Action Thread 8

[rredmond]

Day 12 – Day 13 - After Dinner

Yosef memorizes two Charm Person spells without worry.

The dwarf remains noncompliant through to the end of dinner and beyond. He peeks at Yosef when he comes within the spell range. After speaking the incantation that finishes with "mellon" and holding his outstretched arms toward the dwarf, everyone can see a change coming over the dwarf's face, and his body relax. He looks up at Yosef with a cheesey smile. "Did I ever tell you how much I like that name, Yosef, great name," he says sitting up.

.


HPs: Jeloon - 29/29; Till - 33/36; Yosef - 8/10; Bruard - 18/19; Derek - 38/40
WIH: Till: short sword; Jeloon: Longsword (20' radius light), shield; Derek: Longsword (20' radius light), shield; Yosef: bow; Van: Ogre spear, shield; Eyman: Battle Axe, shield; Bruard: Mace, shield
MO: 1- Jeloon & Bruard; 2 - Yosef & Derek; 3 - Till & Rosin
Consumables: Torch - out (Rosin) 30 minutes left, 40' radius; Lantern - out (Rosin) 3 hours, 30 minutes left, 30' radius.

[Alethan]

Ok, quick, before he even gets his next chance to save...

"Hey, Wergrim! How's it going? Sorry about the ropes and all - it's for your own safety, mate. I'm sure you understand... Anyway, I was thinking about that tomb you guys were trying to find the other day. We're a little concerned about what we might find in there if we ever come across it, so... did you have any idea what might be inside? Or what kinds of wards or protections it might have? We couldn't find anything on the map, but maybe you know more? Anything you can add would be greatly appreciated, really."

Till takes a deep breath...

"Oh, and one more thing... we noticed you and your cleric friend had some pretty nice gear back there - especially that axe of yours and a shield. Do you know if either of them has any special properties, other than being able to make it hit someone with the axe or block someone with the shield?"

OOC: which reminds me... If we want to gear up the combatant hirelings with our non-useful (to us) magical weapons, should we give Eyman the magical battle axe? I believe it is currently not in use and being carried by a DAM. Might as well let someone use it. Plus, if we give the two combatant hirelings magical weapons, we've pretty much guaranteed their service for a LONG time with no further need of rewards, right?

[migellito]

Ok, quick, before he even gets his next chance to save...

"Hey, Wergrim! How's it going? Sorry about the ropes and all - it's for your own safety, mate. I'm sure you understand... Anyway, I was thinking about that tomb you guys were trying to find the other day. We're a little concerned about what we might find in there if we ever come across it, so... did you have any idea what might be inside? Or what kinds of wards or protections it might have? We couldn't find anything on the map, but maybe you know more? Anything you can add would be greatly appreciated, really."

Till takes a deep breath...

"Oh, and one more thing... we noticed you and your cleric friend had some pretty nice gear back there - especially that axe of yours and a shield. Do you know if either of them has any special properties, other than being able to make it hit someone with the axe or block someone with the shield?"

OOC: which reminds me... If we want to gear up the combatant hirelings with our non-useful (to us) magical weapons, should we give Eyman the magical battle axe? I believe it is currently not in use and being carried by a DAM. Might as well let someone use it. Plus, if we give the two combatant hirelings magical weapons, we've pretty much guaranteed their service for a LONG time with no further need of rewards, right?

[Argennian]

Day 12 – Day 13 - After Dinner

Yosef memorizes two Charm Person spells without worry.

The dwarf remains noncompliant through to the end of dinner and beyond. He peeks at Yosef when he comes within the spell range. After speaking the incantation that finishes with "mellon" and holding his outstretched arms toward the dwarf, everyone can see a change coming over the dwarf's face, and his body relax. He looks up at Yosef with a cheesey smile. "Did I ever tell you how much I like that name, Yosef, great name," he says sitting up.

Yosef displays the most curious and unusual of smiles and makes a sweeping motion of his free hand, as if waving off the compliment. "Ahh Wergrim, you are too kind, my... good friend! I am so thankful that you are alright. You gave me and our other friends quite a scare! It turns out we have finally discovered what happened and why you and the others of your band attacked us. It appears that someone, obviously unknown to you, placed foul magics upon your persons and caused you all to try and... murder us in our sleep!" Yosef closes his eyes and turns his head in a manner meant to convey painful memory.

After a dramatic pause, he continues, holding his hands out towards the dwarf in a meaningful gesture. "Now, now, I know you would never try to voluntarily hurt me and our other friends. I have told them it wasn't your fault and that I have forgiven you. They said they will not seek retribution as long as you remain bound and without weapon until such time as we can discover a way to remove this... magical curse that has been placed upon you. How are you feeling now, my friend? Better I hope?" the elf queries of the dwarf, with a wink at the others when he's not looking!

[rredmond]

Since Yosef is his buddy, we'll start there, and move forward.

"Ahh Wergrim, you are too kind, my... good friend! I am so thankful that you are alright. You gave me and our other friends quite a scare! It turns out we have finally discovered what happened and why you and the others of your band attacked us. It appears that someone, obviously unknown to you, placed foul magics upon your persons and caused you all to try and... murder us in our sleep!" Yosef closes his eyes and turns his head in a manner meant to convey painful memory.

"Fah," says Wergrim, "that's why dwarves try to stay away from the arcane arts."

"Now, now, I know you would never try to voluntarily hurt me and our other friends."

"Wasn't in my right frame of mind," he agrees.

"I have told them it wasn't your fault and that I have forgiven you. They said they will not seek retribution as long as you remain bound and without weapon until such time as we can discover a way to remove this... magical curse that has been placed upon you. How are you feeling now, my friend? Better I hope?"

"Better, weaponless if I have to be, but bound? If something happens to you and I couldn't defend you, why I'd be beside myself!" He looks truely distraught at the idea.

"Hey, Wergrim! How's it going? Sorry about the ropes and all - it's for your own safety, mate. I'm sure you understand... Anyway, I was thinking about that tomb you guys were trying to find the other day. We're a little concerned about what we might find in there if we ever come across it, so... did you have any idea what might be inside? Or what kinds of wards or protections it might have? We couldn't find anything on the map, but maybe you know more? Anything you can add would be greatly appreciated, really."

"Ah, Ovgur knew more," Wergrim says, "enchanted too I suppose?" He asks as an aside to Yosef. "Ovgur went on about some wood giant king and easy pickins because wood giants just had toy dolls that they would use as protection," Wergrim chuckles, "wood giants. Ovgur had some smarts, but no real sense. No such thing as wood giants, old miners tale. Plus any toys of a giant, wouldn't be so small for us! We had nothing more than the map and our axes. Me and the others were kinda hoping for wood giants, nothing axes couldn't solve, eh?"

"Oh, and one more thing... we noticed you and your cleric friend had some pretty nice gear back there - especially that axe of yours and a shield. Do you know if either of them has any special properties, other than being able to make it hit someone with the axe or block someone with the shield?"

"Oh yeah, my shield and axe are magical. Nothing out of the ordinary, but magicked to hit better and defend better. Other than that they don't do anything else. Ovgur didn't have any magical type stuff though."

[Argennian]

Yosef moves over to grab some food and water while Till questions Wergrim. He comes back over and takes a seat on the ground next to the dwarf in as casual a manner as he can muster. "Friend Wergrim, I must tell you that the magical curse that was placed upon you might have some... side effects. If I or the others here refer to or ask you things that you cannot recall, that is the reason. I cannot explain why this is, so you will just have to trust me, yes? And you will also have to trust me when I say that the safest thing will be for you to remain bound. If your hands were free and the magical curse compelled you, you could hurt someone, or even yourself! It would injure me greviously if that were to happen! I know that the rope binding you is a terrible burden and I also know that you are worried that you wont be able to defend me should trouble arise. But fear not, my friend. These other friends with us here are very capable and competent. They will make sure that we are both safe and sound! Wont you, friends?" asks Yosef innocently as he looks around and winks again, awaiting their responses. Once the dramatic agreements have been proffered, the elf continues. "And I promise that we will find a way to remove the magical curse very soon, my friend. Then, we will... set you free! That I promise you! Anyways, how unthoughtful of me. You must be hungry and thirsty, my friend. Here, I will help you," offers the elf as he hand feeds the dwarf some of the smoked snake meat and some water from his waterskin.

After he's had a good bit, Yosef will continue, nodding to the others that it's okay to ask any questions they might have. "You know, friend Wergrim, I do wonder about a few other things I had hoped you could... help me with. The map of the "Wood Giant's" tomb, for instance. Do you know where or from whom Ovgur got the map? Did he ever speak of any other tombs in this area of the pass, and who and what might reside here? Did he... ever speak of Roghan and Zelligar to you?"

[rredmond]

"You know, friend Wergrim, I do wonder about a few other things I had hoped you could... help me with. The map of the "Wood Giant's" tomb, for instance. Do you know where or from whom Ovgur got the map? Did he ever speak of any other tombs in this area of the pass, and who and what might reside here? Did he... ever speak of Roghan and Zelligar to you?"

"Ah thank you," he says after eating and drinking, "I was a bit hungry. Not sure where Ovgur got the map, he was insistent that there was something good at the end of it. We were keeping a watch on him to tell the truth in case the insistence became... well, a liability. Nah no other tombs in this area, unless you count the old guard tower to the north a tomb; could be. No one's been in there in a long while, but supposedly it's been well picked over. As far as I know that's the only thing between here and Shard. Roghan and Zelligar? Not really, never heard of them. Humans are they?"

[migellito]

"Yes, at least they claimed to be humans. Is Shard a nice place?"

[Argennian]

"... Nah no other tombs in this area, unless you count the old guard tower to the north a tomb; could be. No one's been in there in a long while, but supposedly it's been well picked over. As far as I know that's the only thing between here and Shard..."

Yosef hesitates a moment and then nods his head affirmatively and smiles at the dwarf, but lets him finish.

"... Roghan and Zelligar? Not really, never heard of them. Humans are they?"

Yosef waits for Jeloon to respond with her query before he speaks.

"Aye, those humans! Ha! They say Roghan was a fighter lord and legendary warrior, and his partner Zelligar was a dangerously intelligent and powerful magic-user that knew no equal in his time. They were said to have traveled through this very pass and beyond, out on a final foray against the champoins of barbarian tribes that were sworn enemies. They went forth but never returned. Rumor and opinion is varied among the humans, though none claim to truly know or say their fate. Some legend, eh friend?"

"An old guard tower, you say? Interesting. And yes, tell us about Shard. Have you ever been there? Please, Wergrim, tell us all about it!"

[rredmond]

"Yes, at least they claimed to be humans. Is Shard a nice place?"

Wergrim chokes on his food and laughs. "Shard, nah, not a nice place." Then he looks up at Jeloon, "well you might be alright. Relatively safe I guess, as long as you go about your business, but I wouldn't go there without a goblin-type escort. Never been there, but some of the more... nefarious types we've worked with have."

Yosef waits for Jeloon to respond with her query before he speaks.

"Aye, those humans! Ha! They say Roghan was a fighter lord and legendary warrior, and his partner Zelligar was a dangerously intelligent and powerful magic-user that knew no equal in his time. They were said to have traveled through this very pass and beyond, out on a final foray against the champoins of barbarian tribes that were sworn enemies. They went forth but never returned. Rumor and opinion is varied among the humans, though none claim to truly know or say their fate. Some legend, eh friend?"

"An old guard tower, you say? Interesting. And yes, tell us about Shard. Have you ever been there? Please, Wergrim, tell us all about it!"

"The old tower is about a day from here, and perhaps less than a day to the end of the pass. But sure Shard, it's a real ancient city, real 'since the beginning of time' kind of stuff. Supposedly it's been built upon and built upon or something and it's now just a ruined city. It's supposed to be walled, but how it's ruined and walled I'm not sure, though I've seen those walls from afar. Now it's overseen by factions that each control a zone of the Shard. Nasty folk too, the Black Horn Orcs, Death Spear Gnolls, Red Stone Goblins, and some human evil cult or something, I think run by a druid, and searching for ancient magicks, yadda, yadda. They rule their separate sections, don't interfere with each other, and then protect the city together, somehow, together. You can buy all sorts of good stuff there on their monthly trade day, just passed as a matter of fact, and there's a booming slave trade. You know what, I think the current occupants kicked the barbarians out, or the barbarians left to go raiding down south, or somesuch. Somehow the barbarians are tied in to it, but not for years."

[Alethan]

Ok, here is what the group has decided...

1. Sleep through the night, running the normal watch shifts of two at a time.
2. In the morning, casters prepare their spells (we'll want detect magic and read magic, if I'm not mistaken, then whatever else they want for a day in the dungeon).
3. When we head in, we'll leave all the hirelings here at camp. With hobs running around, I think we should have as many able-bodied people here guarding camp as possible. We'll bring the dwarf with us, though.
4. Till will carry the lamp and provide light, in addition to the light provided by the two glowing swords.
5. Rope and grappling hook - check.
6. Till will also bring 5 flasks of oil and as many torches.
7. When we pass the stick man remains on the stairs, we'll test them to see how well they burn.
8. We can discuss what we're going to do once we are on top of the platform and by the columns.

Anyone chime in if I missed anything.

[rredmond]

Day 12 – Day 14 - Morning (no WMs - Dice-Fu/MoJo/Whatever continues)

In which we answer some of Alethan's questions, and wish all Happy Holidays!

1. Sleep through the night, running the normal watch shifts of two at a time.
Nothing happens through the night, unfortunately. Please all check the Weapons in Hand and Marching Order lines below. HPs updated. Yosef doesn't have a shield?
2. In the morning, casters prepare their spells (we'll want detect magic and read magic, if I'm not mistaken, then whatever else they want for a day in the dungeon).
Please let me know who is taking what.
3. When we head in, we'll leave all the hirelings here at camp. With hobs running around, I think we should have as many able-bodied people here guarding camp as possible. We'll bring the dwarf with us, though.
Van and Eyman back with the DAM handlers, dwarf with you - weaponless. Got it.
4. Till will carry the lamp and provide light, in addition to the light provided by the two glowing swords.
Done.
5. Rope and grappling hook - check.
Done.
6. Till will also bring 5 flasks of oil and as many torches.
Done.
7. When we pass the stick man remains on the stairs, we'll test them to see how well they burn.
Outer green crustiness, the petrification, doesn't burn so well. Inside flames up nicely.
8. We can discuss what we're going to do once we are on top of the platform and by the columns.
Doesn't take long to get there.



Unless anyone wants to do anything else, we can start at the dais. Good luck.


HPs: Jeloon - 29/29; Till - 34/36; Yosef - 9/10; Bruard - 19/19; Derek - 39/40
WIH: Wergrim: BOUND; Till: short sword and lamp; Jeloon: Longsword (20' radius light), shield; Derek: Longsword (20' radius light), shield; Yosef: long sword; Bruard: Mace, shield; staying back - Van: Ogre spear, shield; Eyman: Battle Axe, shield
MO: 1- Jeloon & Bruard; 2 - Yosef & Wergrim; 3 - Derek & Till
Consumables: Lantern - out (Till) 3 hours, 30 minutes left, 30' radius.

[Vokarius]

Looks good to me (now to make sure I check "notify me when a reply is posted")

[Argennian]

Yosef just had a few other things to ask 'ol Wergrim before we set off into the tomb (I'll condense these to speed things up!):

1) Were you and the other dwarves to meet up with any other humanoids here in the pass before or after you went to the tomb?
2) Are the dwarves allies of any other in the pass or perhaps in Shard?
3) Have you ever been to the druid's grove back down the pass? Do you know his/her name?
4) How many more dwarves are in your clan? Where is your clan located and who is the leader?
5) Are there any denizens/inhabitants within the old watch tower? If so, what is their disposition?
6) Regarding Shard, is there any sign or protocol(s) needed when approaching the city walls?
7) Are humans, elves or halflings forbidden or attacked if they approach or try to enter Shard when it is not their "trading time" of the month?

(Not sure if anyone else has any questions that they thought to ask before Wergrim before he potentially sets off the trap around the tomb?)


Before we head into the tomb, Yosef will make sure to get the Ogre spear back from Van, explaining to him and the party that it's just in case he needs a magical weapon to fight the Wood Giant! He'll also get back the Bracers of Armour from Ancor, just in case he or needs to lose his armor or some other such potential arises!

OOC: Ron, just wanted to make sure to list these first before we start in on the tomb business! Yosef will memorize: Read Magic, Magic Missile and Mirror Image for his spell roster.

[rredmond]

condensed it is!
1) Were you and the other dwarves to meet up with any other humanoids here in the pass before or after you went to the tomb?
Nope, we were doing some treasure seeking ourselves. We have worked with those hobgoblins before though, they've been to Shard before...
2) Are the dwarves allies of any other in the pass or perhaps in Shard?
Not allies, but have "worked" on some projects together. [ie: pillage, raid, rob, etc.]
3) Have you ever been to the druid's grove back down the pass? Do you know his/her name?
Druid's grove? Them evil trees? Yup, certainly have, but never again! Don't know nothing bout no druid though.
4) How many more dwarves are in your clan? Where is your clan located and who is the leader?
No clan, we were renegades. I was the leader.
5) Are there any denizens/inhabitants within the old watch tower? If so, what is their disposition?
That place has been deserted for decades.
6) Regarding Shard, is there any sign or protocol(s) needed when approaching the city walls?
No clue. Never been close to those walls. You don't get in without an invite or an escort... better the invite though, especially with the slave trade they got going on there.
7) Are humans, elves or halflings forbidden or attacked if they approach or try to enter Shard when it is not their "trading time" of the month?
Humans, elves, and halflings would all be looked upon suspiciously. Probably wouldn't get in. The cults are, or were, some sort of human or elf or something, so the rumor goes. But honestly I don't really know.


Before we head into the tomb, Yosef will make sure to get the Ogre spear back from Van, explaining to him and the party that it's just in case he needs a magical weapon to fight the Wood Giant! He'll also get back the Bracers of Armour from Ancor, just in case he or needs to lose his armor or some other such potential arises!

Not a problem. Van doesn't like to let it go, but he fully understands. Ancor isn't even sure what the bracer-thingies are for.

OOC: Ron, just wanted to make sure to list these first before we start in on the tomb business! Yosef will memorize: Read Magic, Magic Missile and Mirror Image for his spell roster.

Done.

[ToniXX]

Okay, so Bruard casts CLW on Yosef:
Cure light wounds: [1d8] = 5

Then turns to the rest of the party: "Anyone else need the light and grace of Shinare to help with their wounds?"

Bruard will spend the morning praying for a detect magic in place of the light spell.

OOC I realize we're doing this a little out of order, but that's the beauty of PbP!

[Alethan]

I believe that these are correct as of the morning of the 13th day, barring any retro-CLWs on the 12th day:

HPs: Jeloon - 29/29; Till - 34/36; Yosef - 9/10; Bruard - 19/19; Derek - 39/40

If you believe otherwise let me know please.

If this is the case, and Bruard has any CLW spells left before the end of the day (Day 13?), and it would be wasted, then if he could cast one on Till, that would be great. Then we'll all be topped off except for Derek, who is just one under his total of 40 (so... not doing too badly).

If that's not possible, then no big deal says Till.

Enough of this traveling back in time business! Let's get to the tomb and the trap!

[Alethan]

If Bruard has the spells to top everyone off, then that's great! (ToniXX, just let us know.)

Regardless, I think we can continue...

At the dais/sarcophagus:

So is our plan to hook the grappling hook to the lid, then run rope off the dais around one of the pillars and have the party pull on it while Wergrim pushes on the lid?

If so, before that happens, Till will prepare by setting the lamp down, lighting a torch, and placing the five vials of oil on the ground not far from where they're standing when they pull on the rope. He'll make sure they're not in the way, but easily accessible. He'll keep sword in its sheath, but... he'll make sure his sling and some bullets are within easy grasp, just in case.

I think that's all Till wants to do before he starts. Anyone else have anything they'd like to indicate before we try this?

[ToniXX]

Bruard will then cast another CLW on Till.
Cure light wounds: [1d8] = 1
Ugh, sorry Till. I guess Shinare is a little busy at the moment.

So is our plan to hook the grappling hook to the lid, then run rope off the dais around one of the pillars and have the party pull on it while Wergrim pushes on the lid?

Yes, this is a good plan. Let's see if we can indirectly kill the evil little bugger!

[rredmond]

Day 12 – Day 14 - Late Morning

Updated HPs below and we shall zoom back to the dais then. Bruard should have full complement of spells at this point too.

As you get to the dais Wergrim gets all excited by the tomb, his eyes almost looks as if they reflect gold the closer you get. While you start making preparations at the tomb. He looks around at you, rubbing his hands together, and asks, "now what's the plan?"
.


HPs: Jeloon - 29/29; Till - 35/36; Yosef - 10/10; Bruard - 19/19; Derek - 39/40
WIH: Wergrim: unbound, no weapon; Till: torch and lamp; Jeloon: Longsword (20' radius light), shield; Derek: Longsword (20' radius light), shield; Yosef: long sword; Bruard: Mace, shield; staying back - Van: spear, shield; Eyman: Battle Axe, shield
MO: 1- Jeloon & Bruard; 2 - Yosef & Wergrim; 3 - Derek & Till
Consumables: Lantern - (Till) 2 hours, 55 minutes left, 30' radius; Torch (Till) 60 minutes left, 40' radius.
--------Spells: Yosef: 1-2/2, 2-1/1; Bruard: 1-5/5, 2-4/4