a stretch and with a graceful dance replenishes his spells. When he's done he ties his scarf back into place and asks,  "Looks like we made it through without any dragons or anything! Ready to go check out what's beyond that door that I can't see for some weird reason?"  


 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "I suppose this is a good time as any."  Raphael agrees with Soren.

 
 Spoiler: Maneuvers readied 

 
 Piercing Strike 
 Oaken Shield 
 Hangman's Curse 
 Fading Strike 
 Mockery 
 
 
 
 

 "Isn't that so",  Kaarna takes one of the wands from her belt and casts a protective enchantment on herself,  "All set, let's go." 
 
 Spoiler 
Casting Mage Armor from the wand. Kaarna's spells for the day are updated on her sheet.
 
Kish
A wide hallway stretches away from you into the darkness. As you advance down the hallway, you see a portcullis ahead, its iron bars preventing further progress. Beyond the portcullis, you make out a flight of dark stone steps leading down. Closer to you, a lever is set into the wall next to the iron grate.

 
 Spoiler 
 Map  updated.
 
CWater
 "Well well, does anyone have the knowledge to figure out if that lever is there to open the door, or drop a load of acid on our necks?",  Kaarna asks and looks around.  "Or would your spell open that thing too?",  she asks Athard, pointing towards the portcullis.
CoffeeIncluded
Athard shakes his head.  "It's too heavy for my spell to work. Even the well door was pushing it." 
 "I'll take a look,"  Soren says as he heads forward and inspects the lever. He's been quiet, taking in this dark dank cavern which he and only he couldn't see the entrance to.

 
 Spoiler: Search 
Take 20 for 29 for traps? Can Soren do this in Pathfinder even though he's not a rogue?
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
If you were willing to take 20 rounds, you could take 20 to search for traps, though you'd still find nothing if it was a trap a nonrogue couldn't find. That's not immediately applicable, however, because:
 


As Soren approaches the lever, the floor under his feet sinks slightly with a  click . The floor rumbles and a grinding sound rises from beneath the stones. With a resounding boom, the revolving wall at the hallway's entrance slams shut. The sound of stone grating on stone fills your ears, and you realize that the wall is moving toward you.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren leaps back, practically into the arms of the group behind him, but it's too late.

 "AAHH! AAAAAHHH! AAAAHHH!!!"  Soren races up the hallway, Athard behind him. The lever's almost certainly trapped but they're screwed anyway if they can't get this gate open, so unless he sees another trap Soren yanks on it, then races back and forth searching the gate and the area around it for any weakness, any secret locations or even key placed on the other side. Athard looks with him, muttering something about not dying again pressed up against the wall. As Soren hops back and forth there's an odd flourish to it that inspires everyone who sees to help him out!

 
 Spoiler: Soren's Actions 
Aaah!!! Ahhh!! Aaahhh!!! Soren yanks the lever unless it's obviously, and if that doesn't open the gate searches (turns out it's perception) the gate and all around it. He also dances: Inspire Compentence for +2 to all related skill checks. Athard perceives too.

Soren's perception:  (d20+11)[ 31 ] 
Athard's Perception:  (d20+15)[ 33 ] 

Does anyone have ranks in disable device? What do we do?
 
Kish
Yanking the lever seems to have no effect at all. Both Soren and Athard see a panel in the wall left of the portcullis, and note that the stone to the right of the portcullis seems weak, a great deal weaker than the metal of the portcullis. As you search, the wall moves inexorably toward you.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Yanking the lever seems to have no effect at all. Both Soren and Athard see a panel in the wall left of the portcullis, and note that the stone to the right of the portcullis seems weak, a great deal weaker than the metal of the portcullis. As you search, the wall moves inexorably toward you. 
 

 "There's a secret panel here!"  Soren shouts over the grinding stone as he tries to pull it off and chuck it aside.

 "And this stone is weak; we might be able to tear through!"  Athard doesn't even finish his sentence before he takes the oversized club--a trophy from the defeated blackscale high priest--and starts bashing his way through the crumbling stone.

 
 Spoiler: Kish 
How much time do we have left? And what do I need to roll for both the stone and the panel?
 
CWater
Kaarna lets out a long litany of curse words, ugly enough to make an ogre feel ashamed.


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "There's a secret panel here!"  Soren shouts over the grinding stone as he tries to pull it off and chuck it aside. 
 

The witch hurries to Soren's side to also take a look.  "Can you get it loose?",  she asks in a frantic voice.


  "And this stone is weak; we might be able to tear through!"  Athard doesn't even finish his sentence before he takes the oversized club--a trophy from the defeated blackscale high priest--and starts bashing his way through the crumbling stone.

 
 Spoiler: Kish 
How much time do we have left? And what do I need to roll for both the stone and the panel?
 
 

 "You two!",  she points at Adrianna and Raphael,  "Help him, will ya!" 
Silverraptor
Adrianna is already near the loose stone and attempts both prying it and breaking it down.
Kish
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I've added the moving wall to the map, though it just looks like a regular wall. It seems to move two squares a round, meaning that it will be six more rounds--36 seconds--before there's no longer room for all of you to stand at the end of the hallway, if it keeps moving at its current rate.

Breaking through the wall is a Strength check. Two characters at a time can stand close enough to try it, either both trying independently or one Aiding Another. Athard and Adrianna should go ahead and roll for this round--more rounds too, if they won't change their action.
 

Soren pries open the panel and reveals a mass of gears and levers. Someone who was trained in such things could likely figure out what to do to them to reset the trap, but to you, they look dizzying.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren stares helpless at the gears and levers and mysterious metal plates and springs. Somewhere, someone knows about this but to Soren it might as well be Dwarven. He whimpers even as he sways back and forth.  "...Help?" 

Meanwhile, Athard struggles with the stone.  "Scholar if you could make one of us stronger I'd really appreciate it! And Kaarna do you have any spells?"  his words come out in a grunt, a rush between gritted teeth as he slams his shoulder against the wall.

 
 Spoiler: actions 
SOREN HAS NOT GONE YET. I'm Holding off on Soren's actions and Athard's further actions until I learn more about ooc questions and Kaarna or scholar do something, since their spells might alter his modifiers or maybe even actions. note that Soren is still inspiring competence.

Athard's Strength:  (d20+5)[ 10 ] 
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler: OOC 
I've added the moving wall to the map, though it just looks like a regular wall. It seems to move two squares a round, meaning that it will be six more rounds--36 seconds--before there's no longer room for all of you to stand at the end of the hallway, if it keeps moving at its current rate.

Breaking through the wall is a Strength check. Two characters at a time can stand close enough to try it, either both trying independently or one Aiding Another. Athard and Adrianna should go ahead and roll for this round--more rounds too, if they won't change their action.
 

Soren pries open the panel and reveals a mass of gears and levers. Someone who was trained in such things could likely figure out what to do to them to reset the trap, but to you, they look dizzying. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren stares helpless at the gears and levers and mysterious metal plates and springs. Somewhere, someone knows about this but to Soren it might as well be Dwarven. He whimpers even as he sways back and forth.  "...Help?"  
 

 "So much for that..."  Kaarna curses again.  "Based on your expression, I guess you don't know this stuff either?",  she says to Soren beside her.

EDIT:
 
 Spoiler 
Ack, missed your post!
 


 Meanwhile, Athard struggles with the stone.  "Scholar if you could make one of us stronger I'd really appreciate it! And Kaarna do you have any spells?"  his words come out in a grunt, a rush between gritted teeth as he slams his shoulder against the wall.

 
 Spoiler: actions 
SOREN HAS NOT GONE YET. I'm Holding off on Soren's actions and Athard's further actions until I learn more about ooc questions and Kaarna or scholar do something, since their spells might alter his modifiers or maybe even actions. note that Soren is still inspiring competence.

Athard's Strength: [roll0]
 
 

 "None that would be of any help",  Kaarna growls,  "Unless you want something burned or frozen or electrified." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "No I don't!"  Soren screams, frantic. He tears away from the gears and looks at where Athard and Adrianne are bashing at the walls, and pauses as an idea springs to mind. He stamps his foot and twirls, a frenetic dance as he kicks up and brings his fists down in a manner reminiscent of a horse beating at a door...

And indeed, two celestial horses (one, followed by another seconds later) suddenly appear on the other side of the grate and immediately start beating at the rubble.

 
 Spoiler: horses' actions 
one horse is here for five rounds, the other for seven because of arcanist gloves. Hopefully I'll roll well on at least one. Soren will keep up the dancing until we're all safe. Note that Soren himself has only acted for two rounds.

Horse 1:

Strength:  (d20+5)[ 19 ] 

Strength:  (d20+5)[ 8 ] 

Strength:  (d20+5)[ 13 ] 

Strength:  (d20+5)[ 14 ] 

Strength:  (d20+5)[ 13 ] 

Strength:  (d20+5)[ 25 ] 

Strength:  (d20+5)[ 23 ] 

Horse 2:

Strength:  (d20+5)[ 21 ] 

Strength:  (d20+5)[ 9 ] 

Strength:  (d20+5)[ 13 ] 

Strength:  (d20+5)[ 18 ] 

Strength:  (d20+5)[ 16 ] 
 


Athard looks back at Kaarna in fury.  "no geyser or ice spikes?  Nothing?! " 
Kish
Athard whacks the wall with the club, to little effect, but Soren's celestial ponies manage to break through the wall. You all push your way through the crumbling wall. On the other side, you see the moving wall reach the portcullis, touching it lightly and precisely, and then stop and slowly begin moving back down the hallway.

 
 Spoiler 
You gain 250 XP each.
 
Silverraptor
Once they were all through the opening and the wall started retracting, Adrianna stared at the opening for a moment before turning to Soren.
 "Good job and Dammit Soren!" 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren's the last through, his scarf nearly snagging and tearing on the twisted metal and rubble as he squeezes through the stone, dismissing the horses as he scrambles to his feet. He stares open-mouthed as the revolving door approaches the grate and almost anticlimactically taps against it (utterly crushing a spider that was resting on the bars against the metal grate) before returning to its prior position.


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Once they were all through the opening and the wall started retracting, Adrianna stared at the opening for a moment before turning to Soren.
 "Good job and Dammit Soren!"  
 

 "Uh...I...Ah..."  Soren's lost for words and simply hangs his head.  "Perhaps someone else should go first. Not me. I wouldn't trust myself after that..." 

Athard shakes his head.  "If nobody else wants to scout, I suppose I shall." 
 
 Spoiler: Kish 
How many rounds did it take for the horses to break through, since that's when Soren would drop his Inspire Competence? Also, what are the rules for Athard to inspect as carefully as possible."
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler 

Breaking the wall started at a DC of 20, but whenever someone attempts to do it the wall was damaged enough for the DC to be reduced by one, so the ponies broke through the wall on the first round they both hit it--the round after Athard hit it, since it took Soren one round to summon them.

Just say what Athard is inspecting and roll a Perception check.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard inches forward, not going a step without inspecting the floor and walls and corridor itself.

 
 Spoiler 
take 10 for 21. And four rounds then--thanks!
 
Kish
The stairs curve around as they descend. You proceed down them slowly, Athard pausing to look ahead before each step.

The stairway widens as it opens into a wide chamber, but the floor ends precipitously after 10 feet. A deep chasm splits the room, with three massive metal platforms suspended above it by chains hanging from the ceiling. The nearest platform is perhaps 10 feet wide and 20 feet long, like a bridge that crosses only half the distance to the central platform. The chains it hangs from are pulled toward you, as if some unseen force holds the platform in place. The central platform is much wider but only 10 feet across. The third is another half-bridge stopping short of the far wall.

From the bottom of the chasm 80 feet below, molten lava illuminates the platforms with a dull red glow. At the floor's edge closest to you, two draconic-looking humanoid statues stand sentry, their cold eyes seemingly watching you. Two identical statues stand on the opposite side of the chamber. Above you, sparkling in the dull red light, a crystalline shard is set into the ceiling in the center of the chamber. Four chains hang at regular intervals across the ceiling.

 
 Spoiler 

 Map  is updated. Sorry about the delay in posting; my posts are likely to be sporadic for the next week or so.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna looks down over the side at the molten lava down below.
 "I don't remember the briefing covering the fact we'd be so close to an active volcano." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna looks down over the side at the molten lava down below.
 "I don't remember the briefing covering the fact we'd be so close to an active volcano."  
 

 "...It did not."  Soren winces and shields his eyes; looking at the lava too long is like staring into a glowing forge. And would probably more painfully lethal if anyone fell in.

 "I'd really rather not jump from platform to platform, at least not without a rope. But there could be a trap that cuts that rope, or dispels magic if we fly across. Or climb across--does anyone know Spider Climb or anything like that?" Maybe we could make the platforms swing and then walk from platform to platform as they swing?"  Soren looks around at warily, particularly at the statues and the shard in the ceiling. The half-elf paces back and forth until his feet brush against a chunk of rubble. He picks it up, bouncing it in his hand, then hurls it across the room between the two suspended platforms.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's actions 
For Now Soren looks at the statues, crystal shard, chains, and platforms, detecting magic to see if he can pick up anything. He also throws a rock between the two platforms to see if anything happens (such as something zapping it out of the air, or an invisible platform stopping it from falling, or even if the lava is real."
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "...It did not."  Soren winces and shields his eyes; looking at the lava too long is like staring into a glowing forge. And would probably more painfully lethal if anyone fell in.

 "I'd really rather not jump from platform to platform, at least not without a rope. But there could be a trap that cuts that rope, or dispels magic if we fly across. Or climb across--does anyone know Spider Climb or anything like that?" Maybe we could make the platforms swing and then walk from platform to platform as they swing?"  Soren looks around at warily, particularly at the statues and the shard in the ceiling. The half-elf paces back and forth until his feet brush against a chunk of rubble. He picks it up, bouncing it in his hand, then hurls it across the room between the two suspended platforms.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's actions 
For Now Soren looks at the statues, crystal shard, chains, and platforms, detecting magic to see if he can pick up anything. He also throws a rock between the two platforms to see if anything happens (such as something zapping it out of the air, or an invisible platform stopping it from falling, or even if the lava is real."
 
 
 

 "Perhaps",  Kaarna walks up to one of the statues and stares at it in the empty eyes.  "I don't like these!",  she announces.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Perhaps",  Kaarna walks up to one of the statues and stares at it in the empty eyes.  "I don't like these!",  she announces. 
 

Soren ducks behind Kaarna as she mocks the statues. It's not worth risking his face over.
Kish
 
 Spoiler 

Back, and sorry about the break in posting.
 


The rock falls into the lava far below. Soren detects a moderate aura of conjuration around the shard in the ceiling, nothing otherwise. The statues appear unmoved by Kaarna's criticism.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler 

Back, and sorry about the break in posting.
 


The rock falls into the lava far below. Soren detects a moderate aura of conjuration around the shard in the ceiling, nothing otherwise. The statues appear unmoved by Kaarna's criticism. 
 

Soren cautiously peeks out from behind Kaarna.  "There's a conjuration Magic think on that shard up there."  he points at the shard hanging like a chandelier in the middle of the room.  "It's definitely a trap of some kind but I don't think it'll blast us out of the air or stop flying magic or anything. We're just going to have to eat it, aren't we?"  He trails off, inspecting the chains and platforms.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren cautiously peeks out from behind Kaarna.  "There's a conjuration Magic think on that shard up there."  he points at the shard hanging like a chandelier in the middle of the room.  "It's definitely a trap of some kind but I don't think it'll blast us out of the air or stop flying magic or anything. We're just going to have to eat it, aren't we?"  He trails off, inspecting the chains and platforms. 
 

Kaarna removes her gaze from the statues and walks to the edge.  "I'll go take a look",  she takes flight and glides to the next platform.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna removes her gaze from the statues and walks to the edge.  "I'll go take a look",  she takes flight and glides to the next platform. 
 

 "Wait!"  Before Kaarna flies off, Soren takes a rope out of his bag and hands one end to her. He ties the other end around a statue.  "so you don't fall into the lava. Just in case I'm wrong." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Wait!"  Before Kaarna flies off, Soren takes a rope out of his bag and hands one end to her. He ties the other end around a statue.  "so you don't fall into the lava. Just in case I'm wrong."  
 

 "Eh?! Sure, if you insist..."  Kaarna takes the rope and ties it around her waist.
Kish
As Kaarna walks out onto the platform directly in front of you, before she can take flight, a spark of orange light traces an edged sigil on the ceiling over the center of the chamber, and you hear two distinct popping sounds. Two massive armored quadrupeds, larger than mastiffs, now stand on the central platform, sniffing the air and scraping the floor with deadly-looking claws. One of the creatures turns its eyeless head in your direction as it lets out a barking growl.

 
 Spoiler 

&gt;&gt; Soren initiative:  (1d20+4)[ 20 ] 
&gt;&gt; Raphael initiative:   (1d20+3)[ 17 ]   18 
&gt;&gt; Kaarna initiative:  (1d20+8)[ 13 ] 
D2 initiative:  (1d20+4)[ 13 ] 
Athard initiative:  (1d20+5)[ 8 ] 
D1 initiative:  (1d20+4)[ 5 ] 
Adrianna initiative:  (1d20+1)[ 3 ] 
Scholar initiative:  (1d20+1)[ 2 ] 
 Map  is updated. Soren, Raphael and Kaarna can act before either of the new arrivals does.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "A summon!"  Soren's ready for it, and so reflexively draws his bow and runs to duck behind the statue to the right. Once he has cover he breaks out in song.

 
 Spoiler: actions 
Soren draws his bow and runs to take cover behind the statue to the right. He then begins to sing to inspire courage (+2 to attacks, damage, and saves). I've got my anatomy final in half an hour--wish me luck!
 
CWater
 "Lovely",  Kaarna follows Soren's example and dives behind the other statue, just in case these hellhounds (or whatever they were) spit fire or something. Then she conjures a thundercloud over one of the summons, shifting her form at the same time.

 
 Spoiler 
Move behind the other statue, shift and then cast Aggressive Thundercloud at D2.
Electricity damage:  (3d6)[ 15 ] , Ref DC 15 to negate.
 
Athedia
Rapheal shook his head, clearing the cobwebs from his mind.  He pulled out his short swords swinging them around as he settled into position in front of the path.   "So.  Do we go to them or do they come to us?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Going into total defense (raises AC by +4 for a round) I also can't make AoOs this round.  Using move action to draw weapons
 
Kish
One of the giant armored mastiffs promptly answers Raphael's question, pacing to the east, slightly to the north, turning smoothly, charging forward and leaping across the chasm. Almost before you realize it's in the air, its long, froglike tongue is licking Adrianna.

 
 Spoiler 

You will, I'm sure, be pleased to know that Pathfinder rules making jumps easier turned that jump from one the creature was unlikely to fail to one the creature was  unable  to fail.

Reflex save:  (1d20+5)[ 11 ] 
Lick attack:  (1d20+11)[ 12 ]  If this hits Adrianna's flat-footed AC, make a Fortitude saving throw and get grappled and yanked toward the beast. Lick damage:  (1d4+4)[ 7 ] 
Lick critical threat check:  (1d20+11)[ 15 ]  Extra damage if lick critical:  (1d4+4)[ 7 ] 
Bite attack if the lick hits:  (1d20+8)[ 11 ]  Bite damage:  (2d6+2)[ 7 ] 
Bite critical threat check:  (1d20+8)[ 28 ]  Extra damage if bite critical:  (2d6+2)[ 9 ] 
 Map  updated.

&gt;&gt; Athard initiative:  [8] 
D1 initiative:  [5] 
Adrianna initiative:  [3] 
Scholar initiative:  [2] 
Soren initiative:  [20] 
Raphael initiative:  [18] 
Kaarna initiative:  [13] 
D2 initiative:  [13] 

Athard is up, whether or not Adrianna is dinner.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard rushes forward, slicing at the monster's tongue in an attempt to sever it.

 
 Spoiler: actions 
athard steps forward (no AOO, just a step), and attacks.

Attack:  (d20+9)[ 22 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "No you don't,"  he says.

 
 Spoiler: damage 

Damage:  (d8)[ 6 ]  plus  (d6)[ 1 ]  plus seven is fourteen damage.
He also claims the creature. I hope I'm doing this right.
 
Kish
Athard's sword cuts into the armored quadruped. The other one leaps over the lava as well, its tongue lashing at Athard.

 
 Spoiler 

Lick attack:  (1d20+11)[ 18 ]  If this hits Athard's AC, make a Fortitude saving throw and get grappled and yanked toward the beast. Lick damage:  (1d4+4)[ 7 ] 
Lick critical threat check:  (1d20+11)[ 17 ]  Extra damage if lick critical:  (1d4+4)[ 8 ] 
Bite attack if the lick hits:  (1d20+8)[ 18 ]  Bite damage:  (2d6+2)[ 11 ] 
Bite critical threat check:  (1d20+8)[ 18 ]  Extra damage if bite critical:  (2d6+2)[ 11 ] 

&gt;&gt; Adrianna initiative: [3]
Scholar initiative: [2]
Soren initiative: [20]
Raphael initiative: [18]
Kaarna initiative: [13]
D2 initiative: [13]
Athard initiative: [8]
D1 initiative: [5]

Adrianna is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "What the heck are these? Mutant frog-dog things?"  Soren peeks out from behind the statue, trying to recognize anything about these presumably-summoned creatures.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's actions 
first off, Soren keeps up the inspire courage so everyone has +2 to attack, damage, and saves. Second, he uses bardic knowledge and takes 10 for an 18 on all knowledge checks to try and figure out what these creatures are. He'll shout out what he knows. Third, unless his knowledge tells him these enemies are immune to glitterdust he glitterdusts them both. If they are immune or if it won't have any effect he fires his bow.
 


EDIT: Soren gasps and takes a half-step back.  "Those are yugoloths; they're daemons! Most spells won't affect them well, and you can't easily burn, freeze, or zap them either. And they've got something in their spit threat can paralyze you! Adrianne! Does your smite thing work extra well on daemons?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren begins to splay out his hands, but stops. They're blind; it won't make a difference. Instead he fires an arrow right at the one Athard struck.

 
 Spoiler: damage 
Soren rolled a 24 for attack; here's the damage.

 (d6+5)[ 6 ] 
 
Athedia
Rapheal ran forward, the blade in his right hand spinning down to slice at the creature.   "Don't know about her smite, but most things die to steel!" 
 
 Spoiler: Attack 
Attack:  (1d20+10)[ 26 ] 
 
Athedia
 "Yes!"   Pulling the blade back Rapheal grinned the thrill of the fight getting to him.

 
 Spoiler 
Damage:  (1d6+7)[ 12 ]  Dex to damage and Soren's song are super helpful.
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "What the heck are these? Mutant frog-dog things?"  Soren peeks out from behind the statue, trying to recognize anything about these presumably-summoned creatures.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's actions 
first off, Soren keeps up the inspire courage so everyone has +2 to attack, damage, and saves. Second, he uses bardic knowledge and takes 10 for an 18 on all knowledge checks to try and figure out what these creatures are. He'll shout out what he knows. Third, unless his knowledge tells him these enemies are immune to glitterdust he glitterdusts them both. If they are immune or if it won't have any effect he fires his bow.
 


EDIT: Soren gasps and takes a half-step back.  "Those are yugoloths; they're daemons! Most spells won't affect them, and you can't burn, freeze, or zap them either. And they've got something in their spit threat can paralyze you! Adrianne! Does your smite thing work extra well on daemons?"  
 

 "Alright, good to know. Won't waste my spells on them then",  Kaarna replies as she starts hovering slightly above the ground after activating her flight hex.  "Geez, those things are ugly",  she mutters,  "and I grew up with ogres and gnolls..." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna recoils as the tongue slaps around her leg, but unable to get a grip on her.
 "Get that disgusting thing off me!" 
She swings he long sword in the direction of yugoloth's mouth.

 
 Spoiler: Attack 
Attack:  (1d20+9)[ 18 ] 
Critical:  (1d20+9)[ 21 ] 
Damage:  (1d8+4)[ 11 ] 
 
Kish
Scholar takes a step to the west and casts a spell on Athard, who grows to the size of an ogre. The arrow and both sword blows strike the creature but don't cut very deeply; Soren remembers that many daemons have damage reduction which only good-aligned weapons can ignore.

The wounded canoloth strikes at Adrianna again, growling, both biting at her and trying to lick her, but her armor thwarts both attacks.
 
 Spoiler 


Lick attack:  (1d20+11)[ 20 ]  If this hits Adrianna's AC, make a Fortitude saving throw and get grappled and yanked toward the beast. Lick damage:  (1d4+4)[ 7 ] 
Lick critical threat check:  (1d20+11)[ 30 ]  Extra damage if lick critical:  (1d4+4)[ 7 ] 
Bite attack if the lick hits:  (1d20+8)[ 17 ]  Bite damage:  (2d6+2)[ 13 ] 
Bite critical threat check:  (1d20+8)[ 11 ]  Extra damage if bite critical:  (2d6+2)[ 10 ] 

&gt;&gt; Athard initiative: [8]
D1 initiative: [5]
Adrianna initiative: [3]
Scholar initiative: [2]
Soren initiative: [20]
Raphael initiative: [18]
Kaarna initiative: [13]
D2 initiative: [13]

 Map  updated. D for Dog has been replaced with C for Canoloth. Athard is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Rapheal ran forward, the blade in his right hand spinning down to slice at the creature.   "Don't know about her smite, but most things die to steel!"  
 

 "Not if they're not good-aligned!"  Soren shouts in realization.  "Their evil is like a shield! Adrianne, we need some smiting!" 
 "And we need to hit them harder,"  Athard says as he lashes out again.

 
 Spoiler: Attack 
 Athard uses the sense motive against ac for double damage maneuver.

Sense motive:  (d20+13)[ 28 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard growls as he cuts into the daemon.

 
 Spoiler: damage 
 now +2d6 because he's claimed (1d6, doubled because of the maneuver) and the additional d6 from the stance doubled to 2d6 is 4d6 total. The 2d8 is doubled weapon damage and the 14 is flat damage, also doubled. DR or not, this will hurt.

Damage:  (2d8+14)[ 20 ]  plus  (4d6)[ 10 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
EDITED Damage. I didn't noticed the enlarged bit! So the 2d8+14 changes to 4d6+ 16. I'm sorry, I'll reroll tjat now.

Also, Athard will step to the side, just saw the map.

Damage:  (4d6+16)[ 28 ]  plus the 10 from before is 38 damage.
Kish
Athard cuts down the wounded daemon, and it shimmers and fades. The other one steps forward, teeth and tongue grabbing at Athard.

 
 Spoiler 

Lick attack:  (1d20+11)[ 29 ]  If this hits Athard's AC, make a Fortitude saving throw and get grappled and yanked toward the beast. Lick damage:  (1d4+4)[ 5 ] 
Lick critical threat check:  (1d20+11)[ 30 ]  Extra damage if lick critical:  (1d4+4)[ 8 ] 
Bite attack:  (1d20+8)[ 10 ]  Bite damage:  (2d6+2)[ 7 ] 
Bite critical threat check:  (1d20+8)[ 15 ]  Extra damage if bite critical:  (2d6+2)[ 11 ] 

&gt;&gt; Adrianna initiative: [3]
&gt;&gt; Scholar initiative: [2]
&gt;&gt; Soren initiative: [20]
&gt;&gt; Raphael initiative: [18]
&gt;&gt; Kaarna initiative: [13]
&gt;&gt; Athard initiative: [8]
D1 initiative: [5]

You're all up, if you can all still move.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Ugh!"  Athard struggles against the beast.

Meanwhile, Soren slides out his hands and chants,  "Stumble and fall!"  At his invocation a puddle of slippery grease appears under the daemon's feet.

 
 Spoiler: fort save and Soren's actions 

Athard's fort save:  (d20+7)[ 24 ] 

Meanwhile Soren continues to sing for inspire courage, and then casts Grease on O25 and O26, leaving a path clear for Adrianne and Raphael to move in and freely attack.
 
Athedia
Rapheal took advantage of Sorens spell to attempt to get behind the daemon.

 
 Spoiler 
Tumble Check:  (1d20+12)[ 14 ]  vs CMD of canoloth
AC is 18 if it gets an AoO

Attack:  (1d20+10)[ 29 ] 
 
Athedia
Rapheal stood up a little dizzy and plunged his sword into the base of the creatures back.   "BAD DOG!" 
 
 Spoiler: Damage 
Both my attack rolls should have another +2 added to them that I forgot for a 31 attack and 27 confirm
2d6+14 due to crit, +3d6 sneak attack because flanking
Damage:  (1d6+14)[ 15 ] 
SA:  (3d6)[ 9 ] 
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler: Forgot a D6 
 (1d6)[ 5 ]  Add to main damage
 
CWater
Kaarna glares at the remaining beast, her left eye bulging slightly.  "Shudder!",  she hisses.

 
 Spoiler 
Evil Eye at C1. -2 to its AC for 6 rounds. If succeeds on a Will save DC 15, the duration is only 1 round.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Get back to whatever hell spawned you!"  Athard growls as he tries to hack his way through the daemon's tongue.

 
 Spoiler: attack 
yay flanking!
Attack:  (d20+11)[ 21 ]  if it hits he Claims the creature.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard's eyes narrow in intensity as he strikes true.

 
 Spoiler: damage 
 (d8+7)[ 13 ]  plus  (d6)[ 1 ] 
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna's sword begins glowing as she prepares a smite evil.

 
 Spoiler: Smite Evil 
Attack:  (1d20+13)[ 18 ] 
Critical:  (1d20+13)[ 29 ] 
Damage:  (1d8+16)[ 19 ] 
 
Kish
Scholar swings her fist at the creature. As Athard's sword slashes it, it falls and fades from view like the previous one.

 
 Spoiler 

500 XP each.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Only when the sounds of battle cease does Soren poke his head out from behind the statue.

 "Is it over?"  he asks, cautiously stepping out as well to where the bodies of the daemons would be.  "I guess they really were summoned...Kaarna!"  he looks up at her and shouts.  "That shard, is it only for summoning stuff? Can you break it or knock it into the lava or something? I don't want those frog-dog canaloth things coming back! Their tongues looked nasty too!" 
CWater
After the second enemy disappears Kaarna floats up to hover over the statue.  "And now we can call ourselves daemonslayers, a bit more obscure title than demonslayer, but not bad",  she says smirking.


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Only when the sounds of battle cease does Soren poke his head out from behind the statue.

 "Is it over?"  he asks, cautiously stepping out as well to where the bodies of the daemons would be.  "I guess they really were summoned...Kaarna!"  he looks up at her and shouts.  "That shard, is it only for summoning stuff? Can you break it or knock it into the lava or something? I don't want those frog-dog canaloth things coming back! Their tongues looked nasty too!"  
 

 "Sure, I'll go see if it comes loose",  Kaarna flies up to the shard, briefly studies it with Detect Magic and if nothing seems outright dangerous about it tries to take it off the ceiling.
Kish
The crystal just feels like a crystal; you could probably cut your hands on its edges if you weren't careful, but it doesn't react to you grabbing it. Kaarna is not able to pull it out of the ceiling.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Haha, well I think they're related. At least they sound similar so you could always say it's the accent!"  indeed, Soren says the two words in various Khovarian accents, and in some cases they sound indistinguishable. Of course, this is assuming that Soren's imitations of said accents is accurate, which is a reasonable guess but no guarantee.

Soren bits his lip as he observes kaarnas efforts.  "Should I try to shoot it down? Can you remove or break it? Or should we just leave it and hope these things don't come back?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren bits his lip as he observes kaarnas efforts.  "Should I try to shoot it down? Can you remove or break it? Or should we just leave it and hope these things don't come back?"  
 

Kaarna shrugs and spreads her hands.  "Hell do I know, I ain't an engineer. Nor a scholar either. Oh hey, Scholar! Or anyone else with a knowledgable brain! What do you think? Should we spend time on this?" 
Athedia
 "If Choir Boy is so worried about it why doesn't he sing it down!"   Rapheal paced near the edge of the gap.   "What I want to know is how us non-fliers plan to cross this?  Jumping isn't exactly my thing." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "If Choir Boy is so worried about it why doesn't he sing it down!"   Rapheal paced near the edge of the gap.   "What I want to know is how us non-fliers plan to cross this?  Jumping isn't exactly my thing."  
 

 "How about climb over with a rope? I can get one over for you",  Kaarna replies, her smirk implying she's eager to see the attempt.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "How about climb over with a rope? I can get one over for you",  Kaarna replies, her smirk implying she's eager to see the attempt. 
 

 "Climbing is not really my thing either!" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "If Choir Boy is so worried about it why doesn't he sing it down!"   Rapheal paced near the edge of the gap.   "What I want to know is how us non-fliers plan to cross this?  Jumping isn't exactly my thing."  
 

  "Choir Boy?!"   Soren splutters, nearly dropping his bow. That's honestly a new one.  "Seriously? I've got to think up something good back,"  he mutters to himself.  "I can't sing high-pitched enough to shatter glass--I may be a tenor but I'm still male. And what about these chain things?"  He walks over, doing a little un-choir-ish dance and flourish in front of Raphael as he passes before tugging at one of the chains experimentally.  "maybe we can swing across?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Climbing is not really my thing either!"  
 

 "Really? Next you'll tell me running up the stairs is too much",  Kaarna crosses her arms and looks thoughtful,  "Ok. Maybe there's some mechanism here that moves the plates. The set up certainly looks suspicious..." 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
   "Choir Boy?!"   Soren splutters, nearly dropping his bow. That's honestly a new one.  "Seriously? I've got to think up something good back,"  he mutters to himself.  "I can't sing high-pitched enough to shatter glass--I may be a tenor but I'm still male. And what about these chain things?"  He walks over, doing a little un-choir-ish dance and flourish in front of Raphael as he passes before tugging at one of the chains experimentally.  "maybe we can swing across?"  
 

Kaarna snickers.  "Ha! I should remember that one. But yeah, what the kid said. Any idea what could trigger the plates, if they now  can  move?"  The witch takes another look around, sighing. She really was no good with this sort of things.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
   "Choir Boy?!"   Soren splutters, nearly dropping his bow. That's honestly a new one.  "Seriously? I've got to think up something good back,"  he mutters to himself.  "I can't sing high-pitched enough to shatter glass--I may be a tenor but I'm still male. And what about these chain things?"  He walks over, doing a little un-choir-ish dance and flourish in front of Raphael as he passes before tugging at one of the chains experimentally.  "maybe we can swing across?"  
 


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Really? Next you'll tell me running up the stairs is too much",  Kaarna crosses her arms and looks thoughtful,  "Ok. Maybe there's some mechanism here that moves the plates. The set up certainly looks suspicious..." 

Kaarna snickers.  "Ha! I should remember that one. But yeah, what the kid said. Any idea what could trigger the plates, if they now  can  move?"  The witch takes another look around, sighing. She really was no good with this sort of things. 
 

Rapheal blushed, before quickly adjusting to a stern look.  His voice seemed to get a little deeper.  "Pull the chains maybe?  Try that one."   He pointed to the chain dangling over the gap between the platforms.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Rapheal blushed, before quickly adjusting to a stern look.  His voice seemed to get a little deeper.  "Pull the chains maybe?  Try that one."   He pointed to the chain dangling over the gap between the platforms. 
 

Soren pauses at Raphael's blush, and then a sly smile spreads across his face. He lowers his eyelids slightly and his voice also deepens slightly as he says,  "Why Raphael, I didn't realize I would get such a  rise  out of you. Of course I'd be happy to give these chains a good pull."  He's now practically sauntering over to them, and the look he gives Raphael, and the way he aligns his body as he pulls the chains hanging from the ceiling, are anything but choir-like.
Kish
 "Conjuration. But whether it summoned the fiends or not, it's not summoning anything now."  Scholar looks at the chains.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
If Soren's trying to pull the chain between N20, O20, N21, and O21, how's he reaching it? If he stands at the edge of the platform it's still ten feet away from him.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Conjuration. But whether it summoned the fiends or not, it's not summoning anything now."  Scholar looks at the chains.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
If Soren's trying to pull the chain between N20, O20, N21, and O21, how's he reaching it? If he stands at the edge of the platform it's still ten feet away from him.
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: Soren's Action 
With Mage Hand, or if that doesn't work getting on the platform.
 
Kish
Soren walks up to the chain in the middle of the platform in front of you and pulls it. With a grinding noise and than a whir, the platform begins to move forward. It moves twenty feet forward and then stops.
 
 Spoiler 

 Map  updated.
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren pauses at Raphael's blush, and then a sly smile spreads across his face. He lowers his eyelids slightly and his voice also deepens slightly as he says,  "Why Raphael, I didn't realize I would get such a  rise  out of you. Of course I'd be happy to give these chains a good pull."  He's now practically sauntering over to them, and the look he gives Raphael, and the way he aligns his body as he pulls the chains hanging from the ceiling, are anything but choir-like. 
 

Still in the air, Kaarna doubles over laughing. She floats down to pat Soren on the shoulder,  "Oh lad, give the poor dude a break,"  she says, stealing a glance at Raphael,  "Supposedly though guys like him can't take a flirt from another guy, known fact. It is that scary to them."  She continues to cackle rather shamelessly though.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Still in the air, Kaarna doubles over laughing. She floats down to pat Soren on the shoulder,  "Oh lad, give the poor dude a break,"  she says, stealing a glance at Raphael,  "Supposedly though guys like him can't take a flirt from another guy, known fact. It is that scary to them."  She continues to cackle rather shamelessly though. 
 

Rapheal sputter for a bit and then turned away.   "It's not that! I-"   Blushing again he turned away and walked onto the middle platform.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Rapheal sputter for a bit and then turned away.   "It's not that! I-"   Blushing again he turned away and walked onto the middle platform. 
 

 "Sure, it's not",  Kaarna manages to say between her snickers,  "Hey, I can flirt with you too, if it'd make you feel better!" 

She looks back to the entrance and tries to contain her cackling, with relative success.  "By the way, I think we left our metal ladies behind. You think the plate will move back too?"  She yanks the chain next to them, if there is no effect, she flies to the one Soren pulled earlier to try that.
Kish
The platform whirs and moves back to where it was before. Scholar walks onto it.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Still in the air, Kaarna doubles over laughing. She floats down to pat Soren on the shoulder,  "Oh lad, give the poor dude a break,"  she says, stealing a glance at Raphael,  "Supposedly though guys like him can't take a flirt from another guy, known fact. It is that scary to them."  She continues to cackle rather shamelessly though. 
 

Soren shrugs, still sporting that rakish grin. However, the effect is somewhat spoiled when he also begins to chuckle, and then outright laugh.  "I suppose that's why I've had the pleasure of spending time with more women than men! Ah well, the mens' loss, I can assure you." 

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Rapheal sputter for a bit and then turned away.   "It's not that! I-"   Blushing again he turned away and walked onto the middle platform. 
 

 "Oh, so you  are  interested?"  Soren's face genuinely lights up at that, and he's by Raphael's side in a flash. The grin's still there, but now a hint of serious earnest also shines through.  "What is it? If you'd like for us to get to know each other better I'd be more than happy to hear some of your tales."  As he says this he heads over to one of the chains...


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Soren walks up to the chain in the middle of the platform in front of you and pulls it. With a grinding noise and than a whir, the platform begins to move forward. It moves twenty feet forward and then stops.
 
 Spoiler 

 Map  updated.
 
 
 

 "Woah!"  The sudden jolt of movement sends him stumbling, and even though Soren's in no danger of actually falling into the lava he grips the chains for dear life. The dull red glow sears his eyes and he screws them shut as he twists himself upwards. The half-elf pulls himself back onto the stone platform as he scrambles towards the center. Once it stops, he pauses for a moment, then pops back up onto his feet as if nothing's wrong.  "I think we found the way forward!" 

 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Sure, it's not",  Kaarna manages to say between her snickers,  "Hey, I can flirt with you too, if it'd make you feel better!" 

She looks back to the entrance and tries to contain her cackling, with relative success.  "By the way, I think we left our metal ladies behind. You think the plate will move back too?"  She yanks the chain next to them, if there is no effect, she flies to the one Soren pulled earlier to try that. 
 

 "Would it make you feel better?"  he asks slyly even as he watches Kaarna pull on the chain.  "I mean, she is an evil witch. What could she do to you if you upset her?"  Somehow, he manages to say this without bursting out into laughter...again.


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 The platform whirs and moves back to where it was before. Scholar walks onto it. 
 

This time Soren's ready for it.  "Come on, metal ladies!"  he says as he waves Scholar and Adrianne onto the platform.  "All aboard the stone platform mag-lev!" 
 
 Spoiler 
That's short for magma levitation, not magnet levitation.
 
Athedia
 "Gods no!"  Rapheal looked ashen at the idea of Kaarna flirting with him.   "To any of the proposed.  I-I-I.  Gods, I hate this b-. I hate this day." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren shrugs, still sporting that rakish grin. However, the effect is somewhat spoiled when he also begins to chuckle, and then outright laugh.  "I suppose that's why I've had the pleasure of spending time with more women than men! Ah well, the mens' loss, I can assure you." 
 "Oh, so you  are  interested?"  Soren's face genuinely lights up at that, and he's by Raphael's side in a flash. The grin's still there, but now a hint of serious earnest also shines through.  "What is it? If you'd like for us to get to know each other better I'd be more than happy to hear some of your tales."  As he says this he heads over to one of the chains...

 "Woah!"  The sudden jolt of movement sends him stumbling, and even though Soren's in no danger of actually falling into the lava he grips the chains for dear life. The dull red glow sears his eyes and he screws them shut as he twists himself upwards. The half-elf pulls himself back onto the stone platform as he scrambles towards the center. Once it stops, he pauses for a moment, then pops back up onto his feet as if nothing's wrong.  "I think we found the way forward!" 
 "Would it make you feel better?"  he asks slyly even as he watches Kaarna pull on the chain.  "I mean, she is an evil witch. What could she do to you if you upset her?"  Somehow, he manages to say this without bursting out into laughter...again. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Gods no!"  Rapheal looked ashen at the idea of Kaarna flirting with him.   "To any of the proposed.  I-I-I.  Gods, I hate this b-. I hate this day."  
 

 "What? Not one for any fun?",  Kaarna asks and claps Raphael's shoulder,  "It's alright, we can understand that. Though I hope that's a choice that comes from self-determination, and not one of those weird chastity vows some churches have."  The witch shakes her head.  "Seriously, it's truly bizarre what I have seen." 
 
 Spoiler 
Maybe Adrianna or Scholar should come save poor Raphael from these two.😛
 


 This time Soren's ready for it.  "Come on, metal ladies!"  he says as he waves Scholar and Adrianne onto the platform.  "All aboard the stone platform mag-lev!" 
 
 Spoiler 
That's short for magma levitation, not magnet levitation.
 
 

 "Oh, and you too!",  Kaarna ushers Athard on to the platform as well,  "Don't want to respond to metal lady? That is okay, you got way too little armour anyway." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "What? Not one for any fun?",  Kaarna asks and claps Raphael's shoulder,  "It's alright, we can understand that. Though I hope that's a choice that comes from self-determination, and not one of those weird chastity vows some churches have."  The witch shakes her head.  "Seriously, it's truly bizarre what I have seen."  
 

 "It's not-  I'm not- I still like-  Just kill me now please."  Raphael sat down heavily and buried his face in his hands.
Silverraptor
During all of this commotion Adrianna was mainly focused on the summoning crystal. But she eventually lowers her head and uses her index and thumb to rub her eyes in exasperation.
 "Can we continue this conversation when we are not dangling over lava?" 
She steps on board the platform and braces herself for the eventual movement of the platform.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "It's not-  I'm not- I still like-  Just kill me now please."  Raphael sat down heavily and buried his face in his hands. 
 

 "Ah, just shy then! We can work with that!",  Kaarna exclaims grinning.


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 During all of this commotion Adrianna was mainly focused on the summoning crystal. But she eventually lowers her head and uses her index and thumb to rub her eyes in exasperation.
 "Can we continue this conversation when we are not dangling over lava?" 
She steps on board the platform and braces herself for the eventual movement of the platform. 
 

 "Aw, spoilsport",  the witch says and let out a sigh,  "Alright, all aboard?!"  Assuming they all are, she pulls the chain again.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Gods no!"  Rapheal looked ashen at the idea of Kaarna flirting with him.   "To any of the proposed.  I-I-I.  Gods, I hate this b-. I hate this day."  
 

 "H-hey, come on."  Soren places a hand around Raphael's shoulder.  "We were just teasing you. I'm sorry if I went too far."  he looks over at the young man and smiles, something more teasing than rakish.  "And today can't be that bad. I mean, we did rescue you, and now we're exploring these awesome if super-dangerous underground ruins! 

 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "What? Not one for any fun?",  Kaarna asks and claps Raphael's shoulder,  "It's alright, we can understand that. Though I hope that's a choice that comes from self-determination, and not one of those weird chastity vows some churches have."  The witch shakes her head.  "Seriously, it's truly bizarre what I have seen." 
 
 Spoiler 
Maybe Adrianna or Scholar should come save poor Raphael from these two.😛
 
 
 

 "Yeah, I don't get those either. I mean, a vow of chastity? Or poverty? Or temperance? Why would anyone do that to themselves?"  he pauses.  "I can kinda see that pacifism vow though.  

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "It's not-  I'm not- I still like-  Just kill me now please."  Raphael sat down heavily and buried his face in his hands. 
 

 "Trust me, no you don't."  Athard, who deliberately responded to the teasing with an overdramatic eye roll, waits until he gets on the platform warm beneath his feet from the radiant heat of the molten rock below.  "They may be annoying but they do mean well. And Dolurrh is..."  He breaks off with a shudder and a mutter about badly needing a drink.


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 During all of this commotion Adrianna was mainly focused on the summoning crystal. But she eventually lowers her head and uses her index and thumb to rub her eyes in exasperation.
 "Can we continue this conversation when we are not dangling over lava?" 
She steps on board the platform and braces herself for the eventual movement of the platform. 
 

 "Aww, you're no fun. Though I guess it is kinda hot above the lava. Let's go!" 

As they travel over the lava he looks over at Raphael and says,  "Seriously, you okay?" 
 
 Spoiler 
And this is why Soren is good-aligned; he knows when to back off and apologize. This is pretty hilarious though. 😛
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "H-hey, come on."  Soren places a hand around Raphael's shoulder.  "We were just teasing you. I'm sorry if I went too far."  he looks over at the young man and smiles, something more teasing than rakish.  "And today can't be that bad. I mean, we did rescue you, and now we're exploring these awesome if super-dangerous underground ruins! 
 "Yeah, I don't get those either. I mean, a vow of chastity? Or poverty? Or temperance? Why would anyone do that to themselves?"  he pauses.  "I can kinda see that pacifism vow though.  
 "Trust me, no you don't."  Athard, who deliberately responded to the teasing with an overdramatic eye roll, waits until he gets on the platform warm beneath his feet from the radiant heat of the molten rock below.  "They may be annoying but they do mean well. And Dolurrh is..."  He breaks off with a shudder and a mutter about badly needing a drink.

 "Aww, you're no fun. Though I guess it is kinda hot above the lava. Let's go!" 

As they travel over the lava he looks over at Raphael and says,  "Seriously, you okay?"  
 

 "Why wouldn't I be?"   Rapheal pushed himself up and stalked to the next platform.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Why wouldn't I be?"   Rapheal pushed himself up and stalked to the next platform. 
 

Soren frowns and furrows his eyebrows.  "If you say so. but don't worry, you'll be fine!"  once everyone is on the platform he pulls the chains that leads it to the next platform, then once everyone steps onto the next one does it again.
Kish
You reach the far side of the chamber and head on down the corridor, which bends to the east.

A constant thrumming rises in your ears over the last fifty paces along the corridor, and you finally understand why. Down a few short steps, the chamber in front of you bristles with rotating metal blades. Scythes sweep out of slim channels in the walls, ceiling, and floor, while whirling columns spin scimitars dangerously.

At the far end of the chamber, steps rise to meet a solid stone door.

 
 Spoiler 

 Map  updated. Light blue denotes an area a wall scythe covers on its sweep. Dark red denotes an area scimitars slash through. Finally, the solid lines inside the room (there are eight of them) denote an area ceiling and floor scythes cover on their sweep; Kaarna can simply fly over the horizontal scimitars and wall scythes, or anyone can crawl under them, but that won't reliably avoid the vertical scythes.

Incidentally, unlike the lava room, there's no light in this room; who's carrying a light source?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 You reach the far side of the chamber and head on down the corridor, which bends to the east.

A constant thrumming rises in your ears over the last fifty paces along the corridor, and you finally understand why. Down a few short steps, the chamber in front of you bristles with rotating metal blades. Scythes sweep out of slim channels in the walls, ceiling, and floor, while whirling columns spin scimitars dangerously.

At the far end of the chamber, steps rise to meet a solid stone door.

 
 Spoiler 

 Map  updated. Light blue denotes an area a wall scythe covers on its sweep. Dark red denotes an area scimitars slash through. Finally, the solid lines inside the room (there are eight of them) denote an area ceiling and floor scythes cover on their sweep; Kaarna can simply fly over the horizontal scimitars and wall scythes, or anyone can crawl under them, but that won't reliably avoid the vertical scythes.

Incidentally, unlike the lava room, there's no light in this room; who's carrying a light source?
 
 
 

 "Urgh...Does anyone else hear that, or is it just me?"  Soren asks as they continue down the hallway. He repeatedly tries to clean out his ears but that persistent whining noise is still there, and getting louder. As the light dims he opens his hand and four dancing lights swirl from his palm and gently circle his body to cast their glow onto the next room...

...Where they glint off of dozens of whirring spinning blades, saws sticking out of the floor, twirling in the center of the room like deranged tops, and hacking at empty air from the walls.

Soren's hand drops, and the lights very nearly wink out of existence.  "...Yeah, uh,  no. " 
Kish
Scholar hesitates, looking ahead.  "This actually looks surprisingly straightforward, if there isn't more than there appears to be. All we have to do is crawl and avoid the floor blades. Which means there's presumably something prepared for people who do that, too." 
CWater
 "Agh, more of these mechanical gizmos",  Kaarna rolls her eyes,  "Someone had an unhealthy obsession." 

 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar hesitates, looking ahead.  "This actually looks surprisingly straightforward, if there isn't more than there appears to be. All we have to do is crawl and avoid the floor blades. Which means there's presumably something prepared for people who do that, too."  
 

The witch rubs her chin and tilts her head back.  "Hmm, I could send a summon to test what happens?",  she suggests.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar hesitates, looking ahead.  "This actually looks surprisingly straightforward, if there isn't more than there appears to be. All we have to do is crawl and avoid the floor blades. Which means there's presumably something prepared for people who do that, too."  
 

 "You mean like those daemon frog-dogs?"  Soren groans.  "Great, and there's no way to maneuver in that...that!" 

 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 [COLOR="#8B4513"]"Agh, more of these mechanical gizmos",[ /COLOR] Kaarna rolls her eyes,  "Someone had an unhealthy obsession." 



The witch rubs her chin and tilts her head back.  "Hmm, I could send a summon to test what happens?",  she suggests. 
 

 "Could you please? I don't have many spells left and want to save them for whatever were inevitably fighting. And to ask Sur'kil about this. This wasn't in the job description!" 
Athedia
 "I could... I could also see what lies beneath the floor.  These things see through walls, why not floors?"   Rapheal finally managed to rearrange his face from one of indignant shock to a more neutral expression.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "You mean like those daemon frog-dogs?"  Soren groans.  "Great, and there's no way to maneuver in that...that!" 
 "Could you please? I don't have many spells left and want to save them for whatever were inevitably fighting. And to ask Sur'kil about this. This wasn't in the job description!"  
 

 "Sure thing",  Kaarna replies and rubs her fingers together creating a small spark.


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I could... I could also see what lies beneath the floor.  These things see through walls, why not floors?"   Rapheal finally managed to rearrange his face from one of indignant shock to a more neutral expression. 
 

 "Oh? How'd you do that?",  the witch looks curious.
Silverraptor
Adrianna just looks at the spinning blades in the corridor in shock and just shakes her head.
 "We'd better be awfully careful getting through that. Unless someone knows a way to stop or break them all." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Sure thing",  Kaarna replies and rubs her fingers together creating a small spark.



 "Oh? How'd you do that?",  the witch looks curious. 
 

 "These gloves.  They let me see and hear through walls.  I found them...useful in my line of work."   Rapheals held up the gloves, fingerless ones that looked old and beaten up.   "They look pretty worthless, but trust me they do the job." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Sure thing",  Kaarna replies and rubs her fingers together creating a small spark. 
 

 "thanks! Let me know if you need a song or dance to help you out." 

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna just looks at the spinning blades in the corridor in shock and just shakes her head.
 "We'd better be awfully careful getting through that. Unless someone knows a way to stop or break them all."  
 

Soren studiously avoids looking at anyone, especially Adrianna. Instead he takes a small step backwards.


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "These gloves.  They let me see and hear through walls.  I found them...useful in my line of work."   Rapheals held up the gloves, fingerless ones that looked old and beaten up.   "They look pretty worthless, but trust me they do the job."  
 

 "Seriously?"  he runs over and places a hand on the gloves, inspecting them.  "that's so cool! What do you do?"  he stops, his eyes wide at that last question. Probably wasn't the best thing to ask, since it's probably not legitimate.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "thanks! Let me know if you need a song or dance to help you out." 

Soren studiously avoids looking at anyone, especially Adrianna. Instead he takes a small step backwards.

 "Seriously?"  he runs over and places a hand on the gloves, inspecting them.  "that's so cool! What do you do?"  he stops, his eyes wide at that last question. Probably wasn't the best thing to ask, since it's probably not legitimate. 
 

Rapheal stuttered eyes wide.   "Uh... I said I worked on the airship.  Security." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Rapheal stuttered eyes wide.   "Uh... I said I worked on the airship.  Security."  
 

Soren, alert, sharply nudges both Kaarna and Adrianna.  "Security? Were you inspecting cargo for smuggling or something?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Sorry, forgot. Sense motive (if allowed):  (d20+12)[ 31 ] 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren, alert, sharply nudges both Kaarna and Adrianna.  "Security? Were you inspecting cargo for smuggling or something?"  
 

 "Patrols. Fighting pirates.  Things like that."   Rapheal looked out over the room.   "Let's focus on important things okay?" 
 
 Spoiler: Opposed 
Bluff:  (1d20+13)[ 24 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Like the spinning blades of doom? Kaarna's got something in mind, but do you have anything?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Like the spinning blades of doom? Kaarna's got something in mind, but do you have anything?" ] 
 

Rapheal looked around for a switch or other mechanisms that might control the blades or trigger other traps.

 
 Spoiler 
Perception:  (1d20+10)[ 28 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
As Raphael observes the scene Soren whispers to the others,  "He's lying about why he has the gloves." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 As Raphael observes the scene Soren whispers to the others,  "He's lying about why he has the gloves."  
 

 "That so? Well, I wouldn't tell the truth about what I do with my spells either",  Kaarna replies with a dark grin. She walks to stand next to Raphael.  "So, you got this or do I call a friend?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "That so? Well, I wouldn't tell the truth about what I do with my spells either",  Kaarna replies with a dark grin. She walks to stand next to Raphael.  "So, you got this or do I call a friend?"  
 

 "It's okay, we all know anyway, oh  evil witch. "  Soren returns the grin and accompanies it with a nudge of his shoulders against hers.  "'Sides, I'm pretty sure he's on our side anyway. He definitely didn't intend to end up here." 

As Kaarna approaches the frankly ludicrous hallway Soren takes another step backwards.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "That so? Well, I wouldn't tell the truth about what I do with my spells either",  Kaarna replies with a dark grin. She walks to stand next to Raphael.  "So, you got this or do I call a friend?"  
 

 "I'm just eyeing it right now.  There has to be a trick to this, otherwise no-one would get through here.  People don't build death traps without good reason, and they definitely don't make them uncrossable.  Summon that 'friend'.  Better a heavier one than a mouse though.  Floor panels are usually weight sensitive."  
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "It's okay, we all know anyway, oh  evil witch. "  Soren returns the grin and accompanies it with a nudge of his shoulders against hers.  "'Sides, I'm pretty sure he's on our side anyway. He definitely didn't intend to end up here."  
 

 "Yeah, I don't think so either. Unless he has reeeally weird tastes. And  you  don't sound nearly scared enough of me, I'll have to see to that I set your hair on fire sometime you sleep",  Kaarna replies with a wink.


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I'm just eyeing it right now.  There has to be a trick to this, otherwise no-one would get through here.  People don't build death traps without good reason, and they definitely don't make them uncrossable.  Summon that 'friend'.  Better a heavier one than a mouse though.  Floor panels are usually weight sensitive."   
 

 "Better make it one that knows how to crawl too."  Kaarna takes a small candle out her pouch, blows a flame to it and starts to mutter a long incantation while drawing an invisible sign in the air with her left hand. Then she slams her hands together and the candle disappears, and instead a snake of her owns size appears on the floor in front of the witch. It raises its large head, tasting the air.

 
 Spoiler 
I hope  summoning  a  Venomous snake  is okay, it's from the alternative options list.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Yeah, I don't think so either. Unless he has reeeally weird tastes. And  you  don't sound nearly scared enough of me, I'll have to see to that I set your hair on fire sometime you sleep",  Kaarna replies with a wink. 
 

Soren returns the wink as he runs a hand through long shiny maroon hair.  "Oh Kaarna, I know when you wouldn't inflict such a curse on the world." 

He stands back and readies himself as Kaarna summons the snake and sends it forward.
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Raphael 

No switches are apparent. It does occur to you that someone who was precise enough in their movements could avoid all the blades, even without crawling or flying.
 


Kaarna summons a snake in front of the party. The snake awaits instructions.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
And has been added to the map.
 
Athedia
Rapheal licked his lips as he watched to swinging of the blades. "Step there then... No. Side step quick forward, pause. Might work...."  His making were quiet and almost rythmic in quality.

 
 Spoiler: Question 
What do I need to roll to try to cross with the pattern?
 
CWater
 [Feral Speech]"Cross this playground for me, and watch out for the blades",[/FR]  Kaarna directs the snake.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Rapheal licked his lips as he watched to swinging of the blades. "Step there then... No. Side step quick forward, pause. Might work...."  His making were quiet and almost rythmic in quality.

 
 Spoiler: Question 
What do I need to roll to try to cross with the pattern?
 
 
 

Soren watches with a look that's more impressed by the minute.  "This one is all yours." 
He tenses as the snake slithers into the corridor, bracing himself for anything that might come forth and readying a dance of his own.

 
 Spoiler: kish 
If it's allowed, readying an action to start dancing inspire courage if anything hostile happens.
 
Kish
The snake crawls forward across the room. As your mind attempts to track the spinning blades, you see new movement. From each of the panels on either side of the chamber, a bipedal construct emerges. The constructs are barely 3 feet tall, but they bristle with spikes and needles. As they enter the chamber, their hops and tumbles seem perfectly synchronized with the spinning blades. Each moves adjacent to Kaarna's snake.

 
 Spoiler 
Actively avoiding the blades while standing upright on the floor would require a Dexterity or Acrobatics check for every five feet crossed. You could also try to disarm them with Disable Device if you have it, or sunder them, but either would have its own dangers.

 Map  updated.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"  Soren's scream of frustration echoes off the blades as he tries to identify the creatures.

 
 Spoiler: question and action 
Does Soren's readied action go off here, and are we rolling initiative? Also, Soren's gonna use Bardic knowledge (18 in every knowledge skill with taking ten which he can do freely) to identify these things.
 
Kish
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"  Soren's scream of frustration echoes off the blades as he tries to identify the creatures.

 
 Spoiler: question and action 
Does Soren's readied action go off here, and are we rolling initiative? Also, Soren's gonna use Bardic knowledge (18 in every knowledge skill with taking ten which he can do freely) to identify these things.
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Yes, and yes. They're obviously mechanical; they appear to be mostly built around precise movement and agility. It seems unlikely that they think, as such, but trying to figure out a tactic their designer didn't program them for may be more trouble than simply breaking them. Soren sees no reason to expect any particular elemental resistances.

&gt;&gt; Kaarna initiative:  (1d20+8)[ 13 ] 
&gt;&gt; Snake initiative:  (1d20+8)[ 13 ] 
&gt;&gt; Scholar initiative:  (1d20+1)[ 10 ] 
&gt;&gt; Raphael initiative:   (1d20+4)[ 23 ]  [ 27 ]
&gt;&gt; Athard initiative:  (1d20+5)[ 23 ] 
&gt;&gt; Adrianna initiative:  (1d20+1)[ 18 ] 
&gt;&gt; Soren initiative: [ 17.5 ]
H1 initiative:  (1d20+3)[ 17 ] 
H2 initiative:  (1d20+3)[ 15 ] 

They've just acted, as has Soren, so everyone is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "You won't outmaneuver them in the blades!"  Soren shouts as he fires his bow at the nearest clockwork creatures.  "I mean I might and Raphael might but not while fighting! They've probably been programmed for different tactics but try ranged or area attacks!"  He looks over at Scholar and asks,  "You were programmed too, right? Is there some sort of limit for constructs? These are mindless though." 
 
 Spoiler: attack 
im going to the philharmonic so I won't be on much tonight but here's Soren's attack!

 (d20+9)[ 23 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
I think that hits so:

 
 Spoiler: damage 
  (d6+5)[ 7 ] 

Can they be blinded? Would that have an effect? Would Soren know?
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard rushes forward and places a hand on Raphael's shoulder. As he does, the young man fades from view.  "If you're as nimble as you say you are, you will make good use of this." 
 
 Spoiler: Athard's action 
Cast Vanish on Raphael: It's like invisibility for 2 rounds only, so for the next two rounds Raphael can get a free sneak attack off!
 
CWater
Kaarna removes one of the red beads from the necklace they found earlier.  "Hey kid, you wanted to know what these do, right?",  she grins and tosses the orb towards the constructs,  "Observe." 
 
 Spoiler 
Fireball:  (6d6)[ 24 ]  Ref for half, but I'm not sure what the DC is for this item.

If she can, Kaarna orders the snake to move forward and out of the way first.
 
Kish
 "There are no limits to how intelligent constructed creatures can be,"  Scholar says,  "but these appear to have been made for a single purpose." 

Kaarna's snake hurries further into the room; both constructs strike at its back, one of them slicing it in half. Then Kaarna throws a bead which explodes, singeing both constructs, and Soren fires an arrow that lodges in one of them. Scholar hesitates.  "I am uncertain what approach would be most useful here. Making any of you larger looks contraindicated." 
 
 Spoiler 

H1 attack of opportunity:  (1d20+7)[ 12 ]  Damage:  (3d6+1)[ 7 ]  Critical damage:  (1d6+1)[ 2 ] 
H2 attack of opportunity:  (1d20+7)[ 25 ]  Damage:  (3d6+1)[ 14 ]  Critical damage:  (1d6+1)[ 3 ] 
H1 reflex save:  (1d20+4)[ 6 ] 
H2 reflex save:  (1d20+4)[ 8 ] 

 Kaarna initiative: (1d20+8)[13]
&gt;&gt; Scholar initiative: (1d20+1)[10]
&gt;&gt; Raphael initiative: (1d20+4)[23][27]
Athard initiative: (1d20+5)[23]
&gt;&gt; Adrianna initiative: (1d20+1)[18]
Soren initiative: [17.5]
H1 initiative: (1d20+3)[17]
H2 initiative: (1d20+3)[15]

Raphael and Adrianna are still up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The explosion is massive, and even as the dust clears Soren's ears are still ringing.  "Woah! That's what those are?!"  there's a boyish glee in his voice, a sheer delight at the pyrotechnics.


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "There are no limits to how intelligent constructed creatures can be,"  Scholar says,  "but these appear to have been made for a single purpose." 

Kaarna's snake hurries further into the room; both constructs strike at its back, one of them slicing it in half. Then Kaarna throws a bead which explodes, singeing both constructs, and Soren fires an arrow that lodges in one of them. Scholar hesitates.  "I am uncertain what approach would be most useful here. Making any of you larger looks contraindicated." 

] 
 

 "That's indicated!"  he shouts, pointing at the singed constructs.  "Do you have any ranged spells, or arrows, or something?" 
 
 Spoiler 
do you have magic missile or something? If that's what you feel like doing, of course. You could also borrow a ranged splash weapon from Soren.
 
Kish
 "Not today."  She touches Adrianna, casting a quick cantrip.

 
 Spoiler 
Adrianna is affected by Guidance; at some point within the next minute, she can expend the buff to add 1 to an attack roll, saving throw, or skill check she is about to make.
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
at my grandfather who doesn't. Believe in using the internet.  Can't post til Monday.  I think I want to go prone and sneak up on the things, the invisibility should help. Just rolling and the like are a little tough.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  
 Spoiler 
at my grandfather who doesn't. Believe in using the internet.  Can't post til Monday.  I think I want to go prone and sneak up on the things, the invisibility should help. Just rolling and the like are a little tough.
 
 
 

Although he's invisible, Raphael runs up to the end of the hallway and stops at the sight of the blades. He raises his blades up in a defensive fashion.

 
 Spoiler: kish 
i talked with athedia and she gave me permission to do this post. Raphael runs to the end of the hallway, stops where it opens up into the blender room, and goes into total defense.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna pushes through the others and places herself in front of them, ready to intercept the machines if they leave the blades.

 
 Spoiler: Adrianna 
She goes in front of everyone and goes full defensive.
 
Kish
The damaged constructs, without acknowledging any of you, go back into their alcoves.

 
 Spoiler 

 Map  updated.

&gt;&gt; Kaarna initiative: [13]
&gt;&gt; Scholar initiative: [10]
&gt;&gt; Raphael initiative: [27]
&gt;&gt; Athard initiative: [23]
&gt;&gt; Adrianna initiative: [18]
&gt;&gt; Soren initiative: [17.5]
H1 initiative: [17]
H2 initiative: [15]

You're up again.
 
CoffeeIncluded
At the sight of the constructs returning to their hidden alcoves Soren licks his lips, a quick darting of his tongue aross the front of his mouth.  "They can wait us out..."  Soren suddenly snaps his fingers and begins dancing even faster, hopping to and fro as his hands and scarf move in seemingly impossible patterns.  "Wren! You've got this!" 

Suddenly there's the sound of running footsteps, getting louder. And all of a sudden the illusory image of a young Talentian halfling woman appears before them. She rushes into the blender room where the snake was before, effortlessly dodging the blades as she goes. And of course, as the image runs she draws two swords with an audible  shing. 

Meanwhile athard runs forward and draws his bow, waiting.

 
 Spoiler: Soren and athards actions. 
soren continues dancing inspire courage, then uses minor image to create an illusion of a halfling rogue--complete with sounds--to run into the blender room and try to draw the clockwork spiky things out again. Meanwhile, athard readies an action to shoot the more injured one the moment it appears.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna watches as the constructs head back into the blades.
 "Alright, I leave you guys with dealing with the constructs as they stay in there. No way am I chasing after them in that mess. If they come out I'll fight them then." 
Athedia
The air next to Adrianna spoke.   "I can sneak in there.  But I haven't got any ranged weapons.  All my normal daggers got lost in the crash and well, don't want to lose my other ones.  And I'd rather wait to see if Twinkletoes trick actually works." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 The air next to Adrianna spoke.   "I can sneak in there.  But I haven't got any ranged weapons.  All my normal daggers got lost in the crash and well, don't want to lose my other ones.  And I'd rather wait to see if Twinkletoes trick actually works."  
 

  "Twin--"   Soren chokes for a moment but then settles on subtly shifting his robe aside a bit.  "I've got a few daggers on me too. Take as many as you want.,  angel."   He grins a bit as he exposes the daggers laid flat against his slim body.
CWater
 "Hey, kiddo",  a lock of Kaarna's moving hair stretches back and snaps Soren on the forehead.  "I know it's hard for you young 'uns, but  try  to concentrate on the task at hand",  she says, the corner of her mouth forming a small mocking grin.
Athedia
Two of the daggers disappeared from Soren's side.  A voice next to him snarked back.   "Maybe don't annoy the invisible person?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Moving next to Soren and taking items for my turn.
 
Kish
The illusion moves into the blades, dancing around them and over them. Nothing responds yet.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren grits his teeth and groans.  "Must be a weight thing."  His dance continues, but now he moves his hands as though beckoning something to come forth. And indeed, a glowing fire beetle springs into existence and crawls to where the snake was before.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's actions 
Soren continues dancing inspire courage and summons a celestial fire beetle, which crawls to where the snake was before.
 
CWater
Kaarna reactivates her flying hex and floats closer to the blade room.

 
 Spoiler 
Let's say to AC10.
 
Kish
The two constructs emerge and move to flank the beetle, as before.

 
 Spoiler 
Sorry about the delay in posting; I've been dealing with a cold, among some other things. Go ahead and make prepared attacks.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The moment the constructs appear again, athard lets an arrow fly at the more injured one.

 
 Spoiler: attack 
 (d20+8)[ 23 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Damage:  (d8+5)[ 11 ] 
Kish
The arrow glances off one of the whirling blades. The constructs flank the beetle.

 
 Spoiler 

&gt;&gt; Kaarna initiative: [13]
&gt;&gt; Scholar initiative: [10]
&gt;&gt; Raphael initiative: [27]
&gt;&gt; Adrianna initiative: [18]
&gt;&gt; Soren initiative: [17.5]
&gt;&gt; Athard initiative: [17.5]
H1 initiative: [17]
H2 initiative: [15]

The beetle acts on Soren's initiative; the constructs' action the round they come out is entirely movement. You're up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
  "Oh for the love of--"   both Soren and Athard groan in unison as they fire their bows at the more wounded construct. Soren's dance continues after he lets the arrow fly, and he motions for the beetle to also attack.

 
 Spoiler: actions 
 Soren keeps dancing inspire courage. He, the beetle, and Athard all attack the more wounded construct. If that one is defeated then the remaining attacks will go to the other construct.

Soren's attack:  (d20+8)[ 11 ] 

Athards attack:  (d20+8)[ 19 ] 

Beetles attack:  (d20+1)[ 18 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Action point for Athard:  (d6)[ 1 ] 
CWater
Kaarna removes a second bead from the necklace.  "Tough, are you?"  She throws the fireball at the constructs.

 
 Spoiler 
Damage:  (6d6)[ 15 ] 
 
Athedia
Rapheal held his breath and carefully went forward squeezing between the sweeping blades and the narrow channel.   "If we are careful these won't cut us.  And I would really really like some backup.  Either armor lady or the construct, it doesn't matter to me." 
 
 Spoiler 
Double movement to AF10
 
Kish
Kaarna's fireball blasts the beetle from existence and leaves the constructs badly charred but still moving. Soren and Athard's arrows glance off the whirling blades as the constructs dodge. Raphael moves up to the edge of the blades, and Scholar casts a spell on him. Adrianna stands and watches. The constructs retreat once again back into the alcoves.

 
 Spoiler 
Withdrawal action does not trigger an attack of opportunity. Scholar cast Guidance on Raphael.

Everyone is up again. I'll assume Adrianna is just standing there until Silverraptor posts otherwise, but everyone else, please post what you're doing or that you're not doing anything.
 

 "If I build a room like this at some point, I'll have to give the constructs some means to repair themselves,"  Scholar muses.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Kaarna's fireball blasts the beetle from existence and leaves the constructs badly charred but still moving. Soren and Athard's arrows glance off the whirling blades as the constructs dodge. Raphael moves up to the edge of the blades, and Scholar casts a spell on him. Adrianna stands and watches. The constructs retreat once again back into the alcoves.

 
 Spoiler 
Withdrawal action does not trigger an attack of opportunity. Scholar cast Guidance on Raphael.

Everyone is up again. I'll assume Adrianna is just standing there until Silverraptor posts otherwise, but everyone else, please post what you're doing or that you're not doing anything.
 
 
 

Soren stares at the sight, his mouth open in shock.  "Oh,  screw this, "  he mutters.


  "If I build a room like this at some point, I'll have to give the constructs some means to repair themselves,"  Scholar muses. 

The half-elf turns around to Scholar, surprise on his face.  "Wow...I didn't know you had that in you. Unless you mean they have some way to do it now?" 
 
 Spoiler 
No action just yet, except continuing his dance.
 
Kish
 "No, they don't appear to have repaired themselves, but if they did, we might be stuck. Only obvious weakness I see in this room setup. That is, unless something else attacks us when we get halfway through." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna watches Rapheal cautiously wade through a possible safe route through the blades.
 "I think you should go solo just for a bit until the constructs emerge. Then you can retreat and try to lure them out. If they follow you out of the blades, that would work for all of us. If they stop following and head back to wherever they go, then we'll know at what point they come out to play. If I come in after you, I'd only block your retreat path." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna watches Rapheal cautiously wade through a possible safe route through the blades.
 "I think you should go solo just for a bit until the constructs emerge. Then you can retreat and try to lure them out. If they follow you out of the blades, that would work for all of us. If they stop following and head back to wherever they go, then we'll know at what point they come out to play. If I come in after you, I'd only block your retreat path."  
 

 "Then come in on the other side of the channel.  I don't plan to cross it and trust me, I am not heading in further to be sliced and diced without someone as backup.  If I am going to be live bait SOMEONE is coming with me." 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard folds his arms and shakes his head.  "No. I am not dying twice in as many days." 

Soren stares at the blender and worries his lower lip.  "If they're not repairing themselves then I think we should camp for the night and lure them out tomorrow with fresh spells. Then Kaarna can melt them with that burning acid spell thing. I mean, if you have to go now I guess I could try or Kaarna, can you fly over the blades safely?" 
Kish
 "If they can't repair themselves if left alone overnight, that would be a substantially more glaring weakness than if they don't repair themselves in seconds,"  Scholar says,  "but it might still be the case if we're the first to have ever gotten in here and tested this security system since it was set up. The next question is, is intruders getting in and trying to sleep in the hallway something they planned a nasty surprise for? I presume you mean to rest in the hallway, not this grinder room or the lava room where we fought the fiends." 
CWater
 "Hell no! No way am I spending another night in this dump! We damn better sort this out today!"  Kaarna takes flight and rises above the whirling blades, following Raphael by hovering over him.

 
 Spoiler 
Readying an action to cast Ear-piercing Scream at one of the constructs should they emerge. If one of them looked more damaged by the fire, then target that one, otherwise either is fine.
 
CWater
When the constructs don't seem interested to come out, Kaarna looks at Raphael expectantly.  "Well Blade Dancer, what next?" 
Athedia
 "I hate this place. I hate these blades.  I hate the bunch of cowards using me as bait."   Rapheal got down and crawled under the blades in front of him.  Once under them he pushed himself up slightly ready to roll out of the way of any descending attacks from the constructs.

 
 Spoiler 
Free Action: Drop Prone
Move Action: 5 feet forward (crawl)
Standard Action: Total Defense +4 dodge bonus
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Hey, who fought the blackscales? Twice?"  Soren shouts to Raphael.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Hey, who fought the blackscales? Twice?"  Soren shouts to Raphael. 
 

 "I don't know! You could be making that up!" 
Kish
As Raphael and Adrianna crawl under the spinning blade, the constructs emerge from their alcoves once again. Kaarna screams, inaudibly to the rest of you, and one of them falls.

 
 Spoiler 
H2 has acted, the  map  that has you marked on it is updated; the rest of you are up. No need to roll damage as the minimum damage from Kaarna's scream will down H1.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I don't know! You could be making that up!"  
 

 "Fine, when we get out of her I'll show you the bodies!"  Soren and Athard race forward to the edge of the blades, firing their bows. While Athard simply shoots an arrow. Soren adds a flourish as his robes, hair, and scarf sway around him.

 
 Spoiler: Actions 
Soren continues the Inspire Courage dance, both he and Athard move forward to the edge of the blender, and both fire their bows.

Soren's attack:  (d20+8)[ 17 ]  (low on spells, trying to conserve because I doubt this is the boss)
Athard's Attack:  (d20+8)[ 23 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard's action point for his attack roll:  (d6)[ 6 ] 

Athard's damage:  (d8+5)[ 8 ] 
Kish
Athard's arrow pierces the second construct, and it falls to the floor.

 
 Spoiler 

Since you're still in the grinder room, you're still going round-by-round, but there are no visible enemies at the moment. More actions! In particular, Raphael and Adrianna (and Scholar, but she's just watching for now; this situation could hardly be less suited to her skillset and currently prepared spells) haven't acted yet this round.
 
Athedia
Rapheal let out a sigh of relief as Athard's arrow downed the construct.   "Huh.  He's useful."   With that Rapheal continued to crawl forward to reach the door.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Rapheal let out a sigh of relief as Athard's arrow downed the construct.   "Huh.  He's useful."   With that Rapheal continued to crawl forward to reach the door. 
 

 "Oh yes, felled both of them on his own, he did",  Kaarna says in a mocking tone, gliding over the whirling blades.

 
 Spoiler 
Stopping in AP10.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna continues to crawl as well along the possible safe route.
CoffeeIncluded
Athard sheaths his bow and begins crawling under the blades. Soren stops dancing and does the same.
Kish
Scholar moves to the edge of the blades and watches silently. At the top of the stairs, Raphael finds a triple-locked solid stone door.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar moves to the edge of the blades and watches silently. At the top of the stairs, Raphael finds a triple-locked solid stone door. 
 

Rapheal slowly approached the door and laid the palms of the gloves against it.   &lt;Draconic&gt;"Reveal"&lt;/Draconic&gt; 
 
 Spoiler: Gloves of Reconnaissance 
On command, the wearer can use the gloves to see and hear though solid material no more than 15 feet thick by placing both hands on that material. The gloves can be used for 10 rounds each day. The rounds need not be consecutive.
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Raphael 
There are a lot of gears in the door. On the other side, a staircase descends, but you can only see a little of it before reaching the limit of your gloves' ability.
 
Athedia
Rapheal let out a sigh of relief.  The door was all geared up but it didn't look like anything to bad lay beyond it.  He shuffled through the pouch at his waist and then the pockets on his pants and even down the front of his shirt before letting out a short curse.   "Damned tools fell out somewhere.  Improvising is... oh well." 
 
 Spoiler 
Just realized that I forgot to put thieves tools on the list. Just rolling my normal disable device check apply what modifiers are needed.

Disable Device:  (1d20+12)[ 19 ] 
 
Kish
Raphael's first attempt to pick the first lock ends in dismal failure, but no new threats materialize, for the moment.

 
 Spoiler 

Note that you'll need three successful checks to open the triple lock. You can take 10 (6 seconds, produces a result of 22) or take 20 (2 minutes, produces a result of 32) for each of them. You've been with the group for a short enough amount of time that I'll let you retroactively "buy" thieves' tools; if you don't, then even taking 20 will not overcome the -10 no-thieves-tools' penalty and the locks are unpickable for you.
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
I will take you up on that offer, thank you so much. Deducted the cost from my total gold.  First rogue I have played in ages.
 


Rapheal pulled the front of his shirt forward and looked down, rummaging again while cursing slightly.  Finally he struck gold and pulled out a nice set of thieves tools.   "Knew they were here somewhere."   Rapheal started to work on the door again, this time with much less difficulty.

 
 Spoiler 
Taking 20 on all of them, Bought the masterwork tools so +14
 
Kish
Raphael opens the door, revealing a flight of stairs leading down. Seeing the door open, Scholar gets down on all fours and starts crawling under the blades as well.

 
 Spoiler: Raphael 
With the door open, you think fiddling with the mechanism inside it might shut down all the moving blades, but it would probably be dangerous to try.

If you do choose to try, you need to make a Disable Device check as for disarming a trap; you cannot take 10 or 20.
 

 
 Spoiler 

400 XP each.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Raphael opens the door, revealing a flight of stairs leading down. Seeing the door open, Scholar gets down on all fours and starts crawling under the blades as well.

 
 Spoiler: Raphael 
With the door open, you think fiddling with the mechanism inside it might shut down all the moving blades, but it would probably be dangerous to try.

If you do choose to try, you need to make a Disable Device check as for disarming a trap; you cannot take 10 or 20.
 

 
 Spoiler 

400 XP each.
 
 
 

 "I could try to turn the blades off.  But I think all of you can just crawl.  I had too."   Raphael moved ahead to look down the stairs.   "Guys hold back.  Let me scout ahead if anything is out there." 
 
 Spoiler 
Stealth  (1d20+12)[ 26 ]   Waiting until I am out of sight of the party.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna is near the door with Raphael when he offers to scout ahead.
 "If you need me just shout. I don't want my armor to give you away until I have to." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Do you need q hand? Athard and I are pretty good at sneaking around,"  Soren whispers just before Raphael heads off.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Do you need q hand? Athard and I are pretty good at sneaking around,"  Soren whispers just before Raphael heads off. 
 

 "Stay back.  I am better on my own." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Okay then...give a shout if you need us."  Soren watches Raphael go.
CWater
 "Can't blame the guy for lacking initiative",  Kaarna says after Raphael's gone, resting her hands on her hips.  "Hope we can trust him. So, what, we just stand here waiting for him then?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Can't blame the guy for lacking initiative",  Kaarna says after Raphael's gone, resting her hands on her hips.  "Hope we can trust him. So, what, we just stand here waiting for him then?"  
 

Soren peers down the hall where Raphael went.  "Well I could get a striptease set up for when he gets back--" 
 "Gods,  no--"  
 "But I think we should get ready for him to come back or call us over."  he looks at the others.  "What? That was a joke; I wasn't going to actually do it. You saw how upset he got. I wouldn't actually do something like that and only then call it a joke so I don't get punched in the face." 
CWater
Kaarna just snorts and rolls her eyes. She starts to fly around the corridor, going upside down and spinning around her own axis to amuse herself while the hex lasts. When she feels it wane, the witch drops back down to solid ground.  "Ok, bored now. Someone do something amusing." 
 
 Spoiler 
Kaarna is not good at waiting.
 
Kish
Shortly after he leaves, Raphael comes back.
Athedia
Rapheal walked around the corner rubbing his nose repeatedly.   "Nothing out there that I can see except more lava.  Looks safe to proceed." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna raises an eyebrow at Raphael.
 "You okay?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren looks up from where he was tossing a soft prestidigitated ball at Kaarna for the shifter to bat back at him to Raphael.  "That was fast. Let's go then!" 

He shares a look with Adrianna at her question but lets her do the talking. Maybe the lava is close to the surface and smells really bad.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna raises an eyebrow at Raphael.
 "You okay?"  
 

 "I'm fine.  Let's just head out okay?  Sooner I get back to a city the better."   Rapheal turned again and started heading back the way he had just come from.
Silverraptor
 
 Spoiler: Adrianna Sense Motive 
Sense Motive: (1d20+8)[ 25 ] 
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler: Kish 
Bluff:  (1d20+13)[ 22 ] 
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Adrianna 
Raphael is definitely hiding something, but you have no real clue what.
 
Silverraptor
 "Well you heard the man. Lets get moving!" 
She then stands aside to help escort everyone through, intending to help take up the rear.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren and Athard both give Adrianna and Raphael odd looks, but make their way to the front of the marching order, just behind Raphael.
Kish
The hallway widens to nearly 20 feet across, but up ahead the worked stone gives way abruptly to what appears to be a large natural cavern. A rift cuts across the cavern, with a lone, arching stone bridge precariously crossing the gap. A river of magma flows along the bottom of the rift some 60 feet down.

The air in the cavern is hot, and the red-orange glow of molten rock illuminates the walls of the chamber. Strange shapes and shadows appear to writhe within these walls, though they could just be distortions due to the heat.

As your eyes adapt to the sting of brimstone in the air, the shapes in the walls can be seen more clearly. They bear the distinctive swirls and sharp lines of dragonmarks, though they do not resemble any marks you recognize.

A stone sarcophagus carved with draconic imagery stands along the far edge of the magma rift, with a massive basalt slab lying near the distant wall. Three niches are set into the wall behind the stone slab, two of which appear to hold objects.

 "The artifacts we're looking for at last, perhaps?"  Scholar murmurs.  "I don't see a way to go further." 
 
 Spoiler 

 Map  updated. The purple is the sarcophagus, the grey is the massive stone slab, the niches should be obvious enough. The asterisks are items of some sort, but you can't tell what from there.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren and Athard approach the altar slowly, taking special care on the bridge. The glow of the flowing magma forces Soren to look up and ahead, but he would anyway. The undulating dragon marks on the wall transfix him, and he watches them sway and dance in the smoke and shimmering heat for some time.

 "Woah,"  he says as he finally catches site of the altar...and the sarcophagus.  "I think we found it. And maybe its guard considering our luck."  
Athedia
 "Wait. You're a bunch of graverobbers?"  Rapheal stayed a good distance from the altar, hands brushing the tops of his swords.  "That is not a good idea.  Especially with those here."  He shuddered a little and gestured to the strange dragonmarks on the wall.
CWater
 "You know, in all those stories about graverobbers and tomb explorers, there's always a vengeful dead waiting at the end. I'm not too keen to encounter one."  Kaarna eyes the sarcophagus suspiciously, then glances at the dragonmarks covering the walls.  "Oh yeah, these marks. All the high ups of those Houses of yours got one of these, no?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Wait. You're a bunch of graverobbers?"  Rapheal stayed a good distance from the altar, hands brushing the tops of his swords.  "That is not a good idea.  Especially with those here."  He shuddered a little and gestured to the strange dragonmarks on the wall. 
 

Soren holds out his hands in front of him as if trying to push something away.  "Hey, it's not like I knew this was a grave! We were told that this was a ruin, there's an important relic from the Age of Demons down here, and that we should go get it. I think our client's an archeologist. And I am part of the Finder's guild." 

 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "You know, in all those stories about graverobbers and tomb explorers, there's always a vengeful dead waiting at the end. I'm not too keen to encounter one."  Kaarna eyes the sarcophagus suspiciously, then glances at the dragonmarks covering the walls.  "Oh yeah, these marks. All the high ups of those Houses of yours got one of these, no?"  
 

 "Again, didn't know this was a grave. But yeah, I'm not looking forward to that either. I guess we should prepare ourselves?"  He follows Kaarna's gaze up to the dragonmarks.  "Sort of. Not everyone who's high up has a Dragonmark, but everyone with a Dragonmark gets a pretty big boost in prestige or status. Blake was flat-out invited into House Tharashk when his manifested. It's sorta random who in the house gets one, right Raphael?"  He turns to Raphael for another reason--the man was born into House Tharashk while Soren himself was more adopted.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "You know, in all those stories about graverobbers and tomb explorers, there's always a vengeful dead waiting at the end. I'm not too keen to encounter one."  Kaarna eyes the sarcophagus suspiciously, then glances at the dragonmarks covering the walls.  "Oh yeah, these marks. All the high ups of those Houses of yours got one of these, no?"  
 

 "Yeah, sure."   Rapheal shrugged and looked around.


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren holds out his hands in front of him as if trying to push something away.  "Hey, it's not like I knew this was a grave! We were told that this was a ruin, there's an important relic from the Age of Demons down here, and that we should go get it. I think our client's an archeologAnd I am part of the Finder's guild."  
 


 "Ruin plus relic.  That sounds like grave to me.  Or temple.  In all possibility both.  Those are straight out not to be messed with, leastwise where I am from."   Rapheal kept his eyes averted from the dragonmarks, using the time to look at the floor around the altar.


  "Again, didn't know this was a grave. But yeah, I'm not looking forward to that either. I guess we should prepare ourselves?"  He follows Kaarna's gaze up to the dragonmarks.  "Sort of. Not everyone who's high up has a Dragonmark, but everyone with a Dragonmark gets a pretty big boost in prestige or status. Blake was flat-out invited into House Tharashk when his manifested. It's sorta random who in the house gets one, right Raphael?"  He turns to Raphael for another reason--the man was born into House Tharashk while Soren himself was more adopted. 

 "Basically what you said.  I don't pay much attention to who has what.  Just do my job." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 \
 "Ruin plus relic.  That sounds like grave to me.  Or temple.  In all possibility both.  Those are straight out not to be messed with, leastwise where I am from."   Rapheal kept his eyes averted from the dragonmarks, using the time to look at the floor around the altar.  ] 
 

Soren folds his arms and nudges Raphael.  "You sure you're a Tharashk? I've never heard anyone say that before,"  he teases.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren folds his arms and nudges Raphael.  "You sure you're a Tharashk? I've never heard anyone say that before,"  he teases. 
 

 "Why would I lie about something stupid as that?"  Rapheal flinched away from the nudge and went toward the altar.
Kish
Nothing immediately reacts to your approach. The altar appears to be a solid basalt slab 25 feet across and 10 feet wide, with a circular depression in its center. You can see that the object in the west niche is a scepter bearing a crystal grasped in a golden draconic claw. Within the crystal is a shifting pattern. The amulet is a similar crystal attached to a finely wrought platinum chain. The pattern in it is different, but from this distance all you can tell about the patterns is that they do not match.

 
 Spoiler 
 Map  updated.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Why would I lie about something stupid as that?"  Rapheal flinched away from the nudge and went toward the altar. 
 

Stupid...Soren keeps one eye on Raphael even as he approaches the altar and inspects it as well.  "Could someone keep an eye on that sarcophagus in case something comes out?"  he asks while regarding the treasures on the altar.

 
 Spoiler: Bardic Knowledge 
Take 10 for 18 in all categories. Gotta go back to immunology now, sorry!
 
Silverraptor
 "Hmmm. Good idea. With everything we've encountered so far, a tomb where the dead inhabitant starts moving again seems like a good possibility." 
She takes a few steps forward to get a better view of the sarcophagus. She then draws her sword and holds it in a half comfortable, half attentive state as she keeps a close eye on it.
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Soren 
It's hard to think of specific associations for a solid basalt slab. The sarcophagus is similarly featureless. You think the crystals in the scepter and amulet look familiar somehow, though.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Thanks, Adrianna! ...hello, what's this?"  He cautiously approaches the scepter and amulet, inspecting them and the crystals within carefully without touching them or lifting them up.

 
 Spoiler: what should I do? 
What rolls would you like me to make? Also, is this what we were sent to find?
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Remembering 


 
 Originally Posted by Dusk Eclipse 
  "I believe that the Temple of Kha’shazul hides a deeper secret, one unknown even to the current inhabitants. My research indicates the temple occupies a place where an ancient demon was cast down. Such places were guarded, in legend, by half-dragon beasts. Somewhere beneath that temple, I believe that the crypt of one such ancient creature lies, along with relics of that time.”"  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "The temple contains tablets or slates with ancient writings, lost works of art of symbology, and other equally exciting finds--or so my research suggests. Enough to draw the attention of any number of treasure hunters if they were widely known--and the known attention of any treasure hunters would itself draw more treasure hunters, some of whom would likely smash priceless historical artifacts under their feet while searching for gold and gems, treasures their simple minds would assume must be there for anyone to be willing to search."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "You will be rewarded for bringing back anything you find that has historical significance, as well as for the specific relics I seek."  He takes out four pouches, a larger bag, a box, and a map. He hands one of the pouches each to Soren, Kaarna, Athard and Scholar, the box to Kaarna, the bag to Soren, and the map to Scholar. Opening the containers, you find 250 gold each in the pouches, two small stones carved to resemble conch shells in the bag, and five vials of liquid in the box.

 "These are sending stones. Use one of them if you find any of the relics, the other one when you're leaving the temple, whether you've found anything or not. These are antitoxin--in case you run into any of the inhabitants."  
 
 


The items in front of you don't look much like what Sur'kil described. Up close, you recognize each crystal as an Eberron dragonshard. The shifting pattern within the scepter's shard resembles the Dragonmark of Storm, and the pattern inside the amulet's shard resembles the Mark of Warding.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren signs and stamps the ground in annoyance.  "Dammit, Lydia was right. There's just these two, and there's dragon shards inside."  he peers closer at them.  "Mark of Storm on the scepter and Warding on the amulet. I guess these might be some of the relics he was talking about though. Should we take them?"  
Athedia
 "Valuable items have protections attached in my experience.  Not saying don't take them.  Just be ready to fight your way out." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Valuable items have protections attached in my experience.  Not saying don't take them.  Just be ready to fight your way out."  
 

 "Yeah that's what I though. I've heard all the stories too...hey, maybe some of them are yours!"  He looks over at Raphael with a grin before stepping over the items. Soren wiggles his fingers over them, preparing himself as he licks his lips. Behind him, Athard approaches the sarcophagus, flanking it with Adrianna as he draws his katana.

 "Everyone ready?" 
CWater
 "Well we can't exactly go back and say 'Oh yeah, we did find some of those baubles of yours, but sorry we were too chicken to touch them' now can we? So go ahead." 
Athedia
 "I can.  I wasn't hired for this blasted mission of yours!"   Rapheal grumbled as he pulled out his swords and stretched his arms.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I can.  I wasn't hired for this blasted mission of yours!"   Rapheal grumbled as he pulled out his swords and stretched his arms. 
 

 "Sure, though without this blasted mission you would still be rotting in that tiny cell. And who knows how horribly you might have died. Yes... I shudder at the thought."  Although, standing relaxed with her hands on her hips, Kaarna looks like the thought amuses her more than makes her shiver.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Sure, though without this blasted mission you would still be rotting in that tiny cell. And who knows how horribly you might have died. Yes... I shudder at the thought."  Although, standing relaxed with her hands on her hips, Kaarna looks like the thought amuses her more than makes her shiver. 
 

 "I would have got out somehow.  Eventually."  Rapheal let out a huff of breath.  He started pacing the room.  "If you are going to take those things then just do it.  Longer we wait here...."   He didn't finish the thought but fear was plain on his face.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Okay, okay."  Soren takes a few steps back, humming an incantation under his breath as he goes.  "One, two, and...yoink!"  A wispy translucent hand appears above the relics. Mimicking Soren's motions, they pick up the items and place them in the haversack. Behind him, Athard tenses and readies to strike.

 
 Spoiler: actions 
soren goes to the edge of the range of Mage hand and uses it to get the two items. Athard, flanking the sarcophagus with Adrianna, readies an attack against anything that might come out of it to attack them.

Sorry, just got out of anatomy lab.
 
Kish
As Soren's spectral hand grabs one of the relics (which, incidentally?) he, and the other people looking at the relics, hear a loud crash from behind them as the lid of the stone sarcophagus is thrown off by something inside. Adrianna sidesteps to avoid being hit by the heavy stone lid as a ghastly figure rises up within the sarcophagus--a humanoid form with a dragon's head. The creature is dusty and desiccated, with bits of bone showing through its cracked, scaly skin.

 
 Spoiler 

Everyone except Adrianna make a DC 17 Will save; anyone who fails is paralyzed, and Athard only attacks if he succeeds.

 Map  is updated.

&gt;&gt; Soren  [8] 
&gt;&gt; Adrianna:  [4] 
&gt;&gt; Kaarna:  [24] 
&gt;&gt; Raphael:  [23] 
&gt;&gt; Scholar:  [13] 
&gt;&gt; Athard:  [10] 
The mummy:  [9] 

If Athard isn't paralyzed, he takes his readied attack, and then everyone who isn't paralyzed acts, Athard included.

Scholar's Will save:  (1d20+11)[ 31 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
The loud crash is immediate, echoing through the chamber before the scepter is even a foot in the air. Even though he's expecting it, Soren still reflexively turns around, locking eyes with the...

 "Is that--?!" 

But before he can get the rest of his sentence out he freezes in place.

 
 Spoiler: will saves 
soren's will save:  (d20+5)[ 8 ] 
athards will save:  (d20+10)[ 21 ] 

Soren knowledge (take 10 for 18) to ID this creature.
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
Will Save:  (1d20+3)[ 16 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
As Soren's muscles lock into place Athard steps away from the lava and strikes out at the crumbling abomination.

Attack:  (d20+7)[ 15 ] 
CoffeeIncluded
Action point then gotta go to class.  (d6)[ 6 ] 
Athedia
Rapheal paused for a moment feeling his muscles locking up with fear.  But this was a just a mummy.  He hadn't SEEN a mummy before but it looked humanoid and even the dead die when chopped up into small enough bits.  He rushed forward bringing his blade to hit the creature.

 
 Spoiler 
Move to AR35.  Attacking Mummy with Flanking.  I think with Pathfinder I get sneak attack as well against undead.

Attack:  (1d20+10)[ 11 ] 

Apparently more shaken than I thought :P
 


As he approached he realized his bravado was not as good as he thought.  Mummies were scary up close.
CoffeeIncluded
Athard cuts into the mummy with a dry cracking sound.

Damage:  (d8+5)[ 11 ]  plus  (d6)[ 3 ] 

He also claims the mummy.
CWater
 "And there it is."  Kaarna spreads her arms, but grunts suddenly when the magic tries to freeze her.  "N...no way that'll stop me... Time to take a flight, dry corpse!"  She weaves a spell that summons hot air to erupt right under the mummy's feet. While she casts her form changes to the more feral shape.

 
 Spoiler 
Standard action: Casting Air Geyser.
Damage:  (2d6)[ 2 ] , Ref save DC 16 for half.
If fails to save the target is also hurled up, max 25 ft. taking falling damage when it comes down. If it hits the ceiling on the way, it also takes damage from that hit.

Free action: Shifting.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The winds fade, and Athard bursts through, his hair blown straight upwards as he strikes twice.

 
 Spoiler: attack 
doing that maneuver where I attack twice in one round. Also flanking with Raphael. Class is starting so might not be able to follow up for a bit, sorry.

Attack 1:  (d20+9)[ 17 ] 
Attack 2:  (d20+9)[ 17 ] 
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna senses as some invisible wave of fear appears with the mummy. However, she felt the fear wash away from her as the honor and righteousness of a paladin stood fast. Stepping forward, she swings her sword at the dragon headed mummy, her sword glowing a brilliant light.
 "Hyahhh!" 
 
 Spoiler: Smite Evil 
Attack: (1d20+11)[ 31 ] 
Critical: (1d20+11)[ 18 ] 
Damage (1d8+14)[ 18 ] 
 
Kish
Athard's sword slices into the mummy once and misses twice. Adrianna's sword blow strikes more true, but both of them find the creature's flesh hard to cut through. The creature sails into the air and falls back to the ground. Scholar moves to stand behind Adrianna and to the side, casting a quick spell that makes her grow to the size of an ogre.  "Mummy. Half-dragon, it looks like. Watch out for acid breath. I wonder what the other half is,"  she says in an eerily calm voice.  "Athard, you might want to get  away from the edge ."  Her tone suddenly shows alarm as the creature spins, steps to the west, and lunges forward with terrifying strength.
 
 Spoiler 

Athard can take an attack of opportunity for the bull rush. After that,  (1d20+15)[ 30 ]  I believe Athard's CMD is 18, so if this is 18-22, Athard falls back into the lava, getting moved to AP32. If it's 23-27, he's moved to AP31. If it's 28-32, he's moved to AP30 and if it's 33-35, he's moved to AP29. If he's moved at all, he falls 60 feet, lands in lava, and takes  (6d6)[ 16 ]  damage.

In addition to the one round he's missed, Soren is paralyzed for a maximum of  (1d6-1)[ 0 ]  rounds, though by Pathfinder rules he can attempt another saving throw each round until he makes one and breaks free or the duration ends; if the number is 0 he can act freely this round.

Map will be updated a few seconds after I post this; you're up.

&gt;&gt; Soren [8]
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: [4]
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: [24]
&gt;&gt; Raphael: [23]
&gt;&gt; Scholar: [13]
&gt;&gt; Athard: [10]
The mummy: [9]
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard tries to block the mummy, but his arms buckle under the creature's onslaught and he finds himself flung into the cavern below, where veins of magma run glowing among the rocks.

 "HELP!"  he screams, all dignity temporarily flung aside as he tries to climb up the side of the cavern.
Kish
 "Athard!"  Scholar shouts.  "Kaarna, can you make someone else fly? Or can you lift him? I can make you stronger if you come over here!" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "No time!"  Soren screams, the horror of seeing athard nearly die,  again,  knocking him out of whatever curse the mummy placed on him.  "Kaarna, fly over and drop a rope for him to grab if you can't carry him the whole way back!" 
 
 Spoiler: couple more questions, sorry 
Can athard try to climb up the side of the canyon? How many actions would it take for Soren to run over to Kaarna and give her a rope? How many actions if he throws her a rope?
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard lashes out before being knocked into the pit below. Once he's down there he throws his backpack containing most of his mundane items to the ground and climbs on top of it in an attempt to buy himself some time.

 "HURRY!" .
Soren screams as he flings his hand towards the mummy, sending a shower of glitter over it.

 
 Spoiler: actions 
soren casts glitterdust on the mummy and nobody else. Athard throws his backpack to the ground, which contains about 30 pounds of mundane items like a bedroom and pitons, and climbs on top of it in an attempt to buy himself some time before getting burned up. His weight is now about 200 pounds.  With Bulls strength, Kaarna's strength jumps to 17 and her max load becomes 260 pounds. She can carry athard.  

Athard's attack of opportunity:  (d20+9)[ 12 ] 
 
Kish
Scholar hurries over to Kaarna and casts Bull's Strength on her, making her stronger. The mummy growls as a cloud of glowing particles appears around it.

 
 Spoiler 
Will save:  (1d20+8)[ 14 ] 

Soren [8]
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: [4]
&gt;&gt; Raphael: [23]
Scholar: [13]
&gt;&gt; Kaarna: [12]
Athard: [10]
The mummy: [9]
 Map  is updated again; Adrianna, Raphael, and buffed-Kaarna are up.
 
Athedia
Rapheal stepped forward and attacked the now very glittery mummy.  He quietly ranted to himself while attacking.  "Stupid idiot, standing so close to the damned edge.    Course what else should I expect from-."   He grunted stabbing as hard as he could.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack: (1d20+6)[ 19 ]  8 attack-2 due to TWF=6
Attack TWF:  (1d20+6)[ 8 ] 

Will roll damage if I get it in another thread.
 
CWater
 "What? I need to- Oh, fine, I'll fish up the careless idiot."  Kaarna sighs theathrically, but activates her magic and flies over the edge and down to Athard, approaching in a low enough angle that she can conveniently fling him over het shoulder, looking much amused by the fact that she now has the strength to do so.  "My, no one told be I'd be picking up men today",  the witch says grinning while floating back up.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "What? I need to- Oh, fine, I'll fish up the careless idiot."  Kaarna sighs theathrically, but activates her magic and flies over the edge and down to Athard, approaching in a low enough angle that she can conveniently fling him over het shoulder, looking much amused by the fact that she now has the strength to do so.  "My, no one told be I'd be picking up men today",  the witch says grinning while floating back up. 
 

 "Heh...I'm at least ten years older than you,"  Athard weakly mutters into her shoulder. But he sounds grateful, and holds onto her tight, making sure not to press his burned and blistered feet against anything.

Adrianna's sword glows with a brilliant light that illuminates not only her face but also shines off her armor as she charges the mummy to stab it.

 "DIE!!!" 
 
 Spoiler: Kish (and attack) 
Silver is doing the Global Game Jam this weekend and is currently running on one hour of sleep. He gave me permission to post his attack. Note that Adrianna isn't actually using the charge attack. However, she IS running around the mummy (which doesn't get an AoO since it's blind thanks to Soren's Glitterdust--the DC for that spell was 16 and the mummy failed it) to AN-AO 33-34 flank it with Raphael.

Attack:  (d20+13)[ 14 ] 
 
Kish
Kaarna grabs Athard as his backpack sinks and the lava burns him. Adrianna's swing fails to pierce the mummy's hide; Raphael's strikes truer. Blinking in frustration, the mummy swings at Adrianna and then bends to grab the sarcophagus lid.

 
 Spoiler 

Attack:  (1d20+11)[ 23 ]  Damage:  (1d6+11)[ 17 ]  Automatic miss if this is a 1:  (1d2)[ 1 ]  New save against Glitterdust:  (1d20+8)[ 28 ]  Lava damage to Athard:  (2d6)[ 5 ] 
Raphael and Adrianna both get attacks of opportunity, and then everyone except Kaarna is up again.

 Map .
 
CoffeeIncluded
The blow against Adrianna falls several inches short, and the paladin responds with righteous fury.

 
 Spoiler: Attack 
Is this before or after the mummy is no longer blinded?  (d20+13)[ 17 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
So apparently only Silver can bless Adrianna. 😛 Action point:  (d6)[ 3 ] 
CoffeeIncluded
If a 20 hits:  (2d6+15)[ 18 ]  (because large sized)
Athedia
Rapheal raised the blade against the mummy.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+8)[ 23 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Unless the mummy is destroyed after Raphael and Adrianna's attacks, Soren breaks into a song. Seeing Kaarna pull a burnt but alive Athard from the pit fills him with relief and his song with a more positive energy.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's action 
Assuming we're still in battle he Inspires Courage to give everyone +2 to attack, damage, and saves against fear effects.  Imagine this for the song. 
 
Kish
As the creature lifts the coffin lid easily, Adrianna and Raphael's weapons cut into it. It utters a strange truncated grunt and falls to the floor, dropping the coffin lid.

 
 Spoiler 
500 XP each. What total does everyone have, incidentally? I noticed a discrepancy earlier.
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
I have no clue?  I don't have a firm estimate on what I started with.
 


As the mummy dropped Rapheal started jumping up and down in excitement.   "I DID IT! I was all-"  He spun around slashing his swords in random directions.   "And the mummy was all-"  He did a strangled sound and fell to the ground.   "And all Choir Boy did was toss some sparkles and sing a little and Manly couldn't even keep his footing!  By the way, nice rescue Kaarna!"   Rapheal popped up and went to sit on the coffin.   "The construct and Miss Armor were helpful too but for gods sake, you boys need to get ahold of yourselves. 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Heh...I'm at least ten years older than you,"  Athard weakly mutters into her shoulder. But he sounds grateful, and holds onto her tight, making sure not to press his burned and blistered feet against anything. 
 

 "Oh please, as if years matter any at this age anymore, and you're still several away from being as old geezer yet",  Kaarna gives Athard a toothy grin and places him back on solid ground.


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  
 Spoiler 
I have no clue?  I don't have a firm estimate on what I started with.
 


As the mummy dropped Rapheal started jumping up and down in excitement.   "I DID IT! I was all-"  He spun around slashing his swords in random directions.   "And the mummy was all-"  He did a strangled sound and fell to the ground.   "And all Choir Boy did was toss some sparkles and sing a little and Manly couldn't even keep his footing!  By the way, nice rescue Kaarna!"   Rapheal popped up and went to sit on the coffin.   "The construct and Miss Armor were helpful too but for gods sake, you boys need to get ahold of yourselves.  
 

 "So, you dealt with the corpse? Fancy that."  Kaarna stays in the air for now, moving to hover over Raphael. She raises an eyebrow at his antics.  "You are certainly more lively, than what I first thought you were. Or is it the battle frenzy?" 
CoffeeIncluded
The mummy collapses to the ground, and Soren lets his song drop with an audible sigh of relief.


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  
 Spoiler 
I have no clue?  I don't have a firm estimate on what I started with.
 


As the mummy dropped Rapheal started jumping up and down in excitement.   "I DID IT! I was all-"  He spun around slashing his swords in random directions.   "And the mummy was all-"  He did a strangled sound and fell to the ground.   "And all Choir Boy did was toss some sparkles and sing a little and Manly couldn't even keep his footing!  By the way, nice rescue Kaarna!"   Rapheal popped up and went to sit on the coffin.   "The construct and Miss Armor were helpful too but for gods sake, you boys need to get ahold of yourselves.  
 

Maybe it's Raphael's sudden youthful pantomiming, or the realization as athard slides off Kaarna and immediately begins tending to his burns, but Soren starts giggling behind his hands and finds himself unable to stop. Even as he chants a healing spell and binds salve onto Athards feet, the young half-elf is grinning as he teases,  "Well my glitter blinded that mummy; you wouldn't have gotten the first attack without me!"  A sly smile spreads across his face.  "So you've decided to deign Kaarna with her proper name, huh?" 

 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Oh please, as if years matter any at this age anymore, and you're still several away from being as old geezer yet",  Kaarna gives Athard a toothy grin and places him back on solid ground. 
 

Athard gives Kaarna a wry smile as she places him on the ground.


  "So, you dealt with the corpse? Fancy that."  Kaarna stays in the air for now, moving to hover over Raphael. She raises an eyebrow at his antics.  "You are certainly more lively, than what I first thought you were. Or is it the battle frenzy?"  

 "Maybe I have a new dancing partner?"  He winks at Raphael, but it's not quite as forward as before.
Kish
Scholar's face returns to a neutral expression as Kaarna returns Athard to the floor. She raises her holy symbol of Aureon.

 "There does not seem to be a way forward,"  she says.  "These are the only relics we've found. Use a speakstone to report to Sur'kil." 
 
 Spoiler 

 (2d6)[ 6 ]  healing to anyone's who wounded (which may be just Athard).
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar's face returns to a neutral expression as Kaarna returns Athard to the floor. She raises her holy symbol of Aureon.

 "There does not seem to be a way forward,"  she says.  "These are the only relics we've found. Use a speakstone to report to Sur'kil." 
 
 Spoiler 

[roll0] healing to anyone's who wounded (which may be just Athard).
 
 
 

 "Sure, let's do that, whoever's got them."  Kaarna turns upside down in the air, looking down at the coffin. "Was the dry corpse buried with anything?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Scholar's face returns to a neutral expression as Kaarna returns Athard to the floor. She raises her holy symbol of Aureon.

 "There does not seem to be a way forward,"  she says.  "These are the only relics we've found. Use a speakstone to report to Sur'kil." 

] 
 

Soren has already made his way back to the relics, which with his Mage hand he carefully lifts off the altar and into the haversack behind him.  "Adrianna, you've got the stones, right? We should probably tell him about Raphael."  

 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Sure, let's do that, whoever's got them."  Kaarna turns upside down in the air, looking down at the coffin. "Was the dry corpse buried with anything?"  
 

Soren hoists the haversack over his shoulder and goes overdo the mummy.  "I thought we weren't tomb robbers?"  this is a bit different from taking the relics, or even looting the bodies of the blackscales upstairs.

..but this isn't a blackscales. It looks a lot more like a dragon, though it's clearly humanoid. Is this a...a half dragon? He shudders. He thought they were nothing more than a nasty myth, a whispered abomination.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "So, you dealt with the corpse? Fancy that."  Kaarna stays in the air for now, moving to hover over Raphael. She raises an eyebrow at his antics.  "You are certainly more lively, than what I first thought you were. Or is it the battle frenzy?"  
 

Rapheal froze from his lounging position against the sarcophagus.  Straightening up the look of glee disappeared from his face as it reddened and he kicked at the floor.  "Sorry. That was my first real fight.  Don't get many of those in my line of work." 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Maybe it's Raphael's sudden youthful pantomiming, or the realization as athard slides off Kaarna and immediately begins tending to his burns, but Soren starts giggling behind his hands and finds himself unable to stop. Even as he chants a healing spell and binds salve onto Athards feet, the young half-elf is grinning as he teases,  "Well my glitter blinded that mummy; you wouldn't have gotten the first attack without me!"  A sly smile spreads across his face.  "So you've decided to deign Kaarna with her proper name, huh?" 
 "Maybe I have a new dancing partner?"  He winks at Raphael, but it's not quite as forward as before. 
 

 "Of course she gets her name.  She is useful.  And a little scary. " 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren has already made his way back to the relics, which with his Mage hand he carefully lifts off the altar and into the haversack behind him.  "Adrianna, you've got the stones, right? We should probably tell him about Raphael."    
 

At this Rapheal's gaze shot up to stare at Soren.   "No! No.  Bad idea.  I wasn't here, no-one need to know I was." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Rapheal froze from his lounging position against the sarcophagus.  Straightening up the look of glee disappeared from his face as it reddened and he kicked at the floor.  "Sorry. That was my first real fight.  Don't get many of those in my line of work."  
 

 "Aw, it's okay,"  Soren gives him a friendly nudge.  "Everyone's a little all over the place their first time!"  He adds an exaggerated wink.  "Seriously though, that was pretty awesome." 
 "Of course she gets her name.  She is useful.  And a little scary. " 
 "Aww, what about me?"  he asks with a pout.  "The useful thing, not the scary thing. You get a lot more from being charming than scary." 


At this Rapheal's gaze shot up to stare at Soren.   "No! No.  Bad idea.  I wasn't here, no-one need to know I was." [/QUOTE]

Soren's face goes more blank, his only real expression a furrowing of his eyebrows.  "Okay...don't tell our employer about you. how are you going to get back to where you were headed though?" 

At some point he heads back over o the altar. When he does, he shouts out,  "Kaarna, Scholar, could you please come over here and help me identify some of the carvings and stuff?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Rapheal froze from his lounging position against the sarcophagus.  Straightening up the look of glee disappeared from his face as it reddened and he kicked at the floor.  "Sorry. That was my first real fight.  Don't get many of those in my line of work."  
 

 "Really? Well, you did good for a first timer, I'll give you that. But does that mean you let the lizards capture you without a fight? Tsk, tsk. Such is going to lead you to an early grave." 

  "Of course she gets her name.  She is useful.  And a little scary. "  

Kaarna cackles at this.  "Do keep flattering, lad, and I might promise I'll never cook you alive in a cauldron or blight your land. You can self choose which!" 

 At this Rapheal's gaze shot up to stare at Soren.   "No! No.  Bad idea.  I wasn't here, no-one need to know I was."  


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren's face goes more blank, his only real expression a furrowing of his eyebrows.  "Okay...don't tell our employer about you. how are you going to get back to where you were headed though?" 

At some point he heads back over o the altar. When he does, he shouts out,  "Kaarna, Scholar, could you please come over here and help me identify some of the carvings and stuff?"  
 

Kaarna lands and walks over to Soren.  "Sure, I can look at them, but really, I know little about your culture, and even less about history." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna lands and walks over to Soren.  "Sure, I can look at them, but really, I know little about your culture, and even less about history."  
 

 "Yeah but you know curses, which means you can tell me if my limbs are about to shrivel up and fall off or something."  once she and Scholar come over, if Scholar comes over, Soren steps closer and lowers his voice. He moves around and seems to indicate different carvings and inscriptions, but he actually whispers,  "I think Raphael really was captured, but he wasn't working on that ship. And those gloves are for snooping around. He's probably a thief, a spy, on the run, or some combination of those."  He licks his lips, unable to hide the worry in his face and therefore grateful his back is turned.  "But he's a Tharashk, or at least he says he is. We're not split like the Canniths or shadow marked houses are, so if he's not telling me anything there must be a reason, even if I'm only associated with the house through my brother, but..."  He raises both hands and lets them drop by his side.  "I haven't heard anything about an excoriation and the house would be able to help them, at least they should but I don't know what his deal is. What should we do? What should I do?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Yeah but you know curses, which means you can tell me if my limbs are about to shrivel up and fall off or something."  once she and Scholar come over, if Scholar comes over, Soren steps closer and lowers his voice. He moves around and seems to indicate different carvings and inscriptions, but he actually whispers,  "I think Raphael really was captured, but he wasn't working on that ship. And those gloves are for snooping around. He's probably a thief, a spy, on the run, or some combination of those."  He licks his lips, unable to hide the worry in his face and therefore grateful his back is turned.  "But he's a Tharashk, or at least he says he is. We're not split like the Canniths or shadow marked houses are, so if he's not telling me anything there must be a reason, even if I'm only associated with the house through my brother, but..."  He raises both hands and lets them drop by his side.  "I haven't heard anything about an excoriation and the house would be able to help them, at least they should but I don't know what his deal is. What should we do? What should I do?"  
 

 "Look kiddo, I know nothing of your House matters. This 'civilized politics' is all a mess to me, seems pointless too, but whatever",  Kaarna whispers back,  "As for Raphael, who knows? Is he a threat to us? If not, does it matter? If you think he  is  though..."  The witch rubs the fingers on her right hand together.  "Maybe we should  question  him then?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Look kiddo, I know nothing of your House matters. This 'civilized politics' is all a mess to me, seems pointless too, but whatever",  Kaarna whispers back,  "As for Raphael, who knows? Is he a threat to us? If not, does it matter? If you think he  is  though..."  The witch rubs the fingers on her right hand together.  "Maybe we should  question  him then?"  
 

Soren tries to suppress a snort at the almost vicious glee in Kaarna's face.  "Maybe not your brand of questioning. I don't think he's a threat to us, but I want to know if he's a Tharashk and if not, then why he's pretending to be one. Although if he's a spy, then Adrianna might want to know about that."  He looks back.  "But I don't want anyone to get hurt either. Should I call her over?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren tries to suppress a snort at the almost vicious glee in Kaarna's face.  "Maybe not your brand of questioning. I don't think he's a threat to us, but I want to know if he's a Tharashk and if not, then why he's pretending to be one. Although if he's a spy, then Adrianna might want to know about that."  He looks back.  "But I don't want anyone to get hurt either. Should I call her over?"  
 

 "By all means, I'm sure our would-be spy, or whatever he now is, won't think that's suspicious at all."  Kaarna smirks.
Athedia
Rapheal finished polishing his swords, cleaning the mummy dust off of them.   "Tell me when all of you are done with the grave robbing."  He then sat with his legs dangling off the ledge at the lava below.  He scraped together some of the pebbles and dust off the ground and started tossing them in and laughing a little as the lava spurted and devoured them.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "By all means, I'm sure our would-be spy, or whatever he now is, won't think that's suspicious at all."  Kaarna smirks. 
 

Soren looks back at Raphael, who is amusing himself by melting rocks in the magma.  "Maybe we should just make sure he sticks around us until we get back? It'll be safer for him and us anyway and maybe we can ask him more directly or get a better sense as to who he really is. Which honestly as long as it's nothing really bad..."  He shrugs, and halfway through pauses in thought.  "I think I can ask in a way that won't be too suspicious. Still, we should probably tell Sur'kil what was here and that we're on our way." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren looks back at Raphael, who is amusing himself by melting rocks in the magma.  "Maybe we should just make sure he sticks around us until we get back? It'll be safer for him and us anyway and maybe we can ask him more directly or get a better sense as to who he really is. Which honestly as long as it's nothing really bad..."  He shrugs, and halfway through pauses in thought.  "I think I can ask in a way that won't be too suspicious. Still, we should probably tell Sur'kil what was here and that we're on our way."  
 

 "OR we could ask him right now to his face. This sort of watching and pondering is tiring."  Kaarna turns around and heads towards Raphael.  "Hey, Newbie! I've got a question for you." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "OR we could ask him right now to his face. This sort of watching and pondering is tiring."  Kaarna turns around and heads towards Raphael.  "Hey, Newbie! I've got a question for you."  
 

Rapheal looked up startled, and pulled himself back from the ledge.  Trotting over to Kaarna he grinned and nodded.   "I don't know if I can help.  I know a lot of languages sure, but am iffy on the older ones.  Want me to try reading it?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "OR we could ask him right now to his face. This sort of watching and pondering is tiring."  Kaarna turns around and heads towards Raphael.  "Hey, Newbie! I've got a question for you."  
 

 "K-Kaarna!" 

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Rapheal looked up startled, and pulled himself back from the ledge.  Trotting over to Kaarna he grinned and nodded.   "I don't know if I can help.  I know a lot of languages sure, but am iffy on the older ones.  Want me to try reading it?"  
 

Soren splutters and rapidly steps in front of the shifter witch as Raphael approaches.  "Uh, sure, but..."  He needs to spin this right, and quickly,  "Raphael, are you going to head back with us when we return? It's probably safer that way, and the Finder's guild would be more than happy to help you get to where you were going." 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
The Finder's Guild is the face of House Tharashk.

Also is anyone gonna do the sending to Sur'Kil?
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "K-Kaarna!" 



Soren splutters and rapidly steps in front of the shifter witch as Raphael approaches.  "Uh, sure, but..."  He needs to spin this right, and quickly,  "Raphael, are you going to head back with us when we return? It's probably safer that way, and the Finder's guild would be more than happy to help you get to where you were going."  
 

Rapheal stepped back, the grin fading.   "I appreciate offer but I must decline.  As soon as we get out of here, just drop me off at the nearest city and I will be on my way.  I will contact people on my schedule." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Rapheal stepped back, the grin fading.   "I appreciate offer but I must decline.  As soon as we get out of here, just drop me off at the nearest city and I will be on my way.  I will contact people on my schedule."  
 

 "Ah but see, dear, that's exactly the problem",  Kaarna gives Raphael a smile that on any other face would appear sweet.  "Some of us feel uneasy about knowing so little about you, and you're so evasive too.  She sighs and shrugs.  "But, I like you and don't particularly look forward to pulling your fingers off. So, why don't you just tell us a few more things about yourself and we can all be happier about it, hm?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Rapheal stepped back, the grin fading.   "I appreciate offer but I must decline.  As soon as we get out of here, just drop me off at the nearest city and I will be on my way.  I will contact people on my schedule."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Ah but see, dear, that's exactly the problem",  Kaarna gives Raphael a smile that on any other face would appear sweet.  "Some of us feel uneasy about knowing so little about you, and you're so evasive too.  She sighs and shrugs.  "But, I like you and don't particularly look forward to pulling your fingers off. So, why don't you just tell us a few more things about yourself and we can all be happier about it, hm?"  
 

 "Kaarna, please don't do that again. It wasn't pleasant the first time."  In one swift movement Soren sidesteps behind Raphael. Unlike Kaarna, or his own usual countenance, there's no smile on Soren's face at all. His hands are up, his fingers outstretched and his palms empty, but Soren is a bard, and still has some magic left.

 "Look, I don't doubt that the airship you were on crashed, you were captured, and our meeting is just one big coincidence. But nothing else makes sense. Just now I was starting to think you were on the run, but then you mentioned your people. Raphael D'Tharashk, any other member of the house would help you out. That is, if you really were a Tharashk."  His hazel eyes, normally so wide and bright, narrow slightly.  "Which means you're probably a thief, a spy, or something like that. And I mean, I really wouldn't care too much, as long as you're not trying to kill people or restart the war or anything like that. But why did you call yourself a Tharashk?"  Soren tenses.  "My brother's a Tharashk. They took us in when we had nothing. I want to help you Raphael, I really do. At least make sure you get out of here safely. But I need to know why you're pretending to be a Tharask. Because I'm not going to let you do anything that might hurt my brother." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Ah but see, dear, that's exactly the problem",  Kaarna gives Raphael a smile that on any other face would appear sweet.  "Some of us feel uneasy about knowing so little about you, and you're so evasive too.  She sighs and shrugs.  "But, I like you and don't particularly look forward to pulling your fingers off. So, why don't you just tell us a few more things about yourself and we can all be happier about it, hm?"  
 


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Kaarna, please don't do that again. It wasn't pleasant the first time."  In one swift movement Soren sidesteps behind Raphael. Unlike Kaarna, or his own usual countenance, there's no smile on Soren's face at all. His hands are up, his fingers outstretched and his palms empty, but Soren is a bard, and still has some magic left.

 "Look, I don't doubt that the airship you were on crashed, you were captured, and our meeting is just one big coincidence. But nothing else makes sense. Just now I was starting to think you were on the run, but then you mentioned your people. Raphael D'Tharashk, any other member of the house would help you out. That is, if you really were a Tharashk."  His hazel eyes, normally so wide and bright, narrow slightly.  "Which means you're probably a thief, a spy, or something like that. And I mean, I really wouldn't care too much, as long as you're not trying to kill people or restart the war or anything like that. But why did you call yourself a Tharashk?"  Soren tenses.  "My brother's a Tharashk. They took us in when we had nothing. I want to help you Raphael, I really do. At least make sure you get out of here safely. But I need to know why you're pretending to be a Tharask. Because I'm not going to let you do anything that might hurt my brother."  
 

Rapheal started backing up, holding his fingers close to his chest and looking frightened.  He stopped when his legs bumped up against the coffin again and he sat down on the edge.  His fingers were twitching on the swords and he looked back toward where the previous room had been as if wondering what his chances against the blades would be.   "I-I-Uh.  I....  Please don't pull my fingers off, please, really please, I don't want them pulled off."   He held his fingers closely, rubbing them as if to make sure they are still there.   "I am... not a Tharashk.  You were right there.  I was frightened and figured if you thought I might be important you would be more likely to help.  Course I didn't figure that a half-elf would be in with the family, that's just ****ing strange.  I am not a thief or anything like that, I swear!  Can I keep my fingers now?" 
Kish
 "No one is going to pull anyone's fingers off,"  Scholar says, looking up and moving, for the first time since the battle ended, over to the small group.  "What actually brought you here?" 
Athedia
 "Airship crash.  I said that and I meant it.  I made up the Tharashk part." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "No one is going to pull anyone's fingers off,"  Scholar says, looking up and moving, for the first time since the battle ended, over to the small group.  "What actually brought you here?"  
 

Kaarna lifts her right palm to her face letting out a deep sigh, then gives Raphael a desperate look.  "Do you  see  what I need to work with here?" 

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Airship crash.  I said that and I meant it.  I made up the Tharashk part."  
 

 "So what's your real name then?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna lifts her right palm to her face letting out a deep sigh, then gives Raphael a desperate look.  "Do you  see  what I need to work with here?" 
 "So what's your real name then?"  
 

 "Raphael.  Raphael is real.  Raphael Flint.  No house, no fancy name.  Just trying to survive out here." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Rapheal started backing up, holding his fingers close to his chest and looking frightened.  He stopped when his legs bumped up against the coffin again and he sat down on the edge.  His fingers were twitching on the swords and he looked back toward where the previous room had been as if wondering what his chances against the blades would be.   "I-I-Uh.  I....  Please don't pull my fingers off, please, really please, I don't want them pulled off."   He held his fingers closely, rubbing them as if to make sure they are still there.   "I am... not a Tharashk.  You were right there.  I was frightened and figured if you thought I might be important you would be more likely to help.  Course I didn't figure that a half-elf would be in with the family, that's just ****ing strange.  I am not a thief or anything like that, I swear!  Can I keep my fingers now?"  
 

Soren visibly relaxes, and that easy smile begins to return to his face.  "You didn't need to make up something like that. We would have helped you anyway. Well, would have dragged Kaarna and Athard into helping and even then it would still be a majority,"  he adds with a chuckle.


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "No one is going to pull anyone's fingers off,"  Scholar says, looking up and moving, for the first time since the battle ended, over to the small group.  "What actually brought you here?"  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Airship crash.  I said that and I meant it.  I made up the Tharashk part."  
 

 "I don't think he's lying about that. He looked pretty messed up when I saw him, and was chained too. Is that worth his fingers, Kaarna?" 

  "So what's your real name then?"  


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Raphael.  Raphael is real.  Raphael Flint.  No house, no fancy name.  Just trying to survive out here."  
 

 "Same for all of us."  He claps a hand on Raphael's shoulder.  "Sorry about that--I was getting suspicious and just wanted to make sure. Thanks for coming clean. Don't know who your people are but as long as you're not gonna hurt us or Blake or do something really bad it doesn't matter much to me. What about you all?"  He looks at the young man again, then at everyone else.  "We should probably get out of here before we all melt." 
Kish
 "You should send that message first."  Scholar looks at Soren.  "Or Sur'kil might want us to come right back in here." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "You should send that message first."  Scholar looks at Soren.  "Or Sur'kil might want us to come right back in here."  
 

 "Yeah, good point. How does something like this sound?"  He closes his eyes, wordlessly moving his lips before reciting whatever he was thinking of.   "Alive, found altar deep under temple, half-dragon guardian. No slates, but Storm-marked scepter, Warding-marked amulet. Return with all in a few days.  How's that?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Yeah, good point. How does something like this sound?"  He closes his eyes, wordlessly moving his lips before reciting whatever he was thinking of.   "Alive, found altar deep under temple, half-dragon guardian. No slates, but Storm-marked scepter, Warding-marked amulet. Return with all in a few days.  How's that?"  
 

 "Don't see how telling whoever hired you is going to help. Gotta extract ourselves anyway which means, back through those deathtraps.  I thought there would be a secret exit after all this too."   Raphael was still holding his fingers and looking sidelong at Kaarna.   "Look, you're actually pretty smart for one of this group and pretty cool with the-   He did a quick claw like motion.   "But would you have really torn my fingers off?  I really really need them." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren visibly relaxes, and that easy smile begins to return to his face.  "You didn't need to make up something like that. We would have helped you anyway. Well, would have dragged Kaarna and Athard into helping and even then it would still be a majority,"  he adds with a chuckle.

 "I don't think he's lying about that. He looked pretty messed up when I saw him, and was chained too. Is that worth his fingers, Kaarna?"   
 

 "Mayhap it is, such a sweet boy he is after all",  Kaarna says, the lovely smile still plastered on her face.


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "You should send that message first."  Scholar looks at Soren.  "Or Sur'kil might want us to come right back in here."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Yeah, good point. How does something like this sound?"  He closes his eyes, wordlessly moving his lips before reciting whatever he was thinking of.   "Alive, found altar deep under temple, half-dragon guardian. No slates, but Storm-marked scepter, Warding-marked amulet. Return with all in a few days.  How's that?"  
 

 "Sure, fine by me. He better be happy with that, there ain't anything else." 

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Don't see how telling whoever hired you is going to help. Gotta extract ourselves anyway which means, back through those deathtraps.  I thought there would be a secret exit after all this too."   Raphael was still holding his fingers and looking sidelong at Kaarna.   "Look, you're actually pretty smart for one of this group and pretty cool with the-   He did a quick claw like motion.   "But would you have really torn my fingers off?  I really really need them."  
 

 "I said I didn't  want  to",  Kaarna's smile widens to a grin that exposes her canines,  "But you're being honest with us from now on, so you've got nothing to worry about! Right?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Don't see how telling whoever hired you is going to help. Gotta extract ourselves anyway which means, back through those deathtraps.  I thought there would be a secret exit after all this too."   Raphael was still holding his fingers and looking sidelong at Kaarna.   "Look, you're actually pretty smart for one of this group and pretty cool with the-   He did a quick claw like motion.   "But would you have really torn my fingers off?  I really really need them."  
 

 "Well, he told us to let him know when we found anything, and we've got to do the job right. Besides, getting out should be pretty easy--we beat all the monsters and those blades weren't too tough to get through as long as we're careful and crawl." 

He pouts at Raphael's other comment and mutters,  "I'm not stupid,"  but doesn't say it out loud.


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Mayhap it is, such a sweet boy he is after all",  Kaarna says, the lovely smile still plastered on her face. 
 

Soren grins, a more genuine smile accompanied by him placing his hands on his hips.  "And he's got a bit of bite like you. So we're all good?" 

  "Sure, fine by me. He better be happy with that, there ain't anything else."  

 "And there isn't room for anything else either."  With that, he takes one of the sending stones and speaks those same few phrases into it.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "I said I didn't  want  to",  Kaarna's smile widens to a grin that exposes her canines,  "But you're being honest with us from now on, so you've got nothing to worry about! Right?"  
 

 "Right...."  Raphael smiled nervously and returned to rubbing his fingers.  Anyone listening to him could hear a low muttering mantra   "Good fingers. You're not going anywhere. Good fingers."  
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Right...."  Raphael smiled nervously and returned to rubbing his fingers.  Anyone listening to him could hear a low muttering mantra   "Good fingers. You're not going anywhere. Good fingers."   
 

Soren looks up when he finishes the sending to see Raphael muttering over his fingers. Fear is still evident on his face. He half-elf walks over and throws his arm over Raphael's shoulder.   "Hey, don't worry so much; you're doing a great job for someone who just met Kaarna. I'd say she's halfway to liking you already!"  His smile fades slightly and he lowers his voice.  "Seriously though, don't tell Kaarna I said this but she probably wouldn't have pulled your fingers off. She'll do a lot of barking before she actually bites." 
Kish
The speakstone hums.  "Two artifacts? Return to Adderport, we will discuss further." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 The speakstone hums.  "Two artifacts? Return to Adderport, we will discuss further."  
 

Soren claps his hand and spins on his heels, his hair and robes spinning a half-step behind him.  "You heard the man--lets finish up the alar and get out of here before more dragons show up!" 
 
 Spoiler: question  
How are we getting back?

Also we need a new ooc thread, right? And did I mention you're all so awesome to play with?

Oh yeah, did we get any more info from the altar and the artifacts? Soren uses detect magic on them, read magic on any inscriptions, and uses his once a day take 20 on a knowledge check bardic knowledge ability for a 28 (or 29 if we leveled up now instead of overnight) on the altar.
 
Silverraptor
 "We already know of 1 between us and freedom. Come on everyone!" 
CWater
 "Yeah, let's not dawdle. There might still be more lizards up there, let's hope we won't have to bump into them." 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Soren 
There seems to be a very faint magical aura lingering in the room, but the relics radiate none. As you strain for details, the aura fades away. The altar is a blank basalt slab; you can derive nothing else from it.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren scans the room again, a faint frown creasing his features as he does so. The smile returns as he turns back to the others and follows them out.
Kish
You walk back through the ancient temple, using the chains the move the platforms above the lava, finally arriving back at the gate with the broken wall where you were nearly crushed.

 "Anyone have any ideas for how we get through here without setting off the trap again?"  Scholar asks.
Athedia
 "Well now I found my tools, I could take a look at it?"   Rapheal pulled his tools out again and waited for permission to proceed.
CoffeeIncluded
 "I'm not touching this thing again."  Soren takes several large steps backwards, leaving a path clear for Raphael.
Athedia
Raphael slid through the gap and knelt down to examine the floor, carefully approaching where Soren had triggered the trap, looking for the mechanism.

 
 Spoiler 
Take 20 on perception 20+11=31 +3 due to trapfinding for a total of  34 
 
Kish
Raphael finds a pressure plate in the floor, occupying the last ten feet of the tunnel approaching the gate.
Athedia
Raphael knelt down and examined the trigger plate, trying to disarm it.

 
 Spoiler 
 (1d20+18)[ 31 ]  15 + 3 from trapfinding
 
Kish
You're pretty sure you've disabled the trap.
Athedia
Raphael stood up brushing his hands off.   "Got it! Not that hard."  He confidently walked across the section of ground before turning around to wave the rest of the people through.
CWater
 "Well, that's much better."  Kaarna follows Raphael.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren waits to see if the trap goes off or not before following Raphael and Kaarna, as does Athard.
Kish
You emerge into the room where you found the dragon's hoard.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I'd narrate further, but I don't want to make assumptions about what you're doing. Heading back to Adderport?
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 You emerge into the room where you found the dragon's hoard.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I'd narrate further, but I don't want to make assumptions about what you're doing. Heading back to Adderport?
 
 
 

 "There's still a dragon flying around. Should we rest here or head straight back? After taking as much of this hoard as we can, of course,"  Soren amends.

 
 Spoiler 
We still have a few spells left and are at good health so I have no opinion on resting or heading straight back. I do want to take as much of the hoard as possible, especially since we now have the pathfinder pouch! What do you guys think?
 
Athedia
Raphael looked up from where he was shoving items in his pouch.   "The sooner we get out the sooner I DON'T get eaten by whoever owns this treasure. " 
CWater
 "Hey, I said I ain't going to spend another night in this dump! Let's go." 
Kish
You make your way out of the temple. Raphael rides double with one of you.

You've been traveling for five days. The sweltering heat of the jungle has lessened only slightly as you emerge on the road to Adderport. The rough track follows the top edge of a plateau, below which you can see the glistening waters of Adder Bay in the distance.

Where the jungle closes in on the road as it passes through a narrow gap, a tall and imposing woman stands in the shade of a tree next to two men. Both wear half-helms and wear grimy tabards with a stylized green claw emblazoned on the front. They eye you warily as you approach.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Everyone roll initiative; if you remember the first lizardfolk encounter you know that doesn't necessarily imply combat. Map is  here ; Raphael is on someone's horse unless you're walking and taking close to a month to get back to Adderport, but whose horse is not up to me. Scholar's initiative:  (1d20+1)[ 15 ] 
 

 
 Spoiler: Perception 15 
You see a number of men hidden in the surrounding forest. Use  this  map instead.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Okay, okay."  Soren holds up his hands as copper coins stream from them.  "It was always an option,"  he continues as he scoops copper coins into his satchel and shoves them into his pockets and lining of his boots.

 
 Spoiler 
Soren can hold about 20 more pounds, or 1000 coppers, before being over light encumbrance too.
 


EDIT: Just saw your IC post; I'll do a more full reply later tonight once I'm done studying for the evening. Sorry!
Athedia
Raphael looked over at the men and slid a hand down to rest on his sword.

 
 Spoiler 
I am going to assume I am on Soren's horse as the only other guy in the party.
Perception:  (1d20+11)[ 20 ] 
Initiative:  (1d20+8)[ 14 ] 
 


Raphael leaned forward to whisper in Soren's ear.   "I count ten others in the woods.  Be careful." 
CWater
Kaarna's mood improves greatly when the party gets out if the temple, retrieve their horses and leave, and without encountering any more lizardfolk either. She doesn't threaten Raphael again and doesn't seem to mind his presence, on the contrary, she's quite delightfully cracks a few jokes about him riding with Soren, though she tires of it after a couple of days. On the fourth day she's feeling reclusive, rides behind the others and climbs high up a tree when they make camp to avoid conversation, talking (or arguing) only with Veca. The mood has disappeared by morning though and today the witch is her usual aggravating self.

The moment she spots the other group on the road, Kaarna quickly reaches for her wand and casts the protective enchantment on herself. She throws a glance over her shoulder.  "Want to talk to them, kid?" 
 
 Spoiler 
Casting Mage Armor from wand.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren spends the trip back happily chatting with the whole group, discussing what they'll do with the payment, and wondering if they'll work together again. By night he tells stories over the campfire, accompanying them with illusions and figments of light and sound. At one point he has an entire act from an opera playing behind him as he sings along. By day he rides with Raphael at his back, and responds to Kaarna's innuendos with equal enthusiasm. Although he makes sure not to make Raphael too uncomfortable.

But when Soren sees the people before them wearing the tabards with the green claw, he freezes. His whole body goes stiff and his eyes widen, the almost cat-like pupils narrowing to definite slits.


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Raphael looked over at the men and slid a hand down to rest on his sword.

 
 Spoiler 
I am going to assume I am on Soren's horse as the only other guy in the party.
Perception:
 


Raphael leaned forward to whisper in Soren's ear.   "I count ten others in the woods.  Be careful."  
 

 "I see them too. You know who they are? Because I do. Hello!"  he shouts with forced cheer.  "Are you lost?"  he turns to Kaarna and whispers,  "let's see what they want, but I do have a song in mind." 
 
 Spoiler: kish 
Soren would know, right? If not I'll edit this.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna has been on guard most of the way back through the jungle. When they finally get to the road she breathes a sigh of relief as they are almost back to civilization. But when they encounter the men on the road, she raises her guard yet again.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren spends the trip back happily chatting with the whole group, discussing what they'll do with the payment, and wondering if they'll work together again. By night he tells stories over the campfire, accompanying them with illusions and figments of light and sound. At one point he has an entire act from an opera playing behind him as he sings along. By day he rides with Raphael at his back, and responds to Kaarna's innuendos with equal enthusiasm. Although he makes sure not to make Raphael too uncomfortable.

But when Soren sees the people before them wearing the tabards with the green claw, he freezes. His whole body goes stiff and his eyes widen, the almost cat-like pupils narrowing to definite slits.



 "I see them too. You know who they are? Because I do. Hello!"  he shouts with forced cheer.  "Are you lost?"  he turns to Kaarna and whispers,  "let's see what they want, but I do have a song in mind." 
 
 Spoiler: kish 
Soren would know, right? If not I'll edit this.
 
 
 

 "You know the-"  Raphael looked around nervously and whispered.   "The Emerald Claw?"   He shrank down behind Soren, managing to look physically smaller and less threatening.
Kish
Soren rides forward and shouts. The woman smirks at his hesitancy and speaks in a loud clear voice, " You are in possession of something that does not belong to you. The knightly Order of the Emerald Claw demands you give us the Dragon's Eye, or we will be forced to take it from you. Choose your next words well." 
 
 Spoiler: if you made the previous Perception check 

As she speaks, the men hidden around her aim crossbows.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Soren rides forward and shouts. The woman smirks at his hesitancy and speaks in a loud clear voice, " You are in possession of something that does not belong to you. The knightly Order of the Emerald Claw demands you give us the Dragon's Eye, or we will be forced to take it from you. Choose your next words well." 
 
 Spoiler: if you made the previous Perception check 

As she speaks, the men hidden around her aim crossbows.
 
 
 

Soren's eyes flit around from the women to the trees. The Dragon's Eye? They know about where they were? But how? There's going to be a fight unless he does something fast--think, think!  "Get ready to get off the horse, But don't attack if this works,"  he whispers to Raphael. He then speaks in a loud clear voice, but this time there's a lilt to it.  "I apologize, but our possessions are our own, and we have no Eye!" 
 
 Spoiler: Diplomacy and Fascinate 
Soren attempts to stall or get them to leave with Diplomacy and  the Fascinate bardic performance on the woman and the two who are visible. 

Diplomacy:  (d20+13)[ 14 ] 
Fascinate is a will save DC 17. If they fail then they have to shut up and observe Soren's performance.
 
Athedia
Raphael peeked out from behind Soren.   "If it helps, they did kill a dragon before they found me.  Don't think they took it's eyes though so we could give you directions to the temple where we killed it and then you can go get those if you want.  We wouldn't mind."   He then ducked behind Soren again.

 
 Spoiler 
Diplomacy:  (1d20+9)[ 10 ] 
 
CWater
Kaarna has no idea who these people are, but it seems they want to be enemies. Often, that knowledge is enough. She recalls one of the new spells she managed to get out of Veca, ready to be cast at the smallest sight of aggression.

 
 Spoiler 
Readying an action to cast  Stinking Cloud  the moment it looks like the men are about to shoot, or command/gesture to attack is given.
DC 16, 20 ft. radius, centered in the middle of AC-AD, 21-22.
 
Kish
The two men seem distracted by Soren's tone, but the woman frowns at his and Raphael's words, then yells,  "Fire!" 

Kaarna immediately casts a quick spell as crossbows twang. A cloud of dense fog appears; nearly everyone caught in it begins to choke and gasp. You see a man emerge from the cloud to the right and aim a crossbow. Six crossbow bolts fly from the men not caught in the cloud.
 
 Spoiler 

Crossbow attack on Soren's horse:  (1d20+2)[ 3 ]   (1d8)[ 6 ]  Critical threat check:  (1d20+2)[ 19 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8)[ 5 ] 
Crossbow attack on Soren's horse:  (1d20+2)[ 3 ]   (1d8)[ 3 ]  Critical threat check:  (1d20+2)[ 16 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8)[ 5 ] 
Crossbow attack on Soren's horse:  (1d20+2)[ 11 ]   (1d8)[ 6 ]  Critical threat check:  (1d20+2)[ 10 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8)[ 4 ] 
Crossbow attack on Soren's horse:  (1d20+2)[ 9 ]   (1d8)[ 2 ]  Critical threat check:  (1d20+2)[ 22 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8)[ 6 ] 
Crossbow attack on Soren's horse:  (1d20+2)[ 11 ]   (1d8)[ 1 ]  Critical threat check:  (1d20+2)[ 14 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8)[ 1 ] 
Crossbow attack on Soren's horse:  (1d20+2)[ 8 ]   (1d8)[ 4 ]  Critical threat check:  (1d20+2)[ 16 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8)[ 5 ] 
 (1d20+8)[ 16 ] 
 (1d20+3)[ 4 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 18 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 17 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 9 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 7 ] 
 Map  is updated. Kaarna and Adrianna are up.

&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 22
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 19.6
M10: 19.3
Soren: 19
M6: 16.8
M8: 16.4
M5: 16
Scholar: 15
M11: 14.5
Raphael: 14
M2: 13
Athard: 9.9
W: 9.6
M9: 9.3
M12: 9
M4: 6
M3: 2
M1: 1
M7: 25
 
CWater
Grinning wickedly Kaarna rides her horse closer, then removes a dark red bead from her necklace and sends it flying towards the men not caught up in the cloud.  "They choke, you BURN!!"  She laughs when the flames erupt, her features transforming at the same and turning her voice more hoarse.

 
 Spoiler 
Move action: To W9.
Standard action: Fireball from the neclace, centered on V-W, 23-24.
Damage:  (8d6)[ 17 ] 
Free action: Shifting.
 
CoffeeIncluded
The one Emerald Claw member who was fortunate enough to escape Kaarna's fog and fire is not lucky enough to escape Adrianna, who bears down on him with her sword drawn and an expression of fury on her face.

 
 Spoiler: attack 
 (d20+10)[ 20 ] 

Attack #12, who was neither sinking clouded nor fireballed.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Damage:  (d8+4)[ 8 ] 
Kish
The two men closest to the cloud, caught unprepared, fall; the other four duck behind their shields and escape the worst of the fire. Adrianna rides forward and slashes, cutting into the side of the man on the right.

 
 Spoiler 

&gt;&gt; Soren: 19
M8: 16.4
Scholar: 15
M11: 14.5
Raphael: 14
M2: 13
Athard: 9.9
W: 9.6
M9: 9.3
M12: 9
M4: 6
M3: 2
M1: 1
M7: 25
Kaarna: 22
Adrianna: 19.6
M10: 19.3

 Map  is updated and Soren is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren grins at Kaarna's cackling laughter and turns to give her a wink. He then splays his fingers out over the enemies. With a shout of,  "I wont give you a single thing!"  glitter falls upon three of them.

 
 Spoiler: actions 
Soren drops the Fascinate and casts Glitterdust on M1, 2, and 3. DC 16 will save or be blinded. Holding the move action until I see if/how well this works.
 
Kish
One of the men glares at Soren, two others rub their eyes. Scholar nudges her horse forward and casts a spell on Athard.

 
 Spoiler 

Athard is affected by Bull's Strength.

&gt;&gt; Raphael: 14
M2: 13
Athard: 9.9
W: 9.6
M9: 9.3
M12: 9
M4: 6
M3: 2
M1: 1
M7: 25
Kaarna: 22
Adrianna: 19.6
M10: 19.3
Soren: 19
M8: 16.4
Scholar: 15
M11: 14.5

 Map  is updated and Raphael is up.
 
Athedia
Raphael slid off the horse as fast as he could.

 
 Spoiler 
Fast Dismount check (DC 20):  (1d20+4)[ 5 ] 
 


As he slid off the horse moved slightly causing him to instead end up landing in a rather undignified manner.  Glaring at the horse Raphael pulled out his swords and prepared to defend himself.

 
 Spoiler 
Going into Total Defense +4 to AC for 22 AC
 
Kish
One of the blinded men lurches forward toward the sound of the approaching horse. He strikes wildly with his flail.

 
 Spoiler 

Attack:  (1d20+3)[ 19 ] : on a 1 this is against Soren, on a 2 this is against Soren's horse. [1d2] On a 1 it misses, whoever it's against. [1d2] Critical threat check: Attack:  (1d20+3)[ 13 ] 
Damage:  (1d8+1)[ 5 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8+1)[ 7 ] 
 (1d20)[ 1 ] 

&gt;&gt; Athard: 9.9
W: 9.6
M9: 9.3
M12: 9
M4: 6
M3: 2
M1: 1
M7: 25
Kaarna: 22
Adrianna: 19.6
M10: 19.3
Soren: 19
M8: 16.4
Scholar: 15
M11: 14.5
Raphael: 14
M2: 13

 Map  is updated and Athard is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard snarls, rushing forward to attack the other emerald claw soldier.

 
 Spoiler: attack 
Attacking M4. Using the attack twice as one attack maneuver.

Attack one:  (d20+9)[ 23 ] 
Attack two:  (d20+9)[ 27 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Damage 1:  (d8+7)[ 10 ]  plus  (d6)[ 4 ] 
Damage 2:  (d8+7)[ 10 ]  plus  (d6)[ 1 ] 
Kish
Athard's Flurry Strike brutally kills the man he attacks. Another man comes running around the cloud and lunges at Athard; the one Soren tried to blind but didn't closes with Athard as well. The other one Soren did blind charges forward, trips and falls. Adrianna's opponent swings at her.

 
 Spoiler 

Attack on Athard:  (1d20+3)[ 15 ]  Critical threat:  (1d20+3)[ 13 ]  Damage:  (1d8+1)[ 5 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8+1)[ 9 ] 
Attack on Athard:  (1d20+5)[ 17 ]  Critical threat:  (1d20+5)[ 7 ]  Damage:  (1d8+1)[ 4 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8+1)[ 4 ] 
Attack on Adrianna:  (1d20+3)[ 12 ]  Critical threat:  (1d20+3)[ 10 ]  Damage:  (1d8+1)[ 2 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8+1)[ 7 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 13 ] 
 (1d20)[ 19 ] 

&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 22
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 19.6
M10: 19.3
Soren: 19
M8: 16.4
Scholar: 15
M11: 14.5
Raphael: 14
M2: 13
Athard: 9.9
W: 9.6
M9: 9.3
M12: 9
M3: 2
M1: 1
M7: 25

 Map  is updated and Kaarna and Adrianna are up.
 
CWater
Kaarna weaves another spell and a small thundercloud appears over the blinded man who tripped.  "The elements are not in your favour today",  she barks.

 
 Spoiler 
Casting  Aggressive Thundercloud  on M1, I think.
Damage:  (3d6)[ 11 ] , Ref DC 15 to negate.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Adrianna easily dodges the blow and strikes again at the man before her.

 
 Spoiler: Attack 
Anyone else want to control her? I don't feel comfortable controlling three characters for too long. Makes me feel like I'm overshadowing everyone else too much.

Attack:  (d20+10)[ 23 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Damage:  (d8+4)[ 10 ] 
Kish
The lightning from Kaarna's cloud strikes the fallen man; he twitches and doesn't get up. Adrianna cuts down her opponent. Another man emerges around the edge of the cloud and runs to attack Athard.

 
 Spoiler 

Attack:  (1d20+3)[ 15 ]  Critical threat:  (1d20+3)[ 18 ]  Damage:  (1d8+1)[ 7 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8+1)[ 7 ] 

&gt;&gt; Soren: 19
M8: 16.4
Scholar: 15
M11: 14.5
Raphael: 14
M2: 13
Athard: 9.9
W: 9.6
M9: 9.3
M3: 2
M7: 25
Kaarna: 22
Adrianna: 19.6
M10: 19.3

Soren is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Raphael doesn't dismount so much as fall off the horse, but he's still off. Soren pulls the frightened beast back behind the roiling cloud, but still within easy earshot of his friends. His hazel eyes gleam as he raises his arms and begins to chant.

 "You who told by us to wander
Chose to clash despite our warnings
Now, Emerald Claw, feel our thunder!
You called upon your own ill tidings!" 
 
 Spoiler: Soren's actions 
Soren moves back to I think AA 18 or something like that, it's hard to check the exact square on my phone. Point is he's moving behind the cloud and trying to stay within 30 feet of Raphael and Athard (others if possible but them most). He then draws his bow and begins to sing inspire courage. Everyone gets +2 to attack, damage, and saves against things like fear effects.

He's also much better at coming up with singing on the spot than I am. 😛
 
Kish
Yet another man emerges around the edge of the cloud and runs to attack Athard.Scholar rides forward.  "Using powerful spells on these seems to be excessive. I wonder where the woman went though,"  she says, punching the air in front of her. The burned man she was facing falls to the ground.
 
 Spoiler 

Attack on Athard:  (1d20+3)[ 7 ]  Critical threat:  (1d20+3)[ 23 ]  Damage:  (1d8+1)[ 7 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8+1)[ 5 ] 
Ranged touch attack on M2:  (1d20+5)[ 14 ]  Critical threat check:  (1d20+5)[ 22 ]  Damage:  (1d4+3)[ 4 ] 
 (1d20+4)[ 10 ] 

&gt;&gt; Raphael: 14
&gt;&gt; Athard: 9.9
W: 9.6
M9: 9.3
M3: 2
M7: 25
Kaarna: 22
Adrianna: 19.6
M10: 19.3
Soren: 19
M8: 16.4
Scholar: 15
M11: 14.5

Raphael and Athard are up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard easily parries the blow and attacks the man who just ran out of the stinking cloud.

 
 Spoiler: attack 
 (d20+11)[ 16 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Not sure if a 16 hits so to be safe action point (this is against m9 by the way):  (d6)[ 5 ] 
CoffeeIncluded
Damage:  (d8+9)[ 14 ]  plus  (d6)[ 6 ] 
Athedia
Raphael moved forward spinning his blade to plunge into the man next to Athard.

 
 Spoiler 
Moving to V20 attacking M3
Attack:  (1d20+13)[ 28 ]  +9 for weapon,  +2 from song, +2 from flanking
Crit:  (1d20+13)[ 20 ] 
Damage:  (1d6+7)[ 9 ]  +5 base +2 due to song
Sneak Attack:  (3d6)[ 15 ] 
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler 
Forgot Debilitating Attack:  I chose Disoriented.
Disoriented: The target takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls. In addition, the target takes an additional –2 penalty on all attack rolls it makes against the rogue. At 10th level and 16th level, the penalty on attack rolls made against the rogue increases by –2 (to a total maximum of –8).

Also 3 bleed against M3 from Bleeding Attack (Rogue Talent)
 
Kish
Athard and Raphael's targets both fall. Somewhat to your surprise, no one else emerges from around the cloud, for the moment.

 
 Spoiler 

&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 22
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 19.6
M10: 19.3
Soren: 19
M8: 16.4
Scholar: 15
M11: 14.5
Raphael: 14
Athard: 9.9
W: 9.6
M7: 25

Kaarna and Adrianna are up.
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Yet another man emerges around the edge of the cloud and runs to attack Athard.Scholar rides forward.  "Using powerful spells on these seems to be excessive. I wonder where the woman went though,"  she says, punching the air in front of her. The burned man she was facing falls to the ground. 
 

 "You may be right",  Kaarna replies scoffing,  "These got no spine."  She curses one of the men still standing with a quick ugly glare and gestures the thundercloud to move to strike him. She eyes the fog cloud suspiciously,  "Didn't know people liked to stick inside those. Either they've learned not to breathe, or they turned invisible and ran. Or popped out, I've seen folk do that too." 
 
 Spoiler 
 Evil Eye  against saves on M8, Will save DC 16 to reduce the duration to 1 round.
Moving the thundercloud on him. Damage:  (3d6)[ 11 ] , Ref DC 15 to negate.
 
Kish
 "Warforged do. I knew one all-warforged unit during the war whose strategy was based around their wizard covering the entire battlefield with that cloud. Of course, warforged don't need to breathe. More likely they came out the other side."  Lightning strikes the man, but he remains standing.

 
 Spoiler 

 (1d20)[ 13 ] 
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Warforged do. I knew one all-warforged unit during the war whose strategy was based around their wizard covering the entire battlefield with that cloud. Of course, warforged don't need to breathe. More likely they came out the other side."  Lightning strikes the man, but he remains standing.

 
 Spoiler 

[roll0]
 
 
 

 "Really? Never thought there's be benefits to being made of metal, but that is handy. And the cloud will be gone in a moment, then we'll see. Unless someone is in a hurry to check..." 
 
 Spoiler 
The stinking cloud should disperse after two more rounds, if I've counted right.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Warforged do. I knew one all-warforged unit during the war whose strategy was based around their wizard covering the entire battlefield with that cloud. Of course, warforged don't need to breathe. More likely they came out the other side."  Lightning strikes the man, but he remains standing. 
 

 "But don't you still need to see?"  Soren rapidly asks between breaths. The mental image is...frightening.


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Really? Never thought there's be benefits to being made of metal, but that is handy. And the cloud will be gone in a moment, then we'll see. Unless someone is in a hurry to check..." 
 
 Spoiler 
The stinking cloud should disperse after two more rounds, if I've counted right.
 
 
 

 "Sounds like Scholar would be best. But they probably fled anyway. Craven cowards, hiding in shadow!"  he spits, returning to his song.
Silverraptor
Adrianna hurries over to the nearest enemy in reach in swings her sword at them.

 
 Spoiler 
Attack:  (1d20+12)[ 27 ] 
Critical:  (1d20+12)[ 13 ] 
Damage:  (1d8+4)[ 6 ] 

Let me know if their are any errors in my rolls. I did this when I was very tired.
 
Kish
Adrianna rides around the cloud and slices into the lightning-struck man. Another man steps to the north and slices at Athard again.

 
 Spoiler 

Attack on Athard:  (1d20+3)[ 19 ]  Critical threat:  (1d20+3)[ 5 ]  Damage:  (1d8+1)[ 4 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8+1)[ 9 ] 

&gt;&gt; Soren: 19
M8: 16.4
Scholar: 15
M11: 14.5
Raphael: 14
Athard: 9.9
W: 9.6
M7: 25
Kaarna: 22
Adrianna: 19.6
M10: 19.3

Soren is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard grunts as the blade slices down his arm. Soren moves his horse a touch closer to the fray and raises his voice. For a moment it appears that there are two people singing at once. He weaves even more magic into the song, and with a brief burst infuses everyone except Kaarna (who's just outside the range of this spel) with an extra burst of vigor.

 
 Spoiler: Soren's actions 
Soren continues his song moves to Y17 (I think, a bit hard to tell on the phone) and casts Moment of Greatness on everyone but Kaarna (it's a 30-foot radius spell). For the next minute, I think, definitely the rest of this battle the rate things are going, you can all turn his +2 song bonus to attack/damage/fear saves into a +4.  Once.  
 
Athedia
Raphael stared in amazement as the man kindly presented his back to the rogue.  "Well.... okay."   He stabbed both blades down at the man.

 
 Spoiler 
Attacking M10
Attack 1:  (1d20+11)[ 25 ] 
Attack 2:  (1d20+11)[ 14 ] 
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler: Damage for Attack 1 
Damage:  (1d6+5)[ 6 ]  make that 8 forgot the damage bonus.
Sneak Attack:  (3d6)[ 10 ] 

Debilitating attack: Disoriented: The target takes a –2 penalty on attack rolls. In addition, the target takes an additional –2 penalty on all attack rolls it makes against the rogue. At 10th level and 16th level, the penalty on attack rolls made against the rogue increases by –2 (to a total maximum of –8).

Also they now have a  Bleed damage 3 
 
Kish
The wounded man steps to the east and slices at Athard as well. Scholar rides closer and swings her fist at him, and he falls. Another man emerges from the cloud, circling to come up behind Raphael. Raphael stabs the unwounded non-newcomer and drops him in one hit.

 
 Spoiler 

M8's attack on Athard:  (1d20+5)[ 13 ]  Critical threat:  (1d20+5)[ 10 ]  Damage:  (1d8+1)[ 7 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8+1)[ 4 ] 
Scholar's attack on M8:  (1d20+7)[ 11 ]  Critical threat check:  (1d20+7)[ 12 ]  Damage:  (1d4+3)[ 4 ] 

&gt;&gt; Athard: 9.9
W: 9.6
M7: 25
Kaarna: 22
Adrianna: 19.6
Soren: 19
M8: 16.4
Scholar: 15
M11: 14.5
Raphael: 14

Athard is up.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Athard grips his blade and parries the strike, following up with a stab.

 
 Spoiler: attack 
 (d20+11)[ 26 ] 
 
CoffeeIncluded
Damage:  (d8+7)[ 12 ]  plus  (d6)[ 2 ] 
Kish
 
 Spoiler 
Since Scholar downed the one who attacked Athard last, and Raphael the other one adjacent to Athard, I'm going to assume he moves to attack the last one visible on the field, M11.
 


Athard rides over and slices into the last visible man. Another man comes around the cloud's edge and closes in behind Raphael as the cloud dissipates.
 
 Spoiler 

&gt;&gt; Kaarna: 22
&gt;&gt; Adrianna: 19.6
&gt;&gt; Soren: 19
Scholar: 15
M11: 14.5
Raphael: 14
Athard: 9.9
M7: 25

 Map  is updated; Kaarna, Adrianna, and Soren are up.
 
CWater
Kaarna gives the man who just appeared an evil eye.  "But where is their leader? Did she run..." 
 
 Spoiler 
 Evil Eye  at M7, -2 to AC. Will save DC 16 to reduce the duration to 1 round.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Your leader ran!"  Soren shouts.  "Surrender or die!" 

He rides forward, drawing his bow on the one who Kaarna cursed.

 
 Spoiler: actions 
 Soren continues his song, draws his bow, moves to within point blank shot range (30 feet) of the one Kaarna just cast evil eye on, and I'm gonna wait to see what they do before attacking.
 
CoffeeIncluded
Attack:  (d20+10)[ 12 ] 
Silverraptor
Adrianna moves to flank the nearest enemy (M7) and swings her sword.

 
 Spoiler: Attack 
Attack: (1d20+12)[ 27 ] 
Critical: (1d20+12)[ 22 ] 
Damage: (1d8+4)[ 10 ] 
 
Kish
Adrianna's sword strikes the newcomer. Scholar swings her fist again.  M11 strikes at Raphael.  M11 falls to the ground.

 
 Spoiler 

Will save:  (1d20)[ 7 ] 
Scholar's attack on M11:  (1d20+5)[ 15 ]  Critical threat check:  (1d20+5)[ 6 ]  Damage:  (1d4+3)[ 6 ] 
 M11's attack on Raphael:  (1d20+5)[ 13 ]  Critical threat:  (1d20+5)[ 21 ]  Damage:  (1d8+1)[ 4 ]  Critical damage:  (1d8+1)[ 9 ]  

&gt;&gt; Raphael: 14
&gt;&gt; Athard: 9.9
M7: 25
Kaarna: 22
Adrianna: 19.6
Soren: 19
Scholar: 15

Raphael and Athard are up.
 
Athedia
Raphael stabbed down again, whistling a little.   "Are these guys stupid or suicidal? 
 
 Spoiler 
Attack1:  (1d20+12)[ 32 ]  Using the +4 thing Soren gave
Attack2:  (1d20+12)[ 14 ] 
 
Athedia
 
 Spoiler: Confirmation 
Crit Confirm Attack1:  (1d20+12)[ 20 ] 
 
Kish
Raphael cuts down the last man.

 
 Spoiler 
600 XP each.

Each of the men has a light crossbow, a suit of chainmail, a heavy wooden shield, a dagger, and a flask with liquid. Six of them have 20 crossbow bolts each, the other six have 19 crossbow bolts each, and three of the bolts they fired are intact should anyone gather them up (but if you do, please account for their weight; 237 crossbow bolts aren't light).
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Raphael stabbed down again, whistling a little.   "Are these guys stupid or suicidal?  
 

 "Emerald Claw--they're both!"  Soren growls as the last one falls. Once combat clears he drops off the horse and begins searching the bodies. While he inspects the potions and tosses the daggers to Raphael he mutter-shouts,  Idiots! Traitors! If you actually believed you'd have run and lived! You're why Blake and I--"   He pauses, realizing that everyone is still around.

 "Erm...sorry,"  he says with a sheepish grin as he rubs the back of his neck.  "I just really hate the Claw..." 
 
 Spoiler: musings and what he does 
Well I wasn't really expecting that out of him. Soren's gonna be broken when he learns the truth.

Soren uses detect magic on the liquid and bodies. Is anything magical? He also tosses the daggers to Raphael and takes anything masterwork.
 
Kish
 "Who is Blake?"  Scholar asks, looking at Athard's wounds and holding up her holy symbol.

 
 Spoiler 
Everyone within a 30-foot radius of Scholar is healed for  (2d6)[ 8 ] .
 

 
 Spoiler: Detect Magic 
The liquid has a faint aura of Conjuration; nothing else seems to be magical.
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Emerald Claw--they're both!"  Soren growls as the last one falls. Once combat clears he drops off the horse and begins searching the bodies. While he inspects the potions and tosses the daggers to Raphael he mutter-shouts,  Idiots! Traitors! If you actually believed you'd have run and lived! You're why Blake and I--"   He pauses, realizing that everyone is still around.

 "Erm...sorry,"  he says with a sheepish grin as he rubs the back of his neck.  "I just really hate the Claw..." 
 
 Spoiler: musings and what he does 
Well I wasn't really expecting that out of him. Soren's gonna be broken when he learns the truth.

Soren uses detect magic on the liquid and bodies. Is anything magical? He also tosses the daggers to Raphael and takes anything masterwork.
 
 
 

 "Don't worry, kid. Some decent hate will keep you up and running." 

 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Who is Blake?"  Scholar asks, looking at Athard's wounds and holding up her holy symbol.

 
 Spoiler 
Everyone within a 30-foot radius of Scholar is healed for [roll0].
 

 
 Spoiler: Detect Magic 
The liquid has a faint aura of Conjuration; nothing else seems to be magical.
 
 
 

 "His brother, he's always talking about him."  Kaarna rides her horse closer to the bodies and hops to the ground.  "Any of these cretins still left alive? I wouldn't mind asking some questions." 
Kish
 "Right, the Tharask,"  Scholar says distantly.

All the men seem to be dead.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Right, the Tharask,"  Scholar says distantly.

All the men seem to be dead. 
 

 "Shame. Well, if their leader has even a quarter of a brain she won't be coming back. Alone, anyway",  Kaarna squints her eyes.  "We should go. Was the plan to follow the road from here? It's fast, but we'll be easy to find that way if she has more friends nearby. Although, if they're made of the same stuff as this lot..." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Emerald Claw--they're both!"  Soren growls as the last one falls. Once combat clears he drops off the horse and begins searching the bodies. While he inspects the potions and tosses the daggers to Raphael he mutter-shouts,  Idiots! Traitors! If you actually believed you'd have run and lived! You're why Blake and I--"   He pauses, realizing that everyone is still around.

 "Erm...sorry,"  he says with a sheepish grin as he rubs the back of his neck.  "I just really hate the Claw..."  
 

Raphael stared at his swords in amazement.   "That was-wow.  Seriously though, those guys were idiots."   He cleaned the blades off before sticking them back into their sheaths.  As he looked around he noticed Soren tossing the daggers toward him.  He quickly dodged and cursed.  "Are you an idiot too?  You don't throw those at people!" 

 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Shame. Well, if their leader has even a quarter of a brain she won't be coming back. Alone, anyway",  Kaarna squints her eyes.  "We should go. Was the plan to follow the road from here? It's fast, but we'll be easy to find that way if she has more friends nearby. Although, if they're made of the same stuff as this lot..."  
 

 "I wish we had gotten her, don't want her to tell anyone what she has seen here."   Raphael looked at the sky attempting to determine the time.   "With that number of men, if we dump them off the path it should take a while to notice we survived.  And if she left friends behind then that would be a silly plan.  Should have thrown the largest group at us instead of splitting out into smaller ones." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Who is Blake?"  Scholar asks, looking at Athard's wounds and holding up her holy symbol.

 
 Spoiler 
Everyone within a 30-foot radius of Scholar is healed for  (d20+6)[ 25 ] .
 

 
 Spoiler: Detect Magic 
The liquid has a faint aura of Conjuration; nothing else seems to be magical.
 
 
 

 "Huh? I thought you've met him before. Half-orc, curly black hair, we've got the same nose?"  The glimmer of magic catches his eye and Soren sloshes the liquid in the potion around.  "Ooh, I think these are healing potions!" 
 
 Spoiler: Spellcraft 
Spellcraft:  (d20+6)[ 25 ] 
 


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Don't worry, kid. Some decent hate will keep you up and running." 
 "His brother, he's always talking about him."  Kaarna rides her horse closer to the bodies and hops to the ground.  "Any of these cretins still left alive? I wouldn't mind asking some questions."  
 

 "Well if you had a brother as awesome as Blake you'd talk about him too."  He moves over to make room for Kaarna.  "Sorry Kaarna. Hate may keep me running, but it'll make my hair all frazzled too."  He winks at his shifter friend.


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Shame. Well, if their leader has even a quarter of a brain she won't be coming back. Alone, anyway",  Kaarna squints her eyes.  "We should go. Was the plan to follow the road from here? It's fast, but we'll be easy to find that way if she has more friends nearby. Although, if they're made of the same stuff as this lot..."  
 

 "I doubt we'll find any more. And if she bugged out then we should probably get moving before she finds us again."  He looks down the road through the forest, and seems to relax a bit.


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Raphael stared at his swords in amazement.   "That was-wow.  Seriously though, those guys were idiots."   He cleaned the blades off before sticking them back into their sheaths.  As he looked around he noticed Soren tossing the daggers toward him.  He quickly dodged and cursed.  "Are you an idiot too?  You don't throw those at people!"  
 

 "I wasn't aiming at you!"  he protests.  "And they're in their sheaths. I'm not an idiot,"  he adds with a little tease.
Athedia
 "And what do you expect me to do with them?  I'm already carrying your bloody coppers.  If you want more daggers carry them yourself."   Raphael fastened to of the daggers at his belt and threw the rest back at Soren.
CWater
 "Now now, kids. Play nice",  Kaarna grins and loads some of the dead men's gear on her horse, though not too much to slow it down.

 
 Spoiler 
We can determine OOC what exactly does she take.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "And what do you expect me to do with them?  I'm already carrying your bloody coppers.  If you want more daggers carry them yourself."   Raphael fastened to of the daggers at his belt and threw the rest back at Soren. 
 

 "Hey--hey--OW!"  Spren holds up his hands and tries to dodge the flung daggers. Although he sidesteps most of them, a few bounce off his arms and even his head. Soren manages to grab the last one though, and waves it around for emphasis as he says,  "You know, I'm all for a knife-throwing routine--you can draw a nice crowd with that--but we've got to practice first!"  

 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Now now, kids. Play nice",  Kaarna grins and loads some of the dead men's gear on her horse, though not too much to slow it down.

 
 Spoiler 
We can determine OOC what exactly does she take.
 
 
 

 "See? Practice makes perfect! And sorry, but if you're thinking of the other sort of "play" I'm not really into adding knives there,"  he teases as he helps load up the horses.

 
 Spoiler: potion distribution 
how about we split it up among everyone but Athard?
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna surveys the aftermath.
 "You know we should figure out how they all knew we would be here and what we got. We didn't even know what we were getting back there." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna surveys the aftermath.
 "You know we should figure out how they all knew we would be here and what we got. We didn't even know what we were getting back there."  
 

Eager to get off the jest that fell flat, Soren jumps on this new line of thought.  "Yeah, if they found out about whatever it is that's not a good thing. In a lot of ways. We should probably tell Sur'kil about it too." 
Athedia
Raphael pocketed two of the potions as well and climbed up on the horse.   "Look, we can wonder all we want, but I would rather wonder not surrounded by dead bodies." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Hey--hey--OW!"  Spren holds up his hands and tries to dodge the flung daggers. Although he sidesteps most of them, a few bounce off his arms and even his head. Soren manages to grab the last one though, and waves it around for emphasis as he says,  "You know, I'm all for a knife-throwing routine--you can draw a nice crowd with that--but we've got to practice first!"  
 "See? Practice makes perfect! And sorry, but if you're thinking of the other sort of "play" I'm not really into adding knives there,"  he teases as he helps load up the horses.

 
 Spoiler: potion distribution 
how about we split it up among everyone but Athard?
 
 
 

 "Does anything else ever go through your silly head?",  Kaarna sighs and pokes Soren's forehead,  "It was funny while newbie got all flustered, but now he's used to it and doesn't care anymore, which is bo~oring. Afraid you need to come up with something new." 

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna surveys the aftermath.
 "You know we should figure out how they all knew we would be here and what we got. We didn't even know what we were getting back there."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Eager to get off the jest that fell flat, Soren jumps on this new line of thought.  "Yeah, if they found out about whatever it is that's not a good thing. In a lot of ways. We should probably tell Sur'kil about it too."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Raphael pocketed two of the potions as well and climbed up on the horse.   "Look, we can wonder all we want, but I would rather wonder not surrounded by dead bodies."  
 

 "Oh why not? They make such lovely decorations",  Kaarna snickers and climbs back on her horse,  "What is this Emerald Claw anyway? You seem to know about it." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Does anything else ever go through your silly head?",  Kaarna sighs and pokes Soren's forehead,  "It was funny while newbie got all flustered, but now he's used to it and doesn't care anymore, which is bo~oring. Afraid you need to come up with something new."  
 

Soren pokes Kaarna's forehead back.  "And what about you, she-of-the-hexes? At least my Schtick results in a good time for everyone, instead of just you." 
 "Oh why not? They make such lovely decorations",  Kaarna snickers and climbs back on her horse,  "What is this Emerald Claw anyway? You seem to know about it." [/QUOTE]

 "They're a terrorist group operating out of Karrnath,"  Soren says, his expression darkening as he climbs back on his horse. as he pets it he feeds healing magic into her wounds.  "They're also religious extremists, and give us Seekers a bad name. Bad things happened whenever they get involved in something." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren pokes Kaarna's forehead back.  "And what about you, she-of-the-hexes? At least my Schtick results in a good time for everyone, instead of just you."  
 

 "I was never good at pleasing others",  the witch smiles darkly,  "So I quit." 

  "They're a terrorist group operating out of Karrnath,"  Soren says, his expression darkening as he climbs back on his horse. as he pets it he feeds healing magic into her wounds.  "They're also religious extremists, and give us Seekers a bad name. Bad things happened whenever they get involved in something."  

 "Oh, folks and their religions",  Kaarna rolls her eyes,  "Never understood it. Really, instead of chasing dreams and echoes they should just concentrate on voices they can  actually   hear. Right, Veca?"  The scorpion climbs up on her shoulder, but offers no comment. Not even a chirp.

 
 Spoiler 
Do you call that sound a 'chirp'? I honestly have no idea.
 


EDIT:
 "So what do they want then that makes them so bad?"  Kaarna throws a disdainful glance at the corpses on the ground.  "Do excuse me for not being incredibly impressed yet." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "I was never good at pleasing others",  the witch smiles darkly,  "So I quit."  
 

 "Your loss then,"  Soren says as he rides to catch up with Kaarna.

 "Oh, folks and their religions",  Kaarna rolls her eyes,  "Never understood it. Really, instead of chasing dreams and echoes they should just concentrate on voices they can  actually   hear. Right, Veca?"  The scorpion climbs up on her shoulder, but offers no comment. Not even a chirp.

 
 Spoiler 
Do you call that sound a 'chirp'? I honestly have no idea.
 
[/quote]

Soren nods and gives a little hum of agreement.  "You know, you really should come to our next gathering. I think you'll find it really speak to you."  

 EDIT:
 "So what do they want then that makes them so bad?"  Kaarna throws a disdainful glance at the corpses on the ground.  "Do excuse me for not being incredibly impressed yet."  

Soren scowls.  "They're a bunch of international terrorists who want to bring Karrnath back into power, but King Kaius doesn't want anything to do with them. I bet they want to overthrow him, and I've heard they've done a bunch of attacks all over the continent. I think they're the reason that the Blood of Vol was outlawed there too."  he shakes his head.  "Either way, if they want this dragon eye thing, we don't want them to get their hands on it." 
Athedia
 "Blood of Vol are a bunch of freaken' cultists."  Raphael stretched and looked on down the road.   "So we leaving then?  Some of us have places to be." 
Silverraptor
 "Righto, sounds good. Everyone have your horse to ride?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Blood of Vol are a bunch of freaken' cultists."  Raphael stretched and looked on down the road.   "So we leaving then?  Some of us have places to be."  
 

 "... Theyre not us... " 

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Righto, sounds good. Everyone have your horse to ride?"  
 

Saddled up and ready to go, both Soren and Athard nod.

CLW on the horse:  (d8+6)[ 8 ] 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren nods and gives a little hum of agreement.  "You know, you really should come to our next gathering. I think you'll find it really speak to you."   
 

 "I think one voice in my head's quite enough",  the witch strokes her pet,  "And even that's mostly annoying." 

 Soren scowls.  "They're a bunch of international terrorists who want to bring Karrnath back into power, but King Kaius doesn't want anything to do with them. I bet they want to overthrow him, and I've heard they've done a bunch of attacks all over the continent. I think they're the reason that the Blood of Vol was outlawed there too."  he shakes his head.  "Either way, if they want this dragon eye thing, we don't want them to get their hands on it."  

Kaarna shrugs.  "There's always those who want power. But no, I ain't giving up any of our treasure. Not until we get the rest of the pay." 

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Blood of Vol are a bunch of freaken' cultists."  Raphael stretched and looked on down the road.   "So we leaving then?  Some of us have places to be."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Righto, sounds good. Everyone have your horse to ride?"  
 

 "Yup, let's get going." 
Kish
You get back on your horses and continue to ride.

About two hours later, Soren, Kaarna, Adrianna, and Raphael start itching badly. About ten minutes later, Scholar makes a strange noise.  "We should stop,"  she says.  "There's something I need to look at."  She pulls her horse to a stop and dismounts.
Athedia
Raphael kept scratching at himself.   "Kaarna, did that cloud poison us somehow?  I didn't go into it but I don't know how that thing works."   When Scholar pulled the horse to the side Raphael sighed in relief.  He slid off the horse and started rubbing down his arms trying to dull the itch.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren grimaces at the itch crawling up his arms and across his shoulders. He wiggles in his saddle, scratching himself and even running his scarf along his back where his nails can't reach.  "Dammit, I bet we caught something in there, fleas or something. Maybe rust monster fleas, if Scholar's itchy too."  He pulls up the sleeves of his tunic with a grunt of frustration, about ready to take a wire scrubber to it if that would make the itching go away.
CWater
 "What the hell- Veca!"  Kaarna grabs the scorpion to hold him at eye level.   Did that cloud spell have some side effect you didn't mention?!  
  No! Not that I know of! It's something else! Stop manhandling me, you cretin!  

The witch scoffs and tries to sit more comfortably, not really succeeding.  "He claims it's not because of the cloud",  she says out loud.
Kish
 "It's not fleas,"  Scholar says,  "unless fleas can do this."  Turning to face Soren, she gestures to her chest, where an odd reddish tattoo seems to be forming.

 
 Spoiler 

 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "It's not fleas,"  Scholar says,  "unless fleas can do this."  Turning to face Soren, she gestures to her chest, where an odd reddish tattoo seems to be forming.

 
 Spoiler 

 
 
 
 

For once Soren's left utterly speechless. The reins slip from his fingers and fall to the side of the horse as he stares at the reddish mark on Scholar's chest.

 "...That's a...That's a dragonmark. But you...you're a...that's impossible..." 

Soren stares wide-eyed at Scholar for a moment that stretches for centuries. He doesn't move. He doesn't breathe. And then in a frantic flurry of motion he tears off his own tunic and all but hurls it aside to stare at his own chest.

 
 Spoiler: Kish 
Is this where the thing we were talking about happens?! That's what you meant by a perfect place to put it?! Oh my god this is gonna be amazing, for everyone!
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Soren's chest 

 
 
Athedia
Raphael stared at the mark on Scholar's chest.  "But warforged... you can't.... you're not even.  That itching can't mean...."   Then he turned around, searching all over his body for anything similar.
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Raphael's chest 

 
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler: Soren's chest 

 
 
 
 

Soren stares down at his chest in horrified disbelief. He leans closer until his stubble scratches his collarbone, as if a closer look will reveal it to be some sort of trick, make the mark go away. But if anything else, it's even more indelibly etched on his skin. A strangled whimper gurgles from his throat as he stares at the mark. The dragonmark that's not the Mark of Storm but doesn't look like any aberrant mark he's ever heard of.

 "AAAAHHHHH!!!!!!"  he screams as he jumps back, as if trying to jump out of his own skin.  "AAAAAHHHHH!!!! WHAT THE ****?! AAAHHHHHHH!!!!" 
CWater
 "What, those marks are contagious now?!"  Kaarna loosens the strings on the side of her tunic to see her own chest.  "And yeesh kid, don't lose your head." 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Kaarna's chest 

 
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler: Raphael's chest 

 
 
 
 

 "No. This is impossible!"   Raphael started to claw at his chest, trying to remove the mark.  As he panicked, he started to alter in strange ways.  His skin started to cycle through every imaginable hue that human and nonhuman could hold. The panicked figure grew and lost fur, head changing from elf to orc to goblinoid and back again.  Growing and shrinking nothing could remove the mark from the exposed chest.   When the crying and screaming stopped a younger woman knelt on the ground, her near-featureless face still crying as she weakly scratched at the symbol in vain.
CWater
Kaarna traced the lines of the mark on her chest, if the hand shaked, it was hard to spot.
  That's... disturbing. Do you want-  
  QUIET!! Not now!  
 "Innnteresting",  Kaarna said and floated of her horse, having cast the flight hex almost without noticing. Still stroking the mark, she flew closer to the others to take a better look at theirs.  "Yours is prettier",  she said to Scholar,  "Like a dragon, that's cool. Mine's like, I dunno... disfigured seastar?"  She laughed at that. Cold sweat ran down her spine, but the witch firmly ignored it.


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "No. This is impossible!"   Raphael started to claw at his chest, trying to remove the mark.  As he panicked, he started to alter in strange ways.  His skin started to cycle through every imaginable hue that human and nonhuman could hold. The panicked figure grew and lost fur, head changing from elf to orc to goblinoid and back again.  Growing and shrinking nothing could remove the mark from the exposed chest.   When the crying and screaming stopped a younger woman knelt on the ground, her near-featureless face still crying as she weakly scratched at the symbol in vain. 
 

 "And that's also very curious",  Kaarna said, and landed to stand next to 'Raphael' and peered down to see her face,  "Don't think I've seen one like you either, gotta hand it to you. And here I actually believed you had no more secrets. I thought we agreed..."  Her voice was steely. Focusing on anger, that was always much easier.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "And that's also very curious",  Kaarna said, and landed to stand next to 'Raphael' and peered down to see her face,  "Don't think I've seen one like you either, gotta hand it to you. And here I actually believed you had no more secrets. I thought we agreed..."  Her voice was steely. Focusing on anger, that was always much easier. 
 

The girl looked up, clutching her shirt closed with one hand, the other helping to push her away from Kaarna.  It was obvious that she was shaking as her pupil-less eyes stared up in terror.   "Please don't kill me.  I swear I wasn't going to do anything! I just wanted to get out of here safe." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna traced the lines of the mark on her chest, if the hand shaked, it was hard to spot.
  That's... disturbing. Do you want-  
  QUIET!! Not now!  
 "Innnteresting",  Kaarna said and floated of her horse, having cast the flight hex almost without noticing. Still stroking the mark, she flew closer to the others to take a better look at theirs.  "Yours is prettier",  she said to Scholar,  "Like a dragon, that's cool. Mine's like, I dunno... disfigured seastar?"  She laughed at that. Cold sweat ran down her spine, but the witch firmly ignored it. 
 

 "How are you so calm about this?! This isn't supposed to happen! That altar did something! I saw it flash magic for a moment and there were dragonmarks moving all over the walls! And these marks don't quite seem normal and I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS MARK IS!"  he screams, half scrabbling and half pointing at his own chest.




 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "No. This is impossible!"   Raphael started to claw at his chest, trying to remove the mark.  As he panicked, he started to alter in strange ways.  His skin started to cycle through every imaginable hue that human and nonhuman could hold. The panicked figure grew and lost fur, head changing from elf to orc to goblinoid and back again.  Growing and shrinking nothing could remove the mark from the exposed chest.   When the crying and screaming stopped a younger woman knelt on the ground, her near-featureless face still crying as she weakly scratched at the symbol in vain. 
 


  "And that's also very curious",  Kaarna said, and landed to stand next to 'Raphael' and peered down to see her face,  "Don't think I've seen one like you either, gotta hand it to you. And here I actually believed you had no more secrets. I thought we agreed..."  Her voice was steely. Focusing on anger, that was always much easier. 

 "AND YOU'RE A CHANGELING!"  Which yes, okay, was blindingly obvious but with one shock on top of another it's not as though Soren was able to think of anything else better to say at the moment. Still, the sight of her sobbing and hunched on the ground with her shirt torn open is enough to give him temporary pause. The changeling might be a multiple time liar, but still...

Soren goes over to her, panic still running through his mind, and places a hand on one torn edge of fabric, the other a soft and (hopefully) comforting weight on her shoulder. With a hum the cloth knits together in his clenched fist and "Raphael's" shirt becomes whole once more...

But Soren doesn't let go. Instead he looks down at the changeling woman and says, fighting and failing to keep his own fear down,  "What's your name, really?" 
Silverraptor
Adrianna pried at the chest of her front armor a little bit before stopping. She stood there and concentrated on tolerating the itching until it passed, then she exhaled.
 "Given that we are close to proper civilization and how hard it would be to get this armor on and off..." 
She looks around at everyone else.
 "And given there are no immediate side effects currently, I'll take a look later as we have more pressing concerns." 
She pulls the sword out of its sheath and then draws it, pointing the tip down near the neck of the figure that was once Raphael.
 "Such as, what the hell are you?! Answers need to be produced now! Thank you!" 
Kish
 "Different for all of us, and no marks I'm familiar with,"  Scholar muses.  "As Soren said, she appears to be a changeling. Switching from claiming to be the human Raphael d'Tharask to claiming to be the human Raphael Flint rather than admitting to being a changeling with a probably rather more feminine name seems an odd decision, strange person. Particularly while casually advertising your skill with traps and locks." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 The girl looked up, clutching her shirt closed with one hand, the other helping to push her away from Kaarna.  It was obvious that she was shaking as her pupil-less eyes stared up in terror.   "Please don't kill me.  I swear I wasn't going to do anything! I just wanted to get out of here safe."  
 

Kaarna stepped after the girl on her face an angry grimace that showed her canines.  "Really? Oh, how convenient for you",  she snarled,  "I don't like liars, especially one's that swear honesty, hate them actually. And  this ",  she pointed the mark on her chest,  "little surprise hasn't made my mood any better!" 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "How are you so calm about this?! This isn't supposed to happen! That altar did something! I saw it flash magic for a moment and there were dragonmarks moving all over the walls! And these marks don't quite seem normal and I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS MARK IS!"  he screams, half scrabbling and half pointing at his own chest. 
 

 "Well running around screaming like panicked hen ain't going to fix anything!"  Kaarna shouted over her shoulder.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna stepped after the girl on her face an angry grimace that showed her canines.  "Really? Oh, how convenient for you",  she snarled,  "I don't like liars, especially one's that swear honesty, hate them actually. And  this ",  she pointed the mark on her chest,  "little surprise hasn't made my mood any better!"  
 

 "What choice did I have?  I needed to get out of there or they would have killed me, or eaten me, or worse!   She kept backing up until she reached the edge of the path.  She stared at where Kaarna pointed,  "You shouldn't have one either...." 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "AND YOU'RE A CHANGELING!"  Which yes, okay, was blindingly obvious but with one shock on top of another it's not as though Soren was able to think of anything else better to say at the moment. Still, the sight of her sobbing and hunched on the ground with her shirt torn open is enough to give him temporary pause. The changeling might be a multiple time liar, but still...

Soren goes over to her, panic still running through his mind, and places a hand on one torn edge of fabric, the other a soft and (hopefully) comforting weight on her shoulder. With a hum the cloth knits together in his clenched fist and "Raphael's" shirt becomes whole once more...

But Soren doesn't let go. Instead he looks down at the changeling woman and says, fighting and failing to keep his own fear down,  "What's your name, really?"  
 

She looked at him, eyes darting toward the horses and then back at him as she tried to formulate an escape plan.  Then her shoulders slumped.   "Xan."   Her voice was resigned and most of her remarkably light body weight being held up by his grip on her shirt.


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "And given there are no immediate side effects currently, I'll take a look later as we have more pressing concerns."  She pulls the sword out of its sheath and then draws it, pointing the tip down near the neck of the figure that was once Raphael.
 "Such as, what the hell are you?! Answers need to be produced now! Thank you!"  
 

Xan startled struggling again, fighting to break free of Soren's grip.   "I am no-one!  Please, I just want to live.  You kill my kind!" 
Silverraptor
 "Lets start back at the beginning by reminding you of your predicament." 
She adjusts he stance as "Xan". moves a round a bit, but manages to keep the tip of the sword about the same distance from Xan and her neck with a steady hand.
 "Most importantly, you are the only one in this group I do not have a sworn duty to protect and serve. So being very cooperative would be in your best actions for the time being. Such as stop moving around so much currently." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Different for all of us, and no marks I'm familiar with,"  Scholar muses.  "As Soren said, she appears to be a changeling. Switching from claiming to be the human Raphael d'Tharask to claiming to be the human Raphael Flint rather than admitting to being a changeling with a probably rather more feminine name seems an odd decision, strange person. Particularly while casually advertising your skill with traps and locks."  
 

 "Can never trust the sneaky folks",  Kaarna grits her teeth.


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "What choice did I have?  I needed to get out of there or they would have killed me, or eaten me, or worse!   She kept backing up until she reached the edge of the path.  She stared at where Kaarna pointed,  "You shouldn't have one either...." 

She looked at him, eyes darting toward the horses and then back at him as she tried to formulate an escape plan.  Then her shoulders slumped.   "Xan."   Her voice was resigned and most of her remarkably light body weight being held up by his grip on her shirt.

Xan startled struggling again, fighting to break free of Soren's grip.   "I am no-one!  Please, I just want to live.  You kill my kind!"  
 

 "Always with the excuses!",  Kaarna growls,  "I don't give a damn what they do or don't do to your kind, but give me one reason why I shouldn't rip your guts out!" 

EDIT:

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Lets start back at the beginning by reminding you of your predicament." 
She adjusts he stance as "Xan". moves a round a bit, but manages to keep the tip of the sword about the same distance from Xan and her neck with a steady hand.
 "Most importantly, you are the only one in this group I do not have a sworn duty to protect and serve. So being very cooperative would be in your best actions for the time being. Such as stop moving around so much currently."  
 

Kaarna looked up at Adrianna.  "Or do you want to deal with her? You can too, if you want."  There was something in that girl's calmness that unnerved the shifter. There was a fight she didn't want to pick.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Lets start back at the beginning by reminding you of your predicament." 
She adjusts he stance as "Xan". moves a round a bit, but manages to keep the tip of the sword about the same distance from Xan and her neck with a steady hand.
 "Most importantly, you are the only one in this group I do not have a sworn duty to protect and serve. So being very cooperative would be in your best actions for the time being. Such as stop moving around so much currently."  
 

Xan froze, her eyes tracking the blade as her breath grew quicker and more shallow.   "I was on an airship.  It did crash out there, but not because of me.  The real Raphael was left at a tavern somewhere, drunk out of his mind.  I can't afford to die out here." 
Silverraptor
 "I see we're starting at the present and working our way back. Alright, the two current questions, why were you 'captured' by the lizards and why were you on that airship to begin with. Oh, and I guess please tell us how did the air ship crash? So that actually makes it 3 questions. And you-" 
Adrianna points with her free hand directly at Kaarna without looking at her.
 "-shut up." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "I see we're starting at the present and working our way back. Alright, the two current questions, why were you 'captured' by the lizards and why were you on that airship to begin with. Oh, and I guess please tell us how did the air ship crash? So that actually makes it 3 questions. And you-" 
Adrianna points with her free hand directly at Kaarna without looking at her.
 "-shut up."  
 

Xan glared at her, and spat the words out.   "I was captured because I survived!  I spoke their language and they thought it might be useful.  As for why I was on the ship, I don't know.  My orders were to arrive once I reached the destination!  The crash... I wish I knew.  I was hiding when it happened.  I heard fighting though so pirates is probably a safe guess." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "I see we're starting at the present and working our way back. Alright, the two current questions, why were you 'captured' by the lizards and why were you on that airship to begin with. Oh, and I guess please tell us how did the air ship crash? So that actually makes it 3 questions. And you-" 
Adrianna points with her free hand directly at Kaarna without looking at her.
 "-shut up."  
 

 "-... ..."  Kaarna closes her mouth; she grits her teeth, but takes a step back, the part of her that works on instinct actually  very  happy to be farther away from the girl in heavy armour. She crosses her arms and continues to glare at Xan
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 [COLOR="#008000"]
She looked at him, eyes darting toward the horses and then back at him as she tried to formulate an escape plan.  Then her shoulders slumped.   "Xan."   Her voice was resigned and most of her remarkably light body weight being held up by his grip on her shirt.



Xan startled struggling again, fighting to break free of Soren's grip.   "I am no-one!  Please, I just want to live.  You kill my kind!"  
 

 "Nice to meet you, Xan!"  Soren says with what probably isn't entirely forced cheer. Still, he keeps a tight grip on the front of her shirt.  "And I'm pretty sure I've never killed a changeling in my life." 

He then falls silent as Adrianna steps in, his mouth falling open as she effortlessly takes charge. Somehow her quiet authority, the way she holds herself, her quiet demands are so much scarier than Kaarna's burning rage and creepy threats.


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "I see we're starting at the present and working our way back. Alright, the two current questions, why were you 'captured' by the lizards and why were you on that airship to begin with. Oh, and I guess please tell us how did the air ship crash? So that actually makes it 3 questions. And you-" 
Adrianna points with her free hand directly at Kaarna without looking at her.
 "-shut up."  
 

 "Holy ****,"  Soren mutters to himself, still holding on to Xan. This day has been full of unexpected and shocking things, but that alone is near the top of the list.
Kish
 "Orders from whom?"  Scholar asks.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Orders from whom?"  Scholar asks. 
 

Xan flinched away at the sudden approach of the construct.   "I don't know their name.  But if I don't report they'll think I ran and then.... and then...."   She started hyperventilating at that thought.
Kish
 "What  do  you know about 'them'?" 
CoffeeIncluded
A cold thought strikes Soren.  "And then what? You're not part of the Claw, are you?"] 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "What  do  you know about 'them'?"  
 

 "I think they have political power or something.  I don't know. Sometimes I report back and when I return to the city again, the person I told them about has disappeared... or become rich... or died."  Xan actually edged toward Adrianne's sword in her attempts to avoid the warforged.


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 A cold thought strikes Soren.  "And then what? You're not part of the Claw, are you?"]  
 

She spun toward Soren and spat in his face.   "I told you that those are all a bunch of crazed cultists!" 
Silverraptor
 "If it were anyone else's face you would have spat in. But given it was just a Soren, I'll let you off with a final warning. Now then, why are you being pursued by this unknown force or agent and what were your current orders. Answer truthfully and I may tell you some good news about your predicament with them." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "If it were anyone else's face you would have spat in. But given it was just a Soren, I'll let you off with a final warning. Now then, why are you being pursued by this unknown force or agent and what were your current orders. Answer truthfully and I may tell you some good news about your predicament with them."  
 

Xan managed to turn a little more pale.   "I wasn't being pursued.  I... have a debt.  And I told you, I would only learn my orders once I got off the airship." 
Kish
 "While half of Adrianna's sentence seems to be missing, you are being awfully unforthcoming with details. There will probably be fewer swords pointed at you if you don't make us ask, tiny bit of information by tiny bit of information, about this debt." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I think they have political power or something.  I don't know. Sometimes I report back and when I return to the city again, the person I told them about has disappeared... or become rich... or died."  Xan actually edged toward Adrianne's sword in her attempts to avoid the warforged.



She spun toward Soren and spat in his face.   "I told you that those are all a bunch of crazed cultists!"  
 

 "Hey!"  Soren wipes the spit off his face, and cleans it off with a Prestidigitation for good measure.  "That wasn't really nice. And you could have been faking that too, although I didn't think you were." 

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "If it were anyone else's face you would have spat in. But given it was just a Soren, I'll let you off with a final warning. Now then, why are you being pursued by this unknown force or agent and what were your current orders. Answer truthfully and I may tell you some good news about your predicament with them."  
 

Soren shoots Adrianna a wounded look before turning back to Xan.  "I think you're stuck with us because of these dragonmarks. So, this debt. Are you in trouble?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "While half of Adrianna's sentence seems to be missing, you are being awfully unforthcoming with details. There will probably be fewer swords pointed at you if you don't make us ask, tiny bit of information by tiny bit of information, about this debt."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Hey!"  Soren wipes the spit off his face, and cleans it off with a Prestidigitation for good measure.  "That wasn't really nice. And you could have been faking that too, although I didn't think you were." 

Soren shoots Adrianna a wounded look before turning back to Xan.  "I think you're stuck with us because of these dragonmarks. So, this debt. Are you in trouble?"  
 

 "I-. They-."   Xan looked around as if making sure that no-one else was listening.  Her eyes spotted Athard and the dark circles around them creased in puzzlement then widened.   "Wait.  You weren't scratching!  You did this!" 
Silverraptor
Adrianna moves her eyes slightly towards Athard, but not enough to let Xan out of her sight.
 "Very good point. Kaarna? Scholar? Keep an eye on Athard. We'll talk to him in a bit." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna moves her eyes slightly towards Athard, but not enough to let Xan out of her sight.
 "Very good point. Kaarna? Scholar? Keep an eye on Athard. We'll talk to him in a bit."  
 

 "Yeah, sure."  Kaarna takes flight suddenly, landing behind Athard with a kunai pointed at his throat.  "I saved your life once, not too long ago. I don't like to think it was for nothing, but this is all very weird. And I'm not happy and won't miss an excuse to stab someone. So just stand still for a moment, and we'll sort this out." 
Kish
 "Threatening Athard seems excessive. If Soren is correct that this is something the altar did, more likely he was not affected because he was swimming in lava rather than standing near it with the rest of us. Though that suggests a rather narrow time window in which this happened, for it to have affected Kaarna but not him." 
Silverraptor
 "Well thinking back, when did the dragon mummy thing die?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Threatening Athard seems excessive. If Soren is correct that this is something the altar did, more likely he was not affected because he was swimming in lava rather than standing near it with the rest of us. Though that suggests a rather narrow time window in which this happened, for it to have affected Kaarna but not him."  
 

 "Right. And that's why I'm keeping the pointy end at his throat until we decide on something. I didn't say I  wanted  to stab him."  The witch pauses and considers that for a moment.  "Okay fine, maybe I almost did. But that doesn't yet mean I'm  going  to." 

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Well thinking back, when did the dragon mummy thing die?"  
 

 "It was still moving when I dived after him, dropped when we got up. Think of that what you will, but it doesn't sound likely to me." 
Silverraptor
 "That's what I thought. And then everyone was on the platform when we grabbed everything. So something weird is playing afoot here." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Right. And that's why I'm keeping the pointy end at his throat until we decide on something. I didn't say I  wanted  to stab him."  The witch pauses and considers that for a moment.  "Okay fine, maybe I almost did. But that doesn't yet mean I'm  going  to." 
 "It was still moving when I dived after him, dropped when we got up. Think of that what you will, but it doesn't sound likely to me."  
 

Athard drops his expression of silent shock to glare at Kaarna. He grasps her hand that holds the knife and politely but forcefully puts it down.  "Really, Kaarna? Think for a moment. I'm the only one who didn't actually approach that altar." 
Athedia
Xan looked up carefully edging a little further away from the blade of the sword as a distracted Soren's grip loosened.   "I was just looking for a safe way out, you would have killed me or left me to die if you had known the truth."   As she spoke she suddenly twisted out of Soren's grasp and backed up a few steps.  Her hands reached down to her belt where the pouch and two swords hung...and released it letting the belt crash to the ground.  Two knives clattered after as she twisted her wrists to release the sheaths, raising her hands to place them behind her head.  After this quick movement she looked Adrianna straight in the eye.   "Are you allowed to kill some who is defenseless? " 
Silverraptor
 "No. But I'm allowed to kill someone who is disobeying and looks like they were about to go for a weapon!" 
She raises her sword back and steps forward to replace Xan's shirt that was just freed from Soren's grasp with her own hand. Adrianna's grasp is much more firm then Soren's and she is pulling on it enough that Xan would be forced to take a half step closer to Adrianna or risk tripping. Adrianna is now inches from Xan, especially her face, as she glares in Xan's pupiless eyes.
 "Now keep your hands raised and stop moving until we tell you! Don't do that kind of thing on your own again! If you want to drop your weapons, let us know BEFORE you start doing it!" 
She kicks aside Xan's belt away from them.
 "Now what is this debt of yours?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Athard drops his expression of silent shock to glare at Kaarna. He grasps her hand that holds the knife and politely but forcefully puts it down.  "Really, Kaarna? Think for a moment. I'm the only one who didn't actually approach that altar."  
 

 "Don't try that",  Kaarna hissed when Athard's hand moved and the kunai poked his neck, not quite spilling blood,  "I'm not kidding. And maybe you don't have anything to do with this. Let's hope so." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "No. But I'm allowed to kill someone who is disobeying and looks like they were about to go for a weapon!" 
She raises her sword back and steps forward to replace Xan's shirt that was just freed from Soren's grasp with her own hand. Adrianna's grasp is much more firm then Soren's and she is pulling on it enough that Xan would be forced to take a half step closer to Adrianna or risk tripping. Adrianna is now inches from Xan, especially her face, as she glares in Xan's pupiless eyes.
 "Now keep your hands raised and stop moving until we tell you! Don't do that kind of thing on your own again! If you want to drop your weapons, let us know BEFORE you start doing it!" 
She kicks aside Xan's belt away from them.
 "Now what is this debt of yours?"  
 

 "I'm not stupid, I would have run not fought."  Xan resisted the grip on her shirt but eventually stumbled forward. She was silent for a while, before sighing and speaking quietly.   "They have my brother, okay. We were hiding and he was too young to control the shifting.  He followed me out one day and they caught him.  The arrangement is that they keep him safe and fed and I do what they tell me to.  Satisfied? They'll find out and hurt him and it will be my fault."  
Kish
 "Considering how little you apparently know about  them , do you have any reason to believe they didn't kill your brother long ago?"  Scholar asks. She looks back and forth between Kaarna/Athard and Adrianna/"Xan" as she speaks, urging her horse to a point equidistant from both groups. She looks like she's ready to cast a spell, though on whom is unclear.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I'm not stupid, I would have run not fought."  Xan resisted the grip on her shirt but eventually stumbled forward. She was silent for a while, before sighing and speaking quietly.   "They have my brother, okay. We were hiding and he was too young to control the shifting.  He followed me out one day and they caught him.  The arrangement is that they keep him safe and fed and I do what they tell me to.  Satisfied? They'll find out and hurt him and it will be my fault."   
 

Soren gasps, and where before he had tried to grab Xan before now he lets his hand fall to his side. She's doing it for her little brother, and it's all to easy to see him and Blake in that situation.

 "Scholar!"  he gasps at her suggestion.  "Don't--you don't say things like that in that way, even if--well, they're not true!"  he's thinking on his feet, running to keep up.  "Xan, who's this "they"? Maybe we can help. They've got to be pretty strong, but small enough that you're really valuable   So they wouldn't do anything to your brother because if they did, you'd never work for them again and would probably fight them..."  he looks over at her, again the sense of betrayal and distrust somewhat eased by understanding and empathy.  "I'm so sorry."  He places a hand on her arm.  "That's awful, that they'd do that, and force you to do this...and you're a really good sister to protect your little brother. He's lucky to have a sister like you. And we'll find a way to keep him safe, even with these marks." 
Silverraptor
 "I'm not entirely convinced on the topic myself. Given that you lied to us multiple times. First your were Raphael apart of Tharashk. Then when we called you out on it, you retracted that part but swore you were still a Raphael. Now that has proven to be a complete lie! This brother may be made up as well! And even if that's true, there is still a problem. How long ago did the airship crash and you were captured?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Considering how little you apparently know about  them , do you have any reason to believe they didn't kill your brother long ago?"  Scholar asks. She looks back and forth between Kaarna/Athard and Adrianna/"Xan" as she speaks, urging her horse to a point equidistant from both groups. She looks like she's ready to cast a spell, though on whom is unclear. 
 

 "I get to see him.  Before you ask, yes they make him shift so I know he isn't false."  Her voice is angry as she spat the words out at the warforged.   "You wouldn't get it, you can't understand!" 

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren gasps, and where before he had tried to grab Xan before now he lets his hand fall to his side. She's doing it for her little brother, and it's all to easy to see him and Blake in that situation.

 "Scholar!"  he gasps at her suggestion.  "Don't--you don't say things like that in that way, even if--well, they're not true!"  he's thinking on his feet, running to keep up.  "Xan, who's this "they"? Maybe we can help. They've got to be pretty strong, but small enough that you're really valuable   So they wouldn't do anything to your brother because if they did, you'd never work for them again and would probably fight them..."  he looks over at her, again the sense of betrayal and distrust somewhat eased by understanding and empathy.  "I'm so sorry."  He places a hand on her arm.  "That's awful, that they'd do that, and force you to do this...and you're a really good sister to protect your little brother. He's lucky to have a sister like you. And we'll find a way to keep him safe, even with these marks."  
 

Xan shrugged a little, trying to dislodge Soren without angering Adrianna more.   "He doesn't think so.  Barely talks to me anymore.  Anyway, that's life.  It was war back then.  You should know that Karnath doesn't take kindly to surprises among the enlisted men.  Especially when they find a dead changeling in their midst.  And you can only run so long.  At least these people only want information, the army might have needed an assassin." 

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "I'm not entirely convinced on the topic myself. Given that you lied to us multiple times. First your were Raphael apart of Tharashk. Then when we called you out on it, you retracted that part but swore you were still a Raphael. Now that has proven to be a complete lie! This brother may be made up as well! And even if that's true, there is still a problem. How long ago did the airship crash and you were captured?"  
 

 "I lied to make myself valuable! To protect myself."   At the last question Xan paused, lips moving but not speaking.   "Well I was just coming to when the lizardmen found me, plus the sleep, meals... Maybe a week before?  I had no real way of keeping time.  
Kish
 "Tell us everything you know about this  them ."  Scholar appears unmoved by Xan's anger.
Silverraptor
 "Well I have some unfortunate news. When airships fail to report to a scheduled destination at a scheduled time, it becomes public knowledge. Especially if they were going to meet you when you got off, they would of course not fail to notice the airship never arrived. And if the news came out it crashed, and that it may have been attacked by pirates, then they probably think you are dead. Or that you even ran off. So what happens to your brother now?" 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
Adrianna is testing Xan's reaction, to see if her brother story has any weight behind it.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Tell us everything you know about this  them ."  Scholar appears unmoved by Xan's anger. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Well I have some unfortunate news. When airships fail to report to a scheduled destination at a scheduled time, it becomes public knowledge. Especially if they were going to meet you when you got off, they would of course not fail to notice the airship never arrived. And if the news came out it crashed, and that it may have been attacked by pirates, then they probably think you are dead. Or that you even ran off. So what happens to your brother now?" 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
Adrianna is testing Xan's reaction, to see if her brother story has any weight behind it.
 
 
 

Xan froze, her pupil-less eyes still managing to widen in horror.  "No! They can't think that.  LET GO GODDAMMIT!"   She quickly shifted into the body of a smaller boy (5 foot, very tan skin, brown hair), using the reduction in mass to slip out of her shirt, the mark now clearly visible.   "I need a Sending scroll, a priest, SOMETHING!"   She grabbed the pouch on her belt and hissed out the command word, turning it over and spilling out the contents.  A pile of copper coins flowed out as she looked in vain for something to contact people with.
Silverraptor
Adrianna was initially surprised and felt a twinge of aggravation as Xan slipped out of her shirt as a smaller boy. But her mad desperate struggle to find something that could help her contact someone did calm her somewhat. After a few seconds scraping around in her stuff for a sending scroll, Xan felt an armored hand grip her left upper arm, near her shoulder and pull her back up and whip her around to face Adrianna again. When Xan looks at Adrianna she'll notice a much softer expression on Adrianna's face.
 "It's alright, I believe you about your brother. I just needed to see your reaction. And relax, your brother is almost definitely still alive. Whoever has them will almost entirely think you died in the crash, as you would have if we didn't show up, so they have no reason to harm him if they don't think there is any possible retaliation from you. In all likelihood, they are probably going to groom and set him up to replace you in whatever they had you doing." 
Adrianna flashes a calming smile to reassure Xan. But that lasts a moment, before the hard expression returned.
 "That said, you are awfully determined to be a slippery little changeling! Back to your normal form! Now! And then you can continue telling us who 'they' are and everything you know about 'them'." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I get to see him.  Before you ask, yes they make him shift so I know he isn't false."  Her voice is angry as she spat the words out at the warforged.   "You wouldn't get it, you can't understand!"  
 

 ""I do."  Soren's voice is soft.

 Xan shrugged a little, trying to dislodge Soren without angering Adrianna more.   "He doesn't think so.  Barely talks to me anymore.  Anyway, that's life.  It was war back then.  You should know that Karnath doesn't take kindly to surprises among the enlisted men.  Especially when they find a dead changeling in their midst.  And you can only run so long.  At least these people only want information, the army might have needed an assassin."  

 "No, they don't. That's why Blake and I left. So you're from Karrnath. I kinda hear the accent, now."  His face is pained, the thought of what she and her brother went through heavy on his mind.

 "But the war's over..."  So why do they want information? Still, given her response last time he doesn't mention it.


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan froze, her pupil-less eyes still managing to widen in horror.  "No! They can't think that.  LET GO GODDAMMIT!"   She quickly shifted into the body of a smaller boy (5 foot, very tan skin, brown hair), using the reduction in mass to slip out of her shirt, the mark now clearly visible.   "I need a Sending scroll, a priest, SOMETHING!"   She grabbed the pouch on her belt and hissed out the command word, turning it over and spilling out the contents.  A pile of copper coins flowed out as she looked in vain for something to contact people with. 
 

Oh no. Soren didn't think of that either, but while he freezes she panics.  "Xan! XAN!"  He springs up and runs over to her as she shifts into the frantic panicking young boy desperately clawing through her supplies. He runs over and kneels down on her level, reaches out to her wrists.  "Xan, listen to me! I'm sorry! We don't have that! But Sur'kil, the guy who hired us is loaded!"  He's babbling now, but even as he does he realizes that the idea which comes into his head isn't a bad one.  "Look, come back with us and he'll pay you--I'll make sure he will--and you'll be able to buy a Sending from House Jorasco or something!" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna was initially surprised and felt a twinge of aggravation as Xan slipped out of her shirt as a smaller boy. But her mad desperate struggle to find something that could help her contact someone did calm her somewhat. After a few seconds scraping around in her stuff for a sending scroll, Xan felt an armored hand grip her left upper arm, near her shoulder and pull her back up and whip her around to face Adrianna again. When Xan looks at Adrianna she'll notice a much softer expression on Adrianna's face.
 "It's alright, I believe you about your brother. I just needed to see your reaction. And relax, your brother is almost definitely still alive. Whoever has them will almost entirely think you died in the crash, as you would have if we didn't show up, so they have no reason to harm him if they don't think there is any possible retaliation from you. In all likelihood, they are probably going to groom and set him up to replace you in whatever they had you doing."  
 

Strangely this consolation didn't seem to comfort Xan.   "Replace... no.  He'd most likely believe them." 

 Adrianna flashes a calming smile to reassure Xan. But that lasts a moment, before the hard expression returned.
 "That said, you are awfully determined to be a slippery little changeling! Back to your normal form! Now! And then you can continue telling us who 'they' are and everything you know about 'them'."  


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Oh no. Soren didn't think of that either, but while he freezes she panics.  "Xan! XAN!"  He springs up and runs over to her as she shifts into the frantic panicking young boy desperately clawing through her supplies. He runs over and kneels down on her level, reaches out to her wrists.  "Xan, listen to me! I'm sorry! We don't have that! But Sur'kil, the guy who hired us is loaded!"  He's babbling now, but even as he does he realizes that the idea which comes into his head isn't a bad one.  "Look, come back with us and he'll pay you--I'll make sure he will--and you'll be able to buy a Sending from House Jorasco or something!"  
 

Xan didn't shift back into changeling form, instead looking back to where her shirt lay on the path.  She reached out for it, her arm much to short to reach the distance, especially in the smaller body.  "Your employer will just have the same reaction.  Even shifters fear us."  She glared over at Kaarna, but didn't struggle anymore in Adrianna's grasp.   "I don't know much but they have enough money to supply me to get around and scout out different things.  I managed to see them take my brother back to wherever they hide him in a stagecoach once, but it was unmarked.  We always meet somewhere around the capital so either they are located there or can afford to travel there often.  They were really unhappy when the king started working toward peace, the tasks got a lot harder then.  After.. after Cyre things changed a little.  Instead of spying on troops in the cities the letters started guiding me more to the politicians and dealmakers. After the peace it was to observe more of the wealthy people and those with businesses. I just picked things up at dead drops.  Left things there too." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan didn't shift back into changeling form, instead looking back to where her shirt lay on the path.  She reached out for it, her arm much to short to reach the distance, especially in the smaller body.  "Your employer will just have the same reaction.  Even shifters fear us."  She glared over at Kaarna, but didn't struggle anymore in Adrianna's grasp.   "I don't know much but they have enough money to supply me to get around and scout out different things.  I managed to see them take my brother back to wherever they hide him in a stagecoach once, but it was unmarked.  We always meet somewhere around the capital so either they are located there or can afford to travel there often.  They were really unhappy when the king started working toward peace, the tasks got a lot harder then.  After.. after Cyre things changed a little.  Instead of spying on troops in the cities the letters started guiding me more to the politicians and dealmakers. After the peace it was to observe more of the wealthy people and those with businesses. I just picked things up at dead drops.  Left things there too."  
 

Soren listens to Xan's description, vaguely ill at ease. He leaves it to the side for the moment and says,  "Seriously, Xan, I think it'll be fine. If nothing else Sharn's got some changelings for sure. Even if he doesn't pay you I'll give you a cut, enough to get a Sending off to and make sure your brother's alive. Or maybe we can find him, and rescue him...But I don't think you'll have a problem with his reaction. Sur'kil hired a shifter and a warforged, and people don't really trust them much in general either--sorry, but it's kinda true,"  he says to Kaarna and Scholar.  "Actually..."  he trails off as the ideas start to come together in his head,  "That might have been why he hired us, especially you guys in the first place." 
Silverraptor
 "Like what? He hired Scholar and Kaarna to see about minimizing them getting marks? What about you and Athard? Were you guys part of the control group?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren listens to Xan's description, vaguely ill at ease. He leaves it to the side for the moment and says,  "Seriously, Xan, I think it'll be fine. If nothing else Sharn's got some changelings for sure. Even if he doesn't pay you I'll give you a cut, enough to get a Sending off to and make sure your brother's alive. Or maybe we can find him, and rescue him...But I don't think you'll have a problem with his reaction. Sur'kil hired a shifter and a warforged, and people don't really trust them much in general either--sorry, but it's kinda true,"  he says to Kaarna and Scholar.  "Actually..."  he trails off as the ideas start to come together in his head,  "That might have been why he hired us, especially you guys in the first place."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Like what? He hired Scholar and Kaarna to see about minimizing them getting marks? What about you and Athard? Were you guys part of the control group?"  
 

 "Oh wow.  This guy sounds like a treat."   Xan's voice was dry and humorless.  She had folded her arms across her chest, giving up trying to reach her shirt.   "How do you  hire  a warforged?  It's just another tool.  Kaarna, I don't see as a test subject.  She's too scary and you don't mess with shifters.  And if you want me back in my normal form, I would appreciate my shirt back." 
Silverraptor
 "You lost access to your shirt when you slipped out of it and my grasp. You'll get it back when I'm convinced you aren't a threat to us. And besides, most of us are females here anyways. Athard's the only man here and he can turn away if you want." 
 
 Spoiler 
Yeah, the slipping out of her shirt desperation move to also escape Adrianna's iron clad grip did not please Adrianna very much. I was more expecting Xan to just start crying when Adrianna brought up her point.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "You lost access to your shirt when you slipped out of it and my grasp. You'll get it back when I'm convinced you aren't a threat to us. And besides, most of us are females here anyways. Athard's the only man here and he can turn away if you want." 
 
 Spoiler 
Yeah, the slipping out of her shirt desperation move to also escape Adrianna's iron clad grip did not please Adrianna very much. I was more expecting Xan to just start crying when Adrianna brought up her point.
 
 
 

Xan looked from Adrianna to Soren and then back at Adrianna, puzzlement on her face.   "I will NOT be half naked in my own form. Yours however...."  As Adrianna watched a near match to her own features rippled into place across Xan's face, though the rest of the features were much more guesswork.   "Happy?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Maybe...I think he wanted to see what would happen to Kaarna and Scholar, since shifters don't get dragon marks and Scholar's kinda made of metal and magic and wood." 

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "You lost access to your shirt when you slipped out of it and my grasp. You'll get it back when I'm convinced you aren't a threat to us. And besides, most of us are females here anyways. Athard's the only man here and he can turn away if you want." 
 
 Spoiler 
Yeah, the slipping out of her shirt desperation move to also escape Adrianna's iron clad grip did not please Adrianna very much. I was more expecting Xan to just start crying when Adrianna brought up her point.
 
 
 

The half-elf throws up his hands.  "Oh come on, what is this, **** on Soren day?"
 

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan looked from Adrianna to Soren and then back at Adrianna, puzzlement on her face.   "I will NOT be half naked in my own form. Yours however...."  As Adrianna watched a near match to her own features rippled into place across Xan's face, though the rest of the features were much more guesswork.   "Happy?"  
 

Soren's eyes widen in shock at Xan's brazen transformation. He's about to avert his eyes out of decency--or rather fear of Adrianna killing him--but that last comment makes it impossible to resist. he grins and stares and well...tries not to ogle too much. But when Adrianna turns to him he says, biting back a smirk but utterly failing to keep it out of his voice,  "What? You shouldn't be offended. After all, according to you Athards the only man here!" 
Silverraptor
Adrianna studied Xan for a moment, thinking and pushing back the obvious attempts at embarrassment from Xan. Though she did feel herself possibly turn a little pink.  "You know you could have just removed the most sensitive part of it. Anyways, since we're already on this topic now, can you change my hair to brown? I was curious how I'd look like." 

After Soren says his bit, she chimes back at him.  "It's like what I said, Athard is the only MAN here. And besides..." 
She turns her head away a bit, turning a little more red in the process.
 "...Since you did know more about the marks then anyone else, you were going to see anyways soon enough when we got back to town... And mine don't look like that!" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna studied Xan for a moment, thinking and pushing back the obvious attempts at embarrassment from Xan. Though she did feel herself possibly turn a little pink.  "You know you could have just removed the most sensitive part of it. Anyways, since we're already on this topic now, can you change my hair to brown? I was curious how I'd look like." 

After Soren says his bit, she chimes back at him.  "It's like what I said, Athard is the only MAN here. And besides..." 
She turns her head away a bit, turning a little more red in the process.
 "...Since you did know more about the marks then anyone else, you were going to see anyways soon enough when we got back to town... And mine don't look like that!"  
 

Xan was a little annoyed that Adrianna hadn't reacted quite as she had hoped.  She sulked a little, but the hair eventually changed to a dark rich brown that made the light skin of "Adrianna" stand out even more.   "You said to shift into my own form, which includes those sensitive parts.  Contrary to what you might have been taught Changelings aren't all comfortable being both genders.  Trust me, it feels very wrong."   Xan looked down at her chest then back up at Adrianna.   "And if you want them to look right, I would need an example.  How do we even know you have a mark?  We can see Soren's, mine, Kaarna's, even the warforgeds.  But you could be lying to all of us about that." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna studied Xan's appearance as her with the brown hair, tilting her head around to compare it in the light.
 "Yeeeeeaah... I do look better Blond. Thanks. Now I know not to dye my hair like I was planning. Anyways, I know I got it! I felt a sharp itching sensation at the same time all of you did!" 
She yelled the last bit while beating her chest once producing a loud *Clang* of metal on metal when she did that. Adrianna then reached down and grabbed Xan's shirt with one hand while still not letting go of her with the other. She slapped the shirt against the side of her armor, causing a few clouds of dust from the trail to appear in the air, but for the most part the shirt was clean, or rather cleaner. Adrianna then holds out the shirt to Xan.
 "Now, if I let go of you, will you stay put and agree to a set of conditions before you can continue traveling with us?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna studied Xan's appearance as her with the brown hair, tilting her head around to compare it in the light.
 "Yeeeeeaah... I do look better Blond. Thanks. Now I know not to dye my hair like I was planning. Anyways, I know I got it! I felt a sharp itching sensation at the same time all of you did!" 
She yelled the last bit while beating her chest once producing a loud *Clang* of metal on metal when she did that. Adrianna then reached down and grabbed Xan's shirt with one hand while still not letting go of her with the other. She slapped the shirt against the side of her armor, causing a few clouds of dust from the trail to appear in the air, but for the most part the shirt was clean, or rather cleaner. Adrianna then holds out the shirt to Xan.
 "Now, if I let go of you, will you stay put and agree to a set of conditions before you can continue traveling with us?"  
 


 "I didn't see you scratching."  Xan took the shirt back and clumsily slid it on, unable to do up the front with the grip Adrianna had on her shoulder.   "No tying me up.  I keep my weapons.  I DON'T have to ride with Soren anymore." 
CWater
Kaarna lets out a deep sigh, her anger drained out by frustration.  "Kiiiids...",  she groans and puts the knife away, giving Athard a pat on the back,  "This is why I usually don't agree to more than one of them. Don't stab us in the back, okay? I need more sanity around here."  She turns back towards the rest, ignoring the glaring hypocrisy of her last statement.

 "Finished with your silly shirt-or-not game? Can we focus on the main issue here?"  She points at the dragonmark.  "If none of us knows about these, then who would? That Sur'kil? Don't trust him though he could still talk." 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I didn't see you scratching."  Xan took the shirt back and clumsily slid it on, unable to do up the front with the grip Adrianna had on her shoulder.   "No tying me up.  I keep my weapons.  I DON'T have to ride with Soren anymore."  
 

 "I don't know how you would've been able to see anything with you thrashing and changing all over like that." 
She removes the hand from Xan's shoulder.
 "And all those conditions are perfectly acceptable. The weapons must be in visual sight at all times, and you'll be riding with me. Now you must agree to my set of conditions. You stay in my sight or near me for the entire rest of the trip and for however long you remain in our company. And you must look similar to how your natural appearance is. You can create a human or similar humanoid persona, but it must be of the lighter shade skin color closely matching your natural and your hair must be the white and purple that it is, but you do have permission to alter it's style to look like you dyed your hair. You can even add pretend root color hair of your choice to help convince any onlookers. I want to be able to keep an eye and spot you at a moments notice if anything happens. Do you accept these terms and conditions I have presented to you?" 

She then listened to what Kaarna said. She then points at Soren.
 "Twiddle-dee there seemed to know more about these things as they started appearing. And I'm sure there is a book or something we can look through to compare designs if nothing else and what it might mean." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "I don't know how you would've been able to see anything with you thrashing and changing all over like that." 
She removes the hand from Xan's shoulder.
 "And all those conditions are perfectly acceptable. The weapons must be in visual sight at all times, and you'll be riding with me. Now you must agree to my set of conditions. You stay in my sight or near me for the entire rest of the trip and for however long you remain in our company. And you must look similar to how your natural appearance is. You can create a human or similar humanoid persona, but it must be of the lighter shade skin color closely matching your natural and your hair must be the white and purple that it is, but you do have permission to alter it's style to look like you dyed your hair. You can even add pretend root color hair of your choice to help convince any onlookers. I want to be able to keep an eye and spot you at a moments notice if anything happens. Do you accept these terms and conditions I have presented to you?"  
 

Xan looked like she wanted to protest, but bit her tongue and thought for a moment.  Slowly her hair flowed down her back, no longer white but a deep purple with reddish roots matching the look of Soren's hair.  Her ears grew points and her eyes turned hazel.  She grew slightly, matching Soren's stature.  It didn't take much to realize that she was attempting to look like a female Soren.   "That's as close as I am willing to go."   She went to the pile of coppers, sweeping them back into the bag until she uncovered the white bandage that had been near the bottom of the pile.  Carefully she put it on, and then pulled the shirt back down over it and fastened it closed.   "If anyone asks my name is..."  she looked at Soren and thought a moment.   "Sora." 
 
 Spoiler: Silver 
Couldn't help it, I keep mixing the two names up anyway :P
 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan looked like she wanted to protest, but bit her tongue and thought for a moment.  Slowly her hair flowed down her back, no longer white but a deep purple with reddish roots matching the look of Soren's hair.  Her ears grew points and her eyes turned hazel.  She grew slightly, matching Soren's stature.  It didn't take much to realize that she was attempting to look like a female Soren.   "That's as close as I am willing to go."   She went to the pile of coppers, sweeping them back into the bag until she uncovered the white bandage that had been near the bottom of the pile.  Carefully she put it on, and then pulled the shirt back down over it and fastened it closed.   "If anyone asks my name is..."  she looked at Soren and thought a moment.   "Sora." 
 
 Spoiler: Silver 
Couldn't help it, I keep mixing the two names up anyway :P
 
 
 

Adrianna puts her hand on her chin, thinking.
 "Add a little white to your hair, like at the very end to make it seem that was the previous dye color, and then I'm sold." 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
I find that hilarious and instantly approve!😁
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna puts her hand on her chin, thinking.
 "Add a little white to your hair, like at the very end to make it seem that was the previous dye color, and then I'm sold." 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
I find that hilarious and instantly approve!😁
 
 
 

Xan sighed and let a little white coat the edges of her hair.   "You realize if I wanted to disappear it would be the work of a moment once we reached a city.  But Choir Boy was right, staying with you is the best chance I have of learning what this mark does, why I have it and probably also the only chance I have of getting my brother back." 
Silverraptor
 "It also means that if I fail to notice this look of yours in a sweeping look, I know instantly that you are on the run, rather then later. And how much farther are we from civilization again?" 
She asks the last question as a general question to the group.
Kish
 "Is this a statement of genuinely not knowing what the Treaty of Thronehold is, in which case I have to wonder how far you've been staying away from civilization, or do you just want to register your contempt for it?"  Scholar asks.  "Also, if we're done arguing over shirts and engaging in displays of un-paladinish sadism which I confess I was more disturbed by before you indicated that I am not a person, I still want whatever information you have about  them ." 

Her tone is perfectly neutral, though her words are not.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Is this a statement of genuinely not knowing what the Treaty of Thronehold is, in which case I have to wonder how far you've been staying away from civilization, or do you just want to register your contempt for it?"  Scholar asks.  "Also, if we're done arguing over shirts and engaging in displays of un-paladinish sadism which I confess I was more disturbed by before you indicated that I am not a person, I still want whatever information you have about  them ." 

Her tone is perfectly neutral, though her words are not. 
 

 "Yes, let's not forget who here is evil and who is not",  Kaarna says, sporting a crooked smile,  "But  do  you know how far we are from the closest city or town or port or wherever it was now that we were going first, Scholar? I don't know these parts and maps are mind-boggling, but you've got a good memory, no?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna studied Xan for a moment, thinking and pushing back the obvious attempts at embarrassment from Xan. Though she did feel herself possibly turn a little pink.  "You know you could have just removed the most sensitive part of it. Anyways, since we're already on this topic now, can you change my hair to brown? I was curious how I'd look like." 

After Soren says his bit, she chimes back at him.  "It's like what I said, Athard is the only MAN here. And besides..." 
She turns her head away a bit, turning a little more red in the process.
 "...Since you did know more about the marks then anyone else, you were going to see anyways soon enough when we got back to town... And mine don't look like that!"  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 [COLOR="#FFD700"]She then points at Soren.
 "Twiddle-dee there seemed to know more about these things as they started appearing. And I'm sure there is a book or something we can look through to compare designs if nothing else and what it might mean."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan sighed and let a little white coat the edges of her hair.   "You realize if I wanted to disappear it would be the work of a moment once we reached a city.  But Choir Boy was right, staying with you is the best chance I have of learning what this mark does, why I have it and probably also the only chance I have of getting my brother back."  
 

Soren throws up his hands again, though it seems a little bit rehearsed.  "Look, I really appreciate you girls throwing yourselves at me, but I could do without the insults. Might I remind you who thought up the strategy to fight the blackscales the second time, or cooperated with the lizardfolk on the road?"   

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan looked like she wanted to protest, but bit her tongue and thought for a moment.  Slowly her hair flowed down her back, no longer white but a deep purple with reddish roots matching the look of Soren's hair.  Her ears grew points and her eyes turned hazel.  She grew slightly, matching Soren's stature.  It didn't take much to realize that she was attempting to look like a female Soren.   "That's as close as I am willing to go."   She went to the pile of coppers, sweeping them back into the bag until she uncovered the white bandage that had been near the bottom of the pile.  Carefully she put it on, and then pulled the shirt back down over it and fastened it closed.   "If anyone asks my name is..."  she looked at Soren and thought a moment.   "Sora." 
 
 Spoiler: Silver 
Couldn't help it, I keep mixing the two names up anyway :P
 
 
 

Soren raises his eyebrows and gives an approving hum.  "Well that answers a few questions I've been wondering about. Though if you're going to be me, you've got to show it. Walk with confidence! I'm handsome and strong and all-around awesome, so You've got to show it!"   he runs around Xan, fixing her hair and repositioning her stance.


 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Yes, let's not forget who here is evil and who is not",  Kaarna says, sporting a crooked smile,  "But  do  you know how far we are from the closest city or town or port or wherever it was now that we were going first, Scholar? I don't know these parts and maps are mind-boggling, but you've got a good memory, no?"  
 

 "I dunno, I think they're giving you a run for your money. How many people have you turned into frogs again?"  He folds his arms and grins.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Is this a statement of genuinely not knowing what the Treaty of Thronehold is, in which case I have to wonder how far you've been staying away from civilization, or do you just want to register your contempt for it?"  Scholar asks.  "Also, if we're done arguing over shirts and engaging in displays of un-paladinish sadism which I confess I was more disturbed by before you indicated that I am not a person, I still want whatever information you have about  them ." 

Her tone is perfectly neutral, though her words are not. 
 

Xan turned away with a look of disgust and finished strapping her weapons back on and arranging her clothing to fit pro

 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren throws up his hands again, though it seems a little bit rehearsed.  "Look, I really appreciate you girls throwing yourselves at me, but I could do without the insults. Might I remind you who thought up the strategy to fight the blackscales the second time, or cooperated with the lizardfolk on the road?"    
 

 "I have no memory of any of that."   Xan reached into a pocket and fished out the lockpicks, storing them safely in the bandage under her shirt.


 Soren raises his eyebrows and gives an approving hum.  "Well that answers a few questions I've been wondering about. Though if you're going to be me, you've got to show it. Walk with confidence! I'm handsome and strong and all-around awesome, so You've got to show it!"   he runs around Xan, fixing her hair and repositioning her stance. 

 "I'm NOT pretending to be you.  A possible sibling yes, but not you."   Still Xan let Soren fix her hair and stance.
Kish
 "It seems that, whether because you do not consider me a person or because you respond only to threats, you require threatening to answer my questions,"  Scholar says in an emotionless tone.  "That being the case..."  She slides down from her horse, casts a spell on herself, and grows to ogre size.
Silverraptor
As Scholar grows and towers over Xan, Adrianna holds out her hand to brace the center of Xan's back to keep her from backing up.
 I think you should answer Scholar's question there, 'Sora'." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "I dunno, I think they're giving you a run for your money. How many people have you turned into frogs again?"  He folds his arms and grins. 
 

 "To frogs? None. Something much nastier." 

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I'm NOT pretending to be you.  A possible sibling yes, but not you."   Still Xan let Soren fix her hair and stance. 
 

 "Aww kid, you got a sister! How cute."  She smiles sarcastically.


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "It seems that, whether because you do not consider me a person or because you respond only to threats, you require threatening to answer my questions,"  Scholar says in an emotionless tone.  "That being the case..."  She slides down from her horse, casts a spell on herself, and grows to ogre size. 
 

Kaarna looks up at the now very tall warforged with surprised expression.  "What? Your turn to go berserk now? Well, I suppose it was about time." 
Athedia
 "I told you what I know! I get dead drops, usually at the graveyards.  Those give me the instructions.  Once I am done, I drop the info back at the grave and wait for a reply!  Then they tell me where to go to see my brother, I get to visit and he gives me the letter with the next set of instructions!"   Xan looked around terrified, eyes focusing on Soren.   "Please, please don't let it hurt me!" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "It seems that, whether because you do not consider me a person or because you respond only to threats, you require threatening to answer my questions,"  Scholar says in an emotionless tone.  "That being the case..."  She slides down from her horse, casts a spell on herself, and grows to ogre size. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I told you what I know! I get dead drops, usually at the graveyards.  Those give me the instructions.  Once I am done, I drop the info back at the grave and wait for a reply!  Then they tell me where to go to see my brother, I get to visit and he gives me the letter with the next set of instructions!"   Xan looked around terrified, eyes focusing on Soren.   "Please, please don't let it hurt me!"  
 

 "Hey! HEY!"  Soren's up and running as Scholar casts her spel, and dashes between the two with his arms out towards them both.  "Scholar, she gave you her answers and you're better than this! Xan, stop being a racist jerk! Stop calling Scholar an it, especially around us! She calls herself female and she's not a mindless golem, even if she's built of mostly the same stuff! If nothing else that dragonmark should show she's a person in some fashion, since I don't see your daggers or my bow with one of those!"   
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Hey! HEY!"  Soren's up and running as Scholar casts her spel, and dashes between the two with his arms out towards them both.  "Scholar, she gave you her answers and you're better than this! Xan, stop being a racist jerk! Stop calling Scholar an it, especially around us! She calls herself female and she's not a mindless golem, even if she's built of mostly the same stuff! If nothing else that dragonmark should show she's a person in some fashion, since I don't see your daggers or my bow with one of those!"    
 

Xan glared at Scholar, but didn't say anything else to her.   "Soren.  They were created to kill.  Built to kill." 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan glared at Scholar, but didn't say anything else to her.   "Soren.  They were created to kill.  Built to kill."  
 

 "Some would argue your kind was placed on this Eberron to lie, cheat, and steal. Unless you're saying that's true as well? But as for finishing this up, I believe Scholar is asking, can you atleast provide any names of this organization that has your brother?" 
CWater
Kaarna follows the exchange looking mildly amused, but makes no further comment at this time.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Some would argue your kind was placed on this earth to lie, cheat, and steal. Unless you're saying that's true as well? But as for finishing this up, I believe Scholar is asking, can you atleast provide any names of this organization that has your brother?"  
 

Xan brushed off Adrianna's comment with a quick shake of her head.   "When I saw them it wasn't like they were giving me names.  All the ones I met were human, and they spoke with Karrn accents, but other than that...." 

She paused for a second.

 
 Spoiler: Kish 
Would she know any names?  If so do you want me to make them up or give them too me?

Also as a note, I do love Scholar a lot.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan glared at Scholar, but didn't say anything else to her.   "Soren.  They were created to kill.  Built to kill."  
 

 "Maybe, but you could say that about people trained to be soldiers. The creation forges were just a bit faster about it. And it seems like they stopped fighting once the war ends."  He frowns.


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan brushed off Adrianna's comment with a quick shake of her head.   "When I saw them it wasn't like they were giving me names.  All the ones I met were human, and they spoke with Karrn accents, but other than that...." 

She paused for a second.

 
 Spoiler: Kish 
Would she know any names?  If so do you want me to make them up or give them too me?

Also as a note, I do love Scholar a lot.
 
 
 

Soren's frown depends.  "And you said they're against King Kaius..." 
Kish
 "We didn't stop fighting. Most of us found mercenary work--as did I, like all of you except Xan. But despite how...Xan...apparently thinks war is done, being created to make war does not mean we were programmed to randomly kill anything in sight. They could have easily made golems who didn't think to do that. Soren, your eagerness to treat anyone who isn't currently trying to kill you as a good friend and a friend to all your other friends is not unendearing, but it is impractical. Is there any pattern to where you see your brother, Xan? Is he just as likely to be in Aundair one week and in the Mournland the next?"  She remains ogre-sized.

 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
They may have spoken of the name Dura as a superior, but you don't think she's one of the ones you met.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "We didn't stop fighting. Most of us found mercenary work--as did I, like all of you except Xan. But despite how...Xan...apparently thinks war is done, being created to make was does not mean we were programmed to randomly kill anything in sight. They could have easily made golems who didn't think to do that. Soren, your eagerness to treat anyone who isn't currently trying to kill you as a good friend and a friend to all your other friends is not unendearing, but it is impractical. Is there any pattern to where you see your brother, Xan? Is he just as likely to be in Aundair one week and in the Mournland the next?"  She remains ogre-sized. 
 

 "The visits were sometimes months apart but they were always around Korth.  I know that much."   Her brows were still creased as she thought.   "They did say a name.  It wasn't any of them but one was complaining about their boss or something?  Dura.  Is that familiar?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "We didn't stop fighting. Most of us found mercenary work--as did I, like all of you except Xan. But despite how...Xan...apparently thinks war is done, being created to make war does not mean we were programmed to randomly kill anything in sight. They could have easily made golems who didn't think to do that. Soren, your eagerness to treat anyone who isn't currently trying to kill you as a good friend and a friend to all your other friends is not unendearing, but it is impractical. Is there any pattern to where you see your brother, Xan? Is he just as likely to be in Aundair one week and in the Mournland the next?"  She remains ogre-sized.

 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
They may have spoken of the name Dura as a superior, but you don't think she's one of the ones you met.
 
 
 

Soren shrugs.  "Hey, I'd rather start a friendship than a fight. And if not, then being nice to everyone will make others happier too." 

He pauses with the name of Dura.  "Dura, Dura, hmm..." 
 
 Spoiler: bardic knowledge 
Take 10 for 19--anything?
 
Silverraptor
 "Well, now we have a name, we can start from there when we get back. Scholar, are you done with your towering tree imitation? If so, I'd say we best get moving." 
aReallyGreatAxe
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Well, now we have a name, we can start from there when we get back. Scholar, are you done with your towering tree imitation? If so, I'd say we best get moving."  
 

Scholar looks intently at Xan for a moment before shrinking back to her usual size.  "I am finished. Xan, if you remember anything more about this 'Dura', you will tell us. Soren may consider you a friend, but I will not hold for any more deception." 

She pauses and turns to Adrianna.  "I would make a very poor tree, in any case."  
Silverraptor
 "I agree. I don't think a wooden skin would suit you." 
She then starts heading off to her horse, but takes a curve in her route to go by Soren.
 "Hey 'Sora Sibling', pass me the sending stone. I think we need to tell your employer, Sur'kil, a bit about our situation." 
She looks over her shoulder at the rest of the group, knowing that the mistrust of Sur'kil is high at the moment.
 "I'm not going to tell him about Xan-Sora here or about the marks suddenly appearing exactly. I'm going to just alert him that some unexpected things have happened so he's aware of it, but not any details. If he knew this would happen, he'd be expecting this call anyways. If he did not, then he'd should know that he's going to have to include hazard life-changing pay for you all." 
 
 Spoiler: Going off memory 
I'm assuming Soren does have the sending stone. If another person did have the sending stone, of course Adrianna would have known and asked them for the sending stone instead. So if that ends up being the case, let me know OOC and I'll fix it.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Not a friend yet, but not an enemy. And there's no point in being rude to not-enemies." 

He sighs and rolls his eyes at Adrianna's comment, even as he tosses the sending stone over his shoulder to her.  "This is gonna be a thing, isn't it." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna catches the stone and starts walking to her horse. While holding the stone in one hand, she uses the other to raise and lower her fingers to count the words as she speaks.
 "Left Ruins five days ago. Attacked by highwaymen. Dispatched them. Couple hours later, problems arose. Rescued Raphael needs some help. Only four hours from Adderport." 
She then finishes and turns back to the rest of the group.
 "Now, hopefully there is someone he trusts in Adderport that will try and make contact with us in four hours when we arrive. If not, he'll probably relay his further instructions to us by returning my sending. And here, have your thing." 
She throws the sending stone back at Soren as she says her last statement. She then looks over at the elf version of Xan and waves a hand on her to approach.
 "Let's get going! You're riding with me on the rest of our trip back." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna catches the stone and starts walking to her horse. While holding the stone in one hand, she uses the other to raise and lower her fingers to count the words as she speaks.
 "Left Ruins five days ago. Attacked by highwaymen. Dispatched them. Couple hours later, problems arose. Rescued Raphael needs some help. Only four hours from Adderport." 
She then finishes and turns back to the rest of the group.
 "Now, hopefully there is someone he trusts in Adderport that will try and make contact with us in four hours when we arrive. If not, he'll probably relay his further instructions to us by returning my sending. And here, have your thing." 
She throws the sending stone back at Soren as she says her last statement. She then looks over at the elf version of Xan and waves a hand on her to approach.
 "Let's get going! You're riding with me on the rest of our trip back."  
 

Xan looked as if she was going to protest, then sighed and climbed up on the horse behind Adrianna.   "At least you are a better riding companion." 
Silverraptor
(This is after Kish states the group starts moving again.)

Adrianna sits in silence on her horse for about 15 minutes, glancing back a couple times to check on Xan. Afterwards, when she was convinced the passenger on her horse wasn't going to do anything, she began to let her mind wander. After several more minutes sitting in her own silent thoughts, her hand rose up to her chest. She took a metal armored finger and began to unconsciously rub her armor in the spot where she felt the itching where the mark formed. The movements were at first very slow and unnoticeable, but a little while later her index finger was joined by her middle, and then her ring fingers. Before long her entire hand was rubbing along the area where mark had been, vainly trying to get through the armor to her skin. It's not long that Adrianna's breathing begins getting deeper and heavier, and the times between breaths begins to drag out longer and longer. Then a soft gasps is heard as she inhales quickly, and after that her breaths become shallow, rapid breaths that were just barely audible. None of the group could hear her over the sound of the horses hooves hitting the dirt on their trek back. The only on who might notice would be Xan who was sitting right behind her.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 (This is after Kish states the group starts moving again.)

Adrianna sits in silence on her horse for about 15 minutes, glancing back a couple times to check on Xan. Afterwards, when she was convinced the passenger on her horse wasn't going to do anything, she began to let her mind wander. After several more minutes sitting in her own silent thoughts, her hand rose up to her chest. She took a metal armored finger and began to unconsciously rub her armor in the spot where she felt the itching where the mark formed. The movements were at first very slow and unnoticeable, but a little while later her index finger was joined by her middle, and then her ring fingers. Before long her entire hand was rubbing along the area where mark had been, vainly trying to get through the armor to her skin. It's not long that Adrianna's breathing begins getting deeper and heavier, and the times between breaths begins to drag out longer and longer. Then a soft gasps is heard as she inhales quickly, and after that her breaths become shallow, rapid breaths that were just barely audible. None of the group could hear her over the sound of the horses hooves hitting the dirt on their trek back. The only on who might notice would be Xan who was sitting right behind her. 
 

Xan sat behind Adrianna in a sullen silence, refusing to meet the girl's eyes when she looked back.  Gradually she noticed Adrianna's lack of focus on the riding, and the rubbing of her armor.  The panicked breathing quickly became clear as well.  Looking around to make sure the other's were not looking she reached forward and held Adrianna's hand still.  She leaned forward and quietly spoke into the paladin's ear.  "You'll pass out breathing like that.  Especially with all that armor.  Deep breathes."  After a moment she released Adrianna's hand.
Silverraptor
Adrianna snapped to as Xan grabbed her hand. Her head rose slightly in surprise as awareness of her surroundings came back to her. Her first instincts was to recoil from the touch, but the moment spent coming back to reality prevented her from moving for a few moments. By the time she was able to move again, Xan had let go of her hand already, leaving Adrianna stunned as the emotions still tried to sort themselves from the volatile mix they once were. She then clenched her hand into a fist over her armor, did a light tap with her knuckles, and slid her hand back down to grab the reigns while her expression hardened again. She turns her head slightly from looking straight ahead to down slightly and to the left, avoiding everyone else's eye. She ignores and pretends that no one else is around for another 2 hours.

She then turns her head to the right and watches as some more trees go by pass the trail. Then a barely audible whisper escapes from her mouth.
  "Thanks."  
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna snapped to as Xan grabbed her hand. Her head rose slightly in surprise as awareness of her surroundings came back to her. Her first instincts was to recoil from the touch, but the moment spent coming back to reality prevented her from moving for a few moments. By the time she was able to move again, Xan had let go of her hand already, leaving Adrianna stunned as the emotions still tried to sort themselves from the volatile mix they once were. She then clenched her hand into a fist over her armor, did a light tap with her knuckles, and slid her hand back down to grab the reigns while her expression hardened again. She turns her head slightly from looking straight ahead to down slightly and to the left, avoiding everyone else's eye. She ignores and pretends that no one else is around for another 2 hours.

She then turns her head to the right and watches as some more trees go by pass the trail. Then a barely audible whisper escapes from her mouth.
  "Thanks."   
 

Xan had been sitting quietly watching the trees pass by.  At least with Adrianna she didn't have someone attempting to make conversation the entire trip.  It was a relief.  When Adrianna thanked her she shifted slightly but didn't respond.
CoffeeIncluded
For once there's no singing, no conversation, no happy chatter or banter from Soren. He's silent as he rides with the other, occasionally looking down the front of his tunic or tracing the new mark on his chest. After some time he closes his eyes and tries looking deep inside himself, searching to see if there's any new power within and if he can let it out.
Kish
The rest of your ride back to Adderport takes place without any complications other than the ones you create for yourselves. You go back to the harbor, where the  Swift Wind  is still docked. At the edge of the ship, Lydia peers quizzically at Xan.  "Come on,"  she says abruptly.  "Father wants to see you urgently." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 The rest of your ride back to Adderport takes place without any complications other than the ones you create for yourselves. You go back to the harbor, where the  Swift Wind  is still docked. At the edge of the ship, Lydia peers quizzically at Xan.  "Come on,"  she says abruptly.  "Father wants to see you urgently."  
 

Soren smiles at Lydia and waves  "How are you doing? We want to see him too,"  he adds. As they walk past he whispers to her.  "You were right by the way." 
CWater
 "I'm sure he does...",  Kaarna mutters as she dismounts with more swiftness than grace.
Silverraptor
Adrianna dismounts and helps Xan if she at all needs it in coming down. Then after dismissing her mount, she proceeded towards the ship, but makes sure to keep Xan enough in front of her that she could keep the changeling in her sights. When she passes Lydia, she glances at her with a brief searching cross look, as if she had been wronged and is looking for the perpetrator.
Athedia
Xan accepted Adrianna's help getting off the horse and silently walked into the ship, avoiding eye contact.
Kish
 "Yes and no,"  Lydia says obscurely, not smiling. She looks very tense as she leads you to Sur'kil's cabin.

 "Hello, young lady,"  Sur'kil booms to Xan, affably enough but with the same sense of tension as his daughter, who closes the cabin door behind you.  "I understand something momentous has occurred, but first things first. Show me what you brought back--please." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Yes and no,"  Lydia says obscurely, not smiling. She looks very tense as she leads you to Sur'kil's cabin.

 "Hello, young lady,"  Sur'kil booms to Xan, affably enough but with the same sense of tension as his daughter, who closes the cabin door behind you.  "I understand something momentous has occurred, but first things first. Show me what you brought back--please."  
 

Xan looked at him through narrowed eyes, and quickly crossed her arms, going to lean against a wall.  She didn't take her eyes off of him.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren hands over the first artifact, but once he pulls out the scepter he hesitates. His hand lingers on the long tapered end as he says, a tremor in his voice,  "Momentous. Adrianna just said there were problems. Sur'kil, what do you know and how much do you know?"  his gaze flits over to Lydia. How much does she know either?

Behind him Athard stands near the door, arms folded and eyes narrowed.
Kish
Sur'kil chuckles, a brief, unhappy chuckle, at that.  "Answering that question in the spirit it was intended, much, and yet far too little. But we should not discuss it in front of one who is not involved."  He sets the crown down on the table in front of him.  "These relics have no power, though their archaeological value is significant. If you want to sell them to me, I will pay you five thousand gold for each of them. You are unlikely to find a better offer, or a use for them yourselves, but I shall not be offended if you are reluctant to take my word for this. The offer stands whether you accept it now or later."

"For the mission I hired you to complete, your final payment of five hundred gold each for the three weeks you spent completing it, in addition to what I paid you earlier."  He holds out a blue pouch to each of Soren, Athard, Kaarna, Scholar, and Adrianna; if any of them do not quickly take it, he puts it down on the table in front of them smoothly enough to make it look like that was the move he started.
Silverraptor
Adrianna mouth opened a bit it shocked silence for a moment as Sur'kil handed out the coins. She had forgotten she was being compensated from the briefing of her superiors before being assigned the mission. But she closed her mouth as it appeared Sur'kil may have forgotten as well, or was missed in being told.
 "Thank you, Sur'kil. But you it seems you may have been missed being informed about the arrangement of my payment. The compensation was supposed to be given to the personnel office that handles the payment of Breland's soldiers. Afterwards, a regular amount of pay from the total would be added to my monthly paychecks until the amount was fully collected. Given that this was an unusual mission in the fact that I was going to be offered the payment directly, no doubt it was standard procedure to these type of missions. Large amount of sudden wealth to soldiers has been known to cause of over-indulgence in personal pleasures and desertion to soldiers in the past." 
She looks around at the rest of the group to see if any of them would take theirs before continuing.
 "That said, I will need to file a report when I get back to Breland and some issues on the mission aren't entirely clear. To avoid discrepancies, I, as I'm sure the rest of those here you hired, would like to know the purpose of such a mission to satisfy our needs in knowing we did a good job." 
Adrianna unconsciously tensed her hands at her sides into fists as she said the end of the last sentence. Then being mindful of the fact he said it couldn't be said in front of one other person, she added.
 "Also, S-Sora here would probably be alright to tell, atleast some of lesser important details. As she did get involved with our objective when she joined us. She also helped at crucial parts of the mission as well, so some compensation to her might be a good measure. If you should think this satisfactory, of course." 
 
 Spoiler 
Lets get all the main obstacles out of the way for this really important meeting. Also, I made up the thing about the soldier payment thing to happen later in Breland. It's just Adrianna is not the type to indulge on money and I don't want her to have more money to carry and keep track of and it does seem like something logical would happen in the paperwork side of an armed service branch. Also, Adrianna doesn't like having vast amount of money on her when she is feet from someone who knows how to use lockpicks and can change how they look in an instant.😛
 
Kish
 "I can tell that Sora is not her name, even if I didn't recognize its etymology, but it'll do. I can tell that she's a changeling, as well. I did not hire her to go into the ruin, but if she helped you there, it would be appropriate to regard an equal claim on the artifacts, or a share of the profit from selling them, as hers,"  Sur'kil replies.  "I did not lie to you about your mission, but compensation for what you all did first, before we discuss the complications that turned up, and before we discuss...Sora." 
Silverraptor
 "Of course. And we are aware of her changeling status and assigned this current alias for the remainder of our travel here. So if we are understanding of my payment situation..." 
She steps back to be more out of the way for the others and motions to the rest of them to step forward and receive their pay.
 "Please." 
Athedia
Xan pushed off the wall and studied Sur'kil.   "Wait. How did he know? I listened to the sending, you never brought that detail up. Did you send the 'friends' we met on the path?" 
CWater
Kaarna sighs and rolls her eyes.   "Words words words...",   she grumbles under her breath, but makes no real effort to be heard.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren takes the the gold, but keeps his eyes level.  "She helped us out big-time against the monsters in the lower level of the temple, and she's as stuck on this mess as we are. She should get an equal share of the payment too.  If not, I'll give you a cut of mine--and and he is giving you equal share of the rest, "  he says to Sur'kil, then follows up to Xan.

He turns to everyone, and unless they disapprove he hands both objects over to Sur'kil.

 "Okay, how much do you know about the complications, and how do you know Sora is a changeling? Do you ask know who attacked us on the way back?"  Fear-borne frustration snaps into his voice, though he tries to keep it level.
aReallyGreatAxe
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "I can tell that Sora is not her name, even if I didn't recognize its etymology, but it'll do. I can tell that she's a changeling, as well. I did not hire her to go into the ruin, but if she helped you there, it would be appropriate to regard an equal claim on the artifacts, or a share of the profit from selling them, as hers,"  Sur'kil replies.  "I did not lie to you about your mission, but compensation for what you all did first, before we discuss the complications that turned up, and before we discuss...Sora."  
 



Scholar crosses her arms at Soren's comment, but speaks to Sur'kil.  "You know she is a changeling. You seem to be much more knowledgeable about this mission than you should- you did not even appear surprised when we needed a resurrection. Most employers would have at least asked questions before spending that much coin."
 
Her voice remains calm as she looks Sur'kil in the eye.  "How have you been watching us?" 
Kish
Sur'kil gives Scholar a slightly confused look, before he opens a drawer and counts out one thousand and two platinum pieces, dividing it into six piles of 167 platinum each. As he sweeps them into six more pouches, Lydia steps forward and throws some kind of dust on Athard, who collapses. Lydia catches him, tucking him easily over one of her shoulders as she picks up Athard's two new coin bags.

 "Tomorrow morning, he'll wake up and remember an uneventful trip both ways through the jungle and through the ruined temple with companions who did not stand out in any way, fights with lizardfolk that were too routine to pay much attention to, and getting rewarded for bringing back artifacts that he wasn't interested enough to remember any details of,"  Sur'kil says as Lydia carries Athard away.  "This is for his protection, as well as yours. The less he knows, the less incentive there is to torture information out of him."

"Now, as for your questions. I haven't been watching you. I told you you were going into a dangerous ruin occupied by hostile lizardfolk, and your Sending indicated Athard had been killed by blackscale lizardfolk. What questions should I have asked? I could have refused to pay for his resurrection, that's true, but setting the moral issues involved aside--which I do not--if you had failed I would have needed to pay for another expedition to the temple."

"I did deceive you on a few points. I told you I was interested in any relics which you could retrieve, which was not untrue, but I didn't mention that I was far more interested in one particular relic, the Dragon's Eye, which was far too dangerous to be lying around where any number of people might have picked it up. I do not know who attacked you on the road, nor how this young changeling woman got involved, though I am quite interested in both. I told you Lydia was my daughter, whereas she is actually more of an...associate. And I did not correct the implication of the form I wear: that I am human." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Sur'kil gives Scholar a slightly confused look, before he opens a drawer and counts out one thousand and two platinum pieces, dividing it into six piles of 167 platinum each. As he sweeps them into six more pouches, Lydia steps forward and throws some kind of dust on Athard, who collapses. Lydia catches him, tucking him easily over one of her shoulders as she picks up Athard's two new coin bags.

 "Tomorrow morning, he'll wake up and remember an uneventful trip both ways through the jungle and through the ruined temple with companions who did not stand out in any way, fights with lizardfolk that were too routine to pay much attention to, and getting rewarded for bringing back artifacts that he wasn't interested enough to remember any details of,"  Sur'kil says as Lydia carries Athard away.  "This is for his protection, as well as yours. The less he knows, the less incentive there is to torture information out of him."

"Now, as for your questions. I haven't been watching you. I told you you were going into a dangerous ruin occupied by hostile lizardfolk, and your Sending indicated Athard had been killed by blackscale lizardfolk. What questions should I have asked? I could have refused to pay for his resurrection, that's true, but setting the moral issues involved aside--which I do not--if you had failed I would have needed to pay for another expedition to the temple."

"I did deceive you on a few points. I told you I was interested in any relics which you could retrieve, which was not untrue, but I didn't mention that I was far more interested in one particular relic, the Dragon's Eye, which was far too dangerous to be lying around where any number of people might have picked it up. I do not know who attacked you on the road, nor how this young changeling woman got involved, though I am quite interested in both. I told you Lydia was my daughter, whereas she is actually more of an...associate. And I did not correct the implication of the form I wear: that I am human."  
 

Xan startled backward at the swift removal of Athard.   "You drugged him!"   She quickly retreated to stand behind Adrianna.   "Look, I wanted nothing to do with this.  They never said you wanted us to remove that dragon's eyes, but seriously like I told the woman, if you really want its eyes, the corpse is probably still there!" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 Sur'kil gives Scholar a slightly confused look, before he opens a drawer and counts out one thousand and two platinum pieces, dividing it into six piles of 167 platinum each. As he sweeps them into six more pouches, Lydia steps forward and throws some kind of dust on Athard, who collapses. Lydia catches him, tucking him easily over one of her shoulders as she picks up Athard's two new coin bags.

 "Tomorrow morning, he'll wake up and remember an uneventful trip both ways through the jungle and through the ruined temple with companions who did not stand out in any way, fights with lizardfolk that were too routine to pay much attention to, and getting rewarded for bringing back artifacts that he wasn't interested enough to remember any details of,"  Sur'kil says as Lydia carries Athard away.  "This is for his protection, as well as yours. The less he knows, the less incentive there is to torture information out of him."  
 

 

The sudden attack on Athard, too sudden for the man to react, causes Soren to startle backwards into Xan.  "What the ****, Sur'kil?! You didn't even ask him! What the ****?!" 

 "Now, as for your questions. I haven't been watching you. I told you you were going into a dangerous ruin occupied by hostile lizardfolk, and your Sending indicated Athard had been killed by blackscale lizardfolk. What questions should I have asked? I could have refused to pay for his resurrection, that's true, but setting the moral issues involved aside--which I do not--if you had failed I would have needed to pay for another expedition to the temple."

"I did deceive you on a few points. I told you I was interested in any relics which you could retrieve, which was not untrue, but I didn't mention that I was far more interested in one particular relic, the Dragon's Eye, which was far too dangerous to be lying around where any number of people might have picked it up. I do not know who attacked you on the road, nor how this young changeling woman got involved, though I am quite interested in both. I told you Lydia was my daughter, whereas she is actually more of an...associate. And I did not correct the implication of the form I wear: that I am human." 

 At this point Soren's shock is too much for him to keep from snapping.
 "Well guess what, the Dragon's Eye isn't there and a bunch of other people must think the same way as you since the people who attacked us on the road were the damned Emerald Claw! And you're not human? Are you a changeling too?"  He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, holds it and lets it out. No, the angers still there.  "Seriously, he ****ing DIED! You think he won't remember that in some way?!" 
Silverraptor
Adrianna reacts with a start at Athard being drugged and collapsing. She is suddenly put on higher guard and when Xan takes cover behind her, Adrianna moves her left arm back instinctively in a protective measure. Though her hand does end up on Xan's hip, she doesn't take her eye's off Sur'kil.
 "Why?! What was the point of that?! What made him deserving of that manner and not us?! What makes us different than him?!" 
aReallyGreatAxe
Scholar sits bolt upright as Athard is disposed of, her hand jerking back from the bag of gold like it is a snake.  Listening to the gut responses of her companions, she takes a moment to compose herself before deliberately replying.
 "That was... uncalled for." 

After a few more seconds, she continues.  "You are clearly a practical man- assuming you are in reality a man, of course- as well as a liar. I see no reason for such a practical man to tell us about the Dragon's Eye, when we have failed to obtain it. What do you want from us?" 
Kish
 "That is what makes you different from him. You have obtained it. It seems the Dragon's Eye was not a relic at all. It was an effect. Activated by the violent emotions of battle in the tomb. You believe that magic could bring him back to life, but not that it could wipe having done so from his memory? I hope you will agree, when you understand what is at stake, that what we've done was necessary. Those who met you on the road were the Emerald Claw? I am alarmed but not at all surprised. Does the name Erandis d'Vol mean anything to you? Or simply Vol? Or the Lich Queen?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren steps in front of Xan, Kaarna, and Scholar. The easy look on his face is gone, replaced with a nearly-foreign fury.


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "That is what makes you different from him. You have obtained it. It seems the Dragon's Eye was not a relic at all. It was an effect. Activated by the violent emotions of battle in the tomb. You believe that magic could bring him back to life, but not that it could wipe having done so from his memory? I hope you will agree, when you understand what is at stake, that what we've done was necessary."  
 

.

 "He got knocked off the ledge right when the battle started. That's probably why he didn't get this effect...so when you asked to bring back the Dragon's Eye you didn't know that we'd be bringing it back in our own bodies? Blood can carry a lot, Sur'kil. Maybe Athard won't consciously remember being killed, but I believe that life has a way of remembering when it was stilled. And he's already suffering and suffered. It wasn't right to force another on him without even asking. And none of us asked for this "momentous circumstance", especially not Sora." 

  "Those who met you on the road were the Emerald Claw? I am alarmed but not at all surprised. Does the name Erandis d'Vol mean anything to you? Or simply Vol? Or the Lich Queen?"  

Yes. Of course they mean something to him--or at least, some of the names do. But he's not exactly eager to tell.

 
 Spoiler: Bardic knowledge 
Using my once a day take 20 ability for a 29. What do I get?

Also holy **** Soren is pissed. I had no idea he'd be this furious.
 
CWater
 "What are you so upset about Athard?",  Kaarna says, playing with the coin bag,  "He gets tucked away nicely, gets his pay  and even more pleasant memories than he actually had! What's to complain? Assuming of course that this man here is being honest and doesn't actually plan on cutting his throat in the back room. Would be a lot easier that way, no?"

"But, don't really  do  that, okay?",  she 'smiles' at Sur'kil,  "Athard's a grumpy old geezer alright, but he wasn't too annoying. I'd not be happy if I heard later you got rid off him more... permanently." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "What are you so upset about Athard?",  Kaarna says, playing with the coin bag,  "He gets tucked away nicely, gets his pay  and even more pleasant memories than he actually had! What's to complain? Assuming of course that this man here is being honest and doesn't actually plan on cutting his throat in the back room. Would be a lot easier that way, no?"

"But, don't really  do  that, okay?",  she 'smiles' at Sur'kil,  "Athard's a grumpy old geezer alright, but he wasn't too annoying. I'd not be happy if I heard later you got rid off him more... permanently."  
 

 "It's the way it was done."  Soren folds his arms.  "Completely unceremonious, without even a request. And just the idea of it..."  He shudders. After, Soren closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and holds it, feeling his pulse through his ears and his lungs almost start to burn before slowly letting it out.  "Sur'kil, why did you feel you need to do it?" 
 
 Spoiler: Sense motive 
Sense motive:  (d20+13)[ 15 ]  Bah. This should be interesting.
 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "It's the way it was done."  Soren folds his arms.  "Completely unceremonious, without even a request. And just the idea of it..."  He shudders. After, Soren closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and holds it, feeling his pulse through his ears and his lungs almost start to burn before slowly letting it out.  "Sur'kil, why did you feel you need to do it?" 
 
 Spoiler: Sense motive 
Sense motive: [roll0] Bah. This should be interesting.
 
 
 

 "Yeah, and?",  Kaarna raises an eyebrow, still not seeing the issue,  "Isn't it better not to see the strike coming?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Yeah, and?",  Kaarna raises an eyebrow, still not seeing the issue,  "Isn't it better not to see the strike coming?"  
 

 "Depends who you ask."  Which you didn't,   he silently adds while waiting for Sur'kil's explanation, and why he's bringing, presumably, the Blood of Vol into this. Kaarna's staved off the utter fury, but Soren is still mad.
Silverraptor
Adrianna looks between everyone, Sur'kil, Soren, and Kaarna. She exhales deeply before speaking to Sur'kil in a much softer tone. Though there is still a hint of unease in it.
 "Look, Sur'kil. Clearly tensions have risen considerably in this room. Now, I was told by my superiors before this mission about your reputation, and it's quite impeccable. The main issue I think of the collective anger and distrust is, you clearly seem to know or have a big idea of what's going on while the rest of us don't. It does kind of give the sense that we are disposable at any moment, and I'm sure you understand what that's like. So please, could we perhaps start getting some answers?" 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Knowledge: Religion 29 

Soren knows that the Blood of Vol religion is based on the ancient traditions of the extinct dragonmarked House of Vol. He has heard vague, implausible rumors that it was founded by someone called Erandis Vol (not d'Vol). One particularly fanatical and hostile worshiper of the Silver Flame once implied that every Karrnathi, including Soren, is effectively a puppet to the will of a lich named Vol.
 

 "In the course of previous research, I once uncovered a tale of a group of explorers of the Q'barran peninsula. Five of the members of this group were said to have all simultaneously developed the so-called aberrant dragonmarks in the course of an expedition. One true dragonmarked among their number claimed to see her mark change in shape at the same time. Their leader, Jheamast, a Sarlonian, is said to have died in the Lhazaar Principalities some years after his time in Q'barra, but all his companions died mysteriously within a year of their manifesting these new and changed marks. At least one was apparently killed  by  the mark he bore. This, combined with what you told me of the Emerald Claw confronting you, leads me to believe you are in serious danger from within and without, and discovering how Jheamast survived may be your only hope." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler: Knowledge: Religion 29 

Soren knows that the Blood of Vol religion is based on the ancient traditions of the extinct dragonmarked House of Vol. He has heard vague, implausible rumors that it was founded by someone called Erandis Vol (not d'Vol). One particularly fanatical and hostile worshiper of the Silver Flame once implied that every Karrnathi, including Soren, is effectively a puppet to the will of a lich named Vol.
 

 "In the course of previous research, I once uncovered a tale of a group of explorers of the Q'barran peninsula. Five of the members of this group were said to have all simultaneously developed the so-called aberrant dragonmarks in the course of an expedition. One true dragonmarked among their number claimed to see her mark change in shape at the same time. Their leader, Jheamast, a Sarlonian, is said to have died in the Lhazaar Principalities some years after his time in Q'barra, but all his companions died mysteriously within a year of their manifesting these new and changed marks. At least one was apparently killed  by  the mark he bore. This, combined with what you told me of the Emerald Claw confronting you, leads me to believe you are in serious danger from within and without, and discovering how Jheamast survived may be your only hope."  
 

The names mean something to him...they mean a lot to him. But what Sur'kil's saying...It disturbs him profoundly, and because of that Soren lets the unease shake out of his head to be replaced with indignation also borne from the memory of that Thranish man. Is Sur'kil implying the same thing too?

But it's the second thing Sur'kil says that strikes Soren like a thunderbolt, nearly knocks him from his seat and sends his blood draining from his face. The room spins around him, and the bard clutches his seat as a whine fills his head.

 "Wha--what did you--DEAD in a YEAR?!" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler: Knowledge: Religion 29 

Soren knows that the Blood of Vol religion is based on the ancient traditions of the extinct dragonmarked House of Vol. He has heard vague, implausible rumors that it was founded by someone called Erandis Vol (not d'Vol). One particularly fanatical and hostile worshiper of the Silver Flame once implied that every Karrnathi, including Soren, is effectively a puppet to the will of a lich named Vol.
 

 "In the course of previous research, I once uncovered a tale of a group of explorers of the Q'barran peninsula. Five of the members of this group were said to have all simultaneously developed the so-called aberrant dragonmarks in the course of an expedition. One true dragonmarked among their number claimed to see her mark change in shape at the same time. Their leader, Jheamast, a Sarlonian, is said to have died in the Lhazaar Principalities some years after his time in Q'barra, but all his companions died mysteriously within a year of their manifesting these new and changed marks. At least one was apparently killed  by  the mark he bore. This, combined with what you told me of the Emerald Claw confronting you, leads me to believe you are in serious danger from within and without, and discovering how Jheamast survived may be your only hope."  
 

 " What  did you just say?!!",  Kaarna snarls stepping forward and grabs Sur'kil by the collar,  "You knew that and sent us into that ruin to, what,  test a rumour  because you were curious!! You think you're playing a game with us?!!" 
CoffeeIncluded
No nice guy, no hanging back. Soren's fury flashes white and before he can stop himself he's sprung out of his seat

 (heart thrumming, nails cutting into his palms as his hands ball into fists, sweat prickling at the back of his neck, his body working overtime to make the most of what should have been a long life suddenly cut short...) 

and is up in Sur'kil's face next to Kaarna, his face contorted in utter fury and his lips curled back in a snarl. His muscles clench, his arms and shoulders shake, he can feel the magic--his magic--crackling under his skin, begging to be released.  "DID YOU JUST DELIBERATELY SEND US TO OUR DEATHS?!" 
 
 Spoiler: Kish 
Can I activate the dragonmark? :P
 
aReallyGreatAxe
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
 Spoiler: Knowledge: Religion 29 

Soren knows that the Blood of Vol religion is based on the ancient traditions of the extinct dragonmarked House of Vol. He has heard vague, implausible rumors that it was founded by someone called Erandis Vol (not d'Vol). One particularly fanatical and hostile worshiper of the Silver Flame once implied that every Karrnathi, including Soren, is effectively a puppet to the will of a lich named Vol.
 

 "In the course of previous research, I once uncovered a tale of a group of explorers of the Q'barran peninsula. Five of the members of this group were said to have all simultaneously developed the so-called aberrant dragonmarks in the course of an expedition. One true dragonmarked among their number claimed to see her mark change in shape at the same time. Their leader, Jheamast, a Sarlonian, is said to have died in the Lhazaar Principalities some years after his time in Q'barra, but all his companions died mysteriously within a year of their manifesting these new and changed marks. At least one was apparently killed  by  the mark he bore. This, combined with what you told me of the Emerald Claw confronting you, leads me to believe you are in serious danger from within and without, and discovering how Jheamast survived may be your only hope."  
 

Scholar watches Soren and Kaarna's colorful reactions, but does not rise from her seat. When she speaks, her tone is one of clinical disgust, as if she were describing a necrotic boil.  "You knew. My associates are likely to die before the year is out, and you knew."  She shakes her head slowly.  "Is this Sarlonian even real, or just another means to satisfy your curiosity?" 
Silverraptor
Adrianna just stands there in stunned silence when she hears Sur'kil speak.
 "Dead... In a year?... But how...I won't even see my 18th birthday..." 
Kish
 "I said I did not know! I can tell that you are marked now, but I had no reason to associate what happened previously with the marks with what I believed to be a relic. I knew that the ancient dragons locked the Dragon's Eye away, that the ward they shut it behind would keep out Vol herself but that she now had numerous agents who would be able to ignore the ward, and that the Emerald Claw was looking for it. I did not even know how exactly the Dragon's Eye was dangerous enough that it needed to be kept from Vol, only that it was. I appreciate that my sense of moral necessity is rather different than most humanoids, such that you find it shocking that I was willing to erase Athard's memories, memories that I believe would have reduced  his  life expectancy to a few days, but I do not consider life valueless or any of you expendable."  He looks at Adrianna, though how he's managing to ignore Kaarna's grip on his collar is a mystery.  "Jheamast proves that there is a way to survive this, and I'll do everything in my power to help you find it." 
 
 Spoiler: Soren's Mark 

Unfortunately, there is nothing Soren's mark could do in this situation. 😛
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna takes a moment to force herself to calm down and thing rationally, despite having her hand over the spot where her mark would be. She is staring at her feet as she starts putting what she understood so far of this situation that she's been thrust upon.
 "So...Let me get this straight. You thought this "Eye of the Dragon" was some kind of material relic, which is what the Emerald's claw also must have thought, and that is why you recruited Soren, Kaarna, Scholar, and Athard to go on this expedition and me as security. But you somehow magically were able to determine that is was not a relic but us getting marked despite the fact that we haven't told you outright for most of this time that we got marked..." 
She looks over at him.
 "And did you say you weren't human? What exactly are you then? How were you able to tell we were all marked but Athard?" 
She steps forward, now almost pleading.
 "More importantly, what's going to happen to us now?! These mark present a great danger to us, not only marking us for criminal groups like the Emerald's claw, but there is this perception that we'll all die within the year! I believe that you will try to help us, but what we need now is what we need to do in the mean time!" 
 
 Spoiler 
Adrianna's just trying to make sense of the situation. She always had orders to follow all her life and she's confused without knowing what is expected or needed to be done. Not knowing what to do next scares her.
 
Athedia
Xan looked remarkably calm for the first time in the whole interaction.   "Okay.  So you know, and you acknowledge I shouldn't have one of these.  Good.  I don't know what they are panicking about, you didn't send me to my death.  They dragged me along with them.  I need to survive this and you appear to be the only option left." 
CWater
Being ignored makes Kaarna no happier.  "Talk. Answer her questions",  she hisses to Sur'kil.  "Though I still don't see why we shouldn't kill you afterwards." 
aReallyGreatAxe
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "I said I did not know! I can tell that you are marked now, but I had no reason to associate what happened previously with the marks with what I believed to be a relic. I knew that the ancient dragons locked the Dragon's Eye away, that the ward they shut it behind would keep out Vol herself but that she now had numerous agents who would be able to ignore the ward, and that the Emerald Claw was looking for it. I did not even know how exactly the Dragon's Eye was dangerous enough that it needed to be kept from Vol, only that it was. I appreciate that my sense of moral necessity is rather different than most humanoids, such that you find it shocking that I was willing to erase Athard's memories, memories that I believe would have reduced  his  life expectancy to a few days, but I do not consider life valueless or any of you expendable."  He looks at Adrianna, though how he's managing to ignore Kaarna's grip on his collar is a mystery.  "Jheamast proves that there is a way to survive this, and I'll do everything in my power to help you find it." 
 
 Spoiler: Soren's Mark 

Unfortunately, there is nothing Soren's mark could do in this situation. 😛
 
 
 

Scholar listens to Sur'kil carefully.  "'Keep out Vol herself'? Would this 'ward' mean things like traps, guardians, and illusions to specifically stop her worshippers, but let others through?" 
She looks at Kaarna.  "Could you please let him go? Carrying on like that will damage his neck, and we need him to talk. You can pick him up by any body part you'd like afterwards." 
Kish
 "Of that, I am not sure. Hopefully, you'll tell me. But first, to answer your question, I can sense dragonmarks and smell the difference between a human, a half-elf, and a changeling, because I am a dragon." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "I said I did not know! I can tell that you are marked now, but I had no reason to associate what happened previously with the marks with what I believed to be a relic. I knew that the ancient dragons locked the Dragon's Eye away, that the ward they shut it behind would keep out Vol herself but that she now had numerous agents who would be able to ignore the ward, and that the Emerald Claw was looking for it. I did not even know how exactly the Dragon's Eye was dangerous enough that it needed to be kept from Vol, only that it was. I appreciate that my sense of moral necessity is rather different than most humanoids, such that you find it shocking that I was willing to erase Athard's memories, memories that I believe would have reduced  his  life expectancy to a few days, but I do not consider life valueless or any of you expendable."  He looks at Adrianna, though how he's managing to ignore Kaarna's grip on his collar is a mystery.  "Jheamast proves that there is a way to survive this, and I'll do everything in my power to help you find it." 
 
 Spoiler: Soren's Mark 

Unfortunately, there is nothing Soren's mark could do in this situation. 😛
 
 
 

Soren backs up half a step from Sur'kil, although he still keeps his furious gaze locked on the older man. The second mention of Vol worries him. Could that be why, no matter what, he couldn't sense that door?


 
 Originally Posted by aReallyGreatAxe 
 Scholar listens to Sur'kil carefully.  "'Keep out Vol herself'? Would this 'ward' mean things like traps, guardians, and illusions to specifically stop her worshippers, but let others through?" 
She looks at Kaarna.  "Could you please let him go? Carrying on like that will damage his neck, and we need him to talk. You can pick him up by any body part you'd like afterwards."  
 

His gaze flits from scholar back to Sur'kil, his thoughts echoing here as he bites his lip in worry.


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Of that, I am not sure. Hopefully, you'll tell me. But first, to answer your question, I can sense dragonmarks and smell the difference between a human, a half-elf, and a changeling, because I am a dragon."  
 

 "Of course you are!"  Soren throws his hands up in the air, his voice a disbelieving laugh as he finally succumbs to the madness.  "Altars that give us dragonmarks that'll kill us, the Emerald claw attacking us, of course you're a ****ing dragon! I don't suppose you can smell what marks we have?" 
CWater
Kaarna releases the grip on Sur'kil's clothing and takes a step back crossing her arms.  "Care to prove that last claim?" 
Silverraptor
 "A dragon?" 
The added effects of confusion continue to mount up onto Adrianna's psyche. She then notices some disbelief among the rest of the group and then speaks up angrily.
 "What do you expect him to do? Transform into this tiny room? Spit fire or whatever dragon breath he may have? I'm sure he'll prove to us soon, but lets give him the benefit of the doubt. It would explain why he knows so much." 
aReallyGreatAxe
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Of that, I am not sure. Hopefully, you'll tell me. But first, to answer your question, I can sense dragonmarks and smell the difference between a human, a half-elf, and a changeling, because I am a dragon."  
 

Scholar nods.  " Adrianna's right, we have no safe way of proving that this isn't another one of Sur'kil's lies right now, so we may as well play along. If true, this is a relief. I thought we might've had another changeling on our hands." 
Silverraptor
 "Yeah. Having one is bad enough." 
Adrianna glance over her shoulder at Xan for a brief moment before looking back at Sur'kil.
 "So? Since you are our best shot at surviving these...these... Cursed Marks!" 
She almost sprays and spits the words 'cursed marks'.
 "What would you have us do? Do you have a general idea or plan on these things?" 
Kish
 "No, I cannot tell what marks you have, only that you are all marked, and all your marks are odd. The first step is for you to tell me everything you can think of about your journey." 
CWater
Kaarna continues to stand still and glare at the self-proclaimed dragon, keeping her anger down for now.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren slides his hand down his face with a groan.  "Everything was fine up until Athard died. The temple was full of blackscales and a dracotaur that were terrorizing the other lizardfolk in the area. And there were two black dragons in the temple. There was a skeleton of a much larger dragon down in the basement before this door that I--before this door,"  he stumbles over his words but catches himself,  "but the horde was gone; there was only the horde of the two black dragons. We slew the blackscales and one of the dragons, but the other escaped. The temple was full of these markings, and the basement had lava floors and was covered in traps. The room with the altar had dragon marks that seemed to shimmer and move whenever we looked at them, and there was a half-dragon mummy in a sarcophagus that attacked us. I saw a brief flash of magic in that room, but it vanished as soon as I tried to look at it again. We were attacked by the Emerald Claw this morning, and a few hours after that we all got itchy and then got these dragonmarks..." 
Athedia
 "They found me after those blackscale things. I never fought those."   Xan pointed out what Soren had left out.  She was still behind Adrianna but was far more relaxed.  Death was sometime that made sense.  Not like the rest of the stuff that had been happening.   "Would it help if you could examine the marks?  At least so we know we don't have the 'will instantly kill us' kind?"   As she spoke she started shifting again, this time into the form she had used as Raphael.  Once she was done she pulled off her shirt and undid her wrap, pocketing the lockpicks stashed inside.   "I very much want to know if this will cause a negative reaction.  I don't know how these things work with my biology, just that it appears no matter the form." 
Silverraptor
 "I was hoping there would be a book with illustrations or something he could lend us." 
Kish
 "Illustrations of dragonmarks? I'm afraid not. You have time,"  he tells Xan.  "Your marks are a reason for concern and action, not for panic. If you have nothing else to tell me about the journey, I fear, however anticlimactic, that your next step is to find an inn and let me research Jheamast's life. I'll contact you as soon as I know what we should do next." 
 "Oh, wait. You mean illustrations of standard dragonmarks, not ones like the ones you have? I can arrange that easily enough." 
Silverraptor
 "Thanks. It might provide a basis to see if our marks resemble any of the other known dragonmarks, or how aberrant ours are." 
aReallyGreatAxe
 "Anticlimactic is not necessarily a bad thing,"  Scholar observes.  "There is one more thing about our journey you may wish to know- the Emerald Claw leader escaped. She did seem to know almost as much as you; who we were, and that we were in possession of the Dragon's eye. Should we be worried about that as well as our current... situation?" 
CWater
 "We might as well be",  Kaarna replies shortly,  "As we've got no reason to even think those were the only ones who knew we were in the ruins. And I think we're done here."  Without any word of goodbye, the witch leaves the room and heads outside.
Silverraptor
 "Well, she's out of here." 
She looks back at Sur'kil.
 "Is there anything else, or are we excused for the time being?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "We might as well be",  Kaarna replies shortly,  "As we've got no reason to even think those were the only ones who knew we were in the ruins. And I think we're done here."  Without any word of goodbye, the witch leaves the room and heads outside. 
 

Time. But only a year, and no way is he going to show his mark right now without looking in it more. Lost in thoughts, he doesn't notice Kaarna leave until the door slams open, then closed.  "Kaarna, wait up!"  he waits half a second, then turns and says,  "I'll be right back,"  before running down the hall after her.

 "Kaarna?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Time. But only a year, and no way is he going to show his mark right now without looking in it more. Lost in thoughts, he doesn't notice Kaarna leave until the door slams open, then closed.  "Kaarna, wait up!"  he waits half a second, then turns and says,  "I'll be right back,"  before running down the hall after her.

 "Kaarna?"  
 

The shifter stops and turns her head slightly.  "What?"  Her tone says 'this better not be nonsense'.
CoffeeIncluded
Soren opens his mouth to speak, then closes it, biting his lip as he does. After a brief moment he takes a breath and tries again.

  "will you be coming back tonight?"  And even there, the assumption that she will be back eventually.  "Are you sure you want to be alone?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren opens his mouth to speak, then closes it, biting his lip as he does. After a brief moment he takes a breath and tries again.

  "will you be coming back tonight?"  And even there, the assumption that she will be back eventually.  "Are you sure you want to be alone?"  
 

 "If I stay any longer, the urge to bite that self-serving would be dragon is going to grow too big. And I can tell that's a stupid way to test his worth. And I'll be back when I'll be back. We're all in this mess now, aren't we? Couldn't run even if I wanted to."  She starts walking away again.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "If I stay any longer, the urge to bite that self-serving would be dragon is going to grow too big. And I can tell that's a stupid way to test his worth. And I'll be back when I'll be back. We're all in this mess now, aren't we? Couldn't run even if I wanted to."  She starts walking away again. 
 

Soren signs and folds his arms.  "I know. I honestly feel the same way; it took way more than I thought it would not to cast a spell on him either. It's..."  he sounds around, flinging his arms to his side with another sigh.  "Yeah...were stuck. With these...I would have liked a dragonmark, but not like this. I'm...im really scared, Kaarna. I don't want to die. I don't want any of us to die."  

As she walks away he says,  "I don't think I'm gonna spend the night with everyone else either." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren signs and folds his arms.  "I know. I honestly feel the same way; it took way more than I thought it would not to cast a spell on him either. It's..."  he sounds around, flinging his arms to his side with another sigh.  "Yeah...were stuck. With these...I would have liked a dragonmark, but not like this. I'm...im really scared, Kaarna. I don't want to die. I don't want any of us to die."   
 

 "I'm  not  going to die!",  Kaarna barks,  "Not because of some silly mark!" 

 As she walks away he says,  "I don't think I'm gonna spend the night with everyone else either."  

 "Always with the drama. Just don't do anything  too  stupid",  she calls over her shoulder.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "I'm  not  going to die!",  Kaarna barks,  "Not because of some silly mark!"  
 

 "Neither am I!"  Soren shouts. He pauses and lowers his voice.  
"I don't want to die. But I'm not gonna die, because we're gonna find this and fix this. We have a year...a lot can happen in a year..."  he says, almost as if trying to convince himself as much as Kaarna.


  "Always with the drama. Just don't do anything  too  stupid",  she calls over her shoulder. 

 "Kaarna, I'm a  bard.  My singing and dancing are literally magical. I think being dramatic is a required part of the job,"  he calls back.  "And don't do anything too stupid either." 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Adrianna, Scholar, Xan 
While Kaarna and Soren are talking, Sur'kil sends one of the crew off to get a book about the dragonmarked houses. The book he produces is fancy, painstakingly illustrated.  "Not as such,"  Sur'kil replies, " which means that the one who sent the Emerald Claw after the Dragon's Eye would come looking for you very nearly as quickly if the group simply disappeared without a trace, either. Of course, if you have no further questions, you can go. I'll be in touch as soon as I know more." 

The book is divided into a chapter on each Dragonmarked house, and as requested, it has illustrations.
 
 Spoiler: Chapter One 
House Cannith, the house of artificers, bears the Mark of Making. Their chapter notes that they created the warforged, but says little else of note. It states about their leadership only that it is currently unclear.  
 

 
 Spoiler: Chapter Two 
House Deneith, the house of soldiers, bears the Mark of Sentinel.  
 

 
 Spoiler: Chapter Three 
House Orien, the house of travel, bears the Mark of Passage.  
 

 
 Spoiler: Chapter Four 
House Vadalis, the house of beast-trainers, bears the Mark of Handling.  
 

 
 Spoiler: Chapter Five 
House Tharashk, the house of bounty hunters, bears the Mark of Finding.  
 

 
 Spoiler: Chapter Six 
House Kundarak, the house of guards, bears the Mark of Warding.  
 

 
 Spoiler: Chapter Seven 
House Lyrandar, the house of ship travel, bears the Mark of Storm.  
 

 
 Spoiler: Chapter Eight 
House Medani, the house of watchers, bears the Mark of Detection.  
 

 
 Spoiler: Chapter Nine 
House Phiarlan, the house of artisans, bears the Mark of Shadow.  
 

 
 Spoiler: Chapter Ten 
House Thuranni, the house of spies, bears the Mark of Shadow.  
 

 
 Spoiler: Chapter Eleven 
House Sivis, the house of speakers, bears the Mark of Scribing.  
 

 
 Spoiler: Chapter Twelve 
House Jorasco, the house of healers, bears the Mark of Healing.  
 

 
 Spoiler: Chapter Thirteen 
House Ghallanda, the house of hostelers, bears the Mark of Hospitality.  
 

 
 Spoiler: Chapter Fourteen 
Marks other than these exist. The aberrant marks of the terrible dragon Khyber, who wishes the end of all life, such marks are chaotic and destructive, and those who bear them invariably use them to do harm to all around them with little regard for preserving their own lives.
 

 
Silverraptor
Adrianna takes the book.
 "Thank you. We'll probably study this later tonight and see what we may find." 
She then goes over to Xan and pats her twice on the shoulder.
 "Alright, come on. Put your shirt on and lets get a place to stay tonight." 
She looks over at Scholar.
 "You coming too Scholar?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Neither am I!"  Soren shouts. He pauses and lowers his voice.  
"I don't want to die. But I'm not gonna die, because we're gonna find this and fix this. We have a year...a lot can happen in a year..."  he says, almost as if trying to convince himself as much as Kaarna.



 "Kaarna, I'm a  bard.  My singing and dancing are literally magical. I think being dramatic is a required part of the job,"  he calls back.  "And don't do anything too stupid either."  
 

Kaarna merely grunts as she disappears out of the door.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna takes the book.
 "Thank you. We'll probably study this later tonight and see what we may find." 
She then goes over to Xan and pats her twice on the shoulder.
 "Alright, come on. Put your shirt on and lets get a place to stay tonight." 
She looks over at Scholar.
 "You coming too Scholar?"  
 

Xan grumbled and replaced her shirt.   "Why does no-one protest dragons if they can be sneaky about appearance."  She changed back into the half-elf form and followed Adrianna, grabbing the small sack of platinum as they left.   "Am I to assume I am still not trusted out of your sight?  Even though I have a death sentence over my head if I fail to keep with this cursed party?" 
Silverraptor
 "Given that we didn't know who you were less than 6 hours ago, would you really blame us? But I'm willing to give you some leniency. If not me, you can choose Scholar, Kaarna, or Soren as your roommate." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren re-enters the room at about this moment. He brushes back his hair and says,  "Kaarna stepped out for a bit, but she'll be probably be back in the morning. Honestly I'm thinking of following her lead." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Given that we didn't know who you were less than 6 hours ago, would you really blame us? But I'm willing to give you some leniency. If not me, you can choose Scholar, Kaarna, or Soren as your roommate."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren re-enters the room at about this moment. He brushes back his hair and says,  "Kaarna stepped out for a bit, but she'll be probably be back in the morning. Honestly I'm thinking of following her lead."  
 

Xan was about to respond when Soren stepped back into the room.  She looked decidedly unhappy with his announcement.   "So she's not really an option."   She looked over at Scholar and quickly stepped closer to Adrianna.   "On second thought, you are a perfectly nice and delightful person who I would be honored to share a room with."   Her voice didn't seem quite as enthusiastic as the words would imply.
CoffeeIncluded
 "Hey, what about me?"  Soren asks in a mock hurt tone.  "I promise I don't bite! Well, unless you're looking for that sort of thing. Seriously though,"  he points at the book,  "I can help you out with that book before heading out." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna looks at Soren and considers him a moment.
 "Okay, sure. Yeah lets go." 
She adjusts the book in her arms and starts making way to leave.
 "Thanks for the book, Sur'kil." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren follows the two girls to their room. The whole time he has his fist over his chest where the mark lies underneath.
Athedia
Xan looked at Soren and then at Adrianna.   "So.. who first?" 
Silverraptor
In the relative safety of the inn room for 2, Adrianna places the book down on the desk and proceeds to close the drapes across the windows in the room.
 "Have either of you 2 had to where heavy armor?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 In the relative safety of the inn room for 2, Adrianna places the book down on the desk and proceeds to close the drapes across the windows in the room.
 "Have either of you 2 had to wear heavy armor?"  
 

Xan watched the drapes close, shifting into her normal form once they were.  She shook her head.   "I need mobility and quiet.  Getting caught means death." 
Silverraptor
 "Well, it's a bitch to get in and out of. Heck, if it wasn't for this calling crystal built into it that allows the armor to magically equip onto me once a day, I wouldn't have been able to attach it right." 
She then walks into the middle of the room and holds her arms up in a 'T' pose.
 "So, I'll need your guys's help. I can take the armor off on my own, but that will take several minutes. But with you guys, shouldn't be longer than a minute or two." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan looked at Soren and then at Adrianna.   "So.. who first?"  
 

 "I...you first." 

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Well, it's a bitch to get in and out of. Heck, if it wasn't for this calling crystal built into it that allows the armor to magically equip onto me once a day, I wouldn't have been able to attach it right." 
She then walks into the middle of the room and holds her arms up in a 'T' pose.
 "So, I'll need your guys's help. I can take the armor off on my own, but that will take several minutes. But with you guys, shouldn't be longer than a minute or two."  
 

Sorens eyes widen and he raises his eyebrows about as high as they go.  "Well, then. Awfully forward of you, Adrianna,"  he teases.  "As you command,"  he adds as he helps remove her armor. Though once it's actually off he pauses and takes a step back.
Silverraptor
Underneath the armor, to Soren's dissapointment, is a lot of padding that Adrianna still had to get off. She rolls her eyes at Soren's comment.
 "Is that all you can think about? Why don't you go over the book so you can compare our marks to what' they could be." 
She then turns her back to him and begins taking off the padding. If Soren was watching eagerly, he'd be disappointed again to see she also had some simple, light garments underneath the padding.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Underneath the armor, to Soren's dissapointment, is a lot of padding that Adrianna still had to get off. She rolls her eyes at Soren's comment.
 "Is that all you can think about? Why don't you go over the book so you can compare our marks to what' they could be." 
She then turns her back to him and begins taking off the padding. If Soren was watching eagerly, he'd be disappointed again to see she also had some simple, light garments underneath the padding. 
 

Soren rolls his eyes back, and he gives a single rueful laugh even as he turns and opens the book.  "Sorry, but right now the options for thoughts running through my head are either 'Lovely young woman asks me and another beautiful woman to help undress her,' or 'I just got a dragonmark I don't think is aberrant but I don't recognize and oh yeah because of it I might be dead in a year.' I think you can forgive me for focusing on the former." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren rolls his eyes back, and he gives a single rueful laugh even as he turns and opens the book.  "Sorry, but right now the options for thoughts running through my head are either 'Lovely young woman asks me and another beautiful woman to help undress her,' or 'I just got a dragonmark I don't think is aberrant but I don't recognize and oh yeah because of it I might be dead in a year.' I think you can forgive me for focusing on the former."  
 

At Soren's comment Xan's pale white face turned bright red.  She quickly hurried over to Adrianna to help her remove the padding.   "Adrianna... are you okay if I go with a male form for this exam?" 
Silverraptor
 "Why? So he can stare more intently at me?" 
Adrianna looked at Xan for a moment considering, before whispering to her.
  "Though I will accept if you choose some concealment of extremities you don't want him ogling."  
She continues to remove the padding. A large pile of it was in front of her and the padding itself was easily a sizable weight.

 
 Spoiler: Heavy Armor 
Fun Fact: My school did a field trip at a renaissance fair and they allowed some of us to try on armor. While it wasn't full plate, I did wear some suit of armor for a little bit at one of the stands. It was mostly chainmail with some plates for my shoulders, arms, and legs. But they definitely had to give me  alot  of padding and it was very thick and heavy as well. I felt like 10 pounds heavier BEFORE they started putting the chain mail and plates on!😁 I'm sure they overcompensated it so they didn't become known as the guys who injured a 7th grader trying to put medieval armor on him.😛
 
Athedia
Xan nodded and allowed her form to take that of a male changeling.  She stretched her neck as she also slid her shirt off, trying to examine the mark on her chest.
Silverraptor
Adrianna removes the last of the padding into a pile on the floor. Afterwards, she stands up with her back to both Soren and Xan. After a brief moment of hesitation, she takes a deep breath and pulls her shirt over her head. She doesn't look at the mark and instantly puts her arms across her chest for a moment, showing only her back to the group. She again hesitates before slowly turning around to face the others. Looking down, she slowly lowers her arms.

Apart from the obvious mark in the center of her chest, the other feature most noticeable was how inaccurate Xan's imitation of her earlier was. The guesswork ended up being very ample and generous to what Adrianna's chest actually looked like. However, Adrianna's chest had much more muscle showing.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna removes the last of the padding into a pile on the floor. Afterwards, she stands up with her back to both Soren and Xan. After a brief moment of hesitation, she takes a deep breath and pulls her shirt over her head. She doesn't look at the mark and instantly puts her arms across her chest for a moment, showing only her back to the group. She again hesitates before slowly turning around to face the others. Looking down, she slowly lowers her arms.

Apart from the obvious mark in the center of her chest, the other feature most noticeable was how inaccurate Xan's imitation of her earlier was. The guesswork ended up being very ample and generous to what Adrianna's chest actually looked like. However, Adrianna's chest had much more muscle showing. 
 

Xan's jaw dropped.  She looked at her male form chest and then at Adrianna.  Back and forth a couple times.  "Really?  That's it?  THIS form has a more impressive chest!"   As soon as the words came out of her mouth she regretted them, seeing the anger burst into Adrianna's eyes.    "Oh ****."    She quickly dove behind Soren.
Silverraptor
Adrianna turned bright red at Xan's statement and her face was soon met with intense fury. Grabbing a piece of her armor at random, which happened to be a shoulder pad, she throws it in Xan's general direction, but it misses. Glaring at Xan, still red in the face, whether from anger or blush, no one really knew, not even Adrianna. It was most likely from both.
 "Well, if you like comparing so much, why don't you go back to your original FEMALE form!" 
She stands with her arms straight at her side but balled up into fists, raised into right angles. Her upper body is also bent over slightly forward in her angered state, though her mark is plainly visible.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Why? So he can stare more intently at me?" 
Adrianna looked at Xan for a moment considering, before whispering to her.
  "Though I will accept if you choose some concealment of extremities you don't want him ogling."  
She continues to remove the padding. A large pile of it was in front of her and the padding itself was easily a sizable weight.

 
 Spoiler: Heavy Armor 
Fun Fact: My school did a field trip at a renaissance fair and they allowed some of us to try on armor. While it wasn't full plate, I did wear some suit of armor for a little bit at one of the stands. It was mostly chainmail with some plates for my shoulders, arms, and legs. But they definitely had to give me  alot  of padding and it was very thick and heavy as well. I felt like 10 pounds heavier BEFORE they started putting the chain mail and plates on!😁 I'm sure they overcompensated it so they didn't become known as the guys who injured a 7th grader trying to put medieval armor on him.😛
 
 
 

Soren grins that rakish grin again, and says,  "Don't worry, I find men just as lovely as women. Though honestly I won't ogle if you don't want me to." 

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan nodded and allowed her form to take that of a male changeling.  She stretched her neck as she also slid her shirt off, trying to examine the mark on her chest. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna removes the last of the padding into a pile on the floor. Afterwards, she stands up with her back to both Soren and Xan. After a brief moment of hesitation, she takes a deep breath and pulls her shirt over her head. She doesn't look at the mark and instantly puts her arms across her chest for a moment, showing only her back to the group. She again hesitates before slowly turning around to face the others. Looking down, she slowly lowers her arms.

Apart from the obvious mark in the center of her chest, the other feature most noticeable was how inaccurate Xan's imitation of her earlier was. The guesswork ended up being very ample and generous to what Adrianna's chest actually looked like. However, Adrianna's chest had much more muscle showing. 
 

Soren's face flushes red and he swallows roughly, but manages to keep himself composer and respectful. The only thing he says is,  "Anyone who says you're not lovely--either of you--is a damned liar."  He then returns to the book, figuring what the mark on her chest is.
Kish
When Adrianna yells at Xan, her exposed mark flares briefly with light. A moment later, Xan's head pulses with pain.
Athedia
Xan stumbled backward, clutching her head.   "What did you do?  GAH, STOP IT!"   She missed a lot of what Adrianna and Soren said as she pushed against her temples.
Silverraptor
Adrianna blinks in confusion. Looking down at her mark, she releases her hands from their fist shapes and reaches up to touch her mark. It felt very warm to the touch.
 "What...What just happened?..." 
 
 Spoiler: Kish 
What does her mark look like?
 
Kish
 
 Spoiler: Adrianna's mark 

 
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna blinks in confusion. Looking down at her mark, she releases her hands from their fist shapes and reaches up to touch her mark. It felt very warm to the touch.
 "What...What just happened?..."  
 

 "You cursed me! Please, I'm sorry! Just don't hurt me again!"   Xan's eyes were closed in a wince as she waited for the pain to fade.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan's jaw dropped.  She looked at her male form chest and then at Adrianna.  Back and forth a couple times.  "Really?  That's it?  THIS form has a more impressive chest!"   As soon as the words came out of her mouth she regretted them, seeing the anger burst into Adrianna's eyes.    "Oh ****."    She quickly dove behind Soren. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna turned bright red at Xan's statement and her face was soon met with intense fury. Grabbing a piece of her armor at random, which happened to be a shoulder pad, she throws it in Xan's general direction, but it misses. Glaring at Xan, still red in the face, whether from anger or blush, no one really knew, not even Adrianna. It was most likely from both.
 "Well, if you like comparing so much, why don't you go back to your original FEMALE form!" 
She stands with her arms straight at her side but balled up into fists, raised into right angles. Her upper body is also bent over slightly forward in her angered state, though her mark is plainly visible. 
 

Soren gasps, then starts laughing at the sight.  "Ladies, ladies! I know I promised not to ogle, but must you make it so difficult?"  he dramatically brings up the back of his hand to his forehead and mockingly swoons.  "If you're going to wrestle topless in front of me, then I have to make the judgement that you're both lovely in different ways!" 

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna still glares at Xan, though a little bit of the redness fades from her face, but not entirely. She then straightens up and crosses her arms in front of her. Then a second later, she realizes she crossed them over the mark and forced herself to lower them enough so the mark was still visible and Soren could compare it to the book easier.
 "Though it turns out your male form was pointless. He just said he finds you attractive regardless of which sex you are. And didn't he hit on you when you were masquerading as Raphael at the ruins?"  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 When Adrianna yells at Xan, her exposed mark flares briefly with light. A moment later, Xan's head pulses with pain. 
 

That snaps Soren out of the distraction.  "The ****?! Is that the Mark of Shadow?!"  he runs over to Xan.  "Are you okay?" 

He places a hand on her back for support and helps her up.  "I don't think that was a curse--are you okay?" 
Silverraptor
Adrianna becomes flustered.
 "I-I d-didn't mean to! How do I shut this thing off!" 
She tries to turn off whatever magic was emanating from the mark, eventually causing the light that was glowing from it to fade.
 "I'm sorry! I didn't know that would happen! When I threw my armor at you, I wasn't trying to hit or hurt you! You just made me mad!" 
Kish
The mark doesn't seem to be doing continuing damage, but Xan still feels weak.
 
 Spoiler: Xan 
You've taken  (1d8)[ 4 ]  damage.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna becomes flustered.
 "I-I d-didn't mean to! How to I shut this thing off!" 
She tries to turn off whatever magic was emanating from the mark, eventually causing the light that was glowing from it to fade.
 "I'm sorry! I didn't know that would happen! When I threw my armor at you, I wasn't trying to hit or hurt you! You just made me mad!"  
 

Xan slowly stopped wincing and gave a slightly pained look toward Adrianna.   "I'm sorry, I just thought.. you know... when you said I had it wrong- people usually mean the other way! I-...."   She got up and spoke more gently.  "I didn't think. I forget that people get sensitive about things like that." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna reaches forward and takes hold of Xan's shoulder. Then a soothing feeling washes over Xan and rushes to her head, dispelling any pain she once felt (Lay on Hands).  She then straightens up and crosses her arms in front of her, though a little bit of the redness still remains in her face. Then a second later, she realizes she crossed them over the mark and forced herself to lower them enough so the mark was still visible and Soren could compare it to the book easier.
 "Though it turns out your male form was pointless. He just said he finds you attractive regardless of which sex you are. And didn't he hit on you when you were masquerading as Raphael at the ruins?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan slowly stopped wincing and gave a slightly pained look toward Adrianna.   "I'm sorry, I just thought.. you know... when you said I had it wrong- people usually mean the other way! I-...."   She got up and spoke more gently.  "I didn't think. I forget that people get sensitive about things like that."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna still glares at Xan, though a little bit of the redness fades from her face, but not entirely. She then straightens up and crosses her arms in front of her. Then a second later, she realizes she crossed them over the mark and forced herself to lower them enough so the mark was still visible and Soren could compare it to the book easier.
 "Though it turns out your male form was pointless. He just said he finds you attractive regardless of which sex you are. And didn't he hit on you when you were masquerading as Raphael at the ruins?"  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan opened her mouth to argue, but realized that Adrianna was right.  Her face quickly turned as red as the paladins.   "It's still weird to be shirtless.  Guess I am more used to it in this form."  
 

 "It's ok Xan--apology accepted. But yeah, I don't really get hung up on what may or may not be hanging between a person's legs. Why limit yourself? What they're like otherwise is more important."  he starts laughing again.  "Seriously though, it might be fun but if you want me to stop the teasing I'll dial it back. Are you ok?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna reaches forward and takes hold of Xan's shoulder. Then a soothing feeling washes over Xan and rushes to her head, dispelling any pain she once felt (Lay on Hands).  She then straightens up and crosses her arms in front of her, though a little bit of the redness still remains in her face. Then a second later, she realizes she crossed them over the mark and forced herself to lower them enough so the mark was still visible and Soren could compare it to the book easier.
 "Though it turns out your male form was pointless. He just said he finds you attractive regardless of which sex you are. And didn't he hit on you when you were masquerading as Raphael at the ruins?"  
 

Xan opened her mouth to argue, but realized that Adrianna was right.  Her face quickly turned as red as the paladins.   "It's still weird to be shirtless.  Guess I am more used to it in this form."   She rubbed her head a little as the pain faded.   "Why did that activate here and not while you were yelling at Sur'kil?  I would have rather had him in pain." 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan opened her mouth to argue, but realized that Adrianna was right.  Her face quickly turned as red as the paladins.   "It's still weird to be shirtless.  Guess I am more used to it in this form."  
 

Adrianna shrugged.
 "Suit yourself." 
She then walks over the bed and sits down with her arms still crossed in the same manner. Eventually she whispers to Xan.
  "Though if I had shape shifting powers, I would be in the form where the size wasn't hidden, but the teat was."  
She looks down at he chest after saying so with a long face.


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 She rubbed her head a little as the pain faded.   "Why did that activate here and not while you were yelling at Sur'kil?  I would have rather had him in pain."  
 

Adrianna thinks about it for a moment.
 "I guess I wasn't as angry back then? I knew that I was screwed, but I didn't get a sense he knew the trip would screw us and felt like he was offering to help." 

She looks over at Soren.
 "So hey, Gender Miss-identity, what does the book say about our marks? I'd like to not accidentally hurt someone again." 
After she says that, she looks back at her mark and then shifts on the bed, treating it as if it was a weapon and was trying to point it away from anyone.
CoffeeIncluded
 "I honestly don't know."  He leans in closer to the mark and frowns.  "Is that the Mark of Shadow? But It does illusions, not that! And it's the wrong color too. This is really odd."  he looks at Xan's chest.  ""And that looks like the Mark of Making." 
 
 Spoiler: question 
Has he?
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "I honestly don't know."  He leans in closer to the mark and frowns.  "Is that the Mark of Shadow? But It does illusions, not that! And it's the wrong color too. This is really odd."  he looks at Xan's chest.  ""And that looks like the Mark of Making." 
 
 Spoiler: question 
Has he?
 
 
 

 "Illusions?  Huh.  If you can do illusions then that is pretty cool.  Won't be as convincing as me, since it would be fake but you could probably up your size a little."   Xan poked at the mark on her chest.   "Why would I have that?  I don't  make  anything.  I just take information.  How do I activate it?"  She focused on her hand trying to will a small object into existence.
Kish
Nothing happens.
Athedia
 "Huh.  Guess you were wrong there Soren." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna hears what Xan says and looks back down at her chest. She then turns a bit more away from them and silently concentrates, trying to make an illusion to prop up her chest.
Kish
Nothing happens.
Silverraptor
 "Hmmph!" 
She looks back at the other two.
 "So obviously our marks are not what they are intended to be. Lets change gears here then. Look through the marks and see if any of the others match the ability my mark did when I accidentally hit Xan with it." 
Athedia
 "Marks can go wrong, right?  Does the book have anything on marks that didn't manifest properly?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Um...yeah. Aberrant marks. But those look different to boot." 

He flips over to that chapter and reads it. He's silent for some time.

 "...I don't think that counts for us."  a few more minutes, and he claps his hands together in a burst of sudden thought.  "The big thing people with true dragonmarks can do is use dragon focus items--like how only people with the Mark of Making can use a creation forge, or only people with the Mark of Storm can operate an airship. There are smaller items too. So if we can get our hands on any of those, we might be able to tell how much of these are real. Though..."  he looks down at his chest,  "I'm not sure what to do for mine." 
 
 Spoiler: more questions 
is there any place we can get dragonshard devices around here? Is there info on what Xan is asking in the chapters?

 
aReallyGreatAxe
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Um...yeah. Aberrant marks. But those look different to boot." 

He flips over to that chapter and reads it. He's silent for some time.

 "...I don't think that counts for us."  a few more minutes, and he claps his hands together in a burst of sudden thought.  "The big thing people with true dragonmarks can do is use dragon focus items--like how only people with the Mark of Making can use a creation forge, or only people with the Mark of Storm can operate an airship. There are smaller items too. So if we can get our hands on any of those, we might be able to tell how much of these are real. Though..."  he looks down at his chest,  "I'm not sure what to do for mine." 
 
 Spoiler: more questions 
is there any place we can get dragonshard devices around here? Is there info on what Xan is asking in the chapters?

 
 
 

Scholar looks up from the critical contemplation of her own mark.  "You could always try one of each, see if that works."
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by aReallyGreatAxe 
 Scholar looks up from the critical contemplation of her own mark.  "You could always try one of each, see if that works."
  
 

Xan jumped, having not realized that Scholar had quietly followed them into the inn.   "What is that- she doing here!"  At Soren's and Adrianna's glare she quickly changed her statement.
aReallyGreatAxe
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan jumped, having not realized that Scholar had quietly followed them into the inn.   "What is that- she doing here!"  At Soren's and Adrianna's glare she quickly changed her statement. 
 

Scholar crosses her arms.  "I can go wherever I please. Unlike a certain spy, at the moment." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by aReallyGreatAxe 
 Scholar crosses her arms.  "I can go wherever I please. Unlike a certain spy, at the moment."  
 

 "Why don't you go straight to that home you created then?  Stick with the rest of your kind."   Xan spat the words out, angrily retreating to one of the beds.   "I am not staying in the same room as one of those." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Why don't you go straight to that home you created then?  Stick with the rest of your kind."   Xan spat the words out, angrily retreating to one of the beds.   "I am not staying in the same room as one of those."  
 

Sorens gasp is small and soft, but seems to echo through the room. His eyes narrow and his lip curls in rage. Before he can stop himself he crosses the room and slaps Xan across the face.
 
"That was disgusting, horrifically offensive, and incredibly insulting to the nation and millions who died that day. I never want to hear anything like that again." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna too gives a glare at Xan.
 "And you wonder why you are on house arrest..." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Sorens gasp is small and soft, but seems to echo through the room. His eyes narrow and his lip curls in rage. Before he can stop himself he crosses the room and slaps Xan across the face.
 
"That was disgusting, horrifically offensive, and incredibly insulting to the nation and millions who died that day. I never want to hear anything like that again."  
 

Xan stared at Soren for a second before pulling her legs up to her chin and turning from the group.  The red mark on her face stood out against the pale white skin.  She didn't say anything, and no-one could see the silent tears.
aReallyGreatAxe
Scholar watches the scene in something like shock.  "Have a nice night,"   she says coldly, then turns and leaves, her fists shaking in silent rage.
Silverraptor
Adrianna quickly gets up and hurries to the door, putting an arm across her chest, she catches Scholar before she moves down too far. She then speaks to her out of earshot of the half-elf and changeling squatting in the room.
 "Scholar. Don't forget that Xan has been forced upon us and most of aren't happy with the burden-ship she's brought with her. But don't forget, the rest of us here still like and respect you for who you are. As a person!" 
She salutes Scholar with her free hand, still keeping her arm firmly across her chest.
 "Being from Breland, I am quite familiar with our role in advocating your species independence. And I've worked along side several Warforge in the time since joining the army. So forget about Xan. Just remember that I'm behind you every step of the way." 
 
 Spoiler 
It would be awfully mean to have any people walk down this hallway right now. No, that is not an invitation that you should do it Kish!
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "...I need to go out,"  Soren says, unable to find the right words or response to Xan at the moment. As he leaves the room, he finds Scholar outside, even stiffer than usual, and says (perhaps somewhat hoping Xan overhears)  "Km sorry. What she said was absolutely horrible and completely out of line. I'm sorry you have to deal with her on top of all this dragonmark curse stuff--I can't imagine how that must feel, working with someone who actively denies your existence and in such a rude fashion to boot. Just... Know that we're with you. And we like you, as a person."  

And then he heads out. The night air is warm and pleasant, and Soren opens his tunic a little to enjoy the breeze. His steps are slow and thoughtful as he heads to the nearest bar. There without a word, he gets up on the stage in back and begins to dance. It's a wild and frenetic dance, full of energy and to some drumbeat only he can hear.  It feels good to be back on stage and lose himself in the music, dancing for a crowd and not for anyone's life. And afterwards...

Well, if someone nice and attractive approaches him he'd really like to share his bed with someone tonight, to utterly lose himself in another person and his senses. He bandages his chest to cover the mark, unwilling to even look at it, and plays it off as a healing injury.
aReallyGreatAxe
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna quickly gets up and hurries to the door, putting an arm across her chest, she catches Scholar before she moves down too far. She then speaks to her out of earshot of the half-elf and changeling squatting in the room.
 "Scholar. Don't forget that Xan has been forced upon us and most of aren't happy with the burden-ship she's brought with her. But don't forget, the rest of us here still like and respect you for who you are. As a person!" 
She salutes Scholar with her free hand, still keeping her arm firmly across her chest.
 "Being from Breland, I am quite familiar with our role in advocating your species independence. And I've worked along side several Warforge in the time since joining the army. So forget about Xan. Just remember that I'm behind you every step of the way." 
 
 Spoiler 
It would be awfully mean to have any people walk down this hallway right now. No, that is not an invitation that you should do it Kish!
 
 
 

Scholar takes a deep breath.  Thank you both. Maybe I've spent too long among you people. I'm forgetting that it isn't this way everywhere. 

After Soren leaves, she continues speaking to Adrianna.  "I'm... almost sorry that he hit Xan. Violence shouldn't have to be the answer. Does your mark hurt? You're holding your arm strangely."  
Silverraptor
 Oh yes, I'm fine. Given that you were hurrying out here, I didn't have time to put on my shirt if I was going to catch up with you." 
Adrianna then reassuringly puts a hand on Scholar's shoulder.
 "Well get some rest. Tomorrow we work on getting these mark's removed!" 
She then turns and walks back to the room.

The moment she enters and closes the door, she drop her arm and glances over at Xan. She then walks forward while reaching up and undoing her pony tail, letting her hair fall down past her shoulders.
 "Well, I'm going to prepare the water for a bath. I've been cooped up in that armor with sweat and muck for way too long." 
She spends the next couple minutes preparing and heating the water in the attached washroom. When it was nearly done, she pokes her head out at Xan.
 "Are you going to be taking a shower too? Given how long you've been out in that jungle, you probably do." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  Oh yes, I'm fine. Given that you were hurrying out here, I didn't have time to put on my shirt if I was going to catch up with you." 
Adrianna then reassuringly puts a hand on Scholar's shoulder.
 "Well get some rest. Tomorrow we work on getting these mark's removed!" 
She then turns and walks back to the room.

The moment she enters and closes the door, she drop her arm and glances over at Xan. She then walks forward while reaching up and undoing her pony tail, letting her hair fall down past her shoulders.
 "Well, I'm going to prepare the water for a bath. I've been cooped up in that armor with sweat and muck for way too long." 
She spends the next couple minutes preparing and heating the water in the attached washroom. When it was nearly done, she pokes her head out at Xan.
 "Are you going to be taking a shower too? Given how long you've been out in that jungle, you probably do."  
 

Xan was still curled up on the bed when Adrianna poked her head out.  She refused to make eye contact with the paladin, instead burying her face deeper into her knees.
Silverraptor
Adrianna waited for a moment, staring at Xan. But when the changeling didn't move, she stepped back and closed the door. Turning around to face the tub of water, she removed her pants, tossed them aside and stepped into the water before slowly sinking down and submerging her whole body. She sighed with relief as this was the first time since setting out into that jungle that she could get herself clean. She allowed a little time to pass of just enjoying the water before she began to use soap to clean herself. After putting the shampoo in her hair, she left it to soak as she soaped down her arms and her legs. After splashing her face to remove the soap on it, she then began soaping the rest of her body when she stopped, frozen in place. Looking down at the mark on her chest, she began to contract and bring herself in. Using a vigorous amount of soap, she rubbed and rubbed and washed and applied more soap over and over again for several minutes in a vain attempt to try and remove it from her chest. Finally, when the shampoo from her hair started getting into her eyes, she plunged her head under the water, rubbed out the shampoo before surfacing again. She then curled up herself, like Xan, with her mouth below the water and her arms around her knees. She then stared for some time at the defiant mark placed against her will on her chest, marking her as if she was cattle to something else's prize. She bowed her head further into the water, though still able to breathe from her nose. Her eyes were shut tight and tears formed out of her eyes as well as she hugged herself again for a significant amount of time.

__________________________________________________  _____

Once she had cried enough that her tears dried up, she grabbed the soap bar to wash her face again from the tears as well as doing a brief rinse down of her hair. Afterwards she stood up from the barely lukewarm water and grabbed a towel to dry off. After vigorously drying, the used towel was curled up into a sort of turban around the hair on her head while she grabbed another towel to wrap herself up. She proceeded to start draining the tub and, once it was empty, began filling it again with hot water. She then opens the door to the regular room and was surprised to see it had gotten dark already. She looks around for Xan and speaks out to the room.
 "I'm preparing more hot water for you to clean yourself. Please come and bathe, you'll feel a lot better. I'll even help you if you want, especially getting the knots all out of your hair." 
 
 Spoiler: Inside Adrianna's Mind 
Well, Adrianna took the time to unwind and grieve over her circumstance. Now that she has come mostly to terms with her situation, she has calmed down and is in nice Adrianna mode. If Xan works with her, Adrianna would definitely try and make Xan more at ease.
 
Kish
As Soren leaves the stage, a young human woman approaches him.  "You're a pretty good dancer,"  she says with a smile.

 
 Spoiler 
Sur'kil won't call you back for a few days, though if you're going back to him the next day to ask for dragonshard items, it makes sense to play through that. In any event, let me know when you're ready to move on--to the next day, or four days into the future to when Sur'kil calls you again. If Soren propositions the woman who approached him, and keeps the dragonmark hidden from her, the rest of the night will proceed more or less as he expected.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Once she had cried enough that her tears dried up, she grabbed the soap bar to wash her face again from the tears as well as doing a brief rinse down of her hair. Afterwards she stood up from the barely lukewarm water and grabbed a towel to dry off. After vigorously drying, the used towel was curled up into a sort of turban around the hair on her head while she grabbed another towel to wrap herself up. She proceeded to start draining the tub and, once it was empty, began filling it again with hot water. She then opens the door to the regular room and was surprised to see it had gotten dark already. She looks around for Xan and speaks out to the room.
 "I'm preparing more hot water for you to clean yourself. Please come and bathe, you'll feel a lot better. I'll even help you if you want, especially getting the knots all out of your hair." 
 
 Spoiler: Inside Adrianna's Mind 
Well, Adrianna took the time to unwind and grieve over her circumstance. Now that she has come mostly to terms with her situation, she has calmed down and is in nice Adrianna mode. If Xan works with her, Adrianna would definitely try and make Xan more at ease.
 
 
 

Xan nodded and walked into the bathroom, shifting into her normal form again and shedding her travel worn clothing.  She slipped into the water silently and just stared at the hills her knees formed out of the water.  She still wouldn't look Adrianna in the eye, and just sat in the water for a few minutes.  After a few minutes she started to try to pick at her hair to untangle it, giving up and letting her hands fall back in the water with a splash.   "I don't know where to start." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 As Soren leaves the stage, a young human woman approaches him.  "You're a pretty good dancer,"  she says with a smile.

 
 Spoiler 
Sur'kil won't call you back for a few days, though if you're going back to him the next day to ask for dragonshard items, it makes sense to play through that. In any event, let me know when you're ready to move on--to the next day, or four days into the future to when Sur'kil calls you again. If Soren propositions the woman who approached him, and keeps the dragonmark hidden from her, the rest of the night will proceed more or less as he expected.
 
 
 

 "Why thank you,"  Soren says with a smile as he offers his hand and leads her to an empty table.  "I've spent quite some time practicing--ah, hello there,"  he addresses a waiter.  "A glass of whatever stout is on tap for me, and may I buy you a drink?"  he asks the young woman.  "My name is Soren, what's yours?" 

The conversation continues for some time, and Soren demonstrates that he can be as adept with his words as his dances. At some point when they're upstairs he realizes he'll have to explain the bandages covering the new mark on his chest and smoothly explains,  "I got in a scrap with a few people down by the port--someone was trying to sneak onto the airship! Don't worry; I gave them much worse than I got!"  he strikes a heroic pose and flashes her a good-natured grin.  "Though I will be moving on in a few days. Are you okay with that?" 

If she is, well...Soren's night ends a lot better than it started, and he makes sure she has a good night too.

The next morning he's slow to get up, and makes sure she's awake and feeling good before getting dressed and heading outside to meet up with the others. He wants to check on everyone, and asking surkil for items to test might be a good idea.
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan nodded and walked into the bathroom, shifting into her normal form again and shedding her travel worn clothing.  She slipped into the water silently and just stared at the hills her knees formed out of the water.  She still wouldn't look Adrianna in the eye, and just sat in the water for a few minutes.  After a few minutes she started to try to pick at her hair to untangle it, giving up and letting her hands fall back in the water with a splash.   "I don't know where to start."  
 

Adrianna moves the soap within Xan's reach. She then grabs the shampoo over to her where she knelt down beside the tub and a hair brush.
 "Here. I'll take care of your hair, you take care of the rest of you." 
She then starts to put the hairbrush through Xan's hair, but it gets caught up almost instantly.
 "Oh geez. I've never seen hair this tangled. When was the last time you got your hair done? Hang on, this might be rough." 
Adrianna tries to gently untangle the hairbrush from Xan's hair. But after a few fruitless attempts, she had to use a bit more force, which might cause Xan discomfort, until the hairbrush is free.
 "Sorry. This is going to take a while. I'm going to have to start at the end and work my way up. So it's going to be a while." 
She then lifts the very end of Xan's hair and then starts attacking the hair with short, quick strokes with the hair brush. The process made it look like she was chiseling Xan's hair back to normal. While this action may look like it would also cause Xan discomfort, surprisingly, Adrianna was delicate enough that Xan could hardly feel the strokes going through her hair. As the ends untangled enough that allowed for easy movement of the brush, Adrianna slowly worked her way up the rest of Xan's hair.
 "So, what's your brother like?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna moves the soap within Xan's reach. She then grabs the shampoo over to her where she knelt down beside the tub and a hair brush.
 "Here. I'll take care of your hair, you take care of the rest of you." 
She then starts to put the hairbrush through Xan's hair, but it gets caught up almost instantly.
 "Oh geez. I've never seen hair this tangled. When was the last time you got your hair done? Hang on, this might be rough." 
Adrianna tries to gently untangle the hairbrush from Xan's hair. But after a few fruitless attempts, she had to use a bit more force, which might cause Xan discomfort, until the hairbrush is free.
 "Sorry. This is going to take a while. I'm going to have to start at the end and work my way up. So it's going to be a while." 
She then lifts the very end of Xan's hair and then starts attacking the hair with short, quick strokes with the hair brush. The process made it look like she was chiseling Xan's hair back to normal. While this action may look like it would also cause Xan discomfort, surprisingly, Adrianna was delicate enough that Xan could hardly feel the strokes going through her hair. As the ends untangled enough that allowed for easy movement of the brush, Adrianna slowly worked her way up the rest of Xan's hair.
 "So, what's your brother like?"  
 

Xan winced a little as Adrianna reached for her head but let the girl brush her hair out.  At her first question, she thought for a moment looking down at her hand and quietly counting to herself.  "Five years ago?  It's easier enough to just shift into a form with nice hair."   She relaxed a little as she felt the brush gentle tease her hair into normal locks.

 "He's angry.  He barely talks to me when I visit now.  He doesn't remember our parents, just our reality.  He is smart I know that much.  They taught him how to write, read, math.  He doesn't understand why I keep leaving him.  He's just a kid still.  I haven't even told him how Dad died, who he was.  They have him practice shifting, but he doesn't like it."   She looked and sounded miserable.
Silverraptor
 "And what about your dad? Who was he?" 
Adrianna's voice is soothing and comforting. The tone that would put those who hear it at ease.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "And what about your dad? Who was he?" 
Adrianna's voice is soothing and comforting. The tone that would put those who hear it at ease. 
 

 "He was just a laborer.  But there was a draft, compulsory service so we could win the war.  I don't know who they were fighting at the time, Breland maybe, or was it Thrane?  He wrote me a letter once talking about the warforged... He could see hundreds of them just standing waiting for the rest of the armies to get ready.  The last letter. He looked human you know.  And my mom was human so no-one could tell.  He taught me shifting late at night after he would return from work.  Did you know what happens when one of us dies?  We go back to the form we were born into, this one for me.  So when they are clearing the field after the fighting is done and a changeling is where your soldier died it raises questions."  Xan spoke into her knees, scrubbing at a stubborn patch of dirt with her thumb.
Silverraptor
 "I'm sorry. Everyone has lost something in that war. It's terrible you lost so much. What happened afterwards? What did you and your brother do?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "I'm sorry. Everyone has lost something in that war. It's terrible you lost so much. What happened afterwards?"  
 

 "What do you think?  They wanted to find the rest of the traitors nest.  I got out the back window with Et, he was just a toddler.  I tried to keep him hidden, I could scrounge, plenty of war orphans begged and stole and as long as you were fast no-one really chased.  Guess they felt bad.  Helped I could shift, they were not as nice the second time.  Et... couldn't control yet.  Takes a couple years to learn that.  One day he followed me out.   He tripped and shifted in panic.  I... I just ran." 
Silverraptor
 "Oh no! But what about your mom? Where was she?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Oh no! But what about your mom? Where was she?"  
 

 "I told you I got out the back window.  What do you  think  happened to her?"  Xan spat the words out a little more angrily than she intended.
Silverraptor
 "So you don't know whatever happened to her... I'm really sorry. And so then that's when you got stuck with the group who has your brother..." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "So you don't know whatever happened to her... I'm really sorry. And so then that's when you got stuck with the group who has your brother..."  
 

 "I could leave.  But leaving him is what got me into this mess.  I can't do that again."   Xanreached her hand back and felt her hair.   "I haven't had someone brush my hair since I was a kid.  Thank you."   She flipped her hair over and submerged her head scrubbing at her scalp for a bit before coming up for air.  After repeating this action a few more times she looked back at Adrianna.   "What's your story?  Pretty young to be a military bigshot." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna blinks at Xan's sudden inquiry.
 "Me? Oh well, my family has always been big devout worshipers of Dol Arrah. Anyways, given the war lasted over 100 years, the army was getting stretched thin. So the order was out to expand the age range for recruitment. When my dad found out, he and my mother began talking to recruiters to get me enlisted." 
She puts the hair brush down, waiting for Xan to finish cleaning herself so she can continue working on her hair.
 "When they told me about the decision, I didn't have any reluctance. I love Breland, and I wanted to do my part to protect it. My parents have a sterling reputations, especially in the church of Dol Arrah. They used their influence to get me into the paladin division, as a specialist. Given the rise in undead at the time, it seemed like a pretty logical choice. I was only 10 at that time." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna blinks at Xan's sudden inquiry.
 "Me? Oh well, my family has always been big devout worshipers of Dol Arrah. Anyways, given the war lasted over 100 years, the army was getting stretched thin. So the order was out to expand the age range for recruitment. When my dad found out, he and my mother began talking to recruiters to get me enlisted." 
She puts the hair brush down, waiting for Xan to finish cleaning herself so she can continue working on her hair.
 "When they told me about the decision, I didn't have any reluctance. I love Breland, and I wanted to do my part to protect it. My parents have a sterling reputations, especially in the church of Dol Arrah. They used their influence to get me into the paladin division, as a specialist. Given the rise in undead at the time, it seemed like a pretty logical choice. I was only 10 at that time."  
 

Xan grabbed a nearby towel and started to vigorously dry herself off, climbing out of the tub.  Wrapping the towel around her body, she turned to look at Adrianna.   "And you were okay with that?  You wanted to kill people for the rest of your life?"  She reached in and drained the tub, grimacing at the ring of grime.   "I never understood your countries obsession with killing undead.  What else are you supposed to do with the bodies?  Let them rot and not be of any use to anyone?  People's lives were saved by sending the dead to fight." 
Silverraptor
 "Well, the primary focus of my division was the undead, but yes. I was ready to fight for my country. And it became clear that I wasn't going to be doing this my entire life. Shortly before I graduated, the mournland was created. The war ended soon afterwards." 
Adrianna's face then showed some unease at Xan's words about undead.
 "The bodies were still once people. They were the vessels for someone's soul and still share the memories created by that person. The bodies should be treated with respect and remembrance in honor of the person it once was, not become a lifeless tool of war for someone who has no value for that person. And people's lives are often killed by undead as well. My job as a paladin was to protect those from the horrible necromancy that befell those corpses." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Well, the primary focus of my division was the undead, but yes. I was ready to fight for my country. And it became clear that I wasn't going to be doing this my entire life. Shortly before I graduated, the mournland was created. The war ended soon afterwards." 
Adrianna's face then showed some unease at Xan's words about undead.
 "The bodies were still once people. They were the vessels for someone's soul and still share the memories created by that person. The bodies should be treated with respect and remembrance in honor of the person it once was, not become a lifeless tool of war for someone who has no value for that person. And people's lives are often killed by undead as well. My job as a paladin was to protect those from the horrible necromancy that befell those corpses."  
 

 "But it is an honor.  You continue to protect your country after your death.  What greater honor is there?  And your country sent soulless constructs instead.  But no magic protects against them.  How is that not worse than using the undead?"   Xan didn't look angry or malicious, just puzzled as she tried to figure out where the misunderstanding lay.

 
 Spoiler 
Okay going to bed now.  It is 4 AM.  If you post again I will respond in the morning.
 
Silverraptor
 "While there may be some people who wish to do that, most would chose to have their remains be with their families and their legacy. And the undead rarely have a choice in what they do afterwards. It's up to the necromancer to decide what they do, and even if they do get the free will to decide for themselves, they aren't them anymore. They've lost the meaning of life in their state, just a twisted, mangled husk of what that person use to be." 
She then takes a deep breath before continuing, still with a soft tone.
 "And yes, the warforged were initially created as weapons, but they have evolved past that. They have free will and understanding, and even share a number of traits more closely resembling to us that are living then undead do. The warforged also have an understanding of what it means to be alive, something the undead can never do. And, may I ask, what constitutes as a soul? They may have started out soulless when they were first being created, but look at them now, they seemed to have developed souls of their own. Did not Scholar feel anger when you insulted her earlier? Can she not feel? And reason? They are as much individuals as you and I. Able to think, feel, and reason." 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
Good night. Also, if you want to proceed with Adrianna's story, the mournland comment in the previous post is a good stepping stone.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "While there may be some people who wish to do that, most would chose to have their remains be with their families and their legacy. And the undead rarely have a choice in what they do afterwards. It's up to the necromancer to decide what they do, and even if they do get the free will to decide for themselves, they aren't them anymore. They've lost the meaning of life in their state, just a twisted, mangled husk of what that person use to be." 
She then takes a deep breath before continuing, still with a soft tone.
 "And yes, the warforged were initially created as weapons, but they have evolved past that. They have free will and understanding, and even share a number of traits more closely resembling to us that are living then undead do. The warforged also have an understanding of what it means to be alive, something the undead can never do. And, may I ask, what constitutes as a soul? They may have started out soulless when they were first being created, but look at them now, they seemed to have developed souls of their own. Did not Scholar feel anger when you insulted her earlier? Can she not feel? And reason? They are as much individuals as you and I. Able to think, feel, and reason." 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
Good night. Also, if you want to proceed with Adrianna's story, the mournland comment in the previous post is a good stepping stone.
 
 
 

 "Not to a Karrn.  The body is a tool, before and after death."   She started gathering the hair that had been brushed from her head into a ball.   "We need to dispose of this.  They saw a half-elf walk in, not a changeling." 

There was a longer silence before she spoke again.  "How do you know that is real anger? It was the first thing resembling emotion I had seen from any warforged, but even animals lash out.  How do you know it wasn't her original assignment?"   Xan shrugged and went back to gathering her hair.   "So what did you do?  Protecting I mean?  I don't see how guard duty somewhere gets you promoted." 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Not to a Karrn.  The body is a tool, before and after death."   She started gathering the hair that had been brushed from her head into a ball.   "We need to dispose of this.  They saw a half-elf walk in, not a changeling." 

There was a longer silence before she spoke again.  "How do you know that is real anger? It was the first thing resembling emotion I had seen from any warforged, but even animals lash out.  How do you know it wasn't her original assignment?"   Xan shrugged and went back to gathering her hair.   "So what did you do?  Protecting I mean?  I don't see how guard duty somewhere gets you promoted."  
 

 "Well let me ask you this. If you were the creator of a warforge as a weapon, designing it with all sort of combat prowess and reason to make it a killing machine, would you instill a sense of anger if someone insults it? Would you classify emotion on the battlefield as a potential liability?" 

She helps consolidate Xan's hair.

 "And your right. After the Mournland happened, there was little need for a paladin on the front lines when the war was rapidly drawing to a close. By then my job was instead shifting to dispatching bandits and escorting refugees along the border of Breland. I remember a particular escort mission where we were escorting a pack of refugees through the Marguul pass, this was almost a year ago. I was still pretty green. That was when a bunch of bandits attacked, trying to raid what the valuables the refugees may have brought with them. And this weren't your average kings of the trash hill because they had a knife bandits, these guys were pretty sophisticated. Probably ex-military by the looks of it. They even had some bugbears with with them, probably bought their services in exchange for a share of the loot they were after." 
She sighs heavily and stares over Xan's head, recalling.
 "It took the entire group of us to hold them off, a couple of my fellowmen had died protecting the refugees. In the end, we killed about half of them with me killing three. I wrecked my shield arm pretty bad holding them off. Especially protecting this one woman. I don't know what she was doing, but she was obviously paralyzed from fear. Took a severe beating trying to hold the guy back who was going after her. When I finally killed him, my left arm was pretty useless for the rest of the day, and it took me 3 weeks before I was allowed to use it again from the medical division. I even had to yell and grab the woman and push her towards the rest of the running refugees to get her out of the combat zone." 
She shakes her head, still lost in her recollections.
 "Well, because of achievements of getting 3 or my 6 kills in my active duty, and for sustaining those injuries, that was when they promoted me to corporal. Though that's still below Sergent, or any other impressive military rank." 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
This was pretty hard trying to come up with a made up story. Had to do my research including what Adrianna had said in the past and looking at a map of eberron. But anyways, sorry for the delay. Here you go.
 
Athedia
Xan nodded along with Adrianna's story, her face getting more and more concerned as the girl spoke.  She froze, getting a wide eyed look and swallowing nervously as the story revealed more details.   "This woman... could you... do you remember.... No."  She rubbed her forehead nervously.   "Adrianna... I.  Hmmm.  That scenario is-. Um."   She shifted from foot to foot, not looking at Adrianna and instead choosing to stare at the ground.    "Thank you."  
 
 Spoiler: Silver 
Wow, you did a great job.
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna blinked, taken aback from Xan's thank you and her sudden nervousness.
 "Well you're welcome, I hope that you're feeling better. I guess you don't have many people tell you stories about their lives? When I was on guard duty, a lot of them, especially the older ones, always wanted to talk about their lives stories. Where they used to live all their lives and why they were moving into Breland and the like. I've heard so many, I guess I didn't realize that others might not have stories shared with them on a regular basis." 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
Xan's going to need to connect the dots better for Adrianna.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna blinked, taken aback from Xan's thank you and her sudden nervousness.
 "Well you're welcome, I hope that you're feeling better. I guess you don't have many people tell you stories about their lives? When I was on guard duty, a lot of them, especially the older ones, always wanted to talk about their lives stories. Where they used to live all their lives and why they were moving into Breland and the like. I've heard so many, I guess I didn't realize that others might not have stories shared with them on a regular basis." 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
Xan's going to need to connect the dots better for Adrianna.
 
 
 

 "I hear plenty about other peoples lives. Experience plenty.  They just never realize I was there."   Staring at her feet she shifted again, her hair turning blonde and long, becoming shorter but skinnier so that she had to tighten the towel around herself.  Her skin had a deep farmers tan, even though the form looked in it's late 20s at most.   "You didn't." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna stared at new figure Xan had turned herself into. Her face was frozen from the remnants of the kindness on her face, and the surprise that slowly filled into her eyes. It was nearly a minute Adrianna's mouth was half open as if she was in the middle of a sentence as she continued to look at the figure of a woman Xan had presented in front of her. All the details that Adrianna did not tell perfectly matched the recalled memory. Finally Adrianna's face changed to reflect the incredulous disbelieving shock in the tone of her voice.
 "That Was You?!?!" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna stared at new figure Xan had turned herself into. Her face was frozen from the remnants of the kindness on her face, and the surprise that slowly filled into her eyes. It was nearly a minute Adrianna's mouth was half open as if she was in the middle of a sentence as she continued to look at the figure of a woman Xan had presented in front of her. All the details that Adrianna did not tell perfectly matched the recalled memory. Finally Adrianna's face changed to reflect the incredulous disbelieving shock in the tone of her voice.
 "That Was You?!?!"  
 

Xan shifted back letting the form disappear.   "You look a bit older now.  But yes, that was me.  I... I didn't recognize you.  You saved my life." 
CWater
Kaarna has found herself a roof, one as nice as you might expect. She lies on her back, playing with an escaped strand of hair, staring first at the sunset, and after it fades at the stars (or clouds depending on the weather). She hears the clatter of tiny feet approach her ear, but doesn't care to turn.

  There's really nothing you can do about it?  
  No.  
  And you don't know what it is, either. Can't you even, you know,  ask  about it?  
  It doesn't work like that, and you know it.  
 "Bhah!",  Kaarna shouts out loud,  "Then what good are you?!" 
  Thanks to me you have power. Don't forget that.  
  Power...   Kaarna clenches her fist and smacks her own chest.

  Afraid you can't burn this away.  
  Could burn  something , just to feel better.  
  Best if you don't. The others could disapprove, and we need them to solve this.  
  Need them...   Kaarna kicks the roof in frustration.   I hate feeling weak. I HATE it. HATE IT! HATE IT!! HATE IT!!!  

Veca says nothing to this. The witch and the familiar continue to stare at the sky, until the shifter finally drifts to sleep.
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan shifted back letting the form disappear.   "You look a bit older now.  But yes, that was me.  I... I didn't recognize you.  You saved my life."  
 

 "I..." 
Adrianna shakes her head in confusion, trying to make sense of it all.
 "Why were you there? What was your purpose? Since it's clear you weren't there as a refugee!" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "I..." 
Adrianna shakes her head in confusion, trying to make sense of it all.
 "Why were you there? What was your purpose? Since it's clear you weren't there as a refugee!"  
 

Xan gave a little grin that then became serious.   "Do you really think just refugee's traveled that route?  Smugglers are always looking for newer paths.  I was told to test one out, to see if moving as a refugee offered sufficient protection.  I actually... I reported it was too dangerous.  That the bandits lining the road preyed on even heavily guarded groups.  I didn't... I didn't want to risk that they would increase raids if smuggled goods were found." 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan gave a little grin that then became serious.   "Do you really think just refugee's traveled that route?  Smugglers are always looking for newer paths.  I was told to test one out, to see if moving as a refugee offered sufficient protection.  I actually... I reported it was too dangerous.  That the bandits lining the road preyed on even heavily guarded groups.  I didn't... I didn't want to risk that they would increase raids if smuggled goods were found."  
 

 "..." 
Adrianna stared at Xan a moment before looking down at her feet. She sat there in silence for a bit before finally speaking.
 "Well thank you for reporting that. Probably did prevent future bandit raids." 
She looks back up at Xan.
 "And your welcome. Not only to saving your life but giving you another chance to be with your brother." 
She put her hand on Xan's shoulder and smiled at her.
 "And I know we can free him. I can feel that we will be able to." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "..." 
Adrianna stared at Xan a moment before looking down at her feet. She sat there in silence for a bit before finally speaking.
 "Well thank you for reporting that. Probably did prevent future bandit raids." 
She looks back up at Xan.
 "And you're welcome. Not only to saving your life but giving you another chance to be with your brother." 
She put her hand on Xan's shoulder and smiled at her.
 "And I know we can free him. I can feel that we will be able to."  
 

 "I hope we can.  We should sleep if we are going to figure out what these are tomorrow."   Xan quickly collapsed on one of the beds, her arm sprawled off the edge as she quickly fell asleep.
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I hope we can.  We should sleep if we are going to figure out what these are tomorrow."   Xan quickly collapsed on one of the beds, her arm sprawled off the edge as she quickly fell asleep. 
 

Adrianna goes over to her travel sack and pulls out some night clothing. She takes off the two towels and starts to change in them. As she finishes buttoning her nightshirt when she notices her other spare night clothes.
 "Xan? I have another pair of pajamas here. I know I'm shorter then you but if you're willing to shape shift you can make them fit you for tonighhhhhtttt..." 
She looks over at Xan and notices she's fast asleep on her bed. She didn't climb under the covers and was wrapped in only her towel asleep. Adrianna wanted to go over and put the covers on her, but didn't know how to do that without potentially disturbing her. She instead quietly crawled into bed. She looked over at Xan for a moment before again rubbing the spot on her skin where the mark is. She did this for a minute or two until Xan shifted in her bed, partially undoing her towel wrapped around her. This caused Adrianna to look at her, turn red, and then roll over with her back to Xan and force herself to sleep.


________________________________________


Adrianna's instincts woke her up when they sensed the usual time for dawn, the usual wake time in the military. Adrianna opened her eyes and saw the light glow creeping around the curtains signaling that is was quite further past dawn. She got up and stretched in bed before looking over at Xan and feeling her face turn red again. Xan apparently shifted enough that her towel completely unraveled and was just barely hanging on to the bed, mostly draped on the floor.
 "Oh for-!" 
She got out of bed and went over to her travel pack. Grabbing her other pair of plain clothes, she goes over to Xan, still glowing the furious red color in her face, she shook Xan vigorously on the shoulder.
 "Wake up! Lest you want Soren to barge in here and get to see your true form naked!" 
Athedia
Xan's eyes shot open and her hand lunged for Adrianna's throat.  Before she reached it, her brain caught up to the real world and she managed to halt it.  She groaned and reached down to where she had dropped her clothing the day before, pulling a shirt out of the pouch that her hand seemed to disappear into.  At Adrianna's look she shrugged.   "It's magic.  Let's me move a little faster.  Sometimes that's what you need.  I forgot to put it on out there, guess I liked the idea of something being clean."   She took the offered clothing and shifted the half-elf form to fit into them, putting the shirt on under the other clothing.  It took a few tries for the clothing to fit properly as Xan kept misjudging Adrianna's dimensions.

 "Lead on.  And uh... please keep Soren away from me?" 
Silverraptor
Xan was lucky she caught herself when she did. Another few inches and Adrianna's hand that raised in retaliation would have grabbed Xan's wrist and then Adrianna's military training would have taken. After a pause, Adrianna allowed herself to reduce the tension in her body.
 "A little jumpy I see." 

She watched as Xan adjusted her body, especially the chest area, several times to fit properly into the shirt she offered.   I hate all other women...  
She then goes and change into her own clothes, forcing herself to ignore the mark when she see's it.
 "While we're out, we should probably grab a few things like clothes and a pack for you instead of just the pair you have now. Also-" 
She finishes putting on her shirt which fell flatly down around her.
 -you are going to need to apologize to Scholar." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Xan was lucky she caught herself when she did. Another few inches and Adrianna's hand that raised in retaliation would have grabbed Xan's wrist and then Adrianna's military training would have taken. After a pause, Adrianna allowed herself to reduce the tension in her body.
 "A little jumpy I see." 

She watched as Xan adjusted her body, especially the chest area, several times to fit properly into the shirt she offered.   I hate all other women...  
She then goes and change into her own clothes, forcing herself to ignore the mark when she see's it.
 "While we're out, we should probably grab a few things like clothes and a pack for you instead of just the pair you have now. Also-" 
She finishes putting on her shirt which fell flatly down around her.
 -you are going to need to apologize to Scholar."  
 

Xan's face fell at Adrianna's last pronouncement.   "Apologize.  What will I say?  I still don't believe your words that she is more than a construct." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna sighs.
 "Okay, I know it's hard for you, but it'll be even harder if you two have to work together with this tension you would have." 
Her eyes light up with an idea.
 "I know, how about this. Why don't you pretend there is a women named scholar under a full sized suit of magical armor, which would explain the glowing eyes and stuff. It shouldn't be too difficult for you, since you like pretending to be other people all the time, refugee. So how about this as an exercise. Why don't you transform into the woman you are going to imagine is underneath all the metal that makes her up. Do you think you can try that for a moment?" 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
I think this would be a good way to move on without Scholar and Xan trying to kill each other every step along the way. Roleplay Xan appropriately as Adrianna tries to get her through this exercise.
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna sighs.
 "Okay, I know it's hard for you, but it'll be even harder if you two have to work together with this tension you would have." 
Her eyes light up with an idea.
 "I know, how about this. Why don't you pretend there is a women named scholar under a full sized suit of magical armor, which would explain the glowing eyes and stuff. It shouldn't be too difficult for you, since you like pretending to be other people all the time, refugee. So how about this as an exercise. Why don't you transform into the woman you are going to imagine is underneath all the metal that makes her up. Do you think you can try that for a moment?"  
 

Xan closed her eyes and transformed into a woman of similar dimensions to Adrianna to protect the clothing.  The woman was pale and undistinguished looking, like someone who had spent far to much time in a library.   "Just armor, just armor."  She shifted back into the previous form and raised an eyebrow at Adrianna.   "I meant more what would I say?  For that matter, what would I say to Soren?" 
Silverraptor
 "Just start with 'I'm Sorry.' That alone will reduce the tension. And don't worry about Soren. If he see's you apologizing, that should satisfy him as well." 
She makes sure she has everything and her armor is in a neat pile on the ground. She tapped the crystal to see if it would visually react. When it glowed for a second when she did so, she was satisfied that the calling ability was active.
 "Alright, lets head over to Sur'kil. If what Soren said that these 'dragonshard' things are unique only to certain marks, then that's our best chance to figure out what our marks could do. If we find a one them reacting to us, then we look up the house of which one that would belong to and see more information about these dragonmarks." 
She picks up the book to take along and sighs.
 "It's sure not making itself easy, is it?" 
Athedia
Xan sighed and nodded.   "Fine. But she still creeps me out."   She went over to look at the book.   "Oh the mysterious impossible marks aren't making themselves easy?  Understatement of the year.  You think there would be some research on aberrant marks, if only so people could prevent them."   She shrugged and got her items together to leave.   "Soren never asked for all these coppers he made me carry.  Shall we use that as the clothing budget?" 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan sighed and nodded.   "Fine. But she still creeps me out."   She went over to look at the book.   "Oh the mysterious impossible marks aren't making themselves easy?  Understatement of the year.  You think there would be some research on aberrant marks, if only so people could prevent them."   She shrugged and got her items together to leave.   "Soren never asked for all these coppers he made me carry.  Shall we use that as the clothing budget?"  
 

Adrianna smiled.
 "Why not? I seem to recall he offered to pay you from his share as well." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren wakes slowly, stretching himself like a cat before shuffling back under the covers. He enjoys the warmth of the blankets and the woman beside him for a few minutes longer before pulling himself out of bed and getting dressed, quickly pulling on his tunic before she has to wake up.

 "Hey there,"  he brushes the hair out of her eyes as she wakes.  "Thanks for last night--I needed that. I'm headed out but do you want breakfast beforehand?" 
 
 Spoiler: kish 
does anything happen over
Breakfast?
 

===


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan sighed and nodded.   "Fine. But she still creeps me out."   She went over to look at the book.   "Oh the mysterious impossible marks aren't making themselves easy?  Understatement of the year.  You think there would be some research on aberrant marks, if only so people could prevent them."   She shrugged and got her items together to leave.   "Soren never asked for all these coppers he made me carry.  Shall we use that as the clothing budget?"  
 

At this moment there's a knocking on the door, followed by Soren's voice.  "Morning guys! Can I come in?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 At this moment there's a knocking on the door, followed by Soren's voice.  "Morning guys! Can I come in?"  
 

 "Shouldn't you ask them to  come out ?"  It had been easy enough to spot the kid's bright red head on the street and then follow him.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Shouldn't you ask them to  come out ?"  It had been easy enough to spot the kid's bright red head on the street and then follow him. 
 

Soren jumps at the sudden sound of Kaarna's voice, but relaxes instantly when he registers that it's hers.  "Hah! I'll have to remember that one!"  He turns and knocks on the door.  "Well, did you hear her?" 

While waiting, he turns back to Kaarna.  "So, how are you doing? Did you end up sleeping okay?" 
CWater
Kaarna snorts.  "Who do you think I am?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna snorts.  "Who do you think I am?"  
 

 "An evil witch, of course,"  Soren smirks. He knocks on the door again.  "Guys?" 
Silverraptor
Adrianna grabs her hair tie and puts her hair back into a pony tail. She sounded more serious when she answered through the door.
 "Yeah, sure. We're coming out." 
She then goes and opens the door, making her way into the hallway.
 "So what now? See if Sur'kil has anything to help us figure our things out?" 
aReallyGreatAxe
Scholar walks up the hallway to join, her attempt to be unobtrusive slightly marred by the fact that she is a six foot tall warforged.  "That sounds like the best course of action,"  she replies to Adrianna.
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna grabs her hair tie and puts her hair back into a pony tail. She sounded more serious when she answered through the door.
 "Yeah, sure. We're coming out." 
She then goes and opens the door, making her way into the hallway.
 "So what now? See if Sur'kil has anything to help us figure our things out?"  
 

Soren nods, peeking over her shoulder to look for Xan.  "Yeah, dragonshard items are made for specific dragonmarks. They should be able to tell you guys if your marks are what they look like. Not sure what to do about mine though." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by aReallyGreatAxe 
 Scholar walks up the hallway to join, her attempt to be unobtrusive slightly marred by the fact that she is a six foot tall warforged.  "That sounds like the best course of action,"  she replies to Adrianna. 
 

Xan followed Adrianna out of the hall, quieting when she saw Scholar.  Looking back at Adrianna she paused again.  She finally looked at Scholar again before dropping her head to stare at the floor.  "I'm sorry for last night Scholar." 
aReallyGreatAxe
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan followed Adrianna out of the hall, quieting when she saw Scholar.  Looking back at Adrianna she paused again.  She finally looked at Scholar again before dropping her head to stare at the floor.  "I'm sorry for last night Scholar."  
 

Scholar looks at Xan with surprise.  "Yes, you most certainly should be. Most people don't react well to it being implied that they are responsible for the most abhorrent event in recent history."  Her tone is bland, as if she were discussing the weather rather than the catastrophic destruction of an entire nation.  "I do hope Soren won't hit you again, that was most impolite." 
Silverraptor
When Xan looks over at Adrianna again, she gives her a nod of approval.

Later on when the group is on their way to Sur'kil's place, Adrianna whisper to Xan out of earshot of the others.
  "It's a start."  
CWater
 "Well, miss face-changer had a change of heart, aren't we a merry party of friends? Ready to face the devious dragon, insane cultists and solve  all  our problems." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren blinks in surprise. He then relaxes a bit and says.  "Thanks. And I'm sorry about slapping you too. Your comment was rude and inappropriate, but so was I, and I shouldn't have done that."  

He turns to Kaarna.  "Well, what are we waiting for?" 
 
 Spoiler: guys 
Exam tomorrow so I won't be on much today. Sorry!
 
Kish
You return to Sur'kil's ship.  "Sur'kil? No, he's not here,"  the crewman who greets you tells you, looking puzzled.  "He didn't say you'd be back today." 
Silverraptor
 "We decided to return on our own volition. If he is not here, when will he be back?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "We have something for him. Or if not, is his...daughter, Lydia, here?" 
Kish
 "Yes, I am,"  Lydia says, walking up behind the crewman.  "You can go back to work, Thomas. I'll deal with them."  She looks at Soren quizzically as the crewman walks away, then leads you to Sur'kil's cabin. After closing the door behind you, she asks,  "What's this about?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Yes, I am,"  Lydia says, walking up behind the crewman.  "You can go back to work, Thomas. I'll deal with them."  She looks at Soren quizzically as the crewman walks away, then leads you to Sur'kil's cabin. After closing the door behind you, she asks,  "What's this about?"  
 

Soren smiles and nods.  "Thanks. We're trying to figure out more about these marks. Would you be able to get us some dragonshard items that react to these marks, one for each house? We're trying to test if we can use them but don't really want to raise suspicion what with the Emerald Claw jumping us on the way back--one of them escaped."  he pauses and rubs the back of his neck.  "Also, um, are you a dragon too?" 
Kish
 "Yes, I am. I might be able to arrange that, but I'd think there would be a much simpler way to test if the marks function equivalently to known true dragonmarks. Have you tried to create any effects with them yet?" 
Silverraptor
 "Ummm..." 
Adrianna shifted before stepping forward.
 "I seem to have activated mine...accidentally...over a little dispute with Xan last night. It seemed like mine hurt her in some way. But I was able to heal her instantly with my Lay on Hands ability." 
CoffeeIncluded
At the admission of her being a dragon Soren pales a little and swallows. She might have her own agenda too, especially since she seemed uncertain and willing to tell them more...though how much did she also know? Also, suddenly their first train ride makes a lot more sense.  "Erm...so did you know about this part too? Also, uh, sorry about the train ride thing by the way. Though I hope the conversation at least was okay." 

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Ummm..." 
Adrianna shifted before stepping forward.
 "I seem to have activated mine...accidentally...over a little dispute with Xan last night. It seemed like mine hurt her in some way. But I was able to heal her instantly with my Lay on Hands ability."  
 

 "And that's the thing,"  Soren adds.  "Her mark is like the Mark of Shadow. But the Mark of Shadow is supposed to do illusions, not hurt people. That's why we think it might be a good idea to see if they respond to dragonshard items at all."  
Athedia
 "And mine was looks like the Mark of Making, but I couldn't do anything of the sort.  Not that I would know where to start." 
Kish
 "Sorry for what?"  She gives Soren a confused look before looking back at Adrianna,  "The effect is what matters, not the look. Hurt her in  what  way? Did it create fire, corrosive gas, knives?"  Then she looks curiously toward Kaarna and Scholar.
Athedia
 "It was in my head.  Just splitting pain."  
aReallyGreatAxe
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Sorry for what?"  She gives Soren a confused look before looking back at Adrianna,  "The effect is what matters, not the look. Hurt her in  what  way? Did it create fire, corrosive gas, knives?"  Then she looks curiously toward Kaarna and Scholar. 
 

Scholar looks sheepishly at Lydia.  "Before you ask, I have not even tried to activate mine. My kind are not intended to have these marks- I do not wish to try and have something go horribly wrong."  
Kish
 "Causing direct damage is an  aberrant  mark ability. Intended to?"  She laughs a little.  "Whose intent are you referring to?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  "Causing direct damage is an  aberrant  mark ability. Intended to?"  She laughs a little.  "Whose intent are you referring to?"  
 

 "Yes, but they look like true dragonmarks. Well, kinda. The shape and color are off but aberrant dragonmarks are usually really really different but ours look like...well, kinda like a copy. That's why it might be a good idea to see what dragonshard items would do. At least, theirs."  He shuffles uncomfortably.  "I don't know about mine." 
CWater
 "That so? What's my shape supposed to do then?" 
Athedia
 "I'm going to bet it causes mood swings."   Xan muttered under her breath before realizing she had spoken.  Quickly she looked up, her eyes wide with horror.  They quickly shrank back to normal size as she realized that Adrianna was between her and the shifter.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I'm going to bet it causes mood swings."   Xan muttered under her breath before realizing she had spoken.  Quickly she looked up, her eyes wide with horror.  They quickly shrank back to normal size as she realized that Adrianna was between her and the shifter. 
 

 "Hahah, wouldn't that be funny",  Kaarna snickers and gives Xan a toothy smile,  "Boring though. I'd rather have it blow stuff up." 
Kish
Lydia shakes her head.  "There's no point in bringing an image projector or reparation apparatus here; if you could use either, you can create images or repair damage if you try without needing it. Experimenting to see what effects you can create--or destroy, as the case may be--seems like the logical next step." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren frowns and folds his arms.  "So you can't even let us borrow anything? Would you at least be able to get us some info on aberrant marks?" 
 
 Spoiler: diplomacy 
diplomacy:  (d20+13)[ 19 ] 
 
Kish
She frowns back.  "How exactly would holding a reparation apparatus and trying to repair something by concentration be a better test than just trying to repair something by concentration? I can tell you about aberrant marks; I'm not sure about written information. What does the book you have say?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 "I was thinking we could see if they even activate. Guess that might work for a couple marks."  He shifts uncomfortably in his seat.  "The book just says they're bad news and always end in disaster. Which I don't think can be always true. But it doesn't say anything about what they look like or what they can do." 
aReallyGreatAxe
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
 She frowns back.  "How exactly would holding a reparation apparatus and trying to repair something by concentration be a better test than just trying to repair something by concentration? I can tell you about aberrant marks; I'm not sure about written information. What does the book you have say?"  
 

 "The book was not terribly illuminating, so far as aberrant marks are concerned. All we know is that they are the marks of the dragon Khyber, and are as destructive as Adrianna's appears to be.  I'm terribly sorry if this is offensive, but would you happen to know anything pertinent about this dragon?"  
Kish
 "Hm. A reparation apparatus won't respond to just being held; if you activated it, you would have successfully used the mark. As for Khyber, and aberrant marks."  She sighs.

 "The world dragons aren't dragons like I am. We live on Eberron, the Dragon Between. Siberys, the Dragon Above, circles the planet, and Khyber, the Dragon Below, is underground. My people were created by Siberys and yours by Eberron."

"Khyber's creations are...strange, and usually hostile to all others. Humanoid scholars have a tendency to portray Khyber as evil and the other two as good, but that's entirely the wrong way to look at it."

"The marks of Siberys--so-called 'true' marks--are predictable. Orderly. The follow family lines, and you can tell by their shape what they can do. And they're always creative, one way or another. The marks of Khyber are chaotic; you cannot trace their appearance or predict their powers, beyond that they are, always, the power to  destroy , not to create." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Kish 
  
"The marks of Siberys--so-called 'true' marks--are predictable. Orderly. The follow family lines, and you can tell by their shape what they can do. And they're always creative, one way or another. The marks of Khyber are chaotic; you cannot trace their appearance or predict their powers, beyond that they are, always, the power to  destroy , not to create."  
 

 "Well, the latter DO sound lot more fun. Though I guess these folks won't agree?"  Kaarna glances at the others, her eyes lingering on Soren and Adrianna especially.
Silverraptor
Adrianna looks darkly over at Kaarna.
 "What do you think? We've generally been made into a crazy Dragon's harbingers of destruction!" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna looks darkly over at Kaarna.
 "What do you think? We've generally been made into a crazy Dragon's harbingers of destruction!"  
 

 "Oh, I'm sure there are far worse things to be",  the witch replies smirking.
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Oh, I'm sure there are far worse things to be",  the witch replies smirking. 
 

 "Really? Like what? I don't really appreciate becoming some kind of tool for destruction!" 
She then turns and looks at Lydia.
 "So pretty much what you're saying is, we have no way of figuring out what these cursed marks will do without actually trying a bunch of ways to trigger it randomly? I know mine can... hurt people..." 
She glances over at Xan for a moment with shameful eyes.
 "...and that was because I got angry for a moment. But for everyone else, is it just a process of trial and error?" 
Kish
She shakes her head.  "Some would argue that you already were. How many lizardfolk did you kill recently? It's a mistake to inherently associate creation with good or destruction with evil. But no, I can't think of any way to find out what the marks do without trying to use them. If your mark causes pain, I'm not volunteering for you to test it on me, but it's likely worth trying the next time you're in combat, to see if you can control it." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna shifts where she's standing, folding her arms. She then thinks about the issue for a bit before she looks up with a hesitant look on her face.
 "Wait... Is Khyber himself all about chaos and unpredictability?..." 
Athedia
 "But what if all those deaths were caused because someone's mark actually activated?  How do we know if one of us has that curse?  Or if one made us a plague carrier?  Or makes us smell good to wolves?  How do we test any of that?  Some of these effects we want to AVOID activating." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Well, the latter DO sound lot more fun. Though I guess these folks won't agree?"  Kaarna glances at the others, her eyes lingering on Soren and Adrianna especially. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna looks darkly over at Kaarna.
 "What do you think? We've generally been made into a crazy Dragon's harbingers of destruction!"  
 

 "Hey Kaarna, if you want to switch with me then be my guest! At least yours looks like the mark of finding and I'd love to have that one; I have no clue what mine is supposed to be!"  he turns to Lydia.  "Do you at least know if aberrant marks are bizarrely different from true dragonmarks? Since theirs look like, well, copies of true dragonmarks but with a different color." 

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna shifts where she's standing, folding her arms. She then thinks about the issue for a bit before she looks up with a hesitant look on her face.
 "Wait... Is Khyber himself all about chaos and unpredictability?..."  
 

Soren also thinks quietly as Lydia and Adrianna speak. Whether Kyber and the other dragons are real or personifications of concepts, it's still interesting. And probably important.  "Do you know what marks the other group had?" 

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "But what if all those deaths were caused because someone's mark actually activated?  How do we know if one of us has that curse?  Or if one made us a plague carrier?  Or makes us smell good to wolves?  How do we test any of that?  Some of these effects we want to AVOID activating."  
 

 "I'm with Xa--Sora on this one, actually." 
Kish
Lydia shrugs.  "You don't need to try to activate the marks, if you'd rather not risk knowing, but as you've already discovered, that doesn't guarantee they won't activate. Aberrant marks can look like anything at all." 
Silverraptor
 "How did the entire other group all die? Did they all just drop dead after a year? Or did different random things happen to them in rapid succession? Did they all survive atleast a year?" 
Kish
 "The previous adventurers, I'm afraid I don't know as much about as Sur'kil does. Though I thought he had told you the answers to some of those questions."  She looks puzzled.
Silverraptor
 "Yes he did. I was just trying to clarify more about the previous group and get more specific details. But I guess that can wait for Sur'kil." 
She looks at everyone.
 "Well, it appears there's not going to be be much luck in discovering our abilities from cheap trinkets like Soren suggested. I guess all that we can do now is wait for him to come back?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren sighs.  "Thanks anyway. I guess we might as well go shopping and stock up until Sur'kil gets back. Actually though..."  He turns back to Lydia, showing the scimitar and whatever else they could not identify,  "We found these in the temple--do you know what enchantments are on them?" 
Kish
She shakes her head.  "I'm afraid not." 
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
If Soren doesn't know Identify, Scholar does.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Thanks anyway." 
 
 Spoiler 
soren does not. Thanks! Should we skip to treasure and shopping then or something else?
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna shakes her head a couple times, troubled.
 "Well, we have a few days until Sur'kil comes back. I guess we just prepare and wait until then? 'Sora' and I were planning on heading out for some shopping today." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Can I join you?"  Soren visibly perks up a bit.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna shakes her head a couple times, troubled.
 "Well, we have a few days until Sur'kil comes back. I guess we just prepare and wait until then? 'Sora' and I were planning on heading out for some shopping today."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Can I join you?"  Soren visibly perks up a bit. 
 

 "Well you are paying for it Choir Boy.  You did promise to give me a share of your money and gifted me with all those lovely coppers." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna Shrugs.
 "I don't mind." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Well you are paying for it Choir Boy.  You did promise to give me a share of your money and gifted me with all those lovely coppers."  
 

Kaarna places a hand briefly on Xan's shoulder.  "Be nice to him, will you? I won't be happy if  I hear you made him cry."  She pats the changeling on the back and turns around.  "I'll see you later." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Well you are paying for it Choir Boy.  You did promise to give me a share of your money and gifted me with all those lovely coppers."  
 

Soren sighs.  "Guess I did, didn't I. Maybe I should put a contingency on it. I need to get some stuff anyway and we need to sell these things." 

 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna places a hand briefly on Xan's shoulder.  "Be nice to him, will you? I won't be happy if  I hear you made him cry."  She pats the changeling on the back and turns around.  "I'll see you later."  
 

 "Don't worry Kaarna, I'll tell you everything. Don't go turning people into frogs!" 
 
 Spoiler: so then 
Shall we get going?
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna places a hand briefly on Xan's shoulder.  "Be nice to him, will you? I won't be happy if  I hear you made him cry."  She pats the changeling on the back and turns around.  "I'll see you later."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren sighs.  "Guess I did, didn't I. Maybe I should put a contingency on it. I need to get some stuff anyway and we need to sell these things." 
 "Don't worry Kaarna, I'll tell you everything. Don't go turning people into frogs!" 
 
 Spoiler: so then 
Shall we get going?
 
 
 

Xan let out a small gulp at Kaarna's sudden... friendliness. The lightheartedness soon returned once they got out onto the street and neared the shops.  Xan tugged on Adrianna's arm,  "What do you recommend?" 
Silverraptor
Adrianna seems shocked at Xan's question.
 "I don't know... whatever looks good to you for casual attire? As for when we start undertaking the missions Sur'kil will have for us in a few days, I assume you're not going to be in full plate like me. Maybe something light and adjustable which would allow you to take on several forms while wearing it? Other than that, whatever looks right to you, I guess." 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
Adrianna is not Sora. She doesn't do fashion.😛
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna seems shocked at Xan's question.
 "I don't know... whatever looks good to you for casual attire? As for when we start undertaking the missions Sur'kil will have for us in a few days, I assume you're not going to be in full plate like me. Maybe something light and adjustable which would allow you to take on several forms while wearing it? Other than that, whatever looks right to you, I guess." 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
Adrianna is not Sora. She doesn't do fashion.😛
 
 
 

Xan gave Adrianna a weird look.   "I know what clothes I like.  Seriously.... You thought I was asking you about clothes?  Prancer over there would be my first choice with that.  I mean gear.  I haven't done much wilderness travel before, what do I need?" 
 
 Spoiler: Silver 
No, Xan is "Sora"
 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan gave Adrianna a weird look.   "I know what clothes I like.  Seriously.... You thought I was asking you about clothes?  Prancer over there would be my first choice with that.  I mean gear.  I haven't done much wilderness travel before, what do I need?" 
 
 Spoiler: Silver 
No, Xan is "Sora"
 
 
 

Adrianna waved her hand in the air.
 "Well forgive me for coming to that conclusion. Given that you are wearing my spare clothes, I assumed you were talking about every day clothes. As for gear, it kind of depends on what you want to be able to do with the group. I'm assuming you are going to prefer the agile light weight style that you used when you were pretending to be Raphael. Is that correct or no?" 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
There was a Sora before her.😉
 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna waved her hand in the air.
 "Well forgive me for coming to that conclusion. Given that you are wearing my spare clothes, I assumed you were talking about every day clothes. As for gear, it kind of depends on what you want to be able to do with the group. I'm assuming you are going to prefer the agile light weight style that you used when you were pretending to be Raphael. Is that correct or no?" 
 
 Spoiler: Athedia 
There was a Sora before her.😉
 
 
 

 "Fair assessment, moving light means moving fast.  Moving fast means surviving.  Once I get rid of these coppers then I can stuff most of the things in my pouch.  So would you say no to one of those backpacks?  Oh! If we are going on the road again, should I get a horse?  I don't know much about them to be honest, but I don't want to make yours keep carrying me and I am NOT riding with any pervy half-elves." 
CoffeeIncluded
 "Well excuse me for wanting to look fashionable. Besides, I'm a performer! I don't skulk around in the shadows like Rough Draft over here,"  Soren jibes back. He claps his hands together.  "Seriously though, we need to get rid of this stuff, and there's some outfits and these bracers I've been eyeing. I hope I have enough for them." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Well excuse me for wanting to look fashionable. Besides, I'm a performer! I don't skulk around in the shadows like Rough Draft over here,"  Soren jibes back. He claps his hands together.  "Seriously though, we need to get rid of this stuff, and there's some outfits and these bracers I've been eyeing. I hope I have enough for them."  
 

Xan sputtered a little.   "Rough Dra-."  She stopped and stared at Soren with squinted eyes.   "Well at least then I have a chance for improvement.  A master's first attempt is always better than an apprentices final one." 
Silverraptor
 "A horse would probably be a good idea, but we can wait before getting one for a little bit. And a backpack might work, just not something big and bulky. Just whatever you need when we are on the road. And I don't blame you." 
She glances at Soren suspiciously.
 "I'm sure he'd use any chance he got to 'accidentally' feel you up." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan sputtered a little.   "Rough Dra-."  She stopped and stared at Soren with squinted eyes.   "Well at least then I have a chance for improvement.  A master's first attempt is always better than an apprentices final one."  
 

The bard's eyes twinkle. Not so much fun being on the receiving end, now is it?  "Exactly. Better practice your cover stories then." 

 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "A horse would probably be a good idea, but we can wait before getting one for a little bit. And a backpack might work, just not something big and bulky. Just whatever you need when we are on the road. And I don't blame you." 
She glances at Soren suspiciously.
 "I'm sure he'd use any chance he got to 'accidentally' feel you up."  
 

The smile drops from Soren's face. Instead he looks genuinely hurt.  "You seriously think I'd do something like that?" 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 The bard's eyes twinkle. Not so much fun being on the receiving end, now is it?  "Exactly. Better practice your cover stories then." 



The smile drops from Soren's face. Instead he looks genuinely hurt.  "You seriously think I'd do something like that?"  
 

 "Maybe, maybe not. I do know you're a gawker though/" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Maybe, maybe not. I do know you're a gawker though/"  
 

 "Sure I'll look, but I'd never touch. Not without permission; I'd never invade someone's privacy like that."  He's gone quiet again, in that way when he's upset, and more importantly serious.  "I'm really sorry if I made you feel that uncomfortable." 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Sure I'll look, but I'd never touch. Not without permission; I'd never invade someone's privacy like that."  He's gone quiet again, in that way when he's upset, and more importantly serious.  "I'm really sorry if I made you feel that uncomfortable."  
 

 "Oh hey now, it's fine. And it wasn't really me you were gawking at yesterday on the road. As for the room, we kind of had to." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Sure I'll look, but I'd never touch. Not without permission; I'd never invade someone's privacy like that."  He's gone quiet again, in that way when he's upset, and more importantly serious.  "I'm really sorry if I made you feel that uncomfortable."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Oh hey now, it's fine. And it wasn't really me you were gawking at yesterday on the road. As for the room, we kind of had to."  
 

 "Speak for yourself Adrianna.  I can't seem to find a form he hasn't ogled."   The awkward tension was getting to much for Xan and she attempted to change Soren's focus.   "Why'dja take up dancing anyway?  Why not instruments or singing or I don't know, good poetry?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
  "Oh hey now, it's fine. And it wasn't really me you were gawking at yesterday on the road. As for the room, we kind of had to."  
 


 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "Speak for yourself Adrianna.  I can't seem to find a form he hasn't ogled."   The awkward tension was getting to much for Xan and she attempted to change Soren's focus. 
 

 "I like to appreciate beauty, and I find most people beautiful in some way. But if you want me to stop I'll stop. Or at least try." 

  "Why'dja take up dancing anyway?  Why not instruments or singing or I don't know, good poetry?"  

Soren seems equally eager to change the subject.  "I can sing too, and play the violin."  Indeed he did sing during the fight against the Emerald Claw, and he does have a lovely tenor voice.
 "But I also love dancing. There's something about singing and dancing, using your own body to create beautiful music or art. And dancing...there's a grace and a flow to it. There are so many emotions you can get across with dancing without even needing to make a sound. And there's also something about dancing to cast my spells, moving my entire body to flow with the wave and pulse and rhythm of a spell that makes me feel one with my magic."  He grins.  "Plus dancing is fun, it's good exercise, it looks awesome especially with all those flowy clothes that I wish there were more male versions of, and I've been doing it for years." 
aReallyGreatAxe
Scholar lets the rest go off together, instead spending her time investigating the mysterious scimitar.
Altogether, it's a fascinating weapon- altogether different in style from the longsword Soren uses, or even the katana Athard had favored. However, it's not the weapon's slicing utility that she is currently interested in, but its enchantment.

As she attempts to learn more, Scholar takes careful notes and loses herself in the simple joy of learning something concrete and far easier to understand than the events of recent days.

 
 Spoiler: Identify 

Identify adds a +10 bonus to spellcraft checks to learn about magic items

Spellcraft check:  (1d20+23)[ 32 ] 
 
Silverraptor
Adrianna watches Soren enthusiastically talk about his dance. When he gets to the part of the male flowy clothes, she clentches her eyes shut.
 "That's... an image I'm going to have trouble getting out of my head. Come on, 'Sora.' Lets get your equipment sorted and bought or we'll be out here all day." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna watches Soren enthusiastically talk about his dance. When he gets to the part of the male flowy clothes, she clentches her eyes shut.
 "That's... an image I'm going to have trouble getting out of my head. Come on, 'Sora.' Lets get your equipment sorted and bought or we'll be out here all day."  
 

 "Yes.. dancing imag- Yes, let's get equipment."  Xan blushed a deep red and quickly followed Adrianna.  Looking through items she picked out a few new outfits, mostly loose fitting shirts and pants that could be adjusted to fit larger or smaller sizes with a couple rolled sleeves and tightened belts.  After poking through a few of the available bedrolls she chose one that looked the most comfortable. She also bought a well fitted pack to carry her new items in.

 
 Spoiler: Items 
Can I get:
1 bedroll
1  Masterwork Backpack 
1 Pickpockets outfit
1 Peasants outfit

Calculated Cost: 5 gold, 1sp for the clothing, 50 gold for the MW backpack, 1sp for the bedroll.  The coppers should be able to pay for the clothing and I will just remove the gold for the pack from my store of gold.
 
CoffeeIncluded
 "We should also sell this stuff too,"  Soren says as he inspects the large club and breastplate from the blackscale priest, as well as the masterwork weaponry and armor from the dragon hoard.  He's been counting his gold, and there's a pair of bracers that have been catching his eye that are just out of his price range, though maybe not with all of the stuff they could sell. So he saves his gold for now, limiting himself to smaller purchases. Food. Some oil for his lamp. Books on dragonmarks and whatever he can find on aberrant marks or the general history of the region they just explored. And something else to wear. There's a shop with instruments, songbooks, and costumes. Soren spends the better part of an hour exploring each book and cranny of the store, trying different instruments, trying on outfits and testing the acoustics of each room. The dancers' garb catches his eye, and Soren finds himself staring longingly at a beautiful dress with shimmering tassels and gossamer fabric, cut to flow like water and dance like air with every movement.

 "Seriously,"  he says if Adrianna or Xan walk up behind him,  "Sometimes I almost wish I was a girl, just so I could wear things like this." 
Silverraptor
Adrianna looks between Soren and the dress he was eyeing.
 "Yeah, it probably would've been easier on you." 
CoffeeIncluded
If there's a jibe in there, Soren doesn't notice it. Instead he lays his hand on the glass and says,  "I mean, I've worn clothes like this in performances before, but not in years. And honestly I was still a kid the last time I did that. They just don't fit right anymore." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 If there's a jibe in there, Soren doesn't notice it. Instead he lays his hand on the glass and says,  "I mean, I've worn clothes like this in performances before, but not in years. And honestly I was still a kid the last time I did that. They just don't fit right anymore."  
 

Xan looked at him, a little taken aback by the wistful look in his face.  She looked at the clothing, then back at Soren.  The idea of not being able to make her own body fit the clothing instead of the other way around seemed like a foreign concept. She looked around awkwardly not knowing what to say.   "So... uh... how long have you been a performer?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan looked at him, a little taken aback by the wistful look in his face.  She looked at the clothing, then back at Soren.  The idea of not being able to make her own body fit the clothing instead of the other way around seemed like a foreign concept. She looked around awkwardly not knowing what to say.   "So... uh... how long have you been a performer?"  
 


Soren closes his eyes for a moment, lost in memory.  "In the street or on the stage?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren closes his eyes for a moment, lost in memory.  "In the street or on the stage?"  
 

 "You were on stage?  Then why the hell would you leave?  Surely it is safer?" 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren goes still at Xan's question. His hand slowly slips down the glass to dangle at his side. When he speaks, it's quiet, reminiscent.

 "When my brother and I fled Kaarnath, we ended up on the streets. We dug through trash, begged, and stole. Blake was always faster and stronger than me, but I always had better looks. I'd sing and dance for coins while my brother would take what we couldn't afford to buy."  A pause, then a smile.  "Whenever I could I'd sneak into theaters and opera houses, watch the plays and shows and performances in secret. I got found and kicked out a lot, but there was one theater troupe that liked me. They let me watch their rehearsals, and a couple even taught me a bit more about singing and dancing. One day a background player got sick and they didn't have an understudy."  He laughs.  "Turns out I had hung around so much I wound up memorizing all her lines! I was still a kid so I could fit in her dress without a problem."

"My bardic magic started showing up around then, and they loved me even more. I wasn't a full time performer, and technically wasn't even part of the troupe, but they were talking about bringing me into it. Especially since more and more ended up joining the military as the war ran down. But most didn't--they said that they were doing their part by giving people something bright to look forward to."  Suddenly another aspect of Soren's philosophy becomes a bit clearer.

 "Things were going really well, I was making enough money that we didn't need to steal anymore and they let me and Blake sleep backstage and I was doing what I really wanted to do. Then one night Blake was shouting with the head of the troupe while I was practicing a dance with the others. The next morning I woke up on a cart that was already several miles out of the city. I had no idea what was going on, except that I was absolutely furious and Blake couldn't explain why he ran away with me again beyond saying he had a bad feeling and needed to find another safe place. Honestly I barely talked to him for the next few weeks until the Day of Mourning happened, which...yeah." 

He sighs, wipes his eyes, and places his hand on the glass again.  "I wish you could have seen Metrol. It was beautiful." 
 
 Spoiler: Note 
Metrol was the capitol of Cyre, I think.
 
Athedia
 "The troupe was foolish.  As were you for being angry at your brother.  At least he managed to save you."  She turned away from Soren and held the bag of purchases closer to her chest, almost defensively.   "I'm sure the city was beautiful to you.  It would have just been another destination for me." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "The troupe was foolish.  As were you for being angry at your brother.  At least he managed to save you."  She turned away from Soren and held the bag of purchases closer to her chest, almost defensively.   "I'm sure the city was beautiful to you.  It would have just been another destination for me."  
 

Soren's mouth momentarily hangs open in shock.  "Foolish for what? For taking us in? For doing whatever they could to make people happy? For not believing one half-orc and his bad dreams? Nobody knew what was coming. There wasn't any warning."  His face collapses.  "You sound like you don't care at all. You're awful, Xan."  He turns around and leaves the store.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren's mouth momentarily hangs open in shock.  "Foolish for what? For taking us in? For doing whatever they could to make people happy? For not believing one half-orc and his bad dreams? Nobody knew what was coming. There wasn't any warning."  His face collapses.  "You sound like you don't care at all. You're awful, Xan."  He turns around and leaves the store. 
 

Xan's hand lashed out and grabbed Soren's arm.  "When I see the smallfolk running, I follow.  Especially if they had been rational before.  "   Her grip tightened on his arm.   "And don't you dare tell me I don't care.  You have no idea.  So what? Your family died.  So did mine.  So did thousands of war orphans.  Some of us don't have a big brother to look out for us." . She released him and turned away in disgust.   " Adrianna, can we go please?" 
Silverraptor
 "..." 
Adrianna listened to Soren's story in silence before eventually saying.
 "Atleast you're alive." 

 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan's hand lashed out and grabbed Soren's arm.  "When I see the smallfolk running, I follow.  Especially if they had been rational before.  "   Her grip tightened on his arm.   "And don't you dare tell me I don't care.  You have no idea.  So what? Your family died.  So did mine.  So did thousands of war orphans.  Some of us don't have a big brother to look out for us." . She released him and turned away in disgust.   " Adrianna, can we go please?"  
 

Adrianna nodded, nervous at the tension that arose.
 "Y-Yes. Lets keep moving. We still have other stuff to purchase." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna nodded, nervous at the tension that arose.
 "Y-Yes. Lets keep moving. We still have other stuff to purchase."  
 

 "I'm done here.  I travel light remember. Don't worry, I have nowhere to run too.  Just going to wait in the room."  Xan gathered her purchases and walked away toward the inn.  She knew if it came down to it she could outrun the paladin any day.  And it wasn't as if she was lying.  She was headed to the room again.
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I'm done here.  I travel light remember. Don't worry, I have nowhere to run too.  Just going to wait in the room."  Xan gathered her purchases and walked away toward the inn.  She knew if it came down to it she could outrun the paladin any day.  And it wasn't as if she was lying.  She was headed to the room again. 
 

Kaarna is sitting on the roof of the inn and spies Xan when she returns. Counting a few minutes after she has entered the building, the witch floats down and hanging upside down in the air knocks on the window.
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna is sitting on the roof of the inn and spies Xan when she returns. Counting a few minutes after she has entered the building, the witch floats down and hanging upside down in the air knocks on the window. 
 

Xan looked outside, startling backward as she spotted Kaarna hanging in the window.  Slowly she opened it.   "There is a door."   She went over to the bed and sat on it, going through her purchases.   "And you realize if you try to kill me, Adrianna will be pissed." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
 Xan looked outside, startling backward as she spotted Kaarna hanging in the window.  Slowly she opened it.   "There is a door."  
 

Kaarna snorts.  "Bah, too inconvenient."  She lands to sit on the windowsill, one leg swinging over the side.


 She went over to the bed and sat on it, going through her purchases.   "And you realize if you try to kill me, Adrianna will be pissed."  

 " Kill  you? Why would I kill you? I'm just bored today, I don't kill to kill boredom. Well, not  usually  anyway. Where are the others?" 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna snorts.  "Bah, too inconvenient."  She lands to sit on the windowsill, one leg swinging over the side.

 " Kill  you? Why would I kill you? I'm just bored today, I don't kill to kill boredom. Well, not  usually  anyway. Where are the others?"  
 

 "I was right.  Your mark does cause mood swings.  Or complete personality changes. And I ditched them."   She carefully folded the clothing up and tucked it into her now much less full pouch.   "Does Soren even realize how lucky he has been?  It's all 'Blake did this and Blake did that' and listing of things he finds pretty." 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I was right.  Your mark does cause mood swings.  Or complete personality changes. And I ditched them."   She carefully folded the clothing up and tucked it into her now much less full pouch.   "Does Soren even realize how lucky he has been?  It's all 'Blake did this and Blake did that' and listing of things he finds pretty."  
 

 "Ha! That he does sometimes",  Kaarna smiles shortly and plays with a lock of hair,  "Still, he can be serious, if he wants to, though that is rare and at really odd times."  She snorts.  "Silly kid, but he means well. It's gonna get him killed one day if one doesn't watch out." 

Kaarna eyes Xan critically.  "You I can't really make out yet. But I'm starting to think maybe you're a silly kid too. Except you're cranky where he's cheery." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
  "Ha! That he does sometimes",  Kaarna smiles shortly and plays with a lock of hair,  "Still, he can be serious, if he wants to, though that is rare and at really odd times."  She snorts.  "Silly kid, but he means well. It's gonna get him killed one day if one doesn't watch out." 

Kaarna eyes Xan critically.  "You I can't really make out yet. But I'm starting to think maybe you're a silly kid too. Except you're cranky where he's cheery."  
 

 "I'm NOT cranky."  Xan crossed her arms and glared at Kaarna, hurriedly unfolding them as she realized how her statement had backfired.   "Well, I'm not.  Cautious.  And I have every right to be.  Anyway what's with you?  Gleefully talking about killing one second and trying to... what are you doing now exactly?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I'm NOT cranky."  Xan crossed her arms and glared at Kaarna, hurriedly unfolding them as she realized how her statement had backfired.   "Well, I'm not.  Cautious.  And I have every right to be.  Anyway what's with you?  Gleefully talking about killing one second and trying to... what are you doing now exactly?"  
 

Kaarna raises an eyebrow, looking smugly amused. "What, I can't talk to you just because I threatened you?",   She shakes her head. "I'll  never  understand you people. It's not like I even wounded you. Anyway, it was boring on the roof and there's nobody else here. Or well, Scholar only replies with facts or one word sentences. Hard to hold a conversation like that. Besides,"  Kaarna twists her face to an overly sad expression that would convince no one,  "I don't think she likes me at all." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna raises an eyebrow, looking smugly amused. "What, I can't talk to you just because I threatened you?",   She shakes her head. "I'll  never  understand you people. It's not like I even wounded you. Anyway, it was boring on the roof and there's nobody else here. Or well, Scholar only replies with facts or one word sentences. Hard to hold a conversation like that. Besides,"  Kaarna twists her face to an overly sad expression that would convince no one,  "I don't think she likes me at all."  
 

 "I just wanted to know your angle this time."   Xan settled down, trying to get comfortable.   "And what do you mean by 'you people'?  I thought it was made clear that I am nothing like them.  If anything, I'm closer to you, well kinda.  How much flexibility do you get with that shifting thing anyway? It looks useful."   Xan stayed silent for a while. She kept looking toward the door and then finally sighed and spoke.   "Don't ask me about Scholar.  With my luck Adrianna and Soren would manifest and I would get another wallop." 
CoffeeIncluded
Soren stalks off to the next shop, rubbing his arm where Xan grabbed him. As he picks up the bracers and turns them over in his hands, he also turns over her words in his mind.

It wasn't their fault. Blake was acting like a crazy person until they realized what was actually going on. And Xan is such a jerk! Calling people foolish, acting like she doesn't care when people die?

He pays for the falcon bracers, in too foul a mood to offer more than a smile to the shopkeeper as he leaves, and continues running over their argument in his head. If she does care, then why is she acting like she doesn't?
Silverraptor
Adrianna follows Soren as he moves off to the next shop. She can tell quite soon that he is upset as none of his usual cheeriness is present when he talks to the store owner for his gloves. When he leaves, she has to take longer strides to keep up with him.
 "Uhhh... Is something the matter?" 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna follows Soren as he moves off to the next shop. She can tell quite soon that he is upset as none of his usual cheeriness is present when he talks to the store owner for his gloves. When he leaves, she has to take longer strides to keep up with him.
 "Uhhh... Is something the matter?"  
 

 "What's with Xan?!"  he blurts out, a bit more explosively than he intended. Soren quickly realized this, however, and drops his hands.  "Sorry. But what's with Xan? Why is she such a jerk, or at least acting like she doesn't care and saying such mean things?" 
Silverraptor
Adrianna shrugs.
 "Well yeah. It doesn't make complete sense, but I do understand a little bit. There was no reason for you guys to really know to leave except in hindsight. But you are alive, and that is important. I think that's the part Xan is focusing on, maybe?" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "I just wanted to know your angle this time."   Xan settled down, trying to get comfortable.   "And what do you mean by 'you people'?  I thought it was made clear that I am nothing like them.  If anything, I'm closer to you, well kinda.  How much flexibility do you get with that shifting thing anyway? It looks useful."   Xan stayed silent for a while. She kept looking toward the door and then finally sighed and spoke.   "Don't ask me about Scholar.  With my luck Adrianna and Soren would manifest and I would get another wallop."  
 

Kaarna snorted, a lopsided smile lingering on her lips.  "Oh, but you  are  like them, much so. You  think  like them and act like them. Everyone here does",  she waves her hands in a wide circle,  "With all these weird habits and rules. And you take offense from the smallest of things, but then don't even act on it properly."  The witch snorts again and shrugs,  "Oh well, it's not much my concern, really." 
 "As for changing form, I either shift or don't, there's little middleground. I suppose I could  try  to stop midway, but it's awfully uncomfortable, I should think. And I can't keep at it for long anyway, which is damn annoying, if you ask me." 
Athedia
 
 Originally Posted by CWater 
 Kaarna snorted, a lopsided smile lingering on her lips.  "Oh, but you  are  like them, much so. You  think  like them and act like them. Everyone here does",  she waves her hands in a wide circle,  "With all these weird habits and rules. And you take offense from the smallest of things, but then don't even act on it properly."  The witch snorts again and shrugs,  "Oh well, it's not much my concern, really." 
 "As for changing form, I either shift or don't, there's little middleground. I suppose I could  try  to stop midway, but it's awfully uncomfortable, I should think. And I can't keep at it for long anyway, which is damn annoying, if you ask me."  
 

 "What is acting properly to you?  Fighting?  That gets you dead."   Xan sprawled backward on the bed, stretching her arms behind her head as she stared at the ceiling.  She loosened her boots and kicked them off hearing them hit the floor away from the bed.   "Indefinite for me.  But to be honest, after some time it feels like a muscle that needs to be stretched." 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna shrugs.
 "Well yeah. It doesn't make complete sense, but I do understand a little bit. There was no reason for you guys to really know to leave except in hindsight. But you are alive, and that is important. I think that's the part Xan is focusing on, maybe?"  
 

 "Exactly, so why call them fools for staying? Or call me a fool because I didn't know what was going on at first?"  Soren folds his arms and looks at the ground.  "I dunno, maybe that's what she's focusing on. But they're not alive and the whole country died and it hurts and it's sad and I don't know what I said to set Xan off the first time for her to say we were stupid for not listening to Blake at first!"  
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
  "Exactly, so why call them fools for staying? Or call me a fool because I didn't know what was going on at first?"  Soren folds his arms and looks at the ground.  "I dunno, maybe that's what she's focusing on. But they're not alive and the whole country died and it hurts and it's sad and I don't know what I said to set Xan off the first time for her to say we were stupid for not listening to Blake at first!"   
 

Adrianna shakes her head.
 "To be honest, neither do I. I think that's something you'll need to talk to her about." 
 
 Spoiler 
Actually I do know what set Xan off, but Adrianna is unsure.😛
 
CoffeeIncluded
 
 Originally Posted by Silverraptor 
 Adrianna shakes her head.
 "To be honest, neither do I. I think that's something you'll need to talk to her about." 
 
 Spoiler 
Actually I do know what set Xan off, but Adrianna is unsure.😛
 
 
 

Soren's face falls.  "Do I have to? She'll probably yell at me or be really rude again." 
Silverraptor
 
 Originally Posted by CoffeeIncluded 
 Soren's face falls.  "Do I have to? She'll probably yell at me or be really rude again."  
 

 "Ugggghhhhh!" 
Adrianna puts her head in her hands.
 "Just when I get Scholar and Xan to make up, you two decide to get at each others throats!" 
She stops Soren and then puts her hands together, before pointing them at his chest.
 "Okay... Look. Xan has to travel with us to... well, you know... so you two will have to make up. And if I have to, I will mediate to get the two of you talking to each other again!" 
CWater
 
 Originally Posted by Athedia 
  "What is acting properly to you?  Fighting?  That gets you dead."  Xan sprawled backward on the bed, stretching her arms behind her head as she stared at the ceiling.  She loosened her boots and kicked them off hearing them hit the floor away from the bed.   "Indefinite for me.  But to be honest, after some time it feels like a muscle that needs to be stretched."  
 

Kaarna snorts loudly.  " I  don't fear a fight."  While she's talking, Veca clambers down from her hair and unto the windowsill.

 "So...",  Kaarna looks up and down,  "This is what we'll be doing from now on. Sit here neatly until that blasted dragon sees fit to talk to us?"  The prospect doesn't seem to be to her liking.
Kish
 
 Spoiler 
The thread's reached 50 pages,  so: 
 
flat_footed
  The Fullmetal Mod   : Raise Thread 