Welcome to the game everyone! Please post your character sheets here as your first post, and we'll get underway ASAP.
Ready to throw it down!
Name: Amrakhan
19 year old Dakon Nomad seeking adventure while looking to develope trade contacts for his clan.
compact build,long black hair in traditional style and green eyes.
well travelled by the looks of it.
16=STR
13=CON
18=DEX
11=SIZ
11=INT
8=POW
9=CHR
Hero Points:2
Dam.Mod:+1d.4
HP: 12
MW:6
MV:15
53=Dodge
23=Persist.
41=Resil.
74=Close Combat
59=Ranged ''
39=un-armed
Scimitar: 1d8, Enc2, Medium
Dagger: 1d4+1, light
Nomad Bow: 1d8, 125m rng., load 1,Enc.1
Quiver + 15 arrows (10 more wrapped and strapped to pack)
Leather: AP 2, Enc 3
Med. Rnd. Shield: 1d6, Enc 2, Heavy
21=Culture, Dakon
61=Language, Dakon
50=Natural lore
32=Language, Maragnian
11=Culture, Maragnian
11=Lore, The One God
55=Athletics
21=Craft
30=Deception
11=Engineering
21=Healing
19=Influence
30=Mechanisms
21=Performance
43=Perception
50-Riding
30=Sailing
17=Streetwise
36=Trade
24=Battle magic
Magic points:8
Battle Magic spells
Heal (mag.1)
Coordination (mag.1)
Backpack
waterskins (2)
large sack (2)
small sack (2)
Bedroll
candle (6)
climbing kit (+25% climb)
fishing kit (+25% Nature Lore/fish)
flint/tinder
rope (10m)
rations (2wk.)
Weapon/Arm. Enc.:8
Backpack/Gear Enc.:11
Enc. Total:18
110sp @start...43sp remain
Character Name: Norel Glorarr
Race: Dwarf
Initiate: Earth Mother Cult
Homeland: Sassenland
Player: Drohem
Campaign: Moragne
=== CHARACTERISTICS ===
11 = STR
16 = CON
09 = DEX
08 = SIZ
14 = INT
14 = POW
11 = CHA
=== ATTRIBUTES ===
+0 = Damage Modifier
12 = Hit Points
06 = Major Wound Level
14 = Magic Points
15m = Movement Rate
02 = Hero Points
=== PRACTICAL SKILLS ===
25% = Athletics
34% = Craft
23% = Deception
23% = Driving
44% = Engineering
44% = Healing
21% = Influence
23% = Mechanisms
21% = Performance
48% = Perception
23% = Riding
23% = Sailing
25% = Streetwise
24% = Trade
=== KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ===
24% = Culture (Sassen)
64% = Language (Sassen)
79% = Nature Lore
24% = Culture (Moragnian)
24% = Language (Morag)
=== RESISTANCES ===
39% = Dodge
34% = Persistence
50% = Resilience
=== MAGIC SKILLS ===
42% = Battle Magic Casting
14% = Sorcery Casting
54% = Religion (Earth Mother)
14% = Religion (Hidden God)
=== COMBAT SKILLS ===
50% = Close
43% = Ranged
20% = Unarmed
=== EQUIPMENT ===
Leather armor (AP 2; ENC 3)
Shield (Medium; 1d6; Enc 2)
Nomad bow (1d8; 125m Range; Load 1; ENC 2)
Ball & Chain (1d8; ENC 2)
Dagger (1d4+1)
Backpack
Rope
Traveling rations (2 weeks)
Flint and tinder
Water skin
Bedroll (ENC 1)
First aid kit
Lantern (ENC 1)
Oil, flask x2 (ENC 2)
130 = Starting Silver
82 = Current Silver
=== SPELLS ===
Heal (Battle Magic; magnitude 2)
Protection (Battle Magic; magnitude 2)
Divine Heal (Divine Magic; magnitude 2)
=== BACKGROUND ===
Norel is a fairly young dwarven male at the age of 55-years-old. He was trained in metal smithing by his family from the time he was small dwarven child. He was also trained in the arts of warfare by his grandfathers, father, older brothers, uncles, and cousins. He was trained in the ways of the Earth Mother Cult by his grandmothers, mother, old sisters, aunts, and cousins.
Once he reached adulthood at the age of 45-years-old, he spent five years in the family business working with metals. However, about five years ago, he clan's holdings were attacked by a cult of demon worshipers. He fought well and bravely, but saw many of his kin and childhood friends die in that war. It changed him in many ways. He discovered that he is a naturally born warrior, and that killing came easy to him.
He stayed with his family and clan for four years after the war to help rebuild. However, it was difficult for him, and he took up excessive drinking. He had difficulty sleeping as well. Rather than subject his family, kin, and community to his degeneration, he left home about a year ago.
He has been trying to mend to his soul, but he doesn't exactly know what he needs to do. He's still prone to binging occasionally, but he doesn't drink as much as he did when he was at home. He has become more comfortable with the idea that he is a natural born killer, but he will only kill if he is forced to do so. He knows the end result of violence intimately, and, therefore, doesn't initiate unless given no choice.
In Which Our Heroes Begin Their Adventures
It's a fine, bright and warm morning in early spring, and only a few patches of snow, the lingering remnants of great drifts, remain on the heath.
But the villagers of Breakwood are unable to appreciate the fortunate weather, for last night, the village beadle, one Edmund Ross, doomed them all.
After a fine night of carousing at the Lumberjack, Edmund departed with a torch to perform his duty of inspecting the "corn-box", the communal shed in which the village's seedcorn is kept. In his drunken state, Edmund tripped, torch and all, and set both himself and the corn-box aflame. Rye and oats, sealed in oiled skins to prevent water from spoiling them, burnt even faster than the chubby beadle, who paid for his error with his life.
Without seed for the coming spring, the prospect of certain starvation has led most of the village to the green near the Lumberjack this morning, where Peter the Reeve has tapped a fresh barrel of shandy, and is busy serving it out to exhausted and hopeless villagers, trying to encourage them without much success.
A party of men led by Sir Randall has gone to inform the baron of the loss, though no one seems hopeful that he can rectify the situation. The baron is broke, and he let it be known nearly a month ago that he would defer all improvements to the estate until next year.
A few local shepherds have also come by with their flocks, though they seem more interested in drinking for free than commiserating with the villagers. They form a huddled band with one another and tastelessly light a cookfire on the green to warm up a root stew to share amongst one another.
Eventually, one of the older shepherds comes by where you sit, bringing a half-full mug of shandy he slurps from in between sentences.
"Not from around here, are you? Don't look much like farmers," he says with the approving tone of an itinerant man recognising his fellows.
The shepherd is a ruddy-faced, brown-haired and middle-aged man in good health wearing sheepskins and woolens. He has a walking stick, a satchel slung over one shoulder, and a wooden mug with a strap attached.
Anyone who doesn't have their character sheet up, please post it ASAP. Once you've got that done, feel free to jump in and introduce your character!
Bryce Arabus
A 24 year old Moragnian, Bryce was born and raised in the great city of Carlaw. He is the younger son of a minor merchant whose aptitude for sorcery led him to become a student at the University of Carlaw.
Bryce is a slight individual with dirty blond hair, a closely trimmed beard, and penetrating grey eyes. Always dressed in black, a raven frequently accompanies him.
Race: Human (Moragnian)
Homeland: Moragne
Fellowship: Knackers
Education: University of Carlaw
Player: Akrasia
Campaign: Moragne
=== CHARACTERISTICS ===
08 = STR
08 = CON
15 = DEX
09 = SIZ
16 = INT
16 = POW
14 = CHA
=== ATTRIBUTES ===
00 = Damage Modifier
09 = Hit Points
05 = Major Wound Level
16 = Magic Points
15 = Movement Rate
02= Hero Points
=== PRACTICAL SKILLS ===
25 = Athletics
26 = Craft
31 = Deception
31 = Driving
26 = Engineering
60 = Healing
45 = Influence
31 = Mechanisms
24 = Performance
50 = Perception
31 = Riding
31 = Sailing
30 = Streetwise
26 = Trade
=== KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ===
35 = Culture (Moragnian)
67 = Language (Morag)
66 = Nature Lore
=== RESISTANCES ===
50 = Dodge
50 = Persistence
25 = Resilience
=== MAGIC SKILLS ===
64 = Battle Magic Casting
56 = Sorcery Casting
26 = Religion (Moragne)
=== COMBAT SKILLS ===
23 = Close
61 = Ranged
23 = Unarmed
=== EQUIPMENT ===
Leather armor (AP 2; Enc 3)
Quarterstaff (1d8; Enc 2)
Light crossbow (1d8; range 125; Load 2; Enc 1)
Quiver
30 Crossbow bolts
Dagger (1d4+1)
2 Throwing daggers (1d6; range 8)
Backpack
Rope
Traveling rations (2 weeks)
Flint and tinder
Water skin (Enc 1)
Bedroll (Enc 1)
First aid kit
Writing Kit (1 Enc)
10 Papyrus sheets
160 = Starting Silver
016 = Current Silver
=== SPELLS ===
Create Magic Point Store (Battle Magic; magnitude variable)
Detect Enemy (Battle Magic; magnitude variable)
Heal (Battle Magic; magnitude variable)
Mindspeech (Battle Magic; magnitude variable)
Multimissile (Battle Magic; magnitude variable)
Protection (Battle Magic; magnitude variable)
Create Familiar (raven) (Sorcery)
Dominate (birds/ravens) (Sorcery)
Fly (Sorcery)
Familiar – Raven
stamping my feet,wiping the shandy from my downy lip and giving a slight bow..." Hiyaha sir.Please forgive my stumbling speech...Amrakhan of Dakon at your service this sombre morn.Delighted at prospect of your name." as I extend a hand (the one without shandy!) and flash a subdued smile.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;401884Eventually, one of the older shepherds comes by where you sit, bringing a half-full mug of shandy he slurps from in between sentences.
"Not from around here, are you? Don't look much like farmers," he says with the approving tone of an itinerant man recognising his fellows.
Norel Glorarr looks at the man sideways for a moment and then says, "no, I'm no farmer, nor from around here. Although, I have been wintering here."
The dwarf shakes his head and sighs heavily as he says, "what a sad turn for these good people. What can be done for them?"
Character Name: Sighard Sherman
Race: Human
Homeland: Axria
Player: Llum
Campaign: Moragne
Sighard is a 24 year old bounty hunter. Hugely built he has shoulder length brown hair but still no facial hair. Comfortable in the woods or the tavern he's a quiet sort. His experience as a bounty hunter, something he has been doing for nearly 7 years as taught him a little about law and a lot about traveling out doors in dreary weather.
=== CHARACTERISTICS ===
14 = STR
10 = CON
14 = DEX
17 = SIZ
12 = INT
9 = POW
10 = CHA
=== ATTRIBUTES ===
+1d6 = Damage Modifier
12.5/13.5 = Hit Points
6.75 = Major Wound Level
9 = Magic Points
15m = Movement Rate
02 = Hero Points
=== PRACTICAL SKILLS ===
45% = Athletics
22% = Craft
40% = Deception
26% = Driving
22% = Engineering
22% = Healing
37% = Influence
36% = Mechanisms
21% = Performance
20% = Perception
23% = Riding
26% = Sailing
36% = Streetwise
22% = Trade
=== KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ===
29% = Culture (Axria)
70% = Language (Axria)
52% = Nature Lore
12% = Culture (Dakon)
12% = Language (Dakon)
17% = Lore(Law)
=== RESISTANCES ===
49% = Dodge
29% = Persistence
32% = Resilience
=== MAGIC SKILLS ===
27% = Battle Magic Casting
12% = Sorcery Casting
22% = Religion (Hidden God)
=== COMBAT SKILLS ===
58% = Close
36% = Ranged
28% = Unarmed
=== EQUIPMENT ===
Leather Armor
Longsword
Dagger
Kite Shield
Longbow
Arrows (50)
Backpack
Flint and tinder
Rope
Two weeks worth of traveling provisions
Water skin
5 Torches
2 Large Sacks
Fishing Kit
Lock Picks
4 Glass Bottles, empty
1 Glass Bottle, Holy Water
110 = Starting Silver
2 = Current Silver
=== SPELLS ===
BladeSharp (Battle Magic; magnitude: 3)
WaterBreath (Battle Magic; magnitude:1)
Clear Path (Battle Magic; magnitude:1)
Heal (Battle Magic; magnitude:1)
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine"Not from around here, are you? Don't look much like farmers," he says with the approving tone of an itinerant man recognising his fellows.
Sighard nods towards the man while chewing a large chunk of salted pork. "Good eve" he mouths around the chunk of meat.
The shepherd shakes the proferred hand and touches his cap.
"They call me Burt round here. For Adalbert, my true name," he helpfully explains.
"I was thinking about the same thing, master foreigner," he says to Norrel when you mention helping out.
"I been coming here every spring for maybe twenty years now. Can't say I'd like to see 'em starve and me lose my market the same." He pauses and surveys the situation sadly. Tom Morleyson, the village fuller, as dour a fellow as ever walked the earth, is drunkenly weeping on the far side of the green as his wife tries to convince him to get home.
"It just so happens I know where there's a fair bit of silver to be found, but not a one of these would dare to go for it, though it would be more than enough to buy their seed. They're good folk, but hardly armsmen like yourselves. Too afraid of ghosts and other tall-tales, I reckon."
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;402037The shepherd shakes the proferred hand and touches his cap.
"They call me Burt round here. For Adalbert, my true name," he helpfully explains.
"I was thinking about the same thing, master foreigner," he says to Norrel when you mention helping out.
"I been coming here every spring for maybe twenty years now. Can't say I'd like to see 'em starve and me lose my market the same." He pauses and surveys the situation sadly. Tom Morleyson, the village fuller, as dour a fellow as ever walked the earth, is drunkenly weeping on the far side of the green as his wife tries to convince him to get home.
"It just so happens I know where there's a fair bit of silver to be found, but not a one of these would dare to go for it, though it would be more than enough to buy their seed. They're good folk, but hardly armsmen like yourselves. Too afraid of ghosts and other tall-tales, I reckon."
I glance at Norel,Bryce and Sighard at the mention of silver.
"Well met indeed Master Burt. Who can say why the One Hidden God works in such harsh manner ( I sweep a hand towards the mouldering ruins and the weeping man) Am thinking tragidy to see folk starve."
I look around,stoping for a moment on Norel,Sighard,Bryce and finally Randall Keeneye across the way, before continuing...
Psuedo. I would like to do a perception check...looking to see if I can detect anyone paying undue attention to us(43% skill, rolled a 61...http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2669619/)
oh,should I have let you make the perception roll?
Moderately friendly with Amakhan, Norel and Sighard from their winter together, Bryce is standing with them, sipping his shandy, clad in his warm black cloak (as usual).
His raven "Dewin" is perched on his shoulder, scanning the surroundings.
Bryce nods sympathetically when the shepherd comments on the villagers' plight, but remains silent. His right eyebrow arches when the silver is mentioned.
It pains my heart to see these simple but decent people suffer, he muses to himself. And I am in dire need of coin myself. Perhaps this ruddy-faced fellow might have information that will help us all?
Quote from: skofflox;402063Psuedo. I would like to do a perception check...looking to see if I can detect anyone paying undue attention to us
(43% skill, rolled a 61...http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2669619/)
oh,should I have let you make the perception roll?
Not a problem in this situation, don't worry.
No one's really paying much attention to you. Mostly, they seem overwhelmed with communal grief. Peter is scanning the crowd every so often to make sure nobody does anything stupid.
Norel smooths his mustache and beard with his free hand, extends his hand to the shepherd, and nods slightly as he says, "May your axe stay sharp, Adalbert. I am Norel Glorarr. Now, what is this about silver and armsmen? I must say that you've peaked my interest at this most gloomy time."
Quote from: Drohem;402116Norel smooths his mustache and beard with his free hand, extends his hand to the shepherd, and nods slightly as he says, "May your axe stay sharp, Adalbert. I am Norel Glorarr. Now, what is this about silver and armsmen? I must say that you've peaked my interest at this most gloomy time."
Amra nods saying...
"Indeed is most intriguing prospect.May I suggest to find somewhere more private (and warm) to discuss matters?"
Psuedo. In the future would you prefer perception rolls to be made secretly by you?
"Eh, you're not getting any great secret here, but I've got a fire going over yonder if you want to sit down while we talk." He jerks his thumb back at the other shepherds, clustered around a bubbling pot and talking trade with one another, and leads you over, squatting down amongst the other shepherds with his mug between his knees.
"When I was younger, I used to wander the heath and woods round here. Got so I know the area better than most, even more than most shepherds would. About oh, twenty years ago now maybe, I was roving about a day and a half's walk north-west of here. Up at the edge of the wood, where there's a swell and then a drop with a little brook in it...
There's an old pagan temple there, you see. Don't know how old, but old. The trees have all overgrown it and it was half-buried, and I doubt it's got any prettier since."
He pauses and quaffs the last dregs of his shandy, smacking his lips in delight before continuing with his tale.
"No one around here will go near the place, because they claim it's haunted or inhabited by some fell beast or somesuch. I didn't see any fell beasts, but there was a queer air to it, something not quite right. And there was something moving down in those ruins. There were snapped branches around and I thought I heard a man walking around in the bushes. I figured it for a robber and crept away. Never had reason to be up that way since, find out what it really was.
But," he says and jabs the air with his walking stick for emphasis, "I did see one thing that might interest you. A silver chalice, big as a man's forearm, sitting in one of the windows. Had the robber not frightened me, I'd've made off with it, I think. Not that I'm a thief, but it was clearly the property of some long dead pagan witch, and free for anyone who could lay hands upon it.
So far as I know, it's still there. It was covered in dust and tarnish when I saw it - looked as if it had lain there for years and years without anyone ever touching it. Somehow I don't think that robber took it, if a robber it was."
Sighard takes a deep draught from his water skin as he joins the shepherds fire. "Aye, I've tracked bounties into such places before." murmurs Sighard, after listening to Burts story "I haven't been cursed by any pagan witches yet. I'd be willing to look into your tale, and split the finds with the village".
Sighard looks towards the others, interested in what they think of the farmers tale.
Skof> No worries mate. If you're actively looking, feel free to roll. I'll only roll Perception when it's to notice something that you haven't told me you're paying attention for.
Amra squats near the fire craddling the last of his shandy and listens to Burts tale.
"Most fascinating tale sir. Must be potent charm gaurding witch-prize if none have dared to claim." Standing to survey companions and slapping thigh with youthful exhuberance.
" Ancestors protect me from witchery,investigation warranted Hiyaha!" as I gaze to the Northwest...then squat back down to the fire while eyeing companions.
Psuedo.Is there something I can roll against to see if Amra remembers any tales heard during the winter stay that may have bearing in this regard?
No roll needed, mate. Thinking back, you can remember a tale-telling competition the lumberjacks held with each other one rousing night at the inn. The winner, Geraint, told the story of the Mad Monks of Rondag.
It took place in the forest to the north of here, though the location of Rondag itself was vague. The essence of the story was that the monks took over an old temple in the forest and lived in solitude there. But some wicked spirit came and drove the monks insane. The story ended with the monks killing one another off and the demon taking their souls to hell for eternal torment. It was short on details, long on dramatic effect, a classic campfire horror story.
Norel looks at Amrakhan, Bryce, and Sighard, and says, "aye, I will try to find this place with you. I would split a portion of anything found to give to the village. It's been a long winter and I am anxious to stretch my legs a bit."
Bryce strokes his beard, as is his habit, while he listens intently to the shepherd's tale.
"Ancient pagan ruins might perhaps contain lost lore as well as silver," he thinks to himself. "But such ruins may also contain unnatural guardians and tormented spirits, entities not of the natural world. However, what alternative solution to this crisis is available?"
Nodding at the Norel's declaration, Bryce says, "I would be happy to accompany you in this endeavour, Sir Dwarf. Any silver we find should first go to ensuring that this village can survive, but beyond that I would be happy to divide any surplus amongst ourselves. And, frankly, after a winter of tending horses, and the like, I could use a change of scenery!"
Adelbert picks a piece of charcoal from the edge of the fire and draws a simple map on the side of Norrel's waterskin, explaining it as he does.
"Keep north-west towards that hill," he points it out on the horizon.
"You'll come to the pond just north of it. Follow the stream that comes out of it for about a day, until you see this fork. There's a great birch fallen in the water you can tell it by. I made some letters to help here if you can read."
"Once you reach the fork, you go northeast up the hill, to that bit with the 'x'... Ah bugger, I did it wrong on the drawing...There's a path through the brush there. Follow it in for a mile or two, and you should come upon the temple."
He hands the waterskin back with a nod and a grin.
"If y'are worried about witches, you might want to go see the father in Mizzenhall."
While examining at the map Sighard mutters, "Only a days travel from here? If we leave tomorrow morn we could get there, take a day or half a day to poke around and be back the following day. That way we'd be back in two or three days, before the villagers do something desperate."
Sighard squints at Norel, Bryce and Amra, "I have no fear of pagan witches, would any of you care to speak to the Father?"
Norel looks to Sighard and shakes his negatively in response to his question, and says, "I have no fear of witches, nor any need to speak with the village priest."
Amra scoots close to watch Burt draw the rough map.
After Sighards and Norels exchange... :duh: "Ahh me with brain of goat lulled by shandy,remember now a tale heard during dark of winter. Lumberman Geraint tell after much ale a story of woe. Monks gone mad from Demon prodding,souls strait to hell!" He points to map "'Mad Monks of Rondag' he calls story." (self is thinking Mizzenhall priest might be good idea.)
I look to my companions and back to Burt :hmm: "Wondering why this map is drawn for strangers and (noding my head towards Keeneyes group) not for kingsman Keeneye? Surely a reward would come for such valuable information" I watch Burt closely awaiting his reply...
"Sir Randall is an exciseman. Greedy bugger would just take it back to King Harold and let them all starve." Adalbert frowns.
"I've heard of the mad monks, but it's just an old wives tale, that bit about the demon. One of them went mad and killed the others is all. And that happened in my great-grandfather's day. If anyone did survive, they'd be dead of old age, or at least a harmless gaffer."
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;402366"If y'are worried about witches, you might want to go see the father in Mizzenhall."
Any chance for some setting information on this? It's not clear to me why or how the father might help us with possible witches.
That said, Bryce is a pretty cautious fellow, and likely would be willing to consult with the father for any potential information or aid.
Bryce looks at the shepherd's map, scowling slightly at its crudeness, trying to discern the route.
"I agree with leaving in the morn. Good Dewin here should be able to do some scouting for us en route."
Sighard nods towards Bryce, "Aye, a mighty fine creature to have. I can walk through the brush like it is clear as an open field as well. We should be able to have plenty of warning if anything wicked comes our way".
Quote from: Akrasia;402537Any chance for some setting information on this? It's not clear to me why or how the father might help us with possible witches.
That said, Bryce is a pretty cautious fellow, and likely would be willing to consult with the father for any potential information or aid.
Sure. "Father" is the honorific for a priest, and almost all priests have divine magic (though the local priest, Fr. Walter, is a chubby guy without a violent bone in his body). He'd also be the village expert on things like demons, witches and such.
"Well, it's morning now," Norel says as he strokes his beard absently, "let's go speak to Father Walter now, and then be on our way after lunch. How does that sound?"
Amra turns his (somewhat dubious) attention frome Dewin/Bryce saying...
"Hiya Norel,seems wise action to gain knowledge before going to face demon- witch magick.Would take but a moment to gather gear and be on way to priest and if this weather holds a fine day to trek!."
throwing the dregs of shandy to the ground away from the fire,He rises from his squat with an expansive stretch as he surveys the sky.
"As you say Norel" Sighard says as he levers himself to his full height, "I'm ready to leave after we speak to the Father".
Sighard ambles off in the direction of the local church and Father.
Bryce nods at the others' decision and accompanies them to see Father Walter.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;402575Sure. "Father" is the honorific for a priest, and almost all priests have divine magic (though the local priest, Fr. Walter, is a chubby guy without a violent bone in his body). He'd also be the village expert on things like demons, witches and such.
Thanks, that's more or less what I thought. I was curious whether there was something more specific about the 'witches' in this setting or region (and their antagonism to the Church of the Hidden God), knowledge of which either Bryce or one of the other PCs might possess. But that's fine.
On a somewhat different matter, I probably will not be able to post again until Monday.
In the meantime:
Bryce will try to use his familiar 'Dewin' to scout ahead from on high as the party travels. However, he will avoid putting Dewin in any danger, and instruct him to flee anything that might harm him right away.
If Bryce notices any unusual plants, birds, animals, etc., he will attempt to use his 'Nature Lore' skill in order to identify them.
Bryce is happy to help others with wounds, either using his heal skill or magic, as appropriate.
If in combat, Bryce will try to avoid melee combat as much as possible (dodging blows if necessary, while retreating). Instead, he will try to keep his distance and use either his crossbow or throwing knives, as appropriate.
You can safely assume that Adalbert and the lumberjacks use "witch" to mean "scary, evil woman" regardless of her magical powers. The church does use a narrower definition than that theologically - there is an extremely low chance you would be burnt as a witch, for example.
Father Walter has come down from Mizzenhall to deal with the beadle already, though Adalbert seems unaware of this. As you head in the direction of Mizzenhall, you see him and his two assistants dealing with the body of Edmund Ross at the edge of the village graveyard, preparing him for burial. He is being helped by Big Wylie Stedman, chief of the lumberjacks, and Rowe Tate, Fr. Walter's assistant.
They have a canvas sheet on the ground with the charred remains of Edmund Ross laid out on it. Big Wylie is planing spruce and pine logs into planks, while Rowe is boiling the chips to make a pungent, pleasant-smelling pitch for treating the body. Rowe, clearly used to this sort of thing, is whistling quietly but off-key as he watches the fire.
Fr. Walter, a chubby, normally cheerful fellow, has a somber air about him now. He has his hands upraised, and he is quietly praying over the body while Big Wylie and Rowe go to work.
Fr. Walter's in the edge of the village graveyard prepping. You have met him, at least in passing, over the winter. He's busy, but the prayers are more make-work than religiously obligated, and you can interrupt them if you wish, of course;
Amra waits at a respectful distance for Fr. Walter to finish...head bowed and hands clasped in front of abdomen.
After perhaps a quarter of an hour, Father Walter lowers his arms and bows his head in a moment of silence. Even Rowe and Big Wylie cease for a few moments, though they go back to their tasks once Walter opens his eyes. He turns, sees you and waves.
"Hail! We're ill met this morning. Poor Edmund is dead."
Father Walter, ever the chatterbox, comes wandering over, leaving his assistants to work.
Sighard face takes a dour expression as the priest he approaches, "Ah good Father, we were quite moved by the tragedy that besets this village, " Now Sighard smiles; "We go out to seek lost treasure to help the villagers buy grain. However we must explore the ruins of an ancient pagan temple, said to be the domain of foul witches. Perhaps you could lend as whatever aid you can spare".
Influence roll link http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2676173/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2676173/), I'm assuming that I can use Influence as a kind of persuasion roll, see'ing as there is no direct Persuasion skill. And Deception doesn't apply because everything Sighard said is true.
"Pagan temple? Treasure? Witches?" Father Walter repeats back to you in surprise.
"Are you sure this isn't some wild story going around? The villagers are prone to blame any misfortune on witches and bogeys. I wouldn't want you outsiders to go chasing snipes."
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;403050"Pagan temple? Treasure? Witches?" Father Walter repeats back to you in surprise.
"Are you sure this isn't some wild story going around? The villagers are prone to blame any misfortune on witches and bogeys. I wouldn't want you outsiders to go chasing snipes."
Amra steps forward..."Ahh kind father,heart is touched by simple words for villagers soul." as I bow my head and touch my heart..."We are wondering if you have knowledge of Monks of Rondag?" I watch his initial reaction closely.
Quote from: Llum;402971Influence roll link http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2676173/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2676173/), I'm assuming that I can use Influence as a kind of persuasion roll, see'ing as there is no direct Persuasion skill. And Deception doesn't apply because everything Sighard said is true.
Yeap, you can use influence to persuade people, though it always need to be attached to an IC proposition or statement or question of some sort.
"Ah, the 'Mad Monks', you mean? Now I know why you're talking about pagan temples," Fr. Walter realises.
"It's true, some wicked fate befell the monks, though the story about a demon is... unlikely. The monks would have been well-prepared to fend one off, no matter how subtle it was.
The story I was told by Fr. Bevin when I took over this parish was that the monks were weakened by illness. A great plague swept through Axrew a century ago as you can see," he gestures back at the grave markers.
"One of the monks became fever-maddened, and slew the rest. What happened the murderer, I don't know. I imagine he would have died shortly after the rest, his soul stained with the sin." Walter shudders.
"Hmmm. Appreciation for history lesson Father, clarification sets heart as ease.Madness makes more logic than Demon witches!." I press a few silver coins into his palm..."Please accept humble offering for the immediate needs of village." as I indicate the gathered folk "Let it not be said that Dakon is blind to those in need."
"Ah yes, chasing snipes would not serve ether us or the village" Sighard replies in a reasonable tone, "However it was not one of the villagers who mentioned this temple to us. We leave to see if there is truth to this tale, as it is only a days travel. Is there anything you could do to help us?" .
Sighard crosses his arms over his chest. He has all his , sword, shield, bow and travelling pack filled with gear all hanging from his huge frame.
"Bless you, sirs. I'll do what I can for the villagers. As for helping you..." Fr. Walter thinks for a few moments, then gestures for Rowe to bring over a nearly-empty bucket of water. Perhaps a cup of surprisingly clear water sloshes around at the very bottom of the pail.
"This is the last of the blessed water. We were using it to wash Edmund's body, but I can spare these last dregs. Its touch is anathema to evil spirits. If the soul of the last monk was unshriven, then it may be of some use. If you have something to pour it in, you are welcome to take it."
"You have my thanks Father, this will be a great boon if we should run into any kind of supernatural trouble. I can put it in a waterskin, unless someone has something better to transport it in?"
Is there a store that Sighard could do some shopping at? I forgot to spend my inital silver. I'd be picking up mundane items and a sword.
" Thank you father. May the benevolence of the One God shine upon your kindness and on this village in need." I take his hand once more and pump it a few times...
turning to my companions "Will go collect gear. Shall we meet where?"
some new acquisitions might be in order...or maybe not! Am itching to get into the woods
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;403077...
"One of the monks became fever-maddened, and slew the rest. What happened the murderer, I don't know. I imagine he would have died shortly after the rest, his soul stained with the sin." Walter shudders.
Bryce stands by silently throughout most of the interaction with Father Walter. After the holy water is collected, he finally speaks up: "Tell me Father, might not the soul of the maddened murderous monk linger still in the place of his crimes? I have heard tales of such tormented spirits in the past. If this might be the case, would you have any counsel on how me might protect ourselves from his wrath? Would the holy water that you kindly have granted us suffice?"
Quote from: Akrasia;403607Bryce stands by silently throughout most of the interaction with Father Walter. After the holy water is collected, he finally speaks up: "Tell me Father, might not the soul of the maddened murderous monk linger still in the place of his crimes? I have heard tales of such tormented spirits in the past. If this might be the case, would you have any counsel on how me might protect ourselves from his wrath? Would the holy water that you kindly have granted us suffice?"
"Yes, if it is dabbed on the corpse, it will force his spirit to cross the Veil and go to its final judgment. We were using it on Edmund to ensure his soul does not return from guilt over his error," he gestures back to Ross's burnt body, now being painted with pitch by Rowe.
"I know many spells and prayers that will drive off evil spirits, and if we had more time, I could perhaps teach them to you, but I need them now for Ross in case some wretched evil should crawl into his body."
Quote from: Llum;403536"You have my thanks Father, this will be a great boon if we should run into any kind of supernatural trouble. I can put it in a waterskin, unless someone has something better to transport it in?"
Is there a store that Sighard could do some shopping at? I forgot to spend my inital silver. I'd be picking up mundane items and a sword.
Yeah, there's a sutler in Breakwood who provisions travelers that you can buy that sort of thing from.
I listen in rapt attention to the exchange of Bryce and Walter, eyebrows raise at the bit about spirits crossing the veil.
I gently set my hand on Walters shoulder saying, "Thank you for the gift of potent water and the knowledge to use if needs be."
I look to my companions,"Am going to collect gear and stop by sutlers for trail foods. Will meet all at north edge of town."
As I jog off "Hiya to be treking again!"
Sighard empties his waterskin of mundane water then fills it up with the clear holy water. "Aye, a few last minute supplies might be the wise. I'll also stop by the sutler". Sighard says, agreeing with the Dakon.
Norel listened silently as Father Walter and the others spoke. They had asked the questions he would've asked, especially Bryce's question about maddened monk's soul. He absently groomed his beard with his fingers as his companions and Father Walter held their conversation. When it was over, he nodded silently in way of thanks toward Father Walter.
"Aye, at the edge of town then," Norel agrees with his companions.
He makes his way over to the Lumberjack and packs his gear. Once everything was in proper order, he leaves and makes his way to the meeting spot at the edge of the village.
Bryce expresses his gratitude to the priest, and turns to the others to say: "Well, my friends, should we perhaps be on our way? Once I collect my traveling equipment from the Lumberjack, I believe that I will be ready to go."
Bryce has nothing to do while the others purchase additional supplies, etc. He doesn't need anything (I think), and probably could not afford to buy anything even if he did.
Bryce will try to use his raven familiar 'Dewin' to scout ahead from on high as the party travels. However, he will avoid putting Dewin in any danger, and instruct him to flee anything that might harm him right away.
If Bryce notices any unusual plants, birds, animals, etc., he will attempt to use his 'Nature Lore' skill in order to identify them.
Sounds good.
Llum> I'm going to abstract the purchasing of equipment for now rather than play it out since it's merely grabbing a few things you could have bought during char creation. The only exception is food. It's twice the normal price because of the sudden crisis.
So, give me an OOC list of what you want to buy, and we'll start as you all meet up on the Breakwood Village Green to begin your journey.
Psuedo.,
after checking gear while packing (string bow and draw a few times etc.) Amra is going to top off trail foods (10 days worth seems good) and any worn out gear (maybe a few more arrows and a newer blanket)at sutlers (no haggling) then proceed to await others...
Sighard meets the others after he has visited the sutler. "Ready to head out?" he asks those already assembled. "It appears that I'm the last to arrive".
Sighard has purchased 50 arrows, lock picks, 5 glass bottles (one of which is filled with the holy water transfered via the waterskin (which is now full of normal water again), a fishing kit, two large sacks and five torches. Total cost of 108 SP, 2 SP left over.
Purchased new Bedroll,10 arrows,2 weeks rations (@ x2 cost.)
Total= 16 SP...43 remain...
Amra jogs to the green packed and rare'n to go!
Cranewings has expressed interest, and I'm cool with him joining the game if you guys are.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;404363Cranewings has expressed interest, and I'm cool with him joining the game if you guys are.
Cool by me. :D
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;404363Cranewings has expressed interest, and I'm cool with him joining the game if you guys are.
Absolutely cool with that...:)
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;404363Cranewings has expressed interest, and I'm cool with him joining the game if you guys are.
No problem!
Ok, let's get Cranewings in before we get out of the village. This may mean a delay of a day or two so he can come up with his character.
Edit: Jarulf also wants in. It's fine by me. Let's give both of them a day or two to come up with chars, and then it's off to the monastery!
I half finished my character, but the SRD site is down for some reason. I'll try to get it tomorrow. Stats are 16,13,14,10,10,10 and a Charisma of 14 in there. He is a Greek named Agatone. I noticed everyone seems to have some spells, so if Open Quest allows it, not that I'm that far, he's probably going to be a strait up warrior.
Quote from: Cranewings;404578I half finished my character, but the SRD site is down for some reason. I'll try to get it tomorrow. Stats are 16,13,14,10,10,10 and a Charisma of 14 in there. He is a Greek named Agatone. I noticed everyone seems to have some spells, so if Open Quest allows it, not that I'm that far, he's probably going to be a strait up warrior.
Glad to have more folk in the game...welcome aboard!
OQ does not allow a straight up fighter as far as I could tell. I specialized as a warrior and still had to take some common magic spells(2 pnts. worth?). I am not very good at casting as I spent no points on the skill so just the basic chance. Am interested to see if there was something I missed in chargen.
:)
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;404490Ok, let's get Cranewings in before we get out of the village. This may mean a delay of a day or two so he can come up with his character.
Edit: Jarulf also wants in. It's fine by me. Let's give both of them a day or two to come up with chars, and then it's off to the monastery!
Cool!...a few days ahh shucks... ;)
Quote from: Cranewings;404578I half finished my character, but the SRD site is down for some reason. I'll try to get it tomorrow. Stats are 16,13,14,10,10,10 and a Charisma of 14 in there. He is a Greek named Agatone. I noticed everyone seems to have some spells, so if Open Quest allows it, not that I'm that far, he's probably going to be a strait up warrior.
The setting is my Moragne setting. There's a partial write-up here: http://www.therpghaven.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=987 It's partial, but it covers the area you're starting in.
For the general feel, think early Norman England, about 12th century.
This post will explain the formatting, style, & etiquette in the game: http://www.therpgsite.com/showpost.php?p=401552&postcount=55
I'm not going to be able to read the background you wrote until tomorrow, though I have finished reading this thread. Sorry my background is so general; I might revise it after I get through the setting information. In any case, here is my character:
Character Name: Engeram
Race: Human
Homeland: Sassenland
Player: Cranewings
Campaign: Moragne
=== CHARACTERISTICS ===
16 = STR
13 = CON
14 = DEX
10 = SIZ
10 = INT
10 = POW
13 = CHA
=== ATTRIBUTES ===
+1d4 = Damage Modifier
12 = Hit Points
06 = Major Wound Level
10 = Magic Points
15m = Movement Rate
02 = Hero Points
=== PRACTICAL SKILLS ===
60% = Athletics
20% = Craft
24% = Deception
24% = Driving
20% = Engineering
20% = Healing
40% = Influence
24% = Mechanisms
23% = Performance
20% = Perception
52% = Riding
24% = Sailing
23% = Streetwise
20% = Trade
=== KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ===
40% = Culture (Sassen)
60% = Language (Sassen)
20% = Nature Lore
20% = Culture (Moragnian)
10% = Language (Morag)
40% = Lore – Warfare
=== RESISTANCES ===
49% = Dodge
20% = Persistence
48% = Resilience
=== MAGIC SKILLS ===
30% = Battle Magic Casting
10% = Sorcery Casting
20% = Religion (Earth Mother)
10% = Religion (Hidden God)
=== COMBAT SKILLS ===
60% = Close
54% = Ranged
30% = Unarmed
=== EQUIPMENT ===
Leather armor (AP 2; ENC 3)
Shield (Medium; 1d6; Enc 2)
Nomad bow (1d8; 125m Range; Load 1; ENC 2)
Longspear (1d8; ENC 2)
Short Sword (1d6; ENC 1)
Dagger (1d4+1)
Backpack
Rope
Traveling rations (2 weeks)
Flint and tinder
Water skin
Bedroll (ENC 1)
First aid kit
Oil, flask x2 (ENC 2)
2 = Current Silver
=== SPELLS ===
Co-ordination (Battle Magic; magnitude 2)
Strength (Battle Magic; magnitude 2)
Weapon Enhance (Divine Magic; magnitude 2)
=== BACKGROUND ===
Engeram was born the second son to a noble in the North Country. His father was very wealthy – owning nearly as many cattle as the rest of his community combined. Engeram is close in age to his older brother, smarter, and taller by the age of 14. His father sent him to live at a monastery in order to keep him from interfering with his brother’s inheritance.
At the monastery, Engeram was one of the finest athletes. While not especially intelligent compared to many of the others, he became interested in history and spent a good amount of time reading about ancient battles and the exploits of ancient warriors. He didn’t care to return home, but he found life at the monastery stifling.
When he was 19, invaders sacked the monastery and robbed the temple. Engeram managed to preserve a few sacred relics by escaping with them into a tunnel. When the invaders left, he returned to find most of the young men dead, and only one of the monks surviving. He returned the relics to the monk, who used them to heal the survivors. Everyone who lived left on foot for another temple, all except for Engeram. He collected enough equipment from the two or three invaders who were killed and left in search of revenge.
Hi everyone!
I wasn't sure but I took Pseudo's comment earlier to mean I may join. Here's the party's new thief.
=============
Name: Jhan of Albwr
Player: Jarulf
Sex: M
Age: 22
Religion: Lay member of the Coiners
Characteristics
STR - 12
CON - 14
DEX - 18
SIZ - 8
INT - 13
POW - 11
CHA - 10
ATTRIBUTES
Damage Bonus: None
Move: 15
Hit Points: 11
MWL: 6
Magic Points: 11
Hero Points: 2
Encumbrance: 10
SKILLS
Combat
Close Combat: 50%
Ranged Combat: 51%
Unarmed Combat: 40%
Knowledge
Culture (Moragnian): 53%
Language (Morag): 73%
Natural Lore: 33%
Practical
Athletics: 60%
Craft: 23%
Deception: 51%
Engineering: 23%
Healing: 23%
Influence: 20%
Mechanisms: 51%
Perception: 29%
Performance: 20%
Riding: 29%
Sailing: 31%
Streewise: 21%
Trade: 23%
Resistances
Dodge: 58%
Persistence: 31%
Resilience: 35%
Magical
Battle Magic: 33%
Befuddle 2
Co-ordination (2)
Detect Silver 1
Light 1
Weapons and Combat
Buckler 1D4
Dagger 1D4+1
Short Sword 1D6
Dagger 1D6
Equipment
Cash: 0 Gold
17 Silvers
5 Coppers
Backpack
Bedroll
Buckler
Climbing Kit
Flint & Tinder
5 Daggers
Leather Armour
Lock Picks
Rations, 2 weeks
Rope
Sack, 5 small
Shortsword
Waterskin
Background
Jhan is the third son of Daffyd and Eileen in Carlaw. The Albwr is an extended clan of burghers and some free farmers, many practice various crafts. Jhan's uncle is a silversmith, there is distant cousin who is a trader and so on.
Jhan had served his father, a locksmith who specialises in simple mechanical devices and wind-up toys for the wealthy as apprentice for a few years. Through his uncle he became involved on the fringes of the Coiners Heresy, but has not taken the step to full membership. He received training as a burglar, he had many oportunties to visit the homes of the wealthy doing his father's errands, and used these to locate items of value. This information was then passed on to the Coiners. Later he would start using this information for his own benefit which resulted in stern reprimands and boring lectures about the common good.
When he showed little inclination to fall in line, he was sent away into the country to visit with distant relations, a poor knight of somber demeanor who, it was hoped, would bring some sense to the boy. Jhan stayed about 6 months before he decided his fortuned lay elsewhere. This was 5 years ago, and he has wandered aimlessly since then surviving by his skills.
Starting Cash (4d6=12) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2685930/)
A stout looking young man, about 6 feet tall, armed with the spear and shield of a foreign nation arrives in town on foot, ragged from the road. He looks to be about 20 years old, despite a touch of gray in his hair. With barely a glance to anyone, he heads strait to the nearest store, looking to purchase some rations with his last few silver coins.
cool character cranewings! :)
Just trying to keep up. Everything on this thread is really good.
OK, we're just waiting on jarulf's character at this point. For simplicity's sake, we'll assume they've been there the entire time and simply haven't spoken yet.
jarulf> Think you can get the char up tomorrow?
Sorry this took so long, I actually posted this a couple of days ago but it never showed up.
Anyway, here he is.
Name: Jhan of Albwr
Player: Jarulf
Sex: M
Age: 22
Religion: Lay member of the Coiners
Characteristics
STR - 12
CON - 14
DEX - 18
SIZ - 8
INT - 13
POW - 11
CHA - 10
ATTRIBUTES
Damage Bonus: None
Move: 15
Hit Points: 11
MWL: 6
Magic Points: 11
Hero Points: 2
Encumbrance: 10
SKILLS
Combat
Close Combat: 50%
Ranged Combat: 51%
Unarmed Combat: 40%
Knowledge
Culture (Moragnian): 53%
Language (Morag): 73%
Natural Lore: 33%
Practical
Athletics: 60%
Craft: 23%
Deception: 51%
Engineering: 23%
Healing: 23%
Influence: 20%
Mechanisms: 51%
Perception: 29%
Performance: 20%
Riding: 29%
Sailing: 31%
Streewise: 21%
Trade: 23%
Resistances
Dodge: 58%
Persistence: 31%
Resilience: 35%
Magical
Battle Magic: 33%
Befuddle 2
Co-ordination (2)
Detect Silver 1
Light 1
Weapons and Combat
Name, Damage, Siz, Enc
Buckler, 1D4, M, 1
Dagger, 1D4+1, L, -
Short Sword, 1D6, M, 1
Name, Damage, Range, Load, Enc
Dagger, 1D6, STR*m, -, -
Equipment
Cash: 0 Gold
17 Silvers
5 Coppers
Item (Enc, Cost, Notes)
Backpack (1, Free, Holds 20 Enc)
Bedroll (1, 1sp)
Buckler ( - , Free)
Climbing Kit (1, 25sp, +25% to Athletics)
Flint & Tinder ( - , 5cp)
5 Daggers ( - , Free)
Leather Armour (3, Free, 2 AP)
Lock Picks ( - , 75s)
Rations, 2 weeks
Rope (2, Free )
Sack, 5 small ( - , 1sp)
Shortsword (1, Free)
Waterskin (1, Free)
Background
Jhan is the third son of Daffyd and Eileen in Carlaw. The Albwr is an extended clan of burghers and some free farmers, many practice various crafts. Jhan's uncle is a silversmith, there is distant cousin who is a trader and so on.
Jhan had served his father, a locksmith who specialises in simple mechanical devices and wind-up toys for the wealthy as apprentice for a few years. Through his uncle he became involved on the fringes of the Coiners Heresy, but has not taken the step to full membership. He received training as a burglar, he had many oportunties to visit the homes of the wealthy doing his father's errands, and used these to locate items of value. This information was then passed on to the Coiners. Later he would start using this information for his own benefit which resulted in stern reprimands and boring lectures about the common good.
When he showed little inclination to fall in line, he was sent away into the country to visit with distant relations, a poor knight of somber demeanor who, it was hoped, would bring some sense to the boy. Jhan stayed about 6 months before he decided his fortuned lay elsewhere. This was 5 years ago, and he has wandered aimlessly since then surviving by his skills.
Starting Cash (4d6=12) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2685930/)
Welcome Engeram & Jhan
I am ready to roll...excellent crew!
Everything looks good, guys. In the words of an infamous poster around here: Forward to Adventure!
By the time you return to the village green, trade has begun in deadly earnest between shepherds and villagers. Only Adalbert seems removed from the commotion, lounging drunk and happy in the mid-morning spring sunlight next to the same cozy cookfire. He waves lazily as you pass, and says "Best of luck then!"
North, north, north, you go, and perhaps a little west. Southerners joke that Axrew is nothing but mud, rock and sheep, and at least the first two are in abundance. Though the first thaw has come, the last remnants of snowdrifts hang on in dells and lees across the heath.
It's hours of walking, easily into the mid-afternoon, and the hill has been coming down from the horizon for some time now. It's a stony bulge jutting out from sodden earth, easy enough to follow even if you do divert around a sudden dip or three.
On the far side of the hill, trees begin to group together more closely, waxing into forest somewhere in the distance. There is the sound of dogs barking far off, and Dewin the raven shrieks overhead.
Akrasia, Dewin has spotted something. You can share his perceptions as I understand the familiar bond, so when you do that, here's what you see:
A young man with a cudgel and a piglet under his arm is near the pond, running, being pursued by a gang of armed men with dogs. He's running around the south end, crossing your path. You're perhaps two kilometres off - fifteen minutes or so at a run.
Pics are boy and men, respectively
nice visuals...gods what brutish folk! :) Like'n it!
Engeram casts a concerned glance to Brice as he receives the psychic image. The knuckles of his right hand turn white as he tightens his grip on his spear.
Bryce stops suddenly as he hears Dewin's sharp caw from overhead. The young sorcerer's grey eyes look unfocused for a few moments. He then turns to his compatriots and says in an urgent tone, "My friends, a young boy is being attacked by a band of ruffians nearby. If we rush, we may be able to intercept him before he comes to harm!"
Bryce then darts off in the direction of the boy, readying his light crossbow.
Quote from: skofflox;405485nice visuals...gods what brutish folk! :) Like'n it!
I concur. The visuals are appreciated!
Jhan had been keeping a little to himself at the back of the group, he wasn't much of a talker and had gotten used to keeping his own company over the last few years. That he had volunteered to help with this mission still surprised him. He'd been holed up in the village, like the rest, and had come to know some of villagers a little better and been treated well. There was a farmer's daughter with long black hair and huge eyes, not that those eyes ever turned his way - but still. He gave a mental shrug. So he wanted to give a little back, perhaps.
Then Bryce suddenly said something about a boy, which Jhan only caught the gist of before the man took off.
"What?", he looked up from his woolgathering and started to follow the sorcerer. Aren't we involved enough already., he thought in mild irritation as he drew a dagger.
Amra was a bit to the right of the line of march (returning from a private concern) and looks up (from fastening belt) upon hearing an urgent voice (Bryce?) seeing Bryce's back side as he takes foot,(readying his crossbow!?). Running through the group to catch Bryce I quip "By the gods...Is he mad?" and follow while nocking an arrow...
Sighard readies his kite shield and loosens his longsword while running after Bryce and the others. With his long legs he can easily keep up with everyone else.
Without a word, Norel throws his beard over his shoulder and quickly picks up his pace and jogs after Bryce. As he falls into a steady pace, he pulls his ball & chain off his belt and holds the ball against the shaft between his fingers to keep it as quiet as possible.
ooops,my last post (IC) should not have been in bold...:o
Engeram takes off with the group, trying his best to take point. He moves with quickness and determination, not just out of concern for the child, but out of malice for the kind of people that he imagines are attacking him.
Knowing that the young man's life is probably at stake makes every step more urgent, every moment longer. Thankfully the land slopes down gently towards the pond, making running the distance that much easier.
The pond is surrounded by copses of small evergreen trees that thrive in the acidic, clay-rich soil. Dewin's keen-eyes watch overhead as the boy ducks through one after another. His pursuers circle round and lose time, but their axes and swords make quick work of the smaller trees when he tries to hide amongst them, and he's forced to keep moving.
Finally, they flush him far enough south that he breaks across the open ground in your direction, panting and groaning and his face flushed all red, and his head turned back watching them. They lope behind him, and only start to bear off when they see you. They slow down and unlimber weapons, and start to trot up, almost casually.
The boy, not even noticing you until the last moment, rears up when he's less than 25 metres away, and slips in the mud. The piglet goes flopping in the mud, but sticks close to him as he rises to his feet.
"Please sirs, save me!" He calls out to you.
As Norel trots up he yells to the boy, "get behind us lad. Hurry!"
He unslings his shield as he continues trotting up to close the distance, and he yells to the men, "the hunt is over fools, turn back and live yet another day. Press forward and I'll open you heads and stomp your brains into the mud!"
Engeram runs up between the boy and the attackers, presenting his shield to show that he is willing to give peace a chance. As his companion finishes giving his offer, he repeats it with a touch of urgency.
"I suggest you flee. Today isn't your day."
1d100=86 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2693810/)
Influence score = 40%
One of the men looks frightened, but he steels himself as the rest of his comrades laugh contemptuously. The biggest one, carrying a broad-headed spear in both hands, steps forward boldly. He speaks with the accent of a Geornling, eastern barbarians from across the mountains.
"I am Borvr of the Gunnarven, Moraglings. Stumvr Dark-Eye and Gelf the Quick and Gunnar Red-Arm stand ready behind me."
Gelf, the one who looked nervous, braces himself when his name is called. He has white-knuckled grips on two throwing-axes. The other two have shields and swords, and they stand flanking Borvr with their shields pushed out.
"With what right do you stop me from doing my lord's justice?"
Crane> http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2694057/
All but one make their Persistence checks to avoid being intimidated. Gelf, the guy with the axes, is the one who failed. He's not breaking yet though.
Breathing a little heavily after the dash, Jhan stops a little behind the dwarf and the others in front. It had been a while since he had had to run like that, and then it was away from danger, not towards it. The inactivity of the winter months were beginning to tell.
Hands full of daggers he listens unhappily at the posturing, but when the boy joins their little company Jhan gives him a quick smile.
"Nice piglet, got a weapon?"
Amra moves off to the right of the group keeping his bow ready at 3/4 draw (he will full draw at the slightest provocation) and line of sight clear of his companions,not uttering a word, eyes locked on the Geornlings.
Sighard straps his kite shield to his arm and draws his longsword as he steps forward.
"I've tracked my share of bounties in my time, and I've learned one thing. Sometimes it is better to just abandon it." Sighard calls out to the Geornlings "Do as my friend says and flee".
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2694197/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2694197/)Influence roll to back up Enegram, skill = 37%.
Bryce stands a couple of meters behind the rest of the party, his light crossbow ready to fire (although he has not aimed it yet). He eyes the Geornings carefully, trying to learn more about them through careful observation. The sorcerer is content to allow the others do the talking for now.
If combat breaks out Bryce will try to cast 'Multimissile' first and then fire his crossbow. If the Geornings get close, he will cast 'Protection' and try to maintain at least 15 meters between himself and any enemies (he's no warrior!).
Norel nods approvingly at Borvr's calmness and says, "I am Norel Glorarr from Sassenland. What business does your lord have with a boy and a piglet so far from his lands? The boy and piglet are now under our protection, and now you must deal with us one way or another. I prefer words over blood. How about you, Borvr?"
Engeram relaxes a bit, keeping eye contact with the one that seems shaken. He nods to Norel as he speaks and lets the weight of their numbers sink in with the barbarians.
In the moment between Norel's words and their answer, Engeram stretches his arms back, looking up with a yawn, and momentarily glows with a pale white light. He returns his shield back to its position facing the barbarians, though his gaze and focus is on the scared one.
I cast Strength on myself and use it to impress the frightened one in particular, letting him know with my gaze that when combat breaks out, I will be looking to single him out. 1d100=66 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2694563/) Influence = 40%
Engeram is in an almost panicked state of mind. All of his anger over the destruction of the monastery is welling up and being focused on them, though his good nature lets him hold it back.
"A man does not shy away from bloodshed," Borvr calls out to Norrel.
"If you are so peaceful, tell your friends to put away their weapons and stop casting evil spells."
Gelf looks terrified at Engeram's display, but Stumvr and Gunnar are clearly too close for him to break. He says something urgent in Georn to the other three, and Borvr nods at whatever it was without breaking eye contact with Norrel.
"The boy is a thief and a runaway. We are sent to bring him home by his lord."
The boy, for his part, is behind Jhan, as far away from the Georns as he can get. He continues to clutch the pig and the cudgel, which you can see, Jhan, is a weighted walking stick. He pipes up:
"I didn't steal the pig! It's my own pig! You devils!" Distance turned into bravery here.
Gelf clearly doesn't want a fight, but it's doubtful he's going to run without there being open hostilities.
The Georns are forming a diamond now, with Borvr in front holding his spear and talking, Stumvr and Gunnar flanking him with their shields up defensively, and Gelf in back. Stumvr and Gunnar are chanting or muttering in low voices. It might be spells, or some ritual act to psyche themselves up before any trouble.
Norel smiles wide and says casually as he lets his spiked ball fall loose and ready for combat, "true words spoken like a man, Brovr. However, it is foolish of you to assume that I am peaceful. If you want blood spilled over a piglet, then so be it. Step forward and I will bleed you dry. However, before blood flows this day, I will ask you this: What is the boys weregild?"
Engeram falls in closely to Norel and keeps his shield tight, ready for anything.
Amra goes to full draw...targeting whomever presents the most open aspect.
Sighard draws his longsword speaking to the Geornlings as he does so "A bounty isn't worth your life. I've been where you are and I know. My friends and I will stop you from taking the boy".
Bryce casts multimissile [magnitude 3] while the others are talking. He tries to do so while attracting as little notice as possible.
He also tells Dewin to remain flying above the area. Presumably the others will simply assume that he is a normal raven (if they notice him at all).
"He is worth a hundred cattle, Norrel Glorrar." Borvr steps forward, spear at the ready.
"Enough! If you will not give him, then make yourself ready for death."
Initiative time! Everyone give me your initiative scores and I'll create a master table with the Geornlings.
Also, Norrel, that's an unusually high weregild Borvr has just given for the boy
How do you determine Initiative in this system? I thought that the order of combat was determined by DEX, or by INT if spell casting.
Init is Dex (or Int if casting) as far as I know. So mine is 14.
Quote from: Drohem;406579How do you determine Initiative in this system? I thought that the order of combat was determined by DEX, or by INT if spell casting.
It is. So your initiative is equal to your DEX or INT score, depending upon what you're doing in any given round.
Dex 14
Init 13, casting Befuddle on Gunnar
Jhan watched the situation deteriorate quickly and wished he were somewhere else. Still, the boy shouldn't have to face these men alone, even if he had stolen a pig.
With a sigh he mutters a few words and looks at Gunnar.
Amra Dex 13...was at full draw aiming on the Geornling that is the most open ie. no shield etc...see post 105
Int = 16.
Bryce is casting Multimissile [Magnitude 3]. Battle Magic Skill = 64.
In case I cannot post again soon (I'll be traveling shortly), after casting his spell, Bryce will fire his crossbow at the target most likely to threaten him, or if he is not being threatened, the target most likely to harm the boy.
Dex =15. Ranged Combat Skill = 61.
After firing his crossbow, Bryce will either cast Protection [Magnitude 2] on himself, if the combat looks likes it will not be over shortly, or fire his crossbow again at any surviving foes (if he/they continue to attack).
Hope that's clear enough.
Edit: Feel free to make any necessary rolls on my behalf for the next few days.
Norel is attacking this round. DEX 09.
If Norel goes in Amra will let fly ASAP in support...
Borvr is attacking Norrel. He's acting at Dex 13.
Stumvr and Gunnar are casting spells. They'll be going at 12.
Gelf is throwing axes at people. He goes at 15.
Ok, so for this round the order is:
Bryce
Gelf
Sighard, Engeram
Jhan, Amra, Borvr
Norrel
Stumvr, Gunnar
Bryce's casting roll: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2699096/
Miscast, unfortunately!
Gelf will hurl an axe at Engeram from the back row.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2699097/
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2699098/
That's a success, and it will deal 4 damage unless you dodge it, Engeram. So give us a dodge roll!
Then it's your turn and Sighard's turn. Gelf is hidden between Stumvr and Gunnar, with Borvr in front of all three. They have a reversed-T formation.
Norel attempts to shield parry (50%) Borvr's attack and fails with a roll of 62% (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2699112/).
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2699463/
Amra lets fly with a great shot! (base 59% rolled 29) targeting Borvr as he closes on Norel.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2699505/
for 3 dam. if applicable
Amra reaches for another arrow...
Engeram holds his shield fast as the axe squarely lodges into its center.
1d100=17 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2699612/) Dodge Skill 49%
As the axe hits, he covers with the shield and smashes into the front of their diamond, trying to shove their leader back behind the spell casters, ending up in Gelf's lap.
1d100=39 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2699614/) Athletics and Close Combat Skills are 60%
Edit - I had cast magnitude 2 Strength on myself, so my Athletics for shoving people is actually 80%.
I want to try to make it easy for the rest of the group to isolate one of the spell casters, and it would be nice to delay Gelf's axe throwing, make him do something else (like attack me).
Sighard runs forward to attack Stumvr. He swings a quick blow at the casting Geornling.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2700254/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2700254/) 58% skill and I rolled a 67.
Borvr goes stumbling back into Gelf as Engeram rams into him. Gelf braces himself and prevents Borvr from pitching completely over.
Ok, so Sighard and Engeram are acting first here. That means that at the end of their turn, they're mixed up with Stumvr and Borvr, respectively.
Amra, that's going to interfere with your shot on Borvr, unfortunately. It's a -25% for shooting into melee. Does your shot still hit with that modifier?
Borvr is going to try to attack Engeram:
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2702468/
That's a success. Did you have a dodge or parry left?
Jhan, what's your action this turn?
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;407167*snip*
Amra, that's going to interfere with your shot on Borvr, unfortunately. It's a -25% for shooting into melee. Does your shot still hit with that modifier?
[/B]
YES,Still a hit with the -25%! sadly only 3 dam.(I do not add dam. mod. to the bow correct?)Amra is loading up another shaft as he positions for a cleaner shot on the foes in back that appear to be casting spells and the axe-thrower...looking for a target of opportunity.
Engeram already parried a throwing axe, then charged into the fray. He's all out of reactions for the round.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;407167Jhan, what's your action this turn?
Befuddle on Gunnar at 33% (1d100=65) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2703724/)Jjhan muttered a few syllables under his breath and made a complex looking gesture with his left hand, ending with a flicking motion towards one of their assailants.
Nothing seemed to happen though, except a string of curses from Jhan.
Borvr braces himself with the spear as Engeram shoves him back, shortening his grip and scraping the point of his spear across Engeram's chest. He bellows in success as he feels the tip catch and tear.
He manages to shove you back, Engeram, just enough that you can feel the wind of Amra's passing arrow as it scrapes Borvr's shoulder. His armour, thick hides and furs, takes the worst of the shot.
He bellows a second time, steps back, and launches his spear out past you, Engeram, at Norrel as he comes in for an attack.
Damage on Engeram: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2704635/
Attack on Norrel: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2704647/
Uh oh! That's a critical! 6 damage, and armour doesn't count. Poor Norrel!
Just to be clear, Borvr's original intention was to attack Norrel, but when Engeram came in with the shove, he changed it to an all out attack with one directed at Norrel and one at Engeram. That's why he didn't dodge the shove. Both attacks hit even with the -25% penalty for the all out attack.
It's payback time, sir dwarf. Your action?
Feels like I've caught a bug of some sort, so I may be out of action for a few days. Feel free to NPC Jhan if I don't turn up in a timely manner. He'll switch from useless magic to weapons, but will only attack if
a,He is attacked himself,
or
b, A friend needs help
or,
c, The boy is threatened.
He'll throw a dagger then close with sword if there's time, just sword if not.
Norel attacks Borvr with his ball & chain (50%) and misses badly with a roll of 95% (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2705239/).
Moving slowly around group to get a better angle while drawing bow looking for a shoot on Gelf or others in the back rank...
Sorry for being MIA for a few days.Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;406816
Bryce's casting roll: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2699096/
Miscast, unfortunately!
Argh!
I assume that Bryce had an opportunity to fire his crossbow at some point following this failure?
Not that it matters. He misses (roll of 73 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/player/Akrasia/)).
Grimacing from the shot from Borvr just dealt, he lowers his center by bending at the knees, preparing to lunge under the spear and go for his throat. Engeram's eyes flash for a moment to Gelf, waiting to see what he will do.
Stumvr and Gunnar hold aloft their blades in unison. Their chant rises to a shout as they invoke the blessing of the ancestors and gods on their blades.
Stumvr on the right brings his blade around low and to the side, ready to chop out at any who close on his side. Gunnar on the left swings his blade to the "plough" position, hilt above his head with the tip facing down, ready to stab over and across his shield. Both still hold their position in the diamond, protecting Borvr and Gelf. They shout encouragement and advice to one another in Georn as they ready to advance.
Top of the round is Bryce again, if memory serves. The crossbow shot would go off now, I think, since the spell was your action last round, was it not?
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;407651Top of the round is Bryce again, if memory serves. The crossbow shot would go off now, I think, since the spell was your action last round, was it not?
Has only one round gone by?
If this is the second round then, yes, I missed with my crossbow.
Yup, this is round 2.
Engeram pushes his shield off of his opponent, drops to one knee and shoots under Borvr's shield. He then violently pushes for the sky, digging under him with his shield and shoulder, hoping to lift him up on to his toes, and back onto Gelf's lap.
1d100=86 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2708022/)
I was hoping to finish disrupting their formation. I did already shove him and Gelf back while the casters were chanting. My current Athletics is 80% and if I get a +10 for the momentum I had last round, it would work.
This is technically after Gelf's attack.
Gelf steps back from the scrum with two long strides. He judges his mark and snaps his arm to hurl the axe at Sighard. It flies low, and chops the dirt at your feet, Sighard.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2708712/
Misses by a mile. Gelf has a shortsword on his belt, not currently drawn. He's standing a few long steps behind Gunnar and Stumvr, opening space for the rest of the Geornlings to brace themselves or give way to Engeram. Getting to him means risking either Gunnar or Stumvr's blades, or making a wide circle around the entire melee.
Sighard moves forward towards Stumvr, keeping his shield up and unafraid. He takes a swing at Stumvr again, missing once again as well.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2708851/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2708851/) Die roll for attack, rolled a 92, 58% chance to hit. A miss I gather.
Targeting Gelf,continuing to work slowly around for a flank/rear position...( will pause to take upcoming shot.)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2709133/
Fantastic shot by Amra. roll is 04(ranged @ 59%)! YEAH!...Psuedo,not sure if you want to apply any mods for the shot as I know the situation may change before my turn comes up otherwise that is a crit.!
damage http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2709135/
roll= 7!
Amra calmly reaches for another shaft...
The arrow slams into Gelf's left wrist, accurately placed between the bones. The wrist fails, the fingers going from a clenched fist to completely limp, and the skin wrippling as tendons and ligaments tear. He shouts in agony and craddles his arm, retreating from the fight.
Amra> You actually got a critical, which means max damage, and the hit ignores armour. Good stuff!
Is Norel still engaged with Borvr? Or did Stumvr and Gunnar push him out of the way somehow? Who is the nearest opponent in melee range to Norel currently? :)
Quote from: Drohem;408308Is Norel still engaged with Borvr? Or did Stumvr and Gunnar push him out of the way somehow? Who is the nearest opponent in melee range to Norel currently? :)
It's Borvr. Gunnar and Stumvr helped him stay upright after Engeram nearly shoved him over.
Now you see why Borvr is war-leader of this band. He raises the spear over his head and brings it down in a series of fast, powerful overhanded stabs that hammer Engeram and Norrel backwards.
Ok, it's Jhan and Borvr. Jhan?
Borvr is making another all-out attack, one on Norrel, one on Engeram.
On Norrel: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2714350/
On Engeram: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2714351/
Damage for Engeram's hit: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2714352/
That's a critical on Norrel and a hit on Engeram!
Norrel, it's 6 damage and bypasses armour. You need a critical parry or dodge to avoid it.
Engeram, it's 4 damage.
Engeram staggers back, having taken another heavy blow. Bleeding, he steps forward looking for more.
"Borvr the Bold!" shouts Gunnar in support the Geornlings' champion. "Borvr Manslayer!" shouts Stumvr as Engeram reels backwards. Borvr's response is a bellowing war cry.
Quote from: Cranewings;408340Engeram staggers back, having taken another heavy blow. Bleeding, he steps forward looking for more.
that's the spirit!!:D
When Enegram staggers back under the heavy blows from Borv, Jhan takes a few steps into the sudden opening. His face is set in an expression of fear and anger as he brings his shortsword forward in a simple but quick stab towards Borvr's guts.
Shortsword attack on Borvr 50% (1d100=20) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2715436/)
Damage (1d6=1) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2715437/)
Not very effective, is he ;(
And he should act on 18 next round btw
Norel fails his shield parry for round 2 with 85% (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2715830/). I guess I will spend a Hero Point and avoid death and go unconscious. Those two criticals put him at zero hit points.
Amra is going to full draw and looking for the next target...
still focusing on the rear echelon from a flanking position. Psuedo, could we have a initiative up-date/synopsis?
New Init Chart for the upcoming round:
Jhan
Gelf, Bryce
Sighard, Engeram
Amra, Borvr
Stumvr, Gunnar
[Norrel is unconscious]
Stumvr and Gunnar still need to act this round.
Stumvr and Gunnar move in to capitalise on Borvr's success. Gunnar lashes out at Jhan, Stumvr at Sighard, trying to drive them back. Gunnar pushes forward suddenly with his shield, then stabs out at Jhan, while Stumvr drops the rim of his shield as he lunges for a low chop across Sighard's chest.
Gunnar's attack on Jhan
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2717546/
That's a hit. Would you care to dodge or parry, Jhan?
Stumvr on Sighard
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2717547/
Also a hit. You've got the same choice here - dodge or parry, Sighard?
Sighard goes to block Stumvrs low chop with his kite.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2718178/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2718178/) Rolled 60, skill is 58. I can't use my spare reaction on this attack ether, so hit I guess? I have leather armor so my AP = 2 for when you roll damage.
Stumvrs hit glaces off the top of Sighards shield slicing him across the chest.
In retaliation the giant human strikes at Stumvr with his longsword
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2718183/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2718183/) rolled 32%, skill is 58. So a hit I imagine?
Here's damage: http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2718184/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2718184/) 14 damage.
Following his thrust with the longsword, Sighard strikes hard with his kite shield.
Secondary shield attack against Stumvr, skill is (58%-25%) = 33. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2718186/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2718186/). Rolled a 44, a miss I gather.
Engeram digs in deep with an underhand jab from his spear at Borvr.
I'm writing from my iPod so I can't copy the invisible castle codes. To strike, I rolled a 40 (with a skill of 60), and deal a glancing blow for 3 damage if it hits.
Damage for Stumvr's attack is 3, minus your armour for a total of 1 point.
I'll resolve your attack once we get to your turn, but suffice to say, Stumvr's dead unless he parries.
Jhan, it's all on you buddy. Top of the round.
Amra Will keep sights on Gelf. If it looks like he is going to enter the scrum and I have no other targets I will set bow down and draw Scimitar/shield and charge into fray. Don't know if I can get there this round...to dangerous to fire into mellee though...time for some face to face action! COOL PIX Psuedo.!
Desperately Jhan tries to twist away from Gunnar's attack, but with the amount of people around him he finds it difficult to move freely.
He feels the weapon bite and suddenly fearful swings wildly back at his new opponent but fails to connect.
Dodge (1d100=74) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2719069/)
close combat attack (1d100=54) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2719073/)
The young sorcerer, seeing his allies in great danger, tries to take another shot, hoping for greater fortune than he's enjoyed so far this day...
Bryce will try to get off another crossbow shot, if there is a decent opening. Not that it will help, as he misses yet again (roll of 86 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2719161/)).
If Bryce cannot find a clear line of fire, he will move cautiously around the melee -- trying to keep a distance of at least 12 metres -- to find another position, perhaps flanking a foe.
Hacking blades flash back and forth in the battlefield as everyone moves in for lunges and slashes. The risk of hitting even your friends and comrades is growing worse as Borvr serves as a sinkhole, drawing everyone in towards him.
Bryce> No problem to move around it at this point. Most everyone's crowded close together in a big scrum, except for you, Amra and Gelf.
Jhan> You take 6 points of damage from Gunnar's attack.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2720735/
Gelf continues to sit this one out, clutching at his wrist.
Ok, Sighard and Engeram are up next. Sighard's attack will probably kill Stumvr unless he can block...
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2720742/
Narrow miss on the parry! Stumvr is dead!
Engeram?
My action is above, I just posted it out of turn. I can reroll it if you want.
Quote from: Cranewings;409183My action is above, I just posted it out of turn. I can reroll it if you want.
No, no, my bad. I just missed it. You're wearing him down.Amra> Drawing your weapons will be your action this turn then. Gelf is definitely out of it, especially now that Stumvr is dead. You can tell he's only a few moments from running.
Blood flows freely from Borvr's wounds, but his heart is still in the fight. He concentrates on Engeram now, changing the grip on his spear so he can strike swiftly. But his stabbing overhanded spear strike flies low, and hits the sod only a few inches from Engeram. He tries to pull it back and launch another, but has to brace himself for a moment to pull the spear free, ripping up a clump of dirt as he does so.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2724105/
It's an all-out attack, and Borvr misses twice! Luck is finally starting to go your way, guys.
Gunnar, enraged by the death of his friend, screams with bloodlust and ignores Jhan. He shoves behind Borvr towards Sighard, swinging wildly to strike the bounty hunter down. His rage has drained his skill though, and the blow are more frightening than effective.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2724111/
Another all out attack, another double miss! Gunnar is next to Sighard, standing nearly atop Stumvr's body, with his back to Jhan. He is directly behind Borvr.
Amra sets his bow down and starts to advance on the mellee as he brings his shield and Scimitar into play...
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;409177
Jhan> You take 6 points of damage from Gunnar's attack.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2720735/
A couple of clarifications please, boss.
When I checked to see if you had subtracted Jhan's armour from the damage he took I got slightly confused. The rolls says 4 damage, you say 6.
Do we use the Major Wound Level rule?
Quote from: Jarulf;409660A couple of clarifications please, boss.
When I checked to see if you had subtracted Jhan's armour from the damage he took I got slightly confused. The rolls says 4 damage, you say 6.
Do we use the Major Wound Level rule?
We're not using the Major Wounds for now to keep things simple, also because I want Norrel to keep both of his eyes and all four of his limbs for now. ;)
The roll is 4, but Stumvr and Gunnar have Weapon Enhancement 2 cast on their weapons, which gives them 2 additional points of damage per hit. That was the spell they were casting while you were all sorting things out with Borvr.
I generally say if I'm subtracting armour from the hit, but I try to avoid handling that end so I don't have to keep track of what armour everyone is wearing. Baseline assumption should be that I'm not. Sorry if that was confusing. <:)
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;409714
We're not using the Major Wounds for now to keep things simple, also because I want Norrel to keep both of his eyes and all four of his limbs for now. ;)
Guess he is short as it is without missing a couple of legs. :)
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;409714
Baseline assumption should be that I'm not. Sorry if that was confusing. <:)
I thought this was the case, but better ask than not. Thanks for the answers.
What's the plan, Jhan? You're up, then Bryce and Gelf.
Pale-faced and grunting with pain from the wound, Jhan almost retreats from the battle. However, when Gunnar turns his back on him, Jhan's sword arm seems to almost move of its own volition in a stabbing motion towarsd the enraged man. The blow is weak though.
Normal attack on Gunnar, in the back? (1d100=33) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2726598/)
Damage (1d6=2) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2726599/)
Gelf continues to retreat slowly, clutching his mangled hand.
Bryce?
Last round I tried to move around the melee, into a position in which I would be able to get a clean shot this round. I'm having trouble visualizing where everyone is positioned. My shot will be at any brigand with respect to whom I have a clean line of fire. If there is no such brigand, I will continue to try to reposition myself for next round.
After moving into a more advantageous position, Bryce takes aim at one of the remaining brigands, and fires his crossbow.
Better luck this time -- a 38 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2730584/).
If that is a hit, Bryce does 5 points of damage (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2730594/).
At this point, everyone other than you, Norrel, Amra, and Gelf are clustered up in a big churning mass. Norrel is down on the ground unconscious a few metres away from the scrum, Amra is a few metres out looking for a good opportunity to charge, and Gelf is fleeing.
That means Jhan, Borvr, Sighard, Engeram and Gunnar are all bunched up, shoving back and forth and occasionally stabbing out. I picture them as pretty locked up at this point - plenty of close-in shoving and elbowing, scraping and stabbing at one another.
Sorry for not posting earlier -- it's been a busy weekend.
It looks like I don't have a clear shot at anyone in the melee.
While I'm tempted to use my shot on the fleeing Gelf, that seems dishonourable. So instead I will cautiously approach Norrel and try to pull him away from the scrum. Once we're 10+ metres away, I'll try to Heal him (by magic) back up to consciousness. If that fails, I'll try to help him with my healing skill.
I assume that I will not be able to cast Heal until next round.
Amra sheds his shield (retains scimitar), pack and gives chase to Gelf...
Yeah, dragging Norrel out will take a turn. Borvr and Gunnar have bigger problems than you though, so they're not going to try to stop you.
Gelf is bolting.
Sighard, Engeram?
Engeram jumps in the air and comes down hard screaming at Borvr.
1d100=12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2743384/)
His bravado gives Borvr time to step off line and turn the nearly perfect strike into a glancing blow.
1d8=1, 1d4=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2743387/)
Amra chasing Gelf as per my last post...sans pack & shield w/scimitar
:)
Quote from: Cranewings;412576Engeram jumps in the air and comes down hard screaming at Borvr.
1d100=12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2743384/)
His bravado gives Borvr time to step off line and turn the nearly perfect strike into a glancing blow.
1d8=1, 1d4=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2743387/)
Even a glancing blow is beginning to tell on Borvr. His movements are more sluggish, as strike after strike has bloodied him. His fur vest is smeared with his own blood, and each swing of his arm spatters those nearby with more.
Roll an extra d4 here for damage, C-dub. Jumping is gonna put some extra mass behind that hit.
The dice are HOT tonight!!! (;
1d4=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2743602/)
Quote from: Cranewings;412585The dice are HOT tonight!!! (;
1d4=1 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2743602/)
Bruttles! :o
Sighard steels himself and lunges are the enraged Gunnar. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2744063/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2744063/) Rolled an 18, skill is 58.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2744064/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2744064/) Rolled 7 damage.
Following up his lunge his swings his kite trying to land a bashing blow on his foe. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2744065/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2744065/) Rolled an 82, skill is 33. A miss I presume.
On a side note, according to the rules I have 13.5 max HP. How do I go about rounding that? Down or up? I didn't catch a mention of it in the rules (or I completely missed it :P )
It's on page 12 in the text box above the skull image. 0.5 and higher round up to the nearest whole number, while 0.4 or lower round down. So, you've got 14 HPs.
Borvr's making an all-out attack again on Engeram.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2747709/
Miss, miss!
Amra> Gelf is running away. If you're going to follow him, you're going to have to leave everyone else behind while you pursue him?
Gunnar lashes out at Jhan again. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2747717/
That's a hit!
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2747718/
4 damage. Did you want to block or dodge?
Dodge at 58 (1d100=41) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2747845/)
Good job mate.
Top of the round, which I believe is you, Jhan? Gelf is booking it; Borvr is nearly dead from wounds but is making a last, valiant stand; Gunnar is clearly distraught over the death of his friend, but is still face to face with you, ignoring Sighard for now.
hmmm...Amra takes a few strides after Gelf then stops and heads toward the scrum looking to brain someone from behind with the flat of his sword if possible. If that opportunity does not present itself I will try to pull Norell out of the way.
"Go now", Jhan says quietly trying to hide the tremors in his voice.
"You've lost this, take your dead and wounded and go."
Gelf continues to run across the heath, heedful of nothing. It's a flat run, to the north-east, back in the direction he came from.
Bryce? Sighard, Engeram? Borvr's still wrapped up in melee, Gunnar is standing behind him slowly being surrounded. Both are on their last legs but are refusing to give up yet.
Quote from: Jarulf;413922"Go now", Jhan says quietly trying to hide the tremors in his voice.
"You've lost this, take your dead and wounded and go."
"If you can finish us, then do it, little man!" Borvr shouts. Gunnar's only response is an enraged shout as he swings his sword around himself wildly.
I made my post a couple days ago, lost track of combat order. Want me to redo it or ? It's the first post on this page
"Let the coward run!" Engeram bellows. Kneeling as he lands hard from his jump, he turns his spear over in a hand and thrusts it towards Borvr's gut.
1d100 =86 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2752260/) a miss
Quote from: Llum;414050I made my post a couple days ago, lost track of combat order. Want me to redo it or ? It's the first post on this page
Whoops! I thought that was for last round.
Borvr, brave to a fault and bleeding from a half-dozen different wounds, draws his spear back for another strike at Engeram.
"You may kill me, but the boy's father will not give up!" he shouts as he tries to ram the point into Engeram's gut.
Meanwhile, Gunnar is beyond words. His eyes are bulging with fury as his sword, glinting unnaturally from his prayer to a heathen Geornling god, strikes out for Jhan and Sighard.
Borvr is doing a great strike on Engeram.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2753847/
Hit! Do you want to dodge or parry, Engeram?
Gunnar is doing an all-out attack, one on Jhan and one on Sighard.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2753848/
Two misses!
Amra is approaching from rear looking for an opportunity to pull Norell out of the scrum or brain/hamstring one of the Geornlings...as per my previous post
:)
Engerams failed trust carries through to far. He's unable to bring up his shield, turning on his toe to slip out of the way he takes another ugly blow.
1d100=67 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2753851/) fail.
As the blade draws back, Engeram steps back and raises his shield, covering the most of his body he can. Biting back the pain, "a fine change of toon. First you are your own man, but now a messenger! I'd like to meet his father!"
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2755970/
That's three damage to Engeram.
Back to Jhan.
Borvr grins through bloody teeth at Engeram.
"You would not like to meet his father, especially with Borvr's blood on your hands."
The boy remains paralysed with fear, cowering behind Bryce as far from combat as he dares.
Norrell's out of the scrum right now, in Bryce's arms. Bryce, you're able to cast a healing spell whenever you please without problems.
"Id take a hint from your friend and run while we are feeling generous."
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;415326Norrell's out of the scrum right now, in Bryce's arms. Bryce, you're able to cast a healing spell whenever you please without problems.
The young sorcerer places his hands upon the dwarf's wound while muttering his incantation.
Roll = 16 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2756577/) vs battle-magic skill of 64. Success! Magnitude = 3, so 3 hit points healed.Bryce's brow becomes covered with a bright sheen of sweat as the the spell takes its toll in fatigue. However, the effort is well compensated, as Norrell's wound begins to knit itself together.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;415326*snip*
Norrell's out of the scrum right now, in Bryce's arms. Bryce, you're able to cast a healing spell whenever you please without problems.
coolAs Amra draws near from behind/flank (?) he say LOUDLY"By all the gods let us stop this fighting!"
thereby letting the Geornlings know another comes to join the fray...
Cursing himself for a fool in trying to talk reason to these men, in the middle of combat at that, Jhan brings his sword down in tight arc aiming for Gunnar's leg.
The slash is decent, but at the last instant his foot slips a little, just enough to throw his aim .
Attack Gunnar (1d100=55) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2756826/) Missed by 5% unless there's a bonus of some sort. (hands over cash)
Quote from: Akrasia;415431Bryce's brow becomes covered with a bright sheen of sweat as the the spell takes its toll in fatigue. However, the effort is well compensated, as Norrel's wound begins to knit itself together.
Damn it! Norel thinks to himself irritated,
blasted itch just won't stop how much I scratch it! I just want to sleep some more for slag's sake!Despite his overwhelming urge to ignore the annoying itch and go back to sleep, Norel opens his eyes groggily and takes a moment to focus his vision. At first, he still thought he was dreaming when he saw someone's face hovering over him, but, as he moved slightly, the light reflected off the sheen on Bryce's face, and then, in a moment of crystallized clarity, the wounded dwarven warrior realizes what is happening.
"Slag!" Norel exclaims softly to himself, upset with the fact that he is in this state of circumstance.
Norel quickly moves his head around to look around himself and Bryce, and quickly realizes that he's lying on the ground and that the battle is still raging somewhere nearby.
Looking up into Bryce's face, Norel says with a grunt as he tries to get up,
"thank you. Now, help me up, Boyo!"=======================================
OoC: Norel is at 3 positive hit points now. Thanks Bryce!
I'm gonna be in New York until Friday. I'll try to get on when I can, but I'm gonna be running around a lot and can't promise anything. Feel free to post in the meantime, of course.
Seeing Norrel stand back up, Gunnar groans. His fury has exhausted itself, and the length of the battle has tired him. He rocks unsteadily on his feet, bleeding from numerous wounds, and tosses his sword at Jhan's feet in surrender.
"Enough!" He drops to one knee with his head hanging limply and sweat pouring down his face. He glances over to Stumvr's body once, and then raises his head slightly to look at Jhan.
"Enough! I yield!"
Borvr spits out a curse in Geornish, but is too busy with Engeram to punish his comrade.
Managed to worm my way out of the Big Apple.
Norrell, you're back in initiative.
Approaching Borvr from flank/rear looking to wound/unbalance should he keep fighting.
Once again Amra shouts "THIS FIGHT IS DONE,YIELD OR PERISH"
Shall I roll?
Quote from: skofflox;416878Approaching Borvr from flank/rear looking to wound/unbalance should he keep fighting.
Once again Amra shouts "THIS FIGHT IS DONE,YIELD OR PERISH"
Shall I roll?
Borvr's on the brink of death and in a frenzy, so you can roll Influence, but it's at -25%. He's just not really listening to reason or thinking sensibly at this point.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;416874Norrell, you're back in initiative.
OOC: Norel is going to cast Divine Heal (Divine Magic; magnitude 2) as his next action. He has an INT 14.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;416890Borvr's on the brink of death and in a frenzy, so you can roll Influence, but it's at -25%. He's just not really listening to reason or thinking sensibly at this point.
-25 is more than my Influence % ! Amra stands back shaking his head at the wasted life...If Borvr looks to be rallying Amra will try to disrupt his actions...
Sorry guys, I injured my foot at Ground Zero and got laid up with it longer than I thought I would be.
I believe it's Sighard and Engeram. The only Geornling still fighting is Borvr, and he's on the brink of death. Norrel and Bryce are back from combat near to the boy. Jhan is standing about 1m to the side with Gunnar on his knees in front of him, and Amra is behind the melee, shouting at Borvr who is ignoring him.
Engeram squints his eyes and focuses for a moment, drawing up the courage to finish this -- his first ever kill. He then lunges forward and drives the spear strait for the heart.
1d100=51 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2767119/) That is a hit!
1d8=3, 1d4=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2767120/) Total 6.
Sorry to hear about your foot. I hope it gets well soon. :)
Does Norel have to make a Battle Magic Casting roll to cast his Divine Heal spell, or away from the combat enough that he doesn't have to roll?
Quote from: Llum;412635Sighard steels himself and lunges are the enraged Gunnar. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2744063/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2744063/) Rolled an 18, skill is 58.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2744064/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2744064/) Rolled 7 damage.
Following up his lunge his swings his kite trying to land a bashing blow on his foe. http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2744065/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2744065/) Rolled an 82, skill is 33. A miss I presume.
On a side note, according to the rules I have 13.5 max HP. How do I go about rounding that? Down or up? I didn't catch a mention of it in the rules (or I completely missed it :P )
This is me up
Quote from: Cranewings;417638Engeram squints his eyes and focuses for a moment, drawing up the courage to finish this -- his first ever kill. He then lunges forward and drives the spear strait for the heart.
1d100=51 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2767119/) That is a hit!
1d8=3, 1d4=3 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2767120/) Total 6.
Borvr's hand flashes out to one side to distract you as his other prepares a vicious stab with his spear. But your aim is true, and his distraction is for naught. Your spear plunges through his armour, through his ribs, into his heart.
Brave Borvr's hands drop his own spear, and clutch yours ineffectually. His eyes bulge in confusion and disbelief, but he only has time to open his mouth before he slumps forward. The weight of his body pushes your arm and weapon down, so that the butt of the spear rests on the frozen, blood-stained ground.
"Borvr!" Gunnar shouts in dismay, unable to help his friend.
"Oh God, Borvr!" shouts the young man you've just saved, his eyes welling up.
Engeram looks at the healer with a quick, regretful glance, drops the spear and takes a few steps backwards away, staring.
Amra shakes his head as the fight plays out.Gasping as Borvr falls, Amra's sword arm relaxes.
Turning away from the gore misted rime he walks back to retrieve his gear.
The young sorcerer brushes a lock of dark blond hair off of his sweaty brow. Scowling in concentration, his eyes appear to become unfocused for a few seconds. Communicating with his raven familiar, Bryce asks: "Devin, what do you see? Anymore ruffians in the area?"
His grey eyes become aware of his immediate surroundings again. Bryce asks the boy, "Are you okay, lad? Not too shaken?"
"What have you gotten us involved with, boy?" Norel asks the young lad after seeing his reaction to Borvr's fall.
Soaring high in the noonday air, Devlin's keen eyes see only Gelf fleeing in a north-easterly direction, possibly towards a manor in the far distance. It will be many hours of travel over rough ground before he can reach it though. Otherwise, the land around you appears desolate.
The boy wipes his nose pitifully and looks at Bryce and Norrel. He adjusts his grip on the piglet, which is squealing and struggling.
"I'm well, sirs. I've seen men die before..."
Gunnar interrupts him with a defiant quip in accented Moragnian.
"Boy's father is chief of Wolf Hall. Mother's milk is death. Father's cruelty, maybe not bravery."
The boy's face flushes, and his voice raises.
"My father is not me! Sirs, Borvr and Gunnar and the others were sent by my father. I've... I've run away. I don't want to be a robber!"
Gunnar sneers.
"Blood is blood, Daniel." He spits red-stained saliva at the ground for emphasis.
Norel gives Gunnar a hard look and says, "while there is truth to your words, those words are not absolute."
Turning to the boy, Norel asks him compassionately, "why would you want to run away from your father and home?"
After collecting his gear Amra saunters back to the group...
Quote from: Drohem;418190Norel gives Gunnar a hard look and says, "while there is truth to your words, those words are not absolute."
Turning to the boy, Norel asks him compassionately, "why would you want to run away from your father and home?"
"My father is Baron Robert Fitzwell of Wolf Hall, sir. He is a wicked man, God forgive me for saying so. I am old enough now that he wishes me to join him and go about murdering and robbing!" Daniel sags.
"I have seen him do terrible things, sir, and I do not wish to join him in his wicked ways."
Gunnar seems calmer on the issue. He's dabbing the blood off his face with the hem of his undertunic while still down on one knee.
"Father is rich man. Lots of silver if you bring boy back home."
Ignoring Gunnar, Bryce says to the boy: "There is no shame in abandoning the vile ways of one's father. The Hidden God judges by deeds, not blood alone."
The sorcerer pauses for a few moments, and then asks: "Tell me, Daniel, does Wolf Hall lie to the north-east, about a day's journey?"
I will be travelling for the next few days, so I may not be able to post again until Monday.
"I hate to say it, but it might not have been wise to let him return." No doubt, Wolf Hall will have a swift answer for what just happened here...." Engeram says lightly, looking into the distance, "we could go after him."
Coming up to the group as Engeram speaks Amra chimes in..."He is running with one of my shafts in his arm. He will be losing blood, making it easier to follow his route. Perhaps he is weakened enough to be caught without a fight?"
While looking at the boy, Norel says, "what has been made this day cannot be unmade. Let him go, as we will let Gunnar go."
Addressing Gunnar, he says, "tell Baron Fitzwell that his man Borvr died well fulfilling his oaths. Tell the Baron what has transpired here this day and give him my name. Tell him that Daniel has declared himself a man and is leaving his father's hall. Tell him that I can be found in the village of Breakwood."
Daniel nods in answer to Bryce's question.
"Just under a day's travel, sir. My father's arms are a black handprint on a grey field. Please be careful, sir. I couldn't bear if your kindness to me was repaid with bloodshed by him."
Daniel sets the piglet down, and it squirms up against him oinking timidly. He shields his eyes from the noonday sun as he looks back in the direction of Wolf Hall.
"If you see those hills in the distance, they are the furthest holding of my father. The Geornlings who serve him often go hunting in them." The hills he points at are still miles away, but there's only desolate heath between this wooded pond and them.
Gunnar groans as he gets up off his knees. He starts peeling off blood-soaked and sword-cut clothes and throwing them in a pile on the ground while he looks his wounds over. He inspects his naked, heavily tatooed body with a barbarian's lack of modesty and pokes a previously hidden shallow cut on his side tenderly.
"Agh! I will, Norrel Geornling-Killer. Leave me my sword to dig ground and bury poor Stumvr. Dirt is still frost-wormed."
I'm leaving the game guys. I have too many distractions presently to keep up with more than a few games.
Have fun.
A shocked look momentarily crosses Norel's face, as if the dwarven warrior was struck a physical blow by Gunnar's words 'Norrel Geornling-Killer.' Norel looks around him at his companions, the boy, the dead, and then back to Gunnar. Anyone looking at the dwarf can see that he is struggling with emotion for a moment. Finally, Norel exhales a deeply and evenly through his teeth, looks Gunnar in the eyes, and nods his head in acknowledgment.
Norel clears his throat and says, "if you will have my help, then I would aid you in digging the grave."
Quote from: Jarulf;418984I'm leaving the game guys. I have too many distractions presently to keep up with more than a few games.
Have fun.
cheers and happy holidays!:)
Quote from: Drohem;419029*snip*
Norel clears his throat and says, "if you will have my help, then I would aid you in digging the grave."
bowing my head for a moment then nodding at Norel's comment..."I will help dig this mans grave" indicating the still steaming body..."he fought with heart and skill,he deserves no less."
Engeram paces back and forth, apparently shaken and angry. He doesn't offer to help, and seems to be holding a great deal of rage back. As more time passes from the fight, he seems to become more unsettled.
After a few minutes, he walks off and sits against a tree, watching you dig the grave.
Quote from: Jarulf;418984I'm leaving the game guys. I have too many distractions presently to keep up with more than a few games.
Have fun.
Sorry to hear that mate, best of luck.
Sighard wipes his blade down, sheathing it. Grim faced he regards the others "News will arrive to Wolf Hall one way or another. No sense in chasing after a wounded man, I think that our original business is more pressing".
Gathering up his gear he walks off to the side, taking a spot near Enegram keeping an eye on the lad.
Gunnar nods to Norrel and Amra, and begins digging with his hands and a dagger from his belt that was overlooked, unless someone will give him a shovel.
It takes an hour to get even a few feet down in both pits, since the earth here is rocky and just-thawed. Still, you're making good time with the three of you working as you carve out two graves on a rough east-west axis.
Daniel comes over to Engeram and says "Thank you, sir. You saved me. I hope to reach Carlaw and take holy orders with the Dombatians. I shall say a prayer for all of you and ask the Hidden God to forgive your sins as well as my own, sir." He puts his hand on your shoulder and gives you a restrained smile.
Finally Gunnar judges the holes deep enough, and pulls Stumvr and Borvr in by their feet. He's somewhat rough with the bodies until he gets them exactly where he wants them. Then with a surprising gentleness from the hardened Geornling mercenary, he folds their arms over and closes their eyes and mouths. He lays out each mans' arms on his body, and stands up. He gives a short, melancholy funeral oration which goes:
"Borvr was chiefling of Arnt and Verkunr. Father was Banst, chief of Arntlings. Brothers are Mervr and Olin and Colvr and Venkt. Sons are Banst and Vikold and Mervr. Hands red with blood and gold every day of life.
Stumvr was shieldman of Borvr. Father was Ori, thrall of Banst. Brothers are Aerwin and Torvr and Gunnar. No sons bear his name. Once swam ice river to save Borvr.
Sleep now, Borvr and Stumvr."
He mumbles a prayer to one of his heathen gods and after a few moments of standing silently, sits down against a rock to nurse his wounds further.
After the bodies are laid to rest and Gunnar speaks his peace, Norel brushes the dirt off his clothes as the best he can. Once everything is order, he looks up to see Gunnar sit down and examine his wounds.
Norel walks over to Gunnar and says, "I have healing magic and I would heal you if you let me."
"Stumvr," he continues respectfully, "was brave as well and fulfilled his oaths given."
Bryce stands aloof from the activities of the others. As Amra, Norrel, and Gunnar bury the dead, the sorcerer asks Daniel, "Will you journey to Carlaw alone, lad? Have you adequate monies and supplies?"
Quote from: Drohem;419955...
Norel walks over to Gunnar and says, "I have healing magic and I would heal you if you let me."
"Stumvr," he continues respectfully, "was brave as well and fulfilled his oaths given."
Upon hearing Norrel's words, the sorcerer rolls his eyes in dismay.
"Magnanimity in victory may be a virtue, according to the teachings of the Hidden God," he thinks to himself, "but this dwarf is turning it into a vice!"Coughing loudly, Bryce remarks, "While your kindness to this vicious and murderous brigand is most touching, Master Norrel, surely we should conserve our energies, and attend to the pressing needs of the innocent villagers who suffer as we speak?"
Engeram nods to the boy and pats him on the shoulder stiffly, looking away with a worried glance. Turning back to him, "I think that is a fine plan. I'd hurry if I were you."
Then, to the group, "I sense it is time to move along. Lets get a few hours of travel in."
"You misspeak yourself, Bryce," Norel looks Bryce in the eyes and says, "I saw no brigandry nor murder done by these Geornlings this day."
Quote from: Drohem;420209"You misspeak yourself, Bryce," Norel looks Bryce in the eyes and says, "I saw no brigandry nor murder done by these Geornlings this day."
The sorcerer scowls in puzzlement at the dwarf's words.
"These men serve Baron Robert Fitzwell, a brigand and murderous lord -- in the words of his own son! Moreover, these henchmen were sent by said brigand lord to forcibly retrieve young Daniel
against the lad's will. Perhaps such craven henchmen are chivalrous knights in your estimation, but they are not in mine."
Bryce then shrugs, and adds, "If you feel it necessary to continue to aid this Geornling scoundrel, I will not oppose your misguided charity. However, I ask you to remember the villagers who suffer as we indulge this cutthroat."
The sorcerer then turns to Daniel and says, "I am reluctant to let you wander off on your own into such dangerous territory, lad. However, it likely would be dangerous to accompany us. You are welcome to do so, though, if that is your choice. You are your own man, now, to do as you choose."
"Ah, your words reveal you naivety," Norel says with a sense of understanding to Bryce, "if not your foolishness. Do you know Baron Robert Fitzwell? Do you know of his reputation? I have not heard of this man personally, nor his reputation. No, Bryce, it your words that are misguided this day. Do not suppose to know my mind, nor to remind me of anything."
Looking toward Daniel, he continues, "in regards to Daniel, you are right though. The village of Breakwood is further up the road if want to continue on your own."
After helping Norel with the grave and wiping the worst of the dirt from my clothing I dig a few silvers from my pouch...I come over to the boy,kneeling to get at his eye level ,placing one hand on his shoulder "Daniel, I am Amra of Dakon,are you familiar with my homeland?"
"I thank you for your offer, but I will endanger you if I stay. I shall go to Breakwood and see about getting to Carlaw from there, if you please."
Daniel turns to Amra "I have heard of Dakonia, but I don't know anything more than childish stories, sir."
Norel nods at Daniel's words and reaches into his belt pouch. He counts out ten silver coins and then hands the coins to Daniel.
"Here," Norel says, "take it. It will help you get to Carlaw. When you get to Breakwood, speak with Father Walter. He may be able to help you, or find someone in Breakwood who could help you."
================================
OOC: Coins have been deducted from character sheet.
"Well, perhaps when we get back into town you can tell me what you have heard!" I drop 5 silvers onto Norels and squeeze Daniels shoulder before standing,adjusting my gear for travel.
"Thank you sirs!" Daniel gratefully replies.
"I had best be gone. I hope to make Breakwood before Gelf can return to my father with the bad news. I beg you to be on your way before my lord's scouts come."
Daniel touches his forehead respectfully, shoulders the piglet, and heads off south.
Gunnar stands around watching the boy go.
"I am thrall of Borvr who is dead, so I am free. No oaths sworn to chief of Wolf Hall by me. I go back to Arntlings. You never cross my path again, and I never cross yours." He directs this to Bryce and Norrel expectantly.
Norel looks Gunnar in the eyes and nods knowingly in the affirmative, and then simply says, "I understand."
"We really should be going as well. Come on." Engeram starts to walk.
OK, walking time again! It's early afternoon. Are you covering your tracks, or taking steps to be less visible on the heath, or keeping a watch out for patrols from Wolf Hall? It'll slow you down if you are.
Edit: Forgot to bold this as it's OOC
"nothing will slow us down like being killed, everyone, be careful to cover your tracks."
Engeram is doing the best he can to walk on rocky ground and cover his trail. He will also walk out on front, leading by example.
Norel picks his steps cautiously and try not to step in damp ground. He will also try to step in his companions' feet depressions.
"Aye," Norel nods in agreement, "try to step in each others' footprints as well."
following the others example I walk on the rocks and in their tracks while occasionaly scanning the horizon,bow in hand.
Sighard follows the group, taking up position as rear guard.
Weapons at the ready, it takes longer to traverse the heath, but the terrain begins to break up and become more rugged around mid-afternoon. Deep ridges and gorges begin to appear sporadically, and after crossing a few of them, you find one that seems the most likely to be the southernmost branch of the river on Adalbert's map.
Following it for another hour, you can feel the temperature drop as the wind picks up. There are still occasional patches of snow up here, mostly in the lees of stones and hills. The gorge begins to level out and you can see the southernmost hill on Adalbert's map aglow in the late afternoon sun.
Beyond it, to the north-west, an evergreen forest swaddles a solitary, low mountain with a rounded top. Somewhere on that horn lays the lost shrine of Rondag, and the monk's hidden treasure.
What's the plan here? It's late afternoon, with maybe three or four hours to sunset. You estimate you're about an hour and a half from the base of the mountain, just south-east of the rightmost / easternmost hill on Adalbert's map and a little north of the river before it comes onto his map from the southern edge. You haven't seen any signs of the Baron's patrols yet. Out here you've got good sight-lines and can see anything coming, but the forest looks thick and might hide you better if you do decide to camp.
There's no sign of the path to Rondag at your current distance, but you can see that the eastern slope of the mountain is more shallow than the western side, which is where Adalbert claimed to have found the path. In both cases, it's thickly treed and would be slow going.
Images are of the gorge you follow and the hill you're nearest to.
Seeing the mountain in the distance, Norel suggests to his companions, "let's make for the base of the western side of the mountain, and make camp just above the tree line. This will provide us with some cover, and we still will have a good line of sight back onto the heath. What do you think?"
Engeram replies,"good plan. Let's keep going for a while."
Bryce says little during the march, preferring to keep his own counsel. He shrugs indifferently at the dwarf's suggestion, apparently still perplexed and irritated by the other's earlier behaviour.
Wary of potential danger, the sorcerer communicates to Devin: "Let me know if you spot any patrols or other possible threads, my friend."
"Aye, let us continue." Sighard mentions as he continues to walk in huge strides, " I can scout the heavy forest without being slowed by the trees, that should allow us to find the path very quickly" .
I have a spell that lets me walk through rough terrain/heavy forest as if it was open. Should help me track down the path quick-like.
Amra nods at the others suggestion "To the woods then."
You make good time and reach the forest at the base of the mountain's eastern side in just over an hour. The land rolls up gently for several hundred yards until ahead it forms into short cliffs and ridges that become true mountain. There's a mist or fog rolling through the trees, not so badly that you can't see, but enough to cast a gloomy pall over the green leaves. It's also cold, colder even than the approach was.
Bryce, Devin doesn't see anyone coming by the time you hit the treeline. Either the Baron is incurious, or his men went in completely the wrong direction, or he is planning some wicked stratagem, or the cunning lord has a charm which Devin can't see through. It's unclear which, but perhaps unwise to underestimate him.
The forest seems to have grown to confound passers-by. There are clear patches and thickets, but the clear patches all curl away from the mountain itself, while the thickets lay in your path. Still, swords and spells ought to be able to clear a path.
Images are of the spooky forest. Sighard, your spell will definitely help. Give me a casting roll for it.
If I understand everyone correctly, the plan is to press on and find the path, correct? There'll be some climbing involved, and if you take too long, that may mean in the dark.
I'll take Perception tests from everyone. Sighard's spell means you don't take penalties to the roll if he succeeds. Otherwise, it's at a -25% due to brambles, thickets, fog, lighting, etc. It's like everything that could interfere with you is trying to.
"Whether we find the path or not," Norel says to his companions, "let's set up camp before the day's light is completely gone."
====================================
OOC: Norel's Perception (48%) skill check is 61% (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2789116/), which fails. As I understand the situation, we only have about 30 minutes of daylight left, correct?
Quote from: Drohem;422804"Whether we find the path or not," Norel says to his companions, "let's set up camp before the day's light is completely gone."
====================================
OOC: Norel's Perception (48%) skill check is 61% (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2789116/), which fails. As I understand the situation, we only have about 30 minutes of daylight left, correct?
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2789151/
(FAIL)
nodding my head at Norels suggestion as I glance quikly about in the deepening mist...which confounds my senses...muttering "No bow work here."
30 minutes or so of true daylight, plus 1 hour or so of dusk.
Sighard focuses briging forth his natural magic. Keeping an eye out for the path he says "We should have no trouble finding the path before dark, and hopefully complete our journey on the morrow."
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2789426/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2789426/)Roll of 16, skill is 27% so a successs I believe.
Perception roll http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2789429/ (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2789429/) is a 6. Skill is 20%. ANother success if my spell goes off, if not a chance.
Bryce seems lost in thought.
Sighard, this may remind you of other times you've tracked prey through the woods. The boughs unfurl to open a pathway through, and you lead the party around to the south-eastern slope.
Everyone passes the path without realising it. But after a few minutes, as the rock starts to curl around, you, Sighard, double back and find the path, hidden behind a clump of frost-covered sumac. Through the bushes, and the path opens up.
The last rays of dusk are shining through the trees, and the path has just wide enough a space to camp on it, if you so please.
Images are of Sighard's spell through the woods and the path you find. Yes, it is in surprisingly good repair and clear of obstructions.
"Great eyes, Sighard!" Norel congratulates him on finding the path in the fading daylight.
"We should camp for the night here," Norel addresses everyone, "now that Sighard has found the path. We should also set up watches in case we're being hunted."
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;423077Yes, it is in surprisingly good repair and clear of obstructions.
Looking thoughtful, Bryce says, "Yes, watches definitely would be a good idea, as I worry that this path is used frequently. I will instruct Devin to keep a keen eye about as well."
Does anyone want to make any special preparations when you camp? Who'll stand watch?
While the rest of the group is preparing the camp, Norel starts gathering branches, and strips some sticks to create a blind for their fire. He positions the blind so that it is interposed between the fire and the direction of the heath.
Once he finished and everyone is settled in the camp for the night, Norel says, "I'll take the third watch. Who else will stand a watch tonight?"
Engeram nods and says, "I'm not tired at all. I'll take first watch."
As everyone is setting up, he walks a short ways back the way they came. Along a narrow point in the trail, he makes a trip wire with his cooking supplies to alert him to anything that comes that way.
Rubbing his temples, Bryce says, "I'm exhausted, and would be grateful for some sleep. I would be happy to take the last watch, as the sight of the dawn always stirs my heart."
watching the preparations and nodding at their efficacy..."I will gladly take the second watch!" in the interim I will check my weapons and gear.
Dusk's rays filter through the trees and the whole forest lights up for a half-hour as if it were on fire, trunks and branches and roots all covered in golden-orange flame. Then the sun drops further, and night comes.
Night-time is still cold, though you've built a little flame to cook some rations on. Sticky, hot-burning pine branches are easy to find, though whoever's on watch has to keep constantly feeding more in as the flame eats them up.
The forest is as quiet as a forest ever is. Trees sway in the wind, and the occasional chirp of an awakened insect tells you spring is well on it way back.
Amra, you're on watch when you clearly hear the sound of men chanting in the distance.
I go to the nearest sleeper and place my hand on their shoulder,nudging gently as I put pointing finger to my lips...
Awakened by his companion, Engeram quickly and quietly douses the fire if it hasn't already been done so and motions for everyone to remain totally quiet as they wake up.
It takes a few moments for Bryce to fully wake up, as the previous day's hike was far more arduous than the scholar's usual very modest exercise regimen.
Stifling a yawn, the sorcerer senses the tension in the air.
"My friend," Bryce says telepathically to his raven familiar, "Do you see anyone approaching our camp?"
Dewin soars through the night sky, his keen eyes less impeded by darkness than yours. A copse of tightly clustered trees within the forest seem to be the source, but when Dewin starts approaching, a cold wind picks up before he can penetrate the branches. The wind blows him badly off-course, and a second approach is no more successful.
He circles round the thicket at a distance to give you a clear view of it, but it's no more, from the outside at least, than a thicket of thornbushes with several large, bushy pines packed close together. The thicket is perhaps a hundred and fifty yards from your camp, unremarkable from the outside.
The chanting is much more distinct to Dewin's ears than yours. It is clearly a prayer being intoned in archaic Moragnian, but it's unclear if it's one voice with an echo, a soloist and choir or some other combination. The prayer is the common "Prayer for the Ill", though few know or use the tune for it any more outside of the monasteries and seminaries.
In an urgent whisper, Bryce says to his comrades, "There seems to an eldritch copse some 150 yards from here. My raven friend Dewin cannot penetrate the cold winds that protect it. It is from that copse that the noises are coming from. I believe that it is the common 'Prayer for the Ill' -- what purpose it serves, I have no idea. Nor can I discern how many chanters are involved."
After a thoughtful pause, the sorcerer continues, "I propose that we travel away from this malevolent copse -- with great haste!"
Norel was awake now and kneeling with his bow in hand. He was scanning the forest around the camp for any signs of movement or sound when Akrasia whispers his warning.
A blend of a concerned look and a confused look crosses Norel's face as he whispers, "is it the ghosts of the monastery? Are we that close?"
Even as he is whispering to his companions, he is sticking arrows point first into the ground in front of him in preparation for an attack on their camp.
Sighard kneels to search through his belongings as he gathers his wits about him. Taking the bottle of blessed holy water in hand he whispers to the others "Is it in the direction of the monastery?".
I start gathering my gear...looking wildly about the dark forest.
Hey guys, Sigmund asked to join the game and I've approved. I'll be working him in when I get the chance.
Dewin is keeping an eye on the thicket and hears a second voice. It's casting a spell. There's a faint glow from the thicket for a second, and then a man comes running out between the bramble bushes on a course roughly parallel to your position.
Running at us (i.e., has to run past our location)? Or just parallel to us from his starting point? Can we see if he's looking in our direction?
Quote from: Drohem;426061Running at us (i.e., has to run past our location)? Or just parallel to us from his starting point? Can we see if he's looking in our direction?
Parallel to you from his starting point. He's going to pass about 50m to the west of you at closest approach.
Alric, are you looking around as you run? Yelling?
Quote from: Sigmund;426018Hey ya'all, very happy to be joining the game :) For this game I will be...
Character Name: Alric Quintin
Race: Human (Moragnian)
Homeland: Moragne
Fellowship: Charred Men
Education: University of Carlaw
Player: Sigmund
Campaign: Moragne
=== CHARACTERISTICS ===
12 = STR
14 = CON
13 = DEX
11 = SIZ
18 = INT
18 = POW
08= CHA
=== ATTRIBUTES ===
00 = Damage Modifier
13 = Hit Points
07 = Major Wound Level
18 = Magic Points
15 = Movement Rate
02 = Hero Points
=== PRACTICAL SKILLS ===
40 = Athletics
38 = Craft
31 = Deception
31 = Driving
28 = Engineering
28 = Healing
18 = Influence
31 = Mechanisms
18 = Performance
66 = Perception
41 = Riding
31 = Sailing
36 = Streetwise
18 = Trade
=== KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ===
28 = Culture (Moragnian)
78 = Language (Morag)
28 = Nature Lore
58 = Lore (Sorcery)
=== RESISTANCES ===
43 = Dodge
50 = Persistence
40 = Resilience
=== MAGIC SKILLS ===
54 = Battle Magic Casting
72= Sorcery Casting
26 = Religion (Hidden God)
=== COMBAT SKILLS ===
45 = Close
41 = Ranged
25 = Unarmed
=== EQUIPMENT ===
Linen armor (Leather Armor equivalent): Grey linen loose-sleeved, hooded and belted robe with the symbol of the Charred Men on the left breast worn over a thick linen shirt, thick linen pants, leather boots, and leather gloves (AP 2; Enc 3)
Quarterstaff (1d8; Enc 2)
Light crossbow (1d8; range 125; Load 2; Enc 1)
Quiver
30 Crossbow bolts
Dagger (1d4+1)
Backpack
Rope, 10m
Traveling rations (2 weeks)
Flint and tinder
Craft Tools
Water skin (Enc 1)
Bedroll (Enc 1)
Writing Kit (1 Enc)
10 Papyrus sheets
Slingbag
Lg. Sack
Torch X 5
016 = Current Silver
=== SPELLS ===
Create Magic Point Store (BM)
Cast Back (Sor)
Mystic Vision (Sor)
Neutralize Magic (Sor)
Energy Projection, Fire (Sor)
Smother (Sor)
Glow (Sor)
Damage Resistance (Sor)
Spirit Resistance (Sor)
Description: Alric is a fit young man (late 20s) with short (roman style) black hair and a neatly trimmed black beard, medium complexion, and clear blue eyes. Along the left side of his face from his chin up past his nose and close to the corner of his left eye into his hairline, then back to his left ear and back down along his jawline is an old, ugly burn scar. Other than the scar, his face is rather non-descript, with plain structure and a lack of notable features.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;426065Parallel to you from his starting point. He's going to pass about 50m to the west of you at closest approach.
Alric, are you looking around as you run? Yelling?
OOC: I'm looking for where to run next, but unless you tell me otherwise, I would have no reason to expect yelling to produce any results other than to draw even more attention to myself from undesirable elements out here in the wilderness.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;425966Hey guys, Sigmund asked to join the game and I've approved. I'll be working him in when I get the chance.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;426065*snip*
Alric, are you looking around as you run? Yelling?
Quote from: Sigmund;426073OOC: I'm looking for where to run next, but unless you tell me otherwise, I would have no reason to expect yelling to produce any results other than to draw even more attention to myself from undesirable elements out here in the wilderness.
ooc: Welcome!:)
I drop my hastily gathered gear and whip my scimitar from its sheath...going into a wild eyed crouch...(gods guide me from this dark wood)
OOC: What does this man look like? What is he wearing? What nationality/culture does he appear to be?
Quote from: Drohem;426118OOC: What does this man look like? What is he wearing? What nationality/culture does he appear to be?
Grey linen loose-sleeved, hooded and belted robe worn over a thick linen shirt, thick linen pants, leather boots, and leather gloves.
A fit young man (late 20s) with short (roman style) black hair and a neatly trimmed black beard, medium complexion, and clear blue eyes. Along the left side of his face from his chin up past his nose and close to the corner of his left eye into his hairline, then back to his left ear and back down along his jawline is an old, ugly burn scar. Other than the scar, his face is rather nondescript, with plain structure and a lack of notable features.
He looks a bit scared and seems intent on putting distance between himself and the copse he just vacated.
OOC: I don't know if Pseudo wants any kind of roll to determine nationality or possible profession
He doesn't look like a Geornling, Norel thinks to himself as he tries to assess the situation.
"Hey! You! Over here! Quickly!" Norel says loudly to catch the fleeing man's attention.
Quote from: Sigmund;426646OOC: I don't know if Pseudo wants any kind of roll to determine nationality or possible profession
Profession probably wouldn't be clear under the circumstances, nationality can be pretty reasonably be presumed to be Moragnian.
The sound of the chanting is fading as the Alric flees from the copse of trees, trailing bracken behind him. In its place, a cold wind, more appropriate to the depths of winter than your spring night is starting to pick up and roll down the mountainside. The little fire you've got lit is guttering, but what light does come from it shows only the man and yourselves and the path and the trees around you.
Quote from: Drohem;426672He doesn't look like a Geornling, Norel thinks to himself as he tries to assess the situation.
"Hey! You! Over here! Quickly!" Norel says loudly to catch the fleeing man's attention.
Hearing the call, Alric pauses for only a moment before veering towards Norel, calling out, "I am Alric Quintin of Carlaw and mean you no harm, but beware as spirits are at work in that copse!"
Norel stands and notches an arrow into his bow as looks in the direction of the copse, "what do you mean by spirits, Alric?"
Quote from: Drohem;426828Norel stands and notches an arrow into his bow as looks in the direction of the copse, "what do you mean by spirits, Alric?"
Alric approaches the group's camp breathlessly, keeping his staff lowered and chokes out, "The spirits appear... whew... as ghostly skeletons... wha... that were chanting the Prayer... whew... for the Ill.... I don't know why... whoooo... I just awoke and they were there."
upon hearing this talk of spirits I instinctively grip my sword a bit tighter as I reach for my shield then stepping away from my piled gear for clear footing
ready for action as the man enters our camp
"Well met Alric!"
The wind's force rises quickly. Pine needles, sodden leaves, small branches and other bits of the forest are whipping down the side of the mountain at high speeds. Overhead, trees are bending and branches breaking. One of the clouds overhead unblocks moon as the wind blows it off, and a ray of white moonlight illuminates the grove's exterior.
You can see something that looks like a strip of white cloth glowing from the pale light. It flutters just out of sight, attached to something deeper in the copse that's still hidden.
"Perhaps we should retire to the heath and return to the mountain during daylight," Norel suggests to the others.
shaking my head in the affirmative at Norels suggestion,looking to the others.
"Well met, very much good sirs, as I am overjoyed to be in company of other living souls this night after the vision I have just witnessed. I fully support removing ourselves to another place as far from that cursed copse of trees as we can, then I can relate to you folks the story of how I have happened to be here. Until then suffice it to say that I am Alric Quintin, a sorcerer of the Charred Men of Carlaw, and now currently unemployed." Alric says as he secures the straps of his pack more tightly about himself, "It is fortuitous that I had not removed my pack and was using it to lie against for just such a possible emergency, although ghostly spirits are not what I feared to encounter to be sure."
Norel puts his bow and arrows away, and then begins to unceremoniously and hastily pack his bedroll away while Alric is speaking.
"A spirit that is reciting prayer? Perhaps this is the spirit that haunts that haunts the monastery, should we not confront it?" argues Sighard. He holds high the glass bottle of blessed water, "We are well prepared, and finding the trail was difficult".
Bryce eyes the newcomer suspiciously, but nods in agreement when Alric recommends fleeing from the haunted copse.
"I repeat my earlier recommendation that we proceed, with all possible haste, away from here!"
The sorcerer ensures that he has all of his equipment on his person, and makes impatient gestures indicating that the others should join him in fleeing.
"Monastery?"Alric asks with a puzzled expression, "You are seeking these spirits?"
Norel nods affirmatively toward Alric as he puts his backpack on, "yes, but I think searching the monastery in the light of day would be best. It's wise to attack your enemy when they are at their weakest. I admit that I don't know much about spirits, but this event confirms the rumors of activity at night that I've heard."
Addressing everyone else, "you all ready? Good, let's move now!"
Alric smiles at Bryce and Norel, saying, "I look forward to learning more about you all and hope to show my gratitude for this fortuitous meeting if I can. The spirits in the wood are best confronted in the light of day I think." With that he moves through the camp towards the direction opposite the copse of trees he so recently vacated.
gear messily gathered I stumble after them nodding and looking about wide eyed...
If I understand correctly you're relocating your camp? Where to? Remember that you're currently at the start of the path, so going further down the hill means leaving it behind. It shouldn't be too difficult to find your way back in the morning, hopefully.
As he waits for the group to gather their gear, Alric says, "If this is the head of a trail you were searching for, perhaps we can mark it with a strip of cloth tied to a branch so that it is easier to find upon our return. I have an empty sack that would serve for this purpose nicely I think." Alric digs his large sack out of his backpack and hands it to Sighard.
"You have my thanks Alric" says Sighard as he buts the glass of blessed water back with his belongings and ties the sack to a nearby tree, highly visible. Gathering the rest of his belongings he looks to the others "Let us be off quickly then, before this spirit looks to us".
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;427097If I understand correctly you're relocating your camp? Where to?
Off the mountain and down to where it meets the heath.
Quote from: Drohem;427173Off the mountain and down to where it meets the heath.
Okay
Engeram nods to the newcomer, still pacing and staring into the woods suspiciously.
"Forgive me, this night doesn't sit well with me. I've been on edge sense our last encounter. The name is Engeram."
You slowly pack your things and creep down the hillside buffeted by the unnatural wind the entire time. Its unnatural character is emphasised by its failure to reach beyond the forest. It stops mere feet before the trees marking the terminus between woods and heath.
Overhead, the moon is a waxing, pale orb that sheds enough light for a crude re-establishment of camp, and you may settle down to sleep once more.
Fire down here on the heath? And is there anything anyone wanted to do before sleeping and waking up the next morning, or shall I move directly to it?
Unless anyone objects, then we should make a fire. I'm cool with moving forward.
I say no fire but don't object if the others say yes.
I continue my watch...
Alric will silently accompany the group, responding when spoken to but otherwise remaining quiet and will support any choices made about where to stop and how to set camp.
Hi Guys,
I'm in the midst of a big move now, to be followed with annual Saturnalia festivities, so posting will be spotty (at best) for the next week.
OOC: Was gone for a couple days myself, but back now and ready to continue when everyone else is.
The rest of the night passes without interruption, though the unnatural wind continues to blow throughout it. In the morning, you can see a light dusting of snow on the trees, though out on the heath with you it's bright and warm.
The snow actually makes it easy to retrace your steps, as does the path you knocked through the overgrowth last night as you retreated down the hill. Not only is the snow only within the forest's limits, but it affects only a small corridor, perhaps 100m wide, stretching from somewhere beyond your camp last night to the edge of the forest you're camped outside of.
Following it back up to the path again, you can see that the line of frost is at a shallow angle that cuts across the tip of it and follows you, rather than coating it. The path itself remains clear.
Am I correct in assuming you want to follow the path? If so, are there any precautions you're taking before you head down it? Let me know now if there are. ;)
Awakening with the dawn, Alric gathers his gear, saying, "I understand you fellows are planning to confront the spirits of this place, and wish to offer my services in this task, as I might be of some small use in such an endeavor, and as well I would feel safer to be in the company of other living souls, especially ones of such obvious competence, rather than continue alone. I would be grateful to be sure."
After packing gear...stamping feet in the frosty morn as our breath issues in plumes "I for one am glad to have another doughty traveller as companion. Welcome Alric,graced by the sun our path be true!" bowing in a traditional Dakon salutation.
As Norel is finishing adjusting the straps on his pack and his weapon belt, the dwarven warrior looks up to everyone and says, "does anyone know anything concrete about dealing with spirits?"
Turning to Alric, he smiles and says, "aye, I have no issue with you joining us, Alric. You wouldn't happen to be a specialist in the supernatural, would you?"
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;429207...
Am I correct in assuming you want to follow the path? If so, are there any precautions you're taking before you head down it? Let me know now if there are. ;)
I will instruct Devin to scout ahead of us as we proceed down the path, staying high up, darting above and below the trees, and reporting to me any sign of danger or trouble that he spots.
As Bryce readies his things for the day (including loading a quarrel into his crossbow), he looks at Alric and says, "You look vaguely familiar sir. Perchance did you study at the University of Carlaw, a few years ago?"
Quote from: Akrasia;429605As Bryce readies his things for the day (including loading a quarrel into his crossbow), he looks at Alric and says, "You look vaguely familiar sir. Perchance did you study at the University of Carlaw, a few years ago?"
Alric smiles and says, "I did indeed. I thought you looked familiar."
"Welcome Alric, we are looking for a silver chalice in an old pagan temple." Sighard says, "It goes to help a village that has befallen hard times".
Throwing his pack over his shoulder and hefting the rest of his gear Sighard looks ready to continue on the journey.
"A worthy cause to be sure. What befell this village?" Alric asks as he squints into the morning light.
As you talk, you can fairly easily make your way back to the path, and follow it up to the old temple. The slope curves steeply up into series of cliffs, but the path curves sharply back and forth, and can be walked. It's hard to tell how far up the mountain you've actually come by the time you reach the top - perhaps only a few hundred yards, though it seems like the path itself is almost a mile as it zig-zags up the side. Each level of cliff is just about thick enough to support tall, thick trees with spreading branches that hide the transitions between them.
Still, it's easy enough to spot when you've come to the temple. The path dead-ends at a short stone staircase that goes up to a level platform of tar and gravel supported by ashlar retaining walls. This level of the cliffs seems to vary in depth. To your right you can see the cliff face continue up suddenly after thirty yards, but in front of you it seems like it might go back for a hundred yards or more.
The section you've come upon is an old minster that seems relatively intact. It has a steep pointed roof with a high circular window that's long since shattered, a barred iron door, and thin, narrow windows at ground level. Two low walls look like they once delineated sections of the grounds, but have partially collapsed, and the entire area has been overgrown, with the yard on your right partially infilled with collapsed earth from the cliff.
The platform continues along the left wall for about fifty yards until the cliff face turns. You can see a monument or pillar there, surrounded by bush.
Finally, Dewin reports to Bryce that there is a third structure, further in, in a small clearing. It seems cut into the side of the mountain, and presumably goes deeper in. It has the same monumental character as the minster and pillar, but a different set of designs. Dewin can't interpret them, but he reports that they look like other animals.
OOC: Sorry, I was having some issues with MSPaint and my photo collection. Pictures are of the minster and a bird's eye view of the area you're in. What would you like to do?
Quote from: Sigmund;430419"A worthy cause to be sure. What befell this village?" Alric asks as he squints into the morning light.
As we get on our way...
"A drunk burned up the grain stores, burned up the whole supply along with self! We endevour to get silver to help purchase grain and seed for town. Nice folk there. Some of us have been winter working in town waiting for the Spring so we are feeling friendly to help them."
After a pause..."That is story,how you say,in a nuts shell?"
looking about the trail with a smile (a bit to large...) "Hiya, a fine day for trekking. Ghosts not so scary in sunlight!" as I keep a sharp (darting) eye on the surrounding forest,bow swinging at my side.
...as we approach ruins the bow comes up and an arrow gets nocked...scanning ground for signs of activity,crouching to investigate any likely tracks while keeping apace with my companions.
TRACKING ATTEMPT
roll: 54 http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2827087/
Natural Lore: 50 (no specialization in "survival")
Quote from: skofflox;430545As we get on our way...
"A drunk burned up the grain stores, burned up the whole supply along with self! We endevour to get silver to help purchase grain and seed for town. Nice folk there. Some of us have been winter working in town waiting for the Spring so we are feeling friendly to help them."
After a pause..."That is story,how you say,in a nuts shell?"
looking about the trail with a smile (a bit to large...) "Hiya, a fine day for trekking. Ghosts not so scary in sunlight!" as I keep a sharp (darting) eye on the surrounding forest,bow swinging at my side.
Alric sighs in sadness, "If only I had been there, preventing this sort of tragedy is what I study and practice my craft for. I now more than ever feel the desire to lend my aid to this quest." He walks on in silence for a time.
Approaching the ruins, Alric examines the area closely, prepared to craft a spell if needed.
Everyone who's looking around for danger give me Perception rolls
As the group approaches the structure, Norel goes silent and starts looking around for potential attackers. He walks up the barred door and takes a closer look at it to see if it is truly barred and blocking access inside.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;430617Everyone who's looking around for danger give me Perception rolls
Die roll for Alric
Rolled on: 2011-01-05 10:05:37.682932
1d100 → [37] = (37) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2827446/)
Norel's Perception (48%) check fails with a roll of 58% (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2827525/).
Alric, you can see no signs of anything lurking nearby, whether within the trees, on the roof, or behind the inscribed column. If there is anything, it's staying well hidden. The trees cast long shadows and the dense overgrowth could be hiding secrets further within it, though.
Amra, tracking is difficult here due to the surface hardness of the asphalt, a substance extremely uncommon in Dakonia. No footprints or drag marks score the pebbled surface. Though not a severe wind, a stiff breeze rustles the leaves of the trees and disturbs the little bits of detritus that normally reveal someone's passage.
Anyone who wishes may make a Culture (Moragne) test here. Norrel only: You can make this test with a +25%
Norel fails his Culture (Moragne) check (49% w/ bonus) with a roll of 84% (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2827610/).
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;430617Everyone who's looking around for danger give me Perception rolls
perception skill 43...roll...
76http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2827672/
Die roll for Alric
Campaign: In Search of Folly
Rolled on: 2011-01-05 16:24:36.643990
1d100 → [51] = (51)
Culture (Moragne) test (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2827715/)
No luck, eh? The church looks.... old! ;)
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;430979No luck, eh? The church looks.... old! ;)
Heh, is there any writing or carving visible on the outside of the church? Any stones on the ground that look out of place?
I will take a bead (from partial cover if available nearby) on the doorway/church with bow @ 1/2 draw, a few arrows stuck in ground for easy access as the party forms up to discuss options...murmuring "Ruins peaceful in the daylight" as I move to position.
Quote from: Sigmund;430982Heh, is there any writing or carving visible on the outside of the church? Any stones on the ground that look out of place?
It's actually very sparsely ornamented, which places it as an older church and matches with its supposed monastic origin. The current style is towards the Gothic. The church itself is still well-intact, with all of its walls standing.
From what you know of churches, if that circular window still held glass it would probably have writing on it.
Looking around for stones out of place and writing, you can see a few graves off behind the left wall amongst the trees. They're about as far back as the back corner of the church, maybe 30m.
The column also appears to have something inscribed on it, though you'd have to go over and take a closer look. It's about 50m to your left and is that lonely grey square on the map.
Alric will look to the others and say quietly, "I recommend we examine the column over there before proceeding into the ruins. Does anyone know anything about what befell the monks of this monastery?"
Quote from: Sigmund;431021Alric will look to the others and say quietly, "I recommend we examine the column over there before proceeding into the ruins. Does anyone know anything about what befell the monks of this monastery?"
"Indeed!All the monks slain or driven off many years back. We have been told twas demon possession from locals and fever maddened monk from town priest. Who knows the truth of it?" as I shrug shoulders "Oh, the good father gave us some blessed waters incase." then move off to nearby cover (if available) with bow @ ready.
Norel is examining the entrance. Is it barred from the inside or outside? Does it look like he can open it, or force it open with a good shove?
Alric walks warily towards the column in order to get a better look at it.
The door is not visibly barred. After pushing on it lightly, you can tell it seems stuck. You can see that the door panels have warped and bent slightly. Forcing it will be a Str x 3 check, though if others help you, or can find a battering ram, it'll be easier.
Sigmund, I've attached an image of the pillar. The words on it are written in Thernish, which is one of the root languages of Moragnian (the language you speak). So give me a Language (Moragnian) test at -25% if you don't have Language (Thernish) to translate.
Amra, you can take cover in the shelter of the stairs, so that your lower half is protected. Otherwise, it's fairly bare up here on the asphalt platform.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;431254The door is not visibly barred. After pushing on it lightly, you can tell it seems stuck. You can see that the door panels have warped and bent slightly. Forcing it will be a Str x 3 check, though if others help you, or can find a battering ram, it'll be easier.
Sigmund, I've attached an image of the pillar. The words on it are written in Thernish, which is one of the root languages of Moragnian (the language you speak). So give me a Language (Moragnian) test at -25% if you don't have Language (Thernish) to translate.
Amra, you can take cover in the shelter of the stairs, so that your lower half is protected. Otherwise, it's fairly bare up here on the asphalt platform.
Die roll for Alric
Campaign: In Search of Folly
Rolled on: 2011-01-07 11:11:47.515252
1d100 → [75] = (75)
Language test with target 53 (78-25) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2829963/)
My first roll I screwed up and subtracted the 25 from the roll, so I then realised how that was wrong and just included the penalty in the note with the target number. Seems we're not meant to know anything about this place at all.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;431254*snip*
Amra, you can take cover in the shelter of the stairs, so that your lower half is protected. Otherwise, it's fairly bare up here on the asphalt platform.[/B]
To the left side of the stairway to see both directions,watching for any movement focusing on Norel and Alric. Breathing relaxed....checking the wind.
Quote from: Sigmund;431257My first roll I screwed up and subtracted the 25 from the roll, so I then realised how that was wrong and just included the penalty in the note with the target number. Seems we're not meant to know anything about this place at all.
It doesn't give up its secrets so easily. ;) Gotta get inside to start separating truth from the stories...
Norel walks a few steps away from the door and back to the others and says, "it's stuck, but not barred. Will someone help me shove it open?"
Someone helping will use the STRx5 of the strongest person involved.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;431314It doesn't give up its secrets so easily. ;) Gotta get inside to start separating truth from the stories...
Oh sure, make us work for it ;)
Sighard moves up to help Norel force open the door, leaving his pack within easy reach.
I have a Strength of 14 and Norel of 11. So STRx5 of the strongest (Sighard) would be 70. I'll make a roll.
Roll = 32, Target is 70. A success I hope. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2831746/)
covering flanks...staying relaxed allowing peripheral vision to allert me of any movement in the bush...
Alric continues to study the column, attempting to puzzle out the words.
The iron bands on the doors provide easy handgrips for both of you, Sighard and Norrel. The easiest course of action ends up being kicking at the bottom of the warped doors underneath the lowest iron band until the wood there splinters. There's a section of about fifteen degrees of the door's arc of rotation where it scrapes with resistance, and then it swings freely open.
Though not yet inside, you can see the shaft of light coming down from the circular front window and illuminating a triangle within a circle on the back wall, the sign of the Hidden God. The rest of the church is dark, especially from the contrast out here in the sunlight.
Norel turns away from the doorway and says to his companions, "we're going to need to some light."
The dwarf warrior kneels and takes off his backpack, rummages in it for a second or two, and then produces a lantern with flint and steel. He lights the lantern and sets it down while he returns the flint and steel to his pack, and then returns his pack to his back. He stands up and adjusts the straps so the weight is distributed well.
He picks up the lantern with a satisfied nod and says, "well, we didn't come for nothing. Let's go in."
Quote from: Drohem;431747Norel turns away from the doorway and says to his companions, "we're going to need to some light."
The dwarf warrior kneels and takes off his backpack, rummages in it for a second or two, and then produces a lantern with flint and steel. He lights the lantern and sets it down while he returns the flint and steel to his pack, and then returns his pack to his back. He stands up and adjusts the straps so the weight is distributed well.
He picks up the lantern with a satisfied nod and says, "well, we did come for nothing. Let's go in."
Alric adjusts the straps of his pack and walks over to join Norel and Sighard.
Pictures of the inside layout. Obviously no people, but the same row of arches and pews, with the altar at the far end. Except, the altar is not the picture of Jesus from the first picture, but is the scene depicted in the second.
Holding his lantern in front of him, Norel cautiously enters the church and points the light toward any very dark areas as he steps inside.
The only source of light other than your lantern and the light streaming through the door are the windows in the front of the minster. The altar glows with light from the circular window up top, while the two front windows throw narrow beams of light down the length of the building.
The furniture and goods inside appear to have weathered their long neglect well thanks to the protection of the building, though a thick layer of dust coats everything. A few of the torch sconces have withered sticks in them, but the place appears to have otherwise been abandoned in good order. No detritus, no waste, nothing overturned or damaged or ransacked is immediately visible.
The temperature inside is a few degrees cooler than inside, and there does appear to be a draft somewhere in the building, amplified by the open door. You can hear the sound of paper fluttering from somewhere near the altar and the muffled sounds of nature from outside the church.
My apologies for failing to keep up with this thread recently!
I guess that during this time Bryce has been accompanying Alric in a glum, thoughtful silence, with Dewin flying about nearby, his keen raven eyes scanning the area.
If possible, Bryce will try to decipher the words on the pillar. Roll 69 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2834942/) (Failure even without the -25 modifier; so I guess it doesn't matter either way.)
Alric peers inside the ruin past Sighard and Norel and whispers softly to Bryce, "Perhaps we can come back and try to decipher the writing on the pillar later. Doctor Edwin would be disappointed in me not puzzling out the text when it's obviously related to our tongue... did you have Doctor Edwin? Quite a character, that one."
Corrected for accuracy
Norel will give a glance back to his companions in case anyone wants to stop him from going further for some reason. If no one speaks up, he turn and continue to move cautiously down the center aisle toward the altar. As he moves down the center aisle, he turns his lantern's light to his left and right across the length of the pews.
Quote from: Sigmund;431830Alric peers inside the ruin past Sighard and Norel and whispers softly to Bryce, "Perhaps we can come back and try to decipher the writing on the pillar later. Professor Edwin would be disappointed in me not puzzling out the text when it's obviously related to our tongue... did you have Professor Edwin? Quite a character, that one."
If the Prof's name is inappropriate or you have the name already I can edit the post to correct it :)
Edwin's cool as a name. He'd properly be referred to as a "Doctor" though, a term which is itself a neologism in the setting.
coming up to the entryway I duck inside quickly and keep my bow trained on the shadows as my fellows progress towards the altar...
Ok, so what's the plan here? You can't see any obvious traps or creatures. If they're in here, they're hiding themselves pretty well.
The church itself is fairly simple. The pews are undecorated and bare, and the alcoves underneath the arches are bare as well, though normally they'd have lanterns on them. At the front is a dais with the skull wall and the five bodies rigged up in front of the wall. There's a low altar at their feet and a lectern on your lefthand side of the dais. Lemme know if there's anything specific you want to look for or inspect?
Norel moves up past the chancel and into the sanctuary. He will examine the altar, and look beyond the sanctuary for an exit to the rectory.
Alric approaches the altar, examining the figures and skulls, and the altar.
Quote from: Sigmund;431830Alric peers inside the ruin past Sighard and Norel and whispers softly to Bryce, "Perhaps we can come back and try to decipher the writing on the pillar later. Doctor Edwin would be disappointed in me not puzzling out the text when it's obviously related to our tongue... did you have Doctor Edwin? Quite a character, that one."...
A talented slacker, Bryce lets out an audible sigh at the memory of one of his more strident former instructors.
"Will I ever be free?" he plaintively thinks to himself.
Bryce stays near the doorway, his light crossbow ready. He instructs Dewin to remain outdoors.
seeing Bryce bring his crossbow into play I motion to him and nod,indicating that I will cover the left side as our companions advance...a keen eye on the shadows and possible doorways.
Quote from: Akrasia;432080A talented slacker, Bryce lets out an audible sigh at the memory of one of his more strident former instructors.
"Will I ever be free?" he plaintively thinks to himself.
This is the funniest line in the entire campaign so far. :D
Alric, Norrel, during your inspection of the altar, you can see that there are five posed skeletal monks. Their bones look like they were boiled to remove the flesh from them, and wire holds their bones stiff at the joints. They all wear coarse brown hooded robes with white belts and small rosaries hanging off the belts.
The central three are standing with their hands folded in contemplation or prayer. Each one is fanned out slightly from the others so that they watch both sides of the pews and down the centre aisle. The other two are reclining with folded hands that look like they might have once held something loosely against their chests. Neither skeleton has anything now.
The skulls appear much older than the skeletal monks, and many are set into the plaster on the rear wall. The source of the fluttering also becomes apparent. Alric, you can see that each skull has a small strip of rolled parchment in it. Some of the parchments have come loose and are laying on the floor in the dust.
Norrel, your keen eyes can't see a clear doorway of any sort, but you do detect a seam in the plaster behind the three central skeletons. As well, it seems like the distance you're standing at here against the back wall isn't quite as long as the church building looked from the outside.
Bryce, Amra, everything is calm and quiet for now. Dewin reports that he can't see anyone up here at all as he circles the outcropping from on high.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;432122*snip*
Bryce, Amra, everything is calm and quiet for now.
*snip*
.
Will stay posted till I see Bryce advance/change position. Will work with Bryce to provide effective cover for fellows untill I know more of the situation...
Alric shakes his head at the sight of the monk's remains, and then he stoops and retrieves one of the strips of parchment from the floor, attempting not to touch the skulls or other ornamentation. He will then unroll and examine the parchment.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;432122Norrel, your keen eyes can't see a clear doorway of any sort, but you do detect a seam in the plaster behind the three central skeletons. As well, it seems like the distance you're standing at here against the back wall isn't quite as long as the church building looked from the outside.
Norel will move up to the seam in the plaster, and, as he shines the light from his lantern on the wall behind the three central skeletons, he says in a low tone, "I believe there's a hidden doorway here. Help me look for opening mechanism."
Norel will set his lantern down on the altar behind him and start examining the wall area for some sort of way to open the doorway.
Quote from: Sigmund;432171Alric shakes his head at the sight of the monk's remains, and then he stoops and retrieves one of the strips of parchment from the floor, attempting not to touch the skulls or other ornamentation. He will then unroll and examine the parchment.
"...and on the third night slit a black-feathered cock's throat and let it drain into the brazier..." written in pressed charcoal by a shaking hand.
Quote from: Drohem;432238Norel will move up to the seam in the plaster, and, as he shines the light from his lantern on the wall behind the three central skeletons, he says in a low tone, "I believe there's a hidden doorway here. Help me look for opening mechanism."
Norel will set his lantern down on the altar behind him and start examining the wall area for some sort of way to open the doorway.
It's a straight Perception or Mechanisms test, whichever you prefer.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;432546"...and on the third night slit a black-feathered cock's throat and let it drain into the brazier..." written in pressed charcoal by a shaking hand.
Alric starts gathering any other strips of parchment he can find off the floor, although he doesn't yet touch those in the skulls, and whispers, "Bryce, perhaps you should look at this as well."
Between the stuff on the floor and the strips in each skull, you're looking at perhaps ten or more pages of material. Just the stuff on the floor is five pieces, each of about the same length.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;432553Between the stuff on the floor and the strips in each skull, you're looking at perhaps ten or more pages of material. Just the stuff on the floor is five pieces, each of about the same length.
Alric will gather the pieces on the floor, but I want to wait for Bryce's input and perhaps the opportunity to cast a spell or two before touching the skulls in any way... and yes, I'm paranoid ;)
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;432547It's a straight Perception or Mechanisms test, whichever you prefer.
Norel failed his Perception (48%) test with a roll of 74% (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2838681/).
Bryce cautiously proceeds into the room, crossbow ready to fire if necessary, and eventually joins his senior fellow UC alumnus.
Quote from: Sigmund;432550Alric starts gathering any other strips of parchment he can find off the floor, although he doesn't yet touch those in the skulls, and whispers, "Bryce, perhaps you should look at this as well."
Bryce emits (another) audible sigh upon witnessing Alric's actions and hearing his proposal. After a moment Bryce says, "My friend, there are scores of these scraps. How could we possibly know what order in which they go?"
Despite his mild whine, the young sorcerer cautiously picks up a few strips near his feet.
Norel turns to his companions and says, "does someone with sharp eyes want to take a look at this? I can't seem to find the mechanism to open this secret door."
advancing in time with Bryce towards companions. I will keep back a bit and continue to provide missle cover.
gasping as I get a good look at the alter "By the Hidden God what foulness!"
Alric gathers as many of the strips as he can, then steps over to take a look at what Norel has found.
Die roll for Alric
Campaign: In Search of Folly
Rolled on: 2011-01-14 05:17:44.661349
1d100 → [56] = (56)
perception test vs. perception skill of 66 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2839966/)
Bryce, you're left holding the scraps as Alric goes to help Norrel. There were five on the floor, and the other four are similar to the first. They describe some sort of ritual.
In order of discovery:
"...and on the third night slit a black-feathered cock's throat and let it drain into the brazier..."
"...Stand vigil around the circle saying the prayer of Mazurabn th..."
"... chanting it over an altar, speak aloud the name "MAZURABN" thrice more..."
"... being sure to capture the smoke in the goblet."
"....HALX MEMFORAS SHEMELEM SADOUKRO! PRAISE BE TO THE DREAMING DEAD! OXOR NOMOL..."
None of the pieces fit directly together. The second and third piece look like they came from the same sheet and the first and fourth piece seem to share another sheet.
The seam forms a broad rectangular shape perhaps four yards long and two and a half high, with the skulls placed delicately on either side of the lower sections to leave the seam uncovered but hidden. At this point Norrel, you're somewhat stymied by the lack of an obvious catch until Alric comes over and helps you look.
Alric, while investigating some of the skulls, you happen to look further in from the seam, towards the centre of the panel, and can see a thin steel wire loop poking out from underneath the jaw of one of the skulls in the bottom row. Following it back, you can see it pokes out of a small hole cut in the wall underneath the skull.
Norel claps Alric on the back and says, "a sharp as an eagle, your eyes are! Well done."
Turning to the others, the dwarf warrior inquires, "shall we see what is beyond this door?"
Seeing Bryce with the scraps of paper, he says, "do you need more time, Bryce? Do you think that those scraps are important?"
Anything that anyone would like to do before the loop is pulled?
Alric goes back to examining the strips, attempting to make sense of the writing while muttering to himself under his breath, "I might need a couple minutes my friend, these strips appear to pertain to some ritual that might help explain what happened here. I will not tarry long."
Sure. You have the text of the five strips, written in Moragnian (your native language) albeit in an archaic-looking hand. Anything in particular you're looking for or trying to figure out?
Sighard stands a bit behind Norel, examining the loop. Before anyone goes to pull it he looks into his bag for the glass vial of blessed holy water and pulls it out.
Alric searches his memory for the name "Mazurabn" for any rituals that might involve sacrifice of a "black-feathered cock" or any mention of the "Dreaming Dead".
Not sure what to roll.
Quote from: Sigmund;433402Alric searches his memory for the name "Mazurabn" for any rituals that might involve sacrifice of a "black-feathered cock" or any mention of the "Dreaming Dead".
Not sure what to roll.
Religion (Hidden God) straight up, or Lore (Sorcery) at -25%
relaxing to 1/2 draw as I keep a wary watch on the shadows and doors...whispering all the prayers I now to The Hidden God and the Gods of my Home for protection!
Quote from: Sigmund;433231Alric goes back to examining the strips, attempting to make sense of the writing while muttering to himself under his breath, "I might need a couple minutes my friend, these strips appear to pertain to some ritual that might help explain what happened here. I will not tarry long."
Bryce looks somewhat startled at Alric's seizure of the strips of parchment from his hands. Scowling, he almost objects, but then decides against saying anything to his older colleague.
"Typical presumptuous char-head!" the young sorcerer thinks to himself, "I hope that he doesn't set those strips aflame!"
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;433568Religion (Hidden God) straight up, or Lore (Sorcery) at -25%
Bryce will also search his mind for knowledge of the names and actions mentioned in the strips that he collected.Sorcery 56 - 25 = 31. Roll = 12 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/search/760646/).
Success?
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;433568Religion (Hidden God) straight up, or Lore (Sorcery) at -25%
Die roll for Alric
Campaign: In Search of Folly
Rolled on: 2011-01-19 05:33:38.975379
1d100 → [20] = (20)
vs. Sorcery-25% (47) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2846891/)
Alric hands the strips back to Bryce and then closes his eyes as he softly chants and gestures.
Casting Mystic Vision at mag 3 for 4 hour duration...
Die roll for Alric
Campaign: In Search of Folly
Rolled on: 2011-01-19 05:39:15.765379
1d100 → [52] = (52)
Mystic Vision casting vs. Sorcery 72 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2846893/)
Bryce, the image of old Gustave, your colourful lecturer in Moral Instruction and the only thing that made the class bearable, springs to mind. You recall him lecturing the class on the use of various animals as sacrifices to spirits (not itself forbidden) and in particular, his advice to avoid using animals with black coats and feathers, as they were widely used in the summoning and binding of infernal influences. The rest of what you have indicates the influence of witchery and folk magic, rather than the sort of stuff you've studied.
Alric, you perform an abbreviated version of Marcellinus's Analysis of Names and figure out that Mazurabn is almost certainly the name of some sort of tutelary spirit or psychopomp, probably demonic. It isn't listed amongst the various infernal catalogues, but they're notoriously unreliable anyhow. Your best guess is that he has something to do with fevers and nightmares. The Dreaming Dead isn't a term you've heard before. Best guess is that it has something to do with whatever Mazurabn was called for.
"Hidden God forgive them, they summoned a demon! Seems they tried to at least." says Alric as he drops the strips of parchment on the floor and with his Mystic Vision active examines the room again as he grips his staff tightly.
Bryce nods in agreement with Alric.
"I suspected as much already," the pale sorcerer says, "but the nature of the animal sacrifices mentioned in these strips would seem to confirm a malevolent association with infernal entities."
Letting out a worried breath, Bryce steps away further from the altar, eyeing it carefully.
Sighard, Norrel, the two of you stand ready as the secret panel at the back of the wall twists open as the loop is pulled. A few skulls come loose as you do, having been plastered onto the seams with a thin coat.
On the other side, an ancient stone throne bears a skeletal king or chieftain of some sort. The few remaining scraps of skin on his face and hands have withered and decayed until they resemble black parchment. He is dressed in red robes with winding, knotted black lines on the hems, cuff and collar. His right hand bears a sword, the left a plain burlap sack. On his head, a thick-cut crown of silver has the same pattern as the robe. The crown, sword and robes look as if he had been buried yesterday. He stares out blindly past you towards the altar.
His throne is of ancient stone, of a different sort than the rest of the church, and it looks as if the church might even have been built around this seat. Letters in Thernish are carved down the armrests and along the sides of the chair.
Alric, your mystic vision can tell that some powerful work of the Hidden God is at work here. The king, the throne, the crown, the sword and the sack of ashes all radiate different magical effects. None seem outright demonic, but there is an air of death around the king and his throne.
As the scene is revealed I lower my bow and whisper "By all that's holy." I step a few paces forward and sit in one of the front pews,my eyes drawn to the gleaming crown.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2849778/
not a chance for any knowledge of this...Lore:One God 11%...rolled:85%
"There is powerful magic of the Hidden God there, but flavored of Death I think," Alric whispers.
After peering at the scene for a little bit, will my mystic vision reveal anything more? Not sure how it works, being new to OQ :)
Also is there any kind of lore that might reveal the origin of the markings? My religion isn't all that high, but it's there, and of course sorcery lore is decent.
Norel asks Alric, "are those items cursed? What does the writing on the throne say?"
Quote from: Sigmund;434083"There is powerful magic of the Hidden God there, but flavored of Death I think," Alric whispers.
After peering at the scene for a little bit, will my mystic vision reveal anything more? Not sure how it works, being new to OQ :)
Also is there any kind of lore that might reveal the origin of the markings? My religion isn't all that high, but it's there, and of course sorcery lore is decent.
Mystic vision is magnitude sensitive. It will completely describe any spell of lesser magnitude, and give you rough information about spells of higher magnitude. You can tell that all the magic being used here is "divine" magic (though this really just means a priest or monk cast it) and that the effect on the body itself appears to be necromantic. Because of the quirk of divine magic (that it counts as double magnitude when compared to other kinds in OQ), the spells are all undecipherable in their particulars. A reasonable guess might that the crown, sword and throne are enchanted items, the sack is probably enchanted or else contains something magical, and that there's some powerful necromantic effect on the body itself.
To make a guess about the make, give me either a straight roll on either history or religion, whichever you've got.
Sighard looks uneasy, he was clearly expecting something else behind the door. "This corpse is ancient, withered to this state. Yet the robes look newer than my own garments." Sighard says "The crown could make a good substitute for the chalice we are searching for" .
Die roll for Alric
Campaign: In Search of Folly
Rolled on: 2011-01-21 18:14:21.899510
1d100 → [77] = (77)
Lore roll vs. Religion (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2850964/)
"I don't recognize the markings, but the magic of the garments is divine, and there is necromantic magic on the body. We would be best served to be very cautious here, I am unable to determine without casting a stronger spell what the nature of this magic might be. I am loathe to try because I might still be unable to learn the nature of magic and my power would be spent." Alric says quietly, "Do you recognize these markings Bryce?"
Llum, Amra, as skilled trackers you can both spot easily that this area, despite being an enclosed stone room, is not nearly as dusty as the rest of the church, nor is the air stale. Some hidden wind must brush the dust and odours away, though its source is not apparent to a casual inspection.
Quote from: Sigmund;434292"Do you recognize these markings Bryce?"
Bryce shakes his head in frustration. "Alas, I do not."
"Shamed again!" the young sorcerer thinks bitterly to himself.[
Roll failed horribly (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2852658/).]
hmmm now thats odd...getting up from the pew I take a closer look at the revealed room,avoiding the empty sockets that seem to stare through me.
"I think that fresh air gets in here or this room is opened regularly. Perhaps another hidden passage?!"
(if it isn't to crowded I will start a search,careful not to disturb the thing upon the throne)
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2852716/
Perc:43...roll:99
as my search reveals nothing...if a hidden passage exists it is beyond my skill to detect...
Taking a lead from his companions, Norel starts looking around for the source of the fresh air.
=================================
OOC: Norel's Perception (48%) check succeeds with a roll of 23% (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2854496/).
Whether a hidden passage or some unholy work, the draft comes up from under the throne itself. Though careful not to touch the king or his regalia, you can see a gap about as thick as the edge of a sword that must be its passage into this room. It runs around the lip of the stone dais the throne is set atop.
From outside the church, a strong wind blows directly into the room behind you through the front doors and windows. Though the half-twisted wall protects you from the blast, you can feel the temperature drop suddenly. Loose scraps of paper dislodge themselves from within the skulls begin to whirl around. Flames gutter and die if not shielded in time.
An unearthly chorus of babbling, cacophonous echoes fills the church., as a white mist begins to follow the wind in the front door...
Sighard makes a dash towards the front door, hoping desperately to close it in time.
If there's some kind of roll to be done, what should it be?
Quote from: Llum;434932Sighard makes a dash towards the front door, hoping desperately to close it in time.
If there's some kind of roll to be done, what should it be?
It's a sprint move to get there, and an Athletics test to shove the doors shut.
Alric quickly casts spirit resistance on himself.
Mag 2 Dur 15 minutes
Die roll for Alric
Campaign: In Search of Folly
Rolled on: 2011-01-25 06:53:00.303222
1d100 → [1] = (1)
Spirit resistance spell roll (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2856008/)
OOC: Norel casts Protection (Mag 2) on himself.
Atheletics Roll to shut door, Rolled 37, skill is 45. (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2856781/)
Dashing towards the doors Sighard slams against them.
Sighard, as you approach the doors, a freezing gale comes pouring through them, driving you back. A thin layer of frost forms on the pews and stone near the entrance. The mist begins to thicken, becoming more lustrous and solid until after a moment or two, there is a figure standing in the door. As it appears, the wind dies down to nothing, though the temperature near to the figure remains chill.
He is covered entirely in an unadorned, white robe that drapes over his entire body loosely. It forms a hood over his face, covers his hands, and hands low enough that even his feet can't be seen. Roils of frozen breath leak out from under the robe's sleeves, hem and hood. Not a single inch of flesh can be seen anywhere. It stands in the entrance to the church for a moment, then takes a step forward, towards Sighard.
"LEAVE THIS PLACE," the figure commands, and its voice resonates more than any mortal's could.
ghasping as the temp drops and apparition forms....."By the one!" I draw back and take aim,holding the shot.
Alric shudders and stares for a moment before saying to the figure, "We wish to cleanse this place, and learn what befell the monks here."
Driven back by the freezing gale Sighard reaches into his pack and unlimbers his sword.
By the Forge! Norel thinks to himself as he tries to choke down the fear welling up inside him.
He tries to speak, but it only comes out as a croak at first, so he clears his throat and yells in an attempt to hide his voice giving out slightly, "the living have dire need here. Many innocent lives hang in the balance. We cannot leave until we have what we seek!"
"GO BACK!" is the figure's only reply. It swings its arms together and a blast of frost blows towards the monks' skeletons at the altar. The figure dissipates into the cold mist, but one of the skeletons begins moving unnaturally. It makes an unwholesome hiss as it lurches to life.
Only one of the skeletons is moving right now. Its unarmed except for bony fingers. It goes at init count 11. Let me know what you're doing and what your initiative is.
A look of abject horror crosses Norel's face when he sees the skeleton start moving. He quickly readies his ball & chain and shield and waits to see what the creature does, and if it attacks them then Norel will move to attack it with his ball & chain.
OOC: Norel's initiative is 9, and he will attack the skeleton when he gets a chance.
Bryce quickly communicates with his familiar: "My friend, do you see anything strange outside? Some eldritch horror has appeared within this place!"
Initiative = 16
Bryce will cast Protection on himself (magnitude 2).
[Success: roll of 26 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2860570/); Battlemagic skill 64.]
Quote from: Akrasia;435846Bryce quickly communicates with his familiar: "My friend, do you see anything strange outside? Some eldritch horror has appeared within this place!"
Dewin quickly takes wing and scans the area, but reports that he can't see anything unusual outside.
Muttering and gesturing mysteriously, Alric points briefly at Norel, then begins readying his crossbow.
Initiative=18
Alric casts Damage resistance Mag 3 on Norel lasting 5 minutes.
Die roll for Alric
Campaign: In Search of Folly
Rolled on: 2011-01-28 10:01:50.006128
1d100 → [41] = (41)
Damage Resistance casting vs. Sorcery Casting 72 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2860587/)
turning away from the cold blast as the figure dissipates I instinctivly take aim and prepare to let fly at the skeleton!
init: 18
"What have we awakened!?"
The skeleton breaks free of the wire binding that held it upright prior to animation. The voice, now coming from its mouth says: "YOUR BODIES SHALL DIE IF YOU DO NOT LEAVE"
Init order I have so far:
Amra
Alric
Bryce
Skeleton
Norrel
Sighard?
At the end of the first turn, Amra is aiming, everyone else is casting, except for the skeleton, which is finished coming to life and has its hands out threateningly towards Norrel but is not approaching.
Once Bryce has cast Protection 2 on himself, he will fire at the skeleton with his crossbow, while keeping as much distance as he can from it.
Sighard drops his pack and finishes drawing his sword and unlimbering his shield. He moves towards towards Norel, a bit to the side of the dwarf, in prime position to flank the skeleton.
Initiative = 14
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;436558...
Init order I have so far:
Amra
Alric
Bryce
Skeleton
Norrel
...
Since he's casting a spell, Bryce's initiative should be 16, not 15 as indicated earlier. (Not that it makes any difference, I think.)
If the shot is clear I let fly!
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/search/769756/
roll: 35 ! skill is 59...
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/search/769756/
Dam: 4
I breath out with my shot...and reach for another shaft as I see it fly true...
Quote from: skofflox;436976If the shot is clear I let fly!
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/search/769756/
roll: 35 ! skill is 59...
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/search/769756/
Dam: 4
I breath out with my shot...and reach for another shaft as I see it fly true...
Your shot is at the top of round two. Skeleton isn't dodging, but he does have some damage resistance. You can see the arrow slice into his robe, and crack a bone, but the spirit animating him doesn't seem to feel any pain.
Initiative for round 2:
Amra
Alric
Bryce
Sighard
Skeleton
Norrel
Alric retrieves his crossbow and loads a bolt.
Not sure how long this takes. I know he was casting the spell last round, so what he's doing is loading up his crossbow and then he'll shoot.
seeing the others getting ready to engage the creature in melee, I step to the rt. side as I nock another shaft and keep an eye on the flanks and the rest of the room.
"Oh ancestors grant me your strength and accuracy!" as I watch the abomination lurch forward...
Quote from: Sigmund;437496Alric retrieves his crossbow and loads a bolt.
Not sure how long this takes. I know he was casting the spell last round, so what he's doing is loading up his crossbow and then he'll shoot.
It's two rounds to load and wind a crossbow.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;437848It's two rounds to load and wind a crossbow.
Gotcha, I'll try to keep track, but if you could perhaps give me a hint when I can go I'd appreciate it :)
Last round Bryce successfully cast a spell (Protection 2).
This round he'll try to fire his crossbow. He had it read when he approached the altar, but since he cast a spell, I'm not sure if he could fire this round.
In any case, he misses with a roll of 74 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2876161/).
Arrows and bolts go flying past the skeleton. It raises its hands threateningly and advances on Norrel. Streamers of mist roll off its back as its dead, hollow eye sockets bore into you.
At the last moment, as it's passing the altar on its way towards you, Amra's arrow catches it in the side. The skeleton grabs the solid block of granite that is the capstone of the altar, and as effortlessly as you might lift a cradle, it picks it up with both hands, raises it above its own head, and flings the capstone at Amra.
Skeleton rolls an 18 for its throw. It's a thrown weapon, so it can be dodged. Otherwise that'll be 11 damage.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2877034/
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2877036/
Quote from: Akrasia;438090Last round Bryce successfully cast a spell (Protection 2).
This round he'll try to fire his crossbow. He had it read when he approached the altar, but since he cast a spell, I'm not sure if he could fire this round.
In any case, he misses with a roll of 74 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2876161/).
We're on round 2. You cast the spell in round 1, so firing your crossbow this round is fine.
Taking advantage of the skeleton's preoccupation with attacking Amra, Norel moves into action against the skeleton. He quickly twirls his chain & ball over his head in several arcs to gain momentum, and then launches his attack on the skeleton. The ball of his weapon catches the skeleton directly in its skeletal chest cavity with bone crushing force.
=======================
OOC: Norel's round 2 attack roll was 21% and hits for 8 damage (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2877063/)!
You smash the ribs and spine, breaking the skeleton in half. The plush monk's robe folds over and the abomination collapses in a heap. The mist comes roiling out of the heap of bone and cloth and forms up into a column in front of you. You can see two black eye-pits forming in the cloud, gazing evilly at you.
We're still in initiative here. But good job on the skelly!
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;438362The mist comes roiling out of the heap of bone and cloth and forms up into a column in front of you. You can see two black eye-pits forming in the cloud, gazing evilly at you.
Any chance Bryce would have some knowledge of what kind of creature this is?
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;438273Arrows and bolts go flying past the skeleton. It raises its hands threateningly and advances on Norrel. Streamers of mist roll off its back as its dead, hollow eye sockets bore into you.
At the last moment, as it's passing the altar on its way towards you, Amra's arrow catches it in the side. The skeleton grabs the solid block of granite that is the capstone of the altar, and as effortlessly as you might lift a cradle, it picks it up with both hands, raises it above its own head, and flings the capstone at Amra.
Skeleton rolls an 18 for its throw. It's a thrown weapon, so it can be dodged. Otherwise that'll be 11 damage.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2877034/
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2877036/
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2877955/
Dodge Skill: 56
roll : 41
Amra dances nimbly aside, narrowly dodging the capstone as it flies.."Oi!"
Quote from: Akrasia;438373Any chance Bryce would have some knowledge of what kind of creature this is?
Yeah, it's almost certainly a ghost. The other options are a spirit or a demon. Spirits avoid churches most of the time, and demons all have well-established forms you'd recognise. Its power means that the person it once was probably knew magic (and would still be able to cast it, so long as it wasn't divine magic).
Ok, it's round 3. The ghost is currently a man-sized cloud whirling around in front of Norrel. What're you all doing?
Norel takes a step back and takes up a defensive position, and says loudly, "how do we kill mist? Bryce, Alric, what do we do here?!"
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;438655Yeah, it's almost certainly a ghost.
Cool. (But CRAP!)Sweat pouring down the young sorcerer's forehead, he exclaims, "My friends, this creature cannot be harmed by mere physical objects! We must flee! FLEE!"
After watching Norel destroy the skeleton and the ghost rise from its remains Sighard reaches into his pack for the glass bottle of blessed water. "Hold my friends! We have the blessed water, surely it will vanquish this foul creature".
It should take me 1 round to grab the water from my pack (since I foolishly put it back in earlier). After that round, if I went to pour it into the spirit would that count as a Close COmbat roll?
backing away from the spectre wild eyed while trying to keep a watch on the room with bow at half draw.
Quote from: Llum;439079After watching Norel destroy the skeleton and the ghost rise from its remains Sighard reaches into his pack for the glass bottle of blessed water. "Hold my friends! We have the blessed water, surely it will vanquish this foul creature".
It should take me 1 round to grab the water from my pack (since I foolishly put it back in earlier). After that round, if I went to pour it into the spirit would that count as a Close COmbat roll?
Yeap. Or you can try to splash it or throw it as a ranged attack if you'd prefer.
Alric backs away, edging towards the exit, "My power is gone until I can rest"
Norel felt the urge to flee well up inside himself, but he forcefully suppressed that feeling once he hears Sighard. He stands ready, and defensively, while Sighard makes his play against the ghost with the vial of holy water.
"Everyone else, get out!" Norel yells to his companions while he stands in front of Sighard to shield him while he gets the vial out of his pack.
Quote from: Drohem;439386Norel felt the urge to flee well up inside himself, but he forcefully suppressed that feeling once he hears Sighard. He stands ready, and defensively, while Sighard makes his play against the ghost with the vial of holy water.
"Everyone else, get out!" Norel yells to his companions while he stands in front of Sighard to shield him while he gets the vial out of his pack.
"Brave Norel,I fear not the shades of the dead, Hiya"
backing towards the door but will stop short of going through...keeping the room environs under a keen scrutiny as I gain heart at the pluck of Norel and Sighard!
Sighard, give us your holy water throw roll, and let's see if you can banish this ghost!
Alright, I was waiting for the top of round 3 before I rolled. And, Sighard is going to make a dash forward and try and pour the water on the Ghost (He isn't that great and throwing stuff).
Sighard moves foward and tries to pour the blessed water into the ghostly shape. Roll = 3. Close Combat skill = 58, so success by 55% (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2890477/)
Sighard's holy water splashes the ghost, catching on its ephemeral form and hanging in the air for a second before turning to steam. The creature gives off an unearthly shriek and writhes. Paper, dust, leaves and other loose detritus swirls around inside the church, as a cyclonic wind streaked with black mist forms. Then the cyclone blows out the front doors of the church, and the spectre is gone.
Overhead, Dewin caws in agitation at the wind, but is able to hold onto his perch.
At the back of the church, the seated king's corpse laughs, as life twinkles in its eyes.
We're out of init here. The ghost is gone (Alric's mystic vision can confirm this), but the skeleton on the throne in the back of the church is laughing.
Bow at the ready,moving through the room trying to find a good angle on the sleleton.
Alric peers closely at the skeleton on the throne, saying, "Hold comrades, I'm not sure this one presents an immediate danger..."
Mystic Vision tell me anything about this one?
Quote from: Sigmund;440645Alric peers closely at the skeleton on the throne, saying, "Hold comrades, I'm not sure this one presents an immediate danger..."
Mystic Vision tell me anything about this one?
Just what you have already. The skeleton has some sort of necromantic spell on it, and most of its gear is magical.
After laughing for a few moments, the skeleton settles down.
"How long is it now?" it asks. Its voice is close to that of a living man, not the unearthly screeching of the ghost.
"What year did you begin your present state Majesty?" Alric asks respectfully.
Norel watches the ghostly form whirl out of the church with a feeling of pure relief and wonderment. Suddenly, that chill creeps back up his spine as he hears the dead king's laughter. He turns to face the skeleton returning to a semblance of life or unlife.
Instinctively, Norel positions himself between the throne, skeleton, and his companions. Upon hearing Alric's response to the skeleton's query, Norel holds his tongue and waits for the creature's next move.
Bryce backs away from the enthroned skeleton cautiously, waiting for a reply to Alric's query.
Quote from: Sigmund;440673"What year did you begin your present state Majesty?" Alric asks respectfully.
"I am Hrolf, son of Lud, the last king of the Greltae. I have been bound here since the kings of Therne burnt my hold and scattered its people like ash."
The Greltae are the Britons to the Thern's Anglo-Saxons and the Moragnians Anglo-Normans. A rough estimate would be a thousand years. You need to check either Culture (Moragne) or Lore (History) to pin down the exact date if you want to.
OOC: Norel's Culture (Moragnian) [24%] roll = 17% (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2897339/). Success!
Quote from: Drohem;440927OOC: Norel's Culture (Moragnian) [24%] roll = 17% (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2897339/). Success!
967 years, give or take a year. There's at least a couple of folks songs about Hrolf and his wars against the Thernish Kings (mainly King Gyrwulf, who found Therne and is kind of a Cnut figure).
Unworried about the talking royal skeleton Sighard sheaths his sword, but keeps the glass bottle in hand. Still overwhelmed by the spectacle just witnessed, he keeps quiet.
Is there any blessed water left or was all of it used to banish the ghost?
Norel chokes down the fear simmering underneath his skin, and he says to the skeletal figure, "My Lord Hrolf, it has been over 950 years since the time of your mortal form. What powers have bound your spirit to your bones? Why has this been done to you?"
Quote from: Llum;440965Unworried about the talking royal skeleton Sighard sheaths his sword, but keeps the glass bottle in hand. Still overwhelmed by the spectacle just witnessed, he keeps quiet.
Is there any blessed water left or was all of it used to banish the ghost?
You got half left, I'll say. About enough for one more good banish like that.
Quote from: Drohem;441041Norel chokes down the fear simmering underneath his skin, and he says to the skeletal figure, "My Lord Hrolf, it has been over 950 years since the time of your mortal form. What powers have bound your spirit to your bones? Why has this been done to you?"
"My priests swore I should have eternal life, as the Queen of the Vellings does. Instead, the wretches poisoned me, bound me here, and abused me as their fetch and tutor, for they craved my secrets...
The wolf of time has eaten my flesh and yet I am a prisoner still. Some wicked spell manacles me to this horrid ossuary that was once my own body. A thousand years bound now...
These foul hermits took me from the temple in the mountain and set me here for hope I would teach them my kenning, but they were fools and their own master took them before they could master me. I endure, even now."
The skeleton, whose voice has been growing angrier throughout this little speech, suddenly breaks into a nasty laugh.
Upon hearing King Hrolf's words, Alric tries to suppress his great fear, and asks, "My lord, is there any way that we might free you from your terrible imprisonment?"
Quote from: Akrasia;441159Upon hearing King Hrolf's words, Alric tries to suppress his great fear, and asks, "My lord, is there any way that we might free you from your terrible imprisonment?"
"Aye. In the temple where I was first bound, my jailers carved the key to their spell on the wall behind my throne. I could not turn to see it, but oft they would taunt me that it was there, and swear they would free me if I would share one more spell or wyrd. It remains there, cut into the stone."
watching the exchange in wildeyed silence...relaxing bow to half draw...
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;441458"Aye. In the temple where I was first bound, my jailers carved the key to their spell on the wall behind my throne. I could not turn to see it, but oft they would taunt me that it was there, and swear they would free me if I would share one more spell or wyrd. It remains there, cut into the stone."
With a trembling hand, Bryce wipes beads of sweat off his pale brow.
"My lord, where is the temple in which you were first bound? In what mountain was it located?"
Quote from: Akrasia;441574With a trembling hand, Bryce wipes beads of sweat off his pale brow.
"My lord, where is the temple in which you were first bound? In what mountain was it located?"
"This mountain. Its gate is not far from here, though the hermits blinded me while they bore me away."
There is a second structure a couple hundred metres behind this one set into the mountainside that Dewin noticed.
"We shall attempt to free you, King Hrolf."
After making this declaration, Bryce looks nervously at his companions, hoping that they concur with his hastily uttered promise.
Taking a few steps forward while gulping down the worst of my fears and nodding... "Hiya! Where Bryce dares to tread, Amrakhan will follow! A Dakon does not leave a companion to face the unknown while he runs to safety!" ending with a (to) broad smile and a slight bow in the general direction of dead King Hrolf.
Alric nods to Bryce solemnly, "I'm with you. What has been done needs to be undone."
"Go with my blessing then. And beware the shades of the hermits! They have only grown more wicked since they gave up their bodies." Hrolf's empty eye sockets gaze at all of you, unable to show the hope his voice carries.
"Well, my friends, shall we head over temple now?"
Bryce heads out into the vale, and looks at the temple gate cautiously.
Alric follows Bryce with a grim expression, and a slight bow to the dead king.
"Lord Hrolf, I pledge myself to freeing your spirit from these unholy chains," Norel says solemnly while holding his beard, "I am Norel, son of Mathen, from Glorarr."
He leaves with the others to find the other building, and the key to freeing the long dead king.
as the others leave the room I walk cautiously up to the now silent figure on his throne...eyeing the thing with curiosity and awe I whisper as I reach a hand to touch, hesitating to do so at the last moment...
"This son of Dakon will do his best to free your shade from it's prison. I shall make a tale of mighty Hrolf, to tell 'bout the hearths when the cold gathers."
I sketch a bow and hurry to catch the others. I bring my bow back to half draw as I leave the building.
"Go with my blessings, all of you," King Hrolf says as you leave.
Outside, you head round to the back of the church and through the brush until you reach a clearing. Dewin has already spotted the building, a half-ruined building that pushes out from the side of the mountain through some trees. It's clearly only the beginning of a larger complex inside the mountain.
Though the masonry is crumbling, you can see two large stone doors jutting out on a portico that form an obvious entrance if you can get them open. There are also several cracks in the walls large enough to squeeze through. Finally, in several places the roof appears to have collapsed, and if you could climb up, you could probably lower yourself down.
First picture is the front, facing you, with the stone doors. The second photo is another section of the building. It's very roughly rectangular, with lots of little sections coming off, so that it sprawls. It's about 75m before it hits mountain, and maybe 50m wide on average.
Keeping the bottle of blessed water close to hand, Sighard walks with the others towards their new destination.
"I was hesitant to mention this in front of the King, but would our bottle of blessed water free him from his curse? Should we encounter many of shades we will be hard pressed" Sighard declares, "Perhaps if we went in through the roof we could see them from up high and be more prepared".
Norel moves up to one of the cracks in the wall and peers inside the structure, taking a moment or two to adjust his vision for the darkness in the structure.
"We might do well to rest here for a time to gather our strength, and plan our next moves", Alric says quietly.
Quote from: Drohem;442226Norel moves up to one of the cracks in the wall and peers inside the structure, taking a moment or two to adjust his vision for the darkness in the structure.
Peering through the crack, you see the silhouette of a human form brandishing a sword... But it's just a statue in an otherwise empty room. The walls are covered in rotting tapestries, but there's no sign of life.
Quote from: Sigmund;442285"We might do well to rest here for a time to gather our strength, and plan our next moves", Alric says quietly.
Bryce nods in agreement.
"That may be wise. Especially if we will be confronting shades and other unnatural creatures."
Would any of us know anything specific about 'shades', especially how to combat them?
Quote from: Akrasia;442320Would any of us know anything specific about 'shades', especially how to combat them?
They're the ghosts of evil priests, wizards and such. They come to be either when the body isn't buried properly, or through the use of dark magic. Holy water, magic affecting spirits and enchanted weapons all affect them, as will breaking the spell holding them here or burying the bodies properly.
Also, they normally can't enter an area that's been consecrated, though you saw at least one of them in the church, so either the church has been deconsecrated or something's odd is going on with the shades.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;442325Holy water, magic affecting spirits and enchanted weapons all affect them, as will breaking the spell holding them here or burying the bodies properly.
Would a bolt (or arrow, etc.) on which 'multimissile' was cast count as an 'enchanted weapon'?
Quote from: Akrasia;442556Would a bolt (or arrow, etc.) on which 'multimissile' was cast count as an 'enchanted weapon'?
Yeap! Any spell that counts as dealing magical damage works.
Ok, so how long do you want to rest for, and do you want to rest up here, or trudge back down the mountain?
OOC: It's up to the spell casters. In-game, it's only like an hour or so after we got up for the day, right? In-game, Norel would balk at 'resting' again since we just got up for the day. However, I understand the meta-game reason for resting again.
Quote from: Drohem;442913OOC: It's up to the spell casters. In-game, it's only like an hour or so after we got up for the day, right? In-game, Norel would balk at 'resting' again since we just got up for the day. However, I understand the meta-game reason for resting again.
I figured it would be at least mid-day, didn't we have to pack up camp and then march back up the mountain from where we had fled to after the spirits in the copse?
Quote from: Sigmund;442949I figured it would be at least mid-day, didn't we have to pack up camp and then march back up the mountain from where we had fled to after the spirits in the copse?
I figure it's just before lunch. Between packing up camp, hiking up the mountain, looking around, fighting ghosts and talking with ancient undead kings, it's been a busy three hours or so.
"Let us rest for a few minutes and eat some of our rations before proceeding," Bryce proposes.
"I think it would be best if we try to conduct our business here before night approaches."
Quote from: Akrasia;443149"Let us rest for a few minutes and eat some of our rations before proceeding," Bryce proposes.
"I think it would be best if we try to conduct our business here before night approaches."
"Hiya Bryce. A bit of rest would be most welcome afore we enter the ruins." nodding as I eye the entrance...setting my bow aside and sitting to get into my pack.
How long are you going to rest for? Give me a hard number of hours, and I'll move time forward.
I propose one hour.
OOC: Cool by me. :)
I agree as well I suppose. I tried to find where in the rules it talks about recovering magic points and have so far been unsuccessful.
Quote from: Sigmund;443534I agree as well I suppose. I tried to find where in the rules it talks about recovering magic points and have so far been unsuccessful.
OOC: It's on p. 44 under 'Regaining Magic Points.' It looks like we should rest for at least two hours so you guys can regain 1/4 of your Magic Points used. We could rest for just an hour, but then you would only regain 1/8 of your Magic Points used.
Quote from: Drohem;443576OOC: It's on p. 44 under 'Regaining Magic Points.' It looks like we should rest for at least two hours so you guys can regain 1/4 of your Magic Points used. We could rest for just an hour, but then you would only regain 1/8 of your Magic Points used.
Ty, in that case 2 hours might be better :)
Sure, two hours would be fine with me.
I've only used two magic points, so I don't think it makes any difference to me.
Two hours it is. It'll be just after lunch-time by the time you get going again.
sounds good!
After all the excitement so far, you break for a few hours to rest up, eat some lunch, and check your gear. It's just after lunch now.
OOC: What's the plan of attack here on the temple?
"My friends, shall we head into the temple now, and attempt to liberate the poor king?"
Bryce communicates with his familiar: "Devin, please keep watch outside for any threats."
The nervous sorcerer readies his light crossbow, keeping the words for some helpful spells forefront in his mind.
taking in a bit o food and water then resting for a spell before going through pack to lighten for the exploration of the ruins...ruminating on what I have seen so far.
to myself..."Most likely blade work in there." as I eye the enrance and chew.
Alric opens his eyes and rises to his feet, takes a last swig of water, and then nods wearily to Bryce.
Devin flies overhead, cawing back the all-clear after he's surveyed the area. It appears your earlier effort banishing one of the ghosts has kept any others that might be around from showing themselves, at least for now...
After finishing a small lunch Sighard packs his gear and stands up, glass of blessed water still in hand. "Perhaps we could climb up on the roof for a look inside before we barge in the front door" he says "A little bit of extra information can mean all the difference".
Quote from: Llum;445255After finishing a small lunch Sighard packs his gear and stands up, glass of blessed water still in hand. "Perhaps we could climb up on the roof for a look inside before we barge in the front door" he says "A little bit of extra information can mean all the difference".
"Why climb when you can fly, noble Sighard?" the young sorcerer asks, smiling.
"Devin, my friend, could you fly to the top of the temple, look through any openings that exist, and tell me what you see?"
Alric chuckles as he glances up at the roof.
"Hiya Bryce! Your brave feathered companion leads the way!" as I laugh with Alric and watch the crow with some respectful affections...not finding anything I am willing to leave behind I shrug, shoulder my pack and bring my bow at the ready for the first part of the exploration.
Planning on going to the scimitar and shield when range and sight conditions change.
Devin caws his assent, and comes plummeting down, pulling back his wings to bleed off velocity as he dips into a hole in the roof.
It's perhaps three minutes later when he comes back out. He clambers over clay roof tiles back to you.
"It's dark!" he caws in his bird language to Bryce, who may translate as he pleases for the others.
"Dark, dark, dark. No beasts. No birds. No things from the stone house," he points his beak at the church.
"I saw a stone perch that had water, and I drank some."
Bryce relates Devin's report to the others.
Readying his crossbow, the young sorcerer asks, "Well, shall we proceed into the temple?"
I nod my head at Bryces query and grip my bow tightly, a steely gaze in my eyes as I look towards the entrance...
I'll be travelling for several days (leaving tomorrow morning), so I may not be able to post here again until next week.
Bryce should continue to behave with a mix of caution and curiosity. :)
Norel ate lightly during their break and was glad that Bryce could do some scouting through his companion Devin. As the group prepares to enter the temple, Norel takes out his lantern and lights it. He puts away his flint and steel, and puts his backpack on his back again and adjusts the straps properly. He readies his shield in his off-hand and carries the lantern in his weapon hand.
"You boyos are going to need the light," Norel says in a matter-of-fact tone as he steps toward the the large gap in the wall near the entrance.
With a sideways glance back at his companions, Norel enters the temple through the gap in the wall.
Taking a deep breath as Norel enters the gloom I bring my bow up with slight draw as I wait my turn to enter...
Sighard follows Norel in through the door, half-full glass of blessed water still in hand.
Inside the room, your light casts gloomy shadows. The statue is man-sized, carved of grey stone, and depicts an ancient warrior holding his sword up as if on guard or in prayer. He stands in the corner of the room atop a small base with some writing along the bottom. On his left and right are wooden doors with iron bands, both closed, going to different rooms.
Tapestries cover the rest of the walls, but rot and smoke have blackened them. There some rotting boards on the ground, perhaps remnants of whatever crude furniture was once in here.
The room is 5x5, and the building, at least from what you can hear, is quiet save for the occasional sound of rats or the wind. The two doors don't have visible locks.
I stay near the entrance and cover the center of the room with a half drawn bow...relaxed focus for maximum peripheral vision, allowing my instincts to direct me, breathing steady.
Alric whispers to Norel, "Pass the lantern friend, my power is not far from spent anyway, and you'd be better served having both hands available, and he holds out his hand while staying near Amra.
Norel nods in agreement with Alric and hands him the lantern silently. The dwarven warrior then carefully takes his ball & chain off his belt, and holds it ready to drop the chain when needed for combat.
He gestures toward the statue's base with his weapon, and asks, "Alric or Bryce, can either of you read the writing?"
The writing is Thernish, same as outside. It can be read with a Language (Moragnian) check at -25%.
Bryce peers at the base of the statue, trying to decipher the ancient words.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;448952The writing is Thernish, same as outside. It can be read with a Language (Moragnian) check at -25%.
Success. Roll of 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2959702/) versus 42 (67 skill - 25).
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;448952The writing is Thernish, same as outside. It can be read with a Language (Moragnian) check at -25%.
Die roll for Alric
Campaign: In Search of Folly
Rolled on: 2011-03-31 05:26:14.654924
1d100 → [68] = (68)
Roll vs target of 53 (Mor - 25%) (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2960074/)
Alric shakes his head in frustration and whispers, "The blasted writing continues to elude me"
Quote from: Akrasia;448957Bryce peers at the base of the statue, trying to decipher the ancient words.
Success. Roll of 13 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2959702/) versus 42 (67 skill - 25).
The writing is two lines of graffiti in chalk, not carved into the stone. Whoever did it was well-practiced at writing, for the letters are finely formed. It starts as a list of names:
"BRUMLEY MARIK GUNTHER ALBERT ERNST BROTHERS OF DAGMAR WERE HERE"
The second line appears more choppy, with the spacing uneven as if the names were written first and the comments on their status filled in second. It's been smudged in a few places, either by exposure or maybe rats rubbing against it.
"MAZURABN TRAPPED HROLF TRAPPED BRUMLEY DEAD MARIK... ...LBERT DEAD ERNST GOD SAVE ME GUNT..." the rest is illegible.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;449032The writing is two lines of graffiti in chalk, not carved into the stone. Whoever did it was well-practiced at writing, for the letters are finely formed. It starts as a list of names:
"BRUMLEY MARIK GUNTHER ALBERT ERNST BROTHERS OF DAGMAR WERE HERE"
The second line appears more choppy, with the spacing uneven as if the names were written first and the comments on their status filled in second. It's been smudged in a few places, either by exposure or maybe rats rubbing against it.
"MAZURABN TRAPPED HROLF TRAPPED BRUMLEY DEAD MARIK... ...LBERT DEAD ERNST GOD SAVE ME GUNT..." the rest is illegible.
Bryce translates the graffiti for the others.
"Very disturbing," the young sorcerer muses, "'Mazurabn trapped Hrolf trapped Brumley dead...'"
"Hmmm, I assume that 'Hrolf' is the long-dead king with whom we just spoke. He seems to have been trapped by 'Mazurabn'. This band seems to have met a rather unfortunate end."
Bryce scratches his sandy hair in puzzlement.
eyes narrow as Bryce translates...whispering "An ill portend indeed." reflecting a moment before continuing"Perhaps the meaning is Mazurabn and Hrolf both trapped others dead? It may be another Hrolf!"
what charge have we taken upon ourselves?!
I struggle to remain calm in the cloistered gloom as a cold feeling seeks hold in my guts.
will I ever get back to the open steppe
Norel listened carefully while Bryce translated the chalk writings, and nods in agreement with his comrades assessment of the situation. He reflexively groomed his beard as he mulled over the situation in his mind.
"It's better to stay rooted in the here and now," Norel whispers to his companions as he nods toward the two doors before them, "let's see what is beyond these doors."
The dwarf moves over to the wooden door on the left and checks to see if it is latched, locked, or had a handle.
OOC: If Norel can open the door and see into the next area, then he will do so.
Alric nods thoughtfully at Amra's words, then stands and glances around in silence and raises the lantern, keeping watch while the others move into position.
Quote from: Drohem;449834Norel listened carefully while Bryce translated the chalk writings, and nods in agreement with his comrades assessment of the situation. He reflexively groomed his beard as he mulled over the situation in his mind.
"It's better to stay rooted in the here and now," Norel whispers to his companions as he nods toward the two doors before them, "let's see what is beyond these doors."
The dwarf moves over to the wooden door on the left and checks to see if it is latched, locked, or had a handle.
OOC: If Norel can open the door and see into the next area, then he will do so.
The door lacks a handle, but it swings open with a creak. The room before you is longer than the one you're in, but the same thickness as the one you're currently in.
There's the odor of stale, rotten hay and rat droppings hanging in the area. The floor underneath is the same packed earth as in the room with the statue, but your keen dwarven eyes can see sour spots where moisture has sunk small depressions in the floor. Where these are near to the wall, long, thin cracks form spiderwebs in granite blocks as pressure fractures the now unevenly sited stones. Still, it's a testament to the mason that even after centuries, the cracks are too thin to even stick a knife blade through. You can hear the wind whistle through them very faintly in the musty stillness.
The room is not bare, but it has been roughly treated. There are a pile of broken pots in the near corner covered in brown guck, and a few sticks of dried out, ancient straw pushed up against either wall. Someone lit a fire in here, several of them in fact, as smoke marks form black funnels on the outer wall.
There are two doors on the right, inner wall here, and a door on the far wall.
OOC: The room is about 15m long. The pots look like chamber pots. Straw is a common bedding material, even back in the old days.
"Hiya Norel. Well spoken." bracing for the exploration as I nod in agreement. Bow at full draw as the door is opened.
Trying to maintain clear lines of sight as the door is opened...will provide cover as we move into other areas and open doors etc. If it gets to narrow I will go to the scimitar and shield!
Norel enters the room cautiously, looking the dark areas of the room for anything hidden or ready to pounce. He proceeds into the center of the room and then waits for his comrades to enter the room. He holds his shield and ball & chain loosely, but ready for action at a moment's notice.
The room remains still. If there are any deadly traps guarding this temple, they must be elsewhere.
OOC: Everyone in the room with Norel, give me some Perception checks.
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2974052/
Per.:43
roll: 94
:(
thinking to self... Curse this gloom!
Sighard peers into the gloom, seeing nothing but darkness.
Roll of 92, Perception =20 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2974276/)
Norel looks around the room while waiting for the others to enter the room behind him. He peers into the shadowy areas of the room, and then scans over the pile of broken pots for anything dangerous lurking therein.
OOC: Norel's Perception check was successful (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2975182/).
It's not what you see, Norel, but what you hear. You're digging through pots near the paired set of doors on the far wall when you hear growling, chuffing and scraping on the other side of the doors, and then something slapping once against the floor, followed by more scraping.
So, what's the plan? You're all in the larger of the two rooms except for Bryce (unless he wants to be). The door on the far end of the room is the one you heard the noise behind. It's a sturdy door, but unlocked if you want to test it.
Norel puts his finger to his lips making the Shh! gesture, and then walks as quietly as possible over to the door from which he heard the noise. He turns to his companions and points to the door with his weapon, and pantomimes opening the door. He only waits for a few moments before turning to face the door and open it. As he opens it, he stands to the side of the doorway on the open side.
OOC: Norel failed his Deception check and passed his Perception check (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2980105/).
seeing Norels intent I nod and go to full draw, taking a bead on the center of the door...breathing in...
This must have been the library for this ancient complex, as scroll racks lay knocked over across the floor and pushed up against the walls. The parchment scrolls and leather-bound codices are now gathered together in a great heap on the floor. A massive brown bear curls up atop them, snacking on a deer leg with gusto.
Behind it, you can see where part of the wall has collapsed and been torn out, leaving a partially-submerged tunnel the animal must squeeze through to get in and out. A cold wind blows in through it, ruffling the bear's fur and carrying its musk to your nostrils.
The bear hears the door open and its head looks in the direction of the open door, and at you, Norrel. It lets go of the deer leg and makes a popping noise with its jaw in your direction.
I love that bear picture. Room's about 5m x 5m, and the floor is covered in crap. It'd be treacherous footing. On the other hand, the room you're in gives the bear tons of room to charge. Only Norrel and Amra can clearly see the bear at this point, but anyone else who wants can at least get a glimpse of it. Alric, Bryce, you're both back with the main party if you'd like.
"BEAR!" Norel yells as he lets his hold on the ball and chain of his weapon swing free for attack and takes a step backward parallel with the wall and way from the door opening.
OOC: DEX 9 for initiative.
"What do you see, Master Dwarf?" Bryce inquires from the large room, cautiously readying his crossbow.
"Hiya BEAR!"
If the door opened into our room I rush forward and kick it closed!
If it opened into "Barts" room I step back slowely, a bit to the opp. side of Norel and await the bears move.
The bruin rises to its feet slowly, yawns, sniffs the air, and then scuffs the pile of papers a few times. It seems wary, but not aggressive. A cool wind blows through the room from an unseen source, and you can see little blasts of mist from its nostrils.
Door opens inwards to the bear, Amra.
keeping the bear in view as I back towards the door we entered from...whispering, "Norel, lets not provoke the beast."
So, what's the plan here? The bear's chilling in his den, atop a pile of ancient, and very valuable codices and scrolls, but he seems more concerned with the deer haunch than you. There's at least one other entrance out of your room (further into the building) that you haven't tried yet if you want to detour around.
Seeing that the bear is currently occupied with eating the deer haunch, Norel slowly reaches in and tries to close the door without provoking the bear.
Quote from: Drohem;452047Seeing that the bear is currently occupied with eating the deer haunch, Norel slowly reaches in and tries to close the door without provoking the bear.
Easily done, though the bear watches you with curiosity as the door closes. After the long winter, he clearly wants to recuperate his strength and eat rather than pick a fight with a gang of strangers.
Quote from: Drohem;452047Seeing that the bear is currently occupied with eating the deer haunch, Norel slowly reaches in and tries to close the door without provoking the bear.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;452114Easily done, though the bear watches you with curiosity as the door closes. After the long winter, he clearly wants to recuperate his strength and eat rather than pick a fight with a gang of strangers.
Relaxing draw a bit as I exhale "Whew!"...then cast a sheepish grin at Norel!
Speaking softly, Bryce asks: "What else was in that room with the bear, Amrakhan and Norel? Anything of importance to our mission?"
Alric sighs in apparent relief and leans against the wall, lowering the lantern a little and relaxing his grip on his staff.
After closing the door, Norel quietly moves away from the doorway and over to his companions.
Addressing Bryce's question, Norel says quietly, "that room is the bear's den, and its bedding are some old codices and scrolls. There is a natural opening in the wall that the bear enters and exits through, and I could feel cool air from the outside flowing into the bear's den."
Bryce looks at the door barring the way to the bear's lair with a pained, longing look. "Scrolls and codices, your say? Those could be quite useful..."
Sighing, the young sorcerer pauses for a moment before continuing, "But perhaps we should try that room again later, when perhaps the bear will be away?"
Quote from: Akrasia;452487Bryce looks at the door barring the way to the bear's lair with a pained, longing look. "Scrolls and codices, your say? Those could be quite useful..."
Sighing, the young sorcerer pauses for a moment before continuing, "But perhaps we should try that room again later, when perhaps the bear will be away?"
"Agreed. The bear obviously leaves from time to time, perhaps we can retrieve some information while the beast is out hunting." Alric says thoughtfully.
Just to give you an idea on space and scope:
You're about halfway up the left hand side (the western side) of the temple, but you've only explored a narrow slice of it so far, a slice about 5m thick out of 50m. Every room you've been in so far, including the bear room, had doors leading to the right / east further into the temple, but all have been closed so far. So if you're looking for directions to explore it, that's probably your best bet.
"Well gentlemen, shall we head into the heart of this temple?" Bryce asks, gesturing to the door on the eastern wall with his crossbow.
"Precisely my thoughts as well," Norel says in response to Bryce's and Alric's exchange.
In response to Bryce's suggestion of moving on, Norel nods in agreement and says, "aye, it's time to move away and not provoke our dining friend any further."
Norel moves up to the Bryce indicates with his crossbow and slowly pushes it open into the room.
The door opens into the central chamber of the temple. It's a massive room with pillars carved to look like temple guardians holding up the ceiling, and intricate friezes on either wall. The floor, lit here and there by beams of light coming through holes in the ceiling, is a mosaic pattern in black and white that curls around each pillar. It smells fresher in here than the other rooms, and you can see flowers growing up here and there between the tiles.
At the back of the room is a dais with an altar of carved alabaster, atop which sits a gleaming array of silver plate - cups, bowls, platters, braziers - all neatly arrayed on orange silk cloth. A skylight lets sunlight shine on the plate and the altar while keeping the area around it dark. There's a low droning noise in the air, like the buzzing of bees.
Norel will glance above his head and around to see if he can spot any bees, wasps, or other flying creatures.
OOC: Norel succeeds his Perception check (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2992472/).
The roof is honeycombed with hives of wasps. No doubt for the old wood up there. They seem pretty docile right now.
Alric follows behind with the lantern, watching for signals and attempting to make sure his comrades have the light when they need it without disturbing the insects.
Norel stops momentarily, and turns to his companions. He points up toward the wasp nests with his weapon to warn them of their presence and location. He will then continue to move forward through the room to the dais and altar.
I'm going on vacay from the 23rd to the 29th. I'm hoping to be able to continue to get online during that, but if I vanish for a few days, blame it on the hotel.
For now, the wasps seem more occupied with other matters. Fortunately, the distance overhead to the nests is enough that you don't risk disturbing them through an accidental brush or tap.
Everything's smooth as you advance to the altar, Norrel, until you pass a white line in the mosaic floor that circumscribes the dais at a distance of about 3m. As you do, the pillars carved to resemble temple guardians rotate smoothly on hidden tracks. No poison sprays, no rain of darts springs forth, no blocks fall from the ceiling. But the closest four pillars to the dais all have their faces and bodies pointed directly at you. Massive stone eyes gaze impassively at you.
Hotel wireless is crappy but functional.
Amra, Llum, Alric, Bryce>
You can see the pillars rotate. What appears to be going on is that a carved outer casing is rotating, while an inner shaft is remaining stationary. The inner cores each have multiple small grooves and shafts in them that the sheathing exposes as it rotates. It's unclear what they're for, unless you'd like to make a closer examination...
Seeing the pillars rotate when he advanced, Norel stops in his tracks and then slowly back steps several feet closer to his companions.
"I don't like the looks of it," Norel says quietly.
As you retreat beyond the white line of tiles, the pillar rotate back to their starting positions.
The droning grows a little louder. Clearly, the movements of the pillars are agitating the wasps.
Alric whispers, "This is not a very good time to be doing this. I do not know much about the insects, but are they not more dormant at night when it is cooler? Is there perhaps a way we can wait until then to check this out, or perhaps find some way to temporarily remove the insects... smoke them out maybe?" He holds the lantern lower to the floor while looking up at the wasps nervously.
The temple you're in is in the middle of a forest, so if you could get back outside, there's tons of wood laying about that could be burnt. Behind you are the massive front doors of the temple, jammed shut. They're iron-banded wooden doors about 3m high.
Eye'n those pillars with suspicion while trying to ignore the drone of the wasps
listening as the others talk over the choices I keep an eye out for any movement with bow at half draw.
"Mayhaps Alric has the way of it, the fire may drive the bruin out as well, though other folk may see the smoke and perhaps come to investigate?!" as I flick my head in the direction of the bears den. " I am happy to explore the other areas first."
There are a total of seven doors on each side, and what looks like it might be a door behind the altar, though you'd have to cross the white tile line again to get within torchlight to confirm.
You recognise four doors on the west side - one from the room you entered from, two from that long, empty room, and one from the bear's room. It looks like the door arrangements are symmetrical.
Norel shakes his thoughtfully and scratches his beard absently as he muses, "the silver we have come for to save the village is right there on that altar. The rotating pillars are strange and may very well be a trap to protect that untouched silver. Alric is right though, if we are to work in this room we have to do something about the wasps. Let's build a fire and smoke them out as best we can, and then we can focus on the altar and pillars. Although, Amrakhan does a valid suggestion as well. It might be that we find another way to the altar by exploring elsewhere in the temple first. What say you, should we smoke out the wasps first, or explore elsewhere and come back to the altar later?"
"It could be that by exploring we find an alternate. We also made a promise to the dead king. At the very least, it may be closer to nightfall when we get back to this obstacle and the cooler night air may eliminate our need to smoke out the insects. As a newcomer to your band, however, I will do whatever you folks decide." Alric says quietly.
"I am for finding other ways." as I continue to eye the wasps.
"Norel, my impression is that the pillars shifted because of the weight of your step. Perhaps we might be able to secure the silver without triggering this mechanism at all? By means of my modest sorcery, I may be able to fly over the floor and retrieve the silver we need to save the village without arousing the ancient pillars at all."
Bryce then pauses for a moment, listening to the buzzing above him.
"Although it may, of course, be prudent for me to employ my magic only after the wasps either have calmed down or been driven away."
"Well, let's move back into the other room, build a fire, and smoke out the wasps," Norel suggests, "so that Bryce can employ his magic. Also, it might a good chance to smoke out that old bear from his den and see what those written documents are about."
The only challenge to building a fire and smoking everything out will be how much time you want to take to accomplish this. Harvesting a substantial amount of firewood (enough for a big smoky bonfire) and bringing it in through the crack you entered by will be the most time consuming option, taking probably two or three hours of work. You could also build that bonfire just about anywhere in the building and smoke the whole place out (though watch out you don't accidentally commit arson...).
Smaller fires would be faster to collect wood for, and being able to come in either through the bear's tunnel or the temple doors would be faster. The bear's tunnel is protected by the bear, of course, and the temple doors are jammed, but could possibly be broken down (using weapons or magic). A smaller fire might not be enough to flood the entire temple with smoke though - you'd probably have to choose a room or two, build the fire close by, and fan the smoke into wherever you wanted it to go.
Alric quietly says, " I can accomplish the task of starting the fire, and making sure it does not escape control, if we can gather the fuel for it. I would suggest we stick to mainly the insects for now and see how effective our strategy is first, and because I gather for you fellows, the silver is important for this village you mentioned and so aiding my esteemed colleague to secure it is a high priority. After that perhaps we can continue to pursue the knowledge we need to help the poor king's spirit. That would be my suggestion.
Norel nods in agreement, and says, "yes, the wasps is first priority. We can always deal with the bear at our convenience. Let's start looking for fuel. Unless either Alric or Bryce have some magical way of getting the wasps to leave their nest?"
"If I were at full strength, I could try to attack the swarm with fire, but I would run the risk of both angering the creatures and damaging the surroundings. With the strength I have at my disposal at the moment, and considering the risk a full attack runs, I think we are better off sticking to the less aggressive aproach. Bryce is far more skilled with living creatures than I, however. Do you have any means with which to control or drive off the swarm Bryce?" Alric replies.
Quote from: Sigmund;455903"...Bryce is far more skilled with living creatures than I, however. Do you have any means with which to control or drive off the swarm Bryce?" Alric replies.
"Alas, I do not. My powers are limited to avians. I can exercise no influence over the vile bugs. Consequently, I am happy to attempt to drive them away by non-magical means."
So now we'll go into a round by round break down of the entire process of harvesting wood...
;)
Whoever wants to be in charge of this process, give me an idea of where you're setting up the fire in the temple and a Nature Lore roll at +50% to harvest the wood & set the fire safely. Critical success will let you get it done in an hour, otherwise it'll take two, putting you around 2 or 3 in the afternoon.
"If someone can gather materials for making the fire, I can meditate and attempt to regain more of my magical strength before starting and controlling the fire." Alric says as he moves to the adjacent room to settle down into a meditative position on the floor, setting the lantern next to him and placing his staff and loaded crossbow on the floor as well.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;456485So now we'll go into a round by round break down of the entire process of harvesting wood...
;)
Whoever wants to be in charge of this process, give me an idea of where you're setting up the fire in the temple and a Nature Lore roll at +50% to harvest the wood & set the fire safely. Critical success will let you get it done in an hour, otherwise it'll take two, putting you around 2 or 3 in the afternoon.
Norel says, "alright, Alric, that sounds good. Too many foremen mucks up a job anyway. Let's move back out of the temple chamber and into the room with the debris and refuse."
Norel moves back into the chamber with the refuse and debris, and where they found the bear's den. Norel will start gathering material to start and maintain a fire there. He will also start gathering green material to burn and create thick smoke.
OOC: Norel rolled 43% on his Nature Lore check (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3018873/) (129% with bonus).
Bryce will help Norel collect materials for the fire over the next hour. He also will instruct Devin to stay alert, and report any suspicious activities outside.
Gathering wood is easy, with only a bit of drudge work hauling it back. The thick brush is dry, and the three of you can break it with your hands and weapons to get it through the cracks and back in. Green shoots and wood take only a little bit longer, but there are a few dwarf pine trees in thin soil closer to the mountain rock that you can almost tear out by hand.
Devin follows you around, hopping along the roof of the building and church, and laughing at the silly things mankind does.
It's only a couple of hours before you have a waist high pile arranged for ignition, and when the flame catches, it whooshes upwards on a plume of sweet smelling smoke. The cracks in the temple encourages the fire, as drafts from finger-thin cracks stoke the flame, and the whole place starts to fill up with smoke. Fortunately, the stone and dirt floors aren't flammable, so the flame remains contained on the spot you built it.
At this point, you retreat outside to avoid asphyxiation and to let the fire run itself out. Dewin alerts you that the bear is outside, heading down the mountain and away from the fire. One part of the field around the temple looks like an undulating wave of dirt, but a closer look reveals rats fleeing en masse. And of course, the wasps.
The wasps are thumb-thick monsters with orange stripes, bigger and nastier than anything down in the lowlands, perhaps not even natural. The swarm hangs in the air above the temple and the buzz of their wings sounds like plucked wire. They seem unwilling to reenter so long as the smoke remains.
After a few minutes, smoke stops pouring out of holes as rapidly, as the fire burns itself out. Alric, having been around fires for years, you know this means it has burnt down, and the same drafts that fed air in to the fire will be sending good air in for you to breathe.
Wet rags over your faces, you plunge once more into the now smoke-filled temple...
Back to the Main Hall, or did you want to investigate the bear's room, or some other rooms first?
"To the silver my friends, the wasps do not appear as willing to remain distant as our friend the bear, I think we would be best served by getting our work in the main chamber done soonest.", Alric says through his rag.
Quote from: Sigmund;457781"To the silver my friends, the wasps do not appear as willing to remain distant as our friend the bear, I think we would be best served by getting our work in the main chamber done soonest.", Alric says through his rag.
having stowed bow in favor of saber and shield ..."Lets to it then." as I blink stinging eyes.
Inside then, and only a few minutes later, you stand back in the main hall. The smoldering heap of char that was the bonfire sits between the pillars and the main temple doors. The pillars are blackened with smoke, as are the designs on the walls and floor, but the fire doesn't seem to have done much actual damage thanks to the wisdom of the ancient in building the entire place out of stone.
Smoke rolls past the altar but avoids touching it, or even entering the pillar of light around it.
after a moment of silence while everyone takes in the scene, Norel says, "well, Bryce, will you fly other there or send your companion first to check it out?"
Bryce closes his eyes, furrows his brow in concentration, and mutters some eldritch words. He then rises slowly into the air!
(Roll of 28 (http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3028684/) on sorcery skill -- a success.)
Bryce will levitate himself over to the silver. He'll try to collect it up, without overburdening himself, but if there is any sign of danger, he'll retreat as quickly as possible.
For now I'll spend 2 magic points, which should give Bryce a movement rate of either 8 or 10 metres (the example is somewhat confusing on this, as it states that spending 4 points will confer a movement rate of 14 m).
Alric watches carefully, attempting to prepare to react in the event of danger.
"Careful, lad," Norel says once he sees Bryce levitate off the ground, "take your time and do it right."
Now in the air, Bryce floats toward the silver, wary of any possible threat...
As you pass the same point that Norrel did earlier, the statues turn and follow you. Up high, you can see into the mouths and eyes of the graven figures on the pillars. Small metal rods jut from their palates and tongues to fill their mouths, and some sort of lightning snaps quietly between the two rods in each mouth. From this angle, you can see that the innermost of the three white mosaic lines surrounding the altar is in fact enameled metal - from your high point, you can see the gleam of silver reflecting sunlight, whereas down below, it appears as a milky grey.
It seems though the statues' lightning is powerless to strike those who are not touching the ground. The deadly mosaic line is far enough out that you can land if you wish, or merely float serenely above the altar and recover the treasures.
Closer in, the silverware is engraved with pagan designs and letters. Five bowls, each probably a half pound of sterling, are stacked inside one another neatly. Two goblets, two platters, and two braziers, all sterling and the same weight or larger than the bowls, are set on the altar. Despite the care used in setting them, they don't appear particularly clean. At least one the braziers has had a fire lit in it, and one of the goblets has some sort of dark, dried crust in the cup.
While hovering over the altar, alert to any possible further danger, Bryce tosses the smaller silver items, including the goblets, over the his compatriots.
"Sir Dwarf -- catch!"
The young sorcerer then collects as much of the remaining, larger silver items as he can, starting with the five bowls.
Once I'm loaded up, I'll fly back to where I first cast the spell, landing with as much grace and flair as I can manage.
Once he sees that Bryce is going to toss the items to them, Norel puts down his weapon and shield and prepares to catch the tossed items.
Bryce, you can carry the silver over easily enough in two trips. It's a small fortune, more than enough to buy seedcorn for the villagers. The silver is cold, though not dangerously so. Up close, you can see that the brazier that looks used has the word "Mazurabn" engraved on it.
So, you have the silver. You can skedaddle and bring it back to the village, which would leave Hrolf in the lurch, or there's still the room full of texts, plus several other unexplored doors on either side. The wasps are staying out for now.
after clapping Bryce on the shoulder..."Well done man! Townsfolk will be much relieved by this!"
looking to the others..."Shall we away from this haunted place 'fore nightfall?"
"At the very least, I would like to investigate some of the books in the bear's den, while we have the chance. And I do feel that we should help King Hrolf, but perhaps we should return to the village first? The King has waited many centuries now; I suspect that he could wait one more week..."
"I agree, the village's need sounds great, but we did make the king a promise, and I am interested in investigating these documents as well." Alric says quietly as he watches for danger and holds up the lantern, "We can prepare for our return more effectively as well, now that we have begun to have an idea about what we are dealing with here."
Quote from: Akrasia;461430"At the very least, I would like to investigate some of the books in the bear's den, while we have the chance. And I do feel that we should help King Hrolf, but perhaps we should return to the village first? The King has waited many centuries now; I suspect that he could wait one more week..."
Quote from: Sigmund;461451"I agree, the village's need sounds great, but we did make the king a promise, and I am interested in investigating these documents as well." Alric says quietly as he watches for danger and holds up the lantern, "We can prepare for our return more effectively as well, now that we have begun to have an idea about what we are dealing with here."
nodding to this..."I agree with you men! I to will keep my word to dead king but lets to the village first and complete silver mission and to better prepare!"
So, what's the decision?
Bryce heads toward the bear's lair in order to search it for lost texts and scrolls.
Of course, if there is any sign of the bear, I'll not enter the room.
The bear has not returned since fleeing into the woods. But the scrolls and codicils have remained unharmed, scattered across the floor with a few scraps of wood from shattered racks amongst them.
Most of the books look roughly cared for, not unexpected after a century and a bear. Many are rotten and illegible, especially the scrolls, and other have been torn to shreds.
For all that, though, several codicils shoved up in one corner look to be in good condition. A quick search reveals two copies of the Aleuthia written in Moragnian. One says "BRUMLEE OF REDMUN" on the inside cover, and the other "Br. Marik of the Holy Order of St. Dagmar". However, the rest of the hoard may draw your eye as well. Several highly heretical, and potent books of magic lay underneath shreds of parchment:
The Liber Terminus Obscuri, the Book of the Dark Border, the infamous book of demonology and necromancy for which Gaius Moragnius was burnt three hundred years ago, and which has remained in circulation ever since. The middle section of 100 pages has been torn out. Raenil text.
The Mendacia Dei, the Lies of God, anonymous. The prayer book of a well-known antinominian cult called itself "The White Brotherhood". Fully intact. Old Thernish and Moragnian parallel texts.
The Carcer Damnati, the Prison of the Damned, by "The Wise Man". Illustrated and complete. Old Thernish text. The pictures are lurid and vile.
On the Means of the Divine Operation, a surprisingly orthodox text, the standard church sorcery textbook both Bryce and Alric have probably read as part of their studies. Autographed inside the front cover with "Br. Marik." Moragnian text.
Alric follows Bryce with the lantern, glancing over the papers examined while holding the lantern up to give light. On sight of the sorcery books, Alric recoils, almost dropping the lantern and glancing around wide-eyed and exclaims, "By all that's Holy!"
keeping an eye out as the others look over the scrolls...feeling a bit harried as the day wanes...
The books btw, are totally safe to handle. A rough estimate is that the two Aleuthias (the Bible-equivalent) are worth maybe 480 silver apiece, as is the On the Means of... while the heretical works are worth more. The Carcer Damnati is potentially worth 2400 silver, Mendacia Dei is maybe 720 silver, and LTO, in its damaged condition is worth may 720 silver. Provided you could find buyers, of course.
Spellbooks:
Carcer Damnati: Sorcery - Spiritual Projection, Spirit Resistance, Summon Cacodemon, Summon Succubus, Summon the Arch-Demon Kaalist, Summon the Arch-Demon Zoramos
Mendacia Dei: Divine Magic - Call Undead, Consecrate, Dismiss Magic, Madness, Otherworldly Journey, Soul Sight
On the Means of the Divine Operation: Sorcery - Cast Back, Create Scroll, Mystic Vision, Neutralise Magic, Protective Sphere, Summon Angel
Bryce places one of the Aleuthias volumes in his backpack. Looking at Alaric to see if he objects, he moves to take the volume On the Means of Divine Operation as well.
"What should we do about these heretical works, fellow scholar? Leave them here? Turn them over to the University?"
'Brother Marik' sounds familiar for some reason. Have we come across that name earlier?
"Brother Marik," as well as "Brumley" were names written in chalk on the base of the statue in the room you first entered through. Link (http://www.therpgsite.com/showpost.php?p=449032&postcount=543)
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;462617"Brother Marik," as well as "Brumley" were names written in chalk on the base of the statue in the room you first entered through. Link (http://www.therpgsite.com/showpost.php?p=449032&postcount=543)
Ah, right. Thanks.
Stroking his chin thoughtfully, Bryce remarks: "It seems that the wholesome tomes belonged to the group that scrawled its names on the statue we encountered earlier. The profane and heretical texts, on the other hand, look to have belonged to the monks of this blasphemous place."
"Eh, apologies for interupting scholarly process but night comes on soon! Are we to stay in this haunted place?" as I glance about the shadowed room...
Alric gathers up the rest of the tomes, saying, "I agree, we should withdraw for now, and I also agree we should turn over the heretical tomes to those that can dispose of them and prevent them from again being used to cause such damage." After stuffing the books into his pack, he slings it back over his shoulders and picks up his staff and lantern.
I had surgery recently and can't sit at the computer for very long. Please forgive me if I go for long stretches without logging on for the next couple weeks. Alric can be controlled by Pseudo if need be to move the game along.
Quote from: Sigmund;463494I had surgery recently and can't sit at the computer for very long. Please forgive me if I go for long stretches without logging on for the next couple weeks. Alric can be controlled by Pseudo if need be to move the game along.
Crap! Hope you feel better soon, man. :)
Quote from: Sigmund;463494Alric gathers up the rest of the tomes, saying, "I agree, we should withdraw for now, and I also agree we should turn over the heretical tomes to those that can dispose of them and prevent them from again being used to cause such damage." After stuffing the books into his pack, he slings it back over his shoulders and picks up his staff and lantern.
I had surgery recently and can't sit at the computer for very long. Please forgive me if I go for long stretches without logging on for the next couple weeks. Alric can be controlled by Pseudo if need be to move the game along.
Sorry to hear that, man. Be well.
Bryce, having taken his share of the books, prepares to leave the temple.
"Devin, my friend, are there any dangers outside?" inquires the sorcerer of his familiar.
I've been thinking it over, and I'm gonna call it, gents. Sorry. I'm suffering a bit of burn out here. Thanks to all of you for playing.
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;464829I've been thinking it over, and I'm gonna call it, gents. Sorry. I'm suffering a bit of burn out here. Thanks to all of you for playing.
:( ahhh schucks...thanks for all your work!
Quote from: Pseudoephedrine;464829I've been thinking it over, and I'm gonna call it, gents. Sorry. I'm suffering a bit of burn out here. Thanks to all of you for playing.
Ah, the curse of the PBP game strikes again!
No worries, and thanks for the game as long as it lasted.:)
Hi all
I've been following this quietly with a warm glow of satisfaction. Thanks to Pseudoephedrine for setting it up and running, and to the rest of you to playing with such gusto :)
Shame its come to an end, but its had a very good run.
Maximum thanks from me again :)