Wed Online - 13th Eleint

The next morning, Sarathien, Milla, Garacaius, and Nailo rode off early, leaving clear diections with Matilda at the bar. Out in the wild, Garacaius summoned a familiar and a raven appeared, who he christened Shadowfang. He sent the raven aloft to scout the way.
Around midday the raven spotted a pair of ogres, carrying the body of something. The party dismounted and prepared to attack. Sarathien cast entangle and in the wild it worked perfectly, ensnaring the ogres. One hit Sarathien with his spear but then the party replied with a fusilade of arrows and bolts. The male went down, looking like a pincusion; try as she may the female could not break free.
Jakob arrived on the scene and took pity on the badly wounded creature, calling on it to surrender. It did so, saying the party could have the deer they had been carrying. Sarathien laid down his bow. Nailo's blood was up, he would not be denied his 'kill'. He fired his crossbow, missing. The ogre retrieved her club to charge but Garacaius dropped her with a magic missile.
Not all the party felt comfortable about the outcome. They rode on in subdued mood. They met another couple of riders who turned out to be Darius and Bayne. Jakob, Garacaius and Milla recognised the ranger from their voyage on the Cormorant. They swapped tales until they arrived at Knott's Ferry Inn around nightfall.
The Innkeeper/ferryman warned them not to venture out at night and to keep their windows shuttered against the 'Night Things'.

250 xp to Garacaius, Jakob, Milla & Sarathien
120xp to Nailo (alignment penalty)

[This message has been edited by Erran (edited November 09, 2001).]

Before retiring for the night, Darius approaches Knotty. "You mentioned that some travelers had come up missing. Were any of them Merchants? You see, my friend and I came across several Bugbears with goblin servants. They were carrying a load of silk cloth, and silver bars. Now, normally these creatures are not known for being silk merchants. Also, do you know of a location where we may sell this fabric? We don't have a need for such as this."

[This message has been edited by Baldak Oakfist (edited November 08, 2001).]

"Aye, one was a merchant alright, but he'd been selling herbs up north, not silk. I could take one bolt of your hands, but any mor you'd have to sell in Nesme, a days ride south of here." was Knotty's reply.

ooc: this is assuming that the night was uneventful. I know this upsets the chronology a bit, but I hope that may be excused. If other people's posts mean this is rubbish, I'll edit it (eventually)
ooc 2: from my perspectve as a player it looked like most of the party was in agreement that the ogres were a genuine threat, and letting one go was just naivete on Jakob's part.
before going to bed, Jakob passed Garacaius the potions he had found in the temple, indicating that the elf might like to have alook at them. He then went to his room, shuttered his window, laid a loaded crossbow by the bed and fell into uneasy sleep....

....Jakob woke and splashed himself with cold water and headed down to breakfast. He noticed that the others were already almost finished. The cook looked at him dissaprovingly, hnading over a cold plate of scrambled eggs. Jakob prodded the eggs thoughtfully with his fork and began to ramble vaguely at all who would listen "Y'know, I've been thinking. This may surprise some of you, " he shot a look at Nailo, " but I have. In forty years, I saw not one dead body, but since the incedent in Silverymoon I've lost count of the number of corpses I've seen, some even by my own hand. I wind my crossbow by second nature, I have few qualms about looting the dead, I know not where I am headed, and even getting a bed for the night is a matter of luck. And I do not even know what I hope to achieve from all this. I have left a comfortable future behind, traded it for uncertainty, violence and poverty, and for what? There is no clear path, I knew nothing of the cause before I joined, and do not even know my own aims. Some have even said all I want is to rebel against my upbringing. Do I have a conclusion from all this? Of course not, it's just random musings..."


[This message has been edited by Ironbeard (edited November 09, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Ironbeard (edited November 09, 2001).]

Stopping to listen to Jakob, Nailo speaks, "After the other day Jakob, I don't think anything you could do would surprise me."

OOC: On a different note. Alignment penalty? I must protest!! :) I have to say, Nailo does what is right in his own mind and moral code(which is good). That is why I chose Chaotic Good. I don't mind the penalty, it adds flavor, but in the spirit of Nailo I have to play Devil's advocate. He didn't keep on fighting because of some evilness he felt. He kept on fighting because of the spear sticking out of Sara's chest and the dead who know's what they were carrying. Feel lucky, you just had a glimpse into the inner NAILO. Ha :)

One other thing, a week with out the game? I am going in withdrawl. This is the only D&D I get to play. :( I will miss you all this weekend. Erran, you need to quit playing with my emotions like this!!!! haha

During the night, Garacaius heard a scratching and rattling at his window shutters, followed by the dull flapping sound of leathery wings, fading into the distance.

OoC: DMs perogative. Shooting at a badly wounded enemy who has surrendered indicates a drift from C-G to C-N in my book. Up to Nailo what he does about it, does he feel guilty or is he proud of his actions?
When I see what looks to me like good roleplay I award bonuses - eg the boat story (which Nailo should write up). When I see something I'm unhappy about I penalise.

The game doesnt have to stop, the next bit should work fine by posting. I'll try and login when I can.

Garacaius hears the scratching and his eyes are wide open, his face pale of fear with tiny clear beads of perspiration as he whispers a silent prayer.

Lord, protect me, it has come for me indeed. Grant me strength to face it alone...

As the rattling stops and the flaps of wings starts, Garacaius grabs his crossbow and turns on his lantern placing it in the middle of the room. During the rest of the night he sits on guard in the corner, ill at ease. The night passes in what seems an eternity.
As the suns early rays beam through the window onto Garacaius' pale face, he seems to regain some of his color. He quickly gathers his gear while awakening Shadowfang, "Wake up you lazy sluggard."
Rushing in the main room he meets his fellows and run toward them, "It is here! It has come for me! Tonight, the creature! We must make a trap, get rid of it forever! My window, it was there! IT HAS COME!!!"


[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited November 09, 2001).]

Khor had decided to take a detour by the mines to see how Bombas and his company was getting along. He chatted with Bombas over an evening meal, and spent the night at the mines. The next morning he arose with the sun, devouring a bowl of steaming porridge before continuing on to Knott's Ferry.

Jakob, caught up in his own concerns, fails to notice that Garacaius is distinctly agitated when he comes down, and only becomes dimly aware of it once he has finished talking to no-one in particular. After an explanation from Garacaius, Jakob shrugs. "Don't see how it matters myself, " he mumbles, "after all, we've got three and a half elves with us - assuming Sarathien shows up. Shouldn't be that big a problem to have a permanent watch whenever we set up camp."

"No no no Jakob! It's my bane, the bat of old times. Sitting outside the window, rattling and stared at me with red eyes as I looked up from my book of ancient lore. 'Tis be the one who had me set my home ablaze. It got my foster father and now... It has come back for me! I know it I! I must find a way of killing it, or it will destroy me, making me disappear like the rest here! Probably while I'm sleeping!"

Garacaius is still bewildered, not sure of fantasy and reality anymore. He runs to the innkeeper: "Where can I find one willing to sell some animals I could use as bait!?"

Darius entered the Dining Hall of the Inn having rested long enough. Hearing the incidents of the night at the window of the mage, Darius' mind began to think of all manner of traps that could be set to catch a flying beast. Luring the beast in would be the easy part, incapacitating it would be another matter.

Turning to the Mage Darius makes some suggestions. "Garacaius, I can tell that you have been terribly upset by the events of the night, but you need to calm down and take this one step at a time. Rushing into a course of action could prove to be fatal. Luring in the beast is a good start, but for the first encounter, simple observation would be more prudent. Once you know what sort of beast is truely tormenting these good folk and yourself, a plan will be easier to formulate. Acting too soon against a beast you know nothing about will only serve to place you and your friends in grave danger. Has anyone seen Bayne by the way. I would like to discuss a matter with him."

Darius then approached Knotty. "Good Sir, I would appreciate it if you could tell me whether the barbarians out of Griffons Nest have been active in theis area of late, more than would seem normal that is?"

[This message has been edited by Baldak Oakfist (edited November 11, 2001).]

"Hmm, you speak wise new friend, though it is a personal matter. Being aided by my friends I gladly will be, if they wish to aid that is. It is my call, my fate, my nemesis and you cannot escape that. Though till tonight, we have someone to see in this town." Garacaius looks on his awoken comrades, "Well, shall we pay a visit to this mage?"

Jakob's eyes widen as Garacaius describes the beast. "I'm sorry," he says, "I had no idea, I'll gladly face this thing with you, and I completely agree with Darius' advice. Sounds as if it might even be a magic beastie, way you've described it. Hmm, maybe I should get some silvered bolts. About the mage, I say we should go see him.
And I've sort of got to scheming
We could interrupt the mage's dreaming
With your raven and a ghost sound knocking at his door
A little fun and nothing more

If I could get the rhyme and metre
Then our joke would be the sweeter
With a ghost sound ever knocking, knocking on his chamber door
And could your pet say 'nevermore'?"

Nailo looks at Garac questionly, "Bat of old times? What are you talking about? Have you fought this creature before? If it is just a bat, why are you so scared of it? One bat against all of us, it won't stand a chance! You are worring to much."

14th Eleint
Something about Knott's demeanor seemed a little agitated. "Noo, since this trouple with the 'Night things' we havent seen too much of the Barbarians. They tend to cross further south at the Goblintide Ford I hear.

No sir, no-ones going to sell you an animal just to get get killed. If you are so anxious, why not leave your own horse out?

Now, does any one want passage across or not?
It's 3sp for a horse and rider, I can only take 2 at a time."

"I agree. Lets get this over with.", Nailo sets 3 silver pieces down. Looking back at everyone in the group except Jakob, "Who is going to cross with me?"

"I'll go along with Nailo." Garacaius hands over 3 silver pieces.

"You see Nailo, it is not the bat that I'm afraid of, not in itself. But my fate connected with this fiend. I didn't see the creature last night, it just reminded me of.. of my failure to control myself in the earlier days. I thought or think, I'm not sure anymore, it to be the same. I fear for the outcome facing it, it has caused me much grief already."

Nailo looks over at Garac and gives a sly smile, "Well Garac, I hope you don't misunderstand me, but I believe an elf paves the path of his own fate. If you keep on this chain of thought then this "bat" of the past will consume you. You decide when you want to face, then face it, and defeat it all on your terms."

Nailo then stops and looks over to Garac again with a sadness in his eyes, "However, I guess that some things are much easier said than done. I should have learned that by now. So what did this bat do to you, or what is its significance?"

[This message has been edited by Ksiel (edited November 12, 2001).]

Jakob digs in his money pouch for three silver pieces. "I'm going next, when the ferryman comes back," he announces, "Who's willing to go with me?"

Milla gathers three silver pieces from her pouch.
"I'll go with you Jakob. I wonder if the others got our message"
Milla looks back at the road to see if anyone is coming.

As the ferryman comes back across the river, Sarathien walks up to his friends outside, a worried look on his face.

"Melloneamin, I am glad we are all leaving. I wish to tarry here no longer than necessary. No offense to your services of course", he adds in Knott's direction, "our haste is only due to our journey."

As Jakob and Milla are safely over and Knott is once again back to his side, the ranger gives three silver pieces to the ferryman.

"There you go friend, for me and Mithollo to get across."

As the boat is on its way over a third time, Sarathien tries to strike up a conversation with the innkeeper.

"So, what are these 'night things' you are talking about? Is this something that has started bothering you only lately?"

OOC: Gah, I never thought you people could post so fast ;), three new posts while I were writing my answer. Anyway, I had to edit quite some of this post, so it may not fit into the story. If so, I'll change it again...

[This message has been edited by Vanadin (edited November 12, 2001).]

Garacaius looks at Nailo and starts telling of his life.

"Ah, you came to the group later than some of the others. Only Jakob I am sure to know about my past, but the reason my magical powers got out of hand back then... http://www.sorcerers.net/ubb/Forum11/HTML/000009.html was because of the creature, the bat creature, lurking, scared me out of my mind. A reflex action must have been my powers, though I have never been sure. Indeed I pave my own fate, though some can light and darken my path and make me either run along easily in the light or fall far from it in darkness."

OoC: first long post by me ;)

On the boat with Milla, Jakob stares into the waters of the Goblintide, which he thinks is the Subrin like a moron, flailing about in his mind for some conversational titbit he can dredge up. "Um," he says, "Did you give much thought to that booklet I showed you back in the tavern. Hmm, probably not, I'd imagine. Err... maybe you could tell me a bit more about your journey, and those revalations you've been having."

[This message has been edited by Ironbeard (edited November 15, 2001).]

"Well, I read through it Jakob. Kind of interesting. Sometimes I think you and I have more in common than we realise.
As disciples of Ilmater we are trained to recognise pain and suffering wherever we find it and do whatever we can to alleviate it. We are taught to act on behalf of those that cannot act for or defend themselves.
As a monk I'm also trained in the martial arts to defend the faith. That is the congregation, church and priests. Lately I've gained some abilities normally reserved for priests. But that doesn't change anything, my life purpose is still the same. It just means that Ilmater wants me to serve in one other capacity as well, or so I believe..." Milla trails off realising the truth in her words.

With the party safely over the Goblintide River (OoC Check your maps!) Knott bade them farewell and they rode north. By mid day the treeline came into view. A path led up to a walled hall with a domed roof and tower, nestling in a clearing at the edge of the woods.
A little to one side of the path lay the body of a dire wolf, several days old with its neck twisted round. A large archway formed the entrance and beyond that, locked doors. Standing under the archway was a huge figure, 7ft 6" tall dressed in a loincloth with squat features and bandy legs. It stared impassively ahead. As they neared it Sarathien thought he smelled damp earth.

Milla stops and turns to the others.
"Ok, remind me. What was our plan again? Just walk up there and try to see and talk to the mage and warn him about Er-Cam, right?"

"Warn him? He is the one who is supposed to prepare the gems. I'd say we are the group who delivers the gems and try to push him for info, seeing if he be friend or foe."

"Eeh ok, I'll just let you do the talking then. I'm not very good at this cloak and dagger stuff. I'm just saying that he probably prepares those gems for money, he might not care what they do with them. Well, we'll see I guess"

Khor once again arrived too late as the innkeeper informed him his friends had already crossed the Goblintide. He hurried to the ferry and asked for passage as well. Once across, he pushed his horse hard to catch up with the group.

"If he does not care what happens to the items, then perhaps he does not care who gets information from him either.
I think the plan has advantages, but we should be very wary of danger. This mage may not be very amused if he finds out that we have lied to him.

Jakob, do you feel talkative today? I know you have a knack for saying things untrue and still keep a straight face so you are probably the one most suited for the task."

The large chested figure continued to stare impassively ahead. On either side of him, outside of the closed door, the party could see stable stalls.

"Now that thing is giving me the creeps," Garacaius says while looking at the huge figure. He then decides to cast detect magic on it wondering if it might be eyes or at least ears of the local wizard. "I wonder what it is anyway."


OoC: can I cast detect magic on it?

Garacaius cast detect magic and determined that the figure was a magical construct.

Jakob scanned the front of the hall, looking for potential cover and alternative entrances. "Um," he said, "This gentleman doesn't look very flexible. Can you remember if that drow woman had a password or anything? That might help us to get past." Jakob then dropped his voice, "Ok, I reckon that we should take first say we're surfacer agents to carry the gems, because the drow want to keep a low profile. Then, once we're alone with the mage, we say we're worried that the drow might dispose of us (and him) as soon as we've outlived our usefulness, and suggest he join us in getting out while he can. If that fails, well, we'd better hope he doesn't set his guard on us."

"This.. this does not bode well my friends. I believe now that we are no longer dealing with some little wizard and pray he is of good intent, if he be another member of the plot we might not see much past this day."
Garacaius points at the huge figure, "That is his creation I am sure, who other would be able to? While I was asking Polina in Nesme about the Chardalyn she said it would require a wizard of great provess to channel them magics, well I had my doubts, but no longer."

OoC; er.. I got your potions Ironbeard? I just noticed in a quick scrolling you gave them to me up there, hehe. Do I still have them? My memory is a little flawed :)

[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited November 15, 2001).]

After a hard ride, Khor finally managed to catch up with the group. After he regaining his breath, he asked, "So what are we waiting for?"

Garacaius' serious look drew his attention, and he looked up to find what the party was staring at so worriedly. He grunted and dismounted. Pulling out his battleaxe, he growled, "The bigger they are, the harder they fall."

Garacaius grabs Khor's shoulder and holds him back. "Don't hasten the uncertain little one, we are still here to retrieve information. And this creation is magical and looks to be no weak one, I say diplomacy with the mage will do us good, at least before trying to use the blade of your axe."

Milla nods at the big fellow.
"This must be the servant that was mentioned in the letter. According to that we are just supposed to say something like Take me to the Master without delay." Milla tries to imitate a booming bass kind of voice without much luck. Millas voice cracks a little and she concludes "You better try it Garacaius, I can't get right feeling"

"Hmm, sure we just aren't supposed to wait a little? Was it supposed to be in any particular language, like undercomman perhaps?"

Khor scratched his head. "Magical, you say? All right, but I'm keeping my axe handy just in case. What is our plan of action?"

When Milla uttered those words the huge figure gave a slight bow, gestured to the stables on either side, then turned and opened the great double doors. He led them through a 15' x 15' tiled entrance hall; on through a 25' x 15' audience room and into a 25' square garden area. Glass roofed, there were L shaped flower beds in each corner and a pool in the centre. The figure bowed once more then left to resume its station under the entrance arch. The party were alone.

150 xp to Milla.

"Wow, this is beautiful, an indoor garden! Look at those flowers." Milla takes closer look to see if she can recognise any.

Garacaius leads Nightwing into the stables and walks back through the great doors, suprised by the garden complex inside. "Indeed Milla, a wizard with taste. I wonder if he looks after all this himself. Perhaps some herbs of unique spell recipés."
After a little time Garacaius started to look around for a door of sorts, "I wonder where our host is."

[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited November 16, 2001).]

Nailo not trusting the mage, ties his horse off at a tree outside of the mage's temple. Nailo decides his place is at the back of the group, not wanting to attract any attention. Following the creature that takes the group into the building, Nailo watches reluctantly. Seeing that no one else seems weary of this place or the creature, he decides that he won't be herded into this garden. Once the creature leaves, Nailo tries to examine the doors that head back into the audience hall, so that he may go back in.

OOC: You've got them until you decide to give them back, Lokken, and I'm not particularly wanting them back unidentifed.

IC: Jakob followed the group into the garden, keeping a wary eye about for any form of trap or ambush. His hands strayed instinctively towards the crossbow on his belt. In a barely audible whisper he spoke to Garaciaus. "Indeed, it's starting to look like we can't fall back on force if we make a mess of the talking. Seeing as it's the only chance we've got, it's vital we take the right approach. Does anyone know of any way to gauge the wizard's motivations, so we don't make him angry?"

Khor took a wary look around. Should they have to do battle with the mage and his construct, he wanted to find a good defense point, but with the size of these rooms, it wasn't looking too hopeful. He grimaced and took up a post by the audience room, waiting. "So who's doing the talking?"

"A construct you say? Smelling of damp earth, would that be an... earth golem or what do you call them?"

Sarathien shudders at the thought of a artificial life, considering it an affront to nature.

The garden doesn't do much to lessen his discomfort, seeing how the mage has tried to take nature and put constraints on her. The elf closes his eyes and lets out a long, silent breath, then steadies himself.

"At least he seems to like flowers, I should consider that a good sign" he thinks to himself, leans back against the door and scans the indoor garden.

Sarathien recognised the plants in the left hand bed as 'black lotus' used for 'smoking purposes'. The earth in the right hand bed was recently turned. Grapes grew in the 3rd bed and the 4th bed contained flowers he did not recognise. Four paths met at the central 5' pool. Statues of warriors and wizards with raised weapons lay at the end of each path. Suddenly a concealed door opened to the right and a swarthy figure in robes came out, beaming broadly.
"Ah, visitors! How delightful, please to follow me, let me offer you the hospitality of my humble abode." He waved his arms and urged them to follow him into the audience room, which was furnished with huge cushions on the floor and low tables. He clapped his hands and said "I hope you like spicey food, and I can reccomend the wine, I make it myself."

Garacaius turned to toward the robed figure and followed his gestures while looking at him. "Ah, nice to meet you at last. It truly is a wonderful place you have here, do you keep it all in order by yourself?"

"I must agree with my friend here," said Jakob, "I'm very impressed by this hall, and I can't help but wonder how much is achieved by your own magic." Wile attempting to look no more than politely attentive, Jakob studied the mage's gestures and intonations, trying to spot clues to the man's character.

"I have a small retinue of servants - all from Calimshan, and Potti of course, you met him."

As Jakob studied the mage he noticed two things. The robes seemed rather tight on him and he was wearing studded leather beneath them.

"Ah yes, Potti, we couldn't miss him," Garacaius gives a little laugh and continues, "Being interested in magic myself, may I ask if you made him yourself?" Garacaius quickly looks around the room before making a little cough, "I'm sorry," he says as he reach out his hand toward the mage, "I'm Garacaius, a pleasure to meet you."

[This message has been edited by Lokken (edited November 17, 2001).]

continued under "A Dancer in Distress"