A Tunnels and Trolls® play-by-post adventure run by khara_khang
Following Ralathor outside, you pass the guards who study you with an unusual fascination. Once outside, you see that it will be daylight very soon. You also see that the Lizardman camp is much larger than you previously believed. You now figure at least 6,000 Lizardmen and other creatures are involved in the siege of Tally. You follow Ralathor into another tent, which has a map of Tally and a large scale model of the walled city of Tally, showing the siege as it is moving along. The tent is filled with Lizardman officers, most likely Ralathor's generals, you believe.
No one interrupts you or accosts you as you circle the room looking at the maps and scale models.
Speaking in Lizardman tongue, one Lizardman says something to Ralathor. Pausing, Ralathor answers him in common tongue. "We do not kill women and children.... ever! Release them immediately out of harm's way. Any suggestions, Jack?" asks Ralathor, pointing towards the scale model of Tally, showing it encircled and under siege.
The ever sweet-looking Cambrea returns to the room and gives Taran a slight smile. "I'm ready."
"Normally this is where I would give a speech, but I don't see the point.... just go," says the Baron, troubled by his own thoughts.
Each of you place one of the plain beaded necklaces given to you by Baron Volroth around your neck. A second later the three of you reappear as Lizardmen/woman in Ralathor's camp near four large tents. A Lizardman guard standing nearby is startled as he turns to see you standing there. "Jezz, you scared the srell out of me! The command tent guards need replacing. Go replace them," he orders, pointing his trident towards the entrance of a tent 20 feet away where 3 tired looking Lizardmen stand. "Real nice tail, babe," he comments, slapping Domina on the butt. What do you do next?
"I best hide the Dax out of sight and scout the building. I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere without me," says Martek, leading the Dax deeper into the alley and leaving you three alone.
Jabbing his hand into Jax's pocket (where he hid the loot, unknown to Jax), the sticky fingered Hobbit pulls out a map, 6 platinum dragon coins, a lucky buckeye, and a piece of chewed gum. "Here hold this, GrappleJax," putting the buckeye and a piece of chewed gum in Jax's meaty palm. Unfolding the map, I give it to 'Suma and quickly put the platinum coins in my Hobbit hole pouch hidden in my smallish groin area.
"Don't have any idea what the map is, but I've seen it before in some building here in town. I don't remember exactly where, though! You guys don't want a cut of the 6 platinum do you? Either way, don't tell Jack the Bartender I have any money... ok?"
What do you do next?
"Suggestions? About the prisoners or the siege? If it's the prisoners (thinking of his captured friends), I suggest you let them go with a pat on their asses and bid them farewell. A decent PR move I figure. As for the siege... well... give 'em hell, I say. Try the old anthrax-ridden horse on the catapult trick if you're going for style points although that might get to the innocent women and children (wink, wink).... I'm sure you can handle the military affairs better than me."
In spite of Ralathor's charming front, Jack does indeed smell the proverbial (and even the literal) rat.
"If you'll excuse me a moment, shaman, I've got to go drain the pelvis," he says and steps out to go snoop around back at the Ralathor's tent for goodies while everyone's busy making war. Hopefully he can find some sign of his stolen companions as well.
Taran tries to act as a Lizardman would, drawing on his experiences, however few and short-lived, as such a beast. After Domina the Lizardwoman makes or does not make a reply to the butt-slap, Taran nods to the guard. "This siege has us all on edge," he says in response to the Lizardman's fright. He leads the way to the three guards to be relieved, keeping all chuckles to himself. He hoists his double-crossbow casually and informs the three lizard men at the tent, "Under orders," motioning to the scared lizard man, "we relieve you."
Khara Khang sits at his desk wondering why only 2 PCs have posted. He scans the floor plans of the evil temple of death which is sure to kill at least 2 PC's while he waits. He taps his finger on the table and waits some more.
"OK, that's a good point---so, no note."
Excuse me, Mr. Khara Khang sir, but the map looks like a circular stone with runes painted on it. Is that indeed what Shipy "unfolded"? Just little old me being anal-retentive, you understand <g>.
"Hmmm, I believe I see runes for mountains, suns, possibly forests, demons, and lizardmen---and that diagram in the center with the counterclockwise arrows makes me think of time moving backwards. What do you two think?"
Remembering the unique style of table dancing that she and Desuma developed at the Blue Frog Tavern [Another reference to the side adventure, partially lost in The Great Website Holocaust™ of '00, called Ca'junn the Blackened Sword. --ed.], Domina says, "Glad you like it. I'll come back and 'dance' for you later." She follows Taran's lead and awaits developments.
Okay people, here is a new victim, er... uh, I mean a new player joining our lovely summer lizard hunt.
(Bela Oxmyx's stats)
[This makes four groups:
--ed.]
Nearing the center of the busy 6,000+ Lizardman camp, which is laying siege to the walled city of Tally, you pause looking around and notice four very large tents, most likely command tents. You also notice it is just now getting daylight. Lizardmen guards hurry past you going somewhere but none seem to take special notice of you. You see a skeletal figure (wearing clothes and carrying equipment) step out of one of the tents guarded by three Lizardmen. What do you do next?
The Lizardman Shaman smiles a sharp toothy smile and says, "Sure, Jack." Reaching into his pouch the shaman removes a small palm sized packet of something. Giving you a sideways glance, he seemingly returns his attention to his officers as you exit the tent.
Exiting the tent, you see two female Lizardmen and male Lizardman standing together blocking your path.
Unless Group G2 does something to inform you who they are, I will assume you walked around the three Lizardmen and continued back to Ralathor's tent, which is just a minute or so walk away.
Domina's overly friendly Lizardman does not realize her dancing would not be a good thing. The three Lizardmen shrug in response to you and then turn and walk off. No more than a few seconds later, Jack de Crampon exits the tent you are supposed to be guarding. He is not accompanied by any Lizardmen and he seems free to do as he pleases. Do you say anything to him or let him continue on? He does not recognize you in Lizardman form.
Yeah, that last retentive thing you said... heh. Webster's definition of a map: "a representation, on a plane surface, features of earth or a detailed item." You would be exactly right, Desuma. The map/picture has some rhyme or reason to it. Why would some one want a map of some stones, an arrow and a diagram?
P.S. My participation in this quest (and others) may take a hit within the next two weeks... [pregnant pause]... due to RealLife™.
"What's wrong with Jax? I say, looking at 'Suma and seeing Jax's glazed over (pregnant looking) eyes.
I continue taunting, er, talking to Desuma. "You see all that on the map? The map means something 'Suma, dunno exactly what though. You have a plan right? Right? We still going inside? I'm afraid Suma, I don't wanta' die you know. If you didn't know, I'm not nearly as brave as I act."
This character is unlike any other Bela has yet seen in this army. Could it be another agent of Grutoss? If so, then he would surely wear the same disguise as himself and would not be walking so casually from what must be a command tent, especially with those guards. Most likely an agent of Ralathor, or perhaps an ally. Is that a skeleton in clothes? Something familiar about that. Perhaps the product of shaman wizardry. The feel of magic is strong here, so he must get closer if he wishes to learn anything from a detect magic spell.
The disguise has worked so far, so Bela chooses to follow, hoping to get a close look and the use of Detect Magic. He is careful not to let his long legs close the gap too quickly, for haste attracts attention.
Brushing past the Lizard ladies at the entrance, Jack can't help but do a quick double take at the shapely rear end of the DOMINAnt female. "Nice tail," he thinks. He makes his way back to Ralathor's tent after a stealthy fashion. Looking as inconspicuous as would be possible under the prevailingly reptilian demography, he makes the appropriate saving rolls and keeps one socket peeled for anything sketchy.
"Geez, Jaxer, you look like you could use some sleep!"
"Wha-huh??" Shaking his head to bring it out of Cloud 9, Jax turns his attention to the map Desuma holds. His Haroouugh-steeped synapses cranked into action. "Where Desuma sees counter-clockwise arrows, I see a yin-yang that could very well signify time and anti-time. And it looks like two of those 16 white symbols have been singled out by the 'hands' of a 'clock.' I suggest we keep our eyes peeled for those two patterns, especially. Also, I don't trust the hu-mann. We should equally keep our eyes on Martek."
I'm taking PC dramatic license in having Martek reappear and putting words in Desuma's mouth---if this is not planned, please ignore the following.
As Jax speaks the last words, Martek reappears down the alley after having stowed the Dax carriage. "What was that Jax?" Desuma covertly conceals Cobalt's map.
"Aw, nuthin'," Jax mutters, picking his brain feverishly as he stows Cobalt's ABC gum (Already Been Chewed) and lucky buckeye in his pocket. The gum stuck to his fingers. "We were just talking about the Ides of March," Jax recovers clumsily.
Desuma lifts an eyebrow. "We best get a move-on, people. Find any other entrances, Martek? If not, let's waltz on in the front door to scope out the inside."
Taran recognizes Jack but doesn't make his recognition known. He thinks that now is not the right time to reveal themselves in public, especially given their orders to stand guard. He watches where Jack goes, however, and hopes to somehow contact him and let him know that he is not alone in the lizard encampment. Taran also thinks to himself how much lovelier Cambrea and Domina looked in their original, non-scaley non-tailed forms. "Focus, Taran!" he swallows his thoughts down. Whispering to Domina-lizard, Taran notes, "Maybe one of us should follow Jack to find out what he knows. It seems he's been here a while if the other lizardmen don't mind him walking around...."
Thinking Shipy must be a very unusual Hobbit indeed---after all, he just unfolded a stone map---Desuma says, "Yes, I believe we're going to have to go inside. I find it hard to believe that you're afraid; I think you're the bravest Hobbit I know."
Unspoken thought: He's the only Hobbit she knows.
Is the area inside the small yellow circle on the map solid, or is there an indentation, as though something might go there? Also, regarding the time/dagger rune on Ralathor's note, is the "o" in the square supposed to be a circle?
Domina whispers right back."Absolutely not! For one thing, we're on guard duty. If any of us leave, it'll be noticed. Do you want to be arrested for dereliction of duty? We don't want to draw attention to ourselves. Besides,even if he does seem to have the run of the camp, I'll wager the lizardmen are keeping tabs on him themselves. It would look odd if they spot one of us slinking around after him also.
"Jack doesn't seem to be in any immediate danger. And if he left from this tent, he'll probably make his way back to it sooner or later. We have a mission, and we need to be thinking on the best way to accomplish it and get our tails out of here. Being here is a good start, but that shaman's bound to have lots of defenses---we need to catch him by suprise, at the very least to keep him from calling the whole camp to his aid. We need to come up with a plan fast---before the real relief for these guards shows up."
Answers:
Isn't Jax wearing a cloak of invisibility found in the "Goblins in the Mists" adventure or was Taran wearing it?
"Nothing has changed. I didn't find anything special. I do know they allow worshipers inside the main temple tho!"
I smile happily at Desuma's comment, puffing out my chest proudly as I walk as would any Hobbit when bragged upon by a hot-looking mask-wearing babe in tight leather.
Crossing the street, you enter the main doors of the temple, which are unlocked. Once inside the doors, four guards in full armor (head to foot) give each of you a black hooded robe of your appropriate size. Once you put those on you are lead into a large open temple area where more than 30 other worshipers can be seen. A huge stone dragon dominates the entire back wall of the temple. Several side doors can be seen, each having one guard standing in front of them.
Jabbing Jax with my Hobbit finger, I say, "I gota' pee, Jax!"
Jack de Crampon passes you three and heads toward another tent less than a 100 feet away. The very recognizable Red Water Bay Shaman Ralathor himself steps out of the command tent and pauses beside you three for a moment watching Jack's retreat into another tent. Ralathor looks at Taran's special over and under crossbow and then Taran.
Unless someone does something specific, like attack or talk to Ralathor, this continues.
About to make a comment to Taran, no doubt about his weapon, Ralathor is suddenly distracted by something. Walking by the three of you no more than a few steps away, he fades from view and is gone.
Other than a single Lizardman watching you as you cross the space between the tents and re-enter Ralathor's tent, nothing happens. The tent is filled with several large tables with a jumble of shamanistic items and books covering them. On the tabletop, you see the dagger Ralathor left behind, and you see five large iron bound trunks, all of which are padlocked. What do you do next?
The fleshless skeletal figure strolls past the Lizardman/woman guards without so much as a word to them, almost as if it had untethered rein of the camp. Seeing that it, the skeleton, is heading in your direction, you secretly cast Detect Magic and remain where you are, since you only need to be within 30 feet of your target for the spell to function properly. When the skeleton comes within range you sense a surprisingly inherent good magical aura about him/her/it. Passing by you, the skeleton enters the tent on your left, not more than a dozen feet away, but not before giving you a stern glance.
Taran notices Ralathor's observations and thinks quickly. "Spoilssss of war...." he slithers in his best lizardman tongue impersonation, drawing on his experience both listening to and speaking as one of the lizard folk. Taran notices Ralathor's distraction, and tries to determine if Ralathor is heading in the same direction as Jack. Once Ralathor is out of sight and earshot, he continues to plan with Domina and Cambrea in hushed tones. "Perhaps we should follow Ralathor---at least one of us? I wonder if the triple guard at this tent was because Ralathor was here. Maybe he has a heavy contingent of guards wherever he goes, in which case, should we follow him? Or, maybe the tent and what's in it is more important to be under guard?" Taran speculates but does not have a clear idea of what to do. He checks to make sure his crossbow is loaded doubly.
Man in desert khaki sneaks up on Domina, speaking in hushed voice. "Look at this female Lizardman specimen, here. Isn't she a beauty? Let's try and get a closer look at that magnificent tail..." (Save that one for the blooper reel)
Looking at what must be the command tent where the skeleton came from, and seeing the figure of a Lizardman shaman leave from within, Bela makes the easy assumption that that was Ralathor. But his magic sense has him confused. "Such a positive reading---either this skeleton is indeed an ally or I am on the wrong side; but if he is with Grutoss, why is he being left alone?" Bela thinks. Time is running out, so he decides to take a chance. Reaching into his pack, he pulls out his journal and strolls to the tent after the skeleton, knowing from the College at Minas Thingul that the best way to look like you are on serious business is to walk around with a document in your hands. Assuming nobody stops him, Bela stoops and enters the tent after the clothed skeleton.
Realizing that time is of the essence, Jack takes a closer look at the dagger, then rifles around for some keys to the chests. If No keys are found he'll make a quick crack at picking the locks with anything small and pointy he can come across. If any of this takes more than about 10 minutes he's going to clear out, no one the wiser and head back to the war tent.
Yes, Jax has the cloak of invisibility, and is wearing it, but does not have the hood drawn over his head. I'm imagining (please correct me if wrong) that by placing the hood on his head, Jax activates the cloak's power, as the red-headed girl did in that Saturday morning D&D cartoon staple of yesteryear. Izzat right, "donjon mahstah"?
"Now that's a drac!" Jax thinks, admiring the massive statue. Underneath the dark hood supplied by the temple guard, Jax smiles at Shipy's signal and solemnly approaches the dragon statue, in part to examine it unassumingly, and to see what the other worshipers are doing. He mimics their actions to fit in, and waits to see if any of them leave for one of the guarded side doors of the temple. He keeps Desuma and Martek in his peripheral vision (as allowed by the hood) at all times.
Nope, nope, steal the helm from the Dragonkopf Temple, just can't be done, sorry.... What's that? We have a cloak of invisibility and a Hobbit with a weak bladder? Well, that's completely different. Why didn't you say so in the first place? Now if only we had a Holocaust cloak and a wheelbarrow... :)
Linda and I have lost convenient access to our computer for a few days---the new monitor crapped out on us (this is being posted from a rented unit at Kinko's). Please take over our characters as NPCs for a few days, until we can get the wizards Hewlett and Packard to honor their warranty.
Wanting to get a better idea of the opposition, Desuma approaches one of the guards, asking, "Are there any facilities here that my weak-bladdered servant can use? I told him to go before we left." What she is really after is to see whether or not they are really "demon warriors."
"I vote for one of us to go inside the tent to see what we can find out. It probably should be me---I could cast a few Detect Magic spells on likely looking objects. You and Cambrea could stay out here and keep your eyes peeled for Ralathor, or anyone else, heading this way. Or Cambrea could go in and we could stand guard. Of course, these Lizardmen seem to appreciate my tail---I might be able to pull off a bluff a little easier if I was caught. Following Ralathor doesn't seem to be a possibility, as he has vanished from sight. What do you want to do, Taran?"
You are correct about the cloak. The Holocaust cloak I can do, but don't push it with the wheelbarrows.... Those require union workers.
"You and Rat Swamp come through the door a few minutes after we do, ok?" I whisper. Believing Jax understands me, I go with Desuma, wishing I had the ABC gum back.
The Dragon statue is huge and very impressive, filling the entire back of the room. It is a 25 foot tall life-like steel-colored dragon with large ruby red eyes. Its teeth are stark white and as large as dirks. You notice water or some liquid dripping from the Dragon statue's mouth ever so often.
Approaching a guard at a side door (with Shipy at her side), Desuma says, "Are there any facilities here that my weak-bladdered servant can use? I told him to go before we left." The Dragonkopf temple warrior grumbles and then opens the door and allows Desuma and Shipy to enter. The temple warrior leads the pair into a hallway and then a side room. Once inside the bathroom Shipy covers his eyes and Desuma turns to the temple warrior and says, "You ever been stoned?" The demon warrior reaches for his weapon but (fails his SR and) is instantly turned to stone. A minute later, after Shipy really pees, the pair returns to the hallway just inside the door and waits.
Casting a glance inside the tent you are guarding, you see about a dozen military officers inside, all of which are studying maps and siege plans.
"I'll go. I'm the best warrior anyway. Besides, I'm fluent in Lizardman and over-sexed Orcish." With a smile and no great haste, Cambrea crosses the way and enters the tent that Jack entered, leaving the two of you standing guard. (AFTER BELA HAS ENTERED, OF COURSE. -- GM)
The dagger looks plain. It is still in a sheath and laying on the table top. (IF YOU TOUCH IT PLEASE STATE YOU ARE DOING SO. -- GM) Looking around, you see no keys, but you do remember Ralathor having a ring of keys on his belt. Other items on the table include potions, a spell book, scrolls, and other miscellaneous items. Finding a small metal instrument, you crouch down and easily pick the lock on one of the chests. Opening it, you find it filled with war booty. You see platinum, gold, gems, a broach, a few rings, necklaces, pearls, a small black bag, and an edgeless dirk.
Behind you a Lizardman walks into the tent holding a scroll and he does not seem surprised to see you. He almost seems to have expected you. You have never seen him before. A second later a female Lizardman enters your tent and puts a sword in the center of the scroll-holding Lizardman's back and says, "Make one move and I will gut you like a fish! Hi Jack!"
Do you take anything? What do you do?
Entering the tent, you see the clothed skeleton kneeling down and rifling through a chest filled with items such as platinum, gold, gems, a broach, a few rings, necklaces, pearls, a small black bag, and an edgeless dirk. Just from the clothed skeleton's reaction, you know he is doing something he shouldn't be! Other items cover the tables (like potions, a spell book, scrolls) in the tent, including a dagger, which could possibly be the dagger you are here after, or it could be the dirk in the chest.
Before you can say a word, a second later a female Lizardman enters your tent behind you and puts a sword in the center of your back and says, "Make one move and I will gut you like a fish!" Looking towards the clothed skeleton she says, "Hi Jack!"
"Harumph. Best warrior, indeed," Taran remarks to Domina once he thinks Cambrea is out of earshot. Then Taran remembers that this is only the third adventure in his short career, and realizes she's probably right. Taran plays the part of guard and keeps an eye on the tent Cambrea entered.
Waiting a few minutes, Jax makes his way toward the door through which Shipy and Desuma were escorted. He passes purposefully in front of Martek, who was keeping a low profile near the edge of the throng of worshipers.
"Uhoh, looks like trouble," Jax worries silently, realizing that the guard hadn't reappeared. He is only somewhat relieved that Martek has casually followed his lead.
Jax enters the doorway, and Martek follows suit a few minutes later.
Feeling the poke of a steel point against his leather armor, Bela lets out an "Ow!" Deciding it is not worth it to test his reflexes or the quality of his armor, he stays still. Being a very intelligent Elf, the sound of Common Tongue makes it obvious he has been discovered, and since the voice is clearly from a female non-reptilian throat, he is sure that the weapon is not being held by a Lizardman. No use in playing the lizard, now. He's not desparate enough to grovel, so he bluffs. "By Luthien, finally somebody who speaks something I can understand. Tell me what you're up to or I'll see to it you get caught, and don't think you can kill me before I do it, either."
As he waits for the response, he quickly considers his options---dodge away (still don't like that one), TTYF (can't see her, and she may be on my side), Slush-Yuck (that'll catch her, but I'll be just as dead), a good loud yell (but it'll be my last).... The sick feeling in his bowels gives him an idea. He should give her a UCBM, but he'd have to get a fix on her, first. No. Bela chooses to use Detect Magic again to see if there is any magic behind that point.
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