Law vs. Chaos - Battle for the Runestaff!

[Grognardsw]

Now that the Fellowships of Law and Chaos have met, my ongoing public posts will be in this thread.

Law and Chaos will make their posts in their respective private forums, and I'll adjudicate and put them all together here.

This way neither side will know player actions and meta-game, intentionally or not. For example, if one side sees another stating an action of casting a spell, someone may use that information to do a particular action they wouldn't have done if they didn't know a spell was coming.

In this public thread I'll post each round with both sides' actions/results. I will describe what everyone sees without the background knowledge that public IC character intentions brings. This will keep things on a level playing field and simulate the reality of the battle field where you don't know what the enemy is going to do until they do it. If certain characters should know certain information, it will be share privately.

In the interest of moving things along, players have 36 hours to respond, after which they'll take no action and I'll post the round's summary. If you'd like to designate another player to make your character's action if you can't make it, do so at the outset here. Weekends won't count in the 36 hours, but hopefully everyone will keep the momentum going in person or by proxy.

Let me know by PM if you have any questions or comments.

I will say that both sides are remarkably balanced, done in part by intention and in part by chance.

Thanks and good luck!

[Grognardsw]

1 square=10', T=table, S=statue, F=fountain. If needed, exact locations can be stated by letter/number, for example the ziggurat top is at R-15.

The room is immense, stretching 370’ long by 280’ wide. The ceiling is 30' high. The adventurers guess it was a function room back in Lady Myshella's day - perhaps a ballroom. There are faded tapestries on the walls, large balconies along the north and south walls accessed by stairs going 20' up, a huge fireplace at the east wall, two parallel rows of six columns rising to the ceiling, a central ziggurat rising five levels by stairs, large dry fountains east and west of the ziggurat, a 15' statue to the north and south of the ziggurat, and old and dilapidated furniture (tables, chairs, divans) in the three corners, and holes in the floor in the northwest corner.

Floating in the air 8' above the top of the ziggurat is the Runestaff. It is four feet long made of a black wood, unadorned of decoration. A white glow surrounds it.

The Fellowships of Law and Chaos have sighted the Runestaff, and each other! First round actions are being compiled...

[Grognardsw]

- For my own sanity in adjudicating so many characters, I'm using names in the posts. I won't say classes but will give snippets of description one would observe.
- Map comes after text.

Just past the west door threshold, the Fellowship of Law takes action. Five of the group stays near the west door. Ianin - red haired, torc on head, simple tunic and cloak - calls out, one hand on his staff and the other lazily waving in the air, "Hail travelers, what coincidence be it that we meet!" He moves to the back of the group.

Idwillen - 6'7", bearded, leather, spear - moves to the back of the group, poised for action.

Bjorn - dwarf in plate with mace - can be seen tracing a circle around himself with burning incense while chanting.

Raquinel - red haired robed female - motions with her hands while intoning unheard words.

Flint - robed male with a monocle in his left eye - watches the Fellowship of Chaos for but a moment then steps out of the room.

Four members of the Fellowship of Law move beyond the group at the door. Andover - half-elf chain mail –draws a long bow, moves east a bit (D-15), aims and fires. His sharp eyes note that the yellow robe of one of men bears the symbol of Law. The first arrow arcs high near the ceiling on its way across the vast room...

...and strikes Sereniti the white robed woman (5 HP damage)! This disrupts the hand motions she was making. He begins to nock a second arrow.

Shen – bald,unarmored – moves a little west with Andover (D-15) and brings his spear up to position.

Poltux - armored half-orc with javelin and bow - sprints to take cover behind the large fountain (H-14.) He fires one arrow toward the Fellowship of Chaos but the shaft arcs too high and hits the ceiling.

Honnilee the hobbit was moving north when the Fellowship of Chaos came in. She scurries behind the farthest northwest column (at D-8).

Suddenly a wall of misty, obscuring vapors extends out from the doorway area, in front of the Fellowship of Law. The fog is 10' high and is extending east toward the dais. It ends 80' into the room (running east from A-16 to H-16. Light blue thick line on map) The sounds of eastward running footfalls can be heard behind the wall of fog.


The Fellowship of Chaos also take action. Five of them move away from the doorway area. Go-Sai - exotic banded armor, very long bow in hand - moves boldly to the left (O-27) of his group and fires an arrow. The fog obscures his aim. The arrow flies through the mists; he hears no sounds of pain. He quickly nocks and lets fly another arrow to similar result.

Derwin - cloaked elf - suddenly appears four fold! There are four of him, moving in mirror synchronicity. They take a hard left and keep tight to the south wall moving west (ending at G-27)

Markus - plate armored, bastard sword - runs straight north. He moves quickly for one in plate and just reaches the south steps of the dais (at R-18.)

Mjolnir - duergar with axes - charges to gain cover behind the third south column from the left (at M-20).

Penuttler - male, yellow robe with symbol of law (single arrow pointing up) - races up the middle stairs of the south balcony then east, taking a position almost halfway to the west stairs of the balcony (L-27.)

The other three stay near the door. Sereniti - red haired, white robed – is moving her hands and mouth when Andover’s arrow strikes her in the shoulder, disrupting her actions.

Haraldr - scaly humanoid, dark clothes, mace - is behind her, in the threshold between room and hallway. He motions with his arms while voicing unknown words. He sprinkles something about him.

Sulle - clock masked order of science-sorcerers of Granbretan - backs out and crouches low outside the doorway. He holds something up to his face, perhaps to his eye, it’s hard to be sure.

Andover's (half-elf with bow) second arrow falls short of the group of Chaos servants.

Map

Map Legend - 1 square=10', T=table, S=statue, F=fountain. If needed, exact locations can be stated by letter/number, for example the ziggurat top is at R-15. Wall of fog is thick light blue line.

Fellowship of Law – in blue
(A) Andover – half elf
(P) Poltux – half orce javelin
(S) Shen – bald, unarmored, spear
(B) Bjorn – dwarf, plate, mace
(I) Ianin – red-haired human in tunic with staff
(R) Raquinel – red-haired female in robes
(F) Flint – male robes monocle
(H) Honnilee - hobbit
(Id) Idwillen – 6’7”, green robe, spear

Fellowship of Chaos – in red
(M) Markus – plate armor, bastard sword
(Mj) Mjolnir – duergar, axes
(D) Derwin – cloaked elf (4 of them)
(Se) Sereniti – female, white robes
(Pe) Penuttler – yellow robe with Law sign
(Su) Sulle – clock mask, red robe
(Ha) Haraldr – scaly humanoid, mace
(G) Go-Sai – exotic banded armor, curved sword

- Law won initiative. For this battle I'm letting players roll for their side.
- It is too much to list all 17 character rolls and mine every round, so please refer to the Dice Roller archive. If you have any result questions don't hesitate to ask me.
- For multiple attacks, such as bow, the second arrow comes at end of round.
- Please look for any individual character notations relative to this round in your respective private forums.
- Thanks.

[Grognardsw]

Please note that certain perspectives and facts known only to Law or Chaos have been shared privately, to maintain the objective battlefield view here. The map is in the bottom spoiler.

Battle for the Runestaff!


Inside the immense hall the battle unfolds as Law and Chaos clash. The sorcerous wall of fog obscures much of the view between the two parties. The Runestaff hovers at the top of the center ziggurat dais.

Three evil adventurers move closer to the Runestaff. Markus - plate armored, bastard sword - runs up the south ziggurat stairs, glances left, yells, "Fire at the doorway! You can't miss - they're on each others laps!" At the top of the south stairs, he turns right and runs to the southwest stairs and up them. He stops short of the top Runestaff level, crouching to take cover behind the top level east 5' wall (T-15, left edge of square.) The Runestaff hovers tantalizing close. Markus hears a hum coming from it.

Mjolnir - duergar with axes - runs from his column position (M-20) to follow Markus up the ziggurat, arriving to join him (at T-15.)

Suddenly a new form darts from the south doorway. Clothed all in black with obscuring hood, Kondro runs straight north to the first step of the south stairs of the ziggurat (S-18.) He crouches low to the right side of the stair.

At the moment, the other agents of Law are obscured from the sight of the Fellowship of Chaos, who are behind the wall of fog.

On the Fellowship of Law side, Shen - bald, unarmored, spear - sprints east toward the ziggurat dais with unusual speed. He stops short of it (O-16) and hurls his spear at Kondro, the black-clothed mystery man. Kondro leaps to the side and dodges the spear.

Poltux - half orc with javelin - bolts from behind the west fountain, reaches the ziggurat dais, and vaults up the west and northwest stairs, stopping just short of the top (Q-13.) He is mere feet from the hovering Runestaff! He hears it hum. Markus is almost opposite his position (at T-15.)

The Fellowship of Law cannot see the other agents of Chaos beyond the wall of fog. They do hear a foreign-accented voice yell from the south: "Go-Sai ito!"

Actions for Round Three!


Map:

- Chaos won initiative.
- Markus, Mjolnir and Kondro have views behind the wall of fog and have been PMed.

Note this map shows only those characters visible to each group (the ziggurat area.) Law and Chaos characters north and south of the wall of fog are not shown, since they can’t see each other. Each side of course knows where their own character is from a private map provided.

Map Legend - 1 square=10', T=table, S=statue, F=fountain. If needed, exact locations can be stated by letter/number, for example the ziggurat top is at R-15. Wall of fog is thick light blue line.

Fellowship of Law – in blue
(A) Andover – half elf
(P) Poltux – half orc javelin
(S) Shen – bald, unarmored, spear
(B) Bjorn – dwarf, plate, mace
(I) Ianin – red-haired human in tunic with staff
(R) Raquinel – red-haired female in robes
(F) Flint – male robes monocle
(H) Honnilee - hobbit
(Id) Idwillen – 6’7”, green robe, spear

Fellowship of Chaos – in red
(M) Markus – plate armor, bastard sword
(Mj) Mjolnir – duergar, axes
(D) Derwin – cloaked elf (4 of them)
(Se) Sereniti – female, white robes
(Pe) Penuttler – yellow robe with Law sign
(Su) Sulle – clock mask, red robe
(Ha) Haraldr – scaly humanoid, mace
(G) Go-Sai – exotic banded armor, curved sword
(K) Kondro - black clad obscuring clothed man

[Grognardsw]

As they clash for the Runestaff, the adventurers behold their enemies... nine on nine in a battle royale...

The Heroes of Law...

Ianin


Flint


Andover


Idwillen


Honnilee


Bjorn


Shen


Poltux


Raquinel

The Anti-Heroes of Chaos…

Kondro


Markus


Mjolnir the deep dwarf


Penuttler

Don't ask...

Haraldr


Sereniti


Go-Sai


Derwin the elf


Sulle

The Granbretan in a rare moment of not wearing the Clock Mask, of the Order of the Clock, Granbretan’s science-sorcerers.

[Grognardsw]

For ease of following the two sides, Fellowship of Law characters are in blue, and Fellowship of Chaos characters are in red.

Battle for the Runestaff!


As the Fellowships of Law and Chaos scramble to positions, each vying to kill the other and capture the Runestaff, the artifact suddenly begins to give off a soft yellow light. All adventurers move simultaneously.

Andover (A) – half elf, bow – maintains his position (D-15) and fires his bow again at Penuttler (P) on the balcony. The yellow robed agent of Chaos is lying down on the 20’ high balcony and the arrow falls short. Andover nocks another arrow.

At the top northwest stair of the ziggurat (Q-13), Poltux (P) – half orc with javelin – sees the Runestaff hovering about 15’ before him. Poltux unfurls a whip from his belt.

From his southeast position (T-15) opposite Poltux, Markus (M) – plate armor, bastard sword - runs up a few stairs to the top level (S-15). He takes out and lights a prepared oil flask, reaches back to throw it, heaves, and somehow the flask dripped a bit and slicks the grip causing Markus to drop the oil on himself! (Fumble) It splashes on Markus, burning him (3 HP damage). He retreats back down the short stairs to his previous position (T-15.) The flask lacked the impact for a proper breaking and spreading, so there is only a small 1.5 square foot pool of flaming oil (at S-15.)

Kondro (K) – black cloaked - sprints from his south stair position (S-18) up the stairs, right to the south east stairs, intending on reaching the Runestaff. From 30’ at the east side of the ziggurat, Shen (S) – bald, unarmored, spear – watches Kondro. He utters “Huán diàn gōng yang” and punches the air in Kondro’s direction as the black-cloaked figure runs up the ziggurat stairs. From a ring on Shen’s finger there materializes mystic energy in the form of a Ram’s head...

It extends out and charges Kondro. Shen sees the Ram’s head miss the black-cloaked form altogether, hitting a clear two feet to the right of the target.

Poltux sees Kondro running for the Runestaff. The half-orc snaps the whip attempting to ensnare the Runestaff. His aim is imperfect, and Kondro reaches up and grabs the artifact! A vaporous cloud is beginning to form on the top level as Kondro quickly spins and races back down the east side of the ziggurat (ending at W-14).

Mjolnir (Mj) – duergar with axes - stands near the top of the ziggurat (T-15.) He sees Poltux try to capture the Runestaff with his whip. The deep dwarf bolts out to attack Poltux just as Kondro grabs the Runestaff, spins around and runs east, passing by Mjolnir! Both avoid the small puddle of burning oil from Markus. Mjolnir of the Twin Axes brings his namesake weapons to bear against the half-orc Poltux. Mjolnir slips on a bit of stray oil and his right hand axe blow is off balance, missing wildly. The deep dwarf rights himself and drives home the left hand axe, gashing Poltux’s left shoulder (8 HP damage.)

Then the Fellowship of Chaos sees the wall of fog move east, its furthest point beginning to pass Shen (S)! From his perch on the stairs (G-25), Go-Sai (G) the samurai bellows a martial war cry in an unknown tongue, followed with a heavily accented utterance in Common, easily understood: “Fucking idiots!” He fires an arrow at Shen (S).


Go-Sai’s arrow flies through the air as the wall of fog reaches Shen. The arrow misses Shen and hits the wall of fog. At the same time, Penuttler (Pe), lying low on the balcony, gets up quickly to sling shot a bullet stone. The stone overshoots Shen (S), grazing the wall of fog. As arrow and stone hit, suddenly the wall of fog disappears! Revealed behind it are the Fellowship of Law adventurers in their previously hidden positions (see map.) Exposed in the open, Flint (F) - robes, monocle - veers north to take a position behind the east fountain (at I-13.)

Go-Sai nocks a second arrow. Penuttler lies back down on the balcony floor (at L-27), unseen to those on the floor given the height and angle of the balcony.

Bjorn (B) – dwarf, plate, mace – runs from his position behind the west fountain to the east edge of the ziggurat (at O-14). Raquinel (R) – red hair, robe – also sprints from behind the east fountain to the north stairs of the ziggurat (R-11.) As they finish running they see Kondro reach the Runestaff and grab it. Honnilee (H) the hobbit follows Raquinel for a bit then breaks off to hide behind the north status (R-8.)

Ianin (I) – red hair, tunic, staff – runs to the west stairs of the ziggurat (O-14.) He stops and starts mouthing words while moving his hands about holding what could be cabbage leaves. Suddenly a billowing mass of vapors form in a 20’x20’ cloud on the top level of the ziggurat. Kondro, closer to the Runestaff, managed to grab it before the cloud fully formed.

Idwillen (Id) – tall, green robe, spear - sprints to the west stairs of the ziggurat (O-15) maintaining sight on the Chaos agents on the ziggurat. He intones arcane words and wave his hands.

Go-Sai (G) fires a second arrow at Shen (S), which flies through the air with perfect aim. With Zen calmness, Shen faces the arrow and with a swing of his fore-arm harmlessly deflects the arrow!

Those of the Fellowship of Law watching south see the four Derwins (D) – cloaked elves – run from their balcony position (I-27) down the west stairs and run west to the hanging tapestry (A-24). The elves move behind the tapestry.

Andover’s (A) second arrow at Penuttler hits the railing.

Sereniti (Se) – white robed – enters the room again moving about 20’ in, still under the balcony (at I-27.) Haraldr (H) – scaled humanoid - and Sulle (Su) – clock masked – remain outside the room.

Actions for Round Four!



Map:

- Initiatives tied, simultaneous actions.
- Shen’s arrow deflection of Go-Sai’s arrow: Advance Saving Throw [1d20] = 13 Made it. An actual use of the monk missile deflection ability!
- Andover has a medium range -2 bow modifier, and Penuttler has a 90% concealment bonus (+4), so he’s a tough shot lying down like that on the balcony.
- Sulle was last seen going into hallway with Haraldr and Sereniti. Those in hall get PMs.
- Chaos and Law-specific spoiler notes were provided in their private forums.
- Marrying all these actions in a simultaneous round was challenging. Segment time of actions, movement and casting time drove intra-round order.


Map Legend - 1 square=10', T=table, S=statue, F=fountain. If needed, exact locations can be stated by letter/number, for example the ziggurat top is at R-15.

Fellowship of Law – in blue
(A) Andover – half elf, chain, bow
(P) Poltux – half orc, javelin
(S) Shen – bald, unarmored, spear
(B) Bjorn – dwarf, plate, mace
(I) Ianin – red-haired human in tunic with staff
(R) Raquinel – red-haired female in robes
(F) Flint – male, robes, monocle
(H) Honnilee - hobbit
(Id) Idwillen – 6’7”, green robe, spear

Fellowship of Chaos – in red
(M) Markus – plate armor, bastard sword
(Mj) Mjolnir – duergar, axes
(D) Derwin – cloaked elf (4 of them)
(Se) Sereniti – female, white robes
(Pe) Penuttler – yellow robe with Law sign
(Su) Sulle – clock mask, red robe
(Ha) Haraldr – scaly humanoid, mace
(G) Go-Sai – exotic banded armor, curved sword
(K) Kondro - black clad obscuring clothed man

(O) burning puddle of oil [1.5 square foot area]

[Grognardsw]

As the battle unfolds, adventurers rush, blades clash, arrows fly, incantations are uttered, and Kondro runs with the Runestaff.



Suddenly the ghost of Lady Myshella, the Silver Princess, appears on the north balcony. Her apparition waves and flickers in the middle of the balcony. The Fellowships recognizes her from the paintings and their earlier encounter with her.

She reaches out her hand. Imploring? Beckoning? Warning?

[Grognardsw]

Fellowship of Law members are in blue, Chaos in red.

Battle for the Runestaff!


The Fellowship of Chaos’ Kondro (K) – black robed mystery man - holds the Runestaff! He is retreating eastward as other adventurers chase and attack in turn, simultaneously.

"Get the damned staff!" yells Poltux (P) – half orc, javelin - to his companions from atop the ziggurat, as a noxious cloud forms around him and Mjolnir (Mj) the duergar. The wounded fighter falls back a few paces from Mjolnir’s axe attacks. He likes not the rising cloud around him. The noxious vapors overcome him as he staggers to the edge of the top level (at S-15.)

Mjolnir (Mj) – duergar with twin axes –falls also to the nauseating cloud, struggling to reach and go over the edge to get out of its range. Ianin (I) - red hair, tunic, staff - hurls a dagger from the bottom of the ziggurat (O-14) up at Mjolnir on top. It falls short given the long distance and tough angle.

“Pull back to the door everyone!” shouts Markus (M) – plate armor, bastard sword – grabbing his backpack. “We have it, let's not waste our time here!” He rushes down the east stairs and sprints after Kondro (K), who has the Runestaff. As Markus reaches 20’ south past the ziggurat (at V-19), he hears Idwillen (Id) – tall, green robe, spear - yell out to him: “Good friend, will you come with me to investigate this other part of the room?”

Andover (A) – half elf, chain, bow - sprints southeast, making for the pillar (at H-20), looking for protection and a shot at Kondro (K.) He gets 30’ when his sharp half-elven eyes spot the four Derwin’s (D) – cloaked elves - emerge from behind the west tapestry. He and his mirror images rush Andover and a dart flies through the air but falls behind him as Andover reaches the pillar (H-20.)

Kondro (K), Runestaff in hand, runs like the devil is chasing him.

“That Heathen!” curses Honnilee (H) the hobbit as Kondro (K) grabs the Runestaff and runs. The hobbit bolts from behind the north statue of Lady Myshella and fires off a sling shot at Kondro (K) as he descends the ziggurat. The stone bullet flies with perfect aim but Honnilee is surprised to see it clearly miss by a few feet to the left. The frustrated hobbit gives chase (ending at V-10.)

Though the west-side Fellowship of Law members can’t see him, they know Kondro ran east down the ziggurat. They give chase. Shen (S) – bald, robed, spear - runs after Kondro (K), climbing up the low west wall of the ziggurat in front of him (P-16) and racing along 30’ to the east side (at U-16), where he punches with his Ring of the Ram at the southerly retreating Kondro (at U-19.) “Huán diàn gōng yang!” Shen yells and the Ram’s head pummels Kondro (13 HP damage), who staggers sideways from the blow.

Looking dazed and more unsteady, Kondro gets 20’ south past the ziggurat (at V-19) when Andover (A) is able to get off one arrow at the black-garbed man. The arrow streaks 150’ but is wide of the mark. Kondro continues to run south (ending at W-22.)

Bjorn (B) – dwarf, plate, mace - unable to climb the ziggurat walls which are much taller for one of his height and armored body, sprints south and then east around the ziggurat. As he rounds the corner he sees Kondro running south toward the south door. Bjorn also sees Shen’s magic ram attack on black-cloaked Kondro. (Bjorn finishes his sprint at T-20.)

Idwillen (Id) – tall, green robe, spear - rushes up and easily over (given his 6’7” height) the first level of the ziggurat and runs to the east side. He sees the injured Poltux struggling at the edge of the top of the ziggurat. He dashes up the stairs to below the edge (T-15), grabs the half-orc fighter by the arm, pulls him down, and says words over him. Idwillen sees Markus (M) east of the ziggurat (at V-15) moving to join Kondro (K.) The druid yells: “Good friend, will you come with me to investigate this other part of the room?”

Go-Sai (G) – exotic red armor, long bow - spies Flint (F) – robe, monocle - obscured behind the west fountain.

Go-Sai maintains cover behind his own pillar (I-21), then steps out and fires two arrows at Flint. They arc across the immense ballroom and strike the fountain statues. Go-Sai then motions to Shen, beckoning him to come, waving his finger at him, but the bald robed man is busy attacking Kondro.

From his partially concealed/covered position behind the west fountain, Flint (F) – robed, monocle – is seen to take out a tiny plate while moving his hands and talking. He ducks low to be unseen.

Raquinel (R) – red haired, robed - runs to take cover at the northwest corner of the ziggurat (O-11.) She kneels down to be out of sight.

Penuttler (Pe) – yellow robed – remains hidden up in the south balcony for a time, then is seen slinking down the west balcony stairs (at I-26.)

A new figure enters the room from the south doors. He has short silvering hair, undershirt, jerkin. He begins yelling out in a strange language.

Though the Lawful adventurers are fully occupied by the battle, some note from the corner of their eye that Sereniti – white robed female, and Haraldr – scaled humanoid with mace - remain unseen in the room, having last been seen exiting it.

As the battle rages,suddenly the ghost of Lady Myshella, the Silver Princess, appears on the north balcony.

Her apparition waves and flickers in the middle of the balcony. The Fellowships recognizes her from the paintings and their earlier encounter with her. She reaches out her hand. Imploring? Beckoning? Warning?

Actions for Round Five!

Map:

- Initiatives tied, simultaneous actions.
- Chaos and Law-specific notes are in their post version’s respective spoilers.
- Flint is behind a fountain, which has a low 2.5’ wall around the 20 pool, with pillar/statue’s in the middle. It affords cover/concealment giving +3 to AC vs. Go-Sai’s arrows.


Map Legend - 1 square=10', T=table, S=statue, F=fountain. If needed, exact locations can be stated by letter/number, for example the ziggurat top is at R-15. Cloud is outlined in yellow

Fellowship of Law – in blue
(A) Andover – half elf, chain, bow
(P) Poltux – half orc, javelin
(S) Shen – bald, unarmored, spear
(B) Bjorn – dwarf, plate, mace
(I) Ianin – red-haired human in tunic with staff
(R) Raquinel – red-haired female in robes
(F) Flint – male robe,s monocle
(H) Honnilee - hobbit
(Id) Idwillen – 6’7”, green robe, spear

Fellowship of Chaos – in red
(M) Markus – plate armor, bastard sword
(Mj) Mjolnir – duergar, axes
(D) Derwin – cloaked elf (4 of them)
(Se) Sereniti – female, white robes
(Pe) Penuttler – yellow robe with Law sign
(Su) Sulle – clock mask, red robe
(Ha) Haraldr – scaly humanoid, mace
(G) Go-Sai – exotic banded armor, curved sword
(K) Kondro - black clad obscuring clothed man

- Cloud is outlined in yellow.
- Ghost is in green.

[Grognardsw]

As Kondro (K) sprints south through the vast ballroom, and swordsmen and sorcerers clash, the black-garbed Runestaff bearer suddenly sees a pair of ghostly nobles dancing before him. Before he can veer away he passes through them, a chill penetrating to his bones but otherwise not causing harm.



The ballroom is now occupied by at least 50 specter couples dancing a waltz. The apparitions whisper and chat and pirouette to unheard music.



Bjorn (Bj) the dwarf is suddenly standing betwixt a spirit couple. They peer down at the dwarf with a smile somehow sad and utter, “She did this to us. She killed us all!” pointing to the apparition of Lady Myshella on the balcony. The Silver Princess is maniacally conducting the dancers, waving her hands about, crying blood tears.

The dancers take to the air.



The Fellowship of Law closes in on Kondro…

[Grognardsw]

Fellowship of Chaos members are in red, and those of Law in blue. Character name abbreviations for the map follow their name (e.g. Markus (M). Map coordinates are in OOC-red.

Battle for the Runestaff!


“Kill the monk!” shouts black-garbed Kondro (K), having just felt the pain of Shen's ring, as he runs clutching the Runestaff toward the south door.

The new man – silvered hair, underclothes - who just entered the room from the south door runs before (U-26) the oncoming Kondro and motions him toward the door. “This way Kondro!” he yells. “Get through the door and we will all try to cover you! I will cast something to protect you from their goodness!”

The man starts intoning and making hand motions while flicking small dried rose petals toward Kondro. The black garbed man suddenly slumps prone to the floor about 30' from the south door (at U-25), the Runestaff lying partially under him! Haraldr (Ha) - scaled skin, mace - runs into the room from the south door, bellowing, “Sulle is bewitched!” He charges, swings his immense mace, and slams Sulle on the back! (7 HP damage)

On top of the ziggurat, Mjolnir (Mj) the duergar struggles in the stinking cloud, staggering to the edge and over (T-14) to the next level of the ziggurat out of the vapors range. He sees Shen further southeast on the lower part of the ziggurat. Mjolnir hears Kondro yell to kill the monk. Mjolnir goes down the east stairs to the first level of the ziggurat, then 20’ south to Shen, charging him in a head-butt with his unusual helmet.

Shen the monk is bludgeoned hard in the back by the deep dwarf’s helm! (7 HP)

Honnilee (H) the hobbit spies Mjolnir (Mj) emerge from the cloud and rush to Shen. She bounds up the stairs and behind Mjolnir as the duergar charges Shen. Honnilee sees her chance and takes it, moving forward to backstab Mjolnir. Her short sword skewers the deep dwarf! (16 HP)

Shen (S) staggers some from Mjolnir’s head blow. But with zen focus the monk disregards the pain, leaps down the last level of the ziggurat, and speeds away in pursuit of Kondro. With preternatural speed the monk catches up to the prone Kondro (U-25), where stands Markus (M). The dark knight picks up the Runestaff from Kondro. Shen races to him, leaps for a kick, as Markus throws the Runestaff to the south door. Markus rolls hard right and avoids Shen’s kick.


From his position half-way up the ziggurat (T-15), Poltux (P) – half-orc, javelin - sees Mjolnir near to the north. The running man with the Runestaff is more important. Poltux rushes south, taking stairs, and sprints after Kondro (ending at U-23.) He sees the black-garbed man fall prone to the floor before Sulle who appeared to be casting a spell.

Bjorn (Bj) - dwarf, plate, mace - is south of the ziggurat and runs in pursuit of Kondro and the Runestaff. He is getting close! The dwarf gets 30' from the south door when a previously unseen shadow rises from the floor before him. It is the shadow of a woman and she turns into a real person – Sereniti (Se)! She snarls a diabolism while thrusting her hands out. A black blast of infernal energy fans out at Bjorn. He dives and rolls (at T-26) avoiding the dark magick.

Bjorn leaps up and swings his glowing mace at the sinister sorceress. It slams into Sereniti's right upper arm! (5 HP)

Markus (M) – plate, bastard sword - still on his way to cover Kondro, waves over to Idwillen (Id) and yells: “You can count on me, old friend! Let me just guard this boy to the exit and I'll be right at your side!”

Markus (M) sprints with Kondro toward the south door, hears Sulle’s (S) call, sees him casting, than he sees Kondro drop to the floor before him. The Runestaff is partially under him. Markus is quickly upon Kondro, scoops up the Runestaff, and throws it 30’ to land in the south doorway (at S-28). No sooner does he do this when Shen the monk races toward him, leaps and kicks. Markus rolls hard right to dodge and leaps forward to face him. Beyond Shen, Markus sees the dwarf Bjorn (T-26) engaged with Sereniti, and further back the raging half-orc Poltux charging with javelin (U-23.) Markus grips his bastard sword, ready to take on all comers.

Penuttler (P) – yellow robe - leaps up from his crawling position on the balcony and makes a mad dash down the stairs. As he is running he sees Kondro drop, Markus pick up the Runestaff and throw it to the south door. Penuttler runs along the south wall, reaches the Runestaff, and with a cluck scoops it up (as S-28.).

Ianin (I) - red hair, tunic, staff - runs from the west stairs of the ziggurat south to about 80 feet before the south door (at O-21.) He chants and waves a small leather loop toward the south door. Suddenly Penuttler (Pe) is lifted into the air against his will! He rises up until he bumps the balcony floor 20’ above him.

Meanwhile, southwest of the ziggurat, Go-Sai (G) the samurai steps around the pillar (H-20) to face Andover (A) – half elf, chain - while emitting a harsh bloody scream, “Tihahhh!” His katana moves with surprising force and speed, gashing open the half-elf (14 HP) across the chest!


The four matching Derwin’s (D) – cloaked elves – maneuver near Andover (A) and throw a volley of darts (from F-20.) Two of the flying blades hit but the half-elf’s chainmail and shield protect him. The third dart misses Andover hits the nearby Go-Sai (3 HP.)

Andover recovers from Go-Sai’s slash and hews at the samurai with his longsword. The powerful blow strikes through to Go-Sai’s shoulder! (9 HP)

Idwillen (Id) – tall, green robe, spear - also earlier on the ziggurat with Poltux, moves to the north of the ziggurat and is thus unseen by anyone else.

Raquinel (R) – red hair, robe – bolts from the northwest corner of the ziggurat and runs south (to N-19.) She screams: "Blood and souls for my lord Arioch!"

Between the ziggurat and west fountain (at L-15) a cloud of red mist forms and out steps a fantastic and horrible creature…

With a roar it races toward the south doors.

The Runestaff is now held by Penuttler, unwillingly stuck floating 20' in the air before the south doors. There are sounds of insectoid buzzing coming from the hallway beyond the doors.

Actions for Round Six!

Map:

- Chaos won initiative


Map Legend - 1 square=10', T=table, S=statue, F=fountain. If needed, exact locations can be stated by letter/number, for example the ziggurat top is at R-15. Cloud is outlined in yellow

Fellowship of Law – in blue
(A) Andover – half elf, chain, bow
(P) Poltux – half orc, javelin
(S) Shen – bald, unarmored, spear
(B) Bjorn – dwarf, plate, mace
(I) Ianin – red-haired human in tunic with staff
(R) Raquinel – red-haired female in robes
(F) Flint – male robe,s monocle
(H) Honnilee - hobbit
(Id) Idwillen – 6’7”, green robe, spear

Fellowship of Chaos – in red
(M) Markus – plate armor, bastard sword
(Mj) Mjolnir – duergar, axes
(D) Derwin – cloaked elf (4 of them)
(Se) Sereniti – female, white robes
(Pe) Penuttler – yellow robe with Law sign
(Su) Sulle – clock mask, red robe
(Ha) Haraldr – scaly humanoid, mace
(G) Go-Sai – exotic banded armor, curved sword
(K) Kondro - black clad obscuring clothed man

- (M) Monster is purple
- Stinking Cloud is outlined in yellow.
- Lady Myshella ghost is in green.

[Grognardsw]

Battle for the Runestaff! - Round Six


The ownership of the Runestaff teeters between Law and Chaos as the Fellowships battle.


On the ziggurat, Honnilee (H) the hobbit thief puts a ring on and suddenly there are three more of her, each mirroring the others’ actions. Mjolnir (Mj) the fighter swings both his axes but the dexterous hobbit dashes back and avoids both. Honnilee jabs again at Mjolnir the fighter but is blocked by the angry duergar.

West of the ziggurat, from his position, behind the west fountain, Flint (F) the magic user is waving his hands seemingly at the horrible creature that stepped from the red mists. It veers its southeast path west toward Go-Sai, Andover and Derwin.

Raquinel (R) the sorceress intones words of power and sends forth glowing missiles of magic energy from her fingertips toward Sereniti’s direction.

South of the ziggurat, Bjorn (Bj) the dwarf cleric swings his mace again upon Sereniti (Se) as the warlock slashes at the dwarf with a dagger. Her blade is turned aside by Bjorn’s armor. His mace glows...

as it cracks Sereniti’s skull open (critical, 14 HP damage.) She collapses down quite dead.

Ianin (I) the magic-user stays still (at O-21), seeming to concentrate while looking at the south door area.

Shen (S) the monk faces off with Markus (M) the plate armored fighter. Shen spins in a round-house kick that jars Markus with pummeling force! (8 HP) At the same time Markus drives his sword deep into Shen’s shoulder! (9 HP) Then he yells to Idwillen northward: “Honored friend, I'm afraid, it will take a moment until I can join you! I will grant this failure the blessing of the master of pain!” as he motions to the monk.

Shen, heavily wounded, is surprised to suddenly feel two bolts– not arrows, but something strange and perhaps magical - hit his back (6 HP.) Blood spurts from his mouth…They must have come from the northwest... It’s hard to breathe… As everything goes black he thinks - who? The monk falls to the ground unmoving.

Southwest of the ziggurat, Andover (A) the half-elf ranger clashes blades with Go-Sai (G) the samurai. Go-Sai slides a ring on, attacks. Go-Sai is struck in the left ribs (11 HP), Andover blocks, Go-Sai is hacked in the shoulder (11 HP), Andover parries. Blood is streaming out from the samurai. As Go-Sai slumps to the floor unmoving, a devilish little creature springs forth from the ring.

It flies toward the approaching monster from the red mists.

Derwin (D) the elf, in quadruple form, runs north to the fountain (F-13) and tries to stab Flint (F) the magic-user. Flint dodges.

The monster from the red mists lumbers quickly over and swings a clawed hand at the four Derwin’s as they get halfway to Flint.

The evil elf dodges and rolls.

Near the south door, Penuttler (Pe) the madgician, holding the Runestaff, levitates against his will near the balcony ceiling in front of the door. He starts using his arms to “walk” across the ceiling. No sooner than he moves 10’ when a swarm of flying insects burst into the room from the south doors. They fly past Penuttler, heading northeast toward the east fountain.

Idwillen (Id) – tall, green robes, spear – rushes from behind the ziggurat to the east fountain (BB-13) where he begins waving his hands as if orchestrating a band. He pointing toward the south door. After the swarm is about 30’ into the room, they pause in mid-flight, hover, then turn around and go after Penuttler. As soon as Penuttler sees the swarm enter the room, he stops moving, stuffs the Runestaff under his backpack, and chants while waving his hand and sprinkling some type of powder. The swarm turns, flies toward him, and is about to reach him just as a flaming sphere materializes 5’ in front of Penuttler. The searing heat bakes the swarm to cinders.

From his southeast position (U-23), Poltux (P) the half-orc fighter runs south around Shen vs. Markus, Bjorn vs. Sereniti, and Sulle and Kondro. He sees the levitating Penuttler scuttle toward the door with his “arm-walk”, then the insect swarm. The half-orc reaches him just the flaming sphere appears and burns the swarm (at S-28.) Poltux heaves his javelin up and strikes Penuttler in the stomach (9 HP.) Blood drips to the floor...

...as Penuttler slumps, grievously wounded, floating in mid-air.

Thirty feet north, Sulle (Su) the sorcerer stands over the prone Kondro (K), reaches into his pouch, and puts a black hood over Kondro’s face. “This should wake you back up friend!” he says. Sulle then runs to behind the northeast pillar (at Y-20.)

Haraldr (Ha) the demoniac cleric chants and motions with a tiny silver mirror. He sees Sulle lay a hood over Kondro’s face. Haraldr steps over and removes it. Kondro remains prone.

All around the room ghostly noble couples serenely dance and pirouette. The apparitions are smiling while they cry.

Actions for Round Seven!

Map:

- Fellowship of Chaos members are in red, and those of Law in blue. Character name abbreviations for the map follow their name (e.g. Markus (M). Map coordinates are in OOC-red.
- Initiative tied. Simultaneous actions.
- At this point, given the hints, I think it’s okay to drop the character descriptions following names. It is easier to me. A few will stay because they’re still ambiguous enough.
- Monster claw on Derwin [1d20] = 4, damage [1d8] = 5 Miss. Note the monster has a claw/claw/bite attack, but due to distance traveled only get one claw attack this round.
- Swarm and Penuttler: Simultaneous actions. Swarm moves at 18”, or 18’/segment. Going 30’ in, getting visual direction from Idwillen, turning 30’ back to Penuttler takes 3 segments. Penuttler moved 10’ (1 segment) then cast. Flaming Sphere takes 2 segments to cast. So swarm arrives and sphere happens on 3rd segment. Penuttler put it 5’ ahead so that 5’ radius encompasses the swarm. Time and distance conspired in Penuttler's favor.


Map Legend - 1 square=10', T=table, S=statue, F=fountain. If needed, exact locations can be stated by letter/number, for example the ziggurat top is at R-15. Cloud is outlined in yellow

Fellowship of Law – in blue
(A) Andover – ranger - half elf, chain, bow
(P) Poltux – fighter - half orc, javelin
(S) Shen – monk - bald, unarmored, spear
(B) Bjorn – cleric - dwarf, plate, mace
(I) Ianin – magic user - red-haired human in tunic with staff
(R) Raquinel – magic user - red-haired female in robes
(F) Flint – magic user - male robe,s monocle
(H) Honnilee – thief - hobbit
(Id) Idwillen – 6’7”, green robe, spear

Fellowship of Chaos – in red
(M) Markus – plate armor, bastard sword
(Mj) Mjolnir – fighter - duergar, axes
(D) Derwin – cloaked elf (4 of them)
(Se) Sereniti – magic user - female, white robes
(Pe) Penuttler – magic user - yellow robe with Law sign
(Su) Sulle – magic user - clock mask, red robe
(Ha) Haraldr – cleric - scaly humanoid, mace
(G) Go-Sai – samurai - exotic banded armor, curved sword
(K) Kondro - black clad obscuring-clothed man

- Monster is purple.
- Imp is tan/brown.
- Stinking Cloud is outlined in yellow.
- Lady Myshella ghost is in green.

[Grognardsw]

A Lord of Chaos looks down upon the battle of the Fellowships...

[Grognardsw]

Battle for the Runestaff! - Round Seven


South of the ziggurat, Bjorn (B) the dwarf cleric leaps over Sereniti’s (Se) dead body to engage Haraldr (Ha), the big scaled-skinned cleric. For a moment Bjorn thinks Haraldr is not even there, but he blinks his eyes and indeed the demoniac is before him. Bjorn swings his magical mace but Haraldr jumps back and avoids it.

is the agonized cry from Markus (M) as he sees his sister Sereniti killed by Bjorn. The plate armored fighter rushes and hacks his long sword at Bjorn the dwarf, who parries it with his mace. Haraldr the cleric weaves behind Markus, waiting for the right moment, and manages to touch the dark knight with his palm.

Ianin (I) the conjuror remains in place (at O-21), looking toward the south door.

Below the floating Penuttler (Pe), Poltux (P) the half-orc fighter lunges his javelin at yellow-robed wizard. Penuttler jacks his legs up and avoids the javelin. Then the flaming sphere near Penuttler drops down almost on top of Poltux,

searing him with intense heat! (5 HP damage)

At the southeast corner of the ziggurat, Mjolnir (Mj) the duergar hops down the nearest stairs and runs south to Kondro. Idwillen (Id) the druid dashes from behind the east fountain (BB-13), running after Mjolnir. The deep dwarf has a 40’ lead. Idwillen hurls his spear but it falls short. Mjolnir reaches the prone Kondro, examines him, and shakes him back to consciousness.

West of the ziggurat, Andover (A) the half-elf ranger, alone before the dead samurai, turns to see the carnage near the south door. He glares at Raquinel (R) and races after her. The sorceress is running south and reaches 20’ away from Penuttler (Q-27), taking out her wand. Andover is almost upon her with sword out.

Flint (F) the magic-user, the monster from the red mists, and Derwin (D) the elf and his mirror images battle behind the west fountain. The monster swipes its claws at Derwin and lunges its terrible maw at him. One claw strikes a mirror image, which abruptly disappears. Its bite attack crunches Derwin’s head, but that too is an illusion as it snuffs out. Only two Derwins remain.


While monster and elf tangle, Flint, resplendent in shining plate armor, runs toward the south statue of Sir Erykos calling out, “Honnilee! A gift for you!” As he runs he holds a monocle in the air.

Derwin the elf leaps away from the monster and chases Flint. As he does so the monster gets in another claw attack, which rakes the real Derwin’s back (3 HP damage.) The elf staggers a bit and continues running. He is 30’ behind and throws two daggers. One strikes Flint in the back, hitting the armor, which suddenly disappears as Flint continues to run and reach the south statue (R-20).

At the southeast tip of the ziggurat (U-17), Honnilee (H) the hobbit disengages from Mjolnir (Mj) the duergar, who is backing away himself. She runs toward the south statue to meet Flint. Flint and Honnilee see that Sulle has run to the same statue and is 10’ away from them! (at S-20)

Sulle the sorcerer emerges from behind the east pillar (Y-20) and runs west to reach the south statue of Sir Erykose. As he sprints he yells in an unknown language. When Sulle reaches the statue (S-20) is calls out: “Yes! More blood and souls for Lord Arioch!” As he arrives at the statue he realizes Flint and Honnilee ran there also and are only 10’ away from him! (at R-20)

As Poltux (P) the half-orc fighter pulls back from the flaming sphere under Penuttler (Pe), he glances over to Sulle and yells something in a tongue unknown to anyone else.

The devilish imp that escaped from the downed Go-Sai’s (G) ring flies at the monster and attempts to sting it with its tail. The monster bats the tail away. The imp then disappears from sight.


Actions for Round Eight!

Map:

- Law won initiative.
- Fellowship of Chaos members are in red, and those of Law in blue. Character name abbreviations for the map follow their name (e.g. Markus (M). Map coordinates are in OOC-red.
- At this point, given the hints, I think it’s okay to drop the character descriptions following names. It is easier to me. A few will stay because they’re still ambiguous enough.
- Poltux save vs. flaming sphere [1d20] = 6 Fail.
- Flaming sphere damage on Poltux [2d4] = 5 5 on Poltux
- Andover chasing Raquinel: Counting out the squares of simultaneous movement puts Raquinel at her desired location (Q-27) on the seventh segment, and Andover there on the eighth segment. This is too much movement for an attack. You can make your attacks (wand and sword) next round (rolls carry over.)
- Bjorn made the save vs. Haraldr’s Sanctuary spell. He missed on the to-hit however.
- Monster attack c/c/b on Derwin [1d20] = 4, [1d20] = 18, [1d20] = 14 Hits with one claw and bit.
- Monster claw & bite hits which Derwin? Real is 1. [1d4] = 3, [1d4] = 4 The claw and bite hit two mirror images, not the real Derwin. Lucky elf
- Monster free attack on retreating Derwin [1d20] = 14 Hit
- Monster free attack hit mirror image? Real is 1. [1d2] = 1 The hit was on the real Derwin.
- Monster claw damage on Derwin [1d8] = 3 3 to Derwin
- Imp tail attack monster [1d20] = 5, damage [1d4] = 4 Miss


Map Legend - 1 square=10', T=table, S=statue, F=fountain. If needed, exact locations can be stated by letter/number, for example the ziggurat top is at R-15. Cloud is outlined in yellow

Fellowship of Law – in blue
(A) Andover – ranger - half elf, chain, bow
(P) Poltux – fighter - half orc, javelin
(S) Shen – monk - bald, unarmored, spear
(B) Bjorn – cleric - dwarf, plate, mace
(I) Ianin – magic user - red-haired human in tunic with staff
(R) Raquinel – magic user - red-haired female in robes
(F) Flint – magic user - male robe,s monocle
(H) Honnilee – thief - hobbit
(Id) Idwillen – 6’7”, green robe, spear

Fellowship of Chaos – in red
(M) Markus – plate armor, bastard sword
(Mj) Mjolnir – fighter - duergar, axes
(D) Derwin – cloaked elf (4 of them)
(Se) Sereniti – magic user - female, white robes
(Pe) Penuttler – magic user - yellow robe with Law sign
(Su) Sulle – magic user - clock mask, red robe
(Ha) Haraldr – cleric - scaly humanoid, mace
(G) Go-Sai – samurai - exotic banded armor, curved sword
(K) Kondro - black clad obscuring-clothed man

- Monster is purple
- Imp is purple
- Stinking Cloud is outlined in yellow.
- Lady Myshella ghost is in green.

[Grognardsw]

The Lords of Law look down upon the battle of the Fellowships...

[Grognardsw]

Battle for the Runestaff! - Round Eight


The symphony of pain continues as the Fellowships of Law and Chaos bring instruments of steel and spell down upon each other.

Bjorn (B) the dwarf cleric

stands before two fearsome and much bigger foes – Markus (M) the fighter and Haraldr (Ha) the demoniac cleric. Bjorn grits his teeth and swings his magic mace at the priest of chaos. The mace swings low, given Bjorn’s height, and is blocked by Haraldr’s giant skull-etched mace.

Markus (M) swings with rage

at Bjorn (B), slayer of Sereniti (Se). The dwarf scrambles and his plate mail deflects Markus’ blow.

Behind the south statue of Sir Eyekose (lover and murderer of Lady Myshella, the Silver Princess), the magic-users Flint (F) and Sulle (Su) exchange quick words. Sulle sprints to and up the central stairway of the south balcony (ending at S-26). He turns around, oil flask in hand, to see the area below filled with billowing obscuring fog. His targets cannot be seen.

Suddenly a square 80’ x 80’ cloud of obscuring fog materializes around Markus (M) (centered at V-24). It is one foot above the floor. It appears similar to the fog seen earlier in the battle. A shout in an unknown language is heard from near the south statue of Sir Erykose: “Krighok ock flr, oscrik tehn heriksi aunk! Ascre, dek li foruk miskto aik ohntu!” Markus, Bjorn, Kondro, Mjolnir, Haraldr cannot see around them.

After waking Kondro (K), Mjolnir (Mj) the deep dwarf quickly assesses the situation. "Let's get that staff!" barks Mjolnir to Kondro. Then the enshrouding fog appears. “What is this? Again?!” he yells. The fog prevents him, like the others, from seeing his enemy.

Idwillen (Id) the 6’7” druid runs, scoops up his spear, enters the fog and attacks Mjolnir (Mj) the duergar. His spear gouges the Mjolnir in the back shoulder! (9 HP)

Kondro (K) wakes and takes in the battle scene before him. He is about to move when obscuring fog billows around him. He steps east, dagger drawn.

To the northwest of the fog-enshrouded battle, Derwin (D) the elf and his mirror image move to the nearby column (M-20) as Honnilee (H) the hobbit and her three mirror images race towards him. Derwin begins intoning words while waving his hands. Honnilee then reaches him. “Ah, I can see things others cannot see! Can you? “ she taunts.

The hobbit has a monocle in her eye. She gleefully stabs the true Derwin but the elf nimbly jumps aside.

Derwin (D) then realizes the one-eyed, horned monster is upon him!

With elven fluidity Derwin weaves and dodges, but one claw scratches, the bite grazes, both to the real Derwin (2 HP total.) Derwin darts in and slaps the monster, delivering a magical shock on the creature! (4 HP)

The imp suddenly appears on the back of the monster,

stinging it with its tail (1 HP.) The creature tries to swat it away.

Standing back 80’ from the south door (at O-21), Ianin (I) the conjuror is focused on the south door area.

Directly in front of the south doors, Poltux (P) the half-orc fighter growls and backs away from the flaming sphere enough so its heat won't hurt him. He throws his javelin at levitating Penuttler (Pe) the madgician, 12’ in the air with the Runestaff on his back. The javelin impales the evil wizard in the chest and he slumps, unconscious or lifeless (8 HP damage.) He still hovers about 12’ up in the air. The flaming sphere remains burning near the door.

Poltux yells

to his nearby comrades: "That silver-haired one (points to Sulle) speaks in my philosophy-tongue! He claims to be of Law and wants to help!"

Near the south doors but outside of the fog, Andover (A) the ranger presses the attack on Raquinel (R) the enchantress. Raquinel yells "Andy, no! Don't hurt me!" She waves her wand at him. As Andover’s sword-arm raises, his helmet suddenly slides down and covers his eyes. Raquinel continues running east (ending at V-26)

Those adventurers who appear unconscious, down and/or dead are Sereniti (Se) the warlock, Go-Sai (G) the samurai, Penuttler (Pe) the madgician, and Shen (S) the monk. The stinking cloud atop the ziggurat dissipates.

Actions for Round Nine!

Map:

- Law is in blue, Chaos in red.
- Law wins initiative.
- Law and Chaos notes and rolls are in their respective private forums.
- Due to distance from Honnilee reaching him, Derwin did complete the Shocking Grasp spell. He was attacked, then carried through the shock in an attack on the monster.


Map Legend - 1 square=10', T=table, S=statue, F=fountain. If needed, exact locations can be stated by letter/number, for example the ziggurat top is at R-15.

Fellowship of Law – in blue
(A) Andover – ranger - half elf, chain, bow
(P) Poltux – fighter - half orc, javelin
(S) Shen – monk - bald, unarmored, spear
(B) Bjorn – cleric - dwarf, plate, mace
(I) Ianin – magic user - red-haired human in tunic with staff
(R) Raquinel – magic user - red-haired female in robes
(F) Flint – illusionist - male robe,s monocle
(H) Honnilee – thief - hobbit
(Id) Idwillen – 6’7”, green robe, spear

Fellowship of Chaos – in red
(M) Markus – anti-paladin - plate armor, bastard sword
(Mj) Mjolnir – fighter - duergar, axes
(D) Derwin – cloaked elf (4 of them)
(Se) Sereniti – warlock - female, white robes
(Pe) Penuttler – magic user - yellow robe with Law sign
(Su) Sulle – magic user - clock mask, red robe
(Ha) Haraldr – cleric - scaly humanoid, mace
(G) Go-Sai – samurai - exotic banded armor, curved sword
(K) Kondro - black clad obscuring-clothed man

- Square of fog is in gray.
- Sphere of flame is orange dot.
- Monster is purple
- Imp is purple
- Stinking Cloud is outlined in yellow.
- Lady Myshella ghost is in green.

[Grognardsw]

The Runestaff is said to sway the course of the Cosmic Balance...

[Grognardsw]

Battle for the Runestaff! - Round Nine


As good fights evil for the Runestaff, an obscuring bank of fog billows into existence. Yells, grunts of pain and the clash of steel are heard from within…

From atop the south balcony central stairs, Sulle (S) the Granbretan science-sorcerer looks through a gem and yells: “Block the doorway! We have them surrounded and we can’t let any of them escape! They are nearly defeated! Secure the staff but do not run!!! I can assure you that you don’t want any of them following after you! This group is profoundly evil and must be eliminated to the last man! KILL THEM ALL!!!” Sulle lights an oil flask with a little flame from his finger.

Markus (M) the anti-paladin moves west, swinging his sword in front of him in the fog until he emerges. As he exits the fog, Markus yells, “Derwin! come over and let my aura protect you from that beast! Your talents are needed over here!” Markus runs up the central stairs, sword drawn, toward Sulle the wizard. Sulle throws the burning oil flask at Markus as he comes up the stairs,

but the anti-paladin leaps to the side to dodge. Markus cleaves his longsword at Sulle. The wizard leaps back barely avoiding the blow.

From the west column (M-20) beyond the fog, Derwin (D) the elf yells back to Markus: "I can't! I'm surrounded! Help me!" The elf lunges with his dagger at the one-eyed, horned blue skin creature. He notes its loin cloth bears the eight-arrow sign of Chaos. The dagger grazes the monster's leg. Honnilee (H) the hobbit breaks off from the combat; with monocle in eye, she streaks east into the fog. Derwin’s last mirror image dissipates.

The devious imp

again appears on the monster’s back, stinging with its tail. The cut is minor. The creature growls at the annoyance.

In the fog,

Mjolnir (Mj) the duergar curses the giant druid Idwillen (Id) for striking him from behind. The deep dwarf twists, turns and hacks at the druid with his twin axes. One blade slashes the Idwillen’s leg! (4 HP) The druid deflects the second axe with his spear, then slices the spear blade deep in Mjolnir’s right shoulder! (Critical for 8 HP) Mjolnir staggers back, bleeding and heavily wounded.

In the obscuring mists, Haraldr (Ha) the demoniac cleric rises through the air, exiting the fog. He floats 20’ in the air above the fray. The ceiling is 30’.

Amidst the enshrouding fog, black-cloaked Kondro (K) drinks a potion. He moves south until he hits the south wall, then walks west until he emerges from the fog at the south door (at S-28.) He feels the intense heat from Penuttler’s flaming sphere, which is stationary 8’ in front of him. He sees on the other side of the flaming sphere Poltux (P) the half-orc fighter; Poltux growls at him. Kondro also sees Penuttler – unconscious or dead – floating 12’ up in the air. The Runestaff is on his back.

Ianin (I) the conjuror stands at his spot 80’ northwest from the south door. Penuttler plummets to the floor near the flaming sphere. His yellow robe ignites from the heat; his skin and feathers cinder. The Runestaff remains on his back, wedged under his backpack. Poltux snags the burning body with his javelin, drags it to him, and pulls out the undamaged Runestaff. Suddenly it lifts into the air of its own accord, but Poltux grips hard and keeps it.



Meanwhile,with the Fellowship of Law…

Bjorn (B) the dwarf cleric hits the floor and crawls under and out of the fog. Flint (F) the illusionist moves 10’ from behind the south statue of Sir Erykose into the northwest corner (T-20) of the obscuring fog bank.

Raquinel (R) the sorceress waves her wand in the direction of the south doors. Andover (A) the ranger adjusts the helmet that had blinded him, drops his shield and leaps upon Raquinel to grapple her. The half-elf ranger grabs, clinches, hugs as the female human blocks and squirms and prevents Andover’s attempted hold.

Those adventurers who appear unconscious, down and/or dead are Sereniti (Se) the warlock, Go-Sai (G) the samurai, Penuttler (Pe) the madgician, and Shen (S) the monk. The Fellowship of Law's Poltux (P) the half-orc fighter holds the Runestaff.

Actions for Round 10!



Map:

- Chaos wins initiative. The imp falls under Chaos’ initiative; the monster, Law’s.
- Fellowship of Law characters are in blue, Chaos in red.


Map Legend - 1 square=10', T=table, S=statue, F=fountain. If needed, exact locations can be stated by letter/number, for example the ziggurat top is at R-15.

Fellowship of Law – in blue
(A) Andover – ranger - half elf, chain, bow
(P) Poltux – fighter - half orc, javelin
(S) Shen – monk - bald, unarmored, spear (DEAD)
(B) Bjorn – cleric - dwarf, plate, mace
(I) Ianin – magic user - red-haired human in tunic with staff
(R) Raquinel – magic user - red-haired female in robes
(F) Flint – illusionist – male, robe, monocle
(H) Honnilee – thief - hobbit
(Id) Idwillen – 6’7”, green robe, spear

Fellowship of Chaos – in red
(M) Markus – anti-paladin - plate armor, bastard sword
(Mj) Mjolnir – fighter - duergar, axes
(D) Derwin – cloaked elf (4 of them)
(Se) Sereniti – warlock - female, white robes
(Pe) Penuttler – magic user - yellow robe with Law sign
(Su) Sulle – magic user - clock mask, red robe
(Ha) Haraldr – cleric - scaly humanoid, mace
(G) Go-Sai – samurai - exotic banded armor, curved sword
(K) Kondro - black clad obscuring-clothed man

- Square of fog is in gray.
- Sphere of flame is orange dot.
- Monster is purple
- Imp is purple
- Lady Myshella ghost is in green.

[Grognardsw]

Battle for the Runestaff! - Round 10



Outside of the swirling fog bank…

Bjorn (B) the dwarf cleric, seeing the wounded Poltux (P) running northwest with the Runestaff, sprints to join him (at M-24) and slaps his shoulder.

Flint (F) the magic-user moves forward to the base of the central stairs to the south balcony (Q-25.) Atop the stairs Markus (M) the anti-paladin confronts Sulle (S) the sorcerer. “Who is surrounded now, traitor?” says Markus to Sulle, who is speaking unknown words and waving his hands.

Flint intones quick syllables of power and then a puff of multi-hued dust can be seen momentarily, before a vivid fan-shaped spray of clashing colors envelopes Markus. He falls to the floor at the top of the stairs, not moving. Sulle fades from sight, his body there one moment and gone the next.

Haraldr (Ha) the demoniac cleric floats 20’ up (at V-25), with a view across the room. He chants and waves a small, straight piece of metal. Flint (F) suddenly feels his muscles stiffen and he becomes frozen in place at the bottom of the stairs! (Q-25)

With Runestaff in hand, Poltux (P) the fighter runs northwest and approaches the west column (H-20.) The one-eyed, horned monster is battling Derwin (D) the elf up ahead, so Poltux veers left to go around the other side of that column (ending at K-20.) He glances back to look for any foes. Bjorn (B) the cleric runs with him and is behind by 20’ (at M-23.)

At the northwest column (M-20), Derwin (D) the elf fights the monstrous one-eyed, horned blue skinned creature. Seeing the sign of Chaos worn by the monster, Derwin yells: "We are on the same side! We fight against the servants of Law!" in multiple languages.

The monster ignores the elf and slashes again with claws and bite.

Derwin dodges, twists, and backflips to avoid the monster’s onslaught. He is grazed by one claw (1 HP.) Derwin slashes at the creature with his dagger but the monster bats the elf’s arm aside. Derwin sees out of the corner of his eye Poltux (P) (with the Runestaff!) and Bjorn (Bj) rushing in his direction from the southeast.

The imp hovers behind the monster.

It darts in and stings (2 HP) again the creature’s back. Overtaken this time by too much imp poison in its system, the monster lurches sideway and collapses to the floor.

Ianin (I) the conjuror sees that Poltux has the staff and is running. The mage throws a dagger at Kondro (K), who stands opposite him on the other side of the flaming sphere. The black-garbed man dodges and melts into the fog.

Inside the fog bank…


Having run inside the obscuring fog, the actions of Andover (A) the ranger, Raquinel (R) the soreress, Honnilee (H) the hobbit, Idwillen (Id) the druid, Kondro (K) and Mjolnir (Mj) the duergar cannot be seen.

The flaming sphere near the door extinguishes. Those adventurers who appear unconscious, down and/or dead are Sereniti (Se) the warlock, Go-Sai (G) the samurai, Penuttler (Pe) the madgician, and Shen (S) the monk.

Actions for Round 11!



Map:

- Law wins initiative. The imp falls under Chaos’ initiative; the monster, Law’s.
- Fellowship of Law characters are in blue, Chaos in red.


Map Legend - 1 square=10', T=table, S=statue, F=fountain. If needed, exact locations can be stated by letter/number, for example the ziggurat top is at R-15.

Fellowship of Law – in blue
(A) Andover – ranger - half elf, chain, bow
(P) Poltux – fighter - half orc, javelin
(S) Shen – monk - bald, unarmored, spear (DOWN)
(B) Bjorn – cleric - dwarf, plate, mace
(I) Ianin – magic user - red-haired human in tunic with staff
(R) Raquinel – magic user - red-haired female in robes
(F) Flint – illusionist – male, robe, monocle
(H) Honnilee – thief - hobbit
(Id) Idwillen – druid - 6’7”, green robe, spear

Fellowship of Chaos – in red
(M) Markus – anti-paladin - plate armor, bastard sword
(Mj) Mjolnir – fighter - duergar, axes
(D) Derwin – elf MU/T
(Se) Sereniti – warlock - female, white robes (DOWN)
(Pe) Penuttler – magic user - yellow robe with Law sign (DOWN)
(Su) Sulle – magic user - clock mask, red robe
(Ha) Haraldr – cleric - scaly humanoid, mace
(G) Go-Sai – samurai - exotic banded armor, curved sword (DOWN)
(K) Kondro - black clad obscuring-clothed man

- Square of fog is in gray.
- Monster is purple
- Imp is purple
- Lady Myshella ghost is in green.

[Grognardsw]

Battle for the Runestaff! - Round 11

Within the swirling fog bank…

Kondro (K) is at the northeast corner of the fog bank when two sling stones emerge from the mists. One strikes him stingingly in the shoulder (3 HP.) The other stone bullet flies wide. Kondro moves behind the nearby pillar (at Y-21.)

Arrow arcs high out of the fog bank at Derwin (D) the elf, who is motioning with his hands. The first arrow hit his shoulder (5 HP), disrupting Derwin’s motions. The second arrow flies wide and misses. Derwin is heavily wounded.

Northwest of the fog bank…

"Dun ye worry none Tux I'm right behind ya,” says Bjorn (B) the dwarf cleric to Poltux (P), trying to keep pace with the half-orc fighter holding the Runestaff as they run to the west doors. Derwin the elf stands 20’ away to the east. They get barely past the column (L-20) when Bjorn feels an impact against his back; he glances around to see the devilish imp cursing in an infernal tongue.

Bjorn turns and swings in one fluid motion and whacks the imp with his magical mace! (5 HP) The imp is battered to the right 10’, spinning in the air before regaining equilibrium.

Meanwhile Poltux, Runestaff in hand, runs and reaches within 10’ of the west door (at A-16.)

Ianin (I) the conjuror throws a dagger at the levitating cleric of Chaos Haraldr. The blade falls short. Ianin turns and sprints toward the west doors. Haraldr lowers back into the fog.

At the top of the central staircase to the south balcony, the prone form of Markus (M) the anti-paladin, struck unconscious by the Color Spray spell of Flint (F), shakily lifts upright unnaturally. He is leaning against the railing. The helmet raises by unseen hands. Sulle the sorcercer suddenly appears from thin air, sliding a dagger across Markus’ throat from ear-to-ear.

“You evil bastards will all die here in this place!,” yells Sulle. “I have seen you all in action, and your lifetime of treacherous deeds ends here and now. SHOW THEM NO QUARTER! KILL THEM ALL!” Sulle pushes Markus’ dead body over the balcony and it thuds to the floor.

At the base of the south central stairs, Flint (F) the magic-user grinds his teeth, unable to move a muscle.

The fog bank abruptly disappears, revealing the adventurers within. Haraldr the dark cleric stands next to the jerkily moving corpses of Shen (S) the monk and Mjolnir (Mj) the duergar. They bow before him. Adventurers who appear unconscious, down and/or dead are Markus (M) the anti-paladin, Sereniti (Se) the warlock, Go-Sai (G) the samurai, Penuttler (Pe) the madgician, and Raquinel (R) the sorceress.

Actions for Round 12!


Map:

- Law wins initiative. The imp falls under Chaos initiative.
- Fellowship of Law members are in blue, Chaos in red.


Map Legend - 1 square=10', T=table, S=statue, F=fountain. If needed, exact locations can be stated by letter/number, for example the ziggurat top is at R-15.

Fellowship of Law – in blue
(A) Andover – ranger - half elf, chain, bow
(P) Poltux – fighter - half orc, javelin
(S) Shen – monk - bald, unarmored, spear
(B) Bjorn – cleric - dwarf, plate, mace
(I) Ianin – magic user - red-haired human in tunic with staff
(R) Raquinel – magic user - red-haired female in robes
(F) Flint – illusionist – male, robe, monocle
(H) Honnilee – thief - hobbit
(Id) Idwillen – 6’7”, green robe, spear

Fellowship of Chaos – in red
(M) Markus – anti-paladin - plate armor, bastard sword
(Mj) Mjolnir – fighter - duergar, axes
(D) Derwin – elf MU/T
(Se) Sereniti – warlock - female, white robes
(Pe) Penuttler – magic user - yellow robe with Law sign
(Su) Sulle – magic user - clock mask, red robe
(Ha) Haraldr – cleric - scaly humanoid, mace
(G) Go-Sai – samurai - exotic banded armor, curved sword
(K) Kondro - black clad obscuring-clothed man

- Square of fog is in gray. It disappeared at the end of round 11.
- Imp is purple
- Lady Myshella ghost is in green.

[Grognardsw]

Battle for the Runestaff! - Round 12


As the obscuring fog disappears the Fellowships of Law and Chaos look upon each other. Bjorn (B) the dwarf cleric sprints and catches up with Poltux (P) the fighter, who carries the Runestaff (at A-26.) They are in front of the west door (at A-16) The imp suddenly materializes from thin air behind Poltux and stings him in the back (3 HP.) The half-orc staggers and collapses to the floor. The Runestaff drops from his fingers

With holy rage Bjorn swings at the devilish creature, slamming it with his mace. The imp is heavily wounded.

Ianin (I) the conjuror runs northwest to wounded Derwin (D) the evil elf. He attempts to touch Derwin, but the elf nimbly dodges, then slashes the conjuror across the forearm with a dagger! (2 HP)

The Law Bringers gang up on Haraldr (Ha) the demoniac cleric.

Idwillen (Id) the druid thrusts his spear at Haraldr, but the reptilian is able to deflect it with his mace. The cleric is not able to block Andover’s sword, as the ranger slashes deeply into his scaly side! (11 HP) Honnilee (H) the hobbit draws her sword and stabs Haraldr (6 HP) in the left thigh. Haraldr, under intense attack, falls back facing his opponents, parrying and reaches the prone form of Flint (at R-25.)

The zombie monk Shen (S)

pummels the real Honnilee (H) the hobbit with a macabre emulation of the dragon claw martial punch. It hurts (7 HP.) The hobbit’s mirror images disappear.

The zombie duergar Mjolnir (Mj)

attacks Idwillen (Id) with its axes. The first grazes his thigh (1 HP) while the second solidly bites into the druid's shoulder! (6 HP)

Sulle (Su) the sorcerer squats down behind the south balcony railing (at T-27), pops up and throws a dagger at Haraldr (Ha.) It falls short. Sulle ducks back down behind the spindled railing.

Black-cloaked Kondro (K) is north behind the column (Y-20.) He fires two arrows at Poltux (P.) The range is far, both arrows fall short.

Adventurers who appear unconscious, down and/or dead are Markus (M) the anti-paladin, Sereniti (Se) the warlock, Go-Sai (G) the samurai, Penuttler (Pe) the madgician, Poltux (P) the fighter, Flint (F) the illusionist and Raquinel (R) the sorceress.

Actions for Round 13!


Map:

- Law wins initiative.
- Fellowship of Law member are in blue, Chaos in red.


Map Legend - 1 square=10', T=table, S=statue, F=fountain. If needed, exact locations can be stated by letter/number, for example the ziggurat top is at R-15.

Fellowship of Law – in blue
(A) Andover – ranger - half elf, chain, bow
(P) Poltux – fighter - half orc, javelin
(S) Shen – monk - bald, unarmored, spear
(B) Bjorn – cleric - dwarf, plate, mace
(I) Ianin – magic user - red-haired human in tunic with staff
(R) Raquinel – magic user - red-haired female in robes
(F) Flint – illusionist – male, robe, monocle
(H) Honnilee – thief - hobbit
(Id) Idwillen – 6’7”, green robe, spear

Fellowship of Chaos – in red
(M) Markus – anti-paladin - plate armor, bastard sword
(Mj) Mjolnir – fighter - duergar, axes
(D) Derwin – elf MU/T
(Se) Sereniti – warlock - female, white robes
(Pe) Penuttler – magic user - yellow robe with Law sign
(Su) Sulle – magic user - clock mask, red robe
(Ha) Haraldr – cleric - scaly humanoid, mace
(G) Go-Sai – samurai - exotic banded armor, curved sword
(K) Kondro - black clad obscuring-clothed man

- Imp is purple
- Lady Myshella ghost is in green.