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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Corinne
"I see it." The bard had grown uncharacteristically quiet since entering the cairn, and she had now drawn her longsword. Corinne muttered something about forgetting torches and edged closer to the group. "There's...something not right here."
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Louise
Louise nodded.
"We should try to stick together as much as possible. If something nasty has taken up residence... I'm going to go join Rae in the next room, see that she's not alone."
Louise advanced carefully, sidling up next to Rae. Her attention was caught by the shattered arcane apparatus to the west.
"Well, this is certainly a sight. Spot anything else?"
Spoiler: Actions
Show
Since it's an arcane apparatus, perhaps an arcane knowledge check would reveal what this device is, or was: [roll0]
Peering through the darkness, Louise realized she would need to get closer to identify it. Pulling out a torch, she turned to the rest of the group.
"Does anyone have some flint?"
Catching the proffered flint from Reynauld, she struck a light and lit her torch before tossing it back. "Thank you, Reynauld." Now having a source of light, she inched closer.
Spoiler: Actions 2
Show
Louise will move in closer to the device.
Upon approaching the device, Louise realized that she would need to poke around more to discern its true purpose; however, she was able to glean a few things.
"The glyph at the base... it bears similarities to an old language called Vaati. Maybe it's a name of some kind?"
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Upon entering the tunnel, Reynauld removed a slender golden rod from his pack, and smacked it against a wall. The tip of the rod began to glow with a brilliant golden light. He then tucked it into his belt, and hefted his maul in two hands: a brutal-looking weapon, essentially a sledgehammer designed for combat.
The crusader took position up front with Rae and Louise.
"I heard something up ahead. Prepare yourselves!"
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Striding behind Reynauld, Cordellia sashayed her hip to the left, whipped it back around to the right, and then dropped her cane to flamboyantly snap overhead. A thin sheen began to creep down from her hand, enveloping her whole body in a vaguely visible violet endoskeleton, and once it wrapped around her it faded even more.
”About time.” She said nonchalantly, picked up her cane, and then strapped it to her chest. Stepping alongside Louise she gave the strange device a thorough examination before gesturing towards the disturbances with a free arrow.
“Show time, darlings. Try to look alive.”
Spoiler: Actions
Show
Cast Mage Armor
Knowledge Arcana:[roll0]
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Louise
Blinking, Louise stood straight up again, her torch in one hand and her bow in the other. She shrugged her shoulders and loosened the straps on her pack as she took up position, ready to drop it to the floor if necessary.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Simone joined the others and readied her mace at Reynauld's warning. With her free hand, she clutched the holy symbol of Pelor that hung from her neck.
"It's not undead, at least not nearby." After a quick glance around, she was both relieved and concerned that she had not sensed any fell spectres in their vicinity, but whatever was here with them was un unknown entity and she could hardly take comfort from that.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
As if in response to Reynauld's warning, the scrabbling in the shadowed corridor grows more insistent. Eyes begin to appear in the darkness, first one set, then two, until eventually four pairs of hungry orbs emerge from the shadow. They are followed by the ragged pelts the jagged teeth of a quartet of wolves. Three look desperately near starvation, no doubt driven to such ends by the fourth, a massive specimen bearing an old scar across its face. The leader takes a moment to examine the interlopers in its domain. Then it howls, and the lupine tide surges forward.
Spoiler
Show
Despite their attempts at stealth, you all seize the initiative before the wolves.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Louise
With a shrug, Louise immediately dropped her pack and torch to the floor. Freed of her encumbrance, she reached into the quiver at her back and nocked an arrow to her bow, pulled the string taut... and loosed it, aiming for the right-most wolf.
Spoiler: Actions
Show
Free action to drop my pack and torch.
Louise will then attack W4, using Cunning Insight to add her intelligence bonus to her attack roll. She will do the same to her damage roll only if her attack hits.
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Unfortunately, concealed as the wolf was by the shadows, her arrow went wide.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Spotting the wolves, Reynauld entered a special stance, legs spread apart, maul raised and at the ready. He then charged down the hallway, the light of his sunrod following him as his leather boots pounded on stone.
"DAWN BREAKS!" he screamed, as he swung his maul down at the left-most wolf's skull.
Spoiler: OOC
Show
Swift action to take Martial Spirit stance.
Charging W2
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Reynauld's AC drops to 14.
He has Combat Reflexes, for 3 possible AoO's total should it matter!
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Corinne
"Oh, gods." Corinne dropped her sword, and quickly pulled out her bow, nocked an arrow, and let fly at the right-most wolf.
Spoiler: OOC
Show
Attack! [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Confirm? [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Not wishing to be left behind, Rae followed her armored companion's charge, dropping her lantern at the beginning of it to grip her blade with both hands and swinging for the largest wolf.
Spoiler: OOC
Show
Concealment, due to the change in lighting. High is good for me.
[roll0]
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
”Oh look, a new fur coat at my doorstep. You’ll look ravishing in a few moments!” Cordellia said as she rounded the corner, backpedaled, and let loose an arrow.
Spoiler: W4 Shortbow Attack
Show
Attack:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]
Crit:[roll2]
Damage:[roll3]
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Growling as one of their number died with a yelp, the wounded pack bounded for elf meat. The largest wolf snarled at one of its followers, as both moved to flank Rae. The larger wolf lunged for her leg, only to miss, but the hungry mongrel behind her saw an opening and wrapped its teeth around her calf. Blood spurted over the dusty ground, but though the wolf pulled mightily it could not disrupt Rae's stance. With two of its pack mates occupied, the last wolf rushed towards Cordellia, snapping at her upper arm and leaving a nasty gash. Miraculously, the frail wizard remained standing.
Spoiler: OOC
Show
Rae is hit for 4 damage, Cordellia is hit for 2. The wolves failed to trip either of you.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
”Son of a bitch! Literally! Your mother probably got fed to a pack of wild savages!” Cordellia hissed as she felt blood trickle down her arm. Evading the wolf’s snapping jaws she let loose another arrow.
Spoiler: W4!
Show
Five foot step
Attack:[roll0]
Damage:[roll1]
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Corinne
"Can't shoot any worse..." Corinne muttered to herself, shot another arrow, and then proceeded to back up.
Spoiler: OOC
Show
[roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Confirm? [roll2]
Damage: [roll3]
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
The first wolf fell limp with a sickening crunch as the maul struck home. Rae was nearby; together they held the line against the remaining two wolves. Fighting wild animals was always bittersweet to the crusader's tastes; they were operating on instinct, likely defending their lair. Still, it was their lives or the wolves', and Reynauld had a duty.
He planted his feet solidly in the ground, channeling the strength of the earth beneath his feet as he steeled himself for retaliation. He swung his maul wide and low, killing strength behind the fur and blood-encrusted head.
Spoiler: OOC
Show
If Rae flanks W1 and misses, Reynauld will attack W1 with a flank (for +2 higher attack roll); if W1 is dropped, he will move to engage W3. He will use the Stone Bones strike.
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
If he hits, he gets DR 5/adamantine for 1 round, and heals Rae 2 hp.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
The elf let out a sharp cry at being bitten, but nonetheless hopped to the side to clear the space behind her. Now flanking the wolf with Reynauld, she switched to a more reckless fighting style, aiming to finish the wolf quickly.
Spoiler: OOC
Show
Swift: Switch to Punishing Stance
Five foot adjust to flank with Reynauld.
Attack W1.
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Louise
"Just keep it up, Corinne! The others are counting on us!"
Louise offered an attempt at encouragement as another volley of arrows flew forth and cheered as Corinne's struck true, nocking her own and loosing it at the now-illuminated wolves.
Spoiler: Actions
Show
Once again, using Cunning Insight to add my INT bonus to my attack, targeting W3. I will use it on damage as well, but only if the attack hits.
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
Unfortunately, her arrow pulled to the right, and her attack missed.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Near mad with pain and hunger, the remaining wolf lashed around and bit towards Reynauld's thigh. Though the beast's teeth found purchase through the layers of leather and steel, the power of the stone around them suffused the crusader's being, safeguarding him from harm.
Spoiler: OOC
Show
The wolf hits! And fails to overcome DR or trip Reynauld!
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
"Peace be with you as the sun sets!" Reynauld said as he tried to finish the wolf off, his inspiring moves helping Rae to shrug off the pain of her wounds.
Spoiler: OOC
Show
Reynauld will try to hit with Leading the Attack
Attack: [roll0]
Damage: [roll1]
If Reynauld hits, allies get +4 to attack it for 1 round.
Rae heals another 2
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
With a final swing of his ferocious maul, Reynauld shatters the body of the last wolf, sending it skidding off into darkness. Silence slowly returns to the cairn, broken only by heavy breathing. So far into the cairn, Reynauld's sunrod illuminates a great chamber, the largest so far, with wings leading to the east and west. Across the chamber to the north yawns a twenty-foot-wide open arch draped from top to bottom in translucent cobwebs. An eerie green light flickers from beyond the webs, casting strange shadows about this room. The place smells of animal spoor and wet fur.
To the west, three short stairs lead to a wide marble dais, but the far end of the wing is obscured by darkness. Huge slabs of cracked masonry and irregular piles of scattered debris choke the eastern wing, giving the appearance of complete collapse.
As the echoes of battle fade, the sibilant, almost human whispers present in the passage become a chorus in this massive chamber, eerily echoing off the walls.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Reynauld leaned on his maul for a moment, catching his breath. He gave Rae an appraising gaze.
"That stance just now... you follow the Sublime Way?"
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
"That... was... SO NEAT!" Rae swung her heavy blade one handed, slinging the majority of the blood off of it to splatter in a crescent down the wall. "I don't know if it has a formal name. I just learned what my uncle taught me about using a big sword like this." She pulled out a small, stained cloth to wipe down the weapon. "I think I like your version better, though. My leg is good as new. That was your doing, right?"
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Louise
"Is everyone alright?" Louise asked as she went to collect her single unbroken arrow. After receiving her answer, she went back to the broken arcane machine - she had only managed to get a cursory look at it before the fight, and she wished to examine it in greater detail.
Spoiler: Actions
Show
Another Arcana Check! [roll0]
Search: 28
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Corinne
As the fourth wolf was felled by Reynauld, Corinne felt a flush of excitement, but resisted the urge to dance a few steps in celebration. "Did you see?" She turned to her nearest companion, Cordellia, and in her excitement forgot her general annoyance at the Elven woman. "I slew that wolf with my bow!" The bard picked up the longsword she'd dropped and slid it into her sheath as she wandered over to join Louise.
Spoiler: OOC
Show
Arcana assistance! [roll0]
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Louise
After some further examination, Louise managed to find a few things out about the device - it had apparently once been a whole ring that had held something much like a mirror aloft, with numerous glyphs along the inside rim. Scattered around, she also found shards of a black substance cold to the touch. Examining the glyphs more closely, with the help of Corrine...
"Amazing. Based on the readings from the glyphs, it seems this must have been some sort of ancient device for teleportation, or for planar travel."
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Reynauld gave the head of his maul a few sharp taps against the side of his boot, knocking off bloody clumps of fur, before responding to Rae.
"Ah yes, I saw you take that nasty bite. I suppose it was half my doing, and half Pelor's. I learned some Devoted Spirit maneuvers on campaign. They channel my faith, such that my devotion can keep myself and allies nearby fighting. Useful in the heat of battle, but lady Simone works more traditional miracles in the Shining One's name.
Your uncle must have been a student of the Ninefold Path... It's fortuitous that I get to fight alongside a martial adept such as yourself. I look forward to seeing more of your repertoire."
"I am fine, lady Louise. Thank you. Are you well enough to press on, Miss Cordella? My apologies that one of those curs broke through the line. I shall try harder to prevent that from happening again."
The crusader caught Simone's eye, and seeing that she was unharmed, gave her a wordless nod. He brought his fist to the symbol of Pelor on his tabard.
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Corinne
"I agree," confirmed the bard. "Definitely something to do with transportation." She paused, brushing a loose strand of lavender hair away from her face. "Y'know...some of these cairns are old. Really old. As in predating any permanent human settlements in the area and going back to battles in past ages. This is just speculation on my part at the moment, but do you suppose they were some sort of...waypoint for transporting between the planes? Like a boat dock or a city gate. Something like that. A place where they moved soldiers in to the battles." Corinne shivered and rubbed her arms. "Gives me the creeps."
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
Louise
"It's certainly possible - although based on what we've seen so far, it seems a bit big for a mere waystation. Perhaps it was even a base of sorts? Further study will be required." Louise could not help keep a little bit of excitement from creeping into her voice. "Now is not the time for jitters, Corrine," she said encouragingly. "Now is the time for boldness and curiosity. All things considered, I thought we handled that last fight well, and as long as we all keep working together in that way, I am certain we can handle what comes our way. Who knows what other little nuggets lie within?"
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Re: Dark's Age of Worms IC
”Considering it was slavering to eat me, yes, I got a great look at your handiwork. Well done dear.” She winced as she rolled her sleeve up, not wanting to further stain her coat, and leaned against her glowing cane more readily as she examined the wound. Scowling at the dead wolf that dared to bite her Cordellia’s disposition rapidly improved as Reynauld asked about her condition.
Trembling, she held one hand up to her head, and wobbled as if to faint. She held out her wounded arm and moaned out “Oh Reynauld I’m done for! Woest me, assaulted by feral beasts! I think I may faint any moment, nary is there a chance I could work through this Cairn hobbling, and I think I see my late father beckoning me. Oh Master Reynauld, would you be so kind as to offer your arm? I’m positively rattled.”
Flipping her hair Cordellia began to pout her lips. The ridge of her upper lip trembling ever so slightly as she gave him the strongest spell in her arsenal: Puppy dog eyes. “I’m sure you won’t let it happen again.”