conversations: human
conversations:  Prologue  The signs had been visible for months now. The stars had been slowly aligning in strange patterns, and over time, the sky had gone a deep red. On a more public level, livestock had been found dead from no known means, and children had been born with bizarre deformities.
  
  To the public, these signs, had been alarming, but did not mean anything in particular. To Alexei Forsythe, High Cleric of the citystate of Galatier, and Captain of the nation's vanguard, the portents meant something far more specific.
  
  Alexei stood at the window, reading the symbols in the clouds. How could he have been so stupid? He should have seen this, reacted sooner! But now, there was almost no time left.
  
  But no! He mustn't think this way, or else all would be lost. Alexie turned to his lieutenant and ordered,  "I want all knights stationed inside or around the city to be sent out at once. We must find the source of the omens immediately. Or else..."  He took a breath,  "Armageddon."  
  
  ---
   Demoditis 
  
  For the longest while, you have known nothing but quiet, dark warmth. But at long last, you know it is time to awaken. With a crack, the egg you are encased in breaks open, and the cold dry air from outside rushes in.
  
  Climbing out of the egg, you have your first time to look at the outside world. You seem to be on the inside of some sort of cavern. It is cold, and considerably less comfortable then your egg. Still, it is a whole new world to explore.
  
  What shall you first do?
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  Demoditis looks around, then shakes himself. He grunts tests his limbs and then walks around, looking for something interesting.
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  The cave is quiet dark, but the combination of a strange glowing lichen and your darkvision is more then enough for you to make out your surroundings.
  
  You have hatched onto what appears to be some sort of altar. Long iron chains, inscribed with a variety of eldritch symbols, seemed to have formally held your egg in place but they have long ago rusted into disrepair and now dangle uselessly against the floor.
  
  Your particular section of the cave opens up into a tunnel. From the tunnel, you can faintly make out a yellow flickering light.
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Ooh"  Demoditis moves toward the shiny bright light.
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  As you move closer to the source of the light, you can hear two voices.
  
   "Gee boss,"  says the first speaker in a somewhat whiny tone,  "We haven't had any luck so far. What makes you think that this tunnel will have any treasure?" 
   "Quiet, you dolt!"  yells the second in a more gruff voice,  "Don't you know that these old abandoned caverns always have some sort of valuable prizes in them? Its just basic logic!" 
  
  The two speakers move closer to you, as does the light, however you cannot see the source of them just yet.
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  (Short forming it to Demo)
  
  Demo looks for anything to hide behind.
   (1d20+6)[ 8 ] 
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  The walls of the cave seem fairly sparse, and Demo is unable to find anything sufficient to hide behind.
  
  The two figures approach, but stop dead in their tracks as they see you.
  
  The duo seem to be goblinoids of some sort, one short and fat, the other taller and more well-muscled. The shorter one immediately runs behind his compatriot and begins to cower.
  
   "What in the name of Yog Sothoth's left tentacle do you suppose that is, boss?" 
  
  The taller goblin is clearly shaken as well, but he tries to put on a brave face for his subordinate.
  
   "I..I don't know."  He draws an old, rusty sword and points it in your direction.  "Explain yourself! Who...what are you?" 
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  Demo tilts his head, then roars.
   
   Spoiler 
  Intimidate
   (1d20+7)[ 9 ] 
   
  
   "Demoditis. This is my cave. Who are you?!" 
   
   Spoiler 
  Really with the rolls of 2? Stupid dice XD
   
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  As you are still young, your roar is not quite developed yet, and as such comes out in a somewhat warbled pitch.
  
  The shorter goblin turns to speak,  "Well, I'm Max, and this here is Mr. Gibbons."
   
  He reaches into his bag and pulls out what seems to be a piece of jerky, offering it to you.  "We don't mean you any harm. We're just doing some treasure hunting, you see?" 
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  Demos steps backwards slightly.
  
   "Hmm, mayhap I could find a use for you two..." 
  
  Demos looks them both over, then paws the ground then looks at them again.
  
   "What say, you two help me with what I need, until I gain more power, and I reward you when I do gain power?" 
   
   Spoiler 
  Should I roll a diplomacy check?
   
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  Go right ahead.
   
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  Alright Diplomacy!
   (1d20+3)[ 6 ] 
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  Wow, you are not having much luck with these rolls today.
   
  
  
  The goblins turn to each other to try and figure out the situation.
  
   "Well boss,"  says Max,  "Wadoyou think we should tell it?" 
   "Hmm..."  ponders Gibbons,  "Well, I'm not really sure. I've never seen anything like it before. Maybe Mr. Kurtz will know what to do with it, though." 
   "Sounds like a good idea to me, boss." 
  
  Gibbons turns to face you again, prodding you lightly with his sword.  "You, come with us. We're going to take you to talk to our boss, see what he has to say about the situation." 
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  The dice gods are mad at me...
   
  
   "Well... That's going to be a problem. See, I don't like you... The little one, I can get to like him... But you... No you die now." 
  
  Surprise bite attack? :)
   
   Spoiler 
  
  Intiative for later
   (1d20+7)[ 12 ] 
  Attack for now
   (1d20+4)[ 24 ] 
  Critical Chance
   (1d20+4)[ 8 ] 
  Damage
   (1d10+6)[ 13 ] 
  Crit Damage
  Err how do you want to do it? Multiply my rolled damage by 2 or roll damage twice?
  Just incase of the later, rolling damage
   (1d20+6)[ 24 ] 
   
  
  
  Rolling damage fix in OOC
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  Well, in this case you missed out on confirming the critical, but for future reference, you can just double the damage.
  
  Anyway, Initiative order is:
  You
  Gibbons
  Max
   
  
  
  Gibbons screams, clutching his bloodied shoulder, and then swings his sword in your direction.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Attack:  (1d20+4)[ 24 ] 
  Damage: (1d6+3)[ 9 ] 
   
  
  
  Meanwhile, Max draws a pair of daggers, noticeably faster then you would have expected of the hefty fellow. He aims one at you, trying his best to appear threatening.
  
   "Hey! Don't you go hurting the boss!" 
   
   Spoiler 
  Attack:  (1d20+3)[ 10 ] 
  Damage:  (1d4-1)[ 3 ] 
   
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  Confirming critical for the sword attack:
   (1d20+4)[ 14 ] 
   
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  Bah humbug XD Well.. Hmm...
  Also umm I have to make a grapple check with him before their attacks... Improved Grab...
   
  
  
  Strength check
   (1d20+4)[ 11 ] 
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  Despite his injuries, the goblin manages to dodge out of the way and avoid being tackled by you.
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  Demo bites at the same goblin
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Okay. Attack #2
  
   (1d20+4)[ 20 ] 
  
  Damage
   (1d10+6)[ 12 ] 
   
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  The bloodloss is too much for the goblin to handle, and he falls to the ground, unconscious.
  
  Max looks tearfully at his fallen comrade, and hurls his second dagger in your direction.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Attack:  (1d20+3)[ 9 ] 
  Damage:  (1d4-1)[ 1 ] 
   
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  The dagger chinks off of Demos scales.
  
   "Now, do I have to kill you too, or do I have myself a minion?" 
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  Max stares at his fallen comrade for a full minute, his face having gone ghost-white. Eventually, he turns to you and stammers out,
  
   "Y..yes sir. What would you like of me, sir?" 
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  "You're smart. You'll go far." 
  
  Demos looks at his gash.
  
   "First off, where is this cave network? Second, do you have anything for my gash?" 
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  Max pulls out some herbs and a bandage, and begins hastily applying them to your wounds.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Heal check:  (1d20+5)[ 13 ] 
   
  
  
  After this, he pulls out a map and shows it to you. There are two major areas labeled on the map, a small region in red labeled "Goblinhold," and a far larger region in blue outside it, labeled "Galatier." Outside of Goblinhold is a small mountain range, one spot of which has been circled, evidently pointing out your location.
  
   "You see, Mr. Demoditis, we're just about half a mile south of the Goblinhold, my home city. A recent quake opened up this cave, so Mr. Gibbons..." he takes a deep breath, "And I were sent to investigate, look for any valuables, that sort of thing."  
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Hmm. I am sorry about your comrade, but I don't much like being poked prodded and ordered around, but to the point how much of the caverns have you explored? I need a 'lair' and these might just work. Also, does he have anything of value on him? Magical or otherwise?" 
  
  Demo shifts his feet, and then looks around. Then walks slowly the way the goblins came in from.
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  Max stabilizes Gibbons condition and sets him to rest in the corner. No longer feeling as threatened, his natural instincts as a lackey start acting up.
   
  "Well, nothing too extravagant. He has 25 gold coins, a vial of antivenom, and this."  He pulls out a copper medallion with an emblem of a boar engraved on one side, and a long number on the reverse.  "Signifies us as citizens of the Goblinhold. It'll be hard to get back without this."
  
  "As for this place, so far we had explored three other tunnels splitting off from a main area near the entrance. They had some creepy looking ruins in them, but as far as we could tell, nothing valuable. If you want a lair though, this place seems workable. Those ruins looked pretty darn old, and they're in pretty darn good condition. The quake barely seemed to budge them at all." 
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  "This is good.. Yes. Keep his stuff if you want it. As for this town of yours, how big is it? and err, who's the leader, ruler, overlord person? Before you say anything, I am not thinking of destroying it, at least, not if I can make it the capital of my soon to e kingdom." 
  
  Demo then walks around, trying to find his way to the ruins.
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Well, the guy in charge of Goblinhold, that's Mr. Kurtz. If you're thinking of taking over or something, you should probably discuss it with him first."  Max thinks for a bit, then adds,  "Well...technically Goblinhold is a principality or somefink of Galatier, but that's human territory, so you don't want to go there. Buncha jerks, treat us like animals...Sorry, I've gotten off track. Galatier as a whole is run by the King, and the High Cleric, but like I said, for now you'd prolly want to talk to Mr. Kurtz first." 
  
  You and Max exit the tunnel and find yourself in a larger area of the cavern. There are eight tunnels in total, including the one you just came from, all going in different directions.
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Well Max was it? I say... we explore here, find out what we can, horde and over all be greedy about whatever is in here, and then we do some exploring about the local wilds, then maybe I will pay a visit to this Mr.Kurtz" 
  
  Demo looks at the tunnels and goes in the one to his right.
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Well, this is one of the tunnels that I've looked through already, but If you find something that we missed earlier, more power too you." 
  
  The tunnel leads into a room similar to the one that you had hatched in. Instead of the alter that you were found on, there is a tall obelisk, marked by a vertical eye symbol and several lines of runes. The obelisk is surrounded by five long chains, each ending in a cruel looking sickle-like anchor, each one marked with a similar eye symbol.
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  Demo looks about..  "Hmm, seems kind of.. Demonic?" 
  
  Suddenly in Abyssal he says  "Wonder what they do?" 
  
  He then walks around looking for anything shiny, magical or worth hording.
  Search
   (1d20+2)[ 11 ] 
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  The monument must have triggered some aspect of your racial memory, as the writing on the obelisk is indeed in Abyssal. It reads:
   
  We seek to bind the great destroyer. By our power, may it sleep forever so that the world may heal its wounds. Though we may cease to be, our will shall remain resolute.  
  
  You notice that the gold-encrusted pupil of the eye symbol of the obelisk is shaped almost perfectly to fit one of your front claws.
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Hmm that's... Why does that sound like an omen?" 
  
  Demo walks over to the eye and taps the pupil with his claw.
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  As you touch the indentation, the cave suddenly lurches, and you can hear a loud shriek. The chains spring upward, the anchors at their ends spreading open like some sort of sick mockery of a beaked mouth. Four of the five chains dive towards you, attempting to bind your limbs.
  
   
   Spoiler 
  Grapple:  (1d20+2)[ 11 ] 
   
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  That should have been expected... because curiosity is never a good thing... and you totally warned me.... XD
   
  
   "what the hell!?!" 
  
  Strength check
   (1d20+4)[ 11 ] 
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  It's a tie, so rolling again:
   (1d20+2)[ 21 ] 
  
  Edit: Yikes
   
  
  
  Four of the chains wrap around your limbs and lift you up in the air. The fifth faces towards you, as if sensing for a proper location to strike.
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  Dun dun dammit!
   
  
   (1d20+4)[ 21 ] 
  Are you serious? WTF!?!?!
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  Oh wow, this is kinda amazing.
  Anyways, I'm rolling a few times, just in case.
  
   (1d20+2)[ 10 ] 
   (1d20+2)[ 14 ] 
   (1d20+2)[ 4 ] 
   (1d20+2)[ 9 ] 
   (1d20+2)[ 17 ] 
   
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  I know stupid ties. Sorry I was out with the family no internet back now though. Also Merry Chrsitmas
   
  
   
   Spoiler 
   (1d20+4)[ 10 ] 
   (1d20+4)[ 16 ] 
   (1d20+4)[ 17 ] 
   (1d20+4)[ 7 ] 
   (1d20+4)[ 23 ] 
   
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  Spoiler 
  Wow, three ties in a row. Pretty impressive. Anyway, we have it sorted out now, so no worries. Merry Christmas to you as well.
   
  
  
  After a needlessly long period of time spent grappling with the chains, you manage to break off the four that had tried winding themselves around you. The anchorheads at their tips fall to the ground screeching loudly and flopping around like dying fish. The remaining chain stares at you wearily, sitting in the air, but otherwise not moving.
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  Demos walks slowly backwards out of the chamber.
  
   "I don't like that room..." 
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  The last chain hisses loudly as you leave the room.
  
  Going back through the tunnel, you return to the main area. You have now gone down two of the remaining eight tunnels.
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Next tunnel.."  Demo walks into the one to the right of the previous.
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Hmm, haven't gone down this path yet."  Mutters Max in a faintly curious tone as you go down the next tunnel.
  
  The end of the path is superficially empty, with only one notable feature: a single lever, positioned in the center of the room.
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Due to my lack of arms care to pull it?" 
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  Max nods silently, and pulls the lever down with a loud thud.
  
  For a moment, there is only silence, but shortly after, a loud rumble erupts throughout the cavern. Bright yellow lines burst from the lever and spread to the floor, then the walls, then out into the tunnel. As the lines spread, the blue-grey stone of the cave breaks away, revealing walls and floor constructed from pieces of interlocking gold and blue metal.
  
  Max looks on in awe and the metamorphising surroundings, and tries in vain to pry some of the gold from the walls.
  
  With the cavern's transition complete, you can see that the end of the tunnel has turned into a flat blue wall, with some sort of arcane ruin inscribed upon it. The ruin flickers yellow for a moment, and then the silhouette of a face, vaguely humanoid in form appears, superimposed in front of it.
  
  The image speaks in common, celestial, infernal, and a dozen other languages that you are unfamiliar with, all at once.
  
   "This is a prerecorded message. If you are listening to this, it can only mean that The Beast has somehow been released, and that we are no longer here to actively retain it. Though we may hope that the other traps here will do their job to keep the thing in place, we can not in full confidence expect them to work. As such, our means of last resort are as such: by the reactivation of this base, we will send this message out to any and all of our former enemies and allies, alerting them to this grave threat. We can only hope and pray that they might temporarily put their differences aside for the greater good of all worlds." 
  
  The message pauses, and then adds,
  
   "Should you have any questions, you may ask them now." 
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  "What is this beast you speak of?" 
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Just as there is life, there is anti-life. Just as there is a creative force, there is a destructive force. At the beginning of creation, all of the life you see before you was made. But as a consequence, there was a dark afterimage produced in unison. A dark force, taking on a crude semblance of sentience, seeking only to cancel out and end its opposition."
  
  "All life in existence, whether angelic, demonic or diabolic, were forced to band together to stop the threat, in a war which spanned dimensions. The casualties were unfathomable, but at long last, we were able to seal the Great Beast here, in this very temple. Throught the ages, it has since gone by many names, though the one in most common current use is..."
  
  "bzzzkkk" 
  
  The message stops.
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Oh well... Next tunnel I guess?" 
  
  Demo heads over to the next tunnel. (Going counter clockwise until I've checked all 8)
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  As you retreat to the main area again, you find that the structure of the cave has been largely restructured. A bright crimson sphere of magical energy floats in the center, being orbited by countless bricks of the same strange metal that now make up the walls and floor of the temple. The floor underneath the sphere now extents straight downwards, into a seemingly endless pit, and the ceiling over the sphere is now open, revealing the sky. However, you view into the pit and the sky are obstructed by the massive, pulsing red beam of energy which extends from the sphere and into the sky and the pit.
  
  As you get to the next tunnel, Max explains,  "This is the way outside, just so you know." 
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Oh.. then next tunnel I guess." 
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  Max gasps as you enter the next passage. Its halls are lined by shining gold boxes, all roughly 7 feet tall in height. Each has a set of small runes inscribed in the front, but they are otherwise featureless.
  
  On second glance, it becomes obvious that they are not mere boxes, but rather, coffins.
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  Demo sighs,  "Go ahead and open one. Just make sure it's on the far side of the room." 
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  Max nervously edges his way toward a casket at the far end of the room, and gingerly pries the coffin door open.
  
  There is a loud  thud  from inside.
  
  Screaming like a little girl, Max jumps and runs backward, cowering behind you.
  
  The coffin lid slowly slides open, and a lithe, humanoid figure tumbles out of it and falls to the floor.
  
  The corpse is grey and dessicated, but you can still make out some of its features. It stands at about six and a half feet tall. Two pairs of thin, crystalline wings jut from the shoulders, and it has a pair of long curved horns that wrap around the top of its head. Its eyes are much too large for its face.
conversations: Super_Fluous:
conversations: human
conversations:  "Are you going to try to kill me too? Or are you one of my many new minions?" 
conversations: KingOfLaughter:
conversations: human
conversations:  The corpse lies on the ground, disintegrating slightly. It does not respond.
conversations: Super_Fluous: