Session
19:
Felix
Down
[JadedDM]: Ruebon 13th, Darkday; 7 bells.
It is early morning as the party congregates at Gaheris' and Jasmin's
home for the meeting. It is raining
so heavily, that even with their thickest cloaks, they become rather drenched on
the way there. Eskar, Meschior and
Aidan arrive and are greeted by Jasmin and her manservant, Stanley, as Gaheris
heads out to try and find some word of Daufer.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin sits upon the floor once Aidan, Meschior, and
Eskar are inside, and simply starts going through her many things as if trying
to decide what to take with her to the temple. "I cannot believe he is
actually going to search for him," Jasmin says in annoyance.
[Eskar]: Eskar coughs, looking about for a chair. He looks rather
miserable and muddy. "I am hating this what you call it? It is never
happening in my home."
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "Rain,"
he says. Removing his coif and
cloak, he takes a seat in the living room and accepts a cup of warm tea from
[Aidan]: Aidan shrugs off his wet cloak and hands it to
[Eskar]: "Always with the rain or the sun." Eskar lets out
a sigh. "I am hating the sky." He stands around rather awkwardly, not
wanting to hurt Jasmin's furniture.
[JadedDM]: They can hear the loud booms of thunder outside, as if
some angry god were throwing a tantrum. The
rain pelts the roof creating a bit of background noise, even when everyone is
silent.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin looks up at the roof as the thunder booms.
"Well, this is a pleasant day to go to a fire temple."
[Eskar]: Eskar looks at Meschior. "Are you knowing the
way?"
[Aidan]: "It does seem like one, doesn't it?"
Aidan says quietly in response to Jasmin.
"Perhaps it's a good sign for us."
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "I
went through Vandoorm's things, and found a map.
I have no idea, however, how accurate it is."
[Jasmin]: "Maybe," she says before turning her attention
to Eskar and Meschior. "You have prayers to protect us from the fire and
heat don't you?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior hesitates.
"Not...exactly."
[Aidan]: Aidan sighs and flops some wet hair out of his face.
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "I
can protect one of us, but only one each day.
I am not far enough along in my devotions to do more than that yet.
Remember, I am still learning."
[Jasmin]: "Well, out of all of us who would be the one that
needs the most protecting then?"
[Aidan]: Aidan stifles a cough.
[Eskar]: Eskar removes something from his backpack. What appears to
be a potion, lavender in color. "I am having a potion here that is
protecting too. It was very expensive. I am not thinking I can bring myself to
drink it." He chortles a little.
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "I
am the only one who can get us inside," he points out.
[Aidan]: "With a potentially inaccurate map."
[Jasmin]: Jasmin glances over to Eskar. "None of us seem
really prepared for this."
[Eskar]: Eskar shrugs. "That is not being my fault. If you are
not wanting to go, the temple will be waiting. It is not going some place."
[Aidan]: "Unless the volcano erupts."
Aidan leans his staff against the nearest wall and takes a seat on the
floor.
[Jasmin]: "I'm not saying I’m not wanting to go. I was just
going to depend on Meschior and Daufer to keep me protected, and one isn't here
and Meschior only has one prayer which he is going to use on himself."
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "The
temple is well over a hundred and fifty years old.
I doubt the volcano would choose now to destroy it."
[Jasmin]: "We still have to deal with the dangers of a volcano
all the same."
[Aidan]: "I thought the priests who abandoned it assumed
otherwise."
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "When
has danger ever been a deterrent for you?" he asks, surprised.
[Jasmin]: "It isn't. I was just pointing it out. Whatever
might be hiding inside that temple doesn't scare me. I'm just not really looking
forward to the heat, I guess."
[JadedDM]: The door bursts open, and Gaheris emerges, soaked to
the bone.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin looks over to the now grumpy Gaheris.
"Well?"
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "No
luck. I can't find him anywhere in
the city. He could be with the orcs
again. But I'm not about to go down
there in this weather."
[Jasmin]: "So what do we do then?"
[Eskar]: Eskar pats at his beard. "I am thinking we could go,
and send someone to be telling Daufer to catch up."
[Jasmin]: "Or we just leave him behind all together."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "We've
done fine without him so far. If he
catches up, that's fine. If not,
it's his loss."
[Eskar]: The duergar nods. "Well then, it is time to be
going."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris scribbles something on some parchment and hands
it to
[Aidan]: Aidan climbs to his feet and grabs hold of his quarterstaff,
motioning for
[JadedDM]:
[Eskar]: Eskar looks impressed. "He is a good servant."
With those words the dwarf takes his cloak and heads out the door.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin takes hold of her cloak, and puts it on once
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "He
better be. I'm paying him a silver
piece a day," he says, clearly feeling he is a generous soul.
[Aidan]: Aidan takes some time to put on his cloak and settle his
backpack under it, then follows the others into the rain at a slow pace.
[JadedDM]: The five step out into the heavy rain, finding the
skies dark and overcast, despite it still being early in the day.
Few people walk the streets, so they have little difficulty making their
way to the west gate.
[Jasmin]: "How long do you think it will take to get
there?" Jasmin asks Meschior as she marches forward through the rain?
[Eskar]: Eskar, having waited by the door for everyone else, brings
up the rear.
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "A
couple of days, at best. We must
cross the valley and up into the mountains."
[Jasmin]: "You know, I don't think we have actually camped out
in the valley before."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "We've
never actually been more than a few hours away from the city," he says as
he nods to the gate guards and they step through the checkpoint.
[Aidan]: "Wonderful. Perhaps
we'll die before we get to the volcano."
[Jasmin]: "Oh, we can handle the valley," Jasmin says to
Aidan cheerfully.
[Aidan]: Aidan stares at Jasmin.
"Thank you. I feel so
much more confident, now."
[Eskar]: Eskar scratches his beard and sighs. "Is this rain
happening much?"
[Jasmin]: "Anytime," she says teasingly.
[JadedDM]: The Kallow Valley is usually a dusty, dry area.
But the rain has made it rather muddy instead.
The wind is harsher here, outside the protection of the city's incomplete
wall, and their cloaks whip about them as they walk.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin walks along at a quicker pace, sighing softly.
"Oh, if this is all the valley is going to do us today, then this is going
to be a boring trip."
[Aidan]: "I would think a volcano would prove exciting enough
for a trip," Aidan grumbles.
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "Were
you not just showing hesitance? Now
you are in a hurry?" he asks, confused.
[Eskar]: Eskar tugs on Aidan's cloak and motions for the man to lean
down so that he can whisper something.
[Aidan]: Aidan scowls at the dwarf for a moment, and then leans down
to listen.
[Jasmin]: "What can I say? I'm bored." Jasmin flashes
Meschior a smile.
[JadedDM]: Meschior looks at her blankly, and then looks to
Gaheris, as if expecting an answer from him.
However, Gaheris just shrugs. "Women,"
he says simply.
[Eskar]: "You know
Loreleii is talking to me about you. I am thinking she is liking you."
[Jasmin]: "Hey, what is that suppose to mean?" Jasmin
asks in a bit of a huff towards Gaheris. "You are all acting like this
stuff is new or something."
[Aidan]: "What?
Why is Loreleii talking to you?"
[Eskar]: "I am talking to
her about ghosts and the temple. She is also at the place of Renos. She is
asking about what you think of her. It is meaning she lakes you, my
friend."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "I
just mean that your mood shifts more than the wind does in this storm."
[Jasmin]: "Just to keep all of you on your toes."
[Aidan]: "Oh.
She is staying at the
[JadedDM]: Gaheris shrugs. "So
this temple is in the
[Aidan]: Aidan looks up from his whispered conversation with Eskar to
scowl at Meschior, and then continues on with his chat.
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "When
the temple was first built, it was not as dangerous."
[Eskar]: "I am not
knowing. I am just letting you know. She was asking me. I think she is being how
you say....? Turned? To worship Renos."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "I
heard a lot of beastmen tribes war in that area.
And there are lots of big monsters, too."
[Jasmin]: Jasmin looks over to Eskar and Aidan. "I hope you
two are having a nice conversation, but pick it up a bit," she says before
looking over to Gaheris and Meschior. "Big monsters? Like what?"
[Aidan]: "Oh.
Well. What was she
saying?"
[JadedDM]: Gaheris shrugs again.
"Giant bugs and lizards, undead, and the beastmen tribes are the
biggest dangers."
[Jasmin]: "Beastmen tribes?"
[Eskar]: Eskar looks extremely uncomfortable and not just because of
the weather. "She is... Asking if you talk about her. I am saying that you are
sometimes."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "Orcs,
Troglodytes, goblins, and aarakocra. The
place is completely wild, no civilizations around; so the beastmen fight over
the mountains for territory."
[Aidan]: "What do you mean
I am sometimes? What did you
say?"
[Jasmin]: "Aarakocra? What are those?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "I
have heard of them. Bird-like men
that can fly."
[Eskar]: "I am saying you
are talking about her but that we are too busy fighting mostly to talk."
[Aidan]: "Oh.
That's okay, then. What else
was she talking about?"
[Jasmin]: "Hmm," Jasmin shrugs. "Well, that doesn't
seem all that bad really. I mean we have come across goblins and orcs
before."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "In
small numbers, though. I wouldn't
want to accidentally step into a battlefield between two or more of those
races."
[Eskar]: "I am not knowing, just what I ask her about the
temple. I am just letting you know."
[Jasmin]: "Well, no. Getting involved in their little war
wouldn't be all that fun."
[Aidan]: "Right,
then." Aidan looks slightly
annoyed, and quickens his pace to listen in on the others' conversation.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "Well,
just as well. Daufer would probably
want to convert them all."
[Eskar]: Eskar trudges along, sullenly and silently, at the back.
[Jasmin]: "Wouldn't surprise me," Jasmin says as she
looks over to Aidan and Eskar. "You two okay?" she asks curiously.
[Aidan]: "We were calculating our chances of survival,"
Aidan says.
[Jasmin]: "From the looks on your faces, the chances don't
seem very good."
[Aidan]: "They wouldn't be, no, considering our
destination."
[Eskar]: The duergar lets Aidan do the talking, looking wholly
miserable with his surroundings.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin looks between everyone. "Well, you know if
you didn't want to go you could have just said something."
[Aidan]: "Unfortunately, the bulk of the decision was made while
I was passed out after being bitten to unconsciousness by gremlins.
Yet here I am, loyally trudging along.
What a wonder I am."
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "Too
bad your cards did not forewarn you of this."
[Aidan]: "Too bad your god couldn't help you learn your
blessings faster."
[Eskar]: Eskar looks startled and points at something in the
distance, to the party's right. "Stop being the loud. What is that?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "Renos...,"
he begins in what no doubt would have been a long-winded lecture, but is
interrupted by Eskar. "What?"
He looks around.
[Aidan]: Aidan looks in the direction Eskar points.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin looks amused at first, but she turns her attention
to whatever Eskar is pointing out.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris pauses, putting a hand on his sword's hilt.
"Where? I see nothing
but rain and mud."
[Jasmin]: Jasmin shifts on her feet, drawing her swords.
[Eskar]: Eskar peers out in the direction he pointed. "I was
swearing I was seeing something. Something moving. I hate this rain."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "Better
check it out. You and Jasmin take
point," he says to the dwarf.
[Eskar]: Eskar draws his blade and starts heading in that direction.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin walks ahead along with Eskar, keeping her eyes
open for anything.
[JadedDM]: They walk cautiously forward, the rain hindering their
vision considerably. But soon,
something comes into view (particularly after a nearby bolt of lightning
illuminates it). It appears to be a
horse-drawn wagon. However, the
horses are missing.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin raises an eyebrow. "An abandoned wagon?"
[Eskar]: Eskar looks at Jasmin, then back to the wagon, checking to
see any signs of age.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "Could
have been ambushed by the orcs or the wadi goblins."
[JadedDM]: As Eskar rounds the wagon, he finds its previous
occupants--or what's left of them. A
pack of wolves are making a meal of them, and several of them immediately look
up at him when he approaches.
[Eskar]: Eskar slowly backs away. He says very calmly. "Uh,
there are things here."
[Jasmin]: "What things?"
[Eskar]: "They are to be eating the wagon people."
[JadedDM]: One of the wolves, the biggest one with reddish-brown
fur, begins to growl menacingly at the dwarf.
This gets the attention of the other seven wolves, which turn their
attention to Eskar.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin curiously moves to where Eskar is.
[Aidan]: Aidan follows after Jasmin, keeping a firm grip on his
staff.
[Eskar]: Eskar brandishes his sword at the big wolf. "I am not
being your food."
[JadedDM]: Jasmin rounds the wagon to find eight wolves advancing
slowly on Eskar. They are beginning
to flank out, as if trying to surround him.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin looks over the wolves, then to Eskar. "You
might want to get away from them, Eskar."
[Eskar]: Eskar backs away more rapidly, knowing nothing about the
instincts of wolves.
[JadedDM]: The alpha male charges at Eskar, and the other seven
join him in attacking Aidan, Eskar, and Jasmin.
[JadedDM]:
(Actions for Round 1? Remember, all
take a -1 penalty to melee due to the rain.)
[Aidan]: Aidan yelps, then raises a hand with a golden ring around a
finger and focuses on the wolves nearest him.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin attacks the wolves that have decided to attack.
[Jasmin]: [1d10] -> [3] = (3)
[Eskar]: Eskar tries to attack the wolves attacking him while
simultaneously moving in front to guard Aidan.
[Eskar]: [1d10] -> [7] = (7)
[Aidan]: [1d10] => [6] = (6)
[JadedDM]:
Jasmin's turn.
[Jasmin]: [1d20-1] -> [4,-1] = (3)
[Jasmin]: [1d20-1] -> [10,-1] = (9)
[Jasmin]: [1d6+3] -> [1,3] = (4)
[Jasmin]: Jasmin moves in on one of the wolves, bringing Radiant
Star down upon the animal, but it is able to quickly dodge, but Jasmin
brings Scalebiter around and stabs the green blade into the animal's side.
The wolf whimpers in pain.
[JadedDM]:
Wolves' turn.
[JadedDM]: Three of them attack Eskar, including the alpha male.
Three more go for Jasmin. The
last two slip past their defenses and head for Aidan.
[JadedDM]: Eskar is able to keep the leader at bay with his blade.
The other two go for his front flanks, but he's able to stop one with his
shield. The third bites him in the
leg, though.
[JadedDM]: Jasmin dances aside, avoiding one's lurch completely,
and then leaps upward to avoid the second. Once
she lands, however, the third one nips her in the ankle.
[JadedDM]: Aidan sidesteps one, but the other one grabs his left
arm with its teeth.
[JadedDM]:
Aidan's turn.
[Aidan]: Aidan yells as the wolf takes hold of his arm, but he grits
his teeth and continues concentrating on his gold ring.
[JadedDM]: Perhaps due to the intelligent glint in their eyes, or
some other force, the wolves are able to resist the call of the ring and
continue attacking.
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: [1d20-1] -> [8,-1] = (7)
[Eskar]: Eskar tries to find an opening in the movement of the
wolves, but the pounding rain causes him to miss his only shot.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris and Meschior, worried about the others'
absence, join up with them and ready their weapons.
[JadedDM]:
(Actions for Round 2?)
[Jasmin]: Jasmin attacks the wolves around her.
[Jasmin]: [1d10] -> [4] = (4)
[Eskar]: Eskar continues to press his luck against the Alpha Wolf.
[Aidan]: Aidan tries to cast a spell.
[Aidan]: [1d10] => [9] = (9)
[Eskar]: [1d10] -> [2] = (2)
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: [1d20-1] -> [19,-1] = (18)
[Eskar]: [2d4+2] -> [4,1,2] = (7)
[Eskar]: Eskar's sword slash's the Alpha Wolf's flank, in repayment
for the wound which was inflicted by its cohorts.
[JadedDM]:
Jasmin's turn.
[Jasmin]: [1d20-1] -> [1,-1] = (0)
[Jasmin]: [1d20-1] -> [13,-1] = (12)
[Jasmin]: [1d6+3] -> [5,3] = (8)
[Jasmin]: Jasmin ducks down as one of the wolves leaps at her. She
brings Radiant Star up to stab into
the animal's belly, but the rain causes her to lose the sword. So she quickly
stands up, and manages to stab Scalebiter
into the animal's hide. The wolf yelps loudly before falling over dead on its
side.
[JadedDM]:
Aidan's turn.
[Aidan]: Aidan contorts his free hand as he grunts an incantation,
and then thrusts the hand at the nearest wolf.
[Aidan]: [1d4+1] => [3,1] = (4)
[Aidan]: [1d4+1] => [3,1] = (4)
[Aidan]: [1d4+1] => [3,1] = (4)
[Aidan]: Two bolts erupt from Aidan's outstretched hand and hit the
wolf with his other arm with enough force to make it howl, while another bolt
curves around to strike the wolf Aidan had sidestepped just a moment before.
[JadedDM]:
Meschior's turn.
[JadedDM]: Meschior draws his blade and wades into battle, joining
Eskar. He swipes at one on his right
flank, giving it a nasty cut across the ear.
[JadedDM]:
Wolves' turn.
[JadedDM]: The one Meschior attacks disengages from Eskar and
turns to him, biting him. The other
two continue at the dwarf. The alpha
is barred by Eskar's shield, but the second one bites his sword arm.
[JadedDM]: Jasmin dances around one of her two, but the second one
leaps at her, biting her now empty hand.
[JadedDM]: The last two continue their assault on Aidan, one
missing and the other biting his shin.
[JadedDM]:
Gaheris' turn.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris fires at the wolf that just bit Aidan, catching
it in the back. The wolf yelps and
releases the mage in surprise.
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: [1d20-1] -> [2,-1] = (1)
[Eskar]: Eskar's continued attempts are barred by the diligence of
the wolves, they keep dodging and weaving in coordination and make the duergar's
life very hard.
[JadedDM]:
Jasmin's turn.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin uses this time to tumble to the ground to avoid
another bite from a wolf, and picks up Radiant
Star in the process.
[JadedDM]:
Gaheris' turn.
[JadedDM]: Despite the heavy rain, Gaheris' aim is true as he now
shoots the second wolf attacking Aidan. This
causes the two to scatter a bit, giving the mage a little more room.
[JadedDM]:
(Actions for Round 3?)
[Jasmin]: Now she has both swords again, Jasmin attacks one of the
wolves.
[Jasmin]: [1d10] -> [9] = (9)
[Eskar]: Eskar, with dwarven patience, continues to attack the Alpha
Male.
[Aidan]: Aidan takes a few steps away from the wolves and readies his
quarterstaff.
[Eskar]: [1d10] -> [7] = (7)
[Aidan]: [1d10] => [4] = (4)
[JadedDM]:
Wolves' turn.
[JadedDM]: Eskar is successful in blocking the two wolves'
attempts to attack him, using both his shield and sword to keep them at bay.
Jasmin, when she bends down to pick up her sword, is attacked by both
wolves at once, as they pounce her and bite.
Meschior is sufficiently protected by his armor and shield.
Both wolves fighting Aidan pounce him at once, too, going for the neck.
[Aidan]: Aidan cries out, and then crumples beneath the wolves.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin cries out as the wolves overwhelm her.
[JadedDM]:
Meschior's turn.
[JadedDM]: He swings at the wolf, but is distracted at the shouts
coming from around him.
[JadedDM]:
Jasmin's turn.
[Jasmin]: [1d20-1] -> [5,-1] = (4)
[Jasmin]: [1d20-1] -> [14,-1] = (13)
[Jasmin]: [1d6+3] -> [6,3] = (9)
[Jasmin]: Now that is Jasmin is on the ground, she brings both of
her swords up to stab into one of the wolves over her. Radiant Star misses its mark, but Scalebiter finds a home in the chest of a wolf. A yelp can be heard
as it crumbles to the ground.
[JadedDM]:
Gaheris' turn.
[JadedDM]: He fires again, but the rain throws off his aim
considerably. Instead, he hits the
wagon.
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: [1d20-1] -> [5,-1] = (4)
[Eskar]: Eskar's sword simply cannot find an opening, due to the
creatures' movements being completely alien to him.
[JadedDM]:
Gaheris' turn.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris fires again, but his arrow is lost in the mud.
"Aidan's down!" he shouts to the others, barely audible over
the storming rain.
[JadedDM]:
(Actions for Round 4?)
[Jasmin]: Jasmin attacks her final wolf.
[Jasmin]: [1d10] -> [7] = (7)
[Eskar]: Eskar abandons his attempts for the Alpha male and goes to
attack one of the wolves by Aidan.
[Eskar]: [1d10] -> [4] = (4)
[JadedDM]:
Meschior's turn.
[JadedDM]: Meschior continues battling with his wolf, unable to
get away for now.
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: [1d20-1] -> [1,-1] = (0)
[Eskar]: The rain finally loosens the dwarf's grip on his sword and
it falls away.
[JadedDM]:
Jasmin's turn.
[Jasmin]: [1d20-1] -> [12,-1] = (11)
[Jasmin]: [1d20-1] -> [3,-1] = (2)
[Jasmin]: [1d6+3] -> [2,3] = (5)
[Jasmin]: Jasmin rolls away from the wolf that she is near and
stabs Radiant Star into the animal's
neck. She brings Scalebiter up to
finish the job, but the wolf is able to dodge the attack as it advances on
Jasmin.
[JadedDM]:
Wolves' turn.
[JadedDM]: Eskar's wolves attack once he goes down, but due to
incredible luck, he's able to squirm away from them.
Jasmin gracefully dances around her wolf.
Meschior's wolf pounces him, taking him down to the ground.
The last two charge at Gaheris, one of them biting his ankle before he
can drop his bow and draw his sword.
[JadedDM]:
Gaheris' turn.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris stabs with his blade, but the wolves are too
quick for him.
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: [1d20-1] -> [4,-1] = (3)
[Eskar]: Eskar abandons his sword and leaps to knock the wolf off of
Meschior. Unfortunately, he falls onto his face as is want to happen.
[JadedDM]:
Jasmin's turn.
[Jasmin]: [1d20-1] -> [16,-1] = (15)
[Jasmin]: [1d6+3] -> [1,3] = (4)
[Jasmin]: In annoyance, Jasmin brings Radiant Star down upon the wolf near her, causing it to whimper in
pain, yet it still is able to growl afterwards and advance.
[JadedDM]:
(Actions for Round 5?)
[Eskar]: Eskar goes for his sword.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin tries to finish off the wolf attacking her.
[Jasmin]: [1d10] -> [4] = (4)
[Eskar]: [1d10] -> [8] = (8)
[JadedDM]:
Jasmin's turn.
[Jasmin]: [1d20-1] -> [9,-1] = (8)
[Jasmin]: [1d20-1] -> [5,-1] = (4)
[Jasmin]: [1d6+3] -> [6,3] = (9)
[Jasmin]: Jasmin twirls around and once again brings Radiant
Star down upon the animal. It yelps in a great deal of pain. The wolf
staggers for a moment, but it manages to stay alive.
[JadedDM]:
Wolves' turn.
[JadedDM]: As Eskar gropes around in the mud for his blade, one of
the wolves gets him in the shoulder. Amazingly,
the one Jasmin has severely wounded does not flee, but continues fighting.
It, however, slips in the mud when it leaps at her.
Gaheris' nearly overwhelm him, but Meschior is able to get free from his
and he begins to pray.
[JadedDM]:
Meschior's turn.
[JadedDM]: Meschior completes his prayer, and a beam of sunlight
somehow breaks through the black storm clouds and burns the alpha male, damaging
it considerably. "The alpha
male!" Meschior shouts. "Take
him down first!"
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: Eskar is successful at least one action: retrieving his
blade from the mud.
[JadedDM]:
Gaheris' turn.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris thrusts his blade at his attackers, just barely
keeping them off of him. He is
having far less luck than the others.
[JadedDM]:
(Actions for Round 6?)
[Jasmin]: Jasmin moves to finish off her wolf, as she can't exactly
get away to help anyone else at the moment.
[Jasmin]: [1d10] -> [3] = (3)
[Eskar]: Eskar turns his blade to something productive, namely
killing the alpha male.
[Eskar]: [1d10] -> [3] = (3)
[JadedDM]:
Jasmin's turn.
[Jasmin]: [1d20-1] -> [9,-1] = (8)
[Jasmin]: [1d20-1] -> [9,-1] = (8)
[Jasmin]: [1d6+3] -> [2,3] = (5)
[Jasmin]: [1d6+3] -> [1,3] = (4)
[Jasmin]: Jasmin quickly ends the wolf at her side's life with Radiant
Star, and then quickly lashes out with Scalebiter
to stab into the wolf attacking Meschior.
[JadedDM]:
Wolves' turn.
[JadedDM]: Eskar is able to protect himself with his shield and
heavy armor. Meschior's bites his
left foot, attempting to tear off his boot.
Gaheris doesn't fair much better.
[JadedDM]:
Meschior's turn.
[JadedDM]: Meschior finishes off the wolf attacking him with a
quick thrust of his blade.
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: [1d20-1] -> [8,-1] = (7)
[Eskar]: Eskar misses in some unimaginative maneuver of his meant
for a target which is cold-blooded.
[JadedDM]:
Gaheris' turn.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris slips in the muck, going down.
The wolves are upon him immediately.
[JadedDM]:
Jasmin's turn.
[Jasmin]: [1d20-1] -> [5,-1] = (4)
[Jasmin]: Jasmin runs forward to attack the alpha male, yet the
rain provides the wolf protection from her attack this time around.
[JadedDM]:
Eskar's turn.
[Eskar]: [1d20-1] -> [16,-1] = (15)
[Eskar]: [2d4+2] -> [4,4,2] = (10)
[Eskar]: Eskar, at this point fed up with the wolves, decides to
abandon all strategy and stab wildly at the alpha wolf. All of its intelligence
and skill are unable to protect it from a random sword thrust, and it goes down,
flanked pouring blood.
[JadedDM]: Their leader down and more than half of their numbers
dead, the remaining wounded decide to high-tail it out of there.
[Jasmin]: Upon seeing the wolves fleeing, Jasmin moves to Gaheris'
side. "Eskar, take care of Aidan," she says as she kneels down next to
the fallen thief. "Gaheris, you all right?" she asks, sounding all
concerned.
[Eskar]: Eskar, face livid, slowly turns to Jasmin. "What were
those?" He looks bewildered and then looks to Aidan, kneeling and using his
cape to staunch the blood.
[JadedDM]: They are all thoroughly drenched and covered in muck,
and no doubt freezing, as well. Aidan
lies in the mud, bleeding from his neck wound.
He still has a pulse, just barely, but his bleeding is bad.
Gaheris sits up, covered in bites and scratches, but seems more or less
in one piece.
[JadedDM]: Eskar stops the bleeding, although Aidan remains
unconscious. Gaheris gets to his
feet with Jasmin's help. "How
is everyone?" he asks her over the roaring thunder.
[Eskar]: Eskar attempts to lift Aidan and transfer him into the
wagon.
[Jasmin]: "Aidan is still down. I think we are all hurt in
some way or another," Jasmin says to Gaheris before glancing to Eskar to
answer him. "They were wolves."
[JadedDM]: Inside of the covered wagon, it is relatively dry
although still cool. The wagon
appears to have been emptied of all contents, so there is enough room for all of
them, although it would be slightly cramped.
[Eskar]: Eskar lies down on his back next to Aidan. "Well I am
hating wolves.
[Jasmin]: "Well, they certainly didn't like you either,"
Jasmin says as she climbs into the wagon.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris ushers them inside.
"At least it's dry." He
finds a corner and crouches in it. "The
rain should keep the goblins away, hopefully.
It's not safe, but it's safer than out there."
[Jasmin]: "One of us should keep watch just in case."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "The
dwarf can go first." He removes
his cloak and looks down at his mucked up clothes in disgust.
[Eskar]: "This is not going to be happening without a good
priest with healing magic. Or a potion. This is being no way to go into a more
danger place." Eskar's face is turned down and severely unhappy.
[Jasmin]: "Hopefully, Daufer gets the note Gaheris left, and
he shows up." Jasmin scoots herself closer to Meschior, and ends up laying
her head down in his lap after she removes her cloak.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "We
may as well wait out the storm. We
can decide what to do next then."
[Jasmin]: "What to do next?" Jasmin curls up a bit to get
warm.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "Whether
we should return home or keep going," he explains.
[Jasmin]: "I have a feeling everyone but me is going to want
to return home," Jasmin says, sounding somewhat gloomy about that fact.
[Eskar]: "I am thinking we should be going home. This is
nothing to be doing with wounds." He tries to rake the mud out of his
beard.
[JadedDM]: Meschior is largely quiet, and seems to be lost in his
own thoughts.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "A
bit of bad luck. We can always try
again, when the weather is better. The
temple isn't going anywhere, after all."
[Jasmin]: Jasmin looks up to Meschior. "What's on your
mind?" she asks softly.
[JadedDM]: Meschior looks down to her.
"I was just wondering...why Renos would send wolves to attacks us
when we were attempting to reach his temple.
Perhaps he does not want us there."
[Jasmin]: "I don't think Renos sent wolves to attack us. I
think perhaps we just disturbed their meal. It probably could have been
avoided."
[Eskar]: Eskar looks at the handle of his sword, thinking.
"That is right! Those are of Renos. Meschior is being right. It was a test
of faith. I was not even knowing
what they were... Some follower of Renos I am being." He snorts loudly.
"I have them on my shield and sword, and they have taken one of their own.
This is not good."
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "Perhaps
Renos feels I am not ready...not worthy, to set foot in Vassus," he says,
his confidence clearly shaken.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin reaches up to gently brush her fingers against
Meschior's cheek. "You are worthy to set foot in Vassus. Out of all of us,
you are probably the most worthy."
[Eskar]: Eskar places his shield on his chest and closes his eyes,
muttering under his breath.
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "Am
I? Even if the weather clears up, we
cannot simply drag Aidan along with us. He
needs medical attention. Or at least
a decent bed to recover in. What if
Renos made this happen, to force us to turn back?"
[Jasmin]: "Then we turn back, and try again another day."
Jasmin says gently. "Gaheris is right, that temple is not going anywhere.
Perhaps he was simply warning us that we aren't prepared enough."
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "Perhaps,"
he says, sounding disappointed.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin smiles softly at the priest. "I want to go
just as much as you, Meschior," she says.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "Let's
try and get some sleep. The dwarf
takes first watch, and then Jasmin, and then me.
Gods willing, the weather will be clear tomorrow."
[Eskar]: Eskar finishes his prayer and sits up. "So be
it."
[JadedDM]: Unfortunately, Gaheris is no soothsayer in the
slightest. The party awakens the
next morning on Ruebon 14th, Lightday, to find the weather even worse.
The heavy rain has grown into a full-blown thunderstorm, with howling
winds that cause the wagon to creak with protest.
[JadedDM]:
(This means -3 melee, -4 missile.)
[Jasmin]: Jasmin awakes upon hearing the creaking of the wagon. She
stares at the ceiling of the wagon with a gloomy look on her face, and she
remains oddly quiet.
[Eskar]: Eskar stands in the wagon easily, due to his height,
stretching and getting dried mud out of his beard. "I am thinking we are
camping here for today too."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris stands near the opening of the wagon, watching
the storm with mild interest. "Damn
it all to hell."
[Jasmin]: "I should have known this was going to happen,"
Jasmin says as she turns on her side.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris looks back in.
"How's the mage doing? Any
better?"
[Jasmin]: Jasmin crawls over to Aidan to check on him.
"He isn't doing any better."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris swears. "All
right...suggestions?" he asks over the storm.
"I'm worried this wagon won't be able to take much more
punishment."
[Jasmin]: "Well, I'm not going to be of any help," Jasmin
mutters.
[Eskar]: Eskar scratches at his beard. "Itchy. I am thinking we
stay here for the day. If the wagon is breaking we can move to try to find
something better."
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "Jasmin,
are you all right?"
[Jasmin]: Jasmin moves to sit in a corner, and crosses her arms.
"If I had only tried to protect Aidan instead of doing my own thing, none
of this would have happened."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "It's
not your fault, Jasmin. It's
his," he says, pointing to the dwarf casually.
[Jasmin]: "It is too my fault! Aidan followed me, not
Eskar."
[Eskar]: Eskar snorts, and looks at Gaheris surprised. He bares his
teeth in a grin. "I would like you to be saying that again." He looks
Meschior up and down. "I would very much like you to explain that
one."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "You
were the one that insisted you 'saw' something out in the rain.
If I had listened to my better judgment and ignored
you, we never would have seen those wolves."
[Eskar]: Eskar just laughs and continues scratching his beard.
[Jasmin]: "And now I start a fight," Jasmin shakes her
head, and leans her head against the wall. "I should have never come. I'm
useless anyways."
[JadedDM]: Meschior stares at Jasmin, flummoxed.
[Eskar]: Eskar looks at Jasmin in a strange way. "Are you
feeling alright?"
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "Look,
it's not a big deal. But...probably
best not to tell anyone about this when we return.
We have our reputation to think about...and imagine if the Tainted Hands
heard..." He pales at the
thought.
[Eskar]: "Yes, you would look bad for someone who is doing no
work but to complain. They might be finding that out."
[Jasmin]: Jasmin pales at the mention of the Tainted Hands.
"Ohh, I've all ready messed up again."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris looks at Eskar, dumbfounded.
"Yeah, they won't find out from you.
Since nobody can understand a damn word you say anyway.
Who taught you Renosian, a brain-dead half-goblin?"
[Jasmin]: "They found out from me. They knew we were going to
the temple." Jasmin winces as she says this, and hugs her knees to her
chest.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris immediately shoots Jasmin an outraged glare.
"WHAT?!"
[Eskar]: Eskar grins at Gaheris. "No one else is having a
problem. Maybe you are slow. Why are you leading this group anyway? You are
using orders, but don't do anything..." Eskar looks at Jasmin, clearly
disappointed. He blanks his face after a moment. "It is being
alright."
[Jasmin]: "I didn't mean to!" Jasmin cries out.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris has apparently forgotten all about the dwarf
and thus makes no comeback. He is
focused on Jasmin. "Why?
Why would you tell them that? Now
what happens when we returned, carrying our wounded and drenched to the
bone...and we didn't even make it to the actual bloody mountains?!"
[Eskar]: The dwarf shrugs. "It is not being a problem. No one
is caring what they think about this one." He points at Gaheris. "He
is useless anyway." The dwarf lays a filthy hand on Jasmin's shoulder.
[Jasmin]: "I didn't have any plans on telling them anything
about the temple!" Jasmin stares up at Gaheris with wide eyes. "I
just...it just came out." Jasmin's eyes fill with tears, despite the
comfort from the dwarf.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "What
else have you blurted out to the enemy? What
other secrets have you given them?"
[Jasmin]: "Nothing! Anything else they know is just about me.
I swear." Jasmin sniffles a bit, and turns her head away from them all.
[Eskar]: Eskar steps between Jasmin and Gaheris, even in the crowded
wagon. He says nothing, but stares at Gaheris, arms crossed.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris stares forward, seemingly right through the
dwarf, like he was invisible. His
eyes cold, he makes some kind of snorting sound and slowly sits back down, as if
dazed.
[JadedDM]: Meschior, wisely, stays out of it.
[Jasmin]: "He said that you didn't deserve me," Jasmin
says softly, quickly wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris snaps out of his reverie and stares at Jasmin.
"So? The dwarf says a
lot of stupid things."
[Jasmin]: "Not Eskar."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris stares at Jasmin with a cautious expression,
like he expected her to leap up and start attacking him.
[Eskar]: "She is meaning the Tainted Hands. They are wanting
her to join them." He stares at the man. "And I am thinking that she
should if you are being so rude. You
are knowing we are nothing without her? Then, Kricket is rude too. She should be
starting her own group."
[Jasmin]: Jasmin looks up to Eskar in a bit of surprise.
"I...I couldn't start my own group."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris blinks, and then looks to Jasmin to Eskar to
Jasmin again, as if Eskar just blurted out some horrible secret.
[Eskar]: Eskar turns sideways to look at her. Eskar grins and shoots
Gaheris a look. "I have been thinking. Yes you could. You are to be being
better than anyone else. Gaheris is not to be any use but to yell and take
money. Maybe if he were being nice... But you are the real talent."
[Jasmin]: "I don't know anything about leading people."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "Hey
now...if it weren't for me, there would be no group.
Jasmin would still be dancing for tips at the Mirthful Miner."
[Eskar]: The duergar shrugs. "I would be following you. You
could find people to be helping too." He points at the mage. "He is
being smart enough." Eskar, falters, looking from Gaheris to Jasmin.
[JadedDM]: Meschior, again, wisely stays out of it.
But it's clear he's listening closely.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin rests her chin on her knees as if she knew that
little statement was true. "I probably would be still dancing at the
Mirthful Miner. It was all I was really good at."
[Eskar]: "But now that you are being a good warrior and knowing
it, you have no reason not to. Gaheris is being ungrateful. You have been being
much thankful and have shared your work reward with him a lot. If he is
continuing to be like this, you are owing him nothing." The duergar looks
right at Gaheris as he says this.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "It
takes more than just being good with a sword to lead.
Jasmin is too young, too inexperienced, and too impatient."
[Eskar]: "Were you being any different when you tried? You are
having your own problems. She can learn, I believe."
[Jasmin]: Jasmin looks between the two. "Doesn't matter. Even
if I did start my own group, or join the Tainted Hands. I would be your rivals,
and Gaheris has all ready made it clear what he would do."
[Eskar]: Eskar laughs. "And what rivals would be being there?
We are the strongest, except the Hands. The only change being you are the leader
and he is not being here."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris stares at Jasmin, as if attempting to squash
the very idea from her with pure will power alone.
[Jasmin]: "I can't lead, Eskar," Jasmin states firmly.
"I'm only good at one thing, and that is killing things with my swords. I
don't know anything else about...anything. That is why I'm mostly ignored by
everyone here except when there is danger."
[Eskar]: "And yet I am being here saying I would go with you to
the Abyss, because you could be killing Kulak Himself. But if you are too afraid
to be leading..." The duergar keeps his face blank.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris and Meschior both visibly flinch as Eskar
mutters the Soul Harvester's true name.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin winces upon hearing the name. "I'm not
afraid. I just know I can't."
[Eskar]: "I am finding that hard to believe for someone who is
not fearing anything. You can be trying. Or be getting someone to help."
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "That's
enough! You heard her.
So stop badgering her. And
another word of rebellion from you, and I'll throw you off the team!" he
threatens.
[Eskar]: "You are going to let him keep using you? Search your
feelings, you are knowing you can lead." The duergar continues to urge.
[Jasmin]: "Isn't that what all of you are doing? Using me so
you can get ahead of the Tainted Hands?" Jasmin asks. "Isn't that all
I'm good for in the first place?"
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "That's
enough. Dwarf, drop the subject, or
you can walk home through the storm on your own.
Now let's all just try and get some rest and make the best of this
situation," he snarls.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin sighs in a bit of frustration. "Doesn't care
and doesn't believe," she mutters to herself as she tries to get more
comfortable.
[Eskar]: Eskar looks from Gaheris to Jasmin. "That is it then?
Well if you are not wanting to." The duergar moves to a space that's free
and takes a seat.
[JadedDM]: Time passes, and fortunately nothing or nobody else
comes by, perhaps kept at bay by the intense storm.
Night comes and passes, and when the morning of Ruebon 15th, Rockday,
arrives, it is still raining heavily. Although
the winds and thunder have died down a bit.
[JadedDM]:
(Back where we started with -1 melee, -2 missile.
Everyone regains 3 HP.)
[Jasmin]: With the new day, Jasmin doesn't seem to have changed in
her mood much, if at all. She, for the most part stares at the wall of the wagon
with her arms crossed in silence.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris looks as if he has barely slept the past two
days, his hair mussed up and his eyes bloodshot.
[JadedDM]: Meschior appears calm, despite having been cooped up
with the others for so long. "The
weather seems against us this week," he says casually as he eats some
rations.
[Eskar]: Eskar stares outside the wagon, watching the rain. The
cramped quarters and bad conditions don't seem to be effecting him at all. He is
far from his relatively good-natured self.
[Jasmin]: "Everything seems to be against us."
[Aidan]: Aidan coughs a little and opens his eyes, a hand moving as
quickly as able to his neck.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin looks over to Aidan. "He's awake."
[Eskar]: Eskar turns his attention to Aidan. He leans over the man
and moves the mage's hand from his neck. "Don't be touching that."
[Jasmin]: "Can we go home now?" Jasmin asks.
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "I
thought...you didn't want to return home?" he asks, further baffled by her
behavior.
[Jasmin]: "We would just die there anyway. I just rather go
home, now."
[Aidan]: Aidan turns his head towards the dwarf and furrows his brow
as his hand is moved. "What
happened?" he rasps.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris remains in the corner, keeping to himself.
[Eskar]: Eskar says nothing, obviously not wanting to touch that
subject again. He looks at Aidan. "You were attacked by wolves. We are
killing them."
[Jasmin]: "At least at home I can be around people that
actually care," Jasmin says as she curls up in her own little corner with
her back turned to everyone.
[Aidan]: "Well that's good.
Where the hell are we?"
[Eskar]: Eskar growls and turns to face Jasmin. "You are
insulting me to my face. It is obvious I am caring and you are acting like the
world is being out to kill you. Please, stop being so sorry."
[Jasmin]: "Oh, you are doing it because you don't like
Gaheris!"
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "We
are in the wagon. We have been here
for two days," he explains over Jasmin's shouting.
"Can you walk?"
[Eskar]: "Maybe... At least I am knowing when I am acting wrong
then. I am being sorry." Eskar's face falls and he turns away.
[Aidan]: "Maybe. Where's
my staff? Why is everyone
shouting?" Aidan starts to try
to slowly push himself off the ground. "We've
been here for two days?" he says incredulously.
[JadedDM]: Meschior indicates some of their things in the corner
of the wagon, including Aidan's staff.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin sits up, puts on her cloak, and grabs her things
before she slowly starts to climb out of the wagon without a word.
[Aidan]: Aidan looks at the corner and begins making his way over
there, but stops to stare as Jasmin leaves.
"What did I miss?"
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "An
attempted and failed
insurrection," he says, glaring daggers at the dwarf as he grabs his
things.
[Eskar]: Eskar says nothing, but follows Jasmin.
[Jasmin]: Jasmin walks towards the road with her head down. Her
mood just seems to match the skies above.
[Aidan]: Aidan reaches his staff and cautiously hobbles around the
wagon with it. "And how does
that make all of you so testy?"
[JadedDM]: Meschior: "I
think staying cooped up for so long has tried everyone's patience," he says
as he steps out after him.
[Aidan]: Aidan looks to Gaheris.
"And what are we doing now?"
[JadedDM]: Gaheris: "Going
home."
[Aidan]: "Oh." Aidan
looks confused. "Okay."
[Eskar]: Eskar moves over to Aidan, making sure the man has enough
support. "Too hurt, I am thinking, in many ways of not flesh."
[Jasmin]: Jasmin sniffles a bit as she walks. She pulls her cloak
tighter around herself, and simply keeps moving without even thinking of looking
over her shoulder to see if the others are following.
[JadedDM]: The five march through the muck and mud, ignoring the
rain and wind, as they head east, back to the city of
[Jasmin]: Jasmin doesn't even look up towards the check point, and
just continues on walking.
[JadedDM]: Gaheris does not even issue any orders.
He just heads straight to his house.
Meschior looks to Eskar. "Can
you help Aidan get home? I best
return to the temple."
[Eskar]: Eskar nods, and proceeds to do just that.
[JadedDM]:
(Okay, we'll end it here.)
