Chapter 9: The Battle with the Big bullies. (end of chapter)

[Lazarus]

OOC: The full run of posts is at: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/pawnsoffate/ I've left out most OOC: stuff like the levelling chatter.



Where the heroes last left off they were in pitched battle with a trio of Goblin Ninja's. Two of those Ninja's had fallen, the third was invisible but highlighted with an aura of sparkling dust (I think it was dust?). One of the heroes Fin had paid a terrible price, but before his death his magic turned the tide of battle.

Initiative:
Boneclaw (guesstimated half hitpoints)
Andy (guesstimated half hitpoints)
Shannon (guesstimated half hitpoints)
Remaining Goblin Ninja (badly injured and highlighted for the next
few rounds)
Sunduri (20 damage)
Sunduri's Toad (negative hit points)
Perrin (negative hit points)

---------------------------------

The next eight seconds are a mess of bouncing arrows, glancing blows,
and magical missiles. Amidst the chaos Shannon scores a satisfying
spray of blood, Sunduri peppers it with bolts of force, than it slumps
as an arrow slams into it's shoulder.

The Goblin Ninjas are all visible now, two of them lie bleeding at your
feet, and a third is smoking on the nearby roof. Shortly after the
door opens and the village Cleric says. "...the heck?" Hardly a
minute has passed since the fight began.

---------------------------------
Tiblorians post:

Sunduri staggers over to Findecano's body, sticking his enchanted rapier effortlessly between the dieing goblin's ribs. Kneeling the wizard says in a low voice,(elven) "May Correllen watch over you." The elf continues kneeling there for a second before he grimaces and lets out a shocked gasp. Pulling his burnt frog from his pocket he quickly motions to the cleric who just opened the door, "We have a dead comrade and my familiar is gravely injured. We were attacked by a group of goblins which harass us. We took another three of their number, but not without cost. There is also a dangerous conjuration upon the roof of my making, it should subside in a few minutes, then the rooftop will be safe."

After healing, Sunduri uses searches the goblins with detect magic to help find any equipment they were carrying. After the murky cloud on the rooftop fades he collects the equipment from the scroll using goblin as well. Sunduri uses a cantrip to mend the burns on his robe, and remains quiet and distraught over the elven warmage's death.

----------------------------------------
Nogards post:
After looking at Fin, Boneclaw looks questioningly at the remainder of
his party and asks "The god of elves isn't going to step in for him as
he did you?" Quickly afterwards Boneclaw moves to Perrin's side using
one of the remaining charges from his healing belt to bring his friend
back to conciousness.

"Damn goblins they don't seem ready to give up just yet. At least Fin
was able to keep the caster from escaping this time."

[Lazarus]

My next post in it's entirety:

The Cleric has no spells left but assists in the cleanup. Tytha
restores most of the groups injuries and insists on carrying Fin's
remains. Detect Magic gives some unclear readings with all the spell
auras but you manage to identify that the only really magical items
on the twins are 2 sets of gloves and 4 potions. Also the detect
magic picks up empty vials, and flasks on the roof and to either side
of where you were attacked, 18 spent items in all.

2x Magic Gloves
4x Small Masterwork Shortswords
4x Potions

The roof Ninjas body has numerous items, as you identify some of them
your thankful he didn't manage to use more of them (I'm assuming a
Read Magic to identify the scrolls). Along with the other items
there are a few blank scrolls and one spell aura on the body.

Scroll of Chain Lightning
3x Wands
Scroll of Fly
Magical Cloak
Magical Braces
2x Scrolls of Teleport

Boneclaw looks questioningly at the remainder of his party and
asks "The god of elves isn't going to step in for him as
he did you?" Tytha adds her own questioning look but he does not
return.

OOC: I'll leave it to player discretion weather they want to fill in
the gaps on that.

When all is said and done (assuming noone else suggests it) Tytha
says. "Perhaps we should return to Celeste now and recover on safe
ground?"

OOC: I'll relist the earlier loot here, I can't remember which items
were identified so I'll just list them all with identities revealed.
And I'll show the full coin+writ+gems+art value as you'll be able to
get it all apraised soon anyway.

+2 Potion of Barkskin
Unguent of Timelessness
Wand of Foxes Cunning 50charges (Sunduri has)
Potion of Remove Paralysis
Scrolls of Cats Grace and Summon Monster II (both used by Sunduri)
Ring of Feather Fall
Ring of Counterspells (empty)
Amulet of Health +6
Wealth: 23774cel

[Lazarus]

Tiblorians Post:

Sunduri takes all all the scrolls and wands, and pockets them for
further use and calls for Tensing to hold the remaining magical
equipment until they reach another town. (I'm not really sure if I had
identify memorized, I'd like to say I did, but it doesn't really
matter in any case.)

Boneclaw looks questioningly at the remainder of his party and
asks "The god of elves isn't going to step in for him as
he did you?" Tytha adds her own questioning look but he does not
return.

"I am dearly sorry, but Corellen asked me not to inform you of his
ability of resurrection, as he only had the power for three, for to
raise more would anger the other gods. He also did not want us to
abuse his gift, as you may have noticed we were not only saved from
death, but possess bodies slightly more apt for our group than before.
Unfortunately Findecano was number four."

My toad is in need of healing dwarf, if you could lend him one of your
charges, I would be most ablidged.

---------------------------------------

Nogards post:

If Tytha has not already done so Boneclaw will use the final charge
from the Belt of Healing to help Bixby. "I understand why you did not
reveal this earlier."

--------------------------------------------
Rommalbs post:

"...Number 4? But Anduril and myself were not raised by the god of
elves, but rather by the god of the blooded, who were the other two?"

-------------------------------------------------
Tiblorians post:

"I was under the impression that the god of the Blooded did not want
his role in our resurrections revealed, but I suppose he would not
care at this point."

----------------------------------------------
DM intervention:

OOC: With the truth of the resurrections somewhat revealed I might as
well fill in the gaps. The 3 returnees were restored by Mello the god
of the Blooded, pretty much from cloning vats. He asked Sunduri to
hide the truth so the rest of you wouldn't take unnecessary risks, he
didn't bother when the other 2 died. Cloning vats are still dormant
for Boneclaw and the groups animals but not for the characters that
joined after that encounter.

[Lazarus]

My next post in it's entirety marking the end of chapter 9:

The scrolls Irrule gave you for teleportation are preset for the
Celeste Wayfarers Guild and strong enough to teleport you all. You
make your way back to Irrules office still somber from the recent
death. Irrule is happy to see your mostly safe return, he was
worried becouse his seers had given odd reports suggesting that 7 of
you had died. He suggests you take a few days off to rest than he'll
contact Lazarus who is eager to hire you again.

Frosrom (that was the crafters name right?) appraises and identifies
your equipment for free when you stop in at his store.

OOC: The rest of this post is the data from working out your treasure
haul. I'll need to know primarily if one of you wants the +6 Amulet
of Health as that will be your entire share. It could have made a
significant difference if someone was wearing it during that last
fight. The values beside the magic items are the 90% sell worth.

_3600 +2 Gloves of Dexterity
_3600 +2 Gloves of Dexterity
___45 Potions of Mage Armour
___45 Potions of Mage Armour
__270 potions of Cure Moderate
__270 potions of Cure Moderate
__900 +1 Cloak of Charisma
_3600 Braces of Armour +2
__270 +2 Potion of Barkskin
__120 Unguent of Timelessness
__270 Potion of Remove Paralysis
_1760 Ring of Feather Fall
_3600 Ring of Counterspells (empty)
32400 Amulet of Health +6
20779 celestials

_1485 Scroll of Chain Lightning (sunduri has)
__257 Wand of Lesser Orb of Acid 19 charges (sunduri has)
__270 Wand of Reduce Person 20 charges (sunduri has)
_1822 Wand of Fireball 9 charges (sunduri has)
__337 Scroll of Fly (sunduri has)
_2027 2x Scrolls of Teleport (sunduri has)
_4050 Wand of Foxes Cunning 50charges (Sunduri has)
__270 Scrolls of Cats Grace and Summon Monster II (both used by
Sunduri)

total of 49647 without amulet or 12411.75 when split 4 ways
total of 82047 with amulet sold or 16409.4 when split 5 ways

Sunduri has taken 10518 in scrolls and wands.

[Lazarus]

Tiblorians post:

I don't need the wand of foxes cunning, so that can be sold, unless
anyone wants it. I would, however, like a pair of the gloves, as they
will boost my dexterity to 20. I shall keep the rest of the magical
items in my possession, as they may be of some use to me. I would
also like to purchase the necessary materials to upgrade my headband
of intellect to +3(from +2). I will need to borrow and inscribe fox's
cunning into my spellbook.

If anyone wants me to, I can create or enhance stat boosting items for
them, or create any other magical item.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Rommalbs post:

Im fine with you getting the gloves, I believe I already have a pair
and dont need them.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Only Sunduri has claimed any of the treasure so far, I guess for most of you there's little of use there and you'd prefer a cash share. But if that's the case I need to hear it. I'll assume Anduril wants cash for item upgrades if I don't hear from him soon.

OOC: Where the levelling is concerned I think all I need now is Shannons feat, I've mentioned the option of Leadership for the chance to keep Tytha otherwise Rommalb will need to tell me something. Sunduri you asked about Sudden Maximise, no I don't think it's broken, it's only usable once per day and other characters+npc's have used it already (Tytha saved lives with it).

OOC: Once all that's sorted I'll be able to finish up the levelling thread (might split it to 2 threads when I do) and post it on the new forum. Posting and mailing this post so I'm sure every player can see it.

[Rommalb]

OOC: yeah, sorry about my delay. Ive been looking at a few different feats including Leadership but havent had time lately to actually decide on one. I'll try and make a decision quickly here

[Lazarus]

Sing'kep informs the team that the Duskblade has been delayed, and won't be available for your next mission. Irrule is arranging other options.

Tytha takes Fins share of the treasure and leaves for the Elven Isle with his remains.

OOC: If Shannon has convinced her to continue with the group (aka if he takes Leadership) she'll return after his funeral.

[Xaearth]

"What are you looking at dwarf?"

The dwarf's rough-hewn face turns slowly away from the dark bird towards the human and his accursed aura. "You'd best still your tongue, worm, lest my hammer helps your jaw loose it from your head."

Shall I take his eyes Master? They would make a nice snack.
No, Girael, as much as I'd love to slaughter this self-righteous fool with his cocky air and disdainful glowering... We may need him.

The dwarf turns his attention from the pair he'd been forced to keep company for the past several hours. He goes over his trusty gear. Nothing all that special, but he'd crafted most of it with his own hands. It was a part of him, as much his partner as that Hexblade's raven familiar.

"They better not keep us waiting much longer... My blade... it hungers." The Hexblade begins bouncing his rapier against the toe of his boot. He perceives the irritation the dwarf conveys over the noise, and, as the dwarf watches out of the corner of his eyes, the hexblade forms a wry smile.

The dwarf feels a tug at his belt, and, without a blink, swings his warhammer with tremendous force towards his side. The raven just barely drops the purse string and dodges out of the way before the hammer strikes the wall, a few paces behind where the raven's beak was a moment before.

"You'd best inform your... companion... not to try any such thing again. This hammer cracks skull just as well as it did this wall, only next time... I won't make the mistake of aiming for that cursed bird."

Jhan finds himself supressing two laughs - one for the dwarf's smug response, the other for the frantic empathic messages he felt from his raven familiar as the hammer nearly made its mark.

I'm glad master finds this amusing.

"I'd hope they find the third soon. Otherwise, they'll be looking for a fourth to replace a very incapacitated second." It wasn't like the cleric to speak so threateningly, but he could not hold back his contempt for the darkness that swordsman and his bird represented.

"They said only one of us would be accepted. Don't you worry. They will likely give up before they pull whatever it is that was supposed to join us out from under whatever mountain it's living in. Besides, after meeting you, I'm sure they'll soon have their fill of stonedwellers," Jhan smirks.

Truth be told, what little news that had been given them troubled Araidin. To leave a cleric-smith of Moradin with an accursed hexblade while they search for some missing stonelord? If the differences between the two already present was any indication, this stonelord was surely no simple dwarf or gnome. While he had not met any personally, he had heard tales of great stonedwellers of near-giant size and strength. The thought troubled him.

Araidin sighed. "At any rate, the racket my hammer made will surely draw attention soon. Perhaps it will bring some news with it."


OOC: How's that for an introduction? In case my ambigious descriptions of the characters weren't completely pieced together, we have Araidin, cleric battlesmith of Moradin; Jhan, the human hexblade; and Girael, Jhan's raven familiar. All three of them are sitting in a room (away from the rest of the party for the time being, but I'm sure the walls have eyes and ears eh?) awaiting the third candidate. The "stonelord" is a Golaith with a class I haven't come up with yet. Anyways, let me know how that was for my first shot.

[Anduril]

OOC: Man the rest of us are gonna have to step it up some. :D

[Lazarus]

Shortly after your arrival an old Human man, bald with dark complexion, oddly muscular, and with tattoos over most of his body walks down to greet you. "Welcome travellers my master Irrule is ready to meet you now." He leads you up into a large office, a dark skinned Human sits behind a crowded desk sipping from a flask of green fluid and addressing 2 cloaked people. "Fine fine, contact them and make sure their aware of the crisis, use magic if they don't answer the slate!" Both figures nod and say "very well" before walking out a side door, there voices are feminine and beautiful but sound strangely like their echoing. Irrule turns his attention to you. "Come in gentlemen, and sit down I'm sure it's been a long trip for both of you. I understand your both here for work, my seers are certainly getting more efficient at tracking down worthy candidates. The group I sought you for is currently here reequipping, my seers tell me the two of you should not work together so I suggest you sort that with them, but I can employ both of you I have other employees you can work with.

My assistant Sing'kep will show you to guest quarters downstairs, and feel free to make use of the kitchen, we have a very competent chef. Now if you'll excuse me one of my other groups is reporting in, we can speak later if you have questions." He takes a slate from one of a number of slates racked on the side of his desk, writing is appearing on it's surface.

Sing'kep leads you down to a well lit sub-level, it appears Irrule owns more land below than above. "Most of Anduril's team are out in the town at the moment you'll get to meet them as they trickle in. Anduril is an Elven Ranger, you'll likely recognise Vynens northern banner on some of his garb, and he usually has an Owl with him. There are 2 other Elves, a young Wizard called Sunduri, and Tytha who decided to stay on after her companion died. The only other elf your likely to see is a Grey-Elf so it should be clear who's who.. you may want to avoid the Grey-Elf. Also the group has a Dwarven Druid always with his Wolf close at hand. And the last of the team is Shannon a Human Knight. We have a number of Humans and near-Humans working here, but his dark metallic-red armour should set him apart."

After showing each of you your rooms Sing'kep shows you the kitchen/dining area, an odd yellow skinned Goblin is busy at work. A large cloaked figure is strumming a clawed hand at a table nearby. The Goblin remarks nervously. "Effy nearly ready Cracker! Effy just finishing Effys gravy, otherwise Effy ready to serve. Effy wonder when Crackers ring work again, Effy like cooking but you keep Effy very busy." The hooded figure grumbles in a deep voice. "Two more days, @#$%ing antimagic!"

[Xaearth]

"A goblin chef?!" Araidin snorts. "Tree bark has more flavor than the poor excuse for prison food goblins call 'cooking'."

"Teeheehee! At least it's better than my master's cooking! It's worse than carrion! Aheeeeheee!" Girael screeches.

Everyone in hearing distance is a bit taken aback by the raven's words. Araidin collects himself and speaks first, attempting to supress his suprise. "You taught your raven Elleslandic?"

Jhan laughs. "It's much easier to have a spy when he can understand what he's spying on!"

Araidin's snort belies his attempt to ignore the hexblade's comments. He turns to their guide. "I heard tales of a skilled craftsman and blacksmith who supplies the servants of this Irule with quality items at a fair price. Might we meet him? I would like to see how he measures up to dwarven standards." The dwarf bangs on his battered metal plate with a fist. On second glance, it's apparent that the plate isn't old and battered, just rough hewn. It appears as though it was made away from a proper smith shop, likely with some improvised tools and materials, and has seen many battles and many repairs. And yet it still shines with the mastery of metals that only a dwarf could produce.

OOC: Edited to change that lil... erm... typo I guess ;).

[Lazarus]

Effy looks appalled when his cooking is dismissed. "Effy is already ranked in the top chefs of Celeste, Effy hopes Effy may even win the coming cooking tournament when Effy competes. Effy's is no mere Goblin cook, Effy never liked cooking for Legion Goblins when Effy was their slave, Effy enjoyed working with Djah'me Ovilad back when Effy was a Rimanan slave, Effy even EARN freedom. Effy spent over half of Effys life honing art, Effy still have much for Effy to learn but Effy better chef than any you likely ever met!"

The small cook carries a heavy platter over to Crackers table. The large man pulls back his hood exposing ugly Troll features. "Smells good little man, but as I keep telling you I'll happily eat half a raw Cow, you don't need to do this much work!" The Goblin responds quite abruptly. "No no no, Effy done serving boring shit! This Effys kitchen now, you eat good, healthy, tasty food!"

OOC: One thing I've missed is there is no Common. The long living races (Dwarves, Elves, etc) have racial languages, but the shorter lived races have regional tongues. The common language in and around Celeste is Elleslandic, and the Imperial tongue is Kurlish. If your character hails from a far off land they may have been taught Elleslandic magically when they entered the city.

[Xaearth]

Araidin's hammer hits the floor with a loud thud. As the noise draws the attention of the now uncloaked monstrous creature, the dwarf realizes his weapon has slipped from his grip in his state of shock, and he quickly fumbles for the light throwing hammer at his belt. As the creature bears its teeth, Sing'kep motions to the dwarf to lower his weapon, whispering that there is no threat on these grounds.

Araidin places his thrower back in his belt loop and mutters under his breath, "You mean besides this cursed blade for hire standing next to me."
He picks his warhammer back up off the floor, nods his head, and solemnly says, "Pardon me. I... was startled, and... my people do not generally have... cordial relations... with..." He trails off.

"Heh, seems the dwarf here was frightened by the thought of being maimed by a goblin furious over the insult to his cooking." Jhan says with a wry smile.

"Perhaps his cooking would be improved with raven stew and a bit of 'mystery meat'..." The dwarf glares and clutches his hammer tightly.

As the human and dwarf argue between each other, Cracker turns back to his meal. The goblin smiles as he continues eating.

Araidin turns his attention back to the two by the table, and snorts loudly. "So you say you're one of the best cooks? Guess that doesn't say much for the culinary skills of the rest of..." He trails off as he's assailed by glowers from all parties present. "Well, I mean, ya can't blame me if I dun exactly take your word for it."

OOC: Should I know who Cracker is? Or is he a new mysterious character? :eek:

[Lazarus]

The Troll looks unimpressed at the outburst but continues eating. "(chomp) Remember where you are! (chomp) Becouse Celeste has such strict guards against evil (shlurpt) you'll find there are various personages you wouldn't expect elsewhere. (gnacrunch) I think... (slurp) ..there are even a few Devils in the city."

Effy is already back in the kitchen muttering as he gets to work. Some of the aromas drifting over even get Araidin's mouth watering.

OOC: Very little roleplaying has happened before at Irrules offices, so I haven't introduced or named many members of Irrules other teams. Back when the game first began most of the new player-characters were brought in by different members of one of the more senior teams. The Grey-Elf mentioned before brought Sunduri in from the Empire via a magic carpet ride, Boneclaw was recruited by a Human Druid, and Aexicas (who later left the party) was fetched by the as yet unnamed Cracker. Effy was rescued from slavery by the party during chapter 3, and later retired to Irrules employ after chapter 6. I'm using them to give you someone to roleplay with till the other players join in.

[Lazarus]

OOC: I've tracked down Effys character sheet, updated it, and rolled a cooking check. I got a result of 39, consider it's dc30 for an Extraordinary success.

[Tiblorian]

Sunduri bursts through the door with three textbooks under his arms, one worn with use, one with an internal glow bearing the symbol of the blooded, and a final book of pure white encrusted with small diamonds forming the moon of Correllen Larethian. "Mmmmm, I smell something good, no doubt work of Celeste's finest cook! Bixby and I are most hungry after the another encounter with the go-....," the wizard stops in mid sentence upon seeing the dwarf and the elf arguing at the table, "You must be...the deceased Findecano's replacements," Looking more closely at the Warlock, the wizard grimaces, "I had hoped Findecano's replacement would be another elven master of the arcane, however you wield unholy distortions of the art. However, if my travels have taught be naught but one thing, it is to peer past first impressions, not so long ago I would have dismissed all other races as inferior. Though I now know better that there is no better chef than Effy, who is but a goblin, and that even a Dwarf can be a powerful druid. Pardon me, I do tend to carry on so. This headband surely does not help the shortening of my elaborate speeches. I greet you both, I am Sunduri, master of the arcane arts, though I do say I have a knack for evocations. I hope that one of you will come with us on our great adventure, though I warn you, the last two replacements such as yourself did not return to Celeste alive as they left. I would not see the same happen again."

Momentarily looking at his frog perched on his shoulder, the wizard adds, "Ahhh yes, and this is Bixby, who seems to unfortunately take offense to your raven, I do apologize, for we have had little contact with other familiars, and I must inquire, as you are not versed in the wizardly arts, and I am much interested in the manner in which you summoned him, as I have only briefly read of the rituals in which one such as yourself may acquire a familiar."

OOC: (after the conversation with the newbies)

"The food is most excellent Effy, I would even venture as far to say it is your best work yet, Bixby certainly thinks so. Are you still enjoying Celeste, do you still enjoy your occupation with master Irule?"

OOC: I might as well throw this in, but you forgot to add slow and wind wall(my two level up spells) to my spell repertoire. Since theres no cost for them, They will go in my normal(original) spell book.

[Xaearth]

OOC: Erm... Jhan the hexblade is... human :p.

"You wish to know how a cursed blade such as myself obtains a familiar? Well, I suppose it won't hurt to divulge the secret. I simply took his old master's eye out with my sword, and we bartered on the terms for him to keep his other. Well, he had this perfectly balanced shortsword here..." Jhan pulls out his shortsword and balances it on one finger. "That was to be the deal. Well, Girael here..."
"Heeeeeheee, me refuse to follow weak masters, so when me hungry, me eat his one good eye! Then me follow Jhan! He new, stronger master! Aheeehe"

OOC: Yeah, Hexblades get a familiar at lvl 4, treated as a familiar of a sorceror 3 levels lower. Just thought this would be more fun and more in-character than waving his arms about doing a ritual to summon one ;).

"Ahherrm." Araidin clears his throat loudly. "Well aren't you two all chummy." He mumbles something about those short in stature never getting any respect.
"I've heard you have a knack for creating magical items Sunduri. I am Araidin, cleric smith of Moradin, and I too am skilled in the creation of unique items. I have also heard some of your adventures, and rumors of you and your fellows' contact with the elven gods. Would be quite the experience to meet an elven god I would think. Truly, the bonds of our people start with the will of our gods... But then again, nothing like the ring of steel to tell you where your friendships lie!" Araidin strums his hammer against his armor, adding a resounding clang to the sound of kitchen pots boiling and the troll's rather loud slurping.

[Tiblorian]

OOC: Hasn't Laz told you I'm the most scatterbrained one here :P I'll go ahead and edit my post then.

edit: Took out the elf references.

[Lazarus]

OOC: I might as well throw this in, but you forgot to add slow and wind wall(my two level up spells) to my spell repertoire. Since theres no cost for them, They will go in my normal(original) spell book.

OOC: Fixed

[Tiblorian]

The wizard grasps the Dwarven smith's hand. "Well met good Dwarf, I must admit at the beginning of my journies I did not view your race in the best of light, however experience has changed me, and I can gladly say well met. I am a craftsman of magical items, such as this Blessed book of Corellen. I assume, by your equipment, you follow the Dwarven tradition of creating weapons and armors. Alas, the only weapon I have of magical nature is this lightly enchanted rapier, which I found along my journies. Perhaps Corellen will take notice of you, the seers have reported him, among others I might add, have been watching over us.

OOC: I have completly forgotten were that rapier came from.

[Xaearth]

"Truth be told, my religious pursuits are not so easily conveyed by a simple devotion to a deity. I was raised as an apprentice to the High Cleric of Tharmekhul, Moradin's assistant and tender of the his heavenly forge. Under my service to him, I devoted myself to the knowledge of war and crafting. I was one day to take up the position as his cleric. And I would have too... but..." Araidin's voice trails off. He appears apprehensive about revealing more.
"Suffice it to say, a great tragedy happened. Tharmekhul bid me lend my knowledge of weapons and war to his master, Moradin. Ever since, I have been a faithful servant of Moradin. However, the roots of my devotion will always stay true... I am sorry, but I will not speak further of this."

OOC: Yeah, I noticed you removed your question about which diety I followed before I posted, guessing you realized I already said it, but it just got the ideas flowin and I had to get em out :p.

[Tiblorian]

OOC: Ya, I read back and saw the cleric part.

"I did not mean to press you, perhaps your knowledge of war and weapons will be of benefit to us. Are you able to wield the divine magicks of your deity?

OOC: Yawn, kept myself up to late, time to hit the sack.

[Xaearth]

"Well, I am not just a hammer if that's what you mean." Araidin laughs, no traces of his previously somber mood left in his voice or face. "Yes, I wield divine magic. I am gifted with both the ability to cure wounds and to strengthen the blows of my hammer. That combined with my ability to craft the finest of weapons and armor make me a true asset to all friends of Moradin."

[Nogard]

Walking into the kitchen a few minutes behind Sunduri is a dwarf dressed in normal looking clothes with a small gem clasped on his belt and another partially hidden in a crease of his shirt. Trailed by a wolf he walks up to the stove to smell the wonderful aroma of Effy's meal.

"Mind if I serve myself Effy. This smells much better than the trail rations we usually pack along." Grabbing two plates the dwarf fills both to near spilling over with food and takes them to the table he sets one on the floor which the wolf happily begins eating from. "Eat up Perrin you'll need your energy for this afternoon."

As he sits down himself and begins to eat his meal the dwarf looks at each of the new recruits. "My name is Boneclaw and this is my friend Perrin." He says as he gestures to the wolf at his side.

Speaking first to Araidin he says "You appear to work with divine magics similar to my own. Good the more who can heal the merrier. You may get to meet the knight soon. Good fellow keep you busy though with his attitude that he should duel the strongest enemies on a given mission. Perhaps you would be able to slow down the next giant that overruns him with that warhammer as well."

Looking again at the human Boneclaw says "You appear to know how to wield that sword of yours and you don't strike me as the type to back down from a fight either. Judging from the way the dwarf is looking at you though I am going to enjoy watching you meet our knight."

"Speaking of Shannon do you know where he is Sunduri? Perrin and I need a sparring partner for training this afternoon. Now that I have learned to share enchantments with him to a slightly greater distance I need him to practice staying by my side during a fight."

OOC: What book is Hexblade in? I have no idea what thier skills are.

[Lazarus]

OOC: What book is Hexblade in? I have no idea what thier skills are.

OOC: Complete Warrior. The Hexblade has Full BAB like a Fighter, but they get low level arcane spells (similar to the Paladin spell progression), and most of their other abilities bring curses on their enemies, or risist spell effects on themselves. As far as I can tell they have a full caster level dispite the slow spell advancement (usually slow advancers have 1/2 caster level eg: Rangers).

[Lazarus]

OOC: Xaearth, don't worry about the Goliath unless it's nearly ready to Roleplay. The other players seem happy with the 2 options. If the player that needed to take a break joins back in he has a Goliath Duskblade prepped, so the group may have a Goliath in a realworld month or so.

OOC: If anyone feels ready to choose which option they prefer you can roleplay that choice as a private conversation with Irrule. There won't be any input from Tytha, she's still away at Fin's funeral, and she'll return just before you leave on your next quest.

[Tiblorian]

Actually they do have half caster level. If you look on the Top of page 8 of complete warrior. (http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a233/Tiblorian/albumawsome/5bmp.jpg) I just happened to randomly catch it as I was reading.

Sunduri looks up from his food when addressed by Boneclaw. "I am afraid I have not seen Sir Shannon or Anduril all day, as I have been in my room for the majority of the day inscribing this," the wizard says, pulling a sheet of vellum with arcane writings on it from a case filled with partchment at his hip,"I discovered the secret of conjuring a wall of wind from Findecano's valiant efforts against those automatons we met on the way to the great seer, however it has taken me some time to perfect," he then replaces it securely in the case which he buckles next to the assortment of wands buckled along his hip. "I do hope Anduril and Shannon show up soon, I am most eager as well to train, these new gloves we retrieved from the goblins who attacked us should increase my precision with the bow, though I have no hope of matching Anduril's skill with the bow, he does provide an excellent training partner."

[Lazarus]

OOC: I am so tired right now. I ended up staying longer in Nelson after the Friday game to go see Iron Man (one of the best comic book movies I've ever seen imo), scootering back late (so so cold). I'd left my door open by mistake while I was out which led to the mouse-in-the-house agrevation of the last 2 days and night, hunting the bastards stirred up some major dust allergies. And soon I'll be heading out for the monday game.

OOC: Anyway, all that should give me an excuse why I haven't finished and uploaded all the other character sheets, but I do have all those details available so nothings really stopping us from starting the next chapter. I have all the HP updates, and I've plotted out your next quest. While I would prefer to get everyones opinion of Xaearths characters I think it'll be quicker if I say 'first with 2 votes wins'. The sooner it's decided, the sooner he can send me all his character specs, and I can get the next chapter going.
Do you want Araidin the Dwarven Cleric/Battlesmith or Jhan the Human Hexblade?

[Anduril]

OOC: I vote Dwarven Cleric

Anduril sneaks into the kitchen and grabs a plate without Effy's noticing. "Hum, the little goblin is getting much better," he mumbles in between bites. He continues to eat and observe the two new recruits thinking the Hexblades attitude would likely cause tension in the group.

[Nogard]

As he finishes his meal Perrin smells a new scent in the room. Lazily lifting his head he sees Anduril sneak in to the room. Recognizing the ranger and his owl Perrin lays back down to wait for Boneclaw to finish his meal. Hearing Boneclaw "Well Perin perhaps we will run into Shannon on the way out otherwise we'll find someone or something else to train with. If you'll excuse us we need to get back to training." Perrin gets up and follows his friend from the room keeping a careful eye on the new human that makes him uneasy.

After leaving the dining room Boneclaw decides to pass along his choice of companions from the two he met.

OOC: Boneclaw is going to vote for Araidin.

OOC: Don't forget Laz in the prepped spells thread you had banned the druid spell Miasma.

[Xaearth]

OOC: Sorry about not posting for the last few days, dad just got back from his last cancer treatment out of state and I've been helpin my ma take care of him while she gets their place back in order after being gone a couple months.

OOC: Anyways, looks like it's been decided, just have a few last touches/decisions about the character sheet. And a question, do you allow the racial substitutions? (ie taking a level as Dwarven Cleric instead of vanilla cleric for the bonuses) Having a less than optimal charisma score, thinking it would be worth it to take the 1st cleric level as racial substitution, giving Smite Giant (uses Con) instead of Turn Undead.

[Lazarus]

OOC: 3/3 votes for the Cleric so that's well and truly decided.

Jhan is called away to work with a mixed level team hunting down rare ingredients under treaty deep in Orc lands. Araidin has his membership confirmed and is officially introduced to Andurils team members (the group have never named themselves, I think Andy was the first to join that's still with the group, and has been the leader in the past, so pending a unique group name it's 'Andurils Team'). While the teams gathered Irrule asks if any of you are willing to volunteer to travel in an inanimate form, otherwise Ten'sing will need to remain at base as Lazarus' teleportation is over it's body limit (the veteran players may remember leaving Effy, Me, and Ten'sing behind last time you worked for Lazarus).

OOC: I won't be forgetting Miasma, no way will I ever forget Miasma!

OOC: I'm still in Nelson so I don't have all the books with me, but that racial substitution sounds fine.

[Tiblorian]

OOC: I think Andy, Boneclaw, and myself are the only original players left, but Andy's character is more suited to leadership than Boneclaw or Sunduri, so Anduril's group works fine.

OOC: Am I the only one who thinks, "GO FOR THE EYES BOO, GO FOR THE EYES!" whenever they see Xaearth's avatar?

[Anduril]

OOC: I perfer Anduril's Avengers! Yarr!

OOC: No your not the only one.

OOC: Where are we going with Laz? I think I must have missed it in the yahoo posts

"Welcome to the group Araidin, maybe with you'll here we'll have better luck staying alive."

[Lazarus]

OOC: Post 4 of this thread (which is a reprint from the yahoo group) has the first mention of your next mission, I don't think it's really been discussed since. The team will be paid 50000celestials for the work, that's about all you know until you meet up with him.

OOC: The next chapter was named when I was discussing the Memoir idea. "Pawns of Fate Chapter 10 The Temple of Blood." The offer of bonus xp for writing incharacter reviews (memoirs/journals/whatever) of the previous chapters still stands. With ongoing small rewards for submitting one at the end of each subsequent chapter.