(33) DM: 2157) DM: Your trek
across dry land slowly comes to an end. The terrain has become wet and spongy,
and healthy vegetation is replaced by twisted old trees, dark scraggly weeds,
and an unhealthy-looking bloated, damp underbrush.
Clouds of mist...or is it swamp gas? ...roll across the soggy terrain. The mist
clings to your clothes and enters your mouth and nose, carrying with it the
sickly odors of rotting plants, sulfur, decomposing flesh, and several
unidentifiable, unsettling odors.
** Thom looks around at the horses. "If we take the ones
from the coach as well - we have four horses, which if Morti
and Yazut double up - we can get all PCs into the
swamp on horse back. **
(2157) DM: Clammy moisture settles on everything, condensing beads of water on
the edges of your swords, or trickling down the front of your shields.
(2157) DM: The thick air is dead and silent, punctuated only by the occasional
shriek, the snapping of twigs, and ominous gurglings
in the water.
(2158) Daelan: " Well
from here on in,things get worse."
** Thom looks around at the horses. "If we take the ones
from the coach as well - we have four horses, which if Morti
and Yazut double up - we can get most of us into the
swamp on horseback. Drenla - you can stay here
with Elamurix and Rhian to
make sure everything stays safe." **
(2157) DM: As your eyes adjust to the dim illumination of this place, you
sometimes catch a small patch of something glowing, hovering in the distance.
It’s either burning balls of the ever-present swamp gas, or will o'wisps. Staying alert, you trudge onward.
(2157) Drenla: All right.
** Thom gets everyone set up on horseback and they all
head into the swamp. **
Atross: "Yes, this is obviously a moor now. Not
a swamp at all. This is worse than plainsland in
heavy rain or a forest at night for certain."
** (2149) Yazut isn't particularly disturbed by the
odors, though his surroundings are far from comfortable to him-he leaps down
from the coach, draws the cowl of his robe back, and wanders ahead and off a
ways to the north west. **
(2144) Morti: (Morti and Yazut are pretty light, that horse might be able to take a
third light body)
** (2144) Morti doesn't seem to mind the smells much
either, entering the swamp with his usual eager curiousity,
eyeing the flashing lights and trying to identify the gases in the air to amuse
himself. **
** (2158) Daelan continues onward,using a branch to test the ground first before
stepping forward. **
** (2149) Yazut wanders off from the group, picking
through the muck and undergrowth, searching through the foliage for edible
fungi and the like, keeping the others in view, but just. **
** Thom deals with the smells and continues to trek forward. he
keeps to the back of the group, taking his semi-standard rear guard position. **
(2144) Morti: "I've never camped in a swamp
before.. how do we find a dry spot?"
** (2149) Yazut grins, and plucks a number of caps
from a patch of edible fingi, stuffing one into his
mouth as he continues on, storing the rest into his pack. **
(2158) Daelan: " Sleep in the trees Morti."
** Atross seems to be in the front of the group more
as a result of nobody going ahead of him and less from forging the path ahead.
He keeps his gaze sharp and doesn't seem to have more objections though. **
(2144) Morti: "Trees.. what
if I fall out?" :leans in as if he's confessing in secret: "I'm kind
of clumsy."
** (2149) Yazut wanders back up out of a rather deep
pool of muck, near Morti, "No, snake live in
tree. Find tree that falls, sleep there. Out of mud, out of
tree. Safest there.." **
(2158) Daelan: " Well the soft ground will break
your fall."
** (2149) Yazut digs into his satchel and presents Morti with a thick, yellow cap from a mushroom he
discovered, "Trys this, mm?" **
(2144) Morti: :looks to Yazut:
"Fallen tree. Okay. Say, do you think there are aligators
here?"
(2157) DM: Suddenly, the roiling mists part and a large spherical thing floats
silently toward you, hovering a yard off the ground. Numerous eyestalks writhe,
then focus on your group. The six-foot sphere halts
about ten yards away from you and regards you with its middle eye.
(2157) Beholder: More dry-skins...
** (2144) Morti takes the mushroom, gives it a slight
sniff before sticking it up under his mask and into his mouth, no heistation in trusting the smaller mage. **
** (2158) Daelan stops in his tracks **
** (2149) Yazut cocks a brow at the other-than-human Morti, "Uhm, maybe? Not knws what 'aligatoor' be?" **
(2157) Beholder: More dry-skins where they do not belong. A toll you must pay
to cross my territory, else I unleash upon you one of my many ways of killing
fools.
** Thom slowly leads his horse a few more paces up. "And what toll would
that be? As you can see, we have very little on us." **
** (2149) Yazut stops dead in his tracks, glancing
from Morti to the spherical beast, "Hwaa..." **
** Atross quickly jumps from his horse, but tries not
to make an overt threatening move yet. **
** (2144) Morti chokes a bit at the sight of the
beholder. Swallowing, he holds out the rest of his half eaten mushroom,
offering to the abberation, "Do you like
Mushroom?" **
(2157) DM: At the thing's last word, the mists part two feet to your right and
you see the skull of a large drake lying in the mud, its skullcap missing.
Bright twinkling objects inside the skull capture your attention. You realize a
dagger is glowing in the skull, and numerous coins as well as a few gems catch
its soft green light and reflect it.
(2157) DM: The thing growls in its hushed whisper, "Enough gawking. Place
something of value in the skull, or die where you stand."
Atross: "What's the usual fee for great and
mighty you to not kill us?"
** Atross walks carefully towards the drake skull. **
** (2149) Yazut eyes locked on the many-eyed
creature, he slowly, and carefully sticks his hand into his satchel, and
removes a large, brightly glowing gem. **
(2144) Morti: "Hmmm.... "
:scrathes his head in itch and thought:
"Well.. I think I have something I can part with."
(2157) DM: It drifts menancingly towards you (Atross) as if to protect the skull.
** (2149) Yazut keeps the gem tucked into the palm of
his hand, his eyes not leaving the creature. **
Thom: "Please, how can we place something in there if we can't approach
it? Atross meant no harm, right?"
** Atross slows down and stops, "I don't mean to
alarm you, I just wished to place my offering to
you." **
(2157) Beholder: Very well then. (grudgingly)
(2144) Morti: :holds up his
hand to get the beholder's attention: "Excus me,
Master."
(2157) Beholder: A sack of coins would be a start. (snorts)
Atross: "I'm afraid my stack of coins would be
unfit for one of your majesty."
Thom: "Then we must confer and see what we have that would be worthy of a
gift for you."
Atross: "It is but a meager pittance that I
possess. Maybe we should pool our funds and see if that would be more
fitting."
** (2149) Yazut creeps away from his position near Morti, around and outside of the beholders central gaze. **
** (2144) Morti stares intently at the Beholder,
apparently waiting to be given permission to speak. **
(2158) Daelan: " If we pay to enter do we have to
pay to leave as well?"
** Thom slowly works his way back to Morti. **
(2157) DM: It doesn't respond, but simply waits.
** Atross makes to start back toward the others, but
stops with a sudden idea. "Actually, I do have something that would be
more worthy than some shiny coins." **
(2157) Beholder: What is it? (eagerly)
(2157) DM: Drool drips from its open maw.
Atross: "I have an item of magic that I would
part with, if you would but spare us."
(2157) Beholder: Oh just get on with it!
** Atross reaches over shoulder to pull out his bow.
**
** (2149) Yazut glances briefly at Atross, then back to the many-eyed beast/ **
(2157) Beholder: Aaaak!!!!!!
Atross: "Though it is a puissant item, it's not
worth my life. This I could part with. The Mace is simply too powerful to let
go of however."
(2157) DM: It immediately sags to the ground and you distinctly hear two voices
and the flap of wings...
Atross: "What'd I say?"
(2157) Voice: I knew this would happen!
** Thom stares blankly. **
(2157) Voice: It's your fault!
(2157) Voice: No, it's your fault!
(2157) Voice: No, it's yours!
(2144) Morti: :calls out to
the 'Beholder': "Are you okay in there?"
Thom: "Show yourself, or selves!"
(2158) Daelan: " It was
an illusion."
** Thom moves forward, trying to see where the voices are coming from. **
whispering to Zane, one 50' to the left, one 30' ahead
** Atross tries to move quickly through the swampy
terrain but he's pretty sure he can't catch something with wings in this mess.
**
** (2144) Morti hops down from the horse and moves
toward the fallen abberation, "Do you need any
help getting out?" **
Atross: "I...I was going to shoot him when he
wasn't ready. Jeez."
** Thom points a hand out the the left of the path
for a moment before continuing forward a bit still, his other hand on the
pommel of Ringrist. **
(2158) Daelan: " Imps or Will'O'Wisps."
Atross: "So where are they now?"
(2158) Daelan: " Hiding
I would guess."
Thom: "One is out there. Or at least, it sounds that way." Thom
speeds up a little to get up to the voice he heard ahead of him.
(2158) Daelan: " Thom
do not chase them,they lead people away and to thier deaths."
** (2144) Morti pokes at the beholder body, thinking
something had been inside controlling it **
(2144) Morti: "So.... that's it then?"
Atross: "Thom, they're flying, we're walking. In a swamp. Someone check on the loot anyway."
(2158) Daelan: " Well
there is the treasure."
** Thom stops. "Fine, as long as they leave us alone now." He returns
to the party and the horses. **
** Thom stoops to see if the treasure is really there or not. **
** Thom pulls out some silver coins. "Well, not as nice as it
looked." **
(2144) Morti: "Eeeeww..."
:gives the corpse one last poke before calling out to the swamp pranksters:
"We won't hurt you. If you want to talk later, it would be nice to have
natives to guide us through to where we're going.We
have food if you want to just talk." :makes
invitations, not much thinking just what he may be inviting:
Atross: "I don't think they'll show themselves
again until they get their courage up. Either to kick us when
we're down or with another ploy."
Atross: "Let's just hope they weren't
impersonating a real monster in this swamp."
** Thom fills up a sack with the items and returns to the horses, holding a
small dull dinner knife in his hand. "Now this was not something I
expected to find there." **
(2144) Morti: "Then... we keep going?"
** (2149) Yazut glances at Morti,
and with a frown, tucks the gem back into his satchel and grabs a handful of
the moshrooms to eat, stuffing another into his mouth
as he trudges on ahead, grumbling a series of curses. **
** Thom remounts and answers Morti. "Of course." **
** (2158) Daelan walks over and inspects the head of
the dead drake. **
** (2144) Morti nods and gets back up on the horse,
ready to continue on their way. **
** (2149) Yazut swallows the morsel, and takes a
long, deep breath, exhaling as he begins to poke and prod at a rotting stump.
**
** Atross puts his bow away again somewhat
disappointed now and mounts up as well. **
(2158) Daelan: " Better to have it ended this way,than the other Atross."
(2158) Daelan: " Well
it was an Onyx Drake,killed about a year ago,not sure by whom or what."
Atross: "But think of how many times you could
put an arrow through its eye. What a tale."
Thom: "Onyx drake killed in this swamp, does not
bode very well. Let's keep moving."
Atross: "But I suppose you mean the thing about
dying horribly that was mentioned. That would be bad."
** (2149) Yazut chips away at rotted bark, and
snatches up a large grub of some sort crawling through the decaying debris-he
holds it up to his nose, sniffs at his, and then bites into its tail, testing
the taste and texture of the insect, before stuffing it into his mouth and
swallowing it whole. **
** Thom takes the rear guard again as they travel deeper and deeper into the
swamp. **
** (2149) Yazut steps around the debris, and balances
a walk aross a large, thick tree root and them hops
down into a pool of thick muck, and then back into more solid ground-he takes a
seat on another large, exposed root, and watches the others. **
** (2158) Daelan continues moving forward,slowly through the swamp,keeping
a sharp eye for anything.\ **
(2144) Morti: :speaks to Yazut
as he rides: "You seem really comfortable here. Have you lived in a
swamp?"
** Atross continues the trudging pace through the
swamp. **
** (2149) Yazut watches their movements as they
press, on, glancing about the bog once.. **
** (2149) Yazut looks up at Moerti,
and silently shakes his head in response to the question. **
(2157) DM: After trudging for longer than you would have liked through the muck
and mire, you come into view of a structure that must be the site Elamurix mentioned. Protruding from the swamp are slabs of
ancient stone, most of it covered in green and brown plants. You judge that the
structure used to be a walled keep of some sort, since remains of a perimeter
wall and a front gate are evident.
(2157) DM: However, the architecture is not normal in one major respect. The NW
corner of the keep is actually raised out of the muck, while the SE corner and
most of the E side is sunk into the mire.
(2157) DM: A single black tower sticks out of the swamp, where you calculate
the NE corner lies.
Thom: "Looks like even the buildings here get sucked in."
** (2149) Yazut keeps an eye on their rear as they
make their way through the bog, but once they arrive at their destination,
focuses entirely on the ruins before them. **
(2157) DM: Heaps of hacked vegetation lay piled all around the keep's
perimeter. You guess that this is plant life that was cleared away by whomever discovered this place. The terrain around the keep
is flat, and looks deceptively stable. You would be able to see for miles
around if it weren't for the fog.
** (2144) Morti climbs down from his horse, looking
over the miserable semi-sunken keep with interest. "You think any other
towers sunk?" **
(2157) DM: Several trees are in the vicinity, as well as an abundance of
vegetation. Despite the presence of many varieties of swamp life -- insects,
maggots, spiders, snakes -- the air is very quiet as
if the mist is smothering all signs of life. The air is cold, damp and oppresively suffocating. Dark clouds roll overhead,
promising rain.
** (2149) Yazut hops down from a massive, half sunken
stone, and points ahead at the ruins, glancing up at Thom, "You thinks to
goes in this place, mm? Very dangerous, mm? Enjoy this
much, yes?" **
(2157) DM: A glint of something catches your eye and diverts your attention to
a spot west of the ruined keep. Something just shined there, ever so briefly.
As you strain your eyes to see better, you can tell there are several leafless
trees at the location in question. Some ominous shapes are hanging from two of
the trees' lower branches.
** Atross climbs down from his horse and pulls up his
bow. "Looks like it was a keep. And it is in the
moor if not on it anymore." **
(2157) DM: Flocks of scavenger birds circle the area, occasionally alighting on
the things hanging in the trees.
Thom: "Daelan, can you see what is over
there?" he points to the spot west of the keep.
(2158) Daelan: " I
would say that those over there are the ones who came before us,I would advise to ready your weapons."
** (2149) Yazut steps around Thom, "Death you
finds here," he states matter-of-factly, and wanders just ahead and to the
east of the ground, around the eastern end of the ruins. **
** Atross commands his bow to alight aflame. "Already ready." **
Thom: "That wasn't what I wanted to hear." he mumbles as he draws out
Ringrist.
Thom: "Maybe Yazut, but we have no choice."
Atross: "So shall we go visit our predeceasors?"
(2157) DM: The sword glows with a faint, cold blue light from deep within its
core.
** (2144) Morti pets Moiraine
in his pocket as he looks to the hung figures **
(2144) Morti: "Maybe they have a map or a key to
the premises."
** (2158) Daelan unslings
his bow,his left hand
hovering over his quiver **
(2144) Morti: :cocks his head: "Or maybe the
pranksters are playing with us again."
Thom: "Yep, evil around us. Let's go."
(2158) Daelan: " No this is not the work of Imps
or Will'o'Wisps Morti."
** Thom heads forward to the keep. **
** Atross makes his way towards the hanging shapes,
commenting as he goes, "Bodies don't hang themselves. And this place
should be abandoned in the condition it's in." **
** (2149) Yazut stops wherte
he is, near t the ruins, and watches the others, awaiting their actions before
proceeding. **
(2158) Daelan: " Atross
do not go alone,stay with the rest of us."
** (2144) Morti pulls a bit of cured leather from his
hip pouch, as he begins toward the hanging forms. With a bit of chanting and
gesticulation, he touches the leather to his chest. A wash of misty blue aura
coats his body for a brief second before disappearing. (mage
armor) **
** Thom looks around at the entrance to the ruins, awaiting the others before
entering them. **
Atross: "Well we're not going to leave them up
there are we?"
(2158) Daelan: " Anyone
good at looking for traps?"
(2158) Daelan: " They
have been there for years Atross,what is a few more
days to them?"
Thom: "We can get them down on the way out. Unless you want to just leave
them lying in the swamp."
** (2149) Yazut looks to Atross,
"Leaves the dead where they die..." **
(2144) Morti: "We should see who they are and
how they were killed. It may clue us to dangers ahead."
Atross: "I believe the phrase is leave them
where the lie, which they aren't."
(2158) Daelan: " Very
well Morti,I will go and see how they met thier end."
** (2144) Morti nods to Daelan
and turns to walk toward the hung figures **
(2158) Daelan: " Atross
watch the back trail,Thom watch the tower,the rest of you do what it is that you need to do to
ready yourselves."
** (2158) Daelan begins to walk towards the figures
hanging in the trees **
** Atross tries to keep everything in view, "Very
well." **
** Thom keeps a look out on the tower and the ruins in general. **
** (2149) Yazut glances up at the tower, and begins
wandering aimless into the ruins.. **
(2157) DM: You arrive at the small group of trees where you saw the glint of
light, but what is there makes you stop in your tracks. Hanging from one tree
are two bodies, both human females, quite dead. Slumped one behind the other
are two armored warriors, pinned to another tree by what seems to be a sharp,
narrow slab of rock about three feet long. Someone or something,
used the rock as a spear.
(2157) DM: A small body lies on the ground near the trees, pulverized beyond
recognition. However, the hairy feet are intact, and you conclude these are the
remains of a halfling.
(2158) Daelan: " Giant
did this."
** (2144) Morti gives a discomforted groan at the
gruesome sight **
(2158) Daelan: " Should I search the dead Morti?"
(2157) DM: The final body is that of a male human warrior, eyes wide with
terror, his mouth permanently open in a silent scream of agony. Parts of his
armor -- with his body still inside! -- have been pounded impossibly flat,
while others are wrenched from odd angles. You wonder what sort of an opponent
could or would do such a thing.
(2144) Morti: "Giants live here? Hmph.. figure
they'd sink into the swamp."
(2157) DM: Scavenger birds have already started in on the bodies and each
corpse is also host to a sickening variety of swamp bugs. Each body has been
dead for several days.
** (2149) Yazut halts where he stands, and glances up
at the tower again-he plucks something from his pocket, cleches
it tight in his fist, wishpers something under his
breath, and slowly opens his hand.. **
(2158) Daelan: " Well something quite large used
that rock as a spear."
(2157) DM: As one of the hanged bodies swings a little, a belt buckle on the
robed woman shines. This is your glint of light.
** (2158) Daelan moves from body to body,quickly checking them over
for anything of use. **
** (2144) Morti nods Dael,
and goes about examining the corses himself too.
Swatting away the carrion feeders he searchers through their belongings for
anything of interest, signs of identification or items which would have led
them here **
(2157) DM: The ground is littered with broken staves, shattered swords, crushed
rings and other small items, and even shields that have been punched through
with a fist of great strength.
(2157) DM: Emblazoned on the clothing of some of the dead, etched on some
ruined equipment trod underfoot, is the sign of a crimson eagle on a black
field.
(2158) Daelan: " Well
whatever killed them did so with great strength,any
ideas Morti?"
** Thom calls Yazut over to where he is waiting. **
** (2149) Yazut seems transfixed by something, and
doesn't respond. **
(2158) Daelan: " This emblem is the same one
that Vael was wearing."
** (2144) Morti shrugs. There are lots of strong
monsters that could have done this. But at least there don't seem to be any
signs of magicks or mighty weapons." **
(2144) Morti: :holds up a swatch of cloth with the symbol,
"It's the House of Dres.. I think..."
** Thom makes his way into the ruins to where Yazut
is standing. "Yazut?"
**
** (2149) Yazut eyes are glazed over,
there is no response from him. **
** Thom looks up to where Yazut is staring. **
(2158) Daelan: " Time we should be heading back Morti."
** Atross calls over, "Might be some kind of magicka, want me to get Morti
over here?" **
** (2144) Morti nods to Daelan
and stands to follow back to the others **
** (2149) Yazut seems to be staring directly at the
base of the toiwer rising out of the bog. **
** Thom shakes his head. "He will be here soon anyways." **
(2144) Morti: :he gives one last glance to the
scattered remnants of the groups crushed belongings before following
** Thom looks over the tower. **
** (2149) Yazut finally snaps out of the apparent
trance, and glances up at the porson speaking to him,
"Mmh?" **
** Thom stumbles back a step. **
Thom: "Wow, and I thought Maximillian was
insatiable."
Thom: "There is something in that tower - something very hungry. And a little confused."
** (2149) Yazut glances back at the tower, then back up at Thom, "It be -very- big lizard."
**
Atross: "Hungry and confused?"
** (2158) Daelan heads back to the others,carrying a piece of the
cloth that has the emblem on it. **
** Thom shrugs. "I don't know - just letting you know
what I know. **
Thom: "It could be Yazut. We need to be
careful." Thom slowly moves to the tower, looking for the entrance.
(2144) Morti: :as he comes
back with Daelan: "Lizard?"
** (2149) Yazut frwns at
Thom, "No, not *could be*, Yazut says there be
big lizard, and there be -very- big lizard. inside
there," he says, pointing at the tower. **
(2144) Morti: "What kind of Lizard?"
Thom: "Sorry Yazut, I misunderstood. In that
case we know what to avoid, huh?"
** (2149) Yazut looks to Morti,
to Thom, then back to Morti, "Big one, mm?"
**
** (2144) Morti kneels down: "You saw it?"
**
Atross: "I wonder how fast it is. Can it climb,
fly?"
(2158) Daelan: " A big
lizard? does not sound right,not
with what Morti and I saw back there."
** (2149) Yazut pointedly ignored the elf, speaking
to Morti, "Yes.."
**
** (2144) Morti looks around. "Where?"
**
** (2149) Yazut points at the tower yet again,
"Beyond walls of tower.." **
(2144) Morti: "Eh?" :looks to the Tower:
"You can see through walls?"
** (2149) Yazut cocks a brow at Morti,
"Can you not?" **
Atross: "You know, it's
not really worth quibbling at this moment. Did you see a silver statue
anywhere?"
** (2144) Morti shakes his head. "I don't know
much of divination magicka." **
** (2149) Yazut looks at Atross,
and shakes his head. **
(2158) Daelan: " I would suffer a guess and say
that it is inside guarded by this lizard."
** (2144) Morti takes Moiraine
up from his pocket for a breather, as he inquires to Yazut,
"Can you describe the lizard?" **
** Thom has moved forward and is checking the area around the tower. **
(2158) Daelan: " I appologize
to you Atross and Thom I did not mean to give orders
when Morti and I went to check out the dead."
(2144) Morti: "Huh?" :head
suddenly spins aside to gawk at Daelan: "D-di-di you just... apol-ogize?"
Atross: "Eh, it happens sometimes. So anyone
want to guess what else is in there? Lizards aren't well known for leaving
people hanging from trees."
Thom: "Don't worry about it. In the environment of this swamp, you
probably have a better idea of what to expect."
(2158) Daelan: " Even I
have been known to err Morti."
(2158) Daelan: " Though it is few and far inbetween."
** (2149) Yazut frowns, pondering a moment,
"Hard to do so. It be big, scales be dark, dark as midnight on moonless night.." **
(2144) Morti: "Yeah... but I didn't think you
ever apologized." :shurgs and turns back to Yazut: "So, can you describe the lizard?"
(2144) Morti: "How about shape? Does it go on
four legs or two? Does int look like a dragon or one
of the lizard folk?
(2158) Daelan: " Onyx
Drake perhaps."
Atross: "You mean like that skull we saw
earlier? And it's confused?"
** (2149) Yazut nods silently to Atross.
**
Thom: "And hungry."
Atross: "So probably not chatty and more of the
causing harm, curses, and removing limbs sort of mood."
** Thom returns from his search as he catches the end of the comments and adds
his own. **
(2158) Daelan: " Any way in Thom?"
Thom: "Probably. But we would have to find some way in first. I couldn't
find anything at this point. However, part of the tower is under muck, so it
could be buried. In fact - the sinking could be what is confusing the
creature."
** (2149) Yazut gestures to himself, "Yazut finds way inside. Big lizard, Yazut
thinks, not be happy we pays him visit though.."
**
Thom: "Probably not Yazut, but we need that
statue."
** (2149) Yazut shrugs, and gestures to the tower,
"So you goes. Go! Yazut
show you where," he says, and starts towards the tower, glancing towards
the section of the ruins where he saw the other creatures..
**
** Thom follows Yazut. **
** (2144) Morti follows after Yazut.
"Is Big Lizard awake?" **
(2158) Daelan: " Did he see anything besides the
Drake Morti?"
** (2149) Yazut trudges through the muck, "It
watches.." **
(2144) Morti: :shrugs to Dael:
"So it knows we're here then?"
Thom: "Watches us? It knows where we are?"
** (2149) Yazut stops for a moment, and holds up a
finger, "You tells elf, if he wants to asks question of Yazut, he asks Yazut," he
states, and continues. **
Atross: "I'm still willing to play the 'What
murdered those people and left them hanging in the trees' game. I hear
Giants?"
** (2144) Morti looks back to Daeal
and just gestures him toward the goblin to speak **
Thom: "Good point, more than likely there are other things around as well.
Atross: "Trolls'd
probably not let them go to waste."
(2158) Daelan: " Not sure Atross,but
something large used a stone pillar as a spear and crushed another to pulp,only way to tell what it was,was
by its feet,three dead male warriors,two
dead human females and one halfling.some were wearing
the same emblem as the one who captured me Atross.''
Atross: "Sounds like big giants."
Thom: "That might explain why he wanted to send someone else in and not
more of his own men."
(2157) DM: Large bugs buzz over the surfaces of pools of stagnant water that
dot the entry to the keep. A pair of statues stand silent
watch a short distance past the gate. Blocks of rubble, half-sunken in
the mire, give evidence that the main gate was originally a more elaborate
construction than what remains.
(2158) Daelan: " Something big I can tell you that,they have not been dead that long,maybe
a week give or take a day or two,hard to tell with
the vultures and such."
** (2158) Daelan stops and stares at the statues **
** (2149) Yazut stops short of the tower, and points
at the stataues with his staff, "Watch thems.." **
(2158) Daelan: " Well those are big."
** (2144) Morti eyes the statues, head cocked aside
curiously **
** Thom looks at the statues. "Watch them for what?" **
(33) DM: (2157) DM: A pair of statues seven
feet tall stand near the entrance to the keep's debris-strewn courtyard.
Although time and travails have caused the statues to wear down differently,
you can tell that they were originally mirror images of each other. And what an image.
** (2149) Yazut doesn't say anything more, he simply moves a bit more cautiously towatds the tower once they're within sight of the statues.
**
Atross: "So now we have big giants. Or statues. Or maybe the lizard."
(2157) DM: Each statue shows a male human clawing away the skin from his chest
and shows his heart and ribcage. Each face is contorted in wild-eyed terror,
each mouth open in a silent scream of horror. A fat gray spider emerges from
the mouth of the right-hand statue and skitters down the body, only to be
gobbled up by a mottled snake curled at the statue's feet.
Thom: "But we just came from that way..."
(2157) DM: And that is when you notice the feet...or lack of them. Instead of
feet, you see that each statue's legs below the knees have been replaced with a
stone carving of a writhing mass of tentacles.
(2144) Morti: "Someone has a weird taste in
art."
Thom: "Anything about Screaming Statues?"
** (2158) Daelan laughs **
(2158) Daelan: " So is this the way in Glamhath?"
** Thom keeps an eye on the statues, but also glances back to Yazut. **
(26) Sevis Goloens: "Those statues are disturbing, whoever carved them
must have been quite insain"
** (32) Zane watches the statues, still unsure of
what he is supposed to be watching for exactly. **
** (32) Thom watches the statues, still unsure of
what he is supposed to be watching for exactly. **
(32) Thom: "Maybe it is supposed to be some
kind of warning to those that think about entering. I'm thinking twice about
it..."
(39) ticattack
(exit): 22:10
(40) ticattack (enter): 22:10
Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (40) ticattack...
** (37) Morti cocks his
head about as he approaches the entranceway. A good ways back, he stops, holds
out his hands and focuses his senses forth (detect magic toward the statues) **
** (26) Sevis Goloens nods "And Yazute said there was a large Lizard in there, Why is it we
are here again? Oh yes to get a chalis to break a
curse. Well if the cup is inside, there isnt much
point in hanging around out here" **
whispering to Morti,
there IS a slight aura about them. abjuration perhaps?
(37) Morti: "Hmmm... they have some magick about them. Doesn't seem to strong
though."
** (32) Thom calls ahead to where Yazut
had proceeded as everyone else stands before the statues. "Yazut, want to fill us in on what is happening?" **
** (32) Thom shifts Ringrist
a little, getting a good grip on the weapon. **
(37) Morti: (Is there room to slip behind the
statues toward the entrance rather than passing between them?)
(40) ticattack
(exit): 22:19
(41) ticattack (enter): 22:19
Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (41) ticattack...
whispering to Morti,
yes
(37) Morti: "Umm... maybe we chould go behind the statues rather than between them. i'm not sure what magicka is on them."
(32) Thom: "Yazut
seems to have an idea, even if he's not sharing it."
(33) DM: (so what's happening folks?)
(32) Thom: (( I guess
we are waiting on Yazut, as he had asked us to watch
the statues and wandered off... Unless his idea doesn't work,
and then we try something else. ))
(25) Yazut: ((Oh,
no, no. Watch them, as in be careful of them. Heh heh.))
(32) Thom: (( Yeah, now
he clarifies... ))
(32) Thom: "Ok Morti,
let's try that. The sooner we get this over with and out of this swamp, the
better."
(37) Morti: "Hhaaaiii..."
** (32) Thom steps to the side and tries to walk
around the statues, being sure to not pass between them. **
** (37) Morti watches thom curiously, wondering if he
was even right. **
** (26) Sevis Goloens looks at Morti "What was that?"
**
(37) Morti: "Eh?" :glances to Sevis:
(32) Thom: (( So, what parts of this keep are
sunk? I can't recall now, nor find my notes. ))
(26) Sevis Goloens: "The Hhaaii noise you
made." **Shrugs and follows Thorm**
** (37) Morti blinks at Sevis, cocking his head aside as he thinks it over. After a
moment he just shrugs and offers incomprehensably:
"I 'unno." **
** (25) Yazut creeps
carefully through what remains of the courtyards to stand finally at the base
of the tower, then glances over his shoulder to watch the progress of the
others. **
(42) Donovan (enter): 22:32
(25) Yazut: ((Hurrah,
Atross.))
** (32) Thom approaches Yazut.
"Yes, I already looked around the tower, and if there is a direct enterance, it is already buried in the swamp."
((Praying that I remember that correctly...)) **
(33) DM: The courtyard was entirely paved with
flat stones at one time, judging by the frequency with which you find them
sticking out of the ground. However, most of the surface is wet mud, rubble,
puddles of fetid water, and unhealthy looking plants and trees.
A mostly levelled building lies directly in the
middle of the courtyard. Some of the walls along the perimeter of the keep are
still standing, as are some small buildings adjacent to the walls.
Swamp water covers the eastern side of the keep, ranging from a depth of
several inches in the northeast corner to several feet in the southeast corner.
It is apparent that this section of the keep has sunk beneath the surface of
the swamp. In sharp contrast, the northwest corner of the keep is elevated, as
though it has been actually blasted up from beneath. A long fissure cuts
diagonally from the west wall to the north wall, separating the elevated
portion from the part of the courtyard that remains at ground level. Farther to
the east, the submerged section of the courtyard is separated from the rest of
it by a large crack that cuts through the north wall to the south wall.
The air is clammy and still, punctuated only by odd, random sucking sounds that
do not seem to come from any one direction.
Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (42)
Donovan...
(37) Morti: :groans:
"Too bad I don't know any earth moving magicks."
:turns back with a grin: "Yet..."
** (25) Yazut cocks a brow,
then glances over his shoulder at the tower, trying to guesstimate its inner
structure, "Oh, that not be problem. Yazut can
still gets in, very easy." **
(32) Thom: "Well, let's see it then."
** (25) Yazut turns back to
Thom, and shakes his head, 'No." **
(32) Thom: "No? Then why around stand
here?"
** (26) Sevis Goloens looks a little confused **
(25) Yazut: "Just
says Yazut can do this if he wants to, just so you
knows."
(26) Sevis Goloens: "Wonder what caused the cracks" **Looks around for a dry path that leads someware**
(32) Thom: "Fine, thanks for sharing."
(slightly annoyed tone) Thom then looks around himself
for a moment.
** (42) Atross found the
F12 macro key **
(32) Thom: (( the tower is in the southeast
corner, yes? ))
(43) ticattack
(enter): 22:42
Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (43) ticattack...
(33) TaliesinNYC: (Jarvis,
send me your node.)
(41) ticattack
(exit): 22:43
(25) Yazut: ((Northeast))
(25) Yazut: ((Yeah?))
** (37) Morti looks follows
around the statues, and looks over the tower's structure for windows or
considerable cracks they could exploit for entry. **
(37) Morti: "Maybe in the fissure there's
a tunnel to the tower."
(32) Thom: (( so the
tower is at position 11 on the map? ))
(43) Jarvis: ((Aye. I'll have to do one up. I
don't normally use them, and I reinstalled Open, I lost it. Workin' on it now.))
(33) DM: ((midtower,
yes. several windows that a human in bulky armor can just maange
to squeeze into or out of.))
(37) Morti: (how high up?)
(33) DM: ((the tower is beyond the door in the
wall where 15 is))
(33) DM: ((70' high))
** (37) Morti points for
the high window. "Can we go in through there?" **
** (25) Yazut glances up at
the window, "Yazut can gets
to window, yes. That not be problem." **
(42) Atross: "Looks
like we may fit, if we can reach it."
(26) Sevis Goloens: "Well lets go someware,
just standing here is pointless, we will not learn more about where this cup is
without looking around"
(43) Jarvis: "I can get up there easily
enough, but the rest of you might have some trouble." He turns to Morti. "Any magick
that might help here?"
(37) Morti: :scratches
his head: "Well.. I could teleport up there with a couple of you."
** (25) Yazut nods twice,
"Yazut can does that,
too." **
** (32) Thom heads to the north slightly to a couple
of the small structures that somehow managed to remain standing. ((11 and 10))
He approaches one ((11 first) and peeks in, to see if there is any other way to
the tower, or anything that can help. **
(42) Atross: "The
place looks old enough that it may be easier to climb, if it's not too
mossy."
** (25) Yazut
glances at Thom's meanderings, and starts off after him. **
(37) Morti: "Heh..
I can just float up there."
** (43) Jarvis shrugs. "I'll take a look up
there, anyway. If there's anything interesting, I'll come and get the rest of
you." He looks at the window for a moment, crouches down and jumps into
the air, thrusting his arms out wide as he does so. In the blink of an eye,
feathers erupt from his skin, he shrinks and an eagle soars up the window. **
** (25) Yazut holds a
finger up as he's walking off, "Yazut can does that, too!" **
whispering to ticattack,
a strong acrid smell emanates from the open window
(37) Morti: "I believe it." :calls after Yazut happily:
** (42) Atross roughly
follows Thom, heading towards the nearest door, while his bow blazes quietly.
**
** (26) Sevis Goloens follows the others quietly **
** (32) Thom approaches the first door (to 11)) and
opens it, looking inside for a moment before stepping in to better search the
building. **
(33) DM: As you (Thom) approach one of the
doors, the flagstones in the courtyard suddenly erupt and a mass of squirming,
mewling sickly white, bloated worms appears in front of you. Each of them has a
human head...
(33) DM: You estimate there are at least 30 of
them.
(26) Sevis Goloens: "Eww, what are those?"
(32) Thom: "Bad place to be." he says
to the worms as he prepares to swing Ringrist.
** (26) Sevis Goloens gets in a combat stance seeing Thom draw his sword
**
(37) Morti: :answering Sevis:
"Disgusting."
** (42) Atross raises his
bow and takes aim at the nearest of the squirming mismatched monstrosities. **
(32) Thom: (( actually, Ringrist
was already drawn, see the log. :P ))
(42) Atross: "Numerous,
too."
(33) DM: (init, not Jarvis since he can't
exactly see you)
(26) Sevis Goloens: INIT: [1d20+9] -> [11,9] = (20)
(32) Thom: Initiative: [1d20+9] -> [10,9] = (19)
** (25) Yazut stops dead in
his tracks, and cocks his head, "Uhm," he
begins, pointing at the beasties, "Don't let thems
touch you!" **
(42) Atross: Initiative: [1d20+5] -> [5,5] = (10)
(25) Yazut: Initiative: [1d20+2] -> [2,2] = (4)
(37) Morti: init: [1d20+2] -> [14,2] = (16)
** (42) Atross nods,
"Never plan to." **
(32) Thom: "That's usually the plan."
(33) DM: (20, Sev)
** (26) Sevis Goloens looks to Yazut "Why not?"
((Delay untill they one gets close enough to hit)) **
(48) No Name (enter): 23:05
(33) DM: (Thm, 19)
(32) Thom: (( how close are they to me, since I
just graduated to 'front line'... ))
(33) DM: ((assume 10'. for the record, not
using minis. assume you're within 30' of the door
where 10 is, and the worm things are directly in front of you.))
** (32) Thom sees the sheer number of the things and
decides to take a moment to prepare himself (defensive
stance) and wait until they have moved to him. **
(43) ticattack (exit): 23:11
(33) DM: Each of the worm-like creatures turns
their eyes towards you and smiles a rictus grin. They
begin to raise a commotion straight out of your nightmares.
(33) DM: (16, Mort)
(49) ticattack (enter): 23:13
Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (49) ticattack...
** (37) Morti wheels about
on his hel, to face toward his threatened friend.
Pulling a bit of this and that from his hip pouch, he encants
cryptic words and waves his hands about, a cloud of sparking powder frothing in
the air, before he flings it outward careening through the air to form as a
large ball of roiling flames, ornamented with a howling mask of blue fire
before Thom, right atop the worm closest to him. (flaming
sphere: [2d6] -> [6,5] = (11) **
(37) Morti: "Here's hoping they don't
like fire."
(37) Morti: (reflex dc 15)
whispering to TaliesinNYC,
[1d20] -> [4] = (4)
(33) DM: The mass of mewling worms is engulfed
within the flaming morass...
(33) DM: It doesn't appear as if there are any
survivors.
(37) Morti: 0.0
(33) DM: They raise a death scream that makes
your hair stand on end.
(37) Morti: :shivers:
(26) Sevis Goloens: "Good job, they burn well apperantly"
** (32) Thom stares at the burnt corpses a moment,
shaking off the death scream, before looking over his shoulder at Morti. "Very nice work."
**
(49) ticattack (exit): 23:19
(42) Atross: "Quite
well done. I don't think they'd be very tasty anyway."
** (25) Yazut halts bites
his tongue quickly to preserve his spell, his nose wrinkling up at the stench,
he glances up at Sevis, "Dumb question! Why you
think you not wants big ugly worm with ugly face like hims,"
he gestures to Thom,"..not
wants to touch you?" **
(37) Morti: :The masked ball of flame opens
it's blue maw, belching out hot air to make an almost laughing sound at it's
enemy's demise.
** (32) Thom glances at Yazut
but turns back forward again and continues on to the door (to 11). **
(50) ticattack (enter): 23:23
Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (50) ticattack...
** (25) Yazut glances from Sevis to Morti, and frowns,
"Uhm. That Yazut not
can do. Much teach some time." **
** (42) Atross proceeds
cautiously. (This ends up not looking very different.) **
** (37) Morti smiles proudly to the smaller
more experienced mage, "Of course senior." **
** (26) Sevis Goloens shrugs and continues toward the door they were
heading for **
(37) Morti: :While they move on to the door, Morti directs his masked ball of fire to roll about the
flagstone a bit, patroling for anymore worms before
the spell poofs out.
(33) DM: It seems to have caught the
stragglers...
(33) DM: The door seems to be closed.
(33) DM: Compared to the other structures in
the courtyard, this structure is quite clean.
(33) DM: (relatively speaking)
** (32) Thom tries to open the door, and if locked -
he will look at it quizzically for a moment before taking out his tools and unlocking
it. **
(33) DM: (its locked, yes)
(32) Thom: (( then I make it unlocked. :P ))
whispering to TaliesinNYC,
[1d20+23] -> [5,23] = (28)
(51) ticattack (enter): 23:34
(33) DM: The door comes open easily. Inside is
a sparse room with a stone block two feet to a side, and a statue looming
behind it. The statue is a representation of a winged, robed human clutching an
hourglass in one arm and a scythe in the other. The hourglass is on a chain,
and the chain's other end is attached to a neck
collar, forever linking the figure and the hourglass.
Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (51) ticattack...
(33) DM: There seems to be a feeling of
sanctity here.
(32) Thom: "Lovely, more art."
** (32) Thom steps in and looks around the room to
see if there are any other doors out. **
(50) ticattack (exit): 23:36
(33) TaliesinNYC: (nope)
(33) DM: Besides the stone block and the
statue, the room is seemingly empty.
** (37) Morti allows the
flaming sphere to disipate into so much smoke and
heat waves, offering to it in passing, "Thanks again." Then he
follows after Thom to peak into the new room. **
(26) Sevis Goloens: "Interesting statues in this place"
(37) Morti: "Hmmmm...
looks like a room in a temple."
** (32) Thom turns back to head out and just about rns into Morti. "Nothing here, maybe the next one." **
(42) Atross: "Hmm,
it's definitely a statue. Maybe the previous tenant was a collector of
some kind."
** (37) Morti
steps into the room to examine the statue and around it for any scripture or
other markings **
whispering to ticattack,
so what now?
** (32) Thom makes his way out and to the next
building ((10)), checking to see if it's door is also locked. **
(33) DM: ((you mean 11. you were in 10.))
(52) ticattack
(enter): 23:39
(33) DM: ((if you meant 11, then I messed up.))
Attempting to assign the role of PLAYER to (52) ticattack...
(33) TaliesinNYC: Booting
'(51) ticattack' from room...
(51) ticattack
(exit): 23:40
(25) Yazut: ((yeah,
he was approaching the door to 11))
(32) Thom: (( ok - Thom chenged
his mind and went to 10 first. ))
(32) Thom: (( now he's
headed to 11. :P ))
** (32) Thom makes his way out and to the next
building ((11)), checking to see if it's door is also locked. **
** (26) Sevis Goloens stays behind a moment to give the statue a look
over **
** (32) Thom enters the next building with no
difficulty. **
** (37) Morti shrugs and
clasps his hands in prayer as he stands before the statue. Piously he offers,
"If you are a god, please allow us safety within the home of your former
followers." The fact that he doesn't know who the statue represents or
what sanctity would remain in a ruined city, seem rather moot. **
** (37) Morti then drops a
couple silver pieces on the block in sacrifice and heads out after Thom **
(33) DM: A blast of humid, rancid air welcomes
you as you open the door. As your eyes adjust to the darkness, you realize that
the eastern half of the room has collapsed into a swampy
mire. A couple of slime-covered boulders are poking out of the ooze.
The dry portion of the room has piles of old, warped wooden bowls, a fire pit
with ancient ashes, and some extremely rusted tools that might be cooking
utensils.
** (25) Yazut gives Morti a puzzled look as he exists the building, and follows
after him. **
(33) DM: (hold a bit)
(33) DM: As Morti
drops the coins on the altar, an image appears in the room.
(33) DM: It's the Tempest.
(37) Morti: "Eh?"
:looks back to the image slowly and freezes: "Uh....."
(37) Morti: :stiffly
holds up a hand in greeting: "H-hi...."
** (26) Sevis Goloens looks up from the statue as the image appears and
then looks to Morti **
(33) DM: ** The Tempest leans back in her
throne, languidly, as she watches the party leave her throne room with Borjad, then plucks a fig from a shining bowl on a pedestal
next to her and begins inspecting it casually. Well, it's not a bowl, but
rather a human skull that's had its top sliced off and its exterior polished
rather smoothly. **
(522) The Tempest: You know, Lexin, we really should
step up the pace of executions. The people are becoming restless, Lexin. I can feel it. They have little faith in their
ruler. That is hardly acceptable, don't you think?
(522) Lexin: Quite, Magnificence.
(522) The Tempest: In fact...I'm certain that there is one remaining faithhold in the city. And we really can't have priests
running around. Priests are dangerous, Lexin. They
represent thought apart from the law. And to introduce thoughts that DEVIATE
from the law is inherently unjust, or do you not agree? (glances
at Lexin)
** Lexin forces himself to look at the Tempest, and
cause his face to become a blank mask. "Yes,
Magnificence. All the better to bathe in the light of
your radiance." **
** The Tempest smiles sweetly as she gazes on the courtier for a few moments.
"You see. You understand, Lexin. And I cannot, shall not tolerate any who do not follow the laws laid
down by my hand. For to rebel against my rule is to
rebel against the King of this land. (purrs in
satisfaction) **
(522) The Tempest: Therefore, be it known that this day, we find Regnak of the Ulu'taari guilty as
a thief caught with his hand inside a tillbox. He is
to be hung from the neck until dead and then drawn and quartered.
** Lexin swallows audibly and bows low. "As you command, Magnificence." **
** The Tempest takes a healthy bite of the fig and settles back into her chair.
"Now, is there aught else?" **
(522) Lexin: Yes, Magnificence. You have a visitor.
(522) The Tempest: Hmph.
Well, bring him in then. Or her. I haven't got all
day. I have an execution to attend. (fingers her
necklace, grinning)
(522) DM: There is a commotion in the rear of the hall. The doors to the throne
room are thrown open, and a guard fully clad in plate mail is hurled into the
room. He strikes a stone column with a sickening crunch and falls to the
ground, unmoving.
(522) The Tempest: Who dares?!? (rises from her throne
suddenly, blue lightning crackling from the tips of her fingers)
(522) DM: A second guard is hurled into the throne room this time, with a sword
jutting through his breastbone. He lands in a heap, his entrails splattering on
the marble floor.
(522) DM: Seconds later, an armored figure strides into the chamber, as a
deathly silence settles. Courtiers stand openmouthed, ready to bolt.
(522) Melisana Rothovien:
My mistress is unaccustomed to having her wishes ignored, you who call yourself
"The Tempest". I am here to ensure your obedience.
** Melisana Rothovien
unsheathes her sword, its blade glowing with an intense blue light, its ebon
hilt absorbing the radiance. "Strike me at your peril, daemon." **
** The Tempest grins broadly. "With pleasure. It
has been quite a long time since our last meeting, and you will find that I am
more fully in command of my Art than when we first met." (summons a ball of lightning into being as she prepares to
hurl it at the Cyradian) **
(33) Melisana Rothovien:
So. You've learned something new since our last
encounter. I'm not surprised. (moves into a battle
stance)
(33) The Tempest: Your pride will be your
undoing, mercenary. (chuckles)
** The Tempest hurls a ball of scintillating purple
lightning at the Cyradian with deadly accuracy. **
** Melisana Rothovien easily sidesteps the sphere, not bothering to
glance behind her as the lightning ball slams into a hapless courtier who tried
to escape. **
(33) Melisana Rothovien:
Show yourself, daemon! Show these poor wretches who
they follow here in this city!
** (37) Morti approaches the alter, eyes wide as he watches the scene raptly **
** Melisana Rothovien advances, sword at the ready, her knuckles
gripping the haft of the blade so hard that they turn white with effort. **
** (42) Atross watches the
scene unfold from through the open door. "Interesting
statue. Morti seems to have a way with these
things." **
** The Tempest curls her upper lip in contempt and
gesticulates rapidly with her left hand, opening it palm out in an upturned
gesture as crackling purple lightning streaks upwards and envelops her inside a
scintillating sphere of electrical energy. "This should keep you busy for
some time while I make my escape." (chuckling
evilly) **
(33) DM: The vision fades as the silver coins
on the altar crumble to dust and vanish.
(37) Morti: :answering
Atross without turning his eyes from the scene:
"Sacrifice is good for the soul." :points to his coins:
(26) Sevis Goloens: "That was, umm, interesting"
** (37) Morti looks to the
crumbled coins and quickly reaches for another couple of coins, putting them
down on the slab. **
[note
from Stan: I don’t have the rest of log
Dam70. as I recall, we stopped shortly
after this.]