Pawns of Fate chapter 17: The Search for Anduril

[Lazarus]

Pawns of Fate chapter 17: The Search for Spock Anduril

After your morning discussion with a god who by his own admission hopefully doesn't exist any more, you're given leave to plan your departure. Ten'sing has contacted Irrule, and he reported back that he'll try to pry a Wayfarer away from the war effort. But it seems more likely that you'll need to arrange your own transport.

OOC: Arcane characters have time to prep different spells if they want to.

The Brigadier and other command staff are occupied with new plans, but there are still plenty of people to wish you luck. News is they've started work on an airborne base.

Anduril's new fix on his body is unwavering. Either his skeleton is staying in one location, and/or is far enough away to make such a judgement difficult. The direction points across Muraveck towards the Rimanan empire, in line with some of the rift tainted territory. This leaves you with a vast number of possible locations, hopping between Wayfarer Circles may be your best bet. There is a Circle in an imperial camp on the other side of the rifts, and numerous Circles across the empire. You find this out from a Wayfarer out of spells, he'll let you look at one of the runes in his Wayfarers Book for a hundred Celestials, but he won't part with it.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Prepped spell lists for Araevin, Boneclaw, and Sunduri haven't been fully updated since the level up. You should probably sort that out before we continue.

[TheDeadOne]

OOC: Still on very strong drugs after getting wisdom teeth out. So not thinking straight atm. But on another note do we get a Klingon Bird of Prey at the end of this chapter?

[Lazarus]

OOC: Will a Makayaran bird of prey do? That's if Andy wants to track down his nutty Owl Mel-telpe when he has his body back?

[Anduril]

"I'll pay to have a peek at the rune, just to see if it's any help" Anduril offers, then adds "I suppose we should just pick a spot in the middle and head from there?"

[Lazarus]

"I'll pay to have a peek at the rune, just to see if it's any help" Anduril offers, then adds "I suppose we should just pick a spot in the middle and head from there?"

The runes make little sense to you, being teleport markers for those with arcane training. Each of them have a name above them, all Kurlish place names the Wayfarer picks out which is which for you referencing a map in the back. Sunduri can use one of them with a Teleport or Greater Teleport, the prior could be hazardous until your away from the rifts.

OOC: I make frequent use of Wayfarers, their circles, and their books. Wayfarers are a prestige class from Complete Arcane, but the rest is stuff I've made up. I'll put up a post in the Worldlore thread with more details and rules.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Wayfarer details are up in the world FAQ thread. Some notes before you depart; departing from a Wayfarer Circle Sunduri has a caster level of 22, so he can teleport himself plus 7 others. That's enough to take the four corporeal party members, Perrin, Ten'sing, and one other. Away from Wayfarer Circles his caster level is 20, so himself plus 6. So it's just as well Andy is bound to the arrow, if Sunduri hasn't levelled when Andy gets his body back you won't be able to shift the full party with one spell unless he's doing so from a Wayfarer Circle.

[Lazarus]

OOC: I see Araevin's prepped spells have been updated, but the others haven't. Both Tibby and Nogard have professed reasons for limited posting, so I'll go ahead and fill out the missing spells myself. I'll leave them marked so they can change them when they do post, if those spells haven't been used that is. Once the spells are sorted I can carry on.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Spells sorted so lets continue. I'll work from Andy's comment of picking somewhere in the middle.

You pick a target location 4 Wayfarer Circles away and Sunduri uses a Greater Teleport to move the group.

OOC: I just checked how far Sunduri's 2200 mile Teleport limit is in real world distance, and it's a massive distance. Almost east coast to west coast across the middle of America, so I'm not gonna worry about his limits.

Anduril gets to again experience the arrow pulling him 'home', appearing with the others a few seconds later. You're in a Wayfarer's Guild, a man gets up from a table where he was playing cards, and walks over to the circle. He's not dressed in Wizard robes, but does have a sash with the guild colours, only the Elves and Ten'sing understand as he asks you in Kurlish. "You got the fee!" Ten'sing talks to the man, showing him a writ. The man inspects it looking annoyed. "What the **** does it say? Is this Elleslandic?! I can't read this!" Ten'sing assures him it covers an agreement with the Wayfarer's Guild, the man looks ready to argue the point but deflates when he looks at the rest of you properly. "Bah fine, what do I care. I'm just watching things while the Wizards are off saving Muraveckian dip*****. Get outta here!"

You need to get outside anyway to get your bearings, so you head out to the street. Your in a midsized town, beside a market. Using the coloured clouds over Muraveck for bearings you find Anduril's silver cord is still pointing south east, though a bit more easterly now. It's still impossible to tell how far you are from the adversary, but at least you've ruled out it being on the other side of a rift.

I'm guessing you'll than head back into the Guild to find out what other Waypoints might be closer. The circle guard isn't happy to see you again, but he listens to your dilemma. "Those books don't just get left lying around, hang on.." He walks out to talk with another man at the reception, Ten'sing translates the Kurlish chatter. "Hey Mehmet, you know Hasim Toman right?" The other looks up half asleep. "...Yeah." The guard asks further. "He didn't go to help those Muraveck dogs did he?" The receptionist wipes his eyes. "..I dunno? ...He retired didn't he?" The guard nods. "Yeah, retired. So he's still in town?" Mehmet shrugs. "...Dunno..." The guard asks. "Would he be home this time of day?" Mehmet shrugs again. "...Dunno?" The guard starts towards the front door calling back to Mehmet. "I'm gonna look for him, you watch things here." Than he's gone.

Mehmet looks at you, makes an 'I'm watching you' gesture than seems to nod off again. You're left waiting to see if the guard will bring back Hasim, whoever that is. Waiting... ...waiting... ..it takes nearly half an hour before the guard comes back in, he has an older man with him. The older man has expensive robes, a jewelled staff, and an excessive amount of jewellery. He nods slightly in greeting and speaks in accented Elleslandic. "I am Lord Toman, I hear you need a Wayfarer. You disturb my rest, I want 500 imperial for my time!"

OOC: For anyone who's forgotten 500 imperial = 50 celestial.

[Nogard]

"I realize you are not happy about being drug from your rest by the guard, so once you work out the details with him, perhaps you can assist us."

[Lazarus]

Toman looks at the guard, snorts, and looks back. "Erdogan was doing his job, I am the only Wayfarer in town today. But I not in guild employ any more, if you want my hep you pay me 500 imperials. Pay first than I hep, meybe you pay twice, that depend what hep you need!"

[Anduril]

Anduril responds "Set your price once and I'll pay you, I haven't the time to waste bickering back and forth with you."

[Lazarus]

He gives Andy an appraising look, raising an eyebrow. His mood seems to have softened as he continues. "500 imperials for my hep Vynen Ghost, 2000 more and I enterpret my book for you, 20000 more end I see abet getting you a temporary book of your own. If that is the hep you need you pay me twenty two thousand feve hundred imperials! If it other hep you need tell me so I know how to charge you!" He clicks his fingers towards the torpid Mehmet snapping a Kurlish. "Chair!" Mehmet looks around groggily, than realises he meant the chair he's sitting in. Stumbling to his feet he drags it over to 'Lord' Toman who sits down in a fluff of robes, hand on staff.

[Tiblorian]

"What exactly would one of your books accomplish if we were to purchase one?"

[Lazarus]

OOC: Dangit I know I posted earlier! Lets try again.

OOC: Tibby I've detailed out Wayfarer's Books in the World FAQ thread. Sunduri has used them before, either directly when teleporting from a Guild house, or indirectly when Irrule has had a teleport rune sent through an Orric's Slate.

"I can arrange give a Wayfarer's Book, live one week. So you have map of Wayfarer Circles, place names, the runes. Not all Wayfarer Circles have Wayfarer's today, you lucky I retired, or no Wayfarer at dis Circle either."

[Rommalb]

OOC: how much sway would I, as a citizen and noble of Celeste have in bargaining with his price?

[Lazarus]

OOC: how much sway would I, as a citizen and noble of Celeste have in bargaining with his price?

OOC: Celeste is a rival power to the Rimanan empire, its hard to judge in advance how he'd react to namedropping. Your rank may impress him. In game terms those factors may each give +/-2 on diplomacy checks.

Shannon's knowledge of nobility and royalty gives him an insight that Lord Toman got his lordship through wealth rather than any inherited title.

OOC: If you tell me how far you'll go in introducing yourself, I can roll opposed diplomacy checks. If you roll badly you could end up conceding to a higher cost, roll well and he'll admit to profiteering. I'll give a bonus or penalty depending how you roleplay it, but you do have the skills so you may as well use them.

[Anduril]

OOC: Greatings from Rome Fated ones! I'll wait and see how the guy responds to Shannon before giving in to him.

[Aegnor]

Araevin watches the exchange quietly, but becomes increasingly and visibly irritated with the tone and demeanor of the erstwhile Wayfarer.

[Rommalb]

OOC: sorry Laz, I know I'm stalling here but I'm trying to weigh a couple different ways to do this right. I got to go to work right now, but when I get back I promise I'll finally do something

OOC: Saright. I whipped the end of a fencing wire across my eyeball 2 days ago. My eyesight's just now recovering enough to type without pain & blur distracting me.

[Aegnor]

OOC: So we are in the Rimanan Empire then, I take it?

[TheDeadOne]

OOC: Looks like some of us has been in some kind of war with the pain some of the players are in.

Ali will just hang back as it doesn't seem like people are talking about who to kill or how to kill it.

[Lazarus]

OOC: The fencing wire comment was me, I have no idea how I managed to accidentally edit Rommalbs post instead of replying.

[Lazarus]

OOC: So we are in the Rimanan Empire then, I take it?

OOC: Yes. The teleport earlier took you about a quarter way across Rimana, into an oasis town in desert land.

[Rommalb]

"Well good sir, I can certainly see how one could attain such a lordship as yourself has when one charges what you do. I suppose business is business but if I ever found out that a fellow lord as myself had bought their peerage instead of rightfully earning it, well I can't say I would look at them the same way again."

OOC: I've been mulling over whether to go real passive and just drop hints at our status, or be more demanding but I ended up trying a bit of both being passive-aggressive. Not normally Shannon's style, but lets hope it gets the message across

[Lazarus]

OOC: On the mechanics side of things Shannon got 26 on a Diplomacy check (before any situational adjustment), while the lord got a natural 01. On the roleplaying side rebuking a 'bought' title makes little sense to a Rimanan, I think I should put some sociopolitical writeups in the world FAQ.

OOC: Technically General is the only title Shannon has, Celeste doesn't truck much with titles outside of the military. The only title they really care about is 'Citizen'.

OOC: I'm too tired to put the accent into Toman's words, I might alter his speech later.

The old patrician is confused by your comments, but at the same time cowed by Shannon's presence. He starts asking "Lord of," but cuts himself off. "Never mind, perhaps I have been rude. After all what is money." He winces at his own admission. "The book I can't give for free, that service is a guild matter, if you didn't pay I would have to, but I will waive my own fees so ten thousand imperials will be enough." His voice is strangled at the idea of conceding all the profit, it's obvious he won't concede to the point of a loss.

Eager to distract himself from the funds he's waived he takes out his own Wayfarers Book. "Now where was it you were trying to find?" Together you work to narrow down potential targets, the shift in direction eliminates some that you were considering when you spoke with the Wayfarer in Muraveck. Only three of them fit against both points of the triangulation, although some others may be closer if it turns out the target isn't near a Wayfarers Circle. He details them as their pointed out on the map. "The furthest one Kadikendi or Arena is where the Rimanan games are held, it will be relatively quiet at this time of year. I don't know much about Akçay, it's an oasis town like Koru, I've been there a couple of times as a Wayfarer, but never stepped outside the guild hall. This last one Sarılar, I haven't been there myself but I've heard of it, it's a religious centre, a temple and some ruins."

[Anduril]

"I suppose any guess is as good as another at this point. Sarilar sounds like it might have potential. Being a religious center maybe He has some minions there?"

[Lazarus]

Lord Toman almost jumps out of his skin when Ten'sing shows himself to pay for the book. After getting the funds Toman walks slowly to the back of the guild and lets himself through a rune locked door, closing it behind him. Minutes later he returns with a book, it looks identical to his Wayfarer's Book but newer. "Keep it somewhere secure, unlike the real ones this is vulnerable to Dispel Magic and the like." Sunduri takes possession of it.

After Toman inspects Ten'sing's licence (he doesn't have Erdogan's problem reading it) you all head back to the Wayfarers Circle for departure. Using the new book Sunduri sets the Sarilar rune in his minds eye and casts Teleport. As usual the incorporeal Anduril is left behind, he prepares himself for the slingshot back to the arrow, but it doesn't come. Instead he starts feeling a terrible dissociation, which lasts until a few minutes later when the party pops back onto the circle they departed from.

When the others appear back Toman forgets his confusion at Anduril being left behind (I'm assuming noone tells him about the arrow), slipping to Kurlish in his anger. "Someone has blocked the Circle, without informing the guild!"

[Lazarus]

OOC: Safe to assume Sunduri, Araevin, Tytha, or Ten'sing translates for the rest of you.

[TheDeadOne]

"Well that kind of settles where we need to go doesn't it?"

[Lazarus]

Toman picks out the two Circles nearest to Sarilar. "Both Bitez and Kestel are oasis towns. Bitez is around 70 miles from Sarilar, Kestel 100 miles. Kestel is more likely to have Camels, there are breeders there."

[Tiblorian]

"The camels may allow us to make the distance in less time, though with all of our magic, that may be unnecessary, especially as they would be unable to make the return trip if we decided to teleport."

[Aegnor]

"Perhaps we could use them to traverse part of the way and send them back to their masters when they are no longer needed. Animals such as that frequently know their way home. Not knowing what we are heading in to, I would prefer to preserve our spells."

[Anduril]

OOC: Would the DM make it this much trouble if it wasn't the right guess? Also I keep getting confused when Toman is a character and not a palidan in my party. ;)

Anduril tries to sigh but it just sounds like a raspy hollow moan, "When I find Him I'm going to kill Him for all the trouble he's caused me. Let's just get to a closer circle then we shall figure out the camel situation."

[Aegnor]

OOC: "Tomine" is only "Toman" when you have a southern accent... ;)

"I agree, my incorporeal friend."

[Lazarus]

OOC: So... ...Sunduri is noncommitally in favour of the closer town, Araevin noncommitally favours the one with the Camels, Anduril says go to 'a closer circle' which describes both options, and Araevin agrees... ...mkay. I'm not sure whether to flip a coin or wait for more posts, I'll go with the later for now.

[Aegnor]

OOC: I thought we were all basically advocating for the one with the camels.

[Lazarus]

OOC: I thought we were all basically advocating for the one with the camels.

OOC: It didn't read that clearly for me, but I'll take your word for it.

Sunduri uses another Greater Teleport taking you all to the Kestel circle, this time the spell works without difficulty. The Kestel guild hall is occupied by a young Wizard, who challenges you in Kurlish for fees. Ten'sing shows the writ but the young man can't read the Elleslandic text, and insist on finding someone to authenticate it. A couple of hours are wasted on this before he finally lets you leave into the town proper.

OOC: It's getting late, do you want to try buying Camels now and trek through the night, or look for somewhere to stay?

[Tiblorian]

"We may as well stay the night here, haste and recklessness only bring peril."

[Lazarus]

OOC: I'll write a quick advancement, than I'm off to Nelson.

There are no inns in town, but eventually you find a local willing to let you doss in a spare room for an imperial each. A little extra and the family has one of their slaves bring you supper. Ten'sing takes care of the payment.

The chill outside at dawn make you glad you were indoors for the night, but it soon warms up. The breeders have more than enough Camels for sale for everyone, and a few trained War Camels if anyone wants to pay the extra expense. When your destination is known the slightly more expensive two humped Camels are suggested, their feet are better on sand than the one humped Camels.

OOC: Camels cost 100cel each, and War Camels are 450cel each if anyone wants one. Saddles, feed, etc are standard book price. I'll get it all sorted properly when I get home. Camels are in the Sandstorm sourcebook if anyone wants to read the specs.

[Rommalb]

OOC: War Camels huh? I do have all those Ride abilities and skills I can finally make use of... just not in the way I ever expected

[Lazarus]

OOC: I'm home but I feel utterly fragged, maybe it was the jumbo pizza I ate last night, and/or broken sleep lately. So no advancement yet.

[Nogard]

"Unless the standard camels know how to behave when situations get rough, we may want to go for the war camels. We always seem to draw attention and if He decides to send a welcoming party we may want animals who can stay calm."

OOC: During travel Boneclaw will wildshape into the form of a camel matching the appearance of our mounts as best he is able. If the ninja goblins pop back up they will be in for a surprise when the camel starts throwing spells.

[Aegnor]

"Unless the standard camels know how to behave when situations get rough, we may want to go for the war camels. We always seem to draw attention and if He decides to send a welcoming party we may want animals who can stay calm."

"Sound advice, Master Boneclaw. I would agree."

OOC: During travel Boneclaw will wildshape into the form of a camel matching the appearance of our mounts as best he is able. If the ninja goblins pop back up they will be in for a surprise when the camel starts throwing spells.

OOC: Hmmm, if my Shapechange spell would last long enough, I'd do the same. Wouldn't that be fun!

[Lazarus]

OOC: Ok I've done a pricing. Three War Camels, 3 Camels, appropriate bits, bridles, saddles for the lot. Food for all the mounts, more appropriate travelling gear for the party, etc. All in all it came to 1889.5 celestials.

Your first day out is fairly mild, the terrain gradually turning to wasteland as you get further from the town. Your new desert garb is enough to keep everyone cool, and having a flying Ranger with good survival training steers you clear of any hazards. You manage to push a few extra hours of travel from the Camels before two many of them stop in protest (a couple of natural 01's on their endurance checks). You've covered 44 miles.

The night is freezing cold, you need to stoke a fire in your Hidden Lodge to get comfortable. The Camels seem content in the extra tents. Nothing happens during the night to disrupt your camp.

The second day is as calm as the first, and Andy does a good job of steering you away from the softer dunes. The midday heat is so intense that you need to retreat to tents and wait for it to cool a little (otherwise you'd need 14 Resist Element spells). You push an extra hour out of the Camels, but detours slow progress enough that you've covered only 32 miles.

For the second night Andy manages to find a protective rocky shelter. Which mitigates the danger as wind picks up, enough to be a sandstorm. Much of the night is spent keeping the tents together, protecting the mounts, and dealing with the cold sandy air. Most of you are fatigued in the morning, but there's no sign of the storm abating, if anything it's getting worse. Sunduri casts a Mordenkainen's Magnificent Mansion he'd prepped overnight, and mounts and all you retreat to wait out the storm. The weather calms down late in the day, too late to get any travel done, so you stay in the Mansion overnight.

When you set out the next morning there is some wind, but it's only at the level of irritation. Progress is slow, even the wide Camel feet are hampered by the soft post-storm sand. Your travel this day is not encounter free.

The howl and scream of sand heralds the approach of this creature. Swathed in a halo of blowing grit and dust, a humanoid with flayed, sand-blasted flesh appears. In each of its hands, it wields a scimitar red with the its own constantly oozing blood.

http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080618101928/sfery/images/thumb/3/3b/DesertDevil.jpg/329px-DesertDevil.jpg

OOC: Everyone with Planer Knowledge recognises the creature as an Araton. An evil outsider cloaked in flensing sand. Damage reduction 5/silver or good, immunity to fire, regeneration 3, spell resistance 16. Anyone within 10ft will take 2d6 damage from the sand. I won't bother with initiative just yet, everyone gets to act before it can close. It's only a cr6 so try not to embarrass yourselves.

[Lazarus]

OOC: I'm assuming the more martial Shannon, Ali, and Tytha are on the War Camels. Araevin and Sunduri are on two of the riding Camels, and Ten'sing leads the spare Camel.

[Anduril]

Anduril looks at the parties enemy and then at the pary. "No use wasting a manifestation on this guy," he says under his breath. He still preprares his bow to do do what damage he can and whats for the rest of the party to engage.

OOC: I do subdual damage this way I believe?

[Lazarus]

OOC: I do subdual damage this way I believe?

OOC: If you don't disable the 'Merciful' ability than yes. If you use one of the redemptions you'll do 5+(3d6/2) extra damage per arrow, unlike the manifestation you can do that as a swift action.

[Anduril]

OOC: Yea I'll just save those actions for now.

[Lazarus]

Anduril scores 5 hits, totaling 32 subdual damage, the creature keeps moving.

[Aegnor]

Araevin casts Enervation at the creature, if it is in range.

Araevin says just before casting the spell, "Something doesn't feel right about this. One lone creature, and not very powerful at that?"

[Lazarus]

Araevin casts Enervation Araevin says just before casting the spell, "Something doesn't feel right about this. One lone creature, and not very powerful at that?"

OOC: Aw you're paranoid of little ol me, DM success!

Level drained and shaken the creature looks seriously weakened, but it's still closing with psychotic fervour.

[Lazarus]

OOC: I haven't heard from Thed' in awhile, he may be out for Easter, so I'll go ahead and marmalade.

Ali sends a gout of Chain Lightning, it evades the brunt but still gets shocked for 34 subdual damage. The creature slumps unconscious, still guarded by the sand flaying around it.

[Lazarus]

OOC: With it unconscious I think the possible actions of the other characters drop back significantly. I'll marmalade through with best guesses.

Sunduri moves to the edge of his sneak attack range and fires an arrow, a terrible shot that wouldn't hit the broad side of a barn (natural 01). Bonecamel delays, reluctant to waste a spell. Shannon moves to the edge of the whipping sand, guarding in case it recovers abruptly.

Some of the wounds reduce, but not enough to allow it to recover consciousness. Andy sinks another 5 arrows for 25 subdual damage, giving you time to discuss the problem. Killing it with damage will take silver or good attacks, even spells can't kill it unless their good.

OOC: On average I think each volley from Andy will do more damage than it can regenerate in 8 rounds, that's with standard ammo, and no manifesting. Moving up to within 30ft he can average around 25 damage a round, or 75 damage each two rounds by manifesting. Either way combat's over you can talk freely, but anyone approaching it will take damage from the sand.

[Rommalb]

OOC: does Planar Knowledge tell me anything about these guys characteristics or why one would be alone out here?

[Lazarus]

OOC: I thought I'd given plenty of knowledge nuggets, the fire immunity, the dr, the regeneration, etc. I guess outside of combat and with three of you to discuss the details, uploading the full specs is harmless. Don't expect me to do this every time, I'm over-generous with Knowledge Checks, their only supposed to tell you one detail plus an extra detail per 5 points past the skill dc.

DESERT DEVIL (ARATON)
Medium Outsider (Evil, Extraplanar, Lawful)
Hit Dice: 8d8+24 (60 hp)
Initiative: +6
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares)
Armor Class: 22 (+2 Dex, +10 natural), touch 12, flatfooted 20
Base Attack/Grapple: +8/+10
Attack: Scimitar +11 melee (1d6+2/18-20)
Full Attack: 2 scimitars +7melee (1d6+2/18-20)
Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Desert halo
Special Qualities: Damage reduction 5/silver or good, darkvision 60 ft, immunity to fire, regeneration 3, spell resistance 16
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +8, Will +6
Abilities: Str 15, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 6,Wis 10, Cha 12
Skills: Balance +4, Climb +13, Escape Artist +13, Intimidate +12, Jump + 4, Listen +13, Spot +13, Tumble +13, Use Rope +2 (+4 involving bindings)
Feats: Alertness, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (scimitar), Whirlwind AttackB
Environment: Nine Hells of Baator
Organization: Solitary
Alignment: Always lawful evil

These sandstorm-cloaked devils are sometimes mistaken for undead because the sands that swirl about them constantly flay their gruesome bodies. Only a desert devil's power of regeneration keeps it healthy. Desert devils are actually humanlike devils that wear nothing but shroud-ing sand. They are sometimes called aratons.
A desert devil stands roughly 6 feet tall and weighs about 190 pounds.

COMBAT
A desert devil attacks with its whirling, deadly scimitars. A desert devil's scimitars are treated as evil-aligned and lawful-aligned for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Desert Halo (Su): A halo of abrasive dust swirls and screams around the araton in a 10-footradius spread. The swirling dust abrades any creature within it or attempting to move through it. Any creature passing through the haze takes 2d6 points of damage per round from the abrasive sand.
Regeneration (Ex): Desert devils take normal damage from silvered weapons, good-aligned weapons, and spells or effects with the good descriptor. A desert devil that loses a piece of its body regrows it in 2d6+10 minutes. Holding the severed member against the stump enables it to reat-tach instantly.

[Rommalb]

OOC: well thats more than what I intended, I just wanted to know if they were prone to ambush attacks or working for tohers, i.e. Goblin ninja. The origination solitary answers my question

[Aegnor]

OOC: Ahh, but "Environment: Nine Hells of Baator" is what gives me pause. What's it doing HERE? And why NOW? It just decided to go for a walk in the Prime Material? :)

[Anduril]

"Let's put this thing down and be on our way with caution. My elven companions thoughts bring concern to my mind." Anduril says after hearing Araevin's comment.

OOC: I guess technically it was OOC but if our group is supposed to be discussing I'll assume he brought it up.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Ahh, but "Environment: Nine Hells of Baator" is what gives me pause. What's it doing HERE? And why NOW? It just decided to go for a walk in the Prime Material? :)

OOC: You've got the right combination of skills to speculate on that, primarily your Knowledge History.

Rotorak's House and the Far Realm rifts are extreme, but there have been other portals in history, all the way back before reliable recorded history. A solitary portal could have been here some time in the past, or still be nearby now, places of extreme condition (such as deserts) are the most likely to have naturally formed portals. Another option is Rotorak's House, when the Wild Territory was formed the empire did a good job of holding a border, but there would have been some things that slipped through, that was a long time ago but Devils are not known to age. Thirdly you're right that someone/thing could have summoned it, spells like Planar Ally and Gate can bring creatures through potentially permanently. Fourthly there's a chance (albeit slim) that it's a native outsider.

You have no way of judging if the Araton has been out here for an hour or a thousand years. Nor do you know if it came at you becouse your who you are or just becouse you were there. While a pushover for people of your power and experience, it would be a terrible hazard for the usual traffic out here.

OOC: Unless a more inventive method comes up I think only Shannon, Ali, or Anduril have the means to kill it. Shannon can go in and kill it with his holy sword, taking damage in the process (this would be a breach of his code and cost him challenges). Ali could borrow the holy sword to do the same, or attempt killing it with another weapon, again this would hurt, but you're not in any way short of healing. Anduril could redeem his bow making it holy, that would definitely kill it in one or two goes, but he can only redeem 3 times per day.

[Aegnor]

"And me without my Banishment spell..."

[TheDeadOne]

OOC: Is my shield a kite shield? If so just use my over-exaggerated strength and drive the bottom of the shield through it. Considering it's an artifact of a good god(s) it should be holy.

[Tiblorian]

"One of you may as well go and poke it with that sword, it shouldn't hurt too badly. It's a pitty I did not memorize any of the holy spells of light I had prepared during the last vampire ordeal."

[Lazarus]

OOC: Is my shield a kite shield? If so just use my over-exaggerated strength and drive the bottom of the shield through it. Considering it's an artifact of a good god(s) it should be holy.

OOC: The description is lacking, but I think it's a round shield. Regardless it would count as an improvised bludgeoning weapon, the size would make club damage appropriate, no + and no holy.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Anyway Ali is obviously willing to take the hurt, so I'll carry on.

While the other arcane spellcasters lament their spell preperations Ali borrows Shannon's sword. He charges in towards it leaping to slam his shield down, the blow would have decapitated less stubborn creatures, but in this case it just cracks bones, and he can feel them reknitting from the blow. Turning to the tried and true he slashes the devil with a holy coup de grace and the miniture sandstorm around it fades. Tytha soothes the sand cuts with a Cure Light Wounds, restoring Ali to full health.

OOC: Too tired to advance, so I'll leave it here 'til tomorrow morning.

[Anduril]

"Well done Ali, let's move on I'm anxious to get my skin back."

[TheDeadOne]

"Well at least I know that doesn't work in advance."

[Lazarus]

OOC: Sorry for the further delay, I was out for a Horse riding lesson this morning.

You get far from the encounter point without any more trouble, continuing towards Sarilar. Again the midday heat is far too extreme for travel, forcing you to retreat to tents. By evening Sarilar is in sight for airborn Anduril, buildings sticking out in contrast to the surrounding waste, the sand has somewhat given way to hardy grasses. Between you and Sarilar is a grisly sight, a desert caravan lies dead, large carrion birds are at feast.

OOC: Do you want to investigate? Some of the Vultures are larger than the Camels their feasting on, you'll likely have a fight if you approach (but certainly not a challenge at your level).

[Lazarus]

OOC: I just wrote up a planned update for Andy in the levelling thread for when/if he gets his body back. That led me to rereading the equipment on his thralled body, and the Helm of Teleport stuck out as something you should be aware of. Ghost-Andy has echoes of everything the thrall carries so none of the stuff is secret from the party. Araevin has Dimensional Anchor and Dimensional Lock amongst his known spells, but I don't think he's prepped either, if the party rests before fighting the thrall he may want to change that.

[Aegnor]

OOC: ...Araevin has Dimensional Anchor and Dimensional Lock amongst his known spells, but I don't think he's prepped either, if the party rests before fighting the thrall he may want to change that.

OOC: I changed my mem'd spells list to include those if we rest this night coming up.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Before that are the party going to investigate the carnage?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/3846356563_90f3c847bd.jpg

[Aegnor]

Araevin casts Arcane Eye (I had that in my spell list before I edited for the overnight) to investigate.

[Anduril]

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to investigate that Caravan."

[Lazarus]

The Arcane Eye gets Araevin a close look at the carnage. The scene has been heavily disturbed by the Dire Vultures, but he manages to spot arrows in the Camels, proving the birds didn't do the killing. The Human corpses have no arrows in them. There are six birds feasting, a couple are bigger that the rest.

OOC: Araevin's forensic abilities are limited, Boneclaw or Tytha will need to approach if you want a better examination of the bodies. Anduril would be the best judge for the archery.

OOC: Gotta get some work done or I'd continue. When I resume Andy might be able to knock out all the birds without trouble, we'll see. The decision to kill or disable is up to the party, Dire Vulture are not evil, but they are a hazard to travellers.

[Aegnor]

Araevin narrates what he sees to the party as he is investigating, then shakes his head to clear the images when it is complete. "The camels were clearly brought down by weapons, but it was unclear to me what killed the humans. Perhaps a closer look might be necessary?"

[Lazarus]

OOC: Mkay I guess the challenge is to see if Andy can take out the birds before he's really noticed, like his body did to the party awhile ago. Cover doesn't mean much vs his abilities, if he can see it at all he can shoot it. 5 increments away, animal bane arrows, manifested for the surprise round, a Haste from Araevin (no point saving spells if you're planning to rest anyway) and go...

With his first volley he drops one of the bigger Vultures and hurts the other. He gets off another volley while their still surprised coming close to dropping the other Huge bird (the half damage slows him substantially).

The remaining birds take to the air, aware of him but too far off to do anything about it yet.

His next shot drops the second huge Vulture, more and another bird goes down, and the last arrow of the volley hurts another.

One of the remaining three birds continues towards you, and the other two (including the injured one) dive for cover. The injured one lands partially exposed, but the other one vanishes behind Camel packs.

The cover doesn't save the injured bird from being knocked out in three shots, and the approaching bird is knocked out by the next three.

The last Dire Vulture stays hidden forcing the party to approach, but when you get close it isn't difficult for Andy to swing into view and drop it with a Many Shot volley.

OOC: There were a few crits going through that, but not like his old tinny luck, and nothing like the attack that dropped all but Shannon with two volleys.

[Lazarus]

With the birds neutralised you get to inspect the carnage. It takes some goading to get your Camels to approach, except the War Camels which do so without hesitation.

A closer look at the Arrows sticking from the dead Camels sparks Andy into looking at his ammunition, and the fletching is the same. It's hard to be sure with the damage the Vultures have done, but it looks like most of the Camels were felled by single shots.

The Human casualties are a different matter. All men they look to be a mixture of merchants and guards. The wounds that killed them are cruel, judged to have been caused by a large serrated weapon. Tytha also realises something that Boneclaw missed. "Not just a weapon but also energy, it burned them from the inside... ...eldritch, a Warlock did this! Using the power they call 'Hideous Blow'." (three natural 20's rolled when I was rolling checks for Tytha)

The bodies have been dead for a few days. A supply caravan heading to Sarilar, perhaps scheduled. Food, water, and anything magical have been stripped from the baggage, everything else has been left here.

OOC: Killing the Vultures or leaving them to recover? Doing anything with the bodies or letting nature take its course?

[Tiblorian]

"We may as well give the poor souls a proper burial."

[Rommalb]

"Indeed, this desert is a foul enough place without leaving the dead to rot amongst it"

[Anduril]

OOC: yea for long range attacks. I need to get my dice back though.

"I'll finish off the vultures if no one objects, I imagine this desert isn't travelled much but I wouldn't want them to pester anyone. The arrows in the camels make me wonder. Who ever did this may very well be connected to my body in some way. I wonder if they even mistaked these people for us? Though I suppose it should be clear they were merchants, but maybe in haste they were mistaken. Either way I hope we are on the right path."

[TheDeadOne]

"I'm not looking forward to engaging your body at long range. So have anyone got some spell prepped for when we do?"

[Lazarus]

OOC: It took me some time to wake properly this morning, and I'll need to start prepping for Nelson soon. I'll update to the point where you rest, beyond that maybe in Nelson, but more likely when I get back.

It takes some time to bury the bodies, the sun is setting by the time you get done. Meanwhile Andy finds you a campsite, more exposed than some of you like, but by the time the bodies are buried it's too dark to relocate. The night passes without incident, or any sight or sound from Sarilar.

OOC: Morning comes and all the spellcasters get to restore their spells, and make any changes.

[Tiblorian]

OOC: Against a non object is there any difference between a wand charge of dimensional anchor and the actual spell?

[Aegnor]

OOC: I'm guessing it would primarily be any level difference between my casting and the wand level. Aren't wands typically minimum level?

[Lazarus]

OOC: No time to check on that right now, sorry for the days of delay. I've been worn out, and I've gotta rush off soon to a Horse riding lesson. Normal service should resume at some point, I'll try for today.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Yes Wands are minimum level unless a caster level is specified. Wand charges of Dimensional Anchor are weak against Dispel Magic, and Spell Resistance. Also the spells range from a wand is 170ft, compared to a level 20 casters 300ft.

[Lazarus]

By morning light you get to approach Sarilar unmolested. There is neither sight nor sound to suggest habitation. There are two parts to Sarilar, the temple being the dominant feature, and apart from it are ruins. The temple is four stories high topped by a headless statue of a colossal Dragon. Most of you are perceptive enough to notice mounds of dirt on the other side of Sarilar.

OOC: Where do you want to investigate first?

[Aegnor]

"Would everyone agree it might be prudent to use my Arcane Eye to scout before going in ourselves? We seem to have a penchant for getting ambushed. And the last ambush from Thrall-Anduril was less than pleasant."

[Anduril]

"I suppose that would be best. Let's send investigate the temple first. I assume if there is any remaining life around here that's probably where it would be."

[Aegnor]

OOC: If everyone agrees, Araevin will cast his Arcane Eye and send it toward the Temple, describing what he sees in great detail to the party.

[Lazarus]

After ten minutes of casting Araevin conjures the arcane eye near the temple. The only thing of interest outside the temple is the Dragons head, which lies mostly shattered near the entrance. It's made of a silvery white marble, the craftmanship is hard to judge looking at the shattered head, but looking at the body gives an impression it was very well crafted. Boneclaw says Bahamat may be the god here, but he doesn't know enough about the Dragon god to be sure.

Big gates stand open, the dust looks like it hasn't been disturbed in days. The interiors are dim, and Araevins sees patches of dried blood, he doesn't see any bodies to go with the blood. Looking down side passages almost all the doors are open, the rooms all empty of life.

[Aegnor]

OOC: Let's send the eye toward the dirt mounds.

[Lazarus]

The eye moves out a window and roves over to the dirt mounds. Araevin can't tell much about the dirt, just that there's a lot of it. There is no one to be seen at the mounds.

[Anduril]

"Well this doesn't seem as promising as I'd hoped. Or maybe we've missed something. Shall we journey forward and explore on our own?"

[TheDeadOne]

"Off we go." Ali starts to leave but not before drawing his weapon.

[Lazarus]

"Well this doesn't seem as promising as I'd hoped. Or maybe we've missed something. Shall we journey forward and explore on our own?"

OOC: The eye hasn't been near the ruins yet, I'll do a rough calculation of how much its been used and see if it has much life left. Probably a good time to factor in Araevin's Sudden Extend feat, I doubt he'll mind. That makes it a 42 minute spell. The spell moves really slowly so I'd say it would be expiring now if it wasn't extended, extended he can send it on to check out some of the ruins...

After giving up on seeing anything at the dirt mounds Araevin sends the eye on towards the ruins. It takes a few minutes to cover the distance. The ruins have been dug in various spots, clearly the source of the dirt mounds. Araevin's knowledge of architecture gives him some insight that someones been looking for something, and he judges that it's all recently. Some writing exposed by the digging is semi-legible, Araevin can't understand it but does recognise elements common to both Eleslandic and Kurlish, so he thinks it's either Old Kurlish or Bacchile (both are mostly dead languages, like our Latin).

Finally after some time wandering he sees life, or rather unlife. Two Zombies stand down in the entrance to a tunnel. They can't see the eye so he can send it down further. The tunnel continues down a gradual curving slope with barley enough light to navigate, until it opens up into a larger space. Humans and undead are at work here loading dirt into carts bringing it from somewhere further down. The tunnel levels out past here, as the excavation looks to be down at the original level of the ruins. The last thing the eye shows you is someone sitting as a silhouette in a darkened stretch of the tunnel, a faint red glow highlights a large serrated sword on the silhouettes lap. Workers pass beside the silhouette, their light sources dimming out as they pass.

[Lazarus]

You get to the tunnel entrance without difficulty, and the two undead guards are a doddle to dispatch (I won't bother with the specifics, some arrows, Ali's leap, whatever).

[Nogard]

OOC: Was Araevin able to determine whether or not the humans were prisoners or townsfolk.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Was Araevin able to determine whether or not the humans were prisoners or townsfolk.

OOC: Not clearly no. The Zombies guarding the entrance were facing into the tunnel, but there are no obvious overseers forcing the Humans to work.

[Lazarus]

OOC: I'm off to Nelson again, but I now own a laptop so I'll have an easier time doing out of home updates from now on.

[Tiblorian]

"I wonder what they're looking for.....Perhaps another of his relics, perhaps this is how we truly do change our future, by stopping him here, instead of letting him find what he is looking for."

[Lazarus]

As you move down the entry tunnel Shannon starts feeling a strange sensation, an itchy pulling feeling that his mind has difficulty with. The further you go the more the sensation resolves, becoming a new sense guiding him to something ahead.

You move into the outer workroom alert for trouble, but while the Humans look at you with mild curiosity their not distracted from their tasks. The Undead ignore you.

OOC: Will you pass the workers in silence? Talk to them? Destroy the Undead? Cut off any workers heading back down? What's the plan? You're getting close to the silhouette now.

OOC: I should have rolled checks for this earlier, so a little bit of a wind back. When Araevin describes the silhouetted figure it reminds Sunduri of the last thing they met during their trip through Makayara, the Warlock the party killed three times. He had a serrated Fullsword, and fought you from within a darkness invocation.

[Aegnor]

OOC: I think now is a good time to cast the Telepathic Bond. No sense not being able to communicate if we're silenced or something.

[Anduril]

OOC: I'll wait for Araevin to cast is spell first.

After Araevin casts Anduril communicates his thoughts. "It might be best if we just pass by for now. We can always return and deal with these abominations later. I suppose abominations is a harsh word though as I am one of them for now, however it is still unnatural."

[Lazarus]

OOC: Technically you're not an Undead, I've been treating you as a Deathless. Mostly the same unless you have to face a Cleric, in which case the turn/rebuke is reversed (good can control, evil can destroy). And your condition gives Boneclaw no reason to treat you as an abomination.

You pass the workers without difficulty, advancing down the next passage. One of the workers is following with an empty cart, but he loiters well back.

You come into view of the darkened area, those of you with Darkvision see in it no better (magic).

OOC: Time for initiative. You can take advantage of any surprise by getting actions in, or delay to talk, that's your call.

Initiative:
Anduril:
Shannon:
Araevin:
Shadowed Man:
Ali:
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Sunduri:
Tytha:

[Anduril]

OOC: If no one talks I'll use a manifest.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Alright, Andy is manifested. You can speak while you manifest, and/or use the pause to turn off the subdual damage on your bow if you choose to?

OOC: Aegnor? Rommalb? Attacking, defending, saying something?

Initiative:
Shannon:
Araevin:
Shadowed Man:
Ali:
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Sunduri:
Tytha:
Anduril:

[Lazarus]

OOC: Oh and Anduril does not sense the silhouette to be undead with his Nemesis ability.

[Rommalb]

OOC: do we have any sense of where the silhouette is or are we completely blind?

[Lazarus]

OOC: do we have any sense of where the silhouette is or are we completely blind?

OOC: Magical darkness is not complete you can see where it's standing, but have a 20% concealment miss chance as per the Darkness spell. Concealment prevents Sneak Attack, concealment can be negated momentarily for a user of the True Strike spell, and spell casters in the party know that a more powerful light spell could quash the darkness.

[Aegnor]

OOC: And AoE spells will not care.

[Rommalb]

OOC: well I cant attack him first, so ill just ready myself to defend if he moves against us

[Lazarus]

OOC: Mkay all three initiative leaders have posted without character dialogue, I'll assume Araevin casts a quiet Haste spell, but otherwise continue on.

The darkness makes it very hard to judge the obscured figure, but you do pick out that it casually stands. Apparently the concealment doesn't run both ways as it says. "You! Here to finish what you started!" You get a lot from the voice which is husky and somehow not right. Its tone holds no question, it knows you, thinks it knows why you're here, and carries utter contempt.

OOC: It acted with no sign of attack, you can continue the conversation or launch aggression of your own. Initiative is irrelevent until the talking ends.

[Anduril]

OOC: I'll use the pause to hold back subdual damage.

"Dispel this darkness so I can see who stands in my way."

[Lazarus]

"Now why would I do that?" The darkness gets darker and he fades completely from view. "That bow.. ..clothes.."

[Anduril]

Anduril notches and lets fly.

"Guess I'll find out the easy way then," he mutters as he releases.

[TheDeadOne]

"What's there?"
OOC:When it comes my turn cast Daylight from the shield

[Lazarus]

OOC: Jammy bastard. Andy I think your proximity to your body is giving your dice luck back. Natural 20 on a listen, crit on the first shot, more than half the arrows striking despite the concealment. Jammy jammy bastard. I'm assuming use of the flaming-frost-shock ammo.

Hearing that he's moved Andy sends a volley to strike a step closer than the dark man was before his disappearance. Four of the six arrows make satisfying thunks and the target moans.

Ali casts a spell and the darkness peals back, but there is still a more complete darkness clinging close to the target.

OOC: Back to initiative. The order doesn't matter, I'll shuffle those who act before the Warlock as you post.

Initiative:
Shannon:
Araevin:
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Sunduri:
Tytha:
Shadowed Man:
Ali:
Anduril:

[Aegnor]

Araevin steps up to Anduril and casts True Seeing on him. "You are a maestro with that bow, Master Anduril. Let's see what you can do when you can actually see your target!"

[Lazarus]

For Andy the target snaps into sight. It's a Human man with spiked hair, spiked black leather, and holding a vile looking serrated Fullsword. All of which is extremely reminiscent of the Warlock you fought in Makayara, except the face is different. The arrows have left him badly injured, but he looks like he's enjoying the pain.

Initiative: (all under Haste)
Shannon:
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Sunduri:
Tytha:
Shadowed Man:
Anduril: (True Sight)
Ali:
Araevin:

[Anduril]

OOC: I know y'all can all read the post but just for fun.

"Looks like the Makayara Warlock's brother," Anduril shouts as he draws again to release.

OOC: On second thought was I even around for that? What if my lucky dice are somehow tied to my body?

[Rommalb]

"Hold for a moment everyone. You said you had seen our archer friend 'again' as in recently perhaps? Take it for what its worth but were looking for his body which currently has a tendency to kill people, where did you see him last?"

[Lazarus]

OOC: I know y'all can all read the post but just for fun.

"Looks like the Makayara Warlock's brother," Anduril shouts as he draws again to release.

OOC: On second thought was I even around for that? What if my lucky dice are somehow tied to my body?

OOC: That was back in chapter 4. Anduril, Boneclaw, Effy, Lorn, Mel-telpe, Shannon, Sunduri, and Ten'sing were there. I think Shannon may have been crazy and tied up at the time, or was that Lorn?

The Warlock roars in fury. "THAT WAS ME!"

[Lazarus]

"Hold for a moment everyone. You said you had seen our archer friend 'again' as in recently perhaps? Take it for what its worth but were looking for his body which currently has a tendency to kill people, where did you see him last?"

OOC: With that much dialogue and the request for delay, I'll drop Shannon's action.

OOC: Pushing the limit for how many responses he can make in six seconds, but for the sake of roleplay drama I'll answer.

"Vecna's first horseman, I am the second!" He declares with manic glee (that only Andy can see but the rest of you can hear).

OOC: If Vecna hadn't noticed your arrival here, he'll certainly know now that he's been invoked.

Initiative: (all under Haste)
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Sunduri:
Tytha:
Shadowed Man:
Anduril: (True Sight)
Ali:
Araevin:
Shannon:

[Nogard]

OOC: It was Shannon who had gone bonkers, and I bound him.

"That's about all I think we need to hear from this filth bag." Boneclaw lights up as he invokes his radiance aura and lights up the warlock with a beam of light as bright as the sun.

OOC: Boneclaw will use searing light instead if he can't avoid the party with the beam of light.

[Aegnor]

"Time to unseat the horseman." Araevin says darkly as he casts Disintegrate.

[Tiblorian]

Sunduri points his finger at the warlock and strikes him with a shimmering ray.

OOC: Antimagic ray, after Araevin and Boneclaw cast a spell, since it effectively nullifies all magic on the target for a couple of rounds.

[Anduril]

"I'll show you why you're second," Anduril yells as he continues to fire.

[Lazarus]

The shadow cloaking the Warlock is ripped away by the Sunbeam, but he manages to shield his eyes and stay standing.

Perrin moves in to attack but only gets to bite down on armour.

Sunduri hits the Warlock with a ray.

The Warlock makes an eldritch gesture, nothing happens, and swearing ensues as he brings his sword to bear. (that Antimagic Ray is freaking naaassttyyy!!!)

Anduril sends another volley. His damage vastly reduced by his ghostly state, his 4th arrow (a crit) still proves fatal. Rather than dropping the Warlock stares back with abject malice, Andy feels the Warlock turn Undead as the last two arrows strike.

Initiative: (all under Haste)
Ali:
Araevin:
Shannon:
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Sunduri:
Tytha:
2nd Horseman of Vecna:
Anduril: (True Sight)

[Rommalb]

"I see, if thats the case I guess there's no more use for chatting"

OOC: standard attack, challenge and hitting him yadda yadda yadda.

[Lazarus]

Shannon scores a solid hit.

Initiative: (all under Haste)
Ali:
Araevin:
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Sunduri:
Tytha:
2nd Horseman of Vecna:
Anduril: (True Sight)
Shannon:

[Tiblorian]

"Our magic will be useless against him as long as his is held at bay by the antimagic abjuration, but if we support our team mates, they should be able to destroy it without its magical powers."

[Anduril]

"Why can't things just die like they're supposed to," Anduril thinks to himself as he continues to fire.

[Lazarus]

"Why can't things just die like they're supposed to," Anduril thinks to himself as he continues to fire.

OOC: He's one of the heralds of a god that's making a try for multiversal conquest. You don't think I'd make it easy do you? That said the choice of spells the party has sent at him have really skewed his abilities, I have doubts he could get away now, let alone be a credible threat (I'll still try my best).

[Aegnor]

OOC: So did the Disintegrate do anything? I didn't see a result.

[TheDeadOne]

"Somebody's brother eh?" Then swings the EOD.

OOC: If he's to close for my standard jump attack I go for max power attack, swift true strike and Arcane Strike of a 5th level spell.

[Lazarus]

OOC: So did the Disintegrate do anything? I didn't see a result.

OOC: At the time you went to use it you were under the Warlock in initiative. If you used a Disintegrate now it would fail against the antimagic Sunduri put on him. On the bright side I did roll the attack before I realized you'd already acted, and it rolled up natural 01, so you've saved yourself a wasted spell.

[Lazarus]

Ali strikes it a tremendous blow. Its flesh is in tatters but it still stands.

Initiative: (all under Haste)
Araevin:
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Sunduri:
Tytha:
2nd Horseman of Vecna:
Anduril: (True Sight)
Shannon:
Ali: (63 subdual damage)

[Lazarus]

OOC: I think I've waited long enough for the remaining characters. I can't predict what Araevin or Sunduri might do without heir attack spells, so I'll skip over them for now. Boneclaw is melee effective, I'll guess he moves up in Dire Bear form.

Boneclaw and Perrin both get strikes on the Undead Warlock, Perrin trips it. (dang it, trip is one of the worst things that could happen right now)

The Warlock manages to strike Ali from prone, and lets go of his blade. The sword continues grinding into Ali's flesh. Then the Warlock tries to stand up, Boneclaw and Perrin gets strikes in, Ali misses (I think attacking than would push Shannon's code so I'll skip his op attack).

Andy sinks 6 more arrows in the Warlock.

Shannon's attacks send the body collapsing in final ruin, but an ethereal form stands in its place. Shannon's last swing goes through without making contact.

OOC: I wasn't expecting this to go so far, there were escape options nixed by the antimagic, so I'll need some time to sort out its ghostly properties. What I can say now is that most attacks against it just gained the 50% miss chance for attacking someone incorporeal, and that Anduril can now do full damage without taking time out to manifest. The antimagic fell away with the remains.

Initiative: (all under Haste)
Ali: (68 damage) (63 subdual damage) (sword stuck to him)
Araevin:
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Sunduri:
Tytha:
2nd Horseman of Vecna:
Anduril: (True Sight)
Shannon:

[Lazarus]

OOC: If you're wondering if there is a high xp reward to go with the difficulty of killing this thing, yes, yes there is. And the Antimagic has saved the party from a large amount of pain, this is a level 20 Warlock kitted out for damage.

[TheDeadOne]

"Tytha, rid me of this sword please and can we get an anchor down please."

OOC: Full attack using shocking grasp on all my attacks.

[Anduril]

"Welcome to my world creature," Anduril says as he continues to fire.

[Aegnor]

OOC: Dimensional Anchor/Lock won't prevent the Warlock's form from moving out, since he's already ethereal. But if we want to prevent others from 'porting in, then it's good.

[Lazarus]

The creature dissipates under Ali's relentless attacks, with a fading howl of fury.

Tytha moves behind Ali to cast a Cure Critical spell, his wounds heal significantly but the blade continues sawing into him.

OOC: The fight is over, but I'll keep an initiative handy until you've dealt with the sword.

Initiative: (all under Haste)
Araevin:
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Sunduri:
Sword:
Anduril: (True Sight)
Shannon:
Ali: (28 damage) (63 subdual damage) (sword stuck to him)
Tytha:

[Lazarus]

OOC: I've written out the first xp for the chapter, 5014xp (each) for defeating Vecna's Second Horseman. All previous fights have been too low in cr for combat xp, and the roleplaying xp will be worked out at chapters end.

[Nogard]

"Maybe this time we should take the damn sword. Anyone know how to deal with it eating Ali?"

OOC: If no one speaks up Boneclaw will attempt to pull the blade away from Ali.

[Aegnor]

OOC: Would Araevin consider the sword as an artifact? If it isn't, then if Boneclaw is unsuccessful, he will step up to the sword as close as possible and cast Disintegrate, unless that would affect Ali as well.

[Tiblorian]

Sunduri, who had been watching battle from a distance quickly flies over to Ali. "Hmmm, trying to pull it off manually seems dangerous, but I can think of no alternative."

[Anduril]

"Any chance a strong dispel magic would work?"

[Rommalb]

OOC: hmm, I think I know a solution, but with such a low wis and int score and no spell casting abilities I dont know if it would be right to try and say it

[Anduril]

OOC: Why don't we just leave it alone, Ali's a tough guy, how much damage could a serrated sword embedded in his flesh possibly do?

[Lazarus]

OOC: Mkay some ideas there, but no actions so I'll go ahead with Boneclaw taking out the sword.

With a paw Boneclaw wrenches out the sword (dc 20 strength check). To his surprise the sword twists in his grasp and strikes him twice, missing on a third blow.

Araevin tries to disintegrate the sword but misses (whew he almost hit Boneclaw, that could have been bad).

OOC: New problem, have fun.

Initiative: (all under Haste)
Sunduri:
Anduril: (True Sight)
Shannon:
Ali: (28 damage) (63 subdual damage)
Tytha:
Boneclaw: (49 damage) (1 negative level)
Sword: (animated)
Perrin:
Araevin:

[TheDeadOne]

"Sunder, sunder, sunder that!! Hooooo!! Ah-hem."

OOC: Will a tempt to sunder the weapon with EOD. Will also activate the Armband of elusive action.

[Lazarus]

It takes four strikes but finally Ali manages to sunder the vile blade.

OOC: Initiative ends, but I'll keep the injuries handy, I'll sort them out next time I'm at the pc.

Ali: (28 damage) (131 subdual damage)
Boneclaw: (49 damage)

[Lazarus]

There are various magic items on the shattered body, most of them quite potent.

[Tiblorian]

"Ahhh, there you go Ali, nicely done. I wonder what that thing was." Sunduri casts a detect magic on himself and begins to survey the body. "Hmmm....this looks to be quite the haul. Even the most powerful of arcane users are useless without their magic, a lessoned to be remembered."

[Lazarus]

Some of the auras are hard to distinguish until the Antimagic Ray wears off, but eventually Sunduri sees the following. The aura on the sword fades out, along with an aura on a scabbard. Left behind is magical Studded Leather (major transmutation/abjuration), magical Belt (major transmutation), magical Gloves (major transmutation), magical Cloak (major transmutation), magical Boots (major conjuration), magical Scarf (medium evocation), and something small under the armour (medium enchantment). There is also a spell aura on the cloak.

[Lazarus]

OOC: I'll assume none of that gear gets worn just yet, but someone will need to volunteer for carrying it at some point. Irrelevant for the quest thou so moving on..

While you poke at the loot Tytha fixes the wounds with a Heal spell on Ali, and 3 Cure Light spells for Boneclaw. One Zombie meanders past with a loaded wheelbarrow oblivious to the carnage other than that there's no traffic from ahead. The worker that was following behind you has retreated out of sight.

The tunnel ahead skirts around or through several buried buildings before opening up into a large chamber. The entrance is heavily lit by lanterns and torches, but you can't see clearly across the chamber. Digging is audible across the room. The chamber is noticeably warm, but not dangerously so.

Both Anduril and Shannon feel drawn forward, Anduril because he can feel his body is near, while Shannon is drawn by the strange sense that's been growing since your group started down here.

[Anduril]

"We're getting closer, but I wonder what these undead are doing here."

[Tiblorian]

"Lets be wary as we proceed, no doubt the death of his minion has called his attention."

[Aegnor]

"I agree, Master Sunduri, the creature invoked his name. I'm sure that called some attention."

[Lazarus]

As the last of you moves fully into the light a stream of arrow flows from the dark. Anduril, Shannon, and Sunduri can hear the source is approximately 300ft away, to the right away from the digging. The first 4 arrows knock out Tytha, another two and Sunduri falls.

OOC: Simple, quick trap, the lights have all been moved to your end of the chamber, you're all visible, Andy's body is not. A few Humans are watching without involvement from the sides of the room, just on the edge of the light.

OOC: 6 Elf Bane arrows are spent.

Initiative:
Anduril: (True Sight)
Shannon:
Sunduri: (76 subdual damage, Unconscious, Prone)
Archer in the Darkness:
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Ali:
Araevin:
Tytha: (173 subdual damage, Unconscious, Prone)

[Tiblorian]

OOC: I guess I won't cast windwall after all :(

[Lazarus]

OOC: I guess I won't cast windwall after all :(

OOC: Sorry Tibs, the SkelAndy considers you one of the biggest threats. It didn't help that you've got the lowest hit points in the party (38 points below Boneclaw at second lowest), two more hit point and you'd still be standing.

[TheDeadOne]

"Light em up"

[Anduril]

OOC: So we can't see what's shooting us and I can't fire back?

[Lazarus]

OOC: So we can't see what's shooting us and I can't fire back?

OOC: 300ft away, those with darkvision can see 60ft from themselves, those with lowlight can see about 100ft from the lamps around you, or 50ft without lowlight.

OOC: In your case Andy you could try firing at the source (50% miss chance at best), you could teleport within darkvision range (stopping you from attacking this round), you could delay (but with your enemy on high initiative you may lose your action that way), or maybe something else (being incorporial cuts down your options).

[Aegnor]

OOC: How far could Araevin move out and back, jogging, in say, 3-4 rounds?

[Lazarus]

OOC: How far could Araevin move out and back, jogging, in say, 3-4 rounds?

OOC: No running because the diggings left the terrain rough, so you can only make double moves. You were expecting trouble so I'll allow a party Haste to already be up if you want. So double moving you'd get 120ft>240ft>360ft, less if you cast any spells. Alternately you could move the same pace under a fly spell. Potentially faster with a clever Polymorph, although retaining the ability to cast spells would limit the Polymorph options, Shapechange might be better in that regard.

OOC: I'm guessing you're thinking of Timestop. That could go as: 1st round walk forward 60ft cast Timestop; 2nd round Cast Shapechange & cover 80ft (140ft total) as a Wolf (something else will be faster, Wolf's just a fastish creature I can quote from memory); 3rd round double move 160ft (300ft total).

OOC: The broken option would be to Shapechange into a Blink Dog and cross the room in the same turn, fortunately for me you're not familiar with the form.

[Anduril]

OOC: I'll teleport but only if someone else is going to be able to catch up in a few rounds. I don't want to face myself by myself.

[Aegnor]

Araevin says through the link to Anduril then everyone, "Anduril,can you teleport to within 50ft of your body? I will be right behind you, I will then cast a Prismatic Wall in front of him to slow his advance and halt attacks until we can all get in position."

OOC: Araevin will cast Fly, move 60ft., wait until Anduril teleports, then Timestop. Use Immediate Swift Action Transmutation to boost fly speed and move within 70ft. (I realize that may be multiple rounds) then cast Prismatic Wall to block the tunnel 10ft in front of Andy's body. Let me know if that just will not work.

[Anduril]

Anduril quickly responds with "Done" and then activates the masks magict to teleport to where he judges a good attack position would be.

[Lazarus]

Anduril teleports across the chamber, appearing within sight of his body, but so far unnoticed (I'm assuming some initial stealth). The skeletal archer is atop rubble near the far wall.

OOC: I'll allow Andy to be manifested for next round, the Teleport being a fairly brief action.

OOC: Shannon has multiple options so I'll give Rommalb more time to post. He could start crossing the room, use the Heal branch on a downed companion while moving to shield Araevin or Boneclaw (I haven't drawn a character layout, but he won't have everyone within a step of each other), or do something else?

Initiative:
Shannon:
Sunduri: (76 subdual damage, Unconscious, Prone)
Archer in the Darkness:
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Ali:
Araevin:
Tytha: (173 subdual damage, Unconscious, Prone)
Anduril: (True Sight)

[Rommalb]

OOC: well I was thinking of charging the archer, but I forgot about that branch. I'll hela Tytha for now and try and move toward the archer protecting her as much as I can

[Lazarus]

Shannon moves to Tytha's side and uses the branch.

OOC: The source info for some of the artifacts is gone (hopefully temporarily) so I'm guessing at the branches caster level.

OOC: My head is fudged with a migraine so I'll have to leave the enemies actions for later, but I can say he'll shoot at Tytha again. With Shannon Beside her she'll likely still be standing, but I might get lucky with multiple crits.

Initiative:
1st Horseman:
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Ali:
Araevin:
Tytha: (23 subdual damage, Prone)
Anduril: (True Sight)
Shannon:
Sunduri: (76 subdual damage, Unconscious, Prone)

[Aegnor]

OOC: When my initiative comes up I'll execute as detailed in post#171.

[Lazarus]

Another volley of arrows slams into Tytha (dang, where are those crits when I need them) Shannon defends her as best he can and she remains conscious.

Initiative: (all hasted)
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Ali:
Araevin:
Tytha: (105 subdual damage) subdual damage, Prone)
Anduril: (True Sight)
Shannon: (119 subdual damage)
Sunduri: (76 subdual damage, Unconscious, Prone)
1st Horseman:

[Lazarus]

OOC: The artifacts are back up, and the branch is caster level 11 so I'm reducing the healing. Tytha is still conscious (damn).

Initiative: (all hasted)
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Ali:
Araevin:
Tytha: (145 subdual damage) subdual damage, Prone)
Anduril: (True Sight)
Shannon: (119 subdual damage)
Sunduri: (76 subdual damage, Unconscious, Prone)
1st Horseman:

[Nogard]

Boneclaw begins moving forward as he begins a prayer which causes a pillar of stone to erupt from the ground between the party and the horseman.

OOC: Use Bones of the Earth to try creating cover for the team to advance behind.

[Aegnor]

OOC: Revision based on Boneclaw's move: after my initial 60ft. move, if that puts me within 280ft of the 1st Horseman (which I think it does), and if not blocked by the pillar, cast Dimensional Lock on him, then continue as previous.

[Lazarus]

Boneclaw erupts a pillar ahead hoping to cover the teams approach, moving up 80ft. Perrin keeps pace with Boneclaw.

Ali moves forward 120ft.

OOC: Araevin I'm gonna take some liberties with your actions, using your special class ability to fly is brilliant but I think you've missed the potential, you can use it to run. Also as an area spell Dimensional Lock can be activated while Time Stopped instead of trying to send it blind.

Wings flow from Araevin's back and he sweeps 60ft closer, casting Time Stop.

Time Stop round 1) Putting on a burst of speed he wings across the rest of the gap, passing the frozen forms of his allies (300ft covered total, in sight as close as you want).
Time Stop round 2) Araevin blankets the Skeleton with a shimmering emerald barrier, making it so the Skeleton will need to move to Teleport.
Time Stop round 3) ?

OOC: The Time Stop will be up for 1-3 more actions, you'll find out which the hard way. I think Araevin's usable spells are limited to self buffs & morphs (unless I've missed any other durational area spells?), and the only usable item I see is his Tan Bag of Tricks.

Initiative: (all hasted)
Araevin: (Time Stopped)
Tytha: (145 subdual damage) subdual damage, Prone)
Anduril: (True Sight)
Shannon: (119 subdual damage)
Sunduri: (76 subdual damage, Unconscious, Prone)
1st Horseman:
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Ali:

[Aegnor]

OOC: Prismatic Wall 10 ft. in front of skeletal andy.

[Anduril]

Now in range Anduril redeems his bow and begins to fire.

OOC: I've manifested but havn't redeemed my bow yet correct? Also can I do that and fire in the same round?

[Lazarus]

Now in range Anduril redeems his bow and begins to fire.

OOC: I've manifested but havn't redeemed my bow yet correct? Also can I do that and fire in the same round?

OOC: Yes that's a swift action.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Prismatic Wall 10 ft. in front of skeletal andy.

Outside of time Araevin puts up cover for the teams approach.

OOC: Still 1-2 rounds of the Time Stop.

[Aegnor]

OOC: Araevin I'm gonna take some liberties with your actions, using your special class ability to fly is brilliant but I think you've missed the potential, you can use it to run. Also as an area spell Dimensional Lock can be activated while Time Stopped instead of trying to send it blind.

OOC: I didn't know that about the class ability, I thought it only said fly, climb, swim in the descriptor. And I meant to use Anchor, not Lock. I get those confused. I knew the one I wanted was a ranged touch attack. My mistake!

[Lazarus]

OOC: I didn't know that about the class ability, I thought it only said fly, climb, swim in the descriptor. And I meant to use Anchor, not Lock. I get those confused. I knew the one I wanted was a ranged touch attack. My mistake!

OOC: Perhaps I should explain a little further. Flying with the Fly or Overland Flight spell specifically caps at double moves in the description. Natural flight from having wings does not have this limitation, being above the ground voided the movement restraint of 'difficult terrain' so as long as you flew in a straight line you could 'run".

OOC: If you'd tried making a touch attack from 240ft without any way of seeing the enemy you would have needed to make a very high dc listen check to even be targeting the right square, and would still have a 50/50 miss chance. So casting Dimensional Anchor before the Time Stop would have had diddly squat chance of hitting. While in the Time Stop you can't cast the Dimensional Anchor because the Time Stop bans targetted attack spell in its description.

[Lazarus]

OOC: It's been awhile since I last did a smiley face map for you guys, so here's a basic one.

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r71/LazarusLaz/AndyvsAndy01.jpg

OOC: I haven't shown Araevin, I'm not sure where he'll want to be when the Time Stop ends? Perhaps near the edge of the wall so he can pop around next round to cast Dimensional Anchor?

Initiative: (all hasted)
Araevin: (Time Stopped 1-2 actions left)
Tytha: (145 subdual damage, Prone)
Anduril: (True Sight)
Shannon: (119 subdual damage)
Sunduri: (76 subdual damage, Unconscious, Prone)
1st Horseman:
Boneclaw:
Perrin:
Ali:

[Lazarus]

OOC: Aegnor if your stuck on what action to take next I have a suggestion. Casting the Dimensional Anchor has a chance of missing, becouse the target has a high touch ac. You could increase your odds slightly by Shapeshifting into something small with a high dex (as long as it's a form that can cast spells). Turning into an Imp would give you a +2 size bonus to hit without reducing your dexterity.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Just edited one of the equipment thread posts to detail out the artifacts, copy-pasted from their source so it's a bit messy. I haven't included the bag becouse nobody's tried figuring it out, and the Edge of Desttruction is custom so I'll do a write up some other time.

[Aegnor]

OOC: Move to the edge of the Wall and next round hit the area centered on him with Dimension Lock. Being AoE makes it easier to get on him. Then when the party gets up closer I can hit him again at better range with Lock if necessary. How high is the ceiling above him?

[Lazarus]

OOC: Didn't I already hit him with Dim Lock? I know that's what I posted earlier, my mistake ended up being in our favor anyway, so I'll stick with that. It makes more sense anyway.

OOC: You have Dimension Locked him, it's the 20ft radius drawn around him on the map. I just though perhaps you'd want to be ready with a follow up in case he moves out of the spells radius, it won't move with him. Also if you decide to fire any Disintegrates you'd also benefit from the +2 to hit.

OOC: Anyway I don't know if I'll have time to post in the morning, and even with the new laptop detailed posts from Nelson are tricky, so I'm gonna push on further before bed. It's possible (but unlikely) Andy could embarrass his body by finishing him in one round. If you want it Aegnor you can redeem the skipped Time Stop action in your next turn (there was one action left).

Tytha gets back to her feat and casts a Mass Heal, Sunduri regains consciousness.

Stepping into point blank range Andy forces his goodness on his bow and sends a volley of holy arrows at his corpse. He only misses with his last shot...

OOC: Ack, gah, bloody... ... ... ...sigh. Well Araevin won't have to worry about that skipped action. Initiative ends.

...The last hit shatters the targets skull and the dark light of undeath fades from its eyes (by two fricken hit points). This close and with the added light from the prismatic wall Andy can clearly see the cord binding him to his body, clearer and more beckoning than ever. With the 'second death' of his his body he feels different, both more and less alive.

The rest of the team catches up, some of them disappointed they missed out on the fun. Tytha asks. "Should I try bringing you back now? There could be more danger in waiting?"

OOC: You'll lose a level via Tytha, which will actually put Anduril at 18th level with the rest of the party. By waiting you might be able to buy a true res, if you think Vecna won't have another go at you while your still a Ghost, and that there won't be side effects for staying a Ghost after your body's re-demise?

Meanwhile Shannon feels a growing pull of his own. Across on the left side of the chamber the sound of digging continues. When someone shines enough light that way you see that Undead are busy excavating, oblivious to the fight that just took place. All the wheelbarrows are loaded past capacity. The pull influencing Shannon points him right to the centre of their dig.

There are also Humans in the room, but none of them have come near you yet. A few are talking in hushed tones amongst themselves, and one of them is starting to run out down the tunnel you came in by. You can't tell about the ones hiding in the dark, but the one jogging past the lights has the same simple clothes as the workers you passed earlier.

[Anduril]

"Yes, Tytha I believe it's best that I be joined with my body as soon as possible even if it leaves me slightly weakened, and now that I'm this close I wouldn't risk something else happening."

[Lazarus]

OOC: Move to the edge of the Wall and next round hit the area centered on him with Dimension Lock. Being AoE makes it easier to get on him. Then when the party gets up closer I can hit him again at better range with Lock if necessary. How high is the ceiling above him?

OOC: Ahh sorry, it looks like you've edited the post while I was writing. Writing my last post took the better part of an hour. When I posted the map I should have detailed what I'd drawn, so you'd have recognised I'd already included the AOE Dimension Lock. But as I said before, when you lock someone down with a Dimension Lock they still have the potential to free themselves by walking out of the spell area, which is why I though you might have wanted Anchor ready as a backup.

OOC: All of which was made redundant when none of the d20 rolls for Andy's first five arrows came up less than 15. With ac41 I really though the bad-Andy would last a little longer. :(

[Lazarus]

Tytha takes out one of the Raise Dead Diamonds and kneels beside Andy's body, starting the minute long ritual to bring him back to life. It goes a little differently than a standard Raise Dead, it's not normal to be able to see the soul merging back with the body, or to be startled by an exploding arrow near the end of the spell, but the result is the same. When the spell ends Andy draws his first breath in too long, rejoining the ranks of the living. Tytha pumps healing spells into him 'til he's back in fighting trim.

Whover was carrying the arrow Andy's soul was bound to has arrow fragments to pick from his pack, but no damage done (I forget if it was Ali or Shannon, and right now I'm too tired to check).

[Lazarus]

OOC: I doubt I'll get time to sort out the new character sheet until I'm back from Nelson, but it shouldn't take me long when I do.

OOC: Oh and now that Andy has the real bow he gains two negative levels whenever he's holding it, and the ability to redeem it went away with his Ghost levels. You might be able to get it fixed so it's not evil, something you can sort out later when the party gets back to Celeste.

[Aegnor]

OOC: Is the jogging human in range (25ft. +5ft./2 levels~70ft?) of a Charm Person? If so, Araevin will hit him with it, and beckon him over.

[Rommalb]

OOC: I see Andy got his dice back being that close to his body

"Splendid move Anduril, welcome back to the lands of the living. Now I have a terrible headache about something those creatures are digging for, I think we should go say hello to them as soon as you can stand"

[Nogard]

"Well I'm glad you're on our side Anduril, I would hate to fight a guy who could whip himself so quickly."

OOC: If the worker can't be charmed perhaps I could have Perrin catch and trip him.

[Anduril]

"It's good to be back." Anduril says as he streches his legs to work out the stiffness of being rejoined with his flesh. "Well have to have my bow looked at in Celeste I feel sick just holding it, but for now I agree with Shannon let's figure out what those undead are up to."

[Lazarus]

OOC: Out of charm range from where you are two hundred and something feet away, but she's only double moving at a normal Human 60ft. Chasing her down with more wing growths, Araevin can charm her in three rounds, well before she could make an escape.


The charm works and she turns to Araevin's beckon, but looks confused. Remembering where you are Araevin calls again in Kurlish, and she starts towards him, picking up one of the lanterns when she passes them. When she gets close she says. "Hello." In Kurlish. The Charm makes her unconcerned by Araevin, but she still looks nervously towards the rest of you. Two more of the Humans are walking slowly from the darkness towards Araevin and the woman.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Neither the undead or the Humans are a threat, it's clear any one of you could take the lot of them, so I'm guessing you'll split up. So far from your posts I gather Araevin and Boneclaw are dealing with the Humans, while Shannon and Andy are checking out the dig site.

When Shannon and Andy get close to the digging it doesn't spark any reaction from the undead, a combination of Skeletons and Zombies. They continue digging like you're not there, and dumping gravel onto the already full wheelbarrows. The warmth of the chamber is even more so here. Shannon can sense that the undead are about 2 feet from uncovering whatever draws him.

[Aegnor]

Araevin smiles at the woman and politely says, "Good day, ma'am. How fare thee? I thank you for gracing me with your attention."
OOC: does she show any signs of being under magical influence besides my charm?

[Lazarus]

Araevin smiles at the woman and politely says, "Good day, ma'am. How fare thee? I thank you for gracing me with your attention."
OOC: does she show any signs of being under magical influence besides my charm?

She looks confused but still lowers her head saying in Kurlish. "You do me honor sir, are you a friend of the master? The master said he was under attack, but you are.. ...a friend?" The Charm is apparently winning over the trauma of recent events, but she's still very confused. The two that have been slowly approaching stop a few yards away and drop into servile crouches, looking up just enough to see your feet.

OOC: Aside from the Charm there is no magic on any of them, neither item or spell.

OOC: Just to be clear, none of these humans have seen the destruction of either 'Horseman'. The conclusion of the last fight being hidden by the wall.

[Rommalb]

OOC: out of curiosity, how different does horseman-Andy look from rezzed-Andy?

[Lazarus]

OOC: Horseman-Andy was completely fleshless, an elven skeleton. The newly revived Andy looks a little slimmer than his ghostly visage, and his hair is short.

[Aegnor]

"The master was under attack, but it is over now. Do you know what you what it is that you excavate for The Master? How goes your progress?"

And to the group via the link: "Shannon, what do you feel? I'm curious as to whether we could convince these poor slaves that we are here on behalf of he-who-shall-not-be-named, and take whatever it is they try to unearth without incident. Could Sunduri teleport us away once we have it in possession?"

[Tiblorian]

"I could teleport us, but perhaps it is something that should not see the light of day. Let us first find out what he seeks to find here, though I'm sure we all have a fairly good idea of what it is. Also, I'm not sure that we won't meet another one of his minions, it seems unlikely that we've gone unnoticed to his eyes....eye...no I suppose it's eyes again."

[Lazarus]

OOC: Someone should have make the connection so I'll point it out. Last chapter Shannon was given the ability to sense when he's near an artifact cache, Vecna's been looking for the cache's, now your near something Vecna's minions were looking for and Shannon's feeling a sense he's never felt before, do the math guys.

[Lazarus]

"The master was under attack, but it is over now. Do you know what you what it is that you excavate for The Master? How goes your progress?"

She answers. "Master Anduril never told us what it was he sought, and the new master only ever speaks to the dead ones. I think the dig is near completion, we've been told to only work in one place, and the grounds gotten so warm only the dead ones dig the site."

[Rommalb]

OOC: I think we all knew that already Laz, I think the bigger question is just what the artifact is

"We could try Aegnor, but we have no way of communicating with the undead which could prove problematic if they have prior orders."

[Anduril]

"Ask her if she knows how much longer until the artifact is uncovered?"

[Lazarus]

She doesn't, she's been mostly hauling wheelbarrows for the last few days. The other Humans are willing to talk once they become confident you mean no harm, but they don't know much more than the woman. Apparently 'Anduril' is quiet as masters go, they've been well fed and looked after, beyond that they don't seem to care much. The other master (the Warlock) is prone to random acts of cruelty, but most of his time is spent taking care of the dead ones. Either their honestly ignorant of what their digging for or their omitting anything they don't think the masters would want shared. The last order master Anduril gave them was to hurry all the lights in the room to cover the entryway and then move off to the sides.

None of them say as much but you think some of them suspect you've destroyed their master. Most of them are terrified of you, not surprising considering the magic displayed when you entered the room, the speed you all move, and that in class terms their all 3rd-5th level commoners.

[Rommalb]

"Aegnor, see if you can find out how deep their loyalty to this cursed deity goes. If they've simply been coerced into helping him here we may be able to get out of this quite a bit easier. Anduril, as for you and myself, well I'm fine with letting the undead finish digging and taking whatever is down there. I can feel its close now"

[Anduril]

"I'd be fine with them doing the work as well, but I also don't want to spend unneccesary time here. HE might know we're here now and I don't that pleases him."

[Aegnor]

"And I'm concerned that when it is uncovered a higher-ranking minion if not HE will come to see it first-hand. I'll see what I can glean from this woman." Returning his attention to his new 'friend', Araevin asks, "From where do you hail, good woman?"

[Lazarus]

"And I'm concerned that when it is uncovered a higher-ranking minion if not HE will come to see it first-hand. I'll see what I can glean from this woman." Returning his attention to his new 'friend', Araevin asks, "From where do you hail, good woman?"

She's a little surprised by the question, answering slowly. "The master purchased me from the auction house in Cikcilli, um that's where we were all purchased. Or if you mean my pedigree I'm fourth gen Hatay stock, reared by Smuru." She indicates a tattoo on her arm.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Smuru are the slavers guild of Hessma, Shannon will recognise the name, others might if they've discussed Hessma with anyone. Cikcilli is in the Wayfarer's book, an imperial city on the east coast.

[Nogard]

"Do these people have any life skills or do you think they were bred in captivity like animals? If they are not able to fend for themselves we may have to send them back to the slavers or take responsibility for them ourselves. As for the artifact cache we better be able to move quickly. I doubt we can deal with him."

[Aegnor]

She's a little surprised by the question, answering slowly. "The master purchased me from the auction house in Cikcilli, um that's where we were all purchased. Or if you mean my pedigree I'm fourth gen Hatay stock, reared by Smuru." She indicates a tattoo on her arm.

"Ahh, I see. I did not notice. How much longer until you unearth the object the Master seeks? Perhaps I can help speed the work along. I have some...ability." then to the Fated via link: "It seems if this is something important to HIM, we will need to take it back to Celeste for it to be properly disposed. I know of spells to destroy artifacts, but I do not have them in my spellbook, nor would I want to do that work here. I think we should uncover and remove the artifact from his reach as quickly as possible."

[Anduril]

"Agreed as for these people Boneclaw is correct we need to figure otu what's best for them. Hopefully they would be able to fend for themselves though if the only thing around is that dessert we crossed I find that prospect doubtful."

[Lazarus]

The slaves don't know how close the dig is to completion, they haven't done the digging themselves since the dig site started getting uncomfortably warm about a day ago. They possess a variety of domestic and work skills, but most of them are confused by any suggestion of 'freedom'. The majority have slave bloodlines going back at least 2 more generations, so they were born into slavery, and so were there parents. Slavery is a common part of Rimanan culture, but most of you have had very limited exposure to the Empire before this chapter.

Sarilar would be a very inhospitable place to leave a group of 'freed' slaves. Without the 'master' to bring in food their supplies will run out in a few weeks tops. If someone arrives and finds them before than they could end up taking the blame for the death of their masters, the merchant caravan, and the people at the Bahamut temple, which would likely end with all of them being butchered as rebel slaves.

Shannon knows the Undead are within hours of beginning to expose the cache (obviously most of these tunnels were dug much faster, but a millennia of heat has made the earth here much harder). If Anduril casts his prepped Resist Elements on Ali, the Edge of Destruction can reduce that to minutes, so I'll guess that happens.

Hefting at the rock with two handed power attacks Ali gouges through the ground like it was butter. At one point his blades thirst for destruction throws it at a stress fracture sending out an explosion of debris...

OOC: Gotta go, I'll continue later, but suffice to say it won't take Ali long to reach the cache.

[Lazarus]

...another strike after the big hit clears through to a smooth surface. Two more and enough of an arc shows to reveal it likely has the same dimensions as the last cache you cracked. Between his architectural and magical skills Araevin can figure that instead of a focus of energy upwards like Shabaka's cache, this cache is hot all over.

Too much heat even with the resist elements, Ali reequips his shield to continue (for the fire resistance). Behind him the Undead (unless someone's destroyed them?) haul away the debris he's created, continuing to dumbly bury the wheelbarrows. After breaking away more of the shell, another strike from Ali cracks the cache, two more opens it to reveal the interior.

Inside the cache energy arcs, striking all surfaces instead of only upwards, clearly it'll me more dangerous than the last one. The energy makes it difficult to see what everything is clearly. The obvious items atop the stack are a branch, and what looks to be a ceramic encased Scythe. You can see two more items with the ceramic shells, and a glint to suggest something small under the pile.

[Lazarus]

With the time that's passed two Zombies that are on wheelbarrow duty return from the outer tunnels, and swap their empties for full wheelbarrows unless someone interferes. Any overflow is left behind.

[Tiblorian]

"Ali, does it hurt more than the last one, or can you stick your hands in and remove some of the items? I'm sure this flow of power will not remain unnoticed for long. I have the necessary spells to quickly get us away from here, but I will need to make two trips, but that shouldn't take more than a minute."

[Anduril]

"Awfully bright," Anduril remarks.

[Rommalb]

OOC: does my sense tell me which item is the one he's after?

[Lazarus]

OOC: It's the cache itself you were guided to. To be honest there's a random factor to the contents, Vecna could have been digging up the wrong artifacts, you'll need to figure out what the things are for yourselves.

When Sunduri looks in the energy arcs dominate his Arcane sight, he can see auras from the branch and the small item, but the interference prevents him from picking out schools or power levels. The ceramic encased items are blank spots to his arcane sight.

[Lazarus]

OOC: As with last time there will be a reflex save to snatch items out, and a fort save if the reflex fails. The reflex dc will vary according to how many items are reached for, and how many items were already removed. The fort save will be higher for someone that fails the reflex badly. Base dc's will be higher than the last time, think of it like reaching into a lightning ball, except it isn't electricity. Consequnces of a failed fort save do include death, although with Tytha on hand the dangers not as critical as last time. Repeat fort saves aren't healthy, but as said the dc's will reduce as less items are involved.

OOC: You could try magicing items out somehow, but be aware adding magic to that mess could have consequences.

[Anduril]

"How did you all manage to remove them last time?"

[Rommalb]

"well the energy was going away from us at the time making it a tad easier. Unless someone has some magic to pull something out I can attempt to get an item or two, a little singeing never scared me"

OOC: go go 325 hp, +21 Fort save and never failing on a 1

[Lazarus]

Shannon lunges in to grab something, two bolts of power arc through him as he does, he pulls away shaken grasping the coated scythe. The removal of the item has caused a slight decrease in the energy flow. Tytha casts Panacea to heal Shannon's twitching muscles.

OOC: Shannon will be at a -5 on saves if he goes back for another item, or someone else can try.

[TheDeadOne]

Ali will go for two items at a time.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Ali failed his reflex save by 12, but diced 19 on the fort save, lucky man.

Ali stretches in for items, grabbing the branch and one of the ceramic sealed items. Multiple arcs of energy arc through him before he can pull away. His heart skips a beat but he falls back no worse for wear than Shannon did. Luck has it that the shift in the remaining items sends a ring rolling out through the breach. Only two items are left, the last ceramic covered item, and an amulet. The energy arcs are still there, but have diminished substantially, there are pauses between the arcs.

To Andy and Sunduri it looks like they can probably snatch one of the items without risk (unless a 01 is rolled), for the others it doesn't look much harder.

[Tiblorian]

Sunduri goes ahead and grabs for the last ones, "Hey, this can't be any harder than picking a lock can it?"

[Lazarus]

Sunduri reaches in between arcs snatching the artifacts down to one, and the arcing stops. Leaving it safe for anyone to take out the last artifact.

You've got:
Ring (strong aura, no school)
Amulet (strong, necromancy)
Branch (another Tree of Life Branch)
ceramic coated gauntlet/hand/glove
ceramic coated Scythe
ceramic coated something with folds

OOC: A reminder there's also the gear from the Warlock if you want it. You left it back in the tunnel.

[Anduril]

Anduril reaches in for a try. "Don't see what everyone is so scared of." he remarks sarcastically.

[Tiblorian]

"There is great power in these artifacts, I'm sure he has a reason for them, though a part of his body does not appear to be among them. Come. gather around, I will take the most vulnerable of us with the first teleport, we can all be back in Celeste within the minute. Unless any of you feel that there is more to be found here?"

OOC: I'll go ahead and burn my three greater teleports, if everyone thinks we're done here.

[Rommalb]

"We should make sure to recover what we can from that warlock. No reason to let his minions have the weapons once more."

[Lazarus]

When they all join up there are twelve slaves in all, and twenty Undead.

OOC: I'll assume Boneclaw and/or someone else that hates Undead will go through eliminating all the Skeletons and Zombies. Any that survive the first strikes will move to fight back, otherwise their oblivious to their fate.

Along with the artifacts:
Ring (strong aura, no school)
Amulet (strong, necromancy)
Branch (another Tree of Life Branch)
ceramic coated gauntlet/hand/glove
ceramic coated Scythe
ceramic coated something with folds
You've also got:
magical Studded Leather (major transmutation/abjuration)
magical Belt (major transmutation)
magical Gloves (major transmutation)
magical Cloak (major transmutation)
magical Boots (major conjuration)
magical Scarf (medium evocation)
nipple clamp (medium enchantment)
Who'll carry everything?

[Lazarus]

OOC: I guess I'm quibbling over minor details, so I'll shortcut things.

Shannon gathers the gear, and Sunduri teleports with the bulk of the party to the Celeste Wayfarer's Guild. Meanwhile Ali and Anduril start leading the slaves over to the temple of Bahamut, looking for the local Wayfarer's Circle.

Over in Celeste the team make their way quickly to the Celeste gates, only the nipple clamp sets off the evil alarms (you can have it destroyed than and there, or come back later with Frosrom).

When the circle is found Sunduri gets signalled over the Telepathic Bond, and he exits Celeste to retrieve his last two teammates, and five of the slaves. It's easy to persuade the refugee workers to slip a trip out to Sarilar into the schedule, meaning the slaves will all be amongst the refugees by some time tomorrow.

When the team gathers to move into the city proper you get an unofficial escort, you're still getting celebrity treatment. More than a dozen people walk with you to Irrule's (or Frosrom's if you're heading there?), eager to be the first to hear of your latest adventure.

[Nogard]

While the party is taking care of the artifact cache, Boneclaw makes himself useful by activating his radiance aura and destroying the undead diggers with a combination of Searing Light and Sunbeam spells.

Upon returning to Celeste, Boneclaw moves with Perrin to Irrule's office for a debriefing, paying little attention to any who follow him unless they directly ask him any questions.

[Tiblorian]

"Our duty is to first meet Irrule, then we can have Frostrom look at these items."

[Lazarus]

You get back to Irrule's and head up to his office. Inside he's chatting with some of his sears, and poring over an abundance of paperwork. The face of one of the sears contorts with pain when he sees you, and he rushes out a side door. Irrule dismisses the other sears and gestures to take seats. "Sorry about that, he is one of my most powerful sensitives, he has been through some rough times lately. It is good to have you back." Showing some appraisal of Andy he adds. "And good to see you back, and alive."

He flicks through a few sheets on his desk and looks up again. "I don't have any work ready for you right now. Would you like me to find an assignment, or do you have other plans?"

[Anduril]

Anduril also assists with the removal of the undead before leaving, using his arrows to finish anything left behind.

Upon hearing Sunduri's comment he remarks, "I hope our time with Irrule will be short, I constantly feel nausiated carrying this bow and I like to have that remedied."

OOC: I suppose I"m taking liberties with how holding an evil alligned weapon would be, but it sounded reasonable to me.

[Lazarus]

OOC: Good point I forgot about the bow when I described entering Celeste. It gets detained at the gatehouse along with the nipple clamp.

[Aegnor]

Araevin says to his friends "I would like a few days to prepare for our next outing. There have been some spells I'd like to pick up, and possibly some scrolls or items to enchant or have enchanted."

OOC: Araevin would like some time to "rent" some more spells to round out his spellbook. It's a bit light in some areas.

[TheDeadOne]

"We need some time to sort out the bow or get a new one."

[Lazarus]

Irrule nods. "Very well. I'll inform you if you are desired for an urgent job, otherwise your time is your own. Now if you will excuse me I have a backlog of paperwork to deal with." He gives a polite nod, takes a swig from his green vial, and goes back to work.

Later when you get to Frosrom's store, you find him there busier than Irrule. You're forced to wait awhile before he can delegate other customers to his staff so he can talk to you personally. "Ah my favourite customers! You'll have to forgive the rush, wartime is a haste time for this business." He gets you to spread your new loot out on a table, examining everything with an Analyse Dweomer. "I won't have time to visit the gate today, but I'll tell you what I can of everything here."
He sounds off the Warlocks gear as:
+5 Studded Leather of Fire Immunity
Greater Chasuble of Fell Power (an item that increases Warlock Eldritch Blasts by 2d6)
+6 Belt of Strength
+6 Gloves of Dexterity
+6 Cloak of Charisma
and Boots of Teleportation
And regarding the artifacts he says. "I can't even attempt identifying the three encased items unless I crack the shells. I have suspicions about the ring and amulet, if you'd like I can clear some of my schedule two days from now for Legend Lore, and other divinations. I strongly suggest you do not put on the amulet in the meantime!"

He discusses the bow with Andy. "I'm afraid I can't take that bow off you for full value, I'm under trade restrictions from Celeste, so I'd need to break the evil enchantments before I even consider adding it to inventory. With those enchantments removed, It would lose more than half of its value. I could suggest a rival in Hessma, if I contact him on your behalf I believe I can pursuade him to buy it from you for 80% of its value. Can you name your preferences for a replacement bow? I'll start looking into options."

[Lazarus]

OOC: It may be a little premature but I just sorted out the roleplaying xp for this chapter. Three of you have dinged to 19th, Ali, Araevin, and Shannon. Boneclaw and Sunduri are both extremely close so they should also get levelling plans ready. Andy is 2786xp away from 19th, so he can expect to level sometime early next chapter, if rest is available.