A Tunnels and Trolls® play-by-post adventure run by khara_khang
I was thinking about something someone said in the chat session, Tuesday, and realized that I wasn't supposed to be reading the G1-G3 posts. Oops! Sorry. Without the other posts, I would not have known that the female lizardman was Cambrea and thus would not have known the voice was from one of the "good" kindred. If that messes things up too much, I'll change the post.
Cal, I am reading all the posts for the game, but my character Taran, should be ignorant of the non-G2 posts. Makes it kind of tricky, but not reading the other sub-plots makes you miss out on a lot of good puns and bad jokes. (Same thing?) Of course, not reading them helps to stay in character, too....) Catch-22 I guess!
I have been reading the posts and having Bela act on what I thought was reasonable that he should know. I think a good compromise would be to explicitly state in my posts when I'm making assumption based on posts to other groups. I wonder what Khara Khang thinks?
About the game.... I am particularly fascinated with the puzzle of who and what to believe. With Cobalt, Toubow, Ralathor, and the city of Tally, it's hard to know who is your friend and who is your enemy. A pleasantly complex puzzle. :-)
Personal note, calenril_i: "I" never said Cambrea was one of the "good" kindred, just an Elf. <grin> As for what I think, there is a fine line between reading and knowing things your character shouldn't/wouldn't know. I do not begrudge your reading the other posts. Some are quite entertaining while others do attempt to explain each side as it might occur in real/fantasy life. Nothing is ever clear-cut except trees, my friend. I'm glad that you are interested in my puzzle we call "Lizardmen In Red Water Bay." As a well known Hobbit would say, "The right side is the one who wins and that's the side I wanta' be on!"
Before you can finish casting your Detect Magic spell, Cambrea sends a jolt of energy through you (Bela) via her sword. [YOU FAILED YOUR LEVEL 3 SR.] You fall to the floor stunned [YOU ALSO SHIFT BACK TO YOUR NORMAL ELVEN FORM.], rolling on your back, somewhat paralyzed. Cambrea removes her necklace and instantly changes into her elven form.
"I told you not to move. Lucky I didn't kill you. Had you cast a spell in here Ralathor would have probably known about it instantly. You must be one of Wizard Grutoss's poorly chosen henchmen." Walking past you, she approaches Jack. "I should kill you too, Jack de Crampon but I won't; that would upset everyone, and we couldn't have that now, could we? As you might have guessed, I'm doing what needs to be done."
Removing a palmful of dust inside a folded piece of paper taken from her pocket, Cambrea tosses it on Jack. In a flash, Jack is gone. [NOTE; JACK WAS KNELT DOWN NEXT TO THE CHEST. ANY SMALL ITEMS HE GRABS GOES WITH HIM.]
Walking back over to Bela (still unable to move on the tent floor), Cambrea repeats the same process. Unable to do anything, you (Bela) disappear in a flash. Cambrea resumes her Lizardwoman form using her necklace and returns to Taran and Domina, also similarly disguised and still standing guard.
Jack de Crampon and Bela Oxmyx instantly reappear together in the Temple of Dragonkopf in Khazan [UNKNOWN TO THEM] in a hallway a few feet away from Martek, Shipy, Jax, and Desuma. All seem shocked and surprised to see each other. Both Bela and Jack stand.
[Back to two groups:
--ed.]
Domina gives Taran a little tail, touching him with it in a non-sexual kind of way to get his attention, as he seems lost in thought (again). "Are you forming some type of plan in that Orcish head of yours or are you considering a permanent life as a Lizardman guard?" she asks, whispering to the Taran.
Moments later Cambrea crosses the "way" and returns to her former guard position.
"Jack and another lizardman were inside the tent, but they both disappeared," says Cambrea, not really telling a lie. "I say we just stay put and wait."
Once inside the door, you (Jax, Martek) close and lock it from the inside. Shipy and Desuma are waiting nervously nearby. A long hallway goes right and left a long way with dozens of doors on either side. Jack de Crampon (who you know) and Bela Oxmyx (a tall male elf whom you don't know) instantly appear together on the hallway floor in front of you. They both seem as shocked to see you as they are to be here. Both Bela and Jack stand.
"Somethin' must have created a dimensional anomaly that sundered the fabric of space-time to our plane of origin which allowed our quantum signatures to be joined.... er, or NOT!" says the mathematically challenged Hobbit.
Martek hits the Hobbit with his hat, smiles, and then puts it back on his head.
"Hey! No one hits the Hobbit except me!" says Desuma. Shipy smiles and then frowns, realizing the mathematical contradiction <argh>.
"It's Bela Oxmyx. He's from one of the other groups. Come on we don't have much time!" Pushing between Jack and Bela, Martek heads right down the hall and takes point.
Just curious---which attribute was the SR on? Since DM requires no ST to cast for a Wizard (being something of an innate ability), it ought not to have set off any alarms. But then, Cambrea didn't know what Bela was going to cast. What happened to Bela's disguise item?
"Well, you're just mad 'cause I danced with your sister!.... Ooh, I'm tingly all over..." As the temple air begins to clear out the scent of canvas and dust, Bela sneezes a sparkly, glittering sneeze. "I ought to get a sample of that stuff," he thinks. Then he gets his bearings. "Hey! What hap... where am I? What am I doing here? Hey, where are you going? Wait up!" And he follows the others down the hall, trying to catch up to the skeleton.
The SR was against CON at level 3. Had you made it, you would have staggered away and shrugged off the energy from her sword. Failing it meant being stunned. Actually the Detect Magic spell is described as an "Inherent power of magic-users: detects good or bad magical auras", so yes, it would seem to be an innate ability of sorts. It is possible Cambrea's sword detected your magic use and then zapped you, but you do not know that for sure. Bela's disguise was dropped when he was hit by the surge of energy. It can easily be reactivated. I hope this answered some of your non-mathematical questions, calenril_i.
Yes, very helpful answer. I like it---consistent and logical in the context of the game. If Bela were a Rogue, then D.M. would have required energy and could have been a danger. While Cambrea may have made an incorrect guess, it was a reasonable one. So, if she was right that Ralathor would have known if magic was done in his tent, what about the magical disguises? I would think that, like many things, such a spell requires more energy (or mana) to start than to maintain. The fact that using the space-warping powder and the reactivation of the necklace did not get her in trouble means she was wrong. But then, Cambrea is not a wizard, so what does she know?
"What do you mean, 'they both disappeared'? What happened? Was Jack attacked?" Still a bit too trusting, Taran doesn't suspect foul play on Cambrea's part. He starts to get a little restless and doesn't think he'll agree to "staying put and waiting" much longer. He gives Domina a glance and wonders what she's thinking.
Desuma + Domina are still out of touch, right? Taran could sure use a sounding board about now.
I'll be on jury duty, tomorrow. If calenril_i quits posting for a few days, you'll know why. Odds are, there'll be no significant interruptions on my part, but if that does happen, you can assume Bela tags along, ducks through doorways, tries to get to know people, and hopes not to say anything too stupid as he tries to collect those 300 platinum dragons.
BTW, Bela used to be of a more normal height until he fell in a magical stream in his first adventure. it changed him to female, so he jumped back in (more than once) until he regained some semblance of his original self. Trivia Q---what is the height of the tallest Lizardmen player character? In centimeters?
Sorry for posting so late!!
Whew!! Where do we begin? With all the excitment going on and his "heart condition" acting up, Jack grabs a handfull of random talismans and baubles from the desk top, and DOES indeed touch the dagger in question and in fact tries to pick it up and take it with him.
They're still selecting the jury, but even if I'm on it, they expect the trial to finish late Wednesday. We get to go home at regular hours, so I will be able to post Bela's moves without interruption.
His head spinning from the residual space-time flux, and not quite sure who to believe, Jax takes the easy route for now.
Acceptance.
"Welcome back, Jack! I see you got your hands on some stage props?" Jax refers to the baubles and such in the skeleton's phalanges.
Offering a sinewy hand to the elf as Martek brushes by them, Jax extends his greeting. "And a hearty welcome to you, Bela. Any friend of Jack's is a friend of mine. This is Shipy, who may try to pick your pocket, and that's Desuma, our resident rock sculptress. Don't get on her bad side or you may end up like him," Jax points to the erstwhile Demon Warrior. "Just follow Martek---he's the dude who knows what's going on here. I think."
Turning to Jack as they hurry down the hall, Jax asks softly, trying to downplay his hope, "Hey Jack, you haven't seen my brother, have you?"
From now (or until you split up again) this group, (Jax, Desuma, Shipy, Martek, Bela, and Jack) will be known as G1. As for the space-warping powder and the reactivation of the necklace, who said Cambrea was telling you the truth about the alarm in Ralathor's tent? And you should know by now, calenril_i, I never do Trivia Questions...heh.
ITEMS FROM RALATHOR'S TENT: Jack de Crampon, your take includes the following items; 20 platinum, 5 emeralds, a gold and silver broach, a necklace of pearls, a small black bag, a potion, and the dagger taken from the table.
"Hey! I don't steal from my friends Jax... ok, so I did three or four times! Let it go "Will" ya Jax! Gezz!"
Following Martek, you head down the hallway to the third door on the right. He opens it and you see a stone stairwell leading up. Closing the door behind you, everyone hurries up the stairs. Once up at the top of the stairs you see a very long wide red tiled floor which continues on around the corner. You also see at least a dozen doors on either side of the hall. Moving to the corner, Martek peeks around it and then leans back.
"Three guards on the door leading to the third floor. Oh, one thing I forgot to tell you. If you kill the Demon Guards they instantly come back as two guards."
"Dammit... how are we supposed to win then? I quit!" Whispers the hobbit pulling off his robe and tossing it on the floor.
"Quiet lawn ornament," she whispers, messing up the Hobbit's hair with one hand, as one would a red-headed step child. Desuma tests her dancing boots.
Hello? Desuma + Domina? Are you still out there?
"I went in the tent and then there was a scuffle and they disappeared in a puff off dust. I'm not a spell-user, I don't know what they did. I was...."
Before Cambrea can finish, Domina slaps her across the face, elbows Taran and then stands at attention. Like a walking shadow, Ralathor suddenly materializes from nothing into solid form not more than twenty feet in front of you and approaches your tent (walking between you), unless you do something to stop him, he enters the tent. A very happy smile is on his face.
"Ow, that hurt!" says Cambrea a moment later, rubbing her lizard face.
"I am not to pleased with the idea of killing Ralathor and getting myself killed in the process. Self sacrifice does have its limits. Do you have a plan other than remaining a Lizardman guard for the rest of your life, Taran?"
"I say we enter the tent, kill Ralathor, his commanding officers and then split up," adds Cambrea, making a Jax-like comment.
Jax's spirits dampen with Martek's words. He looks down at his EverSharp™ blade and sighs. "What good will you do here, my friend?" he thinks.
"By the way, dudes," Jax turns to Jack and Bela, "we're here to steal a magic helmet that will allow us to go back in time and kill Ralathor as a stripling. Martek here knows how to use it."
Then, in a burst of logic emanating from the slippery recesses of his Haroouugh-enhanced brain, Jax preempts both Desuma and Bela, who would've asked the question, "Martek, what about petrifying the guards like Desuma just did? Will they be replaced twofold?"
"Hmm, I don't think so. Theoretically, they are just trapped, not killed. But if you break the statues, then all bets are off," Martek whispers, readying the rope at his waist.
"Fair enough. If I can get close to them, I'll stone them like lawn ornaments," the cloaked gorgon says in Shipy's direction, eliciting a Hobbit shiver, "I'll need some backup, though, just in case. Jax, why don't you accompany me with your cloak on?"
Jax flushes. Of course he'd go with his cloak on.... what kind of Orc does she think.... "Oh, right, Desuma, good plan!" Jax emits sheepishly, and quickly flips up the hood of his magic cloak, thereby masking all forms of reflected and emanated electromagnetic radiation from his body.
Only sensitive Hobbit ears hear the near-silent zing of vorpal death as Jax, unseen, surely unsheathes his scimitar. He shudders again. "I hate it when he does that without warning! No pinching, Jaxer!"
I grab Jax's arm, "You're not going to leave me with these bunch of blooming idiots are you Jax? I don't want us to split up!" [Whispering only to Jax.] "I have a bad feeling about Martek."
"We can hear you, we are standing right behind you!" scolds the gorgon, walking past the hobbit to join Jax.
"I meant that in a good way you know," I whisper.
"Bela Oxmyx" is pronounced like "bella ox-mix." This is going to be long, but there's a lot going on.
In the last 15 minutes, Bela has stalked a skeleton, been assaulted by a female Elf, space-warped into a temple-building, met a Gorgon, and now an Orc is offering his hand. The Orcs he has met were too busy trying to turn him into dinner for introductions. A strong desire to flee is negated by the lack of anywhere to flee to. Bela resigns himself to fate.
Grasping Jax's hand, he smiles and responds, "Friends it is, then, but I don't actually know your friend. We were just about to introduce ourselves when we were interrupted. Jack, is it? Looks like we're on the same side. Nice to meet you, Shipy, Desuma."
Bela turns to follow Martek and the rest, putting away his journal which he has been holding in his left hand. Considering Jax's warning about Shipy, he checks twice to make sure his pack is secured.
It looks like Bela is about to get a "Piece of the Action." "Nice," Bela says, in admiration of Jax's disappearing trick. "If we are thieves, it would help if we were all invisible. Desuma, can you stone these guys if they can't see you? I can make it so any of you near me can't be seen as long as you don't move too far away. Martek, it's your call. Nice to meet you, by the way." Bela prepares to cast Hidey Hole, at ST cost 6, leaving 10 ST, if Martek (and party) agrees. "I've got a spell that can distract them, too, but I can only use it on one of them if I'm going to have anything left for another spell."
Do Wizards get to use two 2-dice weapons at a time if they have the dexterity?
"No, I'm afraid not. I tried to take a look around for them but nothing came up. Looks like my rescue mission totally sucked the big one but I did get this stuff here," he says indicating his loot bag drawing particular attention to the dagger.
"Ralathor says that this is a quote-unquote 'Dagger of Time' and that all that time loop nonsense was a result of it. You know anything about that kind of stuff?"
He's happy to see everyone again but can't help thinking about his conversations with the Shaman. He wonders if he'll ever be able to talk to him on friendly terms again....
To quote the T&T rulebook: Any weapon which gets 2 or fewer dice can be used by a magician. Of course you would still need to have the appropriate dexterity and strength to use said selected weapon.
The hobbit eyes Bela's well secured pack and then Jack's dagger, taking particular interest in the dragon skull engraving on the blade when it is slightly drawn by Jack.
"No, I must be visible to turn someone to stone!" answering Bela.
"Save your spell Bela, as I'm quite sure we will need it on the next level.
With everyone else waiting around the corner, Martek, Jax, and Desuma (still in their robes) approach the three Demon Guards (dressed head to toe in armor) who are guarding the door and the stairs leading up to level three. Only one guard instantly transforms into stone as Desuma reveals herself (and then covers her face). Like a steel cable, Martek's rope ensnares one guard who falls to the floor like a well-tied pig. The third guard (sword in hand) faces Jax. From the corner the rest of the group come charging in to help.
[COMBAT HAS BEGUN. EVERYONE CAN DO ONE COMBAT ACTION, OR HOLD THEIR ACTION TO SEE WHAT WILL HAPPEN BETWEEN JAX AND THE DEMON WARRIOR.]
Bela hears the sound of Ralathor's name, and sees a glimpse of the dagger. He is pleased to see that Jack took it, but wishes he could examine it. The lack of expression on Jack's skinless face fascinates him. As soon as things quiet down, he plans to have a conversation with this character.
Didn't Jax go invisible a second ago? Did he pull back the hood of his cloak, again?
Bela rounds the corner, taking care to not trip over Shipy, takes in the scene, and holds back. Jax, the friendly Orc, seems quite competent enough to be able to stop the demon without killing it. His biggest concern is that the demon does not have the same restriction. He does a quick check to see that he can get to his sling and daggers, and watches, keeping an ear out in case somebody comes up from behind.
Taran looks at Domina after stiffening up in respect for the passing Ralathor. "Here's the plan." His voice trails off as he turns his head to Cambrea. "I agreed to be transported here because I thought it would help me---us" he corrects, glancing at the leather-clad demonness nearby, "---figure out what is going on. If that brought us to Ralathor---well, I guess it has--- I honestly didn't think I'd just go barreling in to skewer him." Taran bares his tusks in frustration. "You," he begins, speaking to Cambrea still, "seem to want to take him out---yet you've had two opporunities to do so and haven't done a thing. Maybe you don't want to just kill him, too." Taran considers her story of what happened in the tent, and although he can't quite buy it, doesn't reveal his mistrust---yet. He wonders what happened to Jack.
"So the plan---well, sure, we could barge into his tent and kill the lot of them," he touts confidently, hefting his over-and-under crossbow, "but are you sure a diplomatic solution is out of the question?" He pauses, trying to make a level 3 SR on Int. "And, will killing him stop the time-looping, or even the invasion? Killing him might just let an eager subcommander to continue the fight." Taran sighs, wishing his brother were here to use his smarts to think of another option.
He turns to Domina. "I am getting tired of guarding this tent, that's for sure." He grins with tusks in full reflection of the moonlight and looks to the females for a response. "Nice jab, by the way," he finishes, rubbing his side.
Yes, Jax does go invisible. I forgot to mention that he first takes off the temple-supplied cloak first. Dohbusted! For the moment, the remaining Demon Guard is unaware of Jax. Thank you, GM, for allowing me that mental lapse; may you always get the best trinkets in your CrackerJax boxes.
The first Demon Guard's elevator-eyes were his downfall. The second averted his gaze just in time to get cozy with Martek's voracious rope. The third guard draws his weapon and brings it down, double-handed, with the most certain intent of slicing and dicing the Gorgon and Swamp Rat in a most horrible fashion.
Desuma feels a slight breeze against her cheek as something unseen, but not unexpected, passes between her and Martek at the last second, as she and the human scramble to get out of the way.
Jax takes a slash at the Warrior's upheld hands, with the intent of removing them before their deathstroke. A wound, he hopes with irony, does not prove fatal.
"Holy jumpin' frog fries on a zombie's arse!!! Hold on Jax, I'm comin' for ya!!!" Jack bounds into the fray with the idea that he's going to stab the hell out of that thar demon warrior thing with....THE DAGGER OF TIME (echo effect-reverb-reverb-chorus-looped through compressor and talk-box).
Now things get complicated, so pay close attention.
When the famous Jack de Crampon steps around the corner and draws the dagger (only Bela and Shipy are within a few feet of him and thus not subject to the time distortion), time stops and then overlaps itself, bringing those previously distorted back together [at the Temple Dragonkopf --ed.].
Standing frozen like statues / in time are:
Cambrea does not transpose with Taran and Domina since she was not in the original time event.
(ONLY JACK, BELA, AND SHIPY MAY POST UNTIL THIS TIME EVENT IS RESOLVED.) What do you do?
"No Jack!" says the hobbit grabbing onto the dagger and Jack. "Let go of the dagger you bag of bones!" he shouts, clinging onto Jack like a hobbit fur coat. [Shipy has correctly surmised the dagger's true nature.... --ed.]
Somewhere in the great palace across the huge city of Khazan the Death Goddess Lerotra'hh herself suddenly feels the temporal event and frowns unhappily.
Suddenly Taran and Domina disappear, leaving Cambrea standing alone in front of the tent. Turning into the tent, Cambrea removes her necklace (changing back into elven form) and enters. Inside she sees Ralathor and his officers.
"They left just as you predicted, and Jack took the bait as you said he would!"
The Shaman smiles widely, "Now if he can just pull it off without killing me!"
Go To:
PBPArchives
| Lizardmen
| prev
| next
This page updated: Mon Jan 09 14:22:24 2006
All text Copyright ©1999-2006 PBPArchives.
