A Tunnels and Trolls® play-by-post adventure run by khara_khang
Still exhausted from the swim, Stark slowly rises and sheds his robe. "I don't know about you all, but I'm hungry," says the Wizard as he jams his staff into the sandy ground. Wringing his robe and sleeves out, he rummages for some hard waterproof cheese, and some salted pork. As he eats, Stark notices the Hobbit eyeing the cheese. Then he remembers that the poor fellow lost all his rations to the giant water serpent. He breaks off a small piece, and throws it Shipy's way. The Hobbit leaps two feet vertically and catches it in his mouth as only a Hobbit can.
Jamara shoves the floundering half-pint under her arm and starts wading as soon as her feet touch bottom. As soon as she gets to shore, she turns to the Wolf and says in a cold, abrupt tone, "If you tell truth this time, why you think he help you? He want you to get him necklace behind King's back. Why you stoopid enough to think he not kill you, once he get necklace?"
After a brief but furious shaking of white fur (which sends out an incredible spray of green water), Krandor begins to sniff at the air. A second later, he turns to the Fairy, realizing he hasn't answered her.
"Thank you for trying, Felixia. I guess I will have to deal with this curse in some other fashion. Even though I no longer have an obligation to stay, I feel that my abilities are still needed, especially with those others following us," he says looking back over his shoulder towards where Fuzz continues to wade.
"Jamara, I didn't realize that anyone would be able to see the necklace. I assumed it would be hidden by the curse of this amulet I wear. I thought I had tricked him, that the only way for him to take the necklace from me would be for him to remove my curse. Apparently, I was wrong...."
Krandor begins to sniff the air again and then says, "That's odd, I think I smell...." just before running off to one side of the island. Once there, he begins to dig.
Upon reaching shore, Blodwydd begins to stamp her feet and wring her hair to shed as much of the green water as she can. Just as she is starting to feel vaguely human again, the giant spray of water from the vigorously shaking Wolf hits her square in the face. Giving up on getting any drier, she plops resignedly onto her well soaked bottom, sneezes piteously, and looks around, waiting for whatever travail she is going to have to endure next.
"Look out below!" Amroth jumps (after hiding his armor in the room above) and then swims to the island.
"Hi fellow, uh, friends. I probably shoulda been more introductive of myself. Well hiya now. My name is Amroth-Esa. Of the clan Esa. (Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah)" He tells about himself.
Felixia shakes her head some. Krandor is certainly a unique one. She flutters up some, trying to keep her eye on him just in case he finds something interesting.
Fuzz grumbles under his breath about losing his sword and not wanting to go to any Dragon lands in the near future. As the party swims off toward the island, he follows slowly due to his extreme pain and his weight. Once he gets to the island, he hauls himself up onto the beach and lies down. Just before he falls into a blissful sleep of healing, he says, "When you guys leave, wake me up; I would advise against leaving without me because, despite the fact that right now I'm wounded, I'm still the strongest person here." And then he falls asleep.
"It not matter if you die as dog or man," Jamara answers Krandor, having apparently forgotten about the Hobbit under her arm. "Dead is dead. Man who sneaks around behind King's back wants power---he not care who he kills to get what he want! He maybay kill you just to shut you up... after he get what he wants from you!"
Jamara's expression grows even grimmer, and her words grow harsh between gritted teeth. "He maybay be a man who takes what he wants, and not care who get hurt by it! He maybay be a man who think he can do what he wants, just because he have the strength! But no one have that right! Just having the strength doesn't give you the right!"
Those who hear her may get the feeling she's not quite talking about the necklace anymore. And she no longer seems to be looking at Krandor, but staring through him. As if concentrating on something else, for a brief instant.
Then she relaxes a bit and seems to come back to the present, again leveling her gaze on the Wolf.
"Goblin say the King kill her without the necklace. Maybay that be true. Maybay not. But you joined us to steal it, not caring. You want to help now, okay. Maybay finger-waggler who sent us reward you and get necklace off you. But no more stealing, and no more lies!"
Hahah, sylasogrady, you had me ROFLing with your "Hobbit leaps two feet vertically and catches it in his mouth as only a Hobbit can." Bravo!
"Sure I'll go with you. But first, me and the overgrown Elf gotta go kill that Troll, and then I shall help you. Hopefully the worthless fuzzball will get up here.... Yes, on then with the Goblin, but promise that you will come with us to help Galdor attack the Troll. First let's rest---that TTYF took out a lot."
"I have no such desire for suicide, friend, Goblin mission or not. If you and your comrade must take out the Troll, then more power to you, but count me out!" Chereva salutes the brave Elf (whom she never actually called "Elf"), then takes her leap.
Chereva takes a moment to rest, and cautiously approaches Krandor (before he abruptly runs off). "I owe you an apology, Krandor. I'm sorry for threatening you back there. If I hadn't flexed so much muscle behind my words, maybe you wouldn't have run off into the Troll's lair and it wouldn't have pulped you. I am grateful that whatever cursed magic has you in its grip, it has at least kept you alive."
"Maybay finger waggler who sent us reward you and get necklace off you."
Chereva continues to Krandor, impressed with her companion's idea, "Jamara's got a good point. Cobalt's chock full of powerful connections. I'm sure he can help you, if you stay with us."
She turns as Amroth arrives on the shore and introduces himself. "Well met, and a smart change of tactics, Amroth. Plate and mithril," she motions with a graceful sweep of her chin toward the sleeping mass of fur, "are worthless without life in the bones and sinew that may wield them. Even a bouncer knows when not to bounce. Glad you are coming with us."
You know Galdor, why did you jump into the lake? You should already know that the Holy Hand Grenade is not there.
I am resting as long as I need to to recover all my MC.
Throst, if you don't quit it with the Holy Hand Grenade, I'm gonna beat you in slow and painful ways.
Fuzz wakens long enough to hear what Amroth says, growls out a draconic curse and then falls back asleep, dreaming of ways to kill him slowly and painfully.
Krandor, Fuzz, Jamara, Felixia, Chereva, Freaketa, Shipy, Stark, Blodwydd and Amroth are back together. Very funny post, Mr. Sylasogrady, but as you should know, white Hobbits can't jump. No Mystic points or hits are recovered with this post. Anyone wishing to regain their lost Mystic points needs to state that they are continuing to rest. This post continues minutes after the characters come ashore on the island.
Krandor appears to continue recovering from his injuries. Fuzz has lost his sword to the Troll (and still currently has 5 hits left). Amroth has left his armor in the Troll room above (hiding it in one corner) and has reached the island just after Fuzz. Krandor smells something, trots not that far away and begins digging furiously in the wet sand while Felixia hovers above, watching him, and Jamara scolds him for his previous actions.
"Jamara," he says, finally getting Jamara's attention, "I know I'm smoochable, but you can put me down now."
Freaketa says, looking around, "This is the island where we are supposed to meet King Snorkin's advisor, and then take a boat ride. Maybe in that building." Freaketa points to the large three or four level stone building in the center of the island. "Maybe we should rest here for a while first," she says, sitting down in the sand.
"I knew I smelled something here," says the white Wolf, still digging. His once blood-red soaked fur has been washed white again by the green waters.
Felixia moves in closer, but still well out of Krandor's reach, and casts Detect Magic on the skeleton Krandor uncovers in the sand. The ancient skeleton still wears a tattered blue and gold robe. In one skeletal hand it grips a staff (a six-foot oaken staff shod in caps of iron, featuring deeply engraved runes of lightning bolts and energy), and on one finger is a ring (with a moonstone inset, its face carved to resemble a waxing moon). A small strange looking loaded crossbow can be found in a leather holster still attached to the skeleton’s belt. All three items radiate magic. A dozen loose gold coins (lions) can also be found scattered in the sand around the skeleton, which probably supported a Wizard in life. Krandor removes the treasure (including the coins), piece by piece away from the skeleton and places them in a nice neat pile using his teeth.
Felixia tests each items and determines the following abilities:
What do you do?
Krandor looks over what he's found, and then looks over at the others. His eyes are a sparkling blue color.
"These may help us a lot, especially against the King's traitorous advisor. These aren't mine to use or to divvy up, though I would suggest that we give the ring to Felixia and the staff to Stark."
"Man who sneaks around behind King's back wants power---he not care who he kills to get what he want! He maybay kill you just to shut you up... after he get what he wants from you!"
Krandor stands to his full height, and turns toward the wooden building. He looks at it briefly, and then turns his attention to Jamara. "Do you really think that he meant to do me wrong? That he was going to double-cross me?" he says with a low growl in his voice. As he speaks, his eyes begin to change as they watch: blue grows to purple, and then a deep red. His growl is deeper now, more feral, "He will pay for his lies!"
Then, as quickly as it comes, the change passes. With a shake of his head, the white Wolf's eyes change back to blue. "I've almost healed from the Troll's damage. I don't think we should try to face it again. Look what it did to the monster. Maybe you can help him, Centaur? We may need his help if the King's advisor is as strong as he claims to be."
A large onimous back figure heads down the beach. As it comes closer, its features (what little feaures it has anyway) can be seen clearly in the dim light. It stands roughly 13ft tall, its skin seems to be made of shadows and its eyes glow a pale blue-gray. It wears a suit of heavy black scale armor. The creature unsheaths its Damascus steel great sword and speaks in a demanding voice, "Who are you, and whence have you come?"
Blodwydd is finally distracted from her snuffly display of self pity by the goings on surrounding the uncovered skeleton. Wiping away her snot with the back of her hand, she shuffles over and watches passively as Krandor carefully assembles the pile of treasure, and Felixia identifies the items. The sudden thud of giant footsteps alerts the party to the approach of the giant shadowed figure.
"Who are you, and whence have you come?"
At the newcomer's ominous challenge, Blodwydd seems to snap. Snatching up the magic crossbow, she levels it at the approaching figure and replies, "I'm Blodwydd the Bold anwee cum frumup there, anweer goin' threw you! Wanna make sumthin' of it?!"
"Jamara, I know I'm smoochable, but you can put me down now."
"Do you really think that he meant to do me wrong? That he was going to double-cross me?"
Jamara glances absently at Shipy, raises her arm a bit to let him drop, then looks back at Krandor. "Why not?" she says, shrugging. "From what you say, he double cross the King."
Then she turns abruptly, and starts looking the building over from all sides, hammer again in hand.
Jamara glances over at the newcomer, apparently unconcerned. "We come to escort the Goblin King's bride to her wedding. If you work for him, stay out of way and let us do our job. If you want fight, attack and be done with it!"
After finishing his repast, Stark sees the goings on unearthed by Krandor, and slowly walks over, picking and sucking his teeth. At the mention of the staff he looks at Krandor with a greatful expression.
"Staff, eh? Well now, let me take a look at it. I've read and heard of staves that possess their owners. I hope this isn't one," he muses as he picks it up. Before he can get a feel for the staff's weight, Blodywdd is pointing the crossbow at the large creature approaching. He watches the newcomer warily, and sucks his teeth again.
Felixia toys with the ring some, "I couldn't shoot the crossbow, and the staff is a bit too big, but I'd like the ring," she says to the group.
Fuzz awakens at the sound of the giant footsteps beating the ground. He looks up, still tired from the battle, just as the dark beast is being confronted. Getting to his feet, he walks a bit closer and gives the newcomer a careful inspection.
"Oh it's you. I thought it might be, but it's always tough to tell, especially with one of your race." Fuzz turns to the rest of the party and says, "He's alright and he's trustworthy... to a point. But don't ever call him a friend. He doesn't like it. Oh and his name's Karanath, but I imagine he will tell you that in his own time anyway."
"Look what it did to the monster. Maybe you can help him, Centaur? We may need his help if the King's advisor is as strong as he claims to be."
"Aww, Krandor, we're not on a first name basis yet? First I heal you, then I chase you to your near-death (but I apologized, right?)---frak, in some circles that would make us lovers!" she winks coyly. "But in all seriousness, you're right about Fuzz. And as for the loot, I agree with your suggestion."
"When you guys leave, wake me up; I would advise against leaving without me because, despite the fact that right now I'm wounded, I'm still the strongest person here."
"He's alright and he's trustworthy... to a point. But don't ever call him a friend. He doesn't like it. Oh and his name's Karanath, but I imagine he will tell you that in his own time anyway."
After the initial confrontation with the newcomer, Fuzz deflates the tension with an introduction. In the aftermath, Chereva approaches the Elf/Manticore. "Hey, Fuzz, perhaps you are the strongest here," she tests one of his biceps with a smile, "but you seem to be the only one keeping track. Aside from the obvious physical advantage which you add to our party, we may also benefit from your knowledge of this place and its residents," she gestures for emphasis at the dark newcomer, "but for all your bravado, you're worth jack in your present condition, especially if you insist on charging everything that reeks with experience points [Now how could Chereva know about those? :) --ed.]. The Princess has indicated her desire that you join us, and so has Krandor. In the interest of the greater good, if not my better judgement, please accept a sign of my trust."
Chereva halves her strength again as she touches Fuzz's cheek. Her innate healing magic does its job. "I regret it's not much, Fuzz, but you're probably worth more in a fight than little ol' inferior me," she winks. "We should rest more until healed," she sighs, her chest heaving within her leather vest. "The temple can wait."
Blodwydd lowers the crossbow, but doesn't put it away. She favors both the monster and the giant shadow man with an equally baleful glare, then sighs and shakes her head, turning her attention to the rest of the island.
Krandor backs away slightly, and then says, "Do not threaten us, shadow monster, or those may be the last words you speak."
After Fuzz's introduction, Krandor continues to keep an eye on the shadow-being, but turns his attention back to the Centaur. "Maybe we were that, in another life. Keep that oxtongue pointed away from me, and I will address you as Chereva."
"Krandor, I promise that you will survive."
Krandor turns to the Elf, and says, "I do not understand your sudden affection for me. Do you not yet understand that I have nothing to fear from death? I think it is you who will need protecting."
Fuzz takes a deep breath as Chereva casts Poor Baby on him. Fuzz thanks Chereva profusely and then sits down next to her as she falls asleep. Pulling out his journal, he rests and starts to write, always keeping one eye watching all that goes on around him so that no one can take him or the sleeping Centaur by surprise. Writing in his journal of his recent experiences, he puts three small footnotes where he is sure to read them:
With that, he closes his journal and lets his eyes apparently fall shut in sleep. In actuality, he is still watching just as a cat does, but he is also sleeping peacefully and healing.
Karanath looks at the motley group and decides that they are not directly hostile. He sheathes his sword, showing he means no harm. "My name is Karanath. I have just escaped from a mad Wizard who calls himself 'Carvna,' though I believe he was lying.... Anyway, I barely escaped with my life. If you woud be willing to help me defeat this madman, there would be enough treasure and glory for us all. Do you accept my offer?"
As everyone rests on the beach, the loot from Krandor's find is divvied up. Shipy carries the 12 gold lions, Felixia carries the ring, Stark carries the staff, and Blodwydd carries the six-shooter crossbow. Chereva kindly touches Fuzz and heals him 4 CON, bringing his total CON to 10. Minutes later, a Chaos Fiend named Karanath approaches the group, and after some discussion joins them. Six hours later our adventure continues. All Mystic points lost by the players are regained with this post. Anyone damaged regains 1 CON point, except Krandor, who is now totally healed.
The white Wolf's hair bristles and he growls deeply, "Someone is coming."
Out of the darkness from the direction of the large mutlilevel stone building strolls a very large (7 feet tall) Orc, wearing tattered pants and a shirt most likely taken from some delver ages ago. His green skin, red eyes, and dumb look don't give you the warmest feeling. His muscles seem unusually large for a normal Orc.
"I be Grub. If youzz people come to meet the Wizard Vlachos, the King's Vizier, then youzz should come with me." Grub looks at Freaketa and grins a large toothy grin (easy for a big-toothed Orc).
Unless stopped, asked a question or attacked, Grub casually turns and trudges barefoot through the deep sand back towards the stone building (in the center of the island) without giving everyone else more than a casual wayward glance.
Freaketa whispers to Chereva, "So what if we attack the King's Advisor and Krandor was lying? You ever think of that?"
What do you do?
Blodwydd, who has finally gotten bored with standing around and glowering, works out how to rig the crossbow holster on her belt and finally puts it away. Moving up next to Chereva, she watches the scruffy Orc deliver his missive and turn to walk away. "I think weshud folla him," Blodwydd urges Chereva. "Heesa moss normal thing wees een roun' heer yet!"
O wise and powerful GM, what's the weight on the Crossbow Six Shooter?
Duh! I just reread the post where you introduced it. Clearly I am the correct choice to portray an intelligence 7 character!
Jamara waits to see what Freaketa does, moving to stay within arms reach of her.
Fuzz, also standing next to Chereva, hears Blodwydd's comment about normality and growls out something about intelligence under his breath, but when Blodwydd asks what it is he said, he replies simply, "It's true I'm not normal, nor is the Chaos Fiend, but I wouldn't mention it to him or me again, although he might not mind too much and might even revel in it, but he might also kill you, you never know. And as for me, don't mention it, 'cause you never know... actually I wouldn't worry too much, not that you are, 'cause I enjoy being supra-normal. That means above normal in case you can't tell."
Then turning back to Chereva he says, "I think we should follow him."
I would like to rest more, but---the heck with it---let's go. And if he tries to kill us, then we can fight, OK? Let's go."
If we ever find another ring like that, I call dibs!!
"So what if we attack the King's advisor and Krandor was lying? You ever think of that?"
Chereva whispers back, "Let's wait for this Vlachos to show his true colors before we bust a move on 'im."
"I think weshud folla him. Heesa moss normal thing wees een roun' heer yet!"
Chereva nods at Blodwydd. "Suits me, Blodwydd. Saddle up, folks. We're going in."
Thinking that this can only be a trap, Krandor falls into step behind everyone else in the group.
Stark whispers to whoever happens to be standing nearby, "I don't trust this Orc any farther than I could throw him, which from the looks of him isn't very far." Nevertheless, he moves on with the group, carrying both staves horizontally.
Felixia flutters around, shaking her head momentarily. She then flutters after the group. The massive temple looks deceptively close. "How far is it?" she asks the Orc.
"I don't trust this Orc any farther than I could throw him, which from the looks of him isn't very far."
"Neither do I," whispers Fuzz back to Stark, "but then again, I don't trust many people as far as you could throw them." He grins. As they are walking, he pulls out his regular scimitar and starts idly twirling it around and tossing it from hand to hand. He stays roughly even with the party but a bit ahead just in case the Orc turns and attacks suddenly.
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