Session 23, August 25, 2007

DM: ROLL INITIATIVE!

Dianysia: "Hey, can't we just talk about this without the killing?"

DM: Gabi: "Sorry. Can't take the chance."

Dianysia: E - "What chance?"

DM: Sue: "You heard the lady. She's in charge."

Jefferson Harco: "We don't want to hurt you."

Dianysia: E - "She's not in charge of me... And I really don't want to keep fighting for nothing...."

Braids: E- "Umm, I don't you all would be fighting for nothing... I think at this point we are fighting to, you know, keep breath and all that annoying stuff?"

DM: Gabi grins, leaning forward until it looks like she's about to fall on her face off the ledge... until she places her foot on the vertical section of wall beneath her, and actually starts running down the ten feet of wall to the floor, smoothly transitioning back to the ground at the bottom and running towards the group... as she does so, you note a strange glow gather around her right hand, almost at the edge of visibility, which suddenly springs forward into a sword-shaped SOMETHING, glowing faintly lavender.

Dianysia: E - "Well, if I'm fighting for my life, I'd mjust like to know why."

Candace: "I don't think they're interested in chit-chat anymore, luv. Just time to shut up and put up, as it were."

Dianysia: "Well, we need to try and take Gabi alive"

Braids: Braids looks down at her scroll, and quickly starts to prattle off a series of words, "Incarus vi collum dionis ctu geringth," and then moves her free arm, right to left, and as she does so, a wall of fire errupts from the floor, running straight through the formation of Sue and Gabi, as the spell resolves, Braids says, "Well this feels right, everything has gone wrong and something is on fire now!"
Braids: Braids smiles at the fire, then looks over to the others for a reaction before stepping away from the fire a little bit.

Dianysia: E -"Nice fire, but we do want Gabi alive, as I just said..."

Braids: E- "Ehh, she is still alive, just a little crispier, and funny smelling... gods I hate the smell of burning hair, although burning cat is pretty bad too..."

Deladriel runs toward Gabi, jumping at her throat as she comes into melee range, attempting to get a hold onto Gabi's neck with her jaws while simultaneously bringing her to the ground

DM: okay then... Gabi gets a chance to stab at you with that lavender short-sword thingy growing out of her hand
DM: the purple sword "pulses" with that same strange light the halflings' lances did as she scores a glancing blow on your ribs on the way in...
DM: your bite connected, which means you've got the hold on her neck... but you're also in the flames, which now that you're past the barrier, are quite hot...

DM: you manage to grab a hold of her, and you are now grappled, in her space

Dianysia: "Candace, keep us up... Hope this works," Dia says, approaching the cat and Gabi. Dianysia withdraws her knife as she does so, placing the blade to Gabi's back about kidney-level.

DM: okay... it's right up against her back... on the other side of studded leather armor

Dianysia: "It's over, let's stop this now, and no one has to die." ((I will keep the blade on her until she responds, and if I don't like the response, then I'll prepare to attack next round.
Dianysia: ((Either way, blade stays there as long as possible))

DM: Gabi (Elven): "It's not over 'til the Matriarch sings!"

Candace rolls her eyes at the scene, letting go of her sword with one hand to grab her holy symbol around her neck, chanting a quick prayer as a nimbus of light seems to shine around her for a second, before disappearing beneath her armor, a renewed fervor shining in her eyes. "Then it's time to break out the backup choir!" She steps up to the wall of fire, waiting for an opening to strike for optimum effect.

Dianysia: "Looks like the party's here," Dia mutters under her breath.

Jefferson Harco steps up to the grappling pair and attempts to guide his fist to the lower part of the occipital plate of Gabi's skull. "May the mercy of my fist be your first step to a longer life."

DM: definitely connects, hard...
DM: she suddenly goes completely limp, the lavender blade-like thing disappearing as her hand opens... Del, she's no longer struggling against you

DM: Sue quickly shoots upwards, easily clearing above the top of the flames... and she looks PISSED. She moves along the ceiling a little ways (halfway between flames & ceiling, call it 25 ft. off ground), and begins concentrating, as you all see a strange display of lights appearing and disappearing around her... before they disappear for good, and you all feel invisible forces plucking at you...
DM: Dia & Del, you feel the force tugging at you, but you mentally grit your teeth and the forces dissipate harmlessly... for the OTHERS, you feel the forces gather, as you're suddenly lifted off your feet and FLUNG, at high speeds...
DM: Jeff and Candace are flung against the pillars at either end of the wall of flames... Braids is flung into a different pillar, away from the flames

Deladriel: I will hold on to Gabi, going with her

Dianysia: "Wait... where'd everyone go?"

DM: the two of you now go flying out of the tower, onto the slope of the grassy hill

Deladriel is glad we didn't nail a pillar

Braids: Braids quickly recovers, looking a little annoyed, then shouts, "I can play that game to, but I am not going to be tickling you!"
Braids: Braids quickly scans the bottom of the scroll, then looks up at Sue, holding her hand towards her, and says, quite loudly, "Itelium, Carsis montil firam!" and then flicks her hand sending four streaming missles towards Sue.

Dianysia: "Is everyone okay?"

Jefferson Harco groans and moans....
Jefferson Harco: "I'm feeling a little hot under the collar..."

Candace gorans. "Just peachy... kill the bitch, please?"

Deladriel: pin Gabi's arms so that she can't attack me

Dianysia points at Sue, concentrating for a moment, then says "Veneficus Telum" and three color-shifting arrows fly at Sue, hitting.
Dianysia: I then back up 30 ft.
Dianysia: "Hope the matriarch has started singing," Dia mumbles, looking around at the other members of her party.

Candace staggers to her feet, stumbling out of the flames and sheltering behind one of the pillars.

Jefferson Harco: roll out of the flames and move towards Gabi.

DM: Sue laughs, moving purposefully in Braids' and Dia's direction as more of the strange lights start appearing and disappearing around her... then she suddenly disappears at the same time as Gabi vanishes beneath Del, only to have each of them reappear in the other's place (which means Del, you now have Sue pinned under you unable to speak). Gabi falls the 25 feet, landing lightly on the balls of her toes and causing the lavender short-sword to appear in her hand again on the way down.

DM: Gabi grins. "Not singing yet!" She steps up quickly, lunging forward at Dia, aiming to pierce her center of mass with the lavender sword...
DM: the strange light glints along the sword, but her strike is not quite true, missing any vitals and jabbing through your side

Braids: Braids smiles slightly at Gabi, "You smell, kind of like burned hair... and your skin, wow, you should really see someone about that," as she takes a step back, dropping the last magic stone into her sling, and letting it fly towards Gabi.

Deladriel looks down at Sue and gets a wondrfully happy look in her face
Deladriel thinks to herself "Nobody said anything about keeping this one alive

Braids: Braids smiles as the colorful stone lands squarly on the shoulder of Gabi, and says, "Nope, that doesn't fix the smell..."

Deladriel ponders the meaning of life for a moment, then decides to put an end to it in Sue. She clamps her jaws down as hard as she can on sue's neck, attempting to snap it and bleed the jugular veins.

DM: the slight difference between the two women is enough to get your aim slightly off... you take a chunk out of her neck but don't QUITE hit the vitals... but she's REALLY hurting... and she's still prone... and Del, you may choose whether or not you want to continue standing over her

Deladriel is situated in such a way to get an AoO if she even thinks of doing ANYTHING

Dianysia shifts into a position to keep her vitals sheltered as she begins a spell, and she splays her hands out where only her thumbs are touching and all of her fingers are spread, saying "Igneus Manuum"

DM: Gabi manages to duck to avoid the worst of the flames roaring from Dia's hand, but still singes more of her hair, increasing the smell and adding a few new charred marks to her armor

Candace mutters, grabbing her holy symbol and praying to Ascar to heal the worst of her injuries, before stalking out from behind the pillar, her sword held quite menacingly. "Alright, that wanker's DEAD!"

Dianysia: "We need the assassin alive...!"

Candace: "Okay, then the OTHER wanker's dead!"

Braids: "Screw living assassins, just got her brought back when we get there!" Braids says, her hand running across scrolls in her scroll case, obviously looking for the right now
Braids: "Wait, why the hell are you capturing an assassin! You a bunch of nit wits?"

DM: Gabi: "Big talk, but you ain't caught me yet!"

Dianysia: "Same reason we're hunting assassins... old men and geases."

DM: Gabi (Elven): "Oh hell, the fogey sent you? THAT explains a lot."

Braids: "What the hell are you talking about? Ugh... damn it, I wish Terry was here..."

Jefferson Harco: move to put Gabi between me and Dia

Dianysia: "Can you floor her again?"

Jefferson Harco: "I am giving you this chance to surrender, Gabi, what will it be."

DM: Gabi makes NO response to that

Dianysia: "She's much nicer when her mouth is shut."

Jefferson Harco is going to go for a blow to the chest in hopes of rendering his target out of breathe. His fist gleams with a hint of light as he punches threw, you see the tail end of the light attempt to follow the fast fist

DM: Gabi goes rigid again, her hand opening convulsively as the lavender sword disappears yet again

Dianysia: "Del! Now!"

DM: Sue begins doing her best to duck & weave (manifesting defensively) as the strange lights start appearing around her again, then she suddenly vanishes from underneath Deladriel

Dianysia: "Someone pin this bitch or tie her up or SOMETHING!"

Deladriel runs back to Gabi and puts her back into the grapple
Deladriel: Nat 1...miss

Dianysia: place my dagger to Gabi's throat and wrap my other arm around her - coming from behind her, for context... (grappling)
Dianysia: "Can someone please tie this bitch up? Anyone? And can you keep her stunned, Jeff?"

Jefferson Harco: "Got any rope?"

Braids: "Just end her, she is an assassin after all..." Braids says, "Where did the other one go?"

Jefferson Harco: "We must not end her, we need her alive."

Candace comes up behind Jeff, grabbing her holy symbol and praying over it, then placing her hand on Jeff's back to send a wave of healing energies flowing over him.

Jefferson Harco: "Thanks Candance!"

Braids: "Guys, I am going to kill her, because quite frankly I've had enough of all this bull, and since you guys are the closest things I have to allies right now, I am not going to travel with her. And before you say, 'Oh we need her alive' if it really is a geas that the elf wizard person thingy referred to earlier, then me killing her will not only make my life easier, but will get rid of the geas, because your goal becomes impossible to accomplish, and I am assuming that you have no instruction to prevent others from killing her, because hey I have been trying to kill her and you've seen no ill effects." With that, Braids pulls out her dagger, dropping her sling to the ground, and moves over to the nearly-helpless woman, and aims the dagger at her exposed throat, and thrusts it forward with as much strength as she can muster.

DM: she's STILL standing & breathing, despite the decent-sized wound

Braids: "See, do any of you have a headache for not trying to stop me?" Braids says, preparing to stab again.

Jefferson Harco: "I must ask you to stop. If you do attack, you must do so that it knocks her out."

Braids: "Sorry, at this point, I am convinced that the geas you were given was given with little foresight, and this will help you more then you think, I know I'd rather be rid of a geas if I had one," Braids says, with a slight half smile towards Jeff.

Dianysia: "Depends on the geas, doen't it"

Braids: "Geas is all about the instructions given, I have had the intent to kill, just because you do not know I had the intent, the magic 'knows' and would of responded in kind, that is how the spell works dear."

Dianysia: "It would depend on the instructions, *dear*."
Dianysia: "And I'd recommend not trying that again."

Braids: "What are the instructions then?"

Dianysia: "Candace, please keep her off of us. It may well save SEVERAL lives."

Braids: "Surely you remember them?"

Jefferson Harco: "We must bring her back alive. And as far as I am concerned, if you are an ally, like you claim you will respect our wishes."
Jefferson Harco: "Any other action would be detrimental to us therefor removing yourself from our so called list of allies. SO I ask you as an ally, do not attempt to to harm Gabi."

Braids: "How is my actions detrimental... I know how this spell works, and just my intent to kill in all of my strikes would've caused the effects of the spell to trigger, and they haven't, it doesn't hurt to think about things a little bit."

Dianysia: "You talk about things as a child who does not understand anything but assumes they are correct. Jeff, can you help me here?"

Jefferson Harco: "I don't know magic, and I do not want a lesson now, I know what I have been told, so I am bringing Gabi back alive. You may join us in her apprehension. Or you can leave now."

Braids: "Whatever," then turning back to Dianysia, "What were the geas instructions?"

DM: Gabi recovers from her stun... and is grappled with Dia... she clenches her hand to re-create the lavender short sword again, and starts squirming around in Dia's grip to try and jab her in the side with it...

Dianysia: she MISSES

Deladriel takes a step back, shifts to Elf form and fishes a small cube out of her pack...
Deladriel activates the cube and drops it on the ground between her and Gabi

DM: the normal cloud of smoke appears, and clears to reveal a half-orc, blinking, wearing breastplate and carrying a heavy wooden shield on one arm, a light mace in his hand. "Hi?" (everyone, say hello to Gell)

Deladriel: "Subdue that woman" Del says to the half orc while pointing at Gabi

Dianysia attempts to pin the woman.

DM: she's pinned

Candace steps up to the plate, and attempts to brain Gabi with the flat of her blade
Candace: the adamantine greatsword swooshes in, just BARELY missing Dia's face to smack Gabi in the flat of the back... and Gabi promptly collapses (KO'd), although she is still breathing steadily

Dianysia: "Nice, though I think I may have just had my life flash before my eyes..."
Dianysia: "Anyone got some rope?"
Dianysia: "And anyone have any clue as to Sue's whereabouts?"

Jefferson Harco looks for Sue

Dianysia: "I'll take that as a 'no' then...We need to find her, and stabilize this less-than-useful woman..."

Braids: "No, to the rope, and no to the Sue," Braids says.
Braids: "You guys really should just kill her, I know you think it 'wrong' but ya know I have been in similar places before, and hostile assassins always were harder to deal with then anything else."

Jefferson Harco: "Ok first off, there's no need to kill anyone. Second off, she's not hard to deal with she's unconscious.

Dianysia: "I don't know... arrogant casters can be just as difficult," Dia mutters in Elven.

Jefferson Harco: "Does anyone have rope"
Jefferson Harco: "If not then I will carry her. And we will have to head back to town"

Braids: "And when she becomes conscious again?"

Deladriel: "I have rope"

Dianysia: "Good... all my rope is on the pig...Candace... can you heal her just enough to make sure she doesn't bleed out?"

Jefferson Harco ignoring the comment from the spellcaster... "Ok Del Tie her up good, I'll help and we'll carry her back

Jefferson Harco: i get Del's rope

DM: so Gell stands there, blinking... and does something, to where you all feel tougher somehow. "Um. What we do here?"

Jefferson Harco: "We tie her up and get her back"

Dianysia: "Well, we're trying to bind this woman, find another and kill or knock unconscious another woman, and return to the city."

Braids: "How many days to the city," Braids askes.

DM: "Oh, okay. Where other woman?"

Deladriel: "We must find other woman"

Dianysia: "Invisible or vanished for the moment, though I am fairly certain that she'll be coming back looking for this one... or reporting it to the church.."

DM: "Ohhh... look where?"

Dianysia: "Well, maybe not the church... I'm not sure on that one."

DM: (( and we'll call that Gell's turn, lol ))

Braids: "Heh, figures I spend two years skirting church attention, then a single mistake, and I end up bumbling right into them," Braids says.

Jefferson Harco: "What is it that got you here?"

Braids: "Eh, a piece of stone, a gate like that one, and bad Celestial," Braids replies.

Jefferson Harco: "I think your narrative needs much more explanation

Braids: "Well there is not much else to tell of it," Braids replies.

Jefferson Harco: "How about explaining this stone....or the gate...or how a Celestial is bad?"

Dianysia: "Something about a tablet is what she said earlier," Dia says suspiciously.

Braids: "Celestial as in the language, and maybe later... right now I think we have other concerns..." Braids said, again smiling a strange smile.

DM: Sue comes out the opening from upstairs, she's still flying, and she looks a little different... some sort of "hazy" effect you can't quite pinpoint... she grins an obviously death's-head-grin, and points her finger at the group of people, the strange lights surrounding her before winking out, and all of you feel the same tugging forces at you...
DM: braids, Gabi & Del stay put... everybody else goes flying
DM: and Jeff, you go flying through the wall of fire...
DM: Candace is the only one flung up against a wall, she takes 5 damage from that

Deladriel begins to weave red bands of energy through the air, all coalescing into a small sphere of flame in her right hand. She then reels back and hurls it at Sue...
Deladriel smiles as yet another firey globe appears in her hand immediately after the last one leaves it

DM: yeah, so... the liiiiiiitle, iity-biity ball of fire goes flying... the strange distortion seems to be in JUST the wrong place to catch it... and splashes over Sue... whose eyes roll up in her head, and she hangs there for a second, before dropping
DM: all of you hear a nice, satisfying "crunch" as she hits the floor... and Jeff is the only one in position to actually WITNESS the splat

Session 22, August 18th, 2007

DM: the red thing, having just pounced at the human woman only to have her disappear... looks around in a somewhat bewildered way... and opens its mouth to issue a blatant challenge, muscles bulging under its skin as a frill you hadn't really noticed before rises around the back of its head, even more enhancing the visual similarities to a dragon

Deladriel takes a 5 foot step to the right and begins weaving green magic between her hands. Speaking in druidic, she directs her hands ahead of her, directed at the head of the creature...

Dianysia casts mage armor, then calls out tho the new person, "This way!"

Braids: Braids looks around, hoping her companions will soon be after her, but after watching the human start to run, and the other thing suddenly turn hostile, she dicides to move around to the other side of the arch, while running through the pages and pages of books her father, and Terry had her reading, trying to figure out what the cat critter then was.
Braids: As she comes around the arch, she does a search check for any kind of information from the nearby walls, or anyway she can find a way out of her current mess.

DM: The human woman is looking very wide-eyed... but she pulls a length of crystal (similar to the ones you've seen Beth use) out of her belt, and aim it at the red creature, concentrating for a second before a blue beam lances out towards it...
DM: striking the creature, causing bits of frost to blossom of the scales, and a wash of cold air to expand outward before dissipating

DM: the red critter wheels and moves... unfortunately for her, it's heading after braids...

Braids: Braids sees the thing coming and shouts at it, "Wasn't me dragon guy, cat, thing! I have... ummm, shiny things if you want something... plus you don't want to eat me, I will give you really bad stomach aches..." Braids says in Draconic as she tries to stay out of its way.

DM: the critter simply roars in response, and swipes at Braids with its forward claw...
DM: the claw catches on the archway, throwing the creature off balance so it can't complete its swipe.

Braids: "Hah, maybe you are not such a scary Dragon Kitty, attaching stone archways and all that!"

Deladriel: It is at this point that the fruition of Del's spell becomes readily obvious as spiders emerge from everywhere...cracks in the floor, corners, walls, EVERYWHERE...and converge on the head of the creature

Dianysia: "Oh, great, she's antagonizing it," Dia mutters irritably.
Dianysia: "Oh no no... spiders... no... Del... not spiders!"

Deladriel shifts into cat form and prowls quietly to the south...keeping an eye on the swarm

Dianysia steps quickly around the pillar as she reaches into her pouch, withdrawing a small clear gem, and focuses on it a moment. She mutters a handful of of words in an ancient arcane tongue, and from the crystal shoots a line of color-shifting energy, making a sizing, hissing, screaming noise, heading straight for the spider-laden creature.

DM: the energies wash over some of the spiders and the back of the critter, the carefully aimed spell impacting the archway to avoid splashing onto the newcomer... the creature roars in pain, but doesn't seem even slowed down by the effect

Braids: The metal dog, sensing the concern in its masters mind, and quite possibly the urgent come help command as well, looks up from its rest position and moves towards the dragon cat, and lets out a metallic howl, just before it lungs at it.
Braids: The metallic hound grabs a chunk of the cat dragons hind end in its mouth, and tugs on it slightly, while Braids quickly looks at the spiders, then says in draconic, "You should probably have that looked at..." as she steps back, lifting the scroll to eye level, and mutters, "Now lets see if I can read my own writing," then says a bit louder, "Itelium carsis montil, firam." and thrusts her free hand forward letting four speeding globs of energy stream out of her hand and slam into the dragon kitty.

DM: the magic missiles slam into the critter's hide... knocking a single scale off.
DM: the woman closes her eyes, obviously concentrating as a strange hum seems to surround her... before she lifts off the ground, raising a good fifteen feet (halfway to the ceiling) and starts drifting over towards the creature.

DM: the red thing growls, leaning down to rip into the spiders surrounding it, swiping with both claws... sending broken bits of spiders flying all over the northwest part of the room

Deladriel drops her attention to the spell and growls loudly as she races toward the creature. She reaches it's end and begins tearing and ripping at it's hind end with all the power she can muster..

DM: the critter now has a few scales missing here and there, but it doesn't even look like it's slowing down any yet

Dianysia sighs, looking more than slightly annoyed that her last spell didn't have as great an affect as she wants, and takes stock of the situation. Noting that things are not going as well as she'd hoped, and that the creature seems undamaged, she swears in angry draconic as she grabs a box, roughly a foot big from her pack, and tosses it towards the fighting. "Sure hope this thing works as well as it did last time..."

DM: so... the box lands right where it's supposed to, and disappears in a cloud of smoke... resolving to reveal Candace, who you met previously... :)

Dianysia: "Oh, sorry Candace! Watch out!"

Braids: The metallic hound lets out another mechanical howl as it lungs forward and tries to bite into the Cat-dragon again....

Candace: Elven - "So, I guess it's welcome to the party again, eh?"

Braids: As the hound grabs the kitty dragon again, Braids drops the scroll, and pulls out her sling, and stuffs her hand into the bullet pouch, focusing on the subtle possibilities of magic, and forcing them into the stone, imbuing them with magical energy.

Dianysia: E "What can we say? We missed you!"

Braids: "Wow, is this like a pop out of no where convention?" Braids asks, hearing the new voice yelling out.

Dianysia: "Apparently!" Dia calls back. "Now, if you come over here, we can protect you better!'

Braids: "Um, while I like people, I like air too... so I think I will stay here until this dragon kitty cat is dead, and you know, I have like a minute or so to figure out such simple things like, where in bit did I end up and in which direction home is in!" she shouts back.

DM: Candace grins, taking a look at the large red thing. "So what're we facing today? Some oversized lizard kitty?" Candace pulls out her holy symbol and starts praying in some dialect you've not heard before, gesturing with her symbol to all directions as a burst of light radiates outward, and all of you feel yourselves touched by... SOMETHING. "No need, luv. I like the challenge here better." Letting her symbol drop on its chain, Candace pulls a nice large sword off her back, and grins widely, a new gleam coming to her eye. "Here, kitty kitty!"

Dianysia: "You're not in Bit, so you won't find home, now come on!"

DM: the human woman continues to drift along, halfway between floor and ceiling, to get a good angle on the creature, before lashing out with her strange crystal again, the same blue beam lancing down...
DM: to strike the critter on the back, the wash of cold air radiating out again as the frost appears briefly on the critter's scales and vanishes just as quickly.

DM: the critter, for its part, spins around, and swipes one claw at the remaining spiders, sending spider chunks spraying off to one side, as it swipes out with the other claw at the iron dog, and lunges with teeth open at Del

Braids: Braids suddenly screams out in pain as the iron dog drops to the ground, the burning color of its eye fading.

Dianysia: "Are you okay?!

Braids: "Yes... just a killer headache, not the first time...."

DM: the dragon-kitty is following through on its bite on the jaguar-kitty, trying to get a solid grip with its teeth
DM: Deladriel apparently managed to swipe the critter's tongue or something, because a reflexive reaction made its jaws open quickly, giving Del all the opening she needed to slip free from danger

Deladriel Takes a bite at the creatures throat, then backs up to try to goad the creature to follow

DM: The dragon takes a swing at Del as she darts away, trying to catch her...
DM: it scores a NASTY swipe on Del's hindquarters as she moves

Dianysia watches what's going on carefully, and sighs. "Wonderful. Icidia denkon cre-ehn," she mutters, after reaching into her pouch again and withdrawing a dart and couple other small components. She begins pointing at the creature again. This time, a green arrow slips from her finger, dripping what can only be considered to be acid as it flies at it's target.

Braids: Braids, still reeling from the death of the iron dog, focuses herself for a moment, staring at the dragon kitty, and gripping the sling tight, and it starts to glow a vibrant pink, then orange color before the glow fades into nothing and she drops a glowing stone into it, and starts to spin it.

DM: Candace still holds her sword in a guard position, but moves to stand next to Del, murmuring a prayer to Ascar before placing her hand on Del's back, the flesh re-knitting quickly. "I hope you know what you're doing, cat."

DM: the human woman hangs there in the air, a strange hum coming from her again, as she focuses on the creature, the hum suddenly disappearing as the creature's flesh dimples, a soft "thud" sound accompanying each of the four impact points

DM: the creature itself roars out in fury, its eyes seeming to glaze over slightly as it charges forward, lunging at Deladriel recklessly
DM: the claw slashes at Del's head, which is pulled out of line just in time, but still scoring a wicked set of gashes on her shoulder

Deladriel reels back but gets a focused look on her face as she focuses on keeping the creature involved...she swipes hard at the creatures head...
Deladriel connects full on then backs up again....bracing herself for another attack

DM: the critter swipes again... connecting with another set of gashes on the other shoulder to match

Deladriel looks severely battered...but remains focused

Dianysia: "Candace, please keep her up!"

DM: the critter is STARTING to look a little the worse for wear... especially as the acid is continuing to eat through its hide... it's still going to where it doesn't even seem to notice the damage tho

Dianysia turns to the warpig, trying to get it to attack to the creature.

DM: Ruby just stares at you... obviously NOT going to follow that command.

Dianysia: "Stupid pig," Dia mutters, then casts another acid arrow at the creature herself.

Braids: Braids, keeping the sling spinning moves up a little bit in order to get a clear line of sight on the dragon gato, and then focuses her aim for a second, letting the weapons blood lust for the dragons blood help guide the aiming, the suddenly looses the blue stone. The stone arches beautifully, accelerating towards the dragon cat's head, slamming hard into it, leaving some damaged scales behind and a painful looking wound.
Braids: "Hah, like those stones don't you kitty! Just keep running!"

DM: Candace grimaces, knowing she's likely to get hurt... but backs away from the dragon-kitty as carefully as possible, trying to get close enough to heal Deladriel again... chanting a prayer to Ascar again, this time a bit more fervently, as greater healing energies flow through her to close the gaping sores in Deladriel's hide

DM: the human woman continues drifting along between ceiling and floor, the buzzing starting up again as she focuses on the creature... before releasing mental energies to again slam in against its hide

DM: the red critter roars its frustration again, charging straight at Deladriel still... creating an opening for Candace as it does so, which she of course takes...
DM: Candace's sword finds a gap between the creature's scales, sliding in deep to carve a chunk off its hide as the creature's claws carve another set of deep gashes in Deladriel's side.

Deladriel takes a 5-foot step back, shifting to Elf form...she starts weaving glowing green magic once again and says "Radix Excipio"...upon completing her spell...the very grass and weeds at the feet of the creature begin to entwine up the creature's legs and body...trying to pull it to the ground with massive force

DM: both the dragon-critter and candace manage to keep moving just enough to keep the grasses from wrapping around their legs, letting them move, albeit slower than normal

Deladriel: "Now Candace! Hit it hard!"

Dianysia: "Why won't this damn thing die already," Dia mutters in frustration. She speedily moves 30 ft directly in front of her previous location. After grabbing yet more items from within her spell pouch, she says "Levitas Offendo!" At this point, she releases a line of electricity at the creature, aiming so as not to hit anyone.

DM: you send a line of electricity streaking out to course over the critter and streak into the distance... the critter has the presence of mind to drop slightly to avoid catching the worst of the blast, although it's still looking quite the worse for wear, several patches free of scales, and a few ribs showing in the portion Candace carved off...

Braids: Braids mutters something under her breath as an elven woman gets in her firing line, and quickly moves to another vantage point, pulling another blue stone out and spinning her sling and once again letting the stone loose.
Braids: Braids smiles as she watches the stone slam into the dragon cat with a solid, and loud, thumb, a bright flash of pink shooting out for a moment.

DM: the shot streaks in towards the creature, slamming into its flank as you all hear a loud "crack" sound, that side caving in noticeable and not coming back out

DM: Candace grins, and shouts out a cry to her patron as she swings with all her might at the creature's head... nearly missing the neck and slicing a deep gash into its shoulder, striking clean through and perhaps even passing through some bone, by the sound of it

Dianysia: "Nice hit!"

DM: the creature totters for a second, before falling down, breathing heavily... the light goes out of its eyes as it seems to visibly deflate in front of you... its last breath disappearing in a rattling wheeze

Candace grins. "Thanks, luv. Now somebody get these bloody weeds off me boots!" (Elven)

Deladriel falls to the ground on her back...staring up to the sky
Deladriel ends her spell

Dianysia checks for breathing... "Del? Del?"

Deladriel is definately breathing

Dianysia notes that Del is still conscious. "You stupid, inconsiderate, how could you do that...?!"

Braids: Braids walks back to the archway the moment she determines that none of the others are going after her head, after picking her scroll back up. She spends a few moments salvaging her old homunculus first, then starts to study the gate.

Deladriel: breathes heavily while she talks..."Monster attack newcomer...she look like she need help...and that armor...I think better if thing focus on me...and I needed help from Gaia"

DM: The human woman comes down from above the floor, landing next to the crystal lance embedded between two of the paving stones, and withdraws it carefully. (Elven): "Did you have to kill it? Who are you people, anyway?"

Dianysia: E - "Not that stupid....My name is Dia, and what else were we supposed to do?"

Candace: "Oh yeah, let me have a look at you, dearie." Candace comes over to Del, placing her hands on Del's shoulders to let the healing energies flow.

Deladriel: "My thanks"
Deladriel: "You cover me well...I had hoped grass work better though"

Braids: After a while Braids steps away from the archway, and starts saying random things that sound almost like celestial.

DM: "Now I'll have to find a new one." The woman rounds on Braids, pointing and switching over to Draconic. "You! What did you do on the other side!?"

Candace: "No worries, luv. How you feeling now, cheery or you need another?"

Deladriel: "I can recover now...but not refuse another if you have it"

Candace: "Let's give this a try, shall we?" (Cure moderate)

Braids: Braids turns to the woman, "I did nothing... I picked up a tablet, read it, got corrected, read it again and here I am, and I can't seem to activate the portal again, so anyone know the way back to Bernsville, or Herendor. Either is pretty close to where my friends were," she replies in common bit.

Deladriel: "I good now...you do well"
Deladriel slowly stands up to face the new threat

Candace: "Any time, luv." Candace calls out in general, still speaking Elven "Anybody else get hit?"

Dianysia: "Not about to happen, as I've already said," Dia says irritably. "What is it that we can do for you, Mis....?"

DM: the woman (still in draconic) "Oh for the God's sake... a stray traveler, I have NO idea what most of what you just said means, but it means you're not supposed to be here." (switching back to Elven) "GABI!!! GET DOWN HERE, WE HAVE A HICCUP!!!"

Dianysia: "A hiccup? Well, I wouldn't go that far... annoying so far, yes... cowardly... yes... but a hiccup? Come on... "

Deladriel: "You know...if you hold breath...hiccups go away!"

Braids: "Hey hey hey, I aint no hiccup lady, unless of course you hiccup solution is to send me home, then I will hiccup all you want," Braids replies in elven, "Especially if I am further away then a few days or weeks."

DM: the woman rounds on Dia, still speaking in Elven. "And you! What are all of you doing here!? The Riders were supposed to make sure nobody interfered in my ritual, WHY did you have to show up NOW? Not that I'm not grateful for the assist, but I could've handled the drake myself, and at least then I wouldn't have to go searching for a NEW one!"
DM: "Oh good, I don't have to keep switching tongues. Look, you're NOT supposed to be here, I don't know what you did on the other side, but you're going to have to come with me, until we get things sorted out."

Braids: "That was a drake? Interesting... never seen one of them before..."

Deladriel: "You strange lady...not know why you call it ritual...you want make woopie with the thing...I sorry...not know where you find new one"

Braids: "Hey, unless I am going home, I aint going with you... besides seems you have an admirer I think...."

Dianysia: E - "The Riders? Oh, the ones on pigs? Obviously sent the wrong ones after us... and we didn't really want to interrupt your ritual, I don't think..We were just sent to this tower... Did we want to stop the ritual?"

Deladriel: "I like rituals...very much fun" Deladriel says with an air of still connecting ritual to sex somehow

Dianysia: "Del, you need help... I think I saw a jaguar earlier this morning..."

DM: "Look, NONE of you are supposed to be here. Don't you know these towers are forbidden? I thought the local Church was doing a better job than this..." the woman starts muttering to herself in some langauge none of you have ever heard... although it sounds strangely familiar (different dialect of Common, but she's swearing, lol)

Braids: "Oh... church... damn..."

Dianysia: "Neither are you.... You're not from here either..." Dia says with certainty. "Besides, the church told us to come. Now, where are you from?

DM: "Yes, of COURSE the Church! Look, you're going to have to go, right now. GABI! GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE NOW!!!"

Deladriel: "You say strange things...what you talk about here?"

Dianysia: "She's speaking our tongue... but a different form of it..WHERE ARE YOU FROM?"

Deladriel: "I think she eat too many moonberry..." Del starts rolling her eyes and making the 'coo coo' sign

Braids: "Well it does make sense the church would be here... but damn... not good," Braids says, and pulls a hammer from a pocket in her pack and points it at the floatie woman, "I am going to go, if you want to argue with me fine, but you should know, this hammer is a powerful... I know I was out of stuff to enchant and was board, but anyways... alls I want to do is leave."

Dianysia: "She never said she was church... just that church was supposed to prevent our arrival. Now where are you from, for the last time."

DM: "Listen, woman. It would make NO sense to you even if I did tell you, even if I COULD tell you. Just run along, and..." The woman checks herself, really stopping to think about what had been said. "Wait, the Church sent YOU here? Oh damn." She turns to Braids. "Sit down, stay put, and we'll TRY to get this taken care of without hurting you in the process. GABRIELLE!!" It's at about this time you hear footsteps, as a figure appears coming down the rampway, clad in close-fitting black leathers (studded leather armor). The new arrival grumbles in Elven. "What IS it?"

Braids: "I aint listening to no churchie," she says, putting the hammer back, shurgging off her failed attempt to fake her way out of this one, then starts to head out towards Del, Dia and Candace.

Deladriel shifts to cat

Candace has moved during this conversation to lean against the pillar on the inside, her sword still in hand, dripping bits of gore from the drake.

Dianysia: "It's you! You're the reason Beth is dead!"
Dianysia: "And the reason I've got this rediculous geas going!"

DM: The woman blinks, continuing to make her way down the ramp. "Excuse me? Who is 'Beth'? Sue, what's going on here?" The previously flying woman, now identified as Sue, sighs. "These are the ones we were told were headed here, apparently the Riders couldn't stop them. And THIS one," here she points at Braids "came through the arch. We definitely have a situation."

Braids: "Well on the upside..." Braids says to herself, "Nothing is on fire this time..."

DM: Gabi: "So?"

Dianysia: "Yeah, we were the ones sent and obviously weren't destroyed by the riders... they did try, though, if that's any consolation. Now, as to why we're in this situation... who are you, where are you from, and why do you dislike us?"

Braids: Braids pops the cap of her scroll case off again, and slowly starts to feel the various scroll caps until she finds the one she wants, and starts to slowly pull it out.

DM: Sue: "So, you're the Roc. I'm just a Wayfarer. You've got to make the choice."
DM: Gabi sighs, and barks out a few short words in that other strange tongue, sounding like "find the curl, mill the best"

Dianysia: "Oh, shit... she said bind the girl kill the rest!"

Candace swings her sword up to the ready, her face setting stonily. "They're attacking!" she calls out in Elven

Braids: Braids finishes pulling out the scroll, and with her pinky finger unlatches the only thing holding it closed, and says, "Screw that, I ain't being tied up," and starts to read something on the scroll.

Dianysia grabs another box from her bag...

Session 21, August 11th, 2007

Dianysia checks to see if Beth is breathing, calling over Candace as I do so.

DM: Candace: "What's up, luv?"

Dianysia: "Can you help her?"

DM: Candace kneels to check out beth, and quickly shakes her head. "Sorry. She's long gone. Her patron's got a new client now."

Dianysia: "I don't think she had a patron," Dia says. "Well, do you have any healing left for me and Jayde, er, my dog?"

DM: Rithuly wanders over, stretching his neck, before kneeling down next to the dead pig and pulling out a knife, cutting free a decent-sized strip of flesh. Candace nods to Dia: "How bad are ye hurt?"
DM: meanwhile, the pigs that are left are kinda wandering away, heading back towards town at a slow amble, slowly coming together in a semblance of their instinctive herding behavior

Dianysia: "Smarting a bit... the first healing you gave me helped a bit but they smacked me with that stupid lance again.

(1936) Jefferson Harco: "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine until we take up a nights rest."

DM: C: "Right then... let's get ya patched up, shall we?" Candace concentrates a moment, before laying her hands on Dia's shoulders, letting the healing energies flow...

Dianysia: "Would you might getting Jayde too? She's not looking too hot, and she's very important to me."
Dianysia: "And thank you."
Dianysia kneels beside Beth, whispers a prayer she hopes Beth would have found fitting, and then begins looting the deceased girl.

DM: C: "Sure thing, luv. No kennel nearby, eh?" Candace concentrates again, this time concentrating her healing energies on the dog. Meanwhile, Rithuly is watching, as he holds the strip of pig meat in his hand above his head, before breathing a lance of fire 30 ft. straight up to roast the meat, grinning. "Anybody else want some?"
DM: (Candace completely heals Jayde)

Jayde looks much relieved, and licks Cancace's face in appreciation.

Jefferson Harco: "Well now where do we go? Beth had the info..."

Dianysia: "Thank you for Jayde, too, though I doubt I need to translate." She looks over at Rithuly.. "You sure it's edible? I mean, didn't remind me of the standard pig... but who rides a pig?"

DM: Rithuly: "And what's wrong with riding a pig? They're bred as mounts, obviously, just look at 'em and you'll see the breeding. Besides, once it's thoroughly roasted, what beats a good boar?"

Jefferson Harco: "Chicken..."

Dianysia: "ME? No, just cautious. I'll take some, though, if you can do well done and not just charred," Dia says, smiling.
Dianysia: "Jeff," Dia says, her tone more serious, "what do you think she'd want us to do for a funeral for her? Burried? Cremated?"

DM: Rithuly grins, and stands up from the boar. "Just everybody stand back..." Rithuly looks down at the boar, and breathes another gout of flame over the boar, turns it, breathes, and continues this for a bit

Jefferson Harco: "That's a tough decision, she did have some ties to the church. Maybe if we brought her ashes to them."

Dianysia: "She broke her ties with them long ago, if I understood her journal. Did so after someone she cared for died."

Jefferson Harco: "She may have broke ties, but she may still have believed in her heart."

DM: Rithuly is still tending the boar, when he suddenly stops, holding a hand to his forehead, but not saying anything... and Candace does the same. C: "That feels a bit..."

Dianysia: "Are you okay?"

DM: both of them wink out of existence with only a mild puff of wind as air rushes into the places where they had been standing
DM: at a second glance, you see the magical items laying on the ground where each of them had stood

Dianysia: "Man, nobody sticks around, do they Jeff?"

Jefferson Harco: "Someone should hold these for them, until they come back...
Jefferson Harco: "Well, sometimes I think you scare them off..."

Dianysia moves to loot the riders - including lances :D

Dianysia: "Is it any good?" she calls over her shoulder she loots. "The pig, I mean?"

Jefferson Harco: "Don't really know, it seems partly cooked, enough for one meal, would you like it?

Dianysia: "Yeah, I'll take some. How about yourself?"

DM: the last of the mounts are starting to wander away maybe 1/2 a mile away from y'all now...

Jefferson Harco begins to pick up loot and bring them to Dia.
Jefferson Harco: "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine.
Jefferson Harco finds the boar parts that are cooked thru and hands them to Dia
Jefferson Harco: "Is there a backpack around? Maybe I can help carry some of this stuff.."

Dianysia: "Thanks," she replies, pausing a moment to take a few bites. "Not bad. I guess we need to call him the next time we need a good meal," she jokes half-heartedly.

Jefferson Harco: "I think the items with the crystals are what we should focus on..."
Jefferson Harco starts to investigate the armor with the crystals, to see if they're any clues to them, or to the maker...

Dianysia: "I still want to know why they chose pigs? I mean, really?"
Dianysia: A"After we finish looting, we can take a moment, and I can prepare a spell. Excuse me a moment though, I need to catch a pig."
Dianysia runs to catch the piggy!

Jefferson Harco: "Well we are not going to be able to carry all of this... we need a wagon..."

DM: Dia, it'll take you about 10 minutes at a jog to catch up to the pigs... that's taking into account your movement AND theirs

Jefferson Harco: "We still need to figure out what needs to be done, do you think the assasin was in this group?"
Jefferson Harco: "Didn't they say they came in place of their master?"

Dianysia tries to grab a warpig's reins and pull the animal to a stop as I would a horse.

DM: the problem is... coming up jogging behind the pigs... they're gonna shy away from you... they're not really moving quickly, they're mostly ambling... but they're trying to evade you, 'cuz they don't know you

Dianysia: This'll hurt. Dodge around it

DM: alright... you've managed to catch on to the reins... and it's glaring at you with one beady red eye...

Dianysia: "Whoa," I call, watching it steadily.

DM: it tries to pull away... it's bolting, and you're holding on to the reins, only half a second to react... what're you gonna do?

Dianysia holds on, still trying to steady it.

DM: it tries to yank away... but you hold on and manage to pull its head around... yanking it slightly off balance... now what?

Dianysia: ""Stop. halt!"

DM: it recovers its feet but makes no motion to pull away this time, staring at you with its wee beady eyes...

Dianysia: "Good pig. Heel." I try and turn it and lead it back to our little hill.

DM: it follows slowly...

DM: okay... consider yourself back by Jeff, piggy in tow
DM: and on your travel you've had enough time to look at the piggy... it is less than in great condition, it's got more than a few scorched patches of hide, and it's limping slightly... this looks like it might have been one you fireballed

Dianysia: (Does he have saddlebags?)

DM: it's a military saddle... there's a small storage space behind where the rider sits... but otherwise, no
DM: until you could get a pack saddle made up for it, or adapted from a dog's pack saddle, you'll have to make-do with roping gear to the pig...

Dianysia: "Well, this gal looks like she can pack a bit... we just need to figure out HOW to get it on the pig..."
Dianysia: "Okay, so I think we can get it all, so long as we figure out how to have the pig carry most of it...I think I'll call you... Ruby, that okay?" she says, the last bit to the pig.

DM: the pig appears to be taking no notice of the speaking

Jefferson Harco: "Ok but now where?
Jefferson Harco: "Let's keep going to the tower"

Dianysia affixes equipment to Ruby. "I agree...She said South-south-west to a tower..."
Dianysia: "Mind if I take a moment and make sure this is secure?"

Jefferson Harco: sure, would you like some help?

Dianysia: Absolutely.
Dianysia: Okay, h/o... casts detect magic
Dianysia: I canrry Beth's pack, shifting some stuff to Jayde's packs, switch my spellbook to Beth's pack, and carry it, shoving my pack in Jayde's pack as well.

Jefferson Harco: "Lets move forward to the tower"
Jefferson Harco moves towards the tower looking for Dia to follow

DM: hokay... so you travel the rest of the day in relative peace... night time... what's the plan for watches?

Dianysia follows Jeff, now leading Jayde and Ruby, Onyx on his perch, and Emma on her gauntlet.
Dianysia: "Uhm.... Jeff, how much sleep DO you need?"

Jefferson Harco: um, just 8 hours.

Dianysia: Okay...h.. first shift or last?

Jefferson Harco: First...
Jefferson Harco: you'll be more use if you have spells and im asleep

Dianysia: Great... so we now start resting 16 hrs a day... GREAT
Dianysia casts alarm and goes to bed.

DM: a'ight... changeover...

Dianysia: As it lightens again, and the animals wake, I work with the birds, study my spellbook, and try to get to know Ruby better... then I feed myself and the zoo

DM: okay... you've gotten to where she's not hating you anymore...
DM: and she's looking a little better, but still much the worse for wear

Dianysia: So, I uh, ugess we travel again soon as Jeff wakes...

Jefferson Harco wakes up, and gets right to business, and starts off towards the tower...

Dianysia: As we travel... I'm working with birdies...

DM: so another unventful day
DM: UNTIL...
DM: about midafternoon... you see a strange shape on the horizon...
DM: by the time you've been moving for another half hour, you can make out it is indeed a tower on the horizon...
DM: and if what you can see is any indicator... this thing is HUGE

Jefferson Harco: "There it is..."

Dianysia: "Maybe we should approach it carefully? No sudden moves?"

Jefferson Harco follows Dia's instructions

DM: hokay... it's still at least another hour's trek before you can start making out any details on this thing... it's composed of some black material, and as far as you can see, there are NO windows in the surface... nor any sort of crennelations on top

Jefferson Harco keeps walking carfully

Dianysia still approaching slowly.

DM: another half hour's trek... and you can start to see the base of the tower... it *is* situated on a rise, which means you can now guesstimate the height, it's probably somewhere around 300 feet tall... and about half of the circumference of the tower's base is pillars of the same black material, leaving it open to the air... can't see inside it yet tho

Dianysia notes that if it's on a rise... there's no real way to "sneak up" on it

DM: okay... so you're now about 5 miles away...

Dianysia: "So... we really can't hide from anyone watching us..."
Dianysia: "You know, I really kinda miss Beth. She'd be telling us how to do properly approach this forbidding tower and expecting us to do as told...and we probably would be doing so.." Dia muses.

Jefferson Harco: "We'll its just us now, but we can do this."
Jefferson Harco: "over there is another party with what looks like a large red cat
Jefferson Harco points to the other party

DM: Dia, you can make out a large red shape... but your eyes apparently aren't as good as Jeff's, to see what he's really talking about
DM: but it's DEFINITELY headed directly for the tower

Dianysia whispers, "can you get any more descriptive? I can see a large red cat, but that's it..."
Dianysia: "Well, red shape, at least."
Dianysia is still moving, trying to get slightly closer, but not too much so.

Jefferson Harco is still moving foward

DM: they're moving at a decent pace... and as a bit of time goes by, the shapes resolve into two humanoid figures and one very red, very thin horse-sized creature that moves VERY much like a cat

Jefferson Harco: "Dia up ahead you see them? Should we keep going?"
Jefferson Harco: "Or maybe wait to see what they do?"

Dianysia: "Well, we've little choice as to whether or not to keep going. We must. Otherwise, Beth would have died in vain, and this stupid geas spell will start making a hangover seem like a blessing."

Jefferson Harco: "very well."

Dianysia: "You do realize we're geased, don't you?"

Jefferson Harco: "No, what's that?"

Dianysia: "It's a mind-affecting compulsion spell. The geiser elf put it on us back when he informed us, individually, what we were going to do and when. And if we disobey, killer headache."

Jefferson Harco: "Oh, well what are we compulsed to do?

DM: as you watch... the other group arrives at the tower, not hesitating at all to move inside... and you're now about a mile off... still no indication you've been seen

Jefferson Harco: "ok they're in, should we move to catch up?"

DM: the red thing STILL looks remarkably like a giant cat...

Dianysia: "Well, I can check my journal for the exact wording, but it's the equivalent of 'Find creepy assassin girl as quickly as possible and bring her back, preferably alive, for questioning."
Dianysia: "I don't know that I could catch up... took me ten minutes to catch up with Ruby, and she wasn't too concerned about how quickly she got anywhere."

Jefferson Harco: I got a question to you
Jefferson Harco: Let's say a creature has reflective properties...what would you think of it? because that cat just created a glare from the sun, which means it has some sort of reflective properties or bits on it...
Jefferson Harco is starting to pick up the pace

Dianysia: "It would strike me as scaly, then. Some dragons move like cats, but I see no wings, so unless it's a weird dragon..."

Jefferson Harco: "Cmon we can't lose them, I have a hunch they have something to do with this..."

Dianysia moves to try and keep pace with him, bearing in mind I'm in a group of animals... "Yes, perhaps, but we don't really want to announce ourselves.."
Dianysia: "Safe distance, perhaps, where we can maybe hear but not be seen?"

Jefferson Harco slows down...

Jefferson Harco: "Caution was always our forte"

DM: as you've approached... you've STILL seen no evidence of any openings in the tower other than the columned half of the bottom level
DM: specifically, the tower is roughly 100 ft. across, and 1/2 of that circumference is solid wall, the other half columns... the bottom floor is roughly 30 ft tall, and the columns are all about as big around as the uprights in Stonehenge, for a size comparison
DM: the columns are spaced with about 15 ft. of space between them
DM: the "center" of the columned bit faces roughly east... which means you're approaching it from a close angle, and the other group went in nearly the other side from you... of course, because it sits on a rise, you won't be able to see inside until you get much closer

Dianysia: "Wow, weird.. no openings... I'd hate to live here..."
Dianysia: "If you want, we can hurry, but just to the entrance... we can try spying in from there."

Jefferson Harco: "Awesome Idea!"

Dianysia hustles.

Jefferson Harco sprints towards the entrance.

DM: hokay... then as you approach...
DM: you both hear a strange high-pitched hum coming from inside...

Jefferson Harco: There are lights flickering in the room
Jefferson Harco: and someones chanting

Dianysia: "Can you make out any words in the chanting?"

Jefferson Harco: No...

Dianysia: "Canting usually means either meditation or spellwork of some sort,... We need to move closer...."

Jefferson Harco: I can make out some words but they all are nonsense
Jefferson Harco: "lets go
Jefferson Harco: "It's no language I've ever heard before"

Dianysia sighs, then moves on towards the entrance....Well, what languages do you speak? Perhaps I may know it..."

Jefferson Harco: Common, Elven, Draconic....

Dianysia: "IS that all?" she asks, genuinely surprised.

Jefferson Harco: "Yeah, I never did take much interest in other languages..."

Dianysia: "Oh, I'm sorry... I didn't mean it like that. I just have always studied languages...."

DM: okay... cresting the rise... you see a human female, dressed in a simple robe, standing in front of what looks like a spear made of solid crystal stuck into the floor and glowing (producing the strange lights on the ceiling that you saw, Jeff) in odd colors, some of them ones you don't even really have a name for... on the other side of the glowing cyrstal is the red shape seen previous... now close up, you can see it DOES very much resemble a wingless red dragon... clearly, scales, and the facial structure is similar... it is simply standing there staring at the crystal unblinkingly... the tower itself is completely open space, with a ramp leading up the inside of the solid part of the wall into the upper tower... the only other feature inside is a MASSIVE freestanding stone arch, about 20 feet tall and equally wide, that is covered in strange symbols too difficult to make out from this distance
DM: the human's back is to you

Jefferson Harco: whispering to Dia "Should we make a stand? or just watch?"

Dianysia whispers, "Watch and listen... no telling what we can learn..."

DM: okay... you've been watching for less than a minute before you notice a crackling bolt of energy shoot along the outer edge of the arch from one end to the other... the woman chanting falters for a second, but continues strong...

Dianysia whispers, "wasn't there two people when they came in?"

Jefferson Harco: "Yeah I'm pretty sure..."

Dianysia is still whispering, "well, I only see one..."

DM: a few seconds later, the archway crackles with energy again... this time racing in both directions at once, and not disappearing... in fact, it seems to be getting stronger... and there's a DEFINITE waver to the chanting now
DM: you BOTH can tell... this woman is SCARED about something...

Jefferson Harco: "I think it's time we made our presence known."

Dianysia whispers, "this girl is terrified... should we help her?"
(1922) Dianysia: "Let me handle this...."

DM: the energy crackling around the arch continues to build... and...
DM: a flash of light suddenly comes from the archway, bright enough to blind you for half a second, as you blink away after-images... the strange crystal has stopped glowing, the woman stops chanting, the arch is no longer crackling... and there's someone ELSE in there, right in the middle of the archway...

Braids: A young woman becomes visible after the flash wearing a leather suit of armor, which seems to be custom made to be worn over the blue dress she is wearing. A few of the leather pads have been dyed a dull green color, adding a little more color diversity to her attire. Her brown hair is fairly long, and none of it hangs free, with a long braid framing each side of her face, and the rest of her hair coming into another tightly braided length of hair that runs down her back. A small dagger hangs off her belt (which also has a lit of braided cords hanging off of it) as well as a sling, and what is obvious a pouch for bullets. She also seems to be covered in pouches and pocket belts which hold various things, some easier to identify then others, and a scroll case slung over her shoulder. Next to the girl a seemingly ironclad dog stands next to her, a frightening looking animal, but also strangely unnatural.

DM: the first woman falls to her knees, obviously fatigued, before looking up, her face (only visible to Braids right now) plastered in horror as she looks at the red critter... and the other two, you can see the red critter shake its head, a strange look crossing its features...

Dianysia whispers, "Let's wait a moment... something's not right here."

Jefferson Harco waits

Braids: "Well that did something guys," Braids says, the dog thing suddenly standing firm as if it were going to attack as Braids starts to turn her head, "Any ideas Terry... guys? Ahh crap."

DM: please note, for Jeff and Dia... that is spoken in the Common from BIT
DM: (which you've only heard from each other since trist left)

Dianysia: "Yeah, that was our Common... something is weird here..."

Dianysia prepares a spell, watching red-dragon...

Braids: "So... anyone have a map... I didn't mean to interrupt your little thing, can I get some directions to a tower, kind of like this one, about a months walk from Bernsville?" Braids says, her left hand unclasping the scroll case buckle.

DM: the other woman starts scrabbling backwards, getting to her feet quickly as she shouts out in some dialect of Common you've never heard before... sounds something like... "GABI! HEAT YOU HAIR NEW!! THE RAKE'S LEASE!"

Braids: "I guess that is a no," Braids says starting to pull out a piece of parchment from the case.

DM: the red thing turns its head to glance over its shoulder as Braids talks, then turns back to focus on the woman... suddenly lunging forward with jaws open to pounce at the woman, only to see her vanish and reappear at a different place along the wall, over by where the rampway is about at head height...

TO BE CONTINUED...

Session 20, August 4th-5th, 2007

Jefferson Harco: "Hey so what are you guys gonna do when we get to the encampment?"

Dianysia: "I've really no clue."

Deladriel: "Hope we find assassin"

Jefferson Harco: "What exactly are we looking for Del?"

Deladriel: "I never meet halflings much, not know much about them"

Dianysia: "I can see it now... we knock on every door, asking 'Excuse me, but have you seen an assassin wondering around?'"

Jefferson Harco: "Any traits? or Markings?"

DM: you find yourselves coming out from the forest, with the outpost maybe a 5 min walk away... the city itself looks strangely small, until you realize that it's because the vast majority of the structures are built to Halfling scale... with maybe only about 1/4 of them scaled to fit men or elves.
DM: there's no walls, and for the last half day you've been walking down a fairly well built road
DM: the road leads straight towards the heart of town, and while you haven't passed anyone on it yet today, you can see plenty of activity around town

Dianysia: "I'm not too sure, except that the old elf thought it looked as eth does, and that it was probably a female that did or did not use a weapon, while being draped in shadow or silk..."
Dianysia: "Anyone have any ideas on how to approach this town?"

Bethany: "Walk up to it and enter it?" Bethany says.

Jefferson Harco: "Why don't we just go in?"

Deladriel shrugs and heads toward the village (She is an elf after all)

Dianysia falls in line with the elf.

Jefferson Harco is also walking to the town

Deladriel says over her shoulder to Dia..."Be careful what you say...if they try hide the assassin, they might tell her we look for her”

Dianysia: "Who said I was planning on doing the talking?" whispered Dia, coming up alongside Jeff.

Deladriel stops in her tracks
Deladriel looks like she just had a wonderful idea..and looks to Beth

DM: as you're heading into town, several of the inhabitants look up at you expectantly, but nobody seems to be paying any obvious attention to y'all, and nobody's making any sort of approach

Deladriel: "Beth...if you look like assassin...mayhap you can act like her too?"

Bethany: "Umm, yes?" Bethany says as Deladriel looks at her.
Bethany: "What?"
Bethany: "How exactly am I going to 'act' like that?"

Deladriel: "If you pretend you are her...you may find people she works with here..if any"

Bethany: "Or, I act wrong and scare of any who would help us?"

Deladriel: "You not have to act mean...just try pay attention...see if some act like they know you"
Deladriel: "And if you confronted...try act like you know them until we sort it out...can you do that?"

Bethany: "Doubt it, but I'll try," Bethany says with a shurg.

Deladriel continues into town

Dianysia stays with Del, looking at the various buildings they pass.

Jefferson Harco is listening and watching whats going around him

Dianysia: "You come here often?" asks Dia (to Del)

Deladriel: "Never"

Bethany: "Well that makes at least two of us.. whats with all the children?"

DM: okay, as you get further into town, you see that the majority of the buildings are single-family dwellings... most of the houses have vegetable gardens or other similar plots of land next to them... as you make it further into the heart of town, the homes start to give way to shops, most of them quite a bit larger than their front rooms, implying that there are living quarters as well...
DM: you are now close enough to see that the road feeds into a very LARGE town square, at least 100 yards to a side (can't tell better than that until you get closer), with most of the "full size" buildings clustered around the town square

Dianysia looks at Beth a moment, wide eyed, before laughing."
Dianysia: "They're not children. They're halflings... a smaller breed of human..."

Bethany: "Ok..." Bethany says, looking around, "Still look like children from here..."

Jefferson Harco: "So where to start?"

Dianysia continues towards the the large town square.

Deladriel follows

Dianysia: "Maybe they've got a place to purchase some food," Dia says, petting her hawkling.

DM: on reaching the town square, you find yourself facing a very large, mostly open space... carts are scattered here and there, with vendors hawking their wares... none of them have gotten too close to the buildings around the edge of the square... prominent buildings facing the square include a Church (actual cathedral, the door handles are at halfling-height, but the doors are still more than man-height tall), a man-sized inn (obvious as such from the hanging sign) with stable attached... and a large halfling-sized hall

Deladriel: "You need meat for that...not cooked"

Deladriel heads toward the obvious Inn that is designed for outsiders

Bethany: "We should goto the Cathedral," Beth says, "If Deladriel's idea is going to work, it will be in there."

Deladriel: "If you want go the church...we go"

Dianysia mutters about not liking churches.

Bethany: "Shall we then?" Bethany says, taking the lead and heading towards the church.

Deladriel follows

Dianysia follows, appearing uncertain for a moment then pasting on a large, friendly smile.

Jefferson Harco also follows

DM: okay... the outer doors stand open, leading into a small nave, where you can let your eyes adjust from the midday sun outside... leading inwards are three smaller doors, but still tall enough to allow all of you to pass through without stooping (think of the normal 2 side and 1 center aisle door arrangement)... stained glass windows fill the wall between the sets of inner doors
DM: off to one side of the nave, you can see a small alcove, a simple rope barring passage, with a bell-pull hanging down

Dianysia heads for the rope, reaching for the bell pull.

Bethany: "Don't Dia," Bethany says, "That bell is meant to call attention for various things..."

Dianysia: "Well, what else do you suggest? I don't feel like waiting around for old age, myself."

Bethany: "Follow me," Bethany says, starting to walk into the chapel area, and heading towards the front of the church

DM: upon entering the cathedral proper, you're faced with two sets of benches, running down the two halves of the hall... the rear third of each side is sized for human-sized beings, whereas the forward two-thirds are for halfling-sized people... the hall itself is large enough that it looks like it could hold the whole of the city if needed... a few halflings are scattered throughout the room in pews, most sitting there quietly or murmuring in prayer... a halfling priest is up by the altar, tending to candles along the back wall
DM: now, I need to know one important detail... Dia, are you bringing your traveling menagerie inside with you?

Dianysia: ((Uh... Yeah... altho, I think that may be a BIG mistake))

DM: okay... then dia, you make it about halfway down the aisle before the priest happens to glance up at you... then does a double-take, before pointing his finger at you, and helling out: "You desecrate the house of GOD!"

Dianysia: "So much for first impressions," Dia mutters. "I guess he doesn't like elves..."

Deladriel: "God not live in a house, priest" Del says with a haughty air

Bethany: Bethany turns around to look at Dia, trying to looked shocked at her, and stepping back as if she were not connected to Dia, "Why would you do such a thing?" she says, giving you a brief look.

DM: The priest immediately rounds the altar, heading down the aisle straight for you, still shouting out. "Remove yourself and those beasts at ONCE from this hallowed ground!"

Deladriel shifts to cat and stands in front of Dia
Deladriel: ***Insert low-rumbling cat growl here***

Dianysia: "Oh, you meant the birds and Jayde... Uhm , sorry, didn't think of that..."

Jefferson Harco sits in the farthest spot

DM: The priest glares at the now-cat. "Be ye elf or no, I'll not have you making a mockery of the god's house! Begone, 'ere I have these good people aid in removing you!" At this point, you realize that every halfling that was in the place is now staring at you, various expressions ranging from horror to anger to even outright hatred on their faces.

Deladriel stays rooted to the spot until Dia moves...

Bethany: Bethany backs away a little more, standing next to the closest halfling, wearing the same expressions to the best of her ability, then looking over to the priest.

Jayde is obviously agitated at all the commotion, but unsure of how to react

Dianysia: "Yeah, whatever. No mockery was intended." She turns and leaves, muttering under her breath.

Deladriel: As soon as Dia leaves the room...Del shifts back to Elf
Deladriel: "You know not of God...build temples and hide inside...God is everywhere...Tree, Rock, and water...you hide from god in temple" With that, Del leaves

DM: The priest is still quite agitated as he rounds on Beth. "How could you... Ah. Forgive me, I thought you were someone else. Your companions show little respect for the sanctity of this house; how is it you distance yourself from them now?"

Bethany: "I am sorry Father, I have been only half-aware for a while, my mind has been drifting, and they were merely people I traveled the road with, I was not conscious that they were still following me," Bethany says, "I am Sister Mary Ann, I come from a place best mentioned in private," she says, "As you can tell, I don't quite belong here." (She had changed back into her Shetaq clothing after the night in the tree part two if you don't remember.)

DM: "Ah... yes. Follow me, please... and I apologize in advance for the tightness of the quarters."

Bethany: "I understand, thank you father."

Dianysia: "Why'd you follow me?" Dia sks, surprised.

Deladriel: "These priests...they stupid...never like 'churches'...they build silly outhouses with fancy steeples so they hide from god

DM: the priest leads you through the door to the "right" of the altar (looking from the back of the cathedral), which you have to duck nearly double to fit through... into what is obviously an office of some sort, halfling sized... you might be more comfortable on your hands and knees...

Bethany: Carefully drops to her hands and knees, tucking her skirt under her as she does, and making sure to drop her pack by the door of the office, before crawling in after.

Dianysia: "Yes, they do. I never cared for the church much either, myself, ableit for other reasons. It's odd though. They act if the one god didn't supposedly create these guys as well. Ironically, they treat them as lesser beings, while chafing at being treated unequally themselves.

DM: The priest takes a seat at a desk overflowing with paperwork and scrolls, and nods to Beth. "What would you speak of, Sister?"

Bethany: "I am representing the Church from Shetaq, I have come here to follow up on a task... a task that one much like me, was to accomplish. Now I have already ascertained that the task was done, but I also know that she was caught, and that they know it was the church... and I am supposed to solve this problem," Bethany says.

DM: The priest's eyes narrow, and he mutters something softly... sounds vaguely like "chew rye - lose meat." After half a second, he smiles and nods. "I know little of such matters, but I can direct you to one who knows more."

Bethany: "I would appriecate that greatly, Father," Bethany says, looking at the priest.

DM: "Very well. Travel south by south west a distance of two days' march, and you will see upon the horizon a great tower. The one you seek will be found there. You would do best not to tarry, as I know not how long her business will keep her there."

Bethany: "Thank you Father, and may the God bless you and your congregation," Bethany says, trying her best to bow in respect, "By your leave Father."

DM: "Indeed. May the creator god watch over you for the rest of your days."

Dianysia watches for any atctivity change in the surrounding area as she sits by the church entrance.

DM: normal daily life in town seems to be going on
DM: you see that more than a few people have glanced at you as you sit there, but nobody seems to be taking any more notice than that... just the fairly normal business of an open-air market, which the square apparently doubles as

Bethany: Leaves the small room, grabbing her pack as she does, and heads out the door, the exiting the temple, and turns to Dia, "I may have more work for you guys, meet me at the inn?"

Jefferson Harco: "Yeah the inn sounds nice right about now..."

DM: the inn's sign proclaims it as the Boar's Tusks, and its sign shows a pair of crossed boar's tusks beneath a foaming mug... and on getting closer, you realize they're not carved boar's tusks, they're REAL boar's tusks

Dianysia: "More work for us? Perhaps a rephrase?"

Bethany: A voice is hard in the parties head, a male voice sounding like it is echoing in a crystal cavern, "Play along, she's convinced the priest that she paid you to travel with her for safety, and she knows where the assassin is."
Bethany: "Yes more work, good pay, just need an escort for a little longer," Bethany says, walking towards the inn, "I will explain over a meal."

Dianysia: "Good pay to keep you around just a bit longer? Sounds good to me."
Dianysia: "Fine by me, though inns tend to have ears.

Jefferson Harco: "I could use a drink"

Deladriel is heading to the inn

Bethany: "Its ok, its not like me saying we will be traveling a few days in one direction is not a secret," Bethany says, as they arrive at the inn.

DM: so you go inside... and the barkeep is a very rotund, very large halfling... he ALMOST comes up to Dia's chin... the inn is sized for humans/elves, but you don't actually see any around... just the halfling barkeep, who obviously has a raised platform behind the bar to stand upon. As you open the door, he calls out. "Ahh, welcome, travelers! And two elven ladies, you honor my humble tavern! Please, what can I do for you gentle folk?"

Dianysia: shrugs, not the slightest bit concerned.

Jefferson Harco: "How about a little info on the town? What do you guys do for fun around here?"

Bethany: "We need a private table," Bethany says, dropping two platinum coins on the counter.

DM: "Of COURSE, m'lady! And what drinks will ye have?" The halfling comes out from behind the bar, stepping down and leading everyone to a booth at the side of the room, and gestures at the curtains that can be pulled across the opening.

Dianysia: "Wine," Dia says without a thought.

Bethany: "I'll have some fruit juice if you please," Bethany says as she sits into the booth.

DM: "Fruit juice? You would not care for something more... suitable to the road, to wash away the dust of yer travels?"

Jefferson Harco: "And for fun?"

Dianysia: "If she wishes fruit juice, give her some. And what is on the menu for lunch?"

Dianysia takes a seat across from beth, waiting for Del to sit alongsider her.

Deladriel sits down next to Dia

DM: The halfling bows. "As you wish. I shall return anon."
DM: the halfling takes off into the back, shouting for someone named "Jud"

Bethany: "We will be traveling south, south west from here for about two days. My destination is a tower that way, as before, minimum questions, and vigilant eyes, same pay as before as well," Bethany says.
Bethany: The crystalline voice then adds, "That is where the priests said the assassin was, if you have questions about this information, tap her hand, and I will connect with your mind, then just think the question and I will tell her."

Dianysia taps Beth on the hand.

Jefferson Harco is not sure whats going on....

Dianysia thinks, "Will you please stop doing that? It's creepy."

Deladriel says nothing but just to nod at Beth

Bethany: "It is the best way to keep secrets secret, the preist believes Beth is not only a Priest also, but also one of the assassins, sent here to clean up after the other assassin" the voice echoed back into everyones mind, after echoing Dia's thought.

Dianysia taps Beth's hand again, and thinks, "What makes you so convinced they believe you?"

Bethany: "The Priest did not trust her, but that only happened once she made it known she was one of the assassins," the voice said after echoing the question, then continued, "She also knew enough to convince him that she was who she said she was, at least hopefully. Either way, it is the most concrete lead we've had and worth looking for."

Dianysia shrugs.

DM: y'all hear footsteps coming back down the hallway, as the halfling reappears, carrying a tray on which sits four pewter mugs, a wheel of cheese, and a hunk of salted meat of some form or another, each with a knife sticking out to cut it with. A loaf of bread is to the side, and following the halfling is a smaller halfling, obviously not yet a man, carrying a bottle and an earthen jug. "Here you go, good folk. My apologies for the crude service, but as you might imagine, we don't get much in the way of Lords or Ladies out this way." The halfling proceeds to set the food and drink on the table, before pushing the smaller halfling towards the back and bowing away. "If you need any more, just give me a shout, Bob be my name."

Bethany: "Thank you Bob," Bethany says.

Deladriel: "You have raw meat?"

Jefferson Harco: "Thanks Bob this Cider should be good, now what is it that you do for fun around here?"

DM: "Aah, I have none here, but I can send Jud for some should you care for it?"

Deladriel: "Animals will need"

Dianysia: "And, just out of curiosity, what stock is the wine?"

DM: "Of course, Lady." The halfling turns to shout down the hallway. "JUD! JUD, DAMN YE, RUN DOWN TO THE BUTCHER'S FOR SOME MEAT FER THE HOUND AND THE BIRDS! RUN, LAD!"
DM: "Ah, the wine was laid down by me father, Lady. I know not the maker, but 'twas over a century ago, by my reckoning."

Bethany: Thanks the jug, and pours a mug of juice, and sips at it, "If you guys are in agreement, we can set out as soon as we are ready, I would like to resupply a little before we go however."

Dianysia nods. "Very good. "

DM: The barkeep bows, backing away again. "I'll bring the meat as soon as Jud returns, m'lady."

Jefferson Harco goes and follows Bob to the counter...
Jefferson Harco: "I would like to know more about the town, what can you tell me Bob?"

Dianysia nods, puring some wine into her glass before savoring the scent and,then, the taste.

DM: "What would ye care to know, master...?"

Jefferson Harco: "What is there to do around here?"

DM: "Well, there's not that much goes on out this way. Some nomadic clans out on the plains we trade with from time to time... enough to keep us in business. Mostly we just keep to ourselves, I guess. Every so often a group of minstrels will come through town... oh, and of course there's always the Riders. Their services keep this town from disappearing, I should think."

Jefferson Harco: "The Riders? How so?"

Dianysia takes another sip of wine, before starting in on some cheese and then a bit of the meat.

Bethany: "Well if there are no questions, I will assume you all accept the job. I am going go gather some supplies, meet me back here in three hours or so," Bethany says, standing up from the booth, heading for the door, and before leaving, tells Bob that she will be back, and that her companions may be staying longer.

DM: "Have ye not heard of the Riders? Finest caravan guards this side of Almanthos, even the elven caravans'll hire 'em away from the big cities."

Jefferson Harco: "No but that is good to know. And how are you today? Do you get enough business with all the travelers passing thru?"

Dianysia: "She's a bossy one, that girl,' Dia says to Del imparticular, "but her platinum's as good as any."

DM: The bartender shrugs. "I get by. The trade from the busy season keeps me doors open the rest of the time. Plus, any time big folk like yerselves come to down, there's no other place for ye to stay, is there?"

Deladriel chuckles..."Where that meat man?"

Jefferson Harco: "I guess not, it doesn't seem like there is a lot to offer people of my statue.."

DM: about 5 minutes after Bob yelled for the meat, Jud comes running back with a trio of skinned rabbits hanging from a string, which Bob immediately brings over. "My apologies for the wait, m'lady."

Dianysia finishes off the meat, then breaks off a piece of the bread.

Dianysia: Very nice," Dia says, eyeing what was brought. I'm sure Emma will love it."

Deladriel: "I'm not eating it...throw on floor for dog and birds"

Dianysia: "One on the floor, the other two to me, please."

DM: "I thought you'd wish to provide the birds with the meat yerselves, as I've seen other falconers do." Bob drops the one rabbit to Jayde as requested though, placing the other two atop the table.

Dianysia: "You thought correctly," Dia replied. "A good head, I see. Though not the most luxurious, I may suggest this to others passing through. A barkeep having sense is much to be prized."
Dianysia feeds Emma first, then places the birds perch on the table, and attaches her to it, before bringing Onyx up to be fed.

DM: Bob bows, before backing off and going back to the bar again.

Bethany: Bethany walks back into the bar, now wearing very eloquent studded leather armor, a shield at her side of equal finery, and a short spear, making her backpack, and denim skirt seem even more so out of place, as she heads to the old booth.

Dianysia notices Beth entering the booth, and almost spews wine as she starts laughing.

Deladriel smiles slightly

Bethany: "What do you find so funny," Bethany says, leaning the spear against the wall. "I actually know how to use that stick, and I figured if I was going to lug around a spear, might as well armor up like the locals."

Deladriel: "I might wish show you where to get leggings"

Bethany: "And I would still wear my skirts," Bethany says, "Now shall we be off?"

Dianysia: "You hit it on the head Del," Dia says, recovering from her fit of laughter. In that current getup, you are more conspicuous then ever."

Deladriel shrugs..."Let us go"

Bethany: "I like having pockets, thank you," Bethany says, standing back up, and grabbing her spear. "Lets go," she says, then heads for the door.

DM: Bob grins and calls out as y'all are leaving. "My thanks for yer patronage! You come back, and ye shall be more than welcomed!"

Jefferson Harco follows Beth

Dianysia follows the group.

Deladriel follows

DM: okay... it's midafternoon, you can make it about 3-4 miles away from the outpost before it'd be time to camp for the night, or maybe further if you hustle... but then you'd have less time to set up camp

Bethany: (Beth would be in a hurry, the priest made it clear that time was of the essence to an extent, and once on the road she'd express this to the group.)

DM: right then... let's say you make it 10 miles, and it's starting to get dark (normally you stop well before dark)

DM: right... so what's the watch schedule?

Bethany: Beth can take first like she normally does...

Jefferson Harco: first sleep, then watch after

Dianysia: Final watch for me.

Deladriel: Final

DM: k
DM: nightfall
DM: it's a full moon tonight... dim illumination out to normal range for human eyes... those with low-light vision can see as well as in the day

DM: and... midnight

Bethany: And Bethany climbs into her dome tent, and warm sleeping bag and sleeps

DM: aaand... after the final changeover, pre-dawn

DM: daybreak... dia & del were on watch, so you've got stuff you can be doing before the others wake up if you choose... Dia, it'd be difficult to read w/o some additional source of light, so studying your spellbook either takes providing some light or waiting until dawn... what's everybody doing?

Dianysia: Well, at Dawn, I'll start reading, it only takes an hour

Bethany: Bethany wakes up, slipping back into her armor in her tent, before crawling out, meditating, and then breaking her little camp.

Deladriel waits for everybody to wake up

Dianysia spends some time with her birds as everyone wakes, feeding them and herself.
Dianysia: She also feeds Jayde

DM: kk... anyone doing foraging today, to make Survival checks?

Deladriel: Me

DM: kk, you find food for you and up to 3 others

Dianysia: I am as well, and flying the falcon.

DM: kk... then that provides food for everybody today...

Deladriel: "We being followed" Del says while packing up

Bethany: "Not surprised," Bethany says, as she straps her tent to her pack.

Dianysia: "Can you tell who it is?" asked Dia in a quiet, cheerful voice.

Deladriel: "Not 10 miles away"
Deladriel: "They match speed...if wait here, they overcome by midday...if not, they only shadow"

Jefferson Harco: "So should we confront them?"

Dianysia: "Wonderful. Let's continue then. If the worst we have now is a shadow, then I see no reason to be concerned as of yet."

Bethany: "Know anything more about them?"

Deladriel: "I tell you all I know"

Jefferson Harco: Ok well then we should continue

Bethany: "Depends on what is shadowing us Dia, we are going to what is most likely going to be a fight, having something on both sides of us may not be good, I say lets find some high ground that can be defended and let them come.
Bethany: "Yes, no?"

Dianysia: "Let's go."

Bethany: "Ok so we are just going to leave them at our backs then?"

Jefferson Harco: For now, later on we will have to take them on

Bethany: "Fine, lets go."

Dianysia: "I say just leave them be for now. It could be simple curiosity, it could be danger, time will tell.

Bethany: Bethany says before taking up the trail, and heading towards the sou'souwes heading again.

Jefferson Harco: We'll obviously keep an eye and ear out just in case.

Deladriel: "Riders speed pace...should be to us at dusk"

Bethany: "I suggest finding defensible ground then, and since they are riders, lets find a nice rocky tree filled field to do so... I don't know much about fighting, but I know I've broken many horses ankle on rough ground..."

Jefferson Harco: "Riders? Why do you say that?"
Jefferson Harco: "The bartender mentioned something about Riders..."

Dianysia: "What's the possibility that this location we were given was a trap?" Dia asked, voicing her concerns.

Deladriel shrugs..."I see riders approach...not know more"

Bethany: "Enough that I wouldn't discount it, of course the Church probably would not be the type to use public groups to kill us, they'd do it in private, so these guys are most likely not church."
Bethany: "At least, that is my guess, because until a few days ago, I never knew the church had assassins."

Jefferson Harco: well did you see them del? point them out to me, what direction

Bethany: "How long do we have before they are on us you think?"

Dianysia: "I'm not surprised they have assassins. Anyone with power does nowadays."

Deladriel: "They follow us...what direction you think they in?"
Deladriel: "As I said...at current speed, they catch us as we set camp"

Bethany: "If we stop moving though, how long?"

Deladriel: "three, maybe four hours"

Jefferson Harco: and if we go to them, maybe we can get the jump?

Bethany: "We have a hill a mile or two miles west of here, we set out for it at a run, gives us at least two hours to muck up the ground a bit and allows us to hold a defensive if they are hostile, if they are not hostile, then we might have some allies traveling with us, although I am in the school of thought to assume they are hostile. Yay or nay guys?"

Dianysia: "Whatever."

Jefferson Harco: sounds like an idea

Bethany: "lets get going," then to Jeff, "You're going to like this, lets run, but stay with us."

Jefferson Harco: Running!! Lets go!

Bethany: "Changes her direction and starts to take off in a run, heading towards the hill she had referred to."

Jefferson Harco runs after Beth

Dianysia runs.

Deladriel is running (in cat form) to the hill

DM: takes you about half an hour of hustling to get to the hill Beth mentioned... it's one of the rare steep hills in the area... about a 30 degree slope

Bethany: "Anyone have anything to dig with? We want to dig as many holes in the hill side before they get close enough to see what we are doing," Bethany says, dropping her pack, and looking around, "If not, will just sit on the ridge of the hill, and hit them as hard as we can as they run up it."

DM: the hill rises about fifteen feet above the surrounding land

Jefferson Harco: I can punch holes into the ground...

DM: it's GROUND, Jeff... you can't punch holes into the ground
DM: the ground = tougher than your hands

Jefferson Harco: ok fine...no punchy...

Bethany: "Take it we have nothing to dig with?" Bethany says, then looks over at Dia, "Got any spells that might help?"

Jefferson Harco: ok well I'll try making potholes.
Jefferson Harco is attempting to make holes 1 foot in diameter every 2 feet apart
Jefferson Harco: *in a section 10 feet by 10 feet

Bethany: "Better then nothing, lets work on a small trench, as long as we can make it, and three feet deep. We need to hide the dirt to the best of our abilities as well."

Jefferson Harco is still digging pot holes but now moving outward in a trench style formation

Bethany: "Actually, can you use prestigblah to make hand shovels?" Bethany asks.

Dianysia: "It'd be too weak, breakable.

Bethany: "Well lets move some dirt then," Bethany says, getting on her hands and knees, and starts to dig at the ground with her hands, trying to make trench just at the ridge of the hilltop

Dianysia places the Bow Perch on the ground, jessing Emma to it before she starts digging, trying to encourage Jayde to do the same.

Bethany: "Once we are done, put our bedrolls over the hole, we'll use stakes from my tent to hold them down, and then cover them with dirt, and hope they don't catch it."

DM: okay... you've got about 2 hours before your estimated time that the riders will be within easy visible distance... without proper tools, the best you can do in that time is one 5-ft. square, 3 ft. deep per digger
DM: adjust shape as desired and let me know where you're doing that

Dianysia: "If we had water, that'd be so much easier," she thinks aloud, noting that it would be softer dirt to mold.

Bethany: Beth uses the dress she bought earlier, and the rain fly from her tent to try and cover the trench, and puts just enough dirt on top to cover the fabric and urges the others to do similar.

Jefferson Harco rips his shirt and lays it down over his pit....Harcos chest glistens in the sun...

Bethany: Bethany tosses Jeff her parka, "Use that."

Jefferson Harco: hmm...need to spread it out more, ok if I tear?

Bethany: "No, don't tear it, it should work just fine"

Jefferson Harco: ok, maybe you should try covering it up, ill help you

Bethany: Moves to help cover up Jeff's pit, trying once again to make it look like earth.
Bethany: "Dia, Del, need any help?"

Jefferson Harco is now on the lookout for anyone approaching

Deladriel: "Fine here"

Bethany: "Remember to cover it," Bethany says.

Dianysia casts prestidigitation, attempting to make a weak cover, then carefully covers it with dust.

Dianysia: it takes Dia three times, but she does succeed in covering her hole.

Bethany: "Ok, now we need to stay on our side of the trench, no charging, just hit them from afar if you can as they come up the hill, if you can't hit from far, get ready to fight when they get up here," Bethany says, placing her spear and shield next to her, and draws her pistol.

Deladriel: "They do not come from east"
Deladriel: "They swung north...they come from northeast"

DM: okay... Jeff, you can see 'em now too... they're about a mile off
DM: five that you both can see

Jefferson Harco: Ok guys lets do this...

DM: right, so... at this point, everyone can see, there's a group of 5 riders approaching from the NE... they're still not moving very quickly... in a staggered square pattern, with one rider in the center... all halflings... and they're riding... pigs?

Dianysia breaks out in giggles.

Bethany: "Well I guess my ditch idea doesn't matter anyways," Beth said, "Dianysia, I think you should have some magical fun on them."

DM: the one in the center calls out in a loud voice. "Surrender the human woman, and the rest of you may go free!"

Dianysia: "Under what charges?!"

Bethany: "We have no human woman!" Bethany shouts back.

Dianysia: "Please, let me take care of this, my dear," Dia replies.

Jefferson Harco whispers to the group, "Maybe I should be doing the talking..."

DM: "We have been charged with protecting our Lady! The human woman seeks her, thus she shall not pass! Any who prevent us from carrying out our duty will be destroyed!"

Dianysia sighs. " What Lady?"

Bethany: "I assume the assassin," Beth says to Dianysia.

Dianysia: "I am sure they do, but so long as they're talking, they're not attacking," Dia replied

DM: "That is none of your concern! You have one minute to surrender the woman, or we shall assume you will not comply!"

Dianysia: "Well, what options do we have? We could hand over Beth - no intentions of it, but still an option - or we can fight. If so, I say we give them a chance to surrender.

Bethany: "Well, I don't like the idea of killing them, but it is becoming very obvious that we may not have a choice."

DM: "Thirty Seconds!"

Dianysia: "Are you sure you don't wish to speak it over?" Dia yells.

DM: "Twenty Seconds!"

Bethany: "Dia, you took charge here, your call..."
Bethany: "But if we have to fight, might as well we land the first blow."

DM: all five of the riders reach to their sides, pulling lances out of the holders at the sides of their saddles, readying the weapons

Dianysia shrugs and casts fireball.

Jefferson Harco: "Watch out for the Guy in the middle, I dont know what it is but his lance has a specail tip!"

DM: okay... all of them survive, with all five riders reacting quickly in the saddles as the glowing bead soars in... letting the pigs take the brunt of the damage... the four on the outsides of the box look the worst for wear, with the center one fairly un-fazed...
DM: "CHAAAARGE!"

Dianysia: Magic Missile Rider #1

DM: okay, he seems a little pissed

Jefferson Harco takes the time to actively spot the leader of the group of halfling riders.

Deladriel shifts to bird form and takes flight...

Bethany: Beth looks at the pig under the lead rider and focuses on making sure that pig feels all the pain it has felt, and ever will fill all at the exact same instance. (Recall Agony)

DM: the pig squeals out in pain... but its eyes just seem to get redder, and bristles start sticking up on its back... I think you made it angry
DM: then riders... the lead one pulls a horn from behind his saddle and blows on it loudly, a sound the rings across the plains... and continues to ride...
DM: okay... as the rider comes charging up the hill... the lance flashes with a strange light, emanating from the tip... as it hits Beth precisely in the center of mass, slamming right through her armor...
DM: amazingly... the halfling manages to withdraw the lance and KEEP RIDING away at an angle...

Dianysia: I cast magic missile at ride-by guy

DM: he slumps... and falls out of the saddle...

Dianysia: "One down. Next?" ((End turn))

Jefferson Harco: ok...5 ft adjust
Jefferson Harco: unleash a flurry of blows on the pig

DM: first hits, second glances off its thick hide
DM: and now it REALLY looks pissed... and now it's pissed at YOU

Deladriel Dives toward Rider 4....at 10 feet away...shift to cat and attempt to use momentum and weight to drag him off his piggy

DM: kk, that'll hit...

DM: he falls... hard...
DM: you just killed him with an attack that deals NO DAMAGE, lol

Bethany: Recall agony, rider 5

DM: screams as he falls out of his saddle dead

Jefferson Harco: "INBOUND BOGIES TO THE SOUTHWEST!!!"

DM: and, rider 2 attacking Jeff on a charge...
DM: his lance slips at the last second, and just punches into your side COMPLETELY missing anything important... and again, the rider changes course after the hit to continue to ride on
DM: final rider attacks Del... misses...
DM: he continues to ride (damn hill, lol)
DM: the warpig goes after Jeff with the tusks... and Jeff dodges out of the way at the last second.

Dianysia: (So, how many do we see coming from the southwest?)

DM: another wing of 5...

Dianysia: Well, I cast a fireball

(1074) DM: and that'll hit two of 'em
DM: both are still standing... as are the pigs... but 8 looks rather the worse for wear...

Dianysia smiles

Jefferson Harco puts all his weight into a flurry of blows upon the pig. First attack is a Stunning Fist

DM: then the first one is a hit...
DM: it is NOT gonna leave you alone until ONE of you is bacon...
DM: this pig is PISSED

Deladriel: Charging Mount 1

DM: but you miss

Bethany: Matter agitation on rider 6s saddle, pig and rider take damage, then solicit psicrystal (it will remain concentration for the next five rounds.)

DM: pig attacks Jeff... and misses, but just barely
DM: rider 2... charging Dia
DM: and COMPLETELY whiffs
DM: rider 3, charging dela... misses
DM: this one's not riding away
DM: rider 6 charges dia...
DM: his lance ALSO has that strange glow that the other leader's did, and you can see it's tipped by a crystal as it plunges into your belly... and then of course he wheels away...
DM: rider 8 charging beth...
DM: ALSO through the belly

Bethany: kills her... Beth drops

DM: rider 10 charges up the hill at dia... and nearly fumbles his lance
DM: can't ride away after the charge
DM: rider 7 charges Jayde... and hits
DM: rider 9 can't make it anywhere specific

Dianysia roots through her bag, withdrawing bot a potion and a box, which she activates in the square just in front of her.

DM: A strange glow appears surrounding the box Dia drops... then disappears to reveal a fairly short human woman in Mithral breastplate and wielding an adamantine greatsword.

Jefferson Harco attempts to turn the pigs ugly mug into pulp with a flurry of blows!!!

DM: you cave its side in... you hear ribs snap... it falls... and miraculously, you see its head swing towards you, EXTREMELY pissed off... it obviously won't survive much longer even if it weren't fighting... but somehow, it's still going to try and kill you...
DM: Candace's turn... she starts casting on the defensive...
DM: she gives up a level 2 spell to spontaneously cast cure moderate on dia...

Dianysia: "Thank you," Dia says, grimacing much less.

DM: Candace grins, replying in Elven: "Any time."

Deladriel: ok...Move action to retrieve my box o ally...
Deladriel: drop it ((Activated)) right next to me on my right

DM: (( ooooh... say hello to Rithuly ))
DM: Rithuly is an elf... except that he has smooth green skin very similar to a green dragon's scales in color, with green hair
DM: Rithuly grins widely... then thrusts his head forward, and breathes a cone of acid

Dianysia: "Oh, NICE," Dia manages.'

DM: nowhere NEAR as effective as it could've been...
DM: of course, it's still enough to melt the rider's face off, and he drops...

DM: the one pig will attack Jeff... and miss horribly
DM: Rider 7 is charging Rithuly
DM: and hits... goes through Rithuly's side, but he doesn't really even seem to notice it
DM: Rider 10 is attacking Dia w/ lance, while his mount tries to gore Candace... the lance hits, while the pig misses horribly
DM: and then the pig & rider make a 5-ft. adjust
DM: Rider 2 is charging Candace...
DM: glances off her armor... and pig/rider provokes an attack from Jayde as they ride away
DM: Jayde bites a chunk of ham hock as it's leaving
DM: Rider 6 is charging Del...
DM: that funny lance is glowing again... and it scores a wicked hit across your ribs
DM: Jeff, you get an attack as the rider moves off again

Jefferson Harco: Unarmed Strike

DM: hits, but he barely seems to notice it
DM: Rider 8 charges Candace... and hits...
DM: Rider 9 will attack Dia... hit...
DM: and they're done... and apparently, the new guys didn't learn well enough, because I just realized, there's some MAJOR clusterfuck going on there

Dianysia: I cast fireball

DM: all 4 riders caught in the blast drop, with the mounts smoking quite a bit

DM: Candace: E - "Oooh, nice blast!"

Dianysia: E - "Thanks... it's one of my fave's."

Jefferson Harco: E - Yeah way to go!!
Jefferson Harco attempts to deliver the good ol' 1, 2 knock-out punches to the pig!!!

DM: lol... you stave its skull in... it FINALLY drops

DM: Candace moves over and sacs a 3rd-lvl spell to cure Del...
DM: Candace: "Stick close little kitty, and I'll give you something nice in a second."

Deladriel: Charge Rider 7

DM: he gets an attack because of the lance's reach... which scores a bit of flesh but can't stop a rampaging panther

Deladriel: bite the rider

DM: that's a solid hit

DM: Rithuly is up, and he just shakes his head, grinning wider. "Watch how a real elf does it." He strides over to in front of Jeff... and thrust his head out, breathing again... this time a line of electricity heading straight for rider 6 (30 ft. line)
DM: the pig takes the full brunt of the blast, although the rider manages to twist out of the way to only take some...

Dianysia: "Ooo, again, nice..."

DM: and it's the rider's turns... rider 6 charges Rithuly... and rider 7's pig will attack Dela as the rider drops his lance, drawing a heavy flail and swinging it for all he's worth...
DM: Rithuly gets speared... 21 damage, he's still standing...
(1085) DM: the ridermisses Del, but the pig's attack makes it through

Dianysia: I'll Magic Missile #6

DM: the three missiles clearly hurt quite a bit... but he's still in the saddle

Jefferson Harco: hmm...charge #6

DM: he'll get an attack...
DM: solid hit, some of which is from that funky glow in the lance

Jefferson Harco: Unarmed Strike

DM: he grimaces in pain, I think you managed to break a rib...

DM: which means Candace is up...
DM: so she heads over to Del and starts chanting, then places her hands on Del... and you feel a surge within your muscles, growing instantly stronger... Bull's Strength, temporary +4 to STR
DM: Candace: "Go, kitty, go."

Deladriel: Yeah so...
Deladriel: Beatin da hizell outta Rider 7

DM: you tear the rider's throat out... which is quite a feat when you think about it, because he's wearing SCALE ARMOR, lol...

DM: which means it's Rithuly's turn again... he fakes a yawn... moves to get Jeff out of the line of fire... and looses another breath of electricity at Rider 6
DM: who is blasted out of the saddle
DM: which means everyone is FINALLY dead