Of Light, Life and Liches

[DMfromTheAbyss]

Seristra mentions "Well that went without a hitch. Nothing unusual Tien was it?"

"Well I was here one second, held onto that rod and concentrayted on the place accross the way like ya said and there was a popping sensation and dere I was. <hack> As suicide missions go it was a bit lack luster, got anything more dangerous, preferably lethal? <cough> <hack> What is the situation anyhow, I'm a bit confused bout what's goin on though, maybe yall youngsters could use a touch of advice huh?"

"Watch it, I have a feeling I'm more than a touch older than you.."

"Wouldn't bet on it missy! <Hack!>" "Now Now! for persons undoubtedly my elders you are both acting like children! I take it there was nothing unusual detected Seristra.. no, then I suppose we're on to test number two. If we are agreed Master Mathias should go, though perhaps if Master Harin went as well between the two of you you possess survival skills and non-magical flight, so we could at least know faster if all is well.. though I fear it may be a definate risk as it puts our only real priest in danger... Opinions?"

Tien looks around waiting for any tidbits of information, while the difficult and surly Seristra looks unhelpfully on as Korl tries desperately to keep things moving on track.

[Jade_Tarem]

Matthias

The ranger looks to Harin. "Can yeh go for a while without eating? If we get sent to some barren wasteland I don't want to have to figure out how to feed yeh with nothin' but sand an' gravel."

[Another_Poet]

Radley

"If it's suicide missions you want, I imagine I could find a few more...." Radley mutters to Tien, apparently impressed with the old man.

[Kobold-Bard]

Harin

"If gravel's good enough for
Kobolds, then it's good enough for me. Though if necessary I suppose I could convince Tahrain to provide enough food for the pair of us."

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Holy crap where dud this page come from. I swear I've never seen thaw posts before.

[DMfromTheAbyss]

Korl hands the Rod over to Mathias, wishing to move things along, reguardless of your decision to take Harin or not, apparently leaving the choice to you.

Tien mutters to himself about Seristra's girlish lack of sense, then asks Orrum.

"Sir Dwarf, what da ya figgure our combat capabiitys are and what threats we workin against. I figgured I'd ask, I'm no genius but I been a fair minded tactician in my day maybe my fadin mind can put somethin togeather for us."

Seristra makes an under the breath comment about insufferable old goats and commences careful study of Mathias should he suddenly disappear, as is the apparent plan.

[MountainKing]

Orrum

"There will be more of what we've already seen today, alongside much that will be far worse," Orrum replied calmly, "Any who go with us, go with the understanding that they are making a sacrifice for their homes and their people. To go with anything less in mind is truly suicide." Orrum leveled a quiet stare at Tien, the same heavy, soul piercing look he'd given Radley during their chat.

"We go to fight the lich, with intent to destroy him... and who knows whom we will face when our fighting is done? Anyone craven enough to change their minds in the face of certain death, has no place by our side, fighting to restore law and peace."

[Another_Poet]

Radley

Radley stays quiet, finding no fault with Orrum's words. It gives him a twinge of doubt, that he will be taking citizens away instead of going on that one-way journey. Don't do it Egan, he chided himself. Don't you change your mind now. You're coming back with an army or not at all.

[MountainKing]

Orrum

The Dwarf stood then, the tome penned by his father snapping shut with a dull thud.

"In the end... We who go to Castle Derguil do not go to defeat the enemy on our own. We go to delay them, to obtain time so that those who cannot fight can escape to safety, and so that those who seek to bring us aid will be able to complete what we have started... even if we cannot." Orrum set down his tome, and strode to Matthias' side, taking up his shield.

"This darkness will come to pass, whether by our hands, or by the hands of those who come after us. Lady Seristra," Orrum leveled his gaze at the witch calmly, "I entrust to your care, the tome my father penned for me at the time of my birth. Keep it well." A heavy, gauntlet laden hand gripped Matthias' arm.

"On your signal, we will commence the test, Master Matthias. If you wish to bring Forge, you'll need to touch him."

[Jade_Tarem]

Matthias

"Forge needs to stay." Matthias makes a noncommittal grunt. "I'm ready when you are."

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What was the rod for again?

[DMfromTheAbyss]

@Jade Tarem OOC:It's a rod of teleportation, it basically holds a teleport without error spell.. counts whom-ever holds it as the caster, so they just have to visualize, concentrate and "poof".. Though that rather leaves in your hands who you are touching and where you are trying to teleport to. Also no you don't know how many charges it has.. probably not many.

@ Everyone: Tien seems exasperated "No help there, Sheesh the dwarf can get as preachy as the merchant! I don't see much risk in dyin as I'm pretty sure I'm doin that a-ready. I don't need my ego stroked or my will ta fight a helped.. I need a quick sit-rep. Anybody?"

Seristra studiously ignores the old man and takes Orrum's proffered spellbook into safe keeping until such time as he asks for it's return, mentioning to Orrum that she will do her best for it to find it's way back to your kin should you fall.

[Another_Poet]

Radley

Radley grins, really liking the spirit of the man. He fills him in as needed...

((insert concise but complete, brutally honest assessment here))

[MountainKing]

Seristra studiously ignores the old man and takes Orrum's proffered spellbook into safe keeping until such time as he asks for it's return, mentioning to Orrum that she will do her best for it to find it's way back to your kin should you fall.

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Whoa now. Nooooot so much. Orrum has his spellbook. If you look at his inventory, I listed a "Musty Old Tome". It has no mechanical benefit, I just put it in there for roleplaying purposes. That's the book he's leaving with her. Not his spellbook.

[DMfromTheAbyss]

@Radley: Tien listens with an oddly rapt attention as you give him the short version of the situation. He asks some questions and seems stuck on a few points.. he mummbes between coughing fits

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"So yers got Matters <cough> dere what's good with a crossbow, an if I got this right he don't need ammo <hack>.. Ya got the dwarf rune whatsits what can make stuff resistant to fire. There's these fiery monsters around the temple ya need to get people out of, which Matty can take if he can stay out of squishin range an we have the flyin horse downstairs.. a strategy suggests itself. Now you youngins might not know this but range with missile weapons tends to increase with height, if these Fiery things can't fly.. no? Then he should be able to rain shots down on them with impunity, ifin he don't have ammo restrictin him he shouldn't have to worry about the accuracy loss.. which will be bad but hey so what. Just a matter of goin way up there and lettin em have it, the pretty pony can even get some protection from the dwarf should they stray a bit too low.. give em time to climb out o range."

@MK: OOC

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my bad note above correction, apparently I think spellbook whenever a wizard mentions an important book.

[Another_Poet]

Radley

"A promising suggestion," Egan concedes, "But I think we can count on some sort of aerial counterattack to show up if Matthias is up there so long shooting at them. The others would need to be hidden nearby and ready to act as his... escort when the threat arrives."

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Shades of WWII....

[Kobold-Bard]

Harin readies himself to go (not much to say here)

[DMfromTheAbyss]

Mathias holds the rod, prepared to will himself elsewhere, however the temptation to see just where he could try and go seems to weigh heavily upon him. Everyone looks on expectantly and...

(waiting on Jade here...)

[Jade_Tarem]

Matthias

Matthias's mind shifts through several possibilities before he finally settles on the Calamar approach - the final stretch of road leading up to the city gates. With that image firmly in mind, he says, "So, do I, uh, say something speci-"

[DMfromTheAbyss]

@Everyone not Mathias: Mathias dissapears mid word, having left Everyone wither through accident or choice. You all have a little time to discuss your next move it seems.

Seristra points out that the clerics from the church should take precidence.

Korl advises that investigating the location Seristra found (The Tower in the Royal quarter) that seems to be Darvis's base might provide more information. Though the tunnels below might also provide a place to start.

Tien coughs alot and asks if anyone else smells sulfur.

Senal offers to do a quick aerial patrol, perhaps to get a better view of things from altitude.

@Mathias:

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You dissapear and know almost instantly that something is very, very wrong. A ruddy unclean light bathes all you see, fumaroles and foul smokes cloud the sky. The booming of distant metallic sounding wardrums beat an ominous cadence and looming above you stands a 12 foot tall flame wreathed bat winged being with scales like blackened armor and bearing a jagged looking oversized halberd. As he smiles a decidedly unfriendly smile down at you and prepares to dispatch you as you stand disoriented by the unexpected teleportation, a strange thing happens.

A small red dot appears in the creatures chest. This is quickly followed in quick succession by several more holes opening up, as your eyes are still adjusting to the odd light and your mind hasn't quite caught up with events. The being lurches forward and some animalistic survival instinct has you diving out of the way as it crumbles to the ground with a crash, it's arms narrowly miss connecting with you as they reflexively swing into the ground, digging furrows in the hardened reddish black brickwork you were standing on.

The handsome red haired piratical fellow with the pair of black blood covered rapiers hops down from the creatures back with such dexterity he almost seems to just appear before you. Continuing his rather sarcastic devilish smile he says in an oddly confidence inspiring rich baritone voice.

"Welcome to Hell Mr. Mathias Raker, lets hope for both our sakes your stay is brief."

[Jade_Tarem]

Matthias

"Y'know, even though Seristra's the one that handed me the rod, I'm still willin' to bet that this is Radley's fault." He looks up at the sky and shouts, "Y' hear that, dandy man? How does this fit into yer views on the pantheon?!"

He shaks his head and looks at the stranger. "Not t' be a bad houseguest, but I don't feel all that welcome. Even if yeh did kill ugly, there."

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On the other hand, Matthias's second favored enemy is evil outsiders, so he's at least got plenty of targets.

[Kobold-Bard]

Harin

"Just to be sure, that wasn't aupposed to happen right?

[MountainKing]

Orrum

Orrum sighed and shook his head.

"I have enough faith in Master Matthias to believe he would not have simply gone alone... again..." Muttering and shaking his head, Orrum looked to the assembled, "Very well; Seristra, if you please, do what you can to locate him. Master Radley, I think you should bid your people to sit tight. If we're done catching our breath, I think we ought attempt to..." Orrum paused, realizing that, without Matthias, assaulting the temple was totally infeasible, as was attempting to journey in the tunnels...

"Master Matthias... what was it you said about persons who were too valuable?"

[Another_Poet]

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How does this fit into yer views on the pantheon?!

Completely consistent, actually :)

Radley sighs. "I believe I was the one who said we shouldn't risk anyone valuable." He glances at Tien. "No offence."

He glances to Seristra. "I'm going to be in your library." And back at Orrum: "Please let me know if he returns, or is found."

As he walks toward the door of the room, he glances back again. "Oh, Mister Tien, you're with me. I believe your suicidal bravery is at an even greater premium now."

[MountainKing]

Orrum

The Dwarf said naught; he had been agreeing with Radley's prior assessment, though under the circumstance that without Matthias, they were now without their only ranged specialist, as well as their only tracker, and pathfinder, and their primary stealthy reconnaissance... sighing irritably, Orrum gripped his warhammer a little tighter.

"Perhaps, Master Korl and I can attempt to scout the tower from the air; Lady Senal and Master Harin, could provide heavy support. If Master Radley has need of time for planning and administration, I loathe remaining idle. Lady Seristra; if you and your students can, please, do what you may. Try to find Master Matthias." Orrum looked to Korl and the other two, "Will you three be willing to accompany me?"

OOC: I just realized I never actually updated my spell list with what I was preparing now that we'd passed the morning, even though I've been studying for spells. Derp. I'll go take care of that.

[Kobold-Bard]

Harin

"Sounds like a plan. Here's hoping the old man will make it back in one piece."

[DMfromTheAbyss]

@The Party: And as soon as Harin finishes his statement there is a deep rumbling explosion that seems to shake the very building. The accompanying sounds of the alert being called from Seristra's apprentice upfront and the smell of Sulfur filling the air only accentuate the flickering light of flames from outside.

Korl leaps to his feet, gauging the sound and peeking outside through a small high window he mutters. "Must be the Hag, so much for planning..."

"Not good.. If they burn the building down around us we'll have everyone trapped in the extraplanar space.. Uh.. get out there and see what we're dealing with, it won't do any good to panic, we may be able to deal with this.." Seristra commands uncertainly.

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@Mathias: The Piratical looking gentleman flicks his blades clean sheaths them then motions for you to follow. He leads the way stealthily through the surrounding buildings as he answers your comment. "If it's a warm welcome you want you can go wait for the Friends of "Ugly", I'm sure they'll be along shortly. I'd say you can trust me.. but that would be quite laughable given the circumstances. Let's just say, as soon as I get us somewhere where we won't attract attention for a few moments, we might be able to come to mutually acceptable terms that will further both our agendas.. Namely your staying alive and me getting out of here finally. .

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Give me some hide/move silently checks, assuming your following him.

[Jade_Tarem]

Matthias

Matthias snorts. "I'd like to leave too, y'know." He does, however, follow pirate-man.

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Hide/MoveSilently:

(1d20+21)[30]/(1d20+21)[37]
(1d20+21)[27]/(1d20+21)[31]
(1d20+21)[38]/(1d20+21)[41]
(1d20+21)[41]/(1d20+21)[35]
(1d20+21)[29]/(1d20+21)[28]

I don't know how many you actually need, but I hope that's enough...

[MountainKing]

Orrum

"Oh, of course, why on earth would we ever want to do a scouting mission? We're too busy being killed!" Irritably, Orrum stumped over to a window and looked out into the street; his course of action was highly dependent on what was actually going on.

[Kobold-Bard]

Harin
"Ah, life would be no fun if everything went according to plan.

With that he launches himself out of the nearest window staff in hand, looking for the cause.

[DMfromTheAbyss]

@Mathias:

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You follow the piratical fellow as he moves along from cover to cover darting like a mouse amoung the rubble strewn wreck of collosal buildings. Fiendish wardrums beat in the distance and you see between the spaces between the buildings that the entire neighborhood you are on is overlooking some kind of massive marshalling ground. He leads you to a small unsafe looking shack at the edge of a cliff, overlooking the marshaling ground. Once inside you see.. well not much in the hot oppressive gloom, till a crimson flame licking along the blade of a sword offers some illumination.

The Piratical gent is opposite you at a small beat up table. He stands, one leg up on a chair, the sword point first in the ground providing what passes for illumination, and offers a drinking horn casually taken from his belt, tossing to you in unconcerned fashion. "So you want the Break down explaination easy, or detailed? Actually I'll give you the short version then let you decide if you WANT the details. Basicaly Mephistophales is invading your plane, I can help stop it, but need permission from a mortal to enter a prime plane again after a little bit of trouble I got in recently. It involved a girl, a dark God, another man and a deal with the Devil that got me stuck here semi permanant like. You let me back into the prime, I teleport us out of here and give you a hand, win win really. There's a bit of a catch in that you can't trust a blessed thing I say, as I could be a shapechanged Devil or worse, and I can't exactly say I'm a nice guy with a straight face, but I can tell ya I'm your villain's villain at least.. not yours. I just wanna help stop Mephy from absorbing your entire plane to pay off my debt and get out of here. That's the last of my Good Rum by the way, figure you might wanna drink while you consider all the marvelous implications. Names Sedius by the by. If you don't agree it's nothin ta me, you can walk out same as you came in. If you do I'll get to turn around and tell the most devious bastard in hell he was wrong bout you bein interested. That'd be worth hangin round hell till somethin else comes around. So either way it's win win for me"

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@Harin: Harin Leaps out the nearest barely large enough window to see the Magic shop covered in flames behind him. The cause of the fire is quite apparent, as another fireball roars in from the top of a nearby building accross the street, engulfing the front portion of the shop. Peering into the firelit darkness Harin recognizes the Hag, now with some manner of magical sphere surrounding her, gnarled staff in hand, the very image of a wizard ready for battle.

@Orrum: Glancing out the window reveals little, but as Harin opens a different window you recognize the sound of a fire ball being cast, and the dancing illumination from fire on the street reveals moving shadows, as some beings outside rush towards the shop from another direction.

PS starting new thread.. go to http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showt...94#post9573694