31 October, 2011

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Game Master

Ben: [To Med] Navels! That was the thing that seemed off. None of the creatures had one. As for the spell, you can (of course) cast it as soon as you like, but it will be roughly 24 hours before you can memorize a replacement. I guess the rule is that each spell slot needs 24 hours between memorizations, not necessarily between casting and memorization. It takes about 15 minutes to memorize your spells.

The steward looks at Med suspiciously for a moment. “You’re one of the ruffians who were brawling with the monsters last night, yes?” Thumbs’ eyes widen a bit at this. The steward goes on, “I don’t think it would be suitable for--”

He’s cut off by the approach of the Countess Grau herself. She is a slender, upright woman in her fifties with long gray hair held back under a painted silk scarf. She is dressed in fine riding clothes of wool, linen and leather, the symbol of stars and waves discreetly embroidered on the black vest. Her look seems more suitable for a formal fox hunt than a wilderness mountain expedition, but she has an air of both confidence and competence about her. Even before she speaks, something about her bearing sets Med’s teeth on edge. When she does speak, her tone is commanding and severe.

“Nonsense, Harwold. Of course we’ll hire them. The two men-at-arms you chose to bring hardly look like they’ll make it up the mountain and if there are monsters from legends wandering about, I do not wish to have such dullards as my only protection. Offer the big broadsword you told me about thirty gold and this one here twenty.” She pauses to look Med up and down. “No. Fifteen. Paid upon return to the Inn. The invalid and the wild woman we have no use for.”

Despite the fact that Med is standing only a few feet away, she does not address him directly. Harwold opens his mouth to speak, but she interrupts him again.

“We leave in ten minutes. Tell the innkeeper to saddle two more horses. I’m going out to look at these dead creatures for myself.” She sweeps out the back door of the inn, just as Pral, yawning, appears on the balcony followed by a limping Elendil. A moment later, Talia steps in the front door.

Harwold snaps at Med, “Well, you heard the Countess, we leave in ten minutes.” Turning to Thumbs, he continues, “Two more horses out back, same terms as the others.” With a worried look, he rushes out after his mistress.

Thumbs grins at Med. “Have fun.” He turns to leave for the stables, but then stops. “Oh. I sent Corin up the hill an hour ago to fetch a priest from the Harmonic Brotherhood. My money says,” he pauses to touch wood, “S’cuse me. Ain’t right to gamble about a Priest of Kronnor. My guess is that he’ll be back in another couple hours with Brother Landrau, who will be eager to have a look at the monsters. If that’s the case, I expect he’ll be willing to heal up your friend. He won’t ask for no money, but the right thing to do is offer up a donation. Fifty gold, maybe.”

Thumbs, in no visible hurry, leaves for the stables.

Ben: You gather that it will take all day to reach the Sisterhood of Vexia at the summit of Mt Dain. Anyone going up will clearly have to stay there one night, and possibly two. Vexia is the Lawful Evil goddess of martial discipline and death. Her followers believe it is both the right and the responsibility of the strong to rule the weak, by any means necessary. Rumor suggests that the Oracle at this remote altar prophesied both the stunning defeat of Gar Durrok by the King’s army five years ago and the early death by heart failure of Prince Wellesoll that precipitated it’s recapture by the Gosts two years later.

Almost forgot to mention: Each character earned 250 experience points for living through the previous night.

28 October, 2011

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Talia

[To Med before the 'night' turn, if that's all right.] "Your going to the Oracle while I spend the day hunting the creatures seems a fine idea to me. I will be gone before dawn, but will hopefully return to the inn before you leave. If you are already gone, however, I will meet you here again tomorrow night."

John: Hopefully splitting up won't cause you too much of a headache, but if it will, say the word and we'll keep together instead!

Mediocrates

Matt: Did the beasts have belly buttons/navels? This would indicate to Med that they were born if they had them or created/hatched if they didn't.

If my idea to split the party up to cover two objectives is too much work feel free to steer us along the proper course.

Since it took such a short amount of time for Med to memorize his "unknown" spell is it possible for him to cast it and re-learn Enlarge before they set off for the day's adventures?

Med turns to look back down the hallway at the parties rooms. Then with a small sigh Med resigns himself to the fact that he's going to have to speak to someone outside of his small circle of friends and he turns back around and heads down the steps to the main floor of the inn.

On his way to speak with the Countess's steward he straightens a chair that was sticking out from one of the tables on the floor. Med clears his throat softly behind a clenched fist before addressing the steward.

"Excuse me good sir, sorry to interrupt your conversation with Thumbs. We overheard last night that you and the Countess were planning on traveling to see the Oracle today. The events that transpired last night are certainly troubling to everyone here, even the guests. If the Countess would be in need of additional protection to make her journey today I would gladly offer up my party’s services for a very small fee and a small future boon from the Countess."

Pral

Pral is happy to stand the first guard. Despite his best efforts at willing more of the creatures to attack during his shift, he is disappointed when his relief takes over. But then he is happy to sleep and dream of adventure, large sandwiches and understanding half of what his friends are talking about.

He awakes well rested and has an urging to be out and adventuring but only after a large breakfast. As he enjoys the food he wonders idly where the woman with the wild hair is? And who the other clever chap is talking to.

27 October, 2011

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Game Master

Med crouches down amid the carnage and begins examining the creatures' corpses. All four are clearly of the same basic type, though there is some minor variation in size and look. Their skin is thick and warty with variations from dark greenish-brown on the skull, ears and back to a sickly yellowish on the face, belly and hands. No hair is apparent except for some wiry, black wisps behind the gigantic, pointed ears and on the chin.

Each face is dominated by a huge pair of round eyes which almost seemed to glow with an evil light when they were alive but already seem dull in death. Below each pair of eyes is a distorted lump of a nose--no two the same. The arms are longer than the legs and the backs are hunched. Both the hands and feet are large and strong, with four digits apiece. Even the feet have opposable thumbs. All sixteen digits end with large, sharp claws that seem more like dog claws than human nails.

The viscera spilling from the one Pral gutted are, as you would expect, bloody, squishy and rank. Apart from some ugly scars from earlier wounds, there are no markings. Something that Med can't quite put his finger on is not right about them

This unpleasant inspection over, the four new friends make their way back to the inn with Pral supporting Elendil. Inside, a comfortably-sized, middle aged woman--presumably Molly--ushers them into the kitchen where she seats Elendil in a straight-backed wooden chair covered in an old sheet. Without speaking, she dismisses the other three back into the Great Hall. Even through the thick door, Elendil's brave and unsuccessful attempts to suppress his howls of pain tell the tale of her efficient nursing.

Pral and Med ask for food and ale, which appears without any request for payment. No one seems to know how to make a dragon-choker, but bread, cheese, pickles, apple stew and potato pancakes with mushroom gravy are brought forth in vast quantity. Med keeps his eyes open for the Countess's steward, but he seems to have vanished for the night. Eventually, Molly emerges from the kitchen, followed by a large man carrying a dazed-looking Elendil. She bids you all to follow and walks up a half flight of stairs to the first floor of the south wing where four rooms have been opened.

Elendil and Med collapse into their respective beds. Talia pauses briefly to throw open her shutters and sniff the cold night air before succumbing to sleep in the unfamiliar embrace of a real bed. Pral paces stoically back and forth in the hall, wondering if there is any more stew.

The night passes uneventfully. At some point Talia awakes and takes over the watch, sending a reluctant Pral to bed. Shortly before first light, when the daytime pink is creeping into the eastern Skyvein, she yields the watch to Med. Not wanting to unbar the main doors or confront whoever might be guarding them, Talia hangs out her bedroom window by her fingertips and drops a few feet to the earth below before creeping off to her devotions.

Med brings a candle into the hall and by it's light stares at the mesmerizing runes of one of his spell tablets for a few minutes before resuming the watch. Before too long, sounds of activity can be heard down the hall in the great room. Stepping to the balcony, Med sees the round steward talking to Thumbs below. Behind him, even through the closed door, he can hear Pral snoring. A dim morning light filters in through the great halls high shutters.

Ben: Talia is elsewhere for the duration of the next turn so conversation or action at the Inn should not include her. Pral and Elendil are welcome to wake up and do whatever they like.

26 October, 2011

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Mediocrates

With Talia's acceptance Med carefully examines the creature's hands, claws, mouths, teeth, feet, limbs, and eyes. Do they have any hair or are they completely hairless? Are there any marks or tattoo's besides the wounds on the bodies?

Med will not dig inside of the wounds but if he's able to look around inside of the bodies without much effort he will snoop to see if the insides are similar to normal animals. He will describe anything of interest that he notices to Talia for her input.

After investigating the corpses, Med stands and motions for the three of them to head back to the Inn. In response to Talia's question about the plans for tomorrow Med offers up the following.

"While Pral and I were fetching the ales before these creatures attacked we overheard that Countess Grau is staying at the Inn and has plans to travel tomorrow to see a local Oracle. They may be in need of some additional protection and we could use the coins and political favor of the Countess. That would also give us a chance to become more familiar with the area and possibly search for more signs of these creatures."

Stopping at the front steps, Med stomps his feet a few times to knock off dirt before heading to the front door.

"Someone should check on Elendil while the others try to speak with Countess Grau or her steward about employment. Elendil's armor was damaged unexpectedly by my magic earlier, it may need some repairs. Perhaps there is someone here that can do that while we rest and wait for dawn. I will gladly pay for them with the coins I have left."

Talia

[To Med] "Personally, I'd rather we head out on our own. The animals who might aid me in finding the creatures' trail will be frightened by a larger party. And I certainly have no desire to earn coin or political favour, when these creatures must be hunted down and killed before they cause more trouble."

Pral

Pral watches Med examine the bodies with great interest. Although it is clear from his expression he does fully understand what's being said about the creatures its clear he is pleased to be allowed to watch. He strides alongside the others back to the inn, offering no opinion on what to do when the sun rises, but clearly proud he is included and part of the party.

At the inn he will offer no council but allow others to do the deciding.

Mediocrates

"I agree with you Talia, these dangerous creatures should be stopped before they wreak more havok. After all, we have yet to determine if there is a job to even apply for. Should there be no job to apply for I think we should hunt down these creatures and their cause."

Med finishes walking up the steps of the inn. Before reaching for the door he pauses and turns after a thought had occurred to him.

"However, a leisurely day trip to the Oracle would allow Elendil and you to scour the countryside for signs of the beasts while Pral and I were left to languish in the company of the Countess. If something should befall the Countess on her travels to the Oracle, there will likely be a military response. I wonder how many of the local animals would be hunted to feed an army searching for these creatures..."

Med turns back to the doors of the inn. "Speaking of food, I'm hungry. Pral, what's in a dragon-choker sandwich?"

Pral

Pral smiles his endearing grin towards Med and then turns to regard the others, it's clear Pral doesn't get asked many questions and is relishing the attention.

"It’s a loaf of bread with the soft stuff scooped out and then filled with cheese and meats and pickles and sausage and... and whatever you like to eat! And then, cause its like nearly a foot square", again the smile as bright as the midday sun at all who are listening, "it's big enough to choke a dragon!!"

Pral laughs with such depth it sounds like an explosion deep underground. "Geddit? Dragon choker? I eat 'em all the time"

He smiles and seems lost in thought no doubt of past sandwiches he has enjoyed.

25 October, 2011

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Pral

Ivan: Pral will be guided by the rest of the party. He will gladly volunteer to stand guard at the inn all night if required. He will collect his shield before leaving for anywhere else though.

Pral leans towards Talia "I will glady stand guard if you and the others want to rest. I will help where I can and protect us all" a huge smile starts across his face "of course I always guard best with an ale and a dragon-choker sandwich!" The smile almost lights up the night as the huge man picks up his sword and strides off determinedly towards the inn.

Mediocrates

As the crowd begins to head back to the safety of the inn Med, softly clears his throat and speaks to everyone. Some in the crowd turn back to look in his direction while others seem to walk faster to get inside.

"Elendil, you should go inside and have your wounds tended to as Thumbs suggests. Talia, Pral and I will be in shortly after we inspect our fallen foes. Maybe a closer look will provide us with some answers to our many questions."

"Leave us with a couple of the torches we will not be long." Med says to Thumbs, not looking him in the eye instead focusing his gaze above Thumbs' head. Med found it easier to talk in public to people if he didn't look them in the eye, it was less intimidating to him.

Once the crowd disperses and heads for the inn Med takes his torch and heads over to the corpses of the beasts. Are all 4 bodies the same species or is the one Med and Elendil chased different? Quietly he speaks to Talia and Pral so that no one else may hear as they gather around the bodies of the beasts that Pral and Talia felled.

"The beast we chased and dispatched switched how it ran, from being upright on two legs to being on all fours. It ripped off Sam's arm with it's teeth and hands, carried it in it's mouth like a dog would a prized bone. The damage it did to Elendil was by attacking with it's hands. Is that how they attacked you as well?"

Med bends closer to the bodies, but before touching them he actually looks up at Talia and asks. "Talia, I do not wish to offend the gods by examining the bodies. Do you have any objection should I look at their eyes, hands, teeth, muscles, and wounds? Maybe we can determine if they live underground, in trees, or underwater by taking a closer look. With your knowledge of the natural world we might solve a few of our riddles."

Matt: Beyond examining the creatures and maybe talking to Countess Grau's steward to see if they might need some additional protection on their journey the next day, Med plans to study his unknown spell and get some rest. Maybe with the help of his new found friends he can figure out what it does besides make him feel funny for a while. Enlarge doesn't seem to be too useful at the moment. Can anyone think of how we can best make use of it? The only thing I can think of is to cast the reverse of it on an enemy.

Talia

[To Pral] Talia smiles at Pral, putting a brief hand to his arm.

"I'm sure we can all rest safe if you're guarding us, my friend. But we should all take turns to watch and to sleep, for I reckon as tomorrow we'll be heading into the wilds. Thank the gods."

[To Med] Bending over the bodies of the creatures with Med, Talia fails to hide her disgust at what she sees.

"More like beasts than men, yes," she murmurs. "But more base than either. The flame that animated them was not gifted to them by nature; they are unnatural, a curse on the land, that much Leeta has made known to me. So please, go ahead, do whatever you wish with them - the gods of nature, at least, shall not be offended.

"As to the spell you cast - it was a spell, I take it? - I think I may have a use for that. The animals of the wild are my friends, and oft-times my travelling companions alike. They have no need of clothes to hide themselves, and so would not suffer Elendil's troubles should you increase their size. When we head out into the wild, I will call on nature and see who responds."

[To Elendil] If Elendil arrives to look at the bodies, Talia glances up at him. "I only know of elves from rumours and dreams," she murmurs. "But unless all we know of them is false, then these creatures are no elves. It feels to me as if they should own some harsher name, though I could not say what it is. What say you, who claim knowledge of elves?"

[To All] "Whilst we have not said as much, can I take it that we plan to follow the trail of these creatures, and see where it takes us? I, for one, must seek them out, and end their corruption. If so, I suggest take turns on guard tonight, and head out on the morrow."

John: Whilst spurning the offer of a bath, Talia will spend the night in the inn with her new companions, rather than risk being attacked alone. Come the morning, she will rise before dawn, tell her companions she will be back in two hours, then head out beyond the inn to offer up a prayer to nature. She will also cast Animal Friendship, hoping to attract an animal who may have seen the creatures, and where they went. I believe this takes an hour to cast. She might also have to use Speak with Animals, but she'll hold off casting that unless she can't make herself understood otherwise. Anything further will probably have to wait on what turns up, if anything, before preparing to set out

Elendil

Ivan: Pral will be guided by the rest of the party. He will gladly volunteer to stand guard at the inn all night if required. He will collect his shield before leaving for anywhere else though.

Elendil nods. He does what he can to bind his own wounds and waits for someone that can finish the job for him.

He draws the three obsidian arrowheads from his pouch. He stares a long at them, remembering that fateful day.

"They're close..." he mutters, "very close... Soon." He collapses in a chair, hoping someone will come to help him. He sleeps the rest of the night. In the morning, he will see about finding new armor and any other supplies he might need to continue his quest.

24 October, 2011

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Game Master

In response to Talia's question, someone in the back of the crowd calls out, "They're elves!"

The one-legged man snorts at this. "Shut yer trap Norg. These ain't elves. Elves ain't this ugly. Or this easy to kill."

"Maybe they're kobolds," shouts someone else, "like in the story of Crellan and the Kobolds!"

The drunk boys seem to think this is hilarious. "Maybe they're Booglies," one chuckles, "like in the stories my Gram tells."

Then there's a chorus of scattered opinions.

"Goblins!"

"Trolls!"

"Hag's spawn!"

This last one draws more laughter from the boys.

The peg-legged man cuts them off. "I come outside when I heard Sam scream. By the time I got here they was all chewin' on 'im. Three of 'em chased me. They did some kinda witchcraft with the grass, and I got all tangled up and fell over. These two," he looks at Pral and Talia, "killed 'em all. If they hadn't, I guess I'd be... Where's Sam's arm?"

There is a long silence. Finally, Thumbs speaks again, addressing Mediocrates' question first. "There's nothing up that road but a hundred miles of wilderness, full of elves and rumors. Maybe the light of day will show us more."

He turns back to the crowd. "Everyone inside the great hall. Now. Norg, get everyone out of the stables and bring them inside, too. Then bar the doors." He turns to the blond bartender, "Corin, find Molly and tell her Elendil needs his wounds cleaned up. Have Roona get rooms ready for these four." He pauses. "Draw that one a bath if she wants it."

Last, he addresses two broad-shouldered young men. "Bring Sam into the cellar and cover him up with something. We'll send for the priests at dawn. Leave those ugly things here--whatever they are. Father help us all."

21 October, 2011

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Elendil

Elendil staggers in. "Nature defending herself, my ass...", he mutters.

He drags himself over to Thumbs. "I need whatever ya got for bandages. That mushroom concoction ain't the best to drink, but it will probably knit these gashes up pretty good. They're on fire, I need somethin' to put the fire out..."

Talia

If Med looks as if it is about to speak for them, then she will let him. Otherwise, she shrugs.

"Not sure we know much more than you. Less, perhaps. We heard cries for help, and came on these creatures attacking both this man and, ah, someone by the name of Sam. Seemed only right that we help out. I've never seen these creatures before," she pauses to spit in their direction, "but I know for certain that they aren't born of nature. Anyone else know what they might be? And more importantly, what they wanted, and whether there are more of them..."

Pral

As the crowds gather Pral stands proudly next to the corpses as the locals point and stare. But when Thumbs steps forwards and asks questions Pral deliberately shuffles sideways somewhat and ensures Talia is between him and Thumbs. "You answer him. I'm not good at explaining"

Mediocrates

Med nods after Talia finishes her say, still worn out from dragging the corpse back. If only he had Pral's strength it would have been so much easier. Wiping sweat from his brow he responds still a little out of breath.

"The creature that Elendil killed and I dragged back was heading up the road toward the Collar. Is anyone familiar with what is or is rumored to be in that direction?"

20 October, 2011

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Game Master

Ben: A few points of business: The enlarge spell/Incredible Hulk analogy is very apt. When outside, there's no need to keep careful track of sling stones, but we should track other ammunition. Med has managed to recover two of his three darts. Elendil is down two arrows. There is no real need for most characters to contact the gods, but there is no harm in trying. Eventually, something interesting might happen...

Talia steps over to help the fallen man. The grass thrashes about her ankles for a moment as she enters the enchanted area, but it seems soothed by her presence and it soon goes still. The man manages to sit up and Talia notices for the first time that he has a peg leg. He refuses her hand, choosing instead to work his way slowly to his feet on his own. He grips his weapon, which appears to be an iron fire poker.

"I seen some things in my time," he grunts, "but I ain't never seen anything like these." He stumps over to where Pral is lining up the corpses and pokes one with his stick. Then he looks up sharply towards the well. "They killed Old Sam, they did!"

As he makes his way toward the corpse south of the well, a large number of excited voices can be heard coming from the direction of the Inn. Before long the yard is flooded with torchlight, and a little mob has formed, all talking at once. The five drunk teenagers are there, as well as the bartender, the Countess Grau's steward, and several men you don't recognize. Everyone gapes at the dead creatures, horrified.

As he makes his way toward the corpse south of the well, a large number of excited voices can be heard coming from the direction of the Inn. Before long the yard is flooded with torchlight, and a little mob has formed, all talking at once. The five drunk teenagers are there, as well as the bartender, the Countess Grau's steward, and several men you don't recognize. Everyone gapes at the dead creatures, horrified.

Everyone converges around the armless corpse and there is a confusion of shouts, and even some laughter. Finally, Thumbs' voice rises above the din. He projects a surprising natural authority, and the mob is soon quiet. Looking across the corpse, he addresses the four adventures and the peg-legged man.

"What happened here? What are these things and where did they come from?"

19 October, 2011

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Mediocrates

Med takes a deep breath to settle himself, the rush of combat is a bit addictive he thinks to himself. He hurries to Elendil's side and checks to see that he's still breathing. If Elendil is conscious and able to move Med will attempt to bind and bandage his wounds using pieces of his robe. Good thing he bought 2 in town!

He will give the creature a once over check for any treasure and to possibly retrieve his darts. Med hopes that they haven't drawn any unwanted notice from the other denizens of the area and that they can walk back to the inn.

If Elendil is able to make his way on his own Med will try dragging the dead creature by it's legs back to the inn. If Elendil needs assistance Med will help him back before leading some folks back to retrieve the creature's corpse.

Matt: So the enlarge spell only works on the receiver's body and not any clothing, armor - normal or magical? So after the spell is cast it's sort of like the Incredible Hulk and all you'll be left with after it wears off is a pair of torn jeans and a demolished town?

Elendil

Elendil's mind reels: The slashing claws, biting fangs, stabbing, missing, then growing several feet in height while wearing studded leather armor that did not grow. He collapsed to the ground, the darkness closing in around him. He struggled to keep it at bay. Turning his head slightly, he saw the, now tiny wizard that had helped him.

"Thank you sir." Then, in a moment, "Thank you Med... I think you saved my life. I think we killed this one, but there's still the matter of the other creatures over by Pral and Talia."

Breathing shallowly he tries to focus past the pain and remain conscious.

Talia

Talia runs up to the entangled focus of their rescue attempts. In passing, she grins apologetically at Pral.

Then, putting away her sling and taking out her knife, she first checks that all the creatures are dead, and, if they are not, finishes the job with a knife to the throat. After which, turning to the trapped man, she cuts him free, helping him to his feet.

"So," she asks him. "What in Leeta's name were those things, and what did they want with you?"

John: Do I need to keep track of sling stones used, or is it safe to assume a steady supply of them, as long as we aren't in a dungeon?

Pral

Pral looks around at the bodies strewn before him and the beginnings of a smile creases his face. He looks to his colleagues especially Talia.

"We did good. Killed the nasty grunts. So long as you keep missing Pral you keep fighting like that. You made the grass grab 'em, I liked that."

He regards the bodies and carries out a quick search of them. He drags the corpses so they're side by side, showing little compassion for the foes that moments before were living and breathing creatures. "What do we do now?" he asks looking to those around him before casting a wistful glance back to ale he left on the table at the inn.

Mediocrates

Matt: It sounds like Med and Elendil will try to make their way to the inn with the corpse in tow if possible. The main reason for that is to have Talia or the locals identify what they were fighting. Hopefully Elendil will not experience any ill effects from his first battle/contact with the denizens of the area.

A bit of a misunderstanding of how to integrate the "gods" portion of the game appears to need some work. Do the characters whose roles do not have a particular need to pray really have a reason to be contacting them? I was thinking of having Med say a thanks to the goddess of magic.

18 October, 2011

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Pral

Ivan: Pral will continue to fight till the weird little creatures are splattered.

If Pral is having his own initiative rolls as opposed to a roll for everyone, he can add his dex modifier of +2.

Talia

Talia snaps suddenly out of her trance, eyes flashing black with hatred. Taking a sling from her belt, she fits a stone to it, and stepping to one side so that she can see round Pral, sends the stone flying towards the creature that has managed to free itself.

Game Master

Ben: I'll take Elendil and Mediocrates' silence to mean they want to continue with their previous pursuit.

Round 4

Elendil and Med reach the top of the little hill. Just beyond, the fleeing creature can be seen struggling down the other side, unwilling to drop its grotesque dinner. Farther on, perhaps a quarter mile away, looms the dark silhouette of the ridge that is the Collar. Elendil draws his sword and lunges forward to attack [d20: 5], but misses.

Med stops at top of the hill and begins speaking in an eerie sort of chant accompanied by mysterious gestures. The creature, finally convinced to drop the arm, attacks Elendil with its claws [d20: 13] and hits for 6 points of damage.

[Initiative order: Pral, Free Creature, Talia, Stuck Creature] Pral attacks the stuck creature [d20+2: 15, 2d4+3: 5] and skewers it. As he removes his blade, the creature falls. The free one claws at Pral [d20:18] but seems unable to hurt him. Talia launches a pair of sling stones into the fray [d20:11 d20:6] both miss and the second one narrowly avoids hitting Pral.

Ben: When missiles are fired into melee combat and miss by more than 10 points, I'll roll an attack against a randomly chosen ally. Since I hadn't stated this anywhere yet I won't enforce it in this post. Fortunately, it didn't quite happen anyway.

Round 5

[Initiative order: creature, Elendil, Med] Med watches in satisfaction as his spell takes effect, causing Elendil to grow a foot taller before his eyes. The creature takes no notice, lashing out again with his claws [d20: 16] and raking Elendil for two more points of damage.

Elendil, momentarily disoriented by the pain of his wounds, can't figure out what's happening. His body feels strange, almost like he's floating and his opponent seems smaller than before. Then there is a sensation of tightness all over his body which is suddenly relieved when several of the buckles holding his armor together break. He stumbles, but doesn't quite fall.

In a panic, he lashes out wildly at the creature with his sword [d20-2: 15, d6+1: 2] and somehow manages to connect. It's a glancing blow, but he feels like he hit harder than he normally would have. Between this and the two dart wounds from earlier, the creature has had all it can take. It sags to the ground and expires.

[Initiative order: Pral, Talia, Creature] Pral attacks [d20:15, 2d4+3: 8] slaying the final creature.

Combat ends.

Elendil collapses, nearly unconscious and still disoriented. Med looks on, perhaps a bit sheepishly. Pral and Talia hear a confused groaning in the grass and look down to see the man the creatures were originally attacking. Once he fell, his arms and legs became bound with grass, and he still can't quite work his way free. All three fallen creatures are grasped tightly to the ground.

17 October, 2011

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Game Master

Round 2

Med sprints toward the southern cottages, pausing just long enough to steal a glimpse at the fallen body. Elendil catches up just as Med realizes the sickening truth about the creature's prize. The fallen man, who looks elderly, is missing his left arm. The ragged wound at his shoulder (and the huge quantity of blood) suggest the arm was torn off with teeth and claws.

Med and Elendil exchange looks of revulsion and then dash off in pursuit. As they pass through the southern line of cottages, they spot the fleeing creature. It hasn't entered the woods to the south after all. Instead, it has turned west and can be seen crossing the High Road and heading towards the Collar. It runs partly upright and partly on all fours.

Talia looks inward, seeking divine guidance on the moral issues at play in this fight.

Meanwhile, Pral seems to think moral issues are best decided with a broadsword. He leaps forward, hacking at the closest of the three trapped creatures. [d20+2: 17, 2d4+3: 9]. His downward swing cuts deeply into creature's shoulder and it crumples to the ground.

One of the others, its feet still pinned to the ground, claws viciously at Pral [d20-2: 17], but misses. The third creature seems to have freed itself from the clutching weeds and rushes over to attack next round.

Round 3

Med and Elendil cross the road, and hurry up the rocky hillside beyond it. The creature is just cresting the hill. With the old man's arm in it's teeth, it isn't all that fast, and they think they can catch it next round.

[Initiative: Pral's d6:2, Creatures' d6:3] Two creatures, one with its feet stuck and the other free, claw at Pral. [d20-2: 6, d20:18] The first flails wildly, jerked back by the grass woven about its feet. The other scrapes ineffectively at Pral's armor. In response, Pral attacks the free creature. [d20 to hit: 1, d20 vs DEX: 12]. He misses badly and barely manages to hang on to his sword.

Talia continues to wait for some response from the divine.

14 October, 2011

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Pral

Pral watches in awe as Talia's spell entangles the creatures. He comprehends that these are the enemy and lunges towards them, the huge broadsword already pulling back ready to take a mighty swing at the first opponent.

Ivan: Pral will hack at the creatures until all are down and out of the game.

Talia

Staring at the twisted figures, Talia feels an instinctive sense of revulsion. And yet there is much in nature which is foul of appearance; this does not necessarily mean it is contrary to nature's designs. As such, then, she seeks to look beyond their appearance, to the living flame of nature which resides within all things. Does it burn pure, or is it dark and corrupt?

If the former, then calling out to her new companions she tells them that these creatures, too, are nature's children, and must be subdued not killed until the truth of the matter is unearthed.

But if the latter, then features twisted into a snarl of hatred, she screams at her companions to kill, even as, drawing a sling, she fits a stone into its worn leather and takes aim. If she can aim at the fleeing creature, she will do so. If not, well, she is confident that nature will lead her to wherever it has fled, and instead she cats her stone at one of the trapped creatures. A spider would not hesitate to kill one caught in its trap; why then should she?

John: Entangle lasts 1 turn. Is that 10 combat rounds?

Game Master

Ben: The spell might normally last 10 rounds, though she isn’t sure since she hasn’t ever cast it against a real opponent before now. In any case, there is so little vegetation here that the spell just isn’t working as well as she’d hoped.

Elendil

Glancing from the entangled creatures to the left and the one to the south dragging a prize away, Elendil decides on the latter. Seeing Talia fitting a stone to her sling, Elendil grunts his assent and stepping to his right fires his bow. A much clearer shot and the other creatures seemed to be taken care of for the moment, Elendil fired freely at the suspicious creature struggling to lug a carcass away.

Jason: If Elendil is unable to bring down the leathery creature fleeing to the south, he will pursue on foot, drawing his short sword and attacking.

Mediocrates

So much for subduing and asking questions after the situation has been calmed.

A bit repulsed by the creature he's wounded, he's determined not to let it get away. He rapidly pursues it knowing that Talia and Elendil will have little problem tracking him and the beast. If he has a chance to pause and get a shot in with a dart he will otherwise he will try hounding the wounded creature until it collapses from exhaustion. Med would rather not have to resort to his dagger as he's just as likely to wound the creature as he is himself. If he is joined by Elendil and the creature engages them in combat Med will cast his spell on Elendil(Enlarge).

13 October, 2011

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Game Master

Talia hurries quietly off towards the knot of mysterious figures to the left, casting her spell as she goes. After a moment’s hesitation, Pral follows, curious about what Talia is doing. Meanwhile, Med closes about half the distance to the figure searching the fallen man, which brings him within dart range. Elendil draws his bow fully and tries to cover both actions.

Then, several things happen all at once. The three attackers hear Talia and Pral approaching and turn face them. Talia finishes her spell, and the sparse grass begins to writhe around unnaturally beneath them.

The solitary figure wrests something free from the fallen man and holds it over his head in triumph and cackles. Closer now, and with the benefit of the light from the cottage, Med can see it clearly. Med calls out in horror. The creature is four feet tall with hairless,, leathery skin. It has arms and legs like a man, but they are beastly and misshapen. Its bald head is framed by a pair of swooping, pointy ears and bestowed with a bulbous nose and a pair of huge, yellow eyes. Med hurls three darts and Elendil follows his lead, firing two shots with his bow.

Three creatures and the man they are attacking all fail to save against Talia’s spell [17, 6, 10, 6]. What little grass there is twists up around their feet and ankles. The man falls over and the three creatures gabble in some harsh gurgling language, tearing in frustration at the grass with their hands.

Med hits twice [16, 11, 16], but both of Elendil’s arrows miss [6, 9]. The creature howls in pain, and flees to the south, dragging its prize behind it. It vanishes between the cottages on the south side of the ring.

Ben: The three entangled creatures don’t look like they will stay stuck for long. Talia and Pral could engage them immediately and attack at +2 to hit. Elendil or Med could charge and engage in that battle in the following round. (With the darkness and two friends blocking the way, missile fire seems unwise.) Med is in a good position to chase the runaway if he so desires. The area behind the southern cottages appears to be forested. The body is still lying south of the well.

12 October, 2011

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Pral

Pral stands his ground a confused look on his face. "What shall we do?" He says to Elendil and Med in turn, before turning his eyes back to the scene before him and trying to make sense of it.

Ivan: Pral does not quite understand what is occurring with figures capering in the dim light. He will look to Elendil or Med for guidance, but until either offer that advice he will stay by their side and prepare to repel any attacks.

Once either of the others move to attack or give reasonable directions to Pral he will surge into action and attack alongside (or in advance of if the others use missile attacks) He will charge in swinging his broadsword, he doesn't have his shield with him. He will engage any opponents and fight until they or he drops. He is merciful though and unarmed foes on their knees begging for mercy will get it, just.

He just can't figure the situation yet and will protect his new friends until he does.

Talia

Impossible to know for certain who is in the right and wrong here. Appearances can deceive, and the darkness hides much. Nature does not shy away from death, but nor does she deal it without reason, without purpose, and so, Talia murmurs quickly to the others, neither should they. Better that they should subdue all those involved, and then decide at leisure what must be done with them. Which means, she repeats, glancing to Pral and Elendil, no killing, not yet. Odd, the others perhaps consider, that some half-wild girl suddenly seems to speak as if used to being obeyed, and once again they detect a hint of the inflections of nobility in her voice.

If no one disagrees with her, she moves quietly forward, keeping to the shadows, hoping to avoid attention. Then, raising her hands, she tosses what look like leaves into the air, murmuring under her breath.

Alternatively, if anyone is arguing that blood be shed, she will hold off doing this to reply.

John: The spell is entangle (vsm, range 8", effect 4" diamater, either binds entirely or halves their speed if a saving throw is made.), aimed at the mid-point of the three small attackers. (I'm assuming there are weeds or scattered seeds in the muddy yard?)

Elendil

In a soft whisper, Elendil says, "We don't know whose side to take in this matter... be ready. The larger ones could just as easily be our foes as the smaller ones."

Jason: Once we determine which set of foes to attack, Elendil will start firing arrows, two per round until all foes are dead.

Mediocrates

Talia's suggestion that the party disable all the combatants and sort it out later may be easier said then done. "Talia's words ring true, let us do our best to resolve this situation with minimal casualties. Do not put yourselves in harm's way unnecessarily to accomplish this though!" Med steps to the side and will hold his spell for the time being. Should Pral need its aid he will hurry to his side to cast it and then retreat. He will focus his dart attacks on the target of opportunity hunched over the fallen figure.

11 October, 2011

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Game Master

Having charged off the porch into the darkness, the four adventurers can make out three cottages arranged in a rough line to the south. By the time Med and Pral reach the gap between two of these, Talia is already stopped there, peering into the space beyond and trying to make sense of what she sees. While the three study the scene by the dim red glow of the Skyvein, Elendil slides up next to them, bow half drawn.

The three cottages, it turns out, are just the northern arm of a little irregular semi-circle of similar buildings arranged around a covered well at the center of a muddy little yard. Fifty feet ahead of the party, on the far side of the well, a fallen body is splayed out in a little pool of fire light shining from an open cottage door. A dark figure is crouched over it, possibly searching its pockets.

To the party’s left, also about fifty feet away, a man is edging backwards awkwardly, shouting and wildly swinging some kind of weapon at three attackers capering about him. It's hard to make things out in the poor light, but all three are very short, either children or halflings.

10 October, 2011

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Talia

[To Thumbs, if she has a chance before he vanishes] "A bath?" She wrinkles her nose in disgust. "The beasts of the forest are proud of their scents; why should we be ashamed of ours?

[To Med] "Good to meet you, Med. Reckon you're right about my not going in there - why anyone would want to be trapped by four walls rather than earth and sky is beyond me anyway." She reaches into a pouch at her belt and extracts a gold coin. "But if you're going in, can you get me meat and drink?"

[To Elendil] "I guess I try to do for nature what I can. But most times, I reckon as she knows how to care for her own better than I ever could." She peers at the arrowheads curiously. "A fine gift. Me, I always thought elves were a myth, a dream of revenge nature dreams to herself for all the injuries man inflicts upon her. But when nature dreams, so she can create, and perhaps that dream is taken form again."

[To Pral] Talia smiles, tugging absently at one of the twigs in her hair. "That's the thing about living rough," she replies, her voice suddenly and surprisingly taking on the modulations and tone of the upper classes. "One simply cannot maintain proper appearances." Then her voice becomes her own again. "Thanks for your offer, Pral. If ever I need protecting, I reckon you're certainly the man for the job."

John: I think that's everyone!

Even as do the others, no doubt, Talia glances up quickly. Tilting her head, birdlike, to one side, she listens intently. Can she hear anything more that would provide any information? Either way, she looks to other others questioningly, before vanishing over the side of the porch again into the darkness.

John: I'm assuming she can make her way round outside to the buildings where the cry came from, in which case she'll see what she can see. If not, well, I guess she'll feel a bit stupid!

Mediocrates

Med looks up at the sound and sees Talia already springing into action.

"Talia, it would be best if you circled the buildings. If you come across anything keep an eye on it and we can help in tracking it down, but keep an ear open we may need your help. Let's go fella’s, someone stay close to me as I have a spell that will make you more potent in battle should it come to combat."

Med sets his mostly finished cigar on the edge of the table and jogs off the porch into the direction of the commotion, dart in hand. He's hoping the fighters will take the point in the battle because his robes will do little to stop weapons.

Pral

Pral carefully leaves the drinks on the table and takes up the huge broadsword. He pulls the blade from the scabbard and holds it before him like most would hold a short sword. He looks at the others as if to see what they are going to do. He watches Med set off for the source of the noise. Pral smiles, then reaches down and drains half a tankard of beer in one swig before following Med. In a few moments he is at his side.

"You do the thinking, I fight and protect you." He lopes easily at Med's side, light on his feet for such a large man.

Elendil

Elendil sets his teeth. Reaching down, he takes up his bow and sets off after Pral, short sword and dagger lashed to his legs. He peers into the gloom, waiting for a target to present itself. He fingers his arrows nervously, "Nature protecting itself..." he muttered. Calling to Pral, he says softly, "You pin 'em and I'll drop 'em."

7 October, 2011

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Game Master

Med and Pral step through the back door of the High Road Inn and find themselves in the huge room which serves as lobby, tavern, dining hall, and trophy room. The room is roughly square, perhaps fifty feet on a side, and built of large stones which are irregular but carefully mortared. At the center of the room is a massive stone chimney with hearths opening in four directions. The mounted heads of a moose, a bear, a mountain goat and a cougar stare out from above the four mantles. Great wooden beams span from the walls to rest in the masonry of the chimney and support the upper floor. On the north and south walls, stout wooden stairways lead to balconies that give access to the inn's two long, three-storied wings.

A man in his thirties with short-cropped blond hair and a cleft chin stands behind the polished pine counter top that serves as a bar. He laughs as he sees the two men approaching.

"Thumbs' brew didn't get the job done, eh? The man is a gentle soul and a generous host, but that fungus broth ruined his sense of taste before the gods woke. I just tapped a keg of right ale from Splitrock for these gents", he points with his chin at the five rowdy young men in the far corner, the only group in the room. "Pour you a--"

He stops and looks up at the north balcony where a balding, rotund figure has emerged wearing red and black livery embroidered in silver with an emblem of waves and stars. The man looks down at the boisterous table and clears his throat. The five lads, look up at him. He closes his eyes for a moment, gathering courage before he speaks.

"My lady requests that you endeavor to engage in your revelry more quietly, for she must rise early to reach the Sisterhood before tomorrow evening."

The boys look at each other, smirking. "Aye?", one calls, "An’ who's yer lady?"

"The Countess Grau. She is come all the way from Ailmoran to speak with the Oracle."

This response is met with a long silence. Finally, the boys return grumpily--but quietly--to their ale. The steward disappears back into the north wing.

The barkeeper shakes his head and hands you a tray with four mugs of ale. “Take these, no charge. I know that's three free rounds of drinks, but I feel bad about the first two. No one should have to drink that stuff.”

Back outside, Med sits down and Pral is just setting the tray on the table when everyones’ heads turn simultaneously. Somewhere in the darkened cluster of buildings to the south, within a hundred yards or so, everyone hears a shout of surprise and fear. A heartbeat later, there is another cry, this time the howl of a man in agony.

6 October, 2011

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Pral

Pral looks to Talia and her hair in particular, "Do you know you have some sticks in your hair?" he asks in an almost innocent manner, as if Talia may not have noticed.

"I'm stopping here and having some food and some wine." Pral pauses again, maybe waiting for a response, maybe working out the next sentence. "I have heard about the temple and how the elves....are. I reckon there will be treasure. I'll be willing protect you chaps if you'll....help me decide how to do it." Another pause for thought, "I ain’t no leader with brains and stuff, but I'll lead any battling." There again comes the almost innocent grin on Pral's massive face, as he clearly seeks acknowledgement, acceptance and approval from the others.

"I'll buy some wine" and he digs out a purse and rummages through its contents.

Mediocrates

"Pral, if you are going into the inn I will go with you to help bring back the refreshments." With a sigh, Med rises from his chair he gazes over his new companions, he doesn't make eye contact for long with Talia, though. Instead he fidgets a bit and looks off into the distance before speaking.

"Talia and Elendil, I am pleased to make your acquaintances. If you do decide to enter the inn I would suggest keeping a low profile. Thumbs' reaction may be typical of how the locals treat those in tune with nature, you will not get such a reaction from me though. I welcome your company and would gladly join you in a bit of adventuring. I will try to see if there are any people in the inn looking to hire on some adventurers or know of any jobs that we could do. I would appreciate some aid with that."

Taking a draw on his cigar he turns and heads for the front door of the inn alongside of Pral, his cup of mushroom wine still sits on the table untouched. However, it's neatly spaced between all of the other glasses and pitcher on the table. Also not a speck of cigar ash rests upon the table or chair where he was sitting.

Elendil

Elendil nodded. He took a draw on his mushroom wine and coughed. Looking to Talia, he smiles a smile of crooked teeth. "Atanar held druids in great respect. I never met one myself. Do you minister to plants and animals, or is there a greater presence with which you commune. It's sad that the elves here are violent. My hope is that perhaps there could be some sort of communication between us and them."

He drew three obsidian arrowheads from his pouch, "The last elves that I met, gave me these." A far away look grew in his eyes. He smiled his broken smile again, "Now that was a day that I will never forget..."

5 October, 2011

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Game Master

As Talia vaults over the railing, Thumbs jumps up out of his chair in shock. He takes in her wild hair and rank odor and is just beginning to reach for his knife when she speaks. The sound of human speech coming from this creature is enough to stay his weapon hand, but not enough to wipe the look of distaste off his face.

"Ye can drink out here, if these folk'll have you. If you want to drink inside or stay the night, ye'll need to have a bath."

He looks back and forth between the wild woman and the elf lover and shakes his head. Then he addresses the table at large.

"Beds are 5 silver a night. A gold piece if you want one in a private room. For another 5 silver we'll give you three hot meals. Baths cost a silver. These first two rounds of wine are on the house. If you want more, ask inside."

He stalks to the door and then pauses to collect himself. He turns back towards the table and you see that his gracious but impassive expression has returned. He makes a short bow in the party's direction.

"A pleasure to have you all with us."

The innkeeper goes back inside.

4 October, 2011

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Talia

Several of the people sitting on the porch jump as a figure, a young woman, scrambles up out of the gathering dark outside and jumps down into the porch. She moves silently, and the ravens, if they noticed her passing beneath their trees, paid her no heed. Dressed in worn leathers, or perhaps merely animal skins, there is what looks to be a stone knife at her belt, razor sharp, though surely no use in combat. Her dark hair is tangled and wild, knotted with leaves and twigs, and her features, small and fierce, seem as wild as her appearance. She seems more a part of the land beyond the inn than of the world of men, and the scent of the wild is rich upon her, and as she looks warily about her, taking in each of you in turn, she seems almost more animal than human. But then, as if deciding that there is no danger here, she grins, a quick smile that returns the humanity to her eyes, and moves to your table.

"I'm Talia," she announces. "And if one of you is the inn-keeper, I'd love a drink."

3 October, 2011

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Game Master

The innkeeper takes in what Med and Pral have to say with no more expression than a respectful nod, but as Elendil speaks, his eyes narrow and his look becomes stony.

"'Elf-friend', is it?" Thumbs spits over the railing and gazes at the dead raven lying in the road. "I'm gonna leave that be, 'cause hospitality is my business. And anyway I don't think ye know what yer sayin'. If you want to learn a thing or two about elves, stop in at the stables tomorrow and talk to the one-legged farrier, Tomar. He went out with a caravan four years ago. Twenty seven men set out, including a dozen armored veterans on horseback. Only three came back. A soldier and a cook, draggin' Tomar between 'em. Priest came down and healed up his wounds, but it was too late to save the leg."

"Cook told me, 'fore he went back north, that the elves let those three live on purpose. All the way back over Ferril's pass and onto the Collar itself, he said there were shadows in the woods, lurkin' about with their bows, but never firing." He grunts. "Now why do you suppose they would do that? Butcher twenty four and escort the last three back home?"